[Pathogenetic analysis of transfusion-related acute lung injury caused by human leukocytes antigen antibody against human leukocyte antigen]

From September 2019 to October 2020, pathogenetic analysis of three patients clinically diagnosed as transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) caused by human leukocyte antibodies was conducted by Guangzhou Blood Centre, including 2 males and 1 female, aged 56, 50 and 20 years old, respectively. Solid phase agglutination, anti-human globulin test and flow cytometry method were used to detect the presence of antibodies against patients. Sequencing-based human leukocyte antigen (HLA-SBT) typing technique was used to detect the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes of patients. Lifecodes single antigen class Ⅰ/Ⅱ kit (LSA-Ⅰ/Ⅱ) were used to detect the specificity of HLA-class Ⅰ and class Ⅱ antibodies in donor blood by Luminex 200 liquid suspension chip system. The HLA specific antibodies and corresponding epitopes in donors were also analyzed. The results showed that　HLA class Ⅰ or class Ⅱ specific antibodies against TRALI patients were detected in the blood donors. The plasma of donor 3 received by patient 1 contained antibodies against the patient's HLA-DRB1*09∶01 antigen, and the epitopes mediating the antibody reaction of the donor and recipient were 70R, 31I, 70QA. There were antibodies against the HLA-A*11∶02, HLA-A*11∶01, DRB1*12∶02, and DRB1*09∶01 antigens of patient 2 in the plasma of donor 4, and the associated antigenic epitopes were 151AHA, 57V, and 16Y. Antibodies against the HLA-DRB1*14∶04, DRB1*11∶01, and DPB1*05∶01 antigens of patient 3 were present in the plasma of donor 6 and donor 7, and the associated epitopes were 96HK, 140TV, 13SE, and 111K.　Three cases of TRALI were confirmed to be caused by HLA antibodies through laboratory analysis, and human leukocyte antibody detection should be paid attention in clinically suspected cases of TRALI, and targeted diagnosis and treatment should be given.

[Overexpression of NAT10 induced platinum drugs resistance in breast cancer cell]

Objective: To observe the platinum drugs resistance effect of N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) overexpression in breast cancer cell line and elucidate the underlining mechanisms. Methods: The experiment was divided into wild-type (MCF-7 wild-type cells without any treatment) group, NAT10 overexpression group (H-NAT10 plasmid transfected into MCF-7 cells) and NAT10 knockdown group (SH-NAT10 plasmid transfected into MCF-7 cells). The invasion was detected by Transwell array, the interaction between NAT10 and PARP1 was detected by co-immunoprecipitation. The impact of NAT10 overexpression or knockdown on the acetylation level of PARP1 and its half-life was also determined. Immunostaining and IP array were used to detect the recruitment of DNA damage repair protein by acetylated PARP1. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell apoptosis. Results: Transwell invasion assay showed that the number of cell invasion was 483.00±46.90 in the NAT10 overexpression group, 469.00±40.50 in the NAT10 knockdown group, and 445.00±35.50 in the MCF-7 wild-type cells, and the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In the presence of 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin, the number of cell invasion was 502.00±45.60 in the NAT10 overexpression group and 105.00±20.50 in the NAT10 knockdown group, both statistically significant (P<0.05) compared with 219.00±31.50 in wild-type cells. In the presence of 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin, NAT10 overexpression enhanced the binding of PARP1 to NAT10 compared with wild-type cells, whereas the use of the NAT10 inhibitor Remodelin inhibited the mutual binding of the two. Overexpression of NAT10 induced PARP1 acetylation followed by increased PARP1 binding to XRCC1, and knockdown of NAT10 expression reduced PARP1 binding to XRCC1. Overexpression of NAT10 enhanced PARP1 binding to LIG3, while knockdown of NAT10 expression decreased PARP1 binding to LIG3. In 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin-treated cells, the γH2AX expression level was 0.38±0.02 in NAT10 overexpressing cells and 1.36±0.15 in NAT10 knockdown cells, both statistically significant (P<0.05) compared with 1.00±0.00 in wild-type cells. In 10 μmol/L oxaliplatin treated cells, the apoptosis rate was (6.54±0.68)% in the NAT10 overexpression group and (12.98±2.54)% in the NAT10 knockdown group, both of which were statistically significant (P<0.05) compared with (9.67±0.37)% in wild-type cells. Conclusion: NAT10 overexpression enhances the binding of NAT10 to PARP1 and promotes the acetylation of PARP1, which in turn prolongs the half-life of PARP1, thus enhancing PARP1 recruitment of DNA damage repair related proteins to the damage sites, promoting DNA damage repair and ultimately the survival of breast cancer cells.

Comparing the efficacy of endovascular treatment for iliac vein compression syndrome with or without acute deep venous thrombosis: A single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND

To compare the efficacy of endovascular treatment for iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) with or without acute deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 300 IVCS patients, who received endovascular treatment between January 2013 and December 2017. According to whether IVCS was complicated by deep venous thrombosis or not, these patients were divided into non-thrombotic iliac vein lesion group (NIVL group, n = 127) and post-thrombotic iliac vein lesion group (PIVL group, n = 173). After endovascular treatment, all patients were followed up to assess the symptoms improvement and to evaluate the patency of iliac vein.

RESULTS

The technical success rate was 98% (294/300), and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting was adopted in 294 cases. The incidence of perioperative complications was 36.33% (109/300), but no severe complications occurred. During a mean follow-up of 22.3 months (range 6-30 months), 9(6.82%, 9/132) patients in PIVL group had recurrence of deep venous thrombosis, but nobody had deep venous thrombosis and varicose veins recurrence in NIVL group. The effective rate of endovascular treatment in NIVL group and PIVL group was 96.88% and 90.15% (P = 0.050), while the cumulative primary patency of iliac vein in NIVL group was significantly higher than that in PIVL group (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

The endovascular treatment is an effective, feasible, safe method for treating IVCS. There is no difference in the efficacy of IVCS patients with or without deep venous thrombosis, but the medium and long-term patency of patients with deep venous thrombosis is lower than that in patients without deep venous thrombosis.

[HIV self-testing reagent use in pre-exposure prophylaxis and related factors in men who have sex with men]

Objective: To understand the current status of HIV self-testing reagent use in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and related factors in men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: From December 2018 to December 2019, "Gold data" online platform (www.jinshuju.com) was used to conduct multicenter PrEP studies in Shenyang, Beijing, Chongqing and Shenzhen of China. Results: A total of 1 222 MSM PrEP users were included in the multicenter study. The average age of the participants was (31.5±8.7) years, and the number of sexual partners in the past three months was 3 (P₂₅,P₇₅:2,6). The proportions of those who did not use condoms in anal sex with fixed, casual and commercial partners were 62.7% (456/727), 56.3% (440/781) and 41.0% (16/39), respectively. Up to 74.5% (910/1 222) of participants had used HIV self-testing reagents, and the number of HIV self-testing during last year was 3 (P₂₅,P₇₅:2,5). The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that compared with age group >40 years, those with education level of junior high school or below, those with psychological identity as female, event driven PrEP users, those never using new type drugs in past 3 months, the participants aged 18- years (aOR=2.06, 95%CI: 1.35-3.14), 26- years (aOR=2.72, 95%CI: 1.77-4.17), 31- years (aOR=1.76, 95%CI: 1.19-2.59), undergraduates (aOR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.35-3.49), graduate students and above (aOR=3.06, 95%CI: 1.69-5.54), those with psychological identity as male (aOR=3.22, 95%CI: 1.55-6.70), daily PrEP users (aOR=1.35, 95%CI: 1.03-1.78), and new type drug users in the past three months (aOR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.30-2.28) had higher proportions of HIV self-testing behaviors. Conclusions: The proportion of HIV self-testing in MSM PrEP users was high, while it was relatively low in older age group, event driven PrEP users and MSM never using new type drugs. To assess and improve the effectiveness and compliance of PrEPs, it is necessary to provide better HIV self-testing service for MSM with low HIV self-testing rate.

The Ambivalent Role of lncRNA Xist in Carcinogenesis

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Xist has emerged as a key modulator in dosage compensation by randomly inactivating one of the X chromosomes in mammals during embryonic development. Dysregulation of X chromosome inactivation (XCI) due to deletion of Xist has been proven to induce hematologic cancer in mice. However, this phenomenon is not consistent in humans as growing evidence suggests Xist can suppress or promote cancer growth in different organs of the human body. In this review, we discuss recent advances of XCI in human embryonic stem cells and provide an explanation for the seemingly contradictory roles of Xist in development of human cancer.

[Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of 40 cases of primary systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma]

目的

分析原发系统型间变性大细胞淋巴瘤（ALCL）的临床特征及预后因素。

方法

回顾性分析2013年1月至2018年12月期间在浙江大学医学院附属第一医院住院治疗的40例ALCL患者的临床资料，总结其临床特征并分析其预后相关因素。

结果

①40例患者中男29例，女11例，中位年龄41（14～67）岁，Ann Arbor分期Ⅲ～Ⅳ期36例（90.0％），IPI评分中高危、高危23例（57.5％）；25例（62.5％）有B症状，发热最为常见，其次为消瘦、盗汗；38例（95.0％）有结外侵犯；25例（62.5％）LDH升高；25例（62.5％）Ki-67≥80％；ALK阳性22例（55.0％），中位年龄29（14～67）岁，ALK阴性18例（45.0％），中位年龄51.5（19～67）岁，年龄差异有统计学意义（P＝0.003）。②40例患者均接受化疗，采用CHOP（环磷酰胺+多柔比星+长春地辛+泼尼松）方案18例，ECHOP（依托泊苷+CHOP）方案12例，其他方案10例；26例（65.0％）获得完全缓解（CR），ALK阴性（P＝0.029，OR＝13.458）和Ki-67≥80％（P＝0.04，OR＝14.453）是CR的独立影响因素，ECHOP方案的CR率高于CHOP方案［83.3％（10/12）对38.9％（7/18），P＝0.026］。③LDH水平、IPI评分、ALK表达情况以及化疗方案的选择对无进展生存（PFS）和总生存（OS）影响有统计学意义（P<0.05）。

结论

ALCL发病男性居多，青少年至中老年均有发病，ALK阳性中年轻患者居多，诊断时临床分期晚，多数患者有结外侵犯，半数以上患者有B症状、LDH升高、Ki-67高表达；ALK表达与否、Ki-67表达水平以及化疗方案的选择可影响疗效，LDH水平、IPI评分、ALK表达与否以及化疗方案的选择可影响PFS和OS；ECHOP是较优的化疗方案，可改善预后。

Analyses of microRNA166 gene structure, expression, and function during the early stage of somatic embryogenesis in Dimocarpus longan Lour

MicroRNA166 (miR166) contributes to post-transcriptional regulation by binding the mRNAs of HD-ZIP III genes, which affects plant growth and development. The structural characteristics, expression, and functions of miR166 genes during the early somatic embryogenesis stage in Dimocarpus longan remain unknown. We isolated the transcripts of pri-miR166 S78 with two transcription initiation sites (TSSs) and pri-miR166 S338 with one TSS. These sequences contain potential smORFs and encode different miRNA peptides (miPEPs). Additionally, their promoters contain cis-acting elements responsive to diverse stimuli. The pre-miR166 S78 and pre-miR166 S338 expression levels were up-regulated in response to 2,4-D, abscisic acid, and ethylene. Although the expression patterns induced by hormones were similar, there were differences in the extent of the response, with pre-miR166 S338 more responsive than pre-miR166 S78. Thus, miRNA transcription and maturation are not simply linearly correlated. Moreover, pre-miR166 S78 and pre-miR166 S338 expression levels were down-regulated, whereas ATHB15 (target gene) expression was up-regulated, from the longan embryonic callus to the globular embryo stages. These results are indicative of a negative regulatory relationship between miR166 and ATHB15 during the early somatic embryogenesis stage in longan. At the same stages, miR166a.2-agomir, miR166a.2-antagomir, and miPEP166 S338 increased or decreased the expression of miR166a.2 and ATHB15, but with no consistent patterns or linear synchronization, from which we've found some reasons for it.

[A survey of risk factors and quality of life in female medical staff with urinary incontinence]

OBJECTIVE

To explore risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI) and influences of UI on quality of life in female medical staff from Beijing.

METHODS

One hundred and forty-six female medical personnel were included in the present study through the convenient sampling method in Peking University First Hospital. The questionnaires contained the following information: demographic information, daily urination condition, the severity of UI [international consultation on incontinence questionnaire short form (ICI-Q-SF)], and the influences of UI on quality of life (QOL). We excluded the subjects who were in pregnancy or had urinary infection, neurogenic bladder, or urethral stricture. We used SPSS 21.0 software (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) for statistical analysis. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test determined the normality of the continuous variables. Means and standard deviation presented continuous variables in normality. Median and range presented continuous variables without normality. Frequency and percentile were used to present categorical or ranked variables.

RESULTS

There were 63 out of 146 (43.2%) female medical staff suffering from UI. The mean age and body mass index of the whole study cohort were (39.4±9.9) years and (22.3±3.4) kg/m². The median delivery times of all the subjects were 1 time (range: 0-3 times). Fifty out of 146 (34.2%) subjects had transvaginal delivery history. Chronic constipation was diagnosed in 32 subjects (21.9%). No significant difference in daytime micturition and nocturia times were found between the UI and non-UI subjects. According to the multivariate analysis, chronic constipation (OR=4.95, 95%CI=1.81-13.53, P=0.002) and transvaginal delivery history (OR=3.50, 95%CI=1.49-8.21, P=0.004) were independent risk factors for UI. The non-UI subjects had superior quality of life than the UI subjects in terms of incontinence quality of life (I-QOL) total scores and all sub-scores of avoidance and limiting behaviors, psychosocial impacts, and social embarrassment (P<0.001). In addition, avoidance and limiting behaviors (r=-0.449, P<0.001), psychosocial impacts (r=-0.538, P<0.001), and social embarrassment (r=-0.454, P<0.001) of the 63 UI subjects were equally influenced by the incontinence symptom.

CONCLUSION

UI is not uncommon in female medical staff. The quality of life of medical faculty is influenced by UI in terms of avoidance and limiting behaviors, psychosocial impacts, and social embarrassment. Chronic constipation and transvaginal delivery history were independent risk factors for UI.

[Optimization of delivering minimum Gd-DTPA at the posterior upper point on tympanic medial wall and hT2W-3D-FLAIR sequence for detecting endolymphatic hydrops]

Objective: To optimize delivery of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid(Gd-DTPA) at the posterior upper point on tympanic medial wall and heavily T2-weighted 3-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (hT2W-3D-FLAIR) sequence, and to implement the technique of detecting endolymphatic hydrops using gadolinium-enhancement MRI. Methods: Thirteen patients with periphery vertigo, who visited Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Changhai Hospital during June and December of 2017, were enrolled in the study.0.10-0.20 ml of Gd-DTPA in various dilutions (10, 20, and 40-fold) were delivered at the posterior upper point on tympanic medial wall using a soft-tipped tympanic suction and drug-spraying needle through an artificially perforated tympanic membrane. Inner ear MRI was performed at 8, 24 h after Gd-DTPA administration using a 3T MR machine in combination with a 20-channel Tim 4G head/neck coil and the sequence of hT2W-3D-FLAIR to detect the gadolinium-enhancement signal within the inner ear and possible endolymphatic hydrops. The scanning time was either 8 min 35 s or 15 min 11 s. Results: Efficient inner ear uptake of Gd-DTPA was detected and induced high signal to noise ratio of MRI in patients receiving targeted delivery of 0.15-0.20 ml of 10-fold diluted contrast agent at the posterior upper point on tympanic medial wall. At 8 h after delivery, significant uptake was detected in the scala tympani and vestibuli of hook region and basal turn of the cochlea, and perilymhatic compartment of the vestibule. At 24 h after delivery, the distribution of Gd-DTPA became homogenous in each turn of the cochlea and perilymphatic compartment of the vestibule. However, obvious individual variance existed in the inner ear uptake when 0.10 ml of 40-fold diluted Gd-DTPA was delivered. Efficient inner ear uptake and high quality images that generated in patients receiving 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 ml of 20-fold Gd-DTPA demonstrated endolymphatic hydrops with minor individual variance. There was insignificant difference in the enhancement signal of inner ear between 0.15 and 0.10 ml groups when Gd-DTPA was diluted at 20-fold except for the signal of semicircular canal of 0.15 ml group (190.00±53.95 vs 165.50±42.13, t=2.61, P<0.05). There was insignificant difference in the image quality between 8 min 35 s and 15 min 11 s canning time. Various degrees of endolymphatic hydrops were detected in 7 cochleae and 11 vestibule, and both simultaneous cochlear and vestibular endolymphatic hydrops were detected in 4 ears. Cochlear endolymphatic hydrops was detected in all the 3 patients with definite Meniere's disease, and 2 of them had combined cochlear and vestibular endolymphatic hydrops. Endolymphatic hydrops was not detected in patients with possible Meniere's disease nor with symptoms of superior semicircular canal dehiscence. Conclusion: Targeted delivery of 0.10 ml with 20-fold diluted Gd-DTPA (total dosage of 5 μmol) at the posterior upper point on tympanic medial wall in combination with 8 min 35 s scanning time hT2W-3D-FLAIR sequence for inner ear MRI in a 3T MR machine is a clinically practical method to detect endolymphatic hydrops, and reduce the requirement for MRI hardware.

