Gli3 is a negative regulator of Tas1r3-expressing taste cells

Mouse taste receptor cells survive from 3-24 days, necessitating their regeneration throughout adulthood. In anterior tongue, sonic hedgehog (SHH), released by a subpopulation of basal taste cells, regulates transcription factors Gli2 and Gli3 in stem cells to control taste cell regeneration. Using single-cell RNA-Seq we found that Gli3 is highly expressed in Tas1r3-expressing taste receptor cells and Lgr5+ taste stem cells in posterior tongue. By PCR and immunohistochemistry we found that Gli3 was expressed in taste buds in all taste fields. Conditional knockout mice lacking Gli3 in the posterior tongue (Gli3CKO) had larger taste buds containing more taste cells than did control wild-type (Gli3WT) mice. In comparison to wild-type mice, Gli3CKO mice had more Lgr5+ and Tas1r3+ cells, but fewer type III cells. Similar changes were observed ex vivo in Gli3CKO taste organoids cultured from Lgr5+ taste stem cells. Further, the expression of several taste marker and Gli3 target genes was altered in Gli3CKO mice and/or organoids. Mirroring these changes, Gli3CKO mice had increased lick responses to sweet and umami stimuli, decreased lick responses to bitter and sour taste stimuli, and increased glossopharyngeal taste nerve responses to sweet and bitter compounds. Our results indicate that Gli3 is a suppressor of stem cell proliferation that affects the number and function of mature taste cells, especially Tas1r3+ cells, in adult posterior tongue. Our findings shed light on the role of the Shh pathway in adult taste cell regeneration and may help devise strategies for treating taste distortions from chemotherapy and aging.

Combined Forward-Backward Asymmetry Measurements in Top-Antitop Quark Production at the Tevatron

The CDF and D0 experiments at the Fermilab Tevatron have measured the asymmetry between yields of forward- and backward-produced top and antitop quarks based on their rapidity difference and the asymmetry between their decay leptons. These measurements use the full data sets collected in proton-antiproton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV. We report the results of combinations of the inclusive asymmetries and their differential dependencies on relevant kinematic quantities. The combined inclusive asymmetry is A_{FB}^{tt[over ¯]}=0.128±0.025. The combined inclusive and differential asymmetries are consistent with recent standard model predictions.

Porous NiCo2O4 nanoarray-integrated binder-free 3D open electrode offers a highly efficient sensing platform for enzyme-free glucose detection

Porous binary metal oxide NiCo₂O₄ NWA/CC was prepared and utilized as a 3D binder-free open electrode for enzyme-free sensing with high performance.

[Outcome of patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 50% undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention]

Objective: To investigate the in-hospital and long-term outcomes of patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) . Methods: From January to December 2013, 10 445 consecutive patients who underwent PCI in Fuwai Hospital and the LVEF value was available were prospectively included. The patients were divided into LVEF≥50% group (9 896 cases) and LVEF<50% group (549 cases) . The in-hospital and 2-year clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. The association between LVEF<50% and clinical outcomes was assessed using multivariable Cox regression analysis. Results: (1) Compared with LVEF ≥50% group, LVEF< 50% group had higher rates of in-hospital all-cause death (1.1% (6/549) vs. 0.2% (17/9 896) , P<0.01) , cardiac death (1.1% (6/549) vs. 0.1% (12/9 896) , P<0.01) , in-stent thrombosis (0.7% (4/549) vs. 0.2% (18/9 896) , P<0.01) , myocardial infarction (2.4% (13/549) vs. 1.2% (121/9 896) , P<0.05) ,and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) which including death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, in-stent thrombosis, and stroke (3.6% (20/549) vs. 1.4% (137/9 896) , P<0.01) . (2) A total of 10 388 (99.5%) patients completed 2-year follow-up. Compared with LVEF ≥50% group, LVEF<50% group had higher rates of 2-year all-cause death (4.7% (26/549) vs. 1.0% (101/9 896) , P<0.01) , cardiac death (4.0% (22/549) vs. 0.5% (50/9 896) , P<0.01) , in-stent thrombosis (3.1% (17/549) vs. 0.7% (71/9 896) , P<0.001) , myocardial infarction (4.2% (23/549) vs. 1.9% (186/9 896) , P<0.01) ,and MACCE (17.9% (98/549) vs. 11.8% (1 172/9 896) , P<0.01) . There were no significant differences on the rates of 2-year target-vessel revascularization, bleeding and stroke between the two groups. (3) The multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that LVEF< 50% was the independent risk factor of 2-year all-cause death (HR=2.47, 95%CI 1.49-4.08, P<0.01) , cardiac death (HR=3.25, 95%CI 1.79-5.90, P<0.01) , in-stent thrombosis (HR=4.19, 95%CI 2.39-7.34, P<0.01) , myocardial infarction (HR=2.00, 95%CI 1.26-3.16, P<0.01) , and MACCE (HR=1.40, 95%CI 1.13-1.74, P<0.01) . (4) After propensity score matching, all in-hospital outcomes were similar between the two groups, including all-cause death, cardiac death, in-stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, revascularization, bleeding, stroke, and MACCE (all P>0.05) . After propensity score matching,the multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that LVEF<50% was still an independent risk factor of 2-year all-cause death (HR=3.08, 95%CI 1.37-6.89, P<0.01) , cardiac death (HR= 4.12, 95%CI 1.53-11.07, P<0.01) ,and in-stent thrombosis (HR=3.82, 95%CI 1.27-11.5, P<0.05) . Conclusion: LVEF< 50% is an independent risk factor of 2-year all-cause death, cardiac death, and in-stent thrombosis in patients undergoing PCI, but it does not increase the risk of target-vessel revascularization, bleeding or stroke.

[The association between aflatoxin exposure and primary hepatocellular carcinoma risks: a case-control study in Chongqing]

Objective: To investigate the association between aflatoxin exposure and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) development. Methods: From December 2013 to May 2016, we selected 214 patients newly diagnosed with PHC as cases, and 214 patients as controls from three hospitals in Chongqing. Cases were confirmed with PHC diagnosis standard. And cases caused by clear reasons such as drug-induced liver injury, alcoholic liver damage, fatty liver and gallstones etiology, were excluded. Controls were included with no cancer and no digestive system disease, and recruited simultaneously with cases. Cases and controls were frequency-matched (1∶1) by same gender and age (±3 years). Peripheral blood and random urine samples were collected and analyzed for serum HBsAg status by biochemistry analyzer, and serum AFB(1)-ALB adduct and urinary AFB(1)-N(7)-GUA adduct by ELISA. Basic information, living habits and history of disease for patients were obtained by questionnaires. We used wilcoxon rank sum test to compare the median of serum AFB(1)-ALB adduct and urinary AFB(1)-N(7)-GUA adduct in cases and controls. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors for PHC, and synergism index (S) of aflatoxin with other factors was estimated by the method of Andersson. Results: There was no significant difference in age between PHC cases (50.74±9.67) years and controls (51.15±9.90) years. Logistic regression showed that the odds ratio of HBV infection for PHC development was 46.3 (95% CI: 23.3-88.0). There was a significant difference in median concentrations of serum AFB(1)-ALB adduct (cases vs controls: 146.23 vs 74.42 ng/g albumin, P<0.001), but no difference in median concentrations of urinary AFB(1)-N(7)-GUA adduct was observed (cases vs controls: 0.17 vs 0.14 ng/mg creatinine, P<0.210). The odd ratios for PHC risk after adjustment were 1.9 (95%CI: 1.1-3.4) for AFB(1)-ALB adduct, and 2.1 (95%CI: 1.0-4.2) for AFB(1)-N(7)-GUA adduct. Moreover, we observed a positive interaction of aflatoxin exposure with HBV, alcohol drinking, and diabetes. The S was 4.7 (95%CI: 2.8-7.9), 3.5 (95%CI: 1.0-12.0), and 12.4 (95%CI: 1.8-84.2), respectively for serum AFB(1)-ALB adduct with each of the three factors mentioned, and was 1.9 (95%CI:1.1-3.1), 2.0 (95%CI: 1.1-3.6), and 2.0 (95%CI: 1.1-3.6), respectively for urinary AFB(1)-N(7)-GUA adduct with each of the three factors mentioned. Conclusion: HBV was still the main risk factor, and AFB(1) exposure was also an independent risk factor for PHC in Chongqing. There was a positive interaction of aflatoxin with HBV, alcohol drinking, and diabetes.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis in the patients of stroke after percutaneous coronary intervention]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis in patients with stroke after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: From January 2013 to December 2013, 10 724 consecutive patients undergoing PCI including acute coronary syndrome and stable angina pectoris were enrolled.A two years' follow up was conducted among these patients to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with stroke and of those without. A comparison was done between the two groups. Results: One hundred and forty-five patients had stroke (1.4%) during the follow-up period after PCI, including 124 cases with ischemic stroke (1.2%), out of whom 4 (3.2%) patients died; 21 cases with hemorrhagic stroke, out of whom 9 patients (42.9%) died.There was more female, and more patients with risks factors, hypertension, previous myocardial infarction, previous stroke, etc. in the patients with stroke.During the 2-year follow-up, patients with stroke experienced higher incidence of all-cause mortality (9% vs 1.1%, P<0.000 1). There were no significant differences in the incidences of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, stent thrombosis and major adverse cardiovascular event rates between the two groups.COX regression analysis showed that stroke after PCI was associated with the increased mortality (HR=8.387, 95%CI: 4.725-14.855, P<0.000 1). Meanwhile, after propensity score matched analyses (129 pairs), the trend was not changed, and stroke was still an independent risk factor of all-cause mortality (HR=6.737, 95%CI: 1.52-29.85, P=0.012). Conclusions: The patients underwent PCI, who had stroke later, had more clinical risk factors, and more serious degree of atherosclerosis.The incidence of stroke is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in patients with coronary heart disease after PCI.

[Impact of platelet distribution width on the extent and long-term outcome of patients with stable coronary artery disease post percutaneous coronary intervention]

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between platelet distribution width(PDW) and the extent of coronary artery disease and 2-year outcome in patients received percutaneous coronary artery intervention(PCI) because of stable coronary artery disease(SCAD). Methods: We consecutively enrolled 4 293 patients who received PCI because of SCAD in Fuwai Hospital from Jan 2013 to Dec 2013, patients were followed up for 2 years. Patients were divided into three groups according to tertiles values of PDW as follows: PDW≤11.4%(1 402 patients), 11.4%<PDW≤12.9%(1 441 patients) and PDW>12.9% (1 450 patients). Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were defined as the occurrence of death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, intra stent thrombosis and stroke during follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between PDW and the extent of CAD. Multivariable Cox regression was used to evaluate the relationship between PDW and prognosis of SCAD patients. Results: PDW was associated with diabetes mellitus, body mass index, red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet counts and glycosylated haemoglobin (P<0.05), but not associated with age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate (P>0.05). PDW was not correlated with the extent of CAD(P=0.990), SYNTAX score(P=0.721), no-reflow phenomenon after PCI(P=0.978). Multivariable logistic regression also showed no relationship between PDW and extent of CAD (OR=0.994, 95%CI 0.961-1.029, P=0.73). PDW was found to be an independent risk factor of 2-year cardiac death (HR=1.242, 95%CI 1.031-1.497, P=0.022), but was not an independent risk factor of all-cause death and MACCE. Conclusions: PDW is not related with the extent of coronary artery disease. PDW is an independent risk factor of 2-year cardiac death, but is not an independent risk factor of all-cause death and MACCE in this patient cohort.

Genetic Lineage Tracing in Taste Tissues Using Sox2-CreERT2 Strain

Taste cells in taste buds are epithelial sensory cells. Old taste bud cells die and are replaced by new ones generated from taste stem cells. Identifying and characterizing adult taste stem cells is therefore important to understand how peripheral taste tissues are maintained. SOX2 is expressed in oral epithelium including gustatory papillae and has been proposed to be a marker of adult taste stem/progenitor cells. Nevertheless, this hypothesis has never been directly tested. Here, by single-color genetic lineage tracing using Sox2-CreERT2 strain, we reveal that all types of taste bud cells distributed throughout the oral epithelium are derived from stem cells that express SOX2. Short-term tracing shows that SOX2-positive taste stem cells actively supply taste bud cells. At the base of epithelium outside taste buds are distributed proliferation marker- and SOX2-positive cells. Consistently, taste stem cells identified by Lgr5 expression in the circumvallate papillae also express SOX2. Together, taste stem cells distributed in oral epithelia express SOX2.

Bacterial d-amino acids suppress sinonasal innate immunity through sweet taste receptors in solitary chemosensory cells

In the upper respiratory epithelium, bitter and sweet taste receptors present in solitary chemosensory cells influence antimicrobial innate immune defense responses. Whereas activation of bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) stimulates surrounding epithelial cells to release antimicrobial peptides, activation of the sweet taste receptor (T1R) in the same cells inhibits this response. This mechanism is thought to control the magnitude of antimicrobial peptide release based on the sugar content of airway surface liquid. We hypothesized that d-amino acids, which are produced by various bacteria and activate T1R in taste receptor cells in the mouth, may also activate T1R in the airway. We showed that both the T1R2 and T1R3 subunits of the sweet taste receptor (T1R2/3) were present in the same chemosensory cells of primary human sinonasal epithelial cultures. Respiratory isolates of Staphylococcus species, but not Pseudomonas aeruginosa, produced at least two d-amino acids that activate the sweet taste receptor. In addition to inhibiting P. aeruginosa biofilm formation, d-amino acids derived from Staphylococcus inhibited T2R-mediated signaling and defensin secretion in sinonasal cells by activating T1R2/3. d-Amino acid-mediated activation of T1R2/3 also enhanced epithelial cell death during challenge with Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of the bitter receptor-activating compound denatonium benzoate. These data establish a potential mechanism for interkingdom signaling in the airway mediated by bacterial d-amino acids and the mammalian sweet taste receptor in airway chemosensory cells.

Abstract AP30: PHASE IB/II WITH EXPANSION OF PATIENTS AT THE MTD STUDY OF OLAPARIB PLUS WEEKLY (METRONOMIC) CARBOPLATIN AND PACLITAXEL IN RELAPSED OVARIAN CANCER PATIENTS

BACKGROUND: We established the olaparib tablet maximum tolerated dose (MTD) at 150 mg bid, dose limiting toxicities (DLT's) and response to therapy or carboplatin, paclitaxel and olaparib tablet given simultaneously, reported at ASCO 2014. This abstract will include data from both the phase 1b and the phase 2 expansion.

METHODS: A total of 54 subjects were evaluated in this trial, 14 in phase 1b and 40 in phase 2. Eligibility required measurable disease, adequate organ function and ECOG performance status of ~ 2. Subjects had to have failed first line platinum containing chemotherapy. BRCA testing was conducted as available. Subjects received the metronomic therapy of paclitaxel 60mg/m2 IV and carboplatin AUC 2 IV weekly, 3 weeks out of 4, and olaparib tablets at 150 mg bid administered orally for 3 consecutive days (D1-D3) every week for each cycle. Subjects were assessed for toxicity and response according to the protocol. Subjects that reached a confirmed complete remission were transitioned to olaparib tablets only, 300 mg bid until disease progression.

RESULTS: Median age was 58 and median number of prior regimens was 4. There have been no deaths due to the study regimen. One patient had grade 4 neutropenia and an allergic reaction to carboplatin. The common grade 3/4 toxicities were caused by the chemotherapy (neutropenia. anemia and thrombocytopenia). Two patients had mild GI toxicities. One patient had a skin rash. There was no evidence of cardiac, hepatic, or pulmonary toxicities in any of these patients. 25% of subjects had a complete remission (CR), 31% had PR, 23% had SD and 21% had

PD. Of the 13 CRs, 4 were BRCA negative. PFS median for BRCA positive subjects is 12.6 months vs 4.8 months for BRCA negative subjects. OS median for BRCA positive subjects is 24 months vs 16 months for BRCA negative subjects. All of the CR's are alive.

CONCLUSION: Olaparib tablet can be safely administered simultaneously with a weekly regimen of carboplatin and paclitaxel in heavily pretreated ovarian cancer patients. Olaparib appears to be highly effective in BRCA positive subjects. This is the first successful combination of olaparib tablets with carboplatin and paclitaxel that has been well tolerated.

Citation Format: Rivkin SE, Moon J, Iriarte D, Sloan H, Wiseman C, Klee M, Ference K, Drescher C, Veljovich D, Bondurant A, Peters W, Jiang P, Goodman G, Park M, Fer M, Shah C, Johnston E, Kaplan H, Wahl T, Ellis E. PHASE IB/II WITH EXPANSION OF PATIENTS AT THE MTD STUDY OF OLAPARIB PLUS WEEKLY (METRONOMIC) CARBOPLATIN AND PACLITAXEL IN RELAPSED OVARIAN CANCER PATIENTS [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 12-13, 2016; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr AP30.

Flavones modulate respiratory epithelial innate immunity: Anti-inflammatory effects and activation of the T2R14 receptor

Chronic rhinosinusitis has a significant impact on patient quality of life, creates billions of dollars of annual healthcare costs, and accounts for ∼20% of adult antibiotic prescriptions in the United States. Because of the rise of resistant microorganisms, there is a critical need to better understand how to stimulate and/or enhance innate immune responses as a therapeutic modality to treat respiratory infections. We recently identified bitter taste receptors (taste family type 2 receptors, or T2Rs) as important regulators of sinonasal immune responses and potentially important therapeutic targets. Here, we examined the immunomodulatory potential of flavones, a class of flavonoids previously demonstrated to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Some flavones are also T2R agonists. We found that several flavones inhibit Muc5AC and inducible NOS up-regulation as well as cytokine release in primary and cultured airway cells in response to several inflammatory stimuli. This occurs at least partly through inhibition of protein kinase C and receptor tyrosine kinase activity. We also demonstrate that sinonasal ciliated epithelial cells express T2R14, which closely co-localizes (<7 nm) with the T2R38 isoform. Heterologously expressed T2R14 responds to multiple flavones. These flavones also activate T2R14-driven calcium signals in primary cells that activate nitric oxide production to increase ciliary beating and mucociliary clearance. TAS2R38 polymorphisms encode functional (PAV: proline, alanine, and valine at positions 49, 262, and 296, respectively) or non-functional (AVI: alanine, valine, isoleucine at positions 49, 262, and 296, respectively) T2R38. Our data demonstrate that T2R14 in sinonasal cilia is a potential therapeutic target for upper respiratory infections and that flavones may have clinical potential as topical therapeutics, particularly in T2R38 AVI/AVI individuals.

Abstract P6-01-14: Dissection of the Abl interactor 1 signaling in metastatic breast cancer cells

Abl interactor 1 (Abi1) is a key component of WAVE regulatory complex (WRC) that regulates actin cytoskeleton reorganization, membrane receptor signaling, and intracellular trafficking. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies as well as the studies of human patient samples suggest that Abi1 may play an important role in breast cancer (BC) metastasis. To determine if Abi1 is deregulated in metastatic breast cancer cells, we compared the expression of Abi1 in a panel of human breast cancer cell lines exhibiting distinct metastatic properties. In comparison with low-metastatic ER+/PR+ BC lines MCF-7 and T47D and a non-transforming mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A, two ER-BC lines CN34 and MDA 231 and their sublines selected by high metastatic potential to bone (231Bo), brain (231Br and CN34Br), and lung (231LM2) show significantly reduced Abi1 protein levels, with greater reduction found in highly metastatic sublines. It is unlikely that the down-regulation of Abi1 expression in these metastatic BC cells occurs at mRNA level, because RT-PCR analysis shows no significant difference in Abi1 mRNA levels among the cells analyzed. Interestingly, despite a reduction in protein level, the tyrosine phosphorylation of Abi1 was increased in CN34, MDA231, and their metastatic sublines compared to low-metastatic BC cells. The tyrosine phosphorylation of Abi1 is stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) in these cells and Abi1 is recruited to EGF receptor (EGFR) upon EGF stimulation. The deregulation of Abi1 in metastatic BC cells is mediated by Abl tyrosine kinases, as the inhibition of Abl family kinases by imatinib not only attenuates EGF-stimulated Abi1 tyrosine phosphorylation but also rescue the down-regulation of Abi1 protein in metastatic BC cells.

These findings are consistent with a role of the EGFR-Abl-Abi1 signaling in BC metastasis. The studies suggest that this pathway may serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and/or prognosis of metastatic breast cancer. We have identified the tyrosine 213 in Abi1 as a major phosphorylation site stimulated by Abl kinases and have generated a unique conditional Abi1 depletion/re-expression system to dissect how the deregulation of the Abi1 signaling contributes to BC metastasis.

Citation Format: Jiang P, Tang H, Hogan H, Tate S, Ryan W, Paul L, Liu X, Zonghan D. Dissection of the Abl interactor 1 signaling in metastatic breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-01-14.

A new HLA-B*55 allele, B*55:83N with a stop codon in exon 4 generated by a point mutation, identified in a Chinese individual

The new allele HLA-B*55:83N differs from HLA-B*55:02:01:01 by a single nucleotide.

CuCo2O4 nanowire arrays supported on carbon cloth as an efficient 3D binder-free electrode for non-enzymatic glucose sensing

CuCo₂O₄ nanowire arrays supported on carbon cloth (CuCo₂O₄ NWAs/CC) were prepared via a simple hydrothermal synthesis and subsequent calcination process and utilized as a 3D binder-free electrode for non-enzymatic glucose sensing with high performance.

[Clinical effect and airway changes of adjustable oral appliance in the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome]

Objective:To investigate the effect of adjustable oral appliance on airway changes and clinical effect in obstructive sleepApnea hypopnea syndrome,and to observe the effect of jaw joints.Method:Forty adult cases diagnosed as OSAHS by polysomnography(PSG), were treated with adjustable oral appliance.After six months,the sleep apnea hypoventilation index(AHI)and the lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO₂) by PSG were evaluated. And three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography(CBCT) reconstruction was used to analyze the morphological changes of the upper airway,and the gap of jaw joint preliminarily.Result:After such treatment, LSaO₂ level of all cases increased, and AHI reduced(P< 0.01).The total volume and area of the upper airway increased significantly(P< 0.01), There was no obvious anomalies found in jaw joints.Conclusion:The adjustable oral appliance applied to in adult OSAHS can increase the shape and size of the airway,improve the airway ventilation effectively, and have no affection to the jaw joints in initial observation.

The divergence pattern of Trichinella spiralis isolates from China revealed by mitochondrial and ribosomal markers

Trichinella spiralis is the main etiological agent of human trichinellosis. In China, trichinellosis remains a serious food-borne parasitic zoonosis and poses a serious threat to human health. However, the genetic structure of Chinese T. spiralis population is still little known. In this study, we used three molecular markers to analyze phylogeographic structure of the Chinese T. spiralis population. A total of 11 T. spiralis isolates were collected from 10 geographical locations in mainland China. The cytochrome c-oxidase gene (COI), large subunit ribosomal DNA (mt-lsrDNA) and 5S ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer region (5S ISR) genes of each isolate was amplified and sequenced. Only four haplotypes were found in these concatenated sequences. Both multimodal frequency distributions of mismatch analysis and the Bayesian skyline plot analysis rejected a possible population expansion of Chinese T. spiralis population. The phylogenetic inference based on neighbor-joining (NJ), maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML) and the Bayesian estimation of divergence times under the uncorrelated log-normal relaxed molecular-clock model suggested that the Chinese T. spiralis isolates started radiating in the late Miocene.

Full-length genome sequencing analysis of avian infectious bronchitis virus isolate associated with nephropathogenic infection

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) produces infectious bronchitis (IB) disease in poultry worldwide. In spite of proper vaccinations against the IBV, new IBV strains are continually emerging worldwide. In this study, a new highly virulent nephropathogenic IBV strain named CK/CH/XDC-2/2013 was identified from a vaccinated flock with clinical signs of IB in the Jiangsu province of China. The full-length genome sequence of the isolate was 27,714 nucleotides long, and the genome was organized similarly to classical IBV strains. Minimum divergence, phylogenetic analysis, and distance matrix of the genome showed that the CK/CH/XDC-2/2013 isolate had the highest similarity to the IBV BJ strain. The spike glycoprotein (S) gene had the greatest similarity to the nephropathogenic BJ strain and showed an 8 amino acid insertion (YSNGNSDV) at 73 to 80 sites and 3 amino acid deletion at sites 126 to 128 compared to the IBV vaccine strains. A recombination analysis of the S gene showed that the new isolate evolved from the IBV BJ strain and the KM91 vaccine strain. An animal challenge experiment showed a mortality of 60 to 80% in early-age chickens by different inoculation routes. Pathological examinations of the kidneys revealed inflammation, distention with uric acid deposits, and tubular degeneration. It indicated that the CK/CH/XDC-2/2013 isolate has robust kidney tissue tropism, and new nephropathogenic IBV strains are continuously evolving in China.

A new HLA-C*07 allele, C*07:02:70, identified in a Chinese individual

A novel allele HLA-C*07:02:70 differs from HLA-C*07:02:01:01 by a single nucleotide at position 987 (C>T).

Evidence for a B_{s}^{0}π^{±} State

We report evidence for a narrow structure, X(5568), in the decay sequence X(5568)→B_{s}^{0}π^{±}, B_{s}^{0}→J/ψϕ, J/ψ→μ^{+}μ^{-}, ϕ→K^{+}K^{-}. This is evidence for the first instance of a hadronic state with valence quarks of four different flavors. The mass and natural width of this state are measured to be m=5567.8±2.9(stat)_{-1.9}^{+0.9}(syst)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=21.9±6.4(stat)_{-2.5}^{+5.0}(syst)  MeV/c^{2}. If the decay is X(5568)→B_{s}^{*}π^{±}→B_{s}^{0}γπ^{±} with an unseen γ, m(X(5568)) will be shifted up by m(B_{s}^{*})-m(B_{s}^{0})∼49  MeV/c^{2}. This measurement is based on 10.4  fb^{-1} of pp[over ¯] collision data at sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron collider.

Characterization of the Binding Site of Aspartame in the Human Sweet Taste Receptor

The sweet taste receptor, a heterodimeric G protein-coupled receptor comprised of T1R2 and T1R3, binds sugars, small molecule sweeteners, and sweet proteins to multiple binding sites. The dipeptide sweetener, aspartame binds in the Venus Flytrap Module (VFTM) of T1R2. We developed homology models of the open and closed forms of human T1R2 and human T1R3 VFTMs and their dimers and then docked aspartame into the closed form of T1R2's VFTM. To test and refine the predictions of our model, we mutated various T1R2 VFTM residues, assayed activity of the mutants and identified 11 critical residues (S40, Y103, D142, S144, S165, S168, Y215, D278, E302, D307, and R383) in and proximal to the binding pocket of the sweet taste receptor that are important for ligand recognition and activity of aspartame. Furthermore, we propose that binding is dependent on 2 water molecules situated in the ligand pocket that bridge 2 carbonyl groups of aspartame to residues D142 and L279. These results shed light on the activation mechanism and how signal transmission arising from the extracellular domain of the T1R2 monomer of the sweet receptor leads to the perception of sweet taste.

Effect of retinoic acid on aquaporin 3 expression in keratinocytes

To explore the possible mechanism of the third-generation retinoic acid drugs (isotretinoin, acitretin, adapalene) in inducing skin and mucosa dryness and rhagades; specifically, mechanism by which these drugs influence keratinocyte cell culture models in vitro (HaCaT) and aquaporin channel (AQP3) protein expression was investigated. Isotretinoin, acitretin, and adapalene were applied to human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting were used to detect their effects on AQP3 expression in HaCaT cells at different concentrations (0.000, 0.001, 0.010, 0.060, and 0.100 mg/mL) or different at times (0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h). At 0.010 mg/mL, maximal AQP3 expression was observed in HaCaT cells; this was significantly higher than the expressions at the other concentrations (P < 0.05). After treatment with isotretinoin, acitretin, or adapalene at 0.010 mg/mL for 12 h, the expression of AQP3 was the highest in the isotretinoin group, followed by the acitretin group, with the lowest expression in the adapalene group. However, the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Retinoic acid can increase AQP3 expression in HaCaT cells, with significant effects observed with 0.010 mg/mL isotretinoin treatment for 12 h. The side effects, namely skin and mucosa dryness caused by retinoic acid might be related to its effects on AQP3 expression.

Evidence for Simultaneous Production of J/ψ and ϒ Mesons

We report evidence for the simultaneous production of J/ψ and ϒ mesons in 8.1  fb^{-1} of data collected at sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab pp[over ¯] Tevatron Collider. Events with these characteristics are expected to be produced predominantly by gluon-gluon interactions. In this analysis, we extract the effective cross section characterizing the initial parton spatial distribution, σ_{eff}=2.2±0.7(stat)±0.9(syst)  mb.

Fabrication of tunable 3D graphene mesh network with enhanced electrical and thermal properties for high-rate aluminum-ion battery application

Three-dimensional (3D) graphene networks are attracting ever-increasing attention in the field of energy storage because their unique architecture at macroscopic scales is beneficial for effective electron and ion transport.

Inclusive Production of the X(4140) State in pp[over ¯] Collisions at D0

We present a study of the inclusive production of the X(4140) state with the decay to the J/ψϕ final state in hadronic collisions. Based on 10.4  fb^{-1} of pp[over ¯] collision data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron collider, we report the first evidence for the prompt production of an X(4140) state and find the fraction of X(4140) events originating from b hadrons to be f_{b}=0.39±0.07(stat)±0.10(syst). The ratio of the nonprompt X(4140) production rate to the B_{s}^{0} yield in the same channel is R=0.19±0.05(stat)±0.07(syst). The values of the mass M=4152.5±1.7(stat)_{-5.4}^{+6.2}(syst)  MeV and width Γ=16.3±5.6(stat)±11.4(syst)  MeV are consistent with previous measurements.

