Occurrence, Distribution, and Molecular Characterization of Citrus yellow vein clearing virus in China

In 2009, a new citrus viral disease caused by Citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) was discovered in China. To more effectively monitor the presence of CYVCV, a survey was conducted in 166 citrus orchards from 11 major citrus-growing provinces in China from May 2014 to April 2016. In all, 458 of a total of 2,350 citrus samples tested positive for CYVCV, demonstrating that the virus is widely distributed in China. In this study, the complete genome sequences of 19 CYVCV isolates from different provinces and hosts were sequenced and characterized. Comparisons of the whole-genome sequences of these 19 CYVCV isolates as well as 4 isolates previously reported from around the world revealed that the sequence identity ranged from 97.1 to 99.8%, indicating that there is a very low level of sequence heterogeneity among CYVCV isolates of different geographic origins and hosts. Phylogenetic analysis of these 23 genomic sequences suggested that all of the isolates from China were clustered into the same clade, clearly apart from the CYVCV isolates from Turkey and Pakistan. To our knowledge, this is the first extensive survey conducted in China for CYVCV incidence.

[Clinical features and gene mutation analysis of 13 Chinese juvenile patients with nephronophthisis]

Objective: To explore the clinical features and pathogenic gene mutation of juvenile nephronophthisis (NPHP) in Chinese patients. Method: Clinical data and blood samples of 27 juvenile NPHP patients from 25 families who were initially clinically diagnosed in six hospitals in Guangdong province were collected. NPHP1 homozygous deletions were detected in all patients. Sequencing of NPHP1 gene was performed when homozygous deletions were not found in patients without eye involvement. In patients with eye involvement, NPHP5 sequencing was carried out initially and subsequently NPHP10 gene and NPHP1 when there were no NPHP5 gene mutation found. Result: Diagnosis was confirmed in 13 patients by renal pathology and (or) gene sequencing, including four boys and nine girls with a median onset age of 8.5(0.1-12.8) years. Seven of the 13 patients had a normal routine urine test and six patients had mild to moderate proteinuria. None had persistent hematuria. The estimated glomerular filtration rate of the 13 patients was (12.7±10.7) ml/(min·1.73 m²) at the time of diagnosis. Renal cysts were found in only five patients by iconography. Decreased renal size was observed in nine cases and normal renal size in four patients. Renal pathology was available in five patients, renal cysts formation at the cortical-medullar area, thickening and laying tubular basement membrane, were observed. Two of the thirteen children had eye involvement, one had liver impairment and one had growth retardation. NPHP1 gene defects were detected in seven patients with a mutation rate of 25.9%, and large homozygous deletions were observed in three patients. Four patients had single point mutations, i. e. compound heterozygous mutations (c.13 C>T and c. 1520+ 5 G>A) in one patient; homozygous mutation in three patients, two patients were siblings from the same pedigree harbored c. 1756 C>T and the other one harbored c. 1298delA. NPHP5 gene homozygous mutation was found in one pedigree. The fourteen children without renal pathology and whose genetic tests were negative shared similar clinical features with the thirteen patients whose diagnosis were confirmed by gene mutation and (or) renal pathology. Conclusion: The onset of juvenile NPHP is insidious. Urine and renal iconography changes are mild or negative. The ratio of NPHP1 mutant patient is similar with previous reports, but the proportion of NPHP1 gene homozygous deletions is much lower and all of the NPHP1 gene single point mutations detected in this research were novel, which indicates a genetic discrepancy existed between Chinese NPHP patients and the western ones.

