Expression of three proteins in endometrioid adenocarcinoma and their significance in clinical nursing, diagnosis and treatment

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the role of NEDD9 (neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated 9), BCAR1/P130CAS (BCAR1/P130 Crk-associated substrate) and paxillin in predicting the prognosis of endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EA), so as to guild the nursing of EA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 65 patients who visited Affiliated Hongqi Hospital of Mudanjiang Medical University between June 2015 and June 2017 were enrolled. They underwent gynecological surgery and had their EA confirmed by pathology, and they were assigned to the EA group. All EA tissues were sampled and archived in paraffin blocks. In addition, 40 specimens of atypical endometrial hyperplasia (EAH) (the EAH group) and 40 specimens of normal proliferative endometria with benign uterine fibroids (the EN group) were selected as controls. The protein levels of NEDD9, BCAR1/P130CAS, and paxillin in each group were then detected by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

The expression of the three proteins in the EA group and EAH group was significantly higher than that in the EN group, and their expression was significantly correlated with the clinical stage, histological grade and lymph node metastasis of EA. In addition, the expression of NEDD9, BCAR1/P130CAS, and paxillin in the EA group was positively correlated with each other.

CONCLUSIONS

BCAR1/P130CAS and paxillin interact with NEDD9 to participate in the growth and migration of EA cells. Therefore, their proteins can be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of EA.

Mesenchymal Sufu Regulates Development of Mandibular Molars via Shh Signaling

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in dental epithelium regulates tooth morphogenesis by epithelial-mesenchymal signaling transduction. However, the action of Shh signaling regulation in this process is not well understood. Here we find that mesenchymal Suppressor of Fused (Sufu), a major negative regulator of Shh signaling, plays an important role in modulating the tooth germ morphogenesis during the bud-to-cap stage transition. Deletion of Sufu in dental mesenchyme by Dermo1-Cre mice leads to delayed development of mandibular molar into cap stage with defect of primary enamel knot (EK) formation. We show the disruption of cell proliferation and programmed cell death in dental epithelium and mesenchyme in Sufu mutants. Epithelial-specific adhesion molecule E-cadherin is evidently reduced in the bilateral basal cells of tooth germ at E14.5. The cells in the presumptive EK, predominantly expressing P-cadherin, appear stratified but fail to condense. Moreover, the transcripts of primary EK marker genes, including Shh, Fgf4, and p21, are significantly decreased compared to controls. In contrast, we find that deficiency of Sufu results in elevation of Shh signaling in mesenchyme, indicated by the significant upregulation of Gli1 and Ptch1. Meanwhile, the expression of Bmp4 and Fgf3, the critical factors of mesenchymal-epithelial induction, is significantly inhibited in dental mesenchyme. Furthermore, the expression of Runx2 experiences a transient decrease at the bud stage. Taken together, these data suggest that mesenchymal Sufu is necessary for tuning the Shh signaling, which may act as an upstream modulator of Bmp4 and Fgf3 to coordinate the interplay between the dental mesenchyme and epithelium of tooth germ.

Quantum Criticality of the Ising-like Screw Chain Antiferromagnet SrCo_{2}V_{2}O_{8} in a Transverse Magnetic Field

The quantum criticality of an Ising-like screw chain antiferromagnet SrCo_{2}V_{2}O_{8}, with a transverse magnetic field applied along the crystalline a axis, is investigated by ultralow temperature NMR measurements. The Néel temperature is rapidly and continuously suppressed by the field, giving rise to a quantum critical point (QCP) at H_{C_{1}}≈7.03  T. Surprisingly, a second QCP at H_{C_{2}}≈7.7  T featured with gapless excitations is resolved from both the double-peak structure of the field-dependent spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/^{51}T_{1} at low temperatures and the weakly temperature-dependent 1/^{51}T_{1} at this field. Our data, combined with numerical calculations, suggest that the induced effective staggered transverse field significantly lowers the critical fields, and leads to an exposed QCP at H_{C_{2}}, which belongs to the one-dimensional transverse-field Ising universality.

Effects of AIF-1 inflammatory factors on the regulation of proliferation of breast cancer cells

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Allograft Inflammatory Factor 1 (AIF-1) on the regulation of proliferation of breast cancer cells. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), cell culture and counting, and mass spectrometry were performed. The biologically active high-purity recombinant protein rhAIF-1 was obtained by optimizing the rhAIF-1 protein purification system, and MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-361 breast cancer cell lines were used. After adding to the culture medium, rhAIF-1 was found to promote cell proliferation in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. The purified protein rhAIF-1 was marked with rhodamine and incubated with the cells. Confocal imaging analysis revealed that the foreign protein was localized in the cytoplasm, and rhAIF-1 was unevenly distributed in the cytoplasm. Although AIF-1 accumulates around the nucleus, it can not enter the nucleus, suggesting that other factors might be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation. In order to find the possible interacting protein of rhAIF-1, protein immunoprecipitation technique and mass spectrometry were employed, and it was indicated that ADAM28m was the possible interacting protein of rhAIF-1. The interaction between rhAIF-1 and ADAM28m was validated by immunoprecipitation along with Western blotting. It was found that rhAIF-1 could precipitate ADAM28m protein by immunoprecipitation. The results indicated that IF-1 participates in the development of breast cancer by interacting with ADAM28m and activating downstream signaling pathways. It was concluded that AIF-1 provides a new idea for the molecular mechanism of breast cancer cell proliferation and acts as a new target for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer in the future.

