Transcript analysis in two alfalfa salt tolerance selected breeding populations relative to a non-tolerant population

With the growing limitations on arable land, alfalfa (a widely cultivated, low-input forage) is now being selected to extend cultivation into saline lands for low-cost biofeedstock purposes. Here, minerals and transcriptome profiles were compared between two new salinity-tolerant North American alfalfa breeding populations and a more salinity-sensitive western Canadian alfalfa population grown under hydroponic saline conditions. All three populations accumulated two-fold higher sodium in roots than shoots as a function of increased electrical conductivity. At least 50% of differentially expressed genes (p < 0.05) were down-regulated in the salt-sensitive population growing under high salinity, while expression remained unchanged in the saline-tolerant populations. In particular, most reduction in transcript levels in the salt-sensitive population was observed in genes specifying cell wall structural components, lipids, secondary metabolism, auxin and ethylene hormones, development, transport, signalling, heat shock, proteolysis, pathogenesis-response, abiotic stress, RNA processing, and protein metabolism. Transcript diversity for transcription factors, protein modification, and protein degradation genes was also more strongly affected in salt-tolerant CW064027 than in salt-tolerant Bridgeview and salt-sensitive Rangelander, while both saline-tolerant populations showed more substantial up-regulation in redox-related genes and B-ZIP transcripts. The report highlights the first use of bulked genotypes as replicated samples to compare the transcriptomes of obligate out-cross breeding populations in alfalfa.

[Extended inferior meatal approach by reversing inferior turbinate for maxillary sinus and adjacent lesions]

Objective:The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility and results of surgical removal of maxillary sinus and adjacent lesions via extended inferior meatal approach by reversing inferior turbinate.Method:Among these 28 cases,there were 9 cases of maxillary cysts(4 of which with oroantral fistula),2 cases of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis(1 of which with oroantral fistula),3 cases of maxillary sinus cysts,2 cases of antrochoanal polyps,5 cases of maxillary sinus inverted papilloma,1 case of maxillary sinus inverted papilloma with infiltrative squamous cell carcinoma(moderately differentiated),4 cases of inferior orbital fracture,1 case of anterior maxillary sinus wall fracture,and 1 case of infratemporal fossa cysts with fungal maxillary sinusitis.All operations were conducted via extended inferior meatal approach.Result:All patients did not have intraoperative complications,and were free of recurrence after the 3 to 36 months postoperative follow-up.Conclusion:The extended inferior meatal approach by reversing inferior turbinate can deal with all aspects of the maxillary sinus and retromaxillary lesions.This procedure has a clear vision and high successful rate.

Effect of MSTN propeptide protein on the growth and development of Altay lamb muscle

Prokaryotic expression technology was used to express maltose-binding protein binding myostatin (MSTN) propeptide fusion protein. Six disease-free Altay lambs were used in this study. The right leg gastrocnemii were injected with MSTN recombinant propeptide protein. The left leg gastrocnemii (the control group) were injected with the same dose of phosphate based saline. The lambs were fed during four months under the same conditions and then slaughtered. Gastrocnemius samples were hematoxylin-eosin stained and the size of the muscle fibers was measured. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that single gastrocnemius cells in the experimental group had an average area of 1163.01 µm(2), while it was 845.09 µm(2) in the control group (P < 0.05). This indicates that the MSTN propeptide biological agents had an inhibitory effect on MSTN. In order to reveal its mechanism, RT-PCR was conducted to detect the expression of the differentiation-associated genes MyoD, Myf5, Myogenin, p21, and Smad3. The results showed that, in the MSTN propeptide biological agent injected group, expression levels of MSTN, Smad3, and p21 were lower than the control group, while Myf5, MyoD, and Myogenin were higher compared to the control group. This indicates that, when expression of the MSTN gene was inhibited, muscle cell differentiation and growth can be promoted by Smad3 up-regulated expression of Myf5, MyoD, and Myogenin.

Cloning and expression of the 4D8 gene from Hyalomma asiaticum tick

Hyalomma asiaticum tick, an important ectozoic parasite causes tickle, pain, anemia, weight loss, and paralysis in its hosts, which include humans, cattle, sheep, horses, camels, and hares. The 4D8 gene can be a potential vaccine candidate antigen for H. asiaticum. In the present study, we cloned and expressed the 4D8 gene of H. asiaticum from Xinjiang Province. Primers were designed according to the H. asiaticum tick 4D8 gene sequence available in GenBank. The gene was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the fragments were subcloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET30a and the recombinant vector pET30a-4D8 was constructed. The expressed recombinant protein was purified and its biological activity was investigated by western blot. Results revealed that the recombinant protein was a biologically active fusion protein with a molecular weight of 20 kDa. The purified 4D8 protein would provide a strong foundation for further studies on this protein.

