Global transcriptome analysis provides new insights in Thellungiella salsuginea stress response

Thellungiella salsuginea is highly tolerant to abiotic stress, while its a close relative Arabidopsis thaliana is sensitive to stress. This characteristic makes T. salsuginea an excellent model for uncovering the mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays essential roles in plant abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. To test the changes in gene expression of T. salsuginea under ABA treatment, in this study, the transcriptomes of T. salsuginea roots and leaves were compared in response to exogenously application of ABA. The results showed that ABA treatment caused different expression of 2,200 and 3,305 genes in leaves and roots, respectively, compared with the untreated control. In particular, genes encoding transcription factors such as WRKY, MYB, NAC, GATA, ethylene-responsive factors (ERFs), heat stress transcription factors, basic helix-loop-helix, PLATZ and B3 domain-containing family members were enriched. In addition, 49 and 114 differentially expressed genes were identified as ABA-regulated genes, separately in leaves and roots, respectively, which were related to biotic and abiotic stresses. The expression levels of some genes were validated by qRT-PCR. Different responses of genes to ABA treatment were discovered in T. salsuginea and A. thaliana. This transcriptome analysis expands our understanding of the role of ABA in stress tolerance in T. salsuginea. Our study provides a wealth of information for improving stress tolerance in crop plants.

Increased Phosphatidylserine on Blood Cells in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The specific function of phosphatidylserine (PS) in the context of the development of a hypercoagulable state among individuals with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is uncertain. The goal of this study was therefore to assess the exposure of PS on microparticles (MPs) as well as on endothelial and blood cells and to assess procoagulant activity (PCA) as a function of the stage of OSCC progression. We recruited patients with OSCC (n = 63) as well as healthy controls (n = 26) to participate in this study. PS exposure was then assessed via confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, revealing that patients with stage III/IV OSCC exhibited higher frequencies of PS-exposing blood cells, MPs, and serum-cultured endothelial cells (ECs) than did patients with stage I/II OSCC or healthy controls. When we conducted functional coagulation assays, we discovered that PS⁺ blood cells, MPs, and serum-cultured ECs from patients with stage III/IV OSCC mediated more rapid coagulation and more substantial production of FXa, thrombin, and fibrin as compared with controls. When samples were treated with the PS antagonist lactadherin, this resulted in an 80% disruption of PCA. Strikingly, when pre- and postoperative samples were compared from patients with stage III/IV OSCC undergoing resective surgery, PCA was significantly reduced in the postoperative samples. After stimulating ECs with inflammatory cytokines, we found by confocal microscopy that they expose PS on their cell membranes, thus generating FVa and FXa binding sites and mediating the formation of fibrin. Together our findings provide evidence that PS⁺ blood cells and MPs are important mediators of the development of a hypercoagulable and prothrombotic state among individuals afflicted by advanced-stage OSCC. As such, a PS blockade may be a viable therapeutic strategy for treating such patients.

[Application of chromosomal analysis for 29 cases of fetuses with nasal bone absence or hypoplasia]

Objectives: To explore the chromosomal analysis for fetuses with nasal bone absence or hypoplasia. Methods: This was a retrospective study on 29 pregnancies nasal bone absence or hypoplasia which underwent prenatal diagnosis, including chorionic villi (CV), amniotic fluid or cordocentesis.The indication of the procedures and results were evaluated. Result: Fifteen (51.7%, 15/29) of chromosome abnormities were diagnosed with indication of fetal nasal bone absence or hypoplasia, including eight with trisomy 21, two with trisomy 13, two with X chromosome aneuploidy and three with pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) respectively.The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in fetus with nasal bone hypoplasia (2/5, 40%) was lower than that in fetus with nasal bone absence (13/29, 54.2%). The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in fetus with non-syndromic nasal bone absence or hypoplasia (4/13) was lower than that in fetus with syndromic nasal bone absence or hypoplasia (11/16). Conclusion: The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in fetus with nasal bone absence or hypoplasia was higher and prenatal diagnosis was recommended for all types of the disease.For the fetus with nasal bone absence or hypoplasia, it is recommended to give priority to CNVs for prenatal diagnosis.

