Mesenchymal stem cells modified to express interferon-β inhibit the growth of prostate cancer in a mouse model

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) genetically engineered to produce interferon-β (IFN-β) as a gene delivery system to treat prostate cancer in an animal model.

METHODS

To measure the effects on tumour cell growth in vitro, IFN-β-producing MSCs (IFN-β-MSCs) were co-cultured with the prostate cancer cell line PC-3. The in vivo migration of intravenously injected fluorescently-labelled MSCs to healthy tissues and PC-3 xenograft tumours grown in immuno-deficient mice was determined by fluorescence microscopy. The antitumour effects of intravenously injected IFN-β-MSCs on PC-3 xenograft growth and animal survival were also investigated.

RESULTS

IFN-β-MSCs inhibited the growth of PC-3 cells in vitro. Fluorescently-labelled MSCs migrated to the margins and centre of tumour masses but not into healthy tissues. Intravenously injected IFN-β-MSCs significantly reduced PC-3 xenograft tumour weight and increased animal survival compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenously injected IFN-β-MSCs inhibited PC-3 xenograft growth. This could be an effective gene delivery system for treatment of solid human tumours.

First Report of Fusarium pseudograminearum Causing Crown Rot of Wheat in Henan, China

Fusarium pseudograminearum (O'Donnell & Aoki), a residue-borne pathogen, is responsible for crown rot of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Since its first detection in Queensland, Australia in 1951, it has been reported in many other countries, but not China (2). In May 2011, a crown rot disease was observed in wheat cv. Aikang 58 in a wheat-maize rotation, irrigable and loam field in Henan Province, China. Diseased wheat plants showed honey brown discoloration in the stem bases and whitehead in some plants, which are symptoms of crown rot with about 70% incidence in a surveyed field (2). The pathogen was isolated from diseased stem base on potato dextrose agar (PDA) after being surface-disinfested with 5% NaClO solution for 2 min. Pure cultures were established on carnation leaf agar (CLA) through a single spore technique and identified by morphological and molecular methods according to protocols described previously (1,3,4). Macroconidia of F. pseudograminearum were formed in abundant sporodochia on CLA cultures grown under the BLB light. Macroconidia were usually five septate (about three to seven) and 27 to 91 × 2.7 to 5.5 μm. Colonies grown on PDA from a single conidium in the dark at 25°C had average radial growth rates of ~4.7 to 9.9 mm per day. Colony pigment on PDA grown under light varied from rose to burgundy, while mycelium ranged from rose to yellow white. Two isolates (WZ-8A and WZ-2B) were selected for molecular identification. The translation elongation factor 1-α gene and rDNA ITS gene were amplified by PCR using the specific primers described previously (4). PCR products were sequenced (GenBank Accession Nos. JN862232 to JN862235). Phylogenic analysis of the sequence indicated that the isolates were identified as F. pseudograminearum. The identification was further confirmed by the F. pseudograminearum species-specific PCR primers (Fp1-1: CGGGGTAGTTTCACATTTCCG and Fp1-2: GAGAATGTGATGACGACAATA) (1). The expected PCR products of 520 bp were produced only in F. pseudograminearum. Isolates WZ-2B and WZ-8A were deposited in the Agriculture Culture Collection of China as ACCC38067 and ACCC 38068, respectively. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by inoculating winter wheat cultivar Wenmai 19 with isolates WZ-8A and WZ-2B through soil inoculation. Inoculum was prepared by growing cultures on sterilized wheat bran and chopped wheat-straw (4:1, v/v) after incubation at 25°C for 2 weeks. This inoculum was added to sterilized soil at 1% by volume and no inoculum was added in control treatment. Five seeds were planted in a 15 cm wide pot in a 20 to 25°C greenhouse, with six replications. Seedling death and crown browning occurred in the inoculated wheat plants after 4 weeks with over 90% incidence, while no symptoms developed in the control plants. The fungus was reisolated from inoculated plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. pseudograminearum causing crown rot of wheat in China. Considering Henan is the largest wheat production province in China with over 5 million hectares planting area, and the soil and climate conditions are suitable for this disease, it will be a important pathogen of wheat in Henan in the future. References: (1) T. Aoki et al. Mycologia 91:597, 1999. (2) L. W. Burgess. Page 271 in: Crown Rot of Wheat: Fusarium. B. A. Summerell et al., eds. APS Press, St. Paul, MN, 2001. (3) R. G. Francis et al. Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 68:421, 1977. (4) J. B. Scott et al. Mycol. Res. 110:1413, 2006.

