[Analysis of the therapeutic effect of aspiration thrombectomy for early carotid stent thrombosis]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and the efficacy of thrombus aspiration in patients with early intrastent thrombosis (EST) following carotid artery stenting (CAS). Methods: This study is a retrospective case series, collecting clinical data of five patients who developed EST after CAS in the Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2021 to September 2023.All patients were male, with an age of (64.0±11.9) years (range:48 to 77 years), accounting for 2.0% (5/244) of CAS procedures during the same period.Among them, three patients did not receive standard dual antiplatelet therapy before the procedure, and one had an inadequate ADP inhibition rate (45.6%).Four patients received XACT carotid stents, while one received a Wallstent carotid stent.All five patients showed significant residual stenosis ranging from 43% to 55% after CAS.Emergency thrombus aspiration was performed in all cases, and data regarding perioperative conditions, vascular patency, and clinical outcomes were collected. Results: The interval between CAS and the occurrence of EST ranged from 3 hours to 14 days.The main clinical symptoms included sudden onset of consciousness disorders and contralateral limb weakness.None of the patients received preoperative intravenous thrombolysis, and thrombus aspiration was performed during the procedure to restore vascular patency.Four cases underwent balloon angioplasty during the procedure, and two cases utilized overlapping stents.Two patients experienced intraoperative embolization of thrombus to the C2 segment.In one case, the embolized thrombus was retrieved using an intracranial thrombectomy stent, while in another case, it was aspirated using a guiding catheter.Postoperatively, all patients had a thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade of 3, and symptoms improved in four cases.One patient showed no improvement in symptoms, and MRI revealed extensive new infarction in the right frontal and insular regions, adjacent to the right lateral ventricle.Regular follow-up examinations after discharge did not reveal restenosis or embolism within the stent.The follow-up period ranged from 7.6 to 21.2 months, with modified Rankin scale scores of 0 to 1 point in four cases and 2 points in one case, indicating good recovery in all patients. Conclusions: Acute intrastent thrombosis is a rare complication after carotid artery stenting.The combined use of percutaneous thrombus aspiration and endovascular techniques, such as balloon angioplasty and stent overlapping, can rapidly restore vessel patency with favorable outcomes.However, further large-scale clinical studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of these treatments for acute intrastent thrombosis.

[Regulatory effects of the Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton on the biological function of human neutrophils]

Objective: To investigate the regulatory effects and mechanism of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (Nr-CWS) on the biological function of human neutrophils. Methods: The experimental research method was used. Fifteen healthy adult volunteers (7 males and 8 females, aged 24 to 45 years) were recruited from Suzhou Physical Examination Center for physical examination from May to October 2022, the peripheral venous blood was collected, and neutrophils were extracted by immunomagnetic bead sorting. The cells were divided into normal control group without any treatment, Nr-CWS alone group treated with Nr-CWS of final mass concentration 60 ng/mL alone, endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone group stimulated with LPS of final mass concentration 1 μg/mL alone, and LPS+Nr-CWS group stimulated with LPS first and then treated with Nr-CWS as before. After 1 h of culture, the chemotaxis distance, chemotactic cell percentage, chemotactic index, maximum chemotactic speed, and chemotactic function score of neutrophils were detected using the modified agarose chemotactic model; the proportion and fluorescence intensity of phagocytosis cells, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the protein expression levels of granular protein CD35, CD66b, and CD63, and the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines of interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-γ in cell culture supernatant were detected by flow cytometry. The number of samples in each group in the above experiments was 15. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for factorial design and independent sample t test. Results: After 1 h of culture, the chemotactic function score of cells in normal control group, Nr-CWS alone group, LPS alone group, and LPS+Nr-CWS group were 15.0, 14.5±0.5, 1.5±0.5, 12.0±1.5, respectively. Compared with those in normal control group, the chemotaxis distance, chemotactic cell percentage, chemotactic index, maximum chemotactic speed, and chemotactic function score of cells were significantly decreased in LPS alone group and LPS+Nr-CWS group (with t values of 18.36, 18.88, 54.28, 18.36, 46.77, 10.58, 14.74, 6.84, 10.58, and 4.24, respectively, P<0.05); compared with those in LPS alone group, the five chemotactic function indexes as above in LPS+Nr-CWS group were significantly increased (with t values of 11.47, 14.65, 11.62, 11.47, and 13.75, respectively, P<0.05). After 1 h of culture, compared with those in normal control group, the proportion and fluorescence intensity of phagocytosis cells were significantly increased in Nr-CWS alone group (with t values of 6.86 and 6.73, respectively, P<0.05), and the above two indexes were significantly decreased in LPS alone group (with t values of 7.35 and 22.72, respectively, P<0.05) and LPS+Nr-CWS group (with t values of 21.37 and 13.10, respectively, P<0.05). After 1 h of culture, compared with that in normal control group, the level of ROS of cells in LPS alone group was significantly increased (t=6.64, P<0.05); compared with that in LPS alone group, the level of ROS of cells in LPS+Nr-CWS group was significantly decreased (t=5.46, P<0.05). After 1 h of culture, compared with those in normal control group, the protein expressions of CD35, CD66b, and CD63 of cells were significantly increased in LPS alone group and LPS+Nr-CWS group (with t values of 16.75, 17.45, 10.82, 5.70, 19.35, and 15.37, respectively, P<0.05); compared with those in LPS alone group, the protein expressions of CD35, CD66b, and CD63 of cells were significantly decreased in LPS+Nr-CWS group (with t values of 4.92, 5.72, and 3.18, respectively, P<0.05). After 1 h of culture, compared with those in normal control group, the concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α, and interferon-γ in cell culture supernatant were significantly increased in LPS alone group (with t values of 22.10, 9.50, 7.21, 10.22, 24.88, 8.43, and 47.48, respectively, P<0.05), and the concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α, and interferon-γ in cell culture supernatant were significantly increased in LPS+Nr-CWS group (with t values of 4.68, 5.12, 8.02, 5.58, and 7.13, respectively, P<0.05); compared with those in LPS alone group, the concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α, and interferon-γ in cell culture supernatant were significantly decreased in LPS+Nr-CWS group (with t values of 5.39, 2.83, 5.79, 2.90, 5.87, 4.88, and 39.64, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusions: Nr-CWS can enhance the phagocytosis ability of neutrophils in normal condition and improve the chemotactic function, ROS level, degranulation protein level, and inflammatory factor level of human neutrophils in infectious condition. Nr-CWS can enhance the anti-infection ability of human neutrophils by regulating its biological behavior in innate immunity.

[Expression of lnc-MyD88 and its relationship with the prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer]

Objective: To explore the expression of long non-coding RNA-myeloid differentiation factor 88 (lnc-MyD88) and its relationship with the prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: A total of 70 EOC patients who underwent initial cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based drugs combined with paclitaxel for 6 to 8 courses were selected at Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2016 to January 2019. The fresh cancer tissue specimens were collected. In addition, 28 fresh normal ovarian tissues from patients who underwent surgery for benign gynecological diseases during the same period were collected as control group. Reverse transcription (RT) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were used to detect the expression of lnc-MyD88 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) mRNA in EOC tissues and normal ovarian tissues. The correlation between the expression of lnc-MyD88 and MyD88 mRNA in EOC was analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. The relationship between lnc-MyD88 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with EOC was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate of patients. The log-rank test was used for univariate survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate survival analysis. Results: (1) RT-qPCR showed that the relative expression level of lnc-MyD88 and MyD88 mRNA in EOC were 0.009 (0.000-0.049) and 0.001 (0.000-0.006), respectively, which were significantly higher than those of normal ovarian tissues (all P<0.01); Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that the expression of lnc-MyD88 and MyD88 mRNA in EOC was positively correlated (r²=0.610, P<0.01). (2) The high expression rate of lnc-MyD88 in EOC patients with lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and chemotherapy resistance (71%, 64% and 70%, respectively) were significantly higher than the patients in control group (41%, 40% and 35%, respectively; all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant in the high expression rate of lnc-MyD88 in EOC patients with different ages, pathological types, pathological grades, surgical pathological stages, postoperative residual lesion size, and ascites cancer cells (all P>0.05). (3) Univariate analysis showed that surgical pathological staging, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, postoperative residual tumor size, and high expression of lnc-MyD88 and MyD88 mRNA significantly affected the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of EOC patients (all P<0.05), ascites cancer cells were the risk factors that significantly affected PFS in EOC patients (P=0.040); multivariate analysis showed that surgical pathological staging and high expression of lnc-MyD88 and MyD88 mRNA were independent factors affecting PFS and OS in EOC patients (all P<0.05), the size of residual lesions after surgery was an independent factor affecting PFS in EOC patients (P=0.001). Conclusions: The level of lnc-MyD88 expression in ovarian cancer tissues was significantly increased. Lnc-MyD88, as a molecular marker for the poor prognosis of EOC, is related to the expression of MyD88 in EOC, and may be involved in its expression regulation, thereby affecting the survival and prognosis of EOC patients.

