[Effect of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on the clinical outcomes of patients infected with the Omicron variant in Guangdong Province]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on the clinical outcomes of patients infected with the Omicron variant. Methods: A total of 1 403 Omicron-infected patients admitted to 20 designated hospitals in Guangdong Province from January 1 to May 31, 2022, were selected as subjects in this study. A case-control study was conducted to collect the demographic data, underlying disease, vaccination status, last exposure date, gene sequencing of infected strains and clinical outcomes from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System and Guangdong telemedicine platform. Pneumonia (common, severe and critical) and non-pneumonia (asymptomatic and mild) were selected as the case group and control group. The effect of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on the clinical outcomes of patients infected with the Omicron variant was analyzed. Results: The median age [M (Q₁, Q₃)] of the subjects was 36 (27-47) years old, with males accounting for 52.25% (733 cases). The main outcome of the infection was non-pneumonia, accounting for 92.09% (1 292 cases), and the duration [M (Q₁, Q₃)] of the disease was 18 (14-22) days. There were 134 (9.55%), 39 (2.78%), 403 (28.72%), 437 (31.15%) and 390 (27.80%) cases with no or partial vaccination, within 90 days of primary vaccination, over 90 days of primary vaccination, within 90 days of booster vaccination and over 90 days of booster vaccination, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for gender, age, underlying disease, and location of the report, compared with those with no or partial vaccination, the risk of developing pneumonia was lower in those with over 90 days of primary vaccination, within 90 days of booster vaccination and over 90 days of booster vaccination [OR (95%CI) values were 0.52 (0.28-0.98), 0.39 (0.21-0.73) and 0.40 (0.21-0.77), respectively]. Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that after adjusting for gender, age, underlying disease and location of the report, the duration of the disease was shorter in those who received booster vaccinated for more than 90 days compared with that in those who had no or partial vaccination [HR (95%CI): 1.26 (1.03-1.55)]. Conclusion: The inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine affects the clinical outcomes of patients infected with the Omicron variant.

[Potential application of improved hard tissue section technique in the clinical pathological diagnosis of bone and bone marrow]

Objective: To discuss the application value of hard tissue section in the clinicopathology diagnosis. Methods: From March 2021 to December 2021, bone slices of 19 patients (1 patient with osteochondroma, 2 patients with chondrosarcoma, 4 patients with osteosarcoma, 2 patients with fibrous dysplasia, 2 patients with bone metastasis from thyroid papillary carcinoma, 2 patients with osteomyelitis, 4 patients with giant cell tumor of bone, 2 patients with Ewing sarcoma) and 16 hemopathy patients were collected from the Department of Pathology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital. Of the osteopathy patients, there were 14 male and 5 female with a median age of 31 (10-66) years. Meanwhile, there were 7 male and 9 female with a median age of 28 (16-65) years among these hemopathy patients. Thirty-five cases were treated with modified hard tissue slicing technique and paraffin embedding technique, respectively. The advantages and disadvantages of the two methods for clinical diagnosis of bone disease were compared by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining (H&E staining), immunohistochemical staining (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and Sanger sequencing. Results: The improved resin-embedded method showed better histological morphology and cell structure. Besides, the expression of Ki67, SATB2, CD34, SMA, CD68,MPO,CD4 and CD33 in immunohistochemical staining in bone tissues which were embedded in resin were more clear in the accurate positive localization than those using paraffin-embedded. MDM2 of FISH exhibited a higher fluorescence intensity and more accurate location. Meanwhile, both methods treated with Sanger sequencing met the requirements of DNA purity and mutation detection. Conclusion: The improved hard tissue section method is simple and short time-consuming, which is suitable for optimizing the clinical bone and bone marrow pathological diagnosis process.

Diversity of Botryosphaeriaceae Species Associated with Chinese Hickory Tree (Carya cathayensis) Trunk Cankers

Tree trunk cankers represent serious fungal diseases that pose significant threats to Chinese hickory trees (Carya cathayensis). To characterize the pathogen diversity associated with this disease, tissues were collected between 2016 and 2018 from the primary Chinese hickory plantation regions. A total of 97 cultures were isolated from trees in six towns (Longgang, Qingliangfeng, Changhua, Tuankou, Taiyang Town, and Lin'an urban area) within the Linan district, where 60% of Chinese hickory tree yields originate. The isolated cultures caused cankers on Chinese hickory tree branches, but infections did not occur on fruits or leaves under tested conditions. Combined morphological observations and phylogenetic analysis of multiple genes (ITS, β-tubulin, and EF) indicated that five Botryosphaeriaceae species were recovered, including 89 isolates of Botryosphaeria dothidea, 4 isolates of Botryosphaeriaceae fabicerciana, 1 isolate of Botryosphaeriaceae qingyuanensis, 1 isolate of Botryosphaeriaceae corticis, and two isolates of Lasiodiplodia theobromae. B. dothidea was the most prevalent, and this is the first report of B. corticis, B. qingyuanensis, and L. theobromae infections in Chinese hickory trees. We investigated the mycelial growth, spore germination, and pathogenicity of these species at different temperatures. L. theobromae grew the fastest and B. cortices grew the slowest on potato dextrose agar. The optimum temperature of spore germination for all species was 30°C. L. theobromae was the most virulent species, followed by B. dothidea and B. qingyuanensis, then B. fabicerciana, and finally B. cortices. These new insights into fungal pathogen diversity provide critical new information to understand and manage tree trunk cankers of Chinese hickory.

miR-325-3p Protects Neurons from Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation and Reoxygenation Injury via Inhibition of RIP3

OBJECTIVE

Recent reports have corroborated that micro-RNAs (miRs) are related to the pathological changes of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR) induced injury. This work aimed to unearth the role and potential mechanism of miR-325-3p in regulating neuronal survival in CIR injury.

METHODS

To conduct this investigation, we established an in vitro model of CIR injury by subjecting neurons to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R). Gain and loss of function of miR-325-3p and receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3 (RIP3) in neurons were performed to observe its effect on cell apoptosis and the release of lactate dehydrogenase. The levels of miR-325-3p and RIP3 in neurons were detected by qRT-PCR. Western blot was employed to inspect the levels of caspase3, Bax, and Bcl-2, as well as p38 and JNK phosphorylation. The relationship between miR-325-3p and RIP3 was detected by TargetScan and validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

Firstly, miR-325-3p expression was obviously downregulated while RIP3 expression was upregulated in neurons following OGD/R treatment. Overexpressed miR-325-3p or downexpressed RIP3 ameliorated OGD/R-induced neuronal injury. Besides, RIP3 was a direct target mRNA of miR-325-3p. Additionally, Western blot revealed the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was involved in the regulation of miR-325-3p on OGD/R-induced neuronal injury. Furthermore, miR-325-3p was verified to hinder OGD/R-induced neuronal injury through downregulating RIP3.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that miR-325-3p targets RIP3 to inactivate the MAPK pathway, thereby protecting neurons against OGD/R-induced injury.

Genetic Diversity of Colletotrichum spp. Causing Strawberry Anthracnose in Zhejiang, China

Anthracnose is a serious fungal disease that primarily infects strawberry roots and stolons during development. Here, 91 isolates from different areas of Zhejiang province, China, were collected. Morphological characteristics were analyzed, and a phylogenetic analysis based on multiple genes (actin, internal transcribed spacer, calmodulin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and chitin synthase) was performed. We found that all of the Colletotrichum species causing strawberry anthracnose belonged to the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides complex. Among them, we identified 48 isolates of C. fructicola, 21 isolates of C. siamense, 13 isolates of C. gloeosporioides, and 9 isolates of C. aenigma. C. siamense was distributed in the central and eastern regions of Zhejiang province (Hangzhou, Jinhua, Shaoxing, Ningbo, and Taizhou). This is the first report of C. siamense causing strawberry anthracnose in Zhejiang province. C. fructicola was the most dominant species causing strawberry anthracnose in Zhejiang province. We identified the four species causing strawberry anthracnose in Zhejiang province, which will improve our understanding of the strawberry anthracnose epidemic and will benefit the development of future control measures.

