Comparative genomics and transcriptome analysis of Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 11443 and the mutant strain SCT-10-10-60 with enhanced L-lactic acid production capacity

Mechanisms for high L-lactic acid production remain unclear in many bacteria. Lactobacillus rhamnosus SCT-10-10-60 was previously obtained from L. rhamnosus ATCC 11443 via mutagenesis and showed improved L-lactic acid production. In this study, the genomes of strains SCT-10-10-60 and ATCC 11443 were sequenced. Both genomes are a circular chromosome, 2.99 Mb in length with a GC content of approximately 46.8%. Eight split genes were identified in strain SCT-10-10-60, including two LytR family transcriptional regulators, two Rex redox-sensing transcriptional repressors, and four ABC transporters. In total, 60 significantly up-regulated genes (log₂fold-change ≥ 2) and 39 significantly down-regulated genes (log₂fold-change ≤ - 2) were identified by a transcriptome comparison between strains SCT-10-10-60 and ATCC 11443. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that "pyruvate metabolism" was significantly different (P < 0.05) between the two strains. The split genes and the differentially expressed genes involved in the "pyruvate metabolism" pathway are probably responsible for the increased L-lactic acid production by SCT-10-10-60. The genome and transcriptome sequencing information and comparison of SCT-10-10-60 with ATCC 11443 provide insights into the anabolism of L-lactic acid and a reference for improving L-lactic acid production using genetic engineering.

Genetic study of early-onset Graves' disease in the Chinese Han population

Graves' disease (GD) is a complex autoimmune disorder in which genetic and environmental factors are both involved in the pathogenesis. Early-onset patients have a shorter exposure time to environmental factors and are, therefore, good models to help understand the genetic architecture of GD. Based on previous studies of early-onset GD, 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their related SNPs (R²  > .6), SNPs located within a ±1-Mb region of the FOXP3 gene, and 20 validated GD-risk SNPs were selected and screened for genotyping in 3735 GD and 4893 control patients to investigate whether early-onset GD is a subtype of GD with distinct susceptibility genes. Ultimately, we did not confirm the reported genetic markers of early-onset GD in our Chinese Han population but found that a GD-risk SNP located in the human leukocyte antigen class I region-rs4947296-was more strongly correlated with early-onset GD than non-early-onset GD. In addition, heterogeneity analysis of GD patients suggests that it may be more reasonable to define early-onset GD as an onset age ≤20 years.

Effects of the earthworm Metaphire guillelmi on the mineralization, metabolism, and bound-residue formation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in soil

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is one of the most widely used brominated flame retardants worldwide. The degradation and fate of this organic pollutant of soils is of great concern and can be strongly affected by geophagous earthworms through ingestion and burrowing activities. Using ¹⁴C-tracers, we studied the effects of the geophagous earthworm Metaphire guillelmi on the mineralization, metabolism, and bound-residue formation of TBBPA in a typical Chinese rice paddy soil during 30days of incubation in the laboratory. Earthworms significantly decreased both mineralization (from 3.9±0.3% of the initial amount to 2.6±0.2%) and dissipation (from 90.6±0.6% to 84.1±1.2%) of TBBPA in the soil, and stimulated the generation of O-methylation metabolites (TBBPA methyl ethers; from 1.4±0.4% to 15.4±0.6%). This resulted in a strong decrease in bound-residue formation of TBBPA and its metabolites in the soil (from 80.3±0.4% to 41.8±3.1%). Results from a first-order, two-compartment model that describes the fate of TBBPA in soil indicated that the TBBPA-derived bound residues were mainly attributed to the binding of metabolites to the soil matrix and not to the binding of TBBPA, and that earthworms reduced the kinetic rates of both polar metabolite generation and their bound-residue formation. Our results suggested that the geophagous earthworm Metaphire guillelmi strongly influenced the fate of TBBPA by altering the composition of metabolites and therefore bound-residue formation. The increased persistence of TBBPA and the formation of persistent O-methylation metabolites by M. guillelmi would increase the environmental risk of TBBPA.

