Human Gastric Cancer Stem Cell (GCSC) Markers Are Prognostic Factors Correlated With Immune Infiltration of Gastric Cancer

The prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC) is still unsatisfying. Numerous markers of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) have been identified and were thought to be related to cancer aggressiveness. However, the roles of GCSC markers in GC patients’ prognosis and immune infiltration remain unknown. Expression of GCSC markers was analyzed using Oncomine and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). Their associations with clinicopathological parameters were analyzed using UALCAN and LinkedOmics. Alternations and protein expression of GCSC markers were analyzed by cBioPortal and the Human Protein Atlas databases, respectively. The prognostic significance of GCSC markers was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier plotter. Correlations between the expression of GCSC markers and immune infiltration along with biomarkers of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) were assessed combined Tumor Immune Estimation Resource and GEPIA. GeneMANIA was used to discover the interactive genes of GCSC markers, and enrichment analysis was performed using Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery server. We identified six GCSC markers significantly up-expressed in GC, compared with normal stomach tissues. Among them, the overexpression of ICAM1, THY1, and CXCR4 significantly indicated adverse, while EPCAM indicated beneficial clinicopathological features of GC patients. The up-regulation of CXCR4 showed unfavorable prognostic significance, whereas EPCAM and TFRC showed the opposite. The six GCSC markers were all correlated with the infiltration and activation of distinct TIICs. Especially, ICAM1, THY1, and CXCR4 showed strongly positive correlations with tumor-associated macrophages. Besides, chemokine, Toll-like receptor, NF-kappa B, and HIF-1 signaling pathways might be involved in the regulation of GCSC markers on cancer development. This study proposed that GCSC markers might be promising targets of GC treatment to weaken cancer stem-like properties and strengthen anticancer immunity.

Identification of prognostic biomarkers associated with the occurrence of portal vein tumor thrombus in hepatocellular carcinoma

The occurrence of portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is strongly correlated to the staging and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, the mechanisms of PVTT formation remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between primary tumor (PT) and PVTT tissues and comprehensively explored the underlying mechanisms of PVTT formation. The DEGs between PT and paired PVTT tissues were analyzed using transcriptional data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The expression, clinical relevance, prognostic significance, genetic alternations, DNA methylation, correlations with immune infiltration, co-expression correlations, and functional enrichment analysis of the DEGs were explored using multiple databases. As result, 12 DEGs were commonly down-expressed in PVTT compared with PT tissues among three datasets. The expression of DCN, CCL21, IGJ, CXCL14, FCN3, LAMA2, and NPY1R was progressively decreased from normal liver, PT, to PVTT tissues, whose up-expression associated with favorable survivals of HCC patients. The genetic alternations and DNA methylation of the DEGs frequently occurred, and several methylated CpG sites of the DEGs significantly correlated with outcomes of HCC patients. The immune infiltration in the tumor microenvironment of HCC was correlated with the expression level of the DEGs. Besides, the DEGs and their co-expressive genes participated in the biological processes of extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and focal adhesion. In summary, this study indicated the dysregulation of ECM and focal adhesion might contribute to the formation of PVTT. And the above seven genes might serve as potential biomarkers of PVTT occurrence and prognosis of HCC patients.

Chimeric contribution of human extended pluripotent stem cells to monkey embryos ex vivo

Interspecies chimera formation with human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) represents a necessary alternative to evaluate hPSC pluripotency in vivo and might constitute a promising strategy for various regenerative medicine applications, including the generation of organs and tissues for transplantation. Studies using mouse and pig embryos suggest that hPSCs do not robustly contribute to chimera formation in species evolutionarily distant to humans. We studied the chimeric competency of human extended pluripotent stem cells (hEPSCs) in cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) embryos cultured ex vivo. We demonstrate that hEPSCs survived, proliferated, and generated several peri- and early post-implantation cell lineages inside monkey embryos. We also uncovered signaling events underlying interspecific crosstalk that may help shape the unique developmental trajectories of human and monkey cells within chimeric embryos. These results may help to better understand early human development and primate evolution and develop strategies to improve human chimerism in evolutionarily distant species.

