Equilibrium reconstruction based on core magnetic measurement and its applications on equilibrium transition in Joint-TEXT tokamak

Evaluation and reconstruction of plasma equilibrium, especially to resolve the safety factor profile, is imperative for advanced tokamak operation and physics study. Based on core magnetic measurement by the high resolution laser polarimeter-interferometer system (POLARIS), the equilibrium of Joint-TEXT (J-TEXT) plasma is reconstructed and profiles of safety factor, current density, and electron density are, therefore, obtained with high accuracy and temporal resolution. The equilibrium reconstruction procedure determines the equilibrium flux surfaces essentially from the data of POLARIS. Refraction of laser probe beam, a major error source of the reconstruction, has been considered and corrected, which leads to improvement of accuracy more than 10%. The error of reconstruction has been systematically assessed with consideration of realistic diagnostic performance and scrape-off layer region of plasma, and its accuracy has been verified. Fast equilibrium transitions both within a single sawtooth cycle and during the penetration of resonant magnetic perturbation have been investigated.

Diffusion tensor imaging in evaluation of thigh muscles in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) characteristics of thigh muscles in patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM).

METHODS

12 patients with known PM/DM and 10 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Both DTI and conventional MR sequences were performed on both thighs of all subjects. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA) and three eigenvalues were compared between the PM/DM group and the healthy group. One-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test were used for statistical analyses with a significance of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

In the healthy group, the vastus intermedius muscle showed the highest ADC value and the gracilis (GA) muscle showed the lowest ADC value. These results were statistically significant when compared with other muscles (p < 0.05). The GA, semi-tendinosus and semi-membranosus muscles showed higher FA values than the other three thigh muscles (p < 0.05). The mean ADC value and three eigenvalues of oedematous muscles in the PM/DM group were higher on average and showed a statistically significant difference when compared with unaffected (non-oedematous muscles in patients) and normal muscles (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the mean FA value between oedematous and normal muscles. The mean ADC, FA and three eigenvalues in unaffected muscles (in patients) showed no statistical differences from those in normal muscles (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

DTI can be used to quantitatively evaluate the anisotropic diffusion characteristics of muscles in patients with PM/DM.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

A new application of DTI is proposed for inflammatory myopathies. The results show that ADC and the three eigenvalues were significantly different between diseased and normal muscles, a finding of potential value in both diagnosis and treatment monitoring of myopathies.

Cholesterol oxidase from Bordetella species promotes irreversible cell apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma by cholesterol oxidation

Cholesterol oxidase (COD), an enzyme catalyzing the oxidation of cholesterol, has been applied to track the distribution of membrane cholesterol. Little investigations about the effect of COD on tumor cells have been performed. In the present study, we provided evidence that COD from Bordetella species (COD-B), induced apoptosis of lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. COD-B treatment inhibited Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in dose- and time-dependent manner, which was not reversed and was even aggravated by cholesterol addition. Further investigation indicated that COD-B treatment promoted the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and that cholesterol addition further elevated ROS levels. Moreover, COD-B treatment resulted in JNK and p38 phosphorylation, downregulation of Bcl-2, upregulation of Bax, activated caspase-3 and cytochrome C release, which likely responded to freshly produced hydrogen peroxide that accompanied cholesterol oxidation. Catalase pretreatment could only partially prevent COD-B-induced events, suggesting that catalase inhibited H₂O₂-induced signal transduction but had little effect on signal pathways involved in cholesterol depletion. Our results demonstrated that COD-B led to irreversible cell apoptosis by decreasing cholesterol content and increasing ROS level. In addition, COD-B may be a promising candidate for a novel anti-tumor therapy.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of sophocarpinic acid derivatives as anti-HCV agents

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has become a major public health burden worldwide. Twenty-two sophocarpinic acid or matrine derivatives were synthesized and their anti-HCV activities were evaluated in vitro. The structure-activity analysis revealed that (i) sophocarpinic acids with a D-seco 3-ring structure scaffold were more favorable than matrines with a 4-ring scaffold; (ii) the introduction of an electron-withdrawing group on the phenyl ring in 12-N-benzenesulfonyl Δ (βγ) sophocarpinic acids was beneficial for the antiviral activity against HCV. Among them, compounds 9h and 9j exhibited the most potent inhibitory activities on HCV replication with selectivity indies of 70.3 and 30.9, respectively. Therefore, both were selected as antiviral candidates for further investigation.

