Novel mutations in the SEC24D gene in Chinese families with autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta

We sought to characterize the phenotypes and identify the SEC24D gene mutations associated with Chinese families of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Using whole-exome sequencing, we discovered two novel compound SEC24D mutations of OI patients. Our study extended both the phenotypic and the genotype of the OI patients with SEC24D mutations.

INTRODUCTION

To date, only three compound heterozygous mutations in the SEC24D gene have been found to cause recessively inherited forms of OI. We sought to characterize the phenotypes and to identify the SEC24D gene mutations associated with Chinese families with OI.

METHODS

Using whole-exome sequencing in two probands, we identified two novel compound heterozygous mutations in SEC24D. In family 1, the proband was a 23-year-old male; he had recurrent fractures and dentinogenesis imperfecta. His anterior fontanel was not closed, and he showed facial dysmorphism. A computed tomography three-dimensional imaging of the cranium showed skull deformities associated with a broad ossification defect in the frontoapical area, a widened sagittal suture, and Wormian bones. In family 2, the proband was a 7-year-old boy, who also had recurrent fractures and dentinogenesis imperfecta. His anterior fontanel was not closed, and he did not have obvious facial dysmorphism.

RESULTS

We identified one novel compound heterozygous missense substitution in the proband in family 1, including c.2723G>A (p. Cys908Tyr) and c.2842T>C (p. Ser948Pro). In the proband in family 2, we identified another novel compound heterozygous missense substitution, including c.938G>A (p. Arg313His) and c.875C>T (p. Pro292Leu).

CONCLUSIONS

We discovered two novel compound SEC24D mutations of autosomal recessive OI patients. Our study extended both the phenotypic and the genotypic spectrum of the autosomal recessive OI patients with SEC24D mutations.

[Diagnosis of pulmonary hemorrhage of the newborn infants using lung ultrasonography]

Objective: To investigate the accuracy and reliability of lung ultrasound in diagnosis of pulmonary hemorrhage of the newborn infants. Method: From January 2014 to May 2016, 142 neonates from the Army General Hospital of the Chinese PLA were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups: a study group of 42 neonates, who were diagnosed with pulmonary hemorrhage according to their medical history, clinical manifestations and chest X-ray findings, and a control group of 100 neonates with no lung disease. All subjects underwent bedside lung ultrasound in a quiet state in a supine, lateral or prone posture, performed by a single experienced physician. The ultrasound findings were compared between the two groups.Fisher's exact test was uesd for comparison between two groups. Result: The lung ultrasound main findings associated with pulmonary hemorrhage included: (1) Shred sign: which was seen in 40 patients(95%). (2) Lung consolidation with air bronchograms: which were seen in 35 patients(83%). (3) Pleural effusion: which was seen in 34 infants(81%), pleurocentesis confirmed that the fluid was really bleeding.(4)Atelectasis: which was seen in 14 cases(33%). (5) Pleural line abnormalities and disappearing A-lines with an incidence of 100%. (6) Alveolar-interstitial syndrome: 5 patients(12%)had the main manifestations of alveolar-interstitial syndrome. The above signs were not seen in normal controls (all P<0.01) and the normal lung mainly manifested with clear pleural line and A-lines under ultrasound. Conclusion: Lung ultrasonography is accurate and reliable for diagnosing pulmonary hemorrhage, which is suitable for routine application for the diagnosis of pulmonary hemorrhage in the neonatal intensive care unit.

[Association of single nucleotide polymorphism rs6983267 with ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of rs6983267 polymorphism with risk of sporadic colorectal cancer; to compare the distribution of rs6983267 polymorphism between ulcerative colitis and general population.

METHODS

186 patients with sporadic colorectal cancer, 129 patients with ulcerative colitis and 189 healthy donors were recruited in the case-control study. Peripheral venous blood was obtained, and genomic DNA was extracted. All samples were genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry techniques. Allelic and genotypic frequencies were compared and adjusted for age and gender using unconditional Logistic regression.

RESULTS

The allelic frequency of G and the genotypic frequencies of GG and GT were predominant in colorectal cancer group compared with control group, which were statistically significant after adjustment for age and gender (P<0.001). The allelic frequency of G and the genotypic frequencies of GG and GT were predominant in ulcerative colitis group compared with control group, which were statistically significant as well (P=0.041, P=0.006 and P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

rs6983267 polymorphism was associated with risk of sporadic colorectal cancer. The distribution of rs6983267 may be different between ulcerative colitis and general population, and the frequency of risk allele G may be higher in ulcerative colitis patients compared with general population.

