A comparison of nitrogen utilization and urea metabolism between Tibetan and fine-wool sheep

To study metabolic adaptation to harsh foraging conditions, an experiment was conducted to characterize and quantify N utilization efficiency and urea metabolism in Tibetan and fine-wool sheep fed 4 levels of dietary N (11.0, 16.7, 23.1, and 29.2 g N/kg DM) in 2 concurrent 4 × 4 Latin square designs. Urea kinetics were determined using continuous intrajugular infusions of 15N15N-urea. Urinary excretions of total N and urea N increased linearly (P < 0.001) with dietary N and were not different between breeds (P ≥ 0.37). Fecal N excretion increased with dietary N for Tibetan sheep but not for fine-wool sheep (linear dietary N × breed; P < 0.05). Nitrogen retention (both amount per day and percentage of N intake) increased with increasing dietary N concentration (P < 0.001), and the rates of increase were greater in fine-wool than in Tibetan sheep (linear dietary N × breed and cubic dietary N × breed; P < 0.05). In Tibetan sheep, N retention as a percentage of intake was greatest for diets containing 16.7 g N/kg DM, whereas it was maximal for fine-wool sheep when the diet contained 23.1 g N/kg DM. Urea N entry rate, urea N recycled to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and urea N returned to the ornithine cycle all increased with dietary N (P < 0.05), and all were greater in Tibetan than fine-wool sheep for the 11.0 g N/kg DM diet but were greater in fine-wool than Tibetan sheep for the diet with 29.2 g N/kg DM (linear dietary N × breed; P < 0.05). Urea N excreted in feces, both amount and fraction of GIT entry rate, was less in Tibetan than fine-wool sheep for the 11.0 and 16.7 g N/kg DM diets but similar for diets with 23.1 or 29.2 g N/kg DM (linear dietary N × breed; P < 0.01). For the lowest-protein diet, the fraction of urea N production recycled to the GIT was greater in the Tibetan than fine-wool sheep (88% vs. 82%), but for the diet with 29.2 g N/kg DM it was greater for fine-wool than Tibetan sheep (46% vs. 39%; linear dietary N × breed; P < 0.05). Plasma urea N increased more rapidly in response to increasing dietary N concentration for fine-wool sheep than for Tibetan sheep (linear dietary N × breed; P < 0.05). Urea tubular load and the amount and percentage of urea reabsorbed by the kidney were greater in Tibetan than fine-wool sheep (P < 0.05). These results suggest that Tibetan sheep have mechanisms that allow them to utilize N more efficiently than the fine-wool sheep when dietary N is inadequate.

Additional chromosomal abnormalities in core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia

Despite sharing a similar genetic abnormality, patients with core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML), which is characterized by the presence of t(8;21) or inv(16)/t(16;16), show heterogeneous survival. Other molecular or cytogenetic factors are supposed to have an impact on the prognosis. We enrolled 24 CBF-AML patients to determine the impact of cytogenetic abnormality, and c-KIT, FLT3, NPM1, and CEBPA mutations on the prognosis. Only three patients had the c-KIT mutation (3/24, 12.5%) and one had the FLT3 mutation. However, over half of the patients (14/24) harbored additional cytogenetic changes, including ten with loss of sexual chromosomes (LOS) [all in the t(8;21) group], and six had additional abnormalities (two cases had both LOS and additional abnormalities). From this small-number study, no association was found between c-KIT mutation and survival and relapse rate. However, additional chromosome abnormalities had a significant association with relapse of the disease (P = 0.027). Stem cell transplant had a trend of benefitting patients after relapse (P = 0.065). This implies that chromosome abnormalities occur in CBF-AML and might take part in the heterogeneous nature of CBF-AML.

Association of CRTC2 gene polymorphisms with growth and meat quality traits of Qinchuan cattle

Growth and meat quality traits play important roles in the evaluation of cattle productivity and are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. CRTC2 is a recently discovered gene related to obesity that may influence fat deposition. The aim of the current study was to detect polymorphisms of bovine CRTC2 and explore their relationships to growth and meat quality in Qinchuan cattle. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs); g.3001 C>T; g.3034 G>A; and g.3467 T>C, were identified from sequencing results of 422 Qinchuan cattle. The genotypic distributions of both g.3034 G>A and g.3467 T>C mutations were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, (P < 0.05), while the T3001C mutation was not (P > 0.05), based on χ(2) test analysis. The SNPs g.3001 C>T and g.3034 G>A are missense mutations (Ser/Phe and Ser/Thr respectively). Additionally, SNPs g.3034 G>A and g.3467 T>C showed a medium polymorphism level (0.25 < PIC< 0.50), whereas g.3001 C>T showed a low polymorphism level (PIC < 0.25). These three SNPs were significantly associated with several growth and meat quality traits in the Qinchuan cattle population (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Collectively, these results demonstrate that CRTC2 is involved in the regulation of cattle growth and meat quality, and suggest that CRTC2 is a potential candidate gene for marker-assisted selection in future breeding development programs for Qinchuan cattle.

