Efficacy of oxymatrine for treatment and relapse suppression of severe plaque psoriasis: results from a single-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Drugs that are currently used in the treatment of psoriasis are associated with drawbacks such as rapid recrudescence, high costs and unwanted side-effects. Oxymatrine has a long history of clinical use in the treatment of hepatitis and cancer in China.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the efficacy and safety of intravenous oxymatrine in patients with severe plaque psoriasis.

METHODS

A total of 67 patients were randomly allocated to receive oxymatrine injections (0.6 g per day for 8 weeks) or acitretin capsules (0.75 mg kg^-1 per day from week 0 to week 2 and 20-30 mg per day from week 3 to week 8) and followed up for another 24 weeks. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with ≥ 50% reduction of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 50) at week 32. The secondary end points included the skin classification grade and the Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) score. Side-effects were recorded throughout the whole study to assess the safety profile.

RESULTS

Treatment with oxymatrine or acitretin for 8 weeks significantly decreased PASI score, skin classification grade and DLQI score (P < 0.001), with no significant differences between the oxymatrine and acitretin groups in terms of PASI 50. However, at week 32, the relapse rate in the oxymatrine group was significantly lower than that of the acitretin group (P < 0.001). Moreover, while there was an increase in the number of patients with metabolic abnormalities in the acitretin group, a significant reduction was observed in the oxymatrine group. Furthermore, rates of adverse reactions were significantly decreased in the oxymatrine group compared with that of the acitretin group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with oxymatrine effectively ameliorated severe plaque psoriasis, and was accompanied by only minor adverse effects.

Preparation and stability investigation of tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained release pellets containing acrylic resin polymers with two different techniques

The objective of this study was to prepare tamsulosin hydrochloride-sustained release (TSH-SR) pellets which showed good release stability with frame-controlled method. TSH was added to Eudragit^®NE30D and Eudragit^®L30D-55 polymers to form drug-loaded inner core. Afterwards, enteric Eudragit^®L30D-55 polymer was modified on the surface of it to the final product. Dissolution studies showed that TSH-SR pellets were more stable during the coating process, different curing temperatures and storage conditions compared with TSH pellets produced by film-controlled technique. Appearances and glass transition temperatures (Tgs) of free films and surface morphologies observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of blank sustained release pellets prepared by different ratios of Eudragit^®NE30D and Eudragit^®L30D-55 further indicated that temperature and relative humidity (RH) were the key factors when Eudragit^®NE30D blended with Eudragit^®L30D-55 were applied to sustained/controlled release preparations. In addition, SEM identified the surface morphologies of TSH-SR pellets before and after dissolution, which showed intact surface structure and great correlation with release curve respectively.

Diagnosis of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Wild and Domestic Animals in Xinjiang, China, 2013-2016

Peste des petits ruminants viruses (PPRVs) re-emerged in China at the end of 2013 and then spread rapidly into 22 provinces through movement of live goats and sheep. In this study, 96 samples of domestic animals and 13 samples of wildlife were analysed for the presence of PPRV infection by ELISA or RT-PCR. Of 96 samples from sheep and goats, 91 were PPRV positive, whereas all of the 13 samples from three wild species, Capra ibex (Capra ibex sibirica), argali (Ovis ammon) and Goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), were found to be positive. Five wildlife-origin isolates from the above samples were identified as the lineage IV by a multiple alignment of the partial sequences in N gene.

Remote ischemic preconditioning provides neuroprotection: impact on ketamine-induced neuroapoptosis in the developing rat brain

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have demonstrated that the commonly used anesthetic ketamine can acutely increase apoptosis and have long-lasting detrimental effects on cognitive function as the animal matures. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been confirmed to have a cerebral protective role in animal models of brain damage. The aim of this study was to investigate whether RIPC can protect the developing brain from anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To investigate the protective properties of RIPC, 60 new-born Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated into four groups: ketamine (20 mg/kg was diluted in saline, six times at an interval of 2 hours); RIPC (left hind row ischemia 5 min, reperfusion 5 min, a total of four cycles); ketamine + RIPC: RIPC was induced at postnatal day 5 and rats underwent the same treatment with the ketamine group after 48 hours; and saline (group vehicle). Neuronal apoptosis in the frontal cortex and hippocampal CA1 region was measured 24 h after treatment using immunohistochemistry of cleaved caspase-3. Learning and memory abilities were tested at the age of 60 days by Morris water maze test.

RESULTS

The percentage of cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemical staining positive cells in the ketamine + RIPC group showed a more marked decline in neuronal apoptosis of the CA1 region than that in the ketamine group (p < 0.05) but not in the CA1 region (p > 0.05). The mice exposed to RIPC alone showed no difference from the saline-treated mice. Moreover, RIPC significantly reversed the learning and memory deficits observed at 60 days of age.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that RIPC treatment provides protection against ketamine-induced neuroapoptosis in the frontal cerebral cortex but not in the hippocampal CA1 region in developing rats and attenuates long-term behavioural deficits as the animals mature, suggesting a new possible strategy for neuroprotection.

DTI Analysis of Presbycusis Using Voxel-Based Analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Presbycusis is the most common sensory deficit in the aging population. A recent study reported using a DTI-based tractography technique to identify a lack of integrity in a portion of the auditory pathway in patients with presbycusis. The aim of our study was to investigate the white matter pathology of patients with presbycusis by using a voxel-based analysis that is highly sensitive to local intensity changes in DTI data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen patients with presbycusis and 14 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were scanned on a 3T scanner. Fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity were obtained from the DTI data. Intergroup statistics were implemented on these measurements, which were transformed to Montreal Neurological Institute coordinates by using a nonrigid image registration method called large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping.

