Relationship between CYP17 gene polymorphisms and risk of prostate cancer

Cytochrome P450 17a-hydroxylase (CYP17) plays a critical role in androgen biosynthesis. Polymorphisms of the CYP17 promoter have been proposed as risk factors for prostate cancer; however, some studies have produced inconclusive or controversial results. We investigated the relationship between polymorphisms of the CYP17 gene and the risk of prostate cancer. A total of 176 patients with prostate cancer were enrolled in the study, and 168 healthy individuals acted as the control group. The participants were divided into those <71 years old and those ≥71 years old. Restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the genotype of CYP17 in the samples. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations were also measured in all subjects. When T/C and C/C were compared with T/T, the ORs were 0.478 (P = 0.489) and 0.814 (P = 0.367), respectively. There was no significant difference in PSA concentration among the three genotypes in the <71 group, whereas there were statistically significant differences in the ≥71 group (P = 0.003 and 0.012, respectively). There was no significant difference in free PSA and total PSA levels between the three groups and the control group. The T/C and C/C genotypes were not associated with the risk of prostate cancer, and there were no significant differences between them. In the ≥71 group, the T/C and C/C genotypes were closely associated with prostate cancer, which suggests that the CYP17 gene might be a risk factor for prostate cancer in males of advanced age.

The role of ppGalNAc-T family in breast cancer development and progression

Glycosylation of proteins is an essential process in all eukaryotes. Mucin-type O-linked glycosylation is an evolutionarily conserved protein modification as a kind of glycosylation of proteins. The role of O-glycosylation was well documented in multiple cancers. While in breast cancer, the enzymes that catalyzed the initiation of O-glycosylation remained elusive. In this review, we briefly introduced the process of the initiation of O-glycosylation and summarized the roles of enzymes that catalyzed the initiation step of O-glycosylation in the breast cancer carcinogenesis, development, and progression. Finally, we summarized some attempts exploring the therapy against aberrant O-glycosylation.

A survey of outcomes and management of patients post fragility fractures in China

We found that the fragility hip and vertebral fractures caused excess mortality rates in this Chinese female population, which was unexpectedly lower than those in western countries and other Asian countries. This was the first nationwide survey relating to post-fracture outcomes conducted among Chinese population in Mainland China.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the mortality, self-care ability, diagnosis, and medication treatment of osteoporosis following fragility hip and vertebral fractures through a nationwide survey among female patients aged over 50 in Mainland China.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study based on medical chart review and patient questionnaire. Female patients aged 50 or older admitted for low-trauma hip or vertebral fractures and discharged from Jan 1, 2008 to Dec 31, 2012 were followed.

RESULTS

Total of 1151 subjects of hip fracture and 842 subjects of vertebral fracture were included. The mean age was 73.4 ± 10.0, and the median of duration from index fracture to interview was 2.6 years. The overall 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year cumulative mortality rates were 3.5, 7.0, 11.2, 13.1, and 16.9 %, respectively. The first year mortality rates in hip (3.8 %, 95% CI 3.3-4.4 %) and vertebral fracture (3.1 %, 95% CI 2.5-3.7 %) were significantly higher than that in the general population (1.6 %). Impaired self-care ability was observed in 33.2, 40.6, and 23.8 % of overall, hip fracture, and vertebral fracture group, respectively. The overall diagnosis rate of osteoporosis was 56.8 %, and bone mineral density (BMD) measurement had never been conducted in 42.0 % among these women. After the index fracture, 69.6 % of them received supplements and/or anti-osteoporotic medications, among which 39.6 % only received calcium with/without vitamin D supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

The osteoporotic hip and vertebral fractures caused excess mortality rates in this population of Mainland China. The current diagnosis and medical treatment following the fragility fractures is still insufficient in Mainland China.

Prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic Chinese children: a prospective, cross-sectional, population-based study

BACKGROUND

Limited research has been published on current Helicobacter pylori infection rate in asymptomatic children in China.

AIM

To assess current Helicobacter pylori infection rate, distribution characteristics and risk factors in Chinese asymptomatic children.

METHODS

A prospective, cross-sectional, population-based study was performed from 2009 to 2011 in three cities of China. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed by a stool antigen test. Multi-stage cluster random sampling was used to select asymptomatic children including neonates. Socioeconomic details were obtained through a standardised questionnaire.

RESULTS

Among total of 3491 children (0-18 years), the global infection rate was 6.8% and there were no significant differences between genders. Age specific infection rate between regions was significantly different (P < 0.05). The infection rate significantly increased with age (P for trend <0.01). It was low during the newborn (0.6%) to preschool period and was significantly increased in high school students (13.5%) (P < 0.01). Multivariable regression indicated that hand sanitisation, individually served meals, higher education level of mother, above average living space and residence in urban areas were significantly protective against infection (OR 0.749, 0.698, 0.720, 0.838 and 0.770 respectively). Conversely, consuming meals in unsanitised conditions, sharing towels, receiving pre-chewed food from the mother, artificial feeding and family history of gastrointestinal disease were significantly associated with the risk of infection (OR 1.200, 1.965, 2.002, 1.071 and 2.093 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Helicobacter pylori infection rate increases with age in Chinese asymptomatic children and is common after 10 years of age. The rate of infection is related to socioeconomic status.

