[Predictive value of serum Gal-13, GLP-1 and VEGF levels in adverse pregnancy outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus]

To explore the application value of serum Gal-13, GLP-1 and VEGF in the prevention and guidance of adverse pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes (GDM). A retrospective study with case-control method was used to select 1 012 GDM patients from Haikou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 as the study objects, and they were divided into poor pregnancy outcome group (n=342) and good pregnancy outcome group (n=670) according to whether they had adverse pregnancy outcomes. The medical records of 521 healthy women with normal glucose metabolism were selected as the control group. Serum Gal-13 and GLP-1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and VEGF was determined by IAMMGE specific protein analyzer. After comparing the differences of the above factors among the three groups, multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes in GDM patients, and ROC curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of serum Gal-13, GLP-1 and VEGF levels on adverse pregnancy outcomes in GDM patients. The results showed that Fasting blood glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting insulin (FINS) in the adverse pregnancy outcome group were 5.92(4.98, 6.41) mmol/L, 5.32(4.96, 5.47)%, 62.56(49.21,99.50) pmol/L, VEGF was 495.47(389.14, 567.13) ng/L, TSH was 1.48(1.34, 1.58) mIU/L, right ventricular myocardial work index (Tei index) was 0.59(0.45, 0.67), 89 cases of elderly parturients; FPG was 4.45(4.16, 5.03) mmol/L, HbA1c was 5.04(4.86, 5.29)%, FINS was 57.41(46.90, 74.08) pmol/L, VEGF was 405.84(348.02, 462.68) ng/L, TSH was 1.42(1.25, 1.50) mIU/L, Tei index was 0.50(0.47, 0.64), there were 142 cases of old women. In the control group, FPG was 4.33(4.05, 4.75) mmol/L, HbA1c was 5.01(4.13, 5.18)%, FINS was 38.48(36.76, 41.72) pmol/L and VEGF was 302.45(283.14, 336.56) ng/L, TSH was 1.32(1.24, 1.47)mIU/L, Tei index was 0.48(0.39, 0.59), and there were 106 elderly parturiencies. The levels of FPG, HbA1c, FINS, VEGF, TSH and Tei index in the adverse pregnancy outcome group and the good pregnancy outcome group were higher than those in the control group, and the proportion of elderly parturients was higher than that in the control group, and the adverse pregnancy outcome group was higher than that in the good pregnancy outcome group. The differences were statistically significant (H=8.620, P<0.001, H=2.616, P=0.014, H=6.156, P<0.001, H=3.051, P<0.001, H=4.892, P=0.044, χ2=2.548, P=0.045). In the adverse pregnancy outcome group, Gal-13 was 15.27(8.35, 24.45)pg/ml, GLP-1 was 9.27(8.26, 12.35) pmol/L and FT4 was 11.59(9.67, 13.48) pmol/L. In the group with good pregnancy outcome, Gal-13 was 25.34(20.14, 29.73) pg/ml, GLP-1 was 12.38(10.25, 15.63) pmol/L and FT4 was 13.86(10.67, 15.10) pmol/L. In the control group, Gal-13 was 31.21(27.48, 34.45) pg/ml, GLP-1 was 11.34(10.40, 14.37) pmol/L and FT4 was 14.15(10.75, 15.43)pmol/L. The levels of Gal-13, GLP-1 and FT4 in the adverse pregnancy outcome group and the good pregnancy outcome group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the adverse pregnancy outcome group was lower than that in the good pregnancy outcome group. The differences were statistically significant (H=6.458, P=0.011, H=8.445, P<0.001, H=5.694, P<0.001). The levels of Gal-13 and GLP-1 in normal blood glucose recovery group were higher than those in non-normal blood glucose recovery group, and the levels of VEGF were lower than those in non-normal blood glucose recovery group (P<0.05).In multivariate logistic regression analysis, Gal-13, GLP-1, VEGF, TSH, FT4 and Tei indexes were independent influencing factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes with GDM (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of Gal-13, GLP-1 and VEGF alone in predicting adverse pregnancy were 0.779, 0.761 and 0.615, respectively. The value of the combined diagnosis was the highest (AUC=0.912), the sensitivity was 90.1%, and the specificity was 80.0%. In conclusion, Gal-13, GLP-1 and VEGF may be independent influencing factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in GDM patients, and the combined detection of the three may help to improve the auxiliary diagnostic efficacy for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes.

[Application of short-course radiotherapy with total neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of middle and low rectal cancer]

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of short-course radiotherapy with total neoadjuvant therapy (SCRT-TNT) and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in patients with locally advanced middle and low rectal cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. A of 126 patients with locally advanced middle and low rectal cancer who were treated in the Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery of Fujian Cancer Hospital from September 2016 to March 2020 were enrolled, including 73 males and 53 females, with a mean age of (56.5±9.8) (23-77) years. Based on neoadjuvant regimen (nCRT treatment was performed before December 2018 and SCRT-TNT treatment was carried out after January 2019), patients were divided into nCRT group (n=68) and SCRT-TNT group (n=58). There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, distance from tumor to anal verge, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and clinical TNM stage between the two groups (all P>0.05). Patients in both groups received pelvic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The radiotherapy dose of nCRT group was 50Gy/25 times/5 weeks. Patients in nCRT group received oral capecitabine chemotherapy during radiotherapy and underwent surgery 6-8 weeks after chemoradiation. However, patients in SCRT-TNT group received CapeOX regimen (oxaliplatin+capecitabine) for 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy, followed by short-course radiotherapy (25Gy/5 times/5 days), then underwent a radical surgery two weeks after completion of consolidation chemotherapy (4 cycles). The adverse reactions, perioperative safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy were compared and analyzed between the two groups. Results: Both groups completed neoadjuvant therapy as planned. Patients in nCRT group and SCRT-TNT group had similar incidence of adverse reactions to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, however, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of surgical complications, operation time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative length of hospital stay (all P>0.05). A total of 119 patients underwent total mesenterectomy (TME), including 64 patients in the nCRT group and 55 patients in the SCRT-TNT group, all with R0 resection. The pathological complete response (pCR) rate was 10.9% (7/64) in the nCRT group and 25.5% (14/55) in the SCRT-TNT group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P=0.038). Two years after surgery, there was no statistically significant difference in local recurrence rate and overall survival rate between the two groups (both P>0.05). However, the clinical metastasis rate of SCRT-TNT group was significantly lower than that of nCRT group (20.3% vs 9.1%), with a statistically significant difference (P<0. 05). Conclusion: SCRT-TNT do not increase the adverse reactions of radio chemotherapy and perioperative risks in the treatment of locally advanced middle and low rectal cancer, and the tumor regression effect is good, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Does living at high altitude increase the risk of bleeding events after total knee arthroplasty? A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Post-operative bleeding after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a frequent cause of post-operative complications. This study compared blood loss and indicators of coagulation and fibrinolysis between TKA patients living at low or high altitudes.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 120 patients at our institution who underwent primary TKA from May 2019 to March 2020, and we divided them into those living in areas about 500 m or > 3000 m above sea level. We compared the primary outcome of total blood loss between them. We also compared them in terms of several secondary outcomes: coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters, platelet count, reduction in hemoglobin, hidden blood loss, intra-operative blood loss, transfusion rate, and incidence of thromboembolic events and other complications.

RESULTS

Total blood loss was significantly higher in the high-altitude group than in the low-altitude group (mean, 748.2 mL [95% CI, 658.5-837.9] vs 556.6 mL [95% CI, 496.0-617.1]; p = 0.001). The high-altitude group also showed significantly longer activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and thrombin time before surgery and on post-operative day one, as well as increased levels of fibrinogen/fibrin degradation product on post-operative days one and three. Ecchymosis was significantly more frequent in the high-altitude group (41.7 vs 21.7%; relative risk (RR) = 1.923 [95% CI, 1.091-3.389]; p = 0.019). The two groups showed similar transfusion rates, and none of the patients experienced venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, or infection.

