Characterization of a Trichinella spiralis 31 kDa protein and its potential application for the serodiagnosis of trichinellosis

The Trichinella spiralis 31 kDa protein (Ts31) was screened from the excretory-secretory (ES) proteins of muscle larvae (ML) by immunoproteomics using serum from mice infected with T. spiralis at 18 days post infection (dpi). The aim of this study was to characterize the Ts31 protein and to evaluate the potential of the recombinant Ts31 protein (rTs31) for serodiagnosis of human trichinellosis. Ts31 gene was cloned and rTs31 was produced in an E. coli expression system. An anti-rTs31serum recognized the native protein migrating in a 25-55 kDa range by Western blotting of ML crude or ES antigens. Expression of Ts31 gene was observed at all developmental stages of T. spiralis (adult worms, newborn larvae, pre-encapsulated larvae and ML). An immunolocalization analysis identified Ts31 in the cuticle and stichocytes of the parasite. The sensitivity of rTs31-ELISA and ES antigen ELISA for detecting anti-Trichinella IgG antibodies in sera of patients with trichinellosis was 97.83% (45/46) and 86.78% (39/46), respectively (P>0.05); The specificity of rTs31-ELISA was 99.13% (114/115), which was significantly higher than 85.22% (98/115) of ES antigen ELISA (P<0.01). The rTs31 protein of T. spiralis could be considered as a potential diagnostic antigen for trichinellosis.

A Rapid Diagnostic Technique to Discriminate between Two Pests of Palms, Brontispa longissima and Octodonta nipae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), for Quarantine Applications

Octodonta nipae (Maulik) is morphologically and biologically similar to Brontispa longissima (Gestro), one of the most damaging pests of coconut. The two species share several palm hosts and produce similar symptoms. They are easily confused when they invade a new area, and without professional taxonomic expertise accurate identification is arduous and time-consuming. Thus, a method of rapidly distinguishing these two invasive insects rapidly is critical for quarantine. Based on the first internal transcribed spacer and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene, two pairs of special primers and corresponding polymerase chain reaction processes have been developed to enhance a single objective band only from the O. nipae DNA template. This will quickly discriminate between these two species. The present results provide a rapid method of distinguishing O. nipae from B. longissima to help avoid misidentification, and furthermore, to facilitate rapid and appropriate quarantine decisions and effective treatments to the pest.

Prospective controlled study of the safety and oncological outcomes of ELAPE procure with definitive anatomic landmarks versus conventional APE for lower rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The use of extra-levator abdominoperineal resection (ELAPE) procedure for lower rectal cancer is controversial. It is unclear whether the ELAPE procedure could improve surgical safety and lead to better oncological outcomes.

METHODS

Sixty-nine lower rectal cancer patients who underwent ELAPE (36 cases) or conventional abdominoperineal resection (APE; 33 cases) between June 2011 and February 2013 were prospectively investigated. Clinicopathological variables including blood loss, intraoperative perforation (IOP) rate, circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement, lymph node harvest, the postoperative complications, urinary and sexual function, quality of life (QOL), local recurrence rate and survival were recorded and compared.

RESULTS

Blood loss (P = 0.021), perineal wound complication (P = 0.039), IOP rate (P = 0.028), local recurrence (P = 0.034) were significantly less frequent in the ELAPE group. There was greater CRM involvement in the conventional APE group but no statistical difference between the two groups. Urinary function, sexual function and QOL were not significantly different between the two groups. Overall survival and progression-free survival were not significantly different between two groups, even when survival was analyzed according to TNM stage, T stage, N stage, and with or without neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. In patients who underwent ELAPE there was no statistical difference in postoperative complications between younger and elderly patients (age ≥60).

CONCLUSIONS

ELAPE procedure with definitive anatomic landmarks demonstrated surgical safety and decreased local recurrence for lower rectal cancer patients including the elderly, but there were no survival improvements in compared to conventional APE procedure.

