Morphogenesis and vitality of seedlings of Ginkgo biloba in outdoor conditions

Ginkgo biloba L. is a relic tree that is preserved in natural conditions only in China. In the North-East Ukraine ginkgo is only in the process of introduction, but in certain places ginkgo trees are grown for decorative purposes which show high vitality. Therefore a relevant and promising task is the creation of industrial plantations of ginkgo for collection of its leaves. The objective of the study was morphological peculiarities of ginkgo plants and their vital condition depending on the calendar age of the seedlings at the stage when they were transplanted into the soil. For growing ginkgo, in our studies, a combined two-stage system was approbated, accor­ding to which seedlings were grown in greenhouses during 2–3 years, and then moved into soil outdoors. In our study, as planting material we used seedlings of ginkgo from a plant nursery (greenhouse) of Sumy National Agrarian University planted in 2014 and 2015. Seedlings were planted in the soil in early spring. Seedlings for growth completion were planted in rows with inter-row distance of 0.8 m and distance between the plants measuring 2.5–3.0 m. We studied the condition of the seedlings in two variants: variant 1 – three-year old seedlings obtained in the greenhouse were transplanted in spring 2018; variant 2 – two-year old seedlings obtained in greenhouse were transplanted in spring 2017. Comparative morphometric analysis and evaluation of vitality of these plants was performed in August 2019. Both groups of seedlings were five years old at the time of survey. For evaluation of morphometric structure of the ginkgo seedlings and their vital condition we used randomized selections of specimens in amount of up to 30 from plantations of variants 1 and 2. Analysis of the plants was conducted during the end of the vegetative period of 2019, when active growth of the plants stopped. Four main parameters of the plants were recorded: height, value of annual increment, diameter of the stem near the root neck and the number of leaves. Vital condition of the seedlings was evaluated on the basis of algorithm of vital analysis. Vitality of each seedling was evaluated by the coefficient of Q vitality, value of which was in interval from 0 to 1.0. Depending on the value of Q the seedlings were divided into five classes of vitality: 0–0.2 – cc (specimens of the lowest vitality), 0.2–0.4 – c (low vita­lity), 0.4–0.6 – b (average vitality), 0.6–0.8 – a (high vitality), 0.8–1.0 – aa (specimens with highest vitality). Comparative analysis of morphological peculiarities of the ginkgo seedlings revealed that two-year plants transplanted outdoors from the greenhouse had higher annual increment of the main stem, diameter of stem and number of leaves. Vital condition of such seedlings was the highest and was evaluated using Q index, which ranges between vitality of classes b to aa. This allows recommending a two-stage scheme of growing seedlings of ginkgo in North-East Ukraine. The optimum age for transplanting seedlings from greenhouses to open soil is two years.

Dietary mannan oligosaccharide ameliorates cyclic heat stress-induced damages on intestinal oxidative status and barrier integrity of broilers

This study investigated protective effects of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) inclusion on growth performance, intestinal oxidative status, and barrier integrity of cyclic heat-stressed broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old chicks were allocated into 3 treatments of 10 replicates each. Control broilers reared at a thermoneutral temperature were fed a basal diet, whereas broilers in heat stress and MOS groups raised at a cyclic high temperature (32 to 33°C for 8 h/d) were given the basal diet supplemented with 0 or 250 mg/kg MOS, respectively. Compared with control group, heat stress decreased (P < 0.05) average daily gain and feed conversion ratio during grower, finisher, and entire periods, average daily feed intake during finisher and entire periods, and ileal superoxide dismutase activity at 42 D, whereas increased (P < 0.05) rectal temperature at 21 and 42 D and jejunal malondialdehyde content at 42 D. Dietary MOS increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio during finisher and entire periods, but decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal malondialdehyde concentration of heat-stressed broilers at 42 D. Heat stress decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height (VH) and claudin-3 gene expression at 21 D, and VH and VH: crypt depth (CD) ratio in jejunum and ileum as well as mRNA abundances of jejunal mucin 2 and occludin, and ileal mucin 2, zonula occludens-1, and occludin, and claudin-3 at 42 D, whereas increased (P < 0.05) serum D-lactate acid content at 21 and 42 D, and serum diamine oxidase activity and jejunal CD at 42 D. The MOS supplementation increased (P < 0.05) jejunal VH at 21 D, VH and VH: CD of jejunum and ileum at 42 D, mRNA abundances of jejunal occludin and ileal mucin 2, zonula occludens-1, and occludin at 42 D, whereas reduced (P < 0.05) ileal CD at 42 D. These results suggested that MOS improved growth performance, and oxidative status and barrier integrity in the intestine of broilers under cyclic heat stress.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of high-risk neuroblastoma with bone marrow metastasis in children]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of newly treated high-risk group neuroblastoma (NB) patients with bone marrow metastasis and to explore the prognostic factors. Methods: The clinical features (sex, age, stage, risk group, pathological type, metastatic site, etc.) of 203 newly treated high-risk NB patients with bone marrow metastasis admitted to Hematology Oncology Center, Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2007 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 118 males (58.1%) and 85 females (41.9%). Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and Cox regression was used to analyze the prognostic factors. Results: The age at onset of the 203 patients was 41 months (9-147 months). The metastatic sites at diagnosis were as follows: bone in 195 cases (96.1%), distant lymph nodes in 104 cases (51.2%), skull and endomeninx in 61 cases (30.0%), orbit in 30 cases (14.8%), pleura in 16 cases (7.9%), liver in 13 cases(6.4%), canalis spinalis in 13 cases (6.4%), other sites in 11 cases (5.4%) and skin and soft tissue in 10 cases (4.9%). In all, 194 cases were enrolled for prognostic analysis. The follow-up time was 36 months (1 day-138 months) , and the 5-years event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 36.1% and 39.7%, respectively. A total of 118 patients (60.8%) had events (first relapse or death) with the time to event occurrence was 15 months (1 day-72 months), whereas 112 patients (57.7%) died with the event occurrence to death time was 3 months (1 day-21 months). There was no significant difference in 5-years OS between radiotherapy group and non-radiotherapy group (42.3% vs. 38.3%, χ(2)=3.671, P=0.055). The 5-years OS in transplantation group was significantly better than the non-transplantation group (44.3% vs. 35.5%, χ(2)=8.878, P=0.003), and the radiotherapy combined transplantation group also had a better 5-years OS rate than the non-radiotherapy combined transplantation group (45.8% vs. 37.3%, χ(2)=5.945, P=0.015). Univariate survival analysis showed lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 1 500 U/L, the amplification of MYCN, the metastatic sites of orbit, canalis spinalis and pleura were associated with poor prognosis of newly diagnosed high-risk NB patients (χ(2)=21.064, 13.601, 3.998, 6.183, 15.307, all P<0.05). The amplification of MYCN and the metastatic sites of pleura were risk factors for prognosis of newly diagnosed high-risk NB patients by Cox regression models (HR=1.896,1.100, 95%CI: 1.113-3.231, 1.020-1.187, both P<0.05). Conclusions: The prognosis is unfavorable in high-risk group NB patients with BM metastasis. Radiotherapy combined with transplantation can further improve the prognosis of these patients. The amplification of MYCN and the metastatic sites of pleura were the poor prognostic factors for high-risk NB patients with bone marrow metastasis.

