[Nutritional status and energy metabolism characteristics in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease]

Objective: To study the nutritional status and energy metabolic characteristics of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to provide evidence for clinical evaluation and intervention. Methods: A total of 359 NAFLD patients diagnosed on ultrasound from June 2015 to March 2017 were selected as study subjects and divided into mild, moderate to severe fatty liver disease group and 50 healthy subjects as control group. The changes of ICW, ECW, body fat, skeletal muscle, protein and visceral fat area (VFA) of patients and controls were analyzed by using body composition analyzer. The energy metabolism index was measured by the oxidation rate of resting energy expenditure(REE), respiratory quotient (RQ), and the oxidation rates of the three nutrients (CHO %, FAT %, and PRO %). According to different types of data, non-parametric tests like Kruskal-Wallis or χ(2) were used for this analysis. Results: Compared with the mild fatty liver group and the control group, the moderate and severe fatty liver group the BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio were significantly elevated (P-value < 0.001), and their serum alanine aminotransferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, FBS levels were significantly increased (P value < 0.05). The Body composition analysis showed that there was no significant difference in skeletal muscle content between the three groups (P = 0.067). The ICW, ECW, protein, body fat content of moderate and severe fatty liver group were significantly higher than those of mild fatty liver group and control group (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the mild fatty liver group and the control group. There was significant difference in the VFA between the three groups, while VFA in the moderate and severe fatty liver group was significantly increased. Metabolic results showed that the RQ of patients with moderate-severe fatty liver and mild fatty liver were 0.72 ± 0.08 and 0.78 ± 0.06, respectively, which were lower than those of the control group (0.80 ± 0.02), P = 0.004. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was not significantly different between moderate and severe fatty liver group and mild fatty liver group (P = 0.207), but both were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.001). The percentages of CHO, FAT and PRO in moderate and severe fatty liver group were 19.49% ± 9.71%, 66.23% ± 12.54% and 14.22% ± 6.11% respectively. Compared with the control group, CHO % decreased, and FAT % increased. Conclusion: NAFLD patients have different extent of nutritional imbalance and energy metabolism disorders, the use of Body Composition analyzer and metabolic cart can comprehensively assess and monitor NAFLD patient's nutrition and energy metabolism status, to provide a basis for clinical intervention.

Antimicrobial effects of the ginsenoside Rh2 on monospecies and multispecies cariogenic biofilms

AIMS

To investigate the effects of the ginsenoside Rh2 on monospecies and multispecies cariogenic biofilms and explore the mechanism of the antibiofilm effect of Rh2 in vitro.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus sanguinis were chosen to form the monospecies or multispecies biofilms. Crystal violet staining and laser scanning confocal microscopy were used to observe the effect of Rh2 on biofilms in vitro. Cytotoxicity was examined by the Cell Counting Kit-8. The effects of Rh2 on bacterial membranes were observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) method were used to profile the common differentially expressed proteins. Gene expression was analysed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In general, the treatment of cariogenic biofilms with Rh2 significantly decreased biomass accumulation by inhibiting bacterial growth and extracellular polysaccharide synthesis without any cytotoxic effects. TEM imaging showed that Rh2 could disrupt the cell membranes of these bacteria. The iTRAQ results indicated that the levels of mannose-specific IIC/D and acetaldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase were substantially down-regulated, while the mRNA expression of the corresponding genes were significantly changed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data revealed a potential application for Rh2 in the protection against dental caries via the inhibition of cariogenic biofilms.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study describes the first application of a ginsenoside against multispecies cariogenic biofilms. Rh2 may serve as an alternative agent to prevent dental caries by effectively modulating the pathogenic potentials of oral biofilms.

Vascular and Biliary Complications Following Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation: A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess biliary and vascular complications after liver transplantations (LTs) sourced from deceased donors.

METHODS

This study reviewed potentially relevant English-language articles gathered from PubMed and Medline published from 2012 to 2017. One additional study was carried out using our institution's database for articles published from 2013 to 2017. Biliary and vascular complications from adult patients receiving their first deceased-donor LT were included. This meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.2 (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark) and the study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Ten studies met our inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity in donation after cardiac death (DCD) and donation after brain death (DBD) recipients was observed and minimized after pooling a subgroup analysis. This latter analysis focused on biliary stricture, biliary leaks and stones, and vascular thrombosis and stenosis. Meta-analyses showed that patients receiving DCD organs have a greatly increased risk of biliary complications compared to those receiving DBD organs, particularly the following: biliary leaks and stones (odds ratio [OR] = 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-2.34); and biliary stricture (OR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.21-2.06). DCD grafts tended to be but were not significantly associated with DBD regarding vascular thrombosis (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.05-2.50), and the risk of vascular stenosis in DCD grafts was not statistically significant (OR = 1.25, 95% CI, .70-2.25).

