[Autophagy and its research progress in thyroid cancer]

To summarize the autophagy and its research progress in thyroid cancer.In combination with available literatures published in recent years involving the relationship between autophagy and thyroid cancer, the characteristics of autophagy, the role in thyroid cancer were reviewed. The changes of autophagy level will directly or indirectly participate in the pathogenesis and progression of thyroid cancer.Reagents regulating autophagy will have broad prospect of application in thyroid cancer therapy. The autophagy in the thyroid cancer is still poorly understood, and to clarify the molecular mechanism of autophagy and kill thyroid cancer cells by reasonable regulation of autophagy still needs more further studies.

[Clinical features of Takayasu arteritis patients with pulmonary hypertension due to pulmonary artery involvement]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the clinical features of Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients with pulmonary hypertension due to pulmonary artery involvement.

METHODS

Ninety-four TA patients with pulmonary artery involvement treated in Fuwai Hospital from Jun 1988 to Jun 2014 were retrospectively summarized. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether aorta and its main branches affected (APTA, n=48) or not (PTA, n=46). Clinical features and angiographic data were further analyzed.

RESULTS

Of all the patients, male to female rate was 1∶3.3, age ranged from 8 to 60 years with median age of 33.5 years when symptom onset. Main symptoms included dyspnea on exertion. Heart murmur and mid-systolic murmur in pulmonic area were commonly found by physical examination. All patients had pulmonary hypertension by echocardiographic examination. Angiographic data showed that multi-lobular and multi-segmental pulmonary branches were predominantly affected, followed by sub-segmental and peripheral branches. Both sides of pulmonary artery involvement were more common than one side involvement, while the right pulmonary arteries were more often affected than the left. Most of the clinical symptoms and signs between APTA group and PTA group were comparable. However, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and N-terminal pro-natriuretic peptide were significant higher in APTA group than that in PTA group when admission [14.0(5.0, 28.0) vs 8.5(3.0, 19.3) mm/1 h and (1 936±1 769) vs (1 627±1 153) ng/L, both P<0.05].

CONCLUSIONS

Dyspnea on exertion may be the main manifestation of TA with pulmonary artery involvement. All patients present with pulmonary hypertension and moderate to severe heart failure when symptom onset.

The spatial-temporal expression and functional divergence of bach homologs in zebrafish Danio rerio

The spatial-temporal expressions of bach1a, bach1b, bach2a and bach2b in early development of zebrafish Danio rerio embryos were examined in the present study by whole mount in situ hybridization. Transcripts of all genes were found at the one cell stage, suggesting that these four genes are maternally inherited. From the phylogenetic analyses, Bach1a and Bach1b from fishes form a well-supported group with two sub-groups. Bach2a and Bach2b, however, did not fall into one clade, suggesting that Bach2 proteins diverged faster or earlier than Bach1 proteins in fishes. The differentially regulated expression of the exocrine zymogen (such as the trypsin-like gene, tryl) of both paralogs of bach1 and bach2, respectively, showed that their functions are still active and already divergent, coinciding with subfunction partitioning.

Failed cooperative, but not competitive, interaction between large-scale brain networks impairs working memory in schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

A large-scale network named the default mode network (DMN) dynamically cooperates and competes with an external attention system (EAS) to facilitate various cognitive functioning that is prominently impaired in schizophrenia. However, it is unclear whether the cognitive deficit in schizophrenia is related to the disrupted competition and/or cooperation between these two networks.

METHOD

A total of 35 schizophrenia patients and 30 healthy controls were scanned using gradient-echo echo-planar imaging during n-back working memory (WM) processing. Brain activities of the DMN and EAS were measured using general linear modelling of the functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Dynamic interaction between the DMN and EAS was decomposed into two directions using Granger causality analysis.

RESULTS

We observed a significant failure of DMN suppression in patients with schizophrenia, which was significantly related to WM/attentional deficit. Granger causality modelling showed that in healthy controls, while the EAS inhibitorily influenced the DMN, the DMN exerted an 'excitatory' or cooperative influence back on the EAS, especially in those with lower WM accuracy. In schizophrenia, this 'excitatory' DMN→EAS influence within the reciprocal EAS-DMN loop was significantly reduced, especially in patients with WM/attentional deficit.

CONCLUSIONS

The dynamic interaction between the DMN and EAS is likely to be comprised of both competitive and cooperative influences. In healthy controls, both the 'inhibitory' EAS→DMN interaction and 'excitatory' DMN→EAS interaction are correlated with WM performance. In schizophrenia, reduced 'cooperative' influence from the DMN to dorsal nodes of the EAS occurs in the context of non-suppression of the DMN and may form a possible pathophysiological substrate of WM deficit and attention disorder.

