A directional cylindrical anemometer with four sets of differential pressure sensors

This paper presents a solid-state directional anemometer for simultaneously measuring the speed and direction of a wind in a plane in a speed range 1-40 m/s. This instrument has a cylindrical shape and works by detecting the pressure differences across diameters of the cylinder when exposed to wind. By analyzing our experimental data in a Reynolds number regime 1.7 × 10(3)-7 × 10(4), we figure out the relationship between the pressure difference distribution and the wind velocity. We propose a novel and simple solution based on the relationship and design an anemometer which composes of a circular cylinder with four sets of differential pressure sensors, tubes connecting these sensors with the cylinder's surface, and corresponding circuits. In absence of moving parts, this instrument is small and immune of friction. It has simple internal structures, and the fragile sensing elements are well protected. Prototypes have been fabricated to estimate performance of proposed approach. The power consumption of the prototype is less than 0.5 W, and the sample rate is up to 31 Hz. The test results in a wind tunnel indicate that the maximum relative speed measuring error is 5% and the direction error is no more than 5° in a speed range 2-40 m/s. In theory, it is capable of measuring wind up to 60 m/s. When the air stream goes slower than 2 m/s, the measuring errors of directions are slightly greater, and the performance of speed measuring degrades but remains in an acceptable range of ±0.2 m/s.

Circulating miR-210 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer

microRNA-210 (miR-210), the master hypoxamir, is overexpressed and generally exhibits oncogenic properties in most human solid tumours, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the status of circulating miR-210 in CRC is still unknown. This study aims to assess the clinical significance of circulating miR-210 in CRC. Using (reverse transcription quantitative PCR) RT-qPCR analysis, we compared the expression levels of circulating miR-210 in serum of 268 CRC patients and 102 healthy controls, and found that serum miR-210 was significantly higher in CRC than in healthy controls (P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of circulating miR-210 to detect CRC was 0.821, with a sensitivity of 74.6% and a specificity of 73.5%. The AUC of circulating miR-210 showed significantly higher detection capability than that of carcinoembryogenic antigen (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that increased serum miR-210 level correlated with reduced overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.008 and P = 0.008 respectively). Cox analysis indicated circulating miR-210 was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS. Taken together, our data suggested that circulating miR-210 could be a potential non-invasive marker for diagnosis and prognosis of CRC.

Abstract P5-03-04: Identification of compounds from natural sources with selective activity against triple-negative breast cancer molecular subtypes

Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) lack expression of the estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR) and do not have amplified HER2. While targeted therapies for ER+/PR+ and HER2-amplified breast cancers have greatly improved patient survival, there are no targeted therapies for TNBCs and no effective therapies to treat metastatic disease. There is a need to identify new therapeutic agents and molecular targets for treating TNBCs, but efforts have been limited by a lack of understanding of the subtypes of these heterogeneous diseases. However, gene expression profiling of TNBC patients recently identified 6 molecular subtypes of TNBC and representative cell lines, providing the first opportunity to identify subtype-specific leads for TNBC.

We performed high-content screening to evaluate novel libraries of extracts from Texas plants and diverse fungal cultures for antiproliferative and/or cytotoxic activity in a panel of cell lines modeling five different TNBC molecular subtypes. The aim was to identify extracts with selective activity in a single cell line. We hypothesized that extracts found to have selective activity in one of these cell lines may target a protein or cellular process critical to the growth of that subtype. We identified 11 extracts with selective activity against cell lines representing four different TNBC molecular subtypes. From a fungal culture we identified a new compound called maximiscin, which was found to have selective cytotoxic efficacy against the MDA-MB-468 cell line of the basal-like 1 subtype. From a plant extract we isolated deguelin, which had selective activity in the MDA-MB-453 cell line, a model of the luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtype.

The molecular mechanisms of action of each compound were investigated in cell line models. Initial cell cycle studies using flow cytometry showed that maximiscin caused an accumulation of cells in G1 after 18h of treatment. Protein microarray studies indicated that maximiscin increased levels of phospho-p53, which was consistent with the observed G1 accumulation. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that maximiscin induces DNA damage and investigated the effects of maximiscin on the phosphorylation of several DNA damage response proteins. Maximiscin increased phosphorylation of Chk1, Chk2, p53 and H2A.X as soon as 2h after treatment, indicating an accumulation of DNA damage.

