The single nucleotide polymorphism g.133A>C in the stearoyl CoA desaturase gene (SCD) promoter affects gene expression and quali-quantitative properties of river buffalo milk

The stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) gene has been investigated in depth in ruminants because of its effect on milk fat composition. In river buffalo, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) g.133A>C in the gene promoter has been associated with milk quality and yield. However, the biological reason for such effects remains unexplored. In this study, we combined mRNA profile analysis, an electromobility shift assay, and quantitative PCR to elucidate the role of this SNP on gene transcription and its effects on milk fat traits. A preliminary genotyping of g.133A>C was carried out on a group of 303 river buffaloes to choose individuals for the downstream applications. Analysis of allele frequencies showed an increase in the minor allele C (0.25) compared with previous findings (0.16). Six animals (2 for each genotype) were chosen for cloning and 216 positive cDNA recombinant clones for SCD (72 per genotype) were analyzed by PCR. All clones showed the same length on agarose gel; therefore, random clones were chosen for sequencing. No qualitative differences were found and all gene transcripts assembled correctly. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay was performed to evaluate the binding of the transcription factor Sp1 to DNA sequences including g.133A>C. Genotype CC showed a higher binding (mean ± standard error of the mean) than genotype AA in 2 different conditions [Enzo buffer (EB), Enzo Life Science Inc., Farmingdale, NY: 201.77 ± 4.06 vs. 141.65 ± 3.77 band intensity values and Poletto buffer (PB): 95.90 ± 1.15 vs. 67.30 ± 2.14 band intensity values]. The subsequent quantitative PCR confirmed the upregulation of the CC genotype compared with the AA and AC genotypes. The association study with milk fat traits revealed a favorable effect of allele C. The heterozygous genotype had the highest values for monounsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid (C18:1 cis-9), polyunsaturated fatty acids, and odd- and branched-chain fatty acids, and the lowest values for saturated fatty acids and atherogenic and thrombogenic indices; the heterozygous genotype differed significantly from the AA genotype. The AC genotype has previously been associated with higher milk yield. Therefore, the g.133A>C SNP is a marker with dual effects and is an interesting candidate for assisted selection programs in river buffalo. These data clarified the biological role of the SNP g.133A>C in the SCD promoter and how it affects gene function, providing important knowledge on the genetic background of lipid metabolism, including the future possibility of selecting alleles with quantitatively or qualitatively favorable effects.

[Discrimination on a disease of Foot-Taiyang Meridian named "Chong head()" or "Chong headache()"]

In various versions of Mai Shu(), "Chong head()" or "Chong headache()" is a disease of Foot-Taiyang Meridian. "Chong()" cannot be interchanged with "swell()" , and it does not have the meaning of "upward" . In ancient medical records, the headache due to "reversing Qi uprush" has nothing to do with Foot-Taiyang Meridian. The word "Chong()" is commonly used before the Han Dynasty as "collide" or "strike" . "Chong head()" or "Chong headache()" can be interpreted as a striking pain in head. which can reasonably solve the problems of disparate explanations in all versions of Mai Shu(), as well as the some internal problems of traditional medical principles.

Prospective Comparison of Equations Based on Creatinine and Cystatin C for the Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation in Chinese Renal Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is no dedicated equation to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for transplanted kidneys. This study aimed to compare the performance of serum creatinine (Scr)- and cystatin C (CysC)-based equations in Chinese renal transplant recipients.

METHODS

A total of 252 stable renal transplant recipients were enrolled in this study. The plasma clearance of ^99mTc-DTPA (rGFR) was used as a reference standard. The Scr, CysC, and rGFR of the patients were measured on the same day. The bias, precision, accuracy (percentage of estimates within 10%, 30%, and 50% of rGFR), and agreements of 8 Scr and 5 CysC eGFR equations were assessed. The factors affecting the accuracy were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Among the Scr-based equations, the Japanese Society of Nephrology-Chronic Kidney Disease Initiatives (JSN-CKDI) equation had the best overall performance with a bias of -6.2 mL/min/1.73 m², and 96.1% of its estimates were within 30% of the rGFR. For the CysC-based equations, the Filler equation had the best performance with a bias of -3.9 mL/min/1.73 m², and 93.7% of its estimates were within 30% of the rGFR. Overall, the CysC-based equations showed better performance than the Scr-based equations. In addition, significant differences were observed between bias and gender and between bias and rGFR value in some equations, whereas transplantation time and immunosuppressive regimens were not correlated with the bias.

