[Comparioson after laser surgery versus radiotherapy of T1a glottic carcinoma: A Meta-analysis]

Objective:To compare larynx preservation rate, local control rate, overall survival rate and disease-specific survival rate after laser surgery and radiotherapy of T1a glottic carcinoma. Method:PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library，Chinese biomedical literature datebase,CNKI and Wanfang digital journals were searched from the built of the datebases to October 2016 by computer. Literature screening,date extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently by two co-authors,and the meta-analysis was made with Review Manager 5.3. Result:Twelve literatures were included finally, and statistical analysis results showed that radiotherapy was superior to laser surgery in the laynx preservation rate of T1a glottic carcinoma(OR=3.23，95%CI=1.21～8.60，P=0.02) , overall survival rate and specific disease survival rate were not significant different between laser surgery and radiotherapy. Conclusion:Radiotherapy is superior to laser surgery in the laynx preservation rate of T1a glottic carcinoma.

[The effect of complement C3a receptor antagonist in the kidney immune injury in trichloroethylene-sensitized mice]

Objective: To explore the effect of complement C3 a-C3a receptor in the kidney immune inju-ry in trichloroethylene-sensitized mice by using C3a receptor specific antagonist C3aRA and discuss the patho-genesis of kidney injury in occupational dermatitis medicamentosa-like of trichloroethylene (ODMLT) . Methods: 42 female 6~8 weeks old BALB/c mice of specific pathogen free were randomly divided into blank control group (5) , solvent control group (5) , TCE treatment group (16) and TCE+C3aRA treatment group (16) . The TCE treat-ment group and TCE+C3aRA treatment group were further divided into the sensitized group and the non-sensi-tized group according to the skin sensitization test score. Renal function was detected by biochemical detection kit; expression of C3aR in kidney tissue was detected by qPCR; expression of IL-1β and TNF-α protein were de-tected by immunohistochemical. Results: Compared with solvent control group and corresponding non-sensitized group, CRE and BUN in TCE sensitized group and TCE + C3aRA sensitized group were significantly increased (P<0.05) . Compared with TCE sensitized group, CRE and BUN in TCE+C3aRA sensitized group were signifi-cantly decreased (P<0.05) . Compared with solvent control group and TCE non-sensitized group, the expression level of C3aR gene in kidney tissue in TCE sensitized group was significantly increased (P<0.05) . There was a large number of IL-1β and TNF-α protein expression in kidney tissue in TCE sensitized group and TCE+C3aRA sensitized group. Compared with the TCE sensitized group, the expression level of IL-1β and TNF-α protein in kidney tissue in TCE+C3aRA sensitized group was significantly decreased (P<0.05) . Conclusion: C3a-C3aR may be involved in the kidney immune injury in TCE sensitized mice, C3aRA has a protective effect on the kid-ney immune injury in TCE sensitized mice.

[The impact of laser treatment for postoperative different vocal functions in early laryngeal cancer: network Meta-analysis]

Objective:To evaluate the impact of postoperative vocal different functional characteristics with laser treatment for early laryngeal cancer.Method:Computer searching the major medical-related databases: PubMed, Web of Science and Embase, searching and screening by two staff members at the same time to read the relevant literatures, extraction of data and research related to the purpose from the selected literature. Using Stata 14.0 software analysis the extracted data with Bayesian network Metaanalysis, get the laser surgery of early laryngeal cancer effects of different voice characteristics of vocal cord.Result:A total of nine articles was included finally according through the necessary conditions, statistical analysis results showed that early laryngeal laser surgery can significantly reduce GRABS and VHI assessment score.Conclusion:Laser treatment of early laryngeal cancer could reduce VHI and the GRABS assessment score postoperatively, improve overall postoperative vocal cord function and the quality of life of patients after surgery, but not in the early post-operative function and physiology in vocal function.

[Research progress of transoral robotic surgery in oropharyngeal cancer]

When it comes to the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer, the recurrence rate is high after radiotherapy, chemotherapy or open surgery. Transoral robotic surgery is a relatively new surgical therapy in oropharyngeal cancer, which can promote the development of minimally invasive surgery of oropharyngeal cancer. In this study, we reviewed flap reconstruction techniques of transoral robotic surgery, outcomes, contraindications,advantages and disadvantages.