[Re-understanding the physiological and pathophysiological roles of neutrophils]

Neutrophils have always been considered as a short-lived and homogeneous cell type in the innate immune system, which have limited pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects. However, in recent 10 years, the understanding of neutrophils has been undergoing some kind of revival as researches progressed. The researches on the heterogeneity of neutrophils and the mechanism of their interaction with other immune cells have promoted the researchers to re-understand the physiological and pathophysiological roles of neutrophils. In the following decades, with the development of single-cell sequencing technology, spatial transcriptome sequencing technology, and multi-omics combined sequencing technology, researchers will have a better understanding of the biological behaviors of neutrophils. This paper briefly reviews the biological behaviors of neutrophils and their roles in various diseases in recent years.

[Changes of heparin-binding protein in severe burn patients during shock stage and its effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and neutrophils]

Objective: To investigate the changes of heparin-binding protein (HBP) in severe burn patients during shock stage and its effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and neutrophils in vitro. Methods: Prospective observational and experimental research methods were used. Twenty severe burn patients who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from August to November 2020 were included in severe burn group (12 males and 8 females, aged 44.5 (31.0, 58.0) years). During the same period, 20 healthy volunteers with normal physical examination results in the unit's Physical Examination Center were recruited into healthy control group (13 males and 7 females, aged 39.5 (26.0, 53.0) years). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to detect the protein expression levels of HBP and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in plasma of patients within 48 hours after injury in severe burn group and in plasma of volunteers in healthy control group. The correlation between protein expression of HBP and that of TIMP-1 in the plasma in the two groups was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. The fourth passage of HUVECs in logarithmic growth phase were used for the experiment. The HUVECs were divided into normal control group with routine culture (the same treatment below) and recombinant HBP (rHBP)-treated 12 h group, rHBP-treated 24 h group, and rHBP-treated 48 h group with corresponding treatment according to the random number table (the same grouping method below), and the mRNA expression of TIMP-1 in cells was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The HUVECs were divided into normal control group and rHBP-treated 48 h group with corresponding treatment, and the protein expression of TIMP-1 in the cells was detected by Western blotting. The HUVECs were divided into normal control group, rHBP alone group, aprotinin alone group, and rHBP+aprotinin group treated with the corresponding reagents (with the final molarity of rHBP being 200 nmol/L and the final concentration of aprotinin being 20 μg/mL, respectively), cultured for 48 h, and ELISA was used to detect the protein expression of TIMP-1 in the culture supernatant of cells. The neutrophils were isolated from the peripheral venous blood of the aforementioned 10 healthy volunteers by immunomagnetic bead sorting, and the cells were divided into normal control group, recombinant TIMP-1 (rTIMP-1) alone group, phorbol acetate (PMA) alone group, and rTIMP-1+PMA group treated with corresponding reagents (with the final concentration of rTIMP-1 being 500 ng/mL and the final molarity of PMA being 10 nmol/L, respectively). After being cultured for 1 h, the expression of CD63 protein in cells was detected by immunofluorescence method, the positive expression rate of CD63 protein in cells was detected by flow cytometry, and the protein expression levels of HBP and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the culture supernatant of cells were detected by ELISA. The normal control group underwent the above-mentioned related tests at appropriate time points. The number of samples was 3 in each group of cell experiment. Data were statistically analyzed with chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Tamhane's T2 test. Results: The protein expression levels of HBP and TIMP-1 in the plasma of patients in severe burn group were 404.9 (283.1, 653.2) and 262.1 (240.6, 317.4) ng/mL, respectively, which were both significantly higher than 61.6 (45.0, 68.9) and 81.0 (66.3, 90.0) ng/mL of volunteers in healthy control group (with Z values of -5.41 and -5.21, respectively, P<0.01). The correlation between the protein expression of HBP and that of TIMP-1 in the plasma of volunteers in healthy control group was not strong (P>0.05). The protein expression of HBP was significantly positively correlated with that of TIMP-1 in the plasma of patients in severe burn group (r=0.64, P<0.01). Compared with that in normal control group, the mRNA expression of TIMP-1 in HUVECs was significantly increased in rHBP-treated 12 h group, rHBP-treated 24 h group, and rHBP-treated 48 h group (with t values of -3.58, -2.25, and -1.26, respectively, P<0.05). Western blotting detection showed that compared with that in normal control group, the protein expression of TIMP-1 in HUVECs in rHBP-treated 48 h group was significantly enhanced. After 48 h of culture, compared with that in normal control group, the protein expression level of TIMP-1 in the culture supernatant of HUVECs in rHBP alone group was significantly increased (t=9.43, P<0.05), while the protein expression level of TIMP-1 in the culture supernatant of HUVECs didn't change significantly in aprotinin alone group or rHBP+aprotinin group (P>0.05); compared with that in rHBP alone group, the protein expression level of TIMP-1 in the culture supernatant of HUVECs in rHBP+aprotinin group was significantly decreased (t=4.76, P<0.01). After 1 h of culture, the trend of CD63 protein expression in neutrophils detected by immunofluorescence method and that by flow cytometry were consistent in each group. After 1 h of culture, compared with that in normal control group, the positive expression rate of CD63 protein in the neutrophils and the protein expression levels of HBP and MPO in the culture supernatant of cells in rTIMP-1 alone group all had no significant changes (P>0.05), while the positive expression rate of CD63 protein in the neutrophils and the protein expression levels of HBP and MPO in the culture supernatant of cells were all significantly increased in PMA alone group and rTIMP-1+PMA group (with t values of 2.41, 3.82, 5.73, 1.05, 4.16, and 1.08, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with that in PMA alone group, the positive expression rate of CD63 protein in the neutrophils and the protein expression levels of HBP and MPO in the culture supernatant of cells in rTIMP-1+PMA group were all significantly decreased (with t values of 5.26, 2.83, and 1.26, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: The expression level of HBP in the plasma of severe burn patients is increased during shock stage. HBP can induce HUVECs to secrete TIMP-1 in vitro, and TIMP-1 can reduce the expression of CD63 molecule in human neutrophils.

[Application of indocyanine green fluorescence visualization in surgical resection of abdominal wall endometriosis]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of indocyanine green (ICG) navigation in the surgical resection of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE). Methods: Seven women undergoing surgery for AWE in First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (from July 1, 2021 to October 1, 2021) were collected. After exposure of the focus, ICG were used intravenously (0.25 mg/kg) as fluorescent dye for the intraoperative evaluation of AWE vascularization. Resection of the AWE was guided by direct visualization of the focus under standard laparoscopy with a near-infrared (NIR) camera head. Surgical margin around the AWE (3, 6, 9 and 12 point) and the margin under the focus were obtained for postoperative pathological examination of endometriosis. Time from injection to fluorescence visualization, the proportion of fluorescence visualization, time of fully resection of AWE, side effects related to the use of ICG, perioperative complications as well as the pathological result of the surgical margins were recorded. Results: ICG fluorescence of the AWE were seen in 5 patients (5/7). The mean time from injection to fluorescence visualization was (46.7±9.8) s. The mean time of fully resection of AWE was (16.4±7.0) minutes. There were no side effects related to the use of ICG. The rate of class-A wound healing was 7/7. All of the surgical margins were confirmed endometriosis-negative by postoperative pathological examination. Conclusion: ICG fluorescence visualization could conduct accurate resection of AWE, which is clinically safe and effective.

