Mechanism of synergy between SIPI-8294 and β-lactam antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

SIPI-8294, as an erythromycin derivative, has only weak antibacterial effects on MRSA and MSSA. Interestingly, synergistic effect of SIPI-8294 with oxacillin was observed both in vitro and in vivo. Western blot and RT-PCR results demonstrate that mecA expressions were suppressed by SIPI-8294 in MRSA. Furthermore, the knock out of mecA in ATCC 43300 led to the loss of synergy of the combinations while mecA complemented strain showed almost the same synergistic capability compared to the wild type strain. However, the knock out of mecR1 and mecI in MRSA displayed no impact on the synergy of the combinations and the ability of SIPI-8294 to suppress mecA expression. In summary, our study has demonstrated that SIPI-8294 could dramatically reverse MRSA resistance to β-lactams both in vitro and in vivo owing to inhibiting mecA expression. However, mecR1 and mecI, as the pivotal regulatory genes of mecA, do not participate in SIPI-8294-mecA pathway. The research indicates that it may be a promising strategy for combating MRSA infections with the combinations of SIPI-8294 and β-lactam antibiotics. The research of the mechanism is important for structure modification and new drug development.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study is the first report on the mechanism of synergy between SIPI-8294 and β-lactams against MRSA on the molecular level. In this study, SIPI-8294 showed strong synergistic effects on β-lactam antibiotics both in vitro and in vivo owing to inhibiting mecA expression. As pivotal regulatory genes of mecA, mecR1 and mecI do not participate in SIPI-8294-mecA pathway and are not involved in the synergism of SIPI-8294 and β-lactams. The research indicates that it may be a promising strategy for combating MRSA infections with the combinations of SIPI-8294 and β-lactams. The research is important for structure modification and new drug development.

Relationship of HLA-DRB1 gene polymorphism with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis: updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Studies indicate that human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene polymorphisms are implicated in the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). However, research findings are contradictory.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between HLA-DRB1 alleles and PTB risk using a meta-analysis on case-control studies.

METHODS

We searched for relevant studies in the PubMed and EMBASE databases. We used fixed-effects or random-effects models and reported combined odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to estimate the quality of each case-control study.

RESULTS

A total of 21 individual case-control studies were identified, including studies of 14 family alleles and 28 specific alleles. Compared with controls, DRB1*15 and DRB1*08:03 were found to have significantly higher frequencies in PTB patients; however, DRB1*03, DRB1*11, DRB1*11:03 and DRB1*12:02 had significantly lower frequencies in the total population. The association between other HLA-DRB1 family alleles and specific alleles and predisposition to PTB was not statistically significant. Among Asian populations, DRB1*03 and DRB1*07:01 were associated with a reduced incidence of PTB, while DRB1*15 and DRB1*08:03 were associated with an increased incidence of PTB.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that HLA-DRB1 may be a valuable marker to predict the risk for PTB, especially in Asian populations.

Effect of TGF-β1/SDF-1/CXCR4 signal on BM-MSCs homing in rat heart of ischemia/perfusion injury

OBJECTIVE

Heart ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common cause of heart failure. However, there is no effective method to treat the disease presently. The present research was to investigate the effects of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) on homing of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in heart I/R injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Effects of TGF-β1 on the expression of CXCR4 [Chemokine (C-X-C Motif) Receptor 4] and chemotactic effect to SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor 1) in MSCs were investigated by in vitro transmembrane chemotaxis. Anti-TGF-β1 was incubated with I/R injury's heart tissue of mice. In addition, effects of TGF-β1 and anti-CXCR4 treatment using MSCs on the expression of SDF-1/CXCR4 in heart tissue and on I/R injury repair were further explored.

RESULTS

CXCR4 and TGF-β1 expression were significantly increased after TGF-β1 treatment in MSCs; TGF-β1 treatment increased MSCs cell migration, and anti-CXCR4 and anti-TGF-β1 treatment blocked MSCs/TGF-β1cell migration. Expression of TGF-β1 in the I/R injury's myocardial tissue of mice was increased, and MSCs transplantation could enhance the protein expression of CXCR4 in the I/R injury's myocardial tissue of mice, and the expression of CXCR4 was decreased by the anti-TGF-β1 and the anti-CXCR4 treatment. TGF-β1 induced homing of MSCs in the repair of myocardial injury by regulating expression of CXCR4 on the cell membranes. Blue fluorescence of DAPI-positive MSCs cells of myocardial in the I/R+MSC group was enhanced significantly, which was significantly inhibited by anti-TGF-β1 and anti-CXCR4 antibody, and the inhibitory effect of anti-CXCR4 antibody was more evident than that of anti-TGF-β1 antibody.

