[Evaluation of asthma disease perception from China national asthma control survey]

Objective: In order to evaluate disease perception of asthma patients in urban China and provide evidence for further specific patient education. Methods: A multi-center, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was carried out in 30 general hospitals dispersed in 30 provinces of mainland China (except for Tibet) during Oct 2015 to May 2016. Information of disease perception [Question 1: the disease nature of asthma; Question 2: medication choice of first-line in chronic asthma; Question 3: the occasion of using short-acting aerosols of receptor agonists; Question 4: perception of asthma treatment goal; Question 5: reason for not using peak flow meter (PFM)] were collected from asthma patients of outpatient department. These results were compared with the same type of survey results from 2007-2008. Results: Altogether 3 875 asthmatic outpatients were recruited. 69.0% (2 660/3 857) of the patients had right perception on the disease nature of asthma, 60.2% (2 321/3 857) of the patients considered inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)/inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting beta2-agonists (ICS+ LABA) as daily-used first-line medication for chronic asthma. 85.7% (3 277/3 823) of the patients had right perception on the condition of using short-acting beta2-agonists (SABA). 75.4% (2 761/3 661) of the patients had right perception on asthma treatment goal. Only 10.1% (388/3 837) of the patients used PFM. Of the reasons for not using PFM, 65.2% (2 518/3 860) of the patients chose doctors never introduced. Among the 10 cities, which were also involved in the asthma control survey in 2007-2008, 71.1% (968/1 361) of the patients had right perception on the disease nature of asthma, 61.6% (839/1 362) of the patients considered ICS/ICS+ LABA as daily-used first-line medication for chronic asthma. 88.7% (1 207/1 361) of the patients had right perception on the condition of using SABA. 74.5% (1 013/1 360) of the patients had right perception on asthma treatment goal. 17.9% (244/1 360) of the patients used PFM. Of the reasons for not using PFM, 76.2% (931/1 221) of the patients chose doctors never introduced. Compared to the survey conducted in 2007-2008, the perception on disease nature and medication choice as daily-used first-line medication for chronic asthma significantly improved, the perception on occasion of using SABA and asthma treatment goal was comparable, while the rate of PFM usage showed no significant improvement. In reasons of not using PFM, doctors never introduced ranked the first. Conclusions: Compared to the similar survey conducted in 2007-2008, the overall status of disease perception of asthma patients has been improved in urban China, while the rate of PFM usage showed no significant improvement. Asthma education on asthma and asthma self-management should be further pushed forward.

[A retrospective study of the mortality and death-related risk factors of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in Chinese urban areas]

Objective: To study the mortality and death-related risk factors of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in Chinese urban areas. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in 29 hospitals of 29 provinces throughout mainland China. Patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation during 2013-2014 in each hospital were included. For each patient, information about demography, admission time, comorbidities, severity of diseases, intense care unit (ICU) admission, use of mechanical ventilation and the outcome was obtained. The mortality of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation was calculated, and the basic information and causes of death of the patients who died were summarized. The death-related risk factors and numbers of comorbidities were compared between the patients who survived and those who died during hospitalization. Results: A total of 3 240 patients (median age 57.0) were included and among them 8 patients (median age 68.5) died. The mortality of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation was 0.25%. All the patients who died were admitted during the winter and spring. One patient died of acute myocardial infarction, one of cardiac shock, one of tension pneumothorax, one of sudden death, one of respiratory failure and three of unknown causes. The average number of comorbidities of patients who died was 1.10, larger than that of patients who survived (0.83) (P>0.05). More patients had diabetes, coronary artery diseases and hypertension as comorbidities in the patients who died (2/8) than those who survived[7.6% (246/3 232), 7.6% (246/3 232), 22.6% (731/3 232), respectively](all P>0.05). Conclusions: The in-hospital mortality of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation of China in this study is low. The patients who died are much older, and with more comorbidities, and a higher percentage of comorbidities such as diabetes, coronary artery diseases, and hypertension.