First-in-human phase I study of an oral HSP90 inhibitor, TAS-116, in advanced solid tumors

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Background: TAS-116 is an oral non-ansamycin, non-purine, and non-resorcinol highly selective inhibitor of HSP90α/β. The objective of this FIH study was to determine the MTD and investigate the safety, tolerability, PK, PD (HSP70 protein levels in PBMCs), and antitumor activity of TAS-116. Methods: The study is being conducted in Japan and the UK. Patients with advanced solid tumors received escalating doses of TAS-116 once daily (QD) with an accelerated titration design. After the MTD was determined, safety and tolerability of 5 days on / 2 days off per week administration (QDx5) at the MTD in QD was explored. In parallel, the MTD with every other day administration (QOD) was evaluated by using a 3 + 3 design. Results: As of 20 September 2016, 52 patients were enrolled. TAS-116 was evaluated at doses of 4.8 to 150.5 mg/m2/day in the QD schedule and doses of 107.5 to 295.0 mg/m2/day in the QOD schedule. The MTD was 107.5 mg/m2/day with QD and 210.7 mg/m2/day with QOD. QDx5 at the MTD in QD using a flat dose of 160 mg was evaluated. The most common adverse events in all regimens were gastrointestinal disorders and increased creatinine. DLTs were observed in 4 patients in QD (night blindness, visual disorder, AST/ ALT/gamma-GTP elevations, and anorexia) and in 2 patients in QOD (platelet count decreased, febrile neutropenia, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and septic shock). Reversible eye disorders were observed in all schedules, but those observed in QDx5 were limited to grade 1. The PK level demonstrated dose proportionality without unexpected accumulation under repeated administration. Dose-related HSP70 induction of PBMCs was observed. As of 20 September 2016, three confirmed durable PRs by RECIST were observed (239 days in GIST and 173 days in NSCLC with QD; 293 + days in NSCLC with QOD). PR and SD ≥ 12 weeks were observed in 15 out of 47 patients. Conclusions: TAS-116 had an acceptable safety profile under all schedules, especially QDx5. Preliminary antitumor activity was demonstrated with evidence of target engagement. Dose expansion at the MTD in this phase 1 study and the phase 2 study in patients with GIST are ongoing. Parts of this study will be expanded to the US with an amended study protocol. Clinical trial information: NCT02965885.

A novel splice variant of the bovine GALNTL5 gene identified in Chinese Holstein bull testis tissue and its mRNA expression

The polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-like protein 5 (GALNTL5) is a newly identified protein that is specifically expressed in testis tissue and participates in spermatogenesis. In this study, we characterized a novel bovine GALNTL5 splice variant, designated as GALNTL5-AS, by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and clone sequencing methods. The novel GALNTL5 isoform was derived from the complete transcript, GALNTL5-complete, via alternative splicing (AS). The pattern of the splice variant was exon skipping. Bovine GALNTL5 transcripts were expressed in the testis, as demonstrated by RT-PCR. The expression levels of both transcripts were higher in adult testes than in calf testes (P < 0.05). In addition, prediction analysis showed that the GALNTL5-AS transcript only encoded 122 amino acids and lost its glycosyltransferase 1 and Gal/GalNAc-T motifs, which may result in a dysfunctional protein compared with the predominant transcript GALNTL5-complete. This study improves our understanding of the bovine GALNTL5 gene function during bull sperm formation.

Identification of CD14 transcript in blood polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes and functional variation in Holsteins

Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) leukocytes are primary phagocytic cells of the bovine mammary gland and a first line of defense against invading pathogens during bovine mastitis infection. Cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) is mainly expressed in macrophages and neutrophils and acts as a co-receptor that binds bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and recruits PMNs to CD14-LPS complexes in mammary epithelial cells. In this study, we identified a novel splice variant in PMNs, named CD14-SV, characterized by a deleted region from c.143-579 nt compared to the CD14 reference mRNA sequence. Moreover, a single nucleotide polymorphism (c.523 A>G) in exon 2 of CD14 was identified and found to modify the secondary structure and hydrophilicity of the CD14 protein. Association analysis also showed that the milk somatic cell score, an indicator of mastitis, of cows with the GG genotype was lower than that of cows with the AA and AG genotypes. Our findings suggest that the expression of CD14 in bovine blood PMNs is regulated by alternative splicing, and that CD14-SV is a candidate functional marker that may influence mastitis-resistance in dairy cows.

Regulatory mutations in the A2M gene are involved in the mastitis susceptibility in dairy cows

Mutations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in the 5′-flanking and microRNA (miRNA) regulatory regions may result in altered gene expression levels and cause diseases. Alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) has the function of binding host or foreign peptides and particles, and thereby serves as a defense barrier against pathogens in the plasma and tissues of animals. To investigate the functional markers of the A2M gene associated with mastitis, the promoter was characterized and SNPs that affect promoter activity or binding affinity with the target miRNA were identified using the luciferase reporter assay and real-time quantitative PCR method. Results showed that the core promoter of A2M was found between the bases g.-2641 and g.-2479. Four novel SNPs (g.-724A>G, g.-665G>A, g.-535C>G and g.-520_-519insA) in the promoter region were completely linked. The activity of the mutant haplotype (GAGA) increased by 177% compared with that of the wild haplotype (AGC-). Bta-miR-2898 was upregulated by 6.25-fold in the mammary gland tissues of mastitis-infected cows compared with that of the healthy cows. One SNP (c.4659_4661delC) located in the 3′-untranslated region of the A2M gene may affect the binding affinity with the target bta-miR-2898. Five SNPs exhibited tight linkage. Association analysis showed that the milk somatic cell score for cows with the mutant haplotype (GAGA-) was lower than that for cows with the wild haplotype. Thus, the mutant type can be used as a potential functional marker for a mastitis resistance breeding program in dairy cows. Our findings provided the molecular basis for A2M transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations. A close relationship between regulatory mutations and mastitis susceptibility of cows also was established.

Alternative splicing, promoter methylation, and functional SNPs of sperm flagella 2 gene in testis and mature spermatozoa of Holstein bulls

The sperm flagella 2 (SPEF2) gene is essential for development of normal sperm tail and male fertility. In this study, we characterized first the splice variants, promoter and its methylation, and functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of theSPEF2gene in newborn and adult Holstein bulls. Four splice variants were identified in the testes, epididymis, sperm, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and liver tissues through RT-PCR, clone sequencing, and western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry revealed that theSPEF2was specifically expressed in the primary spermatocytes, elongated spermatids, and round spermatids in the testes and epididymis.SPEF2-SV1was differentially expressed in the sperms of high-performance and low-performance adult bulls;SPEF2-SV2presents the highest expression in testis and epididymis;SPEF2-SV3was only detected in testis and epididymis. An SNP (c.2851G>T) in exon 20 ofSPEF2, located within a putative exonic splice enhancer, potentially producedSPEF2-SV3and was involved in semen deformity rate and post-thaw cryopreserved sperm motility. The luciferase reporter and bisulfite sequencing analysis suggested that the methylation pattern of the core promoter did not significantly differ between the full-sib bulls that presented hypomethylation in the ejaculated semen and testis. This finding indicates that sperm quality is unrelated toSPEF2methylation pattern. Our data suggest that alternative splicing, rather than methylation, is involved in the regulation ofSPEF2expression in the testes and sperm and is one of the determinants of sperm motility during bull spermatogenesis. The exonic SNP (c.2851G>T) produces aberrant splice variants, which can be used as a candidate marker for semen traits selection breeding of Holstein bulls.

