Estimated glucose disposal rate and risk of arterial stiffness and long-term all-acuse mortality: a 10-year prospective study

BACKGROUND

To assess the applicability of the association between estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) and all-cause mortality in the elderly population, and the mediating role of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).

METHODS

This was a follow-up cohort study based on the cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling elderly. All participants in the study were included between September 2009 and June 2010, and the follow-up time was December 2020. Participants included 1862 Chinese community-dwelling elderly aged 60 years and above. Insulin resistance assessed by eGDR and arterial stiffness assessed by baPWV were the primary exposures of interest. Mortality, which was followed up until December 2020, was the primary outcome. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association of eGDR with mortality. The mediating effect of baPWV in this association was assessed by mediation analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1826 participants with a mean age of 71.03 years old were included in the study. During the median follow-up of 10.75 years, 334 participants died. The adjusted HR comparing the highest versus the lowest eGDR quartile was 0.22 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.54; p<0.001) in the Cox proportional hazards model. The results of mediation analysis showed that baPWV had a significant mediation impact on the link between eGDR and all-cause mortality both as continuous or categorical variables.

CONCLUSION

eGDR is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in the elderly population. baPWV partially mediated the association of eGDR and long-term all-cause mortality as a mediator factor.

Association of cognitive impairment and diabetes on survival in Chinese older people with hypertension: a 10-year prospective study

BACKGROUND

Older people with hypertension may have more complex multisystem problems and a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to examine the association of cognitive impairment (CI) and diabetes mellitus (DM) on all-cause mortality in the aged with hypertension (HTN).

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study with a sample of 1017 older people with hypertension aged 60 years or older who completed baseline examinations in 2009-2010 and followed up for ten years in 2020. The endpoint was death from any cause. Subjects were categorized as HTN only, HTN + DM, HTN + CI, and HTN + DM + CI. Cox regression model was used to determine the association of comorbidities on all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

During the 10-year follow-up period, 196 deaths occurred. After adjusted for covariates, risk of death from any cause was significantly increased in the older people with increased comorbidities (P = 0.003). Compared with the HTN only, with HTN + CI, and HTN + DM + CI, the HRs (95% confidence intervals) for all-cause mortality were 1.61(1.13-2.30) and 1.79(1.07-2.99), respectively. In stratified analyses, the relationship between comorbidities level and the risk of all-cause mortality persisted.

CONCLUSION

All-cause mortality risks increased with increasing the comorbidities. This study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive management of the older people with HTN in clinical practice and public health policy.

Hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in Chinese hypertension patients

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the most common target organ damage in patients with hypertension, is closely related to excessive visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation in the body. The hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTHW) phenotype can act as a surrogate marker of excessive VAT. However, the relationship between the HTHW phenotype and LVH in patients with hypertension remains unknown. The present study aimed to investigate whether the HTHW phenotype is associated with LVH, using echocardiography in a cross-sectional study involving 4470 middle-aged and older Chinese patients with hypertension. Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with the HTHW phenotype were 1.52-fold more likely to experience LVH than those with normal triglyceride levels and normal waist circumference. This association was independent of age, sex, and other potentially confounding factors. In the stratified analysis, a stronger correlation was found among women, people of at least 70 years of age, and people with hyperuricemia. These results suggest that distinguishing the HTHW phenotype in patients with hypertension could serve as a simple and effective screening strategy for identifying people with a higher risk of developing LVH.

The relationship between the weight-adjusted-waist index and left ventricular hypertrophy in Chinese hypertension adults

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major cardiac complication of hypertension. Weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) is a new obesity index that has been found to be positively associated with cardiovascular disease mortality. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the WWI and LVH in Chinese hypertension adults. The study is a community-based cross-sectional study that included 4715 patients with hypertension and integrated clinical and echocardiographic data. LVH was diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography in these patients based on a criterion of left ventricular mass index (LVMI) over 49.2 g/m^2.7 in men and 46.7 g/m^2.7 in women. The independent association between the WWI quartiles and LVH prevalence was analyzed by logistic regression models. The prevalence of LVH in the first quartile of WWI (Q1: <10.16), second (Q2: 10.16 ~ 10.67), the third (Q3: 10.68~11.19), and the highest quartile (Q4: ≥11.20) was 34.1%, 38.4%, 42.4%, 51.5%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the WWI was independently correlated with LVH with adjustment of confounding factors, and increased across the quartile of WWI. Compared to the first quartile of WWI (Q1), the odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for LVH in the increasing quartiles (Q2-Q4) were 1.33(1.08-1.63), 1.50 (1.19-1.89) and 2.28(1.74-2.99), respectively. In stratified analyses, the relationship between WWI and LVH risk persisted. The WWI may be an independent determinant of LVH in Chinese hypertension adults.

Conicity-index predicts all-cause mortality in Chinese older people: a 10-year community follow-up

BACKGROUND

Abdominal obesity (AO) has been regarded as the most dangerous type of obesity. The Conicity-index (C-index) had a high ability to discriminate underlying AO. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of C-index to predict all-cause mortality among non-cancer Chinese older people.

METHODS

The participants were residents of the Wanshou Road community in Beijing, China. Receiver operating curve (ROC) curves were used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the best cut-off values for different anthropometric measures for predicting all-cause mortality. The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curves were calculated to compare the relative ability of various anthropometric measures to correctly identify older people in the community where all-cause mortality occurs. Included subjects were grouped according to C-index tertiles. The association between C-index and all-cause mortality was verified using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and different Cox regression models.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up period of 9.87 years, 1821 subjects completed follow-up. The average age was 71.21 years, of which 59.4% were female. The ROC curve results showed that the AUC of the C-index in predicting all-cause mortality was 0.633. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a clear dose-response relationship between C-index and all-cause mortality. With the increase of C-index, the survival rate of the study population showed a significant downward trend (P < 0.05). Adjusted for age, gender, hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), glycosylated hemoglobin, high-density lipids protein (LDL), triglyceride, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), smoking history, and drinking history, COX regression analysis showed that in the model adjusted for all covariates, the risk of all-cause mortality in tertile 3 was 1.505 times that in tertile 1, and the difference was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The C-index is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in the non-cancer Chinese older people.

Effects of ankle-brachial index and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity on all-cause mortality in a community-based elderly population

Background

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) are both important indicators of arterial stiffness and vascular injury. At present, most studies on the relationship between ABI and baPWV and all-cause mortality in community-based elderly are analyzing ABI or baPWV alone, and will focus on a single special population such as diabetes and stroke. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ABI and baPWV in a Chinese community-based elderly population, and to analyze their impact on all-cause mortality in a community-based population through a follow-up of nearly 10 years.

