The assessment of the long-term effects of elective CRT-D of coronary heart disease after PCI

OBJECTIVE

The present study was planned to evaluate the long-term effects of elective cardiac resynchronization therapy devices (CRT-D) of coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We continuously selected 124 patients with chronic stable heart failure to undergo PCI, and were randomly divided into two groups viz. control group with 72 cases and observation group with 52 cases. The control group was given intensive drugs, while the observation group was treated with a combination of intensive drugs with CRT-D. Followed-up for three years and contrasted their effects.

RESULTS

The survival rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and its major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rate was observed to be lower than that of the control group. During the follow-up of the control group, LVEDd, pro-BNP and NYHA increased but LVEF decreased. On the other hand, in the observation group, LVEDd, LVEF, NYHA showed no significant changes, but pro-BNP revealed a significant increase. The physical health, mental health, social health and total score of the observation group were significantly higher than that of the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with chronic stable heart failure who have CRT-D implant testified after PCI could have significant improvement in long-term survival rate, better quality of life, improved cardiac function and reduction in the occurrence of MACE too.

miR-26a-5p suppresses tumor metastasis by regulating EMT and is associated with prognosis in HCC

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of miR-26a-5p in tumor invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

We evaluated miR-26a-5p expression in HCC tissues by quantitative PCR and then analyzed its clinical significance using a Cox regression model. Transwell and nude mouse models were used to examine tumor metastasis in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The relationship between miR-26a-5p and epithelial-mesenchymal transition was also investigated by q-PCR and western blot.

RESULTS

Strong downregulation of miR-26a-5p was observed in tumor tissues compared to paired adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, patients with low miR-26a-5p expression had a significantly poorer prognosis than those with high expression. The multivariate analysis indicated that miR-26a-5p expression was an independent prognostic indicator. The experimental transwell model and athymic mouse model revealed that miR-26a-5p depressed tumor metastasis in vitro and in vivo, respectively. In addition, the decreased miR-26a-5p level observed in HCC was associated with reduced E-cadherin expression and upregulation of vimentin, which affects the molecular mechanism of EMT.

CONCLUSION

Downregulation of miR-26a-5p promotes tumor metastasis by targeting EMT and influences the prognosis of HCC patients. Therefore, miR-26a-5p has potential as a new biomarker and therapeutic target.

Autophagy Modulates Cell Mineralization on Fluorapatite-Modified Scaffolds

As a major intracellular degradation and recycling machinery, autophagy plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and remodeling during normal development. Our previous study showed that fluorapatite (FA) crystal-coated electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) was capable of inducing differentiation and mineralization of human dental pulp stem cells. However, how autophagy changes and whether autophagy plays a vital role during these processes is still unknown. In this study, we seeded STEMPRO human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) on both PCL+FA and PCL scaffolds to investigate the osteogenic inductive ability of FA crystals and we observed the autophagy changes of these cells. Scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy images, along with DNA quantitation, showed that both PCL+FA and PCL scaffolds could sustain ASC growth but only the PCL+FA scaffold could sustain cell mineralization. This was confirmed by alkaline phosphatase activity and Alizarin red and Von Kossa staining results. The autophagy RT2 Profiler polymerase chain reaction array analysis showed many autophagy-related genes changes during ASC differentiation. Western blot analysis indicated that several autophagy-related proteins fluctuated during the procedure. Among them, the microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II protein changes of the ASCs grown on the 2- or 3-dimensional environments at 6 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, and 21 d reached a peak value at day 7 during osteogenesis. At earlier stages (from day 0 to day 3), the addition of autophagy inhibitors (3-mathyladenine, bafilomycin A1, and NH4Cl) attenuated the expression of osteogenic related markers (osteopontin, alkaline phosphatase activity, Alizarin red, and Von Kossa) compared with the control group. All data indicated that autophagy played an important role in ASC differentiation on the PCL+FA scaffold. Inhibition of autophagy before day 3 strongly inhibited osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of ASCs in the 3-dimensional model. This observation further elucidates the mechanism of autophagy in mesenchymal stem cell osteogenic differentiation.

Cardiac shock wave therapy shows better outcomes in the coronary artery disease patients in a long term

OBJECTIVE

Almost all the past CSWT studies show the beneficial effects on CAD patients in a maximum duration of 1-year follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate the actual CSWT effects in 6 years follow-up period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The subjects were selected exclusively on the basis of inclusion criteria. The total number of patients was 52, out of which control group (n = 11) and the shock wave group (SW group, n = 41) was selected.

