Seismic magnitude clustering is prevalent in field and laboratory catalogs

Clustering of earthquake magnitudes is still actively debated, compared to well-established spatial and temporal clustering. Magnitude clustering is not currently implemented in earthquake forecasting but would be important if larger magnitude events are more likely to be followed by similar sized events. Here we show statistically significant magnitude clustering present in many different field and laboratory catalogs at a wide range of spatial scales (mm to 1000 km). It is universal in field catalogs across fault types and tectonic/induced settings, while laboratory results are unaffected by loading protocol or rock types and show temporal stability. The absence of clustering can be imposed by a global tensile stress, although clustering still occurs when isolating to triggered event pairs or spatial patches where shear stress dominates. Magnitude clustering is most prominent at short time and distance scales and modeling indicates >20% repeating magnitudes in some cases, implying it can help to narrow physical mechanisms for seismogenesis.

Single-Cell Transcriptomic Atlas of Gingival Mucosa in Type 2 Diabetes

The oral gingival barrier is a constantly stimulated and dynamic environment where homeostasis is often disrupted, resulting in inflammatory periodontal diseases. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been reported to be associated with gingival barrier dysfunction, but the effect and underlying mechanism are inconclusive. Herein, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of gingiva from leptin receptor-deficient mice (db/db) to examine the gingival heterogeneity in the context of T2D. Periodontal health of control mice is characterized by populations of Krt14⁺-expressing epithelial cells and Col1a1⁺-fibroblasts mediating immune homeostasis primarily through the enrichment of innate lymphoid cells. The db/db gingiva exhibited decreased epithelial/stromal ratio and dysfunctional barrier. We further observed stromal, particularly fibroblast immune hyperresponsiveness, linked to the recruitment of myeloid-derived cells at the db/db gingiva. Both scRNA-seq and histological analysis suggested the inflammatory signaling between fibroblasts and neutrophils as a potential driver of diabetes-induced periodontal damage. Notably, the "immune-like" stromal cells were wired toward the induction of gingival γδ T hyperresponsiveness in db/db mice. Our work reveals that the "immune-like" fibroblasts with transcriptional diversity are involved in the innate immune homeostasis at the diabetic gingiva. It highlights a potentially significant role of these cell types in its pathogenesis.

[Analysis of gene variation and clinical characteristics of Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome]

Objective: To summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics and gene mutations of 6 patients with Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome (WDSTS). Methods: To review and analyze the clinical data, including general conditions, clinical manifestations, growth hormone, cranial or pituitary gland magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),gene results and other data, 6 cases with WDSTS admitted to the Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism of Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital and the Department of Child Care of Pingxiang Maternity and Child Care from April 2017 to February 2021 were recruited. Results: Of the 6 patients, 2 were male and 4 were female. The age of the first visit ranged from 1.0 to 11.2 years. All the 6 children presented with growth retardation and mental retardation and they all had typical facial dysmorphism and hypertrichosis (mainly on the back and limbs). Among them, case 5 had a growth hormone deficiency, and case 2 and 4 had abnormalities revealed by cranial MRI. Variations in KMT2A gene were identified in these 6 patients: c.10900+2T>C,c.10837C>T(p.Gln3613*), c.4332G>A(p.E1444E), c.2508dupC(p.W838Lfs*9), c.11695_11696delinsT(p.T3899Sfs*73), c.9915dupA (p.P3306Tfs*22).Among these variations, c.4332G>A, c.11695_11696delinsT and c.9915dupA were novel mutations. Therefore, the final diagnosis of these patients was WDSTS. Conclusions: Patients presented with short stature and mental retardation, typical facial dysmorphism and hypertrichosis should be considered WDSTS. Whole-exome sequencing plays an important role in disease diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Manganese promoted wheat straw decomposition by regulating microbial communities and enzyme activities

AIMS

This study investigated the dose-effect of manganese (Mn) addition on wheat straw (WS) decomposition, and explored the potential mechanisms of Mn involved in the acceleration of WS decomposition in regards to the soil microbial communities and enzyme activities.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A 180-day incubation experiment was performed to examine the decomposition of WS under four Mn levels, that is, 0, 0.25, 1 and 2 mg g^-1 . The effects of microbial communities and enzyme activities were evaluated using control (0 mg g^-1 ) and Mn (0.25 mg g^-1 ) treatments. Our results revealed that Mn (0.25 mg g^-1 ) addition significantly increased WS decomposition, and enhanced the release of carbon and nitrogen. Optimal Mn addition (0.25 mg g^-1 ) also caused significant increases in the activity of neutral xylanase (NEX), laccase (Lac), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP) within the incubation period. Mn (0.25 mg g^-1 ) addition also enriched some operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that, in turn, had the potential ability to decompose crop straw, such as secreting lignocellulolytic enzymes.

CONCLUSIONS

Mn (0.25 mg g^-1 ) could promote WS decomposition through enrichment of the microbial species involved in biomass decomposition, which enhanced the lignocellulose-degrading enzyme activity.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study provides evidence for Mn to promote WS biodegradation after Mn application, opening new windows to improve the utilization efficiency of crop residues.

The relationship between endoplasmic reticulum stress and liver function, insulin resistance and vascular endothelial function in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between ER stress and liver function, insulin resistance and vascular endothelial function in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 95 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were selected. They were admitted to our hospital from November 2016 to January 2019. A total of 90 cases of obese patients without fatty liver were selected as control group during the same period. The levels of ER stress marker protein were compared between the two groups, and the relationship between ER stress and liver function, insulin resistance, and vascular endothelial function was analyzed.

RESULTS

The protein level of ER stress markers in the test group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). The liver function index and insulin resistance level were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). The level of vascular endothelial function was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that ER stress marker protein was positively correlated with liver function and insulin resistance (p<0.05), while ER marker protein was negatively correlated with vascular endothelial function (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Liver function and insulin resistance are closely related to ER stress in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Insulin resistance is one of the factors inducing and aggravating endothelial dysfunction.

POS0136 ROLES OF AUTOPHAGY IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF PRIMARY GOUTY ARTHRITIS

Background:

Gout is a chronic autoinflammatory disease caused by monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition [1].Acute gout is characterized by an acute inflammatory reaction that resolves spontaneously within a few days[2], which is one of the distinguishing features of gout compared to other arthropathies or self-inflammatory diseases. Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation pathway that is essential for cellular growth, survival, differentiation, development and homeostasis [3]. Studies have demonstrated that autophagy might play a key role in the pathogenesis of primary gouty arthritis (GA) [4-7]. However, the roles of autophagy in the development of gout have not yet been elucidated.

