Editorial: The society for environmental geochemistry and health (SEGH): 50 years and beyond

When the SEGH international board released a short editorial paper back in 2019, we described an aim to increase the membership offering, whilst improving the diversity of input regionally, by scientific discipline and to ensure greater and more regular contact across the regions from 2020 onwards. Wider aspirations described in 2019 (Watts et al. 2019) are discussed within this short communication at the end of 2021 to evaluate progress made. In particular, how the SEGH community adapted to the unprecedented circumstances that have challenged each and every one of us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020 and are likely to influence our activities for the foreseeable future.

Androgens in endometrial carcinoma: the killer or helper?

PURPOSE

The aim of this review is to discuss the role of androgens in the progression of endometrial carcinoma (EC) with particular focus on the different kinds of androgenic hormones, androgen receptor (AR) and intracrine androgen metabolism.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search within PubMed was performed. Selected publications related to androgens and EC were reviewed.

RESULTS

There are different kinds of androgenic hormones, and different kinds of androgens may have different effects. Elevated androgens (especially testosterone) have been associated with an increased EC risk in postmenopausal women. 5α-reductases (5α-Reds) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (17βHSD2) pathway may inhibit the progression of EC mediated by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), but aromatases stimulate further progression of EC. The most of studies accessing the prognostic value of AR have found that AR expression may be a favorable prognostic indicator.

CONCLUSION

Androgens may have both oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles. Androgen-specific biases in metabolism and the expression of AR may contribute to the different prognosis of patients with EC.

Epidemiology of Cardiopulmonary Arrest and Outcome of Resuscitation in PICU Across China: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the epidemiology and the effectiveness of resuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) among critically ill children and adolescents during pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay across China.

METHODS

A prospective multicenter study was conducted in 11 PICUs in tertiary hospitals. Consecutively hospitalized critically ill children, from 29-day old to 18-year old, who had suffered from CPA and required cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the PICU were enrolled (December 2017-October 2018). Data were collected and analyzed using the "in-hospital Utstein style." Neurological outcome was assessed with the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) scale among children who had survived. Factors associated with the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival at discharge were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 11,599 admissions to PICU, 372 children (3.2%) had CPA during their stay; 281 (75.5%) received CPR, and 91 (24.5%) did not (due to an order of "Do Not Resuscitate" requested by their guardians). Cardiopulmonary disease was the most common reason for CPA (28.1% respiratory and 19.6% circulatory). The most frequent initial dysrhythmia was bradycardia (79%). In total, 170 (60.3%) of the total children had an ROSC, 91 had (37.4%) survived till hospital discharge, 28 (11.5%) had survived 6 months, and 19 (7.8%) had survived for 1 year after discharge. Among the 91 children who were viable at discharge, 47.2% (43/91) received a good PCPC score (1-3). The regression analysis results revealed that the duration of CPR and the dose of epinephrine were significantly associated with ROSC, while the duration of CPR, number of CPR attempts, ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF), and the dose of epinephrine were significantly associated with survival at discharge.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of CPA in critically ill children and adolescents is relatively high in China. The duration of CPR and the dose of epinephrine are associated with ROSC. The long-term prognosis of children who had survived after CPR needs further improvement.

Pattern and predictors of one-year mortality in heart failure: China PEACE Prospective Heart Failure Study

Background

Heart failure (HF) is a global public health problem, which causes high mortality.

Purpose

To characterize the pattern of 1-year mortality, including the rate and timing of death, and to identify clinical and non-clinical factors predicting 1-year all-cause mortality after hospitalization for HF.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled patients who were hospitalized primarily for HF and discharged alive from 52 hospitals across 20 provinces in China between August 2016 and May 2018, and followed them up by face-to-face interview or telephone. Patients' fatal status were ascertained according to investigators' report and national death registration. Cognitive function was measured by Mini-Cog score and health status was measured by Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). We fitted a Cox proportional hazards model accounting for hospital as random effects to identify patient characteristics associated with 1-year all-cause mortality.