RESULTS

The wall motion, MPI, nitrate dosage, NYHA classification, SAQ scores, CCS grading, 6 MWT were markedly improved in the long-term (6 years) follow-up for SW group than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Following 6 years of follow-up, the CSWT provided agreeable results that improved myocardial function and quality of life in comparing to the month 0 and the control group. These outcomes advise that on a long-term (72 months) CSWT shows better parameters than the control group. These findings highlight that CSWT can improve clinical symptoms, morphology, functions of the heart and quality of life in patients with CHD than the patients just on drug therapy for a long-term.

Cloning and expression of the sucrose transporter gene PsSUT1 from tree peony leaf

This study reports the cloning of a sucrose transporter gene, PsSUT1, from the leaf of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Lind. cv 'Huhong'). Expression patterns were examined in different organs and at different developmental stages. The full-length cDNA of PsSUT1 consisted of a 2001-bp sequence containing a 1557-bp open reading frame, encoding 519 amino acids with a conserved domain typical of the glycoside-pentoside-hexuronide superfamily. The amino acid sequence of PsSUT1 in tree peony shared high homology with that of other plants. At different developmental stages, PsSUT1 was expressed in roots, stems, leaves, and petals. Its expression level in stems was 10.9-fold higher than in petals at the flowering stage. Expression of PsSUT1 at the flowering stage was highest during flower development. The significant differences in PsSUT1 expression observed among developmental stages and organs were closely related to changes in sucrose content during flower opening. These results form the basis for further research on the molecular mechanisms of carbohydrate metabolism and transport during flower development in tree peony.

The extraction of different proteins in selenium enriched peanuts and their antioxidant properties

In this study, the selenium enriched peanuts and the different solubility proteins extracted from them were investigated. The dried defatted selenium enriched peanuts (SeP) powder (0.3147 μg/g) had a 2.5-fold higher mean total selenium concentration than general peanuts (GP) power (0.1233 μg/g). The SeP had higher concentration of selenium, manganese and zinc than that of GP, but less calcium. The rate of extraction of protein was 23.39% for peanuts and alkali soluble protein was the main component of protein in SeP, which accounted for 92.82% of total soluble protein and combined selenium was 77.33% of total selenium protein. In different forms of proteins from SeP, the WSePr due to higher concentration of selenium had higher DPPH free-radical scavenging activity, higher reducing activity and longer induction time than other proteins.

Study of e(+)e(-)→ωχ(cJ) at center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV

Based on data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider at nine center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV, we search for the production of e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{cJ} (J=0, 1, 2). The process e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c0} is observed for the first time, and the Born cross sections at sqrt[s]=4.23 and 4.26 GeV are measured to be (55.4±6.0±5.9) and (23.7±5.3±3.5)  pb, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The ωχ_{c0} signals at the other seven energies and the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2} signals are not significant, and the upper limits on the cross sections are determined. By examining the ωχ_{c0} cross section as a function of center of mass energy, we find that it is inconsistent with the line shape of the Y(4260) observed in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ. Assuming the ωχ_{c0} signals come from a single resonance, we extract the mass and width of the resonance to be (4230±8±6)  MeV/c^{2} and (38±12±2)  MeV, respectively, and the statistical significance is more than 9σ.

Association of body composition with bone mineral density in northern Chinese men by different criteria for obesity

With impressive economic development, obesity has emerged as a critical public health issue in China. Recently it was reported that obesity has taken an adverse effect on osteoporosis. Because there is different body mass index (BMI) for obesity globally, studies based on BMI levels on association of obesity with osteoporosis were quite few. Therefore, we discussed the relationship of body composition with skeletal BMD according to WHO BMI and BMI on Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC).

METHODS

A total of 502 adult men aged 20-89 were enrolled as healthy subjects for osteoporosis study at Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University between September 2008 and August 2010. According to WHO BMI, all subjects were divided into three groups: normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m(2), n = 202), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m(2), n = 242), and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2), n = 58). According to WGOC BMI, normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 24 kg/m(2), n = 137), overweight (24 ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m(2), n = 225), and obesity (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m(2), n = 140). Total body and regional BMD, lean mass (LM), lean body mass index (LBMI), fat mass (FM), percent body fat (%BF) and fat mass index (FMI) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Age-partial Pearson correlation analyses between body composition-related parameters and BMD. Multiple regression analyses were performed to explore the associations of BMD with LM, LBMI, FM, %BF and FMI.

