A well-circumscribed border with peripheral Doppler signal in sonographic image distinguishes epithelioid trophoblastic tumor from other gestational trophoblastic neoplasms

As epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) shares similar clinical features with other gestational trophoblastic neoplasms (GTNs), it is likely to be clinically misdiagnosed and subsequently treated in an improper way. This study aimed to identify the sonographic features of ETT that are distinct from other GTNs, including placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) and invasive mole/choriocarcinoma (IM/CC). Here, we retrospectively analyzed ultrasound images of 12 patients with ETT in comparison with those of 21 patients with PSTT and 24 patients with IM/CC. The results showed that maximal diameter and hemodynamic parameters were not significantly different among ETT, PSTT and IM/CC (P>0.05). However, a well-circumscribed border with hypoechogenic halo was identified in the gray-scale sonogram in all 12 cases of ETT, while only in 1 out of 21 cases of PSTT and 1 out of 16 cases of IM/CC (P<0.001 for ETT vs. PSTT or IM/CC). Moreover, a peripheral pattern of Doppler signals was observed in 11 out of 12 ETT lesions, showing relatively more Doppler signal spots around the tumor border than within the boundary, while a non-peripheral pattern of Doppler signals in all 21 PSTT cases and 14 out of 16 IM/CC cases: with minimal, moderate or remarkable signal spots within the tumor, but not along the tumor (P<0.001 for ETT vs. PSTT or IM/CC). These distinct sonographic features of ETT correlated with histopathologic observations, such as expansive growth pattern and vascular morphology. Thus, we draw the conclusions that the well-circumscribed border with peripheral Doppler signal may serve as a reliable sonographic feature to discriminate ETT from other types of GTNs. With further validation in a larger patient set in our ongoing multi-center study, this finding will be potentially developed into a non-invasive pre-operative GTN subtyping method for ETT.

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of 2-amino-dienes via decarboxylative amination of 4-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,3-allenols by TsNCO

A metal-free decarboxylative amination of 4-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,3-allenols by TsNCO via base-induced aza-Michael addition/elimination has been developed. A variety of substituted N-tosyl 1,3-dien-2-yl amines were obtained in good yields and excellent regio- and stereoselectivity. Moreover, this transformation could be applied in preparation of 2-amino-trienes.

Status of the diagnostics development for the first operation phase of the stellarator Wendelstein 7-X

An overview of the diagnostics which are essential for the first operational phase of Wendelstein 7-X and the set of diagnostics expected to be ready for operation at this time are presented. The ongoing investigations of how to cope with high levels of stray Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ECRH) radiation in the ultraviolet (UV)/visible/infrared (IR) optical diagnostics are described.

Latexin sensitizes leukemogenic cells to gamma-irradiation-induced cell-cycle arrest and cell death through Rps3 pathway

Leukemia is a leading cause of cancer death. Recently, the latexin (Lxn) gene was identified as a potential tumor suppressor in several types of solid tumors and lymphoma, and Lxn expression was found to be absent or downregulated in leukemic cells. Whether Lxn functions as a tumor suppressor in leukemia and what molecular and cellular mechanisms are involved are unknown. In this study, the myeloid leukemogenic FDC-P1 cell line was used as a model system and Lxn was ectopically expressed in these cells. Using the protein pull-down assay and mass spectrometry, ribosomal protein subunit 3 (Rps3) was identified as a novel Lxn binding protein. Ectopic expression of Lxn inhibited FDC-P1 growth in vitro. More surprisingly, Lxn enhanced gamma irradiation-induced DNA damages and induced cell-cycle arrest and massive necrosis, leading to depletion of FDC-P1 cells. Mechanistically, Lxn inhibited the nuclear translocation of Rps3 upon radiation, resulting in abnormal mitotic spindle formation and chromosome instability. Rps3 knockdown increased the radiation sensitivity of FDC-P1, confirming that the mechanism of action of Lxn is mediated by Rps3 pathway. Moreover, Lxn enhanced the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agent, VP-16, on FDC-P1 cells. Our study suggests that Lxn itself not only suppresses leukemic cell growth but also potentiates the cytotoxic effect of radio- and chemotherapy on cancer cells. Lxn could be a novel molecular target that improves the efficacy of anti-cancer therapy.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish and Ardeid at Pearl River Estuary, China

Sediment, fish (tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus and snakehead, Channa asiatica), eggs and eggshells of Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta) and Chinese Pond Herons (Ardeola bacchus) were collected from Mai Po Ramsar site of Hong Kong, as well as from wetlands in the Gu Cheng County, Shang Hu County and Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve of Jiangsu Province, China between 2004 and 2007 (n=3-9). Concentrations of six heavy metals were analyzed, based on inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Significant bioaccumulations of Cd (BAF: 165-1271 percent) were observed in the muscle and viscera of large tilapia and snakehead, suggesting potential health risks to the two bird species, as the fishes are the main preys of waterbirds. Significant (p<0.01) linear relationships were obtained between concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in the eggs and eggshells of various Ardeid species, and these regression models were used to extrapolate the heavy metal concentrations in the Ardeid eggs of Mai Po. Extrapolated concentrations are consistent with data in the available literature, and advocate the potential use of these models as a non-invasive sampling method for predicting heavy metal contamination in Ardeid eggs.

Role of HOTAIR long noncoding RNA in metastatic progression of lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

Lung cancer, the primary cause of cancer-related death worldwide, imperatively requires new therapeutic approaches that target the molecular regulatory machinery. Even though it has been reported that long noncoding RNAs are involved in different cancer types, limited data are available on the expression and function of long noncoding RNAs in lung cancer metastasis. The major objective of the current study was to profile expression and function of six long noncoding RNAs in five matched pairs of primary lung cancer and lymph node metastatic tissues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, China. All patients enrolled in the study provided signed informed consent.

RESULTS

Among the tested lncRNAs, HOTAIR and NEAT1 were most highly expressed in lymph node metastasis. However, only HOTAIR was subsequently found to be involved in lung cancer cell motility and invasion, as assessed by in vitro migration and invasion assay. Finally, our experiments suggest that HOTAIR promoted gelatinase activity in these cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicates that HOTAIR is overexpressed in metastatic lung cancer tissue, which is prospectively associated with the ability of HOTAIR to promote lung cancer cell motility and invasion.

Nup50 is required for cell differentiation and exhibits transcription-dependent dynamics

Nup50 is a mobile nucleoporin with a pronounced presence both at the nuclear pore complex and in the nucleoplasm that can move between these different localizations. The dynamic behavior of Nup50 in both locations is dependent on active transcription by RNA polymerase II.

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) plays a critical role in gene expression by mediating import of transcription regulators into the nucleus and export of RNA transcripts to the cytoplasm. Emerging evidence suggests that in addition to mediating transport, a subset of nucleoporins (Nups) engage in transcriptional activation and elongation at genomic loci that are not associated with NPCs. The underlying mechanism and regulation of Nup mobility on and off nuclear pores remain unclear. Here we show that Nup50 is a mobile Nup with a pronounced presence both at the NPC and in the nucleoplasm that can move between these different localizations. Strikingly, the dynamic behavior of Nup50 in both locations is dependent on active transcription by RNA polymerase II and requires the N-terminal half of the protein, which contains importin α– and Nup153-binding domains. However, Nup50 dynamics are independent of importin α, Nup153, and Nup98, even though the latter two proteins also exhibit transcription-dependent mobility. Of interest, depletion of Nup50 from C2C12 myoblasts does not affect cell proliferation but inhibits differentiation into myotubes. Taken together, our results suggest a transport-independent role for Nup50 in chromatin biology that occurs away from the NPC.