CONCLUSION

DCD was associated with an increased risk of biliary complications after LT, tended to indicate an increased risk of vascular thrombosis versus, and was not associated with an increased risk of vascular stenosis compared to DBD. There was no significant difference between the grafts.

Analysis of Genetic Polymorphism and Genetic Distance of 19 Autosomal STR Loci in Jiangsu Han Population

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the distribution of alleles in 19 autosomal short tandem repeat （STR） loci in Jiangsu Han population.

METHODS

Goldeneye^® 20A kit was used to detect 9 025 samples. Genetic analysis was performed on typing data of 19 autosomal STR loci, and genetic distance with other 17 populations was analyzed.

RESULTS

All the 19 autosomal STR loci were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium （P>0.05）, with the heterozygosity 0.616 1-0.916 3, probability of match 0.012 8-0.202 6, discrimination power 0.797 4-0.987 2, probability of paternity exclusion 0.310 8-0.828 8, and polymorphic information content 0.561 7-0.913 6. The cumulative discrimination power and cumulative probability of exclusion were 0.999 999 999 999 999 998 434 1 and 0.999 999 989, respectively. The Jiangsu Han population had close genetic distances with the Han population in Tianjin, Hunan and Jilin, and significant difference with Han population in Aletai region in Xinjiang （P<0.05）.

CONCLUSIONS

The STR allele polymorphism data and population genetic parameters of Jiangsu Han population can provide data support for the forensic application of these STR loci in Jiangsu Han population.

Mild Hypothermia Protects Renal Function in Ischemia-reperfusion Kidney: An Experimental Study in Mice

Mild hypothermia reduces the damage caused by hypoxia and oxidative stress, but how this happens is not very clear. Mice were anesthetized and their core body temperature was maintained at 38 ± 0.5°C and 32 ± 0.5°C. The renal artery and renal veins were blocked for 35 minutes and reperfusion was performed. Twenty-four hours later, serum was obtained to detect the concentrations of creatinine. The expression of CIRP, TRX, Bcl-2, and Bax were detected in tissue samples using Western blot. Apoptosis was measured using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling and the apoptosis rates were calculated. SOD and MDA were detected to determine the extent of oxidative damage in different groups. The concentration of creatinine in the NC group was 2.11 ± 0.39 mg/dL. Compared to the IR group, the concentration of creatinine decreased in MH+IR group and showed a significant statistical difference (8.74 ± 1.38 mg/dL vs 15.36 ± 2.13 mg/dL, P < .01); the apoptosis rate also decreased with statistical significance (15.02 ± 1.45% vs 37.02 ± 5.70%, P < .01). Compared to the IR group, the expression of CIRP, TRX, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio significantly increased in the MH+IR group. The SOD activity in the MH+IR group increased (26.90 ± 4.41 U/mgprot vs 16.85 ± 2.41 U/mgprot, P < .05) and the MDA level decreased (0.76 ± 0.18 nmol/mgprot vs 1.37 ± 0.32 nmol/mgprot, P < .05) compared to those of the IR group. Mild hypothermia protects mice kidneys from ischemia-reperfusion damage by reducing oxidative stress injury and apoptosis.

[The expression and significance of microtubule - driven protein KIF2A in epithelial ovarian cancer]

Objective: To investigate the protein and mRNA expression of KIF2A in ovarian cancer, and to investigate the migration and invasion ability changes in ovarian cancer cell line HO-8910 transfected by KIF2A-siRNA. Methods: Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of KIF2A in 30 cases of ovarian cancer and 20 cases of ovarian normal tissues. The expression of KIF2A mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. The mRNA and protein expression of KIF2A in cell line HO-8910 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot after transfected by KIF2A-siRNA in vitro. After the transfection, the cell migration and invasion ability were observed by scratch test and transwell experiments. Result: The expression of KIF2A mRNA and protein in HO-8910 was significantly lower than that in normal ovarian tissue (P<0.05). The capacities of migration and invasion of HO-8910 was suppressed notably after the knockdown of KIF2A (P<0.05). Conclusion: KIF2A gene expression was increased in ovarian cancer, and knockdown of KIF2A gene can inhibit the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. It suggested that KIF2A gene may be a new target for the development of ovarian cancer.

