[Establishment of a nomogram prediction model using common preoperative indicators for early weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy]

Objectives: To construct a nomogram prediction model using common preoperative indicators for early weight loss (EWL) 1 year after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Methods: Relevant data of obese patients who had undergone LSG from January 2015 to May 2022 in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital and Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated Fujian Medical University were analyzed. Patients with a history of major abdominal surgery, severe gastroesophageal reflux disease, pregnancy within 1 year after surgery, or who were lost to follow-up were excluded, resulting in a total of 200 patients in the study (190 from Fujian Medical University Union Hospital and 10 from Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated Fujian Medical University). The participants were 51 men and 149 women of a mean age 29.9±8.2 years and a body mass index (BMI) 38.7±6.5 kg/m2. All patients in this group underwent standardized LSG procedure. Achieving ideal weight (BMI≤25 kg/m2) 1 year after LSG was defined as goal of EWL. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors that independently influenced EWL. These factors were incorporated into the nomogram model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (the larger the area under the curve [AUC], the better the predictive ability and accuracy of the model), likelihood ratio test (higher likelihood ratio indicates greater model homogeneity), decision curve analysis (higher net benefit indicates a better model), Akaike information criterion (AIC; smaller AIC indicates a better model), and Bayesian information criterion (BIC; smaller BIC indicates a better model) were used to validate the predictive ability of the column line diagram model. Results: In this study of 200 obese patients who underwent LSG surgery, 136 achieved EWL goal, whereas the remaining 64 did not. The rate of EWL goal achievement of the entire group was 68.0%. Compared with patients who did not achieve EWL goal, those who did had lower BMI, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, triglycerides, and higher cholesterol. Additionally, the proportion of female was higher and the proportions of patients with fatty liver and hypertension lower in those who achieved EWL goal (all P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that preoperative BMI (OR=0.852, 95%CI: 0.796-0.912, P<0.001), alanine transaminase (OR=0.992, 95%CI: 0.985-0.999, P=0.024), presence of fatty liver (OR=0.185, 95%CI: 0.038-0.887, P=0.035) and hypertension (OR=0.374, 95%CI: 0.144-0.969, P=0.043) were independently associated with failure to achieve EWL goal. Cholesterol (OR=1.428, 95%CI: 1.052-1.939, P=0.022) was independently associated with achieving EWL goal. We used the above variables to establish an EWL nomogram model. ROC analysis, the likelihood ratio test, decision curve analysis, and AIC all revealed that the predictive value of the model was better than that of BMI alone (nomogram model vs. BMI: area under the curve 0.840 vs. 0.798, P=0.047; likelihood ratio: 58.785 vs. 36.565, AIC: 193.066 vs. 207.063, BIC: 212.856 vs. 213.660). Conclusion: Our predictive model is more accurate in predicting EWL after LSG compared with using BMI.

Surgical Treatments for Femoral Shaft Fractures: A Narrative Review

Femoral shaft fractures are increasingly common due to various traumatic injuries. Intramedullary nail (IMN) is considered the gold standard treatment for these fractures, but comorbidities often require thorough trauma life support and intensive care. The primary goal of treatment is rigid fixation, early mobilisation, and long-term functional recovery. This article reviews current concepts in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures, including the effects of early or delayed operation, differences between antegrade or retrograde intramedullary nailing, alternative methods to using a fracture table, methods to predict nail length before operation, assessing femoral rotation during an operation, and complications.

[Methylation of p16 gene and reduced expression of p16 protein in insulinoma associated with clinicopathological features]

Objective: To study the alterations of p16 gene and its expression in insulinoma and to correlate the findings with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: Expression of p16 protein was detected in 72 insulinomas and 49 para-tumoral or normal pancreatic tissues by immunohistochemical staining. Genomic DNA was isolated from 32 tumor tissue and 17 paired pancreatic tissues and bisulfite-modified. Promoter methylation status of p16 gene was detected in 32 tumor tissue and 17 paired pancreatic tissues by methylation specific PCR. The findings were correlated with the clinicopathological features. Results: There were 30 males and 42 females in all 72 patients, aged (46.5±14.0) years. Loss or reduced expression of p16 protein was found in 42 of 72 insulinomas (58.3%) while loss or reduced expression of p16 was seen in only 34.7% (17/49) of para-tumoral or normal pancreatic tissues (χ²=6.52, P=0.011). Promoter methylation of p16 gene was found in 13 of 32 insulinomas (40.6%) and only 2 of 17 (11.8%) para-tumoral tissues (χ²=4.35, P=0.037). The expression of p16 protein in insulinoma was not associated with clinicopathological features such as gender, age, tumor size and tumor grade. Conclusions: Loss or reduced expression of p16 protein was found in insulinomas, and associated with p16 gene promoter methylation.

