[Study of bioequiavailability of paclitaxel for Injection (Albumin Bound) and abraxane and the efficacy of extension treatments in patients with metastatic breast cancer]

Objective: To compare the bioequiavailability of paclitaxel for injection (albumin bound) (PAB) and reference listed drug abraxane in the patients with metastatic breast cancer, and to investigate the safety and efficacy in the extension treatments of PAB. Methods: This study was random, two cycles, self-crossover control study in the bioequiavailability stage. PAB was the investigational drug T and Abraxane was the reference drug R. Patients were randomly assigned to two cycles therapy of either R→T or T→R(260 mg/m(2)/21d). Non-PD patients entered in the extension treatments of the investigational drug PAB(260 mg/m(2)/21d) until the disease progression or the intolerance toxicity. Results: From Mar 1, 2016 to May 24, 2016, we enrolled 40 patients. The blood concentration-time curve and the parameters of pharmacokinetics indicated the two drugs were the bioequivalent drug products in the initial two cycles crossover-therapy.The incidence of adverse drug reactions were 89.7% vs 97.4% in investigational drug vs reference drug and grade 3/4 toxicities were 20.5% vs 21.1%(P=1.000). Patients received a median of 7 treatment cycles(range 1-23) and a median of 260mg/m(2) actual drug dose (range 220-260 mg/m(2)). Seven patients (17.5%) had dose reductions because of toxicities (260 mg/m(2) reduce to 220 mg/m(2)). Twenty-two patients (55%) discontinued treatment prematurely because of toxicity.Overall response rates (ORR) were 40% (95% CI, 24.8%-55.2%). For patients who received PAB as first-line vs non-first-line therapy, the ORR were 43.8% vs 25%. For patients who taxane-naïve vs taxane-pretreated, the ORR were 45.5% vs 37.9%. Median PFS was 49 weeks(95% CI, 30weeks-NA). Conclusion: The paclitaxel for injection (albumin bound) (PAB) and reference listed drug abraxane are the bioequivalent drug products.The toxicity and efficacy of the PAB are similar with abraxane.The more therapy chances for Chinese patients will come by the research and development of domestic drugs.

[Anxiety and depression in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and its influencing factors]

Objective:To evaluate the psychological status of anxiety and depression in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and to analyze the factors that affect the occurrence of anxiety and depression. Method:A total of 198 patients with moderate and severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss were enrolled. The patients were tested by general condition questionnaire and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Patients who developed anxiety and depression were tested again using the HADS at 1 week after completion of the treatment. Result:The incidence of anxiety was 27.27% in patients with moderate and severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and the incidence of depression was 25.25%. The scores of anxiety and depression were statistically significant (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the status of anxiety and depression was accompanied by symptoms and other diseases (P<0.05). There was a significant difference between the effective group, the significant efficacy group and the cured group (P<0.05). The difference between the scores before and after treatment was compared. Differences in the ineffective group compared with the other three groups, and the cured group compared with the other three groups of anxiety, depression were statistically significant. Conclusion:The problem of anxiety and depression in patients with moderate and severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss is relatively prominent, and the symptoms of anxiety and depression are obviously affected by the symptoms and other diseases. After treatment, anxiety and depression status changes significantly. In clinical practice, anxiety and depression and its influencing factors should be taken into account for the treatment of the patients with severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

[The features of c/oVEMP in patient with unilateral Meniere's disease]

Objective:To evaluate the difference in c/oVEMPs between patients with MD and normal controls.Method:Twenty-two patients with unilateral MD and 21 healthy subjects (as normal controls) were prospectively examined with c/oVEMPs. The results were compared between these two groups. MD group were divided into two groups according to the pure tone average threshold: group1 PTA≤40 dBnHL,group2 PTA>40 dBnHL,and then compared their results. A commercially available software package SPSS 19.0 was used for statistical analysis.Result:The latency and amplitude of cVEMP and oVEMP in the affected side and contralateral side of the MD group were no significant difference. Compared with normal controls,the latency of P1 and N1 was prolonged,the amplitude was decreased in the MD group's cVEMP. The amplitude was decreased in the MD group's oVEMP,but the latency was not prolonged. Group 2's extraction rate of cVEMP was significantly lower than group 1.Conclusion:An increased occurrence of abnormal c/oVEMP recordings appeared in MD patients,possibly as a result of hydrops of the otolith. The saccular dysfunction may be more common than utricular dysfunction. Furthermore,that otolith damage is gradually increasing with the aggravation of cochlear injury in MD.