LASP1 in Tumor and Tumor Microenvironment

The growing evidence shows that LIM and SH3 Domain Protein 1 (LASP1) is a multi-functional protein that plays important role in forming cytoskeleton and prognostic marker in different cancers. LASP1 expression is correlated with the grade, size, and the metastasis of tumor in clinical samples. And the upregulation of LASP1 facilitates tumor cells proliferation, migration, and invasion perhaps through the interaction with cytoskeleton and increased nuclear translocation. The underlying mechanism of LASP1 on tumor is still in the initial stage; therefore, the signaling pathways in various tumors are specifically summarized to deepen the biological understanding of LASP1. This article systematically summarizes the current status of knowledge regarding the contribution of LASP1 in physiological and pathological processes, especially the progress in tumor. This article also gives an emphasized overview of LASP1 on the correlation with tumor microenvironment.

Nonparametric generalized fiducial inference for survival functions under censoring

Since the introduction of fiducial inference by Fisher in the 1930s, its application has been largely confined to relatively simple, parametric problems. In this paper, we present what might be the first time fiducial inference is systematically applied to estimation of a nonparametric survival function under right censoring. We find that the resulting fiducial distribution gives rise to surprisingly good statistical procedures applicable to both one-sample and two-sample problems. In particular, we use the fiducial distribution of a survival function to construct pointwise and curvewise confidence intervals for the survival function, and propose tests based on the curvewise confidence interval. We establish a functional Bernstein–von Mises theorem, and perform thorough simulation studies in scenarios with different levels of censoring. The proposed fiducial-based confidence intervals maintain coverage in situations where asymptotic methods often have substantial coverage problems. Furthermore, the average length of the proposed confidence intervals is often shorter than the length of confidence intervals for competing methods that maintain coverage. Finally, the proposed fiducial test is more powerful than various types of log-rank tests and sup log-rank tests in some scenarios. We illustrate the proposed fiducial test by comparing chemotherapy against chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy, using data from the treatment of locally unresectable gastric cancer.

[Clinical prognostic factors of adult supratentorial glioblastoma]

Objective: To analyze the treatment effect of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) and explore prognostic factors. Methods: The clinical data of 635 patients diagnosed as GBM at Neurosurgical Oncology Department Ⅳ of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2007 to March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 386 males and 249 females with an age of (48.7±11.8) years (range: 18-75 years). Patients were divided into three groups according to the time of admission: 2007-2010 group(n=174), 2011-2014 group (n=237) and 2015-2018 group (n=224). Kaplan-Meier plot was used to analyze the effects of different treatment periods, treatment schemes and clinical factors on the survival of patients with GBM. Cox proportion hazard regression analysis was used to identify independent prognostic factors. Results: The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients in 2007-2010 group, 2011-2014 group, 2015-2018 group was 9.0 months (95% CI: 7.5-10.5), 10.0 months (95% CI: 8.8-11.2), 12.0 months (95% CI: 10.7-13.3) and 17.0 months (95% CI: 13.2-20.8), 20.0 months (95% CI: 16.9-23.1), 23.0 months(95% CI: 17.5-28.5), respectively. The PFS and OS of patients improved significantly over the years (χ(2)=9.693, P=0.008 and χ(2)=8.616, P=0.013). Multivariate survival analysis showed that age, extent of resection, radiotherapy and tumor distant dissemination were independent prognostic factors (all P<0.05). Conclusions: With the continuous development of clinical treatment regimen, the therapeutic effect of Chinese GBM patients has improved remarkably. Age, extent of resection, radiotherapy and tumor distant dissemination are independent prognostic factors associated with survival time.

Microarray expression analysis of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells after inhibition of CDK2

The study aimed to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of CDK2 inhibition in neuroblastoma by bioinformatics analysis. Gene expression profile GSE16480 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from IMR32 between each time point and average expression of all time points. Gene significance was calculated using dSVDsig algorithm of dnet package. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was built. Then, integrated with gene significance, a core PPI network was detected by dNetPipeline algorithm in dnet package. Finally, pathway enrichment analysis was performed for genes in network. Totally, 1524 DEGs were identified. CCNA2 (cyclin A2), EXO1 (exonuclease 1), RAD51AP1 (RAD51 associated protein 1), TOP2A (topoisomerase (DNA) II alpha) and CDK1 (cyclin-dependent kinase 1) were selected as DEGs with higher connectivity after PPI network analysis. In the network, CCNA2, CDK1, BUB1B (BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase B) and CCNB1 (cyclin B1) were involved in cell cycle pathway. Additionally, CCNB1, CDK1, CCNE2 (Cyclin E2), and RRM2B (ribonucleotide reductase subunit M2B) were involved in p53 signaling pathway. Cell cycle and p53 signaling pathway were closely associated with neuroblastoma after CDK2 inhibition. The DEGs, such as CCNA2, CCNB1, CDK1 and RRM2B may be the potential targets for neuroblastoma.