A New Mutation Genotype of K218T in Myosin-5 Confers Resistance to Phenamacril in Rice Bakanae Disease in the Field

In 2017 and 2018, a total of 294 Fusarium fujikuroi isolates were collected from bakanae-diseased rice plants in Jinhua, Shaoxing, and Jiaxing in Zhejiang Province, China. Phenamacril sensitivity of these isolates was determined by the 50% effective concentration value or minimum inhibitory concentration methods. Our results indicated that the phenamacril resistance frequency of F. fujikuroi increased from 18% in 2017 to 47% in 2018, and rice plants infected with F. fujikuroi-resistant isolates could not be protected effectively with 50 mg/liter of phenamacril. Phenamacril-resistant F. fujikuroi isolates obtained from rice fields showed stable resistance, because their fitness levels (i.e., mycelial growth, sporulation, and pathogenicity) were similar to the phenamacril-sensitive isolates. In addition to the point mutation at codon 219 in the myosin-5 gene that conferred resistance to phenamacril, our results also showed another point mutation at codon 218 (AAG→ACG) in myosin-5 that also conferred resistance to phenamacril. In this study, we found rapid development and persistence of diversified genotypes of phenamacril resistance, highlighting the importance of proper use of phenamacril in rice fields. Our results may also help researchers develop new fungicides or new control strategies using combinations of different fungicides in the control of phenamacril-resistant F. fujikuroi isolates.

q-LAMP Assays for the Detection of Botryosphaeria dothidea Causing Chinese Hickory Canker in Trunk, Water, and Air Samples

Trunk canker disease caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea with a prolonged latent infection phase poses a serious threat to Chinese hickory production. To further understand the epidemiological characteristics and develop reasonable management techniques, a quantitative loop-mediated isothermal amplification (q-LAMP) assay was developed to quantitatively monitor B. dothidea in hickory plants, water, and air samples. Specific primers were designed based on the different sites of the β-tubulin sequence between B. dothidea and other fungi commonly found on Chinese hickory. At the optimum reaction temperature of 65.9°C, this loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay can specifically distinguish B. dothidea from other tested fungi. The limit of detection of LAMP assays for B. dothidea was 0.001 ng/µl of pure genomic DNA and 10 spores per 1 ml of water. The q-LAMP assay enables rapid detection of B. dothidea within 60 min in hickory trunk, water in hickory forests, and spores captured on tapes. These results provide a powerful and convenient tool for monitoring B. dothidea, which could be applied widely in epidemiology, forecast, and management of tree canker disease.

[Study of local application of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide combined with 4-1BB monoclonal antibody to treat hepatoma- bearing mice]

Objective: To investigate the curative effect of local application of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) combined with 4-1BB monoclonal antibody in hepatoma-bearing mice, and to evaluate the effect of 4-1BB monoclonal antibody on CpG-ODN immunotherapy. Methods: H22 single cell suspension was injected subcutaneously into the axilla and four limbs of the BALB/c male mice to establish a tumor-bearing mice model. After 7 days, 30 mice with corresponding tumor-bearing volume were screened and randomly divided into model control group, CpG group and CpG+4-1BB group, and the drug was injected into the tumors of left lower extremity. The same batch of normal mice was selected as normal control group. Survival of mice was recorded. Tumor-bearing volume and organ index were calculated. Serum levels of interleukin (IL) - 12 and interferon (IFN) gamma and spleen CD8(+)T lymphocyte ratio were measured. The measurement data were analyzed by analysis of variance. The survival rate of each group of mice was analyzed by log-rank test. Results: Mice in the model control group with tumor-bearing volume had a sustained growth before the execution. CpG group and the CpG+4-1BB group [(976.08 ± 29.55) mm(3), (47.25 ± 0.93) mm(3))] tumor-bearing volume was decreased than model group [(1 336.52 ± 39.40) mm3] (F = 5 329.273, P < 0.05). CpG+4-1BB group distant tumor-bearing volume [(611.83 ± 113.02) mm3] was decreased than model group and CpG group [(1 406.62 ± 51.09) mm(3), (1 380.01 ± 51.44) mm3] (F = 247.160, P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the CpG group and the model group (P > 0.05). Serum IL-12 concentration (23.90 ± 2.33 pg/ml), IFN-γ concentration (103.02 ± 6.10 pg/ml) and spleen CD8(+)T cell ratio (4.54 ± 0.62%) in the model group were lower than those in the normal group (P < 0.05). Serum IL-12 concentration in CpG group and CpG+4-1BB group (29.21 ± 2.23 pg/ml, 37.04 ± 1.49 pg/ml), IFN-γ concentration (116.12 ± 4.08 pg/ml, 138.65 ± 1.72 pg/ml), CD8(+)T cell ratio (6.65 ± 0.64%, 12.73 ± 0.88%) were higher than the model group, while CpG+4-1BB group was higher than the CpG group (P < 0.05). The survival rate of CpG+4-1BB group was higher than that of model group and CpG group (χ(2) = 25.544, P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between CpG group and model group (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in organ index between the four groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: 4-1BB monoclonal antibody combined with CpG-ODN therapy can shrink hepatoma-bearing capacity, inhibit the growth of distant tumors and significantly prolong the survival time of mice.

Molecular Detection of QoI Resistance in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Causing Strawberry Anthracnose Based on Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay

Anthracnose is one of the most common diseases in strawberry plants. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the major cause of anthracnose in China, including Zhejiang Province. Early, specific, reliable, and time-saving detection is urgently needed to prevent the further spread of C. gloeosporioides, guiding farmers to utilize chemicals to control anthracnose. In this study, we showed that the high resistance to pyraclostrobin, caused by a point mutation at codon 143 (GGT→GCT) in the cytochrome b gene of C. gloeosporioides was prevalent in the strawberry growing regions, and we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay as a detection method. Primer sets S0 and S4 could be used to specifically detect C. gloeosporioides isolates and the G143A mutations, respectively. A detection limit of 10^-2 ng (10 pg), which is at least 10-fold more sensitive than conventional polymerase chain reaction, was achieved by the LAMP assay. Here, we utilized lateral-flow devices (LFDs), nitrocellulose membranes that can absorb nucleic acids, to acquire the total genomic DNA of strawberry plants within 2 min. The LFD membranes were used as DNA templates for the LAMP assays to accurately detect strawberry plants infected with C. gloeosporioides. This diagnostic method for strawberry anthracnose was accomplished within 1 h, including the sample preparation and LAMP assays. Collectively, we developed a sensitive and practical method for monitoring C. gloeosporioides and its quinone outside inhibitor-resistant mutants. The LAMP assay for detection of C. gloeosporioides in strawberry plants has great potential for rapid strawberry anthracnose surveillance and will provide farmers with advice on preventing C gloeosporioides at the early stages of strawberry development.

Genetic Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Recently, genetic factors have been considered as an important risk factor for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Many studies analyzed the association between SSNHL and polymorphisms. However, most of them gave inconclusive results. Key Message: We performed a systematic review to find out the association between polymorphisms and susceptibility to SSNHL. Finally, 47 studies involving 5,230 SSNHL patients and 68 genes were included for analysis and discussion of results. Polymorphisms in 26 genes have been suggested to be correlated with the susceptibility to SSNHL.

SUMMARY

Although a great number of studies support that polymorphisms in genes are associated with susceptibility to SSNHL, we need large multicenter studies, which evaluate multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms in SSNHL patients, to find real genetic risk factors for susceptibility to SSNHL. This is very helpful in designing more effective prevention and treatment strategies for patients with SSNHL.

Attenuating effect of melatonin on lipopolysaccharide-induced chicken small intestine inflammation

Enriched melatonin (MEL) has been found in the mammalian intestine and has been recently demonstrated to alleviate rodent colitis. In this study, the effect of MEL on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammations was investigated in new chicken hatchlings. The chicks were fed with a diet supplemented with MEL (12.5 mg/day) from D1 to D10. Meanwhile, the chicks in the LPS or MEL + LPS groups were injected with LPS (10 mg/kg BW, i.p.) at D10. LPS treatment for 6 h increased the expression of IL-6, IL-4, caspase-3 mRNAs and TUNEL-positive cell populations, but decreased populations of the goblet and PCNA+ cells, IgA production and the expression of MUC2 mRNA in the duodenum. Compared with the LPS group, MEL pre-feeding alleviated duodenal inflammation and decreased the expression of TNF-α mRNAs by 23.6% (P = 0.004), IL-6 mRNAs by 69.4% (P = 0.001), IL-4 mRNAs by 4.1% (P = 0.824) and caspase-3 mRNAs by 45.8% (P < 0.001). Conversely, MEL pre-feeding attenuated the LPS-induced changes of IgA production by 161.6% (P = 0.013) and PCNA+ cell populations by 172.1% (P < 0.001) in the duodenum. TLR4 mRNA was also up-regulated by LPS treatment but down-regulated by MEL pre-feeding. In conclusion, dietary MEL could attenuate LPS-induced chick duodenal inflammation by down-regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines, promoting epithelial cell proliferation, improving the immunological barrier and inhibiting epithelial apoptosis via the mediation of TLR4.

