[Unilateral patellar resurfacing in bilateral total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled study]

OBJECTIVE

To perform unilateral patellar resurfacing and contralateral patellar retention in bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) randomly, and to compare the clinical effects of patellar retention with patellar resurfacing in TKA.

METHODS

In the study, 14 bilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients were randomized in the bilateral TKA to receive unilateral patellar resurfacing and contralateral patellar retention, including 28 knees, all were females, 53 to 78 years old, with average (66.9±7.8) years, and the BMI was (26.3±1.8) kg/m². All subjects were followed up from 3 to 12 months. The clinical effects were evaluated based on measurements of American Knee Society score (KSS), range of motion (ROM), anterior knee pain, patellar clunk, and patellar tilt angle (PTA).

RESULTS

All the wounds healed primarily without significant complications, such as infection, aseptic loosening, patellar fracture and so on. The preoperative KSS scores of patellar resurfacing group were 38.9±22.2, and the scores changed to be 92.4±6.7 after operation, which were added by 53.5±20.3. While in the patellar retention group, the KSS scores were 38.4 ± 20.5 preoperatively, and after operation, which were added to be 92.1±4.2, and improved by 53.7±21.4. The differences in the changed KSS scores between TKA with and without patellar resurfacing were not statistically significant (Independent t-test, P=0.98). The ROM was changed from 95.4°±13.5° preoperatively to 120.4°±8.9° postoperatively in the patellar resurfacing group and from 92.9°±19.1° preoperatively to 120.4±8.4° postoperatively in the patellar retention group. The ROM of the two group were increased by 25.0°±14.5° and 27.5°±19.4° respectively. However, no remarkable differences were observed between the 2 groups in the knee ROM (Independent t-test, P=0.70). At the end of the latest follow-up, 3 knees in the patellar resurfacing group and 2 knees in the patellar retention group had knee anterior pain, the incidences of anterior knee pain were 21.4% and 14.3% respectively. There was no obvious difference for the incidence of post-operative anterior knee pain (Chi-square test, P=0.62). The incidences of post-operative patellar clunk in the 2 groups were all with 3 knees (21.4%), which had no significant difference in the 2 groups (Chi-square test, P=1.00). The post-operative PTA were 2.6°±2.6° in the patellar resurfacing group and 3.6°±2.9° in the patellar retention group, respectively. There was also no statistical difference between the 2 groups (Chi-square test, P=0.36).

CONCLUSION

For knee OA patients with mild or moderate patellar cartilage damage, performing patellar resurfacing or not didn't significantly affect anterior knee pain, patellar clunk, functional outcomes or patellar tracking after TKA. So we suggest retain patella in TKA for OA patients with mild or moderate patellar cartilage damage.

[The bisphenol A-enhanced activity of thyroid carcinoma cell line B-CPAP is inhibited by Icarrin]