Previous studies have shown that LAR TNBC cells are particularly sensitive to PI3K inhibitors in vitro compared to other TNBC subtypes. The effects of deguelin on PI3K-Akt-mTORC1 signaling were evaluated in both MDA-MB-453 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Phosphorylation of both ribosomal protein S6 and 4E-BP1 were dramatically reduced in MDA-MB-453 cells 2h after deguelin treatment. Interestingly this was not observed in MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting inhibition of mTORC1 signaling may be involved in the selective activity of deguelin in MDA-MB-453 cells. Preliminary studies suggest deguelin may also decrease androgen receptor abundance in MDA-MB-453 cells, indicating multiple molecular mechanisms may be involved in its selective effects. These results demonstrate that compounds with selective activity against TNBC subtypes can be identified from nature.

Citation Format: Robles AJ, Du L, Cai S, Risinger AL, Cichewicz RH, Mooberry SL. Identification of compounds from natural sources with selective activity against triple-negative breast cancer molecular subtypes. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-03-04.

Overexpression of PIK3CA in murine head and neck epithelium drives tumor invasion and metastasis through PDK1 and enhanced TGFβ signaling

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients have a poor prognosis, with invasion and metastasis as major causes of mortality. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway regulates a wide range of cellular processes crucial for tumorigenesis, and PIK3CA amplification and mutation are among the most common genetic alterations in human HNSCC. Compared to the well-documented roles of the PI3K pathway in cell growth and survival, the roles of the PI3K pathway in tumor invasion and metastasis have not been well delineated. We generated a PIK3CA-genetically engineered mouse model (PIK3CA-GEMM) in which wildtype PIK3CA is overexpressed in head and neck epithelium. Although PIK3CA overexpression alone was not sufficient to initiate HNSCC formation, it significantly increased tumor susceptibility in an oral-carcinogenesis mouse model. PIK3CA overexpression in mouse oral epithelium increased tumor invasiveness and metastasis by increasing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and by enriching a cancer stem cell phenotype in tumor epithelial cells. In addition to these epithelial alterations, we also observed marked inflammation in tumor stroma. AKT is a central signaling mediator of the PI3K pathway. However, molecular analysis suggested that progression of PIK3CA-driven HNSCC is facilitated by PDK1 and enhanced TGFβ signaling rather than by AKT. Examination of human HNSCC clinical samples revealed that both PIK3CA and PDK1 protein levels correlated with tumor progression, highlighting the significance of this pathway. In summary, our results offer significant insight into how PIK3CA-overexpression drives HNSCC invasion and metastasis, providing a rationale for targeting PI3K/PDK1 and TGFβ signaling in advanced HNSCC patients with PIK3CA amplification.

Abstract P5-04-18: Extracts derived from fungi and plants demonstrate specificity for subtyptes of triple negative breast cancer

New effective therapies are needed for patients with triple negative breast cancers (TNBC). The identification by Lehmann and Bauer1 of distinct subtypes of TNBC and representative cell lines that are driven by different defects and signaling pathways provided the opportunity, for the first time, to screen for selective activities against these subtypes of TNBC. Using this knowledge, we initiated a screen of diverse natural product extract libraries with the goal of identifying extracts selective for subtypes of TNBC. The compounds with this selective activity will then be purified using bioassay-guided fractionation. Drugs derived from plants and fungi have provided some of the most important pharmaceuticals used today, including numerous anticancer agents.2 Natural products occupy a biologically validated chemical space that does not overlap with compounds found in most synthetic chemical libraries.3 Additionally, there are differences in chemical space between plant and fungal-derived compounds4 and different compound classes are expected to be isolated from these two sources. A total of 1,953 extracts of fungi collected from diverse environments, including Great Lakes sediments and 2,200 plant extracts from tropical environments have been screened for selective cytotoxic activities against cell lines representing 5 subtypes of TNBC. These subtypes are the basal-like 1 and 2 (BL1, BL2), mesenchymal (M), mesenchymal stem-like (MSL) and luminal androgen receptor (LAR). The initial screening using one concentration, 2 µg/ml for fungal extracts and 20 µg/ml for plant extracts, identified many extracts with selective activity against the TNBC subtypes. Detailed dose response curves were then generated with these extracts in each of the TNBC cell lines. A total of 4 fungal extracts and 7 plant extracts with selective cytotoxic activities were identified with selectivity up to 100-fold for 3 of the extracts. Bioassay-guided fractionation is ongoing to identify the active constituents. These results demonstrate that natural product extracts can yield selective actions against TNBC subtypes. We expect that these plant and fungal extracts will yield compounds that target molecular drivers specific to the TNBC subtypes. It is our expectation that compounds with selective, targeted activities will continue to be isolated from these extract collections.