Culture and characterization of chicken small intestinal crypts

The integrity and normal function of the small intestinal epithelium depends critically on the rapid renewal of epithelial cells from basal stem cells. The intensive proliferation that fuels this self-renewal process is confined to the intestinal crypts. Establishment of suitable protocols for crypt isolation and culture is pivotal for the studies of intestinal self-renewal mechanisms. In this study, chicken small intestinal crypts were isolated, purified, and further cultured in a Matrigel 3-D culture system. The growth factor concentration assay on the fourth d of culture showed that Group C (50 ng/mL epidermal growth factor (EGF), 100 ng/mL Noggin, and 500 ng/mL R-spondin 1) supplement in culture medium could significantly enlarge the diameter of organoids when compared with Group A (5 ng/mL EGF, 10 ng/mL Noggin, 50 ng/mL, and R-spondin 1) and Group B (10 ng/mL EGF, 20 ng/mL Noggin, and 100 ng/mL R-spondin 1) by 188.4% (P = 0.026) and 176.9% (P = 0.034), respectively. Transmission electron microscopy, neutral red staining, and 5-ethynyl-2΄-deoxyuridine incorporation demonstrated the integrated structure, high viability, and proliferative activity in cultured chicken intestinal organoids. In addition, intestinal stem cell marker genes (Olfm4, Znrf3, Hopx, and Lgr5) also could be detected in cultured intestinal organoids. Furthermore, CHIR99021 (a glycogen synthase kinase 3β inhibitor) could enhance the expression of Olfm4, Znrf3, Hopx, and Lgr5 by 750% (P = 0.001), 467% (P < 0.001), 450% (P < 0.001), and 333% (P = 0.008), respectively, indicating the responsiveness of the cultured chicken intestinal organoids to exogenous stimulus. This study modified a murine culture model and optimized it to provide a chicken intestinal organoid model for use as a physiological or pathological research platform in vitro.

[Analysis of 833 times measured hepatic venous pressure gradient]

Objective: To summarize and analyze the clinical data of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and to explore the application value of HVPG in the diagnosis, evaluation and clinical treatment of portal hypertension in cirrhosis. Methods: The patient data of HVPG measurement performed in Shandong Provincial Hospital from April 2010 to November 2017 were collected. Results: A total of 633 patients with 833 times of HVPG measurements were included. There was significant difference in HVPG between patients with different etiologies, different Child-pugh grades and different degrees of decompensated cirrhosis. Conclusion: The HVPG test is suitable for the diagnosis and evaluation of portal hypertension. The HVPG of patients with different severity of liver cirrhosis can guide the choice of the treatment plan, and the HVPG measurement should also be strictly standardized and quality control.

E26 Transformation-Specific Transcription Factor ETS2 as an Oncogene Promotes the Progression of Hypopharyngeal Cancer

The E26 transformation-specific (ETS) family is one of the largest families of transcription factors. Upon activation by MAPK pathway, ETS participates in cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, and metastasis. However, the mechanism by which ETS is deregulated in cancer is unclear. In this study, the authors investigated the role of ETS factor, ETS2, in hypopharyngeal cancer pathogenesis in hypopharyngeal cancer tissues (N = 20) and corresponding non-neoplastic tissues (N = 20). The results showed that expression of ETS2 was increased in cancer tissues as compared with the expression in corresponding non-neoplastic tissues. Analysis of clinicopathological characteristics showed that increased level of ETS2 is associated with III-IV tumor node metastasis stage and lymph node metastasis. In addition, knockdown of ETS2 by siRNA in pharyngeal cancer cell line, FaDu, significantly decreased cell's vitality and colony-forming ability by inducing caspase-3-dependent apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, inhibition of ETS2 could abrogate the migration, invasion, and transforming growth factor-β-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition through the upregulation of E-cadherin, zona occludens protein-1, together with downregulation of vimentin and α-sooth muscle actin. These functions of ETS2 could be associated with the activation of MAPK/p38/ERK/JNK signals. Taken together, the authors opined that ETS2 functions as an oncogene and plays a key role in the progression of hypopharyngeal cancer.

Rapid on-site evaluation of the development of resistance to quinone outside inhibitors in Botrytis cinerea

Botrytis cinerea, a typical "high-risk" pathogenic fungus that rapidly develops resistance to fungicides, affects more than 1,000 species of 586 plant genera native to most continents and causes great economic losses. Therefore, a rapid and sensitive assay of fungicide resistance development in B. cinerea populations is crucial for scientific management. In this study, we established a Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) system for the monitoring and evaluation of the risk of development of B. cinerea resistance to QoI fungicides; the method uses two LAMP assays. The first assay detects G143A mutants of B. cinerea, which are highly resistance to QoI fungicides. BCbi143/144 introns in B. cinerea are then detected by the second assay. HNB acts as a visual LAMP reaction indicator. The optimum reaction conditions of the LAMP assays were 61 °C for 50 min, and the detection limit of the LAMP assays was 100 × 10-4 ng/μl. We directly pre-treated the field samples by using All-DNA-Fast-Out to extract DNA within ten minutes, then performed the LAMP assay to achieve one-step rapid detection. In conclusion, we established a rapid and sensitive LAMP assay system for resistance risk assessment and for monitoring QoI-resistance of B. cinerea in the field.

[Clinical application value of prognostic nutritional index for predicting survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer]

Objective: To explore the clinical application value of prognostic nutritional index(PNI) for predicting overall survival(OS) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: 123 patients with histologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled in this study, and their clinical and laboratory data were reviewed. The PNI was calculated as 10×serum albumin value+ 5×total lymphocyte countin peripheral blood.Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the potential prognostic factors for advanced NSCLC. Results: PNI of the 123 NSCLC patients was 46.24±6.56. PNI was significantly associated with age, weight loss and pleural effusion (P<0.05). However, it showed no relationship with sex, smoking, hemoptysis, chest pain, dyspnea, histological type, clinical stage, and administration of chemotherapy (P>0.05). The median OS of the 123 patients was 19.5 months. The median OS in the higher PNI group (PNI≥46.24) and lower PNI group(PNI<46.24) were 25.2 months and 16.4 months, respectively.The 1-year survival rates were 80.6% and 63.9%, and 2-year survival rates were 54.8% and 19.6%, respectively (P<0.01). Univariate analysis showed that PNI, age, dyspnea, and weight loss were related to the OS of the advanced NSCLC patients (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified PNI as an independent prognostic factor for OS of advanced NSCLC (P<0.001). Conclusion: PNI can be easily calculated, and may be used as a relatively new prognostic indicator for advanced NSCLC in clinical practice.

A new angle and its relationship with early fixation failure of femoral neck fractures treated with three cannulated compression screws

BACKGROUND

The Pauwels angle has been used widely, however an accurate evaluation of this angle is difficult because of deformity of the affected lower extremity. Therefore we designed a new measurement of the orientation of femoral neck fracture and applied this in a retrospective study to assess: (1) its reproducibility, (2) its advantages compared with the Pauwels angle, (3) its relationship with the short-term prognosis treated with three cannulated compression screws.

HYPOTHESIS

This new measurement is reproducible and has some reference meaning for the treatment of femoral neck fractures.

METHODS

Two hundred and twenty-eight patients with femoral neck fractures treated with three cannulated compression screws were retrospectively analyzed. The VN angle, which was the angle between the fracture line and the vertical of the neck axis, and the Pauwels angle were measured respectively. The method of ICC was performed to assess the reproducibility of the two angles, and the absolute value of difference in pre-operative and post-operative radiographs was used to evaluate the uniformity of the two angles. These fractures were divided into four groups according to VN angle (VN<0° (n=92), 0°≤VN<10° (n=82), 10°≤VN<15° (n=26), VN≥15° (n=28)), and the short-term (within 6 months) fixation results of radiographs in these fractures were evaluated.

RESULTS

The ICC of the VN angle and the Pauwels angle in pre-operative radiographs were 0.937 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.922-0.950) and 0.942 respectively (95% CI: 0.914-0.970), indicating both angles had a good inter-rater reproducibility. However, there was a great difference between the Pauwels angle in pre-operative and post-operative radiographs (P=0.037), the absolute difference was 10.66±6.47 (range: 1.72-38.48), while no statistical difference for the VN angle (P=0.084) and the absolute difference was 2.20±1.63 (range: 0.05-7.56). The overall fixation failure rate which was defined as screw loosening, varus collapse, obvious fracture displacement or femoral neck shortening was 11.84%, and the mean failure rates according to VN angles were respectively 0%, 3.24% (95% CI: 1.64-4.84), 22.69% (95% CI: 16.43-28.96), 65.45% (95% CI: 59.36-71.53). The mean failure rates of fractures according to post-operative Pauwels angle (<30°, 30-50°, >50°) were respectively 0%, 1.46% (95% CI: 1.42-1.50) and 36.24% (95% CI: 34.93-37.54).