A case-control study on the risk factors of urinary calculus in Uyghur children in the Kashi region

The incidence of urinary calculus (UC) is very high in Uyghur children in the Kashi region of Xinjiang, China, which seriously affects the growth and life quality of these children. This study was aimed at investigating the risk factors of UC in Uyghur children in Kashi region. One hundred fifteen Uyghur children (age <7 years) with UC who were treated in First People's Hospital in Kashi were enrolled in the case group. A 1:1 case-control study with a questionnaire was performed. The results showed that, among the 115 UC patients, there were more boys (71.3%) than girls (28.7%), and most cases had an onset age of 1-3 years (75.7%). A lower than primary school education in the mother, drinking unboiled water, water intake <500 mL/day, and eating too much sweets were risk factors [odds ratio (OR) = 2.385, 9.160, 3.263, and 8.945, respectively], whereas vegetable intake and exposure to summer sunshine of <2 h/day were protective factors against UC onset (OR = 0.154 and 0.344, respectively). Analysis of UC-related factors in 99 cases of <3-year-old children revealed that breastfeeding was also a protective factor (OR = 0.007), whereas frequent cow's milk intake within 5 months (OR = 2.414) and frequent "panada" intake (OR = 2.529) were risk factors. The occurrence of UC in Uyghur children in the Kashi region is mainly affected by maternal educational background, quality of drinking water, water intake volume, and dietary pattern. Furthermore, geography may also have a role.

Polymorphisms in the SIRT5 gene and their association with body measurement and ultrasound traits in Qinchuan cattle

Silent information regulator 5 (SIRT5), a member of the Sirtuin family class III nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent protein deacetylases, plays an important role in metabolic and aging processes in mammals. We identified 4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (G22010A, G22052A, G22119T, and G22245C) in the 3' untranslated regions of the SIRT5 gene from 572 Qinchuan cattle by sequencing and investigating their association with growth and ultrasound traits. The frequencies of genotype GG and allele G were high at the 4 SNPs. Based on the X(2) test, the genotypic distributions of the 4 SNPs were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Association analysis of individual SNPs and haplotype combinations revealed that the 4 loci were significantly associated with some body measurement and ultrasound traits in Qinchuan cattle, and the H1H5 (AG-GA-GG-GG) diplotypes had better performance than other combinations in Qinchuan cattle. Our results demonstrate that SIRT5 may be a candidate for marker-assisted selection in future breeding programs for Qinchuan cattle.

A simple empirical model for the clarification-thickening process in wastewater treatment plants

In wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), activated sludge is thickened in secondary settling tanks and recycled into the biological reactor to maintain enough biomass for wastewater treatment. Accurately estimating the activated sludge concentration in the lower portion of the secondary clarifiers is of great importance for evaluating and controlling the sludge recycled ratio, ensuring smooth and efficient operation of the WWTP. By dividing the overall activated sludge-thickening curve into a hindered zone and a compression zone, an empirical model describing activated sludge thickening in the compression zone was obtained by empirical regression. This empirical model was developed through experiments conducted using sludge from five WWTPs, and validated by the measured data from a sixth WWTP, which fit the model well (R² = 0.98, p < 0.001). The model requires application of only one parameter, the sludge volume index (SVI), which is readily incorporated into routine analysis. By combining this model with the conservation of mass equation, an empirical model for compression settling was also developed. Finally, the effects of denitrification and addition of a polymer were also analysed because of their effect on sludge thickening, which can be useful for WWTP operation, e.g., improving wastewater treatment or the proper use of the polymer.

Isolated familial pneumothorax in a Taiwanese family with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax usually occurs as a sporadic event, but may be clustered in certain families with an underlying inherited disorder. Birt-Hogg-Dubι (BHD) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disease accounting for familial pneumothorax. BHD syndrome, caused by mutation of the folliculin gene, is characterized by skin fibrofolliculoma, pulmonary cysts, pneumothorax, and renal cancer. We describe a BHD-affected Taiwanese family with clinical and genetic study. A rare mutation of the folliculin gene was detected in the patient and members with pulmonary cysts or pneumothorax, but no skin or renal lesions were found. This mutation was reported in a Taiwanese family and might indicate a pneumothorax-predominant phenotype. Isolated pneumothorax is an uncommon initial presentation of BHD syndrome. Family history should be carefully reviewed when managing a patient with pneumothorax.

