[Comparative study on the efficacy and safety between pegfilgrastim (PEG-rhG-CSF) and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in promoting hematopoietic recovery after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after hematological malignancy]

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety between Pegfilgrastim (PEG-rhG-CSF) and Recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) in hematological malignancy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: 157 patients after allo-HSCT were enrolled in this study from June 2015 to November 2016. Two agents of G-CSF were used to stimulate hematopoietic recovery after transplantation. There were 65 cases in PEG-rhG-CSF and 92 cases in rhG-CSF groups. Patients in PEG-rhG-CSF group were given a single subcutaneous dose of 6 mg on the first day and +8 d, while cases in rhG-CSF group were given in dose of 5 μg·kg(-1)·d(-1) by subcutaneous injection from +1 d continuing to neutrophils more than 1.5×10(9)/L, and then the indicators and survival rates in two groups after transplantation were compared. Results: ①There were no significant differences of the neutrophil implantation time[13.5 (8-12) d vs 13 (9-24) d, P=0.393] and platelet implantation time [14 (9-160) d vs 14 (9-92) d, P=0.094] between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups respectively. There were no significant differences in terms of neutropenia period (P=0.435) , number of cases who got fever during neutropenia (P=0.622) , and the median time of fever in neutropenia period (P=0.460) , respectively between the two groups. There were no significant differences of erythrocyte and platelet transfusions (P=0.074, P=0.059) within 1 month after transplantation. ②There were no significant differences with regard to the incidences of acute GVHD[23.1% (15/65) vs 34.8% (32/92) , P=0.115], chronic GVHD[20.0% (13/65) vs 32.6% (32/92) , P=0.081], Ⅱ-Ⅳdegree of acute GVHD[30.0% (13/65) vs 30.4% (30/92) , P=0.287] and extensive chronic GVHD[9.2% (6/65) vs 20.7% (19/92) , P=0.135] between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups. ③There were no significant differences in terms of disease free survival (DFS) (62.5% vs 61.4%, P=0.478) and overall survival (OS) (67.4% vs 67.3%, P=0.718) between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups. ④There was no significant difference of the non-relapse mortality (NRM) between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups[20.5% (95%CI 11.4%-37.0%) vs 32.6% (95%CI 22.2%-47.9%) , P=0.141]. The relapse rate was not statistically significant[14.9% (95%CI 7.4%-29.8%) vs 10.0% (95%CI 5.0%-20.0%) , P=0.299]. Conclusion: Compared with rhG-CSF, PEG-rhG-CSF could reduce the times of injection. There were no differences in terms of hematopoietic recovery, the incidence of GVHD, relapse rate, DFS and OS rates after allo-HSCT between two groups.

[Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid with traditional Chinese medicine on biochemical response in patients with primary biliary cholangitis: a real-world cohort study]

Objective: To examine the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine on biochemical response in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Methods: According to the method of receiving treatment, 197 patients with primary biliary cholangitis were divided into Traditional Chinese Medicine plus Western medicine group (93 cases, 47.2%) and Western medicine group (104 cases, 52.8%). From the baseline date, the combined group was treated with ursodeoxycholic acid plus traditional Chinese medicine decoction or Chinese patent medicine for at least one month and the Western medicine group simply took ursodeoxycholic acid . Additionally, Traditional Chinese medicine decoction prescriptions were mainly Xiaoyaosan and Yinchenhao. Chinese patent medicine were restricted to Biejia Ruangan tablets, Fuzheng Huayu capsules, Jiuweigantai capsules and Yinzhihuang capsules, which were used to treat liver fibrosis and cholestasis. The primary efficacy endpoint was defined as ALP level < 1.67 × ULN and ≥ 15% decrease in ALP with baseline level and TBIL≤ULN after 12 months of treatment. Results: The overall biochemical response rate of patients was 35.0% (69/197). The response rate of TCM+ Western medicine group was 43.0% (40/93), and that of Western medicine group was 27.9% (29/104). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ(2) = 4.936, P < 0.05). Further analysis showed that the Chinese and Western medicine group was superior to the Western medicine group alone in reducing γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and TBiL [the median decline were GGT: 160.1 U/L and 111.3 U/L (Z = -2.474, P < 0.05), TBiL: 5.2 umol/l and 3.1 umol/l (Z = -2.125, P < 0.05)]. Conclusion: UDCA combined with TCM therapy can remarkably improve the biochemical response rate in patients with PBC and distinctly decrease the TBIL and GGT levels than UDCA monotherapy.