A novel multivariate scoring system for determining the prognosis of lymph node-negative esophageal squamous cell carcinoma following surgical therapy: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Identifying patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with negative prognostic factors, which have an extremely low survival rate, has been problematic.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected clinical data for 648 patients with lymph node-negative ESCC who were treated at the Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center from 1990 to 2005. Survival difference was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

We identified advancing age, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), surgical procedure, tumor location, number of resected lymph nodes, poor tumor differentiation, and surgical stage as independent prognostic risk factors. Furthermore, based on the results of multivariate analysis, we constructed a novel scoring system that included the factors of age, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, number of resected lymph nodes, tumor differentiation, and surgical stage. Risk score (RS) was computed with the scoring system, and patients were divided into Class A (RS: 0-5) and Class B (RS: 6-10). P < 0.001 indicated statistical significance. A significant difference (p < 0.001) demonstrated that Class B was strongly related to a low survival rate and poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION

We developed a new simple flexible scoring system of high prognostic significance, which has the potential to guide postoperative therapeutic strategies and follow-up frequency and to provide better prognostic information for patients and their families.

Preliminary screening of differentially expressed genes involved in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 gene-mediated proliferation in human osteosarcoma cells

Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is essential in human brain development and has been linked to several cancer types and neuro-developmental disorders. This study aims to screen the MeCP2 related differentially expressed genes and discover the therapeutic targets for osteosarcoma. CCK8 assay was used to detect the proliferation and SaOS2 and U2OS cells. Apoptosis of cells was detected by flow cytometry analysis that monitored Annexin V-APC/7-DD binding and 7-ADD uptake simultaneously. Denaturing formaldehyde agarose gel electrophoresis was employed to examine the quality of total RNA 18S and 28S units. Gene chip technique was utilized to discover the differentially expressed genes correlated with MeCP2 gene. Differential gene screening criteria were used to screen the changed genes. The gene up-regulation or down-regulation more than 1.5 times was regarded as significant differential expression genes. The CCK8 results indicated that the cell proliferation of MeCP2 silencing cells (LV-MeCP2-RNAi) was significantly decreased compared to non-silenced cells (LV-MeCP2-RNAi-CN) (P < 0.05). MeCP2 silencing could also induce significant apoptosis compared to non-silenced cells (P < 0.05); 107 expression changed genes were screened from a total of 49,395 transcripts. Among the total 107 transcripts, 34 transcripts were up-regulated and 73 transcripts were down-regulated. There were five significant differentially expressed genes, including IGFBP4, HOXC8, LMO4, MDK, and CTGF, which correlated with the MeCP2 gene. The methylation frequency of CpG in IGFBP4 gene could achieve 55%. In conclusion, the differentially expressed IGFBP4, HOXC8, LMO4, MDK, and CTGF genes may be involved in MeCP2 gene-mediated proliferation and apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells.

Measurement of the production and lepton charge asymmetry of [Formula: see text] bosons in Pb+Pb collisions at [Formula: see text] with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of [Formula: see text] boson production in lead-lead collisions at [Formula: see text] is presented. It is based on the analysis of data collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2011 corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.14 [Formula: see text] and 0.15 [Formula: see text] in the muon and electron decay channels, respectively. The differential production yields and lepton charge asymmetry are each measured as a function of the average number of participating nucleons [Formula: see text] and absolute pseudorapidity of the charged lepton. The results are compared to predictions based on next-to-leading-order QCD calculations. These measurements are, in principle, sensitive to possible nuclear modifications to the parton distribution functions and also provide information on scaling of [Formula: see text] boson production in multi-nucleon systems.

TBX6 null variants and a common hypomorphic allele in congenital scoliosis

BACKGROUND

Congenital scoliosis is a common type of vertebral malformation. Genetic susceptibility has been implicated in congenital scoliosis.

METHODS

We evaluated 161 Han Chinese persons with sporadic congenital scoliosis, 166 Han Chinese controls, and 2 pedigrees, family members of which had a 16p11.2 deletion, using comparative genomic hybridization, quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction analysis, and DNA sequencing. We carried out tests of replication using an additional series of 76 Han Chinese persons with congenital scoliosis and a multicenter series of 42 persons with 16p11.2 deletions.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 17 heterozygous TBX6 null mutations in the 161 persons with sporadic congenital scoliosis (11%); we did not observe any null mutations in TBX6 in 166 controls (P<3.8×10(-6)). These null alleles include copy-number variants (12 instances of a 16p11.2 deletion affecting TBX6) and single-nucleotide variants (1 nonsense and 4 frame-shift mutations). However, the discordant intrafamilial phenotypes of 16p11.2 deletion carriers suggest that heterozygous TBX6 null mutation is insufficient to cause congenital scoliosis. We went on to identify a common TBX6 haplotype as the second risk allele in all 17 carriers of TBX6 null mutations (P<1.1×10(-6)). Replication studies involving additional persons with congenital scoliosis who carried a deletion affecting TBX6 confirmed this compound inheritance model. In vitro functional assays suggested that the risk haplotype is a hypomorphic allele. Hemivertebrae are characteristic of TBX6-associated congenital scoliosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Compound inheritance of a rare null mutation and a hypomorphic allele of TBX6 accounted for up to 11% of congenital scoliosis cases in the series that we analyzed. (Funded by the National Basic Research Program of China and others.).

