A set of microRNAs mediate direct conversion of human umbilical cord lining-derived mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocytes

In a previous study, we elucidated the specific microRNA (miRNA) profile of hepatic differentiation. In this study, we aimed to clarify the instructive role of six overexpressed miRNAs (miR-1246, miR-1290, miR-148a, miR-30a, miR-424 and miR-542-5p) during hepatic differentiation of human umbilical cord lining-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and to test whether overexpression of any of these miRNAs is sufficient to induce differentiation of the hMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells. Before hepatic differentiation, hMSCs were infected with a lentivirus containing a miRNA inhibitor sequence. We found that downregulation of any one of the six hepatic differentiation-specific miRNAs can inhibit HGF-induced hepatic differentiation including albumin expression and LDL uptake. Although overexpression of any one of the six miRNAs alone or liver-enriched miR-122 cannot initiate hepatic differentiation, ectopic overexpression of seven miRNAs (miR-1246, miR-1290, miR-148a, miR-30a, miR-424, miR-542-5p and miR-122) together can stimulate hMSC conversion into functionally mature induced hepatocytes (iHep). Additionally, after transplantation of the iHep cells into mice with CCL4-induced liver injury, we found that iHep not only can improve liver function but it also can restore injured livers. The findings from this study indicate that miRNAs have the capability of directly converting hMSCs to a hepatocyte phenotype in vitro.

Regulation of selenoprotein P concentration and expression by different sources of selenium in broiler breeders and their offspring

An 8-wk experiment using 180 Lingnan Yellow broiler breeders was conducted to investigate the effect of different sources of Se on the concentration and gene expression of selenoprotein P (SEPP1) in broiler breeders and their offspring. After receiving a low-Se basal diet for 8 wk, broiler breeders were randomly allocated to 3 treatments (6 replicates per treatment) and fed corn-soy-based diets supplemented with 0.15 mg/kg of Se from sodium selenite (SS), Se-enriched yeast (SY), and selenomethionine (SM), respectively. Fertile eggs from different replicates were collected during the last week of the experiment and then incubated in different incubator trays in the same incubator. The concentrations and mRNA levels of SEPP1 were determined in liver and kidney of broiler breeders and their offspring, as well as the serum SEPP1 concentration. Compared with SS, both SY and SM significantly increased (P < 0.05) the concentration and mRNA level of SEPP1 in 1-d-old chicks. In broiler breeders, the serum and liver SEPP1 concentrations were notably increased by the use of organic Se (P < 0.05), whereas no differences were found in the kidney. Moreover, the SEPP1 mRNA level in the liver was remarkably elevated (P < 0.05) in organic Se treatments, but also no differences were observed in the kidney. Results of this study indicate that the use of organic Se (SY or SM) in maternal diets is very effective for increasing the concentration and mRNA level of SEPP1, especially in their offspring. No differences between SY and SM were observed.

Modulation of Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Attenuates Periapical Bone Lesions

Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays an important role in bone biology. The present study investigated the involvement of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in rat periapical bone destruction and whether lithium chloride (LiCl), a glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibitor, promotes bone restoration. Rat bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMMSCs) treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide ( Pg LPS) showed decreased osteogenic potential through inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling as quantified by Western blot, immunofluorescence, and luciferase reporter assay. Transient Wnt3a treatment in vitro partially restored mineralization and Runx2/Osx and osteocalcin expression in cultures with Pg LPS-induced osteogenic arrest. Prolonged Wnt3a treatment impaired osteogenic commitment. X-ray microtomography showed dramatically enhanced periapical bone formation in rats gavage-fed with LiCl for 2 wks, while continuous LiCl treatment for 4 wks impaired periapical bone healing. LiCl treatment also increased GSK-3β phosphorylation and osteocalcin expression in periapical tissue. Collectively, these results indicate that Wnt/β-catenin has dichotomous functions in bone homeostasis. Modulation of this signaling pathway by LiCl may be a potential therapeutic option for bone destruction in endodontic disease.