[Let-7 miRNA silencing promotes Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus lytic replication via activating mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 and its downstream factors]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of let-7 miRNA silencing on Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) lytic replication and the underling mechanism.

METHODS

The pEGFP-C2-let-7 sponge vector was transfected into BCBL-1 and 293T cells with Lipofectamine 2000 to silence the expression of let-7 miRNAs. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to quantify the expression of let-7 miRNAs, the transcriptional levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), and the DNA copy numbers of KSHV open reading frame 50 (ORF50) and open reading frame 72 (ORF72). Western blot was used to detect the total and phosphorylated protein levels of MAP4K4, COX-2, extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK.

RESULTS

The expression of let-7 miRNAs was dramatically decreased in the let-7 sponge transfected BCBL-1 and 293T cells compared with that in the vector-transfected cells (P<0.05 for all). The gene copy number and mRNA transcriptional level of KSHV ORF50 were significantly increased in the let-7 sponge transfected BCBL-1 cells compared with that in the vector-transfected cells (1.00±0.10 vs. 2.33±0.18 and 1.08±0.48 vs 3.22±0.27, respectively,P<0.001 for both). The gene copy number and mRNA transcriptional level of KSHV ORF72 were also significantly increased in let-7 sponge transfected BCBL-1 cells compared with those in the vector-transfected cells(1.07±0.49 vs 1.67±0.45 and 1.01±0.19 vs 1.54±0.11, respectively,P<0.05 for both). Furthermore, the mRNA transcriptional levels of MAP4K4, COX-2 and MMP-13 were significantly increased in the let-7 sponge transfected BCBL-1 cells compared with those in the vector-transfected cells (1.00±0.05 vs 5.73±0.96, 1.00±0.05 vs 2.68±0.19, 1.00±0.02 vs 2.69±0.25, respectively,P<0.001 for all). Let-7 miRNAs silencing also increased the protein expression levels of MAP4K4, COX-2 and phospho-ERK1/2, while the phospho-JNK and phospho-p38 were not changed in the BCBL-1 and 293T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Let-7 silencing may activate the replication of KSHV, possibly through up-regulating MAP4K4 and its downstream molecules COX-2, MMP-13, and phosphorylation of ERK1/2, finally results in the progression of Kaposi sarcoma.

[Estimation on the HIV-1 incidence in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, under BED-capture enzyme immunoassay, from 2011 to 2013]

OBJECTIVE

This paper aimed to analyze the situation of HIV infection in Liangshan Yi Autonomous, including HIV recent rate of infection and the ongoing strategies on prevention of the disease in this prefecture.

METHODS

Surveillance data on population size, medical institutions, from 2011 to 2013 in Liangshan prefecture was collected. The total numbers of people living in the areas appeared as 412 608, 393 699 and 443 025 from the above mentioned three years. The overall numbers of people living with HIV/AIDS were 4 480, 3 999 and 4 719 respectively in the three years of observation, using the ELISA and WB blot. We also used the ELISA, and Western blotting methods to find out the HIV-positive individuals. We then applied the ' BED HIV-1 incidence capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA)' on these HIV-positive individuals to locate those who were recently infected, to estimate the annual recent infection rates.

RESULTS

The HIV-positive rates in Liangshan Prefecture appeared as 1.09%, 1.02% and 1.07% respectively, from 2011 to 2013, with the recent infection rates as 0.34% (95%CI: 0.32-0.37), 0.62% (95%CI: 0.58-0.66) and 0.61% (95%CI: 0.57-0.65) respectively. The newly infections mainly involved with males, with Yi ethnicity, married, being illiterate or received primary school education. In males, the rates of infection appeared as 64.24% (433/674), 59.22% (504/851) and 58.37% (495/848) respectively, in the three years of observation among people with Yi ethnicity, the recent infection rates were 84.72% (571/674) in 2011, 94.59% (805/851) in 2012 and 84.20% (714/848) in 2013. The rates seen in married people were 61.57% (415/674), 61.45% (523/851) and 60.50% (513/848) respectively. Among the illiterates or people only received primary school education, the rates appeared as 60.24% (406/674) in 2011, 61.57% (524/851) in 2012, and 60.03% (509/848) in 2013.