RESULTS

Increased axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and mean diffusivity and decreased fractional anisotropy were found near the right-side hearing-related areas in patients with presbycusis. Increased radial diffusivity and mean diffusivity were also found near a language-related area (Broca area) in patients with presbycusis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings could be important for exploring reliable imaging evidence of presbycusis and could complement an ROI-based approach.

Stimulating TRPV1 externalization and synthesis in dorsal root ganglion neurons contributes to PGE2 potentiation of TRPV1 activity and nociceptor sensitization

BACKGROUND

Persistent peripheral sensitization contributes to chronic pain. Plasticity of nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons (nociceptors) induced by pro-inflammatory mediators contributes to sensitization. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) enriched in injured tissues is known not only directly to sensitize DRG neurons, but also to potentiate sensitizing effects of other pain mediators such as capsaicin and its receptor transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1). It remains unknown whether PGE2 potentiates TRPV1 activity by stimulating its synthesis, cell surface and axonal trafficking in DRG neurons.

METHODS

Combined biochemical, morphological, pharmacological and behavioral approaches have been used to address this issue in both in vitro and in vivo models.

RESULTS

PGE2 increased TRPV1 externalization in cultured rat DRG neurons in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, an event blocked by an inhibitor of protein synthesis or anterograde export. EP1 and EP4, but not EP2 and EP3, mediated this event. EP1 agonist-induced TRPV1 externalization was suppressed by inhibitors of CaMKII, PLC, PKC and PKCε, while EP4 agonist-induced TRPV1 externalization by inhibitors of cAMP/PKA and ERK/MAPK. Pre-exposure to PGE2 potentiated release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from cultured DRG neurons evoked by subsequent capsaicin stimulation. This event was blocked by an inhibitor of protein synthesis or export, suggesting that PGE2-induced TRPV1 synthesis and externalization is coupled to enhanced TRPV1 activity. Pre-exposure to PGE2 not only prolonged tactile allodynia evoked by subsequent capsaicin challenge, but also increased TRPV1 levels in L4-6 DRG, sciatic nerves and plantar skin.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that facilitating TRPV1 synthesis, cell surface and axonal trafficking is a novel mechanism underlying PGE2 potentiation of TRPV1 activity.

[Developmental characteristics of various types of hand bones of Poland's syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To explore development status in different types of the hand bone and its developmental characteristics with Poland syndrome.

METHODS

There were 32 cases with Poland's syndrome who accepted bilateral hand X-ray examination in Department of Hand Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from February 2013 to August 2014.There were 24 male and 8 female patients aged from 1.0 to 15.0 years with median age of 2.4 years. Right hand deformity was 23 cases and left hand deformity was 9 cases. According to Tanner-Whitehouse skeletal age scoring system, 20 bones (radius and ulna, 7 carpal bones, 11 metacarpal and phalangeal bones) selected from the affected and contralateral limb respectively, were evaluated. Besides, hand deformity of the cases was classified into 5 types based on relevant literature. Each bone was given an individual age using the references of Greulich-Pyle chart. The average of all individual ages was taken as gross bone age, the average of individual ages of radius and ulna was taken as bone age of long bones, the average of individual ages of carpal bone was taken as bone age of carpal bones, and the average of individual age of metacarpal and phalangeal bones was taken as bone age of short bones.The delay of bone age was evaluated by correlation test, while the curve of cubic equation was used for analyzing the variance of skeletal development with age.

RESULTS

The delay of long bone age of patients with Poland's syndrome in this study were 0-1.9 years ((0.5±0.5) years), 0-2.2 years ((0.7±0.5)years) for carpal bone, 0.5-2.0 years((0.6±0.4) years)for short bone and 0.1-1.7 years((0.6±0.4)years) for gross bone.Twelve cases in type Ⅱ hand deformity, 15 cases in type Ⅲ and 5 cases in type Ⅳ. The delay of bone ages, including long bone age, carpal bone age, short bone age and gross bone age, was not related with gender and side(all P>0.05), but related with degree of deformity(F=3.663-12.971, P=0.000-0.038).

CONCLUSION

Compared with normal upper limb, the bone age in the affected limb in Poland's syndrome is delayed and it is correlated with gender, age and the extent of hand deformity and negative with side.

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis reveals the evolutionary rearrangement mechanism in Brassica

The genus Brassica has many species that are important for oil, vegetable and other food products. Three mitochondrial genome types (mitotype) originated from its common ancestor. In this paper, a B. nigra mitochondrial main circle genome with 232,407 bp was generated through de novo assembly. Synteny analysis showed that the mitochondrial genomes of B. rapa and B. oleracea had a better syntenic relationship than B. nigra. Principal components analysis and development of a phylogenetic tree indicated maternal ancestors of three allotetraploid species in Us triangle of Brassica. Diversified mitotypes were found in allotetraploid B. napus, in which napus-type B. napus was derived from B. oleracea, while polima-type B. napus was inherited from B. rapa. In addition, the mitochondrial genome of napus-type B. napus was closer to botrytis-type than capitata-type B. oleracea. The sub-stoichiometric shifting of several mitochondrial genes suggested that mitochondrial genome rearrangement underwent evolutionary selection during domestication and/or plant breeding. Our findings clarify the role of diploid species in the maternal origin of allotetraploid species in Brassica and suggest the possibility of breeding selection of the mitochondrial genome.

Problems with cigarette smoking and attitudes towards the ban of smoking in Shantou, China

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the extent of cigarette smoking, knowledge of health hazards and attitudes towards the ban of smoking in Shantou, China, as causes for failure to control smoking.

STUDY DESIGN

Environmental monitoring and population survey.

