Enhanced magnetization in unusual carbon-nanotube/carbon-foam cm-scale hybrid-buckypaper films with high α-Fe filling-ratio

We report the synthesis of novel and unusual α-Fe-filled carbon nanotube (CNT)/carbon foam (CFM) hybrid-buckypaper films via pyrolysis of ferrocene/dichlorobenzene mixtures.

Association between positive murine double minute 2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis

The correlations of murine double minute 2 (MDM2) T309G and esophageal cancer were elucidated because the association between MDM2 expression states and clinicopathological parameters of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis on studies screened from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Databases that were published before October 2014. All studies describing the association between MDM2 and ESCC were traced. Meta-analysis was performed using the STATA software (Stata Corp., College Station, TX, USA). A total of 9 studies with 707 cases and 324 controls were included. MDM2 expression was higher in ESCC than in normal esophageal epithelium (odds ratio [OR] 10.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.42-16.78, P < 0.001). High MDM2 expression was associated with early primary tumor stage (T1/T2 vs. T3/T4, OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38-0.92, P = 0.018) and increased risk of regional lymph node metastasis (N0 vs. N1, OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.03-2.67, P = 0.039). However, no relationship was observed between MDM2 expression and the risk of distant metastasis (OR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.00-4.36, P = 0.050), and MDM2 was not significantly correlated with TP53 expression (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.53-2.77, P = 0.643). Our analysis suggests that MDM2 acts as a potent marker of early primary tumor stage but higher risk of regional lymph node metastasis in ESCC. However, because of the limited number of studies included, the result should be further clarified by well-designed prospective studies.

Investigation of modified platelet-rich plasma (mPRP) in promoting the proliferation and differentiation of dental pulp stem cells from deciduous teeth

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) have great potential to treat various dental-related diseases in regenerative medicine. They are usually maintained with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) in vitro. Modified platelet-rich plasma (mPRP) would be a safe alternative to 10% FBS during SHEDs culture. Therefore, our study aimed to compare the proliferation and differentiation of SHEDs cultured in mPRP and FBS medium to explore an optimal concentration of mPRP for SHEDs maintenance. Platelets were harvested by automatic blood cell analyzer and activated by repeated liquid nitrogen freezing and thawing. The platelet-related cytokines were examined and analyzed by ELISA. SHEDs were extracted and cultured with different concentrations of mPRP or 10% FBS medium. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured. Mineralization factors, RUNX2 and OCN, were measured by real-time PCR. SHEDs were characterized with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) markers including vimentin, CD44, and CD105. mPRP at different concentrations (2, 5, 10, and 20%) enhanced the growth of SHEDs. Moreover, mPRP significantly stimulated ALP activity and promoted expression of RUNX2 and OCN compared with 10% FBS. mPRP could efficiently facilitate proliferation and differentiation of SHEDs, and 2% mPRP would be an optimal substitute for 10% FBS during SHEDs expansion and differentiation in clinical scale manufacturing.

Epidemiology, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility, and ERG11 mutations of Candida species isolated from pregnant Chinese Han women

The widespread use of antifungal agents has led to increasing azole resistance in Candida species. A major azole-resistance mechanism involves point mutations in the ERG11 gene, which encodes cytochrome P450 lanosterol 14a-demethylase. In this study, vaginal swabs were obtained from 657 pregnant Chinese Han women and cultured appropriately. The open reading frame of the obtained fungal species were amplified by PCR and sequenced; additionally, the ERG11 gene of the isolated Candida species was amplified and sequenced, and the antifungal susceptibility of the isolated species was determined. The vaginal swabs of 124 women produced fungal cultures; five species of Candida were isolated from the patients, among which Candida albicans was predominant. Twelve C. albicans isolates (13.8%) were resistant to fluconazole and 2 (2.2%) were resistant to itraconazole. Seventeen mutations, including 9 silent and 8 missense mutations, were identified in the ERG11 gene of 31 C. albicans isolates. Our findings suggest that infection caused by C. albicans and non-C. albicansis common in Chinese Han women of reproductive age. Moreover, the relationship between Candida infection and certain epidemiological factors emphasizes the need to educate women about the precise diagnosis and punctual treatment of vaginitis.