Inflammatory Indicators and Hematological Indices in Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Among Patients Receiving Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Strong inflammatory indicators such as C-reactive protein (CRP), high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), and hematological indices, including platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), hematocrit (HCT), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW), may be related with contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Our meta-analysis aimed at exploring the relationship between these indicators and CIN incidence among patients undergoing coronary intervention. Clinical studies were retrieved from the electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Clinical Trials, and Science Direct from their inception to June 3, 2020. Meta-analysis was performed on pooled eligible studies. Finally, 26 studies involving 29 454 patients were included. Pooled analysis revealed that patients with higher CRP (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.12, P = .02), hsCRP (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, P = .004), NLR (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.20, P = .02), RDW (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.19-1.53, P < .001), and lower HCT (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.92-0.97, P = .003) all exhibited significantly higher CIN rates, but there was no significant association between PLR and CIN risk (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.99-1.26, P = .07). Pre-angiography CRP/hsCRP and some hematological indices are associated with CIN.

Re-description of the loach species Leptobotia citrauratea (Teleostei, Botiidae), with the description of L. brachycephala from southern Zhejiang Province, China

Leptobotiacitrauratea (Nichols, 1925), a loach species, originally described from Dongting Lake, was recently rehabilitated, based on the examination of the holotype and non-topotypical specimens. Several field surveys conducted from 2016 to 2019 in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Hunan Provinces, P.R. China, yielded many specimens of Leptobotia which were initially identified as L.citrauratea. Molecular and morphological analyses of these specimens demonstrated that two distinct species are involved. One was identified as L.citrauratea, represented by specimens from both the Poyang and Dongting Lake (type locality) systems in Jiangxi and Hunan Provinces, and the other species is described as L.brachycephala, represented by specimens from the Ou-Jiang and Qu-Jiang, two coastal rivers of Zhejiang Province, China. Leptobotiabrachycephala resembles L.citrauratea and L.micra in having a row of orange dots or an orange stripe along the dorsal mid-line of the body, extending from the nape to the caudal-fin base – a unique character in Leptobotia. Leptobotiabrachycephala differs from L.citrauratea and L.micra Bohlen & Šlechtová, 2017, in caudal-fin shape and pelvic-fin insertion and proportional measurements including caudal-fin length, head length, predorsal length and anal-fin length. Its species status was further corroborated by position in a molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on the mitochondrial cyt b gene and its minimum uncorrected p-distance (2.9%) from congeneric species.

Validation of superior reference genes for qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses in marine Emiliania huxleyi-virus model system

AIMS

To search for a set of reference genes for reliable gene expression analysis in the globally important marine coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi-virus model system.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifteen housekeeping genes (CDKA, CYP15, EFG3, POLAI, RPL30, RPL13, SAMS, COX1, GPB1-2, HSP90, TUA, TUB, UBA1, CAM3 and GAPDH) were evaluated for their stability as potential reference genes for qRT-PCR using ΔCt, geNorm, NormFinder, Bestkeeper and RefFinder software. CDKA, TUA and TUB genes were tested as loading controls for Western blot in the same sample panel. Additionally, target genes associated with cell apoptosis, that is metacaspase genes, were applied to validate the selection of reference genes. The analysis results demonstrated that putative housekeeping genes exhibited significant variations in both mRNA and protein content during virus infection. After a comprehensive analysis with all the algorithms, CDKA and GAPDH were recommended as the most stable reference genes for E huxleyi virus (EhV) infection treatments. For Western blot, significant variation was seen for TUA and TUB, whereas CDKA was stably expressed, consistent with the results of qRT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONS

CDKA and GAPDH are the best choice for gene and protein expression analysis than the other candidate reference genes under EhV infection conditions.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The stable internal control genes identified in this work will help to improve the accuracy and reliability of gene expression analysis and gain insight into complex E. huxleyi-EhV interaction regulatory networks.

