[Establishment and application of the ten-fold rehydration formula for emergency resuscitation of pediatric patients after extensive burns]

Objective: To investigate the scientificity and feasibility of the ten-fold rehydration formula for emergency resuscitation of pediatric patients after extensive burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. The total burn area of 30%-100% total body surface area (TBSA) and body weight of 6-50 kg in 433 pediatric patients (250 males and 183 females, aged 3 months to 14 years) with extensive burns who met the inclusion criteria and admitted to the burn departments of 72 Class A tertiary hospitals were collected. The 6 319 pairs of simulated data were constructed after pairing each body weight of 6-50 kg (programmed in steps of 0.5 kg) and each total burn area of 30%-100% TBSA (programmed in steps of 1%TBSA). They were put into three accepted pediatric rehydration formulae, namely the commonly used domestic pediatric rehydration formula for burn patients (hereinafter referred to as the domestic rehydration formula), the Galveston formula, and the Cincinnati formula, and the two rehydration formulae for pediatric emergency, namely the simplified resuscitation formula for emergency care of patients with extensive burns proposed by the World Health Organization's Technical Working Group on Burns (TWGB, hereinafter referred to as the TWGB formula) and the pediatric ten-fold rehydration formula proposed by the author of this article--rehydration rate (mL/h)=body weight (kg) × 10 (mL·kg-1·h-1) to calculate the rehydration rate within 8 h post injury (hereinafter referred to as the rehydration rate). The range of the results of the 3 accepted pediatric rehydration formulae ±20% were regarded as the reasonable rehydration rate, and the accuracy rates of rehydration rate calculated using the two pediatric emergency rehydration formulae were compared. Using the maximum burn areas (55% and 85% TBSA) corresponding to the reasonable rehydration rate calculated by the pediatric ten-fold rehydration formula at the body weight of 6 and 50 kg respectively, the total burn area of 30% to 100% TBSA was divided into 3 segments and the accuracy rates of the rehydration rate calculated using the 2 pediatric emergency rehydration formulae in each segment were compared. When neither of the rehydration rates calculated by the 2 pediatric emergency rehydration formulae was reasonable, the differences between the two rehydration rates were compared. The distribution of 433 pediatric patients in the 3 previous total burn area segments was counted and the accuracy rates of the rehydration rate calculated using the 2 pediatric emergency rehydration formulae were calculated and compared. Data were statistically analyzed with McNemar test. Results: Substitution of 6 319 pairs of simulated data showed that the accuracy rates of the rehydration rates calculated by the pediatric ten-fold rehydration formula was 73.92% (4 671/6 319), which was significantly higher than 4.02% (254/6 319) of the TWGB formula (χ2=6 490.88,P<0.05). When the total burn area was 30%-55% and 56%-85% TBSA, the accuracy rates of the rehydration rates calculated by the pediatric ten-fold rehydration formula were 100% (2 314/2 314) and 88.28% (2 357/2 670), respectively, which were significantly higher than 10.98% (254/2 314) and 0 (0/2 670) of the TWGB formula (with χ2 values of 3 712.49 and 4 227.97, respectively, P<0.05); when the total burn area was 86%-100% TBSA, the accuracy rates of the rehydration rates calculated by the pediatric ten-fold rehydration formula and the TWGB formula were 0 (0/1 335). When the rehydration rates calculated by the 2 pediatric emergency rehydration formulae were unreasonable, the rehydration rates calculated by the pediatric ten-fold rehydration formula were all higher than those of the TWGB formula. There were 93.07% (403/433), 5.77% (25/433), and 1.15% (5/433) patients in the 433 pediatric patients had total burn area of 30%-55%, 56%-85%, and 86%-100% TBSA, respectively, and the accuracy rate of the rehydration rate calculated using the pediatric ten-fold rehydration formula was 97.69% (423/433), which was significantly higher than 0 (0/433) of the TWGB formula (χ2=826.90, P<0.05). Conclusions: The application of the pediatric ten-fold rehydration formula to estimate the rehydration rate of pediatric patients after extensive burns is more accurate and convenient, superior to the TWGB formula, suitable for application by front-line healthcare workers that are not specialized in burns in pre-admission rescue of pediatric patients with extensive burns, and is worthy of promotion.

[Establishment and application of the tenfold rehydration formula for emergency resuscitation of adult patients after extensive burns]

Objective: To explore the scientificity and feasibility of the tenfold rehydration formula for emergency resuscitation of adult patients after extensive burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. The total burn area (30%-100% total body surface area (TBSA)) and body weight (45-135 kg) of 170 adult patients (135 males and 35 females, aged (42±14) years) with extensive burns admitted to the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from December 2016 to December 2019 were collected. The 6 461 pairs of simulated data obtained after pairing each body weight in 45 to 135 kg (programmed in steps of 1 kg) with each area in 30% to 100% TBSA (programmed in steps of 1%TBSA) were plugged into four recognized rehydration formulas--Parkland's formula, Brooke's formula, the 304th PLA Hospital formula, and the Third Military Medical University formula and two emergency rehydration formulas--the simplified first aid resuscitation plan for extensive burn patients proposed by the World Health Organization's Technical Working Group on Burns (TWGB, hereinafter referred to as the TWGB formula) and the tenfold rehydration formula proposed by the author of this article to calculate the rehydration rate within 8 hours after injury (hereinafter referred to as the rehydration rate), with results being displayed by a programming step of 10%TBSA for the total burn area. Taking the calculation results of four recognized rehydration formulas as the reasonable rehydration rate, the accuracy of rehydration rates calculated by two emergency rehydration formulas were calculated and compared. The body weight of 45-135 kg was divided into three segments by the results of maximum body weight at a reasonable rehydration rate calculated by the tenfold rehydration formula when the total burn area was 30% and 100% TBSA, respectively. The accuracy of rehydration rate calculated by two emergency rehydration formulas in each body weight segment was compared. When the rehydration rates calculated by two emergency rehydration formulas were unreasonable, the differences in rehydration rates between the two were compared. Statistical distribution of the aforementioned three body weight segments in the aforementioned 170 patients was counted. Using the total burn area and body weight data of the aforementioned 170 patients, the accuracy of rehydration rate calculated by two emergency rehydration formulas was calculated and compared as before. Data were statistically analyzed with McNemar test. Results: When the total burn area was 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% TBSA, respectively, and the body weight was 45-135 kg, the rehydration rates calculated by two emergency rehydration formulas did not exceed the maximum of the calculated results of four recognized rehydration formulas; the rehydration rate calculated by the TWGB formula did not change accordingly with total burn area, while the rehydration rate calculated by the tenfold rehydration formula did not change accordingly with body weight. Substituting 6 461 pairs of simulated data showed that the accuracy of rehydration rate calculated by the tenfold rehydration formula was 43.09% (2 784/6 461), which was significantly higher than 2.07% (134/6 461) of the TWGB formula, χ2=2 404.80, P<0.01. When the body weights were 45-62 kg and 63-93 kg, the accuracy rates of rehydration rate calculated by the tenfold rehydration formula were 100% (1 278/1 278) and 68.42% (1 506/2 201), respectively, which were significantly higher than 0 (0/1 278) and 0.05% (1/2 201) of the TWGB formula, χ2=1 276.00, 1 501.01, P<0.01; when the body weight was 94-135 kg, the accuracy rate of rehydration rate calculated by the tenfold rehydration formula was 0 (0/2 982), which was significantly lower than 4.46% (133/2 982) of the TWGB formula, χ2=131.01, P<0.01. When the rehydration rates calculated by two emergency rehydration formulas were both unreasonable, the rehydration rate calculated by the tenfold rehydration formula was greater than that calculated by the TWGB formula in most cases, accounting for 79.3% (2 808/3 543). Among the 170 patients, the proportions of those weighing 45-62, 63-93, and 94-135 kg were 25.29% (43/170), 65.88% (112/170), and 8.82% (15/170), respectively. Among the 170 patients, the accuracy rate of rehydration rate calculated by the tenfold rehydration formula was 69.41% (118/170), which was significantly higher than 3.53% (6/170) of the TWGB formula, χ2=99.36, P<0.01. Conclusions: Applying the tenfold rehydration formula to calculate the emergency rehydration rate in adults after extensive burns is simpler than four recognized rehydration formulas, and is superior to the TWGB formula. The tenfold rehydration formula is suitable for the front-line medical staffs that are not specialized in burns in pre-admission rescue of adult patients with extensive burns, which is worth popularizing.

Effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A on rats with collagen-induced arthritis

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) possesses several medicinal properties. However, it is unknown whether HSYA is effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hence, we investigated the effects of HSYA on the inflammation and synovial damage in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) by subjecting them to treatment with different doses of HSYA. Our results revealed that HSYA could significantly reduce paw swelling, pathological manifestations, and serum cytokine levels in rats with CIA. The HSYA-treated groups showed increased antioxidant enzyme activity in the serum and decreased expression of inflammatory mediators in the synovial tissues. Furthermore, HSYA treatment inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signalling pathway activation. Notably, the highest dose of HSYA (20 mg/kg) exhibited the best effects against RA symptoms. Therefore, our findings suggest that HSYA alleviates the inflammatory response and synovial damage in rats with CIA by inhibiting the ERK signalling pathway.

