De novo mutations of STXBP1 in Chinese children with early onset epileptic encephalopathy

To detect syntaxin-binding protein 1 (STXBP1) mutations in Chinese patients with early onset epileptic encephalopathy (EOEE) of unknown etiology. Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to identify STXBP1 mutations in 143 Chinese patients with EOEE of unknown etiology. A filtering process was applied to prioritize rare variants of potential functional significance. Then Sanger sequencing was employed to validate the parental origin of the variants. Detailed clinical and genetic data were collected for 9 STXBP1-positive patients. Eight de novo heterozygous STXBP1 mutations were identified in 9 patients; 5 were novel mutations (c.1155delC, c.1030-1G>A, c.217G>C, c.268G>C, c.1480_1481 insT) and 3 were previously reported (c.1216C> T, c.1217G>A [2 cases], c.875G>A). Two patients had Ohtahara syndrome and 1 had West syndrome at onset, whereas the other 6 presented with EOEE that did not fit a specific recognized epilepsy syndrome. Six of these patients later evolved to West syndrome. All but 2 cases were prescribed more than 2 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) plus other regimens. Four subjects showed good responses to levetiracetam (LEV) alone or in combination with other AEDs, and one case (1/3) achieved complete freedom from seizures with a ketogenic diet (KD). All patients exhibited severe to profound global developmental delay. Five novel heterozygous de novo STXBP1 mutations were discovered in patients with EOEE from China. STXBP1 mutational analysis should be performed in cases of EOEE of unknown etiology. LEV as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy with other regimens, as well as KD should be considered for management of this patient group.

Abstract P2-11-16: The safety and pathological impact of neoadjuvant radiotherapy for local advanced breast cancer undergoing mastectomy and autologous reconstruction

Introduction

Delayed breast reconstructions are preferred if post mastectomy radiotherapy is indicated due to lower complication rates compared to immediate permanent implant or autologous reconstructions (AR) but cosmetic outcomes are inferior. Radiotherapy has a deleterious effect on implants and autologous tissue and often an interim tissue expander is place which has inherent pain and complications.

However, neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NART) prior to surgery allows for definitive oncological surgery to be performed with an immediate AR in a single operation and the avoidance of a temporary expander. The aim of this study is to assess the safety and downstaging impact of NART.

Methods

This is a prospective review of patients who underwent NART at GenesisCare Victoria, the Austin and the Alfred hospital. 59 LABC patients (median age 49.2 years) were divided into two groups; clinically staged and pathologically staged for reporting. There were 15 pathologically staged patients (pStage 2A-3C) and 43 clinically staged patients (cStage 2A-3B). All patients initially underwent NACT, followed by NART (median dose 50.4Gy in 28 fractions) to the breast, supraclavicular fossa and level 3 axilla with or without coverage of their Level 1 and 2 axilla, and/or internal mammary nodes. Approximately 6 weeks after completing NART, patients underwent definitive surgery and AR.

Results

All patients completed their NART with minimal toxicity and no break in treatment. 55 patients had a skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) and 3 patients had a modified radical mastectomy. All clinically staged patients underwent an AD. ARs with a DIEP flap were performed in the majority of patients (51). The average length of hospitalisation was 6.2 days.

The Miller Payne (MP) scoring index was used to record pathological responses in clinically staged patients. Overall 36 patients achieved significant downstaging of their disease, with MP scores of 5/5 for 20 and 4/5 for 16. Only 1 patient failed to achieve any downstaging with a MP score of 1/5. All 12 Her2 positive patients, 3/5 Triple negative patients and 5/26 Luminal A/B patients achieved a MP score of 5/5. All patients achieved R0 resection margins. This included 6 patients who had initial cT4 disease (cT4a X2, cT4b X1 and cT4d X3). 15 patients had initial cN2/3 disease and all successfully underwent their axillary dissections with R0 resections achieved. 10/15 had no involved axillary nodes with significant scarring seen in 6. 5/15 had residual involved nodes with significant scarring seen in 3 patients.

Post surgical toxicities were graded using Clavien-Dindo classification. 8 significant grade 3 toxicities were seen in 6 patients, with no grade 4 or 5 toxicities. No patients developed DVT or PE. No flap losses were seen.

Median follow up is 23 months. Cosmesis was rated as good to excellent in all cases. 1 patient developed simultaneous loco-regional and distant recurrence with another 3 patients developing distant metastases only.

Conclusion

This review demonstrated that NART is a safe technique, which has not lead to an increase in surgical complication rates or resulted in a detriment in cosmetic outcome. NART can achieve a shorter, simpler reconstructive journey for patients.