METHODS

Particulate matter (PM2.5) measurements were conducted in randomly selected public places (restaurants, non-alcoholic drink shops and internet bars) and exposure-related health hazards were evaluated. University students and adult citizens were randomly selected to determine their extent of cigarette smoking, knowledge of health hazards and attitude towards the ban of smoking in public places. The collected data were used to evaluate possible causes and solutions to the smoking problem.

RESULTS

From PM2.5 measurements, the average indoor to outdoor concentrations in non-smoking restaurants were 33.4 vs. 30.6 μg/m(3), P > 0.05; average indoor of smoking restaurants was 350.0% higher, P < 0.05; internet bars was 395.7% higher, P < 0.05; and non-alcoholic drink shops was 650.2% higher, P > 0.001. From our survey of 1100 university students: 1) 17.5% and 7.5% were active male and female smokers, respectively; and 2) 57.5% of students would accept a smoke-ban policy. From 502 adult citizens: 1) 27.5% were active male smokers; 2) Approximately 40 and 60% had inadequate knowledge of health hazards from smoking and second-hand smoke exposure; and 3) >90% of them would accept a smoke-ban policy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that failure to ban smoking was not caused by resistance from smokers but inadequate (national and local) government effort to educate the public and to enforce existing policy. The data suggest that development of a citizen-based approach, in collaboration with willing officials, may be highly successful in the control of cigarette smoking in China.

Conditional promoters for analysis of essential genes in Zymoseptoria tritici

Development of new fungicides, needed for sustainable control of fungal plant pathogens, requires identification of novel anti-fungal targets. Essential fungal-specific proteins are good candidates, but due to their importance, gene deletion mutants are not viable. Consequently, their cellular role often remains elusive. This hindrance can be overcome by the use of conditional mutants, where expression is controlled by an inducible/repressible promoter. Here, we introduce 5 inducible/repressible promoter systems to study essential genes in the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. We fused the gene for enhanced green-fluorescent protein (egfp) to the promoter region of Z. tritici nitrate reductase (Pnar1; induced by nitrogen and repressed by ammonium), 1,4-β-endoxylanase A (Pex1A; induced by xylose and repressed by maltodextrin), l-arabinofuranosidase B (PlaraB; induced by arabinose and repressed by glucose), galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase 7 (Pgal7; induced by galactose and repressed by glucose) and isocitrate lyase (Picl1; induced by sodium acetate and repressed by glucose). This was followed by quantitative analysis of cytoplasmic reporter fluorescence under induced and repressed conditions. We show that Pnar1, PlaraB and Pex1A drive very little or no egfp expression when repressed, but induce moderate protein production when induced. In contrast, Pgal7 and Picl1 show considerable egfp expression when repressed, and were strongly induced in the presence of their inducers. Normalising the expression levels of all promoters to that of the α-tubulin promoter Ptub2 revealed that PlaraB was the weakest promoter (∼20% of Ptub2), whereas Picl1 strongly expressed the reporter (∼250% of Ptub2). The use of these tools promises a better understanding of essential genes, which will help developing novel control strategies that protect wheat from Z. tritici.

Libraries for two-hybrid screening of yeast and hyphal growth forms in Zymoseptoria tritici

Pathogenic fungi are constantly emerging resistance to anti-fungal treatments. Therefore, identification of new fungicide targets is important. Good candidates are essential fungal proteins and their regulators. An efficient way to reveal the molecular environment of an essential protein is the search for interacting factors. Here, we establish three yeast two-hybrid libraries, covering yeast and hyphal stages of the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. No detectable genomic DNA was present in any of the 3 libraries. Random amplification revealed that the libraries include cDNA fragments of up to 2000bp, suggesting that small-to-medium sized proteins are represented therein. Indeed, full-length cDNAs of five proteins were found in all libraries. The full-length cDNA of large chitin synthase gene mcs1 (5742bp with introns; 5568bp without introns) could not be amplified, but its 5' and 3' regions were represented, suggesting that even larger genes are covered in all libraries. Finally, we tested for the expected interaction of the autophagy proteins ZtAtg4 and ZtAtg8 in Z. tritici, and then used ZtAtg4 to screen one of the two-hybrid libraries. Indeed, we found ZtAtg8 as a positive interaction partner, confirming that interacting proteins can be identified. Thus, these molecular tools promise to be useful in identifying novel fungicide target proteins.

The revascularization and follicular survival of mouse ovarian grafts treated with FSH during cryopreservation by vitrification

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cryopreservation by vitrification is a very effective pathway for the preservation of female fertility during radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, damage of follicles was triggered by cryo-injure during the process of ovarian vitrification and ischemia/reperfusion during the process of ovarian transplantation. Appropriate FSH play important roles in anti-apoptosis and neoangiogenesis during ovarian follicle development.

OBJECTIVE

Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of FSH on the revascularization and follicular survival of vitrified-warmed ovarian grafts.

MATERIALS AND TMETHODS

Four-week-old C57BL/6J mice with diestrus were used and the ovaries were randomized into the following three groups: fresh control group (FCG), vitrified/warmed group (VCG) and vitrified/warmed group treated with 0.3 IU/mL FSH (FSH-VG) during ovarian vitrification. After warming, the ovaries of the three groups were allotransplanted into the renal capsule of receptor mice. Assessment of follicular quantity was performed by histological analysis. The angiogenesis factors, CD31 and MMP-2, and cell survival factors, PCNA, EdU and survivin were examined by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Angiogenesis was detected by vascular perfusion with the fluorescent dye 2MD-FITC-Dextran.