Effect of cysteamine hydrochloride supplementation on the growth performance, enterotoxic status, and glutathione turnover of broilers fed aflatoxin B1 contaminated diets

This study aimed to investigate the effect of cysteamine hydrochloride (CSH) supplementation on the growth performance, opportunistic bacteria and enterotoxic markers, visceral lesions, glutathione turnover, and inflammatory factors of broilers fed diets contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). One-day-old Arbor Acres broilers (n = 480) were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 20 chicks each for a 2 × 2 design with CSH (0 or 200 mg/kg) and AFB1 (0 or 40 μg/kg). The trial lasted for 42 d. Results showed that AFB1 negatively affected (P < 0.05) growth performance, opportunistic bacteria and enterotoxic markers, intestinal lesions, glutathione turnover, and inflammatory factors. The CSH increased (P < 0.05) feed intake and body weight gain. The enterotoxic status was relieved in the CSH treatments by reducing (P < 0.05) the populations of gut Escherichia coli, Gram-negative bacteria, serum diamine oxidase, and intestinal lesions. The CSH also increased (P < 0.05) serum reduced glutathione, glutathione s-transferases, and glutathione reductase, and decreased (P < 0.05) the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β. Significant interactions (P < 0.05) were found on Gram-negative bacteria, diamine oxidase, and glutathione s-transferases. The results suggest that the CSH can improve glutathione turnover and reduce the risk of enterotoxic disease induced by AFB1 in broilers.

[Developing a Chinese PI-RADS v2-based nomogram for predicting clinically significant prostate cancer in patients with a prior negative biopsy]

Objective: To develop a nomogram based on prostate imaging reporting and data system version 2 (PI-RADS v2) to predict clinically significant prostate cancer in patients with a prior negative prostate biopsy. Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 231 patients who underwent repeat prostate biopsy and multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) were reviewed. Based on PI-RADS v2, the mpMRI results were assigned as PI-RADS grade from 0 to 2. A Logistic regression nomogram for predicting the probabilities of clinically significant prostate cancer were constructed. The performances of the nomogram were assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibrations and decision curve analysis. Results: Of the total 231 repeat prostate biopsy patients, clinically significant prostate cancer was detected in 59 cases(25.5%). In multivariate Logistic regression analysis, age, prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume (PV), digital rectal examination (DRE) and mpMRI results were significant independent predictors of the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (P<0.05). The nomogram with super predictive accuracy were constructed (AUC=0.927, P<0.001), and exhibited excellent calibration. Decision curve analysis also demonstrated a high net benefit across a wide range of threshold probabilities . Conclusions: PI-RADS v2 combined with age, PSA, PV and DRE can predict the probability of clinically significant prostate cancer in patients with negative initial biopsies. The nomogram generated may help the decision-making process in patients with prior benign histology before the performance of repeat biopsy.

Effect of yeast cell wall on the growth performance and gut health of broilers challenged with aflatoxin B1 and necrotic enteritis

This study aimed to investigate the effect of yeast cell walls (YCW) on the growth performance, visceral lesions, intestinal integrity, enterotoxicity, and bacteria of broilers challenged with aflatoxin B1 (AF) and necrotic enteritis (NE) from 1 to 21 d of age. A total of 576 one-day-old broilers were assigned to a 2 × 2 × 2 design for diets containing AFB1 (0 or 40 μg/kg), NE (challenged or unchallenged), or YCW (0 or 500 mg/kg). The main effect analysis showed that AF depressed (P < 0.01) average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily body weight gain (ADG), the mRNA profiles of polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR), claudin-1, and occludin, but increased (P < 0.001) liver lesion scores, serum endotoxin, and diamine oxidase (DAO). The NE challenge depressed (P < 0.01) ADFI, ADG, secretory IgA (sIgA), pIgR, claudin-1, occludin, and the populations of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, but increased (P < 0.001) visceral lesions, endotoxins, and DAO. The main effect of YCW on growth performance, visceral lesions, and intestinal integrity was not significant, but decreased (P < 0.01) mortality, endotoxin, DAO, and C. perfringens, and increased (P < 0.05) the populations of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. There were 3-way interactions (P < 0.05) on growth performance, intestinal lesions, integrity, and gut bacteria. Compared with the treatment with the dual challenges, there were pronounced effects (P < 0.05) of YCW on ADFI, ADG, lesions, DAO, pIgR, and Bifidobacteria. The results suggest that with the concurrent challenges of AF and NE, the YCW can partially protect the growth performance and intestinal health of broilers.

[Development of a Chinese nomogram based on muti-parametric magnetic resonance for predicting the probability of prostate cancer in patients after initial negative biopsy]

Objective: To develop a predictive nomogram based on multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) information to identify men more likely to have a cancer diagnosed on repeat prostate biopsy. Methods: The clinical data of 237 patients who received repeat prostate biopsy after initial negative biopsy from Department of Urology of Peking University First Hospital between January 2001 and August 2016 was reviewed. Patient age, body mass index (BMI), serum total prostate-specific antigen (PSA), percent free PSA (f/t), prostate volume (PV), PSA density (PSAD), PSA velocity (PSAV), digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)and mpMRI results were included in the univariate and multivariate analysis. A nomogram was developed using selected variables and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated as a measure of discrimination. Results: A total of 76 patients (32.07%) had prostate cancer (PCa) detected on repeat biopsy. Based on univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, the patient age, PSA, PV, DRE and mpMRI results were independent predictors for the diagnosis of PCa on repeat biopsy. The current nomogram performed well (AUC=0.910) and showed excellent calibration. Conclusions: Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging combined with age, PSA, PV and DRE can predict the probability of PCa in patients with initial negative biopsy. The nomogram might help in decision-making for men with prior benign histology before the performance of repeat biopsy.

[Changes of macrophages in colitis-associated colonic carcinogenesis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of quantity and phenotype of macrophages during the progress of colitis-associated carcinogenesis, and to identify the chemokines mediating macrophage recruitment.

METHODS

Colitis-associated cancer was induced by azoxymethane (AOM) combined with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in C57BL/6 mice. The three sequential developmental stages of colitis associated cancer in the mice were named AD1, AD2 and AD3, respectively. Colon tissues were collected and digested into single-cell suspension. The percentage and phenotype of macrophages in the colon tissues were determined by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). Protein array and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to predict potential chemotatic factors of macrophages.

RESULTS

Colitis-associated cancer was effectively induced in C57BL/6 mice using AOM combined with DSS. The percentage of macrophages was gradually elevated in the AD1, AD2 and AD3 groups [(9.93±1.28)%, (15.42±1.15)%, (21.25±0.62)%], respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group [(2.39±0.54)%, P<0.01]. The macrophages infiltrating the colonic mucosa exhibited mainly a pro-inflammatory phenotype as CD206(-)CD86(+) MHCII(-). The positive rates of CD206 in the AD1, AD2 and AD3 groups were (15.03±1.54)%, (8.11±3.70)%, and (9.06±1.16)%, respectively, significantly lower than that of the control group [(19.43±7.31)%, P<0.01]. The positive rates of CD86 in the AD2 and AD3 groups were (46.73±6.58)% and (76.90±14.32)%, respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group [(19.37±9.69)%, P<0.01)]. The positive rates of MHCⅡ in the AD1, AD2 and AD3 groups were (31.10±2.69)%, (33.93±14.08)%, and (29.93±1.41)%, respectively, significantly lower than that of the control group [(50.30±6.58)%, P<0.01]. Protein array analysis and real-time PCR data revealed that G-CSF was the potential chemokine to recruit macrophages in the AOM-DSS mouse model.

CONCLUSION

Macrophages infiltrate increasingly during the carcinogenesis and development of colitis-associated cancer, which mostly express CD206(-)CD86(+) MHCII(-) and might be potentially recruited by G-CSF.

Pontine microbleeds and depression in stroke

OBJECTIVES

Depression is the most common affective disorder following stroke yet the neuroanatomical model of poststroke depression (PSD) remains unclear. This study examined the association between PSD and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and hypothesized that CMBs in specific regions would be associated with PSD.

METHODS

Of the 4766 patients with first ever or recurrent acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Acute Stroke Unit of the Prince of Wales Hospital between June 2004 and October 2010, 229 met the entry criteria and formed the study sample. Patients with a Geriatric Depression Scale score of 7 or above were classified as having PSD. The presence and location of CMBs were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

Compared to the non-PSD group, patients with PSD were more likely to have pontine CMBs (32.0% vs 18.2%; P = .019). The presence of pontine CMBs remained an independent predictor of PSD in the multivariate analysis, with an odds ratio of 2.2 (P = .016).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that pontine CMBs are associated with a higher risk of developing PSD.

