Associations between chronotype, MTNR1B genotype and risk of type 2 diabetes in UK Biobank

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between the MTNR1B G risk allele, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronotype in the UK Biobank.

METHODS

Data from the baseline investigation of the UK Biobank were utilized (n = 337 083 White British; mean age: 56.9 years; 54% women). MTNR1B rs10830963 was directly genotyped [CC (reference group), CG and GG]. Chronotype was divided into four categories: definitely morning (reference group); more morning than evening; more evening than morning; and definitely evening. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for T2D, controlling for age, sex and other confounders.

RESULTS

Carriers of the rs10830963 risk allele had a higher risk of T2D [CG vs. CC: OR (95% CI) 1.10 (1.07, 1.15); GG vs. CC: 1.21 (1.14, 1.29)]. Compared with definitely morning chronotype, participants with definitely evening chronotype exhibited the highest risk of T2D [1.25 (1.17, 1.33)]. Despite a nonsignificant interaction between chronotype and the risk allele [0.98 (0.94, 1.01), P = 0.176 for interaction term], we found that definitely evening chronotype (vs. definitely morning) was linked with a higher risk of T2D amongst CC and CG but not GG carriers. Additionally, we saw that the GG genotype (vs. CC) was associated with a higher risk of T2D across all chronotype categories, except for definitely evening.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the MTNR1B G risk allele and late chronotype increase the risk of T2D. The association between late chronotype and higher risk of T2D appears to vary across MTNR1B rs10830963 genotypes.

Graphene quantum dot electrochemiluminescence increase by bio-generated H2O2 and its application in direct biosensing

In this study, a novel signal-increase electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor has been developed for the detection of glucose based on graphene quantum dot/glucose oxidase (GQD/GOx) on Ti foil. The proposed GQD with excellent ECL ability is synthesized through a green one-step strategy by the electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide quantum dot. Upon the addition of glucose, GOx can catalytically oxidize glucose and the direct electron transfer between the redox centre of GOx and the modified electrode also has been realized, which results in the bio-generated H₂O₂ for ECL signal increase in GQD and realizes the direct ECL detection of glucose. The signal-increase ECL biosensor enables glucose detection with high sensitivity reaching 5 × 10^-6 mol l^-1 in a wide linear range from 5 × 10^-6 to 1.5 × 10^-3 mol l^-1. Additionally, the fabrication process of such GQD-based ECL biosensor is also suitable to other biologically produced H₂O₂ system, suggesting the possible applications in the sensitive detection of other biologically important targets (e.g. small molecules, protein, DNA and so on).

Experimental atopic dermatitis is dependent on the TWEAK/Fn14 signaling pathway

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) acts through its receptor fibroblast growth factor inducible 14 (Fn14), and participates in skin inflammation. Both TWEAK and Fn14 are highly expressed in skin lesions of patients with atopic dermatitis. The purpose of this study was to further explore the effect of Fn14 inhibition on experimental atopic dermatitis. Experimental atopic dermatitis was induced in the wild-type and Fn14 knock-out BALB/c mice. The effect of TWEAK/Fn14 interaction on keratinocytes was studied in an in-vitro model of atopic dermatitis. Fn14 deficiency ameliorates skin lesions in the mice model, accompanied by less infiltration of inflammatory cells and lower local levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including TWEAK, TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-17. Fn14 deficiency also attenuates the up-regulation of TNFR1 in skin lesions of atopic dermatitis. Moreover, topical TWEAK exacerbates skin lesion in the wild-type but not in the Fn14 knock-out mice. In vitro, TWEAK enhances the expressions of IL-17, IL-18 and IFN-γ in keratinocytes under atopic dermatitis-like inflammation. These results suggest that Fn14 deficiency protects mice from experimental atopic dermatitis, involving the attenuation of inflammatory responses and keratinocyte apoptosis. In the context of atopic dermatitis-like inflammation, TWEAK modulates keratinocytes via a TNFR1-mediated pathway.

A Protocol for Transverse Cardiac Slicing and Optical Mapping in Murine Heart

Thin living tissue slices have recently emerged as a new tissue model for cardiac electrophysiological research. Slices can be produced from human cardiac tissue, in addition to small and large mammalian hearts, representing a powerful in vitro model system for preclinical and translational heart research. In the present protocol, we describe a detailed mouse heart transverse slicing and optical imaging methodology. The use of this technology for high-throughput optical imaging allows study of electrophysiology of murine hearts in an organotypic pseudo two-dimensional model. The slices are cut at right angles to the long axis of the heart, permitting robust interrogation of transmembrane potential (Vm) and calcium transients (CaT) throughout the entire heart with exceptional regional precision. This approach enables the use of a series of slices prepared from the ventricles to measure Vm and CaT with high temporal and spatial resolution, allowing (i) comparison of successive slices which form a stack representing the original geometry of the heart; (ii) profiling of transmural and regional gradients in Vm and CaT in the ventricle; (iii) characterization of transmural and regional profiles of action potential and CaT alternans under stress (e.g., high frequency pacing or β-adrenergic stimulation) or pathological conditions (e.g., hypertrophy). Thus, the protocol described here provides a powerful platform for innovative research on electrical and calcium handling heterogeneity within the heart. It can be also combined with optogenetic technology to carry out optical stimulation; aiding studies of cellular Vm and CaT in a cell type specific manner.