RESULTS

The expression of CD31and MMP-2 were not significantly different in either VCG or FSH-VG compared with FCG, but when the ovaries were transplanted 48 hours later, the expression levels of CD31 and MMP-2 were lower for VCG than FCG (P < 0.05) and FSH-VG was not significantly different from FCG. Before transplantation, the expression levels of PCNA and survivin were lower for VCG and FSH-VG than FCG (p < 0.05), but FSH-VG was higher than VCG (p < 0.05). After 48 h of ovarian transplantation, the expression of survivin was lower for VCG than FCG (P < 0.05), but FSH-VG was not significantly different from FCG. In addition, these data were further supported by the results from detecting the 2MD-FITC-Dextran and EdU.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, supplementation with 0.3 IU/mL FSH during ovarian cryopreservation by vitrification increased the revascularization and follicular survival for mouse ovarian grafts through the up-regulated expression of angiogenesis and ovarian survival factors.

Abstract P2-03-06: Dysregulation of miR-34a-SIRT1 axis reduced breast cancer stemness

Recent studies show that enforced expression of miR-34a results in elimination of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in many malignant tumors. Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) being confirmed as a direct target of miR-34a was reported to be involved in regulation of growth and survival of leukemia stem cells (LSCs). In this study, we aim to understand regulatory mechanism of miR-34a -SIRT1 axis in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Lower endogenous level of miR-34a and higher level of Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) gene were identified in CD44+/CD24- BCSCs than breast cancer cells. Either ectopic expression of miR-34a or silenced SIRT1 in MCF-7 cells inhibited cellular proliferation, and led to cell apoptosis. Overexpression of miR-34a also suppressed expression of ALDH1, BMI1 and Nanog, and decreased capacity of mammosphere formation significantly.. Studies in vivo showed that stable expression of miR-34a reduced tumor burden significantly in nude mice xenografts. Taken together, our results showed that miR-34a inhibit the proliferative potential of BCSCs in vitro and in vivo, at least partially through downregulating SIRT1. miR-34a-SIRT1 axis may play an important role in self-renewal and stemness maintenance of BCSCs. This study may provide a novel BCSCs specific therapeutic strategy to improve breast cancer treatments.

Citation Format: Xiao GG, Ma W, Mao J, Li L. Dysregulation of miR-34a-SIRT1 axis reduced breast cancer stemness. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-03-06.

Investigation into local cell mechanics by atomic force microscopy mapping and optical tweezer vertical indentation

Investigating the mechanical properties of cells could reveal a potential source of label-free markers of cancer progression, based on measurable viscoelastic parameters. The Young's modulus has proved to be the most thoroughly studied so far, however, even for the same cell type, the elastic modulus reported in different studies spans a wide range of values, mainly due to the application of different experimental conditions. This complicates the reliable use of elasticity for the mechanical phenotyping of cells. Here we combine two complementary techniques, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical tweezer microscopy (OTM), providing a comprehensive mechanical comparison of three human breast cell lines: normal myoepithelial (HBL-100), luminal breast cancer (MCF-7) and basal breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells. The elastic modulus was measured locally by AFM and OTM on single cells, using similar indentation approaches but different measurement parameters. Peak force tapping AFM was employed at nanonewton forces and high loading rates to draw a viscoelastic map of each cell and the results indicated that the region on top of the nucleus provided the most meaningful results. OTM was employed at those locations at piconewton forces and low loading rates, to measure the elastic modulus in a real elastic regime and rule out the contribution of viscous forces typical of AFM. When measured by either AFM or OTM, the cell lines' elasticity trend was similar for the aggressive MDA-MB-231 cells, which were found to be significantly softer than the other two cell types in both measurements. However, when comparing HBL-100 and MCF-7 cells, we found significant differences only when using OTM.

[Preparation and crystallization of Polygonum cuspidatum benzalacetone synthase]

The chalcone synthase (CHS) superfamily of the type III polyketide synthases (PKSs) generates backbones of a variety of plant secondary metabolites. Benzalacetone synthase (BAS) catalyzes a condensation reaction of decarboxylation between the substrates of 4-coumaric coenzyme A and malonyl coenzyme A to generate benzylidene acetone, whose derivatives are series of compounds with various biological activities. A BAS gene Pcpks2 and a bifunctional CHS/BAS PcPKSI were isolated from medicinal plant P. cuspidatum. Crystallographic and structure-based mutagenesis studies indicate that the functional diversity of the CHS-superfamily enzymes is principally derived from small modifications of the active site architecture. In order to obtain an understanding of the biosynthesis of polyketides in P. cuspidatum, which has been poorly described, as well as of its activation mechanism, PcPKS2 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli as a C-terminally poly-His-tagged fusion protein, purified to homogeneity and crystallized, which is helpful for the clarification of the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme and lays the foundation for its genetic engineering manipulation.

Positive selection and high sensitivity test for MYD88 mutations using locked nucleic acid

INTRODUCTION

Detection of mutations in the myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MYD88) has clinical implications on diagnosis and therapy, especially in patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) and IgM monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (IgM-MGUS). We describe a method that provides greatly increased sensitivity for detecting minority mutations in MYD88.

METHODS

We used a locked nucleic acid oligonucleotide to block amplification of wild-type DNA during polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sanger sequencing of amplified DNA was used for detecting mutations in MYD88 gene. This approach was used to test samples from patients with WM and IgM-MGUS.

RESULTS

When compared to traditional PCR followed by Sanger sequencing, our methodology was significantly more sensitive (one mutant allele in a background of 200 wild-type alleles). Using sequencing allowed us to visualize the PCR product, giving advantages over other methodologies such as allele-specific PCR. Based on analyzing 36 randomly selected, MYD88 mutated, clinically tested samples, we demonstrate that traditional PCR failed to detect MYD88 mutations in 64% of the samples that were clearly positive by wild-type blocking PCR.