Study on the functions and mechanism of immune functions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase regulating dendritic cells treating sepsis

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed the functions and mechanisms of immune functions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase regulating dendritic cells (DC) treating sepsis of mice models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty clean grade Balb/c animals aged from 6 to 8 weeks, weighted from 18 g to 22 g were selected for this study. The DC cells were harvested from the animals and cultivated to transfect with the recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid hTERT-IRES2-EGFP construct. The LPS (E. coli 0111:B4, 5 mg/kg) was injected into the abdominal cavity of mice to establish sepsis models. Afterwards, animals were divided randomly into the sepsis group (A group), the group of hTERT transfecting DC (B group), the group of DC un-transfected (C group) with 25 mice in each group. 5 mice were in the normal control group (D group), without any treatment. An equivalent volume of normal saline was injected into the abdominal cavity of A group. Subsequently, 1 ml of cell suspension (105/ml) was transfected into B and C groups respectively. Five animals from A, B, C groups and one animal from group D were sacrificed after 24h, 48h, 72d, 7d and 10d respectively.

RESULTS

It was found that median survival time of the group of hTERT transfecting DC was remarkably higher than that of the untransfected group and the sepsis group. The average scores of the pathology of kidney and intestine at each time were significantly lower than that of the other two groups (p<0.05). At each time point, in the group of hTERT transfecting DC, levels of CRP and Cr were remarkably lower than that of the other two groups; HLA-DR, CD40 of immune phenotype and the expression level of peripheral blood T cells MHC-II molecules were significantly higher than that of the other two groups; the expression level of IL-12 and TNF-a were significantly lower than that of the other two groups; apoptosis rate of DC were significantly lower than that of the other two groups; the content and activity of NF-κB were significantly higher than that of the other two groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The telomerase reverse transcriptase gene can raise the expression and maturity of DC, reduce apoptosis, induce cytokine secretion, reduce the inflammatory response and increase the survival time.

[Effect of heme oxygenase-1 transduced by cell penetrating peptide PEP-1 on renal injury in rats with acute paraquat poisoning]

Objective: To study the effects of heme oxygenase-1 transduced by cell penetrating peptide PEP-1 on renal injury in acute paraquat-induced rats. Methods: The fusion protein PEP-1/HO-1 was manufactured by genetic engineering methods. One hundred and twenty-six healthy adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (63 male, 63 female) were randomly divided into three groups: (1) Control group: 42 rats, (2) Poisoned group: 42 rats, (3) PEP-1/HO-1 intervention group: 42 rats. The rats in Poisoned group and intervention group were treated intraperitoneally with paraquat (25 mg/kg) deliquated with normal saline. Control group rats were treated with the same way of normal saline as the others. Intervention group rats were injected 1 mg of the fusion protein PEP-1/HO-1 into the left iliac vein at 30 minutes before the administration of the paraquat. After abdominal dissection with ether anaesthesia, six rats respectively from each of three groups were taken tissue samples from kidney at 1 st、6 th、12 th、24 th、36 th、48 th、and 72 nd hour respectively. Tissue Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity and Malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured, and renal tissue was quickly remained to observe the expression of Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) by the method of immunohistochemistry. Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta for determination of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine (Cr) concentrations in plasma. Results: To prepare high purity fusion protein PEP-1/HO-1 Successfully. The levels of the plasma Bun and Cr in Poisoned and intervention group were significantly higher than that in Control group in the six to seventy-two hours (P<0.01) ; Whereas the increases of Bun and Cr were markedly intibited in PEP-1/HO-1 intervention group, in which, the levels of Bun and Cr in the six to seventy-two hours were significantly lower than Poisoned group (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the levels of MDA in poisoned groups were increased in the one to forty-eight hours and the levels of it in groups PEP-1/HO-1 in the one to thirty-six (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The T-SOD activity of the poisoned group was decreased in the one to thirty-six hours than that of the control group (P<0.05). Compared with poisoned group, the T-SOD activity at various points in time was increased in group PEP-1/HO-1 (P<0.01). In control group, there was only very weak expressions of HO-1 in the normal renal tissue. In poisoned and intervention group, the expressions of HO-1 were significantly higher than that in control group in all time (P<0.01). The HO-1 expressions of PEP-1/HO-1 group in all time was significantly higher than that in poisoned group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion: The HO-1 protein Can be successfully transduced into renal tissue by cell penetrating peptide PEP-1 and the transduced HO-1 protein reduces renal injury of the acute paraquat-induced rats by inhibiting lipid peroxidation response.