Increasing the tolerance of DCD hearts to warm ischemia by pharmacological postconditioning

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) offers a potential additional source of cardiac allografts. We used a porcine asphyxia model to evaluate viability of DCD hearts subjected to warm ischemic times (WIT) of 20–40 min prior to flushing with Celsior (C) solution. We then assessed potential benefits of supplementing C with erythropoietin, glyceryl trinitrate and zoniporide (Cs), a combination that we have shown previously to activate ischemic postconditioning pathways. Hearts flushed with C/Cs were assessed for functional, biochemical and metabolic recovery on an ex vivo working heart apparatus. Hearts exposed to 20-min WIT showed full recovery of functional and metabolic profiles compared with control hearts (no WIT). Hearts subjected to 30- or 40-min WIT prior to C solution showed partial and no recovery, respectively. Hearts exposed to 30-min WIT and Cs solution displayed complete recovery, while hearts exposed to 40-min WIT and Cs solution demonstrated partial recovery. We conclude that DCD hearts flushed with C solution demonstrate complete recovery up to 20-min WIT after which there is rapid loss of viability. Cs extends the limit of WIT tolerability to 30 min. DCD hearts with ≤30-min WIT may be suitable for transplantation and warrant assessment in a transplant model.

TIPE1 induces apoptosis by negatively regulating Rac1 activation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

TIPE1 (tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 8-like 1 or TNFAIP8L1) is a newly identified member of the TIPE (TNFAIP8) family, which play roles in regulating cell death. However, the biologic functions of TIPE1 in physiologic and pathologic conditions are largely unknown. Here, we report the roles of TIPE1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Evaluated by immunohistochemical staining, HCC tissues showed significantly downregulated TIPE1 expression compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues, which positively correlated with tumor pathologic grades and patient survival. Using a homograft tumor model in Balb/c mice, we discovered that TIPE1 significantly diminished the growth and tumor weight of murine liver cancer homografts. Consistently, TIPE1 inhibited both cell growth and colony formation ability of cultured HCC cell lines, which was further identified to be due to TIPE1-inducing apoptosis in a caspase-independent, necrostatin-1 (Nec-1)-insensitive manner. Furthermore, mechanistic investigations revealed that TIPE1 interacted with Rac1, and inhibited the activation of Rac1 and its downstream p65 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway. Moreover, overexpression of constitutively active Rac1 partially rescued the apoptosis induced by TIPE1, and Rac1 knockdown significantly restored the deregulated cell growth induced by TIPE1 small interfering RNA. Our findings revealed that TIPE1 induced apoptosis in HCC cells by negatively regulating Rac1 pathway, and loss of TIPE1 might be a new prognostic indicator for HCC patients.

Nemo-like kinase is critical for p53 stabilization and function in response to DNA damage

The DNA damage response (DDR) acts as a protective mechanism for maintaining cell homeostasis. Nemo-like kinase (NLK) is a serine/threonine-protein kinase that has an important role in many pathways; however, its function in the DDR has not yet been defined. In our study, NLK-deficient HCT116 cells were found to be resistant to etoposide-induced cell death. We demonstrated that NLK is required for p53 activation in response to DNA damage. Remarkably, mechanistic studies revealed that NLK interacts with p53 and stabilizes p53 by blocking MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination and degradation. Furthermore, NLK enhances p53 activity and affects expression downstream of p53. Interestingly, these functions of NLK are not related to its kinase activity. Consistent with these results, NLK-deficient cells have a resistance effect on DNA damage. Therefore, these findings emphasize that NLK is a novel factor in DDR mechanisms.

Pilot laparoscopic ileal cannulation in pigs

Zhang, S. X., Wang, H. B., Zhang, H., Liu, H. F., Zhou, Z. F., Zhang, J. T. and Gao, L. 2014. Pilot laparoscopic ileal cannulation in pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 371–377. Pilot laparoscopic ileal cannulation was performed in eight anesthetized pigs (40.5±1.9 kg) positioned in dorsal recumbency using three portals in the abdomen. The T-shaped ileal cannulation site was located 15 cm anterior to the ileocecal valve on the antimesenteric section of the ileum. A transabdominal suspension suture was placed approximately 3 cm caudal to the ileal cannulation site. A purse-string suture was placed first around the insertion site, and a stab incision was made in the middle of the purse-string suture. The T-shaped cannula was inserted into the ileal lumen through the stab incision, and the purse-string suture was tightened. The T-shaped ileal cannula was pulled out of the abdominal cavity through the exit wound located 3–5 cm lateral and 10–12 cm caudal to the right or left side of the umbilicus. The transabdominal suspension suture was then removed. The T-shaped cannula was secured to the skin with a finger-trap suture. Surgical time and complications were recorded. Repeat laparoscopy was performed 35 d later. No major intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. The ileal contents were collected easily. On repeat laparoscopy, firm adhesion between the ileum and the abdominal wall was observed in all pigs, and there was no evidence of digesta leakage or consequential peritonitis.

