[Effect of interleukin-7 on the anti-tumor function of CD8(+) T cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer]

Objective: To investigate the effect of interleukin (IL)-7 on anti-tumor activity of CD8(+) T cells in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods: Twenty-seven NSCLC patients and ten healthy controls were included from Zhengzhou Central Hospital between January 2017 and July 2017. Plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (both tumor site and non-tumor site) were collect from NSCLC patients, while plasma and PBMCs were also collected from healthy controls. IL-7 level and IL-7 receptor α (CD127) mRNA relative expression was measured. Purified CD8(+) T cells and primary NSCLC cells were stimulated with recombinant IL-7. Cellular proliferation, cytokines secretion, and protein expression in IL-7 signaling pathway were investigated. Direct/indirect contact coculture system of CD8(+) T cells and primary NSCLC cells was also used to assess the cytolytic and noncytolytic activity after IL-7 stimulation. Results: Plasma IL-7 level was significantly reduced in NSCLC patients compared with normal controls[1 731 (1 364, 2 536) vs 2 686 (1 692, 4 786) ng/L, P=0.023). IL-7 level in BALF isolated from tumor site was also remarkably down-regulated compared with non-tumor site in NSCLC patients[1 045 (562, 1 550) vs 1 599 (1 166, 2 107) ng/L, P=0.006 9). There was no statistical difference of CD127 mRNA between the two groups. Recombinant IL-7 stimulation did not affect cellular proliferation and cytokines production in primary NSCLC cells, however, remarkably increased cellular proliferation, interferon (IFN)-γ/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α secretion, and signal transducers and activators of transcription 5 (STAT5) phosphorylation and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression of CD8(+) T cells from NSCLC patients. IL-7 stimulation also significantly enhanced the cytolytic and noncytolytic function of CD8(+) T cells on primary NSCLC cells. Conclusion: IL-7 enhances anti-tumor activity of CD8(+) T cells in NSCLC patients.

Cystamine slows but not inverses the progression of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats

Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) plays an important role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Previous research indicate that TG2 and protein serotonylation catalyzed by TG2 are upregulated in PAH. Serotonin transporter inhibitor fluoxetine ameliorates PAH via inhibition of protein serotonylation. It is still unknown whether PAH is inhibited through direct inhibition of TG2. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of TG2 inhibitor cystamine on monocrotaline-induced PAH in rats. Rats were treated with monocrotaline (60 mg·kg−1, i.p.) in combination with or without cystamine (20, 40 mg·kg−1·day−1, p.o.). The results showed that compared with monocrotaline alone, combination of monocrotaline with cystamine (40 mg·kg−1·day−1, p.o.) relieved right ventricle hypertrophy, inhibited pulmonary arteriolar remodeling, and downregulated protein expression of TG2, phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt), and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) at day 21. However, except for TG2 expression, these changes were not significantly inhibited by cystamine at day 35. In addition, cystamine dose-dependently enhanced the survival rate of rats injected with monocrotaline at day 35. The findings suggest that cystamine slows but not reverses monocrotaline-induced PAH in rats, which was largely associated with the inhibition of TG2 protein expression and Akt and ERK activation.

[Computer Aided Diagnosis system of breast ultrasound based on support vector machine: a clinical analysis]

Objective: To investigate the value of based on support vector machine (SVM) breast ultrasonography technology of Computer-Assisted diagnosis (CAD) for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast masses. Methods: Total of 143 patients who had 151 breast masses were collected in Fujian Maternity and Children Health Hospital or The Fist Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from June 2014 to December 2015. Based on pathological results as the gold standard, the diagnostic efficiency of CAD and ultrasonography were compared. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of ultrasonography were 80.1%, 71.0%, 76.8%, 80.0% and 72.1%, respectively. And the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of CAD were 96.6%, 90.3%, 94.0%, 93.5% and 94.9%, respectively. The specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive of CAD technology were significantly higher than those of ultrasonography (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of ultrasonography and CAD were 0.759 and 0.935 respectively, with significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions: CAD has a higher specificity and accuracy rate than ultrasonography in the diagnosis of breast masses. It could help to differentiate benign from malignant breast masses.