Correlation between expression of S100A4 and VEGF-C, and lymph node metastasis and prognosis in gastric carcinoma

This semiquantitative immunohistochemical study investigated the clinical significance of S100A4 and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) protein expression in gastric carcinoma. Correlations between S100A4 and VEGF-C immunoreactivity and clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated using 108 gastric carcinoma specimens and 20 specimens of tissue adjacent to gastric carcinoma. S100A4 and VEGF-C expression in carcinoma was higher than that in adjacent tissues. S100A4 expression was significantly related to tumour size and lymph node metastasis, whereas VEGF-C expression was associated with invasion depth, lymph node metastasis and tumour, node, metastasis (TNM) stage. A significant correlation was found between S100A4 and VEGF-C expression. Patients expressing S100A4 or VEGF-C showed no significant reduction in 5-year survival rate compared with those not expressing these proteins. Sex, age, tumour size, invasion depth, lymph node involvement, TNM stage, S100A4 expression and VEGF-C expression had a common effect on carcinoma prognosis but none was an independent prognostic factor.

Antigen-specific T-regulatory cells can extend skin graft survival time in mice

This study investigated the effects of donor antigen-specific CD4(+)CD25(+) T-regulatory cells (Tregs) on skin allografts in mice. An allogeneic skin transplant model was established using donor C57BL/6 or DBA and recipient BALB/c mice. Recipients were divided into 4 groups: control group without intervention (CON; C57BL/6 to BALB/c), rapamycin gavage group (RAP; C57BL/6 to BALB/c), CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs-treated group (TRE; C57BL/6 to BALB/c), in which recipients received transfusions of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs stimulated with C57BL/6-derived immature dendritic cells, and the third-party donor group (DBA; DBA to BALB/c) in which recipients received transfusions of BALB/c CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs stimulated with C57BL/6-derived immature dendritic cells. Mean (SD) survival time of the skin allografts in the TRE group was 17.0 (3.4) days, significantly longer than in the other groups: CON, 6.9 (1.9) days; RAP, 10.3 (3.0) days; and DBA, 10.8 (3.6) days. The TRE group demonstrated a significantly greater expression of transforming growth factor-β and interleukin (IL)-10. Donor antigen-specific CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs effectively extend skin allograft survival in mice.