CONCLUSIONS

TGF-β1 promotes homing of bone marrow (BM) MSCs in I/R injury's myocardial. The study provided useful data on the role of TGF-β1 in regulating SDF-1/CXCR4 axis-induced MSCs homing.

Heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in the LHC era: from proton-proton to heavy-ion collisions

This report reviews the study of open heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in high-energy hadronic collisions, as tools to investigate fundamental aspects of Quantum Chromodynamics, from the proton and nucleus structure at high energy to deconfinement and the properties of the Quark-Gluon Plasma. Emphasis is given to the lessons learnt from LHC Run 1 results, which are reviewed in a global picture with the results from SPS and RHIC at lower energies, as well as to the questions to be addressed in the future. The report covers heavy flavour and quarkonium production in proton-proton, proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions. This includes discussion of the effects of hot and cold strongly interacting matter, quarkonium photoproduction in nucleus-nucleus collisions and perspectives on the study of heavy flavour and quarkonium with upgrades of existing experiments and new experiments. The report results from the activity of the SaporeGravis network of the I3 Hadron Physics programme of the European Union 7[Formula: see text] Framework Programme.

[Impact of number of dissected lymph nodes on survival in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after radical resection]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of the number of dissected lymph nodes on survival of patients with stage T3N0M0 thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

The clinicopathlogical dada of 249 patients with stage T3N0M0 thoracic ESCC were analyzed retrospectively. The median age of the 249 patients (171 males and 78 females) was 60-year old. The primary lesions were located in the upper- in 40, middle- in 177, and lower-thoracic esophagus in 45 patients. The median length of the lesions was 5 cm (range 2-12 cm). As for the severity of adhesion after surgery, there were 35 with no adhesion, 90 with mild-, and 124 patients with severe adhesion. The median number of dissected lymph nodes (dissected LN) at surgery was 9 (range 1-27), among them, less than 6 dissected LNs in 55, 6-11 dissected LNs in 133, and 11 or more dissected LNs in 61 cases. There were 210 patients with moderately or highly, and 39 with poorly differentiated cancer. 98 patients were treated with surgery alone, and 151 with postoperative adjuvant treatment.

RESULTS

The follow-up deadline was July 2013. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 90.0%, 68.7% and 55.2%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 85.5%, 63.6% and 39.1% in patients with <6 dissected LNs, 89.5%, 67.7% and 56.9% in patients with 6-11 dissected LNs, and 95.1%, 75.4% and 66.2% in patients with >11 dissected LNs, respectively (P=0.073). The survival was shorter in patients with <6 dissected LNs than patients with >11 dissected LNs (P=0.022). The subgroup analysis showed that in patients with middle-thoracic ESCC, the length of lesion ≤5 cm or mild adhesion after surgery and the number of dissected LNs were associated with survival after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with stage T3N0M0 thoracic ESCC after surgery, the number of dissected LNs is an important factor affecting the survival, and at least 6 or more lymph nodes should be dissected. If lymphadenectomy is not adequately performed, postoperative adjuvant therapy should be recommend.

Abstract P1-14-18: Postmastectomy radiotherapy improves the outcomes of stage III breast cancer patients with negative lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in clinical stage II and III breast cancer patients who achieved negative node status (pN0) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 143 patients with pN0 after NAC and mastectomy at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. In total, 103 (72%) patients received PMRT, and 40 (28%) patients did not. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of PMRT on locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) and overall survival (OS) of the two groups.