[Normal values of otolith function tests and age-related changes]

Objective:To explore the normal values of otolith function tests and agerelated changes in health volunteers.Method: One hundred and seventyone health volunteers were distributed to seven age groups, all subjects accepted otolith function tests, including fundus photography, static subjective visual vertical(SSVV), cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential(cVEMP)and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential(oVEMP), the fundus photographs was used to measure the discfovea angle(DFA). DFA, SSVV and VEMPs were analyzed and compared among groups. Result: For DFA and SSVV,there were no significant differences either between different ages or between the two eyes in one individual（P>0.05）. For cVEMP, the detection rate declined with age over 60 years old（P<0.01）; the cVEMP threshold increased with every 20 years old(P<0.05); and the cVEMP amplitude decreased with every 10 years old(P<0.05),however, there was an exception that no significant difference was found between 41-50 years old and 51-60 years old groups（P=0.93）;the cVEMP P1 latency prolonged with age over 70 years old（P<0.01）.For oVEMP, the detection rate also declined with age over 60 years old（P<0.01）; the oVEMP threshold was lowest at the age less than 30 years old and the largest threshold was found at the age over 70 years old（P<0.01）; consistently, the oVEMP amplitude was found largest at the age less than 20 years old and lowest at the age over 60 years old(P<0.05).The P1 and N1 latencies were found significantly longer in the group of over 70 years old than other groups（P<0.01）.No significant difference was found between both sides in one individual for oVEMP threshold,amplitude or latency (P>0.05). Conclusion: In health volunteers,there were no obvious aged related changes in DFA and SSVV. However,the detection rate, threshold, amplitude and latency of cVEMP and oVEMP greatly changed with age.

No causal effect of serum urate on bone-related outcomes among a population of postmenopausal women and elderly men of Chinese Han ethnicity--a Mendelian randomization study

SUMMARY

We conducted a Mendelian randomization analysis to assess the effect of serum uric acid on bone-related outcomes using a weighted urate transporter genetic risk score as the instrumental variable. The results showed no significance. Our study identified no evidence of a causal role between uric acid and bone-related outcomes.

INTRODUCTION

Observational studies have associated elevated levels of serum uric acid (SUA) with increasing bone mineral density (BMD) and a lowered prevalence of osteoporotic fractures (OFs) in postmenopausal women and elderly men. However, due to unmeasured confounding variables, these observational studies have not provided insight into the causal relationship between SUA and bone-related outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of SUA on bone-related outcomes using Mendelian randomization.

METHODS

We recruited 1322 Chinese Han individuals (214 elderly men and 1108 postmenopausal women) from the Shanghai area in China. Mendelian randomization using a two-stage least-squares regression method was conducted with SUA as the exposure variable, a weighted urate transporter genetic risk score as the instrumental variable, and all-site BMD, bone turnover markers, and levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D], serum calcium (Ca), serum phosphorus (P), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) as outcome variables.

RESULTS

Strong associations between SUA and bone-related outcomes were observed in an ordinary observational analysis (lumbar spine: beta = 0.122, p < 0.0001; hip: beta = 0.104, p < 0.0001; femoral neck: beta = 0.108, p < 0.0001). However, the Mendelian randomization analysis showed no evidence for a causal association of SUA with BMD (lumbar spine: beta = 0.385, p = 0.257; hip: beta = 0.191, p = 0.499; femoral neck: beta = 0.194, p = 0.533). Similar results were found between SUA and other bone-related phenotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified no evidence of a causal role between SUA and bone-related outcomes, although strong associations in an observational analysis were observed in a population of postmenopausal women and elderly men.

Molecular Chimeric Recipient Precursor T Cells Promote Cardiac Allograft Survival in Mice

BACKGROUND

Molecular chimerism has become a potential method to induce donor-specific transplant tolerance. We researched the prolongation of cardiac allograft survival by recipient mouse molecular chimeric precursor T cells (pre-T cells) or hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) infusion in vivo.

METHODS

The donor C57BL/6 mouse MHC-I gene (H-2K(b) and H-2D(b) gene) were amplified by RT-PCR. The identified recipient BALB/c mouse pre-T cells and HSCs were transduced by the pMSCVneo retroviral vector of C57BL/6 mouse MHC-I gene (pMSCVneo-H-2D(b)/H-2K(b)). Then the molecular chimeric cells were transfused back to the BALB/c mice. Allogeneic T-lymphocyte proliferation was assessed in mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR). A mouse model of heterotopic abdominal heart transplantation was performed to evaluate survival times and histological grade of acute rejection at 7 days after transplantation.

