Optical differentiation wavefront sensing with binary pixelated transmission filters

Sensors measuring the spatial phase of optical waves are widely used in optics. The optical differentiation wavefront sensor (ODWS) reconstructs the wavefront of an optical wave from wavefront slope measurements obtained by inducing linear field-transmission gradients in the far-field. Its dynamic range and sensitivity can be adjusted simply by changing the gradient slope. We numerically and experimentally demonstrate the possibility of implementing the spatially varying transmission gradient using distributions of small pixels that are either transparent or opaque. Binary pixelated filters are achromatic and can be fabricated with high accuracy at relatively low cost using commercial lithography techniques. We study the impact of the noise resulting from pixelation and binarization of the far-field filter for various test wavefronts and sensor parameters. The induced wavefront error is approximately inversely proportional to the pixel size. For an ODWS with dynamic range of 100 rad/mm over a 1-cm pupil, the error is smaller than λ/15 for a wide range of test wavefronts when using 2.5-μm pixels. We experimentally demonstrate the accuracy and consistency of a first-generation ODWS based on binary pixelated filters.

Identification of therapeutic targets for childhood severe asthmatics with DNA microarray

BACKGROUND

In this study, we aimed to discover potential gene targets for treating childhood asthmatics.

METHODS

With the microarray data downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we explored the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in children with severe asthma and mild asthma (SA vs. MA) or healthy controls (SA vs. HC). Then we performed hierarchical clustering, function and pathway enrichment analysis for the common DEGs.

RESULTS

A total of 81 genes were identified to be differentially expressed in SA vs. MA and SA vs. HC group. Hierarchical clustering of the 81 DEGs could crudely separate the SA, MA and healthy individuals. The overrepresented GO terms of the common DEGs were related with lipid biosynthetic process (21.74%), pigment biosynthetic process (13.04%) and nucleoside monophosphate metabolic process (13.04%). Only one pathway was significantly enriched, which was the antigen processing and presentation pathway involved with CD4 and RFX gene.

CONCLUSIONS

The antigen processing and presentation pathway and lipid biosynthetic process may play roles in the pathogenesis of severe asthma. CD4 and RFX provide a therapeutic possibility for childhood asthma.

Effect of ORF119 gene deletion on the replication and virulence of orf virus

Orf is a severe infectious disease of sheep and goats caused by orf virus (ORFV). To investigate the role of ORF119 gene of ORFV, we constructed ORFV with deleted ORF119 gene and LacZ as reporter gene (ORFV-Δ119-LacZ) via homologous recombination. The results showed that wild-type ORF-SHZ1 and ORFV-Δ119-LacZ deletion viruses replicated in Vero cells to similar titers. Relative transcriptional levels of virulence genes OVIFNR, GIF, VEGF and VIL-10 of ORFV-Δ119-LacZ deletion virus were slightly but not significantly lower after 24 hr compared with the wtORF-SHZ1 virus. In vivo experiments showed that 2-month-old lambs inoculated with ORFV-Δ119-LacZ deletion virus exhibited a similar total clinical score compared with those inoculated with wtORF-SHZ1 virus. Based on these results, we conclude that deletion of the ORF119 gene has no significant effect on ORFV replication and virulence.

Spatio-temporal modeling and optimization of a deformable-grating compressor for short high-energy laser pulses

Monolithic large-scale diffraction gratings are desired to improve the performance of high-energy laser systems and scale them to higher energy, but the surface deformation of these diffraction gratings induce spatio-temporal coupling that is detrimental to the focusability and compressibility of the output pulse. A new deformable-grating-based pulse compressor architecture with optimized actuator positions has been designed to correct the spatial and temporal aberrations induced by grating wavefront errors. An integrated optical model has been built to analyze the effect of grating wavefront errors on the spatio-temporal performance of a compressor based on four deformable gratings. A 1.5-meter deformable grating has been optimized using an integrated finite-element-analysis and genetic-optimization model, leading to spatio-temporal performance similar to the baseline design with ideal gratings.

