[Epidemiological characteristics of a local cluster epidemic caused by the BA.2 evolutionary branch of Omicron variant]

Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the local cluster of COVID-19 in the logistic park of Yuhang District in Hangzhou in March 2022. The cluster epidemic was detected by a case who actively visited the fever clinic. The epidemic lasted for 8 days, and a total of 58 cases (53 workers, 2 students, 1 farmer, 1 teacher and 1 unemployed) were found, including 40 males and 18 females. The age was (33.29±12.22) years. There cases were mainly in Yuhang District (48 cases, 82.77%) and Shangcheng District (7 cases, 12.07%) of Hangzhou. The real-time regeneration number peaked at 2.31 on March 10th and decreased to 0.37 on March 15th. The sequencing result of the indicated case was 100% homologous with the sequence uploaded from South Korea on March 4th, 2022.

[Effects of cinepazide maleate injection on blood pressure in patients with acute ischemic stroke and hypertension]

Objective: To investigate the blood pressure change in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and hypertension treated with cinepazide maleate injection. Methods: This was a subgroup analysis of post-marketing clinical confirmation study of cinepazide maleate injection for acute ischemic stroke: a randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, placebo-parallel controlled trial, which conducted in China from August 2016 to February 2019. Eligible patients fulfilled the inclusive criteria of acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of 7-25. The primary endpoints were mean blood pressure of AIS patients treated with cinepazide maleate or control, which were assessed during the treatment period (14 days), and the proportion of the patients with normal blood pressure was analyzed after the treatment period. Furthermore, a subgroup analysis was performed to investigate a possible effect of the history of hypertension on outcomes. Results: This analysis included 809 patients with hypertension. There was no significant difference in patients blood pressure and the proportion of patients with normal blood pressure (60.5% vs. 59.0%,P>0.05) between cinepazide maleate group and control group. Conclusion: Administration of cinepazide maleate injection does not affect the management of clinical blood pressure in patients with AIS.

Inverted U-Shaped Associations between Glycemic Indices and Serum Uric Acid Levels in the General Chinese Population: Findings from the China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort (4C) Study

OBJECTIVE

The relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and glycemic indices, including plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postload glucose (2h-PG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), remains inconclusive. We aimed to explore the associations between glycemic indices and SUA levels in the general Chinese population.

METHODS

The current study was a cross-sectional analysis using the first follow-up survey data from The China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort Study. A total of 105,922 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 40 years underwent the oral glucose tolerance test and uric acid assessment. The nonlinear relationships between glycemic indices and SUA levels were explored using generalized additive models.

RESULTS

A total of 30,941 men and 62,361 women were eligible for the current analysis. Generalized additive models verified the inverted U-shaped association between glycemic indices and SUA levels, but with different inflection points in men and women. The thresholds for FPG, 2h-PG, and HbA1c for men and women were 6.5/8.0 mmol/L, 11.0/14.0 mmol/L, and 6.1/6.5, respectively (SUA levels increased with increasing glycemic indices before the inflection points and then eventually decreased with further increases in the glycemic indices).

CONCLUSION

An inverted U-shaped association was observed between major glycemic indices and uric acid levels in both sexes, while the inflection points were reached earlier in men than in women.

[Genomic analysis of a 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) strain in the first COVID-19 patient found in Hangzhou]

Objective: To understand the viral genomic characteristics of a 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) strain in the first COVID-19 patient found in Hangzhou, China. Methods: Viral RNA was extracted in throat swab and sputum sample of the patient and was performed real-time reverse transcription PCR detection and obtained viral genome by high-throughput sequencing method. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using 29 2019-nCoV genomes and 30 β-coronavirus genomes deposited in NCBI GenBank. Fifteen genomes from Wuhan were grouped by mutation sites and others were identified by Wuhan's or specific mutation sites. Results: A 29 833 bp length genome of the first 2019-nCoV strain in Hangzhou was obtained, covering full length of the coding regions of coronavirus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the genome was closest to the genome of a bat SARS-like coronavirus strain RaTG13 with an identity of 96.11% (28 666/29 826). Among the genes between two genomes, E genes were highly conserved (99.56%), while S genes had lowest identity (92.87%). The genome sequence similarities among 29 strains from China (Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Shenzhen), Japan, USA, and Finland, were all more than 99.9%; however, some single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in some strains. Conclusion: The genome of Hangzhou 2019-nCoV strain was very close to the genomes of strains from other cities in China and overseas collected at early epidemic phase. The 2019-nCoV genome sequencing method used in this paper provides an useful tool for monitoring variation of viral genes.

[Expression and prognosis effect of methylation-regulated SLIT3 and SPARCL1 genes in smoking-related lung adenocarcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the expression and prognosis effect of methylation-regulated SLIT3 and SPRCL1 genes in smoking-related lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: The expression levels of SLIT3 and SPARCL1 in cigarette smoke-induced malignant transformed cell (S30) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cell lines were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR). Datasets of mRNA expression, DNA methylation and patient information data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Altas (TCGA) database. The mRNA expression levels of SLIT3 and SPARCL1 were validated in LUAD tissues. The 10-year survival curve of LUAD patients with different smoking history was plotted, and the correlation between mRNA expression level and DNA methylation level of LUAD patients was further analyzed. S30 cells were treated with 5-azacytidine (5-aza), an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase, to analyze the methylation regulatory mechanism of SLIT3 and SPRCL1. Results: The qPCR results showed the significant down-regulation of SLIT3 and SPARCL1 in S30 cell and four LUAD cell lines (SLIT3: 0.493±0.134 and 0.041±0.014, 0.161±0.023, 0.277±0.055, 0.035±0.005; SPARCL1: 0.507±0.131 and 0.453±0.045, 0.420±0.040, 0.153±0.035, 0.430±0.050; all P<0.01). Bioinformatics analysis showed that SLIT3 and SPARCL1 were low expressed in LUAD tissue (8.12±1.58 vs 10.84±0.69 and 11.46±1.06 vs 13.57±0.67; both P<0.001) compared with adjacent peritumoral tissues, and expression levels of SLIT3 and SPARCL1 were significantly correlated with smoking history (both P<0.001). Non-smoker with high expression of SLIT3 and SPARCL1 was associated with better prognosis among LUAD patients. There was a significant negative correlation between promoter methylation and mRNA expression level of the two genes (r=-0.208, -0.574; both P<0.001). 5-aza treatment significantly up-regulated the expression levels of SLIT3 and SPARCL1 genes in S30 cells (2.137±0.281, 3.657±0.882; both P<0.01). Conclusion: SLIT3 and SPARCL1 can be regulated by DNA methylation and down-regulated in LUAD tissue, which has important prognostic significance on the smoking-induced LUAD patients.

[Imaging analysis of respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma of olfactory clefts]

Objective:Analyze the imaging features of respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma(REAH) of olfactory clefts，to provide the basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Method:A retrospective study of 54 cases of nasal REAH of bilateral olfactory clefts confirmed by pathology were collected，analyze their imaging information. Result:All the lesions of 54 cases are located in olfactory cleft，sinus CT and MR show soft tissue shadows in olfactory cleft which grows expansive，extruding bilateral middle turbinate to the lateral sides，and it's like "the head of mushroom".All the cases are with different degree of sinusitis and nasal polyps. Conclusion:This kind of REAH has special imaging performance，and it's different from nasal polyp．So if clinical doctors can fully recognize this disease and completely resect the lesion of olfactory cleft in operation，we can increase the probability of treatment，and reduce the probability of postoperative recurrence.

