Efficient electrochemiluminescence quenching of carbon-coated petalous CdS nanoparticles for an ultrasensitive tumor marker assay through coreactant consumption by G-quadruplex-hemin decorated Au nanorods

A novel competitive electrochemiluminescence aptasensor was designed for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen using carbon-coated petalous CdS nanopaticles as an ECL emitter and DNAzyme/Au nanorods–complementary DNA as a quenching probe.

Correlation between genetic susceptibility of tuberculosis and macrophage migration inhibitory factor

This paper aims to study the relationship between genetic susceptibility of tuberculosis and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and provide theoretical basis and foundation for further studies on pathogenesis and treatment of tuberculosis. Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the difference of MIF protein expression level in peripheral serum of the test subjects, and analyze the difference of MIF protein expression levels of different genotypes and alleles at -794CATT locus and -173G/C locus. The results showed that MIF protein expression level in serum of patients in the tuberculosis group was higher than that of the healthy control group (p < 0.05). The MIF protein expression level of genotype (5/5+5/6+6/6) and (7/X+8/X) at -794CATT locus of the tuberculosis group was higher than that of the healthy control group (p < 0.05), and MIF protein expression level of genotype GG and (GC+CC) at -173G/C locus of the tuberculosis group was higher than that of the healthy control group (p < 0.05). Therefore, macrophage migration inhibitory factor is an important cell factor which plays a regulating role in the immune system, as it can inhibit macrophage migration and promote the gathering, infiltration and proliferation of macrophages at inflammatory sites. Furthermore, it can secrete some cell factors which play a central role in immunological regulation.

Genetic variability of ERCC1 and ERCC2 influences treatment outcomes in gastric cancer

We performed a study to investigate the role of ERCC1 (rs11615, rs2298881, and rs3212986) and ERCC2 (rs13181, rs238406, and rs1799793) polymorphisms in the prognosis of gastric cancer. A total of 346 patients with gastric cancer were recruited between May 2009 and May 2012. Single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping was performed using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. The GA+AA genotype of ERCC2 rs1799793 showed significant and favorable response to chemotherapy than the wide-type GG genotype in multivariate analysis (OR = 1.78, 95%CI = 1.13-2.81). In a Cox proportional hazard model, carriers of ERCC2 rs1799793 GA+AA genotype exhibited longer duration of survival than did those with the GG genotype (hazards ratio = 0.57, 95%CI = 0.35-0.92). In conclusion, our study suggests that ERCC2 rs1799793 polymorphic variation could be used as a predictor for the prognosis of gastric cancer.

Cloning and characterization of up-regulated HbSINA4 gene induced by drought stress in Tibetan hulless barley

Hulless barley is an important crop cereal in Tibetan, China. Drought is a major abiotic stress in barley production. In this study, we cloned the drought-related HbSINA4 gene from the variety 'Himalaya 10' and analyzed its expression patterns under different drought and rehydration conditions. The cDNA of HbSINA4 was 1052 bp long, including an open reading frame of 771 bp that encoded a protein of 256 amino acids. The molecular weight of HbSINA4 protein was predicted to be 29.53 kDa and the theoretical pI was 8.32. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the HbSINA4 gene contained a protein kinase domain profile family signature motif, with high similarity to that of Oryza sativa and Brachypodium distachyon. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays revealed that gene expression declined rapidly with increasing drought stress; in contrast, its expression increased after rehydration treatment. Therefore, the HbSINA4 gene responds to the drought stress and plays an important role in barely drought resistance. Furthermore, our results provide information which may be useful in other temperate crop studies and in aiding resistance to drought.

Study of PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS mutations in breast carcinomas among Chinese women in Qinghai

Phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase and RAS-activated signaling pathways play an important role in tumor formation. Abnormalities in relevant genes play essential roles in the occurrence and development of many human cancers. Studies of breast cancer have mainly focused on the women in western countries, but few studies have examined the frequency of mutations in PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS in Chinese breast cancer patients. In this study, we conducted sequence analysis of PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS and determined relationships with the occurrence of breast cancer in women from Qinghai. DNA was extracted from 25 cases of human breast cancer tissue samples. PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS mutation analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. No mutations were found in PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS of adjacent tissues. However, PIK3CA mutations were observed in 32% (8) of the 25 breast cancer tissues examined, in which exon 9 accounted for 4% (1), exon 20 accounted for 28% (7), and no mutations were found in exon 1 of PIK3CA. Sequencing of exon 2 of KRAS suggested that 20% (5) of the 25 samples harbored a mutation and 16% (4) of BRAF harbored a mutation. Any mutation in these 3 oncogenes may induce the occurrence and development of breast cancer.

