Nicosulfuron Biodegradation by a Novel Cold-Adapted Strain Oceanisphaera psychrotolerans LAM-WHM-ZC

Nicosulfuron is a common environmental pollutant, posing a great threat to aquatic systems and causing significant damage to crops. This study reported a cold-adapted strain Oceanisphaera psychrotolerans LAM-WHM-ZC, which efficiently degrades nicosulfuron over a wide range of temperatures (5 to 40 °C). The Box-Behnken design method was used to optimize the degradation conditions. O. psychrotolerans LAM-WHM-ZC can degrade 92.4% and 74.6% of initially supplemented 100 mg/L nicosulfuron under the optimum and low temperature of 18.1 and 5 °C, respectively, within 7 days. O. psychrotolerans LAM-WHM-ZC was found to be highly efficient in degrading cinosulfuron, chlorsulfuron, rimsulfuron, bensulfuron methyl, and ethametsulfuron methyl. Metabolites from nicosulfuron degradation were identified by UPLC-MS, and a possible degradation pathway was proposed. Furthermore, O. psychrotolerans LAM-WHM-ZC can also degrade nicosulfuron in soil; 78.6% and 67.4% of the initial nicosulfuron supplemented at 50 mg/kg were removed at 18.1 and 5 °C, respectively, within 15 days.

Multicentre randomized controlled trial with sensor-augmented pump vs multiple daily injections in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes in China: Time to reach target glucose

AIM

Sensor-augmented pump (SAP) technology, which combines continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM), has been available for several years in China. In this study, the time required to reach predefined glycaemic targets with SAP vs multiple daily injection (MDI) therapy was compared in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

Adults (aged 18-65 years) with T2DM treated with insulin and admitted to hospital for glucose management were randomized to either SAP (Medtronic MiniMed™ Paradigm™ 722 system) or MDI with blinded CGM (Medtronic MiniMed CGMS System Gold™) for a 2-week period. Glycaemic targets were defined as three preprandial measurements between 80 and 130mg/dL (4.4 and 7.2mmol/L) and three 2-h postprandial measurements between 80 and 180mg/dL (4.4 and 10.0mmol/L) within the same day.

RESULTS

When data from 81 patients (40 SAP, 41 MDI) were analysed, 21 patients using SAP therapy, compared with six using MDI therapy, achieved their glycaemic targets within 3 days, and their time to reach their glucose targets was significantly shorter (3.7±1.1 vs 6.3±3.1 days for MDI; P<0.001), while three MDI patients failed to reach glycaemic targets within 14 days. SAP vs MDI patients experienced significantly less hypoglycaemia [sensor glucose<50mg/dL (2.8mmol/L): 0.04% vs 0.32%, respectively; P<0.05] and significantly less hyperglycaemia [sensor glucose>180mg/dL (10mmol/L): 21.56% vs 35.03%, respectively; P<0.05].

CONCLUSION

SAP vs MDI therapy in hospitalized patients with T2DM significantly reduced the time required to achieve glycaemic targets, and such systems may be a cost-effective way to improve glucose control and reduce hospital stays in T2DM patients.

Gastrointestinal tract development in fattening lambs fed diets with different amylose to amylopectin ratios

Thirty-six, 7-d-old male lambs of similar weights were used in the current study to examine the effects of dietary amylose to amylopectin ratios (amylose/amylopectin) on gastrointestinal development in fattening lambs fed concentrates with different sources of starch (tapioca, wheat, maize, and pea) and amylose/amylopectin (0.12, 0.23, 0.24, and 0.48, respectively). The maize starch (MS) and wheat starch (WS) diets improved weight and volume of gastrointestinal. The pea starch diet significantly increased papillar height (P < 0.001), papillar surface area (P = 0.019), and density of papillae (P = 0.001) in the rumen. Additionally, the pea starch diet significantly enhanced villus height, crypt depth, and villus surface area and villus/crypt ratio (P < 0.05) in small intestine. Expressions of insulin-like growth factors I (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factors’ receptors (IGF-1R) significantly increased in the duodenum mucosa (P = 0.021, P = 0.006, respectively), jejunum mucosa (P = 0.002, P = 0.005, respectively), and ileum mucosa (P = 0.003, P < 0.01, respectively) in the pea starch diet group. The results of the present study show that MS and WS accelerated physical development of rumen and intestine compartments, whereas pea starch increased development of their some morphological parameters, possibly through enhanced expression of genes such as IGF-1 and IGF-1R in fattening lambs.

