A meta-analysis of fast track surgery for patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION

This meta-analysis evaluated the safety and efficacy of fast track surgery (FTS) for patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy.

METHODS

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1 January 1995 and 21 June 2013 comparing FTS with conventional perioperative care for patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy were identified in the PubMed, Embase™ and Cochrane Library databases, and were analysed systematically using RevMan software (Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark).

RESULTS

Seven RCTs (524 patients) were analysed. Compared with conventional perioperative care, FTS treatment with/without laparoscopy was associated with shorter postoperative hospitalisation, less hospitalisation expenditure (both p<0.00001), less pain and better quality of life. Short-term morbidity and readmission rates did not differ between treatments. No incidents of death occurred during the short-term follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy, the FTS pathway reduces the length and cost of postoperative hospitalisation while maintaining short-term morbidity, readmission and mortality rates comparable with those of conventional care.

A meta-analysis of fast track surgery for patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION

This meta-analysis evaluated the safety and efficacy of fast track surgery (FTS) for patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy.

METHODS

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1 January 1995 and 21 June 2013 comparing FTS with conventional perioperative care for patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy were identified in the PubMed, Embase™ and Cochrane Library databases, and were analysed systematically using RevMan software (Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark).

RESULTS

Seven RCTs (524 patients) were analysed. Compared with conventional perioperative care, FTS treatment with/without laparoscopy was associated with shorter postoperative hospitalisation, less hospitalisation expenditure (both p<0.00001), less pain and better quality of life. Short-term morbidity and readmission rates did not differ between treatments. No incidents of death occurred during the short-term follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy, the FTS pathway reduces the length and cost of postoperative hospitalisation while maintaining short-term morbidity, readmission and mortality rates comparable with those of conventional care.

Two biomarker-directed randomized trials in European and Chinese patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer: the BRCA1-RAP80 Expression Customization (BREC) studies

BACKGROUND

In a Spanish Lung Cancer Group (SLCG) phase II trial, the combination of BRCA1 and receptor-associated protein 80 (RAP80) expression was significantly associated with outcome in Caucasian patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The SLCG therefore undertook an industry-independent collaborative randomized phase III trial comparing nonselected cisplatin-based chemotherapy with therapy customized according to BRCA1/RAP80 expression. An analogous randomized phase II trial was carried out in China under the auspices of the SLCG to evaluate the effect of BRCA1/RAP80 expression in Asian patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligibility criteria included stage IIIB-IV NSCLC and sufficient tumor specimen for molecular analysis. Randomization to the control or experimental arm was 1 : 1 in the SLCG trial and 1 : 3 in the Chinese trial. In both trials, patients in the control arm received docetaxel/cisplatin; in the experimental arm, patients with low RAP80 expression received gemcitabine/cisplatin, those with intermediate/high RAP80 expression and low/intermediate BRCA1 expression received docetaxel/cisplatin, and those with intermediate/high RAP80 expression and high BRCA1 expression received docetaxel alone. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy-nine patients in the SLCG trial and 124 in the Chinese trial were assessable for PFS. PFS in the control and experimental arms in the SLCG trial was 5.49 and 4.38 months, respectively [log rank P = 0.07; hazard ratio (HR) 1.28; P = 0.03]. In the Chinese trial, PFS was 4.74 and 3.78 months, respectively (log rank P = 0.82; HR 0.95; P = 0.82).

CONCLUSION

Accrual was prematurely closed on the SLCG trial due to the absence of clinical benefit in the experimental over the control arm. However, the BREC studies provide proof of concept that an international, nonindustry, biomarker-directed trial is feasible. Thanks to the groundwork laid by these studies, we expect that ongoing further research on alternative biomarkers to elucidate DNA repair mechanisms will help define novel therapeutic approaches.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT00617656/GECP-BREC and ChiCTR-TRC-12001860/BREC-CHINA.

Differential effect of MMSET mRNA levels on survival to first-line FOLFOX and second-line docetaxel in gastric cancer

Background:

Breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) expression differentially affects outcome to platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. Mediator of DNA damage checkpoint protein 1 (MDC1), p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1), multiple myeloma SET domain (MMSET) and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9 (UBC9) are involved in DNA repair and could modify the BRCA1 predictive model.

Methods:

Mediator of DNA damage checkpoint protein 1, 53BP1, MMSET and UBC9 mRNA were assessed in gastric tumours from patients in whom BRCA1 levels had previously been determined.

Results:

In vitro chemosensitivity assay, MMSET levels were higher in docetaxel-sensitive samples. In a separate cohort, survival was longer in those with low MMSET (12.3 vs 8.8 months; P=0.04) or UBC9 (12.4 vs 8.8 months; P=0.01) in patients receiving only folinic acid, fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX). Conversely, among patients receiving second-line docetaxel, longer survival was associated with high MMSET (19.1 vs 13.9 months; P=0.003). Patients with high MMSET and BRCA1 attained a median survival of 36.6 months, compared with 13.9 months for those with high BRCA1 and low MMSET (P=0.003). In the multivariate analyses, low MMSET (hazard ratio (HR), 0.59; P=0.04) and low UBC9 (HR, 0.52; P=0.01) levels were markers of longer survival to first-line FOLFOX, whereas palliative surgery (HR, 2.47; P=0.005), low BRCA1 (HR, 3.17; P=0.001) and low MMSET (HR, 2.52; P=0.004) levels were markers of shorter survival to second-line docetaxel.

