Antigen I/II mediates interactions between Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans

Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans are frequently co-isolated from dental plaque of children with early childhood caries (ECC) and are only rarely found in children without ECC, suggesting that these species interact in a manner that contributes to the pathogenesis of ECC. Previous studies have demonstrated that glucans produced by S. mutans are crucial for promoting the formation of biofilm and cariogenicity with C. albicans; however, it is unclear how non-glucan S. mutans biofilm factors contribute to increased biofilm formation in the presence of C. albicans. In this study we examined the role of S. mutans antigen I/II in two-species biofilms with C. albicans, and determined that antigen I/II is important for the incorporation of C. albicans into the two-species biofilm and is also required for increased acid production. The interaction is independent of the proteins Als1 and Als3, which are known streptococcal receptors of C. albicans. Moreover, antigen I/II is required for the colonization of both S. mutans and C. albicans during co-infection of Drosophila melanogaster in vivo. Taken together, these results demonstrate that antigen I/II mediates the increase of C. albicans numbers and acid production in the two-species biofilm, representing new activities associated with this known S. mutans adhesin.

Abstract PD3-08: A randomized phase II trial of pyrotinib plus capecitabine versus lapatinib plus capecitabine in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer previously treated with taxanes, anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab

Background:Pyrotinib is an oral, irreversible pan-ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with activity against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) / HER1, HER2, and HER4. Lapatinib in combination with capecitabine is one of the standards of care for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who have received prior taxanes, anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab.

Methods: We conducted an open label, multicenter, randomized phase II trial to comparatively evaluate efficacy and safety of pyrotinib + capecitabine (PC) or lapatinib + capecitabine (LC) in women with HER2-positive MBC. Key eligibility criteria included prior treatment with taxanes, anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab, ≤2 prior chemotherapies for metastatic disease, no CNS metastases, and no prior treatment with HER2 targeted TKI. Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to PC Arm (P 400 mg QD D1–21 + C 1000 mg/m2BID D1–14, 21-D cycle) or LC Arm (L 1250 mg QD D1–21 + C 1000 mg/m2BID D1–14, 21-D cycle). The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) as assessed by investigator, and secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP), duration of response (DoR), overall survival (OS), and safety.

Results: Between May 2015 and Mar 2016, 128 patients (65 in PC arm and 63 in LC arm) were enrolled in this study. Median age was 48 years (range 25-70), ECOG performance status was 0 (53.9%) or 1 (46.1%), 62.5% had hormone receptor-positive disease, 76.6% had visceral disease and 53.9% had received prior trastuzumab in (neo)adjuvant and/or mestastatic setting. Baseline characteristics were well balanced in two arms. Median follow-up time was 15.0 months. ORR was 78.5% in PC arm and 57.1% in LC arm (p=0.01), Median PFS was 18.1 months in PC arm and 7.0 months in LC arm (hazard ratio 0.363; 95% CI 0.228, 0.579; p<0.0001), PFS benefit in PC arm compared to LC arm was observed irrespective of prior trastuzumab or not. Treatment related Grade 3-4 toxicities occurred in >2% patients in PC arm vs LC arm included hand-foot syndrome (21.5% vs 19.0%), diarrhea (13.8% vs 4.8%), decreased neutrophil (7.7% vs 1.6%), decreased WBC (6.2% vs 1.6%), vomiting (4.6% vs 0%), increased AST (3.1% vs 1.6%), decreased hemoglobin (3.1% vs 1.6%), increased total bilirubin (0% vs 4.8%) and increased conjugated bilirubin (0% vs 3.2%).

Conclusions: In women with HER2-positive MBC previously treated with taxanes, anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab, pyrotinib + capecitabine yield statistically significant better PFS and ORR than lapatinib + capecitabine in this randomized phase II trial. Phase III study is ongoing to validate this finding.

Citation Format: Xu B, Ma F, Ouyang Q, Li W, Jiang Z, Tong Z, Liu Y, Li H, Yu S, Feng J, Wang S, Hu X, Zhu X, Zou J. A randomized phase II trial of pyrotinib plus capecitabine versus lapatinib plus capecitabine in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer previously treated with taxanes, anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD3-08.

Development of a 10 kHz high harmonic source up to 140 eV photon energy for ultrafast time-, angle-, and phase-resolved photoelectron emission spectroscopy on solid targets

We present a newly developed high harmonic beamline for time-, angle-, and carrier-envelope phase-resolved extreme ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy on solid targets for the investigation of ultrafast band structure dynamics in the low-fs to sub-fs time regime. The source operates at a repetition rate of 10 kHz and is driven by 5 fs few-cycle near-infrared laser pulses generating high harmonic radiation with photon energies up to 120 eV at a feasible flux. The experimental end station consists of a complementary combination of photoelectron detectors which are able to spectroscopically address electron dynamics both in real and in k-space. The versatility of the source is completed by a phase-meter which allows for tracking the carrier-envelope phase for each pulse and which is synchronized to the photoelectron detectors, thus enabling phase sensitive measurements on the one hand and the selection of single attosecond pulses for ultimate time resolution in pump-probe experiments on the other hand. We demonstrate the applicability of the source by an angle- and carrier-envelope phase-resolved photoemission measurement on a tungsten (110) surface with 95 eV extreme ultraviolet radiation.