First Record of the Cereal Cyst Nematode Heterodera filipjevi in China

Cereal cyst nematode (CCN) is now recognized as a widespread and often damaging parasite of wheat in China. Only Heterodera avenae has been reported in China (4). However, molecular analysis of four samples from Beijing and one from Shanxi Province indicated genetic differences from H. avenae and other named species (3). Here we report the detection of H. filipjevi at a site in Henan Province that was not included in any previous study or report. The infested crop was rainfed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Wenmai 19 in a field near Banpopu Village in Xuchang County (34.0447°N, 113.7415°E) with a long-established maize-wheat semiannual crop rotation. During the winter growing season, the crop was patchy with uneven growth and cyst nematode females were observed on the roots. In June 2009, soil was collected and mature cysts were extracted for morphological and molecular identification. Cysts were also kept at 4°C for 2 months and then incubated in shallow water at 15°C for a month to obtain second-stage juveniles (J2). Measurements (range; mean ± sd) of 10 cysts were body length including neck (569 to 786 μm; 699 ± 56), body width (403 to 600 μm; 523 ± 55), length:width ratio (1.3 to 1.5; 1.3 ± 0.1), neck length (61 to 125 μm; 106 ± 19) and width (49 to 83 μm; 69 ± 13), fenestra length (52 to 59 μm; 57 ± 2.9) and width (24.5 to 34.4; 27.9 ± 3.5), underbridge (64 to 101 μm; 85 ± 10), and vulval slit (7.4 to 10.0 μm; 9.6 ± 1.0). Lemon-shaped cysts were brown with a surface zigzag pattern. The vulval cone was bifenestrate with horseshoe-shaped semifenestra, with heavy underbridge and many bullae. The J2 (n = 22) measurements were body length (496 to 590 μm; 552 ± 24), body width (20.0 to 23.8; 21.5 ± 0.9), stylet (22.8 to 25.3; 24.0 ± 1.0) with anchor-shaped basal knobs, tail (47 to 64; 61.6 ± 4.4), and hyaline tail terminus (32 to 43; 40.2 ± 3.0). The J2 had up to four lateral lines, but the inner two were often the only lines clearly visible, and the shape of the stylet knobs, tail, and tail terminus were consistent with H. filipjevi. All morphological data and characters were consistent with H. filipjevi (1). Specimens have been lodged with the Australian National Insect Collection. DNA from single cysts was extracted to amplify the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA by PCR with forward primer TW81 (5'-GTTTCCGTAGGTGAACCTGC-3') and reverse primer AB28 (5'-ATATGCTTAAGTTCAGCGGGT-3') (2). The PCR product was sequenced (Genbank Accession No. HM027892) and digested by restriction enzymes (AluI, CfoI, HaeI, HinfI, PstI, RsaI, TaqI, and Tru9I) to obtain restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles (2). Profiles for the Xuchang population consistently matched those published for H. filipjevi and were distinct from those of H. avenae and other species (3). Phylogenic analysis of the sequence further indicated conspecificity with H. filipjevi. These morphological and molecular data confirmed that the specimens from Xuchang were H. filipjevi, which represents the first detection of H. filipjevi in China, and extends the known distribution of the species from Europe, North America, South Asia, and West Asia to East Asia. This finding adds complexity to the management of CCN in China, especially for control by host resistance, which now must consider both species and pathotype diversity. References: (1) Z. A. Handoo. J. Nematol. 34:250, 2002. (2) S. A. Subbotin et al. Nematology 2:153, 2000. (3) S. A. Subbotin et al. Nematology 5:515, 2003. (4) H. X. Yuan et al. Australas. Plant Pathol. 39:107, 2010.

In situ thin film growth stresses during chemical ordering

The in situ growth stress and postgrowth stress relaxation during the L1(0) chemical ordering of Fe0.54Pt0.46 thin films have been characterized. The compressive stress is reduced with an increase in order parameter. The postgrowth stress relaxation rate increased with the order parameter and is rationalized in terms of an increase in the interfacial energy contribution at the grain boundaries because of chemical order. Density functional theory calculations were performed to quantify possible diffusion pathways and binding energies for Fe and Pt that may mitigate surface migration.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of the genome organization of the 6-banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus)

Xenarthra, as the probable earliest offshoot of the placental tree, represents a key taxon for understanding mammalian phylogeny. To gain further insight into the chromosomal evolution and genome organization of the xenarthrans, we have established the first genome-wide comparative chromosome map between human and the 6-banded armadillo (Euphractussexcinctus, 2n = 58), a basal species on the Xenarthra branch, by reciprocal cross-species chromosome painting. In total, 22 human autosomal paints revealed 41 homologous segments in the euchromatic genome of E. sexcinctus. Our results provide further support for the notion that the 2 human homologous segmental associations, i.e. HSA 2/8 and 7a/10p, could constitute the synapomorphies that unite the xenarthrans. Moreover, we propose that the putative ancestral Xenarthra karyotype closely resemble the 2n = 54 karyotype of the E. sexcinctus, consisting of the equivalents of HSA1p, 1q, 2a, 2b, 2c/8c, 3/21, 4a, 4b/8b, 5, 6a, 6b, 7a/10p, 7b/16p, 8a, 9, 10q, 11, 12a/22a, 12b/22b, 13, 14/15, 16q/19q, 17, 18, 19p, 20, and X. In addition, we have analysed the C-banding patterns of E. sexcinctus, and cloned, FISHmapped and sequenced 7 novel repetitive DNA segments, providing further information on the complexity of genome architecture of E. sexcinctus.

Comparative In Vivo Study on the Desensitizing Efficacy of Dentin Desensitizers and One-bottle Self-etching Adhesives

Dentin desensitizers and one-bottle self-etching adhesives can significantly reduce dentin hypersensitivity. Clinical desensitizing effectiveness depends on the individual dentin desensitizers/adhesives used.