DISCUSSION

The VN angle has a good inter-rater reproducibility, a higher reliability than the Pauwels angle and is closely related to the short-term prognosis of femoral neck fractures treated with cannulated compression screws.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective diagnostic study.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis in 12 patients with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma confirmed by HTLV-1 provirus gene detection]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Methods: Peripheral blood samples from patients who were suspected as ATLL from March, 2013 to July, 2015, were collected for HTLV-1 provirus genes detection in genomic DNA extraction by PCR. Cases showing positive results were confirmed as ATLL. Clinical and laboratory characteristics, therapeutic outcomes and survival evaluation were collected. Results: 12 out of 23 suspected patients were confirmedly diagnosed as ATLL through HTLV-1 provirus genes detection by PCR. Eight patients were male and four patients were female. Median age was 51 (range 28-66) years old. All of those patients came from coastal cities of Fujian province where a HTLV-1 epidemic area locates. In the subtype classification of these 12 ATLL, 11 patients were classified as acute type and one case as lymphoma type ATLL. As one of the clinical characteristics of ATLL, ' flower cells ', with typical or atypical morphology had been observed in a high rate (81.8%). Clinical symptom such as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and lymphadenectasis were detected in most of patients, and hypercalcemia and elevated LDH were also noted commonly. The ATLL cells immunophenotype were typical, and the major subtype was CD4+ CD8- type. Confection of hepatitis B virus was detected in a high rate (54.5%). Ten patients received chemotherapy, and 2 cases in complete remission after chemotherapy received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. At the end of the follow-up, 7 cases died, 4 cases survived, 1 case was lost, and the median survival was 2.8 (0.9-10.8) months. We found a case had HTLV-1 provirus negative after transplantation. Conclusion: In the coastal area of Fujian Province, ATLL is not rare. Characteristics of those ATLL are typical. But prognosis is still unsatisfactory.

[Effects of desmopressin acetate and pituitrin on proliferation, contraction, and secretion of hepatic stellate cells]

Objective: To investigate the effects of desmopressin acetate and pituitrin on the proliferation, contraction, and secretion of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Methods: The human HSC cell line LX-2 was selected as the research model. And three groups were designed: blank control group, desmopressin acetate group (three subgroups: 1×10^-10mol/L, 1×10^-9mol/L, and 1×10^-8mol/L desmopressin acetate), and pituitrin group (three subgroups: 0.1 U/L, 1.0 U/L, and 10.0 U/L pituitrin). Water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST)-1 assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation; collagen gel contraction assay was used to assess cell contraction; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to identify cell secretion. The data was subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Results: (1) The results of WST-1 assay showed that the values of A₄₅₀in three desmopressin acetate subgroups (1×10^-10mol/L, 1×10^-9mol/L, and 1×10^-8mol/L) were 0.459±0.017, 0.467±0.024, and 0.436±0.015, respectively. And the values of A450 in three pituitrin subgroups (0.1 U/L, 1.0 U/L, and 10.0 U/L) were 0.495±0.011, 0.507±0.015, and 0.501±0.009, respectively. Compared with the control group, the desmopressin acetate at high concentration significantly inhibited the cell proliferation (P< 0.05), but the pituitrin at three different concentrations significantly promoted the cell proliferation (P< 0.05). (2) The collagen gel area ratios in three desmopressin acetate subgroups (1×10^-10mol/L, 1×10^-9mol/L, and 1×10^-8mol/L) were 77.07±4.42, 75.85±3.70, and 72.74±3.92, respectively. And the collagen gel area ratios in three pituitrin subgroups (0.1 U/L, 1.0 U/L, and 10.0 U/L) were 57.83±3.96, 50.28±6.69, and 43.56±7.68, respectively. Compared with the control group, the pituitrin at three different concentrations significantly reduced the collagen gel area (P< 0.01). (3) The matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 concentrations in three desmopressin acetate subgroups (1×10^-10mol/L, 1×10^-9mol/L, and 1×10^-8mol/L) were 13.321±0.098, 12.230±0.153, and 12.061±0.126, respectively. And the MMP-2 concentrations in three pituitrin subgroups (0.1 U/L, 1.0 U/L, and 10.0 U/L) were 12.899±0.150, 13.662±0.152, and 13.698±0.119, respectively. Compared with the control group, the desmopressin acetate at low concentration significantly increased the secretion of MMP-2 (P< 0.01); the desmopressin acetate at high concentration significantly decreased the MMP-2 concentration (P< 0.05); the pituitrin at three different concentrations significantly increased the MMP-2 concentration (P< 0.01). The transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) concentrations in three desmopressin acetate subgroups (1×10^-10mol/L, 1×10^-9mol/L, and 1×10^-8mol/L) were 5.233±0.102, 17.749±0.188, and 36.060±0.227, respectively. And the TGF-β1 concentrations in three pituitrin subgroups (0.1 U/L, 1.0 U/L, and 10.0 U/L) were 15.615±0.099, 38.460±0.209, and 49.053±0.115, respectively. Compared with the control group, desmopressin acetate and pituitrin significantly promoted the secretion of TGF-β1 in a concentration-dependent manner (P< 0.01) and pituitrin had a stronger effect than desmopressin acetate (P< 0.01). Desmopressin acetate and pituitrin had no effect on the secretion of the collagenase type I and III (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Desmopressin acetate and pituitrin can induce the changes in the function and morphology of HSCs and may increase vascular resistance in the hepatic sinus. However, desmopressin acetate has less influence on HSCs than pituitrin.

Correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor and quantitative dual-energy spectral CT in non-small-cell lung cancer

AIM

To explore the correlation between the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue and quantitative parameters of spectral computed tomography (CT) imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-eight patients with NSCLC underwent a spectral CT imaging protocol before surgical tumour resection. The repetition of iodine concentration, water concentration, and CT values at 40 keV in the region of interest were measured. The slopes of spectral attenuation curves (λHU) in the region were also calculated. The level of VEGF expression in the tumour tissue was measured using an immunohistochemical method (MaxVision method). The quantitative parameters of spectral CT imaging were compared among different levels of VEGF expression using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference (SLD) test. The correlation between VEGF expression and spectral CT imaging was estimated through Spearman's rank correlation analysis.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in iodine concentrations, λHU, and CT values at 40 KeV in NSCLC between the groups showing negative and moderately positive expression of VEGF (p=0.001, 0.000, and 0.001, respectively) as well as between those showing mildly and moderately positive expression of VEGF (p=0.047, 0.005, and 0.002, respectively). In addition, all of the iodine concentrations, λHU values, and CT values at 40 KeV displayed a significant and positive correlation with the level of VEGF expression (r=0.413, 0.458, and 0.393, respectively, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative parameters of spectral CT imaging may be helpful for evaluating the status of angiogenesis in NSCLC.

Psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics and desire for orthodontic treatment among Chinese undergraduate students

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to evaluate the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics in undergraduate students in the People's Republic of China and to investigate the association between normal orthodontic treatment needs, psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics, and desire for orthodontic treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out in two universities in a city of the People's Republic of China with 374 young adults aged between 19 years and 24 years. The students answered a Chinese version of the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and addressed their desire for orthodontic treatment. Objective malocclusion severity was assessed with the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS software (Version 15.0).

RESULTS

There was no statistical sex difference in relation to the dental health component of IOTN (P=0.893) and PIDAQ scores (P=0.06), but it was found that the desire for orthodontic treatment was significantly stronger among females. The total and subscale PIDAQ scores and malocclusion severity differed significantly among the five grades of desire (P<0.01). Significant positive correlation was found among desire for orthodontic treatment, IOTN-dental health component grades, and total or subscale PIDAQ scores (P<0.01). High correlation was found between desire and PIDAQ score (r=0.93).

CONCLUSION

The desire for orthodontic treatment is higher among female young adults who have the same orthodontic treatment needs compared to males. The desire for orthodontic treatment has high positive correlation with PIDAQ scores and increases with the increase in self-perceived psychosocial impacts of malocclusion and the needs for orthodontic treatment.

[Juvenile onset respiratory papillomatosis: risk factors for severity]

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to explore the risk factors associated with severity of juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

METHOD

A retrospective study was conducted to study determinants of severe forms of juvenile recurrent onset respiratory papillomatosis. The patients were separated into different groups based on the onset age, the first recurrence of age, the first recurrence of period, gender and incision of tracheal respectively. The relationship among the lesion severity score,the involvement of the subregion, operation period and the next operation period were also explored.

RESULT

It was observed that some children who recurred before 4 years old required more surgery, shorter operation period(the average, longest or shortest operation period) than those elder children, the differences were statistically (P=0. 029, 0. 003, 0. 010, 0. 039, respectively). The severity score of lesion was correlated positively with the involvement of the subregion and negatively with operation period (r=0. 914, -0. 451, respectively). Some children who diagnosed before 4 years old had to endure more severity score and shorter operation period than those older children, the differences were statistically (P= 0. 036, 0. 000, respectively). 8 cases accepted incision of tracheal, they accepted more surgery too. But the differences in the onset age, the first recurrence of age, and the operation period were not statistically.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the clinical course of juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis was closely related to the first recurrence age and period, while the severity of disease was associated to the onset age and the involvement of the subregion.

