[HSP70 gene polymorphism on genetic susceptibility to the coal worker's penumoconiosis of han nationality in Xinjiang, China.]

Objective: To explore the influence of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene genetic susceptibility of coal worker's pneumoconiosis among the han nationality in xinjiang. Methods: 156 coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients and 96 mine workers were randomly selected from the han coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients and attend the health check retirement mine workers from March to December, 2014 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of Occupational Disease Hospital. Using TaqMan genotyping methods to detect HSP70 genotype distribution in the two groups. Results: The HSP70-1+190 loci GC genotype occurrence frequencies of coal worker's pneumoconiosis was significantly higher than the control group (χ²=6.75, P<0.05) , the risk of coal worker's pneumoconiosis armed with HSP70-1+190 GC genotype individual was 2.21 times of CC genotype individual (95%CI: 1.03~4.75) , and HSP70-2+1267 and HSP70-hom+2437 loci polymorphism were no significant difference between the two groups (HSP70-2+1267: χ²=3.30, P=0.19; HSP70-hom+2437: χ²=0.12, P=0.94) . Conclusion: HSP70-1+190 GC genotypes may be a susceptible genotype, the genotype individual may be more likely to suffer from coal worker's pneumoconiosis.

Bioartificial Polymeric Material: Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Crosslinked with Albumin. II: Mechanical and Thermal Properties

A family of hydrogels based on the crosslinking of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and activated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), were characterized. The swelling process was found to be dependent on the molecular weight of the PEG used and on the OH/NH2 molar ratio of the reagents. These hydrogels performed a volume expansion from 266 to 554% when PEG with molecular weights from 3,350 to 20,000 were used. The volume expansion was greater when the OH/NH2 molar ratio increased. Some anisotropy occurred during swelling since thinner devices swelled more than thicker ones, due to the difference of constraints in the hydrogels structure. Mechanical studies showed that these hydrogels were highly deformable and presented good elastic behavior since they broke only after 80% deformation. At this point, they needed a compression force ranging from 165 to 456 g/cm2 to break. The differentiation of two kinds of water in these highly swollen hydrogels was performed using DSC studies at low temperature. Free water (i.e., bulk water) was found to be the predominant form which filled the network, .and bound water (i.e., water engaged in interactions with PEG) tended to form a trihydrate complex (three molecules of water per ethylene oxide repeated unit). Three forms of water with different evaporating rates were detected by DSC studies at high temperature. This other form of water may be important for maintaining the hydrogen's form.

Knockdown of eIF3a attenuates the pro-fibrogenic response of hepatic stellate cells induced by TGF-β1

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays an important role in the development of liver fibrosis. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 3a is the largest subunit of the eIF3 complex and has been involved in pulmonary fibrosis. However, the role of eIF3a in liver fibrosis remains largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of eIF3a in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced HSC activation. Our results demonstrated that the expression of eIF3a was up-regulated in human liver fibrotic tissues and activated HSCs. In addition, knockdown of eIF3a suppressed TGF-β-induced HSC proliferation and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I. Furthermore, knockdown of eIF3a inhibited the expression of p-Smad3 induced by TGF-β1 in HSCs. These results suggest that eIF3a may function as a novel regulator to modulate HSC activation, potentially through inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

[Comparison of simple canalith repositioning treatment and medication therapeutic alliance in the management of canalithiasis associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the horizontal semicircular canal]

Objective:To compare the therapeutic efficacy and the recurrence rate between the simple repositioning method and the reposition manoeuvre plus medication in the treatment of horizontal semicircular canal otolith benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HSC-BPPV). Method:Sixty-two patients diagnosed with otolith HSC-BPPV by roll maneuver test were randomly divided into canalith repositioning group (32 patients) and reposition plus drug treatment group (30 patients). Patients in the canalith repositioning group were treated only with Barbecue reposition maneuver; patients in the reposition plus drug treatment group were treated firstly with Barbecue reposition maneuver and then were given Alprostadil, Cinepazide and Betahistine drug treatment. Both groups were evaluated after 7 days and 28 days treatment, and the recurrence rate was analyzed after 3 months. Result:After 7 days of the treatment , the recovery rate of the two groups was 62.5% and 73.3%, respectively. There's no significant difference between the two groups. However, the total effective power of the reposition plus drug treatment group was 96.7%, which was significantly higher than that of the canalith repositioning group (75.0%) (χ²=5.858, P<0.05). There were 8 patients in the canalith repositioning group showed changes of BBPV types after treatment, while only 1 patient in the reposition plus drug treatment group showed lesion changes. The difference was statistically significant (χ²=4.061, P<0.05). After 28 days of the treatment, the recovery rate and the total effective power of the two groups was 100%, respectively. There is no statistical difference in the total effective rate between the two groups. After 3 months follow-up, 2 patients in the canalith repositioning group (6.25%) and in the reposition plus drug treatment group (6.67%) showed BBPV recurrence, and no significant difference in the recurrence rate was found between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion:The repositioning maneuver is the preferred method for treating HSC BPPV. Canalith reposition maneuver plus medication has no obvious effect on the recovery rate and the recurrence rate, it only increases the effective rate and reduces the changes of the BBPV types.