[A multicenter clinical analysis of short-term efficacy of laparoscopic radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma at multiple centers in China. Methods: Between December 2015 and August 2019, the clinical data of 143 patients who underwent LRHC in Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Affiliated Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated to Army Medical University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Zhejiang University, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were collected prospectively. There were 92 males and 51 females with age of (64±11) years (range: 53 to 72 years). Bismuth type: type I, 38 cases (26.6%), type Ⅱ, 19 cases (13.3%), type Ⅲa, 15 cases (10.5%), type Ⅲb, 28 cases (19.6%) and type Ⅳ, 43 cases (30.0%). The patients within the first 10 operation cases in each operation time (the first 10 patients in each operation team) were divided into group A (77 cases), and the patients after 10 cases in each operation time were classified as group B (66 cases); the cases with more than 10 cases in the center were further divided into group A(1) (116 cases), and the center with less than 10 cases was set as group A(2) (27 cases). T test or Wilcoxon test was used to compare the measurement data between groups, and the chi square test or Fisher exact probability method was used to compare the counting data between groups. Kaplan Meier curve was used for survival analysis. Results: All patients successfully completed laparoscopic procedure. The mean operation time was (421.3±153.4) minutes (range: 159 to 770 minutes), and the intraoperative blood loss was 100 to 1 500 ml (median was 300 ml) .Recent post-operative complications contained bile leakage, abdominal bleeding, abdominal infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, and delay gastric emptying, pulmonary infection, liver failure, et al.The post-operative hospital stay was (15.9±9.2) days. The operation time in group B was relatively reduced ( (429.5±190.7)minutes vs. (492.3±173.1)minutes, t=2.063, P=0.041) and the blood loss (465 ml vs. 200 ml) was also reduced (Z=2.021, P=0.043) than that in group B. The incidence of postoperative biliary fistula and lung infection in patients in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (χ(2)=4.341, 0.007; P=0.037, 0.047) .Compared with group A(2), the operation time in group A(1) was relatively reduced( (416.3±176.5)minutes vs. (498.1±190.4)minutes, t=2.136, P=0.034) , the incidence of bile leakage and abdominal cavity infection in group A(1) was lower than that in group A(2) (χ(2)=7.537, 3.162; P=0.006, 0.046) . Kaplan Meier survival curve showed that the difference of short-term survival time between group A and group B was statistically significant (P<0.05) . Conclusions: The completion of laparoscopic hilar cholangiocarcinoma radical surgery is based on improved surgical skills, and proficiency in standardized operation procedures.It is feasible for laparoscopic radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma to well experienced surgeon with cases be strictly screened, but it is not recommended for widespread promotion at this exploratory stage.

[Application of intestinal stent in prevention of anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer operation]

Objective: To observe preventive effect of intestinal stent against anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer operation. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Clinical data of 107 patients with low rectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic radical resection from January 2015 to August 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Intestinal stent was placed intraoperatively in 48 cases and was not placed in 59 cases. Postoperative Wexner score for anal function and incidence of anastomotic leakage were compared between patients with and without intstinal stent. Results: There was no significant differences in age, distance between tumor and the anal verge, operative time and postoperative Wexner score for anal function between the two groups (all P>0.05). After a month of follow-up, the incidence of anastomotic leakage was 16.9% (10/59) in the non-stent group, while no anastomotic leakage was found in the stent group (P=0.002). Conclusion: Placement of intestinal stent can effectively prevent anastomotic leakage after low rectal cancer surgery.

[Changes of insulin secretion and its signal transduction mechanism at early stage of severe scald in rats]

Objective: To observe the changes of insulin secretion in the early stage of severe scald in rats, and to explore its signal transduction mechanism. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats aged 7 weeks were divided into sham injury alone (SIA) group, sham injury+ BPV (HOpic) (SIB) group, scald alone (SA) group, and scald+ BPV (HOpic) (SB) group using the random number table, with 6 rats in each group. Full-thickness scald of 50% total body surface area was inflicted in rats of SA and SB groups by a 6-s immersion of the abdomen and a 12-s immersion of the back in 94 ℃ hot water. Rats in SIA and SIB groups received sham injuries through immersion of the back and abdomen in 37 ℃ warm water for 6 and 12 seconds respectively. From 0 (immediately) to 2 day (s) after injury, the rats in groups SB and SIB were intraperitoneally injected with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway enhancer BPV (HOpic) solution (0.5 mg/mL) at the dosage of 0.6 mg/kg once a day, and the rats in groups SA and SIA were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of dimethyl sulfoxide once a day. At post injury hour (PIH) 72, the tail blood of rats was sampled for measuring fasting blood glucose (FBG) with a glucometer, and the pancreatic tissue samples of rats was harvested for observing the pathological manifestations of islets by hematoxylin-eosin staining, counting the docked granules per 10 μm membrane of islet beta cells and calculating the proportion of insulin vesicles through the observation of the ultrastructure of islet beta cells by transmission electron microscope, and detecting the phosphorylation level of Akt in the pancreatic PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by Western blotting. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference test. Results: (1) At PIH 72, the rat FBG levels in SIA and SIB groups were normal and similar (P>0.05). Compared with the levels of those two groups, the rat FBG level in SA group was increased significantly (P<0.01), while the level in SB group showed no obvious change (P>0.05). Compared with that in SA group, the rat FBG level in SB group was decreased significantly (P<0.01). (2) At PIH 72, the morphology of rat islets was complete and the islet cells distributed regularly in SIA and SIB groups. Compared with those in SIA and SIB groups, the morphology of rat islets was incomplete, the insulin vesicles in islets were common, the islet cells distributed irregularly, and the cytoplasm of some islet beta cells was lightly stained or translucent in SA group; the morphology of islets in SB group did not change obviously. Compared with those in SA group, the morphology of islets was comparatively complete, the insulin vesicles in islets were less common, the islet cells distributed comparatively regularly, and the lightly stained or translucent cytoplasm of islet beta cells was less in SB group. (3) At PIH 72, the number of docked granules per 10 μm membrane of rat islet beta cells and the proportion of insulin vesicles in SIA and SIB groups were similar (P>0.05). Compared with those in SIA and SIB groups, the number of docked granules per 10 μm membrane of rat islet beta cells in SA group was decreased significantly (P<0.01), while the proportion of insulin vesicles was increased significantly (P<0.01); the number of docked granules per 10 μm membrane of rat islet beta cells in SB group was obviously decreased (P<0.05), while the proportion of insulin vesicles did not change obviously (P>0.05). Compared with those in SA group, the number of docked granules per 10 μm membrane of rat islet beta cells in SB group was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the proportion of insulin vesicles was significantly decreased (P<0.01). (4) At PIH 72, the phosphorylation levels of Akt in SIA, SIB, SA, and SB groups were 0.91±0.03, 0.98±0.03, 0.78±0.08, and 0.87±0.08, respectively. Compared with that in SIA group, the phosphorylation level of Akt was increased obviously in SIB group (P<0.05) but was decreased significantly in SA group (P<0.01), while the level in SB group did not change obviously (P>0.05). Compared with the level in SIB group, the phosphorylation levels of Akt in SA and SB groups were decreased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with that in SA group, the phosphorylation level of Akt in SB group was increased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusions: At the early stage post severe scald in rats, the activity of the pancreatic PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and the function of insulin secretion are reduced. Improving the activity of the pancreatic PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in rats can ameliorate the function of insulin secretion and recover the physiological level of blood glucose.

[The role of neutrophil in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis]

SummaryChronic nasal-sinusitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent inflammation in the nasal and nasal mucosa. The pathogenesis of CRS is extremely complex and there is currently a lack of effective therapy. The reason for inaccurate diagnosis and invalid treatment of CRS is its sophisticated and unclear mechanism. The pathogenesis of CRS from Asian populations is neutrophil infiltration mediated by Th1/Th17 mixture. Consequently, exploring the function of neutrophil in the pathogenesis of CRS plays an important role in clinical diagnosis and treatment for CRS patients in China.

[Establishment of a method for repairing extremities with extensively deep burn using fresh allogeneic scalp and autologous microskin and observation of its effect]