Association between the interleukin-1β gene -511C/T polymorphism and ischemic stroke: an updated meta-analysis

Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between the interleukin-1β gene (IL1B) -511C/T polymorphism and ischemic stroke (IS) risk. However, the results are inconsistent. We performed this meta-analysis of all available case-control studies that evaluated the relationship between the IL1B -511C/T polymorphism and IS. Studies were retrieved from the PubMed and Embase databases. Statistical analyses were conducted using the STATA 11.0 software. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were applied to determine the strength of association. Nine studies comprising a total of 2072 patients and 2173 controls were included. No significant variation in IS risk was detected in any of the genetic models (CC vs TT: OR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.48-1.27; CT vs TT: OR = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.62-1.10; dominant model: OR = 0.79, 95%CI = 0.55-1.15; recessive model: OR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.66-1.24). Taking into account the effects of race, further subgroup analyses were performed and our results showed no association between the IL1B gene -511C/T polymorphism and IS in either Asians or Caucasians. No publication bias was found in our study. In conclusion, the IL1B gene -511C/T polymorphism might not be associated with IS risk.

TRANSCRIPTION. Recruitment of RNA polymerase II by the pioneer transcription factor PHA-4

Pioneer transcription factors initiate cell-fate changes by binding to silent target genes. They are among the first factors to bind key regulatory sites and facilitate chromatin opening. Here, we identify an additional role for pioneer factors. In early Caenorhabditis elegans foregut development, the pioneer factor PHA-4/FoxA binds promoters and recruits RNA polymerase II (Pol II), often in a poised configuration in which Pol II accumulates near transcription start sites. At a later developmental stage, PHA-4 promotes chromatin opening. We found many more genes with poised RNA polymerase than had been observed previously in unstaged embryos, revealing that early embryos accumulate poised Pol II and that poising is dynamic. Our results suggest that Pol II recruitment, in addition to chromatin opening, is an important feature of PHA-4 pioneer factor activity.

De novo assembly and characterization of the root transcriptome and development of simple sequence repeat markers in Paphiopedilum concolor

Paphiopedilum orchids (Orchidaceae) have attracted much attention from botanists and horticulturists because of their peculiar leaves and beautiful flowers. Furthermore, the dry roots of Paphiopedilum plants have well-known medicinal uses. However, it is unknown how sensitive and plastic the root genes are to environmental changes or how these environmental changes regulate the biosynthesis of active ingredients. In this study, we chose Paphiopedilum concolor for root sequencing, as it is widely used as a parent in breeding experiments. A total of 3.77 Gb of sequence data were generated by Illumina paired-end sequencing. De novo assemblies yielded 72,952 contigs, 67,434 scaffolds, 64,304 unigenes with average lengths of 937, 1022, and 1047 bp, respectively. Based on Basic Local Alignment Search Tool with known protein sequences, 40,815 (63.5%) unigenes were annotated with an E-value cutoff of 1.0E-5. Among the unigenes, 24,605 were classified in the Gene Ontology database, 17,361 were assigned to Cluster of Orthologous Groups, and 14,170 were annotated in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Among these annotations, over 1195 unigenes related to secondary metabolic pathways, as well as 609 unigenes involved in plant hormone synthesis and signal transduction, were identified. In addition, 5322 potential simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified, and 4989 primer pairs for 3975 sequences containing SSRs were obtained. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of genes that regulate root growth and development and provides a comprehensive resource for genes related to secondary metabolism in roots and for marker-assisted studies in Paphiopedilum.

Financial burden on the families of patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver diseases and the role of public health insurance in Yunnan province of China

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the financial burden of patients who had various stages of hepatitis B virus-related diseases and the level of alleviation from financial burden by health insurance schemes in Yunnan province of China.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

Patients' information was consecutively recorded at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, from December 2012 to June 2013. Consecutive cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) (520), compensated cirrhosis (91), decompensated cirrhosis (198) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (131) were recruited from the outpatient and inpatient departments. The total direct costs, hospital charge, outpatient costs, hospitalization fees being reimbursed and household catastrophic health expenditure were estimated for each disease group.