Cladosporium cladosporioides Identified in China on Tobacco Seeds

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a leafy, annual, solanaceous plant grown commercially for its leaves. China is the biggest single tobacco market and accounts for more than 40% of the global tobacco consumption (1). Tobacco seed harvested in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China, are commonly contaminated or infected by various fungal pathogens, which can cause abnormal seedlings with dark brown lesions and stunting of roots and decayed seeds. In 2013, five samples of 500 seeds from tobacco cv. Guiyan 4 were tested for germination on moistened paper on petri dishes. On average, 35% of the seeds from all five samples developed into abnormal seedlings or were decayed and were plated onto potato dextrose agar media and grown for 5 days at 25°C in darkness to confirm the presence of a pathogen. However, one fungus was isolated from an average of 10% of the 500 seeds sampled. It was identified morphologically as Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fresen.) de Vries based on the velvety olive-brown with almost black reverse colony color and dimensions and color of conidia and conidiophores. Conidia formed in long branched chains that readily disarticulate, single celled, elliptical to limoniform, 2 to 8 (avg. 4.3) × 2 to 3 (avg. 2.1) μm. Conidia were pale to olive brown and smooth to verruculose. Ramoconidia were 0 to 1 septate, 7 to 14 (avg. 9.2) × 2 to 4 (avg. 2.6) μm, smooth or sometimes minutely verruculose. Conidiophores were pale to olive brown, macro- and micronemateus, smooth or sometimes verruculose, and of various lengths up to 320 μm long and 2 to 5 μm wide. Primer pair ITS1 and ITS4 was employed to amplify the regions of ITS1-5.8s-ITS2 of the pathogens. Sequences of all three isolates (G3, G10, and G18) (Accession Nos. KF841547, KF841554, and KF841560) were identical to each other and to four sequences in GenBank (JX230994.1, JQ768317.1, JQ768322.1, and AB763555.1). Pathogenicity of the three isolates of C. cladosporioides was verified on tobacco seedlings of 3-week-old grown on wet filter paper in the petri dishes (9 cm in diameter). For each isolate, 20 seedlings incubated in one plate were inoculated with 0.5 ml of a suspension of 10⁵ conidia/ml. Twenty seedlings were treated with sterile water as control treatment. After inoculation, the petri dishes were incubated at 25°C, 100 to 120 μEm^-2 S^-1, RH > 80%, and 16 h light per day for disease development. At 96 h after inoculation, symptoms comprising medium brown to black lesions on the roots were clearly visible on inoculated plants but not on the control plants. All seedlings inoculated died 9 days after inoculation whereas control seedlings remained symptomless. Re-isolation attempts on PDA from roots demonstrated C. cladosporioides to be present in symptomatic seedlings but not in roots of the control plants. Moreover, the characteristics of the cultured fungi were exactly the same as those originally isolated. Isolates G3, G10, and G18 (KF841547, KF841554, and KF841560) were deposited with the Tobacco Diseased Fungi, Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Sciences, Guizhou, China. Previously, C. cladosporioides has also been isolated from macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche) racemes in South Africa (4), from diseased papaya (Carica papaya L.) in Taiwan province of China (2), and from seeds of Amaranthus spp. in Poland (3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. cladosporioides causing seed disease on tobacco in China and the disease should be considered in existing disease management practices. References: (1) British American Tobacco Annual Report, 8, 2012. (2) R. S. Chen, et al. Plant Dis. 93:426, 2009. (3) W. Pusz. Phytopathologia 54:15, 2009. (4) N. van den Berg et al. Plant Dis. 92:484, 2008.

Effects of metoprolol and small intestine RNA on marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells applied for autograft transplantation in heart disease

AIMS

The objective of this project was to improve the effect of EPC autograft transplantation and observe the tolerance of EPCs to I/R injury affected by metoprolol and small intestine RNA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We isolated bone marrow-derived EPCs and examined the effects of metoprolol and small intestine RNA on EPCs to ischemia at different time points after reperfusion. EPCs growth curve, secretion, apoptosis and mortality were also analyzed.

RESULTS

EPCs will be better protected if the blood can be recovered within 4 hours after ischemia for cardiac muscle cells and pretreatment of EPCs with metoprolol or small intestine RNA could protect and promote EPCs proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstated that pretreatment of EPCs with metoprolol or small intestine RNA will increase the EPCs proliferation and may improve the EPCs autograft transplantation ability.