[Clinical characteristics and prognostic risk factors analysis of carbapenem-resistant organism in the department of hematology]

Objective: To study the distribution and drug resistance of Carbapenem-Resistant Organism (CRO) and to analysis the risk factors of CRO 30-day mortality. Methods: A total of 181 patients with CRO infection diagnosed in Department of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2018 to June 2020 were retrospectively investigated. The clinical and laboratory data of the patients were collected, the prognosis of patients diagnosed with CRO infection in day 30 was followed up, and the risk factors of prognosis were analyzed. The clinical significance of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) active screening was further evaluated in the CRE subgroup. Results: Among the total of 181 CRO isolates, 47.2% were CRE, 37.0% were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 32.6% were Klebsiella pneumoniae, which were highly resistant to carbapenem and had high MIC value, 76.8% (139/181) of CRO were MIC of imipenem resistance≥16 μg/ml. The main sources of isolates were blood and sputum. The 30-day all-cause mortality rates of patients with CRO or CRE infection were (41.4±3.7) % and (44.7±5.4) %, respectively. The COX multivariate regression analysis showed that the level of procalcitonin >0.2 ng/ml and the MIC value of imipenem resistance ≥ 16 μg/ml were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality of CRO infected patients. The CRE subgroup analysis showed that MIC value of imipenem resistance ≥16 μg/ml were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality of CRE infected patients. The 30-day cumulative survival rate of patients with CRE active screening was higher than the patients without CRE active screening [ (68.0±9.3) % vs (50.0±6.5) %, P=0.21]. Conclusion: The high MIC value of imipenem resistance isolates seriously affects the prognosis of patients with CRO infection in the hematology department, and the mortality rate was high. CRE active screening is expected for early prevention, early diagnosis, and early treatment for high-risk patients.

[Association between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with disease activity in Takayasu arteritis patients]

Objective: To explore the relation between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) or neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients. Methods: Present retrospective study involved 289 patients with TA, who were hospitalized in our department between January 2010 and October 2017, and 280 age and gender matched healthy controls,who underwent thealth examination in our health examination center during the same period (control group). TA patients were further divided into active and inactive groups (180 and 109 cases respectively) according to Kerr scores. The clinical data were compared between groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between PLR or NLR and disease activity (Kerr score or C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to judge the cut-off value of disease activity for TA patients. Results: PLR and NLR were significantly higher in TA group than in control group(137.33 (97.38, 193.37) vs. 120.55 (96.86, 144.60) and 2.38 (1.76, 3.57) vs. 1.66 (1.35, 2.08) , respectively, all P<0.001). PLR and NLR were significantly higher in active TA group than in inactive TA group (163.43 (123.64, 224.15) vs. 110.53 (84.22, 147.24) and 2.59 (1.96, 3.94) vs. 1.95 (1.53, 2.86) respectively, all P<0.001). PLR and NLR of active group were significantly decreased after 6 months treatment (164.05 (123.29, 226.29) vs. 104.67 (77.22, 138.43) and 2.58 (1.96, 3.91) vs. 2.15 (1.67, 2.60) respectively, all P<0.001). PLR was positively correlated with Kerr score (r=0.439, P<0.001), C-reactive protein (r=0.328, P<0.001) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.410, P<0.001). NLR also exhibited a positive relationship with Kerr score (r=0.235, P<0.001), C-reactive protein (r=0.169, P=0.005) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.123, P=0.037). A PLR level of 176.709 was shown to be the best predictive cut-off value for TA disease activity (sensitivity 44.6%, specificity 93.0%, and area under the curve=0.766).A NLR level of 2.128 was shown to be the best predictive cut-off value for TA disease activity (sensitivity 70.9%, specificity 47.7%, and area under the curve=0.691). Conclusion: PLR and NLR are useful markers for predicting disease activity of TA patients.