Expression and clinical significance of miR-181a and miR-203 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

OBJECTIVE

MiR-181a plays a critical role in modulating T cell and B cell differentiation, as well as immune response. Its abnormal expression probably participates in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MiR-203 is involved in regulating Toll-like receptor and inducing immune tolerance. Abnormal expression or function of miR-203 is related to multiple auto-immune diseases but its role in SLE remains unclear. This study, thus, investigated the serum level of miR-181a and miR-203, to analyze their roles in diagnosing and evaluating SLE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

SLE patients were recruited from our hospital, and divided into non-active and active SLE based on disease activity index, along with healthy individuals. qRT-PCR was used to quantify the serum miR-181a and miR-203 expression, and their correlation with clinical features. ROC was used to evaluate the diagnostic value on SLE, while survival curves were compared to show progression-free survival (PFS) between populations with high and low expression.

RESULTS

SLE patients had significantly higher serum levels of miR-181a and lower miR-203, both of which were correlated with SLE activity. Expression levels of miR-181a and miR-203 were correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein, anti-dsDNA antibody, complements, and SLEDAI score. Their expression levels had certain values in the differential diagnosis for active SLE (AUC=0.885 and 0.843). PFS in miR-181a high-expression individuals was lower than that in the low-miR-181 group (χ2=7.474, p=0.029). Whilst, miR-203 high-expression SLE patients had higher PFS than low-expression group (χ2=4.367, p=0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

SLE patients had higher miR-181a and lower miR-203 expression, which thus may have critical implications in disease diagnosis and evaluation.

Childhood obesity prevention through a community-based cluster randomized controlled physical activity intervention among schools in china: the health legacy project of the 2nd world summer youth olympic Games (YOG-Obesity study)

Background:

Childhood obesity has been becoming a worldwide public health problem. We conducted a community-based physical activity (PA) intervention program aiming at childhood obesity prevention in general student population in Nanjing of China, the host city of the 2nd World Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG-Obesity study).

Methods:

This was a cluster randomized controlled intervention study. Participants were the 4th (mean age±s.e.: 9.0±0.01) and 7th (mean age±s.e.: 12.0±0.01) grade students (mean age±s.e.: 10.5±0.02) from 48 schools and randomly allocated (1:1) to intervention or control groups at school level. Routine health education was provided to all schools, whereas the intervention schools additionally received an 1-year tailored multi-component PA intervention program, including classroom curricula, school environment support, family involvement and fun programs/events. The primary outcome measures were changes in body mass index, obesity occurrence and PA.

Results:

Overall, 9858 (97.7%) of the 10091 enrolled students completed the follow-up survey. Compared with the baseline, PA level increased by 33.13 min per week (s.e. 10.86) in the intervention group but decreased by 1.76 min per week (s.e. 11.53) in the control group (P=0.028). After adjustment for potential confounders, compared with the control group, the intervention group were more likely to have increased time of PA (adj. Odds ratio=1.15, 95% confidence interval=1.06–1.25), but had a smaller increase in mean body mass index (BMI) (0.22 (s.e. 0.02) vs 0.46 (0.02), P=0.01) and BMI z-score (0.07 (0.01) vs 0.16 (0.01), P=0.01), and were less likely to be obese (adj. Odds ratio=0.7, 95% confidence interval=0.6, 0.9) at study end. The intervention group had fewer new events of obesity/overweight but a larger proportion of formerly overweight/obese students having normal weight by study end.

Conclusions:

This large community-based PA intervention was feasible and effective in promoting PA and preventing obesity among the general student population in a large city in China. Experiences from this study are the lessons for China to control the childhood obesity epidemic.

