[An interlaboratory comparison study on the detection of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion transcript levels and WT1 transcript levels]

Objective: To investigate the current status and real performance of the detection of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion transcript levels and WT1 transcript levels in China through interlaboratory comparison. Methods: Peking University People's Hospital (PKUPH) prepared the samples for comparison. That is, the fresh RUNX1-RUNX1T1 positive (+) bone morrow nucleated cells were serially diluted with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 negative (-) nucleated cells from different patients. Totally 23 sets with 14 different samples per set were prepared. TRIzol reagent was added in each tube and thoroughly mixed with cells for homogenization. Each laboratory simultaneously tested RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels of one set of samples by real-time quantitative PCR method. All transcript levels were reported as the percentage of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 or WT1 transcript copies/ABL copies. Spearman correlation coefficient between the reported transcript levels of each participated laboratory and those of PKUPH was calculated. Results: ①RUNX1-RUNX1T1 comparison: 9 samples were (+) and 5 were (-) , the false negative and positive rates of the 20 participated laboratories were 0 (0/180) and 5% (5/100) , respectively. The reported transcript levels of all 9 positive samples were different among laboratories. The median reported transcript levels of 9 positive samples were from 0.060% to 176.7%, which covered 3.5-log. The ratios of each sample's highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.5 to 12.3 (one result which obviously deviated from other laboratories' results was not included) , 85% (17/20) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ②WT1 comparison: The median reported transcript levels of all 14 samples were from 0.17% to 67.6%, which covered 2.6-log. The ratios of each sample's highest to the lowest reported transcript levels were from 5.3-13.7, 62% (13/21) of the laboratories had correlation coefficient ≥0.98. ③ The relative relationship of the reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels between the participants and PKUPH was not always consistent with that of WT1 transcript levels. Both RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels from 2 and 7 laboratories were individually lower than and higher than those of PKUPH, whereas for the rest 11 laboratories, one transcript level was higher than and the other was lower than that of PKUPH. Conclusion: The reported RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and WT1 transcript levels were different among laboratories for the same sample. Most of the participated laboratories reported highly consistent result with that of PKUPH. The relationship between laboratories of the different transcript levels may not be the same.

Titanium-Catalyzed Cyano-Borrowing Reaction for the Direct Amination of Cyanohydrins with Ammonia

α-Aminonitrile was an important building block in natural products and key intermedia in organic chemistry. Herein, the direct amination of cyanohydrins with the partner of ammonia to synthesis N-unprotected α-aminonitriles is developed. The reaction proceeds via titanium-catalyzed cyano-borrowing reaction, which features high atom economy and simple operation. A broad range of ketone or aldehyde cyanohydrins was tolerated with ammonia, and the N-unprotected α-aminonitriles were synthesis with moderate to high yields under mild reaction conditions.

P1226Very low achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level with alirocumab treatment after acute coronary syndrome: ODYSSEY OUTCOMES

Background

Recent guidelines for cholesterol management recognize uncertainty regarding long-term efficacy and safety of prolonged very low levels of LDL-C on treatment with a PCSK9 inhibitor, including risk of new-onset diabetes. ODYSSEY OUTCOMES used a treat-to-target approach to demonstrate reduction of coronary heart disease death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, or unstable angina (MACE) with the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab (ALI) vs placebo (PBO) in 18,924 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome and elevated LDL-C despite intensive statin therapy. ALI was blindly adjusted (75 or 150 mg dose) to target LDL-C 0.6–1.3 mmol/L (25–50 mg/dL). To avoid sustained very low LDL-C, blind substitution of PBO for ALI was intended if 2 consecutive LDL-C levels were <0.39 mmol/L (15 mg/dL). Patients were followed for median of 2.8 years (maximum of 5 years).

Purpose

We report the efficacy and safety of ALI in patients who reached very low LDL-C (consecutively <0.39 mmol/L), compared with matched patients from the PBO group.

Methods

Of 9462 patients randomized to receive ALI, 730 (7.7%) reached very low LDL-C and had substitution of PBO a median 8.3 months after randomization. Using propensity score matching, they were compared (3:1) with 2152 patients initially assigned to PBO. Propensity score matching was also used to compare the incidence of new-onset diabetes in 525 patients without diabetes at baseline who had very low LDL-C levels on ALI with 1675 matched patients in the PBO group. Neurocognitive events and haemorrhagic stroke were also evaluated in relation to very low LDL-C.