Conclusions:

Breast cancer susceptibility gene 1, MMSET and UBC9 can be useful for customising chemotherapy in gastric cancer patients.

Efficacy of intravenous lidocaine versus placebo on attenuating cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation may be harmful in surgical patients with cardiovascular and cerebral diseases. The efficacy of intravenous lidocaine on attenuating the hemodynamic changes remains controversial. This systematic review aims to determine the efficacy of lidocaine versus placebo. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The quality of eligible RCTs was evaluated according to the modified Jadad scale. Quantitative analyses were carried out using Review Manager 5 and Stata 10. Thirty-seven trials with 1429 patients of different age groups were included in our meta-analysis. Additional lidocaine resulted in fewer changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (mean difference (MD) -4.32 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI) -6.21 to -2.43); diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (MD -4.76 mmHg, 95% CI -5.90 to -3.63); mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (MD -2.72 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.65 to -1.80) and heart rates (HR) (MD -4.28 beats per min, 95% CI -5.83 to -2.72). Subgroup analysis showed that lidocaine was effective in both the elderly and children with the exception of failing to reduce HR in children. Exclusion of poor-quality trials did not change the favor to lidocaine. No significant publication bias across trials was found. Intravenous lidocaine helps reduce cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in patients of all age groups compared to placebo. Further studies are needed to clarify the effects of dosage and timing of lidocaine on hemodynamic changes.

Brd4 maintains constitutively active NF-κB in cancer cells by binding to acetylated RelA

Acetylation of the RelA subunit of NF-κB at lysine-310 regulates the transcriptional activation of NF-κB target genes and contributes to maintaining constitutively active NF-κB in tumors. Bromodomain-containing factor Brd4 has been shown to bind to acetylated lysine-310 (AcLys310) and to regulate the transcriptional activity of NF-κB, but the role of this binding in maintaining constitutively active NF-κB in tumors remains elusive. In this study, we demonstrate the structural basis for the binding of bromodomains (BDs) of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (Brd4) to AcLys310 and identify the BD inhibitor JQ1 as an effective small molecule to block this interaction. JQ1 suppresses TNF-α-mediated NF-κB activation and NF-κB-dependent target gene expression. In addition, JQ1 inhibits the proliferation and transformation potential of A549 lung cancer cells and suppresses the tumorigenicity of A549 cells in severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Furthermore, we demonstrate that depletion of Brd4 or treatment of cells with JQ1 induces the ubiquitination and degradation of the constitutively active nuclear form of RelA. Our results identify a novel function of Brd4 in maintaining the persistently active form of NF-κB found in tumors, and they suggest that interference with the interaction between acetylated RelA and Brd4 could be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of NF-κB-driven cancer.

Pyrosequencing and characterization of immune response genes from the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (L.)

Ticks continue to be a threat to animal and human health, and new and novel control strategies are needed for ticks and tick-borne pathogens. The characterization of the tick-pathogen interface and the tick immune response to microbial infections is fundamental toward the formulation of new control strategies for ticks and the pathogens they transmit. Our overall hypothesis for this research is that the tick immune system manages the maintenance of pathogens. Therefore, discovery of tick immune response genes may provide targets for novel control strategies directed toward reducing vector competency and pathogen transmission. In these studies, 454 pyrosequencing, a high-throughput genomic sequencing method was used to discover tick genes expressed in response to bacterial and fungal infections. Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were analysed from Dermacentor variabilis ticks that had been injected with bacteria (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus) or fungi (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans) and ticks that were naturally infected with the intracellular bacterium, Anaplasma marginale. By this approach, ESTs were assembled into 5995 contigs. Contigs fell into the five main functional categories of metabolism, genetic information processing, environmental information processing, cellular processes and human diseases. We identified more than 30 genes that are likely to encode for proteins involved in tick immune function. We further analysed by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) the expression of 22 of these genes in each of our bacterial or fungal treatment groups and found that seven were up-regulated. Up-regulation of these seven genes was confirmed for bacterial, but not fungal treatment by quantitative PCR (qPCR). One of these products was novel, encoding a new tick defensin. Our results clearly demonstrate the complexities of the tick immune system and mark new directions for further study and characterization of proteins that modulate microbial infections in the American dog tick.

Quantitative trait loci for porcine white blood cells and platelet-related traits in a White Duroc x Erhualian F resource population

White blood cell count and platelets are implicated as risk factors for common complex diseases. Genetic factors substantially affect these traits in humans and mice. However, little is known about the genetic architecture of these traits in pigs. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for leucocyte- and platelet-related traits in pigs, the total leucocyte number and differential leucocyte counts including the fraction of basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and a series of platelet parameters including platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and plateletcrit were measured in 1033 F(2) animals on 240 days from a White Duroc x Erhualian intercross resource population. A total of 183 informative microsatellites distributed across 19 pig chromosomes (SSC) were genotyped across the entire resource population. Thirty-three QTL were identified for the examined traits, including eight genome-wide significant QTL for white blood cells and differential leucocyte counts on SSC2, 7, 8, 12 and 15 and six significant QTL for platelet-related traits on SSC2, 8, 13 and X. Erhualian or White Duroc alleles were not systematically associated with increased phenotypic values. These results not only confirmed many QTL identified previously in the mouse and swine, but also revealed a number of novel QTL for the traits recorded. Moreover, it is the first time that QTL for platelet-related traits in pigs have been reported.

