The risk of placental abruption and placenta previa in pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B viral infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Several epidemiological studies have found a positive association between chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection and the risk of placental abruption and placenta previa, but various studies have reported conflicting findings. The objective was to systematically review the literature to determine a possible association between CHB infection and these two placental complications.

METHODS

We conducted a computerized search in electronic database through March 1, 2014, supplemented with a manual search of reference lists, to identify original published research on placental abruption and placenta previa rates in women with CHB infection. Data were independently extracted, and relative risks were calculated. The meta-analysis was performed using Stata version 10.0 software.

RESULTS

Five studies involving 9088 placenta previa cases were identified. No significant association between CHB infection and placenta previa was identified (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.60-1.62). Five studies involving 15571 placental abruption cases were identified. No significant association between CHB infection and placental abruption was identified (OR = 1.42, 95% CI, 0.93-2.15).

DISCUSSION

The immune response against the virus represents a key factor in determining infection outcomes. No observation of significant increased risk of the placental complications could be partially explained by the complex immune response during CHB infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis found no evidence of significant associations between CHB infection and increased risk of placental abruption as well as placenta previa. Further well-designed studies were warranted to assess any potential association between CHB infection and increased risk of placental abruption as well as placenta previa.

Quantitative structure and bioactivity relationship study on HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors

Several QSAR (quantitative structure-activity relationship) models for predicting the inhibitory activity of 333 hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase inhibitors were developed. All the inhibitors are HCV polymerase non-nucleoside analogue inhibitors (NNIs) fitting into the pocket of the NNI III binding site. For each molecule, global descriptors and 2D property autocorrelation descriptors were calculated from the program ADRIANA.Code. Pearson correlation analysis was used to select the significant descriptors for building models. The whole dataset was split into a training set and a test set randomly or using a Kohonen's self-organizing map (SOM). Then, the inhibitory activity of 333 HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors was predicted using multilinear regression (MLR) analysis and support vector machine (SVM) method, respectively. For the test set of the best model (Model 2B), correlation coefficient of 0.91 was achieved. Some molecular descriptors, such as molecular complexity (Complexity), the number of hydrogen bonding donors (HDon) and the solubility of the molecule in water (log S) were found to be very important factors which determined the bioactivity of the HCV NS5B inhibitors. Some other molecular properties such as electrostatic and charge properties also played important roles in the interaction between the ligand and the protein. The selected molecular descriptors were further confirmed by analysing the interaction between two representative inhibitors and the polymerase in their crystal structures.

JNK phosphorylation promotes natural degeneration of cervical endplate chondrocytes by down-regulating expression of ANK

BACKGROUND

Endplate degeneration leads to accelerated degeneration of the intervertebral disc. The importance of endplate chondrocytes in this process is unclear. Many cellular processes in chondrocytes are controlled by activated c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and protein kinase B (AKT). However, the involvement of their pathways in the degeneration process needs to be elucidated.

AIM

To study activation of JNK and AKT signaling pathways and their significance for degeneration of endplate chondrocytes, as well as involvement of progressive ankylosis protein (ANK) in this process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rat primary chondrocytes were grown to confluence and subcultured until passage 4. Morphological appearances (microscope, hematoxylin & eosin staining, toluidine blue staining) and proliferation rates of cells (MTT test) were observed. Further, levels of type II collagen, aggrecan, phosphorylated JNK and AKT, total JNK, AKT and ANK were evaluated by qPCR, flow cytometry and Western blot assays. Furthermore, inhibition experiments with SP600125, the JNK inhibitor, were carried out in the passage 4 cells to assess the effects of the JNK pathway on natural degeneration of endplate chondrocytes.

RESULTS

The proliferative speed of endplate chondrocytes progressively decreased during passaging. Expressions of type II collagen and aggrecan were significantly decreased with cells at higher passages. Furthermore, phosphorylation of JNK, but not AKT, was significantly up-regulated and accompanied by reduced ANK expression. Inhibition of the JNK pathway increased expression of type II collagen, aggrecan and ANK and facilitated proliferation rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Phosphorylation of JNK promotes natural degeneration of cervical endplate chondrocytes, likely by down-regulating ANK expression.