CONCLUSION

Using the HIV recent infection rate to describe the situation of AIDS in Liangshan prefecture, figures seemed to be more reliable than under the regular HIV-positive rate.

[Polymorphism at the miR-502 binding site in the 3' untranslated region of SET8 gene is associated with the risk of clear cell renal cell carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism of SET8 gene and the risk of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC).

METHODS

We selected 140 CCRCC patients and 130 healthy controls in this case-control study.Genotype of single nucleotide polymorphism (rs16917496) at the miR-502 binding site in the 3'UTR of SET8 mRNA in the CCRCC patients and healthy controls was tested and the association between genotype and risk of cancer was assessed. The expression of SET8 was determined by immunohistochemistry and the relationship between expression of SET8 and genotype of rs16917496 was analyzed.

RESULTS

In the control group, CC, CT and TT genotypes were found in 30, 32 and 68 persons, respectively, while in the CCRCC patients, CC, CT and TT genotypes were found in 14 , 47 and 79 cases, respectively.The frequencies of rs16917496 CT and TT genotypes in the CCRCC group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the CC genotype, patients with CT and TT genotypes were more susceptible to develop CCRCC (P<0.05). CT and TT genotypes of rs16917496 at the miR-502 binding site of the SET8 gene were associated with expression of SET8.

CONCLUSIONS

Genotype of the SNP rs16917496 at the miR-502 binding site in the 3' untranslated region of the SET8 gene is associated with the expression of SET8 protein. Analysis of genetic polymorphisms in miRNA binding sites may help to identify the subgroups of population susceptible to CCRCC.

[Application progress of transoral robotic surgery in treatment of laryngeal cancer]

Transoral robotic surgery(TORS) with the Da Vinci robot has been used for the removal of laryngeal cancer,which can improve functional and aesthetic outcomes without worsening survival. We reviews the composition of the robotic surgical system, unique advantages, potential applications and limitations of existing solutions and prospects in Surgery for laryngeal cancer.Major technical improvements are expected. Smaller, more ergonomic, new-generation robots adapted to the head and neck will probably be available in the near future.

[Advancement of salvage surgery for recurrent head andneck squamous cell carcinoma]

The treatment options and prognosis of recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are largely determined by site, extent of disease,and previous treatment. Salvage surgery represents the primary curative option when recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is resectable. The common factors that affect the prognosis of patients undergoing salvage surgery include surgical resection margin pathology, radiation therapy, advanced initial and recurrent tumor stage, and presence of concomitant neck disease. This paper reviewed the advancement of salvage surgery for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Different dietary energy intake affects skeletal muscle development through an Akt-dependent pathway in Dorper × Small Thin-Tailed crossbred ewe lambs

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the mechanisms through which different levels of dietary energy affect postnatal skeletal muscle development in ewe lambs. Twelve Dorper × Small Thin-Tailed crossbred ewe lambs (100 d of age; 20 ± 0.5 kg BW) were selected randomly and divided into 2 groups in a completely randomized design. Animals were offered identical diets at 100% or 65% of ad libitum intake. Lambs were euthanized when BW in the ad libitum group reached 35 kg and the semitendinosus muscle was sampled. Final BW and skeletal muscle weight were decreased (P < 0.01) by feed restriction. Both muscle fiber size distribution and myofibril cross-sectional area were altered by feed restriction. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) messenger RNA (mRNA) content was decreased (P < 0.05) when lambs were underfed, whereas no difference for IGF-2 mRNA expression was observed (P > 0.05). Feed restriction altered phosphor-Akt protein abundance (P < 0.01). Moreover, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway was inhibited by feed restriction, which was associated with decreased phosphor-mTOR, phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (phosphor-4EBP1), and phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 kinase (phosphor-S6K). Both mRNA expression of myostatin and its protein content were elevated in feed-restricted ewe lambs (P < 0.05). In addition, mRNA expression of both muscle RING finger 1 and muscle atrophy F-box was increased when ewe lambs were underfed. In summary, feed restriction in young growing ewe lambs attenuates skeletal muscle hypertrophy by inhibiting protein synthesis and increasing protein degradation, which may act through the Akt-dependent pathway.