Ca2+-Dependent Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Regulates Mechanical Stress-Mediated Cartilage Thinning

Our previous study identified that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays a critical role in chondrocyte apoptosis and mandibular cartilage thinning in response to compressive mechanical force, although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Because the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a primary site of intracellular Ca(2+) storage, we hypothesized that Ca(2+)-dependent ERS might be involved in mechanical stress-mediated mandibular cartilage thinning. In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo models to determine Ca(2+) concentrations, histological changes, subcellular changes, apoptosis, and the expression of ERS markers in mandibular cartilage and chondrocytes. The results showed that in chondrocytes, cytosolic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) was dramatically increased by compressive mechanical force. Interestingly, the inhibition of Ca(2+) channels by ryanodine and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, inhibitors of ryanodine receptors and inositol trisphosphate receptors, respectively, partially rescued mechanical force-mediated mandibular cartilage thinning. Furthermore, chondrocyte apoptosis was also compromised by inhibiting the increase in [Ca(2+)]i that occurred in response to compressive mechanical force. Mechanistically, the ERS induced by compressive mechanical force was also repressed by [Ca(2+)]i inhibition, as demonstrated by a decrease in the expression of the ER stress markers 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and 94 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP94) at both the mRNA and protein levels. Collectively, these data identified [Ca(2+)]i as a critical mediator of the pathological changes that occur in mandibular cartilage under compressive mechanical force and shed light on the treatment of mechanical stress-mediated cartilage degradation.

Rechargeable anticandidal denture material with sustained release in saliva

OBJECTIVE

Candida-induced denture stomatitis is a common debilitating problem among denture wearers. Previously, we described the fabrication of a new denture material that released antifungal drugs when immersed in phosphate buffered saline. Here, we use more clinically relevant immersion conditions (human saliva; 37°C) and measure miconazole release and bioactivity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Disks were prepared by grafting PNVP [poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone)] onto PMMA [poly(methylmethacrylate)] using plasma initiation (PMMA-g-PNVP) and then loaded with miconazole. Drug-loaded disks were immersed in 10-100% human saliva (1-30 days). Miconazole release was measured and then tested for bioactivity vs miconazole-sensitive and miconazole-resistant Candida isolates.

RESULTS

HPLC was used to quantify miconazole levels in saliva. Miconazole-loaded disks released antifungal drug for up to 30 days. Higher drug release was found with higher concentrations of saliva, and, interestingly, miconazole solubility was increased with higher saliva concentrations. The released miconazole retained its anticandidal activity. After immersion, the residual miconazole could be quenched and the disks recharged. Freshly recharged disks displayed the same release kinetics and bioactivity as the original disks. Quenched disks could also be charged with chlorhexidine that displayed anticandidal activity.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that PMMA-g-PNVP is a promising new denture material for long-term management of denture stomatitis.

Genomewide association study of immune traits in chicken F2 resource population

Immune traits play pivotal roles in animal immune capacity development and disease resistance. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are common forms of genetic variations among individuals, which are thought to account for the majority of inherited phenotypic variations. In this study, we performed genomewide association, using the Illumina 60K SNP BeadChip studies to detect molecular markers and candidate genes associated with immune traits in an F2 population. Sixteen immune traits were measured. We identified 85 significant SNPs (p < 2.98 × 10(-6) ) with 5% as the genomewide significance threshold, 380 SNPs of suggestive significance (p < 5.96 × 10(-5) ) from simple model (general linear model, GLM) and 15 SNPs of suggestive significance (p < 5.96 × 10(-5) ) from the compressed mixed linear model (MLM), which were also found in GLM (six significant SNPs and seven suggestive SNPs). Three significant SNPs (GGaluGA151406, Gga_rs14554319 and Gga_rs13593979) and candidate genes (LYRM4 and KTN1) were found to be associated with avian influenza antibody titres, and the first two SNPs are from the results of two-model analysis. For the immune organs, through the analysis of GLM, 19 SNPs were found to be significantly associated with the thymus weight, 61 SNPs were significantly associated with the bursa of Fabricius weight, six of which were located within a 34-Mb region (125 846 474-159 649 698 bp) on chicken chromosome 1 (GGA1). A candidate region relevant to haematological traits from GLM was found in GGA4 and 9 loci were located on it. Three loci (GGaluGA348521, Gga_rs16098446 and GGaluGA348518) within 179 kb (16 286 868-16 466 134 bp) on GGAZ from GLM provided evidence that this genomic segment may be relevant to red blood cell volume distribution width (RDW). Our study provides a list of significant SNPs and candidate genes that will be valuable information for unveiling the underlying molecular mechanism of immune regulation.