Giant piezoresistivity in aligned carbon nanotube nanocomposite: account for nanotube structural distortion at crossed tunnel junctions

High piezoresistivity is critical for multifunctional carbon nanotube polymer composites with sensing capability. By developing a new percolation network model, this work reveals theoretically that a giant piezoresistivity in the composites can be potentially achieved by controlled nanotube alignment resulting from field based alignment techniques. The tube-tube and/or tube-matrix interaction in conjunction with the aligned carbon nanotube networks are fully considered in the newly proposed model. The structural distortion of nanotubes is determined self-consistently by minimizing the pseudo-potential energy at crossed-tube junctions based on the Lennard-Jones potential and simulation of coarse grain molecular dynamics. The tunneling transport through crossed-tube junctions is calculated by the Landauer-Büttiker formula with empirical fitting by first-principle calculation. The simulation results also reveal that the piezoresistivity can be further improved by using low carbon nanotube loadings near the percolation threshold, carbon nanotubes with a small aspect ratio, high intrinsic conductivity and polymers with a small Poisson's ratio. This giant piezoresistive effect offers a tremendously promising future, which needs further thorough exploration.

Reverse-dipper pattern of blood pressure may predict lacunar infarction in patients with essential hypertension

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The fluctuation of circadian blood pressure (BP) is of great diversity in patients with essential hypertension and may provide significant prognostic value for stroke. However, it remains uncertain whether reverse-dipper pattern of BP influences the incidence of lacunar infarction in hypertensive patients.

METHODS

In the current study, 362 hypertensive patients (195 males, 167 females) were enrolled. BP patterns were evaluated with 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Multinomial logistic regression was applied to analyse the possible relationships between lacunar infarction and various clinical risk factors such as ABPM.

RESULTS

A total of 93 patients (25.7%) had reverse-dipper BP pattern. Non-dipper pattern of BP was observed in 179 hypertensive patients (49.4%) and dipper pattern in 90 patients (24.9%). The percentage of lacunar infarction was the highest in the patients with reverse-dipper pattern compared with pure hypertension or atherothrombotic cerebral infarction (P < 0.05). After multinomial logistic regression analysis, reverse-dipper pattern of BP (odds ratio 2.492; 95% confidence interval 1.133-5.479; P < 0.05) and age (odds ratio 1.084; 95% confidence interval 1.047-1.123; P < 0.01) were found to be directly associated with lacunar infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

Reverse-dipper BP pattern may serve as an independent risk factor for lacunar infarction and more personalized BP management should be offered to the patients who have elevated nocturnal BP.

A 32-channel photon counting module with embedded auto/cross-correlators for real-time parallel fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a well-established technique to study binding interactions or the diffusion of fluorescently labeled biomolecules in vitro and in vivo. Fast FCS experiments require parallel data acquisition and analysis which can be achieved by exploiting a multi-channel Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) array and a corresponding multi-input correlator. This paper reports a 32-channel FPGA based correlator able to perform 32 auto/cross-correlations simultaneously over a lag-time ranging from 10 ns up to 150 ms. The correlator is included in a 32 × 1 SPAD array module, providing a compact and flexible instrument for high throughput FCS experiments. However, some inherent features of SPAD arrays, namely afterpulsing and optical crosstalk effects, may introduce distortions in the measurement of auto- and cross-correlation functions. We investigated these limitations to assess their impact on the module and evaluate possible workarounds.

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: diagnostic performance of 64-section multiphase CT enterography and CT angiography compared with capsule endoscopy

OBJECTIVE

To compare the diagnostic capabilities between capsule endoscopy (CE) and multislice CT (MSCT) enterography in combination with MSCT angiography for assessment of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).

METHODS

A total of 127 patients with OGIB were looked at in this study. 82 patients (aged 42.7 ± 19.1 years; 34 males) were assigned to receive MSCT diagnosis and 67 patients to (aged 53.9 ± 16.2 years; 28 males) receive CE diagnosis. Among them, 22 patients (aged 54.1 ± 19.1 years; 12 males) received both examinations. Oral isotonic mannitol and intramuscular injection of anisodamine were performed; non-ionic contrast (iopromide, 370 mg I ml(-1)) was intravenously administered; and then multiphase scanning was conducted at arterial, small intestinal and portal venous phases in MSCT. The results were compared with findings of reference standards including double balloon enteroscopy, digital subtraction angiography, intraoperative pathological examination and/or clinical diagnosis.