Objective: To establish a method for repairing extremities with extensively deep burn using large piece of fresh allogeneic scalp spliced by Meek glue combined with autologous microskin and observe its effect. Methods: Medical records of two male patients with extremely extensive deep burn admitted to our hospital from May to November in 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Two patients aged 44 and 25 years respectively, with total burn area of 90% and 97% total body surface area (TBSA) and full-thickness burn area of 85% and 70% TBSA, respectively. Preoperatively, the surgical area on the extremities was calculated to estimate the necessary amount of allogeneic scalp and Meek miniature skin. The large piece of fresh allogeneic scalp spliced by Meek glue combined with autologous microskin was prepared according to the methods described as follows. Thin medium-thickness fresh scalps with 3% TBSA and 0.30-0.35 mm in depth were harvested from each donor and spliced into a large piece with epidermis upward by spraying Meek glue. Then the spliced scalp was punched after covered with a single-layer gauze. Autologous microskin was transported onto the dermis of fresh large piece of allogeneic scalp by traditional floating method. Bilateral extremities with full-thickness burn of two patients were selected for self-control. The left upper extremity was denoted as treatment group while the right upper extremity was denoted as control group in Patient 1. The right lower extremity was denoted as treatment group while the left lower extremity was denoted as control group in Patient 2. Wounds in the treatment group were treated with fresh large piece of allogeneic scalp spliced by Meek glue and autologous microskin with expansion ratio of 1∶15 after escharectomy, while wounds in control group received grafting of Meek miniature skin with expansion ratio of 1∶6 and or 1∶9 after escharectomy. The donors of allogeneic scalp were 32 males who were the relatives or friends of the patients, aged 21-50 years, with scalp area of (548±48) cm(2). The healing conditions of donor sites of scalp were observed on post operation day 10, and were followed up within 3 months after operation to observe whether forming alopecia and hypertrophic scar or not. Wound healing condition was evaluated during follow-up in post operation week (POW) 2-5 and 4 months after operation. Wound coverage rates were calculated in both treatment and control groups in POW 2, 3, 4, and 5. Results: The donor sites of all allogeneic scalp of donors healed completely on post operation day 10. There was no alopecia or hypertrophic scar within 3 months after operation for follow-up. In POW 2, allogeneic scalp grafts basically survived in treatment group without obvious exudation, and most of the Meek miniature skin survived in control group with obvious exudation. Part of allogeneic scalp grafts dissolved and detached in treatment group in POW 3, and the surviving grafts scabbed. The eschar detached and new epithelium was observed in treatment group in POW 4 and 5. In POW 3-5, surviving Meek miniature skin in control group creeped and was incorporated, and the wounds shrank. Hypertrophic scar was observed in both treatment and control groups 4 months after operation, without obvious difference in scar as a whole. The wound coverage rates were respectively 84%-98% and 76%-92% in treatment group of two patients in POW 2-5, close to or higher than those of control group (35%-97% and 28%-81%, respectively). Conclusions: The study establishes a novel method for splicing fresh allogeneic scalps into a large piece as the covering of microskin, which has good effect for repairing extensively deep burn wounds. Considering that allogeneic skin is scarce, this method may be a new option in clinical treatment for extensively deep burn patients.

The Effects of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP) in a Mouse Model of Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas associated with high patient morbidity. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a traditional Chinese medicine with an active component extracted from the goji berry, has previously been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of LBP in a mouse model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Acute pancreatitis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cerulein in C57BL/6 wild-type mice or nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2) gene knockout mice. LBP or normal saline was administrated by gavage once daily for one week before the induction of acute pancreatitis. At 12 hours after the first intraperitoneal injection of cerulein, the mice were euthanized. Blood and pancreatic tissue were sampled for histology and for the measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines, serum amylase, and lipase. RESULTS In the untreated mouse model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis, amylase and lipase levels were increased, and these levels were reduced by LBP treatment when compared with vehicle treatment. In the untreated mouse model, histology of the pancreas showed edema and inflammation, which were reduced in the LBP-treated mice. In the untreated mouse model, increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were found, which were reduced in the LBP-treated mice. NRF2 gene knockout mice with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis showed reduced anti-inflammatory effects of LBP treatment. LBP increased the expression of NRF2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). CONCLUSIONS In a mouse model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis, LBP reduced inflammation by upregulating NRF2 and HO-1.

Rheological behavior, mechanical properties, and nonisothermal crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/modified carbon fiber composites

Maleic anhydride-grafted carbon fiber (CF- g-MAH) was prepared by a solid-phase grafting method. The rheological behavior, morphology, mechanical properties, and nonisothermal crystallization behavior of pure poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and PET/CF and PET/CF- g-MAH composites were investigated. The rheological analyses and mechanical tests show that the addition of CF or CF- g-MAH increased the complex viscosity and mechanical properties of PET. The morphology observations confirm that the introduction of the MAH group on the surfaces of the CF enhanced the interactions between the CF and PET, resulting in the fine dispersion of CF- g-MAH in the PET matrix. In addition, the analyses of the nonisothermal crystallization behavior of pure PET and the PET/CF and PET/CF- g-MAH composites show that CF or CF- g-MAH can act as a heterogeneous nucleating agent in PET and accelerate its crystallization. Compared to CF, CF- g-MAH is a more effective nucleator for PET.

[The possible failing reasons of balloon catheter dilation procedure in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis]

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of balloon catheter dilation (BCD) in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis, and to analyse the possible factors which lead to BCD failure, as well as to provide basic reference for BCD clinical usage.Method:Forty-six sinuses of 32 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis were underwent "Balloon-only" BCD or "FESS assisted" BCD at our institution between September 2014 and December 2016. By recording details of the operation of all the subjects in this study and following up the clinical symptoms, nasal endoscopy, computed tomography of the sinuses, and postoperative complications six months after operation, to evaluate the difficulty, safety, effectiveness and especially, the failing reasons of BCD.Result:BCD was approached in 46 sinuses (19 maxillary sinus, 22 frontal and 5 sphenoid), and succeeded in 13 maxillary sinuses, 19 frontal sinuses, and 4 sphenoid sinuses. Of the 13 maxillary sinuses, there were 9 sinuses underwent "Balloon-only" procedure, other 4 cases underwent "FESS assisted" procedure. There were 3 cases of frontal sinus failed, because of the frontal recess anatomical complexity and the twisted drainage. Of the 5 sphenoid sinuses, 4 cases succeeded, including fungal sphenoiditis cases, in which the mould was completely cleared through the dilated ostia, and 1 case failed. All the patients were followed up for 1, 3 and 6 months of patient's quality of life, nasal endoscope, computed tomography of the sinuses. The results showed that the SNOT-20 scores of the quality of life in significant relief of symptoms, nasal mucosa status improved significantly compared with the preoperative, dilated ostium remains open, no obvious scar formation, no severe operative complications.Conclusion:Balloon catheter dilation in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis is safe and effective. But the operation indications is limited, and many factors influence the success rate of BCD, so, preoperatively gaining the information of nasal cavity and anatomical structure around ostium according to patients' nasal endoscopy and sinus CT is critical to success of BCD.

Pyridinium and indole orientation determines the mitochondrial uncoupling and anti-cancer efficiency of F16

F16 is a mitochondria-targeted, broad-spectrum anticancer agent in the pre-clinic cancer therapy. Here we developed two fluorescent isomers of F16 (o-F16 and m-F16) with entirely different photophysical properties, uncoupling activity, and cytotoxicity by merely modifying the linking orientation of pyridinium and indole units. Individually, o-F16 acted as a strong uncoupler to reduce the mitochondrial respiration efficiency, while m-F16 could hardly uncouple the mitochondrial respiration due to its poor proton dissociation capability. Owing to their intrinsic fluorescence, o-F16 and m-F16 could specifically image mitochondria in the green and red channel, respectively. This work could provide useful information for the development of uncouplers and design of mitochondrial-targeted drugs.

[Study on the change of optical zone after femtosecond laser assisted laser in situ keratomileusis]

Objective: To explore the change of optical zone after femtosecond laser assisted laser in sitn keratomileusis(FS-LASIK) so as to provide the reference for measurement and design of clinical optical zone. Methods: This retrospective case series study covers 41 eyes of 24 patients (7 males and 17 females, aged from 18 to 42 years old) with myopia and myopic astigmatism who have received FS-LASIK surgery at Corneal Refractive Department of Qingdao Eye Hospital and completed over 6 months of clinical follow-up. Pentacam system (with the application of 6 corneal topographic map modes including: the pure axial curvature topographic map, the pure tangential curvature topographic map, the axial curvature difference topographic map, the tangential curvature difference topographic map, the postoperative front elevation map and the corneal thickness difference topographic map), combined with transparent concentric software (a system independently developed by Qingdao Eye Hospital) was used to measure the optical zone at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the optical zone diameters measurement results among different follow-up times in group were analyzed with the repeated measures analysis of variance, and the actual measured values and the theoretical design values of the optical zone were analyzed with independent-samples t-testing. Spearman correlation coefficient (r(s)) have been applied to evaluate the relationship between postoperative optical zone measurement values and the potential influencing factors. Results: The optical zone diameters measured by pure axial curvature topographic map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (6.55±0.50)mm, (6.50±0.53)mm and (6.48±0.53)mm respectively. The differences between values are of no statistical significance (F=1.60, P=0.21), the optical zone diameter measured by pure tangential curvature topographic map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (5.44±0.46)mm, (5.46±0.52)mm and (5.44±0.50)mm respectively, the differences between values are of no statistical significance (F=0.17, P=0.85). The optical zone diameters measured by postoperative front elevation map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (5.06±0.28)mm, (5.12±0.32)mm and (5.17±0.28)mm respectively. The differences between the values of 3 and 6 months postoperatively are of no statistical significance (F=6.14, P=0.15), the optical zone diameters measured by axial curvature difference topographic map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (6.51±0.37)mm, (6.45±0.41)mm and (6.41±0.40)mm respectively, and the differences between the values of 3 and 6 months postoperatively are of no statistical significance (F=7.25, P=0.05). The optical zone diameters measured by tangential curvature difference topographic map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (5.21±0.23)mm, (5.16±0.19)mm and (5.17±0.20) mm respectively, and the differences between the values of 1 and 3 months postoperatively are of statistical significance (F=1.75, P=0.04). The optical zone diameters measured by corneal thickness difference topographic map at 1, 3 and 6 months after FS-LASIK showed (6.53±0.40)mm, (6.39±0.43)mm and (6.41±0.47)mm respectively, and the differences between the values of 1 and 3 months postoperatively are of statistical significance (F=1.67, P=0.032). The actual measured optical zone values from the 6 different modes of Pentacam system are less than the theoretical design values (7.75 mm), and the differences were statistical significance (t=-15.42, -29.39, -59.27, -21.47, -81.69, -18.22, P<0.01). Conclusions: The optical zone measurement values tend to be stable at 3 months after FS-LASIK. The actual measured values from all the 6 different modes of Pentacam system were less than the theoretical design values. The results from pure tangential curvature topographic map, the tangential curvature difference topographic map and the postoperative front elevation map showed greater variation with clear border, which was beneficial for eccentric research. The results from pure axial curvature topographic map, the axial curvature difference topographic map and the corneal thickness difference topographic map were close to the theoretically designed values. Furthermore, the axial curvature difference topographic map showed clearer border and less variation thus maybe more favorable for measuring optical zone in clinical application.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 39-47).

