[The influence and mechanisms of purple sweet potato anthocyanins on the growth of bladder cancer BIU87 cell]

Objective: To observe the effect of purple sweet potato anthocyanins on the proliferation of bladder cancer cell line BIU87 and to investigate the molecular mechanisms. Methods: Bladder cancer BIU87 cells were cultured and exposed to anthocyanins at the different concentrations of 100, 200, 400, and 800 μg/ml respectively. The growth inhibition of anthocyanins on BIU87 cells were evaluated by morphometry and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the cell apoptosis rate was detected by Flow cytometry (FCM). Results: Morphometry showed that the number of BIU87 cells decreased, the volume shrank, the intercellular space enlarged, the ability of cell adherence weakened, and the cell shape changed when the concentration of anthocyanins increased. CCK-8 assay showed that when 100, 200, 400, 800 μg/ml anthocyanins treated BIU87 cells for 48 h, the absorbance was 24 ± 0.07, 1.15 ± 0.11, 0.90 ± 0.08, 0.56 ± 0.09, respectively. Compared with the control group, anthocyanins-treated groups significantly inhibited the proliferation of BIU87 cells (P<0.05). FCM test showed that after treatment with different doses of anthocyanins, the apoptosis rate was 7.31%, 11.11%, 25.96%, 36.28%, respectively, and with the concentration of anthocyanins being higher, the apoptosis rate of BIU87 cells was being higher. Conclusion: Purple sweet potato anthocyanins can inhibit the growth of bladder cancer BIU87 cells through inducing cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.

[Herpes simplex virus-2 infection and related factors among female drug abusers in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation center of Shandong province]

Objective: This study aimed to understand the herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) infection and related factors among female drug abusers in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation center of Shandong province and to provide reference for the prevention and control of HSV-2 in these settings. Methods: We screened all of 451 female drug abusers in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation centers in of Shandong province and conducted a study using both questionnaire investigation and serological tests for HSV-2, HIV and syphilis. We also used EpiData 3.1 software to establish a database and SPSS 20.0 software to conduct the χ(2) test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 451 female drug abusers were under study. We noticed that the rates for HSV-2 infection, HIV infection and syphilis infection appeared as 72.1% (325/451), 2.2% (10/451) and 33.5% (151/451) respectively. Results from univariate analysis showed that factors as: awareness on AIDS, having temporary sex partner after using the drug, having multiple sex partners after using the drug, providing commercial services or having temporary sex practice before being detained, with syphilis infection etc., were associated with HSV-2 infection. Data from the multivariate analysis showed that the OR (95%CI) value of HSV-2 infection was 2.90 (1.19-7.06) for those who providing commercial service, when comparing to those who did not. Compared to those who did not suffer from syphilis infection, the OR (95%CI) value of HSV-2 infection for those with syphilis infection was 2.75 (1.63-4.63). Conclusions: The rate of HSV-2 infection was high in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation center of Shandong province. We should enhance measures and promote condom use to prevent from HSV-2 and other sexually transmitted diseases among them.

[Survey of HIV-1 drug resistance threshold in Shandong Province in 2013-2015]

Objective: To survey the prevalence of drug resistant HIV-1 in Shandong province in 2013-2015. Methods: WHO truncated sequential sampling technique was adopted by using 77 and 53 samples of newly diagnosed as HIV-1 positive and aged 16-25 years in Shandong province in 2013 and 2015. RNA was prepared and HIV-1 pol region was amplified by RT-PCR and nested PCR. Pol genetic mutation associated with drug resistance was analyzed. Results: The success rates for sequence acquisition of the survey were 100% (77/77) and 94% (50/53) in 2013 and 2015, and the main subtype was CRF01_AE. A total of 2 surveillance drug-resistance mutation(SDRMs) and 3 SDRMs were found by analyzing the 47 sequences each year, sampled in 2013 and 2015, indicating that the prevalence of drug resistant HIV-1 stains was low in 2013, and moderate in 2015. A total of 5 individuals with drug resistant HIV-1 stains found in this study were mainly infected by homosexual transmission (3 cases), and the other two samples were different: one was infected by heterosexual transmission, the other was infected by IDU. The subtype was CRF01_AE (2 cases) , CRF07_BC (2 cases) and B (1 case) . SDRMs for protease inhibitor (PIs), nucleotide HIV-reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTIs) and non-NRTI (NNRTIs) were all found in the individuals with drug resistant HIV-1 stains. Conclusion: CRF01_AE were the main HIV-1 subtypes of recently reported HIV-infected individuals in Shandong province, and the HIV-1 drug resistant strains transmission was catalogued as at low and moderate prevalence level in 2013 and 2015.