The traditional Chinese medicinal formula BDL301 suppresses tumor growth by inhibiting STAT3 pathway and inducing apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells

The traditional Chinese medicinal formula BDL301 has been used to inhibit inflammation for hundreds of years. The development of colorectal cancer and chronic inflammation are closely related. In this study, we investigated whether BDL301 could inhibit tumor growth. We found that angiogenesis and tumor growth were both inhibited in vivo. In addition, apoptosis was induced and the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) pathway were suppressed in the colorectal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by BDL301. This study demonstrates that BDL301 exerted significant anticancer activity by inhibiting the STAT3 pathways and inducing apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

Hybrid Single-Incision Laparoscopic Approaches for Endorectal Pull-Through in Hirschsprung's Disease

BACKGROUND

Transanal endorectal pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is a relatively safe and feasible procedure in neonates and infants. However, overstretching on the anal sphincter and mesentery of the sigmoid colon might cause potential risk of impaired defecation function. Single-incision laparoscopic endorectal pull-through (SILEP) is technically feasible and safe in HD patients, offering a better cosmetic result. However, it is stressful for the surgeon in view of its low manipulability and poor visualization causing clashing of instruments, especially in older children or patients with long-segment aganglionosis. We developed an age- and type-appropriate technique of hybrid SILEP (H-SILEP) using a trocarless instrument via another abdominal stab incision to obtain further improvement of SILEP in selected HD patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between August 2010 and July 2013, 36 patients (24 boys and 12 girls, with a mean age of 3.9 months) with HD underwent H-SILEP. Patient age, gender, transitional zone, operative time, blood loss, and intraoperative and postoperative complications, as well as short- and long-term results, were assessed.

RESULTS

Ten patients had transitional zone in the rectum, 17 patients in the sigmoid colon, and 9 patients in the descending colon. Neither additional ports nor conversion to laparotomy was required in these 36 patients. The mean operative time was 116 minutes. There was no major intraoperative complication. Perianal excoriation was the main early postoperative complication, which occurred in 9 patients. No anastomotic leak occurred. Postoperative enterocolitis occurred in 2 patients. There was no recurrent constipation. Follow-up for 6 months to 3 years in all patients showed an excellent cosmetic result.

CONCLUSIONS

Our procedure is feasible and safe, and it is technically less challenging to perform H-SILEP in selected HD patients. Moreover, it is better to use additional instruments for ergonometric reasons.

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Jet energy measurement and its systematic uncertainty in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV with the ATLAS detector

The jet energy scale (JES) and its systematic uncertainty are determined for jets measured with the ATLAS detector using proton-proton collision data with a centre-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text] TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]. Jets are reconstructed from energy deposits forming topological clusters of calorimeter cells using the anti-[Formula: see text] algorithm with distance parameters [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], and are calibrated using MC simulations. A residual JES correction is applied to account for differences between data and MC simulations. This correction and its systematic uncertainty are estimated using a combination of in situ techniques exploiting the transverse momentum balance between a jet and a reference object such as a photon or a [Formula: see text] boson, for [Formula: see text] and pseudorapidities [Formula: see text]. The effect of multiple proton-proton interactions is corrected for, and an uncertainty is evaluated using in situ techniques. The smallest JES uncertainty of less than 1 % is found in the central calorimeter region ([Formula: see text]) for jets with [Formula: see text]. For central jets at lower [Formula: see text], the uncertainty is about 3 %. A consistent JES estimate is found using measurements of the calorimeter response of single hadrons in proton-proton collisions and test-beam data, which also provide the estimate for [Formula: see text] TeV. The calibration of forward jets is derived from dijet [Formula: see text] balance measurements. The resulting uncertainty reaches its largest value of 6 % for low-[Formula: see text] jets at [Formula: see text]. Additional JES uncertainties due to specific event topologies, such as close-by jets or selections of event samples with an enhanced content of jets originating from light quarks or gluons, are also discussed. The magnitude of these uncertainties depends on the event sample used in a given physics analysis, but typically amounts to 0.5-3 %.

