Polymorphisms of uric transporter proteins in the pathogenesis of gout in a Chinese Han population

In this study, we analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in urate transporter genes to examine the pathogenesis of gout. We conducted a 1:1-matched case-control study that included 110 patients with acute gout attacks as the patient group and 110 healthy age- and gender-matched subjects as the control group. Clinical parameters were recorded and blood biochemistry tests were conducted for both groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data. Hyperuricemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were found to be the main risk factors for the onset of gout, with relative risks of 29.2 (P < 0.001), 25.5 (P = 0.003), and 11.2 (P < 0.001). For all detected SNP, rs2231142, located in ABCG2, showed the largest frequency differences for the G/G, G/T, and T/T genotypes between groups: the distribution of these genotypes in the case group was 22, 49, and 26 individuals, respectively, and was 54, 38, and 9 individuals, respectively, in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P < 0.001) and the odds ratio was 7.091 (95% confidence interval = 2.867-17.541). Other SNPs (rs1165196, rs1165205, rs1183201, rs17300741, rs2078267, rs2242206, rs3733591, and rs9358856) showed no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). The risk factors of gout were hyperuricemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and the T/T genotype of the rs2231142 locus in the ABCG2 gene; expression of the G/G genotype may be a protective factor against gout development.

Restoring defect structures in 3C-SiC/Si (001) from spherical aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscope images by means of deconvolution processing

The [110] cross-sectional samples of 3C-SiC/Si (001) were observed with a spherical aberration-corrected 300 kV high-resolution transmission electron microscope. Two images taken not close to the Scherzer focus condition and not representing the projected structures intuitively were utilized for performing the deconvolution. The principle and procedure of image deconvolution and atomic sort recognition are summarized. The defect structure restoration together with the recognition of Si and C atoms from the experimental images has been illustrated. The structure maps of an intrinsic stacking fault in the area of SiC, and of Lomer and 60° shuffle dislocations at the interface have been obtained at atomic level.

A novel system for measurement of the transverse electron momentum distribution from photocathodes

The transverse momentum of electrons produced by a photocathode contributes significantly to the performance of several different types of accelerator-based light sources, such as Free Electron Lasers, as well as systems designed for ultrafast electron diffraction and dynamic transmission electron microscopy. Minimization of the transverse emittance from photocathodes is the subject of intensive research, and therefore measurement of this parameter is of great importance. Here, we describe a simple system that offers real time measurements of transverse emittance and can be easily integrated into the photocathode fabrication process.

Mussel-inspired nanofibrous sheet for suture-less stomach incision surgery

We report a dopamine-based crosslinker-conjugated gelatin/polycaprolactone nanofibrous sheet. The nanosheet was then employed to treat stomach incisions without sutures during surgery.

Abstract P1-01-17: Sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer: Intraoperative injection of radiocolloid

INTRODUCTION. Preoperative injection of radiocolloid for axillary sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer is visibly uncomfortable for many patients. We sought to determine whether injection of the radiocolloid once the patient has been anesthetized would be reliable for sentinel lymph node identification when compared to preoperative injection.

METHODS. A cohort of patients with breast cancer who underwent intraoperative injection of radiocolloid was compared to those who received their injection preoperatively. All injections employed 1mCi 0.5 ml of filtered (0.22 micron) Tc-99m sulfur colloid. All operative surgeons directed injections into the retroareolar tissue; some also intradermally directly over the tumor.

RESULTS. 904 sentinel node biopsy procedures were performed in the six years study period. 759 sentinel node biopsies were analyzed, 664 with preoperative injection of radiocolloid for localization and ninety-five with intraoperative injection. The average age of the patients was 56.8 years: 57.3 years in the preoperative injection group and 53.8 years in the intraoperative injection group. 753 of the 759 patients were women.

Sentinel Node Identification. The overall sentinel lymph node identification rate was similar for the two groups: 94.1% for the preoperative injection group and 93.5% for the intraoperative injection group (P = NS). The identification rate remained equivalent for both groups when analyzed by T stage of the tumor. Similarly, the average number of lymph nodes removed did not differ between preoperative vs. intraoperative injection: 2.66 nodes and 2.55 nodes, respectively.

Sentinel Node Positivity. The overall rate of positive sentinel nodes was also similar for the two groups, 24.7% for the preoperative injection group and 26.4% for the intraoperative injection group (P = NS). When analyzed by T stage, the positivity rate remained similar and not statistically significant. T1 tumors were 21.6% positive in the preoperative group versus 23.9% in the intraoperative group, and T2 tumors were 40.1% vs. 37.0%, respectively.

DISCUSSIONS. Our sentinel lymph node identification rate of 93.5% for the intraoperative injection group appears similar to that of the published literature (96-100%). Our study also showed no statistical difference in positive sentinel node biopsy between preoperative injection (24.7%) and intraoperative injection (26.2%) and is comparable to that of others When analyzed by T stage, our study had 23.9% positive sentinel node biopsies for T1, and 37% for T2 with intraoperative injection.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P1-01-17.

Surface-plasmon resonance-enhanced multiphoton emission of high-brightness electron beams from a nanostructured copper cathode

We experimentally investigate surface-plasmon assisted photoemission to enhance the efficiency of metallic photocathodes for high-brightness electron sources. A nanohole array-based copper surface was designed to exhibit a plasmonic response at 800 nm, fabricated using the focused ion beam milling technique, optically characterized and tested as a photocathode in a high power radio frequency photoinjector. Because of the larger absorption and localization of the optical field intensity, the charge yield observed under ultrashort laser pulse illumination is increased by more than 100 times compared to a flat surface. We also present the first beam characterization results (intrinsic emittance and bunch length) from a nanostructured photocathode.

Erdheim-Chester disease in a child

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare systemic non-Langerhans histiocytosis that affects multiple organ systems. It occurs more often in adults, and paediatric ECD is extremely rare. The diagnosis of ECD can be established based on clinical presentations and imaging but the final diagnosis should be based on biopsy. Treatment of ECD has involved the use of corticosteroids, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, yet the efficacy of these treatments is difficult to determine. At present, it is thought that the treatment of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is safe and effective for ECD. Herein, we report on an 11-year old girl who was admitted to hospital because of systemic bone pain and limping, and the final diagnosis of ECD was based on evidence provided by her clinical presentation, imaging and biopsy of a lesion of the right ilium. The patient was treated with subcutaneous IFN-alpha at a dosage of 3 x 10(6) units three times weekly for 19 months. We thought that the treatment of IFN-alpha was safe and effective for the girl's clinical manifestations, and IFN-alpha might be a valuable first-line therapy for paediatric ECD.

Small interfering RNA targeting Krüppel-like factor 8 inhibits U251 glioblastoma cell growth by inducing apoptosis

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, comprising 21-23 nucleotides that regulate gene expression by transcriptionally repressing their complementary mRNAs. In particular, Krüppel-like factor 8 (KLF8) has been postulated to function as a tumor activator in various cancer cells, but not in glioblastoma. In the present study, we investigated the anti-tumorigenic effect of KLF8 siRNA in glioblastoma cells. U251 human glioblastoma cells were transfected with KLF8 siRNA and assayed for in vitro proliferation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis. The transfection of KLF8 siRNA reduced expression of KLF8 in the glioblastoma cells. KLF8 siRNA also reduced in vitro proliferation and enhanced cell apoptosis. These results indicate that KLF8 siRNA has an anti-tumorigenic effect on glioblastoma cells and suggest the possible use of KLF8 siRNA for the treatment of glioblastoma.

Stability of lyophilized human platelets loaded with small molecule carbohydrates

Long-term preservation of platelets is a great challenge for blood transfusion centers, due to the required narrow storage temperature arange (22 ± 2 degree C). Short shelf life and potential bacterial growth often lead to the shortage of high-quality platelets. Freeze-dried preservation is thus believed to be a potential solution for long-term platelet storage without losing the hemostasis function. Here we report a new platelet preservation method, which uses small molecule carbohydrates to extend storage time and to maintain platelet function. The activities of lyophilized platelets that were stabilized with small molecule carbohydrate (e.g., cell viability, mean platelet volume, activation characteristics, and aggregation kinetics) were maintained after storage of 30, 60, and 90 days at room temperature, 4 degree C, and -20 degree C. The recovery of freeze-dried platelets was 87 percent in comparison to fresh platelets. The mean platelet volume of rehydrated platelets increased (from 6.8 fl to 8.0 fl). About 40 percent of rehydrated platelets was in the early-activated stage (PCA-1 positive) and 30 percent was in the terminal-activated stage (CD62P positive). The cell viability was about 60 percent as measured with CMFDA vital probes. The aggregation rate of rehydrated platelets after 90-day storage was similar to fresh platelets stored at 22 degree C ± 2 degree C.

Enhancement of YBCO thin film thermal stability under 1 ATM oxygen pressure by intermediate Cu2O nanolayer

The melting process of YBa(2)Cu(3)O(x) (YBCO or Y123) films under an oxygen atmosphere was observed in situ by means of high-temperature optical microscopy. The films were classified by pole figure measurement as c-axis oriented, with two different in-plane orientations (denoted as 0 and 45 degrees). In the 45 degrees-oriented films, electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) detected an intermediate Cu(2)O nanolayer in the vicinity of the interface. The melting mode and the thermal stability of the YBCO thin films with different in-plane orientations were greatly influenced by oxygen partial pressure. Notably, the thermal stability of the 45 degrees-oriented YBCO films dramatically grew with increasing oxygen partial pressure. We attributed this effect to a change in the intermediate Cu(2)O nanolayer thermal stability. We conclude and suggest that the thermal stability of YBCO films can be significantly enhanced by inserting a Cu(2)O buffer nanolayer.

A high-efficiency spin-resolved photoemission spectrometer combining time-of-flight spectroscopy with exchange-scattering polarimetry

We describe a spin-resolved electron spectrometer capable of uniquely efficient and high energy resolution measurements. Spin analysis is obtained through polarimetry based on low-energy exchange scattering from a ferromagnetic thin-film target. This approach can achieve a similar analyzing power (Sherman function) as state-of-the-art Mott scattering polarimeters, but with as much as 100 times improved efficiency due to increased reflectivity. Performance is further enhanced by integrating the polarimeter into a time-of-flight (TOF) based energy analysis scheme with a precise and flexible electrostatic lens system. The parallel acquisition of a range of electron kinetic energies afforded by the TOF approach results in an order of magnitude (or more) increase in efficiency compared to hemispherical analyzers. The lens system additionally features a 90 degrees bandpass filter, which by removing unwanted parts of the photoelectron distribution allows the TOF technique to be performed at low electron drift energy and high energy resolution within a wide range of experimental parameters. The spectrometer is ideally suited for high-resolution spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (spin-ARPES), and initial results are shown. The TOF approach makes the spectrometer especially ideal for time-resolved spin-ARPES experiments.