Results

Among 4899 patients, 4882 (97.7%) completed 1-year follow-up. The median (IQR) age was 67 (57, 75) years and 37.5% were women. The main etiology of HF was ischemic heart disease (53.1%), 66.0% of patients had history of HF before the index hospitalization. Among 813 deaths within one year after discharge, 13.4% and 58.4% occurred within one months and six months, respectively. Systolic blood pressure <100mmHg at admission (hazard ratio [HR] 2.33, 95% CI 1.76–3.08), NYHA class IV (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.1–1.7), anemia (HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.54), hs-cTNT≥18 ng/L (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.53–2.22), hyponatremia (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.38–1.98), LVEF<40% (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.02–1.53), QRS interval≥120mms (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.02–1.4), Cognitive impairment (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07–1.46) and low KCCQ score (HR 1.24 per 25 score decrease, 95% CI 1.11–1.39) were associated with higher risks of 1-year all-cause mortality. In contrast, female (HR 0.83, 0.7–0.99), sleep apnea syndrome (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35–0.88) were associated with lower risks of 1-year all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

In China, one in six patients hospitalized for HF die within 1-year, with the majority occurring during the first 6 months after hospital discharge. Both clinical and non-clinical factors predict 1-year mortality.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Other. Main funding source(s): The National Key Research and Development Program from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China; the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Science; the 111 Project from the Ministry of Education of China

Tunable Electrorheological Fluid Microfluidic Rectifier: Irreversibility of Viscous Flow Due to Spatial Asymmetry Induced Memory Effects

Because of the reversibility of viscous flow it is not expected to obtain a fluidic rectifier simply from geometrical asymmetry without any moving mechanical parts. Here, we found a counterexample by using spatial asymmetry combined with an electric field to inject memory effects that render the flow irreversible. This stems from the strong dependency of the electrorheological fluid particle chaining on the flow direction. A funnel-shaped microfluidic rectifier with electrorheological fluid has been shown to be easily and rapidly tuned via the applied electric field to achieve an almost order of magnitude rectification along with pressure oscillations. These findings are of importance for the realization of fluidic diodes, rectifiers, and ratchets.

Significant enhancement of the electrorheological effect by non-straight electrode geometry

In contrast to the commonly used straight electrodes with electrorheological (ER) fluid, here, we studied the effect of non-straight electrodes comprising the sides of a microchannel, on the ER fluid response. A more than one order of magnitude enhancement of the apparent viscosity was observed for non-straight electrode geometries, where castellated and sawtooth electrode geometries were used merely as an example, relative to that measured for straight electrodes. The enhancement increased with increasing applied voltage and exhibited a distinct maximum in the frequency range of 5-10 Hz. Experimental analyses demonstrated that positive dielectrophoresis-driven attraction of the chain ends to the sharp tips of the electrode underlies the ER enhancement. Hence, introducing such uniformity breakage of the electric field through non-straight electrode geometries is of practical importance for enhancement of the ER response.

[Impact of informal e-waste recycling on human health]

Increasing e-waste has become a major problem for global environment and public health. In the process of dismantling and recycling of disordered electronic waste, heavy metals such as lead and brominated flame retardants and organic substances are released into environmental media such as air, soil, dust and water, which is harmful to the health of local residents. Taking an e-waste dismantling area in Guangdong Province as an example, this paper reviews exposure levels of heavy metals and organic matters in e-waste recycling areas in China, as well as the health effects of local residents. Previous studies have found that e-waste recycling activities led to serious environmental pollution and high exposure levels of heavy metals and organic matters in local residents, which has a certain impact on the physiological functions of various human systems. The establishment of a centralized dismantling zone can effectively reduce the load level of various pollutants.

[The study of exposure levels of dioxin-like compounds in cord blood of newborns in an e-waste dismantling area in Guangdong Province]

Objective: To study the pollution status of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in cord blood of newborns in an e-waste dismantling area of Guangdong Province. Methods: We recruited 20 eligible mothers and newborns who could meet the inclusion criteria in local hospitals of Guiyu in 2007. The inclusion criteria included directly engaged in dismantling e-waste during pregnancy and within 1 year before pregnancy; living in the e-waste dismantling workshops or the distance between living place and the e-waste dismantling areas was ≤200 m; the father of newborn was directly engaged in electronic waste dismantling for more than 1 year; the frequency of visiting the e-waste dismantling workshop during pregnancy was ≥3 times in a week. Questionnaires and physical examinations were performed on maternal and neonatal, and cord blood was collected from newborns to detect PCDD/Fs, PCB and PBDE. The concentration level of organic pollutants was corrected by the blood lipid content, and the total toxicity equivalent was calculated. The correlation between three compounds was analyzed by Spearman correlation. Results: The mothers of the 20 newborns were (23.45±3.27) years old and lived for more than 5 years. The number of one parent engaged in e-waste dismantling, the mother or father smoking, and parent engaged in e-waste dismantling work were 3, 13, 15 and 19, respectively. The weight of newborns ranged from 2.5 to 3.6 kilogram and the Apgar score was 10 points. No adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth, malformation or stillbirth were found. The median (maximum, minimum) concentration of PCBs, PCDD/Fs and PBDEs in cord blood were 263.22 (328.29, 244.19), 38.42 (147.49, 12.68), 39.33 (265.11, 14.81) pg/g lipid, respectively. The median (maximum, minimum) of toxic equivalence concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCB were 3.94 (9.24, 2.69) and 15.95 (26.64, 9.28) pg TEQ/g lipid. PBDE, the proportion of PBDE, PCB and PCDD/Fs in cord blood was 50.41%, 49.25% and 0.34%, respectively. PCBs and PBDEs were positively correlated (r=0.733, P=0.039). Conclusion: The high concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCB, and PBDE were detected in the e-waste dismantling area. It is recommended that the risk of such substances on the health of local people should be assessed in a timely manner.