Effect of EH domain containing protein 2 on the biological behavior of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

To investigate the effects of EH domain containing protein 2 (EHD2) on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and provide new insights for the clinical treatment of rental cancer. Forty patients (26 males and 14 females, 62.4 ± 5.7 years old) with ccRCC were selected from January 2015 to December 2016 to serve as research subjects in this study. The EHD2 protein expression in the tumor tissues and adjacent healthy tissues of ccRCC patients were detected by Western Blot assay. The cells of ccRCC cell lines RLC-310 and 786-O were divided into normal control group (control), no-load control group (pLV), EHD2 overexpression group (pLV-EHD2), and EHD2 interference group (pLV-siEHD2). The expression levels of EHD2 protein in each group of cells were detected by western blot. The cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Wound healing assay was performed to check the cell migration ability. Transwell invasion assay was used to detect the cell invasion ability. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The expression level of EHD2 was significantly increased in pLV-EHD2 group and decreased in pLV-siEHD2 group compared with control group and pLV-siEHD2 group, indicating the successfully established EHD2 overexpression cell line and EHD2 RNA interference cell line. EHD2 overexpression enhanced the proliferation, invasion, and migration but inhibited the apoptosis of ccRCC cells, while EHD2 interference showed opposite functions. EHD2 interference can inhibit the development of ccRCC by inhibiting the proliferation, invasion, and migration, and EHD2 can potentially serve as a molecular target for the clinical treatment of ccRCC.

[Identification of circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood for gliomas by detection of aneuploid cells]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of detecting circulating tumor cells based on capture of heteroploid chromosome cells in peripheral blood of glioma patients. Methods: A total of 88 patients who were considered to suffer from gliomas and 10 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study during January 2016 to December 2016 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, from whom 6 ml preoperative blood was collected. Subtraction enrichment (SE)-immunostaining FISH (iFISH) was applied to capture the heteroploid chromosome 8 cells in those samples. Meanwhile, centromere probe 8(CEP-8)-FISH was used to identify aneuploid cells in 10 tumors and 10 brain tissues. Results: Numerous heteroploid chromosome 8 cells were observed in tumors whereas negative result was present in brain tissues (P<0.01). CTC was successfully detected in 90.9% glioma patients, in contrast, only one healthy volunteer was shown with a heteroploid chromosome 8 cell (P<0.01). Glial fibrillary acidic protein was not exhibited in the overwhelming majority of CTC (96.1%). High grade glioma (HGG) without IDH mutation possessed much more CTC than low grade (12.0 vs 2.2), P<0.01. Furthermore, multiploidy (≥5 copies) CTC accounted for a much significant percentage in HGG, either in tumors originating from oligodendrocyte or astrocyte (75.9% vs 56.0%), P<0.01; 62.7% vs 51.7%, P=0.016, respectively). Conclusion: CTC could be identified and enumerated in glioma by detecting aneuploidy cells in blood. The number and multiploidy proportion of CTC may be correlative with tumor grade and molecular characteristics.

[Continuous renal replacement therapy combined with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for pediatric cardiopulmonary failure]

Objective: To explore the effectiveness and safety of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) combined with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on rescuing pediatric patients with cardiopulmonary failure. Methods: The medical records of patients treated with ECMO admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in Shanghai Children's Hospital from December 2015 to November 2017 were retrospectively extracted. There were 14 patients treated with ECMO combined with CRRT (ECMO+ CRRT group) due to acute kidney injury (AKI) or fluid overload, while 11 cases treated with ECMO only. The demographics and clinical characteristics of patients, the indications, details and complications of ECMO and CRRT support, and the survival rates were analyzed. Results: A total of 25 cases including 15 boys and 10 girls with cardiopulmonary failure treated with ECMO were enrolled in this study, whose median age and body weight were 9 (1-117) months and 10 (2-42) kg. The median duration of ECMO support was 199.2 h, and the median duration of CRRT was 78.6 h. Among the 14 cases in ECMO + CRRT group, 12 cases were treated with CRRT connected to ECMO pipeline, and 2 other cases were treated with independently operated CRRT. The serum level of creatinine was significantly higher in ECMO+ CRRT group than that in ECMO group (53 (22- 126) vs. 29 (12- 92) μmol/L, Z=-2.208, P=0.043). There was no significant difference in running time between ECMO+CRRT group and ECMO group ((257±203) vs. (122± 83) h, t=-2.062, P=0.051). And the incidence of thrombocytopenia was higher in ECMO+CRRT group than that in ECMO group (10/14 vs. 3/11 , χ(2)=4.812, P=0.028). There were no differences in the successful weaning rate and discharge survival rate between ECMO + CRRT and ECMO group (9 vs. 8, χ(2)= 0.203, P= 0.652 and 8 vs. 8, χ(2)= 0.659, P= 0.417, respectively). Conclusion: The combination of CRRT and ECMO is an effective and safe treatment to alleviate fluid overload and improve kidney function in pediatric patients with cardiopulmonary failure.

[Effects of continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration in patients with severe Kawasaki disease complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome]

Objective: To explore the effects of continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) as a rescue therapy in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Methods: The medical records of 5 patients diagnosed as KD with MODS treated with CVVHDF, who were admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Shanghai Children's Hospital from November 2015 to October 2017 were retrospectively collected. The inflammatory factors and parameters of organ function before and after CVVHDF treatment were analyzed. Wilcoxon test was used to compare the changes of parameters before and after CVVHDF treatment. Results: The pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) and the pediatric risk of score mortality score Ⅲ (PRISMⅢ) were 74.0 (70.0, 81.0) and 14.5 (12.5, 17.0), respectively. The duration of CVVHDF treatment was 46.0 (24.5, 48.0) h. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), blood lactic acid were significantly decreased after the CVVHDF treatment (0.4 (0.1, 28.8) vs. 142.0 (123.1, 1 454.6) ng/L, Z=-2.023, P=0.043; 0.1 (0.1, 9.3) vs. 1.7(1.1, 30.0) ng/L, Z=-2.023, P=0.043; 1.2(1.1,1.4) vs. 2.5(2.4, 2.7) mmol/L, Z=-2.041, P=0.041 respectively). Moreover, the lung, liver and kidney function were significantly improved as indicated by the ratio of PaO(2) to FiO(2) (380.0 (182.5, 397.5) vs. 160.0 (52.5, 185.0)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), Z=2.041, P=0.041), the level of total bilirubin ((14.9±1.3) vs. (86.4±9.9) μmol/L), and the levels of creatinine (2 cases: 24.0vs. 103.0 μmol/L, 38.0 vs. 142.0 μmol/L). Conclusion: CVVHDF as an adjuvant therapy can rapidly reduce the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α,and improve the organ functions in children with KD complicated with MODS.

