MAVEN observations of the response of Mars to an interplanetary coronal mass ejection

Coupling between the lower and upper atmosphere, combined with loss of gas from the upper atmosphere to space, likely contributed to the thin, cold, dry atmosphere of modern Mars. To help understand ongoing ion loss to space, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft made comprehensive measurements of the Mars upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and interactions with the Sun and solar wind during an interplanetary coronal mass ejection impact in March 2015. Responses include changes in the bow shock and magnetosheath, formation of widespread diffuse aurora, and enhancement of pick-up ions. Observations and models both show an enhancement in escape rate of ions to space during the event. Ion loss during solar events early in Mars history may have been a major contributor to the long-term evolution of the Mars atmosphere.

Early MAVEN Deep Dip campaign reveals thermosphere and ionosphere variability

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission, during the second of its Deep Dip campaigns, made comprehensive measurements of martian thermosphere and ionosphere composition, structure, and variability at altitudes down to ~130 kilometers in the subsolar region. This altitude range contains the diffusively separated upper atmosphere just above the well-mixed atmosphere, the layer of peak extreme ultraviolet heating and primary reservoir for atmospheric escape. In situ measurements of the upper atmosphere reveal previously unmeasured populations of neutral and charged particles, the homopause altitude at approximately 130 kilometers, and an unexpected level of variability both on an orbit-to-orbit basis and within individual orbits. These observations help constrain volatile escape processes controlled by thermosphere and ionosphere structure and variability.

Risk factors for mortality in severe multiply injury patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the risk factors related to mortality in severe polytrauma patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From December 2011 to December 2014, we identified and intubated 524 traumatic AHRF patients in a level 1 trauma centers. Amongst those, we enrolled seventy-six severe traumatic AHRF patients with an injury severity score (ISS) over 16 and need for over 24 hour intra-tracheal mechanical ventilation for our study. Patients were followed daily to collect data about demographics, injury characteristic, diagnostic, treatment, respiratory parameters, major complications, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay, prevalence of major complications and 28-days mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 76 patients in our study, 61 patients were male. Patients' ages were from 15 to 78 years old (43±17) and the predominant source of trauma was road traffic accidents. Before ventilation, patients had a mean PaO2/FiO2 ratio of 108±63, pH of 7.1±0.3, PaCO2 of 54±24 mmHg, respectively. The PaO2/FiO22 ratios were significantly improved by ventilation and the average duration of ventilation was 9.63±8.74 days. There were two peak dying times and the 28-days ICU mortality rate was 28.9%. Logistic regression analysis revealed the mortality rate to be significantly higher in patients with higher APACHE II scores (odds ratio: 1.60, p=0.002), shorter intervals between injury and admission (odds ratio: -0.91, p=0.03) and between admission and ventilation (odds ratio: -1.85, p=0.012), and lower pH (odds ratio: -0.692, p=0.044). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that best cut off points for mortality predictors were APACHE II scores greater than 25, time interval between injury and admission less than 2h, time interval between admission and ventilation less than 0.5h, and pH <7.16.

CONCLUSIONS

Traumatic AHRF patients requiring ventilation support show a high rate of early mortality. Greater vigilance for high APACHE II score, short time interval between injury and ventilation, low pH in traumatic AHRF patients is required.

Risk factors for BK virus infection and BK virus-associated nephropathy under the impact of intensive monitoring and pre-emptive immunosuppression reduction

BACKGROUND

BK virus (BKV) nephropathy (BKVN) is an increasingly recognized cause of kidney allograft loss and is thought to be related to the newer, more potent immunosuppressive agents. However, the risk factors for different types of BKV infection under the impact of intensive monitoring and reduction of maintenance immunosuppression are not well understood.

METHODS

Quantitative BKV DNA surveillance in plasma/urine and cytological testing in urine were performed regularly within the first year post-transplantation in 229 kidney recipients. Patients with BK viremia and BKVAN treated with immunosuppression reduction were monitored for BKV every 3-6 months. All the patients were followed up for a minimum of 5 years to exclude later development of BKVAN. Potential variables were compared and analyzed using logistic regression model multivariate analysis to assess and rank the BKV infection-related factors.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight (34.1%) patients had decoy cells, 99 (43.2%) BK viruria, 38 (16.6%) BK viremia, and 7 (3.1%) BKVAN. Risk for decoy cells, BK viruria, and viremia, and BKVAN in univariate analyses were higher with tacrolimus (Tac) and deceased kidney donation. Multivariate analysis showed that Tac ([HR, 2.7; P = .008], [HR, 2.3; P = .016], [HR, 2.9; P = .032]) and deceased kidney donation ([HR, 2.5; P = .004], [HR, 2.6; P = .002], [HR, 2.1; P = .071]) were risk factors for BK decoy cells, BK viruria, and viremia, respectively. BKVAN was inclined to the patients with the combination of Tac and mycophenolate mofetil and longer BKV clearance time.