Effect of Saliva Contamination and Decontamination on Bovine Enamel Bond Strength of Four Self-etching Adhesives

Salivary contamination before and after priming could significantly reduce the enamel bond strength of self-etching adhesives. Proper isolation should be performed before and during application of the adhesives and placement of the resin composite. Thorough water-spraying could significantly improve the μTBS of saliva-contaminated enamel.

Chromosome painting among Proboscidea, Hyracoidea and Sirenia: support for Paenungulata (Afrotheria, Mammalia) but not Tethytheria

Despite marked improvements in the interpretation of systematic relationships within Eutheria, particular nodes, including Paenungulata (Hyracoidea, Sirenia and Proboscidea), remain ambiguous. The combination of a rapid radiation, a deep divergence and an extensive morphological diversification has resulted in a limited phylogenetic signal confounding resolution within this clade both at the morphological and nucleotide levels. Cross-species chromosome painting was used to delineate regions of homology between Loxodonta africana (2n=56), Procavia capensis (2n=54), Trichechus manatus latirostris (2n=48) and an outgroup taxon, the aardvark (Orycteropus afer, 2n=20). Changes specific to each lineage were identified and although the presence of a minimum of 11 synapomorphies confirmed the monophyly of Paenungulata, no change characterizing intrapaenungulate relationships was evident. The reconstruction of an ancestral paenungulate karyotype and the estimation of rates of chromosomal evolution indicate a reduced rate of genomic repatterning following the paenungulate radiation. In comparison to data available for other mammalian taxa, the paenungulate rate of chromosomal evolution is slow to moderate. As a consequence, the absence of a chromosomal character uniting two paenungulates (at the level of resolution characterized in this study) may be due to a reduced rate of chromosomal change relative to the length of time separating successive divergence events.

Karyotype relationships of six bat species (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) from China revealed by chromosome painting and G-banding comparison

The Vespertilionidae is the largest family in the order Chiroptera and has a worldwide distribution in the temperate and tropical regions. In order to further clarify the karyotype relationships at the lower taxonomic level in Vespertilionidae, genome-wide comparative maps have been constructed between Myotis myotis (MMY, 2n = 44) and six vesper bats from China: Myotis altarium (MAL, 2n = 44), Hypsugo pulveratus (HPU, 2n = 44), Nyctalus velutinus (NVE, 2n = 36), Tylonycteris robustula (TRO, 2n = 32), Tylonycteris sp. (TSP, 2n = 30)and Miniopterus fuliginosus (MFU, 2n = 46) by cross-species chromosome painting with a set of painting probes derived from flow-sorted chromosomes of Myotis myotis. Each Myotis myotis autosomal probe detected a single homologous chromosomal segment in the genomes of these six vesper bats except for MMY chromosome 3/4 paint which hybridized onto two chromosomes in the genome of M. fuliginosus. Our results show that Robertsonian translocation is the main mode of karyotype evolution in Vespertilionidae and that the addition of heterochromatic material also plays an important role in the karyotypic evolution of the genera Tylonycteris and Nyctalus. Two conserved syntenic associations (MMY9 + 23 and 18 + 19) could be the synapomorphic features for the genus Tylonycteris. The integration of our maps with the published maps has enabled us to deduce chromosomal homologies between human and these six vesper bats and provided new insight into the karyotype evolution of the family Vespertilionidae.

Essential role of Ca2+ release channels in angiotensin II-induced Ca2+ oscillations and mesangial cell contraction