Development of a portable analyzer with polymer lab-on-a-chip (LOC) for continuous sampling and monitoring of Pb(II)

A new portable analyzer with polymer lab-on-a-chip (LOC) has been designed, fabricated and fully characterized for continuous sampling and monitoring of lead (Pb(II)) in this work. As the working electrodes of the sensor, bismuth (Bi (III)) which allowed the advantage of being more environmentally friendly than traditional mercury drop electrodes was used, while maintaining similar sensitivity and other desirable characteristics. The size of a portable analyzer was 30 cmx23 cmx7 cm, and the weight was around 3 kg. The small size gives the advantage of being portable for field use while not sacrificing portability for accuracy of measurement. Furthermore, the autonomous system developed in coordination with the development of new polymer LOC integrated with electrochemical sensors can provide an innovative way to monitor surface waters in an efficient, cost-effective and sustainable manner.

Telmisartan versus angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitors in the treatment of hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Telmisartan and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are both effective and widely used antihypertensive drugs targeting renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The study aimed to estimate the efficacy and tolerability of telmisartan in comparison with different ACEIs as monotherapy in the treatment of hypertension. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed and Embase were searched for relevant studies. A meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials fulfilling the predefined criteria was performed. A random-effect model was used to account for heterogeneity among trials. Twenty-eight randomized controlled trials involving 5157 patients were ultimately identified out of 721 studies. Telmisartan had a greater diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reduction than enalapril (weighted mean difference (WMD) 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66-2.99), ramipril (WMD 3.09, 95% CI 1.94-4.25) and perindopril (WMD 1.48, 95% CI 0.33-2.62). Telmisartan also showed a greater DBP response rate than enalapril (relative risk (RR) 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.26), ramipril (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.11-1.61) and perindopril (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05-1.41). There was no statistical difference in DBP reduction or therapeutic response rate between telmisartan and lisinopril (WMD -0.30, 95% CI -0.65 to 0.05; RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.80-1.23, respectively). Telmisartan had fewer drug-related adverse events than enalapril (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.44-0.74), ramipril (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.75), lisinopril (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.56-0.89) and perindopril (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.28-0.98). The meta-analysis indicates that telmisartan provides a superior BP control to ACEIs (enalapril, ramipril and perindopril) and has fewer drug-related adverse events and better tolerability in hypertensive patients.

Classification and management of chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland

Saliva has numerous oral functions and multiple functions in relation to digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Chronic salivary hypofunction can lead to severe adverse health outcomes. Chronic sialadenitis is one of the major conditions that can cause salivary hypofunction. A correct diagnosis and management of chronic sialadenitis is essential for the recovery of salivary hypofunction. Chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland is often seen in the clinic, sometimes also referred to as recurrent pyogenic parotitis, recurrent parotitis, non-obstructive parotitis, sialadenitis or obstructive parotitis, among other terms. The literature describes several different classifications and denominations for chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland. These various classifications and denominations complicate the definition and diagnostic criteria, and if chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland can develop into Sjogren's syndrome remains unclear. Treatment of this condition is also a challenging problem. Here, we review the presented classification and denomination of chronic sialadenitis of the parotid gland, proposing a classification based on the disease entities identified in a long-term follow-up investigation, and discuss the treatment principles for the condition.

ERCC1 mRNA levels and survival of advanced gastric cancer patients treated with a modified FOLFOX regimen

Molecular markers involved in DNA repair can help to predict survival in gastric cancer patients treated with 5-FU plus platinum chemotherapy. Excision repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC1) and thymidylate synthase (TS) mRNA expression levels were assessed in advanced gastric cancer tumour samples using real-time quantitative PCR in 76 patients treated with a modified FOLFOX (biweekly oxaliplatin plus 5-FU and folinic acid) regimen. Median survival time in patients with low ERCC1 levels was significantly longer than in those with high levels (15.8 vs 6.2 months; P<0.0001). Patients with high TS levels had longer survival than those with low levels (12.2 vs 10.1 months; P=0.01). Forty-eight patients with low ERCC1 and high TS levels had a median survival of 16.1 months (P<0.0001). The hazard ratio for patients with high ERCC1 expression was 9.4 (P<0.0001). In patients with high mRNA levels of ERCC1, alternative chemotherapy regimens should be considered.

ERCC1 mRNA expression and XRCC1 polymorphism as predictive factors for overall survival in gastric cancer patients receiving platinum based chemotherapy

