The effect of glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients with subclinical hypothyroidism

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of glycaemic control on subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODS

The study included 476 diabetic patients with SCH admitted for treatment of type 2 diabetes. The controls were selected euthyroid patients with similar characteristics regarding [age, body mass index (BMI), gender, previous hypertension or duration of diabetes, and smoke]. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance ratio (HOMA-IR), fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c), as well as plasma levels of thyrotrophin, and free thyroxine (FT4) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of glycaemic control treatment.

RESULTS

The LDL-C level and HOMA-IR value were significantly higher in the SCH group. Glycaemic control reduced HOMA-IR, HbA_1c, LDL-C, and TG level in patients with SCH. Furthermore, glycaemic control plays a negative effect on thyrotrophin in the SCH group, while this effect was not observed in euthyroid subjects. HbA_1c plays a positive correlation with HOMA-IR (r = 0.048, p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.086, p < 0.001), LDL-C (r = 0.062, p < 0.001) and TG (r = 0.021, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that glycaemic control may bring some benefits to type 2 diabetic patients with SCH.

Gene Expression Profile Regulated by CREB in K562 Cell Line

BACKGROUND

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) is a member of the CREB/activation transcription factor 1 family that binds to an octanucleotide cAMP response element consensus sequence in promoters of target genes.

METHODS

CREB has been shown to regulate a variety of cellular functions, including cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis, differentiation, metabolism, hematopoiesis, immune response, and neuronal activity. CREB was also identified as a proto-oncogene involving in transformation by promoting abnormal proliferation and survival of myeloid cells. To understand the mechanism of CREB functions in leukemogenesis, the transcriptional profiles from a K562 cell line in which CREB was knocked down were analyzed with the use of bioinformatics methods.

RESULTS

DAVID Bioinformatics Resources and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were performed to identify the targets that are regulated by CREB. A total of 692 genes were up-regulated and 364 genes down-regulated. The up-regulated genes were significantly enriched in pathways of cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia. GSEA analysis showed expression of Notch1 pathway to be decreased and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway to be activated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results identified candidate gene sets that could be used to guide research on discovering the mechanism of CREB during leukemogenesis.

Effects of arginine supplementation during early gestation (day 1 to 30) on litter size and plasma metabolites in gilts and sows

Two experiments were conducted, under typical commercial swine production conditions, to determine effects of dietary arginine supplementation during early gestation on the performance of gilts and sows. In Exp. 1, between d 1 and 30 of gestation, 62 Landrace gilts and 113 sows consumed a corn- and soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 1.3% -arginine HCl or 2.2% -alanine. Total numbers of piglets born ( < 0.05) and born alive ( < 0.01) per litter and litter birth weights of piglets born ( < 0.05) and born alive ( < 0.05) were increased in the arginine group compared with the control. In Exp. 2, 155 multiparous Landrace sows received 1.3% -arginine HCl supplementation between d 1 and 14 (T2; = 41), d 15 and 30 (T3; = 40), or d 1 and 30 (T4; = 37), whereas the control group received 2.2% -alanine supplementation between d 1 and 30 (T1; = 37). Blood samples were randomly obtained from 6 sows per group on d 1, 14, and 28 of gestation to determine plasma concentrations of AA and related metabolites. Total numbers of piglets born ( = 0.084) and born alive ( = 0.080) per litter tended to be higher for sows supplemented with arginine between d 1 and 14 of gestation (T2) than for control sows (T1). Concentrations of arginine and nitric oxide metabolites were greater ( < 0.05) in T4 compared with T1 and T3 on d 14 of gestation and were also greater in T4 compared with T1 and T2 on d 28 of gestation. Plasma concentrations of spermidine ( < 0.001) were increased in T3 and T4 compared with T1 and T2 on d 28. These results indicate that dietary arginine supplementation during early gestation improves the reproductive performance of gilts and sows, possibly via nitric oxide and polyamine-dependent mechanisms.

Detecting the potential cancer association or metastasis by multi-omics data analysis

Comprehensive multi-omics data analyses have become an important means for understanding cancer incidence and progression largely driven by the availability of high-throughput sequencing technologies for genomes, proteomes, and transcriptomes. However, how tumor cells from the site of origin of the cancer begin to grow in other sites of the body is very poorly understood. In order to examine potential connections between different cancers and to gain an insight into the metastatic process, we conducted a multi-omics data analysis using data deposited in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. By combining somatic mutation data along with DNA methylation level and gene expression level data, we applied a Bayesian network analysis to detect the potential association among four distinct cancer types namely, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (Hnsc), Lung adenocarcinoma (Luad), Lung squamous cell carcinoma (Lusc), and Skin cutaneous melanoma (Skcm). Further validation based on the 'identification of somatic signatures' and the 'association rules analysis' confirmed these associations. Previous investigations have suggested that common risk factors and molecular abnormalities in cell-cycle regulation and signal transduction predominate among these cancers. This evidence indicates that our study provides a rational analysis and hopefully will help shed light on the links between different cancers and metastasis as a whole.