Metabolism of T-2 Toxin in Farm Animals and Human In Vitro and in Chickens In Vivo Using Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography- Quadrupole/Time-of-Flight Hybrid Mass Spectrometry Along with Online Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Technique

After being incubated with animal and human liver microsomes, metabolites of phase I and II were investigated. A comparison was performed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight coupled to mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/TOF). Consequently, a total of four phase I metabolites and three glucuronide binding metabolites of T-2 toxin were discovered. Although a significant metabolic difference was observed among six species, HT-2 toxin was the major product in all species. In addition, the in vivo metabolism of T-2 toxin after oral administration was also investigated in chickens, In total, 18 metabolites were detected, of which 13 were novel, to our knowledge, and reported for the first time. To elucidate the structures of these metabolites, besides accurate mass data from their MS and MS² spectra, online hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange technique was also carried out. These new metabolites were regarded as 3'-hydroxy-T-2 3-sulfate, 3'-hydroxy-HT-2 3-sulfate, 4'-hydroxy-HT-2, 3',4'-dihydroxy-HT-2, 4'-carboxyl-T-2, 4'-carboxyl-HT-2, 4'-carboxyl-4'-hydroxy-T-2, and their isomers, implying that T-2 toxin was metabolized more extensively in animals than previously thought. Furthermore, 3'-hydroxy-HT-2, 4'-carboxyl-T-2, 3'-hydroxy-T-2, HT-2 toxin, and neosolaniol were identified to be the major metabolites of T-2 toxin in chickens. The present study expands existing knowledge about T-2 toxin metabolism, informing assessments of the impact T-2 toxin exposure and metabolism on health.

Hands-free smartphone-based diagnostics for simultaneous detection of Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue at point-of-care

Infectious diseases remain the world's top contributors to death and disability, and, with recent outbreaks of Zika virus infections there has been an urgency for simple, sensitive and easily translatable point-of-care tests. Here we demonstrate a novel point-of-care platform to diagnose infectious diseases from whole blood samples. A microfluidic platform performs minimal sample processing in a user-friendly diagnostics card followed by real-time reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) on the same card with pre-dried primers specific to viral targets. Our point-of-care platform uses a commercial smartphone to acquire real-time images of the amplification reaction and displays a visual read-out of the assay. We apply this system to detect closely related Zika, Dengue (types 1 and 3) and Chikungunya virus infections from whole blood on the same pre-printed chip with high specificity and clinically relevant sensitivity. Limit of detection of 1.56e5 PFU/mL of Zika virus from whole blood was achieved through our platform. With the ability to quantitate the target nucleic acid, this platform can also perform point-of-care patient surveillance for pathogen load or select biomarkers in whole blood.

Role of post-chemotherapy radiation in the management of children and adolescents with primary advanced malignant mediastinal germ cell tumors

OBJECTIVE

Primary malignant mediastinal germ cell tumors (MMGCTs) are rare in children and adolescents and have a poorer prognosis than their gonadal counterparts. We report a single institutional experience of a 10-year period of primary advanced MMGCTs treated with chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy in those who had residual mass.

METHODS

Children and adolescents with primary advanced MMGCTs between 2005 and 2014 were identified from the Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University. Medical records were reviewed for clinicopathological characteristics, treatments, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty-four children and adolescents with either stage III or IV primary advanced MMGCTs met the inclusion criteria. There were 23 males and one female with a median age of 16 (range 10-18). Seven cases were seminomas (29.2%); four (16.7%) yolk sac tumors (YST); three (12.5%) choriocarcinomas; and ten (41.6%) nonteratomatous combined germ cell tumors (CGCTs). All patients were treated with first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens (PEB: 19, VIP: 5). Thirteen (54.2%) and Twelve (50%) patients received surgery and radiotherapy, respectively. With a median follow-up of 46.2 months (range 9.6-124.8 months), a total of five (20%) patients died of disease progression; the five-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 82.3% and 64.9%, respectively.-Seven patients with seminoma GCTs received post-chemotherapy irradiation were alive with sustained CR (5-year OS and DFS, 100%, respectively). Five patients with NSGCTs were administered irradiation and one relapsed 35 months later and died of metastasis (5-year OS, 100%; 5-year DFS 66.7%). Univariate analysis identified histology and stage were prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