Objectives:

The aim of our study was to investigate the changes in autophagy-related gene (ATG) mRNA and protein in patients and the clinical importance of these genes in primary gouty arthritis (GA) and to explore the roles of autophagy in the pathogenesis of GA.

Methods:

The mRNA and protein expression levels of ATGs (ATG3, ATG7, ATG10, ATG5, ATG12, ATG16L1, ATG4B and LC3-2) were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 196 subjects, including 57 acute gout patients (AG group), 57 intercritical gout patients (IG group) and 82 healthy control subjects (HC group). The relationship between ATG expression levels and laboratory features was analyzed in GA patients.

Results:

The expression levels of ATG4B, ATG5, ATG12, ATG16L1, ATG10 and LC3-2 mRNA were much lower in the AG group than in the IG and HC groups (p<0.05), while the ATG7 mRNA level was much higher in the AG group than in the IG and HC groups (p<0.05). The protein expression levels of LC3-2, ATG3, ATG7 and ATG10 were much higher in the AG group than in the other groups, while those of ATG5, ATG12, ATG16L1 and ATG4B were far lower in the AG group than in the other groups (p<0.05). In GA patients, the levels of ATG mRNA and protein correlated with laboratory inflammatory and metabolic indexes.

Conclusion:

Altered ATG expression suggests that autophagy is involved in the pathogenesis of GA and participates in regulating inflammation and metabolism.

References:

[1]Dalbeth N, Choi HK, Joosten LAB, Khanna PP, Matsuo H, Perez-Ruiz F, et al. Gout. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2019;5: 69.doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0115-y.

[2]Schauer C, Janko C, Munoz LE, Zhao Y, Kienhöfer D, Frey B, et al. Aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps limit inflammation by degrading cytokines and chemokines. Nat Med. 2014;20: 511-517.doi:10.1038/nm.3547.

[3]Han Y, Zhang L, Xing Y, Zhang L, Chen X, Tang P, et al. Autophagy relieves the function inhibition and apoptosis-promoting effects on osteoblast induced by glucocorticoid. Int J Mol Med. 2018;41: 800-808. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2017.3270.

[4]Yang QB, He YL, Zhong XW, Xie WG, Zhou JG. Resveratrol ameliorates gouty inflammation via upregulation of sirtuin 1 to promote autophagy in gout patients. Inflammopharmacology. 2019;27: 47-56.doi:10.1007/s10787-018-00555-4.

[5]Mitroulis I, Kambas K, Chrysanthopoulou A, Skendros P, Apostolidou E, Kourtzelis I, et al. Neutrophil extracellular trap formation is associated with IL-1β and autophagy-related signaling in gout. PLoS One. 2011;6: e29318.doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029318.

[6]Crişan TO, Cleophas MCP, Novakovic B, Erler K, van de Veerdonk FL, Stunnenberg HG, et al. Uric acid priming in human monocytes is driven by the AKT-PRAS40 autophagy pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017;114: 5485-5490.doi:10.1073/pnas.1620910114.

[7]Lee SS, Lee SW, Oh DH, Kim HS, Chae SC, Kim SK. Genetic analysis for rs2241880(T > C) in ATG16L1 polymorphism for the susceptibility of Gout. J Clin Rheumatol. 2019;25: e113-e115.doi:10.1097/rhu.0000000000000685.

Disclosure of Interests:

Yu-Qin Huang: None declared, Quan-Bo Zhang Grant/research support from: National Natural Science Foundation of China(General Program) (no.81974250) and Science and Technology Plan Project of Sichuan Province (no.2018JY0257), Jian-Xiong Zheng: None declared, gui-lin jian: None declared, tao-hong liu: None declared, Xin He: None declared, fan-ni xiao: None declared, qin xiong: None declared, Yu-Feng Qing Grant/research support from: Science and Technology Project of Nanchong City (no.18SXHZ0522)

LepR-Expressing Stem Cells Are Essential for Alveolar Bone Regeneration

Stem cells play a critical role in bone regeneration. Multiple populations of skeletal stem cells have been identified in long bone, while their identity and functions in alveolar bone remain unclear. Here, we identified a quiescent leptin receptor–expressing (LepR+) cell population that contributed to intramembranous bone formation. Interestingly, these LepR+ cells became activated in response to tooth extraction and generated the majority of the newly formed bone in extraction sockets. In addition, genetic ablation of LepR+ cells attenuated extraction socket healing. The parabiosis experiments revealed that the LepR+ cells in the healing sockets were derived from resident tissue rather than peripheral blood circulation. Further studies on the mechanism suggested that these LepR+ cells were responsive to parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH/PTH1R) signaling. Collectively, we demonstrate that LepR+ cells, a postnatal skeletal stem cell population, are essential for alveolar bone regeneration of extraction sockets.

[Rapeutic effect analysis of the auricle appliance on 2-6 months old infants with congenital auricle deformity]

Objective: To study the effect of amazing ear correction system on 2-6 months old infants with congenital ear deformity. Method: Thirty infants (37 ears) with congenital auricular deformities were enrolled in the study. Deformities included constriction, cryptopia, helicalrim, prominent, conchal strut, and Stahl deformities and microtia. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Infants elder than 2 months were 20 cases(26 auricular malformed ears). And infants under 2 months old were 10 cases(11 auricular malformed ears). All the patients underwent ear molding using the amazing ears correction system. The patients of each group were followed-up for at least 3 months. Result: The results were divided into three levels(excellent, good, and poor) according to the correction of auricular shape. In Group elder than 2 months, 13 ears were excellent and the average treatment time was 46.85 days，5 ears were good, the average treatment time was 43.40 days and 8 ears were poor, the average treatment time was 13.13 days. In Group under 2 months old, 5 ears were excellent and the average treatment time was 28.80 days，6 ears were good and the average treatment time was 18.66 days. The patients of each group were followed-up for at least 3 months and no rebound occurred. Conclusion:Ear correction system has a significant effect on those more than 2 months and less than 6 months with congenital auricular deformity. The children who were more than 2 months old need to wear the auricle appliance over 6 weeks to achieve a satisfactory effect.