Novel splice variants of the bovine PCK1 gene

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1), also named PEPCK-C, is a multiple-function gene that is involved in gluconeogenesis, glyceroneogenesis, reproduction, female fertility, and development of obesity and diabetes. How its many functions are regulated was largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated mRNA expression and possible splice variants of PCK1 by screening cDNA in nine tissues from Holstein bulls and cows. PCK1 mRNA was highly expressed in the liver, kidney, ovary and testis; expression levels were low in the heart, spleen, and lung tissues. Expression of this gene was not detected in skeletal muscle. This led to the discovery of five novel bovine splice variants, named PCK1-AS1-PCK1-AS5. In PCK1-AS1, 51 nucleotides in the interior of exon 2 were spliced out. In PCK1-AS2, exons 2 and 3 were altered by the alternative 3' and 5' splice sites, respectively. PCK1-AS3 was truncated from the 3' end of exon 2 to the 5' end of exon 4. In PCK1-AS4, exon 5 was completely spliced out. In PCK1-AS5, exons 5 and 6 and the 5' end of exon 7 were spliced out. These splice variants (PCK1-AS1-PCK1-AS5) potentially encoded shorter proteins (605, 546, 373, 246 and 274 amino acids, respectively), when compared to the complete protein (622 amino acids). Considering the functional domains of the PCK1 protein, it is likely that these splice variants considerably affect the function of this protein; alternative splicing could be one of the mechanisms by which the diverse functions of PCK1 are regulated.

Arsenic trioxide induced apoptosis in retinoblastoma cells by abnormal expression of microRNA-376a

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been demonstrated to induce apoptosis in retinoblastoma cells, however, mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon are not fully understood. In the present study, we determined whether ATO induced apoptosis by abnormal expression of microRNA. In an apoptosis model of retinoblastoma cells subjected to 4 μM ATO for 72 hours, we found 14 miRNAs changed more than 2-fold by using miRNA microarray analysis. Most of these aberrantly expressed miRNAs were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. MiR-376a, a significantly down-regulated miRNA, was selected for further study. The overexpression of miR-376a resulting from miR-376a mimic transfection significantly inhibited ATO-induced apoptosis. By contrast, miR-376a deficiency resulting from miR-376a inhibitor transfection aggravated ATO-induced apoptosis. Using bioinformatic algorithms, caspase-3, a key apoptosis executioner, was predicted as a putative target of miR-376a. The quantitative RT-PCR showed no effects of miR-376a mimic or inhibitor on caspase-3 mRNA level. However, the amount of caspase-3 proteins was reduced by miR-376a mimic, whereas increased by miR-376a inhibitor. Furthermore, the luciferase reporter assay confirmed caspase-3 to be a target of miR-376a, and the apoptosis caused by miR-376a inhibitor were abolished by a caspase-3 inhibitor. These results suggest that ATO -induced apoptosis in retinoblastoma cells is part mediated by decreasing expression of miR-376a, which subsequently increased caspase-3 expression.

Meta-analysis demonstrates lack of a relationship between XRCC1-399 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma

XRCC1-399 allele polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the conclusions of the various studies have been inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis of available studies to determine whether XRCC1-399 alleles influence susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma. We searched English-language databases, including PubMed, Medline and Embase, using terms such as "hepatocellular carcinoma" (or "HCC"), "X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1" (or "XRCC1") and "genetic polymorphism" (or "SNP"), among others; we also searched Chinese-language databases, including CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, and CBM, using terms such as "ganai", "ganxibaoai", "ganzhongliu", "duotaixing", and "X-xian xiufu jiaocha hubu jiyin 1". Eight independent studies, including 1604 HCC cases and 2185 controls, were included. The pooled odds ratio for XRCC1-399 was 0.99 (95% confidence interval = 0.75-1.31). We conclude that XRCC1- 399 gene polymorphisms are unrelated to risk for HCC.

A multicenter, randomized, blinded, phase III study of pasireotide LAR versus octreotide LAR in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET) with disease-related symptoms inadequately controlled by somatostatin analogs

4031

Background: The novel somatostatin analog (SSA) pasireotide has a broader binding profile than currently available SSA (octreotide and lanreotide). Results from a phase III study (NCT00690430) of pasireotide LAR (P) vs octreotide LAR (O) in patients (pts) with NET and disease-related symptoms uncontrolled by the maximum approved dose of available SSA are shown. Methods: Pts (N=110) were randomized and stratified by predominant symptom at baseline (diarrhea [D], flushing [F], or D+F) 1:1 to P (60 mg IM) or O (40 mg IM) q28d. Primary objective was symptom response at month (M) 6. Secondary objectives included tumor response and safety. Progression-free survival (PFS) was an exploratory analysis. Results: 53 and 57 pts were enrolled in the P and O arms when the study was halted due to an interim analysis suggesting futility for symptom response. Baseline characteristics were similar between arms. Majority of primary tumor locations were small intestine (72% and 81% in the P and O arms). Symptom response at M6 was 9/43 (21%) and 12/45 (27%) in the P and O arms, odds ratio 0.73 (95% CI, 0.27-1.97; p=0.53). Median numbers of D/day and F/2 weeks and change in symptom from baseline to M6 are in Table. Hyperglycemia (11% vs 0%), diarrhea (9% vs 7%), and abdominal pain (2% vs 9%) were the most common grade 3/4 AEs in the P vs O arms in the core phase, and 7 (13%) and 4 (7%) pts discontinued due to AEs. Median investigator-assessed PFS was 11.8 months and 6.8 months in the P and O arms (HR=0.46; p=0.045). Conclusions: P and O showed a similar safety profile except for the higher frequency of hyperglycemia in P. Pts on P had PFS 5 months longer than pts on O (investigator assessment), despite no differences in symptom response rates. These results warrant a large phase III trial to clarify the role of P as a therapy for NET. Clinical trial information: NCT00690430. [Table: see text]

Phase I dose-escalation study of pasireotide LAR in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors

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Background: Somastatin analogs (SSA), including octreotide and lanreotide, bind predominantly to somatostatin receptor (SSTR) 2 and form the foundation of treatment for symptomatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Pasireotide, a novel SSA with a broad binding affinity (SSTR 1-3 and 5), is being explored for treatment of NET. A phase 1 dose-escalation study (NCT01364415) of pasireotide long-acting release (LAR; starting dose of 80 mg) was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) and to characterize safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy in pts with advanced NET. Methods: Pts with advanced, well- or moderately differentiated NET received pasireotide LAR beginning at a dose of 80 mg q28d. Successive cohorts will receive doses (up to 220 mg) guided by a Bayesian logistic regression model until MTD/RP2D is reached. Results: To date, 15 pts have been treated at 80 mg (n=6) and 120 mg (n=9). Median age is 59 (44-76) years. Primary tumor sites include small intestine (40%), pancreas (20%), and lung (13.3%). All pts received prior antineoplastic therapy; 93% received prior SSA. Median number of cycles of pasireotide was 6.68 (2-14) (1 cycle=28 days). 10 (67%) pts remain on treatment: 3 on 80 mg and 7 on 120 mg. 5 (33%) have discontinued (disease progression, 2 pts; withdrew consent, 2 pts; adverse event [AE], 1 pt). Median plasma concentrations of pasireotide increased with dose. No dose-limiting toxicities have been reported. Most frequent AEs were similar in both dose groups and included hyperglycemia (87%), diarrhea (53%), abdominal pain (47%), nausea (40%), anemia (33%), and fatigue (33%). Most AEs were mild/moderate. 2 pts (1 in each group) had grade 3 hyperglycemia. 4 (27%) and 2 (13%) pts had HbA1C increase from <6.5% at baseline to 6.5-<8% and ≥8%, respectively. 13 (87%) pts had radiographically stable disease as best response. More pts at 120 mg (50%) vs 80 mg (33%) achieved ≥50% reduction in chromogranin A. Conclusions: Pasireotide LAR up to 120 mg appears to be well tolerated in patients with advanced NET. The study is ongoing. Pasireotide represents a promising therapy for pts with NET. Clinical trial information: NCT01364415.