Citation Format: Baker C, Chao MW, Jassal S, Neoh D, Bevington E, Hyett A, Grinsell D, Loh SW, Zantuck N, Stoney D, Foley C, Law M, Chew G, Yu V, Cheng M, Guerrieri M, Taylor K, Chipman M, Cokelek M, Lim Joon D, Foroudi F. The safety and pathological impact of neoadjuvant radiotherapy for local advanced breast cancer undergoing mastectomy and autologous reconstruction [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-11-16.

Uncovering the spatial heterogeneity of Ediacaran carbon cycling

Records of the Ediacaran carbon cycle (635-541 million years ago) include the Shuram excursion (SE), the largest negative carbonate carbon isotope excursion in Earth history (down to -12‰). The nature of this excursion remains enigmatic given the difficulties of interpreting a perceived extreme global decrease in the δ¹³ C of seawater dissolved inorganic carbon. Here, we present carbonate and organic carbon isotope (δ¹³ C_carb and δ¹³ C_org ) records from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation along a proximal-to-distal transect across the Yangtze Platform of South China as a test of the spatial variation of the SE. Contrary to expectations, our results show that the magnitude and morphology of this excursion and its relationship with coexisting δ¹³ C_org are highly heterogeneous across the platform. Integrated geochemical, mineralogical, petrographic, and stratigraphic evidence indicates that the SE is a primary marine signature. Data compilations demonstrate that the SE was also accompanied globally by parallel negative shifts of δ³⁴ S of carbonate-associated sulfate (CAS) and increased ⁸⁷ Sr/⁸⁶ Sr ratio and coastal CAS concentration, suggesting elevated continental weathering and coastal marine sulfate concentration during the SE. In light of these observations, we propose a heterogeneous oxidation model to explain the high spatial heterogeneity of the SE and coexisting δ¹³ C_org records of the Doushantuo, with likely relevance to the SE in other regions. In this model, we infer continued marine redox stratification through the SE but with increased availability of oxidants (e.g., O₂ and sulfate) limited to marginal near-surface marine environments. Oxidation of limited spatiotemporal extent provides a mechanism to drive heterogeneous oxidation of subsurface reduced carbon mostly in shelf areas. Regardless of the mechanism driving the SE, future models must consider the evidence for spatial heterogeneity in δ¹³ C presented in this study.

Identification of genes and proteins associated with anagen wool growth

Identifying genes of major effect for wool growth would offer strategies for improving the quality and increasing the yield of fine wool. In this study, we employed the Agilent Sheep Gene Expression Microarray and proteomic technology to investigate the gene expression patterns of body side skin (more wool growing) in Aohan fine wool sheep (a Chinese indigenous breed) in comparison with groin skin (no wool growing) at the anagen stage of the wool follicle. A microarray study revealed that 4772 probes were differentially expressed, including 2071 upregulated and 2701 downregulated probes, in the comparisons of body side skin vs. groin skin (S/G). The microarray results were verified by means of quantitative PCR. A total of 1099 probes were assigned to unique genes/transcripts. The number of distinct genes/transcripts (annotated) was 926, of which 352 were upregulated and 574 were downregulated. In S/G, 13 genes were upregulated by more than 10 fold, whereas 60 genes were downregulated by more than 10 fold. Further analysis revealed that the majority of the genes possibly related to the wool growth could be assigned to categories including regulation of cell division, intermediate filament, cytoskeletal part and growth factor activity. Several potential gene families may participate in hair growth regulation, including fibroblast growth factors, transforming growth factor-β, WNTs, insulin-like growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factors and so on. Proteomic analysis also revealed 196 differentially expressed protein points, of which 121 were identified as single protein points.

Stereoselectivity of tradinterol's inhibition on proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells induced by acetylcholine through suppressing Ca(2+) signalling