[Effects of scar excision combined with negative-pressure on repair of hypertrophic scar in burn children]

Objective: To explore the effects of scar excision combined with negative-pressure on repair of hypertrophic scar in burn children. Methods: From October 2010 to August 2016, 25 children with hypertrophic scar after deep burn were hospitalized, with scar course ranging from 3 months to 11 years and scar area ranging from 35 to 427 [83(51, 98)]cm(2). A total of 35 scars of 25 children were located in trunk (11 scars), upper limb (11 scars), and lower limb (13 scars). All children received scar excision operation and negative-pressure treatment (negative-pressure value ranged from -40 to -20 kPa), among which 6 cases received scar excision operation and negative-pressure treatment for two times for further removal of scars. After scar excision, electronic spring scale was used to measure the tension of the incision. The tension value of children ranged from 3.43 to 23.84 [7.16 (5.59, 9.12)] N, and then the incision was closed with appropriate suture according to the value of the tension. The incision with smaller tension was firstly opened on post operation day (POD) 8. After removing the suture, negative-pressure was conducted to POD 14. The incision with larger tension was firstly opened on POD 12. After removing the suture, biological semi-membrane was used to reduce tension to POD 16. All healed incisions were performed with anti-scar treatment for 1 year and relaxation and fixation for 3 months. General condition of the incision was observed after operation. The reduction percentage of scar area was calculated half-year after operation. The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale was used to record the overall score of scar and scar score of trunk, upper limb, and lower limb before operation and half-year after operation. Data were processed with paired t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: After removing the suture, all incisions of children healed well without redness, effusion, and rupture. Half-year after operation, the appearance and deformity of incision were obviously improved, and the symptoms including pruritus and pain were basically relieved. Half-year after operation, the scar area of children ranged from 0 to 174 [21(9, 47)]cm(2,) which was significantly decreased as compared with that before operation (Z=-5.16, P<0.05). The reduction percentage of scar area ranged from 36% to 100% [(73±19)%]. Half-year after operation, the overall score of scar and scar score of trunk, upper limb, and lower limb of children were obviously decreased as compared with those before operation (with t values from 6.42 to 17.37, P values below 0.05). Conclusions: Scar excision combined with negative-pressure treatment has a good clinical effect on repair of hypertrophic scar in burn children, which is suitable for clinical application.

[Bibliometric analysis of scientific articles on epidemiological study of burns in China]

Objective: To analyze the current status of epidemiological study of burns in China, and to explore the related strategies. Methods: Retrospective or cross-sectional scientific articles in Chinese or English on epidemiological study of burns in China published from January 2005 to December 2015 were systemically retrieved from 4 databases. The databases include PubMed, Embase, China Biology Medicine disc, and Chinese Journals Full-text Database. From the results retrieved, data with regard to publication year, journal distribution, number of institutions participated in the study, affiliation of the first author and its location, and admission time span and age of patients in all the scientific articles were collected. Furthermore, the definition of age range and the grouping method of age of pediatric patients in English articles on epidemiological study of pediatric burns of China were recorded. Data were processed with descriptive statistical analysis. Results: A total of 256 scientific articles conforming to the study criteria were retrieved, among which 214 (83.59%) articles were in Chinese, and 42 (16.41%) articles were in English; 242 (94.53%) articles were retrospective studies, and 14 (5.47%) articles were cross-sectional studies. During the 11 years, the number of the relevant articles was fluctuant on the whole. The scientific articles were published in 130 journals, with 42 English articles in source journals for SCIENCE CITATION INDEX EXPANDED-JOURNAL LIST, accounting for 16.41%, and 116 Chinese articles in Source Journal for Chinese Scientific and Technical Papers, accounting for 45.31%. Totally 215 (83.98%) articles were single-center studies, and 29 (11.33%) articles were multicenter studies which were conducted by three or more centers. The number of affiliations of the first author of articles was 161 in total. The top 10 institutions regarding the article publishing number published 58 articles, accounting for 22.66%. Scientific articles on epidemiological study of burns were retrieved with location of affiliation of the first author in 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government in Mainland China, and also in Taiwan Province and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, among which Shanghai ranked first with 24 (9.38%) articles published. The admission time span of patients in the articles ranged from 3 months to 47 years, with 120 (46.87%) articles from 3 months to 5 years, 79 (30.86%) articles from 6 to 10 years, and 57 (22.27%) articles more than 10 years, respectively. Regarding the age of patients in the study, 123 articles were on epidemiological study of pediatric burns, and 16 articles on epidemiological study of elderly burns, accounting for 48.05% and 6.25%, respectively. Further analysis of articles on epidemiological study of pediatric burns in English showed that there was no standard definition of age range or unified grouping method of age for pediatric burn patients. Conclusions: The epidemiological study of burns in China has been carried out nationwide, but the number of institutions conducted relevant study is not that much, and multicenter epidemiological studies remain scanty. The quality of the articles needs to be further improved. The epidemiological study of elderly burns is relatively deficient and calls for more attention. The epidemiological study of burns in China lacks regularity or continuity in time scope. There is an urgent need for the guideline on classification method for items of epidemiological study of burns in China so as to standardize the related research.

[Detection and screen of pulmonary metastasis-related signature genes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To establish an animal model of pulmonary metastasis from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and to investigate differential genes associated with pulmonary metastasis. Methods: CNE cell line was used to construct the stable metastasis CNE/Luc cell line which steadily expresses the fluorescent enzyme genes. The CNE/Luc cells were injected into immunodeficiency mice through tail vein, and with the in vivo imaging technology, the mice with pulmonary metastasis were filtered out. The pulmonary metastasis cells, were separated and injected into the tail vein of other nude mice to obtain the tissue-specificity metastasis cells confirmed by fluorescent imaging system. Based on the gene chip, the differential genes associated with pulmonary metastasis for NPC were found. Results: The gene expression profiles of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE/Luc and their lung metastasis-associated subpopulation CNE/Luc-2 were constructed by gene chip technology. Ten metastasis-related genes were screened by software analysis, namely as TP53, PIK3CA, MET, KRAS, VEGFA, EDNRB, GSK3B, FOXO3, SOD2, and BIRC3. Conclusions: Some genes including TP53, PIK3CA, MET, KRAS, VEGFA, EDNRB, GSK3B, FOXO3, SOD2, and BIRC3 are indicated to have important roles in the lung metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

An instrument for measuring scintillators efficiently based on silicon photomultipliers

An instrument used for measuring multiple scintillators' light output and energy resolution was developed. The instrument consisted of a light sensor array which was composed of 64 discrete SiPMs (Silicon Photomultipliers), a corresponding individual channel readout electronics system, and a data processing algorithm. A Teflon grid and a large interval between adjacent SiPMs were employed to eliminate the optical cross talk among scintillators. The scintillators' light output was obtained by comparing with a reference sample with known light output. Given the SiPM temperature dependency and the difference among each SiPM, a temperature offset correction algorithm and a non-uniformity correction algorithm were added to the instrument. A positioning algorithm, based on nine points, was designed to evaluate the performance of a scintillator array. Tests were performed to evaluate the instrument's performance. The uniformity of 64 channels for light output measurement was better than 98%, the stability was better than 98% when temperature varied from 15 °C to 40 °C, and the nonlinearity under 511 keV was better than 2%. This instrument was capable of selecting scintillators and evaluating the packaging technology of scintillator arrays with high efficiency and accuracy.

Expression and prognostic influence of NF-κB and EGFR in esophageal cancer

The goal of this study was to investigate the expression profiles of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in esophageal cancer and to determine their association with tumor prognosis. This study included 40 esophageal cancer patients [22 men and 18 women; average age = 62.7 ± 3.9 years; tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging: 12 patients with stage I, 13 patients with stage II, and 15 patients with stage III disease]. Tumor tissues and tumor-adjacent tissue specimens were collected during radical resections at our hospital. Immunohistochemical staining was used to examine these tissues for NF-κB and EGFR expression. Follow-up of all patients included gathering information such as the 3-year survival rate. We found that NF-κB and EGFR expression was significantly higher in tumor tissues compared to tumor-adjacent normal tissues. Expression was not related to gender or age, but was positively associated with the degree of tumor infiltration. NF-κB and EGFR expression levels gradually increased with higher TNM stage, but this difference was not significant. Follow-up results showed that patients with higher NF-κB and EGFR levels had a lower survival rate and unfavorable prognosis. In conclusion, we found that NF-κB and EGFR expression was significantly elevated during the occurrence and development of esophageal carcinoma, and expression of these factors appears to be correlated with cancer progression. Higher expression of both genes is associated with an unfavorable prognosis.