[Surveillance on the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease during the outbreaks in three cities of Jiangsu province, 2012-2015]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics through monitoring the outbreaks of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), in three cities of Jiangsu province from 2012 to 2015 and to provide evidence for prevention and control of the disease. Methods: Data related to cases of HFMD during the outbreaks was collected through active surveillance programs in three cities of Jiangsu province, under the guidelines of clusters and outbreaks of HFMD (2012 edition HFMD). Features related to clusters and outbreaks of the disease were identified according to the real-time RT-PCR detection. Descriptive analysis was conducted to understand the type/subtype of HFMD virus and time, area, place and extent of the outbreaks. Logistic regression was used to explore the influencing factors. Results: From 2012 to 2015, a total of 1 425 HFMD epidemics, including 1 314 clusters and 111 outbreaks were reported. Two incidence peaks were observed each year, between March and June, as well as between September and December, accounting for 58.18% (829/1 425), 33.68% (480/1 425), respectively. Most HFMD clusters and outbreaks were reported in Wuxi city, accounting for 59.30% (845/1 425) of the total. Most HFMD clusters and outbreaks happened in kindergartens, accounting for 68.63% (978/1 425) of the total. A total of 931 HFMD clusters and outbreaks were confirmed under laboratory findings. The main pathogens were Entervirus type 71 (EV71) in 2013 and Coxsackie A16 (Cox A16) in 2015, respectively, while both EV71 and Cox A16 were predominant in 2012 and 2014. With multivariate backward conditional regression, surrounding environment was identified as important risk factor associated with the attack rate. Health condition of the environment was quite good, with low attack rates (middle vs. bad: OR=0.150, 95% CI: 0.034-0.667; good vs. bad: OR=0.072, 95%CI: 0.016-0.317). Time between the onset of index patient and the reporting of HFMD clusters or outbreaks was important in the control program of HFMD epidemics (4-7 d vs. 1-3 d: OR=3.452, 95%CI: 2.293-5.198; 8 d vs. 1-3 d: OR=12.108, 95%CI: 7.767-18.763). Conclusions: The clusters and outbreaks of HFMD happened in Jiangsu province showed an obvious feature of seasonality. The predominant types or subtypes of the virus varied in different years. Kindergartens were the hard-hit places of HFMD clusters and outbreaks. Timely report of the disease appeared the key point regarding the control of HFMD clusters and outbreaks.

Decreased epithelial and plasma miR-181b-5p expression associates with airway eosinophilic inflammation in asthma

BACKGROUND

Airway eosinophilic inflammation is a pivotal feature of asthma. Epithelial cells play critical roles in airway eosinophilia. We hypothesized that epithelial microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in airway eosinophilia.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the associations between epithelial and plasma miR-181b-5p and airway eosinophilic inflammation, and the possible mechanism by which miR-181b-5p participates in eosinophilic inflammation.

METHODS

Epithelial miRNAs expression was profiled by miRNA array in eight subjects with asthma and four healthy controls. Epithelial miR-181b-5p expression was confirmed by quantitative PCR in the subjects for array experiment and another cohort including 21 subjects with asthma and 10 controls. Plasma miR-181b-5p was determined by quantitative PCR in 72 subjects with asthma and 35 controls. Correlation assays between epithelial and plasma miR-181b-5p expression and airway eosinophilia were performed. The target of miR-181b-5p, SPP1, was predicted by online algorithms and verified in BEAS-2B cells. The role of miR-181b-5p in epithelial proinflammatory cytokine expression was examined in an in vitro system.

