Synaptic dynamics and long-term plasticity at synapses of Purkinje cells onto neighboring Purkinje cells of a mormyrid fish: a dual cell recording study

The input synapses of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) have been extensively studied and much has been learned about their dynamics, plasticity and functionality. In contrast there is limited information available about PC output synapses. This study uses dual cell recording methods to investigate synaptic dynamics and plasticity at individual PC synapses onto neighboring PCs in in vitro preparations of the mormyrid cerebellum. This synaptic connectivity may be strong or weak. For strong connections, inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) or currents (IPSCs) are synchronized with the action potentials of the presynaptic cell. For weak connections, however, the pre- and postsynaptic potentials are no longer synchronized, and presynaptic burst firing at intraburst rates of ∼50 Hz or higher is required to reliably induce the postsynaptic inhibition. A depression of this postsynaptic inhibition was observed for both types of connectivity following repeated presynaptic bursts, which was subsequently largely reversed following pairings of the presynaptic burst-induced IPSPs/IPSCs with evoked burst firing of the postsynaptic cell. Moreover, the original postsynaptic depression was found to be either augmented or reversed depending on the temporal order of each pair of additional pre- and postsynaptic cell activations, hence demonstrating a reversible and spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) at this synapse.

Novel single nucleotide polymorphisms of the bovine methyltransferase 3b gene and their association with meat quality traits in beef cattle

DNA methylation is essential for adipose deposition in mammals. We screened SNPs of the bovine DNA methyltransferase 3b (DNMT3b) gene in Snow Dragon beef, a commercial beef cattle population in China. Nine SNPs were found in the population and three of six novel SNPs were chosen for genotyping and analyzing a possible association with 16 meat quality traits. The frequencies of the alleles and genotypes of the three SNPs in Snow Dragon beef were similar to those in their terminal-paternal breed, Wagyu. Association analysis disclosed that SNP1 was not associated with any of the traits; SNP2 was significantly associated with lean meat color score and chuck short rib score, and SNP3 had a significant effect on dressing percentage and back-fat thickness in the beef population. The individuals with genotype GG for SNP2 had a 25.7% increase in lean meat color score and a 146% increase in chuck short rib score, compared with genotype AA. The cattle with genotype AG for SNP3 had 35.7 and 24% increases in dressing percentage and 28.8 and 29.2% increases in back-fat thickness, compared with genotypes GG and AA, respectively. Genotypic combination analysis revealed significant interactions between SNP1 and SNP2 and between SNP2 and SNP3 for the traits rib-eye area and live weight. We conclude that there is considerable evidence that DNMT3b is a determiner of beef quality traits.

Flagellin-PAc fusion protein is a high-efficacy anti-caries mucosal vaccine

We previously demonstrated that an anti-caries DNA vaccine intranasally administered with recombinant flagellin protein as a mucosal adjuvant enhanced salivary IgA response and conferred better protection against caries. However, the relatively weak immunogenicity of DNA vaccines and the necessity for a large quantity of antigens remain significant challenges. Here, we fused the flagellin derived from E. coli (KF) and target antigen PAc containing the A-P fragment of PAc from S. mutans (rPAc) to produce a single recombinant protein (KF-rPAc). The abilities of KF-rPAc to induce rPAc-specific mucosal and systemic responses and protective efficiency against caries following intranasal immunization were compared with those of rPAc alone or a mixture of rPAc and KF (KF + rPAc) in rats. Results showed that KF-rPAc promoted significantly higher rPAc-specific antibodies in serum as well as in saliva than did an equivalent dose of rPAc alone or a mixture of KF + rPAc. Intranasal immunization of 8.5 µg KF-rPAc could achieve 64.2% reduction of dental caries in rats. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that flagellin and PAc fusion strategy is promising for anti-caries vaccine development, and KF-rPAc could be used as an anti-caries mucosal vaccine.

Meta-analysis demonstrates that the NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) gene 609 C>T polymorphism is associated with increased gastric cancer risk in Asians

The association between the NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) gene C609T polymorphism and gastric cancer has been widely evaluated, yet with conflicting results. Data were available from seven study populations involving 2600 subjects. Overall, comparison of alleles 609T and 609C indicated a significantly increased risk (46%) for gastric cancer (95% confidence interval (95%CI) for odds ratio (OR) = 1.20-1.79) in individuals with the T allele. The tendency was increased in the homozygous comparison (609TT versus 609CC), with an OR = 2.04 (95%CI = 1.37-3.05). Stratified analysis by study design demonstrated stronger associations in population-based studies than in hospital-based studies, based on OR. Ethnicity-based analysis demonstrated a significant association in Asians but not in Caucasians. Additionally, in the subgroup analyses by the type of gastric cancer, a significantly increased risk was found with all genetic models in the gastric adenocarcinoma subgroup compared to the others. We conclude that the NQO1 gene C609T polymorphism increases the risk for gastric cancer, especially in Asian populations.

Association of the CD36 gene with impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, type-2 diabetes, and lipid metabolism in essential hypertensive patients

Essential hypertension is a common disorder that can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). CD36 has been studied in patients with diabetes and hypertension extensively; however, few studies have focused on the relationship of the CD36 gene with impaired fasting glucose (IFG)/impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or T2D in essential hypertension patients. To identify rs1049673 and rs1527483 in the CD36 gene conferring susceptibility to IFG/IGT and T2D, we conducted a case-control study in 1257 essential hypertension patients among the Han Chinese population (control: 676; IGT/IFG: 468; T2D: 113). We also evaluated the impact of two loci on insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance and serum lipid. The major findings of this study were that rs1049673 was found associated with IFG/IGT and T2D in essential hypertension patients (Pco = 0.028; Pdom = 0.015). The rs1049673 G carriers showed significant higher Glu0 (βdom = 0.08 (0.01~0.16), Pdom = 0.045) and Lp(a) (βco = 0.04 (0.002~0.07), Pco = 0.041; βdom = 0.06 (0.01~0.12), Pdom = 0.032), and lower HDL by the linear regression with the adjustment for gender, age, BMI, and mean blood pressures. These findings provided evidence that the CD36 gene may play some role in the pathogenesis of IFG/IGT and T2D in essential hypertension patients.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-induced expression of its receptors and activation of the MAPK signaling pathway during ovine oocyte maturation in vitro

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has beneficial effects on ovine oocytes during in vitro maturation and their subsequent early embryonic development, but the biochemical pathway underlying this effect has not been elucidated. Therefore, the focus of the present study was to investigate the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in response to the addition of VEGF to the maturation medium, and to study the subcellular localization of VEGF and its receptors during ovine oocyte maturation. We concluded that: (1) VEGF mainly localized in the cytoplasm, whereas its receptors, fms-tyrosine kinase-1 and kinase domain region (KDR), were localized on the plasma membrane of oocytes; (2) the addition of 5 ng/mL VEGF increased the percentage of oocytes with extruded first polar bodies (50.9 ± 2.2% vs. 34.6 ± 2.9%; treatment vs. control, respectively; P < 0.01) and the rate of oocytes competent to undergo nuclear maturation (70.6 ± 0.9% vs. 62.9 ± 1.9%, P < 0.01); and (3) as the expression of VEGF, fms-tyrosine kinase-1, and KDR increased after supplementation with 5 ng/mL, expression of VEGF, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), and MAPK mRNA, as well as MAPK phosphorylation, were stimulated in a time-dependent manner. We inferred that, in a paracrine manner, exogenous VEGF bound to KDR, its main receptor, and then activated the MAPK signaling pathway, which promoted maturation of ovine oocytes. However, the VEGF system also had an autocrine regulatory loop that contributed to creating an environment optimal for oocyte maturation.

Measurement of ψ(2S) meson production in pp collisions at [Formula: see text]

The differential cross-section for the inclusive production of ψ(2S) mesons in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] has been measured with the LHCb detector. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb-1. The ψ(2S) mesons are reconstructed in the decay channels ψ(2S)→μ+μ- and ψ(2S)→J/ψπ+π-, with the J/ψ meson decaying into two muons. Results are presented both for promptly produced ψ(2S) mesons and for those originating from b-hadron decays. In the kinematic range pT(ψ(2S))≤16 GeV/c and 2 Collapse

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Different approaches to expressing Edwardsiella tarda antigen GAPDH in attenuated Vibrio anguillarum for multivalent fish vaccines

With the development of gene technology, expressing heterologous antigens in attenuated bacteria has become an important strategy to design multivalent vaccines. In our previous work, an attenuated Vibrio anguillarum named MVAV6203 was developed and proven to be an efficient live vaccine candidate. In this research, we aimed to express protective antigen glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) of Edwardsiella tarda in attenuated Vibrio anguillarum to establish a multivalent V. anguillarum vector vaccine. Several strategies were compared between low- vs. high-copy plasmid-mediated antigen expression, in vivo-inducible vs. constitutive antigen expression and intracellular vs. surface-displaying antigen expression. Zebrafish, Danio rerio (Hamilton), was applied as the fish model to evaluate the immune protection of the V. anguillarum vector vaccine candidates. Our results demonstrated that V. anguillarum MVAV6203 (pUTatLNG40), which harbours a low-copy plasmid-loaded antigen surface display system under the control of a constitutive promoter, presented the best protective efficacy against the infection of Vibrio anguillarum (relative per cent survival, RPS = 85%) and Edwardsiella tarda (RPS = 70%).

Risk of second primary cancer after treatment for esophageal cancer: a pooled analysis of nine cancer registries

The introduction of new treatments for esophageal cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of these modalities has not only improved patient survival, but may also increase the risk of the second primary cancers. The available evidence is conflicting with most risk estimates based on sparse numbers. Here we estimated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of second cancer among 24,557 esophageal cancer survivors (at least 2 months) in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program between 1973 and 2007, who had been followed up for median 6.5 years (range 2 months-29.3 years). Second cancer risk was statistically significantly elevated (SIR = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]= 1.25-1.42) among the survivors compared with the general population; the SIRs for cancers of oral and pharynx, stomach, small intestine, larynx, lung and bronchus, thyroid and prostate cancer were 8.64 (95% CI = 7.36-10.07), 2.87 (95% CI = 2.10-3.82), 3.80 (95% CI = 1.82-7.00), 3.19 (95% CI = 2.12-4.61), 1.68 (95% CI = 1.46-1.93), 2.50 (95% CI = 1.25-4.47), and 0.77 (95% CI = 0.65-0.90), respectively. Radiotherapy raised cancer risk of larynx (SIR = 3.98, 95% CI = 2.43-6.14) and thyroid (SIR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.54-7.03) among all esophageal cancer survivors. For patients who had 5-9 years of follow up after radiotherapy, the SIR for lung cancer was 3.46 (95% CI = 2.41-4.82). Patients with esophageal cancer are at increased risks of second cancers of oral and pharynx, larynx, lung, and thyroid, while at a decreased risk for prostate cancer. These findings indicate that radiotherapy for esophageal cancer patients may increase risk of developing second cancers of larynx, lung, and thyroid. Thus, randomized clinical trials to address the association of radiotherapy and the risk of secondary cancer are warranted.

Use of onyx for transarterial balloon-assisted embolization of traumatic carotid cavernous fistulas: a report of 23 cases

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

TCCFs are a common complication following craniofacial trauma and are usually treated by coils or detachable balloons. The use of the liquid embolic agent Onyx as the sole agent for the treatment of TCCFs has been rarely reported. Herein, we summarized the preliminary experience and effectiveness of treating TCCFs with Onyx in 23 patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From the 36 type A CCFs treated in our department between September 2005 and March 2011, a total of 23 posttraumatic direct CCFs were treated by using Onyx only via transarterial approach.

RESULTS

Immediate postprocedural angiograms demonstrated complete occlusion in all patients. All the patients underwent a single procedure except 1 with bilateral TCCFs. Up to 24-month clinical and 3-month angiographic follow-ups revealed an ongoing complete occlusion without any complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In this series, the use of Onyx for the transarterial embolization of TCCFs was feasible and effective. Associated adverse events were rare.

[Phenomenon of heart ischemic postconditioning]

Authors of review analyzed papers on problem of heart ischemic postconditioning. In the review, it was demonstrated that postconditioning decreased an infarct size, prevented cardiomyocytes apoptosis, improved cardiac contractility in reperfusion period, augmented cardiac tolerance to arrhythmogenic impact ofreperfusion, prevented neutrophil invasion into the reperfused heart, abolished reperfusion endothelial dysfunction and suppressed reperfusion oxidative stress in myocardium.

Magnetic properties of (Fe50Co50)(1-x)-Gdx thin films with diluted Gd doping

(Fe50Co50)(1-x)-Gdx thin films (30 nm) with x<15% deposited on silicon substrates by magnetron sputtering were investigated by X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer, and ferromagnetic resonance. Theoretical fittings of the angular dependent ferromagnetic resonance field of the FeCoGd films have been performed using the Landau-Lifshitz equation It is found that the ferromagnetic resonance experimental data is well fitted by the theory and various magnetic properties have been extracted in accordance. The saturation magnetization decreases from 22750 Oe at x = 0% to 14079 Oe at x = 14% in the FeCo-Gd film, and the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy has changed from an easy film plane to an easy film normal geometry. The gyromagnetic ratio, as well as the Landé g factor, are found increased also with increasing Gd content, i.e. from g = 2.08 at x = 0% to g = 2.29 at x = 14%. An enhancement of the L-S coupling in the presence of a low Gd content has been concluded based on an observable increase from 0.011 at x = 12% up to 0.015 at x = 14% in the Gilbert damping.

Breast Cancer Index predicts pathological complete response and eligibility for breast conserving surgery in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The aim of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is to increase the likelihood of successful breast conservation surgery (BCS). Accurate identification of BCS candidates is a diagnostic challenge. Breast Cancer Index (BCI) predicts recurrence risk in estrogen receptor+lymph node-breast cancer. Performance of BCI to predict chemosensitivity based on pathological complete response (pCR) and BCS was assessed.

METHODS

Real-time RT-PCR BCI assay was conducted using tumor samples from 150 breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Logistical regression and c-index were used to assess predictive strength and additive accuracy of BCI beyond clinicopathologic factors.

RESULTS

BCI classified 42% of patients as low, 35% as intermediate and 23% as high risk. Low BCI risk group had 98.4% negative predictive value (NPV) for pCR and 86% NPV for BCS. High versus low BCI group had a 34 and 5.8 greater likelihood of achieving pCR and BCS, respectively (P=0.0055; P=0.0022). BCI increased c-index for pCR (0.875-0.924; P=0.017) and BCS prediction (0.788-0.843; P=0.027) beyond clinicopathologic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

BCI significantly predicted pCR and BCS beyond clinicopathologic factors. High NPVs indicate that BCI could be a useful tool to identify breast cancer patients who are not eligible for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These results suggest that BCI could be used to assess both chemosensitivity and eligibility for BCS.

First observation of the M1 transition ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S)

Using a sample of 106×10(6) ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring, we have made the first measurement of the M1 transition between the radially excited charmonium S-wave spin-triplet and the radially excited S-wave spin-singlet states: ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S). Analyses of the processes ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S) with η(c)(2S)→K(S)(0)K(±)π(∓) and K(+)K(-)π(0) give an η(c)(2S) signal with a statistical significance of greater than 10 standard deviations under a wide range of assumptions about the signal and background properties. The data are used to obtain measurements of the η(c)(2S) mass (M(η(c)(2S))=3637.6±2.9(stat)±1.6(syst) MeV/c(2)), width (Γ(η(c)(2S))=16.9±6.4(stat)±4.8(syst) MeV), and the product branching-fraction (B(ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S))×B(η(c)(2S)→KKπ)=(1.30±0.20(stat)±0.30(syst))×10(-5)). Combining our result with a BABAR measurement of B(η(c)(2S)→KKπ), we find the branching fraction of the M1 transition to be B(ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S))=(6.8±1.1(stat)±4.5(syst))×10(-4).

Retinoic acid and tumor necrosis factor-α induced monocytic cell gene expression is regulated in part by induction of transcription factor MafB

All-trans-retinoic acid (RA), the major active metabolite of vitamin A, is a regulator of gene expression with many roles in cell differentiation. In the present study, we investigated RA in the regulation of MafB, a basic leucine-zipper transcription factor with broad roles in embryonic development, hematopoiesis and monocyte-macrophage differentiation. In RA-treated THP-1 human monocytic cells, MafB mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated by RA dose and time-dependently, while, additionally, RA and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, also known to induce monocyte to macrophage differentiation, increased MafB expression synergistically. Screening of potential targets containing Maf recognition elements (MARE motifs) in their promoter regions identified SPOCK1, Blimp1 and CCL2 as potential targets; these genes are related to cell communication, recruitment and differentiation, respectively. Across cell treatments, SPOCK1, Blimp1 and CCL2 mRNA levels were highly correlated (P<0.001) with MafB. ChIP assays demonstrated increased MafB protein binding to MARE elements in the promoter regions of SPOCK1, Blimp1 and CCL2 in RA and TNFα-treated cells, as well as acetylation of histone-H4 in MARE-containing regions, indicative of chromatin activation. Conversely, reducing MafB protein by microRNA silencing significantly decreased the expression of SPOCK1, Blimp1 and CCL2 (P<0.01). Moreover, the reduction in MafB expression and these downstream targets correlated with decreased cell differentiation as determined by cell-surface CD11b expression and phagocytic activity. We conclude that MafB may be a key factor in mediating the ability of RA and TNFα to regulate monocytic cell communication, recruitment and differentiation through regulation of MafB target genes including SPOCK1, CCL2 and Blimp1.

Genomic sequencing of key genes in mouse pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic cancer is a multiple genetic disorder with many mutations identified during the progression. Two mouse pancreatic cancer cell lines were established which showed different phenotype in vivo: a non-metastatic cell line, Panc02, and a highly metastatic cell line, Panc02-H7, a derivative of Panc02. In order to investigate whether the genetic mutations of key genes in pancreatic cancer such as KRAS, TP53 (p53), CDKN2A (p16), SMAD4, ZIP4, and PDX-1 contribute to the phenotypic difference of these two mouse pancreatic cancer cells, we sequenced the exonic regions of these key genes in both cell lines and in the normal syngeneic mouse pancreas and compared them with the reference mouse genome sequence. The exons of KRAS, SMAD4, CDKN2A (p16), TP53 (p53), ZIP4, and PDX-1 genes were amplified and the genotype of these genes was determined by Sanger sequencing. The sequences were analyzed with Sequencher software. A mutation in SMAD4 was identified in both cell lines. This homozygote G to T mutation in the first position of codon 174 (GAA) generated a stop codon resulting in the translation of a truncated protein. Further functional analysis indicates that different TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathways were involved in those two mouse cell lines, which may explain the phonotypic difference between the two cells. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in KRAS gene (TAT to TAC at codon 32) was also identified in the normal pancreas DNA of the syngenic mouse and in both derived tumoral Panc02 and Panc02-H7 cells. No mutation or SNP was found in CDKN2A (p16), TP53 (p53), ZIP4, and PDX-1 genes in these two cell lines. The absence of mutations in genes such as KRAS, TP53, and CDKN2A, which are considered as key genes in the development of human pancreatic cancer suggests that SMAD4 might play a central and decisive role in mouse pancreatic cancer. These results also suggest that other mechanisms are involved in the substantial phenotypic difference between these two mouse pancreatic cancer cell lines. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the molecular pathways that lead to the aggressive metastatic potential of Panc02-H7.

Physical mechanism underlying temperature effects on phase retardation

We report on the physical mechanism underlying the temperature dependence of phase retardation. Changes in refractive index and thickness of the wave plate are the two main contributions to phase retardation variations. Temperature-dependent changes in refractive index are described by Sellmeier's equation. Constants in this equation need to be determined by fits to experimental data. A new high-precision instrument was used to measure phase retardation at various temperatures. Once determined, the fitting equation can be used to calculate the phase retardation at any temperature, and thus has implications for wave-plate industrial manufacturing.