[Diagnostic value of multi-slice spiral computerized tomographic fistulography in congenital fistula of neck]

Objective: To investigate the usefulness and effectiveness of multi-slice spiral computerized tomographic fistulography (MSCTF) in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital fistula of neck. Methods: Thirty-four patients with thyroglossal fistulasor branchial cleft fistulas who were initial treated from July 2008 to August 2015 in Fujian Provincial Hospital were retrospectively analyses. Thirteen males and 21 females patients aging from 3 to 46 years old with a median age of 37 were included. There were thyroglossal fistula in 6 cases, the first branchialcleft fistula in 9 cases, the second branchialcleft fistula in 3 cases, the third branchialcleft fistula in 9 cases, and the fourth branchialcleft fistula in 7 cases. All the patients underwent preopeative MSCTF and the diagnoses were finally confirmed with surgery and histopathology. Multiplanar reconstruction(MPR), maximumintensity projection(MIP)and volume rendering(VR) were completed with AW Volume Share 4.2 image processing software after initial CT scanning.The internal openings, distribution, and neighboring relationship of the fistulas showed by MSCTF were analyzed and the surgical strategies were subsequently made. Results: Except 2 cases, 32 patients had obtained successfully MSCTF image. The presence and location of the fistulas could be showed clearly on MSCTF. Based on the results of MSCTF examination, the surgical planes to treat the fistulas were made. The fistulas in all cases were successfully found and excised. Three cases underwent selective neck dissection. Postoperative infection occurred in 1 case. Unilateral vocal fold paralysis due to surgery recovered 3 months after surgery with follow-up. One case lost follow-up, the remaining 33 cases were followed up for 13-97 months with no the fistula recurrence. Conclusions: MSCTF could provide valuable information and benefit surgical planning by demonstrating the coursesof congenital fistulas of neck in detail.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Between Spousal and Living-related Donor Kidney Transplantation in Mainland China: A Single-center Experience

Shortage of donors still is the major obstacle for kidney transplantation. Living-related donors are the major resource of kidney transplantation at present. To expand the donor pool, spousal-donor kidney transplantation as one of the types of living-unrelated donors has been used to alleviate the organ shortage. A total of 116 living-kidney transplantations were retrospectively analyzed. We classified these recipients into two groups: a spousal-donor group (n = 50) and a living-related donor group (n = 66), and analyzed the outcome of transplantation. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis with the log-rank test. The occurrence of delayed graft function and biopsy-proven acute rejection showed no significant difference between the two groups. Serum creatinine values at different times after transplantation in recipients with functioning grafts were similar in the two groups. Kaplan-Meier 3-year patient and graft survival rates were, respectively, 98% and 94% for the spousal donor group, and 98.5% and 95.5% for living-related donor group without significant difference. The demonstration of similar patient and graft survival of spousal-donor kidney transplantation compared with living-related donor kidney transplantation has made spousal-donor kidney transplantation an acceptable alternative for donor supply.

Nonlinear modulation of interacting between COMT and depression on brain function

BACKGROUND

The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is related to dopamine degradation and has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, how this gene affects brain function properties in MDD is still unclear.

METHODS

Fifty patients with MDD and 35 cognitively normal participants underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. A voxelwise and data-drive global functional connectivity density (gFCD) analysis was used to investigate the main effects and the interactions of disease states and COMT rs4680 gene polymorphism on brain function.

RESULTS

We found significant group differences of the gFCD in bilateral fusiform area (FFA), post-central and pre-central cortex, left superior temporal gyrus (STG), rectal and superior temporal gyrus and right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC); abnormal gFCDs in left STG were positively correlated with severity of depression in MDD group. Significant disease×COMT interaction effects were found in the bilateral calcarine gyrus, right vlPFC, hippocampus and thalamus, and left SFG and FFA. Further post-hoc tests showed a nonlinear modulation effect of COMT on gFCD in the development of MDD. Interestingly, an inverted U-shaped modulation was found in the prefrontal cortex (control system) but U-shaped modulations were found in the hippocampus, thalamus and occipital cortex (processing system).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated nonlinear modulation of the interaction between COMT and depression on brain function. These findings expand our understanding of the COMT effect underlying the pathophysiology of MDD.

Application value of laboratory indexes in the differential diagnosis of Henoch-Schoenlein purpura

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the value of laboratory indexes in the differential diagnosis of Henoch-Schoenlein purpura (HSP).

METHODS

Patients with HSP hospitalized at the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2010 and December 2014 were enrolled in this prospective study. In addition, septic patients with rash and patients with urticaria, simple hematuria, and acute appendicitis hospitalized during the same period were selected at random as differential diagnosis subjects, and healthy children were selected as normal controls. The levels of IgA, D‑dimer, fibrinogen (FIB), and platelet (PLT) and the platelet distribution width (PDW) of these individuals were tested and analyzed, and the ROC curve was used to determine the applicability of these indexes to differentiate between patients with HSP and other diseases easily confused with HSP, as well as to determine the efficacy of combined diagnosis.