Targeted Delivery of Therapeutics to Urological Cancer Stem Cells

Urological cancer refers to cancer in organs of the urinary system and the male reproductive system. It mainly includes prostate cancer, bladder cancer, renal cancer, etc., seriously threatening patients' survival. Although there are many advances in the treatment of urological cancer, approved targeted therapies often result in tumor recurrence and therapy failure. An increasing amount of evidence indicated that cancer stem cells (CSCs) with tumor-initiating ability were the source of treatment failure in urological cancer. The development of CSCstargeted strategy can provide a possibility for the complete elimination of urological cancer. This review is based on a search of PubMed, Google scholar and NIH database (http://ClinicalTrials.gov/) for English language articles containing the terms: "biomarkers", "cancer stem cells", "targeting/targeted therapy", "prostate cancer", bladder cancer" and "kidney cancer". We summarized the biomarkers and stem cell features of the prostate, bladder and renal CSCs, outlined the targeted strategies for urological CSCs from signaling pathways, cytokines, angiogenesis, surface markers, elimination therapy, differentiation therapy, immunotherapy, microRNA, nanomedicine, etc., and highlighted the prospects and future challenges in this research field.

‘Henicorhynchus’ thaitui, a new species of cavefish from Central Vietnam (Teleostei, Cyprinidae)

‘Henicorhynchus’thaituisp. nov. is described from a subterranean stream in a karst cave in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, Central Vietnam. It differs from all congeners in having a pale pink body in life, smaller eyes with diameter less than the maxillary barbel length, and two pairs of barbels, the maxillary barbel being much longer than the rostral barbel.

Vanmanenia intermedia Fang, 1935, a valid hill-stream species of loach (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae) from the middle Yangtze River basin, Southwest China

Vanmanenia intermedia, which has long been synonymized with V. pingchowensis since 1980, is here revalidated using morphological characters and molecular evidences, and redescribed on the basis of topotypic specimens. This species is distinguished from all other congeneric species by the following combination of characters: triangular-shaped rostral lobules without secondary rostral barbels; distal edge of dorsal-fin slightly concave; no longitudinal black stripe on the flank; a longer snout (length 52.6-64.5 % of HL); a more backwards-placed anus (the vent to anal distance 34.7-46.1% of the pelvic to anal distance); a slender caudal peduncle (depth 9.1-11.3 % of SL); a longer anal-fin base (length 7.5-9.5 % of SL); and a smaller gill opening with its upper extremity closer to the level of the lower margin of the orbit. The validity of V. intermedia is also confirmed by its significant cyt b gene sequence divergence with all sampled congeneric species and its monophyly recovered in the cyt b gene-based phylogenetic analysis.

Mutational biosynthesis to generate novel analogs of nosiheptide featuring a fluorinated indolic acid moiety

Nosiheptide (NOS) is a member of bicyclic thiopeptides possessing a biologically important indolic acid (IA) moiety appended onto the family-characteristic core system. The IA formation relies primarily on NosL, a radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) protein that catalyzes a complex rearrangement of the carbon side chain of l-tryptophan, leading to the generation of 3-methyl-2-indolic acid (MIA). Here, we establish an efficient mutational biosynthesis strategy for the structural expansion of the side-ring system of NOS. The nosL-deficient mutant Streptomyces actuosus SL4005 complemented by chemically feeding 6-fluoro-MIA is capable of accumulating two new products. The target product 6'-fluoro-NOS contains an additional fluorine atom at C6 of the IA moiety, in contrast with an unexpected product 6'-fluoro-NOSint that features an open side ring and a bis-dehydroalanine (Dha) tail. The newly obtained 6'-fluoro-NOS displayed equivalent or slightly reduced activities against the tested drug-resistant pathogens compared with NOS, but dramatically decreased water solubility compared with NOS. Our results indicate that the modification of the IA moiety of NOS not only affects its biological activity but also affects its activity which will be key considerations for further modification.

