[Preliminary study on assessment of lexiscan-induced blood-brain barrier opening and its level by CT perfusion imaging]

Objective: To evaluate the level of lexiscan-induced blood-brain barrier opening of healthy rabbits via CT perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) scan. Methods: Between November 2014 and May 2015, thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups: the experimental group A1 which received one injection of lexiscan(1 ml/kg); the experimental group A2 which received three times injection of lexiscan(total dose: 1.5 ml/kg), finished within 15 minutes; the control group B which was injected the same volume normal saline(1 ml/kg), after 30 minutes, CT PWI scan was performed. Then cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT) and permeability surface(PS) of the region of interest of each group were acquired and compared statistically. Five cases of each group were injected with 2% Evans blue intravenously posterior to imaging. After one hour of infusion, all the animals were killed. Their brains were examined for the determination of Evans blue distribution. Results: Both the values of CBF and CBV and the staining with Evans blue of the group A1(CBF: (89.88±2.21), (81.42±4.28) ml·(100 g)^-1·min^-1; CBV: (3.97±0.43), (3.66±0.16) ml/g)and group A2 (CBF: (75.16±0.84), (63.66±7.21) ml·(100 g)^-1·min^-1; CBV: (4.07±0.01), (3.75±0.05) ml/g) were higher than those of the group B(CBF: (20.08±5.08), (14.58±8.62) ml·(100 g)^-1·min^-1; CBV: (0.85±0.04), (0.65±0.17) ml/g), the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.01). While there was no statistically difference between group A1 and group A2(P>0.05). The value of PS of the group A2((22.43±8.09), (20.20±7.01)ml·(100 g)^-1·min^-1 )was higher than that of group A1((13.82±4.44), (10.12±2.44)ml·(100 g)^-1·min^-1) and group B(0.00, 0.00)(the lowest one), the differences were all statistically significant(all P<0.01). The value of MTT of the group A1((2.50±0.82, 2.47±0.10) s) had no statistical difference with group A2 and group B, while the value of group A2((4.50±0.17), (4.72±0.15) s) was higher than that of group B((1.88±0.09), (1.99±0.00) s), the differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Changes in hemodynamics of lexiscan-induced blood-brain barrier opening can be monitored by CT PWI scan. When the total dose of lexiscan increasing, the level of the BBB opening is higher with significantly increased CBF, CBV, PS and MTT.

[The clinical analyses of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder initially presenting with area postrema syndrome in 14 patients]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of the neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) with the area postrema syndrome as the initial symptom. Methods: A total of 14 cases were enrolled in the study with the diagnose of NMOSD and the area postrema syndrome as the initial symptom. All the clinical data and imaging profiles by the contrasted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and spinal cord were collected and analyzed. Results: The median age of onset was (38.1±17.0) years old and the gender ratio of female to male was 10∶4. The serum aquaporin-4(AQP4)-IgG was positive in 11 subjects and several autoimmune antibodies was positive in 7 subjects. The lesions revealed by MRI of the head mainly located in the area postrema and ependymal periphery which often presented as the linear medullary lesion, while linear lesions over three pieces of vertebra were shown by MRI of the spinal cord which mainly in the grey matter and with a"H" shape around the spinal central canal. Misdiagnose happened in 11 subjects with seven of gastroesophageal reflux disease, two of neurogenic vomiting, one of spinal cord tuberculosis and one of stroke. Conclusions: NMOSD should be considered in patients with unexplained intractable nausea, vomiting and/or hiccups lasted for 48 hours or above, especially in those with positive nervous signs. Contrasted MRI and serum AQP4-IgG need to be performed in the suspected patients. Early detection is crucial for patients with NMOSD.

Identification and expression analysis of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in humphead snapper Lutjanus sanguineus

A tdt gene was identified successfully from humphead snapper Lutjanus sanguineus, which contained 1710 bp encoding a protein of 463 amino acids. Results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) indicated that tdt mainly expressed in thymus and head kidney and the transcripts of tdt in these tissues were up-regulated significantly at 36 and 48 h after Vibrio harveyi infection. Meanwhile Tdt-producing cells were found in thymus and head kidney.

