Innovative Cyanine-Based Fluorescent Dye for Targeted Mitochondrial Imaging and Its Utility in Whole-Brain Visualization

Conducting in vivo brain imaging can be a challenging task due to the complexity of brain tissue and the strict requirements for safe and effective imaging agents. However, a new fluorescent dye called Cy5-PEG2 has been developed that selectively accumulates in mitochondria, enabling the visualization of these essential organelles in various cell lines. This dye is versatile and can be used for the real-time monitoring of mitochondrial dynamics in living cells. Moreover, it can cross the blood-brain barrier, making it a promising tool for noninvasive in vivo brain imaging. Based on the assessment of glial cell responses in the hippocampus and neocortex regions using GFAP and Iba1 biomarkers, Cy5-PEG2 seems to have minimal adverse effects on brain immune response or neuronal health. Therefore, this mitochondria-targeting fluorescent dye has the potential to advance our understanding of mitochondrial dynamics and function within the broader context of whole-brain physiology and disease progression. However, further research is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Cy5-PEG2.

Engineering Exosomes to Specifically Target the Mitochondria of Brain Cells

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with various health conditions, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondrial-targeting therapy aims to restore or enhance mitochondrial function to treat or alleviate these conditions. Exosomes, small vesicles that cells secrete, containing a variety of biomolecules, are critical in cell-to-cell communication and have been studied as potential therapeutic agents. Exosome-based therapy has the potential to treat both cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Combining these two approaches involves using exosomes as carriers to transport mitochondrial-targeting agents to dysfunctional or damaged mitochondria within target cells. This article presents a new technique for engineering brain-derived exosomes that target mitochondria and has demonstrated promise in initial tests with primary neuron cells and healthy rats. This promising development represents a significant step forward in treating these debilitating conditions.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Mitochondria-targeting Exosomes

Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in both brain tumors and neurodegenerative diseases, leading to various cellular abnormalities that can promote tumor growth and resistance to thera-pies, as well as impaired energy production and compromised neuronal function. Developing targeted therapies aimed at restoring mitochondrial function and improving overall cellular health could potentially be a promising approach to treating these conditions. Brain-derived exosomes (BR-EVs) have emerged as potential drug delivery vessels for neurological conditions. Herein, we report a new method for creating mitochondria-targeting exosomes and test its application in vitro and in vivo.

Dual Functions of MDP Monomer with De- and Remineralizing Ability

Methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) has been speculated to induce mineralization, but there has been no convincing evidence of its ability to induce intrafibrillar mineralization. Polymers play a critical role in biomimetic mineralization as stabilizers/inducers of amorphous precursors. Hence, MDP-induced biomimetic mineralization without polymer additives has not been fully verified or elucidated. By combining 3-dimensional stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, surface zeta potentials, contact angle measurements, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with circular dichroism, we show that amphiphilic MDP can not only demineralize dentin by releasing protons as an acidic functional monomer but also infiltrate collagen fibrils (including dentin collagen), unwind the triple helical structure by breaking hydrogen bonds, and finally immobilize within collagen. MDP-bound collagen functions as a huge collagenous phosphoprotein (HCPP), in contrast to chemical phosphorylation modifications. HCPP can induce biomimetic mineralization itself without polymer additives by alternatively attracting calcium and phosphate through electrostatic attraction. Therefore, we herein propose the dual functions of amphiphilic MDP monomer with de- and remineralizing ability. MDP in the free state can demineralize dentin substrates by releasing protons, whereas MDP in the collagen-bound state as HCPP can induce intrafibrillar mineralization. The dual functions of MDP monomer with de- and remineralization properties might create a new epoch in adhesive dentistry and preventive dentistry.

Novel Dual-Organelle-Targeting Probe (RCPP) for Simultaneous Measurement of Organellar Acidity and Alkalinity in Living Cells

Many organelles, such as lysosomes and mitochondria, maintain a pH that is different from the cytoplasmic pH. These pH differences have important functional ramifications for those organelles. Many cellular events depend upon a well-compartmentalized distribution of H⁺ ions spanning the membrane for the optimal function. Cells have developed a variety of mechanisms that enable the regulation of organelle pH. However, the measurement of organellar acidity/alkalinity in living cells has remained a challenge. Currently, most existing probes for the estimation of intracellular pH show a single -organelle targeting capacity. Such probes provide data that fails to comprehensively reveal the pathological and physiological roles and connections between mitochondria and lysosomes in different species. Mitochondrial and lysosomal functions are closely related and important for regulating cellular homeostasis. Accordingly, the design of a single fluorescent probe that can simultaneously target mitochondria and lysosomes is highly desirable, enabling a better understanding of the crosstalk between these organelles. We report the development of a novel fluorescent sensor, rhodamine-coumarin pH probe (RCPP), for detection of organellar acidity/alkalinity. RCPP simultaneously moves between mitochondrion and lysosome subcellular locations, facilitating the simultaneous monitoring of pH alterations in mitochondria and lysosomes.