[Gene typing and antibiotic resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from lower respiratory tract at two hospitals in Shanghai]

OBJECTIVE

To study the genotyping characteristics and antibiotic resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) isolated from lower respiratory tract at 2 different level hospitals in Shanghai.

METHODS

The subjects included 155 patients at Ruijin Hospital and Tongren Hospital between January 2013 and June 2014, including 108 males and 47 females, with a mean age of 67.8±16.5. The 155 MRSA strains were isolated from lower respiratory tract specimens and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and spa typing were analyzed by the PCR method. The antimicrobial resistance of MRSA was tested by VITEK-32. Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 155 strains, 28 MLST-spa molecular types were identified, of which ST764-t002(41.29%), ST239-t037(17.42%) and ST239-t030(10.32%) were the most predominant types. The MRSA strains were susceptible to linezolid, vancomycin and teicoplanin, and also had a lower resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and rifampin, with a susceptible rate of 83.9% and 83.2% respectively, but were highly resistant to other antibiotics. The resistance rate of ST239-t037 to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was higher than that of other types, and the resistance rate of ST239-t030 to rifampin was higher than that of other types, the differences being significant(P<0.001). The mean length of hospital stay of the 155 patients was (97±84) days, and mechanical ventilation were used in 78(50.3%) patients, while 108(69.7%))patients received invasive procedures. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were used in 136 (87.1%) patients. There were differences in age, hospitalization days, smoking history, history of COPD, mechanical ventilation, and operation between the 2 hospitals(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Most of the MRSA strains at Ruijin Hospital and Tongren Hospital between January 2013 and June 2014 were multi-drug resistant, and the susceptibility spectrum of different genotypes was different.

Microsatellite markers for Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae) and other Cryptolestes species

Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens, 1831) is an important insect pest of stored products. Due to its broad host range, short life cycle, and high reproductive capacity, this species has rapidly colonized temperate and tropical regions around the world. In this study, we isolated 18 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci from an enriched genomic library based on a biotin/streptavidin capture protocol. These loci will be useful tool to better understand the genetic structure and migration patterns of C. ferrugineus throughout the world. The genetic parameters were estimated based on 80 individual C. ferrugineus from two natural populations. The results revealed that 18 loci were different polymorphic levels. The numbers of alleles ranged from 3 to 12, and eleven loci demonstrated polymorphic information contents greater than 0.5. The observed (H O) and expected (H E) heterozygosities ranged from 0.051 to 0.883 and 0.173 to 0.815, respectively. Five locus/population combinations significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. We also demonstrated the potential utility of the C. ferrugineus microsatellites as population and species markers for four additional Cryptolestes species.

[Stereotactic brain biopsy guided by iMRI co-registration combined with PET/CT]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical value of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) coregistration combined with position emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in stereotactic brain biopsy.

METHODS

Forty nine patients with intracranial lesions were operated by stereotactic biopsy from June 2010 to June 2015 in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital. Seventeen patient's operation was guided by iMRI only (group A), thirty two patients' operation was guided by iMRI and PET/CT (group B). The diagnosis success rate and operation related complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

PET/CT and iMRI were integrated successfully in all cases of group B. Fourteen patients (82.4%) of group A and all 32 patients (100%) of group B had final diagnosis confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical observation. The diagnosis success rate of group B was higher than group A (P<0.05). There were 5 patients in total who had postoperative complication, 2 (11.8%) in group A and 3 (9.3%) in group B, but the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

PET/CT based metabolic imaging can be automatically integrated with standard MRI guided stereotactic biopsy. Compared with iMRI only, the combined treatment improves diagnosis success rate without increasing complications; it's safe, and has high clinical efficacy.