The effect of Fe2NiO4 and Fe4NiO4Zn magnetic nanoparticles on anaerobic digestion activity

Two types of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), i.e. Ni ferrite nanoparticles (Fe₂NiO₄) and Ni Zn ferrite nanoparticles (Fe₄NiO₄Zn) containing the trace metals Ni and Fe, were added to the anaerobic digestion of synthetic municipal wastewater at concentrations between 1 and 100 mg Ni L^-1 in order to compare their effects on biogas (methane) production and sludge activity. Using the production of methane over time as a measure, the assays revealed that anaerobic digestion was stimulated by the addition of 100 mg Ni L^-1 in Fe₂NiO₄ NPs, while it was inhibited by the addition of 1-100 mg Ni L^-1 in Fe₄NiO₄Zn NPs. Especially at 100 mg Ni L^-1, Fe₄NiO₄Zn NPs resulted in a total inhibition of anaerobic digestion. The metabolic activity of the anaerobic sludge was tested using the resazurin reduction assay, and the assay clearly revealed the negative effect of Fe₄NiO₄Zn NPs and the positive effect of Fe₂NiO₄ NPs. Re-feeding fresh synthetic medium reactivated the NPs added to the anaerobic sludge, except for the experiment with 100 mg Ni L^-1 addition of Fe₄NiO₄Zn NPs. The findings in this present study indicate a possible new strategy for NPs design to enhance anaerobic digestion.

[Clinical features of adult patients with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of adult-onset chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV). Methods: A total of 21 adult patients with CAEBV who were admitted to the department of General Internal Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2006 to January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, disease duration, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatments and prognosis were reviewed. Results: Eighteen females and 3 males were enrolled with a mean age of 39 years. The most common clinical manifestations included fever in 20 patients, splenomegaly in 20 patients, lymphadenopathy in 18 patients, and hepatomegaly in 10 patients, followed by laryngopharyngeal disorders in 6 patients, pleural effusion and peritoneal effusion each in 5 patients, rash in 4 patients, interstitial lung disease in 3 patients, gastrointestinal hemorrhage in 2 patients, and peripheral neuropathy and pulmonary hypertension each in 1 patient. Six patients were complicated with hemophagocytic lymphohis-tioncytosis(HLH) that developed 5-17 (mean: 9) months following CAEBV onset, all of whom experienced hyperpyrexia, pancytopenia, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and liver dysfunction, 3 with hepatomegaly. Nineteen of the 21 patients had received steroid therapy including 10 combined with immunosuppressive agents, 11 with antiviral therapy, and 8 with intravenous immunoglobulin. Thirteen patients died, including 10 of multiple organ failure, (including 6 of HLH) 2 of severe pulmonary infection, and 1 of lymphoma. Six patients remained on follow-up, yet 2 were missing. Conclusions: CAEBV is expected with severe condition and poor prognosis, which is likely to be complicated with HLH. Clinical physicians should pay attention to adult patients with fever, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, which suggests possible CAEBV.

Development of a time-of-flight low-energy neutral particle analyzer for EAST tokamak

To understand the erosion effect of neutral particles on the first wall, a low energy neutral particle analyzer (LENPA), based on the time-of-flight method, has been developed for the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). The LENPA to be installed in the EAST mid-plane mainly consists of a chopper sub-system, a 3 m long flight tube, two sets of detector assemblies, and data acquisition and processing, vacuum, power supply, and control sub-systems. The neutral outflux is gated in bunches of 1 μs time scale by a slotted rotating disc which is driven by a vacuum compatible motor modified from a turbomolecular pump. A He-Ne laser beam is projected through the disc slit to record the instants of chopper slits opening with an avalanche photodiode module. An on-axis electron multiplier detects chopped neutrals, and a central perforated Cu-Be plate is employed to channel the emitted secondary electrons into an off-axis electron multiplier. The radiation peaks of on-axis electron multiplier caused by UV photons projected through the central hole of the Cu-Be plate provide an alternative way to record the chopper slits' opening time. With an additional 4 TB fast memory card, 1 GS/s sampling rate has been realized by using a GaGe acquisition card continuously. The LENPA data from the EAST together with neutral particle material erosion experiments will be used to benchmark the simulation results for better predictions on future fusion reactors, such as ITER and China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR).