Effect of flavonoid compounds extracted from Iris species in prevention of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats

We investigated the effect of flavonoid compounds extracted from species of genus Iris L. on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced rat liver fibrosis. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group, liver fibrosis model group, and drug treatment group (N = 10 each). Next, 0.2 mL/100 g CCl4 was subcutaneously injected for 6 weeks in both model and treatment rats to generate the liver fibrosis model. In the control group, an equal volume of castor oil was injected subcutaneously. Rats in the treatment group also received 100 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) flavonoid compounds via gastric tubes. After 6 weeks, rats were sacrificed, and their liver tissues were examined for pathological changes, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, hyaluronic acid, laminin, and procollagen type-3. Liver tissues from control rats showed no significant pathological changes, while model animals showed significant liver fibrosis. In the treatment group, liver fibrosis significantly decreased compared to the model group (P < 0.05). Liver fibrotic indices, including hyaluronic acid, laminin, and procollagen type-3, in treatment rats were all significantly lower than those in the model group (P < 0.05), but not significantly different compared to the normal group (P > 0.05). Other liver function indices, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin, in treatment rats were also significantly lower than those in model rats (P < 0.01) but higher than those in control animals (P < 0.05). Flavonoid compounds extracted from Iris plants showed significant inhibitory effects on CCl4-induced rat liver fibrosis.

Association of vitamin D-binding protein variants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis

Gene polymorphism of vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) correlates with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the results remain inconclusive. We aimed to explore the association between VDBP gene polymorphism and COPD. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure for publications addressing the association between VDBP gene polymorphism and COPD. After qualitative evaluation, randomized controlled trials were pooled using either a fixed- or a random-effect model depending upon the degree of heterogeneity. Eleven studies with 3144 subjects were included. The genotype group-specific component (GC)*1F-1F was significantly associated with COPD in Asians [odds ratio (OR) = 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-2.81, P = 0.03], but not in Caucasians (OR = 1.44, 95%CI = 0.57-3.66, P = 0.45). A protective effect of GC*1F-1S was observed in Asians (OR = 0.70, 95%CI = 0.55-0.89, P = 0.003) but not in Caucasians (OR = 0.93, 95%CI = 0.69-1.24, P = 0.61). There was no association of GC*1S-1S, GC*2-1S and GC*1F-2 with COPD. As for alleles, GC*1F was a risk factor, whereas GC*1S was protective against COPD in Asians; GC*2 was not protective. The genotype GC*1F-1F or allele GC*1F was associated with increased susceptibility to COPD in Asians. No protective effect of genotype GC*2-2 against COPD was found. The protective effects of GC*1F-1S and GC*1S were observed in Asians but not in Caucasians. The VDBP gene polymorphism could be a potential marker for screening of COPD.

Related factors and prevalence of Parkinson's disease among Uygur residents in Hetian, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

The aim of this study was to identify the factors related to and determine the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) among Uygur residents in Hetian Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This population-based prospective cohort study used structured questionnaires to screen for factors related to PD. The prevalence in different age groups was analyzed, and PD risk was assessed using univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis. In total, 5932 subjects participated in the survey; of these, 88 individuals, all of whom were Uygurs, had PD. The overall prevalence of PD was 1.48% (1.32%) in people over the age of 45; the prevalence was 1.68% (1.59%) in men and 1.28% (1.36%) in women. The Fifth Population Census in China found the prevalence of PD in Hetian, Xinjiang, to be 1.32%. Single-factor results showed that exercise, social activities, and frequent consumption of nuts are protective factors for PD, and long-term pesticide exposure, family history of PD, and consumption of barbecued food were risk factors for this condition. Multi-factor conditional logistic regression analysis showed that participation in sports and social activities can reduce the risk of PD, whereas long-term pesticide exposure and family history of PD increases this risk. These results show that PD is caused by the interaction of several factors.

Temperature-Dependent Three-Dimensional Anisotropy of the Magnetoresistance in WTe_{2}

Extremely large magnetoresistance (XMR) was recently discovered in WTe_{2}, triggering extensive research on this material regarding the XMR origin. Since WTe_{2} is a layered compound with metal layers sandwiched between adjacent insulating chalcogenide layers, this material has been considered to be electronically two-dimensional (2D). Here we report two new findings on WTe_{2}: (1) WTe_{2} is electronically 3D with a mass anisotropy as low as 2, as revealed by the 3D scaling behavior of the resistance R(H,θ)=R(ϵ_{θ}H) with ϵ_{θ}=(cos^{2}θ+γ^{-2}sin^{2}θ)^{1/2}, θ being the magnetic field angle with respect to the c axis of the crystal and γ being the mass anisotropy and (2) the mass anisotropy γ varies with temperature and follows the magnetoresistance behavior of the Fermi liquid state. Our results not only provide a general scaling approach for the anisotropic magnetoresistance but also are crucial for correctly understanding the electronic properties of WTe_{2}, including the origin of the remarkable "turn-on" behavior in the resistance versus temperature curve, which has been widely observed in many materials and assumed to be a metal-insulator transition.