Functional significance of expression of Hedgehog pathway components Shh, Ptch1, Smo and Gli1 in human pancreatic cancer

AIM: To detect the expression of Hedgehog pathway components Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Patched1 (Ptch1), Smoothened (Smo) and glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) genes in pancreatic cancer, and to discuss their biological significance.

METHODS: Expression of Shh, Ptch1, Smo and Gli1 mRNAs was evaluated by RT-PCR in 48 cases of pancreatic cancer and matched tumor adjacent tissue.

RESULTS: The relative expression levels of Shh, Ptch1, Smo and Gli1 mRNAs in pancreatic cancer were 0.652 ± 0.036, 0.604 ± 0.063, 0.493 ± 0.011 and 0.512 ± 0.052, respectively, significantly higher than those in tumor adjacent tissue (0.312 ± 0.013, 0.319 ± 0.053, 0.214 ± 0.046 and 0.247 ± 0.059) (P < 0.05). Overexpression of these genes was associated with tumor differentiation (P < 0.05), but not with age, gender, tumorous size, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, or CA19-9 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The expression of Shh, Ptch1, Smo and Gli1 is increased in human pancreatic cancer. The genesis and development of pancreatic cancer may be associated with the abnormal activation of Hedgehog signaling pathway.

In situ imaging and control of layer-by-layer femtosecond laser thinning of graphene

Although existing methods (chemical vapor deposition, mechanical exfoliation, etc.) are available to produce graphene, the lack of thickness control limits further graphene applications. In this study, we demonstrate an approach to precisely thin graphene films to a specific thickness using femtosecond (fs) laser raster scanning. By using appropriate laser fluence and scanning times, graphene thinning with an atomic layer precision, namely layer-by-layer graphene removal, has been realized. The fs laser used was configured in a four-wave mixing (FWM) system which can be used to distinguish graphene layer thickness and count the number of layers using the linear relationship between the FWM signal intensity and the graphene thickness. Furthermore, FWM imaging has been successfully applied to achieve in situ, real-time monitoring of the fs laser graphene thinning process. This method can not only realize the large-scale thinning of graphene with atomic layer precision, but also provide in situ, rapid imaging capability of graphene for an accurate assessment of the number of layers.

First Report of Barley yellow striate mosaic virus on Wheat in China

In the spring of 2014, a survey of viral diseases on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was carried out in Hebei Province, China. The samples with virus-like symptoms of dwarfing and flag leaf yellowing were collected in Zhaoxian, Quyang, Anxin, and Luannan. To reproduce the viral symptoms and confirm whether the unknown virus was transmitted by insect vectors, the nymphs of aviruliferous planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus Fallen, Homoptera: Delphacidae) were transferred onto diseased wheat from the field for a 3-day acquisition access period and a 10-day incubation on fresh wheat seedlings, and then were exposed to 2- to 3-leaf stage wheat seedlings of wheat variety Shixin828 for a 3-day inoculation access period. The infected wheat plants developed mosaic symptoms on the young leaves at 7 days post inoculation (dpi), and followed with severe symptoms including stunting, chlorotic spots, and striation along the veins of leaves at around 14 dpi. The infection symptoms were same as in the field but distinct from wheat infected with Rice black streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) or Northern cereal mosaic virus (NCMV). For further confirmation, total RNA was extracted from the symptomatic wheat leaves, and NCMV specific primers, NCMV-PF/NCMV-PR (5'-ATGGATAAGAAAGCAAGTGGA-3'/5'-TTAAAAGTCGGCATACGGGTC-3') and RBSDV specific primers, S10-F/S10-R (5'-TTACCCAACATCACGCAACT-3'/5'-GAGCAGGAACTTCACGACAAC-3') were used for amplification of sequences of phosphoprotein and coat protein genes, respectively. Neither RBSDV nor NCMV were present in the symptomatic tissue according to the RT-PCR assay (4). Tissues derived from symptomatic wheat leaves were fixed and embedded in Spurr's resin and used for ultra-thin sectioning and transmission electron microscopy observations, revealing large amounts of Rhabdovirus-like particles in the cytoplasm. The identified particles were about 315 to 353 × 46 to 57 nm, similar in size to Barley yellow striate mosaic virus (BYSMV), a member of the genus Cytorhabdovirus reported from Italy (2). The specific primer pair (5'-ACTAAGGGGGTACTCCGACC-3' and 5'-CTGATCTGCTTTGAGGGGCA-3') was designed based on the reported polymerase (L) gene sequence of BYSMV isolate Zanjan-1 (GenBank Accession No. FJ665628) (1), and used for the BYSMV detection by RT-PCR. A single bright band of the expected size (~500 bp) was obtained from total RNA extracted from the plants exhibiting symptoms in the greenhouse. No such band was amplified from asymptomatic plants, while 15 out of 23 field samples also produced the same 500-bp products in RT-PCR. PCR products from three virus-positive field samples were sequenced directly and the sequences were submitted to GenBank (KM052176, KM052177, and KM052178). BLAST search showed that the sequences shared 96 to 97% nucleotide identity with the polymerase L gene sequence of BYSMV isolate Zanjan-1, whereas only 73 to 75% identity with NCMV (AB030277 and GU985153) (1,3,5). To our knowledge, this is the first report of BYSMV occurrence on wheat in China. References: (1) R. Almasi et al. J. Phytopathol. 158:351, 2010. (2) A. Appiano et al. Cytol. 6:105, 1974. (3) H. C. Chen et al. Sci. Agric. Sinica 3:64, 1980. (4) X. F. Duan et al. Acta Phytopathol. Sinica 40:337, 2010. (5) F. Tanno et al. Arch. Virol. 145:1373, 2000.

First Report of Forsythia Shoot Blight Caused by Phytophthora nicotianae in Connecticut

Blighting of Forsythia × intermedia 'Showoff' was first observed affecting several hundred plants in a commercial nursery in Connecticut in September 2012. Symptoms included wilting, leaf and stem blight, and dieback progressing to plant death. A Phytophthora sp. was isolated from symptomatic tissues on half-strength potato dextrose agar (½PDA). Colonies were white and cottony on ½PDA, reaching 9 mm in 15 days at 25°C, but colorless and inconspicuous on pimaricin, ampicillin, rifampicin, pentachloronitrobenzene agar (PARP) with sparse and limited aerial mycelium, reaching 60 mm in 15 days at 25°C. The characteristics of the pathogen were observed and measured from a 3-month-old colony on ½PDA. Sporangia were abundant, various in shape, ovoid, ellipsoid to pyriform or limoniform, occasionally gourd shaped or irregular; (17.9) 27.2 to 41.4 (47.3) × (12.6) 19.1 to 30.5 (36.7) μm (n = 30), length/breadth ratio 1.4 ± 0.2, papillate and noncaducous. Papillae measured 2.9 ± 0.8 × 3.4 ± 0.8 μm (n = 10). Chlamydospores were present, 23.4 ± 3.1 × 22 ± 3.3 μm (n = 10). Oogonia and oospores were not observed. Arachnoid mycelia were present. These morphological characteristics are consistent with Phytophthora nicotianae Breda de Haan (1). The identity of the pathogen was confirmed as P. nicotianae by BLAST analysis of ITS, Cox II, and beta tubulin gene sequences (99% match for the three sequences, E value = 0). Pathogenicity tests were conducted four times on healthy liners of Forsythia × intermedia 'Showoff' grown in 10-cm-diameter pots. Leaves and stems were wounded by pricking with a sterile needle and six plants were inoculated with 0.25 cm² plugs of the pathogen growing on ½PDA placed on three leaves and in three stem nodes and covered with Parafilm. Controls consisted of an equal number of plants wounded and inoculated with ½PDA alone. All plants were placed inside high humidity chambers for 24 h and then transferred to a greenhouse for up to 1 month. Typical symptoms developed within 1 week of inoculation and the pathogen was re-isolated from diseased tissue. Disease incidence was nearly 100% of inoculated leaves and stems and not observed in control plants without the pathogen. Three replicate 6-week-old broadleaf tobacco 'C9' plants were each inoculated with tobacco or forsythia isolates of P. nicotianae or sterile media alone, by wounding stems and placing colonized 0.25 cm² ½PDA plugs into wounds and covering with Parafilm. After 1 week, stems were split and the length of internal necrosis in the stem measured. Disease resulted from inoculation with both the tobacco and forsythia isolates and stem necrosis averaged 43 and 23 mm for tobacco or forsythia isolates, respectively. No necrosis was observed in the pathogen-free controls. P. nicotianae has been reported from the basal stem and roots of F. viridissima in Italy (2) and from shoots of Forsythia × intermedia in Virginia (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. nicotianae causing shoot blight on Forsythia in the northeastern United States. References: (1) J. van. Breda de Haan. Mededeelingenuit's Lands Plantentuin Batavia. 15:57, 1896. (2) S. O. Cacciola et al. Plant Dis. 78:525, 1994. (3) C. X. Hong et al. Plant Dis. 89:430, 2005.

