Redescription of Chloromyxum ellipticum Li & Nie, 1973 (Myxosporea: Chloromyxidae) infecting the gall bladder of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus Valenciennes, 1844, supplemented by morphological and molecular characteristics

The traditional taxonomy of the genus Chloromyxum Mingazzini, 1890 has been intensively challenged to be paraphyletic by recent ribosomal DNA (rDNA)-based phylogenetic analysis. Undersampling to get rich sequence data to infer more scientific phylogenetic relationships makes scientists conservatively assign all non-marine elasmobranch-infecting species as Chloromyxum sensu lato. Although complex ridge pattern on the spore surface observed by scanning electron microscopy was thought to be critical for the identification of Chloromyxum species, insufficient data also prevent this ultrastructural data to be a valid taxonomic feature for this genus. It is especial for Chloromyxum species to be reported in China. Molecular and ultrastructural characteristics are yet available for all 22 Chloromyxum species recorded in China. During the investigation of the diversity of coelozoic fish myxosporeans, Chloromyxum ellipticum Li & Nie, 1973 was found to highly infect the gall bladder of Ctenopharyngodon idellus Valenciennes, 1844 in Poyang Lake watershed of Jiangxi province, Eastern China. Here, we redescribed it by the currently recommended holistic approach of combining morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular characteristics. Mature spores were found floating free in the gall bladder, but no plasmodium observed. Spores are typical freshwater teleost-infecting Chloromyxum species, spherical or subspherical in lateral view, measuring 7.7 ± 0.08 μm (6.9-9.1) in length, 6.3 ± 0.09 μm (5.6-7.6) in width, and 5.8 ± 0.20 μm (5.2-6.3) in thickness. Four pyriform polar capsules, located at the anterior end of the spores, were equal in size, 3.3 ± 0.06 μm (2.2-4.1) long and 2.1 ± 0.03 μm (1.7-2.5) wide. Polar filaments coiled with four to five turns. Two equal spore valves are symmetrical, with 10-16 surface extrasutural ridges per valve, aligned along the longitudinal axis. The obtained partial 18S rDNA of C. ellipticum did not match any sequences available in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. ellipticum clustered firstly with Chloromyxum legeri with robust nodal support and grouped then with urinary system of freshwater teleost-infecting Chloromyxum clade, rather than other gall bladder of freshwater teleost-infecting clade.

[A trend analysis of the incidence of occupational diseases in Chongqing, China, from 2006 to 2014]

Objective: To investigate the incidence of occupational diseases in Chongqing, China, from 2006 to 2014, and to analyze the harm, features, and trend of occupational diseases in Chongqing. Methods: The data of new cases of occupational diseases from 2006 to 2014 were collected, and the patients with a confirmed diagnosis of occupational diseases were selected as study subjects to analyze the incidence of occupational diseases in Chongqing. Results: There were 17499 cases of occupational diseases in total in Chongqing from 2006 to 2014. Among these patients, 17124 (97.86%) were male, most of whom (95.40%) had occupational pneumoconiosis, and 375 (2.14%) were female, most of whom (72.80%) had occupational chemical poisoning. There were 16400 cases (93.72%) of occupational pneumoconiosis in total, mainly coal workers' pneumoconiosis (55.87%) and silicosis (43.02%) , and the main industries involved were coal mining and washing, railway transport equipment manufacturing, and mining and washing of bituminous coal and anthracite. There were 724 cases of occupational poisoning in total; there were 281 cases of acute occupational poisoning, mainly gas poisoning (39.86%) and carbon monoxide poisoning (33.10%) ; there were 443 cases of chronic occupational poisoning, mainly poisoning caused by benzene (47.63%) , mercury and its inorganic compounds (32.74%) , and lead and its inorganic compounds (9.03%) . Conclusion: Occupational diseases in Chongqing are mainly occupational pneumoconiosis, and occupational health supervision should be enhanced in the industries of coal mining and washing and railway transport equipment manufacturing to protect workers' health.

[Clinical analysis of two cases of imported children Zika virus infection in China]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical characteristics, outcome and diagnosis of two cases of imported children Zika virus infection in China.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of two cases of imported children with Zika virus infection in February 2016 in Enping People's Hospital of Guangdong.

RESULT

Two cases of children with imported Zika virus infection resided in an affected area of Venezuela, 8-year-old girl and her 6 year-old brother. The main findings on physical examination included the following manifestations: fever, rash, and conjunctivitis. The rash was first limited to the abdomen, but extended to the torso, neck and face, and faded after 3-4 d. The total number of white blood cells was not high and liver function was normal. The diagnosis of two cases of Zika virus infection was confirmed by the expert group of Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the epidemiological history, clinical manifestations and Zika virus nucleic acid detection results.Treatment of Zika virus infection involves supportive care. Two Zika virus infection children had a relatively benign outcome.

CONCLUSION

At present, Zika virus infection in children is an imported disease in China. No specific therapy is available for this disease. Information on long-term outcomes among infants and children with Zika virus disease is limited, routine pediatric care is advised for these infants and children.

Molecular self-assembly of substituted terephthalic acids at the liquid/solid interface: investigating the effect of solvent

Self-assembly of three related molecules – terephthalic acid and its hydroxylated analogues – at liquid/solid interfaces (graphite/heptanoic acid and graphite/1-phenyloctane) has been studied using a combination of scanning tunnelling microscopy and molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculations. Brickwork-like patterns typical for terephthalic acid self-assembly have been observed for all three molecules. However, several differences became apparent: (i) formation or lack of adsorbed monolayers (self-assembled monolayers formed in all systems, with one notable exception of terephthalic acid at the graphite/1-phenyloctane interface where no adsorption was observed), (ii) the size of adsorbate islands (large islands at the interface with heptanoic acid and smaller ones at the interface with 1-phenyloctane), and (iii) polymorphism of the hydroxylated terephthalic acids’ monolayers, dependent on the molecular structure and/or solvent. To rationalise this behaviour, molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculations have been performed, to analyse the three key aspects of the energetics of self-assembly: intermolecular, substrate–adsorbate and solvent–solute interactions. These energetic characteristics of self-assembly were brought together in a Born–Haber cycle, to obtain the overall energy effects of formation of self-assembled monolayers at these liquid/solid interfaces.

Gene- Gene Interaction between PPARG and APOE Gene on Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: A Case- Control Study in Chinese Han Population

AIMS

The aim was to investigate the impact of PPARG and APOE gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and additional gene- gene interaction on late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) risk based on Chinese Han population.

METHODS

A total of 928 participants (466 males, 462 females), with a mean age of 81.3 ± 16.4 years old, were included in the study, including 460 LOAD patients and 468 normal controls participants. Logistic regression was performed to investigate association between SNP and LOAD risk and generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to analysis the gene-gene interaction.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis showed that LOAD risk was significantly higher in carriers of G allele of the rs405509 polymorphism than those with AA (AG+ GG versus AA, adjusted OR (95%CI) =1.54(1.20-1.89), and higher in carriers of G allele of the rs1805192 polymorphism than those with CC (CG+ GG versus CC, adjusted OR (95%CI) =1.32(1.16-2.43). We also found that there was a potential gene-gene interaction between rs405509 and rs1805192. Participants with AG or GG of rs405509 and CG or GG of rs1805192 genotype have the highest AD risk, compared to participants with AA of rs405509 and CC of rs1805192 genotype, OR (95%CI) was 2.62(1.64 -3.58), after covariates adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

G allele of the rs405509 of APOE and G allele of the rs1805192 of PPAR G polymorphism were associated with increased LOAD risk, and participants with AG or GG of rs405509 and CG or GG of rs1805192 genotype have the highest AD risk.

Lasing from organic quasicrystal fabricated by seven- and nine-beam interference

We demonstrate mirrorless lasers based on all organic nanostructure fabricated by seven- and nine-beam interference using low contrast material, holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals (H-PDLC). A finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation is used to study the transmission of quasicrystal. The wavelengths of lasing peak are determined by both of local structure of quasicrystal that the pumping light experienced as well as the photoluminescence of laser dye doped. Features of mirrorless laser from quasicrystal based on H-PDLC include directional light source, low threshold, simple fabrication process, low cost and tunability. These properties make H-PDLC photonic quasicrystal promising for a new type of all organic miniature lasers.

Rapamycin reduces severity of senile osteoporosis by activating osteocyte autophagy

SUMMARY

Osteocyte is the orchestrator of bone remolding and decline in osteocyte autophagy is involved in senile osteoporosis. Our results suggested that rapamycin, at least in part by activating osteocyte autophagy, reduced the severity of age-related bone changes in trabecular bone of old male rats.

INTRODUCTION

Previous literatures have showed that osteocyte is the orchestrator of bone remolding and age-related decline in osteocyte number is associated with senile osteoporosis. Autophagy is an important cellular protective mechanism which can preserve osteocyte viability and failure of autophagy in osteocyte with age has been linked to senile osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to explore whether rapamycin, one activator of autophagy, has protective effects on senile osteoporosis through inducing osteocyte autophagy.

METHODS

Fifty-two 24-month-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups. Rapamycin (1 mg/kg weight/day) or DMSO vehicle control was administered intraperitoneally for 12 weeks. BMD and bone microstructure were determined by Micro-CT. Fluorochrome labeling of the bones was performed to measure the mineral apposition rate (MAR). TRAP staining was performed to evaluate osteoclast number. The plasma levels of bone turnover markers were also analyzed. The effects of rapamycin on osteocyte autophagy were determined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and q-PCR. TUNEL was used to determine the prevalence of osteocyte apoptosis.

RESULTS

Micro-CT evaluation demonstrated that rapamycin had a protective effect on age-related bone loss in trabecular bone. Besides, rapamycin resulted in an obvious increase of MAR and a decrease of osteoclast number in contrast to the control group. Furthermore, rapamycin also induced autophagy in osteocyte demonstrated by increased LC3-positive osteocyte and increased LC3 turnover. In addition, rats treated with rapamycin exhibited decreased apoptosis of osteocyte determined by TUNEL.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that rapamycin, at least in part by activating osteocyte autophagy, reduced the severity of age-related bone changes in trabecular bone of old male rats. Therefore, rapamycin might be a feasible therapeutic approach for senile osteoporosis.

What hides behind the MASC: clinical response and acquired resistance to entrectinib after ETV6-NTRK3 identification in a mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC)

Here, we describe the dramatic response of a patient with an ETV6-NTRK3-driven mammary analogue secretory carcinoma to treatment with a pan-Trk inhibitor, and the development of acquired resistance linked to a novel NTRK3 mutation that interferes with drug binding. This case emphasizes how molecular profiling can identify therapies for rare diseases and dissect mechanisms of drug resistance.

Background

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) is a recently described pathologic entity. We report the case of a patient with an initial diagnosis of salivary acinic cell carcinoma later reclassified as MASC after next-generation sequencing revealed an ETV6-NTRK3 fusion.

Patients and methods

This alteration was targeted with the pan-Trk inhibitor entrectinib (Ignyta), which possesses potent in vitro activity against cell lines containing various NTRK1/2/3 fusions.

Results

A dramatic and durable response was achieved with entrectinib in this patient, followed by acquired resistance that correlated with the appearance of a novel NTRK3 G623R mutation. Structural modeling predicts that this alteration sterically interferes with drug binding, correlating to decreased sensitivity to drug inhibition observed in cell-based assays.

Conclusions

This first report of clinical activity with TrkC inhibition and the development of acquired resistance in an NTRK3-rearranged cancer emphasize the utility of comprehensive molecular profiling and targeted therapy for rare malignancies (NCT02097810).

Low voltage polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal reflective display by doping ferroelectric nanoparticles

Low driving voltage is achieved in full color reflective display based on polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal (PS-PBLC), by doping a small amount of ferroelectric nanoparticles. Both reflectance spectra of PS-PBLC with and without BaTiO₃ ferroelectric nanoparticles are studied under different applied external voltages. Superior to PS-PBLC without ferroelectric nanoparticles, the vertical driving electric fields of PS-PBLC with 0.4 wt.% BaTiO₃ ferroelectric nanoparticles are dramatically reduced by more than 70% for red, green and blue cells. The proposed approach would accelerate the practical application of full color PS-BPLC reflective display.

A slow neutron polarimeter for the measurement of parity-odd neutron rotary power

We present the design, description, calibration procedure, and an analysis of systematic effects for an apparatus designed to measure the rotation of the plane of polarization of a transversely polarized slow neutron beam as it passes through unpolarized matter. This device is the neutron optical equivalent of a crossed polarizer/analyzer pair familiar from light optics. This apparatus has been used to search for parity violation in the interaction of polarized slow neutrons in matter. Given the brightness of existing slow neutron sources, this apparatus is capable of measuring a neutron rotary power of dϕ/dz = 1 × 10(-7) rad/m.

Optimization of SCoT-PCR reaction system in Dactylis glomerata by orthogonal design

The effects of 5 factors (template DNA, Mg(2+), dNTPs, Taq DNA polymerase, and primer) on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were investigated to optimize the start codon targeted polymor-phism (SCoT)-PCR system of Dactylis glomerata L., using an orthogo-nal design L16 (4(5)). A suitable SCoT-PCR system for D. glomerata was established; the 20 μL reaction volume contained 3.0 mM Mg(2+), 0.2 mM dNTPs, 1.0 U Taq DNA polymerase, 0.2 μM primer, 20 ng tem-plate DNA, and 2 μL 10X buffer. Each factor had a different effect on the amplification reaction, and the concentration of dNTPs had the larg-est effect on the SCoT-PCR system. We tested 10 orchardgrass samples to determine and verify the stability of the reaction system. The results showed that amplified bands from diverse materials were clear, stable, and rich in polymorphisms, indicating that the optimized system was very stable.

Correlation between down-expression of miR-431 and clinicopathological significance in HCC tissues

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Researches have shown that miRNAs have been proposed as novel diagnostic biomarkers for classification and prognostic stratification of HCC. However, whether or not miR-431 contributes to the progression of HCC remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the clinicopathological significance of miR-431 in HCC.

METHODS

MiR-431 expression in 95 HCC cases and corresponding adjacent non-cancerous tissues was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, statistical analysis was performed to identify the correlations between expression of miR-431 and a variety of clinicopathological parameters and patient recurrence. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the accuracy of miR-431 as a biomarker for HCC diagnosis and prediction of disease deterioration.

RESULTS

MiR-431 was markedly down-regulated in the HCC samples (1.1885 ± 0.75867) compared with corresponding adjacent tumor tissues (1.7957 ± 0.89333, P < 0.001). The AUC of low miR-431 expression to diagnose HCC was 0.668 (95 % CI 0.592-0.744, P < 0.001). MiR-431 down-expression was correlated with multiple malignant characteristics, including lymph node metastasis (r = -0.455, P < 0.001), clinical TNM stage (r = -0.223, P = 0.030), MTDH (r = -0.292, P = 0.006), vaso-invasion (r = -0.204, P = 0.047), MVD (r = -0.281, P = 0.006) and HCV (r = 0.215, P = 0.037). Additionally, the recurrent time of lower miR-431 expression group was 56.602 ± 3.914 months, much longer than that in the high expression group (50.009 ± 2.731 months), however, no significant difference was noted (χ (2) = 0.005, P = 0.943).

CONCLUSIONS

The down-expression of miR-431 is partially responsible for a series of clinicopathological features which may be tightly correlated with the progression of HCC. Thus, expression of miR-431 may be proposed as a new factor in association with the progression of HCC.

Incidence of virological failure and emergence of resistance with twice-daily vs every 8-h administration of telaprevir in the OPTIMIZE study

The OPTIMIZE study demonstrated noninferior efficacy between telaprevir (TVR) twice daily (bid) vs every 8-h (q8h) administration. This analysis compared the selective pressure of both dosing regimens by characterisation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) variants emerging in genotype 1 (G1) HCV-infected patients who did not achieve sustained virological response (SVR). HCV NS3•4A population sequencing was performed at baseline and time of failure (viral breakthrough, stopping rule or relapse). TVR-resistant variants were classified by fold change in inhibitory concentration (IC50 ). Baseline TVR-resistance was low (<5%) and did not preclude achieving SVR in either arm. The proportion of patients with TVR-resistant variants at time of failure was similar in the bid (15%) and q8h (17%) dosing arms. The majority of variants and virological failures occurred in G1a patients, and mutations V36M, R155K and R155T (G1a), and V36A, T54A and A156S (G1b) were significantly enriched in both treatment arms. The number and type of emerging TVR-resistant variants in non-SVR patients were comparable between treatment arms and were consistent with previous observations. No differences in viral resistance profiles were observed between TVR-based treatment arms in non-SVR patients, indicating a similar selective pressure of TVR bid and q8h dosing.

Mutation analysis and prenatal diagnosis for three families affected by isolated methylmalonic aciduria

Isolated methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder caused mainly by deficiency of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. In the present study, we analyzed MUT gene mutations in 3 Chinese couples with a birth history of isolated MMA. We also provided prenatal diagnoses for the detected mutation. Exons and exon-intron boundaries of the MUT gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Prenatal genetic diagnoses were performed by chorionic villus sampling after the genotypes of parents were determined. Six heterozygous mutations in the MUT gene were identified in the 3 families, including c.1880A>G (p.H627R) and IVS9-1G>A for family 1, c.1741C>T (p.R581X) and c.729insTT (p.D244fX39) for family 2, and c.616C>T (p.Q206X) and c.1280G>A (p.G427D) for family 3. Among these, c.616C>T (p.Q206X), c.1280G>A (p.G427D), IVS9-1G>A, and c.1741C>T (p.R581X) were novel mutations. These mutations were not detected in 100 normal controls. The fetus in pedigree 3 was free of the mutations carried by the parents, while the fetuses in pedigrees 1 and 2 were heterozygous mutation carriers. All 3 families decided to continue with their pregnancies and the neonates did not show any symptoms of MMA after birth. Our results indicated that mutations in the MUT gene are the primary cause of isolated MMA, and that most mutations were novel. For families with early-onset isolated MMA, direct sequencing of the MUT gene is crucial for genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and identification of carriers.

Development of a rapid cyprinid herpesvirus 2 detection method by loop-mediated isothermal amplification

Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV2) is a pathogen that causes severe disease and high mortality in goldfish and Prussian carp. We developed a six primer loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay targeting the intercapsomeric triplex protein gene. CyHV-2 DNA was 10-fold serially diluted (10(8)-10(0) copies μl(-1)) and was used as the template to determine primer sensitivity. LAMP assays were performed with DNA templates from other pathogens to determine specificity. The LAMP assay had an unequivocal detection limit of 10 copies μl(-1), which was 100 times lower than that of the polymerase chain reaction. Other pathogen strains were not amplified by the LAMP primers, indicating good specificity. SYBR Green I was added to visually detect the amplification products. Assay applicability was evaluated in 120 samples of Carassius auratus gibelio, and a positive rate of 92·5% was obtained. In conclusion, a conventional LAMP assay has high convenience, rapidity, sensitivity and specificity for detecting CyHV-2 in infected aquatic organisms. Significance and impact of the study: Herpesviral haematopoietic necrosis, caused by cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2), is a severe disease of goldfish and Prussian carp associated with high mortality. We developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to detect CyHV-2 at relatively low plasmid DNA copy levels. The results show that the LAMP assay has a number of advantages (simple, sensitive, rapid and specific) over the conventional polymerase chain reaction and can be applied in the laboratory and field. Particularly, the method is highly applicable to facilitate surveillance and early diagnosis of CyHV-2.