CONCLUSION

High altitude may alter coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters in a way that increases risk of blood loss after TKA. Such patients may benefit from special management to avoid bleeding events.

Biological Characteristics and Molecular Mechanism of Procymidone Resistance in Stemphylium eturmiunum From Garlic

Garlic leaf blight caused by Stemphylium eturmiunum was first reported in Jiangsu Province in China. The dicarboximide fungicide (DCF) procymidone is reported to possess broad-spectrum action in inhibiting filamentous fungi and is widely used to control leaf disease of various plants. Of 41 Stemphylium eturmiunum isolates collected in this study from commercial garlic farms in Pizhou and Dafeng counties of Jiangsu Province, eight isolates were resistant to procymidone. The following three phenotypes were categorized according to in vitro responses to DCFs: sensitive, low resistance to iprodione and procymidone, and high resistance to all iprodione and procymidone. The fitness of all resistant isolates was decreased in accordance with data on mycelial growth, conidiation, and virulence. After treatment with 10 µg/ml of procymidone for 4 h, mycelial intracellular glycerol concentrations of resistant isolates were significantly lower than those of sensitive isolates. Positive cross-resistance was observed between dicarboximides and phenylpyrroles, but there was no cross-resistance between dicarboximides and fluazinam or difenoconazole in the two resistant phenotypes. Nucleotide sequence alignment of two-component histidine kinase genes from sensitive and resistant isolates indicated that amino acid mutations were located at the histidine kinase, adenylyl cyclase, methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein and at the phosphatase domain of the N-terminal region and the response regulator domain of the C-terminal region. To our knowledge, this is the first report of DCF resistance in Stemphylium eturmiunum, and these findings will help establish a rational strategy to manage DCF-resistant populations of Stemphylium eturmiunum in the field.

Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy of Hair Shaft Using HID Ion GeneStudioTM S5 Sequencing System

Objective To study the heteroplasmy of the whole mitochondrial genome genotyping result of hair shaft samples using HID Ion GeneStudio^TM S5 Sequencing System. Methods The buccal swabs and blood of 8 unrelated individuals, and hair shaft samples from different parts of the same individual were collected. Amplification of whole mitochondrial genome was performed using Precision ID mtDNA Whole Genome Panel. Analysis and detection of whole mitochondrial genome were carried out using the HID Ion GeneStudio^TM S5 Sequencing System. Results The mitochondrial DNA sequences in temporal hair shaft samples from 2 individuals showed heteroplasmy, while whole mitochondrial genome genotyping results of buccal swabs, blood, and hair samples from the other 6 unrelated individuals were consistent. A total of 119 base variations were observed from the 8 unrelated individuals. The numbers of variable sites of the individuals were 29, 40, 38, 35, 13, 36, 40 and 35, respectively. Conclusion Sequence polymorphism can be fully understood using HID Ion GeneStudio^TM S5 Sequencing system.

Mutations and Overexpression of CYP51 Associated with DMI-Resistance in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides from Chili

Chili anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. is an annual production concern for growers in China. Sterol C14-demethylation inhibitors (DMIs, such as tebuconazole) have been widely used to control this disease for more than three decades. In the current study, of 48 isolates collected from commercial chili farms in Jiangsu Province of China during 2018 and 2019, 8 single-spore isolates were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and the rest were identified as C. acutatum. To determine whether the DMI resistance of isolates develops in the field, mycelial growth of the 48 isolates was measured in culture medium with and without tebuconazole. In all, 6 of the 8 C. gloeosporioides isolates were resistant to tebuconazole, but all 40 of the C. acutatum isolates were sensitive to tebuconazole. The fitness cost of resistance was low based on a comparison of fitness parameters between the sensitive and resistant isolates of C. gloeosporioides. Positive cross-resistance was observed between tebuconazole and difenconazole or propiconazole, but not prochloraz. Alignment results of the CgCYP51 amino acid sequences from the sensitive and resistant isolates indicated that mutations can be divided into three genotypes. Genotype I possessed four substitutions (V18F, L58V, S175P, and P341A) at the CgCYP51A gene but no substitutions at CgCYP51B, while genotype II had five substitutions (L58V, S175P, A340S, T379A, and N476T) at CgCYP51A, concomitant with three substitutions (D121N, T132A, and F391Y) at CgCYP51B. In addition, genotype III contained two substitutions (L58V and S175P) at CgCYP51A, concomitant with one substitution (T262A) at CgCYP51B. Molecular docking models illustrated that the affinity of tebuconazole to the binding site of the CgCYP51 protein from the resistant isolates was decreased when compared with binding site affinity of the sensitive isolates. Our findings provide not only novel insights into understanding the resistance mechanism to DMIs, but also some important references for resistance management of C. gloeosporioides on chili.

Size-dependent magnetic properties of γ-Fe2O3 nanocrystallites

A route for synthesizing monodisperse magnetic nanocrystallites of maghemite, [Formula: see text]-Fe₂O₃, with various sizes has been revisited. A systematic investigation of three [Formula: see text]-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystalline samples by different techniques has been performed to characterize their size-dependent magnetic properties. Zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization measurements reveal that the superparamagnetic blocking temperatures are around 230 K, 170 K, and 50 K for the 15.0 nm, 11.8 nm, and 6.1 nm nanocrystallites, respectively. Low-temperature Mössbauer spectra show that all three nanocrystallites have the maghemite structure with all the vacancies in the B-sites. Furthermore, detailed analysis shows that there are more vacancies on the B-sites for the 6.1 nm nanocrystallites compared to 0.33 for the bulk maghemite.

The use of steroid cream for physiologic phimosis in male infants with a history of UTI and normal renal ultrasound is associated with decreased risk of recurrent UTI

BACKGROUND

An uncircumcised male infant with a history of urinary tract infection (UTI), physiologic phimosis, and a normal renal ultrasound is a common patient referred to pediatric urology clinics. Topical steroid creams have been shown to effectively release physiologic phimosis.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that use of steroid cream for physiologic phimosis is associated with a lower UTI recurrence in uncircumcised male infants with normal renal ultrasounds.

STUDY DESIGN

Uncircumcised males younger than 12 months referred for a UTI with a normal renal ultrasound were included. A longitudinal data set was created, and recurrent UTIs were identified. The proportion with a recurrent UTI was compared between those who received a prescription for a steroid cream for phimosis and those who did not. The morbidity of the initial and recurrent UTIs was also described. The association of recurrent UTI with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was also evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 192 uncircumcised males with a median age of 5.8 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.5-7.9 months) were included. Twenty-seven patients were treated with a course of betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream, and 165 were not (Summary Table). There were no significant differences between groups in the frequency of voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), diagnosis of VUR, or use of continuous prophylactic antibiotics (CAP). During a median follow-up of 8.7 months (IQR: 3.1-17.5 months), none of the patients treated with steroid cream had a recurrent UTI compared with 27 of 165 (16%) patients not treated (P = 0.02). Among the 173 patients whose initial UTI was febrile, recurrent febrile UTIs occurred in no treated patients and 23 of 150 (15%) untreated patients (P = 0.047).

DISCUSSION

The results of this study are consistent with those of a previous randomized trial of steroid cream for physiologic phimosis which found lower recurrent UTI in those whose foreskins became retractable. In addition, the results are consistent with the declining incidence of UTIs in uncircumcised males mirroring the natural history of physiologic phimosis resolving. This study is limited by its retrospective nature and non-standardized follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The use of steroid cream for physiologic phimosis is associated with a decreased risk of recurrent UTIs in uncircumcised male infants with a normal renal ultrasound. In this group, steroid cream for physiologic phimosis is a well-tolerated and simple alternative to circumcision to potentially decrease risk of recurrent UTI.