Results: There were no differences between the two groups with respect to age, nuclear grade, estrogen receptor (ER) status, HER2/neu receptor status, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) status or pathological tumor size. However, a significantly higher proportion of patients in the irradiated group (64%) had clinical lymph node involvement than in the nonirradiated group (45%). After a median follow-up time of 49 months, 10 locoregional recurrence events occurred. For the entire cohort of patients, use of radiation therapy improved the 5-year LRRFS rate (94.5% vs. 80.2%; P =0.032) but not the 5-year OS rate (92.2% vs. 88.7%; P =0.617). In the subset of patients who presented with clinically stage II disease, the 5-year LRRFS and 5-year OS did not differ significantly between the PMRT and no-PMRT group (96.3% vs. 91.3%; P = 0.190 and 96.2% vs. 91.3%; P = 0.199, respectively). For patients with stage III disease at diagnosis, a trend was seen toward better local regional control with PMRT (the 5-year LRRFS rate was 92.7% vs. 64.2%; P = 0.063), although the benefit from radiation with respect to OS was not significant (5-year OS rate was 88.1% vs. 85.2%; P = 0.657). On multivariate Cox regression analyses, the clinical tumor size (hazard ratio [HR], 3.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-10.18; P = 0.041), pathologic breast tumor response (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1,11-3.77; P = 0.046) and delivery of radiation therapy (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.08-9.25; P = 0.047) were independent predictors of locoregional recurrence.

Conclusions: For patients who achieved pN0 after NAC, PMRT seemed to provide a clinical benefit for breast cancer patients with stage III disease. Omission of PMRT in patients with stage II disease did not increase the risk of locoregional recurrence and death.

Citation Format: He M, Li J, Ni X-J, Chen S, Jiang Y-Z, Di G-H, Shao Z-M. Postmastectomy radiotherapy improves the outcomes of stage III breast cancer patients with negative lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-14-18.

Measurement of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

This Letter reports a measurement of the flux and energy spectrum of electron antineutrinos from six 2.9 GWth nuclear reactors with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls in the Daya Bay experiment. Using 217 days of data, 296 721 and 41 589 inverse β decay (IBD) candidates were detected in the near and far halls, respectively. The measured IBD yield is (1.55±0.04) ×10(-18)  cm(2) GW(-1) day(-1) or (5.92±0.14) ×10(-43)  cm(2) fission(-1). This flux measurement is consistent with previous short-baseline reactor antineutrino experiments and is 0.946±0.022 (0.991±0.023) relative to the flux predicted with the Huber-Mueller (ILL-Vogel) fissile antineutrino model. The measured IBD positron energy spectrum deviates from both spectral predictions by more than 2σ over the full energy range with a local significance of up to ∼4σ between 4-6 MeV. A reactor antineutrino spectrum of IBD reactions is extracted from the measured positron energy spectrum for model-independent predictions.

An unusual ovarian neoplasm diagnosed in a patient with rupture of unicornuate uterus during pregnancy: a case report

Unicornuate uterus is a rare disease characterized with reduced fertility, and ovarian tumor diagnosed during pregnancy is uncommon as well. These two diseases have been reported separately. However, patient suffering from both diseases has never been reported before. The authors herein report a case of a 32-year-old Chinese woman presenting with a unicornuate uterus with no horn, who suffered from acute abdominal pain and intra-abdominal hemorrhage at 26 weeks gestation. Incidentally, a borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) and rupture of uterus were found during an urgent exploratory laparotomy. During the follow-up, ovarian tumor recurred in the first year after the operation. The authors suggest that BOT with micropapillary patterns should be paid much more attention to, other than only assessing the histological type. Furthermore, they also suggest that a slightly increased in serum CA-125 value should not be ignored.

Correlation between sperm ultrastructure in infertile patients with abnormal sperm morphology and DNA damage

This study explored the correlation between sperm ultrastructure in infertile patients with abnormal sperm morphology and DNA damage. Three unusual sperm morphologies were selected for the experimental group namely case 1 (95% headless sperm), case 2 (98% headless sperm), and case 3 (100% headless sperm), and the control group consisted of 2 subjects (20 and 15% headless sperm). For case 1, the patient was negative for sexually transmitted diseases and had normal semen plasma biochemistry, reproductive hormones, peripheral blood chromosomes, and azoospermia factor (AZF). The aneuploid rate of sperm chromosomes was 0.6%, and DNA damage index of sperm nuclei was 84.4%. The partner of this patient did not get pregnant after artificial reproductive technology assistance. For case 2, the aneuploid rate of sperm chromosomes was 0.8% and DNA damage index of sperm nuclei was 95%. This patient and his spouse did not choose assisted reproduction. For case 3, reproductive hormones, peripheral blood chromosomes and AZF were normal and the aneuploid rate of sperm chromosomes was 0.2%. The wife of this patient gave birth to a healthy baby after ova removal, fertilization and transplantation. For the control group, the aneuploid rate of sperm chromosomes and DNA damage index of sperm nuclei were approximately 0.3 and 30%, respectively. To sum up, sperm ultrastructure of infertile patients suffering from unusual sperm morphology is associated with DNA damage to some extent and can cause infertility. However, pregnancy is still possible through intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Effects of dietary supplementation of fulvic acid on lipid metabolism of finishing pigs