Critical evaluation of transcription factor Atf2 as a candidate modulator of alcohol preference in mouse and human populations

In prior work, congenic strains carrying the DBA/2Igb (D2) region of chromosome 2 (Chr2) for alcohol preference were bred onto a C57BL/6Ibg (B6) background and as predicted were found to reduce voluntary consumption. Subsequently, interval-specific congenic recombinant strains (ISCRS) were generated and also tested. These ISCRS strains reduced the quantitative trait loci (QTL) interval to a comparatively small 3.4 Mb region. Here, we have exploited an integrative approach using both murine and human populations to critically evaluate candidate genes within this region. First, we used bioinformatics tools to search for genes relevant to alcohol preference within the QTL region. Second, we searched for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within exons of every gene in this region. Third, we conducted follow-up microarray analyses to identify differentially expressed genes between the B6 and ISCRS strains in mice from each group. Fourth, we analyzed correlations between the expression level of candidate genes and phenotypes of alcohol preference in a large family of BXD recombinant inbred strains derived from B6 and D2. Finally, we evaluated SNP segregation in both BXD mouse strains and in humans who were heavy alcohol drinkers or non-drinkers. Among several potential candidate genes in this region, we identified activating transcription factor 2 (Atf2) as the most plausible gene that would influence alcohol preference. However, the candidacy of Atf2 was only weakly supported when we used a genetic network approach and by focused reanalysis of genome-wide association study data from European-American and African-American populations. Thus, we cannot conclude that Atf2 plays a role in the regulation of the QTL of mouse Chr2.

Trichosanthes kirilowii: A New Host of Cucurbit mild mosaic virus in China

Chinese cucumber (Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.) is a type of perennial liana plant of the Cucurbitaceae family that is mainly distributed in East Asia and northern Australia. It is an important medicinal plant and commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs (2). During the summer and autumn of 2012, T. kirilowii plants showing symptoms of mild mosaic on the upper leaves and bright yellow color on the lower leaves were observed in the Haidian district of Beijing, China. Recently similar symptoms induced by Cucurbit mild mosaic virus (CuMMV) on squash have been reported. CuMMV is a new member of the genus Fabavirus in the Comovirinae subfamily, discovered in China in 2006 (1). Total RNA was extracted from five leaf samples of independent plants and used for reverse transcription with an oligo (dT)₁₈ primer, followed by PCR with a pair of CuMMV virus-specific primers FaR₁3012F (5'-CGAGTGCGAGTTAGAAATTGGGATG-3') and FaR₁5783R (5'-TCACTTTGAGGTGATAAAACAATCC-3') to amplify a 2,772-bp fragment including RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) coding region. The expected target fragment was obtained in all symptomatic plant samples but not from an asymptomatic plant. Nucleotide sequence comparison analysis showed that the virus isolated from T. kirilowii (GenBank Accession No. KC959843) had 95.33% nucleotide identity and 99.15% amino acid identity in the RdRp sequence with a CuMMV isolate from squash (GenBank Accession No. FJ194941) (1). In addition, symptomatic samples tested positive for CuMMV by Western blot using CuMMV small coat protein (SCP) specific polyclonal antibody (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. kirilowii as natural host of CuMMV in China. The impact of CuMMV on T. kirilowii production remains to be determined; however, the extended host range for this virus suggests a potential threat of CuMMV to cucurbit crops in China. References: (1) S. W. Dong et al. Arch. Virol.157:597, 2012. (2) J. H. Hong et al. China Pharmacist 7:561, 2004.

Synthesis of F16 conjugated with 5-fluorouracil and biophysical investigation of its interaction with bovine serum albumin by a spectroscopic and molecular modeling approach

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) has been widely used as a chemotherapy agent in the treatment of many types of solid tumors. Investigation of its antimetabolites led to the development of an entire class of fluorinated pyrimidines. However, the toxicity profile associated with 5-FU is significant and includes diarrhea, mucositis, hand-foot syndrome and myelosuppression. In aiming at reducing of the side effects of 5-FU, we have designed and synthesized delocalized lipophilic cations (DLCs) as a vehicle for the delivery of 5-FU. DLCs accumulate selectively in the mitochondria of cancer cells because of the high mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm). Many DLCs exhibited anti-cancer efficacy and were explored as potential anti-cancer drugs based on their selective accumulation in the mitochondria of cancer cells. F16, the DLC we used as a vehicle, is a small molecule that selectively inhibits tumor cell growth and dissipates mitochondrial membrane potential. The binding of the conjugate F16-5-FU to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using spectroscopic and molecular modeling approaches. Fluorescence quenching constants were determined using the Stern-Volmer equation to provide a measure of the binding affinity between F16-5-FU and BSA. The activation energy of the interaction between F16-5-FU and BSA was calculated and the unusually high value was discussed in terms of the special structural block indicated by the molecular modeling approach. Molecular modeling showed that F16-5-FU binds to human serum albumin in site II, which is consistent with the results of site-competitive replacement experiments. It is suggested that hydrophobic and polar forces played important roles in the binding reaction, in accordance with the results of thermodynamic experiments.

Spectroscopic studies on the interactions between CdTe quantum dots coated with different ligands and human serum albumin

This paper investigates the interactions between human serum albumin (HSA) and CdTe quantum dots (QDs) with nearly identical hydrodynamic size, but capped with four different ligands (MPA, NAC, and GSH are negatively charged; CA is positively charged) under physiological conditions. The investigation was carried out using fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectra, UV-vis spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results of fluorescence quenching and UV-vis absorption spectra experiments indicated the formation of the complex of HSA and negatively charged QDs (MPA-CdTe, NAC-CdTe, and GSH-CdTe), which was also reconfirmed by the increasing of the hydrodynamic radius of QDs. The K(a) values of the three negatively charged QDs are of the same order of magnitude, indicating that the interactions are related to the nanoparticle itself rather than the ligands. ΔH<0 and ΔS>0 implied that the electrostatic interactions play predominant roles in the adsorption process. Furthermore, it was also proven that QDs can induce the conformational changes of HSA from the CD spectra and the three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of HSA. However, our results demonstrate that the interaction mechanism between the positively charged QDs (CA-CdTe) and HSA is significantly different from negatively charged QDs. For CA-CdTe QDs, both the static and dynamic quenching occur within the investigated range of concentrations. According to the DLS results, some large-size agglomeration also emerged.

First Report of Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum Causing Leaf Spot of Pachysandra terminalis

Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum Crous, J.Z., Groenew. & C.F. Hill 2002 was recently reported infecting common boxwood, Buxus sempervirens L., in Connecticut (2). We isolated the pathogen from leaf and stem lesions of B. sempervirens and obtained single-spored cultures on half-strength potato dextrose agar (½PDA). The pathogen was identified as C. pseudonaviculatum by morphological characteristics (1). Colony size reached 71 mm in diameter after 14 days at room temperature on ½PDA, and was fluffy with white aerial hyphae, mars brown, and reverse color chestnut brown at the center fading to pale brown forming concentric bands. Macroconidiophores were solitary or in a group of up to three, comprised a stipe, a sterile elongation, and one to three penicillate fertile branches. The stipe was up to nine septate, 90 to 250 μm long, colorless, smooth, terminating in a naviculate or broadly ellipsoidal vesicle with a pointed or papillate apex, and 27 to 50 × 6.5 to 9 μm. Primary branches were zero- to one-septate, 20 to 36 × 4 to 5 μm; secondary branches were aseptate and 11 to 20 × 3 to 4.5 μm; tertiary branches were rare, each terminal branch producing two to five phialides; phialides were doliiform or reniform, colorless, 12 to 18 μm. Conidia were cylindrical, rounded at both ends, straight, smooth, colorless, two-celled, 48 to 55 × 4.5 to 5.5 μm, and in colorless slimy cylindrical clusters. Microconidiophores were not observed. Chlamydospores were golden to dark brown, thick-walled, and smooth or rough. Microsclerotia were present on ½PDA. Primers T1 and T22 (3) were used to amplify a portion of the β-tubulin gene from isolates Cps-CT-L1 and Cps-CT-S1. Amplified sequences were used in a BLAST search against the GenBank database to demonstrate 100% sequence identity only with other C. pseudonaviculatum strains. Both sequences were deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. JQ866628 and JQ866629), using corresponding gene data from C. pseudonaviculatum strain STE-U 3399 (GenBank Accession No. AF449455) to distinguish coding from noncoding regions. Healthy plants of Japanese spurge, Pachysandra terminalis, with three plants per 10 cm diameter pot, were inoculated with water alone or a conidial suspension of C. pseudonaviculatum isolate Cps-CT-L1 (ATCC MYA-4891) (1.0 × 10⁶ conidia/plant) with a handheld sprayer until runoff. Plants were kept moist in a plastic bag for 48 h at laboratory temperature and then transferred to the greenhouse. Circular lesions (1- to 4-mm diameter) were evident on leaves after 10 days. All 12 inoculated plants developed lesions, and no lesions were observed on noninoculated plants. Leaves with lesions were surface sterilized in 0.5% NaOCl for 30 s, rinsed twice in sterile water, and lesion margins plated onto water agar or ½PDA. The pathogen was reisolated from at least one leaf per plant. Koch's postulates were performed again with isolate Cps-CT-S1 (ATCC MYA-4890). After 3 weeks, many of the leaves with lesions yellowed and dropped to the soil surface and heavy sporulation of C. pseudonaviculatum and microsclerotia were observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. pseudonaviculatum causing a leaf spot disease on P. terminalis. Pachysandra is a widely grown ground cover suitable for shady, humid environmental conditions that may be conducive for the development of disease. References: (1) P. Crous, et al. Sydowia 54:23, 2002. (2) K. Ivors et al. Plant Disease. 96:X, 2012. (3) K. O'Donnell and E. Cigelnik Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 7:103, 1997.