CONCLUSION

The JSN-CKDI equation provides the best estimation of the GFR equations, and the CysC-based equations performed better than the Scr-based equations in this population.

Comparing Modified Huddart-Bodenham Scoring System and GOSLON Yardstick to Assess Dental Arch Relationships in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients

OBJECTIVE

To test the reliability of the modified Huddart-Bodenham (MHB) numerical scoring system and its agreement with the GOSLON Yardstick categorization for assessing the dental arch relationships in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) cases.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong.

PATIENTS

Forty-one nonsyndromic UCLP consecutive patients attending the Joint Cleft Lip/Palate Clinic at Faculty of Dentistry in the University of Hong Kong were selected.

INTERVENTIONS

Study models at 8 to 10 years old (T1) and 10 to 12 years old (T2) were obtained from each patient.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Models were rated with the MHB scoring system and GOSLON Yardstick index. The intra- and interexaminer reliabilities as well as correlation of both scoring systems were evaluated. Furthermore, to investigate the outcome measurements consistency, the MHB scoring system and GOSLON Yardstick were independently used to compare the dental arch relationships from T1 to T2, with the samples split into intervention and nonintervention groups.

RESULTS

The MHB scoring system presented good intra- and interexaminer agreement, which were comparable to those of the GOSLON Yardstick. The correlation between the MHB scoring system and GOSLON Yardstick scores was good. Both scoring systems showed similar results when assessing the change in the dental arch relationships from T1 to T2.

CONCLUSIONS

The MHB scoring system can be used as an alternative method to the commonly used GOSLON Yardstick for assessing dental deformities in UCLP patients. Both scoring systems showed similar results in assessing the improvement in dental arch relationships.

[Genetic Polymorphism of 30 InDel Loci in Han Population from Jiangsu Province]

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the genetic information of 30 insertion/deletion （InDel） loci in Han population from Jiangsu Province, and to explore the application values of Investigator® DIPplex kit for guiding the forensic analysis in Han population from Jiangsu Province.

METHODS

The autosomal InDel loci of 305 unrelated healthy Han individuals from Jiangsu Province were genotyped and analysed by Investigator® DIPplex kit, and the allelic frequencies and forensic parameters of 30 InDel loci were statistically analysed.

RESULTS

The distribution of 30 InDel loci in Han population from Jiangsu Province conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The minor allele frequencies of 21 InDel loci were above 0.3. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.089 to 0.375, while the discrimination power distributed from 0.093 to 0.500. The paternity exclusion in duo cases and trio cases were 0.047-0.250 and 0.046-0.219, respectively. The linkage disequilibrium analysis of 30 InDel loci showed that all loci were independent from each other. The combined discrimination power was 1-7.369×10⁻⁸, whereas the combined mean exclusion chance in duo cases was 0.998 933 978, in trio cases was 0.997 806 392. The F_st values were all less than 0.06 except HLD118 and other four loci, which showed small differences between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The InDel loci of Investigator® DIPplex kit can be used as complementary genetic markers for the cases associated with forensic genetics.

Stimuli-Responsive Nanodiamond-Based Biosensor for Enhanced Metastatic Tumor Site Detection

Metastasis is often critical to cancer progression and linked to poor survival and drug resistance. Early detection of metastasis, as well as identification of metastatic tumor sites, can improve cancer patient survival. Thus, developing technology to improve the detection of cancer metastasis biomarkers can improve both diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we investigated the use of nanodiamonds to develop a stimuli-responsive metastasis detection complex that utilizes matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) as a metastasis biomarker, as MMP9 increased expression has been shown to be indicative of metastasis. The nanodiamond-MMP9 biosensor complex consists of nanodiamonds functionalized with MMP9-specific fluorescent-labeled substrate peptides. Using this design, protease activity of MMP9 can be accurately measured and correlated to MMP9 expression. The nanodiamond-MMP9 biosensor also demonstrated an enhanced ability to protect the base sensor peptide from nonspecific serum protease cleavage. This enhanced peptide stability, combined with a quantitative stimuli-responsive output function, provides strong evidence for the further development of a nanodiamond-MMP9 biosensor for metastasis site detection. More importantly, this work provides the foundation for use of nanodiamonds as a platform for stimuli-responsive biosensors and theranostic complexes that can be implemented across a wide range of biomedical applications.

