Pathway analysis detect potential mechanism for familial combined hyperlipidemia

BACKGROUND

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is the most commonly inherited hyperlipidemia in men. It constitutes a substantial risk factor for atherosclerosis patients.

AIM

To delineating the potential mechanism of FCHL by bioinformatics tools.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify the potential functional proteins and their interactive relationships in familial combined hyperlipidemia.

RESULTS

Our results showed that androgen receptor (AR) might play an important role in familial combined hyperlipidemia by interaction with TGIF1, NR3C1, KLK2, etc. Some pathways were also identified, such as Hedgehog signaling pathway, Phosphatidylinositol signaling system, and Long-term depression, which were all demonstrated participating in lipid metabolism in previous experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

Although lack of direct evidence, by PPI network construction it proved AR is a key factor in FCHL, and also demonstrated that PPI network construction is an alternative avenue for FCHL analysis.

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for the prediction of the depletion of methyl-3-quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid, the marker residue of olaquindox, in the edible tissues of pigs

To estimate the consumer exposure to olaquindox (OLA) residues in porcine edible tissues, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for methyl-3-quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid (MQCA), the marker residue of OLA, was developed in pigs based on the assumptions of the flow-limited distribution, hepatic metabolism, and renal excretion. The model included separate compartments corresponding to blood, muscle, liver, kidney, adipose, and an extra compartment representing the remaining carcass. Physiological parameters were determined from literatures. Plasma protein binding, partition coefficients, and renal clearance for MQCA were determined in in vitro and in vivo studies. The metabolic conversion of OLA to MQCA was assumed as a simple, one-step process, and an apparent first-order rate constant (k) was employed to describe this metabolic process. The PBPK model was optimized and validated with plasma and tissue data from literatures and our study. Sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation were also implemented to estimate the influence of model parameters on the goodness of fit. When compared with the observed data, the PBPK model underestimated the MQCA level in all compartments at the early time points, whereas gave excellent predictions of MQCA concentration in porcine edible tissues at later time points. The correlation coefficients between the predicted and observed values were over 0.88. The consistency between the model predictions and the real residues of OLA in pigs proved the good applicability of our model in food safety risk assessment.

[Salicylic acid derivatives as simplified and novel GK small molecule activators]

Glucokinase (GK) is a new target for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In order to find a structure-simplified small molecule GK activator, 19 salicylic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized based on new lead compound (1). Experimental results showed that the potency of compound 8h is superior to control RO-28-0450 in GK activation.

First Report of Branch Canker Caused by Cytospora atrocirrhata on Populus sp. and Salix sp. in China

Cytospora Ehrenb. species and their related teleomorphs are common inhabitants on over 85 species of plants throughout the world, and some of these pathogens have been associated with stem canker and dieback diseases. In July to August of 2011, samples of Cytospora canker were collected from Populus and Salix trees in Aershan City of Xingan League (46.51° N, 120.21° E) and Genhe (50.54° N, 120.30° E) (Inner Mongolia, China), the northeast part of the Chinese mainland, where the forests were frequently stressed by drought and cold springs and seriously suffered from Cytospora canker outbreaks, causing over 150,000 infected trees to die in 1999 (4). Symptoms observed included discoloration of the inner bark, cambium, and sapwood and sunken lesions at the site of active canker growth. The discrete erumpent ostiolar beaks of condimata were visible on the bark. The red spiral tendrils exuded from fruiting bodies when the relative humidity rose above 80%. All isolates were deposited into the China Forestry Culture Collection Center, strain numbers CXY1401, CXY1402, and CXY1403. The colony of single spore isolates on PDA medium was white and conidiomata were produced on autoclaved leaves and segments of Populus tomentosa Carr. and Salix babylonica Linn. The cultural characteristics of the isolates were conidiomatal stromata immersed in bark, discrete, erumpent, leucotorsellioid, and 0.5 to 1.1 × 0.4 to 0.9 mm. Discs were light grey, nearly flat, circular to ovoid, and 0.4 to 0.5 mm diameter, with one central dark grey ostiole. Locules were multi-chambered, subdivided by invaginations into chambers with seperate walls. Conidia were hyaline, eguttulate, elongate-allantoid, aseptate, and 5.5 to 7.0 × 0.8 to 1.2 μm. The ribosomal ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region was amplified with primers ITS1 and ITS4 from gDNA. BLAST alignments of the consensus sequences of the ITS1 and ITS2 amplicons (JX534242, JX534243, JX534244) revealed 99% identical to the analogous 'Cytospora atrocirrhata Gvrit.' sequences reported from Populus spp. and Salix spp. in Iran (EF447305 and EF447306) (2). Pathogenicity tests were carried out using mycelium discs of isolates placed on disinfected 2-year-old P. tomentosa twigs, while the control were inoculated with sterile potato dextrose agar (PDA) discs. Cuttings were incubated at 25°C for 30 days. For 16 of the 20 cuttings, symptoms of brown spot and inner bark discoloration were similar to those observed in the field. Controls did not develop any symptoms, and Koch's postulates were fulfilled with the reisolation of the pathogen from symptomatic tissues. C. atrocirrhata was first reported in the former Soviet Union in 1973 (3) and more recently in Iran (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of branch canker caused by C. atrocirrhata on Populus sp., and Salix sp. in China. The result provides new information on the geographic distribution of C. atrocirrhata. The appearance of C. atrocirrhata in China seriously threatens the Populus and Salix species, which are widely cultivated for wood production in flat areas. Control measures are needed to prevent further spread of the fungus to new areas. References: (1) K. B. Fotouhifar et al. Rostaniha. 8:129, 2007. (2) K. B. Fotouhifar et al. Mycol. 102:1369, 2010. (3) M. N. Gvritishvili. Miko. Fitopatol. 7:544, 1973. (4) C. L. Wu. China Forest Pest and Disease (in Chinese). 2:36, 1999.