POS0664 A MULTICENTER RANDOMIZED STUDY IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TO COMPARE IGURATIMOD, METHOTREXATE, OR COMBINATION: 52 WEEK EFFICACY AND SAFETY RESULTS OF THE SMILE TRIAL

Background:

Iguratimod (IGU) has demonstrated efficacy and safety for active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in double-blind clinical trials in China and Japan as a new disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). There are no studies evaluating the radiographic progression of structural joint damage of IGU for the treatment of RA using the mTSS as the primary endpoint.

Objectives:

Our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IGU monotherapy and IGU combined methotrexate (MTX) compared with MTX monotherapy, including the inhibitory effects of joint destruction.

Methods:

This randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, multicenter study in patients with active RA who have not previously used MTX and biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01548001) was carried out in China. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive IGU 25 mg twice a day (bid), MTX 10mg once a week(qw) for the first 4 weeks and 15 mg once a week(qw) for week 5 to 52, or IGU combined MTX (IGU+MTX) for 52 weeks. The primary endpoints were to assess and compare American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) response and the change of modified total Sharp scoring (mTSS) score over 52 weeks (Intention-to-treat, ITT analysis). The non-inferiority test was used to analyze the difference of ACR20 response at 52 weeks between the IGU monotherapy and the MTX monotherapy arms, and the non-inferiority limit value was 10%. The difference test was used for the comparison between the IGU+MTX and MTX monotherapy arms. Two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the difference of the changes of mTSS score of each arm compared with baseline value (0 week).

Results:

A total of 895 patients were randomized to IGU 25mg bid (n =297), MTX 10-15mg qw(n=293), and IGU+MTX (n=305). Baseline characteristics were comparable between the arms (Table 1).

Table 1.

Demographic and Other Baseline Characteristics (SAS)

IGUMTXIGU+MTXNumber of Subjects297293305Age, mean (SD) years46.87(10.67)47.63(10.70)48.37(10.69)Female/male, %77.44/22.5679.18/20.8278.03/21.97Duration of RA, mean(SD) years11.67±7.1611.60±7.9811.67±7.27CRP, mean(SD) mg/L222.32±35.4720.67±26.6119.74±31.38Tender joint count, mean (SD)14.59±9.1614.83±9.3014.93±9.88Swollen joint count, mean (SD)9.81±6.639.73±7.209.51±6.22DAS28-CRP, mean (SD)5.084±0.9945.102±0.9795.103±0.956HAQ score, mean (SD)15.82±11.2515.24±10.9316.06±10.92

SAS: Safety Analysis Set; CRP: C-reactive protein;

DAS28: disease activity score; HAQ: Health Assessment Questionnaire

The study met its primary endpoints. More concretely, IGU monotherapy and IGU+MTX were found to be superior to MTX at week 52 with a higher ACR20 response of 77.44%(230/297, P=0.0019) and 77.05%(235/305, P=0.0028) versus 65.87%(193/293) (fig 1). As shown in fig 1, the structural remission (ΔmTSS≤0.5) was statistically significant for IGU monotherapy (57.4%, P=0.0308) but not for IGU+MTX arm (55%) versus MTX monotherapy (47.8%).

Overall incidence of the adverse events (AEs) leading to study discontinuation were reported in 13.8% (41/297) in IGU monotherapy arm, 11.26% (33/293) in MTX monotherapy arm and 11.51% (35/305) patients in IGU+MTX arm. The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADR) leading to study discontinuation were 11.45% (34/297), 8.53% (25/293) and 9.21% (28/305), respectively. There was no one death and no significant difference in all the safety indicators among the three arms.

Conclusion:

Iguratimod alone or in combination with MTX demonstrated superior efficacy with acceptable safety compared to MTX for patients with active RA who have not previously used MTX bDMARDs.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Effects of dexmedetomidine on sepsis-induced liver injury in rats

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on sepsis-induced liver injury in rats and the mechanism of action, providing certain references for the prevention and treatment of sepsis-induced liver injury in clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely sham operation group (Sham group, n=20), sepsis-induced liver injury group [lipopolysaccharides (LPS) group, n=20], and sepsis-induced liver injury + DEX group (LPS + DEX group, n=20) using a random number table. Rat models of sepsis-induced liver injury were established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg), and at the same time, DEX was intragastrically injected at a dose of 50 μg/kg. After 24 h, the survival analysis curves of each group of rats were plotted. Meanwhile, the levels of liver function indexes and oxidative stress markers were measured at 12 h in each group of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining assay was carried out to detect the morphological changes of rat liver cells in each group. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining assay was performed to detect the apoptosis level in rat liver tissues in each group. In addition, the expression level of Caspase 3 in three groups of rats was measured through immunohistochemical staining assay. Lastly, the effect of DEX on the protein expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in liver tissues was detected via Western blotting.

RESULTS

DEX significantly improved liver dysfunction induced by LPS and raised the 24 h-survival rates of rats (p<0.05). Besides, H&E staining results showed that DEX clearly relieved the pathological damage of rat liver cells caused by LPS. In comparison with LPS group, LPS + DEX group displayed more neatly arranged liver cells, less degradation and necrosis, and evidently attenuated cellular edema. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that DEX significantly reversed the increase in Caspase 3 expression resulting from LPS. The results of the TUNEL staining assay showed that DEX clearly inhibited the apoptosis of rat liver cells induced by LPS. The results of Western blotting revealed that DEX notably reversed the decrease of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in rat liver tissues compared with LPS group.

