[Clinicopathological analysis of infantile/congenital fibrosarcomas with rare histological features]

Objective: To analyze the clinicopathological features, immunohistochemical (IHC) phentotype,diagnosis and differential diagnosis of infantile/congenital fibrosarcoma (IFS/CFS) with unusual histological features. Methods: Five IFS/CFS at Children's Hospital of Fudan University from March 2014 to July 2018 were analyzed for their diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Results: Two cases were males, three cases were females. The clinical manifestation of IFS/CFS was a rapidly-growing and painless mass. There were no specific radiologic features. Histologically, the tumor cells are arranged in intersecting or sheet-like patterns. There were focal hemangioma-like areas in four cases. There were also focal areas of primitive asteroid, short-spindled, and oval tumor cells in three cases. IHC study showed the tumor cells diffusely expressed TLE1(2/5), Vimentin(5/5), and WT1(3/5), in a cytoplastic pattern; they focally expressed CD34(3/5), CD31(3/5), and α-SMA(2/5). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) detected break-apart positivity of ETV6 gene. Conclusions: Hemangioma-like pattern, myxoid area, and TLE1 expression is very rare in IFS/CFS. Detection of ETV6 gene break-apart by FISH is very helpful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of IFS/CFS.

Effects of CO2 restriction on growth of Nitzschia closterium: Evidence from stable isotopes and fatty acids

Algae blooms frequently occur in the coastal areas of China, and pose numbers of adverse effects to marine environment. Nitzschia closterium is one of the algal species associated with algae blooms and was selected as the target algae of this work. This study was the first attempt to investigate the effect of carbon source restriction on the growth of N. closterium during marine phytoplankton blooms. Experiments were implemented in the CO₂-restricted (include three nutritional conditions) and CO₂-unrestricted systems, respectively. The stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and fatty acids (FAs) profiles were measured. Here we hypothesized that the deficient carbon source could lead to the changes of stable isotope ratios and FAs profiles in the N. closterium. The results showed that the δ¹³C of N. closterium enriched under the CO₂ restriction during the culture time (the isotopic difference greater than 27.8‰), whereas depleted under CO₂-unrestricted system. Furthermore, within the CO₂ restriction, δ¹⁵N showed the enrichment trend with increasing culture time under the nitrogen deficiency conditions, where leveled off under the nitrogen non-deficiency conditions. A total of 12 FAs in N. closterium were detected. Within CO₂ restriction, FA 20:5n-3c was the predominant congener in all the three conditions. In addition, FA 16:1n-7c was highest in nitrogen deficient, while FA 16:3 was highest in phosphorus deficient condition. Consequently, the deficient carbon sources leaded to inhibit the FA (14:0, 16:0, 16:1n-7c, 16:3, 18:0, 18:3n-3c) synthesis. Overall, the present study provided the new approach to investigate the forming mechanisms of marine phytoplankton blooms by using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions as well as FAs profiles.

Functional DNA methylation signatures for autism spectrum disorder genomic risk loci: 16p11.2 deletions and CHD8 variants

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common and etiologically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. Although many genetic causes have been identified (> 200 ASD-risk genes), no single gene variant accounts for > 1% of all ASD cases. A role for epigenetic mechanisms in ASD etiology is supported by the fact that many ASD-risk genes function as epigenetic regulators and evidence that epigenetic dysregulation can interrupt normal brain development. Gene-specific DNAm profiles have been shown to assist in the interpretation of variants of unknown significance. Therefore, we investigated the epigenome in patients with ASD or two of the most common genomic variants conferring increased risk for ASD. Genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) was assessed using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 and MethylationEPIC arrays in blood from individuals with ASD of heterogeneous, undefined etiology (n = 52), and individuals with 16p11.2 deletions (16p11.2del, n = 9) or pathogenic variants in the chromatin modifier CHD8 (CHD8^+/−, n = 7).

Results

DNAm patterns did not clearly distinguish heterogeneous ASD cases from controls. However, the homogeneous genetically-defined 16p11.2del and CHD8^+/− subgroups each exhibited unique DNAm signatures that distinguished 16p11.2del or CHD8^+/− individuals from each other and from heterogeneous ASD and control groups with high sensitivity and specificity. These signatures also classified additional 16p11.2del (n = 9) and CHD8 (n = 13) variants as pathogenic or benign. Our findings that DNAm alterations in each signature target unique genes in relevant biological pathways including neural development support their functional relevance. Furthermore, genes identified in our CHD8^+/− DNAm signature in blood overlapped differentially expressed genes in CHD8^+/− human-induced pluripotent cell-derived neurons and cerebral organoids from independent studies.

Conclusions

DNAm signatures can provide clinical utility complementary to next-generation sequencing in the interpretation of variants of unknown significance. Our study constitutes a novel approach for ASD risk-associated molecular classification that elucidates the vital cross-talk between genetics and epigenetics in the etiology of ASD.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-019-0684-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sex differences in osteoporosis self-efficacy among community-residing older adults presenting for DXA

The Osteoporosis Self Efficacy Scale was determined to equivalently measure calcium and exercise beliefs in both sexes. Despite data illustrating men's and women's similar self-efficacy, gender differences in clinical predictors of self-efficacy imply that efforts to improve care must account for more than self-efficacy.

INTRODUCTION

To understand the extent to which the Osteoporosis Self Efficacy (OSE) Scale is reliable for both men and women. A secondary objective was to evaluate sex differences in OSE.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data collected as part of the Patient Activation after DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) pragmatic trial which enrolled 7749 community-residing adults aged 50 and older reporting for bone densitometry. We used univariable methods, item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and linear regression to evaluate sex differences in OSE responses and measurement.

RESULTS

In this sample, the confirmatory factor analysis model for OSE both overall and within groups indicated a poor fit. The sex differences in the measurement model, however, were minor and reflected configural invariance (i.e., constructs were measuring the same things in both men and women), confirming that the OSE was measuring the same constructs in men and women. Men overall had higher exercise self-efficacy and women higher calcium self-efficacy. Overall, education, hip fracture, and self-reported health status predicted exercise self-efficacy whereas prior DXA, self-reported osteoporosis, and history of pharmacotherapy use did not. Predictors of calcium self-efficacy differed by gender.

CONCLUSION

The OSE can be used to measure calcium and exercise self-efficacy in all older adults. However, gender differences in clinical predictors of self-efficacy and the lack of an association of prior DXA with self-efficacy imply that interventions to improve self-efficacy may be insufficient to drive significant improvement in rates of osteoporosis evaluation and treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Patient Activation after DXA Result Notification (PAADRN), NCT01507662, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01507662.

Effect of oil spill on compound-specific stable carbon isotope composition of amino acid in Nitzschia closterium and Heterosigma akashiwo

Marine microalgae, the most important primary producers in marine ecosystems, are susceptible to toxicants and usually selected as the promising organisms for chemical risk testing. The stable carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) of amino acids (AAs) were measured to determine if compound-specific stable isotope analysis could be used to provide insight into the toxic effects of oil spill on the marine microalgae. The water accommodated fractions (WAF) of #180 fuel oil were selected as the toxic targets with different concentrations in acute (96 h) toxic tests. Naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, and fluoranthene were detected as the predominant congeners of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the WAF, and may be the main toxic components. At the same WAF concentration, the δ¹³C values of leucine in Nitzschia closterium increased with the culture time, whereas decreased in Heterosigma akashiwo. However, with the increasing WAF concentrations, the δ¹³C values of glutamic acid exhibited the increasing trend in both of the two kinds of microalgae at the same culture time. The similar phenomenon was also observed for histidine in H. akashiwo, while opposite in N. closterium, but both enriching in δ¹³C compared to the controlled experiments without the WAF. Under the different culture times and WAF concentrations, the δ¹³C values of alanine and methionine showed unexpected trend. These findings indicated that the synthesis pathways of AA in microalgae cells were affected by the WAF, thus leading to the carbon isotopic fractionation in AAs. The present study provide a novel approach to explore the toxicity mechanism of primary producers under oil spill stress, and monitor and evaluate the marine ecological risk of oil spill pollution.

Effect of oil spill stress on fatty acid stable carbon isotope composition of Ulva pertusa

Petroleum is one of the most important pollutants in the marine ecosystem, and oil spills have a long-term effect on the marine environment. After an oil spill, petroleum continues to diffuse, flowing to the intertidal zone where it accumulates. Ulva pertusa is the main macroalgae species in the intertidal zone of the ocean, and petroleum is toxic to marine macroalgae. Fatty acids, which are involved in various physiological activities, including metabolism, are indispensable substances in organisms. Thus, an organism's fatty acid composition reflects its physiological state. Because fatty acids are carbon-rich compounds, their stable carbon isotope composition can be measured to assess the state of the organism. In this study, the effects of the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of different concentrations of 180# fuel oil and 0# diesel oil on the chlorophyll a and fatty acid carbon stable isotope composition (δ¹³C_FAs) of U. pertusa were assessed. The fatty acid carbon stable isotope value varied among the different petroleum treatments, and high WAF concentrations significantly inhibited the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. Thus, exposure to petroleum products affected the synthesis of fatty acids in U. pertusa and also caused carbon stable isotope fractionation during the fatty acid synthesis process. The results indicate that the saturated fatty acid δ¹³C_16:0 and the unsaturated fatty acid δ¹³C_18:1 can be used as biomarkers to evaluate the degree of petroleum-induced stress in U. pertusa and that carbon stable isotope analysis of U. pertusa can be used as an environmental risk assessment tool in the intertidal zone.

[A mini-incision on the anterior hip for pediatric femur neck fractures of type Delbet Ⅱ]

Objective: To investigate the early clinical outcomes of hip anterior short incision and open reduction and internal fixation for the treatment of children with Delbet Ⅱ femoral neck fracture. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 12 children with DelbetⅡ femoral neck fractures was performed with the anterior short incision approach at Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic, Children's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University from January 2014 to August 2016. There were 7 males and 5 females including 8 cases at left side and 4 cases at right side,aged (11.5±0.8) years (range: 8-14 years).Patients underwent surgery in (12.0±0.9) hours (range: 6-20 hours) after the injury. Displaced fractures were treated by open reduction if closed reduction failed.The surgical incision was performed with the anterior inferior iliac spine centered on, extending along the groin crease, and the length was 3 to 4 cm. The interval between the sartorius and the tensor fascia latae was applied, and the direct and indirect head of rectus femoris were resected to visualize the hip joint capsule. T-shaped incision was made in the capsule. After the reduction was obtained, two or three compression canulated screws were used to fix the fracture site. The healing time, complications and corresponding record outcome by X-ray and clinical examination were recorded. At the latest follow-up,the results were analyzed using the Ratliff criteria and clinical outcomes were assessed by pain, restrictive hip movement, normal activity or the avoidance of games, and the femoral neck in the radiograph. Results: Twelve patients had been followed-up for (30.0±4.1)months(range: 24-36 months). X-ray showed the fractures' healing time was (8.0±0.4) weeks(range: 7-9 weeks). Ten of the 12 fractures healed after one operation and were associated with no evidence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. One case occurred premature physeal closure. There were no cases with fracture relocation, coaxvara, delayed union and nonunion or any significant postoperative complications. There was no infection, flexible internal fixation or ruptures. According to Ratliff grade, 9 cases of 12 patients were fine and 3 cases was acceptable. Conclusions: Satisfactory short-term effects can be achieved by a mini-incision on the anterior hip for Delbet Ⅱ pediatric femur neck fractures. The anterior incision has the advantage of less trauma, smaller incision scar, better fracture reduction and fixation, and less wound complications.

[Experimental study on the expression of α-SMA and HMGB1 in silicotic fibrosismodel rats interfered by lumbricus]

Objective: To observe the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and high mo-bility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in silicosis model rats interfered by lumbricus. Methods: 45 rats were ran-domly divided into the control group, model group and group interfered by lumbricus. The silicosis model rats were established. The group interfered by lumbricus were intragastric administered with lumbricus decoction by the 4 ml/kg dose. The control group and model group were ig administered with the equal amount of normal saline. Each group were killed 5 rats on the 7(th), 14(th) and 28(th) day. The lung tissues were stained with HE and Sirius red methods. The mRNA expressions of α-SMA and HMGB1 were determined with RT-PCR; The pro-tein levels of α-SMA and HMGB1 were determined with Western blotting. Results: Compared with the control group, the expression levels of α-SMA and HMGB1mRNA and protein in lung tissue of model group were grad-ually increased in the 7(th), 14(th) and 28(th) days, the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.01) . Compared with model group, the levels of α-SMA and HMGB1mRNA and protein in lung tissue of group interfered by lumbricus were gradually lowered in the 7th, 14th and 28th days, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.01) . Conclusion: Lumbricus inhibits the collagen deposition and the formation of silicosis pulmo-nary fibrosis, which may be related to the inhibition of HMGB1 expression and activation of α-SMA in lung tis-sue.