Association between migraine and irritable bowel syndrome: a population-based retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Migraine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) share many similarities characterized by their epidemiology, periodic pain, lack of definable organic causes, trigger factors, comorbidities and proposed pathophysiology. In this retrospective case-control study, the association between migraine and IBS was investigated using a nationwide population-based database in Taiwan.

METHODS

The data were retrieved from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. In all, 14 117 newly diagnosed migraine cases were identified in a subset of the NHIRD and 56 468 migraine-free individuals were randomly selected as the comparison cohort. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to explore the risk of IBS in migraine sufferers after adjusting for demographic characteristics and comorbidities.

RESULTS

After adjusting for the covariates, the incidence of IBS was 1.95-fold higher in the migraine cohort than in the comparison cohort (73.87 vs. 30.14 per 10 000 person-years). The adjusted cumulative incidence of IBS was also higher in the migraine group than in the control group in the follow-up years (log-rank test, P < 0.0001). In addition, the risk was most prominent in the youngest group (<30 years old), exhibiting a 3.36-fold increased risk (95% confidence interval 2.44-4.63) of IBS compared with the migraine-free cohort. Moreover, the incidence of IBS in migraine sufferers tended to increase with the frequency of migraine diagnoses.

CONCLUSION

The current population-based study demonstrated that migraine is associated with an increased risk of IBS after adjusting for comorbidities, particularly in the young population.

Fibroblasts isolated from a keratocystic odontogenic tumor promote osteoclastogenesis in vitro via interaction with epithelial cells

OBJECTIVES

Investigate the role of the epithelial-mesenchymal interaction of keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) in influencing osteoclastogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fibroblasts isolated from KCOT fibrous capsule and normal gingival mucosa were, respectively, co-cultured with human immortalized oral epithelial cells (HIOECs), and the supernatant was collected to make conditioned medium, in which the osteoclastogenesis of osteoclast precursor cell line Raw 264.7 was observed. Genes related to bone resorption (RANKL, OPG, COX-2, and M-CSF) were analyzed by real-time PCR. Antibodies against human sRANKL and inhibitor of COX-2: NS398 were added to conditioned medium to investigate the inhibitory effect on osteoclastogenesis.

RESULTS

Compared with co-cultured gingival fibroblasts and HIOECs (GE-CM), the conditioned medium from co-cultured KCOT fibroblasts and HIOECs (KE-CM) induced more osteoclast-like cell formation and increased NFATC1 mRNA in Raw264.7 cells (P < 0.05). Co-cultured KCOT fibroblasts (KF) and HIOECs, respectively, expressed more COX-2 mRNA than the co-cultured gingival fibroblasts (GF) and HIOECs (P < 0.05). While the ratio of RANKL/OPG in HIOECs co-cultured with KF was also significantly higher than that co-cultured with GF (P < 0.05). The anti-human sRANKL antibody in KE-CM inhibited osteoclastogenesis of Raw264.7 cells; however, NS398 displayed little inhibition.

CONCLUSION

An interesting phenomenon of osteoclastogenic effect of KE-CM in vitro was investigated, which suggested an indispensable role of epithelial-mesenchymal interaction of KCOT in its bone destruction. It could be at least partly attributed to the up-regulated ratio of RANKL/OPG in epithelium induced by KCOT fibroblasts, the aggressiveness of tumor as result of epithelial-mesenchymal interaction deserves exploration further.

Risk of accidental injuries amongst Parkinson disease patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To investigate the spectrum and risks of accidental injuries (AIs) amongst Parkinson disease (PD) patients.

METHODS

The participants comprised PD patients aged 50 years and older who were initially diagnosed between 2000 and 2009, and a comparison group of non-PD patients. The incidence rates of accidental injury types amongst PD and non-PD patients were calculated; hazard ratios were calculated and adjusted for comorbidities, using 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of developing such outcomes in PD patients.

RESULTS

In total, 4046 PD patients and 16 184 non-PD patients were followed over time. The PD patients demonstrated the following incidence rates and hazard ratios in comparison to the control cohort for accidental injuries: all injuries, 19.78 per 100 person-years (100 PYs), adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.30 (95% CI 1.24-1.36); head injury, 2.95 per 100 PYs, HR 1.88 (95% CI 1.64-2.15); bone fracture and dislocation, 4.61 per 100 PYs, HR 1.39 (95% CI 1.25-1.54); burns, 0.66 per 100 PYs, HR 1.01 (95% CI 0.78-1.32); injury to spinal cord, plexus and nerves, 0.15 per 100 PYs, HR 1.25 (95% CI 0.72-2.17); superficial injuries and contusions, 11.41 per 100 PYs, HR 1.20 (95% CI 1.12-1.27). The injury risk for the 69-79 years age group in PD compared with controls of the same age (HR 1.38) was significantly higher compared with that of the 50-69 age groups in PD and controls (HR 1.16).

