MUC1-C activates the TAK1 inflammatory pathway in colon cancer

The mucin 1 (MUC1) oncoprotein has been linked to the inflammatory response by promoting cytokine-mediated activation of the NF-κB pathway. The TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is an essential effector of proinflammatory NF-κB signaling that also regulates cancer cell survival. The present studies demonstrate that the MUC1-C transmembrane subunit induces TAK1 expression in colon cancer cells. MUC1 also induces TAK1 in a MUC1(+/-)/IL-10(-/-) mouse model of colitis and colon tumorigenesis. We show that MUC1-C promotes NF-κB-mediated activation of TAK1 transcription and, in a positive regulatory loop, MUC1-C contributes to TAK1-induced NF-κB signaling. In this way, MUC1-C binds directly to TAK1 and confers the association of TAK1 with TRAF6, which is necessary for TAK1-mediated activation of NF-κB. Targeting MUC1-C thus suppresses the TAK1NF-κB pathway, downregulates BCL-XL and in turn sensitizes colon cancer cells to MEK inhibition. Analysis of colon cancer databases further indicates that MUC1, TAK1 and TRAF6 are upregulated in tumors associated with decreased survival and that MUC1-C-induced gene expression patterns predict poor outcomes in patients. These results support a model in which MUC1-C-induced TAK1NF-κB signaling contributes to intestinal inflammation and colon cancer progression.

Expression of histamine receptor genes Hrh3 and Hrh4 in rat brain endothelial cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Brain vascular endothelial cells express histamine H1 and H2 receptors, which regulate brain capillary permeability. We investigated whether H3 and H4 receptors are also expressed in these cells and may thus play a role in permeability regulation.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

An immortalized rat brain endothelial cell line RBE4 was used to assess the presence of H3 and H4 receptors. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and sequencing were used to identify the receptor mRNAs. The receptors were stimulated with histamine and immepip, and specific inverse agonists/antagonists ciproxifan and JNJ 7777120 were used to block H3 and H4 receptors, respectively.

KEY RESULTS

RT-PCR of mRNA extracted from cultured immortalized RBE4 cells revealed two rat H4 receptor gene (Hrh4) transcripts, one full-length (coding sequence 1173 bp), and one with a 164 bp deletion. Also, two rat H3 receptor gene (Hrh3) isoform mRNAs were expressed in RBE4 cells, and sequencing showed they were the full-length H3 receptor and the 144 bp deletion form. Both histamine and immepip (H3 and H4 receptor agonists) activated the Erk1/2 MAPK pathway in the RBE4 cells and in vivo in brain blood vessels by activating H4 receptors, as the H4 receptor-specific inverse agonists/antagonist JNJ 7777120, but not ciproxifan, H3 receptor antagonist, dose-dependently blocked this effect in RBE4 cells.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Both Hrh3 and Hrh4 receptors are expressed in rat brain endothelial cells, and activation of the histamine H4 receptor activates the Erk1/2 cascade. H3 and H4 receptors in endothelial cells are potentially important for regulation of blood-brain barrier permeability, including trafficking of immunocompetent cells.

High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation: an effective and safe treatment for secondary hypersplenism

OBJECTIVE

Hypersplenism is a common disease. The conventional treatment is splenectomy and partial splenic embolization; however, both of them have high complication rates and technical defects. Therefore, safer and more effective techniques should be considered for the treatment of hypersplenism. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) may provide an effective and safe way for treatment of hypersplenism. Therefore, we conducted this study to assess the safety and efficacy of HIFU in treatment of secondary hypersplenism.

METHODS

A total of 28 patients who suffered from secondary hypersplenism were treated with HIFU ablation. All patients who underwent HIFU were closely followed-up over a year. MRI scan was performed, and the spleens were observed. Blood counts and liver function tests were also carried out.

RESULTS

In the follow-up process, the levels of white blood cells and platelets in the blood after HIFU were significantly higher than those before HIFU, liver function also improved after HIFU treatment. In addition, the symptoms were ameliorated significantly or even disappeared. The MRI showed that the ablation area had turned into a non-perfused volume, and after 12 months of HIFU ablation, the ablated area shrank evidently; the sunken spleen formed a lobulated shape and the splenic volume decreased.