[Clinical and prognostic analysis of single-center multidisciplinary treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma in children]

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics, treatment response and prognostic factors of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in children. Methods: The clinical characteristics such as age at diagnosis, primary tumor site, tumor size, pathological type, clinical stage, and risk grouping of 213 RMS patients (140 males and 73 females) treated in Hematology Oncology Center of Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, from May 2006 to June 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical characteristics, overall survival (OS), event free survival (EFS) and prognostic factors of children treated with the Beijing Children's Hospital-Rhabdomyosarcoma (BCH-RMS) regimen were analyzed. Survival data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and single factor analysis was performed by Log-Rank test. Results: The diagnostic age of 213 cases was 48.0 months (ranged 3.0-187.5 months), of which 136 cases (63.8%) were younger than 10 years old. The head and neck region was the most common primary site of tumor (30%, 64 cases), followed by the genitourinary tract (26.8%, 57 cases). Among pathological subtypes, embryonal RMS accounted for 71.4% (152 cases), while alveolar RMS and anaplastic RMS accounted for only 26.8% (57 cases) and 1.9% (4 cases), respectively. According to the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group (IRS), IRS-Ⅲ and Ⅳ accounted for 85.0% (181 cases) of all RMS patients. In all patients, 9.4% (20 cases) patients were divided in to low-risk group, 52.1% (111 cases) patients in to intermediate -risk group, 25.8% (55 cases) patients in to high-risk group, and 12.7% (27 cases) patients in to the central nervous system invasion group, respectively. All patients with RMS received chemotherapy. The cycles of chemotherapy were 13.5 (ranged 5.0-18.0) for patients without event occurrence, while 14.2 (ranged 3.0-30.0) for patients with event occurrence. Among the 213 patients, 200 patients had surgical operation, of whom 103 patients underwent surgery before chemotherapy and 97 patients at the end of chemotherapy, 21 patients had secondary surgical resection. Radiotherapy was performed in 114 patients. The follow-up time was 23.0 months (ranged 0.5-151.0 months) . There were 98 patients with relapsed or progressed disease and 67 patients with death. The median time to progression was 10 months, of which 67 (68.4%) relapse occurred within 1 year and no recurrence occurred after follow-up for more than 5 years. The 3-year EFS and 5-year EFS were (52±4) % and (48±4) %, while the 3-year OS and 5-year OS were (65±4) % and (64±4) % by survival analysis. The 5-year OS of the low-risk, intermediate-risk, the high-risk were 100%, (74±5) %, (48±8) %, and the 2-year OS of the central nervous system invasion group was (36±11) % (χ(2)=33.52, P<0.01). The 5-year EFS of the low-risk, intermediate-risk, the high-risk were (93±6) %, (51±5) %, (36±7) % and the 2-year EFS of the central nervous system invasion group was (31±10) % (χ(2)=24.73, P<0.01) . Survival factor analysis suggested that the OS of children was correlated with age(χ(2)=4.16, P=0.038), tumor TNM stage (χ(2)=22.02, P=0.001), IRS group (χ(2)=4.49, P<0.01) and the risk group (χ(2)=33.52, P<0.01). Conclusions: This study showed that the median age of newly diagnosed RMS patients was 4 years. The head and neck and the genitourinary tract were the most common primary origin of RMS. The OS was low in single-center RMS children. The median time to recurrence was 10 months, and recurrence was rare 3 years later.

1183Beta-Adrenoceptor activation increases cardiac galectin-3 levels via the hippo signaling pathway

Background

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a clinical biomarker for risk of cardiovascular disease and a disease mediator forming a therapeutic target. However, the mechanism(s) that regulate cardiac expression of Gal-3 remains unknown. Activation of the sympatho-β-adrenergic system is a hallmark of heart disease, but the relationship of βAR activation and cardiac content of Gal-3 remains unknown.

Purpose

To determine the role of βAR activation in regulating cardiac Gal-3 level and the responsible mechanism focusing on the Hippo signalling pathway.

Methods

Wild-type and Gal-3 gene deleted (Gal3-KO) mice were used. To test the role of the Hippo pathway, we used transgenic (TG) mouse strains with cardiac overexpression of mammalian-20-like sterile kinase 1 (Mst1, mammalian orthology of Drosophila Hippo kinase) either in wild-type form (TG-Mst1) or dominative-negative kinase dead mutant form (TG-dnMst1). Effects of β-antagonist (isoprenaline, ISO) and antagonists were determined. We measured phosphorylation (Ser127) of YAP as a transcription co-regulator acting as the main signal output of the Hippo pathway.

Results

In wild-type mice, treatment with ISO led to a time- and dose-dependent increase in cardiac expression of Gal-3 (Fig. A) accompanied by elevated circulating Gal-3 levels (Fig. B). ISO treatment stimulated cardiac expression of Mst1 and YAP hyper-phosphorylation (i.e. inactivation, Fig. C), indicating activation of the Hippo signalling. These effects of ISO were inhibited by β-blockers (propranolol, Prop; carvedilol, Carv; Fig. D,E). Relative to non-TG controls, ISO-induced expression of Gal-3 was inhibited by 75% in TG-dnMst1 mice (inactivated Mst1), but exaggerated by 7-fold in TG-Mst1 mice (activated Mst1). Mst1-TG mice had a 45-fold increase in Gal-3 content, YAP hyper-phosphorylation and enhanced pro-fibrotic signaling. In Mst1-TG mice, whilst blood Gal-3 level was unchanged, treatment with ISO (6 mg, 2 days) evoked a marked increase in cardiac and blood Gal-3 levels. Using rat cardiomyoblasts, we showed that ISO-mediated Mst1 expression and YAP phosphorylation were PKA-dependent and that siRNA-mediated YAP knockdown led to Gal-3 upregulation. The role of Gal-3 in mediating ISO-induced cardiomyopathy was examined by treating wild-type and Gal3-KO mice with ISO (30 mg/kg, 7 days). ISO-treated wild-type mice had 8-fold increase in cardiac Gal-3, ventricular dysfunction, fibrosis, hypertrophy and activated inflammatory or fibrotic signalling. All these changes, except hypertrophy, were abolished by Gal3-KO.

beta-AR regulates galectin-3

Conclusion

βAR stimulation increases cardiac expression of Gal-3 through activation of the Hippo signalling pathway. This is accompanied by elevated circulating Gal-3 level. βAR antagonists inhibited βAR-Mst1 (Hippo) signalling and cardiac Gal-3 expression, actions likely contributing to the overall efficacy of β-blockers.

Acknowledgement/Funding

NHMRC of Australia; Nature Science Fund of China

Long-term decomposed straw return positively affects the soil microbial community

AIMS

In order to understand the response of soil microbial communities to the long-term of decomposed straw return, the modifications of soil microbial community structure and composition induced by more than 10 years of fresh and decomposed straw return was investigated and the key environmental factors were analysed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Phospholipid fatty acid analysis and high-through sequencing technique were applied to analyse the structure and composition of the soil microbial communities. Compared with fresh straw, returning decomposed straw increased the relative abundance of bacteria and fungi by 1·9 and 7·7% at a rate of ~3750 kg ha^-1 , and increased by 23·1 and 5·7%, at a rate of ~7500 kg ha^-1 respectively. The relative abundance of the bacteria related to soil nitrification increased, but the ones related to soil denitrification decreased with decomposed straw return, which led to higher total nitrogen contents in soils. Moreover, returning decomposed straw reduced pathogenic fungal populations (genus of Alternara), which had significantly positive correlation with soil electric conductivity. It indicated that the long-term of decomposed straw return might have lower risk of soil-borne disease mainly for the reasonable soil salinity.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term of decomposed straw return could provide suitable nutrient and salinity for healthier development of soil microbial community, both in abundance and structure, compared with fresh straw return.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results of the study helps to better understand how the microbial community modifications induced by decomposed straw return benefit on soil health. The obtained key factors impacting soil microbial community variations is meaningful in soil health management under conditions of straw return.

Tau positron emission tomography imaging in C9orf72 repeat expansion carriers

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

AV-1451 (18 F-AV-1451, flortaucipir) positron emission tomography was performed in C9orf72 expansion carriers to assess tau accumulation and disease manifestation.

METHODS

Nine clinically characterized C9orf72 expansion carriers and 18 age- and gender- matched cognitively normal individuals were psychometrically evaluated and underwent tau positron emission tomography imaging. The regional AV-1451 standard uptake value ratios from multiple brain regions were analyzed. Spearman correlation was performed to relate the AV-1451 standard uptake value ratio to clinical, psychometric and cerebrospinal fluid measures.

RESULTS

C9orf72 expansion carriers had increased AV-1451 binding in the entorhinal cortex compared to controls. Primary age-related tauopathy was observed postmortem in one patient. AV-1451 uptake did not correlate with clinical severity, disease duration, psychometric performance or cerebrospinal fluid markers.

CONCLUSION

C9orf72 expansion carriers exhibited increased AV-1451 uptake in entorhinal cortex compared to cognitively normal controls, suggesting a propensity for primary age-related tauopathy. However, AV-1451 accumulation was not associated with psychometric performance in our cohort.

[Case report and diagnosis of Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines with deafness as its main clinical feature]

Summary Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines（NSML） is a disorder with syndromic hearing loss. Abnormalities of other systems in NSML have received increasing attention, but hearing loss is rarely concerned. And due to the incomplete phenotype, some patients with NSML maybe missed or maybe confused with other syndromic deafness such as Waardenburg syndrome. Our study will familiarize more otolaryngologists with Leopard syndrome. A 5-year-old boy with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and numerous symmetrically distributed dark brown macules that had good effect of cochlear implantation was collected in this study. And his father had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and numerous symmetrically distributed dark brown macules. Waardenburg syndrome was initially diagnosed by clinical phenotype and its molecular etiology was confirmed by gene diagnosis. Waardenburg syndrome-related deafness genes and 131 known deafness genes were not identified by second-generation sequencing. Whole-exon sequencing was performed for 4 individuals in the family and the results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. This study confirmed the diagnosis by identifying a disease-causing mutation in the PTPN11 gene, which was a heterozygous missense mutation at p. Tyr279Cys（c. 836A>G）. The mutation co-segregated with hearing loss in the family. Our results demonstrated that hearing loss in this family was caused by heterozygous mutations in PTPN11. These cases will familiarize more otolaryngologists with NSML, and they emphasize the importance of considering NSML as a possible cause of hearing problems.

Record Purcell factors in ultracompact hybrid plasmonic ring resonators

For integrated optical devices and traveling-wave resonators, realistic use of the superior wave-matter interaction offered by plasmonics is impeded by ohmic loss, which increases rapidly with mode volume reduction. In this work, we report composite hybrid plasmonic waveguides (CHPWs) that are not only capable of guiding subwavelength optical mode with long-range propagation but also unrestricted by stringent requirements in structural, material, or modal symmetry. In these asymmetric CHPWs, the versatility afforded by coupling dissimilar plasmonic modes provides improved fabrication tolerance and more degrees of device design optimization. Experimental realization of CHPWs demonstrates propagation loss and mode area of 0.03 dB/μm and 0.002 μm2, corresponding to the smallest combination among long-range plasmonic structures reported to date. CHPW ring resonators with 2.5-μm radius were realized with record Purcell factor compared with existing plasmonic and dielectric resonators of similar radii.

Clinical characteristics and treatments of patients with alpha-fetoprotein producing gastric carcinoma

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a well-known tumor marker of hepatic carcinoma and yolk sac tumor. Alpha-fetoprotein producing gastric carcinoma (AFPGC) is a rare type of gastric cancer with high malignancy and poor prognosis, which make it different from other types of gastric cancer. This rare gastric cancer patient subgroup is likely frequently misdiagnosed which may be related to lack of knowledge of the disease. The purpose of this article is to summarize the mechanism of AFP positive gastric cancer, classification, biological behavior and treatment, in order to assist clinical practitioners to detect AFPGC earlier and treat it better. Previous studies have showed that AFPGC has a complex pathophysiology mechanism. AFPGC is more aggressive and characterized by stronger proliferation, neovascularization, lymphatic invasion and distant metastasis. Furthermore, so far there has been no standard treatment for patients with AFPGC. Nevertheless, our present study summarizes some effective treatments based on previous research outcome. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the importance of detecting AFP routinely in serum and tissues in gastric cancer cases, which will greatly improve the diagnosis rate of AFPGC, and in regards to treatment, surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and interventional treatment may have positive impacts on AFPGC treatment outcome. However, further study with a larger sample is required to confirm the reliability and validity of these methods.

[Optical properties of computer aided design and computer aided manufactured materials for veneer restorations]

Objective: To investigate the translucency parameters (TP) and the color parameters of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials for veneer restorations in order to guide clinical practice. Methods: Eleven groups of CAD/CAM materials (A2 shade) were included in this study: IPS e.max CAD HT/LT, IPS Empress CAD HT/LT, Lava(TM) Ultimate HT/LT, VITA SUPRINITY HT/T, VITA ENAMIC HT/T, VITABLOCS Mark Ⅱ, and were named as Group A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K. Each material was designed and milled to disk-shaped specimens (10.0 mm×8.0 mm×0.7 mm) (n=6). The specimens were polished with silicon carbide paper and the thickness of specimens were adjusted into (0.60±0.03) mm. The color parameters of specimens were individually measured with the colorimeter against black and white ceramic tiles background to obtain the TP values. The color parameters of the specimens against the composite resin background were also measured and the color differences (ΔE values) between specimens and the A2 shade tab were calculated. Results: One-way ANOVA showed that the translucency parameters of the 11 groups of materials were statistically significant (F=253.69, P<0.05). The ΔE values of CAD/CAM material groups ranged from 1.78 to 4.12 (ΔE values<5.5). Conclusions: The microstructure of CAD/CAM materials and the types of material translucency influence the optical properties. The CAD/CAM materials in this experiment have achieved color matching with the A2 shade tab.

[Perianal swabs surveillance cultures of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae(CRE) can be hints for CRE bloodstream infection in patients with hematological diseases]

目的

探讨血液病患者肛周皮肤拭子细菌培养检出耐碳青霉烯类肠杆菌（CRE）对CRE血流感染的预警价值，寻找CRE血流感染的危险因素。

方法

对2016年1月至2017年12月进行肛周皮肤拭子细菌培养的血液病患者分离出CRE的耐药率、患者后期CRE血流感染发生情况及危险因素进行回顾性分析。

结果

2 914例血液病患者进行了肛周皮肤拭子细菌培养，74例检出CRE，其中后期发生CRE血流感染者13例（17.6%）。共分离出CRE 87株（相同患者相同部位去重），包括肺炎克雷伯菌31株、大肠埃希菌43株、阴沟肠杆菌8株、其他肠杆菌科细菌6株。分离出CRE菌株对哌拉西林/他唑巴坦、亚胺培南、美罗培南、阿米卡星、左氧氟沙星、替加环素的耐药率分别为91.9%、74.4%、98.8%、17.6%、74.4%和8.0%。13例发生CRE血流感染患者肛周皮肤拭子与血液中分离株对碳青霉烯类、氨基糖苷类、喹诺酮类及替加环素耐药程度一致率较高。粒细胞缺乏（粒缺）、存在消化道症状、肛周感染持续时间为肛周皮肤CRE阳性患者发生CRE血流感染的独立危险因素（OR值分别为1.10、1.13和1.23，P值分别为0.029、0.005、0.016）。

结论

对血液病患者进行肛周皮肤拭子细菌培养可为后期CRE血流感染提供预警，并可为其提供抗菌药物选择参考；粒缺、伴消化道症状以及肛周感染持续时间长可作为CRE血流感染患者早期识别因素。

Abstract P3-13-09: Increased mortality with repeat lumpectomy alone after ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence: A propensity-adjusted, population-based SEER analysis

Background: The benefit of repeat lumpectomy for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after breast conserving surgery (BCS) is currently inconclusive. This issue has become even more important as small and isolated recurrent tumors were frequently diagnosed.

Methods: IBTR patients with definitive surgery were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry between 1973 and 2013. The effect of different IBTR surgeries on overall and cancer-specific mortality was assessed using risk-adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression modeling and stratified propensity score matching analysis (PSMA).

Results: Based on the selection criteria, 5098 patients were recruited. Of those, 4048 (79.4%) women underwent mastectomy and 1050 (20.1%) underwent repeat lumpectomy after IBTR. Patients who received repeat lumpectomy had lower grade (23.7% vs 15% for well-differentiated) and smaller recurrent tumor (47% vs 36.2% for ≤ 1 cm) but earlier recurrence (23.9% vs 11.2% for interval times &lt; 48 months) than those who underwent mastectomy. A minority of each group (24.7% of those undergoing repeat lumpectomy and 3% of the mastectomy group) underwent RT after surgery. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, repeat lumpectomy was associated with increased overall mortality (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.353 to 1.844, P &lt; 0.001) and cancer-specific mortality (HR = 1.721, 95% CI = 1.345 to 2.202, P&lt; 0.001). Similar HRs were derived from the PSMA cohort. However, we found no significant difference in overall mortality for women who underwent repeat lumpectomy followed by RT compared with that for those who underwent mastectomy (P= 0.411). Moreover, IBTR patients with small tumors (≤ 1 cm) who underwent repeat lumpectomy with RT rather than without had similar overall and cancer-specific survival rates to those who underwent mastectomy (P= 0.189 and P= 0.604, respectively).

Conclusions: Our investigation suggests that compared with mastectomy, repeat lumpectomy for IBTR is associated with higher overall and cancer-specific mortality under real-world observational conditions. Furthermore, repeat lumpectomy with RT is equivalent to mastectomy with respect to overall mortality and may influence treatment decision making for patients with small IBTR.

Citation Format: Su Y, Guo R, Xue J, Chi Y, Wu J. Increased mortality with repeat lumpectomy alone after ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence: A propensity-adjusted, population-based SEER analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-13-09.