CONCLUSION

The new methodology is essential for attaining accurate results in clinical testing.

Clinical significance of group B streptococcus testing in late pregnancy

PURPOSE

This study aimed to detect the maternal group B streptococcus (GBS) by real-time PCR method, aiming to understand its germ-carrying situations and clinical significance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The secretions of one-third inferior segment of maternal vagina of 1,540 pregnant and postnatal women were collected for GBS detection by real-time PCR method, and the impacts of positive results on the fetus were observed.

RESULTS

The detection rate of GBS was 5.6% (86/1540); the premature birth rate of GBS-positive pregnant women was 29.1% (25/86), the miscarriage rate was 19.8% (17/86), the premature rupture rate was 26.7% (23/86), and the fetal distress rate was 24.4% (21/86).

CONCLUSIONS

The GBS germ-carriers showed increased rates of premature birth, miscarriage, premature rupture, and fetal distress, thus forming adverse effects towards the maternal and infant outcomes.

Solvothermal synthesis of superhydrophobic hollow carbon nanoparticles from a fluorinated alcohol

A new and simple method of synthesizing fluorinated carbon at the gram scale is presented by reacting a fluorinated alcohol with sodium at elevated temperatures in a sealed Teflon reactor. The resulting carbon nanoparticles are around 100 nm in diameter, and display a hollow shell morphology, with a significant amount of fluorine doped into the carbon. The nanoparticles disperse easily in ethanol, and are thermally stable up to 400 °C and 450 °C under air and nitrogen, respectively. The nanoparticle dispersion was printed onto various substrates (paper, cloth, silicon), inducing superhydrophobicity.

Allopolyploidization is not so simple: evidence from the origin of the tribe Cyprinini (Teleostei: Cypriniformes)

The identification of allopolyploidization events benefits from molecular dating and divergence assessments of progenitor genomes. Information on gene duplications only, either orthologs or paralogs, provides incomplete information. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA yield insights into matrilineal history, which may differ from patrilineal evolution. Two important food and pet fishes, the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and goldfish (Carassius sp.), appear to have experienced allotetraploidization sometime from 12 to 20 million years ago (Ma). However, much work is necessary to detail the initial polyploidization event. Herein, we use this group of fishes as a model system to investigate competing scenarios for allopolyploidization. We analyze both the nuclear genes encoding growth hormone (GH), recombination activating protein 1 (RAG1) and HOXA2B gene, and the maternal heredited 12 concatenated mitochondrial protein-coding gene in 19 species of cyprinids and use two species in Balitoridae as outgroup taxa. Our analyses clarify the phylogenetic position of the paternal and maternal ancestors for the common carp and goldfish. The estimation of matrilineal divergence (10.71-12.42 Ma) is significantly younger than the dates of the parental ancestor divergedthat obtained by nuclear genes (16.62-19.64 Ma). Analyses of both genomes date the allopolyploidization event of the common ancestor of Cy. carpio and Ca sp. to about 10.71-12.42 Ma, which is most likely represented by maternal divergent time. The divergence of the two copies of the nuclear genes which was more ancient than the maternal markers might have been included the divergence of the progenitors' genome divergence when the allopolyploidization event occurred. Thus, the scenarios of allopolyploidzation for this group of fish can be suggested as the following: the matrilineal common ancestor of species in tribe Cyprinini might have doubled its genome by mating with a paternal ancestor in the subfamily Cyprininae, which was a sister-group that diverged around 4.20-8.93 Ma. Our work provides new evidence for the divergence dates of allopolyploidization within the Cyprinini, and documents the necessity of considering both matrilineal and patrilineal histories when investigating allopolyploidization.

Endoplasmic reticulum ribosome-binding protein 1, RRBP1, promotes progression of colorectal cancer and predicts an unfavourable prognosis

BACKGROUND

Ribosome-binding protein 1 (RRBP1) has been implicated in the regulation of unfolded protein response, which is involved in almost every aspect of cancer development. We aimed to explore the significance of RRBP1 in the progression and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

The study population consisted of 856 patients with stage I-III CRC from two hospitals. RRBP1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in colorectal tissues. The correlation of RRBP1 expression and CRC occurrence was assessed in paired cancer-adjacent tissues. Factors contributing to prognosis were evaluated in a training-validation design with univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. Colorectal cancer aggressiveness caused by RRBP1 knockdown or overexpression was evaluated in CRC cells.

RESULTS

RRBP1 was aberrantly overexpressed in CRC. Compared with low-RRBP1 patients, high-RRBP1 patients had shorter disease-specific survival in the training (hazard ratio (HR), 2.423; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.531-3.835) and validation cohorts (HR, 3.749; 95% CI, 2.166-6.448) in multivariate Cox analysis. High-RRBP1 independently predicted a shorter disease-free survival (HR, 4.821; 95% CI, 3.220-7.218) in the validation cohort. RRBP1 knockdown reduced the aggressiveness of CRC cells in vitro and inhibited the growth of CRC xenografts in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

High RRBP1 expression facilitates CRC progression and predicts an unfavourable post-operative prognosis.