CONCLUSION

HIFU ablation is a safe, effective and non-invasive approach for secondary hypersplenism.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

For the first time we used HIFU ablation to treat secondary hypersplenism. It not only expands indications of HIFU but also provides better choice for the treatment of secondary hypersplenism.

Hepatocyte growth factor upregulates nexilin gene expression in cardiomyocytes via JNK pathway

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a protective factor in myocardial injury, but its mechanisms of action have not yet been fully elucidated. Nexilin, which locates specifically to the Z-disc, is a novel Z-disc protein that enables the Z-discs to persistently withstand the extreme mechanical forces generated during muscle contraction. Therefore, we investigated the role of HGF in modulating nexilin expression in hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R)-treated cardiomyocytes. We cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes and treated them with HGF. The mRNA and protein levels of nexilin were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. H/R treatment decreased nexilin mRNA expression and nexilin protein levels in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, treatment with HGF upregulated nexilin expression and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 partly inhibited HGF-induced nexilin upregulation. In conclusion, our results suggest that ischemia-reperfusion injury may downregulate nexilin expression in cardiomyocytes, and HGF may exert its protective role during myocardial ischemic injury through upregulation of nexilin expression in cardiomyocytes.

Abnormalities in whole-brain functional connectivity observed in treatment-naive post-traumatic stress disorder patients following an earthquake

BACKGROUND

Convergent studies have highlighted the dysfunction of the amygdala, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, only a few studies have investigated the functional connectivity between brain regions in PTSD patients during the resting state, which may improve our understanding of the neuropathophysiology of PTSD. The aim of this study was to investigate patterns of whole-brain functional connectivity in treatment-naive PTSD patients without co-morbid conditions who experienced the 8.0-magnitude earthquake in the Sichuan province of China.

METHOD

A total of 72 PTSD patients and 86 trauma-exposed non-PTSD controls participated in the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study. All these subjects were recruited from the disaster zone of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Functional connectivities between 90 paired brain regions in PTSD patients were compared with those in trauma-exposed non-PTSD controls. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis was performed between significantly abnormal connectivities in PTSD patients and their clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS) scores.

RESULTS

Compared with non-PTSD controls, PTSD patients showed weaker positive connectivities between the middle prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus and rectus, as well as between the inferior orbitofrontal cortex and the hippocampus. In addition, PTSD patients showed stronger negative connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the insula. The CAPS scores in PTSD patients correlated negatively with the connectivity between the amygdala and the mPFC.

CONCLUSIONS

PTSD patients showed abnormalities in whole-brain functional connectivity, primarily affecting the connectivities between the mPFC and limbic system, and connectivity between the PCC and insula.

An ideal-observer model of human sound localization

In recent years, a great deal of research within the field of sound localization has been aimed at finding the acoustic cues that human listeners use to localize sounds and understanding the mechanisms by which they process these cues. In this paper, we propose a complementary approach by constructing an ideal-observer model, by which we mean a model that performs optimal information processing within a Bayesian context. The model considers all available spatial information contained within the acoustic signals encoded by each ear. Parameters for the optimal Bayesian model are determined based on psychoacoustic discrimination experiments on interaural time difference and sound intensity. Without regard as to how the human auditory system actually processes information, we examine the best possible localization performance that could be achieved based only on analysis of the input information, given the constraints of the normal auditory system. We show that the model performance is generally in good agreement with the actual human localization performance, as assessed in a meta-analysis of many localization experiments (Best et al. in Principles and applications of spatial hearing, pp 14-23. World Scientific Publishing, Singapore, 2011). We believe this approach can shed new light on the optimality (or otherwise) of human sound localization, especially with regard to the level of uncertainty in the input information. Moreover, the proposed model allows one to study the relative importance of various (combinations of) acoustic cues for spatial localization and enables a prediction of which cues are most informative and therefore likely to be used by humans in various circumstances.

Rapid operation assessment of voluntary HIV counselling and testing services in three cities in China, 2009

OBJECTIVES

To assess the operation of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services forhuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in three cities in China.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study using mixed methods, including focus group discussions,in-depth interviews, field assessment, archive checking and structured questionnaire interviews, was conducted to assess different aspects of VCT services.

METHODS

Surveys were undertaken in six counties of three China Global Fund AIDS Program (Round Five) cities, including 11 VCT clinics, 38 counsellors, 83 clients and 332 individuals at risk for HIV infection.