RESULTS

Fat mass (FM), %BF, FMI, LM and LBMI were positively correlated with BMD at almost sites (P < 0.001) in all subjects. However, the relationship was not different among groups. LM, LBMI, FM and FMI were positively correlated with BMD (P < 0.01) in normal weight. LM and LBMI appeared significantly positive with BMD in overweight and obesity according to WHO and WGOC criteria. %BF and FMI were negative significance with BMD at total body and some regional BMD according to WHO criteria in overweight (P < 0.05). In two obese groups, %BF appeared negatively significant with BMD (P < 0.05) according to WGOC criteria, and %BF and FMI appeared negatively significant with BMD (P < 0.05) according to WHO criteria. In regression of independent variables as FM and LM, LM showed statistically positively significant relations with BMD at almost sites (P < 0.05) in all groups. FM appeared positively significant with BMD in normal groups and overweight group according to WGOC criteria. In regression of independent variables as %BF and FMI, %BF and FMI appeared statistically negatively significant relations with BMD in overweight and obesity, but %BF and FMI were inconsistent in same site.

CONCLUSIONS

Lean mass (LM) and LBMI could help to determinant of BMD, and %BF and FMI were adverse to BMD in overweight and obesity. Comparing with two criteria, we found the differences in fat-related parameters and BMD according to WHO criteria were more obvious than that according to WGOC criteria. We also found that %BF and FMI were useful to research the relationship between osteoporosis and obesity at the same time.

Evolution of silver nanoparticles in the rat lung investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Following a 6-h inhalation exposure to aerosolized 20 and 110 nm diameter silver nanoparticles, lung tissues from rats were investigated with X-ray absorption spectroscopy, which can identify the chemical state of silver species. Lung tissues were processed immediately after sacrifice of the animals at 0, 1, 3, and 7 days post exposure and the samples were stored in an inert and low-temperature environment until measured. We found that it is critical to follow a proper processing, storage and measurement protocol; otherwise only silver oxides are detected after inhalation even for the larger nanoparticles. The results of X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements taken in air at 85 K suggest that the dominating silver species in all the postexposure lung tissues were metallic silver, not silver oxide, or solvated silver cations. The results further indicate that the silver nanoparticles in the tissues were transformed from the original nanoparticles to other forms of metallic silver nanomaterials and the rate of this transformation depended on the size of the original nanoparticles. We found that 20 nm diameter silver nanoparticles were significantly modified after aerosolization and 6-h inhalation/deposition, whereas larger, 110 nm diameter nanoparticles were largely unchanged. Over the seven-day postexposure period the smaller 20 nm silver nanoparticles underwent less change in the lung tissue than the larger 110 nm silver nanoparticles. In contrast, silica-coated gold nanoparticles did not undergo any modification processes and remained as the initial nanoparticles throughout the 7-day study period.

Pilot study to assess effects of collection tube types and processing delay on measurements of persistent organic pollutants and lipids in human serum

Glass red top tubes (RTs), traditionally used to draw blood for biomonitoring studies, have some limitations during field sampling (e.g., tube breakage, timely processing may be difficult). This pilot study examined whether serum separation tubes (SSTs) with delayed processing time (48 h) can be used instead of red top tubes (RTs) to accommodate field conditions. Using state-of-the-art methodologies, PBDEs, PCBs, OCPs, PFCs, cholesterol and triglycerides were measured to evaluate any differences among 2 test conditions (RTs with 2h processing time; SSTs with 48 h processing time). Between the 2 test conditions, we observed high rank correlations among the measured compounds and no statistically significant differences in the levels of measured compounds. We conclude that SSTs with delayed processing time (48 h) produce similar results as RTs with short processing time (2h), suggesting that SSTs could be good substitutes for RTs for new epidemiological and biomonitoring field studies. The use of SSTs offers a tremendous opportunity for the use of samples archived in various SSTs.

Observation of e(+)e(-)→π(0)π(0)hc and a neutral charmoniumlike structure Zc(4020)(0)

Using data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider at center-of-mass energies of sqrt[s]=4.23, 4.26, and 4.36 GeV, we observe e(+)e(-)→π(0)π(0)hc for the first time. The Born cross sections are measured and found to be about half of those of e(+)e(-)→π(+)π(-)hc within less than 2σ. In the π(0)hc mass spectrum, a structure at 4.02  GeV/c(2) is found. It is most likely to be the neutral isospin partner of the Zc(4020)(±) observed in the process of e(+)e(-)→π(+)π(-)hc being found. A fit to the π(0)hc invariant mass spectrum, with the width of the Zc(4020)(0) fixed to that of its charged isospin partner and possible interferences with non-Zc(4020)(0) amplitudes neglected, gives a mass of (4023.9±2.2±3.8)  MeV/c(2) for the Zc(4020)(0), where the first error is statistical and the second systematic.