Anti-atherosclerotic effect of Longxuetongluo Capsule in high cholesterol diet induced atherosclerosis model rats

Chinese dragon's blood, the red resin of Dracaena cochinchinensis, one of the famous traditional medicines, has been used to promote blood circulation, disperse blood stasis, stop bleeding, relieve pain and muscle regeneration for thousands of years. The aims of this study were to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effect of Longxuetongluo Capsule (LTC), which made by total phenolic compounds of Chinese dragon's blood, in high cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced atherosclerosis model rats and explore the possible mechanism. Atherosclerosis rats were induced by administration of HCD for 4 weeks and treated with atorvastatin (2.08mg/kg/d) or various concentrations of LTC (81, 162 and 324mg/kg/d) for additional 4 weeks. Body weight (BW), lipid profiles, serum VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MCP-1, AST and ALT were then tested. Histopathological evaluation of aorta and liver were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. NF-κB expression in aorta was detected by Immunohistochemical staining. Meanwhile, the inhibition effects of LTC on the migration and proliferation and Intracellular Ca²⁺ levels induced by PDGF-BB were also evaluated in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (A7r5). The results demonstrated that LTC produced a significant anti-atherosclerotic activity in terms of reduction in serum lipids and lipoprotein profile, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MCP-1, AST, ALT levels, and increase in HDL-c level compared to atherosclerotic group. Rats treated with LTC not only attenuated the pathological region and atheroma formation, but also reduced hepatic steatosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical analysis showed LTC reduced NF-κB expression in aorta. Furthermore, PDGF-BB induced proliferation and migration of A7r5 and intracellular calcium rise were also abrogated by LTC. The results indicate that LTC prevents atherosclerosis and fatty liver by controlling lipid metabolism, the underlying mechanism may attributed to its anti-inflammation activity, regulation of the vascular smooth muscle function and intracellular calcium signaling.

[Pathological insights of radiotherapy-related damage to surgical margin after preoperative radiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer]

Objective: To investigate the effect of irradiation to anastomosis from preoperative radiotherapy for patients with rectal cancer by studying the pathological changes. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients enrolled in the FOWARC study from January 2011 to July 2014 in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University were included. In the FOWARC study, enrolled patients with local advanced rectal cancer were randomly assigned to receive either neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Among these patients, 23 patients were selected as radiation proctitis (RP)group, who fulfilled these conditions: (1) received neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy followed by sphincter-preserving surgery; (2) developed radiation proctitis as confirmed by preoperative imaging diagnosis; (3) had intact clinical samples of surgical margins. Twenty-three patients who had received neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy but without development of radiation proctitis were selected as non-radiation proctitis (nRP) group. Meanwhile, 23 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy only were selected as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) group. Both nRP and CT cases were selected by ensuring the basic characteristics such as sex, age, tumor site, lengths of proximal margin and distal margin all maximally matched to the RP group. Both proximal and distal margins were collected for further analysis for all selected cases. Microscopy slices were prepared for hematoxylin & eosin staining and Masson staining to show general pathological changes, and also for immunohistochemistry with anti-CD-34 as primary antibody to reveal the microvessel. Microvessel counting in submucosal layer and proportion of macrovessel with stenosis were used to evaluate the blood supply of the proximal and distal end of anastomosis. A modified semi-quantitative grading approach was used to evaluate the severity of radiation-induced injury. Either ANOVA analysis, Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test or χ(2) test was used for comparison among three groups, and Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between two groups. Results: Compared to group of neoadjuvant chemotherapy only, patients receiving neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy had lower microvessel count in both proximal and distal margins (M(Q(R)): proximal, 25.5 (19.6) vs. 50.0 (25.0), Z=3.915, P=0.000; distal, 20.5 (17.5) vs. 49.0 (28.0), Z=3.558, P=0.000), higher proportions of macrovessel with stenosis (proximal, 9.5% (23.8%) vs. 0, Z=3.993, P=0.000; distal, 11.5%(37.3%) vs. 0 (2.0%), Z=2.893, P=0.004), higher histopathologic score (proximal, 4.0 (2.0) vs. 1.0 (2.0), Z=6.123, P=0.000; distal, 5.0 (3.0) vs. 2.0 (1.0), Z=4.849, P=0.000). In patients receiving neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy, compared to nRP group, RP group had lower microvessel count in both proximal and distal margins (proximal, 19.0 (23.0) vs. 30.4 (38.0), Z=2.845, P=0.004; distal, 19.0 (13.0) vs. 30.0(29.1), Z=2.022, P=0.043), higher proportions of macrovessel with stenosis (proximal, 23.0% (40.0%) vs. 0(11.0%), Z=3.248, P=0.001; distal, 27.0% (45.0%) vs. 3.0% (19.0%), Z=2.164, P=0.030). Rate of anastomotic leakage for CT, nRP and RP group were 8.7% (2/23), 30.4% (7/23), and 52.2% (12/23), and the differences among three groups were statistically significant (χ(2)=10.268, P=0.007). Conclusion: Radiation-induced injury existed on both margins of the resected rectal site after preoperative radiotherapy, and those diagnosed as radiation proctitis had more severe microvascular injury.