RESULTS

Epithelial miR-181b-5p expression was decreased in subjects with asthma. Epithelial miR-181b-5p levels were inversely correlated with sputum and bronchial submucosal eosinophilia. Plasma miR-181b-5p was decreased and correlated with epithelial miR-181b-5p in subjects with asthma. There was a strong inverse correlation between plasma miR-181b-5p and airway eosinophilia in subjects with asthma. Plasma miR-181b-5p was increased after inhaled corticosteroids treatment. We verified that SPP1 is a target of miR-181b-5p. In human bronchial epithelial cells, miR-181b-5p regulated IL-13-induced IL-1β and CCL11 expression by targeting SPP1. Dexamethasone restored IL-13-induced miR-181b-5p down-regulation and suppressed IL-13-induced SPP1, IL-1β and CCL11 expression.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Epithelial and plasma miR-181b-5p are potential biomarkers for airway eosinophilia in asthma. MiR-181b-5p may participate in eosinophilic airway inflammation by regulating proinflammatory cytokines expression via targeting SPP1.

[Clinical study of volume resuscitation in children with septic shock]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of crystalloid and crystalloid plus albumin in the treatment of pediatric septic shock.

METHODS

Data of 63 pediatric patients with septic shock admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of Hebei Provincial Children's Hospital were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received albumin for volume resuscitation within 1 day after admission or not. The patients in observation group (crystalloid + albumin group, n=33) received normal saline (20 mL/kg) followed by 1 g/kg albumin 30 minutes after admission, and those in control group (crystalloid group, n=30) received only normal saline (20 mL/kg) 30 minutes after admission, and normal saline resuscitation was continued according to the effect of fluid therapy. Anti-infection and vasoactive drugs strategies were the same in both groups. The first-hour infusion volume, time showing stable hemodynamics, the incidence of pulmonary edema, and blood lactate levels at 0, 6, 12 hours after achieving the goals were compared, and blood lactate clearance rates were calculated.

RESULTS

The first-hour infusion volume time in the observation group was lower than that in control group (41.56 ±10.50 mL vs. 57.24±7.54 mL, t=4.596, P=0.000), and time showing stable hemodynamics was shorter than that in control group but without statistically significant difference (219.87±70.23 minutes vs. 287.10±67.00 minutes, t=2.047, P=0.360). The incidence of pulmonary edema in observation group was slightly lower than that in control group [6.1% (2/33) vs. 10.0% (3/30), χ2=2.272, P=0.259]. The lactic acid levels were decreased gradually along with rehabilitation time, while lactate clearance rate was increased in both groups. At 0 hour and 6 hours after resuscitation, the lactate level in the observation group was significantly lower than that in control group (0 hour: 3.65±2.84 mmol/L vs. 5.72±2.11 mmol/L, t=1.940, P=0.046; 6 hours: 2.12±1.21 mmol/L vs. 4.09±1.45 mmol/L, t=2.892, P=0.005), while the lactate clearance rate was significantly increased compared with control group [0 hour: (0.38±0.15)% vs. (0.18±0.09)%, t=1.447, P=0.018; 6 hours: (0.62±0.14)% vs. (0.51±0.11)%, t=1.920, P=0.047]. However, at 12 hours after resuscitation, there were no statistically significant differences in the lactic acid level (1.46±0.39 mmol/L vs. 1.54±1.90 mmol/L, t=0.450, P=0.072) and the lactate clearance rate [(0.78±0.19)% vs. (0.77±0.18)%, t=0.091, P=0.928] between observation group and control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Albumin resuscitation in children with septic shock can stabilize hemodynamics earlier, reduce the incidence of pulmonary edema, and improve the successful rescue rate of refractory septic shock.