[Causes and management of frontal sinusitis after transfrontal craniotomy]

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the causes and the strategy of frontal sinusitis after transfrontal craniotomy by endoscopic frontal sinus surgery and traditional surgery with facial incision. Method:A total of thirty-four patients with frontal sinusitis after transfrontal craniotomy were admitted, with the symptom of purulence stuff, headache and upper eyelid discharging. The onset time was 2.6 years on average. The frontal sinus CT and MRI images showed frontal sinusitis. Twenty-seven patients were treated with endoscopic frontal sinus surgery, and seven patient was treated with combined endoscopic and traditional frontal sinus surgery. In the revision surgery, the bone wax and inflammatory granulation tissue were cleaned out in both operational methods. The cure standard was that the postoperative frontal sinus inflammation disappeared and the drainage of the volume recess was unobstructed. Result:Thirty-four patients had a history of transfrontal craniotomy, and there was a record of bone wax packing in every operation. Among twenty-seven patients with endoscopic frontal sinus surgery, Twenty-five cases cured and two cases were operated twice. Seven patients were cured with combined endoscopic and traditional frontal sinus surgery. Conclusion:The frontal sinusitis after transfrontal craniotomy may be related to the inadequate sinus management, especially bone wax to be addressed to the frontal sinus ramming leading to frontal sinus mucosa secretion obstruction and poor drainage. Endoscopic frontal sinus surgery is a way of minimally invasive surgery. The satisfying curative effect can be obtained by endoscopic removal of bone wax, inflammatory granulation tissue, and the enlargement of frontal sinus aperture after exposure to the frontal sinus, and some cases was treated with both operation method.

Trichostatin A inhibits proliferation of triple negative breast cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor outcome. Because of lacking therapeutic targets, chemotherapy is the main treatment option for patients with TNBC. Overexpression of HDACs correlates with tumorigenesis, highlighting the potential of HDACs as therapeutic targets for TNBC. Here we demonstrate that trichostatin A (TSA, a HDAC inhibitor) selectively inhibits the proliferation of TNBC cell lines HCC1806 and HCC38 rather than a normal breast cell line MCF10A. The inhibition of TNBC by TSA is via its roles in inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. TSA treatment leads to decreased expression of CYCLIN D1, CDK4, CDK6 and BCL-XL, but increased P21 expression. Moreover, combination of TSA with doxorubicin has synergistic effects on inhibiting proliferation of HCC1806 and HCC38 cells. Our studies identified a promising epigenetic-based therapeutic strategy that may be implemented in the therapy of fatal human breast cancer.

[The experience of surgical treatment for Ebstein anomaly in 141 children]

Objective: To explore the surgical strategy for Ebstein anomaly in children. Methods: From January 2003 to December 2015, a total of 141 cases of Ebstein anomaly were treated at Department of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University. There were 65 male and 76 female patients, with age of (6.9±1.6) years (ranging from 10 months to 15 years), weight of (19.6±4.7) kg (ranging from 6.5 to 59.0 kg). All patients were diagnosed by 2 dimensional Doppler echocardiography and the septal leaflet and posterior leaflet displaced downward from 1.0 to 5.0 cm. The tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) were mild in 26 cases, moderate in 46 cases and severe in 69 cases. Tricuspid valvuloplasty were performed in 131 cases (94 cone reconstruction, 37 valve hoist), tricuspid valve replacement in 2 cases and tricuspid valve closed in 8 cases. Surgical strategy were divided into biventricular heart function in 77 cases, one and a half ventricular heart function in 56 cases, and single ventricular heart function in 8 cases. Results: Three patients were changed to one and a half ventricular repair from biventricular repair due to unstable hemodynamics in the early postoperative period. One case died in biventricular group. The complete atrioventricular block were occurred in 3 patients and pacemaker were applied. One hundred and forty cases discharged from hospital. There were mild TR in 118 cases, moderate in 14 cases and closed in 8 cases. One hundred and thirty-seven cases were followed up regularly in 18 to 172 months. Ninety-one cases were treated by cone reconstruction (mild TR in 75 cases, moderate in 15 cases and severe in 1 case). Thirty-six cases were operated by tricuspid valve hoist (mild TR in 21 cases, moderate in 12 cases and severe in 3 cases). In the patients with severe TR (4 cases), 3 cases were reoperated by cone reconstruction. One case's valve was closed because of the dysplasia of the anterior valve and then from one and a half ventricular heart function to single ventricular function, the oxygen saturation was increased. Two patients underwent tricuspid valve replacement, 1 died and the other's mechanical valve was removed, and changed to single ventricular function repair. Conclusions: Although tricuspid cone reconstruction can achieve good results, the stable hemodynamic of early postoperative can be effectively maintained by using the surgical strategy of one and a half ventricular repair. To the patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation and hypoxemia due to severe tricuspid valve dysplasia, transforming to a functional single ventricle may be the only choice when there comes to the unstable hemodynamic.

[The association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL6, IL10 genes and the susceptibility to primary hepatic carcinoma in Shunde District of Foshan City]

Objective: To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in cytokine IL6, IL10 genes and the susceptibility to primary hepatic carcinoma(PHC) of Shunde district in Guangdong Province. Methods: Patients from two hospitals in Shunde District of Foshan City were selected from October 2010 to October 2012. Case group inclusion criteria includedprimary liver cancer; local residents of Shunde or living in Shunde for more than 10 years. The control group inclusion criteria included: patients visited ENT, general surgery and physical examination department in the same hospital during the same period; Local residents or living in Shunde for 10 years and above. The control group was matched 1∶1 by gender, and age (±3 years old) with case group. A total of 306 subjects were collected. Questionnaires were used to investigate the information including demographic characteristics, PHC status survey and so on. The venous blood was collected from each subject to extract DNA, and to detect label SNP site and genotype. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was detected in the control group by the goodness-of-fit χ(2) test. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship between IL6 (rs1800796), IL10 (rs1800871, rs1800872)genes polymorphisms and susceptibility to PHC. Results: There were 264 males and 42 females both in the case group and the control group, with an average age of (55.84±11.49) and (55.83±11.67) years old respectively (t=0.011, P=0.992). The frequencies of IL6 (rs1800796), IL10 (rs1800871) and IL10 (rs1800872) genotypes in the control group were in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which indicated the population was representative (all P values>0.05). Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the AA genotype and AA+AC genotype of IL10(rs1800872), CC genotype increased the risk of PHC by 2.02 times (OR=3.02, 95%CI:1.21-7.56)and 1.89 times (OR=2.89, 95%CI:1.19-7.04)respectively after the smoking history, eating fish history, drinking history, chronic hepatitis B infection, and family history of liver cancer adjusted. No statistical association was found between SNP in cytokine IL6 (rs1800796) and the susceptibility to PHC (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that people who carried CC genotype in rs1800872 of IL10 gene have an increasing risk of PHC.

[The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults in rural areas of Ningxia Hui autonomous region]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among adults in rural areas of Ningxia Hui autonomous region. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 639 adults enrolled with a multistage method from Jingyuan County. The MS was identified according to Chinese type 2 diabetes prevention guide (2013). Results: Among all the subjects, 17.4% of them met the MS definition with the standardized prevalence of 14.7% after adjustment of sex and age. The prevalence and standardized rate of MS in men were 19.9% and 17.3%, and in women were 15.3% and 13.5%.The prevalence of MS in men was higher than that in women(P<0.001) and increased with aging in both genders. The prevalence and standardized rate of abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, high triglycerides, and low HDL-C were 19.5% and 16.7%, 15.0% and 12.9%, 42.0% and 37.1%, 25.8% and 23.1%, 28.5% and 27.7%, respectively. The rate of abdominal obesity was higher in women than in men (20.5% vs 18.2%, P=0.004), whereas the rate of hypertension, high triglycerides, and low HDL-C were higher in men than in women (all P<0.01). The prevalence of having one parameter of the MS was 68.4%. Conclusion: The prevalence of MS is higher in rural areas of Ningxia Hui autonomous region, suggesting that a series of comprehensive prevention measures should be carried out to prevent and control the MS so as to improve the public health conditions in rural areas.

