[The expression and correlation analysis of TOX and inhibitory receptors on peripheral blood CD8+T cells in patients with aplastic anemia]

Objective: To investigate the expression levels of thymocyte selection related high mobility group proteins (TOX) and different inhibitory receptors in peripheral blood CD8⁺T cells of patients with aplastic anemia (AA), and to conduct correlation analysis. Methods: From September 2019 to November 2020, 27 AA patients in the Department of Hematology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University were retrospectively selected, including 21 males and 6 females, with a median age [M (Q₁, Q₃)] of 48 (30, 72) years. Thirty-three healthy controls, included 17 males and 16 females, with a median age of 46 (27, 69) years. The expression levels of TOX, programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), T-cell immune receptor with immunoglobulin (Ig) and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) domain (TIGIT), perforin and granzyme B in peripheral blood CD8⁺T cells from AA patients and healthy controls were detected by flow cytometry. The correlation between TOX expression levels and different inhibitory receptors was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The expression levels of TOX, PD-1, TIM-3, CTLA-4, TIGIT, perforin, and granzyme B in peripheral blood CD8⁺T cells of AA patients were 47.33%(41.47%, 56.61%), (30.61±12.37)%, (39.94±10.84)%, (6.21±3.40)%, (51.45±20.21)%, (71.32±22.46)%, and (52.39±23.99)%, respectively, which were higher than those of healthy controls 27.32%(21.64%, 46.96%), (21.29±10.01)%, (21.11±3.00)%, (1.31±0.34)% (30.80±13.40)%, (46.72±22.53)%, (21.75±16.43)% (all P<0.05). The expression level of TOX in CD8⁺T cells was positively correlated with the expression levels of PD-1, TIM-3, CTLA-4, TIGIT, perforin, and granzyme B (r=0.49, 0.65, 0.70, 0.54, 0.58, 0.48, all P<0.05). Conclusion: The expression levels of TOX and different inhibitory receptors on peripheral blood CD8⁺T cells in AA patients are higher than those in the healthy control group, and the expression levels of TOX and different inhibitory receptors are positively correlated.

[Relationship of operation manner and postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) owns the high morbidity and mortality rates. Surgical resection is still the major pathway for the longer survival of HCC patients. Postoperative recurrence and metastasis have become the key impairment of prognosis of HCC patients. The relationship between tumor recurrence and surgical manner underwent by HCC patients is complicated and multiple factors are included. When the liver tumor was pressured during operation, tumor cells could be squeezed into blood flow via the broken vessels, which resulted in tumor metastasis. Besides, ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by Pringle maneuver during the liver blood blockade resulted in the immune destruction of liver and induced tumor recurrence.The destruction of physical barriers consisted of interstitial cells and normal liver cells was also a key factor for tumor recurrence. This paper summarizes the possible relationship between postoperative recurrence and surgical manner in HCC patients to provide the preventive suggestions for the postoperative recurrence of HCC patients.

[Angiopoietin-2 regulates vessels encapsulated by tumor clusters positive hepatocellular carcinoma nest-type metastasis via integrin α5β1]

