Small-volume vitrification for human spermatozoa in the absence of cryoprotectants by using Cryotop

Cryotop is a carrier that has been used successfully in the cryopreservation of human spermatozoa. Here, we explored a novel method to vitrify human spermatozoa without cryoprotective agents (CPAs) using Cryotop. Spermatozoa from 21 Normozoospermic patients were collected and vitrified without CPAs or with sucrose in small volume using Cryotop. The sperm recovery rate, motility, viability, chromatin damage and DNA fragmentation were assessed. No significant difference was observed in the sperm recovery rate and motility rate between the spermatozoa cryopreserved without CPAs and with sucrose. The post-thawed spermatozoa cryopreserved without CPAs had a higher viability and lower damage to sperm chromatin and DNA than those cryopreserved with sucrose. These results suggest that small numbers of human spermatozoa can be successfully vitrified without CPAs using Cryotop.

Inflammation-related genetic variants predict toxicity following definitive radiotherapy for lung cancer

Definitive radiotherapy improves locoregional control and survival in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, radiation-induced toxicities (pneumonitis/esophagitis) are common dose-limiting inflammatory conditions. We therefore conducted a pathway-based analysis to identify inflammation-related SNPs associated with radiation-induced pneumonitis or esophagitis. 11,930 SNPs were genotyped in 201 stage I-III NSCLC patients treated with definitive radiotherapy. Validation was performed in an additional 220 NSCLC cases. After validation, 19 SNPs remained significant. A polygenic risk score (PRS) was generated to summarize the effect from validated SNPs. Significant improvements in discriminative ability were observed by adding the PRS into the clinical/epidemiological variable-based model. We then used 277 lymphoblastoid cell-lines to assess radiation sensitivity and eQTL relationships of the identified SNPs. Three genes (PRKCE,DDX58 and TNFSF7) were associated with radiation sensitivity. We concluded that inflammation-related genetic variants could contribute to the development of radiation-induced toxicities. These loci could assist in predicting those unfavorable events.

The transient expression of miR-203 and its inhibiting effects on skeletal muscle cell proliferation and differentiation

Previous studies have shown that miR-203 is a skin-specific microRNA (miRNA) with a profound role in skin cell differentiation. However, emerging microarray and deep sequencing data revealed that miR-203 is also expressed in embryonic skeletal muscle and myoblasts. In this study, we found that miR-203 was transiently upregulated in chicken embryos on days 10 to 16 (E10-E16) and was sharply downregulated and even not expressed after E16 in chicken embryonic skeletal muscle. Histological profiles and weight variations of embryo skeletal muscle revealed that miR-203 expression is correlated with muscle development. In vitro experiments showed that miR-203 exhibited downregulated expression during myoblast differentiation into myotubes. miR-203 overexpression inhibited myoblast proliferation and differentiation, whereas its loss-of-function increased myoblast proliferation and differentiation. During myogenesis, miR-203 can target and inhibit the expression of c-JUN and MEF2C, which were important for cell proliferation and muscle development, respectively. The overexpression of c-JUN significantly promoted myoblast proliferation. Conversely, knockdown of c-JUN by siRNA suppressed myoblast proliferation. In addition, the knockdown of MEF2C by siRNA significantly inhibited myoblast differentiation. Altogether, these data not only suggested that the expression of miR-203 is transitory during chicken skeletal muscle development but also showed a novel role of miR-203 in inhibiting skeletal muscle cell proliferation and differentiation by repressing c-JUN and MEF2C, respectively.

Precision measurement of the neutron twist-3 matrix element d(2)(n): probing color forces

Double-spin asymmetries and absolute cross sections were measured at large Bjorken x  (0.25≤x≤0.90), in both the deep-inelastic and resonance regions, by scattering longitudinally polarized electrons at beam energies of 4.7 and 5.9 GeV from a transversely and longitudinally polarized (3)He target. In this dedicated experiment, the spin structure function g(2)((3)He) was determined with precision at large x, and the neutron twist-3 matrix element d(2)(n) was measured at ⟨Q(2)⟩ of 3.21 and 4.32  GeV(2)/c(2), with an absolute precision of about 10(-5). Our results are found to be in agreement with lattice QCD calculations and resolve the disagreement found with previous data at ⟨Q(2)⟩=5  GeV(2)/c(2). Combining d(2)(n) and a newly extracted twist-4 matrix element f(2)(n), the average neutron color electric and magnetic forces were extracted and found to be of opposite sign and about 30  MeV/fm in magnitude.