[The expression and significance of CD(276) and CD(133) in colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions]

In order to study the significance of CD(276) and CD(133) in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), the expression of CD(276) and CD(133) was detected by immunohistochemistry in CRC and precancerous lesions. The results showed that the intensity of CD(276) and CD(133) in CRC samples was higher than that in adenoma group and non-adenoma group. CD(276) and CD(133) single and double positive expression were significantly correlated with CRC lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and survival. CD(276) and CD(133) are significantly correlated to the development and progression of CRC and associated with poor prognosis.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis in 12 patients with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma confirmed by HTLV-1 provirus gene detection]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Methods: Peripheral blood samples from patients who were suspected as ATLL from March, 2013 to July, 2015, were collected for HTLV-1 provirus genes detection in genomic DNA extraction by PCR. Cases showing positive results were confirmed as ATLL. Clinical and laboratory characteristics, therapeutic outcomes and survival evaluation were collected. Results: 12 out of 23 suspected patients were confirmedly diagnosed as ATLL through HTLV-1 provirus genes detection by PCR. Eight patients were male and four patients were female. Median age was 51 (range 28-66) years old. All of those patients came from coastal cities of Fujian province where a HTLV-1 epidemic area locates. In the subtype classification of these 12 ATLL, 11 patients were classified as acute type and one case as lymphoma type ATLL. As one of the clinical characteristics of ATLL, ' flower cells ', with typical or atypical morphology had been observed in a high rate (81.8%). Clinical symptom such as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and lymphadenectasis were detected in most of patients, and hypercalcemia and elevated LDH were also noted commonly. The ATLL cells immunophenotype were typical, and the major subtype was CD4+ CD8- type. Confection of hepatitis B virus was detected in a high rate (54.5%). Ten patients received chemotherapy, and 2 cases in complete remission after chemotherapy received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. At the end of the follow-up, 7 cases died, 4 cases survived, 1 case was lost, and the median survival was 2.8 (0.9-10.8) months. We found a case had HTLV-1 provirus negative after transplantation. Conclusion: In the coastal area of Fujian Province, ATLL is not rare. Characteristics of those ATLL are typical. But prognosis is still unsatisfactory.

Memantine improves spatial learning and memory impairments by regulating NGF signaling in APP/PS1 transgenic mice

Memantine (MEM) is used for improving the cognitive impairments of the patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) by multiple neuroprotective mechanisms. However, it is still not clear whether nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling is involved in the mechanisms of MEM. The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of MEM treatment on the cognitive performance and amyloidosis in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, and disclosed the NGF-related mechanism of MEM. We found that MEM treatment improved the cognitive performance by decreasing the escape latency and path length in the navigation test, by shortening the duration in target quadrant and reducing the frequency to pass through the target in probe trial, and by prolonging the latency and decreasing the frequencies of entering the dark compartment in passive avoidance test. The over-expressions of Aβ(1-42) and amyloid precursor protein (APP) were also decreased in the brains of APP/PS1 mice. Interestingly, MEM treatment improved the decreased NGF levels in APP/PS1 mice. Furthermore, NGF/TrkA signaling was activated by increasing the phosphorylation levels of tyrosine kinase (TrkA), proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase, Raf1 (c-Raf), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)1/2 and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) after MEM treatment. Simultaneously, MEM also inhibited NGF/p75(NTR) signaling via decreasing the cleavage substrate of p75(NTR), increasing the JNK2 phosphorylation and decreasing the levels of p53 and cleaved-caspase 3. Therefore, the dual-regulation on NGF signaling was attributed to the improvements of cognitive deficits and Aβ depositions in APP/PS1 mice. In conclusion, MEM treatment activated the NGF/TrkA signaling, and inhibited the p75(NTR) signaling in APP/PS1 mice to ameliorate the behavioral deficits and amyloidosis, indicating that NGF signaling was a new potential target of MEM treatment for AD therapy.

RNAi-mediated knockdown of FANCF suppresses cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance potential of breast cancer cells

Fanconi anemia complementation group F protein (FANCF) is a key factor, which maintains the function of FA/BRCA, a DNA damage response pathway. However, the functional role of FANCF in breast cancer has not been elucidated. We performed a specific FANCF-shRNA knockdown of endogenous FANCF in vitro. Cell viability was measured with a CCK-8 assay. DNA damage was assessed with an alkaline comet assay. Apoptosis, cell cycle, and drug accumulation were measured by flow cytometry. The expression levels of protein were determined by Western blot using specific antibodies. Based on these results, we used cell migration and invasion assays to demonstrate a crucial role for FANCF in those processes. FANCF shRNA effectively inhibited expression of FANCF. We found that proliferation of FANCF knockdown breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-435S) was significantly inhibited, with cell cycle arrest in the S phase, induction of apoptosis, and DNA fragmentation. Inhibition of FANCF also resulted in decreased cell migration and invasion. In addition, FANCF knockdown enhanced sensitivity to doxorubicin in breast cancer cells. These results suggest that FANCF may be a potential target for molecular, therapeutic intervention in breast cancer.