Objective: To investigate the effect of icariin (ICA) on the bisphenol A (BPA)-enhanced proliferation function of thyroid carcinoma cell B-CPAP and underlying mechanism. Methods: The proliferation of Gastric B-CPAP cell line was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Apoptosis and ROS expression in B-CPAP cells were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in B-CPAP cells were measured by individual assay kits. The expressions of Bcl-2 and γ-HA2X were detected by Western blot. SPSS 18.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: B-CPAP cell activity was promoted by treatment with 3×10(-7)mol/L BPA for 48 h, with significant difference in absorbance between BPA and control groups (1.089±0.053 vs 0.935±0.010, P<0.05). The cell activities of BPA+ ICA(25), BPA+ ICA(50), BPA+ ICA(100) and BPA+ ICA(200) groups was 0.780±0.036, 1.007±0.050, 0.958±0.033 and 0.625±0.064, respectively (all P<0.01). The proliferation of B-CPAP cells treated with BPA for 72 hours showed a similar trend to 48 hours. There was no significant difference between all treatment groups in 24 hours. The apoptosis rate was (19.272±0.186)% in BPA-treated cells, and was (22.412±0.238)% in control cells (P<0.05). The apoptosis rates of BPA+ ICA(50) and BPA+ ICA(200) groups were (23.688±0.412)% and (30.270±0.696)%, respectively (P<0.01). The intracellular accumulation of ROS in BPA, BPA+ ICA(50), and BPA+ ICA(200) groups were 806±21, 1 772±37, 2 041±16, respectively (P<0.01). The expressions of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in control, BPA, BPA+ ICA(50), BPA+ ICA(200) groups were 7 120±151, 9 801±286, 5 902±171 and 4 203±216, respectively (P<0.01). Conclusion: BPA can promote the proliferation of thyroid carcinoma B-CPAP cells and decrease the apoptosis of cells, and this effect can be inhibited by ICA. The possible mechanism is to induce high expression of intracellular ROS and inhibit the expression of antioxidase system, leading to cell oxidative damage, thereby inducing apoptosis.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer. Methods: Clinical data of 56 patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from January 2006 to June 2016 were retrospectively reviewed and followed up. Results: Of the 56 patients, there were 24 male and 32 female. The median age was 65 years old. At diagnosis, 10 patients have different degrees of breathing difficulty; 8 patients have varying degrees of dysphagia, and 12 patients have hoarseness. Distant metastases were found in 23 patients at presentation. Patient staging was performed in accordance with the tumor-node-metastasis system as follows: stage ⅣA (n=19), stage ⅣB (n=14) and stage ⅣC (n=23). The median survival time of 56 patients was 4.5 months.The overall 1-year survival rate was 5.4%. Univariate analysis showed that radiotherapy and multimodality therapy were prognostic factors for 1-year overall survival (both of P<0.05). The overall 1-year survival rate of the patients who received precision radiotherapy was 16.7%, which was higher than who received the other radiation therapy (4.0%, P=0.040). Furthermore, the overall 1-year survival rate of the patients who received surgery combined with radiotherapy was 12.5%, which was higher than who received the other treatments(4.2%, P=0.040). Multivariate analysis indicated that radiotherapy was independently associated with improved survival (P=0.020). Conclusions: Patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer should receive multimodality therapies combining surgery with radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is independently associated with improved overall survival. Notably, the precision radiotherapy that based on image guidance has a significantly beneficial impact on the prognosis of patients.

[Diagnostic value of combining serum soluble ST2 and interleukin-33 for heart failure patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction]

Objective: Diagnostic efficacy of serum markers is low for heart failure patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HF-pEF) as compared to heart failure patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.We sought to explore the diagnostic value of serum levels of soluble ST2 (sST2) combined with interleukin-33 (IL-33) for the diagnosis of HF-pEF in this study. Methods: A total of 376 patients with HF-pEF (HF group), 376 matched-control patients without heart failure who shared similar clinical characteristics (non-HF group) were included in the study.Another 500 healthy individuals were recruited for assessing the normal ranges of IL-33 and sST2.Serum levels of NT-proBNP were measured by chemi-luminescence assay, while IL-33 and sST2 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum levels of IL-33 and sST2 were not normally distributed in healthy population.Serum concentrations of IL-33 and sST2 were significantly higher in HF-pEF patients than in patients in non-HF group (median, IL-33: 0.437 μg/L vs. 0.127 μg/L, P<0.01; sST: 0.118 μg/L vs. 0.067 μg/L, P<0.01). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of sST2 for detecting HF-pEF was 0.763 (95%CI 0.729-0.795, P<0.01), with 71.01% sensitivity and 66.75% specificity, the AUC was 0.884 (95%CI 0.859-0.908, P<0.01), with 80.05% sensitivity and 81.91% specificity in patients with serum IL-33 higher than 0.117 μg/L (median level of serum IL-33 in healthy individuals, n=306). The AUC of NT-proBNP for detecting HF-pEF was 0.83, with 74.73% sensitivity and 84.57% specificity.The AUC of sST2 for detecting HF-pEF was significantly higher than NT-proBNP in population with high serum IL-33 (AUC: 0.88 vs. 0.83, P<0.01). Conclusion: Serum sST2 could serve as a satisfactory biomarker for HF-pEF diagnosis, especially for patients with high serum IL-33 concentrations.

