[Tracking evaluation on the implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563-2017) in Sichuan and Anhui provinces]

To evaluate the implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563-2017) in schistosomiasis-endemic foci, two schistosomiasis-endemic counties were selected from two provinces of Sichuan and Anhui. Professional staff working in province-, city-, county- and township-level disease control and prevention institutions, parasitic disease control institutions or medical institutions were recruited, and the understanding, use and implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563-2017) were investigated using questionnaires and interviews. The awareness, use, proportion of propagation and implementation and correct rate of answering questions pertaining to Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563-2017) were analyzed. A total of 270 questionnaires were allocated, and 269 were recovered, including 254 valid questionnaires. The overall awareness of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563-2017) was 84.64% (215/254), and propagation and implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563-2017) was not performed in 23.28% (17/73) of the survey institutions following implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563-2017), with meeting training and allocation of propagation materials as the main type of propagation and implementation. Among 254 respondents, 77.16% (196/254) were familiar with the standard, 66.14% (168/254) understood the conditions for use of the standard during snail surveys, and 96.85% (246/254) had the approach for identifying snails. In addition, there were 41.73% (106/254), 50.78% (129/254) and 7.48% (19/254) of respondents that considered the operability of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563-2017) was very good, good and general, respectively. The findings demonstrate that the issue and implementation of Survey of oncomelanid snails (WS/T 563-2017) has filled the gap for the standardization of snail control techniques, and which plays an importang guiding role in the national schistosomiasis control program.

B2M is a Biomarker Associated With Immune Infiltration In High Altitude Pulmonary Edema

BACKGROUND

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a serious mountain sickness with certain mortality. Its early diagnosis is very important. However, the mechanism of its onset and progression is still controversial.

AIM

This study aimed to analyze the HAPE occurrence and development mechanism and search for prospective biomarkers in peripheral blood.

METHODS

The difference genes (DEGs) of the Control group and the HAPE group were enriched by gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, and then GSEA analysis was performed. After identifying the immune-related hub genes, QPCR was used to verify and analyze the hub gene function and diagnostic value with single-gene GSEA and ROC curves, and the drugs that acted on the hub gene was found in the CTD database. Immune infiltration and its association with the hub genes were analyzed using CIBERSORT. Finally, WGCNA was employed to investigate immune invasion cells' significantly related gene modules, following enrichment analysis of their GO and KEGG.

RESULTS

The dataset enrichment analysis, immune invasion analysis and WGCNA analysis showed that the occurrence and early progression of HAPE were unrelated to inflammation. The hub genes associated with immunity obtained with MCODE algorithm of Cytoscape were JAK2 and B2M.. RT-qPCR and ROC curves confirmed that the hub gene B2M was a specific biomarker of HAPE and had diagnostic value, and single-gene GSEA analysis confirmed that it participated in MHC I molecule-mediated antigen presentation ability decreased, resulting in reduced immunity.

CONCLUSION

Occurrence and early progression of high altitude pulmonary edema may not be related to inflammation. B2M may be a new clinical potential biomarker for HAPE for early diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation as well as therapeutic targets, and its decrease may be related to reduced immunity due to reduced ability of MCH I to participate in antigen submission.

[Schistosomiasis control in Sichuan Province since the 12th Five - Year Plan period: progress and prospects]

An ambitious goal has been set for elimination of schistosomiasis in all endemic counties (districts) in Sichuan Province by 2023. To achieve this goal, and to continue to consolidate the control achievements, it is necessary to understand the current endemic status of schistosomiasis, identify the challenges and analyze the experiences and lessons from the schistosomiasis control program, and develop targeted control strategies and interventions in the province. This paper reviews the progress of schistosomiasis control in Sichuan Province since the 12th Five-Year Plan period, analyzes the challenges in the schistosomiasis elimination program, and proposes recommendations for future directions and priorities.

VDR gene ApaI polymorphism and risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a meta-analysis from 22 studies

OBJECTIVE

The ApaI polymorphism (G > T, rs7975232) of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene in the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis has been widely researched, and the results have yielded conflicts. Therefore, we performed an updated pooled analysis to comprehensively assess the association between VDR ApaI polymorphism and postmenopausal osteoporosis risk.

METHODS

We searched eligible studies about ApaI polymorphism and osteoporosis through the PubMed, Embase, CNKI and Wanfang databases; case-control studies containing available genotype frequencies of A/a were chosen. We used the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval to assess the strength of this association. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment were performed. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed to evaluate a sufficient sample.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies assessed the relationship between ApaI polymorphism and the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The comprehensive analyses showed no significant association for ApaI polymorphism with postmenopausal osteoporosis in the overall population, equally valid for Asian and Caucasian subgroups with any genetic model. TSA still indicated the results were robust.