Clinical study of the correlation between complement factor H polymorphism and age-related macular degeneration

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) of the liver-kidney yin-deficiency type and complement factor H (CFH) polymorphism, and to determine whether the C allele of the T1277C (Y402H) variant is a risk factor for this condition. We performed a case-control investigation of 60 patients with liver-kidney yin-deficiency AMD and 60 normal control subjects. Peripheral blood was collected from each participant for DNA extraction. Following amplification by polymerase chain reaction, the DNA samples were sequenced, and polymorphism of the CFH gene was examined. Data were analyzed with the chi-square test, with P < 0.05 signifying statistical significance. The frequency of the C allele was significantly higher in the wet than in the dry AMD group (P = 0.044). In addition, the TC and CC genotypes were markedly more common in the former than in the control group (P = 0.013), and there was a significant difference in the distribution of the T and C alleles between wet AMD patients and control subjects (P < 0.05). Based on this, we conclude that liver-kidney yin-deficiency AMD is associated with the C allele and TC and CC genotypes of the CFH Y402H polymorphism. Among patients with this condition, CFH genotypes were normally distributed. The principal CFH genotypes that induce liver-kidney yin-deficiency AMD are the mutant homozygote CC and heterozygote TC forms. Moreover, C allele carriers are at higher risk of developing this disease.

[Clinical analysis of 23 gynecologic carcinoma patients with brain metastasis]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinicopathological characteristics and treatments of brain metastasis (BM) in patients with gynecologic carcinoma.

METHODS

Twenty-three pathologically confirmed patients with gynecologic carcinoma who had brain metastasis between February 2008 and October 2012 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The primary carcinoma was cervical cancer in 5 patients, endometrial carcinoma in 8 patients and ovarian cancer in 10 patients, which accounted for 1.81% (5/276), 2.10% (8/380) and 2.67% (10/374) of patient with the same diagnosis of the same period, respectively.Among them, 91.3% (21/23) patients had heterochronous BM.Single BM was documented in 52.2% (12/23) patients.Besides, 78.2% (18/23) BM located in cerebrum.At the time of BM, 91.3% (21/23) patients had symptoms of central nervous system, in which headache ranked the top (90.4%). Altogether, thirteen patients had extracranial metastasis, in which 9 of them had metastasis of the lung.The median post-brain-metastasis survival (mPBMS) for the recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) classes Ⅰ-Ⅲ was 54 months, 9 months and 1 month, respectively (P<0.01). None of surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment was proven to have prognosis-improving ability either in single variant or multivariate analysis.However, in patients with extracranial metastasis, chemotherapy could significantly improve their mPBMS (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of brain metastasis in patients with cervical cancer, endometrial carcinoma, and ovarian cancer increased gradually.RPA was valuable for a prognostic assessment in gynecologic carcinoma patients with BM.Chemotherapy could significantly improve prognosis of gynecologic carcinoma patients with BM if extracranial metastasis was presented.

Apoptosis is related to imbalance of Th1/Th2-type cytokine in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic hepatitis B

KEYWORDS

peripheral blood mononuclear cells; apoptosis; cytokine; hepatitis B virus.

[Role of kallikrein kinin system activation in kidney injury induced by trichloroethylene sensitized mice]

OBJECTIVE

Through testing the expression of complement C3 fragment C3b and iC3b, C5b-9 as well as indexes of KKS before and after using kallikrein-kinin system inhibitor PKSI-527, observing the relevant between KKS and complement system, we preliminary study on the mechanism how KKS works on the renal injury of sensitized mice model induced by trichloroethylene.