Development of the Forensically Important Beetle Creophilus maxillosus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) at Constant Temperatures

Creophilus maxillosus (L., 1758) is a common and widely distributed beetle species found on corpses, and its development duration is far longer than species belonging to the genus Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae. Therefore, C. maxillosus can be used as a supplementary indicator to estimate minimum postmortem interval (PMImin), and could greatly extend the range of PMImin when the primary colonizers are no longer associated with the corpse or have emerged from pupae. Better descriptions of C. maxillosus development are needed to apply this species for forensic investigations. In this study, the development of C. maxillosus at seven constant temperatures ranging from 17.5-32.5 °C was studied. Through regression analyses, the simulation equations of larval body length variation with time after hatching were obtained. Isomegalen diagrams of the changes of larval body length over time at specific temperatures, and the isomorphen diagrams on the duration of different developmental milestones at specific temperatures were generated. In addition, thermal summation models of different developmental stages and the overall development process of C. maxillosus were generated through regression analysis, by estimating the development threshold temperatures (D0) and the thermal summation constants (K). These results provide important tools for forensic investigations to generate a long-range of PMImin estimation based on the development of C. maxillosus.

Differential Patterns of Cocaine-Induced Organ Toxicity in Murine Heart versus Liver

To determine cocaine's toxicity in different organs, BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected daily for 15 days with either saline or cocaine: 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, or 60 mg/kg. Cardiac function, hepatic pathophysiology, heart and liver apoptosis, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) levels were analyzed. After administration of cocaine, cardiac function decreased. Inflammatory cell infiltration and eosinophilic contraction bands were visible in the hearts of mice treated with 60mg/kg cocaine. Moreover, histopathology demonstrated that cocaine caused hepatic necrosis. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining and DNA ladder analysis indicated that cocaine caused apoptosis in both the heart and liver. Moreover, immunoassay showed that TNF-α levels significantly increased in the heart and liver with cocaine administration. However, our RT-PCR study showed that there was no significant difference in either the heart or liver in the levels of mRNA for TNF-α between cocaine-treated and saline control mice. The present study demonstrated that cocaine is toxic to multiple organs, and at low dose can induce hepatic damage without gross pathological injury to the heart. The results suggest that the liver is more sensitive than the heart to cocaine toxicity, and induction of apoptosis or TNF-α elevation may be a common mechanism responsible for cocaines toxicity.

Validation of fast-ion D-alpha spectrum measurements during EAST neutral-beam heated plasmas

To investigate the fast ion behavior, a fast ion D-alpha (FIDA) diagnostic system has been installed on EAST. Fast ion features can be inferred from the Doppler shifted spectrum of Balmer-alpha light from energetic hydrogenic atoms. This paper will focus on the validation of FIDA measurements performed using MHD-quiescent discharges in 2015 campaign. Two codes have been applied to calculate the D_α spectrum: one is a Monte Carlo code, Fortran 90 version FIDASIM, and the other is an analytical code, Simulation of Spectra (SOS). The predicted SOS fast-ion spectrum agrees well with the measurement; however, the level of fast-ion part from FIDASIM is lower. The discrepancy is possibly due to the difference between FIDASIM and SOS velocity distribution function. The details will be presented in the paper to primarily address comparisons of predicted and observed spectrum shapes/amplitudes.

Th17 cells associated cytokines and cancer

Cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, which is a serious threat to human life. However, the etiology of cancer is not entirely clear. Under the action of tumorigenic factors, tissue cells lose normal regulation, resulting in abnormal proliferation and differentiation, so as to form a tumor. Cytokines promote the development of chronic inflammation, which may affect the development of cancer, and Th17 cells are a kind of immune cells which are closely related to the tumor. Therefore, this article focused on the role of Th17 cells and its related cytokines in tumor, which is very important for understanding the mechanism of tumor development. This will provide a direction for immunotherapy and gene-targeted therapy of cancer.

Detection of Metabolism Function of Microbial Community of Corpses by Biolog-Eco Method

OBJECTIVES

To detect the changes of microbial community functional diversity of corpses with different postmortem interval （PMI） and to evaluate forensic application value for estimating PMI.