The impact of oral consumption of Lactobacillus plantarum P-8 on faecal bacteria revealed by pyrosequencing

Lactobacillus plantarum P-8 (Lp-8) is a novel probiotic bacterium showing beneficial effects in human. The current study is a follow-up work of a previous clinical trial, and it aimed at understanding the mechanism of the observed desirable effects by evaluating the change in faecal bacterial structure at phylogenetic level. The genomic DNAs used for 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-pyrosequencing were obtained from the previous clinical trial. Briefly, 33 recruited subjects were given a single daily oral dose of Lp-8 (6×1010 cfu) for 4 weeks. Faecal genomic DNAs were extracted from samples collected before (day 0) and after (day 28) Lp-8 consumption from the subjects. Our results show that the consumption of Lp-8 did not result in major change in the faecal bacterial structure by principal coordinate analysis. However, multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of UniFrac metric distances at day 0 and day 28 revealed significant difference in the faecal bacterial structure upon Lp-8 treatment. Thus, the difference lied on the less abundant rather than the predominant lineages. At genus level, the relative abundance of 5 Firmicutes genera (Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, Sporacetigenium, Blautia and Staphylococcus) significantly increased after Lp-8 consumption, whereas 3 Proteobacteria genera (Shigella, Escherichia and Enterobacter) decreased (P<0.05). 60 key responding lineages could be identified at operational taxonomic unit (OTU) level by redundancy analysis. Among them, the abundance of 18 OTUs showed significant difference (P<0.05), while 12 OTUs exhibited modest change (0.05<P<0.01) upon treatment. Our study identified a shift in the faecal bacterial structure upon Lp-8 administration, which may explain some of the previously observed beneficial effects.

Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes macaque follicle development in vitro

Fertility preservation is an important type of frontier scientific research in the field of reproductive health. The culture of ovarian cortices to i) initiate primordial follicle growth and ii) procure developing follicles for later oocyte maturation is a promising fertility preservation strategy, especially for older women or cancer patients. At present, this goal remains largely unsubstantiated in primates because of the difficulty in attaining relatively large follicles via ovarian cortex culture. To overcome this hurdle, we cultured macaque monkey ovarian cortices with FSH, kit ligand (KL), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and/or epidermal growth factor (EGF). The various factors and factor combinations promoted primordial follicle development to different extents. Notably, both bFF (bFGF, 100 ng/ml and FSH, 50 ng/ml) and KF (KL, 100 ng/ml and FSH, 50 ng/ml) contributed to the activation of primordial follicles at day 12 (D12) of culture, whereas at D18, the proportions of developing follicles were significantly higher in the bFF and KF groups relative to the other treatment groups, particularly in the bFF group. Estradiol and progesterone production were also highest in the bFF group, and primary follicle diameters were the largest. Up until D24, the bFF group still exhibited the highest proportion of developing follicles. In conclusion, the bFGF–FSH combination promotes nonhuman primate primordial follicle developmentin vitro, with the optimal experimental window within 18 days. These results provide evidence for the future success of human ovarian cortex culture and the eventual acquisition of mature human follicles or oocytes for fertility restoration.

Reduction of Lactobacillus in the milks of cows with subclinical mastitis

Clinical and subclinical bovine mastitis are the most frequent diseases encountered on dairy farms worldwide, which cause significant economic loss and veterinary cost. The mastitic disease status is associated with increases in both milk bacterial pathogens and somatic cell count (SCC). Although it is well established that the mastitic pathogens generally correlate with the milk SCC, to our knowledge, the correlation between the probiotic genus, Lactobacillus, and the mastitic causative bacteria and SCC have not been determined previously. Thus, in this study, milk samples from 12 mild and 28 severe subclinical mastitic dairy cows were collected from the same farm. The overall milk bacterial load was quantified with the total plate count method. The Lactobacillus genus and 4 common clinical and subclinical mastitic pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Trueperella pyogenes) in the sampled milk were enumerated by quantitative PCR. Mild and severe subclinical mastitic samples were distinctly separated on the principal component analysis score plot generated based on the quantities of these 5 target bacteria, suggesting that clear differences existed in the microbiological composition between the two sample groups. Based on comparison with the pairwise Mann-Whitney test, the mild subclinical mastitic dairy cows had a significantly higher amounts of lactobacilli (P=0.0175), but lower E. coli (P=0.0002), S. aureus (P<0.0001), S. agalactiae (P=0.0001) and T. pyogenes (P=0.0044) quantities, while an opposite trend occurred in the severe subclinical mastitic group. The negative correlation between Lactobacillus and the pathogenic bacteria, as well as the SCC, was confirmed with Spearman correlation analysis. Data generated from the current study may hint to a close relationship between Lactobacillus and the health of bovine udder.