Superior radiation-resistant nanoengineered austenitic 304L stainless steel for applications in extreme radiation environments

Nuclear energy provides more than 10% of electrical power internationally, and the increasing engagement of nuclear energy is essential to meet the rapid worldwide increase in energy demand. A paramount challenge in the development of advanced nuclear reactors is the discovery of advanced structural materials that can endure extreme environments, such as severe neutron irradiation damage at high temperatures. It has been known for decades that high dose radiation can introduce significant void swelling accompanied by precipitation in austenitic stainless steel (SS). Here we report, however, that through nanoengineering, ultra-fine grained (UFG) 304L SS with an average grain size of ~100 nm, can withstand Fe ion irradiation at 500°C to 80 displacements-per-atom (dpa) with moderate grain coarsening. Compared to coarse grained (CG) counterparts, swelling resistance of UFG SS is improved by nearly an order of magnitude and swelling rate is reduced by a factor of 5. M₂₃C₆ precipitates, abundant in irradiated CG SS, are largely absent in UFG SS. This study provides a nanoengineering approach to design and discover radiation tolerant metallic materials for applications in extreme radiation environments.

Molecular identification and characterization of Trichinella spiralis proteasome subunit beta type-7

Background

Previous study showed that Trichinella spiralis proteasome subunit beta type-7 (Tspst) gene is an up-regulated gene in intestinal infective larvae (IIL) compared to muscle larvae (ML), which was screened by using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and confirmed by real-time PCR. Tspst may be related to the larval invasion of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). The aim of this study was to identify Tspst and to investigate its immune protection against intestinal T. spiralis infection.

Methods

The Tspst gene encoding a 29 kDa protein from T. spiralis infective larvae was cloned, and recombinant Tspst protein (rTspst) was produced in an Escherichia coli expression system. The rTspst was used to immunize BALB/c mice. Anti-rTspst antibodies were used to determine the immunolocolization of Tspst in the parasite. Transcription and expression of Tspst at T. spiralis different developmental stages were observed by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence test (IFT). The in vitro or in vivo immune protection of anti-rTspst serum or rTspst against intestinal T. spiralis infection in BALB/c mice was evaluated.

Results

Anti-rTspst serum recognized the native Tspst protein with 29 kDa in ML crude antigens. Transcription and expression of gene was observed at all T. spiralis different developmental stages (IIL, adult worms, newborn larvae, and ML). An immunolocalization analysis identified Tspst in the cuticle and internal organs of the parasite. An in vitro invasion assay showed that, when anti-rTspst serum, serum of mice infected with T. spiralis or normal mouse serum were added to the medium, the invasion rate of the infective larvae in an IEC monolayer was 25.2%, 11.4%, and 79%, respectively (P < 0.05), indicating that anti-rTspst serum partially prevented the larval invasion of IECs. After a challenge infection with T. spiralis muscle larvae, mice immunized with rTspst conferred a 45.7% reduction in adult worm burden in intestines.

Conclusions

In the present study, Tspst was first identified and characterized. Tspst is an invasion-related protein of T. spiralis IIL and could be considered as a potential vaccine candidate antigen against intestinal T. spiralis infection that merits further study.

Tuning the surface activity of gemini amphiphile by the host-guest interaction of cucurbit[7]uril

This research is aimed to develop an effective supramolecular route for tuning the surface activity of the surfactant. To this end, cationic gemini amphiphiles and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) were complexed in water, and each hydrophobic chain of the gemini amphiphiles was bound with a CB[7]. The steric hindrance of CB[7] prevented the two hydrophobic chains from getting closed to each other, leading a significant change of surface activity. Before supramolecular complexation, the surface activity of the gemini amphiphile is relatively high, which can generate the foams easily. However, the foam generated by gemini amphiphile can be destructed by adding CB[7], suggesting that the suface activity is lowed after the supramolecular complexation. The surface activity can recover after adding 1-adamantanamine hydrochloride, which has a stronger ability to bind CB[7]. Therefore, a controllable foaming and defoaming process can be realized. It is highly anticipated that supramolecular chemistry for tuning amphiphilicity of surfactants may find application in the fields that fast foaming and defoaming are needed.