[Effects of TLR4-PI3K-Rac1 pathway on cytoskeleton rearrangement and phagocytosis of macrophage]

Objective: To investigate the effects of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) -Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin 1 (Rac1) signaling pathway on macrophage cytoskeleton rearrangement and phagocytosis. Methods: Mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 was divided into blank group, negative control group and TLR4-RNA interference (RNAi) group. The lentivirus carrying TLR4 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and nonsense control sequence were respectively transfected into TLR4-RNAi group and negative control group. The cells in blank group were not transfected. The silencing efficiency of TLR4 was detected by Western blot. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of PI3K and Rac1 mRNA in each group. The expressions of PI3K, p-Rac1 and Rac1 protein were detected by Western blot. Cytoskeleton was observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and the percentage of cells phagocytosing flurescein inothiocyanate-labeled Eseherichina coli (FITC-E.coli) (Phagocytosed cell %) were detected by flow cytometry. Results: The RAW264.7 cells can be successfully transfected by TLR4-shRNA lentivirus, and the transfection efficiency ranged from 80% to 90%. The silencing efficiency of TLR4 gene was (63±4)%. After silencing the TLR4 gene, the relative expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein (0.20±0.03, 0.37±0.04), PI3K mRNA and protein (0.64±0.06, 0.75±0.06), Rac1 mRNA, protein and p-Rac1 protein (0.75±0.04, 0.76±0.01, 0.74±0.05) in TLR4-RNAi group were significantly lower than those in negative control group and blank group (all P<0.01). The change of cytoskeleton: after silencing the TLR4 gene, the celluar pseudopods were short and stiff, with the impaired capacity of phagocytosing FITC-E.coli. Cells in blank group and negative control group extended good pseudopodia, and the capacity of phagocytosing FITC-E.coli was normal. The MFI and Phagocytosed cells % of TLR4-RNAi group[(7 453±564), (70.20±2.27)%]were significantly lower than those in the blank group and the negative control group (all P<0.01). Positive correlations were existed between mRNA, protein expression of TLR4, PI3K, Rac1 and MFI, Phagocytosed cells% (all P<0.05) in all groups. Conclusion: TLR4-PI3K-Rac1 pathway involves in the cytoskeleton rearrangement and impairs the phagocytosis of macrophages.

Changes in estrogenicity and micropollutant concentrations across unit processes in a biological wastewater treatment system

The behavior of 10 micropollutants, i.e. four estrogens (estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol, 17α-ethynylestradiol), carbamazepine (CBZ), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), triclosan, oxybenzone, 4-nonylphenol, and bisphenol A, was investigated in a typical domestic wastewater treatment plant. LC-MS and yeast estrogen screen bioassay were used to study the changes in micropollutants and estrogenicity across unit processes in the treatment system. Primary treatment via sedimentation showed that only 4-nonylphenol was removed, but led to no significant change in estrogenicity. Secondary treatment by the biological nitrification-dentrification process showed complete removal of oxybenzone and partial removal of the estrogens, which led to a decrease in estrogenic activity from 80 to 48 ng/L as estradiol equivalent (EEq). Ultraviolet treatment completely degraded the estrogens and triclosan, but failed to lower the concentrations of bisphenol A, SMX, and CBZ; a decrease in estrogenic activity from 48 to 5 ng/L EEq across the unit, a value that was only slightly larger than the observed EEq of 1 ng/L for the deionized control. Similarly, the anaerobic digestion of sludge completely degraded estrogens, oxybenzone, and SMX, but had no impact on bisphenol A, triclosan, and CBZ. The study emphasises the need to complement chemical analyses with estrogenic bioassays to evaluate the efficacy of waste water treatment plants.