CONCLUSIONS

DEX is able to markedly relieve LPS-induced liver injury in rats and the underlying mechanism may be related to the activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

A comparison of open, laparoscopic and robotic total mesorectal excision: trial sequential analysis and network meta-analysis

AIM

Total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer can be achieved by employing open (OpTME), laparoscopic (LaTME) and robotic (RoTME) approaches but which of these has the best outcome? The aim of present study is to identify the most effective technique for rectal cancer by comparing all outcomes.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared at least two TME strategies were identified by literature search of electronic databases of articles published to June 2018. Network meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis was performed using a frequentist approach with random-effects meta-analysis. Data collection and analysis We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, EmBase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Web of Science. Titles and abstracts of the retrieved publications were independently and blindly assessed by two authors.

RESULTS

Twenty-two RCTs with 4882 rectal cancer patients were included in this analysis. The trial sequential analysis demonstrated that the cumulative Z-curve crossed either the traditional boundary or the trial sequential monitoring boundaries, suggesting that OpTME resulted in a more complete TME specimen than LaTME (relative risk 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.08). Network meta-analysis showed there was no significant difference in the other comparisons. Based on the P score of completeness of the TME specimen and circumferential resection margin positivity, the best technique was OpTME, followed by RoTME and then LaTME. However, this order was reversed when complications and mortality were considered. RoTME led to better lymph node harvest.

CONCLUSIONS

Although OpTME may give better pathological specimens, minimally invasive techniques may have advantages when considering lymph node harvest, complications and mortality. More RCTs are needed to determine which technique actually gives the best chance of survival.

Indole Alkaloid Derivative B, a Novel Bifunctional Agent That Mitigates 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Clinically approved therapeutics that mitigate chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, a serious adverse effect of chemotherapy, are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the putative protective capacity of a novel indole alkaloid derivative B (IADB) against 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced cardiotoxicity. To assess the free-radical scavenging activities of IADB, the acetylcholine-induced relaxation assay in rat thoracic aorta was used. Further, IADB was tested in normal and cancer cell lines with assays gauging autophagy induction. We further examined whether IADB could attenuate cardiotoxicity in 5-FU-treated male ICR mice. We found that IADB could serve as a novel bifunctional agent (displaying both antioxidant and autophagy-modulating activities). Further, we demonstrated that IADB induced production of cytosolic autophagy-associated structures in both cancer and normal cell lines. We observed that IADB cytotoxicity was much lower in normal versus cancer cell lines, suggesting an enhanced potency toward cancer cells. The cardiotoxicity induced by 5-FU was significantly relieved in animals pretreated with IADB. Taken together, IADB treatment, in combination with chemotherapy, may lead to reduced cardiotoxicity, as well as the reduction of anticancer drug dosages that may further improve chemotherapeutic efficacy with decreased off-target effects. Our data suggest that the use of IADB may be therapeutically beneficial in minimizing cardiotoxicity associated with high-dose chemotherapy. On the basis of the redox status difference between normal and tumor cells, IADB selectively induces autophagic cell death, mediated by reactive oxygen species overproduction, in cancer cells. This novel mechanism could reveal novel therapeutic targets in chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity.

Efficacy and safety of duloxetine in Chinese patients with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the efficacy and safety of duloxetine (60 mg, once daily), compared with placebo, during a 13-week treatment period in Chinese patients with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

Patients were at least 40 years old (male or female) who met American College of Rheumatology clinical and radiographic criteria for the diagnosis of OA of the knee or hip. The primary efficacy measure in this phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was assessment of pain severity by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) 24-h Average Pain rating. The clinical trial was conducted at 17 study centers. Statistical approaches included mixed-effects model repeated measures and analysis of covariance. A Fisher exact test was applied to categorical variables.

RESULTS

Of 407 patients randomized (duloxetine: N = 205; placebo: N = 202), 166 (81.0%) patients from the duloxetine group and 176 (87.1%) patients from the placebo group completed the 13-week treatment phase. The majority (76.4%) of patients was female; mean age was 60.5 years. Duloxetine-treated patients reported significant pain reduction, compared with placebo treatment, on the BPI 24-h Average Pain rating (least-squares mean (LS Mean) change from baseline to endpoint [95% confidence interval (CI)], duloxetine: -2.23; placebo: -1.73; difference = -0.50 [-0.80, -0.20]; P = 0.001). The incidence of discontinuations due to adverse events was 9.0% in duloxetine-treated patients and 4.5% in placebo-treated patients (P = 0.109).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the efficacy of duloxetine in Chinese patients with chronic pain due to OA. The safety profile of duloxetine observed in this study was consistent with that in previous duloxetine trials. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01931475).

