Clinical features of atopic dermatitis in a hospital-based setting in China

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease. There have been few detailed reports of the clinical evaluation of Chinese patients with AD.

OBJECTIVES

To give a profile of the clinical features of Chinese AD patients in a university hospital setting.

METHODS

A total of 1008 cases met Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria of AD were recruited at Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China.

RESULTS

In our survey, 22.7% patients were mild, 66.6% were moderate and 10.7% were severe according to the SCORAD index. Both the frequency and severity of the male patients were slightly higher. The frequency of asthma among the AD patients was 16.7% and it was increased with the age (χ2 = 205.20, P = 0.000). The frequencies of objective minor signs were demonstrated with age-related changes. Besides, three localized variants including eyelid eczema (49.8%), scalp dermatitis (49.7%), infra-auricular and retroauricular fissuring (44.8%) were commonly observed, especially in the infantile phase (P < 0.01). It was showed significant differences in serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels of different age groups. The positive rate of Phadiatop was raised after 3 years old and that of the common food allergens were decreased after 6 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

More males than females had ongoing AD in our survey. Most AD debuted in the first year of the cases. High incidence of the three clinical signs: eyelid eczema, scalp dermatitis and infra-auricular and retroauricular fissuring among the patients suggests it can be a potential valuable diagnostic clue to AD.

Adenosine 2A receptor is protective against renal injury in MRL/lpr mice

OBJECTIVE

Adenosine is considered as a potent endogenous anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive molecule. We examined the roles of A2A-adenosine receptor (A(2A)R) in the progression of lupus nephritis.

METHODS

MRL/lpr mice were given a selective A(2A)R agonist, CGS21680 (0.4 mg/kg per day, i.p.) while control mice received saline only. After 8 weeks of treatment, mice were sacrificed for assessment of functional and histological parameters as well as inflammatory infiltration in the kidneys. MCP-1, IFN-γ, MHC-II and A(2A)R mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR. Expression of A(2A)R and nuclear NFκB p65 protein was determined by Western blot analysis. Levels of anti-dsDNA antibody and IFN-γ were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

CGS21680 treatment resulted in significant decrease in proteinuria, blood urea and creatinine as well as improvement in renal histology. Renal macrophage and T-cell infiltration were significantly attenuated in association with suppressed expression of MCP-1, IFN-γ and MHC-II. CGS21680 treatment reduced the level of serum anti-dsDNA and renal immune complex deposition. CGS21680 inhibited the activation of NFκB and suppressed the expression of IFN-γ, MCP-1 and MHC-II in MRL/lpr splenocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

A(2A)R activation suppressed inflammation in the kidneys of MRL/lpr mice and can be considered as a novel therapeutic approach for human lupus nephritis.

Wnt/β-catenin activation promotes prostate tumor progression in a mouse model

Our previous studies have found that activation of Wnt/β-Catenin signaling resulted in mouse prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (mPIN). In the large probasin promoter directed SV40-Large T-antigen (LPB-Tag) expressing mouse prostate, mPIN forms with rare areas of adenocarcinoma. Combining expression of both Wnt-signaling and Tag expression in the mouse prostate, we have studied the role of Wnt/β-Catenin signaling in the progression from mPIN to adenocarcinoma. Our results show that the prostates of mice expressing Tag alone or nuclear β-Catenin alone developed mPIN while the activation of both Tag and the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway resulted in invasive prostate adenocarcinoma. Also, Foxa2, a forkhead transcription factor, was induced by active Wnt/β-Catenin signaling; and the expression of Foxa2 was associated with the invasive phenotype in the primary prostate cancer. In the LPB-Tag/dominant active (D.A.) β-Catenin prostates, MMP7, a Wnt/β-Catenin target gene, was up-regulated. Furthermore, we also assessed AR and AR signaling pathway in these LPB-Tag/D.A. β-Catenin mice. Although β-Catenin is a well known AR co-activator in vitro, our study provides strong in vivo evidences indicating that both AR protein and the AR pathway were down-regulated in the prostate of LPB-Tag/D.A. β-Catenin mice. Histological analysis shows that prostate sections derived from the LPB-Tag/D.A. β-Catenin mice display neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) but NE cancer does not develop. Together, our findings indicate that Wnt/β-Catenin signaling plays an important role in the progression of mPIN to prostate adenocarcinoma.

Next-generation small RNA sequencing for microRNAs profiling in the honey bee Apis mellifera

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in various physiological and pathological processes via post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a key model for highly social species, and its complex social behaviour can be interpreted theoretically as changes in gene regulation, in which miRNAs are thought to be involved. We used the SOLiD sequencing system to identify the repertoire of miRNAs in the honey bee by sequencing a mixed small RNA library from different developmental stages. We obtained a total of 36,796,459 raw sequences; of which 5,491,100 short sequences were fragments of mRNA and other noncoding RNAs (ncRNA), and 1,759,346 reads mapped to the known miRNAs. We predicted 267 novel honey bee miRNAs representing 380,182 short reads, including eight miRNAs of other insects in 14,107,583 genome-mapped sequences. We verified 50 of them using stem-loop reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR), in which 35 yielded PCR products. Cross-species analyses showed 81 novel miRNAs with homologues in other insects, suggesting that they were authentic miRNAs and have similar functions. The results of this study provide a basis for studies of the miRNA-modulating networks in development and some intriguing phenomena such as caste differentiation in A. mellifera.

Use of CBCT to identify the morphology of maxillary permanent molar teeth in a Chinese subpopulation

AIM

To investigate variations in root canal configuration in the maxillary permanent molar teeth of a Chinese subpopulation using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

METHODOLOGY

A total of 269 patients with healthy, untreated, well-developed maxillary molars were enrolled, including those suffering facial trauma, and those who required a pre-operative assessment for implants. Radiographic examination by CBCT was conducted as part of their routine examination, diagnosis and treatment planning. Overall, 299 maxillary first and 210 maxillary second molar teeth were examined in vivo by CBCT. The number of roots, the number of canals per root, the canal configuration and the presence of additional mesiobuccal canals were recorded. Vertucci's classification for root-canal configurations was utilized.

RESULTS

All maxillary first molars had three separate roots; however, 52% of mesiobuccal (MB) roots had two canals with the remainder having one. All distobuccal and palatal roots had Vertucci Type I canal configurations. When the MB2 canal was present, 14, 69 and 16% of MB roots had Type II, IV and V canal configurations, respectively. The root canal system of the maxillary first molar teeth could be categorized into two variants: one with three separate roots with one canal in each of the distobuccal and palatal roots and two canals in the MB root, and the other with three separate roots with one canal in each root. Of 210 maxillary second molars, 10% had one root, 8% two roots and 81% three roots. Of the MB roots, 22% had two canals with the remainder having one. When the MB2 canal was present, 18%, 58%, 10% and 3% of MB roots had type II, IV, V and VI canal configurations, respectively. The root canal system of the maxillary second molar could be categorized into eight variants.

CONCLUSIONS

Mesiobucccal roots of maxillary molar teeth had more variation in their canal system than the distobuccal or palatal roots. The root canal configuration of the maxillary second molars was more variable than that of the first molars. CBCT can enhance detection and mapping of the mesiobuccal root-canal system with the potential to improve the quality of root canal treatment.

Biochemical and molecular analysis of carboxylesterase-mediated hydrolysis of cocaine and heroin

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Carboxylesterases (CEs) metabolize a wide range of xenobiotic substrates including heroin, cocaine, meperidine and the anticancer agent CPT-11. In this study, we have purified to homogeneity human liver and intestinal CEs and compared their ability with hydrolyse heroin, cocaine and CPT-11.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The hydrolysis of heroin and cocaine by recombinant human CEs was evaluated and the kinetic parameters determined. In addition, microsomal samples prepared from these tissues were subjected to chromatographic separation, and substrate hydrolysis and amounts of different CEs were determined.

KEY RESULTS

In contrast to previous reports, cocaine was not hydrolysed by the human liver CE, hCE1 (CES1), either as highly active recombinant protein or as CEs isolated from human liver or intestinal extracts. These results correlated well with computer-assisted molecular modelling studies that suggested that hydrolysis of cocaine by hCE1 (CES1), would be unlikely to occur. However, cocaine, heroin and CPT-11 were all substrates for the intestinal CE, hiCE (CES2), as determined using both the recombinant protein and the tissue fractions. Again, these data were in agreement with the modelling results.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results indicate that the human liver CE is unlikely to play a role in the metabolism of cocaine and that hydrolysis of this substrate by this class of enzymes is via the human intestinal protein hiCE (CES2). In addition, because no enzyme inhibition is observed at high cocaine concentrations, potentially this route of hydrolysis is important in individuals who overdose on this agent.

Polymorphism in 3'-untranslated region of toll-like receptor 4 gene is associated with protection from hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence is one of the more severe complications following liver transplantation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in human immunity by recognizing various bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TLRs are thought to have an impact on the susceptibility to some pathogens. This study focused on the association between polymorphisms in the TLRs and HBV recurrence after liver transplantation in Han Chinese patients.

METHODS

A total of 41 tag SNPs in TLRs were detected by the snapshot technique in 125 patients with primary HBV-related diseases receiving liver transplantation in our center from 2004 to 2008.

RESULTS

By comparing the genetic variations and clinical data between the HBV recurrence patients and nonrecurrence patients, we found that the variant genotype of rs11536889 (TLR4) was significantly associated with HBV recurrence after liver transplantation (P = 0.040, odds ratio was 0.390, 95% confidence interval 0.159-0.957).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that polymorphism in 3'-untranslated regions of the TLR4 gene may be related to protection from HBV recurrence after liver transplantation in Han Chinese patients.

Growth and structure of crystalline silica sheet on Ru(0001)

Thin SiO₂ films were grown on a Ru(0001) single crystal and studied by photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and scanning probe microscopy. The experimental results in combination with density functional theory calculations provide compelling evidence for the formation of crystalline, double-layer sheet silica weakly bound to a metal substrate.

The beneficial effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on doxorubicin-induced chronic heart failure in rats

This study was designed to assess the effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from fish oil on the response of doxorubicin-induced chronic heart failure in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated daily for 8 weeks with normal saline or n-3 PUFA intragastrically after induction of myocardial injury by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin 2 mg/kg once weekly for 8 weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. The cytoprotective role of n-3 PUFA against doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury was demonstrated by light microscopy, and serum cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10) were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Doxorubicin induced death, alterations in echocardiography parameters and histological damage, all of which are features that characterize heart failure. There were significant differences between the doxorubicin-induced heart failure group and the n-3 PUFA-treated group in terms of echocardiography parameters and cytokine changes. Thus, dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA attenuated doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction, an effect that might be associated with recovery from an imbalance of the cytokine network.

Loss of reelin expression in breast cancer is epigenetically controlled and associated with poor prognosis

Reelin is a secreted, signaling protein associated with neuronal cell positioning and migration. Recently, reelin was found to be epigenetically silenced in gastric and pancreatic cancers in which down-regulation was associated with increased migratory ability and reduced survival. Here we analyzed reelin expression by immunohistochemistry in 17 normal breast tissue samples from reduction mammoplasties and in two independent tissue microarrays of 136 and more than 2000 breast cancer biopsy samples, respectively. Results were analyzed with regard to clinical parameters, including BRE (Bloom, Richardson, Elston) grade, nodal status, estrogen receptor and HER2 status, and overall survival. Reelin was expressed in the luminal epithelium and myoepithelium of the normal human breast but not in cancerous breasts. Loss of reelin protein expression correlated significantly with decreased survival (P=0.01) and positive lymph node status (P<0.001). By measuring reelin expression and promoter methylation status in 39 primary breast tumors, as well as in breast cancer-derived cell lines before and after decitabine treatment, we established that reelin expression levels correlated inversely with promoter methylation status, whereas demethylation increased reelin mRNA expression in vitro. Reelin overexpression in MDA-MB231 cells, as well as incubation with recombinant reelin, suppressed cell migration, invadopodia formation, and invasiveness in vitro. We conclude that reelin may play an important role in controlling invasiveness and metastatic potential of breast cancer cells and that its expression is controlled by promoter methylation.

Celastrol attenuates hypertension-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells via induction of heme oxygenase-1

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential beneficial effects of celastrol, a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under hypertensive conditions.

METHODS

Hypertension was induced in rats by fructose feeding. Hypertensive rats were injected with celastrol, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were monitored by the tail-cuff method. Insulin sensitivity in animals was measured by glucose tolerance test (GTT). Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR and western blot were applied to quantify mRNA and protein levels in tissues and primary cultured VSMCs. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using lucigenin chemiluminescence for tissue homogenates and dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining for VSMC cells.

RESULTS

Celastrol decreased both SBP and DBP while improving insulin sensitivity in fructose-induced hypertensive rats. Celastrol also inhibited vascular and cardiac hypertrophy. Hypertension augmented circulating and mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines, and celastrol treatment suppressed their induction. Celastrol also blocked activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt signaling both in vivo and in vitro. More importantly, celastrol increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and activity, whereas zinc protoporphyrin 9 (ZnPP9), a HO-1 inhibitor, partially abolished the beneficial effects of celastrol on hypertensive rats and VSMCs. Finally, ROS generation in tissue homogenates and in VSMCs was reduced by celastrol.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that celastrol attenuates hypertension-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in VSMCs via HO-1 induction, and this compound may therefore serve as a novel drug to treat hypertension.

Preparation, characterization and in vitro analysis of novel structured nanofibrous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

In a previous study, a three-dimensional nanofibrous spiral scaffold for bone tissue engineering was developed, which showed enhanced human osteoblast cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation compared with traditional cylinder scaffolds, owing to the incorporation of spiral structures and nanofiber. However, the application of these scaffolds to bone tissue engineering was limited by their weak mechanical strength. This limitation triggered the design for novel structured scaffolds with reinforced physical characteristics. In this study, spiral polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous scaffolds were inserted into poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microsphere sintered tubular scaffolds to form integrated scaffolds to provide mechanical properties and bioactivity appropriate for bone tissue engineering. Four experiment groups were designed: PLGA cylinder scaffold; PLGA tubular scaffold; PLGA tubular scaffold with PCL spiral structured inner core; PLGA tubular scaffold with PCL nanofiber containing spiral structured inner core. The morphology, porosity and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were characterized. Furthermore, human osteoblastic cells were seeded on these scaffolds, and the cell attachment, proliferation, differentiation and mineralized matrix deposition on the scaffolds were evaluated. The integrated scaffolds had Young's modulus 250-300 MPa, and compressive strength 8-11 MPa under uniaxial compression. With the addition of an inner highly porous insert to the tubular shell, human osteoblast cells seeded on the integrated scaffolds showed slightly higher cell proliferation, 20-25% more alkaline phosphatase expression and twofold higher calcium deposition than those on the cylinder and tubular scaffolds. Furthermore, compared with sintered PLGA cylinder scaffolds, the integrated scaffolds allowed better cellular infiltration Therefore, this design demonstrates great potential for integrated scaffolds in bone tissue engineering applications.

Impaired dopaminergic neurotransmission and microtubule-associated protein tau alterations in human LRRK2 transgenic mice

Mutations in the Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene, first described in 2004 have now emerged as the most important genetic finding in both autosomal dominant and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). While a formidable research effort has ensued since the initial gene discovery, little is known of either the normal or the pathological role of LRRK2. We have created lines of mice that express human wild-type (hWT) or G2019S Lrrk2 via bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenesis. In vivo analysis of the dopaminergic system revealed abnormal dopamine neurotransmission in both hWT and G2019S transgenic mice evidenced by a decrease in extra-cellular dopamine levels, which was detected without pharmacological manipulation. Immunopathological analysis revealed changes in localization and increased phosphorylation of microtubule binding protein tau in G2019S mice. Quantitative biochemical analysis confirmed the presence of differential phospho-tau species in G2019S mice but surprisingly, upon dephosphorylation the tau isoform banding pattern in G2019S mice remained altered. This suggests that other post-translational modifications of tau occur in G2019S mice. We hypothesize that Lrrk2 may impact on tau processing which subsequently leads to increased phosphorylation. Our models will be useful for further understanding of the mechanistic actions of LRRK2 and future therapeutic screening.