METHODS

The cultivation of microbial community from the anal swabs of a Sus scrofa and a human corpse placed in field environment from 0 to 240 h after death was performed using the Biolog-Eco Microplate and the variations of the absorbance values were also monitored. Combined with the technology of forensic pathology and flies succession, the metabolic characteristics and changes of microbial community on the decomposed corpse under natural environment were also observed.

RESULTS

The diversity of microbial metabolism function was found to be negatively correlated with the number of maggots in the corpses. The freezing processing had the greatest impact on average well color development value at 0 h and the impact almost disappeared after 48 h. The diversity of microbial metabolism of the samples became relatively unstable after 192 h. The principal component analysis showed that 31 carbon sources could be consolidated for 5 principal components （accumulative contribution ratio >90%）.The carbon source tsquare-analysis showed that N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and L-serine were the dominant carbon sources for estimating the PMI （0=240 h） of the Sus scrofa and human corpse.

CONCLUSIONS

The Biolog-Eco method can be used to reveal the metabolic differences of the carbon resources utilization of the microbial community on the corpses during 0-240 h after death, which could provide a new basis for estimating the PMI.

[Selective bladder preservation in muscle-invasive bladder cancer by transurethral resection combined with intravesical instillation therapy: analysis of clinical effect in the elderly]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the therapeutic effect and quality of life in elderly patients of muscle-invasive bladder cancer by transurethral resection combined with intravesical instillation therapy.

METHODS

From January 2005 to January 2015, 136 cases were diagnosed with T2 bladder cancer by transurethralplasmakinetic therapy or transurethral laser therapy. The data of 136 cases were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

In transurethralplasmakinetic therapy group, the overall survival rate was 73.3%, the cancer-specific survival rate was 85.6%, the average survival time were 65 months. In transurethral laser therapy group, the overall survival rate was 73.9%, the cancer-specific survivalrate was 87.2%, the average survival time were 70 months. Two methods also can improve the patient's quality of life.

CONCLUSION

For the aged with invasive bladder cancer (T2), we could try the transurethral resection combined with intravesical instillation therapy.

Pivotal role of microRNA-9 in osteosarcoma tumorigenesis and tumor progression

MicroRNA-9 (miR-9) has a well-established role in various tumors; the clinical significance and potential mechanism of miR-9 in human osteosarcoma (OS) has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism and role of miR-9 expression in osteosarcoma cells. miR-9 expression in the OS cell line MG-63 and OS tissues was compared to that in a human osteoblastic cell line (hFOB 1.19) and adjacent normal tissues, respectively, by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. miR-9 expression was downregulated by introducing small interfering RNA against miR-9 (si-miR-9) into the cells, and the proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities of si-miR-9-transfected MG-63 cells were compared to those of control MG-63 cells. miR-9 was significantly upregulated in OS tissues and cell lines compared to the corresponding non-cancerous bone tissues (P < 0.05) and human osteoblastic cell line (P < 0.05), respectively. Upregulated miR-9 expression was also associated with increased cell proliferation (P < 0.05), migration (P < 0.05), and invasion (P < 0.05), and decreased apoptotic ability (P < 0.05). These results suggest that miR-9 may play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression in osteosarcoma.

[Impact of novel P2Y12 receptor inhibitors on platelet reactivity in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of novel P2Y(12) receptor inhibitors including prasugrel or ticagrelor on platelet reactivity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and provide clinical data for novel oral P2Y(12) receptor inhibitors use among Chinese patients.

METHODS

Between October 2011 to February 2014, 174 consecutive patients (135 males; (67.8±11.8) years old) with ACS undergoing PCI in Kiang Wu Hospital, Macau were prospectively enrolled in this study. Oral aspirin and one P2Y(12) receptor inhibitor were administered for 5 days or above after PCI, patients were divided into clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor groups in accordance with the agent administered. Platelet reactivity of the patients was detected by VerifyNow P2Y(12) reaction unit (PRU); and the high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) and non-HPR were defined as PRU≥208 and PRU<208 respectively. Patients with HPR during clopidogrel therapy were switched either to prasugrel or ticagrelor, or continued the same treatment; and then the platelet reactivity was monitored again.

RESULTS

There were 113 clopidogrel cases (64.9%), 20 prasugrel cases (11.5%) and 41 ticagrelor cases (23.6%). Fifty-seven cases (32.8%) were defined as HPR post P2Y(12) receptor inhibitor use, in which 55 cases (55/113, 48.7%) were treated with clopidogrel. The degree of inhibition of platelet reactivity was significantly different in patients on clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor therapy, percent inhibition assayed by the VerifyNow P2Y(12) system was 28.2%±23.5%, 61.4%±26.7% and 81.3%±19.8% respectively (P<0.05). Different degree of platelet reactivity was achieved by the 3 P2Y(12) receptor inhibitors at multiple time points. The among-group differences in platelet reactivity became apparent at the early treatment stage (P<0.05). Platelet aggregation decreased significantly in patients switched from clopidogrel to prasugrel or ticagrelor (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Novel oral P2Y(12) receptor inhibitors are more effective in inhibiting platelet reactivity in ACS patients, and our results show that novel oral P2Y(12) receptor inhibitors provide a new option for ACS patients with HPR post clopidogrel or high-risk features of ischemic complications, including stent thrombosis and post-PCI ischemic events.

Overexpression of EsMcsu1 from the halophytic plant Eutrema salsugineum promotes abscisic acid biosynthesis and increases drought resistance in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

The stress phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays pivotal roles in plants' adaptive responses to adverse environments. Molybdenum cofactor sulfurases influence aldehyde oxidase activity and ABA biosynthesis. In this study, we isolated a novel EsMcsu1 gene encoding a molybdenum cofactor sulfurase from Eutrema salsugineum. EsMcus1 transcriptional patterns varied between organs, and its expression was significantly upregulated by abiotic stress or ABA treatment. Alfalfa plants that overexpressed EsMcsu1 had a higher ABA content than wild-type (WT) plants under drought stress conditions. Furthermore, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ion leakage, and malondialdehyde were lower in the transgenic plants than in the WT plants after drought treatment, suggesting that the transgenic plants experienced less ROS-mediated damage. However, the expression of several stress-responsive genes, antioxidant enzyme activity, and osmolyte (proline and total soluble sugar) levels in the transgenic plants were higher than those in the WT plants after drought treatment. Therefore, EsMcsu1 overexpression improved drought tolerance in alfalfa plants by activating a series of ABA-mediated stress responses.

Overexpression of EsMcsu1 from the halophytic plant Eutrema salsugineum promotes abscisic acid biosynthesis and increases drought resistance in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

The stress phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays pivotal roles in plants' adaptive responses to adverse environments. Molybdenum cofactor sulfurases influence aldehyde oxidase activity and ABA biosynthesis. In this study, we isolated a novel EsMcsu1 gene encoding a molybdenum cofactor sulfurase from Eutrema salsugineum. EsMcus1 transcriptional patterns varied between organs, and its expression was significantly upregulated by abiotic stress or ABA treatment. Alfalfa plants that overexpressed EsMcsu1 had a higher ABA content than wild-type (WT) plants under drought stress conditions. Furthermore, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ion leakage, and malondialdehyde were lower in the transgenic plants than in the WT plants after drought treatment, suggesting that the transgenic plants experienced less ROS-mediated damage. However, the expression of several stress-responsive genes, antioxidant enzyme activity, and osmolyte (proline and total soluble sugar) levels in the transgenic plants were higher than those in the WT plants after drought treatment. Therefore, EsMcsu1 overexpression improved drought tolerance in alfalfa plants by activating a series of ABA-mediated stress responses.

Radiologic Features and Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Stratify Survival Outcomes in Patients with Glioblastoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Vascular endothelial growth factor is a well-known tumor-specific biomarker that mediates angiogenesis in glioblastoma via hypoxia-dependent mechanisms. Our aim was to investigate the correlation of clinical characteristics, radiologic features, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression with survival outcomes in patients with glioblastoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and radiologic data of 185 patients with glioblastoma were retrospectively reviewed. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression was examined in all cases via immunohistochemical analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors of progression-free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression levels were associated with the presence of ringlike tumor contrast enhancement. Age, preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale score, gross total resection, and adjuvant therapy were identified as prognostic factors. Among patients undergoing gross total resection, high vascular endothelial growth factor expression was associated with longer progression-free survival (P = .011) and overall survival (P = .039). For tumors with high vascular endothelial growth factor expression, both the non-contrast-enhancing tumor component and peritumoral edema could stratify overall survival (P = .039 and .018, respectively), while only the presence of the non-contrast-enhancing tumor component predicted a longer progression-free survival (P = .024).

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression level was not an independent prognostic factor in glioblastoma. However, high vascular endothelial growth factor expression might predict longer survival in patients in whom gross total resection was achieved. Furthermore, peritumoral edema and the non-contrast-enhancing tumor component could stratify survival outcomes in patients with high vascular endothelial growth factor tumors.

INPP4B is an oncogenic regulator in human colon cancer

Inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase type II (INPP4B) negatively regulates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling and is a tumor suppressor in some types of cancers. However, we have found that it is frequently upregulated in human colon cancer cells. Here we show that silencing of INPP4B blocks activation of Akt and serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 3 (SGK3), inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation and retards colon cancer xenograft growth. Conversely, overexpression of INPP4B increases proliferation and triggers anchorage-independent growth of normal colon epithelial cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that the effect of INPP4B on Akt and SGK3 is associated with inactivation of phosphate and tensin homolog through its protein phosphatase activity and that the increase in INPP4B is due to Ets-1-mediated transcriptional upregulation in colon cancer cells. Collectively, these results suggest that INPP4B may function as an oncogenic driver in colon cancer, with potential implications for targeting INPP4B as a novel approach to treat this disease.

Effects of dietary n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios on the mass, and histological and ultrastructures of liver, spleen and thymus of 70-day-old Yangzhou goslings

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios on the organ indexes, and histological and ultrastructures of organs including liver, spleen and thymus in 70-day-old Yangzhou goslings. One-hundred and sixty 21-day-old Yangzhou goslings were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed 4 diets varying in the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio from 3:1 up to 12:1. After 1-week acclimation, the feeding experiment lasted for 6 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, goslings were slaughtered and the liver, spleen and thymus were weighed, and their histological and ultrastructures were examined. The results showed that the organ indices in the 3:1 group were remarkably higher than in the other three groups, whereas the mitochondrial square did not differ among four groups. The histological and ultrastructures of the liver, spleen and thymus were not affected by the diets with the lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios (3:1 and 6:1). However, feeding diets with the higher n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios (9:1 and 12:1), the nuclear chromatin was concentrated and marginalized; the cell membrane was contracted inwardly and disrupted; the mitochondrial membrane was damaged to some degree. In conclusion, the diet containing higher content of n-3 PUFA might improve immune capacity of goslings the animal by accelerating the growth and maintaining cellular structures of organs like liver, spleen and thymus.

Patterns of Tumor Contrast Enhancement Predict the Prognosis of Anaplastic Gliomas with IDH1 Mutation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It is proposed that isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation predicts the outcome in patients with high-grade glioma. In addition, contrast enhancement on preoperative MR imaging reflects tumor biologic features. Patients with anaplastic glioma with the IDH1 mutation were evaluated by using MR imaging to determine whether tumor enhancement is a prognostic factor and can be used to predict survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cohort of 216 patients with histologically confirmed anaplastic glioma was reviewed retrospectively. Tumor contrast-enhancement patterns were classified on the basis of preoperative T1 contrast MR images. Tumor IDH1 status was examined by using RNA sequencing. We used univariate analysis and the multivariate Cox model to evaluate the prognostic value of the IDH1 mutation and tumor contrast-enhancement pattern for progression-free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS

In all 216 patients, IDH1 mutation was associated with longer progression-free survival (P = .004, hazard ratio = 0.439) and overall survival (P = .002, hazard ratio = 0.406). For patients with IDH1 mutant anaplastic glioma, the absence of contrast enhancement was associated with longer progression-free survival (P = .038, hazard ratio = 0.473) and overall survival (P = .043, hazard ratio = 0.436). Furthermore, we were able to stratify the progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with IDH1 mutation by using the tumor contrast-enhancement patterns (P = .022 and 0.029, respectively; log-rank).