RESULTS

All counsellors were trained and approved for providing counselling. As there were adequate numbers of clinics and counsellors, VCT services ran smoothly. Clients were generally satisfied with VCT services and considered service operation to be adequate. Problems with the VCT programme included fewer VCT services in general hospitals, lack of a referral mechanism, and long delays between testing and receipt of results.

CONCLUSIONS

The operation of VCT services in the three cities was generally adequate, but referral services were poor. More attention needs to be paid to HIV testing and counselling in general hospitals, and referral networks need to be strengthened.

Long-term persistence of immunity and B-cell memory following Haemophilus influenzae type B conjugate vaccination in early childhood and response to booster

BACKGROUND

Protection against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), a rapidly invading encapsulated bacteria, is dependent on maintenance of an adequate level of serum antibody through early childhood. In many countries, Hib vaccine booster doses have been implemented after infant immunization to sustain immunity. We investigated the long-term persistence of antibody and immunological memory in primary-school children following infant (with or without booster) Hib vaccination.

METHODS

Anti-polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and the frequency of circulating Hib-specific memory B cells were measured before a booster of a Hib-serogroup C meningococcal (MenC) conjugate vaccine and again 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year after the booster in 250 healthy children aged 6-12 years in an open-label phase 4 clinical study.

RESULTS

Six to 12 years following infant priming with 3 doses of Hib conjugate vaccine, anti-PRP IgG geometric mean concentrations were 3.11 µg/mL and 0.71 µg/mL and proportions with anti-PRP IgG ≥1.0 µg/mL were 79% and 43% in children who had or had not, respectively, received a fourth Hib conjugate vaccine dose (mean age, 3.9 years). Higher baseline and post-Hib-MenC booster responses (anti-PRP IgG and memory B cells) were found in younger children and in those who had received a fourth Hib dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Sustained Hib conjugate vaccine-induced immunity in children is dependent on time since infant priming and receipt of a booster. Understanding the relationship between humoral and cellular immunity following immunization with conjugate vaccines may direct vaccine design and boosting strategies to sustain individual and population immunity against encapsulated bacteria in early childhood. Clinical Trials Registration ISRCTN728588998.

Towards true unipolar ECG recording without the Wilson central terminal (preliminary results)

We present an innovative bio-potential front-end capable of recording true unipolar ECG leads for the first time without making use of the Wilson central terminal. In addition to the convenience in applications such as continuous monitoring and rapid diagnosis, the information in unipolar recordings may yield unique diagnostic information as it avoids the need to essentially subtract data or make use of the averaging effect imposed from the Wilson central terminal. The system also allows direct, real-time software calculation of signals corresponding to standard ECG leads which achieve correlations in excess of 92% with a gold standard ECG during a parallel in vivo recording. In addition, the implemented circuit is wideband (0.05-1000 Hz), compatible with standard (Ag/AgCl) bio-potential electrodes, and dry (paste-less) textile electrodes. The circuit is also low power, requiring less than 50 mW (when powered at 12 V) per standard ECG lead (two channels required). It is therefore well suited for wearable, long-term applications.

Targeting the MUC1-C oncoprotein downregulates HER2 activation and abrogates trastuzumab resistance in breast cancer cells

Patients with HER2 positive breast cancer often exhibit intrinsic or acquired resistance to trastuzumab treatment. The transmembrane MUC1-C oncoprotein is aberrantly overexpressed in breast cancer cells and associates with HER2. The present studies demonstrate that silencing MUC1-C in HER2-overexpressing SKBR3 and BT474 breast cancer cells results in downregulation of constitutive HER2 activation. Moreover, treatment with the MUC1-C inhibitor, GO-203, was associated with disruption of MUC1-C/HER2 complexes and decreases in tyrosine phosphorylated HER2 (p-HER2) levels. In studies of trastuzumab-resistant SKBR3R and BT474R cells, we found that the association between MUC1-C and HER2 is markedly increased (~20-fold) as compared to that in sensitive cells. Additionally, silencing MUC1-C in the trastuzumab-resistant cells or treatment with GO-203 decreased p-HER2 and AKT activation. Moreover, targeting MUC1-C was associated with downregulation of phospho-p27 and cyclin E, which confer trastuzumab resistance. Consistent with these results, targeting MUC1-C inhibited the growth and clonogenic survival of both trastuzumab-resistant cells. Our results further demonstrate that silencing MUC1-C reverses resistance to trastuzumab and that the combination of GO-203 and trastuzumab is highly synergistic. These findings indicate that MUC1-C contributes to constitutive activation of the HER2 pathway and that targeting MUC1-C represents a potential approach to abrogate trastuzumab resistance.