Exploration of association between EPHX1 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the basis of combined data mining

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important respiratory disease with high mortality. Although smoking is the major environmental risk factor for the development of COPD, only 10% of heavy smokers develop symptomatic disease, suggesting association between genetic susceptibilities and environmental influences. In recent years, as one of the most widely studied genes including tests for associations between a genetic variant and COPD, epoxide hydrolase 1 (EPHX1) was found to be involved in the metabolism of tobacco smoke, an important risk factor of COPD. However, genetic associations with COPD identified in studies on EPHX1 are controversial. To address this issue, except for performing the meta-analysis, which specially added our current study on two polymorphisms (T337C and A416G) of EPHX1, we performed combined data mining based on functional prediction algorithms of nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms and gene-based variable threshold testing. Genetic variations in EPHX1 did not affect COPD in Caucasian and Eastern Asian population, which is supported by recent evidence. We found no association between EPHX1 and COPD; however, a minor effect of EPHX1 on COPD risk was not completely excluded; further replication studies with large samples are needed to confirm our findings.

Cloning and characterization of SPL-family genes in the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein-like (SPL) proteins play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stressors. The peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally important oil crop. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA of 15 SPLs in the peanut by transcriptome sequencing and rapid amplification of cDNA ends, and analyzed their genomic DNA sequences. cDNA lengths varied significantly, from 369 to 3102 bp. The SBP domain of the peanut SPL proteins was highly conserved compared to SPLs in other plant species. Based on their sequence similarity to SPLs from other plant species, the peanut SPLs could be grouped into five subgroups. In each subgroup, lengths of individual genes, conserved motif numbers, and distribution patterns were similar. Seven of the SPLs were predicted to be targets of miR156. The SPLs were ubiquitously expressed in the roots, leaves, flowers, gynophores, and seeds, with different expression levels and accumulation patterns. Significant differences in the expression of most of the SPLs were observed between juvenile and adult leaves, suggesting that they are involved in developmental regulation. Dynamic changes occurred in transcript levels at stage 1 (aerial grown green gynophores), stage 2 (gynophores buried in soil for about three days), and stage 3 (gynophores buried in soil for about nine days with enlarged pods). Possible roles that these genes play in peanut pod initiation are discussed.

Chinese military medical teams in the Ebola outbreak of Sierra Leone

The 2014-2015 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa was the largest in history. The three most affected countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, have faced enormous challenges in controlling transmission and providing clinical care for patients with EVD. The Chinese government, in response to the requests of the WHO and the governments of the affected countries, responded rapidly by deploying Chinese military medical teams (CMMTs) to the areas struck by the deadly epidemic. A total of three CMMTs, comprising 115 military medical professionals, were rotationally deployed to Freetown, Sierra Leone to assist with infection prevention and control, clinical care and health promotion and training. Between 1 October 2014 and 22 March 2015, the CMMTs in Sierra Leone admitted and treated a total of 773 suspected and 285 confirmed EVD cases. Among the 285 confirmed cases, 146 (51.2%) patients survived after treatment. In addition, the CMMTs maintained the record of zero infections among healthcare workers and zero cross-infections between quarantined patients. In this manuscript, we aim to give an overview of the mission, and share our best practices experience on predeployment preparedness, EVD holding and treatment centre building and EVD case management.

Ab initio calculation of halide ligand passivation on PbSe quantum dot facets

The passivation and charge compensation provided by inorganic halide ligands on low index facets of lead selenide (PbSe) nanocrystals has been studied using density functional theory.

Genome-wide identification and evolutionary analysis of nucleotide-binding site-encoding resistance genes in Lotus japonicus (Fabaceae)

Nucleotide-binding site (NBS) disease resistance genes play a crucial role in plant defense responses against pathogens and insect pests. Many NBS-encoding genes have been detected in Lotus japonicus, an important forage crop in many parts of the world. However, most NBS genes identified so far in L. japonicus were only partial sequences. We identified 45 full-length NBS-encoding genes in the L. japonicus genome, and analyzed gene duplications, motifs, and the molecular phylogeny to further understand the NBS gene family. We found that gene duplication events rarely occur in L. japonicus NBS-encoding (LjNBS) genes. In addition, LjNBS genes were subjected to selection pressure, and codon usage bias was evident. We tested for purifying selection (specifically in the CC-NBS-LRR and TIR-NBS-LRR groups), and found strong purifying selection in the TIR-domain-containing sequences, indicating that the CC-NBS-LRR group is more likely to undergo expansion than the TIR-NBS-LRR group. Moreover, our results showed that both selection and mutation contributed to LjNBS codon usage bias, but mutational bias was the major influence on codon usage.