EFFECT OF NAC ON MOUSE GV OOCYTE SURVIVAL AND SUBSEQUENT EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT FOLLOWING VITRFICATION

BACKGROUND

Oocytes that survive cryopreservation may accumulate ROS which are known to bring harmful effects on embryonic development. NAC is an antioxidant which can be a supplement to reduce oxidative stress. However, whether NAC can improve the developmental competence of vitrified GV-oocytes remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The study was to investigate the effect of NAC on subsequent embryonic developmental competence of mice vitrified GV-oocytes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study compared the effects of different concentration of NAC on the cleavage and blastocyst rates of mice vitrified GV-oocytes. Then the effects of NAC on mitochondria distribution, ROS level and embryonic development of vitrified oocytes were tested.

RESULTS

ROS activity of vitrified oocytes was significantly annihilated and mitochondrial distribution pattern was improved by 1.5 mM NAC (P<0.05). NAC supplementation throughout vitrification/warming and IVM media significantly improved the developmental competence of vitrified oocytes.

CONCLUSION

Supplementation of NAC could partially overcome the damages by vitrification and improve the development ability of mice vitrified GV-oocytes.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide Stimulates Lipid Metabolism through Its Receptor NPR1 and the Glycerolipid Metabolism Pathway in Chicken Adipocytes

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is related to lipid metabolism in mammals, but its effect and the molecular mechanisms underlying it in chickens are incompletely understood. We found that the level of natriuretic peptide precursor B (NPPB, which encodes BNP) mRNA expression in high-abdominal-fat chicken groups was significantly higher than that of low-abdominal-fat groups. Partial correlations indicated that changes in the weight of abdominal fat were positively correlated with NPPB mRNA expression level. In vitro, compared with the control group, preadipocytes with NPPB interference showed reduced levels of proliferation, differentiation, and glycerin in media. Treatments of cells with BNP led to enhanced proliferation and differentiation of cells and glycerin concentration, and mRNA expression of its receptor natriuretic peptide receptor 1 (NPR1) was upregulated significantly. In cells exposed to BNP, 482 differentially expressed genes were identified compared with controls without BNP. Four genes known to be related to lipid metabolism (diacylglycerol kinase; lipase, endothelial; 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 1; and 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 2) were enriched in the glycerolipid metabolism pathway and expressed differentially. In conclusion, BNP stimulates the proliferation, differentiation, and lipolysis of preadipocytes through upregulation of the levels of expression of its receptor NPR1 and key genes enriched in the glycerolipid metabolic pathway.

Prognostic significance of gamma-glutamyltransferase in patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is a membrane-bound enzyme involved in the glutathione metabolism. Studies suggested that GGT was a marker of apoptotic balance and modulated tumor progression, invasion and drug resistance. Recently, GGT was shown to be associated with the progression of high-grade esophageal epithelial dysplasia to invasive carcinoma. This study was conducted to investigate the value of pre-therapeutic serum GGT levels as prognostic parameter in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Six hundred thirty-nine resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients were recruited in this study and were stratified into two GGT risk groups. The association of pre-therapeutic serum GGT levels and clinical-pathological parameters was examined. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed. GGT serum levels were associated with gender, smoking status, TNM stage and lymph node involvement. Higher pre-therapeutic serum GGT was found in males, smoker, advanced TNM stage and lymph node positive patients. Patients assigned to the low-risk group had higher 5-year overall survival rate (53.1% vs. 33.0%, P < 0.01) and disease-free survival rate (45.2% vs. 23.4%, P < 0.01) than the high-risk group. Patients with high-risk group of GGT had 1.568 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.259 ∼ 1.952) times the risk of death and 1.582 (95% CI, 1.286 ∼ 1.946) times the risk of disease recurrence contrast with those with low-risk group of GGT. The pre-therapeutic serum GGT is a novel independent prognostic parameter for disease-free survival and overall survival in resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Expression and significance of CD133 and ABCG2 in endometriosis

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease and exact pathogenesis is still unclear. Recently, an increasing interest has been given to the potential role of stem cells in the development of endometriosis. The aim of this study was to test the expression of sterness-related markers CD133 and ABCG2 in endometriosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CD133 and ABCG2 protein expression in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissue with endometriosis and endometrium tissue without endometriosis were examined by Western blot.

RESULTS

Eutopic endometrium showed high level of CD133 and ABCG2 protein when compared with ectopic endometrium (p = 0.042, p = 0.038) and control endometrium (p = 0.000, p = 0.000). The expression of CD133 protein in ectopic endometrium was positively correlated with R-AFS score of endometriosis (p = 0.000, r = 0.793) and no significant relation was noted between ABCG2 and R-AFS score (p = 0.563). Two of three patients with recurrence had much higher expression of ABCG2 protein than the patients without recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Aberrant expression of CD133 and ABCG2 in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissue with endometriosis suggests that they are probably associated with the pathogenesis of endometriosis and stem cells play a possible role in its development.