RESULTS

BALB/c mice molecular chimeric pre-T cells and HSCs were cultured successfully after pMSCV-H-2D(b)/H-2K(b) transduction. After the molecular chimeric pre-T cell treatment, the result of MLR showed that the stimulating index of allogeneic T lymphocyte had a statistically significant decrease, which also exhibited a significant reduction after molecular chimeric HSC treatment. The survival time of cardiac allograft was prolonged after chimeric pre-T cell or HSC infusion; meanwhile, pathologic rejection grade decreased significantly. Nevertheless, molecular chimeric pre-T cells exhibited a longer median survival time.

CONCLUSION

The molecular chimeric recipient mouse pre-T cell or HSC infusion reduced spleen T cells' response to allogeneic T cells in vitro and delayed cardiac allograft rejection in vivo. Pre-T cells have more advantages than HSCs on the prolongation of mouse cardiac allograft survival.

Extralevator abdominoperineal excision for low rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the short-term outcome

AIM

The superiority of extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) over conventional abdominoperineal excision (APE) remains controversial, despite the publication of many studies on this issue. The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a clear, evidence-based comparison of the two procedures.

METHOD

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted through a comprehensive search of the PubMed, EMBASE/Medline and Cochrane Central Library databases for all studies comparing ELAPE with conventional APE for low rectal cancer. Pooled data on circumferential resection margin (CRM) positivity, intra-operative bowel perforation, perineal wound complications and local recurrence were analysed.

RESULTS

Seven studies, involving a total of 2672 patients, were included. Analysis of the pooled data did not reveal a significant difference between the two operations regarding CRM positivity [risk ratio (RR) = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.40-1.57; P = 0.50, I(2)  = 86%] and perineal wound complications (RR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.71-1.16; P = 0.44, I(2)  = 49%), and showed a borderline reduced risk of intra-operative bowel perforation for ELAPE, but still did not reveal a significant difference between the two groups (RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.37-1.00; P = 0.05, I(2)  = 58%).

CONCLUSION

The current evidence does not indicate a statistically significant superiority of ELAPE over conventional APE in terms of CRM positivity and intra-operative bowel perforation.

Imputation of missing genotypes from low- to high-density SNP panel in different population designs

Imputation of missing genotypes, in particular from low density to high density, is an important issue in genomic selection and genome-wide association studies. Given the marker densities, the most important factors affecting imputation accuracy are the size of the reference population and the relationship between individuals in the reference (genotyped with high-density panel) and study (genotyped with low-density panel) populations. In this study, we investigated the imputation accuracies when the reference population (genotyped with Illumina BovineSNP50 SNP panel) contained sires, halfsibs, or both sires and halfsibs of the individuals in the study population (genotyped with Illumina BovineLD SNP panel) using three imputation programs (fimpute v2.2, findhap v2, and beagle v3.3.2). Two criteria, correlation between true and imputed genotypes and missing rate after imputation, were used to evaluate the performance of the three programs in different scenarios. Our results showed that fimpute performed the best in all cases, with correlations from 0.921 to 0.978 when imputing from sires to their daughters or between halfsibs. In general, the accuracies of imputing between halfsibs or from sires to their daughters were higher than were those imputing between non-halfsibs or from sires to non-daughters. Including both sires and halfsibs in the reference population did not improve the imputation performance in comparison with when only including halfsibs in the reference population for all the three programs.

Correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with two distinct types of blood vessels for the assessment of angiogenesis in lewis lung carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to evaluate tumor angiogenesis in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) of mice using a contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examination, and to determine the correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic parameters with different blood vessel markers of microvessel density (MVD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subcutaneous Lewis lung carcinomas were established in 25 mice, which were evaluated by contrast-enhanced US using SonoVue (a second-generation US contrast agent). The results were recorded as digital video images and the time-intensity curves and hemodynamic parameters were analyzed. Pathological tumor specimens were obtained just after US examination. Tumor specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and expression of CD31 and CD34, the different endothelial cell markers, was determined by immunohistochemical straining. Then the relationship between the CEUS parameters and the level of MVD was analyzed.

RESULTS

Two distinct types of microvessels were identified in Lewis lung carcinoma: differentiated (CD34 +) and undifferentiated (CD31 +) vessels. A significant correlation was found between CEUS parameters and undifferentiated MVD (CD31 + vessels) in LLC (P < 0.05). There was a reverse correlation between the different MVDs.

CONCLUSION

The study showed that among the distinct types of vasculature (CD31 + and CD34 +) in Lewis lung carcinoma, the former correlated with the CEUS parameters. Therefore, CEUS using a second-generation US contrast agent may be useful for the evaluation of tumor angiogenesis of LLC of mice.