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Background: DNA repair was considered to play the key role in the platinum chemotherapy. ERCC1, XPD and XRCC1, three major components of the DNA repair pathway, are critical to outcome for patients treated with platinum based chemotherapy. Methods: Overall survival times in 48 stage III (47.9%) and IV (52.1%) gastric cancer patients were investigated. mRNA was isolated from formalin- fixed paraffin-embeded pretreatment primary tumor specimens and the relative expression of ERCC1 to the internal reference geneβ-actin was measured using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (XPD Lys751Gln and XRCC1 Arg399Gln) were also investigated using 5’ nuclease allelic discrimination assay (TaqMan). Results: Median age was 55 years (range: 23 to 75 years); 35 males and 13 females; median survival time was 397 days. The median ERCC1 gene expression level from all 48 gastric tumors was 1.16, and the cutoff values for chemotherapy was 0.30. The median survival time for patients with lower ERCC1 expression (31 of 48 patients) was 496 days, compared with 218 days for patients with higher ERCC1 expression (P < 0.0001). SNP of XRCC1 Arg399Gln was measured in 47 gastric cancer patients (97.92%). Median overall survival time was longer in patients with favorite allele G in codon 399 of XRCC1 (40 of 47 patients) than in others (respectively 420 days vs 218 days, P = 0.017). No significant relationship was found between SNP of XPD Lys751Gln and outcome of gastric cancer patients. Conclusions: These findings suggested that intratumoral ERCC1 mRNA expression and polymorphism of XRCC1 might be prominent predictive factors for overall survival of gastric cancer patients treated with platinum based chemotherapy. Multi-center clinical trial has been suggested.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Comparative analysis of serine protease-related genes in the honey bee genome: possible involvement in embryonic development and innate immunity

We have identified 44 serine protease (SP) and 13 serine protease homolog (SPH) genes in the genome of Apis mellifera. Most of these genes encode putative secreted proteins, but four SPs and three SPHs may associate with the plasma membrane via a transmembrane region. Clip domains represent the most abundant non-catalytic structural units in these SP-like proteins -12 SPs and six SPHs contain at least one clip domain. Some of the family members contain other modules for protein-protein interactions, including disulphide-stabilized structures (LDL(r)A, SRCR, frizzled, kringle, Sushi, Wonton and Pan/apple), carbohydrate-recognition domains (C-type lectin and chitin-binding), and other modules (such as zinc finger, CUB, coiled coil and Sina). Comparison of the sequences with those from Drosophila led to a proposed SP pathway for establishing the dorsoventral axis of honey bee embryos. Multiple sequence alignments revealed evolutionary relationships of honey bee SPs and SPHs with those in Drosophila melanogaster, Anopheles gambiae, and Manduca sexta. We identified homologs of D. melanogaster persephone, M. sexta HP14, PAP-1 and SPH-1. A. mellifera genome includes at least five genes for potential SP inhibitors (serpin-1 through -5) and three genes of SP putative substrates (prophenoloxidase, spätzle-1 and spätzle-2). Quantitative RT-PCR analyses showed an elevation in the mRNA levels of SP2, SP3, SP9, SP10, SPH41, SPH42, SP49, serpin-2, serpin-4, serpin-5, and spätzle-2 in adults after a microbial challenge. The SP41 and SP6 transcripts significantly increased after an injection of Paenibacillus larva, but there was no such increase after injection of saline or Escherichia coli. mRNA levels of most SPs and serpins significantly increased by 48 h after the pathogen infection in 1st instar larvae. On the contrary, SP1, SP3, SP19 and serpin-5 transcript levels reduced. These results, taken together, provide a framework for designing experimental studies of the roles of SPs and related proteins in embryonic development and immune responses of A. mellifera.

Immune pathways and defence mechanisms in honey bees Apis mellifera

Social insects are able to mount both group-level and individual defences against pathogens. Here we focus on individual defences, by presenting a genome-wide analysis of immunity in a social insect, the honey bee Apis mellifera. We present honey bee models for each of four signalling pathways associated with immunity, identifying plausible orthologues for nearly all predicted pathway members. When compared to the sequenced Drosophila and Anopheles genomes, honey bees possess roughly one-third as many genes in 17 gene families implicated in insect immunity. We suggest that an implied reduction in immune flexibility in bees reflects either the strength of social barriers to disease, or a tendency for bees to be attacked by a limited set of highly coevolved pathogens.

Gene structure and expression profile of Manduca sexta prophenoloxidase-activating proteinase-3 (PAP-3), an immune protein containing two clip domains

Prophenoloxidase-activating proteinase-3 (PAP-3) is a component of the defence system in Manduca sexta. We have isolated genomic clones and elucidated the organization of this gene. The 3' end of exon 2, the entire exon 3 and the 5' end of exon 4 encode the two amino-terminal clip domains. Southern blot analysis suggested a single copy of the PAP-3 gene in the genome. We identified several putative immune-responsive elements in the upstream region. The PAP-3 gene is not highly expressed in the fat body during larval development until the wandering stage begins. The mRNA level is high in the epithelium, fat body and haemocytes. Tissue-specific alternative splicing occurs in the fat body and trachea. A bacterial injection markedly induced the gene expression in the fat body and haemocytes.

The stem-loop region of the tobacco psbA 5'UTR is an important determinant of mRNA stability and translation efficiency

Regulation of chloroplast gene expression involves networked and concerted interactions of nucleus-encoded factors with their target sites on untranslated regions (UTRs) of chloroplast transcripts. So far, only a few cis-acting elements within such 5'UTR sequences have been identified as functional determinants of mRNA stability and efficient translation in Chlamydomonas in vivo. In this study, we have used chloroplast transformation and site-directed mutagenesis to analyse the functions of the 5'UTRs of tobacco psbA and rbcL fused to the coding region of the reporter gene uidA. Various mutant versions of the psbA leader, as well as rbcL/psbA hybrid leader elements, were investigated. Our results showed a 1.5- to 3-fold decrease in uidA mRNA levels and a 1.5- to 6-fold reduction in uidA translation efficiency in all psbA 5'UTR stem-loop mutants generated by sequence deletions and base alterations. This indicates that the correct primary sequence and secondary structure of the psbA 5'UTR stem-loop are required for mRNA stabilisation and translation. The 5'-terminal segment of the rbcL 5'UTR did not enhance the stability or translational activity of chimeric uidA mRNA under the standard light-dark regime of 16 h light and 8 h dark. Stabilising effects were, however, observed when the cells were kept continuously in the dark. Possible reasons for the influence of the 5'UTR of the tobacco psbA on mRNA stability and translation efficiency are discussed.

