Comparative Analyses of the Transcriptome and Proteome of Comte de Paris and Smooth Cayenne to Improve the Understanding of Ethephon-Induced Floral Transition in Pineapple

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Ethylene is usually used to induce floral transition in pineapple. However, its successful induction in plants categorized as Cayenne is difficult or completely ineffective, and information concerned is limited. The present study was undertaken to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying this obstacle.

METHODS

Transcriptome and proteome comparative analyses were performed to explore the important regulation and pathway variations after ethephon induction in the induction-easy 'Comte de Paris' (CP) and induction-hard 'Smooth Cayenne' (SC) cultivars via RNA-seq (RNA-sequencing) and iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification).

RESULTS

CP and SC exhibited basic differences at the transcriptomic and proteomic levels before ethephon treatment, including the expression of genes and proteins related to ethylene signal transduction. After ethephon induction, the expression of genes and proteins involved in plant ethylene signal transduction and carbohydrate metabolism responded more strongly in CP than in SC. The expression of the floral meristem identity (FMI) genes AG, TFL and FT exhibited greater changes in CP, and more transcription factors responded in SC. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CP were annotated to terms and pathways involved in photoperiodism and shared components involved in carbohydrate metabolism and plant hormone signal transduction.

CONCLUSION

These findings contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the variation between CP and SC in response to ethephon-mediated floral induction.

Multipoint vertical-Thomson scattering diagnostic on HL-2A tokamak

Some progress has been made to develop the multipoint Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostic for the HL-2A tokamak physics experiments. Hardware of silicon avalanche photodiode detector electronics is improved, which provides two output signal channels. In one channel, only the rapid TS signal is the output after deducting the influence of the background slow-varying plasma light. In the other, both the rapid TS signal and the plasma background signal are the output. In the latest HL-2A experiment campaign, the newly developed electronics are tested and TS signals can be obtained from each of the two channels, where the signal is digitized by 12-bit transient recorder sampled at 1 GS/s. Laser beam alignment is fulfilled by using motorized stages to control the laser beam passing through ∼10 mm-wide narrow throats of the lower and upper closed divertors with small movements and then the stray laser light is reduced. New modules of fast digitizers with more than 100 channels are installed and will be used to record TS pulse signals. On the basis of these achievements, about 15-point measurements of plasma electron temperature and density by Thomson scattering diagnostic will come into operation in the upcoming HL-2A experiment campaign.

[A follow-up study of six years' outcome of children with asthma in urban area of Beijing]

Objective: To understand the outcome of asthma in children from urban area of Beijing and the factors associated with the outcome. Methods: A total of 497 children with asthma diagnosed in the epidemiological survey of childhood asthma in urban area of Beijing in 2010 were selected in this study. Telephone follow-up was conducted in 2016 to obtain information about asthma attack, emergency visit, hospitalization, medication and disease control, and data of comorbidities of allergic diseases from 1 year earlier. Enumeration data were compared using chi-square test, measurement data were compared by rank sum test. The multi-factor logistic regression analysis was employed for the relationship between the related factors and asthma, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and COX regression was employed to understand the relationship between the related factors and the course of the disease. Results: Questionnaires were conducted in 366 children, of whom 66.7% (244/366) were male, and 33.3% (122/366) were female.Compared with 2010, the rate of asthma attack and emergency room visits in children in last 12 months were significantly lower (19.1%(70/366) vs. 57.1%(284/497), and 3.0% (11/366) vs.19.7% (98/497), χ(2)=125.910 and 53.352, both P<0.01). There was no significant change in the proportion of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis in last 12 months compared with that 6 years ago (both P>0.05). The number of children with clinical remission (2 years and above) was 75.4% (276/366). The number of children without remission within 2 years was 24.6% (90/366). The majority of children without remission were less than 12 years old boys (52.4% (33/63) vs. 30.9% (56/181) , χ(2)=9.273, P<0.01) . The proportion of children without remission associated with allergic rhinitis (67.8%(61/90)), atopic dermatitis (30.0%(27/90)), first-degree relatives with asthma (68.9%(62/90)) was higher than that of children with remission (51.8%(143/276), 17.0%(47/276), and 54.7%(151/276), respectively, χ(2)=7.013, 7.079, 5.608, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of children without remission who used control drugs was (33.3%(30/90)), which was higher than that in children with remission (7.2%(20/276), χ(2)=39.158, P<0.01). Multiple logistic regression showed that boy (OR=2.402 (1.611-3.580), P<0.05), later onset (OR=4.339 (>3-6 years old vs. 0-3 years old), OR=2.630(>6 years old vs. 0-3 years old), χ(2)=18.512, 31.371, 6.510, all P<0.05) were independent risk factors for asthma remission. COX regression analysis showed that the use of control drugs (HR=0.705 (0.515-0.964), χ(2)=4.795, P<0.05) was the relevant factor in the course of the disease. Conclusions: With the increase of age, the incidence of asthma in children in Beijing city in recent 12 months reduced. Male and late onsets were independent risk factors for asthma remission. The use of control drugs was the relevant factor in the course of the disease.

[Correlation study between the levels of serum MCP-1,SAA and cognitive function in patients with COPD-OSAHS]

Objective:To study the correlation among the serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1),serum amyloid A(SAA) and the level of cognitive function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome overlap syndrome(OS).Method:Sixty patients with OS were in the experimental group, and 33 patients with COPD were in control group. The serum levels of MCP-1 and SAA were measured, and the correlation among MCP-1, SAA and cognitive function was observed by the Montreal scale.Result:①The serum levels of MCP-1 and SAA in OS group were (159.85±21.38)ng/L and (122.64±42.49)ng/L respectively,which in control group were (135.02±15.31)ng/L and (71.37±10.16)ng/L respectively.There were the was statistically significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05). ②Montreal scale score and its sub items in OS group were lower than the control group.The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).③There was significant negative correlation between Montreal scale and the serum levels of MCP-1(r=-0.654,P<0.05) and SAA (r=-0.617,P<0.05) in OS group.Conclusion:Patients in the OS group had obvious cognitive impairment compared with the ones in control group, which suggested that OSAHS might be an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment. The cognitive function of OS patients was negatively related to MCP-1 and SAA, which suggested that MCP-1 and SAA played a role in the occurrence of cognitive impairment in OS patients.

A meta-analysis: Evaluation of safety and efficacy of the epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy versus platinum-based doublets chemotherapy in East Asia

OBJECTIVE

Several clinical trials have shown that advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients can benefit from treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) monotherapy than receiving platinum-based doublets chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC; the objective of this study was to evaluate whether patients could be treated with EGFR-TKI for advanced NSCLC in the first-line setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted on the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register Databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science databases, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database without exclusion of material published in any language. We performed a meta-analysis of five randomized studies that compared EGFR-TKI with platinum-based doublets chemotherapy for the patients of advanced NSCLC in the first-line setting. The primary end-point was the progression-free survival (PFS) of each treatment arm. The secondary end-points were overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), adverse effects, and quality of life (qol).