The circadian clock in oral health and diseases

Most physiological processes in mammals display circadian rhythms that are driven by the endogenous circadian clock. This clock is comprised of a central component located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus and subordinate clocks in peripheral tissues. Circadian rhythms sustain 24-hour oscillations of a large number of master genes controlling the correct timing and synchronization of diverse physiological and metabolic processes within our bodies. This complex regulatory network provides an important communication link between our brain and several peripheral organs and tissues. At the molecular level, circadian oscillations of gene expression are regulated by a family of transcription factors called "clock genes". Dysregulation of clock gene expression results in diverse human pathological conditions, including autoimmune diseases and cancer. There is increasing evidence that the circadian clock affects tooth development, salivary gland and oral epithelium homeostasis, and saliva production. This review summarizes current knowledge of the roles of clock genes in the formation and maintenance of oral tissues, and discusses potential links between "oral clocks" and diseases such as head and neck cancer and Sjögren's syndrome.

A comparative study of the hovering efficiency of flapping and revolving wings

Direct numerical simulations are used to explore the hovering performance and efficiency for hawkmoth-inspired flapping and revolving wings at Reynolds (Re) numbers varying from 50 to 4800. This range covers the gamut from small (fruit fly size) to large (hawkmoth size) flying insects and is also relevant to the design of micro- and nano-aerial vehicles. The flapping wing configuration chosen here corresponds to a hovering hawkmoth and the model is derived from high-speed videogrammetry of this insect. The revolving wing configuration also employs the wings of the hawkmoth but these are arranged in a dual-blade configuration typical of helicopters. Flow for both of these configurations is simulated over the range of Reynolds numbers of interest and the aerodynamic performance of the two compared. The comparison of these two seemingly different configurations raises issues regarding the appropriateness of various performance metrics and even characteristic scales; these are also addressed in the current study. Finally, the difference in the performance between the two is correlated with the flow physics of the two configurations. The study indicates that viscous forces dominate the aerodynamic power expenditure of the revolving wing to a degree not observed for the flapping wing. Consequently, the lift-to-power metric of the revolving wing declines rapidly with decreasing Reynolds numbers resulting in a hovering performance that is at least a factor of 2 lower than the flapping wing at Reynolds numbers less than about 100.

Mortality associated with alcohol-related liver disease

BACKGROUND

Excessive alcohol use has been reported to be responsible for 80 000 annual deaths in the United States. However, the exact cause of death related to the excessive use of alcohol has not been fully explored.

AIM

To assess the effect of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) on all-cause, liver-related and cardiovascular mortality using population-based data.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) Linked Mortality Files. Alcohol consumption was estimated as grams per day. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was utilised to assess the effects of ALD on follow-up time to mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease and liver disease.

RESULTS

A total of 8,306 participants were included [ALD (n = 148)]. Mortality follow-up data were available for a median time of 178.27 months. Participants with ALD had increased risk for liver-related mortality [adjusted hazard ratios or aHR 7.06 (2.09-23.79)], but not for overall mortality [aHR 1.14 (0.70-1.85)] or cardiovascular mortality [aHR 0.61 (0.11-3.25)].

CONCLUSION

Alcoholic liver disease increases the risks for liver-related mortality but not for cardiac or overall mortality.

Increasing intent to donate in Hispanic American high school students: results of a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

High school students are an important target audience for organ donation education. A novel educational intervention focused on Hispanic American (HA) high school students might improve organ donation rates.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted in five Los Angeles High Schools with a high percentage of HA students. A "culturally sensitive" educational program was administered to students in grades 9 to 12. Preintervention surveys that assessed awareness, knowledge, perception, and beliefs regarding donation as well as the intent to become an organ donor were compared to postintervention surveys.

RESULTS

A total of 10,146 high school students participated in the study. After exclusions, 4876 preintervention and 3182 postintervention surveys were analyzed. A significant increase in the overall knowledge, awareness, and beliefs regarding donation was observed after the intervention, as evidenced by a significant increase in the percentage of correct answers on the survey (41% pre- versus 44% postintervention, P < .0001). When specifically examining HA students, there was a significant increase in the intent to donate organs (adjusted odds ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.09, 1.34, P = .0003).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to demonstrate a significant increase in the intent to donate among HA high school students following an educational intervention.

