Comparative cytotoxicity and apoptotic pathways induced by nanosilver in human liver HepG2 and L02 cells

Silver nanoparticles are used in many commercial products in daily life. Exposure to nanosilver has hepatotoxic effects in animals. This study investigated the cytotoxicity associated with polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated nanosilver (23.44 ± 4.92 nm in diameter) exposure in the human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) and normal hepatic cell line (L02), and the molecular mechanisms induced by nanosilver in HepG2 cells. Nanosilver, in doses of 20-160 μg mL^-1 for 24 and 48 h, reduced cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner and induced cell membrane leakage and mitochondria injury in both cell lines; these effects were more pronounced in HepG2 cells than in L02 cells. Intracellular oxidative stress was documented by reactive oxygen species (ROS) being generated in HepG2 cells but not in L02 cells, an effect possibly due to differential uptake of nanosilver by cancer cells and normal cells. In HepG2 cells, apoptosis was documented by finding that ROS triggered a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in cytochrome c release, activation of caspase 3 and caspase 9, and a decrease in the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. Furthermore, nanosilver activated the Fas death receptor pathway by downregulation of nuclear factor-κB and activation of caspase 8 and caspase 3. These results suggest that apoptosis induced by nanosilver in HepG2 cells is mediated via a mitochondria-dependent pathway and the Fas death receptor pathway. These findings provide toxicological and mechanistic information that can help in assessing the effects of nanosilver in biological systems, including the potential for anticancer activities.

Abstract GS1-05: Tandem duplicator phenotypes define 50% of triple negative breast cancers

Background. We recently discovered a unique chromotype, the Tandem Duplicator Phenotype (TDP), characterized by hundreds of somatic tandem duplications (TDs) scattered throughout the genome of a large percentage of triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs). Importantly, we observed that the TDP associates with a better response to cisplatin therapy in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that it is a tractable and quantitative biomarker of response to platinum-based therapy. Here, we expand on our initial findings by analyzing Whole-Genome (WG) sequences of over 2,700 tumors.

Methods. TD coordinates from WG sequences relative to 2717 tumors were assembled from over 30 independent studies representing several cancer types, including 254 TNBCs. WG sequencing of mouse breast tumors was carried out using standard Illumina protocols. The number, distribution and span-size of somatic TDs from a training set of 992 tumors were used to develop a TDP classifier that identifies highly recurrent but clearly distinct TDP profiles. The TDP classifier was then applied to the remaining tumor sequences. WG mutation and copy number datasets were investigated to identify the genetic drivers associated with each TDP profile, and the genomic consequences of different TDPs were evaluated through identification of genomic hotspots for gene duplication and transection.

Results. We describe six different TDPs featuring distinct TD span size distributions, with peaks at 10Kb (group 1), 300Kb (group 2) and 3Mb (group 3), or different combinations of these (mix12, mix13 and mix23). More than half of all TNBC display a TDP. Of these, 55% classify as group 1, 14% as group 2 and 15% as group mix12. Whereas all TDP groups show a higher TP53 mutation rate compared to non-TDP tumors, each TDP profile is characterized by specific additional gene perturbations, with loss of BRCA1 occurring in groups 1, mix12 and mix13; CCNE1 amplification in group 2; and CDK12 mutations in group mix23. We show that different TDPs are subject to the perturbation of specific oncogenic networks resulting from the duplication of oncogenes by larger TDs (>300Kb) or the disruption of tumor suppressors via double transections by shorter TDs (10Kb). Indeed, tumor suppressor genes such as PTEN, RB1 and MLL3 are frequently disrupted by TDs in TNBC TDP group 1 tumors, whereas TNBC TDP group 2 tumors commonly feature duplication of oncogenes such as MYC and MALAT1. Finally, through WG analyses of 18 mouse models (GEMMs) of breast cancer, we provide the first mechanistic evidence of the driving role of conjoint loss of TP53 and BRCA1, but not of BRCA2, in inducing the TDP group 1 profile.

Conclusions. Our study shows a definitive genetic induction of one specific form of TDP (group 1) characterized by 10kb TD span. Different TDP profiles are characterized by alternative somatic genetic origins but always couple with disruptive TP53 mutations. The consequences of the massive TD formation in TDP TNBCs suggest a systems strategy to tumor induction involving heterogeneous combinations of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. That these TDP forms, accounting for ˜50% of TNBC, are associated with significant sensitivity to cisplatin suggest that this chromotype may identify TNBC patients who would benefit from upfront platinum-based chemotherapy.