[Regression analysis of cerebral blood perfusion and cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease]

Objective: To analyze the relationships between cerebral blood perfusion and impairments of cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: A total of 21 patients with AD, 18 patients with MCI and 21 healthy adults as control group (NC group) matched in age, gender and education were recruited between November 2016 and November 2017 from Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital. All cases were performed routine head MRI, arterial spin labeling (ASL). Cognitive function evaluation including simple mental state scale (MMSE) and improved Addenbrooke's cognitive examination revised (ACE-R) of patients were also assessed. The difference between cerebral blood perfusion signals and cognitive impairment of the three groups were analyzed. Results: The subtest scores of attention and orientation, memory, language fluency, language and visual space of ACE-R scores were significantly reduced (P<0.001,uncorrected) for AD when compared with MCI. Using REST1.8 software to perform single factor ANOVA, and adjusted for P<0.05. The AD group showed a decrease in total cerebral perfusion compared to the NC group, a decrease and in the frontotemporal lobe compared to MCI group; compared with the normal group, MCI group also showed decreased perfusion in frontotemporal cortex. Pearson correlation analysis was performed on the cerebral blood flow and ACE-R scores in the AD group and the MCI group,the decrease degree of CBF in multiple brain regions was positively correlated with the total score of ACE-R's total scores, and the subtest score of ACE-R including attention and orientation, memory, language fluency, language and visual space also showed positive correlation. Conclusion: ASL technology can detect the changes of cerebral blood flow metabolism in AD and MCI patients, and reveal association relationships between brain function damage and cerebral blood flow metabolism in AD and MCI patients.

Effects of Modified Palygorskite Supplementation on Egg Quality and Mineral Element Content, and Intestinal Integrity and Barrier Function of Laying Hens

This study was conducted to investigate effects of modified palygorskite (MPal) supplementation on the laying performance, egg quality and mineral element content, immunity, oxidative status, and intestinal integrity and barrier function of laying hens. A total of 360 52-week-old Hyline Brown hens were randomly assigned into four dietary treatments for a 7-week feeding trial. The birds were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control group), 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/kg MPal, respectively. The supplementation of MPal did not alter laying performance and egg quality among groups. Compared with the control group, MPal inclusion decreased lead (Pb) content in yolks at 49 days, and either 0.5- or 1-g/kg MPal supplementation decreased Pb accumulation in yolks at 25 days and manganese (Mn) accumulation in yolks at 25 and 49 days. The contents of jejunal secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), ileal SIgA, and immunoglobulin G were decreased by the dietary 0.5-g/kg MPal supplementation. The supplementation of MPal also decreased malondialdehyde content in jejunum and ileum, and decreased serum diamine oxidase activity of the laying hens at 25 and 49 days. The inclusion of 0.5 and 1 g/kg MPal enhanced villus height in jejunum and ileum, and also increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in ileum. In conclusion, MPal supplementation decreased Pb and Mn contents in yolks, and exhibited beneficial effects on the intestinal immunity, oxidative status, and intestinal integrity and barrier function of laying hens and its optimal dosage was 0.5 g/kg.

[The relationship between the changes of serum NGF, HO-1, IL-1 beta and cognitive function in patients with severe OSAHS after comprehensive treatment]

Objective:To explore the relationship between the levels of serum nerve growth factor(NGF), hemeoxygenase 1(HO-1),interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and cognitive function in OSAHS patients. Method:the levels of serum NGF, HO-1 and IL-1β concentrations in 60 severe OSAHS patients were measured before and after treatment, and the Montreal cognitive score (MoCA), AHI and the LSaO₂ were also recorded. Result:①OSAHS patients have serum NGF decreased and serum HO-1, IL-1β increased.②In severe OSAHS patients the AHI was negatively correlated with NGF (r=－0.648), positively correlated with HO-1 (r=0.695), and positively correlated with IL-1β(r=0.616).③The MoCA value was positively correlated with NGF (r=0.663), negatively correlated with HO-1 (r=－0.614), and negatively correlated with IL-1β(r=－0.346).④After half a year of follow-up, the AHI and Serum HO-1 and IL-1β were significantly decreased, while the MoCA values and serum NGF were significantly increased after treatment. Conclusion:①Severe OSAHS patients have cognitive impairment.②The changes of serum NGF, HO-1 and IL-1β may be related to the changes of cognitive function in OSAHS patients. ③Comprehensive treatment can improve the patient's LSaO₂,reduce AHI, and improve the cognitive function.④Regular monitoring the concentration of serum NGF, HO-1, and IL-1β may be helpful to assess the patient's condition and recovery.

Cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis screening strategies for hip fracture prevention in older Chinese people: a decision tree modeling study in the Mr. OS and Ms. OS cohort in Hong Kong

Despite the high costs of hip fracture, many governments provide limited support for osteoporosis screening. We demonstrated that osteoporosis screening by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) with or without pre-screening by Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) or calcaneal ultrasound are more cost-effective than no screening in Chinese people aged 65 or over in Hong Kong.

INTRODUCTION

To examine the cost-effective potential osteoporosis screening strategies for hip fracture prevention in Hong Kong.

METHODS

Decision tree models were constructed to evaluate the cost per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of the different osteoporosis screening strategies followed by subsequent 5-year treatment with alendronate compared to no screening (but treat if a hip fracture occurs). The multiple osteoporosis screening strategies were composed of alternative tests and initiation age groups were evaluated with a 10-year horizon, and treatment were assigned if central dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) T-score (at either the hip or spine) is - 2.5 or less. Strategies included DXA for all people and pre-screening with the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) at specific thresholds or by calcaneal quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) before taking DXA examination. All the model inputs were based on the Mr. OS and Ms. OS Hong Kong cohort; data are obtained from the Social Welfare Department or the published literature.

RESULTS

All of the screening strategies, including the universal screening with DXA and the pre-screening with FRAX or QUS before DXA, were consistently more cost-effective than no screening for people aged 65 years old or over. One-way sensitivity analysis with a more optimistic assumption on treatment adherence or inclusion of other major osteoporotic fractures did not change the results materially. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses showed a dominant role of pre-screening with FRAX followed by subsequent osteoporosis drug treatment in people aged 70 years old or over in Hong Kong.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteoporosis screening strategies based on DXA with or without pre-screening are more cost-effective compared to no screening for Chinese people aged 65 or over in Hong Kong.

QTL mapping in diploid potato by using selfed progenies of the cross S. tuberosum × S. chacoense

Usually, mapping studies in potato are performed with segregating populations from crosses between highly heterozygous diploid or tetraploid parents. These studies are hampered by a high level of genetic background noise due to the numerous segregating alleles, with a maximum of eight per locus. In the present study, we aimed to increase the mapping efficiency by using progenies from diploid inbred populations in which at most two alleles segregate. Selfed progenies were generated from a cross between S. tuberosum (D2; a highly heterozygous diploid) and S. chacoense (DS; a homozygous diploid clone) containing the self-incompatibility overcoming S locus inhibitor (Sli-gene). The Sli-gene enables self-pollination and the generation of selfed progenies. One F2 population was used to map several quality traits, such as tuber shape, flesh and skin color. Quantitative trait loci were identified for almost all traits under investigation. The identified loci partially coincided with known mapped loci and partially identified new loci. Nine F3 populations were used to validate the QTLs and monitor the overall increase in the homozygosity level.