Transcript analysis at DGAT1 reveals different mRNA profiles in river buffaloes with extreme phenotypes for milk fat

Buffalo DGAT1 (diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1) was mainly investigated for the characterization of the gene itself and for the identification of the K232A polymorphism, similar to what has been accomplished in cattle, although no information has been reported so far at the mRNA level. The importance of DGAT1 for lipid metabolism led us to investigate the transcript profiles of lactating buffaloes characterized as high (9.13 ± 0.23) and low (7.94 ± 0.29) for milk fat percentage, and to explore the genetic diversity at the RNA and DNA level. A total of 336 positive clones for the DGAT1 cDNA were analyzed by PCR and chosen for sequencing according to the differences in length. The clone assembling revealed a very complex mRNA pattern with a total of 21 transcripts differently represented in the 2 groups of animals. Apart from the correct transcript (17 exons long), the skipping of exon 12 is the most significant in terms of distribution of clones with 11.6% difference between the 2 groups, whereas a totally different mRNA profile was found in approximately 12% of clones. The sequencing of genomic DNA allowed the identification of 10 polymorphic sites at the intron level, which clarify, at least partially, the genetic events behind the production of complex mRNA. Genetic diversity was found also at the exon level. The single nucleotide polymorphism c.1053C>T represents the first example of polymorphism in a coding region for the DGAT1 in the Italian Mediterranean breed. To establish whether this polymorphism is present in other buffalo breeds, a quick method based on PCR-RFLP was set up for allelic discrimination in the Italian Mediterranean and the Romanian Murrah (200 animals in total). The alleles were equally represented in the overall population, whereas the analysis of the 2 breeds showed different frequencies, likely indicating diverse genetic structure of the 2 breeds. The T allele might be considered as the ancestral condition of the DGAT1 gene, being present in the great part of the sequenced species. These data add knowledge at the transcript and genetic levels for the buffalo DGAT1 and open the opportunity for further investigation of other genes involved in milk fat metabolism for the river buffalo, including the future possibility of selecting alleles with quantitative or qualitative favorable effects (or both).

Biomimetic and plasmonic hybrid light trapping for highly efficient ultrathin crystalline silicon solar cells

Designing effective light-trapping structures for the insufficiently absorbed long-wavelength light in ultrathin silicon solar cells represents a key challenge to achieve low cost and highly efficient solar cells. We propose a hybrid structure based on the biomimetic silicon moth-eye structure combined with Ag nanoparticles to achieve advanced light trapping in 2 μm thick crystalline silicon solar cells approaching the Yablonovitch limit. By synergistically using the Mie resonances of the silicon moth-eye structure and the plasmonic resonances of the Ag nanoparticles, the integrated absorption enhancement achieved across the usable solar spectrum is 69% compared with the cells with the conventional light trapping design. This is significantly larger than both the silicon moth-eye structure (58%) and Ag nanoparticle (41%) individual light trapping. The generated photocurrent in the 2 μm thick silicon layer is as large as 33.4 mA/cm², which is equivalent to that generated by a 30 μm single-pass absorption in the silicon. The research paves the way for designing highly efficient light trapping structures in ultrathin silicon solar cells.

Visualizing nanoscale 3D compositional fluctuation of lithium in advanced lithium-ion battery cathodes

The distribution of cations in Li-ion battery cathodes as a function of cycling is a pivotal characteristic of battery performance. The transition metal cation distribution has been shown to affect cathode performance; however, Li is notoriously challenging to characterize with typical imaging techniques. Here laser-assisted atom probe tomography (APT) is used to map the three-dimensional distribution of Li at a sub-nanometre spatial resolution and correlate it with the distribution of the transition metal cations (M) and the oxygen. As-fabricated layered Li_1.2Ni_0.2Mn_0.6O₂ is shown to have Li-rich Li₂MO₃ phase regions and Li-depleted Li(Ni_0.5Mn_0.5)O₂ regions. Cycled material has an overall loss of Li in addition to Ni-, Mn- and Li-rich regions. Spinel LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ is shown to have a uniform distribution of all cations. APT results were compared to energy dispersive spectroscopy mapping with a scanning transmission electron microscope to confirm the transition metal cation distribution.