RESULTS

Five randomized controlled trials totaling 2080 patients were included in the review. Meta-analysis results are as follows: There were statistically significant differences in overall PFS (hazard ratio [HR] =0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.27, 0.83], P = 0.009) and the PFS of the EGFR-M + subgroup (HR = 0.29; 95% CI: [0.17-0.51], P < 0.0001). Compared with patients receiving the platinum-based doublets chemotherapy group, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to overall OS (HR = 0.92; 95% CI: [0.80-1.06], P = 0.25).

CONCLUSION

Compared with the platinum-based doublets chemotherapy, EGFR-TKI significantly prolonged PFS, increased ORR, improved qol, not significantly increased the nonhematologic toxicity and at the same time decreased the nonhematologic toxicity but not significantly increased the transaminase toxicity for advanced NSCLC patients in East Asia. Although there is convincing evidence to confirm the results mentioned herein, they still need to be confirmed by large-sample trials.

The effect of platelet-rich fibrin on autologous osteochondral transplantation: An in vivo porcine model

BACKGROUND

This work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cartilage transplantation to the medial femoral condyle±platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) augmentation in a porcine model. The hypothesis of the study was that PRF may act as a bioactive cell scaffold to fill defects and enhance cartilage regeneration.

METHODS

Thirty-two knees of 16 miniature pigs were randomly assigned to four groups. The critical-size osteochondral defects (8x5mm) in femoral condyle of both knees were treated with one of the following: group 1－untreated controls; group 2－cartilage fragments alone; group 3－PRF alone; group 4－PRFT+cartilage fragments. After completion of the surgical implantation, the periosteal patch harvested from the proximal tibia was sutured onto the cartilage of the medial condyle to cover the implanted defects. Animals were sacrificed at six months after treatment. The regenerated cartilages were assessed by gross inspection and histological examination.

RESULTS

The best results were obtained with the repair tissue being hyaline-like cartilage (group 4). The grading score of histological evaluation demonstrated that group 4 had better matrix, cell distribution and cartilage mineralization than group 2 and group 3. PRF showed a positive effect on the cartilage repair; the procedure was more effective when PRF was combined with autologous chondrocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

This approach may provide a successfully employed technique to target cartilage defects in vivo. Larger groups and longer periods of study may provide more definitive and meaningful support for using this therapeutic approach as a new way of cartilage regeneration.

[Correlation of liver stiffness measured by FibroTouch and FibroScan with Ishak fibrosis score in patients with chronic hepatitis B]

Objective: To investigate the correlation of liver stiffness measured by FibroTouch (FT) and FibroScan (FS) with Ishak fibrosis score in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: A total of 313 patients with chronic hepatitis B who visited Department of Liver Cirrhosis in Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2014 to May 2016 were enrolled. All the patients underwent liver biopsy, and FT and FS were used to determine liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Serum biochemical parameters were measured, and the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) in a multi-parameter model of liver fibrosis and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index were calculated. The consistency between the results of four noninvasive examinations and Ishak fibrosis score was compared. The t-test was used for comparison of LSM determined by FT and FS. Pearson correlation analysis was used investigate the correlation between LSM determined by FT and FS; Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and Knodell score with LSM determined by FT and FS; the correlation between LSM determined by FT and FS and fibrosis stage was analyzed by partial correlation analysis adjusted by Knodell score for liver inflammatory activity; Spearman correlation analysis was used for APRI, FIB-4, and fibrosis stage. Based on the Ishak fibrosis score, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the values of four noninvasive methods in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. Results: There was no significant difference in LSM measured by FT and FS in all patients (15.75±9.42 kPa vs 15.42±10.52 kPa, P > 0.05) and Pearson correlation analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between them (r = 0.858, P < 0.01); serum ALT and AST levels and liver inflammatory activity were correlated with LSM determined by FT and FS. There was a significant positive correlation between LSM determined by FT and FS and fibrosis stage (r = 0.501 and 0.526, both P < 0.001), and APRI and FIB-4 were also positively correlated with fibrosis stage (r = 0.236 and 0.218, both P < 0.001). Based on the Ishak fibrosis score, in the diagnosis of fibrosis stages F3, F4, F5, and F6, the areas under the ROC curve were 0.915/0.856/0.839/0.816 for FT, 0.933/0.883/0.849/0.856 for FS, 0.618/0.630/0.608/0.638 for APRI, and 0.614/0.624/0.595/0.649 for FIB-4, and FT and FS had a significantly larger areas under the ROC curve than APRI and FIB-4. Conclusion: LSM determined by FT or FS has a good correlation with the Ishak fibrosis score, so FT and FS have a significantly better diagnostic performance for liver fibrosis than APRI and FIB-4.

Association of Different Human Rhinovirus Species with Asthma in Children: A Preliminary Study

Background:

Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are divided into three genetic species: HRV-A, HRV-B, and HRV-C. The association of different HRV species with asthma in children in China has not yet been evaluated. This preliminary study aimed to assess the associations between different HRV species, particularly HRV-C, and asthma in young children in China.

Methods:

A total of 702 nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from 155 children with asthma (asthma group), 461 children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) without asthma (nonasthma ARI group), and 86 children from the control group. Semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect HRVs, and PCR products were sequenced for species identification. Epidemiological characteristics of HRV-positive cases were analyzed.

Results:

HRVs were the most common pathogen (15.4%; 108/702) in the patients in this study. The prevalence of HRV was significantly different (F = 20.633, P = 0.000) between the asthma (25.8%) and nonasthma ARI groups (11.1%). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that in the 108 cases positive for HRVs, 41 were identified as HRV-A, 8 as HRV-B, and 56 as HRV-C. Comparing the asthma with the nonasthma ARI group, Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed an association between HRV-A (P < 0.05) and C (P < 0.01) and asthma, confirmed by regression analysis, with odds ratios of 2.2 (HRV-A) and 4.2 (HRV-C).

Conclusions:

Our data revealed a high prevalence of HRVs in children in China, regardless of clinical status. HRV-C was the dominant species and may be one of the key factors in the association of HRVs with asthma.

[Epidemiological pattern of abnormal urinary fluoride rates in population with occupational fluoride exposure in Shanghai]

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological features of abnormal urinary fluoride rates in population with occupational exposure, and its relationships with age, work years and gender in Shanghai. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted respectively in 4 999 exposed workers and 283 non-exposed people during 2012-2015. Their urine samples were collected in plastic bottles and the fluoride ion selective electrode method was used for urinary fluoride level analysis. Logistic regression model was used to estimate associations between the abnormal rates and demographic/socioeconomic status of the study subjects. Results: In the past 4 years, the abnormal urinary fluoride rates (≥1.6 mg/L) in the population with occupational exposure was about 14.38%, it was about 1.43% in the control groups without occupational exposure. Their geometric mean of urinary fluoride content was 0.95 mg/L and 0.46 mg/L, respectively. The incidences of the abnormal rates in those aged ≥50 years and 34-39 years were 19.15% and 22.39%, respectively. The abnormal rate in males was 16.87%, much higher than that in females (6.85%). The abnormal rate had an upward trend along with the increased work years, especially in those with work years of ≥20 years. The abnormal rate was 23.28% in those with work years of ≥20 years and 13.29% in those with work years of <4 years. The relative risk for abnormal urinary fluoride rates was higher in male group, older age group and longer work year group, the odds ratio was 2.28, 1.10 and 1.13, respectively. Conclusions: Serious challenges exist in occupational health supervision. The relevant national standards should be updated as soon as possible. Males, those aged >50 years, and those with longer work years are the risk groups for intervention measures. More efforts are needed, such as strengthening the innovative application of health examination data and the equalization of basic public health service with comprehensive occupational health supervision programs among off-farm workers in the new medical reform.