Monitoring thioredoxin redox with a genetically encoded red fluorescent biosensor

Thioredoxin (Trx) is one of the two major thiol antioxidants, playing essential roles in redox homeostasis and signaling. Despite its importance, there is a lack of methods for monitoring Trx redox dynamics in live cells, hindering a better understanding of physiological and pathological roles of the Trx redox system. In this work, we developed the first genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor for Trx redox by engineering a redox relay between the active-site cysteines of human Trx1 and rxRFP1, a redox-sensitive red fluorescent protein. We used the resultant biosensor-TrxRFP1-to selectively monitor perturbations of Trx redox in various mammalian cell lines. We subcellularly localized TrxRFP1 to image compartmentalized Trx redox changes. We further combined TrxRFP1 with a green fluorescent Grx1-roGFP2 biosensor to simultaneously monitor Trx and glutathione redox dynamics in live cells in response to chemical and physiologically relevant stimuli.

Nanolock-Nanopore Facilitated Digital Diagnostics of Cancer Driver Mutation in Tumor Tissue

Cancer driver mutations are clinically significant biomarkers. In precision medicine, accurate detection of these oncogenic changes in patients would enable early diagnostics of cancer, individually tailored targeted therapy, and precise monitoring of treatment response. Here we investigated a novel nanolock-nanopore method for single-molecule detection of a serine/threonine protein kinase gene BRAF V600E mutation in tumor tissues of thyroid cancer patients. The method lies in a noncovalent, mutation sequence-specific nanolock. We found that the nanolock formed on the mutant allele/probe duplex can separate the duplex dehybridization procedure into two sequential steps in the nanopore. Remarkably, this stepwise unzipping kinetics can produce a unique nanopore electric marker, with which a single DNA molecule of the cancer mutant allele can be unmistakably identified in various backgrounds of the normal wild-type allele. The single-molecule sensitivity for mutant allele enables both binary diagnostics and quantitative analysis of mutation occurrence. In the current configuration, the method can detect the BRAF V600E mutant DNA lower than 1% in the tumor tissues. The nanolock-nanopore method can be adapted to detect a broad spectrum of both transversion and transition DNA mutations, with applications from diagnostics to targeted therapy.

Molecular and pathological evaluation of cryopreserved colorectal cancerous tissues: Effects of freezing method and cryoprotection

BACKGROUND

Snap freezing and RNAlater stabilization are methods that were wildly used in biospecimen depositories to preserve cancer tissues. Both methods have its own limitations. An ideal method for preservation of diseased tissues should permit the broader uses of stored tissue samples, including not just for molecular diagnostic analysis, histopathological evaluation, but also for the recovery of functional live cells and tissues as well as the regeneration of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models for the drug screening study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study investigated molecular and pathological evaluation of cryopreserved colorectal cancer tissues, with an emphasis on effects of freezing method and cryoprotection. Global gene expression analysis with microarrays and histological examination of tissue samples were performed to compare tissue specimens after snap freezing, cryoprotectant permeation and subsequent cryopreservation.

RESULTS

Compared with the fresh tissue samples (immediately stabilized in RNAlater after collection), samples preserved by snap freezing exhibited the largest number of differentially-expressed genes. Some genes relate to neuron, drug addiction and drug binding, but the rest of differentially-expressed genes were functionally dispersive. Cryoprotectant permeation into tissue samples and subsequent cryopreservation via a rate-controlled freezing resulted in much less differentially expressed genes. Histological structures of tissue specimens were both well preserved by snap freezing and cryoproservation.

CONCLUSION

Snap freezing may not be as reliable as commonly considered. The pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of using cryopreservation to retain viable diseased tissues for multiple applications.

[Research on spatiotemporal spread of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus based on discrete geographic information]

Objective: To establish a dynamic spatiotemporal spread modes of influenza A (H7N9) virus by using discrete geographic information and explore the spatiotemporal transmission of the virus. Methods: The gene sequences of H7N9 virus isolated from human in China, which were available from Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID), were used in alignment by using software BioEdit 7.0. Spatiotemporal spread model of H7N9 virus was established in a Bayesian statistical framework by using software BEAST 1.8.2. The symmetric substitution model and Bayesian stochastic search variable selection (BSSVS) were used to infer and verify the historical transmission route of H7N9 virus. Finally the spatiotemporal transmission route was presented by Google Earth software. Results: The transmission of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus originated in Shanghai and Hangzhou, and can be dated back to October 2012. In March and April 2013, it began to spread to the neighboring provinces. The transmission speed up in August and September and affected more than ten geographic positions within 3 months. Conclusion: Based on gene sequences and spatial geographic information, the transmission route of H7N9 virus was traced, which would support the avian influenza prevention and control as well as avian influenza virus tracing.