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism of nest metastasis in blood vessels encapsulated by tumor clusters (VETC) positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A total of 72 paraffin embedded HCC tissue samples were collected. Immunohistochemistry staining with CD34 (vascular endothelial cell marker protein) was used to observe the morphological manifestations of VETC cancer nests in primary tumors, bile duct cancerous thrombi and portal vein cancerous thrombi, and to study the characteristics of hematogenous metastasis of VETC cancer nests. Bioinformatics was used to predict the key proteins closely related to VETC cancer nest formation. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of angiogenin-2 (Ang-2), integrin α5, Integrin β1, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins in HCC. Transwell cell migration assay was used to detect the effect of Ang-2/integrin α5β1 protein on the migration ability of endothelial cells and HCC cells. Western blotting was used to detect the effect of Ang-2/integrin α5β1 protein on the activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein. Results: Of the collected HCC specimens, 27 cases (27/72) were VETC (+), including 3 cases with biliary duct cancerous thrombus, 5 cases with portal vein cancerous thrombus, and 3 cases with both biliary duct cancerous thrombus and portal vein cancerous thrombus. VETC (+) HCC could metastasize to portal vein, bile duct, and liver in the form of cancer nest, and the nests retain their intact structure. Ang-2, integrin α5 and integrin β1 were overexpressed in tumor cells and endothelial cells of VETC (+) HCC nests, while COX-2 was only overexpressed in tumor cells of VETC (+) HCC nest. Ang-2 could promote the migration of HCC cell [(121±12) vs (186±11), P<0.01] and endothelial cells [(81±7) vs (163±14), P<0.01]. Integrin α5β1 activation antagonist ATN-161 could significantly block the ability of Ang-2 to promote the migration of HCC cells [(185±10) vs (135±9), P<0.05] and endothelial cells [(156±14) vs (103±6), P<0.05]. ATN-161 could significantly block the phosphorylation of FAK in HCC and endothelial cells induced by Ang-2. Conclusions: VETC (+) HCC could metastasize as a whole in a nested form, and possesses a specific regulatory protein. Ang-2/α5β1/FAK might be potential protein targets in the treatment of VETC (+) HCC nest-type metastasis.

Phase Separation of a PKA Regulatory Subunit Controls cAMP Compartmentation and Oncogenic Signaling

The fidelity of intracellular signaling hinges on the organization of dynamic activity architectures. Spatial compartmentation was first proposed over 30 years ago to explain how diverse G protein-coupled receptors achieve specificity despite converging on a ubiquitous messenger, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). However, the mechanisms responsible for spatially constraining this diffusible messenger remain elusive. Here, we reveal that the type I regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), RIα, undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) as a function of cAMP signaling to form biomolecular condensates enriched in cAMP and PKA activity, critical for effective cAMP compartmentation. We further show that a PKA fusion oncoprotein associated with an atypical liver cancer potently blocks RIα LLPS and induces aberrant cAMP signaling. Loss of RIα LLPS in normal cells increases cell proliferation and induces cell transformation. Our work reveals LLPS as a principal organizer of signaling compartments and highlights the pathological consequences of dysregulating this activity architecture.

[Research progress in the Hepatobiliary Surgery operation of hepatic hilar plate system]

An estimate of about 50% of new liver cancer cases worldwide occur in China every year.Surgical resection is still the major treatment choice for longer survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Blocking hepatic blood flow and reducing intraoperative bleeding ensure the success of the operation. Anatomic separation of hepatic hilar region is the precondition of hepatic inflow occlusion. The hepatic hilar plate system involves a thick layer of connective tissue covering the hepatic inflow ducts of hepatic hilar region. The descending part of hilar plate assists in reducing the anatomical difficulty of the hepatic hilar region. The "forth porta hepatis" that is hidden in the hepatic hilar plate system involves the accumulation area of "short hepatic portal veins" .The communicating branch vessels between the hepatic inflow vessels form the anatomical basis in reducing the indocyanine green fluorescence stain effect.The relatively fixed position of the hepatic portal plate is considered as a positioning marker for accurate liver resection. The intrahepatic Glisson sheath is connected with thick connective tissue of the hepatic portal panel system, and is regarded as the physical barrier in limiting the proliferation and hypertrophy of hepatocytes and continuation of hepatic portal panel system in the liver.This paper summarizes the anatomy and application of hepatic hilar plate system during hepatobiliary surgery.

[Healthy China Strategy and schistosomiasis control]

This paper summarizes the changes in the policy associated with schistosmiasis control in the new era, analyzes the background of Health China Strategy and its association with the current schistosomiasis control program in China, describes several schistosomiasis control models and proposes some suggestions responding to the challenges in current schistosomiasis control program of China, so as to provide insights into the development of the effective control strategy for schistosomiasis.

[Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy recognition of metabolic patterns in fecal extracts for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer]

Objective: To characterize the metabolic " fingerprint" of fecal extracts for diagnosis of early-stage colorectal cancer(CRC)using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(¹H-NMR)-based metabolomics coupled with pattern recognition. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2014, we collected fecal samples at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, from 25 patients with colorectal adenomas(CR-Ad), 20 with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ CRC, and 32 healthy controls(HCs). The patients were diagnosed by histopathology. No subjects had any complicating diseases. HCs showed no abnormalities from blood tests, endoscopic examination, diagnostic imaging, and/or medical interviews. We excluded participants who used antibiotics, NSAIDS, statins, or probiotics within two months of study participation, and any patients who underwent chemotherapy or radiation treatments prior to surgery. We used orthogonal partial least-squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)for pattern recognition(dimension reduction)on ¹H-NMR processed data(¹H frequency of 400.13 MHz), to find metabolic differences among CR-Ad, carcinoma and HC fecal samples; and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis to determine the diagnostic value of the fecal metabolic biomarkers. Results: Fecal samples were collected from 20 patients with Stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ CRC(11 M, 9 F, median age(52±13)years), 25 with CR-Ad(14 M, 11 F, median age(53 ± 11)years)and 32 HCs(15 M, 17 F, median age(53 ± 14)years). OPLS-DA clearly distinguished CR-Ad and stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ CRC from HC samples, based on their metabolomic profiles. Relative signal intensities in HCs were significantly lower than in the cancer patients for butyrate(HC: 23.0±6.0; CR-Ad: 18.0±5.0; CRC: 14.0±6.0; Z=-2.07, P=0.008), acetate(HC: 45.0±11.0; CR-Ad: 31.0±11.0; CRC: 24.0±8.0; Z=- 2.32, P=0.011), propionate(HC: 26.0 ± 7.0; CR-Ad: 22.0 ± 6.0; CRC: 19.0 ± 5.0; Z=- 2.43, P=0.032), glucose(HC: 37.0±7.0; CR-Ad: 31.0±7.0; CRC: 26.0±8.0; Z=-2.07, P=0.044)and glutamine(HC: 4.5±2.0; CR-Ad: 4.9 ± 1.0; CRC: 5.4 ± 1.0; Z=2.21, P=0.044). However, relative signal intensities in HCs were significantly higher than in patients for lactate(HC: 4.8±1.0; CR-Ad: 6.9±2.0; CRC: 4.8± 1.0; Z=2.02, P= 0.038), glutamate(HC: 3.2 ± 2.0; CR-Ad: 4.9 ± 1.0; CRC: 3.2 ± 2.0; Z=2.21, P=0.044)and succinate(HC: 12.0±2.0; CR-Ad: 15.0±3.0; CRC: 12.0± 2.0; Z=2.25, P=0.011). Among the potential biomarkers, acetate at 1.92 ppm, and succinate at 2.41 ppm displayed relatively high area under ROC, with sensitivity and specificity both >90%, to distinguish early-stage CRC patients from HCs. Conclusion: Fecal metabolic profiles distinguish of HCs from patients with CRC patients, even in the early stages(stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ), highlighting the potential of NMR-based fecal metabolomic fingerprinting as tools for early CRC diagnosis.

Confinement Sensing and Signal Optimization via Piezo1/PKA and Myosin II Pathways

Cells adopt distinct signaling pathways to optimize cell locomotion in different physical microenvironments. However, the underlying mechanism that enables cells to sense and respond to physical confinement is unknown. Using microfabricated devices and substrate-printing methods along with FRET-based biosensors, we report that, as cells transition from unconfined to confined spaces, intracellular Ca²⁺ level is increased, leading to phosphodiesterase 1 (PDE1)-dependent suppression of PKA activity. This Ca²⁺ elevation requires Piezo1, a stretch-activated cation channel. Moreover, differential regulation of PKA and cell stiffness in unconfined versus confined cells is abrogated by dual, but not individual, inhibition of Piezo1 and myosin II, indicating that these proteins can independently mediate confinement sensing. Signals activated by Piezo1 and myosin II in response to confinement both feed into a signaling circuit that optimizes cell motility. This study provides a mechanism by which confinement-induced signaling enables cells to sense and adapt to different physical microenvironments.