Identification of APOH polymorphisms as common genetic risk factors for venous thrombosis in the Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Venous thrombosis (VT) is a worldwide medical problem. In order to identify individuals at high risk early, it is necessary to find more genetic risk factors. Nowadays, the studies on genetic factors of thrombosis are mainly focused on coagulation and anticoagulation factors. The exploration of other proteins involved in thrombosis and hemostasis may lead to a breakthrough.

OBJECTIVES

We used APOH as a candidate gene to investigate the existence of genetic variation that could increase the risk of thrombosis.

METHODS/RESULTS

In the current study, with a resequencing method followed by a case-control study, four polymorphisms (c.-32C>A, c.422T>C, c.461G>A, and c.1004G>C) in APOH (encoding β2 -glycoprotein I) were found to be in high linkage disequilibrium, which could result in three haplotypes. The H2 heterozygotes and H3 homozygotes had approximately 1.5-fold and seven-fold increased risks for VT, respectively. The minor allele frequency in the general population was ~ 10%. In addition, H3 individuals showed a significantly decreased level of β2 -glycoprotein I, but an increased level of thrombin generation. Functional tests indicated that the mutant β2 -glycoprotein I had a significantly lower capacity to extend thrombin clotting time and increase thrombin generation potential.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed APOH as a new candidate gene associated with thrombosis, and further genetic research on this gene in patients in whom the cause of thrombophilia is unknown is therefore warranted.

Fluorapatite-modified scaffold on dental pulp stem cell mineralization

In previous studies, fluorapatite (FA) crystal-coated surfaces have been shown to stimulate the differentiation and mineralization of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in two-dimensional cell culture. However, whether the FA surface can recapitulate these properties in three-dimensional culture is still unknown. This study examined the differences in behavior of human DPSCs cultured on electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) NanoECM nanofibers with or without the FA crystals. Under near-physiologic conditions, the FA crystals were synthesized on the PCL nanofiber scaffolds. The FA crystals were evenly distributed on the scaffolds. DPSCs were cultured on the PCL+FA or the PCL scaffolds for up to 28 days. Scanning electron microscope images showed that DPSCs attached well to both scaffolds after the initial seeding. However, it appeared that more multicellular aggregates formed on the PCL+FA scaffolds. After 14 days, the cell proliferation on the PCL+FA was slower than that on the PCL-only scaffolds. Interestingly, even without any induction of mineralization, from day 7, the upregulation of several pro-osteogenic molecules (dmp1, dspp, runx2, ocn, spp1, col1a1) was detected in cells seeded on the PCL+FA scaffolds. A significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was also seen on FA-coated scaffolds compared with the PCL-only scaffolds at days 14 and 21. At the protein level, osteocalcin expression was induced only in the DPSCs on the PCL+FA surfaces at day 21 and then significantly enhanced at day 28. A similar pattern was observed in those specimens stained with Alizarin red and Von Kossa after 21 and 28 days. These data suggest that the incorporation of FA crystals within the three-dimensional PCL nanofiber scaffolds provided a favorable extracellular matrix microenvironment for the growth, differentiation, and mineralization of human DPSCs. This FA-modified PCL nanofiber scaffold shows promising potential for future bone, dental, and orthopedic regenerative applications.

Observation of η'→π+ π π+ π- and η'→π+π- π0 π0

Using a sample of 1.3 × 10(9)  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, we report the first observation of η(')→π(+)π(-)π(+)π(-) and η(')→π(+)π(-)π(0)π(0). The measured branching fractions are B(η(')→π(+)π(-)π(+)π(-)) = [8.53 ± 0.69(stat.) ± 0.64(syst.)]×10(-5) and B(η(')→π(+)π(-)π(0) π(0)) = [1.82 ± 0.35(stat.) ± 0.18(syst.)] × 10(-4), which are consistent with theoretical predictions based on a combination of chiral perturbation theory and vector-meson dominance.

Observation of a charged charmoniumlike structure in e+ e- → (D* D*)± π∓ at √s = 4.26 GeV

We study the process e+ e- →(D* D*)± π∓ at a center-of-mass energy of 4.26 GeV using a 827  pb(-1) data sample obtained with the BESIII detector at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. Based on a partial reconstruction technique, the Born cross section is measured to be (137±9±15)  pb. We observe a structure near the (D* D*)± threshold in the π∓ recoil mass spectrum, which we denote as the Zc±(4025). The measured mass and width of the structure are (4026.3±2.6±3.7)  MeV/c2 and (24.8±5.6±7.7)  MeV, respectively. Its production ratio σ(e+ e- → Zc±(4025)π∓ → (D* D*)± π∓)/σ(e+ e- → (D* D*)± π∓) is determined to be 0.65±0.09±0.06. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

Observation of e+e- → γX(3872) at BESIII

With data samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring at center-of-mass energies from 4.009 to 4.420 GeV, the process e+e-→ γX(3872) is observed for the first time with a statistical significance of 6.3σ. The measured mass of the X(3872) is (3871.9 ± 0.7s tat ± 0.2 syst)  MeV/c(2), in agreement with previous measurements. Measurements of the product of the cross section σ[e+e- → γX(3872)] and the branching fraction B[X(3872)→π+π-J/ψ] at center-of-mass energies 4.009, 4.229, 4.260, and 4.360 GeV are reported. Our measurements are consistent with expectations for the radiative transition process Y(4260) → γX(3872).