Randomized, 1-year comparison of three ways to initiate and advance insulin for type 2 diabetes: twice-daily premixed insulin versus basal insulin with either basal-plus one prandial insulin or basal-bolus up to three prandial injections

AIM

Many patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) initiate insulin therapy when other treatments fail; how best to do this is poorly defined.

METHODS

People with T2DM [n = 588; glycated haemoglobin A1C (A1C) >7.0%, mean baseline 9.4%] were randomized to twice-daily premixed protamine-aspart/aspart insulin (PM - 2), once-daily insulin glargine plus zero to one prandial insulin glulisine injection (G + 1), or insulin glargine plus zero to three prandial injections (G + 3). Insulin was titrated for 60 weeks. Efficacy and safety outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

Discontinuation rates were 53 of the 194 (27%), 44 of the 194 (23%) and 38 of the 194 (20%), for PM - 2, G + 1 and G + 3. Glycaemic control improved in all groups (A1C 7.2 ± 1.37, 7.1 ± 1.68 and 7.0 ± 1.21% at 60 weeks; 7.5 ± 1.29, 7.2 ± 1.62 and 7.2 ± 1.63% at endpoint). G + 1 was statistically non-inferior to PM - 2 in reducing A1C. G + 3 was slightly superior to PM - 2 in attaining <7.0% at 60 weeks, but only when the analysis included Good Clinical Practice non-adherent sites. Hypoglycaemia with plasma glucose <2.8 mmol/l was more frequent with PM - 2 versus G + 1 and G + 3; [adjusted incidence: 46 (p = 0.0087) vs. 33 (p = 0.0045) and 31.5%; events per patient-year: 1.9 vs. 0.8 and 0.9, p ≤ 0.0001]. Insulin dosage and weight-gain were similar.

CONCLUSION

Basal insulin plus a single prandial injection is as effective in improving glycaemic control as premixed insulin. Full basal-prandial therapy is only slightly more effective than premixed insulin. Stepwise basal-prandial regimens improve glycaemic control with less hypoglycaemia than twice-daily premixed insulin.

Carbohydrate metabolism changes in Prunus persica gummosis infected with Lasiodiplodia theobromae

Peach gummosis represents a significant global disease of stone fruit trees and a major disease in the south peach production area of the Yangtze River of China. In this study, the carbohydrate composition of peach shoots during infection by Lasiodiplodia theobromae was examined. The expression of genes related to metabolic enzymes was also investigated. Control wounded and noninoculated tissue, lesion tissue, and wounded and inoculated surrounding lesion tissue of peach shoots were analyzed. Soluble sugars, glucose, mannose, arabinose, and xylose significantly increased in inoculated tissues of peach shoots compared with control tissues at different times after inoculation. Accumulation of polysaccharides was also observed by section observation and periodic acid Schiff's reagent staining during infection. Analysis using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that the abundance of key transcripts on the synthesis pathway of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-D-glucuronate, UDP-D-galactose, and UDP-D-arabinose increased but the synthesis of L-galactose and guanosine diphosphate-L-galactose were inhibited. After inoculation, the transcript levels of sugar transport-related genes (namely, SUT, SOT, GMT, and UGT) was induced. These changes in sugar content and gene expression were directly associated with peach gum polysaccharide formation and may be responsible for the symptoms of peach gummosis.

High-efficiency diode-pumped actively Q-switched ceramic Nd:YAG/BaWO₄ Raman laser operating at 1666 nm

A diode-pumped actively Q-switched Raman laser employing BaWO4 as the Raman active medium and a ceramic Nd:YAG laser operating at 1444 nm as the pump source is demonstrated. The first-Stokes-Raman generation at 1666 nm is achieved. With a pump power of 20.3 W and pulse repetition frequency rate of 5 kHz, a maximum output power of 1.21 W is obtained, which is the highest output power for a 1.6 μm Raman laser. The corresponding optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is 6%; the pulse energy and peak power are 242 μJ and 8.96 kW, respectively.

