Blocking the mitochondrial permeability transition pore with cyclosporine-A can restore cardioprotection of ischemic postconditioning in hypercholesterolemic rat heart

OBJECTIVE

Ischemic postconditioning (IPO) reduces lethal reperfusion injury under normal conditions, but its effectiveness is blocked by hypercholesterolemia (HC). This study aims to determine whether blocking the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) with cyclosporine-A (CsA) can restore cardioprotection of IPO in hypercholesterolemic rat heart.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Isolated rat hearts underwent 30 min global ischemia and 120 min reperfusion. Postconditioning protocol was induced by six cycles of 10s ischemia and 10s reperfusion at the onset of the reperfusion. CsA (0.5 µM or 5 µM) was administered 15 minutes before ischemia. Myocardial infarct size was estimated by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) was analyzed from coronary effluent.

RESULTS

In normocholesterolemia (NC) groups, infarct size, cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate and release of CK-MB were significantly reduced after IPO. These reductions were completely abolished by HC, as evidenced by a similar infarct size, cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate and release of CK-MB observed between IPO-HC group and control-NC group, but were restored by IPO combinated with CsA treatment. However, CsA treatment alone could not restore cardioprotection in a state of HC.

CONCLUSIONS

Ischemic postconditioning, blocked by hypercholesterolemia may due to the excessive opening of the mPTP. Inhibiting of the mPTP with CsA is able to reverse this loss of cardioprotection.

Blue vitiligo following intralesional injection of psoralen combined with ultraviolet B radiation therapy

A 23-year-old Chinese man presented with a 16-month history of white patches on his abdomen and neck. He had previously received an intralesional injection of psoralen along with narrowband psoralen ultraviolet B radiation (PUVB) therapy. Blue macules had appeared in and around the injection sites 1 week later. Dermoscopy revealed blue spots and reticular telangiectasia within the white patches. Histological examination revealed an absence of epidermal melanocytes and pigment in the basal layer, as well as deposition of melanophages between collagen bundles or surrounding blood vessels and appendages in the middle and lower parts of the dermis. A diagnosis of blue vitiligo was made. The blue colour faded gradually over time. Our case provides direct evidence to support the previous surmise that PUVB can contribute to blue vitiligo. To our knowledge, this is only the fourth reported case of blue vitiligo in the English literature.

Comparison of molar intrusion efficiency and bone density by CT in patients with different vertical facial morphology

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between molar intrusion efficiency and bone density in patients with different vertical facial morphology. Thirty-six female patients, with overerupted upper first molars, were divided into two groups according to mandiblular plane angle (FH-MP): hyperdivergent, FH-MP>30° (G1), hypodivergent, FH-MP<22° (G2). Mini-screw implants with elastic chains were used to intrude upper first molars. Spiral CT was used to measure the intrusion degree of upper first molar and bone density, and molar intrusion efficiency was calculated as amount/duration (mm month(-1) ). In addition, each tooth was divided into three portions (cervical, furcation and apical) to measure the bone density. It was found in this study that treatment duration was 3·13 and 4·71 months in G1 and G2 and that the intrusion efficiency was 1·57 and 0·81 in G1 and G2 with significant difference (P < 0·05). There were significant differences in cervical, furcation and apical bone density between two groups (P < 0·05). The bone density was significantly reduced after molar intrusion. In addition, the bone density change was greater in G1 than in G2 (P < 0·05). It was concluded that molars were more easily to be intruded in hyperdivergent than in hypodivergent patients. The difference of bone density and bone density changes during intrusion may account for the variation of molar intrusion efficiency.

Association of Klotho and interleukin 6 gene polymorphisms with aging in Han Chinese population

Certain gene polymorphisms are associated with human aging. This study investigated polymorphisms of a metabolism-related gene, Klotho, and an inflammatory gene, IL6, for association with the aging process in a healthy Han Chinese population. A total of 482 healthy subjects were recruited and divided into aging and young groups according to chronological age and biological age. Snapshots were used to detect a Klotho gene tag SNP (rs571118) and the F-SNPs rs9536314 (F352V) and rs9527025 (C370S), and an interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene tag SNP (rs1524107) and the F-SNPs rs1800795 (-174G/C) and rs1800796 (-572G/C). Klotho F352V and IL-6-174G/C was G homozygous, C370S was T homozygous while IL-6-572G/C MAF less than 5%. There was a statistically significant difference in the Klotho rs571118 SNP between chronological age groups, but not biological age groups. However, other SNPs, including IL-6 gene SNPs, didn't correlate with age in the Han Chinese population. Human aging is a complex process that includes chronological and biological aging. Our current data showed that Klotho gene rs571118 SNP was associated with chronological aging, but not biological aging, in a Han Chinese population. Further study will investigate genetic build up for the difference between chronological and biological aging.