High-level expression and characterization of a new κ-carrageenase from marine bacterium Pedobacter hainanensis NJ-02

A novel κ-carrageenase gene (CgkB) has been cloned from Pedobacter hainanensis NJ-02 and expressed heterologously in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). It consisted of 1935 bp and encoded 644 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 71·61 kDa. The recombinant enzyme showed maximal activity of 2458 U mg^-1 at 40°C and pH 8·0. Additionally, it could retain more than 70% of its maximal activity after being incubated at pH of 5·5-10·0 below 40°C. K⁺ and a broad range of NaCl can activate the enzyme. The K_m and V_max of CgkB was 2·4 mg ml^-1 and 126 mmol mg^-1  min^-1 . The ESI-MS analysis of hydrolysates indicated that the enzyme can endolytically depolymerize the carrageenan into tetrasaccharides and hexasaccharides. The results indicated that the enzyme with high activity could be a valuable enzyme tool to produce carrageenan oligosaccharides with various activities.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Enzymatic preparation of carrageenan oligosaccharides has drawn increased attention due to their various physiological activities. It is urgent to explore enzyme tools with higher activity and better stability. In this work, a novel κ-carrageenase was identified and characterized from marine bacterium Pedobacter hainanensis NJ-02. The enzyme with high activity could be a valuable tool to produce carrageenan oligosaccharides with various activities.

Association of serum fibroblast growth factor 19 levels with visceral fat accumulation is independent of glucose tolerance status

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Recent studies suggested that circulating fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 19 levels might be associated with the fat content and distribution, and varied with different glucose tolerance status. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum FGF19 levels with obesity and visceral fat accumulation in a Chinese population with differing glucose tolerance status.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The 2383 participants were divided into subgroups of glucose tolerance status: normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 1754), impaired glucose regulation (IGR, n = 499), and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM, n = 130). They were further stratified into quartiles of serum FGF19 levels (Q1-Q4). Visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. FGF19 were detected via quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum FGF19 levels showed a downtrend across the NGT, IGR, and DM groups (P for trend = 0.016). VFA was an independent and negative factor of serum FGF19 levels (standardized β = -0.108, P = 0.001). After adjustment for glucose tolerance status, VFA differed significantly among FGF19 quartiles (P < 0.001), showing a downtrend from Q1-Q4. The associations of serum FGF19 levels and glucose tolerance status with VFA were independent of each other. After adjustment for insulin resistance and secretory function separately, VFA still decreased significantly from Q1-Q4 (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Serum FGF19 levels were related to visceral fat accumulation. Independent of glucose tolerance status, serum FGF19 levels were inversely associated with VFA.

Harm and Benefits of Salvage Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Updated Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to compare salvage liver transplantation (SLT) and primary liver transplantation (PLT) in terms of the harm and benefits.

METHODS

The authors searched Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from their dates of establishment to December 2015. Based on selection and exclusion criteria, 2 researchers screened the literature independently. The meta-analysis was performed with the use of the Review Manager software. Meta-analysis of the pooled standard mean difference (SMD) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated based on either a fixed-effects or a random-effects model. In addition, risk of bias was assessed with the use of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were selected, involving almost 8,707 patients. According to the pooled estimates, compared with PLT, SLT was associated with a longer operative time (SMD, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.11-0.46;), higher intraoperative blood loss (SMD, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.08-0.75;), more postoperative bleeding (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.10-3.45), an increased risk of recurrence (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.24-3.50), and poorer 3-year (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.98) and 5-year (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.98) overall survival rates. However, no difference was detected between case and control groups in either rates of postoperative complications or such aspects as perioperative mortality, length of intensive care unit stay, length of hospital stay, and 1-year overall survival rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were inferior in SLT, which shows that PLT is a better treatment strategy for transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, considering the severe organ limitation and the feasibility and safety of SLT, it provides a better option for patients with HCC recurrence after curative resection.

Laboratory assessment of anti-thrombotic therapy in heart failure, atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease: insights using thrombelastography and a micro-titre plate assay of thrombogenesis and fibrinolysis

As heart failure, coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation all bring a risk of thrombosis, anti-thrombotic therapy is recommended. Despite such treatment, major cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke still occur, implying inadequate suppression of thrombus formation. Accordingly, identification of patients whose haemostasis remains unimpaired by treatment is valuable. We compared indices for assessing thrombogenesis and fibrinolysis by two different techniques in patients on different anti-thrombotic agents, i.e. aspirin or warfarin. We determined fibrin clot formation and fibrinolysis by a microplate assay and thromboelastography, and platelet marker soluble P selectin in 181 patients with acute or chronic heart failure, coronary artery disease who were taking either aspirin or warfarin. Five thromboelastograph indices and four microplate assay indices were different on aspirin versus warfarin (p < 0.05). In multivariate regression analysis, only microplate assay indices rate of clot formation and rate of clot dissolution were independently related to aspirin or warfarin use (p ≤ 0.001). Five microplate assay indices, but no thrombelastograph index, were different (p < 0.001) in aspirin users. Three microplate assay indices were different (p ≤ 0.002) in warfarin users. The microplate assay indices of lag time and rate of clot formation were abnormal in chronic heart failure patients on aspirin, suggesting increased risk of thrombosis despite anti-platelet use. Soluble P selectin was lower in patients on aspirin (p = 0.0175) but failed to correlate with any other index of haemostasis. The microplate assay shows promise as a tool for dissecting thrombogenesis and fibrinolysis in cardiovascular disease, and the impact of antithrombotic therapy. Prospective studies are required to determine a role in predicting thrombotic risk.

Contribution of fibroblast growth factor 23 to Framingham risk score for identifying subclinical atherosclerosis in Chinese men

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) was demonstrated to be involved in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The goal of the present study was to investigate the relationship between serum FGF23 levels and carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) in men with a low-to-moderate CVD risk.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Subjects with normal kidney function were selected from the Shanghai Obesity Study. Serum FGF23 levels were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C-IMT was measured by ultrasonography. The Framingham risk score (FRS) was used to assess CVD risk. A total of 392 men with low CVD risk and 372 men with moderate CVD risk were enrolled. The recognition rate of an elevated C-IMT was 85.66% with the combination of a moderate CVD risk and high serum FGF23 levels, which was greater than that with either parameter alone (65.44% and 61.03%, respectively). Subjects with high serum FGF23 levels, and either low or moderate CVD risk, were more likely to have elevated C-IMT than those with low serum FGF23 levels and low CVD risk (P = 0.014 and 0.001, respectively). The serum FGF23 levels were independently and positively associated with C-IMT in subjects with low or moderate CVD risk (both P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

In men with low-to-moderate CVD risk, serum FGF23 levels were associated independently and positively with C-IMT. As a complementary index, serum FGF23 levels strengthen the capacity of the FRS to identify subclinical atherosclerosis.

Efficacy of early postoperative enteral nutrition in supporting patients after esophagectomy

AIM

This study aims to investigate and evaluate the efficacy and safety of early enteral nutrition (EN) in maintaining and improving the postoperative nutritional status in patients undergoing esophagectomy.

