Nutrient use efficiencies, losses, and abatement strategies for peri-urban dairy production systems

Manure management is an important aspect of urban livestock production that has a profound impact on metropolitan living. Data were collected from 28 dairy farms in peri-urban Beijing and analysed to determine farm nitrogen and phosphorus flows and costs associated with various manure management options to reduce nutrient losses. Dairy production in peri-urban Beijing was characterized by its use of high protein diets (16.3-17.0% crude protein), high reliance on imported feeds (92-98%), and low manure recycling (3.0-10.8%). Farms of 900-2000 cattle showed lower use efficiencies than farms of <900 cattle. Costs of manure handling ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 Yuan kg^-1 milk. Among various manure treatment options, biogas digesters with aerobic lagoons had the lowest N losses and costs, justifying their investments. In conclusion, peri-urban dairy production systems were contrasting with traditional systems and within their own systems in nutrient use efficiency and losses, which was mainly decided by their farm size. To improve the nutrient use efficiencies and reduce losses, farmers and managers of peri-urban dairy production system should have a full awareness of different feed intake and manure management.

Altered structural and functional connectivity of the insula in functional dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common functional gastrointestinal disease. Neuroimaging studies have identified that insula is involved in the pathogenesis of FD. However, less is known about structural and functional connectivity of insula in FD.

METHODS

In this study, 67 FD patients and 46 healthy controls (HCs) underwent structural MRI, resting-state functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans, and clinical assessment. We used the 3 neuroimaging modalities to investigate structural and functional connectivity of insula between FD patients and HCs, and we examined relationships between the neuroimaging findings and clinical symptoms.

KEY RESULTS

Compared with HCs, (i) FD patients had decreased gray matter density in right insula according to voxel-based morphometry method, which region was targeted as region of interest for further analysis of structural and functional connectivity; (ii) FD patients had lower connection probability in right anterior insula with right thalamus, right internal capsule (IC), and right external capsule (EC); (iii) FD patients had decreased functional connectivity of the right anterior insula with right thalamus and right pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC); and (iv) FD patients had negative correlation between disease duration and the functional connectivity of right anterior insula with thalamus.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

The present findings reveal that alterations of structural and/or functional connectivity of right anterior insula with regions, including thalamus, IC, EC, and pACC, may be mainly implicated in abnormalities of visceral sensory processing and related affective responses in FD patients. Finally, this study could enhance understanding of the pathophysiology of FD.

[Relationship between physiological parameters changes and severe heatstroke induced by 5-km armed cross-country training]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between physiological parameters changes and severe heatstroke induced by 5-km armed cross-country training.

METHODS

A total of 521 male officers and soldiers from a special team who participated in the summer training of 5-km armed cross-country training from year 2016 to 2017 were enrolled. All trainees participated in 5-km armed cross-country training in high temperature and humidity environment of ambient temperature > 32 centigradeand (or) relative humidity > 65%. The trainees were divided into two groups according to the incidence of severe heatstroke in the course of training. The age, enlistment time, constitution score, body mass index (BMI), external environment (ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, heat index) of trainees of the two groups, and the change rates of arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO₂), body temperature, pulse and blood pressure within 5 minutes after the 5-km armed cross-country training were compared between the two groups. The risk factors of severe heatstroke were screened by two classified Logistic regression analysis, and the predictive value of various risk factors of severe heatstroke was analyzed by the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC).

RESULTS

In 521 trainees of 5-km armed cross-country training, 29 trainees suffered from severe heatstroke accounting for 5.57%. There was no significant difference in the age, enlistment time, constitution score, BMI, or external environment during 5-km armed cross-country training between severe heatstroke group and non-severe heatstroke group. Compared with those without severe heatstroke, the descending rates of body temperature, pulse, blood pressure and SaO₂ increased rate within 5 minutes after 5-km armed cross-country training of severe heatstroke trainees were significantly decreased [temperature descending rate: (0.67±0.30)% vs. (1.43±1.28)%, pulse descending rate: (7.53±5.21)% vs. (13.48±8.07)%, blood pressure descending rate: (9.28±6.84)% vs. (19.42±7.73)%, SaO₂ increased rate: (0.51±0.39)% vs. (1.50±1.43)%, all P < 0.01]. Two classification Logistic regression analysis showed that the temperature descending rate [odds ratio (OR) = 0.485, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.289-0.817], pulse descending rate (OR = 0.903, 95%CI = 0.845-0.965), blood pressure descending rate (OR = 0.841, 95%CI = 0.790-0.896), and SaO2 increased rate (OR = 0.421, 95%CI = 0.250-0.711) were the risk factors for severe heatstroke during 5-km armed cross-country training (all P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that temperature descending rate [area under ROC curve (AUC) = 0.659, 95%CI = 0.604-0.714], pulse descending rate (AUC = 0.730, 95%CI = 0.762-0.900), blood pressure descending rate (AUC = 0.831, 95%CI = 0.659-0.801), SaO₂ increased rate (AUC = 0.711, 95%CI = 0.655-0.767) could be used for the incidence of severe heatstroke prediction during 5-km armed cross-country training (all P < 0.01), and the predicted value was the same.

CONCLUSIONS

Under the same conditions, the severe heatstroke during 5-km cross-country training is closely related to the descending rates of body temperature, pulse, and blood pressure as well as SaO₂ increased rate within 5 minutes after the training, whose predictive values for severe heatstroke were the same.

The microRNA-1908 up-regulation in the peripheral blood cells impairs amyloid clearance by targeting ApoE

OBJECTIVE

To give a new insight into the mechanism of ApoE dysregulation and microRNA-1908 in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

Plasma ApoE levels were measured in 20 AD patients and 20 healthy controls. THP-1 was maintained in RPMI1640 with 10% fetal bovine serum. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect 13-microRNA and ApoE mRNA in cultured cell lines. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure human ApoE in the plasma or culture medium of cell lines and also used to quantify the human Aβ42 in the culture medium of cell lines.