Optimization of fMRI methods to determine laterality of cortical activation during ankle movements of children with unilateral cerebral palsy

Measurement of laterality of motor cortical activations may provide valuable information about lower limb control in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). Evidence from upper limb research suggests that increased contralateral activity may accompany functional gains. However, lower limb areas of activation and associated changes have been underexplored due to challenges with imaging motor cortical leg representations. In this study, methods for a task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) ankle dorsiflexion paradigm were refined with three pilot groups of participants: (i) adults (n = 5); (ii) typically developing (TD) children (n = 5) and; (iii) children with UCP (n = 4). Parameters of experimental design, task resistance, reproducibility, and pre-scan procedures were tested/refined using a staged development approach with additions or changes introduced if image quality did not meet pre-defined standards. When image quality was acceptable for two consecutive participants, the next participant group was recruited to test/refine the next parameter. The final paradigm involved an event-related design of a single dorsiflexion movement against individualized resistance, with two runs per leg. It included a pre-scan session to increase child comfort and determine task resistance. This paradigm produced valid data for laterality index (LI) calculations to determine the ratio of activity in each hemisphere. Ventricle and lesion masks were used in non-linear image registration, and individual thresholds were used for extent-based LI calculations. LI of dominant ankle movements were contralateral (LI ≥ +0.2) for TD children (mean LI = +0.89, std = 0.27) and children with UCP (mean LI = +0.86, std = 0.26). For the affected ankle of children with UCP, LI values indicated ipsilateral and/or contralateral activation (mean LI = +0.02, std = 0.71, range -0.92 to +1.00). This fMRI paradigm will support investigations of cortical activation and mechanisms of skill improvement following lower limb interventions.

[Orbital decompression for intraorbital hematoma after surgery of recurrent nasal polyps: a case report]

A case of intraorbital hematoma after surgery of recurrent nasal polyps in August 2016 was reviewed. The patient underwent emergent orbital decompression after intraorbital hematoma, and followed up for half a year. The eyeball blood stasis of the case had gradually vanished. Ocular movement and vision of the left are still normal now. Orbital decompression is both necessary and effective for intraorbital hematoma after surgery of nasal endoscope.

[The combination of percutaneous iohexol-ethanol injection with radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of primary liver cancer in high-risk locations]

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with percutaneous iohexol-ethanol injection (PIEI), compared with RFA plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for patients with primary liver cancer(PLC)in high-risk locations. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2014, 54 patients with PLC in high-risk locations were enrolled. They were divided into Group A (RFA combined with PIEI) and Group B (RFA plus TACE). The efficacy and adverse events were assessed. Results: 54 patients had 74 lesions in high-risk locations. There were 26 cases with 40 lesions in Group A, and 28 cases with 34 lesions in Group B. The complete ablation rate of Group A was significantly higher than that of Group B (92.5% vs 70.6%, P=0.014). The two-year local tumor progressionrateand two-year overall survival rate were similar between these two groups (Group A 20.0% vs Group B 38.2%, P=0.083; 90.3% vs 84.3%, P=0.523). Furthermore, the surgery-related severe adverse events of Group A (7.1%, one case of liver abscess and one case ofhematobilia) were more common than that of Group B (0%, P=0.491). No significant differences were found in common adverse events including fever, pain, elevation of aminotransferase and bilirubin. Conclusions: Compared with RFA plus TACE, RFA plus PIEI resulted inbetter complete ablation rate in patients with primary liver cancer in high risk locations. Prospective, randomized, controlled trials are warranted for further evaluation.

The potential role of attitudes towards suicide between mental health status and suicidal ideation among Chinese children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to investigate the contributions of mental health status and attitudes towards suicide on suicidal ideation in a sample of 6568 Chinese children and adolescents in China. Attitudes towards suicide were investigated as a possible moderator and mediator of the influence of mental health status on suicidal ideation.

METHODS

Descriptive statistical analyses, Pearson correlation analyses and hierarchical regression analyses were adopted as methods of data analyses.