RESULTS

There were remarkable differences in the levels of FIB, D‑dimer, IgA, PLT, and PDW among patients with HSP, sepsis patients with rash, patients with urticaria, simple hematuria, or acute appendicitis and healthy children (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The levels of IgA, D‑dimer, and PLT can be applied separately for the differential diagnosis of HSP, and these indexes and FIB can be combined appropriately to improve the diagnostic efficacy.

The segment-dependent changes in lumbar intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion

Objectives

Many studies have investigated the kinematics of the lumbar spine and the morphological features of the lumbar discs. However, the segment-dependent immediate changes of the lumbar intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion are still unclear. This study examined the changes of intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion of lumbar specimens.

Methods

First, we validated the accuracy and repeatability of a custom-made mechanical loading equipment set-up. Eight lumbar specimens underwent CT scanning in flexion, neural, and extension positions by using the equipment set-up. The changes in the disc height and distance between adjacent two pedicle screw entry points (DASEP) of the posterior approach at different lumbar levels (L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1) were examined on three-dimensional lumbar models, which were reconstructed from the CT images.

Results

All the vertebral motion segments (L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1) had greater changes in disc height and DASEP from neutral to flexion than from neutral to extension. The change in anterior disc height gradually increased from upper to lower levels, from neutral to flexion. The changes in anterior and posterior disc heights were similar at the L4/5 level from neutral to extension, but the changes in anterior disc height were significantly greater than those in posterior disc height at the L3/4 and L5/S1 levels, from neutral to extension.

Conclusions

The lumbar motion segment showed level-specific changes in disc height and DASEP. The data may be helpful in understanding the physiologic dynamic characteristics of the lumbar spine and in optimising the parameters of lumbar surgical instruments.

Cite this article: M. Fu, Q. Ye, C. Jiang, L. Qian, D. Xu, Y. Wang, P. Sun, J. Ouyang. The segment-dependent changes in lumbar intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:245–252. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.64.BJR-2016-0245.R1.

Complete Genome Sequence of Alkaliphilus metalliredigens Strain QYMF, an Alkaliphilic and Metal-Reducing Bacterium Isolated from Borax-Contaminated Leachate Ponds

Alkaliphilus metalliredigens strain QYMF is an anaerobic, alkaliphilic, and metal-reducing bacterium associated with phylum Firmicutes QYMF was isolated from alkaline borax leachate ponds. The genome sequence will help elucidate the role of metal-reducing microorganisms under alkaline environments, a capability that is not commonly observed in metal respiring-microorganisms.

Midterm Outcome of Living-Related Kidney Transplantation From Aged Donors: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the most effective treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Using grafts from aged donors is increasing worldwide. Our aim was to better understand the safety and effectiveness of aged living donors.

METHODS

First, 482 cases with living-related kidney transplantation were analyzed retrospectively. The cases were divided into 2 groups by donor age ≥ 55 years (aged donor group, 136 cases) and <55 years (young donor group, 346 cases). Then donor and recipient characteristics were summarized. In addition, the renal function of graft was compared between young donor group and aged donor group. Finally, patient and graft survivals were examined with the use of Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared with the use of the log-rank test.

RESULTS

The mean donor estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower in the aged donor group compared with in the young donor group. After KT, the mean eGFR of the graft in the recipient was also lower in the aged donor group than in the young donor group. To confirm the effect of aged kidney grafts on renal function, we measured proteinuria. Compared with the young donor group, in the aged donor group incidence of proteinuria and 24-hour urinary protein were significantly higher. However, the incidence of delayed graft function was not significantly different between the 2 groups. We found that aged kidney grafts had no significant effect on long-term patient and graft survivals.

CONCLUSIONS

With the current lack of organs, aged kidney grafts are an acceptable alternative. Use of organs from aged donors safely expands the living donor pool.