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis suggests that the VDR ApaI genotype may not affect the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Asians and Caucasians.

Risk Factors on the Incidence and Prognostic Effects of Colorectal Cancer With Brain Metastasis: A SEER-Based Study

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) with brain metastases (BM) is uncommon and often diagnosed at a late stage. The aims of this study were to identify the clinical factors that can influence the incidence of CRC patients with BM (CRCBM) and to investigate the impact of clinical factors and therapies on the outcomes of CRCBM.

Methods

Between 2010 and 2018, patients with CRCBM were enrolled under the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression models were used to identify risk factors and prognostic factors of BM. Kaplan–Meier curve and log-rank test were used to evaluate overall survival (OS) and tumor-specific survival (CSS) of CRCBM patients.

Results

A total of 195 (0.34%) CRC patients initially diagnosed with BM were included for analysis. The positive level of CEA, pN2a-b, and additional organ metastases were positively associated with developing BM from the CRC cohort (p < 0.05). The median OS and CSS of the BM patients were both 4.0 months, while the corresponding survival time in CRC patients without BM was 14.0 and 16.0 months, respectively (HR = 2.621, 95% CI = 2.061–3.333 for CSS; HR = 2.556, 95% CI = 2.026–3.225 for OS; log rank p < 0.001, each). Only systematic treatment was independently associated with better survival (p < 0.05, each).

Conclusions

Although the overall prognosis of CRCBM patients was extremely poor, the positive level of CEA, pN2a-b, and distant metastases could be bad risk factors for the incidence of CRCBM. In addition, only systematic treatment was found to be a negative prognostic factor for CRCBM patients. These related factors can provide more valuable reference for clinical individualized treatments.

METTL3/IGF2BP3 axis inhibits tumor immune surveillance by upregulating N6-methyladenosine modification of PD-L1 mRNA in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Continual expression of PD-L1 in tumor cells is critical for tumor immune escape and host T cell exhaustion, however, knowledge on its clinical benefits through inhibition is limited in breast cancer. N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) plays a crucial role in multiple biological activities. Our study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of the m⁶A modification in PD-L1 expression and immune surveillance in breast cancer.

METHODS

MeRIP-seq and epitranscriptomic microarray identified that PD-L1 is the downstream target of METTL3. MeRIP-qPCR, absolute quantification of m⁶A modification assay, and RIP-qPCR were used to examine the molecular mechanism underlying METTL3/m⁶A/IGF2BP3 signaling axis in PD-L1 expression. B-NDG and BALB/c mice were used to construct xenograft tumor models to verify the phenotypes upon METTL3 and IGF2BP3 silencing. In addition, breast cancer tissue microarray was used to analyze the correlation between PD-L1 and METTL3 or IGF2BP3 expression.

RESULTS

We identified that PD-L1 was a downstream target of METTL3-mediated m⁶A modification in breast cancer cells. METTL3 knockdown significantly abolished m⁶A modification and reduced stabilization of PD-L1 mRNA. Additionally, METTL3-mediated PD-L1 mRNA activation was m⁶A-IGF2BP3-dependent. Moreover, inhibition of METTL3 or IGF2BP3 enhanced anti-tumor immunity through PD-L1-mediated T cell activation, exhaustion, and infiltration both in vitro and in vivo. PD-L1 expression was also positively correlated with METTL3 and IGF2BP3 expression in breast cancer tissues.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that METTL3 could post-transcriptionally upregulate PD-L1 expression in an m⁶A-IGF2BP3-dependent manner to further promote stabilization of PD-L1 mRNA, which may have important implications for new and efficient therapeutic strategies in the tumor immunotherapy.

TNF-α augments CXCL10/CXCR3 axis activity to induce Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in colon cancer cell

Chronic inflammation-induced metastases have long been regarded as one of the significant obstacles in treating cancer. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a main inflammation mediator within tumor microenvironment, affects tumor development by inducing multiple chemokines to establish a complex network. Recent reports have revealed that CXCL10/CXCR3 axis affects cancer cells invasiveness and metastases, and Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the main reason for frequent proliferation and distant organ metastases of colon cancer (CC) cells, However, it is unclear whether TNF-α- mediated chronic inflammation can synergically enhance EMT-mediated CC metastasis through promoting chemokine expression. According to this study, TNF-α activated the PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK parallel signal transduction pathways, then stimulate downstream NF-κB pathway p65 into the nucleus to activate CXCL10 transcription. CXCL10 enhanced the metastases of CC-cells by triggering small GTPases such as RhoA and cdc42. Furthermore, overexpression of CXCL10 significantly enhanced tumorigenicity and mobility of CC cells in vivo. We further clarified that CXCL10 activated the PI3K/Akt pathway through CXCR3, resulting in suppression of GSK-3β phosphorylation and leading to upregulation of Snail expression, thereby regulating EMT in CC cells. These outcomes lay the foundation for finding new targets to inhibit CC metastases.