First Report of Fusarium Wilt in Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in China

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) production is developing quickly in China with about 20,000 ha presently cultivated. In 2010 in Lin'an, Zhejiang Province, plants developed an apparently new disease of blueberry (cv. Duke) with symptoms consisting of wilting of foliage, stunting of plants, and reduced fruit yields. Internal vascular and cortical tissues of plant crowns showed a brown to orange discoloration. Approximately 3% of the plants in the commercial plantings were affected and eventually died after 50 to 60 days. Infected plant samples (stems and roots) collected from different fields were surface sterilized with 1.5% sodium hypochlorite for 2 min, rinsed in water, plated on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 25°C in the dark for 1 week. Single conidium cultures were consistently isolated and cultured on acidified PDA (APDA) for morphological characterization (1,2). Colonies were light with purple mycelia, and beige or orange reverse colony colors developed after 7 days incubation at 25°C. Colonies producing abundant microconidia and macroconidia. Microconidia were hyaline and oval-ellipsoid to cylindrical (3.9 to 9.6 × 1.1 to 3.4 μm). Macroconidia were 3 to 5 septate and fusoid-subulate with a pedicellate base (28.6 to 37.5 × 3.3 to 4.2 μm). Morphology and development of macroconidia and microconida were consistent with a description of Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl (1,2). The ribosomal internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2 of eight isolates were amplified using primers ITS1/ITS4 on DNA extracted from mycelium and nucleotide sequences showed 100% similarity to that of F. oxysporum. To confirm pathogenicity, 20 blueberry plants (cv. Duke) were inoculated by dipping the roots into a conidial suspension (10⁷ conidia per ml) for 30 min. The inoculated plants were transplanted into pots containing sterilized peat and maintained at 25°C and 100% relative humidity in a growth chamber with a daily 12-h photoperiod of fluorescent light. The pathogenicity test was conducted twice. Within 40 days, all inoculated plants developed wilt symptoms similar to that observed in the field. No symptoms were observed on plants dipped into distilled water. The fungus was successfully re-isolated from crowns and roots cultured on APDA, exhibiting morphological characteristics identical to F. oxysporum (1,2), confirming Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of blueberry wilt caused by Fusarium. References: (1) P. M. Kirk et al. The Dictionary of the Fungi, 10th edition, page 159. CABI Bioscience, Wallingford, UK, 2008. (2) W. C. Snyder and H. N. Hansen. Am. J. Bot. 27:64, 1940.

Cladosporium cladosporioides Identified in China on Tobacco Seeds

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a leafy, annual, solanaceous plant grown commercially for its leaves. China is the biggest single tobacco market and accounts for more than 40% of the global tobacco consumption (1). Tobacco seed harvested in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China, are commonly contaminated or infected by various fungal pathogens, which can cause abnormal seedlings with dark brown lesions and stunting of roots and decayed seeds. In 2013, five samples of 500 seeds from tobacco cv. Guiyan 4 were tested for germination on moistened paper on petri dishes. On average, 35% of the seeds from all five samples developed into abnormal seedlings or were decayed and were plated onto potato dextrose agar media and grown for 5 days at 25°C in darkness to confirm the presence of a pathogen. However, one fungus was isolated from an average of 10% of the 500 seeds sampled. It was identified morphologically as Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fresen.) de Vries based on the velvety olive-brown with almost black reverse colony color and dimensions and color of conidia and conidiophores. Conidia formed in long branched chains that readily disarticulate, single celled, elliptical to limoniform, 2 to 8 (avg. 4.3) × 2 to 3 (avg. 2.1) μm. Conidia were pale to olive brown and smooth to verruculose. Ramoconidia were 0 to 1 septate, 7 to 14 (avg. 9.2) × 2 to 4 (avg. 2.6) μm, smooth or sometimes minutely verruculose. Conidiophores were pale to olive brown, macro- and micronemateus, smooth or sometimes verruculose, and of various lengths up to 320 μm long and 2 to 5 μm wide. Primer pair ITS1 and ITS4 was employed to amplify the regions of ITS1-5.8s-ITS2 of the pathogens. Sequences of all three isolates (G3, G10, and G18) (Accession Nos. KF841547, KF841554, and KF841560) were identical to each other and to four sequences in GenBank (JX230994.1, JQ768317.1, JQ768322.1, and AB763555.1). Pathogenicity of the three isolates of C. cladosporioides was verified on tobacco seedlings of 3-week-old grown on wet filter paper in the petri dishes (9 cm in diameter). For each isolate, 20 seedlings incubated in one plate were inoculated with 0.5 ml of a suspension of 10⁵ conidia/ml. Twenty seedlings were treated with sterile water as control treatment. After inoculation, the petri dishes were incubated at 25°C, 100 to 120 μEm^-2 S^-1, RH > 80%, and 16 h light per day for disease development. At 96 h after inoculation, symptoms comprising medium brown to black lesions on the roots were clearly visible on inoculated plants but not on the control plants. All seedlings inoculated died 9 days after inoculation whereas control seedlings remained symptomless. Re-isolation attempts on PDA from roots demonstrated C. cladosporioides to be present in symptomatic seedlings but not in roots of the control plants. Moreover, the characteristics of the cultured fungi were exactly the same as those originally isolated. Isolates G3, G10, and G18 (KF841547, KF841554, and KF841560) were deposited with the Tobacco Diseased Fungi, Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Sciences, Guizhou, China. Previously, C. cladosporioides has also been isolated from macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche) racemes in South Africa (4), from diseased papaya (Carica papaya L.) in Taiwan province of China (2), and from seeds of Amaranthus spp. in Poland (3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. cladosporioides causing seed disease on tobacco in China and the disease should be considered in existing disease management practices. References: (1) British American Tobacco Annual Report, 8, 2012. (2) R. S. Chen, et al. Plant Dis. 93:426, 2009. (3) W. Pusz. Phytopathologia 54:15, 2009. (4) N. van den Berg et al. Plant Dis. 92:484, 2008.

A prospective, randomised trial comparing the use of absorbable and metallic screws in the fixation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries: mid-term follow-up

Our aim was to compare polylevolactic acid screws with titanium screws when used for fixation of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis at mid-term follow-up. A total of 168 patients, with a mean age of 38.5 years (18 to 72) who were randomly allocated to receive either polylevolactic acid (n = 86) or metallic (n = 82) screws were included. The Baird scoring system was used to assess the overall satisfaction and functional recovery post-operatively. The demographic details and characteristics of the injury were similar in the two groups. The mean follow-up was 55.8 months (48 to 66). The Baird scores were similar in the two groups at the final follow-up. Patients in the polylevolactic acid group had a greater mean dorsiflexion (p = 0.011) and plantar-flexion of the injured ankles (p < 0.001). In the same group, 18 patients had a mild and eight patients had a moderate foreign body reaction. In the metallic groups eight had mild and none had a moderate foreign body reaction (p < 0.001). In total, three patients in the polylevolactic acid group and none in the metallic group had heterotopic ossification (p = 0.246). We conclude that both screws provide adequate fixation and functional recovery, but polylevolactic acid screws are associated with a higher incidence of foreign body reactions.

[Analysis of genotype-phenotype correlation for GJB2 in 221 non-syndromic deafness probands and their pedigrees]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the possible genotype-phenotype correlation for GJB2.

METHODS

Retrospectively analyzed GJB2 gene mutations with non-syndromic hearing impairment (NSHI) patients and their families audiological data. Individuals were grouped, according to non-truncated mutant (non-truncating, NT) and truncating mutations (truncating, T), into T/T group, T/NT group and NT/NT group. And according to whether they carry 235delC, grouped into 235delC/235delC group, 235delC/Non-235del group and Non-235delC/Non-235delC group.

RESULTS

Grouped according to whether the truncation mutants:Fisher exact statistical analysis showed that the degree of hearing loss among the three groups did not meet the random distribution (P = 0.003) , T/T group was significantly higher than T/NT group (P = 0.000) and NT/NT group (P = 0.000) on the degree of hearing loss. Grouped according to whether they carry 235delC mutation: degrees of hearing loss among the three groups were statistically significant differences. Respectively pairwise comparisons (Fisher exact test) found 235delC/235delC group was significantly higher than 235delC/Non-235delC on the degree of hearing loss group (P = 0.001) and Non-235delC/Non-235delC group (P = 0.000), 235delC/Non-235delC group higher than Non-235delC/Non-235delC group (P = 0.033). In GJB2 mutations homozygous and compound heterozygous mutation genotype:G109A/G109A, 235delC/512insAACG, 299delAT/G109A and 235delC/G109A degree of hearing loss caused by genotype was significantly lower than 235delC/235delC group.

CONCLUSIONS

235delC homozygotes have significantly more hearing impairment, when compared with 235delC/non-235delC compound heterozygotes. People with two non-235delC mutations have even less hearing impairment. Patients with non-truncation mutants (G109A) suffer from lighter hearing loss than truncation mutations(235delC, 299delAT).