[Clinical research about the consecutive pain and flubiprofen axetil analgesia following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty]

Objective:To evaluate the postoperative pain degree on OSAHS patients following UPPP, analyze the pain characteristic during seven consecutive days, and discuss the mechanism. To observe the analgesia effect by using flubiprofen axetil. Finally making a comprehensive understanding about UPPP perioperative period and providing more choices about analgesia treatment.Method:Fifty-five patients who underwent UPPP in the First Hospital of China Medical University were divided into analgesia group（n=30）and control group（n=25）.Normal saline 50 ml+ flubiprofen axetil 100 mg was used bid for pain relief in analgesia group during seven days following operation, and normal saline 50ml was used in control group.A visual analog scale(VAS) was used for measuring mean pain intensity each day during the period from operative day to the post-operative 7th day，scores were recorded. Continuous changes about pharynx pain were observed and VAS pain scores were compared betweenanalgesia groupand control group. Result:VAS pain scores were the highest on the operative day and the post-operative 1st day, median (interquartile range) was 7（5.5-8.25），7（6-8）respectively,then decreased gradually. The most significantly decrease happened on the post-operative 2nd and 5th day(P<0.01). Pain scores in analgesia group were most significantly lower than control group from the operative day to the post-operative 4th day(P<0.01), were lower during the post-operative 5th and 6th day(P<0.05),no difference on the post-operative 7th day. Conclusion:The most painful period following UPPP is from the operative day to the post-operative 1st day, then pain decreases gradually. The pain reduces significantly on the post-operative 2nd and 5,6th day.Surgical trauma, in flammatory reaction and suture pulling may be the reason of pain. Flubiprofen axetil effectively reduces pain and the suggested analgesia period is from the operative day to the post-operative 4th-6th day.

Analysis of symptom clusters in Chinese cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, or postoperative chemoradiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the common symptom clusters in cervical cancer patients treated with radiotherapy alone, chemorachothierapy, or postoperative chemoradiotherapy, and evaluate differences among multi-modality treatment in these symptom clusters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-three patients diagnosed with cervical cancer were recruited to the survey, in which destination time was the fourth friday of radiotherapy. Symptoms of patients were evaluated by the Chinese version of the 13-item M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI).

RESULTS

Among the symptoms, lack of appetite was the most common and the most severe symptome, treatment modalities may have important effects on symptom clusters in cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The results offer valuable information for the future development treatment-based symptom cluster intervention.