Genetic variations of ISL1 associated with human congenital heart disease in Chinese Han people

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth abnormality, but the etiology of CHD is unknown. ISL1 may play a fundamental role in cardiac morphogenesis, and mutations of this gene could cause CHD. To evaluate whether genetic variations of ISL1 are associated with CHD in Chinese Han people, polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment-length polymorphism and SNaPshot were used to examine 9 polymorphisms of ISL1 in 233 patients with CHD as well as 288 healthy controls. We found that one SNP (rs1017) in ISL1 was significantly associated with simple CHD. Genetic variation of ISL1 was confirmed to be associated with the risk of CHD. ISL1 is related to the atrial septal defect group and the ventricular septal defect group, and the genotypes were associated with the occurrence of CHD in the dominant mode of inheritance. We concluded that rs1017 contributed to the risk of CHD in Chinese Han people, and ISL1 may be involved in the formation and development of the heart.

Observation of a charged (DD*)± mass peak in e+ e- → πDD* at sqrt[s] = 4.26 GeV

We report on a study of the process e+ e- → π± (DD*)∓ at sqrt[s] = 4.26  GeV using a 525 pb(-1) data sample collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. A distinct charged structure is observed in the (DD*)∓ invariant mass distribution. When fitted to a mass-dependent-width Breit-Wigner line shape, the pole mass and width are determined to be Mpole = (3883.9±1.5(stat)±4.2(syst))  MeV/c2 and Γpole = (24.8±3.3(stat)±11.0(syst))  MeV. The mass and width of the structure, which we refer to as Zc(3885), are 2σ and 1σ, respectively, below those of the Zc(3900) → π± J/ψ peak observed by BESIII and Belle in π+ π- J/ψ final states produced at the same center-of-mass energy. The angular distribution of the πZc(3885) system favors a JP = 1+ quantum number assignment for the structure and disfavors 1- or 0-. The Born cross section times the DD* branching fraction of the Zc(3885) is measured to be σ(e+ e- → π± Zc(3885)∓)×B(Zc(3885)∓ → (DD*)∓) = (83.5±6.6(stat)±22.0(syst))   pb. Assuming the Zc(3885) → DD* signal reported here and the Zc(3900) → πJ/ψ signal are from the same source, the partial width ratio (Γ(Zc(3885) → DD*)/Γ(Zc(3900) → πJ/ψ)) = 6.2±1.1(stat)±2.7(syst) is determined.

Endoscopic endonasal surgery for pterygopalatine fossa schwannoma via prelacrimal recess-maxillary sinus

OBJECTIVE

To explore a new approach for treating pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) schwannomas via endoscopic transnasal prelacrimal recess-maxillary sinus (MS).

METHODOLOGY

Five patients with PPF schwannomas underwent surgical resection of the tumors using this approach.

RESULTS

All patients had adequate exposure and complete tumor resection. No major postoperative complications were observed. No evidence of tumor recurrence was noted after follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging and serial evaluations for 12 to 40 months postoperatively. No patients had epiphora, and the shape of the inferior turbinate (IT) was favorable.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of PPF schwannoma via endoscopic transnasal prelacrimal recess-MS is safe and effective. Additionally, this approach is minimally invasive not only for the PPF, from which the benign lesions can be completely removed, but also for the MS. This is especially true with lesions of the prelacrimal and alveolar recesses that can be resected. This approach is necessary to prevent structural and functional damage of the nasal cavity, especially the IT and nasolacrimal duct, allowing better healing with decreased morbidity and shorter recovery periods.