Novel SNPs of the mannan-binding lectin 2 gene and their association with production traits in Chinese Holsteins

The mannan-binding lectin gene (MBL) participates as an opsonin in the innate immune system of mammals, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MBL cause various immune dysfunctions. In this study, we detected SNPs in MBL2 at exon 1 using polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing techniques in 825 Chinese Holstein cows. Four new SNPs with various allele frequencies were also found. The g.1164 G>A SNP was predicted to substitute arginine with glutamine at the N-terminus of the cysteine-rich domain. In the collagen-like domain, SNPs g.1197 C>A and g.1198 G>A changed proline to glutamine, whereas SNP g.1207 T>C was identified as a synonymous mutation. Correlation analysis showed that the g.1197 C>A marker was significantly correlated to somatic cell score (SCS), and the g.1164 G>A locus had significant effects on SCS, fat content, and protein content (P < 0.05), suggesting possible roles of these SNPs in the host response against mastitis. Nine haplotypes and nine haplotype pairs corresponding to the loci of the 4 novel SNPs were found in Chinese Holsteins. Haplotype pairs MM, MN, and BQ were correlated with the lowest SCS; MN with the highest protein yield; MM with the highest protein rate, and MN with the highest 305- day milk yield. Thus, MM, MN, and BQ are possible candidates for marker-assisted selection in dairy cattle breeding programs.

Increased expression of a novel splice variant of the complement component 4 (C4A) gene in mastitis-infected dairy cattle

The complement system helps in the direct lysis of invading pathogens and modulates phagocytic, humoral and cellular immune responses. Complement 4 is a critical component in complement activity and protection against many bacterial pathogens because it is essential to classical and lectin activation pathways. We used reverse transcription and PCR to investigate alternative splicing and expression of the complement component 4 (C4A) gene in Chinese Holstein cattle. The PCR products were cloned and sequenced. A novel splice variant involving intron 10 was identified, which we named C4A-AS. To examine how C4A gene activity is affected by bovine mastitis, six Chinese Holstein cattle were divided into healthy (non-mastitic) and Staphylococcus aureus-induced mastitic groups. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that the C4A-complete and C4A-AS transcripts are expressed at significantly different levels in healthy cows, while there were no significant differences in the mastitic group (P = 0.257). Expression of C4A-AS increased significantly when mastitis developed. We also examined the expression of C4A-complete and C4A-AS in several tissues (liver, heart, spleen, lung, kidney, tongue, and muscle). The two transcripts were expressed in all of these tissues but there were no significant differences in expression between healthy and mastitic cows. We therefore conclude that the C4A-complete transcript is the main transcript under normal physiological conditions, while C4A-AS is augmented when mastitis develops.

Two splice variants of the bovine lactoferrin gene identified in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitis in dairy cattle

Bovine lactoferrin (bLF) is a member of the transferrin family; it plays an important role in the innate immune response. We identified novel splice variants of the bLF gene in mastitis-infected and healthy cows. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and clone sequencing analysis were used to screen the splice variants of the bLF gene in the mammary gland, spleen and liver tissues. One main transcript corresponding to the bLF reference sequence was found in three tissues in both healthy and mastitis-infected cows. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of the LF gene's main transcript were not significantly different in tissues from healthy versus mastitis-infected cows. However, the new splice variant, LF-AS2, which has the exon-skipping alternative splicing pattern, was only identified in mammary glands infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Sequencing analysis showed that the new splice variant was 251 bp in length, including exon 1, part of exon 2, part of exon 16, and exon 17. We conclude that bLF may play a role in resistance to mastitis through alternative splicing mechanisms.

Three novel SNPs of the bovine Tf gene in Chinese native cattle and their associations with milk production traits

Transferrin (Tf) is a β-globulin protein that transports iron ions in mammalian cells. It contributes to innate immunity to microbial pathogens, primarily by limiting microbial access to iron. Thus, polymorphisms present in bovine Tf could potentially underlie inherited differences in mastitis resistance and milk production traits. We detected three novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the Tf gene in Chinese native cattle by screening for genetic variation of Tf in 751 individuals of three Chinese cattle breeds, namely China Holstein, Luxi Yellow and Bohai Black, using PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing techniques. The three new SNPs, g.-1748G>A ss250608649, g.13942T>C ss250608650, and g.14037A>G ss250608651, had allele frequencies of 85.9, 86.3 and 92.5%, 64.5, 73.3 and 65.0%, and 67.6, 73.7 and 60.0%, respectively. SNP g.-1748G>A was located in the 5' flanking region of Tf. SNP g.14037A>G was located in intron 8 of Tf. SNP g.13942T>C, located in exon 8 of Tf, was a synonymous mutation (TTA > CTA), encoding a leucine (326 aa) in the Tf protein. Associations of the Tf SNPs with milk traits were also analyzed. Significant (P < 0.05) relationships among the Tf polymorphisms, somatic cell scores (SCS), and milk productive traits were observed. Cows with genotypes TT (g.13942T>C), GG (g.-1748G>A) and AG (g.14037A>G) had a lower SCS and higher protein levels and 305-day milk yield. Nineteen combinations of different haplotypes from the three SNPs were identified in Chinese Holstein cattle. The haplotype combination ATA/GCA, GCA/GCA and GCG/ GTA was dominant in cows with a lower SCS, a higher protein level and a higher 305-day milk yield, respectively. Moreover, the gene expression level of Tf was higher in mastitis-affected mammary tissues than in normal mammary tissues. These results suggest that the Tf gene affects milk production, as well as mastitis-resistance traits, in Chinese Holsteins.

Effects of L-malate on physical stamina and activities of enzymes related to the malate-aspartate shuttle in liver of mice

L-malate, a tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) intermediate, plays an important role in transporting NADH from cytosol to mitochondria for energy production and may be involved in the beneficial effects of improving physical stamina. In the present study, we investigated the effects of L-malate on the performance of forced swimming time and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue - blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose (Glc), creatine kinase (CK),total protein (TP) and lactic acid (LA). To investigate the effects of L-malate on the malate-aspartate shuttle and energy metabolism in mice, the activities of enzymes related to the malate-aspartate shuttle were measured. L-malate was orally administered to mice continuously for 30 days using a feeding atraumatic needle. The swimming time was increased by 26.1 % and 28.5 %, respectively, in the 0.210 g/kg and 0.630 g/kg L-malate-treated group compared with the control group. There were no differences in the concentrations of Glc, BUN and TP between the L-malate-treated groups and the control groups. However, the levels of CK were significantly decreased in the L-malate-treated groups. The results predict a potential benefit of L-malate for improving physical stamina and minimizing muscle damage during swimming exercise. The activities of cytosolic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase were significantly elevated in the L-malate-treated group compared with the control group. These enzymatic activities may be useful indicators for evaluating changes affecting the malate-aspartate shuttle and energy metabolism in the liver of mice.

Pharmacokinetics of scutellarin and its aglycone conjugated metabolites in rats

Scutellarin, a flavonoid glycoside, is the primary active ingredient in breviscapine that is a mixture of flavonoid glycosides extracted from a Chinese herb Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz. The pharmacokinetics of scutellarin and its aglycone conjugated metabolites after intraperitoneal injection and oral administration of breviscapine was investigated in rats. The plasma concentration of scutellarin and scutellarein conjugates in serial samples was measured by validated high-performance liquid chromatography methods. The pharmacokinetic results indicated that scutellarin underwent rapid and extensive biotransformation in vivo. After intraperitoneal injection, scutellarin was absorbed rapidly. The profiles of scutellarin and scutellarein conjugates were fitted to a two-compartment open model. Scutellarin and scutellarein conjugates showed a similar time course. No significant difference in tmax, t0.5(alpha) and t0.5(beta) was observed between scutellarin and scutellarein conjugates (p>0.05). After oral administration, fluctuations were observed in the concentration-time profiles of both scutellarin and scutellarein conjugates and the pharmacokinetics could not be explained by classical compartment model. The relative bioavailability of oral administration was very low, 10.67 % +/- 4.78% for scutellarin and 7.92% +/- 1.90% for scutellarein conjugates.

