Phthalates Induce Neurotoxicity by Disrupting the Mfn2-PERK Axis-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondria Interaction

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), as the most common phthalate, has been extensively used as a plasticizer to improve the plasticity of agricultural products, which pose severe harm to human health. Mitochondrial dynamics and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis are indispensable for maintaining mitochondria-associated ER membrane (MAM) integrity. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of DEHP on the nervous system and its association with the ER-mitochondria interaction. Here, we showed that DEHP caused morphological changes, motor deficits, cognitive impairments, and blood-brain barrier disruption in the brain. DEHP triggered ER stress, which is mainly mediated by protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) signaling. Moreover, DEHP-induced mitofusin-2 (Mfn2) downregulation results in imbalance of the mitochondrial dynamics. Interestingly, DEHP exposure impaired MAMs by inhibiting the Mfn2-PERK interaction. Above all, this study elucidates the disruption of the Mfn2-PERK axis-mediated ER-mitochondria interaction as a phthalate-induced neurotoxicity that could be potentially developed as a novel therapy for neurological diseases.

[Investigation and influencing factors on pelvic floor muscle strength of 929 adult females in gynecological outpatient department]

Objective: To investigate the present situation of pelvic floor muscle strength, and to analyze the factors affecting pelvic floor muscle strength. Methods: The data of patients who were admitted into the general outpatient department of gynecology, Peking University People's Hospital from October 2021 to April 2022 were collected, and the patients who met the exclusion criteria were included in this cross sectional study. The patient's age, height, weight, education level, defecation way and defecation time, birth history, maximum newborn birth weight, occupational physical activity, sedentary time, menopause, family history and disease history were recorded by questionnaire. Morphological indexes such as waist circumference, abdomen circumference and hip circumference were measured with tape measure. Handgrip strength level was measured with grip strength instrument. After performing routine gynecological examinations, the pelvic floor muscle strength was evaluated by palpation with modified Oxford grading scale (MOS). MOS grade>3 was taken as normal group and ≤3 as decreased group. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the related factors of deceased pelvic floor muscle strength. Results: A total of 929 patients were included in the study, and the average MOS grade was 2.8±1.2. By univariate analysis, birth history, menopausal time, defecation time, handgrip strength level, waist circumference and abdominal circumference were related to the decrease of pelvic floor muscle strength (all P<0.05). By binary logistic regression analysis, the level of handgrip strength (OR=0.913, 95%CI: 0.883-0.945; P<0.001) was correlated with normal pelvic floor muscle strength; waist circumference (OR=1.025, 95%CI: 1.005-1.046; P=0.016), birth history (OR=2.224, 95%CI: 1.570-3.149; P<0.001), sedentary time> 8 hours (OR=2.073, 95%CI: 1.198-3.587; P=0.009) were associated with the decrease of pelvic floor muscle strength. Conclusions: The level of handgrip strength is related to the normal pelvic floor muscle strength of females, while the waist circumference, birth history and sedentary time>8 hours are related to the decrease of pelvic floor muscle strength of females. In order to prevent the decrease of pelvic floor muscle strength, it is necessary to carry out relevant health education, enhance exercise, improve the overall strength level, reduce daily sedentary time, maintain symmetry, and carry out comprehensive overall intervention to improve pelvic floor muscle function.

Compound heterozygous variations in IARS1 cause recurrent liver failure and growth retardation in a Chinese patient: a case report

BACKGROUND

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are enzymes responsible for attaching amino acids to tRNA, which enables protein synthesis. Mutations in isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS1) have recently been reported to be a genetic cause for growth retardation, intellectual disability, muscular hypotonia, and infantile hepatopathy (GRIDHH).

CASE PRESENTATION

In this study, we reported an additional case of compound heterozygous missense variations c.701 T > C (p.L234P) and c.1555C > T (p.R519C) in IARS1, which were identified using medical exome sequencing; c.701 T > C (p.L234P) was a novel variant, and c.1555C > T (p.R519C) was found in GnomAD. Unlike other reported patients, this individual presented prominently with recurrent liver failure, which led to her death at an early age of 19 months. She also had significant growth retardation, muscular hypotonia, chubby and flabby face, recurrent loose stools, and abnormal brain computed tomography (CT), while zinc deficiency and hearing loss were not present. Studies in zebrafish embryo modeling recapitulated some of the key phenotypic traits in embryo development, neurodevelopment, liver development, and myogenesis, demonstrating that these variations caused a loss of gene function in IARS1.

CONCLUSIONS

We have found a novel mutation point c.701 T > C (p.L234P) in IARS1. Compound heterozygous mutations of c.701 T > C (p.L234P) and c.1555C > T (p.R519C) in IARS1 are pathogenic, which can cause GRIDHH in child.

Synthesis of 8-Fluoroneocryptolepine and Evaluation for Cytotoxic Activity against AGS Cancer Cells

Neocryptolepine derivatives have attracted great interest because of their unique cytotoxic activity. 8-Fluoroneocryptolepine (8FNC) was synthesized, and its cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay in AGS gastric cancer cells and gastric mucosa GES-1 cells. 8-Fluoroneocryptolepine showed greater selectivity and cytotoxicity to AGS cells than the cisplatin (CIS) and fluorouracil (5-Fu) commonly used in clinical treatment of gastric cancer. Most importantly, we significantly improved the cytotoxic effect of 8FNC against AGS cells by structural modification and reduced the cytotoxicity against GES-1 cells compared with neocryptolepine. We further evaluated the activity of 8FNC against AGS cells in vitro. Our results indicate that 8FNC arrests the AGS cell cycle in the G2/M phase, reduces the mitochondrial membrane potential of AGS cells, and drives the initiation of apoptotic body formation in 8FNC-induced apoptosis. Moreover, 8FNC exhibits strong inhibitory effects on AGS cell migration. Studies on the molecular mechanisms of the cytotoxic activities of 8FNC revealed that it may play a significant role in the inhibitory effect on AGS human gastric cancer cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, 8FNC may become a promising lead compound in the development of potential clinical drug candidates for the treatment of gastric cancer.