[Clinical effect of nano-fat mixed granule fat transplantation in the treatment of cicatricial facial depression and atrophy and the related experimental mechanism]

Objective: To study the clinical effect of nano-fat mixed granule fat transplantation in the treatment of cicatricial facial depression and atrophy, and to explore the related experimental mechanism. Methods: (1) From January 2012 to April 2018, 105 patients conforming to the inclusion criteria, with cicatricial facial depression and atrophy deformity who needed facial fat transplantation, were admitted to our unit. Their medical records were analyzed retrospectively. According to the patients' wishes, 54 patients (12 males and 42 females) aged 10-59 years received traditional transplantation of pure autologous granule fat collected from abdomen/thigh and were included in simple transplantation group, while the other 51 patients (14 males and 37 females) aged 7-63 years received transplantation of autologous nano-fat mixed granule fat collected from abdomen/thigh and were included in mixed transplantation group. The treatment satisfaction of patients 3 and 6 months after operation was assessed by the facial fullness, symmetry, scar, and complications using self-made scales and photo data before and after operation. Six months after operation, the patients were assessed whether they needed to undergo a second operation, and the rate of second operation was calculated. During the second operation, the fat of patients transplanted in the first operation was collected, and the morphology of adipocytes and microangiogenesis was observed under a scanning electron microscope. (2) Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were isolated and cultured from abdominal fat of a 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. The 5th passage of cells were selected to observe cell morphology after cultured for 14 days, observe expression of vimentin and cytokeratin-18 by immunofluorescence method, identify osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, and detect rates of CD29 and CD44 positive cells by flow cytometer (n=3). Eighteen 4-week-old male SD rats were divided into ADSCs transplantation group, simple scar group, and blank control group according to the random number table, with 6 rats in each group. Rats in ADSCs transplantation group and simple scar group were subcutaneously injected with 1 mL bleomycin which was dissolved in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with a mass concentration of 1 mg/mL at the back to establish scar models. After 3 hours, rats in ADSCs transplantation group were injected with 1×10(6) ADSCs suspended in 0.1 mL PBS at the same injection site, while rats in simple scar group were injected with 0.1 mL PBS. Rats in blank control group were injected with the same doses of PBS in the same place at the same two time points mentioned above. After continuous injection for 28 days in each group, the full-thickness skin tissue of the injected area of all rats was collected to observe the collagen fibers by Masson staining and expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor β(1) (TGF-β(1)) by immunohistochemistry, and the positive cells were counted. Data were processed with Mann-Whitney U test, χ(2) test, one-way analysis of variance, and least significant difference test. Results: (1) Compared with the preoperative condition, the facial fullness and symmetry of patients in simple transplantation group were better in 3 months after operation, with scar color closer to the surrounding skin, and the filling volume of patients in this group decreased in 6 months after operation as compared with that in 3 months after operation. In mixed transplantation group, the facial fullness and symmetry of patients were better in 3 and 6 months after operation as compared with the preoperative condition, with scar color and texture closer to the surrounding skin, and the filling volume in 6 months after operation was not obviously reduced as compared with that in 3 months after operation. Fat liquefaction and subcutaneous nodule formation occurred respectively in 1 patient in simple transplantation group within 3 months after operation. The treatment satisfaction of patients in mixed transplantation group was significantly higher than that in simple transplantation group in 3 and 6 months after operation (Z=-2.566, -3.084, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Six months after operation, the second operation rate of patients in mixed transplantation group was 7.84% (4/51), which was significantly lower than 22.22% (12/54) in simple transplantation group (χ(2)=4.199, P<0.05). At the second operation, compared with those of simple transplantation group, the cells of fat transplanted in the first operation of patients in mixed transplantation group were more plump, without collapse or dryness, and the cells were closely arranged, with smaller gap; the tubular and the cord-like microvascular structure on the cell surface were more abundant, and the cell gap was full of network-like microvascular structure that grew into the adipose tissue. (2) The fifth passage of cells isolated and cultured from rat fat grew adherently to the wall, with long fusiform or spindle shape, showing shoal-of-fish-like growth. Vimentin and cytokeratin-18 were highly expressed in the cells. Cells showed osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation ability by induction. The positive expression rates of CD29 and CD44 were higher than 90.00%. The cells were identified as ADSCs. After 28 days of injection, the collagen fibers in the dermis of skin tissue at the injection area of rats in blank control group were finely arranged. In simple scar group, a large amount of collagen was deposited in the dermis of skin tissue at the injection area of rats, the fiber bundles were thick and loosely unevenly arranged, and a large number of inflammatory infiltration and scattered muscle fibers were observed. In ADSCs transplantation group, the collagen fibers in the dermis of skin tissue at the injection area of rats were thicker than those of blank control group, with still neat arrangement, and a small amount of scattered muscle fiber and inflammatory infiltration was observed. After 28 days of injection, the expression of α-SMA in ADSCs transplantation group was mainly in microvessels in the dermis of skin tissue at the injected area of rats, and the number of α-SMA and TGF-β(1) positive cells was (49±12) and (63±10) cells per 20-fold field of view, respectively, which was similar to (35±16) and (44±17) cells per 20-fold field of view of blank control group (P>0.05), all significantly less than (135±13) and (121±23) cells per 20-fold field of view of simple scar group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Compared with those of autologous simple granule fat transplantation, autologous nano-fat mixed granule fat transplantation has better filling fullness in the treatment of patients with scar facial depression and atrophy. The filling effect lasts longer, and the improvement of scar texture is more obvious. As showed in the rat scar model experiment, the mechanism may be that ADSCs inhibit the expressions of α-SMA and TGF-β(1), thus inhibiting the formation of scar.