Tetra-primer ARMS-PCR identified a missense mutation of the bovine <i>NRIP1</i> gene associated with growth traits

Abstract. Nuclear receptor-interacting protein 1 (NRIP1) specifically interacts with the hormone-dependent activation domain AF2 of nuclear receptors to inhibit transcription. Previous work has demonstrated this protein to be a key regulator in modulating transcriptional activity of many transcription factors, some of which are closely related to development and growth. In this study, we have successfully genotyped two newly identified bovine NRIP1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (c.605A > G and c.1301G > A) using the T-ARMS-PCR method and validated the accuracy by means of PCR-RFLP assay using 1809 individuals of 9 different cattle breeds. The association analyses results indicated that c.605A > G locus was significantly associated with body weight and average daily gain in Nanyang cattle at 18 months (P < 0.05). Thus it can be inferred that T-ARMS-PCR is a rapid, reliable, and cheap method for SNP genotyping and that c.605A > G polymorphism in bovine NRIP1 is associated with growth traits. These findings will be of benefit for the application of DNA markers related to growth traits in marker-assisted selection (MAS), and will improve the promotion of beef cattle.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs in Jilin Province, Northeastern China

In the present study, a total of 1,235 porcine serum samples were collected from 9 counties in Jilin Province (40°52'~46°18'N,121°38'~131°19'E), northeastern China from August to October 2013, and the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection was tested by indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA). The results showed that antibodies to T. gondii were found in 19.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.9% to 21.3%), with higher seroprevalence in the breeding boars (28.6%, 95% CI, 20.0% to 37.2%), and breeding sows (32.0%, 95% CI, 25.2% to 38.9%). No significant difference was found among the slaughter pigs, fattening pigs and the piglets. These results indicated that infection with T. gondii in pigs is widespread in Jilin province, and is of public health concern.

Association of dietary intake and lifestyle pattern with mild cognitive impairment in the elderly

INTRODUCTION

OBJECTIVES

Specific diets or lifestyles have an impact on cognitive function in previous studies. However, the association of the complex action of Chinese daily diets and lifestyle patterns with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among elderly people had not been studied exactly. The aim of this study was to explore the association of dietary and lifestyle patterns with MCI among elderly people in Beijing.

DESIGN

Population-based and case-control design.

SETTING

The physical examination center in Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University in Beijing.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 404 subjects, aged 60 years old or above, with or without MCI.

MEASUREMENTS

The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) was used to screen the subjects with MCI. All subjects were required to complete a questionnaire which was comprised of their demographic information, health status, lifestyles, and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Binary multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the potential association between MCI and these factors.

RESULTS

With adjustment for some factors, higher daily intake of eggs (OR, 0.975, 95% CI, 0.959-0.992, P=.003) and marine products (OR, 0.96, 95% CI, 0.943-0.979, P=.000), longer time of watching TV (OR, 0.763, 95% CI, 0.628-0.928, P=.007), reading (OR, 0.540, 95% CI, 0.379-0.769, P=.001) and physical exercise (OR, 0.382, 95% CI, 0.185-0.789) had significantly decreased odds of suffering from MCI compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that daily higher intake of eggs and marine products, watching TV, reading and physical exercise were associated with preventing the development of MCI in this population-based samples.

Analysis of signaling pathways in recurrent breast cancer

Breast cancer remains the second largest cause of death in women from cancer. By analyzing gene expression profiles in samples from breast cancer patients, 844 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in breast cancer metastasis. The 10 most significant signaling pathways identified through enrichment analysis contained DEGs were involved in oxidative phosphorylation, DNA replication, extracellular matrix-receptor interactions and others. Furthermore, survival analysis demonstrated that 5 of these signaling pathways were closely related to the survival time of breast cancer patients including basal transcription factors, cell cycle, ECM-receptor interaction, spliceosome, and DNA replication. Our findings increase the understanding of the network of signaling pathways involved in breast cancer metastasis and may provide theoretical support for further therapeutic study.

Gas tamponade combined with laser photocoagulation therapy for congenital optic disc pit maculopathy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy and safety of gas tamponade combined with laser photocoagulation for optic disc pit maculopathy.

METHODS

Seven consecutive patients with unilateral maculopathy associated with optic disc pit and one patient with bilateral optic disc pit maculopathy were given octafluoropropane (C3F8) tamponade combined with focal laser photocoagulation treatment. Patients were followed up for 21-62 months after treatment. Main outcomes were determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

RESULTS

Treatment with C3F8 tamponade followed by laser photocoagulation in ODP maculopathy patients resulted in resolution of sub-retinal and/or intra-retinal fluid in six out of eight patients. The remaining two patients had significant reduction in fluid, as determined by OCT, and funduscopy, as well as an improvement in anatomical architecture. Visual acuity improved obviously in seven eyes and remained stable in two eyes. Central visual field loss after photocoagulation was not clinically appreciable by visual field examination. No post-operative complications of maculopathy occurred during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Although repeated treatment was needed in some patients, C3F8 tamponade combined with laser photocoagulation is still a simple, effective, minimally invasive, and economic therapy for optic disc pit maculopathy.

Dependence of laser-driven coherent synchrotron emission efficiency on pulse ellipticity and implications for polarization gating

The polarization dependence of laser-driven coherent synchrotron emission transmitted through thin foils is investigated experimentally. The harmonic generation process is seen to be almost completely suppressed for circular polarization opening up the possibility of producing isolated attosecond pulses via polarization gating. Particle-in-cell simulations suggest that current laser pulses are capable of generating isolated attosecond pulses with high pulse energies.

Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant peptide SS31 protects the retinas of diabetic rats

Oxidative stress is one of the main contributors in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of SS31 which is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant peptide on the retinas of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Two weeks after induction of diabetes, SS31 (3 mg/kg) or the same volume of normal saline (N.S) was injected subcutaneously into the back of diabetic rats every day. Four months later, the integrity of inner blood retinal barrier (iBRB) was measured by Evans blue perfusion. The expression and distribution of claudin-5, occludin, acrolein, 8-OHdG and nitrotyrosine in the rat retinas were detected by immunofluorescent staining. Retinal ultrastructures were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The protein level of VEGFR2, Trx-2, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, p53, and NF-κB in the rat retinas were assayed by western blot. Four months after subcutaneous injection, the diabetic rats treated with SS31 had better structures of retinal ganglion cells, thinner capillary basement membrane, less iBRB leakage, more uniform staining of claudin-5 and occludin in the retinal vessels, lower levels of acrolein, 8-OHdG, nitrotyrosine, Bax, caspase-3, p53, and NF-κB, and higher levels of Trx-2 and Bcl-2 in the retinas than those treated with N.S. In conclusion, SS31 could protect the retinal structures and inhibit the breakdown of iBRB by reducing oxidative damage, increasing Trx-2 and Bcl-2 expression, and decreasing p53, NF-κB, Bax, caspase-3, and VEGFR2 expression in the retinas of diabetic rats. SS31 could be a potential new treatment for diabetic retinopathy and other oxidative stress-related diseases.

Population Structures of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' in Southern China

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a highly detrimental citrus disease associated with 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus', a nonculturable alpha-proteobacterium. Characterization of the bacterial populations is important for development of disease management strategies. In this study, the 'Ca. L. asiaticus' populations in eight provinces in southern China where HLB is endemic were analyzed based on tandem repeat number (TRN) variations in a previously characterized genomic locus CLIBASIA_01645. Of the 224 HLB samples collected, 175 (78.3%) samples yielded single polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons (the single amplicon group, SAG) and 49 (21.7%) samples produced multiple PCR amplicons (the multiple amplicon group, MAG). Variations in SAG are summarized by Nei's diversity index (H) and ratio of TRN ≤ 10/TRN > 10 genotypes (R10). Variations in the MAG are described by the percentage of occurrence (PMAG). At an orchard-level comparison, the 'Ca. L. asiaticus' population from a Guangdong orchard (n = 24) showed H = 0.50, R10 = 23, and PMAG = 0, significantly different from that of the non-Guangdong orchards in Yunnan (n = 23), H = 0.83, R10 = 2.3, and PMAG = 11.5, and in Hainan (n = 35), H = 0.88, R10 = 1.5, and PMAG = 16.7. In a region-level consideration, the Guangdong 'Ca. L. asiaticus' population (n = 78) was H = 0.77, R10 = 25, and PMAG = 1.3, whereas the non-Guangdong population (n = 84) was H = 0.91, R10 = 1.6, and PMAG = 26.9. Overall, significant differences were observed between the 'Ca. L. asiaticus' population from Guangdong Province and those from the other provinces. A strong aggregation of TRN = 6, 7, and 8 genotypes is characteristic to the 'Ca. L. asiaticus' population in Guangdong. Referenced to genome annotation, we propose that rearrangement of tandem repeats at locus CLIBASIA_01645 could be associated with bacterial environmental adaptation.

Roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the gastric cancer stem cells proliferation and salinomycin treatment

The Wnt1 protein, a secreted ligand that activates Wnt signaling pathways, contributes to the self-renewal of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and thus may be a major determinant of tumor progression and chemoresistance. In a series of gastric cancer specimens, we found strong correlations among Wnt1 expression, CD44 expression, and the grade of gastric cancer. Stable overexpression of Wnt1 increased AGS gastric cancer cells' proliferation rate and spheroids formation, which expressed CSC surface markers Oct4 and CD44. Subcutaneous injection of nude mice with Wnt1-overexpressing AGS cells resulted in larger tumors than injection of control AGS cells. Salinomycin, an antitumor agent, significantly reduced the volume of tumor caused by Wnt1-overexpressing AGS cells in vivo. This is achieved by inhibiting the proliferation of CD44+Oct4+ CSC subpopulation, at least partly through the suppression of Wnt1 and β-catenin expression. Taken together, activation of Wnt1 signaling accelerates the proliferation of gastric CSCs, whereas salinomycin acts to inhibit gastric tumor growth by suppressing Wnt signaling in CSCs. These results suggest that Wnt signaling might have a critical role in the self-renewal of gastric CSCs, and salinomycin targeting Wnt signaling may have important clinical applications in gastric cancer therapy.

Rapid operation assessment of voluntary HIV counselling and testing services in three cities in China, 2009

OBJECTIVES

To assess the operation of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services forhuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in three cities in China.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study using mixed methods, including focus group discussions,in-depth interviews, field assessment, archive checking and structured questionnaire interviews, was conducted to assess different aspects of VCT services.

METHODS

Surveys were undertaken in six counties of three China Global Fund AIDS Program (Round Five) cities, including 11 VCT clinics, 38 counsellors, 83 clients and 332 individuals at risk for HIV infection.

RESULTS

All counsellors were trained and approved for providing counselling. As there were adequate numbers of clinics and counsellors, VCT services ran smoothly. Clients were generally satisfied with VCT services and considered service operation to be adequate. Problems with the VCT programme included fewer VCT services in general hospitals, lack of a referral mechanism, and long delays between testing and receipt of results.

CONCLUSIONS

The operation of VCT services in the three cities was generally adequate, but referral services were poor. More attention needs to be paid to HIV testing and counselling in general hospitals, and referral networks need to be strengthened.