Human dental pulp stem cells derived from cryopreserved dental pulp tissues of vital extracted teeth with disease demonstrate hepatic-like differentiation

Reviewing the literature, hepatic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) from cryopreserved dental pulp tissues of vital extracted teeth with disease has not been studied. This study is aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that hDPSCs from cryopreserved dental pulp tissues of vital extracted teeth with disease could possess potential hepatic differentiation. Forty vital extracted teeth with disease recruited for hDPSCs isolation, stem cell characterization and hepatic differentiation were randomly and equally divided into group A (liquid nitrogen-stored dental pulp tissues) and group B (freshly derived dental pulp tissues). Samples of hDPSCs isolated from groups A and B but without hepatic growth factors formed negative controls. A well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma cell line was employed as a positive control. All the isolated hDPSCs from groups A and B showed hepatic-like differentiation with morphological change from a spindle-shaped to a polygonal shape and normal karyotype. Differentiated hDPSCs and the positive control expressed hepatic metabolic function genes and liver-specific genes. Glycogen storage of differentiated hDPSCs was noted from day 7 of differentiation-medium culture. Positive immunofluorescence staining of low-density lipoprotein and albumin was observed from day 14 of differentiation-medium culture; urea production in the medium was noted from week 6. No hepatic differentiation was observed for any of the samples of the negative controls. We not only demonstrated the feasibility of hepatic-like differentiation of hDPSCs from cryopreserved dental pulp tissues of vital extracted teeth with disease but also indicated that the differentiated cells possessed normal karyotype and were functionally close to normal hepatic-like cells. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

More than a safety line: jump-stabilizing silk of salticids

Salticids are diurnal hunters known for acute vision, remarkable predatory strategies and jumping ability. Like other jumpers, they strive for stability and smooth landings. Instead of using inertia from swinging appendages or aerodynamic forces by flapping wings as in other organisms, we show that salticids use a different mechanism for in-air stability by using dragline silk, which was previously believed to function solely as a safety line. Analyses from high-speed images of jumps by the salticid Hasarius adansoni demonstrate that despite being subject to rearward pitch at take-off, spiders with dragline silk can change body orientation in the air. Instantaneous drag and silk forces calculated from kinematic data further suggest a comparable contribution to deceleration and energy dissipation, and reveal that adjustments by the spider to the silk force can reverse its body pitch for a predictable and optimal landing. Without silk, upright-landing spiders would slip or even tumble, deferring completion of landing. Thus, for salticids, dragline silk is critical for dynamic stability and prey-capture efficiency. The dynamic functioning of dragline silk revealed in this study can advance the understanding of silk's physiological control over material properties and its significance to spider ecology and evolution, and also provide inspiration for future manoeuvrable robot designs.

Location of infarcts and apathy in ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Apathy is common in stroke survivors. Unlike poststroke depression, apathy after stroke has not been extensively investigated and the significance of the location of infarcts in the development of apathy following a stroke is unknown. This study examined the association between poststroke apathy (PSA) and the location of infarcts.

METHODS

A cohort of 185 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Stroke Unit of a university-affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong was recruited. Three months after the index stroke, a psychiatrist administered the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES). PSA was defined as an AES score of 37 or above. The presence and location of infarcts were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

Altogether 185 patients met the entry criteria and formed the study sample; 20 (10.8%) had PSA. PSA patients were older and had higher stroke severity and more depressive symptoms. The PSA group also had lower levels of physical and cognitive functioning. Compared with the non-PSA group, PSA patients were more likely to have acute pontine infarcts (35.0% vs. 11.5%; p = 0.011). They had a higher mean number (0.5 ± 0.7 vs. 0.1 ± 0.3; p = 0.003) and larger volume (0.6 ± 1.4 vs. 0.1 ± 0.3 ml; p = 0.002) of acute pontine infarcts. Six variables were entered into the predictive regression model: age, the presence, number and volume of acute pontine infarcts, the number of old infarcts and periventricular white matter hyperintensities scores. The volume of infarcts remained an independent predictor of PSA in the multivariate analysis, with an odds ratio of 3.9 (p = 0.007). The Geriatric Depression Scale, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Barthel Index and Mini-Mental State Examination scores were also entered into the subsequent associative regression model; the volume of acute pontine infarcts remained a significant predictor (odds ratio = 3.8).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of an association between pontine infarcts and the risk of PSA. The results suggest that pontine infarcts may play a role in the development of PSA. The importance of acute pontine infarcts in the pathogenesis of PSA warrants further investigation.

Launching plasmonic Bloch waves with excited dye molecules

In this paper, we will demonstrate that excited dye molecules can be used to launch the plasmonic Bloch waves (PBWs) propagating at multi-metal-dielectric interfaces. The properties of the PBWs, such as wavevectors, propagating bands, the interface and grating period effect, were characterized by a leakage radiation microscope. Theoretical simulations were also carried out to reveal the properties of the PBWs and were consistent with the experimental results. What is more, experimental results reveal an interesting phenomenon: the PBWs launched by the excited dye molecules present different optical behaviors from those launched by far-field laser beams through attenuated total reflection. The mechanism of this difference was analyzed based on the energy conversion between the optical near-field and far-field. Our work provides a new way to launch the PBWs. Further, the coupling between the dye molecules and PBWs also demonstrates a new method to manipulate the fluorescence emission from random to controllable.

Poststroke fatigue is associated with caudate infarcts

OBJECTIVE

The caudate nucleus may be involved in the pathogenesis of the fatigue observed in neurological disorders. However, the significance of caudate lesions in poststroke fatigue (PSF) is unknown. This study examined the association between caudate infarcts and PSF.

METHODS

Five hundred Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the acute stroke unit of a university-affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong participated in the study. All participants were assessed for PSF with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) three months after their index stroke. PSF was defined as a mean FSS score of 4.0 or more. Physical functioning and depressive symptoms were measured by the Barthel Index (BI) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-five (25.0%) of the patients had PSF. Compared to the non-fatigue group, the PSF patients were more likely to be women and had hyperlipidemia, lower BI and higher GDS scores. Caudate (8.0% versus 1.3%, p=0.001) and putamen (19.2% versus 12.0%, p=0.043) acute infarcts were more common in the PSF group, whereas pons infarcts (13.6% versus 22.2%, p=0.038) were less common. Acute caudate infarcts remained an independent predictor of PSF in the multivariate analysis, with an odds ratio of 6.4.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that patients with PSF are more likely to have caudate infarcts.

First Report of Cucumber mosaic virus in Desert Rose in Taiwan

Desert rose (Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult, family Apocynaceae) is native to southeastern Africa, and is a perennial potted ornamental with colorful flowers that are popular in Taiwan. Symptoms of mosaic and chlorotic ringspots and line patterns on leaves were observed in July 2010, on all eight plants in a private garden in Potzu, Chiayi, Taiwan. Spherical virus particles with a diameter of approximately 28 nm were observed in crude sap prepared from symptomatic leaves. Virus culture was established by successive local lesion isolation in Chenopodium quinoa and was maintained in the systemic host Nicotiana tabacum van Hicks. The virus was mechanically transmissible to indicator plants and induced symptoms similar to those incited by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Observed symptoms included local lesions on inoculated leaves of C. amaranticolor and systemic mosaic in Cucumis sativus, Lycopersicon esculentum, N. benthamiana, N. glutinosa, and N. rustica. On N. tabacum, necrotic ringspots developed on inoculated leaves followed by systemic mosaic. Serological tests using ELISA assays and western blotting indicated that the virus reacted positively to a rabbit antiserum prepared to CMV (4). Amplicons of an expected size (1.1 kb) were obtained in reverse transcription-PCR with primers specific to the 3'-half of CMV RNA 3 (3) using total RNA extracted from infected desert rose and N. tabacum. The amplified cDNA fragment was cloned and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. AB667971). Nucleotide sequences of the coat protein open reading frame (CP ORF) (657 nt) had 92 to 96% and 76 to 77% sequence identity to those of CMV in subgroups I (GenBank Accession Nos. NC_001440, D00385, M57602, D28780, and AB008777) and II (GenBank Accession Nos. L15336, AF127976, AF198103, and M21464), respectively. Desert roses infected by Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) (1) and CMV (2) have been reported previously. In spite of the plants showing mosaic symptoms similar to that caused by CMV (2) and chlorotic ringspots and line patterns caused by TSWV (1), only CMV was detected in and isolated from these infected desert roses. However, the possibility of mixed infection of CMV and other viruses were not excluded in this research. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CMV infection in desert rose plants occurring in Taiwan. References: (1) S. Adkins and C. A. Baker. Plant Dis. 89:526, 2005. (2) C. A. Baker et al. Plant Dis. 87:1007, 2003. (3) Y. K. Chen et al. Arch. Virol. 146:1631, 2001. (4) Y. K. Chen and C. C. Yang. Plant Dis. 89:529, 2005.