RESULTS

We found plasma ApoE level reduced in AD patients (2.28 vs 3.78 μg/mL, P < .001), and microRNA-1908 was up-regulated in AD patients and was negatively associated with plasma ApoE (r = -0.32, P = .012). In human macrophage cell line THP-1 and astrocytoma cell line U87, microRNA-1908 could inhibit the mRNA and protein levels of ApoE by targeting its 3'untranslated region. Consistently, microRNA-1908 inhibits the ApoE-mediated Aβ clearance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides new insight into the mechanism of ApoE dysregulation in AD patients, and microRNA-1908 might be a therapeutic target for AD treatment.

Comparative efficacy and safety of contact force-sensing catheter and second-generation cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis

This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of the contact force (CF)-sensing catheter and second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation for treating atrial fibrillation (AF). Six controlled clinical trials comparing ablation for AF using a CF-sensing catheter or second-generation CB were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The procedure duration was significantly lower in the CB group compared with that in the CF group [mean difference (MD)=29.4; 95%CI=17.84–40.96; P=0.01], whereas there was no difference between the groups for fluoroscopy duration (MD=0.59; 95%CI=–4.48–5.66; P=0.82). Moreover, there was no difference in the incidence of non-lethal complications (embolic event, tamponade, femoral/subclavian hematoma, arteriovenous fistula, pulmonary vein stenosis, phrenic nerve palsy, and esophageal injury) between the CB and the CF groups (8.38 vs 5.35%; RR=0.66; 95%CI=0.37–1.17; P=0.15). Transient phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 17 of 326 patients (5.2%) of the CB group vs none in the CF group (RR=0.12; 95%CI=0.03–0.43; P=0.001). A comparable proportion of patients in CF and CB groups suffered from AF recurrence during the 12-month follow-up after a single ablation procedure [risk ratio (RR)=1.03; 95%CI=0.78–1.35; P=0.84]. AF ablation using CF-sensing catheters and second-generation CB showed comparable fluoroscopy duration and efficacy (during a 12-month follow-up), with shorter procedure duration and different complications in the CB group.

Disrupted intrinsic connectivity of the periaqueductal gray in patients with functional dyspepsia: A resting-state fMRI study

BACKGROUND

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder. Accumulating evidence suggests the crucial role of central nervous system in the development and maintenance of FD. In particular, periaqueductal gray (PAG) has demonstrated an important role in modulation of pain and emotion, which may be related to FD. However, the study of the PAG in FD is still limited. This study aimed to assess intrinsic connectivity of the PAG in FD patients.

METHODS

Resting-state functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) data were collected from 66 FD patients and 42 healthy controls (HCs). Functional connectivity analysis was performed to investigate the PAG connectivity pattern differences between the patients and HCs. We then examined the relationships between functional connectivity within the PAG networks and FD symptoms.

KEY RESULTS

Compared to HCs, patients had increased PAG connectivity with the insula, and decreased PAG connectivity with the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and hippocampus/parahippocampus (HIPP/paraHIPP). There were positive correlations between disease duration and PAG connectivity with the putamen and supplementary motor area (SMA), and positive correlations between symptom severity and PAG connectivity with the insula. FD patients with high level of anxiety and depression had altered PAG connectivity with the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), precuneus, dlPFC and caudate, compared to other patients.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

These findings indicate that abnormal intrinsic network of the PAG might be associated with abnormality of pain processing and disruption of emotion processing in FD patients. Our study further complements neuroimaging findings about FD.

Low-dose hyperthermia enhances the antitumor effects of chemotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is a highly aggressive neoplasm and the sixth leading cause of global cancer-related death; the 5-year survival rate for esophageal cancer is only about 20%-25% for all stages. Therefore, improving the therapeutic effect is important. This study assessed whether low-dose hyperthermia (LDH) enhances the antitumor effects of chemotherapy. The antitumor effect of chemotherapy with/without LDH in the squamous cell carcinoma cell line SCCVII was evaluated. A comprehensive analysis was performed with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to study the hyperthermia-induced changes in the gene expression of SCCVII cell lines. In addition, the cytotoxic and apoptotic changes in the cells treated with LDH combined with/without 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were measured. LDH combined with 5-FU (10 nM) strongly inhibited the cell growth of SCCVII, with flow cytometry showing an increased population of apoptotic cells. PCR showed that LDH promoted a 25.22-fold increase of p53 mRNA and 18.08-fold increase of Bax mRNA in vitro. MDR1 expression was decreased to 28.7% after LDH. This treatment can result in much higher efficacy of antitumor drugs. After LDH, the expressions of TS decreased to 12.06%, OPRT increased by 4.17-fold, and DPD did not change (1.03-fold). This transformations will induce susceptibility to 5-FU. LDH may be a useful enhancer of chemotherapy drugs for squamous cell carcinoma.

Selective functional disconnection of the orbitofrontal subregions in schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

As a disconnection syndrome, schizophrenia has shown impaired resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC); however, the OFC is a rather heterogeneous region and the rsFC changes in the OFC subregions remain unknown.

METHOD

A total of 98 schizophrenia patients and 102 healthy controls underwent resting-state functional MRI using a sensitivity-encoded spiral-in imaging sequence (SENSE-SPIRAL) to reduce susceptibility-induced signal loss and distortion. The OFC subregions were defined according to a previous parcellation study that divided the OFC into the anterior (OFCa), medial (OFCm), posterior (OFCp), intermediate (OFCi), and lateral (OFCl) subregions. The rsFC was compared using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

Whether or not global signal regression, compared with healthy controls, schizophrenia patients consistently exhibited decreased rsFC between the left OFCi and the left middle temporal gyrus and the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG), between the right OFCi and the right MFG and the left inferior frontal gyrus, between the right OFCm and the middle cingulate cortex and the left Rolandic operculum. These rsFC changes still remained significant even after cortical atrophy correction.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest a selective functional disconnection of the OFC subregions in schizophrenia, and provide more precise information about the functional disconnections of the OFC in this disorder.

Combined Kidney Transplantation and Splenic Fossa Auxiliary Heterotopic Liver Transplantation in a Highly Sensitized Recipient: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Combined kidney and auxiliary orthotopic liver transplantation from the same donor is used to treat highly sensitized renal transplant recipients. Auxiliary liver can protect the transplanted kidney against hyperacute rejection.