New Strategy of Acute Graft-vs-Host Disease: Investigation of a Reduced Dose of Antithymocyte Globulin in Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) is one of the biggest challenges in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Antithymocyte globulins (ATGs) are widely used to overcome GVHD, but excessive immunosuppression increases the chances of relapse and infection following transplantation. No defined standard of the appropriate dose of ATG usage is recognized. The study included 11 patients who were treated with a reduced dose of ATG to prevent GVHD in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A reduced dose of ATG-Thymoglobulin (total dose of 5 mg/kg) was used in the pretreatment protocol for 2 consecutive days. All patients had successful transplantation. The median time of neutrophil engraftment was 12 days. All chimerism tests passed on day 30, 60, and 90 post transplantation. None of the patients had acute GVHD, while only 2 patients had I to II degree chronic GVHD (18.2%). No transplantation-related deaths were observed. The current findings suggest that the reduced dose of ATG can effectively prevent the incidence of acute GVHD in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

[Research on reform of epidemiology teaching]

Epidemiology is a traditional subject mainly based on principles and concepts, and its teaching method needs further improving to meet the requirement of the new trend of education reform. Lecture-based teaching, problem-based teaching, case-based teaching, and internet based teaching, such as flip class, massive open online course and micro-lecture, all have its own unique merits in the practice of epidemiology teaching. So the combination of traditional teaching and online teaching is the most promising mode. "Rain class" , a mixed mode, is an efficient tool to present the epidemiology case more actually in class. Thus, teaching design and application of "rain class" are worth research.

[Analysis of chromosome in 1 324 patients with oligozoospermia or azoosperm]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the incidience of chromosome abnormality of the patients with oligozoospermia or azoospermia and male infertility, to discuss the relationship between the quantitative and structural abnormality of chromosome and to lay the foundation for the clinical diagnosis and consultation.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted from January 1, 2015 to May 1, 2016, in the Center for Reproduction Medicine, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, with male reproductive abnormalities history excluded. In the study, 1 324 cases were included with 448 cases of azoospermia and 876 cases of oligozoospermia. All the patients through ultrasound examination, color Doppler ultrasonography, the seminal plasma Zn determination, their hormone level determination, chromosome karyotype (the perinatal blood samples were obtained from the 1 324 patients with oligozoospermia or azoospermia for lymphocyte culture, then chromosomal specimens were prepared, G-banding analyses combined with clinical data were used to statistically analyze the incidence of chromosomal abnormality), Y chromosome azoospermia factor [PCR technique was used to detect SY157 locus, SY254 locus, and SY255 locus in male Y chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) gene of the patients with oligozoospermia or azoospermia]. The relationship between chromosome abnormalities and oligozoospermia or azoospermia were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 876 cases of oligospermia patients, 78 cases were chromosome number abnormality and chromosomal structural abnormality, the abnormal number of sex chromosomes in 22 cases, and sex chromosomes and chromosome structural abnormalities in 56 cases; in the 448 cases of azoospermia patients, 91 cases were chromosomal structural abnormality and chromosome number abnormality, of them, 78 cases were of abnormal number of sex chromosomes, and 13 cases were of abnormal structure. In addition, 137 cases were of chromosome polymorphism in all the 1 324 patients, The incidence of Y chromosome abnormality in azoospermatism was higher than that of the 43 patients with Y chromosome AZF microdeletion. In addition, the asthenospermia and recurrent spontaneous abortion were closely related to Y chromosome abnormality and the chromosome translocations and inversions.

CONCLUSION

Oligozoospermia and azoospermia patients with abnormal chromosome karyotype have high incidence rate, and chromosome karyotype analyses were carried out on it, which is conducive to clinical diagnosis for the patients with abnormal chromosome karyotype. There is a close relationship between male infertility and abnormal karyotype. It is conducive to clinical diagnosis for the patients with infertility through chromosome karyotye analysis, which also provides evidence for genetic counseling.

Wavelength multiplexing of four-wave mixing based fiber temperature sensor with oil-filled photonic crystal fiber

A fiber temperature sensor based on four-wave mixing (FWM) with an oil-filled photonic crystal fiber (PCF) is proposed in this study, and a multipoint measurement based on the wavelength multiplexing of such sensors is constructed for the first time. The sensing performance and signal spectral characteristics of the temperature sensor are theoretically and experimentally studied. The maximum temperature sensitivity of the signal light of 0.207 nm/°C is achieved using a FWM sensing fiber with a length of 10 cm. The signal wavelength response to excitation power is also explored in this experiment. Results showed that the temperature sensor is relatively insensitive to the fluctuation of power change. The wavelength multiplexing of a FWM-based PCF temperature sensor also presents the possibility of multiplexing measurement and multipoint sensing, and high multiplexed capability is theoretically predicted to be obtainable with optimized sensitivity and splicing loss.

Population genomics of wild Chinese rhesus macaques reveals a dynamic demographic history and local adaptation, with implications for biomedical research

Background

The rhesus macaque (RM, Macaca mulatta) is the most important nonhuman primate model in biomedical research. We present the first genomic survey of wild RMs, sequencing 81 geo-referenced individuals of five subspecies from 17 locations in China, a large fraction of the species’ natural distribution.