Interannual comparison of core taxa and community composition of the blow microbiota from East Australian humpback whales

Cetacean represent vulnerable species impacted by multiple stressors, including reduction in prey species, habitat destruction, whaling and infectious disease. The composition of blow microbiota has been claimed to provide a promising tool for non-invasive health monitoring aiming to inform conservation management. Still, little is known about the temporal stability and composition of blow microbiota in whales. We used East Australian humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) as a model species and collected blow and control samples in August 2016 and 2017 for an interannual comparison. We analysed the blow by barcode tag sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. We found that the microbial communities in 2016 and 2017 were statistically similar regarding alpha and beta diversity but distinct to seawater. Zero-radius operational taxonomic units (zOTUs) shared by both groups accounted for about 50% of all zOTUs present. Still, the large individual variability in the blow microbiota resulted in a small number of core taxa (defined as present in at least 60% of whales). We conclude that the blow microbiota of humpback whales is either generally limited and of transient nature or the reduced airway microbiota is the symptom of a compromised physiological state potentially due to the challenges of the whales' annual migration.

Metformin exerts renoprotective effect by reducing proteinuria in spontaneously-hypertensive rats

Purpose: To study the mechanism involved in metformin (DMBG)-induced reduction of albuminuria in spontaneously-hypertensive rats (SHRs). Methods: The SHRs were divided into DMBG SHR group (n = 30) given DMBG (300 mg/kg) and NC SHR group (n = 10) given distilled water (2 ml/day), while Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) rats were divided into DMBG WKY group (n = 30) given DMBG (300 mg/kg ) and NC WKY group (n = 10) administered distilled water (2 ml/day). Urinary protein levels were measured and compared. Inflammatory infiltration in renal tissue, and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed. Abdominal aortic blood was used to measure serum levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Results: Urinary protein was markedly elevated in SHRs, while BUN in SHRs was lowered, relative to WKY rats (p < 0.05). Moreover, inflammatory cell population was lower in DMBG SHRs group than in WKY rats (p < 0.05). Kidney expressions of VEGF in SHR and WKY rats treated with metformin  were significantly reduced, relative to those in untreated rats, but VEGF-A in DMBG SHR rats was markedly elevated, relative to NC SHR group, and was also raised in DMBG WKY, when compared with NC WKY rats (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Metformin reduces albuminemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats by up-regulating VEGF expression, thereby exerting renoprotective effect. This finding provides ideas for research and development of other therapeutic approaches. Keywords: Metformin, Spontaneous hypertension, Renoprotective, Albuminuria, Kidney, Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

Sarcocheilichthys vittatus, a new species of gudgeon (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Poyang lake basin in Jiangxi Province, South China

Sarcocheilichthys vittatus, a new species of gudgeon, is described from the Gan-Jiang and Fu-He flowing into the Poyang Lake Basin in Jiangxi Province, South China. It is similar to S. parvus and S. caobangensis in having a longitudinal black band extending from the snout tip to the caudal-fin base, a character separating them from all other congeneric species, but distinct from S. parvus in having more lateral-line scales, no longitudinal yellowish stripe above the lateral black band on the flank and no barbels, and from S. caobangensis in possessing two shorter lateral lobes of the lower lip restricted only to the side of the lower jaw, no black spots along the dorsal-fin base and a stouter caudal peduncle. Its validity was also warranted by a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the cyt b gene. Critical notes were provided on some currently recognized Chinese congeners.

Extrapolation for a pharmacokinetic model for acetaminophen from adults to neonates: A Latin Hypercube Sampling analysis

Physiological and drug-specific parameters need to be adjusted when extrapolating a pharmacokinetic (PK) model from adults to neonates, so as to reproduce the time profiles of the studied drug(s) consistent with clinical, in vivo data or in vitro cell line measurements. In this paper we present a parameter analysis method, i.e. the Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) method for an acetaminophen (APAP) PK model. The original model consists of two compartments (the blood and the urine) with Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters determined for APAP and its metabolites. The physiological parameters are scaled through allometric laws from adults to neonates, and APAP-specific parameters are adjusted for enzymatic maturational changes. The LHS method is used to statistically investigate the interplay between these parameters. The results for the extrapolated APAP model are consistent with published APAP PK data in neonates. We found the sulphation clearance parameter played a crucial role in the neonatal PK model, but its influence was weakened if the volume of distribution parameters were included. We suggest that this kind of in silico experiment could be valuable as the first step in PK model extrapolation between different ages.

