[Humoral immune response in mice to hybrid nucleic acid vaccines containing Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 block 17-based gene]

AIM

To analyse the humoral immune response in mice to nucleic acid vaccines (VR1012/HG-MSP1-17 for intracellular expression or VR1012/TPA/HG-MSP-17 for secretion) containing Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) 17 block gene and gene fragment of several T cell epitopes from MSA1, MSA2, RESA, IL-1 and TT.

METHODS

BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice received three times intramuscular immunization with 200 micrograms/100 microliters or 100 micrograms/100 microliters of VR1012/HG-MSP1-17 or VR1012/TPA/HG-MSP1-17 per mouse each time. Anti-HG or anti-MSP1-17 antibodies were monitored by indirect ELISA.

RESULTS

BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice immunized with 100 micrograms/100 microliters of VR1012/HG-MSP1-17 per mouse raised significantly anti-HG and anti-MSP1-17 antibodies, but the levels of antibodies were not high. BALB/c mice immunized with 200 micrograms/100 microliters of VR1012/HG-MSP1-17 per mouse raised higher anti-HG antibodies but not anti-MSP1-17 antibodies. BALB/c mice immunized with 200 micrograms/100 microliters of VR1012/TPA/HG-MSP1-17 per mouse raised low level of anti-HG antibodies only.

CONCLUSION

VR1012/HG-MSP1-17 is more immunogenic than VR1012/TPA/HG-MSP1-17.

Desmoplastic fibroma of the mandible

Desmoplastic fibroma (DF) of the bone, also know as desmoid tumour, is a rare non-metastasizing but locally aggressive tumour. In this case report, we present imaging findings of a histopathologically proven desmoplastic fibroma involving the left mandibular region in a 15-year-old Chinese patient. We have also discussed the usefulness of different imaging modalities (plain film radiography, CT and MRI) in DF diagnosis and treatment.

Degradation rate constants of steroids in sewage treatment works and receiving water

Steroid estrogens are one of the most important groups of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which can cause adverse effects on wildlife species and humans. Natural estrogens, including estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2), and synthetic estrogen 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) together contribute to most of the estrogenic activity in sewage effluents and receiving water. Degradation, particularly aerobic biodegradation was found to be the dominant removal mechanism in these environments. There are a number of factors such as temperature, pH, SRT, HRT and biomass concentration that can affect the rate of biodegradation. This paper reports the results of investigations in to the relationship between the equivalent biomass concentration and degradation rate constants for compounds E1, E2 and EE2 in various environments. It was found that a higher biomass concentration leads to higher rate constants, and relatively good linear correlations (R2 =0.73, 0.79 and 0.73) between the logarithm of the rate constants and the corresponding logarithm equivalent biomass concentration (EBC) values were obtained.

Lipid-modifying efficacy and tolerability of extended-release niacin/laropiprant in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia

BACKGROUND

Improving lipids beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering with statin monotherapy may further reduce cardiovascular risk. Niacin has complementary lipid-modifying efficacy to statins and cardiovascular benefit, but is underutilised because of flushing, mediated primarily by prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)). Laropiprant (LRPT), a PGD(2) receptor (DP1) antagonist that reduces niacin-induced flushing has been combined with extended-release niacin (ERN) into a fixed-dose tablet.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Dyslipidaemic patients were randomised to ERN/LRPT 1 g (n = 800), ERN 1 g (n = 543) or placebo (n = 270) for 4 weeks. Doses were doubled (2 tablets/day; i.e. 2 g for active treatments) for 20 weeks. ERN/LRPT 2 g produced significant changes vs. placebo in LDL-C (-18.4%), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 20.0%), LDL-C:HDL-C (-31.2%), non-HDL-C (-19.8%), triglycerides (TG; -25.8%), apolipoprotein (Apo) B (-18.8%), Apo A-I (6.9%), total cholesterol (TC; -8.5%), TC:HDL-C (-23.1%) and lipoprotein(a) (-20.8%) across weeks 12-24. ERN/LRPT produced significantly less flushing than ERN during initiation (week 1) and maintenance (weeks 2-24) for all prespecified flushing end-points (incidence, intensity and discontinuation because of flushing). Except for flushing, ERN/LRPT had a safety/tolerability profile comparable with ERN.