Classification of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy findings in pancreaticobiliary strictures

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The accurate diagnosis of indeterminate pancreaticobiliary strictures presents a clinical dilemma. Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) offers real-time in vivo microscopic tissue examination that may increase sensitivity for the detection of malignancy. the objective of this study was to develop and validate a standard descriptive classification of pcle in the pancreaticobiliary system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 102 patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with pCLE to assess indeterminate pancreaticobiliary strictures were enrolled in a multicenter registry; 89 of these patients were evaluable. Information and data on the following were collected prospectively: clinical, ERCP, tissue sampling, pCLE, and follow-up. A uniform classification of pCLE findings ("Miami Classification") was developed, consisting of a set of image interpretation criteria. Thereafter, these criteria were tested through blinded consensus review of 112 randomized pCLE videos from 47 patients, and inter-observer variability was assessed in 42 patients .

RESULTS

A consensus definition of the specific criteria of biliary and pancreatic pCLE findings for indeterminate strictures was developed. Single-image interpretation criteria did not have a high enough sensitivity for predicting malignancy. However, combining two or more criteria significantly increased the sensitivity and predictive values. The characteristics most suggestive of malignancy included the following: thick white bands (>20 µm), or thick dark bands (>40 µm), or dark clumps or epithelial structures. These provided sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 97%, 33%, 80%, and 80% compared with 48%, 100%, 100%, and 41% for standard tissue sampling methods. Inter-observer variability was moderate for most criteria.

CONCLUSION

The Miami Classification enables a structured, uniform, and reproducible description of pancreaticobiliary pCLE. Combining individual characteristics improves the sensitivity for the detection of malignancy.

First Report of Bidens mottle virus Causing Mosaic and Leaf Deformation in Garland Chrysanthemum and Lettuce in Taiwan

Garland chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) are winter vegetables in Taiwan. Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) and Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) were potyviruses commonly isolated from garland chrysanthemum and lettuce, respectively (1). Symptoms of mosaic and deformation in leaves and stunting of plants have been observed in both Compositae crops in the fields since 2007 in the Chiayi area and with an increasing incidence in recent years (26 and 33% in garland chrysanthemum and lettuce, respectively). Filamentous virus particles (approximately 780 × 13 nm) in the crude sap and pinwheel inclusions in infected cells can be observed in the preparations of both diseased hosts with electron microscopy. However, TuMV, LMV, and other potyviruses (Bean yellow mosaic virus, Papaya ringspot virus, and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus) were not detectable in diseased samples by ELISA and western blotting tests, indicating a new potyvirus infection. Virus cultures were isolated from infected garland chrysanthemum and lettuce separately via mechanical inoculations in Chenopodium quinoa. Each isolate was mechanically inoculated to their original host individually and all caused symptoms similar to that observed in the field, indicating their pathogenicity to their original host. A cDNA fragment consisting of partial nuclear inclusion (NIb) and coat protein (CP) genes were amplified with potyvirus degenerate primers (forward: 5'-GGBAAYAATAGTGGNCAACC and reverse: 5'-GGGGAGGTGCCGTTCTCDATRCACCA) and was found to share 90% nucleotide sequence identity to that of Bidens mottle virus (BiMoV; GenBank Accession No. AF538686). The sequences of the CP gene and 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of tested viruses were further amplified with a specific primer of BiMoV CP and oligo-dT in reverse transcription-PCR. The amplified fragments were cloned, sequenced, and the combined cDNA sequences were deposited in GenBank (Accession No. AB491763 for isolate garland chrysanthemum and Accession No. AB491764 for isolate lettuce). Sequence analysis showed that both cloned sequences shared more than 97% nucleotide similarity to that of BiMoV. The amino acid sequence of the CP of both isolates shared a 99.3% identity and a 98.9 to 99.3% identity to that of other BiMoV isolates deposited in GenBank. BiMoV was first described to be infecting lettuce and Cichorium endivia in the United States (4) and was first reported in sunflower and calendula in Taiwan recently (2,3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of BiMoV in garland chrysanthemum and lettuce in Taiwan. References: (1) Y. K. Chen et al. Plant Pathol. Bull. 5:55,1996. (2) C.-H. Huang and F.-J. Jan. Plant Dis. 95:362, 2011. (3) J. Y. Liao et al. Arch. Virol. 154:723, 2009. (4) F. Youssef et al. Arch. Virol 153:227, 2008.

First Report of Group 16SrXII Phytoplasma Associated with Papaya Yellows in Taiwan

Phytoplasmas have been reported to cause various disorders in papaya (Carica papaya L.), including dieback, mosaic, and yellow crinkle in Australia, Nivun Haamir dieback in Israel, and bunchy top-like disease in Cuba (1). Papaya is an economically important crop in Taiwan, and therefore, is monitored for viral infections. In 2005, papaya plants showing chlorosis, yellows and shriveling of leaves, dieback and lateral growth of branches, bending of apical branches, latexosis of fruits, and brown necrosis in phloem tissues were observed in southern Taiwan. Examination by an electron microscope revealed the presence of pleomorphic phytoplasma cells in sieve tubes of the phloem of petioles and leaf veins of diseased plants. Total DNA was extracted individually from at least three diseased plants at each location with a commercial DNA preparation kit (Axygen Scientific, Union City, CA) and used for amplification of the phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene in PCR with universal primer pairs P1 and Tint (3). The full-length 16S rRNA gene has been amplified and cloned. Sequence analysis revealed that the fragment was 1,581 bp long (GenBank Accession No. AJ919994) and shared 99.6% sequence identity with that of the 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' reference strain (GenBank Accession No. AF248959). A virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence amplified from the R16F2n/R16R2 primers (2) was performed with iPhyClassifier (4) and pDRAW32. In silico restriction analysis identified the studied papaya phytoplasma as a subgroup 16SrXII-A strain. The sequence had 97 to 98% sequence identity with papaya phytoplasmas of the 16SrXII group in Australia (GenBank Accession No. Y10095), Israel (GenBank Accession No. AY903951), and Cuba (GenBank Accession No. AY725234). The disease incidence was 30 to 35% during the 2006 to 2010 growing seasons, and field surveys indicated that the disease has spread to central Taiwan with sporadic occurrence in recent years. To our knowledge, this is the first report of phytoplasma associated with papaya yellows in Taiwan. References: (1) Y. Arocha et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 55:2451, 2005. (2) I. M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 48:1153, 1998. (3) C. D. Smart et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:2988, 1996. (4) Y. Zhao et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59:2582, 2009.

Cerebral microbleeds and depression in lacunar stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) are common in stroke survivors and the community-dwelling elderly. The clinical significance of CMB in the development of depression after a stroke is unknown. This study examined the association between poststroke depression (PSD) and CMB.

METHODS

A cohort of 235 patients with acute lacunar stroke admitted to the stroke unit of a university-affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong was recruited. Three months after the onset of the index stroke, a research assistant administered the locally validated 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. PSD was defined as a Genetic Depression Scale score of ≥7. The presence and location of CMB were evaluated with MRI.

RESULTS

In comparison with the non-PSD group, PSD patients were more likely to have lobar CMB (33.3% versus 19.9%; P=0.022). Lobar CMB remained an independent predictor of PSD in the multivariate analysis, with an odds ratio of 2.08 (P=0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that lobar CMB may play a role in the development of PSD. The importance of CMB in the pathogenesis of depression in stroke survivors and the general elderly population warrants further investigation.

Cerebral microbleeds and symptom severity of post-stroke depression: a magnetic resonance imaging study

BACKGROUND

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are common in stroke survivors, although their clinical significance in the development of psychiatric conditions following stroke remains unknown. This study examines the association between post-stroke depression (PSD) symptom severity and CMBs.

METHODS

Amongst the 4088 patients with acute ischemic stroke who had been admitted to the acute stroke unit of a university-affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong, between December 2004 and May 2009, 994 patients were recruited. A psychiatrist administered the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV to all 994 patients and made a diagnosis of PSD three months after the index stroke. PSD symptom severity was assessed with the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Seventy-eight patients were found to have PSD. The presence and location of CMBs were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients (7.8%) had PSD. CMBs were identified in 20 PSD patients. Relative to the no-CMB group, the mean GDS score of patients with lobar CMBs was significantly higher (12.6±2.6 versus 10.4±2.5, p=0.01 after adjusting for age, sex, global cognitive functions, neurological deficits and white matter hyperintensities).

LIMITATIONS

Patients with more severe stroke, those who died before the three-month follow-up and those who became depressed later were excluded, as were those unable to give their consent due to dementia or aphasia. These selection biases may limit the generalizability of the findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that lobar CMBs may contribute to PSD symptom severity. The importance of CMBs in the pathogenesis of other psychiatric disorders in stroke survivors and other patient populations warrants further investigation.