[Anatomy of the deep circumflex iliac artery perforators and reconstruction of complex mandibular defects with chimeric deep circumflex iliac artery perforator flap]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the anatomy of the perforator vessels of the deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) and the techniques for repairing mandibular complex defect using chimeric deep circumflex iliac artery perforator flap (DCIAPF).

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed the origin, distribution, number and courses of the perforator vessels of the DCIA, and measured the outside diameters of the vessels at the origin in 6 adult cadaveric specimens (12 sides) with latex perfusion. From July, 2018 to September, 2019, based on the results of anatomical study and imaging findings and using the digital surgical guide plate, we harvested DCIAPF from 4 patients for repairing mandibular body or angle defects and oral soft tissue defects.

OBJECTIVE

The perforating vessels of the DCIA included abdominal muscular branches, osteomusculocutaneous branches and terminal musculocutaneous branches. The abdominal muscle branches originated from the DCIA inguinal segment in 4 and from both the inguinal and iliac segments in 2 of the specimens. The osteomusculocutaneous branches all originated from the internal iliac crest in 75% and from both the inguinal and internal iliac crest segments in 25% of cases; the inguinal segment gave rise to only one perforating branch. The number of the musculocutaneous perforating branches was 1 (58.3%) or 2 (41.7%). In the 4 patients undergoing mandibular reconstruction, the DCIAPF survived in all cases with good recovery of the donor site wound. Satisfactory facial appearance with good oral morphology and occlusal relationship was achieved at 1 month postoperatively in all the patients. None of the patients experienced obvious functional abnormalities at the donor site, and imaging examination confirmed successful reconstruction of the oromandibular defects in all the cases.

OBJECTIVE

A good understanding of the anatomic characteristics of the perforator vessels of the DCIA combined with imaging examinations and digital surgery technology facilitates the harvest of DCIAPF for repairing mandibular body or angle defects complicated by oral soft tissue defects.

let-7i inhibits proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cells by targeting HMGA1

Background

Let-7 is one of the earliest discovered microRNAs(miRNAs) and has been reported to be down-regulated in multiple malignant tumors. The effects and molecular mechanisms of let-7i in bladder cancer are still unclear. This study was to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of let-7i on bladder cancer cells.

Methods

Total RNA was extracted from bladder cancer cell lines. The expression levels of let-7i and HMGA1 were examined by quantitative real-time PCR. Cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 and colony formation assays, while transwell and wound healing assays were used to evaluate migration ability. Luciferase reporter assay and western blot were used to confirm the target gene of let-7i.

Results

Compared with the SV-40 immortalized human uroepithelial cell line (SV-HUC-1), bladder cancer cell lines T24 and 5637 had low levels of let-7i expression, but high levels of high mobility group protein A1 (HMGA1) expression. Transfection of cell lines T24 and 5637 with let-7i mimic suppressed cell proliferation and migration. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed HMGA1 may be one of the target genes of let-7i-5p. Protein and mRNA expression of HMGA1 was significantly downregulated in let-7i mimic transfected cell lines T24 and 5637.

Conclusions

Up-regulation of let-7i suppressed proliferation and migration of the human bladder cancer cell lines T24 and 5637 by targeting HMGA1. These findings suggest that let-7i might be considered as a novel therapeutic target for bladder cancer.

Humoral Immunity in Bronchiectasis: Finding Good's Syndrome

We present a case of a 37-year-old man with a past history of a surgically removed thymoma, who presented with recurrent pulmonary infections and bronchiectasis. On further testing, he was found to have low total immunoglobulin levels, a constellation of findings known as Good's syndrome. He responded well to immunoglobulin replacement, in addition to the usual treatments for bronchiectasis. We present this case to emphasize the association of bronchiectasis, low immunoglobulins, and thymomas and the role of immunoglobulin replacement as a treatment option.

Epidemiological characteristics of motor neuron disease in Chinese patients

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of motor neuron disease (MND) in Chinese patients are ill known.

METHODS

A registered study of 461 MND patients was conducted across 10 facilities in 7 Chinese cities from February 2009 to March 2010.

RESULTS

Patients were classified as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (84.4%), progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) (4.1%), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) (10.4%), or primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) (0.9%). MND was predominant in men (men/women; 1.6:1.0). Mean onset age was 52.6 years, with the highest incidence being observed between 51 and 60 years. Notably, 26.0% of MND patients were employed in forestry, fishery, or animal husbandry industries. Ten cases (2.7%) reported family history of MND, and 54.2% exhibited cervical onset. MND was also associated with head/neck trauma. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation was the most common supportive therapy.