Combination of remote ischemic perconditioning and remote ischemic postconditioning fails to increase protection against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, compared with either alone

Remote ischemic perconditioning (RIPerC) and remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) have been previously demonstrated to protect the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. However, their combined effects remain to be fully elucidated. In order to investigate this, the present study used an in vivo rat model to assess whether synergistic effects are produced when RIPerC is combined with RIPostC. The rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: Sham, IR, RIPerC, RIPostC and RIPerC + RIPostC groups. The IR model was established by performing 40 min of left coronary artery occlusion, followed by 2 h of reperfusion. RIPerC and RIPostC were induced via four cycles of 5 min occlusion and 5 min reperfusion of the hindlimbs, either during or subsequent to myocardial ischemia. On measurement of infarct sizes, compared with the IR group (49.45±6.59%), the infarct sizes were significantly reduced in the RIPerC (34.36±5.87%) and RIPostC (36.04±6.16%) groups (P<0.05). However, no further reduction in infarct size was observed in the RIPerC + RIPostC group (31.43±5.43%; P>0.05), compared with the groups treated with either RIPerC or RIPostC alone. Activation of the reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and survivor activating factor enhancement (SAFE) signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 pathways were enhanced in the RIPerC, RIPostC and the RIPerC + RIPostC groups, compared with the IR group, with no difference among the three groups. Therefore, whereas RIPerC and RIPostC were equally effective in providing protection against myocardial IR injury, the combination of RIPerC and RIPostC failed to provide further protection than treatment with either alone. The cardioprotective effects were found to be associated with increased activation of the RISK and SAFE pathways.

Wave-particle interaction in the Faraday waves

Wave motion in disordered Faraday waves is analysed in terms of oscillons or quasi-particles. The motion of these oscillons is measured using particle tracking tools and it is compared with the motion of fluid particles on the water surface. Both the real floating particles and the oscillons, representing the collective fluid motion, show Brownian-type dispersion exhibiting ballistic and diffusive mean squared displacement at short and long times, respectively. While the floating particles motion has been previously explained in the context of two-dimensional turbulence driven by Faraday waves, no theoretical description exists for the random walk type motion of oscillons. It is found that the r.m.s velocity ⟨μ̃(osc)⟩(rms) of oscillons is directly related to the turbulent r.m.s. velocity ⟨μ̃⟩(rms) of the fluid particles in a broad range of vertical accelerations. The measured ⟨μ̃(osc)⟩(rms) accurately explains the broadening of the frequency spectra of the surface elevation observed in disordered Faraday waves. These results suggest that 2D turbulence is the driving force behind both the randomization of the oscillons motion and the resulting broadening of the wave frequency spectra. The coupling between wave motion and hydrodynamic turbulence demonstrated here offers new perspectives for predicting complex fluid transport from the knowledge of wave field spectra and vice versa.

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF 15 MICROSATELLITE LOCI FOR Ophicephalus argus Cantor

The isolation and development of 15 polymorphic dinucleotide microsatellite loci were described for Ophicephalus argus from the Huaihe River. All loci were polymorphic in the 30 individuals tested. The number of alleles per variable locus ranged from nine to seventeen, with a mean of 12.00. These novel microsatellite loci showed high level of polymorphism. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.793 to 0.929 and from 0.841 to 0.952, respectively. Two loci were found deviated from HWE in the sampled population after Bonferroni correction. These microsatellite loci will be useful for revealing population structure, genetic diversity, and phylogeography of Ophicephalus argus.

Inhibition of wave-driven two-dimensional turbulence by viscoelastic films of proteins

To model waves, surface flows, and particle dispersion at the air-water interface one needs to know the essential mechanisms affecting the fluid motion at the surface. We show that a thin film (less than 10-nm thick) of adsorbed protein dramatically affects two-dimensional turbulence generated by Faraday waves at the fluid surface. Extremely low concentrations (≈1 ppm) of soluble proteins form a strong viscoelastic layer which suppresses turbulent diffusion at the surface, changes wave patterns, and shows strong resilience to the wave-induced droplet generation. Surface shear properties of the film play a key role in this phenomenon by inhibiting the creation of vorticity at the surface. The addition of surfactants, on the other hand, destroys the nanolayer and restores the fluid mobility.