It is challenging to quantitatively diagnose the lithium-ion distribution in batteries. Here, the authors use laser-assisted atom probe tomography to probe the nanoscale compositional fluctuations of lithium ions in two popular lithium-ion battery cathodes before and after electrochemical cycling.

Simulation of the phase diagram of magnetic vortices in two-dimensional superconductors: evidence for vortex chain formation

We study the superconducting vortex states induced by the interplay of long-range Pearl repulsion and short-range intervortex attraction using Langevin dynamics simulations. We show that at low temperatures the vortices form an ordered Abrikosov lattice both in low and high fields. The vortices show distinctive modulated structures at intermediate fields depending on the effective intervortex attraction: ordered vortex chain and kagome-like vortex structures for weak attraction; bubble, stripe and antibubble lattices for strong attraction. Moreover, in the regime of the chain state, the vortices display structural transitions from chain to labyrinthine (or disordered chain) and/or to disordered states depending on the strength of the disorder.

Pharmacokinetics and ex-vivo pharmacodynamics of cefquinome against Klebsiella pneumonia in healthy dogs

A two-period cross-over study was carried to investigate the pharmacokinetics (PK) and ex-vivo pharmacodynamics (PD) of cefquinome when administrated intravenously (IV) and intramuscularly (IM) in seven healthy dogs at a dose of 2 mg/kg of body weight. Serum concentrations were determined by HPLC-MS/MS assay and cefquinome concentration vs. time data after IV and IM were best fit to a two-compartment open model. Cefquinome mean values of area under concentration-time curve (AUC) were 5.15 μg · h/mL for IV dose and 4.59 μg · h/mL for IM dose. Distribution half-lives and elimination half-lives after IV dose and IM dose were 0.27 and 0.44 h, 1.53 and 1.94 h, respectively. Values of total body clearance (ClB ) and volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss ) were 0.49 L · kg/h and 0.81 L/kg, respectively. After IM dose, Cmax was 2.53 μg/mL and the bioavailability was 89.13%. For PD profile, the determined MIC and MBC values against K. pneumonia were 0.030 and 0.060 μg/mL in MHB and 0.032 and 0.064 μg/mL in serum. The ex vivo time-kill curves also were established in serum. In conjunction with the data on MIC, MBC values and the ex vivo bactericidal activity in serum, the present results allowed prediction that a single cefquinome dosage of 2 mg/kg may be effective in dogs against K. pneumonia infection.

Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a clinical dilemma and challenge

Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which represents a small proportion of head-and-neck cancers, has a unique set of patho-clinical characteristics. The management of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma remains a challenging clinical problem. Traditional treatments offer limited local control and survival benefits; more seriously, they frequently induce severe late complications. Recently, novel treatment techniques and strategies-including precision radiotherapy, endoscopic surgery or transoral robotic resection, third-generation chemotherapy regimens, and targeted therapies and immunotherapy-have provided new hope for patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Some of these patients can potentially be cured with modern treatments. However, a lack of adequate evidence makes it difficult for clinicians to apply these powerful techniques and strategies. Individualized management guidelines, full evaluation of quality of life in these patients, and a further understanding of the mechanisms underlying recurrence are future directions for research into recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

A novel chemical uncoupler ameliorates obesity and related phenotypes in mice with diet-induced obesity by modulating energy expenditure and food intake

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Decreasing mitochondrial coupling efficiency has been shown to be an effective therapy for obesity and related metabolic symptoms. Here we identified a novel mitochondrial uncoupler that promoted uncoupled respiration in a cell type-specific manner and investigated its effects on modulation of energy metabolism in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

We screened a collection of mitochondrial membrane potential depolarising compounds for a novel chemical uncoupler on isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria using a channel oxygen system. The effect on respiration of metabolic cells (L6 myotubes, 3T3-L1 adipocytes and rat primary hepatocytes) was examined and metabolic pathways sensitive to cellular ATP content were also evaluated. The chronic metabolic effects were investigated in high-fat diet-induced obese mice and standard diet-fed (SD) lean mice.