Simultaneous changes in gray matter volume and white matter fractional anisotropy in Alzheimer's disease revealed by multimodal CCA and joint ICA

The prominent morphometric alterations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) occur both in gray matter and in white matter. Multimodal fusion can examine joint information by combining multiple neuroimaging datasets to identify the covariant morphometric alterations in AD in greater detail. In the current study, we conducted a multimodal canonical correlation analysis and joint independent component analysis to identify the covariance patterns of the gray and white matter by fusing structural magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging data of 39 AD patients (23 males and 16 females, mean age: 74.91±8.13years) and 41 normal controls (NCs) (20 males and 21 females, mean age: 73.97±6.34years) derived from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. The results revealed 25 joint independent components (ICs), of which three joint ICs exhibited strong links between the gray matter volume and the white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) and significant differences between the AD and NC group. The joint IC maps revealed that the simultaneous changes in the gray matter and FA values primarily involved the following areas: (1) the temporal lobe/hippocampus-cingulum, (2) the frontal/cingulate gyrus-corpus callosum, and (3) the temporal/occipital/parietal lobe-corpus callosum/corona radiata. Our findings suggest that gray matter atrophy is associated with reduced white matter fiber integrity in AD and possibly expand the understanding of the neuropathological mechanisms in AD.

Polymerization behavior of hydrophilic-rich phase of dentin adhesive

The 2-fold objectives of this study were 1) to understand whether model hydrophobic- and hydrophilic-rich phase mimics of dentin adhesive polymerize similarly and 2) to determine which factor, the dimethacrylate component, bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (BisGMA) or photoinitiator concentration, has greater influence on the polymerization of the hydrophilic-rich phase mimic. Current dentin adhesives are sensitive to moisture, as evidenced by nanoleakage in the hybrid layer and phase separation into hydrophobic- and hydrophilic-rich phases. Phase separation leads to limited availability of the cross-linkable dimethacrylate monomer and hydrophobic photoinitiators within the hydrophilic-rich phase. Model hydrophobic-rich phase was prepared as a single-phase solution by adding maximum wt% deuterium oxide (D2O) to HEMA/BisGMA neat resins containing 45 wt% 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Mimics of the hydrophilic-rich phase were prepared similarly but using HEMA/BisGMA neat resins containing 95, 99, 99.5, and 100 wt% HEMA. The hydrophilic-rich mimics were prepared with standard or reduced photoinitiator content. The photoinitiator systems were camphorquinone (CQ)/ethyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate (EDMAB) with or without [3-(3, 4-dimethyl-9-oxo-9H-thioxanthen-2-yloxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]trimethylammonium chloride (QTX). The polymerization kinetics was monitored using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer with a time-resolved collection mode. The hydrophobic-rich phase exhibited a significantly higher polymerization rate compared with the hydrophilic-rich phase. Postpolymerization resulting in the secondary rate maxima was observed for the hydrophilic-rich mimic. The hydrophilic-rich mimics with standard photoinitiator concentration but varying cross-linker (BisGMA) content showed postpolymerization and a substantial degree of conversion. In contrast, the corresponding formulations with reduced photoinitiator concentrations exhibited lower polymerization and inhibition/delay of postpolymerization within 2 h. Under conditions relevant to the wet, oral environment, photoinitiator content plays an important role in the polymerization of the hydrophilic-rich phase mimic. Since the hydrophilic-rich phase is primarily water and monomethacrylate monomer (e.g., HEMA as determined previously), substantial polymerization is important to limit the potential toxic response from HEMA leaching into the surrounding tissues.

Identification of potential targets for ovarian cancer treatment by systematic bioinformatics analysis

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

To provide a systematic overview to understand the mechanism of ovarian cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data of GSE14407 downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were performed by Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Furthermore, the authors constructed the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and co-expression networks by Cytoscape.

RESULTS

A total 1,442 genes were identified to be differentially expressed. Regulatory effects of DEGs mainly focused on cell cycle, transcription regulation, and cellular protein metabolic process. Significant pathways were determined to be p53 signaling pathway, amino sugar, and nucleotide sugar metabolism. The most significant transcription factor was aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT). Abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated protein (ASPM), Aurora kinase (AURKA), Cyclin-A2 (CCNA2), G2/mitotic-specific cyclin-B1, (CCNB1), and Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) were significant nodes in PPI network.

CONCLUSION

The significant genes and pathways show potential targets for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Proteins, pathogens, and failure at the composite-tooth interface