Measurement of the target-normal single-spin asymmetry in deep-inelastic scattering from the reaction (3)He(↑)(e,e')X

We report the first measurement of the target-normal single-spin asymmetry in deep-inelastic scattering from the inclusive reaction 3)He(↑)(e,e')X on a polarized (3)He gas target. Assuming time-reversal invariance, this asymmetry is strictly zero in the Born approximation but can be nonzero if two-photon-exchange contributions are included. The experiment, conducted at Jefferson Lab using a 5.89 GeV electron beam, covers a range of 1.7<W<2.9  GeV, 1.0<Q(2)<4.0  GeV(2) and 0.16<x<0.65. Neutron asymmetries were extracted using the effective nucleon polarization and measured proton-to-(3)He cross-section ratios. The measured neutron asymmetries are negative with an average value of (-1.09±0.38)×10(-2) for invariant mass W>2  GeV, which is nonzero at the 2.89σ level. Our measured asymmetry agrees both in sign and magnitude with a two-photon-exchange model prediction that uses input from the Sivers transverse momentum distribution obtained from semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering.

Matrine-induced apoptosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via in vitro vascular endothelial growth factor-A/extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 pathway inactivation

Matrine, a main active extract from Sophora flavescens Ait, has been demonstrated to exert anticancer effects on various cancer cell lines, such as malignant melanoma, breast cancer, and lung cancer. However, it is currently unclear whether matrine could also elicit an inhibitory effect on growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), let alone the possible molecular mechanisms. Therefore, in a previous study, we investigated matrine-induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in NPC cells. It was shown that proliferation of human NPC cells (CNE1 and CNE2) was significantly diminished by matrine in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and apoptosis was induced in both 2 NPC cells, particularly in CNE2 cells. Moreover, the increased apoptosis rate in matrine-treated CNE2 cells confirmed the proapoptotic activity of matrine. We further found that matrine treatment dose- and time-dependently reduced the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), and inactivated extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), followed by increased expression of downstream target caspase-3. Overall, we conclude that matrine could induce apoptosis of human NPC cells via VEGF-A/ERK1/2 pathway, which supports the potential use of matrine in clinically treating NPC.

Inhibition of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase prevents angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis in vitro

Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS)-catalysed isoprenoid intermediates are important for the activation of Ras homologue gene family, member A (RhoA) in angiotensin (Ang) II-induced cardiac fibrosis. This study was designed to investigate the specific role of FPPS in the development of cardiac fibrosis. We demonstrated that FPPS expression was elevated in both in-vivo and in-vitro models of Ang II-mediated cardiac fibrosis. FPPS inhibition by zolendronate and FPPS knock-down by a silencing lentivirus decreased the expression of cardiac fibrosis marker genes, including collagen I, collagen III and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. FPPS inhibition was reversed by geranylgeraniol (GGOH) and mimicked by RhoA knock-down with siRhoA. The antagonistic effect of GGOH on the zolendronate-mediated modulation of RhoA activation in Ang II-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts was demonstrated by a pull-down assay. Furthermore, FPPS knock-down also prevented RhoA activation by Ang II in vitro. In conclusion, FPPS and RhoA may be part of a signalling pathway that plays an important role in Ang II-induced cardiac fibrosis in vitro.

MR imaging prediction of local control of nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively evaluate the association of MRI findings with local control of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy).

METHODS

Pre-treatment MRIs of 101 patients (78 males and 23 females, 23-79 years of age) who had NPC treated with chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate tumour involvement of nasopharyngeal anatomic subsites, tumour volume and MRI appearance. Local control rates were evaluated with respect to these MRI findings.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis (using the Kaplan-Meier method) showed that invasion of the skull base as determined by MRI was a significant predictor of local control. In terms of clinical characteristics, T stage and pathological subtype were significant predictors of local control. Multivariate analysis (Cox regression model) of the radiologic findings and clinical characteristics revealed that invasion of the skull base (p = 0.003) and pathological subtype (p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for local control.