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of fulvic acid on lipid metabolism of finishing pigs. One hundred eighty crossbred barrows (Landrace × Yorkshire, 60 ± 2.5 kg) were randomly allotted to 5 dietary treatments (36 pigs/treatment) and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% fulvic acid for 42 d. Thirty pigs (6 pigs/treatment) were slaughtered at the end of the experiment. Blood samples and adipose tissue were collected for determination of blood parameters and lipid metabolic enzymes. The results showed that compared with the control group, dietary supplementation of 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% fulvic acid significantly reduced mean backfat thickness of pigs (P < 0.05). The serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein, leptin, growth hormone, insulin, and triiodothyronine were significantly increased by adding fulvic acid in diets (P < 0.05). With the raised concentration of dietary fulvic acid, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in adipose tissue. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of fulvic acid reduced the mean backfat thickness of pigs. This change related to the increased activity of HSL and the decreased activity of LPL in adipose tissue.

New measurement of antineutrino oscillation with the full detector configuration at Daya Bay

We report a new measurement of electron antineutrino disappearance using the fully constructed Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. The final two of eight antineutrino detectors were installed in the summer of 2012. Including the 404 days of data collected from October 2012 to November 2013 resulted in a total exposure of 6.9×10^{5} GW_{th}  ton days, a 3.6 times increase over our previous results. Improvements in energy calibration limited variations between detectors to 0.2%. Removal of six ^{241}Am-^{13}C radioactive calibration sources reduced the background by a factor of 2 for the detectors in the experimental hall furthest from the reactors. Direct prediction of the antineutrino signal in the far detectors based on the measurements in the near detectors explicitly minimized the dependence of the measurement on models of reactor antineutrino emission. The uncertainties in our estimates of sin^{2}2θ_{13} and |Δm_{ee}^{2}| were halved as a result of these improvements. An analysis of the relative antineutrino rates and energy spectra between detectors gave sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.084±0.005 and |Δm_{ee}^{2}|=(2.42±0.11)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} in the three-neutrino framework.

Lens parameters as predictors of intraocular pressure changes after phacoemulsification

PURPOSE

To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) change after cataract surgery in non-glaucomatous eyes with narrow and open angles (OAs) and its relation to novel lens parameters measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

SETTING

University affiliated hospital, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

DESIGN

Prospective interventional case series.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 85 non-glaucomatous eyes underwent phacoemulsification and lens implantation. Thirty-nine eyes had OAs and 46 eyes had narrow angles (NAs). IOP and biometric parameters were measured by AS-OCT preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. Change in IOP and its relation to biometric parameters, including lens vault (LV), anterior vault (AV), defined as the sum of the LV and the ACD, and relative LV (rLV), defined as the ratio of the LV to the AV, were evaluated. The main outcome measure was degree of IOP change after phacoemulsification.

RESULTS

Of the 85 patients included in the analysis, 35 were male and 50 were female with an overall mean age of 62.2 ± 8.9 years. The average IOP reduction was -4.95 ± 2.26 mm Hg, from a preoperative mean of 17.12 ± 2.47 mm Hg, at 3 months after cataract surgery. The amount of IOP reduction was significantly greater in the NA compared with the OA group. In multivariate linear regression analysis, preoperative IOP and AV were significantly associated with IOP decrease (all ≤ 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Cataract surgery results in IOP reduction in both OA and NA eyes. The amount of IOP reduction is related to AV.

Parallel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screening for human immunodeficiency virus among blood donors in five Chinese blood centres: a retrospective analysis

AIMS

To evaluate the strategy of parallel screening with different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) among Chinese blood donors.