RESULTS

The average annual direct costs for each disease group were 19,496 RMB for HBV, 28,466 RMB in compensated cirrhosis, 46,061 RMB for decompensated cirrhosis, and 33,044 RMB for HCC patients. Catastrophic health expenditure occurred in all four groups. Health insurance reimbursement released the financial burden incurred by medical expenses of patients under a high level of household economic status. Public health insurance schemes helped the patients to various extents.

CONCLUSIONS

Among these patient groups, direct costs represent a significant economic burden. Health expenditure and financing systems must be considered to prevent the increase of household catastrophe, particularly among the poor.

Randomised controlled trial on the effectiveness of home-based walking exercise on anxiety, depression and cancer-related symptoms in patients with lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Although exercise has been addressed as an adjuvant treatment for anxiety, depression and cancer-related symptoms, limited studies have evaluated the effectiveness of exercise in patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

We recruited 116 patients from a medical centre in northern Taiwan, and randomly assigned them to either a walking-exercise group (n=58) or a usual-care group (n=58). We conducted a 12-week exercise programme that comprised home-based, moderate-intensity walking for 40 min per day, 3 days per week, and weekly exercise counselling. The outcome measures included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Taiwanese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory.

RESULTS

We analysed the effects of the exercise programme on anxiety, depression and cancer-related symptoms by using a generalised estimating equation method. The exercise group patients exhibited significant improvements in their anxiety levels over time (P=0.009 and 0.006 in the third and sixth months, respectively) and depression (P=0.00006 and 0.004 in the third and sixth months, respectively) than did the usual-care group patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The home-based walking exercise programme is a feasible and effective intervention method for managing anxiety and depression in lung cancer survivors and can be considered as an essential component of lung cancer rehabilitation.

Dilemma of applying telehealth for overseas organ transplantation: comparison on perspectives of health professionals and e-health information and communication technologists in Taiwan

INTRODUCTION

Telehealth is one of the avenues of e-health; it is a voice, image, or document delivery system via the internet and aims to assist patients to prevent disease and to promote health, diagnosis, self-care, and treatment. The purpose of using telehealth for overseas organ transplantation (OOT) was debated. This study aimed to explore the dilemma in applying telehealth for OOT patients from the perspectives of health professionals and e-health information and communication technologists (eh-ICTs) in Taiwan.

METHODS

An exploratory qualitative method was used, with a purposive sample of OT health professionals (OTHP) and eh-ICTs in Taiwan. Qualitative data were collected by face-to-face semistructured interviews, and were analyzed by content analysis.

RESULTS

Fifty subjects including 10 OT surgeons (OTS), 30 registered nurses (RNs), and 10 eh-ICTs participated in this study. Five dilemmas were identified: (1) medical law violation (80%, n = 40 of 50; 100% OTS [n = 10 of 10], 67% RNs [n = 20 of 30], 100% eh-ICTs [n = 10 of 10]); (2) integrating telecommunication and medical systems for OOT (74%, n = 37 of 50; 90% OTS [n = 9 of 10], 73% RNs [n = 22 of 30], 60% eh-ICTs [n = 6 of 10]); (3) the inconsistent caring protocols among medical parties (68%, n = 34 of 50; 80% OTS [n = 8 of 10], 70% RNs [n = 21 of 30], 50% eh-ICTs [n = 5 of 10]); (4) the uncertainty in quality of care in overseas medical institutes (62%, n = 31 of 50; 80% OTS [n = 8 of 10], 60% RNs [n = 18 of 30], 50% eh-ICTs [n = 5 of 10]); and (5) the uncertainty in cost-effectiveness (36%, n = 18 of 50; 60% OTS [n = 6 of 10], 17% RNs [n = 5 of 30], 70% eh-ICTs [n = 7 of 10]).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of telehealth for OOT is in its infancy. A systematic curriculum with advanced pilots targeted to develop telehealth for OOT will be needed for mutual communication between OTHPs and eh-ICTs in the near future.