Results

Populations were structured into five genetic lineages on the mainland and Hainan Island, recapitulating current subspecies designations. These subspecies are estimated to have diverged 125.8 to 51.3 thousand years ago, but feature recent gene flow. Consistent with the expectation of a larger body size in colder climates and smaller body size in warmer climates (Bergman's rule), the northernmost RM lineage (M. m. tcheliensis), possessing the largest body size of all Chinese RMs, and the southernmost lineage (M. m. brevicaudus), with the smallest body size of all Chinese RMs, feature positively selected genes responsible for skeletal development. Further, two candidate selected genes (Fbp1, Fbp2) found in M. m. tcheliensis are involved in gluconeogenesis, potentially maintaining stable blood glucose levels during starvation when food resources are scarce in winter. The tropical subspecies M. m. brevicaudus showed positively selected genes related to cardiovascular function and response to temperature stimuli, potentially involved in tropical adaptation. We found 118 single-nucleotide polymorphisms matching human disease-causing variants with 82 being subspecies specific.

Conclusions

These data provide a resource for selection of RMs in biomedical experiments. The demographic history of Chinese RMs and their history of local adaption offer new insights into their evolution and provide valuable baseline information for biomedical investigation.

Synthesis, optical properties and theoretical modelling of discrete emitting states in doped silicon nanocrystals for bioimaging

The creation of multiple emission pathways in quantum dots (QDs) is an exciting prospect with fundamental interest and optoelectronic potential. For the first time, we report multiple emission pathways in semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) where the number of emission pathways desired is controlled by the number of dopant atoms per quantum dot. The origin of additional emission pathways is explained by interactions between dopant states and NC energy levels. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of undoped 2.3 nm silicon (Si NCs) and the same NCs doped with 2 interstitial Cu atoms show good agreement to experiment. Such calculations provide valuable data to explain the changes in optical transitions due to the Cu dopant in terms of transition energies, quantum yield and dopant position as a function of dopants per NC. Changes in the optical properties of Si NCs induced by dopant concentration include extended excitation range and enhanced absorption coefficients, emission redshifts of up to 60 nm, and a two-fold increase in quantum yields up to 22%. The optical properties of doped NCs lead to significant bioimaging improvements illustrated by in vitro cell imaging, including redshifted excitation wavelengths away from natural autofluorescence and enhanced fluorescent signals.

Fermi Level Determination for Charged Systems via Recursive Density of States Integration

Determining the Fermi level position for a given material is important to understand many of its electronic and chemical properties. Ab initio methods are effective in computing Fermi levels when using charge-neutral supercells. However, in the case where charges are explicitly included, the compensating homogeneous background charge, which is necessary to maintain charge neutrality in periodic models, causes the vacuum potential to be ill-defined - which would otherwise have been a reliable reference potential. Here, we develop a method based on recursively integrating the density of states to determine shifts in the Fermi level upon charging. By introducing incremental charges, one can compute the density of states profile and determine the shift in the Fermi level that corresponds to adding or removing a given increment of charge δq, which allows the evaluation of the Fermi level for any arbitrary charge q. We test this method for a range of materials (graphene, h-BN, C₃N₄, Cu, and MoS₂) and demonstrate that this method can produce a reasonable agreement with models that rely on localized compensating background charges.

The Fate of In Situ Lens Regeneration is Determined by Capsulorhexis Size

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Lens regeneration is an optimal strategy for cataract patients to regain visual acuity with accommodation. We recently designed a novel, minimally invasive capsulorhexis surgical method for cataract removal that achieved functional lens regeneration in human infants. However, small anterior capsulorhexis requires advanced surgical expertise. To examine whether the quality of the regenerated lens can be maintained with enlarged anterior capsulorhexis, we investigated the shape and transparency of the regenerated lenses with different anterior capsulorhexis diameters (ACDs).

METHODS

Thirty-six 4-week-old New Zealand albino rabbits were randomly divided into three groups which underwent lens extraction with different ACDs (Group A: 2.0±0.5 mm, Group B: 4.0±0.5 mm, Group C: 6.0±0.5 mm). The anterior capsule opening area (ACOA) was quantified, and the morphology, weight, and histological characteristics of the regenerated lenses were examined.

RESULTS

Lens regeneration was observed in all three groups. In Group A, the regenerated lenses were relatively complete and transparent. In Groups B and C, the regenerated lenses were doughnut-shaped and opaque. The speed of lens regeneration in Group A was significantly faster than that in Groups B and C. The ACOA in Group A healed quickly and completely approximately 2 weeks after surgery. However, in Groups B and C, ACOA did not heal completely until 12 weeks after surgery. Histological examination showed that in Group A, most of the lens epithelial cells differentiated into well-organized lens fibers. However, in Groups B and C, the regenerated lens fibers were disorganized.

CONCLUSION

Capsulorhexis size is a critical determinant of integrity and transparency in lens regeneration.

Light-responsive Drug Delivery Systems

Materials that interact with light and subsequently change their physicochemical properties are of great interest for drug delivery. The human body is semitransparent to light of the near-infrared (NIR) region, which makes it possible to use light as an external stimulus to trigger drug release. In this chapter, we review light-triggered drug release systems of both photochemical and photothermal mechanisms. We explore recent literature on a variety of light-responsive materials for drug delivery, including organic, inorganic, and hybrid systems, which collectively embody the strategies for synergizing light responsiveness for controlled drug release/activation with other drug delivery techniques.