Hypoxia upregulates Rab11-family interacting protein 4 through HIF-1α to promote the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hypoxic microenvironment is a powerful driving force for the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), as a crucial regulator of transcriptional responses to hypoxia, induces the expression of multiple target genes involved in different steps of HCC metastatic process. It is critical to find target genes associated with metastasis under hypoxia for shedding new light on molecular mechanism of HCC metastasis. In this study, we uncovered that hypoxia could induce the upregulation of Rab11-family interacting protein 4 (Rab11-FIP4) and activation of Rab11-FIP4 promoter by HIF-1α. The overexpression of Rab11-FIP4 significantly enhanced the mobility and invasiveness of HCC cells in vitro, also contributed to distant lung metastasis in vivo, whereas silencing of Rab11-FIP4 decreased the ability of migration and invasion in HCC cells in vitro and suppressed lung metastasis in vivo. Rab11-FIP4 facilitated HCC metastasis through the phosphorylation of PRAS40, which was regulated by mTOR. Furthermore, the expression level of Rab11-FIP4 was significantly increased in HCC tissues and high expression of Rab11-FIP4 was closely correlated with vascular invasion and poor prognosis in HCC patients. A markedly positive correlation between the expression of Rab11-FIP4 and HIF-1α was observed in HCC tissues and combination of Rab11-FIP4 and HIF-1α was a more valuable predictor of poor prognosis for HCC patients. In conclusion, Rab11-FIP4 is a target gene of HIF-1α and has a pro-metastatic role in HCC, suggesting that Rab11-FIP4 may be a promising candidate target for HCC treatment.

The FUS1 gene inhibits EC109 cell growth mediated by a lentivirus vector

The effects of the FUS1 gene on the oesophageal carcinoma cell line EC109 are investigated. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of the FUS1 gene was detected by a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique in the cell lines SHEE, SHEEC and EC109. The full length of the FUS1 gene was amplified using a PCR technique from the total RNA of umbilical mesenchymal stem cells. The FUS1 gene was cloned into a pSL6-IRES-EGFP vector and identified by PCR, digestion and sequencing. The recombinant pSL6-FUS1-IRES-EGFP plasmid was transfected into 293FT cells and the resulting lentivirus was collected. The growth of EC109 cells after transfection with lentivirus containing the FUS1 gene was determined by MTT assay and plate colony formation. Expression of the FUS1 gene in EC109 cells was weaker than that in SHEE, SHEEC cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEE; used as a control). Transfection efficiency was more than 80% after 48 h. Cell growth assessed by MTT assay was inhibited by about 40% compared with the control group; a finding that was in accordance with the plate colony formation results. The results suggest that the FUS1 gene might be a candidate tumour suppressor gene for the treatment of oesophageal carcinoma; however, these results require confirmation in in vivo studies.

Effect of WT1 antisense mRNA on the induction of apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells

PURPOSE

To study the effect of WT1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) transfection on the proliferation and apoptosis of SKOV3 cells.

METHODS

There were four groups in our study: normal control group, WT1 ASODN group, WT1 SODN group and lipofectamine group. Cell apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry. The effect of WT1 ASODN on cell proliferation was assayed by the MTT method. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression level of WT1 mRNA and protein.

RESULTS

The growth of the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 became significantly slower and its activity was reduced after being transfected by WT1 ASODN, with the inhibition rate of 49.48%. WT1 antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides did not only inhibit cell proliferation, arrest cell cycle at G0-G1 checkpoint and induce apoptosis in SKOV3 ovarian carcinoma cells, but also downregulated WT1 mRNA and protein expression, which contributed to the apoptosis (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

WT1 antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides could both inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis in SKOV3 ovarin carcinoma cell lines. Antisense oligonucleotides of WT1 may potentially help with the gene therapy of ovarian carcinoma.

Musclin Inhibits Insulin Activation of Akt/Protein Kinase B in Rat Skeletal Muscle

Musclin is a muscle-derived secretory peptide that induces insulin resistance in vitro We studied the effect of musclin (0.5 μg/ml) on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in rat skeletal muscles and also the effect of rosiglitazone (0.4 μg/ml). Pre-incubation of muscles with musclin resulted in decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Musclin also reduced expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and liver X receptor α (LXRα) mRNAs, although expression of glucose transporter 4 mRNA was unaltered. Rosiglitazone attenuated the effects of musclin on glucose uptake and PPARγ and LXRα mRNA expression. Western blotting demonstrated that activation of protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) in the insulin-signalling cascade was decreased by musclin but corrected by rosiglitazone. These findings suggest that musclin-induced impairment of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle is related to Akt/PKB inhibition and might be modulated by PPARγ/LXRα.