Quality of life of Chinese urologists: a cross-sectional study using WHOQOL-BREF

OBJECTIVES

In recent years, Chinese hospital settings are under violent threats. The exact status of quality of life of Chinese doctors under these disastrous situations remains obscure. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of Chinese urologists and analyse its potential affecting factors.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Beijing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

Overall, 1000 participants from more than 30 areas of China, who participated in the 20th National Urology Conference in Beijing in 2013, were surveyed. The brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) Chinese version was used to assess the quality of life among these urologists. The relationship between quality of life and the affecting factors was analysed.

RESULTS

Of the 1000 questionnaires, 856 were completed and returned, and 708 questionnaires were valid for analysis. Approximately 46% of the respondents came from provincial capitals, 54.2% of them felt stress from medical environment, while 76.0% felt stress from research work, and 85.3% from promotion. Cronbach's α coefficient of the instrument was 0.825, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure was 0.841, and P value of Bartlett's sphericity was <0.001. The results of binary logistic regression indicated gender, work years, and medical environment as potential affecting factors of quality of life only influenced one domain. In contrast, research work and promotion influenced three domains of the WHOQOL-BREF.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated that the WHOQOL-BREF may be a reliable and valid tool to assess quality of life of Chinese urologists. In China it is true that the deteriorative medical environment negatively affects medical practice according to previous studies, and policies are recommended to improve the situation. Nevertheless, we should not be too pessimistic about it, as in today's context research work and promotion may be the most extensive and significant affecting factors on doctors' quality of life.

Initial experiences with laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy combination pyeloplasty in management of ectopic pelvic kidney with stone and ureter-pelvic junction obstruction

To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of combine laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy to treat ectopic pelvic kidneys with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and stones. 16 patients of ectopic pelvic kidneys with ureteropelvic junction obstruction and stones were treated with laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy (FURS). The operative time, required dose of tramadol, visual analog pain scale (VAPS), postoperative day, stone-free rates (SFRs), perioperative complications, and serum creatinine were evaluated. The SFRs were evaluated with noncontrasted renal computed tomography (CT). Intravenous pyelography (IVP) and CT scan were used to evaluate the UPJO. Stone-free status was defined as absence of stone fragments in kidney or the size of that is less than 3 mm. Operation time from 118 to 225 min, average time (171 ± 28) min; lithotomy time from 16 to 45 min, average time (32 ± 6) min. Average tramadol required at the first day postoperation was (118 ± 49.6) mg; at the second day was (78 ± 24.8) mg. VAPS score at 24 h (5.0 ± 0.7), VAPS score at 48 h (2.5 ± 0.8). Postoperative day (3.9 ± 0.6) days. Stone-free rate was 100%. Average serum creatinine was (88.7 ± 24.3) mol/L before surgery and (92.8 ± 21.6) mol/L after surgery. No major complication. No stone and obstruction recurrence in the follow-up of average 29.3 months. Combined FUR and LC is a good option for patient of ectopic pelvic kidney with renal stone and UPJO. From our initial experience, the SFRs and the effect of pyeloplasty are satisfactory and without major complication, the operative time is acceptable.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury in an aortic dissection patient

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency. Well-established risk factors include systemic hypertension, hereditary connective tissue diseases (Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), coarctation of the aorta, bicuspid aortic valve, aortitis, and arch hypoplasia. Ischemia of the viscera, the kidneys, the spinal cord, or the lower extremities due to malperfusion constitutes life-threatening complications that have to be considered in the treatment strategy.We report a rare case of symptomatic ischemia of the lower extremities due to aortic dissection. This case demonstrates that the treating physician needs to be vigilant for ischemia reperfusion injuries such as osteofascial compartment syndrome and acute renal failure in aortic dissection.

A new subtype of crossed fused ectopia of the kidneys

Crossed fused renal ectopia is a rare congenital anomaly; here, we report a new subtype of crossed fused renal ectopia associated with the retroiliac megaureter and thoracic scoliosis deformity. It is beyond the traditional classification of crossed fused renal ectopia. There are 2 kidneys in the left and hydronephrosis of the upper kidney, the right kidney crossed over and fused with the lower kidney of the left. It is never seen in previous reports. Recurrent infection was cured by resecting the hydronephrosis of the upper kidney and retroiliac megaureter.