Kisspeptin-10 enhanced egg production in quails associated with the increase of triglyceride synthesis in liver

Our previous results showed that kisspeptin-10 (Kp-10) injections via intraperitoneal (i.p.) once daily for three weeks notably promoted the egg laying rate in quails. In order to investigate the mechanism behind the effects of Kp-10 on enhancing the egg laying rate in birds, this study focused on the alternations of lipids synthesis in liver after Kp-10 injections. 75 female quails (22 d of age) were allocated to three groups randomly, and subjected to 0 (control, Con), 10 nmol (low dosage, L) and 100 nmol (high dosage, H) Kp-10 injections via i.p. once daily for three weeks, respectively. At d 52, quails were sacrificed and sampled for further analyses. Serum E2 concentration was increased by Kp-10 injections, and reached statistical significance in H group. Serum triglyceride (TG) concentrations were increased by 46.7% in L group and 36.8% in H group, respectively, but did not reach statistical significance, and TG contents in liver were significantly elevated by Kp-10 injections in a dose-dependent manner. Serum total cholesterol (Tch) concentrations significantly decreased in H group, while in H group the hepatic Tch content was markedly increased. The level of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), apolipoprotein A1 and B (apoA1 and apoB) were not altered by Kp-10 injections. The genes expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), fatty acid synthetase (FAS), apolipoprotein VLDL-II (apoVLDL-II), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and vitellogenin II (VTG-II) were significantly up-regulated by high but not low dosage of Kp-10 injection compared to the control group. However, the expression of SREBP-2, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCα), malic enzyme (ME), stearoyl-CoA (Δ9) desaturase 1 (SCD1), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2), 3-hydroxyl-3-methyl glutaryl-coenzyme A reductases (HMGCR), estrogen receptor α, β (ERα and β) mRNA were not affected by Kp-10 treatment. In line with hepatic mRNA abundance, hepatic SREBP1 protein content was significantly higher in H group. Although the mRNA expression was not altered, the content of ERα protein in liver was also significantly increased in H group. However, SREBP-2 protein content in liver was not changed by Kp-10 treatment. In conclusion, exogenous Kp-10 consecutive injections during juvenile stage significantly advanced the tempo of egg laying in quails, which was associated with the significant elevation in hepatic lipids synthesis and transport.

Effects of kisspeptin-10 on lipid metabolism in cultured chicken hepatocytes

Our previous studies showed that kisspeptin-10 (Kp-10) injected in vivo can markedly increase lipid anabolism in liver of quails. In order to investigate the direct effect of Kp-10 on lipid metabolism of hepatocytes in birds, cells were separated from embryos livers and cultured in vitro with 0, 100 and 1,000 nM Kp-10, respectively. The results showed that after 24 h treatment, cells viability was not affected by 100 nM Kp-10, but showed a mild decrease with 1,000 nM Kp-10 compared to the control cells. Based on the results of the cell viability, 100 nM dosage of Kp-10 was selected for the further study and analysis. Compared with control cells, total cholesterol (Tch) contents in 100 nM treated cells were increased by 51.23%, but did not reach statistical significance, while the level of triglyceride (TG), high density of lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density of lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly increased. Real-time PCR results showed that ApoVLDL-II mRNA expression had a tendency to increase, genes including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase α (ACCα), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductases (HMGCR) and stearyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase-1 (SCD1) mRNA in hepatocytes were significantly down-regulated by 100 nM Kp-10. However, contrary to its gene expression, SREBP-1 protein expression was significantly up-regulated by 100 nM Kp-10. Some of the significant correlations in mRNA expression were found between genes encoding hepatic factors or enzymes involved in lipid metabolism in liver of birds. These results indicate that Kp-10 stimulates lipid synthesis directly in primary cultured hepatocytes of chickens.

Agents for refractory/relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia in adults

Although treatment results for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have improved considerably in the past decades, treating adult patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is still difficult. Adults with refractory/relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) processed to death rapidly associated with chemotherapy resistance, high mortality by reinduction, etc. Only 20% to 30% of those patients acquired complete remission (CR). Those patients are always of short duration unless an allogeneic stem cell transplant is feasible. Median survival is only ranging from 2 to 12 months. Therapeutic strategy on relapsed/refractory acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is always a major therapeutic challenge bothering hematological researchers. Novel agents and unique therapeutic strategies have been developed in recent years. This review focuses on major clinical advances in the agents for refractory/relapsed ALL.