Telmisartan alleviates rosiglitazone-induced bone loss in ovariectomized spontaneous hypertensive rats

In the present study, we systematically examined telmisartan, an angiotensin AT(1) receptor antagonist, on rosiglitazone-induced bone loss in ovariectomized spontaneously hypertensive rats. Telmisartan (5 mg/kg/d, 90 days) was found to be able to significantly alleviate rosiglitazone (10 mg/kg/d, 90 days)-induced decrease in BMD of femur and lumbar vertebrae. The BMD changes were associated with positive biomechanical changes of lumbar vertebrae, improvements in microarchitecture of tibial metaphysic and normalized serum osteocalcin (OC) levels and urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine (DPD/Cr) ratio. MicroCT analysis of the tibial metaphysis showed that telmisartan significantly prevented the decreases in bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), connect density (Conn. D.), trabecular number (Tb. N.) and trabecular thickness (Tb. Th.), and increase in trabecular separation (Tb. Sp.) induced by rosiglitazone. Histomorphometric analysis also showed that telmisartan had protective effects on rosiglitazone-reduced bone formation indices such as histomorphometric bone volume fraction (BV/TV-Histo), mineralizing surface/bone surface (MS/BS), mineral apposition rate (MAR) and bone formation rate (BFR/BS). Our study clearly showed that telmisartan alleviated rosiglitazone-induced bone loss in ovariectomized spontaneous hypertensive rats. The relief of bone loss provides a possible therapeutic application of telmisartan with rosiglitazone for the treatment of elderly women patients afflicted with metabolic syndrome.

Contribution of magnetic resonance imaging to prenatal differential diagnosis of renal tumors: report of two cases and review of the literature

Enlargement of a kidney on prenatal imaging is usually due to hydronephrosis or cystic renal disease, and much less often results from solid tumors such as mesoblastic nephroma, Wilms' tumor, nephroblastomatosis, renal sarcoma, and angiomyolipoma. All can be diagnosed by ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging is useful not only in confirming the presence of a renal mass, but also in the evaluation of the contralateral kidney for subtle abnormalities. We present one case each of Wilms' tumor and mesoblastic nephroma, both detected on antenatal ultrasound and further studied with fetal magnetic resonance imaging.

Skeletal phenotype of mice with a null mutation in Cav 1.3 L-type calcium channel

This study aimed to understand the role of Cav1.3, one of the four L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) alpha(1) subunits, in the skeletal response to mechanical loading and intermittent PTH treatment. The Cav1.3 mRNA is expressed in osteoblasts. The Cav1.3 mRNA level in male wild type mice is higher than those in female. Loss of Cav1.3 resulted in a smaller skeleton in male mice as indicated by significantly lower body weight, less bone mineral content and smaller cross-sectional area of femoral midshaft. However, the osteogenic response to mechanical loading of the ulna was normal in Cav1.3(-/-) compared to the normal control mice. Male mice Cav1.3(-/-) were then treated daily with PTH at a dose of 40 microg/kg. A 6-week course of intermittent PTH treatment enhanced bone mineral content and mechanical strength equally in wild type control and Cav1.3 null mice. We also found that Cav1.2 subunit significantly increases in the absence of Cav1.3 gene. In conclusion, Cav1.3 is involved in bone metabolism, especially in male mice. Cav1.3 does not mediate osteoblast response to mechanical loading and PTH. Our data suggest that Cav1.1 and Cav1.2 subunits may substitute for Cav1.3 to maintain bone response to mechanical loading.