[Analysis of the clinical features of vestibular migraine with MRI changes]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of vestibular migraine with MRI changes. Methods: The clinical data of 150 patients with vestibular migraine completing MRI examination in navy general hospital from August 2008 to August 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.Clinical features of 94 (62.7%) vestibular migraine patients with MRI changes were collected and analyzed according to the medical history, clinical symptoms and signs, as well as the result of auxiliary examinations. Results: The manifestations of MRI in vestibular migraine patients were mainly multiple punctate equal T(1) and long T(2) signals or high signals on FLAIR (fluid attenuated inversion recovery) in subcortical white matter. The average age of the patients at the visit was (52±15) years old, with the male to female ratio of 1∶3.1. The occurrence of vertigo and migraine were in no particular order, with 54.3% patients presenting migraine several years before vertigo. The duration of vertigo was mostly 24 hours to 72 hours (31.9%). The visual aura (55.3%), photophobia and phonophobia (67.0%) were the most frequently associated symptoms. Conclusions: The vestibular migraine patients with MRI changes have its own specific clinical characteristics and are mainly seen in female with visual aura. The associated symptoms of vestibular migraine appear mostly during the process of vertigo. The pathogenesis of cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) is not clear.

Coexisting ventricular septal defect affects the features of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysms

Objectives:

To determine the correlation exists between ventricular septal defect (VSD) and ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSVA).

Methods:

Between September 2003 and April 2014, 80 RSVA patients underwent surgical repair. These patients were retrospectively divided into two groups: the VSD group (38 cases) and the non-VSD group (42 cases).

Results:

Rupture points of SVA originated more frequently in the right coronary sinus (RCS) of patients in the VSD group than those in the non-VSD group (p=0.002). In the VSD group, more than 92.1% tended to rupture into the right ventricular outflow tract. The rupture points are diverse in the non-VSD group. A significant difference was found in rupture points of RSVA between the two groups (p<0.001). Patients in the VSD group presented with aortic valve disease more often than those in the non-VSD group (p<0.001). A total of 67 patients were repaired with a patch at the opening of RSVA; of those, all patients in VSD group and 29 patients in non-VSD group were repaired with a patch. Nine patients in non-VSD group received transcatheter closure of RSVA.

Conclusion:

The presence or absence of VSD affects the rupture points of SVA, aortic valve disease involved, and therapeutic schedule. Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm type should be clinically modified on the basis of presence or absence of VSD.

[Anatomy and management of superior petrosal vein in microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of superior petrosal vein (SPV) and its influence on the surgical field in microvascular decompression (MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and to analyze the effect of the surgical treatment of SPV on the surgical approach, indication and prognosis. Methods: The clinical data of 280 patients with trigeminal neuralgia between Jan. 2013 and Jun. 2016 were collected, including the trunks and the branches of SPV, intraoperative electrocoagulation status, the surgery outcome and complications. Results: The petrosal vein during the operation was fully preserved in 152 cases (54.29%). The SPV were completely sectioned in 25 cases (8.92%), while some branches of SPV were sectioned in 103 cases (36.79%). We found that SPV have 1 to 3 trunks, accounted for 67 cases (23.90%), 168 cases (60%), and 45 cases (16.10%), while the SPV with 1 to 4 branches accounted for 17 cases (6.07%), 112 cases (40%), 136 cases (48.57%), and 15 cases (5.36%). The SPV was identified as offending vessel in 17 cases (6.07%). One patient with cutoff SPV trunk encountered cerebellar infarction and recovered completely at 2 weeks after MVD by using intravenous medication. Conclusions: MVD is the recommended treatment method for PTN, mostly SPV is unnecessary to be sectioned completely and small branches of SPV could be sacrificed. Very few patients may develop cerebellar infarction or hematoma.

[Prognostic factors for inability to walk independently in patients with multiple system atrophy]

Objective: To explore the prognostic factors for inability to walk independently in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). Methods: A total of 123 patients with clinically confirmed MSA admitted to Navy General Hospital and Dongfang Hospital affiliated to the Second Clinical Medical College of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from February 2013 to February 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data and all records were collected and all subjects were followed up by a telephone call in February 2016. The second milestone of activities of daily living scale (ADL), defined as inability to walk independently, was taken as the primary outcome. Eight possible prognostic factors were investigated and the survival analysis was performed with Cox proportional hazards model regression. Results: Of all the MSA patients, 74 subjects were men and 49 were women with a sex radio of 1.51∶1(M∶F). Seventy cases were diagnosed with MSA-cerebellar type (MSA-C) and 53 with MSA-Parkinson type (MSA-P) (C∶P=1.32∶1). Mean age at the onset of first symptom was (53±8) years old. All patients had severe autonomic nervous dysfunction. At the last follow-up, 56 cases (45.5%) were unable to walk independently. The median survival time from the onset of MSA to inability to walk independently was 73 months. The age of onset ≥ 55 years (HR=1.969, 95%CI 1.095-3.542, P=0.024) and the interval time from disease onset to combined motor and autonomic involvement≤3 years (HR=2.308, 95%CI 1.158-4.600, P=0.017) were independent prognostic factors for inability to walk independently, while gender, MSA clinical subtypes, initial symptoms, alcohol intake, smoking and toxic exposure were not indicators for independent walking (P>0.05). Conclusions: The prognostic factors for inability to walk independently in patients with MSA are the age of onset ≥55 years and the interval time from disease onset to combined motor and autonomic involvement≤3 years. Although factors including gender, MSA clinical subtypes, initial symptoms, alcohol intake, smoking and toxic exposure are not the predictive factors for inability to walk independently in our MSA patients, their roles in the prognosis of MSA still need further investigation.

[Ten-day Periodical of Traditional Chinese Medicine and its concept of confluence of Chinese and western medicine]

The Ten-day Periodical of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a TCM Journal founded by the Xiamen Professional School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in July 1934, had published a lot of essays written by many TCM physicians that interpret the concept of traditional Chinese medicine by western medicine, offering the academic way of probing confluence of Chinese and Western Medicine in Xiamen. The aim of the Journal includes "developing TCM academy" and the "confluence of TCM with western medicine" , the exploration of TCM and the penetration of Chinese and western medicine, and getting rid of blind faith on "science" to set up the belief of TCM and to prove the ideas of visceral theory and its gasification by the anatomical knowledge of western medicine. The Journal envisaged the difference between the TCM and WM, avoided blind convergence, representing the academic inheritance and progress of the era. Although the essays published might have made a forced analogy by over-praising TCM, however, its exploration and convergence of TCM and the experiences are helpful to modern scholars to properly manage the relation of TCM and WM to face the future challenge consciously.

[Intraarticular injection of bevacizumab in treatment of osteoarthritis: a laboratory research on a rabbit model]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of intraarticular injection of bevacizumab, sodium hyaluronate (SH) and 0.9% sodium chloride injection in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) in a rabbit model.

METHODS

Twenty-four male rabbits were randomly divided into bevacizumab group,SH group and control group after the model of OA had been made. The bevacizumab group and control group received intraarticular bevacizumab (4 mg) and 0.9% saline injection respectively once per three weeks for 2 times. The SH group received intraarticular SH once a week for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, the histological examinations of cartilage and synovium,electron microscopy and expression of vasculan endothelial growth factorl (VEGF), for the synovium, expression of MMP-1, Mankin's scale, macroscopic observation for cartilage were performed.

RESULTS

The histological observation of the bevacizumab group and the SH group showed that bevacizumab could decrease the synoviocytes and inhibit fibrous hyperplasia in synovial underlayer compard with the control group. Reduced apoptosis of chondrocytes and more integrated structure of matrix and more glycosaminoglycan were also found in the bevacizumab group and the SH group compared with control group. The expression of VEGF and MMP-1, Mankin's scale, macroscopic observation were significantly decreased in the bevacizumab group compared with the SH group and the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Intraarticular injection of bevacizumab and SH can relieve inflammation of OA and alleviate the pathologic process of OA. The Bevacizumab was better than the SH in therapeutic effect, which maybe implicate a better choice for the treatment of OA.

[Safety and efficacy of Cox-maze Ⅲ procedure for patients with atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cut-and-sew Cox-Maze (CM) Ⅲ procedure for patients with atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease.

METHODS

Patients received mitral valve replacement and CM procedure between January 2007 and July 2015, were 1∶1 matched and assigned to CM Ⅳ group (undergoing surgical ablation) and CM Ⅲ group (undergoing cut-and-sew CM Ⅲ). Safety indices, mortality rate, complications and recovery rate of sinus rhythm were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Mean extracorporeal circulation time was (154±22) min in the CM Ⅲ group and (136±21) min in the CM Ⅳ group (P<0.001), and aortic clamp time was (85±9) min in the CM Ⅲ group and (74±12) min in the CM Ⅳ group (P<0.001). One patient (1.18%) in the CM Ⅲ group died of multi-organ failure 4 day after left ventricular rupture being sucessfully repaired, and 2 patients died (2.35%) in the CM Ⅳ group ( 1 due to left ventricular rupture and 1 due to low cardiac output syndrome). There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups. Temporary pacemaker were applied for 76 cases (89.41%) in the CM Ⅲ and 70 cases (82.35%) in the CM Ⅳ group, without a statistical difference (P=0.186). There were also no statistical difference between the two groups in intraoperative urinary volume, postoperative drainage of fluid volume, hemoglobinuria, ventilator time, ICU time, hospital stay and the incidence of the complications (all P>0.05). Sinus rhythm recovery rate was 62.35 % in the CM Ⅲ group and 57.65 % in the CM Ⅳ group, without a statistical difference (P=0.531) at the operation day, but at discharge a statistical difference was found (97.62% in the CM Ⅲ group vs 81.93% in the CM Ⅳ group, P<0.001). All patients were followed up for three months, and no deaths occurred. Sinus rhythm recovery rate was 96.43 % in the CM Ⅲ group and 86.75% in the CM Ⅳ group, with a statistical difference (P=0.024).

CONCLUSION

The cut-and-sew Cox-Maze Ⅲ procedure is a safe and effective method for patients with atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease.

[Telescopic technique associated with mucosectomy in pancreaticoduodenectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility of the telescopic technique associated with mucosectomy in preventing pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODS

The data of 39 patients who received PD in the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University was retrospecively analyzed. We developed a safe and simple method of pancreaticojejunostomy in 39 patients, in whom approximately 3 cm of jejunal mucosa was cut to improve the adhesion between the loop and pancreatic parenchyma after end-to-end invagination.

RESULTS

This procedure was proved to be much more expeditious, and only 2 of 39(5.1%)patients had pancreatic leakages, who were treated with drainage only. No hemorrhage or cholangitis was observed. No postoperative mortality was observed.

CONCLUSION

The telescopic technique associated with mucosectomy is an acceptable and safe surgery for pancreaticojejunal anastomosis.

Molecular cloning, polymorphisms, and expression analysis of the RERG gene in indigenous Chinese goats

The current study aimed to investigate the coding sequence, polymorphisms, and expression of the RERG gene in indigenous Chinese goats. cDNA of RERG, obtained through reverse transcription PCR was analyzed using bioinformatic techniques. Polymorphisms in the exon regions of the RERG gene were identified and their associations with growth traits in three varieties of indigenous Chinese goats were investigated. Expression of the RERG gene in three goat breeds of the same age was detected using real-time quantitative PCR. The results revealed that the cDNA of RERG, which contained a complete open reading frame of 20-620 bp, was 629 bp in length. The associated accession numbers in GenBank are JN672576, JQ917222, and JN580309 for the QianBei Ma goat, the GuiZhou white goat, and the GuiZhou black goat, respectively. Four consistent SNP sites were found in the exon regions of the RERG gene for the three goat breeds. mRNA expression of the RERG gene differed between different tissues in adult goats of same age. The highest expression was observed in lung and spleen tissues, while the lowest expression was recorded in thymus gland tissue. In addition, the expression of the RERG gene in the muscle of Guizhou white goat, GuiZhou black goat, and QianBei Ma goat decreased sequentially. Our results lay the foundations for further investigation into the role of the RERG gene in goat growth traits.

Postoperative chemoradiotherapy improves survival in esophageal squamous cell cancer with extracapsular lymph node extension

In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), extracapsular extention (ECE) in metastatic lymph nodes portends high rate of recurrence and poor prognosis. To our knowledge, the effectiveness of postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in these patients has never been investigated. In this retrospective study, we compared the outcomes of surgery with or without postoperative chemoradiotherapy in ESCC patients with ECE. From 2008 to 2009, 90 ECSS patients with ECE were included. Among those patients, 47 only received curative surgery alone, and 43 received additional postoperative concurrent CRT which consisted of radiotherapy (median dose 50 Gy) and chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/m(2), days 1-4 and 29-32; cisplatinum 25 mg/m(2), days 1-3 and 29-31). Patients treated with postoperative CRT had significantly more T3/4 tumors (p=0.023). Based on log-rank stratified by T stage, postoperative adjuvant CRT significantly improved the overall survival (p=0.017) and progression free survival (p=0.002). In multivariate analysis, adjuvant CRT was identified as an independent prognostic factor (HR=0.494, CI 0.290-0.844, p=0.010). Compared with surgery alone, the CRT group had significantly fewer cases of regional recurrence (P=0.048) and overall recurrence (P=0.024). However, there was no significant difference in distant metastasis between two groups (P=0.755). In conclusion, our data suggest that the postoperative adjuvant CRT might be beneficial in selected subgroups of ESCC patients with ECE. To further verify these results, a prospective trial with a large sample size is needed.

Study of the relationship between the expression of nerve growth factor and aneurysm formation and prognosis

We sought to investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) expression on the formation and prognosis of cerebral aneurysms. Forty-eight cases were selected following a diagnosis of cerebral aneurysm using computed tomography angiography and surgical confirmation. Thirty-four cases of healthy deaths were also chosen. The tissue was tested for NGF expression changes by reverse-transcription PCR, Western blot and histopathology, and NGF expression was compared between the cerebral aneurysm and healthy groups. The expression level of NGF in cerebral aneurysm tissue was significantly increased over that observed in control tissue. The abnormal expression of NGF is related to cerebral aneurysms. The elevated expression of NGF in cerebral aneurysms may be associated with a poor prognosis.

Role of Nrf2 signal pathway in rats with deep hypothermia ischemia/reperfusion injury undergoing remote postconditioning

We investigated the protective effects of remote postconditioning (RPC) in the lungs of rats with deep hypothermia ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and the role of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling in this process. Forty-nine rats were randomly divided into a sham control group, deep hypothermia I/R group, RPC group, I/R+all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) group, I/R+RPC+ATRA group, I/R+tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) group, and I/R+RPC+tBHQ group. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to examine Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Compared with the sham control group, Nrf2 expression, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and the wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio were significantly increased in the I/R group, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly decreased. Pulmonary Nrf2 expression and SOD activity was significantly increased, and MDA content and the W/D ratio were significantly decreased in the RPC group compared with the I/R group. Compared with the I/R group, MDA and W/D ratio significantly decreased and SOD activity remarkably increased in I/R+tBHQ group. After ATRA intervention in the I/R+ATRA group, MDA content and W/D ratio increased and SOD activity decreased compared to the I/R group. MDA content and W/D ratio in the RPC+tBHQ group significantly decreased and SOD activity increased compared with in the RPC group (P < 0.01). In the RPC+ATRA group, MDA content and W/D ratio decreased while SOD activity increased compared with the RPC group (P < 0.01). RPC alleviated deep hypothermia I/R injury; the Nrf2 signaling pathway may be involved in the protective effects induced by RPC.

Implementation of the scale factor balance on two pairs of quartz-flexure capacitive accelerometers by trimming bias voltage

Gravity gradient measurement makes use of the difference between the outputs of pairs of linear accelerometers, which results in cancelling out the common mode accelerations caused by mounting platform and external environment. One of the key technologies is to match the acceleration-to-voltage or acceleration-to-current transfer functions of the pairs of the accelerometers to an extremely high degree of accuracy. The differential signals then make the gravity gradients observable. By using two pairs of the quartz-flexure accelerometers with a capacitive sensing and electrostatic closed-loop control, the electrostatic control bias voltages were trimming remotely and automatically in real time. Each pair of accelerometers was matched individually and then all four accelerometers were finally re-balanced. The experimental results show that the consistency of five digits is achieved at a noise level of ~5×10(-8) g/√Hz (1 g ≈ 9.8 m/s(2)) and the scale factors ranging from 0.25 to 0.32 V/mg. Further improvement to the achieved level of matching is limited by the intrinsic noise of the accelerometers used.

Pathological analysis of extracapsular extension of metastatic lymph node and its potential impact on nodal clinical target volume in the radiotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

There is no consensus regarding the clinical target volume (CTV) margins which surround the gross tumor volume of metastatic lymph nodes (LN) in radiotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study retrospectively assessed the distance of extracapsular extension (ECE) of metastatic LN in thoracic ESCC and defined nodal CTV margins. Histological sections of metastatic LNs from 217 patients with thoracic ESCC were re-examined. The incidence and maximal distance of ECE of metastatic LNs were assessed. The relationships between ECE and clinicopathologic features were also investigated. The ECE was found in 37.3% of patients (81/217) and 23.1% of metastatic LN (159/689), and the incidences had a significant relationship with N stage and LN size. The median distance of ECE was 1.0 mm (range, 0.2-9.7 mm). The distance of ECE showed a positive correlation with LN size (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.419; p<0.001). The ECE distances of LN with <10 mm diameter were significantly smaller than LN with 10-30 mm diameter (p<0.001). The 95th percentiles of ECE distances for these two groups were 3 mm and 5 mm, respectively. For pathologic LN <10 mm in diameter, a 3-mm CTV margin appears to be adequate to encompass 95% of the microscopic ECE, and for LN 10-30 mm, a 5-mm CTV margin is recommended.

First Report of Rust of Plumeria rubra Caused by Coleosporium plumeriae in Guangdong Province, China

Plumeria spp. are ornamental trees commonly planted in parks and gardens, and Plumeria rubra cultivars (Frangipani) is most common in Guangdong Province, China. A rust disease of P. rubra was observed on leaves of susceptible plants from August to December 2013. Ten nurseries were surveyed in September 2013, and 91% (220 of 240) of the plumeria plants were infected with rust. Symptoms first appeared as chlorotic spots (about 1 mm in diameter) appearing on adaxial leaf surfaces and then spread to whole leaf, and infection further resulted in leaf necrosis and abscission. Therefore, the ornamental value of diseased trees was greatly diminished. Bright yellow or yellow-orange uredinia were hypophyllous and produced under the epidermis. Urediniospores were catenulate, globose, ovoid or ellipsoid, and sometimes angular in appearance, ranging from 20.0 to 42.0 μm in length by 14.1 to 25.6 μm in width. Their walls were verrucose and 1.3 to 3.2 μm thick. No teliospores were observed. The rust was identified as Coleosporium plumeriae Pat. based on urediniospore morphology (2). Species identity was confirmed with a 1,551-bp sequence (GenBank Accession No. KF879087) of ITS rDNA amplified with rust-specific primers Rust2inv and LR6 (1). The amplicon had a 100% similarity to C. plumeriae (GU145555). Pathogenicity was confirmed by spraying a urediniospores suspension (15,000 spores ml^-1) on five plants of P. rubra cultivar. Five leaves of each plant were inoculated and sealed in plastic bags, while five control plants were applied with sterile water. Plants were held at 28°C for 36 h in a dew chamber. All inoculated leaves developed typical rust symptoms with the uredinia appearing after 9 days, no symptoms developed on any control plants. Urediniospores were produced on infected leaves and pathogen identity was confirmed by morphology and re-sequencing of the ITS rDNA. Plumeria rust was first found in Hong Kong (4) and then in Hainan and Yunnan Provinces, China (3). However, this is the first report of plumeria rust in Guangdong Province, China. Frangipani has large, colorful flowers in the summer, and this rapidly spreading disease causes severe damage and affects their aesthetic value in the second half of the year. References: (1) M. C. Aime. Mycoscience 47:112, 2006. (2) N. Patouillard. Bull. Soc. Mycol. Fr. 18:171, 1902. (3) Q. Wang et al. New Dis. Rep. 23, doi:10.5197/j.2044-0588.2011.023.010, 2011. (4) J. Yan et al. Mycosystema 25:327, 2006 (in Chinese).

Association of polymorphisms of the xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group F gene with increased glioma risk

We aimed to investigate the role of 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms of the xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group F (XPF) gene (rs3136038, rs1799798, rs1800067, and rs2276466) in glioma, and the roles of gene-gene interactions in the risk of developing this type of cancer. We collected samples from 225 glioma cases and 262 controls and genotyped the rs3136038, rs1799798, rs1800067, and rs2276466 polymorphisms using a 384-well plate format with the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Individuals carrying the rs1800067 GG genotype were more likely to have an increased risk of glioma when compared with carriers of the A/A genotype in a co-dominant model, with an odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 2.85 (1.14-7.76). However, we did not find an association with increased risk of glioma for the polymorphisms rs3136038, rs1799798, and rs2276466 in XPF. The combination genotype of the rs1800067 G allele and the rs2276466 G allele was associated with a moderate risk of glioma (OR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.02-2.87). Our study suggests that the rs1800067 genetic variant of XPF functions in the development of glioma.

Carvedilol for prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) remains the most common complication after cardiac surgery. Current guidelines recommend β-blockers to prevent POAF. Carvedilol is a non-selective β-adrenergic blocker with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and multiple cationic channel blocking properties. These unique properties of carvedilol have generated interest in its use as a prophylaxis for POAF.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of carvedilol in preventing POAF.

METHODS

PubMed from the inception to September 2013 was searched for studies assessing the effect of carvedilol on POAF occurrence. Pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using random- or fixed-effect models when appropriate. Six comparative trials (three randomized controlled trials and three nonrandomized controlled trials) including 765 participants met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Carvedilol was associated with a significant reduction in POAF (relative risk [RR] 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37 to 0.64, p<0.001). Subgroup analyses yielded similar results. In a subgroup analysis, carvedilol appeared to be superior to metoprolol for the prevention of POAF (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.70, p<0.001). No evidence of heterogeneity was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, carvedilol may effectively reduce the incidence of POAF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. It appeared to be superior to metoprolol. A large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trial is needed to conclusively answer the question regarding the utility of carvedilol in the prevention of POAF.

Analysis report for osteosarcoma expression profile

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma is a kind of highly malignant primary bone tumor which most common in the teenage, and holds strong aggressive, earlier organs metastases mainly to lung, prone to postoperative recur. Therefore for osteosarcoma, invasion and transfer mechanism and related factors' interaction remains to be a key research subject.

AIM

We aim to find biological molecules marker can be used for osteosarcoma diagnosis through contrast of osteosarcoma sample and normal tissue samples.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This analysis using human osteosarcoma expression profile data and three lesions normal tissue samples (liver, kidneys, lymph) expression data and compare them, and find significant specifically expressed genes, according to their function.

RESULTS

Research shows that the cancer cell proliferation, invasion, transfer and recurrent process involve many factors interaction, of which angiogenesis is the necessary condition of tumor growth, transfer and the recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Now the most important positive regulatory factor of angiogenesis is VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor). Both of them are with a wide variety and close relationship of tumor angiogenesis and progress.

First Report of Bacterial Soft Rot on Tagetes patula Caused by Dickeya dieffenbachiae in China

French marigold (Tagetes patula L.), originally from Mexico, is an annual herb widely planted in China because of its beautiful color, long flowering, and strong adaptability, and has been used widely for ornamentation and decorating. French marigold is also rich in patuletin, quercetagetin, and patulitrin, and is therefore applied medicinally for treating colds and coughs. In early summer 2012, soft rot symptoms on French marigold were found at three flower nurseries in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P. R. China, and approximately 25% of the plants had the symptoms. The symptoms included tissue collapse of the stems at the soil line followed by wilting of the whole plants. Within 1 week, the infected stems showed vascular discoloration, turned brown and then inky black, and eventually the whole plant collapsed after the basal stem was infected. Bacteria were successfully isolated from eight symptomatic plants on nutrient agar media incubated at 30°C for 48 h. Ten isolates were selected randomly for further characterization. They were gram negative, degraded pectate, negative for oxidase and positive for indole production, and utilized malonate, glucose, and sucrose but not glucopyranoside, trehalose, or palatinose. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed using the 16S primers 27f and 1495r (4) for molecular identification. Subsequent DNA sequencing showed that the representative tested strain TP1 (GenBank Accession No. JX575747) was 99% identical to that of Dickeya dieffenbachiae (JF419463) using BLASTn. Further genetic analysis of strain TP1 was performed targeting several housekeeping genes, i.e., dnaX (GenBank Accession No. JX575748) with primers dnaxf and dnaxr (3), gyrB (JX575749) with primers of gyrbf1 and gyrbr1 (1), and gapA (JX575750) with primers of gapa326f and gapa845r (2). They were most homologous to the sequences of D. dieffenbachiae, since they had 97%, 96%, and 97% identity with GenBank accessions GQ904794, JF311653, and GQ891968, respectively. Pathogenicity was confirmed by injecting all 10 original bacterial isolates into each of 10 French marigold seedlings, with approximately 100 μl of a bacterial suspension at 1 × 108 CFU/ml. Ten plants inoculated with 100 μl of sterile water served as controls. Plants were placed in a greenhouse at 30 to 32°C and 90% relative humidity. Within 48 h, soft rot symptoms appeared on all inoculated seedlings, while the control plants appeared normal. D. dieffenbachiae was reisolated from the diseased tissues, and confirmed to be the same as the inoculated pathogen by conducting a 16S rDNA sequence comparison. Previously, black spot, botrytis blight, oedema, powdery mildew, southern bacterial wilt, and damping off have been found on T. patula. To our knowledge, it is the first report of a soft rot caused by D. dieffenbachiae on French marigold. Because of the popularity and high economic value of French marigold, identification of this progressing bacterial disease is important to maintain safe production and beautiful scenery. References: (1) B. R. Lin et al. Plant Dis. 96:452, 2012. (2) S. Nabhan et al. Plant Pathol. 61:498, 2012. (3) M. Sławiak et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 125:245, 2009. (4) W. G. Weisburg. J. Bacteriol. 173:697, 1991.

First Report of Colletotrichum boninense Causing Anthracnose on Pepper in China

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is a severe disease and results in large losses in pepper (Capsicum frutescens) production in China (4). Colletotrichum boninense is one of the Colletotrichum species in pepper in China. In August 2011, anthracnose symptoms (circular, sunken lesions with orange to black spore masses) were observed on pepper fruits in De-Yang, Sichuan Province, China. Three single-spore isolates (SC-6-1, SC-6-2, SC-6-3) were obtained from the infected fruits. A 5-mm diameter plug was transferred to potato dextrose agar (PDA); the isolates formed colonies with white margins and circular, dull orange centers. The conidia were cylindrical, obtuse at both ends, and 10.5 to 12.6 × 4.1 to 5.0 μm. The colonies grew rapidly at 25 to 28°C, and the average colony diameter was 51 to 52 mm after 5 days on PDA at 25°C. Based upon these characters, the causal agent was identified as C. boninense. To confirm the identity of the isolates, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were amplified with the ITS1/ITS4 universal primers (1). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences (Accession No. JQ926743) of the causal fungus shared 99 to 100% homology with ITS sequences of C. boninense in GenBank (Accession Nos. FN566865 and EU822801). The identity of the causal agent as C. boninense was also confirmed by species-specific primers (Col1/ITS4) (2). In a pathogenicity test, five detached ripe pepper fruits were inoculated with 1 μl of a conidial suspension (10⁶ conidia/mL) or five fruits with 1 μl of sterile water were kept as control. After 7 days in a moist chamber at 25°C, typical anthracnose symptoms had developed on the five inoculated fruits but not on control fruits. C. boninense was reisolated from the lesions, and which was confirmed by morphology and molecular methods as before. There have reports of C. boninense infecting many species of plants, including pepper (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. boninense causing anthracnose on pepper in China. References: (1) A. K. Lucia et al. Phytopathology 93:581, 2002. (2) S. A. Pileggi et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 55:1081, 2009. (3) H. J. Tozze et al. Plant Dis. 93:106, 2009. (4) M. L. Zhang. J. Anhui Agri. Sci. 2:21, 2000.

Experimental evidence for fluctuating, chiral-type Au55 clusters by direct atomic imaging

We report the atomic-scale structures and fluctuating dynamical behavior of size-selected Au(55) clusters obtained by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) coupled with systematic STEM simulations. No high-symmetry structures (face-centered cubic polyhedron, icosahedron, or decahedron) were observed in our statistical investigation. We find Au(55) clusters that are characteristic of the theoretically predicted chiral structure and similar sister isomers (which together we define as the chiral structural zone). The chiral structural zone was found to arise repeatedly in the time-lapse sequences of images we measured, though other amorphous-like structures are also frequently observed. The approach demonstrated here can be applied to identify specific low-symmetry atomic structures in other small clusters and distinguish them unambiguously from high-symmetry isomers.