Successful ABO-incompatible living-related intestinal transplantation: a 2-year follow-up

ABO-incompatible intestinal transplantation has rarely been performed due to poor patient outcomes. Herein we present a case of successful ABO-incompatible intestinal transplantation with a 2-year follow-up. A 16-year-old female with a history of extensive bowel resection received an ABO-incompatible living donor bowel graft from her father (blood type AB graft into a type A recipient). Posttransplant immunosuppression consisted of an initial anti-CD20, plasmapheresis/intravenous immunoglobulin before transplantation, followed by an anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction and splenectomy, and maintenance with tacrolimus and prednisone. Her postoperative course was remarkable for a single episode of rejection on day 14 which responded promptly to treatment with methyprednisolone and ATG. Three months after transplantation, the patient developed an abdominal abscess requiring open surgical drainage. No viral infections were encountered. Posttransplant anti-B antibody titers and anti-B7 donor-specific antibody levels remained low. At a 2-year follow-up, the patient showed a progressive weight gain of 5.0 kg. This case illustrates that ABO-incompatible living-related bowel transplantation is immunologically feasible and is associated with good outcomes for the recipient. The management of blood type antibodies and the use of adequate immunosuppression in the early period of the procedure may be the keys to the success of future cases.

Microinjection of salusin-beta into the nucleus tractus solitarii inhibits cardiovascular function by suppressing presympathetic neurons in rostral ventrolateral medulla in rats

Salusin-beta is newly identified bioactive peptide of 20 amino acids, which is widely distributed in hematopoietic system, endocrine system, and the central nervous system (CNS). Although salusin-beta extensively expressed in the CNS, the central cardiovascular functions of salusin-beta are unclear. Our main objective was to determine the cardiovascular effect of microinjection of salusin-beta into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) in anesthetized rats. Bilateral or unilateral microinjection of salusin-beta (0.94-94 microg/rat) into the NTS dose-dependently decreased blood pressure and heart rate. Bilateral NTS microinjection of salusin-beta (9.4 microg/rat) did not alter baroreflex sensitivity. Prior application of the glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid (0.19 microg/rat, n=9) into the NTS did not alter the salusin-beta (9.4 microg/rat) induced hypotension and bradycardia. However, pretreatment with the GABA receptor agonist muscimol (0.5 ng/rat) within the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) completely abolished the hypotension (-14+/-5 vs. -3+/-5 mm Hg, P<0.05) and bradycardia (-22+/-6 vs. -6+/-5 bpm, P<0.05) evoked by intra-NTS salusin-beta (9.4 microg/rat). In addition, we found that vagotomy didn't influence the actions of salusin-beta (9.4 microg/rat) in the NTS. In conclusion, our present study shows that microinjection of salusin-beta into the NTS significantly produces hypotension and bradycardia, presumably by suppressing the activities of presympathetic neurons in the RVLM.

Effect of the beta secretase-1 inhibitor on the amyloid C-terminal fragment of amyloid precursor protein processing in a hyperphosphorylated tau rat model

The amyloid C-terminal fragment (βCTF) of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is the cleaved component of APP by beta secretase-1 (BACE1), which shows similar neurotoxicity as amyloid beta (Aβ) in many ways. Evidence suggested that in addition to Aβ, βCTF might also participate in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In recent years, the relationship between βCTF processing and hyperphosphorylated tau has attracted increasing research attention. In this study, we established an animal model of tau hyperphosphorylation with okadaic acid (OA) treatment, and analyzed βCTF processing in vivo. The βCTF level was found to increase in neurons, which was most likely caused by the induction of OA and BACE1 overexpression. Furthermore, these results provide the first evidence that βCTF can predominately accumulate in the axons of neurons in a hyperphosphorylated tau state in vivo, and suggested that the redistribution of βCTF is involved in the pathogenesis of AD. These results indicate that BACE1 could be a therapeutic target of AD by affecting the processing of βCTF.