[Sleep quality and sleep disturbances in Chinese pregnant women: a multicenter cross-sectional study]

Objective: This study aims to investigate the sleep quality of pregnant women in Xuhui District, Shanghai, and the related factors of sleep disturbances during pregnancy. Methods: From February 2019 to February 2021, we used online integrated sleep questionnaire (including PSQI, BQ, ESS, AIS) in Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospitals of China Welfare Institution, and Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, to investigate the sleep quality across pregnancy. We also collected maternal physical examination results, childbearing history, sociodemographic, and other clinical data. The prevalences and related factors of various sleep disturbances in pregnant women were analyzed, including insufficient/excessive nighttime sleep, low sleep efficiency, difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and high risk of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Results: This study includes 1 898 cases in the first trimester (T1), 3 099 cases in the second trimester (T2), and 1 539 cases in the third trimester (T3). Poor sleep quality (38.6%), daytime sleepiness (mild 41.9%, moderate 17.7%, severe 2.1%), and suspicious insomnia (32.3%) are most prevalent among women in T1 (P<0.01). In comparison, short sleep time (2.7%), long sleep time (8.6%), difficulty falling asleep (12.2%), poor sleep efficiency (35.4%), very poor sleep quality (6.7%), clinical insomnia (21.8%), and high-risk SDB (6.4%) are most prevalent among women in T3 (P<0.05). During pregnancy, late gestation (OR=1.016, 95%CI: 1.006-1.025) and multiple induced/drug abortions (OR=1.329, 95%CI: 1.043-1.692) are risk factors for poor sleep quality (PSQI>5), while multiple full-term deliveries (OR=0.800, 95%CI: 0.675-0.949) is its protective factor. Advanced maternal age (OR=0.976, 95%CI: 0.956-0.997), multiple full-term deliveries (OR=0.808, 95%CI: 0.680-0.959), late gestation (OR=0.983, 95%CI: 0.974-0.992) and hypertension (OR=0.572, 95%CI: 0.401-0.814) are protective factors for daytime sleepiness (ESS>6). The high-risk pregnancy category (OR=9.312, 95%CI: 1.156-74.978) is a risk factor for insomnia (AIS≥4), while multiple full-term deliveries (OR=0.815, 95%CI: 0.691-0.961) is its protective factor. High BMI (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.270-1.402) and hypertension (OR=4.427, 95%CI: 2.539-7.719) are risk factors for high-risk SDB in pregnant women. Conclusions: The prevalences of various sleep disturbances are high throughout pregnancy. Noticeably, symptoms of maternal SDB develop along with pregnancy. Different types of sleep disturbances are associated with different factors. Women of high-risk pregnancy category, in late gestation, with high BMI, hypertension, a history of induced/drug abortion, or without a history of full-term delivery can be at high risk of sleep disturbances during pregnancy.

[Diagnosis and treatment status of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms: a multi-center study in Hubei Province]

Objective: To investigate the incidence and treatment of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in Hubei Province. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 7 474 patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in 62 hospitals in 15 cities (state) of Hubei Province in 2019 were collected in the form of network database. There were 4 749 males and 2 725 females. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range: 17 to 96 years). The hemoglobin value of the first time in hospital and the first day after operation was used as the criterion of preoperative anemia and postoperative anemia. Anemia was defined as male hemoglobin <120 g/L and female hemoglobin <110.0 g/L, mild anemia as 90 to normal, moderate anemia as 60 to <90 g/L, severe anemia as <60 g/L. The t test and χ² test were used for inter-group comparison. Results: The overall incidence of preoperative anemia was 38.60%(2 885/7 474), and the incidences of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 25.09%(1 875/7 474), 11.37%(850/7 474) and 2.14%(160/7 474), respectively. The overall incidence of postoperative anemia was 61.40%(4 589/7 474). The incidence of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 48.73%(3 642/7 474), 12.20%(912/7 474) and 0.47%(35/7 474), respectively. The proportion of preoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 26.86% (775/2 885), and the proportion of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 14.93% (685/4 589). The proportions of preoperative anemia patients in grade ⅢA, grade ⅢB, and grade ⅡA hospitals receiving treatment were 26.12% (649/2 485), 32.32% (85/263), and 29.93% (41/137), and the proportions of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment were 14.61% (592/4 052), 22.05% (73/331), and 9.71% (20/206). The proportion of intraoperative blood transfusion (16.74% (483/2 885) vs. 3.05% (140/4 589), χ²=434.555, P<0.01) and the incidence of postoperative complications (17.78% (513/2 885) vs. 14.08% (646/4 589), χ²=18.553, P<0.01) in the preoperative anemia group were higher than those in the non-anemia group, and the postoperative hospital stay in the preoperative anemia group was longer than that in the non-anemia group ((14.1±7.3) days vs. (13.3±6.2) days, t=5.202, P<0.01). Conclusions: The incidence of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms is high. Preoperative anemia can increase the demand for intraoperative blood transfusion and affect the short-term prognosis of patients. At present, the concept of standardized treatment of perioperative anemia among gastrointestinal surgeons in Hubei Province needs to be improved.

[Obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic syndrome: an association study based on a large sample clinical database]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: From July 2007 to June 2017, a total of 8 155 adult subjects, including 6 484 males and 1 671 females, aged 18-90 (43.13±12.28), body mass index 14.61~59.56 (25.59±3.98) kg/m²,who were admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology head and Neck surgery of The Sixth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent polysomnography and biochemical tests. Subjects were divided into four groups (non-OSA, mild OSA, moderate OSA, and severe OSA) according to OSA severity. The prevalence of MS was expressed as percentage, and the correlation between OSA and MS and its characteristic pathophysiological indicators was evaluated by logistic regression model after adjusting for factors such as gender, age, BMI, neck circumference, hip circumference, smoking and alcohol consumption, and was expressed by odds ratio (OR). SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of MS was 43.6%, and that of non-/mild/moderate/severe OSA group was 18.6%, 30.4%, 43.8%, 57.1%.Logistic regression showed that patients with mild/moderate/severe OSA had an increased risk of MS compared with non-OSA patients, with adjusted OR values and confidence intervals of 1.27 (1.05-1.54), 1.84 (1.53-2.22), and 2.08 (1.76-2.46), respectively (P<0.01).In addition, indicators of OSA anoxic burden [oxygen drop index(T_oxygen=7.1), minimum blood oxygen(T_minimum=56.3), blood oxygen saturation below 90% cumulative time ratio (T_CT90=10.6) ]were closely associated with MS disease(P<0.01), but sleep fragmentation index (arousals index) was not significantly associated with MS disease. Conclusion: The risk of MS gradually increases with the severity of OSA, and the indicators reflecting OSA hypoxia burden are closely related to MS disease.