The progress in development of edge tangential Thomson scattering system on HL-2A tokamak

The edge tangential Thomson scattering system (ETTSS) was developed for the first time on a HL-2A tokamak. A Nd:YAG laser with a 1064 nm wavelength, 4 J energy, and 30 Hz repetition rate is employed on the ETTSS. The laser beam injects the plasma in the tangential direction on the mid-plane of the machine, and the angles between the laser injection direction and the scattered light collection direction are in the range from 157.5° to 162.8°. The scattered light collection optics with 0.21-0.47 magnification is utilized to collect the scattered light of measurement range from R = 1900 mm to 2100 mm (the normalized radius is from r/a = 0.625 to 1.125). Spatial resolution of the preliminary design could be up to Δr/a = 0.016. The measurement requirements could be achieved: 10 eV < Te < 1.5 keV, and 0.5 × 10¹⁹ m^-3 < n_e < 3 × 10¹⁹ m^-3 with errors less than 15% and 10%, respectively.

[Characteristics of long-term non-progressors and HIV controllers among HIV-infections in Henan, China]

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence and characteristics of long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) and HIV controllers (HCs) among HIV-infections in Henan, China.

METHODS

Data in two databases (Information management system of HIV/AIDS prevention and control; HIV/AIDS testing application platform of Henan) were used to identify the LTNPs and HCs, investigation and verification, sample collection and correlation testing were carried out thereafter.

RESULTS

A total of 148 LTNPs/HCs were identified. Among them, 71 were followed up, including 58 LTNPs and 22 HCs, 12 cases were both LTNP and HC, 46 cases were LTNP but non-HC(LTNP+ HC-), 10 cases of HC but non-LTNP. Of the 71 individuals, 50 (70.4%) were males, 55 (77.5%) were older than 40 years of age, all belonged to Han nationality, 61 (85.9%) were farmers, 52 (73.2%) were infected through former plasma donation, 56 (78.9%) were-HCV positive. Median (interquartile range) of the CD4 counts was 538 (445-654) cell/μl and with virus load as 3.14 (2.03-3.82) log(10) copies/ml. The median viral load of HC was lower than that of LTNP + HC-(P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

The characteristic of LTNPs and HCs in Henan HIV-infections were remarkable, more accurate classification of these cases was helpful to further research.

Development of a Fluorescence Multiplex Amplification System with 24 Y-STR Loci

OBJECTIVES

To establish a novel multiplex amplification system which comprises 24 Y-STR loci.

METHODS

otal 24 Y-STR gene loci, concluding DYS531, DYS630, DYS622, DYS552, DYS510, DYS449, DYS459a/b, DYS446, DYS443, DYS635, DYS587, DYS527a/b, DYS460, Y-GATA-A10, DYS520, DYS557, DYS522, DYS481, DYS570, DYS385a/b, DYS444, were chosen for establishing the fluorescence multiplex amplification system. The specificity, identity, sensitivity, balance of the amplification, anti-interference and accuracy of the system were detected and the gene diversity was investigated in the population of Guangdong.

RESULTS

No band was found in nonhuman and female samples that were tested by the established multiplex amplification system. The same genotyping results were obtained from different tissues of the same person. Complete profiles could be obtained from more than 0.1 ng of the standard sample 9948. The loss of alleles was found when the common inhibitors such as hemoglobin and calcium ion were added 120-200 μmol/L and 1.5-2.0 mmol/L respectively to the system which with a strong anti-interference to the indigo, humic acid and EDTA. The typing of 24 Y-STR system could give the reliable results when 146 unrelated male individuals were detected and compared with the Yfiler system parallelly. The haplotype diversity （HD） of the population in Guangdong reached 0.999 72 that was better than the result retained from Yfiler system, which the HD was 0.998 58.

CONCLUSIONS

The fluorescence amplification system with 24 Y-STR loci established in present study has a wildly application prospect and can be used for cases inspection, paternity tests and Y-STR database construction.

De novo Transcriptome Assembly of Floral Buds of Pineapple and Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Response to Ethephon Induction

A remarkable characteristic of pineapple is its ability to undergo floral induction in response to external ethylene stimulation. However, little information is available regarding the molecular mechanism underlying this process. In this study, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in plants exposed to 1.80 mL·L(-1) (T1) or 2.40 mL·L(-1) ethephon (T2) compared with Ct plants (control, cleaning water) were identified using RNA-seq and gene expression profiling. Illumina sequencing generated 65,825,224 high-quality reads that were assembled into 129,594 unigenes with an average sequence length of 1173 bp. Of these unigenes, 24,775 were assigned to specific KEGG pathways, of which metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites were the most highly represented. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of the annotated unigenes revealed that the majority were involved in metabolic and cellular processes, cell and cell part, catalytic activity and binding. Gene expression profiling analysis revealed 3788, 3062, and 758 DEGs in the comparisons of T1 with Ct, T2 with Ct, and T2 with T1, respectively. GO analysis indicated that these DEGs were predominantly annotated to metabolic and cellular processes, cell and cell part, catalytic activity, and binding. KEGG pathway analysis revealed the enrichment of several important pathways among the DEGs, including metabolic pathways, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and plant hormone signal transduction. Thirteen DEGs were identified as candidate genes associated with the process of floral induction by ethephon, including three ERF-like genes, one ETR-like gene, one LTI-like gene, one FT-like gene, one VRN1-like gene, three FRI-like genes, one AP1-like gene, one CAL-like gene, and one AG-like gene. qPCR analysis indicated that the changes in the expression of these 13 candidate genes were consistent with the alterations in the corresponding RPKM values, confirming the accuracy and credibility of the RNA-seq and gene expression profiling results. Ethephon-mediated induction likely mimics the process of vernalization in the floral transition in pineapple by increasing LTI, FT, and VRN1 expression and promoting the up-regulation of floral meristem identity genes involved in flower development. The candidate genes screened can be used in investigations of the molecular mechanisms of the flowering pathway and of various other biological mechanisms in pineapple.

A NOVEL OLEAGINOUS YEAST STRAIN WITH HIGH LIPID PRODUCTIVITY AND ITS APPLICATION TO ALTERNATIVE BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

Five lipid-producing yeast strains, CHC08, CHC11, CHC28, CHC34, and CHC35, were revealed by Sudan Black B staining to contain lipid droplets within cells. Molecular analysis demonstrated that they were 2 strains of Candida parapsilosis, Pseudozyma parantarctica, Pichia manshurica, and Pichia occidentalis. Following batch fermentation, P. parantarctica CHC28 was found to have the highest biomass concentration, total lipids and lipid content levels. The major fatty acids in the lipids of this yeast strain were C16 and C18. Predictions of the properties of yeast biodiesel using linear equations resulted in values similar to biodiesel made from plant oils. Preliminary production of yeast biodiesel from P. parantarctica CHC28 was accomplished through esterification and transesterification reactions. It was found that yeast lipids with high acid value are easily converted to biodiesel at an approximately 90% yield. Therefore, it is possible to use crude lipids as alternative raw materials for biodiesel production.