Evaluation of different stimulation and measurement patterns based on internal electrode: application in cardiac impedance tomography

The conductivity distribution around the thorax is altered during the cardiac cycle due to the blood perfusion, heart contraction and lung inflation. Previous studies showed that these bio-impedance changes are appropriate for non-invasive cardiac function imaging using Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) techniques. However, the spatial resolution is presently low. One of the main obstacles in cardiac imaging at the heart location is the large impedance variation of the lungs by respiration and muscles on the dorsal and posterior side of the body. In critical care units there is a potential to insert an internal electrode inside the esophagus directly behind the heart in the same plane of the external electrodes. The aim of the present study is to evaluate different current stimulation and measurement patterns with both external and internal electrodes. Analysis is performed with planar arrangement of 16 electrodes for a simulated 3D cylindrical tank and pig thorax model. In our study we evaluated current injection patterns consisting of adjacent, diagonal, trigonometric, and radial to the internal electrode. The performance of these arrangements was assessed using quantitative methods based on distinguishability, sensitivity and GREIT (Graz consensus Reconstruction algorithm for Electrical Impedance Tomography). Our evaluation shows that an internal electrode configuration based on the trigonometric injection patterns has better performance and improves pixel intensity of the small conductivity changes related to heart near 1.7 times in reconstructed images and also shows more stability with different levels of added noise. For the internal electrode, when we combined radial or adjacent injection with trigonometric injection pattern, we found an improvement in amplitude response. However, the combination of diagonal with trigonometric injection pattern deteriorated the shape deformation (correlation coefficient r=0.344) more than combination of radial and trigonometric injection (correlation coefficient r=0.836) for the perturbations in the area close to the center of the cylinder. We also find that trigonometric stimulation pattern performance is degraded in a realistic thorax model with anatomical asymmetry. For that reason we recommend using internal electrodes only for voltage measurements and as a reference electrode during trigonometric stimulation patterns in practical measurements.

Study of T cell subsets and IL-7 protein expression in HIV-1-infected patients after 7 years HAART

Objective

To study the changes in T cell subsets and IL-7 in HIV-1-infected patients after seven years of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods

Seventy-five individuals were included in this study (25 with effective HAART, 18 with ineffective HAART, 17 untreated HIV+ patients, and 15 volunteers in the HIV negative control group). The counts of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD8/CD38⁺, and CD8/HLADR⁺ T cells as well as the IL-7 protein expression was measured at 5 time points during a period of seven years in patients starting HAART (baseline) and in the HIV negative control group. The expression of CD127 on CD3⁺ T cells was measured by flow cytometry at a single time point (after 7 years) in patients with HAART and was compared with untreated HIV+ patients and the HIV negative control group.

Results

At baseline CD4⁺ T cell counts of HIV-1-infected patients were lower than that in the control group (p < 0.01), whereas the CD8⁺, CD8/HLADR⁺ and CD8/CD38⁺ T cell counts were higher than those in the control group (p <0.01). After seven years of effective HAART, the CD4⁺ T cell counts had increased and the CD8⁺ T cell count had decreased, although not to the normal levels (p < 0.05). Both the CD8/HLADR⁺ and CD8/CD38⁺ T cell counts had gradually approached those of the control group (p > 0.05). In the ineffective HAART group, the CD8/CD38⁺ T cell count had not decreased significantly, and CD8/HLADR⁺ T cell count gradually decreased. Before treatment, IL-7 serum levels of patients were significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.01). After seven years of effective HAART, IL-7 levels had gradually decreased, but were still higher than in the control group (p < 0.01). The CD127 expression on CD3⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in effective HAART patients was higher than in untreated HIV+ patients (p < 0.05), but was lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). CD127 expression on CD3⁺ CD4+ T cells was not significantly different among the control group, untreated HIV+ patients and effective HAART group.