ANP32B deficiency impairs proliferation and suppresses tumor progression by regulating AKT phosphorylation

The acidic leucine-rich nuclear phosphoprotein 32B (ANP32B) is reported to impact normal development, with Anp32b-knockout mice exhibiting smaller size and premature aging. However, its cellular and molecular mechanisms, especially its potential roles in tumorigenesis, remain largely unclear. Here, we utilize 'knockout' models, RNAi silencing and clinical cohorts to more closely investigate the role of this enigmatic factor in cell proliferation and cancer phenotypes. We report that, compared with Anp32b wild-type (Anp32b^+/+) littermates, a broad panel of tissues in Anp32b-deficient (Anp32b^−/−) mice are demonstrated hypoplasia. Anp32b^−/− mouse embryo fibroblast cell has a slower proliferation, even after oncogenic immortalization. ANP32B knockdown also significantly inhibits in vitro and in vivo growth of cancer cells by inducing G₁ arrest. In line with this, ANP32B protein has higher expression in malignant tissues than adjacent normal tissues from a cohort of breast cancer patients, and its expression level positively correlates with their histopathological grades. Moreover, ANP32B deficiency downregulates AKT phosphorylation, which involves its regulating effect on cell growth. Collectively, our findings suggest that ANP32B is an oncogene and a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.

Effect of pregnancy-specific stress on spontaneous preterm birth among Chinese people

BACKGROUND

The current evidence implicates that psychosocial stress, especially pregnancy-specific stress, is associated with the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of pregnancy-specific stress on spontaneous preterm birth among Chinese people.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 2,189 pregnant women were enrolled and followed up until parturition from February 2011 to January 2012. Maternal pregnancy-specific stress was assessed using the revised Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale (PSRS) at third trimester in pregnancy. Socio-demographic and psychological data were collected through interviews, medical, and obstetrical examination records.

RESULTS

High levels of maternal pregnancy-specific stress during the third trimester increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth compared with the low and medium levels (adjusted risk ratios, 2.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-7.58). The first stressor from the revised PSRS includes a risk factor for the safety of infants.

CONCLUSIONS

High level of pregnancy-specific stress in third trimester might predict spontaneous preterm birth.

Association between polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene (APM-1) and atherosclerotic cerebral infarction in a Hainan Chinese Han population

We investigated the association between polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene (APM-1) and atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (ACI) in a Chinese Han population of Hainan Province. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and gene sequencing were used to analyze the distribution of APM-1 +45T/G and +276G/T genotypes and their alleles in 120 ACI patients and 120 healthy controls. No statistical correlation was found in the frequency and distribution of the genotype 45T/G between the ACI group and the control group. Genotypic frequencies of GG, GT, and TT at the APM-1 +276 locus were 70.0% (84/120), 25.0% (30/120), and 5.0% (6/120), respectively, in the ACI group, while these values were 52.5% (63/120), 37.5% (45/120), and 10.0% (12/120), respectively, in the control group. The frequency of the G allele was 82.5% (198/240) in the ACI group and 71.25% (171/240) in the control group. The T allele frequency was 17.5% (42/240) in the ACI group and 28.75% (69/240) in the control group. Polymorphisms at the APM-1 -276 locus in the case-controlled groups showed significant differences in the genotype distribution and al-lele frequency between the 2 groups (P = 0.041). The occurrence of ACI in the Hainan Chinese Han population may be associated with +276G/T polymorphisms but not with +45T/G polymorphisms in the APM-1 gene.

Two subclasses of odorant-binding proteins in Spodoptera exigua display structural conservation and functional divergence