RESULTS

Administration of anisodamine markedly increased the satisfaction rate of bowel filling (94.67% vs 28.57%; p < 0.001) but not the diagnostic yield (p = 0.293) of MSCT. Compared with MSCT, CE showed an improved overall diagnostic yield (68.66% vs 47.56%; p = 0.010), which was also observed in overt bleeding patients (i.e. patients with continued passage of visible blood) (76.19% vs 51.02%; p = 0.013) and in patients aged younger than 40 years of age (85% vs 51.28%; p = 0.024). However, CE had similar positive rates to MSCT (p > 0.05). Among the 22 cases in whom both examinations were conducted, CE showed no significantly different diagnostic capability compared with MSCT (p = 0.4597).

CONCLUSION

Both CE and MSCT are safe and effective diagnostic methods for OGIB.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

CE is preferred for overt bleeding or patients aged younger than 40 years. The combined use of CE and MSCT is recommended in OGIB diagnosis.

Bosentan protects the spinal cord from ischemia reperfusion injury in rats through vascular endothelial growth factor receptors

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental study.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether Bosentan, an endothelin-A/-B dual receptor antagonist, could protect neurons after spinal cord ischemia reperfusion (SCIR) injury in rats and its underlying signaling pathway.

SETTING

Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, saline group (IRS, n=48) and Bosentan group (IRB, 5 mg kg(-1), n=48). After ischemia for 1 h with occlusion of the infrarenal aorta, spinal cord were reperfused for 6h, 12h, 24h, 3d, 5d, and 7d separately. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect protein expression of VEGF, VEGF receptor 1 (FLT-1) and VEGF receptor 2 (FLK-1). Gene expressions of VEGF and its receptors were evaluated using the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Compared with the IRS group, gene and protein expressions of VEGF, FLT-1 and FLK-1 were significantly increased (P<0.05), so was the concentration of VEGF in plasma (P<0.05). FLK-1 was expressed on spinal cord neurons.

Genetic characterization and authentication of Dimocarpus longan Lour. using an improved RAPD technique

Dimocarpus longan Lour. is an edible and traditional herb in China, commonly referred to as longon. An improved randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) protocol was here developed in order to determine the geographical origins of D. longan samples collected from 5 provinces in the southern and southwestern areas of China, including Sichuan, Hainan, Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Generally, the improved RAPD method generated good fingerprinting of the 5 samples using the selected 17 primers. In particular, primers SBS-A5, SBS-A13, SBS-I9, SBS-I20, SBS-M1, and SBS-Q12 produced distinguishable bands that clearly separated all 5 cultivars, suggesting that there are variations in RAPD genetic sites among the samples. The similarity index ranged from 0.69 to 0.76. The Sichuan and Hainan clades clustered together with a 0.73 similarity index. The Guangxi and Fujian clades clustered together with a 0.76 similarity index, and they formed the sister clade to the Sichuan/Hainan clade with a 0.71 similarity index. The Guangdong clade was in a basal polytomy with a 0.70 similarity index. Based on the abundant DNA polymorphisms, these longan accessions are distinguishable using our improved RAPD technique. Therefore, RAPD analysis is an effective technique in distinguishing the geographical origins of D. longan. Moreover, the improved method could also be employed for a variety of applications including genetic diversity and fingerprinting analyses.

Bosentan reduces neuronal apoptosis following spinal cord ischemic reperfusion injury

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental study.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of endothelin-receptor antagonist Bosentan on the spinal neural apoptosis in rats with ischemic reperfusion (IR) injury.

SETTING

Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medcine, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China:

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley Rats were randomly divided into two groups, saline (IRS, n=48) and Bosentan (IRB, n=48) treatment, respectively, when reperfused in 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 days, 5 days and 7 days. Immunohistochemical staining was used to assess endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin receptor type A (ETRA), endothelin receptor type B (ETRB), Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 expression. ET-1 and its receptor in spinal cord tissue were evaluated by real-time PCR. Plasma ET-1 concentration was also detected using radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

Compared with the group IRS, plasma concentration of ET-1 in group IRB was significantly increased at each time point (P<0.05) and peaked at 24 h (P<0.01). ETRB expression in group IRB was significantly higher than group IRS at each time point (P<0.05) and peaked at day 3 (P<0.01). The difference in the expression of ETRA was not statistically significant in the group IRS and IRB (P>0.05). The apoptosis rate in group IRB was significantly decreased at each time point (P<0.05). The protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 were significantly increased in response to Bosentan treatment after IR.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest Bosentan decreases apoptosis rate after IR injury in the spinal cord, possibly through the ET-1-ETRB signaling pathway.

