Centrality-Dependent Modification of Jet-Production Rates in Deuteron-Gold Collisions at √[s(NN)]=200 GeV

Jet production rates are measured in p+p and d+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV recorded in 2008 with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Jets are reconstructed using the R=0.3 anti-k_{t} algorithm from energy deposits in the electromagnetic calorimeter and charged tracks in multiwire proportional chambers, and the jet transverse momentum (p_{T}) spectra are corrected for the detector response. Spectra are reported for jets with 12<p_{T}<50  GeV/c, within a pseudorapidity acceptance of |η|<0.3. The nuclear-modification factor (R_{dAu}) values for 0%-100% d+Au events are found to be consistent with unity, constraining the role of initial state effects on jet production. However, the centrality-selected R_{dAu} values and central-to-peripheral ratios (R_{CP}) show large, p_{T}-dependent deviations from unity, challenging the conventional models that relate hard-process rates and soft-particle production in collisions involving nuclei.

Direct sequencing and analysis of the genomes of newly emerging GII.17 norovirus strains in South China

AIMS

This study aims to develop a quick and sensitive method for obtaining GII.17 norovirus genome sequences based on a novel amplification strategy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Based on multiple alignments of GII.17 norovirus genome sequences available in GenBank, a set of primer pairs were first rationally designed, which could amplify six overlapping fragments encompassing the whole genome. Two sequencing primers II.17-Seq1R and II.17-Seq6F were also designed to complement sequences at both ends. The sensitivity of new primers was then evaluated by end-point dilution RT-PCR that was comparable to detection primers G2SKF/G2SKR. In practice, genome sequences of nine Guangzhou GII.17 strains were successfully obtained by the new method in one working day. All genomes comprised 7495 nucleotides with three complete ORFs, and their phylogenetic relationships were verified with other GII norovirus reference strains.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the new amplification strategy, a quick and sensitive method for direct sequencing of GII.17 norovirus genomes was successfully established.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The newly developed method can be used as an important tool to collect genetic information of GII.17 noroviruses, and new obtained viral genomes in Guangzhou also provide reference data for norovirus research in future.

Annual economic burden of hepatitis B virus-related diseases among hospitalized patients in twelve cities in China

A nationwide survey of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated economic burden has not previously been performed in China. The purpose of this study was to examine the direct, indirect, and intangible costs of HBV-related diseases within the span of one year. A random sample was taken from specialty and general hospitals across 12 cities in six provinces of China. Intangible costs were estimated based on willingness to pay or open-ended answers provided by patients. The results showed that 27 hospitals were enrolled, with a sample population of 4726 patients (77.7% response rate). The average annual costs were $4454.0 (direct), $924.3 (indirect), and $6611.10 (intangible), corresponding to 37.3%, 7.7%, and 55.1% of the total costs, respectively. The direct medical fees were substantially greater than the non-medical fees. Annual indirect costs were divided into outpatient ($112.9) and inpatient ($811.40) loss of income. The intangible costs of chronic HBV were notably higher than either the direct or indirect costs, consistent with the social stigma in China. The comparison amongst individual cities for the average ratio of direct to indirect costs revealed that the sizes of ratios were negatively correlated with the socioeconomic status of the regions. This study suggested that as a whole in China, the HBV-related diseases caused a heavy financial burden which was positively associated with disease severity. Although the intangible costs coincided with a high prevalence of discrimination against CHB patients in Chinese society, our study may serve as future reference for detailed exploration.

Influence of a urea–formaldehyde resin adhesive on pyrolysis characteristics and volatiles emission of poplar particleboard

To investigate the influence of urea–formaldehyde resin (UF resin) adhesive on the thermal utilization of wood waste, the pyrolysis of particleboard and its main components (poplar and UF resin) are studied in this paper.