White matter hyperintensities in post-stroke depression: a case control study

OBJECTIVE

Despite extensive research on post-stroke depression (PSD), the role of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in its pathogenesis remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between WMHs and PSD in Chinese patients with first or recurrent stroke.

METHODS

A cohort of 994 patients with acute ischaemic stroke admitted to the acute stroke unit of a university-affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong was recruited. A psychiatrist administered the Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV to all patients and made a diagnosis of PSD 3 months after the index stroke. 78 (7.8%) patients had PSD; 78 stroke patients matched according to age and sex but without PSD served as a control group. The severity and location of WMHs were evaluated with MRI.

RESULTS

In comparison with the non-PSD group, patients in the PSD group were more likely to have severe deep WMHs (12.8% vs 1.3%; p=0.009). Severe deep WMHs remained an independent predictor of PSD in the multivariate analysis with an OR of 13.8 (p=0.016).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that WMHs may play a role in the development of PSD. The importance of WMHs in the treatment and outcome of PSD warrants further investigation.

Microbleeds and post-stroke emotional lability

OBJECTIVE

The clinical significance of microbleeds (MBs) in the development of psychiatric conditions following a stroke is unknown. Lesions located in various cortical and subcortical areas are thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of post-stroke emotional lability (PSEL). This study examined the association between PSEL and MBs.

METHODS

A total of 519 Chinese patients with acute ischaemic stroke consecutively admitted to the acute stroke unit of a university affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong were screened for PSEL 3 months after their index stroke. The number and location of MBs were evaluated with MRI.

RESULTS

According to Kim's criteria, 74 (14.3%) patients had PSEL. In comparison with the non-PSEL group, patients in the PSEL group were more likely to have MBs in the thalamus as a whole (16.2% vs 6.5%; p = 0.004), its anterior (6.9% vs 2.0%, p = 0.02) and paramedian territories (8.1% vs 3.1%; p = 0.04), and a higher number of MBs in the entire brain (1.7+3.4 vs 1.3+5.0; p = 0.031). MBs in the thalamus remained an independent predictor of PSEL in the multivariate analysis, with an odds ratio of 4.7 (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that MBs in the thalamus may play a role in the development of PSEL. The importance of MBs in PSEL and other psychiatric conditions in stroke survivors warrants further investigation.

First Report of Begonia Chlorotic Ringspot Caused by Zucchini yellow mosaic virus in Taiwan

Begonia (Begonia semperflorens) showing symptoms of systemic chlorotic ringspots were observed in the central part of Taiwan in May 2006. Infected begonia plants showed faint ringspots in leaves at the early stage of infection. Symptoms turned chlorotic and coalesced as the disease progressed. Electron microscopic examination revealed filamentous virus particles approximately 750 × 13 nm in the crude sap of infected begonia. Typical pinwheel inclusion bodies of potyvirus infection were observed in the ultrathin sections of infected begonia. A virus culture was isolated via mechanical inoculations in Chenopodium quinoa and serologically identified as Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) (1) by ELISA, western blotting, and immunoelectron microscopy. Complementary DNA fragments of viral genomic RNA were cloned, sequenced, and the full-length sequence was submitted to the EMBL database (Accession No. AM422386). The genomic RNA consists of 9,591 nucleotides excluding the poly-A tail and has an identical genome organization to that reported for members of the genus, Potyvirus. The nucleotide sequence of the full-length genome and the deduced amino acid sequence of coat protein share 98% identity to those of ZYMV-CU (Accession No. AJ307036), ZYMV-SG (Accession No. AJ316228), and ZYMV-TW-TN3 (Accession No. AF127929). The virus caused local lesions on the inoculated leaves of C. quinoa, systemic mosaic in cucumber (Cucumis sativus), zucchini (Cucurbita pepo), and Cucumis metuliferus, and chlorotic ringspots in begonia. Symptoms caused by the begonia isolate in cucurbits were much milder than those caused by ZYMVs of cucurbit origin. A ringspot disease with symptoms similar to those caused by ZYMV is also produced on begonia by an Ilarvirus, Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), which was previously identified in begonia (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of natural infection of ZYMV in begonia. References: (1) V. Lisa et al. Phytopathology 71:667, 1981. (2) N. Verma et al. Plant Pathol. 51:800, 2002.

A New Natural Host of Lisianthus necrosis virus in Taiwan

Lisianthus necrosis virus (LNV) was first identified as a fungus-borne virus that induced systemic necrosis in lisianthus (Eustoma russellianum) in Japan (2). In Taiwan, LNV causes systemic bright yellow chlorosis followed by necrosis in lisianthus (1). The disease was able to spread through the infested soil. Isolation of a fungus vector was attempted but was not successful (1). Calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) showing symptoms of systemic necrosis were observed in the fields of central Taiwan. A virus culture was established through single-lesion isolation from a local lesion host, Chenopodium quinoa, and maintained in Nicotiana benthamiana. Mechanical inoculation of the virus resulted in systemic infection in E. russellianum and Datura stramonium and local infection in Celosia argentea, Gomphrena globosa, Chenopodium amaranticolor, Zinnia elegans, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita pepo, Vigna angularis, and Petunia hybrida. Electron microscopic examination of ultrathin sections of infected plant tissues revealed the presence of spherical viral particles approximately 33 nm in diameter. Scattered and aggregated virion particles were frequently observed in the cytoplasm of infected cells. Results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, and immunoelectron microscopy indicate that the virus is serologically related to LNV (1). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with degenerate primers (forward primer 5'-ATGGAAATCGTTAGG and reverse primer 5'-CTATAGCAATGTTGC) for LNV coat protein gene produced a cDNA of approximately 1.1 kb. The RT-PCR product was cloned into pGEM-T vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that the cloned fragment (GenBank Accession No. DQ523229) was 1,167 bp long and shared 99% identity at the nucleotide and deduced amino acid levels with that of the LNV isolated from lisianthus (GenBank Accession No. DQ011234). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the natural occurrence of LNV infection in calla lily. References: (1) C. C. Chen et al. Plant Dis. 84:506, 2000. (2) M. Iwaki et al. Phytopathology 77:867, 1987.

Quantitative regioselectivity of glucuronidation of quercetin by recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferases 1A9 and 1A3 using enzymatic kinetic parameters

Quercetin has been suggested to exert its pharmacological effects, at least in part, via its metabolites, such as glucuronides. Quantitative regioselectivity analyses are important to understand the contributions of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) to the pharmacological activity of quercetin. The present work obtained active UGT1A9 and UGT1A3 enzymes with a Bac-to-Bac expression system, and quercetin was metabolized by each of them to four monoglucuronides (7-, 3-, 4'- and 3'-glucuronide). Enzymatic kinetic parameters of each glucuronide were calculated to elucidate quantitatively UGT1A9's and UGT1A3's regioselectivities for quercetin. UGT1A3's highest glucuronidation efficiency was observed for the 3'-glucuronide, then the 3-, 4'- and 7-glucuronide. The catalytic efficiency order for UGT1A9 was 3->7->3'->4'-glucuronide.

Allamanda Mosaic Caused by Cucumber mosaic virus in Taiwan

Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica L., family Apocynaceae) is native to Brazil and is a popular perennial shrub or vine ornamental in Taiwan. Plants showing severe mosaic, rugosity, and leaf distortion symptoms on leaves are common in commercial nurseries and private gardens. Examination of crude sap prepared from symptomatic leaves using an electron microscope revealed the presence of spherical virus particles with a diameter of approximately 28 nm. The virus was mechanically transmitted to indicator plants and induced symptoms similar to those incited by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). The virus caused local lesions on inoculated leaves of Chenopodium quinoa and C. amaranticolor and systemic mosaic in Cucumis sativus, Lycopersicon esculentum, Nicotiana benthamiana, N. glutinosa, N. rustica, and N. tabacum. On N. tabacum, necrotic ringspots developed on inoculated leaves followed by systemic mosaic. Tests of leaf sap extracted from naturally infected allamanda and inoculated indicator plants using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were positive to rabbit antiserum prepared to CMV. Viral coat protein on transblots of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis reacted with CMV subgroup I specific monoclonal antibodies (2). With primers specific to the 3'-half of RNA 3 (1), amplicons of an expected size (1,115 bp) were obtained in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using total RNA extracted from infected allamanda and N. benthamiana. The amplified fragment (EMBL Accession No. AJ871492) was cloned and sequenced. It encompasses the 3' part of the intergenic region of RNA 3 (158 nt), CP ORF (657 nt), and 3' NTR (300 nt) showing 91.8-98.9% and 71.4-72.8% identities to those of CMV in subgroups I and II, respectively. Results of MspI-digested restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of the RT-PCR fragment and the nucleotide sequence analysis indicate that the CMV isolate from allamanda belongs to subgroup IB, which is predominant on the island. To our knowledge, CMV is the only reported virus that infects allamanda and was first detected in Brazil (3), and this is the first report of CMV infection in allamanda plants occurring in Taiwan. References: (1) Y. K. Chen et al. Arch. Virol. 146:1631, 2001. (2) H. T. Hsu et al. Phytopathology 90:615, 2000. (3) E. W. Kitajima. Acta. Hortic. 234:451, 1988.