1. Lehman BD and Bauer JA et al. J Clin Invest: 121, 2750-2767, 2011.

2. Newman DJ and Cragg GM. J Nat Prod: 75, 311-335, 2012.

3. Feher M and Schmidt JM. J Chem Inf Comput Sci: 43, 218-227, 2003.

4. El-Elimat, T et al. ACS Med Chem Lett: 3, 645-649, 2012.

Citation Format: Shaffer CV, Cai S, Perez A, Risinger AL, Du L, O'Keefe BR, Cichewicz RH, Mooberry SL. Extracts derived from fungi and plants demonstrate specificity for subtyptes of triple negative breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-04-18.

The 100 top-cited tuberculosis research studies

The examination of top-cited studies is a useful method for identify and monitoring outstanding scientific research. The objective of this study was to identify and analyse the characteristics of the top 100 cited research studies on tuberculosis (TB) based on the Web of Knowledge. Overall, the top 100 cited studies were cited between 366 and 4443 times, and were published between 1995 and 2010, with the largest number of publications in 2003 and in 1995. Four studies were attributed to a single author and 10 to two authors; the number of authors exceeded six in 50 studies. Nine authors had more than one study as the first author and 18 authors had more than one study as the corresponding author. The United States contributed the largest number of studies, followed by the United Kingdom and France. The institutions with the largest number of articles were the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale in France and the University of California in the United States. The studies appeared in 35 journals, with 11 published in Science, followed by PNAS and NEJM. The majority of TB articles have been published in those medical journals with the highest impact factors, and are from the most industrialised countries.

In situ dispersion of oil-based Ag nanocolloids by microdroplet coalescence and their applications in SERS detection

Monodispersity and size uniformity of the nanoparticles coated on film-like nanosensors are critical for detection efficiency.

Study of the expression of GABA(A) receptor in rats during acute lung injury caused by endotoxin

The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA(A)R) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rats. Thirty-two male wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. Rats in the GABA group were pretreated with LPS and GABA, while those in the bicuculline (BIC) group were pretreated with LPS and bicuculline. We assessed the arterial blood gas, dry/wet ratio, and the level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase 6 h after the immunization. Paraffin sections of samples were detected using the steptavidin-peroxidase method. Protein expression was detected using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting. PaO2 in the LPS group was significantly lower than that in the control rats. Activation of GABA-mediated signaling by GABA increased the expression of GABA(A)R in airway bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells. Blockade of the GABA(A)R by bicuculline limited the expression of this receptor. The GABA group rats had higher levels of tissue TNF-α and IL-6 than in ALI rats and control rats. The BIC group rats demonstrated an opposite expression level compared to the GABA group rats. Our results suggest that the GABA(A)R could aggravate the inflammatory response syndrome and oxidative stress in the lungs and play an essential role in LPS-induced acute lung injury. It provides a novel method to study the incidence and mortality of ALI during the peroperative period.

