Investigation of the predisposing factor of pemphigus and its clinical subtype through a genome-wide association and next generation sequence analysis

BACKGROUND

Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and foliaceus (PF) as the two major histological subtypes. Associations with HLA molecules have been suggested, but specific HLA risk variants as well as non-HLA risk variants remain to be discovered.

METHODS

We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study in the Chinese Han population through a genome-wide discovery analysis and follow-up validation analysis in a total number of 210 PV, 159 PF and 2493 healthy controls. HLA imputation as well as high coverage next generation sequencing based HLA genotyping was employed to investigate the association of classical HLA alleles and amino acid change.

RESULTS

We have discovered independent novel associations with PF at rs2178077 on 12q24.33, located next to RAN (P_PF = 1.57 × 10^-9 ) and rs3888722 within the MHC region (P = 6.73 × 10^-9 ). For the HLA variants, we confirmed independent genome-wide level risk associations in HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1, with DQB1*05:03 to be the strongest association with PV (P = 8.59 × 10^-68 , OR = 31.16) and PF (P = 4.84 × 10^-17 , OR = 5.64). In addition, DRB1*14 was demonstrated to be a second independent variants (P = 4.2 × 10^-63 , OR = 35.47) for PV, while DRB1*04:06 was demonstrated to be the second independent signal (P = 7.44 × 10^-13 , OR = 5.58) for PF.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings advance our understanding of the genetic basis of pemphigus susceptibility and may offer opportunities for risk prediction and preventive treatment for pemphigus, in particular for PV.

A methodology for thermo-mechanical assessment of in-box LOCA events on fusion blankets and its application to EU DEMO HCPB breeding blanket

Within the framework of EUROfusion research activities, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is developing the Helium Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) breeding blanket (BB) for European demonstration fusion power plant (DEMO), with the support of BME and Wigner-RCP (Hungary) and CIEMAT (Spain). During the development of the BB concept in the past years, the in-box Loss Of Coolant Accident (LOCA) has been identified as a main design driver for BB. During this event, a leakage of pressurized coolant within the blanket box happens (in-box LOCA), pressurizing the blanket module and endangering its structural integrity. This accident has not been investigated in a detailed approach yet. In this paper, a more precise methodology is introduced taking into account the temperature evolution of the structure for assessing the structural integrity of BB under in-box LOCA and has been applied to the HCPB BB. The methodology and results are presented and critically discussed.

Inhibition of arginase via jugular infusion of Nω-hydroxy-nor-l-arginine inhibits casein synthesis in lactating dairy cows

A previous in vitro study revealed that Arg elicits positive effects on casein synthesis through alterations of the Arg-ornithine pathway in bovine mammary epithelial cells. The main purpose of this work was to determine the effects of arginase inhibition using N^ω-hydroxy-nor-l-arginine (nor-NOHA) on milk protein synthesis in vivo. Six healthy Chinese Holstein cows with similar body weight (550.0 ± 20 kg; means ± standard deviation), parity (4), body condition score (3.0), milk yield (21.0 ± 1.0 kg), and days in milk (80 ± 2) were selected and randomly assigned to 3 treatments in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 22 d for each period (7 d for infusion and 15 d for washout). The treatments were (1) control: saline infusion; (2) nor-NOHA: infusion of 125 mg/L of nor-NOHA; (3) nor-NOHA + Arg: infusion of 125 mg/L of nor-NOHA with 9.42 g/L of Arg. The activity of enzymes related to Arg metabolism, milk protein synthesis, and expression of AA transporters was determined. The infusion of nor-NOHA decreased the activity of arginase but had no effect on the activity of ornithine decarboxylase and nitric oxide synthase in serum, and these responses were the same at the gene expression level in mammary gland. In addition, the infusion of nor-NOHA also reduced protein and fat synthesis in milk but had no effect on milk yield. When Arg was infused with nor-NOHA, the activity of total arginase, ornithine decarboxylase, and nitric oxide synthase, and the concentration of casein, protein, and fat in milk did not change compared with the nor-NOHA group, but the milk protein yield, the expression of some Arg transporters (SLC7A5 and SLC7A8), and milk yield increased. Overall, results verified previous in vitro findings indicating that synthesis of casein protein is closely regulated by the Arg-ornithine pathway in bovine mammary gland.

Effect of in ovo feeding of l-arginine on the hatchability, growth performance, gastrointestinal hormones, and jejunal digestive and absorptive capacity of posthatch broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of Arg solution on the hatchability, growth performance, gastrointestinal hormones, serum AA, activities of digestive enzymes, and mRNA expressions of sensing receptors and nutrient transporters in the jejunum of posthatch broilers. One thousand two hundred embryonated eggs with similar weight were randomly allocated to 5 groups consisting of 8 replicates of 40 eggs each. The 5 treatments were arranged as a noninjected control, a diluent-injected (0.75% NaCl solution) group, and Arg solution-injected groups with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% Arg, all dissolved in diluent. At 17.5 d of incubation, 0.6 mL of IOF solution was injected into the amniotic fluid of each egg of the injected groups. Results showed the hatchability of the 2% Arg group was lower (linear, = 0.025) than that of the other groups, and the BW of 21-d-old broilers increased (linear, = 0.008; quadratic, = 0.003) with increasing IOF concentration of Arg. The ADFI (linear, = 0.005; quadratic, = 0.001) and ADG (linear, = 0.010; quadratic, = 0.004) increased during d 1 to 21 with increasing IOF concentration of Arg. For 7- and 21-d-old broilers, the weights of digestive organs increased (linear, < 0.05) with increasing IOF concentrations of Arg; the greatest values were observed in the 1% Arg group. For 21-d-old broilers, IOF of the 1% Arg solution increased ( < 0.05) the concentrations of ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide 2; the activities of digestive enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, maltase, and sucrase in the jejunum; and the concentrations of serum AA of Val, Met, Ile, Leu, Arg, and Pro compared with those of the noninjected control and diluent-injected group. In ovo feeding of the 1% Arg solution also increased ( < 0.05) the mRNA expressions of jejunal sensing receptors of taste receptor type 1 members 1 and 3; the G protein-coupled receptor, class C, group 6, subtype A; nutrient transporters of solute carrier family 7, members 4, 6, and 7; sodium-glucose transporter 1; and fatty acid-binding protein 1. In conclusion, the 1% Arg solution was the appropriate injection level. In ovo feeding of the 1% Arg solution did not affect the hatchability but facilitated the release of gastrointestinal hormones, increasing the digestive and absorptive capacity and finally improving the growth performance of 21-d-old broilers. Therefore, IOF of the appropriate Arg solution could be an effective technology for regulating early nutrition supply and subsequent growth development in the poultry industry.

Different oxidative status and expression of calcium channel components in stress-induced dysfunctional chicken muscle

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of transport stress at high ambient temperatures on the oxidation status and the expression of essential elements responsible for the Ca transport (sarco- (endo-) plasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA1) and the ryanodine receptor (RyR) in (PM) muscles of broilers. Briefly, Arbor Acres broiler chickens ( = 112) were randomly categorized into 2 treatments: unstressed control (C) and 0.5 h transport (T). Each treatment consisted of 8 replicates of 7 birds each. Birds were transported according to a designed protocol. PM muscle samples in T group were collected and classified as normal (T-NOR) or pale, soft, and exudative-like (T-PSE) using meat quality parameters. The results indicated that production of corticosterone (CORT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased significantly after transportation ( < 0.05). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values and carbonyl contents increased significantly in the T group ( < 0.05). Moreover, the extent of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation was more severe in the T-PSE group compared to the T-NOR group ( < 0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of SERCA1 and αRyR increased in the T-NOR group but decreased significantly in the T-PSE group compared to the CON group ( < 0.05). The mRNA expression of βRyR was found to be enhanced in the T-NOR group compared to the CON group, whereas there was no difference in the T-PSE group ( < 0.05). The results indicate that short-distance transport of broilers affects their physiological responses and biochemical changes which may lead to different oxidative states and, importantly, to different expressions of SERCA and RyR. These induced changes in abnormal sarcoplasmic Ca homeostasis have significant implications for the development of PSE-like meat.