Methods

Participants were residents of the Wanshou Road community in Beijing, China. A total of 2,162 people in the community were included, with an average age of 71.48 years. During a mean follow-up period of 9.87 years, 1,826 subjects completed follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and different Cox regression models were used to verify the association of ABI and baPWV with all-cause mortality. The selected subjects were divided into two groups according to ABI and baPWV, and ABI was divided into two groups with 0.90 as the cut-off point (group 1: 0.9 < ABI ≤ 1.3; group 2: ABI ≤ 0.9); according to the level of baPWV, they were divided into three groups (Tertile 1: baPWV <1761.5 cm/s; Tertile 2: 1761.5 ≤ baPWV <2121.5 cm/s; Tertile 3: baPWV ≥2121.5 cm/s).

Results

1,826 people were included in the statistical analysis, and the total mortality rate was 181.3/1000. The 10-year all-cause mortality rate of the abnormal ABI group (group 2) was 44.7%, and that of the normal ABI group (group 1) was 17.0%; The 10-year all-cause mortality rates from low to high in the baPWV tertile were 10.0%, 18.7%, and 26.4%. In the Cox proportional hazards model, after adjusting for possible confounders, the effect of baPWV on all-cause mortality was significant, with the 3rd tertile having a 1.647-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality than the 1st tertile (P = 0.014 ).

Conclusions

ABI and baPWV are risk factors affecting all-cause mortality in the elderly community population, and baPWV is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in the elderly community population.

Retraction Note: Salinomycin enhances radiotherapy sensitivity and reduces expressions of BIRC5 and NEIL2 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The article "Salinomycin enhances radiotherapy sensitivity and reduces expressions of BIRC5 and NEIL2 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, by Y. Chang, Q. Geng, Q. Bao, P. Hu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (11): 6409-6416-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202006_21539-PMID: 32572938" has been retracted by the authors. After publication, the article was questioned on PubPeer. Concerns were raised about Figure 3 and the reliability of the published results. The same authors stated that the study was not conducted according to the required standard procedures. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause https://www.europeanreview.org/article/21539.

Association of the Weight-Adjusted-Waist Index With Risk of All-Cause Mortality: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study

Background

To explore the relationship between weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) and the risk of all-cause mortality in one urban community-dwelling population in China.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study with a sample of 1,863 older adults aged 60 years or over in Beijing who completed baseline examinations in 2009-2010 and a 10-year follow-up in 2020. WWI was calculated as waist circumference (cm) divided by the square root of weight (kg). Cox regression analysis was performed to investigate the significance of the association of WWI with all-cause mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the ability of each obesity index to predict mortality.

Results

During a median follow-up of 10.8 years (1.0 to 11.3 years), 339 deaths occurred. After adjusted for covariates, the hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality progressively increased across the tertile of WWI. Compared with the lowest WWI category (tertile1 <10.68 cm/√kg), with WWI 10.68 to 11.24cm/√kg, and≥11.25 cm/√kg, the HRs (95% confidence intervals (CIs)) for all-cause mortality were 1.58 (1.12-2.22), and 2.66 (1.80-3.92), respectively. In stratified analyses, the relationship between WWI and the risk of all-cause mortality persisted. The area under ROC for WWI was higher for all-cause mortality than BMI, WHtR, and WC.

Conclusion

WWI was associated with a higher risk for all-cause mortality, and the association was more robust with the highest WWI category.

The Potential Role of m6A RNA Methylation in the Aging Process and Aging-Associated Diseases

N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is the most common and conserved internal eukaryotic mRNA modification. m⁶A modification is a dynamic and reversible post-transcriptional regulatory modification, initiated by methylase and removed by RNA demethylase. m⁶A-binding proteins recognise the m⁶A modification to regulate gene expression. Recent studies have shown that altered m⁶A levels and abnormal regulator expression are crucial in the ageing process and the occurrence of age-related diseases. In this review, we summarise some key findings in the field of m⁶A modification in the ageing process and age-related diseases, including cell senescence, autophagy, inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, tumours, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We focused on the biological function and potential molecular mechanisms of m⁶A RNA methylation in ageing and age-related disease progression. We believe that m⁶A modification may provide a new target for anti-ageing therapies.

Relationship of a new anthropometric index with left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients among the Han Chinese

Background

This study aimed to assess the relationship of a new anthropometric index with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive patients among the Han Chinese.

Methods

The study is a community-based cross-sectional study that included 4639 patients with hypertension and integrated clinical and echocardiographic data. Left ventricular (LV) mass was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. LVH was diagnosed by using the criteria of left ventricular mass indexed (LVMI) over 49.2 g/m^2.7 for men and 46.7 g/m^2.7 for women. Quartiles of a body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI) were used regarding LVH prevalence. The logistic regression model was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the new anthropometric index and LVH. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive ability of the obesity indices for LVH risk.

Results

The prevalence of LVH increased across quartiles for ABSI, BRI, BMI, and WC. Comparing the lowest with the highest quartile, adjusted OR (95% CI) for LVH were significantly different for BRI 3.86 (3.12–4.77), BMI 3.54 (2.90–4.31), and WC 2.29 (1.88–2.78). No association was observed for ABSI. According to ROC analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) of BRI was (AUC: 0.653, 95% CI 0.637–0.669), BMI (AUC: 0.628, 95% CI 0.612–0.644), WC (AUC: 0.576, 95% CI 0.559–0.593), ABSI (AUC: 0.499, 95% CI 0.482–0.516).

Conclusions

This study shows that LVH prevalence increased per quartile across the Han Chinese population with hypertension for ABSI, BRI, BMI, and WC. There is a significant association between BRI and LVH in hypertensive people, while ABSI was not. BRI showed potential for use as an alternative obesity measure in the assessment of LVH.