Evaluation of DNA adduction of AZT in peripheral blood leukocytes of HIV-infected individuals by (32)P-post-labeling thin-layer chromatography: a feasibility study

3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT, Zidovudine) has been effectively used for HIV infection treatment. It inhibits virus reproduction through viral reverse transcriptase inhibition. However, the side effects of this anti-retroviral drug might be cumulative, particularly in its effects on the patients' DNA. As a nucleoside analogue, AZT might incorporate into hosts' DNA, and then form DNA adducts. This may result in potential long-term risks of mutagenesis in AIDS patients who received therapy. In this feasibility study, a (32)P-post-labeling thin-layer chromatography (TLC) assay is successfully used to measure AZT-DNA analogue and adducts formed in peripheral blood leukocytes of AZT treated patients. There are DNA analogue/adducts measured in all four AZT treated patients' DNA specimens. This assay is reliable with the significant coefficient of correlation in both intra-assay (r = 0.8761, P = 0.0001) and inter-assay (r = 0.8761, P = 0.0001).

Role of chloride in constriction of descending vasa recta by angiotensin II

We investigated the dependence of ANG II (10−8 M)-induced constriction of outer medullary descending vasa recta (OMDVR) on membrane potential (Ψm) and chloride ion. ANG II depolarized OMDVR, as measured by fully loading them with the voltage-sensitive dye bis[1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid-(5)] trimethineoxonol [DiBAC4(3)] or selectively loading their pericytes. ANG II was also observed to depolarize pericytes from a resting value of −55.6 ± 2.6 to −26.2 ± 5.4 mV when measured with gramicidin D-perforated patches. When measured with DiBAC4(3) in unstimulated vessels, neither changing extracellular Cl− concentration ([Cl−]) nor exposure to the chloride channel blocker indanyloxyacetic acid 94 (IAA-94; 30 μM) affected Ψm. In contrast, IAA-94 repolarized OMDVR pretreated with ANG II. Neither IAA-94 (30 μM) nor niflumic acid (30 μM, 1 mM) affected the vasoactivity of unstimulated OMDVR, whereas both dilated ANG II-preconstricted vessels. Reduction of extracellular [Cl−] from 150 to 30 meq/l enhanced ANG II-induced constriction. Finally, we identified a Cl−channel in OMDVR pericytes that is activated by ANG II or by excision into extracellular buffer. We conclude that constriction of OMDVR by ANG II involves pericyte depolarization due, in part, to increased activity of chloride channels.

Holistic outcome measurement for terminally ill cancer patients in medical centers in Taiwan

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine holistic patient outcomes for terminally ill cancer patients, as well as to examine whether different care patterns affect patient outcomes differently. Holistic patient outcomes were measured by the patients' quality of life, satisfaction with care, and cost of care. A purposive sampling of 224 subjects including 123 patients and 101 nurses was drawn from four medical centers in Taiwan. Among these settings, various care patterns were adopted and categorized into 4 groups: hospice inpatients, hospice team consultation, home hospice care services, and a conventional acute care group. Results showed that hospice inpatients had a higher quality of life, a higher level of satisfaction with the care and a lower average inpatient cost, whereas conventional care tended to have the highest length of hospital stay. Home hospice care patients had better psychological well-being than those with other care patterns. In addition, nurses' work satisfaction with the inpatients care unit tended to be significantly higher than with the other groups. The study findings not only provide an instrument for evaluating the quality of care, but also contribute to identifying patterns of care that will influence the dying process, which can only be beneficial for patients. Given the wide variety of healthcare services available now, understanding and selecting the most effective care patterns to enhance patient outcomes is of utmost importance in Taiwan.

Structure and neurotrophic activity of seco-prezizaane-type sesquiterpenes from Illicium merrillianum

An extract of the pericarps of Illicium merrillianum has yielded four new sesquiterpenes: 3 alpha-hydroxycycloparvifloralone (1), 1,2-dehydrocycloparvifloralone (2), (11) 7,14-ortholactone-3 alpha-hydroxyfloridanolide (3), and 11-O-debenzoyltashironin (4) along with cycloparvifloralone (5), merrillianone (6), and tashironin (7). The structures of 1--4 were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. 11-O-Debenzoyltashironin (4) showed neurotrophic activity in primary culture of rat cortical neurons at 0.1--10 microM. However, cycloparvifloralone-type sesquiterpenes (1, 2, 5, and 6) and tashironin (7) had no neurotrophic activity at these concentrations.

seco-Prezizaane-type sesquiterpenes from Illicium merrillianum

Four seco-prezizaane sesquiterpene lactones, 14-O-n-butyrylfloridanolide, 3,4-dehydrofloridanolide, 3,6-dideoxy-10-hydroxypseudoanisatin, and 2-O-n-butyrylpseudomajucin were isolated from the pericarps of Illicium merrillianum. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods.

Three new sesquiterpene lactones from the pericarps of Illicium merrillianum

Structures of three new sesquiterpene lactones 1-3, isolated from the pericarps of Illicium merrillianum, have been assigned as 14-O-benzoylfloridanolide, 2,10-epoxy-3-dehydroxypseudoanisatin and 7-O-methylpseudomajucin on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical transformation. The structure of 2, having an ether linkage between C-2 and C-10, has been confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Chemical pattern recognition of three Chinese herbal medicines from the genus Stephania lour

Chemical pattern recognition was applied to three Chinese herbal medicines from the genus Stephania Lour., viz. S. kwangsiensis Lo, S. viridiflavens Lo and M. Yang and S. mashanica Lo and B.N. Chang. Based on the chemical features obtained from HPLC, SIMCA program was carried out and the results showed that the classification accuracy was 100%. In addition, the obtained features showed three major classes by NLM. The results of both methods were consistent with those of plant taxonomical identification. It suggested that chemical pattern recognition could be a helpful method to classify and identify Chinese herbal medicines.

Mechanism of high-density lipoprotein subfractions inhibiting copper-catalyzed oxidation of low-density lipoprotein

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of HDL subfractions, HDL2 and HDL3, on the oxidation of LDL catalyzed by 5 microM Cu2+ ion, and to illustrate the mechanism of the generation of conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) during LDL oxidation.

METHODS

LDL was incubated for 8 h with 5 microM Cu2+ ion in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) alone, or in the presence of HDL2, HDL3, HSA, BSA, or transferrin. Meantime, LDL was incubated for 24 h with 10 microM Ni2+ ions in PBS. The amount of conjugated diene and TBARS in each sample of LDL were measured.

RESULTS

(a) HDL2 and HDL3 could inhibit the generation of conjugated diene, but could not inhibit the generation of TBARS; (b) the transferrin containing HDL3 shows the ability of inhibiting the generation of both conjugated diene and TBARS; (c) the transferrin presented in blood exhibits the inhibitory effect on the generation of conjugated diene and TBARS, however, when the transferrin is saturated with Fe3+ ion, it could not inhibit the generation of TBARS; (d) HSA and BSA could prevent the generation of conjugated diene and TBARS; (e) Ni2+ ion could induce the generation of conjugated diene, but the amount of TBARS was much smaller than that induced by Cu2+ ion.

CONCLUSION

HDL2 and HDL3 play important role in the copper-catalyzed oxidation of LDL; it is absolutely necessary to require chelation of Cu2+ ion for inhibiting generation of TBARS; whereas, inhibition of conjugated diene can be fulfilled either by chelating Cu2+ ion, or the free radicals scavenger.