Differential gene expression profile in cervical cancer and parenchyma infected with human papillomavirus 16 screened by cDNA microarray

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

The object of this study was to observe differential gene expression profiles related to human papillomavirus (HPV) associated with postoperative cervical cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three women with cervical cancer and infected with HPV 16 were selected by a genotyping method. Samples of tissue were collected from the tumor center (T), from the adjacent tumor (N), and from tissues distal to the tumors (F). Human gene expression in cervical cancers and parenchyma and normal cervical tissues was analysed using a gene expression system.

RESULTS

Comparison of T vs F samples revealed 673 differentially-expressed genes and comparison of N vs F samples produced 56 differentially-expressed genes. These genes were related to signal transduction, metabolism, immunity response, protein biosynthesis, and expressed sequences tags (ESTs).

CONCLUSION

Therefore the authors conclude that differences in gene expression could be seen among cervical cancers and the parenchyma and the normal cervical tissues.

The effect of photosensitizer on diclofenac photodegradation under simulated sunlight

This paper studies the effect of photosensitizer (acetone, H(2)O(2), surfactant and pigment) on photodegradation of diclofenac (DCF) under simulated sunlight. The results demonstrate that degradation pathways proceed via pseudo first-order kinetics in all cases. The photodegradation rate was found to increase with increasing acetone and H(2)O(2). Surfactant and pigment inhibited the photodegradation of DCF. Finally, four kinds of main degradation products were observed by high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and their chemical structures were suggested.

Phosphorus removal in a membrane-assisted BNR process with focus on evolutions of PAOs and DPAOs

A bench-scale UCT (University of Cape Town)-type membrane bioreactor (UCT-MBR) fed with low-strength synthetic wastewater was operated to investigate phosphorus removal with reference to poly-phosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) and denitrifying poly-phosphate accumulating organisms (DPAOs). A series of kinetic assays of PAOs and DPAOs were also conducted to analyze the metabolic activities of PAOs and DPAOs. Results showed that 93% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 77% of total nitrogen could be removed at 0.08 kgCOD kg(-1) MLSS d(-1) and 0.015 kgN kg(-1) MLSS d(-1) loading (MLSS: mixed liquor suspended solids). Removal efficiencies of total phosphorus increased during the experimental phase, with an ultimate removal efficiency of 96.1%. Kano and Kaer increased from 1.95 and 6.29 mgPO4(3-)-P g(-1) MLSS h(-1) to 5.47 and 11.13 mgPO4(3-)-P g(-1) MLSS h(-1) for DPAOs and PAOs respectively, with the increased ratio of DPAOs to PAOs from 31 to 49% implying DPAO metabolic activity increased faster than that of PAOs during the DPAO accumulation phase. Pano-uptake increased by 6.6 mg L(-1) and the ratio of PTano-uptake to PTupt increased from 58.97 to 91.62%. The ratio of DPAOs to PAOs tended to stabilize at around 50% over time.