Mathematical modelling of growth of Listeria monocytogenes in raw chilled pork

The aim of this study was to analyse the growth kinetics of Listeria monocytogenes in naturally contaminated chilled pork. A cocktail of 26 meat-borne L. monocytogenes was inoculated to raw or sterile chilled pork to observe its growth at 4, 10, 16, 22 and 28°C respectively. The growth data were fitted by the Baranyi model and Ratkowsky square-root model. Results showed that the Baranyi model and Ratkowsky square-root model could describe the growth characteristics of L. monocytogenes at different temperatures reasonably well in raw chilled pork (1·0 ≤ Bf ≤ Af ≤ 1·1). Compared with the growth of L. monocytogenes in sterile chilled pork, the background microflora had no impact on the growth parameters of L. monocytogenes, except for the lag phase at low temperature storage. The microbial predictive models developed in this study can be used to predict the growth of L. monocytogenes during natural spoilage, and construct quantitative risk assessments in chilled pork.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study simulated the actual growth of Listeria monocytogenes in chilled pork to the maximum extent, and described its growth characteristics of L. monocytogenes during natural spoilage. This study showed that the background microflora had no impact on the growth parameters of L. monocytogenes, except for the lag phase at low temperature storage. The models developed in this study can be used to predict the growth of L. monocytogenes during refrigerated storage.

Ultrasound hyperthermia induces apoptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An in vitro study

Background

Hyperthermia is considered an efficient complement in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Hyperthermia induces cell apoptosis in a temperature- and time-dependent manner. However, the molecular mechanism of hyperthermia remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of apoptosis induced by ultrasound hyperthermia in HNSCC cell lines HN-30 and HN-13.

Material and Methods

We examined the dynamic changes of early apoptosis and secondary necrosis in HN-30 and HN-13 cells treated by hyperthermia at 42°C for 10 min. We further examined mitochondrial membrane potential in vitro by ultrasound hyperthermia for different heating temperatures (38-44°C, 10 min) and heating times (42°C, 10-50 min). After heating by ultrasound at 42°C for 10 min, the apoptosis index achieved its highest level at 8 h after treatment, decreased rapidly and remained constant at a reduced level at 12 h.

Results

The level of secondary necrosis increased with the level of early apoptosis but remained at a higher level until 14 h. The level of secondary necrosis correlated with the level of early apoptosis (HN-13: r=0.7523, P=0.0030; HN-30: r=0.6510, P=0.016). The fractions of cells with low mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ) in the heating-temperature grads group and heating-time grads group decreased significantly over time. Therefore, HN-30 and HN-13 cells developed apoptosis after ultrasound hyperthermia treatment with decreases in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential level.

Conclusions

Ultrasound hyperthermia induces apoptosis in HN-30 and HN-13 cells, possibly via the mitochondrial caspase pathway.

Key words:Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, ultrasound hyperthermia.

Two-year follow-up of patients with septic shock presenting with low HDL: the effect upon acute kidney injury, death and estimated glomerular filtration rate

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is associated with decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. HDL has anti-inflammatory properties, and the use of Apo A-I mimetic peptides is associated with renal function improvement in animal models of sepsis. However, it is not known whether decreased HDL level results in impaired renal function in human sepsis. We investigated whether low levels of HDL conferred an increased risk of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) or long-term decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after sepsis.

METHODS

HDL concentration (mg dL^-1 ) was measured in plasma samples from 180 patients with septic shock at admission to the Emergency Department (ED). We divided the patients using median HDL as a cut-off value and assessed the frequency of sepsis-associated AKI and long-term decreased eGFR after sepsis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Patients with low HDL had a significantly greater frequency of KDIGO 2 or 3 sepsis-associated AKI [39/90 (43.3%) vs. 12/90 (13.3%), P < 0.001] and decreased long-term eGFR [24/58 (41.4%) vs. 11/57 (19.3%), P = 0.018] compared to those with high HDL. The adjusted OR for sepsis-associated AKI and decreased eGFR after sepsis in the lower HDL group was 2.80 (95% CI 1.08-7.25, P = 0.033) and 5.45 (95% CI 1.57-18.93, P = 0.008), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Low HDL levels during sepsis are associated with increased risk of sepsis-associated AKI, and/or subsequent decreased eGFR. These results suggest that HDL may be involved and/or may be a marker of kidney injury during and after sepsis.

[Application of frailty index for comprehensive geriatric assessment in the elderly in China]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the suitability of frailty index for comprehensive geriatric assessment(FI-CGA)in the elderly in China, and evaluate the application of FI-CGA in China.

METHODS

A comprehensive geriatric assessment was conducted among 118 old adults receiving health examination, and frailty index was calculated. Clinical frailty scale(CFS)was also used to evaluate the frail status of the old adults. The correlation between FI-CGA value and CFS level of the old adults was analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean value of FI-CGA was 0.19 ± 0.07, and the average level of CFS was 3.11 ± 1.46. Women had higher mean value of FI-CGA and higher CFS level than men(FI-CGA= 0.20 ± 0.02 for women, 0.19 ± 0.07 for men; CFS =3.40 ± 0.55 for women, 3.10 ± 1.48 for men), but the differences had no significance(t=0.270, 0.452, P=0.788, 0.652). The FI-CGA value and CFS level increased with age(F=10.437, 5.651, P=0.000, 0.001); and there was a positive correlation between FI-CGA value and CFS level(r=0.615, P=0.000).

CONCLUSION

FI-CGA is an effective model for the quantitative evaluation of the frail status of the elderly, and can be used in the clinical practice of geriatric medicine.

[Synthesis and in vitro characterization of chitosan microspheres/ceramic bovine bone composite scaffold]

OBJECTIVE

The chitosan microspheres encapsulated with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) were prepared by the emulsion cross-linking method. Then the chitosan microspheres were loaded in the ceramic bovine bone (CBB) to achieve the drug delivery system.

METHODS

The chemical structure and surface morphology of the drug delivery system were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation. Characterization preserved the loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of the BMP-2. The dynamic immersion method was used to examine the in vitro release characteristic of BMP-2.

RESULTS

The chitosan microspheres were successfully encapsulated BMP-2 by cross-linking method. The microspheres were micron-sized (5.982 μm) and spherical in shape with smooth surface morphology. From the release experiments, it was found that 5 mg chitosan/BMP-2 soaked for 21 days with a gradual release of BMP-2. The concentration of BMP-2 was (239.1±20.0) mg/L on Day 21. The in vitro experiment showed that this novel drug delivery system could accelerate MC3T3-E1 cells proliferation and osteogenic differentiation.

CONCLUSION

The drug delivery system achieves the biological function of BMP-2 and sustaining slow release in bone repair parts. Also it can provide the basis for repair of bone tissue defect treatment and the selection of bone tissue engineering scaffolds.

Effects of dietary supplementation with carnosine on meat quality and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens

1. This study aimed to investigate the effects of carnosine supplementation on meat quality, antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation status in broiler chickens. 2. A total of 256 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to 4 treatments consisting of 8 replicates of 8 chickens each. The birds were supplied with 4 different diets: a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg carnosine, respectively. The whole experiment lasted 42 d. 3. The results showed that dietary supplementation with carnosine linearly increased the values of pH_45 min and redness and reduced drip loss of breast meat. Dietary carnosine increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in liver, serum and breast meat and decreased the contents of lipid peroxides at 21 and 42 d of age. 4. These findings indicated that dietary supplementation with carnosine was beneficial to enhance meat quality, antioxidant capacity and decrease lipid peroxidation status of breast meat.