Cross-species hybridisation of pig RNA to human nylon microarrays

BACKGROUND

The objective of this research was to investigate the reproducibility of cross-species microarray hybridisation. Comparisons between same- and cross-species hybridisations were also made. Nine hybridisations between a single pig skeletal muscle RNA sample and three human cDNA nylon microarrays were completed. Three replicate hybridisations of two different amounts of pig RNA, and of human skeletal muscle RNA were completed on three additional microarrays.

RESULTS

Reproducibility of microarray hybridisations of pig cDNA to human microarrays was high, as determined by Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients and a Kappa statistic. Variability among replicate hybridisations was similar for human and pig data, indicating the reproducibility of results were not compromised in cross-species hybridisations. The concordance between data generated from hybridisations using pig and human skeletal muscle RNA was high, further supporting the use of human microarrays for the analysis of gene expression in the pig. No systematic effect of stripping and re-using nylon microarrays was found, and variability across microarrays was minimal.

CONCLUSION

The majority of genes generated highly reproducible data in cross-species microarray hybridisations, although approximately 6% were identified as highly variable. Experimental designs that include at least three replicate hybridisations for each experimental treatment will enable the variability of individual genes to be considered appropriately. The use of cross-species microarray analysis looks promising. However, additional validation is needed to determine the specificity of cross-species hybridisations, and the validity of results.

Efficient plastid transformation in tobacco using the aphA-6 gene and kanamycin selection

Here we report on the development of a new dominant selection marker for plastid transformation in higher plants using the aminoglycoside phosphotransferase gene aphA-6 from Acinetobacter baumannii. Vectors containing chimeric aphA-6 gene constructs were introduced into the tobacco chloroplast using particle bombardment of alginate-embedded protoplast-derived micro colonies or polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated DNA uptake. Targeted insertion into the plastome was achieved via homologous recombination, and plastid transformants were recovered on the basis of their resistance to kanamycin. Variations in kanamycin resistance in transplastomic lines were observed depending on the 5' and 3' regulatory elements associated with the aphA-6 coding region. Transplastomic plants were fertile and showed maternal inheritance of the transplastome in the progeny.

Direct splitting of water under visible light irradiation with an oxide semiconductor photocatalyst

The photocatalytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen using solar energy is a potentially clean and renewable source for hydrogen fuel. The first photocatalysts suitable for water splitting, or for activating hydrogen production from carbohydrate compounds made by plants from water and carbon dioxide, were developed several decades ago. But these catalysts operate with ultraviolet light, which accounts for only 4% of the incoming solar energy and thus renders the overall process impractical. For this reason, considerable efforts have been invested in developing photocatalysts capable of using the less energetic but more abundant visible light, which accounts for about 43% of the incoming solar energy. However, systems that are sufficiently stable and efficient for practical use have not yet been realized. Here we show that doping of indium-tantalum-oxide with nickel yields a series of photocatalysts, In(1-x)Ni(x)TaO(4) (x = 0-0.2), which induces direct splitting of water into stoichiometric amounts of oxygen and hydrogen under visible light irradiation with a quantum yield of about 0.66%. Our findings suggest that the use of solar energy for photocatalytic water splitting might provide a viable source for 'clean' hydrogen fuel, once the catalytic efficiency of the semiconductor system has been improved by increasing its surface area and suitable modifications of the surface sites.

[Relationship between cholinesterase, prothrombin activity and albumin and the pathology of the liver]

BACKGROUND

To investigate the relationship between serum cholinesterase, albumin and plasma prothrombin activity and the pathology of the liver in patients with viral hepatitis.

METHODS

Totally 135 patients diagnosed as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and/or severe hepatitis with needle biopsy of liver were enrolled in this study. Serum cholinesterase and albumin of the patients were detected with enzyme rate method; meanwhile, their plasma prothrombin activity was detected with turbidimetry test.

RESULTS

The percentage of decrease of the level of serum cholinesterase was higher than that of albumin and plasma prothrombin activity in chronic mild and moderate hepatitis; the level of serum cholinesterase, albumin and plasma prothrombin activity decreased gradually followed by the exacerbation of inflammatory reaction (P<0.001) and by the elevation of degree of fibrosis of the liver (P <0.001) their correlation coefficient was 0.720 to 0.778 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The level of serum cholinesterase could better a nd more sensitively reflect the synthetic function and the damage of the pathology of the liver than that of albumin and plasma prothrombin activity could do, they all negatively correlated with the pathology of the liver.