A light and electron microscopy study of the yak placentome

Background and Materials and methods: In order to clarify and reveal the morphological characteristics of yak placentomes, placentomes obtained from 151 to 180 days of pregnant yaks were observed using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Results: The results indicated that sessile, dome-shaped yak placentomes seemed to have a relatively complex villous-crypt architecture pattern. There was a straight maternal plate beneath the placentome. Plentiful uterine glands and a dense cellular layer were present in the endometrium lamina propria close to the maternal plate. Trophoblast giant cells appeared to have similar ultrastructure features to these in other ruminants, including abundant mitochondria, an extensive array of rough endoplasmic reticulum, advanced Golgi complex and many specific secretory granules. Trophoblast giant cells could also secrete neutral and acid glycoconjugates. Furthermore, numerous glycoconjugates were distributed in the connective zones between mononuclear trophoblast cells and crypt epithelial cells as well as in maternal connective tissues. Mononucleate trophoblast cells, which had abundant microvilli that interdigitated with the corresponding microvilli arising from the crypt epithelial cells, had numerous mitochondria and vesicles, but there were no glycoconjugates. Conclusions: The morphological structures of yak placentomes were similar to those of other bovid genera; however, certain differences were observed. These findings might provide morphological evidence for evolutionary relationships between different bovid genera.

The potential of cadmium ion-immobilized Rhizobium pusense KG2 to prevent soybean root from absorbing cadmium in cadmium-contaminated soil

AIMS

Because the effect of Cd2+ -immobilized microbe on Cd uptake of plants in Cd-contaminated soil remains underexplored, this study focuses on the effect of Cd2+ -immobilized rhizobia on Cd uptake of soybean.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Strain KG2 from soybean nodule was identified as Rhizobium pusense KG2 by phylogenetic analysis. Rhizobium pusense KG2 showed the 120 mg l-1 of minimal lethal concentration for Cd2+ . In 50 and 100 mg l-1 of Cd2+ liquid, approximately 2 × 1010 cells removed 56·71 and 22·11% of Cd2+ , respectively. In pot soil containing 50 and 100 mg kg-1 of Cd2+ , strain KG2 caused a 45·9 and 35·3% decrease in soybean root Cd content, respectively. Meanwhile, KG2 improved the root and shoot length, nitrogen content and biomass of soybean plants and superoxide dismutase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The Cd2+ -immobilized rhizobia could inhibit soybean plants to absorb Cd2+ from soil, promote plant growth and improve plant's tolerance against Cd. This study is the first time to report that R. pusense is an effective nodulating rhizobium of legume.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Some Cd2+ -immobilized microbe lowering Cd uptake of plant and promoting plant growth should be considered as an effective strategy for producing safety crops in the Cd-contaminated agricultural soil.

[Epidemiological survey of prevalence of HIV infection, syphilis and hepatitis C in female sex workers and other 6 risk populations in Tibet Autonomous Region]

Objective: To understand the prevalence of HIV infection, syphilis and hepatitis C and related behavioral factors in female sex workers (FSWs) and other 6 risk populations in Tibet Autonomous Region. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2 000 FSWs, 200 men who have sex with men (MSM), 200 drug users, 1 200 male migrants, 5 600 young students, as well as hospital patients and pregnant women in Lhasa, Qamdo, Nyingchi, Xigaze Shannan, Ali and Nagqum from June to December 2015. Face to face interviews were conducted to collect their demographic and behavioral information, and blood samples were collected for the tests of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. The enumeration data were described by using rate and constituent. Results: A total of 20 597 participants were involved in cross-sectional survey. The positive rates of HIV and syphilis antibodies were 5.81%(124/2 133) and 0.05% (1/2 133) respectively among FSWs. The positive rates of HIV and syphilis antibodies were the same (9.80%,10/102) among MSM. There were no HIV infection detected in among drug users, male migrants and young students, but the positive rates of syphilis antibody were 4.00%(4/100), 0.33%(4/1 297) and 0.08%(4/5 095) respectively. The positive rates of HIV and syphilis antibodies were 0.04%(2/5 565) and 1.64%(91/5 565) among hospital patients. The positive rates of HIV and syphilis antibodies were 0.11%(7/6 305) and 1.19%(75/6 305)among pregnant women. The positive rates of HCV antibody were 1.00% (1/100) among drug users and less than 0.50% in other risk populations. The overall consistent condom use rate was low. Conclusions: In Tibet, HIV infection mainly occurred in the MSM, syphilis mainly occurred in FSWs and MSM, HCV infection mainly occurred in drug users. The AIDS related knowledge awareness rate was low in these risk populations, and less of them received intervention service.