Mediation effect of obesity on the association between triglyceride-glucose index and hyperuricemia in Chinese hypertension adults

The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index was regarded as a simple surrogate marker of insulin resistance (IR). It is confirmed that IR was significantly associated with hyperuricemia, and obesity was the risk factor for IR and hyperuricemia. However, the relationship between the TyG index and hyperuricemia and the potential role of obesity in Han Chinese hypertension are not entirely elucidated. A community‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted in 4551 hypertension patients aged 40–75 years with clinical and biochemical data. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dl) × fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl)/2]. Hyperuricemia was determined as serum uric acid ≥357μmol/L (6 mg/dl) for females and ≥417μmol/L (7 mg/dl) for males. Our study suggested that the TyG index was higher in patients with hyperuricemia than in those without (8.99±0.61, 8.70±0.59, p < .001). The prevalence of hyperuricemia in patients with the lowest (≤8.32), second (8.33–8.66), third (8.67–9.07) and the highest quartile (≥9.08) of the TyG index was 6.0%, 10.4%, 15.4%, 21.4%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the higher quartile of TyG index was associated with increased hyperuricemia risk whether in crude or adjusted models (p < .05). Mediation analysis showed that all of our obesity indexes partially mediated the association between the TyG index and hyperuricemia to some extent. In Conclusions, the TyG index is significantly associated with hyperuricemia in hypertension patients among Han Chinese, obesity plays a partial mediation role in this relationship.

Cognitive function assessed by Mini-mental state examination and risk of all-cause mortality: a community-based prospective cohort study

Background

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used instrument to test cognitive functioning. The present study prospectively investigated the association between MMSE scores, MMSE domains, and all-cause mortality.

Methods

A total of 2134 participants aged 60 years or over, selected from one urban community-dwelling population in China, were enrolled in the study. The cognitive test was performed by use of the MMSE at baseline, and covariates were recorded simultaneously. Cox regression models were used for examining the cognitive function, expressed by different MMSE transformations, and all-cause mortality. After followed up for a median of 10.8 years (ranging from 1.0 to 11.3 years), loss to follow-up was 13.1% and 1854 individuals were finally included in the analyses.

Results

The subjects had the mean (SD) age of 71.01 (7.00) years, and 754 (40.67%) of them were women. Per point increase on MMSE scores was associated a 4% decreased risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 0.96; 95%confidence interval (CI): 0.93–0.98]; compared to MMSE scores of ≥24, MMSE scores of < 24 was associated with a 43% increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.05–1.95); compared to MMSE scores of 30, MMSE scores of 27–29 (HR: 1.27; 95% CI: 0.89–1.82), 24–26 (HR: 1.30; 95% CI: 0.86–1.99), and < 24 (HR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.15–2.77) had a graded increase in risk of all-cause mortality (p for trend =0.003). Of MMSE domains, orientation to time (HR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.29–3.11), attention and calculation (HR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.16–1.92), recall (HR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.22–5.47), and language (HR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.25–2.26) were significantly associated with all-cause mortality in the unadjusted model; for one increase in the number of impaired MMSE domains, the unadjusted HR (95% CI) of mortality is 1.51 (1.38, 1.65), and the HR (95% CI) of mortality is 1.12 (1.01, 1.25) with full adjustment; compared to 0 and 1 impaired MMSE domains, the HRs of all-cause mortality associated with 2, 3, 4, and ≥ 5 impaired MMSE domains were 1.14 (95% CI: 0.84–1.54), 1.50 (95% CI: 0.98–2.28), 2.14 (95% CI: 1.12–4.09) and 2.29 (95% CI: 1.24–5.04), respectively, and a dose-dependent relationship was significant (p for trend =0.003).

Conclusion

Cognitive impairment is associated with the increased risk of all-cause mortality in the Chinese elderly. Similarly, reduced MMSE scores, as well as impaired MMSE domains, are also associated with the increasing risk of all-cause mortality.

Triglyceride Glucose Index Associated With Arterial Stiffness in Chinese Community-Dwelling Elderly

Background: The population of older adults is growing rapidly with the increasing pace of aging worldwide. The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been a convenient and reliable surrogate marker of insulin resistance (IR). This study aimed to determine the association between the TyG index and arterial stiffness assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in Chinese older adults.

Methods: A total of 2,035 participants aged 60 years or above were enrolled. Demographic, anthropometric, and cardiovascular risk factors were collected. TyG index was calculated using ln (fasting triglycerides [mg/dL] × fasting glucose [mg/dL]/2). Arterial stiffness was measured using baPWV.

Results: The participants, with the mean [standard deviation (SD)] age of 71.32 (6.75) years, the female proportion of 39.65%, the mean (SD) baPWV of 1,998 (437) cm/s, and the mean (SD) TyG index of 8.86 (0.54), were divided into four groups according to TyG index quartiles. Age-adjusted baPWV presented an increasing trend according to TyG index quartiles. In the fully adjusted linear regression model, the baPWV increased 49 cm/s, with the 95% confidence interval (CI) from 24 to 75 cm/s, per-SD increase in the TyG index. In the fully-adjusted logistic regression model, the odds ratio (95% CI) of high baPWV (>75th percentile) was 1.32 (1.09, 1.60) for each SD increase in the TyG index. The generalized additive model analysis also confirmed the significant association of the TyG index with baPWV and high baPWV.

Conclusion: The TyG index is significantly associated with arterial stiffness assessed by baPWV in Chinese older adults.

The high normal ankle brachial index is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension patients among the Han Chinese

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the most common target organs damage in the hypertension patients. Abnormal low (≤0.9) or high (≥1.40) ankle brachial index (ABI) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. However, the relationships between a high ABI in the normal range (0.9–1.4) and LVH in Han Chinese hypertension are not entirely elucidated. This study included 3953 hypertension patients aged 40–75 years among Han Chinese. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure≥140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure≥90 mm Hg, or history of antihypertensive drug use. Left ventricular mass (LVM) was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. LVH was diagnosed by using the criteria of LVM ≥49.2 g/m^2.7 for men and 46.7 g/m^2.7 for women. Our study suggested that the ABI was higher in patients with LVH than in those without (1.13±0.11, 1.11±0.11, p < 0.001). The prevalence of LVH in patients with the lowest (0.9 < ABI≤1.03), second (1.04≤ABI≤1.11), the third (1.12≤ABI≤1.20), and the highest quartile (1.21≤ABI < 1.40) of ABI was 37.2%, 38.2%, 45.5%, 45.7%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the highest and third quartile of ABI were significantly associated with increased LVH risk (multivariate‐adjusted OR of highest group:1.83; third group:1.61). The association of ABI at second quartile with LVH was nonsignificant. Similar results were observed in less than 60 years and without coronary heart disease or diabetes group. Our observations in Chinese patients with hypertension indicated high ABI may be an important risk factor for LVH in hypertension patients among Han Chinese, even in the normal range.