Microsatellite markers derived from Japanese scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) expressed sequence tags

Japanese scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) is a cold-water shellfish, and a species of economic importance in China. In this study, we developed and evaluated simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from the expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of M. yessoensis. The characteristics of 12 EST-SSR loci were investigated in 30 individual scallops, and the result revealed that the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2-4, with an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.0333-0.7692, and an expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.0333-0.6312. Only two loci were found to depart significantly from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.05). The result of our study suggested that these markers could be considered as potential markers for studying the population structure of M. yessoensis and its intraspecific variation.

A pilot study of the SARC-F scale on screening sarcopenia and physical disability in the Chinese older people

INTRODUCTION

The SARC-F scale is a newly developed tool to diagnose sarcopenia and obviate the need for measurement of muscle mass. SARC-F ≥ 4 is defined as sarcopenia. The questions of SARC-F cover physical functions targeting sarcopenia or initial presentation for sarcopenia. The aim of the study is to explore the application of SARC-F in the Chinese people.

METHODS

Two hundred thirty Chinese people over 65 years old were assessed by the SARC-F scale, PSMS, Lawton IADL and the shortened version of the falls efficacy scale-international(the short FES-I). Hospitalization was investigated. Physical performance and strength were measured. The association of SARC-F with other scales or tests was analyzed.

RESULTS

Poor physical performance and grip strength were associated with SARC-F ≥ 4 independently (P<0.005). The κ value for agreement of SARC-F ≥ 4 and cutoff points of tests were 0.391 to 0.635. The short FES-I were correlated to SARC-F scores (Spearman's coefficient 0.692). Poor PSMS and Lawton IADL scores were associated with SARC-F ≥ 4(P=0.000) and SARC-F ≥ 4 was associated with hospitalization in the past 2 years (P=0.000).

CONCLUSION

The SARC-F scale can identify old Chinese people with impaired physical function who may suffered from sarcopenia. SARC-F judgment reflects fear of falling, indicates the hospitalization events and is associated with ability of daily life. Thus, SARC-F may be a simple and useful tool for screening individuals with impaired physical function. Further studies on SARC-F in Chinese people would be worthy.

Complete genome sequence of an isolate of papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus from commercialized PRSV-resistant transgenic papaya in China

Papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus is highly destructive to commercial papaya production. Here, the complete genome sequence was determined for an isolate of papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus, designated PLDMV-DF, infecting the commercialized papaya ringspot virus (PRSV)-resistant transgenic papaya from China. Excluding the 3'-poly (A) tail, the sequence shares high sequence identity to several PLDMV isolates from Taiwan and Japan and is phylogenetically most closely related to the isolate from Japan. Infection of PLDMV-DF in transgenic PRSV-resistant papaya may indicate emergence of this disease in genetically engineered plants. The reported sequence for this isolate may help generate bi-transgenic papaya resistant to PRSV and PLDMV.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: the association between human papillomavirus infection and oesophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection might be one of the potential risk factors for oesophageal cancer. However, the previous epidemiological findings were heterogeneous.

AIM

To explore the association between HPV infection and oesophageal cancer risk by means of meta-analysis.

METHODS

Studies on HPV infection and oesophageal cancer were identified, the prevalence of HPV infection and its association with oesophageal cancer risk were quantitatively summarised by meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 8990 oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients and 174 oesophageal adenocarcinomas patients were evaluated from 76 included studies. Summarised HPV prevalence in oesophageal SCC was 22.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 18.3-26.7%], HPV-16 was the most frequently observed subtype with a summarised prevalence of 11.4% (95% CI: 8.2-15.7%). With respect to oesophageal adenocarcinoma, HPV prevalence was 35.0% (95% CI, 13.2-65.7%) and HPV-16 prevalence was 11.4% (95% CI: 8.2-15.7%). Due to the limited number of included studies on oesophageal adenocarcinoma, association analyses were performed to oesophageal SCC only. Significant association was observed between HPV infection and oesophageal SCC with a summarised odds ratio of 3.32 (95% CI, 2.26-4.87). According to HPV-16, the strength of the association was found to be 3.52 (95% CI, 2.04-6.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Human papillomavirus infection was observed to be associated with an increased risk of oesophageal SCC in this meta-analysis. However, due to the evident heterogeneity observed between the included studies and the strength of the association not as strong as observed for cervical cancer and laryngeal cancer, further studies are needed to clarify the relation and its underlying mechanisms.