[Three patients with large area burns complicated by acute acalculous cholecystitis]

From April 2017 to April 2018, three male patients aged 46-71 years with large area burns were treated in our hospital. Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) symptoms of the patients began to appear 15-81 days after injury. AAC was diagnosed 24-81 days after injury. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy was performed 26-82 days after injury. The symptoms subsided in 2 patients, and cholecystectomy was performed in 1 patient with gallbladder perforation 94 days after injury. The patients were cured and discharged 41-118 days after injury. No recurrence of cholecystitis occurred during 8-9 months of follow-up after discharge.

[Relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in female patients]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH) D] levels and idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in female patients. Methods: A total of 67 women diagnosed with idiopathic BPPV were selected as the study group between January and December 2016 in Ningbo No.2 Hospital, and 95 healthy women without a history of vertigo or dizziness were selected as the control group. The data of height, weight, histories of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were collected, and serum 25(OH) D levels were measured. The number of the recurrence and canalith repositioning maneuvers were recorded during the one-year follow-up. Results: No significant differences of age, body mass index, histories of hypertension and diabetes mellitus between patients with BPPV and healthy controls (all P>0.05) .The serum 25 (OH) D levels were significantly lower in patients with idiopathic BPPV than in healthy controls [(50.56±13.36) nmol/L vs (56.55±16.21) nmol/L, t=-2.485, P=0.014]. BPPV patients with low level of 25(OH) D showed a significant increase in the number of canalith repositioning maneuvers required and the recurrence rate. The regression analyses demonstrated that 25(OH)D deficiency was associated with BPPV with an odds ratio of 2.054 (95% CI: 1.088-3.877, P=0.026). Conclusion: 25(OH) D deficiency may be a risk factor of BPPV.

Effects of the dinitroaniline fungicide fluazinam on Fusarium fujikuroi and rice

Fusarium fujikuroi is the primary causal agent of rice bakanae disease. Fluazinam is a protective dinitroaniline fungicide which could interrupt the fungal cell's energy production. Little is known about the effects of fluazinam on F. fujikuroi. In this study, baseline sensitivity of F. fujikuroi to fluazinam was determined using 103 isolates collected from diseased young rice of different fields in Shaoxing of Zhejiang Province and Huaian of Jiangsu Province of China in 2016. The EC₅₀ values of fluazinam on inhibiting mycelial growth against 103 isolates of F. fujikuroi ranged from 0.0621 to 0.5446 μg/mL with the average value of 0.2038 ± 0.0099 μg/mL (mean ± standard error). The EC₅₀ values of fluazinam on suppressing conidium germination against 103 isolates of F. fujikuroi ranged from 0.1006 to 0.9763 μg/mL with the mean value of 0.3552 ± 0.0181 μg/mL. Treated with fluazinam, hyphae of F. fujikuroi were contorted, offshoot of top mycelia increased, conidial production descreased significantly and exopolysaccharide (EPS) content did not change significantly while peroxidase (POD) activity significantly decreased. Meanwhile, cell membrane permeability increased after treated with fluazinam. The analysis of cell ultrastructure indicated that fluazinam could damage the membrane structure of F. fujikuroi and cause a large number of vacuoles formed. In addition, fluazinam did not affect germination rate, plant height and fresh weight of rice, which indicated that fluazinam was safe to rice. All the results indicated that fluazinam had strong antifungal activity against F. fujikuroi and a potential application in controlling rice bakanae disease. These results will provide useful information for management of rice bakanae disease caused by F. fujikuroi and further increase our understanding about the mode of action of fluazinam against F. fujikuroi and other phytopathogens.

Baseline sensitivity of Bipolaris maydis to the novel succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor benzovindiflupyr and its efficacy

Benzovindiflupyr is a novel member of succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides. The filamentous fungus Bipolaris maydis Nisik. et Miyake was the causal agent of southern corn leaf blight (SCLB). Here, baseline sensitivity of B. maydis to benzovindiflupyr was established by mycelial growth and conidium germination methods using 96 B. maydis isolates collected from various places of Jiangsu Province of China, and EC₅₀ values ranged from 0.0321 to 0.9149 μg/ml with the mean value of 0.3446 (±0.2248) μg/ml for mycelial growth, and 0.1864 to 0.964 μg/ml with the mean value of 0.5060 (±0.2094) μg/ml for conidium germination respectively. Treated with benzovindiflupyr, the distribution of nuclei and septum of hyphae did not change, but hyphae of offshoot and conidial production of B. maydis decreased significantly, the cell membrane permeability increased. The result of transmission electron microscope showed that the cross section of hypha was out of shape, the cell wall became thin and sparse, the cell membrane were distinctly damaged, organelles dissolved and vacuolated, and the cell nearly broke up. The results suggested that benzovindiflupyr had strong activity against mycelial growth and conidial production of B. maydis by damaging cell wall, membrane and organelles. The protective and curative activity assays for benzovindiflupyr indicated that benzovindiflupyr exhibited excellent suppression of B. maydis development on detached corn leaves. In protective activity assay with application of benzovindiflupyr at 10 μg/ml, the control efficacy reached to 100%. In curative activity assay with application of benzovindiflupyr at 50 μg/ml, the control efficacy reached to 90.72%. This is the first report of baseline sensitivity of B. maydis to benzovindiflupyr and its biological activity against B. maydis. It is recommended that benzovindiflupyr is a excellent candidate for controlling SCLB.

The single nucleotide polymorphism rs700518 is an independent risk factor for metabolic syndrome and benign prostatic hyperplasia (MetS-BPH)

Studies have shown that 48.59% of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is combined with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The mainstream view supports the correlation between MetS and BPH, but the pathogenesis of MetS‐BPH is not fully understood. Four hundred and seventy‐four men, aged 47 years or older, were recruited into this study by consecutive routine physical examination programs, and several parameters were obtained from each participant. Based on the diagnosis of BPH, MetS, and MetS‐BPH, the participants were divided into BPH and Non‐BPH groups, MetS and Non‐MetS groups, as well as MetS‐BPH and Non‐MetS‐BPH groups. The values of the obtained parameters were evaluated using Student's t‐test, chi‐square test, and logistic regression analysis. The value of estradiol (E2) was higher in the diseased groups (BPH, MetS, and MetS‐BPH groups) compared with the corresponding control groups (Non‐BPH, Non‐MetS, and Non‐MetS‐BPH groups), and the differences were statistically significant. Also, E2 had an independent association with BPH (OR = 2.286, 95% CI: 1.723–3.593, p < 0.001), MetS (OR = 1.406, 95% CI: 0.585–2.315, p < 0.001), and MetS‐BPH (OR = 1.249, 95% CI: 0.795–1.962, p < 0.001). Regarding SNPs of CYP19A1 gene, both the rs4646 genotypes (CC, CA, and AA) and the rs700518 genotypes (CC, CT, and TT) were present in every group, and all genotypes had statistically significant differences between the diseased and corresponding control groups. However, only the TT genotype of rs700518 was independently associated with BPH, MetS, and MetS‐BPH after adjusting for age. The TT genotype of rs700518 is an independent risk factor for the MetS‐BPH populations, and the CYP19A1 gene regulation of estrogen leads to MetS‐BPH.