[Effect of three kinds of modelling of mandible on the finite element analysis of implant]

Objective: To investigate the effect of three types of material homogeneities(isotropy, transverse isotropy, and orthotropy) of mandible on the finite element analysis of implant. Methods: Three-dimensional model of complete mandible containing an implant was constructed and analyzed with isotropic, transversely isotropic, and orthotropic models, respectively. Results: The effective stress, tensile stress, and compressive stress of cortical bone of the orthogonal model were 1.2, 1.2, and 1.1 times larger than that of the isotropic model. The effective stress, tensile stress, and compressive stress of cancellous bone of the orthogonal model were 1.6, 2.6, and 3.3 times larger than that of the isotropic model. The effective strain, tensile strain, and compressive strain of cortical bone of the transversely isotropic model were 1.1, 1.0, and 1.1 times larger than that of the isotropic model. The effective strain, tensile strain, and compressive strain of cortical bone of the orthogonal model were 2.2, 1.8, and 1.7 times larger than that of the isotropic model. The stress and strain of cancellous bone increased when the material homogeneity changed from isotropy to transverse isotropy and to orthotropy. Moreover, in term of stress and strain distribution, the orthotropic modelling of mandible was most uniform followed by the transverse isotropy and the isotropy. Conclusions: In the finite element analysis of implant system, the orthotropic property of the mandible can not be neglected.

[The reliability of electrochemical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of dentin sialophosphoprotein in gingival crevicular fluid]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the reliability of electrochemical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)for the detection of dentin sialophosphoprotein(DSPP)in gingival crevicular fluid(GCF)of orthodontic patients.

METHODS

GCF were collected from the orthodontic patients, and then the amount of DSPP in GCF were detected by electrochemical ELISA and spectroscopic ELISA respectively. The difference between the results of two methods were analyzed.

RESULTS

In electrochemical ELISA, the second order derivative linear sweep voltammetric peak current was linear with DSPP concentration in the range from 0.25-800.00 ng/L. It was found that the detection limit of the electrochemical method(0.25 ng/L)was much lower than that of the spectroscopic method. The paired-samples rank sum test showed no significant difference between the DSPP concentrations in human GCF samples measured by spectroscopic ELISA procedure and those measured by electrochemical ELISA procedure(P=0.063).

CONCLUSIONS

Electrochemical ELISA is a viable way of detecting DSPP in GCF with higher sensitivity than spectroscopic ELISA.

[Clinical and electroencephalographic analysis of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in children]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (anti-NMDAR encephalitis) in children.

METHOD

Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and EEG data of 105 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis treated in Beijing Children's Hospital (August 2011-March 2015). Of the 105 patients, 38 were male and 67 were female.The age of onset was from 6 months and 26 days to 15 years and 8 months (average (8±4)years). The time for confirmed diagnosis was from 4 days to 850 days (median 24.5 days). According to the modified Rankin scales, the patient's clinical conditions were assessed and underwent continuous EEG (cEEG) monitoring.The data were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULT

Based on the severity of the disease, the 105 patients were divided into three groups: mild group (12 cases), moderate group (65 cases), and severe group (28 cases). There were 91 cases(86.7%)with abnormal EEG patterns, including 28 cases (26.7%) with slow background activity in EEG, 25 cases (23.8%) with generalized or diffuse slow waves, 33 cases (31.4%) had focal slow waves, 41 cases (39.0%) had epileptic waves; 10 cases (9.5%) showed unilateral or diffuse alpha-theta band rhythms in nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, 7 cases (6.7%) showed extreme delta brush waves (EDB). Accordingly, the number of patients with abnormal EEG in mild, moderate and severe groups was 5, 58 (89.2%) and 28(100.0%). Seven patients with EDB phenomenon were all in the severe group, and 10 patients with abnormal alpha-theta band rhythms were in the moderate group.

CONCLUSION

In children with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, the EEG patterns are in line with the changes of EEG in general encephalitis.The extent of EEG abnormalities correlates with the clinical severity of the disease. Extreme delta brush and alpha-theta band rhythms may be suggestive of diagnosis and clinical assessment of the disease.

Clinical value of self-assessment risk of osteoporosis in Chinese

BACKGROUND

Early detection of high-risk population for osteoporosis is the key to preventing this disease.

METHODOLOGY

In this cross-sectional study a continuous sample of 270 women and 89 men (age: 20-90 years) was divided into four groups by age (≤ 55 or > 55 years) and sex. Participants completed the IOF test. Low-, medium-, and high-risk grades were defined by an OSTA index of greater than -1, -1 to -4, and less than -4, respectively.