Investigation of the PARK10 Gene in Parkinson Disease

Two recent association mapping studies in Parkinson disease (PD) reported three candidate genes for the PARK10 locus: EIF2B3 as a modifier of age-at-onset of PD (min P= 0.0004) and HIVEP3 as a PD risk gene (P < or = 0.006) (Oliveira et al. 2005); and LOC200008 (CDCP2) identified by the whole genome association (WGA) study of PD of Maraganore et al. (2005). However, evaluation of the on-line PD WGA results revealed two significant SNPs in HIVEP3 in the two datasets, Tier 1 and Tier 2, used by Maraganore et al. (P < or = 0.008 for Tier 1 and P=0.03 for Tier 2 dataset). Here, we revisited both the HIVEP3 and CDCP2 loci by examining 47 SNPs, mostly tagging, in an expanded PD family dataset (293 multiplex and 467 singleton families). A discordant sibpair (DSP) dataset (one DSP per family), with similar data structure as the WGA Tier 1 dataset, was also tested. We confirmed our and other previous negative findings for CDCP2. However, five significant SNPs in HIVEP3 (min P=0.004) were observed, although the two significant HIVEP3 SNPs from the PD WGA study were not significant in our datasets. Even though the sets of significant HIVEP3 markers differ between studies, these findings strongly support HIVEP3 as a candidate for PARK10. Further testing of HIVEP3 by other groups is encouraged.

Relationship between HPV16/18 E6 and 53, 21WAF1, MDM2, Ki67 and cyclin D1 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: comparative study by using tissue microarray technology

AIM

To investigate the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) HPV16/18 E6 oncogene in the carcinogenesis of esophageal cell carcinoma (ESCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tissue microarray (TMA) block was constructed from 60 cases of paraffin-embedded ESCC tissues and pair-matched controls (adjacent normal epithelium). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods were applied to detect the expression of HPV16/18 E6, p53, p21(WAF1), MDM2, Ki67 and cyclin D1 proteins on TMA slides. In situ hybridization (ISH) targeting HPV gene was also used.

RESULTS

In ESCC samples, 18.3% (11/60) were revealed HPV16/18 E6 positive by IHC, while 40.0% (24/60) HPV positive by ISH; HPV16/18 E6 expression was significantly higher than that of control samples. In ESCC samples, the expressions of p53, p21(WAF1), Cyclin D1, MDM2 and Ki67 were recorded in 60.0% (36/60), 40.0% (24/60), 51.7% (31/60), 65.0% (39/60) and 88.3% (53/60) cases respectively, In ESCC samples, p53, MDM2 and Ki67 expression correlated with the HPV16/18 E6 expression (p less, similar 0.01), p21(WAF1) expression - with these of MDM2 and cyclin D1 (p less, similar 0.01) whilst expression of Ki67 - with ESCC grade (p less, similar 0.01).

CONCLUSION

HPV might be one of etiological factor of esophageal carcinoma in Shantou, China. p53, MDM2 proteins may play important roles in the pathogenesis of HPV-associated ESCC.

Ultrastructural observation on the transformation of the spermatozoon in spermatogenesis of Taeniid cestodes

AIM

To study the transformation of taeniid spermatozoon during spermatogenesis on the ultrastructure level.

METHODS

Transmission electronmicroscopy.

RESULTS

This paper was the second part of the ultrastructural observations on the spermatogenesis in Taeniid cestodes: The transformation of the spermatozoon. The 64-spermatid-plasmodium was generated from the secondary meiosis of the 32 rose-like secondary spermatocytes. The transformation of the spermatozoon was a complex process. Firstly, both the cytoplasm and nucleus of the spermatid elongated while the cytoplasm increased and connected to the cytoplasmic mass (cytophore). Secondly, the chromatins of nucleus polymerized to a thread-bundle-like structure. Finally, it detached from the cytoplasm mass and became a mature spermatozoon. The mature spermatozoon was a thread-like structure, about 16.2-18.6 microns in length and 0.35-0.45 micron in diameter. There were two structurally distinct parts: the part with the nucleus was the head and the part without the nucleus was the tail. The head measured about 5-6 microns in length, 1/3 of the total body length and contained an elongated nucleus which twined around the axoneme without mitochondria. The tail was about 11.2-16.6 microns in length. Throughout the core of the tail was an axoneme with typical "9 + 1" structure. The anterior of the tail, just behind the head, were some mitochondria, about 1.6-1.7 microns in total length which twined around the axoneme. The posterior of the tail contained only an axoneme. In cross-section of the spermatozoon, about 46 microtubules were beneath the plasma membrane.

CONCLUSION

The transformation of the spermatozoon is a very complex process.