Abstract OT1-04-01: A phase IIB pre-surgical trial of oral tamoxifen (TAM) versus transdermal 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) in women with DCIS of the breast

Background

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is diagnosed in 60,000 women annually in the US. TAM is proven to reduce risk of local recurrence and new primary breast cancer in women with estrogen receptor (ER) positive DCIS. However, acceptance of TAM has been low, primarily because of toxicity related to systemic exposure. Local delivery to the breast is an attractive alternative since low systemic levels could minimize toxicity. 4-OHT is an active metabolite of TAM. When formulated as a gel and applied to the breast skin, it is well tolerated, and results in 4-OHT breast tissue drug levels comparable oral TAM. In small pilot studies, its anti-proliferative effects on invasive breast tumors and DCIS are also similar to oral TAM [Lee O, et al. PMID 25028506]. The goal of our study is to validate these results in preparation for a Phase III trial of 4-OHT gel in comparison to oral TAM.

Methods

We are conducting a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, Phase IIB pre-surgical trial to demonstrate that daily application of 4-OHT gel will result in a reduction in the Ki-67 labeling index of DCIS lesions that is not inferior to that seen in women receiving daily oral TAM 20 mg daily. Ki-67 of the base-line diagnostic core needle biopsy will be compared to that of the therapeutic surgical excision sample after oral TAM or 4-OHT gel for 8 ± 2 weeks. Secondary endpoints include changes in Oncotype DCIS-Score, IHC markers (CD68, COX2, p16), hormone levels, coagulation markers, drug concentration in the plasma and breast tissue, the fraction of women with no residual DCIS in the surgical sample, and experienced symptoms. 100 women (assuming 20% non-evaluable samples or compliance issues) with DCIS (10% ER-positive) will be enrolled across six institutions into two intervention arms: oral TAM 20 mg daily, placebo gel and 4-OHT gel 4mg daily (2mg/breast), placebo capsule. All participants will be evaluable for toxicity from their first dose. All samples from all participants who receive drug will be evaluated and included in the primary analysis, which will be based on intent to treat principle. To date 15 of 100 participants have been enrolled across six institutions including: Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, KY, Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, NY, and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Since study open, 69 potential participants have been contacted, 52 did not consent for screening, 17consented for screening, 2 are pending consent, and 15 have started study intervention. The most common reasons potential participants chose not to consent are wanting to schedule surgery as soon as possible, attitudes toward medical research, and current use of a prohibited concomitant medication such as a potent inhibitor of tamoxifen metabolism or exogenous sex steroid.

Funding Source: NCI Contract # HHSN2612201200035I.

Citation Format: Benante KA, Xu Y, Tull MB, Segura AJ, Alber KM, Kalinichenko K, Hou L, Jovanovic B, Perloff M, Heckman-Stoddard B, Dimond E, Khan SA. A phase IIB pre-surgical trial of oral tamoxifen (TAM) versus transdermal 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) in women with DCIS of the breast [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-04-01.

Effect of Protein Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training on Muscle Mass, Strength and Function in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The loss of muscle mass, strength and function associated with increasing age has various health ramifications, including the elevated risk for falls, fractures, frailty, poor quality of life, and mortality. Several studies have confirmed the effects of protein supplementation and RT (resistance training) for this age-related change independently, but whether a combination of the two produces a stronger effect remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore whether a combination of protein supplementation and RT leads to reduction of muscle mass, strength and function in the elderly.

METHODS

We retrieved RCTs (randomized controlled trials) reporting the effects of protein supplementation combined with RT on muscle mass, strength and function in the elderly, published before May 2018 through PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and manual searches.

RESULTS

Twenty-one RCTs were included, involving 1,249 participants. The results showed that protein supplementation combine with RT significantly enhances the muscle mass and strength of the older adults, where FFM (fat-free mass) increased by 0.23 kg (95% CI: 0.09, 0.38; P=0.002), ASMM (appendicular skeletal muscle mass) by 0.39 kg (95% CI: 0.14, 0.64; P=0.002), handgrip strength by 0.29 kg (95% CI: 0.08, 0.50; P=0.008), knee extension strength by 0.27 kg (95% CI: 0.06, 0.47; P=0.013), leg press strength by 0.33 kg (95% CI: 0.01, 0.64; P=0.04), but no significant effects were seen on muscle function.