RESULTS

Most participants were categorized in the low-risk group (240 people, 66.9%), followed by the medium-risk (102 people, 28.4%) and high-risk groups (17 people, 4.7%). Compared to women, men in both age groups had significantly higher OSTA index and greater numbers of positive answers on the IOF test. 64.3% individuals were susceptible to osteoporosis risk (≥1 positive answers on the IOF test). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that family history of fragility fracture (OR: 0.503, 95% CI: 0.26-0.97), height loss exceeding 3 cm (OR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.55-4.05), and earlier menopause (OR: 0.434, 95% CI: 0.19-0.97) were associated with higher risk grades.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined use of the OSTA and IOF test is a simple and effective method for assessing the risk of osteoporosis.

SSR-based association mapping of salt tolerance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The identification of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with salt tolerance in cotton contributes to molecular assisted selection (MAS), which can improve the efficiency of traditional breeding. In this study, 134 samples of upland cotton cultivars were selected. The seedling emergence rates were tested under 0.3% NaCl stress. A total of 74 SSR markers were used to scan the genomes of these samples. To identify SSR markers associated with salt tolerance, an association analysis was performed between salt tolerance and SSR markers using TASSEL 2.1, based on the analysis of genetic structure using Structure 2.3.4. The results showed that the seedling emergence rates of 134 cultivars were significantly different, and 27 salt-sensitive and 10 salt-tolerant cultivars were identified. A total of 148 loci were found in 74 SSR markers involving 246 allelic variations, which ranged from 2 to 7 with an average of 3.32 per SSR marker. The gene diversity ranged from 0.0295 to 0.4959, with the average being 0.2897. The polymorphic information content ranged from0.0290 to 0.3729, with the average being 0.2381. This natural population was classified into two subgroups by Structure 2.3.4, containing 89 and 45 samples, respectively. Finally, eight SSR sites associated with salt tolerance ware found through an association analysis, with the rate of explanation ranging from 2.91 to 7.82% and an average of 4.32%. These results provide reference data for the use MAS for salt tolerance in cotton.

Radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer with multiple brain metastases: A randomized, placebo-controlled study

PURPOSE

Median survival of patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer is poor. This study was to investigate the radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole combined with whole-brain radiotherapy of multiple brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-four patients with multiple brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer were included: the study group (n=32) received whole-brain radiotherapy combined with sodium glycididazole at a dose of 700mg/m(2) intravenous infusion 30minutes before radiotherapy, three times a week; the control group (n=32) only received whole-brain radiotherapy. The primary end point was central nervous system (CNS) progression-free survival and overall survival. The treatment-related toxicity was also recorded.

RESULTS

The CNS disease control rate was better (90.6% vs 65.6%, P=0.016) in the study group than in the control group at 3 month of follow-up. The median CNS progression-free survival time was longer in the study group than in the control group (7.0 months vs 4.0 months, P=0.038). There was no significant difference of the median overall survival time between the study group and the control group (11.0 months vs 9.0 months, P=0.418). On the other hand, the treatment-related toxicity showed no statistically significant difference between these two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated that sodium glycididazole was an effective, promising radiation-enhancing agent that improved CNS disease control rate, extended the median CNS progression-free survival time and was well tolerated in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer with multiple brain metastases.

Developmental methylation pattern regulates porcine GPR120 expression

DNA methylation is an important component of the epigenetic machinery and plays a critical role in transcriptional regulation. It mostly occurs in CpG abundant regions, known as CpG islands (CGIs). G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) functions as an omega-3 fatty acid receptor and is involved in multiple-biological processes, including lipogenesis. Herein, we show that GPR120 is highly expressed in porcine mature adipose tissue and is positively associated with adipose tissue development (r = 0.86, P < 0.01). We also predicted 5 CGIs across the GPR120 genomic sequence and investigated their methylation status using the MassArray approach. Our results show that these CGIs exhibit significantly different methylation states (P(CGI) < 0.01), and that the DNA methylation of GPR120 5ꞌ-untranslated and first exon regions can negatively regulate its expression levels. This study will aid further investigations on the epigenetic mechanism regulating GPR120 expression.