Ultraviolet saturable absorption and ultrafast carrier dynamics in ultrasmall black phosphorus quantum dots

Understanding the photoexcited carrier-relaxation actions in ultrasmall black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) will play a crucial role in the fields of electronics and optoelectronics. Herein, we report the ultraviolet (UV) saturable absorption and ultrafast photoexcited carrier-relaxation dynamics of BPQDs. The ultrasmall BPQDs are synthesized using a facile liquid-exfoliation method and possess a diameter of 3.8 ± 0.6 nm and a thickness of 1.5 ± 0.4 nm. Femtosecond open-aperture (OA) Z-scan measurements showed typical saturable absorption properties in the UV band. A negative nonlinear optical (NLO) absorption coefficient of -(1.4 ± 0.3) × 10^-3 cm GW^-1 and a saturable intensity of 6.6 ± 1.3 GW cm^-2 were determined. Using a degenerate pump-probe technique, an ultrafast photoexcited carrier-recombination time was observed in the range of 216-305 fs, which was 3 orders of magnitude faster than that of BP nanosheets. Such an ultrafast relaxation component may be attributable to the edge- and step-mediated recombination and was confirmed by our density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This work provides fundamental insight into the underlying mechanism of the photoexcited carrier relaxation dynamic action in BPQDs which can enable UV photonic devices.

Maternal dietary linoleic acid supplementation promotes muscle fibre type transformation in suckling piglets

As meat quality is basically dependent on muscle fibre characteristics, it is important to know how muscle fibres are regulated and transformed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal dietary supplementation on muscle fibre types using 3% saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid, PA) or 3% unsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid, LA) from 80 days of gestation to the weaning of offspring (25 days post-natal). The results indicated that higher mRNA levels of MyHCI type genes were found in the soleus muscles of piglets that suckled from LA-supplemented sows than from PA-supplemented sows. In addition, LA treatment increased the gene expression of the type I muscle fibre marker troponin I (p < 0.01), suggesting that LA promoted muscle fibre type transformation to type I fibres. Moreover, PGC-1α (p < 0.01) and MEF2c (p < 0.05) mRNA levels were higher in the piglets from the LA treatment group than in those from the PA treatment group. Furthermore, LA supplementation also significantly increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) mRNA levels (p < 0.05), which is an upstream regulator of PGC-1α. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that maternal dietary LA supplementation promoted muscle fibre transformation to type I fibre and that this process may be mediated through an AMPK-dependent pathway.

[Topical voriconazole as an effective treatment for fungal keratitis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of topical voriconazole in patients with fungal keratitis caused by different fungal species.

METHODS

Interventional case series. Eighty-four patients aged 18 years or older from central China with confirmed fungal keratitis who presented at the outpatient department of Henan Eye Institute were enrolled in the study. The patients underwent in vivo confocal scanning laser microscopy examination, coneal scraping and microscopic examination and fungal culture, and then received topical voriconazole, closed curative effects were conducted. The sensitivity of three different diagnostic techniques, spectrum of the fungi, cure rate for fungal corneal infection related to each species were analyzed.

RESULTS

In our study, 84 patients were diagnosed with fungal keratitis based on clinical symptoms, and results of at least one of the examinations of in vivo confocal scanning laser microscopy, conventional smear, and corneal scraping culture and the sensitivity were 92.85%(78/84), 85.71%(72/84), 84.52%(71/84)respectively. In viro confocal scanning laser microscopy. Successful management was achieved in 83.33% of the patients. Topical voriconazole treatment failed in 14 patients(16.67%), who required surgical treatment. In 36 patients with Fusarium corneal infections, 26(72.22%)were successfully treated with topical voriconazole; however, in 18 patients with Aspergillus corneal infections and 7 patients with Alternaria corneal infections, 94.44% and 100.00% of them were successfully treated, respectively. In a case-based dynamic tracking study, in vivo confocal microscopy provided real-time dynamic detection of surviving hyphae. The existence of hyphae was(38.35±17.32)days for Fusarium,(25.00±16.11)days for Aspergillus,(21.00±4.36)days for Alternaria, and(41.50±31.68)days for the focus in the deep stroma. The duration of treatment was similar for all four groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical application of voriconazole is on effective method for the freatment of fungal keratitis Topical voriconazole is highly effective for fungal keratitis caused by Alternaria spp. and Aspergillus, however, for Fusarium, it is relatively low effective. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 657-662).

Clinicopathological features of invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast: A nationwide multicenter study in China

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinicopathological features of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and compare them with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), hoping to find the fact of ILC in China and assist the decision makers with proper individualized treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A nationwide multicenter retrospective study was performed. A total of 4211 primary breast cancer cases were randomly selected from 1999 to 2008 in seven regions of China. ILC cases were compared with IDC by clinicopathological features and molecular subtypes.

RESULTS

A total of 135 (3.2%) ILC and 3471 (82.4%) IDC cases were included for analysis. The age, tumor size, menopausal state, family history, nodal status, and stage of ILC were similar to that of IDC. ILC was more likely to be positive for estrogen receptor (65.5% vs. 57.7%) and progesterone receptor (64.7% vs. 58.5%), and less likely to overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (17.3% vs. 23.6%). Even though, these differences are not significant, the proportion of luminal A type of ILC is significantly larger than that of IDC (54.8% vs. 42.7%; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ILC has a larger proportion of luminal A type compared with IDC. Larger sample size study for better known of molecular subtypes of ILC is needed in future to individualize the treatment decision.

Expression pattern of JMJD1C in oocytes and its impact on early embryonic development

Cell reprogramming mediated by histone methylation and demethylation is crucial for the activation of the embryonic genome in early embryonic development. In this study, we employed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to detect mRNA levels and expression patterns of all known histone demethylases in early germinal vesicle stage and in vitro-matured metaphase II (MII) oocytes (which are commonly used as donor cells for nuclear transfer). On screening, the Jumonji domain containing 1C (JMJD1C) gene had the highest level of expression and hence was used for subsequent experiments. We also found that JMJD1C was primarily expressed in the nucleus and showed relatively high levels of expression at the 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, 16-cell, morula, and blastocyst stages of embryos developed from MII oocytes fertilized in vitro. Further, we knocked down the JMJD1C gene in MII oocytes using siRNA and monitored the cleavage of zygotes and development of early embryos after in vitro fertilization. The results showed that the zygote cleavage and blastocyst rates of the transfection group were reduced by 57.1 ± 0.07 and 50 ± 0.01% respectively, which were significantly lower than those of the negative control group (P < 0.05). These data suggest that JMJD1C plays a key role in the normal development of early bovine embryos. Our results also provide a theoretical basis for the investigation of the role and molecular mechanism of histone demethylation in the early development of bovine embryos.

Effects of choice of month of treatment and parity order on bovine superovulation traits

In this study, the performance of 300 Changbaishan Black cattle treated for superovulation from June to September was evaluated to determine the optimal conditions and herds for bovine embryo production. Data analysis revealed that cattle treated in July and August had higher numbers of available embryos (NAE), M1 embryos (NM1), and total embryos (NTE), as well as a higher percentage of M1 embryos (PM1). The temperature and precipitation observed during July and August were greater than those seen in the other two months; strong correlations were observed between these traits and the choice of month of treatment. In addition, multiparous cattle showed a better performance, higher NTE, NAE, NM1, and PM1 values, higher percentages of available embryos, and a lower percentage of degenerated embryos. The co-efficient correlation analysis showed that the month chosen for the treatment did not affect the superovulation traits of nulliparous cattle; however, the choice of the month affected multiparous cattle. Multiparous and nulliparous cattle exhibited many significant differences when treated in July and in August. In addition, the superovulatory traits of multiparous cattle, and not the nulliparous cattle, were strongly correlated to the choice of month of treatment. The results suggested that superovulation is more effective during a period with appropriate environmental temperature and humidity, and that multiparous cattle are more suitable for morula production.