IP3R1/GRP75/VDAC1 complex mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress-mitochondrial oxidative stress in diabetic atrial remodeling

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): National Natural Science Foundation of China

Background

Mitochondrial oxidative stress is an important mechanism of atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF) in the setting of diabetes. Currently, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is regarded as the key link from homeostasis to dysfunction, and is a central feature of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes have not been fully elucidated.

Objective

To explore the potential role of ER stress-mitochondrial oxidative stress in atrial remodeling and AF induction in diabetes.

Methods

 Mouse atrial cardiomyocytes (HL-1 cells) , type 2 diabetic rats and GRP75 conditional knockout mice were used as models systems. These findings were correlated with biomarker findings in human diabetic patients with confirmed atrial fibrillation.

Results

 In the diabetic rat atria, significant ER stress was observed. Treatment with tunicamycin (TM), an ER stress agonist, mass spectrometry (MS) demonstrated many known ER stress and calmodulin proteins, including Heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member (Hspa) 5 (GRP78) and Hspa9 (GRP75) and in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) indicated that TM led to increased protein expression of the IP3R1 (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors 1)/GRP75 (glucose-regulated protein 75)/VDAC1 (voltage-dependent anion channel 1) complex in HL-1 cells. Silencing of GRP75 using siRNA in HL-1 cells and GRP75 conditional knockout in our mouse model led to impaired calcium transport from the ER to mitochondria, and alleviated mitochondrial oxidative stress and calcium overload. Moreover, GRP75 deficiency attenuates atrial remodeling and AF progression in Myh6-Cre+/Hspa9flox/flox + TM mice.

Conclusions

 The IP3R1/GRP75/VDAC1 complex mediates endoplasmic reticulum stress-mitochondrial oxidative stress plays an important role in diabetic atrial remodeling. Abstract Figure

[Comparative study on prognosis of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by hepatic surgery versus upfront surgery in patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastasis]

Objective: To compare the survival outcome in patients with synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastasis receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by hepatic surgery versus upfront surgery strategies. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Data of patients undergoing surgery at the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Unit I of Peking University Cancer Hospital from January 2008 to December 2018 for initially resectable synchronous colorectal liver metastasis were retrospectively collected. A total of 282 cases were enrolled, including 244 in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 38 in the upfront surgery first group. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the two groups were compared. A propensity score risk adjustment was used to eliminate potential bias between groups, and the covariates including sex, age, location of primary tumor, T stage, clinical risk score (CRS), RAS gene status, adjuvant chemotherapy, and resection margin status were included for adjustment. Results: In the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 244 cases received 4 (1-15) cycles of chemotherapy before hepatic resection, among whom 207 cases received oxaliplatin-based regimens, 37 cases received irinotecan-based regimens, and 90 cases received combined targeted agents in the first line treatment. The median follow-up time was 30 (5-134) months, and loss of follow-up was 1%. Before adjustment, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 1-year and 3-year OS rates in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (95.1% and 66.4%) were better than those in the upfront surgery first group (94.7% and 51.5%, P=0.026); 1-year and 3-year PFS rates in neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (51.0% and 23.4%) were also better than those in surgery first group (39.5% and 11.5%, P=0.039). After propensity score risk adjustment, Cox multivariate analysis indicated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy was an independent protective factor of PFS (HR=0.664, 95% CI: 0.449-0.982, P=0.040), however, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not an independent protective factor of OS (HR=0.651, 95% CI: 0.393-1.079, P=0.096). Subgroup analysis showed that the 1-year and 3-year OS rates in the patients with response to the first line treatment (194, including complete remission, partial remission and reduction but not partial remission) (96.9% and 67.1%) were better than those in the upfront surgery group (94.7% and 51.5%, P=0.026) after adjustment. However, the 1-year and 3-year OS rates in the patients without response to the first line treatment (50, including tumor progression or enlargement) were 90.0% and 63.3%, respectively, which were not significantly different with 94.7% and 51.5% in the upfront surgery group (P=0.310) after adjustment. Conclusions: For patients with resectable synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastasis, liver resection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy can provide longer PFS than upfront surgery. Although the whole OS benefit is not significant, patients with effective neoadjuvant first-line chemotherapy have better OS than those undergoing upfront surgery.

[Long-term outcomes of patients undergoing hepatectomy for bilateral multiple colorectal liver metastases-a propensity score matching analysis]

Objective: Liver is the most common site of distant metastasis in colorectal cancer patients. Currently, surgical resection of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) still remains the most curative therapeutic option which is associated with long-term survival. However, the outcome of CRLM patients with bilobar multiple lesions has been reported to be extremely poor due to the complex techniques of the surgery and the difficulties to achieve a negative resection margin. In this study, postoperative long-term outcome in patients with bilobar versus unilobar multiple CRLM undergoing surgical resection were compared and the prognostic factors of CRLM were analyzed. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. The clinicopathological data were collected retrospectively from patients with multiple CRLM who received liver resection between January 2002 and November 2018 at our department. Inclusion criteria: (1) All CRLM lesions were confirmed by preoperative enhanced CT or MRI and enhanced ultrasonography. (2) All CRLM lesions were resectable either initially or converted by systemic treatments. The CRLM patients were considered as resectable, if their extrahepatic diseases were able to be completely removed. (3) Sufficient remnant liver volume was required to maintain normal liver function, which was defined by the ratio of remnant liver volume to total liver volume (RLV-TLV), of greater than 30% in general or 40% for the patients undergoing chemotherapy. (4) Medical records and follow-up information were intact. Those undergoing multiple operations after recurrence, with R2 resection, or with a single CRLM lesion were excluded. Patients were divided into bilobar and unilobar group according to tumor distribution. One-to-one propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the covariates between the bilobar group and unilobar group. After PSM, the differences in long-term outcomes between the two groups were compared. Results: A total of 491 patients met the inclusion criteria, 344 (69.6%) with bilobar and 147 (30.4%) with unilobar CRLM. In the propensity-score-matched population (bilobar, 143; unilobar, 143), baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates in the bilobar group were 91.6%, 52.1%, and 35.3% respectively, compared with 93.7%, 56.8%, and 43.8% in the unilobar group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.204). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates in the bilobar group were 45.7%, 33.7%, and 33.7% respectively, compared with 62.5%, 44.1%, and 42.1% in the unilobar group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.075). No significant difference was found in liver-only recurrence (45.6% in bilobar vs. 53.3% in unilobar, P=0.543). Univariate analysis showed that N stage of primary tumor, diameter of the largest liver metastases, carcinoembyonic antigen level, RAS gene status and clinical risk score (CRS) were significantly associated with the prognosis of CRLM (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that diameter of largest liver metastases > 5 cm (HR=1.888, 95% CI: 1.251-2.848, P=0.002), CRS≥3 (HR=1.552,95% CI:1.050-2.294, P=0.027) and RAS gene mutation (HR=1.561, 95% CI: 1.102-2.212, P=0.012) were independent risk factors of poor overall survival after hepatectomy. Conclusions: Tumor distribution may not affect the prognosis of multiple CRLM after resection. Surgical removal in patients with bilobar multiple CRLM provides comparable long-term survival to unilobar multiple CRLM.