[Clinical significance of hypermethylation of DLC-1 gene in myelodysplastic syndrome patients and effects of decitabine on DLC-1 gene expression]

Objective: To detect the methylation status of DLC-1 gene in the patients with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS), the effect of abnormal methylation of DLC-1 gene on the expression of DLC-1 gene, the clinical significance of methylation of DLC-1 gene in MDS patients, and the effect of decitabine on DLC-1 gene expression. Methods: A total of 43 MDS patients were treated in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from 2013 to 2015. Methylation status of DLC-1 gene in MDS patients were detected by the methylation specific PCR(MSP). The expression of DLC-1 gene mRNA was determined with real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RTFQ-PCR). MDS patients were divided into 5 groups (very low-risk, low-risk, intermediate-risk, high-risk and very high-risk, n=0, 8, 7, 18, 10) according to WPSS classification. And the clinical significance of methylation of DLC-1 gene in patients with MDS were investigated. In order to investigate the change in gene methylation and expression of DLC-1 gene after treatment with decitabine, methylation statuses of DLC-1 gene in MDS patients before and after be treated with decitabine were detected by the bisulfite sequencing PCR(BSP). The expressions of DLC-1 gene mRNA of these patients were determined with RTFQ-PCR. Results: Hypermethylation of CpG island of DLC-1 gene was observed in 55.16%(22/43)MDS patients. The expressions of DLC-1 gene mRNA in methylation positive patients were significantly lower than that in methylation negative patients (0.32±0.06 vs 0.91±0.11)(P=0.008). For MDS patients, the DLC-1 methylation rate of intermediate-and high-risk patient was 21/35, which was significantly higher than that of low-risk patient(1/8, P=0.006). The methylation status of DLC-1 gene were monitored in 8 patients before and after treatment with the decitabine (decitabine 20 mg/m(2,) d1-d5/d28, more than 4 courses) , the methylation rate of DLC-1 gene dropped from 57.50%±5.11% to 14.13%±2.07% after treatment(P=0.010). The expression of DLC-1 gene increased after treatment with decitabine(0.67±0.08 vs 0.28±0.06, P=0.015). Conclusions: Methylation of DLC-1 gene is common in MDS patients and may be associated with poor prognosis. Decitabine may activate the expression of DLC-1 gene by demethylation, which may be one of the mechanisms for the treatment of patients with MDS.

Molecular and biological characterization of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum resistant to the anilinopyrimidine fungicide cyprodinil

Cyprodinil belongs to the chemical class of anilinopyrimidines fungicides. In this study, baseline sensitivity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary to cyprodinil was determined using 100 strains collected from the fields in Jiangsu Province of China. The EC₅₀ (50% effective concentration) values ranged from 0.0636-0.8163 μg/ml with a mean value of 0.1869 (±0.1118) ug/ml for mycelial growth. Nine cyprodinil-resistant mutants (Range of resistance factor: 20.22-271.59) were obtained from sensitive strains exposed on PDA medium amended with cyprodinil and the resistance was stable after their ten transfers on PDA without the fungicide or stored at 4 °C for two months. There was positive cross-resistance between cyprodinil and pyrimethanil but not to fludioxonil, dimetachlone, procymidone, carbendazim and boscalid in S. sclerotiorum. Compared with the parental strains, all of the nine cyprodinil-resistant mutants decreased in sclerotial production. The dry weight of mycelia, pathogenicity and cell membrane permeability of most resistant mutants decreased. The mycelial growth, oxalic acid content, and the response to various stress for resistant mutants were almost the same as the sensitive parental strains. Sequencing alignment results showed that there was no alteration of amino acid in cystathionine γ-synthase (MetB) and cystathionine β-lyase (MetC) between cyprodinil-resistant mutants and their sensitive parental strains, which indicated that MetB or MetC was not the molecular target of cyprodinil in S. sclerotiorum. The addition of amino acids L-methionine, L-cystine or L-cysteine decreased the inhibition of cyprodinil against mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum, which indicated that cyprodinil could not only inhibited methionine biosynthesis but also suppressed cystine and cysteine biosynthesis. These results will contribute to evaluating the resistance risk of cyprodinil for management of the plant diseases of Sclerotinia stem rot caused by S. sclerotiorum and further increase our understanding about the mode of action of cyprodinil.

Resistance mechanism of Fusarium fujikuroi to phenamacril in the field

BACKGROUND

Rice bakanae disease, mainly caused by Fusarium fujikuroi, is an important disease of rice. Phenamacril has been used to control the disease for a few years in China. In 2016, nine phenamacril-resistant strains were found in the field in Zhejiang Province. The aim of the study was to clarify the mechanism of resistance of F. fujikuroi to phenamacril and the fitness of resistant strains.

RESULTS

The nine F. fujikuroi strains examined were highly resistant to phenamacril. Eight of them had the point mutation TCA (Ser) → CCA (Pro) at codon 219 in the Myosin-5 protein, while the other had the point mutation TCA (Ser) → TTA (Leu) at codon 219. Myosin-5 replacement between resistant and sensitive strains confirmed that the point mutation in Myosin-5 caused the resistance of F. fujikuroi to phenamacril. Docking of phenamacril into the modeled binding pocket of Myosin-5 showed that the affinity between phenamacril and Myosin-5 decreased and a hydrogen bond could not be formed between phenamacril and the amino acid at codon 219 after it changed to Pro or Leu. There was no cross-resistance between phenamacril and other fungicides. The eight resistant strains containing the point mutation S219P had almost the same fitness as the sensitive strains, while the one resistant strain containing the point mutation S219 L showed decreased mycelial growth, sporulation and pathogenicity.

CONCLUSION

In the field, the point mutation S219P or S219 L in Myosin-5 conferred high resistance to phenamacril in F. fujikuroi. The point mutation S219P did not affect the fitness of F. fujikuroi, while the point mutation S219 L decreased its fitness. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Study on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women with idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

Objective: To analyze the bone mineral density and serum osteocalcin levels in postmenopausal women with idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Methods: A total of 64 postmenopausal women with idiopathic BPPV were selected as the study group, and 98 postmenopausal healthy women were selected as the control group. Bone mineral density and serum osteocalcin levels were analyzed and compared between the groups.χ(2) test was used for numeration data and t test was used for measurement data. Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis or osteopenia in BPPV group 67.2% (43/64) was significantly higher than that in the control group 51.0% (50/98) (χ(2)=4.139, P=0.042). Among BPPV subjects, there was a negative correlation between osteocalcin and bone density T (r=-0.469, P<0.001). Osteocalcin was found in normal bone mass subgroup (13.61±4.32)μg/L, decreased bone mass subgroup (17.49±7.61)μg/L, and osteoporosis subgroup (20.83±6.72)μg/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (F=5.39, P=0.007). Conclusions: Bone mineral density in BPPV group is lower than that in control group. The lower the bone mineral density of the patients, the higher the osteocalcin in BPPV group.

Resistance risk assessment for fluazinam in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

In the current study, sensitivity distribution of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum populations to fluazinam was determined using 103 strains collected from the fields of Jiangsu Province of China in 2016-2017 and the resistance risk of fluazinam was assessed. The average EC₅₀ (50% effective concentration) values and MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values of 103 S. sclerotiorum strains against fluazinam were 0.0073±0.0045μg/ml and <0.3μg/ml for mycelial growth, respectively. Nine mutants with low resistance level were obtained from wild type sensitive strains exposed on PDA medium amended with fluazinam and the resistance was stable after their ten transfers on PDA without the fungicide. Compared with the parental strains, the nine fluazinam-resistant mutants decreased in mycelial growth, sclerotial production, pathogenicity and were more sensitive to 0.7M NaCl. In addition, cell membrane permeability of resistant mutants was higher than that of their parental strains. Cross resistance assay showed that there was no cross-resistance between fluazinam and fludioxonil, dimetachlone, prochloraz, tebuconazole, azoxystrobin, or procymidone in S. sclerotiorum. The above results indicated that there was a low resistance risk for fluazinam in S. sclerotiorum. However, the sensitivity of all fluazinam-resistant mutants to fludioxonil decreased. Sequencing alignment results showed that there were no mutations in the two-component histidine kinase gene (Shk1) of the resistant mutants and the expression levels of Shk1 of three resistant mutants were significantly up-regulated while others were almost the same as their parental strains. These results will contribute to evaluating the resistance risk of fluazinam for management of diseases caused by S. sclerotiorum and further increase our understanding about the mode of action of fluazinam.