The mouse deafness locus (dn) is associated with an inversion on chromosome 19

Recombination data for the mouse deafness locus (dn) on chromosome 19 are consistent with the presence of an inversion for which one of the breakpoints is between D19Mit14 and D19Mit96, a distance of less than 226 kb. Fluorescence in situ hybridization studies using a bacterial artificial chromosome on interphase (G1) nuclei provide additional support for the presence of an inversion. The dn gene is probably the orthologue of the human DFNB7/DFNB11 gene on chromosome 9.

Low intensities and 1.3 ratio produce distortion product otoacoustic emissions which are larger in heterozygous (+/dn) than homozygous (+/+) mice

The f2/f1 frequency ratio of 1.3 in combination with stimulus levels of L1/L2 = 50/60 and 50/50 dB SPL produced a higher level of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) in the heterozygous (+/dn) mice than in the homozygous (+/+) mice. These results suggest that the dn gene carriers have a unique cochlear trait which may be related to the dn gene locus and expressed via a frequency- and intensity-dependent DPOAE function.

Translocations of 11q13 in mantle cell lymphoma fail to disrupt the S mu bp-2 gene

We recently cloned a gene whose protein product binds to the Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1 gene promoter. The same gene has been previously cloned by another group who named it S mu bp-2 because its protein product binds to the S mu motif of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene where it is postulated to function in immunoglobulin class switching. In the current study, we confirm that the S mu bp-2 gene is located on chromosome 11q13, a locus known to be altered by translocation in 50-70% of mantle cell lymphomas. We used Southern blot analysis to determine whether the S mu bp-2 gene was structurally rearranged in any of 25 mantle cell lymphomas. We found no evidence of rearrangement in any of these lymphomas including 18 that were proven to contain t(11;14) by cytogenetic analysis. These data suggest that structural alteration of the S mu bp-2 gene is not an underlying mechanism of tumorigenesis in mantle cell lymphomas.

Potassium channel diversity in vascular smooth muscle cells

Several recent observations suggest that the vascular medium is a mosaic of functionally and morphologically unique cell types. This diversity includes differences in cell phenotype and expression of cytoskeletal and contractile proteins as well as heterogeneity of the number and activity of potassium (K+) channel types. K+ channels play a role in the regulation of arterial tone and in the control of cell proliferation. There is evidence for cell to cell, segment to segment, and vascular bed to bed diversity of K+ channels that could explain the varying responses of arterial segments or different arteries to stimuli such as hypoxia, vasoactive drugs, or arterial wall injury. Pulmonary artery vascular smooth muscle cells contain several types of K+ channels, including calcium sensitive (KCa), delayed rectifier (KDR), and ATP gated (KATP). Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is more prominent in the resistance than in the conduit arteries. HPV is initiated by the inhibition of a KDR channel, resulting in membrane depolarization, increase in the intracellular calcium, and contraction. We have shown that some pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells are enriched in KDR channels whereas others have more KCa channels. These cells can be differentiated by their morphology (using light microscopy and electron microscopy) and their electrical properties (using patch-clamp techniques). Although present throughout the pulmonary artery, KDR-enriched cells are more prominent in the distal-resistance segments whereas KCa-enriched cells are more prominent in the proximal-conduit segments. Nitric oxide (NO) causes relaxation in part by activating a KCa channel, causing membrane hyperpolarization and inactivation of the voltage-gated calcium channels. NO is a slightly more potent vasodilator in the conduit than in the resistance pulmonary artery. In summary, the pulmonary artery may be thought of as a mosaic of cells that have different proportions of key proteins, such as K+ channel subtypes, which confer upon the cell an ability to respond to a stimulus (hypoxia or NO) differently than an adjacent cell exposed to the same stimulus. The prevalence of these cells differs from conduit to resistance arteries. Diversity of cell function may be important in physiology and pathophysiology, allowing responses to vasodilators, vasoconstrictors, and proliferative stimuli to vary within or between vascular beds.

Multiplex mutagenically separated PCR: diagnosis of beta-thalassemia and hemoglobin variants

A rapid and simple method, termed multiplex mutagenically separated PCR (MS-PCR), was developed to detect several molecular defects in the hemoglobin gene in one PCR. This technique, in which different-size allele-specific primers were used, specifically amplified both normal and mutant alleles of the globin gene in the same reaction. Subsequent gel electrophoresis showed at least one of the two allelic products at the same locus or two of the several allelic products of different loci and provided a within-assay quality control for the exclusion of false-negative results. In our study, the four most common beta-thalassemia mutations, together with four other common hemoglobin variants in Chinese, were tested. Using multiplex MS-PCR 6 to 12 primers were added simultaneously into one reaction tube to identify one to four mutations. Not only is this multiplex MS-PCR method reliable and non-isotopic, the results can be obtained in less than one working day.

Characterization of proteins binding to the ZII element in the Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1 promoter: transactivation by ATF1

Previous studies have shown that the ZII element in the BZLF1 promoter (P1) is responsive to TPA and anti-immunoglobulin induction. In this report, we have studied the DNA/protein complexes formed when ZII is used as a binding site. Twelve distinct DNA/protein complexes were seen in mobility shift experiments using Akata cell nuclear extracts and radiolabeled ZII. Eleven of these complexes were also formed when either BJAB or Raji cell nuclear extracts were used in the binding reaction. Six DNA/protein complexes were affected by mutations in the core TGACATCA motif of ZII which abolish responsiveness to TPA, anti-immunoglobulin treatment, and HHV6 transactivation. The relative sizes of the proteins in the DNA/protein complexes were determined by UV crosslinking. Four distinct specific binding proteins affected by core mutations in ZII were identified as ATFa, ATF1, ATF2, and c-jun. Overexpression of ATF1 in cotransfection experiments caused transactivation of the wild-type P1 promoter but had no effect on a promoter containing a mutant ZII element. An ATF1 mutant with a deleted DNA binding domain failed to transactivate P1. Overexpression of c-jun, ATFa, or ATF2 had no effect on the wild-type or mutant P1 promoter. Our results suggest that ATF1 interacts with the ZII element and may be involved in Epstein-Barr virus reactivation.

N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists limit aminoglycoside antibiotic-induced hearing loss

The use of aminoglycoside antibiotics is limited by ototoxicity that can produce permanent hearing loss. We report that concurrent administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists markedly attenuates both the hearing loss and destruction of cochlear hair cells in guinea pigs treated with aminoglycoside antibiotics. These findings indicate that aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss is mediated, in part, through an excitotoxic process. The high correlation (Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.928; P < 0.01) obtained between the relative cochleotoxicities of a series of aminoglycosides in humans and the potencies of these compounds to produce a polyamine-like enhancement of [3H]dizocilpine binding to NMDA receptors is consistent with this hypothesis, and provides a simple in vitro assay that can predict this aspect of aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity.

Anorexic agents aminorex, fenfluramine, and dexfenfluramine inhibit potassium current in rat pulmonary vascular smooth muscle and cause pulmonary vasoconstriction

BACKGROUND

The appetite suppressant aminorex fumarate is thought to have caused an epidemic of pulmonary hypertension in Europe in the 1960s. More recently, pulmonary hypertension has been described in some patients taking other amphetamine-like, anorexic agents: fenfluramine and its d-isomer, dexfenfluramine. No mechanism has been demonstrated that might account for the association between anorexic drugs and pulmonary hypertension.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the whole-cell, patch-clamp technique, we found that aminorex, fenfluramine, and dexfenfluramine inhibit potassium current in smooth muscle cells taken from the small resistance pulmonary arteries of the rat lung. Dexfenfluramine causes reversible membrane depolarization in these cells. These actions are similar to those of hypoxia, which initiates pulmonary vasoconstriction by inhibiting a potassium current in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle. In the isolated, perfused rat lung, aminorex, fenfluramine, and dexfenfluramine induce a dose-related increase in perfusion pressure. When the production of endogenous NO is inhibited by N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, the pressor response to dexfenfluramine is greatly enhanced.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations indicate that anorexic agents, like hypoxia, can inhibit potassium current, cause membrane depolarization, and stimulate pulmonary vasoconstriction. They suggest one mechanism that could be responsible for initiating pulmonary hypertension in susceptible individuals. It is possible that susceptibility is the result of the reduced production of an endogenous vasodilator, such as NO, but this remains speculative.