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor enhancement on postcontrast MR imaging is a valuable prognostic factor for patients with anaplastic glioma and IDH1 mutation. Furthermore, the contrast-enhancement patterns could potentially be used to stratify the survival outcome of such patients.

Physical localization of molecular markers and assignment of the 15th linkage group to chromosome 11 of the karyotype in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) by primed in situ labeling

Physical localization of molecular markers and assignment of the 15th linkage group to chromosome 11 of the karyotype in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) were achieved using primed in situ labeling. Amplified signals for both the EST507-1 and SSRY13-5 markers were consistently observed in different stages of cell division. A comparison of the length, arm ratio, and other morphological characteristics of somatic metaphase chromosomes in karyotype analysis indicated that the EST507-1 and SSRY13-5 markers were localized on the short and long arm of cassava chromosome 11 with the relative map positions of 41.67 and 23.07, respectively. The physical localization of the 2 markers on chromosome 11 of the karyotype corresponds to their positions on the 15th linkage group in cassava.

Analysis of meat flavor compounds in pedigree and two-strain Yangzhou geese

In this study, we evaluated the meat flavor compounds of Yangzhou geese, including one group of pedigree strain (AA group) and 4 groups of 2-strain crossbreds (KA, KB, CA, and SA). Each group consisted of 100 geese comprised of 5 replicates of 10 males and 10 females each. Inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP), amino acid (AA), and fatty acid (FA) levels in breast and thigh muscle were determined. Results showed that AA group had the highest levels of total amino acid (TAA) and dissolved free amino acids (DFAA) in breast muscle and of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in thigh muscle (P<0.05). In SA group, the levels of C17:1, C22:0, C22:1, C20:4, and C24:1 in breast muscle were significantly higher in SA than in other groups (P<0.05). KB group had the lowest glycine levels in breast muscle (P<0.05) while MUFA levels were significantly higher in KB than in other groups (P<0.05). In KA, the levels of C18:3 in breast muscle in were higher than in CA and KB (P<0.05). CA had relevant higher IMPc levels in breast muscle than SA (P<0.05) and other groups (P>0.05); however, no significant differences were obtained in thigh muscle (P>0.05). In conclusion, Yangzhou AA goose has high levels of meat flavor compounds than its crossbreeds. Future efforts should focus on assessing meat flavor through measurement of sensory characteristics of Yangzhou geese.

Effects of lead contamination on the clonal propagative ability of Phragmites australis (common reed) grown in wet and dry environments

Clonal propagation is important for the survival and maintenance of the common reed Phragmites australis. Pot culture experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of lead (Pb) concentration (0, 500, 1500, 3000, 4500 mg·kg(-1) ) and water stress on the clonal reproductive ability of this species. The Pb concentration found in plant organs, in decreasing order, was roots >shoots >rhizomes. There was a negative relationship between the growth of clonal propagative modules (excluding axillary shoot buds) and Pb concentrations, which caused a decrease in biomass, rhizome growth and number of axillary and apical rhizome buds. Daughter axillary shoots exhibited a tolerance strategy, with no significant change in their number; the axillary and apical rhizome buds, daughter apical rhizome shoots and rhizomes exhibited compensatory growth during the late stage of Pb (excluding 4500 mg·kg(-1) ) treatment in a wet environment. Pb applications above 500 mg·kg(-1) reduced these parameters significantly in the drought treatment, except for the number of axillary shoot buds, which did not change. Our results indicate that clonal propagative resistance to Pb contamination can occur via tolerance strategies, compensatory growth and a Pb allocation strategy, enabling these reeds to maintain population stability in wet environments. However, clonal modular growth and reproductive ability were inhibited significantly by the interaction between drought and Pb, which would cause a decline in P. australis populations in a dry environment. Lead concentrations of 4500 and 500 mg·kg(-1) in soils might meet or exceed the Pb tolerance threshold of clonally propagated reeds in wet and dry environments, respectively.