Historical epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in select countries-volume 4

Due to the introduction of newer, more efficacious treatment options, there is a pressing need for policy makers and public health officials to develop or adapt national hepatitis C virus (HCV) control strategies to the changing epidemiological landscape. To do so, detailed, country-specific data are needed to characterize the burden of chronic HCV infection. In this study of 17 countries, a literature review of published and unpublished data on HCV prevalence, viraemia, genotype, age and gender distribution, liver transplants and diagnosis and treatment rates was conducted, and inputs were validated by expert consensus in each country. Viraemic prevalence in this study ranged from 0.2% in Hong Kong to 2.4% in Taiwan, while the largest viraemic populations were in Nigeria (2 597 000 cases) and Taiwan (569 000 cases). Diagnosis, treatment and liver transplant rates varied widely across the countries included in this analysis, as did the availability of reliable data. Addressing data gaps will be critical for the development of future strategies to manage and minimize the disease burden of hepatitis C.

The present and future disease burden of hepatitis C virus infections with today's treatment paradigm: Volume 4

Factors influencing the morbidity and mortality associated with viremic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection change over time and place, making it difficult to compare reported estimates. Models were developed for 17 countries (Bahrain, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Colombia, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Qatar and Taiwan) to quantify and characterize the viremic population as well as forecast the changes in the infected population and the corresponding disease burden from 2015 to 2030. Model inputs were agreed upon through expert consensus, and a standardized methodology was followed to allow for comparison across countries. The viremic prevalence is expected to remain constant or decline in all but four countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan and Oman); however, HCV-related morbidity and mortality will increase in all countries except Qatar and Taiwan. In Qatar, the high-treatment rate will contribute to a reduction in total cases and HCV-related morbidity by 2030. In the remaining countries, however, the current treatment paradigm will be insufficient to achieve large reductions in HCV-related morbidity and mortality.

Strategies to manage hepatitis C virus infection disease burden-Volume 4

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic was forecasted through 2030 for 17 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, and interventions for achieving the Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis targets-"WHO Targets" (65% reduction in HCV-related deaths, 90% reduction in new infections and 90% of infections diagnosed by 2030) were considered. Scaling up treatment and diagnosis rates over time would be required to achieve these targets in all but one country, even with the introduction of high SVR therapies. The scenarios developed to achieve the WHO Targets in all countries studied assumed the implementation of national policies to prevent new infections and to diagnose current infections through screening.

Photoacoustic Imaging for Noninvasive Periodontal Probing Depth Measurements

The periodontal probe is the gold standard tool for periodontal examinations, including probing depth measurements, but is limited by systematic and random errors. Here, we used photoacoustic ultrasound for high-spatial resolution imaging of probing depths. Specific contrast from dental pockets was achieved with food-grade cuttlefish ink as a contrast medium. Here, 39 porcine teeth (12 teeth with artificially deeper pockets) were treated with the contrast agent, and the probing depths were measured with novel photoacoustic imaging and a Williams periodontal probe. There were statistically significant differences between the 2 measurement approaches for distal, lingual, and buccal sites but not mesial. Bland-Altman analysis revealed that all bias values were < ±0.25 mm, and the coefficients of variation for 5 replicates were <11%. The photoacoustic imaging approach also offered 0.01-mm precision and could cover the entire pocket, as opposed to the probe-based approach, which is limited to only a few sites. This report is the first to use photoacoustic imaging for probing depth measurements with potential implications to the dental field, including tools for automated dental examinations or noninvasive examinations.

Dark Matter Search Results from the PICO-60 C_{3}F_{8} Bubble Chamber

New results are reported from the operation of the PICO-60 dark matter detector, a bubble chamber filled with 52 kg of C_{3}F_{8} located in the SNOLAB underground laboratory. As in previous PICO bubble chambers, PICO-60 C_{3}F_{8} exhibits excellent electron recoil and alpha decay rejection, and the observed multiple-scattering neutron rate indicates a single-scatter neutron background of less than one event per month. A blind analysis of an efficiency-corrected 1167-kg day exposure at a 3.3-keV thermodynamic threshold reveals no single-scattering nuclear recoil candidates, consistent with the predicted background. These results set the most stringent direct-detection constraint to date on the weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP)-proton spin-dependent cross section at 3.4×10^{-41}  cm^{2} for a 30-GeV c^{-2} WIMP, more than 1 order of magnitude improvement from previous PICO results.

[The correlation analysis of the cochlear hydrops degree found by MRI angiography with Meiniere's disease classification]

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the levels of cochlear hydrops with the clinic classification of Meniere's disease(MD).Method:3D-FlAIR MRI was performed 24 hours after intratympanic injection of 8-fold diluted Gadopentetate Dimeglumine in 31 patients with unilateral MD. We evaluated the levels of cochlear hydrops and further analyzed the correlation between the levels of cochlear hydrops and thresholds of pure tone audiometry and clinic classification of MD. Result:MRI image clearly distinguished perilymph from endolymph in the labyrinth. The images showed different levels of enhancement of perilymphatic fluid spaces. In the 31 patients, obvious signs of endolymphatic hydrops were found, including 4 cases of level 0, 6 cases of level 1, 11 cases of level 2 and 10 cases of level 3. Their average hearing threshold was(54.37±3.88)dB HL. The levels of cochlear hydrops were significantly correlated with pure tone audiometry thresholds （r=0.636，P<0.01） and MD classification(r=0.516,P<0.01). None of the patients after intratympanic injection complained about discomfort or happened with any complications such as eardrum perforation, infection, and so on. Conclusion:The degree of endolymphatic hydrops based on MRI in MD patient has significant correlation with the pure tone audiometry and classification of disease. The examination can act as an objective index for MD diagnosis.

MICA/B genotyping of Tujias from Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China

One hundred eighty-seven Tujia individuals from Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China were genotyped at the MICA and MICB loci using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific priming and sequencing-based typing methods. MICA and MCB genotypes are consistent with expected HW proportions. These genotype data are available in the Allele Frequencies Net Database.

Asian-Pacific clinical practice guidelines on the management of hepatitis B: a 2015 update

Worldwide, some 240 million people have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), with the highest rates of infection in Africa and Asia. Our understanding of the natural history of HBV infection and the potential for therapy of the resultant disease is continuously improving. New data have become available since the previous APASL guidelines for management of HBV infection were published in 2012. The objective of this manuscript is to update the recommendations for the optimal management of chronic HBV infection. The 2015 guidelines were developed by a panel of Asian experts chosen by the APASL. The clinical practice guidelines are based on evidence from existing publications or, if evidence was unavailable, on the experts' personal experience and opinion after deliberations. Manuscripts and abstracts of important meetings published through January 2015 have been evaluated. This guideline covers the full spectrum of care of patients infected with hepatitis B, including new terminology, natural history, screening, vaccination, counseling, diagnosis, assessment of the stage of liver disease, the indications, timing, choice and duration of single or combination of antiviral drugs, screening for HCC, management in special situations like childhood, pregnancy, coinfections, renal impairment and pre- and post-liver transplant, and policy guidelines. However, areas of uncertainty still exist, and clinicians, patients, and public health authorities must therefore continue to make choices on the basis of the evolving evidence. The final clinical practice guidelines and recommendations are presented here, along with the relevant background information.

Efficacy of Deanxit in management of negative emotions in patients with digestive system malignant tumors

AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Deanxit in the management of negative emotions in patients with digestive system malignant tumors.