Effect of X-ray irradiation on epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer SW480 cells

This study was carried out to explore the effect of X-ray irradiation on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of colorectal cancer SW480 cells. Human colorectal cancer SW480 cells used in this study were irradiated by X-rays in 0 Gy, 4 Gy and 8 Gy doses, respectively. Transwell method was adopted to detect the changes of invasion and migration ability of SW480 cells cultured for 24 h after being irradiated by X-rays in 0 Gy, 4 Gy and 8 Gy doses. After X-ray irradiation, invasion ability of cells in 4 Gy dose group and 8 Gy dose group strengthened significantly compared with that of the 0 Gy dose group (p < 0.05); invasion ability of cells in 8 Gy dose group also strengthened significantly compared to the 4 Gy dose group (p < 0.05). After X-ray irradiation, migration ability of cells also changed: migration ability of cells in 4 Gy dose group and 8 Gy dose group strengthened significantly compared with that of the 0 Gy group (p less than 0.05). Results of QRT-RCR and Western blot detection showed that after X-ray irradiation, the expression of epithelial index E-cadherin in 4 Gy dose group and 8 Gy dose group decreased significantly compared with that of the 0 Gy dose group (p < 0.05); moreover, the higher the dose was, the more significantly the expression decreased. Therefore, X-ray irradiation-induced EMT is in positive correlation with the irradiation dose to some extent. Besides, X-ray irradiation can enhance the invasion and migration ability of human colorectal cancer cells.

Evaluation of the direct nitrate reductase assay for rapid detection of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis

SETTING

Jiangxi, China.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the performance of the direct nitrate reductase assay (D-NRA) for rapid, low-cost detection of multidrug-resistant (MDR-) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) in high-burden, resource-limited settings.

METHODS

A total of 225 smear-positive sputum samples were collected from consecutive drug-resistant TB subjects. Samples were processed at the Province TB Reference Laboratory and tested for susceptibility to rifampicin (RMP), isoniazid (INH), ofloxacin (OFX), kanamycin (KM) and capreomycin (CPM) by D-NRA, using the indirect Löwenstein-Jensen proportion method (LJ-PM) as reference.

RESULTS

Of the 225 smear-positive sputum samples, 214 isolates were identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and analysed for further comparison. The sensitivity of the D-NRA in the detection of resistance to RMP, INH, OFX, KM and CPM was respectively 95.1% (97/102), 93.1% (135/145), 97.4% (76/78), 88.9% (40/45) and 90.6% (29/32); specificity was respectively 100% (112/112), 97.1% (67/69), 100% (136/136), 98.8% (167/169) and 96.7% (176/182). The median time to culture positivity was significantly shorter for NRA than for the indirect LJ-PM (14 days vs. 70 days, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

D-NRA showed high sensitivity and specificity in the rapid diagnosis of MDR- and XDR-TB in a high-burden, resource-limited setting.

Metal induced self-assembly of designed V-shape protein into 2D wavy supramolecular nanostructure

In order to understand and imitate the more complex bio-processes and fascinating functions in nature, protein self-assembly has been studied and has attracted more and more interest in recent years. Artificial self-assemblies of proteins have been constructed through many strategies. However, the design of complicated protein self-assemblies utilizing the special profile of building blocks remains a challenge. We herein report linear and 2D nanostructures constructed from a V shape SMAC protein and induced by metal coordination. Zigzag nanowires and wavy 2D nanostructures have been demonstrated by AFM and TEM. The zigzag nanowires can translate to a 2D nanostructure with an excess of metal ions, which reveals the step by step assembly process. Fluorescence and UV/Vis spectra have also been obtained to further study the mechanism and process of self-assembly. Upon the protein nanostructure, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) could also be detected using fluorescein modified proteins as building blocks. This article provides an approach for designing and controlling self-assembled protein nanostructures with a distinctive topological morphology.

Mechanochemically synthesized m-BiVO4 nanoparticles for visible light photocatalysis

Mechanochemical high energy ball milling approach was used to synthesize monoclinic BiVO₄ (m-BiVO₄) nanoparticles in an attempt to simultaneously reduce the particle size and improve the throughput for practical photocatalytic applications.

Mechanochemically synthesized CuO/m-BiVO4 composite with enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties

Simultaneous enhancement on photon absorption and charge separation leads to improved photo-activities of a CuO/BiVO₄ composite over pristine BiVO₄.

Quantitative trait locus analysis for kernel width using maize recombinant inbred lines

Maize (Zea mays L.) kernel width is one of the most important traits that is related to yield and appearance. To understand its genetic mechanisms more clearly, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) segregation population consisting of 239 RILs was used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for kernel width. We found four QTLs on chromosomes 3 (one), 5 (two), and 10 (one). The QTLs were close to their adjacent markers, with a range of 0-23.8 cM, and explained 6.2-19.7% of the phenotypic variation. The three QTLs on chromosomes 3 and 5 had positive additive effects, and to a certain extent increased kernel width, whereas the one on chromosome 10 exhibited negative additive effects and decreased kernel width. These results can be used for gene cloning and marker-assisted selection in maize-breeding programs.