CONCLUSIONS

Parkinson disease patients demonstrate a significantly elevated risk of developing all accidental injury types except burn injuries and injuries to spinal cord, plexus and nerves, compared with age-matched controls. The risk increases as age increases.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with pleural infections due to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia at a medical center in Taiwan, 2004-2012

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia can cause various clinical diseases; however, pleural infections due to S. maltophilia are rare. We evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with pleural infections (complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema) due to S. maltophilia who were treated at a medical center in Taiwan from 2004 to 2012. During the study period, 40 patients were treated for pleural infections due to S. maltophilia. The incidence of S. maltophilia pleural infections ranged from 2.66 per 1,000,000 patient-days in 2009 to 12.44 per 1,000,000 patient-days in 2011. Most of the patients with S. maltophilia pleural infections were immunocompromised male adults and all of the infections were acquired in healthcare settings. The majority of patients had polymicrobial pleural infections (n = 31, 77.5 %) and the most common pathogen was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 12). The causes of pleural infections due to S. maltophilia were pneumonia due to S. maltophilia in two patients (5 %), post-surgical/tube thoracostomy in 26 (65 %) patients, and fistula (bronchopleural, esophagopleural and biliopleural) in 12 (30 %) patients. The 14-day and 30-day mortality rates were 32.5 % and 42.5 %, respectively. Pleural infections due to S. maltophilia are most commonly the result of surgical procedures, thoracostomy, and underlying fistulas. These infections are associated with a high mortality rate, especially among immunocompromised patients.

Elastase induced lung epithelial cell apoptosis and emphysema through placenta growth factor

Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, however, the pathogenic factors and mechanisms are not fully understood. Pulmonary emphysema is one of the major components of COPD and is thought to result from oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, protease–antiprotease imbalance and lung epithelial (LE) cell apoptosis. In our previous studies, COPD patients were noted to have higher levels of placenta growth factor (PlGF) in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid than controls. In addition, transgenic mice overexpressing PlGF developed pulmonary emphysema and exposure to PlGF in LE cells induced apoptosis. Furthermore, intratracheal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) on to PlGF wild type mice induced emphysema, but not in PlGF knockout mice. Therefore, we hypothesized that PPE generates pulmonary emphysema through the upregulation of PlGF expression in LE cells. The elevation of PlGF then leads to LE cell apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated whether PPE induces PlGF expression, whether PlGF induces apoptosis and whether the downstream mechanisms of PlGF are related to LE cell apoptosis. We found that PPE increased PlGF secretion and expression both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, PlGF-induced LE cell apoptosis and PPE-induced emphysema in the mice were mediated by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathways. Given these findings, we suggest that the increase in PlGF and PlGF-induced JNK and p38 MAPK pathways contribute to PPE-induced LE cell apoptosis and emphysema. Regulatory control of PlGF and agents against its downstream signals may be potential therapeutic targets for COPD.

Persistent mechanical allodynia positively correlates with an increase in activated microglia and increased P-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

In experimental early painful diabetic neuropathy, persistent hyperglycaemia induces dys-regulated sodium channel (Navs) expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and activates microglia in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH). However, information on diabetes-induced chronic neuropathic pain is limited. Therefore, we investigated abnormal Navs in the DRG and activated glial cells in the SDH of diabetic rats with chronic neuropathic pain.

METHODS

Sixty-six rats were divided into diabetic and control groups: control rats (n = 18; 1 mL of normal saline via the right femoral vein) and diabetic rats [n = 48; 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) via the right femoral vein]. Hindpaw behavioural tests, Navs expression in the DRG, activation of glial cells in the SDH and the number of neurons in the SDH were measured at 1 and 2 weeks, and 1, 2, 3 and 6 months following saline and STZ administration.

RESULTS

All diabetic rats exhibited hyperglycaemia from day 7 to 6 months. The diabetic rats decreased withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimuli but had blunted responses to thermal stimuli. Consistent up-regulation of Nav1.3 and down-regulation of Nav1.8 was observed. Microglial cells were activated early in the SDH and lasted for 6 months. A positive correlation between mechanical allodynia, Nav1.3 and microglial activation was observed. In addition, microglia activation in the SDH of STZ-induced diabetes was mediated, in part, by phosphorylation of p-38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic rats showed hindpaw mechanical allodynia for 6 months. Persistent mechanical allodynia was positively associated with sustained increased activation of Nav1.3 and increased p38 phosphorylation in activated microglia.