Condylar resorption during active orthodontic treatment and subsequent therapy: report of a special case dealing with iatrogenic TMD possibly related to orthodontic treatment

A 28-year-old female underwent orthodontic treatment for approximately 22 months. During the later stages of this treatment, the patient reported right shoulder and neck-muscle pain. In addition, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) with a 'clicking' sound during mastication commenced 5 months prior to treatment completion. Specific medication to deal with these symptoms was suggested by medical specialists, as were some stress-relief methods, although the pain still progressed, and subsequent clinical and radiographical examinations were undertaken by another orthodontist. Right mandibular condylar resorption was observed from both the panorex and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) radiographs. No clinical signs of rheumatic disease were observed, although bruxism was noted. Following the termination of the orthodontic treatment by the second practitioner, the patient was treated with splint therapy 1 month subsequent to which, the previous symptoms of pain in the shoulder and neck, and the clicking sound during mastication had subsided. During the 14-month period of splint therapy and follow-up, new bone growth in the right condyle was observed from radiographs.

Central adenoid cystic carcinoma of the mandible manifesting as an endodontic lesion

AIM

To present a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) in the mandible, and manifesting as a periapical lesion.

SUMMARY

A 56-year-old male suffered from pain around the right mandibular first molar for approximately 1 week. Oral examination revealed that the involved tooth was restored by a full coverage crown with no obvious abnormalities. A periapical radiograph revealed two ill-defined radiolucencies associated with the tooth, one over the mesial and another over the distal roots of the tooth; incomplete root filling and furcation involvement also being noted. The affected tooth was extracted based on the clinical impression of apical periodontitis. The surrounding tissue of the root apex was curetted and sent for histopathological examination, which revealed ACC.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Adenoid cystic carcinoma affecting the mandible may mimic a periapical lesion. Proper diagnosis of such a lesion is dependent on thorough clinical, radiographic and microscopic examinations. Such a case highlights the benefits of biopsy and histological examination of collected tissues. Diagnosis of lesions in the mandible should include salivary gland tumours.

Pleomorphic adenoma with extensive necrosis: report of two cases

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common neoplasm for both the major and minor salivary glands. While PA is occasionally associated with cystic change or hemorrhage necrosis, spontaneous infarction appears to be very uncommon. We report two unusual cases of extensive necrosis of PA; one occurred in the palate with the necrotic tumor mass slipping into the oral cavity. This phenomenon, possibly associated with incision biopsy, has never been described previously. A second case, arising in the parotid with spontaneous tumor necrosis, poses some dilemma in differential diagnosis.

Correlation between inducible nitric oxide synthase and p53 expression for DMBA-induced hamster buccal-pouch carcinomas

Three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) have been identified previously--endothelial NOS, neuronal NOS, and inducible NOS (iNOS). It has been reported previously that there may be a negative feedback loop existing between nitric oxide (NO) production and wild-type p53 tumor-suppressor gene, but the relationship has not previously been studied for oral experimental carcinogenesis. The purpose of the present study is to assess whether iNOS expression correlates with p53 expression at both protein and mRNA levels for 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal-pouch carcinomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-five out-bred, young (6 week old), male, Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricatus auratus) were randomly divided into one experimental group (15 animals), and two control groups (10 animals each). Bilaterally, the pouches of a group of 15 animals from the experimental group were painted with a 0.5% DMBA solution three times a week for 12 weeks whilst each animal from one of the control groups was similarly treated with only mineral oil. Another control group of 10 animals remained untreated throughout the experimental procedure. Specimens obtained from the hamster buccal-pouch mucosa were evaluated using immunohistochemical assessment of iNOS and p53 protein and in situ reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (IS RT-PCR), as well as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for iNOS and p53 mRNA.

RESULTS

Two of the 15 animals of the DMBA-treated group died during the experiment. Squamous-cell carcinomas with a 100% tumor incidence were apparent for all of the 15-week DMBA pouch-treated animals. Animals from the mineral oil-treated and untreated pouch groups revealed no obvious changes. Inducible NOS mRNA was identified as a band corresponding to a 499-bp PCR product and was observed for all 13 of the hamster buccal-pouch tissue specimens treated with DMBA for 15 weeks. The p53 mRNA was found as a band corresponding to a 370-bp polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product and was noted for nine (9/13, 69%) of the 15-week DMBA-treated pouches. No such bands (iNOS and p53) were noted for the untreated animals, the mineral oil-treated tissues and the negative-control samples. Using IS RT-PCR, the proportional (percentage) expression of iNOS (13/13, 100%) and p53 (8/13, 62%) mRNA observed for the hamster buccal-pouch tissue specimens treated with DMBA for 15 weeks was noted to be consistent with the findings using RT-PCR. Furthermore, the proportional expression of iNOS (13/13, 100%) and p53 (8/13, 62%) proteins for the 15-week DMBA-treated hamster buccal-pouch tissue specimens was noted to be consistent with the findings using RT-PCR and IS RT-PCR. A significant association between iNOS and p53 expression (at both protein and mRNA levels) was noted (Fisher's exact probability test, P < 0.05). Neither iNOS nor p53 activity (at both protein and mRNA levels) was found for any of the untreated and mineral oil-treated pouches.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced expression of iNOS and p53 at both protein and mRNA levels in DMBA-induced hamster buccal-pouch carcinomas compared with the untreated and mineral oil-treated counterparts, has been demonstrated in the current study. Furthermore, we report what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first identification of a significant association between iNOS and p53 expression (at both protein and mRNA levels) in this experimental model system for oral carcinogenesis, although their precise interactions remain to be clarified.

Differential expression of p53, p63 and p73 proteins in human buccal squamous-cell carcinomas

Abnormalities in the p53 gene are regarded as the most consistent of the genetic abnormalities in oral squamous-cell carcinoma. Two new members of the p53 gene family, p73 and p63, have recently been identified, with the three sharing considerable sequence homology at the acidic N-terminal transactivation, central DNA-binding and C-terminal oligomerization domains, indicating possible functional and biological interactions. The differential expression of p73, p63 and p53 genes in human oral squamous-cell carcinoma does not yet appear to be completely understood, however. In this study, therefore, immunohistochemical analysis of protein expression was performed for 40 samples of well-differentiated human buccal squamous-cell carcinomas, with 10 specimens of normal buccal mucosa employed as controls. Differential expressions of p63, p73 and p53 proteins in the carcinoma samples were: p63+/p73+/p53 + (n = 28; 70%); p63+/p73+/p53- (n = 4; 10%); p63+/p73-/p53- (n = 8; 20%), respectively; and p63+/p73+/p53- for normal mucosa (n = 10; 100%). A significant correlation between p53, p63 and p73 immunoexpression was demonstrated for the buccal squamous-cell carcinoma samples (P < 0.0001; Fisher's exact test). Significance was not achieved for the correlation between p73 and p53 immunoexpression and clinicopathological parameters for buccal carcinomas (P > 0.05; Fisher's exact test). Our results indicate that both p73 and p63 may be involved in the development of human buccal squamous-cell carcinoma, perhaps in concert with p53.

The value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with the additional help of tumor markers in cancer screening

Cancer screening is a major healthcare issue. Screening modalities are constantly changing due to improvements in technology. Whole body positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluoro-2 deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) and the additional help of the serum levels of tumor markers have been considered as non-invasive methods for cancer screening in asymptomatic subjects. A total of 1283 subjects underwent whole-body FDG PET studies with the additional help of the serum levels of tumor markers in our center for cancer screening. The final diagnoses were confirmed by other imaging modalities or pathological findings in subjects with positive FDG-PET findings, and follow-up for at least 6 months were held in subjects with negative FDG-PET findings. Among a total of 18 (1.4%) subjects with cancers, FDG-PET detected cancers in 15 (1.2%) subjects but with false negative studies in 3 subjects with hepatoma (AFP = 129.6 ng/ml), prostate cancer (PSA = 25.1 ng/ml), and breast cancer (CEA and CA-153 were normal). False-positive FDG-PET studies were found in 24 (1.9%) subjects. However, none had abnormal serum levels of tumor markers. Whole body FDG-PET with the additional help of tumor markers could reduce the false negative and false positive results of FDG-PET only.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of p63 in DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch squamous cell carcinogenesis

Abnormalities in the p53 gene are regarded as the most consistent genetic abnormalities detected in head and neck squamous cell carcinogenesis. Two new members of the p53 gene family, p73 at the 1p36 region and p63 at the 3q27-29 region, have recently been identified. They share considerable sequence homology with p53 in the transactivation, DNA binding, and oligomerization domains, indicating possible involvement in carcinogenesis. To our knowledge, however, p63 expression in experimental oral carcinogenesis has not been studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemical analysis of p63 protein expression was performed in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch squamous cell carcinogenesis. Fifty outbred, young (6 weeks), male, Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricatus auratus) were randomly divided into three experimental groups (each consisting of 10 3-, 9- and 15-week DMBA treated animals), and two control groups (with 10 animals in each). The pouches of the three experimental groups were painted bilaterally with a 0.5% DMBA solution three times a week. The treatment protocol for animals in one of the control groups was identical with only mineral oil applied, while the other control group remained untreated throughout the experiment.