Salinomycin enhances radiotherapy sensitivity and reduces expressions of BIRC5 and NEIL2 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of salinomycin (Sal) on expressions of baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 5 (BIRC5) and Nei endonuclease VIII-like 2 (NEIL2) and radiotherapy sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human NPC CNE-2 cell lines were used as research objects in this study. Subsequently, the cells received intervention with Sal at different concentrations, radioactive rays at different doses and Sal combined with radioactive rays. The growth inhibition rate of CNE-2 cells was detected via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The dose-effect relations of Sal, radioactive rays and combination therapy with the inhibitory effect on CNE-2 cells were obtained. CNE-2 cells receiving intervention with Sal at an appropriate concentration or radioactive rays at an appropriate dose alone and Sal combined with radioactive rays were used as intervention groups (Sal group, Radiation group and Combination group). However, those added with an equal amount of DMSO were set as Control group. Next, the cycle, apoptosis and apoptotic morphology of CNE-2 cells were observed via flow cytometry and Hoechst assay, respectively. Moreover, the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), as well as BIRC5 and NEIL2 proteins in CNE-2 cells were determined using Western blotting.

RESULTS

Under the intervention with Sal or radioactive rays alone, the growth inhibition rate of CNE-2 cells rose in a concentration/dose-dependent manner. With the increase in Sal concentration in combination therapy, the growth inhibition rate of CNE-2 cells significantly increased (p<0.05). Compared with Control group, Sal group, Radiation group, and Combination group exhibited remarkably lower colony formation rate, higher proportion of CNE-2 cells in the G2/M phase, enhanced apoptosis of CNE-2 cells with nuclear fragmentation, increased expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Caspase-3 and Bax, decreased expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and lower protein expressions of BIRC5 and NEIL2 in cells (p<0.05). Compared with Radiation group, the Combination group had significantly decreased colony formation rate, increased proportion of CNE-2 cells in the G2/M phase, enhanced apoptosis of CNE-2 cells with more nuclear fragmentation and other apoptosis characteristics, increased expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Caspase-3 and Bax, decreased expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and decreased protein expressions of BIRC5 and NEIL2 in cells (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Sal enhances the radiotherapy sensitivity of NPC and reduces the protein expressions of BIRC5 and NEIL2 in cells.

Research Note: Effects of the rearing method and stocking density on carcass traits and proximate composition of meat in small-sized meat ducks

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different rearing methods and stocking densities on carcass yield and proximate composition of meat in small-sized meat ducks. A total of 555 one-day-old birds were randomly allocated to six treatment groups (three replicates per treatment, sex ratio 1/1) with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of two rearing methods (reared in cage or net) and three stocking densities (5 [low], 7 [medium], or 9 [high] birds/m²) until day 70. Five male and five female birds from each replicate were randomly selected and processed to determine the carcass yield. Proximate composition was determined by proximate analysis using the breast and thigh muscles. There was no interaction effect between the rearing method and stocking density on carcass yield. The rearing method affected the thigh muscle rate, which was higher in the cage groups (P < 0.05). The final BW and abdominal fat rate decreased with increasing density (P < 0.05), whereas the thigh muscle rate increased (P < 0.05). There were significant interaction effects (P < 0.05) between the rearing method and stocking density on the content of protein, fat, and collagen. The content of fat and moisture was greater and lower, respectively, in the cage groups (P < 0.05). The content of moisture, fat, and collagen with a medium density was higher (P < 0.05). In addition, the content of protein and fat was lower in the ducks fed in nets at low and high densities (P < 0.05), respectively; the collagen content of breast and thigh muscle was lower in the ducks fed in cages and nets, respectively, at a low density (P < 0.05). Our findings provide valuable insights into the single and interactive effects of the rearing method and stocking density on duck slaughter performance and proximate composition of meat. The results indicate that a rearing system with a cage pattern and a medium density is better than other arrangements for small-sized meat ducks.

Systematic analysis of copy-number variations associated with early pregnancy loss

OBJECTIVES

Embryonic numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities are the most common cause of early pregnancy loss. However, the role of submicroscopic copy-number variations (CNVs) in early pregnancy loss is unclear, and little is known about the critical regions and candidate genes for miscarriage, because of the large size of structural chromosomal abnormalities. The aim of this study was to identify potential miscarriage-associated submicroscopic CNVs and critical regions of large CNVs as well as candidate genes for miscarriage.

METHODS

Over a 5-year period, 5180 fresh miscarriage specimens were investigated using quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction/CNV sequencing or chromosomal microarray analysis. Statistically significant submicroscopic CNVs were identified by comparing the frequency of recurrent submicroscopic CNVs between cases and a published control cohort. Furthermore, genes within critical regions of miscarriage-associated CNVs were prioritized by integrating the Residual Variation Intolerance Score and the human gene expression dataset for identification of potential miscarriage candidate genes.