Three-dimensional evaluation of upper airway in patients with different anteroposterior skeletal patterns

OBJECTIVES

To investigate variability in the upper airway of subjects with different anteroposterior skeletal patterns by evaluating the volume and the most constricted cross-sectional area of the pharyngeal airway and defining correlations between the different variables.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study sample consisted of 60 patients (29 boys, 31 girls) divided into three groups: Class I (1 ≤ ANB ≤ 3), Class II (ANB>3), and Class III (ANB<1), to evaluate how the jaw relationship affects the airway volume and the most constricted cross-sectional area (Min-CSA). Differences between groups were determined using the Tukey-Kramer test. Correlations between variables were tested using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

The volume and the Min-CSA of the pharyngeal airway (PA) were significantly related to anteroposterior skeletal patterns (p < 0.05). The nasopharyngeal airway (NA) volume of Class I and Class III subjects was significantly larger than that of Class II subjects (p < 0.05). The Min-CSA and the length of PA were significantly related to the volume of PA (p < 0.05). The site and the size of the Min-CSA varied among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The volume and the most constricted cross-sectional area of the airway varied with different anteroposterior skeletal patterns. The NA volume of Class I and Class III subjects was significantly larger than that of patients with a Class II skeletal pattern.

Zoledronate inhibits phosphate and bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced extracellular calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of the bisphosphonate zoledronate on calcification induced by inorganic phosphate (Pi) and/or bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and the underlying mechanisms. Primary vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from rats were treated with 3 mM Pi or 3 mM Pi/BMP-2, with and without addition of zoledronate; 1.4 mM Pi served as a control. Calcium deposits, expression of core binding factor α-1 (Cbfa-1), osteopontin (OPN), parathyroid pituitary-specific transcription factor (Pit)-1 and Pit-2, and Pi uptake of VSMCs was determined. The calcification of VSMCs induced by elevated Pi or Pi/BMP-2 was significantly inhibited by zoledronate. The expression of Cbfa-1, OPN and Pit-1 was increased significantly after treatment with an elevated level of Pi or Pi/BMP-2, and this expression was significantly suppressed by addition of zoledronate. Pi uptake of VSMCs increased following treatment with elevated Pi and significantly decreased by addition of zoledronate. These results indicated that zoledronate effectively inhibited calcification induced by Pi/BMP-2, and this may have been achieved by means of the downregulation of expression of calcification-related proteins and uptake of Pi.

Predictors of survival in Chinese patients with lupus nephritis

The current study was to determine the predictors of survival in 491 Chinese patients with lupus nephritis (LN). All patients were evaluated and consecutively followed up from 2003 to 2010. The female: male ratio was 9.5:1, with a median age of 31.1 ± 12 years. Forty-nine (10.0%) patients were lost to follow-up and 47 (10.3%) patients died. The overall cumulative probability of survival at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 88%, 77%, 53% and 45%, respectively. The log-rank test showed that the probability of survival was significantly decreased in the late-onset patients (≥50 years) ( P = 0.036), patients with hypoproteinaemia (≤35 g/l) ( P = 0.014), patients with increased creatinine (≥1.5 mg/dl) ( P = 0.002) and patients with massive proteinuria (≥3.5 g/24 h) ( P = 0.009). However, the probability of survival was significantly higher in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) ( P = 0.003) than those not treated with it. Based on a multivariate model, increased creatinine (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.041; P = 0.017) and proteinuria ≥3.5 g/24hours (HR=1.716; P = 0.016) were independent risk factors. Glucocorticoid (HR = 0.457; P = 0.01) and HCQ (HR=0.197; P = 0.026) were independent protective factors. Our findings suggest that renal dysfunction and massive proteinuria are independent risk factors for mortality. HCQ could improve the survival of patients with LN.

Origin of strong white electroluminescence from dense Si nanodots embedded in silicon nitride

Strong white electroluminescence (EL) from SiN-based devices containing Si nanodots with a density of more than 4.6×10(12)cm(2) was investigated. The white EL illustrates enhanced light emission with increasing applied voltage and can be divided into two components, a dominant peak at ~710 nm and weak one at ~550 nm, which are close to those of the PL spectra optically pumped by the 325 and 488 nm lines, respectively. Based on the PL characteristics, we propose that the dominant EL band arises from the band-to-band recombination in the dense Si nanodots where quantum confinement plays a decisive role in the light emission, whereas the weak EL band originates from the radiative Si dangling bond (K⁰) centers in the silicon nitride matrix.

Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell and mesenchymal stem cell-differentiated chondrocyte suppress the responses of type II collagen-reactive T cells in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a T-cell-mediated systematic disease and is usually accompanied by articular cartilage damage. In the present study, we explored the effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-differentiated chondrocytes (MSC-chondrocytes) on the responses of antigen-specific T cells in RA to type II collagen (CII) to evaluate the potential therapeutic value of MSCs in RA treatment.

METHODS

The effects of both MSCs and MSC-chondrocytes on the proliferation, activation-antigen expression (CD69 and CD25) and cytokine production [interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-4] of CII-reactive T cells in RA patients were investigated with the stimulation of CII or otherwise. CD3/annexin V staining was used to evaluate T-cell apoptosis in the inhibition. The role of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) underlying the inhibition was also investigated.

RESULTS

MSCs failed to elicit positive responses of CII-reactive T cells, whereas they significantly suppressed CII-stimulated T-cell proliferation and activation-antigen expression in a dose-dependent fashion without inducing T-cell apoptosis. The inhibition was observed even after MSCs were added as late as 3 days after the initiation of stimulation. Moreover, MSCs inhibited both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from producing IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, while they up-regulated the levels of IL-10 and restored the secretion of IL-4. TGF-beta1 was confirmed to play a critical role in the inhibition. Throughout our study, MSC-chondrocytes shared similar properties with MSCs.

CONCLUSION

Both MSCs and MSC-chondrocytes suppressed CII-reactive T-cell responses to CII in RA, which suggested that MSCs could be a potential candidate for RA treatment in future if further confirmed in vivo.

Dewetting of conducting polymer inkjet droplets on patterned surfaces

The manufacture of high-performance electronic devices with micrometre or even submicrometre dimensions by solution processing and direct printing, requires the ability to control accurately the flow and spread of functional liquid inks on surfaces. This can be achieved with the help of surface-energy patterns causing inks to be repelled and dewetted from pre-defined regions of the substrate. To exploit this principle for the fabrication of submicrometre device structures, a detailed understanding of the factors causing ink droplets to dewet on patterned surfaces is required. Here, we use hydrophobic surface-energy barriers of different geometries to study the influence of solution viscosity, ink volume, and contact angle on the process of dewetting of inkjet-printed droplets of a water-based conducting polymer. We demonstrate polymer field-effect transistor devices with channel length of 500 nm fabricated by surface-energy-assisted inkjet printing.

Acute effects of peritoneal dialysis solutions on appetite in non-uremic rats

BACKGROUND

Standard peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions may contribute to anorexia in PD patients due to the peritoneal absorption of glucose from the dialysate, abdominal discomfort and other factors. New PD solutions containing alternative osmotic agents, neutral pH and bicarbonate as buffer were recently developed. To test the effect of these solutions on appetite, we investigated how intraoral (IO) intake of sucrose via an IO cannula was influenced by intraperitoneal (IP) infusion of different PD solutions in an appetite model in rats.

METHODS

The IO intake was measured in male Wistar rats after an IP dwell of 30 and 120 minutes with the following PD solutions: 1.36%, 2.27% and 3.86% glucose based and lactate buffered solutions (D); 1.36%, 2.27% and 3.86% glucose based and bicarbonate/lactate buffered solutions (P); 7.5% icodextrin based solution (E); 1.1% amino acid-based solution (N); and, 2.5% glucose-based lactate-buffered solution (GB), using sham injection (injection without infusion) as control. Prior to the tests, rats were provided with an IO cannula, and were trained for two weeks until the rate of IO intake had stabilized.

RESULTS

The D and N solutions inhibited IO intake. For the D solutions, the degree of appetite suppression was higher with the higher concentration of glucose. P 3.86%, but not P 1.36% and P 2.27% solutions, inhibited the IO intake. However, a comparison of the degree of appetite inhibition between D and P showed less inhibition with P 1.36%, 2.27% and 3.86% solutions than with corresponding D solutions. The E solution did not seem to suppress appetite. Finally, no significant difference in IO intake was found between rats given GB 2.5% and D 2.27%.