The objective of this study is to investigate whether the inhibition of tradinterol (SPFF) against acetylcholine (ACh)-induced proliferation is mediated by Ca(2+) signaling in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), and whether stereoselectivity of the drug exists. Guinea pig ASMCs were primarily prepared with the method described and treated with ACh combined to SPFF isomers for 24 or 48 hours, respectively. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the proliferation of the guinea pig ASMCs. Ca(2+) fluorescent intensity in the guinea pig ASMCs, expressed with percentage increase in fluorescence when the intensity was determined with varioskan flash or shown with percentage increase in Geo Mean (GM) measured with flow cytometry, was recorded. Images of the intensity were obtained with fluorescent microscope. 2-APB, an (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor) IP3R blocker, and NiCl2, a store-operated channel (SOC) inhibitor, were used to investigate the mechanism of SPFF isomers regulating intracellular Ca(2+) via IP3R on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and/or SOC on plasma membrane. (-)SPFF and (±)SPFF, treated for 48 hours, showed significant inhibition against ACh-induced proliferation. The Ca(2+) elevation induced by ACh was concentration-dependently suppressed by SPFF isomers. (-)SPFF is the most effective but the potency of (±)SPFF is less than that of the former and stronger than that of (+)SPFF based on the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value. No significant additive effect was observed when (-)SPFF/(±)SPFF was used alone and combined with NiCl2/2-APB. As far as (+)SPFF is concerned, no similar phenomenon was observed. (-)SPFF and (±)SPFF but (+)SPFF showed significant inhibition against the percentage increase in fluorescence induced by CaCl2. It is likely that the influence of IP2RSOC-mediated Ca(2+) signaling in ASMCs helps (-)SPFF and (±)SPFF contribute to the suppression of ASMCs proliferation. Stereoselectivity of SPFF isomers may lead to different levels of suppression of ACh-induced intracellular Ca(2+) and ASMCs proliferation. Moreover, cell cycle analysis with flow cytometry was applied to the evaluation of the action in human ASMCs in order to further confirm the anti-proliferative effect of the drugs. It was found that (-)SPFF, (±)SPFF but (+)SPFF suppressed the elevated rate of cell population in Phase S over all the cells stimulated with ACh, when SPFF and its isomers were individually exposed to the cells for 72 hours. These results that demonstrate the different stereoselective activities of SPFF are in consistent with those obtained from the guinea pig ASMCs.

Factors controlling volatile organic compounds in dwellings in Melbourne, Australia

This study characterized indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and investigated the effects of the dwelling characteristics, building materials, occupant activities, and environmental conditions on indoor VOC concentrations in 40 dwellings located in Melbourne, Australia, in 2008 and 2009. A total of 97 VOCs were identified. Nine VOCs, n-butane, 2-methylbutane, toluene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, d-limonene, ethanol, 2-propanol, and acetic acid, accounted for 68% of the sum of all VOCs. The median indoor concentrations of all VOCs were greater than those measured outdoors. The occupant density was positively associated with indoor VOC concentrations via occupant activities, including respiration and combustion. Terpenes were associated with the use of household cleaning and laundry products. A petroleum-like indoor VOC signature of alkanes and aromatics was associated with the proximity of major roads. The indoor VOC concentrations were negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with ventilation. Levels of VOCs in these Australian dwellings were lower than those from previous studies in North America and Europe, probably due to a combination of an ongoing temporal decrease in indoor VOC concentrations and the leakier nature of Australian dwellings.

A case of placental mesenchymal dysplasia with one year follow-up

Placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) is a rare placental disease with unknown etiology. Because of the malformation of the placenta, the incidence of the obstetric complications and the poor perinatal outcomes are higher than usual. PMD usually accompanies with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. In this article, the authors report a case of PMD with a live delivery in 35+5 gestational weeks. The phenotype of the neonate was normal. During the one-year follow-up, the development of the child was normal.

Socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries among 5-year-olds in four Chinese provinces

OBJECTIVE

To explore socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries among 5-year-olds in four Chinese provinces.

METHODS

This study used data from 1,732 children living in Guangxi, Hubei, Jilin and Shanxi who participated in the Third National Oral Health Survey in 2005. Questionnaires were completed by parents to collect information on family socioeconomic position (parental education and household income) and children's dental behaviours (toothbrushing frequency, sugar intake frequency and last dental visit). Children were clinically examined for dental caries, which was reported using the dmft index. Socioeconomic inequalities in children's caries experience were assessed in negative binomial regression models.

RESULTS

There were significant gradients in children's dmft by household income. Children's dmft increased from 2.63 in the highest income group to 4.70 in the lowest income group. However, parental education was not significantly related to childhood dental caries.

CONCLUSION

Clear social gradients in caries experience of deciduous teeth were found by household income but not parental education.

The influence of obesity on primary total hip arthroplasty outcomes: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