Production of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] 7 TeV

The production of the strange and double-strange baryon resonances ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) has been measured at mid-rapidity ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]) in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 7 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. Transverse momentum spectra for inelastic collisions are compared to QCD-inspired models, which in general underpredict the data. A search for the [Formula: see text] pentaquark, decaying in the [Formula: see text] channel, has been carried out but no evidence is seen.

Extramedullary T-lymphoblastic blast crisis in chronic myelogenous leukemia: A case report of successful diagnosis and treatment

Extramedullary T-lymphoblastic blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is uncommon and the prognosis is poor. It was usually misdiagnosed as the co-existence of T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) and CML. In the present study, we report a patient with CML, who developed extramedullary T-lymphoblastic blast crisis and was successfully treated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched stem cell transplantation. The patient was a 44-year-old man who presented with lymphadenectasis and leucocytosis prior to diagnosis. The bone marrow smear, biopsy and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of Breakpoint Cluster Region/ Abelson murine leukaemia (BCR/ABL) supported the diagnosis of CML in the chronic phase, while the immunohistochemistry of lymph nodes supported the diagnosis of T-LBL. The FISH test for BCR/ABL in lymph node blast cells was performed and the result was positive; therefore, the patient was diagnosed with extramedullary T-lymphoblastic blast crisis of CML. After several courses of combined chemotherapy, the patient was treated with HLA-mismatched stem cell transplantation and obtained continuous remission for 51 months until the present (September 2013).

Expression of nociceptive ligands in canine osteosarcoma

Background

Canine osteosarcoma (OS) is associated with localized pain as a result of tissue injury from tumor infiltration and peritumoral inflammation. Malignant bone pain is caused by stimulation of peripheral pain receptors, termed nociceptors, which reside in the localized tumor microenvironment, including the periosteal and intramedullary bone cavities. Several nociceptive ligands have been determined to participate directly or indirectly in generating bone pain associated with diverse skeletal abnormalities.

Hypothesis

Canine OS cells actively produce nociceptive ligands with the capacity to directly or indirectly activate peripheral pain receptors residing in the bone tumor microenvironment.

Animals

Ten dogs with appendicular OS.

Methods

Expression of nerve growth factor, endothelin‐1, and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase‐1 was characterized in OS cell lines and naturally occurring OS samples. In 10 dogs with OS, circulating concentrations of nociceptive ligands were quantified and correlated with subjective pain scores and tumor volume in patients treated with standardized palliative therapies.

Results

Canine OS cells express and secrete nerve growth factor, endothelin‐1, and prostaglandin E2. Naturally occurring OS samples uniformly express nociceptive ligands. In a subset of OS‐bearing dogs, circulating nociceptive ligand concentrations were detectable but failed to correlate with pain status. Localized foci of nerve terminal proliferation were identified in a minority of primary bone tumor samples.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Canine OS cells express nociceptive ligands, potentially permitting active participation of OS cells in the generation of malignant bone pain. Specific inhibitors of nociceptive ligand signaling pathways might improve pain control in dogs with OS.

A long non-coding RNA signature to improve prognosis prediction of colorectal cancer

Increasing evidence suggests long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are frequently aberrantly expressed in cancers, however, few related lncRNA signatures have been established for prediction of cancer prognosis. We aimed to develop a lncRNA signature to improve prognosis prediction of colorectal cancer (CRC). Using a lncRNA-mining approach, we performed lncRNA expression profiling in large CRC cohorts from Gene Expression Ominus (GEO), including GSE39582 test series(N=436), internal validation series (N=117); and two independent validation series GSE14333 (N=197) and GSE17536(N=145). We established a set of six lncRNAs that were significantly correlated with the disease free survival (DFS) in the test series. Based on this six-lncRNA signature, the test series patients could be classified into high-risk and low-risk subgroups with significantly different DFS (HR=2.670; P<0.0001). The prognostic value of this six-lncRNA signature was confirmed in the internal validation series and another two independent CRC sets. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analysis suggested that risk score positively correlated with several cancer metastasis related pathways. Functional experiments demonstrated three dysregulated lncRNAs, AK123657, BX648207 and BX649059 were required for efficient invasion and proliferation suppression in CRC cell lines. Our results might provide an efficient classification tool for clinical prognosis evaluation of CRC.