Identification of target genes for adenohypophysis-prefer miR-7 and miR-375 in cattle

In this study, expression levels of miRNAs (miRNAs), miR-375 and miR-7, were detected in different tissues of cattle to determine whether adenohypophysis-prefer or exclusively expressed miRNAs, and target genes could be predicted by TargetScan, RNA22, and other software. Target genes related to pituitary function or reproductive traits were identified using a dual-luciferase assay. miR-375 and miR-7 were expressed differently in various tissues. miR-375 and miR-7 showed higher expression in the adenohypophysis, and there was a significant difference compared with expression in other tissues (P < 0.01). The binding sites for miR-7 were the mRNAs of bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II (BMPR2), prostaglandin F2 receptor negative regulator, gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, follicle-stimulating hormoneβ, somatostatin receptor 1, and interleukin-1β by bioinformatic analysis; similarly, the mRNAs of BMPR2 and leptin contained binding sites for miR-375, suggesting that these genes are affected by miR-7 or miR-375. Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-7 regulated prostaglandin F2 receptor negative regulator expression, while miR-375 regulated BMPR2 expression. The mutated plasmid and miRNA mimics were used to co-transfect NIH3T3 cells; luciferase reporter assays showed that the inhibition of luciferase activity in the wild-type cells dramatically decreased from 75 to 26% with a 3-5-nucleotide mismatch mutation into the seed region of miR-7. miR-375 had nearly lost the ability to inhibit luciferase activity, suggesting that GTCTTCC is the site of interaction between miR-7 and the prostaglandin F2 receptor negative regulator sequence and that GAACAAA is the site of interaction between miR-375 and the BMPR2 sequence.

Ginsenoside Rg3 attenuated omethoate-induced lung injury in rats

Organophosphorus exposure affects different organs such as the lung, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and brain. The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on lung injury induced by acute omethoate poisoning. Rats were administered with omethoate subcutaneously at a single dose of 60 mg/kg, followed by ginsenoside Rg3 (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) treatment. Histopathological examination of the lung was performed at 24 h after the omethoate exposure. The antioxidative parameters in the lung were also assayed. Moreover, the activities of acetylcholinesterase, myeloperoxidase, and the content of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the lung were determined. The results showed that ginsenoside Rg3 attenuated omethoate-induced lung injury. Ginsenoside Rg3 increased the level of glutathione in the lung ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The altered activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the lung were also ameliorated by ginsenoside Rg3 treatment ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Ginsenoside Rg3 caused significant reductions in the contents of malondialdehyde, TNF-α, and the activity of myeloperoxidase ( p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The present study demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 had a protective effect against omethoate-induced lung injury in rats, and the mechanisms were related to its antioxidant potential and anti-inflammatory effect.

Associations of depression with impaired glucose regulation, newly diagnosed diabetes and previously diagnosed diabetes in Chinese adults

AIM

To examine the association between depression and impaired glucose regulation, newly diagnosed diabetes and previously diagnosed diabetes in middle-aged and elderly Chinese people, and whether depression was associated with different treatment regimens or durations of diabetes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed among 229,047 adults living in the community aged ≥ 40 years from 25 centres in China. The self-reported depression rating scale Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) was used to diagnose probable and sub-threshold depression. Glucose metabolism status was determined according to World Health Organization 1999 diagnostic criteria.

RESULTS

The numbers of participants with normal glucose regulation, impaired glucose regulation, newly diagnosed diabetes and previously diagnosed diabetes were 120,458, 59,512, 24,826 and 24,251, respectively. The prevalence of sub-threshold depression in the total sample of participants was 4.8% (4.8%, 4.8%, 4.4% and 5.6% from normal glucose regulation to previously diagnosed diabetes, respectively), and the prevalence of probable depression was 1.1% (1.1%, 1.0%, 0.9% and 1.8% from normal glucose regulation to previously diagnosed diabetes, respectively). Compared with participants with normal glucose regulation, those with previously diagnosed diabetes had increased odds of probable depression [odds ratio (OR) = 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39-1.87] and sub-threshold depression (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.24), after adjustment for multiple confounding factors. Newly diagnosed diabetes or impaired glucose regulation was not associated with depression. Among those with previously diagnosed diabetes, insulin treatment was associated with greater odds of depression compared with no treatment or oral anti-diabetic medicine.

CONCLUSION

Previously diagnosed diabetes, but not newly diagnosed diabetes or impaired glucose regulation, was associated with a higher prevalence of depression. Patients receiving insulin were more likely to have depression than those not receiving treatment or being treated with oral anti-diabetic medicine.

Comparative pathogenicity of Coxsackievirus A16 circulating and noncirculating strains in vitro and in a neonatal mouse model

An enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine for the prevention of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HMFD) is available, but it is not known whether the EV71 vaccine cross-protects against Coxsackievirus (CV) infection. Furthermore, although an inactivated circulating CVA16 Changchun 024 (CC024) strain vaccine candidate is effective in newborn mice, the CC024 strain causes severe lesions in muscle and lung tissues. Therefore, an effective CV vaccine with improved pathogenic safety is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo safety and in vitro replication capability of a noncirculating CVA16 SHZH05 strain. The replication capacity of circulating CVA16 strains CC024, CC045, CC090 and CC163 and the noncirculating SHZH05 strain was evaluated by cytopathic effect in different cell lines. The replication capacity and pathogenicity of the CC024 and SHZH05 strains were also evaluated in a neonatal mouse model. Histopathological and viral load analyses demonstrated that the SHZH05 strain had an in vitro replication capacity comparable to the four CC strains. The CC024, but not the SHZH05 strain, became distributed in a variety of tissues and caused severe lesions and mortality in neonatal mice. The differences in replication capacity and in vivo pathogenicity of the CC024 and SHZH05 strains may result from differences in the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of viral functional polyproteins P1, P2 and P3. Our findings suggest that the noncirculating SHZH05 strain may be a safer CV vaccine candidate than the CC024 strain.

Clinicopathological and prognostic analysis of follicular thyroid carcinoma in a single institute over a 15-year period

BACKGROUND

This study was to evaluate the clinicopathological and prognostic features of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) in our institute over a 15-year period.

METHODS

The clinical features, management and outcome of 134 consecutive patients were analyzed according to the time of diagnosis: Group I (1997-2001), Group II (2002-2006), and Group III (2007-2011).

RESULTS

As time advanced, the ratio of FTC to papillary thyroid carcinoma decreased from 8.7% in group I to 4.3% in group III (p = 0.000). The percentage of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy seemed to be more commonly used in the later periods - from 10.5% in group I to 21.8% in group II and 18.9% in group III. The median diameter of tumors in group I was 4.2 cm and it showed a sharp decrease to 2.8 cm in group II and 2.9 cm in group III respectively. There was a trend towards a higher stage in patients from Group I vs. patients from Groups II and III (stage IV, 15.8% vs. 2.2% and 4.3%, p = 0.072). The outcome was improved in terms of disease-free survival (DFS). The 3-year DFS rate improved from 77.8% in group I to 93.7% in group II and 100% in group III (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical features, management and outcome of FTC patients changed over 15-year period. Patients diagnosed after 2001 had a better prognosis. This improvement was probably related to earlier diagnosis with smaller tumor size and presentation at earlier tumor stage.

Effects of rehabilitation management on gastric emptying function in older adults with diabetes

The relationship between gastric emptying dysfunction and blood glucose concentration in elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus was investigated, and the effect of rehabilitation exercise prescription training on gastric emptying in the geriatric diabetic patients was evaluated. A total of 160 older type 2 diabetic adults and 30 cases of non-diabetic patients were studied with regard to the gastric half emptying time (GET1/2) of solid meals radiolabelled with 99mTc. Eighty delayed gastric emptying diabetic patients were randomly divided into 4 four groups: rehabilitation exercise + mosapride group (N = 20), rehabilitation exercise group (N = 20), mosapride group (N = 20), and control group (N = 20). The level of blood glucose was measured every six months in a two-year follow-up. The solid GET1/2 of regulated blood glycemic control patients showed no statistically significant differences from non-diabetic patients (P > 0.05). However, the value for poor blood glycemic control patients exhibited significant statistical differences compared with both non-diabetic (P < 0.01) and regulated blood glycemic control group patients (P < 0.01). It showed that the gastric emptying time improved in the rehabilitation exercise group, mosapride group and rehabilitation exercise group + mosapride group after two years of treatment (P < 0.05). Fasting blood glucose in both rehabilitation exercise group and rehabilitation exercise + mosapride group was significantly decreased. Postprandial blood glucose in the rehabilitation exercise group, mosapride group, rehabilitation exercise group + mosapride group was significantly decreased. High blood glucose level can delay gastric emptying in older type 2 diabetic patients. Gastric emptying and blood glucose control affect each other. It was shown that appropriate rehabilitation exercise combined with prokinetic agent may improve gastric emptying in some geriatric type 2 diabetic patients and help control their blood glucose.

