Training in metabolomics research. I. Designing the experiment, collecting and extracting samples and generating metabolomics data

Metabolomics is perhaps the most challenging of the -omics fields, given the complexity of an organism's metabolome and the rapid rate at which it changes. When one sets out to study metabolism there are numerous dynamic variables that can influence metabolism that must be considered. Recognizing the experimental challenges confronting researchers who undertake metabolism studies, workshops like the one at University of Alabama at Birmingham have been established to offer instructional guidance. A summary of the UAB course training materials is being published as a two-part Special Feature Tutorial. In this month's Part I the authors discuss details of good experimental design and sample collection and handling. In an upcoming Part II, the authors discuss in detail the various aspects of data analysis.

Positive feedback regulation between microRNA-132 and CREB in spinal cord contributes to bone cancer pain in mice

BACKGROUND

cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-dependent gene expression plays an important role in central sensitization. CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1) dramatically increase CREB-mediated transcriptional activity. microRNA-132 (miR-132), which is highly CREB-responsive, functions downstream from CREB/CRTC1 to mediate activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and in turn loops back to amplify CREB/CRTC1 signalling. This study aimed to investigate the positive feedback regulation between miR-132 and CREB in spinal cord in the maintenance of bone cancer pain.

METHODS

Osteosarcoma cells were implanted into the intramedullary space of the right femurs of C3H/HeNCrlVr mice to induce bone cancer pain. We further investigated effects of repeated intrathecal administration with Adenoviruses expressing CREB-siRNA or miR-132 antisense locked nucleic acid (LNA), respectively, on nociceptive behaviours and on the activity of CREB/CRTC1 signalling.

RESULTS

Intramedullary inoculation of osteosarcoma cells resulted in up-regulation of spinal p-CREB, CRTC1 and CREB-target genes (NR2B and miR-132). Repeated intrathecal administration with Adenoviruses expressing CREB-siRNA or miR-132 LNA-AS, respectively, attenuated bone cancer-evoked pain behaviours, reduced the activity of CREB/CRTC1 signalling and down-regulated CREB-target gene NR2B expression in spinal cord.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that activation of spinal CREB/CRTC1 signalling may play an important role in bone cancer pain. Interruption to the positive feedback regulation between CREB/CRTC1 and its target gene miR-132 can effectively relieved the bone cancer-induced mechanical allodynia and spontaneous pain. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: The positive feedback regulation between CREB/CRTC1 and its target gene miR-132 in spinal cord plays an important role in bone cancer pain.

Abstract P5-01-03: Stratifying triple-negative breast cancer prognosis using 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging

Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly diverse group of cancers, and may benefit from molecular-targeted therapies. This study aims to stratify prognosis of TNBC patients using pre-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT, alone and with correlation to immunohistochemistry biomarkers.

Method: 200 consecutive TNBC breast cancer patients treated between 2008 and 2012 who received lumpectomy or mastectomy as primary treatment were retrieved. Among the full cohort, 79 patients had pre-treatment 18F FDG PET/CT scans. Immunostaining status (percentage and intensity) of basal biomarkers (EGFR, CK5/6), Ki-67, P53, and other clinicopathological variables (age, tumor size, pathological T/N stage, nuclear grade, and lymph node metastasis) were obtained. Three PET image features were evaluated: maximum uptake values (SUVmax), mean uptake (SUVmean) and target volume (SUVvol) defined by SUV>2.5. The relationships among tumor metabolic activities and clinicopathological factors were evaluated. All variables were analyzed versus disease-free survival (DFS) using univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. The optimal cutoff points of variables were estimated using time-dependent survival receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results: All PET features significantly correlated with proliferation marker Ki-67 (all p<0.010). SUVmax stratified the prognosis of TNBC patients with optimal cutoff derived by ROC analysis (≤3.5 vs >3.5, AUC=0.654, p=0.006). Basal biomarkers EGFR and CK5/6 and image features SUVmax, SUVmean, SUVvol were significant associated with DFS in univariate Cox analysis, whereas SUVmax (p=0.001) and EGFR (p=0.001) were also significant in multivariate Cox analysis. To integrate prognosis of biological and imaging markers, patients were first stratified by EGFR into low (≤15%) and high (>15%) risk groups. Further, SUVmax was used as a variable to stratify the two EGFR groups. In the high EGFR group, patients with high FDG uptake (SUVmax>3.5) had worse survival outcome (median DFS=7.6 months) than those patients with low FDG uptake (SUVmax≤3.5, median DFS=11.6 months). In the low EGFR group, high SUVmax also indicated worse survival outcome (17.2 months) than low SUVmax (22.8 months). The risk stratification with integrative EGFR and PET was statistically significant with log-rank p<<0.001.