Multimodality treatment approach of chemotherapy followed by radiation consolidation ensured long-term survival in primary advanced MMGCTs. Further research is warranted to improve the prognosis of children with primary advanced MMGCTs.

Unusual Coronary Sinus Tumor in a Pregnant Woman

Primary coronary sinus tumors are extremely rare. Herein, we present a case of a pregnant woman with a primary myxoma in the coronary sinus (CS), which was diagnosed by echocardiography and computed tomography. We reviewed the literature and found two other primary CS tumors. We summarized the gender, ages, symptoms, diagnostic methods, associated anomalies, treatments, histologic findings, and outcomes of the 3 cases. Dyspnea was a common symptom of all 3 patients. Diagnostic methods included echocardiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and coronary angiography. Associated anomalies included coronary artery fistulas, coronary sinus orifice atresia with persistent left superior vena cava, intra-cardiac invasion, and pericardial effusion. The 3 histologic types of primary CS tumor were haemangioma, lymphoma, and myxoma. The 3 patients received proper treatment and had good therapeutic outcomes.

Direct loop gain and bandwidth measurement of phase-locked loop

A simple and robust technique for directly measuring the loop gain and bandwidth of a phase-locked loop (PLL) is proposed. This technique can be used for the real-time measurement of the real loop gain in a closed PLL without breaking its locking state. The agreement of the measured loop gain and theoretical calculations proves the validity of the proposed measurement technique. This technique with a simple configuration can be easily expanded to other phase-locking systems whose loop gain and bandwidth should be measured precisely.

Tobacco TTG2 and ARF8 function concomitantly to control flower colouring by regulating anthocyanin synthesis genes

Recently we elucidated that tobacco TTG2 cooperates with ARF8 to regulate the vegetative growth and seed production. Here we show that TTG2 and ARF8 control flower colouring by regulating expression of ANS and DFR genes, which function in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Genetic modifications that substantially altered expression levels of the TTG2 gene and production quantities of TTG2 protein were correlated with flower development and colouring. Degrees of flower colour were increased by TTG2 overexpression but decreased through TTG2 silencing, in coincidence with high and low concentrations of anthocyanins in flowers. Of five genes involved in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, only ANS and DFR were TTG2-regulated and displayed enhancement and diminution of expression with TTG2 overexpression and silencing, respectively. The floral expression of ANS and DFR also needed a functional ARF8 gene, as ANS and DFR expression were attenuated by ARF8 silencing, which concomitantly diminished the role of TTG2 in anthocyanin production. While ARF8 required TTG2 to be expressed by itself and to regulate ANS and DFR expression, the concurrent presence of normally functional TTG2 and ARF8 was critical for floral production of anthocyanins and also for flower colouration. Our data suggest that TTG2 functions concomitantly with ARF8 to control degrees of flower colour by regulating expression of ANS and DFR, which are involved in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. ARF8 depends on TTG2 to regulate floral expression of ANS and DFR with positive effects on anthocyanin production and flower colour.

An Open-label, Single-dose, Pharmacokinetic Study of Factor VIII Activity After Administration of Moroctocog Alfa (AF-CC) in Male Chinese Patients With Hemophilia A

PURPOSE

Hemophilia A represents up to 80% of all hemophilia cases in China. In patients with this condition, bleeding can be prevented and controlled by administering clotting factor VIII (FVIII). Since their initial availability, recombinant FVIII products have undergone several iterations to enhance their safety. Moroctocog alfa albumin-free cell culture (AF-CC) is among the third generation of recombinant FVIII products and received regulatory approval in China in August 2012. The present study characterizes the single-dose pharmacokinetic parameters of FVIII activity (FVIII:C) after administration of moroctocog alfa (AF-CC) in male Chinese patients with hemophilia A.