Laboratory comparison of two Aphelinus mali clades for control of woolly apple aphid from Hebei Province, China

Aphelinus mali (Haldeman) is an effective natural enemy of woolly apple aphid (WAA), Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann). Previous studies have found that, with WAA from Shandong Province (Qingdao) as the host, there are significant differences in various biological characteristics between a Shandong clade and Liaoning clade of A. mali. The ability of the Shandong clade to control this aphid was significantly higher than that of the Liaoning clade in Shandong Province. In order to determine whether differences were caused by better adaptation of the Shandong parasitoid clade to the population of the host in that province or if it represents a more general fitness of this clade to control the host regardless of location, we compared the same parasitoid clades with hosts from Hebei Province. We found no significant differences in the developmental threshold temperature, effective accumulated temperature, fecundity, longevity, and oviposition period of the two clades, but the duration of host searching of the Shandong clade was significantly longer than that of the Liaoning clade. The instantaneous attack rate, the control ability (a/Th), the search parameter (Q) of the Shandong clade (0.0946, 0.543, 0.0725) of A. mali were higher than that of the Liaoning clade (0.0713, 0.382, 0.0381), and therefore, with WAA from Hebei Province as the host, the host adaptability of the Shandong clade of A. mali was not worse than that of the Liaoning clade, while the pest control ability of the Shandong clade was still greater than that of the Liaoning clade.

Proteotoxic Stress Desensitizes TGF-beta Signaling Through Receptor Downregulation in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Background:

Proteotoxic stress and transforming growth factor (TGFβ)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are two main contributors of intraocular fibrotic disorders, including proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). However, how these two factors communicate with each other is not well-characterized.

Objective:

The aim was to investigate the regulatory role of proteotoxic stress on TGFβ signaling in retinal pigment epithelium.

Methods:

ARPE-19 cells and primary human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were treated with proteasome inhibitor MG132 and TGFβ. Cell proliferation was analyzed by CCK-8 assay. The levels of mesenchymal markers α-SMA, fibronectin, and vimentin were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blot, and immunofluorescence. Cell migration was analyzed by scratch wound assay. The levels of p-Smad2, total Smad2, p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), total ERK1/2, p-focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and total FAK were analyzed by western blot. The mRNA and protein levels of TGFβ receptor-II (TGFβR-II) were measured by real-time PCR and western blot, respectively.

Results:

MG132-induced proteotoxic stress resulted in reduced cell proliferation. MG132 significantly suppressed TGFβ-induced upregulation of α-SMA, fibronectin, and vimentin, as well as TGFβ-induced cell migration. The phosphorylation levels of Smad2, ERK1/2, and FAK were also suppressed by MG132. Additionally, the mRNA level and protein level of TGFβR-II decreased upon MG132 treatment.

Conclusion:

Proteotoxic stress suppressed TGFβ-induced EMT through downregulation of TGFβR-II and subsequent blockade of Smad2, ERK1/2, and FAK activation.

The Role of Mitochondria-Associated Reactive Oxygen Species in the Amyloid β Induced Production of Angiogenic Factors b y ARPE-19 Cells

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms whereby Amyloidbeta (Aβ) induces the production of angiogenic factors by a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) cells.

METHODS

ARPE-19 cells obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) were utilized in this study. The expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and complement activation fragments C3a and C5a were measured by Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The production of mitochondria-associated reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The expression of VEGF, IL-8, MCP-1, C3a and C5a was significantly increased in Aβ-treated ARPE-19 cells. Mitochondria-associated ROS production was also significantly increased when exposed to Aβ. Inhibition of mitochondrial ROS with Diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) markedly decreased the Aβ induced production of VEGF, IL-8, MCP-1, C3a and C5a by ARPE-19 cells. Anti-C3a or anti-C5a neutralizing antibodies did not have a detectable influence on the secretion of VEGF, IL-8 and MCP-1 by ARPE-19 cells upon stimulation with Aβ.

CONCLUSION

Our results support the hypothesis that Aβ is involved in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) formation by promoting the production of the angiogenic cytokines VEGF, IL-8 and MCP-1 by RPE cells. Mitochondrial ROS was shown to play a role in the regulation of Aβ induced expression of these cytokines.

FGF8 Signaling Alters the Osteogenic Cell Fate in the Hard Palate

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling has been implicated in the regulation of osteogenesis in both intramembranous and endochondral ossifications. In the developing palate, the anterior bony palate forms by direct differentiation of cranial neural crest (CNC)-derived mesenchymal cells, but the signals that regulate the osteogenic cell fate in the developing palate remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of FGF signaling in osteogenic fate determination of the palatal mesenchymal cells. We showed that locally activated FGF8 signaling in the anterior palate using a Shox2^Cre knock-in allele and an R26R^Fgf8 allele leads to a unique palatal defect: a complete loss of the palatine process of the maxilla as well as formation of ectopic cartilaginous tissues in the anterior palate. This aberrant developmental process was accompanied by a significantly elevated level of cell proliferation, which contributes to an abnormally thickened palatal tissue, where the palatine process of the maxilla would normally form, and by a complete inhibition of Osterix expression, which accounts for the lack of bone formation. The coexpression of Runx2 initially with Sox9 and subsequently with Col II in the ectopic cartilaginous tissues indicates a conversion of osteogenic fate to a chondrogenic one. Consistent with the unique palatal phenotype, RNA-Sequencing analysis revealed that the augmented FGF8 signaling downregulated genes involved in ossification, biomineral tissue development, and bone mineralization but upregulated genes involved in cell proliferation, cartilage development, and cell fate commitment, which was further supported by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction validation of selected genes. Our results demonstrate that FGF8 signaling functions as a negative regulator of osteogenic fate and is sufficient to convert a subset of CNC cell-derived mesenchymal cells into cartilage in the anterior hard palate, which will have implications in future directed differentiation of CNC-derived precursor cells for clinical application.