CONCLUSIONS

Tac and deceased kidney donation are independent risk factors for BKV infection under the impact of therapeutic drug monitoring.

Azadircta indica as a modulator of membrane stability parameters and surface changes during 1,2 dimethylhydrazine-induced colorectal carcinogenesis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to study the modulatory potential of Azadirta indica on colonic surface abnormalities and membrane fluidity changes following 1,2 dimethylhydrazine-induced [DMH] colon carcinogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Brush border membranes [BBM] were isolated from the colon of rats and the viscosity as well as fluidity parameters were assessed by using the membrane extrinsic fluorophore pyrene.

RESULTS

DMH treatment resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation [LPO]. Reduced glutathione levels [GSH] and the activities of glutathione reductase [GR], glutathione transferase [GST], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] were found to be significantly decreased following DMH treatment. On the other hand, supplementation with AI, DMH-treated rats resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of lipid peroxidation but caused a significant increase in the levels of GSH as well in the activities of GR, GST, SOD, CAT and GPx. The results further demonstrated a marked decrease in membrane microviscosity following DMH treatment. On the other hand, a significant increase was observed in the excimer/monomer ratio and fluidity parameter of DMH-treated rats when compared to normal control rats. However, the alterations in membrane microviscosity and the fluidity parameters were significantly restored following A. indica treatment. Further, histological as well as colon surface alterations were also observed following DMH treatment, which however were greatly prevented upon AI co-administration.

CONCLUSIONS

The study, therefore, concludes that A. indica proves to be useful in modulating the colonic surface abnormalities and membrane stability following DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis.

Open-label pilot study of interferon gamma-1b in Friedreich ataxia

OBJECTIVES/AIMS

This is an open-label trial of the safety of interferon gamma-1b (IFN-γ) and its effect on frataxin levels and neurologic measures in 12 children with Friedreich ataxia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Interferon gamma-1b was administered via subcutaneous injection three times weekly. The dose increased from 10 to 50 mcg/m(2) during the first four weeks and then remained at 50 mcg/m(2) for final eight weeks. Safety assessments included laboratory testing, electrocardiogram, and monitoring of adverse events. The primary efficacy outcome measure was frataxin level in whole blood. Secondary measures included frataxin levels in multiple tissues, frataxin mRNA levels, Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS) scores and other neurologic evaluations. Statistical analyses were performed via SAS and STATA.

RESULTS

Interferon gamma-1b was well tolerated with no serious adverse events, and only two subjects reporting severe adverse events and subsequent dose reductions. Small but significant changes in frataxin levels were observed in red blood cells, PBMC, and platelets after 12 weeks of treatment. However, the magnitude of change was small and varied between tissues. Mean improvement in FARS score was equivalent to roughly 18 months of disease progression after 12 weeks of treatment (P = 0.008). No other statistically significant changes were observed. No statistically significant relationships were observed between frataxin protein levels, FARS scores, and in vivo IFN-γ levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Interferon gamma-1b improved FARS scores without a clear relationship to changes in frataxin levels. Larger, longer placebo-controlled trials including biochemical assessments in affected tissues are necessary to evaluate fully the efficacy and utility of IFN-γ in FRDA.

DAMGO depresses inhibitory synaptic transmission via different downstream pathways of μ opioid receptors in ventral tegmental area and periaqueductal gray

Opioid-induced rewarding and motorstimulant effects are mediated by an increased activity of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons. The excitatory mechanism of opioids on VTA-DA neurons has been proposed to be due to the depression of GABAergic synaptic transmission in VTA-DA neurons. However, how opioids depress GABAergic synaptic transmission in VTA-DA neurons remain to be studied. In the present study, we explored the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of [D-Ala(2), N-Me-Phe(4), Gly(5)-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) on GABAergic synaptic transmission in VTA-DA neurons using multiple approaches and techniques. Our results showed that (1) DAMGO inhibits GABAergic inputs in VTA-DA neurons at presynaptic sites; (2) effect of DAMGO on GABAergic inputs in VTA-DA neurons is inhibited by potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and Gi protein inhibitor N-ethylmaleimide (NEM); (3) phospholipase A2 (PLA2) does not mediate the effect of DAMGO on GABAergic inputs in VTA-DA neurons, but mediates it in the periaqueductal gray (PAG); (4) multiple downstream signaling molecules of μ receptors do not mediate the effect of DAMGO on GABAergic inputs in VTA-DA neurons. These results suggest that DAMGO depresses inhibitory synaptic transmission via μ receptor-Gi protein-Kv channel pathway in VTA-DA neurons, but via μ receptor-PLA2 pathway in PAG neurons.