Functional Analyses of Bitter Taste Receptors in Domestic Cats (Felis catus)

Cats are obligate carnivores and under most circumstances eat only animal products. Owing to the pseudogenization of one of two subunits of the sweet receptor gene, they are indifferent to sweeteners, presumably having no need to detect plant-based sugars in their diet. Following this reasoning and a recent report of a positive correlation between the proportion of dietary plants and the number of Tas2r (bitter receptor) genes in vertebrate species, we tested the hypothesis that if bitter perception exists primarily to protect animals from poisonous plant compounds, the genome of the domestic cat (Felis catus) should have lost functional bitter receptors and they should also have reduced bitter receptor function. To test functionality of cat bitter receptors, we expressed cat Tas2R receptors in cell-based assays. We found that they have at least 7 functional receptors with distinct receptive ranges, showing many similarities, along with some differences, with human bitter receptors. To provide a comparative perspective, we compared the cat repertoire of intact receptors with those of a restricted number of members of the order Carnivora, with a range of dietary habits as reported in the literature. The numbers of functional bitter receptors in the terrestrial Carnivora we examined, including omnivorous and herbivorous species, were roughly comparable to that of cats thereby providing no strong support for the hypothesis that a strict meat diet influences bitter receptor number or function. Maintenance of bitter receptor function in terrestrial obligate carnivores may be due to the presence of bitter compounds in vertebrate and invertebrate prey, to the necessary role these receptors play in non-oral perception, or to other unknown factors. We also found that the two aquatic Carnivora species examined had fewer intact bitter receptors. Further comparative studies of factors driving numbers and functions of bitter taste receptors will aid in understanding the forces shaping their repertoire.

Search for Violation of CPT and Lorentz Invariance in Bs(0) Meson Oscillations

We present the first search for CPT-violating effects in the mixing of Bs(0) mesons using the full Run II data set with an integrated luminosity of 10.4  fb(-1) of proton-antiproton collisions collected using the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We measure the CPT-violating asymmetry in the decay Bs(0)→μ(±)Ds(±) as a function of celestial direction and sidereal phase. We find no evidence for CPT-violating effects and place limits on the direction and magnitude of flavor-dependent CPT- and Lorentz-invariance violating coupling coefficients. We find 95% confidence intervals of Δa⊥<1.2×10(-12)  GeV and (-0.8<ΔaT-0.396ΔaZ<3.9)×10(-13)  GeV.

Tevatron Combination of Single-Top-Quark Cross Sections and Determination of the Magnitude of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa Matrix Element V_{tb}

We present the final combination of CDF and D0 measurements of cross sections for single-top-quark production in proton-antiproton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. The data correspond to total integrated luminosities of up to 9.7 fb^{-1} per experiment. The t-channel cross section is measured to be σ_{t}=2.25_{-0.31}^{+0.29} pb. We also present the combinations of the two-dimensional measurements of the s- vs t-channel cross section. In addition, we give the combination of the s+t channel cross section measurement resulting in σ_{s+t}=3.30_{-0.40}^{+0.52} pb, without assuming the standard model value for the ratio σ_{s}/σ_{t}. The resulting value of the magnitude of the top-to-bottom quark coupling is |V_{tb}|=1.02_{-0.05}^{+0.06}, corresponding to |V_{tb}|>0.92 at the 95% C.L.

Viscosupplementation of synovial fluid with xanthan gum for treatment of osteoarthritis and its clearance kinetics in the rabbit knee joint

BACKGROUND

Injection of xanthan gum (XG) has been demonstrated to reduce the symptoms and progression of osteoarthritis (OA) in experimental models. Due to its high viscosity and stability, it may restore the rheological homeostasis of osteoarthritic synovial fluid (SF), and avoid numerous intra-articular injections.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the effect of XG on the rheological properties of SF, and determined its residence time in the rabbit joint cavity.

METHODS

Rabbit knees were subject to intra-articular injection with XG or XG labeled with green fluorescence, and the SF was collected at different time. Rheological properties of SF with XG injected were compared with those with sodium hyaluronate injected. Resistance to oxidant damage was tested by adding H2O2 to the viscosupplement. Fluorescence intensity was measured for the SF with XG labeled with green fluorescence.

RESULTS

Results showed that XG could significantly improve the SF viscosity at 24, 96, 168 h, and increase the storage moduli (G') and loss moduli (G″) tested at frequency of 0.5 and 2.5 Hz. SF with XG injection exhibited a gel-like behavior at 24 h, in that G' exceed G″ over the entire oscillation frequency range. XG preparation had a high resistance to oxidant damage. Half-life of XG in the joint cavity was 35.9 h, with clearance obeying first-order kinetics.

CONCLUSIONS

Intra-articular injection of XG could improve the rheological properties of SF, and this effect could last for several days.