High mobility graphene ion-sensitive field-effect transistors by noncovalent functionalization

Noncovalent functionalization is a well-known nondestructive process for property engineering of carbon nanostructures, including carbon nanotubes and graphene. However, it is not clear to what extend the extraordinary electrical properties of these carbon materials can be preserved during the process. Here, we demonstrated that noncovalent functionalization can indeed delivery graphene field-effect transistors (FET) with fully preserved mobility. In addition, these high-mobility graphene transistors can serve as a promising platform for biochemical sensing applications.

Inflammation enhances Y1 receptor signaling, neuropeptide Y-mediated inhibition of hyperalgesia, and substance P release from primary afferent neurons

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is present in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn and inhibits spinal nociceptive processing, but the mechanisms underlying its anti-hyperalgesic actions are unclear. We hypothesized that NPY acts at neuropeptide Y1 receptors in the dorsal horn to decrease nociception by inhibiting substance P (SP) release, and that these effects are enhanced by inflammation. To evaluate SP release, we used microdialysis and neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) internalization in rat. NPY decreased capsaicin-evoked SP-like immunoreactivity in the microdialysate of the dorsal horn. NPY also decreased non-noxious stimulus (paw brush)-evoked NK1R internalization (as well as mechanical hyperalgesia and mechanical and cold allodynia) after intraplantar injection of carrageenan. Similarly, in rat spinal cord slices with dorsal root attached, [Leu(31), Pro(34)]-NPY inhibited dorsal root stimulus-evoked NK1R internalization. In rat dorsal root ganglion neurons, Y1 receptors colocalized extensively with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). In dorsal horn neurons, Y1 receptors were extensively expressed and this may have masked the detection of terminal co-localization with CGRP or SP. To determine whether the pain inhibitory actions of Y1 receptors are enhanced by inflammation, we administered [Leu(31), Pro(34)]-NPY after intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in rat. We found that [Leu(31), Pro(34)]-NPY reduced paw clamp-induced NK1R internalization in CFA rats but not uninjured controls. To determine the contribution of increased Y1 receptor-G protein coupling, we measured [(35)S]GTPγS binding simulated by [Leu(31), Pro(34)]-NPY in mouse dorsal horn. CFA inflammation increased the affinity of Y1 receptor G-protein coupling. We conclude that Y1 receptors contribute to the anti-hyperalgesic effects of NPY by mediating the inhibition of SP release, and that Y1 receptor signaling in the dorsal horn is enhanced during inflammatory nociception.

Polymorphisms in microRNA target sites influence susceptibility to schizophrenia by altering the binding of miRNAs to their targets

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs) of genes may affect miRNA binding to messenger RNA and contribute to the risk of disease. Whether the SNPs that modify miRNA binding in the 3' UTR are involved in schizophrenia-related genes remains unclear. We selected 803 SNPs from the 3' UTRs of 425 candidate genes for schizophrenia. The potential target SNPs were recognized by Gibbs free energy of miRNA binding. Some SNPs were associated in the literature with schizophrenia or other related neurological diseases. A case-control study of nine SNPs not previously reported as significant in any disease was carried out in a Chinese-Han cohort. We found that rs3219151 (C>T, GABRA6) showed significant decreased risk for schizophrenia (OR=0.8121, p=0.008, p(adjust)=0.03). Further, two putative target SNPs, rs165599 (COMT) and rs10759 (RGS4) reported in several references previously, were selected for analysis by luciferase assay to determine their modification to miRNA binding. We found that miR-124 showed significantly repressed 3' UTR binding to RGS4 mRNA from the rs10759-C allele (p<0.05). Our results suggest that rs3219151 of GABRA6 was associated significantly to decrease the risk of schizophrenia, rs10759 (RGS4) was possible to increase the risk of schizophrenia by miRNA altering the binding of miRNAs to their targets influencing susceptibility to schizophrenia.

Induction of CD4+CD25+ T cells and control of cardiac allograft rejection by CD40/CD40L costimulatory pathway blockade in mice

BACKGROUND

Rejection is a major problem in organ transplantation. We speculated that dendritic cells (DCs) with low expression of CD40 may inhibit T-cell responses providing protective effects on organ transplantions.

METHODS

RNA interference (RNAi) is an effective approach to degrade RNA levels of a target gene. We used RNAi to reduce CD40 levels in mouse bone marrow-derived DCs. Allogeneic T-lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by DCs was assessed in mixed lymphocyte reactions. A mouse model of heterotopic abdominal heart transplantation was performed to evaluate survival times and histologic grade of acute rejection at 7 days after transplantation. CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral blood were quantified by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Mouse DCs with reduced CD40 expression lowered the proliferation of recipient T cells. More DCs with silenced CD40 delayed cardiac allograft rejection.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduction of CD40 in DCs induced peripheral Tregs and delayed cardiac allograft rejection.