Phenotypic patterns of distortion product otoacoustic emission in inbred and F1 hybrid hearing mouse strains

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOE) were obtained from five different hearing mouse groups: CBA/J, MOLF/Rk, ct (homozygous normal mice of the curly-tail stock), and the F1 hybrid offspring of the matings CBA/J x dn/dn and MOLF/Rk x dn/dn (dn/dn mice are the curly-tail stock with recessive deafness). The DPOE patterns of the CBA/J and ct strains were similar to each other and different from that of the MOLF/Rk. The two sets of F1 hybrid mice, (CBA/J x dn/dn)F1 and (MOLF/Rk x dn/dn)F1, were found to have significantly larger DPOE amplitudes than their hearing parent strains, MOLF/Rk and CBA/J, respectively. In addition, the DPOE amplitudes were greater for the offspring of the MOLF/Rk x dn/dn cross than for those of the CBA/J x dn/dn cross, even though they were lower for MOLF/Rk than for CBA/J. The distinct features of DPOE patterns among these five groups suggest that DPOE testing can be used for auditory phenotyping.

Differential distribution of electrophysiologically distinct myocytes in conduit and resistance arteries determines their response to nitric oxide and hypoxia

The cellular mechanisms that determine differences in reactivity of arteries of varying size and origin are unknown. We evaluated the hypothesis that there is diversity in the distribution of K+ channels between vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells within a single segment of the pulmonary arteries (PAs) and that there are differences in the prevalence of these cell types between conduit and resistance arteries, which contribute to segmental differences in the vascular response to NO and hypoxia. Three types of VSM cells can be identified in rat PAs on the basis of their whole-cell electrophysiological properties- current density and the pharmacological dissection of whole-cell K+ current(I(K))-and morphology. Cells are referred to as "K(Ca), K(Dr), or mixed," acknowledging the type of K+ channel that dominates the IK: the Ca2+-sensitive (K(Ca)) channel, delayed rectifier (K(Dr)) channel, or a mixture of both. The three cell types were identified by light and electron microscopy. K(Ca) cells are large and elongated, and they have low current density and currents that are inhibited by tetraethylammonium (5 mmol/L) or charybdotoxin (100 nmol/L). K(Dr) cells are smaller, with a perinuclear bulge, but have high current density and currents that are inhibited by 4-aminopyridine (5 mmol/L). Conduit arteries contain significant numbers of K(Ca) cells, whereas resistance arteries have a majority of K(Dr) cells and few K(Ca) cells. NO rapidly and reversibly increases I(K) and hyperpolarizes K(Ca) cells because of an increase in open probability of a 170-pS K(Ca) channel. Hypoxia depolarizes K(Dr) cells by rapidly and reversibly inhibiting one or more of the tonically active K(Dr) channels (including a 37-pS channel) that control resting membrane potential. The effects of both hypoxia and NO on K+ channels are evident at negative membrane potentials, supporting their physiological relevance. The functional correlate of this electrophysiological diversity is that K(Dr)-enriched resistance vessels constrict to hypoxia, whereas conduit arteries have a biphasic response predominated by relaxation. Although effective in both segments, NO relaxes conduit more than resistance rings, in both cases by a cGMP-dependent mechanism. We conclude that regional electrophysiological diversity among smooth muscle cells is a major determinant of segmental differences in vascular reactivity.

Molecular basis of spinal muscular atrophy in Chinese

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Rapid diagnosis of beta-thalassaemia by mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) and its application to prenatal diagnosis

We have developed a rapid and simple PCR-based method which is modified from the mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) to detect the molecular defects of beta-thalassaemia. We can use this technique to amplify normal and mutant alleles of the beta-globin gene in the same reaction tube, using different-sized allele-specific primers. This mutagenesis separates the amplification reactions of alleles performed in the same tube. Subsequent gel electrophoresis shows at least one of the two allelic products at the same locus or at least two of the several allelic products at different loci. Therefore, in addition to simple handling, MS-PCR provides a within-assay quality control for the exclusion of false negative results. The five most common mutations of beta-thalassaemia and haemoglobin E which occur in the Taiwanese population were tested, and 14 prenatal samples were checked with accurate results. This method is simple, rapid and accurate, and can be used routinely in prenatal diagnosis. The principle used here can also be applied to other genetic diseases.

Crocetin protects against oxidative damage in rat primary hepatocytes

Crocetin is a major component in the fruit of Gardenia jaminoides Ellis, a Chinese herbal medicine. Its protective action and mechanism against oxidative damage were investigated and mechanism against oxidative damage were investigated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated enzymatically in the xanthine-xanthine oxidase (X/XO 5 microM/0.01 u/ml) system and non-enzymatically in the paraquat (PQ 5 mM) system. Both systems increased leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in rat primary hepatocytes, but the hepatotoxicity was significantly suppressed on pretreatment with crocetin (10, 20 microM). Crocetin decreased formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an index of lipid peroxidation induced by ROS. The oxyradical generation by X/XO or PQ caused DNA damage evaluated with unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in rat primary hepatocytes. The addition of crocetin decreased genotoxicity evaluated with UDS in both systems. The data showed that crocetin also inhibited the formation of superoxide anion in the X/XO system and bleached the free radical 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The protective action of crocetin operated via quenching of the superoxide anion and/or free radical.

Rapid detection of hemoglobin variants by mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR)

The detection of molecular defects of hemoglobin variants using mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) was applied in this study. Using different lengths of allele-specific mutagenic primers, normal and mutant alleles of hemoglobin genes were amplified in the same reaction tube. Subsequent gel electrophoresis showed at least one of the two allelic products at the same loci or at least two of the several allelic products at different loci. We employed MS-PCR to test the following hemoglobin variants: Hb Constant Spring (Hb CS), Hb E, Hb G-Taichung, Hb J-Meinung, and Hb Kaohsiung. The results were the same as those obtained by amplified created reaction sites (ACRS) or direct sequencing. We conclude that the MS-PCR provides a rapid and simple alternative to other techniques for mutation detection in hemoglobin variants. Moreover, the principle can be extended to other genetic diseases.

Auditory phenotyping of heterozygous sound-responsive (+/dn) and deafness (dn/dn) mice

Accurate phenotyping of offspring from backcross matings between F1 heterozygous sound-responsive and deafness mice is an important step for the identification of the deafness (dn) gene (Keats et al., 1995). Here, we report the results of auditory phenotyping of backcross offspring who are either sound-responsive or deaf by recording the Preyer reflex elicited by hand clap, auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), and 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOEs). Our results show that the Preyer reflex observation alone is inadequate for auditory phenotyping; a more precise test such as a click-evoked ABR recording is needed for auditory phenotyping. DPOE recording results in identification of sound-responsive or deaf mice as accurately as the click-evoked ABR testing. In addition, because the DPOE amplitude function is in good agreement with the ABR threshold in frequency sensitivity and specificity for stimulus frequencies between 1 and 16 kHz, the DPOE recording can be considered as an alternate test for auditory phenotyping.

Development of the VIIIth nerve compound action potential evoked by low-intensity tone pips in the Mongolian gerbil

Maturation of the cochlea and afferent auditory units is reflected by changes in VIIIth nerve compound action potential (CAP) parameters. We studied auditory nerve CAPs evoked by low-intensity stimuli in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) ranging in age from 22 to 92 days after birth. The gerbil CAP development is characterized by marked changes in latency, threshold, and amplitude during the first few weeks of life. CAP latency and CAP threshold reach adult-like values at about 1 month of age. In contrast, the CAP amplitude continues to grow in size even after 2 months. This dichotomy suggests that the development of afferent auditory nerve function in the gerbil is preceded by maturation of the mechanical processes of the middle ear and cochlea.