[Suppression head impulse paradigm in healthy adult population: the values and features of the parameters]

Objective: To observe the parameters of the results of suppression head impulse paradigm (SHIMP) in healthy adults, and to provide reference for evaluating vestibular oculomotor reflex function in patients with peripheral vertigo. Methods: Fifty healthy adults, 22 males and 28 females, aged from 23-65 years, with an average age of (38.5±11.6) years, were recruited from January to March 2018. Parameters provided by the video head pulse software included the gains, the latency and the peak velocity of saccades, and comparison was made with head impulse paradigm (HIMP). Results: All subjects were elicited anti-compensatory saccades in SHIMP. The normal values of left and right gains were 1.02 and 1.10 in HIMP, and 0.93 and 1.01 in SHIMP respectively. The left and right saccades latency were (201.1± 50.8)ms and (187.0± 42.9)ms, and the peak saccadic velocity were (302.7±58.5)°/s and (291.5±46.5)°/s in SHIMP; there were small but significant difference between two sides about gains in HIMP and SHIMP, as well as latency in SHIMP(P<0.05); there were small but significant difference between HIMP and SHIMP about gains in ipsilateral(P<0.01); there were no significant difference between two sides about peak saccadic velocity in SHIMP(P>0.05). Conclusions: SHIMP can be used for the examination of vestibular oculomotor reflex function in adult population. It is easy to be operated and is convenient for clinical application. Combined with head pulse test, the function of the semicircular canal can be evaluated together.

[Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials in healthy guinea pigs]

Objective:To establish detection methods of air-conducted sound elicited vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (ACS-VEMPs) in guinea pigs, including cervical vstibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP). Method:Eleven healthy (250-350 g) guinea pigs (22 ears) were selected and underwent conventional ACS-cVEMP and ACS-oVEMP examinations. Parameters of waveforms were recorded. Result:The ACS-cVEMP and ACS-oVEMP could be elicited in 77.27% and 59.09% guinea pigs,respectively；threshold was (107.1±14.6)dB SPL and (115.5±15.6)dB SPL for ACS-cVEMP and ACS-oVEMP；n1,p1 latency for cVEMP was (7.4±1.5)ms and (9.3±1.6)ms，(6.4±1.4)ms and (8.1±1.8)ms for oVEMP；amlipude was (15.4±8.6)μV and (11.4±6.0)μV for cVEMP and oVEMP respectively. No statistical difference could be found in above parameters between ACS-cVEMP and ACS-oVEMP (P>0.05). Conclusion:Both ACS-cVEMP and ACS-oVEMP could be elicited in guinea pigs.

[A multi-center study for the association between the perception and control of disease among asthmatic patients in Chinese urban areas]

Objective: To investigate the current perception of disease among asthmatic patients in Chinese urban areas, and to address its association with asthma control. Methods: This was a nationwide, multi-center, cross-sectional study covering 30 third-level, grade A hospitals in 30 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions (not including Tibet) across Chinese mainland. The survey was carried out from October 2015 to May 2016. Asthmatic outpatients were selected to receive face-to-face questionnaire survey on asthma control including Asthma Control Test (ACT) score, classification of asthma control level[according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2015 classification system, as assessed by the physician completing the survey], perception of asthma (including question 1: nature of asthma as a disease; question 2: selection of first-line therapeutic agents to be regularly used daily for asthma; question 3: appropriate timing of the use of short-acting aerosols of β(2) receptor agonists; and question 4: therapeutic goals for asthma). Results: A total of 3 875 asthmatic outpatients were included; among them, 69.0% (2 660/3 857) were aware that asthma is "an airway inflammatory disorder resulting from the combined effects of heredity and environment" ; 60.2% (2 321/3 857) considered "inhaled glucocorticoids or their compound preparations" to be the first-line therapeutic agents to be regularly used daily for patients with persistent chronic asthma; 85.7% (3 277/3 823) considered it appropriate to use short-acting aerosols of β(2) receptor agonists "as needed in the event of disease aggravation or acute exacerbation" ; and 75.4% (2 761/3 661) were aware that asthma "can be adequately or completely controlled in the long term" . The ACT score[20 (16, 23) vs 19 (16, 22) points; Z=-3.928, P<0.001]and asthma control rate (29.92% vs 25.31%; χ(2)=8.616, P=0.003) were significantly higher, and the rate of uncontrolled asthma (19.92% vs 23.48%; χ(2)=6.267, P=0.012) was significantly lower among the 2 660 (69.0%) patients correctly answering question 1 than among the 1 197 (31.0%) patients giving incorrect answer. The ACT score[21 (17, 23) vs 19 (15, 22) points; Z=-9.190, P<0.001] and asthma control rate (32.66% vs 22.20%; χ(2)=49.614, P<0.001) were significantly higher, and the rate of uncontrolled asthma (18.40% vs 25.00%; χ(2)=24.267, P<0.001) was significantly lower among the 2 321 (60.2%) patient correctly answering question 2 than among the 1 536 (39.8%) patients giving incorrect answer. Conclusions: Compared to previous surveys, there has been improved perception of disease among asthmatic patients in Chinese urban areas. Correct perception of disease is favorable for improving asthma control level.