Hypoxia inducible factor-1α-induced interleukin-33 expression in intestinal epithelia contributes to mucosal homeostasis in inflammatory bowel disease

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), an important barrier to gut microbiota, are subject to low oxygen tension, particularly during intestinal inflammation. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is expressed highly in the inflamed mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and functions as a key regulator in maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. However, how IEC-derived HIF-1α regulates intestinal immune responses in IBD is still not understood completely. We report here that the expression of HIF-1α and IL-33 was increased significantly in the inflamed mucosa of IBD patients as well as mice with colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS). The levels of interleukin (IL)-33 were correlated positively with that of HIF-1α. A HIF-1α-interacting element was identified in the promoter region of IL-33, indicating that HIF-1α activity regulates IL-33 expression. Furthermore, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) facilitated the HIF-1α-dependent IL-33 expression in IEC. Our data thus demonstrate that HIF-1α-dependent IL-33 in IEC functions as a regulatory cytokine in inflamed mucosa of IBD, thereby regulating the intestinal inflammation and maintaining mucosal homeostasis.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography for the localization of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas at 3T

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (DCE-MRA) in the precise location and demonstration of fistulous points in spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs).

METHODS

Fifteen patients (14 men, 1 woman; age range: 40-78 years; mean: 55.5 years) harboring SDAVF who underwent preoperative DCE-MRA and spinal digital subtraction angiography (DSA) between January 2012 and January 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. Two reviewers independently evaluated the level and side of the arteriovenous fistula and feeding artery on 3T DCE-MRA and DSA images. The accuracy of DCE-MRA was assessed by comparing its findings with those from DSA and surgery in each case.

RESULTS

All 15 patients underwent DCE-MRA and DSA. DSA was unsuccessful in two patients due to technical difficulties. All cases were explored surgically, guided by the DCE-MRA. Surgery confirmed that 14 AVF sites were located in the thoracic spine, 5 in the lumbar spine, and 1 in the cervical spine. The origin of the fistulas and feeding arteries was accurately shown by DCE-MRA in 11 of the 15 patients. DCE-MRA also detected dilated perimedullary veins in all 15 patients. Overall, DCE-MRA facilitated DSA catheterization in 10 cases. In six patients, the artery of Adamkiewicz could be observed. In 15 out of 20 fistulas (75%), both readers agreed on the location on DCE-MRA images, and the κ coefficient of the interobserver agreement was 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.87). In 13 of 16 shunts (75%), the DCE-MRA consensus findings and DSA findings coincided. The intermodality agreement was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.35-0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Our DCE-MRA studies benefited from the use of a high-field 3T MR imaging unit and reliably detected and localized the SDAVF and feeding arteries. As experience with this technique grows, it may be possible to replace DSA with DCE-MRA if surgery is the planned treatment.

Emperipolesis is a potential histological hallmark associated with chronic hepatitis B

Although emperipolesis exists in infectious liver diseases, the diagnostic value of emperipolesis in chronic hepatitis B is not exactly known. The aim of this study is to evaluate the histological characteristics and laboratory parameters of emperipolesis in chronic hepatitis B. Totally 402 patients with hepatitis B and other liver diseases were processed in a retrospective assessment. Inflammatory severity of hepatitis B was evaluated with Ishak Scoring System. Immunofluorescent staining was performed for CD8 (T cells), CD20 (B cells), CD56 (NK cells), CD68 (macrophages) and MPO (neutrophils). Emperipolesis was observed in 74.0% of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 82.8% of patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB). In emperipolesis, CD8(+) T cell was the main cell type. Patients with emperipolesis in CHB got high scores of inflammatory activity. Among patients with CHB, emperipolesis was present with higher serum ALT, AST and GGT levels. HBV DNA Load in patients with emperipolesis was as 10 times high as those without emperipolesis. HBeAb was significantly correlated with the evidence of emperipolesis. In chronic hepatitis B, emperipolesis was associated with severity of liver injury. The presence of emperipolesis was an indicator of active liver inflammation.