Characterization of Microbial Diversity and Community Structure in Fermentation Pit Mud of Different Ages for Production of Strong-Aroma Baijiu

In the traditional fermentation process of strong-aroma Baijiu, a fermentation pit mud (FPM) provides many genera of microorganisms for fermentation. However, the functional microorganisms that have an important effect on the quality of Baijiu and their changes with the age of fermentation pit (FP) are poorly understood. Herein, the Roche 454 pyrosequencing technique and a phospholipid fatty-acid analysis were employed to reveal the structure and diversity of prokaryotic communities in FPM samples that have been aged for 5, 30, and 100 years. The results revealed an increase in total prokaryotic biomass with an FP age; however, Shannon’s diversity index decreased significantly (p < 0.01). These results suggested that a unique microbial community structure evolved with uninterrupted use of the FP. The number of functional microorganisms, which could produce the flavor compounds of strong-aroma Baijiu, increased with the FP age. Among them, Clostridium and Ruminococcaceae are microorganisms that directly produce caproic acid. The increase of their relative abundance in the FPM might have improved the quality of strong-aroma Baijiu. Syntrophomonas, Methanobacterium, and Methanocorpusculum might also be beneficial to caproic acid production. They are not directly involved but provide possible environmental factors for caproic acid production. Overall, our study results indicated that an uninterrupted use of the FP shapes the particular microbial community structure in the FPM. This research provides scientific support for the concept that the aged FP yields a high-quality Baijiu.

Chaiyu-Dixian Formula Exerts Protective Effects on Ovarian Follicular Abnormal Development in Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) Rat Model

Background

Chronic stress has been known to impair the female reproductive function, but the mechanism remains to be further investigated. Chaiyu-Dixian Formula (CYDXF) has been reported to regulate human endocrine disorders clinically. However, whether this formula can affect chronic stress-induced ovarian follicular development is not clear.

Aim of the study

To examine effects of CYDXF on follicular development and explore possible mech anisms in a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model.

Materials and Methods

Adult female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups control group, CUMS group (saline treatment), CUMS+Estradiol (E₂) (0.1 mg/kg) group, CUMS+CYDXF (2.73 g/kg) group, and CUMS+CYDXF (5.46 g/kg) group. Body weights and behavioral tests were documented. Serum hormone levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels in the PI3K/Akt pathway and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The follicles were analyzed and classified according to their morphological characterization.

Results

CYDXF relieved depression-like behaviors and ameliorated the abnormality in rat estrous cycle within the rat model of CUMS. Moreover, CYDXF could regulate endocrine disorders, increase the proportion of antral follicles as well as decrease the proportion of follicular atresia, which suggested that CYDXF could alleviate abnormal follicular development and improve overall ovarian function. Furthermore, CYDXF also activated the BDNF-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Conclusions

CYDXF (at dose of both 2.73 and 5.46 g/kg) attenuated chronic stress-induced abnormal ovarian follicular development by relieving depression-like behaviors and improving ovarian function through partly the regulation of the BDNF-mediated PI3K/Akt pathway.

Biological background of the genomic variations of cf-DNA in healthy individuals

BACKGROUND

Cell-free DNA (cf-DNA)-based liquid biopsy is emerging as a revolutionary new method in individualized cancer treatment and prognosis monitoring, although detecting early-stage cancers using cf-DNA remains challenging, partially because of the undefined biological background of cf-DNA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated somatic mutations in the cf-DNA of 259 cancer-free individuals with a median age of 47 years using an endogenous barcoding duplex method with an ultralow base error rate (2 × 10-7) and compared the variant allele frequencies (VAFs) of these mutations between the cf-DNA and the corresponding blood cell DNA.

RESULTS

Sixty percent (155/259) of the samples showed at least one nonsynonymous mutation on either of two similar target panels covering 508 and 559 cancer-related genes. For individuals older than 50 years of age, the positive rate increased to 76%. Most cf-DNA mutations were also present at similar VAFs in the paired blood cell DNA. The most frequently mutated genes were driver genes of hematologic malignancies, including DNMT3A, TET2, AXSL1, and JAK2. However, the other 58.4% (192/329) of the mutations were likely 'passenger mutations' of clonal hematopoiesis, including mutations in NOTCH2, FAT3, EXT2, ERBB4, and ARID2, which are driver genes of solid tumors.

CONCLUSION

Hematopoietic clone-derived mutations, including 'driver mutations' and 'passenger mutations', are prevalent in the cf-DNA of both healthy individuals and cancer patients and may be a potential source of false positives in the liquid biopsy. Our results also suggest the ineffectiveness for distinguishing clonal hematopoietic mutations of low VAF (≤0.1%) from tumor-derived mutations using conventional next-generation sequencing of blood cell DNA. However, an error correction model with an ultralow error rate and high coverage depth is required for blood cell DNA sequencing, which is difficult and costly to achieve with current technologies.

[Relationship between smoking and the severity of OSA]

Objective:To explore the relationship between smoking and the severity of OSA. Method:There were 719 patients included in the study, who were accompanied by snoring, daytime sleepiness and other symptoms. Laboratory-based polysomnographic variables （including AHI, oxygen desaturation index and microarousal index, etc.）, and anthropometric measurements （including weight, neck circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference etc.） were collected for all participants. The severity of OSA was determined by AHI. No OSA was defined as AHI<5, mild OSA as AHI of 5 to 15，moderate OSA as AHI of >15 to 30, and severe OSA as AHI of >30. Smoking severity was determined by the smoking index （SI）. Light smoke was defined as SI<200, moderate smoke was as SI 200 to 400, and severe smoke as SI>400. Result:There were 138 cases of non-OSA and 581 cases of OSA. There were 381 non-smokers, 279 smokers and 59 quit smokers. The smoking rate of OSA group was significantly higher than that of non-OSA group （41.5% vs. 27.5%,P<0.01）. After excluding 59 quit smokers, the remaining 660 subjects were divided into four groups according to the severity of smoking, then each group was further divided into four groups according to OSA severity. Unadjusted analysis showed that OSA severity positively correlated with smoking severity （r=0.203,P<0.01）. The positive correlation remained significant after further adjustment for age, BMI and waist-hip ratio. In addition, logistic regression analysis showed that compared to non-smokers, the odd ratios for OSA in moderate smokers were 1.72 （95%CI 1.08-2.75） and in severe smokers were 2.68 （95%CI 1.61-4.46）, after adjustment for age, BMI and waist-hip ratio. Conclusion:The severity of smoking significantly correlated with the severity of OSA. There was increased risk of OSA in patients with severe smoke. The correlation was independent of some confounders such as age and obesity.

