Determinants of suicidal ideation in gynecological cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

Gynecological cancer survivors are at increased risk of psychological problems including suicide risk. Suicidal ideation, which was thought to be precursor to suicide attempts, has not been well studied. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, and determinants of suicidal ideation for women with gynecological cancer, and then to assess the effect of coping style and social support on suicidal ideation.

METHODS

Patients with cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancers seen at Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital from September 2012 to June 2013 were consecutively recruited and were asked to complete the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Suicidal Ideation of Self-rating Scale, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire and Social Support Rating Scale. Path analysis was used to examine the relationship among coping style, social support, depression symptoms and suicidal ideation.

RESULTS

A total of 579 (579/623, 93.0%) gynecological cancer patients were enrolled in this study and completed all investigations between September 2012 and June 2013. Among them, 105 (18.1%) patients reported suicidal ideation, with the highest rate in patients with ovarian cancer (30.16%). Suicidal ideation was associated with depression symptoms, care providers, chemotherapy history and acceptance-resignation. Path analysis showed that the acceptance-resignation affected suicidal ideation directly as well as mediated by social support and depression symptoms, while confrontation and avoidance affected suicidal ideation entirely through social support and depression symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Suicidal ideation is high among patients with gynecological cancer, especially among ovarian cancer patients. Coping strategies such as confrontation and avoidance, and social support may be helpful for preventing suicidal ideation among them.

Large-scale discovery of novel genetic causes of developmental disorders

Despite three decades of successful, predominantly phenotype-driven discovery of the genetic causes of monogenic disorders, up to half of children with severe developmental disorders of probable genetic origin remain without a genetic diagnosis. Particularly challenging are those disorders rare enough to have eluded recognition as a discrete clinical entity, those with highly variable clinical manifestations, and those that are difficult to distinguish from other, very similar, disorders. Here we demonstrate the power of using an unbiased genotype-driven approach to identify subsets of patients with similar disorders. By studying 1,133 children with severe, undiagnosed developmental disorders, and their parents, using a combination of exome sequencing and array-based detection of chromosomal rearrangements, we discovered 12 novel genes associated with developmental disorders. These newly implicated genes increase by 10% (from 28% to 31%) the proportion of children that could be diagnosed. Clustering of missense mutations in six of these newly implicated genes suggests that normal development is being perturbed by an activating or dominant-negative mechanism. Our findings demonstrate the value of adopting a comprehensive strategy, both genome-wide and nationwide, to elucidate the underlying causes of rare genetic disorders.

A second-generation genetic linkage map for bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) based on microsatellite markers

Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) is an important aquaculture fish worldwide. Genetic linkage maps for the species were previously reported, but map resolution remained to be improved. In this study, a second-generation genetic linkage map was constructed for bighead carp through a pseudo-testcross strategy using interspecific hybrids between bighead carp and silver carp. Of the 754 microsatellites genotyped in two interspecific mapping families (with 77 progenies for each family), 659 markers were assigned to 24 linkage groups, which were equal to the chromosome numbers of the haploid genome. The consensus map spanned 1917.3 cM covering 92.8% of the estimated bighead carp genome with an average marker interval of 2.9 cM. The length of linkage groups ranged from 52.2 to 133.5 cM with an average of 79.9 cM. The number of markers per linkage group varied from 11 to 55 with an average of 27.5 per linkage group. Normality tests on interval distances of the map showed a non-normal marker distribution; however, significant correlation was found between the length of linkage group and the number of markers below the 0.01 significance level (two-tailed). The length of the female map was 1.12 times that of the male map, and the average recombination ratio of female to male was 1.10:1. Visual inspection showed that distorted markers gathered in some linkage groups and in certain regions of the male and female maps. This well-defined genetic linkage map will provide a basic framework for further genome mapping of quantitative traits, comparative mapping and marker-assisted breeding in bighead carp.

Value of ecosystem hydropower service and its impact on the payment for ecosystem services

Hydropower is an important service provided by ecosystems. We surveyed all the hydropower plants in the Zagunao River Basin, Southwest China. Then, we assessed the hydropower service by using the InVEST (The Integrated Value and Tradeoff of Ecosystem Service Tools) model. Finally, we discussed the impact on ecological compensation. The results showed that: 1) hydropower service value of ecosystems in the Zagunao River Basin is 216.29 Euro/hm(2) on the average, of which the high-value area with more than 475.65 Euro/hm(2) is about 750.37 km(2), accounting for 16.12% of the whole watershed, but it provides 53.47% of the whole watershed service value; 2) ecosystem is an ecological reservoir with a great regulation capacity. Dams cannot completely replace the reservoir water conservation function of ecosystems, and has high economic and environmental costs that must be paid as well. Compensation for water conservation services should become an important basis for ecological compensation of hydropower development. 3) In the current PES cases, the standard of compensation is generally low. Cascade development makes the value of upstream ecosystem services become more prominent, reflecting the differential rent value, and the value of ecosystem services should be based on the distribution of differentiated ecological compensation.