Synthesis of three novel anionic gemini surfactants and comparative studies of their assemble behavior in the presence of bovine serum albumin

Three novel anionic sulfonate gemini surfactants, sodium 4,4'-(10,19-dioxo-9,11,18,20-tetraazaoctacosane-9,20-diyl) dibenzenesulfonate (Surfactant I), sodium 4,4'-(12,21-dioxo-11,13,20,22-tetraazadotriacontane-11,22-diyl) dibenzenesulfonate (Surfactant II), and sodium 4,4'-(14,23-dioxo-13,15,22,24-tetraazahezatriacontane-13,24-diyl) dibenzenesulfonate (Surfactant III), with different lengths of hydrophobic tail have been synthesized, and their assembly behavior in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been studied using spectral methods and molecular modeling methods at physiological pH and 298 K. Critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of the three surfactants have been determined by surface tension measurements. Despite the obvious decrease of CMC with the increase of tail length, fluorescence spectra have shown much closer CAC in the presence of BSA. Surfactant II shows the highest CAC of 3.19 × 10(-5) mol L(-1) compared with the other two. The polarity of the microenvironment in BSA-surfactant systems has been investigated using pyrene as the probe. In addition, far-UV CD spectra studied the change of the secondary structure content of BSA caused by the three surfactants. The features of the assembly behavior were discussed by three concentration regions. Surfactant II could unfold the protein much more efficiently than the other two surfactants at low concentration, but at high concentration, the change of the secondary structure and the formation of hydrophobic microenvironment show a direct relationship to the length of the hydrophobic tail with the increase of the surfactant concentration.

Studies on interaction of cucurbit aphid-borne yellow virus proteins using yeast two-hybrid system and bimolecular fluorescence complementation

In this article, yeast two-hybrid system (YTHS) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) were used to analyze the interactions of cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV)-encoded proteins. P0, P1, P1-2, P3, P4, and P5 were tested by YTHS in all possible pairwise combinations, and only P3/P3 interaction was detected. Results obtained by BiFC further confirmed the self-interaction of P3, and the subcellular localization of reconstituted YFP fluorescence was observed mainly in nuclei of Nicotiana benthamiana leaf epidermal cells. Domains involved in P3/P3 self-interaction were analyzed by YTHS and BiFC using deletion mutants. The results showed that R domain (residues 1-61) in the N-terminus could self-interact, and it also interacted with the S domain (residues 62-199) in the C-terminus of P3. The present work would serve as a molecular basis for further characterization of CABYV proteins, and the regions involved in P3/P3 self-interaction could provide the clue for understanding the capsid assembly pathway of CABYV.

First Report of Blight of Common Bean Caused by Phytophthora capsici in Connecticut

Phytophthora capsici Leonion was first identified on pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and is widespread on solanaceous and cucurbitaceous crops. It was first documented on Phaseolus lunatus L. in Delaware in 2002 (1), followed by reports on snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Michigan in 2003 (2), and on Long Island, NY in 2008 ( http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/ NewsArticles/Bean_phytoJune09.html ). In 2009, we observed snap and wax beans in commercial production with water-soaked lesions on foliage, stems, and pods. Twelve to sixteen hectares were affected in the flood plain of the Connecticut River in central Connecticut. Weather conditions had been warm and very wet. Lesions displayed white mycelia and sporangia. P. capsici was isolated from surface-sterilized tissue on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and malt extract agar. Hyphal tips were subcultured onto V8 media for further analysis. To confirm Koch's postulates, two isolates were tested for pathogenicity against bean (cv. Valentino) and pepper (cv. Cayenne) by placing colonized PDA plugs or PDA alone next to the crown or in stem branches. Symptoms similar to those observed in the field on bean and pepper developed on inoculated plants and the pathogen was reisolated. Controls did not develop disease. Sporangia of P. capsici growing on V8 medium were ellipsoid, ovoid, pyriform, but occasionally irregular, papillate, and 54.0 ± 5.7 × 31.1 ± 4.7 μm (n = 31) with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.8 ± 0.3. The papillae were 5.4 ± 0.9 μm (n = 31) and the pedicels were 24.5 ± 12.6 × 3.0 ± 1.0 μm. Sporangia collected from bean plants were smaller with longer pedicels; the sporangia were 44.9 ± 9.1 × 26.0 ± 2.8 μm with a L/W ratio of 1.7 ± 0.2; papillae were 4.6 ± 1.0 μm; and the pedicels were 49 ± 20.0 × 2.8 ± 0.9 μm (n = 20). To confirm the identity of our isolate genetically, DNA was extracted from one P. capsici isolate and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. GU011684). The ITS sequence was identical to sequences of P. capsisci in GenBank and confirmed our identification of this new isolate as P. capsici. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. capsici infecting Phaseolus vulgaris in Connecticut and New England. References: (1) C. R. Davidson et al. Plant Dis. 85:886, 2002. (2) A. J. Gevens et al. Plant Dis. 92:201, 2008.

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of loxoprofen sodium given intramuscularly in animals

The evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of loxoprofen sodium given in intramuscular route was investigated as compared to oral application in rats and mice. The intramuscular ED50 values of loxoprofen sodium in carrageenan edema and vascular permeability tests are 1.15 and 7.8 mg/kg, respectively, which represent more potent than in case of oral application. Its therapeutic effects in adjuvant arthritis were shown at 6 mg/kg i.m. and 3mg/kg p.o. Analgesic effect was shown to be more potent as given intramuscularly. Similar potency of antipyretic effects was shown in both administration routes. Considerably weak gastric damages were observed in intramuscular application.

Inhibition of lens epithelial cell growth by induction of apoptosis: potential for prevention of posterior capsule opacification

As a model of the cell proliferation occurring in posterior capsule opacification (PCO), lens epithelial cells (LEC) from human and rabbit capsulotomies, and a rabbit LEC line (N/N1003A) were grown in Dulbecco's Minimal Essential Media (MEM) with 10% fetal calf serum. LEC were exposed to the calcium ionophore, calcimycin, and viability was assessed by trypan blue staining, growth by 3H-thymidine incorporation and apoptosis by annexin/propidium iodide staining, calcein AM/ethidium bromide staining and DNA laddering. Human capsulotomy samples were similarly exposed to calcimycin, and apoptosis assayed by calcein AM/ethidium bromide staining. Calcimycin exposure induced apoptosis in both rabbit LEC cultures and human LEC, and changes leading to apoptosis could be detected within 30 minutes of calcimycin treatment. The decrease in viability and growth in human and rabbit LEC was dose-dependent. These data support the further evaluation of apoptosis induction as a possible treatment mechanism to prevent development of PCO following primary cataract surgery in humans.

Human bcl-2 gene attenuates the ability of rabbit lens epithelial cells against H2O2-induced apoptosis through down-regulation of the alpha B-crystallin gene

It is well established that the proto-oncogene, bcl-2, can prevent apoptosis induced by a variety of factors. Regarding the mechanism by which BCL-2 prevents cell death, one theory suggests that it acts by protecting cells from oxidative stress. In the lens system, oxidative stress-induced apoptosis is implicated in cataractogenesis. To explore the possibility of anti-apoptotic gene therapy development for cataract prevention and also to further test the anti-oxidative stress theory of BCL-2 action, we have introduced the human bcl-2 gene into an immortalized rabbit lens epithelial cell line, N/N1003A. The stable expression clones of both vector- and bcl-2-transfected cells have been established. Treatment of the two cell lines with H(2)O(2) revealed that bcl-2-transfected cells were less capable of detoxifying H(2)O(2) than the control cells. Moreover, bcl-2-transfected cells are more susceptible to H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis. To explore why bcl-2-transfected cells have reduced resistance to H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis, we examined the expression patterns of several relevant genes and found that expression of the alphaB-crystallin gene was distinctly down-regulated in bcl-2-transfected cells compared with that in vector-transfected cells. This down-regulation was specific because a substantial inhibition of BCL-2 expression through antisense bcl-2 RNA significantly restored the level of alphaB-crystallin and, moreover, enhanced the ability of the bcl-2-transfected cells against H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis. Introduction of a mouse alphaB-crystallin gene into bcl-2-transfected cells also counteracted the BCL-2 effects. Down-regulation of alphaB-crystallin gene was largely derived from changed lens epithelial cell-derived growth factor activity. Besides, alphaB-crystallin prevents apoptosis through interaction with procaspase-3 and partially processed procaspase-3 to prevent caspase-3 activation. Together, our results reveal that BCL-2 can regulate gene expression in rabbit lens epithelial cells. Through down-regulation of the alphaB-crystallin gene, BCL-2 attenuates the ability of rabbit lens epithelial cells against H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis.

Analysis of expression patterns of protein phosphatase-1 and phosphatase-2A in rat and bovine lenses

PURPOSE

The reversible phosphorylation and dephosphorylation at the serine and threonine residues on proteins play distinct roles in regulating multiple cellular activities. Whereas the protein serine-threonine kinases have been well studied in the lens system, very little is known about the expression and function of the serine-threonine phosphatases. The present article reports the expression patterns of protein phosphatase (PP)-1 and -2A in adult rat and bovine lenses.