CONCLUSION

Extended-release niacin/LRPT 2 g produced significant, durable improvements in multiple lipid/lipoprotein parameters. The improved tolerability of ERN/LRPT supports a simplified 1 g-->2 g dosing regimen of niacin, a therapy proven to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Modeling nitrogen and water management effects in a wheat-maize double-cropping system

Excessive N and water use in agriculture causes environmental degradation and can potentially jeopardize the sustainability of the system. A field study was conducted from 2000 to 2002 to study the effects of four N treatments (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg N ha(-1) per crop) on a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) double cropping system under 70 +/- 15% field capacity in the North China Plain (NCP). The root zone water quality model (RZWQM), with the crop estimation through resource and environment synthesis (CERES) plant growth modules incorporated, was evaluated for its simulation of crop production, soil water, and N leaching in the double cropping system. Soil water content, biomass, and grain yield were better simulated with normalized root mean square errors (NRMSE, RMSE divided by mean observed value) from 0.11 to 0.15 than soil NO(3)-N and plant N uptake that had NRMSE from 0.19 to 0.43 across these treatments. The long-term simulation with historical weather data showed that, at 200 kg N ha(-1) per crop application rate, auto-irrigation triggered at 50% of the field capacity and recharged to 60% field capacity in the 0- to 50-cm soil profile were adequate for obtaining acceptable yield levels in this intensified double cropping system. Results also showed potential savings of more than 30% of the current N application rates per crop from 300 to 200 kg N ha(-1), which could reduce about 60% of the N leaching without compromising crop yields.

Primary retropharyngeal synovial sarcoma

Synovial sarcoma is the third most common histologic type of extremity soft tissue sarcoma. However, primary retropharyngeal synovial sarcoma is extremely rare. We present a case of primary retropharyngeal synovial sarcoma in a 60-year-old woman. The radiographic imaging of our present cases was characteristic of a heterogeneously enhancing mass.

MR imaging assessment of temporomandibular joint soft tissue injuries in dislocated and nondislocated mandibular condylar fractures

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Evaluation of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) soft tissue injuries after condylar fractures remains a challenge with use of conventional radiography and CT. The aim of this study was to explore MR imaging in the assessment of TMJ soft tissue injuries after condylar fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty subjects (118 TMJs) with condylar fractures were examined with sagittal and coronal MR imaging. Proton attenuation and T2-weighted sequences were the key sequences in our imaging protocol. All of the condylar fractures were classified into condylar fractures with dislocation (group 1, 108 TMJs) and without dislocation (group 2, 10 TMJs).

RESULTS

MR imaging demonstrated the following TMJ soft tissue injuries: 1) disk displacements (91.5%, 105 [97.2%] in group 1 and 3 [30%] in group 2; P < .01). Almost all disk displacements in group 1 were in the anteroinferior direction; 2) abnormal signal intensities of retrodiskal tissues (87.3%, 98 [88.3%] in group 1 and 5 [50%] in group 2; P < .05); 3) joint effusion (85.6%, 95 [88%] in group 1 and 6 [60%] in group 2; P > .05); 4) abnormal inferoposterior attachments of disks (87.3%, 96 [88.9%] in group 1 and 7 [70%] in group 2; P > .05) and joint capsules (85.6%, 94 [87%] in group 1 and 7 [70%] in group 2; P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

There were significant differences of disk displacement and signal intensities of retrodiskal tissues between both fractures. Most dislocated condylar fractures were characterized with anteroinferior disk displacements along with the fractured fragments. MR imaging could provide additional information of TMJ soft tissue injuries after condylar fractures.

Comparing Multiple Sensitivities and Specificities with Different Diagnostic Criteria: Applications to Sexual Abuse and Sexual Health Research

When comparing sensitivities and specificities from multiple diagnostic tests, particularly in biomedical research, the different test kits under study are applied to groups of subjects with the same disease status for a disease or medical condition under consideration. Although this process gives rise to clustered or correlated test outcomes, the associated inference issues are well recognized and have been widely discussed in the literature. In mental health and psychosocial research, sensitivity and specificity have also been widely used to study the reliability of instrument for diagnosing mental health and psychiatric conditions and assessing certain behavioral patterns. However, unlike biomedical applications, outcomes are often obtained under varying reference standards or different diagnostic criteria, precluding the application of existing methods for comparing multiple diagnostic tests to such a research setting. In this paper, we develop a new approach to address these problems (including that of missing data) by extending recent work on inference using inverse probability weighted estimates. The approach is illustrated with data from two studies in sexual abuse and health research as well as a limited simulation study, with the latter used to study the performance of the proposed procedure.