First Report of Fusarium Wilt of Tobacco Caused by Fusarium kyushuense in China

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a leafy, annual, solanaceous plant grown commercially for its leaves. China accounts for more than 39.6% of total global tobacco production (3). In May 2012, seedlings of tobacco cv. Honghuadajinyuan in a Guiyang tobacco commercial field (Guizhou, China, 26.35° N, 106.42° E) developed symptoms of severe wilting, chlorosis, and stunting. The main stem and taproot exhibited reddish to light brown vascular discoloration; further progression of these symptoms eventually caused mortality of infected seedlings. To isolate the causal agent, necrotic tissues from the symptomatic root were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25°C in darkness. Colonies with white to rose mycelia and red-brown colony colors developed on PDA after 5 days of incubation. Microconidia were abundant, straight or slightly curved, clavate, 0- to 3-septate, and 7.5 to 20.0 × 2.5 to 5.0 μm. Macroconidia were straight or slightly curved, slender, 3- to 5-septate, and 25.0 to 45.0 × 3.3 to 5.0 μm. Based on the observed colony attributes, growth patterns, absence of chlamydospores, micro- and macro-spore attributes (1), and PCR amplification (using primers ITS1/4) combined with translation elongation factor primers (EF1/2) (2), the fungus was identified as F. kyushuense O'Donnell & T. Aoki. Sequence of ITS1-5.8s-ITS2 region of rDNA (GenBank Accession No. JX235957) exactly matched the sequences of F. kyushuense accession AB587020.1 (100% similarity). Analysis of the elongation factor (EF-1alpha) gene of the fungus (JX658565) resulted in a 99% match for F. kyushuense accession AB674297.1. Pathogenicity of the fungus was confirmed by performing Koch's postulate as follows. Pure cultures of the fungus F. kyushuense obtained from symptomatic tissues of tobacco seedlings were grown on PDA for 6 days. Tobacco plants to be used in pathogenicity tests were germinated and grown on potting soils in a plastic container. Additional fertilization was supplied by adding 0.2 g/L of 20-20-20 (N-P-K) in the float water. When seedlings got 6-leaf stage, they were ready for pathogenicity tests. Spores harvested from these culture plates were suspended in sterile distilled water, adjusted to a concentration of 1 × 10⁴ conidia/ml, and inoculated by irrigating 10 ml of the conidia suspension onto roots of each of the 12 tobacco seedlings with 6-leaf stage. A group of 12 seedlings of the same age treated with sterile water served as control. Inoculated seedlings were maintained at 25°C, 100 μE m^-2.s^-1, relative humidity >70%, and 16 h light per day, and monitored for 9 days for symptom development. Seedlings inoculated with conidia developed disease symptoms with roots with vascular discoloration of roots whereas control seedlings remained symptomless. F. kyushuense was reisolated from the symptomatic seedlings 9 days after inoculation. F. kyushuense has also been isolated from rice seeds in China (4), and from diseased wheat in Japan (1). The common tobacco Fusarium disease reported in China was caused by F. oxysporium f. sp. nicotianae. However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. kyushuense causing wilt on tobacco in China and the disease must be considered in existing disease management practices. References: (1) T. Aoki and K. O'Donnell. Mycoscience. 39:1, 1998. (2) D. M. Geiser et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 110:473, 2004. (3) US Census Bureau. Foreign Trade Statistics. Washington DC, 2005. (4) Z. H. Zhao and G. Z. Lu. Mycotaxon. 102:119, 2007.

Epigenetic silencing of PTPRR activates MAPK signaling, promotes metastasis and serves as a biomarker of invasive cervical cancer

Epigenetic modifications are a driving force in carcinogenesis. However, their role in cancer metastasis remains poorly understood. The present study investigated the role of DNA methylation in the cervical cancer metastasis. Here, we report evidence of the overexpression of DNA methyltransferases 3B (DNMT3B) in invasive cervical cancer and of the inhibition of metastasis by DNMT3B interference. Using methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation coupled with microarray analysis, we found that the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R (PTPRR) was silenced through DNMT3B-mediated methylation in the cervical cancer. PTPRR inhibited p44/42 MAPK signaling, the expression of the transcription factor AP1, human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenes E6/E7 and DNMTs. The methylation status of PTPRR increased in cervical scrapings (n=358) in accordance with disease severity, especially in invasive cancer. Methylation of the PTPRR promoter has an important role in the metastasis and may be a biomarker of invasive cervical cancer.