The increased resistance of the glomerulus as a result of contractile dysfunction of mesangial cells (MCs) is associated with reduction of glomerular filtration rate and development of glomerulosclerosis. Evidences show MCs contraction changes with intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). Here, we explore the mechanism of angiotensin II (AngII)-induced Ca(2+) oscillations and MCs contraction. Primary MCs from 3-month-old and 28-month-old rats were used for detection of Ca(2+) oscillations and MC planar area with confocal microscopy. AngII could induce typical Ca(2+) oscillations and contraction of MCs. This process was abolished by thapsigargin, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, or 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine, and partially inhibited by ryanodine, but could not be inhibited in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+). Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP(3)) receptors displayed a strong colocalization, which may contribute to the amplification of Ca(2+) response. MLC(20) phosphorylation and MC planar area were associated with AngII-induced Ca(2+) oscillations. The frequency of Ca(2+) oscillations was dependent on the AngII concentration and correlated with the MCs' contractive extent, which could be attenuated by KN-93. The amplitude reduction of oscillations correlated with the decrease in aging-related contraction. In conclusion, [Ca(2+)](i) response of MCs to AngII is characterized by repetitive spikes through the following repetitive cycles: Ca(2+) release by phospholipase C -InsP(3) pathway, Ca(2+) amplification by Ca(2+)-activated RyRs and Ca(2+) reuptake by the endoplasmic reticulum. MCs contraction can be modulated by oscillations not only in an AngII-induced frequency-dependent mode but also in an aging-related, amplitude-dependent mode.

A prospective study comparing conventional methods against a structured method of gaining patients’ informed consent for tonsillectomy

OBJECTIVE

By providing junior members of medical staff with appropriate guidelines one can achieve an improved standard of informed consent for tonsillectomy, than is provided at present.

DESIGN

A prospective study of 138 consecutive patients.

SETTING

District General Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 138 patients undergoing routine tonsillectomy split into two groups. Group A (n=87), the conventional group, gave consent in our unit's standard manner to various grades of doctors by using a hospital general surgical consent form. Most gave their consent as outpatients, while some consented on admission. Group B (n=51), the structured consent group, gave their consent in pre-admission clinic, to an SHO using a standardized tonsillectomy consent form and a structured interview technique.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

A preoperative questionnaire regarding the knowledge of tonsillectomy.

RESULTS

Improvement of the awareness of the risks involved with tonsillectomy was achieved by the structured consent Group B; 82% of Group A were aware of postoperative pain compared with 94% of group B (P=0.04); 63% of group A were aware of infection compared with 82% of group B (P=0.02); 100% of group B had read the consent form before signing compared with 80% of group A (P<0.01). There was no statistical difference in the awareness of postoperative haemorrhage (91 versus 98%, P=0.15).

CONCLUSION

By providing junior medical staff with guidelines, senior staff retain responsibility for consent while improving the standard of informed consent for tonsillectomy.

Interfacial interaction of tartaric acid with hydroxyapatite and enamel

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interfacial interaction of tartaric acid with hydroxyapatite and enamel. Hydroxyapatite particles were mixed with 15% (w/v) alcohol-aqueous (1:1) solution of tartaric acid for 72 h. After the mixture, the filtrate was separated from the solid. The filtrate, the solid, hydroxyapatite, and tartaric acid were dried for FTIR and XRD analysis. Enamel disks etched with tartaric acid for 60 s were analyzed by attenuated total reflectance (ATR). Enamel disks etched with 15% tartaric acid for 15, 30, 60, 120 s were analyzed by SEM. FTIR spectra showed carboxylate in the solid and in subtraction spectra. ATR spectra revealed carboxylate on the enamel surfaces. XRD data indicated the formation of calcium tartrate and calcium hydrogen phosphate after the reaction of tartaric acid with hydroxyapatite. SEM observations revealed typical decalcification of the periphery of the enamel rods due tartaric acid etching. It is concluded that tartaric acid can decalcify and chemisorb onto HA simultaneously, hence, tartaric acid could be used as etchant and ingredient of self-etching primers in adhesive dentistry.

Karyotypic conservatism in the suborder Feliformia (Order Carnivora)

Multidirectional comparative chromosome painting was used to investigate the karyotypic relationships among representative species from three Feliformia families of the order Carnivora (Viverridae, Hyaenidae and Felidae). Complete sets of painting probes derived from flow-sorted chromosomes of the domestic dog, American mink, and human were hybridized onto metaphases of the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta, 2n = 40) and masked palm civet (Paguma larvata, 2n = 44). Extensive chromosomal conservation is evident in these two species when compared with the cat karyotype, and only a few events of chromosome fusion, fission and inversion differentiate the karyotypes of these Feliformia species. The comparative chromosome painting data have enabled the integration of the hyena and palm civet chromosomes into the previously established comparative map among the domestic cat, domestic dog, American mink and human and improved our understanding on the karyotype phylogeny of Feliformia species.