Graphic Mining of High-Order Drug Interactions and Their Directional Effects on Myopathy Using Electronic Medical Records

We propose to study a novel pharmacovigilance problem for mining directional effects of high-order drug interactions on an adverse drug event (ADE). Our goal is to estimate each individual risk of adding a new drug to an existing drug combination. In this proof-of-concept study, we analyzed a large electronic medical records database and extracted myopathy-relevant case control drug co-occurrence data. We applied frequent itemset mining to discover frequent drug combinations within the extracted data, evaluated directional drug interactions related to these combinations, and identified directional drug interactions with large effect sizes. Furthermore, we developed a novel visualization method to organize multiple directional drug interaction effects depicted as a tree, to generate an intuitive graphical and visual representation of our data-mining results. This translational bioinformatics approach yields promising results, adds valuable and complementary information to the existing pharmacovigilance literature, and has the potential to impact clinical practice.

A Mixture Dose-Response Model for Identifying High-Dimensional Drug Interaction Effects on Myopathy Using Electronic Medical Record Databases

Interactions between multiple drugs may yield excessive risk of adverse effects. This increased risk is not uniform for all combinations, although some combinations may have constant adverse effect risks. We developed a statistical model using medical record data to identify drug combinations that induce myopathy risk. Such combinations are revealed using a novel mixture model, comprised of a constant risk model and a dose–response risk model. The dose represents the number of drug combinations. Using an empirical Bayes estimation method, we successfully identified high-dimensional (two to six) drug combinations that are associated with excessive myopathy risk at significantly low local false-discovery rates. From the curve of a dose–response model and high-dimensional drug interaction data, we observed that myopathy risk increases as the drug interaction dimension increases. This is the first time that such a dose–response relationship for high-dimensional drug interactions was observed and extracted from the medical record database.

Gut carbohydrate metabolism instead of fat metabolism regulated by gut microbes mediates high-fat diet-induced obesity

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the involvement of gut microbes in body weight gain of high-fat diet-fed obesity-prone (obese) and obesity-resistant (lean) mice. C57BL/6 mice were grouped into an obese group, a lean group and a normal control group. Both obese and lean mice were fed a high-fat diet while normal control mice were fed a normal diet; they were observed for six weeks. The results showed that lean mice had lower serum lipid levels, body fat and weight gain than obese mice. The ATPase, succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase activities in liver as well as oxygen expenditure and rectal temperature of lean mice were significantly lower than in obese mice. As compared with obese mice, the absorption of intestinal carbohydrates but not of fats or proteins was significantly attenuated in lean mice. Furthermore, 16S rRNA abundances of faecal Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were significantly reduced in lean mice. In addition, faecal β-D-galactosidase activity and short chain fatty acid levels were significantly decreased in lean mice. Expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-β in visceral adipose tissues were significantly downregulated in lean mice as compared with obese mice. Resistance to dyslipidaemia and high-fat diet-induced obesity was mediated by ineffective absorption of intestinal carbohydrates but not of fats or proteins, probably through reducing gut Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes contents and lowering of gut carbohydrate metabolism. The regulation of intestinal carbohydrates instead of fat absorption by gut microbes might be a potential treatment strategy for high-fat diet-induced obesity.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors prevent activation-induced cell death and promote anti-tumor immunity

The poor efficacy of the in vivo anti-tumor immune response has been partially attributed to ineffective T-cell responses mounted against the tumor. Fas-FasL-dependent activation-induced cell death (AICD) of T cells is believed to be a major contributor to compromised anti-tumor immunity. The molecular mechanisms of AICD are well-investigated, yet the possibility of regulating AICD for cancer therapy remains to be explored. In this study, we show that histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) can inhibit apoptosis of CD4⁺ T cells within the tumor, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immune responses and suppressing melanoma growth. This inhibitory effect is specific for AICD through suppressing NFAT1-regulated FasL expression on activated CD4⁺ T cells. In gld/gld mice with mutation in FasL, the beneficial effect of HDACIs on AICD of infiltrating CD4⁺ T cells is not seen, confirming the critical role of FasL regulation in the anti-tumor effect of HDACIs. Importantly, we found that the co-administration of HDACIs and anti-CTLA4 could further enhance the infiltration of CD4⁺ T cells and achieve a synergistic therapeutic effect on tumor. Therefore, our study demonstrates that the modulation of AICD of tumor-infiltrating CD4⁺ T cells using HDACIs can enhance anti-tumor immune responses, uncovering a novel mechanism underlying the anti-tumor effect of HDACIs.

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.