Pulsed dye laser therapy for infantile hemangiomas: a systemic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are common pediatric tumors. This meta-analysis was performed to review the therapeutic efficacy and safety of pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of IH.

METHODS

Seven databases were searched, including PubMed, OvidSP, Karger, Elsevier, EMBASE, Web of Science and Wiley Online Library. The review collected the characteristics of year of publication, hemangiomas cases, prior treatment, laser parameters, adverse side, pretreatment symptom, and number of response from all articles.

RESULTS

A total of 1580 studies were identified, the first round search retrieved 39 articles met inclusion criteria. Of those, only 13 articles with 1529 hemangiomas were included in the meta-analysis. This meta-analysis demonstrated an overall resolution rate of 89.1% with 6.28% incidence of adverse effect.

CONCLUSION

PDL may be the effective modality to decrease the proliferative phase and accelerate rates of involution and resolution with few adverse events.

Relationship between DNA repair gene XPD751 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and prognosis of colorectal cancer

We examined the relationships between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the DNA repair gene XPD751 and the efficacy and time to disease progression (TTP) in colorectal cancer patients after platinum-based chemotherapy. Ninety-eight patients diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer were subjected to oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil combination therapy. DNA was extracted from venous blood before chemotherapy. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to detect XPD751 SNPs. The relationship between genotypes and prognosis was compared. The frequencies of the XPD751 Lys/Lys, Lys/Gln, and Gln/Gln genotypes were 76 (77.55%), 17 (17.35%), and 5 (5.10%), respectively. The efficiency of XPD751 Lys/Lys, Lys/Gln and Gln/Gln genotypes were 50.00, 29.41, and 20%, respectively. The efficiency rate between XPD751 Lys/Lys and Lys/Gln showed a significant difference (c² = 4.04, P < 0.05). After adjusting for gender, age, and metastasis location, chemotherapy failure in patients carrying XPD751 Lys/Gln was 3.404-fold higher than in patients carrying the Lys/Lys genotype. Median TTP was 304 days (10.1 months) and median TTP in patients with XPD751 Lys/Lys and ≥1 Gln genotype was 340 and 87 days. After comparing TTP in patients carrying Lys/Lys and patients carrying ≥1 Gln, the difference was significant. SNPs in the DNA repair gene XPD751 may be associated with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy sensitivity in colorectal cancer patients. These polymorphisms may be associated with TTP in patients with advanced colorectal cancer after first-line chemotherapy of oxaliplatin. XPD751 SNPs may be predictive factors of prognosis in colorectal cancer patients receiving oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy.

Sperm aneuploidy and implications for genetic counseling in a pedigree of three t(1;3) balanced translocation carriers

A reciprocal translocation between the short arm of chromosome 1 and the long arm of chromosome 3 was observed in a pedigree of three carriers (proband, and his brother and mother). In this study, the three carriers had different clinical manifestations: the proband with infertility, his brother with spousal miscarriages, and his mother with no adverse reproductive history. Cytogenetic analysis of metaphase chromosomes was performed, and triple-color fluorescence in situ hybridization was applied to the detection of aneuploidy sperm related to the interchromosomal effect (ICE). An increase of aneuploidy of chromosome 21 in the proband and aneuploidy of chromosomes 13, 21, and Y in the brother were observed. Since patients with reciprocal translocations and spermatogenetic impairment are candidates, with their partners, for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, the study of the level of sperm aneuploidy rates would provide useful information for couples at risk, as well as contributing to a better understanding of the ICE.

