Heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) regulates autophagy and apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway of yak Sertoli cells

Successful male reproduction depends on healthy testes. Autophagy has been confirmed to be active during many cellular events associated with the testes. It is not only crucial for testicular spermatogenesis but is also an essential regulatory mechanism for Sertoli cell (SCs) ectoplasmic specialization integrity and normal function of the blood-testis-barrier. Hypoxic stress induces oxidative damage, apoptosis, and autophagy, negatively affecting the male reproductive system. Cryptorchidism is a common condition associated with infertility. Recent studies have demonstrated that hypoxia-induced miRNAs and their transcription factors are highly expressed in the testicular tissue of infertile patients. Heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) is a heat-shock protein family member associated with cellular antioxidant defense and anti-apoptotic functions. The present study found that the HO1 mRNA and protein are up-regulated in yak cryptorchidism compared to normal testes. Next, we investigated the expression of HO1 in the SCs exposed to hypoxic stress and characterized the expression of key molecules involved in autophagy and apoptosis. The results showed that hypoxic stress induced the upregulation of autophagy of SCs. The down-regulation of HO1 using siRNA increases autophagy and decreases apoptosis, while the over-expression of HO1 attenuates autophagy and increases apoptosis. Furthermore, HO1 regulates autophagy and apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. These results will be helpful for further understanding the regulatory mechanisms of HO1 in yak cryptorchidism.

[Research progress of radiomics in the evaluation of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma]

Microvascular invasion (MVI) is an independent predictor of early recurrence and poor prognosis following hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) resection and transplantation. As a novel non-invasive diagnostic tool, radiomics can extract the quantitative imaging features of tumors and peritumoral tissues with high throughput, providing more information on tumor heterogeneity than conventional and functional imaging of visual analysis and having a good application prospect in predicting the presence of MVI in HCC patients, thereby improving the accuracy of HCC diagnosis and prognosis. The value of the multimodal radiomics method based on various imaging methods in evaluating the possibility of MVI in HCC patients is elucidated here in combination with the latest research progress.

Syce1 and Syce3 regulate testosterone and dihydrotestosterone synthesis via steroidogenic pathways in mouse Sertoli and Leydig cells

Testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are the main hormones regulating reproduction and development of male animals. Although their synthesis and secretion are regulated by the endocrine system [hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (adrenal) axis], it is also possible to synthesize T and DHT from the induction of two proteins: Syce1 and Syce3. As central elements of the synaptonemal complex (SC), Syce1 and Syce3 play a key role in the association of homologous chromosomes during meiosis. However, Syce1 and Syce3 also promote the synthesis of T and DHT, although potential mechanisms have yet to be revealed. In this study, Leydig and Sertoli cells, which are responsible for the production and regulation of steroid hormones in testis, were transfected with recombinant Syce1/Syce3 and silence sequence. Our results revealed the highest expression of Syce1 and Syce3 in spermatogenic cells of the testis. Moreover, overexpression or knockdown of Syce1 and Syce3 in Sertoli and Leydig cells resulted in activation or suppression of steroidogenic genes Star and Hsd3b, which are involved in a steroidogenic pathway that upregulates T synthesis. Upregulated expression of Syce1 resulted in a significant increase in Srd5a1, which can promote DHT secretion. Interestingly, Syce1 and Syce3 overexpression synergistically promoted each other's abundance. Our results define a previously unknown mechanism of Syce1 and Syce3 dependent activation of steroidogenic signaling in Sertoli and Leydig cells.

[Identification of a novel KIF21A gene mutation in a Chinese family with congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles]

The proband presented with bilateral congenital non-progressive ptosis and limitation of eye rotation since childhood. The diagnosis was congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles. A new KIF21 pathogenic mutation locus was found. It was a KIF21A-ex20 c.2821C>T (p.Arg941Trp) heterozygous missense mutation, which caused the disease in this family.