Related factors and prevalence of Parkinson's disease among Uygur residents in Hetian, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

The aim of this study was to identify the factors related to and determine the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) among Uygur residents in Hetian Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This population-based prospective cohort study used structured questionnaires to screen for factors related to PD. The prevalence in different age groups was analyzed, and PD risk was assessed using univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis. In total, 5932 subjects participated in the survey; of these, 88 individuals, all of whom were Uygurs, had PD. The overall prevalence of PD was 1.48% (1.32%) in people over the age of 45; the prevalence was 1.68% (1.59%) in men and 1.28% (1.36%) in women. The Fifth Population Census in China found the prevalence of PD in Hetian, Xinjiang, to be 1.32%. Single-factor results showed that exercise, social activities, and frequent consumption of nuts are protective factors for PD, and long-term pesticide exposure, family history of PD, and consumption of barbecued food were risk factors for this condition. Multi-factor conditional logistic regression analysis showed that participation in sports and social activities can reduce the risk of PD, whereas long-term pesticide exposure and family history of PD increases this risk. These results show that PD is caused by the interaction of several factors.

Variation of craniocervical junction volume as an effective parameter for basilar invagination treatment

OBJECTIVE

The major pathological change in basilar invagination (BI) is represented in the decrease of craniocervical junction (CVJ) volume resulting from abnormal bone protrusion around the foramen magnum. The diagnosis and clinical evaluation of BI is mainly based on the clinical manifestations and radiographic measurements by means of calculation of the scan lines of CVJ in X-ray, CT and MRI. With the transoral decompression atlantoaxial reduction plate (TARP III) system, the decompression, reduction and fixation can be achieved to decompress and stabilize medulla spinalis change the position of the dens in CVJ, thus expand the CVJ relative volume, relieve the compression on medulla spinalis and the nerve injury. However, the correlation between the dens position change and the variation of CVJ has not been established previously. This study focused on the clinical significance of the variation of craniocervical junction (CVJ) volume caused by the dens position change for the treatment of BI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We've performed an analysis of data from 62 BI patients admitted from January 2008 to May 2013, who were treated by TARP III system. The data include preoperative, postoperative JOA scores (Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores, 17 points method), preoperative and postoperative X-ray, thin-slice CT scan with three-dimensional reconstruction and MRI scan to measure the cervicomedullary angle (CMA). We have analyzed the preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional CT data by means of MIMICS 10.01 software system according to the Box volume (BV) method to determine the changes of CVJ volume resulting from preoperative and postoperative dens position change, assessed the correlation between the CVJ volume changes and the JOA scores with correlation between CMA change and the JOA scores. All data were analyzed by paired t-test and Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTS

In all 62 patients, JOA scores were recovered from preoperative 9.26 ± 1.66 to postoperative 13.02 ± 1.44, CMA change rate was 21%, and CVJ volume change rate was 36%. The CMA change rate and the JOA score recovery rat exhibited relevance, as Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.46 (p < 0.005). The Pearson's correlation coefficient between CVJ volume change rate and JOA score recovery rate was 0.63 (p < 0.005), and the CVJ volume change rate was significantly different while compared with the correlation between CMA change rate and JOA score (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

the CVJ volume change rate is a sensitive and reliable parameter for the evaluation of neurological function improvement in patients with BI. It can be used as a predictor to evaluate the postoperative neurological recovery.

Note: Liquid chemical sensing by emission spectroscopy with a nanosecond pin-hole discharge in water

This paper presents a simple yet effective method for chemical detection by emission spectroscopy using a nanosecond pin-hole discharge in water. The discharge was produced in a 200-μm-diameter microchannel in water without electrode contact. The simultaneous detection of multiple mineral ions was demonstrated by measuring the intensity of Na and Ca emission lines at different concentrations. The device can be further scaled down to be integrated with microfluidic systems for monitoring water contamination or hazardous materials in other aqueous solutions.

Axl-altered microRNAs regulate tumorigenicity and gefitinib resistance in lung cancer

The involvement of Axl kinase in non-small cell lung cancer's (NSCLC) acquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) gefitinib or erlotinib has been identified recently, but the mechanism by which Axl contributes to TKI resistance is largely unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) repress gene expression and their critical role in tumorigenesis has been implicated. To investigate the role of miRNAs in the Axl-mediated acquired gefitinib resistance, we examined the Axl-mediated miRNA changes in gefitinib-resistant lung cancers. A panel of Axl kinase-altered miRNAs was identified. In this study, we validate and report that miR-374a and miR-548b modulated by Axl have essential roles in cell cycle arrest, gefitinib-induced apoptosis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, migration and tumorigenesis of gefitinib-resistant lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by targeting Wnt5a and CCNB1 genes, respectively. Of clinical significance, high expression of Axl and miR-374a and low expression of miR-548b are associated with poor disease-free survival postoperatively. These findings indicate that the modulation of specific miRNAs may provide a therapeutic target to treat or reverse gefitinib resistance in NSCLC with high expression of Axl in the future.