Genetic tracing reveals a stereotyped sensory map in the olfactory cortex

The olfactory system translates myriad chemical structures into diverse odour perceptions. To gain insight into how this is accomplished, we prepared mice that coexpressed a transneuronal tracer with only one of about 1,000 different odorant receptors. The tracer travelled from nasal neurons expressing that receptor to the olfactory bulb and then to the olfactory cortex, allowing visualization of cortical neurons that receive input from a particular odorant receptor. These studies revealed a stereotyped sensory map in the olfactory cortex in which signals from a particular receptor are targeted to specific clusters of neurons. Inputs from different receptors overlap spatially and could be combined in single neurons, potentially allowing for an integration of the components of an odorant's combinatorial receptor code. Signals from the same receptor are targeted to multiple olfactory cortical areas, permitting the parallel, and perhaps differential, processing of inputs from a single receptor before delivery to the neocortex and limbic system.

[Radiographic study of the development of the permanent teeth]

OBJECTIVE

To study the development of permanent teeth by radiographic methods.

METHODS

The permanent teeth development of children ranging from 4-17 years was evaluated from 1709 panoramic radiographs by the Nolla's method. Each tooth was graded from 0 to 10 stage. The average developmental stage for girls and boys were calculated.

RESULTS

The average developmental stage and development curves for girls and boys were obtained respectively. For the completion of crown and root development, girls are more advanced than boys by an average of 0.3 and 0.6 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Girls are ahead of boys for the development of the permanent teeth. The norms of the maturation of permanent teeth can be used to evaluated the development of the individual teeth.

A study of titanium nitride diffusion barriers between aluminum and silicon by X-ray absorption spectroscopy: the Si, Ti and N results

We report a multi-elment, multi-edge and multi-detection mode X-ray photoabsorption study of a series of Al/TiN(x)/Si(100) thin films as a function of the TiN(x) film thickness (100A-500A) and of the annealing temperature (400 degrees C-600 degrees C). The Si K- and L-edge results show that Si does not diffuse to the surface for all the films. The high resolution Ti L-edge and N K-edge spectra show that the TiN(x) layer undergoes a dramatic chemical reaction with the gradual increase in the annealing temperature. This chemical reaction stabilizes at 560 degrees C at which the TiN(x) film is known to fail to act as an effective diffusion barrier between Al and Si.

Structure and chromosomal localization of the RAE28/HPH1 gene, a human homologue of the polyhomeotic gene

The Polycomb group of (Pc-G) genes and trithorax group of genes are known to play a crucial role in the maintenance of the transcriptional repression state of Hox genes, probably through modification of the chromatin configuration. The rae28/mph1 gene is a mammalian homologue of the Drosophila polyhomeotic gene, which belongs to the Pc-G genes. As reported previously, we established mice deficient in the rae28/mph1 gene and showed that these homozygous animals displayed the developmental defects compatible with a human congenital disorder, CATCH22 syndrome. In this study we analyzed the structural organization of the human counterpart of the rae28/mph1 gene (RAE28/HPH1) and its processed pseudogene (psiPH), which are located on, respectively, human chromosome 12p13 and 12q13. The HPH1 gene consists of 15 exons spanning approximately 26 kb and its structural organization is well conserved between mouse and human. These genetic information of the RAE28/HPH1 gene may provide an important clue for further examination of its involvement in human congenital disorders related to CATCH22 syndrome.

[Study on change of SCC Ag, CEA and CA15-3 in rat model of lung squamous cell carcinoma]

BACKGROUND

To evaluate significance of squamous cell carcinoma associated antigen (SCC Ag) and carcinoembrynoic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) in early diagnosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma

METHODS

Lung squamous cell carcinoma was induced with methylcholanthrene (MCA) in iodized oil in Wistar rats. Ninty-one rats were used for this experiment, and the rats were sacrificed on the 20th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th and 80th days respectively. The stage of the cancer development including atypical hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ, early invasive carcinoma was diagnosed histopathologically. SCC Ag, CEA and CA15-3 in the serum of different conceration stage rats were measured by MEIA technique.

RESULTS

Serum levels of SCC Ag, CEA and CA15-3 of the model rats in the atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma in situ had no significant difference. The level of SCC Ag increased predominantly at the early invasive carcinoma(P<0.01), but the other two markers had no change.

CONCLUSIONS

SCC Ag level in serum may be of considerable importance in the early diagnosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma.

PSGR, a novel prostate-specific gene with homology to a G protein-coupled receptor, is overexpressed in prostate cancer

PSGR, a new prostate tissue-specific gene with homology to the G protein-coupled odorant receptor gene family, has been identified. Here we report the characteristics of the predicted protein sequence of PSGR and its prostate tissue specificity and expression profile in human prostate cancer and matched normal tissues. Using multiple tissue Northern blots from over 50 different tissues, PSGR expression was restricted to human prostate tissues. Paired normal and tumor specimens from 52 primary prostate cancers, obtained by laser capture microdissection or manual microdissection, were analyzed for PSGR expression by semiquantitative and real-time PCR assays. The differential expression of PSGR between normal and tumor tissues was highly significant (P < 0.001), and 32 of 52 (62%) matched prostate specimens exhibited tumor-associated overexpression of PSGR. Of note, there was very little or no expression of PSGR in many normal specimens in comparison with the generally high expression of PSGR seen in matched tumor specimens. In situ hybridization assays showed restricted PSGR expression in the epithelial cells of the normal and tumor tissue sections. Restricted expression of PSGR in prostatic epithelial cells, overexpression of the PSGR in a significant percentage of prostate cancers, and the predicted protein sequence of PSGR with seven transmembrane domains provide a foundation for future studies evaluating the potential of PSGR as a prostate cancer gene expression marker and the utility of PSGR protein as a novel target for developing immunotherapeutic strategies for prostate cancer.

