Nine Novel PAX9 Mutations and a Distinct Tooth Agenesis Genotype-Phenotype

Tooth agenesis is one of the most common developmental anomalies affecting function and esthetics. The paired-domain transcription factor, Pax9, is critical for patterning and morphogenesis of tooth and taste buds. Mutations of PAX9 have been identified in patients with tooth agenesis. Despite significant progress in the genetics of tooth agenesis, many gaps in knowledge exist in refining the genotype-phenotype correlation between PAX9 and tooth agenesis. In the present study, we complete genetic and phenotypic characterization of multiplex Chinese families with nonsyndromic (NS) tooth agenesis. Direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products revealed 9 novel (c.140G>C, c.167T>A, c.332G>C, c.194C>A, c.271A>T, c.146delC, c.185_189dup, c.256_262dup, and c.592delG) and 2 known heterozygous mutations in the PAX9 gene among 120 probands. Subsequently, pedigrees were extended, and we confirmed that the mutations co-segregated with the tooth agenesis phenotype (with exception of families in which DNA analysis was not available). In 1 family ( n = 6), 2 individuals harbored both the PAX9 c.592delG mutation and a heterozygous missense mutation (c.739C>T) in the MSX1 gene. Clinical characterization of families segregating a PAX9 mutation reveal that all affected individuals were missing the mandibular second molar and their maxillary central incisors are most susceptible to microdontia. A significant reduction of bitter taste perception was documented in individuals harboring PAX9 mutations ( n = 3). Functional studies revealed that PAX9 haploinsufficiency or a loss of function of the PAX9 protein underlies tooth agenesis.

Comparison of irinotecan/platinum versus etoposide/platinum chemotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis was performed to compare the effects and toxicities between irinotecan/platinum (IP) and etoposide/platinum (EP) regimens as the fist-line treatment of patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (E-SCLC). A systematic search was made of MEDLINE, Cochrane, ISI Web of Science and SCOPUS databases. Randomised clinical trials on treatment of E-SCLC with the IP regimens, compared with EP regimens, were reviewed. Studies were pooled to hazard ratio (HR), relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR), with 95% confidence interval (CI). Eight trials (enrolling 2089 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Overall survival (OS) and 1-year survival rate were superior in the IP group (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.75 to 0.91 and RR 1.19; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.34). Grades 3 and 4 anaemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and febrile neutropenia were less frequent in the IP regimens than that in the EP regimens. And grades 3 and 4 nausea/vomiting, diarrheal, anorexia and fatigue were less frequent in the EP regimens. IP combination chemotherapy achieved a superior OS and 1-year survival rate, compared with EP doublets, in patients with E-SCLC.

Combination therapy of orally administered glycyrrhizin and UVB improved active-stage generalized vitiligo

Glycyrrhizin has been used clinically for several years due to its beneficial effect on immunoglobulin E (IgE)-induced allergic diseases, alopecia areata and psoriasis. In this study, glycyrrhizin, ultraviolet B light (UVB) or a combination of both were used to treat active-stage generalized vitiligo. One hundred and forty-four patients between the ages of 3 and 48 years were divided into three groups: group A received oral compound glycyrrhizin (OCG); group B received UVB applications twice weekly, and group C received OCG+UVB. Follow-ups were performed at 2, 4, and 6 months after the treatment was initiated. The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) and the Vitiligo Disease Activity (VIDA) instrument were used to assess the affected body surface, at each follow-up. Results showed that 77.1, 75.0 and 87.5% in groups A, B and C, respectively, presented repigmentation of lesions. Responsiveness to therapy seemed to be associated with lesion location and patient compliance. Adverse events were limited and transient. This study showed that, although the three treatment protocols had positive results, OCG and UVB combination therapy was the most effective and led to improvement in disease stage from active to stable.

Schisandrin B attenuates the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by traumatic spinal cord injury via inhibition of p53 signaling in adult rats

Schisandrin B is an active monomer of the Chinese magnolia vine (Schisandra chinensis) that can reduce transaminase activity in liver cells, inhibit lipid peroxidation, enhance antioxidant status, has protective effects in the liver and has antitumor effects. The present study investigated the potential protective effects of schisandrin B on the p53 signaling pathway in attenuating the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in adult rats. Behavioral examination, inclined plate test and spinal cord water content were used to evaluate the protective effect of schisandrin B in TSCI rats. The expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nuclear factor (NF)-κB subunit p65 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were examined using ELISA kits. Western blot analysis was performed to analyze the protein expression of caspase-3 and phosphorylated (p)-p53 in TSCI rats. In the present study, schisandrin B improved behavioral examination results and the maximum angle of inclined plate test, and inhibited spinal cord water content in rats with TSCI. Notably, schisandrin B reduced the activation of traumatic injury-associated pathways, including SOD, MDA, NF-κB p65 and TNF-α, in TSCI rats. In addition, schisandrin B suppressed the TSCI-induced expression of caspase-3 and p-p53 in TSCI rats. These results indicated that schisandrin B may attenuate the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis in TSCI rats by inhibiting the p53 signaling pathway in adult rats.

Aminophylline Effect on Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice

BACKGROUND

Aminophylline increases the intracellular concentration of cAMP and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aminophylline on renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice.

METHODS

Thirty C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups. In the sham group (group S, n = 10), only right nephrectomy was performed. In the control group (group C, n = 10), after right nephrectomy, the mice were subjected to 30 minutes of left renal ischemia. In the aminophylline group (group A, n = 10), an intraperitoneal injection of aminophylline (5 mg/kg) was performed before renal ischemia. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, the mice were euthanized, and plasma and kidney samples were obtained to analyze the serum creatinine, renal histology, and expression levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

RESULTS

The serum creatinine concentration in group C was markedly elevated at 24 hours after reperfusion. Aminophylline treatment significantly reduced serum creatinine, compared with group C. Aminophylline also reduced the histological evidence of renal damage. The expression levels of NF-kB, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA were significantly increased in group C (P < .001). Group A showed lower expression of NF-kB, TNF-α, MCP-1, MIP-2, and ICAM-1 mRNA than group C (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Aminophylline treatment improved the renal function and indexes of renal inflammation, which suggests that it provided reno-protection against renal I/R injury.

Flow reproducibility of whole blood and other bodily fluids in simplified no reaction lateral flow assay devices

The "no reaction" lateral flow assay (nrLFA) uses a simplified LFA structure with no conjugate pad and no stored reagents. In the nrLFA, the capillary-based transport time or distance is the key indicator, rather than the outcome of a biochemical reaction. Hence, the calibration and reproducibility of the nrLFA device are critical. The capillary flow properties of several membrane types (nitrocellulose, nylon, cellulose acetate, polyethersulfone, and polyvinylidene difluoride) are evaluated. Flow rate evaluations of MilliporeSigma Hi-Flow™ Plus (HF075, HF135 and HF180) nitrocellulose membranes on nrLFA are performed using bodily fluids (whole blood, blood plasma, and artificial sweat). The results demonstrate that fluids with lower viscosity travel faster, and membranes with slower flow rate exhibit higher capability to distinguish fluids with different viscosities. Reproducibility tests of nrLFA are performed on HF075, demonstrating excellent reproducibility. The coefficient of variation for blood coagulation tests performed with the nrLFA using induced coagulation was 5% for the plasma front and 2% for the RBC front. The effects of variation in blood hematocrit and sample volume are also reported. The overall results indicate that the nrLFA approach has a high potential to be commercially developed as a blood monitoring point-of-care device with simple calibration capability and excellent reproducibility.

Formation of high-molecular weight polyaminoborane by Fe hydride catalysed dehydrocoupling of methylamine borane

The complex [(PNHP)Fe(H)(CO)(HBH₃)] (PNHP = HN(CH₂CH₂Pi-Pr₂)₂) serves as a catalyst precursor for the selective dehydrocoupling of methylamine borane at room temperature, tentatively via an off-metal polymerisation pathway.

Numerical Analysis of the Influence of Low Frequency Vibration on Bubble Growth

Numerical simulation of bubble growth during pool boiling under the influence of low frequency vibration was performed to understand the influence of common vibrations such as those induced by wind, highway transportation, and nearby mechanical devices on the performance of thermal systems that rely on boiling. The simulations were done for saturated R123 boiling at 277.6 K with a 15 K wall superheat. The numerical volume-of-fluid method (fixed grid) was used to define the liquid-vapor interface. The basic bubble growth characteristics including the bubble departure diameter and the bubble departure time were determined as a function of the bubble contact angle (20°-80°), the vibration displacement (10 µm-50 µm), the vibration frequency (5 Hz-25 Hz), and the initial vibration direction (positive or negative). The bubble parameters were shown to be strongly dependent on the bubble contact angle at the surface. For example, both the bubble departure diameter and the bubble departure time increased with the contact angle. At the same vibration frequency and the initial vibration direction, the bubble departure diameter and the bubble departure time both decreased with increasing vibration displacement. In addition, the vibration frequency had a greater effect on the bubble growth characteristics than did the vibration displacement. The vibration frequency effect was strongly influenced by the initial vibration direction. The pressure contour, the volume fraction of vapor phase, the temperature profile, and the velocity vector were investigated to understand these dynamic bubble behaviors. The limitation of the computational fluid dynamics approach was also described.