Life satisfaction and its associated factors among money boys in China

OBJECTIVES

Money Boy (MB) is a unique term used in China referring to a specialized population of men who sell sex to other men. Life satisfaction can influence one's health-related behaviors. The aim of our study was to find out the situation of MBs' life satisfaction and its associated factors.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study among MBs was conducted between July and December 2013 in Hunan province, China.

METHODS

Respondent-driven sampling method was used for recruitment, with the initial seven 'seeds' found from a gay dating website, and 234 participants were enrolled into the study. They were asked to complete a questionnaire about their demographic characteristics, work experience as MB, family environment, health-related behaviors, status of self-esteem, self-stigma, and perceived life satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis were applied.

RESULTS

There were 205 valid questionnaires collected. The results showed that MBs' life satisfaction score was 17.9 ± 6.3. The multiple linear regression model identified five factors correlated with MBs' life satisfaction. Three factors were found to be positively correlated with life satisfaction, consistent condom use with clients (β = 3.093, P = 0.010), interpersonal relationship (β = 1.027, P = 0.017), and self-esteem (β = 0.253, P = 0.005). And two factors were found to be negatively correlated with life satisfaction, seeking for clients through mommy's arrangement (β = -2.091, P = 0.019) and had ever gotten at least one kind of sexually transmitted disease (STDs) (β = -1.971, P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study contributed to a better understanding of MBs' life satisfaction and behavioral and other psychosocial features. It is suggested that comprehensive interventions involving behavioral and psychosocial health promotion approaches are needed for this population. Those programs will be more acceptable among this group and tend to be sustainable.

Genetic diversity and natural selection in wild fruit flies revealed by whole-genome resequencing

We characterized 26 wild fruit flies comparative population genomics from six different altitude and latitude locations by whole genome resequencing. Genetic diversity was relatively higher in Ganzi and Chongqing populations. We also found 13 genes showing selection signature between different altitude flies and variants related to hypoxia and temperature stimulus, were preferentially selected during the flies evolution. One of the most striking selective sweeps found in all high altitude flies occurred in the region harboring Hsp70Aa and Hsp70Ab on chromosome 3R. Interestingly, these two genes are involved in GO terms including response to hypoxia, unfolded protein, temperature stimulus, heat, oxygen levels. Mutation in HPH gene, a candidate gene in the hypoxia inducible factor pathway, might contributes to hypoxic high-altitude adaptation. Intriguingly, some of the selected genes, primarily utilized in humans, were involved in the response to hypoxia, which could imply a conserved molecular mechanisms underlying high-altitude adaptation between insects and humans.

Mechanochemical synthesis of high coercivity Nd2(Fe,Co)14B magnetic particles

With increasing demand for magnets in energy conversion systems, the quest for the development and understanding of novel processing routes to produce permanent magnets has become urgent. We report a novel mechanochemical process for the synthesis of Nd₂(Fe,Co)₁₄B magnetic particles with a high coercivity of 12.4 kOe. This process involves the reduction of neodymium oxide, iron oxide, cobalt oxide and boron anhydride in the presence of a calcium reducing agent and a CaO diluent. The formation mechanism of Nd₂(Fe,Co)₁₄B changed with increasing CaO content, and the average crystal size of the Nd₂(Fe,Co)₁₄B particles also increased, resulting in an increase in the coercivity values. The reaction mechanism during milling was revealed through a study of the phase transformations as a function of milling time. It was found that unlike self-propagating reactions, this reduction reaction during milling requires continuous input of mechanical energy to reach a steady state.

Polygonum multiflorum Radix extract protects human foreskin melanocytes from oxidative stress in vitro and potentiates hair follicle pigmentation ex vivo

OBJECTIVE

To examine the ability of an extract from traditional Chinese medicine, Polygonum multiflorum Radix, to protect melanocyte viability from oxidative stress, a key mechanism in the initiation and progression of hair greying.

METHODS

To assess the antioxidant capacity of Polygonum multiflorum Radix extract, primary human foreskin melanocytes were treated with a commercially available Polygonum multiflorum Radix extract added to culture medium and exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ), using intracellular reactive oxygen species concentrations and glutathione/protein ratios as endpoints. To improve solubility for cosmetic uses, a new Polygonum multiflorum Radix extract was derived. As hair greying is the consequence of melanocyte disappearance in an oxidative stress environment, we checked whether the antioxidant capacity of the new Polygonum multiflorum Radix extract could preserve melanocyte viability in response to H₂ O₂ -induced oxidative stress, and preserve pigmentation within ex vivo human hair follicles.