BACKGROUND

Parallel screening with ELISA has been the main strategy to detect human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in blood donations in China for more than a decade. The performance of the strategy should be analysed.

METHODS

A total of 821,927 donations collected from five Chinese blood centres in 2008-2010 were tested using two third-generation ELISAs by different manufacturers licenced and confirmed by the Western blot (WB) in this study. The confirmatory positive predictive values (PPV), false positive rates (FPR), false negative rates (FNR) and potential risks for transfusion resulting from single or sequential ELISA screening were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 5318 (0·647%) of donations screened HIV reactive and were discarded. WB confirmatory results on 1668 available samples suggested that PPVs for dual ELISA, one round ELISA reactive and grey zone samples were 75·1, 0·7 and 0·5%, respectively. Eight out of 1124 one round ELISA reactive and 1 out of 195 grey zone samples were WB confirmed positive. All but one ELISA assay displayed comparable PPVs but variable FPRs and FNRs that differed by blood centre.

CONCLUSIONS

In the absence of nucleic acid testing (NAT), parallel ELISA screening prevented a substantial number of HIV infected donations from entering the Chinese blood supply. However, the loss of false positive donors should be re-evaluated especially given the frequently reported blood supply shortage in China.

Identification of circulating MicroRNAs as novel potential biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma detection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in body fluids such as serum and plasma can be stably detected and used as potential biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically evaluate circulating miRNAs from HCC expression profiling studies and to determine miRNA biomarkers for HCC detection.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies were carried out for comparing the circulating miRNA expressions between HCC patients and healthy people, hepatitis, or cirrhosis patients. A miRNA ranking system that considered the number of comparisons in agreement and total number of samples was used. Then the summary receiver-operating characteristic curve (sROC) results of the top miRNAs were combined to further evaluate their diagnostic value using Meta-disc 1.4.

RESULTS

In the 17 included studies, three circulating miRNAs (miR-21, miR-122, and miR-223) were repeatedly reported three times or more in both HCC patients vs. healthy controls and vs. other hepatitis or cirrhosis patients. In further analysis, the area under curve (AUC) of sROC for miR-21, miR-122 and miR-223 in discriminating HCC patients from healthy people are 0.9293, 0.8128, and 0.8597, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating miR-21 has highest level of diagnostic efficiency among three miRNAs candidate biomarkers (miR-21, miR-122, and miR-223) for detection of HCC.

Therapeutic effects of tibial support braces on posterior stability after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with autogenous hamstring tendon graft

BACKGROUND

In the patients who have to be in supine position for most of the time after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction, the tibia tends to shift backwards due to the gravity of the lower leg and the tensed hamstring muscle.

AIM

To observe the effects of tibial support braces on rehabilitation after PCL reconstruction.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Inpatients.

POPULATION

Thirty-nine patients were divided into regular brace (N.=18) and tibial support brace (N.=21) groups according to using different types of braces after PCL reconstruction.

METHODS

The follow-up time was more than 2 years in all patients. The function of the affected knee joint was evaluated with International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm knee score, Tegner activity rating, range of motion (ROM) and kneelax arthrometer before and after PCL reconstruction, respectively.

RESULTS

The function of the affected knee joint was significantly improved in both groups after PCL reconstruction. Compared with regular brace group, postoperative Lysholm and IKDC scores were significantly increased in tibial support brace group (P<0.05). However, there were no statistical differences in Tegner activity rating and ROM between regular brace group and tibial support brace group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Tibial support brace can obtain better therapeutic effects for PCL reconstruction.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

This study suggests that compared with regular brace, tibial support brace can significantly improve the mechanical stability and functional outcomes of the affected knee after PCL reconstruction.

Giant negative magnetoresistance in Manganese-substituted Zinc Oxide

We report a large negative magnetoresistance in Manganese-substituted Zinc Oxide thin films. This anomalous effect was found to appear in oxygen-deficient films and to increase with the concentration of Manganese. By combining magnetoresistive measurements with magneto-photoluminescence, we demonstrate that the effect can be explained as the result of a magnetically induced transition from hopping to band conduction where the activation energy is caused by the sp-d exchange interaction.