Results

Overall, ALI reduced the incidence of MACE (9.5% vs 11.1%; HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78–0.93; P<0.001). Characteristics used in propensity score matching (and associated with very low LDL-C on ALI) included sex (male), diabetes (present), baseline LDL-C and lipoprotein(a) (lower), region (Asia), statin treatment, smoking, hypertension, and body mass index. Despite being switched to PBO, patients with very low LDL-C on ALI had fewer MACE than matched patients from the PBO group (6.4% vs 8.5%; HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52–0.98; P=0.039; Figure). Very low LDL-C on ALI was not associated with risk of new-onset diabetes, compared with matched patients from the PBO group (15.1% vs 13.0%; HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.85–1.43; P=0.46). There was no association of very low LDL-C on ALI with neurocognitive events or haemorrhagic stroke.

Conclusions

The overall efficacy of ALI on cardiovascular outcomes was not diminished by the patients who had blinded substitution of PBO for sustained very low LDL-C. Despite a short duration of active treatment, these patients had fewer MACE than matched controls from the PBO group. No adverse consequence of very low LDL-C was identified. However, because patients with sustained very low LDL-C were switched to PBO, the long-term safety of more prolonged very low LDL-C, including risk of new-onset diabetes, deserves further study.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Funded by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

4115Effect of alirocumab on recurrent cardiovascular events after acute coronary syndrome, according to the intensity of background statin treatment

Background

Statins are a cornerstone of therapy for coronary heart disease. We describe the effects of alirocumab (ALI) in patients (pts) with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and dyslipidaemia per category of statin use.

Methods

ODYSSEY OUTCOMES compared ALI with placebo (PBO) in 18,924 pts with recent ACS and dyslipidaemia despite high-intensity/maximum tolerated statin (atorvastatin 40–80 mg/d or rosuvastatin 20–40 mg/d). Lower doses could be used if there were symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, or contraindications with higher doses. In cases of documented intolerance to ≥2 statins, pts could qualify on no statin treatment. Pts were randomized to ALI (75 mg SC Q2W, with possible uptitration to 150 mg Q2W) or PBO. Median follow-up was 2.8 years. Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: CHD death, non-fatal MI, ischaemic stroke, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization). Pts were categorized by statin therapy at baseline: high intensity (88.8%), low or moderate intensity (8.7%), or no statin use (2.4%). In each category we determined the relative (hazard ratio [HR]) and absolute risk reductions (ARR) for MACE with ALI.

Results

Overall, ALI reduced MACE (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78–0.93; P<0.001). HRs were consistent across statin categories (Table). Baseline LDL-C increased across high-intensity, low/moderate-intensity, and no statin categories. Correspondingly, there was a gradient of the risk of MACE in the PBO group across these categories (10.8%, 10.7%, and 26%). With ALI treatment, the mean reduction in LDL-C from baseline to Month 4 increased across the 3 statin categories and correspondingly the ARRs for MACE were 1.3%, 3.2%, and 8.0% (P interaction <.001).

LDL-C values and MACE events All patients High-intensity statin Low-/moderate-intensity statin No statin Interaction P-value N=18,924 (100%) N=16,811 (88.8%) N=1653 (8.7%) N=460 (2.4%) (treatment x statin category) PBO (N=9462) ALI (N=9462) PBO (N=8431) ALI (N=8380) PBO (N=804) ALI (N=849) PBO (N=227) ALI (N=233) LDL-C at baseline, mmol/L, mean (SE)* 2.39 (0.01) 2.39 (0.01) 2.35 (0.01) 2.35 (0.01) 2.41 (0.03) 2.43 (0.03) 3.76 (0.08) 3.82 (0.08) Change in LDL-C from baseline to Month 4, mmol/L, mean (SE) 0.03 (0.01) −1.4 (0.01) 0.03 (0.01) −1.37 (0.01) 0.01 (0.02) −1.47 (0.02) −0.004 (0.06) −2.27 (0.06) <0.001 MACE, n (%)* 1052 (11.1) 903 (9.5) 907 (10.8) 797 (9.5) 86 (10.7) 64 (7.5) 59 (26.0) 42 (18.0) HR (95% CI) 0.85 (0.78−0.93) 0.88 (0.80−0.96) 0.69 (0.50−0.95) 0.65 (0.43−0.96) 0.14 ARR (%) (95% CI) 1.6 (0.7−2.4) 1.3 (0.3−2.2) 3.2 (0.4−5.9) 8.0 (0.4−15.5) <0.001 *P<0.001 for difference among statin categories.