CONCLUSION

As a novel comprehensive report of a Chinese population, this study reveals that epidemiological characteristics of MND patients were similar to those observed in international populations. MND is age-related, male gender predominant, and may be associated with both environmental and genetic risk factors.

Outcomes of a new residential scheme for adults with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan: a 2-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

The Taiwanese government launched a new programme in November 2004 to support adults with intellectual disabilities living in smaller facilities. This paper aims to evaluate the service outcomes of this new residential scheme over 2 years including those residents who moved from an institution and those who moved from their family.

METHODS

A one-group repeated-measures analysis was conducted for five interviews after the adults with intellectual disabilities entered the new environment. Forty-nine adults were initially studied (T1) and 29 adults remained in the homes until the end of the study (T5).

RESULTS

This study found significant improvements over the 2 years in the residents' quality of life and family contact. The results also highlight a decrease in maladaptive behaviour among the residents moving from institution and an increase in choice making and family contact among the residents moving from family. No significant changes in adaptive behaviour and community inclusion were found.

CONCLUSION

Results revealed that further policy changes and financial support including service quality assurance are required in order to improve service outcomes for adults living in the new residential scheme.

[Research on the dynamic variation and elimination of nitrite content in sauerkraut during pickling]

To investigate the dynamic variation and elimination of nitrite content in pickles and sauerkraut during pickling, green tuber growing in Fuling was selected to make semi-manufactured mustard according to the process technology. Green tuber, cabbage and cauliflower were selected as raw materials to make sauerkraut in family way. The nitrite content in pickles and sauerkraut was determined by spectrophotometry with 1-Amino-2-(a-naphthy lamine) ethoine dihydrochloride. The nitrite content in mustard was 258.8 mg/kg when 6% salt was used and pickling for 8 days; the nitrite content was 235.9 mg/kg when 15% salt was used and pickling for 15 days. There was no nitrite in mustard when pickling for 35 days. The nitrite content in the sauerkraut was 258.7 mg/kg when pickling for 6 days and no nitrite was found after 20 days. The higher nitrite content in pickle and sauerkraut could be eliminated by water. The elimination ratio was 91% for leafy sauerkraut and semi-manufactured cut mustard and only 72% for whole mustard. It was concluded that pickles and sauerkraut that pickled for enough time (for leafy vegetable more than 20 days, for tuber more than 35 days) had no harm for people to eat, The higher nitrite content in pickles and sauerkrauts could be reduced by 91% with water for several times.

[A brief history of clinical application of bismuth]

Brief discourse is given on the application history of bismuth in clinical therapy, diagnosis and other subsidiary departments. It also deals with its present status at home and abroad.

[Microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm: experience of 215 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between pre-operational etiological diagnosis of medically intractable hemifacial spasm (HFS) and patterns of offending vessels and the curative effect of microvascular decompression (MVD).

METHODS

Two hundred and fifteen patients with medically intractable HFS underwent MVD under general anesthesia. Pre-operative MRI examination was made for all cases to exclude space occupying lesion and magnetic imaging tomographic angiography (MRTA) was conducted for 145 cases of them instead of routine MRI.

RESULTS

Routine MRI failed to provide information about offending vessels except for ruling out mass lesions whereas MRTA revealed the offending vessels with a positive rate of 82.8%, thus helping make correct diagnosis and operation decision. Follow-up of more than two years showed that the surgical intervention achieved a high relief rate of 91.2% without major complication, and with a low recurrence rate of only 3.5% after averaging more than two years' follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Pre-operative MRTA can replace conventional MRI as a best approach for pre-operational etiological diagnosis of facial spasm. It helps perceive the offending vessels before operation. Skilled microsurgical technique along with correct recognition and mobilization of offending vessels are a must to assure MVD a high efficacious and low risk treatment of choice for HFS patients.

Time-course of methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in rat caudate-putamen after single-dose treatment

The time-course of monoamine and tyrosine hydroxylase depletion after single-dose administration of D-methamphetamine (40 mg/kg s.c.) was investigated in caudate-putamen of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Times evaluated were 6, 12, 48, 72 and 240 h following treatment. Tyrosine hydroxylase was significantly reduced by 29, 60, 66, 76 and 76% of control at each of the respective post-treatment time intervals. Dopamine was not reduced 6 h following treatment. Dopamine was significantly reduced by 53, 57, 68 and 74% 12, 48, 72 and 240 h post-treatment, respectively. Reductions in caudate-putamen serotonin began earlier and were ultimately larger than for dopamine, with significant reductions of 28, 33 55, 74 and 81% at each of the respective post-treatment intervals. Confirmation of neurotoxicity was provided by measurement of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) 240 h post-treatment. GFAP was increased at this time interval by 150% above control. Methamphetamine-induced hyperthermia during the 6 h immediately after treatment was comparable among the groups of animals used for analyses at each time interval. The results demonstrate that methamphetamine-induced monoamine reductions in the caudate-putamen occur rapidly, peak at 75-80% below controls, and last for at least 10 days after a single dose. These effects are as large or larger than those reported after the commonly used 10 mg/kgx4 dose treatment regimen administered at 2-h intervals and provides an alternate model for the investigation of methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity.