Cardiovascular Z-scores in fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot

OBJECTIVE

To establish formulae for the calculation of fetal cardiovascular Z-scores based on femur length (FL), and to compare cardiovascular parameters between fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and normal fetuses in order to assess their value for the prenatal diagnosis of TOF.

METHODS

A total of 329 normal fetuses and 43 fetuses with TOF were included in this study. Eleven cardiovascular dimensions were measured offline after cardiac spatiotemporal image correlation volume acquisition. Normal cardiovascular Z-score formulae were constructed for these measurements based on FL by performing a standard regression analysis followed by weighted regression of absolute residual values. The following ratios were calculated: right ventricular internal diameter (RVID) to left ventricular internal diameter (LVID) and pulmonary artery diameter (PA) to aorta diameter (Ao). Subsequently, all parameters were compared between the normal and TOF groups.

RESULTS

Formulae for calculating Z-scores for the 11 cardiovascular dimensions were constructed. FL was significantly correlated with all cardiovascular dimensions assessed (r = 0.816-0.944, P < 0.001 for all). RVID, Ao, PA, aortic arch isthmus, and ductus arteriosus mean Z-scores and PA/Ao ratio were statistically significantly different between normal fetuses and those with TOF. In the TOF group, all Ao Z-scores (43/43) were > + 2 and all PA/Ao ratios (43/43) were below the normal 95% range. However, only 48.8% (21/43) of the PA Z-scores were < -2.

CONCLUSIONS

The cardiovascular Z-score formulae developed can provide a quantitative basis for the prenatal diagnosis of TOF. Aortic dilatation and abnormal PA/Ao ratio may be markers for the antenatal diagnosis of TOF.

Serum microRNA panel as biomarkers for early diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma

Background:

Currently, none of the available colorectal adenocarcinoma (CAC) testing has been established as a well-accepted diagnosis tool, particularly for the early stage of CAC. The recent discovery of serum microRNA (miRNA) profile has provided a new auxiliary approach for tumour diagnosis. Our study is involved in the global analysis of serum miRNAs during the normal–colorectal adenoma (CA)–CAC sequence.

Methods:

Serum samples were collected from 307 CAC patients, 164 CA patients and 226 healthy controls. Differentially expressed serum miRNAs were screened with Miseq sequencing followed by the reverse transcription PCR (RT–qPCR) validation. The miRNA panel was developed with a logistic regression model and validated using an independent cohort. The miRNA levels in CAC patients of different clinical stages and CA patients of different grades were compared. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the panel.

Results:

The Miseq sequencing results revealed 15 differentially expressed miRNAs in the intersection of CAC vs CA and CA vs healthy controls according to our criteria. After the selection and validation process via RT–qPCR, we identified a four-miRNA panel (miR-19a-3p, miR-223-3p, miR-92a-3p and miR-422a) with a high diagnostic accuracy of CAC. Even in the low-carcinoembryonic antigen level group, the diagnostic accuracy of this miRNA panel was still acceptable (AUC=0.810). Surprisingly, our results indicated that the miRNA panel could differentiate stage I/II CAC from controls. In addition, this panel could also differentiate CA from CAC (AUC=0.886) and healthy controls (AUC=0.765).

Conclusions:

We established a serum four-miRNA panel with considerable clinical value in the early-stage diagnosis of CAC.

IgA subclass switch recombination in human mucosal and systemic immune compartments

Human immunoglobulin A (IgA) comprises two IgA subclasses, IgA1 and IgA2, whose distribution has been shown by immunohistochemistry to be different in various body compartments. In comparison with systemic immune compartments, we investigated the IgA switch profiles at the molecular level in salivary and lacrimal glands, nasal mucosa, and proximal and distal gut mucosa. Direct switching from IgM to IgA1 or IgA2 predominated in all immune compartments analyzed. Similar composition of the Sμ-Sα1 and Sμ-Sα2 junctions was observed, including microhomology usage, which suggested that there is no major difference in the actual recombination mechanism utilized during IgA subclass switching. The proportion of IgA1/IgA2 switch recombination events largely paralleled the previously published immunohistochemical representation of IgA1(+) and IgA2(+) plasma cells, implying that the local subclass distribution generally reflects precommitted memory/effector B cells that have undergone IgA subclass switching before extravasation at the effector site. The extremely low or undetectable levels of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) and Iα-Cμ circle transcripts in intestinal lamina propria samples as compared with Peyer's patches suggest that the cellular IgA subclass distribution outside of organized gut-associated lymphoid tissue is only to a minor extent, if at all, influenced by in situ switching.