Indole-TEMPO conjugates alleviate ischemia-reperfusion injury via attenuation of oxidative stress and preservation of mitochondrial function

Mitochondrial oxidative damage contributes to a wide range of pathologies including ischemia/reperfusion injury. Accordingly, protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage should possess therapeutic relevance. In the present study, we have designed and synthesized a series of novel indole-TEMPO conjugates that manifested good anti-inflammatory properties in a murine model of xylene-induced ear edema. We have demonstrated that these compounds can protect cells from simulated ischemia/reperfusion (s-I/R)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that indole-TEMPO conjugates can attenuate organ damage induced in rodents via intestinal I/R injury. We therefore propose that the pharmacological profile and mechanism of action of these indole-TEMPO conjugates involve convergent roles, including the ability to decrease free radical production via lipid peroxidation which couples to an associated decrease in ROS-mediated activation of the inflammatory process. We further hypothesize that the protective effects of indole-TEMPO conjugates partially reside in maintaining optimal mitochondrial function.

Epithelial Microvesicles Promote an Inflammatory Phenotype in Fibroblasts

Microvesicles (MVs) are extracellular vesicles secreted by various cell types that are involved in intercellular communication. We hypothesized that in human periodontal disease, the pocket epithelium releases MVs, which then modulate gene expression in the underlying fibroblasts to control periodontal inflammation. MVs were isolated from culture medium of gingival epithelial cells (GECs) treated with oral bacterial biofilm extract or left untreated. Biofilm treatment significantly increased MV release from the GECs. Mass spectrometry of GEC-MVs identified a total of 2,173 proteins, of which about 80% were detected in MVs from both control and biofilm-treated GECs. Among 80 signature genes of human gingival fibroblasts, 20 were significantly regulated ( P < 0.05) by MVs from control and biofilm-treated GECs in a similar manner. Matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 3 and interleukin 6 and 8 showed the strongest regulation at the mRNA and protein levels. Several cellular signaling pathways were activated by GEC-MVs in human gingival fibroblasts, including Smad and mitogen-activated protein kinase–associated pathways ERK1/2, JNK, and p38. However, ERK1/2 signaling dominated in the MV-induced gene expression changes. The results demonstrate that GEC-MVs have a strong regulatory effect on the expression of fibroblast genes associated with inflammation and matrix degradation and that bacterial biofilm stimulates the generation of GEC-MVs. This suggests that bacterial biofilms can contribute to the initiation and progression of periodontal disease by promoting a tissue-destructive phenotype in gingival fibroblasts via the enhanced secretion of epithelial MVs.

Mutations of glucocerebrosidase gene and susceptibility to Parkinson's disease: An updated meta-analysis in a European population

This meta-analysis aims to investigate the association between mutations of glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene and susceptibility to Parkinson's disease (PD) in a European population. Several electronic databases were extensively searched. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association. In total, fourteen published papers screening L444P, N370S and other GBA variants were identified. The GBA mutations were significantly associated with PD in the European population. Subgroup analysis stratified by the age of onset (AAO) revealed that the association between GBA mutations and PD existed in the patients with age at onset ⩽50 years but did not exist in the patients with age at onset >50 years. Furthermore, the associations between N370S, and L444P with PD were also analyzed to explore the roles of the two most frequent GBA mutations in the development of PD. The results showed that significant associations between N370S, and L444P with PD were observed, respectively. Overall, the study supported that GBA mutations were a risk factor for PD in the European population. Patients with early-onset were more likely to carry GBA mutations than those with late-onset. Moreover, both L444P and N370S were associated with increased PD risk.

Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group (CSTAR) registry VII: prevalence and clinical significance of serositis in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objectives

To investigate both the prevalence and clinical characteristics of serositis in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a large cohort in the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group (CSTAR) database.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional study of patients with SLE was conducted based on the data from the CSTAR registry. Serositis was defined according to the 1999 revised American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SLE – that is, pleuritis/pleural effusion and/or pericarditis/pericardial effusion detected by echocardiography, chest X-ray or chest computerized tomography (CT) scan. Peritonitis/peritoneal effusion were confirmed by abdominal ultrasonography. We analysed the prevalence and clinical associations of serositis with demographic data, organ involvements, laboratory findings and SLE disease activity.

Results

Of 2104 patients with SLE, 345 were diagnosed with serositis. The prevalence of lupus nephritis (LN), interstitial lung disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension, as well as the presence of leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypocomplementemia and anti-dsDNA antibodies was significantly higher in patients with serositis ( P < 0.05). Significantly higher SLE disease activity scores were found in patients with serositis compared to those patients without serositis ( P < 0.05). Lupus-related peritonitis had similar clinical manifestations and laboratory profiles as serositis caused by SLE.

Conclusions

There is a significant association of nephropathy, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, hypocomplementemia, leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia and elevated anti-dsDNA antibodies with serositis. The results suggest that higher SLE disease activity contributes to serositis development, and should be treated aggressively.

A rat model designed for the continuous intraarterial infusion of cyclosporine

BACKGROUND

Limb allotransplantation is not a life-saving treatment. However, large doses of immunosuppressive agents are needed. There is an urgent need to increase the selectivity and targeting of drugs.

METHODS

We designed a rat model for intraarterial infusion of cyclosporine (CSA) based on the hindlimb replanted model to simulate the limb allotransplantation. To investigate whether intraartery infusion could improve the drug's distribution, we infused CSA 4.0 mg/kg per day continuously into either the superficial epigastric artery (IA group) or superficial epigastric vein (IV group) of Lewis rats.