METHODS

Total RNAs and proteins were extracted from the epithelial and fiber cells of rat and bovine lenses. RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis were used to detect the mRNA expression levels in the epithelial cells and different fractions of fiber cells of these two types of lenses. Western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels in these different samples. An enzymatic assay was used to detect the activity distribution of PP-1 and -2A in these samples.

RESULTS

The mRNAs for the PP-1 catalytic subunit (PP-1cs) and PP-2A catalytic subunit (PP-2Acs) were expressed in both epithelial and fiber cells of rat and bovine lenses. A detailed examination of the expression patterns of the two mRNAs in different fractions of fiber cells revealed that the cortical fiber cells (F1) contain the highest level of PP-1cs and -2Acs mRNAs (similar to those in the epithelial cells) among different fractions of fiber cells. The levels of the two mRNAs were sequentially decreased in the next layers of fiber cells (F2 and F3) and became barely detectable in the inner layers of fiber cells (F4 and N). In contrast to the mRNA expression patterns, the PP-1cs protein was mainly found in the epithelial cells. Among different layers of fiber cells, only cortical (F1) fiber cells contained detectable level of PP-1cs protein (bovine lenses contained a relatively higher level of PP-1cs than rat lenses in this region). In the remaining fiber cells, the PP-1cs protein was hardly detectable in rat lenses and slightly detectable in bovine lenses. The PP-2Acs protein was detectable only in the lens epithelial cells. Enzymatic assays revealed that the distribution patterns of PP-1 and -2A activities were similar to those of PP-1cs and -2Acs proteins. Furthermore, PP-1 activity was approximately four to five times higher than PP-2A activity in the lens epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that active PP-1 and -2A are mainly distributed in the lens epithelial cells, with PP-1 as a major phosphatase. The mRNAs and proteins for PP-1cs and -2Acs are differentially expressed in the epithelial and fiber cells of rat and bovine lenses.

Anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extract of Kalopanax pictus bark and its fractions

The methanol extract of Kalopanax pictus bark was evaluated on anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities in animal models. The extract produced a significant inhibition of vascular permeability at doses of 1 and 3 g/kg, p.o. in mice and of leucocyte emigration at doses of 0.15 and 0.3 g/rat, s.c., in CMC-pouch of rats. However, the extract (0.25 and 3 g/kg, p.o.) did not show anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced edema of rats. The extract at a dose of 2.5 g/kg, p.o. inhibited writhing syndromes, whereas it did not exhibit anti-nociceptive in Randall-Selitto assay. The methanol extract was then partitioned with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol to give each soluble fraction and finally water soluble fraction. Among those fractions, the inhibitory effect on vascular permeability in mice was produced by ethyl acetate soluble fraction in this activity-guided fractionation. The methanol extract showed low acute toxicity in mice. These results suggest that the methanol extract of Kalopanax pictus bark has an anti-inflammatory activity which is distributed in the ethyl acetate fraction.

Caspase-3 is actively involved in okadaic acid-induced lens epithelial cell apoptosis

Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are important cellular events regulating major metabolic activities such as signal transduction, gene expression, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. It is well documented that okadaic acid, a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatase-1 (PP-1) and -2A (PP-2A), can induce apoptosis in a variety of cell lines. Our recent studies have revealed that in the immortal rabbit lens epithelial cell line, N/N1003A, inhibition of PP-1, but not PP-2A, leads to rapid apoptosis of the lens epithelial cells. This induction of cell death is associated with up-regulated expression of a set of genes, including the tumor-suppressor gene, p53, and the proapoptotic gene, bax. In the present study, we demonstrate that inhibition of PP-1 by okadaic acid in the primary cultures of rat lens epithelial cells also leads to apoptotic death. Moreover, we show that the cysteine protease, caspase-3, is important in the execution of okadaic acid-induced apoptosis. Treatment of the primary cultures of rat lens epithelial cells with 100 nM okadaic acid up-regulates expression of caspase-3 at the mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity levels. Inhibition of the caspase-3 activity with a chemically synthesized inhibitor prevents okadaic acid-induced apoptosis in rat lens epithelial cells. Similar results are also observed in the immortal cell line N/N1003A. Furthermore, stable expression of the mouse gene encoding lens alphaB crystallin inhibits okadaic acid-induced apoptosis, and this inhibition is associated with repression of the okadaic acid-induced up-regulation of caspase-3 activity. Taken together, these results demonstrate that caspase-3 is actively involved in okadaic acid-induced lens epithelial cell apoptosis.

hTERT can function with rabbit telomerase RNA: regulation of gene expression and attenuation of apoptosis

Telomerase is a specialized DNA polymerase that adds telomeric sequences onto chromosome ends. The functional telomerase complex contains a telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and also a telomerase RNA (TR). Although it is well established that the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) can function well in different human cell lines, it has not been shown whether it is compatible with telomerase template RNA from other species. Here we report that the expressed hTERT is functionally compatible with rabbit telomerase template RNA (rTR) as demonstrated by TRAP assay. The direct interaction between hTERT and rTR is further confirmed by immunoprecipitation-linked RT-PCR in which rTR is detected from the complex immunoprecipitated by an anti-hTERT antibody. The hTERT expressed in rabbit lens epithelial cells demonstrates two major functions: modulation of expression of other genes and attenuation of apoptosis. Thus, telomerase has a variety of functions besides telomere synthesis, and the template RNA is functionally conserved between human and rabbit.

Okadaic acid-induced lens epithelial cell apoptosis requires inhibition of phosphatase-1 and is associated with induction of gene expression including p53 and bax

It is well established that phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are key cellular events which regulate important metabolic activities such as gene expression, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. The polyether fatty acid, okadaic acid has been shown previously to activate apoptosis in a variety of cell lines. Although this marine sponge toxin is known to inhibit protein phosphatase (PP)-2A and PP-1, it is not certain in most cases whether inhibition of PP-1 or PP-2A is necessary to activate apoptosis. Furthermore, it is not clear how inhibition of these phosphatases leads to apoptosis. Here we present evidence that inhibition of PP-2A by okadaic acid does not activate apoptosis in the lens system. However, when PP-1 is inhibited by okadaic acid, rabbit lens epithelial cells undergo rapid apoptosis. Associated with this process is the several-fold up-regulation of the tumor suppressor gene p53 and the pro-apoptotic gene bax at both mRNA and protein levels. Analyses of the temporal pattern of expression of the two genes reveal that the up-regulation is maximized in a few hours after treatment with okadaic acid, when the majority of the treated cells become committed to apoptosis. A brief treatment of the cells with a protein synthesis inhibitor can abolish okadaic acid-induced up-regulation of both P53 and Bax proteins. Concomitant with this inhibition, okadaic acid-induced apoptosis is also temporarily blocked. These results suggest that okadaic acid-induced expression of p53, bax, and other genes are necessary for the activation of the apoptotic programs in lens systems.

The immune status of the myelin deficient rat and its immune responses to transplanted allogeneic glial cells

This study examined the immunological responsiveness of the myelin deficient (md) rat, and its immune response to transplanted allogeneic glial cells, with and without immunosuppression therapy. Skin grafts from an ACI strain of rat were found to be acutely rejected by Wistar md rats. Anti-donor cytotoxic antibody was produced and alloreactive T helper cells were expanded in these mutants after skin sensitization. Equivalent high frequencies of precursor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (pCTLs) specific to the ACi MHC antigens were observed in both normal controls and mutants. An immune response was noted when allogeneic glial cells were transplanted into the spinal cords of md rats, which was effectively suppressed for 2 weeks post transplantation by treatment with either cyclosporin A (CsA) or a monoclonal antibody to the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R). These results demonstrate that md rats are immunocompetent, but that CNS allograft rejection can be prevented by immunosuppressive agents.

Hydrogen peroxide-induced expression of the proto-oncogenes, c-jun, c-fos and c-myc in rabbit lens epithelial cells

The involvement of H2O2 in cataract development has been established in both human patients and animal models. At the molecular level H2O2 has been observed to cause damage to DNA, protein and lipid. To explore the oxidative stress response of the lens system at the gene expression level, we have examined the effects of H2O2 on the mRNA change of the proto-oncogenes, c-jun, c-fos and c-myc in a rabbit lens cell line, N/N1003A. H2O2 treatment of the rabbit lens epithelial cells for 60 min induces quick up-regulation of both c-jun and c-fos mRNAs. The maximal induction is 38 fold for c-jun at 150 microM and 72 fold for c-fos at 250 microM H2O2. Treatment of N/N1003A cells with 50-250 microM H2O2 for 60 min leads to a 2-5 fold increase of the c-myc mRNA level. H2O2 also induces an up-regulation in transactivity of the activating protein-1 (AP-1) as shown with a reporter gene driven by a prolactin gene promoter with 4 copies of AP-1 binding sites inserted in the upstream of the promoter. Maximal induction occurs with 150 microM H2O2. In the same system, the antioxidants, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) at concentrations shown to up-regulate the mRNAs of both c-jun and c-fos, also enhance the transactivity of AP-1. NAC and PDTC have different effects in modulating the induction of AP-1 activity by H2O2 and TPA. These results reveal that oxidative stress regulates expression of various regulatory genes in lens systems, which likely affects cell proliferation, differentiation and viability and thus affect normal lens functions.