In the United States, composites accounted for nearly 70% of the 173.2 million composite and amalgam restorations placed in 2006 (Kingman et al., 2012), and it is likely that the use of composite will continue to increase as dentists phase out dental amalgam. This trend is not, however, without consequences. The failure rate of composite restorations is double that of amalgam (Ferracane, 2013). Composite restorations accumulate more biofilm, experience more secondary decay, and require more frequent replacement. In vivo biodegradation of the adhesive bond at the composite-tooth interface is a major contributor to the cascade of events leading to restoration failure. Binding by proteins, particularly gp340, from the salivary pellicle leads to biofilm attachment, which accelerates degradation of the interfacial bond and demineralization of the tooth by recruiting the pioneer bacterium Streptococcus mutans to the surface. Bacterial production of lactic acid lowers the pH of the oral microenvironment, erodes hydroxyapatite in enamel and dentin, and promotes hydrolysis of the adhesive. Secreted esterases further hydrolyze the adhesive polymer, exposing the soft underlying collagenous dentinal matrix and allowing further infiltration by the pathogenic biofilm. Manifold approaches are being pursued to increase the longevity of composite dental restorations based on the major contributing factors responsible for degradation. The key material and biological components and the interactions involved in the destructive processes, including recent advances in understanding the structural and molecular basis of biofilm recruitment, are described in this review. Innovative strategies to mitigate these pathogenic effects and slow deterioration are discussed.

Quantitative determination of ketoconazole by UPLC-MS/MS in human plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study

In this study, a simple, rapid and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method is described for determination of ketoconazole (KTZ) in human plasma samples using carbamazepine as the internal standard (IS). Sample preparation was accomplished through one-step liquid-liquid extraction by ethyl acetate, and chromatographic separation was performed on an Acquity BEH C18 column (2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.7 μm) with gradient profile at a flow of 0.45 mL/min. Mass spectrometric analysis was performed using a QTrap5500 mass spectrometer coupled with an electro-spray ionization (ESI) source in the positive ion mode. The MRM transition of m/z 531.2→489.3 was used to quantify for KTZ. The linearity of this method was found to be within the concentration range of 5-15 000 ng/mL for KTZ in human plasma. Only 1.5 min was needed for an analytical run. The method herein described was superior to previous methods and was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of KTZ in healthy Chinese volunteers after oral administration.

Swelling equilibrium of dentin adhesive polymers formed on the water-adhesive phase boundary: experiments and micromechanical model

During their application to the wet, oral environment, dentin adhesives can experience phase separation and composition change, which can compromise the quality of the hybrid layer formed at the dentin-adhesive interface. The chemical composition of polymer phases formed in the hybrid layer can be represented using a ternary water-adhesive phase diagram. In this paper, these polymer phases are characterized using a suite of mechanical tests and swelling experiments. The experimental results were evaluated using a granular micromechanics-based model incorporating poro-mechanical effects and polymer-solvent thermodynamics. The variation in the model parameters and model-predicted polymer properties was studied as a function of composition along the phase boundary. The resulting structure-property correlations provide insight into interactions occurring at the molecular level in the saturated polymer system. These correlations can be used for modeling the mechanical behavior of the hybrid layer, and are expected to aid in the design and improvement of water-compatible dentin adhesive polymers.

Anti-inflammatory effect of purified dietary anthocyanin in adults with hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease and previous studies have demonstrated that anthocyanin inhibits atherosclerosis. In the present study, we explored the effects of anthocyanins on inflammatory cytokines in hypercholesterolemic adults and cell lines.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 150 subjects with hypercholesterolemia consumed a purified anthocyanin mixture (320 mg/d) or a placebo twice a day for 24 weeks in a randomized, double-blind trial. Anthocyanin consumption significantly decreased the levels of serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (-21.6% vs. -2.5%, P = 0.001), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) (-12.3% vs. 0.4%, P = 0.005) and plasma IL-1β (-12.8% vs. -1.3%, P = 0.019) compared to the placebo. We also found a significant difference in the LDL-cholesterol (-10.4% vs. 0.3%, P = 0.030) and HDL-cholesterol level changes (14.0% vs. -0.9%, P = 0.036) between the two groups. In cell culture assays in vitro, purified anthocyanin mixture, delphinidin-3-Ο-β-glucoside (Dp-3g) and cyanidin-3-Ο-β-glucoside (Cy-3g) inhibited IL-6 and IL-1β-induced CRP production (P < 0.05) in HepG2 cell line and LPS-induced VCAM-1 secretion (P < 0.05) in porcine iliac artery endothelial cell line respectively in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the reduction of inflammatory cytokines associated with anthocyanin mixture was stronger when compared with the effects of Dp-3g and Cy-3g separately (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Anthocyanin mixture reduced the inflammatory response in hypercholesterolemic subjects. In addition, different anthocyanin compounds were found to have additive or synergistic effects in mediating anti-inflammatory responses in vitro cell culture assays.