PCGEM1, a prostate-specific gene, is overexpressed in prostate cancer

A prostate-specific gene, PCGEM1, was identified by differential display analysis of paired normal and prostate cancer tissues. Multiple tissue Northern blot analysis revealed that PCGEM1 was expressed exclusively in human prostate tissue. Analysis of PCGEM1 expression in matched normal and primary tumor specimens revealed tumor-associated overexpression in 84% of patients with prostate cancer by in situ hybridization assay and in 56% of patients by reverse transcription-PCR assay. Among various prostate cancer cell lines analyzed, PCGEM1 expression was detected only in the androgen receptor-positive cell line LNCaP. Extensive DNA sequence analysis of the PCGEM1 cDNA and genomic DNA revealed that PCGEM1 lacks protein-coding capacity and suggests that it may belong to an emerging class of noncoding RNAs, also called "riboregulators." The PCGEM1 locus was mapped to chromosome 2q32. Taken together, the remarkable prostate-tissue specificity and androgen-dependent expression of PCGEM1 as well as its elevated expression in a significant percentage of tumor tissues suggest specific functions of PCGEM1 in the biology and tumorigenesis of the prostate gland.

p53-dependent induction of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) expression

Transcriptional activation of the p53 target genes plays a critical role in the cellular response to DNA damage, hypoxia, cellular stress and other signals regulating the cell cycle and apoptosis. The discovery of new p53 target genes continues to reveal novel mechanisms of action of this multifaceted protein. We used cDNA arrays to search for p53-regulated genes in prostate cancer cells. In this report, we describe robust induction of heat shock protein 27 (hsp27) in prostate cancer cells (DU145, LNCaP, PC3) following wild-type p53 expression from an adenoviral p53 expression vector (AdWTp53). A mutant p53 (R175H)-containing adenoviral expression vector did not induce hsp27. hsp27 expression was not altered in prostate cancer cells following expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors: p21(waf1/cip1) and p27(kip1) from adenoviral expression vectors. Treatment of cells with staurosporine, an apoptosis-inducing agent, did no affect hsp27 expression. These observations provide evidence that induction of hsp27 expression was wild-type p53-specific and was not due to non-specific effects of cell growth arrest and/or apoptosis. Previous studies and the experiment reported here show induction of hsp27 expression in response to androgen ablation, a physiological state that induces apoptosis in prostatic epithelial cells. The nature of p53 and hsp27 interactions in the regulation of apoptosis and/or cell growth needs to be further defined.

p53 regulates the expression of the tumor suppressor gene maspin

Maspin has been shown to inhibit tumor cell invasion and metastasis in breast tumor cells. Maspin expression was detected in normal breast and prostate epithelial cells, whereas tumor cells exhibited reduced or no expression. However, the regulatory mechanism of maspin expression remains unknown. We report here a rapid and robust induction of maspin expression in prostate cancer cells (LNCaP, DU145, and PC3) and breast tumor cells (MCF7) following wild type p53 expression from an adenovirus p53 expression vector (AdWTp53). p53 activates the maspin promoter by binding directly to the p53 consensus-binding site present in the maspin promoter. DNA-damaging agents and cytotoxic drugs induced endogenous maspin expression in cells containing the wild type p53. Maspin expression was refractory to the DNA-damaging agents in cells containing mutant p53. These results, combined with recent studies of the tumor metastasis suppressor gene KAI1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1), define a new category of molecular targets of p53 that have the potential to negatively regulate tumor invasion and/or metastasis.

In vivo analysis of plastid psbA, rbcL and rpl32 UTR elements by chloroplast transformation: tobacco plastid gene expression is controlled by modulation of transcript levels and translation efficiency

5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of plastid RNAs act as regulatory elements for post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Polyethylene glycol-mediated plastid transformation with UTR-GUS reporter gene fusions was used to study the function of the psbA, rbcL and rpl32 UTRs in vivo. All gene fusions were expressed from the same promoter, i.e. the promoter of the 16S-rRNA gene, such that variations in RNA and protein levels would be due to the involved UTR elements alone. Transgenic tobacco lines containing different combinations of UTRs showed fivefold variation in the uidA-mRNA level (RNA stability) and approximately 100-fold differences in GUS activity, a measure of translation activity. The rbcL 5'-UTR conferred greater mRNA stability than the psbA 5'-UTR on uidA transcripts. In contrast, the psbA 5'-UTR enhanced translation of GUS to a much greater extent compared to the rbcL 5'-UTR. The psbA 5'-UTR also mediated light-induced activation of translation which was not observed with other constructs. Deletion mutagenesis of an unanalysed terminal sequence element of the psbA 5'-UTR resulted in a twofold drop in uidA-mRNA level and a fourfold decrease in translation efficiency. Exchange of 3'-UTRs results in up to fivefold changes of mRNA levels and does not significantly influence translation efficiency. The mechanical impacts of these results on plastid translation regulation are discussed.

[The effect of pressure on the morphology of superior mesenteric vein in rabbits]

The effect of pressure on the morphology of the superior mesenteric vein of rabbits (SMV) was researched with the method of constant pressure fixation. The results indicate the morphology of SMV is similar to human umbilical cord vein. It looks like the structure of femoral artery of vein in many ways. Under constant pressure fixation (4 kPa), the internal elastic membrane of SMV is straightened, and the wall of SMV becomes thin, with its media thinning from 51.680 microns to 32.3260 microns. The long diameter of nucleus of the smooth muscles decreases from 1.9146 microns to 3.4980 microns, the short diameter of nucleus of the smooth muscles becomes from 0.7884 micron to 0.5228 micron. The direction of the tension on the smooth muscles is mainly longitudinal.