METHODS: One hundred and thirty-three patients with digestive system malignant tumors and negative emotions treated at the Nanchang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine from October 2012 to October 2014 were divided into either a treatment group (n = 68) or a control group (n = 65). There was no significant difference in tumor histology, distribution, age, gender or course of disease between the two groups. Patients in both groups were given conventional anti-cancer therapy, and Deanxit and placebo were additionally given to the treatment group and control group, respectively. All patients were followed once every two weeks, during which Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score and any side effects were assessed. Treatment outcomes were evaluated after 8 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS: After 8 weeks of treatment, patients from both groups showed significant relief in terms of depression (HAMD, treatment group: 8.5 ± 3.2 vs 23.1 ± 4.5; control group: 12.3 ± 5.2 vs 22.9 ± 4.1) and anxiety (HAMA, treatment group: 7.8 ± 2.6 vs 25.9 ± 4.3; control group: 14.5 ± 4.4 vs 26.1 ± 4.7; P < 0.05 both). Symptom relief was more significant in the treatment group than in control group, as demonstrated by both HAMD (8.5 ± 3.2 vs 12.3 ± 5.2, P < 0.05) and HAMA (7.8 ± 2.6 vs 14.5 ± 4.4, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Deanxit is effective and safe in the management of negative emotions in patients with digestive system malignant tumors and can help improve the quality of life of patients.

Development of EST-SSR markers related to disease resistance and their application in genetic diversity and evolution analysis in Gossypium

Cotton (Gossypium spp) is one of the most economically important crops that provide the world's most widely used natural fiber. Diseases such as Fusarium wilt and particularly Verticillium wilt seriously affect cotton production, and thus breeding for disease resistance is one of the most important goals of cotton breeding programs. Currently, potential exists to improve disease resistance in cultivated cotton. Increasing the understanding of the distribution, structure, and organization of genes or quantitative trait loci for disease resistance will help the breeders improve crop yield even in the event of disease. To facilitate the mapping of disease-resistance quantitative trait loci to achieve disease-resistant molecular breeding in cotton, it is necessary to develop polymorphic molecular markers. The objective of this study was to develop simple sequence repeat markers based on cotton expressed sequence tags for disease resistance. The efficacy of these simple sequence repeat markers, their polymorphisms, and cross-species transferability were evaluated. Their value was further investigated based on genetic diversity and evolution analysis. In this study, the unique sequences used to develop markers were compared with the G. arboretum and G. raimondii genome sequences to investigate their position, homology, and collinearity between G. arboretum and G. raimondii.

MIC gene polymorphism and haplotype diversity in Zhuang nationality of Southern China

Zhuang ethnic minority is the largest minority group in China. Here, we report for the first time the polymorphisms of MICA and MICB in a healthy Zhuang population of 209 unrelated individuals. Using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific priming (PCR-SSP) and sequencing-based typing (PCR-SBT), 13 MICA-sequence alleles and 5 MICA-STR alleles, as well as 11 MICB alleles were detected, among which MICA(∗)010, MICA(∗)A5 and MICB(∗)005:02 were the most frequent alleles. Linkage disequilibria was investigated and the most common two-locus haplotypes were MICB(∗)005:02-MICA(∗)010 and MICB(∗)014-MICA(∗)045. These results suggest informative genetic markers for investigating origins and evolution of MHC class I region haplotypes in Zhuang population.

First Report of Anthracnose Disease on Young Stems of Bawanghua (Hylocereus undatus) Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in China

Hylocereus undatus widely grows in southern China. Some varieties are planted for their fruits, known as dragon fruits or Pitaya, while some varieties for their flowers known as Bawanghua. Fresh or dried flowers of Bawanghua are used as routine Chinese medicinal food. Since 2008, a serious anthracnose disease has led to great losses on Bawanghua flower production farms in the Baiyun district of Guangzhou city in China. Anthracnose symptoms on young stems of Bawanghua are reddish-brown, sunken lesions with pink masses of spores in the center. The lesions expand rapidly in the field or in storage, and may coalesce in the warm and wet environment in spring and summer in Guangzhou. Fewer flowers develop on infected stems than on healthy ones. The fungus overwinters in infected debris in the soil. The disease caused a loss of up to 50% on Bawanghua. Putative pathogenic fungi with whitish-orange colonies were isolated from a small piece of tissue (3 × 3 mm) cut from a lesion margin and cultured on potato dextrose agar in a growth chamber at 25°C, 80% RH. Dark colonies with acervuli bearing pinkish conidial masses formed 14 days later. Single celled conidia were 11 to 18 × 4 to 6 μm. Based on these morphological characteristics, the fungi were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc (2). To confirm this, DNA was extracted from isolate BWH1 and multilocus analyses were completed with DNA sequence data generated from partial ITS region of nrDNA, actin (ACT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) nucleotide sequences by PCR, with C. gloeosporioides specific primers as ITS4 (5'-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3') / CgInt (5'-GGCCTCCCGCCTCCGGGCGG-3'), GS-F (5'-ATGGCCGAGTACATCTGG-3') / GS-R (5'-GAACCGTCGAAGTTCCAC-3') and actin-R (5'-ATGTGCAAGGCCGGTTTCGC-3') / actin-F (5'-TACGAGTCCTTCTGGCCCAT-3'). The sequence alignment results indicated that the obtained partial ITS sequence of 468 bp (GenBank Accession No. KF051997), actin sequence of 282 bp (KF712382), and GS sequence of 1,021 bp (KF719176) are 99%, 96%, and 95% identical to JQ676185.1 for partial ITS, FJ907430 for ACT, and FJ972589 for GS of C. gloeosporioides previously deposited, respectively. For testing its pathogenicity, 20 μl of conidia suspension (1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml) using sterile distilled water (SDW) was inoculated into artificial wounds on six healthy young stems of Bawanghua using sterile fine-syringe needle. Meanwhile, 20 μl of SDW was inoculated on six healthy stems as a control. The inoculated stems were kept at 25°C, about 90% relative humidity. Three independent experiments were carried out. Reddish-brown lesions formed after 10 days, on 100% stems (18 in total) inoculated by C. gloeosporioides, while no lesion formed on any control. The pathogen was successfully re-isolated from the inoculated stem lesions on Bawanghua. Thus, Koch's postulates were fulfilled. Colletotrichum anthracnose has been reported on Pitaya in Japan (3), Malaysia (1) and in Brazil (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose disease caused by C. gloeosporioides on young stems of Bawanghua (H. undatus) in China. References: (1) M. Masyahit et al. Am. J. Appl. Sci. 6:902, 2009. (2) B. C. Sutton. Page 402 in: Colletotrichum Biology, Pathology and Control. J. A. Bailey and M. J. Jeger, eds. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 1992. (3) S. Taba et al. Jpn. J. Phytopathol. 72:25, 2006. (4) L. M. Takahashi et al. Australas. Plant Dis. Notes 3:96, 2008.

Expression of cytochrome P450 1A1/2 and 3A4 in liver tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma cases and controls from Taiwan and their relationship to hepatitis B virus and aflatoxin B1-and 4-aminobiphenyl-DNA adducts

Cytochrome P450 enzymes play a major role in the metabolism of several of the chemical carcinogens involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To investigate by immunohistochemistry interindividual differences in these enzymes, polyclonal antisera and immunoperoxidase staining were used to detect the expression of CYP1A1/2 and 3A4 in 37 surgical control tissues and 105 tumour and adjacent nontumour tissues of HCC cases from Taiwan. There was variability in the expression and staining pattern for both CYP1A1/2 and 3A4 in all tissue types. In tissues from controls, there was no correlation between P450 expression and smoking history or hepatitis B virus antigen status. Since these samples had been previously analysed for the DNA adducts of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a dietary mould contaminant, and 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), a component of cigarette smoke, we also investigated the relationship between P450 levels and DNA adducts. 4-ABP-DNA adducts were higher in tissues with elevated levels of CYP1A1/2 (p = 0.02). Overall there was no relationship between CYP1A1/2 or CYP3A4 and AFB1-DNA adducts in control tissues. Staining intensity for CYP1A1/2 and 3A4 followed the order: tumour tissues < control tissues < adjacent non-tumour tissues. CYP1A1/2 levels tended to be lower in tumour and adjacent non-tumour tissues than for CYP3A4. In HCC cases, 4-ABP-DNA adducts were higher in subjects with higher levels of CYP1A1/2, stratified by tissue type, but these differences were not significant. For CYP3A4, in contrast to control tissues, there was a significant association with AFB1-DNA adducts in tumour and adjacent non-tumour tissue of HCC cases. These results suggest that one factor influencing carcinogen-DNA adducts is levels of specific P450 enzymes. However, adduct formation in vivo is a complex processes dependent upon numerous genetic and environmental factors.