METHODS

In the current case, combined kidney and splenic fossa auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation was performed from the same donor for a highly sensitized recipient without preoperative preconditioning. No postoperative hyperacute rejection occurred.

RESULTS

Seven days after surgery, preexisting antibody levels rose and decreased after treatment; meanwhile, the function of transplanted kidney returned to normal. During 24 months of follow-up, the grafts showed good blood perfusion and functioned well. The levels of preexisting antibodies, donor-specific antibodies (DSA) and C1q-fixing human leukocyte antigen (C1q-HLA) antibodies, all decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined kidney and splenic fossa auxiliary heterotopic liver transplantation can be used in renal transplantation for highly sensitized recipients.

[Late reoperations after repaired Stanford type A aortic dissection]

Objective: To summarize the experience of reoperations on patients who had late complications related to previous aortic surgery for Stanford type A dissection. Methods: From August 2008 to October 2016, 14 patients (10 male and 4 female patients) who underwent previous cardiac surgery for Stanford type A aortic dissection accepted reoperations on the late complications at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University. The range of age was from 41 to 76 years, the mean age was (57±12) years. In these patients, first time operations were ascending aorta replacement procedure in 3 patients, ascending aorta combined with partial aortic arch replacement in 4 patients, aortic root replacement (Bentall) associated with Marfan syndrome in 3 patients, aortic valve combined with ascending aorta replacement (Wheat) in 1 patient, ascending aorta combined with Sun's procedure in 1 patient, Wheat combined with Sun's procedure in 1 patient, Bentall combined with Sun's procedure in 1 patient. The interval between two operations averaged 0.3 to 10.0 years with a mean of (4.8±3.1) years. The reasons for reoperations included part anastomotic split, aortic valve insufficiency, false aneurysm formation, enlargement of remant aortal and false cavity. The selection of reoperation included anastomotic repair, aortic valve replacement, total arch replacement and Sun's procedure. Results: Of the 14 patients, the cardiopulmonary bypass times were 107 to 409 minutes with a mean of (204±51) minutes, cross clamp times were 60 to 212 minutes with a mean of (108±35) minutes, selective cerebral perfusion times were 16 to 38 minutes with a mean of (21±11) minutes. All patients survived from the operation, one patient died from severe pulmonary infection 50 days after operation. Three patients had postoperative complications, including acute renal failure of 2 patients and pulmonary infection of 1 patient, and these patients were recovered after treatment. Thirteen patients were finally recovered from hospital. The patients were followed up for 16 to 45 months, and no aortic rupture, paraplegia and death were observed in the follow-up. Conclusions: Patients for residual aortic dissection after initial operations on Stanford type A aortic dissection should be attached great importance and always need emergency surgery, but the technique is demanding and risk is great for surgeons and patients, which need enough specification and accurate on aortic operation. More importantly, the Sun's procedure also should be performed on the treatment of residual aortic dissection or distal arch expansion, and obtains the short- and long-term results in the future.

White Matter Microstructural Abnormalities in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Diffusional Kurtosis Imaging Analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Increasing DTI studies have demonstrated that white matter microstructural abnormalities play an important role in type 2 diabetes mellitus-related cognitive impairment. In this study, the diffusional kurtosis imaging method was used to investigate WM microstructural alterations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to detect associations between diffusional kurtosis imaging metrics and clinical/cognitive measurements.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diffusional kurtosis imaging and cognitive assessments were performed on 58 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 58 controls. Voxel-based intergroup comparisons of diffusional kurtosis imaging metrics were conducted, and ROI-based intergroup comparisons were further performed. Correlations between the diffusional kurtosis imaging metrics and cognitive/clinical measurements were assessed after controlling for age, sex, and education in both patients and controls.

RESULTS

Altered diffusion metrics were observed in the corpus callosum, the bilateral frontal WM, the right superior temporal WM, the left external capsule, and the pons in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with controls. The splenium of the corpus callosum and the pons had abnormal kurtosis metrics in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, altered diffusion metrics in the right prefrontal WM were significantly correlated with disease duration and attention task performance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONS

With both conventional diffusion and additional kurtosis metrics, diffusional kurtosis imaging can provide additional information on WM microstructural abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Our results indicate that WM microstructural abnormalities occur before cognitive decline and may be used as neuroimaging markers for predicting the early cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Mice with sclerostin gene deletion are resistant to the severe sublesional bone loss induced by spinal cord injury

Bone loss after spinal cord injury (SCI) is rapid, severe, and refractory to interventions studied to date. Mice with sclerostin gene deletion are resistant to the severe sublesional bone loss induced by SCI, further indicating pharmacological inhibition of sclerostin may represent a promising novel approach to this challenging medical problem.

INTRODUCTION

The bone loss secondary to spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with several unique pathological features, including the permanent immobilization, neurological dysfunction, and systemic hormonal alternations. It remains unclear how these complex pathophysiological changes are linked to molecular alterations that influence bone metabolism in SCI. Sclerostin is a key negative regulator of bone formation and bone mass. We hypothesized that sclerostin could function as a major mediator of bone loss following SCI.

METHODS

To test this hypothesis, 10-week-old female sclerostin knockout (SOST KO) and wild type (WT) mice underwent complete spinal cord transection or laminectomy (Sham).

RESULTS

At 8 weeks after SCI, substantial loss of bone mineral density was observed at the distal femur and proximal tibia in WT mice but not in SOST KO mice. By μCT, trabecular bone volume of the distal femur was markedly decreased by 64 % in WT mice after SCI. In striking contrast, there was no significant reduction of bone volume in SOST KO/SCI mice compared with SOST KO/sham. Histomorphometric analysis of trabecular bone revealed that the significant reduction in bone formation rate following SCI was observed in WT mice but not in SOST KO mice. Moreover, SCI did not alter osteoblastogenesis of marrow stromal cells in SOST KO mice.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that SOST KO mice were protected from the major sublesional bone loss that invariably follows SCI. The evidence indicates that sclerostin is an important mediator of the marked sublesional bone loss after SCI, and that pharmacological inhibition of sclerostin may represent a promising novel approach to this challenging clinical problem.