RESULTS

Approximately 35.38% of children and adolescents in our study reported having suicidal ideation. Mental health status and attitudes towards suicide both had an independent effect on the severity of suicidal ideation. Results indicated that mental health status was positively associated with suicidal ideation, while attitudes towards suicide were negatively associated with suicidal ideation. Moderation analysis showed that the impact of mental health status on suicidal ideation was significantly greater among children and adolescents who reported favourable attitudes towards suicide. Attitudes towards suicide partially mediated the link between mental health status and the severity of suicidal ideation. Specifically, students who experienced poorer mental health status might be more likely to report significantly more favourable attitudes towards suicide, which in turn promote greater suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results have implications for the prevention of youth suicide, suggesting that mental health status and attitudes towards suicide could be important targets for prevention and intervention for children and adolescents at risk of suicidal ideation.

Thermotolerance, oxidative stress, apoptosis, heat-shock proteins and damages to reproductive cells of insecticide-susceptible and -resistant strains of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella

In this study, we investigated thermotolerance, several physiological responses and damage to reproductive cells in chlorpyrifos-resistant (Rc) and -susceptible (Sm) strains of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella subjected to heat stress. The chlorpyrifos resistance of these strains was mediated by a modified acetylcholinesterase encoded by an allele, ace1R, of the ace1 gene. Adults of the Rc strain were less heat resistant than those of the Sm strain; they also had lower levels of enzymatic activity against oxidative damage, higher reactive oxygen species contents, weaker upregulation of two heat shock protein (hsp) genes (hsp69s and hsp20), and stronger upregulation of two apoptotic genes (caspase-7 and -9). The damage to sperm and ovary cells was greater in Rc adults than in Sm adults and was temperature sensitive. The lower fitness of the resistant strain, compared with the susceptible strain, is probably due to higher levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis, which also have deleterious effects on several life history traits. The greater injury observed in conditions of heat stress may be due to both the stronger upregulation of caspase genes and weaker upregulation of hsp genes in resistant than in susceptible individuals.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) Surface Modification for Surfactant-Free Real-Time Toxicity Assay on Droplet Microfluidic Platform

Microfluidic droplet reactors have many potential uses, from analytical to synthesis. Stable operation requires preferential wetting of the channel surface by the continuous phase which is often not fulfilled by materials commonly used for lab-on-chip devices. Here we show that a silica nanoparticle (SiNP) layer coated onto a Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and other thermoplastics surface enhances its wetting properties by creating nanoroughness, and allows simple grafting of hydrocarbon chains through silane chemistry. Using the unusual stability of silica sols at their isoelectric point, a dense SiNP layer is adsorbed onto PMMA and renders the surface superhydrophilic. Subsequently, a self-assembled dodecyltrichlorosilane (DTS) monolayer yields a superhydrophobic surface that allows the repeatable generation of aqueous droplets in a hexadecane continuous phase without surfactant addition. A SiNP-DTS modified chip has been used to monitor bacterial viability with a resazurin assay. The whole process involving sequential reagents injection, and multiplexed droplet fluorescence intensity monitoring is carried out on chip. Metabolic inhibition of the anaerobe Enterococcus faecalis by 30 mg L^-1 of NiCl₂ was detected in 5 min.

[Clinical efficacy of recombinant activated factor Ⅶ a for 16 hematonosis with moderate or severe bleeding]

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of recombinant activated factor Ⅶ a (rF Ⅶ a) on hematonosis with moderate or severe bleeding signs. Methods: Of total 16 cases with rF Ⅶ a treatment from May 2013 to May 2016, 8 cases received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (allo-HSCT) and the other were non-transplantation patients. In two groups, there was no significant difference on rF Ⅶ a usage and dosage. 15 patients with acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allo-HSCT were control group (without rF Ⅶ a) . Results: ①The total response rate was 75.0% (6/8) in non-transplantation group and 37.5% (3/8) in transplantation group, respectively. Median interval for hemorrhage stop was 38.5 hours in non-transplantation group and 63.0 hours in transplantation group. The median overall survival (OS) was 201.0 and 29.0 days for non-transplantation group and transplantation group, respectively, and the OS rate was 50.0% (4/8) and 25.0% (2/8) , respectively. The bleeding-related mortality rate was 50.0% (2/4) and 83.3% (5/6) , respectively. ②Of the 16 cases, 9 showed response to rF Ⅶ a treatment and the other 7 cases'bleeding signs did not alleviate. The median OS was 268.0 in 9 cases with response and 24.0 days in 7 cases without response, respectively. ③In patients with intestinal aGVHD complicated with intestinal hemorrhage, the median OS of observation group (n=6) and control group (n=15) were 25.5 days and 20.0 days, respectively. Conclusion: Patients with hematological diseases, especially patients after allo-HSCT, had high bleeding-related mortality, and rFⅦa therapy had a obvious hemostatic efficacy. The survival rate of patients with response was higher than that of cases without response. The causes of poor hemostasis efficacy of rF Ⅶ a therapy were associated with unsatisfactory control of complications in patients with intestinal bleeding after allo-HSCT.