Triptolide inhibits the multidrug resistance in prostate cancer cells via the downregulation of MDR1 expression

Triptolide (TPL) is a diterpenoid triepoxide derived from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii and possesses anti-tumor activity against a range of cancer cells. However, the effect of TPL on prostate cancer cells and its potential to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) have not been explored. Therefore, in this study we used prostate cancer cell line DU145 as the experimental model and established DU145/ADM cell line resistant to adriamycin (ADM). Our results showed that TPL inhibited the proliferation and induced the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of DU145 cells in a dose and time dependent manner. TPL decreased the levels of Cyclin D1 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and increased the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Fas and Bax. Furthermore, we found that TPL restored the sensitivity DU145/ADM cells to ADM in a dose dependent manner, and this was accompanied by the inhibition of MDR1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that TPL overcomes MDR in prostate cancer cells by downregulating MDR1 expression, and suggest that TPL is a promising agent for prostate cancer therapy, especially for chemoresistant prostate cancer.

Verticillium Wilt of Redbud in China Caused by Verticillium dahliae

Chinese redbud (Cercis chinensis Bunge), a member of the Fabaceae, is an important ornamental plant native to China with reported desirable medicinal effects, including stimulating blood circulation, detumescence, and detoxification (1). In October 2011, wilt symptoms of gradual leaf yellowing, wilting, scorching (marginal browning), and twig dieback were observed on plants in Yangling, Shaanxi, China. The incidence of diseased plants was about 20% in two main areas (about 20 ha in Zijingshan Park in Zhengzhou, Henan Province; and about 3,000 ha in Taiping National Forest Park in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province). Wilted leaves of diseased plant senesced and died, but defoliation was not observed. Brown discoloration was observed in vascular tissues of petioles, twigs, and stems of diseased plants, sometimes in a ring pattern. The symptoms were often restricted to the lower part of the tree or a few branches. To identify the causal agent, six twigs (each approximately 50 mm in diameter and 10 cm long) sampled from an infected tree in Yangling were rinsed in running water, surface-sterilized with 75% ethanol for 2 min, rinsed in sterilized water three times, dried, cut into 1 cm long segments, and the segments put onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. A fungal isolate was recovered from diseased vascular tissues of each sample when cultured on PDA in the dark at 25°C. After 5 days, colonies changed from white to black as a result of production of microsclerotia. Microscopic observation revealed that conidiophores were hyaline and verticillate, with three to four phialides at each node. Conidia were ellipsoidal, hyaline, single-celled, and 2.5 to 7.5 × 1.25 to 4.5 μm. On the basis of these morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Verticillium dahliae (3). To prove Koch's postulates, the roots of 10 healthy, 1-year-old C. chinensis plants were each irrigated in a greenhouse with 50 ml of a conidial suspension (1.0 × 10⁷ spores/ml) of an isolate recovered from an infected plant (2); five control plants were inoculated similarly with sterilized water. Fifteen days after inoculation, the same wilt symptoms observed on the original plants had developed on 9 of the 10 inoculated plants, whereas the control plants remained healthy. The pathogen was recovered 15 days after inoculation by isolating from petiole and stem tissues of symptomatic plants, but was not isolated from the control plants. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA was PCR-amplified with primers ITS1 and ITS4 (4), and sequenced. BLAST analysis of the ITS sequence (GenBank Accession No. AB735536) showed 100% homology with that of an isolate of V. dahliae (FJ572050). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Verticillium wilt on C. chinensis in China. References: (1) Y. Li et al. J. Integr. Plant Biol. 47:1021, 2005. (2) H. A. Melouk and C. E. Horner. Phytopathology 65:767, 1975. (3) G. F. Pegg and B. L. Brady. Verticillium Wilts, CABI Publishing, Oxford, UK, 2002. (4) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al., eds. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990.