Anti-inflammatory effects of BHBA in both in vivo and in vitro Parkinson's disease models are mediated by GPR109A-dependent mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays an important role in the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). Excessively activated microglia produce several pro-inflammatory enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to damage to surrounding neurons and eventually inducing neurodegeneration. Therefore, the inhibition of microglial overactivation may be a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent the further progression of PD. β-Hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) has been shown to suppress lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in BV-2 cells and to protect dopaminergic neurons in previous studies, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, in this study, we further investigated this mechanism in LPS-induced in vivo and in vitro PD models.

METHODS

For the in vitro experiments, primary mesencephalic neuron-glia cultures were pretreated with BHBA and stimulated with LPS. [(3)H]dopamine (DA) uptake, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons and morphological analysis were evaluated and analyzed in primary mesencephalic neuron-glia cultures. In vivo, microglial activation and the injury of dopaminergic neurons were induced by LPS intranigral injection, and the effects of BHBA treatment on microglial activation and the survival ratio and function of dopaminergic neurons were investigated. Four our in vitro mechanistic experiment, primary microglial cells were pretreated with BHBA and stimulated with LPS; the cells were then assessed for the responses of pro-inflammatory enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the NF-κB signaling pathway was evaluated and analyzed.

RESULTS

We found that BHBA concentration-dependently attenuated the LPS-induced decrease in [(3)H]DA uptake and loss of TH-ir neurons in the primary mesencephalic neuron/glia mixed culture. BHBA treatment significantly improved the motor dysfunction of the PD model rats induced by intranigral injection of LPS, and this beneficial effect of BHBA was attributed to the inhibition of microglial overactivation and the protection of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Our in vitro mechanistic study revealed that the inhibitory effect of BHBA on microglia was mediated by G-protein-coupled receptor 109A (GPR109A) and involved the NF-κB signaling pathway, causing the inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzyme (iNOS and COX-2) and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) production.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the present study supports the effectiveness of BHBA in protecting dopaminergic neurons against inflammatory challenge.

The relationship of CASP 8 polymorphism and cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Caspase-8 (CASP8), member of the caspase cysteine protease family, plays an important role in cancer development. CASP8 D302H (rs1045485) (D, Aspartate; H, Histidine) and CASP8 -652 6N del (rs3834129) polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with Cancer susceptibility. However, there are many controversies on this issue. Therefore we performed this meta-analysis with 32 publications, which include 25800 case and 31964 control subjects for CASP8 -652 6N del polymorphism, and 36883 cases and 41089 controls for D302H polymorphism. The results demonstrated that the -652 6N del frequency showed significant difference between case and control group (del versus ins: OR=0.92; 95% CI: 0.90-0.95, p<0.00001). Homozygous, dominant and recessive genotypes were significantly associated with cancer risks. For D302H polymorphism, data indicated the association of allele C with decreased cancer risk (Overall, C versus G: OR=0.93; 95% CI: 0.86-0.99, p=0.03). All genetic models also indicated the significant association with cancer risk especially in Asian population. Further subgroup analysis indicated that CASP8 -652 6N del polymorphism was associated with breast cancer, lung and gastrointestinal cancer susceptibility. CASP8 D302H was found to be only associated with breast cancer risk. Therefore, these two CASP8 variations could be regarded as potential biomarkers for cancer risk.

Identification of quantitative trait loci conferring blast resistance in Bodao, a japonica rice landrace

Bodao, a japonica landrace from the Taihu Lake region of China, is highly resistant to most Chinese isolates of Magnaporthe oryzea, a form of rice blast. To effectively dissect the influence of genetics on this blast resistance, a population of 155 recombinant inbred lines (F2:8) derived from a cross of Bodao x Suyunuo was inoculated with 12 blast isolates. Using a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping approach, 13 QTL on chromosomes 1, 2, 9, 11, and 12 were detected from Bodao. Five QTL, including qtl11-1-1, qtl11-3-7, qtl11-4-9, qtl12-1-1, and qtl12-2-3, have not been previously reported. The qtl11-3-7 and qtl11-4-9 may be the two main effective QTL and resistant to 7 and 9 isolates, respectively. The results of the present study will be valuable for the fine mapping and cloning of these two new resistance genes.