Synthesis and Properties of a Novel Intumescent Flame Retardant and its Application in LLDPE

In this study, a novel phosphorus-containing flame retardant (IFR) of spirocyclic pentaerythritol diphosphonate dinitroguanidine (SPDD) was successfully synthesized, which was characterized by 1H NMR, 31P NMR and FTIR spectra. At the same time, the SPDD was used in LLDPE to prepare flame-retardant materials whose flammability and thermal behavior were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The TGA data showed that SPDD could effectively enhance the thermal stability and char residue of LLDPE/IFR composite. And with the increase of SPDD, the LOI value of LLDPE/IFR increases obviously. When SPDD reached 30 wt%, the LOI value of LLDPE/IFR reaches 31 %. The SEM also shows the surface of intumescent chars of LLDPE/IFR (30 %) has many sphere-like swollen bubbles.

Cerebrovascular collaterals correlate with disease severity in adult North American patients with Moyamoya disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cerebrovascular collaterals have been increasingly recognized as predictive of clinical outcomes in Moyamoya disease in Asia. The aim of this study was to characterize collaterals in North American adult patients with Moyamoya disease and to assess whether similar correlations are valid.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with Moyamoya disease (n = 39; mean age, 43.5 ±10.6 years) and age- and sex-matched control subjects (n = 33; mean age, 44.3 ± 12.0 years) were graded via angiography. Clinical symptoms of stroke or hemorrhage were graded separately by imaging. Correlations between collateralization and disease severity, measured by the modified Suzuki score, were evaluated in patients with Moyamoya disease by fitting a regression model with clustered ordinal multinomial responses.

RESULTS

The presence of leptomeningeal collaterals (P = .008), dilation of the anterior choroidal artery (P = .01), and the posterior communicating artery/ICA ratio (P = .004) all correlated significantly with disease severity. The presence of infarct or hemorrhage and posterior steno-occlusive disease did not correlate significantly with the modified Suzuki score (P = .1). Anterior choroidal artery changes were not specific for hemorrhage. Patients with Moyamoya disease were statistically more likely than controls to have higher posterior communicating artery/ICA ratios and a greater incidence of leptomeningeal collaterals.

CONCLUSIONS

As with Moyamoya disease in Asian patients, the presence of cerebrovascular collaterals correlated with the modified Suzuki score for disease severity in North American patients with Moyamoya disease. However, anterior choroidal artery changes, which correlated with increased rates of hemorrhage in Asian studies, were not specific to hemorrhage in North Americans.

Leptin-mediated regulation of ICAM-1 is Rho/ROCK dependent and enhances gastric cancer cell migration

Background:

Our previous study indicates that leptin enhances gastric cancer (GC) invasion. However, the exact effect of leptin on GC metastasis and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a major molecule in stabilising cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix interactions, is overexpressed and has crucial roles in tumour metastasis.

Methods:

Here, we investigated leptin and ICAM-1 expression in GC tissues. Furthermore, we characterised the influence of leptin on ICAM-1 expression in GC cells and elucidated the underlying mechanism.

Results:

Leptin and ICAM-1 were overexpressed in GC tissues, and a strong positive correlation was observed. They were also related with clinical stage or lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, leptin induced GC cell (AGS and MKN-45) migration by upregulating ICAM-1, and knockdown of ICAM-1 by small interference RNA (siRNA) blocked this process. Cell surface ICAM-1, as well as soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), was also enhanced by leptin. Moreover, leptin increased ICAM-1 expression through Rho/ROCK pathway, which was attenuated by pharmacological inhibition of Rho (C3 transferase) or its downstream effector kinase Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) (Y-27632).

Conclusions:

Our findings indicate that leptin enhances GC cell migration by increasing ICAM-1 through Rho/ROCK pathway, which might provide new insight into the significance of leptin in GC.

Long-term behavioral effects of neonatal blockade of gastrin-releasing peptide receptors in rats: similarities to autism spectrum disorders

Gastrin releasing peptide, the mammalian counterpart of the amphibian peptide, bombesin, has been increasingly implicated in regulating normal brain function as well as in the pathogenesis of psychiatric and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. We have previously shown that the neonatal blockade of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPr) in rats produces long-lasting consequences during central nervous system development that are commonly observed in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders. The present investigation assessed in further detail, long-term behavioral effects of neonatal GRPr blockade. During postnatal days 1-10, male Wistar rat pups (n=5-10/litter) were injected (subcutaneously) with the GRPr antagonist, RC-3095 (1 mg/kg), or a vehicle (control), twice daily. Following the drug treatment regimen, several behaviors were assessed (starting on postnatal day 14) including specific social behaviors (namely, group huddling characteristics, social interaction, and social approach), restrictive/repetitive and stereotyped behaviors (y-maze, repetitive novel object contact task, observation for stereotypies) and anxiety/fear-related responses (open field, elevated plus maze and contextual fear conditioning). Rats treated neonatally with RC-3095 showed reduced sociability, restrictive interests, motor stereotypies and enhanced learned fear response compared to the controls (vehicle-treated rats). These behavioral abnormalities are consistent with those observed in autism spectrum disorders and provide further evidence that neonatal blockade of GRPr could potentially serve as a useful model to gain a better understanding of the underlying neurodevelopmental disruptions contributing to the expression of autism-relevant phenotypes.

Physicochemical and functional properties of gelatins extracted from turkey and chicken heads

Gelatins were prepared from chicken and turkey heads in a series of batch extractions at 2 different temperatures (50 and 60°C), and their composition and functional properties were evaluated. Gelatin yield from chicken and turkey heads was 52.29 and 62.76%, respectively, on a dry weight basis relative to the total collagen content in the raw materials. The gel strength of turkey gelatins varied from 332.7 to 368.4 g, which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of chicken gelatins. Both chicken and turkey head gelatins had high solubility at acidic and alkaline pH values. However, turkey head gelatins showed better emulsifying and foaming properties compared with chicken gelatins.

Comparative physiological and proteomic response to abrupt low temperature stress between two winter wheat cultivars differing in low temperature tolerance

Abrupt temperature reduction in winter wheat at either autumn seedling stage prior to vernalisation or early spring crown stage can cause severe crop damage and reduce production. Many studies have reported the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying cold acclimation in winter wheat by comparing it with spring wheat. However, processes associated with abrupt temperature reduction in autumn seedling stage prior to vernalisation in winter wheat are less understood. In this study, physiological and molecular responses of winter wheat seedlings to abrupt low temperature (LT) stress were characterised in the relatively LT-tolerant winter wheat cultivar Shixin 828 by comparing it with the relatively LT-sensitive cultivar Shiluan 02-1 using a combination of physiological, proteomics and biochemical approaches. Shixin 828 was tolerant to abrupt LT stress, while Shiluan 02-1 exhibited high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and leaf cell death. Significant increases in relative abundance of antioxidant-related proteins were found in Shixin 828 leaves, which correlate with observed higher antioxidant enzyme activity in Shixin 828 compared to Shiluan 02-1. Proteomics analysis also indicated that carbohydrate metabolism-related proteins were more abundant in Shiluan 02-1, correlating with observed accumulation of soluble sugars in Shiluan 02-1 leaves. Amino acid analysis revealed a strong response to LT stress in wheat leaves. A negative effect of exogenous sucrose on LT tolerance was also found. This study indicates that high ROS scavenging capacity and high abundance of photosynthesis-related proteins might play a role in winter wheat response to abrupt LT stress. In contrast, excess accumulation of soluble sugars might be disadvantageous for LT tolerance in the wheat cultivar Shiluan 02-1.

Comparative proteomic analysis of the nucleus accumbens during extinction and reinstatement of morphine dependence

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to detect differentially expressed proteins in the nucleus accumbens between the states of extinction and reinstatement ofmorphine addiction. Numerous studies on the neurobiological mechanisms concerning drug craving and relapse have been reported to date, but data on their relationship with the underlying key molecular mechanisms involved remain limited.

METHODS

In this study, 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally randomized into a saline group and a morphine group. Both groups received drug self-administration training, after which extinction models were established naturally. The groups were further divided into two subgroups for extinction and reinstatement tests. Cerebral nucleus accumbens masses were measured for total protein extraction. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was performed to determine differential protein spots. These differential proteins were then enzymolysed and identified using mass spectrography.

RESULTS

The proteins were classified as fatty acid-binding protein, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit beta isoform, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit alpha isoform, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit B2 subunit gamma or heat shock protein 90 co-chaperone CDC37.

CONCLUSION

Significant changes in five proteins were detected between extinction and reinstatement. These proteins are correlated with phosphorylation and the tricarboxylic acid cycle.

Alkaloids and flavonoids as α(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonists

Since the subtypes of α(1)-adrenergic receptor have been thoroughly determined, to date medicinal chemists raise their deliberation on how to conceive selective α(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonist with the minimal side effects. It needs to be well recognized that natural products can exist as a significant source of drug leads, thus portraying a consequential capacity in drug design and development. The current review article would like to present a comprehensive survey on natural products, mainly including alkaloids and flavonoids, which exhibit α(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonistic activities.

Particulate matter concentrations in residences: an intervention study evaluating stand-alone filters and air conditioners

This study, a randomized controlled trial, evaluated the effectiveness of free-standing air filters and window air conditioners (ACs) in 126 low-income households of children with asthma. Households were randomized into a control group, a group receiving a free-standing HEPA filter placed in the child's sleeping area, and a group receiving the filter and a window-mounted AC. Indoor air quality (IAQ) was monitored for week-long periods over three to four seasons. High concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide were frequently seen. When IAQ was monitored, filters reduced PM levels in the child's bedroom by an average of 50%. Filter use varied greatly among households and declined over time, for example, during weeks when pollutants were monitored, filter use was initially high, averaging 84±27%, but dropped to 63±33% in subsequent seasons. In months when households were not visited, use averaged only 34±30%. Filter effectiveness did not vary in homes with central or room ACs. The study shows that measurements over multiple seasons are needed to characterize air quality and filter performance. The effectiveness of interventions using free-standing air filters depends on occupant behavior, and strategies to ensure filter use should be an integral part of interventions.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) increased particulate matter (PM) levels by about 14 μg/m3 and was often detected using ETS-specific tracers despite restrictions on smoking in the house as reported on questionnaires administered to caregivers. PM concentrations depended on season, filter usage, relative humidity, air exchange ratios, number of children, outdoor PM levels, sweeping/dusting, and presence of a central air conditioner (AC). Free-standing air filters can be an effective intervention that provides substantial reductions in PM concentrations if the filters are used. However, filter use was variable across the study population and declined over the study duration, and thus strategies are needed to encourage and maintain use of filters. The variability in filter use suggests that exposure misclassification is a potential problem in intervention studies using filters. The installation of a room AC in the bedroom, intended to limit air exchange ratios, along with an air filter, did not lower PM levels more than the filter alone.

Dual-wavelength passive and hybrid mode-locking of 3, 4.5 and 10 GHz InAs/InP(100) quantum dot lasers

We present an investigation of passive and hybrid mode-locking in Fabry-Pérot type two-section InAs/InP(100) quantum dot lasers that show dual wavelength operation. Over the whole current and voltage range for mode-locking of these lasers, the optical output spectra show two distinct lobes. The two lobes provide a coherent bandwidth and are verified to lead to two synchronized optical pulses. The generated optical pulses are elongated in time due to a chirp which shows opposite signs over the two spectral lobes. Self-induced mode-locking in the single-section laser shows that the dual-wavelength spectra correspond to emission from ground state. In the hybrid mode-locking regime, a map of locking range is presented by measuring the values of timing jitter for several values of power and frequency of the external electrical modulating signal. An overview of the systematic behavior of InAs/InP(100) quantum dot mode-locked lasers is presented as conclusion.