Bicyclol upregulates transcription factor Nrf2, HO-1 expression and protects rat brains against focal ischemia

Oxidative damage plays a detrimental role in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia and may represent a therapeutic target. The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) controls the coordinated expression of the important antioxidant and detoxification genes through a promotor sequence termed the antioxidant response element. Bicyclol has been proved to elicit a variety of biological effects through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. But the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, the role of bicyclol in cerebral ischemia and its potential mechanism were investigated.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: MCAO (middle cerebral artery occlusion), Vehicle (MCAO+0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose), By-L (Vehicle+bicyclol 50mg/kg), By-H (Vehicle+bicyclol 100mg/kg) and Sham operated groups. Bicyclol was administered intragastrically once a day for 3 consecutive days; after 1h of bicyclol pretreatment on the third day, rat ischemic stroke was induced by MCAO. Neurological deficit, infarct volume, and brain edema were detected at 24h after stroke. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to measure the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and SOD1. MDA was detected by the spectrophotometer.

RESULTS

Compared with MCAO group, By-H group significantly ameliorated neurological deficit, lessened the infarct volume and brain edema, increased the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and SOD1 (P<0.05), and decreased the content of MDA (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Bicyclol protected the rat brain from ischemic damage caused by MCAO, and this effect may be through the upregulation of the transcription factor Nrf2 expression.

A weight-of-evidence approach to integrate suspended sediment source information

Sediment monitoring, tracing and modelling are widely used to identify suspended sediment sources. Although each method has inherent limitations and uncertainties, their integration provides opportunities to form collective knowledge and encourages robust management strategies. This paper presents a Weight-of-Evidence approach to integrate multiple Lines-of-Evidence for identifying suspended sediment sources. Three sources of evidence were used: i) stream flow and suspended sediment monitoring at river gauges; ii) geochemical sediment tracing at river junctions; and iii) catchment-scale suspended sediment modelling of hillslope, gully, streambank and unsealed road erosion. We applied this approach on two data-poor catchments in Australia. Some reaches were consistently identified as major sources of sediment from all Lines-of-Evidence. However, inconsistencies between the types of evidence in other areas highlighted the high uncertainty in identifying suspended sediment sources in these areas and the need for further investigation. The integration framework maximised the use of scarce information, enabled explicit consideration of uncertainties for catchment management and identified where future monitoring and research should be targeted.

Neuroprotective effect of bicyclol in rat ischemic stroke: down-regulates TLR4, TLR9, TRAF6, NF-κB, MMP-9 and up-regulates claudin-5 expression

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory damage aggravates the cerebral ischemic pathological process and may pave a new way for treatment. Bicyclol has been proved to elicit a series of biologic effects through its anti-inflammatory property in treating hepatitis and hepatic ischemic/reperfusion injury. Whether this protective effect applies to cerebral ischemic injury, we therefore investigated the potential neuroprotective role of bicyclol and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO), Vehicle (pMCAO+0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose), By-L (Vehicle+bicyclol 50 mg/kg), By-H (Vehicle+bicyclol 100 mg/kg) and Sham operated group. Bicyclol was administered intragastrically once a day for 3 days, after 1h of bicyclol pretreatment on the third day; rat brain ischemia was induced by pMCAO. Neurological deficit, infarct volume, and brain edema were measured at 24 h after stroke. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR were used to detect the expression of TLR4, TLR9, TRAF6, NF-κB and MMP-9, claudin-5.

RESULTS

Compared with pMCAO group, bicyclol significantly ameliorated neurological deficit, decreased infarct volume and edema, and down-regulated the expression of TLR4, TLR9, TRAF6, NF-κB and MMP-9 (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of claudin-5 was increased (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Bicyclol has neuroprotective effect on cerebral ischemia, and this protection may be through down-regulating TLR4, TLR9, TRAF6, NF-κB, MMP-9 and up-regulating claudin-5 expression.