CONCLUSIONS

In this appetite model in rats, the measurement of IO intake after the IP infusion of different dialysis solutions showed that (1) N and D solutions may reduce appetite, and for the D solutions the degree of appetite inhibition was related to the dialysate concentrations of glucose; (2) the P solutions had less impact on appetite than the D solutions; (3) the E solution had no impact on appetite during the short dwells of 30 and 120 minutes. The demonstrated differences between the different solutions appear to be due to different concentrations, and type, of nutrients used as osmotic agent (glucose, amino acids, icodextrin) or buffer (lactate), although differences in dialysate pH, tonicity and concentration of glucose degradation products also may be important. The present studies suggest a possible positive effect on appetite by using bicarbonate/lactate buffered solutions instead of lactate buffered solutions.

Effect of dialysate composition on the apoptosis and proliferation of human peritoneal mesothelial cells and protein expression of Fas and c-Myc

To investigate the effect of dialysate composition on apoptosis and proliferation of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) in vitro, HPMCs were cultured from human omental tissue. The cells were exposed for three days to culture medium containing: (1) 3.86% glucose, (2) 1.36% glucose, (3) 1.75 mmol/L Ca++, (4) 1.25 mmol/L Ca++, or (5) no additions (control). Apoptosis and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated in situ end-labelling and immunohistochemistry. Protein expression of Fas and of c-Myc were measured by flow cytometry. Apoptotic cells were significantly increased in the high glucose group compared to control (137 +/- 47 cells per field unit vs 63 +/- 30 cells per field unit, p < 0.01), but did not vary in the low glucose and low calcium groups versus control (76 +/- 25 cells per field unit and 77 +/- 31 cells per field unit, respectively, vs 63 +/- 30 cells per field unit, p > 0.05). Cells with positive expression of PCNA were increased in the high calcium group versus control (366 +/- 101 cells per field unit vs 186 +/- 76 cells per field unit, p < 0.01). However, the expression of PCNA was significantly more inhibited in the high glucose group than in the control group (158 +/- 52 cells per field unit vs 186 +/- 76 cells per field unit, p < 0.05). Expression of Fas was stimulated by high glucose (41% +/- 16% vs 25% +/- 8% in the control group, p < 0.05). High glucose and high calcium also up-regulated the expression of c-Myc, but only the high glucose group showed significant difference from control (39% +/- 10% vs 24% +/- 8%, p < 0.05). Our data suggest that: (1) Peritoneal dialysate could induce apoptosis of HPMCs in vitro, the degree of apoptosis depending on concentration of glucose. (2) High calcium stimulates PCNA expression by HPMCs and high glucose inhibits expression of PCNA. (3) Genes associated with apoptosis (Fas, c-Myc) might play an important role in triggering apoptosis of HPMCs.

[Correlation analysis of (G + C)% of coding sequence and thermostability of xylose isomerase of thermophiles]

Statistical analysis about amino acids and coding sequence of xylose isomerase were performed in a number of thermophiles and mesophiles. It was found that there are correlations between the (G + C)% of the coding sequence and that of 1st, 2nd and 3rd position of the code of amino acids. There were also positive (for hydrophobic amino acids) and negative (for hydrophilic amino acids) correlation between the content of individual amino acids in the enzyme protein and the (G + C)% of their respective coding sequence. It speaks for the notion that high content of (G + C) in the coding sequence tends to increase the thermostability of the corresponding protein. The results in the statistical analysis of amino acid substitutions leading to change in thermostability of the protein may also be interpreted in the same way. An increase in the (G + C)% of DNA of a bacterium can therefore not only increase the thermostability of DNA itself but its proteins as well. Evolutionary consequence concerning thermophily and coding system are discussed.

[A study of a derivative of Taq DNA polymerase]

Using the method of double primer oligonucleotide-mediated mutagenesis, the high expression plasmid of TaqND236, a derivative of Taq DNA polymerase, was constructed. To determine the frameshift mutation frequency of the in vitro DNA synthesis, we constructed a Gapped-DNA system using the pFDPM118 (a mutant of pUC118 with a -1 frameshift mutation on the lacZ gene) as template. By calculating the ratio of blue and white colonies on the X-gal plate after transforming E. coli TG1, the frameshift mutation frequency of Taq and TaqND236 was measured. It was found that the replication fidelity of the deleted Taq-TaqND236 increased more than 10 folds.