Nerve autografts and tissue-engineered materials for the repair of peripheral nerve injuries: a 5-year bibliometric analysis

With advances in biomedical methods, tissue-engineered materials have developed rapidly as an alternative to nerve autografts for the repair of peripheral nerve injuries. However, the materials selected for use in the repair of peripheral nerve injuries, in particular multiple injuries and large-gap defects, must be chosen carefully. Various methods and materials for protecting the healthy tissue and repairing peripheral nerve injuries have been described, and each method or material has advantages and disadvantages. Recently, a large amount of research has been focused on tissue-engineered materials for the repair of peripheral nerve injuries. Using the keywords “pe-ripheral nerve injury”, “autotransplant”, “nerve graft”, and “biomaterial”, we retrieved publications using tissue-engineered materials for the repair of peripheral nerve injuries appearing in the Web of Science from 2010 to 2014. The country with the most total publications was the USA. The institutions that were the most productive in this field include Hannover Medical School (Germany), Washington University (USA), and Nantong University (China). The total number of publications using tissue-engineered materials for the repair of peripheral nerve injuries grad-ually increased over time, as did the number of Chinese publications, suggesting that China has made many scientific contributions to this field of research.

CORRELATION BETWEEN CLINICAL PATHOLOGY OF LUMINAL B BREAST CANCER AND DETERMINATION OF ESTROGEN RECEPTOR, PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR AND HER2 EXPRESSION COMBINED WITH NUCLEAR MORPHOLOGY

Breast cancer, one of the most common malignant tumors in females, draws little attention because of its untypical symptoms and signs, so the disease is usually confirmed too late, in an advanced stage. Based on the detection of nuclear morphology parameters of luminal B breast cancer, this study explored how pathological features relate to estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2). A quantity of 354 breast cancer specimens with follow-up records from the department of pathology in the First People’s Hospital of Nantong and the Tumor Hospital of Nantong were selected as research subjects. Nuclear parameters of specimens stained by hematoxylin and eosin were measured by imaging analysis software. It was found that breast cancer can be divided into four types, luminal B, luminal A, HER2 over-expression and basal-like type based on immunohistochemical results of three antibodies, i.e, ER, PR and HER2. A total of 113 patients (31.8%) were confirmed with luminal B breast cancer, mostly in histological stage II; the difference of nuclear morphology was of statistical significance between ER+/PR+ and ER-/PR- (P<0.05), and most ER-/PR- was histologically confirmed as stage III, with lower survival rate than ER+/PR+ (P<0.05). Among these four subtypes of breast cancer, luminal B had the lowest brain metastasis rate, while HER2 over-expression subtype was found with the highest rate of lung and pleura metastasis. Besides, luminal B possessed longer disease-free survival (DFS) than basal-like (P<0.05) and longer total survival (OS) than HER2 over-expression (P<0.05) and basal-like subtypes (P<0.05). It can be concluded that detection of ER, PR and HER2 in combination with nuclear morphology is beneficial to evaluate treatment and prognosis of breast cancer.

Induction of long-term oscillations in the γ frequency band by nAChR activation in rat hippocampal CA3 area

The hippocampal neuronal network oscillation at γ frequency band (γ oscillation) is generated by the precise interaction between interneurons and principle cells. γ oscillation is associated with attention, learning and memory and is impaired in the diseased conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) plays an important role in the regulation of hippocampal neurotransmission and network activity. It is not known whether nicotine modulates plasticity of network activity at γ oscillations in the hippocampus. In this study we investigated the effects of nicotine on the long-term changes of KA-induced γ oscillations. We found that hippocampal γ oscillations can be enhanced by a low concentration of nicotine (1μM), such an enhancement lasts for hours after washing out of nicotine, suggesting a form of synaptic plasticity, named as long-term oscillation at γ frequency band (LTOγ). Nicotine-induced LTOγ was mimicked by the selective α4β2 but not by α7 nAChR agonist and was involved in N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation as well as depended on excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. Our results indicate that nAChR activation induced plasticity in γ oscillation, which may be beneficial for the improvement of cognitive deficiency in AD and schizophrenia.