First Report of Citrus yellow vein clearing virus on Lemon in Yunnan, China

Eureka lemon (Citrus limon) is an economically important crop in China. In 2009, a new disease was observed on Eureka lemon in an orchard of Ruili city in Yunnan Province. Nearly 10% of the plants were symptomatic with yellow vein clearing on lateral veins, combined with leaf crinkling and warping of young leaves. Water-soaked appearances were also seen on the adaxial leaf veins. The symptoms were present on mature leaves, resulting in almost 20% yield reduction. The symptoms on leaves were more severe in spring and autumn than in summer. This disease was transmitted by grafting from infected Eureka lemon to six lemon (C. limon) varieties (Femminello, Fino, Villafranca, Verna, Kutdiken, and Monachello) and two sour orange (C. aurantium) varieties (Daidai, Morocco), with inoculated plants showing similar symptoms. Variable symptoms were observed on other hosts, including severe yellowing and vein clearing on Dweet tangor (C. reticulata × C. sinensis), slight vein clearing on Tongshui 72-1 sweet orange (C. sinensis) and Marsh grapefruit (C. paradisi), but no symptoms were observed on Etrog citron (C. medica), Mexican lime (C. aurantifolia), or Ponkan (C. reticulata). When infected branches from Etrog citron, Mexican lime, and Ponkan were grafted onto healthy Morocco sour orange, typical yellowing and vein clearing symptoms were observed. In the mechanical transmission trials using eight herbaceous plant species, leaf rolling, shrinking, and pointed necrosis were observed on Vigna unguiculata, slight leaf rolling symptoms were observed on Capsicum frutescens, whereas Lycopersicum esculenum, Nicotiana benthamiana, Momordica charantia, Solanum melongena, Cucumis sativus, and Sesamum indicum remained symptomless. Symptom expression was influenced by temperature, being visible between 18 and 24°C but disappearing over 32°C. Crude extracts from young symptomatic lemon leaves were negatively stained for transmission electron microscopy observation (1) and showed filamentous virus particles of 13 to 15 × 400 to 1,000 nm. The described combination of symptoms in citrus species and herbaceous indicators, and virus morphology revealed by electron microscopy, suggested presence of Citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV). RNA extractions were made from 52 samples of Eureka lemon with yellow vein clearing symptoms. A one-step RT-PCR using primer pair (sense: 5'-TACCGCAGCTATCCATTTCC-3' and antisense: 5'-GCAGAAATCCCGAACCACTA-3'), designed from coat protein gene of CYVCV genome (GenBank Accession No. JX040635) (1), was performed. All of the symptomatic samples yielded the expected cDNA fragment and no amplicon was obtained from healthy plants. Three PCR amplicons were selected for cloning and sequencing. BLAST analysis showed that these nucleotide sequences (KJ859679 to 81) had greater than 97% nucleotide identity with the corresponding region of CYVCV reference genome (2), and therefore, this disease was associated with CYVCV. Symptoms resembling CYVCV infection were observed in China before (3); however, to our knowledge, this is the first proven report of CYVCV present in China. The identification of the pathogen now allows for appropriate field management and control measures. References: (1) V. Grimaldi et al. 13th IOCV Conference, 343-345, 1996. (2) G. Loconsole et al. Phytopathology 102:1168, 2012. (3) C. Zhou et al. 18th IOCV Conference, 44, 2010.

The needs and expectations of overseas liver transplant recipients' families in Taiwan: across different transplantation stages

AIMS

This study explored the needs and expectations of Taiwanese overseas liver transplant recipients' families (OLTRFs) across three liver transplantation stages.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An exploratory qualitative method was applied to a purposive sample of OLTRFs who received guided face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Data were subjected to content analysis.