Conclusion

After seven years of effective HAART, the quantity and capacity of T cell subsets and IL-7 in HIV-1-infected patients had been partially restored, and the abnormal immune activation has significantly diminished.

Nonisomorphic nucleation pathways arising from morphological transitions of liquid channels

Motivated by unexpected morphologies of the emerging liquid phase (channels, bulges, droplets) at the edge of thin, melting alkane terraces, we propose a new heterogeneous nucleation pathway. The competition between bulk and interfacial energies and the boundary conditions determine the growth and shape of the liquid phase at the edge of the solid alkane terraces. Calculations and experiments reveal a "precritical" shape transition (channel-to-bulges) of the liquid before reaching its critical volume along a putative shape-conserving path. Bulk liquid emerges from the new shape, and, depending on the degree of supersaturation, the new pathway may have two, one, or zero energy barriers. The findings are broadly relevant for many heterogeneous nucleation processes because the novel pathway is induced by common, widespread surface topologies (scratches, steps, etc.).

The role of health economics research in implementation research for health systems strengthening

It has long been recognised that the health-related Millennium Development Goals cannot be achieved without strengthened health systems. This article presents the most recent World Health Organization framework for strengthening health systems and considers how health economics research can be used to measure achievements against each of the goals of the framework. Benefits to health systems strengthening of incorporating health economics tools into operational research are highlighted. Finally, health economic tools are placed within an impact assessment framework that facilitates the capture of health systems considerations in implementation research for innovations in tuberculosis diagnosis.

Penicillium marneffei infection presenting as vulv-ulcer in an HIV-infected woman

We report the case of an HIV-infected patient with vulv-ulcer as first manifestation associated with Penicillium marneffei, which is of special interest for healthcare workers in all fields.

Protective effects of deferoxamine mesylate preconditioning on pancreatic tissue in orthotopic liver autotransplantation in rats

BACKGROUND

Deferoxamine mesylate is known to ameliorate tissue ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study was designed to explore the impact of deferoxamine mesylate preconditioning (DMP) on pancreatic tissue and its possible effects during orthotopic liver autotransplantation.

METHODS

A modified orthotopic liver autotransplantation model was used to simulate pancreatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Sprague-Dawley rats (0.25-0.30 kg) were randomly divided into normal control, autotransplantation (AT), systemic deferoxamine mesylate preconditioning (SDMP), and partial deferoxamine mesylate conditioning (PDMC) groups. The SDMP group was injected with deferoxamine mesylate (75-90 mg; 300 mg/kg), via the celiac artery at 24 and 48 hours before surgery. During surgery, the PDMC group underwent liver perfusion by means of deferoxamine mesylate solution (20 ml; 0.6 mmol/L) rather than Ringer's lactate solution, with no prior preconditioning. At 6, 24, and 48 hours after surgery, the rats were sacrificed to sample their pancreatic tissues for the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The samples were subjected to blood chemistry analyses, light and transmission electron microscopic morphological studies, and quantitative measurement of HIF-1α expression.

RESULTS

The serum levels of amylase, lipase, and MDA in SDMP and PDMC groups were significantly lower than those in the AT group at 6, 24, and 48 hours after orthotopic liver autotransplantation (P < .05). Light and electron microscopic analyses showed much more severe pancreatic injury in the autotransplantation than in the SDMP and PDMC groups. The HIF-1α expression was increased in the SDMP and PDMC groups more than in the autotransplantation group (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Deferoxamine mesylate preconditioning protected pancreatic tissue in orthotopic liver autotransplantation in rats. Inhibition of oxidative toxic reactions and up-regulated expression of HIF-1α protein are possible mechanisms.

Role of vascular endothelial growth factor in protection of intrahepatic cholangiocytes mediated by hypoxic preconditioning after liver transplantation in rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect on intrahepatic cholangiocytes mediated by hypoxic preconditioning (HP) after liver transplantation and the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This experiment was based on a model of rat orthotopic liver autotransplantation. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control, autotransplantation (AT), and HP. The HP group was subjected to 8% oxygen atmosphere for 90 minutes before surgery. At 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after autotransplantation, the rats were killed for testing .Serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations were determined. The microstructure of cholangiocytes and the ultramicrostructure of cholangioles were determined. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of VEGF and the proliferation rate of cholangiocytes.