Myocardial protective effects of Munziq in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury rats with abnormal savda syndrome

This study evaluated the influence and mechanism of different Munziq doses on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) rats with abnormal savda. Wistar rats (N = 96) were divided into the following 8 groups (12 rats each): ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model group, high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose Munziq groups, normal I/R group, sham model group, normal sham group, and Atorvastatin group. Changes in heart physiology and myocardial morphology after injury with MIRI were monitored in each group. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) protein expression and serum concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 were detected by using western blot and ELISA methods, respectively. The large-dose Munziq group showed the most significant changes. The VPC incurring time was not delayed in the small-dose group, but the accumulative time was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). The ventricular tachycardia incurring time did not differ significantly between groups. Compared with the normal sham surgical group, the I/R groups showed significant increases in HSP70 and CGRP expression (P < 0.01) and MDA, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations (P < 0.05) and a significant decrease in the SOD concentration (P < 0.05). Compared with the I/R groups, Munziq intervention significantly enhanced HSP70 and CGRP expression (P < 0.01), significantly decreased MDA, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations (P < 0.05), and significantly increased the SOD concentration (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Munziq intervention improves cardiac physiological function, increases the expression of HSP70 and CGRP, and decreases the inflammatory reaction in MIRI model rats.

[Accuracy analysis of cone beam computed tomography in assessing furcation involvements of mandibular molars]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in assessing furcation involvements of mandibular molars.

METHODS

In the study, 38 furcation involvements of 22 mandibular molars which would accept furcation surgery were included. Pre-surgical examination, CBCT and periapical radiograph were performed. Then, intra-surgical furcation assessments were compared with those data.

RESULTS

Intra-surgical findings confirmed 86.8% of the CBCT data, with a weighed kappa of 0.976. Of the four parameters tested of detailed root anatomy and furcation morphology, the vertical bone loss, the mesial-distal bone loss and the length of the root trunk revealed by CBCT were consistent with their respective intra-surgical values (P>0.05): about vertical bone loss, CBCT was (4.03±2.27) mm, but in surgery was (4.32±2.31) mm; about mesial-distal bone loss, CBCT was (2.05±0.89) mm, but in surgery was (2.07±0.97) mm; about length of the root trunk, CBCT was (2.35±0.88) mm, but in surgery was (2.24± 0.75) mm. The horizontal bone loss revealed by CBCT [(3.40±1.27) mm] was significantly smaller than that by surgery [(3.72±1.19) mm]. However, the mean difference was only 0.32 mm. Periapical radiograph could only obtain vertical bone loss [(2.17±1.32) mm] and mesial-distal bone loss [(1.46± 0.88) mm], which was significantly different from that obtained in surgery.

CONCLUSION

CBCT proved high accuracy in assessing the furcation involvement of mandibular molars.

High levels of LDL-C combined with low levels of HDL-C further increase platelet activation in hypercholesterolemic patients

High levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) enhance platelet activation, whereas high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) exert a cardioprotective effect. However, the effects on platelet activation of high levels of LDL-C combined with low levels of HDL-C (HLC) have not yet been reported. We aimed to evaluate the platelet activation marker of HLC patients and investigate the antiplatelet effect of atorvastatin on this population. Forty-eight patients with high levels of LDL-C were enrolled. Among these, 23 had HLC and the other 25 had high levels of LDL-C combined with normal levels of HDL-C (HNC). A total of 35 normocholesterolemic (NOMC) volunteers were included as controls. Whole blood flow cytometry and platelet aggregation measurements were performed on all participants to detect the following platelet activation markers: CD62p (P-selectin), PAC-1 (GPIIb/IIIa), and maximal platelet aggregation (MPAG). A daily dose of 20 mg atorvastatin was administered to patients with high levels of LDL-C, and the above assessments were obtained at baseline and after 1 and 2 months of treatment. The expression of platelets CD62p and PAC-1 was increased in HNC patients compared to NOMC volunteers (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Furthermore, the surface expression of platelets CD62p and PAC-1 was greater among HLC patients than among HNC patients (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Although the expression of CD62p and PAC-1 decreased significantly after atorvastatin treatment, it remained higher in the HLC group than in the HNC group (P<0.05 and P=0.116). The reduction of HDL-C further increased platelet activation in patients with high levels of LDL-C. Platelet activation remained higher among HLC patients regardless of atorvastatin treatment.