Expression Patterns and Implications of LaminB1 in Rat Cochleae

LaminB1, a major component of the nuclear lamina, is a potent regulator of cellular proliferation and senescence and also known to be essential for neuronal migration and brain development. However, the expression patterns of LaminB1 in the rat cochleae are still not fully revealed. Utilizing immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR, we identified the distribution and expression of LaminB1 in the rat cochleae. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that LaminB1 was mainly localized in the auditory hair cells (HCs), spiral ganglion cells (SGC), stria vascularis (STV, including spiral ligament), Reissner's membrane (RM), and limbus laminae spiralis (LLS). Western blotting analysis illustrated that the distribution of LaminB1 in rat cochleae was characterized by tissue specificity. The LaminB1 protein was expressed more in SGC and basilar membrane (BM) than in STV. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of LaminB1 displayed difference in cochlear tissues. These observations preliminarily revealed the expression patterns of LaminB1, providing a theoretical basis for further study on the role of LaminB1 in auditory function.

[Dynamic analysis of the academic influence in Chinese Journal of Hepatology from 2010 to 2016]

Objective: To dynamically analyze the discipline status, influence factors and key issues of Chinese Journal of Hepatology from 2010 to 2016 and explore the development rules of citation indexes. Methods: We collected information published by the China Institute of Scientific and Technological Information [China Science and Technology Journal Citation Report (Core Edition)] and Wanfang Database Periodicals statistical analysis platform from 2010 to 2016. A bibliometric analyses on article volume, citation frequency, citation rate, h-index, ratio of fund-aided papers, periodical influence, key number published period, number of relevant articles, and so on were analyzed for annual's impact factor. Results: According to the data released by the China Institute of Science and Technology Information, from 2010 to 2011, the impact factor of Chinese Journal of Hepatology was at leading level in the field of internal medicine and ranked sixth in the Journal of Internal Medicine. From 2012 to 2016, the overall comprehensive assessment score and citation frequency score of Chinese Journal of Hepatology were ranked first in the Journal of Gastroenterology. Core impact factors kept the discipline ahead. Indexes such as immediacy index, h- index, cited half-life and all other indicators were increased. Citation rate was >90% and cited issue number had greatly increased. Conclusion: Chinese Journal of Hepatology has a leading position in the Journal of Gastroenterology and credited by inland readers and authors of digestive and infectious fields. It has played a positive role in promoting the development of the discipline.

Toward Super-Tough Poly(l-lactide) via Constructing Pseudo-Cross-link Network in Toughening Phase Anchored by Stereocomplex Crystallites at the Interface

We demonstrated a novel strategy to toughen poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) by constructing pseudo-cross-link networks based on chain entanglements of long-chain branched structure in the toughening phase, which were anchored by stereocomplex (SC) crystallites at the interface. The formation of pseudo-cross-link network was achieved by simple blending of the copolymer of long-chain branched polycaprolactone and poly(d-lactide) (LB-PCL- b-DLA) with PLLA without introducing any chemical cross-linking structure or nonbiodegradable component. The microscopic morphology analysis suggests that the interface-formed SC crystallites not only enhanced the interfacial interaction between LB-PCL and PLLA but also obviously increased the matrix crystallization rate. Different from those blends without SC crystallites or long-chain branched structures, nano-microgels were observed in chloroform solution of the PLLA/LB-PCL- b-DLA blend, suggesting the formation of pseudo-cross-link network. The pseudo-cross-link network in LB-PCL toughening phase endows PLLA a significantly improved impact toughness (49.5 kJ/m²), which is almost 13 times than that of neat PLLA. Moreover, matrix crystallinity and spherulite size of the PLLA matrix also play significant roles in toughening. Only sufficiently crystallized PLLA with proper spherulite size can effectively trigger the matrix shear yielding, meanwhile, facilitate the energy dissipating.

[Clinical Application Assessment of KaryoLite BoBs Combined with QF-PCR in the Detection of Products of Conception]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the accuracy and discuss the feasibility of KaryoLite bacterial artificial chromosome on beads (KL-BoBs) and quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) in genetic testing of products of conception (POC) by comparing with the chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) test results.

METHODS

Eighty-one cases of abortion samples were collected in the prenatal diagnosis center of West China Second University Hospital in Sichuan University from May to August 2016,including 61 cases of placenta tissues,19 cases of fetal muscle tissues and 1 case of fetal liver tissue. KL-BoBs and QF-PCR were used to detect the samples. The results were compared with those of CMA test to evaluate the accuracy of KL-BoBs and QF-PCR.

RESULTS

Of the 81 POC samples,the results of 70 samples tested by KL-BoBs was consistent with that of CMA. Among them,36 cases were normal karyotype and 34 cases were abnormal karyotypes (aneuploidy). Triploid could not been detected by KL-BoBs (the results were shown 2 cases were normal karyotype and 5 cases were aneuploidy),whereas CMA and QF-PCR could be detected. Copy number variation of small segments could not been detected by KL-Bobs. Four cases of copy number variationwere detected by CMA.Compared with CMA,the positive coincident rate of KL-BoBs combined with QF-PCR was 91.1% (41/45),the negative coincidence rate was 100% (36/36). The accuracy rate of KL-BoBs was 86.4% (70/81),the false positive was 0% and the false negative was 13.3% (6/45). Whereas both KL-BoBs and QF-PCR were simultaneously detected,the accuracy rate would be improved to 95.1% (77/81).

CONCLUSION

The accuracy rate of KL-BoBs combined with QF-PCR was high for testing early pregnancy abortion tissue. It can be used as a first-tier test.

Two novel variants of the PHEX gene in patients with X‑linked dominant hypophosphatemic rickets and prenatal diagnosis for fetuses in these families

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLHR; OMIM 307800) is an X-linked dominant disorder caused by mutations in the phosphate-regulating neutral endopeptidase homolog X-linked (PHEX) gene, which is located at Xp22.11. In the present study, two novel variants of the PHEX gene were identified in two unrelated families with XLHR by directly sequencing all 22 exon regions and intron/exon boundaries of the PHEX gene. One missense variant, NM_000444.5: c.1721T>A, was identified in exon 17 of the PHEX gene in Family 1, which led to an amino acid change in the p.Ile574Lys protein. The other splicing variant identified was NM_000444.5: c.591A>G, in exon 5 in Family 2, resulting in a deletion of 77 bp in the 3′ site of exon 5 during splicing, which was verified by direct cDNA sequencing of the PHEX gene. According to the results of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, the affected male with the splicing variant c.591A>G showed normal gene expression of PHEX, whereas the affected female exhibited low gene expression, compared with normal females. Based on these findings, prenatal diagnoses were made for the fetuses with a family history of XLHR using the backup amniotic fluid samples. One fetus without the missense variant was confirmed to be a healthy girl in a follow-up visit 1 month following birth.