RESULTS

On day 10, CSA concentrations were measured in skin, muscle, and bone tissues of hindlimb. Samples were taken from different parts of the bilateral hindlimbs in the IA group and right hindlimb only in the IV group. Tissue concentrations of the perfusion side were much higher in IA group. Systemic concentrations of IA group were higher than IV group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results warrant further research in our next limb allotransplantation model.

Targeted fluorescent probes for detection of oxidative stress in the mitochondria

Mitochondrial oxidative stress has been implicated in aging, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, stroke, ischemia/reperfusion injury, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cancer. Recently, we developed two new mitochondria-targeting fluorescent probes, MitoProbes I/II, which specifically localize in mitochondria and employed both in vivo and in vitro for detection of mitochondrial oxidative stress. Here, we report the design and synthesis of these agents, as well as their utility for real-time imaging of mitochondrial oxidative stress in cells.

Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group (CSTAR) registry: V. gender impact on Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction

Many studies have shown that differences were observed between male and female lupus patients. Although systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects mostly females (female:male ratio 9:1), male SLE patients show higher mortality due to kidney and neurological disease. Currently there are limited epidemiological data concerning lupus in the Chinese population. As such, the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group (CSTAR) developed the first online registry of Chinese lupus patients in 2009, and represents a multicenter observational study that attempts to describe and compile the major clinical characteristics of lupus in Chinese patients.

Objective

To investigate the effect of gender on the phenotypes of Chinese SLE patients.

Patients and methods

Data for 2104 SLE patients were prospectively collected and included in the CSTAR registry. Patients fulfilled the 1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) SLE classification criteria. We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study to analyze patient clinical and laboratory data at onset and at enrollment. SLE disease activity scores (SLEDAI) were also measured at enrollment.

Results

This study included 1914 women and 190 men. Males and females showed no differences in mean ages at onset, delay of diagnosis and disease duration. Males presented more frequently with fever ( p = 0.003), while musculoskeletal involvement ( p = 0.001) and cytopenia ( p = 0.017) was more common in females as the initial manifestation at onset of SLE. For manifestations at enrollment, males presented more frequently with fever ( p = 0.005), renal disease ( p = 0.019), vasculitis ( p = 0.032) and neuropsychiatric lupus ( p = 0.007). For cumulative manifestations at enrollment, males presented more frequently with discoid rash ( p < 0.001) and neuropsychiatric lupus ( p = 0.036), while less frequently with arthritis ( p = 0.011). However, the laboratory data showed no significant differences between the two groups at enrollment. Males also had higher SLEDAI scores at enrollment ( p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Renal disease, vasculitis and neuropsychiatric lupus are more common in male SLE patients with higher SLEDAI scores compared to female SLE patients in China.

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF TETRAMETHYLPYRAZINE ON HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA: POSSIBLE ROLE OF APOPTOSIS AND CELL CYCLE ARREST

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer. An important approach to control HCC is chemoprevention. This study aims at investigating the antitumor effect of Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP). Rats were injected with N-Nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) to establish HCC. Tumor development was observed. Liver function was evaluated. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest-related makers and signaling cascades were determined by Western blot, RT-PCR and flow cytometric analysis. The administration of TMP could significantly inhibit tumor development in DEN-induced HCC rats, shown by reduced incidence of tumor, decreased number of tumor nodules and reduced maximal size of tumor. DEN-induced increase of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly inhibited by TMP. TMP exhibited inhibitory effect on HCC through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in rats. TMP induced apoptosis through increasing Bax, decreasing Bcl-2, increasing the release of cytochrome c, and activating caspase, which consisted of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. TMP induced G2/M cell cycle arrest through down-regulation of cyclin B1/cdc2. In addition, inhibition of Akt and ERK signaling and the antioxidant activities of TMP may also contribute to its antitumor effect. These data provide new insight into the mechanisms underlying the antitumor effect of TMP.

Lysosomal targeting with stable and sensitive fluorescent probes (Superior LysoProbes): applications for lysosome labeling and tracking during apoptosis

Intracellular pH plays an important role in the response to cancer invasion. We have designed and synthesized a series of new fluorescent probes (Superior LysoProbes) with the capacity to label acidic organelles and monitor lysosomal pH. Unlike commercially available fluorescent dyes, Superior LysoProbes are lysosome-specific and are highly stable. The use of Superior LysoProbes facilitates the direct visualization of the lysosomal response to lobaplatin elicited in human chloangiocarcinoma (CCA) RBE cells, using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Additionally, we have characterized the role of lysosomes in autophagy, the correlation between lysosome function and microtubule strength, and the alteration of lysosomal morphology during apoptosis. Our findings indicate that Superior LysoProbes offer numerous advantages over previous reagents to examine the intracellular activities of lysosomes.

Gene expression profile of type II spinal cord decompression sickness

STUDY DESIGN

This study was an experimental, controlled, animal study.

OBJECTIVE

This study was to determine the changes of molecular pathology in spinal cord decompression sickness (SC-DCS) based on a rabbit model of SC-DCS with the aid of an all-gene expression profile chip.