An improved agar medium for growth of Geobacillus thermoglucosidarius strains

Geobacillus species have potential applications in many biotechnological processes. They are fastidious in their vitamin and amino acid requirements. A new semi-defined agar medium (SDM) was developed which gave consistently high viable cell counts of various G. thermoglucosidasius strains (5×10⁸-6×10⁸cfu/ml) under aerobic conditions at 70°C.

[Investigation of the compliance of cervical collar therapy in 73 patients with Hirayama disease]

Objective: To summarize the therapeutic approaches of patients with Hirayama disease and investigate the patient's compliance to cervical collar therapy and its influencing factors. Methods: This was a retrospectively study.The clinical data of 73 patients was collected from Peking university 3^rd hospital between 2010 and 2014. Results: (1)Of the 73 patients, 10 patients received surgery, 36 patients received collar therapy , and 27 patients received other conservative therapy at first visit.(2)The mean collar wearing time was from 0.3 to 36 months (means was 7±11 months). 28 patients (77.8%) wore less than 6 months, only 8 patients (22.2%) wore for more than 1 year. (3)The influencing factors were affecting appearance (33.3%), inconvenience to work (22.2%), surgical treatment performed after the exacerbation of symptoms(14.3%), illness stabilization (9.5%), choosing other conservative therapy (9.5%), personally feeling not seriously (8%) and discomfort while wearing (3.2%). (4)The patients with younger age of onset and treatment were more likely to choose neck care, while patients with older age of onset and treatment tended to choose more conservative treatment(P<0.05). Conclusions: As Hirayama disease can cause disability, application of a cervical collar to minimize neck flexion can prevent progressive muscular weakness in the early stages of the disease. But from our study, the compliance to cervical collar therapy is unsatisfactory.Multiple factors influence the compliance.Education for patients must be enhanced, and other methods to promote the therapeutic compliance should also be developed.

MicroRNA-135b inhibits odontoblast-like differentiation of human dental pulp cells by regulating Smad5 and Smad4

AIM

To investigate the function of miRNAs in odontoblast-like differentiation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs).

METHODOLOGY

Integrated comparative miRNA microarray profiling was used to determine the differential miRNAs expression in odontoblast-like differentiation of hDPCs. The abundance of microRNA-135b (miR-135b) was measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH). Bioinformatic analyses combined with luciferase assays were utilized to identify the targets interacting with miR-135b. Overexpression of miR-135b was performed to investigate the role and mechanism in odontoblast-like differentiation of hDPCs. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance (anova) or Student's t-test.

RESULTS

Thirty-six differentially expressed microRNAs in odontoblast-like differentiation of hDPCs were identified. MiR-135b expression was significantly downregulated during hDPCs differentiation (P < 0.05). In addition, miR-135b was able to bind to the 3'-UTR of the Smad5 and Smad4 and repressed these two genes expression (P < 0.05). Furthermore, overexpression of miR-135b suppressed odontoblast-like differentiation of hDPCs and attenuated the expression of Smad5 and Smad4 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These observations indicated a potential role of miR-135b in mediating odontoblast-like differentiation of hDPCs and inhibition of miR-135b might be a promising therapeutic way to facilitate dentine tissue engineering.

Abstract P1-04-01: Breast milk exosomes promote breast cancer progression

Background: The stimulation of extant neoplastic cells vs. their inhibition during breast involution is a key concept in whether pregnancy and lactation decrease or increase breast cancer risk. The time of weaning, a period of breast involution and remodeling, appears critical to future breast cancer risk, as during involution the breast microenvironment becomes tumor promotional. Both matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and transforming growth factor (TGF)β isoforms have been implicated in this process. We previously reported that TGFβ2 (but not TGFβ1) expression was significantly higher in milk collected from the cancer containing (vs. matched clinically normal) breast of women diagnosed with cancer during lactation.

Hypothesis: TGFβ2 in milk exosomes from healthy lactating women modulates the development and progression of breast cancer.

Methods: Matched (early, mature and wean-early involution) milk samples were collected from 13 lactating women, exosomes isolated and the levels of five (MMP2, 3, 9; TGFβ1, 2) proteins measured. Based on the results, additional wean samples were analyzed for TGFβ2 expression and samples divided based on their TGFβ2 expression. The highest and lowest TGFβ2 expressing milk exosome samples were co-cultured with MCF-7 breast cancer cells grown in exosome-depleted media. Cell proliferation was measured after 24h. Confocal microscopy was performed after 72h to evaluate epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the cells. A TGFβ2 neutralizing blocking antibody was applied after 72 h co-culture.

Results: The greatest increase in expression (four-fold) at the time of involution was in TGFβ2. Confocal microscopy performed 24h after co-culture confirmed the uptake of the exosomes (both those expressing hi and lo TGFβ2) in the MCF-7 cells. There was a significant increase in cell proliferation compared to control (p&lt;0.001) in cells treated with hi TGFβ2 milk exosomes. 72h after co-culture, bright field microscopy demonstrated that MCF-7 cells treated with hi TGFβ2 underwent EMT including the formation of filopodia, whereas those treated with low TGFβ2 did not. A TGFβ2 blocking antibody reversed the EMT phenotype and filopodia formation.

Impact: Pregnancy has a lasting influence on breast cancer risk, and pregnancy associated breast cancers (PABCs) diagnosed after delivery are generally aggressive, with a poor prognosis. Part of the reason for the development of PABCs, and the aggressive nature of PABCs may be the influence of high-expressing TGFβ2 exosomes in the milk on the breast ductal epithelium.

Citation Format: Sauter ER, Qin W, Dasgupta S. Breast milk exosomes promote breast cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-04-01.

Activity of Fe2O3 with a high index facet for bituminous coal chemical looping combustion: a theoretical and experimental study

Iron-based oxide with high miller index facet Fe₂O₃(104) effectively promotes oxygen transfer at different oxidation states for oxidizing coal molecules into CO₂ and H₂O during chemical looping combustion of solid fuel.

Focal adhesion kinase signaling is decreased 56 days following spinal cord injury in rat gastrocnemius

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive study.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of spinal cord injury (SCI) on aspects of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathway 56 days post injury in rat gastrocnemius.

SETTING

This study was conducted in Bronx, NY, USA.