Advanced oxidation protein products enhances soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 expression in trophoblasts: a possible link between oxidative stress and preeclampsia

Accumulation of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) is prevalent in obesity, advanced maternal age, diabetes mellitus, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Alterations in the regulation and signaling of angiogenic pathways have been recognized as a link between these conditions and pre-eclampsia. To investigate the possible impact of AOPPs on soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) expression in trophoblasts. A trophoblast cell line (HRT-8/SVneo) was treated with various concentrations of AOPPs. The mRNA expression of sFlt-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and placental growth factor (PlGF) in trophoblasts were measured with the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction; and the secretion of sFlt-1, VEGF, and PlGF protein from trophoblasts were detected with the use of ELISA. Exposure of HRT-8/SVneo cells to AOPPs induced overexpression of sFlt-1 at mRNA and protein levels in a dose dependent manner. These effects could be inhibited by apocynin, an inhibitors of NADPH oxidase. Our data identified AOPPs as a class of important mediator in the regulation and signaling of angiogenic pathways of trophoblasts. Accumulation of AOPPs might contributes to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia by promoting sFlt-1 production in trophoblasts.

Terbinafine inhibits KSR1 and suppresses Raf-MEK-ERK signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Terbinafine inhibits the proliferation of many types of cancer cells, but the underlying mechanism remains to be determined. By computer simulation, we found that kinase suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1) is a possible target of terbinafine. Treatment of human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) KB cells with either terbinafine or siRNA to knockdown KSR1 reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis, which was accompanied by suppression of the Raf-MEK-ERK pathway. In vivo, KSR1 expression was significantly associated with the clinical staging of OSCC and the smoking habit of patients. Kaplan Meyer survival analysis demonstrated that the cumulative survival time of patients without KSR1 expression was significantly longer than those with KSR1 overexpression. Our data provide the basis for developing terbinafine to treat OSCC.

Exposure to bisphenol A disrupts meiotic progression during spermatogenesis in adult rats through estrogen-like activity

The effect of bisphenol A (BPA) on the reproductive system is highly debated but has been associated with meiotic abnormalities. However, evidence is lacking with regard to the mechanisms involved. In order to explore the underlying mechanisms of BPA-induced meiotic abnormalities in adult male rats, we exposed 9-week-old male Wistar rats to BPA by gavage at 0, 2, 20 or 200 μg/kg body weight (bw)/day for 60 consecutive days. 17β-Estradiol (E2) was administered at 10 μg/kg bw/day as the estrogenic positive control. Treatments with 200 μg/kg bw/day of BPA and E2 significantly decreased sperm counts and inhibited spermiation, characterized by an increase in stage VII and decrease in stage VIII in the seminiferous epithelium. This was concomitant with a disruption in the progression of meiosis I and the persistence of meiotic DNA strand breaks in pachytene spermatocytes,and the ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated and checkpoint kinase 2 signal pathway was also activated; Eventually, germ cell apoptosis was triggered as evaluated by terminal dUTP nick-end labeling assay and western blot for caspase 3. Using the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182780, we determined that ER signaling mediated BPA-induced meiotic disruption and reproductive impairment. Our results suggest that ER signaling-mediated meiotic disruption may be a major contributor to the molecular events leading to BPA-related male reproductive disorders. These rodent data support the growing association between BPA exposure and the rapid increase in the incidence of male reproductive disorders.

Anticancer efficacy of cisplatin and trichostatin A or 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine on ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the anticancer efficacy of the combination of epigenetic modifiers and cisplatin in human ovarian cancer.

METHODS

The effect of trichostatin A (TSA) and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine alone or in combination with low-dose cisplatin was evaluated on human ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro. We measured drug interaction by MTS assay, migration by transwell assay, expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (Twist, Snail, Slug, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin), pluripotency markers (Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog), and epigenetic markers (DNMT3A, LSD1 and H3K4me2, H3K4me3, H3K9me2, and H3K9me3) by western blot, and the impact on and characteristics of spheroid growth when exposed to these drugs. Mouse xenografts were used to evaluate the anticancer effect of sequential drug treatment.

RESULTS

Combination treatment had greater efficacy than single drugs and significantly suppressed cell viability, migration, and spheroid formation and growth. Sequential treatment of cisplatin (1 mg kg(-1)) followed by TSA (0.3 mg kg(-1)) significantly suppressed tumorigenicity of HEY xenografts through inhibition of EMT and decreased pluripotency of ovarian cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

Epigenetic modifiers potentiate the anticancer efficacy of low-dose cisplatin in ovarian cancer through regulation of EMT and pluripotency, and may provide a promising treatment for ovarian cancer patients.