Percutaneous manual aspiration thrombectomy followed by stenting for iliac vein compression syndrome with secondary acute isolated iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis: a prospective study of single-session endovascular protocol

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of single-session endovascular treatment with manual aspiration thrombectomy (MAT) as the first-line method of thrombus removal for iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) with secondary acute isolated iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

METHODS

This was a prospective clinical study. Twenty-six patients (19 women, 7 men, mean age 54 years) with left-sided acute iliac-common femoral DVT secondary to IVCS were enrolled. All patients presented with leg swelling or pains. Endovascular treatment, consisting of MAT, balloon angioplasty, and stent placement, was performed in the same setting. Overnight antegrade thrombolysis was performed in patients with residual thrombus after MAT. Patients were followed up by ultrasonography. The mean follow-up period was 17.8 months (12-25 months).

RESULTS

Single-session endovascular procedures were performed successfully in all patients. The mean procedure time was 67 minutes (ranging from 45 to 90 minutes). Complete thrombus removal, including almost 100% of removal in 24 patients and little residual thrombus (<5%) in two, was achieved after repeated MAT. Thrombolysis was used in these two patients. Complete symptomatic relief was achieved in 25 patients (96%) and partial relief in one. The hospital stay ranged from 2 to 4 days (mean 2.7 days). Recurrent thrombosis within the stent was observed in one case and recanalized with thrombolysis. The 1-year primary and secondary patency rate was 96% and 100%, respectively. No symptomatic pulmonary embolization, bleeding, and venous reflux were observed. Five patients complained about transitory low back pains during balloon angioplasty.

CONCLUSION

Single-session endovascular treatment with MAT as the first-line thrombus removal method is feasible, safe, and effective for IVCS with secondary acute isolated iliofemoral DVT. Although limited, our experience suggests that patients thought to be at high risk of bleeding may be candidates for the present single-session endovascular protocol.

D2 lymphadenectomy can disseminate tumor cells into peritoneal cavity in patients with advanced gastric cancer

We sought to determine the dissemination of gastric cancer cells before and after radical D2 surgery and to determine the effectiveness of EIPL in preventing post-operative peritoneal metastasis. 64 patients were recruited with advanced gastric cancer for our final analysis. Complete curative gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy was performed on the 64 patients. Before surgery, peritoneal lavage fluid was collected for cytological analysis by cell smearing and immunohistochemistry to detect disseminated cancer cells (S1). Following tumor and lymph node resection, peritoneal lavage fluid was collected for cytological examination (S2). The patients were treated by extensive intra-operative peritoneal lavage (EIPL) with normal saline (n = 31) or distilled water (n = 33). The peritoneal lavage fluid was collected for cytological examination (S3). At S1 stage, 18 patients (28.1%) were positive for disseminated cancer cells in their abdominal fluid. After D2 lymphadenectomy, 34 patients (53.1%) had disseminated cancer cells in their abdominal fluid at stage S2, which indicated that the D2 lymphadenectomy caused in an additional 16 (16/46, 34.8%) patients positive for disseminated cancer cells. After EIPL with either normal saline or distilled water at the S3 stage), all the patients were negative for disseminated cancer cells in their abdominal fluid. A total of six patients died, and four patients had recurrencent cancer. These findings indicate that D2 lymphadenectomy can disseminate gastric cancer cells, and post-operative lavage of the abdominal cavity can eliminate cancer cell dissemination and decrease the risk of peritoneal metastasis.

Polymorphism of HMGA1 is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes among Chinese individuals

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Variants of the high-mobility group A1 (HMGA1) gene have been shown to be associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in individuals of European origin. We aimed to determine whether this locus confers significant susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in the Han Chinese population, and thus cross-race susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Polymorphisms in HMGA1 were identified by direct sequencing of genomic DNA derived from 192 Chinese participants (96 patients with type 2 diabetes and 96 controls). We then genotyped the common variant IVS5-13insC (c.136-14_136-13insC) in two other independent cohorts, including a total of 2,533 cases and 2,643 ethnically matched controls.

RESULTS

We confirmed the association of the HMGA1 variant IVS5-13insC (c.136-14_136-13insC) with type 2 diabetes with an OR of 1.34 (95% CI 1.15, 1.56, p = 0.0002 under a dominant model, and 95% CI 1.16, 1.55, p = 0.0002 under an additive model) in the Han Chinese population, corresponding to a population attributable risk fraction of 5.0%.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

HMGA1 is an important susceptibility locus that confers a high cross-race risk of the development of type 2 diabetes.

Mesenchymal stem cells differentially mediate regulatory T cells and conventional effector T cells to protect fully allogeneic islet grafts in mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Limited information is available on the cellular interactions between regulatory T (T(reg)) cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In particular, a direct effect of MSCs on the survival and proliferation of T(reg) cells has not been demonstrated.

METHODS

We investigated the effects of MSCs on effector T (T(eff)) cells and T(reg) cells, and the molecular mechanisms involved in the distinct regulation of these two cell populations by MSCs in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

We show that MSCs are capable of selectively suppressing T(eff) cells and fostering the generation of T(reg) cells. T(eff) cells, but not T(reg) cells, fail to respond to IL-2 and undergo profound apoptosis in the presence of MSCs. The differential regulations of these two T cell subsets by MSCs are associated with their distinct expressions of CD25, with MSCs specifically reducing the expression of CD25 on T(eff) and sparing T(reg) cells intact. In vivo, the administration of MSCs significantly delays the rejection of allogeneic islet grafts in adaptive transferred recipients by favouring the induction of T(reg) cells. In this model, MSCs inhibit the proliferation and development of alloreactive T(eff) but potently enhance the induction of T(reg) cells.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

We demonstrate that MSCs are capable of regulating T(eff) and T(reg) cells differentially in vitro. MSCs inhibit T(eff) cells by inducing apoptosis and impairing the proliferative response to IL-2 in T(eff) cells, but favour the survival and expansion of T(reg) cells. This result is further demonstrated in mice that have undergone allogeneic islet transplantation, in which MSCs suppress alloreactive T(eff) cells while favouring the induction of T(reg) cells, thus protecting the islet allografts from rejection.