Conclusions

In ODYSSEY OUTCOMES, patients unable to receive high-intensity statin treatment showed greater ARRs with ALI, consistent with higher baseline LDL-C concentration and greater absolute LDL-C reduction. Patients unable to receive high-intensity statin treatment are an important group to consider for treatment with ALI after ACS.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Funded by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

4114Efficacy of alirocumab treatment after acute coronary syndrome according to new ACC/AHA guidelines for lipid-lowering therapy

Background

The 2018 ACC/AHA cholesterol management guidelines recommend additional lipid-lowering therapies for secondary prevention in patients with LDL-C ≥1.8 mmol/L despite maximally tolerated statin therapy who are considered “very high-risk” on the basis of history of multiple ischaemic events or an ischaemic event and multiple high-risk conditions.

Purpose

We examined the frequency of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and efficacy of PCSK9 inhibition with alirocumab to reduce MACE in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) categorized as very high-risk or not very high-risk by guideline criteria.

Methods

Patients in ODYSSEY OUTCOMES (n=18,924) with recent ACS and residual dyslipidaemia despite optimal statin therapy were randomized to alirocumab or placebo and followed for median 2.8 years. The primary MACE outcome was a composite of coronary heart disease death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), ischaemic stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina.

Results

Of 18,924 randomized patients, 11,935 (63.1%) were categorized as very high-risk and 6989 (36.9%) as not very high risk (per ACC/AHA guidelines criteria). In the very high-risk category, 4450 (37.3%) had a prior ischaemic event plus the trial-qualifying index ACS (MI, 3633; stroke, 524; peripheral artery disease, 759); 7485 (62.7%) had no ischaemic event before the index ACS but had ≥2 high-risk conditions (diabetes, 3319; age ≥65 years, 3087; current smoking, 2371; chronic kidney disease, 1583). In the placebo group, the incidence of MACE was higher among those in the very high-risk category (14.4%) vs those not at very high-risk (5.6%). Overall, alirocumab reduced the risk of MACE vs placebo (9.5% vs 11.1%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78–0.93; P=0.003), with consistent relative reductions in both risk categories (very high risk HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.76–0.92; not very high risk HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.70–1.06). However, the absolute reduction in MACE with alirocumab was greater among patients classified as very high-risk (2.1%) vs not very high risk (0.8%), and greater in particular among those classified as very high risk based on multiple ischaemic events (2.4%, Figure).

Conclusions

Application of 2018 ACC/AHA cholesterol guidelines criteria accurately identifies patients with ACS and dyslipidaemia who are at very high risk for recurrent MACE, and who derive a large absolute benefit from alirocumab treatment. Patients categorized as very high-risk based upon multiple ischaemic events derive a particularly large absolute benefit from treatment with alirocumab.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Supported by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

[Characteristics and clinical significance of body composition in gout patients]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of body composition (BC) in gout patients and its clinical significance. Methods: Consecutive gout patients were recruited between August 2017 and December 2018. Demographic information, clinical characteristics and comorbidities were collected. BC was assessed by bioelectric impedance analysis including body fat percentage (BF%), trunk and limb BF%, appendicular skeletal muscle index. Overfat was defined by BF% ≥25% for male and ≥35% for female. The association between BC and serum uric acid (sUA) was evaluated by multiple linear regression. Results: A total of 362 gout patients were recruited with median age 38 (30, 52) years, 96.1% (348/362) were male. Mean sUA was (551±133) μmol/L. The mean BF% was (25.8±6.4)% with 53.6%(194/362) patients overfat. Male gout patients with overfat showed more affected joints [4(2, 6) vs. 2(2, 5)], higher sUA [(576±126)μmol/L vs. (523±134) μmol/L], higher prevalence of dyslipidemia [70.1%(131/187) vs. 54.0%(87/161)], metabolic syndrome [60.8%(118/187) vs. 28.0%(47/161)], fatty liver [58.2%(113/187) vs. 35.1%(59/161)] and hypertension [44.4%(83/187) vs. 25.5%(41/161)] than male patients with normal fat (all P<0.05). Their BF%, trunk BF% and limb BF% were positively correlated with the numbers of affected joints, sUA, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver, and hypertension, respectively (r=0.154-0.435, all P<0.05). Multivariable linear regression suggested that BF% (β=4.29, P=0.020) and trunk BF% (β=9.11, P=0.007), but not limb BF%, were positively correlated with sUA. Conclusion: Overfat is very common in gout patients. The proportion of trunk fat in male patients is positively correlated with sUA. When assessing obesity in gout patients clinically, body composition analysis should be performed simultaneously.