[The experimental study on endoplasmic reticulum stress-participated outer hair cell apoptosis in cadherin 23 gene mutant mice]

Objective: To test the mechanism and upstream pathway of outer hair cell apoptosis in Cadherin 23 (Cdh23) gene mutant mice. Method: The mutant Cdh23(erl/erl)(erl) mice were collected as the study group, while the C57BL/6J (B6) mice were chosen as the control group. A total of 70 mice per group were used in this study. The study group and control group underwent auditory-evoked brainstem response (ABR) tests at the same age. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to detect outer hair cell(OHC) apoptosis. The qRT-PCR was conducted to test the expression of ER stress markers immunoglobulin-binding protein (BiP) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) mRNA. The expression and location of BiP and CHOP protein in OHC were detected by immunostaining. The expression of BiP protein in cochleae was identified by Western blot. The expression and location of CDH23 protein in OHC were discovered by immunostaining. Results: The ABR thresholds in erl mice were significantly higher than those in B6 mice at the age of 1 and 3 months (both P<0.05). The surface preparation with TUNEL staining confirmed OHC apoptosis in erl mouse cochleae which showed a higher TUNEL positive cell ratio than B6 mouse(t=11.291, P<0.01). The ER stress marker Bip and Chop mRNA were upregulated in the erl mouse inner ear, when compared with those in the B6 mouse(both P<0.05). The BiP protein extracted from the erl mouse cochleae was significantly higher than that of B6 mouse measured by Western blot (t=3.66, P=0.02). Immunostaining showed that BiP and CHOP were highly detected in the OHC in erl mouse cochleae, and was mainly detected in the perinuclear region of OHC. However, a bare BiP and CHOP signal were shown in B6 mouse cochleae. The CDH23 protein was specifically localized at the top of the OHC in B6 mice, indicating the localization of the tip links in hair bundle stereocilia. On the contrary, the CDH23(erl) protein was found to be localized from the top to the nuclei of the OHC in erl mice. Portions of the CDH23(erl) proteins failed to reach the top of the hair bundles and remained in the OHC cytoplasm. Conclusion: As the downstream response of the Cdh23 gene mutation, portions of the mutant CDH23(erl) protein was accumulated in ER lumen resulting in the increase of ER loading and ultimately triggered ER stress and hair cell apoptosis in erl mouse cochleae.

[Advance in research of delayed endolymphatic hydrops]

Delayed endolymphatic hydrops (DEH) is a disease entity first described by Kamei and named by Schuknecht, defined as profound sensorineural deafness at early stage and after several years started to appear clinical feature of endolymphatic hydrops such as vertigo, aural fullness like Meniere's disease or fluctuating hearing loss in the contralateral ear . DEH can be classified into ipsilateral type, contralateral type and bilateral type. Although DEH has low incident rate, there are many kinds of etiology and audiology and vestibular tests. Up to now, a lot of literatures about etiology, diagnose, clinical manifestation, relevant examination and therapy of DEH were published abroad. In this review, we will make a summary of research status of DEH.