The formation of H bubbles at small-angle tilt grain boundaries in W films

The accumulation of H at the small-angle tilt grain boundary (GB) in the W(001) surface is investigated, on the basis of the first-principles calculations. By exploring the solution and diffusion behaviors of H at the GB, we find that the small-angle GB can capture the H atoms nearby, serving as a nucleation site of H bubbles. With the increasing number of trapped H atoms, the GB expands gradually, and the GBs can be unripped with an areal density of H up to 5.0 × 10¹⁵ H atoms per cm², leading to the formation of H bubbles. Moreover, H₂ molecules are observed, when the areal density of H atoms in GB is over 6.6 × 10¹⁵ atoms per cm². According to our calculations, we propose a possible formation mechanism of H bubbles observed in the experiment, which is valuable for improving the service performance of W as a plasma-facing material in nuclear fusion reactors.

Stimulation and Inhibition of Anaerobic Digestion by Nickel and Cobalt: A Rapid Assessment Using the Resazurin Reduction Assay

Stimulation of anaerobic digestion by essential trace metals is beneficial from a practical point of view to enhance the biodegradability and degradation rate of wastes. Hence, a quick method to determine which metal species, and at what concentration, can optimize anaerobic digestion is of great interest to both researchers and operators. In this present study, we investigated the effect of nickel(II), cobalt(II), and their mixture, on the anaerobic digestion of synthetic municipal wastewater. Using a volumetric method, that is, measuring methane production over time, revealed that anaerobic digestion was stimulated by the addition of 5 mg L^-1 nickel(II), and cobalt(II), and their mixture in day(s). However, using a novel resazurin reduction assay, and based on its change in rate over time, we evaluated both inhibition at 250 mg L^-1 nickel(II) and cobalt(II), and also the stimulatory effect of 5 mg L^-1 nickel(II), and cobalt(II), and their mixture, in just 6 h. By investigating the dynamic distribution of these metals in the liquid phase of the anaerobic system and kinetics of resazurin reduction by nickel spiked anaerobic sludge, the concentration of nickel(II) on anaerobic digestion performance was profiled. Three critical concentrations were determined; stimulation starting (around 1 mg L^-1), stimulation ending (around 100 mg L^-1) and stimulation maximizing (around 10 mg L^-1). Hence, we propose that the resazurin reduction assay is a novel and quick protocol for studying the stimulation of anaerobic bioprocesses by bioavailable essential trace metals.

Benzoic acid beneficially affects growth performance of weaned pigs which was associated with changes in gut bacterial populations, morphology indices and growth factor gene expression

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of benzoic acid (BA) on growth performance, intestinal development and intestinal barrier function in weaned pigs. Ninety weaned pigs were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: a basal diet (CON), the basal diet supplemented with 2000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA1) and 5000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA2). At the end of days 14 and 42, six pigs per treatment were randomly selected to collect plasma and intestinal samples. Results showed that BA supplementation not only improved final body weight, daily growth and feed conversion ratio from days 15 to 42 and days 1 to 42, but also decreased the activity of plasma diamine oxidase (day 42) and the pH values of jejunal contents (day 14) (p < 0.05). Ileal Bacillus populations (day 14) were increased by BA, while Escherichia coli counts in the ileum and caecum (day 42) were decreased (p < 0.05). Higher Lactobacillus counts occurred in the ileum (day 14, 42) of BA1-fed piglets as compared to CON and BA2-fed piglets (p < 0.05). In addition, BA supplementation increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (day 14, 42) and decreased the crypt depth (day 14) (p < 0.05). Growth-stimulating factors (insulin-like growth factor-1, day 42; insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, day 14, 42) and tight junction protein (occludin, day 14, 42; zonula occludens-1, day 42)-related gene mRNA levels were upregulated in the jejunum of piglets fed BA diets (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence that BA has beneficial effects on intestinal development and intestinal barrier function of weaned pigs, which can partly explain why growth performance of pigs was improved by dietary BA supplementation.