Observation of a charged charmoniumlike structure Zc(4020) and search for the Zc(3900) in e+e-→π+π-hc

We study e+e-→π+π-hc at center-of-mass energies from 3.90 to 4.42 GeV by using data samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The Born cross sections are measured at 13 energies and are found to be of the same order of magnitude as those of e+e-→π+π-J/ψ but with a different line shape. In the π±hc mass spectrum, a distinct structure, referred to as Zc(4020), is observed at 4.02  GeV/c2. The Zc(4020) carries an electric charge and couples to charmonium. A fit to the π±hc invariant mass spectrum, neglecting possible interferences, results in a mass of (4022.9±0.8±2.7)  MeV/c2 and a width of (7.9±2.7±2.6)  MeV for the Zc(4020), where the first errors are statistical and the second systematic. The difference between the parameters of this structure and the Zc(4025) observed in the D*D[over ¯]* final state is within 1.5σ, but whether they are the same state needs further investigation. No significant Zc(3900) signal is observed, and upper limits on the Zc(3900) production cross sections in π±hc at center-of-mass energies of 4.23 and 4.26 GeV are set.

Observation of a charged charmoniumlike structure in e+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ at sqrt[s] = 4.26 GeV

We study the process ee+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ at a center-of-mass energy of 4.260 GeV using a 525  pb(-1) data sample collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The Born cross section is measured to be (62.9±1.9±3.7)  pb, consistent with the production of the Y(4260). We observe a structure at around 3.9  GeV/c2 in the π(±)J/ψ mass spectrum, which we refer to as the Z(c)(3900). If interpreted as a new particle, it is unusual in that it carries an electric charge and couples to charmonium. A fit to the π(±)J/ψ invariant mass spectrum, neglecting interference, results in a mass of (3899.0±3.6±4.9)  MeV/c2 and a width of (46±10±20)  MeV. Its production ratio is measured to be R = (σ(e+ e- → π(±)Z(c)(3900)(∓) → π+ π- J/ψ)/σ(e+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ)) = (21.5±3.3±7.5)%. In all measurements the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic.

TCF3, a novel positive regulator of osteogenesis, plays a crucial role in miR-17 modulating the diverse effect of canonical Wnt signaling in different microenvironments

Wnt signaling pathways are a highly conserved pathway, which plays an important role from the embryonic development to bone formation. The effect of Wnt pathway on osteogenesis relies on their cellular environment and the expression of target genes. However, the molecular mechanism of that remains unclear. On the basis of the preliminary results, we observed the contrary effect of canonical Wnt signaling on osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in the different culture environment. Furthermore, we found that the expression level of miR-17 was also varied with the change in the culture environment. Therefore, we hypothesized that miR-17 and canonical Wnt signaling may have potential interactions, particularly the inner regulation relationship in different microenvironments. In this paper, we observed that canonical Wnt signaling promoted osteogenesis of PDLSCs in the fully culture medium, while inhibited it in the osteogenic differentiation medium. Interestingly, alteration in the expression level of endogenous miR-17 could partially reverse the different effect of canonical Wnt signaling. Furthermore, the role of miR-17 was because of its target gene TCF3 (transcription factor 3), a key transcription factor of canonical Wnt pathway. Overexpression of TCF3 attenuated the effect of miR-17 on modulating canonical Wnt signaling. Finally, we elucidated that TCF3 enhanced osteogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. In brief, the different level of miR-17 was the main cause of the different effect of canonical Wnt signaling, and TCF3 was the crucial node of miR-17–canonial Wnt signaling regulation loop. This understanding of microRNAs regulating signaling pathways in different microenvironments may pave the way for fine-tuning the process of osteogenesis in bone-related disorders.

Significant pathways detection in osteoporosis based on the bibliometric network

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a significant public health issue worldwide. The underlying mechanism of osteoporosis is an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. However, the exact pathology is still unclear, and more related genes are on demand.

AIM

Here, we aim to identify the differentially expressed genes in osteoporosis patients and control.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Biblio-MetReS, a tool to reconstruct gene and protein networks from automated literature analysis, was used for identifying potential interactions among target genes. Relevant signaling pathways were also identified through pathway enrichment analysis.

RESULTS

Our results showed that 56 differentially expressed genes were identified. Of them, STAT1, CXCL10, SOCS3, ADM, THBS1, SOD2, and ERG2 have been demonstrated involving in osteoporosis. Further, a bibliometric network was constructed between DEGs and other genes through the Biblio-MetReS.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that STAT1 could interact with CXCL10 through Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and Chemokine signaling pathway. STAT1 interacted with SOCS3 through JAK/STAT pathway.

PEDF inhibits growth and invasiveness of endometrial cancer cells in vitro

AIM

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is pluripotent in both antiangiogenesis and direct tumor inhibition. We thus investigated role of PEDF in endometrial cancer cells in vitro.

METHODS

Exogenous PEDF was delivered into Ishikawa and KLE cells by adenovirus system. Realtime RT-PCR was used to detect expressional change of several angiogenesis-related factors. Proliferation and viability tests were performed to establish suitable transduction titre. Cell cycle and apoptosis assays were conducted to evaluate inhibitive effects of PEDF on tumor cell growth. Transwell tests were carried out to investigate the retardation of tumor cell invasiveness by PEDF.