METHODS

A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 120 adult patients with esophageal cancer and undergoing esophagectomy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups receiving either EN (N.=64) or parenteral nutrition (PN) (N.=56) postoperatively. The nutritional intake was isonitrogenic and isocalorie for both groups. Nutritional status was evaluated preoperatively as well as on postoperative day I and day 8. Daily nitrogen balance was measured and 7-day cumulative nitrogen balance was calculated. The levels of serum markers including d-lactate, diamine oxidase (DAO), and endotoxin were determined on 1st, 4th and 8th postoperative day for analyzing intestinal barrier function. Postoperative infection rate and the incidence of nutrition support-related complications were examined.

RESULTS

The concentrations of serum albumin and prealbumin in patients of EN group were significantly higher than those in PN group and the concentrations of blood glucose, γ-GT, AKP, TB, and DB were significantly lower compared to those in the PN group (P<0.05). Both daily nitrogen balance and cumulative nitrogen balance of EN group were better than those of PN group since postoperative day III. The serum levels of d-lactate, DAO, and endotoxin of EN group were significantly lower than those of PN group on postoperative day VIII (P<0.01). The incidence of postoperative infections in blood, lung, and intestinal tract in EN group was lower compared to PN group (P<0.05). No severe complications associated with nutritional support occurred in EN group. The time to flatus passage in EN group was significantly shorter, and the cost of nutritional support was significantly less compared to PN group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative early enteral nutrition was safe and feasible for patients undergoing esophagectomy. Compared to PN, EN more efficiently ameliorated postoperational nutritional status of the patients undergoing esophagectomy, played an important role in restoring intestinal barrier function postoperatively, reduced the incidence of postoperative infection, and decreased the cost of hospital stay.

A rare loss-of-function SCN5A variant is associated with lidocaine-induced ventricular fibrillation

The human genome contains over 4 million variant sites, as compared to the reference genome, including rare sequence variants, which have the potential to exert large phenotypic effects, such as susceptibility to drug toxicity. We report identification and functional characterization of a rare non-synonymous (p.A1427S) variant in the SCN5A gene that was associated with incessant and lethal ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation after administration of lidocaine to a patient with acute myocardial infarction. The variant, located in a highly conserved domain distinct from the predicted lidocaine binding site, decreased peak current density of the sodium channel. With the increasing availability of the whole exome and whole genome sequencing data, it would be possible to identify and characterize rare variants in SCN5A that might predispose to lethal ventricular arrhythmias.

NOD1 expression elicited by iE-DAP in first trimester human trophoblast cells and its potential role in infection-associated inflammation

OBJECTIVES

The underlying mechanisms of protective immunity of placental trophoblast cells against bacterial infection remain largely unknown. NOD1 are intracellular pattern recognition receptors that are activated by bacterial peptides and mediate innate immunity. This study aimed to investigate the expression and function of NOD1 in first trimester trophoblast cells, and evaluate the potential role of trophoblast cells in infection-associated inflammation.

STUDY DESIGN

Human extravillous trophoblast cell line HTR8 cells were stimulated with various concentrations of iE-DAP for various periods of time. NOD1 expression was detected by immunofluorescence, and the changes in NOD1 and RICK mRNA and protein in H8 cells were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-6 secreted by H8 cells were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NF-κB transcription activity and P65 expression were detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

H8 cells expressed NOD1, and the effects of iE-DAP on NOD1 were dose- and time-dependent. The concentration of IL-8 increased gradually with increasing concentration of iE-DAP, and the levels of IL-8 and IL-6 were associated with the duration of exposure to iE-DAP. The dose of iE-DAP was significantly associated with expression of RICK and P65, and stimulation of H8 cells by iE-DAP altered NF-κB transcription activity.

CONCLUSIONS

NOD1 may have a role in mediating infection-associated inflammation. Once iE-DAP is recognized by NOD1, the inflammatory response may be induced via NOD1-RICK-NF-κB-mediated pathways.

MyoD control of SKIP expression during pig skeletal muscle development

Skeletal muscle and kidney enriched inositol phosphatase (SKIP) was identified as a 5'-inositol phosphatase that hydrolyzes PI(3,4,5)P3 to PI(3,4)P2 that negatively regulates insulin-induced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling in skeletal muscle. In this study, we obtained a 1575-bp mRNA sequence of porcine SKIP that included the full coding region encoding a protein of 450 amino acids. With the use of comparative mapping, we mapped this gene to SSC12 q1.3, where many QTLs affect Backfat thickness at 10th rib, carcass yield, the number of muscle fibers, and ham weight traits. As a candidate gene for growth and carcass traits, a novel single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 12 (G>A) was detected by PCR-RFLP. The results showed that the GG genotype had higher skin percentage (SP), carcass length to first spondyle (CL1), carcass length to first rib (CL2), but lower intramuscular fat (IMF) as compared with genotype AG (P<0.05), and allele G seemed to be associated with an increase in the growth trait. Porcine SKIP was expressed abundantly in skeletal muscle tissue and was transcriptionally upregulated during skeletal muscle differentiation. Analysis of the porcine SKIP promoter sequence demonstrated that MyoD was involved in regulating SKIP mRNA expression in myotubes, partly via the cis-acting elements in SKIP promoter. In summary, we suggested that SKIP might play a role in the regulation of skeletal muscle development in pigs.

Evidence for a new allele at the SERCA1 locus affecting pork meat quality in part through the imbalance of Ca2+ homeostasis

Sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 1 (SERCA1) as a Ca2+ release channel plays a key role in the relaxation of skeletal muscle through pumping cytosolic Ca2+ into the SR (sarcoplasmic reticulum). In this study, a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 8 (C > T) was detected by tetra-primer ARMS-PCR and the tissue expression pattern of SERCA1 was analyzed in eleven tissues. A model of primary skeletal muscle cells in vitro exposed to dexamethasone (DEX, a synthetic corticosteroid) was also employed to determine whether stress hormones cause an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration that is associated with alteration in SERCA1 and in turn subsequently affect meat quality. The results showed that the CC genotype has lower content intramuscular fat and higher water than pig carrying the genotype CT and CC. In addition, the additive effects were both significantly (P < 0.05) and allele T seemed to be associate with increase in intramuscular fat, while decrease in water content. Accompanied with previous studies, the high abundance of porcine SERCA1 was found in skeletal muscle tissue. DEX markedly down-regulated the expression of SERCA1, leading to Ca2+ overload. Furthermore, the imbalance of Ca2+ homeostasis up-regulated the transcription level of Calpain1. Taken together, we demonstrated a novel mechanism that the changes in expression of SERCA1 potential disturb the normal Ca2+ channel as well as the balance of Ca2+ homeostasis and which in turn finally activated Ca2+-dependent proteases such as Calpain1 which could affect meat quality.