RESULTS

Nineteen OLTRF members (15 females, 4 males) aged between 29 and 71 years (mean, 55.1 years) for 19 patients who had end-stage liver diseases were interviewed regarding overseas liver transplantation (OLT) across three stages: pre-departure (first stage), stay in mainland China (second stage), and re-entry into Taiwan (third stage). Five types of needs across OLT stages were reported: (a) knowing precise operation schedule in advance (first to second stages); (b) sharing the caring burdens (second to third stages); (c) knowing the updated health status if possible (all stages); (d) obtaining timely psychological support (all stages); and (e) effective communications between health professionals in Taiwan and mainland China to ensure the caring quality (all stages). Furthermore, five expectations were reported: (a) more donor sources (first stage); (b) comprehensive caring strategies for OLT (first stage); (c) a comprehensive consultation system and timely assistance channels for OLT recipients and their families (second to third stages); (d) a legal and accessible therapy process (all stages); and (e) the cooperation with foreign countries and allowed experience sharing for better quality of patient care (all stages).

CONCLUSIONS

Most ethnic Chinese believe that family is an integrated system; moreover, there is close attachment between OLT recipients and their families. The needs and expectations of the recipients' family across three transplantation stages were first reported in this project. With this knowledge, the health providers of related countries are empowered by a better understanding of the family's needs and expectations of these OLT recipients at different stages.

Transcripts involved in calcium signaling and telencephalic neuronal fate are altered in induced pluripotent stem cells from bipolar disorder patients

Bipolar disorder (BP) is a chronic psychiatric condition characterized by dynamic, pathological mood fluctuations from mania to depression. To date, a major challenge in studying human neuropsychiatric conditions such as BP has been limited access to viable central nervous system tissue to examine disease progression. Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) now offer an opportunity to analyze the full compliment of neural tissues and the prospect of identifying novel disease mechanisms. We have examined changes in gene expression as iPSC derived from well-characterized patients differentiate into neurons; there was little difference in the transcriptome of iPSC, but BP neurons were significantly different than controls in their transcriptional profile. Expression of transcripts for membrane bound receptors and ion channels was significantly increased in BP-derived neurons compared with controls, and we found that lithium pretreatment of BP neurons significantly altered their calcium transient and wave amplitude. The expression of transcription factors involved in the specification of telencephalic neuronal identity was also altered. Control neurons expressed transcripts that confer dorsal telencephalic fate, whereas BP neurons expressed genes involved in the differentiation of ventral (medial ganglionic eminence) regions. Cells were responsive to dorsal/ventral patterning cues, as addition of the Hedgehog (ventral) pathway activator purmorphamine or a dorsalizing agent (lithium) stimulated expression of NKX2-1 (ventral identity) or EMX2 (dorsal) in both groups. Cell-based models should have a significant impact on our understanding of the genesis and therefore treatment of BP; the iPSC cell lines themselves provide an important resource for comparison with other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Cytomegalovirus infection accelerates the process of chronic rejection in rat liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of the pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection for rat chronic liver rejection.

METHODS

Based on animal models that we previously developed, we divided control and a CMV infection group to analyze survival, histopathology and rejection activity. The level and mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were measured in peripheral blood serum and liver tissue.

RESULTS

Obliterative arteriopathy and fibrosis was significantly greater in the CMV infection versus the control group (P < .05). PDGF mRNA expression in rat liver and in peripheral blood were significantly higher in the CMV infection versus the control group (P < .05). bFGF mRNA expression in the CMV infection group was also significantly higher than among the controls (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

CMV infection aggravated foam cell obliterative arteriopathy and liver fibrosis in chronic liver rejection, processes that accelerate the immune response, which may correlate with early high PDGF and bFGF expression.

Decoupling free-carriers contributions from oxygen-vacancy and cation-substitution in extrinsic conducting oxides

The intrinsic oxygen-vacancies and the extrinsic dopants are two major fundamental free-carrier sources for the extrinsic conducting oxides, such as Sn-doped In(2)O(3). Yet, the individual contributions of the above two free-carrier sources to the total carrier concentrations have never been unraveled. A carrier-concentration separation model is derived in this work, which can define the individual contributions to the total carrier concentration from the intrinsic oxygen-vacancies and the extrinsic dopants, separately. The individual contributions obtained from the present carrier-concentration separation model are verified by the two-state trapping model, photoluminescence, and positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectroscopy. In addition, the oxygen-vacancy formation energy of the Sn:In(2)O(3) thin film is determined to be 0.25 eV by PAL spectroscopy.