Diversity of lanthanide(III)-2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate extended frameworks: syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties

Six lanthanide(III)-2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate frameworks, namely, [Ln(H(2)-DHBDC)(1.5)(H(2)O)(2)](n) (Ln = La (1) and Pr (2); H(4)-DHBDC = 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid), {[Nd(H(2)-DHBDC)(1.5)(H(2)O)(3)](H(2)O)}(n) (3), {[Eu(H(2)-DHBDC)(NO(3))(H(2)O)(4)](H(2)O)(2)}(n) (4), and {[Ln(2)(H(2)-DHBDC)(2)(DHBDC)(0.5)(H(2)O)(3)](H(2)O)(4)}(n) (Ln = Gd (5) and Dy (6)), with four different structural types ranging from 1D chain, 2D layer to 3D networks have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compounds La (1) and Pr (2) are isomorphous and exhibit 3D frameworks with the unique 1D tubular channels. Compounds Nd (3) and Eu (4) are 2D layer and 1D zigzag chain, respectively, which are further extended to 3D supramolecular frameworks through extensive hydrogen bonds. Isomorphous compounds of Gd (5) and Dy (6) are 3D frameworks constructed from secondary infinite rod-shaped metal-carboxylate/hydroxyl building blocks. While the hydroxyl groups as secondary functional groups in the 1D chain of Eu (4) and 2D layer of Nd (3) are not bonded to the lanthanide centers, the hydroxyl groups in the 3D frameworks of La (1), Pr (2), Gd (5), and Dy (6) participate in coordinating to lanthanide centers and thus modify the structural types of theses compounds. The magnetic data of compounds Pr (2), Nd (3), Gd (5), and Dy (6) have been investigated in detail. In addition, elemental analysis, IR spectra, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns and thermogravimetric analysis of these compounds are described.

A one-dimensional heterometallic coordination polymer with a three-dimensional supramolecular framework: poly[μ2-aqua-diaqua(2,2'-bipyridyl)(μ5-2-sulfonatobutanedioato)copper(II)sodium(I)]

The title compound, [CuNa(C(4)H(3)O(7)S)(C(10)H(8)N(2))(H(2)O)(3)](n), consists of one Cu(II) cation, one Na(I) cation, one 2-sulfonatobutanedioate trianion (SSC(3-)), one 2,2'-bipyridyl (bpy) ligand and three coordinated water molecules as the building unit. The coordination of the Cu(II) cation is composed of two pyridyl N atoms, one water O atom and two carboxylate O atoms in a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry with an axial elongation. The Na(I) cation is six-coordinated by three water molecules and three carboxylate O atoms from three SSC(3-) ligands in a distorted octahedral geometry. Two SSC(3-) ligands link two Cu(II) cations to form a Cu(2)(SSC)(2)(bpy)(2) macrocyclic unit lying across an inversion centre, which is further linked by Na(I) cations via Na-O bonds to give a one-dimensional chain. Interchain hydrogen bonds link these chains to form a two-dimensional layer, which is further extended into a three-dimensional supramolecular framework through π-π stacking interactions. The thermal stability of the title compound has also been investigated.

Peritumoral small ephrinA5 isoform level predicts the postoperative survival in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

EphrinA5, a member of Eph/Ephrin family, possesses two alternative isoforms, large ephrinA5 isoform (ephrinA5L) and small ephrinA5 isoform (ephrinA5S). EphrinA5L is a putative tumor suppressor in several types of human cancers. However, the role of ephrinA5S in hepato-carcinogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we evaluate the role of ephrinA5 isoforms in human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC).

Methodology/Principal Findings

A total of 142 paired HCCs and peritumoral liver tissue was examined for relative expression of ephrinA5L and ephrinA5S by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. We analyzed their expression in relation to clinical parameters, disease-free survival and overall survival. Functional assays were performed to dissect the possible underlying mechanisms. Both ephrinA5L and ephrinA5S were significantly downregulated in HCCs, as compared to those in peritumoral tissue (p = 0.013 and 0.001). Univariate analysis demonstrated that ephrinA5S was positively correlated with old age and histological grade. In multivariate analysis, high ephrinA5S expression in peritumoral tissue had better disease-free survival (p = 0.002) and overall survival (p = 0.045) in patients with HCC after surgical resection. Functional analysis in HCC cell lines revealed that ephrinA5S had a more potent suppressive effect than ephrinA5L on cell proliferation (p<0.05) and migration (p<0.01). Furthermore, forced expression of both ephrinA5 isoforms in HCC cell lines significantly down-regulated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression by promoting c-Cbl-mediated EGFR degradation.