The results of surgery for colorectal hepatic metastases following expansion of the indications in 2005

AIM

Safety and survival were investigated in patients treated according to expanded surgical indications for colorectal hepatic metastases.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent resection of colorectal hepatic metastases at Zhongshan Hospital from 2000 to 2010 was conducted. The patients were divided into two groups based on a change in the surgical indications introduced in 2005. Patients in Group I underwent hepatic surgery between 2000 and 2004 and those in Group II between 2005 and 2010. The clinicopathological data and survival rates of both groups were analysed.

RESULTS

There were 530 patients who underwent hepatic surgery between 2000 and 2010. After the expansion of surgical indications, the rate of surgical resection rose from 25.1 to 35.1% (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in perioperative mortality (2.2% vs 0.9%) or morbidity (20.9% vs 29.8%). Recurrence occurred in 27.5% and 36.7% in Groups I and II, respectively, and 5-year overall survival was 43% and 49%, respectively (not significant).

CONCLUSION

Expanding the indications for surgical resection of hepatic metastases increased the resection rate but had no significant effect on survival.

First measurements of spin-dependent double-differential cross sections and the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn Integrand from 3He(γ,n)pp at incident photon energies of 12.8 and 14.7 MeV

The first measurement of the three-body photodisintegration of longitudinally polarized (3)He with a circularly polarized γ-ray beam was carried out at the High Intensity γ-ray Source facility located at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory. The spin-dependent double-differential cross sections and the contributions from the three-body photodisintegration to the (3)He Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn integrand are presented and compared with state-of-the-art three-body calculations at the incident photon energies of 12.8 and 14.7 MeV. The data reveal the importance of including the Coulomb interaction between protons in three-body calculations.

ERK and AKT signaling cooperate to translationally regulate survivin expression for metastatic progression of colorectal cancer

The MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways are often concurrently activated by separate genetic alterations in colorectal cancer (CRC), which is associated with CRC progression and poor survival. However, how activating both pathways is required for CRC metastatic progression remains unclear. Our recent study showed that both ERK and AKT signaling are required to activate eIF4E-initiated cap-dependent translation via convergent regulation of the translational repressor 4E-BP1 for maintaining CRC transformation. Here, we identified that the activation of cap-dependent translation by cooperative ERK and AKT signaling is critical for promotion of CRC motility and metastasis. In CRC cells with coexistent mutational activation of ERK and AKT pathways, inhibition of either MEK or AKT alone showed limited activity in inhibiting cell migration and invasion, but combined inhibition resulted in profound effects. Genetic blockade of the translation initiation complex by eIF4E knockdown or expression of a dominant active 4E-BP1 mutant effectively inhibited migration, invasion and metastasis of CRC cells, whereas overexpression of eIF4E or knockdown of 4E-BP1 had the opposite effect and markedly reduced their dependence on ERK and AKT signaling for cell motility. Mechanistically, we found that these effects were largely dependent on the increase in mTORC1-mediated survivin translation by ERK and AKT signaling. Despite the modest effect of survivin knockdown on tumor growth, reduction of the translationally-regulated survivin profoundly inhibited motility and metastasis of CRC. These findings reveal a critical mechanism underlying the translational regulation of CRC metastatic progression, and suggest that targeting cap-dependent translation may provide a promising treatment strategy for advanced CRC.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) in China

Camel is important to the economy of many countries. We report Toxoplasma gondii infection in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus), first for this host. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in sera of 7 of 234 C. bactrianus from Qinghai Province, northwestern China. Sera were tested by a commercial indirect hemagglutination test at a cut-off of 1:64. Age or the gender of the camel did not significantly affect the seroprevalence. Results are of public health and economic importance because camel milk and meat are used for human consumption in many countries, including China.

Friedel-like oscillations from interstitial iron in superconducting Fe(1+y)Te0.62Se0.38

Using polarized and unpolarized neutron scattering, we show that interstitial Fe in superconducting Fe(1+y)Te(1-x)Se(x) induces a magnetic Friedel-like oscillation that diffracts at Q⊥=(1/2 0) and involves >50 neighboring Fe sites. The interstitial >2μ(B) moment is surrounded by compensating ferromagnetic four-spin clusters that may seed double stripe ordering in Fe(1+y)Te. A semimetallic five-band model with (1/2 1/2) Fermi surface nesting and fourfold symmetric superexchange between interstitial Fe and two in-plane nearest neighbors largely accounts for the observed diffraction.