Single nucleotide polymorphism of CYP3A4 intron 2 and its influence on CYP3A4 mRNA expression and liver enzymatic activity in human liver

In adult liver, CYP3A4 plays an important role in the metabolism of a wide range of endogenous and exogenous compounds. To investigate whether there is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of CYP3A4 intron 2 in the liver and its effects on the mRNA expression and enzymatic activity of CYP3A4, genomic DNA was extracted from 96 liver tissue samples obtained from patients who had undergone liver surgery. An SNP of CYP3A4 intron 2 was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand confirmation polymorphism and DNA sequencing. The mRNA expression of CYP3A4 was determined by the fluorescence quantitative PCR technique. The enzymatic activity of CYP3A4 was measured using erythromycin and testosterone as probe substrates. Twelve patients were found to have the SNP/T4127G CYP3A4 within intron 2. The mRNA levels of CYP3A4 in wild-type and SNP/T4127G samples were 2.62±1.09 and 2.79±1.63, respectively (P>0.05). Erythromycin N-demethylase activity in wild-type and SNP/T4127G samples were 121.2±32.8 and 124.7±61.6 nmol·mg(-1)·min(-1), respectively (P>0.05). The activity of testosterone 6β-hydroxylase was significantly different between wild-type (648±173 pmol·mg(-1)·min(-1)) and SNP/T4127G samples (540±196 pmol·mg(-1)·min(-1); P<0.05). In conclusion, the SNP/T4127G of CYP3A4 intron 2 exists in the liver. This SNP does not affect the mRNA expression of CYP3A4 but significantly decreases the hepatic microsomal testosterone 6β-hydroxylase activity of CYP3A4. Furthermore, this study indicates that the appropriate selection of probe substrates is very important in studying the relationship between the genotype and phenotype of CYP3A4.

Role of selenoprotein S (SEPS1) -105G>A polymorphisms and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in Kashin-Beck disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between SEPS1 polymorphism and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and further explore the pathogenesis of KBD.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect SEPS1 -105G>A polymorphism in 232 cases and 331 controls. The protein expressions of PI3K/Akt signaling molecules in whole blood and chondrocytes were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

The frequencies of SEPS1 -105G>A genotype AA (21.1% vs 3.0%) and minor allele A (34.1% vs 16.0%) in KBD are significantly higher than those in controls (OR: 8.020, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 6.341-10.290, P < 0.0001; OR: 2.470, 95% CI 2.001-4.463, P < 0.0001, respectively). SEPS1 AA genotype was an independent risk factor for KBD (adjusted OR: 9.345, 95% CI 4.254-20.529; P < 0.0001). The expression of Gβγ, PI3Kp110, pAkt and pGSK3β in KBD group were higher than that in control group (all P < 0.05). Gβγ, pAkt and pGSK3β protein expression of AA and GA increased than GG (all P < 0.05). Cell apoptosis was increasing and molecule expression of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were up-regulated in the tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)-injured group, the cell apoptosis and expression levels of PI3K/Akt in Na2SeO3 group were decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

The SEPS1 -105G>A is associated with an increased risk of KBD and influences the expression of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in KBD patients. Apoptosis induced by tBHP in chondrocyte might be mediated via up-regulation of PI3K/Akt, Na2SeO3 has an effect of anti-apoptosis by down-regulating of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

EST-SSR markers from Heterodera glycines Ichinohe

The soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines Ichinohe is a severe agricultural pest for which genetic resources are limited. In this study, 295 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified from 259 expressed sequenced tags (ESTs), Which were selected from 9,443 unigenes. The successful primer pairs were designed against six regions. In total, 30 alleles were identified from 30 individuals using the six markers, with an average of five alleles per locus (range, 4-7). The observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.074-0.900 and 0.266-0.775, respectively. Significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was found at three of the six loci. The EST-based SSR markers developed in this study may contribute to better understanding of the genetic structure of H. glycines populations.

