Erratum: A novel probe for measuring tissue bioelectrical impedance to enhance pedicle screw placement in spinal surgery

[This corrects the article on p. 2205 in vol. 10, PMID: 30093957.].

Delay in liver transplantation referral for adolescents with biliary atresia transitioning to adult care: a slippery slope

We compared the waitlist mortality of 114 adolescent (12–17 years) and 217 adult (≥ 18 years) biliary atresia candidates, and the post-transplant survival of 117 adolescent and 160 adult biliary atresia liver transplant recipients using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data (2002-2018). After adjusting for Model for End-stage Liver Disease score (P = 0.001) and ascites, portal vein thrombosis, encephalopathy, life support at listing (all P ≥ 0.09), adults demonstrated 10.9 times higher risk of waitlist mortality vs. adolescents (95 per cent c.i. 1.55 to 76.46; P = 0.02). Adolescents exhibited superior patient (P = 0.007) and graft survival (P = 0.006).

Outcomes of respiratory viral-bacterial co-infection in adult hospitalized patients

BACKGROUND

Viral infections of the respiratory tract represent a major global health concern. Co-infection with bacteria may contribute to severe disease and increased mortality in patients. Nevertheless, viral-bacterial co-infection patterns and their clinical outcomes have not been well characterized to date. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of patients with viral-bacterial respiratory tract co-infections.

METHODS

We included 19,361 patients with respiratory infection due to respiratory viruses [influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza] and/or bacteria in four tertiary hospitals in Hong Kong from 2013 to 2017 using a large territory-wide healthcare database. All microbiological tests were conducted within 48 h of hospital admission. Four etiological groups were included: (1) viral infection alone; (2) bacterial infection alone; (3) laboratory-confirmed viral-bacterial co-infection and (4) clinically suspected viral-bacterial co-infection who were tested positive for respiratory virus and negative for bacteria but had received at least four days of antibiotics. Clinical features and outcomes were recorded for laboratory-confirmed viral-bacterial co-infection patients compared to other three groups as control. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) admission and length of hospital stay. Propensity score matching estimated by binary logistic regression was used to adjust for the potential bias that may affect the association between outcomes and covariates.

FINDINGS

Among 15,906 patients with respiratory viral infection, there were 8451 (53.1%) clinically suspected and 1,087 (6.8%) laboratory-confirmed viral-bacterial co-infection. Among all the bacterial species, Haemophilus influenzae (226/1,087, 20.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (180/1087, 16.6%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (123/1087, 11.3%) were the three most common bacterial pathogens in the laboratory-confirmed co-infection group. Respiratory viruses co-infected with non-pneumococcal streptococci or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was associated with the highest death rate [9/30 (30%) and 13/48 (27.1%), respectively] in this cohort. Compared with other infection groups, patients with laboratory-confirmed co-infection had higher ICU admission rate (p < 0.001) and mortality rate at 30 days (p = 0.028), and these results persisted after adjustment for potential confounders using propensity score matching. Furthermore, patients with laboratory-confirmed co-infection had significantly higher mortality compared to patients with bacterial infection alone.

INTERPRETATION

In our cohort, bacterial co-infection is common in hospitalized patients with viral respiratory tract infection and is associated with higher ICU admission rate and mortality. Therefore, active surveillance for bacterial co-infection and early antibiotic treatment may be required to improve outcomes in patients with respiratory viral infection.

[A birth cohort study of the association between prenatal serum bisphenol A concentration and infant neurobehavior development]