Phospholipase C gamma 1 is a potential prognostic biomarker for patients with locally advanced and resectable oral squamous cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic and predictive values of phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCG1) expression in patients with locally advanced and resectable oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), who were treated in a prospective, randomized, phase 3 trial evaluating standard treatment with surgery and postoperative radiation preceded or not by induction docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (TPF). Immunohistochemical staining for PLCG1 was performed on the biopsies of 232 out of 256 OSCC patients at clinical stage III/IVA; the PLCG1 positive score was determined by immunoreactive scoring system. The survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method; hazard ratios were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Patients with a low PLCG1 expression had a significantly better overall survival (P=0.022), and a trend towards better disease-free survival (P=0.087), loco-regional recurrence-free survival (P=0.058), distant metastasis-free survival (P=0.053), and a high response rate to TPF induction chemotherapy with regard to clinical response (P=0.052) and pathological response (P=0.061), compared to those with high PLCG1 expression. Our results suggest that PLCG1 expression could be used as a prognostic biomarker for patients with advanced OSCC; however, it was not an adequate predictive biomarker for TPF induction chemotherapy.

Mixed Nipple Infections Caused by Variant of BPV3 and a Putative New Subtype of BPV in Cattle

Bovine papilloma is a chronic and proliferative skin and mucosal wart caused by Bovine papillomavirus (BPV). In June, 2013, a leaf-and flat-shaped wart disease was observed on the nipple skins in a cattle farm in Xinjiang. To diagnose the disease, we collected the diseased skins for pathological biopsy and DNA analysis by PCR amplification using a pair of degenerate primers FAP59 and FAP64. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the infection was caused by a variant of BPV3 and putatively a new subtype of BPV (BPV/CHI-SW1, belonging to the Xi papillomavirus genus). This is the first report of mixed infection caused by variant of BPV3 and BPV (putatively new subtype) in China, and would be of importance for the molecular epidemiological study of the disease.

The diversity of intestinal microbiota of Mongolians living in Inner Mongolia, China

The Mongolian nationality has developed their unique lifestyle and dietary habit for thousands of years. However, by now, little research has been focused on Mongolian gut microbiota and how it is related to different dietary habits. In this study, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods were applied to reveal the diversity of predominant gut bacteria of 48 healthy Mongolians recruited from Hohhot city and the Xilin Gol pasturing area in Inner Mongolia. Compared to similar studies of other nationalities, results from the present study have confirmed that the composition of Mongolian gut microbiota is highly similar at the phylum level (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria) but variable at the genus level. Especially, the numbers of Phascolarctobacterium, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are rather high. DGGE profiles of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium revealed that Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis were predominant in the gut of the Mongolian subjects studied. On the contrary, Lactobacillus helveticus was detected in every pasturing area Mongolian, but not in any of the Hohhot city Mongolians. qPCR results revealed that the numbers of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium of Xilin Gol Mongolians were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of Hohhot Mongolians, whereas the numbers of Enterobacterium were significantly lower (P<0.05). In addition, by partial least squares discriminate analysis and cluster analysis of data generated from DGGE and qPCR experiments, a striking difference in the composition of intestinal microbiota of Mongolians living in Hohhot city and the Xilin Gol pasturing area has been found. This study clearly shows that diet affects the microbiota composition of Mongolians living in different circumstances, i.e. urban versus rural.

Measuring 8-250 ps short pulses using a high-speed streak camera on kilojoule, petawatt-class laser systems

Short-pulse measurements using a streak camera are sensitive to space-charge broadening, which depends on the pulse duration and shape, and on the uniformity of photocathode illumination. An anamorphic-diffuser-based beam-homogenizing system and a space-charge-broadening calibration method were developed to accurately measure short pulses using an optical streak camera. This approach provides a more-uniform streak image and enables one to characterize space-charge-induced pulse-broadening effects.

Posterior second sacral alar iliac screw insertion: anatomic study in a Chinese population

OBJECTIVE

To provide radiographic parameters for optimal placement of posterior second sacral alar iliac (S2AI) screw for instrumentation and fusion of scoliosis to the second sacral level in a Chinese population.

METHODS

S2AI screw trajectories were mapped on three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) reconstructions of 60 normal adult pelvises. 1 mm inferior and 1 mm lateral to the S1 dorsal foramen were chosen as the entry point, and ideal S2AI screw trajectories were explored by rotating and cutting the 3D pelvis, ensuring that the trajectories were of maximum length and width. The directions and depth of these determined trajectories were then measured.