cDNA cloning and expression characterization of serum transferrin gene from oriental weatherfish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

In this study, the cDNA coding serum transferrin (stf) of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (mastf) was cloned. mastf cDNA is composed of 2326 bp with a 2007 bp open reading frame encoding 668 amino acids. The deduced Mastf protein consists of a signal peptide, two lobes (N and C-lobes) and signature motifs of transferrin (Tf) family. The results of tissue distribution indicated that mastf mRNA was predominantly expressed in the liver. The results indicate that the mastf expression increased significantly in liver, blood, spleen and head kidney after the challenge with Aeromonas sobria, acting as a positive acute protein, suggesting that mastf is related to the immune response. The cloning and expression analysis of mastf further demonstrates the evolutionary conservation of Stf and immune function in vertebrates.

Gender flip-flop association between genetic variations of NEDD4L and metabolic syndrome in the Kazakh general population

Genetic variation is thought to contribute to etiology of metabolic syndrome (MS). Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4-like gene (NEDD4L) is a candidate gene for MS. This study investigated the relationship between variations of NEDD4L and MS in the Kazakh, which is an ideal population to study the genetic mechanisms of complex diseases such as MS. We screened the promoter and exons of NEDD4L in 48 Kazakh individuals with MS to identify representative variations. By genotyping the representative variations [271420T>C (rs2288774), 271454A>G (rs2288775), and 296921-296923delTTG] in the Kazakh general population, we conducted a case-control study. In female subjects, the distribution of genotypes and alleles of rs2288775 and 296921-296923delTTG differed significantly between the MS pacients and controls. In male subjects, the genotype distributions of 296921-296923delTTG were significantly different between the MS pacients and controls in the dominant model (P = 0.047). After adjustment for age, smoking, and drinking, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that rs2288775 was significantly associated with MS [for the A/A genotype, odds ratio (OR) = 3.296, P = 0.011] in female subjects. For 296921-296923delTTG, the I/D+D/D genotype was the high-risk genotype for MS in female subjects (OR = 2.791, P = 0.035) and was a protective factor for MS in male subjects (OR = 0.580, P = 0.045). The 296921-296923delTTG variation of NEDD4L is a gender flip-flop associated with MS in Kazakh individuals. The A allele of rs2288775 may be an independent risk factor for MS in Kazakh women. The results suggest that the genetic variations of NEDD4L might be involved in the pathogenesis of MS.

Cetuximab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer: effect of KRAS mutation on treatment efficacy in Taiwanese patients

Cetuximab, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, is approved for treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We reviewed retrospectively records of 50 patients with mCRC from a single center in Taiwan. All patients had ECOG performance status grade 2, histological diagnosis of advanced CRC based on RECIST criteria, and were given at least three cycles of chemotherapy plus cetuximab. We compared the effectiveness of therapy in patients with wild-type and mutant KRAS genes, assessed the overall response (OR) rate of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-resectable CRC, and assessed the progression-free survival (PFS) time. The ten patients with KRAS mutations had poorer response rates than the 40 patients with the wild-type KRAS gene. Patients with the wild-type and mutant genes had similar progression free survival (PFS) status and median time to PFS. The median overall survival time was significantly greater in patients with the wild-type gene than in those with the mutant gene (28.77 ± 6.43 months vs. 15.13 ± 0.50 months, p=0.014). Taiwanese patients with mCRC respond better to a cetuximab plus chemotherapy regime if their tumors have the wild-type KRAS gene.