[Comparison of anxiety and depression state among patients with different type of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

Objective:To investigate and analyze the state of anxiety and depression among patients with different type of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV).Method:Patients with four types of BPPV were enrolled in our study,which named as posterior semicircular canals BPPV(PC-BPPV),anterior semicircular canals BPPV(AC-BPPV), horizontal semicircular canals BPPV(HC-BPPV), multiple canals BPPV(MC-BPPV).Thorough otological and neuro-otological examinations were performed on all cases,and their states of anxiety and depression were assessed by hospital anxiety and depression scale(HADS).Result:The incidence of anxiety and depression of all cases divided into four types BPPV (PC-BPP, AC-BPPV, HC-BPPV, MC-BPPV) were 36.45%, 22.78%, 28.57%, 63.16% respectively in our study .The differences among the four groups were statistically significant(P< 0.05).That were higher in these cases with PC-BPPV or MC-BPPV than those with AC-BPPV or HC-BPPV.The HADS aggregate scores of the pre-repositioning were statistically significant(P< 0.05). And the patients with PC-BPPV or MC-BPPV were higher than the other two groups.The HADS aggregate scores of the post-repositioning were statistically significant(P<0.05). And the cases with PC-BPPV or MC-BPPV were higher than the other two groups. The post-repositioning scores were compared with the pre-repositioning scores, and the difference was significant(P< 0.05).Conclusion:Among all cases with the four different types of BPPV,anxiety and depression psychological mood is more common in patients with PC-BPPV or MC-BPPV.Mood disorders affect the reset recovery after treatment,and reduce the therapeutic effect.We should pay more attention to psychological state of the patients with BPPV during treatment.And early psychological intervention can improve treatment effect.

[Study on bimodal stimulation for aural rehabilitationdevelopmentin infants with a unilateral cochlear implant]

Objective:To evaluated the aural rehabilitation development of the bimodal stimulation in deaf infants with a unilateral cochlear implant. Method:The 36 infants, suffering from severe-to-profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with residual hearing on at least one side, assigned into two groups randomly:18 wore only the cochlear implant(unilateral A group),while the other 18 used the CI and a contralateral hearing aid at the same time(bimodal group).The aural rehabilitation development was evaluated by sound field test and speech rehabilitation tests(including vowels, consonants, tones, monosyllables, disyllables, tri-syllables and selected hearing) after rehabilitation lasting 3 month(T1),6 month(T2)and 12 month(T3)respectively. Result:At time T1，free-field hearing threshold of 500 Hz of unilateral A group was statistically higher than bimodal group. Free-field hearing thresholds of 500 Hz and 1 000 Hz of unilateral A group were statistically higher than bimodal group attime T2（P<0.05）.At time T1, vowels, consonants, tones ,monosyllables, and disyllables rehabilitation scores of unilateral A group were statistically higher than bimodal group（P<0.05）.At time T2,there were no statistically significant differences between two groups（P>0.05）.However,consonants, tones,disyllables, tri-syllables and selected hearing rehabilitation scores of bimodal group were statistically higher than unilateral group（P<0.05）. Conclusion:The cochlear implant infants with bimodal stimulation have better aural rehabilitation development with the process of aural rehabilitation gradually.Therefore, it is essential to make full use of the advantages of binaural hearing and to choose the appropriate aural rehabilitation mode for every deaf infant.

