A miRNA-binding-site SNP of MSX1 is Associated with NSOC Susceptibility

MSX1 is a favorable candidate gene for susceptibility to non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOCs). However, the roles of MSX1 genetic variants in the development of NSOC are controversial and vary among human populations. In the present study, the roles of 4 potentially functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MSX1 (rs12532 in 3′-untranslated region [UTR], and rs3821947, rs3821949, and rs4464513 in 5′ upstream) were investigated in a case-control study of 602 NSOC cases and 605 healthy controls. The findings showed that rs12532 located within 3′-UTR of MSX1 could influence the risk of developing NSOC. Individuals who carried the variant genotype (rs12532AA genotype) showed a decreased possibility of developing NSOC (AA vs. GG: OR = 0.69, 95% CI = [0.49, 0.98]). Interestingly, similar effects were also observed on cleft lip with palate (CLP), in a stratified analysis (allelic comparison-12532A allele vs. 12532G allele, OR = 0.80, 95% CI = [0.66, 0.99]; genotypic comparison-AA vs. GG, OR = 0.58 95% CI = [0.37, 0.91]). Sequence analysis indicated that this SNP might alter the binding ability of miR-3649, confirmed by luciferase activity assay showing a lower expression level of rs12532 A allele compared with that of the G allele ( p < .001 for 293A and COS7 cell lines). Furthermore, an in vivo study showed that MSX1 expression among individuals carrying the AA genotype of rs12532 was markedly lower than that in those with the GG genotype, while the inverse correlation was observed for miR-3649, thus providing a possible interaction between MSX1 and miR-3649 in the etiology of NSOC. Taken together, these findings indicate that SNPs in the miRNA-binding sites might play an important role in the development of NSOCs. Furthermore, if confirmed in subsequent studies, the polymorphisms may be considered as additional markers for the evaluation of infants’ risk of NSOCs.

Poly(trimethylene carbonate) and biphasic calcium phosphate composites for orbital floor reconstruction: a feasibility study in sheep

In the treatment of orbital floor fractures, bone is ideally regenerated. The materials currently used for orbital floor reconstruction do not lead to the regeneration of bone. Our objective was to render polymeric materials based on poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) osteoinductive, and to evaluate their suitability for use in orbital floor reconstruction. For this purpose, osteoinductive biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) particles were introduced into a polymeric PTMC matrix. Composite sheets containing 50 wt% BCP particles were prepared. Also laminates with poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) were prepared by compression moulding PDLLA films onto the composite sheets. After sterilisation by gamma irradiation, the sheets were used to reconstruct surgically-created orbital floor defects in sheep. The bone inducing potential of the different implants was assessed upon intramuscular implantation. The performance of the implants in orbital floor reconstruction was assessed by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Histological evaluation revealed that in the orbital and intramuscular implantations of BCP containing specimens, bone formation could be seen after 3 and 9 months. Analysis of the CBCT scans showed that the composite PTMC sheets and the laminated composite sheets performed well in orbital floor reconstruction. It is concluded that PTMC/BCP composites and PTMC/BCP composites laminated with PDLLA have osteoinductive properties and seem suitable for use in orbital floor reconstruction.

Mesohepatectomy for centrally located liver tumours

BACKGROUND

Mesohepatectomy (MH) avoids unnecessary sacrifice of functional parenchyma compared with extended hepatectomy (EH). The aim of this study was to compare the results of MH with those of EH in the management of centrally located liver tumours (CLLTs).

METHODS

All patients with CLLTs treated by liver resection between 2005 and 2011 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The decision to use MH or EH was made on an individual basis. Outcomes of the procedures were compared and a classification system for MH was devised consisting of four types, with type IV representing the most complex procedure.

RESULTS

MH was performed in 292 patients and EH in 138. MH was associated with a longer duration of operation (P < 0.001), higher intraoperative transfusion rate (P < 0.001) and lower complication rates (P = 0.001) compared with EH. There were no significant differences in hepatic inflow occlusion rate (P = 0.075), blood loss (P = 0.241) and length of hospital stay (P = 0.804) between the two groups. Type IV lesions had the longest duration of operation, greatest blood loss, and highest intraoperative transfusion and morbidity rates (all P < 0.050).