BACKGROUND

Whether or not, obesity negatively influencing the outcomes of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains a controversial issue. Though observational studies focused on this topic, the reported conclusions remain inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to evaluate if obesity negatively affects: (1) the overall complication rate (incidence of dislocation, deep infection and osteolysis); (2) functional outcome; (3) operative time and stay duration in hospital for the primary THA.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library until July 2014 to identify the eligible prospective studies. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used for quality assessment of the included studies. We extracted and pooled the data. As for continuous data, mean difference (MD) was calculated; for dichotomous variables, we calculated a weighted relative risk (RR) with its 95% confidence interval. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I(2) statistics. P ≤ 0.05 was thought to be significant.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies were eligible for data extraction, which involved 11,271 total hip arthroplasties. The pooled data of complication rate demonstrated that obese patients suffered higher rates of complication (RR: 1.68, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.30, P = 0.0004), dislocation (RR: 2.08, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.81, P < 0.0001) and deep infection (RR: 2.92, 95% CI 0.74 to 11.49, P = 0.13). For the functional result, obese patients acquired relatively lower Harris Hip Score than non-obese patients (MD: -2.75, 95% CI -4.77 to -0.6), no difference was found regarding Oxford Hip Score (MD: -0.46, 95% CI -2.18 to 1.26, P = 0.60). Obese patients compared to non-obese patients showed an increase duration of operation (MD: 10.67, 95% CI 3.00 to 18.35, P = 0.006). However, no significant difference was found in the length of stay in hospital between obese and non-obese patients (MD: -0.16, 95% CI -0.34 to 0.02, P = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies demonstrates that obesity negatively influences the overall complication rate, dislocation rate, functional outcome and operative time of primary total hip arthroplasty.

Genetic diversity analysis of eight indigenous goat breeds (groups) in China using AFLP markers

Eight goat breeds from Chengdu, Lezhi, Jintang, Baiyu, Yingshan, Hejiang, Jiangan, and Jialing in Sichuan, China were analyzed for genetic diversity using AFLP markers. A total of 261 individuals were analyzed using eight selective AFLP primer combinations which generated 174 discernible fragments, of which 80 were polymorphic with an average of 27.15 bands per primer pair. Shannon's gene diversity index among breeds ranged from 0.0888 to 0.2289, and the highest and the lowest gene diversity index among breeds were the Yingshan Black goat (0.2289) and the Baiyu Black goat (0.0888) respectively. The genetic distance (DR) among eight goat breeds were calculated by Rogers' genetic distance. Based on the analytical results, systematic trees were constructed by using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) and the neighbor joining (NJ) methods. Eight breeds were divided into two main clusters by using cluster analysis, one of which including two subclusters. The clustering results agreed well with the origin of the goats and geographic distribution. The results implied that AFLP markers were informative and could provide significant insights for genetic diversity research and genetic resource conservation of indigenous goats.

Interleukin-37 ameliorates myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury in mice

Innate immune and inflammatory responses are involved in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Interleukin (IL)-37 is a newly identified member of the IL-1 family, and functions as a fundamental inhibitor of innate immunity and inflammation. However, its role in myocardial I/R injury remains unknown. I/R or sham operations were performed on male C57BL/6J mice. I/R mice received an injection of recombinant human IL-37 or vehicle, immediately before reperfusion. Compared with vehicle treatment, mice treated with IL-37 showed an obvious amelioration of the I/R injury, as demonstrated by reduced infarct size, decreased cardiac troponin T level and improved cardiac function. This protective effect was associated with the ability of IL-37 to suppress production of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and neutrophil infiltration, which together contributed to a decrease in cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In addition, we found that IL-37 inhibited the up-regulation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 expression and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) activation after I/R, while increasing the anti-inflammatory IL-10 level. Moreover, the administration of anti-IL-10R antibody abolished the protective effects of IL-37 in I/R injury. In-vitro experiments further demonstrated that IL-37 protected cardiomyocytes from apoptosis under I/R condition, and suppressed the migration ability of neutrophils towards the chemokine LIX. In conclusion, IL-37 plays a protective role against mouse myocardial I/R injury, offering a promising therapeutic medium for myocardial I/R injury.

Silencing of the glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase GDPD5 alters the phospholipid metabolite profile in a breast cancer model in vivo as monitored by (31) P MRS

Abnormal choline phospholipid metabolism is an emerging hallmark of cancer, which is implicated in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. The malignant metabolic phenotype is characterized by high levels of phosphocholine (PC) and relatively low levels of glycerophosphocholine (GPC) in aggressive breast cancer cells. Phosphorus ((31) P) MRS is able to non-invasively detect these water-soluble metabolites of choline as well as ethanolamine phospholipid metabolism. Here we have investigated the effects of stably silencing glycerophosphoester diesterase domain containing 5 (GDPD5), which is an enzyme with glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase activity, in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and orthotopic tumor xenografts. Tumors in which GDPD5 was stably silenced with GDPD5-specific shRNA contained increased levels of GPC and phosphoethanolamine (PE) compared with control tumors.

Two-color gauge theory with novel infrared behavior

Using lattice simulations, we study the infrared behavior of a particularly interesting SU(2) gauge theory, with six massless Dirac fermions in the fundamental representation. We compute the running gauge coupling derived nonperturbatively from the Schrödinger functional of the theory, finding no evidence for an infrared fixed point up through gauge couplings g(2) of order 20. This implies that the theory either is governed in the infrared by a fixed point of considerable strength, unseen so far in nonsupersymmetric gauge theories, or breaks its global chiral symmetries producing a large number of composite Nambu-Goldstone bosons relative to the number of underlying degrees of freedom. Thus either of these phases exhibits novel behavior.