Detection of Rickettsia spp. and host and habitat associations of fleas (Siphonaptera) in eastern Taiwan

Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) are two rickettsiae principally transmitted by fleas, but the detection of either pathogen has rarely been attempted in Taiwan. Of 2048 small mammals trapped in eastern Taiwan, Apodemus agrarius Pallas (24.5%) and Mus caroli Bonhote (24.4%) (both: Rodentia: Muridae) were the most abundant, and M. caroli hosted the highest proportion of fleas (63.9% of 330 fleas). Two flea species were identified: Stivalius aporus Jordan and Rothschild (Siphonaptera: Stivaliidae), and Acropsylla episema Rothschild (Siphonaptera: Leptopsyllidae). Nested polymerase chain reaction targeting parts of the ompB and gltA genes showed six fleas to be positive for Rickettsia spp. (3.8% of 160 samples), which showed the greatest similarity to R. felis, Rickettsia japonica, Rickettsia conorii or Rickettsia sp. TwKM01. Rickettsia typhi was not detected in the fleas and Rickettsia co-infection did not occur. Both flea species were more abundant during months with lower temperatures and less rainfall, and flea abundance on M. caroli was not related to soil hardness, vegetative height, ground cover by litter or by understory layer, or the abundance of M. caroli. Our study reveals the potential circulation of R. felis and other rickettsiae in eastern Taiwan, necessitating further surveillance of rickettsial diseases in this region. This is especially important because many novel rickettsioses are emerging worldwide.

The growth and osteoclastogenic effects of fibroblasts isolated from keratocystic odontogenic tumor

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the growth characteristics and effects on osteoclastogenesis in fibroblasts isolated from keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) fibrous capsule.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fibroblasts isolated from KCOT fibrous capsule and normal gingival mucosa were cultured in vitro. Their colony-forming units and proliferative activity were investigated, and the osteoclastogenic effects were also observed by a co-culture system with osteoclast precursor cell line Raw264.7. The mRNA of several genes related to bone resorption (IL-6, VEGF, COX-2, and M-CSF) was analyzed by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Keratocystic odontogenic tumor fibroblasts developed fewer CFU and had longer population doubling time than gingival fibroblasts (P < 0.05). In contrast to gingival fibroblasts, KCOT fibroblasts expressed less IL-6, COX-2, and M-CSF (P < 0.05); however, the Raw264.7 co-cultured with KCOT fibroblasts developed more osteoclast-like cells and expressed higher level of nfatc1 than that co-cultured with gingival fibroblasts. Increased COX-2 expression and VEGF expression were detected in KCOT fibroblasts and Raw264.7 co-culture system (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Although KCOT fibroblasts showed lower level of cell proliferation than gingival fibroblasts, higher osteoclastogenic ability was detected when co-cultured with Raw264.7. These results suggest that the cell-cell interaction in the co-culture system, possibly by increasing COX-2 and VEGF expression, may be responsible for the increased osteoclastogenic effects of KCOT fibroblasts.

In vitro cytotoxic activity of novel protoflavone analogs - selectivity towards a multidrug resistant cancer cell line

BACKGROUND

Protoapigenone (PA), a natural flavonoid possessing an unusual p-quinol moiety on its B ring, is a prospective novel lead compound against cancer currently in development, together with WYC0209, a potent synthetic PA analog. Structure activity relationships (SAR) concerning different 1'-O-alkyl side-chains were also studied on two sets of derivatives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen 1'-O-alkyl protoflavone derivatives were synthesized from genkwanin or 4'-hydroxy-6-methylflavone, thirteen of which are new compounds. All compounds were tested for their cytotoxic effect on four human cancer cell lines, such as HepG2 and Hep3B (hepatic), A549 (lung) and MDA-MB-231 (breast) cell lines, with doxorubicin as a positive control. All compounds, as well as PA, WYC0209 and fourteen of their previously reported analogs were also tested on a multidrug-resistant (MDR) sub-cell line of L5178 mouse T-cell lymphoma and on its parental counterpart (PAR).

RESULTS

In general, derivatives bearing a free hydroxyl group at C-1' exerted the strongest activities, while C-1'-substituted compounds were found to be much weaker. Derivatives of 6-methylflavone exhibited mild, but statistically significant selectivity towards the MDR cell line.

CONCLUSION

The results are in agreement with our previous findings for fundamental SAR of protoflavones. 6-Methylated protoflavones may serve as valuable leads for developing selective compounds against MDR cancer. Identical activity of other derivatives on the PAR and MDR cell lines suggests that cancer cells cannot exhibit resistance to protoflavones by ABCB1 efflux pump overexpression.