METHODS

This multicenter, open-label, single-dose study enrolled 13 male Chinese patients diagnosed with severe hemophilia A (FVIII:C <1%) and a history of at least 150 exposure-days to any FVIII-containing product. Eligible patients received a single dose of moroctocog alfa (AF-CC) 50 IU/kg IV within 10 minutes. Blood samples were collected within 2 hours before administration and through 72 hours after dosing.

FINDINGS

Pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed based on FVIII:C and were analyzed by age groups: ages 6 to <12 years (n = 3) and ≥12 years (n = 10). The mean plasma concentration-time profile for FVIII:C activity was consistently lower in patients aged 6 to <12 years compared with those aged ≥12 years. Geometric AUC_0-∞ and C_max were approximately 57% and 28% lower in the younger patients relative to the older patients, respectively. A total of 4 adverse events occurred in 4 patients. Low-titer, transient FVIII inhibitors were observed in 2 patients and were considered serious adverse events. Neither case resulted in clinical manifestations nor required treatment.

IMPLICATIONS

This is the first report of the pharmacokinetic parameters of FVIII:C after moroctocog alfa (AF-CC) in an all-Chinese population of males with hemophilia A. The pharmacokinetic profile in older patients was similar to that previously reported with recombinant FVIII products in studies with a predominantly white population; younger patients had reduced exposure to FVIII:C. The single doses of moroctocog alfa (AF-CC) were well tolerated; 2 cases of transient, low-titer FVIII inhibitor development were observed. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02461992.

Feedback between E2F1 and CIP2A regulated by human papillomavirus E7 in cervical cancer: implications for prognosis

Previously, we found that cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) plays a key role in the malignant transformation of cervical cancer. Here, we further explore whether and how CIP2A is regulated by human papillomavirus E7 (HPV E7) and the prognostic value of CIP2A in cervical cancer. We demonstrated a positive feedback loop between the E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) and CIP2A at the transcription level in HeLa and SiHa cells by real-time PCR and western blot analysis. The feedback, regulated by HPV E7, was further confirmed by their sub-cellular co-expression seen on immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, CIP2A and E2F1 expression was greatly elevated in human cervical cancer tissue. CIP2A expression was tightly associated with tumor size, depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis in 184 cases of cervical cancer. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses revealed poor overall and disease-free survival of patients with CIP2A-E2F1 co-expression, and high CIP2A-E2F1 co-expression was an independent risk factor for overall survival of patients. Therefore, CIP2A-E2F1 expression might be a valuable indicator to predict outcome and guide personal treatment in cervical cancer.

[Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and environment interaction on essential hypertension in the Han nationality]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme( ACE) gene I/D and A2350 G polymorphisms with environmental factors interaction on essential hypertension in the Han nationality.

METHODS

A population-based case-control study was conducted, and 1010 patients with hypertension and 1030 normal controls were recruited from Lanxi Country rural, Heilongjiang Province. ACE gene two polymorphism sites were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism( PCR-RFLP). Using multivariate Logistic regression to analysis the interaction between gene polymorphisms and environmental factors.

RESULTS

The distributions of ACE two polymorphism sites genotypes in control group were in accordance with the HardyWeinberg equilibrium( HWE). Multivariate Logistic analysis showed that age, gender, family history of hypertension, BMI, TG and high-density lipoprotein enter the model and were the risk factors for essential hypertension( P < 0. 05), especially, family history of hypertension( χ~2= 53. 488, OR = 2. 140, 95% CI 1. 746-2. 625). The interaction analysis between two sites genotype and environmental factors, noted that there were statistically significant combination effect between genotypes of the two sites and the factors of age, gender, BMI, TG and high-density lipoprotein. There was multiplication interaction only between I/D and age( P = 0. 0356, OR = 1. 021, 95% CI 1. 001-1. 021).