Genitourinary toxicity of ketamine

Ketamine is a relatively new recreational drug used by youngsters in recent decades. Its toxic effects on the genitourinary system were first reported in 2007, and now attract extensive attention from urologists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists all over the world. As many front-line health professionals and medical social workers are still unaware of this new clinical entity and an increasing number of the drug users seek help for urological symptoms, this mini-review aimed to summarise the clinical features and possible mechanisms of ketamine-induced genitourinary toxicity. By raising public awareness of these toxic effects, the authors hope that the contents of this review will be widely disseminated not only to medical professionals, but also to relevant government departments and the general public.

Surveillance of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in humans and detection of the first imported human case in Taiwan, 3 April to 10 May 2013

On 3 April 2013, suspected and confirmed cases of influenza A(H7N9) virus infection became notifiable in the primary care sector in Taiwan, and detection of the virus became part of the surveillance of severe community-acquired pneumonia. On 24 April, the first imported case, reported through both surveillance systems, was confirmed in a man returning from China by sequencing from endotracheal aspirates after two negative throat swabs. Three of 139 contacts were ill and tested influenza A(H7N9)-negative.

Surveillance of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in humans and detection of the first imported human case in Taiwan, 3 April to 10 May 2013

On 3 April 2013, suspected and confirmed cases of influenza A(H7N9) virus infection became notifiable in the primary care sector in Taiwan, and detection of the virus became part of the surveillance of severe community-acquired pneumonia. On 24 April, the first imported case, reported through both surveillance systems, was confirmed in a man returning from China by sequencing from endotracheal aspirates after two negative throat swabs. Three of 139 contacts were ill and tested influenza A(H7N9)-negative.

Total synthesis and structure-activity relationship study of the potent cAMP signaling agonist (-)-alotaketal A

A detailed account of the first total synthesis of alotaketal A, a tricyclic spiroketal sesterterpenoid that potently activates the cAMP signaling pathway, is provided. The synthesis employs both intra- and intermolecular reductive allylation of esters for assembling one of the fragments and their coupling. A Hg(OAc)2-mediated allylic mercuration is used to introduce the C22-hydroxyl group. The subtle influence of substituents over the course of the spiroketalization process is revealed. The synthesis confirms the relative and absolute stereochemistry of (-)-alotaketal A and allows verification of alotaketal A's effect over cAMP signaling using reporter-based FRET imaging assays with HEK 293T cells. Our studies also revealed alotaketal A's unique activity in selectively targeting nuclear PKA signaling in living cells.

Total synthesis of the potent cAMP signaling agonist (-)-alotaketal A

We have developed a convergent synthetic route to the potent cAMP signaling agonist (-)-alotaketal A that employs two stages of SmI(2)-mediated reductive allylation reactions for assembling the polycycle and fragment coupling. Also notable are a Hg(OAc)(2)-mediated selective alkene oxidation and the subtlety of the formation of the unprecedented spiroketal ring system. The probes AKAR4 and ICUE3 were used to evaluate the cAMP singaling agonistic activity of (-)-alotaketal A and elucidate its structure-activity relationship.