Crystallization Behavior of Polypropylene-graft-cardanol Prepared by Reactive Extrusion

The polypropylene-graft-cardanol (CAPP) was prepared by reactive extrusion of polypropylene (PP), dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and cardanol. Differential scanning calorimeter, polarizing microscope and wide-angle X-ray diffraction were used to evaluate the effects of DCP and cardanol on the nucleation and crystallization of PP. Results indicated that DCP could work as crystallization nucleator for PP and cardanol could afford the impurity needed at the small angle kick pleat of lamellae during spherulite growth. For the effect of DCP on nucleation, it was found that the crystallization rate of PP was enhanced by 2 to 3 times by the addition of 0.2% DCP. For the effect of cardanol on spherulite growth, it was found that the growth rates of CAPP were increased from 10.9μm · min−1 to 13.5 μm · min−1 by the addition of 5% cardanol. Due to the nucleation effect of DCP, the total crystallization rates of degraded PP initiated by DCP at the process of reactive extrusion (dPP) and of CAPP were quicker than that of PP. Attributed to the promotion by cardanol, the spherulite grew more perfectly in CAPP than in PP, so Avrami exponents of PP increased from 2.1–2.5 to 3.1–3.5 by the addition of cardanol.

ROS1 fusions in Chinese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

To determine the prevalence and clinicopathological features of ROS1 fusions in Chinese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections from 392 patients with NSCLC were screened for ROS1 fusions by multiplex RT-PCR and all ROS1 fusions were validated by direct sequencing. The relationship between ROS1 fusions and clinicopathological features and the prognostic effect of the ROS1 fusion status on survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

In this study, 8 of 392 (2.0%) evaluable samples were found to harbor ROS1 fusions. Of the ROS1-positive patients, seven presented with adenocarcinoma, and one with adenosquamous carcinoma. The ratio of female to male and never smoker to smokers in a ROS1 fusion-positive group was 5:3. There was no statistically significant difference in age, sex, smoking history, histological type and pathological stage between ROS1 fusion-positive and ROS1 fusion-negative patients. ROS1 fusion-negative patients had a significantly longer survival when compared with ROS1 fusion-positive patients (P = 0.041). Lower pathological stage, younger age and ROS1 fusion-negative status were significantly associated with better prognosis on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

ROS1 fusions occurred in ∼2.0% of Chinese patients with NSCLC and had no specific clinicopathological feature. ROS1 fusion-negative patients may have a better survival than ROS1 fusion-positive patients.

125I brachytherapy alone for recurrent or locally advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma of the oral and maxillofacial region

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This retrospective study was to evaluate the local control and survival of (125)I brachytherapy for recurrent and/or locally advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the oral and maxillofacial region.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 38 patients with recurrent and/or locally advanced ACC of the oral and maxillofacial region received (125)I brachytherapy alone from 2001-2010. Twenty-nine were recurrent cases following previous surgery and radiation therapy. The other 9 cases involved primary tumors. Overall, 12 tumors were located in the major salivary glands, 12 in the minor salivary glands, and 14 in the paranasal region, the nasal cavity or the skull base. The prescribed dose was 100-160 Gy.

RESULTS

Patients were followed for 12-122 months (median 51 months). The 2-, 5-, and 10-year local tumor control rates were 86.3, 59, and 31.5 %, respectively. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates were 92.1, 65 and 34.1 %, respectively. Tumors > 6 cm had significantly lower local control and survival rates. No severe complications were observed during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

(125)I brachytherapy is a feasible and effective modality for the treatment of locally advanced unresectable or recurrent ACC.

Moderate, excessive or heavy alcohol consumption: each is significantly associated with increased mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND

The impact of moderate alcohol consumption on long-term outcomes of chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) infected patients remains controversial.

AIM

To assess the impact of moderate alcohol consumption on long-term outcomes of CH-C patients using population-based data.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III)-mortality linked files. Alcohol consumption was estimated as grams/day. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was utilized to assess the effects of CH-C and alcohol consumption on mortality (all causes, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease).

RESULTS

A total of 8985 participants were included as the study cohort. Of these, 218 had CH-C. The follow-up time was 162.95 months for CH-C and 178.27 months for controls. CH-C patients had increased risk for both overall mortality and liver-related mortality. CH-C patients with excessive alcohol consumption had even higher risks for overall mortality and liver-related mortality. The risk of overall mortality associated with CH-C increased with moderate alcohol consumption of 1-19 g/day and heavy alcohol consumption ≥30 g/day.

CONCLUSION

Although chronic hepatitis C is associated with increased risks for overall and liver-related mortality, these risks are even higher for patients consuming moderate and excessive amounts of alcohol.

Succinate is an inflammatory signal that induces IL-1β through HIF-1α

Macrophages activated by the Gram-negative bacterial product lipopolysaccharide switch their core metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. Here we show that inhibition of glycolysis with 2-deoxyglucose suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-1β but not tumour-necrosis factor-α in mouse macrophages. A comprehensive metabolic map of lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages shows upregulation of glycolytic and downregulation of mitochondrial genes, which correlates directly with the expression profiles of altered metabolites. Lipopolysaccharide strongly increases the levels of the tricarboxylic-acid cycle intermediate succinate. Glutamine-dependent anerplerosis is the principal source of succinate, although the 'GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) shunt' pathway also has a role. Lipopolysaccharide-induced succinate stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, an effect that is inhibited by 2-deoxyglucose, with interleukin-1β as an important target. Lipopolysaccharide also increases succinylation of several proteins. We therefore identify succinate as a metabolite in innate immune signalling, which enhances interleukin-1β production during inflammation.

Soil Temperature Effects on the Interaction of Grape Rootstocks and Plant-parasitic Nematodes

Resistance to Meloidogyne spp. in commonly used resistant grape rootstocks is slightly compromised at soil temperatures above 27°C. Newly released UCD-GRN series rootstocks, which have broad nematode resistance, exhibit trace infections by Meloidogyne spp. at elevated temperature. Pathotypes of M. incognita and M. arenaria that are virulent on 'Harmony' rootstock, as well as M. incognita Race 3, which is avirulent on 'Harmony', failed to produce egg masses on the UCD-GRN series rootstocks and other resistant selections at 24°C. At 27°C and above, there was increased nematode galling and egg mass production; at 30°C, egg mass production levels of M. incognita Race 3 on 'Harmony' were up to 12% of that on susceptible 'Colombard' while reproduction of the virulent pathotypes on the UCD-GRN series was less than 5% of that on 'Colombard'. Resistance of several of the parental genotypes of the UCD-GRN rootstock series was slightly compromised at soil temperatures of 30°C and above; however, others maintained their resistance to even the virulent M. arenaria pathotype A at high temperatures. Effects of high temperature on resistance to Xiphinema index could not be assessed because of temperature sensitivity of the nematodes while resistance to Mesocriconema xenoplax was not compromised at high soil temperature. Resistance to Meloidogyne spp. in the UCD-GRN series rootstocks was not compromised when plants and nematodes were subjected to cyclical high and low temperature conditions, indicating that once initiated, the resistance mechanism is not reversed.

Synergistic effects of A1896, T1653 and T1762/A1764 mutations in genotype c2 hepatitis B virus on development of hepatocellular carcinoma

The effects of genomic changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) on the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unclear, especially in relation to the genotype of HBV. In this study, we examined the effects of genomic changes in HBV of genotype C2 on the development of HCC. A total of 318 patients with HBV-associated HCC and 234 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were studied. All of HCC cases were diagnosed histologically and treated with surgical resection. The whole of the X, S, basal core promoter (BCP) and precore regions of the viral genome from sera or liver tissues were sequenced. All subjects had HBV of genotype C2. The prevalence of the T1653 mutation in the X region and the A1896 mutation in the precore region of HBV was significantly higher in the HCC group than in the control CHB group (22% vs 11%, P = 0.003; 50% vs 23%, P < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the T1762/A1764 mutations in the BCP region in combination with either T1653 or A1896 were more common in the HCC compared with the CHB group (BCP+X1653: 18% vs 11%, P = 0.05; BCP+PC, 40% vs 15%, P < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, T1653 and A1896 were revealed to be independent risk factors for HCC development. G1896A in the precore region and C1653T mutation in the X region of genotype C2 HBV are important risk factors for HCC development. Also, the A1762T/G1764A double mutation may act in synergy with C1653T to increase the risk of HCC in patients chronically infected with HBV genotype C2.