RESULTS

The novel uncoupler, CZ5, promoted uncoupled respiration in a cell type-specific manner. It stimulated fuel oxidation in L6 myotubes and reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes but did not affect gluconeogenesis or the triacylglycerol content in hepatocytes. The administration of CZ5 to SD mice increased energy expenditure (EE) but did not affect body weight or adiposity. Chronic studies in mice on high-fat diet showed that CZ5 reduced body weight and improved glucose and lipid metabolism via both increased EE and suppressed energy intake. The reduced adiposity was associated with the restoration of expression of key metabolic genes in visceral adipose tissue.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

This work demonstrates that a cell type-specific mitochondrial chemical uncoupler may have therapeutic potential for treating high-fat diet-induced metabolic diseases.

Reduction of osteopontin in vivo inhibits tubular epithelial to mesenchymal transition in rats with chronic allograft nephropathy

OBJECTIVE

Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is an important etiological factor causing graft loss. However, the mechanism of CAN is unclear. Osteopontin (OPN), a proinflammatory and profibrosis molecule, plays a key role in late stages of renal diseases. We investigated the potential role of OPN in the pathogenesis of CAN.

METHODS

Using a F344 to Lewis rat CAN model, we injected short hairpin RNA (shRNA) constructs targeting OPN or negative control plasmids through the renal vein following electroporation. At 12 weeks after the transplantation, we determined interstitial fibrosis (IF) and tubular atrophy (TA) of the tubular epithelial cells (TECs). OPN expression was examined using Western blots and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Molecules involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of TECs were examined using IHC and Western blots.

RESULTS

OPN expression in kidney grafts was decreased by the RNA interference (RNAi) group. Histology observations showed IF and TA to be mild with stable renal function in the RNAi-treated group. EMT of TECs was significantly lessened after reducing OPN.

CONCLUSION

Reduction of OPN in vivo inhibited progression of CAN. OPN may be of therapeutic value in transplantation settings.

Resonant soft-X-ray emission as a bulk probe of correlated electron behavior in metallic SrxCa1-xVO3

The evolution of electron correlation in SrxCa1-xVO3 has been studied using a combination of bulk-sensitive resonant soft x-ray emission spectroscopy, surface-sensitive photoemission spectroscopy, and ab initio band structure calculations. We show that the effect of electron correlation is enhanced at the surface. Strong incoherent Hubbard subbands are found to lie ∼20% closer in energy to the coherent quasiparticle features in surface-sensitive photoemission spectroscopy measurements compared with those from bulk-sensitive resonant soft x-ray emission spectroscopy, and a ∼10% narrowing of the overall bandwidth at the surface is also observed.

Insight into the sporulation phosphorelay: crystal structure of the sensor domain of Bacillus subtilis histidine kinase, KinD

The Bacillus subtilis KinD signal-transducing histidine kinase is a part of the sporulation phosphorelay known to regulate important developmental decisions such as sporulation and biofilm formation. We have determined crystal structures of the extracytoplasmic sensing domain of KinD, which was copurified and crystallized with a pyruvate ligand. The structure of a ligand-binding site mutant was also determined; it was copurified and crystallized with an acetate ligand. The structure of the KinD extracytoplasmic segment is similar to that of several other sensing domains of signal transduction proteins and is composed of tandem Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS)-like domains. The KinD ligand-binding site is located on the membrane distal PAS-like domain and appears to be highly selective; a single mutation, R131A, abolishes pyruvate binding and the mutant binds acetate instead. Differential scanning fluorimetry, using a variety of monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids, identified pyruvate, propionate, and butyrate but not lactate, acetate, or malate as KinD ligands. A recent report found that malate induces biofilm formation in a KinD-dependent manner. It was suggested that malate might induce a metabolic shift and increased secretion of the KinD ligand of unknown identity. The structure and binding assays now suggests that this ligand is pyruvate and/or other small monocarboxylic acids. In summary, this study gives a first insight into the identity of a molecular ligand for one of the five phosphorelay kinases of B. subtilis.

Interfacial ferromagnetism and exchange bias in CaRuO3/CaMnO3 superlattices

We have found ferromagnetism in epitaxially grown superlattices of CaRuO(3)/CaMnO(3) that arises in one unit cell at the interface. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy indicate that the difference in magnitude of the Mn valence states between the center of the CaMnO(3) layer and the interface region is consistent with double exchange interaction among the Mn ions at the interface. Polarized neutron reflectivity and the CaMnO(3) thickness dependence of the exchange bias field together indicate that the interfacial ferromagnetism is only limited to one unit cell of CaMnO(3) at each interface. The interfacial moment alternates between the 1 μ(B)/interface Mn ion for even CaMnO(3) layers and the 0.5 μ(B)/interface Mn ion for odd CaMnO(3) layers. This modulation, combined with the exchange bias, suggests the presence of a modulating interlayer coupling between neighboring ferromagnetic interfaces via the antiferromagnetic CaMnO(3) layers.

Expression of putative stem marker nestin and CD133 in advanced serous ovarian cancer

It is hypothesized that "cancer stem cells" are responsible for the resistance to chemotherapy of cancer cells in ovarian cancers. The objective of the studies was to explore if the stem cell biomarkers could be used to predict the tumor chemotherapy-resistance in serous ovarian cancer patients. Expression of two putative stem cell markers CD133 and nestin, and vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were detected in 123 cases of advanced serous ovarian cancer specimens by immunohistochemistry. To estimate intra-tumoral microvessel density (MVD), CD34 immunostaining was also performed. CD133 and nestin were defined to be positive in 35.0% and 32.5% of the serous ovarian carcinoma tissues, respectively. It was observed that overexpression of nestin but not CD133 was associated with the cisplatin-based chemotherapy resistance and shorter overall survival of the patients, and nestin was found to be an independent prognostic factor. Moreover, positive nestin expression also correlated to increased expression of EGFR and VEGF, and elevated MVD in tumors. The results of this study suggest that serous ovarian cancers with high expression level of nestin represent an aggressive malignant phenotype associated with poor prognosis, and treatment targeted the nestin positive cancer cells might be a promising therapeutic strategy for this subgroups.

The polymorphisms in the VHL and HIF1A genes are associated with the prognosis but not the development of renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1A) play a pivotal role in renal carcinogenesis. This study was aimed to clarify the influence of VHL and HIF1A polymorphisms on renal cell cancer (RCC) susceptibility and survival.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We genotyped four potentially functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs779805 in VHL and rs11549465, rs11549467, and rs2057482 in HIF1A) and assessed their associations with RCC risk, clinicopathologic parameters in a case-control study of 620 patients and 623 controls, and the prognosis of RCC in a cohort of 311 patients.

RESULTS

No significant differences in VHL or HIF1A genotypes were observed between RCC cases and controls. However, individuals with ≥2 variant alleles of the four polymorphisms were associated with less frequent lymph node metastasis and lower clinical stage (P = 0.032 and P = 0.041, respectively). And the number of variant alleles was associated with improved survival in a dose-response manner (P(trend) = 0.013). Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the number of variant alleles (≥1 versus 0) was an independent prognostic factor for RCC survival (P = 0.036) together with clinical stage and tumor grade.

CONCLUSION

The VHL and HIF1A polymorphisms may not influence RCC susceptibility but may jointly influence RCC progression and survival.

Circular dichroism in biological photonic crystals and cubic chiral nets

Nature provides impressive examples of chiral photonic crystals, with the notable example of the cubic so-called srs network (the label for the chiral degree-three network modeled on SrSi2) or gyroid structure realized in wing scales of several butterfly species. By a circular polarization analysis of the band structure of such networks, we demonstrate strong circular dichroism effects: The butterfly srs microstructure, of cubic I4(1)32 symmetry, shows significant circular dichroism for blue to ultraviolet light, that warrants a search for biological receptors sensitive to circular polarization. A derived synthetic structure based on four like-handed silicon srs nets exhibits a large circular polarization stop band of a width exceeding 30%. These findings offer design principles for chiral photonic devices.