Tracking chromosome evolution in southern African gerbils using flow-sorted chromosome paints

Desmodillus and Gerbilliscus (formerly Tatera) comprise a monophyletic group of gerbils (subfamily Gerbillinae) which last shared an ancestor approximately 8 million years ago; diploid chromosome number variation among the species ranges from 2n = 36 to 2n = 50. In an attempt to shed more light on chromosome evolution and speciation in these rodents, we compared the karyotypes of 7 species, representing 3 genera, based on homology data revealed by chromosome painting with probes derived from flow-sorted chromosomes of the hairy footed gerbil, Gerbillurus paeba (2n = 36). The fluorescent in situ hybridization data revealed remarkable genome conservation: these species share a high proportion of conserved chromosomes, and differences are due to 10 Robertsonian (Rb) rearrangements (3 autapomorphies, 3 synapomorphies and 4 hemiplasies/homoplasies). Our data suggest that chromosome evolution in Desmodillus occurred at a rate of ~1.25 rearrangements per million years (Myr), and that the rate among Gerbilliscus over a time period spanning 8 Myr is also ~1.25 rearrangements/Myr. The recently diverged Gerbillurus (G. tytonis and G. paeba) share an identical karyotype, while Gerbilliscus kempi, G. afra and G. leucogaster differ by 6 Rb rearrangements (a rate of ~1 rearrangement/Myr). Thus, our data suggests a very slow rate of chromosomal evolution in Southern African gerbils.

Mesenchymal stem cells modified to express interferon-β inhibit the growth of prostate cancer in a mouse model

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) genetically engineered to produce interferon-β (IFN-β) as a gene delivery system to treat prostate cancer in an animal model.

METHODS

To measure the effects on tumour cell growth in vitro, IFN-β-producing MSCs (IFN-β-MSCs) were co-cultured with the prostate cancer cell line PC-3. The in vivo migration of intravenously injected fluorescently-labelled MSCs to healthy tissues and PC-3 xenograft tumours grown in immuno-deficient mice was determined by fluorescence microscopy. The antitumour effects of intravenously injected IFN-β-MSCs on PC-3 xenograft growth and animal survival were also investigated.

RESULTS

IFN-β-MSCs inhibited the growth of PC-3 cells in vitro. Fluorescently-labelled MSCs migrated to the margins and centre of tumour masses but not into healthy tissues. Intravenously injected IFN-β-MSCs significantly reduced PC-3 xenograft tumour weight and increased animal survival compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenously injected IFN-β-MSCs inhibited PC-3 xenograft growth. This could be an effective gene delivery system for treatment of solid human tumours.

First Report of Fusarium pseudograminearum Causing Crown Rot of Wheat in Henan, China

Fusarium pseudograminearum (O'Donnell & Aoki), a residue-borne pathogen, is responsible for crown rot of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Since its first detection in Queensland, Australia in 1951, it has been reported in many other countries, but not China (2). In May 2011, a crown rot disease was observed in wheat cv. Aikang 58 in a wheat-maize rotation, irrigable and loam field in Henan Province, China. Diseased wheat plants showed honey brown discoloration in the stem bases and whitehead in some plants, which are symptoms of crown rot with about 70% incidence in a surveyed field (2). The pathogen was isolated from diseased stem base on potato dextrose agar (PDA) after being surface-disinfested with 5% NaClO solution for 2 min. Pure cultures were established on carnation leaf agar (CLA) through a single spore technique and identified by morphological and molecular methods according to protocols described previously (1,3,4). Macroconidia of F. pseudograminearum were formed in abundant sporodochia on CLA cultures grown under the BLB light. Macroconidia were usually five septate (about three to seven) and 27 to 91 × 2.7 to 5.5 μm. Colonies grown on PDA from a single conidium in the dark at 25°C had average radial growth rates of ~4.7 to 9.9 mm per day. Colony pigment on PDA grown under light varied from rose to burgundy, while mycelium ranged from rose to yellow white. Two isolates (WZ-8A and WZ-2B) were selected for molecular identification. The translation elongation factor 1-α gene and rDNA ITS gene were amplified by PCR using the specific primers described previously (4). PCR products were sequenced (GenBank Accession Nos. JN862232 to JN862235). Phylogenic analysis of the sequence indicated that the isolates were identified as F. pseudograminearum. The identification was further confirmed by the F. pseudograminearum species-specific PCR primers (Fp1-1: CGGGGTAGTTTCACATTTCCG and Fp1-2: GAGAATGTGATGACGACAATA) (1). The expected PCR products of 520 bp were produced only in F. pseudograminearum. Isolates WZ-2B and WZ-8A were deposited in the Agriculture Culture Collection of China as ACCC38067 and ACCC 38068, respectively. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by inoculating winter wheat cultivar Wenmai 19 with isolates WZ-8A and WZ-2B through soil inoculation. Inoculum was prepared by growing cultures on sterilized wheat bran and chopped wheat-straw (4:1, v/v) after incubation at 25°C for 2 weeks. This inoculum was added to sterilized soil at 1% by volume and no inoculum was added in control treatment. Five seeds were planted in a 15 cm wide pot in a 20 to 25°C greenhouse, with six replications. Seedling death and crown browning occurred in the inoculated wheat plants after 4 weeks with over 90% incidence, while no symptoms developed in the control plants. The fungus was reisolated from inoculated plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. pseudograminearum causing crown rot of wheat in China. Considering Henan is the largest wheat production province in China with over 5 million hectares planting area, and the soil and climate conditions are suitable for this disease, it will be a important pathogen of wheat in Henan in the future. References: (1) T. Aoki et al. Mycologia 91:597, 1999. (2) L. W. Burgess. Page 271 in: Crown Rot of Wheat: Fusarium. B. A. Summerell et al., eds. APS Press, St. Paul, MN, 2001. (3) R. G. Francis et al. Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 68:421, 1977. (4) J. B. Scott et al. Mycol. Res. 110:1413, 2006.