METHODS

Female BALB/c mice (6~8 weeks) were randomly divided into blank control group (5), TCE treated group (15), PKSI-527+TCE treated group (15). Mice were sensitized with TCE in the 1,3,7,10 days, the first and the last challenge were on day 17 and 19. 24h before every challenge, mice in PKSI-527+TCE group were treated with intraperitoneal injection of KKS inhibitor PKSI-527 inhibitor (50mg/kg). Mice were killed 72h after the last challenge. The function of kidney in mice were detected and kidney B1R, B2R expression were detected using real-time quantitative PCR, mice kidney complement C3 fragments C3b, iC3b and C5b-9 deposition were also detected by chemoimmunology.

RESULTS

Compared with blank control group, all indexes expressions in the solvent control group have no significant change. Compared with the solvent control group, BUN、Cr level and B1R、B2R level have an significant increase (P< 0.05) in TCE sensitized group and PKSI-527+TCE sensitized group; There is a sharp decrease in PKSI-527+TCE sensitized group compared to TCE sensitized group(P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The renal damage in the TCE sensitization mouse model may aggravated by upregulate complement system followed by the activation of kallikrein-kinin system.

Expression profiles of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration

Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common clinical pathology and has become a focus for research in recent years. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes responsible for the degradation of almost all extracellular matrix proteins (ECM). The over-expression of MMPs or tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may disrupt the dynamic balance of the ECM. Therefore, in the current study, the expression levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in lumbar IDD patients were evaluated in an attempt to elucidate their role in IDD pathogenesis and progression. In total, 60 IDD patients were recruited as the experimental group, along with 20 cases of lumbar vertebral injury without disc degeneration as the control group. Preoperative venous blood samples were collected, and intervertebral disc tissues were collected from the lesion during surgery. Serum and tissue levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Serum and tissue MMP-1 levels in IDD patients were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, sub-group analysis revealed that severe IDD patients had higher MMP-1 levels compared with mild or moderate IDD patients (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in TIMP- 1 levels in either the serum or tissues of IDD patients compared to patients in the control group (P > 0.05). These results demonstrate that MMP-1 expression is increased in IDD, with higher expression observed in more severe cases, whereas TIMP-1 expression was similarly expressed in both normal and degenerated discs.

Pathology of the lower nasolacrimal duct mucosa at multiple time points after lacrimal retrograde catheterization in rabbit

Lacrimal duct obstruction is a common eye disease, and obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct accounts for over 50% of these cases. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction is usually treated surgically. Lacrimal retrograde catheterization is a novel surgical approach with a high success rate and a relatively high recurrence rate. In this study, we examined the postoperative pathological changes in the lower nasolacrimal duct mucosa at multiple time points (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 weeks) after retrograde lacrimal dilated drainage tube implantation in rabbits. One side of the nasolacrimal duct was obstructed in 14 rabbits. Compared to the control side, the 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-week groups presented no obvious changes in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained tissue. The 10-week group presented isolated granulomas. The 12- and 14-week groups presented scattered granulomas. The granulomas were smaller and the density of fibroblasts was lower in the 12-week group compared with the 14-week group. Transforming growth factor-β1 immunohistochemistry resulted in strong immunoreactivity in the 14-week group and weak immunoreactivity in the 12-week group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Fibroblast apoptosis was observed in the 4- and 6-week groups, and disorganized fibers were observed in the 10-week group. Most fibroblasts in the 12- and 14-week groups were the active type with mechanocytes. Granulomas were induced after a long time by the implantation of silicone tubes in rabbits. Thus, recurrent obstructions of the nasolacrimal duct may be caused by granulomas, progressive fibrosis, and/or adhesion of the surrounding tissues.

Association of genetic polymorphisms in TERT-CLPTM1L with lung cancer in a Chinese population