Expression of anti-SRP19 antibody in muscle tissues from patients with autoimmune necrotizing myopathy

This study aimed to investigate the role of anti-SRP19 antibody in muscle tissues of patients with autoimmune necrotizing myopathy. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to determine the expression of anti-SRP19 antibodies in muscle tissues of autoimmune necrotizing myopathy patients. Results demonstrated that anti-SRP19 antibody was expressed in 71.4% (20/28) of muscle tissue specimens from patients with autoimmune necrotizing myopathy. Anti-SRP19 antibody expression was mainly localized in cytoplasm of necrotic muscle fibers surrounding the small blood vessels and interstitial cells. There were no significant differences in the age, course of disease, muscle, and creatine kinase levels between patients with positive or negative expression of anti-SRP19 antibodies. The expression levels of anti-SRP19, serum anti-nuclear antibodies, as well as anti-Ro-52, anti- SSA, anti-Sm, and anti-Jo-1 antibodies were not significantly different among groups. This study demonstrates that anti-SRP19 antibody is highly expressed in muscle tissues of patients with autoimmune necrotizing myopathy, and suggests that this protein may be involved in the origin and progression of the disease.

[Mental health research for new nurse during the standardized training period]

Objective: To explore the mental health status for new nurse during the standardization training period and provide scientific basis for managers to formulate corresponding measures. Methods: Using eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ) and symptom self-assessment scale (SCL-90) , understanding social support scale (PSSS) , trait coping style questionnaire (TCSQ) and other standardized psychological assessment tools and self designed general situation questionnaire, 141 nurses in our hospital before rotary department and 1 year later accepted the questionnaire survey while the control group accepted the same questionnaire. Results: Compared with before rotary department and the control group, the forced, anxiety and interpersonal sensitivity factor increased significantly in SCL-90 for rotary nurse and the differences were significant statistical significance (P<0.05) ; Pearson correlation analysis showed rotary nurse SCL-90 forcing factor scores and EPQ-E dimension scores, TCSQ negative coping scores were positively correlated (P<0.05; r₁=0.537; r₂=0.407; r₃=0.701) , and were negatively correlated with EPQ-E dimension scores, PSSS scores and TCSQ active responding score (P<0.05; r₁=-0.621; r₂=-0.671; r₃=-0.312) ; Anxiety was positively correlated with EPQ-N, PSSS scores and TCSQ negative responding score (P<0.05; r₁=0.607; r₂=0.409; r₃=0.764) , was negatively correlated with EPQ-E dimension scores, PSSS scores and TCSQ positive responding score (P<0.05; r₁=-0.569; r₂=-0.723; r₃= -0.418) ; Interpersonal sensitivity factor score was positively correlated with EPQ-N, P dimension scores and TCSQ negative coping scores (P<0.05; r₁=0.611; r₂=0.687; r₃=0.773) , was negatively correlated with EPQ-E dimension scores, PSSS scores and TCSQ active responding score (P<0.05; r₁=-0.506; r₂=-0.693; r₃=-0.307) . Conclusion: Rotary nurse mental health status was significantly lower than non-rotary nurse.Insufficient social support, negative coping style and instability personality characteristics are the main risk factors to affect the rotation nurses mental health.

[The value of area curve ratio electrocochleography in diagnosisof Meniere's disease during different periods]

Objective:To evaluate the value of summating potential /action potential (SP/AP) area curve ratio in diagnosis of Meniere s disease(MD) during acute attacks and quiescence phase.Method:The normal control group and the MD group during acute attacks and quiescence phase received electrocochleography(EcochG)examination.The SP/AP amplitude and area curve ratios were measured respectively(to derive the SP/AP amplitude and area curve ratio),with normal SP/AP amplitude and area curve ratios of EcochG were identified,and analysed the results of EcochG in MD acute attacks and MD quiescence phase and the normal control group.Result:The upper limit of normal for SP/AP amplitude and area curve ratio were respectively 0.40 and 1.78.The SP/AP area curve ratio positive rate during acute attacks was 95.56% and SP/AP amplitude ratio was 71.77%.SP/AP area curve ratio positive rate during quiescence phase was 55.56% and amplitude ratio was 33.33%.The results showed that there were significant different between the two markers(P<0.05).The positive rate which during the period of acute attacks was higher than that quiescence phase period,The positive rate of the SP/AP amplitude and area curve ratios between acute attacks and quiescence phase were significant different(P<0.05).By the F rest,the SP/AP area curve ratio parameters in MD acute attacks and MD quiescence phase and the normal control group were compared,and the difference was significant(F=111.10,P<0.05).There were significant different between the two groups among three(P<0.05).The SP/AP area curve ratio parameters among the MD acute attacks and MD quiescence phase and the normal control group were significant different(F=65.68,P<0.05).There were significant different between the two groups among three(P<0.05).Conclusion:It can increase the positive rate when undergo the EcochG examination during acute attacks of Meniere's disease,while the SP/AP area curve measures are more sensitive than SP/AP amplitude ratio in diagnosis of Meniere's disease.

[The normative values of vestibular evoked myogenic potentialin different age-groups]

Objective:To obtain the normative values of vestibular evoked myogenic potential(VEMP),i.e.the threshold,latency,latency-interval,amplitude of healthy population in Tianjin medical university General hospital.These values will help clinical diagnosis.Method:Seventy-five healthy individuals (39 males and 36 females,age from 21 to 70 years)were enrolled in this study.They were divided into 3 groups according to age:group 1(21-30 years),group 2(>30-50 years),group 3(>50-70 years).oVEMP and cVEMP were performed and the normative values were obtained.SPSS 19.0 was used to analyze the data.Result:The response rate was 77.3% and 85.3% of oVEMP and cVEMP respectively in all subjects.The values of oVEMP:in group 1 response rate was 100%,amplitude was(8.29±1.25)μV and threshold value was(83.65±4.10) dBnHL.In group 2 response rate was 85.4%,amplitude was(6.32±1.21)μV and threshold value was(89.24±4.18) dBnHL.In group 3 response rate was 46%,amplitude was(4.26±1.20) μV,threshold value was(95.13±4.21) dBnHL.The values of cVEMP: in group 1 response rate was 100%,amplitude was(108.87±19.10)μV and threshold value was(84.54±4.35) dBnHL.In group 2 response rate was 83.3%,amplitude was(84.10±20.02)μV and threshold value was (90.33±4.29)dBnHL.In group 3 response rate was 72.0%,amplitude was(64.18±19.22)μV and threshold value was (95.19±4.30)dBnHL.The statistical analysis show significant difference in oVEMP/cVEMP response rate,threshold and amplitude among different age-groups(P<0.05).No significant difference was found in N1,P1 latency and latency-interval among different age-groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The normative values of VEMP of healthy population in Tianjin medical university General hospital were obtained in this research.These VEMP data were used for the diagnosis of related diseases.

Exploring Human Diseases and Biological Mechanisms by Protein Structure Prediction and Modeling

Protein structure prediction and modeling provide a tool for understanding protein functions by computationally constructing protein structures from amino acid sequences and analyzing them. With help from protein prediction tools and web servers, users can obtain the three-dimensional protein structure models and gain knowledge of functions from the proteins. In this chapter, we will provide several examples of such studies. As an example, structure modeling methods were used to investigate the relation between mutation-caused misfolding of protein and human diseases including epilepsy and leukemia. Protein structure prediction and modeling were also applied in nucleotide-gated channels and their interaction interfaces to investigate their roles in brain and heart cells. In molecular mechanism studies of plants, rice salinity tolerance mechanism was studied via structure modeling on crucial proteins identified by systems biology analysis; trait-associated protein-protein interactions were modeled, which sheds some light on the roles of mutations in soybean oil/protein content. In the age of precision medicine, we believe protein structure prediction and modeling will play more and more important roles in investigating biomedical mechanism of diseases and drug design.

Effect of CYP3A5 gene polymorphisms on tacrolimus concentration/dosage ratio in adult liver transplant patients

We examined the influence of the cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) genes in both donors and recipients on the concentration-dosage ratio (C/D) of tacrolimus in Chinese liver transplant patients. Fifty-one adult liver transplant patients who received tacrolimus were included in this study. The CYP3A5 polymorphism in donors and recipients was determined at the time of transplantation, and tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive therapy was started based on each patient's genetic constitution. The relationship between the C/D of tacrolimus for 3 months after surgery and the CYP3A5 genotype was analyzed. A stepwise regression model was used to analyze the relationship between C/D of tacrolimus and genotype, time course, age, and liver weight in liver transplant patients. Three months after liver transplantation, C/D was both affected by the CYP3A5 genotype of both the donors and the recipients. The C/D of tacrolimus in patients with the CYP3A5*1 allele or carrying CYP3A5*1 allele in the liver was lower than that in CYP3A5*3/*3 patients with the CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype in the liver (P < 0.01). The CYP3A5*1 genotype in donors as well as in patients both contributes to interindividual variation in the C/D of tacrolimus in adult liver transplantation.