Stachytarpheta leaf curl virus is a novel monopartite begomovirus species

Begomovirus isolates were obtained from Stachytarpheta jamaicensis plants showing leaf curl and chlorosis symptoms collected in the Hainan province of China. The complete sequences of isolates Hn5-4, Hn6-1, Hn30 and Hn34 were determined to be 2748, 2751, 2748 and 2748 nucleotides long, respectively. The complete sequences of the four isolates share more than 94.9% nucleotide sequence identity, but all of them have less than 86% nucleotide sequence identity with other reported begomoviruses. The molecular data show that Hn5-4, Hn6-1, Hn30 and Hn34 are isolates of a distinct begomovirus species, for which the name Stachytarpheta leaf curl virus (StaLCV) is proposed. PCR and Southern blot analyses demonstrate that all the collected field samples are not associated with DNAbeta or DNA-B components. An infectious clone of StaLCV isolate Hn5-4 was constructed, and could efficiently infect Nicotiana benthamiana, N. tabacum Samsun, N. glutinosa, Lycopersicon esculentum and Petunia hybrida plants, inducing upward leaf roll and vein swelling symptoms. In addition, we illustrate that StaLCV can functionally interact with distinct DNAbeta molecules in plants.

A novel, clinically relevant animal model of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma biology and therapy

In this study, we report a metastatic model of Panc02 murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Parental Panc02 cells were orthotopically implanted into the pancreas of syngeneic C57BL/6 mice. Tumor cells were isolated from liver micrometastases 90 d after tumor implantation and established as a culture (Panc02-H1). The Panc02-H1 cells were then implanted into the pancreas of mice. Liver metastases were then collected and established as Panc02-H2 cells. This process was repeated until the Panc02-H7 cell line was established. These cells were extremely aggressive after implantation as manifested by progressive growth in the pancreas, peritoneal dissemination, and distant metastasis to multiple organs, including the liver and lungs. Moreover, Panc02-H7 cells expressed the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene at a very low level in culture and produced highly vascularized tumors having a large number of infiltrating macrophages. Collectively, this model system should be a valuable tool for investigating the molecular mechanisms governing pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis and exploring potential treatment modalities for this disease.

Mouse models of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a deadly disease. Its etiology is unknown, and metastatic disease kills the majority of patients who have it. Effective prevention is clearly the ultimate goal for eradicating this disease provided that the effects of environmental and genetic elements on pancreatic cancer development are fully understood. Currently, it appears that the control of pancreatic cancer metastasis is of immediate urgency. Fulfillment of this difficult task relies on knowledge of the cellular and molecular biology of metastasis. The use of relevant animal models will help define each aspect of this complicated process.

[Detection of pathogenic Edwarsiella tarda]

25 Edwardsiella tarda(Et) strains had been detected both on their viruslent factor Excellular Product (ECP), including the hemolysin and extracellular protease (ECPase), and on their pathogenicity to mice and Xiphophorus helleri. ECP was detected by Dot-ELISA with rabbit antiserum against ECP of reference strain JEL4. The results showed that the animal pathogenicity of Et had good correlation with its hemolysin other than with ECPase. The agreement between Dot-ELISA of JEL4 ECP and pathogenicity to animal was up to 100%. It was desirable to establish a detecting method, which only need detect the ECP with plate assay (PA) and Dot-ELISA, but needn't have animal experiment. Furthermore it is possible to develop a diagnosis kit of application to simplify the detecting procedure of pathogenic Et.

Female patients with breast carcinoma age 30 years and younger have a poor prognosis: the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center experience

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to analyze the outcome of treatment in young women with breast carcinoma who were treated at a single institution and to develop a clearer understanding of the natural history of the disease in these women.

METHODS

One hundred eighty-five women age < or = 30 years in whom a diagnosis of invasive breast carcinoma was made between October 1985 and September 1995 were identified in the Tumor Registry data base. Patient data were obtained by chart review. All female patients with breast carcinoma who were age > 30 years and who were identified in the same data base and received treatment during the same period served as the control population. The stage-stratified overall survival (OS) rate for the study patients was compared with the OS rate for both the control population and patients in the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB).

RESULTS

Of 185 patients, 11% presented with Stage I disease, 45% presented with Stage II disease, 38% presented with Stage III disease, and 6% presented with Stage IV disease. Twenty-nine percent of patients with Stage I disease received adjuvant therapy, and 84% of patients with Stage II disease and 96% of patients with Stage III disease received either adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Among patients with Stage I disease, 8 patients underwent mastectomy and 13 patients underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Among patients with Stage II disease, 66 patients underwent mastectomy and 17 patients underwent BCS. Among patients with Stage III disease, 65 patients underwent mastectomy and 5 patients underwent BCS. The 5-year OS rate was 87% for patients with Stage I disease, 60% for patients with Stage II disease, 42% for patients with Stage III disease, and 16% for patients with Stage IV disease. Compared with the control patients and those in the NCDB, there was a trend toward worse OS rates in women age < or = 30 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Women who are diagnosed with breast carcinoma at an age < or = 30 years appear to have a poorer prognosis compared with that for their older counterparts.

[Cox proportional risk model analysis on the affecting factors of liver transplantation]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the relative factors affecting the survival time of liver transplantation and identify the main factors for the purpose of supply the reference evidence to the clinic.

METHODS

The clinical data on preoperative condition, interoperation and liver function in 116 out of 128 recipients were quantified by the cox proportional risk model after liver transplantation. Their variables were calculated and analyzed by cox regression under the SAS 6.12 software.

RESULTS

Z14 (FFP) was obvious at alpha = 0.05. After deleting the non-obvious factors from the model, regression coefficient, standard errors, wald, P and RR were 0.065, 0.024, 7.493, 0.006 and 1.067 respectively. There was no difference of survival time between living liver transplantation and cadaver liver transplantation. The relative dangerous degree in cadaver liver transplantation was 0.340 as much as that in living liver transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Living liver transplantation shortens the waiting time of liver transplantation and alleviates patient's suffering. It suits for children and adult and supports a selective liver transplantation.

Genetic disruption of host interferon-gamma drastically enhances the metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma through impaired expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase

Synergistic induction of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS II) gene requires a combination of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, we determined whether the induction of IFN-gamma was required for NOS II-mediated antitumor activity in vivo. Highly metastatic H7 murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells were implanted into the subcutis, footpad, and pancreas of syngeneic IFN-gamma(+/+) and IFN-gamma(-/-) mice. These cells grew and produced metastases and ascites in IFN-gamma(+/+) mice. In sharp contrast, the same tumor cells grew much more aggressively, metastasized more extensively, and produced a larger amount of malignant ascites in IFN-gamma(-/-) mice. Also, induction of IFN-gamma correlated with NOS II gene expression and NO production in IFN-gamma(+/+) injected with the tumor cells but not in IFN-gamma(-/-) mice or IFN-gamma(+/+) mice without tumor challenge. In vitro, only LPS plus IFN-gamma induced a high level of NO production and cytotoxicity against H7 cells. These data suggested that the tumor cells stimulated IFN-gamma secretion from host cells, which in turn stimulated NO production by host cells and suppressed tumor growth and metastasis.