RESULTS

In all of the untreated and mineral oil-treated pouch mucosa, nuclear positivity for p63 was mainly observed in the basal/parabasal cell layers. The p63 nuclear positivity extended from the basal/parabasal layers to the whole epithelial layers in the 3- and 9-week DMBA-treated pouch mucosa. Furthermore, the positive nuclear-stain cells were randomly distributed throughout the entire epithelial layers in the 3- and 9-week DMBA-treated pouch-mucosa specimens. In carcinomas from 15-week DMBA-treated pouch specimens, p63 staining was more uniform and homogeneous for the less-differentiated tumor areas. By contrast, p63 expression was noted mainly in the peripheral cells of tumor nests in the well-differentiated tumor areas.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study are consistent with those from previous analyses of p63 expression in human oral mucosa, suggesting that p63 may be associated with the regulation of epithelial differentiation and proliferation in DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch squamous cell carcinogenesis. Further study is required to investigate which p63 isoform(s) is/are involved in hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

Increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase for human oral submucous fibrosis, verrucous hyperplasia, and verrucous carcinoma

Three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), endothelial, neuronal and inducible NOS (iNOS), have been identified in humans. Enhanced expression of iNOS protein has been previously reported for human oral epithelial dysplasias, a human oral premalignant epithelial lesion; however, this expression has not been demonstrated for other premalignant epithelial lesions, namely, oral submucous fibrosis (SF) and verrucous hyperplasia (VH). On the other hand, iNOS protein expression has not been reported in human oral verrucous carcinoma (VCa). The aim of this current study was to determine whether iNOS protein also occurs for oral SF, VH and VCa lesions. We found that membranous stainings were observed chiefly in oral SF lesions (17/20, 85%), whereas cytoplasmic stainings were mainly found in the VH variants (16/20, 80%). By contrast, cytoplasmic and/or nuclear stainings were observed in the specimens of verrucous carcinoma (17/20, 85%). Since no iNOS activity could be detected for any of our specimens of normal buccal mucosa in the present immunohistochemical study, this suggests that an NOS-dependent mechanism may be involved in the malignant transformation of these two premalignant oral epithelial lesions.

The mRNA expression of placental glutathione S-transferase isoenzyme in hamster buccal-pouch carcinomas using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction

Placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-P) may facilitate cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis, hence allowing for the expansion of a population of initiated tumor cells. The enhanced expression of GST-P at the protein level has been reported previously in chemically induced oral carcinomas in hamster buccal-pouch mucosa but the expression of GST-P at the mRNA level has not yet been demonstrated. The purpose of the present study was to assess the GST-P mRNA expression in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal-pouch carcinomas using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Thirty-five outbred, young (6 weeks old), male, Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricatus auratus) were randomly divided into one experimental group (15 animals), and two control groups (10 animals each). Bilateral pouches of a group of 15 animals of the experimental group were painted with a 0.5% DMBA solution three times a week for 12 weeks while each animal of one of the control groups was similarly treated with mineral oil. Another control group of 10 animals was untreated throughout the experiment. Areas of dysplasia and squamous-cell carcinomas with a 100% tumor incidence developed in all of the DMBA-treated buccal pouches. The mineral oil-treated and untreated pouches revealed no obvious changes. Placental glutathione S-transferase mRNA was demonstrated to be present amongst all the 12-week DMBA-treated hamster buccal-pouch mucosa animals, but not for the untreated animals or the animals for which the buccal pouch was treated with mineral oil. Multiple potential regulatory pathways including gene amplification, enhanced mRNA stability, chromosomal translocation/gene rearrangement, and hypomethylation of the promoter region can contribute to the overexpression of GST-P mRNA in DMBA-induced hamster buccal-pouch carcinomas. Further study is necessary to completely understand which candidate mechanism(s) will contribute principally to the increased GST-P mRNA expression in oral experimental carcinogenesis.

Mechanism of product chain length determination and the role of a flexible loop in Escherichia coli undecaprenyl-pyrophosphate synthase catalysis

The Escherichia coli undecaprayl-pyrophosphate synthase (UPPs) structure has been solved using the single wavelength anomalous diffraction method. The putative substrate-binding site is located near the end of the betaA-strand with Asp-26 playing a critical catalytic role. In both subunits, an elongated hydrophobic tunnel is found, surrounded by four beta-strands (betaA-betaB-betaD-betaC) and two helices (alpha2 and alpha3) and lined at the bottom with large residues Ile-62, Leu-137, Val-105, and His-103. The product distributions formed by the use of the I62A, V105A, and H103A mutants are similar to those observed for wild-type UPPs. Catalysis by the L137A UPPs, on the other hand, results in predominantly the formation of the C(70) polymer rather than the C(55) polymer. Ala-69 and Ala-143 are located near the top of the tunnel. In contrast to the A143V reaction, the C(30) intermediate is formed to a greater extent and is longer lived in the process catalyzed by the A69L mutant. These findings suggest that the small side chain of Ala-69 is required for rapid elongation to the C(55) product, whereas the large hydrophobic side chain of Leu-137 is required to limit the elongation to the C(55) product. The roles of residues located on a flexible loop were investigated. The S71A, N74A, or R77A mutants displayed 25-200-fold decrease in k(cat) values. W75A showed an 8-fold increase of the FPP K(m) value, and 22-33-fold increases in the IPP K(m) values were observed for E81A and S71A. The loop may function to bridge the interaction of IPP with FPP, needed to initiate the condensation reaction and serve as a hinge to control the substrate binding and product release.

The role of dopamine transporter imaging agent [99mTc]TRODAT-1 in hemi-parkinsonism rat brain

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the determination of dopamine level by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (ECD) and the detection of dopamine transporter (DAT) counts using autoradiography with DAT image agent [99mTc]TRODAT-1. For striatal lesions, pretreatment of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in the medial forebrain bundle shows that autoradiogaphic labeling of striatum region is reduced to near-background level. Using HPLC with ECD, unilateral 6-OHDA treatment is associated with significant (p < 0. 0002) reductions of dopamine levels. For the striatum of the 6-OHDA-lesioned side, dopamine content and DAT counts are reduced to 97% and 90%, respectively. Thus, our observation indicates a potential of using [99mTc]TRODAT-1 for the evaluation of animal DAT.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the tongue

A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, which developed in the tongue of a 16-year-old girl is presented. Surgical excision with, or without, radical neck dissection is the treatment of choice of this type of lesion.

Capture envelopes of rectangular hoods in cross drafts

The suction fields of the rectangular hoods of various aspect ratios varying from 0.1 to 10 that are subject to the influence of cross drafts were experimentally studied in an apparatus consisting of a hood model/wind tunnel assembly. The velocity field on the symmetry plane was measured with a two-component laser Doppler anemometer. Being under the influence of cross draft, the suction field presents a characteristic capture envelope, which is described by a dividing streamline. The characteristics of the capture envelope were found to be determined by the cross-draft to hood-suction velocity ratio R and the hood-opening aspect ratio AR. The flow characteristics of the hoods with aspect ratios less than unity were dramatically different from those with aspect ratios greater than one. If areas of the hood openings had the same values, the hydraulic-diameter normalized characteristic length scales of the capture zone of the square hood were as same as those of the circular hood. When the diameter of a circular hood was equal to the width of a square hood, the physical dimensions of the capture zones created by these two hoods coincided with each other.

High sequence conservation among cucumber mosaic virus isolates from lily

For classification of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) isolates from ornamental crops of different geographical areas, these were characterized by comparing the nucleotide sequences of RNAs 4 and the encoded coat proteins. Within the ornamental-infecting CMV viruses both subgroups were represented. CMV isolates of Alstroemeria and crocus were classified as subgroup II isolates, whereas 8 other isolates, from lily, gladiolus, amaranthus, larkspur, and lisianthus, were identified as subgroup I members. In general, nucleotide sequence comparisons correlated well with geographic distribution, with one notable exception: the analyzed nucleotide sequences of 5 lily isolates showed remarkably high homology despite different origins.