Objective: To explore the association between maternal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy and neurobehavioral development in infant. Methods: Participants were from the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort, which was established from October 2008 to October 2010 based on four municipal medical and health institutions in Ma'anshan. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was applied for the determination of serum BPA concentration in 1 783 pregnant women sampled at their first filing, and during 2.97 to 28.1 months age of the infants. Neurobehavioral development were assessed by 0-6-year-old pediatric examination table of neuropsychological development. Generalized linear model was used to analyze the association between serum BPA levels during pregnancy and infants' neurobehavioral development. Results: A total of 931 mother-child pairs had complete data on serum BPA detection during pregnancy and assessment of infants' neurobehavioral development status. The age of pregnant women at their first filing was (26.67±3.45) years old, and the M (P₂₅,P₇₅) of serum BPA concentration (ng/ml) was 0.23 (0.11, 0.52), with a detection rate of 84.1% (783/931). The age of infants was (13.18±5.46) months, and 53.5% (498) were boys. The developmental quotient scores of large motor, fine motor, adaptive ability, language ability and social behaviors of infants were (97.88±16.32), (97.16±15.35), (99.64±15.47), (95.3±16.04) and (98.95±14.76) points, respectively. Generalized linear model showed that after adjusting for factors such as delivery mode, feeding mode, family per capita monthly income, preterm delivery, gender, maternal age, residence, pre-pregnancy body mass index and residence time, serum BPA level in pregnancy was negatively associated with infant's development of social behavior [β (95%CI):-2.42 (-4.71, -0.12)]. The post-stratification analysis by infant age revealed that the serum BPA level in pregnancy was only negatively associated with the development of language and social behavior developmental quotient scores in infants between the ages of 12 and 18 months, with β (95%CI) about -6.66 (-13.06, -0.25) and -7.401 (-12.97, -1.83), respectively. Conclusion: BPA exposure during pregnancy affects language and social behavior development in infants, and the detection window is between 12 and 18 months old of the infant.

[Association between early pregnancy bisphenol A exposure and sleep problems among preschool children]

Objective: To analyze the association between maternal bisphenol A exposure during early pregnancy and sleep problems among preschool children. Methods: Research subjects were from one of the sub-cohorts(Ma'anshan Cohort) of the China-Anhui Birth Cohort Study (C-ABCS) in Ma'anshan city. The basic situation of pregnant women and sleep information of preschool children were investigated. We selected preschool children whose mother's maternal serum bisphenol A concentrations of the first trimester had been already detected between December 2012 to Januray 2014. 1 259 pairs of mothers and children were included. The concentrations of bisphenol A exposure during early pregnancy were divided into low, medium and high exposure groups according to 25(th) percentile (P(25)) and 75(th) percentile (P(75)) levels. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between maternal bisphenol A exposure during early pregnancy and sleep-related problems in preschool children. Results: The P(50) (P(25)-P(75)) of serum bisphenol A exposure level during early pregnancy was 0.231 (0.106-0.512) ng/ml. The sleep-related problems scores of 1 259 preschool children were (16.43±3.82) points. The occasional sleep-related problems were detected about 47.8% (602 cases) and frequent sleep-related problems were detected about 18.3% (230 cases). After the adjustment of the confounding factors such as children's gender, age, BMI, sleep position (lying down, sleeping on one's back), the length of time to sleep and the length of sleep at night, in comparison with bisphenol A low exposure group, the OR (95%CI) value of preschool children with occasional sleep-related problems in maternal bisphenol A high exposure group during early pregnancy was 1.44 (1.01-2.06). After the gender stratification, the results showed that in comparison with bisphenol A low exposure group, the OR (95%CI) value of preschool girls with occasional sleep-related problems in maternal bisphenol A medium and high exposure group during early pregnancy were 1.61 (1.05-2.46) and 2.40 (1.42-4.04), respectively. The OR (95%CI) value of preschool girls with frequent sleep-related problems in maternal bisphenol A high exposure group during early pregnancy was 2.64 (1.34-5.17). However, in boys, there was no statistically significant association between maternal bisphenol A exposure during early pregnancy and sleep-related problems (P>0.05). Conclusion: Maternal bisphenol A exposure during early pregnancy might be related to sleep-related problems in preschool children.

A novel probe for measuring tissue bioelectrical impedance to enhance pedicle screw placement in spinal surgery

Posterior spinal reconstruction with rods and pedicle screws has been widely used to corrects coliosis and other forms of degenerative spinal deformities. However, insertion of pedicle screwsis often clinically challenging, particularlyin patients with severe deformity. Bioelectrical impedance analysis is a technique that exploits the electrical properties of biological organs and tissues to indicate their compositions. Bioelectrical impedance measurement is non-invasive, simple, with adequate repeatability, and at a relatively low cost. In our study, we designed a bioelectrical impedance pedicle probe and use it to determine the bioelectrical impedance values in vitro and in vivo of different tissues relevant to pedicle screw insertion. We measured the bioelectrical impedance of different tissues relevant to pedicle screw placement in vitro and in vivo and explored the use of a prototype bioelectrical impedance pedicle probein guiding pedicle screw placement during spine surgery in animals. These data suggested that this novel bioelectrical impedance pedicle probe may be a new technique that has potential to offer accurate and safe placement of pedicle screws in spine surgery.