Smooth muscle cell phenotypic diversity between dissected and unaffected thoracic aortic media

AIM

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching in the aortic media may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic dissection (TAD). However, few investigations are available and most of the observations are based on histological examinations without in vitro evidence. This study, which was performed both in vivo and in vitro, was designed to investigate SMC phenotypic diversity between dissected and unaffected aortic media.

METHODS

Using optimized explant technique, aortic medial SMCs were obtained from patients with TAD and controls. In vivo and in vitro expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain 2 (SM-MHC-2), smooth muscle-calponin (SM-Calponin), Vimentin, osteopontin (OPN) and non-muscle myosin heavy chain B (SMemb) were evaluated by immunostaining and immunoblotting. SMC proliferation was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Although the majority of SMCs from the dissected media displayed an elongated, spindle- or triangle-like shape as control SMCs, there were some oval or flat, quadrate cells in the dissection cultures. In contrast with controls, SMCs derived from the dissected media uniformly showed the negative staining for the contractile proteins and the intense staining for the synthetic markers. Similarly, in vitro protein levels of α-SMA, SM-MHC-2, SM-Calponin and Vimentin were significantly decreased to 60.1% (P<0.05), 12.0% (P<0.01), 23.1% (P<0.01) and 32.5% (P<0.01) respectively, whereas those of OPN and SMemb were markedly elevated by5.7- and 10.3-fold respectively (P<0.01 for both). In vivo expression of the phenotypic markers showed the parallel results. Furthermore, SMCs derived from the dissected media exhibited the enhanced proliferation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

We have established a simple and potent method to acquire SMCs from the dissected and unaffected aortic media. Compared to the contractile SMCs in the unaffected media, those in the dissected media manifest phenotypic switching from the contractile to the synthetic type. The primary cultures can be subsequently used as in vitro models and contribute to further elucidating the etiopathogenesis of TAD.

Effects of footwear on impact forces and soft tissue vibrations during drop jumps and unanticipated drop landings

The purpose of this study was to explore the footwear effects on impact forces and soft-tissue vibrations during landing. 12 male basketball players were instructed to perform drop jumps and unanticipated drop landings from 30 cm, 45 cm, and 60 cm heights in basketball shoes (BS) and control shoes (CS). 3D kinematics, ground reaction force (GRF), and soft-tissue vibrations of the leg, and acceleration of the shoe heel counter were measured simultaneously. The results showed no significant shoe effect on the characteristics of the impact force nor on the resonance frequency and peak transmissibility of soft-tissue vibrations during the impact phase of the drop jump. For the unanticipated drop landings, however, the magnitude of both peak GRF and peak loading rate were significantly lower with BS compared to CS across all 3 heights (p<0.05); meanwhile BS showed a significant decrease in GRF frequency compared to CS at 45 cm (p<0.05) and 60 cm (p<0.01) heights. Furthermore, the peak transmissibility in BS was significantly lower than that in CS for both the quadriceps and hamstrings during the 60 cm unanticipated drop landing (p<0.05). These findings provide preliminary evidence suggesting that if the neuromuscular system fails to prepare properly for an impact during landing, a shoe intervention may be an effective method for minimizing impact force and reducing soft tissue resonance.

Microbiologic characteristics of pathogenic bacteria from hospitalized trauma patients who survived Wenchuan earthquake

The purpose of this study is to investigate the microbiological characterization of pathogenic bacteria isolated from trauma patients after Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. Most infections were identified in the patients over 60 years of age, with an incidence rate of 78.5%, and more infections in wound (43.3%) and respiratory tract (37.1%) sites were identified. A total of 97 non-duplicated clinical pathogens were isolated from 91 trauma patients. Of those pathogens, 62 (63.9%) were Gram-negative bacilli, 23 (23.7%) were Gram-positive cocci, 9 (9.3%) were fungi, and 3 (3.1%) were anaerobes, such as Clostridium perfringens. The distribution spectrum of pathogens isolated from trauma patients after earthquake was different to that from non-earthquake trauma patients in our hospital at the same time. The most prevalent pathogenic isolates were Escherichia coli (15.4%), Acinetobacter baumannii (14.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (12.3%), Burkholderia cepacia (11.3%), and Enterococcus spp. (9.3%). The drug susceptibility results showed that most of the Gram-negative bacilli, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia, were susceptible to imipenem, but resistant to the first- and the second-generation cephalosporins. Most of the Gram-positive cocci were susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid, and Synercid/dalfopristin. Characteristics of pathogenic bacterium isolated from trauma patients after earthquake have been demonstrated which play an important role in the appropriate treatment of infections.