Involvement of serotonin mechanism in methamphetamine-induced chronic pulmonary toxicity in rats

The widest distribution and the highest uptake of methamphetamine (MA) in the human body occurred in the lungs, so that more and more attention should be paid to MA-induced pulmonary toxicity. MA induces the release of serotonin, which is an important mediator in pulmonary disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the chronic response of the lung to MA and its potential mechanism in rats. Models of the chronic toxicity of MA were established with MA of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg (intraperitoneally, twice per day) for 5 weeks. It was found that the high dose of MA induced rat pulmonary toxicity: crowded lung parenchyma, thickened septum, reduced number of alveolar sacs, inflammatory cell infiltration, and pulmonary arteriolar remodeling. In addition, MA resulted in a significant increase in the lung serotonin concentration and the marked upregulation of tryptophan hydroxylase 1, vesicular monoamine transporter 2, serotonin transporter, and downregulation of monoamine oxidase-A. These findings suggest that MA induced chronic pulmonary toxicity, which is concerned with the elevated serotonin concentration in rat lungs by increased synthesis, reduced metabolism, augmented accumulation, and promoted release of serotonin.

Improved survival outcomes with the incidental use of beta-blockers among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with definitive radiation therapy

BACKGROUND

Preclinical studies have shown that norepinephrine can directly stimulate tumor cell migration and that this effect is mediated by the beta-adrenergic receptor.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 722 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received definitive radiotherapy (RT). A Cox proportional hazard model was utilized to determine the association between beta-blocker intake and locoregional progression-free survival (LRPFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, patients taking beta-blockers (n = 155) had improved DMFS (P < 0.01), DFS (P < 0.01), and OS (P = 0.01), but not LRPFS (P = 0.33) compared with patients not taking beta-blockers (n = 567). In multivariate analysis, beta-blocker intake was associated with a significantly better DMFS [hazard ratio (HR), 0.67; P = 0.01], DFS (HR, 0.74; P = 0.02), and OS (HR, 0.78; P = 0.02) with adjustment for age, Karnofsky performance score, stage, histology type, concurrent chemotherapy, radiation dose, gross tumor volume, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the use of aspirin. There was no association of beta-blocker use with LRPFS (HR = 0.91, P = 0.63).

CONCLUSION

Beta-blocker use is associated with improved DMFS, DFS, and OS in this large cohort of NSCLC patients. Future prospective trials can validate these retrospective findings and determine whether the length and timing of beta-blocker use influence survival outcomes.

Structure-based finite strain modelling of the human left ventricle in diastole

Finite strain analyses of the left ventricle provide important information on heart function and have the potential to provide insights into the biomechanics of myocardial contractility in health and disease. Systolic dysfunction is the most common cause of heart failure; however, abnormalities of diastolic function also contribute to heart failure, and are associated with conditions including left ventricular hypertrophy and diabetes. The clinical significance of diastolic abnormalities is less well understood than systolic dysfunction, and specific treatments are presently lacking. To obtain qualitative and quantitative information on heart function in diastole, we develop a three-dimensional computational model of the human left ventricle that is derived from noninvasive imaging data. This anatomically realistic model has a rule-based fibre structure and a structure-based constitutive model. We investigate the sensitivity of this comprehensive model to small changes in the constitutive parameters and to changes in the fibre distribution. We make extensive comparisons between this model and similar models that employ different constitutive models, and we demonstrate qualitative and quantitative differences in stress and strain distributions for the different constitutive models. We also provide an initial validation of our model through comparisons to experimental data on stress and strain distributions in the left ventricle.

Fluoxetine inhibits monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling involved in inhibition of RhoA–Rho kinase and Akt signalling pathways in rats

Activation of the small GTPase Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) and Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) are important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors inhibit activation of RhoA and ROCK in vitro, and ameliorate PAH and pulmonary arterial remodeling in vivo. However, little is known about whether the RhoA–ROCK signalling pathway is involved in the treatment of PAH with fluoxetine in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of the RhoA–ROCK signalling pathway in the protective effect of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine against monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling. MCT was applied to establish PAH in male Wistar rats. Fluoxetine was administered by gastric gavage once a day for 21 d. The results showed that MCT induced pulmonary arterial remodeling, raised the serotonylation and membrane translocation of RhoA in the lungs, and increased serotonin transporter (5-HTT), RhoA, and ROCK2 expression, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt phosphorylation in the pulmonary arteries and the lungs. Fluoxetine markedly inhibited these MCT-induced changes. The findings suggest that fluoxetine inhibits MCT-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling in rats by inhibition of the RhoA–ROCK and Akt signalling pathways.