The role of previous falls in major osteoporotic fracture prediction in conjunction with FRAX in older Chinese men and women: the Mr. OS and Ms. OS cohort study in Hong Kong

Falls are a major concern in terms of fracture risk. Although awareness rising for the absence of falls in the FRAX algorithm, our study only identified the independent predictive role of previous recurrent falls and their better conjunction use with FRAX for major osteoporotic fracture prediction in older Chinese men.

Comparison of gefitinib and platinum-based chemotherapy and only platinum-based chemotherapy to treat lung adenocarcinoma

To study the curative effects and safety for patients who adopt both gefitinib and platinum-based chemotherapy or only platinum-based chemotherapy in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma, 80 EGFR mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma patients in stage IIIB/IV were divided into two groups. Half of them received both gefitinib and standard chemotherapy (group A), and the others (group B) received only standard chemotherapy. Overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and the related toxicities of both groups were recorded in order to take certain nursing measures for a variety of toxicities. Next, statistical methods were used to analyze the curative effects and safety of the two treatments. The results showed that ORR, DCR and median progression-free (mPFS) survival of the two groups of patients showed no statistical difference (P >0.05). However, group A (18.56 months) had a longer median overall survival (mOS) than group B (14.87 months), which was of statistical significance (P less than 0.05). Nausea and loss of appetite were common mild adverse reactions, and anemia and leukocytopenia were moderate common adverse reactions. The difference between these two groups of patients regarding adverse reactions was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In conclusion, the two treatments have similar safety, but lung adenocarcinoma patients with drug resistance during stage IIIB/IV after using first-line gefitinib therapy have lower survival benefits than patients who take both gefitinib and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Inhibition of heat stress-related apoptosis of chicken myocardial cells through inducing Hsp90 expression by aspirin administration in vivo

1. This experiment investigated the anti-apoptosis effects and the mechanism of aspirin action in the heat shock response of chicken myocardial cells in vivo, via changes in the heat stress (HS) protein Hsp90 and the rate of apoptosis. Broiler chickens were administered aspirin (1 mg/kg body weight) 2 h before exposure to HS, and then exposed to 40 ± 1°C for 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 24 h. 2. The induction and consumption of the HS factor heat shock factor (HSF)-1, and reductions of HSF-2 and HSF-3 induced by HS led to a delay in Hsp90 expression. HSF-1, 2 and 3 regulation of hsp90 expression in turn inhibited the synthesis and activation of protein kinase β (Akt), which resulted in a significant increase in caspase-3 at 2 and 10 h, caspase-9 from 1 to 7 h (except at 5 h), and the heat-stressed apoptosis of the myocardial cells. 3. Administration of aspirin changed the expression patterns of HSF-1, 2 and 3 such that the expression of Hsp90 protein was significantly upregulated (by 2.3-4.1 times compared with that of the non-treated cells). The resultant increase in Akt expression and activation, compared with the HS group, inhibited caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities and reduced the myocardial cells apoptosis rate (by 2.14-2.56 times). 4. Aspirin administration could inhibit heat-stressed apoptosis of myocardial cells in vivo and may be closely associated with its promotion of HS response of chicken hearts, especially Hsp90 expression.

[Comparative analysis of methylation profiles in tissues of oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To compare the methylation profiles in tissues of oral leukoplakia (OLK) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with healthy tissues of oral mucosa, in order to identify the role of DNA methylation played in tumorigenesis. Methods: DNA samples extracted from tissues of 4 healthy oral mucosa, 4 OSCC and 4 OLK collected from patients of the Department of Oral Medicine, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology were examined and compared using Methylation 450 Bead Chip. The genes associated with differentially methylated CpG sites were selected for gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. Results: Multiple differentially methylated CpG sites were identified by using the above mentioned assay. Hypermethylation constitutes 86.18% (23 290/27 025) of methylation changes in OLK and hypomethylation accounts for 13.82% (3 734/27 025) of methylation changes. Both hypermethylated and hypomethylated CpG sites were markedly increased in OSCC tissue compared with OLK tissue. The majority of differentially methylated CpG sites were located outside CpG islands, with approximately one-fourth in CpG shores flanking the islands, which were considered highly important for gene regulation and tumorigenesis. Pathway analysis revealed that differentially methylated CpG sites in both OLK and OSCC patients shared the same pathway enrichments, most of which were correlated with carcinogenesis and cancer progression (e.g., DNA repair, cell cycle, and apoptosis). Conclusions: In the present study, methylation-associated alterations affect almost all pathways in the cellular network in both OLK and OSCC. OLK and OSCC shared similar methylation changes whether in pathways or genes, indicating that epigenetically they might have the same molecular basis for disease progression.

The Influence of Nitrile Gloves on the Setting Behavior of Polyvinyl Siloxane Putty Impression Materials

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the gelation and polymerization time of three polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) putty materials and to determine if those times were affected by nitrile gloves under different conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten specimens (n=10) were obtained for each PVS putty material (Express STD, 3M ESPE; Extrude Xtra, Kerr and Exafast, GC) and tested under different conditions (gloves washed, gloves unwashed and hands contaminated). The gelation and polymerization time were measured using an oscillating rheometer and recorded for 400 s at 37°C to simulate the oral environment.

RESULTS

The mean gelation time of hand contaminated specimens was 157.50 minutes and was significantly slower than that by using nitrile washed gloves (mean=117.94, p=.004) and by using unwashed gloves (mean=99.46, p⟨0.001). Unwashed gloves had significantly quicker gelation times compared to washed gloves (p=.046). The gelation time was significantly delayed with Exafast compared to Extrude Xtra and Express STD across all the different types of glove conditions (p⟨0.043). No significant differences were observed between polymerization time with Exafast and Extrude Xtra Putty.

CONCLUSIONS

Extrude Xtra putty material had significantly better performance than GC Exafast and Express. Hand contaminated specimens were affected by the gelation/polymerization time.

Abstract P5-07-05: LOC283299 suppress the lymphnode metastatic cascade in breast cancer patients

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proved to play an essential role in cancer metastasis. The accuracy of intraoperative assessment of lymph nodes metastasis need to be improved. In this study, we aimed to define the lncRNA biomarker ectopic expressed in breast cancer patients' metastatic lymph nodes, and to explore the potential molecular mechanisms.