Citation Format: Liu ET, Menghi F, Barthel F, Yadav V, Tang M, Ji B, Carter G, Jonkers J, Verhaak R. Tandem duplicator phenotypes define 50% of triple negative breast cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr GS1-05.

Galaxy growth in a massive halo in the first billion years of cosmic history

According to the current understanding of cosmic structure formation, the precursors of the most massive structures in the Universe began to form shortly after the Big Bang, in regions corresponding to the largest fluctuations in the cosmic density field. Observing these structures during their period of active growth and assembly-the first few hundred million years of the Universe-is challenging because it requires surveys that are sensitive enough to detect the distant galaxies that act as signposts for these structures and wide enough to capture the rarest objects. As a result, very few such objects have been detected so far. Here we report observations of a far-infrared-luminous object at redshift 6.900 (less than 800 million years after the Big Bang) that was discovered in a wide-field survey. High-resolution imaging shows it to be a pair of extremely massive star-forming galaxies. The larger is forming stars at a rate of 2,900 solar masses per year, contains 270 billion solar masses of gas and 2.5 billion solar masses of dust, and is more massive than any other known object at a redshift of more than 6. Its rapid star formation is probably triggered by its companion galaxy at a projected separation of 8 kiloparsecs. This merging companion hosts 35 billion solar masses of stars and has a star-formation rate of 540 solar masses per year, but has an order of magnitude less gas and dust than its neighbour and physical conditions akin to those observed in lower-metallicity galaxies in the nearby Universe. These objects suggest the presence of a dark-matter halo with a mass of more than 100 billion solar masses, making it among the rarest dark-matter haloes that should exist in the Universe at this epoch.

[Analysis of 2 204 stillbirths in 11 hospitals of Guangdong province]

Objective: To analyze the incidence and causes of stillbirth in 11 hospitals of Guangdong province, and to explore the appropriate interventions. Methods: Clinical data of stillbirth in 11 hospitals of Guangdong province were collected from January 2014 to December 2016. The gestational weeks, causes, maternal conditions and other factors were analyzed. Results: (1) From 2014 to 2016, 103 472 newborns were delivered in the 11 hospitals, and the number of stillbirth was 2 204, with the incidence of 2.13%. Among them, 0.71%(738/103 472) was therapeutic induction, 1.42%(1 066/103 472) was natural stillbirth. At different gestational age (<28 weeks, 28-<37 weeks and ≥37 weeks), the incidence of stillbirth was 55.63% (1 226/2 204), 28.45% (627/2 204) and 15.92% (351/2 204), respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.01). (2) For stillbirth<28 weeks, the first reason was therapeutic induction, accounting for 53.34% (654/1 226). For stillbirth during 28-37 weeks, pre-eclampsia was the major cause, accounting for 40.67% (255/627). And for full-term stillbirth, the causes were umbilical cord factors (19.37%, 68/351), abnormal labor (17.09%, 60/351). (3) In all the stillbirth cases, the incidence of fetal growth restriction (FGR) <28 weeks was significantly higher than that during 28-37 weeks [23.49% (288/1 226) vs 18.02% (113/627) , P<0.01]. (4) The stillbirth rate during labor was significantly higher in women ≥35 years old than in younger women [63.88% (191/299) vs 36.12% (108/299) ; χ(2)=9.346, P=0.000]. For the causes of stillbirth during labor, the incidence of severe maternal obstetrical complications [61.11% (33/54) vs 38.89% (21/54) ; χ(2)=3.323, P=0.002], abnormal labor [65.82% (52/79) vs 34.18% (27/79) ; χ(2)=4.067, P=0.001] and abnormal fetal position [66.63% (26/39) vs 33.37% (13/39) ; χ(2)=3.002, P=0.013] were higher in women ≥35 years old than in younger women. (5) Cesarean section during labor accounted for 33.77% (101/299) of stillbirth, including 76 cases of emergency cesarean section or converted to cesarean section during labor. Conclusions: (1) The incidence of stillbirth in the 11 hospitals is high, and the causes are different at different gestational ages, therefore, different interventions are needed to reduce the incidence in different gestational weeks. Supervision of therapeutic induction should be strengthened <28 gestational weeks; standard management of pregnancy might decrease the occurrence of natural death ≥28 weeks. (2) Attention should be paid to fetal body weight during pregnancy, especially FGR. (3) The stillbirth rate is high in elderly pregnant women, so it is important to strengthen the management of the elderly pregnant women.

Genetic variation in the MITF promoter affects skin colour and transcriptional activity in black-boned chickens

1. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) plays a pivotal role in melanocyte development by regulating the transcription of major pigmentation enzymes (e.g. TYR, TYRP1 and DCT). A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), c.-638T>C, was identified in the MITF promoter, and genotyping of a population (n = 426) revealed that SNP c.-638T>C was associated with skin colour in black-boned chickens. 2. Individuals with genotypes CC and TC exhibited greater MTIF expression than those with genotype TT. Luciferase assays also revealed that genotype CC and TC promoters had higher activity levels than genotype TT. Expression of melanogenesis-related gene (TYR) was higher in the skin of chickens with the CC and CT genotype compared to TT chickens (P < 0.05). 3. Transcription factor-binding site analyses showed that the c.-638C allele contains a putative binding site for transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 2, aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator, transcription factor binding to IGHM enhancer 3 and upstream transcription factor 2. In contrast, the c.-638T allele contains binding sites for Sp3 transcription factor and Krüppel-like factor 1. 4. It was concluded that MITF promoter polymorphisms affected chicken skin colour. SNP c.-638T>C could be used for the marker-assisted selection of skin colour in black-boned chicken breeding.

The differentiation of beige adipocyte in pericardial and epicardial adipose tissues induces atrial fibrillation development

OBJECTIVE

Growing evidence has identified that excessive accumulation of pericardial adipose tissues (PAT) and epicardial adipose tissues (EAT) is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) development. Moreover, beige adipocytes, present in PAT and EAT, have been proved beneficial in consumption of fatty acid and promotion of weight lose by nonshivering thermogenesis. The objective of this prospective, observational study was to reveal the potential association between beige adipocytes and AF development.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fat tissues from subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), PAT and EAT were obtained from 70 AF and 30 sinus rhythm patients. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were performed to analyze morphological changes in fat tissues. Real-time PCR was performed to identify mRNA expression of unique uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1). Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to determine protein expression of UCP-1.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that pericardial and epicardial adipocytes in AF patients demonstrated white-like change tendency and had lower expression of UCP-1 when compared to sinus rhythm patients. Additionally, the decrease of UCP-1 mRNA expression in PAT and EAT, together with LA enlargement, were independent risk factors of AF. Further, UCP-1 mRNA expression in EAT, but not in PAT, have a significant correlation with LA diameter. The function of nonshivering thermogenesis in PAT and EAT was impaired in AF patients, and this dysfunction in EAT had a great correlation with LA dilation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data provide a new therapeutic target for LA remodeling and AF treatment.

α2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition in the central amygdala blocks fear-conditioning

The central amygdala is critical for the acquisition and expression of fear memories. This region receives a dense innervation from brainstem noradrenergic cell groups and has a high level of α₂-adrenoceptor expression. Using whole-cell electrophysiological recordings from rat brain slices, we characterise the role of pre-synaptic α₂-adrenoceptor in modulating discrete inhibitory and excitatory connections within both the lateral and medial division of the central amygdala. The selective α₂-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine blocked the excitatory input from the pontine parabrachial neurons onto neurons of the lateral central amygdala. In addition, clonidine blocked inhibitory connections from the medial paracapsular intercalated cell mass onto both lateral and medial central amygdala neurons. To examine the behavioural consequence of α₂-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of these inputs, we infused clonidine into the central amygdala prior to contextual fear-conditioning. In contrast to vehicle-infused rats, clonidine-infused animals displayed reduced levels of freezing 24 hours after training, despite showing no difference in freezing during the training session. These results reveal a role for α₂-adrenoceptors within the central amygdala in the modulation of synaptic transmission and the formation of fear-memories. In addition, they provide further evidence for a role of the central amygdala in fear-memory formation.

[Acute toxicity and bio-distribution of silver nitrate and nano-silver with different particle diameters in rats]

Objective: To explore the acute toxic effect and the cumulative target organ of silver nitrate and nano-silver with two different particle diameters in rats. Methods: Thirty-six adult SD rats were divided into small particle size nano-silver group (SNS), large particle size nano-silver group (LNS), silver nitrate group (SN), and control group (C) according to the random number table, with 9 rats in each group. The rats of the four groups were respectively injected with 10 mg/mL nano-silver solution (particle diameter of 20 nm, prepared by saline) in silver dose of 30 mg/kg by tail vein for once, 10 mg/mL nano-silver solution (particle diameter of 100 nm, prepared by saline) in silver dose of 30 mg/kg, 1.67 mg/mL silver nitrate solution (prepared by glucose solution) in silver dose of 3 mg/kg, and 30 mg/mL polyvinylpyrrolidone solution (prepared by saline) in dose of 90 mg/kg. (1) Toxicity test. The general observation was performed within 14 days after injection, and the deviation between value of body mass before injection and each of that on post injection day (PID) 1, 7, and 14 were respectively recorded. On PID 1, 7, and 14, 3 rats of each group were harvested for determination of serum content of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, and albumin by fully automatic biochemical analyzer. Then the rats were sacrificed immediately, and heart tissue, liver tissue, spleen tissue, lung tissue, kidney tissue, and brain tissue were collected to calculate the organ coefficient. Organ samples with obvious changes in organ coefficient were collected for histopathological observation by HE staining, with 3 samples in each group at each time point. (2) Bio-distribution. The specimens of heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney of rats from groups SNS, LNS, and SN were collected for detection of silver content by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, with 3 samples in each group at each time point. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design, LSD test, and Dunnett's T3 test. Results: (1) The general condition of rats in groups C and SN after injection were normal. The state of rats of groups SNS and LNS was poor with black secretion in the eye and other phenomena on PID 1, which recovered from PID 3 on. (2) The deviations between values of body mass before injection and that on PID 14 in rats of groups LNS and SN were significantly decreased as compared with deviation of group C (with P values below 0.01), but deviation of group SNS was not significantly changed (P>0.05). The deviations between values of body mass before injection and each of that on PID 1 and 7 in rats in the other three groups were similar to those in group C (with P values above 0.05). (3) Compared with those in group C, the serum content of total protein of rats in group SN on PID 1 was significantly decreased, and liver coefficient was significantly increased (with P values below 0.05). On PID 1, the serum content of ALT of rats in group LNS was (61.0±8.7) U/L, which was significantly higher than that in group C [(40.0±4.6) U/L, P<0.01]. Compared with those in group C [(126.0±3.5) U/L and 4.05±0.23], the serum content of AST of rats in groups SNS and LNS on PID 1[(249.7±107.2) and (237.0±38.3) U/L] was significantly increased, and liver coefficients (3.50±0.38 and 3.31±0.07) were significantly decreased, with P values below 0.05. Compared with those in group C [(69.2±4.8) U/L and 4.32±0.39], the serum content of AST of rats in groups SNS and LNS on PID 7 [(181.0±51.5) and (167.7±16.5) U/L] was also significantly increased, and liver coefficients (3.55±0.18 and 3.62±0.21) were also significantly decreased, P<0.05 or P<0.01. On PID 14, the four liver biochemical indexes in serum and all organ coefficients of rats in the other three groups were similar to those in group C (with P values above 0.05). (4) The liver of rats in group SN had slight degeneration on PID 1, the liver cells around the central vein of liver of rats in group SNS had slight degeneration on PID 7, and the liver cells got severely eosinophilic degeneration in liver of rats in group LNS on PID 7. There was no significant pathological change in the liver of rats in each group at the rest time points. (5) The silver content of lung and kidney in rats of group SNS on PID 1, that of spleen and kidney in rats of group LNS on PID 1, and that of heart and kidney in rats of groups LNS and SNS on PID 7 was significantly less than that of group SN (with P values below 0.05). The silver content of liver and spleen in rats of group SNS on PID 14 was significantly more than that of group SN (with P values below 0.05). Compared with that of group SN, the silver content of lung on PID 1 and liver on PID 7 in rats of group LNS was significantly increased (with P values below 0.05). On PID 14, there was no significant change in the silver content of all organs of rats between group SN and group LNS (with P values above 0.05). The silver content of heart, lung, and kidney on PID 1 and heart on PID 7 in rats of group LNS was significantly more than that of group SNS (with P values below 0.05). On PID 14, the silver content of each organ of rats in group SNS was close to that in group LNS (with P values above 0.05). Conclusions: Silver nitrate and nano-silver with two different particle diameters have a short acute toxic effect on the liver of rats, and the liver has certain ability of self-healing. Nano-silver is mainly accumulated in the liver. The distribution of nano-silver with large particle diameter in organs is more widely than that of nano-silver with small particle diameter.

Enhanced THz Smith-Purcell radiation based on the grating grooves with holes array

Smith-Purcell radiation is emitted when an electron passes above the surface of a metallic grating. Its mechanism can be explained with Huygens' principle by the radiation of a moving oscillating dipole, which is formed by the moving charge and its image in the metallic grating. Here, an alternative way is presented to enhance the THz Smith-Purcell radiation. By drilling a hole in the fins of a grating as an effective electron channel, the oscillation dipole happens in two dimensions here, instead of one dimension. As a result, the Smith-Purcell radiation power is ten times more than the case in which the electron passes very close to the grating surface. This method is expected to improve the efficiency of the devices which are based on the Smith-Purcell radiation.

First experimental demonstration of faster-than-Nyquist PDM-16QAM transmission over standard single mode fiber

We demonstrate faster-than-Nyquist (FTN) transmission with a novel mitigation scheme of intercarrier interference. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first experimental demonstration of FTN PDM-16QAM transmission over standard single mode fiber (SSMF). Due to the use of maximum likelihood sequence detection and multi-input multi-output processing for severely overlapped Nyquist-PDM-16QAM carriers, 5.4-dB optical signal-to-noise ratio improvement is experimentally observed under the scenario of 2×16-GBd PDM-16QAM back-to-back transmission with a carrier spacing of 15 GHz. A net spectral efficiency up to 7.68 b/s/Hz is achieved by transmission of a 15-GHz spaced dual-carrier superchannel over 960-km SSMF, with hard decision forward error correction taken into account. Furthermore, FTN superchannel transmission with carrier spacings of 14 and 15 GHz are successfully realized over 960- and 1920-km SSMFs, respectively.

Manifesto on small airway involvement and management in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an Interasma (Global Asthma Association - GAA) and World Allergy Organization (WAO) document endorsed by Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) and Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN)

Evidence that enables us to identify, assess, and access the small airways in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has led INTERASMA (Global Asthma Association) and WAO to take a position on the role of the small airways in these diseases.

Starting from an extensive literature review, both organizations developed, discussed, and approved the manifesto, which was subsequently approved and endorsed by the chairs of ARIA and GA²LEN. The manifesto describes the evidence gathered to date and defines and proposes issues on small airway involvement and management in asthma and COPD with the aim of challenging assumptions, fostering commitment, and bringing about change.

The small airways (defined as those with an internal diameter <2 mm) are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and COPD and are the major determinant of airflow obstruction in these diseases. Various tests are available for the assessment of the small airways, and their results must be integrated to confirm a diagnosis of small airway dysfunction.

In asthma and COPD, the small airways play a key role in attempts to achieve disease control and better outcomes. Small-particle inhaled formulations (defined as those that, owing to their size [usually <2 μm], ensure more extensive deposition in the lung periphery than large molecules) have proved beneficial in patients with asthma and COPD, especially those in whom small airway involvement is predominant.

Functional and biological tools capable of accurately assessing the lung periphery and more intensive use of currently available tools are necessary. In patients with suspected COPD or asthma, small airway involvement must be assessed using currently available tools. In patients with subotpimal disease control and/or functional or biological signs of disease activity, the role of small airway involvement should be assessed and treatment tailored. Therefore, the choice between large- and small-particle inhaled formulations must reflect the physician’s considerations of disease features, phenotype, and response to previous therapy. This article is being co-published in Asthma Research and Practice and the World Allergy Organization Journal.

[Antimicrobial applications and toxicity of nano-silver in the medical field]

With the rapid development of modern science and technology, the application of nanomaterial is ubiquitous in our daily life and medical field, in which the application related to nano-silver is more extensive. On one hand, it can make positive effects, such as anti-bacteria, anti-virus, anti-fungi, anti-parasitic infection and anti-tumor. In particular, its anti-bacterial activity in some acute or chronic treatment of infected wounds is more prominent. The application in diseases of gynecology, orthopedics, cardiovascular system, oral cavity, and ophthalmology is increasing. On the other hand, it can induce negative impacts and potential toxicity. It can be harmful to skin, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, cardiovascular system, and so on. This article summarizes the antimicrobial application of nano-silver on treatment of diseases, its potential toxic effects on some organs or systems, and the possible toxic mechanism, as well as makes prospects of the research trends of nano-silver in future.

Serum troponin I concentrations assessed 18-24 hours after coronary artery bypass grafting are significant predictors of early patient prognosis

OBJECTIVE

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a frequent medical condition in developed countries and is one of the most serious diseases threatening patients' lives. Perioperative myocardial infarction is the major cause of perioperative cardiac death and cardiac arrest, but is difficult to be precisely identified by observing clinical symptoms or assessing cardiac enzyme levels or by ECG examination. Therefore, assessment of patient prognosis requires reliable predictors. In this regard, we tested the prognostic value of serum troponin I (TnI) concentrations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

98 patients undergoing elective simple off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were recruited. Venous blood samples were collected within 3-5 hours, 18-24 hours, and 36-48 hours post-operation, and associations of TnI concentrations with early outcomes measures (duration of assisted ventilation, length of stay in the ICU, length of postoperative stay, administration of antihypotensive medications, use of intra-aortic balloon pump, and ECG abnormalities) were evaluated. Correlations of postoperative TnI concentrations with the outcomes measures were analyzed by using median TnI concentrations as the cut-off value.

RESULTS

TnI concentrations assessed within 18-24 hours post-operation showed significant associations with most tested outcome measures (p < 0.05 for four out of five comparisons). Furthermore, after building ROC curves, the highest AUC values (> 0.9) were also observed for TnI1 concentrations assessed within this time frame. The optimal cutoff value for TnI concentration was 1.78 ng/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

TnI concentrations assessed within 18-24 hours after elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting can effectively predict early patient prognosis.

Associations of serotonin receptor gene HTR3A, HTR3B, and HTR3A haplotypes with bipolar disorder in Chinese patients

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HTR3A and HTR3B have been reported to be associated with bipolar disorder in European and Japanese populations. We explored the roles of 21 tag SNPs in HTR3A and HTR3B in susceptibility to bipolar disorder in a Chinese cohort. Twenty-one Tag SNPs were genotyped in a study consisting of 130 patients with bipolar disorder, who visited Shandong Mental Health Center between June 2013 and May 2014, and 109 healthy individuals as controls. All of the tag SNPs were genotyped using Sequenom MassArray matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight spectrometry. Plink 1.07, Haploview 4.2, and SPSS 20.0 were used for the analysis of the genotypes and the associations of the haplotypes with bipolar disorder. Association analyses of tag SNPs detected significant associations with the A allele in HTR3A rs1176719 (P = 0.030) and the C allele in HTR3A rs1176713 (P = 0.048). Haplotype-based association analyses indicated a statistically significant (P = 0.035) five-SNP haplotype (rs1062613:C, rs11604247:C, rs1176722:G, rs2276302:A, rs1176719:G) of linkage disequilibrium in block 3. Analysis of our small Chinese sample revealed a significant association of HTR3A with bipolar disorder, but yielded no evidence of an association between HTR3B and bipolar disorder. Furthermore, evidence for an association was found for a haplotype of HTR3A. Studies with larger Chinese samples are needed to verify our findings.

The role of apoptosis inducing factor in the apoptosis of retinal pigment epithelium cells induced by oxidative stress

To explore the role of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) in the apoptosis of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells induced by oxidative stress. RPE cell apoptotic models were constructed by H2O2, Annexin V/PI flow cytometry and MTT assay were used to determine the changes of RPE cell apoptosis and proliferation. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were observed. QRT-PCR and western blot were used to determine the expression of AIF to evaluate whether AIF-mediated non caspase pathway participated in the RPE cell apoptosis induced by H2O2. After adding melatonin, the production of ROS, RPE apoptotic rate and the changes of AIF expression were also detected. The production of ROS and apoptotic rate of RPE cells increased with the increase of H2O2 concentration and treating time. The expression of AIF increased evidently in cytoplasm, while not in mitochondria. After intervention with melatonin, the production of ROS was inhibited and the apoptotic rate decreased. However, the expression of AIF was not inhibited correspondingly. AIF may participate in but not be dominant in the process of RPE cell apoptosis induced by oxidative stress.

Effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on leukocyte activation: changes in membrane-bound elastase on neutrophils

Background: Neutrophil elastase is known to be released from the activated leukocytes as a result of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, its biological effect on organ injury is questionable because it is quickly bound by natural proteinase inhibitors (PIs). Recently, membrane-bound elastase (MBE) was found to be able to resist the PIs’ process and, thus, is biologically more active. This paper studies the effect of CPB on the kinetic change of MBE and its possible link to postoperative inflammation and organ function.

Method: Ten consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery with CPB were recruited into the study. Blood samples were taken before sternotomy, after aortic declamping, at the end of CPB, three and six hours after CPB and on the first postoperative day. MBE was determined by substrate assay from isolated neutrophils. Inflammation and organ function markers were determined according to routine laboratory methods.

Results: MBE slightly increased after aortic declamping, while it significantly increased and reached its peak at the end of CPB; it returned to its preoperative level on the first postoperative day. In contrast to lung sequestration of neutrophils, there was no transpulmonary gradient of MBE between left and right atria after aortic declamping. Neither MBE nor total MBE activity was positively correlated with postoperative inflammation markers such as blood lactate and C-reactive protein and organ function markers such as creatine phosphokinase and alanine aminotransferase.

Conclusions: CPB induces increased MBE expression on neutrophils with its peak at the end of CPB. Lack of association between neutrophil MBE and clinical markers suggests that multiple systems might be involved in the post-CPB inflammatory reaction and organ dysfunction.

Vacuolar Iron Transporter BnMEB2 Is Involved in Enhancing Iron Tolerance of Brassica napus

Iron toxicity is a nutrient disorder that severely affects crop development and yield in some soil conditions. Vacuolar detoxification of metal stress is an important strategy for plants to survive and adapt to this adverse environment. Vacuolar iron transporter (VIT) members are involved in this process and play essential roles in iron storage and transport. In this study, we identified a rapeseed VIT gene BnMEB2 (BnaC07g30170D) homologs to Arabidopsis MEB2 (At5g24290). Transient expression analysis revealed that BnMEB2 was localized to the vacuolar membrane. Q-PCR detection showed a high expression of BnMEB2 in mature (60-day-old) leaves and could be obviously induced by exogenous iron stress in both roots and leaves. Over-expressed BnMEB2 in both Arabidopsis wild type and meb2 mutant seedlings resulted in greatly improved iron tolerability with no significant changes in the expression level of other VIT genes. The mutant meb2 grew slowly and its root hair elongation was inhibited under high iron concentration condition while BnMEB2 over-expressed transgenic plants of the mutant restored the phenotypes with apparently higher iron storage in roots and dramatically increased iron content in the whole plant. Taken together, these results suggested that BnMEB2 was a VIT gene in rapeseed which was necessary for safe storage and vacuole detoxification function of excess iron to enhance the tolerance of iron toxicity. This research sheds light on a potentially new strategy for attenuating hazardous metal stress from environment and improving iron biofortification in Brassicaceae crops.

Vacuolar Iron Transporter BnMEB2 Is Involved in Enhancing Iron Tolerance of Brassica napus

Iron toxicity is a nutrient disorder that severely affects crop development and yield in some soil conditions. Vacuolar detoxification of metal stress is an important strategy for plants to survive and adapt to this adverse environment. Vacuolar iron transporter (VIT) members are involved in this process and play essential roles in iron storage and transport. In this study, we identified a rapeseed VIT gene BnMEB2 (BnaC07g30170D) homologs to Arabidopsis MEB2 (At5g24290). Transient expression analysis revealed that BnMEB2 was localized to the vacuolar membrane. Q-PCR detection showed a high expression of BnMEB2 in mature (60-day-old) leaves and could be obviously induced by exogenous iron stress in both roots and leaves. Over-expressed BnMEB2 in both Arabidopsis wild type and meb2 mutant seedlings resulted in greatly improved iron tolerability with no significant changes in the expression level of other VIT genes. The mutant meb2 grew slowly and its root hair elongation was inhibited under high iron concentration condition while BnMEB2 over-expressed transgenic plants of the mutant restored the phenotypes with apparently higher iron storage in roots and dramatically increased iron content in the whole plant. Taken together, these results suggested that BnMEB2 was a VIT gene in rapeseed which was necessary for safe storage and vacuole detoxification function of excess iron to enhance the tolerance of iron toxicity. This research sheds light on a potentially new strategy for attenuating hazardous metal stress from environment and improving iron biofortification in Brassicaceae crops.

Extracorporeal hepatic resection and autotransplantation for primary gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the liver

We report a case of primary gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the liver. A 60-year-old woman with a large mass in the liver was asymptomatic with no hepatic virus infection and negative tumor markers. Because the tumor was unresectable by conventional means, we used extracorporeal hepatic resection and autotransplantation (ECHRA) for operation. The pathology showed a gastrointestinal stromal tumor that was diagnosed based on positive immunostaining for c-kit and CD34. Mutation analysis revealed an acquired mutation in exon 11 of c-kit. As we know, this is the eighth case of a primary hepatic extragastrointestinal stromal tumor reported previously in English, and the first case of which that was treated with ECHRA.

High-energy dissipative solitons generation from a large normal dispersion Er-fiber laser

We report on a passively mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser featuring a large normal dispersion and emitting high-energy dissipative solitons. Mode-locking is stabilized by the combined actions of a high nonlinearity amplitude modulator and a narrow band spectral filter. The laser routinely delivers highly chirped pulses with more than 38 nJ energy that can be compressed down to 700 fs duration using bulk gratings. Numerical simulations confirm the experimental results and reveal the self-similar pulse evolution along the normal dispersion fibers included inside the cavity.

Association Between Smoking and p53 Mutation in Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis

AIMS

Several studies have evaluated the association between smoking and p53 mutation in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the conclusions are inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to carry out a meta-analysis evaluating the relationship between smoking and p53 mutation in patients with ESCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eligible studies were identified through searches in PubMed and EMBASE. The odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to assess the association. In total, 20 studies were identified that met the selection criteria; these studies were analysed using STATA 12.0 software.

RESULTS

The 20 studies identified comprised 1524 ESCC patients, of whom 72.97% were smokers and 27.03% were non-smokers. The pooled odds ratio of p53 mutation in ESCC for any cigarette smoking versus no smoking was 1.28 (95% confidence interval=0.88-1.88). The estimated odds ratios were 1.06 (95% confidence interval=0.56-2.00, based on five studies, 129 light smokers and 70 non-smokers) for light smoking and 2.01 (95% confidence interval=1.12-3.60, based on five studies, 223 heavy smokers and 73 non-smokers) for heavy smoking.

CONCLUSION

The results of our meta-analysis indicate an overall positive relationship between heavy smoking and p53 mutation in ESCC. Heavy smokers with ESCC have a higher risk for p53 mutation than non-smokers. Large-scale clinical studies are still needed to draw a more precise conclusion.

Chronic stress causes neuroendocrine-immune disturbances without affecting renal vitamin D metabolism in rats

INTRODUCTION

Vitamin D (VD) insufficiency has been repeatedly observed in the medical conditions associated with inflammation, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression. However, contrasting to the observational evidence, randomized trials of VD supplementation failed to demonstrate such link. Given the recent evidence that the inflammatory process can in turn alter VD metabolism, it has been hypothesized that the insufficient VD status could be the result rather than the cause of chronic inflammation involved in the onset of depression and other disease conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chronic mild stress (CMS) is a valid animal model of depression that accompanied with neuroendocrine-immune disturbances. In the present research, we assessed serum VD concentrations and renal expression of the cytochromes P450 enzymes involved in VD activation (CYP27B1) and catabolism (CYP24A1) of rats following 8-week exposure to CMS.

RESULTS

While CMS induced the rats to a depression-like state and increased serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines and corticosterone, and the antidepressant, sertraline, mitigated depression-like behaviors and neuroendocrine-immune disturbances, neither the stress regimen nor sertraline significantly affected endocrine metabolism of VD.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that the stress-induced neuroendocrine-immune disturbances may account for the development of depression, but are not responsible for the insufficient VD status that frequently observed in depressed patients.