Preparation of arginine modified PEI-conjugated chitosan copolymer for DNA delivery

Polyethylenimine-conjugated chitosan (CS-PEI) and arginine modified polyethylenimine-conjugated chitosan (CS-PEI-Arg) were prepared, and the copolymers were characterized by FTIR, (1)H NMR, and XRD. The properties of these copolymers like plasmid DNA (pDNA) binding capacity, complexes' size and zeta potential, cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency were also evaluated. The results show that CS-PEI-Arg derivatives can bind pDNA thoroughly, and form complexes with sizes about 170 nm. Cytotoxicity assay in HepG2 and 293T cells show that CS-PEI-Arg has lower cytotoxicity compared with CS-PEI, which is similar to CS and far below that of PEI. In vitro luciferase assay show that CS-PEI-Arg has better transfection efficiency than CS-PEI, which is superior to that of PEI. The best transfection efficiency of CS-PEI-Arg (N/P = 50) is 2.3-fold, 4.2-fold of those of CS-PEI (N/P = 20) and PEI's (N/P = 10) efficiency respectively. These results display that CS-PEI-Arg is a promising candidate as an efficient gene vector.

Is allogeneic transplantation really the best treatment for FLT3/ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia? A systematic review

Fetal liver tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-internal tandem duplications (ITDs) has been used as a powerful adverse prognostic indicator for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in any age group. Evidence is mixed regarding the effects of allogeneic transplantation (allo-HSCT) in first complete remission (CR) for patients with FLT3/ITD AML. To fill this gap, this study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of patients with FLT3/ITD AML receiving HSCT. A search of PubMed, Embase, and OVID yielded 1706 abstracts, two researchers screening the trials based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and assessed the methodology quality independently. Meta-analysis showed that compared with chemotherapy, both allo-HSCT and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) can reduce the relapse rate (p < 0.01) and improve both the OS (p < 0.01) and DFS (p < 0.01). But when compared allo-HSCT with auto-HSCT, the OS (p = 0.27) and DFS (p = 0.19) have no statistical significance, and only the relapse indicator has statistical significance, p < 0.01. Based on the results, we can conclude that allo-HSCT is an efficient therapy approach for patients with FLT3/ITD AML. Chemotherapy cannot change the poor prognosis. Auto-HSCT can improve OS and DFS, but it cannot reduce the relapse rate.

Spatio-temporal variability in rangeland conditions associated with climate change in the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau over the past 15 years

One of the focuses of global change research is on the impact of climate change on alpine vegetation. The Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve is the largest alpine desert rangeland reserve in China to protect wild endangered ungulate species. This paper aims to detect changing trends in rangeland conditions in this region. Temporal changes in the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the rangelands in the Altun Nature Reserve and its correlation with climatic variables were studied over the period from 1998 to 2012. Based on the NDVI index and using ArcGIS spatial analyst, the areas of likely rangeland degradation and areas of improved in rangeland condition were identified using linear regression analysis. The results showed that NDVI values were relatively low, varying from 0.04 to 0.1, and there existed distinct monthly changes. The highest NDVI values were exhibited in August. Generally, the NDVI showed an increasing trend over time with several annual fluctuations. High values were distributed mainly in the core area of the nature reserve. Trend analysis showed that vegetation near rivers and lakes was most likely to be degraded but, overall, the vegetation conditions improved over the 15 years of the study, which meant an improvement in the habitats of key wild ungulate species. Precipitation and temperature had a significant linear positive correlation with NDVI, which suggested that they were the main driving forces for rangeland improvement. The vegetation at the edge of the protected areas appeared degraded due to human activities.

A novel Love Wave biosensor for rapid and sensitive detection of marine toxins

Marine toxins are produced by plankton and do a great harm to human through food chain by accumulating in shellfishes and fishes. It is highly required and favorable to develop novel methods for the rapid and efficient detection of marine toxins to avoid the poisoning cases that have occurred frequently in many countries. This study presents a real-time Love Wave biosensor for the rapid detection of okadaic acid (OA), which used HepG2 cell lines as the sensing elements. The results indicate that this cell-based biosensor can provide real-time information of cellular activities induced by okadaic acid and has a higher sensitivity than the conventional cell-based assay. It is suggested that this cell-based biosensor can be used as a convenient and efficient method for marine toxin detection, which has a great potential to contribute to avoid the harmful effects of marine toxins on the human health.