CONCLUSION

Invasion of the skull base as determined by MRI predicts the likelihood of local failure and may be helpful in identifying a subset of patients with tumours at risk of local recurrence within 3 years after primary chemoradiotherapy.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

It has now become common practice to use MRI for pre-treatment evaluation of patients with NPC. The potential role for MRI findings in predicting local control and prognosis in patients with NPC has implications for treatment planning.

Association between ghrelin gene variations, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP501A/C and 604 G/A) in the promoter of the ghrelin gene and the hormonal and metabolic phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a Chinese population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

285 patients with PCOS and 260 healthy controls were selected for a prospective, case-control study at Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, China. All subjects underwent genotype analysis of the 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms of the ghrelin gene. Measurements were also taken of blood lipids, glucose, and hormone levels, and calculations of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were performed to detect hormonal and metabolic phenotypes.

RESULTS

No significant diff erences in polymorphism genotypes were found between PCOS patients and healthy controls. However, the frequency of the -501 A/C A allele was significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group. PCOS -501 A/C A carriers had significantly higher BMI and WHR than PCOS women with the CC genotype. -604 G/A polymorphisms were not associated with clinical or biochemical characteristics of PCOS.

CONCLUSIONS

The -501 A/C polymorphism of the ghrelin gene is associated with metabolic features of PCOS in a Chinese population.

Lyn regulates cytotoxicity in respiratory epithelial cells challenged by cigarette smoke extracts

Cigarette smoking is associated with a series of lung diseases such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. Despite the intense interest, the underlying molecular mechanism in smoking-related diseases is incompletely understood. Here, we show that Lyn is involved in cytotoxicity of respiratory epithelial cells induced by cigarette smoke extracts (CSE), an in vitro culture model for evaluating tobacco toxicity. In addition, exposure to CSE promotes the activation of JAK2 and STAT1, which is responsible for CSE-induced cytotoxicity. Moreover, a Lyn specific siRNA, Lyn dominant negative construct and pharmacological inhibitor all alleviated CSE-induced cytotoxicity in lung cells to different extents, respectively. Furthermore, Lyn also influences the phagocytosis of bacteria by murine alveolar macrophages, extending its impact on innate immunity. Taken together, these findings indicate that Lyn may play a role in the regulation of cigarette smoking-induced lung cell death, and may be a potential novel therapeutic target for cigarette smoking related lung diseases.

Mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene (PP) composites filled with modified shell waste

Shell waste, with its high content of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) plus organic matrix, has a potential to be used as a bio-filler. In this work, shell waste was modified by furfural and then incorporated to reinforce polypropylene (PP). The shell waste and modified powder were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The mechanical and thermal properties of neat PP and PP composites were investigated as well. Thermal gravimetric (TG) analyses confirmed the reinforcing role of modified powder in PP composites. The mechanical properties studied showed that adding modified powder could significantly increase the impact strength, elongation at break point and flexural modulus of composites. The maximum incorporation content could reach 15 wt.% with a good balance between toughness and stiffness of PP composites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the modified powder could act as a nucleating agent and thus increase the crystallization temperature of PP. Polarized optical microscopy (POM) observation also indicated that the introduction of modified powder could promote the heterogeneous nucleation of PP matrix.

Non-scarring patchy alopecia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus differs from that of alopecia areata

Background

Non-scaring patchy alopecia associated with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is sometimes mis-diagnosed as alopecia areata (AA).

Objectives

Our aim was to differentiate non-scarring patchy SLE alopecia features from patchy AA.

Methods

Clinical, dermatoscopic and histopathological data from 21 SLE patients with patchy alopecia were compared with data from 21 patients with patchy AA.

Results

Incomplete alopecia was common in SLE alopecia patches, while AA patches exhibited complete alopecia. Exclamation-mark hairs, black dots, broken hair and yellow dots were common to AA, while hair shaft thinning and hypopigmentation, angiotelectasis, peripilar sign, perifollicular red dots, white dots and honeycomb pigment patterns were more common in SLE. Interfollicular polymorphous vessels were the most common angiotelectasis presentation in the SLE alopecia patches, but interfollicular arborizing vessels were significantly more common in non-hair-loss-affected SLE regions and in AA hair-loss regions. During follow-up, increased vellus hair was the earliest feature that emerged after treatment both in SLE and AA, while the earliest feature that disappeared was hair shaft hypopigmentation in SLE and broken hair in AA. After treatment, no SLE patients had relapse of alopecia, while 41.7% of AA patients did.