First Report of Leaf Blight in Chinese Hickory (Carya cathayensis) Caused by Alternaria petroselini in China

Chinese hickory (Carya cathayensis) is one of the important economic forest crops in Zhejiang and Anhui Provinces, China. In 2012, nearly 40% of hickory orchards and 6.8% of hickory trees were affected by leaf blight in Zhejiang. Initial symptoms consisted of small, brown, water-soaked lesions, which subsequently enlarged and developed a black sporulating necrotic center surrounded by a chlorotic halo. Infected leaf samples collected from 25 different orchards in Lin'an and 13 different orchards in Chun'an were surface sterilized with 1.5% sodium hypochlorite for 1.5 min, rinsed in water, plated on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 25°C in the dark for 1 week. Single conidium cultures were consistently isolated and cultured on PDA and V8 agar for morphological characterization (1,3). On both agar media, colonies were dark olive brown with smooth margins and concentric rings of sporulation. Conidia were solitary, darkly pigmented, predominantly ovoid-subsphaeroid, and 23 to 52 × 13 to 23 μm with up to six or seven transepta and one to three longisepta. The ribosomal internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2 of 10 isolates were amplified using primers ITS1/ITS4 on DNA extracted from mycelium and nucleotide sequences showed 100% similarity to that of A. petroselini (GenBank Accession Nos. AY154685.1 and EU807868.1). To confirm pathogenicity, 10 uninfected leaves from each of 10 C. cathayensis trees were sprayed either with a conidia suspension (10⁵ conidia per ml) or with distilled water only to serve as an un-inoculated control. Leaves were subsequently wrapped in plastic bags to retain moisture, and incubated for 48 h. After 1 week, 8 of 10 isolates caused lesions identical to those initially described whereas no symptoms developed on water inoculated leaves. Cultures reisolated from lesions and cultured on PDA exhibited morphological characteristics identical to A. petroselini (1,2,3), confirming Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf blight in C. cathayensis, and this identification would allow producers to identify for appropriate management practices. References: (1) P. M. Kirk et al. The Dictionary of the Fungi, 10th edition, page 159. CABI Bioscience, UK, 2008. (2) B. M. Pryor et al. Mycologia 94:49, 2002. (3) E. G. Simmons. Alternaria: An Identification Manual. CBS Fungal Biodiversity Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2007.

[Levels of serum IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-32 in children with juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between serum IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-10 levels and the aetiology of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

METHOD

Serum IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-32 levels of 15 JORRP children were detected by use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared with those of healthy control group.

RESULT

Serum IL-4 levels were significantly higher in the JORRP children (P<0.01): (524.65 +/- 147.77)pg/ml in the JORRP children and (213.27 +/- 87.48) pg/ml in the healthy control group. Serum IFN-gamma levels were significantly lower in the JORRP children (P<0.01): (2.87 +/- 0.84) pg/ml in the JORRP children and (10.63 +/- 5.09) pg/ml in the healthy control group. Serum IL-32 levels were significantly lower in the JORRP children (P< 0.01): (2.47 +/- 1.60) pg/ml in the JORRP children and (9.08 +/- 2.66) pg/ml in the healthy control group.

CONCLUSION

1) While the concentration of Th2 like cytokine IL-4 in children with JORRP was higher than that in control group, the concentration of Th1 like cytokine IFN-gamma in children with JORRP was lower than that in controls, indicating that the polarization of Th1 /Th2 T cell in children with JORRP; 2) The polarization of Th1/Th2 T cell may cause the reduction of the serum IL-32 as a proinflammatory role in host immunity system that could not eradicate HPVs because of lacking enough inflammatory stimulation.

An efficient approach to identify Ginkgo biloba cultivars by using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers with a manual cultivar identification diagram strategy

Cultivar identification is a key step to avoid the formation of homonyms and synonyms of Ginkgo biloba. In this study, a new approach based on combinational utilization of polymorphic bands produced from 6 different random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers was developed for identifying 42 Ginkgo cultivars, and a manual cultivar identification diagram that consisted of polymorphic bands produced from different RAPD primers was reported. To check the reliability and efficiency of the cultivar identification diagram, 5 randomly chosen cultivars were further tested, and the workability of the diagram was verified. This new approach will be very helpful for Ginkgo cultivar discrimination and protection, and will also be beneficial for the nursery industry for early identification of Ginkgo seedlings.

First Report of Anthracnose in Chinese Hickory (Carya cathayensis) Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in China

Chinese hickory (Carya cathayensis) has become one of the important economic forest crops in Zhejiang and Anhui Provinces in China. In May 2009, sporadic occurrence of leaf damage by anthracnose in C. cathayensis was observed in Lin'an city, Zhejiang Province. During May 2011, nearly 50% of Chinese hickory orchards in Zhejiang Province were affected by anthracnose disease. Symptoms were extensive with lesions on stems and leaves. Under wet conditions, orange masses of conidia were produced in acervuli in the center of lesions. Infected tissue samples were surface sterilized with 1.5% sodium hypochlorite for 1.5 min, plated on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 26°C in the dark for 1 week. Developing colonies were gray and contained masses of orange conidia. Conidia were hyaline, aseptate, straight with rounded or bulbous ends, and averaged 15.3 ± 1.7 μm long and 2.5 ± 0.8 μm wide. The ribosomal internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2 were amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4 from DNA extracted from mycelium and nucleotide sequences showed 100% similarity to records for C. gloeosporioides in GenBank (Accession Nos. AY266391.1 and JQ676187.1). Uninfected leaves of C. cathayensis were sprayed either with a conidia suspension of 10⁷ conidia per ml in distilled water as inoculum, or with distilled water only to provide an uninoculated control, wrapped in plastic bags to retain moisture, and incubated for 24 h. For each isolate, 10 leaves per tree and a total of 13 trees were inoculated. After 1 week, 11 of 13 isolates caused lesions on inoculated leaves whereas no symptoms developed on the non-inoculated controls. Cultures reisolated from lesions and cultured on PDA exhibited morphological characteristics identical to those of C. gloeosporioides (1, 2, 3), confirming Koch's postulates. Inoculation tests were repeated once. Since C. gloeosporioides was found in the main production area, it poses a threat to Chinese hickory production in China. The identification of the pathogen now allows for appropriate management measures. To our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose in C. cathayensis. References: (1) K. D. Hyde et al. Fung. Diversity 39:147, 2009. (2) P. M. Kirk et al. Page 159 in: The Dictionary of the Fungi. 10th edition. CABI Bioscience, UK, 2008. (3) A. J. Palmateer et al. Plant Dis. 91:631, 2007.

[Characterization of two Chinese families with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss both carrying a mitochondrial 12S rRNA 1494C>T mutation]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) secondary mutations, haplotypes, GJB2 gene mutations on phenotype of 1494C>T mutation, and to study the molecular pathogenic mechanism of maternally transmitted aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss.

METHODS

Two Chinese Han pedigrees of maternally transmitted aminoglycoside induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss were collected. The two probands and their family members underwent clinical, genetic and molecular evaluations including audiological examinations and mutational analysis of mitochondrial genome and GJB2 gene.

RESULTS

Clinical evaluation revealed wide range of severity, age-at-onset and audiometric configuration of hearing impairment in matrilineal relatives in both families, for which the penetrance of hearing loss was respectively 42.9% and 28.6% when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was included. When the effect of aminoglycosides was excluded, the penetrances of hearing loss were 14.3% and 14.3%. Sequence analysis of mitochondrial genomes identified a known 12S rRNA 1494C>T mutation, in addition with distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphisms belonging to Eastern Asian haplogroups C4a1a and B4b1c, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Mitochondrial 12S rRNA 1494C>T mutation probably underlie the deafness in both families. Lack of significant mutation in the GJB2 gene ruled out involvement of GJB2 in the phenotypic expression. However, aminoglycosides and other nuclear modifier genes may still modify the phenotype of the 1494C>T mutation in these families. The B4b1c is a newly identified haplogroup in aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss family carrying the 1494C>T mutation. The 1494C>T mutation seems to have occurred sporadically through evolution.

[Peri-operative management on juvenile recurrent respiratory papillomatosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the safety of peri-operative management on children with juvenile recurrent respiratory papilloma (JORRP).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on preoperative assessment, anesthesia methods and options, operative procedure, and postoperative airway maintenance in 28 JORRP children aged from ten months to seven years old. A total of 148 times of surgery was performed on these 28 children.

RESULTS

One hundred and nine JORRP children graded one and two-degree dyspnea underwent surgery within 24 hours and were intubated successfully in the first attempt after intravenous induction. Thirty-nine emergency operations were performed in the children graded three and four-degree dyspnea, 35 of them were intubated successfully in the first attempt after inhalation induction and 4 succeeded in the second attempt. No complications occurred in 129 JORRP children postoperatively, 17 children suffered from mild dyspnea and relieved after oxygen inhalation, 2 children were intubated and sent to intensive care unit because of postoperative hypoxemia. All JORRP children got through the peri-operative period safely. The quality of pronunciation in 101 children improved markedly and 35 suffered from slight hoarseness on the 1st postoperative day. Three children had the tracheal tube of tracheostomy removed after receiving five, four and three operations respectively. Nineteen children were followed up for 2 - 5 years. Among them, one child did not relapse 3 years after surgical management.One child suffered from laryngostenosis postoperatively. No death occurred.