First Report of Neofusicoccum vitifusiforme Causing Blueberry Blight of Blueberry in China

In May 2008, symptoms of blueberry blight were observed on half-high blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in a plant nursery in Anning, Yunnan Province. Symptoms included dieback and bud and branch blight. Symptomatic plant samples were washed with running tap water, disinfected with 2% sodium hypochlorite and then 70% alcohol, rinsed in sterile distilled water, plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 26°C. Conidia forming on PDA were hyaline, granular, fusoid to ellipsoid, widest in the upper third with an obtuse apex and flattened, subtruncate base, and 18 to 21 × 4.5 to 8 μm. The pathogen was also identified to the species level by sequencing the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 (ITSI-5.8S-ITS2) and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α). BLAST searches at GenBank showed the highest nucleotide sequence identity with Neofusicoccum vitifusiforme reference sequence (ITS: >98%, EF638785; EF1-α: 100%, EF638744 and AY343343). Representative sequences of isolates from both regions were deposited in GenBank (ITS: Accession No. HM131604; EF1-α: Accession No. HM454277). Pathogenicity tests were conducted on 2-year-old blueberry seedlings (half-high blueberry). Mycelial plugs (3 mm in diameter) of N. vitifusiforme from actively growing colonies (PDA) were applied to same-size bark wounds in the center of the stems. Inoculation wounds were wrapped with Parafilm. Control seedlings received sterile PDA plugs. Inoculated and control seedlings (five each) were kept in a greenhouse and watered as needed. After 2 weeks, all of the inoculated but none of the control blueberry seedlings showed dark vascular stem tissue. N. vitifusiforme was reisolated from symptomatic tissues, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. N. vitifusiforme has been reported as a pathogen of olive (2), plum, peach (1), and grapevine (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. vitifusiforme on blueberry in China as well as worldwide. References: (1) U. Damm et al. Mycologia 99:664, 2007. (2) C. Lazzizera et al. Plant Pathol. 57:948, 2008. (3) J. M. van Niekerk et al. Mycologia 96:781, 2004.

Generation of a recloned transgenic cat expressing red fluorescence protein

Somatic cells from a first-generation red fluorescence protein transgenic cat (first RFP TG cat) were used to produce a recloned RFP transgenic cat (Re-RFP TG cat) (Felis catus) that systemically expressed RFP. A total of 281 RFP cloned embryos were transferred into 13 surrogate mothers (mean=21+/-7.7 embryos/recipient). One surrogate cat was diagnosed pregnant (7.7%) and delivered one live kitten. The presence of the RFP gene in the mRNA and genomic DNA of the Re-RFP TG cat was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analyses, and red fluorescence was detected in its internal organs and placental tissue samples. Analysis of nine feline-specific microsatellite loci confirmed that the Re-RFP TG cat was genetically identical to the donor cat. To test whether results such as normality of offspring and a low cloning success were due to epigenetic modifications, global methylation of placenta from the two first cloned RFP TG cats (77.08% and 82.29%) and the Re-RFP TG cat (76.38%) were compared by bisulfite mutagenesis sequencing analysis. In conclusion, although cloning efficiency was low, we demonstrated the successful use of a cloned first RFP TG cat as a donor cat to produce a Re-RFP TG cat. These results may facilitate future developments in biomedical models for human therapeutic applications.

Energy level splitting of CdS nanocrystals

CdS nanocrystals have been fabricated using mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as the stabilizing agent and Na(2)S as a sulfur source. The structure and morphology of the CdS nanocrystals have been measured by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Energy level splitting was observed in the UV-VIS optical absorption spectrum of small CdS nanocrystals; the main absorption peak splits into three separate peaks, which are considered to be three discrete sub-energy levels of the 1S electronic state of the CdS nanocrystals.

Optical properties of Au/Ag core/shell nanoshuttles

Au/Ag nanoshuttles with sharp tips at both ends have been synthesized in glycine solution by chemically depositing silver on gold nanorods. Strong local field in the Au/Ag nanoshuttles enhanced by longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) were investigated by theoretical calculations and experimental measurements. At the corresponding LSPR wavelengths, the extinction cross section and nonlinear refraction of the Au/Ag nanoshuttles are about 1.5 and 8.0 times of those of the original Au nanorods, respectively.

G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells from diabetic patients augment neovascularization in ischemic limbs but with impaired capability

BACKGROUND

Autologous transplantation of mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (M-PBMNCs) is a novel approach to improve critical limb ischemia (CLI) in diabetes. However, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from diabetes are dysfunctional and impaired in ischemia-induced neovascularization.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to confirm the compromised efficiency of diabetic M-PBMNCs in therapeutic neovascularization, and to determine the underlying mechanisms of this impairment.

METHODS

Diabetic M-PBMNCs from 17 diabetic patients or healthy controls, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were injected into the ischemic limbs of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nude mice. The limb blood perfusion, ambulatory score, ischemia damage, capillary/fiber ratio, arteriole density, collateral vessel formation, and pericytes recruitment were evaluated between these three groups. Non-invasive real time image and histopathology were used to detect the in vivo role of transplanted M-PBMNCs. Proliferation and adhesion of EPCs were assayed. In vitro vascular network incorporation and matrigel plug assay were used to test the pro-neovascularization role of M-PBMNCs.

RESULTS

Transplantation of diabetic M-PBMNCs also improved neovascularization, but to a lesser extent from that observed with non-diabetic ones. This was associated with the impairment of diabetic M-PBMNCs capacity to differentiate into EPCs, to incorporate into vessel-like tubules in vitro, to participate in vascular-like structure formation in a subcutaneous matrigel plug, and to stimulate the recruitment of pericytes/smooth muscle cells. In addition, there was impairment in vasculogenesis, which was related to the reduced adhesion ability of EPCs from diabetic M-PBMNCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes reduced the capacity of M-PBMNCs to augment neovascularization in ischemia.

Matrix metalloproteinases in bone marrow: roles of gelatinases in physiological hematopoiesis and hematopoietic malignancies

Turnover balance of extracellular matrix (ECM) is a prerequisite for the structural and functional homeostasis of bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. The role of ECM in physiologic hematopoiesis and its pathologic change in hematopoietic malignancies are very important and under extensive investigation. Accumulating evidence suggests that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of zinc-dependent proteinases, take an active part in the physiological and pathological hematopoiesis through remodeling the ECM in BM hematopoietic microenvironment. In this review, we will focus on the roles of MMPs in physiological hematopoiesis, hematopoietic stem cells mobilization/transplantation, and hematological malignancies. Furthermore, the preclinical studies on the role of synthetic MMP inhibitors in the treatment of hematological malignancies will be discussed.

Inhibition of human leukemia xenograft in nude mice by adenovirus-mediated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3

Considerable studies have demonstrated the pivotal roles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in leukemia dissemination and extramedullary infiltration. Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are multifunctional proteins with MMPs inhibitory effects. However, little is known about the application of TIMPs in the treatment of leukemia. Here, we investigated the effects of TIMP-3 overexpression via adenoviral gene delivery on the in vitro growth and invasiveness of leukemic cells and the in vivo progress of K562-derived xenografts in nude mice. The in vitro invasiveness of K562 cells was markedly impaired by AdTIMP-3 infection. Moreover, TIMP-3 significantly inhibited K562-derived angiogenic factors-induced proliferation, migration and bFGF-induced tube formation of endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro, and reduced VEGF-induced gelatinases expression and activation in ECs. Although TIMP-3 overexpression had no direct effect on the growth of K562 cells in vitro, repeated intratumoral injection of AdTIMP-3 significantly inhibited the growth of K562 xenografts in nude mice. Furthermore, lower microvessel density, less vessel maturity and increased apoptosis were observed in AdTIMP-3-treated K562 xenografts, suggesting the importance of antiangiogenic action of TIMP-3. These data demonstrated the potential of applying AdTIMP-3 as an effective antiangiogenic adjuvant in the treatment of leukemia progression.

[Protective effect of Panax quinquefolium 20s-proto-panaxdiolsaponins on acute myocardial infarction in dogs]

OBJECTIVE

To study the protective effects of Panax quinquefolium 20s-protopanaxdiolsaponins extracted from leaves of P. quinquefolium (PQDS) on acute myocardial infarction(AMI) in dogs.

METHOD

The parameters of myocardial infart size, the serum CK and LDH activity, myocardial metabolism, free radicals and coronary circulation etc were determined by using the model of ligation of LAD in the anaesthetized open-chest dogs.

RESULT

In dogs treated with PQDS(in a dosage of 10 and 20 mg.kg-1 i.v. infusion), the myocardial infarct size, the activity of serum CK, LDH and the contents of serum FFA and LPO were decreased, whereas the activity of serum SOD and GSH-Px increased markedly. At the same time, myocardial blood flow was increased and coronary vascular resistance decreased significantly.