Chinese-adapted youth attitude to noise scale: evaluation of validity and reliability

Noise exposure is central to hearing impairment, especially for adolescents. Chinese youth frequently and consciously expose themselves to loud noise, often for many hours. Hence, a Chinese-adapted evaluative scale to measure youth's attitude toward noise could rigorously evaluate data validity and reliability. After authenticating the youth attitude to noise scale (YANS) originally developed by Olsen and Erlandsson, we purposively sampled and surveyed 642 freshmen at Capital Medical University in Beijing, China. To establish validity, we conducted confirmatory factor analysis according to Olsen's classification. To establish reliability, we calculated Cronbach's alpha coefficient and split-half coefficient. We used Bland-Altman analysis to calculate the agreement limits between test and retest. Among 642 students, 550 (85.67%) participated in statistical analysis (399 females [72.55%] vs. 151 males [27.45%]). Confirmatory factorial analysis sorted 19 items into four main subcategories (F1-F4) in terms of factor load, yielding a correlation coefficient between factors <0.40. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.70) was within the desirable range, confirming the reliability of Chinese-adapted YANS. The split-half coefficient was 0.53. Furthermore, the paired t-test reported a mean difference of 0.002 (P = 0.9601). Notably, the mean overall YANS score (3.46) was similar to YANS testing in Belgium (3.10), but higher than Sweden (2.10) and Brazil (2.80). The Chinese version of the YANS questionnaire is valid, reliable, and adaptable to Chinese adolescents. Analysis of the adapted YANS showed that a significant number of Chinese youth display a poor attitude and behavior toward noise. Therefore, Chinese YANS can play a pivotal role in programs that focus on increasing youth awareness of noise and hearing health.

Status of prevalence study on multimorbidity of chronic disease in China: systematic review

It is imperative to provide a more uniform method to improve the validity of prevalence studies on multimorbidity. However, the status of prevalence studies on multimorbidity of chronic disease is still yet to be confirmed in China. The objective of the present systematic review was to evaluate the variance across prevalence studies and to explore possible explanations for variations in China. Published literature was obtained from four databases. The studies that described the prevalence of multimorbidity on chronic disease based on the general population were considered. We assessed the risk of bias by a preplanned checklist referring to STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology). The heterogeneity among eligible studies was estimated by I(2) statistic and P-value using MetaAnalyst software. Nine studies were eligible for this systematic review. The prevalence of multimorbidity among the population aged 60 years or more ranged from 6.4% (95% CI 5.1-8.0) to 76.5% (95%CI 73.6-79.2). However, just two of nine studies could be judged as having a low risk of bias. It was shown that key items introducing the risk of bias included inconsistent sampling method, lacking of uniform measure indices and data source based on self-report. Heterogeneity test showed I(2)  = 50% (P < 0.001), which showed there was substantial variation among individual studies. Therefore, only a narrative summary rather than meta-analysis was carried out. Marked methodology heterogeneity exists among prevalence studies on multimorbidity. Suggested methodological aspects that should be considered in future studies include sampling method, measure indices of multimorbidity and data source.

Isolation of a goose parvovirus from swan and its molecular characteristics

Goose parvovirus (GPV) causes high mortality and morbidity in goslings and Muscovy ducklings. In this study, a GPV was isolated from a 20-day old swan in Shanghai, China. Complete genome of the swan isolate contained 5,050 nt and showed the highest homology with Taiwanese GPV isolates from 1982. In comparison with the Chinese mainland GPV isolates reported previously, the swan isolate shows two deletions, particularly at positions 67-80 and 334-347 in inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). These findings suggest that the swan could serve as a potential host for GPV and provide insights into molecular characteristics and etiology of GPV.

Underlying heart disease and microbiological spectrum of adult infective endocarditis in one Chinese university hospital: a 10-year retrospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To identify the underlying heart disease and microbiological pathogen associated with infective endocarditis (IE) in Chinese patients in one university hospital over a 10-year period.

METHODS

We recruited 115 adult patients admitted to Peking University First Hospital from 2002 to 2011 who were diagnosed with definite IE. Statistical analysis was performed to analyse data on demographics, clinical and laboratory findings, as well as microbiological pathogens.

RESULTS

The most common underlying heart diseases for IE were congenital heart disease (24.3%) followed by degenerative valvular disease (17.4%). Aortic (44.3%) and mitral (43.5%) valves were most frequently affected. The right-sided IE cases were all found in patients with congenital heart disease. The age of patients was younger in right-sided cases than that in left-sided ones (P = 0.001). There was no difference in the mortality among groups with different underlying heart disease (P = 0.841). Forty-four (38.3%) patients were infected with viridans group streptococci. The isolation rate of staphylococci in right-sided IE was higher than that in the left-sided IE group (P = 0.021). More than 85% of streptococci were susceptible to β-lactams.

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital heart disease and degenerative valvular disease have overtaken rheumatic heart disease as the major underlying heart diseases associated with IE. Viridans group streptococci are the most common microbial cause of IE.

Meta-analysis of association of common variants in the KCNJ11-ABCC8 region with type 2 diabetes

KCNJ11 (potassium inwardly rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 11) and ABCC8 (ATP-binding cassette, subfamily C (CFTR/MRP), member 8) have been studied for association with type 2 diabetes in various ethnic populations with contradictory results. We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis for KCNJ11 rs5219, rs5210, rs5215, and ABCC8 rs757110 to evaluate the effect of these regions on genetic susceptibility for type 2 diabetes. Forty-one case-control association studies of KCNJ11 and ABCC8 polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes, including 61,879 subjects, were identified and used in our meta-analysis. Combined odds ratios (OR) of associations of this disease with the rs5219 T, rs5210 G, rs5215 G, and rs757110 G alleles were 1.15 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.10-1.21, P < 0.0001], 1.16 (95%CI = 1.08-1.24, P = 0.023), 1.08 (95%CI = 1.02-1.13, P = 0.006), and 1.12 (95%CI = 1.07-1.18, P < 0.0001), respectively. The effect of allele T of rs5219 was similar (OR = 1.16) in Europeans and Japanese. However, rs5219 was not associated with type 2 diabetes in the Chinese Han population. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that KCNJ11 and ABCC8 polymorphisms are associated with risk for type 2 diabetes in the global population. Comparative genomics and bioinformatics analyses revealed that rs5210 is located within a conserved 3'-UTR, and that allele A may abolish the binding site of hsa-miR-1910 that the risk allele G possesses.

High preoparative levels of serum periostin are associated with poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy

AIMS

Periostin (POSTN) is implicated in cancer development and progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum POSTN in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving curative surgery.

METHODS

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine serum POSTN levels in 69 healthy volunteers, 30 patients with hepatolithiasis, 27 patients with cirrhosis, and 56 HCC patients. The relationships between serum POSTN and clinicopathologic features were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was used to calculate diagnostic accuracy of serum POSTN, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and their combination. The prognostic impact of serum POSTN on overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) was also investigated.

RESULTS

The median serum POSTN level was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in HCC patients, compared to healthy controls, patients with hepatolithiasis, and patients with liver cirrhosis. Elevated serum POSTN was only significantly associated with Edmondson grade (P = 0.007). The combination of serum POSTN and AFP had a markedly higher area under the curve (0.805 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.677-0.932)) than POSTN (0.582 (95% CI: 0.427-0.736)) or AFP (0.655 (95% CI: 0.504-0.806)) alone. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that elevated serum POSTN was associated with OS (P = 0.031) and RFS (P = 0.027). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed elevated serum POSTN as an independent poor prognostic marker for OS and RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative serum POSTN has limited diagnostic value in distinguishing HCC from non-malignant liver diseases, but serves as independent prognostic biomarker in HCC patients.

Effects of freezing rates and cryoprotectant on thermal expansion of articular cartilage during freezing process

The intact articular cartilage has not yet been successfully preserved at low temperature most likely due to the volume expansion from water to ice during freezing. The objective of this current study focuses on examining thermal expansion behavior of articular cartilage (AC) during freezing from 0 degree C to -100 degree C. Thermo Mechanical Analysis (TMA) was used to investigate the effects of different concentrations of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) (0%, 10%, 30% and 60% v/v) and different freezing rates (1 C/min, 3 C/min and 5 C/min). The results showed that: (1) the inhomogeneous thermal expansion (or contraction) presents due to inhomogeneous water distributions in articular cartilage during freezing, which also may be the most likely reason that the matrix has been damaged in cryopreserved intact articular cartilage; (2) at the phase transition temperature range, the maximum thermal strain change value for 5C/min is approximately 1.45 times than that for 1 C/min, but the maximum thermal expansion coefficient of the later is about six times than that of the former; (3) the thermal expansion coefficient decreases with increasing cooling rate at the unfrozen temperature region, but some opposite results are obtained at the frozen temperature region; (4) the higher the DMSO concentration is, at the phase change temperature region, the smaller the thermal strain change as well as the maximum thermal expansion coefficient are, but DMSO concentration exhibits little effect on the thermal expansion coefficient at both unfrozen and frozen region. Once the DMSO concentration increasing enough, e.g. 60% v/v, the thermal strain decreases linearly and smoothly without any abrupt change due to little or no ice crystal forms (i.e. vitrification) in frozen articular cartilage. This study may improve our understanding of the thermal expansion (or contraction) behavior of cryopreserved articular cartilage and it may be useful for the future study on cryopreservation of intact articular cartilage.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy attenuates neuropathic hyperalgesia in rats and idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia in patients

BACKGROUND

Neuropathic pain after nerve injury is severe and intractable, and current drug and non-drug therapies offer very limited pain relief. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO 2) has been clinically used for protection of the nervous system after acute injury. We investigated whether HBO 2 treatment could prevent and/or attenuate neuropathic pain in animals and in patients.

METHODS

Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia and neurochemical alterations of neuropathic pain were analysed in male, adult, Sprague-Dawley rats with sciatic nerve injury. Clinical trials were conducted in patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.

RESULTS

Repetitive HBO 2 treatment [a combination of pressure at 3 atmosphere absolute (ATA) and pure oxygen] greatly inhibited behavioural signs of neuropathic pain manifested as thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Such an HBO 2 treatment also inhibited nerve injury-induced induction of c-Fos and activation of astrocytes and increased phosphorylation of NR2B receptor and the subsequent Ca 2+-dependent signals in rats. Neither high pressure (up to 3 ATA) nor pure oxygen alone resulted in analgesic effect. In clinical trials, one course of HBO 2 therapy (10 consecutive days) produced a rapid-onset, dose-dependent and long-lasting analgesic effects evidenced by the decreased doses of carbamazepine required for keeping patient pain at a minimum and decreased scores of visual analogue scales, which was used for patient's self-evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support that HBO 2 therapy is an effective approach for treating neuropathic pain in both animals and human beings and suggest that neural protection, anti-inflammation and inhibition of nerve injury-induced altered neural activity may contribute to the analgesic effect of HBO 2 therapy.

Composition and conductance distributions of single GeSi quantum rings studied by conductive atomic force microscopy combined with selective chemical etching

Atomic force microscopy imaging combined with selective chemical etching is employed to quantitatively investigate three-dimensional (3D) composition distributions of single GeSi quantum rings (QRs). In addition, the 3D quantitative composition distributions and the corresponding conductance distributions are simultaneously obtained on the same single GeSi QRs by conductive atomic force microscopy combined with selective chemical etching, allowing us to investigate the correlations between the conductance and composition distributions of single QRs. The results show that the QRs' central holes have higher Ge content, but exhibit lower conductance, indicating that the QRs' conductance distribution is not consistent with their composition distribution. By comparing the topography, composition and conductance profiles of the same single QRs before and after different etching processes, it is found that the conductance distributions of GeSi QRs do not vary with the change of composition distribution. Instead, the QRs' conductance distributions are found to be consistent with their topographic shapes, which can be supposed to be due to the shape determined electronic structures.

A scenario-based modeling approach for emergency evacuation management and risk analysis under multiple uncertainties

Nuclear emergency evacuation is important to prevent radioactive harms by hazardous materials and to limit the accidents' consequences; however, uncertainties are involved in the components and processes of such a management system. In the study, an interval-parameter joint-probabilistic integer programming (IJIP) method is developed for emergency evacuation management under uncertainties. Optimization techniques of interval-parameter programming (IPP) and joint-probabilistic constrained (JPC) programming are incorporated into an integer linear programming framework, so that the approach can deal with uncertainties expressed as joint probability and interval values. The IJIP method can schedule the optimal routes to guarantee the maximum population evacuated away from the effected zone during a finite time. Furthermore, it can also facilitate post optimization analysis to enhance robustness in controlling system violation risk imposed on the joint-probabilistic constraints. The developed method has been applied to a case study of nuclear emergency management; meanwhile, a number of scenarios under different system conditions have been analyzed. It is indicated that the solutions are useful for evacuation management practices. The result of the IJIP method can not only help to raise the capability of disaster responses in a systematic manner, but also provide an insight into complex relationships among evacuation planning, resources utilizations, policy requirements and system risks.

Combined genetic and imaging diagnosis for two large Chinese families affected with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is a rare X-linked recessive disorder characterized by nystagmus, impaired motor development, ataxia, and progressive spasticity. Genetically defective or altered levels of proteolipid protein (PLP1) or gap-junction alpha protein 12 gene have been found to be a common cause. Here we report on two large Han Chinese families affected with this disease. The probands of both families had produced sons featuring cerebral palsy that had never been correctly diagnosed. PMD was suspected after careful analysis of family history and clinical features. Three rounds of molecular testing, including RT-PCR, genetics linkage and SRY sequence analyses, in combination with fetal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, confirmed the diagnosis. In Family 1, in addition to two patients, three carriers were identified, including one who was not yet married. Genetic testing indicated that a fetus did not have the disease. A healthy girl was born later. In Family 2, two patients and two carriers were identified, while a fetus was genetically normal. A healthy girl was born later. We concluded that by combining genetic testing and imaging, awareness of the symptoms of PMD and understanding of its molecular biology, there is great benefit for families that are at risk for producing offspring affected with this severe disease.

Expression and characterization of a recombinant Cry1Ac crystal protein fused with an insect-specific neurotoxin ω-ACTX-Hv1a in Bacillus thuringiensis

In order to assess possible enhancement of biopesticide activity, the fusion gene of crystal protein gene cry1Ac with the insect-specific neurotoxin ω-ACTX-Hv1a gene and egfp was expressed in Bacillus thuringiensis acrystalliferous strain Cry-B under the control of the native gene expression system. The fusion recombinant Cry-B(1Ac-ACTX-EGFP) generally produced two or three small crystal-like inclusion bodies in each cell and the GFP signal could be clearly observed. A 166 kDa full-length fusion protein was identified by immunoblot analysis. Virulence of the fusion inclusions was at least fivefold higher toward larvae of Spodoptera exigua. These results demonstrated that a foreign protein could be expressed and accumulate as parasporal inclusions in B. thuringiensis by C-terminal fusion with the native endotoxin while retaining partial insecticidal activity.

TIM3 gene polymorphisms in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection: impact on disease susceptibility and hepatocellular carcinoma traits

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with the development of acute and chronic liver diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3), which negatively regulates T-cell response and mediates phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, has been implicated in HBV infection and cancers. This study explored the polymorphisms of TIM3 gene in 535 patients with HBV-related liver diseases including 213 chronic hepatitis, 178 cirrhosis and 144 HCC, 72 HBV infection resolvers and 182 healthy controls and analyzed the effects of these polymorphisms on the disease susceptibility and HCC traits. TIM3-1541C/T, -1516G/T, -882C/T, -574G/T and +4259T/G polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Of the five polymorphisms genotyped, the allele T-containing genotypes (GT + TT), allele T and allele T-containing haplotype (CTCGT) of -1516G/T polymorphism were more frequent in HBV patients than in controls [P = 0.005, odds ratio (OR) = 2.300, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.294-4.088; P = 0.004, OR = 2.266, 95% CI: 1.297-3.962; and P = 0.005, OR = 2.203, 95% CI: 1.260-3.854, respectively]. The allele T-containing genotypes and allele T of -1516G/T were associated with HCC tumor grade (P = 0.023 and P = 0.017, respectively) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.024 and P = 0.017, respectively). These findings suggest that -1516G/T polymorphism in the promoter region of TIM3 gene may affect the disease susceptibility and HCC traits associated with HBV infection, potentially supporting the role of Tim-3 in T-cell dysfunction and exhaustion involved in persistent HBV infection and HCC development.

A new expression vector for production of enzymes in the yeast Saccharomyces (Lachancea) kluyveri

We overexpressed and purified enzymes involved in the pyrimidine catabolic pathway in the yeast Saccharomyces (Lachancea) kluyveri. A new vector was therefore designed, providing the first specific expression system in Saccharomyces kluyveri. The URC1 gene was overexpressed and a soluble protein obtained and successfully purified using the C-terminally added His-tag. Our system will be used for further studies of the structure and function of the enzymes belonging to the URC pyrimidine degradation pathway.

Thermogravimetric investigation on co-combustion characteristics of tobacco residue and high-ash anthracite coal

The thermal behavior of high-ash anthracite coal, tobacco residue and their blends during combustion processes was investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis (20 K min(-1), ranging from ambient temperature to 1273 K). Effects of the mixed proportion between coal and tobacco residue on the combustion process, ignition and burnout characteristics were also studied. The results indicated that the combustion of tobacco residue was controlled by the emission of volatile matter; the regions were more complex for tobacco residue (four peaks) than for coal (two peaks). Also, the blends had integrative thermal profiles that reflected both tobacco residue and coal. The incorporation of tobacco residue could improve the combustion characteristics of high-ash anthracite coal, especially the ignition and burnout characteristics comparing with the separate burning of tobacco residue and coal. It was feasible to use the co-combustion of tobacco residue and high-ash anthracite coal as fuel.

Effects of transportation on expression of Hsp90, Hsp70, Hsp27 and αB-crystallin in the pig stomach

Twenty pigs were randomly divided into four groups based on the amount of time spent in transport (zero, one, two or four hours). Pathological examination of all transported pigs showed that exfoliation of chief cells from the gastric surface occurred in pigs during transportation. These results imply that integrity of the gastric mucosa was compromised by damage occurring during the four-hour transportation, despite the fact that gastric ulcers were not present. Levels of Hsp90 expression in stomach tissues were significantly decreased (P<0.01) after two-hour transportation, but Hsp70 levels increased significantly (P<0.05) after one, two and four hours of transportation. Hsp27 levels remained relatively stable independent of the length of transport. Levels of αB-crystallin expression in the stomach were significantly increased (P<0.05) after four hours of transportation. Variations in Hsp90, Hsp70, Hsp27 and αB-crystallin levels suggest that distinct protective functions are modulated by different Hsps in stomach tissues during transportation. Alterations in Hsp70 and αB-crystallin expression appear to be associated with protective functions, as no apparent gastric ulcers were present in pigs that underwent four hours of transportation. Levels of heat shock transcription factor-1, which regulate the expression of Hsps, remained relatively stable independent of the transportation period.

Search for live attenuated vaccine candidate against edwardsiellosis by mutating virulence-related genes of fish pathogen Edwardsiella tarda

AIMS

The aims of this study were to construct and evaluate the live attenuated vaccine against edwardsiellosis on zebra fish model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, the deletion mutant of aroC gene for the biosynthesis of chorismic acid in Edwardsiella tarda EIB202 was firstly constructed by allelic exchange strategy. According to the genome information, 19 double mutants and one multiple mutant were successively constructed by deleting virulence-associated genes based on the ΔaroC mutant. Zebra fish model was used to assay the virulence of the mutants by intramuscular (i.m.) injection. Fourteen mutants were significantly attenuated with accumulated mortality ranged from 0 to 63% (P<0.05). The zebra fish vaccinated with ΔaroC, ΔaroCΔesrC, ΔaroCΔslyA and ΔaroCΔeseBCDΔesaC via i.m. injection showed ideal protection, resulting in relative per cent survival (RPS) of 68.3, 71.3, 80.1 and 81% against subsequent challenge with the wild-type Edw. tarda EIB202.

CONCLUSIONS

ΔaroCΔeseBCDΔesaC behaved a low virulence and the highest RPS on zebra fish model. When the zebra fish were vaccinated with ΔaroCΔeseBCDΔesaC via injection, the expression of immune-related factors including IgM and MHC II was up-regulated.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT

The mutant ΔaroCΔeseBCDΔesaC might serve as an effective live attenuated vaccine against edwardsiellosis.

Association of SPINK5 gene polymorphisms with atopic dermatitis in Northeast China

BACKGROUND

Defect in the SPINK5 gene is known to be implicated in Netherton syndrome (NS), and has been suggested to be a locus predisposing to atopy in general. Coding polymorphisms in SPINK5 exons 13, 14 and 26 have been reported to be associated with atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma and high level of IgE.

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether the SPINK5 gene polymorphisms are associated with AD in Northeast China, and to assess how variants influence selected phenotypic traits.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted on four non-synonymous polymorphisms in the coding region of SPINK5 in AD and controls. The SPINK5 gene polymorphisms were analyzed using the PCR and RFLP methods.

RESULTS

For the four non-synonymous SNPs, A1103G(Asn368Ser), G1156A(Asp386Asn), G1258A(Glu420Lys), G2475T(Glu825Asp) in SPINK5, the allelic frequencies in the AD cohort were 0.55 for 1103G, 0.57 for 1156A, 0.54for 1258A, 0.62 for 2475T, consistent with those already published in the original British and Japanese cohorts. The T allele of SNP 2475G > T was found to be significantly associated with AD. There were significant differences in genotype frequencies for G1258A(Glu420Lys) and G2475T(Glu825Asp) but not for A1103G(Asn368Ser) and G1156A(Asp386Asn). Genotypes GA(420Glu/Lys), TT (2475Asp/Asp) and GT(2475Glu/Asp) were significantly more frequent in AD. However, the SPINK5 gene polymorphisms was found not to be associated with AD in regard to either serum IgE levels, concurrent allergic asthma or early onset of AD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms the association between SPINK5 and AD.

Influencing factors on the size uniformity of self-assembled SiGe quantum rings grown by molecular beam epitaxy

The size uniformity of self-assembled SiGe quantum rings, which are formed by capping SiGe quantum dots with a thin Si layer, is found to be greatly influenced by the growth temperature and the areal density of SiGe quantum dots. Higher growth temperature benefits the size uniformity of quantum dots, but results in low Ge concentration as well as asymmetric Ge distribution in the dots, which induces the subsequently formed quantum rings to be asymmetric in shape or even broken somewhere in the ridge of rings. Low growth temperature degrades the size uniformity of quantum dots, and thus that of quantum rings. A high areal density results in the expansion and coalescence of neighboring quantum dots to form a chain, rather than quantum rings. Uniform quantum rings with a size dispersion of 4.6% and an areal density of 7.8×10(8) cm(-2) are obtained at the optimized growth temperature of 640°C.

A two-stage inexact joint-probabilistic programming method for air quality management under uncertainty

A two-stage inexact joint-probabilistic programming (TIJP) method is developed for planning a regional air quality management system with multiple pollutants and multiple sources. The TIJP method incorporates the techniques of two-stage stochastic programming, joint-probabilistic constraint programming and interval mathematical programming, where uncertainties expressed as probability distributions and interval values can be addressed. Moreover, it can not only examine the risk of violating joint-probability constraints, but also account for economic penalties as corrective measures against any infeasibility. The developed TIJP method is applied to a case study of a regional air pollution control problem, where the air quality index (AQI) is introduced for evaluation of the integrated air quality management system associated with multiple pollutants. The joint-probability exists in the environmental constraints for AQI, such that individual probabilistic constraints for each pollutant can be efficiently incorporated within the TIJP model. The results indicate that useful solutions for air quality management practices have been generated; they can help decision makers to identify desired pollution abatement strategies with minimized system cost and maximized environmental efficiency.

Molecular characterization of erm(B)- and mef(E)-mediated erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in China and complete DNA sequence of Tn2010

AIMS

To characterize the erm(B)- and mef(E)-mediated erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae clinical isolates obtained from ten hospitals located different cities in China.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Totally 83 S. pneumoniae were collected, and eighteen representative strains of 66 strains that exhibited erythromycin resistance were used for further characterization by antibiograms, serotyping, PFGE, MLST, DNA sequencing of the macrolide-resistance elements and mapping of the elements on the chromosome. Twelve isolates showed a high-level resistance to erythromycin, and six other isolates showed a low-level resistance to erythromycin. Thirteen isolates harboured a Tn2010 transposon (26·4 kbp) encoding the erm(B), tet(M) and mef(E) genes and were classified into three types by Tn2010 structures. The remaining five isolates harboured a Tn6002 transposon (20·9 kbp) encoding the erm(B) and tet(M) genes and were classified into three types by Tn6002 locations on the chromosome. Three of the Tn6002 elements were located within the Tn5252-like element, implying that these composed a large mobile element. The MLST analyses showed that several clones had been disseminated and that the CC271 strains carrying the Tn2010 element expressing the high-level resistance to erythromycin were predominant in China. Four new MLST strains, which were designated as ST3262, ST3263, ST3397 and ST3398 were also identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The erythromycin resistance determinant of S.pneumoniae that had been isolated in China was located in Tn2010 or the Tn6002 element and several clones had been disseminated, and the CC271 strains carrying the Tn2010 element expressing the high-level resistance to erythromycin were predominant in China.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first molecular analysis of erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae clinical isolates in China, and the first report of the complete nucleotide sequence of Tn2010 (26,390 bp).

Mechanism of St. John's wort extract (STW3-VI) during chronic restraint stress is mediated by the interrelationship of the immune, oxidative defense, and neuroendocrine system

Chronic stress is a contributing risk factor for the development of psychiatric illnesses such as anxiety and depression disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mechanisms of action of the standardized St. John's wort extract (STW3-VI; SJW) in a chronic restraint stress model. Markers of antioxidant capacity such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) in the hippocampus and hypothalamus, and plasma levels of ACTH and corticosterone as well as the inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-alpha were determined in rats exposed to chronic restraint stress for 21 consecutive days. In addition, total body and relative organ weights as well as behavioral changes in the open field test were evaluated on the last day. The results show that stressed animals decreased in open field activity compared to unstressed animals, which could be reversed by fluoxetine (10mg/kg, p.o.) and SJW (125-750mg/kg, p.o.) treatment. In addition, chronic restraint stress significantly decreased thymus and spleen indices in the stressed control group. However, treating stressed rats with fluoxetine or STW3-VI produced a significant and dose dependent increase in both thymus and spleen indices compared to stressed controls. Additionally, SJW and fluoxetine significantly reduced stress-induced increases in plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels. Furthermore, the administration of SJW significantly reduced the stress-induced increase in TNF-alpha levels. Our data provide new evidence for the hypothesis that the mechanism of action of STW3-VI is mediated by the interrelationship between the immune, oxidative defense and neuroendocrine system.

Immunosuppressive effects of emodin: an in vivo and in vitro study

OBJECTIVE

We sought to investigate the immunosuppressive effects of emodin and its potential in vivo and in vitro mechanisms.

METHODS

In vitro immunosuppressive effects of emodin were analyzed by its ability to suppress the response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and to mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). We examined changes in interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 in within MLC supernates. The in vivo immunosuppressive effects of emodin were analyzed using a skin transplantation model in mice. We also investigated the mean survival time (MST) and plasma IL-2 levels.

RESULTS

In vitro experiments: Responses of mononuclear cells to PHA and MLC were suppressed by emodin treatment. Decreased production of IL-2 along with promoted secretion of IL-4 was also observed by emodin treatment during MLC. In vivo experiments: The emodin-treated group showed prolonged MST of skin grafts and decreased serum IL-2 production.

CONCLUSIONS

Emodin showed immunosuppressive activities both in vivo and in vitro. The potential immunosuppressive mechanism of emodin's may be suppression of lymphocyte proliferation and influences on cytokines.

The role of liver transplantation in the treatment of hepatic myelopathy: case report with review of the literature

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hepatic myelopathy (HM) is a rare neurological complication of chronic liver disease, causing progressive spastic paraparesis. Unlike hepatic encephalopathy, the conservative treatment of HM is usually considered inefficient. Although some scattered case studies have reported that the clinical symptoms and signs of patients with HM were improved after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), there have also been cases of failure. The aim of this study was to identify the role of OLT in the treatment of HM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present two patients, who underwent OLT at the early stage after progressive HM had been diagnosed, gaining definite improvement of their neurological status within a relatively short time. In addition, we review all five similar cases that have hitherto been reported in English literature.

RESULTS

The clinical symptoms and signs of HM improved to variable degrees after OLT in most cases except one with a long HM history. The degree of improvement correlated with the time interval between the onset of the first symptoms of HM and OLT.

CONCLUSIONS

OLT represents an effective therapeutic option for HM. The duration of clinical manifestations of HM before OLT may be the main factor affecting the therapeutic outcome.

Sibling separation and psychological problems of double AIDS orphans in rural China - a comparison analysis

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the psychological impact of sibling separation among children who lost both of their parents to AIDS and were placed in group care or kinship care settings in rural China.

METHODS

Comparative analysis of cross-sectional survey data among 155 children among whom 96 experienced sibling separation. Trauma symptoms (Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Post-traumatic stress, Dissociation, Sexual concerns) were compared between the AIDS orphans who experienced sibling separation and those who did not using analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

Among the participants (47.7% girls) with an average age of 12.4 years, univariate and multivariate analyses showed that separation from siblings was associated with significantly higher scores in anxiety, depression, anger and dissociation before or after controlling for gender, age, care arrangement, number of household replacement, trusting relationship with the current caregivers and perceived quality of current living condition. Sibling separation among orphans was not associated with level of post-traumatic stress and sexual concerns.

CONCLUSION

AIDS orphans separated from their siblings suffered from increased psychological distress compared with those who remained with their siblings. The data in the current study suggest that care arrangement for AIDS orphan should include accommodating the siblings together or providing them with opportunities for frequent contact and/or communication with each other. Appropriate psychological counselling should be given to those orphans experiencing sibling separation.