CONCLUSION

Complete preoperative preparation, rational anesthesia methods, careful operative procedure and airway maintenance after surgery could increase the safety for children with recurrent respiratory papilloma.

Free vascularised fibular graft for post-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head in teenage patients

Free vascularised fibular grafting has been reported to be successful for adult patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). However, its benefit in teenage patients with post-traumatic ONFH has not been determined. We evaluated the effectiveness of free vascularised fibular grafting in the treatment of this condition in children and adolescents. We retrospectively analysed 28 hips in 28 patients in whom an osteonecrotic femoral head had been treated with free vascularised fibular grafting between 2002 and 2008. Their mean age was 16.3 years (13 to 19). The stage of the disease at time of surgery, and results of treatment including pre- and post-operative Harris hip scores, were studied. We defined clinical failure as conversion to total hip replacement. All patients were followed up for a mean of four years (2 to 7). The mean Harris hip score improved from 60.4 (37 to 84) pre-operatively to 94.2 (87 to 100) at final follow-up. At the latest follow-up we found improved or unchanged radiographs in all four initially stage II hips and in 23 of 24 stage III or IV hips. Only one hip (stage V) deteriorated. No patient underwent total hip replacement. Free vascularised fibular grafting is indicated for the treatment of post-traumatic ONFH in teenage patients.

First Report of Canker on Pecan (Carya cathayensis) Caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea in China

In the late 1990s, sporadic occurrence of Botryosphaeria canker on Carya cathayensis was recorded in Zhejiang Province, China. From 2005 to 2009, nearly 90% of orchards in Zhejiang and Anhui provinces were seriously affected by this disease. Symptoms were similar to those of canker of C. illinoinensis (2); small, elliptical lesions that developed on the bark at points of infection and then enlarged to form large, sunken, elongated cankers. The cankers coalesced, forming large diffuse areas of blighted tissue, which turned black. Tissue samples from the margin of trunk lesions from 35 different diseased trees from five counties were surface sterilized with 1.5% sodium hypochlorite for 3 min, plated on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 25°C in the dark for 1 week. Gray-black mycelia and colorless, aseptate, thin-walled conidia, 17.3 ± 0.8 long and 4.5 ± 0.5 μm wide, were produced. On the basis of these morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug. ex Fr.) Ces. & De Not (1). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4 from DNA extracted from mycelium produced on PDA and was recorded as GenBank Accession Nos. HQ731442 and HQ731443. The results of BLAST showed that it had more than 98% similarity to records for B. dothidea. Uninfected twigs and stems of C. cathayensis were wounded with a scalpel and then sprayed with a conidia suspension of 10⁶ conidia per ml in distilled water as inoculum or distilled water only to provide an noninoculated control, wrapped in plastic bags to retain moisture, and incubated for 48 h. For each isolate, five twigs and stems per tree and a total of 10 trees were inoculated. After 2 weeks, 14 of 15 isolates caused lesions on inoculated stems and twigs, whereas no symptoms developed on the noninoculated controls. Cultures isolated from lesions and cultured on PDA exhibited morphological characteristics identical to those of B. dothidea, confirming completion of Koch's postulates. Currently, the distribution of Botryosphaeria canker of C. cathayensis is confined to Zhejiang and Anhui provinces. The identification of the pathogen now allows for appropriate forest management measures. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Botryosphaeria canker of pecan (C. cathayensis) in China. References: (1) S. Denman et al. Stud. Mycol. 45:129, 2000. (2) W. A. Sinclair and H. H. Lyon. Diseases of Trees and Shrubs. 2nd ed. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 2005.

[Maternally inherited aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss in five Han Chinese pedigrees]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA mutations on aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss, to carry out the clinical and molecular characterization of five Han Chinese pedigrees with maternally transmitted aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss.

METHODS

Five pedigrees of maternally transmitted aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss were collected, genomic DNA was extracted, and complete mitochondrial genomes and the gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2) gene were amplified and sequenced.

RESULTS

Clinical evaluation revealed a wide range of severity, age-at-onset and audiometric configuration of hearing impairment in the matrilineal relatives in these families. The penetrance rates of hearing loss in these pedigrees were 17.6%, 50.0%, 66.7%, 31.3% and 23.1%, with an average of 37.7%, when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was included. Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in these pedigrees identified the known 1555A>G mutation and distinct sets of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) polymorphisms belonging to Eastern Asian haplogroups D4b2b, B4c1b1, F3, C1 and D5a, respectively. Of these variants, ND1 L89T and CO3 A200T mutations resided at the highly conservative regions. However, there were no functionally significant mutations in tRNAs and rRNAs or secondary known mutations. No hearing loss related GJB2 gene mutation was observed.

CONCLUSION

The lack of significant mutation in the ruled out the possible involvement of GJB2 in the phenotypic expression of the 1555A>G mutation in those affected subjects. However, aminoglycosides, mtDNA variations and other nuclear modifier genes may play an important role in the phenotypic manifestation of the 1555A>G mutation in these Chinese families.

Diversity of culturable ericoid mycorrhizal fungi of Rhododendron decorum in Yunnan, China

The diversity of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi isolated from Rhododendron decorum Franch. in Yunnan, southwestern China, was examined for the first time. In total 300 hair-root samples were collected from 13 R. decorum individuals in two adjacent wild population sites and one cultivated population site. Two hundred eighteen slow-growing isolates were obtained; the ability of some to form ericoid mycorrhiza was tested in vitro. One hundred twenty-five isolates formed hyphal structures morphologically corresponding to ericoid mycorrhiza, and these were determined by morphological and molecular means to belong to 12 fungal species. There were hardly any differences in species among the three sampled populations. The sequences of several isolates were similar to those of Oidiodendron maius and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi from Helotiales, accounting respectively for 18.4% and 24.8% of the total culturable ericoid mycorrhizal fungi assemblage. Dark septate endophytes were detected in the sampled hair roots by microscopy.

Frequency and spectrum of mitochondrial 12S rRNA variants in 440 Han Chinese hearing impaired pediatric subjects from two otology clinics

Background

Aminoglycoside ototoxicity is one of the common health problems. Mitochondrial 12S rRNA mutations are one of the important causes of aminoglycoside ototoxicity. However, the incidences of 12S rRNA mutations associated with aminoglycoside ototoxicity are less known.

Methods

A total of 440 Chinese pediatric hearing-impaired subjects were recruited from two otology clinics in the Ningbo and Wenzhou cities of Zhejiang Province, China. These subjects underwent clinical, genetic evaluation and molecular analysis of mitochondrial 12S rRNA. Resultant mtDNA variants were evaluated by structural and phylogenetic analysis.

Results

The study samples consisted of 227 males and 213 females. The age of all participants ranged from 1 years old to 18 years, with the median age of 9 years. Ninety-eight subjects (58 males and 40 females) had a history of exposure to aminoglycosides, accounting for 22.3% cases of hearing loss in this cohort. Molecular analysis of 12S rRNA gene identified 41 (39 known and 2 novel) variants. The incidences of the known deafness-associated 1555A > G, 1494C > T and 1095T > C mutations were 7.5%, 0.45% and 0.91% in this entire hearing-impaired subjects, respectively, and 21.4%, 2% and 2% among 98 subjects with aminoglycoside ototoxicity, respectively. The structural and phylogenetic evaluations showed that a novel 747A > G variant and known 839A > G, 1027A > G, 1310C > T and 1413T > C variants conferred increased sensitivity to aminoglycosides or nonsyndromic deafness as they were absent in 449 Chinese controls and localized at highly conserved nucleotides of this rRNA. However, other variants were polymorphisms. Of 44 subjects carrying one of definite or putative deafness-related 12S rRNA variants, only one subject carrying the 1413T > C variant harbored the 235DelC/299DelAT mutations in the GJB2 gene, while none of mutations in GJB2 gene was detected in other 43 subjects.

Conclusions

Mutations in mitochondrial 12S rRNA accounted for ~30% cases of aminoglycoside-induced deafness in this cohort. Our data strongly support the idea that the mitochondrial 12S rRNA is the hot spot for mutations associated with aminoglycoside ototoxicity. These data have been providing valuable information and technology to predict which individuals are at risk for ototoxicity, to improve the safety of aminoglycoside antibiotic therapy, and eventually to decrease the incidence of deafness.

Reverse LISS plating for intertrochanteric hip fractures in elderly patients

Background

Fractures of the intertrochanteric hip are common and the treatment of unstable fractures generally requires an operative approach. In elderly patients, osteoporosis makes internal fixation problematic and frequently contributes to failed fixation and poor clinical results. We have attempted to apply the Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) in reverse position for the repair of intertrochanteric hip fractures in elderly patients with osteoporotic bones. A retrospective review is presented of the cases of 28 elderly patients with stable and unstable fractures of the intertrochanteric hip treated using the reverse LISS.

