Carotid plaque neovascularization and hemorrhage detected by MR imaging are associated with recent cerebrovascular ischemic events

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pathologic studies suggest that neovascularization and hemorrhage are important features of plaque vulnerability for disruption. Our aim was to determine the associations of these features in carotid plaques with previous cerebrovascular ischemic events by using high-resolution CE-MRI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-seven patients (36 men; mean age 72.5 ± 10 years) underwent CE-MRI and MRA examinations for carotid plaque at 3T. IPH presence was recorded. Neovascularity was categorized by the degree of adventitial enhancement (0, absent; 1, <50%; 2, ≥50%). Reader variability was assessed by using weighted κ. Associations with events were determined by using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Intra- and inter-reader agreement for grading adventitial enhancement were good to excellent. IPH was present in 49% of patients and was associated with events (P = .03). Patients grouped by categories 0, 1, and 2 adventitial enhancement had increasing frequencies of events (14% category 0, 48% category 1, 65% category 2; P = .02). Events were associated with IPH (OR, 10.18; 95% CI, 1.42-72.21) and adventitial enhancement (compared with category 0: OR, 14.90, 95% CI, 0.98-225.93 for category 1; OR, 51.17, 95% CI, 3.4-469.8 for category 2) after controlling for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, wall thickness, and stenosis. Stenosis was not associated with events.

CONCLUSIONS

Adventitial enhancement and IPH are independently associated with previous events and may provide important insight into stroke risk not achievable by stenosis.

Serum γ-glutamyltransferase and associated damage among a She Chinese population

OBJECTIVE

It has been suggested that serum γ-glutamyltransferase is independently associated with cardiovascular mortality and atherosclerosis. The present study is to investigate the relationship between serum γ-glutamyltransferase and potential associated damage in an adult She Chinese population.

METHOD

A multistage, stratified, cluster, random sampling method was used to select an ethnically representative group of individuals aged 20-80 years in the general population. Brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity was used to assess arterial stiffness in the general population and the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scoring System was used to detect diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy among populations with diabetes.

RESULTS

A total of 5385 subjects were entered into the analysis. Serum γ-glutamyltransferase levels were classified into four groups using the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles as cut points (males: < 20, 20-29, 29-52 and > 52 U/l; females: < 13, 13-18, 18-25 and > 25 U/l). As compared with the first quartile, the relative risks of arterial stiffness were 1.418, 1.667 and 2.394 in the other three categories, respectively (test for trend P < 0.05). After adjustment in five models, serum γ-glutamyltransferase was still a risk factor of arterial stiffness. We found inverted U-shape curves in both genders and the third quartile (male: 29 52 U/l; female: 18-25 U/l) had the highest odds ratios of 1.640 and 1.529, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that high serum γ-glutamyltransferase concentrations were directly associated with the increased risk of arterial stiffness, in general, and with peripheral polyneuropathy in subjects with diabetes in an ethnic She Chinese population. Alcohol use, gender, BMI and blood pressure were related to serum γ-glutamyltransferase and were involved in the relationship between serum γ-glutamyltransferase and brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity.

High-risk human papillomavirus reduces the expression of microRNA-218 in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

This study was designed to investigate whether there is a correlation between the down-regulation of microRNA-218 (miR-218) and the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. The participants comprised 78 women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); 22 (28.2%) had CIN 1, 27 (34.6%) had CIN 2 and 29 (37.2%) had CIN 3. MiR-218 expression was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and HPV genotypes in tissue specimens were identified with a microarray test kit. The findings showed that miR-218 levels in patients with high-risk HPV infection were lower than in those infected with low-risk or intermediate-risk HPV, or in those who were HPV-free. MiR-218 levels in patients with high-risk CIN were lower than in those with low-risk CIN. We concluded that infection with high-risk HPV lowered the expression of miR-218 and that down-regulation of miR-218 was involved in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer.

Identification of intraplaque hemorrhage on MR angiography images: a comparison of contrast-enhanced mask and time-of-flight techniques

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

MRA is widely used to measure carotid narrowing. Standard CE- and TOF-MRA techniques use highly T1-weighted gradient-echo sequences that can detect T1 short blood products, so they have the potential to identify IPH, an indicator of plaque rupture. We sought to determine the accuracy and reliability of these MRA sequences to detect IPH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3D TOF and CE carotid MRA scans were obtained at 3T on 15 patients (age range, 58-86 years; 13 men) scheduled for CEA. The source images from the precontrast (mask) CE-MRA and the TOF sequences were reviewed by 2 independent readers for IPH presence (identified as hyperintense signal intensity compared with adjacent muscle). CEA specimens were stained with antibody against glycophorin A and Mallory stain to detect IPH and were correlated with MR images.

RESULTS

Nine of 15 CEA specimens (61 of 144 MR images) contained IPH confirmed by histology. Compared with TOF, CE-MRA mask demonstrated greater sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for IPH detection. The accuracy for correctly identifying IPH by using CE-MRA mask images and TOF images was 94% and 84%, respectively. Inter- and intraobserver agreement for IPH detection was excellent by mask images (κ = 0.91 and κ = 0.94, respectively) and TOF images (κ = 0.77 and κ = 0.84, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

CE-MRA mask images are highly accurate and reliable for identifying IPH, more so than the TOF sequence, and can potentially provide valuable information about risk for rupture.

Correlates of constipation in people with Parkinson's

PURPOSE

To investigate clinical, demographic and dietary factors associated with constipation in a sample of community dwelling people with Parkinson's disease, recruited through a specialist outpatient clinic. Partners/carers provided a convenience control group.

SCOPE

Participants completed a baseline questionnaire (background information, diet and exercise, activities of daily living: mobility and manual dexterity, health-related quality of life (SF-12), stool frequency and characteristics, extent of concern due to constipation, laxative taking), and a four-week stool diary. The Rome criterion was used to determine constipation status. Multiple regression methods were used to explore the correlates of constipation. Baseline data were provided by 121 people with Parkinson's, (54 controls), of whom 73% (25%) met the Rome criterion. Prospective diary data from 106 people with Parkinson's (43 controls) showed lower proportions: 35% (7%) meeting the Rome criterion. Among all study subjects, i.e. Parkinson's patients and controls taken together, the presence of constipation is predicted by having Parkinson's disease (p = .003; odds ratio 4.80, 95% CI 1.64-14.04) and mobility score (p = .04; odds ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.31), but not by dietary factors. Amongst people with Parkinson's constipation is predicted by number of medications (p = .027). Laxative taking masks constipation, and is significantly associated with wearing protection against bowel incontinence (p = .009; odds ratio 4.80, 95% CI: 1.48-15.52).

CONCLUSIONS

Constipation is disease-related, not a lifestyle factor. More research is needed on optimal management and laxative use.

Identification of copy number variants in miscarriages from couples with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss

BACKGROUND

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), defined as two or more miscarriages, affects 3-5% of couples trying to establish a family. Despite extensive evaluation, no factor is identified in ∼40% of cases. In this study, we investigated the possibility that submicroscopic chromosomal changes, not detectable by conventional cytogenetic analysis, exist in miscarriages with normal karyotypes (46,XY or 46,XX) from couples with idiopathic RPL.

METHODS

Array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) was used to assess for DNA copy number variants (CNVs) in 26 miscarriages with normal karyotypes. Parental array-CGH analysis was performed to determine if miscarriage CNVs were de novo or inherited.

RESULTS

There were 11 unique (previously not described) CNVs, all inherited, identified in 13 miscarriages from 8 couples. The maternal origin of two CNVs was of interest as they involved the imprinted genes TIMP2 and CTNNA3, which are only normally expressed from the maternal copy in the placenta. Two additional cohorts, consisting of 282 women with recurrent miscarriage (RM) and 61 fertile women, were screened for these two CNVs using a Quantitative Multiplex Fluorescent PCR of Short Fragments assay. One woman with RM, but none of the fertile women, carried the CTNNA3-associated CNV.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study shows that array-CGH is useful for detecting CNVs in cases of RPL. Further investigations of CNVs, particularly those involving genes that are imprinted in placenta, in women with RPL could be worthwhile.

Outcome of array CGH analysis for 255 subjects with intellectual disability and search for candidate genes using bioinformatics

Array CGH enables the detection of pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs) in 5-15% of individuals with intellectual disability (ID), making it a promising tool for uncovering ID candidate genes. However, most CNVs encompass multiple genes, making it difficult to identify key disease gene(s) underlying ID etiology. Using array CGH we identified 47 previously unreported unique CNVs in 45/255 probands. We prioritized ID candidate genes using five bioinformatic gene prioritization web tools. Gene priority lists were created by comparing integral genes from each CNV from our ID cohort with sets of training genes specific either to ID or randomly selected. Our findings suggest that different training sets alter gene prioritization only moderately; however, only the ID gene training set resulted in significant enrichment of genes with nervous system function (19%) in prioritized versus non-prioritized genes from the same de novo CNVs (7%, p < 0.05). This enrichment further increased to 31% when the five web tools were used in concert and included genes within mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways. Gene prioritization web tools enrich for genes with relevant function in ID and more readily facilitate the selection of ID candidate genes for functional studies, particularly for large CNVs.

Irritant and adjuvant effects of gaseous formaldehyde on the ovalbumin-induced hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in a rat model

BACKGROUND

Formaldehyde (FA) is a common indoor air pollutant that can cause asthma in people experiencing long-term exposure. While FA and other man-made chemicals contribute to the stimulation of asthma in the general population, the underlying molecular pathogenesis of this relationship is not yet well understood.

OBJECTIVE

To explore FA as an irritant for the onset of asthma and as an adjuvant for the induction of allergy.

METHODS

In the present study, 40 Wistar rats in five experimental groups were exposed to: (i) saline; (ii) ovalbumin (OVA); (iii) OVA + FA at 417 ppb; (iv) OVA + FA at 2500 ppb; and (v) FA at 2500 ppb. Current and prior occupational exposure limits in China were established at 417 ppb and 2500 ppb, respectively. Gaseous FA was administrated to the animals for 6 h/day before and during OVA immunization or saline treatment. Measured outcomes included in situ lung function analysis, cytokine measurement, and histological changes in the rat lungs.

RESULTS

The airway reactivity, lung histological changes, pulmonary interleukin-4 secretion, and eosinophil infiltration in the OVA and FA exposed rats were significantly higher after gaseous FA exposures of 417 and 2500 ppb. While FA exposure alone did not induce significant structural changes to the airway, and the rate of inflammatory cell infiltration was the same as for the control group, pulmonary levels of interferon-gamma were significantly elevated in the exposed rats.

CONCLUSIONS

FA may be an irritant as well as serve as an adjuvant for the onset of asthma or asthma-like symptoms.

Plastocyanin transit peptide interacts with Potato virus X coat protein, while silencing of plastocyanin reduces coat protein accumulation in chloroplasts and symptom severity in host plants

Potato virus X coat protein (PVXCP) is, through communication with host proteins, involved in processes such as virus movement and symptom development. Here, we report that PVXCP also interacts with the precursor of plastocyanin, a protein involved in photosynthesis, both in vitro and in vivo. Yeast two-hybrid analysis indicated that PVXCP interacted with only the plastocyanin transit peptide. In subsequent bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, both proteins were collocated within chloroplasts. Western blot analyses of chloroplast fractions showed that PVXCP could be detected in the envelope, stroma, and lumen fractions. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that grana were dilated in PVX-infected Nicotiana benthamiana. Furthermore, virus-induced gene silencing of plastocyanin by prior infection of N. benthamiana using a Tobacco rattle virus vector reduced the severity of symptoms that developed following subsequent PVX infection as well as the accumulation of PVXCP in isolated chloroplasts. However, PVXCP could not be detected in pea chloroplasts in an in vitro re-uptake assay using the plastocyanin precursor protein. Taken together, these data suggest that PVXCP interacts with the plastocyanin precursor protein and that silencing the expression of this protein leads to reduced PVXCP accumulation in chloroplasts and ameliorates symptom severity in host plants.

Genomic changes detected by array CGH in human embryos with developmental defects

Developmental abnormalities of human embryos can be visualized in utero using embryoscopy. Our previous embryoscopic and genetic evaluations detected developmental abnormalities in the majority of both euploid (74%) and aneuploid or polyploid (90%) miscarriages. Since we found the pattern of morphological changes to be similar in euploid and non-euploid embryos, we proposed that lethal submicroscopic changes, not detected by standard chromosome testing, may be responsible for miscarriage of euploid embryos. Whole genome oligo and bacterial artificial chromosome array comparative genome hybridization (CGH) was used to screen for submicroscopic chromosomal changes (DNA copy number variants or CNVs) in 17 euploid embryonic miscarriages, with a range of developmental abnormalities documented by embryoscopy. The CNV breakpoints were refined using a custom array (Agilent) with high resolution coverage of the CNVs. Six unique CNVs, previously not reported, were identified in 5 of the 17 embryos (29% of all cases or 50% of cases studied with higher resolution arrays). All six unique CNVs were <250 kb in size. On the basis of parental array CGH analysis, a de novo origin of a CNV was determined for one embryo (at 13q32.1) and suspected for another (at 10p15.3). Three CNVs, at Xq28, 1q25.3 and 7p14.3, were inherited and a CNV at 17p13.1 was of unknown origin. The genes contained within these unique CNVs will be discussed, with specific reference to rearrangements of syntaxin and tryptophan-aspartic acid (WD) repeat genes. Our report describes for the first time, de novo and inherited unique CNVs in euploid human embryos with specific developmental defects.

Pim-1 plays a pivotal role in hypoxia-induced chemoresistance

Hypoxia changes the responses of cancer cells to many chemotherapy agents, resulting in chemoresistance. The underlying molecular mechanism of hypoxia-induced drug resistance remains unclear. Pim-1 is a survival kinase, which phosphorylates Bad at serine 112 to antagonize drug-induced apoptosis. Here we show that hypoxia increases Pim-1 in a hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha-independent manner. Inhibition of Pim-1 function by dominant-negative Pim-1 dramatically restores the drug sensitivity to apoptosis induced by chemotherapy under hypoxic conditions in both in vitro and in vivo tumor models. Introduction of siRNAs for Pim-1 also resensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs under hypoxic conditions, whereas forced overexpression of Pim-1 endows solid tumor cells with resistance to cisplatin, even under normoxia. Dominant-negative Pim-1 prevents a decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential in solid tumor cells, which is normally induced by cisplatin (CDDP), followed by the reduced activity of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, indicating that Pim-1 participates in hypoxia-induced drug resistance through the stabilization of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Our results demonstrate that Pim-1 is a pivotal regulator involved in hypoxia-induced chemoresistance. Targeting Pim-1 may improve the chemotherapeutic strategy for solid tumors.

Putatively benign copy number variants in subjects with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability

Putatively benign copy number variants (bCNVs) can be broadly defined as DNA copy number gains or losses that do not lead to a recognizable clinical phenotype. Detection of bCNVs in genomes of clinically healthy individuals is increasing with the widespread use of whole genome arrays of different resolutions and the use of sequence comparison methods. However, the role of bCNVs in human disease susceptibility and phenotype diversity is mostly unknown. In order to explore a potential role of bCNVs in the susceptibility to and/or pathogenesis of human neurodevelopmental disorders we examined the frequency and type of common bCNVs (detected in >/=2 independent control studies) amongst 221 subjects with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual disability (ID) in comparison to 40 controls using three array platforms of increasing resolution (Spectral Genomics (1 Mb), Agilent (0.03 Mb) and NimbleGen (0.01 Mb)). We determined that the number of bCNVs/subject, type and frequency of most common bCNVs were similar for both the test and control cohorts when the same array platform was used. The comparison of the 'load' of bCNVs (i.e. number/subject) to a standardized metric of phenotypic features (see de Vries et al., 2001) in 91 ASD subjects revealed that a phenotype score >/=4 is significantly more common (P < 0.05) in persons with an ASD having one or more bCNVs via 1 Mb array-CGH, whereas individuals without any recognizable bCNVs are significantly more likely to have a less complex phenotype and a score </=3. Finally, we report 14 CNVs found amongst our ASD and ID cohorts that are infrequent in neurodevelopmentally normal controls and are of familial origin, thus comprising rare CNVs of unknown significance. Two of these rare familial bCNVs revealed variation in size when transmitted from parent to child, indicating genomic instability. The ongoing discovery and correlation of the pathogenic versus putatively benign underpinnings of the human genome, its inherent variability and potential gene, positional and epigenetic influences will continue to improve our understanding of genome plasticity and its influences on human neurodevelopmental disorders.

Effects of the addition of electrolyte on liquid infiltration in a hydrophobic nanoporous silica gel

In this letter, we report the experimental results of pressure induced infiltration in the hydrophobic nanopores of a silica gel. The infiltration pressure increases with the prolonged surface treatment time, whereas the infiltration volume is not dependent on the surface coverage. When temperature increases, if the liquid phase is pure water, the infiltration pressure would decrease, which is in agreement with the classic contact angle measurement results at large solid surfaces. As an electrolyte is added, however, the variation in infiltration pressure is negligible over a broad temperature range.

Autism-associated familial microdeletion of Xp11.22

We describe two brothers with autistic disorder, intellectual disability (ID) and cleft lip/palate with a microdeletion of Xp11.22 detected through screening individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) for microdeletions and duplications using 1-Mb resolution array comparative genomic hybridization. The deletion was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization/real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and shown to be inherited from their unaffected mother who had skewed (100%) X inactivation of the aberrant chromosome. RT-qPCR characterization of the del(X)(p11.22) region ( approximately 53,887,000-54,359,000 bp) revealed complete deletion of the plant homeodomain finger protein 8 (PHF8) gene as well as deletions of the FAM120C and WNK lysine-deficient protein kinase 3 (WNK3) genes, for which a definitive phenotype has not been previously characterized. Xp11.2 is a gene-rich region within the critical linkage interval for several neurodevelopmental disorders. Rare interstitial microdeletions of Xp11.22 have been recognized with ID, craniofacial dysmorphism and/or cleft lip/palate and truncating mutations of the PHF8 gene within this region. Despite evidence implicating genes within Xp11.22 with language and cognitive development that could contribute to an ASD phenotype, their involvement with autism has not been systematically evaluated. Population screening of 481 (319 males/81 females) and 282 X chromosomes (90 males/96 females) in respective ASD and control cohorts did not identify additional subjects carrying this deletion. Our findings show that in addition to point mutations, a complete deletion of the PHF8 gene is associated with the X-linked mental retardation Siderius-Hamel syndrome (OMIM 300263) and further suggest that the larger size of the Xp11.22 deletion including genes FAM120C and WNK3 may be involved in the pathogenesis of autism.

Effect of inhaled formaldehyde on learning and memory of mice

In this study, we investigated the effect of inhaled formaldehyde on learning and memory capacity. After exposure to 0 (control), 1 and 3 mg/m(3) of gaseous formaldehyde respectively, the behavior of mice in a Morris water maze, the expression of NR1, NR2B mRNA and oxidative damage levels in mice brain were analyzed. The water maze performance, the activities of dismutase superoxide (SOD) and levels of glutathione (GSH) decreased significantly in 3 mg/m(3) group (P < 0.01, compared with control group); while malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and expression of NR1 and NR2B genes increased significantly after exposure to 3 mg/m(3) of gaseous formaldehyde (P < 0.05, <0.01, <0.01, compared with control group). These findings indicate that inhaled formaldehyde negatively affects learning and memory at 3 mg/m(3) of gaseous formaldehyde but not at lower levels. Oxidative stress-induced neuron damages in the brain may be the possible mechanism for these effects.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

This study indicates that inhaled formaldehyde starts to negatively affect learning and memory at a middle concentration of formaldehyde without interference of other indoor air pollutants. Oxidative damage, and the alteration of NMDA receptor expression, which were induced by formaldehyde inhalation, may be the possible mechanism for gaseous formaldehyde-induced neurotoxicity.

Urethral cystoscopic realignment and early end-to-end anastomosis develop different influence on erectile function in patients with ruptured bulbous urethra

The objective of this study is to compare the influence on erectile function between urethral cystoscopic realignment and early end-to-end anastomosis treating ruptured bulbous urethra. 58 cases were selected, 32 had urethral cystoscopic realignment (group I) and 26 cases had urethral end-to-end anastomosis (group II). The parameters of P-CDU (Penile Color Duplex Ultrasound), NPT (Nocturnal Penile Tumescence), and IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function) were compared between the two groups 6 months after operation. Group I was higher than group II in IIEF (21 vs 14) with significant differences. With P-CDU we observed an improvement in penile vascularization in group I as confirmed by the detection of an increase in peak systolic velocity (PSV) (26 cm/s vs 16 cm/s, p<0.01) and a decrease in end diastolic velocity (EDV) (3 cm/s vs 6 cm/s p<0.05), resulting in an increase in resistive index (RI) (0.85 vs 0.56, p<0.05). The parameters of NPT showed a significant increase compared to group II (p<0.01) in satisfactory erection number (5 vs 1.5), maximum rigidity (80% vs 42%), and total time that the increase in circumference was greater than 30% of baseline during sleep (100 sec vs 30 sec). Urethral cystoscopic realignment treating ruptured bulbous urethra can reduce the incidence of erectile dysfunction [ED]. A long term follow-up should be studied.

Reduced semen quality in chronic prostatitis patients that induce the release of apoptotic protein Omi/HtrA2 from spermatozoa

The relationship between chronic prostatitis and fertility has been disputed for many years. Several groups have shown infection and autoimmune response against prostate antigens could have a deleterious effect on semen quality and fertility. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that Omi/HtrA2-induced apoptosis in chronic prostatitis could be a mechanism underlying the observed clinical benefit. The Omi/HtrA2 serine protease is a nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein, which can be released from mitochondria into the cytosol after apoptosis stimuli, inducing apoptosis in caspase-dependent and independent manners. Forty-one patients diagnosed as suffering from chronic prostatitis were included. Healthy normal individuals were included as controls. Human spermatozoa in the semen were purified by Percoll-gradient technique to separate the seminal plasma and other round cells. Measurements for sperm concentration, motility, morphology, proinflammatory cytokines, Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels in spermatozoa of chronic protatitis patients, were performed accordingly. Significantly increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines were detected in seminal plasma from these prostatitis patients. Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in prostatitis men than in normal men. This study shows that chronic prostatitis patients present important alterations in their semen quality parameters, Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels of spermatozoa. We speculate that the inflammatory process involved may affect male fertility by release of proapoptotic protein Omi/HtrA2.

Clinical and molecular cytogenetic characterisation of a newly recognised microdeletion syndrome involving 2p15-16.1

BACKGROUND

During whole genome microarray-based comparative genomic hybridisation (array CGH) screening of subjects with idiopathic intellectual disability, we identified two unrelated individuals with a similar de novo interstitial microdeletion at 2p15-2p16.1. Both individuals share a similar clinical phenotype including moderate to severe intellectual disability, autism/autistic features, microcephaly, structural brain anomalies including cortical dysplasia/pachygyria, renal anomalies (multicystic kidney, hydronephrosis), digital camptodactyly, visual impairment, strabismus, neuromotor deficits, communication and attention impairments, and a distinctive pattern of craniofacial features. Dysmorphic craniofacial features include progressive microcephaly, flat occiput, widened inner canthal distance, small palpebral fissures, ptosis, long and straight eyelashes, broad and high nasal root extending to a widened, prominent nasal tip with elongated, smooth philtrum, rounding of the upper vermillion border and everted lower lips.

METHODS

Clinical assessments, and cytogenetic, array CGH and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The microdeletions discovered in each individual measured 4.5 Mb and 5.7 Mb, spanning the chromosome 2p region from 57.2 to 61.7 Mb and from 56 to 61.7 Mb, respectively. Each deleted clone in this range demonstrated a dosage reduction from two to one copy in each proband except for clone RP11-79K21, which was present in three copies in each proband and in four copies in their respective parents (two per each chromosome 2 homologue).

DISCUSSION

The common constellation of features found in the two affected subjects indicates that they have a newly recognised microdeletion syndrome involving haploinsufficiency of one or more genes deleted within at least a 4.5-Mb segment of the 2p15-16.1 region.

Toxicological mechanisms of Aconitum alkaloids

The toxic effects of Aconitum alkaloids are known to affect mainly the central nervous system, heart and muscle tissues. Their toxicological mechanisms may involve interaction with voltage-dependent Na+ channels, modulation of neurotransmitter release and related receptors, promotion of lipid peroxidation and induction of cell apoptosis in heart, liver or other organs. Of them, the mechanism of interaction with voltage-dependent Na+ channels is quite well known, but the other factors are still unclear, and need to be further studied. This review focuses on the toxicological mechanisms of Aconitum alkaloids.

Diffusion correlation NMR spectroscopic study of anisotropic diffusion of water in plant tissues

The anisotropic diffusion of water in chive (Allium schoenoprasum) tissues has been investigated using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance methods: diffusion-diffusion correlation spectroscopy and diffusion-relaxation correlation spectroscopy. Corresponding one-dimensional T2 and diffusion measurements confirm independently the results of the two-dimensional investigations. In particular the diffusion-diffusion correlation spectroscopy method proves to be very powerful in resolving the different components of the diffusion tensor at different sites in the sample.

Diffusion exchange NMR spectroscopic study of dextran exchange through polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules

Diffusion exchange of dextran with molecular weights 4.4 and 77 kDa through polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) hollow capsules consisting of four bilayers of polystyrene sulfonate/polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride has been investigated using two-dimensional nuclear-magnetic-resonance methods: diffusion-diffusion exchange spectroscopy (DEXSY) and diffusion-relaxation correlation spectroscopy (DRCOSY). Results obtained in DRCOSY experiments show that the diffusion process of dextran 77 kDa exhibits an observation time dependence suggesting a diffusion behavior restricted by confinement. We find evidence for both single capsule and capsule aggregate states, with a partitioning of the 77-kDa dextran between the free and capsule states much larger than that suggested by volume fraction alone. Results from DEXSY experiments show that dextran 77 kDa is in diffusive exchange through the capsules with an exchange time of around 1 s. In contrast, the capsules have no detectable influence on the diffusion process of the dextran 4.4 kDa. This quantitative information may be used in designing PEM capsules as drug carriers.

Measurement of mechanical properties of rectal wall

In this paper, a pig's rectum was studied as a model biomaterial and its mechanical behaviors under tensile, compressive, and shear stresses were measured accurately using a multipurpose microtesting system. Based on the stress-strain relations of samples of different orientations, the tangential moduli were calculated through a reverse method combined with self-correlation analysis. The experimental data exhibited pronounced nonlinear and anisotropic characteristics. It was found that the effective compliance in tension along the longitudinal direction was larger than that along the circumferential direction, but smaller than that along the out-of-plane direction.

Integrated airlift bioreactor system for on-site small wastewater treatment

An integrated airlift bioreactor system was developed, which mainly consists of a multi-stage loop reactor and a gas-liquid-solid separation baffle and possesses dual functions as bioreactor and settler. This integrated system was used for on-site treatment of industrial glycol wastewater in lab-scale. The strategy of gradually increasing practical wastewater concentration while maintaining the co-substrate glucose wastewater concentration helped to accelerate the microbial acclimation process. Investigation of microbial acclimation, operation parameters evaluation and microbial observation has demonstrated the economical and technical feasibility of this integrated airlift bioreactor system for on-site small industrial wastewater treatment.

Three-dimensional representation of curved nanowires

Nanostructures, such as nanowires, nanotubes and nanocoils, can be described in many cases as quasi one-dimensional curved objects projecting in three-dimensional space. A parallax method to construct the correct three-dimensional geometry of such one-dimensional nanostructures is presented. A series of scanning electron microscope images was acquired at different view angles, thus providing a set of image pairs that were used to generate three-dimensional representations using a matlab program. An error analysis as a function of the view angle between the two images is presented and discussed. As an example application, the importance of knowing the true three-dimensional shape of boron nanowires is demonstrated; without the nanowire's correct length and diameter, mechanical resonance data cannot provide an accurate estimate of Young's modulus.

Technical note: Comparison of Raman, mid, and near infrared spectroscopy for predicting the amino acid content in animal meals12

The objective of this study was to compare three infrared spectroscopy techniques for routine evaluation of AA in animal meals. Animal meals (n = 54) with known AA contents were scanned with a near (NIRS), mid (FTIR), and Raman infrared spectrometer. For NIRS and Raman, samples were scanned "as is", whereas for FTIR, samples had to be finely ground before scanning to obtain reasonable spectra. Both FTIR and Raman data suffered from noise; for Raman, this prevented the development of calibrations. Using derivatized spectral data and a standardized outlier removal procedure, calibrations for nutritionally relevant AA could be developed that were equivalent for both NIRS and FTIR. The variation across AA tested explained (r2) by these calibrations was 70% for NIRS and 68 + 3% for FTIR. Removing spectral data between 4,000 and 2,000 cm(-1) from the FTIR data improved calibrations (P = 0.09) and explained an average of 77% of the variation with prediction errors lower than obtained with NIRS (P < 0.01). However, FTIR calibrations based on the entire or the shortened spectrum contained fewer samples than did NIRS calibrations (41 and 39 vs. 48, respectively; P < 0.01) because more samples were removed as outliers. In conclusion, Raman did not yield acceptable spectra for animal meals. For FTIR, sample preparation was more time-consuming because the samples required grinding before analysis. Using the entire mid-infrared range, FTIR calibrations were comparable to NIRS calibrations. Calibrations for FTIR were improved by eliminating wave numbers that exhibited more noise, resulting in prediction errors better than those for NIRS. Thus, FTIR has the potential to yield better calibrations for AA in animal meals than NIRS, but it requires greater care in sample preparation and scanning.

Refining in vitro digestibility assays: Fractionation of digestible and indigestible peptides1

Typically, in vitro methods used for estimating the amount of ileal digestible AA do not exhaustively digest samples, and arbitrary methods for separating digestible from indigestible protein are used. This may lead to over- or underestimation of digestibility coefficients. A method that exhaustively digests proteins using pepsin and pancreatin was developed, and the first objective of this research was to confirm that exhaustive digestion was indeed appropriate and to determine the fractionation method for separating digestible from indigestible proteins. For this, three homoarginine-labeled animal proteins were prepared. Samples were subsequently digested in vivo and in vitro to determine which fraction should be considered indigestible, and in vitro followed by in vivo to determine whether the extent of digestion in vivo was improved by predigestion. In vivo, soluble but unabsorbed peptides were smaller than 1 kDa, suggesting that the size of soluble peptides is not what prevents their absorption. Thus, all in vitro-soluble proteins should be considered digestible. In vitro, 88 +/- 3% of the soluble peptides were smaller than 1 kDa, with the remainder between 1 and 5 kDa, suggesting that in vitro digestion is less complete. Predigested samples were digested in vivo to the same size distribution as the nonpredigested samples. The second objective was to test whether in vitro digestibility assays based on these principles equaled in vivo digestibility. For this, digestibility data for 25 animal proteins were compared. Results showed a lack of correlation between lysine digestibility coefficients; however, across samples, the extent of digestion did not differ for lysine (P = 0.71), threonine (P = 0.26), methionine (P = 0.18), or valine (P = 0.66), whereas in vitro digestibility coefficients were lower for (the less water-soluble) histidine (P = 0.05), isoleucine (P < 0.01), leucine (P < 0.01), and phenylalanine (P = 0.05). In conclusion, in vitro digestibility assays should exhaustively digest proteins to mimic in vivo digestibility. All in vitro-soluble peptides could be considered digestible, because in vivo, no large soluble peptides were observed whose size prevented them from being absorbed. However, an in vitro assay based on these principles lacked precision for highly water-soluble AA, and underestimated digestibility for other AA. Better solubilization of the digesta and more replicates may improve the in vitro assay further.

Identification of a novel fusion gene, TTL, fused to ETV6 in acute lymphoblastic leukemia with t(12;13)(p13;q14), and its implication in leukemogenesis

ETS variant gene 6 (ETV6)/translocation, ETS, leukemia (TEL)-involving chromosomal translocations are frequently observed in various hematologic neoplasms. We describe here a novel ETV6-involving translocation, t(12;13)(p13;q14), found in the case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in which ETV6 fused with a previously unknown gene, named Twelve-thirteen Translocation Leukemia gene (TTL), at 13q14. TTL was weakly but ubiquitously expressed in normal human tissues as detected by reverse transcribed-PCR. Three TTL splicing forms were identified, TTL-T from a human testis cDNA library, with an open-reading frame of 402 bp encoding 133 amino acids (aa), and TTL-B1 and -B2 from a human brain cDNA library. These proteins have no homology to known proteins. In leukemic cells from the patient, both reciprocal fusion transcripts, ETV6/TTL and TTL/ETV6, were expressed. The predominant fusion transcript, TTL/ETV6-1, encodes a predicted 530 aa fusion protein containing 89 aa of the N-terminal TTL fusing to the helix-loop-helix domain and ETS-binding domain of ETV6. Although the function of TTL is yet to be elucidated, our findings will provide another insight into the molecular pathogenesis of leukemia having ETV6-involving translocations.

[Enhanced continent mechanism of the tapered ileum in continent urinary reservoir]

OBJECTIVE

To construct a reliable continent tube that is easy to catheterize and is surgically simple.

METHODS

From October 1999 through March 2001, 20 patients underwent a procedure in which ileal segment was tapered as an efferent tube and the partial efferent tube was placed between the back surface of the rectus muscle and the wall of the ileal pouch. The internal orifice of the tapered ileum was anastomosed to the ileal pouch and its external orifice of the tapered ileum was anastomosed to the umbilicus. Urodynamic study of the efferent tubes and pouch was done 1.5 to 3 months and 6 to 17 months after operation.

RESULTS

The stoma was easily catheterized with a 16 F catheter in all patients. One patient died of heart disease 55 days after the operation, while 18 of the remaining 19 were completely continent day and night. At 1.5 to 3 months, the urodynamic study of the efferent tubes showed the maximum close pressure with a full pouch of 46-124 cmH2O(91.53 +/- 17.21), and when the pouch was empty it was 34-84 cmH2O(66.68 +/- 11.60). The difference in the mean maximum closure pressure in full and empty pouches was statistically significant (t = 10.59, P < 0.01). At 6 to 17 months, urodynamic study was performed in 12 patients, the maximum closure pressure in the efferent tube was 77 to 154 cmH2O (100.92 +/- 20.88) when the pouch was filled with saline. When the pouch was empty, it was 56 to 115 cmH2O (74.08 +/- 14.59). The difference in the mean maximum closure pressure in full and empty pouches was statistically significant (t = 8.54, P < 0.01). Reservoir capacity was 360 to 750 ml (455 +/- 110.74). When it was filled to the maximum, the reservoir pressure was 16 to 35 cmH2O (23.17 +/- 5.82). There was no contractive wave in filling in any patient.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that the continent mechanism of the tapered ileum can be greatly enhanced by fixing it between the abdominal and pouch walls. This maneuver also provides easy catheterization and surgical simplicity.

[Telomerase activity in cervical cancer and its precursor lesion]

OBJECTIVE

To study telomerase activity in cervical cancer and it's precursor lesion.

METHODS

Thirty-six cervical cancer and 16 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) specimens were measured for telomerase activity using TRAP-ELISA, and 11 normal cervix, 6 chronic cervicitis and 8 adjacent normal tissue specimens as controls.

RESULTS

Mean telomerase activity in CIN, cervical cancer, and controls were 0.398 +/- 0.293, 1.580 +/- 0.819, 0.050 +/- 0.012. There was statistically significant difference among three groups (P < 0.01). Additionally, between patients with lymph node metastases (N+) and patients with tumor-free lymph nodes metastases (N-) a statistically distinct difference in telomerase activity was detected (P < 0.05). Telomerase activity was increasing with the advancing of histologic differentiated grade in invasive cervical cancer. However, no significant relationship was found between telomerase activity and tumor size, clinical stage, histology.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the reactivation of telomerase is an early event and may play an important role during cervical carcinogenesis and progression. It may be used as a tumor biomarker, helpful for the diagnosis of cervical cancer and CIN.

[Comparative study on liquid-based cytology for cervical carcinoma screening in a high-risk area of China]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of liquid-based cytology (ThinPrep Pap Test) for cervical carcinoma screening in a high incidence area, Xiangyuan county of Shanxi province.

METHODS

This study was performed on 1997 women residing in Xiangyuan county, a high incidence of cervical carcinoma. Exfoliative cervical samples and subsequent colposcopic biopsies were taken from all subjects. Cervical samples were collected into a liquid buffer for both ThinPrep Pap Test cytologic screening and human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA test. All tests were carried out independently and blindly of which the results were compared with those of HPV DNA detection and colposcopic biopsies.

RESULTS

When the cytologic diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of determined significance (ASCUS) was taken as the detection threshold and compared with the "standard" biopsy, the ThinPrep slides were able to detect 100%(12/12) of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 93.2% high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) which included 96.8% (30/31) CIN III, 90.7% (39/43) CIN II and 72.4%(92/127) low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL). When cytologic diagnosis of HSIL was used as the detection threshold, the ThinPrep slides were able to detect 100% (12/12) SCC and 87%(27/31) CIN III.

CONCLUSION

Cervical specimens collected into a liquid buffer are suitable for both cytologic screening and human papilloma virus test. The ThinPrep cytology demonstrates a high sensitivity for the detection of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and squamous cell carcinoma.

[Study on sputum cytology of lung cancer among Yunnan tin miners from 1992 to 1997]

BACKGROUND

To study the occupational lung cancer among Yunnan tin miners during 1992-1997 by sputum cytology.

METHODS

The data of cases and occupational high-risk population for lung cancer among tin miners (Age≥40 years old and worked underground and/or at smeltery≥10 years) were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 339 patients with lung cancer determined during six years, in which squamous cell carcinoma was 56.34%. The average incidence age was 65.78 years of age. The average positive rate to sputum cytology examination was 32.74%. The accuracy, specificity and sensitivity to sputum cytology examination were 99.35%, 99.81% and 39.22% respectively. The positive predictive value of sputum cytology examination was 62.01%, which was significantly higher than X-ray (33.05%)(P<0.01). There were 48 recessive lung cancer cases and 12 suspicious recessive lung cancer cases found with sputum cytology during the six years.

CONCLUSIONS

The sputum cytology examination is still one of the most effective methods for lung cancer screening among occupational high-risk population. The occupational high-risk population should be defined again (the tin miners' age≥50 years old and had worked underground and/or at smeltery≥10 years).

[Relationship between production input and secondary succession of earthworm population in salinity transforming region of north China--a case study in Quzhou County]

The analysis on earthworm diversity in the farmland ecosystem of salinity transforming region in Quzhou County, Hebei Province, showed that the secondary succession of earthworm population had a close relationship with the input of fertilizer and manure. An optimum input, especially manure input, could accelerate the secondary succession. The general trend of earthworm distribution was in the order of second experimental district > first experimental district > third experimental district > original area. The distribution, biomass and amount of earthworm varied in different types of land-use, and the relationship was in the order of vegetable field > crop field > orchard and margin land.

Direct observation of capillary condensation of a solid

We describe the direct condensation of a solid from vapor in an annular mica wedge. Neo-pentanol initially condenses as a liquid from 8 to 57 degrees C (the melting point T(m)), followed by nucleation of a solid from vapor for T<45 degrees C. Menthol (T(m) = 42 degrees C) gives only liquid condensates down to 12 degrees C. The adsorbed films of neo-pentanol, which unlike those of menthol show layering transitions, and the disordered crystalline phase of bulk neo-pentanol appear to facilitate condensation of the solid phase. There is evidence for a change in the nature of the solid neo-pentanol condensate with T.