SETTING

Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.

METHODS

A gene expression profile chip containing 43 803 genes was used to compare the gene expressions in the spinal cords of four male New Zealand white rabbits in the SC-DCS and control groups, respectively. Selected differentially expressed genes were identified with quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The chip hybridization results showed that the SC-DCS group had nine upregulated and seventeen downregulated genes, compared with the control group. These genes were mainly related to inflammation, ion channels, the cell cycle, material transfer and apoptosis. The qRT-PCR results showed that parathyroid hormone and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) genes were upregulated compared with the control group (P<0.01). However, the acyl-CoA synthetase and voltage-gated channel genes were downregulated (P<0.05). The immunohistochemical staining results confirmed that there were significantly greater expression levels of TNF-α in the spinal cord tissues of the SC-DCS group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The spinal cord lesions of SC-DCS involve multiple gene changes in the rabbit; however, the significance of these findings needs further research. Meanwhile, the gene expression profile chip results provide us with a better understanding of the pathogenesis of DCS.

Abstract P5-03-14: Expression of ALDH1 in metastasizing axillary lymphnodes in breast cancer

Background: There is increasing evidences that a wide variety of malignancies, including breast cancer, may be driven by a small subset of ‘tumor-initiating cells’ or ‘cancer stem cells’ (CSC) which are able to form tumors in immunocompromised mice as well as to generate the phenotypic heterogeneity of the initial tumor. Enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1) has been reported as a possible marker for mammary CSC. These cells are a source of tumor recurrence and metastasis, and are resistant to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

Objective: Assuming that the detection of CSC in axillary lymph nodes is more effective to predicting cancer outcome than the widely used detection of cancer cells in axillary lymph nodes, we measure ALDH1 levels to predict their presence into axillary lymph nodes on development of cancer and anticipate outcomes.

Methods: ALDH1 protein was detected by an immunohistochemical technique in 229 cases of breast cancer diagnosed from 2002 to 2011 Follow-up ranged from 11.5 months to 96.9 months, with a mean of 73.9 months. A survival assay was used to determine the relationship between distant metastatic rate and survival rate.

Results: ALDHl expression was detected in 79cases and the Positive rate in metastatic axillary lymph nodes was 34.5%. Negative ER, PR status were related to the ALDH1 positive cases(P = 0.012). See Table 1. Mortality rate between ALDH1 positive cases (50.8%) and negative cases (28.8%) were significantly different (P = 0.001). See Table 2. Further, survival analysis of recurrence-free survivals (RFS) and survival rate decreased significantly between ALDHl positive and negative cases (P = 0.001) (see table 2) and COX analysis shows that ALDH1 expression is an independent predictor of poor outcome in breast cancer(P = 0.011).

Discussion: What cancer stem cells migrate to the axillary nodes have more important prediction than that the matastesis of normal cancar cells in axillary node. It might be a role resulting in dying in breast cancer.

Mitigation of thoron exposure by application of wallpaper as a diffusion barrier

Increasing attention has been paid in recent years to the radioactive gas thoron ((220)Rn), which can cause a significant exposure and increase of lung cancer risk in some regions worldwide. Some experiments were designed to examine whether different types of wall decoration in the room, from ordinary newsprint to commercial wallpaper, can mitigate the concentrations of indoor thoron decay products. Decoration with coated paper was very effective in decreasing the thoron decay products concentration, thus reducing the effective dose by 90 %, while newsprint decoration, which is common in many rural parts of the world, was found to have a smaller but still significant effect in reducing the thoron decay products concentration when applied to the same house.

Baifuzi reduces transient ischemic brain damage through an interaction with the STREX domain of BKCa channels

Stroke is a long-term disability and one of the leading causes of death. However, no successful therapeutic intervention is available for the majority of stroke patients. In this study, we explored a traditional Chinese medicine Baifuzi (Typhonium giganteum Engl.). We show, at first, that the ethanol extract of Baifuzi exerts neuroprotective effects against brain damage induced by transient global or focal cerebral ischemia in rats and mice. Second, the extract activated large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (BK(Ca)) channels, and BK(Ca) channel blockade suppressed the neuroprotection of the extract, suggesting that the BK(Ca) is the molecular target of Baifuzi. Third, Baifuzi cerebroside (Baifuzi-CB), purified from its ethanol extract, activated BK(Ca) channels in a manner similar to that of the extract. Fourth, the stress axis hormone-regulated exon (STREX) domain of the BK(Ca) channel directly interacted with Baifuzi-CB, and its deletion suppressed channel activation by Baifuzi-CB. These results indicate that Baifuzi-CB activated the BK(Ca) channel through its direct interaction with the STREX domain of the channel and suggests that Baifuzi-CB merits exploration as a potential therapeutic agent for treating brain ischemia.