Evaluation of neonatal exposure to cocaine on learning, activity, startle, scent marking, immobility, and plasma cocaine concentrations

Prenatal cocaine treatment produces equivocal effects on spatial learning and memory; however, no data are available on neonatal treatment as a model of human third-trimester exposure. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated on postnatal days (P) 1-10 or 11-20 with cocaine (15 mg/kg x 4 per day at 2-h intervals) or saline (P1-P20) and evaluated as adults in the Morris water maze and on tests of activity, startle, scent marking, swimming immobility, and sequential learning. Neonatal cocaine had no effect on mortality; however, early treatment reduced body weight, whereas later treatment did not. Neonatal cocaine had no effects on exploratory activity, swimming ability, sequential learning, multiday activity rhythms, scent marking, or swimming immobility, but augmented acoustic startle amplitude in the early-treated group. Neonatal cocaine also produced an interaction on spatial learning in which the cocaine early-treated males performed slightly more efficiently than controls. Plasma cocaine concentrations were significantly higher in the early-treated group than the later-treated group despite receiving the same weight-adjusted doses. It was concluded that neonatal cocaine, when administered during a stage of brain development analogous to human third trimester, induces few behavioral effects based on the assessments used in this study.

[Extensive transbasal approach for removal of tumours in the nasal, sphenoid and clival regions]

OBJECTIVE

To improve operative results of removal of the tumors in midline cranial base and the reconstruction of defect at frontal base through modification of the operative approach and techniques.

METHODS

Extensive transbasal approach was used in 15 patients with tumours in the nasal, sphenoid and clival regions.

RESULTS

The tumor was removed in 10 patients, near totally removed in 4 and partial removed in 1. The operative results of all patients were excellent except an elderly patient with mild operative morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

The procedure we used expand the operative indications for the tumors situated at the midline cranial base and improve the operative results. The procedure has advantages such as wide operative space, reliable reconstruction of the frontal base, and no severe complications.

A single dose model of methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in rats: effects on neostriatal monoamines and glial fibrillary acidic protein

The neurotoxic effects of a single administration of methamphetamine (MA) were studied under conditions conducive to MA-induced hyperthermia. After a single dose of MA (10, 20, 30, or 40 mg/kg, s. c.) or saline (3 ml/kg) to Sprague-Dawley CD rats, rectal temperatures were monitored for 9 h in a room with an ambient temperature of 22.0+/-0.5 degrees C. MA induced significant dose-dependent hyperthermia, however, no significant increase in mortality occurred. Neostriatal DA, 5-HT, TH, and GFAP were assayed 3 days following treatment. MA induced dose-dependent reductions of DA, 5-HT and TH, and increased GFAP. For DA, at doses of 20, 30, or 40 mg/kg the reductions were to 71%, 49%, and 29%, and for 5-HT were to 73%, 44%, and 19% of control values. No reductions were seen after the 10 mg/kg dose. Semiquantitative analysis Western blots of TH and GFAP demonstrated that TH was reduced to 52%, 75%, and 28%, and GFAP was increased to 125%, 134%, and 149% of control values at MA doses of 20, 30, or 40 mg/kg, respectively. No significant changes in TH or GFAP were seen at the 10 mg/kg MA dose. These results demonstrate that a single-dose of MA can be as effective as the widely used four-dose every 2 h regimen. Moreover, mortality can be minimized by monitoring core body temperature and preventing MA-induced hyperthermia from exceeding 41.5 degrees C.

Code generation through annotation of macromolecular structure data

The maintenance of software which uses a rapidly evolving data annotation scheme is time consuming and expensive. At the same time without current software the annotation scheme itself becomes limited and is less likely to be widely adopted. A solution to this problem has been developed for the macromolecular Crystallographic Information File (mmCIF) annotation scheme. The approach could be generalized for a variety of annotation schemes used or proposed for molecular biology data. mmCIF provides a highly structured and complete annotation for describing NMR and X-ray crystallographic data and the resulting macromolecular structures. This annotation is maintained in the mmCIF dictionary which currently contains over 3,200 terms. A major challenge is to maintain code for converting between mmCIF and Protein Data Bank (PDB) annotations while both continue to evolve. The solution has been to define a simple domain specific language (DSL) which is added to the extensive annotation already found in the mmCIF dictionary. The DSL calls specific mapping modules for each category of data item in the mmCIF dictionary. Adding or changing the mapping between PDB and mmCIF items of data is straightforward since data categories (and hence mapping modules) correspond to elements of macromolecular structure familiar to the experimentalist. Each time a change is made to the macromolecular annotation the appropriate change is made to the easily located and modifiable mapping modules. A code generator is then called which reads the mapping modules and creates a new executable for performing the data conversion. In this way code is easily kept current by individuals with limited programming skill, but who have an understanding of macromolecular structure and details of the annotation scheme. Most important, the conversion process becomes part of the global dictionary and is not open to a variety of interpretations by different research groups writing code based on dictionary contents. Details of the DSL and code generator are provided.