Identification of benign and malignant endometrial cancer with transvaginal ultrasonography combined with elastography and tissue hardness analysis

This study was designed to explore tissue hardness and distinguish benign and malignant endometrial cancer with the use of transvaginal ultrasonography combined with elastography. Color Doppler ultrasonic diasonograph was used to carry out transvaginal ultrasonography and elastography. Once the nidus was observed, features of the 2D image were analyzed. Then features of elasticity of the uterine cavity in different states were analyzed by elastography, and strain rate ratio was measured. Finally, elasticity scoring (0~5 points) was made. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn based on elasticity score and strain rate ratio. The area under the elasticity score curve and strain rate ratio curve was 0.761 and 0.852, respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between them (c2= 4.663, P>0.05). Then 2.98 was confirmed as the diagnostic cut-off value of benign and malignant lesions, based on strain rate ratio. Ultrasonic elastography as an effective assistance for transvaginal ultrasonography provides more valuable information for confirmation of lesions and offers more accurate evidence for diagnosis of disease in the uterine cavity.

Validation of the Mandarin Chinese version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire in bronchiectasis

BACKGROUND

The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) has been validated for assessing cough-specific health status in bronchiectasis. We translated the LCQ into Mandarin Chinese and investigated its validity, reliability and responsiveness.

METHODS

The LCQ was translated into Mandarin Chinese using the forward-backward translation procedure. A total of 144 out-patients completed the Mandarin Chinese version of the LCQ (LCQ-MC), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire. Reassessments were performed during exacerbations and at 6 months. Concurrent validation, internal consistency, repeatability and responsiveness were determined.

RESULTS

Minor cultural adaptations were made to the wording of LCQ-MC. No other difficulties were found during the translation process, with all items easily adapted to acceptable Mandarin Chinese. The questionnaire was not changed in terms of content layout and the order of the questions. In cognitive debriefing interviews, participants reported that the questionnaire was acceptable, relevant, comprehensive and easy to complete. The LCQ-MC showed good concurrent validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Responsiveness was shown by significant changes in LCQ-MC scores between steady state, the first exacerbation and following 2-week antibiotic treatment (both interval changes, P < 0.01) CONCLUSION: The LCQ-MC is a valid, reliable and responsive instrument for determining cough-specific health status in Chinese bronchiectasis patients.

Related factors and prevalence of Parkinson's disease among Uygur residents in Hetian, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

The aim of this study was to identify the factors related to and determine the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) among Uygur residents in Hetian Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This population-based prospective cohort study used structured questionnaires to screen for factors related to PD. The prevalence in different age groups was analyzed, and PD risk was assessed using univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis. In total, 5932 subjects participated in the survey; of these, 88 individuals, all of whom were Uygurs, had PD. The overall prevalence of PD was 1.48% (1.32%) in people over the age of 45; the prevalence was 1.68% (1.59%) in men and 1.28% (1.36%) in women. The Fifth Population Census in China found the prevalence of PD in Hetian, Xinjiang, to be 1.32%. Single-factor results showed that exercise, social activities, and frequent consumption of nuts are protective factors for PD, and long-term pesticide exposure, family history of PD, and consumption of barbecued food were risk factors for this condition. Multi-factor conditional logistic regression analysis showed that participation in sports and social activities can reduce the risk of PD, whereas long-term pesticide exposure and family history of PD increases this risk. These results show that PD is caused by the interaction of several factors.

M1-like Macrophage Polarization Promotes Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Macrophages play a crucial role in inflammatory-mediated bone loss. Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) is associated with inflammatory bone remodeling. However, whether and how macrophages contribute to mechanical force–induced OTM remains unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that polarization of M1-like macrophages may contribute to the OTM. Orthodontic nickel-titanium springs were applied to the upper first molars of rats or mice to induce OTM. The distance of OTM gradually increased after mechanical force was applied to the rats for 5 and 10 d. M1-like macrophage polarization and expression of M1 cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α also increased after force application. More importantly, monocyte/macrophage depletion in mice by injection of clodronate liposomes decreased the distance of OTM and the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)–positive osteoclasts and CD68+ macrophages, accompanied by reduced expressions of M1 markers TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), whereas systemic transfusion of M1 macrophages in mice increased them. Further experiments showed that injection of recombinant TNF-α increased the distance of OTM and the number of TRAP-positive osteoclasts and CD68+ macrophages, as well as upregulated the expression of TNF-α and iNOS. Blockage of TNF-α by etanercept injection reduced the distance of OTM and the number of TRAP-positive osteoclasts and CD68+ macrophages, as well as decreased the levels of TNF-α and iNOS. These data suggest that M1-like macrophage polarization promotes alveolar bone resorption and consequent OTM after mechanical force application.

Metabolite changes during the life history of Porphyra haitanensis

Plant metabolomics is essentially the comprehensive analysis of complex metabolites of plant extracts. Metabolic fingerprinting is an important part of plant metabolomics research. In this study, metabolic fingerprinting of different stages of the life history of the red alga Porphyra haitanensis was performed. The stages included conchocelis filaments, sporangial branchlets, conchosporangia, discharged conchospores and conchosporangial branchlets after conchospore discharge. Metabolite extracts were analysed with ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry. Analyses profiles were subjected to principal components analysis and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis using the SIMCA-P software for biomarker selection and identification. Based on the MS/MS spectra and data from the literature, potential biomarkers, mainly of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine, were identified. Identification of these biomarkers suggested that plasma membrane phospholipids underwent major changes during the life history of P. haitanensis. The levels of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine increased in sporangial branchlets and decreased in discharged conchospores. Moreover, levels of sphingaine (d18:0) decreased in sporangial branchlets and increased in discharged conchospores, which indicates that membrane lipids were increasingly synthesised as energy storage in sporangial branchlets, while energy was consumed in sporangial branchlets to discharged conchospores. A metabolomic study of different growth phases of P. haitanensis will enhance our understanding of its physiology and ecology.

2,2′,4,4′-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether promotes human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells migration via the GPER/PI3K/Akt signal pathway

Neuroblastoma is the predominant tumor of early childhood. 2,2′,4,4′-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) has the highest concentration among all polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in human body, particularly for children. Considering that accumulating evidences showed developmental neurotoxicity of PBDE, there is an urgent need to investigate the effects of BDE-47 on the development of neuroblastoma. This study revealed that BDE-47 had limited effects on the cytotoxicity while significantly increased the in vitro migration and invasion of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. This was further confirmed by the results that BDE-47 treatment significantly downregulated the expression of E-cadherin and zona occludin-1 and upregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Silencing of MMP-9 by specific small interfering RNA significantly abolished the BDE-47-induced migration and invasion of SH-SY5Y cells. Further, the signals G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER)/phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) mediated the BDE-47-induced upregulation of MMP-9 and in vitro migration of SH-SY5Y cells since G15 (GPER inhibitor) and LY 294002 (PI3K/Akt inhibitor) significantly abolished the effects of BDE-47. Our results revealed that BDE-47 significantly triggered the metastasis of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells via upregulation of MMP-9 by the GPER/PI3K/Akt signal pathway. This study revealed for the first time that BDE-47 can promote the migration of SH-SY5Y cells. It also provided a better understanding about the metastasis of human neuroblastoma induced by environmental endocrine disruptors.

Hypoxia upregulates Rab11-family interacting protein 4 through HIF-1α to promote the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hypoxic microenvironment is a powerful driving force for the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), as a crucial regulator of transcriptional responses to hypoxia, induces the expression of multiple target genes involved in different steps of HCC metastatic process. It is critical to find target genes associated with metastasis under hypoxia for shedding new light on molecular mechanism of HCC metastasis. In this study, we uncovered that hypoxia could induce the upregulation of Rab11-family interacting protein 4 (Rab11-FIP4) and activation of Rab11-FIP4 promoter by HIF-1α. The overexpression of Rab11-FIP4 significantly enhanced the mobility and invasiveness of HCC cells in vitro, also contributed to distant lung metastasis in vivo, whereas silencing of Rab11-FIP4 decreased the ability of migration and invasion in HCC cells in vitro and suppressed lung metastasis in vivo. Rab11-FIP4 facilitated HCC metastasis through the phosphorylation of PRAS40, which was regulated by mTOR. Furthermore, the expression level of Rab11-FIP4 was significantly increased in HCC tissues and high expression of Rab11-FIP4 was closely correlated with vascular invasion and poor prognosis in HCC patients. A markedly positive correlation between the expression of Rab11-FIP4 and HIF-1α was observed in HCC tissues and combination of Rab11-FIP4 and HIF-1α was a more valuable predictor of poor prognosis for HCC patients. In conclusion, Rab11-FIP4 is a target gene of HIF-1α and has a pro-metastatic role in HCC, suggesting that Rab11-FIP4 may be a promising candidate target for HCC treatment.

Correlation between DQB1 genetic polymorphism and genetic susceptibility in patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea

We examined patients of Han nationality diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in Guangdong, China, to analyze the correlation between DQB1 allele polymorphisms and the genetic susceptibility to IBS-D. A total of 120 IBS-D patients of Han nationality in Guangdong, China, and 60 healthy control volunteers were included. DQB1 allele polymorphisms were investigated by polymerase chain reaction. Subjects' serum interleukin (IL)-10 level, colonic permeability, and tight junction marker zonula occludens 1 (ZO1) mRNA level were also investigated. Our data showed that the DQB1*02 allele frequency was significantly higher in IBS-D patients, while the DQB1*0603 frequency was lower than in healthy volunteers. The DQB1*03, DQB1*04, DQB1*05, DQB1*0601, DQB1*0602, and DQB1*0604 alleles did not show significant differences between IBS-D patients and healthy controls. Furthermore, patients with DQB1*03- positive and DQB1*0603-negative alleles showed more severe colonic permeability and lower serum IL-10 level and ZO1 level compared to healthy controls or even IBS-D patients with other genotypes. The present study indicated the DQB1*02 or DQB1*0603 alleles are related to IBS-D occurrence in Guangdong, China, and the mechanism of the disease may be related to reduced serum IL-10 levels.

Evaluation of indirect drug susceptibility testing using the MODS assay for the detection of XDR-TB in China

SETTING

The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University and the Chest Hospital of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi, China.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the performance and feasibility of the microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) assay for the simultaneous detection of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) in a high-burden, resource-limited setting.

METHODS

A total of 208 archived clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were used to compare MODS with the conventional proportion method for the rapid detection of resistance to rifampicin (RMP) and isoniazid (INH), as well as to the second-line drugs ofloxacin (OFX) and kanamycin (KM).

RESULTS

Sensitivity was respectively 94.5%, 91%, 96.2% and 91.5% for RMP, INH, OFX and KM, and specificity was respectively 97.5%, 96%, 100% and 98.7%. Results for MODS were obtained in a median time of 7 days (range 5-17).

CONCLUSION

The MODS assay offers a simple, rapid, economical and feasible method for the detection of M. tuberculosis resistance to first- and second-line drugs in resource-limited settings.

Enhanced M1/M2 macrophage ratio promotes orthodontic root resorption

Mechanical force-induced orthodontic root resorption is a major clinical challenge in orthodontic treatment. Macrophages play an important role in orthodontic root resorption, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we examined the mechanism by which the ratio of M1 to M2 macrophage polarization affects root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement. Root resorption occurred when nickel-titanium coil springs were applied on the upper first molars of rats for 3 to 14 d. Positively stained odontoclasts or osteoclasts with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase were found in resorption areas. Meanwhile, M1-like macrophages positive for CD68 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) persistently accumulated on the compression side of periodontal tissues. In addition, the expressions of the M1 activator interferon-γ and the M1-associated pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were upregulated on the compression side of periodontal tissues. When the coil springs were removed at the 14th day after orthodontic force application, root resorption was partially rescued. The number of CD68(+)CD163(+) M2-like macrophages gradually increased on the compression side of periodontal tissues. The levels of M2 activator interleukin (IL)-4 and the M2-associated anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 also increased. Systemic injection of the TNF-α inhibitor etanercept or IL-4 attenuated the severity of root resorption and decreased the ratio of M1 to M2 macrophages. These data imply that the balance between M1 and M2 macrophages affects orthodontic root resorption. Root resorption was aggravated by an enhanced M1/M2 ratio but was partially rescued by a reduced M1/M2 ratio.

Deterioration of mechanical properties of discs in chronically inflamed TMJ

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs frequently undergo degenerative changes in arthritis. However, the biomechanical properties of pathogenic discs remain to be explored. In this study, we evaluated the effects of chronic inflammation on the biomechanical properties of TMJ discs in rats. Chronic inflammation of TMJs was induced by double intra-articular injections of complete Freund's adjuvant for 5 weeks, and biomechanical properties and ultrastructure of the discs were examined by mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The instantaneous compressive moduli of the anterior and posterior bands of discs in inflamed TMJs were decreased significantly compared with those in the control group. The instantaneous tensile moduli of the discs of inflamed TMJs also showed significant decreases in both the anterior-posterior and mesial-lateral directions. The relaxation moduli of the discs of inflamed TMJs showed nearly the same tendency as the instantaneous moduli. The surfaces of the discs of inflamed TMJs became rough and porous due to the loss of the superficial gel-like stratum, with many collagen fibers exposed and degradation of the sub-superficial collagen fibrils. Our results suggested that chronic inflammation of TMJ could lead to deterioration of mechanical properties and alteration of disc ultrastructure, which might contribute to TMJ disc displacement.

Multiresolution analysis of pathological changes in cerebral venous dynamics in newborn mice with intracranial hemorrhage: adrenorelated vasorelaxation

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is the major problem of modern neonatal intensive care. Abnormalities of cerebral venous blood flow (CVBF) can play a crucial role in the development of ICH in infants. The mechanisms underlying these pathological processes remain unclear; however it has been established that the activation of the adrenorelated vasorelaxation can be an important reason. Aiming to reach a better understanding of how the adrenodependent relaxation of cerebral veins contributes to the development of ICH in newborns, we study here the effects of pharmacological stimulation of adrenorelated dilation of the sagittal sinus by isoproterenol on the cerebral venous hemodynamics. Our study is performed in newborn mice at different stages of ICH using the laser speckle contrast imaging and wavelet analysis of the vascular dynamics of CVBF. We show that the dilation of the sagittal sinus with the decreased velocity of blood flow presides to the stress-induced ICH in newborn mice. These morphofunctional vascular changes are accompanied by an increased variance of the wavelet-coefficients in the areas of endothelial and non-endothelial (KATP-channels activity of vascular muscle) sympathetic components of the CVBF variability. Changes in the cerebral venous hemodynamics at the latent stage of ICH are associated with a high responsiveness of the sagittal sinus to isoproterenol quantifying by wavelet-coefficients related to a very slow region of the frequency domain. The obtained results certify that a high activation of the adrenergic-related vasodilatory responses to severe stress in newborn mice can be one of the important mechanisms underlying the development of ICH. Thus, the venous insufficiency with the decreased blood outflow from the brain associated with changes in the endothelial and the sympathetic components of CVBF-variability can be treated as prognostic criteria for the risk of ICH during the first days after birth.

Establishing HbA1c -mean blood glucose formulae for patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

AIM

To determine the relationship between HbA1c and mean blood glucose concentrations by using HbA1c -mean blood glucose formulae for people on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

METHODS

A total of 305 people on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, including 13 people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, 161 people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and 131 people without diabetes, from a single peritoneal dialysis centre at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, were enrolled between January 2006 and June 2011. Serum HbA1c concentration was measured quarterly and other laboratory variables, including blood glucose, were measured every month. The formulae were established using regression analysis and adjusted for other factors. The estimated blood glucose level calculated using our formulae was compared with that using previous formulae namely the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and A1c -Derived Average Glucose formulae for people not on dialysis and the Hoshino formula for people on haemodialysis.

RESULTS

The HbA1c -mean blood glucose formulae obtained by linear regression analysis were: 1) mBGmmol/l = 0.107 × HbA1c (mmol/mol) + 1.764 [adjusted R(2) (Radj2)  = 0.494]; 2) mBGmmol/l  = 0.101 × HbA1c  (mmol/mol) - 0.001 × Cr (μmol/l) + 2.850 (Radj2 = 0.507); 3) mBGmmol/l  = 0.102 × HbA1c  (mmol/mol) - 0.095 × Alb (g/l) + 5.394 (Radj2 = 0.521); and 4) mBGmmol/l  = 0.099 × HbA1c (mmol/mol) - 0.001 × Cr (μmol/l)-0.084 × Alb (g/l) + 5.754 (Radj2 = 0.526), where mBG is mean blood glucose, Cr is serum creatinine and Alb is serum albumin. These new formulae performed as well as or better than previous formulae.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between HbA1c and mean blood glucose for people on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis differs from that for people not on dialysis or for those on haemodialysis. Clinicians and patients can determine glycaemic control targets by applying our formulae.

A polymorphism in the DNA repair domain of APEX1 is associated with the radiation-induced pneumonitis risk among lung cancer patients after radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNPs) (rs1130409, rs1760944, rs2307486 and rs3136817) in APEX1 with the risk of severe radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) after radiotherapy among Han Chinese patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

A total of 168 patients with lung cancer who were receiving radiotherapy were prospectively recruited. RP was evaluated according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. A case-control study was performed. The case group included patients with RP grade of ≥3, while the control group comprised patients with RP grades <3. Four tagSNPs of APEX1 were genotyped in 126 patients with complete follow-up by multi-SNaPshot® (Genesky Biotechnologies Inc., Shanghai, China) genotyping assays. RESULTS were assessed by a logistic regression model for RP risk and Mantal-Cox log-rank test for the cumulative RP probability by the genotypes.

RESULTS

rs1130409 was associated with severe RP. GT genotype of rs1130409 was significantly higher in patients with RP than in those of the control group [68.8% vs 41.8%; p = 0.025; resulting odds ratio (OR), 5.98]. Patients with lung cancer bearing the G allele had a 5.83-fold higher risk of RP than those with the wild TT genotype [OR = 5.83; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27-26.90; p = 0.024], and this was further confirmed by the binary regression adjusted by some confounding factors, including Karnofsky performance scale, concurrent chemotherapy-radiotherapy and lung volume receiving >30 Gy (OR = 6.96; 95% CI, 1.36-35.77; p = 0.02). rs1130409 was also associated with the time to occurrence of severe RP (p = 0.04). Three-dimensional model APEX1 protein showed that rs1130409 is located in the random coil structure corresponding to the DNA repair function region.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

rs1130409 of APEX1 can be a predictor of RP grades ≥3 among patients with lung cancer.

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

BACKGROUND

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

METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSIONS

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

Mechanism of ulinastatin protection against lung injury caused by lower limb ischemia-reperfusion

AIM

The aim of this paper was to investigate the mechanism of ulinastatin's protection of lung from injury caused by lower limb ischemia-reperfusion in a rat model.

METHODS

Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: saline control (CON), lung injury group, caused by lower limb ischemia-reperfusion (LIR) by rubber band ligation of the lower limbs for 3 h, followed by reperfusion for 3 h and lung injury with ulinastatin pretreatment intravenously before ligation (UTI). Carotid arterial blood was drawn 3 h postreperfusion for gas analysis, and alveolar lavage of one lung was performed. Rats were then sacrificed and lungs were taken for pathological examination and to detect phosphorylated and total p38, JNK, ERK levels. Inflammatory cell count and cytokines TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6 were measured from the lavage fluid.

RESULTS

There was significant inflammatory cell infiltration, hemorrhaging, and edema of the lung in the LIR group, all of which were reduced significantly in the UTI group. Oxygenation index in the LIR was lower than the CON while it was higher in the UTI than the LIR group. Compared to the CON group, white blood cell count in the alveolar lavage fluid from LIR group was increased, while this is lower in the UTI. Lavage fluid TNF-α, IL-β, and IL-6 levels were higher in the LIR group than the CON group, and were significantly lower in the UTI than the LIR. LIR group exhibited increased phosphorylated ERK, JNK and p38; UTI group rats also had enhanced p-ERK levels, but had decreased p-p38 and p-JNK.

CONCLUSION

Ulinastatin pre-treatment reduces lung injury caused by lower limb ischemia-reperfusion via a mechanism that may involve inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production via p-JNK and p-p38 pathways.

Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis of agronomic traits in a maize recombinant inbred line population

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops in the world. In this study, 13 agronomic traits of a recombinant inbred line population that was derived from the cross between Mo17 and Huangzao4 were investigated in maize: ear diameter, ear length, ear axis diameter, ear weight, plant height, ear height, days to pollen shed (DPS), days to silking (DS), the interval between DPS and DS, 100-kernel weight, kernel test weight, ear kernel weight, and kernel rate. Furthermore, the descriptive statistics and correlation analysis of the 13 traits were performed using the SPSS 11.5 software. The results providing the phenotypic data here are needed for the quantitative trait locus mapping of these agronomic traits.

The effects of nucleoside analogue prophylactic treatment on HBV activation in HBcAb+ patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy

We investigated the effects of prophylactic nucleoside analogue treatment on HBV activation in patients with antibodies against core antigen (HBcAb+) patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. Patients (113), who were HBcAb+, with various autoimmune diseases, undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, were divided into two groups. The control group, not treated with antivirals, and the prophylactic group, treated with antiviral drugs. The two groups were evaluated for changes in serum biochemical marker (alanine aminotransferase ALT), virological marker (HBV DNA) and for seroconversion. In the control group, the number of patients with an increase in ALT in patients with isolated HBcAb and HBcAb and antibodies against HBsAg (HBsAb +) were five (20.0%) and one (2.8%), respectively (P < 0.05). There were six cases (24.0%) with an increase in HBV DNA in the isolated HBcAb+ subgroup and one case (2.8%) in HBsAb+/HBcAb+ subgroup (P < 0.05). In the HBcAb+ only population, six patients (24.0%) in the control group had an increase in HBV DNA compared with none in the antiviral prophylactic group (P < 0.05). One patient (4.0%) with HBcAb+ in the control group underwent an HBsAg seroconversion when receiving immunosuppressive therapy for 18 months, while none in the antiviral prophylactic group underwent reversion to HBsAg positivity (P = 0.4949). Under immunosuppressive condition, the risk of HBV activation was much higher in patients with HBcAb than in patients with both HBcAb and antibodies to HBsAb group. Antiviral prophylactic therapy could significantly reduce the risk of HBV reactivation.

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after revascularization surgery in patients with moyamoya disease

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a progressive occlusive disease of the distal internal carotid artery that is primarily treated by superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass. Despite its effectiveness, several postoperative complications have been reported with STA-MCA bypass. Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) after STA-MCA has attracted considerable attention as a hemodynamics-related complication because more cases of CHS after STA-MCA bypass are reported in MMD than in non-MMD patients. The mechanisms underlying CHS after revascularization in MMD patients are poorly understood. This report presents a comprehensive review of the literature on CHS after revascularization in MMD patients, focusing on the pathogenesis, clinical features, imaging techniques, treatment, and prognosis of CHS. Impaired cerebrovascular autoregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of CHS, which is characterized by unilateral headache, face and eye pain, seizures, and focal neurological deficits secondary to cerebral edema, and intracranial hemorrhage. Imaging techniques, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), 3-T magnetic resonance imaging/angiography, and selective arterial spin-labeling magnetic resonance imaging, are valuable for identifying patients at risk for CHS. Treatment strategies include strict blood pressure control, intracranial hemorrhage prevention, and free oxygen radical scavenger administration. Most patients can achieve a satisfying prognosis after effective treatment.

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.

Cloning and characterization of three chemosensory proteins from Spodoptera exigua and effects of gene silencing on female survival and reproduction

Insect chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are supposed to transport hydrophobic chemicals to receptors on sensory neurons. However, CSPs are broadly expressed in various insect tissues, suggesting their involvement in the physiological processes beyond chemoreception. So, the exact physiological roles of CSPs in insects still need to be unraveled. In this study, three full-length of CSP genes from Spodoptera exigua have been cloned and characterized. The deduced amino acid sequences of SexiCSP1, SexiCSP2 and SexiCSP3 revealed open reading frames of 128, 128 and 126 amino acids, respectively, with four conserved cysteine residues. The expression patterns of the three SexiCSPs were further investigated by real-time PCR. Three SexiCSPs were expressed in antennae, heads, legs, wings, thoraxes, abdomens, testes and ovaries, with the highest expression level in female and male antennae. Furthermore, all three SexiCSPs mRNA were distributed extensively in the tested development stages with the highest expression level in pupae. RNAi-based gene silencing study resulted in a dramatic reduction of corresponding mRNA in female S. exigua after injection with dsRNA of all three SexiCSPs. Consequentially, 42.5% of mortalities, 68.3% (compare to DEPC water injected control) and 71.4% (compare to uninjected control) oviposition inhibition, and significantly effected egg hatching were observed in the female S. exigua injected with dsSexiCSP3 as compared to control treatments. On the other hand, dsSexiCSP1 and dsSexiCSP2 injected female adults did not show effects on survival and reproduction. Our study confirms the utility of RNAi approach to functional characterization of CSP genes in S. exigua and provides a starting point for further studies on female survival and reproduction in this insect. It also reveals the potential pest controlling method, as insect behavior regulation agent that disrupts the expression of chemosensory proteins.

Development of a fluorescent-intercalating-dye-based reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid detection of seasonal Japanese B encephalitis outbreaks in pigs

The standardization and validation of a one-step, single-tube, accelerated fluorescent-intercalating-dye-based reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay targeting the NS3 gene of Japanese B encephalitis virus (JEV) is described for rapid, simple, and high-throughput detection of JEV. The amplification can be completed in 35 min under isothermal conditions at 63°C by employing a set of six primers targeting the NS3 gene of JEV. The RT-LAMP assay described demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting JEV, with a detection limit in swine samples of 8.13 PFU/ml. The specificity of the selected primer sets was established by cross-reactivity studies with pathogens that exhibit similar clinical signs and testing of samples from healthy animals. The clinical applicability of the RT-LAMP assay was validated using either spiked samples or samples from seasonal outbreaks. The comparative evaluation of the RT-LAMP assay revealed 79.59 % concordance with conventional RT-PCR targeting the E gene of JEV. The RT-LAMP assay reported here is a valuable tool for rapid real-time and high-throughput seasonal infection surveillance and quarantine after outbreak through blood sampling by using ordinary real-time PCR thermocyclers without purchasing an expensive Loopamp real-time turbidimeter.

Amino-Nogo-A antagonizes reactive oxygen species generation and protects immature primary cortical neurons from oxidative toxicity

Nogo-A is originally identified as an inhibitor of axon regeneration from the CNS myelin. Nogo-A is mainly expressed by oligodendrocytes, and also by some neuronal subpopulations, particularly in the developing nervous system. Although extensive studies have uncovered regulatory roles of Nogo-A in neurite outgrowth inhibition, precursor migration, neuronal homeostasis, plasticity and neurodegeneration, its cell-autonomous functions in neurons are largely uncharacterized. Here, we show that HIV-1 trans-activating-mediated amino-Nogo-A protein transduction into cultured primary cortical neurons achieves an almost complete neuroprotection against oxidative stress induced by exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Endogenously expressed neuronal Nogo-A is significantly downregulated upon H(2)O(2) treatment. Furthermore, knockdown of Nogo-A results in more susceptibility to acute oxidative insults and markedly increases neuronal death. Interacting with peroxiredoxin 2 (Prdx2), amino-Nogo-A reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation to exert neuroprotective effects. Structure-function mapping experiments reveal that, out of NiG-Δ20, a novel region comprising residues 290-562 of amino-Nogo-A is indispensable for preventing oxidative neuronal death. Moreover, mutagenesis analysis confirms that cysteine residues 424, 464 and 559 are involved in the inhibition of ROS generation and neuroprotective role of amino-Nogo-A. Our data suggest that neuronal Nogo-A might play a cell-autonomous role in improving neuronal survival against oxidative insult through interacting with Prdx2 and scavenging of ROS.