Development of a new thoron progeny detector based on SSNTD and the collection by an electric field

The importance of (220)Rn (thoron) progeny for human exposure has been widely recognised in the past decades. Since no stable equilibrium factor was found between indoor thoron and its progeny, and the concentration of thoron progeny varies with time, it is necessary to develop detectors for long-term measurement that directly sample and detect thoron progeny. However, power supply of this kind of detectors has always been a problem. In this study, a set of device that is suitable for long-term measurement is introduced. A high-voltage electric field was formed for the collection of charged aerosols attached by (222)Rn (radon) and thoron progenies on solid-state nuclear track detector. Impact from radon progeny could be eliminated with a shield of Al foil of appropriate thickness. Tests were made both in an experimental house and in a thoron chamber in Helmholtz Zentrum München to determine the parameters and to verify the universality under different conditions.

Age and sex dependent inhalation doses to members of the public from indoor thoron progeny

The increased indoor thoron level in Europe, North America and Asia has shown that the exposure to thoron and its decay products cannot be ignored in some environments. The contribution of thoron and its progeny can be a significant component of the total exposure from radon and thoron. In the present paper, radiation dose assessment of members of the public of different age and sex exposed to (220)Rn progeny under different daily life activities is performed through a dosimetric approach. Dose conversion coefficients under typical indoor conditions were estimated to be in the range of 107 nSv (Bq h m(-3))(-1) for infant to 81.7 nSv (Bq h m(-3))(-1) for adult. The results of this work emphasized that small children receive a radiation dose of 25% more than adults under the same conditions, and people performing exercise receive a radiation dose 100% more than when sleeping. The results of this work are appropriate to the risk assessment of thoron exposure to members of the public who live in areas with high radon and thoron concentrations.

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide purification by polymerization of failure sequences

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide is purified by capping failure sequences with an acrylated phosphoramidite followed by polymerization and product extraction. The method is suitable for large scale oligonucleotide drug purification.

Application of LSC and TLD methods for the measurement of radon and thoron decay products in air

Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) is a measuring technique, broadly applied in environmental monitoring. One of the possible applications of LSC is the measurement of radon and thoron progeny. Such a method can be stated as an absolute one. For long-term measurements, a different technique can be applied-monitors of potential alpha energy concentration (PAEC) with thermoluminescent detectors (TLDs). Such solution enables simultaneous measurements of PAEC and dust content. Moreover, the information which is stored in TLD chips is the energy of alpha particles and not the number of counted particles. Therefore, the readout of TL detector directly shows the potential alpha energy, with no dependence on equilibrium factor, etc. This technique, which had been used only for radon progeny measurements, was modified to allow simultaneous measurements of radon and thoron PAEC.

Design, synthesis and cardioprotective effect of a new class of dual-acting agents: Phenolic tetrahydro-β-carboline RGD peptidomimetic conjugates

In this study, a new class of phenolic tetrahydro-beta-carboline RGD peptidomimetic conjugates was designed and synthesized. The radical scavenging activities of these newly synthesized compounds 12a-c were evaluated in PC12 cell survival assays. The NO scavenging activities of these compounds were confirmed in the acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation assay. Compounds 12a-c were efficacious in a rat arterial thrombosis model, and were active in ADP- or PAF-induced in vitro platelet aggregation assays, which suggests these compounds also possess anti-thrombotic activity. The beneficial effects of dual-acting agent 12c were demonstrated on the ischemia-reperfusion induced cardiac infarct size and oxidative change in an in vivo rat model.

Toward the development of chemoprevention agents. Part II: Chemo-enzymatic synthesis and anti-inflammatory activities of a new class of 5-amino-2-substitutedphenyl-1,3-dioxacycloalkanes

A new series of optically pure 5-amino-2-substitutedphenyl-1,3-dioxacycloalkanes were designed and synthesized via a chemo-enzymatic combined method to develop new chemoprevention agents. Twenty-four of newly synthesized compounds significantly inhibited xylene-induced rat ear edema and exhibited comparable or better anti-inflammatory activities than the reference drug aspirin. Treatment of these anti-inflammatory agents did not prolong the tail bleeding time in rat. In addition, 5-amino-2-substitutedphenyl-1,3-dioxacycloalkanes exhibited good membrane permeability based on in vitro Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability assay. Furthermore, some preliminary structure-activity relationships were further analyzed among these compounds. Taken together, 5-amino-2-substitutedphenyl-1,3-dioxacycloalkanes may represent a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs with safer pharmacological profile.

Toward the development of chemoprevention agents. Part 1: Design, synthesis, and anti-inflammatory activities of a new class of 2,5-disubstituted-dioxacycloalkanes

A new class of 2,5-disubstituted-dioxacycloalkanes were designed and synthesized via stereoselective synthetic method as cancer chemoprevention agents. The anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds were tested using the xylene-induced mouse ear edema model. Some of these compounds exhibited comparable or better anti-inflammatory activities than that of aspirin suggesting that they can be further developed as potential anti-inflammatory drug lead compounds. In addition, treatment of these anti-inflammatory agents did not prolong tail bleeding time in mice. The structure/activity relationships were also analyzed among these compounds.