[Effect of BCYRN1 on proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells in rat model of asthma]

Objective: To detect the effect of brain cytoplasmic RNA 1 (BCYRN1) on the proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) in rat model of asthma. Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and asthma group (n=10 each). The ovalbumin (OVA) model was constructed in asthma group. Real time-qPCR was performed to detect the level of BCYRN1 in the ASMCs separated from the airway tissue of these rats. Then 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2, 4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (WST-1) assay, roche real-time cell analyzer assay and Transwell cell migration assay were performed to detect the viability/proliferation and migration of ASMCs which were transfected with Ad-BCYRN1.Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB was used to treat ASMCs to induce proliferation and migration, and the level of BCYRN1 was examined.The viability/proliferation and migration of ASMCs treated with PDGF-BB and transfected with si-BCYRN1 were detected. Inspiratory resistance and expiratory resistance were measured in rats with BCYRN1 knockdown.Briefly, rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (group A), sensitization + Ad-GFP (group B), sensitization + AdSM22α-siBCYRN1 (group C), control + Ad-SM22α-siBCYRN1 (group D) (n=10 each). The corresponding adenovirus vectors were sent to lung of group B, group C and group D through nasal spray. The OVA model was constructed in group B and group C. The rats in group A and group D were treated with saline.After 24 h of the last treatment with OVA or saline, rats of each group were given tracheal intubation, connected with breathing machine. Rats were injected with methacholine to measure the inspiratory resistance and expiratory resistance. Results: The level of BCYRN1 in ASMCs separated from rats in asthma group and in ASMCs treated with PDGF-BB was 3.60±0.45 and 3.53±0.35, respectively, significantly higher than those of the corresponding control (both P<0.01). Ad-BCYRN1 significantly increased the expression of BCYRN1 in ASMCs. The cell viability and proliferation rates of ASMCs transfected with Ad-BCYRN1 increased 1.75-and 1.47-fold compared to those of the control group, respectively (P<0.01); mobility increased 2.42-fold compared to that of the control group (all P<0.01). BCYRN1 knockdown reversed the increasing proliferation and migration of ASMCs induced by PDGF-BB. The cell proliferation rate and cell migration number in the PDGF-BB treatment group were (4.87±0.21)% and 80.00±5.00, respectively, which were significant higher than those in the si-BCYRN1 transfected group ((3.63±0.21)% and 25.33±2.52, all P<0.01). BCYRN1 knockdown reduced the inspiratory resistance and expiratory resistance in sensitization + Ad-SM22α-siBCYRN1 group. When the concentration of acetylcholine reached 1 mg/kg, the inspiratory resistance in the group A, group B, group C, and group D were 8.27±0.21, 25.40±0.56, 12.07±0.67 and 8.40±0.46 cmH₂O·s·ml^-1, and expiratory resistance were 13.30±0.56, 38.37±1.33, 16.40±0.56 and 13.40±0.46 cmH₂O·s·ml^-1, respectively (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Overexpression of BCYRN1 promotes the proliferation and migration of ASMCs in rat model of asthma.

[A case report: Ramsay Hunt syndrome with throat as starting place merger ipsilateral cranial nerver involvement]

The clinical data of a case of Ramsay Hunt syndrome concurrent with ipsilateral Ⅴ, Ⅶ, Ⅷ, Ⅸ, Ⅹ, Ⅺ cranial nerves paralysis with throat as starting place was retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literatures were also reviewed. The case is rare, so the relevant clinical reports are less. It is important to take the objective data as well as subjective symptoms of the patients into consideration to make a definite diagnosis, so that we can treat it as soon as possible to achieve better curative effect.

[Pilot study on the functional evaluation of vestibular otolith-organ pathway in the stage of patients with Meniere disease]

Objective: To observe the features of air-conducted sound elicited ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential(ACS-oVEMP) and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential(ACS-cVEMP) in patients with Meniere disease (MD). To analyze the relationship between air-conducted sound elicited vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (ACS-VEMP) responses and clinical stages of disease, as well as its clinical application of cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in MD. Method: Fifty six patients with MD and 50 normal subjects (100 ears) were recruited for conventional cVEMP and oVEMP examinations. Grades of vestibular function were also collected for patients with MD. The relationship between VEMPs abnormity, grades of vestibular function and clinical stages of MD were analyzed. Results: The abnormal rates of cVEMP and oVEMP in MD patients were 57.1% (32/56) and 64.3% (36/56), which were significantly higher than those in normal subjects respectively (χ²=22.286, P=0.000; χ²=15.217, P=0.000). The abnormal rates of cVEMP and oVEMP in MD patients of stage Ⅰ to stage Ⅳ were 20.0% (1/5) and 40.0% (2/5), 50.0% (9/18) and 50.0% (9/18), 59.3% (16/27) and 70.4% (19/27), and 100.0% (6/6) and 100.0% (6/6) respectively. There was a significant difference in cVEMP abnormity between four stages of MD patients (P=0.046). Significant correlation was found between clinical stages and the grades of vestibular dysfunction (r_s=0.417, P=0.001). Conclusions: Dysfunction of vestibular otolithic organs and their input pathways in patients with MD can be detected by cVEMP and oVEMP tests. The abnormal rates of VEMP could show an gradually increasing trend with the development of MD stages. And the extent of vestibular lesions could be detected by cVEMP and oVEMP tests, which may provide a reference for clinical staging of MD.

In vitro application of RNA interference to silence livin gene expression to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells

OBJECTIVE

To search for new targets and novel methods of anti-leukemia treatment and to discuss the mechanism of silencing the livin gene using small RNA interference technology to induce apoptosis in the K562 leukemia cell line.

METHODS

We designed and synthesized livin-specific small interference RNA (siRNA). Transfected K562 cells were cultured. Reverse-transcription polymer chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect livin mRNA expression. Protein expression for livin was detected using Western blotting. A non-transfected group was used as a control. Meanwhile, vectors carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) were transfected as a positive control and flow cytometry was used to determine the transfection efficiency by detecting green fluorescence. The rate of apoptosis was determined using the annexin V and propidium iodide double-staining method. ELISA was used to determine the activity of Caspase-3.

RESULTS

The transfection efficiency of electroporation was as high as 50%. The siRNA sequences could knockdown livin gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Apoptosis rate of the cells was 27.41 ± 2.30% 48 h after transfection with specific siRNA. This was significantly higher than that of the control group (9.63 ± 0.89%, p < 0.05). The 48-h apoptosis rate of the combined effect group VP-16 (5 µmol/L) and transfection rate was 45.1 ± 4.40%, which was significantly elevated (p < 0.05) compared with the groups treated with only VP-16 or by transfection.

CONCLUSIONS

Caspase-3 activity in cells transfected with siRNA was significantly elevated compared to the cells in the non-transfected groups (p < 0.05).

Increase of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) by digoxin to improve lipid metabolism in the heart of diabetic rats

Increase of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) expression by digoxin in the heart of diabetic rats has been documented. The present study investigated the mediation of PPARδ in lipid metabolism improved by digoxin in the heart of diabetic rats and in the hyperglycemia-treated cardiomyocytes using the primary cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal rat. The lipid deposition within the heart section was assessed in diabetic rats by oil red O staining. The fatty acid oxidation genes in cardiomyocytes were also examined. Inhibitor of calcium ions and siRNA-PPARδ were employed to investigate the potential mechanisms. After a 20-day digoxin treatment, the PPARδ expression was elevated in hearts of diabetic rats while the cardiac lipid deposition was reduced. In neonatal cardiomyocytes, digoxin also caused an increase in expressions of PPARδ and fatty acid oxidation genes. But both actions of digoxin were blocked by BAPTA-AM to chelate calcium ions and by siRNA-PPARδ in cardiomyocytes. The obtained results show that increase of PPARδ by digoxin is related to regulation of fatty acid oxidation genes in cardiac cells mediated by calcium-triggered signals.

Prognostic significance of annexin II expression in non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

To discover common metastasis-related and prognostic markers in lung squamous carcinoma (LSC) and lung adenocarcinoma (AdC), two forms of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Quantitative proteomic analysis was performed between primary cancer tissues and matched lymph node metastatic tissues in LSC and AdC, respectively. Immunohistochemistry and statistic analysis were performed to investigate prognostic significance of metastasis-related protein annexin II expression in LSC and AdC.

RESULTS

Both in LSC and AdC, elevated expression of annexin II was identified in lymph node metastatic lung cancers compared to corresponding primary lung cancers. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of a bulk of clinical specimens indicated that annexin II over-expression was more frequently observed in matched lymph node metastatic tissues than corresponding primary cancer tissues. Statistical analysis showed that annexin II over-expression was significantly associated with advanced clinical stage (P < 0.05) and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05) and increased relapse rate (P < 0.05) and decreased overall survival (P < 0.05) in both two subtypes of NSCLC. Cox regression analysis indicated that annexin II over-expression was an important prognostic factor in both LSC and AdC.

CONCLUSION

Annexin II was identified as a common prognostic factor in both LSC and AdC.

Sexual dimorphism of STGC3 tumor suppressor function in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE2 cells

STGC3 is a potential tumor suppressor in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We previously found that CNE2 cells that re-expressed STGC3 formed smaller tumors in female mice than in male mice. Here, we investigated the sexual dimorphism of STGC3 as a tumor-suppressor in female and male nude mice injected subcutaneously with pcDNA3.1(+)-STGC3/CNE2 cells. ER-α was positively expressed in vitro in the CNE2 cells. The pcDNA3.1(+)-STGC3/CNE2 cell growth rate decreased after treatment with β-estradiol in vitro. There were significant differences in tumor size or mass between pcDNA3.1(+)-STGC3/CNE2 and control cases (P < 0.05), but there were significant differences in tumor size between female and male nude mice in the STGC3 transfection groups, and the pcDNA3.1(+)-STGC3/CNE2 tumor growth rate in the female nude mice was the lowest in all cases (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between female and male nude mice in control groups. Furthermore, a greater number of cells were blocked in the G(0)/G(1) phase in pcDNA3.1(+)-STGC3/ CNE2 tumor xenografts in the female mice. Protemic analysis found 9 differentially expressed proteins in the pcDNA3.1-STGC3/CNE2 xenograft tissues in females and males. A heat shock 70 protein 8 isoform 2 variant was identified as a down-regulated protein associated with cell cycle control and its downstream factor cyclin D1 was also decreased in STGC3-repressed xenografts in female mice. The data above suggest that STGC3 and its associated proteins play an important role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma gender differences.

Lattice resonances in antenna arrays for liquid sensing in the terahertz regime

Terahertz antenna arrays supporting narrow lattice resonances are proposed as an alternative sensor-on-chip approach to liquid sensing. An array of metallic rectangular antennas fabricated on a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrate is used to demonstrate the sensing of a number of fluids. Good agreement is shown between experiment and simulation with Q-factors of around 20 and a figure-of-merit (FOM) of 3.80 being achieved. Liquid sensing with antenna arrays is simple both in terms of fabrication and setup. The working frequency can be tuned with a suitable choice of substrates and array parameters. The nature of the lattice resonance means that the whole sample is used to provide the conditions required for resonance occurrence, eliminating the need to preferentially locate the sample in small areas of high field concentration. The antenna arrays could also potentially be coupled with a microfluidic system for in situ sensing or used in a reflection setup.