METHODS

Three-month-old male Wistar rats were exposed to either a sham surgery (n=10) or complete T4 spinal cord transection (n=10). Rats were killed 56 days following surgery and the muscle was collected. Following homogenization, proteins of the FAK pathway were analyzed by western immunoblotting or reverse transcription-qPCR. In addition, cellular markers for proteins that target the degradation of FAK were investigated.

RESULTS

SCI resulted in significantly lower levels of total and phosphorylated FAK, cSrc and p70S6k, and a trend for increased FRNK protein expression. SCI did not change levels of the α7 or β1 integrin subunits, total or phosphorylated ERK1/2, phosphorylated Akt and TSC2 or total p70S6k. SCI resulted in a greater expression of total Akt. mRNA expression of FAK and the α7 or β1 integrins remained unchanged between sham and SCI groups. Caspase-3/7 activity and Trim72 mRNA and protein expression remained unchanged following SCI.

CONCLUSION

SCI results in diminished FAK signaling and is independent of ERK1/2 and Akt. SCI has no effect on mRNA levels for genes encoding components of the focal adhesion 56 days after injury.

Hydride-induced degradation of zirconium alloys: a criterion for complete ductile-to-brittle transition and its dependence on microstructure

Hydride-induced embrittlement is an important problem in hydride-forming materials. In this paper, a model is built for analysing a hydride-induced degradation process of the mechanical properties of zirconium alloys. A time-dependent criterion is proposed for determining the critical conditions of complete ductile-to-brittle transition. The dependence of this criterion on microstructure of Zr alloys is analysed in detail. The results show that many factors simultaneously govern the hydride-induced degradation. These factors include the susceptibility of hydrides to rupture, hydride size, hydride distribution, active slip systems, zirconium grain orientation, grain–boundary structure, grain–boundary density, hydrogen concentration, applied stress state and temperature. Intergranular hydrides have a more important influence on the loss in ductility than intragranular ones. The results obtained in this paper are of particular interest for zirconium alloys used in nuclear application.

Gray Matter Volume Reduction Is Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Neuromyelitis Optica

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Whether gray matter impairment occurs in neuromyelitis optica is a matter of ongoing debate, and the association of gray matter impairment with cognitive deficits remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate gray matter volume reductions and their association with cognitive decline in patients with neuromyelitis optica.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 50 patients with neuromyelitis optica and 50 sex-, age-, handedness-, and education-matched healthy subjects who underwent high-resolution structural MR imaging examinations and a battery of cognitive assessments. Gray matter volume and cognitive differences were compared between the 2 groups. The correlations of the regional gray matter volume with cognitive scores and clinical variables were explored in the patients with neuromyelitis optica.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls (635.9 ± 51.18 mL), patients with neuromyelitis optica (602.8 ± 51.03 mL) had a 5.21% decrease in the mean gray matter volume of the whole brain (P < .001). The significant gray matter volume reduction in neuromyelitis optica affected the frontal and temporal cortices and the right thalamus (false discovery rate correction, P < .05). The regional gray matter volumes in the frontal and temporal cortices were negatively correlated with disease severity in patients with neuromyelitis optica (Alphasim correction, P < .05). Patients with neuromyelitis optica had impairments in memory, information processing speed, and verbal fluency (P < .05), which were correlated with gray matter volume reductions in the medial prefrontal cortex and thalamus (Alphasim correction, P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Gray matter volume reduction is present in patients with neuromyelitis optica and is associated with cognitive impairment and disease severity in this group.

Altered functional connectivity of the cingulate subregions in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia patients have shown altered resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the cingulate cortex; however, it is unknown whether rsFCs of the cingulate subregions are differentially affected in this disorder. We aimed to clarify the issue by comparing rsFCs of each cingulate subregion between healthy controls and schizophrenia patients. A total of 102 healthy controls and 94 schizophrenia patients underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging with a sensitivity-encoded spiral-in imaging sequence to reduce susceptibility-induced signal loss and distortion. The cingulate cortex was divided into nine subregions, including the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), areas 24 and 32 of the pregenual ACC, areas 24 and 32 of the anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC), posterior MCC (pMCC), dorsal (dPCC) and ventral (vPCC) posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and retrosplenial cortex (RSC). The rsFCs of each cingulate subregion were compared between the two groups and the atrophy effect was considered. Results with and without global signal regression were reported. Most cingulate subregions exhibited decreased rsFCs in schizophrenia after global signal regression (GSR). Without GSR, only increased rsFC was found in schizophrenia, which primarily restricted to the aMCC, PCC and RSC. Some of these increased rsFCs were also significant after GSR. These findings suggest that GSR can greatly affect between-group differences in rsFCs and the consistently increased rsFCs may challenge the functional disconnection hypothesis of schizophrenia.

Gankyrin drives malignant transformation of chronic liver damage-mediated fibrosis via the Rac1/JNK pathway

Hepatocarcinogenesis is a complex process involving chronic liver injury, inflammation, unregulated wound healing, subsequent fibrosis and carcinogenesis. To decipher the molecular mechanism underlying transition from chronic liver injury to dysplasia, we investigated the oncogenic role of gankyrin (PSMD10 or p28^GANK) during malignant transformation in a transgenic mouse model. Here, we find that gankyrin increased in patients with cirrhosis. In addition to more severe liver fibrosis and tumorigenesis after DEN plus CCl₄ treatment, hepatocyte-specific gankyrin-overexpressing mice (gankyrin^hep) exhibited malignant transformation from liver fibrosis to tumors even under single CCl₄ administration, whereas wild-type mice merely experienced fibrosis. Consistently, enhanced hepatic injury, severe inflammation and strengthened compensatory proliferation occurred in gankyrin^hep mice during CCl₄ performance. This correlated with augmented expressions of cell cycle-related genes and abnormal activation of Rac1/c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Pharmacological inhibition of the Rac1/JNK pathway attenuated hepatic fibrosis and prevented CCl₄-induced carcinogenesis in gankyrin^hep mice. Together, these findings suggest that gankyrin promotes liver fibrosis/cirrhosis progression into hepatocarcinoma relying on a persistent liver injury and inflammatory microenvironment. Blockade of Rac1/JNK activation impeded gankyrin-mediated hepatocytic malignant transformation, indicating the combined inhibition of gankyrin and Rac1/JNK as a potential prevention mechanism for cirrhosis transition.