[Effects of voice therapy and psychological intervention on anxious and depressive in patients with voice disorders]

Objective:To investigatethe effect of voice therapy on anxious and depressive in patients with voice disorders.Method:The patients who received voicee therapy in our department from May 2014 to July 2016 were enrolled in our study and evaluated by self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self rating depression scale (SDS), before and after voice therapy.result:Before voicee therapy, the score of SAS and SDS were 47.52±11.15 and 48.63±8.70 respectively, which were higher than domestic norm (37.23±12.59 and 41.88±10.57 for SAS and SDS, respecative) with P< 0.05. After voice therapy, the score of SAS and SDS were 38.03±6.95 and 42.21±7.71, which were lower than the score of before voice therapy (P< 0.05). And compared with the domestic norm, the difference was not statistically significant (P> 0.05).Conclusion:The anxiety and depression scores of patients with voice disorders are higher than those of ordinary people. The voice therapy can effectively relieve anxiety and depression of patients with voice disease.

Phylogeny and expression analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid-P (SAP) like genes reveal two distinct groups in fish

The acute phase response (APR) is an early innate immune function that is initiated by inflammatory signals, leading to the release of acute phase proteins to the bloodstream to re-establish homeostasis following microbial infection. In this study we analysed the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) whole-genome database and identified five C-reactive protein (CRP)/serum amyloid P component (SAP) like molecules namely CRP/SAP-1a, CRP/SAP-1b, CRP/SAP-1c, CRP/SAP-2 and CRP/SAP-3. These CRP/SAP genes formed two distinct sub-families, a universal group (group I) present in all vertebrates and a fish/amphibian specific group (group II). Salmon CRP/SAP-1a, CRP/SAP-1b and CRP/SAP-1c and CRP/SAP-2 belong to the group I family whilst salmon CRP/SAP-3 is a member of group II. Gene expression analysis showed that the salmon CRP/SAP-1a as well as serum amyloid A-5 (SAA-5), one of the major acute phase proteins, were significantly up-regulated by recombinant cytokines (rIL-1β and rIFNγ) in primary head kidney cells whilst the other four CRP/SAPs remained refractory. Furthermore, SAA-5 was produced as the main acute phase protein (APP) in Atlantic salmon challenged with Aeromonas salmonicida (aroA(-) strain) whilst salmon CRP/SAPs remained unaltered. Overall, these data illustrate the potential different functions of expanded salmon CRP/SAPs to their mammalian homologues.

[Clinical and pathological analyses of 154 patients with white lesion of vocal cord]

Objective: To investigate the clinical and pathological features and prognosis of white lesion of vocal cord. Methods: One hundred and fifty-four cases of white lesion of vocal cord from January 2009 to February 2016 were retrospectively analysed. All the patients had undergone the resection of white lesion of vocal cord resection through retaining laryngoscope under general anesthesia with the specimens pathologically examined. Results: There were 148 males and 6 females in this study. The ages ranged from 36 to 83 years, and the median age was 54.5.There were 103(66.88%) long-term smokers, and 64(41.56%) long-term drinkers. Postoperative pathology showed that chronic mucosal inflammation in 19 cases (12.34%), squamous epithelial hyperplasia in 56 cases(36.36%), mild dysplasia in 25 cases(16.23%), moderate dysplasia in 34 cases(22.08%), severe dysplasia in 12 cases(7.79%), carcinoma in situ in 6 cases(3.90%), and invasive carcinoma in 2 cases(1.30%). The recurrence rate and canceration rate of chronic mucosal inflammation were 0. The recurrence rate of squamous epithelial hyperplasia was 10.71%, the canceration rate was 0.The recurrence rate of mild dysplasia was 8.00%, the canceration rate was 0. The recurrence rate of moderate dysplasia was 20.59%, the canceration rate was 8.82%. The recurrence rate of severe dysplasia was 25.00%, the canceration rate was 16.67%. Conclusions: White lesion of vocal cord is a predominantly male disease. Long-term smokering and drinking are one of common causes. The final diagnosis of white lesion of vocal cord relies on the pathology. Closed observation is necessary for theses dysplasia cases. The majority of which are benign, the operation effect is good.

Magnitude of and gender differences in cardiovascular risk profiles among community residents in Shenzhen, China

OBJECTIVES

Understanding the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors has an impact on the public policy for initiating CVD prevention. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of current smoking, overweight/obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and dyslipidemia among Shenzhen residents and to investigate gender differences in CVD risk profiles to identify the subgroups at higher risk.

STUDY DESIGN

A large cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2015.

METHODS

Using multistage cluster random sampling methods, a total of 1784 residents finished the face-toface interview survey. Physical examinations and blood tests were performed by qualified professionals.

RESULTS

The prevalence of current smoking, overweight/obesity, hypertension, DM, and dyslipidemia were 21.8%, 40.6%, 17.6%, 4.8%, and 35.7%, respectively. Clustering of two or more or three or more of CVD risk factors was noted in 35.7% and 14.1% of participants. The prevalence of current smoking (45.0% vs 1.1%, P < 0.001), overweight/obesity (48.5% vs 33.4%, P < 0.001), hypertension (19.7% vs 15.7%, P < 0.05), and dyslipidemia (46.5% vs 20.5%, P < 0.001) was found higher among male than among female participants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study adds to the evidence suggesting high prevalence rates of CVD risk factors and composite measures among Shenzhen residents. The higher level of CVD risk factors in male than in female residents is suggested. Effective population-based intervention programs such as smoking cessation, early detection, management, and treatment of hypertension, DM, and dyslipidemia should be initiated and enhanced especially among the males.

Molecular dynamics investigation of desorption and ion separation following picosecond infrared laser (PIRL) ablation of an ionic aqueous protein solution

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to characterize the ablation process induced by a picosecond infrared laser (PIRL) operating in the regime of desorption by impulsive vibrational excitation (DIVE) of a model peptide (lysozyme)/counter-ion system in aqueous solution. The simulations were performed for ablation under typical experimental conditions found within a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS), that is in vacuum with an applied electric field (E = ± 10⁷ V/m), for up to 2 ns post-ablation and compared to the standard PIRL-DIVE ablation condition (E = 0 V/m). Further, a simulation of ablation under an extreme field condition (E = 10¹⁰ V/m) was performed for comparison to extend the effective dynamic range of the effect of the field on charge separation. The results show that the plume dynamics were retained under a typical TOF-MS condition within the first 1 ns of ablation. Efficient desorption was observed with more than 90% of water molecules interacting with lysozyme stripped off within 1 ns post-ablation. The processes of ablation and desolvation of analytes were shown to be independent of the applied electric field and thus decoupled from the ion separation process. Unlike under the extreme field conditions, the electric field inside a typical TOF-MS was shown to modify the ions' motion over a longer time and in a soft manner with no enhancement to fragmentation observed as compared to the standard PIRL-DIVE. The study indicates that the PIRL-DIVE ablation mechanism could be used as a new, intrinsically versatile, and highly sensitive ion source for quantitative mass spectrometry.

Two-stage operation to treat destructive midfoot tuberculosis: 14 cases experience

INTRODUCTION

Tuberculosis (TB) in midfoot is often secondary to tuberculosis elsewhere in the body. The experience and literatures to treat midfoot tuberculosis are rare. Up until now, no successful method is reported to treat midfoot tuberculosis.

HYPOTHESIS

Stage surgery is an effective method to treat midfoot bone TB.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between January 2008 to January 2011, 14 patients who were diagnosed midfoot tuberculosis and suffered stage operation were enrolled. All the patients had been diagnosed definitely relying on imaging examination and laboratory tests preoperatively. Two-stage operation was performed to all patients. At the first stage, TB tissue and infective tissue were completely removed and replaced by antibiotic bone cement. Normal foot length and arch would be restored and maintained by K-wires and external fixators. At the second stage, autologous iliac and allogeneic bone graft were used to replace bone cement and by fixed by locking plates. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), SF-36 and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score were recorded at the last follow-up.

RESULTS

The average bone union time was 3.8 (range 3-6) months. There is no case of local recurrence or skin sinus. Neither implant broken nor screw loosen was present in this study. The AOFAS score was increased from 51.7±6.8 (range 43-61) preoperatively to 82.9±3.9 (range 76-90) postoperatively (P<0.001). The SF-36 score increased from 46.1±6.1 preoperatively to 83.1±5.4 postoperatively (P<0.001). The VAS score decreased from 6.1±1.1 preoperatively to 1.4±0.9 points postoperatively (P<0.001).

DISCUSSION

Stage operation is an effective treatment to stage III, IV midfoot tuberculosis.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective.

[Quality of life analysis of teachers in a primary school in Chengdu]

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of voice disorder and quality of life in the primary school teachers in a certain district of Chengduand examine the correlation between two voice-specific questionnaires.Method:Random sampling survey included 389 teachers from a certain district of Chengdu.Twelve item general health questionnaire(GHQ-12),voice handicap index 10(VHI-10) and voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL) were investigated and routine examination of throat with electronic fiber laryngoscopy were carried out for teachers.Result:There were 189 teachers who had voice disorders(voice disorders group),and 200 teachers who did not have voice disorders(control group).②The total score's difference of V-RQOL and VHI-10,functional(F) and emotion(E) dimensions in VHI-10 between two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05),however,there were no statistically significant difference of GHQ-12 between two groups. The total score of GHQ-12 was positively correlated with VHI-10(r=0.194,P <0.05),while the total score of V-RQOL was negatively correlated with GHQ-12(r=-0.209,P<0.05) and VHI-10 (r=-0.586, P <0.05).Conclusion:Voice disorders can affect teachers' psychology and voice related quality of life.Although the VHI-10 and V-RQOL had correlation,the correlation is not strong.So it is recommended combine VHI-10 and V-RQOL when the quality of life of voice disorders is evaluated.

Correlated anomalous phase diffusion of coupled phononic modes in a sideband-driven resonator

The dynamical backaction from a periodically driven optical cavity can reduce the damping of a mechanical resonator, leading to parametric instability accompanied by self-sustained oscillations. Here we study experimentally and theoretically new aspects of the backaction and the discrete time-translation symmetry of a driven system using a micromechanical resonator with two nonlinearly coupled vibrational modes with strongly differing frequencies and decay rates. We find self-sustained oscillations in both the low- and high-frequency modes. Their frequencies and amplitudes are determined by the nonlinearity, which also leads to bistability and hysteresis. The phase fluctuations of the two modes show near-perfect anti-correlation, a consequence of the discrete time-translation symmetry. Concurrently, the phase of each mode undergoes anomalous diffusion. The phase variance follows a power law time dependence, with an exponent determined by the 1/f-type resonator frequency noise. Our findings enable compensating for the fluctuations using a feedback scheme to achieve stable frequency downconversion.

Dynamical backaction from a periodically driven cavity can reduce the damping of a mechanical resonator causing parametric instability. Here, the authors observe simultaneous self-sustained oscillations in both the mechanical and cavity modes and their correlated phase diffusion.

CSN6 controls the proliferation and metastasis of glioblastoma by CHIP-mediated degradation of EGFR

CSN6, a critical subunit of the constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 (COP9) signalosome (CSN), has received attention as a regulator of the degradation of cancer-related proteins such as p53, c-myc and c-Jun, through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, suggesting its importance in cancerogenesis. However, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of CSN6 in glioblastoma (GBM) remain poorly understood. Here, we report that GBM tumors overexpressed CSN6 compared with normal brain tissues and that CSN6 promoted GBM cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis. Erlotinib, a small-molecule epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was used to reveal that the proliferative and metastatic effects of CSN6 on GBM cells were EGFR dependent. We also found that CSN6 positively regulated EGFR stability via reduced levels of EGFR ubiquitination, thereby elevating steady expression of EGFR. In addition, this study is the first description of a novel role for the CSN6-interacting E3 ligase, CHIP (carboxyl terminus of heat-shock protein 70-interacting protein), regulating EGFR ubiquitination in cancer cells. We showed that CSN6 associated with CHIP and led to CHIP destabilization by increasing CHIP self-ubiquitination. Moreover, CSN6 decreased CHIP expression and increased EGFR expression in the tumor samples. Deregulation of this axis promoted GBM cell's proliferation and metastasis. Thus, our study provides insights into the applicability of using the CSN6-CHIP-EGFR axis as a potential therapeutic target in cancer.

Identification of a novel HLA-B*44 allele, HLA-B*44:237N, in a Chinese individual

B*44:237N differs from B*44:03:01 by nucleotides deletion at nucleotide 286 and 287 in exon 2.

Comparison of two methods for RNA extraction from the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs

RNA extraction from the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs has been extensively used in orthopedic studies. We compared two methods for extracting RNA from the nucleus pulposus: liquid nitrogen grinding and enzyme digestion. The RNA was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis, and the purity was evaluated by absorbance ratio using a spectrophotometer. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) expression was assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Thirty human lumbar intervertebral discs were used in this study. The liquid nitrogen-grinding method was used for RNA extraction from 15 samples, and the mean RNA concentration was 491.04 ± 44.16 ng/mL. The enzyme digestion method was used on 15 samples, and the mean RNA concentration was 898.42 ± 38.64 ng/mL. The statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in concentration between the different methods. Apparent 28S, 18S, and 5S bands were detectable in RNA extracted using the enzyme digestion method, whereas no 28S or 18S bands were detected in RNA extracted using the liquid nitrogen-grinding method. The GAPDH band was visible, and no non-specific band was detected in the RT-PCR assay by the enzyme digestion method. Therefore, the enzyme digestion method is an efficient and easy method for RNA extraction from the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs for further intervertebral disc degeneration-related studies.