Exploring the Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture-Induced Analgesia through RNA Sequencing of the Periaqueductal Gray

Electroacupuncture (EA) can relieve various pains. However, its mechanism in terms of the transcriptome is still not well-known. To explore the full profile of EA-induced molecular modification in the central nerve system, three twins of goats were selected for a match-paired experiment: EA stimulation (60 Hz, 30 min) and none-EA (control). Goats in the EA group showed an increased (p < 0.05) nociceptive threshold compared with the control goats. Experimental goats were sacrificed at 4 h of the experiment, and the periaqueductal grays were harvested for RNA sequencing. As a result, 2651 differentially expressed genes (1803 up-regulated and 848 down-regulated genes) were found and enriched in 30 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways and 149 gene ontology terms. EA-regulated five neuropeptide genes (proenkephalin, proopiomelanocortin, preprodynorphin, diazepam-binding inhibitor and proprotein convertase 1 inhibitor) were validated with quantitative PCR. Furthermore, up-regulated glutamate receptors, glutamate transporters, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, GABA transporters, synaptotagmins or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) genes might contribute to EA-induced analgesia through regulating the glutamatergic synapse, GABAergic synapse, MAPKs, ribosome or ubiquitin-proteasome pathways. Our findings reveal a full profile of molecular modification in response to EA and provide a solid experimental framework for exploring the mechanisms underlying EA-induced analgesia.

[Physiological Characteristics and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Uptake of Myriophyllum aquaticum Under High Ammonium Conditions]

Ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) at high concentrations is toxic to plants. In order to explore the NH₄⁺-N tolerance of Myriophyllum aquaticum (M. aquaticum) and its ability of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake, this study used a nutrient solution with three NH₄⁺-N levels (70, 210, 420 mg·L^-1) to incubate M. aquaticum for 21 d. The characteristics of plant physiology and N and P uptake of M. aquaticum were measured. At NH₄⁺-N of 70 mg·L^-1, M. aquaticum grew healthily, and shoot height and biomass linearly increased with the increase incubation time. Relative shoot height and biomass of M. aquaticum were 40.56 cm and 17.82 g·hole^-1 on day 21, respectively. Compared to the control with 70 mg·L^-1 ammonium, malondialdehyde (MDA) content of M. aquaticum was significantly increased; chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents were also high at NH₄⁺-N of 210 mg·L^-1. M. aquaticum suffered from the NH₄⁺-N stress. However, the stress of 210 mg·L^-1 NH₄⁺-N did not affect its normal growth and there was no significant difference in the relative growth rate of the shoot height and biomass compared with the control. At NH₄⁺-N of 420 mg·L^-1, MDA contents of M. aquaticum doubled and the shoot height and biomass growth rate were only 27.4% and 17.9% of those for 70 mg·L^-1 NH₄⁺-N, indicating that M. aquaticum was subjected to serious stress that caused unhealthy growth or even death. At three NH₄⁺-N levels, the ranges of N and P content of M. aquaticum were 30.7-53.4 mg·g^-1 and 3.8-7.7 mg·g^-1, respectively, which indicated that M. aquaticum had a high uptake capacity of N and P. M. aquaticum is an ideal wetland plant that has a good application prospect for constructed wetlands in biological treatment of high-ammonia wastewater.

[Application of Chromosomal Microarray Analysis for Chromosomal Abnormalities of Spontaneously Aborted Fetuses]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical significance of chromosomal microarry analysis (CMA) for detection of chromosomal abnormalities in spontaneously aborted fetuses.

METHODS

Chorionic villi samples from 431 spontaneously aborted fetuses were detected on the chromosomal abnormalities by CMA in our department form September 2014 to April 2016.

RESULTS

The overall success rate of CMA was 100%,and 283 cases were detected with abnormalities (65.67%). Of these 283 cases with abnormal results,126 were common aneuploidies (trisomy 13,16,18,21,22 as well as X and Y aneuploidies) (44.52%),72 were uncommon aneuploidies (25.44%),10 were composited aneuploidies (3.53%),9 were partial aneuploidies (3.18%),29 were polyploidy (10.25%),4 were mosaicism (1.41%),31 were with multiple duplications and deletions (10.96%),and 2 were microduplication/microdeletion syndromes.

CONCLUSION

CMA has great advantage for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in spontaneously aborted fetuses comparing with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). It is of great clinical significance for etiological diagnosis of spontaneous abortion and guidance on reproduction.

Circumventing intratumoral heterogeneity to identify potential therapeutic targets in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Identifying target genetic mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for therapy is made challenging by intratumoral heterogeneity. Circulating cell-free DNAs (cfDNA) may contain a more complete mutational spectrum compared to a single tumor sample. This study aimed to identify the most efficient strategy to identify all the mutations within heterogeneous HCCs.

METHODS

Whole exome sequencing (WES) and targeted deep sequencing (TDS) were carried out in 32 multi-regional tumor samples from five patients. Matched preoperative cfDNAs were sequenced accordingly. Intratumoral heterogeneity was measured using the average percentage of non-ubiquitous mutations (present in parts of tumor regions). Profiling efficiencies of single tumor specimen and cfDNA were compared. The strategy with the highest performance was used to screen for actionable mutations.

RESULTS

Variable levels of heterogeneity with branched and parallel evolution patterns were observed. The heterogeneity decreased at higher sequencing depth of TDS compared to measurements by WES (28.1% vs. 34.9%, p<0.01) but remained unchanged when additional samples were analyzed. TDS of single tumor specimen identified an average of 70% of the total mutations from multi-regional tissues. Although genome profiling efficiency of cfDNA increased with sequencing depth, an average of 47.2% total mutations were identified using TDS, suggesting that tissue samples outperformed it. TDS of single tumor specimen in 66 patients and cfDNAs in four unresectable HCCs showed that 38.6% (26/66 and 1/4) of patients carried mutations that were potential therapeutic targets.