[Experimental study of parotid gland injected with gentian violet]

OBJECTIVE

The Gentian Violet was used for treating the chronic parotitis since 1960's, but the dosage and the histologic changes of the tissues were undefined until now. We try to study the histologic changes of the salivary glands, heart, liver and kidneys after large volume of gentian violet was injected into the parotid gland through the duct.

METHODS

5 ml of Gentian Violet was injected to each side of 6 dogs. The macropathologic and histologic examination of the salivary glands, heart, liver and kidneys were performed at 30 min, 60 min, 120 min, 21 days and 9 months separately after the perfusion.

RESULTS

Local swelling was obvious in two or three days after infusion and subsided in one week in most of the dogs. Degeneration of the gland took place after 20 days. After 9 months, the parotid gland tissues were replaced by the connective tissues. On the other hand, no histologic change was observed in heart, liver and kidney in the investigation.

CONCLUSION

The Gentian Violet can cause degeneration of the parotid gland including the duct and replaced by connective tissues later. There is no obvious changes were noted in other organs.

[Subclinical Sjögren's syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate various manifestations and treatment of subclinical Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

METHODS

A long term clinical, laboratory and sialographic observations were performed in 24 patients with subclinical SS. Injectin of thymosin intramusularly was used to treat the patients and clinical effect of this treatment was evaluated.

RESULTS

All of 24 cases had experienced recurrent parotid swellings (RPS) for 2-17 years (mean 7 years) before dry mouth and dry eyes occurred and all of them were misdiagnosed as chronic suppurative parotitis or sialadenitis. Follow-up showed that all of these patients developed SS. Vasculitis was found in 8 cases, purpura in 2 cases. The vascular involvement was relatively common in subclinical SS. Main sialographic findings was sialectasis of terminal ducts with irregular dilation of main duct. Frequency of RPS was markedly decreased in the patients treated with thymosin.

CONCLUSION

The proposal of subclinical SS has theoretical value for understanding the entity and reclassification of chronic suppurative parotitis, and has guide value for diagnosis and treatment of SS in the early stage. Injection of thymosin is considered an effective therapy to reduce RPS in subclinical SS.

[The effect of activity of smooth muscles on the relationship of circumferential stress-strain of superior mesenteric veins in rabbits]

The superior mesenteric veins (SMV) of 14 rabbits were divided into two groups for experiment of inflation pressure, namely the normal group and the inactivated smooth muscles group. The results showed that the relationship of circumferential stress-strain of SMV could be expressed with the exponential equation. Constant X2 is effected by the active condition of smooth muscles. The difference of the material constant X2 between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05), but the difference of the material constant X1 between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). These suggest that X2 is the parameter concerning the activity of smooth muscles.

[Purification of recombinant erythropoietin by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC)]

Recombinant erythropoietin is a glycoprotein which is strongly hydrophobic. We purified recombinant erythropoietin by RP-HPLC. The results showed that 30 nm Spherisorb C4 reversed-phase column and acetonitrile-TFA mobile phase with gradient elution, could readily isolate recombinant erythropoietin from crude samples with high speed and efficiency. Erythropoietin could be eluted at the concentration of about 50% acetonitrile with appropriate sample purity and elution gradient. When RP-HPLC is used as a final step of purification, the purity of sample should be at least 60%. The purity of the product tested by SDS-PAGE was nearly 100%. And the specific activity of the product was about 1.96 x 10(3) IU/g protein.

Zonal and regional differences identified from precision mapping of vitamin A-storing lipid droplets of the hepatic stellate cells in pig liver: a novel concept of addressing the intralobular area of heterogeneity

Knowledge of hepatic heterogeneity has been strikingly increased, while an accurate means for addressing intralobular positions is still lacking. We examined pig liver preparations of the gold impregnation method for vitamin A-storing lipid droplets in hepatic stellate cells. Droplet morphometry was performed under oil immersion, and the calculated volumes plotted on computerized maps. The heterogeneous results were assessed with five concentric zones and five radial regions; the latter were determined based on midseptum visualized by portal injection. Zonation and regionation thus subdivided lobules into 5-zone/5-region (5Z/5R) compartmentalization. Distribution of values exhibited a distinct zonal gradient, heightened at peripheral zones 1 and 2, decreased over intermediate zone 3 toward centrilobular zones 4 and 5; peak was always found at zone 2. Within a single zone, variations were obvious, forming a regional gradient. Values were significantly higher at periportal than midseptal regions. Digitized mapping showed that low values filled up centrilobular zones, whereas high values concentrated in periportal regions. Along the periphery, inlet venules were quantified, revealing an occurrence rate of 60% at periportal, and 5% at midseptal regions, closely compatible with the regional gradient of vitamin A-storing capacity. The interweaving between zonal and regional gradients results in a vitamin A-low territory, a compound area composed of centrilobular zones plus extensions into midseptal regions. Because the results could account for physiological and pathological events, we regard the 5Z/5R compartmentalization a model worth routine adoption for a precise description of any morphofunctionally demonstrable heterogeneity of the liver lobules.