Efficacy and safety of entecavir treatment in a heterogeneous CHB population from a ‘real-world’ clinical practice setting in China

Chronic hepatitis B infection is an important cause of liver-related mortality in China. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of entecavir in a heterogeneous patient population from a ‘real-world’ clinical practice setting in China. This prospective, observational cohort provides 48-week data on 2600 patients from 50 sites in China who received entecavir (0.5 or 1.0 mg) and were assessed for virologic, serologic and biochemical responses. Patients were nucleos(t)ide-na€ıve or -experienced and had compensated or decompensated liver function. At Week 48, 1545/2424 (64%) patients with compensated liver disease and 30/44 (68%) patients with decompensated liver disease achieved HBV DNA<50 IU/mL. Greater proportions of nucleos(t)ide-na€ıve than nucleos(t)ide-experienced (69% vs 53%), and adefovir-experienced than lamivudine/ telbivudine-experienced (62% vs 52%) patients achieved this endpoint. Most patients with HBV DNA<50 IU/mL also achieved HBV DNA<12 IU/L (60%, 45% and 61% of nucleos(t)ide-na€ıve, nucleos(t)ide-experienced and decompensated patients, respectively). In patients with compensated liver disease, ALT values normalized in 1532/1792 patients (85%), and HBeAg loss and HBeAg seroconversion were observed in 17% and 15% of treatment-na€ıve and 15% and 11% of treatment-experienced patients. Entecavir was generally well tolerated. Adverse event rates were comparable between treatment-na€ıve and treatment-experienced patients with compensated liver disease, but were higher in decompensated than in compensated patients, consistent with previous reports in these patients with more advanced disease. Four patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. In a ‘real-world’ setting, entecavir was efficacious and well tolerated throughout 48 weeks in a heterogeneous Chinese CHB population.

PAK4 kinase-mediated SCG10 phosphorylation involved in gastric cancer metastasis

Superior cervical ganglia 10 (SCG10), as a microtubule (MT) destabilizer, maintains MT homeostasis and has a critical role in neuronal development, but its function in tumorigenesis has not been characterized. In the present study, we demonstrated that p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4)-mediated SCG10 phosphorylation regulates MT homeostasis in metastatic gastric cancer. Our results indicate that SCG10 is a physiological substrate of PAK4, which is phosphorylated on serine 50 (Ser50) in a PAK4-dependent manner. Phosphorylated SCG10 regulated MT dynamics to promote gastric cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in a xenograft mouse models. Inhibiting PAK4, either by LCH-7749944 or RNA interference, resulted in the inhibition of Ser50 phosphorylation and a blockade to cell invasion, suggesting that PAK4-SCG10 signaling occurs in gastric cancer cell invasion. Moreover, we demonstrated a strong positive correlation between PAK4 and phospho-Ser50 SCG10 expression in gastric cancer samples. We also showed that high expression of SCG10 phospho-Ser50 is highly correlated to an aggressive phenotype of clinical gastric cancer. These findings revealed a novel function of SCG10 in promoting invasive potential of gastric cancer cells, suggesting that blocking PAK4-mediated SCG10 phosphorylation might be a potential therapeutic strategy for metastasis of gastric cancer.

Improved electroporation buffer enhances transient gene expression in Arachis hypogaea protoplasts

An electroporation medium containing 50 mM glycine or 10 mM glycylglycine (glygly), 70 mM potassium glutamate, and 0.4 M mannitol was evaluated for its ability to improve transient &beta;-glucuronidase (GUS) expression in immature cotyledonary protoplasts of Arachis hypogaea L. GUS activity in electroporated protoplasts was 8- to 430-fold greater than that obtained using any of other four commonly employed poration media. Analysis of viability and histochemical staining of protoplasts indicated that electroporation using the glycine- or glygly-based poration medium resulted in increased protoplast viability and GUS expression when compared with other poration media. Replacement of glygly with MES or HEPES buffers significantly reduced the level of GUS expression in electroporated protoplasts.

Protective role of Shenfu on ischemia-reperfusion injury of rat liver grafts

AIMS

We sought to investigate the protective role of Shenfu (SF),a traditional Chinese formulation comprising Radix Ginseng and Radix Aconitum Carmichaeli on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat liver grafts.

METHODS

Ninety-six male Sprague Dawley rats were used as donors (n = 48) and recipients (n = 48) of orthotopic liver transplantation. They were randomly divided into a control group with donor livers injected with saline through the portal vein immediately after recovery versus the SF group, with livers injected with SF. Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups equally to obtain bood and hepatic tissues samples at 2, 4, and 6 hours reperfusion.