Broadband multi-layer terahertz metamaterials fabrication and characterization on flexible substrates

Microscopic split-ring-resonator (SRR) arrays are fabricated on 100 μm thick polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) films by femtosecond laser micro-lens array (MLA) lithography. The transmission properties of these metamaterials are characterized by THz Time Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS). Tunable resonance responses can be achieved by changing SRR structural design parameters. By stacking 2D PEN metamaterial films with different frequency responses together, a broadband THz filter with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.38 THz is constructed. The bandwidth of the resonance response increases up to 4.2 times as compared to the bandwidths of single layer metamaterials. Numerical simulation reveals that SRR layers inside the multi-layer metamaterials are selectively excited towards specific frequencies within the broadband response. Meanwhile, more than one SRR layers respond to the chosen frequencies, resulting in the enhancement of the resonance properties. The multi-layer metamaterials provide a promising way to extend SRR based metamaterial operating region from narrowband to broadband with a tunable feature.

The decreased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors delta (PPARdelta) is reversed by digoxin in the heart of diabetic rats

The present study is designed to investigate the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors delta (PPARdelta) in the action of digoxin in diabetic rats showing cardiac hypertrophy. We used Wistar rats to induce diabetes by injection of streptozotocin (STZ-rat) and examined the effect of digoxin on PPARdelta expression in these hyperglycemic rats (STZ-rat) at 10 weeks later. We measured the changes of body weight, water intake, and food intake in three groups of age-matched rats; the vehicle treated normal control (Wistar rats), the vehicle treated STZ-rats, and the digoxin-treated STZ-rats. Cardiac output, heart rate, and blood pressure in addition to plasma insulin or glucose level were also determined. The mRNA and protein levels of PPARdelta were measured using Northern and Western blotting, respectively. Cardiac output, heart rate, and blood pressure were markedly reduced while food intake, water intake, and blood glucose were raised in STZ-rats showing lower body weight and plasma insulin as compared with the vehicle-treated controls. After a 20-day of digoxin treatment, cardiac output was raised in STZ-rats but the diabetic parameters were not modified. The PPARdelta expressions, both mRNA and protein, were markedly elevated in the hearts of STZ-rats by digoxin treatment. The related signals with PPARdelta, such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B (CPT1B), acetyl-coenzyme A, carboxylase alpha (ACC1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and troponin I, were also raised. The increase of cardiac output by digoxin was reversed by the combined treatment with PPARdelta antagonist GSK0660. Thus, we suggest a new finding that PPARdelta is involved in digoxin induced cardiac inrotropic action.

Hybrid metamaterial design and fabrication for terahertz resonance response enhancement

Planar hybrid metamaterial with different split ring resonators (SRR) structure dimensions are fabricated on silicon substrates by femtosecond (fs) laser micro-lens array (MLA) lithography and lift-off process. The fabricated metamaterial structures consist of: (a) uniform metamaterial with 4 SRRs at same design and dimension as a unit cell and (b) hybrid metamaterial with 4 SRRs at same design but different dimensions as a unit cell. The electromagnetic field responses of these hybrid and single dimension metamaterial structures are characterized using a terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy. Transmission spectra of these metamaterial show that a broader resonance peak is formed when 2 SRRs are close to each other. FDTD simulation proves that there is a strong mutual coupling between 2 SRRs besides a strong localized electric field at the split gap, which can enhance the electric field up to 364 times for tunable, broad band and high sensitivity THz sensing. Meanwhile, the strong coupling effect could lead to the formation of an additional resonance peak at approximately 0.2 THz in the THz spectra regime.

Significant association of ABCG5 604Q and ABCG8 D19H polymorphisms with gallstone disease

BACKGROUND

Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8 are sterol export pumps regulating biliary cholesterol excretion. The formation of gallstones, supersaturated with cholesterol in bile, is determined by genetic and environmental factors. The interaction of susceptible gene polymorphisms with age, sex and body mass index in gallstone disease is unclear.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 979 subjects (880 men and 99 women, mean(s.d.) age 47.7(10.4) years) were recruited from a hospital-based population. Of these, 74 were diagnosed with gallstone disease by abdominal ultrasonography. Five non-synonymous polymorphisms, E604Q (ABCG5), D19H, C54Y, T400K and A632V (ABCG8), were analysed using the TaqMan genotyping assay.