A novel mouse model of X-linked cardiac hypertrophy

We recovered a novel mouse mutant exhibiting neonatal lethality associated with severe fetal cardiac hypertrophy and with some adult mice dying suddenly with left ventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Using Doppler echocardiography, we screened surviving adult mice in this mutant line for cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiac dimensions were obtained either from two-dimensional images collected using a novel ECG-gated ultra-high-frequency ultrasound system or by traditional M-mode imaging on a clinical ultrasound system. These analyses identified, among the littermates, two populations of mice: those with apparent cardiac hypertrophy with hypercontractile function characterized by ejection fraction of 75–80%, and normal littermates with ejection fraction of 53–55%. Analysis of the ECG-gated two-dimensional cines indicated that the hypertrophy was of the nonobstructive type. Further analysis of heart-to-body weight ratio confirmed the ultrasound diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Histopathology showed increased ventricular wall thickness, enlarged myocyte size, and mild myofiber disarray. Ultrastructural analysis by electron microscopy revealed mitochondria hyperproliferation and dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum. Genome scanning using microsatellite DNA markers mapped the mutation to the X chromosome. DNA sequencing showed no mutations in the coding regions of several candidate genes on the X chromosome, including several known to be associated with left ventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These findings suggest that this mouse line may harbor a mutation in a novel gene causing X-linked cardiomyopathy.

Measuring flushing symptoms with extended-release niacin using the flushing symptom questionnaire: results from a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Niacin is underutilised because of flushing. Lack of a quantitative tool to assess niacin-induced flushing has precluded the objective evaluation of flushing associated with extended-release (ER) niacin formulations. We developed the Flushing Symptom Questionnaire((c)) (FSQ), a quantitative tool to assess patient-reported flushing, and assessed its ability to characterise ER niacin-induced flushing.

METHODS

This study focused on the responses to one question in the FSQ, the Global Flushing Severity Score (GFSS), reported on a 0-10 scale (none = 0, mild = 1-3, moderate = 4-6, severe = 7-9 and extreme = 10) to assess flushing during ER niacin initiation (week 1) and maintenance (weeks 2-8).

RESULTS

Flushing severity with ER niacin was greatest during week 1 and remained greater than placebo for the study duration. During weeks 2-8, 40% of patients on ER niacin vs. 8% of those on placebo had > 1 day/week with 'moderate or greater' GFSS.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the GFSS component of the FSQ was a sensitive and responsive quantitative measure of ER niacin-induced flushing that will aid in the objective comparison of novel strategies intended to improve tolerability and adherence to niacin, an agent proven to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Myoepithelioma of the parotid gland: CT imaging findings

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Myoepitheliomas (MEs) are rare tumors of the parotid gland. Only a few case reports describing CT imaging features of ME have been published. The aim of this study was to describe and characterize the CT findings of MEs of the parotid gland.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed CT images of ME with pathologic correlation in 10 cases (4 men and 6 women; age range, 30-70 years) collected between August 2003 and October 2007 from our pathologic database. All of the CT images were retrospectively evaluated with respect to the location, size, marginal morphology, enhancement, and enhancement pattern by 2 experienced radiologists.

RESULTS

Nine tumors were located in the superficial lobe of the parotid gland, and 1 was located in the tail of parotid gland. All of the tumors abut on the capsule of the gland. Nine tumors had well-defined margins with lobulations in 5 patients. Two cases showed homogenous enhancement. In the other 8 cases, the enhancement was inhomogeneous because of enhancing nodules and nonenhancing areas of linear bands, slitlike-shaped or of cystic configuration.

CONCLUSION

CT imaging findings of MEs were well circumscribed, enhancing the mass lesion with smooth or lobulated margins, located chiefly in the superficial lobe and abutted on the capsule of the gland. They may contain enhancing nodules and nonenhancing areas of linear bands, slitlike-shaped or of cystic configuration. Although MEs are a rarity, they should be suspected when a tumor shows all of the characteristics noted here.

Pleomorphic adenoma with extensive ossified and calcified degeneration: unusual CT findings in one case

We report a case of pleomorphic adenoma, which presented as a large bone-attenuation mass in the parapharyngeal space. CT scanning showed a large lobulated bone-attenuation mass with a scanty soft-tissue component.