Homocysteine induces blood vessel global hypomethylation mediated by LOX-1

Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis through its involvement with the methionine cycle. In this study, we aimed to determine the blood vessel global methylation rate in Hcy-induced atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein-E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice, and to explore the possible mechanism of this change in endothelial cells. ApoE-/- mice were divided into a hyperlipidemia (HLP) group, a hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) group, and an HHcy + folate + vitamin B12 (HHcy+FA+VB) group. Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were prepared as controls. Total Hcy, lipids, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) contents in serum were measured with an automatic biochemistry analyzer and high-performance liquid chromatography. Methylation of B1 repetitive elements in blood vessels was tested using nested methylation-specific-polymerase chain reaction (nMS-PCR). Endothelial cells (ECs) were pretreated with Hcy or by adding FA and VB. Lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) expressions were determined by quantitative PCR, Western blot, and nMS-PCR. The HHcy group displayed severe HLP and HHcy. SAM and SAH contents were also elevated in the HHcy group compared with other groups. Methylation of B1 repetitive elements was significantly increased in the HHcy group (0.5050 ± 0.0182) compared to the HLP (0.5158 ± 0.0163) and control (0.5589 ± 0.0236) groups. mRNA and protein expressions of LOX-1 increased (0.2877 ± 0.0341, 0.6090 ± 0.0547), whereas methylation expression decreased (0.5527 ± 0.0148) after 100 μM Hcy stimulation in ECs. In conclusion, Hcy-induced atherosclerosis was closely associated with induced hypomethylation status in the blood vessel, and this process was partially mediated by LOX-1 DNA methylation.

Magnetic topological insulators at finite temperature

In this paper, we study the two-dimensional magnetic topological insulators from the correlated Chern insulator and the correlated Z2 topological insulator at finite temperature. For the 2D correlated Chern insulator, we find that the thermal-fluctuation-induced magnetic topological insulator (MTI) appears in the intermediate interaction region of the correlated Chern insulator. On the contrary, for the correlated Z2 topological insulator, thermal-fluctuation-induced MTI does not exist. Finally, we offer an explanation on the difference between the two cases.

Highly stable sub-5 nm Sn₆O₄(OH)₄ nanocrystals with ultrahigh activity as advanced photocatalytic materials for photodegradation of methyl orange

Among numerous active photocatalytic materials, Sn-based oxide nanomaterials are promising photocatalytic materials in environmental protection measures such as water remediation due to their excellent physicochemical property. Research on photocatalytic nanomaterials for photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) so far has focused on TiO₂-based nanostructures; e.g., TiO₂-P25 is recognized to be the best commercial photocatalyst to date, rather than Sn-based oxide nanomaterials, in spite of their impressive acid- and alkali-resistant properties and high stability. Here, we demonstrate very high photocatalytic activity of highly stable sub-5 nm hydromarchite (Sn₆O₄(OH)₄) nanocrystals synthesized by a simple and environmentally friendly laser-based technique. These Sn₆O₄(OH)₄ nanocrystals exhibit ultrahigh photocatalytic performance for photodegradation of MO and their degradation efficiency is far superior to that of TiO₂-P25. The detailed investigations demonstrated that the great photocatalytic activity results from the ultrafine size and unique surface activity induced by the laser-based technique. Mass production of reactive species of hydroxyl radicals was detected in the experiments due to the appropriate bandgap of Sn₆O₄(OH)₄ nanocrystals. These findings actually open a door to applications of Sn-based oxide nanomaterials as advanced photocatalytic materials.

Stable transfection and identification of a hair follicle-specific expression vector of IGFBP-5 in goat fetal fibroblasts

The insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) is one of the 6 members of the IGFBP family and is involved in the regulation of cell growth, apoptosis, and other IGF-stimulated signaling pathways. To determine the significance of IGFBP-5 in the Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat (Capra hircus), a hair follicle-specific expression vector of IGFBP-5, pCDsRed2-K-IGFBP5 (6.7 kb), was constructed by cloning IGFBP-5 downstream of the keratin-association protein (KAP)6-1 promoter and inserting this fragment into pCDsRed2, which contains a red fluorescent protein (DsRed) expression unit. Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat fetal fibroblast (GFb) cells were transfected with the expression vector by using Lipofectamine(TM) 2000. Cell clones that stably expressed red fluorescence were obtained after selection with Geneticin (G418). The transgene in the cell clones was examined by polymerase chain reaction to verify that exogenous DNA (pKAP6-1 and IGFBP-5) had integrated stably into GFb cells. These data suggest that this method can be used for the construction of a hair follicle-specific expression vector for functional genetic analyses and for obtaining stable transfection donor cells for nuclear transfer.