Prevalence and Treatment of Children's Asthma in Rural Areas Compared with Urban Areas in Beijing

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of childhood asthma has been increasing in China. This study aimed to compare the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of asthmatic children from urban and rural areas in Beijing, China.

METHODS

Schools, communities, and kindergartens were randomly selected by cluster random sampling from urban and rural areas in Beijing. Parents were surveyed by the same screening questionnaires. On-the-spot inquiries, physical examinations, medical records, and previous test results were used to diagnose asthmatic children. Information on previous diagnoses, treatments, and control of symptoms was obtained.

RESULTS

From 7209 children in rural areas and 13,513 children in urban areas who completed screening questionnaires, 587 children were diagnosed as asthma. The prevalence of asthma in rural areas was lower than in urban areas (1.25% vs. 3.68%, χ2 = 100.80, P < 0.001). The diagnosis of asthma in rural areas was lower than in urban areas (48.9% vs. 73.9%, χ2 = 34.6, P < 0.001). Compared with urban asthmatic children (56.5%), only 35.6% of rural asthmatic children received inhaled corticosteroids (P < 0.05). The use of bronchodilators was also lower in rural areas than in urban areas (56.5% vs. 66.4%, χ2 = 14.2, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of asthma in children was lower in rural areas compared with children in the urban area of Beijing. A considerable number of children were not diagnosed and inadequately treated in rural areas.

DNMT3A -448A>G polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide that involves complex processes and factors. For instance, methylation is important in tumorigenesis. DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) is the main de novo methyltransferase implicated in this process. In DNMT3A, the -448A>G polymorphism is associated with cancer; however, the results of various studies have been conflicting. To clarify the role of DNMT3A polymorphisms in cancer, we conducted a meta-analysis of 2014 cases and 3089 control subjects. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated to evaluate the association between the DNMT3A -448A>G polymorphism and cancer risk. The results showed that DNMT3A may be a protective factor against all cancer types and colorectal cancer groups. Further studies should be conducted including different ethnicities and large population sizes to generate a comprehensive conclusion.

The Impacts of Contact Etch Stop Layer Thickness and Gate Height on Channel Stress in Strained N-Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors

The stress induced by strain in the channel of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET) is an effective method to boost the device performance. The geometric dimensions of spacer, gate height, and the contact etch stop layer (CESL) are important factors among the feasible booster. This study utilized the mismatch of the thermal expansion coefficients of stressors to simulate the process-induced stress in the N-MOSFET. Different temperatures are applied to different region of the device to generate the required strain. The analysis was performed by well-developed finite element package. The composite spacers with variant width of inserted silicon nitride (SiO2/SiN/SiO2, ONO) were proposed and their impacts on channel stress were compared. Two aspects of the impacts of those factors on the channel stress in the longitudinal direction for N-MOSFET with variant channel length were investigated. Firstly, the channel stresses of device without CESL for different gate heights were studied. Secondly, with stress applied to CESL and ONO spacers, the induced stresses in the channel were analyzed for long/short gate length. Two conclusions were drawn from the results of simulation. The N-MOSFET device without CESL shows that the stressed spacer alone generates compressive stress and the magnitude increases along with higher gate height. The channel stress becomes tensile for device with CESL and increases when the thickness of CESL and the height of gate increase, especially for device with shorter gate length. The gate height plays more significant role in inducing channel stress compared with the thickness of CESL. The channel stress can be used to quantify the mobility of electron/hole for strained MOSFET device. Therefore, with the guideline disclosed in this study, better device performance can be expected for N-MOSFET.

Treatment of vertebral body compression fractures using percutaneous kyphoplasty guided by a combination of computed tomography and C-arm fluoroscopy with finger-touch guidance to determine the needle entry point

This study aimed to evaluate the results and complications of image-guided percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) using computed tomography (CT) and C-arm fluoroscopy, with finger-touch guidance to determine the needle entry point. Of the 86 patients (106 PKP) examined, 56 were treated for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and 30 for vertebral tumors. All patients underwent image-guided treatment using CT and conventional fluoroscopy, with finger-touch identification of a puncture point within a small incision (1.5 to 2 cm). Partial or complete pain relief was achieved in 98% of patients within 24 h of treatment. Moreover, a significant improvement in functional mobility and reduction in analgesic use was observed. CT allowed the detection of cement leakage in 20.7% of the interventions. No bone cement leakages with neurologic symptoms were noted. All work channels were made only once, and bone cement was distributed near the center of the vertebral body. Our study confirms the efficacy of PKP treatment in osteoporotic and oncological patients. The combination of CT and C-arm fluoroscopy with finger-touch guidance reduces the risk of complications compared with conventional fluoroscopy alone, facilitates the detection of minor cement leakage, improves the operative procedure, and results in a favorable bone cement distribution.

Identification of grapevine rootstock cultivars using expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeats

Grapevine (Vitis) rootstock varieties or cultivars are used to confer resistance and tolerance to insect and disease pests, unfavorable soil conditions, and other environmental conditions to cultivars that are susceptible to these conditions but otherwise have desired properties. The need to genotype and thoroughly identify grapevine rootstock varieties in the grape industry has become increasingly critical as more and more varieties are bred or selected. Although DNA markers have advantageous applications in plant identification, markers developed from classic DNA fingerprint analysis methods are not practical for plant cultivar identification. The manual cultivar identification diagram (MCID), which was previously developed in our research group, has been shown to select DNA markers that are relatively more exploitable in identifications of genotyped plant individuals. Using this MCID strategy and expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers, we identified 22 grapevine rootstock cultivars of diverse origin. All cultivars were clearly separated by fingerprints of seven pairs of EST-SSR primers and the grapevine rootstock CID (V-R-CID) generated is both practical and referable for the identification of any grapevine rootstock cultivars studied here. Furthermore, fewer primers can be used to distinguish all cultivars using this approach since the fingerprint from each primer pair could be used several times once it is generated. This initial version of V-R-CID can be made more informative with the identification and incorporation of more cultivars, thus providing better service to the grape industry.

Comparison of NMOSFET and PMOSFET devices that combine CESL stressor and SiGe channel

Strained-Si technology could enhance the carrier mobility and improve the device performance. Contact-etch-stop-layer (CESL) structure with different stress and SiGe channel was fabricated with 90-nm technology. The electrical properties of N and PMOSFET devices combining CESL and SiGe channel were investigated. The short channel effects (SCE), such as drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL), were also studied. Moreover, the stress contour in the SiGe channel has been simulated with TCAD to understand the relationship between stress distribution and device performance for different CESL structures. It is observed that the stress in the channel region was independent of the type of N or PMOSFET devices, but it was dependent on the CESL type and channel length. Based on the experimental and simulation results, it is confirmed that the device performance is associated with the stress in the channel, and the approach of CESL stressor and SiGe channel is shown to effectively improve the mobility of NMOSFETs and PMOSFETs.