Mucosal microbiome dysbiosis in gastric carcinogenesis

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to characterise the microbial changes associated with histological stages of gastric tumourigenesis.

DESIGN

We performed 16S rRNA gene analysis of gastric mucosal samples from 81 cases including superficial gastritis (SG), atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM) and gastric cancer (GC) from Xi'an, China, to determine mucosal microbiome dysbiosis across stages of GC. We validated the results in mucosal samples of 126 cases from Inner Mongolia, China.

RESULTS

We observed significant mucosa microbial dysbiosis in IM and GC subjects, with significant enrichment of 21 and depletion of 10 bacterial taxa in GC compared with SG (q<0.05). Microbial network analysis showed increasing correlation strengths among them with disease progression (p<0.001). Five GC-enriched bacterial taxa whose species identifications correspond to Peptostreptococcus stomatis, Streptococcus anginosus, Parvimonas micra, Slackia exigua and Dialister pneumosintes had significant centralities in the GC ecological network (p<0.05) and classified GC from SG with an area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC) of 0.82. Moreover, stronger interactions among gastric microbes were observed in Helicobacter pylori-negative samples compared with H. pylori-positive samples in SG and IM. The fold changes of selected bacteria, and strengths of their interactions were successfully validated in the Inner Mongolian cohort, in which the five bacterial markers distinguished GC from SG with an AUC of 0.81.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to microbial compositional changes, we identified differences in bacterial interactions across stages of gastric carcinogenesis. The significant enrichments and network centralities suggest potentially important roles of P. stomatis, D. pneumosintes, S. exigua, P. micra and S. anginosus in GC progression.

miR-10a-5p, miR-99a-5p and miR-21-5p are steroid-responsive circulating microRNAs

Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common orthopedic disease. The lack of specific manifestations and effective diagnostic methods make it difficult for this disease to be diagnosed at early stages. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNA) participate in the development of steroid-induced ONFH, but there is limited research into the diagnostic use of circulating miRNAs. Blood samples from 23 human subjects (7 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with steroid-induced ONFH; 7 SLE controls without ONFH; and 9 healthy controls) and 71 rats (19 with steroid-induced ONFH; 28 receiving steroids without ONFH; and 24 untreated controls) were collected to verify the abundance of changes of 6 previously identified ONFH-associated plasma miRNAs (miR-423-5p, miR-99a-5p, miR-10a-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-130a-3p and miR-6787-5p) by quantitative RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction). In humans, the circulating levels of miR-10a-5p, miR-99a-5p and miR-21-5p were increased in SLE patients treated with cortico steroid regardless of ONFH status when compared with healthy controls. However, miR-423-5p, miR-6787-5p and miR-130a-3p showed no significant differences between the three groups. In the rat model, the success rate of steroid-induced ONFH was 40.4% (19/47) based on pathological examination and confirmation by micro-CT scan. Similar to human plasma, the circulating levels of miR-10a-5p, miR-99a-5p and miR-21-5p were increased in steroid-treated rats independent of ONFH development. The serum levels of miR-10a-5p, miR-99a-5p and miR-21-5p were increased by steroid treatment regardless of ONFH development in both humans and rats. These data suggested that miR-10a-5p, miR-99a-5p and miR-21-5p are steroid-responsive circulating miRNAs, but they are not specific for diagnosing steroid-induced ONFH.

Modulation of chemoresponsiveness to platinum-based agents by microRNAs in cancer

Ovarian cancer accounts for the highest mortality among all gynecologic cancers. Cytoreductive surgery followed by chemotherapy with a platinum-based agent (cisplatin or carboplatin) plus paclitaxel is the first-line option for treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer. However, primary or acquired resistance to platinum-based agents is a major clinical challenge. MicroRNAs are a group of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and may function as oncogenes or tumor-suppressor genes through extensive crosstalk with intracellular signaling pathways. Importantly, their dysregulation has been implicated in ovarian tumorigenesis. Pertinent to chemotherapy, increasing evidence has revealed that miRNAs can be directly linked to chemosensitivity to platinum-based agents in ovarian cancer. In this review, we summarize current evidence concerning the role of miRNAs in prediction and modulation of cellular responses to cisplatin and carboplatin in ovarian cancer.

C-X-C Motif Chemokine 10 Impairs Autophagy and Autolysosome Formation in Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10) is a crucial pro-inflammatory factor in chronic hepatitis. Autophagy dysregulation is known to contribute to hepatic inflammatory injury. Hence, we investigated the regulatory effect of CXCL10 on the autophagosome-lysosome system during non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development. The effect of CXCL10 ablation by neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) or genetic knockout on autophagic flux was evaluated in cultured hepatocytes and animal models of NAFLD. Results demonstrated that CXCL10 ablation protected against hepatocyte injury in vitro and steatohepatitis development in mice. Autophagic flux impairment was rectified by CXCL10 inhibition using anti-CXCL10 mAb in AML-12 and HepG2 liver cell lines and primary hepatocytes as evidenced by the attenuated accumulation of p62/SQSTM1 and LC3-II proteins and increased autophagic protein degradation. Impaired autophagic flux was significantly restored by CXCL10 knockout or anti-CXCL10 mAb in mice. Bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of autolysosome formation, abolished the rectifying effect of anti-CXCL10 mAb or CXCL10 knockdown in AML-12 and primary hepatocytes, indicating CXCL10 impaired late-stage autophagy in NAFLD. Anti-CXCL10 mAb treatment also increased the fusion of LC3-positive autophagosomes with lysosomes in HepG2 cells challenged with palmitic acid, suggesting that CXCL10 ablation restored autolysosome formation. Consistently, the number of autolysosomes was significantly increased by CXCL10 knockout in mice as shown by electron microscopy. In conclusion, upregulated CXCL10 in steatohepatitis impairs autophagic flux by reducing autolysosome formation, thereby inhibiting autophagic protein degradation and the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins, leading to the development of steatohepatitis.

Abstract LB-126: PPARgamma agonists sensitize PTEN-deficient lung cancer cells resistant to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors

We aimed to develop novel drug combination strategy to overcome drug resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) in the treatment of lung cancer. EGFR TKIs are approved for treating advanced lung cancer that harbors the sensitizing EGFR mutations. However, resistance to EGFR TKIs is almost inevitable for all patients due to multifactorial mechanisms. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is a major signaling pathway regulated by EGFR to drive cancer survival. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor, which upon activation upregulates PTEN to inhibit cell signaling downstream of PI3K to mediate apoptosis. To this end, PTEN loss is a known mechanism contributing to intrinsic resistance to EGFR TKIs. Therefore, PPARγ agonists are hypothesized to overcome EGFR TKI resistance. Using well defined human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell model with PTEN deficiency, the potentiation of EGFR TKI anticancer activity by PPARγ agonists was demonstrated. PPARγ agonists were found to upregulate PTEN, subsequently inhibit the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and thus enhancing the anticancer activity of gefitinib (a first generation EGFR TKI). Specific PPARγ inhibitor (GW9662) and genetic silencing of PPARγ were shown to prevent this potentiation of anticancer activity by PPARγ agonists, thus confirming the crucial role played by PPARγ activation. Interestingly, the tested PPARγ agonists were also found to induce autophagy, as evidenced by the increased expression of an autophagy marker LC3-II and the autophagic degradation of p62/SQSTM1. PPARγ agonists-induced autophagic cell death was believed to contribute to the circumvention of resistance in PTEN-deficient cells because the genetic silencing of ATG5 (an autophagy mediator) was found to eliminate the drug potentiation effect by the PPARγ agonists.

Our findings thus provide the basis for the rational and personalized use of PPARγ agonists in combination with EGFR TKIs in lung cancer patients with specific resistance mechanism.

Citation Format: Kenneth KW To, Wing Sum Tong, William KK Wu, Herbert HF Loong. PPARgamma agonists sensitize PTEN-deficient lung cancer cells resistant to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-126. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-126

Discovery of biclonal origin and a novel oncogene SLC12A5 in colon cancer by single-cell sequencing

Single-cell sequencing is a powerful tool for delineating clonal relationship and identifying key driver genes for personalized cancer management. Here we performed single-cell sequencing analysis of a case of colon cancer. Population genetics analyses identified two independent clones in tumor cell population. The major tumor clone harbored APC and TP53 mutations as early oncogenic events, whereas the minor clone contained preponderant CDC27 and PABPC1 mutations. The absence of APC and TP53 mutations in the minor clone supports that these two clones were derived from two cellular origins. Examination of somatic mutation allele frequency spectra of additional 21 whole-tissue exome-sequenced cases revealed the heterogeneity of clonal origins in colon cancer. Next, we identified a mutated gene SLC12A5 that showed a high frequency of mutation at the single-cell level but exhibited low prevalence at the population level. Functional characterization of mutant SLC12A5 revealed its potential oncogenic effect in colon cancer. Our study provides the first exome-wide evidence at single-cell level supporting that colon cancer could be of a biclonal origin, and suggests that low-prevalence mutations in a cohort may also play important protumorigenic roles at the individual level.

MEMS-based flow cytometry: microfluidics-based cell identification system by fluorescent imaging

This study utilizes MEMS technology to realize a novel low-cost microfluidics-based biochip system for flow-type cell handling. Powered by vacuum pump, the microfluidic driving system enables cells to move in order one by one in the biochip by an effect of sheath flow prefocus. Then, cells are guided to a fluorescent inspection region where two detection tasks such as cell image identification and cell counting are conducted. Currently, the glass-based biochip has been manufactured and all the related devices have been well set up in our laboratory. With this proposed prototype system, typical results about cell separation of yeast cell and PC-3 cell are available and their separated images are also presented, respectively.

Cloning and characterization of the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase of Trichinella pseudospiralis

Copper/zinc (Cu/Zn) superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was identified for the first time in both crude somatic extracts (CE) and excretory/secretory (E/S) products of Trichinella pseudospiralis. It was the dominant SOD in infective-stage larvae. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of CE and E/S products yielded a prominent band, which was cyanide-sensitive and was partly inhibited by hydrogen peroxide in SOD assay. Cytosolic Cu/Zn SOD was cloned. The 471-bp full-length cDNA sequence contained an open reading frame of 157 amino acids. The gene contained three introns. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicated that the expression of cytosolic Cu/Zn SOD was substantially higher in infective-stage larvae than in adult worms. Cluster analysis showed that the sequence of the Cu/Zn SOD of T. pseudospiralis, an adenophorean nematode, is related to those of Brugia pahangi, Acanthocheilonema viteae, Onchocerca volvulus, and Haemonchus contortus (all belonging to the sercenentean group).

Descemet Membrane Detachment Caused by Hydrogen Peroxide Injury

OBJECTIVE

To describe a patient who developed a Descemet membrane detachment after hydrogen peroxide injury with successful reattachment by intracameral injection of sulfur hexafluoride gas.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

The right eye of a 40-year-old man was exposed to 35% hydrogen peroxide. This resulted in a central corneal epithelial defect, corneal edema, a localized detachment of Descemet membrane, and a gas bubble between the posterior corneal stroma and Descemet membrane. The Descemet membrane detachment persisted after reabsorption of the gas bubble. Successful reattachment of Descemet membrane was achieved with injection of 0.15 mL of 20% sulfur hexafluoride gas into the anterior chamber.

CONCLUSION

Hydrogen peroxide ocular injury may cause Descemet membrane detachment, and successful reattachment may be achieved with intracameral injection of 20% sulfur hexafluoride gas.

Hepatoprotective action of an oleanolic acid-enriched extract of Ligustrum lucidum fruits is mediated through an enhancement on hepatic glutathione regeneration capacity in mice

The fruits of Ligustrum lucidum Ait. (FLL) were fractionated into petroleum ether (FLL-Pe), chloroform (FLL-Ch), butanol (FLL-Bu) and aqueous (FLL-Aq) fractions, of which FLL-Ch and FLL-Bu were found to be enriched with oleanolic acid (OLA). The in vivo antioxidant activities of various FLL fractions and OLA were assessed by examining the effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Pretreatment of animals with various FLL fractions could protect against CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity to a varying degree, with OLA-enriched FLL-Bu and FLL-Ch being more potent. However, a mortality rate of 60% was observed in the FLL-Ch pretreated and CCl(4)-intoxicated mice. OLA pretreatment also produced a dose-dependent protection against CCl(4) hepatotoxicity. The hepatoprotection afforded by FLL-Bu or OLA pretreatment was associated with an enhancement of hepatic-glutathione regeneration capacity (GRC). In contrast, the inability of FLL-Aq pretreatment to enhance hepatic GRC resulted in a failure to prevent CCl(4)-induced hepatic injury. The results suggest that the hepatoprotective action afforded by OLA-enriched FLL-Bu or OLA pretreatment may be mainly mediated by the enhancement of hepatic GRC, particularly under conditions of CCl(4)-induced oxidative stress.

[Clinical study on effect of sini decoction on ischemia/reperfusion injury by Holter monitoring in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic therapy]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical effect of Sini Decoction (SND) on ischemia/reperfusion injury in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

Randomized case-control clinical trial was conducted to observe the change of Holter monitoring in 22 cases of AMI treated with thrombolytic therapy before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The lasting time of acute ST segment, total burden of myocardial infarction, QRS score, QT dispersion and occurrence of reperfusion arrhythmia in patients received SND treatment were lower than those untreated with SND (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

SND is helpful in improving reperfusion injury of thrombolytic therapy in AMI patients.

[Mechanism of sini decoction in regulating beta-adrenergic receptor signal transduction in rats with myocardial ischemia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Sini Decoction (SND) on beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) signal transduction in rats with myocardial ischemia.

METHODS

After beta-AR had been blocked by propranolol, the myocardial ischemia rats were established by pituitrin injection. The density of beta-AR in myocardial cell membrane was determined by radioligand binding assay, cAMP level in plasma and myocardial tissue was detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and the mRNA expression of beta 1-AR and beta 1-AR kinase (beta ARK-1) was measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplifying assay.

RESULTS

In myocardial ischemia group, the density of beta 1-AR was up-regulated and the mRNA expression of beta ARK-1 increased (P < 0.01), but the cAMP level in plasma and myocardium was lower than that in the normal group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). SND could promote beta 1-AR mRNA expression and inhibit beta ARK-1 mRNA expression so as to increase the density of beta-AR and cause significant raising of cAMP level in plasma and myocardium.

CONCLUSION

SND could reduce the desensitization of beta 1-AR during myocardial ischemia and improve signal transduction of beta-AR.

Myocardial protection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury by a Polygonum multiflorum extract supplemented 'Dang-Gui decoction for enriching blood', a compound formulation, ex vivo

'Dang-Gui Decoction for Enriching the Blood' (BE), a traditional Chinese formulation comprising Angelica sinensis and Astragalus membranaceus, is used for stimulating red blood cell production as well as enhancing cardiovascular function. In the present study, we have demonstrated the myocardial protection afforded by BE pretreatment against ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in isolated-perfused rat hearts. A more complete and potent myocardial protection against IR injury was also shown by a Polygonum multiflorum extract supplemented BE preparation (BEA). The results suggest that the more potent cardioprotective action of BEA may be related to its ability to sustain the myocardial glutathione antioxidant status under conditions of IR-induced oxidative stress, which may possibly in turn result from the synergistic interaction between the BE and Polygonum extract.

Myocardial protective effect of an anthraquinone-containing extract of Polygonum multiflorum ex vivo

An ethyl acetate extract of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (PME) was fractionated into an anthraquinone-containing (PME-I) and a non-anthraquinone-containing (PME-II) fraction. The effects of PME and its related extracts pretreatment on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in isolated perfused rat hearts were examined. Pretreatment with PME extract or its anthraquinone-containing fraction produced a dose-dependent protection against myocardial IR injury, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the extent of LDH leakage as well as an improvement in contractile force recovery. The myocardial protection was found to be associated with an enhancement in myocardial glutathione antioxidant status, as indicated by significant reductions in both the extent of IR-induced reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion and inhibition of Se-glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GRD) activities. Both alpha-tocopherol acetate (VE) and emodin (EMD) pretreatments protected against IR-induced myocardial injury as assessed by the decrease in the extent of LDH leakage. But the contractile force recovery of the ischemic-reperfused hearts prepared from VE or EMD pretreated animals was not improved. The more complete myocardial protection afforded by the anthraquinone-containing fraction of PME extract may be related to its ability to sustain the glutathione antioxidant status under the condition of IR-induced oxidative stress.

[Study on platelet-derived growth factor mRNA and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase mRNA expression changes of aortic artery endothelium with restenosis after aortic artery dilatation treated with buyang huanwu decoction]

OBJECTIVE

To study on dynamic mechanism of restenosis after PTCA treated with Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD).

METHODS

Twenty-eight male New Zealand rabbits with mimic restenosis after aortic artery dilatation were detected by prime in situ labeling in aortic endothelium. The items included gene expression of copper zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) mRNA to analyse dynamic mechanism of restenosis.

RESULTS

Seven days after aortic artery dilatation, PDGFR mRNA of aortic endothelium decreased clearly. The comparison between experimental and the control group showed significant difference (P < 0.05). By the same condition, the gene expression of SOD-1 was increasing, which showed a significant difference with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

BYHWD increased SOD-1 gene expression of artery endothelium, to improve oxygen feed for ischemia reperfusion in the same way, BYHWD suppressed PDGFR mRNA expression to control cellular pathological proliferation.

[Improvement of sini decoction on hemorheology following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty]

OBJECTIVE

To study the hemorheological effects of Sini decoction on patients following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

METHODS

Forty-six patients were randomly divided into Sini decoction and control groups. The hemorheologic variables were determined before and after Sini decoction treatment.

RESULTS

No hemorheologic changes were observed in the patients (n = 23) only with PTCA, but the patients (n = 23) with Sini decoction were found to be significantly decreased in whole blood viscosity and red cell aggregation and dredging the blood of microcirculation as post-PTCA compared to pre-PTCA.

CONCLUSION

Sini decoction could improve the patient's hemorheology.

Isolation and characterization of a unique group of slowly growing mycobacteria: description of Mycobacterium lentiflavum sp. nov

A distinct group of slowly growing mycobacteria was identified on the basis of growth characteristics, biochemical and lipid profiles, and nucleic acid analyses. The isolates showed growth at 22 to 37 degrees C, yellow pigmentation, and negative tests for Tween 80 hydrolysis, nicotinic acid, nitrate reductase, and urease; tests for arylsulfatase, pyrazinamidase, and heat-stable catalase were variable. Analysis of cellular fatty acids by gas-liquid chromatography and mycolic acids by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography indicated a distinctive pattern which was unlike those of other species. Determination of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed a unique sequence closely related to Mycobacterium simiae and M. genavense. On the basis of DNA homology studies, we suggest that these organisms are representatives of a novel species, for which the name M. lentiflavum sp. nov. is proposed.

Studies on the agronomic characteristics, yield, and saikosaponin content of two Bupleurum species in Taiwan

Two Bupleurum species (Bupleurums spp.), i.e., B. falcatum L. cv. Tainung No. 1 and B. kaoi Liu, Chao, et Chuang, were compared for their differences in seed germination, plant characteristics and root yield, and saikosaponin content. Experimental data showed that the most suitable temperature for seed germination of the two species was 16 degrees C. Two treatments, cold stratification at 4 degrees C for 8 weeks and presoaking by running water for 2 days, resulted in higher germination rates. Tainung No. 1 possessed a higher 1,000-seed weight than B. kaoi. However, field survival rate was higher for B. kaoi than for Tainung No.1. Results from field experiments also revealed that stem diameter, leaf width and fresh weight of various plant parts except the root were superior for Tainung No. 1 to B. kaoi. On the contrary, tiller number and root diameter and weight of B. kaoi were higher than those of Tainung No. 1. Harvest data and elevation had significant effects on the agronomic performance of the two Bupleurum spp. Measurements of most traits of the 6 month-old plants were superior to those of the 3 and 10 month-old plants. Cultivation at higher elevation (850 m) favored the development of leaf weight and root length, while cultivation at lower elevation (85 m) facilitated the development of plant height, root diameter, and root weight. Analysis of saikosaponin concentration in the root tissue revealed that average contents of 3.19 and 3.80 mg/g, respectively, for plants grown at the elevations of 850 m and 85 m. Comparison between the two species showed no significant difference in saikosaponin content, ranging from 3.45 to 3.55 mg/g.

[Mechanisms responsible for protective effect of Sini decoction on ischemic myocardium in mice]

The possible mechanisms responsible for the protective effect of Sini decoction (SND) on the ischemic myocardium were studied on the mice model of pituitrin-induced myocardial ischemia in terms of free radical. Results indicated that SND significantly decreased the concentration of oxygen free radical and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), increased nutritional blood flow and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in ischemic myocardium. These results suggested that three mechanisms whereby SND exerted its protective effects existed; improving the perfusion of ischemic myocardium, attenuating the injurious action of free radical and strengthening the free radical defense.

Effects of media, atmosphere, and incubation time on colonial morphology of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum

Arcanobacterium haemolyticum causes pharyngitis as well as skin and other wound infections. Although it is a beta-hemolytic organism, the hemolysis is less well defined than that of beta-hemolytic streptococci and may be overlooked in cultures with heavy growth of commensal throat flora. To determine whether routine throat culture conditions are sufficient to produce recognizable colonies of A. haemolyticum, the morphology of six distinct strains was studied after various combinations of incubation time, medium, and atmosphere. The agar media, containing 5% sheep blood, were Trypticase soy agar, Columbia agar, and heart infusion agar. Cultures were incubated in ambient air, 6 to 8% CO2, or an anaerobic atmosphere. Cultures were compared after 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation for colony size, clarity and size of hemolytic zone, and macroscopic evidence of agar pitting. A minimum of 48 h was needed for expression of beta-hemolysis and pitting. Trypticase soy agar was the superior medium and CO2 was the superior atmosphere for beta-hemolysis. Agar pitting was not significantly affected by variations in medium or atmosphere. Strains differed in their expression of hemolysis and production of pits at 48 h. After 72 h of incubation, beta-hemolysis and pitting were visible in over 96% of culture observations.

Midgut basal lamina thickness and dengue-1 virus dissemination rates in laboratory strains of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Strain differences in midgut basal lamina thickness, assessed by measurement in transmission electron micrographs, and disseminated infection rates of dengue-1 virus were compared among three laboratory strains of Aedes albopictus (Skuse). Mean basal lamina thickness for the New Orleans and Houston strains were significantly greater than those for the Oahu strain, which exhibits a higher disseminated infection rate than the former two. Although basal lamina thickness among the F1 progeny of reciprocal crosses of the Oahu and Houston strains were intermediate between the parental strains, they were too variable to be useful as markers in genetic studies. Measurements of basal laminae among individuals of the New Orleans strain, with disseminated or nondisseminated infections, failed to demonstrate a role for basal lamina thickness as a modulator of dengue-1 virus dissemination across the midgut epithelium of Ae. albopictus.

Genetic factors controlling susceptibility to Leishmania major infection in the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Studies of the genetic factors controlling Leishmania major infection in Phlebotomus papatasi were carried out using 2 different sand fly lines: one highly susceptible and the other refractory to the parasite. L. major infection rates in both F1 and F2 generations from reciprocal crosses and in backcrosses between the parent lines showed that susceptibility and refractoriness of Ph. papatasi to infection with L. major are controlled by less than 1 gene. Neither susceptibility nor refractoriness is dominant over the other.

Selection of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) lines susceptible and refractory to Leishmania major infection

Variation in susceptibility to infection with cultured promastigotes of Leishmania major was detected among 3 different geographic strains (ISRAEL, EGYPT, and INDIA) of the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi. The ISRAEL strain showed the greatest susceptibility and was chosen for subsequent genetic selection experiments. After 13 generations of genetic selection in this strain, a stable refractory line was obtained in which only 7.5% of the insects could be infected. A highly susceptible line was also obtained in 5 generations of selection. Infection rates in the susceptible line were stabilized at about 94%. A description of the selection process and characteristics of the 2 lines are given.

De novo formation of immune complexes in human kidney allografts

Cryostat sections of 11 rejected human renal grafts were selected for positive results in immunofluorescence tests. Immune complexes were detected in glomerular basement membrane (9 cases), tubular basement membrane (3 cases), and vessels (5 cases). Preincubation of the sections with FII of pooled human serum, but not of rabbit serum, prevented the staining of immune complexes for human IgG. These findings were interpreted by the assumption that most complexes under study were produced by reaction of the patient's altered IgG with the rheumatoid-like factor of IgG variety.

Spontaneous rupture of a metastatic brain tumor into the ventricular system. Report of two cases

✓ Two cases are reported in which spontaneous rupture of a metastatic brain tumor occurred into the ventricular system, leading to the dissemination of the tumor contents in the cerebrospinal fluid. The site of rupture was demonstrated by ventriculography in the first case and by surgical exposure in the second. These cases support the assumption that metastatic neoplasms within the brain may rupture into the ventricular system and spread via the cerebrospinal fluid pathways.