Effects of dietary persimmon peel and its ethanol extract on the production performance and liver lipids in the late stage of egg production in laying hens

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary effects of persimmon peel (PP) and PP ethanol extract (PPE) on egg production, egg quality, and liver lipids in the late stage of egg production in laying hens. One hundred and twenty 50-wk-old Hy-Line Brown layers (n = 120) were fed different diets. Four replicate groups of 6 hens each were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments. The 5 dietary treatments were as follows: i) CON, basal diet; ii) PP 0.15, CON+0.15% PP (0.035% tannin); iii) PP 0.5, CON +0.5% PP (0.117% tannin); iv) PPE 0.075, CON+0.075% PPE (0.03% tannin); and v) PPE 0.25, CON+0.25% PPE (0.11% tannin). The total tannin concentration of PPE was higher (p<0.05) than that of PP. Egg production in the PP 0.5 group was higher than in the other groups. Egg production and mass of hens in the PPE 0.25 group showed a greater decrease than that in the other groups (p<0.05). Eggshell color in the PP 0.15, PP 0.5, and PPE 0.075 groups was lighter than that of the control group (p<0.05). The Haugh unit for the groups that were fed PP and PPE were significantly higher than that in the other groups after 7 d of storage (p<0.05). Therefore, PP seems an effective feed additive for improving the production performance and egg quality in late stage laying hens.

Anesthesia management for open fetal intrauterine surgery

OBJECTIVE

Open fetal surgery is usually performed during the second trimester in a fetus suffering from severe congenital diseases, thus enabling the pregnancy to continue until delivery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The key of this treatment is to promote uterine relaxation enough to maintain both maternal and fetal circulation stable and once surgery is completed, to offer a perfect analgesic to avoid the contractions due to pain, and finally to reduce preterm delivery.

RESULTS

Successful anesthesia is fundamental to this surgery.

CONCLUSION

The authors have performed three cases under inhalation anesthesia combined with successful epidural anesthesia.

MicroRNA-145 inhibits the growth, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis of neuroblastoma cells through targeting hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha

Recent evidence shows that hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF-2α) may have critical roles in the growth and progression of neuroblastoma (NB) under non-hypoxic conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms and clinical potentials of normoxic HIF-2α expression in NB still remain largely unknown. In this study, HIF-2α immunostaining was identified in 26/42 NB tissues, which was correlated with clinicopathological features. In subtotal 20 NB cases, microRNA-145 (miR-145) was downregulated and inversely correlated with HIF-2α expression. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a putative miR-145 binding site in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of HIF-2α messenger RNA (mRNA). Overexpression or knockdown of miR-145 responsively altered both the mRNA and protein levels of HIF-2α and its downstream genes, cyclin D1, matrix metalloproteinase 14 and vascular endothelial growth factor, in normoxically cultured NB cell lines SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH. In a luciferase reporter system, miR-145 downregulated the luciferase activity of HIF-2α 3'-UTR, and these effects were abolished by a mutation in the putative miR-145-binding site. Overexpression of miR-145 suppressed the growth, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis of SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells in vitro and in vivo, while restoration of HIF-2α expression rescued the tumor cells from miR-145-mediated defects in these biological features. Furthermore, anti-miR-145 inhibitor rescued the HIF-2α knockdown-mediated repression on the growth, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of NB cells. These data indicate that miR-145 suppresses HIF-2α expression via the binding site in the 3'-UTR under normoxic conditions, thus inhibiting the aggressiveness and angiogenesis of NB.

Resistance of Grape Rootstocks to Plant-parasitic Nematodes

Candidate grape rootstocks were selected through a rigorous screening program initiated with important sources of resistance to Meloidogyne pathotypes and to Xiphinema index in Muscadinia rotundifolia and Vitis species native to North America. Based on their rooting capability and horticultural characteristics, 200 candidates were selected from 5,000 progeny of multiple crosses between commercial grape rootstocks and wild grape species that exhibited resistance to nematodes. After a 15-year screening process, 13 selections emerged with either almost complete or complete combined resistance to M. incognita Race 3, M. incognita pathotype Harmony C, M. arenaria pathotype Harmony A, and X. index, important nematode pests of grapevines. Durability of this broad resistance was tested by challenging the selections with the target nematodes in combination and with the target nematodes in combinations with species not included in the screening process. Durability of resistance of the candidate rootstocks was also tested by exposure to the nematode communities of infested field soils from different locations. Breadth of resistance was determined on the basis of their host status to non-target nematodes, including Mesocriconema xenoplax, Pratylenchus vulnus, Tylenchulus semipenetrans and Paratylenchus hamatus. After a total of 204 separate trials, the rootstocks were released to the grape industry as UCD GRN1, UCD GRN2, UCD GRN3, UCD GRN4, and UCD GRN5. We provide a compilation of current knowledge of the host status of these five newly released rootstocks and of 27 other rootstock cultivars to plant-parasitic nematodes.