[Spectrometric analyses of larotaxel and larotaxel liposomes quantification by high performance liquid chromatography]

OBJECTIVE

Larotaxel is a new chemical structure drug, which has not been marketed worldwide. Accordingly, the standard identification and quantification methods for larotaxel remain unclear. The spectrometric analyses were performed for verifying weight molecular formula, molecular weight and chemical structure of larotaxel. Besides, a quantification method was developed for measuring larotaxel in the liposomes.

METHODS

The molecular formula, molecular weight and chemical structure of larotaxel were studied by using mass spectrometry (MS), infra-red (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrometric techniques. The absorption wavelength of larotaxel was investigated by UV-vis spectrophotometry full-wavelength scanning. Besides, a quantification method was developed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and then validated by measuring the encapsulation efficacy of larotaxel liposomes.

RESULTS

The four spectral characteristics of larotaxel were revealed and the corresponding standard spectra were defined. It was confirmed that larotaxel had the structure of tricyclic diterpenoids, with the molecular formula of C45H53NO14, the molecular weight of 831.900 1, and the maximum absorption wavelength of 230 nm. The quantitative method of larotaxel was established by using HPLC with a reversed phase C18 column (5 μm, 250 mm×4.6 mm), a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (75:25, volume/volume), and a detection wavelength of 230 nm. The validation study exhibited that the established HPLC method was stable, and had a high recovery and precision in the quantitative measurement of larotaxel in liposomes. In addition, a new kind of larotaxel liposomes was also successfully prepared. The particle size of the liposomes was about 105 nm, with an even size distribution. And the encapsulation efficiency of larotaxel in the liposomes was above 80%.

CONCLUSION

The present study offers reference standard spectra of larotaxel, including MS, IR, NMR, and UV-vis, and confirms the molecular formula, molecular weight and chemical structure of larotaxel. Besides, the study develops a rapid HPLC method for quality control of larotaxel liposomes.

Cyano-borrowing reaction: nickel-catalyzed direct conversion of cyanohydrins and aldehydes/ketones to β-cyano ketone

A direct nickel-catalyzed, high atom- and step-economical reaction of cyanohydrins with aldehydes or ketones via an unprecedented “cyano-borrowing reaction” has been developed.

A direct nickel-catalyzed, high atom- and step-economical reaction of cyanohydrins with aldehydes or ketones via an unprecedented “cyano-borrowing reaction” has been developed. Cleavage of the C–CN bond of cyanohydrins followed by aldol condensation and conjugate addition of cyanide to α,β-unsaturated ketones proceeded to deliver a range of racemic β-cyano ketones with good to high yields. The practical procedure with the use of a commercial and less-toxic CN source bodes well for wide application of this protocol.

[Series study on the relationship between air quality index and tuberculosis incidence in Beijing]

Objective: To analyze the effect of air quality index (AQI) on the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in Beijing, and to provide evidence for setting up a better program regarding prevention and control of tuberculosis. Methods: Generalized additive model (GAM) was used to analyze the association between AQI and the incidence of tuberculosis in Beijing, from January 1, 2014 to November 9, 2016. Confounding factors as meteorological conditions and time trends were under control. Results: In Beijing, a total of 14 533 TB cases with definite dates of onset were collected during the study period, with 36 children excluded from the study. Finally, 14 497 cases were included in the study, including 9 513 men and 4 984 women, with 11 290 adults (15-59 years old) and 3 207 elderly (≥60 years old). Data from the optimal single-day lag effect of GAM showed that,with every 10 increase of AQI, the percent of increase on the onsets of overall, male, female and adult; tuberculosis cases were 0.85% (95%CI: 0.26%-1.44%), 0.83% (95%CI: 0.24%-1.42%), 0.93% (95%CI: 0.24%-1.62%) and 0.88% (95%CI: 0.29%-1.46%), respectively. The optimal lag time of the single-day effects were 15 days (lag15), but 16 days (lag16) for male. The optimal cumulative lag effect showed that with every 10 AQI increase, the percent of increase on the onsets of overall, male, female and adult tuberculosis cases were 1.92% (95%CI: 0.23%-3.16%), 1.94% (95%CI:0.15%-3.72%), 2.04% (95%CI: 0.10%-3.97%) and 2.00% (95%CI: 0.30%-3.69%), respectively, with the optimal lag time of cumulative delayed effects as 17 days (lag0_17), 18 days (lag0_18), 16 days (lag0_16) and 17 days (lag0_17), respectively. However, there were no statistical significances noticed in the elderly cases. Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between AQI and the number of TB cases in Beijing, and the effects of AQI on the number of TB cases in different genders and age groups were different.

[Screening of adult Ph-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia by multiplex real-time quantitative PCR]

目的

探讨多重实时荧光定量PCR法早期、快速筛查Ph样急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）的可行性，了解Ph样ALL的临床特征及预后。

方法

2010年10月至2016年3月收治的118例初诊成人B-ALL患者纳入研究，利用多重实时荧光定量PCR法检测其中58例BCR-ABL融合基因和MLL重排均阴性患者Ph样相关融合基因及细胞因子受体样因子2（CRLF2）表达情况。比较分析Ph样融合基因阳性和（或）CRLF2高表达患者的临床特征、疗效和预后。

结果

检出Ph样融合基因阳性患者9例（9/58，15.5%），CRLF2高表达患者10例（10/58，17.2%）。Ph样融合基因阳性和（或）CRLF2高表达组、Ph阳性组、MLL重排阳性组以及其他患者组在年龄、WBC、免疫分型、细胞遗传学、危险度分组方面差异有统计学意义（P值均<0.01）。四组患者的2年总生存率分别为65%、47%、64%、74%（P=0.043），2年无复发生存率分别为51%、39%、62%、70%（P=0.010）。

结论

采用多重实时荧光定量PCR法筛查Ph样ALL患者可行，Ph样ALL患者预后较差。

A novel chiral DMAP–thiourea bifunctional catalyst catalyzed enantioselective Steglich and Black rearrangement reactions

A novel chiral DMAP–thiourea bifunctional catalyst has been prepared and applied in the highly enantioselective Steglich and Black rearrangement reactions.

Relation of postoperative serum S100A12 levels to delirium and cognitive dysfunction occurring after hip fracture surgery in elderly patients

OBJECTIVE

Brain injury is implicated in pathogenesis of postoperative delirium (POD) and cognitive dysfunction (POCD). S100A12 is involved in inflammatory process and is recently known as a biomarker for brain injury. Herein, we clarified whether serum S100A12 levels are related to POD and POCD after hip fracture surgery in elderly patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective, observational study, we gauged S100A12 levels in preoperative and postoperative serum from 186 patients and serum from 186 controls. Patients were categorized according to the presence of POD and POCD.

RESULTS

Postoperative, but not preoperative serum S100A12 levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls. There was a positive and independent correlation between postoperative C-reactive protein and S100A12 levels (t = 8.797, p < 0.001). Postoperative S10012 levels and age were independently associated with the risk of developing POD (S100A12 levels: odds ratio [OR] = 1.166, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.045-2.087, p = 0.001; age: OR = 1.243, 95% CI = 1.073-1.419, p = 0.012) and POCD (S100A12: OR = 1.157, 95% CI = 1.030-1.986, p = 0.003; age: OR = 1.228, 95% CI = 1.054-1.387, p = 0.014). In terms of area under receiver operating characteristic curve, postoperative S100A12 levels had a higher predictive ability than age and their combination dramatically exceeded that of each one alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative elevated serum S100A12 levels have a strong relation to inflammation and are associated independently with the development of POD and POCD, substantializing serum S100A12 as a potential biomarker for predicting POD and POCD in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

[Effect of Heterozygosity Loss in HLA Region before Transplantation on HLA Typing in Patients with Leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of loss of heterozygosity(LOH) in HLA region at initial diagnosis and remission of leukemia patient before transplantation on HLA typing.

METHODS

The HLA typing was performed in DNA extracted from peripheral blood obtained at diagnosis (Sample 1 and Sample 2) and remission (Sample 3) in one pretransplant male patient with mixedphenotype acute leukemia (MPAL). HLA typing for HLA-A, B, C, DQB1, DRB1 was performed by Sequence-based typing (SBT), Sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization (SSO) and Sequence-specific primers (SSP). To define more precisely a cutoff limit for the detection of a heterozygous DNA present in a fraction of the cells by the SBT technology, DNA mixing experiments were performed.

RESULTS

SBT results showed that Sample 1 and Sample 2 were both homozygous HLA results at five loci (lost one haplotype) although the sequencing background of Sample 1 was a little high. Except HLA-C locus was homozygous, Sample 3 was heterozygous HLA results at four loci. Based on DNA mixing experiments, a cutoff limit for the detection of heterozygous DNA was 20% by SBT technology, and a detection threshold for HLA-A, B, C, DQB1, DRB1 heterozygosity in blood samples was <75% blasts.

CONCLUSION

Because LOH may be partial, any homozygous HLA result obtained during a blast crisis, especially ≥75% blasts, would have to be confirmed by a second typing on a buccal swab or on peripheral blood from the patient in complete remission.

Method using a co-culture system with high-purity intramuscular preadipocytes and satellite cells from chicken pectoralis major muscle

Intramuscular fat is important in improving meat quality; however, the lack of high-purity intramuscular preadipocyte (IMP) in vitro has severely limited the in-depth research on the mutual regulation of myocytes and adipocytes in chicken. In this study, we establish a new method by combining the mature adipocyte ceiling method and the transwell co-culture system. Mature intramuscular adipocyte (MIA) and muscle satellite cell (MSC) were obtained from digested pectoralis major, and MIAs were transformed into IMPs by dedifferentiation with ceiling culture. MSCs were then purified by differential adhesion for 2 h. The results by inverted-microscope observation, MTT assay, Oil Red O staining, and q-PCR revealed that the de-differentiated cells from MIA were identified as the IMPs, and had the same the cellular morphology, the capacity on differentiation, proliferation and passage with the abdominal fat preadipocytes (P > 0.05). The applicability of the obtained IMPs in co-cultured experiment with the MSC revealed that it could meet the requirements of the experimental study. Finally, a co-culture system of IMPs and MSCs was established using a transwell chamber. The co-cultured results indicated that MSCs in the proliferative stage tend to accelerate the differentiation of IMPs to induce more fat content in co-cultured IMPs than in single-culture IMPs (P < 0.05), in the non-proliferative stage, the results tend to show the opposite (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of related genes significantly changed in accordance with the fat content in cells. The results strongly supported the view that the established co-culture system was effective and feasible. In summary, we successfully found a new method to explore the interaction between myocytes and adipocytes of chicken. Our findings can deepen research on the regulation of chicken myocytes and adipocytes.

Expression and effect of Calpain9 gene genetic polymorphism on slaughter indicators and intramuscular fat content in chickens

Calpain 9 (CAPN9) is expressed in the stomach and small intestine. CAPN9 has regulatory roles in hypertension, heart disease, gastric mucosal defense, and kidney disease. The involvement of CAPN9 has not been reported in the development of chickens. CAPN9 mRNA was found in adipose and muscle tissue in this study. Two linkage single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; G7518A and C7542G) in intron 4 were screened from 160 birds of the D2 chicken line. The 2 mutation sites were associated with carcass weight, evisceration weight, abdominal fat weight (AFW), abdominal fat percentage (AFP), and breast muscle percentage (all P < 0.05). Intramuscular fat (IMF) content was not significantly different in the 3 genotypes. But, the AA(7518)/GG(7542) genotype had the highest IMF content, highest breast muscle weight, and lower AFW and AFP. Moreover, the mRNA level of CAPN9 in abdominal fat tissue was significantly different (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) between any 2 genotypes, consistent with AFW and AFP. In summary, the expression of CAPN9 in adipose and breast muscle tissue is reported for the first time. CAPN9 affected production performance of chickens. As a marker, the linkage G7518A and C7542G polymorphisms in intron 4 of CAPN9 could affect the production traits by regulating mRNA expression. The findings concerning the marker enrich the theoretical foundation for molecular breeding of high-quality broilers.

[Clinical significance of minimal residual disease in patients with Ph-negative precursor B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

Objective: To explore the predictive value of minimal residual disease (MRD) level in Ph-negative precursor B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. Methods: De novo 193 Ph-negative B-ALL patients from Sep 2010 to Nov 2017 were involved in the study. The patients' MRD evaluation which can be performed by multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) after 1 month, 3-month, 6-month treatment. Relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared in patients with different MRD level. Results: The median follow-up was 22 months. All patients was evaluated at 497 MRD level. Patients who reach the good MRD level at 1 month (<0.1% or ≥0.1%), 3-month (negative or positive), 6-month (negative or positive) had a significantly higher probability of estimated RFS (74.5% vs 29.9%; 75.6% vs 29.7%; 74.6% vs 11.6%) and of estimated OS (67.5% vs 30.3%; 71.6% vs 27.8%; 74.0% vs 15.7%). Patients who reach the MRD negative at all 3 times had a significantly higher probability of estimated RFS (80.5% vs 30.5%) and better estimated OS (77.1% vs 29.4%) compared to patients with at least MRD failure in one time (P<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed MRD level at 3-month was an independent prognostic factor for DFS and OS. Conclusion: MRD is an important prognosis factor for Ph-negative B- ALL patients.

Andrographolide Benefits Rheumatoid Arthritis via Inhibiting MAPK Pathways

Andrographolide (AD) is the main compound distributed in medicinal herb Andrographis paniculata and exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. AD has been used for the treatment of multiple inflammatory diseases. However, the therapeutic value of AD on human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of AD on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and human RA synovial fibroblasts (RA-SFs). CIA mice were treated with AD (dissolved in 0.5% CMC-Na, 100 mg/kg per day) or vehicle (0.5% CMC-Na) daily by oral gavage for 2 weeks. The arthritis severity and joint destruction were assessed. Serum anti-collagen II antibody (anti-CII Abs) and cytokines were determined by ELISA. TNFα-stimulated human RA-SFs were treated with varying doses of AD for in vitro investigation. Results showed that AD significantly attenuated the arthritis severity and joint damage. AD treatment significantly reduced the production of serum anti-CII, TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6. In vitro, AD decreased the secretion of IL-1β and IL-6 from TNFα-stimulated RA-SFs in a dose-dependent manner. AD treatment reduced the TNFα-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, our findings suggest that AD confers protective effects on autoimmune arthritis through inhibiting MAPK pathways.

[Diagnostic Significance of BIOMED-2 Standardized Gene Rearran-gement System in Patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma]

OBJECTIVE

To detect the immunoglobulin(Ig) and T cell receptor(TCR) gene rearrangement in bone marrow of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL) patients by using BIOMED-2 standardized system, and to explore the potential clinical significance of Ig/TCR gene rearrangement.

METHODS

DNA was extracted in bone marrow and Formalin-fixed and Paraffin-embedded(FFPE) samples of NHL patients, the Ig/TCR gene rearrangements were analyzed by using BIOMED-2 multiple primers system and multiplex PCR assay.

RESULTS

Among 235 T-NHL cases, 71.9% showed TCR gene rearrangement. The positive rate of TCRγ and the TCRβ were 57.9% and 50.2%. Out of 583 B-NHL cases, 81.6% showed Ig gene rearrangement. The positive rate of IgH and the IgK were 70.7% and 69.3%. MCL patients showed 84.8% IgH rearrangement and 75.8% IgK rearrangement, as compared with FL(34.0%, 50.9%) and DLBCL(9.2%, 16.1%) patients, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Out of Ig rearrangement positive B-NHL cases, 65 showed TCR gene rearrangement. None TCR rearrangement positive T-NHL cases showed Ig gene rearrangement, 25 cases(83.3%) showed Ig gene rearrangement in FFPE samples of 30 DLBCL patients, as compared to Ig rearrangement positive rate of bone marrow, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

BIOMED-2 standardized Ig/TCR gene rearrangement system shows assistance for lymphoma diagnosis. The PCR sequencing analysis is much more sensitive and specific and has significance for clinical diagnosis.