RESULTS

Results without significant maternal-cell contamination were obtained in 5003 of the 5180 (96.6%) cases. Clinically significant chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 59.1% (2955/5003) of these cases. Three recurrent submicroscopic CNVs (microdeletions in 22q11.21, 2q37.3 and 9p24.3p24.2) were significantly more frequent in miscarriage cases, and were considered to be associated with miscarriage. Moreover, 44 critical regions of large CNVs were observed, including 14 deletions and 30 duplications. There were 309 genes identified as potential miscarriage candidate genes through gene-prioritization analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified potential miscarriage candidate CNVs and genes. These data demonstrate the importance of CNVs in the etiology of miscarriage and highlight the importance of ongoing analysis of CNVs in the study of miscarriage. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Role of microRNA-124 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy inducedby angiotensin II

Cardiac hypertrophy is a crucial predictor of heart failure and is regulated by microRNAs. MicroRNA-124 (miR-124) is regarded as a prognostic indicator for outcomes after cardiac arrest. However, whether miR-124 participates in cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the role of miR-124 in angiotensin II(AngII)-induced myocardial hypertrophy and the possible mechanism. Primary cultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes(NCMs) were transfected with miR-124 mimics or inhibitor, followed by AngII stimulation. Quantitative RT-PCR, western blot analysis and determination of cell surface area of NCMs were used to detect the hypertrophic phenotypes. We observed that miR-124 was elevated in AngII-induced hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. Cell surface area of NCMs and mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC), indicators of myocardial hypertrophy, were higher in NCMs transfected with miR-124 mimics in the presence of AngII. On the contrary, knockdown of miR-124 by its specific inhibitor could restore these courses. Furthermore, downregulation of miR-124 alleviated the increased protein level of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (Grp78) and calreticulin(CRT) in AngII-induced NCMs. In conclusion, our study shows that inhibition of miR-124 effectively suppresses AngII-induced myocardial hypertrophy, which is associated with attenuation of ER stress.

Optimization of the Energy Window for PETbox4, a Preclinical PET Tomograph With a Small Inner Diameter

Small animal positron emission tomography (PET) systems are often designed by employing close geometry configurations. Due to the different characteristics caused by geometrical factors, these tomographs require data acquisition protocols that differ from those optimized for conventional large diameter ring systems. In this work we optimized the energy window for data acquisitions with PETbox4, a 50 mm detector separation (box-like geometry) pre-clinical PET scanner, using the Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE). The fractions of different types of events were estimated using a voxelized phantom including a mouse as well as its supporting chamber, mimicking a realistic mouse imaging environment. Separate code was developed to extract additional information about the gamma interactions for more accurate event type classification. Three types of detector backscatter events were identified in addition to the trues, phantom scatters and randoms. The energy window was optimized based on the noise equivalent count rate (NECR) and scatter fraction (SF) with lower-level discriminators (LLD) corresponding to energies from 150 keV to 450 keV. The results were validated based on the calculated image uniformity, spillover ratio (SOR) and recovery coefficient (RC) from physical measurements using the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) NU-4 image quality phantom. These results indicate that when PETbox4 is operated with a more narrow energy window (350-650 keV), detector backscatter rejection is unnecessary. For the NEMA NU-4 image quality phantom, the SOR for the water chamber decreases by about 45% from 15.1% to 8.3%, and the SOR for the air chamber decreases by 31% from 12.0% to 8.3% at the LLDs of 150 and 350 keV, without obvious change in uniformity, further supporting the simulation based optimization. The optimization described in this work is not limited to PETbox4, but also applicable or helpful to other small inner diameter geometry scanners.

Selection of potential probiotic lactobacilli for cholesterol-lowering properties and their effect on cholesterol metabolism in rats fed a high-lipid diet

The objectives of this study were to screen probiotic characteristics of lactobacilli isolated from traditionally homemade koumiss products in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia of China, and to determine and compare the effect of the Lactobacillus strains in vivo on lipid metabolism in rats fed with a high-lipid diet. Three out of 68 strains of Lactobacillus isolated from the koumiss were screened for bile-salt resistance, acid tolerance, and different hypocholesterolemic properties. The cholesterol-lowering effects of the 3 screened strains were estimated in rats fed a high-lipid diet by determination of serum lipids, liver, and fecal cholesterol, fecal total bile acids, and short-chain fatty acids. After a 4-wk feeding period, in comparison with the control group, the groups LIP-1 and MG9-2 had a significant reduction in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and significantly increased high-density lipoprotein, the group E7301 had similar effects on serum lipids, but the change was not significant. The groups LIP-1, MG9-2 and E7301 had a significant reduction in liver cholesterol content and an increase in fecal cholesterol content compared with the control group. Total bile acid excretion was significantly higher in rats fed MG9-2 than the other groups. Rats fed diets containing lactic acid bacteria strains had significantly higher propionic acid and butyric acid concentrations in the feces compared with the control. Results indicated that the 3 screened Lactobacillus strains were able to lower cholesterol in vitro, and reduce cholesterol effectively in vivo. The mechanisms behind the hypocholesterolemic effect of 3 strains are likely to be diverse and will need further investigation.

SU-E-T-386: Gamma Analysis of Normalized and Un-Normalized Dose Distributions

PURPOSE

The gamma index method, as currently implemented in all commercial QA software, calls for selection of a normalization point to evaluate agreement between two dose distributions. The implication of this is that there is an infinite number of possible solutions! Which one to pick? A unique and more relevant solution is obtained only if no normalization point is used.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The set of test cases suggested by the AAPM TG1 19 were planned using Pinnacle 8.0m and delivered on a Varian 21EX linac for 6 and 18 MV photons. The recommended point and planar dose measurements were obtained using a Pinpoint ion chamber, EDR2 film and MatriXX. The gamma index method using typical 3%, 3 mm criteria with and without a normalization point was used to assess the agreement between calculated and delivered planar dose distributions. The analysis was extended to a set of data for clinically treated patients.

RESULTS

The comparison with the TG119 benchmark data showed that all point dose and planar measurements for 6 MV were within the published range. Similar results, although without published data to compare with, were obtained for 18 MV as well. For all complex tests, the percentage of points passing the gamma criteria of 3%, 3 mm was (95.8±1.6)% and (95.6±1.0)% for 6 MV and 18 MV, respectively. Without a normalization point, however, the same gamma analysis fell to (20.7±6.7)% and (13.9±4.0)% for 6 MV and 18 MV, respectively. The clinical data set showed the same trend, with the gamma passing rate declining from (98.9±0.7)% to (33.4±13.1)%.

CONCLUSION

The gamma index method provides a unique answer for gamma passing rate only without normalizing dose distributions to any particular point. The common gamma criteria of 3%, 3 mm, however, is a very poor metric in that case.

Association of angiotensin I converting enzyme, angiotensin II type 1 receptor and angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 gene polymorphisms with the dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients of Chinese Han origin

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the genetic polymorphisms in the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) (insertion/ deletion, or I/D), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) (rs5186), and ACE2 (rs2285666) could be associated with dyslipidemia in Type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients of Chinese Han origin.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The above 3 polymorphisms were genotyped in a total of 282 patients with T2D and dyslipidemia (Group A), 182 patients with T2D but without dyslipidemia (Group B), and 324 healthy controls. The association between a certain polymorphism and each group was assessed by an odds ratio (OR).