Contribution of enhanced engagement of antigen presentation machinery to the clinical immunogenicity of a human interleukin (IL)-21 receptor-blocking therapeutic antibody

Reliable risk assessment for biotherapeutics requires accurate evaluation of risk factors associated with immunogenicity. Immunogenicity risk assessment tools were developed and applied to investigate the immunogenicity of a fully human therapeutic monoclonal antibody, ATR-107 [anti-interleukin (IL)-21 receptor] that elicited anti-drug antibodies (ADA) in 76% of healthy subjects in a Phase 1 study. Because the ATR-107 target is expressed on dendritic cells (DCs), the immunogenicity risk related to engagement with DC and antigen presentation pathways was studied. Despite the presence of IL-21R on DCs, ATR-107 did not bind to the DCs more extensively than the control therapeutic antibody (PF-1) that had elicited low clinical ADA incidence. However, ATR-107, but not the control therapeutic antibody, was translocated to the DC late endosomes, co-localized with intracellular antigen-D related (HLA-DR) molecules and presented a dominant T cell epitope overlapping the complementarity determining region 2 (CDR2) of the light chain. ATR-107 induced increased DC activation exemplified by up-regulation of DC surface expression of CD86, CD274 (PD-L1) and CD40, increased expansion of activated DC populations expressing CD86(hi), CD40(hi), CD83(hi), programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)(hi), HLA-DR(hi) or CCR7(hi), as well as elevated secretion of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α by DCs. DCs exposed to ATR-107 stimulated an autologous T cell proliferative response in human donor cells, in concert with the detection of immunoglobulin (Ig)G-type anti-ATR-107 antibody response in clinical samples. Collectively, the enhanced engagement of antigen presentation machinery by ATR-107 was suggested. The approaches and findings described in this study may be relevant to identifying lower immunogenicity risk targets and therapeutic molecules.

Measurements of Elliptic and Triangular Flow in High-Multiplicity 3He+Au Collisions at √(s(NN))=200 GeV

We present the first measurement of elliptic (v(2)) and triangular (v(3)) flow in high-multiplicity (3)He+Au collisions at √(s(NN))=200  GeV. Two-particle correlations, where the particles have a large separation in pseudorapidity, are compared in (3)He+Au and in p+p collisions and indicate that collective effects dominate the second and third Fourier components for the correlations observed in the (3)He+Au system. The collective behavior is quantified in terms of elliptic v(2) and triangular v(3) anisotropy coefficients measured with respect to their corresponding event planes. The v(2) values are comparable to those previously measured in d+Au collisions at the same nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy. Comparisons with various theoretical predictions are made, including to models where the hot spots created by the impact of the three (3)He nucleons on the Au nucleus expand hydrodynamically to generate the triangular flow. The agreement of these models with data may indicate the formation of low-viscosity quark-gluon plasma even in these small collision systems.

Relationship between a lipoprotein lipase gene polymorphism in placental tissue and insulin resistance in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between a lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene polymorphism in placental tissue and insulin resistance (IR) in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus. Using polymerase chain reaction-restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis, the LPL HindIII RFLP was examined in the placental tissue of 110 patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (observation group) and 110 women with normal gestation (control group). The relationships between fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), fasting insulin (FINS), cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), body mass index (BMI), and IR indices and the LPL polymorphism in the two study groups and their offspring were determined. The frequency of the H+ allele was significantly higher in the observation group than in the controls (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the observation group between the FPG, PPG, LDL, TC, TG, HDL, BMI, FINS, and IR indices of the H+H+ group and those of the non H+H+ type patients (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the LPL gene polymorphism was positively related to IR. There were statistically significant differences between HDL, BMI, and IR indices between the two study groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the LPL gene polymorphism was determined to be the main factor related to IR in women with gestational diabetes, and was also found to be related to the IR of their offspring.

Wallenda regulates JNK-mediated cell death in Drosophila

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway plays essential roles in regulating a variety of cellular processes including proliferation, migration and survival. Previous genetic studies in Drosophila have identified numerous cell death regulating genes, providing new insights into the mechanisms for related diseases. Despite the known role of the small GTPase Rac1 in regulating cell death, the downstream components and underlying mechanism remain largely elusive. Here, we show that Rac1 promotes JNK-dependent cell death through Wallenda (Wnd). In addition, we find that Wnd triggers JNK activation and cell death via its kinase domain. Moreover, we show that both MKK4 and Hep are critical for Wnd-induced cell death. Furthermore, Wnd is essential for ectopic Egr- or Rho1-induced JNK activation and cell death. Finally, Wnd is physiologically required for loss of scribble-induced JNK-dependent cell death. Thus, our data suggest that wnd encodes a novel essential cell death regulator in Drosophila.

