Host-location behavior of the tea green leafhopper Empoasca vitis Göthe (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae): olfactory and visual effects on their orientation

The tea green leafhopper, Empoasca vitis Göthe, is one of the most serious pests in tea growing areas. This study investigated the roles played by olfaction and vision in host orientation behavior. The compound eye of E. vitis was found to be a photopic eye; few olfactory sensilla were found on the antennae, while abundant gustatory sensilla were recorded on the mouthparts. Three opsin genes (EV_LWop, EV_UVop, EV_Bop) were isolated and found to be mainly expressed in the compound eye compared with other parts of the body. Immunolocalization indicated that the opsins mainly located in the different regions of rhabdom. The transcription levels of EV_LWop, EV_Bop and EV_UVop were reduced by 77.3, 70.0 and 40.0%, respectively, by RNA interference induced by being fed a special RNA-rich diet for 6 days. The rate of tropism to host color was effectively impaired by 67.6 and 29.5% in the dsEV_LWop and dsEV_Bop treatment groups, but there was no significant change in the dsEV_UVop group. The determination of the cause of the tropism indicated that odors from the host over long distances were unable to attract E. vitis and were only detected when the insects were close to the host. The developed compound eye of E. vitis plays a leading role in host location, and the long-wavelength opsin significantly affects the tropism to host color; the lack of olfactory sensilla results in long-distance odors not being able to be detected until the insect is near to the host-plant. The understanding of these behavioral mechanisms, especially the importance of opsin genes is expected to be useful for pest management.

Enteric motor dysfunctions in experimental chronic pancreatitis: Alterations of myenteric neurons regulating colonic motility in rats

BACKGROUND

The mechanism underlying gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP) has not been fully elucidated, and enteric nervous system (ENS) has an important regulatory role in gastrointestinal motor function. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of ENS in the colonic hypomotility induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) infusion which mimics CP.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were submitted to CP which was induced by pancreatic infusion of 2% TNBS, or sham group with treatment of equal saline. Three weeks after induction of CP, we pathologically examined the inflammation of pancreas and counted the number of withdrawal events stimulated by Von Frey filaments to evaluate hyperalgesia. The gastrointestinal transit rate was measured using Carbon inkl driving test, and the contraction activities of colonic muscle strip were studied in an organ bath system. The expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in colonic myenteric plexus (MP) of ENS were investigated by Western blotting and double immunofluorescence staining.

KEY RESULTS

In TNBS-treated group, rats had the signs of chronic pancreatitis 3 weeks after intraductal infusion and had increased sensitivity to mechanical stimulation of the abdomen. For rats with CP, the gastrointestinal transit rate was reduced; in addition, the contractile activities of longitudinal muscle (LM) and circular muscle (CM) strips of distal colon in TNBS group were lower than those in sham group. Immunofluorescence demonstrated that the percentage of ChAT-immunoreactive (IR) neurons in the MP was decreased, but the proportion of NOS-IR neurons in the MP was increased when compared with sham-operated group. Western blotting proved that TNBS infusion down-regulated ChAT but up-regulated NOS expression in the colon MP.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Decreased ChAT-IR neurons and increased NOS-IR in the MP of colon ENS may contribute to the pathogenesis of colonic dysmotility in CP.

Association between COMT SNP variation and timidity in Golden and Labrador Retrievers

Timidity in dogs is a trait with high heritability. However, the relevant genetic factors and markers associated with this condition are largely unknown. The function of the catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene has been found to be associated with human fearful or anxious emotions, and the COMT:p.Val158Met polymorphism locus is significantly related to anxious behavior. In the present study, the correlation between timidity and four single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variations (C.-1666C>G c.39A>G, c.216G>A, c.482G>A) of the COMT gene was investigated in dogs. The evaluation was based on the dog courage assessment assay and a genotype and haplotype analysis in Labrador Retrievers (LR) and Golden Retrievers (GR). The principal components analysis factor structure of the courage phenotype was invariant between LR and GR. Sex, breed and age had no statistically significant effect on the timidity of the dogs. All SNP loci detected were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The c.39A>G locus was removed in the subsequent association analysis due to the significant difference between LR and GR in genotype distributions. Intriguingly, the genotypes and haplotypes of the COMT gene were significantly and highly correlated with the timidity of LR and GR. The A alleles of the COMT:c.216G>A and c.482G>A loci appeared to play a dominant role in the timid behavior of the dogs. This result supports and broadens the warrior/worrier hypothesis and will have important implications for the understanding of the evolution of temperament in dogs. Additionally, the results provide predictive genetic markers for temperament in dogs.

Efficacy and safety of 6 or 8 weeks of simeprevir, daclatasvir, sofosbuvir for HCV genotype 1 infection

The phase 2, open-label ACCORDION (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02349048) study investigated the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of a 6- or 8-week regimen of simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT) 1 infection and either early-stage fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis. Patients were assigned to treatment groups according to their fibrosis stage. Early-stage fibrosis: simeprevir 150 mg, daclatasvir 60 mg, sofosbuvir 400 mg once daily for 6 weeks; compensated cirrhosis: same regimen for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12). Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir were investigated. Sixty-eight patients were treated (6-week group: n = 59; 8-week group: n = 9). SVR12 was achieved by 86.4% (51/59) of patients with early-stage fibrosis and by 100% (9/9) of patients with cirrhosis. The main reason for not achieving SVR12 in the 6-week group was viral relapse (11.9%; 7/59). One patient had on-treatment failure due to an early withdrawal (lost to follow-up due to incarceration). One patient with SVR12 in the 6-week group had a late viral relapse at post-treatment week 24. No clinically significant drug-drug interactions were observed. Adverse events were reported in 63.2% of patients (43/68) and were mainly grade 1/2. None of these led to treatment discontinuation. The 3 direct-acting antiviral regimens of simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir were safe and well tolerated in treatment-naïve, HCV GT1-infected patients with early-stage fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis.