Virally expressed connexin26 restores gap junction function in the cochlea of conditional Gjb2 knockout mice

Mutations in GJB2, which codes for the gap junction protein connexin26, are the most common causes of human nonsyndromic hereditary deafness. We inoculated modified adeno-associated viral vectors into the scala media of early postnatal conditional Gjb2 knockout mice to drive exogenous connexin26 expression. We found extensive virally-expressed connexin26 in cells lining the scala media, and intercellular gap junction network was re-established in the organ of Corti of mutant mouse cochlea. Widespread ectopic connexin26 expression neither formed ectopic gap junctions nor affected normal hearing thresholds in wild type mice, suggesting that autonomous cellular mechanisms regulate proper membrane trafficking of exogenously-expressed connexin26 and govern the functional manifestation of them. Functional recovery of gap-junction-mediated coupling among the supporting cells was observed. We found that both cell death in the organ of Corti and degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons in the cochlea of mutant mice were substantially reduced, although auditory brainstem responses did not show significant hearing improvement. This is the first report demonstrating that virally-mediated gene therapy restored extensive gap junction intercellular network among cochlear non-sensory cells in vivo. Such a treatment performed at early postnatal stages resulted in a partial rescue of disease phenotypes in the cochlea of the mutant mice.

Microcellular Injection Molding

This paper reviews some of the recent developments of microcellular injection molding, which is capable of producing parts with excellent dimensional stability using lower injection pressure, shorter cycle time, and less material. Process conditions as well as nano/micro-fillers such as nanoclay and core–shell rubber have a strong influence on cell density and cell size, hence, the final material properties of the molded parts. The addition of nano/micro-fillers at optimum loading levels can generally facilitate the formation of microcellular plastics with higher cell density and smaller cell size leading to superior mechanical properties. The novel integration of a solid plastic surface with a microcellular plastic core via the co-injection molding technique has been investigated to achieve Class “A” surfaces and improved material performance. An improved mathematical model has been developed to simulate the cell growth behavior in the microcellular injection molding process.

Solid and Microcellular Polylactide-Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

In this study, polylactide (PLA)-multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites were melt-compounded using a twin-screw extruder. Solid and microcellular tensile bar specimens were produced via conventional and microcellular injection molding, respectively. Various characterization techniques were applied to study the static and dynamic mechanical properties, degree of MWCNT dispersion, cell morphology, and crystallization behavior. The addition of a small amount of MWCNTs led to a decrease in the cell size and an increase in the cell density of the microcellular PLA specimens. A transmission electron microscopy analysis of the PLA-MWCNT specimens revealed a higher degree of MWCNT dispersion in the microcellular PLA-MWCNT composite compared with its solid counterpart, indicating that the microcellular injection molding process further dispersed the MWCNTs. For both solid and microcellular specimens, the addition of 1.5 wt% MWCNTs reduced the specific strength, specific toughness and strain-at-break while exerting less impact on the specific modulus. The storage modulus was not affected significantly with the addition of MWCNTs, but was found to be higher for the microcellular specimens compared with their solid counterparts. Finally, the crystallinity of PLA increased with the addition of MWCNTs.

Injection Molded Solid and Microcellular Polylactide Compounded with Recycled Paper Shopping Bag Fibers

Recycled paper shopping bag fibers were melt-compounded using a batch mixer with biobased/biodegradable polylactide (PLA) at 10 and 30 wt.% using silane as a coupling agent. These PLA/fiber composites were then injection molded to produce both solid and microcellular tensile bars. The mechanical properties (specific modulus, specific tensile strength, specific toughness, and strain at break) of the neat PLA and PLA composites were tested and the cell morphology of the microcellular samples was examined using scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that the addition of the recycled paper shopping bag fibers resulted in an increase in cell density and decrease in average cell size for the microcellular components when compared with the neat PLA. The addition of the fibers increased the specific modulus of both solid and microcellular components, and high fiber contents (30 wt.%) resulted in an increase in specific tensile strength, yet yielded a decrease in the strain at break and specific toughness. The storage modulus was also improved with the addition of 10 and 30 wt.% fibers for both solid and microcellular components.

Arsenic trioxide alleviates airway hyperresponsiveness and promotes apoptosis of CD4+ T lymphocytes: evidence for involvement of the ER stress-CHOP pathway

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is an ancient Chinese medicine, which is used to treat psoriasis, asthma, and acute promyelocytic leukemia.

AIM

We wanted to research the effect of arsenic trioxide on asthma.

METHODS

Using a murine model of asthma, the airway hyperresponsiveness was conducted by the Buxco pulmonary function apparatus. Total cell counts of BALF were counted with a counting chamber. Histopathological analysis of lung tissues was conducted by hematoxylin-eosin or periodic acid-schiff stain. CD4+T cells were purified from the spleen by positive selection, using immunomagnetic beads. Apoptosis measurements were done with Annexin-V/PI staining. Western blot analysis and real time-PCR were performed to assess the expression of C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), respectively. RNA interference was conducted to inhibit the expression of CHOP.

RESULTS

We found that arsenic trioxide treatment alleviated airway hyperresponsiveness and reduced inflammation of the lung in asthmatic mice. Furthermore, arsenic trioxide treatment promoted apoptosis of CD4+T cells in vivo and in vitro. When CD4+T cells were cultured with arsenic trioxide for 5 h at a concentration of 5 μM, the expression of GRP78 and CHOP was increased. Treatment of CD4+T cells with CHOP siRNA, provided partial resistance to arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis of CD4+T cells

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrated that arsenic trioxide can reduce the severity of asthma attacks and induce the apoptosis of CD4+ T cell which the ER stress-CHOP pathway involved.