True reference nanosensor realized with silicon nanowires

Conventional gate oxide layers (e.g., SiO(2), Al(2)O(3), or HfO(2)) in silicon field-effect transistors (FETs) provide highly active surfaces, which can be exploited for electronic pH sensing. Recently, great progress has been achieved in pH sensing using compact integrateable nanowire FETs. However, it has turned out to be much harder to realize a true reference electrode, which--while sensing the electrostatic potential--does not respond to the proton concentration. In this work, we demonstrate a highly effective reference sensor, a so-called reference FET, whose proton sensitivity is suppressed by as much as 2 orders of magnitude. To do so, the Al(2)O(3) surface of a nanowire FET was passivated with a self-assembled monolayer of silanes with a long alkyl chain. We have found that a full passivation can be achieved only after an extended period of self-assembling lasting several days at 80 °C. We use this slow process to measure the number of active proton binding sites as a function of time by a quantitative comparison of the measured nonlinear pH-sensitivities to a theoretical model (site-binding model). Furthermore, we have found that a partially passivated surface can sense small changes in the number of active binding sites reaching a detection limit of δN(s) ≈ 170 μm(-2) Hz(-1/2) at 10 Hz and pH 3.

Cell permeability, migration, and reactive oxygen species induced by multiwalled carbon nanotubes in human microvascular endothelial cells

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have elicited great interest in biomedical applications due to their extraordinary physical, chemical, and optical properties. Intravenous administration of MWCNT-based medical imaging agents and drugs in animal models was utilized. However, the potential harmful health effects of MWCNT administration in humans have not yet been elucidated. Furthermore, to date, there are no apparent reports regarding the precise mechanisms of translocation of MWCNT into target tissues and organs from blood circulation. This study demonstrates that exposure to MWCNT leads to an increase in cell permeability in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC). The results obtained from this study also showed that the MWCNT-induced rise in endothelial permeability is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and actin filament remodeling. In addition, it was found that MWCNT promoted cell migration in HMVEC. Mechanistically, MWCNT exposure elevated the levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in HMVEC. Taken together, these results provide new insights into the bioreactivity of MWCNT, which may have implications in the biomedical application of MWCNT in vascular targeting, imaging, and drug delivery. The results generated from this study also elucidate the potential adverse effects of MWCNT exposure on humans at the cellular level.

Cell permeability, migration, and reactive oxygen species induced by multiwalled carbon nanotubes in human microvascular endothelial cells

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have elicited great interest in biomedical applications due to their extraordinary physical, chemical, and optical properties. Intravenous administration of MWCNT-based medical imaging agents and drugs in animal models was utilized. However, the potential harmful health effects of MWCNT administration in humans have not yet been elucidated. Furthermore, to date, there are no apparent reports regarding the precise mechanisms of translocation of MWCNT into target tissues and organs from blood circulation. This study demonstrates that exposure to MWCNT leads to an increase in cell permeability in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC). The results obtained from this study also showed that the MWCNT-induced rise in endothelial permeability is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and actin filament remodeling. In addition, it was found that MWCNT promoted cell migration in HMVEC. Mechanistically, MWCNT exposure elevated the levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in HMVEC. Taken together, these results provide new insights into the bioreactivity of MWCNT, which may have implications in the biomedical application of MWCNT in vascular targeting, imaging, and drug delivery. The results generated from this study also elucidate the potential adverse effects of MWCNT exposure on humans at the cellular level.

Detection of rpoB, katG and inhA gene mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates from Chongqing as determined by microarray

The emergence of multidrug-resistance Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an increasing threat to tuberculosis control programmes. Susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates by traditional methods requires a minimum of 14 days. This can be reduced significantly if molecular analysis is used. DNA sequencing is a good method for detecting mutation, but cannot be used routinely because of its relatively high cost. A sensitive and specific microarray has been designed to detect mutations in the rifampin resistance determining region of rpoB and loci in katG and inhA associated with isoniazid (INH) resistance. A panel of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates containing 13 different rpoB genotypes, two mutation genotypes within codon 315 of katG and one mutation genotypes at inhA was used to validate the microarray. The results obtained indicate that 100% of rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis strains isolated in Chongqing had rpoB mutations, with 531-Ser and 526-His being the most common positions substituted. Of the total 50 INH resistant isolates, 82% had a katG315 mutation and 18% had an inhA mutation. All the mutations detected by the microarray method were also confirmed by conventional DNA sequencing. It is demonstrated that the microarray is an efficient, specialized technique and can be used as a rapid method for detecting rifampin and isoniazid resistance.