Zhi-Long-Huo-Xue-Tong-Yu modulates mitochondrial fission through the ROCK1 pathway in mitochondrial dysfunction caused by streptozotocin-induced diabetic kidney injury

Zhi-Long-Huo-Xue-Tong-Yu (ZLHXTY) is a defined mixture of 5 herbs developed by Professor S.J. Yang according to the Buyang Huanwu decoction method, which has been recorded in the Yilingaicuo. This study investigated the renoprotective effects of ZLHXTY on mitochondrial dysfunction induced by diabetic kidney injury in a diabetic rat model. Diabetes was induced by a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin. Rats were daily fed either ZLHXTY or vehicle beginning in the 1st week after injection. Levels of mitofusin 2 (mfn2), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), caspase-9, and rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) were detected using Western blotting. Levels of intracellular calcium and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were examined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An electron microscopic examination of kidney tissue was performed. The levels of mfn2 and ATP in the diabetes and ZLHXTY groups decreased from the 4th week after modeling. The expression levels of Drp1, ROCK1, and caspase-9 increased in the diabetes group but decreased in the ZLHXTY group from the 4th week after modeling. Compared with the diabetes group, ZLHXTY treatment decreased the mesangial expansion index and proteinuria levels, and improved the pathological changes typical of diabetic kidney injury. Furthermore, ZLHXTY treatment inhibited the activation of ROCK1 and expression of Drp1 and caspase-9, but did not affect the expression of mfn2. This study indicates that ZLHXTY treatment could protect kidney tissue from diabetic injury through the ROCK1 pathway response to mitochondrial dysfunction induced by diabetes.

Influence of cyclophilin D protein expression level on endothelial cell oxidative damage resistance

We examined the influence of cyclophilin-D (CypD) protein expression level on endothelial cell oxidative damage resistance. A model of CypD protein expression or high expression in endothelial cells was established through gene silencing or cloning. The comparable groups were normal endothelial cells cultured in phosphate-buffered solution in liquid handling cells containing 500 mM H2O2 for 90 or 120 min, and then the medium was replaced with common nutrient solution and cultured again for 24 h. The apoptosis rate and nitric oxide (NO) levels of each group were tested. The cell apoptosis rate of the CyPD low expression group (32.51 ± 6.6 %) was significantly lower than that of the control group (52.57 ± 5.84%, P = 0.001), and total NO production was 24.06 ± 3 and 13.03 ± 3.55 μM. The apoptosis rate of the CyPD high expression group (24.24 + 3.08%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (7.7 + 0.68%, P < 0.001); total NO production was 3.55 ± 1.53 and 8.46 ± 0.77 μM, which was significantly different (P = 0.008). CypD protein could increase oxidative stress and cause endothelial cell injury and apoptosis.

The canonical Wg signaling modulates Bsk-mediated cell death in Drosophila

Cell death is an essential regulatory mechanism for removing unneeded cells in animal development and tissue homeostasis. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway has pivotal roles in the regulation of cell death in response to various intrinsic and extrinsic stress signals. The canonical Wingless (Wg) signaling has been implicated in cell proliferation and cell fate decisions, whereas its role in cell death remains largely elusive. Here, we report that activated Bsk (the Drosophila JNK homolog) induced cell death is mediated by the canonical Wg signaling. First, loss of Wg signaling abrogates Bsk-mediated caspase-independent cell death. Second, activation of Wg signaling promotes cell death in a caspase-independent manner. Third, activation of Bsk signaling results in upregulated transcription of wingless (wg) gene. Finally, Wg pathway participates in the physiological function of Bsk signaling in development. These findings not only reveal a previously undiscovered role of Wg signaling in Bsk-mediated cell death, but also provide a novel mechanism for the interplay between the two important signaling pathways in development.