Cerebral responses to puncturing at different acupoints for treating meal-related functional dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

To investigate the similarities and differences in cerebral responses to puncturing at different acupoints for treating meal-related functional dyspepsia (FD).

METHODS

Twenty right-handed FD patients were enrolled and randomized divided into two groups. Each patient received 20 sessions' electro-acupuncture treatment. The acupoints used in Group A were four acupoints on the Stomach Meridian, and the acupoints used in Group B were four acupoints on the Gallbladder Meridian. PET-CT scans were performed before and after acupuncture treatment to record the changes of cerebral glycometabolism.

KEY RESULTS

After treatment, the dyspepsia symptoms and the quality of life (QOL) of the patients in each group were significantly improved (p < 0.05) and there was insignificant difference in efficacy between the two groups (p > 0.05). In Group A, deactivation in brainstem, bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and cerebellum, left superior medial frontal gyrus, orbital frontal cortex (OFC), and thalamus, etc., and activation in bilateral middle cingulate cortex (MCC), precuneus and lingual gyrus, etc. were observed. In Group B, deactivation in brainstem, bilateral thalamus, putamen, ACC, postterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum, etc., and activation in bilateral MCC, precuneus, left OFC, etc. were observed (p < 0.05, Family-wise error corrected).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Different acupoints have similar clinical efficacy but relatively different cerebral responses. The influence on the sensory transduction regions (brainstem and thalamus) and visceral modulation regions might be the common mechanism of different acupoints treating for FD, and the modulation on some emotion/cognition-related areas (e.g., prefrontal cortex) is the potential difference between the different acupoints.

Hypoxia upregulates Rab11-family interacting protein 4 through HIF-1α to promote the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hypoxic microenvironment is a powerful driving force for the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), as a crucial regulator of transcriptional responses to hypoxia, induces the expression of multiple target genes involved in different steps of HCC metastatic process. It is critical to find target genes associated with metastasis under hypoxia for shedding new light on molecular mechanism of HCC metastasis. In this study, we uncovered that hypoxia could induce the upregulation of Rab11-family interacting protein 4 (Rab11-FIP4) and activation of Rab11-FIP4 promoter by HIF-1α. The overexpression of Rab11-FIP4 significantly enhanced the mobility and invasiveness of HCC cells in vitro, also contributed to distant lung metastasis in vivo, whereas silencing of Rab11-FIP4 decreased the ability of migration and invasion in HCC cells in vitro and suppressed lung metastasis in vivo. Rab11-FIP4 facilitated HCC metastasis through the phosphorylation of PRAS40, which was regulated by mTOR. Furthermore, the expression level of Rab11-FIP4 was significantly increased in HCC tissues and high expression of Rab11-FIP4 was closely correlated with vascular invasion and poor prognosis in HCC patients. A markedly positive correlation between the expression of Rab11-FIP4 and HIF-1α was observed in HCC tissues and combination of Rab11-FIP4 and HIF-1α was a more valuable predictor of poor prognosis for HCC patients. In conclusion, Rab11-FIP4 is a target gene of HIF-1α and has a pro-metastatic role in HCC, suggesting that Rab11-FIP4 may be a promising candidate target for HCC treatment.

MLK3 promotes melanoma proliferation and invasion and is a target of microRNA-125b

BACKGROUND

Metastatic melanoma is a disease with high mortality and limited therapeutic options. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can be used to classify melanoma stage.

METHODS

Expression of the miRNA miR-125b and serine/threonine kinase mixed lineage kinase (MLK)3 was assessed in primary malignant melanoma tissues and several melanoma cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The effect of MLK3 and miR-125b on cell proliferation was evaluated by MTS assay, and cell invasion was evaluated by Transwell invasion assays. Targeting of MLK3 by miR-125b was evaluated using luciferase reporter assay and western blotting.

RESULTS

We found significantly increased levels of MLK3 in metastatic primary malignant melanomas and melanoma cell lines, with levels being especially high in metastatic lines. To investigate the functional significance of MLK3, we used knockdown MLK3, which was found to suppress cell growth and invasion. Using bioinformatics, we identified MLK3 as one potential target of miR-125b. miRNA transfection and luciferase assay confirmed that MLK3 was regulated by miR-125b at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Cell proliferation and cell invasion was inhibited by overexpression of miR-125b.

CONCLUSIONS

MLK3 is upregulated in metastatic melanoma, and regulates cell proliferation and invasion in melanoma cells. MLK3 is a direct target of miR-125b.

Changes in pig production in China and their effects on nitrogen and phosphorus use and losses

China's pig production has increased manifold in the past 50 years, and this has greatly affected the nitrogen and phosphorus use and losses in the pig production sector. However, the magnitude of these changes are not well-known. Here, we provide an in-depth account of the changes in pig production--N and P use and total N and P losses in the whole pig production chain during the period 1960-2010--through simulation modeling and using data from national statistics and farm surveys. For the period of 2010-2030, we explored possible effects of technological and managerial measures aimed at improving the performances of pig production via scenario analysis. We used and further developed the NUtrient flows in Food chains, Environment and Resources use (NUFER) model to calculate the feed requirement and consumption, and N and P losses in different pig production systems for all the years. Between 1960 and 2010, pig production has largely shifted from the so-called backyard system to landless systems. The N use efficiencies at fattener level increased from 18 to 28%, due to the increased animal productivity. However, the N use efficiencies at the whole-system level decreased from 46 to 11% during this period, mainly due to the increase of landless pig farms, which rely on imported feed and have no land-base for manure disposal. The total N and P losses were 5289 and 829 Gg in 2010, which is 30 and 95 times higher than in 1960. In the business as usual scenario, the total N and P losses were projected to increase by 25 and 55% between 2010 and 2030, respectively. Analyses of other scenarios indicate that packages of technological and managerial measures can decrease total N and P losses by 64 and 95%, respectively. Such improvements require major transition in the pig production sector, notably, in manure management, herd management, and feeding practices.