Conclusion

Distinct clinical, dermatoscopic and histopathological features were found in SLE-associated alopecia regions, which were different from those of AA. Serological autoantibody tests are of value to confirm the differential diagnosis. Local angiotelectasis and vasculitis close to hair follicles may be involved in the pathogenesis of alopecia in SLE.

Oral bacterial community dynamics in paediatric patients with malignancies in relation to chemotherapy-related oral mucositis: a prospective study

The role of oral bacteria in the development of chemotherapy-related oral mucositis has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate oral bacterial community diversity and dynamics in paediatric patients with malignancies in relation to the occurrence of oral mucositis. Patients with malignancies (n = 37) and reference individuals without known systemic disorders (n = 38) were recruited. For patients, oral bacterial samples were taken from mucosal surfaces both at the time of malignancy diagnosis and during chemotherapy. If oral mucositis occurred, samples were taken from the surface of the mucositis lesions. Oral mucosal bacterial samples were also taken from reference individuals. All samples were assessed using a 16S ribosomal RNA gene 454 pyrosequencing method. A lower microbial diversity (p < 0.01) and a higher intersubject variability (p < 0.001) were found in patients as compared with reference individuals. At the time of malignancy diagnosis (i.e. before chemotherapy) patients that later developed mucositis showed a higher microbial diversity (p < 0.05) and a higher intersubject variability (p < 0.001) compared with those without mucositis. The change of bacterial composition during chemotherapy was more pronounced in patients who later developed mucositis than those without mucositis (p < 0.01). In conclusion, we found a higher microbial diversity at the time of malignancy diagnosis in patients who later develop oral mucositis and that these patients had a more significant modification of the bacterial community by chemotherapy before the occurrence of mucositis. These findings may possibly be of clinical importance in developing better strategies for personalized preventive management.

Intra-articular nuclear factor-κB blockade ameliorates collagen-induced arthritis in mice by eliciting regulatory T cells and macrophages

Nuclear factor (NF)-κB is a transcription factor implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here we have examined the effect of intra-articular administration of the IKK inhibitor, NEMO-binding domain peptide (NBD), on the severity of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). NBD peptides were injected intra-articularly into the knee joints of DBA/1J mice after the onset of disease. Collagen-injected mice given a scrambled peptide served as controls. Arthritis severity was determined by visual examination of paws. Intra-articular NBD injection reduced the arthritis score and ameliorated morphological signs of bone destruction compared to the controls. Serum levels of type-II collagen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G2a antibodies were lower in NBD-treated mice versus the control mice, whereas the levels of type-II collagen-specific IgG1 antibodies were increased by NBD treatment. NBD treatment diminished the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ in serum, but increased the regulatory cytokine IL-10. NBD-treated CIA mice exhibited significantly higher percentages and numbers of forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3(+)) CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells than controls. Immunofluorescence analysis of NBD-treated mice revealed that FoxP3 and Ym1, a marker of alternatively activated macrophages, were juxtaposed to each other within draining inguinal lymph nodes. Intra-articular administration of NBD peptide is effective as an experimental therapy in a murine model of RA. Nevertheless, the intra-articular treatment modality is still associated with systemic effects on the immune system.

Hypolipidemic effect of a novel biflavonoid from shells of Camellia oleifera (Abel.)

Camellia oleifera Abel. [C. oleosa (Lour.) Rehd.], an evergreen plant, is used for healthful oil production, but the shells are always discarded and need to be utilized. The present study was undertaken to explore the effect of extracts from the shells of C. oleifera on adjusting cardiovascular system. A flavonoid was obtained by reflux extraction of the shells in 70% methanol, hydrolysis in 2 M hydrochloric acid, and crystallization in acetone. Its structure was identified as a novel biflavonoid. Mice model of hyperlipidemia was setup by high fat diet for 30 d to evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of the biflavonoid at dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/d (ig). Antioxidative activity was determined by levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in mice serum. The biflavonoid significantly controlled mice weight and liver coefficient, decreased the content of total cholesterol and triglyceride, promoted the level of high density lipoprotein in a dose dependent manner. The significant decrease of MDA content and increase of SOD and GSH-Px activity indicated it enhanced antioxidative capacity in vivo and was ascribed to hypolipidemic effect. The biflavonoid is useful in the prevention of high fat diet induced hyperlipidemia.