CONCLUSION

PQDS has protective effect on myocardial ischemia by modifying metabolic dysfunction of FFA, inhibiting oxygen free radical mediated peroxidation of membrane lipids, enhancing endogenous antioxidase activity and increasing myocardial blood supply.

Changes in HIV-1 incidence in heroin users in Guangxi Province, China

Guangxi Province, China recently experienced an outbreak of HIV-1 infection among heroin users. We studied HIV-1 incidence rates and associated risk factors for HIV-1 infection among heroin users residing in Pingxiang City. A total of 318 heroin users were followed from February 1998 through January 1999 (median follow-up: 8.1 months). Of these, 130 were prospectively followed from January through September 1999 (median follow-up: 8.3 months). HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence rates for each period were calculated. A generalized estimating equation approach was implemented to identify independent risk factors associated with HIV-1 infection across both periods. Among 318 study participants, 97.2% were men. The median age was 22 years. Approximately 60% reported sharing needles. HIV-1 prevalence at baseline was 15.4%. During the first follow-up period, HIV-1 incidence was 2.38 per 100 person years (py), and HCV incidence was 26.8 per 100 py. During the second follow-up period, HIV-1 incidence was 6.86 per 100 py, and HCV incidence was 28.9 per 100 py. After controlling for age and other factors, HCV seropositivity, history of sexually transmitted diseases, and sharing needles were independently associated with HIV-1 infection. These data suggest that HIV-1 incidence was rising over time in Pingxiang City, Guangxi Province. The high incidence of HCV heightens the importance of enhanced prevention programs to reduce injection and needle sharing among heroin users.

Characterization of the biosynthesis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Env from infected T-cells and the effects of glucose trimming of Env on virion infectivity

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-1 Env is displayed on the surface of infected cells and subsequently incorporated into virions, which is necessary for the initiation of a viral infection by recognition of the CD4 and the chemokine receptors (such as CCR5 or CXCR4) on the surface of new target cells. As a type 1 integral membrane glycoprotein, Env is cotranslationally translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum. In this report, we characterized the synthesis of Env, which did not occur at a constant rate but by translational/translocational pausing that has not previously been shown with a viral encoded glycoprotein. Overall translation was not impeded by the presence of the reducing agent dithiothreitol in vivo, although this did influence the cleavage of the precursor gp160 into its mature form, gp120. Env interacts transiently with resident components of the endoplasmic reticulum such as calnexin, which had maximal association at a 10-min post-translation. Addition of the glucosidase inhibitor, castanospermine, failed to significantly influence the association of Env with calnexin, consistent with the notion that calnexin recognizes components other than alpha-terminal glucose. Moreover, castanospermine treatment failed to affect the infectivity of virions. Taken together, this report demonstrates the existence of translational/translocational pausing for a viral glycoprotein and suggests that trimming of glucose from HIV-1 Env is not essential for the initiation of virus infection.

A recent outbreak of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in southern China was initiated by two highly homogeneous, geographically separated strains, circulating recombinant form AE and a novel BC recombinant

New outbreaks of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) among injecting drug users (IDUs) are spreading in China along heroin trafficking routes. Recently, two separate HIV-1 epidemics among IDUs were reported in Guangxi, Southern China, where partial sequencing of the env gene showed subtype C and circulating recombinant form (CRF) AE. We evaluated five virtually full-length HIV-1 genome sequences from IDUs in Guangxi to determine the genetic diversity and the presence of intersubtype recombinants. Sequence analysis showed two geographically separated, highly homogeneous HIV-1 strains. B/C intersubtype recombinants were found in three IDUs from Baise City, in a mountainous region near the Yunnan-Guangxi border. These were mostly subtype C, with portions of the capsid and reverse transcriptase (RT) genes from subtype B. The subtype B portion of the capsid was located in the N-terminal domain, which has been shown to influence virus core maturation, virus infectivity, and binding to cyclophilin A, whereas the subtype B portion of RT was located in the palm subdomain, which is the active site of the enzyme. These BC recombinants differed from a BC recombinant found in Xinjiang Province in northwestern China. CRF AE strains were found in IDUs from Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, and in IDUs from Pingxiang City near the China-Vietnam border. The AE and BC recombinants were both remarkable for their low interpatient diversity, less than 1% for the full genome. Rapid spread of HIV-1 among IDUs may foster the emergence of highly homogeneous strains, including novel recombinants in regions with multiple subtypes.

Association of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vif with RNA and its role in reverse transcription

The vif gene of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is essential for viral replication, although the functional target of Vif remains elusive. HIV-1 vif mutant virions derived from nonpermissive H9 cells displayed no significant differences in the amount, ratio, or integrity of their protein composition relative to an isogenic wild-type virion. The amounts of the virion-associated viral genomic RNA and tRNA(3)(Lys) were additionally present at normal levels in vif mutant virions. We demonstrate that Vif associates with RNA in vitro as well as with viral genomic RNA in virus-infected cells. A functionally conserved lentivirus Vif motif was found in the double-stranded RNA binding domain of Xenopus laevis, Xlrbpa. The natural intravirion reverse transcriptase products were markedly reduced in vif mutant virions. Moreover, purified vif mutant genomic RNA-primer tRNA complexes displayed severe defects in the initiation of reverse transcription with recombinant reverse transcriptase. These data point to a novel role for Vif in the regulation of efficient reverse transcription through modulation of the virion nucleic acid components.

Adoption of injection practices in heroin users in Guangxi Province, China

This preliminary study collected data from 326 heroin users in Guangxi Province, China, in 1997. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for injection. Survival analysis identified factors independently associated with time from initiation of heroin use to adoption of injection. Four factors were independently associated with injection: number of friends who used heroin in the last year, duration of heroin use, dose of heroin consumed, and total number of times detoxified in drug treatment and rehabilitation centers. Only gender and duration of heroin use were independently associated with time to first injection. Median time to first injection was 11 months for males and 22 months for females. Median time to first injection varied by age. Median time to injection for those who used heroin for more than one year was 8.1 months; it was 19.1 months for on to five years of use, and 40.5 months for more than five years of use. This study's preliminary findings suggest that younger, more recent heroin users, and males are at increased risk of becoming injectors, a major risk behavior for HIV acquisition.

Enhancement of primary and secondary cellular immune responses against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gag by using DNA expression vectors that target Gag antigen to the secretory pathway

In this study, we have investigated the influence of antigen targeting after DNA vaccination upon the induction of cellular immune responses against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag. In addition to the standard version of HIV-1 Gag, we constructed Gag expression vectors that encode a secreted (Sc-Gag) and a cytoplasmic (Cy-Gag) Gag molecule. Although all three HIV-1 Gag expression vectors induced detectable humoral and cellular immune responses, after intramuscular injection the DNA vector encoding the Sc-Gag generated the highest primary cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and T-helper responses. Mice immunized with one of the HIV-1 Gag DNA vectors (but not with the control vector pcDNA3. 1) developed a protective immune response against infection with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HIV-1 Gag, and this response persisted for 125 days. The magnitude of the protection correlated with the levels of Gag-specific ex vivo CTL activity and the number of CD8(+) T cells producing gamma interferon. The DNA vector encoding the Sc-Gag induced higher levels of protection and greater secondary CTL responses than did the DNA vector encoding Cy-Gag.