Interplay of cAMP and MAPK pathways in hCG secretion and fusogenic gene expression in a trophoblast cell line

Differentiation of human placental mononuclear trophoblasts into a multinucleate syncytium involves up-regulation of key proteins promoting cell fusion and increased capacity for placental hormonogenesis. It is well established that the activation of adenylyl cyclase leads to increased expression of trophoblast fusogenic gene machinery and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) secretion. We used the forskolin-induced syncytialisation of BeWo choriocarcinoma cells as a model to characterise in detail the signalling pathway downstream of adenylyl cyclase. Forskolin treatment induced a rapid and potent ERK1/2 and p38MAPK phosphorylation; this cascade required PKA-AKAP interactions and led to downstream CREB-1/ATF-1 phosphorylation via ERK1/2-dependent but p38MAPK-independent mechanisms. Interestingly both p38MAPK and ERK1/2 were involved in forskolin-induced hCG-secretion, suggesting the presence of additional p38MAPK-dependent but CREB-1/ATF-1-independent pathways. Forskolin treatment of BeWo cells significantly up-regulated the expression of various fusogenic gene mRNAs, including syncytin-1 and -2 (by 3- and 10-fold, respectively) the transcription factors old astrocyte specifically induced substance (OASIS) and glial cells missing a (GCMa) (by 3- and 6-fold, respectively) and the syncytin-2 receptor, major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2 (MFSD2) (by 2-fold). Up-regulation of AKAP79 and AKAP250 (by 2.5- and 4-fold, respectively) was also identified in forskolin-treated BeWo cells. Forskolin effects on all these genes were suppressed by chemical inhibition of p38MAPK whereas only specific genes were sensitive to ERK1/2 inhibition. This data provide novel insights into the signalling molecules and mechanisms regulating fusogenic gene expression by the adenylyl cyclase pathway.

Calculation of the Johann error for spherically bent x-ray imaging crystal spectrometers

New x-ray imaging crystal spectrometers, currently operating on Alcator C-Mod, NSTX, EAST, and KSTAR, record spectral lines of highly charged ions, such as Ar(16+), from multiple sightlines to obtain profiles of ion temperature and of toroidal plasma rotation velocity from Doppler measurements. In the present work, we describe a new data analysis routine, which accounts for the specific geometry of the sightlines of a curved-crystal spectrometer and includes corrections for the Johann error to facilitate the tomographic inversion. Such corrections are important to distinguish velocity induced Doppler shifts from instrumental line shifts caused by the Johann error. The importance of this correction is demonstrated using data from Alcator C-Mod.

Laryngeal epithelial thickness: a comparison between optical coherence tomography and histology

OBJECTIVES

Optical coherence tomography, an imaging modality using near-infrared light, produces cross-sectional tissue images with a lateral pixel resolution of 10 microm. However, normative data is first needed on epithelial thickness for lesion characterisation, and, to date, little exists. The purpose of our study is to measure normal laryngeal epithelial thickness by in vivo optical coherence tomography, and compare these values to those obtained from fixed ex-vivo laryngectomy specimens.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective at a single medical center in California, United States.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 116 patients undergoing operative endoscopy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Optical coherence tomography images of clinically normal laryngeal subsites were selected. Calibrated measurements of epithelial thickness at various laryngeal subsites were recorded. Measurements of epithelial thickness from corresponding areas were obtained using optical micrometry on histologically normal regions of 15 total laryngectomy specimens. Descriptive statistics were performed.

RESULTS

Mean epithelial optical coherence tomography thicknesses were: true vocal cords (81 microm), false vocal cords (78 microm), subglottis (61 microm), aryepiglottic folds (111 microm), laryngeal epiglottis (116 microm) and lingual epiglottis (170 microm). Epithelial thicknesses in fixed tissues were: true vocal cords (103 microm), false vocal cords (79 microm), aryepiglottic folds (205 microm) subglottis (61 microm), laryngeal epiglottis (38 microm) and lingual epiglottis (130 microm).

CONCLUSIONS

Optical coherence tomography does not have the artifacts associated with conventional histologic techniques. The inevitable development of office-based optical coherence tomography devices will increase the precision of laryngeal measurements and contribute to the clinical application of this technology in diagnosing laryngeal disease.