Methamphetamine selectively damages dopaminergic innervation to the nucleus accumbens core while sparing the shell

Dopaminergic innervation to the nucleus accumbens was investigated following a neurotoxic regimen of methamphetamine (MA) treatment. Four 10 mg/kg doses of MA were administered s.c. to male Sprague-Dawley rats with a 2 h interval between doses. Rectal temperatures were monitored for the induction of MA-induced hyperthermia. Three days or 2 weeks after MA treatment the animals were sacrificed by transcardial perfusion and processed for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH-IR) and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity (GFAP-IR). MA treatment produced a severe loss of TH-IR throughout the striatum, including the nucleus accumbens. However, within the nucleus accumbens, there was substantial sparing of TH-IR in the shell, while in the core immunoreactivity was almost entirely lost. Furthermore, astrogliosis, as demonstrated by GFAP-IR, was prevalent in the core but present only in sparse patches in the medial and lateral shell. Thus, dopaminergic innervation to the nucleus accumbens core undergoes degeneration following MA treatment, while innervation to the shell is resistant to the neurodegenerative effects of MA.

alpha-Phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone attenuates methamphetamine-induced depletion of striatal dopamine without altering hyperthermia

Methamphetamine (MA) administration to adult rats (4 x 10 mg/kg s.c.) induces neurotoxicity predominately characterized by a persistent reduction of neostriatal dopamine (DA) content. Hyperthermia following MA administration potentiates the resulting DA depletion. DA-derived free radicals are postulated to be a mechanism through which MA-induced neurotoxicity is produced. The spin trapping agent PBN reacts with free radicals to form nitroxyl adducts, thereby preventing damaging free radical reactions with cellular substrates. MA with saline pretreatment (Sal-MA) reduced neostriatal DA by 55% (P < 0.01 vs. Sal-Sal). MA with PBN pretreatment (PBN-MA) at 36 or 60 mg/kg reduced neostriatal DA by 36 and 22%, respectively (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 vs Sal-MA) indicating partial protection. PBN pretreatment did not alter MA-induced hyperthermia. Thus, PBN does not attenuate MA-induced neurotoxicity by reducing MA-induced hyperthermia. These results support a role for free radicals in the generation of MA-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity.

Effect of methamphetamine on glutamate-positive neurons in the adult and developing rat somatosensory cortex

The neurotoxic effects of methamphetamine (MA) on dopaminergic and serotonergic terminals have been well-documented. Another neurotoxic effect of MA is neuronal degeneration in the somatosensory cortex, as seen by silver staining. The neurochemical characteristics of these degenerating neurons are unknown. Using glutamate and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry, it was found that MA exposure in adult rats (10 mg/kg given 4 times intraperotoneally (i.p.) at 2-h intervals) causes localized depletion of glutamate-positive neurons and astrogliosis in the somatosensory cortex 3 days following treatment. The affected region covered the middle one-third portion from the longitudinal fissure to the rhinal sulcus and was predominately seen in layers II-III of the cortex. This pattern of depletion is consistent with that demonstrated previously with silver staining following MA, d-amphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetmine (MDMA) exposures. Comparable efforts were not found in developing animals at ages previously shown to also be resistant to MA-induced effects on dopaminergic terminals (age 20 and 40 days). Results suggest that MA exposure induces degeneration of glutamatergic neurons in the somatosensory cortex of adult rats.

[Complications in multiple systems resulting from acute cerebrovascular diseases]

One hundred and eighty five patients died of acute cerebrovascular diseases with complications in multiple systems were studied. Statistical analyses showed that there were no organ and system failure (NOSF) in 47 cases, single organ and system failure (SOSF) in 47 and multiple organ and system failure (MOSF) in 91. Out of 90 (50%) cases who had cerebral herniation, 39 cases were complicated with SOSF and 53 cases with MOSF. Among the patients with acute brain diseases, 25% of them (46) died of SOSF (4%, 8 cases) and MOSF (21%, 38) without herniation. Incidence of failure of organ and system was higher with stomach, metabolism and lung than with heart, kidney and blood. It took on the average 24 and 12.5 hours for the first organ and system to fail and 4 days and 24 hours for the second organ in patients with intracranial hemorrhage and cerebral infarction. Occurrence of organ and system failure was closely related to sex, previous diseases and damage of brain stem, but not to the size and number of the lesion. It is suggested that cerebrogenic organ and system failure (COSF) or cerebrogenic multiple organ and system failure (CMOSF) be referred to functional failure of more than two organs or system not including brain itself as a result of acute brain diseases.