Conclusions/Significance

EphrinA5S might be a useful prognostic biomarker for HCCs after surgical resection. EphrinA5, especially ephrinA5S, acts as a tumor suppressor in hepatocarcinogenesis. Peritumoral small ephrinA5 isoform level could determine the postoperative survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Differentiation of bacteria cell wall using Raman scattering enhanced by nanoparticle array

We have fabricated surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates based on arrays of silver nanoparticles grown on porous anodic alumina templates. Using this nanotechnology platform, label-free and high-speed detection of bacteria are achieved. SERS spectra of various bacteria including Staphylococcus Aureus (Gram-positive bacterium), Klebsiella Pneumoniae (Gram-negative bacterium), and Mycobacterium Smegmatis (Mycobacterium) were recorded. The highly reproducible SERS-based technological platform is capable of differentiating different kinds of bacteria by PCA, LDA, clustering analysis, and SVM methods, which provides promising opportunity for biosensing of clinical microbes.

Analysis of genetic distance by SSR in waxy maize

We examined the genetic diversity of 80 inbred waxy maize lines using 22 SSR molecular markers that could be used to achieve heterosis in waxy maize. Eighty inbred waxy maize lines with different phenotypes, 40 yellow, 25 white, 13 black, and two red lines were analyzed by SSR molecular marker fingerprint and cluster analysis. Using a standard genetic distance of 0.55, the 80 waxy maize inbred lines were clustered into nine groups. Among them, group II, group V, groups VII and VIII, and group IX were divided into three subgroups at a genetic distance of 0.46, into two subgroups at 0.49, into two subgroups at 0.46, and into four subgroups at 0.493, respectively. All but one of the yellow waxy maize inbred lines were clustered in groups VI, VII, VIII, and IX. Group IX (30 lines) contained 28 yellow lines; the other 11 yellow lines were distributed among groups VI, VII and VIII. Among the 25 white lines, 21 were clustered in groups III, V, VI and the third subgroup of group II. The black line N72 was in a group of its own. The black lines N75, N76 and N78 were distributed in groups VII, VIII and IX, respectively. The other nine black lines were clustered in group II. The red lines were distributed in the second subgroup of group II and there was no difference in genetic distance between them. In conclusion, there were considerable genetic differences among waxy maize inbred lines of different colors. The mean genetic distance of inbred lines of the same color was significantly less than that of lines of different colors. Therefore, we concluded that it was more accurate to determine the difference between the populations using the highly stable DNA genetic markers.

One Alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol Improves Growth Performance, Tibia Quality, and Meat Color of Broilers Fed Calcium- and Phosphorus-Deficient Diets

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of one alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol (1α-OH D₃) on growth performance, tibia quality, and skin and meat color in broilers fed calcium (Ca)- and phosphorus (P)-deficient corn-soybean meal diets. A total of 288 male Ross broilers, at 21 days of age, were randomly assigned to three treatments with eight cages per treatment. Three levels of 1α-OH D₃ (0, 5, and 10 μg/kg) were added to a basal diet (0.50% Ca, 0.13% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP), and 0.35% total phosphorus (tP)) without vitamin D₃. As a result of this study, the addition of 1α-OH D₃ increased body weight gain (p<0.001), feed intake (p = 0.007), feed efficiency (p<0.001), tibia weight (p = 0.002), length (p<0.001), breaking-strength (p = 0.012), ash (p<0.001), Ca (p<0.001), and P content (p = 0.004). Dietary 1α-OH D₃ enhanced breast meat yellowness (p = 0.015) and the length and weight of the small intestine of the broilers. Moreover, 1α-OH D₃ decreased serum Ca concentration (p = 0.074) and breast meat redness (p = 0.010). These results indicate that the 1α-OH D₃ improves growth, tibia quality, and meat color in broilers fed Ca- and P-deficient corn-soybean meal diets.

Silver(I) and Lead(II) Halide Compounds with 4-Methyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol

Four novel silver(i) and lead(ii) halide compounds with the 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (Hmptrz) ligand, namely [Ag2(mptrz)(μ3-X)]n (X = I (1) and Br (2)) and [Pb4(μ4-O)(mptrz)4(μ2-X)2] (X = I (3) and Cl (4)), have been synthesized and characterized. The structures exhibit different dimensionality depending on the nature of the metal ions. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphous and have 2D layered structures based on inorganic [Ag2X2]n infinite chains (X = I and Br), in which the mptrz– ligand displays a novel pentadentate bridging coordination mode. Compounds 3 and 4 have similar structures and are composed of a discrete tetranuclear lead(ii) cluster featuring an oxygen-centred Pb4(µ4-O) tetrahedron. Compounds 1 and 2 display solid-state photoluminescent emission with the maximum at 589 and 420 nm respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 show solid-state photoluminescent emission with the maximum at 710 and 540 nm respectively. Additionally, compounds 1–4 were characterized by IR, elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis.