[Efficacy and safety of vandetanib on advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma: single center result from a phase Ⅲ study]

Objective: There is no effective therapy for patients with advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Vandetanib,a novel multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has previously shown antitumor activity in phase Ⅱ studies of patients with advanced MTC. This study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of vandetanib on advanced MTC. Methods: This study was an open, international multi-center phase Ⅲ clinical trial and the study number was NCT01298323. The single-center study was a sub-group analysis of the international study, which was conducted on 9 pathologically confirmed advanced MTC patients by Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between March 2012 and October 2017. Vandetanib (300 mg) was orally administered daily till death or withdrawal. The efficacy was evaluated according to RECIST criteria and the adverse events were evaluated according to NCI criteria. Results: The objective response rate was 3/9,and the disease control rate was 4/9. The median progression-free survival was 44 months. All patients who had the elevated levels of calcitonin (CTN) and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) before treatment began to show the decreases in the level of CTN and CEA after 3 months and later showed again the increases in the levels of both tumor markers with tumor progression. By ROC curve analysis, CTN was of statistically significance(P<0.05, 95%CI 0.558-0.834), but CEA was not(P>0.05). Adverse events were generally mild (grade 1 or 2),including hypertension (9 cases),skin rash (9 cases), and diarrhea (6 cases). Two patients developed grade 3 elevation of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and one patient developed grade 3 elevation of drug-related bowel disease. No grade 4 drug-related adverse event occurred. Conclusions: Vandetanib is effective and well tolerated for patients with locally advanced or metastatic MTC who have no chance for surgery. This indicates the increase of CTN is clinically relevant to disease progression, but the number of patients are extremely low, and, therefore further research is needed. Long-term use of vandetanib may cause resistance.

The change of volatile compounds of two kinds of vinasse-cured ducks during processing

Vinasse-cured duck was processed by boiling, salting, and vinasse-dry-curing or vinasse-wet-curing. Volatile compounds, moisture contents, reducing sugars, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values during processing were determined. Reducing sugars decreased during boiling and increased after vinasse-curing. TBARS values increased throughout the processing. The volatiles of ducks during processing and vinasse-curing agents (dry vinasse and vinasse sauce) were 125 compounds. The first principal component (PC1) belonged to the flavor of cooked duck, whereas the second principal component (PC2) represented the flavor of yellow rice wine. The 66.49 and 29.61% of typical aroma of vinasse-dry-cured product were from dry vinasse and lipid oxidation, respectively, whereas the 75.58 and 21.89% of aroma of vinasse-wet-cured product were from vinasse sauce and lipid oxidation, respectively. Lipid oxidation products increased after boiling, whereas salting promoted their release. Compared with vinasse-wet-cured duck, vinasse-dry-cured product presented richer aroma of lipid oxidation and weaker flavor of vinasse-curing agents. Besides, protein denaturation which was caused by ethanol could influence the retention and release of flavor. In conclusion, two kinds of vinasse-curing methods influenced the characteristic volatiles of products and their generation during processing.

[Meta analysis of surgical treatment for old Monteggia fracture in children]

Objective: To analysis the treatment effect of the ulnar osteotomy and ring-shaped ligament reconstruction for the treatment of old Monteggia fracture in children by using Meta analyze, and the difference of clinical curative effect was compared in order to provide the basis for the selection of clinical treatment options for old Monteggia fractures in children. Methods: We searched databases such as CNKI, Wanfang database, Medline, PubMed, Embase and Science through computer, at the same time, the references of relevant documents were retrieved manually, and the data processing was carried out by the RevMan5.3 statistical software provided by the Cochrane cooperation network by incorporating the exclusion criteria. The results were obtained and analyzed. Results: A total of 17 standard literature, 438 cases, 224 cases of ulnar osteotomy, 214 cases with ring ligament repair and reconstruction were obtained. The operation scheme, which was mainly based on the lengthening of ulna osteotomy, was superior to the reconstruction of ring ligament reconstruction. The complications and second operation rates of the former was less than that of the latter. Conclusion: The surgical methods for the reconstruction of the ulna osteotomy and the ring-shaped ligament have advantages and disadvantages. The choice of the operative plan for the old Monteggia fracture should be based on the following factors: the time of the old Monteggia fracture formation, the degree of the ulnar and radial deformity and the familiarity of the operative method.

[Application of non-invasive microelectrode ion flux estimation technique in crop stress physiology.]

Non-invasive microsensing technique has been widely used in evaluating the adaptive responses of plant cells and tissues to abiotic stresses. One of the representative techniques is the microelectrode ion flux estimation (MIFE), which allows concurrent quantification of net fluxes with high spatial and temporal resolution. More importantly, this technique permits simultaneous recording of ion concentration and mobility with less intervention to the in situ physiological status. With the availability of such advanced technique, the last three decades have seen a significant progress towards the role of ion signaling in a variety of abiotic stresses including salinity, extreme temperature, osmotic stress, hypoxia, and drought. In this review, we gave a brief introduction of the MIFE working principles and focused on its applications in detecting ion responses to various abiotic stresses.

[Dye-tattooing under ultrasound guidance in preoperative localization of neck recurrences from thyroid cancer]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the application of dye-tattooing under ultrasound guidance in preoperative localization of neck recurrences from thyroid cancer. Methods: Between October 2014 to September 2016, 25 patients with 34 lesions were enrolled. There were 22 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma and three cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma, all of which could not be detected by computed tomography. Surgeons located the recurrent lesions using dye-tattooing under ultrasound guidance along with radiologist three days before the operation. Results: All lesions were successfully located (100%), 32 of which were located directly and two of which were located indirectly. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed 25 metastases of papillary thyroid carcinoma, two metastases of medullary thyroid carcinoma, and seven cases of false positives. The accuracy of ultrasound diagnosis was 79.4%. After 15 months of follow-up, neither tumor residual nor recurrences was detected according to imaging tests. Conclusions: Dye-tattooing under ultrasound guidance represents a reliable and safe method for localization of neck recurrences from thyroid cancer. The cooperation between experienced surgeons and radiologists will be crucial to successful location.

miR-367 promotes uveal melanoma cell proliferation and migration by regulating PTEN

We aimed to investigate the biological role of miR-367 in uveal melanoma cell growth and migration, and the underlying mechanism responsible. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate miR-367 expression in uveal melanoma tissue samples and cell lines. A miR-367 mimic, miR-367 inhibitor, and negative control oligonucleotide were transfected into these cells to investigate the function of this microRNA. In addition, the role of PTEN in miR-367-mediated uveal melanoma cell growth and migration was evaluated. miR-367 was significantly upregulated in uveal melanoma cells and tissue samples (both P < 0.01). Its inhibition suppressed the proliferation, cell cycle transition, and migration of such cells, and increased levels had the opposite effect. PTEN was confirmed to be a target gene of miR-367. More importantly, co-transfection with a PTEN construct lacking the 3'-untranslated region mitigated miR-367 mimic-induced promotion of uveal melanoma cell proliferation and migration. In summary, miR-367 was found to be upregulated in this malignancy, and may promote uveal melanoma cell proliferation and migration, at least in part by regulating PTEN.

A QTL with Major Effect on Reducing Stripe Rust Severity Detected From a Chinese Wheat Landrace

Stripe rust, a devastating disease of wheat worldwide, can be controlled by use of diverse wheat resistance resources. To find new quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to stripe rust, Qing Shumai (a Chinese winter wheat landrace possessing slow rusting resistance) was crossed with the susceptible line Mingxian 169. The parents and 276 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross were evaluated in five environments involving two locations (Gansu and Shandong provinces, China) and four autumn-sown wheat seasons (2008 to 2012). Disease severities on Qing Shumai were lower than 25%, contrasting with approximately 90% on Mingxian 169. The RILs varied in rust intensity in a continuous and monomodal distribution. A bulked segregant analysis approach using 2,344 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers mapped a major QTL to the long arm of chromosome 6D (hereby designated as QYr.cau-6DL). An SSR marker (gpw5179, https://wheat.pw.usda.gov/GG2/index.shtml ) was identified as being tightly linked with QYr.cau-6DL. Combination between QYr.cau-6DL and the stripe rust-resistance gene Yr18 was examined using 160 F_2:3 families of Qing Shumai × RL6058 (a near-isogenic line for Yr18 in the genetic background of the spring wheat Thatcher). The combination elevated the resistance consistently across both winter and spring wheat backgrounds, acting synergistically without undesired epistasis.

Boundary migration in a 3D deformed microstructure inside an opaque sample

How boundaries surrounding recrystallization grains migrate through the 3D network of dislocation boundaries in deformed crystalline materials is unknown and critical for the resulting recrystallized crystalline materials. Using X-ray Laue diffraction microscopy, we show for the first time the migration pattern of a typical recrystallization boundary through a well-characterized deformation matrix. The data provide a unique possibility to investigate effects of both boundary misorientation and plane normal on the migration, information which cannot be accessed with any other techniques. The results show that neither of these two parameters can explain the observed migration behavior. Instead we suggest that the subdivision of the deformed microstructure ahead of the boundary plays the dominant role. The present experimental observations challenge the assumptions of existing recrystallization theories, and set the stage for determination of mobilities of recrystallization boundaries.

[Clinical features of postoperative cervical lymph nodes recurrence in papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To analyse the postoperative metastasis or recurrence of cervical lymph nodes in individual neck levels for papillary thyroid carcinoma and to evaluate the outcomes and complications of re-surgery. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 259 patients who underwent lymph node dissection for PTC relapse from January 2010 to June 2011. Lymph node metastases in each of neck levels were detected, postoperative complications were evaluated, and the patients were followed up with examining thyroglobulin levels to assess the therapeutic effect.Continuous variables were compared with t test.Categorical variables were compared with Fisher's exact test. Results: Lymph node metastasis was found in 259 cases and lymph node metastasis rates in levels Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, Ⅴ and Ⅵ were 43.2%, 50.2%, 45.6%, 8.1% and 59.1% respectively. In 44 cases received the neck dissection of level Ⅱ, the metastasis rates in the levels Ⅱa and Ⅱb were respectively (52.3% vs 18.2%, P=0.887). Recurrence in unilateral lateral neck was more common than that in bilateral lateral neck (73.1% vs 20.6%, P<0.001). The lymph nodes in lateral neck were more likely to metastasize than those in central region (80.7% vs 59.1%, P<0.001). There were 47 cases (18.1%) had postoperative complications, including 10 cases with permanent hypocalcemia. Conclusions: The scope of re-operation for neck metastasis or recurrence in papillary thyroid carcinoma should include the dissection of levels Ⅱ-Ⅳ and Ⅵ. The incidence of postoperative complications for re-surgery is high, and re-surgery should be performed by experienced surgeon.

mRNA and protein expression levels of four candidate genes for ear size in Erhualian and Large White pigs

Porcine ear size is an important characteristic for distinguishing among pig breeds. In a previous genome-wide association study of porcine ear size, LEM domain-containing 3 (LEMD3), methionine sulfoxide reductase B3 (MSRB3), high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), and Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1) were implicated as important candidate genes for ear size. This study investigated the expression levels of four candidate genes for ear size in Erhualian and Large White pigs. Ten Erhualian pigs with large ears and eight Large White pigs with small ears at 60 days of age were examined. The mRNA expression levels of the four candidate genes were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. WIF1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in Large White than in Erhualian pigs (P < 0.05), whereas the expression levels of the other three genes were not significantly different between the two breeds. The protein expression levels of the four genes were analyzed using western blot. WIF1 protein expression was significantly higher in Large White than in Erhualian pigs (P < 0.01), whereas MSRB3 protein expression was significantly higher in Erhualian than in Large White pigs (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two breeds in residual protein expression. These results suggest that WIF1 is the main causal gene for ear size in pigs.

[Central compartment reoperation for recurrent/persistent differentiated thyroid cancer]

Objective: To analyze the incidences of complications after central compartment reoperation for recurrent/persistent differentiated thyroid cancer, and to investigate the safety and feasiblity of central compartment reoperation. Methord: A total of 109 patients who underwent central compartment reoperation for recurrent/persistent differentiated thyroid cancer from January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2016 in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences was analysed retrospectively, and the incidences of reoperation-related complications were evaluated. Results: Among 109 patients, only 10 (9.2%) patients were treated initially in our hospital and remaining patients (90.8%) treated initially in the other hospitals. Surgical approaches for thyroid beds: 61 patients (56.0%) underwent supplemented total thyroidectomy, 3 patients (2.8%) for removal of recurrent thyroid cancer, 2 patients (1.8%) with supplemented total thyroidectomy and removal of recurrent thyroid cancer, and 12 cases (11.0%) had bilateral thyroid lobectomy. Central compartment lymph node dissection: 66 patients (60.6%) underwent bilateral central neck dissection, 40 patients (36.7%) with unilateral central neck dissection. A total of 16 patients (14.7%) had complications. Transient and permanent vocal fold paralysis developed in 9(8.3%) and 2(1.8 %) patients, respectively. Transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 2(1.8%) patients and 11 patients (10.1%), respectively. Postoperative bleeding happened in 1 patient (0.9%). with follow-up from 7 to 61 month, median follow-up was 17.2 months. All patients survived, with recurrence in 3 (2.8%) patients. Conclusions: It seems the incidences of complications for thyroid carcinoma reoperation in central compartment is low for the experienced surgeon. The reoperation was safe and feasible.

Comparison of chemical profiles and effectiveness between Erxian decoction and mixtures of decoctions of its individual herbs: a novel approach for identification of the standard chemicals

Background

Identification of bioactive standard chemicals is a major challenge in the study of the Chinese medicinal formula. In particular, the chemical components may interact differently depending on the preparative methods, therefore affecting the amounts of bioactive components and their pharmacological properties in the medicinal formula. With the use of Erxian decoction (EXD) as a study model—a  well-known Chinese medicinal formula for treating menopausal symptoms, a novel and rapid approach in seeking standard chemicals has been established by differentially comparing the HPLC profiles and the menopause-related biochemical parameters of combined decoction of EXD (EXD-C) and mixtures of the decoctions of its individual herbs (EXD-S).

Methods

The levels of six chemicals, which exerted actions on the HPO axis, have been measured in EXD-C and EXD-S by HPLC. Twelve-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were employed and treated with EXD-C and EXD-S. Their endocrine functions after treatment were evaluated by determining the ovarian mRNA levels of aromatase, a key enzyme for estradiol biosynthesis. The effect of the antioxidant regimen was determined by the hepatic superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx-1) mRNA levels.

Results

The amounts of mangiferine, ferulic acid, jatrorrhizine and palmatine in EXD-S were twofold higher than those in EXD-C. EXD-S was more effective in stimulating ovarian aromatase and the expression of the antioxidant enzymes compared with EXD-C.

Conclusion

Mangiferine, ferulic acid, jatrorrhizine and palmatine are suitable for use as standard chemicals for quality evaluation of EXD according to our approach. EXD-S could be more effective than EXD-C.

A method to characterize the roughness of 2-D line features: recrystallization boundaries

A method is presented, which allows quantification of the roughness of nonplanar boundaries of objects for which the neutral plane is not known. The method provides quantitative descriptions of both the local and global characteristics. How the method can be used to estimate the sizes of rough features and local curvatures is also presented. The potential of the method is illustrated by quantification of the roughness of two recrystallization boundaries in a pure Al specimen characterized by scanning electron microscopy.

Porcine MAP3K5 analysis: molecular cloning, characterization, tissue expression pattern, and copy number variations associated with residual feed intake

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 5 (MAP3K5) is essential for apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and immune responses, and is a candidate marker for residual feed intake (RFI) in pig. We cloned the full-length cDNA sequence of porcine MAP3K5 by rapid-amplification of cDNA ends. The 5451-bp gene contains a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) (718 bp), a coding region (3738 bp), and a 3'-UTR (995 bp), and encodes a peptide of 1245 amino acids, which shares 97, 99, 97, 93, 91, and 84% sequence identity with cattle, sheep, human, mouse, chicken, and zebrafish MAP3K5, respectively. The deduced MAP3K5 protein sequence contains two conserved domains: a DUF4071 domain and a protein kinase domain. Phylogenetic analysis showed that porcine MAP3K5 forms a separate branch to vicugna and camel MAP3K5. Tissue expression analysis using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed that MAP3K5 was expressed in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, muscle, fat, pancrea, ileum, and stomach tissues. Copy number variation was detected for porcine MAP3K5 and validated by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, a significant increase in average copy number was detected in the low RFI group when compared to the high RFI group in a Duroc pig population. These results provide useful information regarding the influence of MAP3K5 on RFI in pigs.

Maternal Genistein Intake Can Reduce Body Weight in Male Offspring

The study objectives were to investigate the relationship between early exposure to genistein and obesity in young adulthood and to evaluate changes in reproductive health during puberty and adulthood following in utero exposure to genistein. Thirty-two female rats were randomized into four groups; low dose 400 mg genistein/kg diet group (LG), mid-dose 1200 mg genistein/kg diet group (MG), high dose 3600 mg genistein/kg diet group (HG), and control group without genistein diet (CON). Rats were fed genistein at the beginning of pregnancy along with a high-fat diet. Pups were sacrificed at week 4 and week 8 after birth. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results showed a correlation between maternal genistein intake and genistein concentration in pups' plasma. Compared to CON, body weight reduced significantly in male HG group at week 8. No statistical differences were found in plasma estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), interleukin (IL)-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with early genistein exposure. Furthermore, uterine histopathology showed notable changes in groups HG and MG compared with CON at week 4 and week 8. In conclusion, maternal genistein supplement could reduce body weight in male pups and alter uterine histopathology in female pups.

Cloning and sequence analysis of the Blumea balsamifera DC farnesyl diphosphate synthase gene

Blumea balsamifera DC is a member of the Compositae family and is frequently used as traditional Chinese medicine. Blumea balsamifera is rich in monoterpenes, which possess a variety of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-bacteria, and anti-viral activities. Farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS) is a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of terpenes, playing an important regulatory role in plant growth, such as resistance and secondary metabolism. Based on the conserved oligo amino acid residues of published FPS genes from other higher plant species, a cDNA sequence, designated BbFPS, was isolated from B. balsamifera DC using polymerase chain reaction. The clones were an average of 1.6 kb and contained an open reading frame that predicted a polypeptide of 342 amino acids with 89.07% identity to FPS from other plants. The deduced amino acid sequence was dominated by hydrophobic regions and contained 2 highly conserved DDxxD motifs that are essential for proper functioning of FPS. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that FPS grouped with other composite families. Prediction of secondary structure and subcellular localization suggested that alpha helices made up 70% of the amino acids of the sequence.

DNA methylation regulates expression of VEGF-C, and S-adenosylmethionine is effective for VEGF-C methylation and for inhibiting cancer growth

DNA hypomethylation may activate oncogene transcription, thus promoting carcinogenesis and tumor development. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is a methyl donor in numerous methylation reactions and acts as an inhibitor of intracellular demethylase activity, which results in hypermethylation of DNA. The main objectives of this study were to determine whether DNA hypomethylation correlated with vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression, and the effect of SAM on VEGF-C methylation and gastric cancer growth inhibition. VEGF-C expression was assayed by Western blotting and RT-qPCR in gastric cancer cells, and by immunohistochemistry in tumor xenografts. VEGF-C methylation was assayed by bisulfite DNA sequencing. The effect of SAM on cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry analyses and its effect on cancer growth was assessed in nude mice. The VEGF-C promoters of MGC-803, BGC-823, and SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells, which normally express VEGF-C, were nearly unmethylated. After SAM treatment, the VEGF-C promoters in these cells were highly methylated and VEGF-C expression was downregulated. SAM also significantly inhibited tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. DNA methylation regulates expression of VEGF-C. SAM can effectively induce VEGF-C methylation, reduce the expression of VEGF-C, and inhibit tumor growth. SAM has potential as a drug therapy to silence oncogenes and block the progression of gastric cancer.

Influence of soy isoflavone on lindane cumulant in sprague-dawley rats

Female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 60-80 g were given different dosages of soy isoflavones and/or lindane for four weeks. Soy isoflavones was added in feed and lindane was given by oral gavage. We found that soy isoflavones could reduce the level of lindane in rat's serum and brain, but might cause the uterus hyperplasia. Lindane could inhibit the effect of soy isoflavones on uterus and significantly decrease the level of estradiol and testosterone in serum. This study indicated that soy isoflavones could reduce the level of lindane in rat's body. Lindane could reduce the level of hormones and decreased the effect of soy isoflavones on rat's uterus.

Genetic diversity of the Chinese traditional herb Blumea balsamifera (Asteraceae) based on AFLP markers

Blumea balsamifera is a commercially important medicinal herb in China and other parts of Asia. It is used to produce borneol. This plant grows in the wild, but resources have diminished greatly in recent years. We examined the genetic diversity of this species to help develop conservation strategies; 35 plants from five provinces were analyzed using AFLPs. Eight AFLP primer combinations generated 1367 fragments, giving a mean of 172 fragments per primer combination. Polymorphism in the germplasm analysis was found for 1360 (99.48%) of the fragments, of which 264 (19.27%) fragments were unique (accession specific) and 423 (25.33%) of the fragments were rare (present in less than 10% of the accessions). The polymorphic fragments were used to group the accessions in a UPGMA phenogram. Most grouping was geographical. In general, accessions coming from Guizhou and Guangxi showed higher diversities as these accessions were scattered in different groups. The genetic distance estimated by Jaccard similarity coefficient index showed low variability among genotypes (coefficient value ranged from 0.60 to 0.95). More attention should be given to the study and conservation of the biodiversity of this economically important genus.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction and purification of schisandrin B from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill seeds: optimization by response surface methodology

The objective of this study is to develop a process consisting of ultrasonic-assisted extraction, silica-gel column chromatography and crystallization to optimize pilot scale recovery of schisandrin B (SAB) from Schisandra chinensis seeds. The effects of five independent variables including liquid-solid ratio, ethanol concentration, ultrasonic power, extraction time, and temperature on the SAB yield were evaluated with fractional factorial design (FFD). The FFD results showed that the ethanol concentration was the only significant factor for the yield of SAB. Then, with the liquid-solid ratio 5 (mL/g) and ultrasonic power 600 W, the other three parameters were further optimized by means of response surface methodology (RSM). The RSM results revealed that the optimal conditions consisted of 95% ethanol, 60 °C and 70 min. The average experimental SAB yield under the optimum conditions was found to be 5.80 mg/g, which was consistent with the predicted value of 5.83 mg/g. Subsequently, a silica gel chromatographic process was used to prepare the SAB-enriched extract with petroleum ether/acetone (95:5, v/v) as eluents. After final crystallization, 1.46 g of SAB with the purity of 99.4% and the overall recovery of 57.1% was obtained from 400 g seeds powder. This method provides an efficient and low-cost way for SAB purification for pharmaceutical industrial applications.