CONCLUSION

Compared to simple RT, protein supplementation combine with RT is more effective in enhancing the muscle mass and strength in the elderly, and the findings do not support the benefit of combination treatment for muscle function.

[Application of da Vinci robot's bilateral axillo-breast approach in thyroid surgery of obese patients]

Objective:To discuss the effect of obesity on the operation of thyroid gland surgery and surgical results.Method:The clinical data of 446 patients who underwent robot thyroid surgery through bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) from the General Hospital of Jinan Military region from February 2014 to November 2017 were analyzed retrospectively, and the patients were divided into BMI<25 kg/m²; group, BMI 25-30 kg/m²; group and BMI>30 kg/m²; group according to body mass index (BMI). The operative complications were compared between the three groups of benign and malignant patients, such as operation time, postoperative lead flow, postoperative hospitalization time, tumor size (malignant), lymph node metastasis (malignant), cosmetic satisfaction score, laryngeal nerve injury and parathyroid function decrease. Statistical methods using Variance analysis and χ² test to compare the differences between the two groups of indicators, difference is statistically significant (P<0.05).Result:The difference of operation time, postoperative average hospitalization time and postoperative drainage fluid volume in 3 groups was not statistically significant（P>0.05）. ①Intraoperative and postoperative pathological results were benign: BMI<25 kg/m²; group 69 cases, BMI 25-30 kg/m²; group 48 cases, BMI>30 kg/m²; group 8 cases, temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury were 1 case, 0 case and 0 case respectively, temporary parathyroid function decrease 3 cases, 2 cases and 1 case. ②Intraoperative and postoperative pathological results were malignant:BMI<25 kg/m²; group 180 cases, BMI 25-30 kg/m²; group 119 cases,BMI>30 kg/m²; group 22 cases, temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury were 2 cases,1 case and 0 case respectively, temporary parathyroid dysfunction in 64 cases,29 cases and 5 cases respectively.③1 patient in BMI<25 kg/m²; group had lymphatic leakage after operation, 1 patient in BMI 25-30 kg/m²; group had subcutaneous tunnel hemorrhage, and 1 patient had lymphatic leakage during operation.Conclusion:For overweight or obese patients, the da Vinci robot thyroid operation is reliable, does not increase the risk of surgical complications, but also has a good cosmetic effect.

[Effects of nasal cavity ventilational function at low temperature plasma ablation and lateral fracture in treatment for nasal spetum deviation with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis]

Objective:To observe the outward flow of low temperature plasma ablation combined inferior turbinate fracture treatment for chronic hypertrophic rhinitis nasal ventilation function. Method:NR6 nasal resistance meter and A1 nasal sound reflection instrument were used to test 40 patients of Hypertrophic rhinitis nasal septum deviation merger before and after operation for one year, recording the nasal airway resistance,0 to 5 cm nasal cavity volume and the nasal minimum cross-sectional area, combine visual analog scale to analyze the changing parameter value, and to analyze the test values between the correlation. Result:Postoperative patients of NCV, NMCA, NS value was higher than that of preoperative, VAS, NAR value compared with preoperative lower (P<0.05); Postoperative VAS was negatively correlated with NCV, NMCA, NS (r=0.472, 0.698, 0.586, P<0.05); VAS was positively related with NAR (r=0.877, P<0.05); Postoperative NAR was negatively correlated with NCV, NMCA and NS (r=-0.464, -0.870, -0.707, P<0.05); there was a positive correlation between postoperative NS and NCV, NMCA (r=0.442, 0.741, P<0.05). Conclusion:On the deflection of nasal septum (lighter, smaller scale, the part of the deflection of a back with no obvious compressive deformation and lateral deflection of inferior turbinate) in patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, low temperature plasma ablation combined offshoring inferior turbinate fracture surgery can effectively improve the nasal ventilation function, there is a good correlation between postoperative test values.