RESULTS

PEDF induced decrease in viability, proliferation and invasiveness of both endometrial tumor cell lines. Incremented cell apoptosis and aggregated population in G1 phase of cell cycle was noted in PEDF groups. PEDF also induced down-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and up-regulation of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in both cell lines.

CONCLUSION

Adenovirus mediated PEDF is potent in retarding the growth and invasiveness of endometrial cancer cells. PEDF can become promising as novel therapeutic strategy in endometrial carcinoma.

CYP3A-dependent drug metabolism is reduced in bacterial inflammation in mice

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Gene expression of Cyp3a11 is reduced by activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacterial components, LPS or lipoteichoic acid (LTA) respectively. The primary adaptor protein in the TLR signalling pathway, TIRAP, plays differential roles in LPS- and LTA-mediated down-regulations of Cyp3a11 mRNA. Here, we have determined the functional relevance of these findings by pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis of the Cyp3a substrate midazolam in mice. Midazolam is also metabolized by Cyp2c in mice.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Adult male C57BL/6, TIRAP+/+ and TIRAP-/- mice were pretreated with saline, LPS (2 mg·kg⁻¹) or LTA (6 mg·kg⁻¹). Cyp3a11 protein expression, activity and PK/PD studies using midazolam were performed.

KEY RESULTS

Cyp3a11 protein expression in LPS- or LTA-treated mice was reduced by 95% and 60% compared with saline-treated mice. Cyp3a11 activity was reduced by 70% in LPS- or LTA-treated mice. Plasma AUC of midazolam was increased two- to threefold in LPS- and LTA-treated mice. Plasma levels of 1'-OHMDZ decreased significantly only in LTA-treated mice. Both LPS and LTA decreased AUC of 1'-OHMDZ-glucuronide. In the PD study, sleep time was increased by ∼2-fold in LPS- and LTA-treated mice. LTA-mediated decrease in Cyp3a11 protein expression and activity was dependent on TIRAP. In PK/PD correlation, AUC of midazolam was increased only in LPS-treated mice compared with saline-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

LPS or LTA altered PK/PD of midazolam. This is the first study to demonstrate mechanistic differences in regulation of metabolite formation of a clinically relevant drug by Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacterial endotoxins.

The critical aggregation concentration of peptide surfactants is predictable from dynamic hydrophobic property

Peptide surfactants are a kind of newly emerged functional materials, which have a variety of applications such as building nanoarchitecture, stabilizing membrane proteins and controlling drug release. In the present study, we report the modelling and prediction of critical aggregation concentration (CAC), an important parameter that characterizes the self-assembling behaviour of peptide surfactants through the use of statistical modelling and quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) approaches. In order to accurately describe the structural and physicochemical properties of the highly flexible peptide molecules, a new method called molecular dynamics-based hydrophobic cross-field (MD-HCF) is proposed to capture both the hydrophobic profile and dynamic feature of 32 surface-activity, structure-known peptides. A number of statistical models are then developed using partial least squares (PLS) regression with or without improvement by genetic algorithm (GA). We demonstrate that MD-HCF performs much better than the widely used CODESSA method in both its predictability and interpretability. We also highlight the importance of dynamic hydrophobic property in accurate prediction and reasonable explanation of peptide self-assembling behaviour in solution, albeit which is exhaustive to compute compared with those derived directly from peptide static structure. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to computationally model and predict the self-assembling behaviour of peptide surfactants.

PROC c.574_576del polymorphism: a common genetic risk factor for venous thrombosis in the Chinese population

BACKGROUND

There are ethnic differences in the genetic risk factors for venous thrombosis (VT). The genetic causes of VT in the Chinese population are not fully understood.

OBJECTIVES

To identify possible common abnormal factors that could contribute to thrombosis susceptibility.

METHODS/RESULTS

We measured the levels of nine types of plasma coagulation factor, three types of anticoagulation factor and two types of fibrinolytic factor in 310 VT patients. Factor V activity was higher in 32 cases. Eleven of the 32 cases also had low protein C (PC) or protein S (PS) activities, indicating PC or PS deficiency. No other abnormalities were observed in the other 21 cases. All of the samples were sensitive to activated PC inactivation. Therefore, the abnormal factor involved may be FV inactivator or its cofactor rather than FV itself. Resequencing identified a common PROC c.574_576del variant in 10 of the 32 subjects. In a case-control study, this variant was detected in 68 of the 1003 patients and in 25 of the 1031 controls. It had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.68-4.36). PC amidolytic activities of most variant carriers were similar to those of non-carriers, but the mean anticoagulant activity was only 72.7 U dL(-1). Expression studies in vitro showed that the anticoagulant activity of the mutant PC was 43.6% of that of the wild-type PC.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified what is, so far, the most common genetic risk factor for VT in the Chinese population, with its prevalence being approximately 2.36%.