CONCLUSION

There are combination effect between ACE gene I/D and A2350 G polymorphisms with multiple environmental factors, which are likely to increase the risk of suffering from essential hypertension.

Ten Year Experience of Radioiodine Dosimetry: is it Useful in the Management of Metastatic Differentiated Thyroid Cancer?

AIMS

When a fixed activity of radioiodine is given for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), absorbed doses of radioiodine can vary widely and are not usually measured. Leeds Cancer Centre has routinely used a form of lesion-specific dosimetry for radioiodine patients. This study investigated if the results of dosimetry influenced treatment decisions for patients with advanced DTC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Since 2005, patients with regionally advanced/metastatic DTC, who underwent radioiodine treatment together with dosimetry, were included in this study. Patients were excluded if their radioiodine post-treatment scan showed no abnormal uptake. Dosimetry was calculated using images taken 2, 3 and 7 days post-radioiodine. Regions of interest were drawn around lesions that required dosimetry and a time-dose activity curve was created. The total cumulative activity was equal to the area under the curve. Each patient's results were prospectively assessed by their oncologist regarding the usefulness of dosimetry in making management decisions.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were studied and underwent 102 admissions of radioiodine between them. Dosimetry was carried out during 83 of 102 admissions. An absorbed dose of >20 Gy was taken as significant from dosimetry calculations, following which further radioiodine was considered. In 80% of patients, dosimetry was found to be useful when making treatment decisions. Only on 1/19 admissions did dosimetry calculate a minimum dose above 20 Gy in patients who had a total of four or more admissions for radioiodine. Ten per cent (3/30) had a complete response to radioiodine, both biochemically and radiologically, with a median follow-up of 6.7 months. Thirty-three per cent had a partial response/stable disease to radioiodine. The remainder had progressive disease. The decision to discontinue radioiodine therapy was often based on dosimetry and thyroglobulin results. Dosimetry was very useful for patients with thyroglobulin antibodies.

CONCLUSION

Only 10% had a complete response. Therefore, a significant number of patients became refractory to radioiodine during a course of repeat admissions for treatment. Dosimetry (often together with thyroglobulin and anatomical scans) helped to identify these patients to avoid further futile radioiodine therapy.

CKS1BP7, a Pseudogene of CKS1B, is Co-Amplified with IGF1R in Breast Cancers

Pseudogenes have been reported to exhibit functional roles. Amplification or overexpression of CDC28 protein kinase regulatory subunit 1B (CKS1B) was found in various human cancers. But it was known little about CKS1B pseudogene 7 (CKS1BP7), a pseudogene sharing considerable sequence identity with CKS1B. The aim of this study was to evaluate copy number alterations (CNAs) of CKS1BP7 and address its potential roles in breast cancer. We detected copy numbers of CKS1BP7 and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) using quantitative multi-gene fluorescence in situ hybridization (QM-FISH) technique, compared their status in both invasive carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) components within the same tumors, and investigated the associations of CNAs with tumor features and patients outcomes. Amplification of CKS1BP7 (dot-like pattern) was found in 28.8% of all cases, while amplified IGF1R (cluster pattern) was identified in 24.2% of all patients. The two events often co-existed (p = 0.01). Within the same tumors, identical CNAs of CKS1BP7 and IGF1R were found in DCIS and invasive carcinoma. Moreover, amplification of both genes was more frequent in aneuploidy tumors and the tumors with high ki67, but wasn't associated with patients' outcome. In summary, CKS1BP7 amplification is a frequent event in breast cancer and often co-occurs with amplified IGF1R, which provides evidence supporting the interactions between CKS1BP7 and IGF1R during mammary carcinogenesis. Our findings suggest that CKS1BP7 as well as IGF1R may serve as potential biomarkers for early detection and predict prognosis in breast cancer.