Screening of Chinese herbal drug extracts for inhibitory activity on nitric oxide production and identification of an active compound of Zanthoxylum bungeanum

Sixty-eight water and methanol extracts from 34 Chinese herbal drugs, most of which are used for inflammatory diseases, were screened for their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated J774.1 macrophages and in LPS/interferon (IFN)-gamma-stimulated mouse peritoneal exudate macrophages. Among the extracts, methanol extracts of Myristica fragrans, Plantago asiatica, Rubia cordifolia, and Zanthoxylum bungeanum showed significant inhibition in J774.1 macrophages, while in mouse peritoneal exudate macrophages, water extracts of Ru. cordifolia and Scutellaria baicalensis and methanol extracts of Angelica megaphylla, My. fragrans, and Z. bungeanum inhibited the NO production. Among them, inhibition of water extract of Sc. baicalensis was found to be mainly due to direct scavenging of NO radicals, through an examination of its scavenging activity on PAPA NONOate-generated NO radicals, while water extract of Ru. cordifolia and methanol extracts of An. megaphylla, My. fragrans, P. asiatica, and Z. bungeanum showed inhibition on iNOS mRNA expression. At last, an inhibitory compound on iNOS mRNA expression was isolated from a methanol extract of Z. bungeanum and identified as 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyldihydroferulic acid by NMR spectral analyses and chemical synthesis.

Regulation of interleukin-8 expression by tumor-associated stress factors

Tumor and host cells frequently express interleukin-8 (IL-8). IL-8 has been shown to be motogenic, mitogenic, and angiogenic and to play important roles in human tumor progression. IL-8 expression can be induced by numerous stress factors present in the tumor environment, such as hypoxia, acidosis, hyperglycemia, hyperosmotic pressure, high cell density, hyperthermia, radiation, and chemotherapeutic agents. Understanding the mechanisms of IL-8 expression and regulation will be helpful in designing potential therapeutic modalities targeting IL-8 to control tumor growth and metastasis.

Regulation of interleukin-8 expression by nitric oxide in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma

The regulation of interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression by nitric oxide (NO) was determined in human pancreatic cancer cell lines. CaPan-2 and FG human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells were incubated for 24 h in medium alone or medium containing a cytokine mixture in the presence or absence of an NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMA). The NOS activity and level of IL-8 expression were determined. IL-8 expression was induced in the two cell lines. A low level of NOS activity was detectable only in CaPan-2 cells. Moreover, the presence of NMA did not reverse the induction of IL-8. The FG cells were then engineered to produce a physiologic level of NO and incubated in medium alone or medium containing 1 mM NMA. No significant IL-8 expression was induced in those producing a low level of NO, whereas IL-8 expression was induced in those producing a high level of NO. Inhibition of NO production by NMA reversed this effect. Incubation of FG cells with an NO donor, S-nitroso-D,L.-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP), led to a concentration-dependent and time-dependent induction of IL-8 expression. This NO-mediated upregulation of IL-8 expression correlated with an increase in IL-8 gene transcription and mRNA stability. Our results indicate that NO is involved in the regulation of IL-8 expression in and contributes to the progression of human pancreatic cancer.

Regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression by acidosis in human cancer cells

The influence of acidosis on the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene was determined. FG human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells were incubated for various time periods in media at a physiologically relevant pH level (6.7-7.4). The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein secretion was inversely correlated with pH in a pH- and time-dependent manner. Transient acidosis also activated the VEGF promoter/enhancer luciferase reporter, which was consistent with an increased VEGF gene transcription rate and VEGF mRNA half-life. These data indicated that acidosis transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally regulates VEGF expression, suggesting that an acidic tumor microenvironment contributes to tumor angiogenesis and progression.

Constitutive Sp1 activity is essential for differential constitutive expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key angiogenic molecule that plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of many types of human cancer, including pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In this study, we explored the regulation of VEGF in human pancreatic cancer cells. Over 70% of the human pancreatic cancer cell lines studied in vitro secreted constitutively high levels of VEGF. High VEGF-secreting cells also generally expressed an elevated steady-state level of VEGF mRNA. Kinetic analysis revealed that the elevated steady-state level of VEGF mRNA was due to enhanced VEGF gene transcription and increased constitutive VEGF promoter activity. Deletive mutation analyses of the VEGF promoter revealed that the region from -109 to -38 bp was essential for constitutive VEGF promoter activity. Further deletion and point mutation analyses indicated that mutation of individual or all of the putative Sp1 binding sites reduced or eliminated the constitutive VEGF promoter activity and abrogated the differential activity of the promoter in high and low VEGF-expressing cells. Consistent with the constitutive VEGF transcription activation, a high level of constitutive Sp1 expression and activity was detected in pancreatic cancer cell lines and pancreatic cancer tissue specimens overexpressing VEGF. Collectively, our data demonstrated that constitutive Sp1 activation is essential for the differential overexpression of VEGF, which in turn plays an important role in the angiogenesis and progression of human pancreatic cancer.

Genetic disruption of host nitric oxide synthase II gene impairs melanoma-induced angiogenesis and suppresses pleural effusion

Our previous study showed that genetic disruption of nitric oxide (NO) synthase II (NOS II) expression inhibits the metastatic ability of non-immunogenic B16 melanoma cells in syngeneic mice. In the present study, the mechanisms for this metastasis suppression were determined. B16-BL6 and B16-F10 murine melanoma cells were injected i.v. into syngeneic wild-type (NOS II(+/+)) and NOS II-null (NOS II(-/-)) C57BL/6 mice. Both melanoma cells produced less and smaller experimental pulmonary metastases in NOS II(-/-) mice than in NOS II(+/+) mice. Moreover, less metastatic pleural effusion was observed in NOS II(-/-) mice than in NOS II(+/+) mice. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated that absence of NOS II expression was correlated with decreased vascular endothelial growth factor expression and tumor-associated vascular formation. After activation with lipopolysaccharide and IFN-gamma, neither melanoma cell line produced detectable levels of NO. Our data demonstrate that tumor-induced expression of host NOS II enhances melanoma metastasis and pleural effusion, at least in part, through regulation of vascular formation and vascular permeability.