RESULTS

The ideal S2AI screw trajectories could be found in each pelvis. The left and right screw trajectory parameters for males were shown as follows: angulation was L 29.15 ± 8.60° vs. R 29.96 ± 8.28° (p = 0.286) caudally in the sagittal plane and L 36.49 ± 3.14° vs. R 37.16 ± 3.14° (p = 0.165) laterally in the transverse plane. The maximal and intrasacral lengths of trajectory were L 121.25 ± 8.33 vs. R 120.63 ± 7.54 mm (p = 0.460) and L 26.20 ± 3.31 vs. R 26.92 ± 4.76 mm (p = 0.268). The entry point was L 28.87 ± 3.33 vs. R 29.79 ± 3.55 mm (p = 0.186) lateral to the second sacral midline, and L 44.14 ± 11.87 vs. R 43.89 ± 12.53 mm (p = 0.687) underneath the skin. The trajectories for females were more caudal (L: 34.50 ± 6.56° vs. 29.15 ± 8.60°, p = 0.009; R: 35.72 ± 7.53° vs. 29.96 ± 8.28°, p = 0.007) in the sagittal plane, but the lateral angulation in the transverse plane showed no difference between genders (p > 0.05). The female iliac medullar cavities were obviously narrower than those of males (L: 14.76 ± 2.46 vs. 16.98 ± 3.52, p = 0.006; R: 14.94 ± 2.60 vs. 17.00 ± 2.81, p = 0.005). Although the average maximal length of trajectories for females were about 5 mm shorter than those of males, intrasacral length were equal to those of males. Furthermore, both the distance from entry point to the S2 midline and skin in the transverse plane showed no difference between genders.

CONCLUSION

The feasibility to insert S2AI screws to the sacrum and ilium in an Asian population along with the ideal entry angle and length of trajectory were identified for clinical practice.

A novel intronic mutation and a missense mutation of MEN1 identified in two Chinese families with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

BACKGROUND

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) caused by MEN1 mutation is widely recognized. To date, 14 novel mutations were reported in Chinese and intronic mutations are getting more attention.

AIM

To explore clinical features and MEN1 mutations in two Chinese families suffering from MEN1.

METHODS

Nineteen individuals (10 males and 9 females) from two unrelated families with MEN1 were studied. Mutations of MEN1 were analyzed by direct sequencing of PCR products. In vitro splicing analysis was also performed with minigenes containing both wildtype and novel mutant fragments. Through the RNAstructure program, we analyzed the secondary structure of the wild type MEN1 pre-mRNA and then introduced T>G mutation at +2 donor splice site of intron 7.

RESULTS

Clinical features of 3 patients in two families were described, and 5 individuals were proven to be carriers of MEN1 mutation without apparent symptoms. A novel splicing site mutation of the intron 7 (IVS7+2 T→G) was identified in the first family. In vitro analysis also verified this mutation caused the aberrant splicing of MEN1 mRNA. With the RNAstructure program, we could figure out that the global secondary structure as well as the number of stems and loops of pre-mRNA greatly changed after this mutation. The mutation c. 1227 C>A (C409X) was identified in another family, which also caused the truncation of menin.

CONCLUSION

We reported a novel intronic mutation and a missense mutations in two Chinese families suffering from MEN1.

Analysis of one year follow-up of women with cervical cytology report of atypical squamous cells and the diagnostic role of high-risk HPV infection

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the risk of developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) or greater disease in patients with cytology report of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) or cannot exclude high-grade atypical squamous cells (ASC-H) in one year follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN

Analysis of colposcopy-directed multiple cervical biopsies in all patients. Patients without CIN2 or greater diseases were tested for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA at the enrollment and at 12th month and followed up by cytology at the 6th and 12th month. Patients with repeated abnormal results were subjected to colposcopy-directed biopsy.

RESULTS

A total of 894 ASC-US and 101 ASC-H patients were enrolled. The rate of CIN2 or greater disease was 14.2% in ASC-US group and 46.5% in ASC-H group, at the first test respectively. A total of 65.0% of patients in ASC-US have completed the study and 47.5% repeatedly showed abnormal cytology, while the same rates in ASC-H were 62.7% and 50%. Only four cases were diagnosed with CIN2 in ASC-US group. The rate of HPV DNA becoming negative was 54.9% and 51.5% for ASC-US and ASC-H, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis rate of CIN2 or greater lesions in ASC-US and ASC-H patients was about 15% and 46.5%, respectively, within one year.