First Report of Wilt on Alfalfa in China Caused by Verticillium nigrescens

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa Linn.), widely grown throughout the world, is an important perennial forage crop. It is high in protein and digestible fiber and is an excellent source of several vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and minerals for beef cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and even humans (2). Wilt symptoms on alfalfa were observed during a disease survey in Yangling, Shaanxi, China in 2009. Symptoms included discoloration, shortened internode, and plant death. However, the vascular tissue of diseased alfalfa plants did not exhibit discoloration and typical "V" symptoms of Verticillium albo-atrum infection. Eleven fungal isolates were obtained from diseased alfalfa plants in Yangling by a tissue isolation method (1). Isolates were cultured on Czapek Dox Agar (CDA; pH 7.2) slants at 22 ± 1°C in darkness. Colonies on CDA plates were whitish and cream-white when viewed from the underside, later becoming dark gray due to the formation of gray or dark brown chlamydospores in single or in short chains. DNA was extracted from each isolate and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was amplified and sequenced using primers ITS-1F and ITS4. The 11 isolates were divided into five groups based on their in vitro morphological characters. A single isolate from each of the five groups was chosen for ITS sequencing. All five isolates had the same ITS sequence (GenBank Accession No. AB551216). On the basis of the ITS sequence and morphology (4), these isolates were identified as V. nigrescens Pethyhr. (recently renamed as Gibellulopsis nigrescens). Five representative isolates were used to fulfill Koch's postulates. Alfalfa seeds (cv. Cossack) were surface sterilized with 75% ethanol for 5 min, allowed to dry, and planted into cow dung compost that had been autoclaved at 160°C for 2 h. Plants were cultivated under controlled greenhouse conditions at 23 to 25°C with a photoperiod of 14 h. Inoculum was prepared by comminuting 15-day-old cultures and sterile deionized water into a suspension of mycelial fragments and conidia (10⁵ to 10⁶ CFU/ml) in a blender. Seedlings (four-leaf stage) were inoculated by immersing roots in the inoculum suspension for 60 min (3). Each isolate was inoculated onto 30 seedlings, six in each pot; another 30 seedlings were soaked with sterile deionized water for 60 min as a control. After 20 days in the greenhouse, all inoculated plants exhibited wilt symptoms similar to the original wilt symptoms observed on diseased alfalfa plants. In contrast, none of the control plants showed wilt symptoms. The pathogen was reisolated from all diseased plants and confirmed to the original ones. To our knowledge, this is the first report of V. nigrescens infecting M. sativa in China, indicating V. nigrescens as one possible important pathogen of alfalfa. References: (1) O. D. Dhingra and J. B. Sinclair. Basic Plant Pathology Methods. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1995. (2) D. Jasjeet et al. J. Adv. Sci. Res. 2:50, 2011. (3) H. A. Melouk and C. E. Horner. Phytopathology 64:1267, 1974. (4) R. Zare et al. Nova Hedwigia 85:463, 2007.

Electron microscopy investigations of V defects in multiple InGaN/GaN quantum wells and InGaN quantum dots

The mechanism of high emission of InGaN-based multiple quantum wells, which exhibit exceptionally high light emission efficiency despite their high defect density, is still not fully understood. Here, we deal with this problem, showing the details of structure and formation of V defects in the multiple quantum wells and reviewing interpretations proposed so far. Then, we show a structural investigation of three-dimensional high-density quantum dots, fabricated instead of quantum wells in the active layer. The shape and size of the InGaN quantum dots and the SiN(x) masks for the growth of the dots have been revealed using high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy nanoanalysis and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.

Effects of supplemental vitamin E during the mature period on the reproduction performance of Taiwan Native Chicken cockerels

One-day-old Taiwan native male chicks were fed with maize-soybean rearing diets without supplemental vitamin E to 23 weeks of age. From 23 to 52 weeks of age, the cockerels (n = 90) were assigned at random to 5 dietary treatments and fed with maize-soybean diets supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg of vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate). Pullets (225) of the same age were fed with standard diets throughout. They were artificially inseminated with one dose of 0.04 ml/bird intact and 5-fold diluted pooled semen at 31 to 43 weeks of age and at 49 weeks of age, respectively. The criteria evaluated included: semen quality, fertility and maximum and effective duration of fertility, blood characteristics, body and testes weight. Supplemental vitamin E did not affect cockerels' effective duration of fertility and percentage of fertility. However, when pullets were inseminated with diluted semen, supplementing 160 mg/kg vitamin E increased the maximum duration of fertility at 49 weeks of age. Cockerels receiving 40 to 160mg/kg supplements had higher sperm viability and motility after 39 weeks of age and those fed 80 mg/kg had higher sperm concentration at 39 weeks of age. Cockerels receiving supplements of more than 40 mg/kg vitamin E had higher body weight gain. Plasma cholesterol and testosterone were not affected by supplemental vitamin E. However, plasma luteinising hormone (LH) concentration was lower in cockerels fed 160 mg/kg. Lack of supplemental vitamin E over 39 weeks was associated with lower semen quality but did not reduce the proportion of fertile eggs laid by inseminated hens, perhaps because the insemination dose compensated for low sperm quality. We found that the maximum duration of fertility might be improved by supplementing 160 mg/kg vitamin E at 49 weeks of age.