RESULTS

At each phase, the SF group, showed significantly higher bile production (P < .05) with lower serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and tumor necrosis factor-α, and nuclear factor-κB expression in the hepatic tissues. (P < .05). SF group hepatic tissues showed less injury compared with controls.

CONCLUSION

SF injection seemed to protect hepatocytes from injury during the early reperfusion phase and to improve subsequent rat liver graft function.

Molecular Characterization of Stolbur Group Subgroup E (16SrXII-E) Phytoplasma Associated with Potatoes in China

Phytoplasmas have been reported from more than 70 plant species in China, most of which are from woody plants and very few are from potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). During the growing seasons of 2005 through 2011, potato disease surveys were conducted in seed and commercial fields in Yunnan Province and Inner Mongolia. Potato plants displayed symptoms of curled, yellowish and purplish leaves, shortened internodes, aerial tuber formation, and few small malformed underground tubers. Although the location of the fields surveyed each year varied, the disease seems to have become increasingly prevalent. In Yunnan, disease incidence was 5 to 24% in 2005 and 15 to 100% in 2010 and 2011. In Inner Mongolia, disease incidence in seed potato fields was 5 to 15% in 2006 and 25 to 50% in 2011. Total DNA was extracted from the leaves, stems, and roots of symptomatic and asymptomatic plants with a DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) according to the manufacturer's instruction. A nested PCR was performed by using primer pair P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 to detect the presence of phytoplasmas (1,3). An approximate 1.25-kb PCR product was amplified from symptomatic plants but not from asymptomatic plants. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns were analyzed by digesting the 1.2-kb amplicon singly with restriction enzymes AluI, BfaI, HhaI, HpaI, KpnI, MseI, and TaqI. Comparing the RFLP patterns of samples with previously published phytoplasma strains, the phytoplasmas matched patterns of the stolbur group, subgroup E (16SrXII-E) (1). In addition, the PCR product from P1/P7, diluted 1:30, was amplified by using primer pair P1A/P7A (2). The nested PCR product was cloned into pCR8/GW/TOPO vector (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) and sequenced by the Core Lab of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and GENEWIZ (South Plainfield, NJ). Nucleotide sequences (GenBank Accession No. EU293841) were analyzed by iPhyClassifier software (4), confirming the relationship of this phytoplasma to 'Candidatus Phytoplasma fragariae' with RFLP patterns identical to group 16SrXII-E. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular characterization of the stolbur group phytoplasmas associated with potato disease in China. The potato is becoming increasingly important in China. The impacts of stolbur on potato yield losses, disease distributions, and insect vectors are currently under investigation. References: (1) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 48:1153, 1998. (2) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol 54:337, 2004. (3) C. D. Smart et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:2988, 1996. (4) Y. Zhao et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59:2582, 2009.

Abdominal Palpation Haptic Device for Colonoscopy Simulation Using Pneumatic Control

In this paper, we describe the development of a haptic device to be used in a simulator aiming to train the skills of gastroenterology assistants in abdominal palpation during colonoscopy, as well as to train team interaction skills for the colonoscopy team. To understand the haptic feedback forces to be simulated by the haptic device, we conducted an experiment with five participants of varying BMI. The applied forces and displacements were measured and hysteresis modeling was used to characterize the experimental data. These models were used to determine the haptic feedback forces required to simulate a BMI case in response to the real-time user interactions. The pneumatic haptic device consisted of a sphygmomanometer bladder as the haptic interface and a fuzzy controller to regulate the bladder pressure. The haptic device showed good steady state and dynamic response was adequate for simulating haptic interactions. Tracking accuracy averaged 94.2 percent within 300 ms of the reference input while the user was actively applying abdominal palpation and minor repositioning.

Preoperative Lanreotide Treatment Improves Outcome in Patients with Acromegaly Resulting from Invasive Pituitary Macroadenoma

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether 3 months' preoperative treatment with lanreotide improved outcome in newly diagnosed patients with acromegaly resulting from invasive pituitary macroadenoma. METHODS: After baseline evaluation, untreated patients were randomized to undergo direct trans-sphenoidal surgery or lanreotide treatment (30 mg via intramuscular injection every 2 weeks, increased to 30 mg/week at week 8 if growth hormone nadir > 2.5 μg/l), for 3 months prior to surgery. Tumour shrinkage following lanreotide treatment was analysed. Cure was evaluated at 3 months postsurgery by measuring growth hormone and insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels. RESULTS: Preoperative lanreotide treatment significantly reduced mean tumour size. Growth hormone and IGF-1 levels were lower in the pretreatment group than in the direct surgery group at 3 months postsurgery. According to combined growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, significantly more patients were cured by trans-sphenoidal surgery in the pretreatment group compared with the direct surgery group (11 of 24 and five of 25 patients, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Lanreotide treatment for 3 months before trans-sphenoidal surgery effectively reduced tumour size, and improved surgical cure rate, in newly diagnosed patients with acromegaly resulting from invasive pituitary macroadenoma.