RESULTS

The serum total cholesterol and both low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in subjects with gallstones than in those without. 604Q (CC) and D19H (GC) genotypes were significantly associated with gallstone disease, even when adjusted for age, sex and body mass index. The genetic risk of developing gallstone disease was further stratified by age. The risk was greatly increased in subjects younger than 50 years with the D19H genotype and those of 50 years or more with the 604Q genotype.

CONCLUSION

Carriers of ABCG5 604Q or ABCG8 D19H polymorphisms have an increased risk of gallstone disease independent of age, sex and body mass index.

[Stable expression of human cytochrome P450 2E1 cDNA in nasopharyngeal cancer cell line CNE-2]

OBJECTIVE

This study as designed to investigate the function of CYP2E1 protein in chemical carcinogen metabolism in vitro and its action mechanisms in nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis.

METHODS

DAN recombination technique was used to construct a eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1-2E1 of human cytochrome P450 2E1 cDNA. The vector was introduced into a nasopharyngeal cancer cell line CNE-2 mediating by lipofectamine. After these transforming cells were treated with G418 for 2 weeks, several G418-resistant clones were selected and amplified in culture.

RESULTS

The authors acquired two cell clones CNE2-2E1-1 and CNE2-2E1-2 with stable integration and expression of exogenous CYPE2E1 cDNA. After Southern blot analysis, RT-PCR and Western blot were fulfilled.

CONCLUSION

The cell models setting here will be a good tool in the further study of CYP2E1. At the same time, its use will help to screen chemical carcinogenesis and to elucidate the mechanism of carcinogenesis which is related to chemical carcinogen activated by CYP2E1.

Mutation and abnormal expression of the fragile histidine triad gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To determine alterations of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the correlation of FHIT gene with nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study.

METHODS

A total of 28 nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 16 normal nasopharyngeal epithelium specimens were examined for abnormalities of FHIT gene by nested reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing.

RESULTS

The deletion of FHIT gene was not observed in 16 normal nasopharyngeal epithelium specimens. In 28 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues, 12 (42.9%) exhibited FHIT aberrant transcripts. Complementary DNA sequencing revealed exonic deletion, small DNA insertion, synonymous mutation in exon 8, or frameshift mutation in exon 5.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results suggest that the FHIT gene may play an important role in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and may be one of the candidate tumor suppressor genes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Preparation of autologous leukemia and lymphoma vaccines expressing alpha-gal epitopes

This study describes a novel method for increasing the immunogenicity of autologous tumor vaccines in leukemia and lymphoma patients by exploiting the natural anti-Gal antibody for in situ targeting of the vaccinating cells to antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Incubation of leukemia or lymphoma cells with neuraminidase and recombinant alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase results in the synthesis of many alpha-gal epitopes (Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R) on their cell membranes. Vaccination with such processed tumor cells results in the binding of the natural anti-Gal immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to these epitopes and opsonization of these cells for effective phagocytosis by APCs, such as dendritic cells and macrophages. These APCs may transport the vaccine to adjacent draining lymph nodes for subsequent effective processing and presentation of tumor-associated antigens (TAA) peptides to activate TAA-specific helper and cytotoxic T cells. Once the TAA-specific cytotoxic T cells are activated, they can leave the lymph node, circulate in the body, and seek metastatic cells expressing TAA to destroy them. Alternatively, activated helper T cells may provide the help required for B cells to produce antibodies to TAA on the leukemia or lymphoma cells. Because every patient receives his or her own TAA within the vaccinating cells, such vaccines are customized for the patient. These autologous tumor vaccines may be used as an adjuvant treatment that complements currently used treatment regimens by providing the immune system with an additional opportunity to be exposed effectively to autologous TAA.