Ginseng flowers stimulate progesterone production from bovine luteal cells

Our previous report first showed evidence that polysaccharides isolated from ginseng leaves obtained from Jilin, China possess luteotropic activities. In this study, we made further investigations on the root and flowers of Korean ginseng by means of the same bioassay system described briefly as follows. Frozen-thawed bovine luteal cells (1 x 10(5) cells/ml/well) in M199 were incubated in 24-well culture plates at 37 degrees C in a 5 % CO2 incubator. Ten microl of tested drugs with 1, 10 and 100 microg/ml were added into each well. After 4- and 24-hr incubation, the media were harvested and assayed for progesterone by an enzyme immunoassay. The production of progesterone from cells is the indicator for evaluating the action of tested drugs. Results showed that hot water extracts ofginseng flowers (GF-1) with 10 to 100 microg/ml significantly increased progesterone production, whereas those from ginseng root (GR-1) could not. Crude polysaccharides (GF-2) isolated from GF-1 is the active component and the small molecules (mw < 10,000 dalton) are excluded, indicating that the ginseng root has no luteotropic activities, but the polysaccharides of ginseng flowers have.

Functional MRI of the activated human visual cortex

We explored the possibility of performing functional magnetic resonance imaging of visual evoked response in the primary visual cortex with a clinical MRI imager of 1.5 tesla. Gradient echo pulse sequence was chosen to acquire the functional image and binocular flash visual stimulation by light-proof goggles containing light emitting diodes was used as the source of cerebral activation. Data processing was performed utilizing direct subtraction for averaged images, correlation coefficient, statistical parametric mapping and matched filter. Of those methods, correlation coefficient and statistic parametric mapping proved to be the methods of choice in our study.

Early and late long-term effects of vasectomy on serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels

PURPOSE

We investigated whether the association between vasectomy and prostate cancer has a hormonal basis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels by radioimmunoassay on 91 pairs of men who did and did not undergo vasectomy.

RESULTS

Men who underwent vasectomy 10 to 19 years previously had higher dihydrotestosterone levels than age matched controls. In men who underwent vasectomy 20 years or more ago testosterone was higher than in corresponding controls. No statistically significant difference in luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels was noted between the men who had had vasectomy and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indirectly support the hypothesis that there is an elevated risk of prostate cancer among men who underwent vasectomy 20 or more years previously.

[Effects of composite xueliting on four gastric ulcer models in rats and mice]

Composite Xueliting (CXLT) was found to be an effective anti-ulcer agent in four experimental models in rats and mice, namely, the stress restraint-induced, histamin-induced, salicylic acid-induced and reserpine-induced ulcers. In above-mentioned models, CXLT (0.214-0.856 g/kg, 1/d x 5, per os) could inhibit gastric ulcer by 40%-63%, 48%-85%, 68%-87% and 27%-65% respectively. Among these, the salicylic acid-induced ulcer was more markedly inhibited. The result suggested that CXLT had the protective function against the gastric ulcer.

[Effects of m-nifedipine and nifedipine on hemodynamics in renovascular hypertensive rats]

In the renovascular hypertensive myocardial hypertrophic rats of prevention and regressive groups, the blood pressure was lowered by m-nifedipine (m-Nif) or nifedipine (Nif) of 20 mg.kg-1.d-1, i.g., for 9 wk vs control (LVH) group (P < 0.01). From the isolated working hearts of prevention and regressive groups, it was found that AP, LVSP, +dp/dtmax, -dp/dtmax, CF, and CI values of m-Nif and Nif groups increased higher than that of LVH group, but LVEDP and T was lower in m-Nif and Nif groups. It was concluded that m-Nif exhibits the similar effects like Nif in prevention and reversion of renovascular hypertensive LVH and improvement of hemodynamics.