Although many studies on lepidopteran pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs)/ general odorant-binding proteins (GOBPs) have been reported, the functional differentiation within and between the two odorant-binding protein (OBP) subclasses is still elusive. Here we conducted a comparative study on three SexiPBPs and two SexiGOBPs in Spodoptera exigua. Results showed that all five SexiPBP/GOBP genes have the same intron numbers and conserved exon/intron splice sites. Reverse transcription PCR results showed that these five SexiPBP/GOBPs were primarily expressed in antennae of both sexes and some were also detected in other tissues. Further, quantitative real-time PCR showed that five SexiPBP/GOBPs had different sex-biased expression patterns, with PBP1 being highly male-biased (5.96-fold difference) and PBP3 slightly female-biased (2.43-fold difference), while PBP2 and two GOBPs were approximately sex-equivalent (the absolute value<1.90-fold difference). Binding assays showed that all three SexiPBPs could bind all six sex pheromone components, but SexiPBP1 had much higher affinities [dissociation constant (Ki ) <1.10 μM] than did the other two SexiPBPs (Ki  >1.20 μM). Very intriguingly, SexiGOBP2 displayed even stronger binding to five sex pheromone components (Ki  <0.40 μM) than SexiPBP1. In contrast, SexiGOBP1 only exhibited weak binding to three alcohol-pheromone components. Similar results were obtained for tested pheromone analogues. In addition, each of SexiPBP/GOBPs selectively bound some plant odorants with considerable affinities (Ki  <10.0 μM). Taken together, of the three SexiPBPs, SexiPBP1 may play the most important role in female sex pheromone reception, and additionally all three SexiPBPs can detect some plant odorants, while SexiGOBP2 may be involved in the detection of female sex pheromones in addition to plant odorants. The results strongly suggest functional differentiation within and between the two OBP sub-classes.

Analysis of gene expression identifies candidate markers and pathways in pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a serious multisystem disorder and causes significant increase in both maternal and foetal morbidity and perinatal mortality globally. Due to the limited understanding of the molecular mechanism of pre-eclampsia, the current study conducted bioinformatic analyses to screen key regulators involved in pre-eclampsia. The gene expression profiling dataset GSE44711 containing 8 early-onset pre-eclampsia placentas and 8 gestational-age-matched control placentas was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by limma software package, which were then subjected to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis on the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery website. Finally, protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database. In total, 192 DEGs including 106 upregulated and 86 downregulated genes were obtained. Proteoglycan 2 and podoplanin were the most significantly up- and downregulated genes, respectively. In addition, three potential pathways and their related DEGs: spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1, amiloride-binding protein 1 and adenosylmethionine decarboxylase 1 were associated with arginine and proline metabolism. Vascular endothelial growth factor C; phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit beta; collagen, type I, alpha 1 (COL1A1); and fibronectin 1 (FN1) were associated with focal adhesion. COL6A1 as well as COL1A1 and FN1 were involved in extra-cellular matrix-receptor interaction. The current study identified several potential genes and three pathways which may be considered as candidate targets for diagnosis and therapy of pre-eclampsia.

An antennae-enriched carboxylesterase from Spodoptera exigua displays degradation activity in both plant volatiles and female sex pheromones

Carboxyl/cholinesterase (CCE) is a large gene family of diverse functions, but in insects its function with respect to catabolism of sex pheromone components and plant volatiles is not well understood. In the present study, we cloned and functionally characterized one putative odorant-degrading enzyme (ODE) of the CCE family, SexiCXE14, from Spodoptera exigua. The tissue-temporal expression pattern revealed that the mRNA level of SexiCXE14 is antennae-enriched, sex equivalent and peaks at 3 days after moth eclosion. Functional study using the recombinant enzyme determined that SexiCXE14 has high degrading activity (Vmax) to host plant volatiles, suggesting its role in degradation of these volatiles. In addition, SexiCXE14 may also play a role in the degradation of sex pheromone components, as the Vmax and affinity parameter (Km) values with the sex pheromones are similar to those of reported pheromone degrading enzymes (PDEs). Further analysis of the relationship between substrate structure and enzymatic activity demonstrated that carbon chain length is a major influential factor, while the number of double bonds also affects the enzymatic activity. In addition, SexiCXE14 displays lower activity at acidic pH levels (pH 5.0) than in neutral conditions (pH 6.5). By characterizing this new ODE the present study provides insights in understanding of the high sensitivity of the moth olfactory system.

Epidemiological comparison of clinical manifestations according to HLA-B*27 carrier status of Chinese ankylosing spondylitis patients

The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the clinical manifestations between HLA-B27(+) and HLA-B27(-) ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in order to obtain knowledge of the impact of HLA-B27 status on AS, and to inform clinical treatment. A nationwide epidemiological investigation was performed from November 2008 to October 2010. The demographic data and clinical characteristics, and the status of HLA-B27 were collected using questionnaires and laboratory assay, respectively. A total of 2144 patients (78.5% males and 78.4% HLA-B27(+) AS patients) participated in this study. The percentages of males, patients with family history, and involvement of lumbar spine, thoracic spine and hip joints, were observed to be significantly higher in the HLA-B27(+) AS patients than in their HLA-B27(-) AS peers.