RESULTS

In vitro treatment of primary human foreskin melanocytes with traditional available Polygonum multiflorum Radix extract resulted in decreased intracellular ROS accumulation in response to H₂ O₂ exposure with a concomitant preservation of glutathione-to-protein ratio, consistent with a protective response against H₂ O₂ exposure and demonstrating the promise of this extract for protecting melanocytes against oxidative stress. Melanocytes treated with the improved Polygonum multiflorum Radix extract exhibited attenuated H₂ O₂ -induced cell death, demonstrating a clear cytoprotective effect. Treatment of ex vivo human hair follicles with the improved Polygonum multiflorum Radix extract resulted in a higher level of melanin compared to vehicle-treated controls, demonstrating an ex vivo protective effect on hair pigmentation.

CONCLUSION

Polygonum multiflorum Radix extract protects in vitro primary human foreskin melanocytes from the deleterious effects of H₂ O₂ exposure and improves pigmentation within ex vivo human hair follicles, demonstrating the utility of Polygonum multiflorum Radix extract as a potential active ingredient for the protection of melanocytes against premature death. This data provides in vitro mechanistic evidence consistent with existing in vivo studies for the use of Polygonum multiflorum Radix extract as a strategy for the prevention of oxidative stress-induced hair greying, in line with traditional Polygonum multiflorum Radix uses.

PIPKIγ and talin couple phosphoinositide and adhesion signaling to control the epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Epithelial cells acquire migratory/invasive and stemness traits upon conversion to the mesenchymal phenotype. The expression of E-cadherin is a key to this transition; yet precise understanding of the pathways involved in integrating E-cadherin loss to the gain of mesenchymal traits remains poorly understood. Here, we show that phosphoinositide-generating enzyme, PIPKIγ, expression is upregulated upon epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and together with the cytoskeletal protein talin assemble into a signaling complex upon E-cadherin loss. PIPKIγ and talin together control the adhesion and phosphoinositide signaling that regulates conversion to the mesenchymal phenotypes. PIPKIγ and talin regulate the stability of E-cadherin transcriptional repressors, snail and slug, induced by transforming growth factor-β1 or extracellular matrix protein. Loss of PIPKIγ or talin or their interaction impaired EMT and the acquisition of cell motility and stemness. This demonstrates a mechanism where a phosphoinositide-generating enzyme PIPKIγ couples with a cytoskeletal protein talin to control the acquisition of mesenchymal phenotypes.

[Application of frailty index for comprehensive geriatric assessment in the elderly in China]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the suitability of frailty index for comprehensive geriatric assessment(FI-CGA)in the elderly in China, and evaluate the application of FI-CGA in China.

METHODS

A comprehensive geriatric assessment was conducted among 118 old adults receiving health examination, and frailty index was calculated. Clinical frailty scale(CFS)was also used to evaluate the frail status of the old adults. The correlation between FI-CGA value and CFS level of the old adults was analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean value of FI-CGA was 0.19 ± 0.07, and the average level of CFS was 3.11 ± 1.46. Women had higher mean value of FI-CGA and higher CFS level than men(FI-CGA= 0.20 ± 0.02 for women, 0.19 ± 0.07 for men; CFS =3.40 ± 0.55 for women, 3.10 ± 1.48 for men), but the differences had no significance(t=0.270, 0.452, P=0.788, 0.652). The FI-CGA value and CFS level increased with age(F=10.437, 5.651, P=0.000, 0.001); and there was a positive correlation between FI-CGA value and CFS level(r=0.615, P=0.000).

CONCLUSION

FI-CGA is an effective model for the quantitative evaluation of the frail status of the elderly, and can be used in the clinical practice of geriatric medicine.

On the mechanism of gas adsorption for pristine, defective and functionalized graphene

Defects are no longer deemed an adverse aspect of graphene.

Identifying the location of epidermal growth factor-responsive element involved in the regulation of type IIb sodium-phosphate cotransporter expression in porcine intestinal epithelial cells

Phosphate is an important mineral nutrient for both human and animals in growth and physiological functions; thus, much effort in the past has been made to clarify the mechanisms governing its absorption. Previous studies have found that epidermal growth factor (EGF) inhibits phosphate absorption in human intestinal cells via modulating the interaction of transcriptional factor c-myb with sodium-phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIb) gene promoter. This finding provoked our interest in determining the effect of EGF on NaPi-IIb gene expression in intestinal cells of pigs and the location of EGF-responsive element in the gene promoter. Using quantitative PCR, it was observed that EGF significantly reduced NaPi-IIb gene expression in porcine intestinal epithelial IPEC-J2 cells. Transfection with a series of constructs that contain different lengths of the 5'-flanking promoter region of the NaPi-IIb gene manifested that EGF-responsive element is located in the -1200 to -800 region. Further, c-myb was extracted from the cell nucleus of IPEC cells that were exposed to EGF or not via immunoprecipitation. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed a specific binding of transcription factor c-myb to labelled probes encompassing DNA sequence from -1092 to -1085 (-TCCAGTTG-). This protein-DNA complex was decreased with cells exposed to EGF and abrogated when c-myb was pre-incubated with excessive unlabelled competitive probes. Results from mutagenesis studies demonstrated that the c-myb-binding site is the EGF-responsive element involved in the regulation of NaPi-IIb expression. Identifying the location of EGF-responsive element contributes to understanding mechanisms underlying EGF down-regulated NaPi-IIb gene expression and provides a foundation for further investigating EGF-regulatory functions in phosphate absorption in pig intestine.