Design and synthesis of a photocleavable fluorescent nucleotide 3'-O-allyl-dGTP-PC-Bodipy-FL-510 as a reversible terminator for DNA sequencing by synthesis

DNA sequencing by synthesis (SBS) using reversible fluorescent nucleotide terminators is potentially an efficient approach to address the limitations of current DNA sequencing techniques. Here, we report the design and synthesis of a 3'-O-allyl photocleavable fluorescent nucleotide analogue, 3'-O-allyl-dGTP-PC-Bodipy-FL-510, as a reversible terminator for SBS. The nucleotide is efficiently incorporated by DNA polymerase into a growing DNA strand to terminate the polymerase reaction. After that, the fluorophore is photocleaved quantitatively by irradiation at 355 nm, and the allyl group is rapidly and efficiently removed by using a Pd-catalyzed reaction under DNA-compatible conditions to regenerate a free 3'-OH group to reinitiate the polymerase reaction. Two cycles of such steps were successfully demonstrated to sequence a homopolymeric region of a DNA template, facilitating the development of SBS as a viable approach for high-throughput DNA sequencing.

Design and Synthesis of Pentahydroxylhexylamino Acids and Their Effect on Lead Decorporation

A series of enantiopure pentahydroxylhexylamino acids 4a-t were synthesized via an improved one-pot-three-step procedure. Their potential as antagonists for lead intoxication was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Lead decorporation assays in vivo confirmed that after treatment with 4a-t, the levels of lead in treated mice were significantly reduced in the liver, kidney, bone, and brain compared to those in the control group. In addition, the lead levels in feces and urine were significantly higher after treatment with 4a-t than those of the control group. In particular, the lead decorporation potency of compounds 4b, 4i, 4j, and 4s were comparable or better than that of dl-penicillamine. Furthermore, new chelating agents did not affect the levels of endogenous essential metals. The stability constants of the formed lead complexes of 4a-t were determined by potentiometric titration. It seems that the therapeutic efficiency of the lead chelating agents depends on factors that affect the stability constants of the formed lead complexes. The membrane permeability of representative compounds was evaluated in a Caco-2 cell monolayer. A good correlation between in vitro results and in vivo lead decorporation capacity of the chelating agents was observed. Some of these new pentahydroxylhexylamino acids (4b, 4i, 4j, and 4s) may be developed as effective lead chelating agents.

Heteroclitic properties of mixed alpha- and aza-beta3-peptides mimicking a supradominant CD4 T cell epitope presented by nucleosome

Recent studies have revealed that peptide analogues containing modified peptide bonds might replace poorly stable natural peptides in therapeutic strategies. Using the model peptide 88-99 of histone H4, which contains a supradominant epitope recognized by Th cells induced to nucleosomes, we have generated twelve analogues containing aza-beta(3)-amino acid residue substitutions. The ability of this new class of peptidomimetics corresponding to the Psi[CONHNRCH(2)] modification to be recognized by T cells primed with the parent peptide was examined in BALB/c mice. An Ala-scan study revealed that residues 88 to 92 were essential for keeping antigenic activity of the nominal peptide. In good agreement, the six aza-beta(3)-analogues encompassing substitutions in the region 89-92 were antigenically inactive. Analogues PsiG94 and PsiG99 were both antigenic and immunogenic, though at levels that were slightly lower to that of the parent peptide. However, the remaining analogues PsiR95, PsiL97, PsiY98 and PsiL97-Y98 were strongly recognized by T cells generated to the homologous peptides. The PsiL97-Y98 analogue, in particular, strongly activated CD4(+) T cells as visualized in CFSE dilution assay. T cells primed to these four analogues and recalled with the nominal peptide secreted high levels of either IL-2 (PsiR95, PsiY98) or IFN-gamma (PsiL97, PsiL97-Y98). This result, supported by molecular modeling, suggests that TCRs of T cells primed to these four analogues recognized the parent peptide associated with the MHC I-A(d)/I-E(d) molecules. Since these T cells produce a distinct cytokine pattern when they are recalled with the parent sequence, this new class of analogues may have valuable applications in the context of self-tolerance and autoimmunity.

Four-color DNA sequencing by synthesis using cleavable fluorescent nucleotide reversible terminators

DNA sequencing by synthesis (SBS) on a solid surface during polymerase reaction offers a paradigm to decipher DNA sequences. We report here the construction of such a DNA sequencing system using molecular engineering approaches. In this approach, four nucleotides (A, C, G, T) are modified as reversible terminators by attaching a cleavable fluorophore to the base and capping the 3'-OH group with a small chemically reversible moiety so that they are still recognized by DNA polymerase as substrates. We found that an allyl moiety can be used successfully as a linker to tether a fluorophore to 3'-O-allyl-modified nucleotides, forming chemically cleavable fluorescent nucleotide reversible terminators, 3'-O-allyl-dNTPs-allyl-fluorophore, for application in SBS. The fluorophore and the 3'-O-allyl group on a DNA extension product, which is generated by incorporating 3'-O-allyl-dNTPs-allyl-fluorophore in a polymerase reaction, are removed simultaneously in 30 s by Pd-catalyzed deallylation in aqueous buffer solution. This one-step dual-deallylation reaction thus allows the reinitiation of the polymerase reaction and increases the SBS efficiency. DNA templates consisting of homopolymer regions were accurately sequenced by using this class of fluorescent nucleotide analogues on a DNA chip and a four-color fluorescent scanner.