Genetic correlations between female fertility and postweaning growth and feed efficiency traits in multibreed beef cattle

With selection in beef cattle now incorporating feed efficiency, knowing the relationship with other traits is needed. Genetic relationships were estimated with an animal model in ASReml with a three-generation pedigree inclusive of 2882 animals. Multibreed data from two Ontario beef research farms with fertility traits were available on 1366 females and postweaning traits, including feed efficiency on 1297 individuals. Estimates of heritability for fertility traits were low to moderate ranging from 0.03 ± 0.01 for pregnancy rate to 0.21 ± 0.02 for gestation length, and postweaning traits were moderate to high with feed conversion ratio at 0.22 ± 0.06 to mid-metabolic weight at 0.89 ± 0.01. Both dry matter intake and mid-metabolic weight were genetically correlated with most fertility traits from −0.52 to 0.34. The genetic correlation between average daily gain and days to calving was moderately negative (–0.33 ± 0.16) as was residual feed intake with days to calving (–0.34 ± 0.17). Bigger cows with more feed intake and faster growth were more fertile, and residual feed intake had an unfavorable genetic correlation with days to calving, indicating that programs to select for feed efficiency should include fertility simultaneously in a selection index.

Efficacy and safety of liraglutide versus sitagliptin, both in combination with metformin, in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes: a 26-week, open-label, randomized, active comparator clinical trial

AIMS

To compare the efficacy and safety of liraglutide versus sitagliptin as add-on to metformin after 26 weeks of treatment in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

This 26-week open-label, active comparator trial (NCT02008682) randomized patients (aged 18-80 years) with T2DM inadequately controlled with metformin [glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 7.0-10.0% (53-86 mmol/mol)] 1 : 1 to once-daily subcutaneously administered liraglutide 1.8 mg (n = 184) or once-daily oral sitagliptin 100 mg (n = 184), both as add-on to metformin. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1c from baseline to week 26.

RESULTS

Liraglutide was superior to sitagliptin in reducing HbA1c from baseline [8.1% (65 mmol/mol)] to 26 weeks, as evidenced by estimated mean HbA1c change of -1.65% (-18.07 mmol/mol) versus -0.98% (-10.72 mmol/mol), respectively [estimated treatment difference for liraglutide vs sitagliptin of -0.67% (95% CI -0.86, -0.48) or -7.35 mmol/mol (95% CI -9.43; -5.26); p < 0.0001]. More patients receiving liraglutide (76.5%) than sitagliptin (52.6%) achieved the HbA1c target of <7.0% (53 mmol/mol) at week 26 [odds ratio 3.65 (95% CI 2.18, 6.12); p < 0.0001]. Reductions in fasting plasma glucose, 7-point self-measured plasma glucose and body weight were greater with liraglutide than with sitagliptin (p < 0.0001 for all). More patients experienced nausea (14.8% vs 0.5%), diarrhoea (8.2% vs 2.2%) and decreased appetite (10.9% vs 0.5%) with liraglutide than sitagliptin. Two hypoglycaemic episodes were confirmed for liraglutide and one for sitagliptin; none were severe or nocturnal.

CONCLUSIONS

Liraglutide provided better glycaemic control and greater body weight reduction than sitagliptin when administered as add-on to metformin. More patients had nausea, diarrhoea and decreased appetite with liraglutide versus sitagliptin.

From fighting depression to conquering tumors: a novel tricyclic thiazepine compound as a tubulin polymerization inhibitor

A novel tricyclic thiazepine derivative, 6-(p-tolyl)benzo[f] pyrido[2,3-b][1,4] thiazepine 11,11-dioxide (TBPT), exhibits potent inhibitory effects in two non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines, H460 and its drug-resistant variant, H460_TaxR, while exhibiting much less toxic effects on normal human fibroblasts. After five injections of TBPT at a dose of 60 mg/kg, it inhibits H460_TaxR tumor growth in xenografted mouse models by 66.7% without causing observable toxicity to normal tissues. Based on gene perturbation data and a series of investigations, we reveal that TBPT is not a P-glycoprotein substrate and it inhibits microtubule formation by targeting tubulin, thereby causing cell cycle arrest at the G2/M stage and eventually inducing apoptosis. This redeployment of anti-depressant compound scaffold for anticancer applications provides a promising future for conquering drug-resistant tumors with fewer side effects.

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor is involved in modulating colonic motor function via nitric oxide release in C57BL/6 female mice

BACKGROUND

Estrogen may regulate gastrointestinal motor functions, but the mechanism(s) is not totally understood. Here, we investigated whether G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER/GPR30) was involved in regulating colonic motor functions and explored the underlying physiological mechanisms.

METHODS

Adult female C57BL/6 mice were used. The expression and localization of GPER were examined by RT-PCR, western blot, and immuno-labeling. The role of GPER in modulating colonic motor functions was assessed by the bead propulsion test in vivo and organ bath experiments in vitro.

KEY RESULTS

GPER was expressed in colonic myenteric neurons. The colonic transit time (CTT) in proestrus and estrus was significantly longer than that in diestrus. In vivo treatment with the selective GPER blocker G15 significantly shortened CTT in proestrus and estrus. In ovariectomized mice, acute estrogen supplementation increased CTT, which could be abolished by G15 co-administration. The GPER agonist G-1 caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of carbachol -induced circular muscle strips contraction, which was abolished by tetrodotoxin and the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitor N-propyl-l-arginine. G-1 stimulated NO production in isolated longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus and cultured myenteric neurons, which was dependent on nNOS. Immunofluorescence labeling showed co-localization of GPER with nNOS in the myenteric plexus.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

We suggest that activation of GPER exerts an inhibitory effect on colonic motility by promoting NO release from myenteric nitrergic nerves. These results raise a possibility that GPER may be involved in mediating the inhibitory effect of estrogen on colonic motor functions, via a non-genomic, neurogenic mechanism.

Comparison of efficacy of different embolic agents on uterine leiomyoma

The aim of this study was to explore the efficacies, postoperative side effects, and complications of uterine artery embolization (UAE) treatments for uterine leiomyoma (UL) with different embolic agents. The study included 107 patients with UL that were treated with UAE with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA group) or pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion and silk-segment (PLES group). Six months later, the improvement rate of anaemia, the menstrual improvement rate, the incidence rate of fever, the disappearance rates of compression symptoms and abdominal symptoms in the PVA group were 93.8%, 94.7%, 22.0%, 60.0%, and 88.9%, respectively, which showed no significant difference from those in the PLES group (90.5%, 92.3%, 84.8%, 53.3%, and 8 1.3%, respectively). The incidence rate of fever after embolization in PVA group was significantly lower than that in PLES group (c² = 41.958, p = 0.000). However, the efficacy, improvement rate of symptoms, and postoperative side effects of two groups showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). PVA and PLES have significant efficacy for UAE treatment on patients with UL.

Sleep duration and snoring associate with hypertension and glycaemic control in patients with diabetes

AIMS

Few studies have analysed the effect of sleep duration and snoring on hypertension and glycaemic control in patients with diabetes. This study aims to investigate the relationship of sleep duration and snoring on prevalent hypertension and glycaemic control in people with diabetes.

METHODS

In the baseline survey of the REACTION study, 56 032 patients with diabetes were categorized into four groups according to self-reported sleep duration: < 6, 6-7.9, 8-8.9 and ≥ 9 h. Snoring frequency was evaluated as 'usually', 'occasionally' or 'never'. Hypertension was assessed by systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, self-reported previous diagnosis and antihypertensive medications. 'Good' glycaemic control was defined as HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) and 'poor' glycaemic control as HbA1c ≥ 53 mmol/mol (7.0%).

RESULTS

Controlling for potential confounders and intermediates, sleep ≥ 9 h relative to intermediate sleep (6-7.9 h) was significantly associated with prevalent hypertension (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.18-1.32) and poor glycaemic control (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05-1.18), and a U-shaped association was found between sleep duration and prevalent hypertension (P for quadratic trend = 0.019). Usually snoring was positively associated with prevalent hypertension (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.23-1.37), whereas the association between snoring and poor glycaemic control was only on the borderline of statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with a sleep duration of 6-7.9 h, longer sleep duration was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension and poor glycaemic control in people with diabetes. Moreover, the relationship between sleep duration and prevalent hypertension was U-shaped. These findings may propose important public health implications for diabetes management.

12 cases of primary thyroid lymphoma in China

INTRODUCTION

Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is a rare malignant disease, which can be life threatening because of airway obstruction due to a suddenly and rapidly growing mass. Prompt and accurate detection and diagnosis in the early phase of PTL are crucial for the treatment of this disease. However, due to lack of standardized diagnostic procedures and methods, PTL can be easily missed or misdiagnosed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 12 thyroid lymphomas cases to determine the typical clinical and sonographic profiles of thyroid lymphomas.

RESULTS

All the patients showed symptoms of rapidly developing neck swelling or mass sensation when they underwent diagnostic procedures. We found that, in sonography, 3 of the 12 patients (25.0 %) showed diffuse heterogeneous hypoechoic parenchyma with intervening echogenic septa-like structures, 8 (66.7 %) showed markedly hypoechoic masses, and 1 (8.3 %) showed a mixed pattern. Histological analysis of the lymphomas using paraffin-embedded sections revealed that all the 12 lymphomas were non-Hodgkin lymphoma with a B cell origin: extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphomas of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma type in 3 (MALT, 25.0 %), and diffuse large B cell lymphomas in 9 (75.0 %) lymphomas. All the MALT patients had diffuse heterogeneous hypoechoic parenchyma in sonography, but only one of them with diffuse large B cell lymphomas had diffuse heterogeneous hypoechoic parenchyma in sonography. Complete remission was achieved in all patients when they were given CHOP or COP therapy accompanied by local radiotherapy after accurate diagnosis of PTL.

CONCLUSION

We analyzed clinical, sonographic and histological features of twelve cases of malignant lymphoma arising in the thyroid gland and proposed a systematic strategy for prompt and accurate diagnosis of PTL.

Prevalence of restless legs syndrome and sleep quality in carriers of the fragile X premutation

This study examined the relationship between the fragile X premutation and restless legs syndrome (RLS). Demographic, medical history and survey responses related to sleep were collected from 213 participants (127 carriers and 86 age matched controls). Subjects were asked about the presence of the four formal diagnostic criteria for RLS. Individuals with the premutation were 1.9 times as likely to meet criteria for RLS (95% CI 1.1–3.2, p=0.025) as controls. Premutation carriers with RLS also experienced significantly worse symptoms than matched controls with adjusted mean scores of 15.1±8.8 vs 7.9±4.4, respectively on the International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS). As markers for domains of sleep disturbance, all subjects completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISA) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Premutation carriers demonstrated significantly more pathology on these tests except for the ESS where there was a trend towards increased daytime sleepiness in carriers. RLS joins a host of other conditions that should be carefully screened for in those carrying the fragile X premutation and sleep should be a focus for clinicians providing care to them.

Two new four-connected zeolite-like magnesium aluminophosphates with intersecting 8-ring channels

JU94 and JU95 are synthesized in the same reaction system, but exhibit different zeolite-like frameworks containing 2D 8-ring channels.

Oxalate degradation in a bioelectrochemical system: reactor performance and microbial community characterization

The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of using oxalate at the anode in a continuous reactor. Complete oxalate removal was observed, albeit at a maximum coulombic efficiency of 33.9±0.4%. At the cathode side, there was an increase in pH from 8 to 11 showing production of caustic. Analysis of the microbial community demonstrated a clear shift during reactor start-up, resulting in enrichment of microorganisms belonging to Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Mollicutes, and β and γ-Proteobacteria. Methane was produced throughout the experiment; Archaea belonging to the Methanosarcinacea, Methanomicrobiaceae and Methanosaetaceae were identified as key representatives.

Identification of LRP16 as a negative regulator of insulin action and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Leukemia related protein 16 (LRP16) was first cloned from acute myeloid leukemia cells in our laboratory. In the present study, we sought to investigate the role of LRP16 in insulin action and sensitivity, using LRP16-depleted and -overexpressing 3T3-L1 cells. LRP16 silencing resulted in a reduction of the expression and secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and a concomitant increase in the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ). Moreover, LRP16 depletion promoted insulin-induced glucose uptake and adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. In contrast, LRP16 overexpression increased TNF-α secretion, suppressed glucose uptake, and attenuated 3T3-L1 cell differentiation. The phosphorylation levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K), and Akt were increased in LRP16-deficient 3T3-L1 cells, and conversely, diminished in LRP16-overexpressing 3T3-L1 cells, when compared to the corresponding control cells. Additionally, LRP16 overexpression raised the phosphorylation level of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The pretreatment with rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mTOR, prevented the TNF-α elevation and PPAR-γ reduction and restored the phosphorylation of IRS-1, PI3-K, and Akt in LRP16-overexpressing cells. Our data collectively indicate that LRP16 acts as a negative regulator of insulin action and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which involves the activation of the mTOR signaling pathway.

Phenotype characterization and sequence analysis of BMP2 and BMP4 variants in two Mexican families with oligodontia

Both BMP2 and BMP4 are involved in tooth development. We examined phenotypes and BMP2 and BMP4 gene variations in two Mexican oligodontia families. Physical and oral examinations and panoramic radiographs were performed on affected and unaffected members in these two families. The affected members lacked six or more teeth. DNA sequencing was performed to detect BMP2 and BMP4 gene variations. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in BMP2 and BMP4 genes were identified in the two families, including one synonymous and two missense SNPs: BMP2 c261A>G, pS87S, BMP2 c570A>T, pR190S, and BMP4 c455T>C, pV152A. Among the six affected patients, 67% carried "GG" or "AG" genotype in BMP2 c261A>G and four were "TT" or "AT" genotype in BMP2 c570A>T (pR190S). Polymorphism of BMP4 c455T>C resulted in amino acid changes of Val/Ala (pV152A). BMP2 c261A>G and BMP4 c455T>C affect mRNA stability. This was the first time that BMP2 and BMP4 SNPs were observed in Mexican oligodontia families.