CONCLUSIONS

TDS of single tumor specimen could identify actionable mutations targets for therapy in HCC. cfDNA may serve as secondary alternative in profiling HCC genome.

LAY SUMMARY

Targeted deep sequencing of single tumor specimen is a more efficient method to identify mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma made from mixed subtypes compared to circulating cell-free DNA in blood. cfDNA may serve as secondary alternative in profiling HCC genome. Identifying mutations may help clinicians choose targeted therapy for better individual treatments.

Fibroblast growth factor 2 protects against renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury by attenuating mitochondrial damage and proinflammatory signalling

Ischaemia‐reperfusion injury (I/RI) is a common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). The molecular basis underlying I/RI‐induced renal pathogenesis and measures to prevent or reverse this pathologic process remains to be resolved. Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) is reported to have protective roles of myocardial infarction as well as in several other I/R related disorders. Herein we present evidence that FGF2 exhibits robust protective effect against renal histological and functional damages in a rat I/RI model. FGF2 treatment greatly alleviated I/R‐induced acute renal dysfunction and largely blunted I/R‐induced elevation in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, and also the number of TUNEL‐positive tubular cells in the kidney. Mechanistically, FGF2 substantially ameliorated renal I/RI by mitigating several mitochondria damaging parameters including pro‐apoptotic alteration of Bcl2/Bax expression, caspase‐3 activation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and K_ATP channel integrity. Of note, the protective effect of FGF2 was significantly compromised by the K_ATP channel blocker 5‐HD. Interestingly, I/RI alone resulted in mild activation of FGFR, whereas FGF2 treatment led to more robust receptor activation. More significantly, post‐I/RI administration of FGF2 also exhibited robust protection against I/RI by reducing cell apoptosis, inhibiting the release of damage‐associated molecular pattern molecule HMBG1 and activation of its downstream inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1α, IL‐6 and TNF α. Taken together, our data suggest that FGF2 offers effective protection against I/RI and improves animal survival by attenuating mitochondrial damage and HMGB1‐mediated inflammatory response. Therefore, FGF2 has the potential to be used for the prevention and treatment of I/RI‐induced AKI.

Wip1 phosphatase modulates both long-term potentiation and long-term depression through the dephosphorylation of CaMKII

Synaptic plasticity is an important mechanism that underlies learning and cognition. Protein phosphorylation by kinases and dephosphorylation by phosphatases play critical roles in the activity-dependent alteration of synaptic plasticity. In this study, we report that Wip1, a protein phosphatase, is essential for long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) processes. Wip1-deletion suppresses LTP and enhances LTD in the hippocampus CA1 area. Wip1 deficiency-induced aberrant elevation of CaMKII T286/287 and T305 phosphorylation underlies these dysfunctions. Moreover, we showed that Wip1 modulates CaMKII dephosphorylation. Wip1(-/-) mice exhibit abnormal GluR1 membrane expression, which could be reversed by the application of a CaMKII inhibitor, indicating that Wip1/CaMKII signaling is crucial for synaptic plasticity. Together, our results demonstrate that Wip1 phosphatase plays a vital role in regulating hippocampal synaptic plasticity by modulating the phosphorylation of CaMKII.

Amyloid precursor protein at node of Ranvier modulates nodal formation

Amyloid precursor protein (APP), commonly associated with Alzheimer disease, is upregulated and distributes evenly along the injured axons, and therefore, also known as a marker of demyelinating axonal injury and axonal degeneration. However, the physiological distribution and function of APP along myelinated axons was unknown. We report that APP aggregates at nodes of Ranvier (NOR) in the myelinated central nervous system (CNS) axons but not in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). At CNS NORs, APP expression co-localizes with tenascin-R and is flanked by juxtaparanodal potassium channel expression demonstrating that APP localized to NOR. In APP-knockout (KO) mice, nodal length is significantly increased, while sodium channels are still clustered at NORs. Moreover, APP KO and APP-overexpressing transgenic (APP TG) mice exhibited a decreased and an increased thickness of myelin in spinal cords, respectively, although the changes are limited in comparison to their littermate WT mice. The thickness of myelin in APP KO sciatic nerve also increased in comparison to that in WT mice. Our observations indicate that APP acts as a novel component at CNS NORs, modulating nodal formation and has minor effects in promoting myelination.

4-[(5-Chloro-2-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene)amino]-3-ethyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione

The title compound, C11H11ClN4OS, crystallizes with two mol-ecules, A and B, in the asymmetric unit in which the dihedral angles between the triazole and benzene rings are 54.6 (3) and 56.0 (3)°. Both mol-ecules feature an intra-molecular O-H⋯N hydrogen bond, which generates an S(6) ring. In the crystal, A-B dimers are linked by pairs of weak C-H⋯S hydrogen bonds along with π-π stacking inter-actions between the triazole rings [centroid-centroid separations = 3.631 (3) and 3.981 (4)Å]. N-H⋯S hydrogen bonds link the dimers into [100] chains, which feature R 2 (2)(8) loops.

[The influence of fibronectin on the formation of multi-cellular spheroid of ovarian cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of Fibronectin in the formation of multi-cellular spheroid of ovarian cancer and the integrin receptor involved in the process.

METHODS

In vitro model of multi-cellular spheroid of SKOV3 was constructed by liguid overlay technique. The influence of fibronectin on the formation of the spheroid was observed. The gene expressions of potential integrin receptors were examined from the levels of mRNA and protein using real time reverse transcription PCR and Western-blot.

RESULTS

Fibronctin stimulated the formation of multi-cellular spheroid of ovarian cancer larger than 250 microm. fibronectin suppressed the expression of subtype of integrin receptor ITGA5.

CONCLUSION

Fibronectin can enhance the formation of multi-cellular spheroid of ovarian cancer. The subtype of integrin receptor ITGA5 is probably involved in the process.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for upper gastrointestinal lesions: Our experience with 50 cases

AIM: To discuss the clinical value of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for treating upper gastrointestinal lesions.

METHODS: A total of 52 patients who underwent ESD between May 2012 and May 2013 were retrospectively analyzed to assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of ESD for treating upper gastrointestinal lesions.