RESULTS

The D allele of the ACE (I/D) was significantly associated with the risk of T2D accompanying dyslipidemia between group A and controls [OR=1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.08-1.74; p=0.010], and significant association of the D allele with dyslipidemia was also observed in diabetic patients (OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.40-2.54; p<0.001). Furthermore, the ID genotype had a decreased risk of developing T2D without dyslipidemia as compared with controls (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.32-0.82; p=0.0060). The distributions of the AT1R (rs5186) and ACE2 (rs2285666) genotypes and alleles did not differ between T2D patients with or without dyslipidemia and the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that the ACE (I/D) polymorphism is associated with T2D, regardless of the absence or presence of dyslipidemia. The polymorphisms in the AT1R (rs5186) and ACE2 (rs2285666) seem to play lesser roles in the development of T2D.

Performance Characteristics of BGO Detectors for a Low Cost Preclinical PET Scanner

PETbox is a low-cost benchtop PET scanner dedicated to high throughput preclinical imaging that is currently under development at our institute. This paper presents the design and characterization of the detectors that are used in the PETbox system. In this work, bismuth germanate scintillator was used for the detector, taking advantage of its high stopping power, high photoelectric event fraction, lack of intrinsic background radiation and low cost. The detector block was segmented into a pixelated array consisting of 20 × 44 elements, with a crystal pitch of 2.2 mm and a crystal cross section of 2 mm × 2 mm. The effective area of the array was 44 mm × 96.8 mm. The array was coupled to two Hamamatsu H8500 position sensitive photomultiplier tubes, forming a flat-panel type detector head with a sensitive area large enough to cover the whole body of a typical laboratory mouse. Two such detector heads were constructed and their performance was characterized. For one detector head, the energy resolution ranged from 16.1% to 38.5% full width at half maximum (FWHM), with a mean of 20.1%; for the other detector head, the energy resolution ranged from 15.5% to 42.7% FWHM, with a mean of 19.6%. The intrinsic spatial resolution was measured to range from 1.55 mm to 2.39 mm FWHM along the detector short axis and from 1.48 mm to 2.33 mm FWHM along the detector long axis, with an average of 1.78 mm. Coincidence timing resolution for the detector pair was measured to be 4.1 ns FWHM. These measurement results show that the detectors are suitable for our specific application.

Apoptosome: a platform for the activation of initiator caspases

Apoptosome refers to the adaptor protein complex that mediates the activation of an initiator caspase at the onset of apoptosis. In mammalian cells, caspase-9, caspase-8, and caspase-2 rely on the apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1)-apoptosome, death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), and PIDDosome, respectively, for activation. In Drosophila, activation of the caspase-9 homolog Dronc requires assembly of an apoptosome comprised of Dark/Hac-1/Dapaf-1. In Caenorhabditis elegans, activation of the caspase CED-3 is facilitated by the CED-4-apoptosome. Recent biochemical and structural investigation revealed significant insights into the assembly and function of the various apoptosomes. Nonetheless, conclusive mechanisms by which the initiator caspases are activated by the apoptosomes remain elusive. Several models have been proposed to explain the activation process. The induced proximity model summarizes the general process of initiator caspase activation. The proximity-driven dimerization model describes how initiator caspases respond to induced proximity and offers an explanation for their activation. Regardless of how initiator caspases are activated, enhanced activity must be correlated with altered active site conformation. The induced conformation model posits that the activated conformation for the active site of a given initiator caspase is attained through direct interaction with the apoptosome or through homo-oligomerization facilitated by the apoptosome.

[The study of human papilloma viruses infection in juvenile pharynlaryngeal papillomatosis by PCR and dot blot hybridization]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between infection of human papillomavirus and juvenile pharynlaryngeal papilloma.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and dot blot hybridization were used to detect HPV6,11,16,18,33 DNA of 35 samples of pharynlaryngeal papilloma and 10 samples of vocal nodule.

RESULTS

The positive rate of HPV in pharynlaryngeal papilloma was 91.4% (30/35). Among them the positive rates of HPV6 and HPV11 were 54.2%(19/35) and 25.7%(9/35), the positive rate of multiple types of HPV6 + 11 was 11.4%(4/35). The positive rate of HPV16,18,33 was negative. The positive rate of HPV in vocal nodule was negative and were significantly different from that of the pharynlaryngeal papilloma group.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that infection with HPV, especially with HPV6, is closely associated with the development of juvenile pharynlaryngeal papilloma in Wenzhou area. HPV-DNA detected by PCR and dot blot hybridization has highly specificity and sensitivity.

Extracellularly truncated desmoglein 1 compromises desmosomes in MDCK cells

The formation and stability of epithelial tissue involves cell adhesion and the connection of the intermediate filaments of contiguous cells, mediated by desmosomes. The cadherin family members Desmocollins (Dsc) and Desmogleins (Dsg) mediate desmosome extracellular adhesion. The main intracellular molecules identified linking Dscs and Dsgs with the intermediate filament network are Plakoglobin (PG), Plakophilins (PPs) and Desmoplakin (DP). Previous studies on desmosome-mediated adhesion have focused on the intracellular domains of Dsc and Dsg because of their capacity to interact with PG, PPs and DP. This study examines the role of the extracellular domain of Dsg1 upon desmosome stability in MDCK cells. Dsg1 was constructed containing an extracellular deletion (Dsg delta 1EC) and was expressed in MDCK cells. A high expressor Dsg delta 1EC/MDCK clone was obtained and analysed for its capacity to form desmosomes in cell monolayers and when growing under mechanical stress in three-dimensional collagen cultures. Phenotypic changes associated with the ectopic expression of Dsg1 delta EC in MDCK cells were: disturbance of the cytokeratin network, a change in the quality and number of desmosomes and impairment of the formation of cysts in suspension cultures. Interestingly, Dsg1 delta EC was not localized in desmosomes, but was still able to maintain its intracytoplasmic interaction with PG, suggesting that the disruptive effects were largely due to PG and/or PP sequestration.

[Exploration of gene expression profiles of CD(34)(+) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells based on large scale sequencing]

OBJECTIVE

To set up a large scale sequencing system and explore the gene expression profiles of CD(34)(+) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs).