Retargeting NK92 cells using an HLA-A2-restricted, EBNA3C-specific chimeric antigen receptor

Advances in adoptive cell immunotherapy have led to several promising options for cancer patients. Single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) were isolated from a human phage display library by panning on recombinant human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-peptide complexes. A scFv (EBNA Clone 315) specific for HLA-A2 carrying a 10 amino acid peptide (LLDFVRFMGV) derived from the Epstein-Barr virus latent protein EBNA3C was fully characterized. EBNA Clone 315 displayed exquisite specificity toward its targeted T-cell epitope (TCE) and did not cross-react with the free peptide, HLA-A2 complexes, which carried irrelevant peptides, or HLA-A2(-) cells. Furthermore, after engineering into a scFv-Fc fusion protein, we were able to determine its affinity, detection sensitivity, and ability to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). As a proof-of-principle, a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) version of EBNA Clone 315 was used to reprogram NK92MI cells. CAR-expressing NK92MI cells showed highly specific and potent cytotoxicity toward the targeted TCE, with detection sensitivity of approximately 25 molecules and cytolytic capacity threefold greater than scFv-Fc-mediated ADCC. For the first time, we show the successful reprogramming of non-T cells toward a specific TCE using a CAR.

First Report of Clover Proliferation Group Phytoplasmas (16SrVI-A) Associated with Purple Top Diseased Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) in China

Phytoplasma diseases on potatoes are not well understood and have gone largely undetected in China. During the growing seasons of 2005 through 2010, potato disease surveys were conducted in seed and commercial fields in Yunnan Province. Samples were also harvested from three seed potato production areas in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2007 and 2010. Disease incidence in these fields ranged from 15 to 85%. Plants displayed symptoms of branch proliferation, aerial tuber formation, upward rolling yellowish and purplish apical leaves, and extremely short stolen or chain tubers (irregular-shaped tubers). Total DNA from 250 samples was extracted from the leaves, stems, and roots of symptomatic and asymptomatic plants. A nested PCR was performed by using primer pair P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 to detect the presence of phytoplasmas (1,3). An approximate 1.2-kb PCR product was amplified from symptomatic plants but not from asymptomatic plants. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns were analyzed by digesting the 1.2-kb amplicon singly with restriction enzymes AluI, BfaI, MseI, HhaI, HinfI, HpaII, KpnI, RsaI, and TaqI. The RFLP patterns of 120 of the 250 samples matched patterns of the clover proliferation (CP) group (16SrVI) subgroup A (16SrVI-A) phytoplasma (1). In addition, the nested PCR product of P1A/P7A (2) following P1/P7 amplification was cloned and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. HQ609490). Nucleotide sequences were analyzed by iPhyClassifier software (4), confirming the relationship of this phytoplasma to 'Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii' with RFLP patterns identical to group 16SrVI-A. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the CP group phytoplasmas associated with purple top diseased potatoes in China. References: (1) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 48:1153, 1998. (2) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol 54:337, 2004. (3) C. D. Smart et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:2988, 1996. (4) Y. Zhao et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59:2582, 2009.

Parity doubling and the S parameter below the conformal window

We describe a lattice simulation of the masses and decay constants of the lowest-lying vector and axial resonances, and the electroweak S parameter, in an SU(3) gauge theory with N(f)=2 and 6 fermions in the fundamental representation. The spectrum becomes more parity doubled and the S parameter per electroweak doublet decreases when N(f) is increased from 2 to 6, motivating study of these trends as N(f) is increased further, toward the critical value for transition from confinement to infrared conformality.