Imaging characteristics associated with failure of nonoperative management in high-grade pediatric blunt renal trauma

INTRODUCTION

Some children who sustain high-grade blunt renal injury may require operative intervention. In the present study, it was hypothesized that there are computed tomography (CT) characteristics that can identify which of these children are most likely to need operative intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all pediatric blunt renal trauma patients at a single level-I trauma center from 1990 to 2015. Inclusion criteria were: children with American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Grade-IV or V renal injuries, aged ≤18 years, and having available CT images with delayed cuts. The CTs were regraded according to the revised AAST grading system proposed by Buckley and McAninch in 2011. Radiographic characteristics of renal injury were correlated with the primary outcome of any operative intervention: ureteral stent, angiography, nephrectomy/renorrhaphy, and percutaneous nephrostomy/drain.

RESULTS

One patient had a Grade-V injury and 26 patients had Grade-IV injuries. Nine patients (33.3%) underwent operative interventions. Patients in the operative intervention cohort were more likely to manifest a collecting system filling defect (P = 0.040) (Fig. A) and lacked ureteral opacification (P = 0.010). The CT characteristics, including percentage of devascularized parenchyma, medial contrast extravasation, intravascular contrast extravasation, perirenal hematoma distance and laceration location, were not statistically significant. Of the 21 patients who had a collecting system injury, eight (38.1%) needed ureteral stents. Renorrhaphy was necessary for one patient. Although the first operative intervention occurred at a median of hospital day 1 (range 0.5-2.5), additional operative interventions occurred from day 4-16. Thus, it is prudent to closely follow-up these patients for the first month after injury. Two patients with complex renal injuries had an accessory renal artery resulting in well-perfused upper and lower pole fragments, and were managed nonoperatively without readmission (Fig. B).

CONCLUSIONS

Collecting system defects and lack of ureteral opacification were significantly associated with failure of nonoperative management. A multicenter trial is needed to confirm these findings and whether nonsignificant CT findings are associated with operative intervention. In the month after renal injury, these patients should be mindful of any changes in symptoms, and maintain a low index of suspicion for an emergency room visit. For the physician, close follow-up and appropriate counseling of these high-risk patients is advised.

The promoter polymorphisms of receptor for advanced glycation end products were associated with the susceptibility and progression of sepsis

Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is considered a major pattern recognition receptor, which plays an important role in the development of sepsis. Increasing evidence showed an association between RAGE polymorphisms and the susceptibility to several inflammatory-related diseases. However, little is known about the clinical relationship between RAGE polymorphisms and sepsis. In this study, we analyzed the association of sepsis with three functional RAGE gene polymorphisms (rs1800624, rs1800625 and rs2070600) in a Chinese Han population (372 sepsis cases and 400 healthy controls). Significant differences were observed in the rs1800624 and rs1800625 genotype/allele distributions between the sepsis and controls, but no significant difference was observed in the rs2070600 genotype/allele. Moreover, our results also revealed a significant difference in the genotype/allele frequencies of the rs1800624 and rs1800625 polymorphisms between the sepsis and severe sepsis subtypes, the rs1800624 TT or rs1800625 TT genotype carriers exhibited a significant increase in RAGE mRNA, sRAGE, TNF-α and IL-6 expression compared with the rs1800624 AT/AA or rs1800625 CT/CC carriers in sepsis patients. Overall, this study might provide valuable clinical evidence between the RAGE gene polymorphisms and the risk or the development of sepsis.

Dietary specialization drives multiple independent losses and gains in the bitter taste gene repertoire of Laurasiatherian Mammals

Background

Bitter taste perception is essential for species with selective food intake, enabling them to avoid unpalatable or toxic items. Previous studies noted a marked variation in the number of TAS2R genes among various vertebrate species, but the underlying causes are not well understood. Laurasiatherian mammals have highly diversified dietary niche, showing repeated evolution of specialized feeding preferences in multiple lineages and offering a unique chance to investigate how various feeding niches are associated with copy number variation for bitter taste receptor genes.

Results

Here we investigated the evolutionary trajectories of TAS2Rs and their implications on bitter taste perception in whole-genome assemblies of 41 Laurasiatherian species. The number of intact TAS2Rs copies varied considerably, ranging from 0 to 52. As an extreme example of a narrow dietary niche, the Chinese pangolin possessed the lowest number of intact TAS2Rs (n = 2) among studied terrestrial vertebrates. Marine mammals (cetacea and pinnipedia), which swallow prey whole, presented a reduced copy number of TAS2Rs (n = 0-5). In contrast, independent insectivorous lineages, such as the shrew and insectivorous bats possessed a higher TAS2R diversity (n = 52 and n = 20-32, respectively), exceeding that in herbivores (n = 9-22) and omnivores (n = 18-22).

Conclusions

Besides herbivores, insectivores in Laurasiatheria tend to have more functional TAS2Rs in comparison to carnivores and omnivores. Furthermore, animals swallowing food whole (cetacean, pinnipedia and pangolin) have lost most functional TAS2Rs. These findings provide the most comprehensive view of the bitter taste gene repertoire in Laurasiatherian mammals to date, casting new light on the relationship between losses and gains of TAS2Rs and dietary specialization in mammals.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12983-016-0161-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.