Expanding the Genetic Code for a Dinitrophenyl Hapten

Haptens, such as dinitrophenyl (DNP) are small molecules that induce strong immune responses when attached to proteins or peptides and, as such, have been exploited for diverse applications. We engineered a Methanosarcina barkeri pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (mbPylRS) to genetically encode a DNP-containing unnatural amino acid, N(6) -(2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)acetyl)lysine (DnpK). Although this moiety was unstable in Escherichia coli, we found that its stability was enhanced in mammalian HEK 293T cells and was able to induce selective interactions with anti-DNP antibodies. The capability of genetically introducing DNP into proteins is expected to find broad applications in biosensing, immunology, and therapeutics.

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.

Flame-enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Flame-enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was investigated to improve the sensitivity of LIBS. It was realized by generating laser-induced plasmas in the blue outer envelope of a neutral oxy-acetylene flame. Fast imaging and temporally resolved spectroscopy of the plasmas were carried out. Enhanced intensity of up to 4 times and narrowed full width at half maximum (FWHM) down to 60% for emission lines were observed. Electron temperatures and densities were calculated to investigate the flame effects on plasma evolution. These calculated electron temperatures and densities showed that high-temperature and low-density plasmas were achieved before 4 µs in the flame environment, which has the potential to improve LIBS sensitivity and spectral resolution.

Designing DNA interstrand lock for locus-specific methylation detection in a nanopore

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic regulation of gene transcription. Locus-specific DNA methylation can be used as biomarkers in various diseases including cancer. Many methods have been developed for genome-wide methylation analysis, but molecular diagnotics needs simple tools to determine methylation states at individual CpG sites in a gene fragment. In this report, we utilized the nanopore single-molecule sensor to investigate a base-pair specific metal ion/nucleic acids interaction, and explored its potential application in locus-specific DNA methylation analysis. We identified that divalent Mercury ion (Hg²⁺) can selectively bind a uracil-thymine mismatch (U-T) in a dsDNA. The Hg²⁺ binding creates a reversible interstrand lock, called MercuLock, which enhances the hybridization strength by two orders of magnitude. Such MercuLock cannot be formed in a 5-methylcytosine-thymine mismatch (mC-T). By nanopore detection of dsDNA stability, single bases of uracil and 5-methylcytosine can be distinguished. Since uracil is converted from cytosine by bisulfite treatment, cytosine and 5′-methylcytosine can be discriminated. We have demonstrated the methylation analysis of multiple CpGs in a p16 gene CpG island. This single-molecule assay may have potential in detection of epigenetic cancer biomarkers in biofluids, with an ultimate goal for early diagnosis of cancer.

Occult pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma presenting as catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

Catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (CAPS) is characterized by fulminant thrombosis of the arterial and venous beds of multiple organ systems over a relatively short period of time and with a high mortality rate. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the lung has never been reported as a causative or precipitating factor for CAPS in the CAPS registry database. The present study describes a rare case of pulmonary MALT lymphoma of the lung that presented as CAPS. A 19-year-old Hispanic female presented with shortness of breath and abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest and abdomen revealed multiple portal vein thromboses and bilateral pulmonary nodules. Within one week of presentation, the patient developed a straight sinus thrombosis and upper extremity deep vein thrombosis, which led to shortness of breath. A biopsy of the lung nodule revealed MALT lymphoma. The present case illustrates a rarely reported pulmonary MALT lymphoma presenting as CAPS in a young female. The patient was successfully treated with 90 mg/m² bendamustine on days one and two and rituximab 375 mg/m² on day one of each 28-day cycle. Complete remission of the lung nodules was observed following three cycles of treatment, as visualized by positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan. Fondaparinux was identified as a feasible anticoagulation drug of choice for this case. At seven months post-treatment, the patient continues to be stable with no further evidence of thrombosis and is currently undergoing rituximab maintenance therapy every six months for two years. A repeat lupus anticoagulant antibody assay turned and remained negative during the clinical follow-up period. A prompt diagnosis and early aggressive treatment is potentially curative and may dramatically decrease the mortality risk. Future studies should explore the role of rituximab in the management of CAPS-associated B-cell lymphoid malignancies.

Detection of miRNAs with a nanopore single-molecule counter

miRNAs are short noncoding RNA molecules that are important in regulating gene expression. Due to the correlation of their expression levels and various diseases, miRNAs are being investigated as potential biomarkers for molecular diagnostics. The fast-growing miRNA exploration demands rapid, accurate, low-cost miRNA detection technologies. This article will focus on two platforms of nanopore single-molecule approach that can quantitatively measure miRNA levels in samples from tissue and cancer patient plasma. Both nanopore methods are sensitive and specific, and do not need labeling, enzymatic reaction or amplification. In the next 5 years, the nanopore-based miRNA techniques will be improved and validated for noninvasive and early diagnosis of diseases.

First Report of Wilt on Alfalfa in China Caused by Verticillium nigrescens

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa Linn.), widely grown throughout the world, is an important perennial forage crop. It is high in protein and digestible fiber and is an excellent source of several vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and minerals for beef cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and even humans (2). Wilt symptoms on alfalfa were observed during a disease survey in Yangling, Shaanxi, China in 2009. Symptoms included discoloration, shortened internode, and plant death. However, the vascular tissue of diseased alfalfa plants did not exhibit discoloration and typical "V" symptoms of Verticillium albo-atrum infection. Eleven fungal isolates were obtained from diseased alfalfa plants in Yangling by a tissue isolation method (1). Isolates were cultured on Czapek Dox Agar (CDA; pH 7.2) slants at 22 ± 1°C in darkness. Colonies on CDA plates were whitish and cream-white when viewed from the underside, later becoming dark gray due to the formation of gray or dark brown chlamydospores in single or in short chains. DNA was extracted from each isolate and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was amplified and sequenced using primers ITS-1F and ITS4. The 11 isolates were divided into five groups based on their in vitro morphological characters. A single isolate from each of the five groups was chosen for ITS sequencing. All five isolates had the same ITS sequence (GenBank Accession No. AB551216). On the basis of the ITS sequence and morphology (4), these isolates were identified as V. nigrescens Pethyhr. (recently renamed as Gibellulopsis nigrescens). Five representative isolates were used to fulfill Koch's postulates. Alfalfa seeds (cv. Cossack) were surface sterilized with 75% ethanol for 5 min, allowed to dry, and planted into cow dung compost that had been autoclaved at 160°C for 2 h. Plants were cultivated under controlled greenhouse conditions at 23 to 25°C with a photoperiod of 14 h. Inoculum was prepared by comminuting 15-day-old cultures and sterile deionized water into a suspension of mycelial fragments and conidia (10⁵ to 10⁶ CFU/ml) in a blender. Seedlings (four-leaf stage) were inoculated by immersing roots in the inoculum suspension for 60 min (3). Each isolate was inoculated onto 30 seedlings, six in each pot; another 30 seedlings were soaked with sterile deionized water for 60 min as a control. After 20 days in the greenhouse, all inoculated plants exhibited wilt symptoms similar to the original wilt symptoms observed on diseased alfalfa plants. In contrast, none of the control plants showed wilt symptoms. The pathogen was reisolated from all diseased plants and confirmed to the original ones. To our knowledge, this is the first report of V. nigrescens infecting M. sativa in China, indicating V. nigrescens as one possible important pathogen of alfalfa. References: (1) O. D. Dhingra and J. B. Sinclair. Basic Plant Pathology Methods. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1995. (2) D. Jasjeet et al. J. Adv. Sci. Res. 2:50, 2011. (3) H. A. Melouk and C. E. Horner. Phytopathology 64:1267, 1974. (4) R. Zare et al. Nova Hedwigia 85:463, 2007.

Plasma microRNAs as novel biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer

A diagnosis of lung cancer at its early stages is vital for improving the survival rate of patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a family of 19- to 25-nucleotide non-coding small RNAs, are frequently dysregulated in lung cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of circulating miRNAs for early detection of lung cancer. We searched the published literature for the miRNA microarray data of primary lung cancer and selected 15 miRNAs that were most frequently up-regulated in lung cancer tissues. Total plasma RNA including miRNAs was isolated, polyadenylated and reverse-transcribed into cDNAs. The levels of miRNAs were determined by real-time RT-PCR in 74 lung cancer patients and 68 age-matched cancer-free controls. We found that the levels of miR-155, miR-197, and miR-182 in the plasma of lung cancer including stage I patients were significantly elevated compared with controls (P<0.001). The combination of these 3 miRNAs yielded 81.33% sensitivity and 86.76% specificity in discriminating lung cancer patients from controls. The levels of miR-155 and miR-197 were higher in the plasma from lung cancer patients with metastasis than in those without metastasis (P<0.05) and were significantly decreased in responsive patients during chemotherapy (P<0.001). These results indicate that miR-155, miR-197, and miR-182 can be potential non-invasive biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer.