Quantitative candidate gene association studies of metabolic traits in Han Chinese type 2 diabetes patients

Recent genome-wide association studies have identified many loci associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hyperuricemia, and obesity in various ethnic populations. However, quantitative traits have been less well investigated in Han Chinese T2DM populations. We investigated the association between candidate gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and metabolic syndrome-related quantitative traits in Han Chinese T2DM subjects. Unrelated Han Chinese T2DM patients (1975) were recruited. Eighty-six SNPs were genotyped and tested for association with quantitative traits including lipid profiles, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), serum uric acid (SUA), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), plasma glucose [fasting plasma glucose (FPG)], plasma glucose 120 min post-OGTT (P2PG; OGTT = oral glucose tolerance test), and insulin resistance-related traits. We found that CAMTA1, ABI2, VHL, KAT2B, PKHD1, ESR1, TOX, SLC30A8, SFI1, and MYH9 polymorphisms were associated with HbA1c, FPG, and/or P2PG; GCK, HHEX, TCF7L2, KCNQ1, and TBX5 polymorphisms were associated with insulin resistance-related traits; ABCG2, SLC2A9, and PKHD1 polymorphisms were associated with SUA; CAMTA1, VHL, KAT2B, PON1, NUB1, SLITRK5, SMAD3, FTO, FANCA, and PCSK2 polymorphisms were associated with blood lipid traits; CAMTA1, SPAG16, TOX, KCNQ1, ACACB, and MYH9 polymorphisms were associated with blood pressure; and UBE2E3, SPAG16, SLC2A9, CDKAL1, CDKN2A/B, TCF7L2, SMAD3, and PNPLA3 polymorphisms were associated with BMI (all P values <0.05). Some of the candidate genes were associated with metabolic and anthropometric traits in T2DM in Han Chinese. Although none of these associations reached genome-wide significance (P < 5 x 10(-8)), genes and loci identified in this study are worthy of further replication and investigation.

In vitro application of RNA interference to silence livin gene expression to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells

OBJECTIVE

To search for new targets and novel methods of anti-leukemia treatment and to discuss the mechanism of silencing the livin gene using small RNA interference technology to induce apoptosis in the K562 leukemia cell line.

METHODS

We designed and synthesized livin-specific small interference RNA (siRNA). Transfected K562 cells were cultured. Reverse-transcription polymer chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect livin mRNA expression. Protein expression for livin was detected using Western blotting. A non-transfected group was used as a control. Meanwhile, vectors carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) were transfected as a positive control and flow cytometry was used to determine the transfection efficiency by detecting green fluorescence. The rate of apoptosis was determined using the annexin V and propidium iodide double-staining method. ELISA was used to determine the activity of Caspase-3.

RESULTS

The transfection efficiency of electroporation was as high as 50%. The siRNA sequences could knockdown livin gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Apoptosis rate of the cells was 27.41 ± 2.30% 48 h after transfection with specific siRNA. This was significantly higher than that of the control group (9.63 ± 0.89%, p < 0.05). The 48-h apoptosis rate of the combined effect group VP-16 (5 µmol/L) and transfection rate was 45.1 ± 4.40%, which was significantly elevated (p < 0.05) compared with the groups treated with only VP-16 or by transfection.

CONCLUSIONS

Caspase-3 activity in cells transfected with siRNA was significantly elevated compared to the cells in the non-transfected groups (p < 0.05).

Interferon-α-2b as an adjuvant therapy prolongs survival of patients with previously resected oral muscosal melanoma

Two major subtypes of melanoma include cutaneous melanoma and mucosal melanoma. The latter type is rare and usually occurs in the head and neck region. High-dose interferon-α-2b (IFN-α-2b) has proven effective in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma. Recently, a regimen of temozolomide plus cisplatin was reported more likely to improve relapse-free survival and overall survival than high-dose IFN-α-2b for mucosal melanoma. We conducted this study to analyze the therapeutic effect of high-dose IFN-α-2b for patients with oral mucosal melanoma who had received prior chemotherapy. One hundred and seventeen patients with stage III-IVa oral mucosal melanoma who had received chemotherapy were analyzed. The overall survival and relapse-free survival were compared between the patients with/without high-dose IFN-α-2b. The results indicate that the IFN-α-2b treatment group had a longer relapse-free survival rate (P = 0.0169) as compared to the control group. However, the overall survival was not significant between the two groups (P = 0.096), except in patients in stage IVa, whose overall survival increased by 20 months (P = 0.0146). The adverse reactions included a drug-induced influenza-like syndrome, gastrointestinal responses, myelosuppression, and hepatoxicity, which were predominantly of grade 1-2 and reversible. Thus, patients with resected oral mucosal melanoma, even those who have received chemotherapy, could benefit from the treatment of high-dose IFN-α-2b.

Study on the distribution and elimination of the new hormone irisin in vivo: new discoveries regarding irisin

Irisin is a newly discovered factor that is secreted by skeletal muscle and plays an important role in the homeostasis and metabolism of energy balance. This study used irisin radiolabeled with (125)I and small-animal SPECT/CT imaging to investigate the metabolic elimination and distribution of irisin in vivo. Irisin was labeled with (125)I using the Iodogen method. Small-animal SPECT/CT imaging was performed on C57/B16 mice at 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min after receiving a tail vein injection, and the radioactive distribution in the organs of mice was determined at 15, 60, and 120 min. Small-animal SPECT/CT imaging revealed the highest level of radioactivity in the gallbladder followed by the liver and kidney. Radioactivity decreased gradually with time in all organs. The radioactive distribution in the mice organs also showed that the highest %ID/g was in the gallbladder followed by the kidney and liver, and decreased gradually with time. The radioactivity in the gastric system reached its highest level at 60 min. Finally, our study showed the metabolic clearance of (125)I-irisin is achieved primarily through the hepatobiliary and renal system and provided the basis for the clinical application of irisin.

Cloning and expression analysis of terpenoid metabolism-related gene NsyCMS in Nicotiana sylvestris

Terpenoids constitute the main class of secondary metabolites produced in plants with industrial, pharmacological, and agricultural interests. Nicotiana sylvestris has been widely adopted as a diploid model system in plant biology for studies of terpenoid biosynthesis. In this paper, we report the isolation and analysis of the 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase (CMS) gene of the MEP (methylerythritol 4-phosphate) pathway from N. sylvestris. We used homologous-based cloning with a RACE method to obtain the full-length coding sequence of the NsCMS. Then, the physical and chemical properties, function, and three-dimensional structure of the NsyCMS protein were predicted. Fluorogenic quantitative PCR was used to conduct an expression analysis at different developmental stages of various tissues of the NsyCMS. The sequence of the NsyCMS consists of a 954-bp open reading frame and encodes a predicted protein of 317 amino acids, with a molecular weight of approximately 49.6 kDa and pi of 6.92. The in vivo localization of the encoded protein was cytoplasmic with no signal peptide, whereas 2 transmembrane regions were found in NsyCMS. The conserved domains of typical 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase, aminotransferase, and pyridoxal phosphate-dependent transferase were found in NsyCMS. Differential expression patterns of the NsyCMS were observed throughout the different developmental stages and tissues. NsyCMS messenger RNA was expressed in all tissues, with the highest level of expression in the seedling leaves. NsyMK was expressed at a higher level in the resettling roots. The results from our study set the foundation for exploring the terpenoid biosynthetic pathways in N. sylvestris.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms predisposing to asthma in children of Mauritian Indian and Chinese Han ethnicity

Our objective was to investigate the distributions of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) MS4A2 E237G, MS4A2 C-109T, ADRB2 R16G, IL4RA I75V, IL4 C-590T, and IL13 C1923T in Mauritian Indian and Chinese Han children with asthma. This case-control association study enrolled 382 unrelated Mauritian Indian children, 193 with asthma and 189 healthy controls, and 384 unrelated Chinese Han children, 192 with asthma and 192 healthy controls. The SNP loci were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism for the Chinese Han samples and TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR for the Mauritian Indian samples. In the Mauritian Indian children, there was a significant difference in the distribution of IL13 C1923T between the asthma and control groups (P=0.033). The frequency of IL13 C1923T T/T in the Mauritian Indian asthma group was significantly higher than in the control group [odds ratio (OR)=2.119, 95% confidence interval=1.048-4.285]. The Chinese Han children with asthma had significantly higher frequencies of MS4A2 C-109T T/T (OR=1.961, P=0.001) and ADRB2 R16G A/A (OR=2.575, P=0.000) than the control group. The IL13 C1923T locus predisposed to asthma in Mauritian Indian children, which represents an ethnic difference from the Chinese Han population. The MS4A2 C-109T T/T and ADRB2 R16G A/A genotypes were associated with asthma in the Chinese Han children.

PCDH20 functions as a tumour-suppressor gene through antagonizing the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Several members of protocadherins have been found involved in human carcinogenesis, but little is known about PCDH20 in HCC. Here in this study, using quantitative real-time RT-PCR assay, we demonstrated the downregulation of PCDH20 expression in 6 of 7 HCC cell lines tested. Similarly, PCDH20 expression in primary HCC tissues was also significantly downregulated in comparison with that in either disease-free normal liver tissues or the adjacent nontumour liver tissues (P < 0.001, respectively). Among HCC tumour tissues studied, about 48% (51/107) of them showed reduced PCDH20 mRNA level. Further statistic analysis revealed that the reduced PCDH20 mRNA level in tumour tissues was much more common in younger patients group (aged <50 years) than that in older group (≥50 years) (60% vs 33%, P = 0.0303). Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and promoter hypermethylation analysis revealed that deletion and/or aberrant epigenetic modulation of PCDH20 gene account for its downregulation, at least in a fraction of tumour specimens. Moreover, ectopic expression of PCDH20 in HCC cells significantly suppressed cell proliferation, clonogenicity, migration and tumour formation. Notably, we proved for the first time that, via activating GSK-3β, PCDH20 could inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. Furthermore, our data suggest that PCDH20 may conduct its Wnt/β-catenin signalling antagonizing function through suppressing Akt and Erk activities and promoting GSK-3β signalling activities. However, the detailed mechanism remained undiscovered. In conclusion, our data here strongly suggested that PCDH20 may act as a candidate tumour suppressor in HCC.

MicroRNA signatures of platinum-resistance in ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES

The authors utilized a microRNA (miRNA) array to compare the differentially expressed miRNAs in platinum-resistant associated ovarian cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The differential expression of microRNA between COC1 (DDP-sensitive) and platinum-resistant COC1/DDP (DDP-resistant) tumor cell lines was determined using microarray. Expression levels were further validated by real-time quantitive polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

The authors identified that several miRNAs are altered in collected 86 samples of human ovarian cancer cell-lines, with four significantly deregulated miRNAs and 13 upregulated miRNAs. Of which, miR-141-3p was the most differentially expressed miRNA between COC1 group (1.7833 ± 0.7213) and COC1/DDP group (14.0433 ± 4.4895) (p < 0.05). Additionally, the product curve of PCR amplification indicated that miR-141-3p had a significant higher expression level in chemotherapy resistant group (n = 20) rather than in chemotherapy sensitive group (n = 20) (9.56 ± 1.04 vs. 1.59 ± 0.91, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present results suggest that miR-141-3p might be used as a therapeutic target to modulate platinum-based chemotherapy and as a biomarker to predict chemotherapy response.

Muscarinic-mediated vasoconstriction in human, rat and sheep umbilical cords and related vasoconstriction mechanisms

OBJECTIVE

The umbilical cord provides nutrition and oxygen to the fetus. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of acetylcholine (ACh) on umbilical cords from humans and other mammals, and the mechanisms of ACh-mediated vasoconstriction in the human umbilical cord.

DESIGN

Human and animal umbilical cords used in vascular and cellular experiments.

SETTING

Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.

POPULATION

A total of 85 pregnant women, 16 Sprague Dawley rats and seven pregnant sheep.

METHODS

Umbilical cord veins and arteries from humans, rats and sheep, aortas and mesenteric arteries from rats, and mesenteric, carotid and femoral arteries from ovine fetuses were used to compare vascular functions in response to ACh and to determine the mechanisms of ACh-mediated umbilical vasoconstriction. Vascular tension and ion channel currents were measured on isolated vessels and smooth muscle cells from human umbilical cords.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Provision of new evidence to conclude that ACh-stimulated vasoconstriction is common to all umbilical cords, and cellular mechanisms are linked to potassium channels.

RESULTS

ACh caused reliable vasoconstriction in umbilical veins/arteries in humans, rats and sheep, but not in any other vessels, including fetal vessels. Atropine inhibited the effects of ACh. The mRNA of ACh-muscarinic receptor subtypes M1 -M5 was expressed in human umbilical vessels. The protein kinase C antagonist GF109203X and the calcium inhibitor nifedipine decreased ACh-induced vasoconstriction in human umbilical vessels. ACh also caused a reduction in whole-cell potassium channel currents and the single-channel current of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BKca) channels.

CONCLUSION

Umbilical vessels are significantly different from other vessels in their response to ACh. BKca channels in smooth muscle cells may play important roles in ACh-mediated vasoconstriction in human umbilical cords. This information may be important for fetal medicine and practice with regard to the effect on fetal development of umbilical vascular functions.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) induce apoptosis of periodontal ligament fibroblasts

Diabetics have an increased prevalence of periodontitis, and diabetes is one of the causative factors of severe periodontitis. Apoptosis is thought to be involved in this pathogenic relationship. The aim of this study was to investigate apoptosis in human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE). We examined the roles of apoptosis, AGEs, and RAGE during periodontitis in diabetes mellitus using cultured PDL fibroblasts that were treated by AGE-modified bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) alone, or given no treatment (control). Microscopy and real-time quantitative PCR indicated that PDL fibroblasts treated with AGE-BSA were deformed and expressed higher levels of RAGE and caspase 3. Cell viability assays and flow cytometry indicated that AGE-BSA reduced cell viability (69.80±5.50%, P<0.01) and increased apoptosis (11.31±1.73%, P<0.05). Hoechst 33258 staining and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling revealed that AGE-BSA significantly increased apoptosis of PDL fibroblasts. The results showed that the changes in PDL fibroblasts induced by AGE-BSA may explain how AGE-RAGE participates in and exacerbates periodontium destruction.

Bosentan protects the spinal cord from ischemia reperfusion injury in rats through vascular endothelial growth factor receptors

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental study.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether Bosentan, an endothelin-A/-B dual receptor antagonist, could protect neurons after spinal cord ischemia reperfusion (SCIR) injury in rats and its underlying signaling pathway.

SETTING

Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, saline group (IRS, n=48) and Bosentan group (IRB, 5 mg kg(-1), n=48). After ischemia for 1 h with occlusion of the infrarenal aorta, spinal cord were reperfused for 6h, 12h, 24h, 3d, 5d, and 7d separately. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect protein expression of VEGF, VEGF receptor 1 (FLT-1) and VEGF receptor 2 (FLK-1). Gene expressions of VEGF and its receptors were evaluated using the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Compared with the IRS group, gene and protein expressions of VEGF, FLT-1 and FLK-1 were significantly increased (P<0.05), so was the concentration of VEGF in plasma (P<0.05). FLK-1 was expressed on spinal cord neurons.

Involvement of dopamine D1 receptors of the hippocampal dentate gyrus in spatial learning and memory deficits in a rat model of vascular dementia

We investigated the involvement of dopamine (DA) and its D1 receptors of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in spatial learning and memory deficits in a rat model of vascular dementia (VD) established by permanent bilateral carotid occlusion. Spatial learning and memory abilities of rats were measured by Morris water maze, and extracellular concentrations of DA in the DG were determined by in vivo microdialysis. The DA concentrations in the DG decreased in the VD rats compared with sham-operated group. Microinjection of SFK38393 (D1 receptor agonist) into the DG attenuates spatial learning and memory deficits in the VD rats.

Chemerin suppresses murine allergic asthma by inhibiting CCL2 production and subsequent airway recruitment of inflammatory dendritic cells

BACKGROUND

Chemerin has been implicated to play opposing roles, either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory, in various tissue inflammation processes primarily through the regulation of tissue recruitment of immune cells. However, the effect of chemerin in allergic asthma has not yet been explored. We sought to investigate the role of chemerin in the murine model of allergic asthma and explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

We examined the effect of intranasal (i.n.) administration of chemerin during antigen challenge in murine models of asthma. Moreover, we examined whether administration of CCL2 or bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) transfer reversed the effects of chemerin on ovalbumin-induced asthma. We finally examined the effect of chemerin on CCL2 expression in activated lung epithelial cells in vitro.

RESULTS

The administration of chemerin attenuated allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperreactivity during antigen challenge. Chemerin treatment caused significant decreases in BALF CD4(+) T-cell accumulation and mRNA expression of Th2-attracting chemokines, CCL17 and CCL22, which was accompanied by significantly decreased BALF CD11c(+) CD11b(+) inflammatory DC accumulation and CCL2 production. Furthermore, airway administration of exogenous CCL2 or adoptive transfer of CD11c(+) CD11b(+) BMDCs abrogated the suppressive effects of chemerin on allergic asthma. Finally, in vitro study showed that chemerin inhibited CCL2 secretion by low-dose LPS-stimulated lung epithelial cells, which led to decreased chemotaxis of BMDCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that chemerin plays a protective role in allergic asthma by suppressing airway recruitment of inflammatory CD11c(+) CD11b(+) DCs through the inhibition of CCL2 secretion by active lung epithelial cells.

HER2, MET and FGFR2 oncogenic driver alterations define distinct molecular segments for targeted therapies in gastric carcinoma

Background:

Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Since the approval of trastuzumab, targeted therapies are emerging as promising treatment options for the disease. This study aimed to explore the molecular segmentation of several known therapeutics targets, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), MET and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), within GC using clinically approved or investigational kits and scoring criteria. Knowledge of how these markers are segmented in the same cohort of GC patients could improve future clinical trial designs.

Methods:

Using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and FISH methods, overexpression and amplification of HER2, FGFR2 and MET were profiled in a cohort of Chinese GC samples. The correlations between anti-tumour sensitivity and the molecular segments of HER2, MET and FGFR2 alterations were further tested in a panel of GC cell lines and the patient-derived GC xenograft (PDGCX) model using the targeted inhibitors.

Results:

Of 172 GC patients, positivity for HER2, MET and FGFR2 alternations was found in 23 (13.4%), 21 (12.2%) and 9 (5.2%) patients, respectively. Positivity for MET was found in 3 of 23 HER2-positive GC patients. Co-positivity for FGFR2 and MET was found in 1 GC patient, and amplification of the two genes was found in different tumour cells. Our study in a panel of GC cell lines showed that in most cell lines, amplification or high expression of a particular molecular marker was mutually exclusive and in vitro sensitivity to the targeted agents lapatinib, PD173074 and crizotinib was only observed in cell lines with the corresponding high expression of the drugs' target protein. SGC031, an MET-positive PDGCX mouse model, responded to crizotinib but not to lapatinib or PD173074.

Conclusions:

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, MET and FGFR2 oncogenic driver alterations (gene amplification and overexpression) occur in three largely distinct molecular segments in GC. A significant proportion of HER2-negative patients may potentially benefit from MET- or FGFR2-targeted therapies.

Molecular cloning of the goose ACSL3 and ACSL5 coding domain sequences and their expression characteristics during goose fatty liver development

It has been demonstrated that ACSL3 and ACSL5 play important roles in fat metabolism. To investigate the primary functions of ACSL3 and ACSL5 and to evaluate their expression levels during goose fatty liver development, we cloned the ACSL3 and ACSL5 coding domain sequences (CDSs) of geese using RT-PCR and analyzed their expression characteristics under different conditions using qRT-PCR. The results showed that the goose ACSL3 (JX511975) and ACSL5 (JX511976) sequences have high similarities with the chicken sequences both at the nucleotide and amino acid levels. Both ACSL3 and ACSL5 have high expression levels in goose liver. The expression levels of ACSL3 and ACSL5 in goose liver and hepatocytes can be changed by overfeeding geese and by treatment with unsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Together, these results indicate that ACSL3 and ACSL5 play important roles during fatty liver development. The different expression characteristics of goose ACSL3 and ACSL5 suggest that these two genes may be responsible for specific functions.

FGF4 and HGF promote differentiation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocytes via the MAPK pathway

Our research demonstrated the potential for mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mBMMSCs) to differentiate into hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo. However, the exact mechanism of this process remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cell-signaling pathway in the differentiation of mBMMSCs into hepatocytes. mBMMSCs were isolated from femurs and tibias, and hepatic differentiation was induced in Isove's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, containing human growth factor and fibroblast growth factor 4. After seven days of induction, morphological characteristics were examined. For inhibition of signaling molecular activities, the inhibitors p38 (SB203580), ERK1/2 (U0126), and MSK1 (H89) were added to the differentiation medium. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to evaluate the gene expression profiles and protein expression of several markers, including the early specific markers of hepatocytes (AFP and FOXa2), phosphorylated-p38 (p-p38), phosphorylated-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), and phosphorylated- MSK1 (p-MSK1). Expressions of p-p38, p-ERK1/2, and p-MSK1 were effectively inhibited by their respective inhibitors. Expressions of early specific markers, AFP and FOXa2, in the p38, ERK1/2, and MSK1 inhibitor-treated groups were significantly decreased compared to those of the cytokine-induced control. Notably, the expressions of AFP and FOXa2 in the p38 inhibitor group were more obviously reduced than those in the ERK1/2 inhibitor group. The MAPK signaling pathway, especially p38, is sufficient to drive differentiation of mBMMSCs into hepatocytes. This could increase the efficiency of hepatocyte differentiation, which would benefit clinical applications.

Wortmannin enhances cisplatin-induced apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells in vitro

OBJECTIVE

The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is constitutively activated in some ovarian cancers; when activated, it promotes invasion and inhibits chemotherapy-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells. The fungal metabolite wortmannin is the currently known inhibitors that show fairly high specificity for PI3K.We examined whether PI3K/Akt activity correlates with invasion and apoptotic resistance to chemotherapy in cultured human ovarian cancer cells, and whether inhibition of PI3K/Akt by wortmannin inhibits invasion and enhances cisplatin-induced apoptosis in cultured human ovarian cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cisplatin-sensitive A2780 ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line and its daughter line, A2780cis was evaluated for basal Akt activity. Chemotherapy-induced cell death was evaluated following down-regulation of Akt activity by wortmannin treatment or upregulation of Akt activity by myr-Akt treatment. Invasion and migration were assessed using Boyden chamber assays

RESULTS

Inhibiting or activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by wortmannin had little effect on the basal level of apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells, but increased the apoptotic effect of chemotherapy in A2780cis cells, decreased the apoptotic effect of chemotherapy in cisplatin-sensitive A2780 cells. Cisplatin resistant cells display increased potential for migration and invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

The antiapoptotic effect of AKT activation in ovarian cancer cells confer invasive ability and resistance to apoptosis. Wortmannin is as adjuncts to conventional chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

ReSeqTools: an integrated toolkit for large-scale next-generation sequencing based resequencing analysis

Large-scale next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based resequencing detects sequence variations, constructs evolutionary histories, and identifies phenotype-related genotypes. However, NGS-based resequencing studies generate extraordinarily large amounts of data, making computations difficult. Effective use and analysis of these data for NGS-based resequencing studies remains a difficult task for individual researchers. Here, we introduce ReSeqTools, a full-featured toolkit for NGS (Illumina sequencing)-based resequencing analysis, which processes raw data, interprets mapping results, and identifies and annotates sequence variations. ReSeqTools provides abundant scalable functions for routine resequencing analysis in different modules to facilitate customization of the analysis pipeline. ReSeqTools is designed to use compressed data files as input or output to save storage space and facilitates faster and more computationally efficient large-scale resequencing studies in a user-friendly manner. It offers abundant practical functions and generates useful statistics during the analysis pipeline, which significantly simplifies resequencing analysis. Its integrated algorithms and abundant sub-functions provide a solid foundation for special demands in resequencing projects. Users can combine these functions to construct their own pipelines for other purposes.

Bosentan reduces neuronal apoptosis following spinal cord ischemic reperfusion injury

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental study.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of endothelin-receptor antagonist Bosentan on the spinal neural apoptosis in rats with ischemic reperfusion (IR) injury.

SETTING

Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medcine, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China:

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley Rats were randomly divided into two groups, saline (IRS, n=48) and Bosentan (IRB, n=48) treatment, respectively, when reperfused in 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 days, 5 days and 7 days. Immunohistochemical staining was used to assess endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin receptor type A (ETRA), endothelin receptor type B (ETRB), Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 expression. ET-1 and its receptor in spinal cord tissue were evaluated by real-time PCR. Plasma ET-1 concentration was also detected using radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

Compared with the group IRS, plasma concentration of ET-1 in group IRB was significantly increased at each time point (P<0.05) and peaked at 24 h (P<0.01). ETRB expression in group IRB was significantly higher than group IRS at each time point (P<0.05) and peaked at day 3 (P<0.01). The difference in the expression of ETRA was not statistically significant in the group IRS and IRB (P>0.05). The apoptosis rate in group IRB was significantly decreased at each time point (P<0.05). The protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 were significantly increased in response to Bosentan treatment after IR.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest Bosentan decreases apoptosis rate after IR injury in the spinal cord, possibly through the ET-1-ETRB signaling pathway.

Concurrent erlotinib and radiotherapy for chemoradiotherapy-intolerant esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients: results of a pilot study

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, a number of patients present intolerance to chemoradiotherapy because of advanced age or malnutrition. Erlotinib, an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, was shown to be effective in treating esophageal carcinoma, with mild toxicities. In this pilot study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of concurrent erlotinib and radiotherapy as an alternative treatment modality for esophageal carcinoma patients who are intolerant to chemoradiotherapy. Pathologically diagnosed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who could not tolerate concurrent chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. All patients were treated with concurrent erlotinib and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Erlotinib was given orally for 60 days (150 mg per day). Radiotherapy (total dose, 60 Gy) was given at dosages of 2 Gy for a total of 30 times. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to assess epidermal growth factor receptor expression. Toxicities were evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 3.0). The overall survival, progression-free survival, and local-regional relapse-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Between December 2007 and March 2011, 18 patients were enrolled. The median age was 71.5 years. Primary disease was stages II, III, and IV in 3, 8, and 4 patients, respectively. There were three patients with recurrent disease after radical surgery. The median follow-up time was 17.2 months. Grade 3 esophagitis and skin rash were observed in five (27.8%) and two (11.1%) patients, respectively. Radiation pneumonitis of grades 2 and 5 was observed in one patient each. No grade 3/4 impaired liver function or hematological toxicity was observed. At 1 month after radiotherapy, two (11.1%) patients achieved complete response, 11 (61.1%) patients achieved partial response, and 5 (27.8%) patients had stable disease. The median time of overall survival and progression-free survival was 21.1 and 12 months, respectively. Two-year overall survival, progression-free survival, and local-regional relapse-free survival were 44.4%, 38.9%, and 66.7%, respectively. Five of six patients examined for epidermal growth factor receptor had high expression levels (3+). The relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor expression and treatment outcomes could not be concluded. For esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who cannot tolerate chemoradiotherapy, concurrent erlotinib and radiotherapy are tolerable and effective. Valuable markers to predict the effect of erlotinib should be exploited in future studies.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi plasmid pR ST98 -mediated inhibition of autophagy promotes bacterial survival in infected fibroblasts

pR (ST98) is a chimeric plasmid isolated from Salmonella enterica serovar typhi (S. typhi) and mediates both drug-resistance and virulence of S. typhi. Autophagy has been recently reported as an important component of the innate immune response against intracellular pathogen. In this study, we investigated the effect of pR (ST98) on cellular autophagy, apoptosis and bacterial survival in infected fibroblasts. S. typhi strain ST 8 carrying pR (ST98) , Salmonella typhimurium strain SR-11 carrying a 100 Kb virulent plasmid, and avirulent S. typhi strain ST(10) without plasmid were tested in this experiment. Results showed that embryonic fibroblasts infected with ST(8) containing pR (ST98) had decreased autophagy accompanied by increased bacterial survival and apoptosis. Further study showed that autophagy inducer rapamycin reversed pR (ST98) -mediated inhibition of autophagy and reduced apoptosis in infected fibroblasts. Our data indicate that pR (ST98) can inhibit autophagy, thus facilitating S. typhi survival and promoting apoptosis of host cells. This study contributes to understanding the underlying mechanism of pR (ST98) -mediated virulence in S. typhi.

Flow-injection analysis chemiluminescence detection combined with microdialysis sampling for studying protein binding of drug

The bovine serum album binding of streptomycin sulfate was studied in vitro using the technique of microdialysis combined with flow-injection analysis-chemiluminescence detection. The principle of the determination of streptomycin sulfate is that it increases the radiation emitted during the chemiluminescence oxidation of luminol by potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) in sodium hydroxide medium. The drug and protein were mixed in different molar ratios in 0.067 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, and incubated at 37 degrees C in a water bath. The microdialysis probe was utilized to sample the mixed solution at a perfusion rate of 5 mul min(-1). The concentration of unbound streptomycin sulfate in the microdialysate was determined by FIA-CL. In vitro recovery of streptomycin sulfate under experimental conditions was 22%. The data obtained by the present microdialysis-FI-CL system was analyzed using the Scatchard analysis and Klotz plot. The results show that the Scatchard plot and Klotz plot are linear, showing that studied drug has only one type of binding sites. The estimated binding parameters agreed well with literature values.

Meta-analysis on the effect of the Ala54Thr polymorphism of the fatty acid-binding protein 2 gene on body mass index

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The results from studies published on the association of fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2) Ala54Thr polymorphism with body mass index (BMI) are conflicting. In this meta-analysis, we investigated the association of the FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphism with BMI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We searched for articles published prior to June 2009 using PubMed, HugeNavigator and China National Knowledge Internet. The languages were limited to English and Chinese. Data on BMI were collected. A pooled weighted mean difference (WMD), together with 95% confidence interval (CI), was used for this meta-analysis. A total of 27 studies with 10 974 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled effect for dominant, recessive and co-dominant model comparisons did not suggest the significant association between the FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphism and BMI in overall populations: WMD(fixed effects)=-0.00, 95% CI: (-0.16 to 0.15), p=0.99, WMD(random effects)=-0.00, 95% CI: (-0.16 to 0.15), p=0.99, p(Q)=0.77, I(2)=0%, WMD(fixed effects)=-0.12, 95% CI: (-0.39 to 0.14), p=0.35, WMD(random effects)=-0.12, 95% CI: (-0.39 to 0.14), p=0.35, p(Q)=0.47, I(2)=0% and WMD(fixed effects)=0.07, 95% CI: (-0.11 to 0.25), p=0.45, WMD(random effects)=0.07, 95% CI: (-0.11 to 0.25), p=0.45, p(Q)=0.90, I(2)=0%, respectively. The results from the comparisons of ThrThr versus AlaAla and AlaThr versus AlaAla showed no evidence that the FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphism is significantly associated with BMI in overall populations (p>0.05). All the results from the subgroup analyses for these genetic models comparisons were not significant (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis does not support the association between the FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphism and BMI.

Clinical outcomes of ovulation induction with metformin, clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotrophin in polycystic ovary syndrome

This pilot study evaluated the effects of coadministration of metformin with clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) in women with CC-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Sixty women with PCOS were randomly assigned to receive 3 months' treatment with metformin or placebo together with CC and HMG. Transvaginal ultrasound was used to monitor follicular development and ovulation was induced by human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). The number of dominant follicles, the oestradiol level on the day HCG was given and the amount of HMG required were significantly lower in the metformin group than in the placebo group, whereas the mono-ovulatory rate and pregnancy rate in the third cycle were significantly higher. The cumulative pregnancy rate in the metformin group (43.3%) was higher than in the placebo group (20.0%), but this difference did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, coadministration of metformin with CC and HMG reduced the amount of HMG required and increased the mono-ovulatory rate and pregnancy rate.

Rice tillering and yield as affected by artificial and sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) culm injury

A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the tillering and yield response of rice, Oryza sativa L., whose culms were injured artificially or by larval sugarcane borers, Diatraea saccharalis (F.). Artificially injured plants produced approximately 0.49 more tillers than uninjured plants, similar to what has previously been reported for larval injured plants. In contrast, artificial injury did not affect yield per tiller, whereas larval injury did. The proximity of larval injury to the panicle had a negative impact on tiller yield, whereas artificial injury did not. Artificial injury apparently resulted in less injury to vascular tissue than did sugarcane borer larval injury. Until an artificial method of injury is developed that mimics the effects of larval feeding, further injury studies will continue to require sugarcane borer larvae.

FCGR3B copy number variation is not associated with lupus nephritis in a Chinese population

Copy number variation (CNV) is common in genomic regions encoding immune-related genes and can impact polygenic autoimmunity. FCGR3B CNV is associated with susceptibility to systemic autoimmunity in Caucasian populations. In this study, we examined FCGR3B CNV in patients with the autoimmune disease lupus nephritis (LN) in a Chinese population. The study includes 202 patients with histologically verified LN and 146 geographically matched healthy controls. To identify CNV at the FCGRB locus, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done with TaqMan( TM) probes and relative copy number was estimated with relative quantitative 2(-DeltaDeltaCt) method. The distribution of FCGR3B relative copy number did not differ significantly between the LN patients and the controls (1.17 +/- 0.42 for LN; 1.15 +/- 0.37 for controls; p = 0.627). The difference was still not significant when the data were stratified by gender. There was no significant difference when the LN patients were divided by pathological phenotype (proliferative LN compared with non-proliferative p = 0.511; AI < 12 compared with AI > or = 12, p = 0.401; and chronicity index (CI) < 4 compared with CI > or = 4, p = 0.058) or lupus disease activity index (SLEDAI < or = 10 compared with SLEDAI > 10, p = 0.996). The data suggest that FCGR3B CNV was not associated with LN development or progression in this Chinese population. These results were surprising given the strong in a Caucasian population.

Effects of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy on pathological staging and prognosis for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The role of neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal carcinoma still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy on pathological staging and prognosis in the patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Between January 1991 and December 2000, 473 patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma diagnosed by endoscopic biopsy underwent surgical resection in our center. With informed consent, they were randomized into four groups: neoadjuvant chemotherapy, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, and surgery alone (control group). The preoperative computed tomography staging criteria were the following: Stage I, the tumor limited to the esophageal lumen or the thickness of the esophageal wall varied between 3-5 mm; Stage II, the thickness exceeds 5 mm but no invasion to the mediastinum or distant metastasis; Stage III, the tumor invades adjacent mediastinal structure; and Stage IV, there is distant metastasis. The tumor resection rate, pathological stage, treatment-related complication, and survival among groups were compared. The radical resection rate for the patients in radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy groups was increased in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). Their pathological stage after esophagectomy was regressed significantly than that of the control group (50.85%, 55.08% vs. 0%, P < 0.05). The adjuvant chemotherapy group did show significant improvement on resection rate and pathological staging compared with the control group. The treatment-related complication in the three neoadjuvant groups had no significant difference from that of the control group (P > 0.05). The 3-year survival rate of radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (69.49%, 73.73% vs. 53.38%, P < 0.05). The 5-year survival rate of radiochemotherapy group was higher than that of the radiotherapy group although did not show a statistical difference (P > 0.05). Rational application of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy seems to provide a modest benefit in radical resection and survival in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma.

Tenuifolin, an extract derived from tenuigenin, inhibits amyloid-beta secretion in vitro

AIM

Previous studies have shown that tenuigenin, a crude extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. that is commonly used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine for memory loss, can reduce the secretion of Abeta from cultured cells. However, the mechanism underlying this effect and the active compound derived from tenuigenin is unknown. In this study, a purified component of tenuigenin, tenuifolin, was examined and revealed to be an effective compound in vitro.

METHODS

Abeta secretion from three sets of COS-7 cells, each carrying a plasmid expressing a different form of APP was examined following the treatment with tenuifolin. Initially, tenuifolin was determined to have no inherent toxicity to either the transfected or wild type cells at the effective concentrations. Cells were then treated with 0.5-2.0 microg mL(-1) tenuifolin for 12 h and their media were examined via an ELISA for Abeta1-40 and Abeta-42.

RESULTS

We found that treatment with 2.0 microg mL(-1) tenuifolin significantly decreased Abeta secretion from COS-7 cells without altering the ratio of Abeta1-40 and Abeta-42. This effect is most probably due to inhibition of the beta-site APP cleaving enzyme as Abeta secretion was not inhibited from cells expressing the C99 fragment.

CONCLUSION

Tenuifolin is an effective compound from tenuigenin. We believe that this finding should lead the way for future experiments to determine the exact mechanism for tenuifolin's effect on Abeta secretion.

Tolerance and compensatory response of rice to sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) injury

A 3-yr field experiment was conducted to evaluate the tolerance and compensatory response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) to injury caused by sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), as affected by cultivar (Cocodrie, Francis, and Jefferson), stage of crop growth during which the injury occurred (third tiller stage, panicle differentiation stage, and heading stage), and sugarcane borer density. The proportion of rice tillers with sugarcane borer injury (leaf and leaf sheath injury and/or stem injury) was lower when injury occurred at the third tiller stage (0.05) than at panicle differentiation (0.19) and heading (0.18). When injury occurred at the two latter stages, both the proportion of tillers with injury and the proportion of tillers with stem injury were negatively correlated with rainfall. Rainfall resulted in dislodgement and mortality of sugarcane borer eggs and larvae before the larvae entered the stems. Rice plant density in this study (111.1 plants/m2) was higher than recorded for previous research on rice compensation using potted rice or conducted in low-density hill production systems (26.7-51.3 plants/m2). Two mechanisms of within-plant tolerance/compensation were observed. Stem injured plants produced approximately 0.69 more tillers than uninjured plants, whereas tillers with leaf and leaf sheath injury produced larger panicles, up to 39.5 and 21.0% heavier than uninjured tillers, when injury occurred at third tiller stage and at panicle differentiation, respectively. Rice yield was not reduced with up to 23% injured tiller and up to 10% injured stems at the third tiller stage, 42% injured tillers and 17% injured stems at panicle differentiation, and 28% injured tillers and 14% injured stems at heading. Significant between-plant compensation was not detected, suggesting competition between adjacent plants is not significantly reduced by injury. Our results suggest that rice can tolerate and/or compensate for a level of stem borer injury previously considered to be economically damaging.