Ethanol and lactation: effects of milk lipids and serum constituents

To determine how chronic alcohol administration during lactation affects milk composition and the nutritional status of the dam, EtOH (3 g/kg) as a 20% solution was administered by intubation to Sprague-Dawley rats from days 2 through 15 of lactation. Control dams were pair fed to account for the reduction in food intake observed in the alcohol group, while another control group maintained ad lib food intake. Dams and their litters were weighed daily throughout the study. On day 16, dams were sacrificed and samples taken for further analysis. Blood alcohol levels as well as serum levels of calcium, cholesterol, glucose, iron, lipids, phosphorous, and triglycerides were measured. Liver lipid levels and the total composition and fatty acid profile of the phospholipids in milk were also measured. Results indicate that EtOH administration and pair feeding reduced dam body weight, but not litter growth. Serum iron levels was increased in both EtOH-exposed and pair-fed controls, whereas serum cholesterol was elevated only in EtOH-exposed dams. Finally, of the phospholipids in milk, only one, phosphatidylserine, was slightly but significantly increased by EtOH. If and how these changes impact the development of the offspring remain to be studied.

[Effects of scorpion injection on interleukin 1 and pathology in experimental glomerulonephritis in situ]

The model of experimental glomerulonephritis in situ in rats was established by administration of C-BSA. 24 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups: C-BSA, control and C-BSA+scorpion (scorpion injection, ip, 1.0 g/kg, once/day). At the end of 4th week, the bioactivity of serum IL-1 was assayed by thymocyte proliferation method and the renal pathology was checked up. Urine sample was collected for 24 hour once/week for protein determination.

RESULT

Quantity of proteinuria in scorpion group was reduced significantly in comparing with C-BSA group. Level of IL-1 was significantly lower in scorpion group than that in C-BSA group. Injury of renal tissue also was mild in the treated group. These results suggested that scorpion injection could suppress the activities of IL-1 and ameliorate the pathological injury in this experimental glomerulonephritis in situ.

Distribution of synapses on an intracellularly labeled small pyramidal neuron in the cat motor cortex

The morphological characteristics and distribution of synapses on a small pyramidal neuron in layer III of the cat motor cortex have been studied by combining intracellular HRP staining and electron microscopic examination. The stained neuron showed spiny apical and basal dendritic profiles under the light microscope, and exhibited the morphological features of a pyramidal neuron. Ultrastructural analysis indicated that about 80% of the presynaptic terminals formed asymmetrical synapses with spines of distal apical and basal dendrites. On proximal apical dendrites, 64% of the synapses were found to make contact with spines, and 16.7% of the synapses were of symmetrical type and formed with dendritic shafts. Two types of terminal could be identified on the soma; they were alternately located and established symmetrical and asymmetrical synaptic contacts respectively. Possible functional implications are discussed.

Distribution of synapses on fast and slow pyramidal tract neurons in the cat. An electron microscopic study

Distributions of synapses on various portions of fast and slow pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs) in cat motor cortex were studied with electron microscopy. PTNs were identified by their antidromic invasion following stimulation of the medullary pyramid and were classified into fast and slow PTNs according to conduction velocities of their axons. Two fast and two slow PTNs were intracellularly labeled and, by systematic sampling, electron micrographs from various portions of these neurons were examined to compare the distributions of different types of synapses. It was found that most synapses formed on apical and basal dendrites of fast PTNs were with the dendritic shafts. In slow PTNs, while synapses on apical dendrites were mostly axospinous, about 70% of the sampled synapses on basal dendrites of slow PTNs were established with the dendritic shafts. Virtually all synapses on apical dendrites of slow PTNs belonged to asymmetrical type and most of the synapses sampled from basal dendrites of fast PTNs were also asymmetrical. On the other hand, about 29% of the synapses found on apical dendrites of fast PTNs were symmetrical and a trend was observed for this type of synapses to increase their number with increasing proximity to the cell body. Over 28% of the synapses on basal dendrites of slow PTNs were also symmetrical and seemed to be mainly distributed in layer VI. All synapses formed on the soma were symmetrical both for the fast and slow PTNs.

Metabolic derangement of glucose, bile acid and amino acids after portasystemic shunts in cirrhotic rats

Carbon tetrachloride was used to induce cirrhosis in 81 Wistar rats. The animals were divided into three groups to receive end-to-side mesocaval shunt (MCS), end-to-side portacaval shunt (PCS) and Sham operation as control, respectively. Dynamic values of blood glucose and hormones for regulating glucose metabolism, SGPT, serum glycine conjugated cholic acid (CCA) and free serum amino acids were determined and compared with those obtained from 10 normal rats. The determinations suggested that the insulin level depended on the severity of hepatocellular damage with hyperglucagonemia after portasystemic shunt, and CCA was markedly elevated in MCS rats after interruption of the enterohepatic circulation. Changes of CCA were also influenced by hyperglucagonemia and poor liver function in PCS rats. Increase in the aromatic amino acids (AAA) level was related to the impaired hepatic function and hyperglucagonemia. However, decrease in the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) level was not likely in response to the serum insulin level. Therefore, it is concluded that imbalance of serum amino acids has partial relationship with the derangement of glucose metabolic hormones.