Arecoline-stimulated placenta growth factor production in gingival epithelial cells: modulation by curcumin

OBJECTIVE

Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is associated with the progression and prognosis of oral cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study used ELISA, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting to study the arecoline-stimulated (PlGF) protein or mRNA expression in human gingival epithelial S-G cells.

RESULTS

Arecoline, a major areca nut alkaloid and an oral carcinogen, could stimulate PlGF protein synthesis in S-G cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The levels of PlGF protein secretion increased about 3.1- and 3.8-fold after 24-h exposure to 0.4 and 0.8 mM arecoline, respectively. Pretreatment with antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) and ERK inhibitor PD98059, but not NF-κB inhibitor Bay 11-7082, JNK inhibitor SP600125, p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580, and PI3-K inhibitor LY294002, significantly reduced arecoline-induced PlGF protein synthesis. ELISA analyses demonstrated that NAC and PD98059 reduced about 43% and 38% of the arecoline-induced PlGF protein secretion, respectively. However, combined treatment with NAC and PD98059 did not show additive effect. Moreover, 10 μM curcumin and 4 mM NAC significantly inhibited arecoline-induced ERK activation. Furthermore, 10 μM curcumin completely blocked arecoline-induced PlGF mRNA expression.

CONCLUSION

Arecoline-induced PlGF synthesis is probably mediated by reactive oxygen species/ERK pathways, and curcumin may be an useful agent in controlling oral carcinogenesis.

Newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia in China (I): abnormal genetic patterns in 1346 childhood and adult cases and their comparison with the reports from Western countries

It has been generally acknowledged that the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis evaluation of leukemia largely rely on an adequate identification of genetic abnormalities. A systemic analysis of genetic aberrations was performed in a cohort of 1346 patients with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in China. The pediatric patients had higher incidence of hyperdiploidy and t(12;21) (p13;q22)/ETV6-RUNX1 than adults (P<0.0001); in contrast, the occurrence of Ph and Ik6 variant of IKZF1 gene was much more frequent in adult patients (all P<0.0001). In B-ALL, the existence of Ik6 and that of BCR-ABL were statistically correlated (P<0.0001). In comparison with Western cohorts, the incidence of t(9;22) (q34;q11)/BCR-ABL (14.60%) in B-ALL and HOX11 expression in T-ALL (25.24%) seemed to be much higher in our group, while the incidence of t(12;21) (p13;q22)/ETV6-RUNX1 (15.34%) seemed to be lower in Chinese pediatric patients. The occurrence of hyperdiploidy was much lower either in pediatric (10.61% vs 20-38%) or adult patients (2.36% vs 6.77-12%) in our study than in Western reports. In addition, the frequencies of HOX11L2 in adult patients were much higher in our cohort than in Western countries (20.69% vs 4-11%). In general, it seems that Chinese ALL patients bear more adverse prognostic factors than their Western counterparts do.

Motivations and decision-making dilemmas of overseas liver transplantation: Taiwan recipients' perspectives

PURPOSE

This study sought to explore the motivation and dilemmas in the decision-making process encountered by Taiwan overseas orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We used an exploratory qualitative research method on a sample of transplant recipients. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were performed with a semistructured interview guide. Data were evaluated by qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

We interviewed 15 patients including 11 males and 4 females aged between 41 and 68 years (mean = 57.3) including 14 who received OLT in China and one in the United States. The most important motivations were saving lives from end-stage liver disease and avoiding a hopeless sense of their residual lives with the psychological torture of a waiting death. Their decision-making process leading to overseas OLT could be divided into several phases among which the phase of transplant data evaluation and decision was the most critical one. Nevertheless, every stage and phase had its unique contents, factors, and dilemmas.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that patients encountered various dilemmas at different phases in the decision-making process of considering overseas OLT. This information is important for care providers and policy makers in dealing with patients who consider overseas OLT.