[Curative observation on allergic rhinitis treated by intranasal corticosteroids combined with nasal irrigation]

Objective: To observe the effect of normal saline with intranasal corticosteroids in the treatment of allergic rhinitis(AR).Method:Two hundred and seventy-three outpatients with severe persistent allergic rhinitis were participated in this study.All patients were randomly divided into three groups, and were treated for 12 weeks using three different therapies, respectively. Symptom assessment of each patient were performed before treatment, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment, respectively. The content of symptom assessment includes visual analogue scale, rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire, symptoms scores and endoscopy examination scores.Result:Efficacy of intranasal corticosteroids combined with normal saline nasal irrigation in the treatment of AR is better than that of intranasal corticosteroids only, and is almost equivalent to intranasal corticosteroids combined with antihistamines.Conclusion:Long-term application of intranasal corticosteroids in combination with normal saline irrigation can effectively control and mitigate symptoms of severe persistent AR patients, and improve the patient's quality of life. This combination therapy is a better choice for the patient who is not satisfied with the single use of intranasal corticosteroids.

[The relationship between IL-4 and trace elements in patients with allergic rhinitis of hui and han populations in Ningxia]

Objective: To examine the relationship between trace elements and IL-4 in patients with allergic rhinitis(AR).Method:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 260 cases in AR group(130 hui cases, 130 han cases),and 260 cases in normal control group(130 hui cases, 130 han cases) were recruited in this study. The concentrations of IL-4 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), the contents of Zn, Mn, Ni, Se and Fe were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry(ICP-AES), and the correlation between the trace elements and IL-4 were also analyzed.Result:IL-4 levels in serum of both hui and han AR patients were higher than those in control group(P <0.05). Contents of serum Zn and Se in hui AR patients were lower than those in control group(P <0.05), Ni content was higher than that in control group(P <0.05);Zn level in serum of han AR cases was lower than that in control group,Ni content was higher than that in control group (P <0.05).The serum IL-4 level in AR group was positively correlated with Ni(P <0.01,r=0.671), and negatively correlated with Zn(P <0.01, r=-0.819).Conclusion:We demonstrated that there are significant correlations between IL-4 and Zn,Ni in the serum of patients with AR in Ningxia hui and han population. It indicates that trace elements are involved in the occurrence and development of AR, and may as a therauptic target of AR.

Effect of RRS1 gene knockdown on BT549 cell line proliferation and apoptosis in breast cancer

The RRS1 regulator of ribosome synthesis has recently been reported a new target gene linked to cancer development. This study therefore investigates RRS1effectsb on BT549 cell proliferation and apoptosis in breast cancer. Western blot (WB) and real - time quantitative PCR (qPCR) were used to detect the relative expression of RRS1 in breast cancer cells BT-549 and the normal HMEC mammary gland epithelial cells. BT-549 cells were cultured and infected with retroviruses and RRS1 expression was detected by qPCR and WB. The MTT assay, Caspase-3/7 and flow cytometry (FCM) then detected growth and apoptosis in the BT549 breast cancer BT cell. WB detected the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes related to apoptosis at the protein level, and MTT assay confirmed that RRS1 knockdown significantly decreased cell viability (p<0.05) and induced apoptosis which was rescued by shRNA-RRS1 expression. The amount of caspase-3 increased significantly and apoptosis was obvious. The apoptotic cells amount analyzed by FCM was significantly increased and RRS1 knockdown also decreased the expression of apoptosis related protein bcl-2 and simultaneously increased the expression of Bax (p<0.05). Finally, the RRS1 gene was highly expressed in breast cancer cell line BT549 and its knockdown significantly reduced proliferation and apoptosis in BT549 cell. These results suggest that RRS1 is a novel gene related to breast cancer and has an important role in breast cancer proliferation and apoptosis.