RESULTS: Among 52 patients, 4 had esophageal lesions, 48 had gastric lesions. Postoperative pathology revealed that 40 were mucosal lesions, including esophageal papilloma (n = 2), cardiac hyperplastic polyps (n = 9), cardiac adenoma (n = 3), early gastric cancer (n = 2), high grade intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 3), low grade intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 5), gastric antral adenomatous polyps (n = 9), hyperplastic polyps (n = 5), and intestinal metaplasia (n = 2); and 12 were submucosal lesions, including esophageal leiomyoma (n = 1), esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n = 1), gastric heterotopic pancreas (n = 7), gastric body gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n = 2), and lipoma (n = 1). All the lesions were completely resected and were confirmed by pathologic examination. No severe bleeding occurred. Perforation occurred in two cases but was safely managed by conservative treatment.

CONCLUSION: ESD is a safe, effective and recommendable treatment for upper gastrointestinal lesions. It can not only resect the lesions completely, but also provide accurate pathologic information.

Increased permeability of blood-brain barrier is mediated by serine protease during Cryptococcus meningitis

OBJECTIVES

To determine the role of serine protease in the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) during Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis.

METHODS

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the production of serine protease by different strains of C. neoformans. BBB permeability in immunosuppressed rats inoculated with C. neoformans or C. neoformans plus aprotinin was examined via Evans blue staining. In vitro BBB permeability (transwell passage of horseradish peroxidase) was determined in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) cultured with serine protease or serine protease plus aprotinin. Electron microscopy of rat brain tissue was used to visualise C. neoformans infection.

RESULTS

Serine protease mRNA and protein were detected in all C. neoformans serotypes. C. neoformans infection increased BBB permeability in vivo, but this effect was ameliorated by aprotinin. Treatment of BMECs with serine protease increased permeability in vitro. This effect was reversed by aprotinin.

CONCLUSION

Serine protease secreted by C. neoformans leads to BBB disruption during Cryptococcus meningitis. Serine protease may be a novel treatment target for Cryptococcus meningitis.

[Dynamic detection of regulatory T cells in murine mammary carcinoma model and its significance]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the dynamic change of regulatory T cells in experimental murine mammary carcinoma model, and to investigate their effect on tumor progress.

METHODS

Mouse mammary carcinoma models were established. The percentages of CD4+ CD25+ and CD4+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in the CD4+ T cells in tumor tissue, tumor draining lymph node and spleen were measured by FACS at 3 different time points after tumor challenge. The expression of CD25+ FOXP3 in CD4+ T cells was analyzed, and the expression of CD4+ T cells in T cells (CD3+) of tumor tissue.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal control group, In mouse mammary carcinoma models, The percentages of CD4+ T cells to lymphocytes in lymph node and spleen were decreased in the late stage (P<0.05). The percentages of CD4+ CD25+ and CD4+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in the CD4+ T cells were markedly increased (P<0.05), The percentages of CD25+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in the CD4+ T cells were markedly increased also (P<0.05). In the tumor tissue, the percentages of CD4+ T cells and CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in T cells (CD3+) were increased in three weeks after the tumor challenge than one week (P< 0. 05). The percentages of CD4+ CD25+ and CD4+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in the CD4+ T cells have no change between one week and three weeks after tumor planting (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Regulatory T cells were significantly increased in malignant tumor model, and closely related to the development of tumor.

The first multicenter and randomized clinical trial of herbal Fufang for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

This multicenter and randomized clinical trial showed that daily oral herbal formula Xian Ling Gu Bao (XLGB) was safe in postmenopausal women over a 1-year treatment. Those patients (n ∼ 50) treated with XLGB at the conventional dose demonstrated a statistically significant increase in dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine at 6 months and a numerically increased BMD at 12 months.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of a herbal formula XLGB in postmenopausal women (ChiCTR-TRC-00000347).

METHODS

One hundred eighty healthy postmenopausal women (≥60 years old) with BMD T-score ≤ -2.0 (lumbar spine or femoral neck) were recruited from four clinical centers to receive low-dose (conventional dose) XLGB (L-XLGB group, 3 g/day, n = 61) or high-dose XLGB (H-XLGB group, 6 g/day, n = 58) or placebo (CON group, n = 61). Women received daily calcium (500 mg) and vitamin D (200 IU) supplementation. Primary endpoints were lumbar spine BMD and safety; secondary endpoints were femoral neck BMD and bone turnover markers measured at baseline and at 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

Of 180 women recruited, 148 completed the study. The compliance in each group was comparable. Prominent adverse events were not observed in either group. In the L-XLGB group at 6 months, lumbar spine BMD by DXA increased significantly from baseline (+2.11% versus CON +0.58%, p < 0.05), but femoral neck BMD did not; at 12 months, BMD in the L-XLGB group decreased from 6-month levels yet remained higher than baseline, but without difference from the CON group. There was no dose-dependent response. Bone turnover marker levels declined during the first 6 months after XLGB treatment. There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of side effects among treatment and control groups.

CONCLUSION

XLGB over 1-year treatment at the conventional dose demonstrated safe and only a statistically significant increase in BMD at lumbar spine at 6 months in postmenopausal women.

[Effect of Shenmai injection on expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage: experiment with rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of Shenmai injection containing active principles of Ginseng and ophiopogon root on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1alpha) in brain after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).

METHODS

108 neonatal SD rats were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: (1) Shenmai group (Group SM), undergoing ligation of the right common carotid artery to establish HIBD models, breathing immediately a mixed gas with 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen for 2 hours to cause HI insult, and then injected intraperitoneally with Shenmai injection 10 mg/kg once a day for 7 days, and (2) normal saline (NS) group (Group NS) undergoing ligation of the right common carotid artery to establish HIBD models, breathing immediately a mixed gas with 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen for 2 h, and then injected intraperitoneally with NS 10 mg/kg once a day for 7 days. Another 54 neonatal rats underwent sham operation but did not undergo hypoxia as control group (Group C), 2, 12, and 24 hours, and 3, 7, and 14 days after HI insult 9 rats from each group were killed with their right hippocampal tissues taken out. Flow cytometry was used to examine the apoptotic rate of the hippocampal neurons. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of HIF-1alpha.