Long-term learning deficits and changes in unlearned behaviors following in utero exposure to multiple daily doses of cocaine during different exposure periods and maternal plasma cocaine concentrations

Although the possible behavioral neurotoxic effects of in utero exposure to cocaine have been the subject of numerous experiments, only a limited number of different types of animal models of cocaine exposure, critical periods, or long-term effects of such exposures have been investigated. In the present experiment, the effects of multiple daily SC exposures to cocaine (20 mg/kg/dose x 5 doses per day) were investigated when administered to gravid Sprague-Dawley CD rats on embryonic days E7-12 or E13-18 compared to weight-matched, vehicle injected, pair-fed controls. Effects of exposure were assessed on general development, olfactory orientation behavior, early locomotion, startle reactivity, spontaneous motor activity, and learning on two different tasks (Morris and Cincinnati water mazes). The multiple cocaine dosing regimen produced maternal peak serum concentrations of cocaine 3 times higher than that of a single dose (approximately 1550 vs. approximately 550 ng/mL). Early-exposed cocaine offspring had lower olfactory orientation scores and reduced postweaning rearing and hole-poke motor activity, whereas late-exposed cocaine offspring had increased postweaning locomotor, rearing, and hole-poke activity. On the Morris hidden platform maze, the cocaine early-exposed females had longer latencies on acquisition than controls. On the Cincinnati multiple-T water maze, the early-exposed cocaine females and the late-exposed cocaine males had increased errors, whereas the early-exposed cocaine males had reduced errors. The effects on measures of learning, when taken together, and in light of their being in the early-exposed group, suggest that embryonic cocaine exposure may have subtle effects on cognition in the offspring as adults. Such effects represent a form of neurotoxicity not previously associated with prenatal cocaine exposure.

Protective effects of MK-801 on methamphetamine-induced depletion of dopaminergic and serotonergic terminals and striatal astrocytic response: an immunohistochemical study

It has been shown previously that methamphetamine induces dopaminergic nerve terminal degeneration, serotonin depletion and striatal reactive astrogliosis, and that the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist MK-801 can block methamphetamine (MA)-induced depletion of dopamine and serotonin and reduction in activity of their synthetic enzymes. In this study, immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the effect of MK-801 on methamphetamine-induced neuropathological alterations of dopaminergic and serotonergic terminals and striatal astrocytic responses. Adult male rats were treated with methamphetamine (4 injections of 10 mg/kg at 2 hour intervals) in conjunction with MK-801 which was administered 15 min before each methamphetamine administration at doses of 1 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg. Brains were examined three days following treatment. MK-801 administration prevented methamphetamine-induced depletion of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) terminals in the forebrain and depletion of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive dopaminergic terminals and astrocytic response in the neostriatum in most animals. These results support the concept that excitatory amino acids acting through an NMDA receptor are involved in methamphetamine-induced neuronal damage on dopaminergic and serotonergic terminal fields. A minor depletion of TH-positive terminals and astrogliosis in the neostriatum was seen in three of nine MA-MK-801-treated animals. This indicates that the protective effects of MK-801 on MA-induced dopaminergic terminal degeneration varies among animals with complete protection in most animals and partial protection in the others using the present doses and dosing regimen.

Design and application of PDBlib, a C++ macromolecular class library

PDBlib is an extensible object-oriented class library written in C++ for representing the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules. The software design strategy, features of many of the 129 classes currently distributed with the library, and two sample applications which use the library are described. Version 1.0 of the library represents the structural features of proteins, DNA, RNA and complexes thereof, at a level of detail on a par with that which can be parsed from a Protein Data Bank (PDB) entry. However, the memory-resident representation of the macromolecule is independent of the PDB entry and can be obtained from other sources, e.g. relational and object-oriented databases. PDBlib classes are organized into four categories: (i) classes that model the macromolecule; (ii) classes that enhance the extensibility of the library; (iii) classes that provide navigation facilities of the object-oriented macromolecular structure representation; and (iv) a class that loads a PDB file into the memory-resident object-oriented representation. A number of general-purpose procedures that return features of this representation and that are relevant to all biological disciplines are included in (i). The library has been used to develop PDBtool, a prototype structure verification tool, and PDBview, a structure rendering tool that requires no specialized graphics hardware and software. Current work centers on making the macromolecular structures represented by PDBlib persistent using a commercial object-oriented database and providing an additional class library, MMQLlib, to query those structures.