Entropy-based information gain approaches to detect and to characterize gene-gene and gene-environment interactions/correlations of complex diseases

For complex diseases, the relationship between genotypes, environment factors, and phenotype is usually complex and nonlinear. Our understanding of the genetic architecture of diseases has considerably increased over the last years. However, both conceptually and methodologically, detecting gene-gene and gene-environment interactions remains a challenge, despite the existence of a number of efficient methods. One method that offers great promises but has not yet been widely applied to genomic data is the entropy-based approach of information theory. In this article, we first develop entropy-based test statistics to identify two-way and higher order gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. We then apply these methods to a bladder cancer data set and thereby test their power and identify strengths and weaknesses. For two-way interactions, we propose an information gain (IG) approach based on mutual information. For three-ways and higher order interactions, an interaction IG approach is used. In both cases, we develop one-dimensional test statistics to analyze sparse data. Compared to the naive chi-square test, the test statistics we develop have similar or higher power and is robust. Applying it to the bladder cancer data set allowed to investigate the complex interactions between DNA repair gene single nucleotide polymorphisms, smoking status, and bladder cancer susceptibility. Although not yet widely applied, entropy-based approaches appear as a useful tool for detecting gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. The test statistics we develop add to a growing body methodologies that will gradually shed light on the complex architecture of common diseases.

A phase I trial of the monoclonal antibody FG-3019 to connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer

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Background: CTGF is highly expressed in pancreatic tumors and is thought to mediate local desmoplasia. FG-3019 is a fully human monoclonal antibody against CTGF. Studies using FG-3019 in murine xenograft models have shown reduced tumor growth and metastasis.

Methods: This open-label, dose escalation study assessed the safety and pharmacokinetics of FG-3019 (3, 10, 15, and 25 mg/kg q14D). FG-3019 was initiated on D1 to assess single-agent toxicity. Standard gemcitabine and erlotinib were added on D15. Chemotherapy-naive patients with locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma were eligible. Seventeen subjects (median age 66 yrs) were enrolled: n=4, 3, and 10 at 3, 10, and 15 mg/kg respectively. Enrollment is ongoing in the 25 mg/kg cohort. Seven subjects were female; four were stage 3, and 13 were stage 4.

Results: No safety signals were detected with single-agent FG-3019. After beginning chemotherapy, four subjects experienced seven SAEs, which were deemed unrelated to FG-3019 including three deaths: sepsis, suicide, and disease progression. Nine subjects experienced grade 3 AEs, all of which were expected in patients with pancreatic cancer. There were no grade 4 hematologic abnormalities. AEs related to gemcitabine (hematologic, abnormal LFTs) and erlotinib (rash) occurred at a rate and severity consistent with the prescribing information (preliminary data). Steady-state Cmax (median 428, range 236-455 μg/mL), and T1/2 (median 6.6, range 6.3-6.7 days) at the 10 mg/kg dose level were comparable to PK data from subjects in non-oncological trials who received FG-3019 at the same dose level. One subject had a partial response by RECIST criteria for 9.7+ months. Another subject had a minor response for 7.7 months. Three of five subjects with PET scans at baseline and D15 experienced stable to reduced PET activity before starting chemotherapy. The median TTP across all cohorts was 3.7 months (95% CI 1.9-6.2), and the median OS was 9.4 months (95% CI 1.9-10.6).

Conclusions: FG-3019 is well tolerated and dose escalation continues. Reduced PET activity after treatment with single-agent FG-3019 may indicate a biological effect of the agent.

[Table: see text]

Inorganic phosphate induces mammalian growth plate chondrocyte apoptosis in a mitochondrial pathway involving nitric oxide and JNK MAP kinase

Chondrocytes in the hypertrophic zone of the growth plate undergo apoptosis during endochondral bone development via mechanisms that involve inorganic phosphate (Pi) and nitric oxide (NO). Recent evidence suggests that Pi-dependent NO production plays a role in apoptosis of cells in the resting zone as well. This study examined the mechanism by which Pi induces NO production and the signaling pathways by which NO mediates its effects on apoptosis in these cells. Pi decreased the number of viable cells based on MTT activity; the number of TUNEL-positive cells and the level of DNA fragmentation were increased, indicating an increase in apoptosis. Blocking NO production using the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor L: -NAME or cells from eNOS(-/-) mice blocked Pi-induced chondrocyte apoptosis, indicating that NO production is necessary. NO donors NOC-18 and SNOG both induced chondrocyte apoptosis. SNOG also upregulated p53 expression, the Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio, and cytochrome c release from mitochondria, as well as caspase-3 activity, indicating that NO induces apoptosis via a mitochondrial pathway. Inhibition of JNK, but not of p38 or ERK1/2, MAP kinase was able to block NO-induced apoptosis, indicating that JNK is necessary in this pathway. Pi elevates NO production via eNOS in resting zone chondrocytes, which leads to a mitochondrial apoptosis pathway dependent on JNK.

17β-Estradiol regulates rat growth plate chondrocyte apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway not involving nitric oxide or MAPKs

Estrogens cause growth plate closure in both males and females, by decreasing proliferation and inducing apoptosis of postproliferative growth plate chondrocytes. In vitro studies using 17β-estradiol (E(2)) conjugated to bovine serum albumin (E(2)-BSA) show that rat costochondral growth plate resting zone chondrocytes also respond to E(2). Moreover, they are regulated by E(2)-BSA via a protein kinase C and ERK MAPK signaling pathway that is functional only in female cells. To better understand how E(2) regulates apoptosis of growth plate chondrocytes, rat resting zone chondrocytes cells were treated with E(2) or E(2)-BSA. E(2) caused apoptosis in male and female resting zone and growth zone chondrocytes in a dose-dependent manner, based on elevated DNA fragmentation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining and caspase-3 activation. E(2) also up-regulated p53 and Bax protein (Bcl-2-associated X protein) levels and induced release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria, indicating a mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. The apoptotic effect of E(2) did not involve elevated nitric oxide production or MAPKs. It was reduced by ICI 182780, which is an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist and blocked by antibodies to Erα36, a membrane-associated ER. E(2)-BSA reduced cell viability and increased caspase-3 activity; ICI 182780 had no effect, but anti-ERα36 antibodies blocked the effect. The results indicate that estrogen is able to directly affect the cell population kinetics of growth plate chondrocytes by regulating apoptosis, as well as proliferation and differentiation in both resting zone and growth zone cells. They also have provided further information about the physiological functions of estrogen on longitudinal bone growth.

Identification of the forensically important sarcophagid flies Boerttcherisca peregrina, Parasarcophaga albiceps and Parasarcophaga dux (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) based on COII gene in China

Accurate species identication is a crucial step in forensic entomology, as the insect collected on a corpse can provide useful information for estimation of postmortem interval (PMI). The utility of the forensically important Sarcophagidae (Diptera) for crime scene investigation has been severely restricted, as morphological identification is difficult, especially the identification of females and larvae. In this study, a method for using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data and phylogenetic analysis was performed to distinguish the three Chinese sarcophagid species: Boerttcherisca peregrina (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) Parasarcophaga albiceps (Meigen, 1826) and Parasarcophaga dux (Thompson, 1869) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). DNA was extracted and analyzed by a 189 bp fragment of cytochrome coxidase subunit II (COII) gene. The monophyletic branches of the phylogenetic tree reveal that this marker is suitable for discrimination between these species, providing high support for separation on congeneric species. Therefore, the molecular method applied to the sarcophagid species identification is feasible.

24R,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, lysophosphatidic acid, and p53: a signaling axis in the inhibition of phosphate-induced chondrocyte apoptosis

Maintenance of the pool of chondrocytes in the resting zone of the growth plate in the presence of the physiological apoptogen inorganic phosphate (Pi) is crucial for skeletal development. Costochondral resting zone chondrocytes are regulated by the vitamin D metabolite 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24R,25(OH)(2)D(3)], with increased production of sulfated glycosaminoglycan-rich extracellular matrix, and reduced matrix metalloproteinase activity. The effects of 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) are mediated by activation of phospholipase D (PLD), resulting in increased production of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and LPA-mediated proliferation, maturation, inhibition of Pi-induced apoptosis, and reduction of p53. However, the exact mechanism by which 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) and LPA exert their effects is not fully understood. It was found that both 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) and LPA attenuate Pi-induced caspase-3 activity. The actions of 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) and LPA were dependent upon G(αi), LPA receptor(s) 1 and/or 3, PLD, phospholipase C (PLC), and intracellular calcium, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI(3)K) signaling, and nuclear export. 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) decreased both p53 abundance and p53-medaited transcription and inhibited Pi-induced cytochrome c translocation. Moreover, LPA induced increased mdm2 phosphorylation, a negative regulator of p53. Taken together, these data show that 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) inhibits Pi-induced apoptosis through Ca(2+), PLD, and PLC signaling and through LPA-LPA1/3-G(αi)-PI(3)K-mdm2-mediated p53 degradation, resulting in decreased cytochrome c translocation and caspase-3 activity.

The availability of 16S rRNA for the identification of forensically important flies (Diptera: Muscidae) in China

Many species of Muscidae are cosmopolitan synanthropic insects. It is frequently found on dead bodies after death, so an accurate identification of each species is necessary for the correct estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI). Identification species of Muscidae is traditionally performed through their morphological features. However, the morphological similarity of Muscidae in the level of species usually poses a challenge for forensic entomologists. Therefore a molecular method used 16S rRNA sequence on mitochondrial DNA was established for species identification. In this study, a 289 base pair region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) coding for 16S rRNA was investigated for identification of the following forensically important species of Muscidae. The specimens were from four genera, including 18 Musca domestica (Linnaeus, 1758), 2 Ophyra spinigera (Stein, 1910), 2 Ophyra chalcogaster (Wiedemann, 1824), 1 Morellia hortorum (Fallén, 1817), and 1 Fannia canicularis (Linnaeus, 1761). 16S rDNA region allowed the identification of these species of Muscidae, indicating the possibility of separation congeneric species with molecular method.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome among caucasians

Studies investigating the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphisms and the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) report conflicting results. The objective of the present study was to summarize quantitatively the evidence for such a relationship. Two investigators independently searched the MEDLINE (January 1966 - October 2009) and EMBASE (January 1980 - October 2009) databases. This meta-analysis included six case-control studies, which included 514 ARDS cases and 2619 controls. The combined results based on all studies showed that patients with ARDS had a significantly higher frequency of the ACE deletion/deletion (DD) genotype (odds ratio [OR] 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22, 2.00) than controls. When stratifying for race, no significant differences in genotype distribution were found except that Caucasian patients with ARDS had a significantly higher frequency of the DD genotype (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.27, 2.13) than controls. This meta-analysis suggests that ACE insertion/deletion polymorphisms may be associated with ARDS among Caucasians.

An interesting case of rifampicin-dependent/-enhanced multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

We report a case of rifampicin (RMP) dependent/enhanced multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) from a patient who had been treated with the World Health Organization optional thrice-weekly treatment and document the clinical and bacteriological features. RMP-enhanced tubercle bacilli that grew poorly without RMP but grew better in its presence were isolated from the patient with treatment failure. The bacteria grown without RMP consisted of mixed morphologies of short rod-shaped acid-fast bacteria and poorly stained coccoid bacteria, but stained normally as acid-fast rods when grown in the presence of RMP. The isolated RMP-enhanced bacteria harbored the common S531L mutation and a novel mutation F584S in the rpoB gene. Treatment containing RMP or replacement of RMP with more powerful rifapentine paradoxically aggravated the disease, but its removal led to successful cure of the patient. This study highlights the potential dangers of continued treatment of MDR-TB with rifamycins that can occur due to delayed or absent drug susceptibility results and calls for timely detection of RMP-dependent/-enhanced bacteria in treatment failure patients by including RMP in culture media and removal of RMP from treatment regimen upon detection.

Superconductivity at 56 K in samarium-doped SrFeAsF

We synthesized the samples Sr(1-x)Sm(x)FFeAs with a ZrCuSiAs-type structure. These samples were characterized by resistivity and susceptibility. It is found that substitution of rare earth metal for alkaline earth metal in this system suppresses the anomaly in resistivity and induces superconductivity. Superconductivity at 56 K in nominal composition Sr(0.5)Sm(0.5)FFeAs is realized, indicating that the superconducting transition temperatures in the iron arsenide fluorides can reach as high as that in oxypnictides with the same structure.