[Prognostic factors analysis of Ki-67, α-SMA expression in retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma]

Objective: To investigate the expression and prognostic value of alpha smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and Ki-67 in retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma. Methods: Fifty retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma patients who underwent operation in Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from May 2002 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 36 females form 21 to 79 and an average age of 48. Kaplan-Meier estimations and Cox regression analyses were performed. Results: Of the 50 cases, 45 patients underwent complete resection, and others are not. The overall 1, 3, 5-year survival rates were 86.0%, 46.0% and 28.0%, respectively. Tumor size, extent of resection, pathological stage, and expression levels of Ki-67 and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were closely related to the survival of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma patients (all P<0.05), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that pathological grade and degree of surgical resection were independent risk factors in the prognosis of patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: The high expression of α-SMA and Ki-67 are indicators of poor prognosis in retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma, which can be used as a potential survival predictor in patients with retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma.

Multiregion whole-exome sequencing of matched primary and metastatic tumors revealed genomic heterogeneity and suggested polyclonal seeding in colorectal cancer metastasis

Background

Distant metastasis accounts for 90% of deaths from colorectal cancer (CRC). Genomic heterogeneity has been reported in various solid malignancies, but remains largely under-explored in metastatic CRC tumors, especially in primary to metastatic tumor evolution.

Patients and methods

We conducted high-depth whole-exome sequencing in multiple regions of matched primary and metastatic CRC tumors. Using a total of 28 tumor, normal, and lymph node tissues, we analyzed inter- and intra-individual heterogeneity, inferred the tumor subclonal architectures, and depicted the subclonal evolutionary routes from primary to metastatic tumors.

Results

CRC has significant inter-individual but relatively limited intra-individual heterogeneity. Genomic landscapes were more similar within primary, metastatic, or lymph node tumors than across these types. Metastatic tumors exhibited less intratumor heterogeneity than primary tumors, indicating that single-region sequencing may be adequate to identify important metastasis mutations to guide treatment. Remarkably, all metastatic tumors inherited multiple genetically distinct subclones from primary tumors, supporting a possible polyclonal seeding mechanism for metastasis. Analysis of one patient with the trio samples of primary, metastatic, and lymph node tumors supported a mechanism of synchronous parallel dissemination from the primary to metastatic tumors that was not mediated through lymph nodes.

Conclusions

In CRC, metastatic tumors have different but less heterogeneous genomic landscapes than primary tumors. It is possible that CRC metastasis is, at least partly, mediated through a polyclonal seeding mechanism. These findings demonstrated the rationale and feasibility for identifying and targeting primary tumor-derived metastasis-potent subclones for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of CRC metastasis.

[Safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy in the interventional treatment of coronary chronic total occlusion lesions]

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy in the interventional treatment of coronary chronic total occlusion lesions. Methods: In this retrospective study,a total of 31 consecutive patients with coronary chronic total occlusion(CTO) lesions underwent rotational atherectomy in our hospital from February 2004 to December 2016 were enrolled,and the clinical features were analyzed. Coronary atherectomy was performed if balloon failed to cross the CTO lesions or balloon could not be fully dilated in the CTO lesions after wire crossing. The definition of procedure success was defined as residual stenosis less than 20% after implantation of drug eluting stent and rotational atherectomy. After the procedure, the patients were followed up to observe major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events which including cardiogenic death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, and target lesion revascularization. Results: The 1.25 mm diameter burr was firstly selected in 80.6% (25/31) patients,and 96.8%(30/31) patients used only 1 burr to complete the rotational atherectomy procedure. The complication rate was 9.8% (3/31) including 1 patient with coronary dissection and 3 patients with slow flow or no flow. There was 1 patent with both coronary dissection and slow flow. The procedure success rate was 96.8%(30/31). Interventional treatment related myocardial infarction occurred in 3 patients during hospitalization.The 30 patients with procedure success were followed up 36(11, 96) months. The incidence rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events was 13.3% (4/30), of which the cardiogenic death rate was 3.3% (1/30), the myocardial infarction rate was 6.7% (2/30), cerebrovascular accident rate was 3.3%(1/30),and the target lesion revascularization rate was 6.7% (2/30). Conclusion: Rotational atherectomy is safe and effective in the interventional treatment of coronary CTO lesions.