Stokes shift spectroscopy pilot study for cancerous and normal prostate tissues

Stokes shift spectroscopy (S3) is an emerging approach toward cancer detection. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the diagnostic potential of the S3 technique for the detection and characterization of normal and cancerous prostate tissues. Pairs of cancerous and normal prostate tissue samples were taken from each of eight patients. Stokes shift spectra were measured by simultaneously scanning both the excitation and emission wavelengths while keeping a fixed wavelength interval Δλ=20  nm between them. The salient features of this technique are the highly resolved emission peaks and significant spectral differences between the normal and cancerous prostate tissues, as observed in the wavelength region of 250 to 600 nm. The Stokes shift spectra of cancerous and normal prostate tissues revealed distinct peaks around 300, 345, 440, and 510 nm, which are attributed to tryptophan, collagen, NADH, and flavin, respectively. To quantify the spectral differences between the normal and cancerous prostate tissues, two spectral ratios were computed. The findings revealed that both ratio parameters R1=I297/I345 and R2=I307/I345 were excellent diagnostic ratio parameters giving 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity for distinguishing cancerous tissue from the normal tissue. Our results demonstrate that S3 is a sensitive and specific technique for detecting cancerous prostate tissue.

Diagnostic potential of Stokes Shift spectroscopy of breast and prostate tissues-- a preliminary pilot study

Stokes Shift (SS) Spectroscopy (SSS) of normal and abnormal breast and prostate tissues were studied. SS spectra is measured by simultaneously scanning both the excitation and emission wavelengths while keeping a fixed wavelength interval of Δλ = 20 nm. Characteristic, highly resolved peaks and significant spectral differences between normal and different pathological tissues of breast and prostate tissues were observed. The SS spectra of normal and different pathological breast and prostate tissues show the distinct peaks around 300, 350, 450, 500 and 600 nm may be attributed to tryptophan, collagen, NADH, flavin and porphyrin, respectively. Results of the current study demonstrate that the SS spectral changes due to tryptophan, collagen, hemoglobin, NADH, FAD and porphyrin have good diagnostic potential; therefore can be targeted as native tumor markers.

Balloon kyphoplasty versus vertebroplasty for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: a prospective, comparative, and randomized clinical study

Bone pain and spinal axial deformity are major concerns in aged patients suffering from osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (VCF). Pain can be relieved by vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty procedures, in which the compressed vertebral body is filled with substitutes. We randomly assigned 100 patients with osteoporotic compression fracture at the thoraco-lumbar (T-L) junction into two groups: vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty; we used polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as the bone filler. Pain before and after treatment was assessed with visual analog scale (VAS) scores and vertebral body height and kyphotic wedge angle were measured from reconstructed computed tomography images. More PMMA was used in the kyphoplasty group than in the vertebroplasty group (5.56 +/- 0.62 vs. 4.91 +/- 0.65 mL, p < 0.001). Vertebral body height and kyphotic wedge angle of the T-L spine were also improved (p < 0.001). VAS pain scores did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. The duration of follow-up was 6 months. Two patients in the kyphoplasty group had an adjacent segment fracture. In terms of clinical outcome there was little difference between the treatment groups. Thus, owing to the higher cost of the kyphotic balloon procedure, we recommend vertebroplasty over kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic VCFs.

INTRODUCTION

Spinal axial deformities are major concerns in aged patients suffering from osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Pain may be relieved by vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty. We investigated the radiological and clinical outcomes of these procedures.

METHODS

One hundred cases of VCF at the thoraco-lumbar junction were randomly assigned into two groups: vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty (50 cases each). We used polymethylmethacrylate as the bone filler. Pain before and after treatment was assessed with visual analog scale scores and vertebral body height and kyphotic wedge angle were measured from reconstructed computed tomography images.

RESULTS

More PMMA was used in the kyphoplasty group than in the vertebroplasty group (5.56 +/- 0.62 vs. 4.91 +/- 0.65 mL, p < 0.001). Vertebral body height and kyphotic wedge angle of the T-L spine were also improved (p < 0.001). VAS pain scores did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. The duration of follow-up was 6 months. Two patients in the kyphoplasty group had an adjacent segment fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

In terms of clinical outcome there was little difference between the treatment groups. Thus, with the higher cost of the kyphotic balloon procedure, we recommend vertebroplasty over kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic VCFs.

Theoretical analysis for photophoresis of a microscale hydrophobic particle in liquids

In the present study, combining the conventional photothermal analysis and the concept of interaction of solvent molecules in interfacial layer used for thermophoresis in liquid, a theory for photophoresis of a hydrophobic particle suspended in liquids is developed. To characterize hydrophobicity of the micro-particle, slip length in Navier's formula is used as an index. Analytical expressions are derived and a parametric analysis for photophoretic velocity is performed with emphasis on the influences of particle characteristics such as size, optical properties, hydrophobicity, and thermal conductivity. Heat source function and the corresponding asymmetry factor at various conditions are evaluated to interpret the mechanisms of negative and positive photophoresis and the conditions for transition between them. The present theory discloses that the particle surface hydrophobicity or fluid slippage at particle-liquid interface may lead to a remarkable enhancement in the particle photophoretic velocity in liquids. Higher particle thermal conductivity and larger size of liquid molecules both result in weaker photophoretic motion.

Ultraviolet ZnO nanorod photosensors

This study fabricates and characterizes ultraviolet (UV) photosensors with ZnO nanorods (NRs). The NR arrays were selectively grown in the gap between interdigitated (IDT) electrodes of devices using hydrothermal solution processes and a lithography-based technique. Compared with a conventional ZnO photosensor without NRs, the proposed UV NR photosensors have much higher photoresponse in the UV region. Additionally, the photoconductive gain of an NR photosensor increased as UV illumination time increased; it varied at 34.45-5.32 x 10(2) under illumination by 18.28 mW/cm(2) optical power. Consequently, the substantial photoconductive gain can be attributed to high surface-to-volume ratio of ZnO NRs. The high density of hole-trap states on NR surfaces lead to a persistent photoconductivity (PPC) state, promoting the transport of carriers through devices.

Therapeutic efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine 319 recipe on hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Hepatic fibrosis is a consequence of severe liver damage that occurs in many patients with chronic liver diseases. TCM 319 recipe is a Chinese Medicine formula which consists of six Chinese herbs. In this study, we investigated the anti-fibrotic efficacy and mechanisms of TCM 319 recipe.

METHODS

Hepatic fibrosis in rats was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). 34 male adult SD rats were allocated into five groups (group 1-concomitant CCl4 and TCM 319 recipe for 8 weeks; group 2-CCl4 for 4 weeks and then CCl4 and TCM 319 recipe for 4 weeks; group 3-CCl4 alone for 8 weeks; group 4-TCM 319 recipe only for 8 weeks; group 5-untreated controls). After 8 weeks of treatment, serum ALT assay, liver tissue histological examination and immunostaining were carried out to examine the liver function and fibrosis degree. The expression levels of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF-B), PDGF-Rbeta, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) were measured by quantitative RT-PCR and western blot.

RESULTS

TCM 319 recipe reduced liver injury and attenuated hepatic fibrosis in group 1 compared with that in group 3. TCM 319 recipe suppressed the mRNA expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1). In addition, treatment with TCM 319 recipe significantly down-regulated mRNA expression of PDGF-B and PDGF-Rbeta, and it also suppressed protein expression of PDGF-Rbeta and TGF-beta1.