Association of IL-18 polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis

Interleukin-18 (IL-18), an important proinflammatory cytokine, has been reported to play a potential pathological role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Results from previous studies on the association between IL-18 polymorphisms and RA are conflicting. To clarify this, an updated meta-analysis of all available studies on IL-18 polymorphisms and RA was conducted. Eligible articles were identified by searching databases, including PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, for the period up to May 1, 2015. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were used to assess the strength of association in the homozygote, heterozygote, dominant, recessive, and additive models. The software STATA (Version 13.0) was used for statistical analysis. Finally, 14 articles were included in the present meta-analysis. The IL-18 -607C/A polymorphism showed pooled ORs and 95%CIs for the homozygote model (AA vs CC: OR = 0.598; 95%CI = 0.395-0.907), and the association between the IL-18 -137G/C polymorphism and RA showed pooled ORs and 95%CIs for the homozygote (CC vs GG: OR = 0.699; 95%CI = 0.364-1.342) and heterozygote (CG vs GG: OR = 0.924; 95%CI = 0.803-1.064) models. In summary, the current meta-analysis, which was based on the most current studies, showed that the -607A/C, -920C/T, and -105A/C polymorphisms in IL-18 were significantly associated with increased RA risk. However, the -137C/G polymorphism was not associated with RA risk under any genetic model. More evidence is needed to support or deny such a conclusion.

TP53 mutational status is predictive of pazopanib response in advanced sarcomas

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether TP53 DNA mutational status impacts progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced sarcomas (soft tissue sarcoma) treated with vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) inhibition.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 19 cases of patients treated at the Ohio State James Comprehensive Cancer Center with advanced sarcoma treated with VEGFR inhibition who also had next-generation sequencing of their tumors (via FoundationOne Heme panel). We evaluated TP53 as well as mutations that were observed in at least 20% of patients and evaluated its contribution to PFS using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of available radiology end points.

RESULTS

Mutations that were observed in at least 20% of patients included TP53 and Rb1. Only TP53 was predictive of PFS in the context of VEGFR inhibition. The PFS of patients with TP53 mutations was significantly greater than TP53 wild-type tumors with the median PFS of 208 versus 136 days, respectively [P = 0.036, hazards ratio 0.38 (95% confidence interval 0.09-0.83)].

CONCLUSIONS

Mutations in TP53 may serve as a predictive biomarker of response to VEGFR inhibition in patients with advanced sarcoma. Larger, prospective studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Modeling and Application of a Rapid Fluorescence-Based Assay for Biotoxicity in Anaerobic Digestion

The sensitivity of anaerobic digestion metabolism to a wide range of solutes makes it important to be able to monitor toxicants in the feed to anaerobic digesters to optimize their operation. In this study, a rapid fluorescence measurement technique based on resazurin reduction using a microplate reader was developed and applied for the detection of toxicants and/or inhibitors to digesters. A kinetic model was developed to describe the process of resazurin reduced to resorufin, and eventually to dihydroresorufin under anaerobic conditions. By modeling the assay results of resazurin (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mM) reduction by a pure facultative anaerobic strain, Enterococcus faecalis, and fresh mixed anaerobic sludge, with or without 10 mg L(-1) spiked pentachlorophenol (PCP), we found it was clear that the pseudo-first-order rate constant for the reduction of resazurin to resorufin, k1, was a good measure of "toxicity". With lower biomass density and the optimal resazurin addition (0.1 mM), the toxicity of 10 mg L(-1) PCP for E. faecalis and fresh anaerobic sludge was detected in 10 min. By using this model, the toxicity differences among seven chlorophenols to E. faecalis and fresh mixed anaerobic sludge were elucidated within 30 min. The toxicity differences determined by this assay were comparable to toxicity sequences of various chlorophenols reported in the literature. These results suggest that the assay developed in this study not only can quickly detect toxicants for anaerobic digestion but also can efficiently detect the toxicity differences among a variety of similar toxicants.