Functional analysis of the β2 -tubulin gene of Fusarium graminearum and the β-tubulin gene of Botrytis cinerea by homologous replacement

BACKGROUND

Resistance to carbendazim and other benzimidazole fungicides in Botrytis cinerea and most other fungi is usually conferred by one or several allelic mutations in the β-tubulin. Carbendazim resistance in Fusarium graminearum, however, differs from that in B. cinerea and other fungi in that F. graminearum has two β-tubulins (Fgtub1 and Fgtub2) rather than one, and the resistance is conferred by mutations in the β2 -tubulin. In a previous study, the β1 -tubulin of F. graminearum (Fgtub1) was replaced with the β-tubulin of B. cinerea conferring carbendazim resistance (BctubE198A). The transformants were sensitive to carbendazim.

RESULTS

BctubE198A was successfully transferred into the β2 -tubulin locus of F. graminearum (Fgtub2) via homologous replacement. The mutants were still sensitive to carbendazim. Furthermore, Fgtub2 of the mutant 20C1 (Fgtub1 had been replaced with BctubE198A) and Fgtub1 of the mutant 20D10 (Fgtub2 had been replaced with BctubE198A) were deleted. Surprisingly, the mutants were also sensitive to carbendazim. Meanwhile, the biological characteristics of all the mutants were determined.

CONCLUSION

The B. cinerea β-tubulin (Bctub) could complement the function of the two F. graminearum β-tubulins even when both were deleted. Expression of the β-tubulin conferring carbendazim resistance differs between pathogenic fungi.

A comparative study of loratadine syrup and cyproheptadine HCL solution for treating perennial allergic rhinitis in Taiwanese children aged 2-12 years

We assessed the efficacy of loratadine syrup compared with cyproheptadine HCl solution for treating children aged from 2 to 12 years with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) in Taiwan. Sixty children with mite-induced PAR were enrolled and randomly placed into two treatment groups: loratadine syrup or cyproheptadine HCl solution. Treatment efficacy and symptom changes from baseline to post-treatment were evaluated by total symptom scores and visual analogue scales (VAS) during a 2-week period. There were no differences in age, gender, height, or weight between the two groups. After 2 weeks of treatment, there was a significantly greater reduction in symptom scores in the loratadine group than in the cyproheptadine group (p&#x003C;0.001). Clinical and subjective VAS showed significant differences in percentage changes from baseline between the loratadine and cyproheptadine groups at all time points (all p&#x003C;0.001, in favor of loratadine). Clinical VAS change at week 1: 95.1 vs 11.3; subjective VAS change at week 1: 88.6 vs 13.6; clinical VAS change at week 2: 125.5 vs 18.3; subjective VAS change at week 2: 101.4 vs 7.1. Thus, loratadine was superior to cyproheptadine for alleviating both nasal and non-nasal symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis in Taiwanese children aged 2-12 years.

Regulation of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan and reactive gliosis after spinal cord transection: effects of peripheral nerve graft and fibroblast growth factor 1

AIMS

The combined treatment of peripheral nerve (PN) graft and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 for spinal cord injury produces functional recovery, but how it affects injury events is still unknown. This project studied the effect of PN graft and FGF-1 on white matter degeneration following spinal cord injury.

METHODS

Rats were divided into four groups: (i) complete spinal cord transection and T8 segment removed; the remaining three groups underwent transection followed by (ii) PN grafting; (iii) supply of exogenous FGF-1; and (iv) PN grafting plus FGF-1 treatment. Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG) deposition, astrocytes and macrophage activation, cavity size, and calcitonin gene-related peptide and synaptophysin immunoreactivity were compared.

RESULTS

Peripheral nerve grafting increased CSPG levels compared to transection surgery alone. This CSPG was associated with the proximity to the PN graft. FGF-1 reduced CSPG deposition in grafted animals regardless of the proximity to the graft. The CSPG reduction was accompanied by reduced GFAP expression and macrophage activation. The amount of CSPG with dissociated glycosaminoglycan did not differ between groups. FGF-1 in Schwann cell-astrocyte coculture did not reduce CSPG deposition. Furthermore, the PN graft increased the calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity and altered the distribution of synaptophysin-positive axons.

CONCLUSION

Peripheral nerve graft supported sensory re-innervation and partial protection of the grey matter, but up-regulated CSPG in the graft-stump junction compared to non-grafted rats. The reduction of CSPG was caused by FGF-1-PN synergy, and did not involve dissociation of CSPG or the suppression of a general immune response.

Correlates of anti-EBV EBNA1 IgA positivity among unaffected relatives from nasopharyngeal carcinoma multiplex families

Background:

To determine whether non-viral nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk factors might be associated with (and mediated through) Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) serological responses linked to NPC risk, we evaluated predictors of risk of anti-EBNA1 IgA seropositivity and other markers among unaffected relatives from a large NPC family study in Taiwan.

Methods:

Multivariate logistic regression conditioned on family was used to examine the associations between sociodemographic, dietary, lifestyle, and occupational variables and risk of anti-EBV EBNA1 IgA positivity, anti-VCA IgA, and anti-DNase positivity.

Results:

Among 2393 unaffected relatives from 319 multiplex families, 1180 (49.3%) were anti-EBV EBNA1 IgA seropositive. None of the associations with anti-EBNA1 IgA were statistically significant, except for being 31–50 years of age (vs <30, adjusted ORs 0.51–0.57). For one or more EBV serological markers, there were suggestive associations for older age, GuangDong firm salted fish, betel use, current alcohol use, and male gender.

Conclusion:

Overall, we found little evidence to suggest that non-viral NPC risk factors significantly alter EBV serological patterns, suggesting that non-viral NPC risk factors act through pathways independent of EBV serological responses.

Body mass, tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and risk of cancer of the small intestine--a pooled analysis of over 500,000 subjects in the Asia Cohort Consortium

BACKGROUND

The evidence for a role of tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and body mass index (BMI) in the etiology of small intestine cancer is based mainly on case-control studies from Europe and United States.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We harmonized the data across 12 cohort studies from mainland China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, comprising over 500,000 subjects followed for an average of 10.6 years. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for BMI and (only among men) tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking.

RESULTS

A total of 134 incident cases were observed (49 adenocarcinoma, 11 carcinoid, 46 other histologic types, and 28 of unknown histology). There was a statistically non-significant trend toward increased HR in subjects with high BMI [HR for BMI>27.5 kg/m2, compared with 22.6-25.0, 1.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-2.96]. No association was suggested for tobacco smoking; men drinking>400 g of ethanol per week had an HR of 1.57 (95% CI 0.66-3.70), compared with abstainers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study supports the hypothesis that elevated BMI may be a risk factor for small intestine cancer. An etiologic role of alcohol drinking was suggested. Our results reinforce the existing evidence that the epidemiology of small intestine cancer resembles that of colorectal cancer.

Localisation of the benzimidazole fungicide binding site of Gibberella zeae β2-tubulin studied by site-directed mutagenesis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of benzimidazole fungicides is often limited by resistance, and this is the case with the use of carbendazim for controlling Fusarium head blight caused by Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch (anamorph Fusarium graminearum). Recent studies have shown that carbendazim resistance in field strains of G. zeae is associated with mutations in the β(2)-tubulin gene. The aims of the present study were to validate this mechanism and research the binding sites of carbendazim on β(2)-tubulin.