Malignant tumors and chronic infections in the masticator space: preliminary assessment with in vivo single-voxel 1H-MR spectroscopy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Differential diagnosis between malignant tumors and chronic infections in the masticator space remains challenging. The purpose of the study was to categorize various changes of both lesions by using single-voxel 1H-MR spectroscopy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four masticator space lesions, 7 chronic infections, and 17 malignant tumors were assessed with 1H-MR spectroscopy before treatment procedures. The MR spectroscopic findings were compared with surgical and histopathologic results. Localization technique for 1H-MR spectroscopy was made by a point-resolved spectroscopy sequence at an echo time of 144 ms. Choline (Cho) signals (identified at 3.2 ppm) and Cho signal intensity-to-noise ratio (Cho/noise) were considered as evaluating criteria.

RESULTS

All the lesions were found with 3 1H-MR spectroscopic types: type 1, lesions without Cho signals (3 chronic infections); type 2, lesions with Cho signals and Cho/noise ratio <3 (4 chronic infections and 4 malignant tumors); and type 3, lesions with Cho signals and Cho/noise ratio >3 (13 malignant tumors). The mean +/- SD of the Cho/noise ratio between chronic infections and malignant tumors was 2.31 +/- 0.19 and 5.76 +/- 3.29 (P < .01), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In vivo single-voxel 1H-MR spectroscopy may be helpful in the assessment of masticator space lesions. Differences of Cho signals and Cho/noise ratios between malignant tumors and chronic infections provide valuable information in the differentiation of these 2 lesions.

An emerging cyberinfrastructure for biodefense pathogen and pathogen-host data

The NIAID-funded Biodefense Proteomics Resource Center (RC) provides storage, dissemination, visualization and analysis capabilities for the experimental data deposited by seven Proteomics Research Centers (PRCs). The data and its publication is to support researchers working to discover candidates for the next generation of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics against NIAID's Category A, B and C priority pathogens. The data includes transcriptional profiles, protein profiles, protein structural data and host-pathogen protein interactions, in the context of the pathogen life cycle in vivo and in vitro. The database has stored and supported host or pathogen data derived from Bacillus, Brucella, Cryptosporidium, Salmonella, SARS, Toxoplasma, Vibrio and Yersinia, human tissue libraries, and mouse macrophages. These publicly available data cover diverse data types such as mass spectrometry, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), gene expression profiles, X-ray and NMR determined protein structures and protein expression clones. The growing database covers over 23 000 unique genes/proteins from different experiments and organisms. All of the genes/proteins are annotated and integrated across experiments using UniProt Knowledgebase (UniProtKB) accession numbers. The web-interface for the database enables searching, querying and downloading at the level of experiment, group and individual gene(s)/protein(s) via UniProtKB accession numbers or protein function keywords. The system is accessible at http://www.proteomicsresource.org/.

A comparison between bispectral index analysis and auditory-evoked potentials for monitoring the time to peak effect to calculate the plasma effect site equilibration rate constant of propofol

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To the best of our knowledge, the value of the plasma effect site equilibration rate constant (k(e0)) of propofol has not been reported in Chinese patients. The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to examine the characteristics of the time to peak effect (T(PEAK)) of propofol, a pharmacokinetic-independent descriptor of blood-brain equilibration, and k(e0) derived from T(PEAK) with A-line auditory-evoked potential monitor and Aspect A-2000 bispectral index monitor in Chinese patients.

METHODS

Two-hundred ASA I patients received a submaximal bolus dose of propofol (1.5 mg kg(-1)). T(PEAK) was randomly measured by means of the A-line auditory-evoked potential monitor (Group AAI (auditory-evoked potential index), n = 100) or the Aspect A-2000 bispectral index monitor (Group BIS, n = 100). Using T(PEAK) and four previously validated pharmacokinetic parameter sets of propofol, the k(e0) was estimated according to a method proposed recently.

RESULTS

The mean T(PEAK) was 145 +/- 35 s (50-224 s) and 74+/-24 s (38-143 s) in Groups AAI and BIS, respectively (P < 0.01 between groups). There were no correlations between the patient's age and T(PEAK)s (r = 0.147 and 0.031 for Groups AAI and BIS). The median k(e0) in Group AAI was 0.64 min(-1) with the model of Marsh, 0.17 min(-1) with the Schnider model, 0.78 min(-1) with the Tackley model and 0.93 min(-1) with the Shafer model. The median k(e0) in Group BIS was 1.87 min(-1) with the model of Marsh, 0.83 min(-1) with the Schnider model, 2.14 min(-1) with the Tackley model and 2.48 min(-1) with the Shafer model (P < 0.01 between groups and models).

CONCLUSIONS

The T(PEAK) of propofol measured by the A-line auditory-evoked potential monitor is different from that measured by the Aspect A-2000 bispectral index monitor. The T(PEAK)s of propofol from auditory-evoked potential index and bispectral index, and the values of k(e0) calculated based on T(PEAK)s are different from previous reports and appear to be not affected by age. Further studies need to be taken to validate clinically the k(e0) values of propofol.