[Prognostic value of the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index in patients over 60 years old with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To evaluate the value of the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity Index (ACCI) in predicting the prognosis and guiding the clinical treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) in patients over 60 years old. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 249 cases of LSCC in Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital and First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from 2008 to 2015 was performed. There were 234 males and 15 females, aged from 60 to 88 years. The clinical characteristics, treatment information and follow-up data were collected. ACCI was used to score the comorbidities of the patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and the patients were divided into high ACCI group and low ACCI group according to the cut-off value of ACCI. Prognostic factors were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, rank sum test was used for comparison between groups, χ² test was used for enumeration data. Results: Overall survival (OS) was 54.6%, progression-free survival (PFS) was 59.4%, and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was 58.6%. Both the median survival time and PFS time were 60 months. The best cutoff point of the ACCI group was 5. Cox multivariate analysis showed that ACCI was an independent risk factor for OS, PFS and CSS (OR=1.553, 1.499 and 1.534,respectively, all P<0.05). In the high ACCI group, OS (χ²=4.120 and 4.115,P<0.05) and CSS (χ²=4.510 and 5.009,P<0.05) of patients treated with surgery plus radiotherapy and patients with radiotherapy alone were better than those of patients with surgery alone (P<0.05). But in the low ACCI group, there was no significant difference in prognosis among the three treatment regimens (P>0.05). Conclusion: High ACCI offors important prognostic information for LSCC in patients over 60 years old, and can guide clinical treatment options.

Growth hormone-releasing hormone promotes therapeutic effects of peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells in ischemic repair

PURPOSE

In peripheral artery disease, blockage of the blood supply to the limbs leads to blood flow attenuation and tissue ischemia. We investigated whether growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) could enhance the biological functions and therapeutic effects of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from adult human peripheral blood (PB).

METHODS

EPCs were isolated from human PB (PB-EPCs) and cord blood and expanded in vitro. PB-EPCs incubated with or without GHRH were evaluated for proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis capacity and apoptosis rates under oxidative stress conditions. Activation of STAT3 and Akt pathways was evaluated using Western blot. A hind-limb ischemia (HLI) mouse model was used to study the efficacy of GHRH in improving EPC therapy in vivo.

RESULTS

GHRH enhanced the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis capacity of PB-EPCs and reduced apoptosis under H₂O₂ stimulation. These beneficial effects were GHRH receptor-dependent and were paralleled by increased phosphorylation of STAT3 and Akt. Transplantation of GHRH-preconditioned EPCs into HLI model mice enhanced blood flow recovery by increasing vascular formation density and enhanced tissue regeneration at the lesion site.

CONCLUSION

Our studies demonstrate a novel role for GHRH in dramatically improving therapeutic angiogenesis in HLI by enhancing the biological functions of EPCs. These findings support additional studies to explore the full potential of GHRH in augmenting cell therapy for the management of ischemia.

[Delay on care-seeking and related influencing factors among tuberculosis patients in Wuhan, 2008-2017]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics, trend and related factors of tuberculosis patients that delayed for care, in Wuhan from 2008 to 2017. Methods: Data regarding tuberculosis (TB) patients was collected from the tuberculosis management information system (TMIS), a part of the China information system for disease control and prevention from 2008 to 2017. A total of 64 208 tuberculosis patients, aged 0 to 95 years were included for the analysis. Unconditional logistic regression method was used to estimate those factors that associated with this study. Results: Days of delay among TB patients appeared as M=10 (P(25)-P(75): 3-28) day, in Wuhan, 2008-2017. The prevalence of the delay was 52.5% (33 703/64 208), presenting a downward trend from 2008 to 2017 (trend χ(2)=10.64, P<0.001), but the proportions of women and ≥65 year-olds were gradually increasing. Results from the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that factors as: patients living far away from the city vs. near the city (OR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.25-1.35), and age above 45 years vs. younger than 25 years (the age 45-64 years group vs. aged less than 25 years group, OR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.15-1.29; the age 65 or above group vs. aged less than 25 years group, the OR=1.30, 95%CI: 1.22-1.39) were under higher risk on the delay of seeking care. Occupation, way of case-finding and classification of tuberculosis patients also appeared as influencing factors on this issue. Conclusions: Prevalence on the delay of care was 52.5% among tuberculosis patients in Wuhan, 2008-2017, but with an annual decrease. Attention should be paid to female, wrinkly or elderly tuberculosis patients regarding the delay of care on TB, in Wuhan.

[Application of nuclear magnetic dispersion weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient in the identification of benign]

Objective:To determine the diagnostic role of diffusionweighted imaging(DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient（ADC） under different b values in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules by using postoperative histopathological results were taken as the reference standard. Method: From January 2017 to June 2018, 64 patients with thyroid nodules diagnosed by ultrasound in the head and neck surgery of Shanxi Cancer Hospital were collected, and a total of 80 nodules were collected. The Philips 3.0T superconducting magnetic resonance imaging system was used for T1 weighting, T2 weighting, and DWI horizontal axis scanning imaging. The b values were 300, 500, 800 and 1 000 s/mm², respectively. Taking postoperative histopathological results as the reference standard, the ADC values of thyroid nodules of all subjects were calculated and compared, and the working characteristics(ROC) curves of all subjects with b values were drawn, the area under the curve was calculated, and the threshold value of differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules was obtained. Result:A total of 80 nodules, 33 malignant and 43 benign were excluded, including 1 diffuse b-cell non-hodgkin's lymphoma, 2 parathyroid cysts, and 1 pure cystic patient. A total of 76 nodules were included. When b values were 300, 500, 800 and 1 000 s/mm², the average ADC values of malignant nodules were(1.498±0.210) ×10⁻³mm²/s, (1.311±0.190) ×10⁻³mm²/s, (1.134±0.170) ×10⁻³mm²/s, (0.972±0150) ×10⁻³mm²/s. The mean ADC values of benign nodules were(2.207±0.390) ×10⁻³mm²/s, (1.928±0.430) ×10⁻³mm²/s, (1.702±0.410) ×10⁻³mm²/s,(1.557±0.420) ×10⁻³mm²/s. At the same b value, the average ADC value of malignant nodules was lower than that of benign nodules, and the difference was statistically significant(t values were 9.279,7.641,7.301,7.569, P values were 0.000,0.000,0.000,0.000,0.000). The average ADC values of the benign and malignant nodules decreased with the increase of b value, and the difference was statistically significant(the F values of the benign and malignant groups were 210.091 and 353.822, respectively，P values are 0.000, 0.000). Under different b values, the area(AUC) of ROC curve is 0.927,0.884,0.878,0.901,and 95%CI are 0.862-0.993,0.804-0.956,0.794-0.962 and 0.829-0.972, respectively. When b value is 300 s/mm², AUC is the largest, indicating that it is the best indicator to distinguish benign and malignant thyroid nodules. The diagnostic threshold of benign and malignant nodules is 1.802×10⁻³mm²/s. Specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 95.00%,86.11%,90.79%,93.94% and 88.37%, respectively. Conclusion: DWI is a noninvasive diagnostic tool used to identify benign and malignant thyroid nodules. It can help to make a definite diagnosis before surgery and reduce the unnecessary burden of surgery.

Hierarchical Sub-Pixel Anomaly Detection Framework for Hyperspectral Imagery

Anomaly detection is an important task in hyperspectral processing. Some previous works, based on statistical information, focus on Reed-Xiaoli (RX), as it is one of the most classical and commonly used methods. However, its performance tends to be affected when anomaly target size is smaller than spatial resolution. Those sub-pixel anomaly target spectra are usually much similar with background spectra, and may results in false alarm for traditional RX method. To address this issue, this paper proposes a hierarchical RX (H-RX) anomaly detection framework to enhance the performance. The proposed H-RX method consists of several different layers of original RX anomaly detector. In each layer, the RX’s output of each pixel is restrained by a nonlinear function and then imposed as a coefficient on its spectrum for the next iteration. Furthermore, we design a spatial regularization layer to enhance the sub-pixel anomaly detection performance. To better illustrate the hierarchical framework, we provide a theoretical explanation of the hierarchical background spectra restraint and regularization process. Extensive experiments on three hyperspectral images illustrate that the proposed anomaly detection algorithm outperforms the original RX algorithm and some other classical methods.

[Effect of treatment of infant parotid hemangioma with no response to oral propranolol]

Hemangioma is the most common vascular tumor in infantile period, and propranolol is the first choice, but there are still a few patients with poor curative effect. Seven cases of infant parotid hemangioma with no response to oral propranolol were treated with transcatheter arterial sclerosing embolization combined with cortisol and satisfactory results achievod. The treatment and efficacy are disccused in this paper.

[Interaction between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and p16, FHIT gene CpG island methylation in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasias]

Objective: To explore the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and p16, FHIT gene CpG island methylation, as well as their interaction in cervical intraepithelial neoplasias. Methods: Objects of this study were from a cohort of cervical lesions study in Yangqu county of Shanxi province. All the patients were diagnosed pathologically, that including 83 patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CINⅡ/Ⅲ), 86 patients with low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CINⅠ) and another 91 women under normal cervical (NC) condition. 1-hydroxy pyrene in the urine was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) while CpG island methylation status of tumor suppressor gene p16 and FHIT were measured by methylation-specifc polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis H test, chi-square test and trend of chi-square test. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) between influencing factors and the cervical disease by using the SPSS statistical software (version 20.0). The interaction under study was evaluated by using the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) model. Results: Level of 1-hydroxy pyrene (H=50.743, P<0.001) and the high exposure rate of 1-hydroxy pyrene (trend χ(2)=20.146, P<0.001) were gradually increasing along with the severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The CpG island methylation rates of p16, FHIT in CINⅠand CINⅡ/Ⅲ group were higher than that in NC group, and gradually increasing along with the severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (trend χ(2)=9.75, P=0.002; trend χ(2)=10.39, P=0.001). Results from the GMDR model showed that interaction existed among the high exposure of 1-hydroxy pyrene and the CpG island methylation of p16, FHIT in CINⅠ and CINⅡ/Ⅲ group. Conclusion: Under the high exposure of 1-hydroxy pyrene and the CpG island methylation of p16, FHIT appeared to have increased the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and causing synergistic effect in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic integration and modeling of acetylkitasamycin in swine for Clostridium perfringens

The aim of this study was to establish an integrated pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling approach of acetylkitasamycin for designing dosage regimens and decreasing the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. After oral administration of acetylkitasamycin to healthy and infected pigs at the dose of 50 mg/kg body weights (bw), a rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for determining the concentration change of the major components of acetylkitasamycin and its possible metabolite kitasamycin in the intestinal samples taken from the T-shape ileal cannula. The PK parameters, including the integrated peak concentration (C_max ), the time when the maximum concentration reached (T_max ) and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), were calculated by WinNonlin software. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 60 C. perfringens strains was determined following CLSI guideline. The in vitro and ex vivo activities of acetylkitasamycin in intestinal tract against a pathogenic strain of C. perfringens type A (CPFK122995) were established by the killing curve. Our PK data showed that the integrated C_max , T_max , and AUC were 14.57-15.81 μg/ml, 0.78-2.52 hR, and 123.84-152.32 μg hr/ml, respectively. The PD data show that MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ of the 60 C. perfringens isolates were 3.85 and 26.45 μg/ml, respectively. The ex vivo growth inhibition data were fitted to the inhibitory sigmoid E_max equation to provide the values of AUC/MIC to produce bacteriostasis (4.84 hr), bactericidal activity (15.46 hr), and bacterial eradication (24.99 hr). A dosage regimen of 18.63 mg/kg bw every 12 hr could be sufficient in the prevention of C. perfringens infection. The therapeutic dosage regimen for C. perfringens infection was at the dose of 51.36 mg/kg bw every 12 hr for 3 days. In summary, the dosage regimen for the treatment of C. perfringens in pigs administered with acetylkitasamycin was designed using PK/PD integrate model. The designed dose regimen could to some extent decrease the risk for emergence of macrolide resistance.

[Relationship and interaction between folate and expression of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 in cervical cancerization]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the interaction between folate and the expression of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2(MeCP2)in cervical cancerization.

METHODS

Forty one patients diagnosed with cervical squamous cell carcinoma(SCC), 71 patients diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasm(CIN1, n=34; CIN2 +, n=37)and 61 women with normal cervix(NC)were recruited in this study. Microbiological assay was conducted to detect the levels of serum folate and RBC folate, Western blot assay and real-time PCR were performed to detect the expression levels of MeCP2 protein and mRNA, respectively. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis H test, χ(2) test, trend χ(2) test and Spearman correlation with SPSS statistical software(version 20.0), and the interaction were evaluated by using generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction(GMDR)model.

RESULTS

The levels of serum folate(H=44.71, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=24.48, P<0.001)and RBC folate(H=5.28, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=3.83, P<0.05)decreased gradually along with the severity of cervical lesions. There was a positive correlation between serum folate level and RBC folate level(r=0.270, P< 0.001). The expression levels of MeCP2 protein(H=33.72, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=14.74, P<0.001)and mRNA(H=19.50, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=10.74, P<0.001)increased gradually along with the severity of cervical lesions. There were negative correlation between folate level and the expression level of MeCP2 protein(serum folate: r=-0.226, P=0.003; RBC folate: r=-0.164, P=0.004). Moreover, the results by GMDR model revealed there were interaction among serum folate deficiency, RBC folate deficiency, MeCP2 protein high expression and MeCP2 mRNA high expression in SCC and CIN2 + patients.

CONCLUSION

Folate deficiency and high expression of MeCP2 gene might increase the risk of cervical cancer and its precancerous lesions through interaction among serum folate deficiency, RBC folate deficiency, MeCP2 protein high expression and mRNA high expression in the progression of cervical cancerization.

[Interaction between fragile histidine triad methylation, protein expression and human papillomavirus 16 infection in cervical carcinogenesis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene methylation, abnormal protein expression and HPV16 infection as well as their interactions in cervical carcinogenesis.

METHODS

A total of 108 patients with normal cervical (NC), 142 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1, n=72; CIN2+, n=70), and 100 new cases of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were chosen from the Shanxi Tumor Hospital, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Maternal and Child Health Center in Taiyuan and Jiexiu during September 2009 and March 2011. HPV16 was detected by multiple PCR. FHIT methylation and protein expression levels were detected by methylation specific PCR (MSP) and Western Blot, respectively. All the data were performed with SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Differences among groups were assessed by Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The interaction effects were evaluated by additive model.

RESULTS

The prevalence rates of HPV16 infection in CIN1 (45.8%), CIN2+(68.6%) and SCC (73.0%) were significantly higher than that in NC (28.7%, P<0.001). In NC, CIN1, CIN2+ and SCC groups, the FHIT gene methylation rates were 3.7%, 13.9%, 21.4% and 38.0% while the protein expression levels were 1.255±0.130, 1.184±0.172, 1.133±0.126 and 1.099±0.148, respectively. Differences among the groups were statistical significant (P<0.001). With increasing degrees of cervical lesions, the HPV16 infection rate (χ(2)=47.623, P<0.001), FHIT methylation rate (χ(2)=40.147, P<0.001) and the rate of FHIT protein low expression (χ(2)=65.098, P<0.001) were all gradually increasing. There appeared positive additive interaction between FHIT methylation, FHIT protein low expression and infection of HPV16.

CONCLUSION

Hypermethylation of FHIT gene, low expression of FHIT protein and HPV16 infection could increase the risk of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. These results suggested that there might be synergistic action between FHIT gene hypermethylation and HPV16 infection in the progression of cervical cancer and the same was true between the low expression of FHIT protein and HPV 16 infection.

Anatomically related gray and white matter alterations in the brains of functional dyspepsia patients

BACKGROUND

Previous studies summarized altered brain functional patterns in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, but how the brain structural patterns are related to FD remains largely unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the brain structural characteristics in FD patients.

METHODS

Optimized voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics were employed to investigate the changes in gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) respectively in 34 FD patients with postprandial distress syndrome and 33 healthy controls based on T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging. The Pearson's correlation evaluated the link among GM alterations, WM abnormalities, and clinical variables in FD patients. The optimal brain structural parameters for identifying FD were explored using the receiver operating characteristic curve.

KEY RESULTS

Compared to controls, FD patients exhibited a decrease in GM density (GMD) in the right posterior insula/temporal superior cortex (marked as pINS), right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), and left middle cingulate cortex, and an increase in fractional anisotropy (FA) in the posterior limb of the internal capsule, posterior thalamic radiation, and external capsule (EC). Interestingly, the GMD in the pINS was significantly associated with GMD in the IFC and FA in the EC. Moreover, the EC adjacent to the pINS provided the best performance for distinguishing FD patients from controls.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Our results showed pINS-related structural abnormalities in FD patients, indicating that GM and WM parameters were not affected independently. These findings would lay the foundation for probing an efficient target in the brain for treating FD.

Altered intrinsic regional activity and corresponding brain pathways reflect the symptom severity of functional dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence shows central abnormalities in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, but whether the symptom severity is directly reflected in altered brain patterns remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore how FD affected the resting functional brain patterns for different degrees of symptom severity.

METHODS

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was carried out in 40 FD patients and 20 healthy controls. The resting-state brain changes in regional homogeneity (ReHo) and seed correlation analysis were investigated in patients relative to controls. To what degree the brain changes reflected the severity of the disease was assessed by a pattern classification technique.

KEY RESULTS

Altered ReHo values (p < 0.05, FDR corrected) were discovered in multiple brain areas in FD patients, and only the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and thalamus exhibited significant correlation with the severity of dyspepsia symptoms. Compared with controls, the neural signal changes of the thalamus were not found in the less severe FD patient group but in the relatively more severe group, while the ACC showed aberrations in both groups. Seed-based correlation analysis revealed ACC- and thalamus-related functional connectivity differences between FD patients and controls at a voxel-wise level, and the altered thalamic circuits provided the best performance in distinguishing FD patients with different levels of symptom severity.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Our results indicated that the functional abnormalities of the ACC and thalamus may occur at different clinical courses in FD. This may help us better understand the progression of FD.

Tissue Microarray Assessment of Selenoprotein P Expression in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

This study investigated selenoprotein P expression, using immunohistochemistry, in gastric adenocarcinoma tissue microarrays constructed from 30 gastric adenocarcinoma specimens and 30 normal gastric tissues (controls). Selenoprotein P expression scores were significantly lower in gastric adenocarcinoma (17/30, 56.7%) than in control tissues (25/30, 83.3%). Selenoprotein P was significantly more likely to be expressed in well-to-moderately differentiated cases (13/17, 76.5%) than in cases with low differentiation (4/13, 30.8%) and there was no significant difference in selenoprotein P expression between tumour node metastasis (TNM) stage I – II (11/19, 57.9%) and TNM stage III (6/11, 54.5%). In conclusion, selenoprotein P expression was low in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues compared with control tissues and was related to the degree of gastric adenocarcinoma differentiation but not to TNM stage.

Wave-front matching measurement in coherent CO(2) laser-radar

Wave-front matching of the local oscillator beam and the signal beam is of vital importance in optical heterodyne efficiency. A method for aligning the local oscillator beam and the signal beam is described. Mixing efficiency is improved. One can directly observe the matching procedure on an oscilloscope.