[Relationship between screening and colorectal cancer incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis]

Objective: To explore a relationship between screening and incidence for colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Medline, Scopus, BIOSIS Previews, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies, which included any randomized controlled trial (RCT) about CRC screening with a report on using endoscopy in screening arms and a usual care in control arms. Results: Nine qualified trials, four one-time and five two-or-more-time screening programs, were included in this review with 997 131 persons randomized and a median follow-up of 10-28 years. In an intention-to-screen analysis, screening was associated with a reduced incidence of advanced CRCs by 10%-60%. Compared with control groups, incidence of CRC firstly increased and then decreased following a screening procedure. Five RCT with six screening arms reported incidences at different follow-up time points, and the incidence ratios at the last time of follow-up were 0.96 (95%CI: 0.86-1.06), 0.80 (95%CI: 0.70-0.92), 1.02 (95%CI: 0.91-1.14), 0.80 (95%CI: 0.70-0.90), 0.83 (95%CI: 0.73-0.94) and 0.94 (95%CI: 0.85-1.05) at the 9.0th, 10.9th, 13.0th, 18.0th, 18.0th, and 19.5th year after baseline, respectively. Compared with population-based screening, people in the hospital/clinic-based screenings had more benefits from CRC incidence reduction, particularly for those with high endoscopy rates, more lesions detected and resected by screening. Conclusions: This study indicates that screening is likely associated with reduction of CRC incidence after 10 years since baseline screening, and this reduction seems to be highly affected by CRC risk of population screened, screening procedure program, and compliance to screening program including accepting endoscopy.

Analysis of genetic diversity of Chinese dairy goats via microsatellite markers

In this study, 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers were used to analyze the genetic structure and phylogenetic relationships of 6 dairy goat breeds in China, including 4 native developed breeds and 2 introduced breeds. The results showed that a total of 172 alleles were detected in 347 samples of the dairy goat breeds included in this study. The mean number of effective alleles per locus was 4.92. Except for BMS0812, all of the remaining microsatellite loci were highly polymorphic (polymorphism information content [PIC] > 0.5). The analysis of genetic diversity parameters, including the number of effective alleles, PIC, and heterozygosity, revealed that the native developed dairy goat breeds in China harbored a rich genetic diversity. However, these breeds showed a low breeding degree and a high population intermix degree, with a certain degree of inbreeding and within-subpopulation inbreeding coefficient ( > 0). The analysis of population genetic differentiation and phylogenetic tree topologies showed a moderate state of genetic differentiation among subpopulations of native developed breed dairy goats in China (0.05 < gene fixation coefficient [] < 0.15). The native developed breeds shared a common ancestor, namely, the Saanen dairy goat, originating from Europe. The results showed that there was a close genetic relationship between Wendeng and Laoshan dairy goats while the Guanzhong dairy goat and the Xinong Saanen dairy goat were also found to have a close genetic relationship, which were both in agreement with the formation history and geographical distribution of the breeds. This study revealed that adopting genetic management strategies, such as expanding pedigree source and strengthening multi-trait selection, is useful in maintaining the genetic diversity of native developed breeds and improving the population uniformity of dairy goats.

[To observe the effect of "Fangfenggubenkeli" on IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-γ cytokines in PBMC supernatant of allergic rhinitis patients with lung depression and spleen efficiency]

Objective:To observe the effect of "Fangfenggubenkeli" on IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-γ cytokines in PBMC supernatant of allergic rhinitis' patients with lung depression and spleen deficiency.Method:One hundred patients were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group of 50 cases, was given to ancient side of the "Fangfenggubenkeli". The control group of 50 patients, was given to cetirizine hydrochloride, oral treatment. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-γ in the two groups were measured before and after treatment of 1 month. The changes of the laboratory indexes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Result:The levels of IL-4 in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.01), and the levels of IFN-γ were significantly higher than those before treatment (P < 0.01), there was a statistically significant difference.Conclusion:The mechanism of "Fangfenggubenkeli" in patients with allergic rhinitis with lung depression may be related to the IFN-γ level, lower IL-4 level. Thereby Fangfenggubenkeli would improved the Th1/Th2 imbalance state as a whole.

Inhibitory effect and mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells on melanoma cells

PURPOSE

To explore the inhibitory effect and mechanism of MSCs on melanoma proliferation.