CONCLUSIONS

TCM 319 recipe extracts could attenuate hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4 in rats. The anti-fibrotic effect of TCM 319 recipe is associated with the down-regulation of mRNA expression of TIMP-1, PDGF-B and PDGF-Rbeta, and with the suppression of protein expression of PDGF-Rbeta and TGF-beta1.

Bimetallic structure fabricated by laser interference lithography for tuning surface plasmon resonance

Tuning of surface plasmon resonance by gold and silver bimetallic thin film and bimetallic dot array is investigated. Laser interference lithography is applied to fabricate the nanostructures. A bimetallic dot structure is obtained by a lift-off procedure after gold and silver thin film deposition by an electron beam evaporator. Surface plasmon behaviors of these films and nanostructures are studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy. It is observed that for gold thin film on quartz substrate, the optical spectral peak is blue shifted when a silver thin film is coated over it. Compared to the plasmon band in single metal gold dot array, the bimetallic nanodot array shows a similar blue shift in its spectral peak. These shifts are both attributed to the interaction between gold and silver atoms. Electromagnetic interaction between gold and silver nanostructures is discussed using a simplified spring model.

The development of Thomson scattering system on HL-2A tokamak

A new Thomson scattering diagnostic system is successfully developed to measure core plasma electron temperature (Te) and density (ne) of HL-2A tokamak (major radius R=165 cm, minor radius a=40 cm). In this system, a standard lamp-monochromator combination is utilized for the calibration of spectral responses. By sweeping in the range of 750-1200 nm with a step of 2 nm, the work can be done automatically for one-point calibration and then for other. Electronic gain calibration and gain monitoring are done by pulsed light emitting diode light. By utilizing an intense Nd:YAG laser of pulse energy up to 4 J and employing good quality interference filters in the five-channel filter polychromator to surpress greatly the stray light, the TS system can be routinely used to make measurements with good quality data. After each HL-2A plasma discharge, the measured Te and ne data are transferred to HL-2A database for lookup and analyses.

Study of the antifungal activity of Acinetobacter baumannii LCH001 in vitro and identification of its antifungal components

An Acinetobacter strain, given the code name LCH001 and having the potential to be an endophytic antagonist, has been isolated from healthy stems of the plant Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl, guided by an in vitro screening technique. The bacterium inhibited the growth of several phytopathogenic fungi such as Cryphonectria parasitica, Glomerella glycines, Phytophthora capsici, Fusarium graminearum, Botrytis cinerea, and Rhizoctonia solani. Biochemical, physiological, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis proved that it is Acinetobacter baumannii. When the filtrate from the fermentation broth of strain LCH001 was tested in vitro and in vivo, it showed strong growth inhibition against several phytopathogens including P. capsici, F. graminearum, and R. solani, indicating that suppression of the growth of the fungi was due to the presence of antifungal compounds in the culture broth. Moreover, the antifungal activity of the culture filtrate was significantly correlated with the cell growth of strain LCH001. The active metabolites in the filtrate were relatively thermally stable, but were sensitive to acidic conditions. Three antifungal compounds were isolated from the culture broth by absorption onto macropore resin, ethanol extraction, chromatography on silica gel or LH-20 columns, and crystallization. The structures of the bioactive compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods as isomers of iturin A, namely, iturin A2, iturin A3, and iturin A6. The characterization of an unusual endophytic bacterial strain LCH001 and its bioactive components may provide an alternative resource for the biocontrol of plant diseases.

Xenogenic oogenesis of chicken (Gallus domesticus) female primordial germ cells in germline chimeric quail (Coturnix japonica) ovary

In present study, chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) were transferred into quail embryos to investigate the development of these germ cells in quail ovary. Briefly, 2 microl of chicken embryonic blood (stage 14) or about 100 purified circulating PGCs were transferred into quail embryo. Contribution of chicken PGCs were detected in gonads of chimeric quail embryos (stage 28) by immunocytochemical staining of cell surface antigen SSEA-1, and by in situ hybridization (ISH) with female chicken specific DNA probe. As a result, 52.0+/-43.2 (n=18) and 42.7+/-27.3 (n=17) chicken PGCs were found in the gonads of chimeric quail embryo that was injected with chicken embryonic blood (stage 14) and about 100 purified circulating PGCs, respectively. Furthermore, the ovaries of 81.8% (9/11) 12 days post incubation (dpi) chimeric quail embryos were observed with a mean of 457.6+/-237.1 female chicken PGCs-derived oogonia scattered in ovarian cortex area. In 9 out of 12 newly hatched and one week old chimeric quail chicks, on average of 2883.0+/-1924.1 primary oocytes and 3 follicles derived from chicken PGCs were found, respectively. The present results suggest that chicken female PGCs are able to migrate, colonize, proliferate and differentiate into oogonia, primary oocytes in chimeric quail ovary.

A Non-biotin Polymerized Horseradish-peroxidase Method for the Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Canine Distemper

This report describes a modified non-biotin polymerized horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immunohistochemical method for the diagnosis of canine distemper virus (CDV) infection from formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded tissues. This method confirmed infection in seven of eight (87.5%) suspected cases. Labelled CDV antigen was observed in the following sites: cerebrum, cerebellum, meninges, glial cells, neurons, vascular endothelium, periventricular areas and pericytes, and choroid plexus; grey and white matter and central canal of the spinal cord; renal pelvis and tubular epithelium, and urinary bladder epithelium; macrophages and lymphocytes in splenic white pulp and lymph nodes; skin epidermis; bronchiolar epithelium and alveolar macrophages; hepatic Kupffer cells, and gastric and intestinal mucosal epithelium; stratified squamous epithelium of the tongue and oesophagus. With the non-biotin HRP detection system, pretreatment by autoclaving followed by microwave heating gave better labelling results than did microwave pretreatment alone. No obvious difference was noted between the labelling results produced by the non-biotin HRP detection system and the Super Sensitive Link-Label IHC detection system.

Repellent and insecticidal activities of essential oils from Artemisia princeps and Cinnamomum camphora and their effect on seed germination of wheat and broad bean

Repellent and insecticidal activities of essential oils extracted from leaves of Artemisia princeps Pamp and seeds of Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl. against storage pests Sitophillus oryzae L. and Bruchus rugimanus Bohem were investigated. Results showed that the two individual oils displayed good, but their mixture (1:1) exhibited much better repellent activities at concentrations from 250 to 1000 microg g(-1) and insecticidal actions at concentrations 1000 microg g(-1) against the test beetles S. oryzae and B. rugimanus. Oils from A. princeps and C. camphora applied individually were significantly toxic to seed germination of wheat at 500 microg ml(-1). However, no toxic effects were found when the two oils were mixed (1:1 w/w) at the same concentration. These observations indicated that the mixture of the two plant-derived oils had a synergic effect and could be used in the control of storage pests.

Ileal herniation into a sigmoid colon epiploic fat foramen extrasigmoid hernia

Internal abdominal hernia (IAH) is defined as protrusion of viscus through a peritoneal or mesenteric aperture, leading to its encapsulation within another compartment in the abdominal cavity. Herein we report a rare case of small bowel obstruction due to herniation with incarceration of a loop of ileum into a foramen formed by the epiploic fat of the sigmoid colon due to a non-specific inflammatory process; this may be defined as extrasigmoid hernia. To our knowledge, there has been no previous report of this type of IAH in the English literature. In summary, an acute intestinal obstruction with strangulation in the absence of an external hernia without previous operation suggests the possibility of internal hernia, especially if the patient has a history of intermittent abdominal distress.