Thalamic projection to motor area and area 3a of the cat cerebral cortex

The distributions of thalamic neurons projecting to the motor cortex and cortical area 3a were studied in cat by means of the retrograde double-labeling technique using Nuclear Yellow (NY) and Fast Blue (FB) as tracers. Following injection of NY and FB into the motor cortex and area 3a respectively, the NY-labeled neurons were found to be mainly located in ventrolateral (VL) nucleus and FB-labeled neurons in ventro-posterolateral nucleus (VPL). However, these two kinds of neurons were intermingled with each other in the border area between VL and VPL. A small number of neurons were double-labeled by both NY and FB. They were also distributed in the border area. Some of them could often be found in centromedian and parafascicular nuclei.

Direct synaptic linkage of ventrolateral nucleus of thalamus terminal with cat fast pyramidal tract neuron

An electron microscopic study on the synaptic connections between neurons of ventrolateral nucleus of thalamus (VL) and pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs) in cat motor cortex was conducted by means of the anterograde degenerating procedure coupled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) intracellular staining. Following VL lesions, a large majority of the degenerating terminals were found to terminate on dendritic spines and a few on the dendritic shaft. An asymmetric type synapse formed by a VL degenerating terminal and the dendritic shaft of a branch of apical dendrite of a labeled fast pyramidal tract neuron was demonstrated.

Are hypothalamo-cerebellar fibers collaterals from the hypothalamo-spinal projection?

Retrograde transport of fluorescent tracer molecules (Fast Blue and Nuclear Yellow) was used to restudy the feline hypothalamo-cerebellar and hypothalamo-spinal projections in order to decide whether hypothalamo-cerebellar and hypothalamo-spinal fibers are branches of the same axons. The finding of a significant hypothalamo-cerebellar projection from lateral, dorsal and posterior hypothalamic areas is confirmed. Scattered hypothalamo-cerebellar fibers were found to come from the supraoptic, dorsomedial, periventricular, infundibular and paraventricular nuclei, tuber cinereum and the anterior hypothalamic area. A topographical organization is proposed for the hypothalamo-cerebellar projection; the cerebellar anterior lobe receives fibers mainly from the rostral (anterior) hypothalamus while the posterior lobe receives fibers mainly from its caudal (posterior) part. The hypothalamo-spinal pathway originates principally within the dorsal, posterior and lateral hypothalamic areas, but receives small contributions also from the periventricular and paraventricular nuclei, tuber cinereum and the anterior hypothalamic area. Hypothalamic neurons retrogradely labeled from the spinal cord and from cerebellum were often located adjacent to each other, but only few double labeled neurons were found. This indicates that spinal and cerebellar projecting cells are mainly two different populations.

The cerebellar corticovestibular projection in the cat as studied with retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase

The cerebellar corticovestibular projection in the cat was studied by means of retrograde transport of HRP. After injections confined to the vestibular nuclei retrogradely labelled Purkinje cells were found ipsilaterally in vermal lobules I through X, crus I, the ventral paraflocculus and flocculus. The neurons projecting to the vestibular nuclei are located in all parts of the cerebellar folia (bottom, side and top). Most of the vestibular projecting Purkinje cells are located within a sagittal band (corresponding to Voogd's B zone) in the lateral vermis. In some of our cats the width of this band exceeds 1 mm in lobule I, 800 microns in lobule II and 1.5 mm in lobule V. However, the sagittal band is not sharply demarcated, and some retrogradely labelled Purkinje cells were present almost in the midline while others were located more than 4 mm lateral to this. The findings are discussed with special emphasis on the cerebellar sagittal zonal arrangement and related to previous studies on the cerebellar corticovestibular projection.

Cerebellar afferent fibres from the dorsal motor vagal nucleus in the cat

A bilateral cerebellar afferent projection from the dorsal motor vagal nucleus is described after injections of horseradish peroxidase in various parts of the cerebellar cortex and nuclei. The projection is scanty, but a topical arrangement is indicated: the rostral part of the dorsal motor vagal nucleus appears to project mainly to the cortex of the posterior lobe, the caudal part mainly to the cortex of the anterior lobe, and the fibres appear to reach also the fastigial and anterior interposite nuclei.