Mutation of the rice ASL2 gene encoding plastid ribosomal protein L21 causes chloroplast developmental defects and seedling death

The plastid ribosome proteins (PRPs) play important roles in plastid protein biosynthesis, chloroplast differentiation and early chloroplast development. However, the specialised functions of individual protein components of the chloroplast ribosome in rice (Oryza sativa) remain unresolved. In this paper, we identified a novel rice PRP mutant named asl2 (Albino seedling lethality 2) exhibiting an albino, seedling death phenotype. In asl2 mutants, the alteration of leaf colour was associated with chlorophyll (Chl) content and abnormal chloroplast development. Through map-based cloning and complementation, the mutated ASL2 gene was isolated and found to encode the chloroplast 50S ribosome protein L21 (RPL21c), a component of the chloroplast ribosome large subunit, which was localised in chloroplasts. ASL2 was expressed at a higher level in the plumule and leaves, implying its tissue-specific expression. Additionally, the expression of ASL2 was regulated by light. The transcript levels of the majority of genes for Chl biosynthesis, photosynthesis and chloroplast development were strongly affected in asl2 mutants. Collectively, the absence of functional ASL2 caused chloroplast developmental defects and seedling death. This report establishes the important role of RPL21c in chloroplast development in rice.

Preliminary study of the effects of β-elemene on MCF-7/ADM breast cancer stem cells

We examined expression differences in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) of the doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADM and doxorubicin-sensitive cell line MCF-7/S. The effects of Chinese medicine β-elemene on BCSCs and resistance protein expression were determined. The serum-free cell culture method was used for cell culture, and morphology was observed to determine the rate of cell sphere formation. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) gene expression. Flow cytometry was used to determine BCRP- and P-gp-positive cell rates and CD44 + CD24-/low cell ratios. Morphological observation and gene amplification showed that compared with MCF-7/S cells, the serum-free cell sphere-forming rate and P-gp and BCRP gene expression levels were higher in MCF-7/ADM cells. Flow cytometry results showed that P-gp and BCRP protein expression in MCF-7/ADM cells was 77.78 ± 9.55% and 32.33 ± 5.12%, respectively, and the CD44 + CD24-/low cell rate was 64.79 ± 11.78%, which were all significantly higher than those in MCF-7/S cells (3.97 ± 1.51, 14.26 ± 2.51, 18.79 ± 3.28%; P < 0.05). β-elemene significantly decreased the serum-free cell sphere-forming rate in MCF-7/ADM cells and BCRP and P-gp gene/protein expression (P < 0.01). The proportion of CD44 + CD24-/low cells was reduced. MCF-7/ADM highly expressed the drug-resistant proteins BCRP and P-gp, which can be used for long-term in vitro culture and as a seed cell for studies of BCSCs. β-elemene can inhibit BCSC and the sphere-forming rate in MCF-7/ADM cells and reduce BCRP expression.

Piperine inhibit inflammation, alveolar bone loss and collagen fibers breakdown in a rat periodontitis model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Piperine exhibits anti-inflammatory activity, and has a long history of medicinal use. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of piperine on inflammation, alveolar bone and collagen fibers in experimental periodontitis. We evaluated the related expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and MMP-13 to enhance insight into these effects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into four groups of eight animals each: control group, periodontitis group, periodontitis plus 50 mg/kg piperine group and periodontitis plus 100 mg/kg piperine group. Histopathologic changes were detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Alveolar bone loss and trabecula microstructures were evaluated by micro-computed tomography. Changes in collagen fibers were assessed by picrosirius red staining. Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-8 and MMP-13.

RESULTS

Piperine clearly inhibited alveolar bone loss and reformed trabecula microstructures in a dose-dependent manner. Histological staining showed that piperine significantly reduced the infiltration of inflammation in soft tissues. Both doses of piperine limited the fractions of degraded areas in collagen fibers. Piperine (100 mg/kg) significantly downregulated the expressions of IL-1β, MMP-8 and MMP-13 in periodontitis, but not that of TNF-α.

CONCLUSION

Piperine displays significantly protective effects on inflammation, alveolar bone loss, bone microstructures and collagen fiber degradation in experimental periodontitis. The effects may be ascribed to its inhibitory activity on the expressions of IL-1β, MMP-8 and MMP-13.

Effect of estrogen deficiency on the fixation of titanium implants in chronic kidney disease mice

We established a chronic kidney disease (CKD) mouse model with estrogen deficiency and inserted titanium implants into the femur of such mice to investigate the fixation of the implants. Both the histomorphometry and implant resistance indicated that estrogen deficiency impaired the fixation of titanium implants inserted into such mice.