Inflammatory and Hematological Indices as Simple, Practical Severity Predictors of Microdysfunction Following Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), along with a series of hematological indices, platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW), are regarded to be related to the incidence of no-reflow or slow flow. Clinical studies were retrieved from the electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Clinical Trials, and science direct from their inception to August 24, 2019. A total of 21 studies involving 7403 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis results revealed patients with higher hsCRP (odds ratio [OR] = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.05, P = .006), hsCRP (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.0-1.08, P = .012), NLR (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.11-1.37, P < .0001), PLR (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.07-1.20, P < .0001), and MPV (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.57-2.90, P < .0001) all exhibited significantly higher no-reflow incidence, but there was no significant association between no-reflow risk and RDW or PDW. Patients with higher CRP/hsCRP also performed higher rate of slow flow (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.11, P = .018). Preangiographic CRP/hsCRP could independently predict no-reflow and slow flow. Moreover, some hematological indices are associated with no-flow.

Dissecting primate early post-implantation development using long-term in vitro embryo culture

The transition from peri-implantation to gastrulation in mammals entails the specification and organization of the lineage progenitors into a body plan. Technical and ethical challenges have limited understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie this transition. We established a culture system that enabled the development of cynomolgus monkey embryos in vitro for up to 20 days. Cultured embryos underwent key primate developmental stages, including lineage segregation, bilaminar disc formation, amniotic and yolk sac cavitation, and primordial germ cell–like cell (PGCLC) differentiation. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis revealed development trajectories of primitive endoderm, trophectoderm, epiblast lineages, and PGCLCs. Analysis of single-cell chromatin accessibility identified transcription factors specifying each cell type. Our results reveal critical developmental events and complex molecular mechanisms underlying nonhuman primate embryogenesis in the early postimplantation period, with possible relevance to human development.

P2747Identification of microRNAs in aortic valve calcification patients with bicuspid aortic valve

Background

An individual with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) has a higher risk of developing aortic valve calcification (AVC) than people with tricuspid aortic valve. AVC in patients with BAV and TAV is known to be distinct in molecular level. But the epigenetic mechanism of AVC in patients with BAV is still undefined.

Purpose

To describe the role of microRNA (miRNA) in the AVC process of patients with BAV

Methods

We collected aortic valve samples of 5 patients with BAV, of which 2 have AVC and 3 of which have not. We performed RNA-seq technology on an Illumina Hiseq 2500/2000 platform to characterized all feathers of miRNAs in BAV. We used miRBase20.0 to look for known miRNA. Gene expression levels between groups of valves were compared with degeR to find out differential miRNAs. Then we predicated the target gene of miRNA by targetscan database. We performed the GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analysis for the target gene candidates of differential miRNAs to predict the potential function of AVC specific miRNAs. A value of P<0.05 (2-sided) was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

Compared with noncalcified aortic valves. We found that 33 miRNAs were upregulated and 29 are significantly downregulated in calcified aortic valves. The analysis showed the total of 62 miRNAs to be significantly altered as shown in the heat map in Figure1. the target gene candidates of differential miRNAs were enriched in numerous Go terms including the following: binding, protein binding, ion binding, catalytic activity, localization. The significantly (P<0.05) affected pathways identified by KEGG pathway analysis are presented in table 1.

Table 1 Pathway term Gene number P valvue Lysosome 70 0.001945 Axon guidance 66 0.013212 Glycerophospholipid metabolism 50 0.016075 Calcium signaling pathway 84 0.037645 Synaptic vesicle cycle 34 0.043983 Pyrimidine metabolism 52 0.04501 Homologous recombination 18 0.0453 Other glycan degradation 13 0.048068 Pathway analysis based on the KEGG database.

Figure 1

Conclusion

The present study proved that miRNAs play an important role in AVC of patients with BAV. The result may improve understanding of the special molecular alterations in AVC with BAV and may provide potential targets for future clinical applications.