Reduced graphene oxides: the thinnest and most lightweight materials with highly efficient microwave attenuation performances of the carbon world

In this work, reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) and graphite nanosheet (GN) were obtained via the chemical approach. Furthermore, r-GO composites and GN composites were prepared with a paraffin wax host. r-GO composites show high dielectric properties and electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE). Compared with the GN composites, the loss tangent and EMI SE of the r-GO composites with the same mass ratio are enhanced ∼5 to 10 times and ∼3 to 10 times, respectively. The enhanced attenuation capacity arises from higher specific surface area, clustered defects and residual bonds of the r-GOs, which increase the polarization loss, scattering and conductivity of the composite. Moreover, the higher conductivity of r-GO composites leads to higher EMI SE compared with that of GN composites. These results suggest that r-GOs are highly promising fillers for microwave attenuation in the carbon family and that r-GO composites are high-performance EMI shielding materials with application anticipated to many fields.

A laparoscopic approach to benign retrorectal tumors

BACKGROUND

Retrorectal tumors (RTs) are rare in adults. Their surgical excision is often difficult because of their anatomic location. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of straight laparoscopic resection of RTs in our institution.

METHODS

Eight patients (six women and two men) with benign RTs were treated by laparoscopic resection in our tertiary care center between September 2012 and June 2013. Exclusion criteria included malignant tumors, lesions with fistula formation, and anterior sacral meningoceles. Clinical data, imaging features, operative details, pathological results, and treatment outcomes were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS

Eight cases of benign RT with an average diameter of 8.9 ± 1.7 cm were treated by a straight laparoscopic procedure. The mean operative time was 122 ± 36 min, and the average intraoperative blood loss was 46 ± 33 ml. The median postoperative stay was 5 days (range 3-8 days), and all patients were discharged without serious complications. During a median follow-up of 11 months, no tumor recurrence was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, a laparoscopic approach is safe for removing benign tumors in the retrorectal space. This approach may provide access to this difficult-to-reach space and has the advantages of allowing excellent visualization, meticulous dissection, less morbidities, and fast recuperation.

A magnetic and conductive study on a stable defective extended cobalt atom chain

A defective extended cobalt atom chain complex has been synthesized and the magnetism and conductance are studied. The formation and the electron transporting pathway of EMACs are investigated.

Overexpression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase promotes the motility and invasiveness of HepG2 cells in vitro

Recent studies have indicated that telomerase activity promotes cancer invasion and metastasis, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Several studies have shown that expression of exogenous human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) can promote motility and invasiveness among telomerase-negative tumor cells, and inhibition of endogenous telomerase activity can reduce invasiveness in tumor cells. However, whether overexpression of hTERT can further enhance the motility and invasiveness of telomerase‑positive tumor cells has yet to be determined. In the present study, we showed that stable overexpression of hTERT can increase telomerase activity and telomere length, which significantly promotes the invasive and metastatic potential of telomerase‑positive HepG2 cells but does not affect cell proliferation. Further analysis suggested that enhanced invasiveness and metastasis may act through corresponding upregulation of mRNA and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and Ras homolog gene family member C (RhoC). Our study indicated that exogenous expression of hTERT may promote invasiveness and metastasis through upregulation of MMP9 and RhoC.

N-(Pyrazin-2-yl)-1,8-naphthyridin-2-amine

There are two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C₁₂H₉N₅, in which the C—N(amine)—C angles differ slightly [129.63 (11) and 132.02 (11)°]. In each independent mol­ecule, an intra­molecular C—H⋯N hydrogen bond stabilizes the mol­ecular structure, forming an S(6) ring motif. The independent mol­ecules are linked via an N—H⋯N hydrogen bond. Further N—H⋯N and C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds connect the mol­ecules into chains along c axis. Pairs of C—H⋯π inter­actions between the chains lead to sheets parallel to the b axis. These are linked by π–π inter­actions between the naphthyridine and pyrazine rings [centroid–centroid separations of 3.553 (8) Å] into a three-dimensional supra­molecular network.

Incidence of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke and the association with smoking and smoking cessation: a 10-year multicentre prospective study in China

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effects of cigarette smoking and smoking cessation on the incidence of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in a multicentre prospective cohort study among Chinese.

STUDY DESIGN

A multicentre population-based prospective cohort study.

METHODS

The incidence of, and deaths from, stroke were monitored among 26,607 participants (12,560 men and 14,047 women) who were enrolled in 1986 and free from stroke until 2000. Cox's proportional hazard model was performed to obtain the hazard ratio (HR) of cigarette smoking for stroke risk after adjustment for major confounders.

RESULTS

After an average of 9.5 years of follow-up, 1108 subjects developed stroke. The excess risk of all types of stroke (total stroke) among male current smokers [HR 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-1.67] was mainly due to a significantly elevated risk of ischaemic stroke (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17-1.90). A significantly increased risk for total stroke and ischaemic stroke was observed among men who smoked >15 cigarettes/day and men who had smoked for >25 years. The rate of smoking cessation was very low among Chinese men (7.2%) and women (1.5%). Smoking cessation did not appear to reduce the risk of haemorrhagic stroke, but may reduce the risk of ischaemic stroke; however, the possibility that this result was due to chance cannot be excluded (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.26-2.08).

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that cigarette smoking is a major determinant for the incidence of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in Chinese men, and emphasizes the need for improved strategies to help people quit smoking.

Bis(morpholin-4-ium) tetrachloridocobalt(II)

The title compound, (C₄H₁₀NO)₂[CoCl₄], is an ionic compound consisting of two protonated tetra­hydro-1,4-oxazine (morpholine) cations and a [CoCl₄]²⁻ dianion. The Co^II ion is in a tetra­hedral coordination geometry. The cations exhibit chair-shaped conformations. A three-dimensional supra­molecular architecture is formed through N—H⋯Cl and C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds between the dianions and the cations.

The effects of fasudil on the permeability of the rat blood-brain barrier and blood-spinal cord barrier following experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) is a primary characteristic of multiple sclerosis (MS). We evaluated the protective effects of fasudil, a selective ROCK inhibitor, in a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) that was induced by guinea-pig spinal cord. In addition, we studied the effects of fasudil on BBB and BSCB permeability. We found that fasudil partly alleviated EAE-dependent damage by decreasing BBB and BSCB permeability. These results provide rationale for the development of selective inhibitors of Rho kinase as a novel therapy for MS.

A novel system of artificial antigen-presenting cells efficiently stimulates Flu peptide-specific cytotoxic T cells in vitro

Therapeutic numbers of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are key effectors in successful adoptive immunotherapy. However, efficient and reproducible methods to meet the qualification remain poor. To address this issue, we designed the artificial antigen-presenting cell (aAPC) system based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). A modified emulsion method was used for the preparation of PLGA particles encapsulating interleukin-2 (IL-2). Biotinylated molecular ligands for recognition and co-stimulation of T cells were attached to the particle surface through the binding of avidin-biotin. These formed the aAPC system. The function of aAPCs in the proliferation of specific CTLs against human Flu antigen was detected by enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) and MTT staining methods. Finally, we successfully prepared this suitable aAPC system. The results show that IL-2 is released from aAPCs in a sustained manner over 30 days. This dramatically improves the stimulatory capacity of this system as compared to the effect of exogenous addition of cytokine. In addition, our aAPCs promote the proliferation of Flu antigen-specific CTLs more effectively than the autologous cellular APCs. Here, this aAPC platform is proved to be suitable for expansion of human antigen-specific T cells.

Domain wall trapping and influence of the asymmetry in magnetic nanoring studied by micromagnetic simulations

We have studied the magnetic switching behavior of permalloy asymmetric rings using micromagnetic simulations. The simulation results have revealed that a domain wall trapping feature is present at the narrow arm of the asymmetric ring. This trapping feature is obtained via precise control of the lateral geometric features, the ring asymmetry and the film thickness. Our results show that the trapped domain walls do not annihilate until the magnetization in the wide arm is reversed under a relatively large magnetic field. Furthermore, the magnetic field strength needed to annihilate the domain wall is found to be decreasing with larger asymmetry ratio.