Immunohistochemical diagnosis of mouse hepatitis virus and mycoplasma pulmonis infection with murine antiserum

This study established a modified alkaline phosphatase-labelled avidin-biotin-complex (ABC-AP) method for diagnosis of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and Mycoplasma pulmonis infection from formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded sections, murine antibody-positive serum being used as the primary reagent. With this method, MHV antigen in cAnNCrj.Cg-Foxn1(nu)/Foxn1(nu) mice and M. pulmonis antigen in Wistar rats were immunolabelled in tissue sections. MHV antigen was clearly detected in samples of liver, stomach, caecal and colonic mucosa, and spleen. M. pulmonis antigen was demonstrated on the luminal surface of bronchiolar epithelial cells. This method may prove useful in diagnosis when commercial antisera are unavailable or when immunosuppression prevents serological diagnosis.

Stored of Hsp72/Hsp73 in Germinal Vesicle-stage Mouse Oocytes

Heat-shock proteins (hsps) Hsp72 and Hsp73 are the stored maternal proteins found in mouse oocytes. Both hsps appear in mouse oocytes at germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase II (M-II)-stages as previously demonstrated by immunoblotting analysis. In this report, we further determined the presences of Hsp72/Hsp73 proteins in mouse embryos at stages of 2-pronucleus, arrested 1-cell, 2-cell, arrested 2-cell, 4-cell, arrested 4-cell, 8-cell to morula and blastocyst. Except for the blastocyst stage, the Hsp72/Hsp73 proteins were detectable in most embryo stages. The concentration of Hsp72/Hsp73 in GV-stage oocytes was higher than that in M-II-stage oocytes, and in any stages of embryos before implantation. A dramatical increase in Hsp72/Hsp73 expression was found at the 2-cell stage. Together with these findings, we speculated that hsps accumulated or stored earlier in the GV-stage mouse oocytes to protect the oocytes against environmental influences acting on ovary, and hsps may be required for zygotic gene activation and provided a protective effect against apoptosis.

Absolute configuration of keisslone, a new antimicrobial metabolite from Keissleriella sp. YS4108, a marine filamentous fungus

In order to purify enough material for establishing the absolute stereochemistry of the new antifungal metabolite 3,6,8-trihydroxy-3-[3,5-dimethyl-2-oxo-3(E)-heptenyl]-2,3-dihydronaphthalen-1(4H)-one produced by Keissleriella sp., a marine filamentous fungus (strain number: YS 4108), a repeated growth and fractionation of the fungal culture was performed to give instead a new antimicrobial metabolite, keisslone (1), the structure of which was elucidated on the basis of spectral analyses including homo- and hetero-nuclear correlation NMR experiments (HMQC, COSY, NOESY and HMBC). The absolute configuration of metabolite 1 was determined mainly by its CD data and NOESY spectrum. The compound 1 was shown to be inhibitory against the human pathogenic fungi Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Aspergillus niger with MICs of 50, 70, 40 microg/mL, respectively. In order to purify enough material for establishing the absolute stereochemistry of the new antifungal metabolite 3,6,8-trihydroxy-3-[3,5-dimethyl-2-oxo-3(E)-heptenyl]-2,3-dihydronaphthalen-1(4 H)-one produced by Keissleriella sp., a marine filamentous fungus (strain number: YS 4108), a repeated growth and fractionation of the fungal culture was performed to give instead a new antimicrobial metabolite, keisslone (1), the structure of which was elucidated on the basis of spectral analyses including homo- and hetero-nuclear correlation NMR experiments (HMQC, COSY, NOESY and HMBC). The absolute configuration of metabolite 1 was determined mainly by its CD data and NOESY spectrum. The compound 1 was shown to be inhibitory against the human pathogenic fungi Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Aspergillus niger with MICs of 50, 70, 40 microg/mL, respectively.

Detection of glutamate in the eye by Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is used to detect glutamate in the eye. Glutamate, a by-product of nerve cell death, is an indicator of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The Raman spectra of ex vivo whole porcine eyes and individual components (lens, cornea, vitreous) are measured and characterized. Monosodium glutamate is injected into the eyes to simulate disease conditions, and the contribution to the Raman spectrum due to the presence of glutamate is identified. The Raman spectra from the native eye is dominated by vibrational modes from proteins in the lens. An optical system is designed to optimize collection of signal from the vitreous, where the glutamate is located, and reduce the Raman from the lens. Two vibrational fingerprints of monosodium glutamate are detected at 1369 and 1422 cm(-1), although the concentrations are much above physiological concentrations.

Production of duck-chicken chimeras by transferring early blastodermal cells

Duck blastodermal cells isolated from Stage X embryos of Maya ducks were injected into subgerminal cavity of recipient Stage X chicken embryos treated with gamma-irradiation or untreated. Eleven somatic chimeras were obtained based on plumage color and were raised to sexual maturity. To test for germline chimerism, progeny tests were performed by mating the chimeras with Maya ducks. A total of 622 eggs was collected and incubated. Fertility rate and hatchability were 2.9% (18/622) and 1.0% (6/622), respectively. The six duck hatchlings were from Chimera 9801 and were considered to be derived from the germ cells developed from the donor Maya blastodermal cells, indicating that Chimera 9801 is a germline chimera.

Heritability of subclinical atherosclerosis in Latino families ascertained through a hypertensive parent

Although clinical coronary heart disease and many cardiovascular risk factors are well known to aggregate within families, the heritability of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is less well documented. We report IMT heritability estimates in Mexican American, Salvadoran American, or Guatemalan American (all referred to as Latino) families ascertained through a hypertensive proband. IMT and cardiovascular risk factors (age, sex, blood pressure, body mass index, lipids, fasting glucose, and insulin sensitivity) were measured in 204 adult offspring of 69 hypertensive probands, along with 82 parents (54 probands and 28 spouses). In the offspring, variance component analysis revealed a heritability for IMT of 64% (P< 0.0001) after adjustment for significant cardiovascular risk factors. Genetic factors accounted for 50% of the total variation in IMT, whereas significant cardiovascular risk factors explained 22% (14% were due to age). For offspring and parents combined, adjusted IMT heritability was less, 34% (P=0.0005), with genetic factors accounting for 18% of the total IMT variation, whereas significant cardiovascular risk factors explained 46% (38% were due to age). We conclude that variation in common carotid artery IMT is heritable in Latino families with a hypertensive proband. Heritability is particularly evident in younger family members, suggesting that acquired factors contribute progressively to IMT variability with aging.