RESULTS

This work used site-directed mutagenesis followed by gene replacement to change the β(2)-tubulin gene of a carbendazim-sensitive field strain of G. zeae at residues 50, 167, 198 or 200. The transformants were confirmed and tested for their sensitivity to carbendazim. All the mutants were resistant to carbendazim, but the level of resistance differed depending on the mutation. Biological characteristics did not differ between the field strain and the site-directed mutants. A three-dimensional model of β(2)-tubulin was constructed, and the possible carbendazim binding site was analysed.

CONCLUSION

Mutations at codons 50, 167, 198 and 200 of G. zeae β(2)tub could cause resistance to carbendazim, and these codons may form a binding pocket.

Transfer of the beta-tubulin gene of Botrytis cinerea with resistance to carbendazim into Fusarium graminearum

BACKGROUND

Resistance to carbendazim and other benzimidazole fungicides in Botrytis cinerea (Pers. ex Fr.) and most other fungi is usually conferred by mutation(s) in a single chromosomal beta-tubulin gene, often with several allelic mutations. In Fusarium graminearum Schwade, however, carbendazim resistance is not associated with a mutation in the corresponding beta-tubulin gene.

RESULTS

The beta-tubulin gene conferring carbendazim resistance in B. cinerea was cloned and connected with two homologous arms of the beta-tubulin gene of F. graminearum by using a double-joint polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This fragment was transferred into F. graminearum via homologous double crossover at the site where the beta-tubulin gene of F. graminearum is normally located (the beta-tubulin gene of F. graminearum had been deleted). The transformants were confirmed and tested for their sensitivity to carbendazim.

CONCLUSION

The beta-tubulin gene conferring carbendazim resistance in B. cinerea could not express this resistance in F. graminearum, as transformants were still very sensitive to carbendazim.

Multiple Resistance of Botrytis cinerea from Vegetable Crops to Carbendazim, Diethofencarb, Procymidone, and Pyrimethanil in China

One hundred and eight isolates of Botrytis cinerea from greenhouse cucumber and tomato in two locations in Jiangsu Province (Nanjing and Huaiyin) and one location in Shandong Province were tested for their sensitivities to the four fungicides commonly used in China. Isolates with resistance to all four fungicides-carbendazim, diethofencarb, procymidone, and pyrimethanil (Car^RDie^RPrc^RPyr^R)-were found in all three regions in this study. High frequencies (52 and 53%) of resistance to all four fungicides were observed among the 62 isolates collected in Nanjing and the 36 isolates collected in Huaiyin in Jiangsu Province. The 10 isolates from Shandong Province were all resistant to the four fungicides. Pathogenicity and sporulation in vivo, and mycelial growth, sporulation, spore germination, and osmotic sensitivity to NaCl in vitro, were similar for the group of quadruple-resistant and wild-type isolates (P > 0.05). In the present study, the complete two-component histidine kinase gene (Bos1) was sequenced for 10 procymidone-resistant and 3 procymidone-sensitive B. cinerea isolates. Isolates representing four different procymidone-resistant phenotypes (Car^RDie^SPrc^RPyr^S, Car^RDie^RPrc^RPyr^S, Car^RDie^RPrc^RPyr^R, and Car^RDie^RPrc^RPyr^R) all had nucleic acid point mutations resulting in amino acid changes at position 369 (change from glutamine to proline) as well as at amino acid position 373 (asparagine to serine) in the Bos1 gene.

Mutations in a beta-tubulin confer resistance of Gibberella zeae to benzimidazole fungicides

ABSTRACT Wheat head blight caused by Gibberella zeae (anamorph: Fusarium graminearum) is a threat to food safety in China because of mycotoxin contamination of the harvested grain, the frequent occurrence of the disease, and the failure of chemical control in some areas due to benzimidazole resistance in the pathogen population. The molecular resistance mechanism, however, of G. zeae to benzimidazole fungicides (especially carbendazim; active ingredient: methyl benzimidazol-2-yl carbamate [MBC]) is poorly understood. DNA sequences of a beta-tubulin gene (beta(2)tub) (GenBank access number FG06611.1) in G. zeae were analyzed. Mutations in beta(2)tub in moderately resistant strains (MBC(MR)) included TTT (Phe)-->TAT (Tyr) at codon 167 or TTC (Phe)-->TAC (Tyr) at codon 200. A highly resistant strain (MBC(HR)) had two point mutations, one at codon 73, CAG (Gln)-->CGG (Arg), and the other at codon 198, GAG (Glu)-->CTG (Leu). To confirm that mutations in the beta(2)tub confer resistance to benzimidazole fungicides, the entire beta(2)tub locus was deleted from MBC(MR) and MBC(HR) strains of G. zeae. The resulting Deltabeta(2)tub mutants from both MBC(MR) and MBC(HR) strains grew normally on MBC-free potato dextrose agar medium and were supersensitive to MBC. Complementation of the Deltabeta(2)tub mutants by transformation with a copy of the intact beta(2)tub locus from their parent strains exhibited less resistance than the original strains, and complementation of the Deltabeta(2)tub mutants by transformation with a copy of the intact beta(2)tub locus from sensitive strains restored MBC sensitivity. The results indicated that the mutations in the beta(2)tub gene conferred resistance of G. zeae to benzimidazole fungicides and this gene can be used as a genetic marker in G. zeae.

The evaluation of whitening efficacy of cosmetic products using a human skin pigmentation spot model

BACKGROUND

To establish a pigmentation spot model on human skin and to assess whitening efficacy for whitening products by this established pigmentation spot model.

METHODS

Twenty subjects between 20 and 45 years old with skin phototype III or IV were selected. Three consecutive daily UV exposures were performed on buttocks of the subjects as follows: Day 1=1 minimal erythema dose (MED), Day 2=0.5 MED and Day 3=0.5 MED. After the first UV exposure, a selected whitening product was applied to the subjects twice a day on UV exposure area. The application of the whitening product to subjects on the exposed areas was continued till Day 27. CM2500d chromameter, Maxmeter MX18 and visual evaluation were used to assess changes of skin color.

RESULTS

A pigmentation spot model after UV exposure was established. The measurement of the pigment spot showed that L* value declined abruptly at Day 3 and then slowly reached to a lowest point at Day 6. L* value of the pigment spot almost remained at the same level until Day 20, thereafter increased slowly. The a* value showed an abrupt increase at Day 3 and slowly reached to a maximal level at Day 6. The a* value slowly declined toward its baseline level. Likewise, the erythema index also increased significantly at Day 3, and reached to a maximal level at Day 6 and then slowly declined. However, L*, a* and erythema indices did not return to their baseline levels during the 27-day period of this study. On the other hand, b* value started to increase from Day 3 and such increase was observed continuously to Day 27. Melanin index also showed a slow increase during the first 3 days. It started to increase rapidly from Day 3 and a to maximal level at Day 9 and maintain at a plateau till Day 27 (with an exception at Day 13). To assess the whitening product by this pigmentation spot model, DeltaL, Deltab*, and DeltaM values were analyzed. It showed that absolute DeltaL value and Deltab*value of whitening products were lower than those values of the vehicle of the whitening product at each checkpoint, while DeltaM value of the whitening product was lower only at Day 9 and Day 20, although no statistically significant differences was found. The visual results also strongly supported that the whitening product enhanced the decrease of pigmentation.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that repeated UV exposure was able to induce a long extensive period of pigment formation. The resulted pigmentation spot was able to maintain at an elevated level till Day 20. Clinical subjective evaluations together with combined objective instrument measurements were still important to assess whitening and spot-removing ability of a material due to the instrument limitation for color differentiations. This kind of pigmentation spot model can be used to assess whitening efficacy for whitening or spot-removing products. In addition, the combinations of subjective and objective methods were able to serve as advisable references to assess the whitening efficacy of products.