First Report of Aster Yellows (16SrI-B) Associated with Potatoes in Alaska

During a disease survey conducted in 2009 in Alaska, one potato plant (Solanum tuberosum) with symptoms characteristic of aster yellows, such as apical leaves rolling inward, leaves turning yellow or purple, and presence of aerial tubers, was found in a commercial field. Total DNA was extracted from leaves, stems, and roots of the symptomatic and symptomless plants with a DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) according to the instructions of the manufacturer. A nested PCR was carried out with the first round primer pair P1/P7 followed by second round primer pair R16F2n/R16R2 (1,3). An approximate 1.2-kb PCR product was amplified from the symptomatic plant, but not symptomless plants. The PCR products from R16F2n/R16R2 were digested using restriction enzymes AluI, BfaI, BstUI, HhaI, HpaI, KpnI, MseI, and RsaI. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns were compared with those from known phytoplasma strains (1) and they matched the patterns for aster yellows subgroup B (16SrI-B). After P1/P7 amplification, the nested PCR product of primer pair P1A/16S-SR (2) was purified with a MiniElute Gel Extraction kit (Qiagen), sequenced by GENEWIZ (South Plainfield, NJ), and the sequence data analyzed by iPhyClassifier software (4). The results indicated that the sequence (GenBank Accession No. HQ599231) had 99.65% similarity to 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' reference strain (GenBank Accession No. M30790). The RFLP similarity was identical (coefficient 1.00) to the reference pattern of 16Sr group I, subgroup B (GenBank Accession No. NC 005303). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the molecular identification of aster yellows phytoplasma associated with potatoes in Alaska. The source of the phytoplasma and pathway of disease transmission is currently under investigation. References: (1) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 48:1153, 1998. (2) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 54:337, 2004. (3) C. D. Smart et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:2988, 1996. (4) Y. Zhao et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59:2582, 2009.

Molecular Characterization of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' Associated with Aster Yellows-Diseased Potatoes in China

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are one of the most important crops in China following rice, wheat, and corn. Aster yellows phytoplasma appeared to be widespread in China; it was found to cause diseases on alfalfa, oranges, peaches, periwinkles, bamboo (1), and cactus (4). However, scant information of this pathogen on potatoes is available except for a few short reports published during the 1950s. During the potato disease surveys conducted from 2005 to 2010 in Yunnan and Inner Mongolia, 10 to 35% of potato plants exhibited symptoms of yellowing or purpling of apical leaves, with the top leaves rolling inward and aerial tubers formation. Total DNA was extracted from midveins of leaves and roots of 125 diseased and asymptomatic plants with a DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. A nested PCR was carried out with the first round primer pair P1/P7 followed by the second round primer pair R16F2n/R16R2 (2,3). A PCR product of approximately 1.2 kb was amplified from diseased plants but not from asymptomatic plants. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns were analyzed by digesting a 1.2-kb product using restriction enzymes AluI, BfaI, BstUI, HhaI, HpaI, KpnI, MseI, and RsaI. Comparing the RFLP patterns with previously published phytoplasma strains (2), aster yellows phytoplasma found on potato plants in Yunnan and Inner Mongolia belong to group I, subgroup B (16SrI-B). The PCR product from P1/P7, diluted 1:30, was amplified by using primer pair P1A/P7A (3) and P1A/16S-SR (3). The nested-PCR products from P1A/P7A and P1A/16S-SR were cloned into pCR8/GW/TOPO vector (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) and sequenced by the Core Lab of the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and GENEWIZ (South Plainfield, NJ). The nucleotide sequence (GenBank Accession No. HQ599228) was analyzed by iPhyClassifier software and had 99.53% sequence identity to the reference strain (GenBank Accession No. M30790) for 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris'. The RFLP similarity is identical (coefficient 1.00) to the reference pattern of 16Sr group I, subgroup B (GenBank Accession No. NC_005303). To our knowledge, this is the first report revealing the molecular characteristics of a phytoplasma associated with aster yellows-diseased potatoes in China. References: (1) H. Cai et al. Plant Prot. 31:38, 2005. (2) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 48:1153, 1998. (3) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 54:337, 2004. (4) W. Wei et al. Plant Dis. 91:461, 2007.

Intrapericardial pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-secreting tumor. Most cases are intra-adrenal, and intrapericardial pheochromocytomas are extremely rare. We report a case of a 30-year-old woman with a seven-year history of hypertension. The concentration of blood noradrenaline was found to be elevated. Chest computed tomography scan showed a limited bulge in the superior border of the right atrium. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the existence of a tumor. Coronary arteriography detected a mass near the right atrium, which was nourished by an aberrant branch of the right coronary artery. After preoperative preparation, the patient underwent pericardial tumor resection. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and the patient was successfully discharged 20 days later.

Limits and Properties of Size Quantization Effects in InAs Self Assembled Quantum Dots

In this paper we report on the limits and properties of size quantization effects in InAs self assembled quantum dots (QDs). Size, density and character of the InAs islands are investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The electronic and optical properties of the islands in the coherent and dislocated growth regime are studied using capacitance, photoluminescence, photovoltage and photocurrent spectroscopy. In the data measured with the different techniques, the change in dot size and density as well as the transition from coherent to dislocated island growth is clearly observable. An increasing QD size causes a red shift in the energetic position of the QD features while the density of the islands is reflected in the intensity of the QD signal. The decrease in intensity at high InAs coverage is attributed to dislocated island formation.