Correlation between expression of S100A4 and VEGF-C, and lymph node metastasis and prognosis in gastric carcinoma

This semiquantitative immunohistochemical study investigated the clinical significance of S100A4 and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) protein expression in gastric carcinoma. Correlations between S100A4 and VEGF-C immunoreactivity and clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated using 108 gastric carcinoma specimens and 20 specimens of tissue adjacent to gastric carcinoma. S100A4 and VEGF-C expression in carcinoma was higher than that in adjacent tissues. S100A4 expression was significantly related to tumour size and lymph node metastasis, whereas VEGF-C expression was associated with invasion depth, lymph node metastasis and tumour, node, metastasis (TNM) stage. A significant correlation was found between S100A4 and VEGF-C expression. Patients expressing S100A4 or VEGF-C showed no significant reduction in 5-year survival rate compared with those not expressing these proteins. Sex, age, tumour size, invasion depth, lymph node involvement, TNM stage, S100A4 expression and VEGF-C expression had a common effect on carcinoma prognosis but none was an independent prognostic factor.

Antigen-specific T-regulatory cells can extend skin graft survival time in mice

This study investigated the effects of donor antigen-specific CD4(+)CD25(+) T-regulatory cells (Tregs) on skin allografts in mice. An allogeneic skin transplant model was established using donor C57BL/6 or DBA and recipient BALB/c mice. Recipients were divided into 4 groups: control group without intervention (CON; C57BL/6 to BALB/c), rapamycin gavage group (RAP; C57BL/6 to BALB/c), CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs-treated group (TRE; C57BL/6 to BALB/c), in which recipients received transfusions of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs stimulated with C57BL/6-derived immature dendritic cells, and the third-party donor group (DBA; DBA to BALB/c) in which recipients received transfusions of BALB/c CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs stimulated with C57BL/6-derived immature dendritic cells. Mean (SD) survival time of the skin allografts in the TRE group was 17.0 (3.4) days, significantly longer than in the other groups: CON, 6.9 (1.9) days; RAP, 10.3 (3.0) days; and DBA, 10.8 (3.6) days. The TRE group demonstrated a significantly greater expression of transforming growth factor-β and interleukin (IL)-10. Donor antigen-specific CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs effectively extend skin allograft survival in mice.