Experimental Design

RNA-seq analyses in 3 paired breast cancer patients' primary tumor and metastatic lymph node was used as training set to determine differentially expressed lncRNAs that may be associated with lymph node metastasis. The other 40 patients were analyzed as validation set to test the accuracy of lncRNAs identification by quantitative real-time PCR. The correlation between LOC283299 expression level and prognosis in other 282 breast cancer patients was confirmed. In parallel, in vitro and in vivo analyses were carried out to determine the potential mechanisms of LncRNA-dependent lymph node metastases and prognosis.

Results

RNA-seq analyses in the training set revealed significant correlation between high expression level of LOC283299 and lower lymph node metastasis potential in breast cancer patients. We further validated that the expression level of LOC283299 was significantly higher in tumor primary tissue than that in paired metastatic lymph node (P=0.0245), and higher LOC283299 expression level was markedly associated with good metastasis-free survival in breast cancer patients (P=0.04). In breast cancer cell lines, CRISPR-on overexpression of LOC283299 inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastases both in vivo and in vitro. shRNA knockdown LOC283299 promotes the ability of tumor proliferation and metastasis. The molecular mechanisms by which LOC283299 as metastasis-suppressing lncRNAs regulates recurrence and metastasis may involve regulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), cellular invasion and microenvironment in breast cancer cells.

Conclusion

Our study revealed a strong correlation between LOC283299 expression and lymph node metastases in breast cancers. High level of LOC283299 was associated with better metastasis-free survival. The changed metastasis phenotype may be mediated by the interaction of LOC283299 and breast cancer cells. Therefore, LOC283299 may represent a potential predictive biomarker for early lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.

Citation Format: Guo R, Xue J, Su Y, Xiu B, Ji W, Chi Y, Wu J. LOC283299 suppress the lymphnode metastatic cascade in breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-07-05.

The role of previous falls in major osteoporotic fracture prediction in conjunction with FRAX in older Chinese men and women: the Mr. OS and Ms. OS cohort study in Hong Kong

Falls are a major concern in terms of fracture risk. Although awareness rising for the absence of falls in the FRAX algorithm, our study only identified the independent predictive role of previous recurrent falls and their better conjunction use with FRAX for major osteoporotic fracture prediction in older Chinese men.

INTRODUCTION

Although the association of falls with fracture has been widely explored, the impact of previous falls is not included in the FRAX algorithm currently. Our aim was to examine the FRAX-independent associations between falls in the previous year and subsequent fracture risk, as well as the conjunctive use of falls and the FRAX score for major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) prediction in older Chinese people.

METHODS

Four thousand community older men and women aged 65 years or older were followed up for 9.9 ± 2.7 and 8.8 ± 1.5 years, respectively. The associations between falls in the previous 1 year and MOF risk by follow-up years were evaluated using the Fine and Gray model. New prediction scores were calculated by incorporating the falls and FRAX scores using the Fine and Gray model, or developed by adjusting the FRAX scores by 30% increased risk for each fall in the previous year. The predictive powers for MOF risk between the new scores and FRAX scores were evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) and category-based net reclassification improvement index (NRI).

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, 139 (7.0%) men and 236 (11.8%) women had at least one incident MOF. One previous fall significantly predicted the first year incident MOF in men [hazard ratio (HR) (95%CI), 3.47 (1.02, 11.80)]. Previous recurrent falls significantly predicted a 10-year incident MOF in men [HR (95%CI), 2.42 (1.30, 4.51)]. In men, the fall-adjusting FRAX scores showed significant improvement on total net reclassification of fracture (3-6%). No improved predictive accuracy shown in women.

CONCLUSION

Falls in the previous year are likely to provide some predictive power to FRAX for MOF risk assessment in older Chinese men, but not women.

The Relationship between Inflammatory Markers, Leptin and Adiponectin in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Chronic inflammation is prevalent in dialysis patients. We investigated the relationship between inflammation and newly identified adipokines: leptin and adiponectin in this population. A total of 129 chronic hemodialysis patients were collected. Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leptin and adiponectin levels were determined as well as other metabolic variables. Correlation studies and multiple regression analysis were performed among variables. Our results showed that hemodialysis patients had elevated levels of inflammatory markers, leptin and adiponectin. Diabetic subjects had higher serum CRP and lower albumin levels than non-diabetics. Serum CRP levels were positively correlated with IL-6 levels and negatively correlated with albumin levels. Serum leptin levels were directly related to CRP levels while adiponectin levels were inversely related to CRP levels. A significant negative correlation was observed between serum leptin and adiponectin levels. Serum IL-6 levels were the single independent factor affecting CRP levels. Body mass index can predict both serum leptin and adiponectin levels. We conclude that hemodialysis patients are at an increased risk of chronic inflammation and diabetes patients are even more susceptible to this status. Both serum leptin and adiponectin levels are associated with inflammatory markers. As adipose tissue is the major secreting site of these adipokines, our results suggest that adipose tissue plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation in dialysis patients.

Temperature dependent structural evolution in liquid Ag50Ga50 alloy

The temperature dependence of atomic structural evolution in liquid Ag₅₀Ga₅₀ alloy has been studied using an in situ high energy x-ray diffraction (XRD) experiment combined with first-principles molecular dynamics (FPMD) simulations. The experimental data show a reversible structural crossover at the temperature of about 1050 K. Changes in both electrical resistivity and absolute thermoelectric power at about 1100 K strongly support the XRD results. Additionally, FPMD simulations reveal the abnormal temperature dependent behavior of partial coordination number and atomic diffusivity at about 1200 K, elucidating that the partition experimentally observed changes in structure and properties could be linked with the repartition between Ag and Ga atoms in the liquid at around 1050-1200 K. This finding will trigger more studies on the structural evolution of noble-polyvalent metals in particular and metallic liquids in general.

Orphan Spins in the S=5/2 Antiferromagnet CaFe_{2}O_{4}

CaFe_{2}O_{4} is an anisotropic S=5/2 antiferromagnet with two competing A (↑↑↓↓) and B (↑↓↑↓) magnetic order parameters separated by static antiphase boundaries at low temperatures. Neutron diffraction and bulk susceptibility measurements, show that the spins near these boundaries are weakly correlated and a carry an uncompensated ferromagnetic moment that can be tuned with a magnetic field. Spectroscopic measurements find these spins are bound with excitation energies less than the bulk magnetic spin waves and resemble the spectra from isolated spin clusters. Localized bound orphaned spins separate the two competing magnetic order parameters in CaFe_{2}O_{4}.

Soluble TAM receptor tyrosine kinases in rheumatoid arthritis: correlation with disease activity and bone destruction

The TAM receptor tyrosine kinases (TAM RTK) are a subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases, the role of which in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus has been well explored, while their functions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of soluble TAM receptor tyrosine kinases (sAxl/sMer/sTyro3) in patients with RA. A total of 306 RA patients, 100 osteoarthritis (OA) patients and 120 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled into this study. The serum concentrations of sAxl/sMer/sTyro3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), then the associations between sAxl/sMer/sTyro3 levels and clinical features of RA patients were analysed. We also investigated whether sTyro3 could promote osteoclast differentiation in vitro in RA patients. The results showed that compared with healthy controls (HCs), sTyro3 levels in the serum of RA patients were elevated remarkably and sMer levels were decreased significantly, whereas there was no difference between HCs and RA patients on sAxl levels. The sTyro3 levels were correlated weakly but positively with white blood cells (WBC), immunoglobulin (Ig)M, rheumatoid factor (RF), swollen joint counts, tender joint counts, total sharp scores and joint erosion scores. Conversely, there were no significant correlations between sMer levels and the above indices. Moreover, RA patients with high disease activity also showed higher sTyro3 levels. In-vitro osteoclast differentiation assay showed further that tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)⁺ osteoclasts were increased significantly in the presence of sTyro3. Collectively, our study indicated that serum sTyro3 levels were elevated in RA patients and correlated positively with disease activity and bone destruction, which may serve as an important participant in RA pathogenesis.

Ultrathin graphene-based membrane with precise molecular sieving and ultrafast solvent permeation

Graphene oxide (GO) membranes continue to attract intense interest due to their unique molecular sieving properties combined with fast permeation. However, their use is limited to aqueous solutions because GO membranes appear impermeable to organic solvents, a phenomenon not yet fully understood. Here, we report efficient and fast filtration of organic solutions through GO laminates containing smooth two-dimensional (2D) capillaries made from large (10-20 μm) flakes. Without modification of sieving characteristics, these membranes can be made exceptionally thin, down to ∼10 nm, which translates into fast water and organic solvent permeation. We attribute organic solvent permeation and sieving properties to randomly distributed pinholes interconnected by short graphene channels with a width of 1 nm. With increasing membrane thickness, organic solvent permeation rates decay exponentially but water continues to permeate quickly, in agreement with previous reports. The potential of ultrathin GO laminates for organic solvent nanofiltration is demonstrated by showing >99.9% rejection of small molecular weight organic dyes dissolved in methanol. Our work significantly expands possibilities for the use of GO membranes in purification and filtration technologies.

[Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the hepatobiliary pancreatic system: report of three cases and literature review]

Objective: To improve the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the hepatobiliary pancreatic system through the cases review. Methods: The clinical data of three cases of pathologically-proved IMT of the hepatobiliary pancreatic system was reported and relevant literatures were reviewed. Results: Among three cases of IMT discussed, there consisted of a case of liver, a case of gallbladder and a case of pancreas. The clinical manifestations were nonspecific, and the preoperative diagnosis was difficult. All the patients with suspected malignant tumors underwent surgical treatment. The prognosis was good, with no recurrence. Conclusion: IMT is a benign tumor and is rare in hepatobiliary pancreatic system. The clinical manifestations are not typical and the imaging examinations are not specific. Its diagnosis depends on pathology. Surgery is an effective treatment. IMT has a tendency of recurrence, and its postoperative follow-up is of great significance.

KIT mutations and CD117 overexpression are markers of better progression-free survival in vulvar melanomas

BACKGROUND

Few studies have addressed prognostic markers and none has correlated molecular status and prognosis in vulvar melanomas.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinicopathological features of 95 cases of vulvar melanoma.

METHODS

p53, CD117, Ki-67, neurofibromin, brafv600e and nrasq61r immunostains, and molecular analyses by either targeted next-generation or direct sequencing, were performed on available archival materials.

RESULTS

Molecular testing detected mutations in KIT (44%), BRAF (25%), NF1 (22%), TP53 (17%), NRAS (9%) and TERT promoter (9%). Co-mutation of KIT and NF1 and of KIT and NRAS were identified in two and one cases, respectively. KIT mutations were significantly associated with better progression-free survival in univariate analyses. In multivariate analyses CD117 expression was significantly associated with better progression-free survival. Tumour thickness was significantly associated with worse progression-free and overall survival, and perineural invasion significantly correlated with reduced melanoma-specific survival and reduced overall survival. Cases were from multiple centres and only a subset of samples was available for molecular testing.

CONCLUSIONS

KIT mutations and CD117 overexpression are markers of better progression-free survival. In addition to its prognostic value, molecular testing may identify cases that might respond to targeted agents or immunotherapeutic approaches.

Imperatorin shows selective antitumor effects in SGC-7901 human gastric adenocarcinoma cells by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and targeting PI3K/Akt/m-TOR signalling pathway

PURPOSE

The main purpose of the present study was to determine the anticancer properties of imperatorin - a naturally occurring coumarin compound - against SGC-7901 human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and the mouse fibroblast cell line 3T3 (normal cell line).

METHODS

Imperatorin effects on apoptosis induction, cell cycle phase distribution and PI3K/Akt/m-TOR signalling pathways were studied. MTT cell viability assay examined the compound's cytotoxic potential, while inverted phase contrast microscopy and fluorescence microscopy techniques were used to study morphological changes induced in SGC-7901 cells by imperatorin. Flow cytometry examined its effects on cell cycle progression while Western blot assay was used to study changes in protein expressions of PI3K/Akt/m-TOR pathway.

RESULTS

Imperatorin induced a dose-dependent growth inhibition of the SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells with an IC50 value 62.6 μM, while in case of normal 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells, the drug did not show significant toxicity (IC50 value 195.8 μM), indicating that the drug selectively induced cytotoxicity in gastric cancer cells. The cells became rounded up, shrunken in size and got detached from the monolayer attached to well surface. Cells treated with 10, 75 and 175 μM imperatorin indicated that they began to emit yellow or red fluorescence which is an indication of early or late apoptosis respectively. Imperatorin also induced significant DNA fragmentation along with increasing the fraction of sub-G1 cells, indicating a sub-G1 cell cycle arrest.

CONCLUSION

Imperatorin could prove an important lead molecule for the treatment of gastric cancer and deserves further research in vivo against more cell lines.