Exacerbation of glycoprotein VI-dependent platelet responses in a rhesus monkey model of Type 1 diabetes

Thrombosis is a life-threatening complication of diabetes. Platelet reactivity is crucial to thrombus formation, particularly in arterial vessels and in thrombotic complications causing myocardial infarction or ischaemic stroke, but diabetic patients often respond poorly to current antiplatelet medication. In this study, we used a nonhuman primate model of Type 1 diabetes to measure early downstream signalling events following engagement of the major platelet collagen receptor, glycoprotein (GP)VI. Diabetic monkeys were given enough insulin to maintain their blood glucose levels either at ~8 mM (well-controlled diabetes) or ~15 mM (poorly controlled diabetes). Flow cytometric analysis was used to measure platelet reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, calcium mobilisation, receptor surface expression, and immature platelet fraction. We observed exacerbated intracellular ROS and calcium flux associated with engagement of GPVI in monkeys with poorly controlled diabetes. GPVI surface levels did not differ between healthy monkeys or the two diabetic groups. Treatment of platelets with the specific Syk inhibitor BAY61-3606 inhibited GPVI-dependent ROS and, importantly, reduced ROS generation in the poorly controlled diabetes group to that observed in healthy monkeys. These data indicate that glycaemic control is important in reducing GPVI-dependent platelet hyperreactivity and point to a potential antithrombotic therapeutic benefit of Syk inhibition in hyperglycaemic diabetes.

Correlation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with expressions of p16 and Ki67 in exfoliated cervical cells in fluid-based thin-layer samples

OBJECTIVE

To understand the correlation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with the expressions of p16 and Ki67 in exfoliated cervical cells obtained by fluid-based thin-layer technology.

STUDY DESIGN

The distributions ofpl6 and Ki67 positive cells in 116 patients with cytologically diagnosed atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) or human papilloma virus (HPV) positive were examined by immunocytochemistry. Data were analyzed by the rank sum test, crosstab test, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

When the thresholds for p16 and Ki67 positive were set as 6.5 and 4.5 positive cells per 100 exfoliated cervical cells, respectively, the expressions of Ki67 and P16 are significantly higher in the exfoliated cervical cells of patients with CIN II or greater compared with those in patients with CIN I or less.

CONCLUSION

Immunocytochemical examination of p16 and Ki67 expressions in the exfoliated cervical cells of fluid-based thin-layer samples could be used for the detection of CIN II or greater.

Bacterial vaginosis is conducive to the persistence of HPV infection

We investigated the effects of bacterial vaginosis (BV) on the outcomes of high-risk human papillomavirus infection (HR-HPV). BV was diagnosed on Papanicolaou-stained cytology slides of 707 HPV-positive patients. HR-HPV DNA expression was analysed using the Hybrid Capture II (HC-II) assay. Of the 707 HR-HPV-positive female patients, 298 (42.1%) exhibited clearance of HR-HPV. The remaining 409 patients had persistent HR-HPV infection. The persistent HR-HPV group and the clearing group had similar rates of BV at the beginning of the study. At the end of the study, the persistent HR-HPV group had a BV prevalence of 11.2% while the clearing group had a significant lower BV prevalence of 5.0%. A decreased clearance of HPV was found in women with current BV, compared with women without BV. Furthermore, the natural history of HPV was not affected by the HPV viral load or the BV prevalence at the beginning of the study (P > 0.05). Bacterial vaginosis appears conducive to the persistence of HPV infection.

Differential gene expression in glioblastoma defined by ADC histogram analysis: relationship to extracellular matrix molecules and survival

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

ADC histogram analysis can stratify outcomes in patients with GBM treated with bevacizumab. Therefore, we compared gene expression between high-versus-low ADC tumors to identify gene expression modules that could underlie this difference and impact patient prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Up-front bevacizumab-treated patients (N = 38) with newly diagnosed glioblastoma were analyzed by using an ADC histogram approach based on enhancing tumor. Using microarrays, we compared gene expression in high-versus-low ADC tumors in patients subsequently treated with bevacizumab. Tissue sections from a subset of tumors were stained for collagen and collagen-binding proteins. Progression-free and overall survival was determined by using Cox proportional hazard ratios and the Kaplan-Meier method with the log rank test.