Placental expression of 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate mutase in IGF-II knock out mouse: correlation of circulating maternal 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate and fetal growth

Bisphosphoglycerate mutase (BPGM) catalyses the formation of 2,3 bisphosphoglycerate (BPG) a ligand of haemoglobin. BPG facilitates liberation of oxygen from haemoglobin at low oxygen tension enabling efficient delivery of oxygen to tissues. We describe expression of BPGM in mouse labyrinthine trophoblasts, located at the maternal-placental interface. Expression is lower in placentae of igf2(+/-) knockout mice, a widely used model of growth restriction, compared to wild type placentae. Circulating maternal BPG increased throughout gestation but this increase was less in wt mothers carrying igf2(+/-) pups than in those carrying exclusively wt pups. This reduction was observed well before term and may contribute to the low birth weight of igf2(+/-) pups. Strikingly, we also measured reductions of fetal and placental weight in wt littermates of igf2(+/-) pups compared to pups developing in an exclusively wt environment. These data suggest that placental expression of BPGM can influence maternal BPG concentrations and supports a hypothesis under which BPG synthesized in the placenta may act on maternal haemoglobin to enhance delivery of oxygen to the developing fetus.

Physiological and biochemical responses of in vitro Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum to benzoic acid

The allelopathic potential of an artificially applied allelochemical, benzoic acid, on in vitro Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum (a soil-borne pathogen causing watermelon wilt) was evaluated. Benzoic acid strongly inhibited its growth, sporulation and conidia germination, whereas it stimulated virulence factors of this pathogen. The biomass was reduced by 83-96 % and the conidia germinating rate and conidia production rate were decreased by 100 % at a concentration of >200 mg/L. However, phytopathogenic enzyme activities and mycotoxin production were stimulated with an increase of 10.2-1250 % for enzyme activities and 610-2630 % for mycotoxin yield.

One-step purification of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, salvianolic acid B, and protocatechualdehyde from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge by isocratic stepwise hydrogen bond adsorption chromatography on cross-linked 12% agarose

Three major active components of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, salvianolic acid B, and protocatechualdehyde, are separated and purified from a crude water extract in one step by isocratic hydrogen bond adsorption chromatography on cross-linked 12% agarose (Superose 12 HR 10/30). Separation is achieved by stepwise elution with mobile phases composed of mixtures of ethanol and acetic acid: 0-50 mL, 5% ethanol, 5% acetic acid; 50-100 mL, 20% ethanol, 20% acetic acid; and 100-200 mL, 30% ethanol, 30% acetic acid. The 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid is obtained with a purity of 97.3% and with a recovery of 88.1%. The corresponding figures for protocatechualdehyde are a purity of 99.4% with a recovery of 90.7%, and for salvianolic acid B a purity of 90.4% with a recovery of 50.3%, respectively. At a sample load of 40 mg crude extract dissolved in 0.5 mL mobile phase (corresponding to a load of 1.6 mg/mL gel), a 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid purity of approximately 94% with a recovery of 80.2% is obtained.

Peak effect in the critical current of type II superconductors with strong magnetic vortex pinning

We perform 2D Langevin simulations studying the peak effect (PE) of the critical current taking into account the temperature dependence of the competing forces. We observe and report that the PE results from the competition of vortex-vortex interactions and vortex-pin interactions which have different temperature dependencies. The simulations reveal that the PE can take place only for certain pinning strengths, densities of pinning centers, and driving forces, which is in good agreement with experiments. No apparent vortex order-disorder transition is observed across the PE regime. In addition, the PE is a dynamical phenomenon, and thermal fluctuations can speed up the process for the formation of the PE.

Expression of Rap1GAP in human myeloid disease following microarray selection

To find the underlying causes of primary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), the gene expression profiling of both CD34+ cells and bone marrow mononuclear cells from MDS patients was performed using oligonucleotide microarray and cDNA microarrays, respectively. Several candidate genes which were differentially expressed in MDS patients versus normal controls were selected and confirmed in expanding samples by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction after clustering and bioinformatics analysis. one of these genes, RAP1GAP, was found to be expressed at a significantly higher level in patients with MDS in comparison with those suffering from other hematopoietic diseases including leukemia (P < 0.01). We propose that over-expression of RAP1GAP gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of MDS.