Macromolecular query language (MMQL): prototype data model and implementation

Macromolecular query language (MMQL) is an extensible interpretive language in which to pose questions concerning the experimental or derived features of the 3-D structure of biological macromolecules. MMQL portends to be intuitive with a simple syntax, so that from a user's perspective complex queries are easily written. A number of basic queries and a more complex query--determination of structures containing a five-strand Greek key motif--are presented to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of the language. The predominant features of MMQL are a filter and pattern grammar which are combined to express a wide range of interesting biological queries. Filters permit the selection of object attributes, for example, compound name and resolution, whereas the patterns currently implemented query primary sequence, close contacts, hydrogen bonding, secondary structure, conformation and amino acid properties (volume, polarity, isoelectric point, hydrophobicity and different forms of exposure). MMQL queries are processed by MMQLlib; a C++ class library, to which new query methods and pattern types are easily added. The prototype implementation described uses PDBlib, another C(++)-based class library from representing the features of biological macromolecules at the level of detail parsable from a PDB file. Since PDBlib can represent data stored in relational and object-oriented databases, as well as PDB files, once these data are loaded they too can be queried by MMQL. Performance metrics are given for queries of PDB files for which all derived data are calculated at run time and compared to a preliminary version of OOPDB, a prototype object-oriented database with a schema based on a persistent version of PDBlib which offers more efficient data access and the potential to maintain derived information. MMQLlib, PDBlib and associated software are available via anonymous ftp from cuhhca.hhmi.columbia.edu.

The effects of amfonelic acid, a dopamine uptake inhibitor, on methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic terminal degeneration and astrocytic response in rat striatum

Administration of methamphetamine (MA) induces degeneration of dopaminergic nerve terminals and astrogliosis, such as hypertrophy and an increase in apparent number, in the neostriatum. In this experiment adult rats were treated with MA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) 4 times in one day at 2 h intervals. Amfonelic acid (AFA), a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, was administered (20 mg/kg, i.p.) at the same time the last MA dose was given. Three days later, dopaminergic terminals and astrocytes were examined immunohistochemically and the contents of striatal dopamine and its metabolites were analyzed by HPLC. The results showed that MA-induced the typical depletion of dopaminergic terminals, reduction of dopamine content and astrogliosis in the neostriatum. AFA treatment completely prevented the effects of MA on the dopaminergic system, both morphologically and biochemically. However, the reaction of astrocytes remained in the region where the most severe depletion of dopaminergic terminals was seen in MA treated animals (ventral-lateral portion of neostriatum). The results support the concept that the dopamine transporter is involved in MA-induced dopaminergic nerve terminal degeneration. The results also indicate that blocking the dopamine transporter cannot completely prevent the reaction of astrocytes in the neostriatum, which indicates that the astrocytic reaction can be induced by factors other than degeneration of dopaminergic terminals in this region. Based on these and other data, it is hypothesized that MA may cause degeneration of corticostriatal glutamate pathways and this effect may be responsible for the astrogliosis in MA-AFA treated animals.

Developmental dissociation of methamphetamine-induced depletion of dopaminergic terminals and astrocyte reaction in rat striatum

In 60- and 80-day-old rats, TH-positive terminal depletion occurred simultaneously with increased glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)-containing astrocytes in the caudate-putamen nucleus following four 10 or 20 mg/kg methamphetamine treatments. At 40 days, astrocytes were increased without depletion of TH-positive terminals. At younger ages (20 days old) neither marker was altered. Processes leading to methamphetamine-induced gliosis and TH-positive terminal depletion may not be present in rats prior to 40 and 60 days, respectively. The data suggest that factors other than degenerated dopaminergic terminals, such as increased glutamate release and/or production of free radicals may be involved in triggering striatal gliosis.

The effect of radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM) on substance P in cerebral ischemia--animal experiment

The levels of substance P (SP) in rat brains were assayed in 64 rats. Bilateral common carotid artery ligation was done in 49 rats. Half an hour before ligation, 25 rats were given 10 g/kg of RSM; 24 rats were given the same volume of normal saline as controls. Sham operation was done in 15 rats. Half an hour and 3 hours after cerebral ischemia, the rats were quickly decapitated. SP concentration was assayed in the cerebral cortex, caudate nucleus and brain stem. In saline-treated animals, the SP level of caudate nucleus at 3-hour group was significantly decreased as compared with the 0.5-hour group and sham-operated group respectively. No significances were found among RSM-treated groups and sham-operated groups. The SP levels were shown: brain stem greater than caudate nucleus greater than cerebral cortex. The preliminary results suggest that SP may be involved in the pathophysiologic procedures of cerebral ischemia and RSM may attenuate the dysfunction of SP during cerebral ischemia.