RESULTS

A total of 13 genes were expressed at 2-fold or greater levels in high- compared with low-ADC tumors at the P < .05 level. Of these, 6 encode for collagen or collagen-binding proteins. High gene expression for the collagen-binding protein decorin was associated with shorter survival (HR, 2.5; P = .03). The pattern and degree of collagen staining were highly variable in both high- and low-ADC tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

High-ADC GBMs show greater levels of ECM protein gene expression compared with low-ADC GBMs. It is unclear whether this translates to the accumulation of higher levels of the encoded proteins. However, because ECM molecules could contribute to a proinvasive phenotype, this relationship merits further investigation.

ITAM receptor-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species in human platelets occurs via Syk-dependent and Syk-independent pathways

BACKGROUND

Ligation of the platelet-specific collagen receptor, GPVI/FcRγ, causes rapid, transient disulfide-dependent homodimerization, and the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the NADPH oxidase, linked to GPVI via TRAF4.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of early signaling events in ROS generation following engagement of either GPVI/FcRγ or a second immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-containing receptor on platelets, FcγRIIa.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using an H(2) DCF-DA-based flow cytometric assay to measure intracellular ROS, we show that treatment of platelets with either the GPVI agonists, collagen-related peptide (CRP) or convulxin (Cvx), or the FcγRIIa agonist 14A2, increased intraplatelet ROS; other platelet agonists such as ADP and TRAP did not. Basal ROS in platelet-rich plasma from 14 healthy donors displayed little inter-individual variability. CRP, Cvx or 14A2 induced an initial burst of ROS within 2 min followed by additional ROS reaching a plateau after 15-20 min. The Syk inhibitor BAY61-3606, which blocks ITAM-dependent signaling, had no effect on the initial ROS burst, but completely inhibited the second phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, these results show for the first time that ROS generation downstream of GPVI or FcγRIIa consists of two distinct phases: an initial Syk-independent burst followed by additional Syk-dependent generation.

Epidemiology, diagnosis and management of hirsutism: a consensus statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society

BACKGROUND

Hirsutism, defined by the presence of excessive terminal hair in androgen-sensitive areas of the female body, is one of the most common disorders in women during reproductive age.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and critical assessment of the available evidence pertaining to the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of hirsutism.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hirsutism is ~10% in most populations, with the important exception of Far-East Asian women who present hirsutism less frequently. Although usually caused by relatively benign functional conditions, with the polycystic ovary syndrome leading the list of the most frequent etiologies, hirsutism may be the presenting symptom of a life-threatening tumor requiring immediate intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Following evidence-based diagnostic and treatment strategies that address not only the amelioration of hirsutism but also the treatment of the underlying etiology is essential for the proper management of affected women, especially considering that hirsutism is, in most cases, a chronic disorder needing long-term follow-up. Accordingly, we provide evidence-based guidelines for the etiological diagnosis and for the management of this frequent medical complaint.

Rosiglitazone protects diabetic rats from liver destruction

AIMS

To investigate whether rosiglitazone (ROS) protects diabetic rats from destructive changes in the liver.

METHODS

Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control (NC) group (no.=8), streptozocin (STZ)-treated diabetic (DM) group (no.=8), and STZ+ROStreated diabetic (RSG) group (no.=8). After 8 weeks, the liver structure was observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL, and apoptosis index was calculated. The Fas ligand (FasL) mRNA expression of apoptosis-promoting gene and cyclooxygenase- 2 (COX-2) mRNA in the liver were detected by RTPCR. COX-2 protein in the liver was tested via immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

Compared to NC group, DM group showed a visible fatty degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver under microscopy. Obvious hepatocyte swelling with atrophic mitochondria was observed, and the central zone of cholangiole was severely outstretched. Meanwhile, in RSG group, the hepatocyte steatosis and inflammatory cell infiltration decreased, and the hepatic ultra-structure was markedly improved. Hepatocyte apoptosis (p<0.05) and the expression levels for hepatic COX-2 mRNA (p<0.05), FasL mRNA (p<0.01), and COX-2 protein (p<0.05) were higher in DM group compared to the NC group, while the expression level of hepatic COX-2 mRNA (p<0.05), FasL mRNA (p<0.01), COX-2 protein (p<0.05), and hepatocyte apoptosis (p<0.05) in RSG group were decreased compared to DM group.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes causes severe liver injury and ROS can protect diabetic rats from liver destruction, which may be related to inhibition of the expression of COX-2 and the hepatocyte apoptosis induced by FasL gene over expression.