MicroRNA-30d regulates cardiomyocyte pyroptosis by directly targeting foxo3a in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a common cardiac condition in patients with diabetes mellitus, which can result in cardiac hypertrophy and subsequent heart failure, associated with pyroptosis, the pro-inflammatory programmed cell death. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small endogenous non-coding RNAs, have been shown to be involved in diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, whether miRNAs regulate pyroptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy remains unknown. Our study revealed that mir-30d expression was substantially increased in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and in high-glucose-treated cardiomyocytes as well. Upregulation of mir-30d promoted cardiomyocyte pyroptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy; conversely, knockdown of mir-30d attenuated it. In an effort to understand the signaling mechanisms underlying the pro-pyroptotic property of mir-30d, we found that forced expression of mir-30d upregulated caspase-1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Moreover, mir-30d directly repressed foxo3a expression and its downstream protein, apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC). Furthermore, silencing ARC by siRNA mimicked the action of mir-30d: upregulating caspase-1 and inducing pyroptosis. These findings promoted us to propose a new signaling pathway leading to cardiomyocyte pyroptosis under hyperglycemic conditions: mir-30d↑→foxo3a↓→ ARC↓→caspase-1↑→IL-1β, IL-18↑→pyroptosis↑. Therefore, mir-30d may be a promising therapeutic target for the management of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Effects of low intensity vibration on bone and muscle in rats with spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes rapid and marked bone loss. The present study demonstrates that low-intensity vibration (LIV) improves selected biomarkers of bone turnover and gene expression and reduces osteoclastogenesis, suggesting that LIV may be expected to benefit to bone mass, resorption, and formation after SCI.

INTRODUCTION

Sublesional bone is rapidly and extensively lost following spinal cord injury (SCI). Low-intensity vibration (LIV) has been suggested to reduce loss of bone in children with disabilities and osteoporotic women, but its efficacy in SCI-related bone loss has not been tested. The purpose of this study was to characterize effects of LIV on bone and bone cells in an animal model of SCI.

METHODS

The effects of LIV initiated 28 days after SCI and provided for 15 min twice daily 5 days each week for 35 days were examined in female rats with moderate severity contusion injury of the mid-thoracic spinal cord.

RESULTS

Bone mineral density (BMD) of the distal femur and proximal tibia declined by 5 % and was not altered by LIV. Serum osteocalcin was reduced after SCI by 20 % and was increased by LIV to a level similar to that of control animals. The osteoclastogenic potential of bone marrow precursors was increased after SCI by twofold and associated with 30 % elevation in serum CTX. LIV reduced the osteoclastogenic potential of marrow precursors by 70 % but did not alter serum CTX. LIV completely reversed the twofold elevation in messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for SOST and the 40 % reduction in Runx2 mRNA in bone marrow stromal cells resulting from SCI.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrate an ability of LIV to improve selected biomarkers of bone turnover and gene expression and to reduce osteoclastogenesis. The study indicates a possibility that LIV initiated earlier after SCI and/or continued for a longer duration would increase bone mass.

Altered intrinsic regional activity and corresponding brain pathways reflect the symptom severity of functional dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence shows central abnormalities in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, but whether the symptom severity is directly reflected in altered brain patterns remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore how FD affected the resting functional brain patterns for different degrees of symptom severity.

METHODS

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was carried out in 40 FD patients and 20 healthy controls. The resting-state brain changes in regional homogeneity (ReHo) and seed correlation analysis were investigated in patients relative to controls. To what degree the brain changes reflected the severity of the disease was assessed by a pattern classification technique.

KEY RESULTS

Altered ReHo values (p < 0.05, FDR corrected) were discovered in multiple brain areas in FD patients, and only the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and thalamus exhibited significant correlation with the severity of dyspepsia symptoms. Compared with controls, the neural signal changes of the thalamus were not found in the less severe FD patient group but in the relatively more severe group, while the ACC showed aberrations in both groups. Seed-based correlation analysis revealed ACC- and thalamus-related functional connectivity differences between FD patients and controls at a voxel-wise level, and the altered thalamic circuits provided the best performance in distinguishing FD patients with different levels of symptom severity.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Our results indicated that the functional abnormalities of the ACC and thalamus may occur at different clinical courses in FD. This may help us better understand the progression of FD.

Investigation of giant magnetoconductance in organic devices based on hopping mechanism

We suggest a spin-dependent hopping mechanism which includes the effect of the external magnetic field as well as hyperfine interaction (HFI) to explain the observed giant magnetoconductance (MC) in non-magnetic organic devices. Based on the extended Marcus theory, we calculate the MC by using the master equation. It is found that a MC value as large as 91% is obtained under a low driving voltage. For suitable parameters, the theoretical results are in good agreement with the experimental data. Influences of the carrier density, HFI, and the carrier localization on the MC value are investigated. Especially, it is found that a low-dimensional structure of the organic materials is favorable to get a large MC value.

Reduced expression of members of the mhc-i antigen processing machinery in ethnic Uighur women with cervical cancer in the Xinjiang region of China

OBJECTIVE

Cervical cancer is a major cause of mortality in Uighur women compared with Han women in the Xinjiang region of China. Although a reduction in the class i major histocompatibility complex (mhc-i) antigen processing machinery (apm) is associated with the development of cervical cancer, the mhc-i apm has not been studied in this particular group of women, who have the highest incidence rate of cervical cancer in China.

STUDY DESIGN

We used immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction amplification of viral dna from infection with the human papilloma virus (hpv) to study the expression of members of the mhc-i apm in cervical cancer sections collected from Uighur and Han women and in cervicitis samples from age-matched counterparts.

RESULTS

Expression of the molecules of interest was compared between two ethnic groups, and expression of transporter associated with antigen processing 1 and 2, heat shock protein 90, and calnexin were found to be reduced even more significantly in Han women with cervical cancer than in Uighur women with same disease. However, compared with Han women, Uighur women had a higher rate of infection with hpv 16.

CONCLUSIONS

The mhc-i apm were reduced in cervical cancer, with heterogeneity in the two ethnic groups. The reduction was more pronounced in Han women, who less frequently had hpv 16 infection, suggesting possible differences in the roles of members of the mhc-i apm and in the mechanisms of cervical cancer development in these two ethnic groups despite residence in the same region of China.