[Interaction between APOB gene polymorphism and risk factors in coronary heart disease patients without lipid-lowering treatment]

Objective: To investigate the association between APOB gene R532W polymorphism and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients without lipid-lowering treatment and to analyze the interactions between the variation of R532W and different risk factors of CHD. Methods: CHD and non-CHD were diagnosed according to coronary artery angiography (CAG) and/or coronary computed tomography angiogram (CTA) results, as well as clinical features. Blood samples from 771 CHD patients and 772 age- and sex-matched non-CHD controls, who never accepted any lipid-lowering treatments, were collected. R532W was genotyped by HumanExome BeadChip at BGI and strict quality control was made. Firstly, the association between R532W polymorphism and the risk of CHD in 3 genetic models (GA+ AA vs.GG, AA vs. GG+ GA, AA vs. GA vs. GG) after adjusting confounding factors was explored. Then, the interactions between the variation of this loci and risk factors related to CHD were investigated. Results: (1) Total cholesterol (TC) levels were significantly lower in AA genotype than in GA genotype in the total cohort and non-CHD controls, but was similar among the 3 genotypes in CHD patients. (2) R532W GG, GA and AA distribution was 80.7%, 18.2% and 1.2% in CHD patients, and 74.6%, 23.8% and 1.6% in non-CHD controls (P<0.05). (3) R532 polymorphism was related to the incidence of CHD in the dominant model, and A-allele carriers were related to about 35% reduced risk of CHD (OR=0.653, 95% CI 0.502-0.849, P=0.001) after adjusting for confounding factors. (4) R532W polymorphism had positive interactions with hypertension (1.452) and smoke (1.077), while negative interaction with diabetes (0.553) in the occurrence of CHD. Conclusions: APOB gene R532W polymorphism is related to TC levels in Chinese north Han population. A-allele carries of R532W loci is linked with reduced risk of CHD in the absence of lipid-lowering treatment. R532W polymorphism has a positive additive interaction with hypertension and smoke, while a negative additive interaction with diabetes mellitus in the occurrence of CHD.

[Survival analysis of surgically treated renal cell carcinoma: an analysis of 10-year data from single center]

OBJECTIVE

To explore how clinical features of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) relate to cancer patients' prognosis and survival.

METHODS

A total of 1 497 renal cell carcinoma patients received surgical treatments in Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College were admitted between January 2002 and December 2012. Telephone interviews and complimentary medical records review were carried out to acquire follow-up data, including post-surgery adjuvant therapy, disease progression and survival.

RESULTS

There were 1 326 of all 1 497 RCC cases successfully followed up, including 899 male and 427 female cases. The median age was 54(18) years (M(QR)). There were 1 049 T1 cases (79.11%), 139 T2 cases (10.48%), 125 T3 cases (9.43%), and 13 T4 cases (0.98%). As for types of surgery, there were 584 (44.04%) nephron-sparing surgery cases, and 742 (55.96%) radical nephrectomy cases. As for pathological subtypes, it included 1 153 (86.95%) clear cell renal cell carcinoma cases, and 173 (13.05%) non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma cases. Median length of follow-up was 43.6 months. During follow-up, 147 patients developed RCC related progression, with a median progression free survival of 18.2 months.Sixty-four patients died from RCC related progression, with a median cancer specific survival (CSS) of 27.7 months. RESULTS of data analysis showed that CSS rates of 1-, 5-, 10-year of T1 stage post-surgical RCC were 99.61%, 97.24%, 92.08%, respectively; CSS rates of 1-, 5-, 10-year of T2 stage were 98.51%, 92.01%, 85.08%, respectively; and CSS rates of 1-, 5-, 10-year of T3-4 stage were 92.40%, 77.99%, 42.56%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that signs of lung metastasis, signs of bone metastasis, tumor N stage, pathological subtype, microscopic sarcomatoid changing, and types of progression were major risk factors for RCC cancer specific survival (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery is the primary choice of treatment in RCC. The survival is not same with different T stage. T stage affects the progression of renal cell carcinoma. N stage, lung and bone symptoms, pathological type, sarcomatoid changes and postoperative metastasis of renal cell carcinoma will affect the mortality of patients.