METHODS

The inhibitory effect of MSCs on melanoma A375 cells was detected by co-culture and conditioned medium (CM) experiments using MTT method. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Then, Western Blot experiment detected the expression of proteins related to NF-κB signaling in A375 cells. The expression of IL-1Ra in MSCs was proved by RT-PCR. The over-expression and silencing vector pcDNA3.1-EGFP-IL-1Ra and pGPH1-IL-1R were constructed and transfected into MSCs cells. After that, the changes of inhibitory effect and cell cycle from MSCs-S and MSCs-O CM on A375 cells were explored. The expression of proteins related to NF-κB signaling in A375 cells after MSCs-S or MSCs-O CM treatment was detected by Western Blot. MSCs, MSCs-S, or MSCs-O and A375 cells were co-injected into nude mice under the arms, the growth of tumor was observed, the frozen sections were made, and H&E staining of tumor tissue was performed.

RESULTS

The proliferation of A375 cells was inhibited and the cell cycle of A375 was arrested by MSCs. The expressions of cytokines related to NF-κB signaling were down-regulated. Over-expression and silence of Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), specifically blocking activation of NF-κB signaling, indicated that inhibitory effect from MSCs was enhanced or weakened respectively, which suggested that IL-1Ra was involved in the inhibitory effect. In vivo, tumor initiation and growth were significantly inhibited when A375 cells were co-injected with MSCs into nude mice, which were related to the expression level of IL-1Ra.

CONCLUSION

MSCs could inhibit the proliferation and tumor initiation of melanoma A375 cells through NF-κB signaling. MSCs could secret IL-1Ra and inhibit expressions of NF-κB signaling-related factors of tumor cells, and cause cell cycle arrest in G1 phase.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus on overweight status of their children

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) as a group of medical complications in pregnancy are believed to be associated with an increased risk of poor fetal growth, but the influence on offspring’s body composition is not clear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and overweight status in the offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

A cross-sectional study among 1263 GDM mother-child pairs was performed in Tianjin, China. General linear models and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of maternal hypertension in pregnancy with anthropometry and overweight status in the offspring from birth to 1–5 years old.

Offspring of GDM mothers who were diagnosed with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy had higher mean values of Z scores for birth weight for gestational age and birth weight for length, and higher mean values of Z scores for weight for age, weight for length/height, and body mass index for age at 1–5 years old than those of GDM mothers with normal blood pressure during pregnancy. Maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were associated with increased risks of large for gestational age (OR 1.74, 95%CI 1.08–2.79) and macrosomia (OR 2.02, 95%CI 1.23–3.31) at birth and childhood overweight/obesity at 1–5 years old age (OR 1.88, 95%CI 1.16–3.04).

For offspring of mothers with GDM, maternal hypertension during pregnancy was a risk factor for macrosomia at birth and childhood overweight and obesity, and controlling the maternal hypertension may be more important for preventing large for gestational age babies and childhood obesity.

Identification of Alternaria Species Causing Heart Rot of Pomegranates in California

Alternaria heart rot of pomegranate fruit is generally considered a minor disease. However, the current listing of the causal pathogen in California as "Alternaria sp." or as "A. alternata and other Alternaria spp." restricts trade of the crop to some major export markets where quarantines are in place in an effort to prevent the spread of unknown or undescribed pathogens. Thus, species identification of the pathogen is critical in determining whether infected fruit should be regulated by quarantines. In this study, 86 isolates of Alternaria were collected from pomegranate fruit with Alternaria heart rot symptoms from major production areas in California. An unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means analysis based on amplified fragment length polymorphisms revealed two main clusters, each with a high degree of variability. One of the clusters contained 24 isolates from pomegranate and one reference isolate of Alternaria arborescens. Reference isolates of A. alternata and A. tenuissima were found among pomegranate isolates in the other cluster, and these two species could not be separated. In maximum-parsimony analysis of ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer sequence data, representative pomegranate isolates all clustered with reference sequences of species in section Alternaria. Single-nucleotide differences separated A. arborescens, A. gaisen, and two pomegranate isolates from the majority of the remaining isolates. Sequence comparisons of gapdh and OPA10-2 loci indicated that none of the pomegranate isolates were identical to A. gaisen, which is a quarantine pathogen. Due to high genetic similarity and variability of morphological characteristics, revisions of the taxonomy of small-spored Alternaria spp. have been proposed by others. Based on this recent taxonomic work and work herein by us, pomegranate isolates from California can be assigned to A. alternata and A. arborescens. Reassessment of export restrictions for California pomegranate due to the previous pathogen classification is warranted. Fruit injection inoculations with conidia of 12 representative isolates 3 months before harvest caused typical symptoms of Alternaria heart rot, whereas flower inoculations did not result in fruit disease.