Genome-wide association studies in several ethnic groups have reported that polymorphisms of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and cleft lip and palate transmembrane 1-like (CLPTM1L) genes, located on 5p15.33, are associated with susceptibility to lung cancer. However, whether genetic variants of TERT-CLPTM1L are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in the Chinese Han population is unknown. This study examined associations between five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TERT-CLPTM1L (rs402710, rs401681, rs465498, rs4975616, and rs2736100) and lung cancer in a Chinese Han population in the Hubei Province. The five SNPs were detected using the Sequenom MassArray(®) iPLEX System in 304 lung cancer patients and 319 controls. Of the five SNPs, rs4975616 did not conform to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the controls. Only rs2736100 was significantly (P = 0.034) associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. In the linkage disequilibrium analyses, a block of strong linkage disequilibrium was observed between rs401681 and rs465498 (D' = 0.986; r(2) = 0.546). No linkage disequilibrium between rs2736100 and the other three SNPs was found. In the haplotype analyses, the frequencies of the TTCT haplotype in rs402710, rs401681, rs465498, and rs2736100 differed significantly between case and control subjects (odds ratio = 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.36-0.88; P = 0.012). The results of this study suggested that rs2736100 on TERT-CLPTM1L indicates a poor prognosis for lung cancer in the Chinese Han population.

First Report of Pestalotiopsis microspora Causing Leaf Spot of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) in China

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a widespread, tropical evergreen species that grows in southern China. In November 2012 and July 2013, a new leaf spot was observed on oil palm in Danzhou, Hainan Province, China. A survey of 200 2-year-old oil palm plants revealed that the disease caused serious damage during the typhoon season of July to October in Hainan Province, with 15 to 20% incidence in plants. The spots were initially brown, small, and oval to irregular. Later, they gradually expanded and finally coalesced to form large gray-brown leaf spots surrounded by a dark brown border. Heavily infected leaves became dry and died. Sometimes black acervuli developed on the leaf lesions. Diseased tissues (2 × 2 mm) from lesion margins were surface-disinfested for 10 min with 0.3% NaClO, plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and then incubated at 25°C in the dark. Seven Pestalotiopsis isolates (identified by conidial morphological characteristics) were isolated from leaf lesions. These isolates were subcultured by single spore isolation, and a representative isolate was characterized further. The fungus was incubated on PDA at 25°C. After 5 days, the fungus produced circular white colonies. After 10 days, many black conidiomata formed over the mycelia mats. Conidia were fusiform, five-celled with constrictions at the septa, and measured 18.6 to 24.4 × 5.2 to 7.5 μm. The three median cells were light brown to dark brown, and two end cells were colorless. Apical cells had 2 to 4 appendages ranging from 10.4 to 22.6 μm long. Basal cells had 1 appendage ranging from 2.2 to 4.1 μm long. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA was amplified using primers IST4/ITS5, and the 549-bp product of the ITS (GenBank Accession No. KJ019328) showed 100% sequence identity to Pestalotiopsis microspora isolates XSD-42 (EU273522.1) and CBS364.54 (AF377292.1). The pathogenicity of all isolates was tested by inoculation of detached, healthy leaves according to Keith et al. (2). The middle parts of compound leaves with leaflets were cut from 2-year-old oil palm plant. Leaflets were wounded inoculated or unwounded inoculated with mycelial plugs (4 mm in diameter, 30 leaflets per isolate). PDA plugs without mycelia served as controls. All leaves were placed in a growth chamber at 25°C and 90% relative humidity. After 5 days, brown leaf spots appeared on all wounded leaflets, with symptoms similar to those described above. Control leaves and the inoculated leaflets without wound remained symptom free. P. microspora was re-isolated from the infected leaves and confirmed to be the same as the inoculated pathogen through examination of morphology and by conducting an ITS sequence comparison. P. neglecta and P. palmarum were previously reported as the causal agent of Pestalotiopsis leaf spot on oil palm (1). P. microspora was isolated from oil palm in Indonesia (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. microspora on oil palm in China. References: (1) F. O. Aderungboya. Int. J. Pest Manage. 23:305,1977. (2) L. M. Keith et al. Plant Dis. 90:16, 2006. (3) Suwandi et al. Plant Dis. 96:537, 2012.

MiR-29c mediates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human colorectal carcinoma metastasis via PTP4A and GNA13 regulation of β-catenin signaling

BACKGROUND

Distant metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related death, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has a critical role in this process. Accumulating evidence indicates that EMT can be regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs). miR-29c has been implicated as a tumor suppressor in several human cancers. However, the role of miR-29c in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis remains largely unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of miR-29c was examined by qRT-PCR in a cohort of primary CRC (PC) and distant liver metastasis (LM) tissues. A series of in vivo and in vitro assays were carried out in order to elucidate the functions of miR-29c and the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of metastatic CRC.