Intact nitric oxide synthase II gene is required for interferon-beta-mediated suppression of growth and metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Previous studies have shown that enforced expression of IFN-beta suppressed tumor growth and metastasis. In this report, we determined whether the induction of nitric oxide synthase II (NOS II) gene is required for IFN-beta-mediated antitumor activity using syngeneic mice with intact (NOS II+/+) or genetically disrupted (NOS II-/-) NOS II gene. PANC02-H7 highly metastatic murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells were transfected with an IFN-beta expression vector or a control pcDNA3 vector. The parental PANC02-H7, control vector-transfected, and IFN-beta-transfected cells were orthotopically implanted into the pancreas of syngeneic NOS II+/+ and NOS II-/- C57BL/6J mice. In NOS II+/+ C57BL/ 6J, both parental and control vector-transfected cells grew progressively in pancreas and produced numerous liver metastases and a large amount of malignant ascites, whereas IFN-beta-secreting cells did not. In NOS II-/- C57BL/6J mice, however, IFN-beta-secreting cells grew much more aggressively. Higher NO induction was detected in NOS II+/+ mice that received injections with IFN-beta-secreting cells than with the control cells, but it was not detected in NOS II-/- mice. These data suggested that IFN-beta secreted from tumor cells stimulates NO production by host cells and suppresses tumor growth and metastasis.

Molecular regulation of constitutive expression of interleukin-8 in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Recent studies have shown that interleukin-8 (IL-8) plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of human pancreatic cancer. In the present study, we determined the molecular regulation of constitutive IL-8 expression in human pancreatic cancer cells. Various human pancreatic cancer cell lines were incubated in vitro. Sixty-seven percent of the cell lines constitutively secreted high levels of IL-8, as determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Consistently, these cells constitutively expressed high levels of IL-8 mRNA, as determined using Northern blot analysis. To determine the mechanisms of the high steady-state levels of IL-8 mRNA, the IL-8 half-life and transcription rate were measured. There was no significant difference in IL-8 half-life between cells expressing high and low levels of IL-8. However, higher transcription rates and increased IL-8 promoter activity were observed in the cells constitutively expressing high levels of IL-8. Detailed IL-8 promoter analysis using deletion mutation revealed that the region from -85 to -133 bp was essential for the constitutive IL-8 promoter activity. Also, point-mutation analysis indicated that mutation of NF-kappaB, AP-1, or NF-IL-6 binding sites significantly reduced or eliminated the constitutive IL-8 promoter activity. Consistent with the constitutive IL-8 transcription activity, high levels of constitutive NF-kappaB and AP-1 activity were detected in the cells overexpressing IL-8, as determined using electrophoretic mobility shift assay. In addition, transfection of a dominant-negative I-kappaBalpha expression vector (I-kappaBalphaM) inhibited constitutive NF-kappaB activity and IL-8 expression in pancreatic cancer cells. Collectively, our data demonstrated that constitutive NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation contributes to the overexpression of IL-8, which in turn plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis and contributes to the aggressive biology of human pancreatic cancer.

Regulation of interleukin-8 expression by cellular pH in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells

The role of cellular pH in the expression and regulation of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in human tumor cell lines was determined. Transient exposure to pH ranging from 7.4 to 6.7 induced pH-dependent expression of IL-8 at both the mRNA and protein levels in three different human tumor cell lines, including COLO357 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, SW620 colon adenocarcinoma cells, and PC3 prostate adenocarcinoma cells. Investigation of the mechanisms of IL-8 induction in response to acidosis was carried out using the COLO357 human pancreatic cancer cell line. The increased steady-state level of mRNA correlated with an increased transcription rate and stability of IL-8 transcripts. Further experiments indicated that mild acidosis activated the transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1 and that the cooperation of these two factors appeared to be essential to the transactivation of the IL-8 gene. Our data demonstrated that low tumor pH contributes to the enhanced expression of IL-8 and plays an important role in tumor progression.

Inhibition of nitric oxide by phenylethanoids in activated macrophages

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the pro-inflammatory molecules. Some phenylethanoids have been previously shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects. Seven phenylethanoids from the stems of Cistanche deserticola, viz. isoacteoside, tubuloside B, acteoside, 2'-O-acetylacteoside, echinacoside, cistanoside A and tubuloside A, were tested for their effect on NO radical generation by activated murine macrophages. At the concentration of 100-200 microM, all the phenylethanoids reduced (6.3-62.3%) nitrite accumulation in lipopolysaccharide (0.1 microgram/ml)-stimulated J774.1 cells. At 200 microM, they inhibited by 32.2-72.4% nitrite accumulation induced by lipopolysaccharide (0.1 microgram/ml)/interferon-gamma (100 U/ml) in mouse peritoneal exudate macrophages. However, these compounds did not affect the expression of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) mRNA, the iNOS protein level, or the iNOS activity in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated J774.1 cells. Instead, they showed a clear scavenging effect (6.9-43.9%) at the low concentrations of 2-10 microM of about 12 microM nitrite generated from an NO donor, 1-propanamine-3-hydroxy-2-nitroso-1-propylhydrazino (PAPA NONOate). These results indicate that the phenylethanoids have NO radical-scavenging activity, which possibly contributes to their anti-inflammatory effects.

Influence of nitric oxide synthase II gene disruption on tumor growth and metastasis

The relationship between nitric oxide (NO) synthase II (NOS II) expression and the metastatic ability of tumor cells is inconclusive. We determined the role of host NOS II expression in the growth and metastasis of the B16-BL6 murine melanoma and M5076 murine ovarian sarcoma cell lines. The cells were either s.c. or i.v. injected into syngeneic wild-type (NOS H+/+) and NOS II-null (NOS H-/-) C57BL/6 mice. Both cell lines produced slightly larger s.c. tumors in NOS H-/- mice than in NOS II+/+ mice. However, B16- BL6 cells produced more and larger experimental lung metastases in NOS II+/+ mice than in NOS II-/- mice, whereas M5076 cells produced fewer and smaller experimental lung metastases in NOS II+/+ mice than in NOS II-/- mice. After activation with IFN-gamma and lipopolysaccharide, macrophages isolated from NOS II+/+ C57BL/6 mice produced NO-dependent cytotoxicity in sarcoma cells, whereas macrophages from NOS II-/- C57BL/6 mice did not. In contrast, activated macrophages produced little to no NO-mediated cytotoxicity in melanoma cells. Immunostaining analyses indicated that NOS II expression was apparent in the metastases growing in NOS H+/+ mice and correlated with increased cell proliferation in B16-BL6 lung metastases but with decreased cell proliferation in M5076 liver metastases. Our data suggest that disruption of host NOS II expression enhanced the growth and metastasis of NO-sensitive tumor cells but suppressed the metastasis of NO-resistant tumor cells, proposing that host-derived NO may differentially modulate tumor progression.