[Expression of sal-like 4 in primary hepatocellular carcinoma and its association with epithelial-mesenchymal transition]

Objective: To investigate the expression of sal-like 4 (SALL4) in tissues of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its association with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: Immunohistochemistry and nucleic acid in situ hybridization were used to measure the mRNA expression of SALL4, epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), vimentin, and Snail in 72 HCC samples, 2 fetal liver samples, and 2 normal adult liver tissue samples. Results: Strong expression of SALL4 was observed in hepatoblasts in fetal liver, but SALL4 expression was not observed in primitive hematopoietic cells and normal adult hepatocytes or biliary epithelial cells. In the HCC samples, the positive rate of SALL4 was 47.2% (34/72), showing focal positive nuclear staining. The HCC patients with microscopic microvascular tumor thrombus and portal vein tumor thrombus, a serum alpha-fetoprotein level of≥ 350 ng/ml, International Union Against Cancer (UICC) stage III+IV, and an age of < 46 years showed higher positive expression of SALL4 than those with no microscopic microvascular tumor thrombus or portal vein tumor thrombus, a serum alpha-fetoprotein level of < 350 ng/ml, UICC stage I+II, and an age of≥46 years. The HCC patients with positive SALL4 showed lower postoperative disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate than those with negative SALL4 (P < 0.05). Sixty percent of the patients with microvascular tumor thrombus (21/35) showed positive expression of SALL4. The positive rate of SALL4 was negatively correlated with E-cadherin (r = -0.434, P < 0.01), but positively correlated with vimentin and Snail (vimentin: r = 0.516, P < 0.01; Snail: r = 0.571, P < 0.01). Conclusion: In patients with primary HCC, the expression of SALL4 greatly affects EMT, which helps with the research on invasion and metastasis of liver cancer and prognostic evaluation.

Successful treatment of very PPROM caused by bipolar cord coagulation in acardiac twin

The authors report management of a woman with an acardiac twin pregnancy complicated by preterm premature rupture of the membrane (PPROM) for more than two months after intrauterine treatment with bipolar cord coagulation at 24 weeks of gestation.

Karyotype analysis and ribosomal gene localization of spotted knifejaw Oplegnathus punctatus

The spotted knifejaw, Oplegnathus punctatus, is an important aquaculture fish species in China. To better understand the chromosomal microstructure and the karyotypic origin of this species, cytogenetic analysis was performed using Giemsa staining to identify metaphase chromosomes, C-banding to detect C-positive heterochromatin, silver staining to identify the nucleolus organizer regions (Ag-NORs), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for physical mapping of the major (18S rDNA) and minor (5S rDNA) ribosomal genes. The species showed a karyotype of 2n = 48 for females, composed of 2 submetacentric and 46 telocentric chromosomes, with a fundamental number (FN) = 50, while the karyotype of males was 2n = 47, composed of 1 exclusive large metacentric, 2 submetacentric, and 44 telocentric chromosomes, with FN = 50. These karyotype results suggest that O. punctatus might have an X₁X₁X₂X₂/X₁X₂Y multiple sex chromosome system. C-positive heterochromatin was distributed in the centromeres of all chromosomal pairs and in the terminal portions of some chromosomes. A single pair of Ag-positive NORs was found to be localized at the terminal regions of the short arms of the subtelocentric chromosome pair, which was supported by FISH of 18S rDNA. After FISH, 5S rDNA were located on the interstitial regions of the smallest telocentric chromosome pair. This study was the first to identify the karyotype of this species and will facilitate further research on karyotype evolution in the order Perciformes.

[A comparative study on treating femal stress urinary incontinence with TVT-Abbrevo and TVT-Obturator]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness and complications of TVT-Abbrevo (tension-free vaginal tape-Abbrevo) and TVT-Obturator (tension-free vaginal tape-obturator) for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

From Nov.2012 to Nov.2013, 117 patients suffering from SUI were treated with TVT-Abbrebo (n=79) or TVT-Obturator (n=38) procedure, the clinical efficacy and operation-correlated complications were observed.