RESULTS

miR-29c was markedly downregulated in PCs with distant metastasis and determined to be an independent predictor of shortened patient survival. But LM tissues showed higher levels of miR-29c than that in PC tissues. In CRC cells, miR-29c dramatically suppressed cell migration and invasion abilities in vitro and cancer metastasis in vivo. In addition, miR-29c inhibited EMT and negatively regulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Guanine nucleotide binding protein alpha13 (GNA13) and protein tyrosine phosphatase type IVA (PTP4A) were identified as direct targets of miR-29c, which acted through ERK/GSK3β/β-catenin and AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathways, respectively, to regulate EMT. Furthermore, significant associations between miR-29c, its target genes (GNA13 and PTP4A) and EMT markers were validated in both PC and LM tissues.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the important role of miR-29c in regulating CRC EMT via GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling by targeting GNA13 and PTP4A and provide new insights into the metastatic basis of CRC.

First Report of Rust of Plumeria rubra Caused by Coleosporium plumeriae in Guangdong Province, China

Plumeria spp. are ornamental trees commonly planted in parks and gardens, and Plumeria rubra cultivars (Frangipani) is most common in Guangdong Province, China. A rust disease of P. rubra was observed on leaves of susceptible plants from August to December 2013. Ten nurseries were surveyed in September 2013, and 91% (220 of 240) of the plumeria plants were infected with rust. Symptoms first appeared as chlorotic spots (about 1 mm in diameter) appearing on adaxial leaf surfaces and then spread to whole leaf, and infection further resulted in leaf necrosis and abscission. Therefore, the ornamental value of diseased trees was greatly diminished. Bright yellow or yellow-orange uredinia were hypophyllous and produced under the epidermis. Urediniospores were catenulate, globose, ovoid or ellipsoid, and sometimes angular in appearance, ranging from 20.0 to 42.0 μm in length by 14.1 to 25.6 μm in width. Their walls were verrucose and 1.3 to 3.2 μm thick. No teliospores were observed. The rust was identified as Coleosporium plumeriae Pat. based on urediniospore morphology (2). Species identity was confirmed with a 1,551-bp sequence (GenBank Accession No. KF879087) of ITS rDNA amplified with rust-specific primers Rust2inv and LR6 (1). The amplicon had a 100% similarity to C. plumeriae (GU145555). Pathogenicity was confirmed by spraying a urediniospores suspension (15,000 spores ml^-1) on five plants of P. rubra cultivar. Five leaves of each plant were inoculated and sealed in plastic bags, while five control plants were applied with sterile water. Plants were held at 28°C for 36 h in a dew chamber. All inoculated leaves developed typical rust symptoms with the uredinia appearing after 9 days, no symptoms developed on any control plants. Urediniospores were produced on infected leaves and pathogen identity was confirmed by morphology and re-sequencing of the ITS rDNA. Plumeria rust was first found in Hong Kong (4) and then in Hainan and Yunnan Provinces, China (3). However, this is the first report of plumeria rust in Guangdong Province, China. Frangipani has large, colorful flowers in the summer, and this rapidly spreading disease causes severe damage and affects their aesthetic value in the second half of the year. References: (1) M. C. Aime. Mycoscience 47:112, 2006. (2) N. Patouillard. Bull. Soc. Mycol. Fr. 18:171, 1902. (3) Q. Wang et al. New Dis. Rep. 23, doi:10.5197/j.2044-0588.2011.023.010, 2011. (4) J. Yan et al. Mycosystema 25:327, 2006 (in Chinese).

Association of the tumour necrosis factor-α polymorphisms rs361525 and rs1800629 with susceptibility to psoriasis: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Evidence has suggested that tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α may be involved in the aetiology of psoriasis, but the underlying association of the TNF-α polymorphisms -238G/A (rs361525) and -308G/A (rs1800629) with the risk of psoriasis is still unconfirmed.

AIM

This meta-analysis was performed to determine whether the TNF-α -238G/A and -308G/A polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to psoriasis.