The value of serial plasma nuclear and mitochondrial DNA levels in acute spontaneous intra-cerebral haemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Increased plasma nuclear and mitochondrial DNA levels may be connected to disease severity following spontaneous intra-cerebral haemorrhage (ICH). This study tested the hypothesis that plasma nuclear and mitochondrial DNA levels are substantially increased in acute ICH and can predict treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Serial plasma nuclear and mitochondrial DNA levels were examined in 60 consecutive patients admitted within 24 h after onset of spontaneous ICH and in 60 volunteer control subjects. Additional samples were obtained on days 4, 7, 10, and 14 after onset of ICH regardless of clinical deterioration.

RESULTS

Only plasma nuclear DNA, not plasma mitochondrial DNA, levels in patients with spontaneous ICH significantly correlated with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (r = -0.467, P = 0.001) and ICH volume (r = 0.515, P ≤ 0.001) on presentation. Plasma nuclear DNA levels increased significantly from day 1 to day 7 in patients with poor outcome. Higher plasma nuclear DNA levels (cut-off value >18.7 ng/ml) on presentation were associated with poor outcomes in spontaneous ICH patients.

CONCLUSION

Plasma nuclear DNA levels reflect the severity of cerebral damage such that higher levels are associated with poorer outcome. Plasma nuclear DNA level can be considered a neuropathologic marker of acute spontaneous ICH.

Association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the bovine chemerin gene and carcass traits in Qinchuan cattle

Qinchuan is a red or yellow draft and beef breed in China. In order to identify a predictor of carcass traits on the basis of associations between carcass traits and gene polymorphism, variation in the bovine chemerin gene was investigated using PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism and DNA sequencing. An SNP of A868G located in exon 2 of the Bos taurus chemerin gene was detected in 716 samples of six breeds (Jiaxian red, Luxi, Nan yang, Qinchuan, Simmental and Luxi crossbred steers, and Xia'nan), all in China, and three genotypes (AA, AG and GG) were found. Based on the χ(2) test, the AA/AG/GG genotype frequencies of all six breeds were found to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. A possible association of A868G with some carcass traits was investigated in 106 Qinchuan cattle. Animals with the AG genotype were found to have significantly lower mean loin eye area and meat tenderness compared to those with the AA and GG genotypes. However, there was no significant association between any individual haplotype and backfat thickness, water holding capacity or marbling score. We suggest that A868G could be used as a molecular marker in marker-assisted selection for carcass traits.

Successful therapy with hemoperfusion and plasma exchange in acute 1,2,3-trichloropropane poisoning

1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) is commonly used as an intermediate in pesticide and an industrial specialty solvent. Acute 1,2,3-TCP poisoning is rare but a medical emergency. Sporadic cases of toxic hepatic injury from 1,2,3-TCP in humans have been reported. Liver is a target organ for 1,2,3-TCP toxicity, which may ensue in a short period after ingestion. A specific antidote against 1,2,3-TCP is not available. So it is important to distinguish that a patient with 1,2,3-TCP poisoning constitutes a medical emergency. In this case study, the poisoned patient's clinical condition and laboratory values improved gradually after she received hemoperfusion (HP) and plasma exchange, which indicated that the therapy with HP and plasma exchange were helpful in the treatment of 1,2,3-TCP poisoning.

Lack of an association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the bovine myogenic determination 1 (MyoD1) gene and meat quality traits in indigenous Chinese cattle breeds

The myogenic determination 1 (MyoD1) gene is a member of the MyoD gene family. It encodes for skeletal muscle-specific transcription factors containing highly conserved basic helix-loop-helix regions that perform important roles in the initiation, maintenance, and regulation of phenotypic traits. We investigated a new single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the MyoD1 gene to evaluate whether this polymorphism affects meat quality traits in five Chinese indigenous cattle breeds, namely Qinchuan (QC), Xia-Nan (XN), Nan-yang (NY), Luxi (LX), and Jia-xian red (JXR). A C→G transversion at position 624 was detected in exon 1 of the MyoD1 gene; it causes an amino acid substitution ((624)serine/(624)cysteine). Least squares analysis showed that this SNP is not significantly associated with back fat thickness, eye muscle area, intramuscular fat, or marbling. The A/B allelic frequencies in the five breeds were 0.810/0.189, 0.779/0.220, 0.768/0.231, 0.820/0.180, and 0.801/0.198, respectively. Based on the χ(2) test, the genotype distributions of four cattle breeds (LX, NY, QC, and XN) did not agree with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.05); one breed (JXR) did not deviate significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). The genotypic frequencies among all five cattle breeds showed moderate diversity (0.25 < polymorphism information content < 0.5). We concluded that the C624G SNP of the MyoD1 gene does not influence meat quality traits in indigenous Chinese cattle breeds; however, this SNP could be included in breed composition and population admixture analyses due to the marked differences in allelic frequencies among these five breeds.