Abstract S5-04: Low-fat dietary pattern and breast cancer overall survival in the women's health initiative dietary modification randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Among 48,835 postmenopausal women randomized in the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification (WHI DM) primary prevention trial, 1,767 women were diagnosed with breast cancer during the 8.3 years of dietary intervention. While differences were not statistically significant, there were fewer breast cancers diagnosed in the low fat dietary group women (HR 0.92 95% CI 0.84-1.01, P=0.09) with somewhat lower breast cancer mortality (HR 0.77 95% CI 0.48-1.22) than seen in control group women (JAMA 2006; 295:629). These findings were recently updated, and after 10.9 years (mean) post-diagnosis follow-up, breast cancer overall survival among these 1,767 women measured from diagnosis was greater in the dietary group (10 year survival, 82% vs 78%, 168 (2.24%) versus 319 (2.71%) deaths; HR 0.80 95% CI 0.66-0.97, P=0.02) (AACR Annual Meeting 2016, abstract CT0433, Clinical Trials Plenary Session). We now report low-fat dietary pattern influence on breast cancer overall survival in subgroups defined by breast cancer characteristics.

Methods: The WHI DM trial, conducted at 40 US clinical centers, from1993-1998 enrolled 48,835 postmenopausal women, aged 50-79, without prior breast cancer, with normal mammogram and dietary fat intake &gt;32% of total energy. Participants were randomly assigned to a dietary intervention group (40%, n=19,541) with goals of fat intake reduction to 20% of energy and increased fruits, vegetables and grain intake, or a usual diet control group (60%, n=29,294). As previously reported, the dietary modification program reduced fat intake, increased fruit, vegetable and grain intake and was associated with modest weight loss (all P&lt; 0.001). The current secondary analysis outcome is breast cancer overall survival in subgroups defined by breast cancer characteristics for cases diagnosed during the dietary intervention period. Because of possible selection prior to breast cancer diagnosis, these analyses do not compare randomized outcomes. Therefore, careful attention is paid to control of risk factors for breast cancer in the analysis.

Results: The examined subgroups included histology (ductal, lobular, other), estrogen receptor (ER) status (positive vs. negative by local laboratory), progesterone receptor (PR) status, HER2 status, triple negative (yes/no), stage (local, regional or distant), grade (well, moderately, poorly differentiated), tumor size (&lt;1, 1- 2, &gt;=2 cm), and nodal involvement (none, 1-3, 4+). None of the tests of interaction in subgroups were statistically significant. All subgroup hazard ratios (HR) were less than one except for ER negative cancers, triple negative cancers and those with 4+ positive lymph nodes. The results are suggestive of no influence of the low-fat dietary pattern on triple negative cancers (HR 1.64 95% CI 0.73-3.70 for triple negative vs. HR 0.73 95% CI 0.56-0.95 for other breast cancers, interaction P=0.06).

Conclusion: Compared to a usual diet control group, women randomized to a dietary intervention group providing a low-fat dietary pattern had a significantly increased overall survival following a breast cancer diagnosis with the possible exception of those developing triple negative cancers.

Citation Format: Chlebowski RT, Aragaki AK, Thomson CA, Anderson G, Manson JE, Simon MS, Rohan TE, Snetselar LG, Lane D, Barrington WE, Vitolins M, Womack C, Qi L, Hou L, Thomas F, Prentice RL. Low-fat dietary pattern and breast cancer overall survival in the women's health initiative dietary modification randomized controlled trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr S5-04.