Characterization of abnormal epithelium after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy using in vivo confocal microscopy

This study compared the abnormal corneal epithelium after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) with dystrophic cornea using in vivo using confocal microscopy (IVCM) and examined the effects of the abnormal epithelium on postoperative recovery of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and sub-basal nerve plexus regeneration. The UDVA and wound healing were examined in 50 eyes of 25 patients undergoing LASEK at 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year postoperatively, including the visual acuity, slit lamp microscopy, and IVCM. After 1 week, the corneal epithelium was healed in all patients, but abnormal epithelial cells were detected in 33/50 patients using IVCM. Abnormal cells were limited to the surgical margin, and highly reflective granules were observed underneath. At 1 month and 1 year postoperatively, the abnormal epithelium was unchanged in size. At 1 year postoperatively, there were clear differences between the sub-basal nerve plexus in the normal and abnormal epithelium. At 1 month postoperatively, the UDVA was >1.0 in 88% of patients, which increased to 94% at 1 year, and there was no clear difference in the UDVA between abnormal (N = 33) and normal (N = 17) epithelium. After LASEK, abnormal epithelial cells may arise at the margin of the epithelial flap and persist 1 year postoperatively accompanied by poor regeneration of the sub-basal nerve plexus. However, this does not affect the UDVA postoperatively. The abnormal epithelium may be caused by residual necrotic basal cell debris on the epithelial basement membrane and abnormal neurotrophic metabolism between the corneal epithelium and nerve plexus.

SIDE EFFECTS OF TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT WITH FIXED-DOSE COMBINATIONS

This paper aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and safety of Fixed-dose Combinations (FDCs) on tuberculosis. A computer search was carried out to review the literature related to clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trails (CCTs) on the curative effect and safety of treating pulmonary tuberculosis with FDCs. The results demonstrated that, in the 22 studies examined, comparison of sputum negative conservation rate of treating smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis with FDCs and single drug, the relative risk (RR) value and 95% confidence interval (CI) were 1.02 (1.01, 1.03) and 1.01 (1.00, 1.02), respectively, at the end of the 2nd month and 6th month (P<0.05), while comparison of the relapse rate within six months showed that RR value and 95% CI was 1.72 (0.98, 3.02) (P>0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in total occurrence of the rates of side effects pertaining to skin reaction, gastrointestinal tract side reaction, occurrence rate of liver and gall side reaction or occurrence rate of drug withdrawal because of side effects (P>0.05). After sensitivity analysis, it was found that occurrence rate of gastrointestinal tract side effects and occurrence rate of liver and gall side effects were unstable. All the findings suggest that the curative effect of treating tuberculosis with FDCs is better than that of a single drug. More reliable evidence is required since the safety evaluation results are not stable.

The expression and functional evidence for voltage-dependent potassium channel Kv1.3 in lymphocytes during aging in spontaneously hypertensive rats

AIMS

Our previous studies showed that expression and functional profile of voltage-dependent potassium channels Kv1.3 were increased in lymphocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared to normotensive rats, suggesting a crucial role for lymphocyte Kv1.3 in the development of hypertension. Here, we further investigated whether the expression and functional profile of Kv1.3 was related to increased blood pressure in SHR with age of 4, 8, 16 and 24 wk.

METHODS

Systolic blood pressure was measured through pressure device around the tail. mRNA and protein expression were assessed by real-time PCR and western blot in lymphocytes of SHR. Current density of Kv channels in lymphocytes was measured by patch-clamp.

RESULTS

Systolic blood pressure was elevated in an age-dependent manner (ANOVA P < 0.05). mRNA and protein level of Kv1.3 were significantly increased in an age-dependent manner in lymphocyte of SHR (ANOVA P < 0.05). Moreover, the current density of Kv was dramatically enhanced in an age-dependent manner (ANOVA P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The systolic blood pressure positively correlated with expression as well as current density of potassium channels in lymphocytes of SHR at age of 8, 16 and 24 wk. In conclusion, Kv1.3 channels were upregulated in an age-dependent manner in SHR and correlates with systolic blood pressure during aging. The present study implies that Kv1.3 blockers may be applied as a therapeutic treatment for the development of hypertension during aging.

Dinuclear Lanthanide–Carboxylate Compounds: Field-Induced Slow Relaxation of Magnetization for Dysprosium(III) Analogue

Three chiral dinuclear lanthanide compounds, Ln2(µ2-L)4(L)2(phen)2 (Ln = Dy (1), Gd (2), and Er (3); phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized using the (S)-(+)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid (HL) ligand. The two lanthanide centres in compound Ln2(µ2-L)4(L)2(phen)2 are bridged by four carboxylate groups to give a dinuclear Ln2(µ2-L)4 core. The square antiprismatic coordination environment for each lanthanide centre is further completed by a chelating carboxylate group from another L– ligand and two nitrogen atoms from the phen ligand. A weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the two GdIII ions is observed in compound 2. The Dy analogue displays field-induced slow magnetic relaxation behaviour with an effective energy barrier Ueff/k of 17.24(2) K and a pre-exponential factor τ0 of 2.7(1) × 10–6 s. However, no slow relaxation phenomenon was observed for the Er derivative even in the presence of 2 kOe applied field.