Methods

We treated 28 elderly patients with a mean age of 82.3 years. According to the Evens classification, there were 2 Type I fractures, 2 Type II fractures, 3 Type III fractures, 13 Type IV fractures, 6 Type V fractures and 2 Type R fractures. All fractures were treated using the reverse LISS. Radiographic and clinical evidence of functional outcome and complications were evaluated.

Results

Mean perioperative blood loss was 92.4 milliliters (range 35 to 245 milliliters), and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 8.7 days (range 3 to 14 days).

Complications included one minor wound hematoma. Radiographically, no collapses, screw cutouts, or head penetrations were seen. All surviving patients (28 of 28; 100 percent) had uneventful fracture healing with union achieved by six months in all patients.

Conclusions

Use of the Reverse LISS plating for intertrochanteric hip fractures resulted in event-free fracture healing.

Changes in Femoral Head Blood Supply and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Rabbits with Steroid-induced Osteonecrosis

The molecular aetiology of steroid-induced osteonecrosis (ON) is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the femoral head blood supply and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels following steroid-induced ON of rabbit femoral heads in the early stage of the disease, and to investigate a possible mechanism for ON. Using a classic protocol, ON was induced in 30 male 28-week old New Zealand white rabbits. An additional 15 untreated rabbits served as controls. Change of blood supply in the proximal femur was assessed by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging and microangiography. The VEGF protein and mRNA levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. After 6 weeks, the results indicated that VEGF protein and mRNA levels were significantly lower and femoral head blood supply had also decreased significantly in ON+ rabbits compared with controls. The down-regulation of VEGF may play a critical role in the disease process of ON.

Treatment of femoral head osteonecrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus by free vascularised fibular grafting

The purpose of this study was to review the radiographs of symptomatic femoral head osteonecrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to assess the results of treatment using free vascularised fibular grafting. We retrospectively reviewed 50 patients (80 hips) with SLE who underwent free vascularised fibular grafting for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. All patients were followed up for at least 2 or more years (average, 4.3 years). The mean Harris hip score improved from 72 to 88. At the latest follow-up, we found improved or unchanged radiographs in 12 of initially Stage II hips and in 60 of 64 Stage III or IV hips. No hips failed treatment and underwent total hip arthroplasty. The data suggest that free vascularised fibular grafting was successful in maintaining joint function and in delaying the need for joint replacement procedure.

Rat Dlx5 is expressed in the subventricular zone and promotes neuronal differentiation

The molecular mechanisms and potential clinical applications of neural precursor cells have recently been the subject of intensive study. Dlx5, a homeobox transcription factor related to the distal-less gene in Drosophila, was shown to play an important role during forebrain development. The subventricular zone (SVZ) in the adult brain harbors the largest abundance of neural precursors. The anterior SVZ (SVZa) contains the most representative neural precursors in the SVZ. Further research is necessary to elucidate how Dlx5-related genes regulate the differentiation of SVZa neural precursors. Here, we employed immunohistochemistry and molecular biology techniques to study the expression of Dlx5 and related homeobox genes Er81 and Islet1 in neonatal rat brain and in in vitro cultured SVZa neural precursors. Our results show that Dlx5 and Er81 are also highly expressed in the SVZa, rostral migratory stream, and olfactory bulb. Islet1 is only expressed in the striatum. In cultured SVZa neural precursors, Dlx5 mRNA expression gradually decreased with subsequent cell passages and was completely lost by passage four. We also transfected a Dlx5 recombinant plasmid and found that Dlx5 overexpression promoted neuronal differentiation of in vitro cultured SVZa neural precursors. Taken together, our data suggest that Dlx5 plays an important role during neuronal differentiation.

Curative effect and safety of vascularized fibula grafting in renal transplant recipients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head: three case reports

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a common and severe complication after renal transplantation. It is characterized by deterioration of hip joint function, which impairs quality of life. We present 3 renal transplant case reports of patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head who underwent free vascularized fibular grafting at our hospital. Follow-up was from 1(1/2) to 2 years. All 3 patients exhibited good recovery with substantial improvement in joint function. Intraoperative and postoperative findings demonstrated the safety of this surgical procedure.

The regenerative effect of platelet-rich plasma on healing in large osteochondral defects

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a platelet concentrate made of autogenous blood, has been used to improve bone and soft tissue defect healing in recent years. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of PRP on articular cartilage defects in a rabbit model. Forty-eight osteochondral defects created in the femoropatellar groove were (a) left untreated, (b) treated with autogenous PRP in a poly-lactic-glycolic acid (PLGA), or (c) with PLGA alone. Platelets were enriched 5.12-fold compared to normal blood in the PRP. After four and 12 weeks, the explanted tissue specimens were assessed by macroscopic examination, micro-computed tomography, and histological evaluation. Macroscopic examination, micro-computed tomography and histology of the newly formed cartilage and bone in the defect differ significantly between the PRP-treated and the untreated groups, and stimulatory effect of PRP on osteochondral formation was observed. In conclusion, PRP in PLGA improves osteochondral healing in a rabbit model.

Mitochondrial ND5 T12338C, tRNA(Cys) T5802C, and tRNA(Thr) G15927A variants may have a modifying role in the phenotypic manifestation of deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555G mutation in three Han Chinese pedigrees

We report here on the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of three Han Chinese pedigrees with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Clinical evaluation revealed the variable phenotype of hearing impairment including severity, age-at-onset, audiometric configuration in these subjects. The penetrance of hearing loss in WZD8, WZD9, and WZD10 pedigrees were 46%, 46%, and 50%, respectively, when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was included. When the effect of aminoglycosides was excluded, the penetrance of hearing loss in these pedigrees were 23%, 31%, and 37.5%, respectively. Mutational analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes showed the homoplasmic A1555G mutation and distinct sets of mitochondrial DNA variants belonging to haplogroups D4b2b, B5b1, and F2, respectively. Of these, the tRNA(Cys) T5802C, tRNA(Thr) A15924C, and ND5 T12338C variants are of special interest as these variants occur at positions which are highly evolutionarily conserved nucleotides of tRNAs or amino acid of polypeptide. These homoplasmic mtDNA variants were absent among 156 unrelated Chinese controls. The T5802C and G15927A variants disrupted a highly conserved A-U or C-G base-pairing at the anticodon-stem of tRNA(Cys) or tRNA(Thr), while the ND5 T12338C mutation resulted in the replacement of the translation-initiating methionine with a threonine, and also located in two nucleotides adjacent to the 3' end of the tRNA(Leu(CUN)). Thus, mitochondrial dysfunctions, caused by the A1555G mutation, would be worsened by these mtDNA variants. Therefore, these mtDNA mutations may have a potential modifier role in increasing the penetrance and expressivity of the deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555G mutation in those Chinese pedigrees.

Effects of daidzein on messenger ribonucleic Acid expression of gonadotropin receptors in chicken ovarian follicles

Effects of daidzein on expression of mRNA of gonadotropin receptors [follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR)] were evaluated in ovarian follicles of ISA laying hens that were 13 mo old in the postpeak period of egg laying. The hens were randomly allocated as control and daidzein-treated groups, with daidzein supplemented to the basal diet at the level of 10 mg/kg for 7 wk. The granulosa layers of preovulatory follicles (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5) and follicular layers of the small yellow follicle (SYF), large white follicle (LWF), and atretic follicle were collected. The mRNA expression of related genes was measured by semiquantitative reverse transcription PCR. Results showed that daidzein significantly increased the egg-laying rate (P < 0.05) and the number of SYF and LWF (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of the FSHR mRNA decreased in the granulosa layers from F5 to F1, but LHR mRNA displayed the opposite trend in developmental changes. Treatment with daidzein resulted in increased expression of FSHR mRNA in LWF, SYF, and granulosa layers of F4 to F2 and LHR mRNA in granulosa layers of F4 and F1 (P < 0.05). These results indicated that dietary supplementation of daidzein upregulated mRNA expression of gonadotropin receptors to improve follicle development in chicken developing follicles and laying performance after the peak laying period.

The Isoflavonoid Daidzein Attenuates the Oxidative Damage Induced by Polychlorinated Biphenyls on Cultured Chicken Testicular Cells

The soy isoflavonoid daidzein (DAI) is one of the most abundant phenolic compounds in the human diet and in animal feedstuffs. Daidzein possesses a wide spectrum of physiological and pharmacological functions related to human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of DAI on oxidative damage induced by a potential carcinogen, polychlorinated biphenyl. Testicular cells were dispersed from 18-d-old chicken embryos and exposed to DAI alone or in combination with a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls, Aroclor 1254 (A1254), in culture. Oxidative damage was estimated by measuring the lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione content. Results showed that DAI (10 microg/mL) increased germ cell numbers, which were inhibited by cotreatment with the estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen at 0.1 microg/mL. Exposure to A1254 (10 microg/mL) reduced superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content but increased lipid peroxidation significantly. However, simultaneous supplementation with 10 microg/mL of DAI restored these parameters. The above results indicated that DAI may exert weak estrogenic activity, and more important, that DAI may display an antioxidant effect to prevent oxidative damage induced by the oxidant A1254.