An approach to the correlation between vitiligo and autoimmune thyroiditis in Chinese children

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is a common skin depigmenting disease, which is thought to have, at least partly, an autoimmune aetiology.

AIM

To explore the correlation between paediatric vitiligo and other associated diseases, with an emphasis on autoimmune thyroiditis (AT).

METHODS

In total, 363 paediatric patients (198 boys, 165 girls) with vitiligo and 93 healthy children (55 boys, 38 girls) were screened for autoimmune thyroiditis. The two groups were matched for age and gender. Children with vitiligo were split into two groups according to type (segmental and nonsegmental vitiligo). Demographic data, clinical features and examinations were recorded using questionnaires. Thyroid function tests including free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were performed. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody) and anti-thyroglobulin antibody levels were assessed as well. Other associated diseases were also monitored in this study.

RESULTS

Of the 363 patients, 43 (11.8%) had abnormal levels of studied thyroid parameters, compared with 4 of the 93 controls (4.3%); the difference was significant (P = 0.04). The alterations of thyroid parameters and the incidence of AT in patients with nonsegmental vitiligo were both significantly different (P < 0.05, P = 0.04) relative to the segmental vitiligo group. Of the 363 patients, 67 (18.5%) had other associated diseases. There were no differences in the rates of other associated diseases between patients with segmental vitiligo and those with nonsegmental vitiligo (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant incidence of thyroid dysfunction was found in paediatric patients with nonsegmental vitiligo. As vitiligo usually appears before the development of the thyroid disease, it may be advantageous to screen thyroid functions and antibody levels in all paediatric patients with vitiligo, especially those with nonsegmental vitiligo.

Development of community nursing in Zhejiang Province, China: a report of the driving measures

BACKGROUND

Community nursing is playing an important role in health care worldwide.

METHODS

We reviewed recent developments in community nursing in the Zhejiang province of China and reported that the locally tailored practical guidelines, education programmes and management models are the driving measures for promoting local community nursing.

RESULTS

In 2008, Zhejiang had 1200 community primary health-care service centres, an increase of 56% and 6789 service stations, a twofold increase, compared with 2004. At present, 27 000 community nurses, together with the same number of family doctors, are working in community health-care service centres and stations. Community nursing in Zhejiang has grown not only by numbers but also by the greatly improved infrastructures and functions of its community primary health care.

CONCLUSION

It is the multi-pronged approach that has led to the change being successful in a local health-care system.

Correlation of population parameters leading to power differences in association studies with population stratification

The power of statistical tests to measure effect sizes in the presence of population stratification is an important issue for the design and analysis of population-based association studies. Comparisons of statistical tests have shown that the power of different statistical approaches varies in different genetic scenarios. However, the impact of stratified population parameters on statistical power is not yet understood in a general statistical framework, particularly the impact of correlated population parameters. To investigate such impact in detail, we implemented a genetic model for population-based association studies with stratified samples and evaluated the impact on power with different genetic scenarios. The investigation shows that correlation between disease prevalence and risk allele frequency among subpopulations impacts statistical power. In a model with five subpopulations and moderate population divergence (Fst= 0.01), the correlation accounts for more than 85% of power difference. Our results also show that the estimation of genetic effect for candidate loci is biased by population divergence. Beneficial alleles could be wrongly characterized as risk alleles when prevalence differences and divergences of risk loci are large among subpopulations.

Angiotensinogen gene G-6A polymorphism influences idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis disease progression

Angiotensin II is a growth factor that plays a key role in the physiopathology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A nucleotide substitution of an adenine instead of a guanine (G-6A) in the proximal promoter region of angiotensinogen (AGT), the precursor of angiotensin II, has been associated with an increased gene transcription rate. In order to investigate whether the G-6A polymorphism of the AGT gene is associated with IPF development, severity and progression, the present study utilised a case-control study design and genotyped G-6A in 219 patients with IPF and 224 control subjects. The distribution of G-6A genotypes and alleles did not significantly differ between cases and controls. The G-6A polymorphism of the AGT gene was not associated with disease severity at diagnosis. The presence of the A allele was strongly associated with increased alveolar arterial oxygen tension difference during follow-up, after controlling for the confounding factors. Higher alveolar arterial oxygen tension changes over time were observed in patients with the AA genotype (0.37+/-0.7 mmHg (0.049+/-0.093 kPa) per month) compared to GA genotype (0.12+/-1 mmHg (0.016+/-0.133 kPa) per month) and GG genotype (0.2+/-0.6 mmHg (0.027+/-0.080 kPa) per month). G-6A polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene is associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progression but not with disease predisposition. This polymorphism could have a predictive significance in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.