Sequence analysis of peste des petits ruminants virus from ibexes in Xinjiang, China

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an infectious disease caused by peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). While PPR mainly affects domestic goats and sheep, it also affects wild ungulates such as ibex, blue sheep, and gazelle, although there are few reports regarding PPRV infection in wild animals. Between January 2015 and February 2015, it was found for the first time that wild ibexes died from PPRV infection in Bazhou, Xinjiang, China, where a total of 38 ibexes (including young and adult ibexes) were found to have died abnormally from PPR-related issues. First, we tested for the presence of the F gene of PPRV by RT-PCR. Then, we compared the sequence of the isolated F gene from the ibex strain, termed PPRV Xinjiang/Ibex/2015, with those previously identified from small domestic ruminants from local areas near where the reported isolate was collected as well as those from other regions. The current sequence was phylogenetically classified as a lineage IV virus, and shared a high level of sequence identity (99.7%) with a previously described Xinjiang PPRV isolate.

[EFFECT OF Akt1 GENE TRANSFECTION ON HYPOXIA TOLERANCE OF BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether Akt1 gene transfection mediated by recombinant lentivirus (LVs) in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) could enhance the ability of hypoxia tolerance so as to provide a theoretical basis for improving the effectiveness of stem cells transplantation.

METHODS

LVs was used as transfection vector, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was used as markers to construct the pLVX-EGFP-3FLAG virus vector carrying the Akt1 gene. The 3rd generation BMSCs from 3-5 weeks old Sprague Dawley rats were transfected with pLVX-EGFP virus solution as group B and with pLVX-EGFP-3PLAG virus solution as group C; and untransfected BMSCs served as control group (group A). At 2-3 days after transfection, the expression of green fluorescent was observed by fluorescence microscope; and at 48 hours after transfection, Western blot method was used to detect the expression of Akt1 protein in groups B and C. BMSCs of groups B and C were given hypoxia intervention with 94% N₂, 1% O₂, and 5% CO₂ for 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours (group B1 and group C1). The flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell apoptosis rate and cell death rate, and the MTT method to analyze the cell proliferation, and Western blot to detect the expression of apoptosis related gene Caspase-3.

RESULTS

After transfection, obvious green fluorescence was observed in BMSCs under fluorescence microscopy in groups B and C, the transfection efficiency was about 60%. Akt1 expression of group C was significantly higher than that of group B (t = 17.525, P = 0.013). The apoptosis rate and cell death rate of group B1 increased gradually with time, and difference was significant (P < 0.05). In group C1, the apoptosis rate and cell death rate decreased temporarily at 3 hours after hypoxia intervention, then increased gradually, and difference was significant (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate and cell death rate of group C1 were significantly lower than those of group B1 at each time point (P < 0.05) except at 0 hour. MTT assay showed tat absorbance (A) values of groups B and C were significantly higher than those of groups B1 and C1 at each time point (P < 0.05); the A value of group B was significantly lower than that of group C at each time point (P < 0.05). The A value of group B1 was significantly lower than that of group Cl at 6, 9, and 12 hours after hypoxia intervention (P < 0.05). Western blot results showed that the Caspase-3 expression of group C1 significantly reduced when compared with group B1 at each time point (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Akt1 gene transfection mediated by recombinant LVs could significantly improve hypoxia tolerance of BMSCs by inhibiting the apoptosis, which could provide new ideas for improving the effectiveness of stem cells transplantation.

[Knockdown of angiopoietin-like protein 4 inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in cervical cancer SiHa cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of lentivirus-mediated shRNA silencing of angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) on the proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer SiHa cells.

METHODS

The ANGPTL4 lentiviral vectors were used to transfect SiHa cells. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were respectively used to detect ANGPTL4 expression at mRNA and protein levels. The proliferation ability of SiHa cells after transfection was assessed by MTT assay and colony formation assay. The cell cycle was examined by flow cytometry. The annexin V-phycoerythrin/7-aminoactinomycin D (annexin V-PE/7-AAD) staining combined with flow cytometry was used to examine the effect of ANGPTL4 silence on the apoptosis of SiHa cells.

RESULTS

After the ANGPTL4 lentiviral vectors were transfected into SiHa cells, qRT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression of ANGPTL4 mRNA and protein were significantly inhibited in LV3-ANGPTL4 group. The MTT assay showed that the proliferation ability of SiHa cells in LV3-ANGPTL4 group was also inhibited. Colony formation assay revealed that the colony number in LV3-ANGPTL4 group was reduced. The cells in G0/G1 phase and the apoptosis rate increased in LV3-ANGPTL4 group.

CONCLUSION

The lentivirus-mediated ANGPTL4 shRNA can inhibit the proliferation, induce the cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, and promote the apoptosis in SiHa cells.

MiR-486-3p targeting ECM1 represses cell proliferation and metastasis in cervical cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and are involved in cervical cancer. But the molecular mechanism is still unclear. Here, miRNA profile of cervical cancer was performed and demonstrated that miR-486-3p decreased in specimens of cervical cancer patients. In addition, our clinical data show that decreased miR-486-3p was associated with metastasis in cervical cancer patients. ECM1 was predicted and velified as a target gene of miR-486-3p. Overexpression of miR-486-3p inhibited cell growth and metastasis by targeting ECM1. In a conclusion, these findings suggest that miR-486-3p is a tumor suppressor miRNA and induction of miR-486-3p is a potential strategy to inhibit cervical cancer progression.

Expression of recombinant myostatin propeptide pPIC9K-Msp plasmid in Pichia pastoris

Myostatin propeptide can inhibit the biological activity of myostatin protein and promote muscle growth. To express myostatin propeptide in vitro with a higher biological activity, we performed codon optimization on the sheep myostatin propeptide gene sequence, and mutated aspartic acid-76 to alanine based on the codon usage bias of Pichia pastoris and the enhanced biological activity of myostatin propeptide mutant. Modified myostatin propeptide gene was cloned into the pPIC9K plasmid to form the recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-Msp. Recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-Msp was transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 by electrotransformation. Transformed cells were screened, and methanol was used to induce expression. SDS-PAGE and western blotting were used to verify the successful expression of myostatin propeptide with biological activity in Pichia pastoris, providing the basis for characterization of this protein.

Platelet-derived miR-103b as a novel biomarker for the early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes

AIMS

MicroRNA-103 (miR-103) plays a critical role in regulating glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetes (DM2). Recent data suggest that secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) serves as a potential risk biomarker for prediabetic mellitus (pre-DM) and that platelets are enriched for miR-103. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that platelet-derived miR-103b (miR-103-as), which regulates SFRP4, might be a novel biomarker for the early diagnosis of DM2.

METHODS

We evaluated platelet miR-103b expression in healthy subjects (n = 46), pre-DM subjects (n = 48), non-complicated diabetic subjects (n = 43) and diabetes mellitus type 2-coronary heart disease subjects (n = 36), respectively, and analyzed the relationship of these levels with its target gene SFRP4.

RESULTS

In qRT-PCR assays, miR-103b were significantly down-regulated, and conversely, the expression of the SFRP4 gene was up-regulated in pooled leukocyte-depleted platelets and individual subjects with pre-DM. Additionally, patients who had undergone antiplatelet treatment were characterized by decreased gene expression of SFRP4 and increased levels of platelet-derived miR-103b. miR-103b modulated reporter gene expression through SFRP4 mRNA 3'-UTR seed sequence and negatively regulated its expression. Furthermore, SFRP4 mRNA and protein levels were down-regulated by a miR-103b mimic but were up-regulated by a miR-103b inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that platelet-derived miR-103b could negatively regulate the expression of SFRP4 mRNA/protein in pre-DM2, indicating that miR-103b could be a novel biomarker for the early diagnosis of DM2.

Plasma Levels of Acylated Ghrelin in Children with Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Congenital Heart Disease

This study aims to estimate plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in children with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with congenital heart disease (CHD) and to correlate the levels of acylated ghrelin with endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), and clinical hemodynamic parameters. We investigated the plasma concentration of acylated ghrelin, ET-1, NO, and the hemodynamic parameters in 20 children with CHD, 20 children with PH-CHD, and 20 normal children. Plasma-acylated ghrelin and NO levels were significantly higher in CHD group than in control subjects (P < 0.001). Moreover, plasma-acylated ghrelin, ET-1, and NO levels were significantly elevated in PH-CHD group compared with the CHD group (P < 0.05). In PH-CHD children, plasma-acylated ghrelin levels correlated positively with pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP; r = 0.740, P < 0.001), pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (PADP; r = 0.613, P = 0.004), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP; r = 0.642, P = 0.002), mean pulmonary arterial hypertension (mPAP; r = 0.685, P = 0.001), right ventricle diameter (RVD; r = 0.473, P = 0.035), pulmonary artery trunk diameter (PAD; r = 0.613, P = 0.004), NO (r = 0.463, P = 0.04), and ET-1 (r = 0.524, P = 0.018). Plasma-acylated ghrelin levels were elevated both in CHD and in PH-CHD. Increased acylated ghrelin levels correlated positively with ET-1, NO, PASP, PADP, RVSP, mPAP, RVD, and PAD. Acylated ghrelin may be a new biomarker of PH-CHD.

Experimental infection of pregnant rabbits with hepatitis E virus demonstrating high mortality and vertical transmission

A high mortality rate of approximately 20% in pregnant women with hepatitis E has been reported in previous studies. However, other studies showed no difference between pregnant and nonpregnant women in the severity of hepatitis E. To determine the effects of HEV infection on pregnancy, we successfully established HEV infection in six pregnant rabbits (PR) and six nonpregnant rabbits (NPR) with a rabbit HEV isolate, taking three PR and one NPR without HEV infection as controls. Tests for HEV RNA by RT-PCR, anti-HEV antibodies by ELISA and HEV antigen via immunohistochemistry and histopathology were carried out. Two of six infected PR miscarried and three of the remaining four PR died which may be attributed to severe liver necrosis caused by HEV infection. Moreover, vertical transmission was found to be associated with the replication of HEV in placenta, indicated by the presence of HEV RNA and antigen in placenta from the infected PR. Our findings strongly suggest that HEV infection could lead to adverse outcomes in pregnancy and vertical transmission, suggesting the necessity for pregnant women at risk of HEV infection to be vaccinated.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with breast cancer: systematic review, meta-analysis, and in silico reproduction

AIM

Breast cancer (BrCa) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are two major heath problems in women and the general population. This study explores the association between DM and breast cancer patients' survival outcomes, as well as the potential therapeutic merits of metformin.

METHODS

To explore the association between DM and BrCa, we performed systematic literature search in EMBASE (www.embase.com) and MEDLINE (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) from January 1960 to April 2014 and systematically identified clinical studies that assessed the association between BrCa mortality and DM. The NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was analyzed to identify micro-RNA change in BrCa cells treated by metformin, a common drug for DM worldwide.

RESULTS

Twenty studies were selected for the meta-analysis, of which 16 reported all-cause mortality and 12 reported cancer specific death. During our inclusion period, the cohorts encompassed a total of 2,645,249 patients including more than 207,832 DM patients. Pre-existing DM was associated with a 37% increase of all-cause mortality risk for women with BrCa (HR=1.37; 95%CI: 1.34-1.41; P=0.02). DM was in general associated with a 17% increased risk for BrCa mortality in women (HR=1.17; 95%CI: 1.11-1.22; P<0.01). The GEO analysis revealed downregulation of a series of pro-tumorigenic micro-RNAs following metformin treatment, which was in part restored by DICER knockdown.

CONCLUSION

Women with DM are at higher risk of BrCa-specific and all-cause mortality after initial breast cancer diagnosis. BrCa patients with DM could possibly benefit from metformin treatment via DICER mediation.

miR-199a impairs autophagy and induces cardiac hypertrophy through mTOR activation

Basal autophagy is tightly regulated by transcriptional and epigenetic factors to maintain cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of cardiac autophagy is associated with heart diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy, but the mechanism governing cardiac autophagy is rarely identified. To analyze the in vivo function of miR-199a in cardiac autophagy and cardiac hypertrophy, we generated cardiac-specific miR-199a transgenic mice and showed that overexpression of miR-199a was sufficient to inhibit cardiomyocyte autophagy and induce cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. miR-199a impaired cardiomyocyte autophagy in a cell-autonomous manner by targeting glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex signaling. Overexpression of autophagy related gene 5 (Atg5) attenuated the hypertrophic effects of miR-199a overexpression on cardiomyocytes, and activation of autophagy using rapamycin was sufficient to restore cardiac autophagy and decrease cardiac hypertrophy in miR-199a transgenic mice. These results reveal a novel role of miR-199a as a key regulator of cardiac autophagy, suggesting that targeting miRNAs controlling autophagy as a potential therapeutic strategy for cardiac disease.

Impact of caffeine on β cell proliferation and apoptosis under the influence of palmitic acid

We examined the influence of caffeine on the proliferation and apoptosis of β cells cultured in vitro in the presence of the free fatty acid palmitic acid (PA). Different concentrations of caffeine (1-100 mM) and free fatty PA were added to cultured β cells. The MTT assay was used to analyze cell proliferative activity; flow cytometry was used to measure apoptosis and calculate the apoptosis rate. Compared with the blank control group, cells cultured with 500 mM PA for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h showed inhibition of pancreatic β cell proliferative activity. In the 10 and 25 mM caffeine groups cultured for 48, 72, and 96 h, β cell proliferative activity was much higher than that in the 500 mM PA group. The apoptosis rate in the 500 mM PA group was 40.55 ± 20.33%, which was higher than that in the blank control group. The apoptosis rates in the 10 and 25 mM caffeine group and the PA group were 19.12 ± 10.56 and 20.97 ± 9.75%, respectively, which was lower than that in the 500 mM PA group. At some concentrations, caffeine can improve free fatty PA levels and guide pancreatic β cell proliferation inhibition and cell apoptosis.

P2X7 receptor stimulates breast cancer cell invasion and migration via the AKT pathway

Purinergic signaling has been implicated in the regulation of many cellular processes. A high concentration of ATP has been observed in the tumor microenvironment, suggesting a possible role of extracellular ATP in tumor progression. The P2X7 receptor, which belongs to the ligand-gated ion channel receptor family, is involved in tumor development and metastasis. In the present study, we found that extracellular ATP stimulated the invasion and migration of human T47D breast cancer cells, in a dose-dependent manner. BzATP (ATP analogue), but not ADP, also promoted invasion and migration. We further found that the P2X7 receptor was highly expressed in the T47D cells. After knockdown of the P2X7 receptor, ATP-stimulated invasion and migration were markedly inhibited. Moreover, activation of the P2X7 receptor by ATP downregulated the protein level of E-cadherin and upregulated the production of MMP-13. In addition, ATP time-dependently induced the activation of AKT via the P2X7 receptor, and the AKT pathway was required for the ATP-mediated invasion and migration. Taken together, our results revealed that activation of the P2X7 receptor by ATP promotes breast cancer cell invasion and migration, possibly via activation of the AKT pathway and regulation of E-cadherin and MMP-13 expression. Therefore, the P2X7 receptor may be a useful therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer.

Fibronectin chorused cohesion between endothelial progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem cells of mouse bone marrow

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) could function as niche cells to promote self&mdash;renewal of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the mouse bone marrow. Cohesion was the basis of the two cells to display their biological functions to each other. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of cohesion between MSCs and EPCs. And demonstrated that fibronectin (FN) in EPCs activated the integrin &#945;5&#946;1 of MSCs and further mediated cell-cell cohesion. Integrin &#945;5&#946;1 and its FN ligand played critical roles not only in single&mdash;cell line adhesion, but also in adhesion between stem and niche cells. This novel finding is important to understand the cross&mdash;talk between MSCs and their niche cells.

A fluorescent probe for H2S in vivo with fast response and high sensitivity

In this work, a fluorescent probe has been designed and synthesized that could be applied for monitoring and imaging exogenous or endogenous H₂S in live MCF-7 cells and in live mice with the fastest response.

Mechanism of action of ethylene sulfite and vinylene carbonate electrolyte additives in LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2/graphite pouch cells: electrochemical, GC-MS and XPS analysis

The SEI films formation/composition were dominated by VC resulting in better electrochemical performance of LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ (NMC)/graphite pouch cells.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 inhibits angiogenic signaling by uncoupling vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2-αVβ3 integrin cross talk

OBJECTIVE

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) regulates angiogenesis via effects on extracellular matrix proteolysis and cell adhesion. However, no previous study has implicated PAI-1 in controlling vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. We tested the hypothesis that PAI-1 downregulates VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) activation by inhibiting a vitronectin-dependent cooperative binding interaction between VEGFR-2 and αVβ3.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We studied effects of PAI-1 on VEGF signaling in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. PAI-1 inhibited VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells grown on vitronectin, but not on fibronectin or collagen. PAI-1 inhibited the binding of VEGFR-2 to β3 integrin, VEGFR-2 endocytosis, and intracellular signaling pathways downstream of VEGFR-2. The anti-VEGF effect of PAI-1 was mediated by 2 distinct pathways, one requiring binding to vitronectin and another requiring binding to very low-density lipoprotein receptor. PAI-1 inhibited VEGF-induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, and pharmacological inhibition of PAI-1 promoted collateral arteriole development and recovery of hindlimb perfusion after femoral artery interruption.

CONCLUSIONS

PAI-1 inhibits activation of VEGFR-2 by VEGF by disrupting a vitronectin-dependent proangiogenic binding interaction involving αVβ3 and VEGFR-2. These results broaden our understanding of the roles of PAI-1, vitronectin, and endocytic receptors in regulating VEGFR-2 activation and suggest novel therapeutic strategies for regulating VEGF signaling.

Application of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) in quantitative evaluation of neonatal brain development

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the effect of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) in neonatal brain development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors observed 41 neonatal brain different tissues by using traditional two-dimensional gray scale ultrasound and color Doppler flow imaging and frequency spectrum ultrasound. After that they used ARFI to quantitative evaluate white and gray matter of neonatal different tissues in brain with different gestational ages. They also used new technical index: virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) to evaluate elastic changes of brain tissues.

RESULTS

Different tissues in brain had different elastic numerical values. Neonatal with different gestational ages had different elastic numerical values. The more gestational ages were, the more the elastic numerical values. Elastic numerical values between preterm and full-term infants were different. Elastic numerical values of full-term infants were higher than preterm infants.

CONCLUSION

ARFI provides a new quantitative index to evaluate neonatal brain development. It increases objectivity and reliability of clinical analysis. Ultrasound was a noninvasive examination method, safe, simple, and convenient, and it has more usefulness of ARFI in quantitative evaluation of neonatal brain development.

[Baicalein induces HeLa cell growth inhibition by down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases and activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the changes of mRNA and protein expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 in cervical cancer cells after stimulated by baicalein at different concentrations.

METHODS

HeLa cells cultured in vitro were exposed to baicalein (0, 100 and 200 μmol/L) for 24 hours. The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was measured by gelatin zymography, mRNA expressions of ERK1/2, MMP-2, MMP-9 were determined by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and protein expressions of ERK1/2, MMP-2, MMP-9 were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, baicalein significantly decreased the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, MMP-2, MMP-9 also significantly decreased (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Baicalein can activate ERK1/2 signaling pathway and decreasing the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Regulatory effect of iron regulatory protein-2 on iron metabolism in lung cancer

Iron metabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of gene silencing of iron regulatory protein-2 (IRP2) on mRNA and protein expression of transferrin (Tf), transferrin receptor (TfR), and ferritin (Fn) in A549 lung cancer cells. A549 cells were cultured and divided into a liposome control group, a liposome + oligonucleotide (SCODN) control group, and a Lipofectamine + antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) group. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of Tf, TfR, and Fn. We found no significant change in Tf mRNA expression among the 3 groups (P = 0.078). TfR and Fn mRNA expressions in the ASODN group notably decreased compared to the liposome and SCODN groups (P < 0.01). IRP2 and TfR protein expressions in the ASODN group were significantly lower than in the liposome or SCODN groups (P < 0.05), whereas no significant change in Tf protein expression was observed between the 3 groups (P = 0.088). Fn protein expression in the ASODN group was significantly higher than in the liposome or SCODN group (P < 0.05). IRP2 can regulate the expression of TfR and Fn by changing its own protein expression and thereby regulate iron metabolism.

Randomised clinical trial: L-ornithine-L-aspartate reduces significantly the increase of venous ammonia concentration after TIPSS

BACKGROUND

Use of TIPSS is associated with increases in ammonia concentration and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) risk. L-ornithine-L-aspartate (LOLA) is effective in reducing ammonia concentration.

AIM

To evaluate the effects of LOLA on venous ammonia concentration after TIPSS.

METHODS

The included patients were randomised to receive LOLA or no-LOLA treatment for 7 days. Fasting and post-prandial venous ammonia levels were the primary outcomes. Psychometric performance, post-TIPSS HE, and liver and renal function were assessed as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 133 cirrhotic patients who received successful TIPSS between November 2011 and June 2012, 40 met the inclusion criteria and were randomised to the LOLA (n = 21) or control (n = 19) groups. Change in fasting ammonia significantly favoured the LOLA group at days 4 (P = 0.001) and 7 (P = 0.003). Changes in post-prandial ammonia concentration significantly favoured the LOLA group at days 1, 4 and 7 as well. During the study period, patients in the LOLA group had better improvement in psychometric tests than those in the control group. Overt HE during treatment was observed in one patient in the LOLA group and three patients in the control group (P = 0.331). There were no differences in complications, adverse events or mortality between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic use of LOLA infusion after TIPSS is safe and effective in significantly reducing the increase of venous ammonia concentration, and can benefit the patient's mental status as well.

Topological surface state in the Kondo insulator samarium hexaboride

Topological invariants of electron wavefunctions in condensed matter reveal many intriguing phenomena. A notable example is provided by topological insulators, which are characterized by an insulating bulk coexisting with a metallic boundary state. Although there has been intense interest in Bi-based topological insulators, their behaviour is complicated by the presence of a considerable residual bulk conductivity. Theories predict that the Kondo insulator system SmB6, which is known to undergo a transition from a Kondo lattice metal to a small-gap insulator state with decreasing temperature, could be a topological insulator. Although the insulating bulk and metallic surface separation has been demonstrated in recent transport measurements, these have not demonstrated the topologically protected nature of the metallic surface state. Here we report thickness-dependent transport measurements on doped SmB6, and show that magnetic and non-magnetic doping results in contrasting behaviour that supports the conclusion that SmB6 shows virtually no residual bulk conductivity.

Three-dimensional visualization of rat brain microvasculature following permanent focal ischaemia by synchrotron radiation

OBJECTIVE

Identifying morphological changes that occur in microvessels under both normal and ischaemic conditions is crucial for understanding and treating stroke. However, conventional imaging techniques are not able to detect microvessels on a micron or sub-micron scale without angiography. In the present study, synchrotron radiation (SR)-based X-ray in-line phase contrast imaging (ILPCI) was used to acquire high-resolution and high-contrast images of rat brain tissues in both normal and ischaemic states.

METHODS

ILPCI was performed at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai, China, without the use of contrast agents. CT slices were reformatted and then converted into three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction images to analyse subtle details of the cerebral microvascular network.

RESULTS

By using ILPCI, brain vessels up to 11.8 μm in diameter were resolved. The number of cortical and penetrating arteries detected were found to undergo a remarkable decrease within the infarct area. 3 days after permanent ischaemia, vascular masses were also observed in the peripheral region of the infarcts.

CONCLUSION

SR-based ILPCI-CT can serve as a powerful tool to accurately visualize brain microvasculature. The morphological parameters of blood vessels in both CT slices and 3D reconstructions were determined, and this approach has great potential for providing an effective diagnosis and evaluation for rehabilitation therapy for stroke.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

In the absence of contrast agent, the 3D morphologies of the brain microvasculature in normal and stroke rats were obtained using SR-based ILPCI. SR imaging is a sensitive and promising method which can be used to explore primary brain function.

Presence of intratumoral platelets is associated with tumor vessel structure and metastasis

Background

Platelets play a fundamental role in maintaining hemostasis and have been shown to participate in hematogenous dissemination of tumor cells. Abundant platelets were detected in the tumor microenvironment outside of the blood vessel, thus, platelet -tumor cell interaction outside of the bloodstream may play a role in regulating primary tumor growth and metastasis initiation. However, it is unclear that platelet depletion affects tumor vessel structure and dynamics.

Methods

Using thrombocytopenia induction in two different tumor-bearing mouse models, tumor tissues were performed by Westernblotting and immunohistochemical staining. Vascular permeability was evaluated by determination of intratumoral Evans blue and Miles vascular permeability assay. Furthermore, microdialysis was used to examining the intratumoral extracellular angiogenic growth factors (VEGF, TGF-β) by ELISA.

Results

Platelet depletion showed no change in tumor growth and reduced lung metastasis. Platelet depletion led to reduced tumor hypoxia and Met receptor activation and was associated with a decreased release of MMP-2, 9, PAI-1, VEGF, and TGF-β. Tumor vessels in platelet-depleted mice showed impaired vessel density and maturation.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that platelets within the primary tumor microenvironment play a critical role in the induction of vascular permeability and initiation of tumor metastasis.

Vitronectin regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in regulating angiogenesis, and this process is largely dependent on the newly formed extracellular matrix (ECM). The levels of vitronectin (VN) are increased in patients with various cardiovascular diseases. A role for VN in regulating VEGF-induced angiogenesis has not been previously reported. We tested the hypothesis that VN regulates VEGFR-2 activation via effects on αvβ3, thus contributing to angiogenesis.

METHODS

We used a 3-dimensional angiogenesis assay, and examined the effects of VN on VEGF-mediated angiogenesis in aortic endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from wild-type and VN-deficient mice.

RESULTS

The addition of multimeric VN significantly enhanced VEGF-induced increases in EC migration and capillary formation. In vitro, Vn(-/-) ECs migrated significantly slower than wild-type ECs. The addition of VN to Vn(-/-) ECs increased EC migration and augmented the promigratory effect of VEGF in a manner that involved VEGFR-2 and Src signaling. Analysis of the mechanisms involved revealed that multimeric VN, but not monomeric VN, binds VEGF and enhances VEGF-induced VEGFR-2/Src activation in ECs.

CONCLUSION

These results underscore the importance of VN in the regulation of angiogenesis induced by VEGF.

The cost-effectiveness analysis of laparoscopic treatment of ectopic pregnancy: a single-center review of a five-year experience

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic treatment for ectopic pregnancy by comparing the medical expenses and time of hospitalization of laparoscopic and open surgery for ectopic pregnancy in partial area of Shanghai, China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical data of 762 cases with ectopic pregnancy undergoing surgical treatment (307 cases for laparoscopic surgery and 455 cases for open surgery) were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical information including the medical expenses and time of hospitalization was compared. The patients were divided into three groups according to the treatments of different lesions (lesions resection, conservative laparotomy, and exploration group) and were analyzed.

RESULTS

The total hospitalization expenses and the top three single costs including surgery, exams, and medicine expenses were higher in laparoscopic group than in open surgery group. There was no significant difference between the two groups on the total time of hospitalization. The hospital days of preoperation were higher but the postoperative hospital days were lower in laparoscopic group than in open surgery group. Compared with the open surgery treatment, the hospitalization expenses of laparoscopic treatment for ectopic pregnancy increased. There was no significant difference on the total hospitalization days.

CONCLUSION

The preoperative waiting period of inpatients increased and the post-operative hospital days reduced in laparoscopic group.

Pathway enrichment analysis of human osteosarcoma U-2 OS bone cells expose to dexamethasone

OBJECTIVE

Osteosarcoma is the second highest cause of cancer-related death in children, mainly due to development of often fatal metastasis, usually in the lungs. Glucocorticoids play an important role in the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases and immune diseases. The objective of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism of osteosarcoma in response to dexamethasone (DEX, a kind of synthetic glucocorticoid), with a view to obtain information on the pathways activated by DEX.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By using the GSE6711 Affymetrix microarray data accessible from Gene Expression Omnibus database, we first identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among different time course treatment with dexamethasone of each isoform, and the DEGs among cells expressing different GR isoforms, followed by the pathway enrichment analysis of the DEGs.

RESULTS

The results indicated that DEX could inhibit osteosarcoma cell proliferation and promote osteosarcoma cell apoptosis through induction of lots of related genes expression at the transcription level.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data provide a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of pathways which may be involved in the response to glucocorticoids.

NKG2D blockade attenuated cardiac allograft vasculopathy in a mouse model of cardiac transplantation

A previous paper has reported that blockade of NKG2D was effective in protecting allograft in murine models of cardiac transplantation, but the mechanism of NKG2D blockade on attenuated cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) was still unknown. In our current study, we found that wild-type recipients treated with anti-NKG2D monoclonal antibody (mAb) plus cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)-4-immunoglobulin (I)g showed prolonged allograft survivals (>90 days, P < 0·001) significantly and attenuated CAV. These in-vivo results correlated with reduced alloantibody production, low expression of interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-6, while infiltration of regulatory T cells increased. IL-6 administration induced shorter allograft survival and higher CAV grade in CTLA-4-Ig plus anti-NKG2D mAb-treated recipients, whereas IL-17 had no significant effect on allograft survival and CAV grade in CTLA-4-Ig plus anti-NKG2D mAb-treated recipients. Furthermore, the prolonged allograft survival induced by NKG2D blockade was abrogated partially with depletion of regulatory T cells. In conclusion, blockade of NKG2D combined with CTLA-4-Ig attenuated CAV and this effect was associated with lower alloantibody production, inhibited IL-6 expression and enhanced expansion of regulatory T cells.