Neural expression of the transcription factor THAP1 during development in rat

Loss of function mutations in THAP1 has been associated with primary generalized and focal dystonia in children and adults. THAP1 encodes a transcription factor (THAP1) that harbors an atypical zinc finger domain and plays a critical role in G(1)-S cell cycle control. Current thinking suggests that dystonia may be a neurodevelopmental circuit disorder. Hence, THAP1 may participate in the development of the nervous system. Herein, we report the neurodevelopmental expression patterns of Thap1 transcript and THAP1 protein from the early postnatal period through adulthood in the rat brain, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). We detected Thap1 transcript and THAP1-immunoreactivity (IR) in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, striatum, substantia nigra, thalamus, spinal cord and DRG. Thap1 transcript expression was higher in the brain than in spinal cord and DRG at P1 and P7 and declined to similar levels at P14 and later time points in all regions except the cerebellum, where it remained high through adulthood. In the brain, THAP1 expression was highest in early development, particularly in the cerebellum at P7. In addition to Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, THAP1-IR was also localized to pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex, relay neurons in the thalamus, medium spiny and cholinergic neurons in the striatum, dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, and pyramidal and interneurons in the hippocampus. In the cerebellar cortex, THAP1-IR was prominently distributed in the perikarya and proximal dendrites of Purkinje cells at early time-points. In contrast, it was more diffusely distributed throughout the dendritic arbor of adult Purkinje cells producing a moderate diffuse staining pattern in the molecular layer. At all time points, nuclear IR was weaker than cytoplasmic IR. The prominent cytoplasmic and developmentally regulated expression of THAP1 suggests that THAP1 may function as part of a cell surface-nucleus signaling cascade involved in terminal neural differentiation.

Regulation of μ-opioid type 1 receptors by microRNA134 in dorsal root ganglion neurons following peripheral inflammation

BACKGROUND

MOR1 is the main transcript of μ-opioid receptor (MOR) gene, which represents a mandatory molecule for the analgesic effects of opioids and plays an important role in the pathology of inflammatory pain. MicroRNAs (miR) are non-coding molecules that primarily modulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in various pathophysiological conditions. Based on in silico analysis, an exact match to the seed sequence of miR-134 was found in 3'-untranslated region of MOR1. Given the important roles of MOR1 in pain modulation, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether miR-134 can regulate the MOR1 following allodynia.

METHODS

Using Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced chronic inflammatory pain model, we investigated the expression profiles of miR-134 and MOR1 in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The relationship of miR-134 and MOR1 expressions was analysed by linear regression. Luciferase assay was used to examine whether MOR1 was the target of miR-134.

RESULTS

Our results showed that miR-134 expression level was inversely related to MOR1 expression. Down-regulation of miR-134 and up-regulation of MOR1 in the same tissues after inflammatory pain were observed. Functional experiments showed that MOR1 expression in SH-SY5Y cells was up-regulated after inhibition of miR-134, indicating that MOR1 was a target of miR-134.

CONCLUSIONS

Our present data suggested a model that miR-134 participated in CFA-induced inflammatory pain by balancing the expression of MOR1 in DRGs, which implied that miR-134 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain including inflammation.

Gene expression in accumbens GABA neurons from inbred rats with different drug-taking behavior

Inbred Lewis and Fisher 344 rat strains differ greatly in drug self-administration; Lewis rats operantly self-administer drugs of abuse including nicotine, whereas Fisher self-administer poorly. As shown herein, operant food self-administration is similar. On the basis of their pivotal role in drug reward, we hypothesized that differences in basal gene expression in GABAergic neurons projecting from nucleus accumbens (NAcc) to ventral pallidum (VP) play a role in vulnerability to drug-taking behavior. The transcriptomes of NAcc shell-VP GABAergic neurons from these two strains were analyzed in adolescents, using a multidisciplinary approach that combined stereotaxic ionotophoretic brain microinjections, laser-capture microdissection (LCM) and microarray measurement of transcripts. Laser-capture microdissection enriched the gene transcripts detected in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons compared to the residual NAcc tissue: a ratio of neuron/residual >1 and false discovery rate (FDR) <5% yielded 6623 transcripts, whereas a ratio of >3 yielded 3514. Strain-dependent differences in gene expression within GABA neurons were identified; 322 vs. 60 transcripts showed 1.5-fold vs. 2-fold differences in expression (FDR < 5%). Classification by gene ontology showed that these 322 transcripts were widely distributed, without categorical enrichment. This is most consistent with a global change in GABA neuron function. Literature mining by Chilibot found 38 genes related to synaptic plasticity, signaling and gene transcription, all of which determine drug abuse; 33 genes have no known association with addiction or nicotine. In Lewis rats, upregulation of Mint-1, Cask, CamkII , Ncam1, Vsnl1, Hpcal1 and Car8 indicates that these transcripts likely contribute to altered signaling and synaptic function in NAcc GABA projection neurons to VP.

Novel THAP1 sequence variants in primary dystonia

BACKGROUND

THAP1 encodes a transcription factor (THAP1) that harbors an atypical zinc finger domain and regulates cell proliferation. An exon 2 insertion/deletion frameshift mutation in THAP1 is responsible for DYT6 dystonia in Amish-Mennonites. Subsequent screening efforts in familial, mainly early-onset, primary dystonia identified additional THAP1 sequence variants in non-Amish subjects.

OBJECTIVE

To examine a large cohort of subjects with mainly adult-onset primary dystonia for sequence variants in THAP1.

METHODS

With high-resolution melting, all 3 THAP1 exons were screened for sequence variants in 1,114 subjects with mainly adult-onset primary dystonia, 96 with unclassified dystonia, and 600 controls (400 neurologically normal and 200 with Parkinson disease). In addition, all 3 THAP1 exons were sequenced in 200 subjects with dystonia and 200 neurologically normal controls.

RESULTS

Nine unique melting curves were found in 19 subjects from 16 families with primary dystonia and 1 control. Age at dystonia onset ranged from 8 to 69 years (mean 48 years). Sequencing identified 6 novel missense mutations in conserved regions of THAP1 (G9C [cervical, masticatory, arm], D17G [cervical], F132S [laryngeal], I149T [cervical and generalized], A166T [laryngeal], and Q187K [cervical]). One subject with blepharospasm and another with laryngeal dystonia harbored a c.-42C>T variant. A c.57C>T silent variant was found in 1 subject with segmental craniocervical dystonia. An intron 1 variant (c.71+9C>A) was present in 7 subjects with dystonia (7/1,210) but only 1 control (1/600).

CONCLUSIONS

A heterogeneous collection of THAP1 sequence variants is associated with varied anatomical distributions and onset ages of both familial and sporadic primary dystonia.

Investigation of stimulated Brillouin scattering media perfluoro-compound and perfluoropolyether with a low absorption coefficient and high power-load ability

The correlations between stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) characteristics of perfluoro-compound (PFC) and perfluoropolyether (PFPE) and their chemical structure are analyzed in detail and a series of new PFC and PFPE are reported. In the Nd:YAG laser system, the absorption coefficient, optical breakdown threshold (OBT), SBS threshold, and Brillouin frequency shift of new media such as FC-87, FC-43, HT-55, and DET are measured. Parameters such as gain coefficient, Brillouin linewidth, and phonon lifetime are calculated. The results demonstrate their good SBS properties: the absorption coefficients are below 10(-3)cm(-1) and OBTs are above 100 GW/cm(2). These media also exhibit a series of unique physicochemical properties, i.e., high heat-resistance, high oxidation stability, good chemical inertness, and insulation properties. The discovery of new media not only diversifies SBS medium, but also improves the performance of the SBS system, thereby laying a good foundation for the application of a SBS phase conjugation mirror in a high-power laser system.

New ORP/pH based control strategy for chlorination and dechlorination of wastewater: pilot scale application

Due to its efficiency and low capital demands, chlorination has been widely used for disinfection in many wastewater treatment plants. Since the oxidation power of free chlorine is bigger than combined chlorines which are formed from the reaction between chlorine and reducing agents in water (especially, NH4+ and organic nitrogen), for effective disinfection, excess amount of chlorine is added until all the reducing agents are oxidized and free chlorine is available. After chlorination, chlorine residues in wastewater are usually reduced with SO2 or sulfites before the treated wastewater is discharged, since they are toxic to aquatic life. Addition of excess amount of SO2 or sulfite should be avoided. Otherwise, they consume dissolved oxygen in a river or stream and may have adverse impact on the aquatic life. Determination of wastewater chlorine demand and of sulfite dosages for dechlorination has been a challenge to WWTP operators, due to the dynamic characteristics of wastewater. Recently, a new ORP/pH based approach to determine chlorine demand and sulfite dosage was proposed. The method utilizes significant points occurring on the pH and ORP profiles during chlorination and dechlorination titrations. In this study, the proposed automatic titration system has been implemented into a control system to optimize chlorine and sulfite doses for a pilot scale chlorination/dechlorination system. In short, the disinfection system with the pH/ORP based controller showed very successful results; complete inactivation of total coliforms, and almost zero residual chlorines and high DO in its effluent.

New process control strategy for wastewater chlorination and dechlorination using ORP/pH

Due to its efficiency and relatively low capital demanding, many wastewater treatment plants have applied chlorination for disinfection of treated wastewater before discharging it. However, determination of optimal doses of chlorine for chlorination and sulfite for dechlorination, which removes residual chlorine, should made to guarantee complete destruction of microorganisms in treated wastewater and to protect aquatic life in a receiving stream. In this study, a new ORP/pH based approach to determine endpoints of breakpoint chlorination and of dechlorinating titration and to optimize doses of chlorine and sulfite. In this new method, significant points on the ORP and pH profiles occurring during the titrations for chlorination and dechlorination were utilized to determine chlorine demand and sulfite dosage.

[The clinical investigation of bacteriology of chronic suppurative otitis media]

OBJECTIVE

To understand bacteriology of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and drug sensitivity of isolated bacteria for better treatment of CSOM.

METHOD

Secretions of 92 samples with chronic suppurative otitis media were collected and cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria respectively. Drug sensitivity test of isolated bacteria was done.

RESULT

Aerobic bacteria was found in 75 of 92 samples (81.5%), the main pathogens were pseudomonas aeruginosa, aureus staphylococcus and bacillus proteus, and their sensitive rates for ciprofloxacin were 89.0%, 88.2% and 85.0% respectively. Anaerobic bacteria was found in 10 samples (10.9%) and the relative sensitive drug was cefoperazone sodium.

CONCLUSION

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, aureus staphylococcus and bacillus proteus are the main pathogens of chronic suppurative otitis media, and their sensitive rates for ciprofloxacin are high.

TDAG51 is not essential for Fas/CD95 regulation and apoptosis in vivo

Fas/CD95 is a key regulator of apoptotic signaling, which is crucial for the maintenance of homeostasis in peripheral lymphoid organs. TDAG51 has been shown to play critical roles in the up-regulation of Fas gene expression and T-cell apoptosis in vitro. In order to identify the role of TDAG51 in vivo, we generated TDAG51-deficient (TDAG51-/-) mice. Northern blotting revealed no expression of TDAG51 in TDAG51-/- mice, indicating that the TDAG51 gene was successfully targeted. TDAG51-/- mice were healthy and showed no gross developmental abnormalities. While Fas-deficient mice display marked lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and lymphocytosis, TDAG51-/- mice had no apparent defects in secondary lymphoid organs. Although TDAG51 is required for up-regulation of Fas expression in T-cell hybridomas, TDAG51-/- mice expressed normal levels of Fas and had normal T-cell apoptosis. Therefore, we conclude that TDAG51 is not essential for Fas up-regulation and T-cell apoptosis in vivo. There are several known homologs of TDAG51, and these homologs may substitute for TDAG51 in TDAG51-/- mice.

[A new lymph-node staging system for gastric cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the predictive effects of the new lymph node staging system based on the ratio of the number of metastatic lymph nodes to the total number of dissected lymph nodes comparing with N-staging of the 5th TNM (UICC, 1997).

METHODS

Lymph nodes harvested from operative specimens in 78 patients with gastric cancer were examined histologically. pN staging was carried out according to the two staging systems respectively. In our system, pN0, pN1, pN2, pN3 were defined as lymph node ratio(LNR) 0, <10%, <25% and >25%, respectively. All the patients were followed up and the data were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

A total of 5388 lymph nodes were found with a mean of 69 per case (range 30-157). Lymph node metastases were detected in 59 patients (75.64%). The 3-year survival rates of pN0, pN1, pN2, pN3 of the new staging system were 100%, 68.42%, 7.58% and 6.78%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The lymph node ratio is a relative variable, which reflects the degree of metastasis of lymph node, and is more predictable than the UICC 1997 5th N-staging system defined as the numbers of metastatic lymph node.

[An analysis of the results of central masking effect on healthy ears]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism of Central Masking Effects(CME) and its effects on audiometry measurement.

METHOD

The pure tone threshold was measured when the notest ear was masked or was in quiet respectively. We investigated the different results while giving different level maskers at the same frequency, or giving the same masker at different frequencies to find out their rules.

RESULT

The CME has frequency-selective properties and sound level-selective properties. The CME appears apparently at 1 kHz and 2 kHz. At 2 kHz, the CME get the highest. When the masker was lower than 60 dB HL, the CME became higher as the masker was tuned higher; when the masker was 60 dB HL, the CME get the highest[(11.53 +/- 4.38)dB HL]. If the masker was higher than 70 dB HL, overmasking appeared.

CONCLUSION

Our observations come to the conclusion that central masking correction should be made clinically when the masker is higher than 40 dB HL. 60 dB HL masker at 2 kHz can make the CME higher than 10 dB HL, thereby can be used to identify false deafness.

In vitro secretion kinetics of proteins from Legionella pneumophila in comparison to proteins from non-pneumophila species

It has been shown that the loss of PilD, a prepilin peptidase necessary for type IV pilus biogenesis and establishment of the type II secretion apparatus is associated with loss of virulence in Legionella pneumophila. L. pneumophila is the species most frequently associated with Legionnaires' disease, but virulence factors unique to this species are not known, so the secretion kinetics of several pilD-dependent enzyme activities, including protease, acid phosphatase, phospholipase A (PLA) and lysophospholipase A (LPLA), of L. pneumophila and non-pneumophila species were compared during growth in BYE broth. Enzyme activity appeared during mid-exponential growth phase and reached maximal levels on entry into stationary growth phase. None of the enzyme activities were unique to L. pneumophila and it did not exclusively secrete the highest amounts of the hydrolytic proteins. However, the timing of PLA and LPLA secretion in L. pneumophila differed compared to other species. PLA activity was secreted prior to LPLA activity in L. pneumophila, which may lead to an accumulation of the cytotoxic agent lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). In addition to L. pneumophila, several other Legionella species, including Legionella steigerwaltii and Legionella gormanii, were able to enrich for LPC due to a very potent PLA activity accompanied by only moderate LPLA activity. These species, in contrast to L. pneumophila, have not been shown to multiply within monocytic host cells. Thus none of the secreted enzymic activities investigated were unique to L. pneumophila, nor were they secreted at high concentrations. However, the timing of PLA and LPLA secretion may contribute to pathogenicity.

Isolation and purification of guinea pig inner ear antigens by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

OBJECTIVE

To isolate and purify the subcomponents of guinea pig inner ear antigens for further study on the autoimmunity of the inner ear.

METHODS

Inner ear tissues were homogenized in phosphate buffered saline containing 0.1% SDS, and then frozen and defrosted repeatedly to extract inner ear antigens. Preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to separate the subcomponents of inner ear antigens. Following electrophoresis, the protein bands were localized by rapid staining and destaining.

RESULTS

The major protein bands were clearly distinct when 3 mg of crude inner ear antigens was loaded, and the three major subcomponents (31, 42-45 and 60 kD proteins) accounted for about 25.99%, 21.91% and 21.10%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis can be used to purify the major subcomponents of inner ear antigens.

[Relationship between three inner ear antigens and autoimmune inner ear disease]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between three purified inner ear antigens and autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), and to determine their expressions in normal guinea pig cochleas.

METHODS

Guinea pigs were divided into group B, group C and group D and immunized respectively with three subcomponents of crude inner ear antigens (31,000, 42,000-45,000 and 60,000 proteins). Hearing thresholds, serum IgG levels and morphological changes of inner ear were observed. The protein expressions of these antigens were examined by immunohistochemistry. In the control group, antigens were replaced by gel homogenate of polyacrylamide.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences of hearing threshold among groups before immunization with inner ear antigens (F = 0.07, P > 0.05). There were no significant changes of hearing thresholds and inner ear morphology in group C and control group. Hearing thresholds dropped in part of animals immunized with 31,000 or 60,000 protein. Hearing threshold of group B and D changed significantly after immunization, as compared with the control group(F = 9.12, P < 0.01). Serum IgG levels increased significantly in all experimental groups compared with the control group(F = 7.46, P < 0.01). The 31,000 protein distributed strictly in cochlear nerve, and 42,000-45,000 or 60,000 protein distributed widely, including the spiral ganglion, Corti's organ, stria vascularis and spiral ligament.

CONCLUSIONS

Two subcomponents of 31,000 and 60,000 in crude inner ear antigen could induce autoimmune inner ear disease. The distribution of 31,000 protein was more tissue specific and might be used as a marker protein for clinical diagnosis of autoimmune inner ear disease.

[A retrospective study on cholesteatoma otitis media coexisted with cholesterol granuloma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the etiology and pathogenesis of cholesteatoma otitis media accompanied by cholesterol granuloma and the relationship between cholesteatoma and cholesterol granuloma.

METHODS

Sixty three cases of middle ear cholesterol granuloma treated in our hospital during the period from March 1988 to May 2000 were retrospectively reviewed. All cases were verified by surgery and pathology. Fifteen cases of cholesteatoma coexisted with cholesterol granuloma were found among the 63 patients.

RESULTS

All fifteen cases had a long-term history of otitis media, such as otorrhea (sanguine purulent otorrhea and bloody otorrhea in 8 cases) and perforation of the ear drum (perforation of pars flaccida in 8 cases). Temporal bone CT scans showed cholesteatoma in 11 cases. All patients were treated surgically, and cholesteatoma and cholesterol granuloma were found coexisting alternatively, and the latter lied mainly in the tympanic antrum, attic and mastoid air cells. Chocolate-colored mucus was accumulated in well-developed mastoid air cells, and glistening dotty cholesterol crystals were also found. In most cases, enlarged aditus, destruction of lateral attic wall, erosion of ossicular chain, exposition of horizontal segment of facial nerve and tegmen of attic were found. Occlusion of Eustachian tube was found in 6 cases, and occlusion of tympanic isthmus was found in all cases. A post-operative dry ear was obtained, and hearing improved in all 12 cases following tympanoplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Cholesteatoma and cholesteatoma granuloma in middle ear may share a common pathophysiological etiology, an occlusion of ventilation and a disturbance of drainage. The diagnosis should be considered when patients with chronic otitis media presented with bloody otorrhea. CT and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) are useful for the diagnosis before operation. The surgical approach depends on the location, extension and severity of the lesion, and the principle of surgery is to clear the lesion and create an adequate drainage.