INTRODUCTION

CKD has been regarded as a worldwide public health problem. Estrogen is a critical factor for both renal protection and bone remodeling. A previous study demonstrated that CKD impairs the early healing of titanium implants. However, the combined effect of estrogen deficiency and CKD on the fixation of titanium implants is largely unknown.

METHODS

Forty 9-week-old female C57BL mice were randomly divided into sham, ovariectomy (OVX), CKD, and CKD + OVX groups. Uremia and estrogen deficiency were induced by 5/6 nephrectomy and OVX, respectively. Experimental titanium implants were inserted into the distal end of the femur. Bone-implant contact (BIC) ratio and bone volume (BV/TV) around the implants were histomorphometrically analyzed. The fixation strength of the implant was measured by a biomechanical push-in resistance test.

RESULTS

Serum measurement confirmed a significant increase in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in the CKD group, which was further increased by OVX. Estrogen deficiency led to significant decreases in the BIC ratio, BV/TV, and the push-in resistance in CKD animals. There was a significant interaction between the effects of OVX and CKD, with OVX exacerbating the effects of CKD on BIC ratio and push-in resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that estrogen deficiency exerts a synergistic effect with CKD and further impairs the fixation of titanium implants in CKD mice.

RANKL inhibits cell proliferation by regulating MALAT1 expression in a human osteoblastic cell line hFOB 1.19

Receptor activator of NF&mdash;&#954;B ligand (RANKL), a TNF&mdash;related protein, is a key factor regulating bone metabolism. It has been well known that RANKL&mdash;mediated signaling regulates the formation, activation and survival of osteoclast in normal bone modeling and remodeling, and also plays an important role in a variety of pathologic conditions. However, there is no direct evidence about the effect of RANKL on osteoblast. Herein, we investigated whether RANKL had effect on cell proliferation in a normal human fetal osteoblastic cell line hFOB 1.19. MTT assay showed that RANKL inhibited hFOB 1.19 cells growth in a dose&mdash;dependent and time&mdash;dependent manner. Importantly, we found that RANKL induced the expression of a lncRNA, MALAT1, for the first time. Knockdown of RANK by siRNA blocked the induction of MALAT1 by RANKL. By infection with MALAT1 siRNA, MALAT1 knockdown reversed RANKL&mdash;induced cells growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest. In addition, MALAT1 also regulated OPG expression in hFOB 1.19 cells. In conclusion, RANKL, binding to its receptor RANK, inhibited cell proliferation via MALAT1 upregulation in osteoblast cells in vitro.

Association between p53 codon 72 polymorphisms and clinical outcome of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

We conducted a cohort study to investigate whether polymorphisms in p53 at codon 72 are associated with tumor response and survival time of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with radiotherapy. The study population included 127 subjects with NPC who were enrolled at Binzhou Medical University between September 2008 and December 2009. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to assess the association between polymorphisms in the p53 gene and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of NPC patients. During the follow-up period, 42 patients died and 72 patients showed progression at the end of the study. Of the 127 patients, median PFS was 22.5 ± 1.2 months (1-36 months), and the median OS time was 28.2 ± 1.1 months (2-36 months). The p53 codon 72 Pro/Pro genotype was associated with a longer median PFS time of 30.3 months compared with 18.2 months for patients with Arg/Arg variants. Moreover, the p53 codon 72 Pro/ Pro genotype was associated with a longer median OS time of 31.6 months compared with 25.8 months for those with Arg/Arg variants; the P value was marginally significant. We showed that variants in p53 codon 72 may be an independent predictor for PFS and OS of NPC patients.

Identification of promoter polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 CYP6AY1 linked with insecticide resistance in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

Imidacloprid resistance in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, is primarily the result of the over-expression of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. Here, a field-collected strain of N. lugens was shown to be highly resistant to both imidacloprid and buprofezin. Insecticide exposure and quantitative real-time PCR revealed that its resistance was mainly associated with a cytochrome P450 gene, CYP6AY1. CYP6AY1 is known to metabolize imidacloprid but its effect on buprofezin is unclear. In the 5'-untranslated region of CYP6AY1, a novel alternative splicing was detected. After a 1990-bp promoter region was cloned, its basal luciferase activity was assessed. Furthermore, genotyping studies identified 12 variations in the promoter region that discriminated between the field-collected and control strain. Finally, survival bioassays revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism and an insertion-deletion polymorphism linked to buprofezin and imidacloprid resistance. Mutagenesis of these sites enhanced the promoter activity of CYP6AY1. These results suggest that promoter polymorphisms may affect P450-mediated multiple insecticide resistance of pests.