The role of male chromosomal polymorphism played in spermatogenesis and the outcome of IVF/ICSI-ET treatment

Chromosomal polymorphism has been reported to be associated with infertility, but its effect on IVF/ICSI-ET outcome is still controversial. To evaluate whether or not chromosomal polymorphism in men plays a role in spermatogenesis and the outcome of IVF/ICSI-ET, we retrospectively analysed 281 infertile couples. Measures included fertilization rate, implantation rate, pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, early miscarriage rate and preterm rate. Men with chromosomal polymorphism had significantly higher frequencies of severe oligozoospermia and azoospermia than those without (37.12% vs. 16.11%, p < 0.001; 27.27% vs. 10.74%, p < 0.001; respectively). Significantly, lower fertilization rate (68.02% vs. 78.00%, p < 0.001) and clinical pregnancy rate (45.00% vs. 66.67%, p = 0.031) were observed in polymorphism-carrying men with severe oligozoospermia compared with non-carriers with severe oligozoospermia. This suggests that chromosomal polymorphism has adverse effects on spermatogenesis, negatively influencing the outcome of IVF/ICSI-ET treatment. Polymorphic variations on the Y chromosome have been found to be the most prevalent polymorphism in infertile men, most frequently occurring in patients with severe oligozoospermia.

Pharmacokinetics of tramadol in a diverse healthy Chinese population

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES

Drug disposition may show ethnicity and gender differences. The objective of this study is to assess whether there are gender and ethnic differences in the pharmacokinetics of tramadol.

METHODS

Fifty healthy volunteers from five different ethnic Chinese groups (Han, Mongolian, Korean, Uygur and Hui) were recruited, and blood samples were obtained for up to 36 h after oral administration of a single 100 mg capsule of tramadol. The plasma concentration-time course of tramadol was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and the pharmacokinetic estimated.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The mean maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) of tramadol was different between Chinese males and females. There were also statistically significant differences between Hui and the other ethnic groups in tramadol's clearance (CL/F), volume of distribution (V(d) /F), C(max) and area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC(0-∞)) (P < 0·05).

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

The pharmacokinetics of tramadol was different in Hui subjects compared to the other Chinese ethnic groups. Tramadol CL/F may also show gender differences.

Soluble activin receptor type IIB treatment does not cause fat loss in mice with diet-induced obesity

The growth factor myostatin (MSTN) negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass. Mstn gene deletion in mice causes increased muscle mass, reduced adiposity and resistance to genetic or diet-induced obesity (DIO). Pharmacologic MSTN inhibition in mice also causes increased muscle mass and resistance to DIO. To test whether MSTN inhibition causes weight loss in mice that are already obese, we inhibited MSTN in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Mice were fed a diet containing 60% kcal from fat for 12 weeks followed by treatment with a soluble MSTN receptor derived from the activin receptor type IIB extracellular domain. During the next 12 weeks of soluble receptor treatment and HFD feeding, lean mass increased without a loss of adipose mass. Glucose metabolism was also similar between groups. Our results suggest that MSTN inhibition may be ineffective at inducing weight loss in obese patients.

Association between interleukin 21 and Graves' disease

Graves' disease (GD) is an organ-specific autoimmune thyroid disease; 25-50% of GD patients will develop Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). The etiology of GD and GO may be multifactorial, but the immune response plays a central role. Many studies have reported that IL-21 has crucial roles in autoimmune diseases. We examined whether IL-21 is associated with the development of GD and GO. The serum concentration of IL-21 was tested in 40 primary GD patients, 42 treated GO patients and 24 healthy controls. Our data show that the serum level of IL-21 is associated with the development of GD. We also made an association study with the IL-21 gene polymorphisms rs4833837, rs907715 and rs13143866 in a comparison of 633 patients and 612 healthy controls from the Chinese population. This case-control association study demonstrated that rs907715 SNP is significantly associated with GD, while the rs13143866 A allele is significantly associated with GO. The haplotypes A-G-G and A-A-A were found at higher and lower frequencies, respectively, in GD patients, suggesting a protective role for A-A-A. However, there were no significant differences in the frequencies of these haplotypes between the GO patients and the control group. We found no association between IL-21 gene polymorphisms and the age of GD onset. We conclude that IL-21 is associated with GD and GO.