RESULTS

A total of 117 cases, 107 cases of urinary incontinence symptoms disappeared completely, 10 cases were improved. 72 cases (91.1%) were cured and 7 cases (8.9%) were improved in TVT-Abbrevo group; 35 cases (92.1%) were cured and 3 cases (7.9%) were improved in TVT-Obturator group. No significant differences could be found for the curing rates between two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the TVT-Obturator group, the TVT-Abbrevo group had less patients complaining of inner thigh pain at 24 h and 1 w after surgery (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed for the incidence of inner thigh pain at 1m and 1y after surgery between TVT-Abbrevo and TVT-Obturator group (P>0.05). No intraoperative complications such as blood vessel, nerve, bladder damage were recorded and no postoperative retropubic hematoma, tape adjustment and other complications occurred in two goups. No recurrence after 1 year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that TVT-Abbrevo procedure is safe and efficacy in treatment of SUI, and associated with low incidence of recent postoperative inner thigh pain.

[Protective effect and mechanism of ischemic postconditioning in rats underwent myocardial ischemia/ reperfusion injury]

OBJECTIVE

This study is designed to observe the effect of ischemic postconditioning in rats underwent acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and to investigate the related mechanism.

METHODS

A total of 30 SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (control group, n=10), ischemia/reperfusion group (IR group, n=10) and ischemic postconditioning group (PC group, n=10) based on random number table. Rats in IR group underwent 30 minutes myocardial ischemia by occlusion of the proximal portion of left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery followed by 2 hours reperfusion. In control group, there was no IR intervention. In PC group, at the start of reperfusion, three cycles of 30 seconds reperfusion and 30 seconds LAD reocclusion preceded the 2 hours of reperfusion. The hemodynamic values were measured via a cannula inserted into the right common carotid artery.The area at risk was assessed by Evans blue staining and the infarct size as measured by TTC staining.Western blot and Real time PCR were respectively used to assess the expression of predicted target gene Bim and microRNA-214(miR-214) in the area at risk at the end of 2 hours reperfusion.

RESULTS

(1) The hemodynamic monitoring in different groups: the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), ±dp/dtmax, and heart rate of IR group and PC group were lower than those of control group, but left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was higher than that of control group (all P<0.05). The LVSP and ±dp/dtmax of PC group were higher than those of IR group, and LVEDP was lower than that of IR group (all P<0.05). (2) Myocardial ischemia area and infarction range in different groups: there was no statistically difference in the proportion of area at risk (AAR) in left ventricle (LV) (AAR/LV) between PC group and IP group ((27.00 + 7.55) % vs. (26.67 + 11.68) %, P>0.05). The proportion of infarct size in the area at risk(IS/AAR) of PC group was lower than that of IR group((30.67±3.51)% vs. (48.67±4.62)%, P<0.05). (3) The expression of Bim protein in rats ischemic myocardial tissue in different groups: the expression of Bim protein in ischemic myocardial tissue of IR group was higher than that of control group (2.34±0.15 vs. 0.75±0.05, P<0.05), and that of PC group was lower than IR group (1.25±0.14 vs. 2.34±0.15, P<0.05). (4) The expression of of miR-214 in rats ischemic myocardial tissue in different groups: the expression of miR-214 of IR group was lower than that of control group(0.20±0.04 vs. 1.00, P<0.01), and that of PC group was higer than that of IR group (0.85±0.20 vs. 0.20±0.04, P<0.01). There was no statistically difference between PC group and control group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Postconditioning could significantly decrease the ischemia/reperfusion injury by reducing the infarct size and improve cardiac function in this in vivo rat model. The expression of Bim in postconditioning group is significantly depressed, which may play an important role in the protection process of postconditioning, and the downregulation of Bim might be mediated with the increase of miR-214 expression.

Relationship between the G75A polymorphism in the apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) gene and the lipid regulatory effects of pravastatin in patients with hyperlipidemia

In this study, we investigated the relationship between the G75A polymorphism in the apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) gene and the lipid regulatory effect of pravastatin in patients with hyperlipidemia. A total of 179 patients were divided into two groups: the pravastatin (N = 97) and policosanol (N = 82) treatment groups. The total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein, ApoA, and ApoB concentrations in the serum were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer before and after treatment for 12 weeks. The genotypes of the ApoA1 G75A SNP were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and were subsequently statistically analyzed. Pravastatin treatment induced a significant decrease in the TC, LDL-c, and ApoB levels in patients expressing the ApoA1 AA+GA genotype (P < 0.05), and not in those expressing the GG genotype (P > 0.05). However, policosanol treatment induced a non-significant decrease in the serum TC levels (P > 0.05) and a significant decrease in the ApoB levels (P < 0.05), and did not induce a decrease in the LDL-c (P > 0.05) levels in patients with the AA+GA genotype. Policosanol also induced a significant decrease in the TC and LDL-c levels in patients with the GG genotype (P < 0.05). The various genotypes of the ApoA1 G75A SNP influence the efficacy of lipid regulation by pravastatin and policosanol in patients with hyperlipidemia.

Eosinophil cationic protein mRNA expression in children with bronchial asthma

Studies have shown that eosinophils are closely related to pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Eosinophils release eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), which plays an important role in infection and allergic reactions. Serum ECP mRNA expression in children with bronchial asthma has not been adequately investigated. We analyzed serum ECP mRNA expression in 63 children with bronchial asthma and 21 healthy children by using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to understand the role of ECP in children with bronchial asthma. The children with bronchial asthma were segregated into acute-phase and stable-phase groups, based on the severity of the illness. Serum ECP mRNA expression in children with bronchial asthma (0.375 ± 0.04) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (0.20 ± 0.02; P < 0.05). Additionally, children in the acute-phase group showed higher ECP mRNA expression level (0.44 ± 0.06) than those in the stable-phase (0.31 ± 0.03) and healthy control groups (0.20 ± 0.02; P < 0.05), while the level in the stable-phase (0.31 ± 0.03) was markedly higher than that in the healthy control group (0.20 ± 0.02; P < 0.05). Detection of serum ECP mRNA expression level has possible applications in the diagnosis and treatment of children with bronchial asthma.

Successful management of discordant gastroschisis in monochorionic diamniotic twin: a case report

BACKGROUND

Monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancy with gastroschisis cames a poor prognosis. Live birth and well development of both twins are extremely rare.

CASE

The authors report a rare case of discordant gastroschisis in MCDA twin. Both twins were followed up nine months after intrapartum fetal operation, and both are in good health until now.

CONCLUSION

This report expands successful management of discordant gastroschisis in MCDA twins. Early diagnosis, intensive prenatal care, and multidisciplinary consultation are recommended in management of discordant gastroschisis in MCDA twin.

[Myocardial protection of remote ischemic postconditioning during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cardioprotection of remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Forty-six STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI at Peking University Third Hospital from January to April 2014 were randomized to RIPostC group (n=23) and control group (n=23).The RIPostC protocol was started within 1 min after reflow by thrombus aspiration or balloon inflation and consisted of 3 cycles of 5 min/5 min ischemia/reperfusion by cuff inflation/deflation of the lower left limb. The enzymatic infarct size, rate of complete ST segment resolution, corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (CTFC) in infarct-related artery (IRA) and plasma levels of malondialdehyde(MDA), endothelin-1(ET-1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) of the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in enzymatic infarct size between the two groups (P>0.05). The rate of complete ST-segment resolution was significantly higher in RIPostC group than in control group (60.9%vs. 30.4%,P=0.04). There was a trend toward lower CTFC in RIPostC group than that in control group, but the difference was not statistically significant(28 ± 11 vs. 33 ± 11, P = 0.10). However, in the subgroup of anterior wall myocardial infarction CTFC in RIPostC group was significantly lower, compared with control group (25±9 vs. 39±10, P=0.01).There were lower plasma levels of MDA,ET-1,TNFα in RIPostC group than in control group at different time points after primary PCI (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, RIPostC may improve myocardial perfusion and attenuate ischemia reperfusion injury with the underlying mechanisms involving reduction of oxidative stress, protection of endothelial function and inhibition of inflammatory response.

Observation of photorefractive surface waves in self-defocusing LiNbO3:Fe crystal

Photorefractive (PR) surface waves (SWs) in self-defocusing LiNbO(3):Fe are studied theoretically and experimentally. We demonstrate that SWs can also be formed in a self-defocusing nonlinear medium and that the nonlocal nonlinearity (such as the diffusion component of PR nonlinearity in this Letter) is the essential cause. The forming process of PR SWs with a self-deflection course of light beams has been observed. The results indicate the possibility of concentrating light energy in self-defocusing media, taking advantage of SWs.

Isolated Syphilitic Cervical Lymphadenopathy: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Isolated syphilitic cervical lymphaden -opathy (SCL) is a rare presentation of syphilis. Two patients with isolated SCL are presented here with a review of the literature. The first patient was a 72-year-old man with a mass (diameter 5 cm) in the right neck region for 26 days. Serological tests, imaging studies and pathological examination of the mass after surgical excision confirmed the diagnosis of isolated SCL. The second patient was a 48-year-old man with a mass (diameter 4 cm) in the right neck region for 1 month. The diagnosis of isolated SCL was made on the basis of serological tests, cervical ultrasound and pathological examination of the mass after surgical excision. Complete excision resulted in a satisfactory outcome in both patients. Isolated neck masses without associated clinical manifestations or adverse personal history are a diagnostic challenge, and SCL is easily overlooked in the differential diagnosis. Unusual masses should always remind clinicians of this infectious disease and a comprehensive diagnostic strategy is recommended. Nonroutine syphilitic serological tests should be performed in patients suspected of having SCL, and the histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics may help to confirm the diagnosis.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in NOS2A and NOS3 genes are not associated with treatment response of non-small cell lung cancer patients following the definitive radiochemotherapy

Nitric oxide (NO), is endogenously synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), exhibits a dual role in sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy of cancer cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of polymorphisms in NOS genes on treatment response of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after radiochemotherapy. A cohort of 198 NSCLC patients treated with radiochemotherapy between 2009 and 2011 were included in this study. Genotyping analyses of 35 SNPs ( NOS2A, 21 and NOS3, 14) in each sample were conducted by using the Sequenom MassArray system. Unconditional logistic regression was performed to assess the association between treatment response and each genotype while adjusting or not for other covariates. Of 198 patients, 87 (43.9%) had objective responses, and 111(56.1%) did not respond. We observed no significant associations between treatment response and each genotype. While adjusting for other covariates, the associations were also not significant. Our results suggest that genetic variations within the NOS2A and NOS3 genes may not influence the treatment response in NSCLC patients with radiochemotherapy. Future studies in this problem are required to confirm our findings.

Heart retransplantation for pediatric primary allograft failure

PURPOSE

Heart transplantation is indicated for children with end-stage heart failure or complex inoperable congenital defects. When the transplanted heart fails, retransplantation is suggested and herein we have presented the prognosis of these pediatric cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From March 1987 to March 2011, we performed 404 heart transplantations including 45 pediatric patients, 6 (13.3%) of whom experienced graft failure requiring retransplantation. Only four of the six patients (66.7%) had a chance for retransplantation.

RESULTS

Six of 45 pediatric heart transplant patients (13.3%) experienced graft failure requiring retransplantation. Four of them (66.7%) underwent retransplantation. Only one of the four died due to severe postoperative sepsis with acute respiratory distress. The other three patients recovered well and remain alive with no neurological sequelae; all are in New York Heart Association functional classification I at present.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric post-heart graft failure require expectations retransplantation, which shows a good prognosis.

In ovo administration of rhIGF-1 to duck eggs affects the expression of myogenic transcription factors and muscle mass during late embryo development

In ovo administration of IGF-1 to poultry eggs has effective roles on post hatching muscle development. However, the secondary muscle development stages at the late embryo development stage are important for muscle fiber formation and differentiation. To investigate the roles of in ovo administration of IGF-1 on duck secondary muscle development, we injected rhIGF-1 into duck eggs in hatching at day 12. After administration on days 18, 21, 24, and 27 in hatching (E18d, E21d, E24d, and E27d, respectively), muscle samples were isolated, and the muscle tissue weight, muscle fiber parameters, and myoblast proliferation rate in leg and breast muscle were analyzed. Additionally, the expression levels of the transcription factors MyoG and MRF4 were detected using qPCR. Results show that embryo body weight and muscle fiber parameters, including muscle fiber diameter (MFD) and the number of myofibers per unit area, are upregulated in IGF-1-treated groups. Moreover, the transcription factors MyoG and MRF4 are expressed at higher levels in the experimental groups compared with the control groups. These results suggest that in ovo administration of IGF-1 to poultry eggs can mediate the expression of MyoG and MRF4, induce myoblast proliferation, and finally influence muscle development during the secondary muscle development stages.

Caffeine inhibits the viability and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Caffeine is consumed extensively in Europe and North America. As a risk factor for osteoporosis, epidemiological studies have observed that caffeine can decrease bone mineral density, adversely affect calcium absorption and increase the risk of bone fracture. However, the exact mechanisms have not been fully investigated. Here, we examined the effects of caffeine on the viability and osteogenesis of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (rBMSCs).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Cell viability, apoptosis and necrosis were quantified using thymidine incorporation and flow cytometry. Sequential gene expressions in osteogenic process were measured by real-time PCR. cAMP, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were assessed by immunoassay, spectrophotometry and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Mineralization was determined by calcium deposition.

KEY RESULTS

After treating BMSCs with high caffeine concentrations (0.1-1mM), their viability decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. This cell death was primarily due to necrosis and, to a small extent, apoptosis. Genes and protein sequentially expressed in osteogenesis, including Cbfa1/Runx2, collagen I, alkaline phosphatase and its protein, were significantly downregulated except for osteocalcin and its protein. Moreover, caffeine inhibited calcium deposition in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, but increased intracellular cAMP in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

By suppressing the commitment of BMSCs to the osteogenic lineage and selectively inhibiting gene expression, caffeine downregulated some important events in osteogenesis and ultimately affected bone mass.

Femtosecond laser induced surface nanostructuring and simultaneous crystallization of amorphous thin silicon film

Ultrafast pulsed laser irradiation is demonstrated to be able to produce surface nano-structuring and simultaneous crystallization of amorphous silicon thin film in one step laser processing. After fs laser irradiation on 80 nm-thick a-Si deposited on Corning 1737 glass substrate, the color change from light yellow to dark brown was observed on the sample surface. AFM images show that the surface nano-spike pattern was produced on amorphous-Si:H film by fs laser irradiation. Furthermore, micro-Raman results indicate that the a-Si has been crystallized into nanocrystalline Si. Also, the absorptance of the fs laser treated Si thin film was found to increase in the spectrum range of below bandgap compared to original untreated a-Si. The developed process has a potential application in fabrication of high efficiency Si thin film solar cells.

End-stage renal disease after orthotopic heart transplantation: a single-institute experience

Orthotopic heart transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage heart failure, and calcineurin inhibitor agents allow for better allograft survival. However, pretransplantation low cardiac output status and posttransplantation immunosuppressants contribute toward deterioration of renal function. From 1987 to 2008, 350 patients underwent orthotopic heart transplantation in our hospital. Most of them received anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) as the induction immunosuppressant. The introduction of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) reduced the maintenance level of cyclosporine. The 26 patients who developed end-stage renal disease required dialysis. We reviewed the patient characteristics, including pretransplantation status, immunosuppressant regimens and drug levels, time and type of dialysis, and mortality rate. The mean age of these 26 patients was 53 years. Three patients underwent peritoneal dialysis. The overall 1-year survival rate was 96%, and the 5-year survival rate was 80%. The duration from heart transplantation to chronic dialysis correlated with the presence of a pretransplantation diagnosis of diabetes (P<.05) and an elevated pretransplantation blood creatinine level (P=.01), but there was no significant effect of the initial level of cyclosporine. In addition, the pretransplantation blood creatinine level was also related to the necessity of immediate postoperative hemodialysis (P=.01). There was no significant risk factor in relation to mortality. Regardless of modification of immunosuppressant regimens and initial drug levels, pretransplantation kidney function played an important inverse role in the duration from transplantation to dialysis: the higher the pretransplantation blood creatinine, the shorter the duration. While awaiting a heart transplant, more effort should be spent on protecting renal function to avoid early chronic dialysis.

Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumour of the fourth ventricle with previous intratumoural haemorrhage: case report and review of the literature

The case is reported of a rosette-forming glioneuronal tumour of the fourth ventricle (RGTFV) in a 27-year-old male. Symptoms included headache, severe vomiting and clumsy walking that had progressively worsened over 14 days. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging indicated a 3.0 x 2.5 x 2.0 cm solid-cystic mass in the fourth ventricle and obstructive hydrocephalus. The tumour showed evidence of previous intra-tumour haemorrhage, with heterogeneous enhancement after contrast administration. Complete excision of the lesion was performed. Signs of previous intra-tumoural haemorrhage were seen intra-operatively. The detailed clinical, radiological and pathological features in this patient are described and compared with existing literature on this type of tumour. Despite benign histological features and a reported favourable post-operative course, there is still limited clinical experience with this type of tumour, however intratumoural haemorrhage may result in morbidity and mortality. This report will help provide better characterization of this entity, improving the diagnosis and potentially reducing mortality in RGTFV.

[Effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate on learning and memory of rat pups]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of prenatal and postnatal perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure on spatial learning and memory, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B (NR2B) mRNA and protein level in frontal cortex and hippocampus of rat pups and to explore the mechanism of developmental neurotoxicity induced by PFOS.

METHODS

Twenty-eight pregnant rats were randomly divided into three groups in proportion of 3:2:2, including control group (C), low dose group (L) and high dose group (H) by means of randomized number table, which respectively received 0, 7.2, 14.4 mg/kg PFOS feed from pregnancy day 0 to postnatal day (PND) 30 by free feedings. The animal models of prenatal and postnatal non-exposure (CC), prenatal exposure (LC and HC), postnatal exposure (CL and CH), and prenatal and postnatal exposure (LL and HH) to PFOS were established by cross-fostering method. The spatial learning and memory were measured by water maze experiment,the NR2B mRNA levels in frontal cortex of rat pups was determined with semi-quantitative RT-PCR, NR2B protein express in cerebral cortex (frontal and temporal cortex) and hippocampus (CA1, CA3, CA4 and DG regions) of rat pups was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The escape latency of CL, CH, LL and HH groups pups in water maze experiment were (99.83 +/- 25.77) s, (111.30 +/- 17.82) s, (106.40 +/- 18.71) s, (107.70 +/- 16.85) s, and longer as compared with CC group [(54.90 +/- 26.69) s] (q value were 4.349, 4.773, 6.026 and 5.641, respectively, P <0.01). The number of errors of HH group rat pups entering dead end was (22.30 +/- 7.56) at the training day 4, and it was significantly higher than that of CC group (9.80 +/- 4.64) (q = 5.173, P < 0.01). The NR2B mRNA levels of frontal cortex of pups in HC group at PND1, and LC group, HC group and HH group at PND14 were (0.167 +/- 0.008), (0.364 +/- 0.035), (0.341 +/- 0.030) and (0.328 +/- 0.045) respectively,which were significantly lower than CC group (0.271 +/- 0.060) and (0.465 +/- 0.067) (q values were 3.547, 3.739, 4.597 and 5.006, respectively, P< 0.05 ). The results of immunohistochemistry indicated that NR2B protein express of the hippocampus CA1 region of pups in LC group was (0.091 +/- 0.005), and showed significant lower than CC group which was (0.123 +/- 0.009) at PND1 (q = 5.209, P <0.05). At PND14, the effect of PFOS extended to cerebral cortex and hippocampus regions. At PND28, the effects of PFOS were showed in hippocampus CA1, CA3 and temporal cortex regions.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal and postnatal exposure to PFOS should result in the spatial learning and memory damage,and the mechanism might be possibly involved in the decrease of NR2B level in cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation regions.

Effect of gallic acid on the wear behavior of early carious enamel

The purpose of this research was to investigate the wear behavior of early carious enamel remineralized with gallic acid. Forty natural human premolar specimens with early caries lesions were prepared. A remineralization pH-cycling treatment agent of 4000 ppm gallic acid was used for 12 days to treat the early lesions. The changes in microhardness were monitored. Nanoscratch tests were used to evaluate wear resistance. The experimental data were analyzed by using a t-test. The widths of traces were measured by an AMBIOS XP-2 stylus profilometer. After remineralization, all samples re-hardened significantly. The coefficients of friction became higher, and the widths of scratches were larger than they were before remineralization. Gallic acid significantly improved the early carious enamel's hardness. The wear damage of the samples treated with gallic acid was more severe than that of the control group. There were more obvious cracks and delaminations on the traces of the treated group. Compared with the control group, the enamel remineralized with gallic acid had inferior wear resistance. After remineralization, the dominant damage mechanisms of early carious enamel had changed from plastic deformation and adhesive wear to a combination of brittle cracks and delamination of enamel.