Multivariate Cox analysis for disease-free survivalVariablesHR (95% CI)p-valuePathology, T stage, ≤ 3 vs >32.337(0.428-7.384)0.148EGFR, ≤15% vs > 15%9.109(1.997-41.55)0.004CK5/6, ≤ 50% vs > 50%1.471(0.598-3.614)0.401SUVmax, ≤3.5 vs > 3.53.883(1.13-13.32)0.031

TNBC patient risk groups stratified by EGFR and SUVmax (with the median values of variables)Risk groups (EGFR>15, SUVmax>3.5)patient#DFS monthsEGFR %SUVmaxSUVmeanSUVvolKi-67%1 (-, -)1222.852.00.60.2342 (-, +)1517.258.94.37.2673 (+, -)1311.6502.72.60.9354 (+, +)377.66011.35.210.960

Conclusions: Pre-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging has significant prognostic value for predicting survival outcome of TNBC patients. Integrated with basal-biomarker EGFR, PET imaging can further stratify patient risks in the pre-treatment stage, and help select appropriate treatment strategies for individual patients.

Citation Format: Yue Y, Cui X, Bose S, Audeh W, Zhang X, Fraass B. Stratifying triple-negative breast cancer prognosis using 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-01-03.

Abstract P3-12-13: Radiation enhancement with cysteine coated platinum nanoparticles

Background: Radiation is the current choice treatment for non-operable metastatic breast-brain cancer. When cancer lesions are located in sensitive areas like the brain or have excessive amounts of metastatic sites, radiation usually proves to be a more viable option than excision. Ionizing (X-ray and gamma) radiation is non-selective and affects all the tissue it penetrates. In order to concentrate the dose on tumors, high energy radiation from multiple directions is typically used, reaching the highest dose where the radiation crosses. This type of multiple angle treatment minimizes the dose to normal tissue by increasing overall normal tissue irradiation. The objective is to achieve sufficient radiation in the tumor tissue to cause the DNA strands to break and to disrupt the reproduction and maintenance of cancer cells while keeping the damage to normal tissue in a reasonable range for tissue preservation.

Metal nanoparticles have shown promising results for reinforcing the radiation dose effect. High atomic number (Z) elements absorb a greater amount of radiation because the higher density raises the probability of interaction. The metal nanoparticles interact with the energy of the ionizing radiation by either scattering or absorbing, or accumulating the energy, thus increasing the number of DNA strand breaks in the nucleus of cells.

Methods: Four breast cancer cell lines (BT-474, MDA-231, BT-549 and MCF-7) were incubated with 1-2 nm platinum nanoparticles (0-1000 μg/mL) produced with a cysteine coating. 24 hours later cells were exposed to 2 Gy radiation with a C-arm (Toshiba Infinix VF-i/SP) using 125 KVP to deliver a spectrum of KeV low energy X-rays. After 24 hours the cells were washed and analyzed using a bioluminescence assay to assess cell proliferation based on ATP production.

Results: Of the four cell lines tested the BT-474 and BT-549 demonstrated limited reduction in cell proliferation at up to the highest treatment concentration 1000 μg/mL with no radiation exposure. As a result of the limited toxicity of the platinum nanoparticles the effect from increased radiation can be more readily observe when 2 Gy radiation is added resulting a in platinum nanoparticle dose dependent decrease in proliferation in the BT-474 cell line.

Nanoparticle Toxicity Concentration of Platinum Nanoparticles (μ/mL) 02505007501000MDA-2311.000±0.0050.995±0.0120.974±0.0130.979±0.0140.777±0.014BT-5491.000±0.0131.003±0.0091.003±0.0170.969±0.0170.894±0.009MCF-71.000±0.0140.960±0.0150.927±0.0220.851±0.0220.769±0.032BT-4741.000±0.0240.961±0.0290.957±0.0330.965±0.0630.985±0.065Table 1: Indexed values for cell proliferation for the BT-474 cell

Radiation Toxicity Concentration of Platinum Nanoparticles (μ/mL) 02505007501000*0 Gy1.000±0.0240.961±0.0290.957±0.0330.965±0.0630.985±0.0652 Gy1.027±0.0380.966±0.0230.908±0.0340.870±0.0310.799±0.037Table 2: Indexed values for cell proliferation for the BT-474 cell line 0 and 2 Gy radiation doses, 6 averages. * Student T-TEST P<0.05

Conclusions: At moderate doses of low energy radiation, a reduction in cell proliferation can be detected. This data supports follow-up experiments to add a targeting protein to facilitate uptake by cancer cells based on cell receptor expression. Experiments are current being done to utilize the HER2+ cell receptor upregulation to increase internalization of the particles to achieve a greater effect.

Citation Format: Wagner S, Yue Y, Cui X, Zhang G, Bingchen H, Li D, Medina-Kauwe L. Radiation enhancement with cysteine coated platinum nanoparticles. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-13.

Abstract P6-17-05: A corrole nanobiologic crosses the blood-brain-barrier and recognizes triple negative breast cancer: Implications for targeting brain metastases

Patients with breast cancer metastases to the brain on average survive less than one year. These tumors tend to be resistant to current therapies, and the majority of targeted therapeutics are unable to breach the blood brain barrier (BBB) to reach these tumors, thus improved alternatives are urgently needed.

Elevated cell surface levels of the human epidermal growth factor receptor subunit 3 (HER3) is associated with metastatic breast tumors, including those that spread to the brain. Elevated HER3 is also associated with resistance to a number of targeted therapies currently used in the clinic, including inhibitors of EGFR (lapatinib), HER2 (lapatinib, trastuzumab, T-DM1), HER2-3 (pertuzumab), and combination therapy.

Whereas a number of targeted therapies are currently used to combat peripheral breast tumors, the delivery of these molecules to brain metastases is limited by the blood brain barrier (BBB). This is exemplified by HER2+ breast tumors that metastasize to the brain: these tumors, while targetable outside of the central nervous system (CNS) by HER2 antibodies such as trastuzumab, are unreachable by these same antibodies because the HER2 subunit, though present on the brain endothelium, does not mediate antibody transcytosis across the blood vessel wall.

HER3, on the other hand, undergoes rapid transcytosis across the brain endothelium upon ligand binding, which normally occurs to mediate the delivery of neuregulin growth factors for neural growth and maintenance. We have developed a self-assembling nanobiological particle, HerMn, which uses HER3 as a portal for targeted entry of toxic molecules into tumor cells.

HerMn is a 10-20 nm diameter serum-stable particle comprised of a HER3-targeted cell penetration protein non-covalently assembled with a sulfonated manganese(III) corrole (S2Mn or Mn-corrole). Tumor-targeted toxicity by HerMn occurs by mitochondria membrane disruption and superoxide-mediated damage to the cytoskeleton. HerMn can also elicit tumor-selective detection by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to the paramagnetic property of the corrole. HerMn distributes to the brain after systemic injection in mice, in addition to showing preferential homing and toxicity to subcutaneous tumors expressing the HER2-3 dimer. Interestingly, the Mn corrole is known to exhibit neuroprotective effects due to its antioxidant activity on normal tissue. Consistent with this, we have found that HerMn supports human cardiac cell survival ex vivo. Our studies interrogating the therapeutic potential of HerMn suggest that this nanobiologic bears the capacity for targeting toxicity to brain-metastatic breast tumors while sparing off-target tissue due to both its targeting capacity and ability to provide beneficial protective effects to normal tissue such as the brain and heart.

Citation Format: Medina-Kauwe L, Sims J, Taguiam M, Hanson C, Alonso-Valenteen F, Cui X, Wagner S, Sorasaenee K, Moats R, Marban E, Chung A, Gray H, Gross Z, Giuliano A. A corrole nanobiologic crosses the blood-brain-barrier and recognizes triple negative breast cancer: Implications for targeting brain metastases. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-17-05.

Abstract P6-13-10: Therapeutic efficacy of HER3-targeted nanobiologics on resistant tumors

Elevated cell surface levels of the human epidermal growth factor receptor subunit 3 (HER3) are associated with resistance to a number of signal-blocking breast cancer treatments, including inhibitors of EGF-R (lapatinib), HER2 (lapatinib, trastuzumab, T-DM1), HER2-3 (pertuzumab), and combination therapy. Additionally, HER3 elevation has been identified on "untarget-able" tumors such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), including TNBC with acquired resistance to EGF-R inhibition. Patients with such refractory tumors currently have limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Moreover, as up to 70% of cases resist or acquire resistance to signal-blocking therapies, an alternative approach addressing this important clinical problem has the potential for significant clinical impact.

We have developed a protein construct, HerPBK10, which self-assembles with a variety of payloads (including nucleic acids, chemotherapy agents, and imaging agents) and uses HER3 as a portal for targeted entry into cells. In contrast to receptor-targeted antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors currently used in the clinic, HerPBK10 circumvents the need to modulate signaling by inducing rapid entry of toxic molecules into tumor cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis and membrane penetration.

We have previously shown that nanobiological particles formed between HerPBK10 and therapeutic payloads can elicit targeted toxicity to HER2+ tumors due to the prevalence of HER2-3 heterodimers on the tumor cell surface, while sparing heart and liver tissue. The particles that form (20-40 nm dia.) exhibit stability in serum and no detectable immunogenicity. Here we show that such particles resolve breast tumor cells with acquired resistance to HER2 and/or EGFR inhibitors in contrast to trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and combination treatment. Additionally, therapeutic efficacy is augmented on resistant over parental tumor cells, due in part to the elevated HER3 expression associated with resistance to these inhibitors. Our studies in preclinical models show that these nanoparticles ablate the growth of tumors with both acquired and pre-existing resistance to trastuzumab. Moreover, we have found that signal-inhibitors currently used in the clinic, such as trastuzumab, effectively augment the efficacy of our nanobiologic on both naïve and inherently-resistant breast tumor cells, in part through induced elevation of HER3. Thus, current targeted molecules such as trastuzumab or lapatinib may act as adjuvants to enhance tumor cell-sensitivity to HerPBK10-particles. Such an approach may address the tumor-heterogeneity associated with resistance, and corner tumors for attack by our particles.

Citation Format: Medina-Kauwe L, Sims J, Taguiam M, Hanson C, Alonso-Valenteen F, Cui X, Chung A, Gray H, Gross Z, Giuliano A. Therapeutic efficacy of HER3-targeted nanobiologics on resistant tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-13-10.

Percutaneous sclerotherapy of liver and renal cysts, comments on the EFSUMB guidelines

Cystic lesions in the liver and kidneys are common incidental findings. They are generally benign and require no treatment. They can appear sporadically or as part of a syndrome, and are characterised by their anechoic structure and posterior enhancement in ultrasound imaging. Increased size, haemorrhage or infection of a cyst can lead to development of symptoms. Along with surgical options and laparoscopic cyst fenestration, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy of symptomatic cysts represents an effective and safe minimally invasive treatment option.

High quality perovskite films fabricated from Lewis acid–base adduct through molecular exchange

High quality CH₃NH₃PbI₃ perovskite films without residual PbI₂ are fabricated from the Lewis adduct of PbI₂·xDMF through molecular exchange. The photovoltaic performances of the perovskite solar cells are thus improved significantly.

A mechanistic study on tumour spheroid formation in thermosensitive hydrogels: experiments and mathematical modelling

Thermo-reversible microgels to culture and harvest uniform-sized tumour spheroids with a narrow size-distribution.

Detection of functional polymorphisms influencing the promoter activity of the SAA2 gene and their association with milk production traits in Chinese Holstein cows

Our previous RNA sequencing experiment showed that the serum amyloid A2 (SAA2) gene was one of the most promising candidates for milk protein and fat traits in dairy cattle. The SAA2 gene encodes an apolipoprotein related to high-density lipoproteins. To further validate its genetic effects, genotype-phenotype associations were performed in this study. Through resequencing of the entire coding region and the 5'-regulatory region of the SAA2 gene using pooled DNA of 12 unrelated sires, one novel 3-bp insertion-deletion and five previously reported SNPs were detected. These identified SNPs were genotyped and tested for association with five milk production-related traits in 717 Chinese Holstein cows. After Bonferroni correction for multiple t-tests, five of them were found to be statistically significant for milk yield, fat yield and protein yield (P < 0.0001~0.0053). Haplotype-based association analysis revealed a similar effect on fat yield and protein yield (P = 0.0005, P = 0.0032 respectively). Then, using luciferase report assay, the regulatory effect of the three SNPs located in the promoter region (c.-22G>A; c.17G>C; c.114G>A) was evaluated on transcriptional activity. In HEK-293 cell lines, we found that constructs GCG and AGG showed higher luciferase activity compared with GCA (P < 0.01, P < 0.01 respectively). Meanwhile, the prediction of the putative differential transcription factor binding site revealed that c.17G>C and c.114G>A caused the alteration in the transcription factor. Overall, the findings presented here provide the first evidence for associations of the SAA2 gene with milk fat and protein traits, which appears to be a key candidate for milk production traits in dairy cattle.

Precision Measurement of the Longitudinal Double-Spin Asymmetry for Inclusive Jet Production in Polarized Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV

We report a new measurement of the midrapidity inclusive jet longitudinal double-spin asymmetry, A_{LL}, in polarized pp collisions at center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=200  GeV. The STAR data place stringent constraints on polarized parton distribution functions extracted at next-to-leading order from global analyses of inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (DIS), semi-inclusive DIS, and RHIC pp data. The measured asymmetries provide evidence at the 3σ level for positive gluon polarization in the Bjorken-x region x>0.05.

Photothrombosis combined with thrombin injection establishes a rat model of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

OBJECTIVE

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare but life-threatening disease and an animal model for in-depth study of CVST is needed. This study aimed to develop a rat model suitable for studying clinically relevant aspects of CVST and investigating its dynamic pathophysiological changes during a 7-day period.

METHOD

A photothrombosis method was used to create a rat sinus-vein thrombosis model. A spot size-adjustable Diode Pumped Solid State laser (DPSS) combined with thrombin injection occluded the rostral and caudal superior sagittal sinus (SSS). The model was used to evaluate pathophysiological changes at different time points over 7 days. Evans Blue dye injection was used to detect alterations in blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Brain water content was also measured. Moreover, we examined changes in brain infarct volume, neurological function, as well as histology after induction of CVST.

RESULT

CVST in rats significantly altered BBB permeability, consistent with the development of brain edema. It was accompanied by an increase in brain infarct volume and deficits in neurological function that began on day 1, peaked on day 2, and typically improved by day 7 due to the neuroprotective effects of angiogenesis and gliocyte proliferation.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we describe a rat model that produces clinically relevant pathophysiology and pathology that will facilitate evaluation of therapeutic regimens for CVST. Furthermore, our results indicate a period of optimal clinical intervention for patients with CVST, which may reduce the probability of dependency and death.

Vitamin D regulates tyrosine hydroxylase expression: N-cadherin a possible mediator

Vitamin D is a neuroactive steroid. Its genomic actions are mediated via the active form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3, binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The VDR emerges in the rat mesencephalon at embryonic day 12, representing the peak period of dopaminergic cell birth. Our prior studies reveal that developmental vitamin D (DVD)-deficiency alters the ontogeny of dopaminergic neurons in the developing mesencephalon. There is also consistent evidence from others that 1,25(OH)2D3 promotes the survival of dopaminergic neurons in models of dopaminergic toxicity. In both developmental and toxicological studies it has been proposed that 1,25(OH)2D3 may modulate the differentiation and maturation of dopaminergic neurons; however, to date there is lack of direct evidence. The aim of the current study is to investigate this both in vitro using a human SH-SY5Y cell line transfected with rodent VDR and in vivo using a DVD-deficient model. Here we show that in VDR-expressing SH-SY5Y cells, 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly increased production of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis. This effect was dose- and time-dependent, but was not due to an increase in TH-positive cell number, nor was it due to the production of trophic survival factors for dopamine neurons such as glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). In accordance with 1,25(OH)2D3's anti-proliferative actions in the brain, 1,25(OH)2D3 reduced the percentage of dividing cells from approximately 15-10%. Given the recently reported role of N-cadherin in the direct differentiation of dopaminergic neurons, we examined here whether it may be elevated by 1,25(OH)2D3. We confirmed this in vitro and more importantly, we showed DVD-deficiency decreases N-cadherin expression in the embryonic mesencephalon. In summary, in our in vitro model we have shown 1,25(OH)2D3 increases TH expression, decreases proliferation and elevates N-cadherin, a potential factor that mediates these processes. Accordingly all of these findings are reversed in the developing brain in our DVD-deficiency model. Remarkably our findings in the DVD-deficiency model phenocopy those found in a recent model where N-cadherin was regionally ablated from the mesencephalon. This study has, for the first time, shown that vitamin D directly modulates TH expression and strongly suggests N-cadherin may be a plausible mediator of this process both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings may help to explain epidemiological data linking DVD deficiency with schizophrenia.

Al(OH)3 facilitated synthesis of water-soluble, magnetic, radiolabelled and fluorescent hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Magnetic and fluorescent hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were synthesised using Al(OH)3-stabilised MnFe2O4 or Fe3O4 nanoparticles as precursors. They were readily and efficiently radiolabelled with (18)F. Bisphosphonate polyethylene glycol polymers were utilised to endow the nanoparticles with excellent colloidal stability in water and to incorporate cyclam for high affinity labelling with (64)Cu.

Downregulation of survivin regulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis and apoptosis, and inhibits spatial learning and memory following traumatic brain injury

Survivin, a unique member of the inhibitor of the apoptosis protein (IAP) family, has been suggested to play a crucial role in promoting the cell cycle and mediates mitosis during embryonic development. However, the role of survivin following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adult neurogenesis and apoptosis in the mouse dentate gyrus (DG) remains only partially understood. We adopted adenovirus-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) as a means of suppressing the expression of survivin and observed its effects on adult regeneration and neurological function in mice after brain injury. The mice were subjected to TBI, and the ipsilateral hippocampus was then examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting analyses. Brain slices were stained for 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and doublecortin (DCX). Our data showed that survivin knockdown inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the DG of the hippocampus soon after TBI. Furthermore, downregulation of survivin results in a significant increase in programmed cell death in the DG, as assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) double staining. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was adopted to evaluate neurological function, which confirmed that knockdown of survivin worsened the memory capacity that was already compromised following TBI. Survivin in adult mice brains after TBI can be successfully down-regulated by RNAi, which inhibited adult hippocampal neurogenesis, promoted apoptotic cell death, and resulted in a negative role in the recovery of dysfunction following injury.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage using extravascular contrast enhanced ultrasound

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage (PTCD) is a common procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant biliary diseases. Ultrasound (US) is frequently used for the guidance of PTCD. Conventional fluoroscopy is applied to evaluate the biliary system, but delivers significant X-ray dosage to the patient and the interventional team. The purpose of this study is to test the ability of extravascular contrast-enhanced ultrasound (EV-CEUS) in US-guided PTCD to reduce or replace fluoroscopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

38 patients underwent PTCD. 2 - 4 mL doses of a SonoVue dilution were repeatedly injected to demonstrate correct needle and drainage positions in the biliary system and in the intestine during the intervention and during follow-up to screen for complications. The results were compared to those of conventional radiography.

RESULTS

The success rate for cholangiography was 100 % for EV-CEUS and fluoroscopy each. 27/38 patients (71 %) received a ring catheter, 5/38 patients (13 %) received a metal stent. Only external drainage was possible in 6/38 patients (16 %) in the first session. In 50 % of them (3/38, 8 %) internalization was possible in the second attempt. With EV-CEUS the level of obstruction could be correctly diagnosed in 100 % of the patients. The degree of obstruction (complete/incomplete) could be correctly diagnosed in 37/38 patients (97 %). EV-CEUS was not able to demonstrate the guide wire. In 1/38 patient a hematoma appeared which was managed conservatively. Dislodgement was diagnosed in 2/38 (5 %) patients during follow-up by injecting EV-CEUS solution into the drain. Pleural injury with fistula could be demonstrated in 1/38 (3 %) patients.

CONCLUSION

EV-CEUS can monitor the success of insertion of needle and catheter, demonstrate or exclude complications, and therefore significantly reduce fluoroscopy time in US-guided PTCD. Fluoroscopy is needed whenever subtle wire steering is necessary as in most cases when the intestinal position of the drain is sought. If only external drainage is necessary fluoroscopy can be omitted.

[Ultrasound in palliative care medicine]

This review summarizes ultrasound guided interventions in palliative care medicine.

DNA methylation profiles in placenta and its association with gestational diabetes mellitus

Emerging evidences indicate that placenta plays a critical role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). DNA methylation could be associated with altered placental development and functions. This study is to uncover the genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in this disorder. DNA methylation was measured at >385,000 CpG sites using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and a huamn CpG island plus promoter microarray. We totally identified 6,641 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) targeting 3,320 genes, of which 2,729 DMRs targeting 1,399 genes, showed significant hypermethylation in GDM relative to the controls, whereas 3,912 DMRs targeting 1,970 genes showed significant hypomethylation. Functional analysis divided these genes into different functional networks, which mainly involved in the pathways of cell growth and death regulation, immune and inflammatory response and nervous system development. In addition, the methylation profiles and expressions of 4 loci (RBP4, GLUT3, Resistin and PPARα) were validated by BSP for their higher log2 ratio and potential functions with energy metabolism. This study demonstrates aberrant patterns of DNA methylation in GDM which may be involved in the pathophysiology of GDM and reflect the fetal development. Future work will assess the potential prognostic and therapeutic value for these findings in GDM.

Epidemiological study of influenza B in Shanghai during the 2009-2014 seasons: implications for influenza vaccination strategy

A new quadrivalent influenza vaccine has been available for influenza B, which can pose a significant global health burden. Shanghai has the highest GDP and largest metropolitan population in China. To understand the impact of influenza B in Shanghai in terms of age-related incidence and relative prevalence compared with other subtypes, we conducted this retrospective epidemiological study of influenza B in the 2009-2014 seasons. A total of 71 354 outpatients with influenza-like illness were included, and both lineages of influenza B and subtypes of influenza A were identified using real-time RT-PCR. The antigenic characteristics of influenza B isolates were analysed by sequencing and reciprocal haemagglutinin inhibition assay. On average, 33.45% of influenza strains were influenza B, and 40.20% of strains isolated from children were influenza B. The incidence of influenza B was highest (12.52 per 100 people with influenza-like illness) in children ages 6-17 years and usually peaked in this age group at the early stage of an influenza B epidemic. Overall, both matched and mismatched influenza B strains co-circulated in Shanghai annually, and 44.57% of the circulating influenza B belonged to the opposite lineage of the vaccine strains. We concluded that influenza B has caused a substantial impact in Shanghai and that school-aged children play a key role in the transmission of influenza B. Hence, it may be beneficial to prioritize influenza vaccination for school-aged children to mitigate the outbreaks of influenza B.

The mitochondrial thioredoxin is required for liver development in zebrafish

Thioredoxins (Trxs) are a class of small molecular redox proteins that play an important role in scavenging abnormally accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thioredoxin 2 (Trx2) is one member of this family located in mitochondria. Trx2 protects cells from increased oxidative stress and has anti-apoptosis function. Knockout of Trx2 in mice led to early embryonic lethality. However, the essential role of Trx2 during embryogenesis remains unclear. To further investigate the role of Trx2 during embryonic development, we performed Trx2 knockdown in zebrafish and investigated the regulation role of Trx2 during embryonic development. Our results indicate that Trx2 had a high expression in early zebrafish embryos and its knockdown in zebrafish led to defective liver development mainly due to increased hepatic cell death. The increased ROS and the imbalance of members of the Bcl-2 family were involved in cell death induced by Trx2 suppression in zebrafish. The dysregulation of Bax, puma and Bcl-xl promoted the reduction of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and the mitochondria membrane permeabilization (MMP), which initiated the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Additionally, we found that the increase of relocated GAPDH in mitochondria may be another factor responsible for the mitochondrial catastrophe.

Abdominelle Sonografie bei Patienten mit Diabetes mellitus. Teil 1: Leber

Die abdominelle Sonografie ist geeignet, Folgeschäden und Begleiterkrankungen des Diabetes mellitus an Leber, Pankreas, Nieren, Gastrointestinaltrakt und abdominell-retroperitonealen arteriellen Gefäßen zu erfassen und zu verfolgen. Darüber hinaus ermöglicht die abdominelle Sonografie die Erfassung von Pankreas- und Lebererkrankungen, die ursächlich für einen Diabetes mellitus sind. Auf der Grundlage einer systematischen Literaturanalyse wird in einer 3-teiligen Übersichtsarbeit der Stellenwert der abdominellen Sonografie bei Patienten mit Diabetes mellitus dargestellt. Teil 1 beschreibt die Relevanz und konkrete Befunde sonografischer Methoden für die Diagnostik der hepatischen Manifestationen und Komplikationen des Diabetes mellitus.

ΛΛ Correlation function in Au+Au collisions at √[S(NN)]=200 GeV

We present ΛΛ correlation measurements in heavy-ion collisions for Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV using the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider. The Lednický-Lyuboshitz analytical model has been used to fit the data to obtain a source size, a scattering length and an effective range. Implications of the measurement of the ΛΛ correlation function and interaction parameters for dihyperon searches are discussed.

Highly flexible, tailorable and all-solid-state supercapacitors from carbon nanotube–MnOx composite films

Highly flexible and tailorable supercapacitors are fabricated from CNT–MnOx films basing on carbon nanotube (CNT) macrofilms. The supercapacitors exhibit outstanding capacitive properties and reliability under bending, kneading and cutting.

Observation of D0 meson nuclear modifications in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 200 GeV

We report the first measurement of charmed-hadron (D(0)) production via the hadronic decay channel (D(0) → K(-) + π(+)) in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 200 GeV with the STAR experiment. The charm production cross section per nucleon-nucleon collision at midrapidity scales with the number of binary collisions, N(bin), from p+p to central Au+Au collisions. The D(0) meson yields in central Au + Au collisions are strongly suppressed compared to those in p+p scaled by N(bin), for transverse momenta p(T) > 3 GeV/c, demonstrating significant energy loss of charm quarks in the hot and dense medium. An enhancement at intermediate p(T) is also observed. Model calculations including strong charm-medium interactions and coalescence hadronization describe our measurements.

Beam energy dependence of moments of the net-charge multiplicity distributions in Au+Au collisions at RHIC

We report the first measurements of the moments--mean (M), variance (σ(2)), skewness (S), and kurtosis (κ)--of the net-charge multiplicity distributions at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at seven energies, ranging from sqrt[sNN]=7.7 to 200 GeV, as a part of the Beam Energy Scan program at RHIC. The moments are related to the thermodynamic susceptibilities of net charge, and are sensitive to the location of the QCD critical point. We compare the products of the moments, σ(2)/M, Sσ, and κσ(2), with the expectations from Poisson and negative binomial distributions (NBDs). The Sσ values deviate from the Poisson baseline and are close to the NBD baseline, while the κσ(2) values tend to lie between the two. Within the present uncertainties, our data do not show nonmonotonic behavior as a function of collision energy. These measurements provide a valuable tool to extract the freeze-out parameters in heavy-ion collisions by comparing with theoretical models.

Measurement of longitudinal spin asymmetries for weak boson production in polarized proton-proton collisions at RHIC

We report measurements of single- and double-spin asymmetries for W^{±} and Z/γ^{*} boson production in longitudinally polarized p+p collisions at sqrt[s]=510  GeV by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The asymmetries for W^{±} were measured as a function of the decay lepton pseudorapidity, which provides a theoretically clean probe of the proton's polarized quark distributions at the scale of the W mass. The results are compared to theoretical predictions, constrained by polarized deep inelastic scattering measurements, and show a preference for a sizable, positive up antiquark polarization in the range 0.05<x<0.2.

[Metabolome response to tdh expression of pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus induced by different temperatures]

OBJECTIVE

We studied the metabolome responses to different relative virulence gene expression of pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus based on reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and metabolomics.

METHODS

We extracted total RNA and metabolites of V. parahaemolyticus ATCC33846 cultured at different temperatures (4, 25 and 37 degrees C). We applied relative quantification to analyze the tdh expression and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography & Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS) platform to determine the low-molecular-weight metabolites. Then, we compared the metabolic profiling of V. parahaemolyticus by principal components analysis. The correlation between relative gene expression and metabolome was obtained by Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficien (r) analysis.

RESULTS

The expression level of tdh at different temperatures ranked 25 degrees C > 4 degrees C > 37 degrees C. The mai metabolites that changed significantly (P < 0.05) were organic acids, amino acids, alcohols, ketones, and esters. The results from correlation coefficient suggested that 11 metabolites were highly correlated with tdh expression, including negative correlations and 8 positive correlations, at the threshold of | r | = 1, P < 0.05. Further analysis revealed that alcohols were highly significant correlated with tdh expression.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that there were significant correlation between metabolome and virulence genes expression, which might contribute to understanding the pathogenic mechanism of V. parahaemolyticus.

Beam-energy dependence of charge separation along the magnetic field in Au+Au collisions at RHIC

Local parity-odd domains are theorized to form inside a quark-gluon plasma which has been produced in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. The local parity-odd domains manifest themselves as charge separation along the magnetic field axis via the chiral magnetic effect. The experimental observation of charge separation has previously been reported for heavy-ion collisions at the top RHIC energies. In this Letter, we present the results of the beam-energy dependence of the charge correlations in Au+Au collisions at midrapidity for center-of-mass energies of 7.7, 11.5, 19.6, 27, 39, and 62.4 GeV from the STAR experiment. After background subtraction, the signal gradually reduces with decreased beam energy and tends to vanish by 7.7 GeV. This implies the dominance of hadronic interactions over partonic ones at lower collision energies.

Dielectron mass spectra from Au+Au collisions at √[s(NN)]=200 GeV

We report the STAR measurements of dielectron (e(+)e(-)) production at midrapidity (|y(ee)|<1) in Au+Au collisions at √[s(NN)]=200  GeV. The measurements are evaluated in different invariant mass regions with a focus on 0.30-0.76 (ρ-like), 0.76-0.80 (ω-like), and 0.98-1.05 (ϕ-like)   GeV/c(2). The spectrum in the ω-like and ϕ-like regions can be well described by the hadronic cocktail simulation. In the ρ-like region, however, the vacuum ρ spectral function cannot describe the shape of the dielectron excess. In this range, an enhancement of 1.77±0.11(stat)±0.24(syst)±0.33(cocktail) is determined with respect to the hadronic cocktail simulation that excludes the ρ meson. The excess yield in the ρ-like region increases with the number of collision participants faster than the ω and ϕ yields. Theoretical models with broadened ρ contributions through interactions with constituents in the hot QCD medium provide a consistent description of the dilepton mass spectra for the measurement presented here and the earlier data at the Super Proton Synchrotron energies.

Achieving consistent image quality and overall radiation dose reduction for coronary CT angiography with body mass index-dependent tube voltage and tube current selection

AIM

To develop a quantitative body mass index (BMI)-dependent tube voltage and tube current selection method for obtaining consistent image quality and overall dose reduction in computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The images of 190 consecutive patients (group A) who underwent CTCA with fixed protocols (100 kV/193 mAs for 100 patients with a BMI of <27 and 120 kV/175 mAs for 90 patients with a BMI of >27) were retrospectively analysed and reconstructed with an adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) algorithm at 50% blending. Image noise was measured and the relationship to BMI was studied to establish BMI-dependent tube current for obtaining CTCA images with user-specified image noise. One hundred additional cardiac patients (group B) were examined using prospective triggering with the BMI-dependent tube voltage/current. CTCA image-quality score, image noise, and effective dose from groups B and C (subgroup of A of 100 patients examined with prospective triggering only) were obtained and compared.

RESULTS

There was a linear relationship between image noise and BMI in group A. Using a BMI-dependent tube current in group B, an average CTCA image noise of 27.7 HU (target 28 HU) and 31.7 HU (target 33 HU) was obtained for the subgroups of patients with BMIs of >27 and of <27, respectively, and was independent of patient BMI. There was no difference between image-quality scores between groups B and C (4.52 versus 4.60, p > 0.05). The average effective dose for group B (2.56 mSv) was 42% lower than group C (4.38 mSv; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

BMI-dependent tube voltage/current selection in CTCA provides an individualized protocol that generates consistent image quality and helps to reduce overall patient radiation dose.

Association of maternal KIR and fetal HLA-C genes with the risk of preeclampsia in the Chinese Han population

INTRODUCTION

This study is to investigate the distribution of inhibitory and activating killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and the combination of KIR/human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-C in women with preeclampsia in the Chinese Han population.

METHODS

A total of 271 patients and 295 controls were enrolled in our study. The inhibitory/activating KIR and HLA-C genes were detected using the PCR-SSP (polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers) method.

RESULTS

Our result showed that decreased numbers of individual activating KIR genes (2DS2, 2DS3, and 2DS5) were observed in women with preeclampsia. Furthermore, the gene frequency of total activating KIRs was significantly lower in patients compared with that of the controls (P = 0.03). The frequency of the KIR2DL1 gene was increased in women with preeclampsia when a homozygous HLA-C2 allele appeared in the fetus.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that a KIR genetic variation might influence the risk of preeclampsia. The lack of activating KIRs could possibly lower uterine natural killer (uNK) cell activation, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Moreover, the imbalance of the inhibitory or activating signals at the maternal-fetal interface seems to play a regulatory role in the occurrence of preeclampsia.

Exendin-4, an analogue of glucagon-like peptide-1, attenuates hyperalgesia through serotonergic pathways in rats with neonatal colonic sensitivity

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue ROSE-010 can provide effective pain relief from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the underlying biological mechanism is still unknown. Here, we investigate the effect of GLP-1 analogue exendin-4 on visceral hypersensitivity in colonic sensitized rats. Rat models of visceral hypersensitivity were established by intra-colonic infusion of acetic acid in 10-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Visceral sensitivity was assessed by measurement of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) and electromyography (EMG). Exendin-4 with doses of 1, 5, and 10 μg/kg were intraperitoneally administered, respectively. The expressions of serotonin transporter (SERT) and tryptophan hydroxylase-1 (TPH-1) in colonic tissues were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The levels of serotonin (5-HT) and GLP-1 were measured by ELISA assay. Visceral hypersensitivity after neonatal colonic sensitization was verified. The colonic sensitized rats showed low levels of GLP-1 in plasma and high levels of 5-HT in plasma and colonic tissue (P<0.05). Exendin-4 dose-dependently reduced visceral hypersensitivity in colonic sensitized rats. The AWR scores in colonic sensitized rats with exendin-4 (5 μg/kg) reduced to 1.56±0.53 (P=0.013 vs. 2.33±0.50), 2.23±0.45 (P=0.008 vs. 3.0±0.5) during CRD at 40, and 60 mmHg, respectively. Similar findings were showed at dose of 10 μg/kg. Exendin-4 (5 μg/kg and 10 μg/kg) reduced the EMG during CRD at 40, 60, 80 mmHg (P<0.01). Exendin-4 (5.0 μg/kg or 10.0 μg/kg) significantly decreased the 5-HT colonic levels (2.343±0.447, 2.175±0.360 ng/100 mg vs. 3.607±0.628 ng/100 mg, P<0.05). The SERT protein expressions in colonic tissues in colonic sensitized rats were significantly increased with exendin-4 at doses of 1, 5 or 10 μg/kg (0.759±0.068, 0.942±0.037, 0.944±0.097 vs. 0.552±0.047, P<0.05, respectively), and the SERT mRNA expression also increased after treatment with exendin-4. The colonic sensitized rats showed lower TPH-1 levels after treatment with exendin-4 (P<0.05). These findings suggest that exendin-4 reduce visceral hypersensitivity and this may be associated with up-regulating SERT expression, and down-regulating TPH-1 expression.