Methylprednisolone reduces the rates of postextubation stridor and reintubation associated with attenuated cytokine responses in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND

Treatment with corticosteroids can reduce the incidence of postextubation stridor (PES) and reintubation in critically ill adult patients, but the mechanisms remain unknown.

METHODS

A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in an adult medical and surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a teaching hospital. Seventy-one patients who had a cuff leak percentage <24% of tidal volume received either a bolus injection of methylprednisolone at 40 mg (treated group, n=38) or normal saline (placebo group, n=33) 4 h prior to a planned extubation. The cuff leak percentage was re-assessed 1 h and 4 h post-injection. Eighty patients who had a cuff leak percentage ≥ 24% served as a control group. Plasma concentrations of multiple cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured at baseline, 4 h and 24 h after the intervention.

RESULTS

The incidences of PES (15.8% vs. 39.4%, P<0.05) and reintubation rate (7.9% vs. 30.3%, P<0.05) were lower in the treated group compared to the placebo group. The plasma concentrations of IL-4 and IL-10 increased while the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 decreased at 24 h in the treated group compared to the placebo group. No difference in CRP levels was observed between the treated and placebo groups.

CONCLUSION

A single injection of methylprednisolone at the dose used 4 h prior to planned extubation effectively reduced the incidence of PES and the reintubation rate. These beneficial effects were associated with the up-regulation of IL-4 and IL-10 and the down-regulation of IL-6 and IL-8 in the critically ill adult patients.

Novel distribution of cluster of differentiation 200 adhesion molecule in glial cells of the peripheral nervous system of rats and its modulation after nerve injury

This study examined CD200 expression in different peripheral nerves and ganglia. Intense CD200 immunoreactivity was consistently localized in unmyelinated nerve fibers as opposed to a faint immunostaining in the myelinated nerve fibers. By light microscopy, structures resembling the node of Ranvier and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures in the myelinated nerve fibers displayed CD200 immunoreactivity. Ultrastructural study revealed CD200 expression on the neurilemma of Schwann cells whose microvilli and paranodal loops at the node of Ranvier were immunoreactive. The CD200 immunoexpression was also localized in the satellite glial cells of sensory and autonomic ganglia and in the enteric glial cells. Double labeling of CD200 with specific antigens of satellite glia or Schwann cells in the primary cultures of dorsal root ganglia had shown a differential expression of CD200 in the peripheral glial cells. The existence of CD200 in glial cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) was corroborated by the expression of CD200 mRNA and protein in a rat Schwann cell line RSC96. Using the model of crush or transected sciatic nerve, it was found that CD200 expression was attenuated or diminished at the site of lesion. A remarkable feature, however, was an increase in incidence of CD200-labelled Schmidt-Lanterman incisures proximal to the injured site at 7 days postlesion. Because CD200 has been reported to impart immunosuppressive signal, we suggest that its localization in PNS glial cells may play a novel inhibitory role in immune homeostasis in both normal and pathological conditions.

Increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for women with migraines: a nationwide population-based study

Using a 3-year nationwide population-based database, this study aims to examine the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with migraines, including low birthweight (LBW), preterm birth, infants born small for gestational age, Caesarean section (CS) and pre-eclampsia. We identified a total of 4911 women with migraines who gave birth from 2001 to 2003, together with 24,555 matched women as a comparison cohort. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that after adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratios were 1.16 [95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.03-1.31, P = 0.014] for LBW, 1.24 (95% CI = 1.13-1.39, P < 0.001) for preterm births, 1.16 (95% CI = 1.07-1.24, P < 0.001) for CS and 1.34 (95% CI = 1.02-1.77, P = 0.027) for pre-eclampsia for women with migraines compared with unaffected mothers. We conclude that women with migraines were at increased risk of having LBW, preterm babies, pre-eclampsia and delivery by CS, compared with unaffected mothers.