Electronic structure of multiferroic BiFeO3: Electron energy-loss spectroscopy and first-principles study

The electronic structure of BiFeO₃ has been investigated by using electron energy loss spectrum and first-principle calculations. Assignments of the individual interband transitions have been accomplished by comparing the interband transition energy with the calculated PDOS. The DOS is mainly divided into two regions, the hybridized region of O 2p with Fe 3p in the valence band and that of O 2p hybridized with Bi 6p in the conduction band. From the simulation of high energy-loss near-edge structure, the core-hole effect is believed to be more significant. The feature groups for the experimental spectra of O K-edge and Fe L_2,3-edge are consistent with simulation results.

Role of selenium addition to CdZnTe matrix for room-temperature radiation detector applications

Because of its ideal band gap, high density and high electron mobility-lifetime product, cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe or CZT) is currently the best room-temperature compound-semiconductor X- and gamma-ray detector material. However, because of its innate poor thermo-physical properties and above unity segregation coefficient for Zn, the wide spread deployment of this material in large-volume CZT detectors is still limited by the high production cost. The underlying reason for the low yield of high-quality material is that CZT suffers from three major detrimental defects: compositional inhomogeneity, high concentrations of dislocation walls/sub-grain boundary networks and high concentrations of Te inclusions/precipitates. To mitigate all these disadvantages, we report for the first time the effects of the addition of selenium to the CZT matrix. The addition of Se was found to be very effective in arresting the formation of sub-grain boundaries and its networks, significantly reducing Zn segregation, improving compositional homogeneity and resulting in much lower concentrations of Te inclusions/precipitates. Growth of the new quaternary crystal Cd_1−xZn_xTe_1−ySe_y (CZTS) by the Traveling Heater Method (THM) is reported in this paper. We have demonstrated the production of much higher yield according to its compositional homogeneity, with substantially lower sub-grain boundaries and their network, and a lower concentration of Te inclusions/precipitates.

A diaphragm-free fiber Fabry-Perot gas pressure sensor

A diaphragm-free fiber gas pressure sensor based on the extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The sensor is fabricated by fusion splicing a sandwich structure of a single mode fiber, a hollow core fiber (HCF), and a coreless fiber. A femtosecond (fs) laser is employed to drill a micro-channel on the side wall of the HCF to allow gas entering/exiting the HCF. The refractive index of the gas has a linear relationship with the gas pressure. Thus, the gas pressure can be detected by investigating the optical path difference of the EFPI. The experimental results show that the proposed sensor exhibits a high gas pressure sensitivity of ∼1.80 µm/MPa from vacuum to 10 MPa at room temperature. Pressure responses under high temperatures are also investigated. The proposed sensor has properties of robust structure, miniature size, large measuring range, and high sensitivity.

Association of VDR and OPG gene polymorphism with osteoporosis risk in Chinese postmenopausal women

AIMS

The underlying mechanisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) genetic variation associated with bone mineral density and osteoporosis remain uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the association of VDR and OPG gene polymorphism as well as gene-gene interaction and their haplotype combination with the risk of osteoporosis.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism was carried out for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection. Generalized multifactor dimension reduction (GMDR) is used to identify the interaction. SHEsis software evaluated the haplotype and logistic regression was performed to assess the association between the SNPs within the VDR and OPG genes and osteoporosis.

RESULTS

The risk of osteoporosis in the VDR-rs2228570 polymorphism T-allele carriers was significantly higher than that in CC (CT/TT versus CC) individuals (adjusted odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.76 [1.33-2.22]). The risk of osteoporosis was also higher in the G-allele carrier of the OPG-rs3102735 polymorphism than in individuals with the AA genotype (AG/GG vs. AA) (adjusted OR [95% CI] = 1.65 [1.27-2.14]). However, after adjusting for sex, age, and waist circumference covariates, no significant association of VDR-rs17879735 and OPG-rs2073618 with the osteoporosis risk was revealed. The GMDR method identified that gene-gene interactions were significant, but not for gene/AO interaction. Haplotypes were analyzed with SHEsis software. We did not detect a high-risk haplotype combination associated with osteoporosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Both VDR-rs2228570-T and OPG-rs3102735-G and their interactions are related to the increased risk of osteoporosis.

[Study on the prevalence of HIV infection and related risk behaviors among male new-type drug users in Qingdao, Shandong province]

Objective: To understand the characteristics of new-type drug consumption, sexual behaviors and the prevalence of HIV infection among male new-type drug users in Qingdao, Shandong province. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted from 2015 to 2016. Participants were recruited from MSM community-based organizations (CBO) and general community through snowball method, relying on volunteers and male peer educators who were on new-type drugs themselves. Face-to-face interview was carried to collect information on drug use and sexual behaviors. Blood samples were collected to test HIV, syphilis and HCV antibodies. Urine samples were collected to test the evidence of new-type drugs. Qualitative variables and quantitative variables were analyzed using Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze related factors of binary variables. Results: A total of 1 034 newtype drug users were recruited, including 431 (41.7%) MSM population and 603 (58.3%) who were not MSM. Compared with the the group of people who were not MSM, people in the the MSM group were younger, unmarried and with higher level of education. The proportion of methamphetamine users were 49.7% (214/431) and 100.0% (603/603) among the groups of MSM or not MSM, respectively. People in the MSM group, 66.8% (288/431) used 5-Methoxy-N, N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeODIPT, "foxy" ) in the last six months. However, none from the not-MSM group ever used 5-MeO-DIPT. In the last six months, proportions of sharing new-type drugs with more than two people in the MSM or not groups were 87.9% (379/431) and 97.7% (588/602), respectively (χ(2)=39.84, P<0.01). Proportions of unprotected sexual behavior among the MSM or not groups were 47.5% (285/600) and 7.4% (32/430) respectively (χ(2)=190.10, P<0.01). The proportions of 'group sex' after using drugs among the two groups were 78.1% (335/429) and 5.5% (33/600) respectively (χ(2)=573.73, P<0.01). The prevalence rates of HIV, syphilis and HCV antibody positive among the MSM or not groups were 2.1% and 0.2%, 3.3% and 6.3%, 0.0% and 0.3%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of sharing new-type drugs with more than two people was high among male new-type drug users in Qingdao city. Male new-type-drug-users who were MSM, presented both high prevalence of group sex and HIV infection, and with less condom use. Intervention measures towards this sub-population should be strengthened.

[Multicenter investigation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation application in pediatric intensive care unit in China]

Objective: To survey the conduction and evaluate the effectiveness of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in China mainland. Methods: In a questionnaire-based survey, we retrospectively reviewed the application of ECMO in children's hospital and general hospital in China mainland to summarize and analyze the categories of diseases and prognosis of children treated with ECMO therapy. Results: By December 31, 2017, a total of 23 hospitals using ECMO, including 22 tertiary referral hospitals and 1 secondary hospital, among which 16 were children's hospitals and 7 were general hospitals. Thirty-seven ECMO equipment was available. A total of 518 patients treated with ECMO, within whom 323 (62.4%) successfully weaned from ECMO and 262 (50.6%) survived to discharge. Among 375 pediatric patients, 233 (62.1%) were successfully weaned from ECMO and 186 (49.6%) survived to discharge. Among 143 newborn patients, 90 (62.9%) successfully weaned from ECMO, 76 (53.1%) survived to discharge. ECMO was applied in veno-arterial (VA) mode to 501 (96.7%) patients, veno-venous (VV) mode to 14 (2.7%) patients, and VV-VA conversion mode to 3 (0.6%) patients. Sixty-nine patients required extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), including 20 newborn patients (29.0%) and 38 pediatric patients (71.0%), who were all with cardiovascular disease. Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (26/61), persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) (12/61), and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) (11/61) are the most common pulmonary diseases in newborn patients; among whom, infants with PPHN had highest survival rate (10/12), followed by MAS (9/11). Among newborn patients with cardiovascular diseases, those who admitted were after surgery for congenital cardiac disease were the most common (54/82), while those with septic shock had the highest survival rate (2/3). In pediatric pulmonary diseases, acute respiratory distress syndrome was the most common (42/93), while plastic bronchitis was with the highest survival rate (4/4), followed by viral pneumonia (13/16). Among pediatric cardiovascular diseases, congenital cardiac defect was the most common (124/282), while fulminant myocarditis had the highest survival rate (54/77). Conclusion: The application of ECMO as a rescue therapy for children with severe cardiopulmonary failure has dramatically developed in China mainland.

Resolution gain in space-time digital holography by self-assembling of the object frequencies

Space-time digital holography (STDH) exploits the object motion to record the hologram in a hybrid ST domain. This representation adds new capabilities to conventional DH, e.g., unlimited field of view and variable phase shifting. This is the best candidate for imaging biological samples flowing in microfluidic channels. Here, we show that STDH is able to improve the spatial resolution as well. Different from other super-resolution approaches, stitching between holograms or their spectra is no longer required. Moreover, we introduce a new oblique STDH modality to record and process hybrid ST representations. This allows improving resolution in 2D with one single object scan, paving the way to the use of STDH for super-resolution imaging onboard microfluidic devices.

Distribution of epidermal growth factor receptor, bone morphogenetic protein-2, and p53 in kidney of healthy newborn, adult and old highland-plateau yaks

BACKGROUND

Kidney has long been thought to be a body's largest organ of elimination for maintaining acid-base balance. In recent years, the research on kidneys has mainly focused on the structural characteristics of the kidney of single age group animals. In this paper we used histological and immunohistochemical methods to observe and compare the structure characteristics of yak kidney and the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and p53 in the kidney of yaks of three different age groups. The aim of the study was to investigate histological characteristics of age-related chan- ges in the kidney of yak and expression and localisation of kidney-related factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen healthy male and female yaks from highland plateaus (three groups: newborn, adult and old yaks, n = 5 per group). Histo- logical methods were used to compare the relevant characteristics of the kidney of yaks. The immunohistochemistry method was used to observe the expression and localisation of EGFR, BMP-2, and p53 of the kidney of different ages, and the optical density value was measured and analysed by using image analysis software.

RESULTS

This is an overall observation of the kidney tissue section, which includes the surface of the renal capsule and the internal parenchyma. In the renal parenchyma, there are renal corpuscles, renal tubules. The internal substance included cortex and medulla, which were bounded by the arched artery. In the cortex, there were renal corpuscles, convoluted part of renal tubules (proximal convoluted tubule and distal convoluted tubule) and collecting tubules. The medulla included straight parts of renal tubules (proximal straight tubule and distal straight tubule), thin segments and collecting tubules. It was observed that the organisational structure of the kidney of yaks did not change with age, but the degree of development of the internal structure (glomeruli, renal tubules and collecting tubules) of the kidney changed with age. Immunohistochemical results demonstrated that EGFR and BMP-2-positive reaction in the newborn group was mainly distributed in the proximal tubule epithelial cells, and widely distributed in the adult and old groups. However, the p53-positive reaction was widely distributed in the newborn, adult and old groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results revealed that the kidney structure tended to be com- pleted with age, and the function of the kidney gradually improved. EGFR and BMP-2 had the effect of promoting kidney development. However, p53 had been widely distributed in the newborn kidney of the yaks. It is suggested that p53 had been involved in cell migration and metabolic differentiation and self-renewal in the new stage.