RESULTS

Total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations in the AT group increased considerably more than in the HP group during the entire interval (P < .05). Light microscopy demonstrated that the microstructure of cholangiocytes in the AT group was damaged more seriously than in the HP group. At transmission electron microscopy, the ultramicrostructure of cholangioles was changed more obviously than in the HP group. The expression of VEGF on cholangiocytes and the proliferation rate of cholangiocytes were higher in the HP group than in the AT group over the entire experiment (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Hypoxic preconditioning has a protective effect on cholangiocytes after liver autotransplantation. The mechanism may be related to HP-induced overexpression of VEGF on cholangiocytes.

Overview Of Process Integration Issues For Low K Dielectrics

The era of silicon Ultra-Large-Scale-Integration (ULSI) has spurred an everincreasing level of functional integration on-chip, driving a need for greater circuit density and higher performance. While traditional transistor scaling has thus far met this challenge, interconnect scaling has become the performance-limiting factor for new designs. Both interconnect resistance and capacitance play key roles in overall performance, but modeling simulations have highlighted the importance of reducing parasitic capacitance to manage crosstalk, power dissipation and RC delay. New dielectric materials with lower permittivity (k) are needed to meet this challenge. This paper summarizes the process integration and reliability issues associated with the use of novel low k materials in multilevel interconnects.

Microcalorimetric assay on the antimicrobial property of five hydroxyanthraquinone derivatives in rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.) to Bifidobacterium adolescentis

It was found that the intestinal bacteria balance would be deteriorated by rhubarb especially in long term treatment. Bifidobacteria is one of the most common species of probiotics in human intestine. The suppression of this particular probiotic, such as Bifidobacterium adolescentis, one of the dominant anaerobes in the intestines of humans, might lead to imbalance of intestinal flora and is considered to be potentially riskful for human health. Hence, the inhibitory effects of the five main components of hydroxyanthraquinones (HAQs) contained in rhubarb on B. adolescentis growth were investigated by microcalorimetry to discover the suppression potential of rhubarb and the structure-function relationship of such HAQs. The value of the maximum power- output (P(max)) and slope (k) of the thermogenic growth curves of B. adolescentis were found of decrease in the presence of the five HAQs, while the peak time (T(p)) of the thermogenic curves were found to be delayed. The sequence of antimicrobial activity of the five HAQs is rhein>emodin>aloe-emodin>chrysophanol>physicion. The functional groups carboxyl, hydroxyl and hydroxylmethyl on phenyl ring in HAQs could improve the antimicrobial activity. The influence of substituent groups on anti- B. adolescentis activity might be related with the polarity and the sequence was carboxyl>hydroxyl>hydroxylmethyl>methyl and methoxyl.

Case-control study of a HLA-G 14-bp insertion-deletion polymorphism in women with recurrent miscarriages

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-G is an important molecule for maintaining an immunotolerant foetal-maternal relationship. A 14-bp insertion (+14-bp)/deletion (-14-bp) polymorphism in exon 8 of the 3' untranslated region of the HLA-G gene has been proposed to be associated with HLA-G mRNA stability and the expression of HLA-G. This might play an immunomodulatory role in human pregnancy. In this study, a total of 526 Chinese women were genotyped for the +14-bp/-14-bp polymorphism, including 137 who had recurrent miscarriages (three miscarriages: 86, four or more miscarriages: 51), 138 women who had experienced two abortions and 251 women with normal fertility as controls. The +14-bp homozygote sequence was more prominent among those with recurrent miscarriages (three or more recurrent miscarriages) in contrast to fertile control women. Significant difference was observed in the distribution of +14-bp/+14-bp genotype between controls and the recurrent abortions group with four or more abortions. A 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in exon 8 has a possible role in HLA-G expression in certain cases of recurrent miscarriage. However, additional studies are needed in this regard.

The psychological status of HIV-positive people and their psychosocial experiences in eastern China

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate the psychological status and the psychosocial experiences of HIV-positive people using Symptom Check List 90 (SCL-90) in eastern China.

METHODS

Two hundred and fourteen HIV-positive people and 200 controls were recruited to the study. Participants were given an anonymous questionnaire which included questions pertaining to demography, SCL-90 and psychosocial experiences.