First Record of the Cereal Cyst Nematode Heterodera filipjevi in China

Cereal cyst nematode (CCN) is now recognized as a widespread and often damaging parasite of wheat in China. Only Heterodera avenae has been reported in China (4). However, molecular analysis of four samples from Beijing and one from Shanxi Province indicated genetic differences from H. avenae and other named species (3). Here we report the detection of H. filipjevi at a site in Henan Province that was not included in any previous study or report. The infested crop was rainfed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Wenmai 19 in a field near Banpopu Village in Xuchang County (34.0447°N, 113.7415°E) with a long-established maize-wheat semiannual crop rotation. During the winter growing season, the crop was patchy with uneven growth and cyst nematode females were observed on the roots. In June 2009, soil was collected and mature cysts were extracted for morphological and molecular identification. Cysts were also kept at 4°C for 2 months and then incubated in shallow water at 15°C for a month to obtain second-stage juveniles (J2). Measurements (range; mean ± sd) of 10 cysts were body length including neck (569 to 786 μm; 699 ± 56), body width (403 to 600 μm; 523 ± 55), length:width ratio (1.3 to 1.5; 1.3 ± 0.1), neck length (61 to 125 μm; 106 ± 19) and width (49 to 83 μm; 69 ± 13), fenestra length (52 to 59 μm; 57 ± 2.9) and width (24.5 to 34.4; 27.9 ± 3.5), underbridge (64 to 101 μm; 85 ± 10), and vulval slit (7.4 to 10.0 μm; 9.6 ± 1.0). Lemon-shaped cysts were brown with a surface zigzag pattern. The vulval cone was bifenestrate with horseshoe-shaped semifenestra, with heavy underbridge and many bullae. The J2 (n = 22) measurements were body length (496 to 590 μm; 552 ± 24), body width (20.0 to 23.8; 21.5 ± 0.9), stylet (22.8 to 25.3; 24.0 ± 1.0) with anchor-shaped basal knobs, tail (47 to 64; 61.6 ± 4.4), and hyaline tail terminus (32 to 43; 40.2 ± 3.0). The J2 had up to four lateral lines, but the inner two were often the only lines clearly visible, and the shape of the stylet knobs, tail, and tail terminus were consistent with H. filipjevi. All morphological data and characters were consistent with H. filipjevi (1). Specimens have been lodged with the Australian National Insect Collection. DNA from single cysts was extracted to amplify the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA by PCR with forward primer TW81 (5'-GTTTCCGTAGGTGAACCTGC-3') and reverse primer AB28 (5'-ATATGCTTAAGTTCAGCGGGT-3') (2). The PCR product was sequenced (Genbank Accession No. HM027892) and digested by restriction enzymes (AluI, CfoI, HaeI, HinfI, PstI, RsaI, TaqI, and Tru9I) to obtain restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles (2). Profiles for the Xuchang population consistently matched those published for H. filipjevi and were distinct from those of H. avenae and other species (3). Phylogenic analysis of the sequence further indicated conspecificity with H. filipjevi. These morphological and molecular data confirmed that the specimens from Xuchang were H. filipjevi, which represents the first detection of H. filipjevi in China, and extends the known distribution of the species from Europe, North America, South Asia, and West Asia to East Asia. This finding adds complexity to the management of CCN in China, especially for control by host resistance, which now must consider both species and pathotype diversity. References: (1) Z. A. Handoo. J. Nematol. 34:250, 2002. (2) S. A. Subbotin et al. Nematology 2:153, 2000. (3) S. A. Subbotin et al. Nematology 5:515, 2003. (4) H. X. Yuan et al. Australas. Plant Pathol. 39:107, 2010.

In situ thin film growth stresses during chemical ordering

The in situ growth stress and postgrowth stress relaxation during the L1(0) chemical ordering of Fe0.54Pt0.46 thin films have been characterized. The compressive stress is reduced with an increase in order parameter. The postgrowth stress relaxation rate increased with the order parameter and is rationalized in terms of an increase in the interfacial energy contribution at the grain boundaries because of chemical order. Density functional theory calculations were performed to quantify possible diffusion pathways and binding energies for Fe and Pt that may mitigate surface migration.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of the genome organization of the 6-banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus)

Xenarthra, as the probable earliest offshoot of the placental tree, represents a key taxon for understanding mammalian phylogeny. To gain further insight into the chromosomal evolution and genome organization of the xenarthrans, we have established the first genome-wide comparative chromosome map between human and the 6-banded armadillo (Euphractussexcinctus, 2n = 58), a basal species on the Xenarthra branch, by reciprocal cross-species chromosome painting. In total, 22 human autosomal paints revealed 41 homologous segments in the euchromatic genome of E. sexcinctus. Our results provide further support for the notion that the 2 human homologous segmental associations, i.e. HSA 2/8 and 7a/10p, could constitute the synapomorphies that unite the xenarthrans. Moreover, we propose that the putative ancestral Xenarthra karyotype closely resemble the 2n = 54 karyotype of the E. sexcinctus, consisting of the equivalents of HSA1p, 1q, 2a, 2b, 2c/8c, 3/21, 4a, 4b/8b, 5, 6a, 6b, 7a/10p, 7b/16p, 8a, 9, 10q, 11, 12a/22a, 12b/22b, 13, 14/15, 16q/19q, 17, 18, 19p, 20, and X. In addition, we have analysed the C-banding patterns of E. sexcinctus, and cloned, FISHmapped and sequenced 7 novel repetitive DNA segments, providing further information on the complexity of genome architecture of E. sexcinctus.