METHODS

CD(34)(+) cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood and subjected to cDNA library construction. A primary profile of gene expression in HSPCs was emerged by EST sequencing and bioinformatics analyzing.

RESULTS

Among 9,866 ESTs thus obtained, 7 476 meaningful ESTs were clustered into 2,060 unique sequence species (USSs), representing 1,054 known gene species and 1,006 unknown gene fragments. The 1054 known genes were divided into 8 categories: (1) hematopoiesis associated: 73, (2) chromatin structure and cell division/apoptosis: 91, (3) signal transduction and receptors: 111, (4) cell structure/mobility: 48, (5) cell/organism defense/homeostasis: 41; (6) Gene expression (transcription, translation and modification): 265, (7) metabolism: 192; and (8) unclassified: 233.

CONCLUSION

A gene expression profile including 1,054 known genes and 1006 new gene fragments of HSPCs was primarily obtained, which may lay a basis for the further study on the molecular mechanism of hematopoiesis regulation and provide candidates for new gene cloning.

[Ureaplasma urealyticum infection and premature delivery or premature rupture of the membrane]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationships between ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection and premature delivery or premature rupture of the membrane (PROM).

METHODS

The cervical swabs, fetal membrane and umbilical cord from 46 cases of PROM, 7 cases of premature delivery (study group), and 32 normal pregnancies (control group) were cultured for UU. Some of these placenta tissues were examined under electron microscopy, and compared with the purified UU.

RESULTS

The detective rates of UU were both 73.6% (39/53) in the cervix and fetal membrane of the study group, and to compare with the control group (40.6%, 13/32 and 15.6%, 5/32 respectively), significant differences were shown (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). The prevalence rate of perinatal mortality, stillbirth and low birth weight in UU-positive cases (34.1%, 15/44) was significantly higher than that in UU-negative cases (7.3%, 3/41, P < 0.01). Electron microscopy demonstrated that large amount of small multiplicated UU particles deposited around the nuclear membrane of the cytotrophoblasts and in the collagen fibers from the placenta of PROM, and its shape was in consistent with that of the purified UU. In contrast, no UU particles was seen in the normal control group.

CONCLUSION

The results show that UU is responsible for some cases of premature delivery, low birth weight and PROM. The multiplication of UU within the trophoblasts may disrupt cell structure which could interfere the normal fetal development.

Galectin-3 and polarized growth within collagen gels of wild-type and ricin-resistant MDCK renal epithelial cells

Previous studies (Q. Bao and R. C. Hughes (1995) J. Cell Sci., 108, 2791-2800) showed that the beta-galactoside-binding protein, galectin-3, is secreted onto the basolateral surface domains of Madin-Darby canine kidney MDCK cells growing as polarized cysts within a collagen gel. The growth and enlargement of such cysts were shown to be increased significantly when cultured in the presence of antibodies directed against the lectin and were slowed down by addition of exogenous galectin-3. These results suggested a role for galectin-3, interacting with appropriately glycosylated surface receptors, as a negative growth regulator in the development of MDCK cysts, a well-known model for renal epithelial morphogenesis. In the present report we have tested this proposal by use of a ricin-resistant mutant of MDCK cells that is unable to transfer galactose residues during biosynthesis of cellular glycoconjugates and hence lacks extracellular receptors for galectin-3. We find that when grown within collagen gels, the mutant cell cysts grow significantly faster than wild-type cell cysts. Furthermore, they form nonspherical and tubular cysts that are induced in wild-type cell cysts only under the influence of the morphogen, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).

Galectin-3 modulates rat mesangial cell proliferation and matrix synthesis during experimental glomerulonephritis induced by anti-Thy1.1 antibodies

Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside-binding protein synthesized by macrophages and other inflammatory cells and expressed in various branching epithelia, including the developing kidney. The expression of galectin-3 has been studied in a rat model of acute mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in which a single injection of anti-Thy1.1 antibodies leads to destruction of mesangial cells expressing a Thy1.1 epitope on their surface. The glomerular lesion is characterized by expansion of the mesangial matrix, especially laminin and collagen type IV, and mesangial hypercellularity. Galectin-3 expression, which is sparse in mature rat kidney and confined to the apical face of some distal tubules, is increased within 1-3 days following antibody administration, with the recruitment of glomerular macrophages and pronounced neo-expression in the cytoplasm and at the basal face of distal tubules. At later times, galectin-3 is detected immunohistochemically in the repopulating mesangial cell mass, preceding the extensive mesangial deposition of laminin and collagen type IV. Mesangial cells in culture do not produce appreciable amounts of galectin-3 but do bind and endocytose exogenously added lectin. Addition of galectin-3 to primary cultures of mesangial cells prepared from normal rats induces a 1.5-fold increase in the synthesis of collagen type IV and it also acts in synergy with a quantitatively similar stimulatory effect of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) on matrix synthesis. Exogenous galectin-3 prolongs the survival of mesangial cells in serum-free cultures and also protects these cells against cytotoxic effects of TGF-beta. The data support the notion that the increased expression and secretion of galectin-3 in infiltrating macrophages and in distal tubular epithelia, together with up-regulation of IL-1beta and TGF-beta genes, play a role in mesangial hypercellularity in the progression of one model of inflammatory renal disease.

Epithelial galectin-3 during human nephrogenesis and childhood cystic diseases

Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside-binding protein with putative roles in development, oncogenesis, and inflammation. Its expression in human nephrogenesis has not been previously reported. This study examines galectin-3 expression in early human embryos by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. This 33-kD protein was detected in the apical domain of distal tubules of the mesonephros and also in the mesonephric duct. In the metanephros, the adult kidney precursor, galectin-3 was detected in the apical domains of ureteric bud branches, and there was intense expression in fetal medullary and papillary collecting ducts in both the cytoplasm and plasma membranes. Low levels of galectin-3 were detected in the cytoplasm of a subset of cells in adult collecting ducts; these were alpha-intercalated cells because they expressed basal band 3 protein. In human multicystic dysplastic kidneys, all diseased epithelia had an embryonic apical expression pattern of galectin-3 and, in addition, all cystic epithelia in autosomal recessive polycystic kidneys expressed this molecule. It is concluded that galectin-3 is expressed by cells of the mesonephric duct/ureteric bud lineage, and it is speculated that the different subcellular locations may be implicated in both the regulation of normal growth and differentiation of this lineage, as well as in the pathogenesis of cystic epithelia.