Structure of the dimerized hormone-binding domain of a guanylyl-cyclase-coupled receptor

The atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) hormone is secreted by the heart in response to an increase in blood pressure. ANP exhibits several potent anti-hypertensive actions in the kidney, adrenal gland and vascular system. These actions are induced by hormone binding extracellularly to the ANP receptor, thereby activating its intracellular guanylyl cyclase domain for the production of cyclic GMP. Here we present the crystal structure of the glycosylated dimerized hormone-binding domain of the ANP receptor at 2.0-A resolution. The monomer comprises two interconnected subdomains, each encompassing a central beta-sheet flanked by alpha-helices, and exhibits the type I periplasmic binding protein fold. Dimerization is mediated by the juxtaposition of four parallel helices, arranged two by two, which brings the two protruding carboxy termini into close relative proximity. From affinity labelling and mutagenesis studies, the ANP-binding site maps to the side of the dimer crevice and extends to near the dimer interface. A conserved chloride-binding site is located in the membrane distal domain, and we found that hormone binding is chloride dependent. These studies suggest mechanisms for hormone activation and the allostery of the ANP receptor.

Ligand binding-dependent limited proteolysis of the atrial natriuretic peptide receptor: juxtamembrane hinge structure essential for transmembrane signal transduction

The atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptor is a 130-kDa transmembrane protein containing an extracellular ANP-binding domain, a single transmembrane sequence, an intracellular kinase-homologous domain, and a guanylate cyclase (GCase) domain. We observed that the receptor, when bound with ANP, was rapidly cleaved by endogenous or exogenously added protease to yield a 65-kDa ANP-binding fragment. No cleavage occurred without bound ANP. This ligand-induced cleavage abolished GCase activation by ANP. Cleavage occurred in an extracellular, juxtamembrane region containing six closely spaced Pro residues and a disulfide bond. Such structural features are shared among the A-type and B-type ANP receptors but not by ANP clearance receptors. The potential role of the hinge structure was examined by mutagenesis experiments. Mutation of Pro(417), but not other Pro residues, to Ala abolished GCase activation by ANP. Elimination of the disulfide bond by Cys to Ser mutations yielded a constitutively active receptor. Pro(417), and Cys(423) and Cys(432) forming the disulfide bond are strictly conserved among GCase-coupled receptors, while other residues are largely variable. The conserved Pro(417) and the disulfide bond may represent a consensus signaling motif in the juxtamembrane hinge structure that undergoes a marked conformational change upon ligand binding and apparently mediates transmembrane signal transduction.

[Determination of thebaine in various tissues of papaver bracteatum by gas chromatography]

Papaver bracteatum is an important source of opiates because of its high thebaine content. An efficient and convenient method of determining thebaine, not only in the root, but in the more highly pigmented capsule, stem and leaf, is urgently required. We decided to examine these in detail on a wide variety of plant material and to choose an assay method which is convenient and gives reproducible results. A simple method for the quantitative extraction and analysis of thebaine in the different tissues (capsule, root, leaf and stem) of papaver bracteatum has been established. The powdered materials were extracted with methanol under ultrasonic condition. The procedure of extraction is simple, rapid and reliable. The assay method gave satisfactory reproducibility for a wide range of plant materials (coefficient of variation 2.9% to 5.4%). The linear range of response of thebaine was from 5.0 to 500.0 mg/L. The minimum limit of detection was 2 ng. The operating time of the assay is about 20 min. The presence of other alkaloids did not interfere with the assay reported here in.

[Primary ileocecal lymphoma: report of 30 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the best therapeutic method for primary ileocecal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

METHOD

Clinicopathologic features of 30 patients who had been treated from June 1964 to September 1993 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULT

Twenty-eight patients (93%) underwent resection of their disease. Eleven patients had the resection followed by chemotherapy. Eleven patients had the resection followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. All had pathologic evidence. Twenty-nine patients were categorized as B-cell type NHL. One had T-cell lesion. Eleven patients had stage I disease, 11 stage II, 4 stage III, and 4 stage IV. The 5-year survival rate was 36.67%.

CONCLUSION

The prognostic factors are stage of the disease and treatment modality. Adequate initial surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy may provide optimum therapy for patients with primary ileocecal lymphoma.

Ultrastructural observation on spermatocytogenesis in Taeniid cestodes

AIM

To study the spermatocytogenesis of taeniid cestodes at the ultrastructural leaves.

METHODS

Transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The ultrastructural observation on spermatocytogenesis in Taenia solium, T. saginata and T. pisiformis were made by TEM. Two types of spermatogonia; type A and B, as well as the supporting cells surrounding the peripheral of spermatogonia are recognized. The type A spermatogonia are stem cells and the type B are mother cells which produce 16 primary spermatocytes by mitosis for 4 times with the cells unseparated. The primary spermatocytes are characterized by the ribosome masses in the cytoplasm. 32 secondary spermatocytes arranged in roselike were produced by reductive division of primary spermatocytes. The secondary spermatocytes become the spermatid quickly by short time development.