Quadranosides I-V, new triterpene glucosides from the seeds of Combretum quadrangulare

Five new triterpene glucosides, quadranosides I-V (1-5), have been isolated from a MeOH extract of the seeds of Combretum quadrangulare, together with 13 known compounds. The structures of compounds 1-5 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Among the new triterpene glucosides, three compounds (1, 2, 5) showed significant hepatoprotective effects against D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced cell death in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes.

Hepatoprotective effect of Combretum quadrangulare and its constituents

The MeOH extract of leaves of Combretum quadrangulare showed significant hepatoprotective effect on D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced experimental liver injury in mice and on D-GalN/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced cell death in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. Phytochemical investigation led to the isolation of thirty cycloartane-type triterpenes together with betulinic acid, beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol glucoside, 4 flavones (34-37), and 3 flavone C-glucosides (38-40). These compounds showed various potencies of hepatoprotective effect on D-GalN/TNF-alpha-induced cell death in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. Quadrangularol B (29), methyl quadrangularate I (33), kamatakenin (34), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxyflavone (35), 5,4'-dihydroxy-3,7,3'-trimethoxyflavone (36) and isokaempferide (37) showed strong inhibitory effect on TNF-alpha-induced cell death with IC50 values of 34.3, 33.7, 13.3, 22.4, 13.4 and 22.8 microM, respectively, whereas clinically-used silibinin had an IC50 value of 39.6 microM and glycyrrhizin showed very weak inhibitory effect. Methyl quadrangularates A (30) and N (32), norquadrangularic acid B (31) and vitexin (40) also showed potent inhibition on TNF-alpha-induced cell death with IC50 values of 45.7, 89.3, 67.6 and 40.1 microM, respectively. The flavonoids and some of the cycloartane-type triterpenes appeared to be the hepatoprotective principles of the leaves of C. quadrangulare.

[Anterior segment reconstruction and secondary posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation supported by fibromembrane]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the methods and effects of anterior segment reconstruction and secondary posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation supported by fibromembrane in pupillary area.

METHODS

Anterior segment was reconstructed in 86 eyes with different anterior segment disorders. Anterior segment reconstruction includes: partial penetrating keratoplasty, loosing front adhesion, suturing detached peripheral iris, loosing rear adhesion, reshaping pupil, perforating fibromembrane in the pupillary area. The IOL was secondarily implanted into the posterior chamber, and the patients were followed up in 3 - 32 months.

RESULTS

The surgery was successful in all patients. The postoperative visual acuities in 71 eyes were >or= 0.5 (82.6%), including >or= 0.9 (39.5%) in 34 eyes and <or= 0.2 in 15 eyes (17.4%). After IOL implantation, the IOL correctly centered was in 68 eyes (79.1%), and deviated in 18 eyes (20.9%). Anterior chamber hemorrhage occurred in 5 eyes, 4 of them were recovered by conservative treatment and the blood membrane in another eye was sucked out through its primary incision. All patients had slight postoperative inflammation and without severe long term complications.

CONCLUSION

With the support of enough fibromembrane in pupillary area, anterior segment reconstruction and secondary posterior chamber IOL implantation can be performed, thus IOL suture fixation is not necessary, and its associated complications can be avoided.

Hepatoprotective effect of Apocynum venetum and its active constituents

The leaves of Apocynum venetum L. are used as a tea material in north China and Japan. A water extract (500 mg/kg/day, one week administration) of the leaves of A. venetum showed protective effects against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 30 microliters/mouse) or D-galactosamine (D-GalN, 700 mg/kg)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 20 micrograms/kg)-induced liver injury in mice. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secreted from LPS-stimulated macrophages is the most crucial mediator in the D-GalN/LPS-induced liver injury model. The extract had no significant inhibition on the increase of serum TNF-alpha (1169 +/- 132 pg/ml vs. 1595 +/- 314 pg/ml of control), but exhibited a complete inhibition at the concentration of 100 micrograms/ml on TNF-alpha (100 ng/ml)-induced cell death in D-GalN (0.5 mM)-sensitized mouse hepatocytes. Further activity-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of fifteen flavonoids viz. (-)-epicatechin (1), (-)-epigallocatechin (2), isoquercetin (3), hyperin (4), (+)-catechin (5), (+)-gallocatechin (6), kaempferol-6'-O-acetate (7), isoquercetin-6'-O-acetate (8), catechin-[8,7-e]-4 alpha-(3,4-dihydroxpyhenyl)-dihydro-2(3H)-pyranone (9), apocynin B (10), apocynin A (11), cinchonain Ia (12), apocynin C (13), apocynin D (14) and quercetin (15). All the compounds showed inhibitory effects on TNF-alpha-induced cell death with different intensities. The flavonol glycosides 3, 4, 7 and 8 and the phenylpropanoid-substituted flavan-3-ols 11 and 12 showed potent inhibitory effects on TNF-alpha-induced cell death with IC50 values of 37.5, 14.5, 31.2, 55.1, 71.9 and 41.2 microM, respectively. In contrast, the clinically used 5 and its analogues 1, 2 and 6 showed apparent activity only at 80 microM. These flavonoids appeared to be the hepatoprotective principles of the leaves of A. venetum. The hepatoprotective effects exhibited by the extract and its constituents suggest a validation of the leaves as a tea material.

A multispecialty approach to the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer

This article reviews recent developments in pancreatic cancer research and offers a multispecialty perspective on the diagnosis and management of this challenging disease. Current findings in the molecular biology of the disease and their implications for management are examined, as well as development in diagnostic techniques, including helical computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography (MRCP), and, particularly, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. Surgical management, the role of adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy, and the critical importance of accurate preoperative imaging are also addressed in this review. Palliative techniques, including endoscopic stenting for malignant obstructive jaundice and chemotherapy for locally advanced and metastatic disease, are discussed, and results of recent clinical trials in pancreatic cancer are summarized. Finally, future directions for research are identified.

A multispecialty approach to the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer

This article reviews recent developments in pancreatic cancer research and offers a multispecialty perspective on the diagnosis and management of this challenging disease. Current findings in the molecular biology of the disease and their implications for management are examined, as well as development in diagnostic techniques, including helical computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography (MRCP), and, particularly, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. Surgical management, the role of adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy, and the critical importance of accurate preoperative imaging are also addressed in this review. Palliative techniques, including endoscopic stenting for malignant obstructive jaundice and chemotherapy for locally advanced and metastatic disease, are discussed, and results of recent clinical trials in pancreatic cancer are summarized. Finally, future directions for research are identified.