Effect of pioglitazone combined with simvastatin on the CD40-CD40 ligand system in rabbits with atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE

This paper aims to investigate the interaction mechanism between pioglitazone/simvastatin and the CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40-CD40L) system and to determine their interaction effects on atherosclerosis in rabbits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty rabbits were randomly divided into five groups of eight: normal control, hyperlipidemia model, pioglitazone, simvastatin, and pioglitazone combined with simvastatin therapy. The rabbits were raised for 16 weeks. Blood samples and the aortic length were taken after 16 weeks with the following indicators: (1) blood lipid measurement [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] were measured; (2) measurement of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; (3) aortic pathological observation and measurement of the area ratios for plaque/intimal; and (4) expression determination of CD40L in plaque parts by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

In the treatment groups, the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, hsCRP, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, sCD40L, and MMP-9 increased, and HDL-C level, plaque/intimal area ratio, and CD40 expression in the plaque parts decreased. Improved effects were also found in the combination treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

Pioglitazone and simvastatin may inhibit different functions, such as inflammatory response and lipid regulation, by inhibiting the CD40-CD40L signaling pathway to suppress the formation of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the combined application of pioglitazone and simvastatin has synergistic effects.

[Molecular cloning and expression patterns of two tumor necrosis factor al pha genes in Crucian carp (Carassius carassius)]

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent inflammatory cytokine produced during inflammation. In this study, two Crucian carp TNF-alpha genes, TNFalpha-1 and TNFalpha-2 were cloned and sequenced. The TNFalpha-1 was 720 bp and-consisted of a 699 bp opening reading frame encoding 232 amino acids and TNFalpha-2 was 793 bp and contained an open reading frame of 687 bp which encoded 228 amino acids. The genomic structure of both genes consists of4 exons and 3 introns similar to other known TNF-alpha genes. The amino acid sequence ofcrucian carp TNFalpha-1 and TNFalpha-2 shared the highest identity with common carp, goldfish and the lowest with flounder and human. The phylogenetic analysis grouped crucian carp TNFalpha-1 and TNFalpha-2 with other cypriniformes, which are more closely related to the goldfish and common carp TNFEa-1 and TNFalpha-2. Real time PCR analysis showed a con- stitutive expression of crucian carp TNFalpha-1 and TNFalpha-2 in all seven tissues examined. The TNFalpha-1 mRNA was ex- pressed significantly higher in the liver and kidney than those of TNFalpha-2 while TNFalpha-2 was expressed significantly higher in the muscle than that of TNFalpha-1. Aeromonas hydrophila BSK-10 strain upregulated the expression level of TNFalpha-1 and TNFalpha-2 in all tissues tested. At 6 h, the expression level of TNFalpha-1 increased significantly higher in muscle, skin and liver, while the expression level of TNFalpha-2 increased significantly higher in muscle and gill. TNFalpha-1 expressed much stronger than TNFalpha-2. At 12 h the expression level started declining and was more reduced at 24 h. These results imply that both TNFalpha-1 and TNFalpha-2 mRNA are distributed differently in tissues and are implicated in the immune response to bacterial infection.

Antibody landscapes after influenza virus infection or vaccination

We introduce the antibody landscape, a method for the quantitative analysis of antibody-mediated immunity to antigenically variable pathogens, achieved by accounting for antigenic variation among pathogen strains. We generated antibody landscapes to study immune profiles covering 43 years of influenza A/H3N2 virus evolution for 69 individuals monitored for infection over 6 years and for 225 individuals pre- and postvaccination. Upon infection and vaccination, titers increased broadly, including previously encountered viruses far beyond the extent of cross-reactivity observed after a primary infection. We explored implications for vaccination and found that the use of an antigenically advanced virus had the dual benefit of inducing antibodies against both advanced and previous antigenic clusters. These results indicate that preemptive vaccine updates may improve influenza vaccine efficacy in previously exposed individuals.