Pharmacogenetics of DNA repair gene polymorphisms in non-small-cell lung carcinoma patients on platinum-based chemotherapy

Individual differences in chemosensitivity and clinical outcome of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients can be influenced by host-inherited factors. We investigated the impact of XRCC1 Arg194Trp, XRCC1 Arg280His, XRCC1 Arg399Gln, XPD Arg156Arg, XPD Asp312Asn, XPD Asp711Asp, and XPD Lys751Gln gene polymorphisms on treatment efficacy in 375 NSCLC patients on platinum-based chemotherapy. We also examined progression-free survival and overall survival. The gene polymorphisms were analyzed by duplex PCR. The patients with XRCC1 399A/A had a significantly better response to chemotherapy. Individuals with XPD 711 Asp and XPD 312 Asn alleles responded poorly to chemotherapy when compared with the wide-type genotype. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) in the Cox regression model was calculated. The XRCC1 399A/A polymorphism was associated with better progression free survival and overall survival of NSCLC patients (HR=0.61 and 0.55). On the other hand, the XPD 711 Asp allele was associated with poorer progression free survival and overall survival compared to the C/C genotype, with HRs of 1.89 and 1.90. The XPD 312 Asn allele was found to be associated with non-significantly reduced survival of NSCLC patients (HR = 1.73). In conclusion, we found the polymorphisms of XRCC1 and XPD to be related to the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients. This information should aid in therapeutic decisions for individualized therapy in NSCLC cases.

Partial least squares based gene expression analysis in estrogen receptor positive and negative breast tumors

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is categorized into two broad groups: estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and ER negative (ER-) groups. Previous study proposed that under trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy, tumor initiating cell (TIC) featured ER- tumors response better than ER+ tumors. Exploration of the molecular difference of these two groups may help developing new therapeutic strategies, especially for ER- patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

With gene expression profile from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we performed partial least squares (PLS) based analysis, which is more sensitive than common variance/regression analysis.

RESULTS

We acquired 512 differentially expressed genes. Four pathways were found to be enriched with differentially expressed genes, involving immune system, metabolism and genetic information processing process. Network analysis identified five hub genes with degrees higher than 10, including APP, ESR1, SMAD3, HDAC2, and PRKAA1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide new understanding for the molecular difference between TIC featured ER- and ER+ breast tumors with the hope offer supports for therapeutic studies.

Cyclic changes in volatile constituents of bovine vaginal secretions

Headspace gas chromatography was used to examine the volatile components of bovine vaginal secretions in three consecutive estrous cycles from each of four cows. Results indicated that there was an interesting peak with a retention of 2.7 min. It showed a successive rise and fall zero to three days before estrus. Gas chromatographic evidence and mass spectral data confirmed that this peak was acetaldehyde. Another unidentified compound with a retention time of 27 min was found to be unique to proestrus. It occurred two to three days prior to estrus, but was absent at any other time of the cycle.

Semen parameters in fertile US men: the Study for Future Families

Establishing reference norms for semen parameters in fertile men is important for accurate assessment, counselling and treatment of men with male factor infertility. Identifying temporal or geographic variability in semen quality also requires accurate measurement of semen parameters in well-characterized, defined populations of men. The Study for Future Families (SFF) recruited men who were partners of pregnant women attending prenatal clinics in Los Angeles CA, Minneapolis MN, Columbia MO, New York City NY and Iowa City IA. Semen samples were collected on site from 763 men (73% White, 15% Hispanic/Latino, 7% Black and 5% Asian or other ethnic group) using strict quality control and well-defined protocols. Semen volume (by weight), sperm concentration (hemacytometer) and sperm motility were measured at each centre. Sperm morphology (both WHO, 1999 strict and WHO, 1987) was determined at a central laboratory. Mean abstinence was 3.2 days. Mean (median; 5th-95th percentile) values were: semen volume, 3.9 (3.7; 1.5-6.8) mL; sperm concentration, 60 (67; 12-192) × 10(6) /mL; total sperm count 209 (240; 32-763) × 10(6) ; % motile, 51 (52; 28-67) %; and total motile sperm count, 104 (128; 14-395) × 10(6) respectively. Values for sperm morphology were 11 (10; 3-20) % and 57 (59; 38-72) % normal forms for WHO (1999) (strict) and WHO (1987) criteria respectively. Black men had significantly lower semen volume, sperm concentration and total motile sperm counts than White and Hispanic/Latino men. Semen parameters were marginally higher in men who achieved pregnancy more quickly but differences were small and not statistically significant. The SFF provides robust estimates of semen parameters in fertile men living in five different geographic locations in the US. Fertile men display wide variation in all of the semen parameters traditionally used to assess fertility potential.

Kyphoplasty for the treatment of pain distant to osteoporotic thoracolumbar compressive fractures

Vertebral fractures are one of the most common osteoporotic fractures. We sought to investigate the incidence of distant pain after osteoporotic vertebral compressive fracture (OVCF) at the thoracolumbar junction, and to explore the effect of kyphoplasty in the treatment of distant pain post-OVCF. Eighty-seven patients diagnosed OVCF between T11 and L2 were included in the study. The region of pain and its proximity to the thoracolumbar compressive fracture was recorded. For pain management, all patients received kyphoplasty. The follow-up period was every 3 months for 1-year post-surgery. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used pre-operatively, post-operatively, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups to assess patient status. All patients completed the operation, with 72 patients having focal pain over the compression fracture. Eleven cases also had pain distal to the fracture region in the following areas: lower back, near the iliac crest (n = 6), the groin (n = 3), and the trochanteric region (n = 2). Four cases had pain in distant to the fracture: lower back, near iliac crest (n = 3), and the trochanteric region (n = 1). All patients had a significant improvement in clinical symptoms. The average VAS and the ODI decreased significantly pre-operatively to post-operatively (p < 0.05). In addition to focal tenderness, many patients with thoracolumbar compression fractures may have pain distant to the fracture. This can be successfully treated using kyphoplasty. This phenomenon also indicates that patients at risk of osteoporosis who also have lower back pain should not neglect the potential for a thoracolumbar fracture.