CONCLUSION

MH is a feasible and safe alternative to EH in selected patients with CLLTs. The proposed classification system may be useful in guiding the surgical treatment of CLLTs.

Total knee arthroplasty treatment of active tuberculosis of the knee: a review of 10 cases

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the surgical methods of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the patients with active tuberculosis of the knee and find out its curative effect after TKA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed 10 patients with active tuberculosis of the knee who received TKA in our department from March 2006 to March 2010, whose ages were from 22 to 64 years old (average age was 40.6 ± 1 years). The following parameters were measured in the pre- and post-operation periods: HSS score, range of motion (ROM). From x-ray to find out post-operate curative effect of TKA.

RESULTS

All cases had pain and elevated ESR. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and nerve damage were not found in these cases. There were 4 cases that had sinuses on the skin: the skin healed before the operation took place. Pre-operation HSS average scores were 25.0 ± 2. All patients received TKA by the para-patellar medial approach. Eight cases were followed-up for 6-28 months; the average follow-up period was 14 ± 0.5 months. Post-operation we took an HSS score and X-rays to find out its curative effect after TKA operation. There were also no patients with dislocation, aseptic loosening or fracture of prosthesis, although 1 case had recurrence. Post-operation's HSS average scores were 86.75 ± 5.45. The average ROM was improved to 95 ± 5°.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent clinical results indicate that TKA is effective to treat the patients with active tuberculosis of the knee joint. TKA can significantly improve the function of the joint and relieve pain, improving patients' living conditions.

Association study of vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms with ectopic pregnancy in Chinese women

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate potential associations between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms and ectopic pregnancy (EP) in Chinese women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a case-control study wherein 192 women with a history of EP were compared to 210 post-menopausal controls with two pregnancies and no EP for the genotyping of VEGF polymorphisms. Genotyping of the VEGF gene polymorphisms at -460C/T, -1 154G/A, -2578C/A and +936C/T were performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found in genotype and allele distributions of the -460C/T, +936C/T polymorphisms between cases and controls. Compared with the -1154G/G genotype, the -1154(A/A+G/A) genotype could significantly reduce the risk of developing EP. For the -2578C/A polymorphism, the A/A+C/A geno- type could significantly decrease the risk of developing EP, compared with the C/C genotype. The haplotype analysis suggested that the TAA (VEGF -460/-1154/-2578) and CAA haplotypes could significantly decrease the risk of developing EP compared with the haplotype of TGC.

CONCLUSION

The -1154A or -2578A alleles of VEGF gene could significantly decrease the risk of EP and might be po- tentially protective factors for EP development in Chinese women.

Calcitonin receptor gene polymorphism in cCinese Xinjiang Han and Uygur women with primary osteoporosis

CONTEXT

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease with a strong genetic component. Calcitonin receptors (CTR) are involved in maintaining calcium homeostasis. There is no consensus whether CTR gene polymorphism plays a role in affecting pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate genetic susceptibility of calcitonin receptor gene polymorphism (genotypes and allele frequencies) to primary osteoporosis between Han and Uygur patients and healthy controls in the Chinese Xinjiang region.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in an academic hospital.

SUBJECTS

Between 2010 and 2012 a total of 404 female patients with primary osteoporosis (200 Han and 204 Uygur) and 316 healthy control subjects (160 Han and 156 Uygur) were recruited to determine the distribution of C/T single nucleotide polymorphism of the CTR gene. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used at the 1377-bp site.

RESULTS

The frequency of polymorphic C/T alleles of the calcitonin receptor gene in each group fit the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium model. There was no statistically significant difference in genotypes (P = 0.922) or allele frequency (P = 0.654) between the Xinjiang Han postmenopausal osteoporosis patients and the controls. Similarly, there was no difference in genotypes (P = 0.897) or allele frequency (P = 0.825) between Xinjiang Uygur postmenopausal osteoporosis patients and the controls. Moreover, there was no significant difference (P = 0.86) between the combination of both ethnic groups and controls. In contrast, compared to these two ethnic groups, Han CC type accounted for 67.8%, CT 30.0%, and TT 2.2%, whereas Uighur CC type accounted for 55.6%, CT 33.3%, and TT 11.2%, which is statistically significant between Han and Uygur CTR genotypes (P = 0.006). Allele frequency of C accounted for 82.8% and T for 17.2% in Han, whereas C accounted for 72.2% and T for 27.8% in Uygur (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

There was no statistically significant difference in CTR gene nucleotide sequence polymorphisms at 1377-bp between Chinese Xinjiang Han and Uygur patients with primary osteoporosis, suggesting that this CTR gene polymorphism may not affect incidence of osteoporosis. However, there was a significant difference in CTR gene nucleotide sequence polymorphism at the 1377-bp site between Chinese Xinjiang Han and Uygur, but the importance of this difference needs further study.

Revealing the contribution of Cytochrome P450 to salt-sensitive hypertension using DNA microarray

BACKGROUND

Salt sensitivity is an important cause of hypertension which is a major public health problem. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of Cytochrome P450 (CYP) to salt-sensitive hypertension with microarray data and bioinformatics analysis.

METHODS

Gene expression data set GSE4800 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database, including 6 gene chips from 3 Dahl salt sensitive (DS) rat samples and 3 Lewis (LEW) rat samples. Raw data were preprocessed and normalized, and then differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with Limma package. Interaction network was constructed by employing STRING (Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes) tool. GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis was performed using FuncAssociate tool and pathway analysis was carried out by EASE (Expressing Analysis Systematic Explorer). BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) was applied to explore the sequence homology among CYP3A genes in rat and human based on multiple alignments.

RESULTS

A total of 1264 DEGs, including 1082 up-regulated genes and 182 down-regulated genes were identified between DS and LEW samples. CYP3A2 and CYP3A9 were selected to construct the protein interaction network, which comprised 1653 pairs of interaction relationship among 100 genes. Functional analysis showed that CYP3A2 and CYP3A9 were most significantly related to oxidation reduction and metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450. Furthermore, the CYP3A2 and CYP3A9 genes in rats had high homology with genes CYP3A4and CYP3A5 in human beings.

CONCLUSIONS

CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 may contribute to salt-sensitive hypertension in human which may act as biomarkers for this disease.

A first generation compact microbeam radiation therapy system based on carbon nanotube X-ray technology

We have developed a compact microbeam radiation therapy device using carbon nanotube cathodes to create a linear array of narrow focal line segments on a tungsten anode and a custom collimator assembly to select a slice of the resulting wedge-shaped radiation pattern. Effective focal line width was measured to be 131 μm, resulting in a microbeam width of ∼300 μm. The instantaneous dose rate was projected to be 2 Gy/s at full-power. Peak to valley dose ratio was measured to be >17 when a 1.4 mm microbeam separation was employed. Finally, multiple microbeams were delivered to a mouse with beam paths verified through histology.

Molecular modelling on small molecular CDK2 inhibitors: an integrated approach using a combination of molecular docking, 3D-QSAR and pharmacophore modelling

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) has been identified as an important target for developing novel anticancer agents. Molecular docking, three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) and pharmacophore modelling were combined with the ultimate goal of studying the structure-activity relationship of CDK2 inhibitors. The comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) model constructed based on a set of 3-aminopyrazole derivatives as CDK2 inhibitors gave statistically significant results (q (2) = 0.700; r (2) = 0.982). A HypoGen pharmacophore model, constructed using diverse CDK2 inhibitors, also showed significant statistics ([Formula: see text]Cost = 61.483; RMSD = 0.53; Correlation coefficient = 0.98). The small residues and error values between the estimated and experimental activities of the training and test set compounds proved their strong capability of activity prediction. The structural insights obtained from these two models were consistent with each other. The pharmacophore model summarized the important pharmacophoric features required for protein-ligand binding. The 3D contour maps in combination with the comprehensive pharmacophoric features helped to better interpret the structure-activity relationship. The results will be beneficial for the discovery and design of novel CDK2 inhibitors. The simplicity of this approach provides expansion to its applicability in optimizing other classes of small molecular CDK2 inhibitors.

Molecular cloning, expression and regulation analysis of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene in goose adipocytes

1. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in lipid metabolism in adipose tissue. The objective of the study was to identify and characterize the IL-6 gene in the goose. 2. A full-length coding sequence (CDS) of the goose (Anser anser) IL-6 gene was cloned that encoded a 234-amino acid peptide containing a 38-amino acid signal peptide, an IL-6/G-CSF/MGF family consensus pattern and four conserved α-helices. The mature goose IL-6 showed 74% and 39% identities to that of chicken and human, respectively. 3. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the goose IL-6 was predominantly expressed in liver and was up-regulated in adipocytes by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and oleic acid.

Improved post-prandial ghrelin response by nateglinide or acarbose therapy contributes to glucose stability in Type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

Recent studies highlight an important role of ghrelin in glucose homeostasis, while the association between ghrelin regulation and glucose fluctuation is unclear.

AIM

We compared the effects of two postprandial hypoglycemic agents on ghrelin response and determined the contribution of ghrelin response to glucose stability in Type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Forty newly- diagnosed T2DM patients were randomly allocated to receive nateglinide or acarbose for 4 weeks, with twenty body mass index (BMI)-matched normoglycemic subjects as controls. Mean glucose values and daily average glucose excursion were assessed using continuous glucose monitoring system. Serum ghrelin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

T2DM patients had similar fasting ghrelin levels (p=0.546), while their postprandial ghrelin suppressions at 30 min and 120 min were reduced as compared to BMI-matched normoglycemic controls (p<0.01). Both nateglinide and acarbose increased post-prandial ghrelin suppression at 120 min and reduced ghrelin area under the curve (AUCGHRL) (p<0.05), while only nateglinide increased postprandial ghrelin suppression at 30 min (p<0.01), which was positively correlated with the increased early-phase insulin secretion by 4 weeks of nateglinide therapy (r=0.48, p=0.05). The decrease in AUCGHRL was positively correlated with the decrease in daily average glucose excursion and mean glucose values either by 4 weeks of nateglinide or acarbose therapy (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Both nateglinide and acarbose increase post-prandial ghrelin suppression. Improved ghrelin regulation is most likely to play a role in glucose stability in T2DM patients with nateglinide or acarbose therapy.

Neural activity in relation to temporal distance: differences in past and future temporal discounting

This study investigated the differences between past and future temporal discounting in terms of neural activity in relation to temporal distance. Results show that brain regions are engaged differently in past and future temporal discounting. This is likely because past temporal discounting requires memory reconstruction, whereas future temporal discounting requires the processing of uncertainty about the future. In past temporal discounting, neural activity differed only when preferences were made between rewards received one hour prior and rewards received further in the past. The peak amplitudes of P2 and P3 varied as the temporal distance increased from 2 weeks to 50 years. In future temporal discounting, neural activity differed only when preferences were evaluated between two delayed rewards. The delay conditions (6 months:5 years) and (6 months:50 years) had a significant influence on P2 and N2. Findings indicate the existence of different decision-making systems operating in past and future temporal discounting.

Effective antitumor gene therapy delivered by polyethylenimine-conjugated stearic acid-g-chitosan oligosaccharide micelles

Non-viral vesicle composing of low-molecular weight polyethylenimine-conjugated stearic acid-g-chitosan oligosaccharide (CSOSA-g-PEI) was synthesized for gene delivery and therapy. The synthesized CSOSA-g-PEI had good ion-buffer capabilities and DNA-binding capacity, which could form positively charged nano-sized particles (100-150 nm) with plasmid DNA; in vitro gene transfection tests demonstrated that CSOSA-g-PEI presented much lower cytotoxicity and corresponding transfection efficiency in comparison with Lipofectamine 2000 in both human cancer cells (Hela and MCF-7). The gene transfection of CSOSA-g-PEI/pDNA could be further enhanced in the presence of serum or by adding arginine during incubation of CSOSA-g-PEI micelles with plasmid DNA. The biodistribution experiments demonstrated CSOSA-g-PEI conjugate highly localized in the tumor tissue and indicated a persistently increased accumulation. In vivo antitumor activity results showed that CSOSA-g-PEI/plasmid pigment epithelium-derived factor formulation could effectively suppress the tumor growth (above 60% tumor inhibition) without systematic toxicity against animal body after intravenous injection.

Target Identification and Validation of (+)-2-(1-Hydroxyl-4-Oxocyclohexyl) Ethyl Caffeate, an Anti-Inflammatory Natural Product

(+)-2-(1-hydroxyl-4-oxocyclohexyl) ethyl caffeate (HOEC) was isolated from Incarvillea mairei var. granditlora (Wehrhahn) Grierson. The plants of the Incarvillea genus have long been used as folk medicines for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases in China. 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX), a key enzyme in the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade, was identified as a potential target of HOEC by a pulldown assay, and then extensively validated by biosensor-based affinity detection, enzyme-based activity assays, cell-based AA metabolite analysis and computer-aided AA network simulation. Further in vivo studies of AA-induced ear oedema, ovalbumin (OVA)-induced lung inflammation and collagen-induced arthritis demonstrated the anti-inflammatory potency and validated the therapeutic target of HOEC. This work revealed that HOEC acted as an anti-inflammatory agent targeting 5-LOX, which not only confirmed the key role of 5-LOX in inflammation but also provided a paradigm for the exploration of natural product mechanisms of action.

CYP2C9*3(1075A>C), MDR1 G2677T/A and MDR1 C3435T are determinants of inter-subject variability in fluvastatin pharmacokinetics in healthy Chinese volunteers

To evaluate the impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP2C9, MDR1, SLCO1B1 and ABCG2 on the pharmacokinetics of fluvastatin in Chinese participants.A pharmacokinetic study of fluvastatin (single dose 40 mg) was conducted in 12 healthy Chinese volunteers. Plasma concentrations of fluvastatin were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non-compartmental method. The SNPs were determined by TaqMan®(MGB) genotyping assay.Effect of CYP2C9*3 (c.1075A>C) on area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of fluvastatin was statistically significant. Heterozygous variant (C/A) carriers had higher AUC values compared to homozygous wild type (A/A) carriers (922.03±148.17 µg · h · L - 1 vs. 496.00±168.93 µg · h · L - 1, P=0.003092). The elimination half-life (T 1/2) values of fluvastatin were longer in MDR1 2677non-G carriers than in MDR1 2677G carriers (2.21±0.47 h vs. 1.25±0.62 h, P=0.02319), and also they were longer in MDR1 1236T-2677non-G-3435T carriers than in MDR1 1236C-2677G-3435C carriers (2.31±0.51 h vs. 1.32±0.62 h, P=0.03320). MDR1 C3435T polymorphism had a significant effect on maximal plasma concentrations (C max) of fluvastatin. Mutation gene T (TT+CT) carriers had higher C max values compared to homozygous wild type (C/C) carriers (688.54±142.67 µg · L - 1 vs. . 413.78±177.83 µg · L - 1, P=0.01448). Some SNPs such as MDR1 C1236T, ABCG2 c.34G>A, ABCG2 c.421C>A, SLCO1B1 c.388 A>G, SLCO1B1 c.521 T>C, SLCO1B1 c.571 T>C and SLCO1B1 c.597 C>T have no significant effects on fluvastatin pharmacokinetics.CYP2C9*3(1075A>C), MDR1 C3435T and MDR1 G2677T/A were determinants of inter-subject variability in fluvastatin pharmacokinetics in healthy Chinese volunteers.

α,ω-Dihexylsexithiophene self-assembled nanostructures on mica: atomic force microscopy study

Self-assembled nanostructures of α,ω-dihexylsexithiophene (DH6T) formed by spreading DH6T solutions onto freshly cleaved mica surface were studied by atomic force microscopy. The effects of solvent and concentration on the nanostructures of DH6T molecules were studied. Flat, well-ordered, and platelet-like domains were observed on mica surfaces after treatment with various polar solvent solutions of DH6T. These domains form a uniform film with height of 2.4 ± 0.2 nm, which is consistent with a 45° tilt in the molecular conformation of DH6T on mica surfaces. The formation mechanism of these multilayers is discussed in detail.

Distribution of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity values and optimal cut-off in distinguishing subjects with clinical condition in Chinese population

AIM

The present study aims to examine the distribution and gender- and age-specific reference ranges of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in Chinese population.

METHODS

A total of 21094 subjects were recruited into a cross-sectional study from June 2007 to June 2008 in China. Participants were divided into three clinical subgroups: 1) subgroup 1: subjects with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases; 2) subgroup 2: subjects with atherosclerotic risk factors; and 3) subgroup 3: "healthy subjects" without any atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerotic risk factors.

RESULTS

The average baPWV among subgroups one through 3 was 1724.3±429.1, 1603.5±358.8, and 1389.9±288.4 cm/s, respectively. BaPWV did not fit as a normal distribution in both genders. There was no significant difference between male and female for baPWV in subgroup 1 (P>0.05). While baPWV was higher in females than males in subgroup 2, it was lower in females than in males in subgroup 3 (all P<0.05). Notably, BaPWV significantly increased with age in both genders (all P for trend<0.05). The receiver operator characteristic curve demonstrated that a baPWV of 1450 cm/s was useful to discriminate either cardiovascular diseases or atherosclerotic risk factors (sensitivity 62.1%, specificity 69.5%), a baPWV of 1551 cm/s was useful to discriminate cardiovascular diseases (sensitivity 62%, specificity 61%), and a baPWV of 1566 cm/s was useful to discriminate either cardiovascular diseases or chronic kidney disease (sensitivity 60%, specificity 63%).

CONCLUSION

The reference ranges and cut-off values of baPWV can be used to screen atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in clinical practices.

Serum detection of epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutations using mutant-enriched sequencing in Chinese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) mutations are among the best predictive markers of the efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) treatment. Mutations in the EGFR gene confer sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study determined the concordance rate of EGFR mutations in serum samples and tumour tissue from Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC and compared two detection methods: mutant-enriched polymerase chain reaction-based DNA sequencing and non-enriched sequencing. The EGFR mutation status in serum was consistent with that in paired tumour samples, with a concordance rate of 93.1% for mutant-enriched sequencing. In serum samples, mutant-enriched sequencing demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 77.8% and 100%, respectively, and was more sensitive than the non-enriched assay. Mutant-enriched sequencing in serum may provide a non-invasive and sensitive method for detecting EGFR mutation status in patients with unresectable NSCLC.

Association between XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism and risk of head and neck cancer: a meta-analysis

Several studies have investigated the association between Lys751Gln polymorphism in the xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) gene and risk of head and neck cancer; however, the published results are conflicting. We conducted a meta-analysis that comprised 15 published case-control studies examining the association of head and neck cancer risk with XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism in different populations, based on the data identified in Medline up to November 2010. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the strength of the association. Overall, significantly elevated head and neck cancer risk was associated with XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis [(Gln/Gln + Lys/Gln) vs Lys/Lys: OR = 1.12, 95%CI = 1.03-1.22, P < 0.01, heterogeneity P = 0.11]. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, borderline significantly increased risk was found for Europeans [(Gln/Gln + Lys/Gln) vs Lys/Lys: OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.00-1.23, P < 0.05]. In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrated that XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism could be a prediction marker for risk of head and neck cancer.

Meal-induced increases in C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor α are attenuated by prandial + basal insulin in patients with Type 2 diabetes

AIM

To determine if a regimen with prandial + basal insulin compared with basal insulin attenuates post-meal inflammatory and glycative biomarkers in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

This test-meal sub-study in the USA is from a previously reported clinical trial comparing the effect on glycaemic control of 24 weeks of thrice-daily pre-meal insulin lispro mix 50 (50% insulin lispro, 50% insulin lispro protamine suspension) or bedtime insulin glargine, both plus metformin. In the sub-study, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, methylglyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosone were measured during the post-meal period of a mixed-meal breakfast at the final visit. Prandial + basal (n = 25) and basal (n = 21) insulin were administered at the same times as during the previous 24 weeks.

RESULTS

Post-meal, the prandial + basal insulin group had significantly higher insulin, lower glucose and triglycerides, as well as lower high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor α and interleukin-6, than the basal insulin group. Glucose incremental area under the concentration curve significantly correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, methylglyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosone incremental area under the concentration curve. Insulin incremental area under the concentration curve correlated inversely with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor α incremental area under the concentration curve. However, after adjusting for glucose incremental area under the concentration curve, these inverse correlations were no longer significant. Triglyceride incremental area under the concentration curve was not correlated with any biomarker incremental area under the concentration curve.

CONCLUSIONS

Controlling post-meal hyperglycaemia with prandial + basal insulin in patients with Type 2 diabetes attenuates meal-induced increases in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor α compared with basal insulin. The rise in post-meal glucose, but not triglycerides, significantly correlated with the rise in post-meal inflammatory and glycative biomarkers.

Imaging the social brain: multi-subjects EEG recordings during the "Chicken's game"

In this study we measured simultaneously by EEG hyperscannings the neuroelectric activity in 6 couples of subjects during the performance of the "Chicken's game", derived from game theory. The simultaneous recording of the EEG in couples of interacting subjects allows to observe and model directly the neural signature of human interactions in order to understand the cerebral processes generating and generated by social cooperation or competition. Results suggested that the one of the most consistently activated structure in this particular social interaction paradigm is the left orbitofrontal cortex. Connectivity results also showed a significant involvement of the orbitofrontal regions of both hemispheres across the observed population. Taken together, results confirms that the study of the brain activities in humans during social interactions can take benefit from the simultaneous acquisition of brain activity during such interaction.

Simultaneous estimation of cortical activity during social interactions by using EEG hyperscannings

In this paper we show how the possibility of recording simultaneously the cerebral neuroelectric activity in different subjects (EEG hyperscanning) during the execution of different tasks could return useful information about the "internal" cerebral state of the subjects. We present the results obtained by EEG hyperscannings during ecological task (such as the execution of a card game) as well as that obtained in a series of couples of subjects during the performance of the Prisoner's Dilemma Game. The simultaneous recordings of couples of interacting subjects allows to observe and to model directly the neural signature of human interactions in order to understand the cerebral processes generating and generated by social cooperation or competition. Results obtained in a study of different groups recorded during the card game revealed a larger activity in prefrontal and anterior cingulated cortex in different frequency bands for the player that leads the game when compared to other players. Results collected in a population of 10 subjects during the performance of the Prisoner's Dilemma suggested that the most consistently activated structure is the orbitofrontal region (roughly described by the Brodmann area 10) during the condition of competition in both the tasks. It could be speculated whether the pattern of cortical connectivity between different cortical areas in different subjects could be employed as a tool for assessing the outcome of the task in advance.

Vitamin Bs, one carbon metabolism and prostate cancer

Somatic genetic and epigenetic alterations have been suggested to be crucially involved in development and progression of cancers including prostate cancer (PCa). Epigenetic alterations such as chemical modification of chromatin associated proteins and DNA methylation can largely affect gene expression that may be important for early normal organ development, and also produces favorable conditions for cancer cell formation, growth, and survival. Aberrant DNA methylation (hyper- or hypo-methylation) may lead to chromosomal instability, and transcriptional gene silencing for tumor suppressors or overexpression for oncogenes. Vitamin Bs play important roles in one carbon metabolism that provides critical metabolites for DNA methylation, DNA repair and nucleic acid synthesis. Nutrition uptake and circulating levels of these vitamin Bs as well as genetic polymorphisms of related key enzymes in the one carbon metabolism pathway may govern bioavailability of the metabolites, and therefore to affect the phenotypic changes (e.g., cellular malignancy) via genetic and epigenetic alterations. This article will summarize recent new findings from laboratory, epidemiological or clinical trial studies regarding influence of vitamin B and one carbon metabolism on PCa development or progression.

Advances in Holographic Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Technology

We discuss recent advances in reflective holographically-formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal materials in the context of their suitability for reflective display applications. A dual-domain phenomenon resulting in a broadened reflection peak is presented. A simple phenomenological model is developed to explain this unusual effect The effect of monomer functionality on the reflectance characteristics of these materials is also discussed. Monomers of effective functionality ∼4.5 yield the brightest holograms, however, the data suggests that these systems are currently far from optimal.

Characteristics of prevalence in peripheral arterial disease and correlative risk factors and comorbidities among female natural population in China

BACKGROUND

To investigate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and correlating risk factors and comorbidities in a natural female population in China, and to study the characteristics of atherosclerotic disease in females.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Natural population from communities in several cities and districts including Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, Guangdong, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang in China were investigated as study subjects through cluster multistage and random sampling. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured among participants in the communities by trained investigators and correlative information and clinical data were collected. PAD was defined as an ABI≤0.9 in either leg.

RESULTS

21,152 eligible participants were included in the survey. The prevalence in males and females was 2.52 % and 3.66 %, the standardized prevalence was 1.84% and 4.31% respectively, and the prevalence in females was higher than that in males (p<0.01). The prevalence in females obviously increased (p<0.01) with increasing age. More female participants with PAD were over 69 years old compared with those without PAD (18.8% vs. 10.0%, p=0.000) and more frequently have a smoking habit (11.1% vs. 2.5%, p=0.000), lipid disorders (34.8% vs. 29.2%, p=0.047), diabetes mellitus (14.8% vs. 8.6%, p=0.000), coronary heart disease (16.9% vs. 10.0%, p=0.000) and a history of stroke (6.8% vs. 2.3%, p=0.000). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, older age (>69 years old, OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.11-2.29), a smoking habit (OR: 5.98, 95% CI: 3.88-9.21), comorbidities of lipid disorders (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10-1.91), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.02-2.11), coronary heart disease (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.02-2.19)and a history of stroke (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.01-2.91) were correlated with the prevalence of PAD in females in China. Only 0.8% of female patients with PAD had been diagnosed previously.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that the prevalence of PAD in a female natural population in China is higher than that in males. Many conventional risk factors and comorbidities were correlated with the high prevalence of PAD in females. But only very few female patients with PAD were diagnosed. Thus, more measures should be taken to diagnose, prevent and control PAD in females in China.

The structure and functions of P-glycoprotein

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an ATP-driven transmembrane transporter capable of effluxing a wide variety of structurally diverse and functionally unrelated hydrophobic compounds out of the cell. Multidrug resistance (MDR), often associated with the over-expression of P-gp, has been implicated as a major obstacle to effective chemotherapy for cancer, parasitic diseases, AIDS, and other diseases. Drug efflux mediated by P-gp is also involved in decreasing the oral bioavailability of drugs by limiting intestinal absorption. Our appreciation of the structural and functional aspects of P-gp has definitely improved in recent years, benefiting from the deciphering of the structure of some bacterial transporters that paved the way for construction of homology models for more complex transporters. Here, we will review the recent advances in the studies of the structure and functional characteristics of P-gp with the hopes of facilitating rational drug design in developing novel potent MDR modulators.

Heterotopic bone formation by nano-apatite containing poly(D,L-lactide) composites

To render polymeric materials osteoinductive, nano-sized calcium phosphate apatite particles (CaP) were introduced into a low molecular weight poly(D,L-lactide). Homogenous composites were made with 10%, 20% and 40% by weight of apatite content while pure polylactide was used as control. Thereafter porous samples (pore size 300-400 microm, 60% porosity) were fabricated and sterilized. In vitro studies showed that calcium ions were released from the composites depending on the apatite content, while surface mineral deposition was observed only on the 40% CaP composites in simulated body fluid (SBF) within 14 days. After 12 weeks of intramuscular implantation in dogs, only the 40% CaP composite implant retained its shape and showed ectopic bone formation within the pores. In conclusion, adding a content of 40% apatite into poly(D,L-lactide) could lead to an osteoinductive material. Future studies will focus on understanding this phenomenon of material-directed osteoinduction in order to develop a promising bone graft substitute.