Gene miles-apart is required for formation of otic vesicle and hair cells in zebrafish

Hearing loss is a serious burden to physical and mental health worldwide. Aberrant development and damage of hearing organs are recognized as the causes of hearing loss, the molecular mechanisms underlining these pathological processes remain elusive. Investigation of new molecular mechanisms involved in proliferation, differentiation, migration and maintenance of neuromast primordium and hair cells will contribute to better understanding of hearing loss pathology. This knowledge will enable the development of protective agents and mechanism study of drug ototoxicity. In this study, we demonstrate that the zebrafish gene miles-apart, a homolog of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (s1pr2) in mammals, has an important role in the development of otic vesicle, neuromasts and survival of hair cells. Whole-mount in situ hybridization of embryos showed that miles-apart expression occurred mainly in the encephalic region and the somites at 24 h.p.f. (hour post fertilization), in the midbrain/hindbrain boundary, the brainstem and the pre-neuromast of lateral line at 48 h.p.f. in a strict spatiotemporal regulation. Both up- and downregulation of miles-apart led to abnormal otoliths and semicircular canals, excess or few hair cells and neuromasts, and their disarranged depositions in the lateral lines. Miles-apart (Mil) dysregulation also caused abnormal expression of hearing-associated genes, including hmx2, fgf3, fgf8a, foxi1, otop1, pax2.1 and tmieb during zebrafish organogenesis. Moreover, in larvae miles-apart gene knockdown significantly upregulated proapoptotic gene zBax2 and downregulated prosurvival gene zMcl1b; in contrast, the level of zBax2 was decreased and of zMcl1b enhanced by miles-apart overexpression. Collectively, Mil activity is linked to organization and number decision of hair cells within a neuromast, also to deposition of neuromasts and formation of otic vesicle during zebrafish organogenesis. At the larva stage, Mil as an upstream regulator of bcl-2 gene family has a role in protection of hair cells against apoptosis by promoting expression of prosurvival gene zMcl1b and suppressing proapoptotic gene zBax2.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 reduces acetylcholine level in striatum via disturbing cellular distribution of choline acetyltransferase in cholinergic interneurons in rats

Cholinergic interneurons, which provide the main source of acetylcholine (ACh) in the striatum, control the striatal local circuits and deeply involve in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a crucial kinase with diverse fundamental functions and accepted that deregulation of GSK-3 activity also plays important roles in diverse neurodegenerative diseases. However, up to now, there is no direct proof indicating whether GSK-3 activation is responsible for cholinergic dysfunction. In the present study, with combined intracerebroventricular injection of Wortmannin and GF-109203X, we activated GSK-3 and demonstrated the increased phosphorylation level of microtubule-associated protein tau and neurofilaments (NFs) in the rat striatum. The activated GSK-3 consequently decreased ACh level in the striatum as a result of the reduction of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity. The alteration of ChAT activity was due to impaired ChAT distribution rather than its expression. Furthermore, we proved that cellular ChAT distribution was dependent on low phosphorylation level of NFs. Nevertheless, the cholinergic dysfunction in the striatum failed to induce significant neuronal number reduction. In summary, our data demonstrates the link between GSK-3 activation and cholinergic dysfunction in the striatum and provided beneficial evidence for the pathogenesis study of relevant neurodegenerative diseases.

The adiponectin gene single-nucleotide polymorphism rs1501299 is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma risk

PURPOSE

Increasing lines of evidence have suggested that adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, plays an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the relationship between genetic variants of the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) and HCC has not been previously explored. Therefore, we performed a case-control study to examine the association of haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADIPOQ with HCC risk.

METHODS

Five haplotype-tagging SNPs of ADIPOQ (rs266729, rs822395, rs822396, rs2241766 and rs1501299) were genotyped in 200 HCC patients and 200 non-HCC controls by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of HCC associated with each individual SNP and we adjusted for multiple testing by the Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS

Of the five tested SNPs, rs1501299 showed a strong and significant association with HCC risk even after the Bonferroni correction. After adjusting for the serological status of the hepatitis virus B core antibody and for other SNPs, the odds ratios were 4.33 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.07-9.05; corrected P < 0.005] and 3.71 (95 % CI 1.84-7.48; corrected P < 0.005) for the GG genotype and GG/GT combined genotype, respectively, versus the TT genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report, demonstrating an association of ADIPOQ polymorphisms with HCC risk. Our results implicate the ADIPOQ SNP rs1501299 as a susceptibility locus for HCC.

Alterations of the default mode network in functional dyspepsia patients: a resting-state fmri study

BACKGROUND

Increasing brain imaging studies have emphasized the role of regional brain activity abnormalities in functional dyspepsia (FD) during the resting state. The goal of this study was to investigate the default mode network (DMN) in FD patients and healthy controls (HCs).

METHODS

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning was carried out on 49 patients and 39 HCs. Independent component analysis (ICA) was used to isolate the DMN in each subject. Group topography of the DMN was compared to study significant alteration in FD. A correlation analysis was then performed in the FD group to investigate the effects of symptom severity and the psychological factors on the DMN.

KEY RESULTS

Significant spatial differences with the DMN in FD patients, compared with HCs, were mainly found in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC), thalamus, parahippocampal gyrus, precuneus, parietal cortex, and temporal pole. Meanwhile, Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) scores were positively correlated with the pACC, and was negative correlated with the OFC. However, both the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores were not correlated with any regions of interest showing differences between the FD patients and the HCs.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

These findings suggested that the DMN might indeed undergo dysfunctional changes due to the abnormal persistent activity in FD patients. To a certain extent, the changes in the DMN were related to the FD-related symptom severity.

Multifocal multiphoton microscopy based on a spatial light modulator

We present a new multifocal multiphoton microscope that employs a programmable spatial light modulator to generate dynamic multifocus arrays which can be rapidly scanned by changing the incident angle of the laser beam using a pair of galvo scanners. Using this microscope, we can rapidly select the number and the spatial density of focal points in a multifocus array, as well as the locations and shapes of arrays according to the features of the areas of interest in the field of view without any change to the hardware.