CONCLUSION

The dividing mode of spermatogonia in Taeniid cestodes is mitosis with cells unseparated.

Substrate specificity and identification of functional groups of homoserine kinase from Escherichia coli

Homoserine kinase, an enzyme in the aspartate pathway of amino acid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli, catalyzes the conversion of L-homoserine to L-homoserine phosphate. This enzyme has been found to have broad substrate specificity, including the phosphorylation of L-homoserine analogs where the carboxyl functional group at the alpha-position has been replaced by an ester or by a hydroxymethyl group. Previous pH profile studies [Huo. X., & Viola, R. E. (1996) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 330, 373-379] and chemical modification studies have suggested the involvement of histidinyl, lysyl, and argininyl residues in the catalytic activity of the enzyme. With the assistance of sequence alignments, several potential amino acids have been targeted for examination. Site-directed mutagenesis studies have confirmed a role for arginine-234 in the binding of the carboxyl group of L-homoserine, and the involvement of two histidine at the homoserine binding site. Mutations at these sites have led to the decoupling of the kinase activity from an inherent ATPase activity in the enzyme, and suggest the presence of independent domains for the binding of each substrate in homoserine kinase.

Functional group characterization of homoserine kinase from Escherichia coli

Homoserine kinase (EC 2.7.1.39), a key enzyme in the aspartate pathway of amino acid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli, catalyzes the phosphorylation of L-homoserine to form L-homoserine phosphate. The ThrB gene coding for this enzyme has been cloned, and the enzyme has been overexpressed and purified to homogeneity with a simplified purification scheme. An examination of the pH dependence of the V/K profile for L-homoserine shows that the enzyme loses activity upon protonation of a single functional group and upon de-protonation of a second functional group, with both groups appearing to be of the cationic acid type. Incubation of the enzyme with diethylpyrocarbonate leads to the complete loss of enzyme activity. Spectral and chemical characterization of the derivatized enzyme has shown that this activity loss is caused by the modification of a histidine residue. Treatment of the enzyme with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate also results in enzyme inactivation. The spectra evidence for the formation of a Schiff base, and the complete protection afforded by substrates and inhibitors, indicate that homoserine kinase also contains a lysine that is essential for catalytic activity.

[Clinical observation on perinatal Chlamydia trachomata infection]

OBJECTIVE

To screen antigen of genital chlamydia trachomata (CT) in pregnant women and to study its clinical characteristics, treatment and transmission to the newborns.

METHOD

Monoclone antibody immuno-fluorescence was employed in assaying.

RESULTS

Positive incidence of CT infection during pregnancy was 86 cases (26.88%), of whom 47/64 cases (73.44%) treated with traditional Chinese herbs for 2 weeks became negative. The other 22 were not treated because either they were too near to term (21 cases) or had local allergic reaction (1 case). Incidence of positive CT in newborns from untreated mothers was 81.82%, treated and became negative was 23.40%, treated but still positive was 88.24%.

CONCLUSION

Antenatal treatment is of importance in preventing intrapartum transmission of CT from mother to child. The data indicated that treatment with traditional Chinese herbs was effective.

Alphamethrin-impregnated bed nets for malaria and mosquito control in China

A community-based intervention trial was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of alphamethrin-impregnated bed nets for control of Plasmodium vivax malaria and its vector in an area of moderate endemicity in southern Henan province, central China in 1990. Malaria incidence was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the comparison group (2.03 vs. 3.57 per 100 person-years at risk). The protective efficacy for malaria incidence was 43%. The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among children under 10 years old in the intervention group was about one-quarter of that in the comparison group (0.93% vs. 3.25% and 0.71% vs. 1.96% after one and 4 months use of impregnated nets, respectively). Alphamethrin-impregnated bed nets had a mass killing effect on vector mosquitoes. The outdoor person-biting density of Anopheles anthropophagus and A. sinensis decreased by 70.3% and 29.3% respectively. The density of these 2 mosquito species found resting inside treated nets was close to zero. No side effect was found among users of impregnated bed nets. Impregnation with alphamethrin was more effective on polyester than on cotton netting and residual effects lasted at least one year. Use of alphamethrin is less expensive than permethrin and deltamethrin.