RESULTS

The mean subscale scores for SCL-90 in the HIV-positive group were all higher than those of the control group (P<0.001), especially for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and hostility. Female HIV-positive individuals had significantly higher depression and anxiety scores (P<0.05) and more scores higher than 2.0 than male HIV-positive individuals. The average number of subscales with mean scores higher than 2.0 was 4.1 for female HIV-positive individuals and 3.7 for male HIV-positive individuals. The most common psychosocial experiences related to HIV infection were fear (36.9%) and helplessness (31.8%). 90.2% of HIV-positive people would not tell others about their disease because of fear of discrimination against family members (42.2%), exclusion by community members (26.9%) and abandonment (23.3%). Discrimination from acquaintances (38.8%) was a main stressor in the HIV-positive individuals' daily life. Most members of HIV-positive individuals' communities expressed negative attitudes: alienation, coldness, aversion and fear. 38.3% of the HIV-positive participants reported that their family members had been discriminated against.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that HIV-positive people in eastern China live in a negative psychosocial environment and suffer from psychological distress. It is necessary to provide psychological interventions for people living with AIDS and to educate community members in order to improve the psychosocial environment.

Pulsed laser deposition of antimicrobial silver coating on Ormocer microneedles

One promising option for transdermal delivery of protein- and nucleic acid-based pharmacologic agents involves the use of microneedles. However, microneedle-generated pores may allow microorganisms to penetrate the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis and cause local or systemic infection. In this study, microneedles with antimicrobial functionality were fabricated using two-photon polymerization-micromolding and pulsed laser deposition.The antibacterial activity of the silver-coated organically modified ceramic (Ormocer)microneedles was demonstrated using an agar diffusion assay. Human epidermal keratinocyte viability on the Ormocer surfaces coated with silver was similar to that on uncoated Ormocer surfaces. This study indicates that coating microneedles with silver thin films using pulsed laser deposition is a useful and novel approach for creating microneedles with antimicrobial functionality.

Positron annihilation in hydrogen-doped alkali-metal fullerides

Hydrogen-doped alkali-metal fullerides were studied by means of mass-analyzed thermal desorption and positron annihilation. The hydrogen desorption spectra reveal the inclusion of hydrogen in the fullerides as two types of components; one weakly adsorbed and the other strongly bound, probably as hydride ion. The positron lifetime spectra demonstrate that hydrogen-doping to alkali-metal fullerides increases a concentration of higher-order vacancy-type defects, through which more than 50% injected positrons decay with a lifetime of 0.42–0.71 ns.

An active 2-d silicon cochlea

In this paper, we present an analog integrated circuit design for an active 2-D cochlea and measurement results from a fabricated chip. The design includes a quality factor control loop that incorporates some of the nonlinear behavior exhibited in the real cochlea. This control loop varies the gain and the frequency selectivity of each cochlear resonator based on the amplitude of the input signal.

The mitotic checkpoint kinase NEK2A regulates kinetochore microtubule attachment stability

Loss or gain of whole chromosome, the form of chromosome instability commonly associated with cancers is thought to arise from aberrant chromosome segregation during cell division. Chromosome segregation in mitosis is orchestrated by the interaction of kinetochores with spindle microtubules. Our studies show that NEK2A is a kinetochore-associated protein kinase essential for faithful chromosome segregation. However, it was unclear how NEK2A ensures accurate chromosome segregation in mitosis. Here we show that NEK2A-mediated Hec1 (highly expressed in cancer) phosphorylation is essential for faithful kinetochore microtubule attachments in mitosis. Using phospho-specific antibody, our studies show that NEK2A phosphorylates Hec1 at Ser165 during mitosis. Although such phosphorylation is not required for assembly of Hec1 to the kinetochore, expression of non-phosphorylatable mutant Hec1(S165) perturbed chromosome congression and resulted in a dramatic increase in microtubule attachment errors, including syntelic and monotelic attachments. Our in vitro reconstitution experiment demonstrated that Hec1 binds to microtubule in low affinity and phosphorylation by NEK2A, which prevents aberrant kinetochore-microtubule connections in vivo, increases the affinity of the Ndc80 complex for microtubules in vitro. Thus, our studies illustrate a novel regulatory mechanism in which NEK2A kinase operates a faithful chromosome attachment to spindle microtubule, which prevents chromosome instability during cell division.