[Advances in the immune mechanisms of chronic rhinosinusitis]

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common disease of otolaryngology, which has a serious impact on the quality of life of patients. Its pathogenesis is complex and involves in allergic reactions, bacterial and fungal infections, immune dysfunction, impaired epithelial defense, environmental exposure and many other factors. In recent years, a raising attention has been paid to the role of immune mechanism in its pathogenesis; this article is a brief review aimes to the immune mechanism of chronic rhinosinusitis in recent years.

[Effect of salvianolic acid B on proliferation and apoptosis of human nasal polyps fibroblasts]

Objective:The aim of this study is to discuss the effects and mechanism of salvianolic acid B (SAB) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human nasal polyps fibroblasts (NPFs). Method:The NPFs were treated with SAB at different concentrations (5, 10, 20, 40 μmol/L). CCK-8 assay was used to determine the inhibition of SAB on the proliferation of NPFs and determined the optimum concentration for the following experiments. The NPFs were divided into four groups: a) control group: the cells were cultured in DMEM without TGF-β1 or salvianolic acid B; b) the TGF-β1 group: the cells were cultured in DMEM containing 5 ng/ml TGF-β1; c) the SAB group: the cells were cultured in DMEM containing SAB at the optimum concentration by CCK-8 assay; d) the TGF-β1+SAB treatment groups: the cells were cultured in DMEM containing 5 ng/ml TGF-β1 and SAB at the optimum concentration by CCK-8 assay. MTT assay was used to determine the proliferation of NPFs in four groups. The apoptosis rate was analyzed by Annexin-V FITC/PI double staining. The activities of Caspase-3 were detected with spectrophotometric method. Apoptosis related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by western blot. Result:CCK-8 assay showed that SAB could inhibite NPFs proliferation in a dose-dependent pattern (P<0.05). The following experiments were carried out with the concentration of salvianolic acid B at 10 μmol/L. MTT results showed that SAB could inhibit the proliferation of NPFs stimulated by TGF-β1 (P<0.01). Annexin-V FITC/PI double staining showed that SAB could induce apoptosis of NPFs (P<0.05). The activities of Caspase-3 were increased with SAB (P<0.05). Western blot results showed that SAB reduced the Bcl-2 protein expression, and increased the Bax protein expression and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 (P<0.05). Conclusion:Salvianolic acid B could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of NPFs. Its mechanism may be associated with increasing the activities of Caspase-3 by inhibiting the expression of Bcl-2 protein and promoting the expression of Bax protein.

Outbreak of mass mortality of yearling groupers of Epinephelus (Perciformes, Serranidae) associated with the infection of a suspected new enteric Sphaerospora (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) species in South China Sea

A suspected new enteric Sphaerospora species was believed to be directly associated with the mass mortality of yearling groupers of Epinephelus spp. in South China. The epizootic generally emerged from late September to late April of the following year. The infection prevalence and mortality rate were significantly negatively correlated with fish size. Clinical signs included anorexia, cachexia and extrusion of white pulp-like substance from anus after gentle pressure on the abdomen. Upon necropsy, severe intestinal oedema, thin and transparent intestinal wall, swollen spleen, kidney and gall bladder could be observed. Wet preparation of the infected samples showed large amount of typical disporous plasmodia of the genus Sphaerospora, but no mature spores were observed. Epidemiological investigation showed that this parasite exclusively infected Epinephelus groupers. Histopathologically, this species mainly infected the epithelium of intestine and kidney tubules and caused severe epithelia sloughing and the collapse of intestinal villus. Interestingly, this enteric myxosporidiosis did not cause severe emaciation of infected fish for mass mortality usually emerged within 2-3 days after appearance of clinical signs. The species was most genetically related to Sphaerospora fugu (89% sequence identity) and phylogenetically positioned within marine Sphaerospora lineage. This is the first report of enteric sphaerosporosis of groupers.

[Multi-channel promotion of lung cancer progress by bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in tumor microenvironment]

Objective: To observe the growth and metastasis of lung cancer promoted by bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in tumor microenvironment and investigate the underlined mechanisms. Methods: Specific chemotaxis of BMSCs towards lung cancer was observed, and the tumor growth and metastasis were assessed in vivo. Furthermore, CD34 expression determined by immunohistochemistry was used to assess the microvessel density (MVD), and the expressions of GFP and α-SMA determined by immunofluorescence were used to detect the BMSCs derived mesenchymal cells. We investigated the effect of BMSCs on migration, invasion of lung cancer cells including A549 and H446 cells by using scratch assays and Transwell Assay in vitro. We also explored the effect of BMSCs on epithelial mesenchymal transition of A549 and H446 cells by observing the phenotype transition and E-Cadherin protein expression detected by Western blot. At last, we screened the potentially key soluble factors by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: In NOD mice, labeled BMSCs injected via tail vein were special chemotaxis to tumor cells, and promoted the tumor growth [the time of tumor formation in A549+ BMSCs and A549 alone was (5.0±1.5) days and (10.0±3.6) days, respectively, P<0.05; the time of tumor formation in H446+ BMSCs and H446 alone was (5.2±1.5) days and (12.0±2.0) days, respectively, P<0.05]. The tumor incidence of A549+ BMSCs was 100%, significantly higher than 66.7% of A549 alone (P<0.05), while the tumor incidence of H446+ BMSCs was 83.0%, significantly higher than 50.0% of H446 alone (P<0.05). The BMSCs also increased the tumor volume [the tumor volume of A549+ BMSCs and A549 alone was (193.0±42.3) mm(3) and (97.8±42.9) mm(3,) respectively, P<0.05; the tumor volume of H446+ BMSCs and H446 alone was (78.6±34.8) mm(3) and (25.3±12.7) mm(3,) respectively, P<0.05] and facilitated the tumor metastasis (the tumor metastatic incidence of A549+ BMSCs and A549 alone was 100.0% and 16.7%, respectively, P<0.05; the tumor metastatic incidence of H446+ BMSCs and H446 alone was 100.0% and 0.0%, respectively, P<0.05). Furthermore, BMSCs increased tumor vessel formation (the MVD of A549+ BMSCs and A549 alone was 53.2±11.4 and 25.3±11.5, respectively, P<0.05; the MVD of H446+ BMSCs and H446 alone was 56.8±12.5 and 24.8±10.0, respectively, P<0.05). BMSCs were able to differentiate to fibroblasts in the lung squamous cell carcinoma and promoted the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells (the A of cells in the migrated lower chambers of A549+ BMSCs and A549 alone was 1.9±0.2 and 1.1±0.1, respectively, P<0.05; the A of cells in the migrated lower chambers of H446+ BMSCs and H446 alone was 1.9±0.3 and 0.9±0.2, respectively, P<0.05). The cell shape was longer and sharper, the intercellular junctions were reduced and the relative expression level of E-Cadherin protein in A549 co-cultured with BMDCs was 0.36, significantly down-regulated when compared to 0.55 of A549 alone (P<0.05), and the relative expression level of E-Cadherin protein in H446 co-cultured with BMDCs was 0.28, significantly down-regulated when compared to 0.46 of H446 cells alone (P<0.05). The concentration of IL-6 in the conditional medium of BMSCs, A549 co-cultured with BMSCs and H446 co-cultured with BMSCs was 910.5, 957.2, and 963.8, respectively, significantly up-regulated when compared to 18.8 of control group (P<0.05). The expression level of PGE2 in A549 co-cultured with BMSCs and H446 co-cultured with BMSCs was 130.5 and 87.2, significantly up-regulated when compared to 13.8 of control group and 23.8 of BMSCs group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that BMSCs contribute to the tumor growth through facilitating angiogenesis, and promote tumor metastasis through paracrine manner and down-regulation of E-Cadherin protein. IL-6 and PGE2 produced by BMDCs might be the potentially important cytokines.

[Effect of high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids on NLRP3-IL-1β in human peritoneal mesothelial cells]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids on NLRP3-IL-1β in human peritoneal mesothelial cells.

METHODS

HMrSV5 cells (SV40 immortalized human peritoneal mesothelial cell line) were grown in type I collagen-coated dishes in DMEM/F12 containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). All experiments on HMrSV5 cells were performed between passages 5 and 10. The cells were divided into 7 groups: control, 1.5% dextrose, 2.5% dextrose, 4.25% dextrose, rotenone, thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA), and antimycin A. Immunoblotting was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1β. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting NLRP3 was used to downregulate the expression of NLRP3 and Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1β in human peritoneal mesothelial cells exposed to 4.25% dextrose. In the meanwhile, resveratrol (RSV) was used to induce autophagy, 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and siRNA against Beclin 1 or ATG5 were used to block auto-phagy, flow cytometric was used to analyze the respiring (mitotracker deep red), total (mitotracker green) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating mitochondria (mitoSOX); Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1β.

RESULTS

The IL-1β relative expressions were 0, 0.175±0.082, 0.418±0.163, 2.357±0.288, 2.642±0.358, 3.271±0.462, and 0.123±0.091, indicating that the cells exposed to high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids and cells treated with mitochondria respiratory chain key enzyme complex I, and complex III inhibitors increased the IL-1β expression. And we found that NLRP3 knock-down significantly blocked the upregulation of IL-1β. In addition, the fluorescence intensity of total mitochondria and ROS-generating mitochondria in the following groups: control, negative control, RSV, 3-MA, ATG5 siRNA, Beclin1 siRNA were 1.76±0.42, 1.83±0.55, 1.85±0.62, 7.36±0.92, 5.35±0.77, 5.06±0.62 and 821.68±95.12, 868.15±102.82, 723.39±92.56, 1 660.08±113.65, 1 433.01±107.24, 1 562.36±112.88 respectively. The increased concentrations of mitochondrial ROS and IL-1β upregulation were confirmed in the inhibition but not the induction of auto-phagy. We also found that downregulation of ATG5 and Beclin1 sensitized cells for the release of IL-1β induced by MSU (monosodium urate) or nigericin which was the NLRP3 inflammasome activator. RSV treatment attentuated this effect.

CONCLUSION

Long-term application of high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids can trigger the consistent activation of NLRP3-IL-1β in peritoneal mesothelial cells. Timely initiation of autophagy may block the NLRP3-IL-1β activation and provide a basis for the further development of a potential therapeutic strategy for delay of chronic inflammation and peritoneal fibrosis associated with peritoneal dialysis.

[Platysma myocutaneous flaps in reconstruction of defects caused by hypopharyngeal cancer resection]

Objective:To study the method and feasibility in reconstruction of platysma myocutaneous flap of defects caused by hypopharyngeal cancer resection. Method:Twelve cases underwent reconstruction with the platysma myocutaneous flap of hypopharyngeal soft defect were investigated. All cases received 2 times preoperative induction chemotherapy followed by hypopharyngeal cancer resection with laryngeal function preservation and the neck lymph node dissection. Platysma myocutaneous flap was used to repair the hypopharyngeal soft tissue defect. Result:All the flaps survived. Three weeks after surgery, all patients can eat without pharyngeal fistula and dysphagia, but pharyngeal foreign body sensation. Three cases of cough after surgery, improved after training. After postoperative radiotherapy, flap survived without secondary necrosis. Laryngeal function of all cases was retained, and only one case with cannula maintained. Conclusion:Preoperative induction program can effectively reduce the lesion. The placenta myocutaneous flap has rich blood supply, strong anti-infectivity. It is an effective method to repair the hypopharyngeal tissue defect with the placenta myocutaneous flap.

[Positions of the implanted stimulating electrodes for artificial facial nerve for inducing contraction of the orbicularis oris muscle in rabbit with peripheral facial paralysis]

Objective: To explore the optimal positions of the implanted stimulating eletrodes for artificial facial nerve (AFN) for inducing contraction of the orbicularis oris muscle (OOM) in rabbit with peripheral facial paralysis. Methods: According to the four microelectrodes of the AFN stimulating side, four modes of the implanted positions were divided. In line with different modes, the electrodes were implanted into the affected OOM of the rabbits with unilateral peripheral facial paralysis. AFN output electric stimulation to induce contraction of the affected OOM with uniform stimulating frequency and pulse length in vitro. Then compared the stimulus threshold amplitude and the peak amplitude separately among different modes by SAS 9.3 version statistical software. Results: The differences of the stimulus threshold amplitude and the peak amplitude had no statistically significant separately between the first mode and the second mode (P>0.05), but there were statistically significant differences between the third mode and the fourth mode (P<0.05). Both kinds of the amplitudes were approximated between the first mode and the second mode respectively, and higher than those in the third mode or the fourth mode. Furthermore, both kinds of the amplitudes in the fourth mode were higher than those in the third mode. Conclusions: The microelectrodes of the AFN stimulating lateral are implanted into the upper lip with a public microelectrode and an output microelectrode, into the lower lip with an output microelectrode, and into the way, which is located to the angle 40° to 45° about the line joining between the midpoint of the ipsilateral auricle root and the corner of the mouth with an output microelectrode. This is the third positional mode which requires lowest effective stimulus current intensity. Thus the mode is suitable as the optimal placement programme.

Quasi-static acoustic tweezing thromboelastometry

Essentials Blood coagulation measurement during contact with an artificial surface leads to unreliable data. Acoustic tweezing thromboelastometry is a novel non-contact method for coagulation monitoring. This method detects differences in the blood coagulation state within 10 min. Coagulation data were obtained using a much smaller sample volume (4 μL) than currently used.

SUMMARY

Background Thromboelastography is widely used as a tool to assess the coagulation status of critical care patients. It allows observation of changes in material properties of whole blood, beginning with early stages of clot formation and ending with clot lysis. However, the contact activation of the coagulation cascade at surfaces of thromboelastographic systems leads to inherent variability and unreliability in predicting bleeding or thrombosis risks. Objectives To develop acoustic tweezing thromboelastometry as a non-contact method for perioperative assessment of blood coagulation. Methods Acoustic tweezing is used to levitate microliter drops of biopolymer and human blood samples. By quasi-statically changing the acoustic pressure we control the sample drop location and deformation. Sample size, deformation and location are determined by digital imaging at each pressure. Results Simple Newtonian liquid solutions maintain a constant, reversible location vs. deformation curve. In contrast, the location/deformation curves for gelatin, alginate, whole blood and blood plasma uniquely change as the samples solidify. Increasing elasticity causes the sample to deform less, leading to steeper stress/strain curves. By extracting a linear regime slope, we show that whole blood or blood plasma exhibits a unique slope profile as it begins to clot. By exposing blood samples to pro- or antithrombotic agents, the slope profile changes, allowing detection of hyper- or hypocoagulable states. Conclusions We demonstrate that quasi-static acoustic tweezing can yield information about clotting onset, maturation and strength. The advantages of small sample size, non-contact and rapid measurement make this technique desirable for real-time monitoring of blood coagulation.

[The effect of tanshinone ⅡA potentiates the effects of Cisplatin in Fadu cells in vitro through downregulation of survivin]

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of tanshinone ⅡA combined with cisplatin on tumor Fadu cells in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Method:Cytotoxicity was determined by CCK8 assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. Western blotting was used to assess the protein expression of related signaling proteins. Result:Compared with the two single drug groups treated with Tan ⅡA and DDP respectively, the combination group showed significantly higher anti-proliferative rate (P<0.01), arrested cell cycle at S phase, and resulted in observably higher apoptotic cell fractions in human hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas Fadu cells; Western blotting showed that the protein expression of cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved PARP increased ,while survivin significantly decreased in the cells treated with the combination of tanshinone ⅡA and cisplatin. Conclusion:Tanshinone ⅡA potentiates the efficacy of Cisplatin in Fadu cells, which may be attributed to the downregulation of survivin protein expression.

The comparative study of clinical efficacy and safety of baclofen vs tolperisone in spasticity caused by spinal cord injury

In the present study we compared the clinical efficacy and safety of baclofen vs tolperisone in spasticity caused by spinal cord injury. A total of 150 patients were enrolled in the present study and were divided into two groups with 75 patients in each group, receiving baclofen or tolperisone, respectively. We used Modified Ashworth Scale, Medical research council scale, Barthel Index, and Coefficient of efficacy to measure clinical efficacy. After 6-week treatment, both groups demonstrated significant improvement in muscle tone, muscle strength and functional outcome (Group I, 1.55 ± 0.053, 2.79 ± 0.032, 59.31 ± 1.32; Group II, 1.57 ± 0.053, 3.04 ± 0.032, 73 ± 1.32 respectively). There was no significant difference regarding improvement in muscle tone and muscle strength between the two groups (Group I, 1.055 ± 0.053 vs Group II, 1.57 ± 0.053; Group I, 2.79 ± 0.032 vs Group II, 3.04 ± 0.032, p > 0.05). However, the improvement in functional outcomes was greater in group II as compared to that in group I (Group I, 59.31 ± 1.32 vs Group II, 73 ± 1.32, p < 0.05). In addition, overall efficacy coefficient was greater for group II as compared to group I (Group I, 3.6 vs Group II, 2.3, p < 0.05). Group I had more side effects compared to Group II. Compared to baclofen, tolperisone offers greater improvement in activities of daily living compared to baclofen.

Simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir for hepatitis C virus-infected patients with decompensated liver disease

Approximately three million individuals in the United States are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Chronic HCV infection may lead to the development of compensated as well as decompensated liver cirrhosis. The Phase II IMPACT study was conducted in HCV genotype 1- or 4-infected cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension or decompensated liver disease and assessed for the first time the combination of the three direct-acting antivirals simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir. Treatment-naïve or treatment-experienced adults with Child-Pugh (CP) score <7 (CP A) and evidence of portal hypertension, or CP score 7-9 (CP B), received 12 weeks of simeprevir 150 mg, daclatasvir 60 mg and sofosbuvir 400 mg, once daily. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12). Pharmacokinetics and safety were also assessed. Overall, 40 patients were enrolled (CP A: 19; CP B: 21). All 40 patients achieved SVR12. At week 8, the mean pharmacokinetic exposure to simeprevir, sofosbuvir, daclatasvir and GS-331007 (sofosbuvir metabolite) was 2.2-, 1.5-, 1.2- and 1.2-fold higher in patients with CP B than CP A, respectively. Grade 1/2 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 26 of 40 (65%) patients. One CP B patient had a Grade 3 AE (gastrointestinal haemorrhage), which was reported as a serious AE but not considered related to study drugs. Treatment for 12 weeks with simeprevir, daclatasvir and sofosbuvir was generally safe and well tolerated, and resulted in 100% of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension or decompensated liver disease achieving SVR12.

Redescription of Chloromyxum ellipticum Li & Nie, 1973 (Myxosporea: Chloromyxidae) infecting the gall bladder of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus Valenciennes, 1844, supplemented by morphological and molecular characteristics

The traditional taxonomy of the genus Chloromyxum Mingazzini, 1890 has been intensively challenged to be paraphyletic by recent ribosomal DNA (rDNA)-based phylogenetic analysis. Undersampling to get rich sequence data to infer more scientific phylogenetic relationships makes scientists conservatively assign all non-marine elasmobranch-infecting species as Chloromyxum sensu lato. Although complex ridge pattern on the spore surface observed by scanning electron microscopy was thought to be critical for the identification of Chloromyxum species, insufficient data also prevent this ultrastructural data to be a valid taxonomic feature for this genus. It is especial for Chloromyxum species to be reported in China. Molecular and ultrastructural characteristics are yet available for all 22 Chloromyxum species recorded in China. During the investigation of the diversity of coelozoic fish myxosporeans, Chloromyxum ellipticum Li & Nie, 1973 was found to highly infect the gall bladder of Ctenopharyngodon idellus Valenciennes, 1844 in Poyang Lake watershed of Jiangxi province, Eastern China. Here, we redescribed it by the currently recommended holistic approach of combining morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular characteristics. Mature spores were found floating free in the gall bladder, but no plasmodium observed. Spores are typical freshwater teleost-infecting Chloromyxum species, spherical or subspherical in lateral view, measuring 7.7 ± 0.08 μm (6.9-9.1) in length, 6.3 ± 0.09 μm (5.6-7.6) in width, and 5.8 ± 0.20 μm (5.2-6.3) in thickness. Four pyriform polar capsules, located at the anterior end of the spores, were equal in size, 3.3 ± 0.06 μm (2.2-4.1) long and 2.1 ± 0.03 μm (1.7-2.5) wide. Polar filaments coiled with four to five turns. Two equal spore valves are symmetrical, with 10-16 surface extrasutural ridges per valve, aligned along the longitudinal axis. The obtained partial 18S rDNA of C. ellipticum did not match any sequences available in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. ellipticum clustered firstly with Chloromyxum legeri with robust nodal support and grouped then with urinary system of freshwater teleost-infecting Chloromyxum clade, rather than other gall bladder of freshwater teleost-infecting clade.

[A trend analysis of the incidence of occupational diseases in Chongqing, China, from 2006 to 2014]

Objective: To investigate the incidence of occupational diseases in Chongqing, China, from 2006 to 2014, and to analyze the harm, features, and trend of occupational diseases in Chongqing. Methods: The data of new cases of occupational diseases from 2006 to 2014 were collected, and the patients with a confirmed diagnosis of occupational diseases were selected as study subjects to analyze the incidence of occupational diseases in Chongqing. Results: There were 17499 cases of occupational diseases in total in Chongqing from 2006 to 2014. Among these patients, 17124 (97.86%) were male, most of whom (95.40%) had occupational pneumoconiosis, and 375 (2.14%) were female, most of whom (72.80%) had occupational chemical poisoning. There were 16400 cases (93.72%) of occupational pneumoconiosis in total, mainly coal workers' pneumoconiosis (55.87%) and silicosis (43.02%) , and the main industries involved were coal mining and washing, railway transport equipment manufacturing, and mining and washing of bituminous coal and anthracite. There were 724 cases of occupational poisoning in total; there were 281 cases of acute occupational poisoning, mainly gas poisoning (39.86%) and carbon monoxide poisoning (33.10%) ; there were 443 cases of chronic occupational poisoning, mainly poisoning caused by benzene (47.63%) , mercury and its inorganic compounds (32.74%) , and lead and its inorganic compounds (9.03%) . Conclusion: Occupational diseases in Chongqing are mainly occupational pneumoconiosis, and occupational health supervision should be enhanced in the industries of coal mining and washing and railway transport equipment manufacturing to protect workers' health.

[Clinical analysis of two cases of imported children Zika virus infection in China]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical characteristics, outcome and diagnosis of two cases of imported children Zika virus infection in China.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of two cases of imported children with Zika virus infection in February 2016 in Enping People's Hospital of Guangdong.

RESULT

Two cases of children with imported Zika virus infection resided in an affected area of Venezuela, 8-year-old girl and her 6 year-old brother. The main findings on physical examination included the following manifestations: fever, rash, and conjunctivitis. The rash was first limited to the abdomen, but extended to the torso, neck and face, and faded after 3-4 d. The total number of white blood cells was not high and liver function was normal. The diagnosis of two cases of Zika virus infection was confirmed by the expert group of Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the epidemiological history, clinical manifestations and Zika virus nucleic acid detection results.Treatment of Zika virus infection involves supportive care. Two Zika virus infection children had a relatively benign outcome.

CONCLUSION

At present, Zika virus infection in children is an imported disease in China. No specific therapy is available for this disease. Information on long-term outcomes among infants and children with Zika virus disease is limited, routine pediatric care is advised for these infants and children.

Molecular self-assembly of substituted terephthalic acids at the liquid/solid interface: investigating the effect of solvent

Self-assembly of three related molecules – terephthalic acid and its hydroxylated analogues – at liquid/solid interfaces (graphite/heptanoic acid and graphite/1-phenyloctane) has been studied using a combination of scanning tunnelling microscopy and molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculations. Brickwork-like patterns typical for terephthalic acid self-assembly have been observed for all three molecules. However, several differences became apparent: (i) formation or lack of adsorbed monolayers (self-assembled monolayers formed in all systems, with one notable exception of terephthalic acid at the graphite/1-phenyloctane interface where no adsorption was observed), (ii) the size of adsorbate islands (large islands at the interface with heptanoic acid and smaller ones at the interface with 1-phenyloctane), and (iii) polymorphism of the hydroxylated terephthalic acids’ monolayers, dependent on the molecular structure and/or solvent. To rationalise this behaviour, molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculations have been performed, to analyse the three key aspects of the energetics of self-assembly: intermolecular, substrate–adsorbate and solvent–solute interactions. These energetic characteristics of self-assembly were brought together in a Born–Haber cycle, to obtain the overall energy effects of formation of self-assembled monolayers at these liquid/solid interfaces.

Gene- Gene Interaction between PPARG and APOE Gene on Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: A Case- Control Study in Chinese Han Population

AIMS

The aim was to investigate the impact of PPARG and APOE gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and additional gene- gene interaction on late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) risk based on Chinese Han population.

METHODS

A total of 928 participants (466 males, 462 females), with a mean age of 81.3 ± 16.4 years old, were included in the study, including 460 LOAD patients and 468 normal controls participants. Logistic regression was performed to investigate association between SNP and LOAD risk and generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to analysis the gene-gene interaction.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis showed that LOAD risk was significantly higher in carriers of G allele of the rs405509 polymorphism than those with AA (AG+ GG versus AA, adjusted OR (95%CI) =1.54(1.20-1.89), and higher in carriers of G allele of the rs1805192 polymorphism than those with CC (CG+ GG versus CC, adjusted OR (95%CI) =1.32(1.16-2.43). We also found that there was a potential gene-gene interaction between rs405509 and rs1805192. Participants with AG or GG of rs405509 and CG or GG of rs1805192 genotype have the highest AD risk, compared to participants with AA of rs405509 and CC of rs1805192 genotype, OR (95%CI) was 2.62(1.64 -3.58), after covariates adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

G allele of the rs405509 of APOE and G allele of the rs1805192 of PPAR G polymorphism were associated with increased LOAD risk, and participants with AG or GG of rs405509 and CG or GG of rs1805192 genotype have the highest AD risk.

Lasing from organic quasicrystal fabricated by seven- and nine-beam interference

We demonstrate mirrorless lasers based on all organic nanostructure fabricated by seven- and nine-beam interference using low contrast material, holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals (H-PDLC). A finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation is used to study the transmission of quasicrystal. The wavelengths of lasing peak are determined by both of local structure of quasicrystal that the pumping light experienced as well as the photoluminescence of laser dye doped. Features of mirrorless laser from quasicrystal based on H-PDLC include directional light source, low threshold, simple fabrication process, low cost and tunability. These properties make H-PDLC photonic quasicrystal promising for a new type of all organic miniature lasers.

Rapamycin reduces severity of senile osteoporosis by activating osteocyte autophagy

SUMMARY

Osteocyte is the orchestrator of bone remolding and decline in osteocyte autophagy is involved in senile osteoporosis. Our results suggested that rapamycin, at least in part by activating osteocyte autophagy, reduced the severity of age-related bone changes in trabecular bone of old male rats.

INTRODUCTION

Previous literatures have showed that osteocyte is the orchestrator of bone remolding and age-related decline in osteocyte number is associated with senile osteoporosis. Autophagy is an important cellular protective mechanism which can preserve osteocyte viability and failure of autophagy in osteocyte with age has been linked to senile osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to explore whether rapamycin, one activator of autophagy, has protective effects on senile osteoporosis through inducing osteocyte autophagy.

METHODS

Fifty-two 24-month-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups. Rapamycin (1 mg/kg weight/day) or DMSO vehicle control was administered intraperitoneally for 12 weeks. BMD and bone microstructure were determined by Micro-CT. Fluorochrome labeling of the bones was performed to measure the mineral apposition rate (MAR). TRAP staining was performed to evaluate osteoclast number. The plasma levels of bone turnover markers were also analyzed. The effects of rapamycin on osteocyte autophagy were determined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and q-PCR. TUNEL was used to determine the prevalence of osteocyte apoptosis.

RESULTS

Micro-CT evaluation demonstrated that rapamycin had a protective effect on age-related bone loss in trabecular bone. Besides, rapamycin resulted in an obvious increase of MAR and a decrease of osteoclast number in contrast to the control group. Furthermore, rapamycin also induced autophagy in osteocyte demonstrated by increased LC3-positive osteocyte and increased LC3 turnover. In addition, rats treated with rapamycin exhibited decreased apoptosis of osteocyte determined by TUNEL.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that rapamycin, at least in part by activating osteocyte autophagy, reduced the severity of age-related bone changes in trabecular bone of old male rats. Therefore, rapamycin might be a feasible therapeutic approach for senile osteoporosis.

What hides behind the MASC: clinical response and acquired resistance to entrectinib after ETV6-NTRK3 identification in a mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC)

Here, we describe the dramatic response of a patient with an ETV6-NTRK3-driven mammary analogue secretory carcinoma to treatment with a pan-Trk inhibitor, and the development of acquired resistance linked to a novel NTRK3 mutation that interferes with drug binding. This case emphasizes how molecular profiling can identify therapies for rare diseases and dissect mechanisms of drug resistance.

Background

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) is a recently described pathologic entity. We report the case of a patient with an initial diagnosis of salivary acinic cell carcinoma later reclassified as MASC after next-generation sequencing revealed an ETV6-NTRK3 fusion.

Patients and methods

This alteration was targeted with the pan-Trk inhibitor entrectinib (Ignyta), which possesses potent in vitro activity against cell lines containing various NTRK1/2/3 fusions.

Results

A dramatic and durable response was achieved with entrectinib in this patient, followed by acquired resistance that correlated with the appearance of a novel NTRK3 G623R mutation. Structural modeling predicts that this alteration sterically interferes with drug binding, correlating to decreased sensitivity to drug inhibition observed in cell-based assays.

Conclusions

This first report of clinical activity with TrkC inhibition and the development of acquired resistance in an NTRK3-rearranged cancer emphasize the utility of comprehensive molecular profiling and targeted therapy for rare malignancies (NCT02097810).

Low voltage polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal reflective display by doping ferroelectric nanoparticles

Low driving voltage is achieved in full color reflective display based on polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal (PS-PBLC), by doping a small amount of ferroelectric nanoparticles. Both reflectance spectra of PS-PBLC with and without BaTiO₃ ferroelectric nanoparticles are studied under different applied external voltages. Superior to PS-PBLC without ferroelectric nanoparticles, the vertical driving electric fields of PS-PBLC with 0.4 wt.% BaTiO₃ ferroelectric nanoparticles are dramatically reduced by more than 70% for red, green and blue cells. The proposed approach would accelerate the practical application of full color PS-BPLC reflective display.

Harnack inequalities for SDEs with multiplicative noise and non-regular drift

The log-Harnack inequality and Harnack inequality with powers for semigroups associated to SDEs with non-degenerate diffusion coefficient and non-regular time-dependent drift coefficient are established, based on the recent papers [7, 21]. We consider two cases in this work: (1) the drift fulfills the LPS-type integrability, and (2) the drift is uniformly Hölder continuous with respect to the spatial variable. Finally, by using explicit heat kernel estimates for the stable process with drift, the Harnack inequality for the stochastic differential equation driven by symmetric stable process is also proved.

A slow neutron polarimeter for the measurement of parity-odd neutron rotary power

We present the design, description, calibration procedure, and an analysis of systematic effects for an apparatus designed to measure the rotation of the plane of polarization of a transversely polarized slow neutron beam as it passes through unpolarized matter. This device is the neutron optical equivalent of a crossed polarizer/analyzer pair familiar from light optics. This apparatus has been used to search for parity violation in the interaction of polarized slow neutrons in matter. Given the brightness of existing slow neutron sources, this apparatus is capable of measuring a neutron rotary power of dϕ/dz = 1 × 10(-7) rad/m.

Optimization of SCoT-PCR reaction system in Dactylis glomerata by orthogonal design

The effects of 5 factors (template DNA, Mg(2+), dNTPs, Taq DNA polymerase, and primer) on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were investigated to optimize the start codon targeted polymor-phism (SCoT)-PCR system of Dactylis glomerata L., using an orthogo-nal design L16 (4(5)). A suitable SCoT-PCR system for D. glomerata was established; the 20 μL reaction volume contained 3.0 mM Mg(2+), 0.2 mM dNTPs, 1.0 U Taq DNA polymerase, 0.2 μM primer, 20 ng tem-plate DNA, and 2 μL 10X buffer. Each factor had a different effect on the amplification reaction, and the concentration of dNTPs had the larg-est effect on the SCoT-PCR system. We tested 10 orchardgrass samples to determine and verify the stability of the reaction system. The results showed that amplified bands from diverse materials were clear, stable, and rich in polymorphisms, indicating that the optimized system was very stable.

Correlation between down-expression of miR-431 and clinicopathological significance in HCC tissues

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Researches have shown that miRNAs have been proposed as novel diagnostic biomarkers for classification and prognostic stratification of HCC. However, whether or not miR-431 contributes to the progression of HCC remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the clinicopathological significance of miR-431 in HCC.

METHODS

MiR-431 expression in 95 HCC cases and corresponding adjacent non-cancerous tissues was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, statistical analysis was performed to identify the correlations between expression of miR-431 and a variety of clinicopathological parameters and patient recurrence. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the accuracy of miR-431 as a biomarker for HCC diagnosis and prediction of disease deterioration.

RESULTS

MiR-431 was markedly down-regulated in the HCC samples (1.1885 ± 0.75867) compared with corresponding adjacent tumor tissues (1.7957 ± 0.89333, P < 0.001). The AUC of low miR-431 expression to diagnose HCC was 0.668 (95 % CI 0.592-0.744, P < 0.001). MiR-431 down-expression was correlated with multiple malignant characteristics, including lymph node metastasis (r = -0.455, P < 0.001), clinical TNM stage (r = -0.223, P = 0.030), MTDH (r = -0.292, P = 0.006), vaso-invasion (r = -0.204, P = 0.047), MVD (r = -0.281, P = 0.006) and HCV (r = 0.215, P = 0.037). Additionally, the recurrent time of lower miR-431 expression group was 56.602 ± 3.914 months, much longer than that in the high expression group (50.009 ± 2.731 months), however, no significant difference was noted (χ (2) = 0.005, P = 0.943).

CONCLUSIONS

The down-expression of miR-431 is partially responsible for a series of clinicopathological features which may be tightly correlated with the progression of HCC. Thus, expression of miR-431 may be proposed as a new factor in association with the progression of HCC.

Incidence of virological failure and emergence of resistance with twice-daily vs every 8-h administration of telaprevir in the OPTIMIZE study

The OPTIMIZE study demonstrated noninferior efficacy between telaprevir (TVR) twice daily (bid) vs every 8-h (q8h) administration. This analysis compared the selective pressure of both dosing regimens by characterisation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) variants emerging in genotype 1 (G1) HCV-infected patients who did not achieve sustained virological response (SVR). HCV NS3•4A population sequencing was performed at baseline and time of failure (viral breakthrough, stopping rule or relapse). TVR-resistant variants were classified by fold change in inhibitory concentration (IC50 ). Baseline TVR-resistance was low (<5%) and did not preclude achieving SVR in either arm. The proportion of patients with TVR-resistant variants at time of failure was similar in the bid (15%) and q8h (17%) dosing arms. The majority of variants and virological failures occurred in G1a patients, and mutations V36M, R155K and R155T (G1a), and V36A, T54A and A156S (G1b) were significantly enriched in both treatment arms. The number and type of emerging TVR-resistant variants in non-SVR patients were comparable between treatment arms and were consistent with previous observations. No differences in viral resistance profiles were observed between TVR-based treatment arms in non-SVR patients, indicating a similar selective pressure of TVR bid and q8h dosing.