Comparison of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Pr55(Gag) and Pr160(Gag-pol) processing intermediates that accumulate in primary and transformed cells treated with peptidic and nonpeptidic protease inhibitors

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) produces two polyproteins, Pr55(Gag) and Pr160(Gag-Pol), that are cleaved into mature functional subunits by the virally encoded protease. Drugs that inhibit this protease are an important part of anti-HIV therapy. We studied the ordered accumulation of Gag and Gag-Pol processing intermediates by variably blocking the protease with HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PIs). Variable protease inhibition caused accumulation of a complex pattern of processing intermediates, which was the same after incubating HIV-1-infected cells with increasing concentrations of either one of the peptidomimetic inhibitors indinavir, saquinavir (SQV), ritonavir (RTV), nelfinavir, and SC-52151 or one of the nonpeptidomimetic inhibitors DMP450, DMP323, PNU-140135, and PNU-109112 for 3 days. The patterns of Gag and Gag-Pol processing intermediate accumulation were nearly identical when the following were compared: cell- versus virion-associated proteins, HIV-1-infected transformed cell lines versus primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and HIV-1(MN) versus HIV-1(IIIB) virus strains. RTV was a more potent inhibitor of p24 production in PBMCs than SQV by approximately 7-fold, whereas SQV was a more potent inhibitor in transformed cells than RTV by approximately 30-fold. Although the antiretroviral potency of HIV-1 PIs may change as a function of cell type, the polyprotein intermediates that accumulate with increasing drug concentrations are the same. These results support sequential processing of Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins by the HIV-1 protease and may have important implications for understanding common cross-resistance pathways.

Differences among HIV-1 variants in their ability to elicit secretion of TNF-alpha

HIV-1 infection of human PBMC has been shown to elicit secretion of several different cytokines. TNF-alpha secretion induced by this virus has been of particular interest because it has been associated with the development of HIV-1 dementia and because TNF-alpha increases viral replication by enhancing NF-kappaB interaction with the viral promoter, the HIV-1 long terminal repeat. Thus, an autocrine pathway is potentially created in which HIV-1 stimulates its own replication. Conflicting reports exist, however, on the ability of HIV-1 to induce TNF-alpha secretion in vitro or in vivo. Using experimental protocols that controlled for potential bacterial endotoxin-induced TNF-alpha secretion, the current study demonstrates significant differences in TNF-alpha-eliciting properties among primary and laboratory obtained HIV-1. The relative TNF-alpha-inducing ability of different variants is conserved when tested using PBMC from different individuals. Elicitation of TNF-alpha secretion was not blocked by exposure of cells to zidovudine, indicating that viral integration was not required to induce secretion. Rather, the interaction between the virus and cell surface is critical for TNF-alpha induction, as Abs against CD4 or CCR5 blocked the induction of TNF-alpha synthesis by PBMC when added before virus exposure. Furthermore, the ability to induce TNF-alpha secretion mapped to a region of the HIV-1 env gene that includes the third hypervariable domain. Differences in the ability of different HIV-1 variants to elicit TNF-alpha may account for individual differences in HIV-1 disease course.

Overland heroin trafficking routes and HIV-1 spread in south and south-east Asia

OBJECTIVES

Burma produces approximately 60% of the world's heroin, Laos is the third leading producer. Recent outbreaks of injecting drug use and HIV-1 in Burma, India, China, and Vietnam have been associated with Burmese and Laotian overland heroin trafficking routes. We analyzed findings from narcotics investigations, molecular epidemiology studies of HIV-1, and epidemiologic and behavioral studies of injecting drug use, to evaluate the roles that the heroin export routes play in the spread of drug use and HIV-1 in south and south-east Asia.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical and narcotics literature, the molecular epidemiology of HIV, and did key informant interviews in India, China, and Burma with injecting drug users, drug traffickers, public health staff, and narcotics control personnel.

RESULTS

Four recent outbreaks of HIV-1 among injecting drug users appear linked to trafficking routes. Route 1: From Burma's eastern border to China's Yunnan Province, with initial spread of HIV-1 subtype B, and later C. Route 2: Eastern Burma to Yunnan, going north and west, to Xinjiang Province, with B, C, and a B/C recombinant subtype. Route 3: Burma and Laos, through northern Vietnam, to China's Guangxi Province, subtype E. Route 4: Western Burma, across the Burma-India border to Manipur, predominant subtype C, and B and E.

CONCLUSIONS

Overland heroin export routes have been associated with dual epidemics of injecting drug use and HIV infection in three Asian countries and along four routes. Molecular epidemiology is useful for mapping heroin routes. Single country narcotics and HIV programs are unlikely to succeed unless the regional narcotic-based economy is addressed.

Evaluation of novel human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag DNA vaccines for protein expression in mammalian cells and induction of immune responses

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are an important parameter of host defenses that limit viral replication after infection. Induction of effective CTL against conserved viral proteins such as Gag may be essential to the development of a safe and effective HIV type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine. DNA vaccination represents a novel strategy for inducing potent CD8(+) CTL responses in vivo. However, expression of HIV-1 structural proteins by DNA vectors has been hampered by a stringent requirement for coexpression with other viral components, such as Rev and RRE. Furthermore, even with Rev and RRE present, the level of expression of HIV-1 Gag, Pol, or Env is very low in murine cells. These problems have limited our ability to address the key issue of how to generate effective CTL responses to Gag in a mouse model. To overcome this problem, we compared several novel DNA expression vectors for HIV-1 Gag protein expression in primate and mouse cells and for generating immune responses in mice after DNA vaccination. A DNA vector containing wild type HIV-1 gag coding sequences did not induce detectable Gag expression in any of the cells tested. Attempts to increase nuclear export of Gag expression RNA by adding the constitutive transport element yielded only a moderate increase in Gag expression in monkey-derived COS cells and an even lower increase in Gag expression in HeLa cells or several mouse cell lines. In contrast, silent-site mutations in the HIV-1 gag coding sequences significantly increased Gag expression levels in all cells tested. Furthermore, this construct induced both Gag-specific antibody and CTL responses in mice after DNA vaccination. Using this construct, we achieved stable expression of HIV-1 Gag in the mouse cell line p815, which can now be used as a target cell for measuring HIV-1 Gag-specific CTL responses in immunized mice. The DNA vectors described in this study should make it possible to systematically evaluate the approaches for maximizing the induction of CTL responses against HIV-1 Gag in mouse and other animal systems.

The effect of drug-injection behavior on genetic evolution of HIV-1

The effect of injection-drug use on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) env genetic evolution was examined in 15 seroconverting injection-drug users followed up for 4 years. After adjustment for non-drug-related independent variables significantly associated with genetic diversity (time since seroconversion and progressor status), injection frequency was positively and highly significantly associated with HIV-1 env genetic diversity (P=.003). The mutation rate in those who had injected at least once a day during the previous 6 months was estimated to be 62% greater than the rate in those who had not injected at all. If the positive effect of drug-injection frequency on env genetic diversity extends to the HIV-1 pol gene, the risk of emergence of resistance to antiretroviral drugs may be enhanced by increased drug-injection frequency, especially under the selection pressure of antiretroviral therapy.

Emerging HIV infections with distinct subtypes of HIV-1 infection among injection drug users from geographically separate locations in Guangxi Province, China

Heroin users from Guangxi province, a southern province of China that borders Vietnam in the south and Yunnan province in China in the west, were studied for prevalence and risk factors for HIV-1 infection. Viral env sequences from HIV-1-positive individuals were also determined for subtypes of HIV-1. The overall HIV prevalence among 227 heroin users was 40%. Most had used drugs for < or = 3 years. Sharing of injection equipment and unprotected sex were significantly associated with HIV-1 infection. Subtypes C and E HIV-1 were detected in infected heroin users and were sharply segregated in two geographic locations: only subtype C was found in a border city with Yunnan province, whereas only subtype E was found in a city bordering northern Vietnam. HIV-1 strains within each subtype were remarkably homogenous, with a mean intersubject DNA distance of 2.32% for subtype E and 1.13% for subtype C, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of C2-V5 region of Guangxi subtype E env sequences revealed significant clustering with subtype E sequences from southern Vietnam and Cambodia. These results suggest that HIV-1 infection among heroin users in Guangxi represents two emerging epidemics initiated from distinct sources: one from Vietnam and another from Yunnan province. Factors associated with HIV-1 infection were not restricted to injection practices. Unprotected sexual behaviors are likely to increase the probability of HIV transmission beyond this high-risk population. Designing and implementing effective intervention strategies targeted toward both injection drug use and high risk sexual behavior are urgently needed to further reduce HIV-1 spread in China.