METHODS

Eligible studies were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), CBM (Chinese biomedical literature database) and WANFANG databases within a range of published years from 1990 to August 2012. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the different associations.

RESULTS

In total, 17 studies with 2847 cases and 2222 controls were found for -238G/A and 20 studies with 2975 cases and 2243 controls for -308G/A. The pooled results showed an overall increased risk of psoriasis for the -238G/A polymorphism (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.45-2.94, P < 0.001 for AA/GA vs. GG) and a reduced psoriasis risk with the -308G/A polymorphism (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.59-0.79, P < 0.001 for AA/GA vs. GG). This association was only present in early-onset psoriasis (OR = 3.68, 95% CI = 2.17-6.24, P < 0.001 for -238G/A; OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.43-0.72, P < 0.001 for -308G/A), whereas there was no association (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.56-1.70, P = 0.92 for -238G/A) or a unreliable association (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.46-0.94, P = 0.02 for -308G/A) in late-onset psoriasis.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that the TNF-α -238 and -308 promoter polymorphisms may play different roles in conferring susceptibility to psoriasis. Functional and well-designed studies should be conducted to confirm these results.

Effect of strain on voltage-controlled magnetism in BiFeO₃-based heterostructures

Voltage-modulated magnetism in magnetic/BiFeO₃ heterostructures can be driven by a combination of the intrinsic ferroelectric-antiferromagnetic coupling in BiFeO₃ and the antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic exchange interaction across the heterointerface. However, ferroelectric BiFeO₃ film is also ferroelastic, thus it is possible to generate voltage-induced strain in BiFeO₃ that could be applied onto the magnetic layer across the heterointerface and modulate magnetism through magnetoelastic coupling. Here, we investigated, using phase-field simulations, the role of strain in voltage-controlled magnetism for these BiFeO₃-based heterostructures. It is predicted, under certain condition, coexistence of strain and exchange interaction will result in a pure voltage-driven 180° magnetization reversal in BiFeO₃-based heterostructures.

Virtual screening methods as tools for drug lead discovery from large chemical libraries

Virtual screening methods have been developed and explored as useful tools for searching drug lead compounds from chemical libraries, including large libraries that have become publically available. In this review, we discussed the new developments in exploring virtual screening methods for enhanced performance in searching large chemical libraries, their applications in screening libraries of ~ 1 million or more compounds in the last five years, the difficulties in their applications, and the strategies for further improving these methods.

Antibiotic resistance of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Chinese yogurts

The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of 43 strains of lactic acid bacteria, isolated from Chinese yogurts made in different geographical areas, to 11 antibiotics (ampicillin, penicillin G, roxithromycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, lincomycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, neomycin, and gentamycin). The 43 isolates (18 Lactobacillus bulgaricus and 25 Streptococcus thermophilus) were identified at species level and were typed by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Thirty-five genotypically different strains were detected and their antimicrobial resistance to 11 antibiotics was determined using the agar dilution method. Widespread resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, chlortetracycline, tetracyclines, lincomycin, streptomycin, neomycin, and gentamycin was found among the 35 strains tested. All of the Strep. thermophilus strains tested were susceptible to penicillin G and roxithromycin, whereas 23.5 and 64.7% of Lb. bulgaricus strains, respectively, were resistant. All of the Strep. thermophilus and Lb. bulgaricus strains were found to be resistant to kanamycin. The presence of the corresponding resistance genes in the resistant isolates was investigated through PCR, with the following genes detected: tet(M) in 1 Lb. bulgaricus and 2 Strep. thermophilus isolates, ant(6) in 2 Lb. bulgaricus and 2 Strep. thermophilus isolates, and aph(3')-IIIa in 5 Lb. bulgaricus and 2 Strep. thermophilus isolates. The main threat associated with these bacteria is that they may transfer resistance genes to pathogenic bacteria, which has been a major cause of concern to human and animal health. To our knowledge, the aph(3')-IIIa and ant(6) genes were found in Lb. bulgaricus and Strep. thermophilus for the first time. Further investigations are required to analyze whether the genes identified in Lb. bulgaricus and Strep. thermophilus isolates might be horizontally transferred to other species.