RESULTS

(1) The apoptosis rate of the right hippocampal tissues began increase 2 h after Hi insult, peaked 24 h after HI, then gradually decreased, and almost returned to the original levels 14 d after HI. There was no significant differences in apoptosis rates 14d after HI among the 3 groups (all P > 0.05). The neuron apoptosis rates 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, and 7 d after HI of Group SM were all significantly lower than those of Group NS (e.g 24 h: (11.95 +/- 1.13)% vs (16.80 +/- 1.44)%, all P < 0.05). (2) The HIF-1alpha mRNA expression level in right brain began to increase 2 h after HI, peaked 24 h after HI, then gradually decreases, and returned to the original level 14 d after Hi in both Group SM and Group NS; The HIF-1alpha mRNA expression in right brain 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, and 7 d after HI of Group SM were all significantly higher than those of Group NS (e.g 24 h: (44.32 +/- 4.03)% vs (35.63 +/- 3.73)%, all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The HIF-1alpha mRNA expression in brain tissue is up-regulated after HI insult. Shenmai injection helps increase the mRNA expression of HIF-1alpha in brain and reduces the apoptosis of hippocampus neurons after HI insult.

Analysis of volatile species kinetics during typical medical waste materials pyrolysis using a distributed activation energy model

The complex reactions of typical medical waste materials pyrolysis and the evolution of different volatile species can be well represented by a Distributed Activation Energy Model (DAEM). In this study, A thermogravimetric analyser (TGA), coupled with Fourier transform infrared analysis of evolving products (TG-FTIR), were used to perform kinetic analysis of typical medical waste materials pyrolysis. A simple direct search method was used for the determination of DAEM kinetic parameters and the yield of individual pyrolysis products under any given heating condition. The agreement between the model prediction and the experimental data was generally good. The results can be used as inputs to a pyrolysis model based on first-order kinetic expression with a Gaussian Distribution of Activation Energies as a sub-model to CFD code.

Study on pyrolysis of typical medical waste materials by using TG-FTIR analysis

Pyrolysis of certain medical waste materials was studied using thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR). Pyrolysis characteristics of three common materials were discussed. The pyrolysis of absorbent cotton turned out to be the most concentrative, followed by medical respirator and bamboo stick. From TG and DTG curves, pyrolysis of these three materials occurred in single, two and three stages respectively. Evolved volatile products from all these three materials included 2-butanone, benzaldehyde, formic acid, acetic acid, hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water; whereas no sulphur dioxide, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide was detected. There are several differences in yield among them. However, the study in this paper is essential for medical waste pyrolysis model, the TG-FTIR approach is potential to provide valuable inputs for predictive modeling of medical waste pyrolysis. More studied are needed to get the kinetic parameters and pyrolysis models that can predict yields and evolution patterns of selected volatile products for CFD applications.

Binding modes of two highly potent and nontoxic inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase

The complex structures of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) integrase binding two highly potent and nontoxic inhibitors, lithospermic acid (M/sub 5/22) and lithospermic acid B (M/sub 5/32), were obtained using docking calculations. Docking results provided detailed information of their binding modes. The binding sites of M/sub 5/22 and M/sub 5/32 were similar to the inhibitor 5-CITEP. The lowest docking energies for HIV-1 integrase binding M/sub 5/22 and M/sub 5/32 are in agreement with their corresponding lower IC/sub 50/ values. Our results on the chemical structure difference between M/sub 5/22 and M/sub 5/32 show that the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups on the side-chain of M/sub 5/32 are important chemical groups which could help to increase the effect against HIV-1 IN replication.

[Inhibition of in vitro translation of esterase mRNA of dipterex-resistant mosquito (Culex pipiens pallens) by antisense nucleic acids]

OBJECTIVE

To examine the inhibitory effect of antisense nucleic acid on the in vitro translation of esterase mRNA from dipterex-resistant Culex pipiens pallens.

METHODS

18-mer nucleic acid was synthesized and complementary to the translation initiation site of mRNA of dipterex-resistant mosquitoes. The ODNs were annealed to the corresponding mRNA molecules and they were added to rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system. The translation products were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. After fixing, the gel was exposed to X-ray film by autoradiography for analysis of protein synthesis.

RESULTS

Six mumol/L of ODNs elicited a 50% reduction in specific protein expression, and 20 mumol/L of ODNs inhibited the expression of esterase by 80%. The SDS-PAGE showed that the band of reduced amounts of 65 kDa protein for resistant mosquito was almost the same as that for sensitive sample.

CONCLUSION

Antisense oligonucleic acids to the esterase mRNA of dipterex-resistant mosquito could effectively inhibit its in vitro translation.

Experimental determination of the boundary condition for diffuse photons in a homogeneous turbid medium

We present a simple experimental method that permits an empirical determination of the effective boundary condition and the extrapolated end point for the diffuse photon density in a homogeneous turbid medium.

Survey of 160 centenarians in Shanghai

One hundred and sixty centenarians were discovered and followed up for 7 years (1982-88) in Shanghai. The proportion of centenarians in the population was non-significantly greater in the urban than in the rural area and centenarians were in general increasing in both areas over the years. The factors promoting longevity were good medical care and benevolent attention from family members. Autopsy was performed in eight centenarians revealing the main causes of death as pneumonia and cancer.

Mosaic ring chromosome 13 analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization: report of a case

A five-year-old boy with psychomotor retardation, microcephaly, bilateral cataracts, hearing impairment and hypospadia with microphallus was found to have multiple cell lines from peripheral blood: 46,XY/46,XY, -13,+r(13)/46, Xy, -13, +dic r(13) in the ratio of 35%/61%/4% by trypsin-Giemsa, and C-bandings. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with biotin-labeled alpha-satellite probe (D21Z1/D13Z1) and fluorescence staining (FITC), we confirmed that the ring originated from chromosome 13. To elucidate changes in the chromosome ends in the ring originated from chromosome 13. To elucidate changes in the chromosome ends in the ring formation, we used human telomere-specific probes for FISH study; it showed an absence of telomeres on the ring chromosome, although Ag-NOR staining was positive. These findings yielded different breaking points on the ends of both the short and long arms of chromosome 13 from those reported in the literature.

[Short-term results of intratumor BCG injection for rectal carcinoma]

Twelve patients with rectal carcinoma were treated by intratumor BCG injection concurrently with drugs which antagonize Ts cells, inactivate suppressor macrophages and depress PGE-2 production. Remarkable results were obtained with mild side effects. Four patients achieved complete response and 8 partial response. There was a significant difference (P less than 0.005) between combined treatment and intratumor BCG injection alone. The local reactions of BCG injection, their relation to therapeutic effects and pathology are discussed. The observation of single, degenerated cancer cell encapsulated by epithelioid cells is an evidence that the cancer cell is directly killed by mononuclear cells.