[Diagnosis and treatment of canal conversion during canalith repositioning procedure for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

Objective:To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of canal conversion during canalith repositioning procedure for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.Method:The clinic features, nystagmus characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of the patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo who suffered from canal conversion during canalith repositioning procedure were analyzed retrospectively.All patients'positioning test and canalith repositioning procedure were done with the aid of videonystagmography.Result:A total of 186 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were diagnosed and performed canalith repositioning procedure.Eight patients (4.3%) developed canal conversion after canalith repositioning procedure.Of these 8 patients,5 cases with posterior canal canalolithiasis converted to lateral canal canalolithiasis,2 cases with lateral canal canalolithiasis converted to posterior canal canalolithiasis,and 1 case with posterior canal canalolithiasis converted to anterior canal canalolithiasis. All cases recovered well under the corresponding repositioning procedure.Conclusion:The change of the characteristics of positioning nystagmus is the major diagnostic feature of canal conversion. Accurate diagnosis and targeted repositioning procedure are the key to the success of canal conversion treatment.

Analytical validation of quantitative immunohistochemical assays of tumor infiltrating lymphocyte biomarkers

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), especially T-cells, have both prognostic and therapeutic applications. The presence of CD8+ effector T-cells and the ratio of CD8+ cells to FOXP3+ regulatory T-cells have been used as biomarkers of disease prognosis to predict response to various immunotherapies. Blocking the interaction between inhibitory receptors on T-cells and their ligands with therapeutic antibodies including atezolizumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab and tremelimumab increases the immune response against cancer cells and has shown significant improvement in clinical benefits and survival in several different tumor types. The improved clinical outcome is presumed to be associated with a higher tumor infiltration; therefore, it is thought that more accurate methods for measuring the amount of TIL could assist prognosis and predict treatment response. We have developed and validated quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays for CD3, CD8 and FOXP3 for immunophenotyping T-lymphocytes in tumor tissue. Various types of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues were immunolabeled with anti-CD3, anti-CD8 and anti-FOXP3 antibodies using an IHC autostainer. The tumor area of stained tissues, including the invasive margin of the tumor, was scored by a pathologist (visual scoring) and by computer-based quantitative image analysis. Two image analysis scores were obtained for the staining of each biomarker: the percent positive cells in the tumor area and positive cells/mm² tumor area. Comparison of visual vs. image analysis scoring methods using regression analysis showed high correlation and indicated that quantitative image analysis can be used to score the number of positive cells in IHC stained slides. To demonstrate that the IHC assays produce consistent results in normal daily testing, we evaluated the specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility of the IHC assays using both visual and image analysis scoring methods. We found that CD3, CD8 and FOXP3 IHC assays met the fit-for-purpose analytical acceptance validation criteria and that they can be used to support clinical studies.

Combining the randomized response technique and the network scale-up method to estimate the female sex worker population size: an exploratory study

OBJECTIVES

Recall bias, barrier effects, transmission error, and response bias affecting the network scale-up method (NSUM) led the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World Health Organization to designate NSUM as a developing method for estimating the size of high-risk populations in 2010. The method has subsequently been adjusted for three of these biases. The present study, therefore, aimed to explore the combination of the randomized response technique (RRT) and NSUM to adjust the last remaining bias.

STUDY DESIGN

RRT was used in an NSUM survey to estimate the population proportion of female sex workers (FSWs) in Taiyuan, China, in 2012.

METHODS

Multiplier method estimates and national-level estimates of the population proportion of FSWs were used as criteria to assess the aforementioned results.

RESULTS

Successful interviews were completed with 96.4% of the respondents selected for the NSUM survey. The NSUM estimate fell within the range of the national-level estimates of the population proportion of FSWs in Asia and was close to the estimate yielded by the multiplier method.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, the combination of RRT and NSUM obtained a high response rate and produced a reliable estimate of the size of a high-risk population.

[Risk factors related to HIV new infections among men who have sex with men in a cohort study]

Objectives: To analyze and understand the risk factors related to HIV new infections among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: A longitudinal observational study among MSM was conducted to collect information on HIV related behaviors and sero-conversion. Univariate and multivariate generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to discuss the risk factors for HIV new infection. Results: A total number of 4 305 MSM were followed during 2013-2015. Among those self-reported MSM who are seeking partners on the Interner tended to have higher proportion on receptive anal intercourse and consistent condom use during anal intercourse than the subgroups seeking their partners in gay bars or bathrooms. HIV incidence among followed MSM during the study period appeared as 4.3/100 person years, with adjusted RR (aRR) of HIV infection for receptive anal intercourse as group 2.20 (95% CI: 1.49-3.24) times than that of insertion anal intercourse group. Those who used rush-poppers (aRR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.10-2.17), unprotected anal intercourse (aRR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.62-3.08), and those with syphilis infection (aRR=2.95, 95%CI: 2.00-4.35) were also risk factors for HIV new infections. After controlling other factors, the relationship between the ways of seeking partners and HIV new infection was not statistical significant. Conclusion: Risk factors for HIV new infection among MSM appeared complex and interactive, suggesting that further studies are needed to generate tailored strategies for the prevention of HIV epidemic among MSM population.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the genetic association between protamine polymorphism and male infertility

While several previous studies have proposed an association between male infertility and protamine polymorphism, the reported findings have shown some inconsistency. To evaluate the potential association between the two most common single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2301365 and rs1646022) in protamine and male infertility, we performed a meta-analysis involving 2713 cases and 2086 controls from 15 published case-controlled studies. Overall, our analysis showed significant associations between the specific protamine single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2301365) and male infertility, and this association was indicated by all of the models we tested. Subgroup analysis revealed significant associations with a Caucasian background, PCR sequence, population-based, case size of > 150 and case size of < 150 subgroups. Similarly, significant associations were found between rs1646022 and male infertility in the hospital population and case size of < 200 subgroups. However, trial sequential analysis showed that the number of patients in the study did not reach optimal information size. Further studies with larger sample sizes are now warranted to clarify the potential roles of the two protamine polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of male infertility. This may help us to understand the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of protamines upon male infertility.

A RHAG point mutation selectively disrupts Rh antigen expression

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to characterise a novel mutation in the gene encoding RhAG in order to elucidate a molecular mechanism for Rh antigen expression and spherocytosis.

BACKGROUND

Rhesus-associated glycoprotein (RhAG) is critical for maintaining the structure and stability of erythrocytes. Single missense mutations in the gene encoding RhAG are sufficient to induce spherocytosis and deficiencies in Rh complex formation. We report a novel missense mutation that incompletely disrupts Rh antigen expression and selectively knocks out RhD antigen expression.

METHODS

Blood samples were taken from a 38-year-old male, his brother, his wife and his daughter in Xi'an, China. To detect the proband's RhAG and D antigen expression, the RBC were stained with anti-D and anti-RhAG and analysed by flow cytometry. Red blood cell morphology was detected with atomic force microscopy (AFM). Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood samples, and the RHD, RHCE and RHAG alleles were sequenced and analysed. The mutation was mapped onto a predicted crystal structure of RhAG by the I-TASSER server and visualised using PyMOL.

RESULTS

Morphological testing by AFM found clear evidence of spherocytosis in the proband's erythrocytes. RHAG gene sequencing identified the mutation at sequence 236G > A, resulting in a serine to asparagine substitution at residue 79 (S79N). Family survey indicated that inheriting this allele is necessary and sufficient to cause the condition. Mapping the mutation onto a predicted crystal structure of RhAG revealed the proximity of the mutation to the critical structural elements of the protein.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel RHAG mutation significantly lowers RhAG antigen expression and antigen-mediated agglutination intensity.

Thymoquinone protects against cerebral small vessel disease: Role of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a leading cause of progressive decline of cognition and a major risk factor for stroke. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the major biological component of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) and its extracts. We explored the possible protective effect of TQ against CSVD in strokeprone spontaneously hypertensive SHRsp rats. Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were conducted to evaluate memory and cognitive function. mRNA expression of inflammatory factors were determined and oxidative stress was evaluated. We showed that TQ markedly decreased the level of systolic blood pressure in SHRsp rats. TQ reduced the escape latency time and the time spent in the target quadrant in the Morris water maze test in SHRsp rats. TQ also decreased the time spent with the novel object in SHRsp rats in both short- and long-term memory tests. TQ markedly increased the capacity to distinguish between familiar objects and novel objects in the SHRsp rats in the short- and long-term memory tests. The mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 in the brain of SHRsp rats was remarkably decreased by TQ, indicating the reduction of inflammation. Moreover, TQ increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, decreased the malondialdehyde level and increased glutathione level in the brain of SHRsp rats, indicating the attenuation of oxidative stress. In summary, we found that TQ could effectively attenuate the blood pressure and the injury of memory and cognition under the condition of CSVD. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of TQ may be responsible for its protective effect. We demonstrate that TQ is a novel candidate for the treatment of CSVD and its neurological outcome.

The SET protein promotes androgen production in testicular Leydig cells

Approximately 40% of middle‐aged men exhibit symptoms of late‐onset hypogonadism (LOH). However, the mechanism of androgen deficiency is still currently unclear. As shown in our previous studies, the SET protein is expressed in testicular Leydig cells and ovarian granule cells. This study was designed to investigate the effect of the SET protein on androgen production in Leydig cells. The AdCMV/SET and AdH1siRNA/SET adenoviruses were individually transduced into a cultured mouse Leydig cell line (mLTC‐1) with or without human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) stimulation in vitro. The primary mouse Leydig cells were used to confirm the main data from mLTC‐1 cells. The SET protein was expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of mLTC‐1 cells. Testosterone production was significantly increased in mLTC‐1 cells overexpressing the SET protein compared with the control group (p < 0.05), whereas testosterone production was significantly decreased in the SET knockdown mLTC‐1 cells (p < 0.05). Consistent with the testosterone levels, the expression levels of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) and cytochrome P450c17α‐hydroxylase (CYP17a1) mRNAs and proteins synchronously changed according to the expression level of the SET protein. Interestingly, the expression of the SET protein was significantly increased in the mLTC‐1 cells stimulated with 0.04 and 0.1 U/mL hCG. In the mLTC‐1 cells transfected with AdH1siRNA/SET and concurrently stimulated with 0.1 U/mL hCG, both testosterone production and StAR expression were significantly lower than in the cells without SET knockdown (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the SET protein participates in regulating testosterone production by increasing the expression of StAR and CYP17a1, and it may be a downstream factor of the classic luteinizing hormone (LH)/luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) signaling pathway. This study improves our understanding of the intracellular mechanism of testicular steroidogenesis and the pathophysiological mechanism of LOH in the aging male.