Advanced glycation endproducts induce podocyte apoptosis by activation of the FOXO4 transcription factor

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and a receptor for AGEs (RAGE) have been linked in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. RAGE is usually localized to podocytes and is increased in diabetes. RAGE activation increases reactive oxygen species production, which mediates hyperglycemia-induced podocyte apoptosis in early diabetic nephropathy. Here, we examined the interaction of AGE and RAGE on podocyte apoptosis. When we exposed murine cultured podocytes to bovine serum albumin (BSA) that was modified by AGEs or to carboxymethyl-lysine BSA, more apoptosis was found when compared with unmodified BSA. Similarly, more podocytes underwent detachment and apoptosis when cultured on AGE-modified collagen IV than on native collagen IV. AGEs isolated from sera of patients with chronic kidney disease also caused apoptosis of podocytes. Apoptosis was diminished by small interference RNA (siRNA) for RAGE in podocytes exposed to AGE-BSA, but not to AGE-modified collagen IV. Both AGE- and carboxymethyl-lysine modified-BSA activated p38MAP kinase and inhibition of this kinase reduced the apoptotic effect of AGE-BSA. Exposure to AGE-BSA was associated with Akt dephosphorylation and FOXO4 transcriptional activation leading to an increase in the expression of an effector protein of apoptosis, Bim. siRNA for FOXO4 abolished AGE-BSA-induced apoptosis of podocytes. Our study suggests that an AGE-RAGE interaction contributes to podocyte apoptosis by activation of the FOXO4 transcription factor.

Noncontact atomic force microscopy studies of ultrathin films of amorphous solid water deposited on Au(111)

Noncontact atomic force microscopy was used to study the morphological changes of an ultrathin amorphous solid water (ASW) film as a function of deposition temperature, annealing temperature, and annealing time. ASW deposited at 80 or 108 K on Au(111) formed truncated hemispherical clusters of increasing size during annealing at 134 K; these clusters were inferred to be crystalline. The number of nuclei present at the outer surface of the film after deposition was greater for higher deposition temperature. For lower cluster densities, depletion of the ASW film around the clusters was observed when the clusters became larger and dendritic growth was observed when the apparent cluster footprint radius exceeded 100 nm.

Enhancement of the stabilization efficiency of a neoclassical magnetic island by modulated electron cyclotron current drive in the ASDEX upgrade tokamak

The efficiency of generating a helical current in magnetic islands for the purpose of suppression of neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) by electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) is studied experimentally in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. It is found that the efficiency of generating helical current by continuous current drive in a rotating island drops drastically as the width 2d of the co-ECCD driven current becomes larger than the island width W. However, by modulating the co-ECCD in phase with the rotating islands O point, the efficiency can be recovered. The results are in good agreement with theoretical calculations taking into account the equilibration of the externally driven current on the island flux surfaces. The result is especially important for large next-step fusion devices, such as ITER, where 2d>W is expected to be unavoidable during NTM suppression, suggesting that modulation capability should be foreseen.

Inhibition of the hyaluronan-CD44 interaction by merlin contributes to the tumor-suppressor activity of merlin

Mutation or loss of expression of merlin is responsible for neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), which is characterized by the development of schwannomas and other tumors of the nervous system. Like the ERM (ezrin-radixin-moesin) proteins, merlin interacts with CD44, a cell-surface receptor for hyaluronan (HA) that promotes tumorigenesis. However, the relationship between merlin and CD44 and the mechanism by which merlin exerts its tumor-suppressor function have not been elucidated. In the present study, we show that increased expression of wild-type merlin in Tr6BC1 schwannoma cells inhibits HA binding to CD44. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the residues required for this inhibitory effect and the interaction between CD44 and merlin lie within the first 50 amino acids of merlin. Overexpression of merlin inhibited subcutaneous growth of Tr6BC1 cells in immunocompromised Rag1 mice. In contrast, knocking down expression of endogenous merlin promoted tumor cell growth, as did overexpression of a merlin deletion mutant (merlinDel-1) that lacks the first 50 amino acids but not of other NH(2)-terminal deletion mutants. Together, our results demonstrate that inhibition of the CD44-HA interaction contributes to the tumor-suppressor function of merlin, and they suggest that merlin inhibits tumor growth, at least in part, by negatively regulating CD44 function.