Acknowledgement/Funding

the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81370435; 91339103; 81700405)

Ascorbic acid induced activation of persulfate for pentachlorophenol degradation

In the present study, ascorbic acid (AA) induced persulfate activation was investigated for the further exploration of organic pollutants oxidation by persulfate. We interestingly found that AA showed a significant catalytic activity to persulfate. Under neutral pH and room temperature condition, about 71.3% of pentachlorophenol (PCP, 10 mg L^-1) was decomposed in 180 min with 40 mmol L^-1 persulfate and 1.0 mmol L^-1 AA, while only 15.4% and 3.2% of PCP was removed by alone persulfate and AA respectively. The result of EPR spectra identified sulfate radical (SO₄^•-) and hydroxyl radical (OH) were generated during the reaction between persulfate and AA. Quenching experiments confirmed that both SO₄^- and OH contributed to the decomposition of PCP. With the addition of AA augmented from 0 to 1 mmol L^-1, the PCP degradation ratio continuously increased. However, excess AA could consume the generated reactive oxygen species (ROSs) that led to the inhibition of PCP degradation. Meanwhile, the PCP degradation by persulfate-AA was strongly pH dependent. The PCP degradation rate was declined as the initial pH increased from 3.5 to 10.5. At pH above 12.5, the base activation began to predominate over AA activation of persulfate. Furthermore, it was observed that the AA inducing persulfate activation was related to the extent of AA ionization, while C₆H₈O₆ promoted the highest persulfate activation for the PCP degradation, and C₆H₆O₆^2- induced the lowest persulfate activation. This study indicates the high potential of AA induced persulfate activation for treatment of organochlorine contaminated water.

Differences of the immune cell landscape between normal and tumor tissue in human prostate

BACKGROUND

Over the past few decades, immunological checkpoint therapy has been an increasingly prominent strategy in the treatment of tumors, including prostate cancer (PC). There are few systematic studies of the phenotypic of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in PC tissues.

METHODS

CIBERSORT is an analytical tool for estimating the abundance of member cell types in mixed cell population by gene expression data. Herein, we analyzed different levels of tumor-infiltrating immunity cells in normal tissue compared with PC using CIBERSORT.

RESULTS

The results showed that proportion of M1 macrophages and resting mast cells presented significant differences in prostate tumor than these normal tissues. A higher proportion of resting mast cells was associated with a worse outcome and M1 macrophages was associated with a favorable outcome. Moreover, the radiotherapy and targeted molecular therapy can affect the immune infiltration of M1 macrophages and resting mast cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Resting mast cells and M1 macrophages has an important role in the prognosis of prostate cancer. Our data provides valuable information about the future treatment of PC.

Predictive Value of Hepatorenal Status in Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Among Patients Receiving Coronary Angiography and/or Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Low serum albumin, high blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and uric acid are regarded closely related to the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), whereas it remains unclear whether they can function as predictors of CIN onset. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the association between abovementioned indicators and CIN incidence rate in patients receiving coronary angiography (CAG) and/or intervention.

METHODS

Clinical studies were retrieved from the electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Clinical Trials, and ScienceDirect from their inception to July 13, 2018. Meta-analysis was performed on pooled eligible studies to determine whether these hepatorenal indicators were associated with CIN.

RESULTS

A total of 18 studies involving 16 171 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis results revealed that patients with hypoalbuminemia (odds ratio [OR] = 3.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.44-6.64, P = .004) and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.15-1.50, P < .0001) both exhibited significantly higher CIN rates, regardless of the study design, renal function, and whether urgent clinical situation or not. However, there was no significant association between serum BUN and CIN risk.

CONCLUSION

Hypoalbuminemia and hyperuricemia are independently associated with the occurrence of CIN among the patients undergoing CAG and/or intervention.

Intestinal CART is a regulator of GIP and GLP-1 secretion and expression

Impaired incretin effect is a culprit in Type 2 Diabetes. Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is a regulatory peptide controlling pancreatic islet hormone secretion and beta-cell survival. Here we studied the potential expression of CART in enteroendocrine cells and examined the role of CART as a regulator of incretin secretion and expression. CART expression was found in glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)-producing K-cells and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-producing L-cells in human duodenum and jejunum and circulating CART levels were increased 60 min after a meal in humans. CART expression was increased by fatty acids and GIP, but unaffected by glucose in GLUTag and STC-1 cells. Exogenous CART had no effect on GIP and GLP-1 expression and secretion in GLUTag or STC-1 cells, but siRNA-mediated silencing of CART reduced GLP-1 expression and secretion. Furthermore, acute intravenous administration of CART increased GIP and GLP-1 secretion during an oral glucose-tolerance test in mice. We conclude that CART is a novel constituent of human K- and L-cells with stimulatory actions on incretin secretion and that interfering with the CART system may be a therapeutic avenue for T2D.

Re-description of the catfish species Liobagrus kingi Tchang, 1935 (Pisces: Amblycipitidae) from the upper Chang-Jiang basin, China

The identity and validity of Liobagrus kingi Tchang, 1935 remain contentious to date due to its inaccurate original description. A re-description is provided here for this species based on our examination on its type, hitherto deposited in ASIZB and available topotypic material. It is confirmed that L. kingi is a species with a serrated posterior edge of the pectoral-fin spine and distinct from the sympatrically existing species L. nigricauda. Comments on former recognitions of specimens from the upper Chang-Jiang basin as L. kingi are presented.

Garra dengba, a new species of cyprinid fish (Pisces: Teleostei) from eastern Tibet, China

Garra dengba is here described from the Chayu-Qu, a tributary flowing into the Brahmaputra River, in Chayu County, eastern Tibet, China. It shares the presence of an incipient proboscis on the snout with G. arupi, G. elongata, G. gravelyi, G. kalpangi, and G. rotundinasus, but is distinguished from these five species in having, among other features, fewer branched dorsal- and anal-fin rays and more perforated lateral-line scales. Its validity was also confirmed by a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the cytochrome b gene.

Schistura alboguttata, a new loach species of the family Nemacheilidae (Pisces: Cypriniformes) from the Pearl River basin in Guangxi, South China

Schistura alboguttata, a new species of nemacheilid loach, is herein described from the Leli-He, a tributary flowing to the You-Jiang of the Pearl River basin (Zhu-Jiang in Chinese) at Tianlin County, Guangxi, South China. This new species can be readily distinguished from all other Chinese species of Schistura by its striking body coloration consisting of irregular white spots scattered over the dorsal and lateral regions of the body, with occasional irregular bars with narrow interspaces on the predorsal region.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the catfish species Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Claroteidae) from Lake Turkana in East Africa: taxonomic implications

Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences of two specimens here recognized as Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Lake Turkana in the Ethiopian section were determined. A COI gene-based phylogenetic analysis was performed for these along with sequences of African catfish species from the family Clarotidae available in GenBank. Based on results of this analysis, it is concluded that (1) the currently identified A. occidentalis is a species complex that includes several distinct species; (2) the Niger River basin harbors two distinct species of Auchenoglanis, one of which occurs in Lake Turkana, as well as A. biscutatus; and (3) A. sacchii is likely a valid species, but it is not the endemic species of Lake Turkana. It is suggested here that species diversity of Auchenoglanis requires further study based on molecular and morphological evidence.

Onychostoma brevibarba, a new cyprinine fish (Pisces: Teleostei) from the middle Chang Jiang basin in Hunan Province, South China

Onychostoma brevibarba, a new cyprinid species, is described from two tributaries flowing into the Xiang Jiang (= River) of the middle Chang Jiang basin in Hunan Province, South China. The new species is morphologically similar to two Chinese congeners, O. minnanense and O. barbatulum, but differs from them in the anteromedian extension of the postlabial groove. It further differs from O. minnanense in the maxillary-barbel length, shape and body coloration, and from O. barbatulum in the number of lateral-line perforated scales and the width of the mouth opening. The validity of the new species and its close relationship with these two species were affirmed by a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cyt b and CO1 genes.

Sox5 regulates beta-cell phenotype and is reduced in type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, but the mechanisms underlying insulin secretion failure are not completely understood. Here, we show that a set of co-expressed genes, which is enriched for genes with islet-selective open chromatin, is associated with T2D. These genes are perturbed in T2D and have a similar expression pattern to that of dedifferentiated islets. We identify Sox5 as a regulator of the module. Sox5 knockdown induces gene expression changes similar to those observed in T2D and diabetic animals and has profound effects on insulin secretion, including reduced depolarization-evoked Ca²⁺-influx and β-cell exocytosis. SOX5 overexpression reverses the expression perturbations observed in a mouse model of T2D, increases the expression of key β-cell genes and improves glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in human islets from donors with T2D. We suggest that human islets in T2D display changes reminiscent of dedifferentiation and highlight SOX5 as a regulator of β-cell phenotype and function.

Relative geodesics in bi-invariant Lie groups

Motivated by registration problems, this paper deals with a curve matching problem in homogeneous spaces. Let G be a connected finite-dimensional bi-invariant Lie group and K a closed subgroup. A smooth curve g in G is said to be admissible if it can transform two smooth curves f 1 and f 2 in G / K from one to the other. An ( f 1 , f 2 )- relative geodesic (Holm et al. 2013 Proc. R. Soc. A 469 , 20130297. ( doi:10.1098/rspa.2013.0297 )) is defined as a critical point of the total energy E ( g ) as g varies in the set of all ( f 1 , f 2 )-admissible curves. We obtain the Euler–Lagrange equation, a first-order differential equation, satisfied by a relative geodesic. Furthermore, the Euler–Lagrange equation is simplified for the case where G / K is globally symmetric. As a concrete example, relative geodesics are found for special cases where G is SO(3) and K is SO(2). As an application of discrepancy for curves in S 2 , we construct and study a new measure of non-congruency for constant speed curves in Euclidean 3-space. Numerical examples are given to illustrate results.

Analyzing the effects of different signs to increase the availability of designated van-accessible parking spaces

Often, designated van accessible parking spaces are occupied by non-ramp or lift equipped vehicles (NRLEV) with accessible parking permits. This causes inconvenience, safety concerns, and reduced availability of parking spaces for ramp or lift equipped vehicles (RLEV). The researchers conducted a single subject design study with two settings to examine a differential comparison between the standard van sign versus intervention signs (pictorial representation of a ramp-equipped van plus messages) to determine which is more effective to signal NRLEV users not to park in designated van accessible spaces. The study was composed of two phases, a multiple treatment design to compare the effects of the intervention signs during phase 1 and a reversal design to test and validate the most effective intervention effects during phase 2. The results based on observation showed that the interventions signs could moderately reduce the chances of NRLEV users parking in the designated van accessible parking space. Implications of these research findings are discussed and recommendations for changes in state and national accessible parking policies are suggested.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Liobagrus styani (Teleostei: Amblycipitidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Liobagrus styani was sequenced by the long and accurate polymerase chain reaction and primer walking sequence method, and each partition was characterized. This genome, with 16,515 bp in length, includes 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2rRNA genes, and 2 non-coding regions. Genes encoding on the genome are similar among all vertebrates. These genes except ND6 and 8 tRNA genes were encoded on the H-strand. Phylogenetic relationship of this species with other congeners was inferred using Bayesian Inference methods based on the genome. Result is contrast to traditional biogeographic explanation for faunal similarity and highlight the need for a further investigation on the formation of allopatric distribution pattern of the genus Liobagrus in East Asia.

Technical note: Characterization of key volatile odorants in rabbit meat using gas chromatography mass spectrometry with simultaneous distillation extraction

<p>This study explored the key volatile compounds in both male and female rabbit meat. Simultaneous distillation extraction with dichloromethane was adopted to extract the volatile compounds in Hyla rabbit meat. A total of 35 volatile compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and quantified with 2, 4, 6-thimethylpyridine as internal standard. Seventeen volatile aldehydes, 4 alcohols, 2 ketones, 2 acids, 1 heterocyclic compound, 2 alkanes and 7 esters were detected. Hexanal, heptanal, octanal, nonanal, (E, E)-2, 4-decadienal, 1-octen-3-ol and (Z)-2-decenal were the key odorant compounds, with high relative odour activity value. Furthermore, the concentration of volatile compounds in male rabbit meat was higher than that in female rabbit meat.</p>