Antifungal metabolite with a new carbon skeleton from Keissleriella sp. YS4108, a marine filamentous fungus

In addition to four known metabolites (4-acetyl-6,8-dihydroxy-5-methylisocoumarin, 6,8-dihydroxy-3-methylisocoumarin, 6,8-dihydroxy-3,5,7-trimethylisocoumarin and 3,3'-oxy-(5-methyl)-phenol), bioassay-guided fractionation of the culture of Keissleriella sp., a marine filamentous fungus (strain number: YS 4108), afforded an antifungal metabolite with a new carbon skeleton whose structure was elucidated spectrometrically as 3,6,8-trihydroxy-3-[3,5-dimethyl-2-oxo-3(E)-heptenyl]-2,3-dihydronaphthalen-1(4H)-one. In vitro antifungal assays of all isolates revealed that the new metabolite and 3,3'-oxybis[5-methylphenol] were inhibitory to the growth of the human pathogenic fungi Candida albicans, Tricophyton rubrum and Aspergillus niger with MICs of the former being 40, 20 and 80 microg/ml, and those of the latter 10, 30 and 50 microg/ml, respectively.

Hydatidosis in a Chapman's zebra (Equus burchelli antiquorum)

A 14-year-old male Chapman's zebra had been treated for a cervical granulomatous cellulitis for 3 months prior to sudden death associated with myocardial fibrosis. Incidental findings at necropsy included multiple 3-8-cm unilocular cysts in the liver and lungs. Cysts contained either a clear fluid with or without hydatid sand or a gelatinous substance with foci of mineralization. Light and scanning electron microscopic examination of the hydatid sand revealed free protoscolices as well as intact and ruptured brood capsules with protoscolices attached to the germinal membrane. The protoscolices had 2 rows of 36-38 rostellar hooks with a length of 25-30 microm. The cyst wall consisted of inner germinal, intermediate laminated, and outer adventitial layers. Hydatidosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus was diagnosed based on the unilocular cysts, multiple protoscolices formed in a brood capsule, typical trilayered cyst wall, and herbivorous intermediate host. This is the first reported case of animal hydatidosis in Taiwan. The infection is thought to have been established 12 years ago in South Africa prior to importation.

Cochlear vertebral entrapment syndrome: a case report

The authors describe a patient with isolated involvement of vestibulocochlear nerve by a huge vascular loop from vertebral dolichoectasia. No other neurological deficit was found except for unilateral hearing loss. Abnormal brainstem auditory evoked potential study indicated a retrocochlear lesion. The brain computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies demonstrated an abnormally enhanced vascular lesion impinged on the left porus acusticus with a displacement of the brainstem to the right. There was no infarction in the brainstem. A cerebral angiography demonstrated a megadolichoectatic horizontal loop at the intracranial portion of the left vertebral artery. There was no thrombus or atherosclerosis in the vertebrobasilar system. A mechanical compression by a vascular loop is the only possible pathogenesis for hearing loss. The authors diagnose this condition as cochlear vertebral entrapment syndrome.

[Development of donor cells in chicken-duck chimeric embryos]

Chicken W chromosome-specific DNA fragments were obtained after transformation, extraction, purification and digestion with EcoR I of pUGD1201. The W chromosome-specific DNA probe was a 1.2 kb insert, which was labelled by the random-technique using a Digoxigenin Labeling Kit. Chicken PGCs from a line of White Leghorns were microinjected into Maya duck blastoderms at stage X. The embryos at 6,8,9,12,16,18 days of incubation were used to study the development of chicken PGCs in the chimeric embryos. Used chicken W chromosome-specific DNA probes by in situ hybridization, development of donor cells in chicken-duck chimeric embryos were studied. In 54 chimeric embryos, there were different degrees of chimerism in the organs. The chimeric rate of the livers was the highest, which of the gonads was the lowest. It is demonstrated that somatic and germline chimeras can be yielded successfully by transferring stage X chicken blastodermal cells.

N-WASP deficiency reveals distinct pathways for cell surface projections and microbial actin-based motility

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family of molecules integrates upstream signalling events with changes in the actin cytoskeleton. N-WASP has been implicated both in the formation of cell-surface projections (filopodia) required for cell movement and in the actin-based motility of intracellular pathogens. To examine N-WASP function we have used homologous recombination to inactivate the gene encoding murine N-WASP. Whereas N-WASP-deficient embryos survive beyond gastrulation and initiate organogenesis, they have marked developmental delay and die before embryonic day 12. N-WASP is not required for the actin-based movement of the intracellular pathogen Listeria but is absolutely required for the motility of Shigella and vaccinia virus. Despite these distinct defects in bacterial and viral motility, N-WASP-deficient fibroblasts spread by using lamellipodia and can protrude filopodia. These results imply a crucial and non-redundant role for N-WASP in murine embryogenesis and in the actin-based motility of certain pathogens but not in the general formation of actin-containing structures.

Selective termination of aneuploidy utilizing rapid fluorescence in situ hybridization detection techniques

Twin pregnancy following assisted reproductive technology with a euploid fetus and a coexisting aneuploid co-twin constitutes a conflicting situation; therefore, it is important for the genetic constitution of each co-twin to be diagnosed accurately and promptly for parental genetic counseling and subsequent aggressive management. A 35-year-old woman, gravida 1, with a 2-year history of infertility, presented bilateral fallopian tubal obstruction at her infertility workups, for which she received in vitro fertilization; subsequently she conceived a twin pregnancy. She underwent genetic amniocentesis at 16 weeks' gestation, as indicated by an advanced maternal age. Presented with the diagnosis of twin pregnancy with discordancy for trisomy 21, a rapid fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique for aneuploidy mapping was applied for subsequent abdominal selective fetal reduction. The FISH technique facilitates the rapid analysis of uncultured amniocytes. Normal (disomic) and trisomic samples can be distinguished clearly and rapidly for subsequent selective fetocide. The FISH technique is an important tool in prenatal diagnosis and clinical applications.

Analysis of linear alkylbenzenesulfonates by capillary zone electrophoresis with large-volume sample stacking

A systematic investigation of optimal conditions for determining the homologues of linear alkylbenzenesulfonates (LAS) by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using the large-volume sample stacking technique was presented. The most effective sample stacking and separation conditions was 20 mM borate buffer with 30% acetonitrile at pH 9.0, and the sample hydrodynamic injection of up to 90 s at 4 p.s.i. (1 p.s.i. = 6,892.86 Pa) (around 711 nl). Under such conditions, approximately a 100-fold enrichment factor was achieved based on peak heights. The reproducibility of migration time and quantitative results of stacking CZE can be improved by using internal standards. Quantitation limits of the homologues of LAS were 0.002-0.01 mg/l under these enrichment conditions. The analysis of real samples of laundry and dishwashing detergents was performed. The established high-performance liquid chromatography method was applied to evaluate the stacking CZE method, and compatible results were obtained.

Ammonia removal from compost leachate using zeolite. II. A study using continuous flow packed columns

Bench-scale packed zeolite columns were set up and operated to investigate the continuous removal of ammonium ions from compost leachate. The effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT), and particle size of the zeolite on the ammonia adsorption capacity were studied. For both the coarse particle and the powdered zeolite columns, higher ammonia removal efficiencies were achieved with longer HRT (i.e., lower influent flow rate) tests. At the same HRT, ammonia removal efficiencies from tests with powdered zeolite were generally 20% higher than tests with the coarse particle zeolite. A HRT of 6 hours was found appropriate for efficient ammonia removal, and an operating capacity of 1.31 mg N/g zeolite was obtained. Over 98% of the ammonia input from the influent was consistently removed for over 5 bed volumes (BV) of compost leachate flowing through the zeolite column. Zeolite proved to have a great potential as a medium for ammonia removal in treating composting leachate.