Sensitivity of drug-resistant mutants of hepatitis B virus to poly-IC

The long-term benefits of antiviral treatment are limited by the resistance of hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, the effect of interferon (IFN)α treatment on drug-resistant HBVs is so far unknown. We, therefore, investigated the effects of IFN-α inducer poly-IC on the replication of HBV mutants resistant to drugs such as lamivudine (LAM), adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) and entecavir (ETV) in mice. HBV DNA and HBV DNA intermediate (RI) were employed as markers of the virus replication and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthase (OAS) mRNA as a marker of IFN-α/β induction. Poly-IC inhibited wtHBV replication and increased levels of OAS mRNA. Compared to the wt virus, the capacity of virus replication was reduced in most LAMr and ETVr mutants except those with mutations rtM(204V+L180M+V173L), and was similary in the ADVr mutants except rt(A121V+N236T). The virus replication was reduced after poly-IC treatment with LAMr and ADVr mutants similary to the wt virus. In contrast, ETVr mutants were resistant to the poly-IC treatment. In conclusion, the capacity of HBV replication and the sensitivity to IFN therapy are influenced by drug-resistant mutations. The IFN therapy may effectively inhibit HBV replication in particular in patients with LAMr or ADVr mutations but not in patients with ETVr mutations.

New erythromycin derivatives enhance β-lactam antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Newly synthesized erythromycin derivatives were screened for synergy with oxacillin and other β-lactam antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA ATCC43300 and some clinically isolated MRSA were used. Several erythromycin derivatives were found to possess high synergism with oxacillin against MRSA. The newly synthesized erythromycin derivatives were also tested for their inhibitory effects against MRSA, either separately or in combination with oxacillin, using serial broth dilution, disc diffusion, Etest strips, growth curves and time-kill curves. A representative derivative, SIPI-8294, could potentiate almost all β-lactam antibiotics tested against the model strain MRSA ATCC43300 from 4 to 128 times and had synergism with oxacillin against 12 of 16 clinical isolates of MRSA under one-fourth of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the compounds. This is the first report on the synergistic activity of these new erythromycin derivatives. These findings provide a new choice for the treatment of infection caused by MRSA and lead us to further study the synergistic mechanism.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study is the first report on the synergy of anti-MRSA between new erythromycin derivatives and β-lactam antibiotics in vitro. The results show that although the erythromycin derivatives have poor anti-MRSA effects alone, they possess high synergism with oxacillin against MRSA ATCC43300 and clinically isolated MRSA. These novel compounds can significantly reduce the dosage of β-lactam antibiotics against MRSA, while this synergistic effect is different from the combination of β-lactams and β-lactamase inhibitors. The research may provide a new choice for the treatment of infection caused by MRSA and be useful to the research and development of new combination of medicines.

Comparison of placental findings in type 1 and type 2 diabetic pregnancies

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to compare placental pathology and related clinical parameters between gravidas with type 1 and type 2 pregestational diabetes.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of women with singleton gestations and pregestational diabetes who delivered at Women and Infants Hospital from 2003 to 2011. Pathology reports, maternal and neonatal outcomes were extracted and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In our cohort, 293 pregnancies were studied, including 117 with type 1 diabetes and 176 with type 2 diabetes. Women with type 1 diabetes had worse glycemic control during pregnancy, as characterized by higher HbA1c values and average fasting and postprandial blood sugars. More infants from the type 1 group were admitted to Neonatal ICU. Pregestational diabetes led to small for gestational age (SGA) placentas in nearly 20% pregnancies and large for gestational age (LGA) placentas in 30% of cases. Both groups shared similar incidences of preeclampsia and significant placental pathology related to uteroplacental (maternal) and fetal circulatory disorders; however, maternal decidual vasculopathy and placentas with insufficiency (fetal-to-placental weight ratio < 10th %tile) were more commonly found in placentas from women with type 2 diabetes.

DISCUSSION

Both types of pregestational diabetes have significant impact on placental growth and development. The comparison between the two groups suggests different pathogenetic mechanisms and may be helpful for better management of diabetic pregnancy.

Search for a light sterile neutrino at Daya Bay

A search for light sterile neutrino mixing was performed with the first 217 days of data from the Daya Bay Reactor Antineutrino Experiment. The experiment's unique configuration of multiple baselines from six 2.9 GW(th) nuclear reactors to six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 m and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls makes it possible to test for oscillations to a fourth (sterile) neutrino in the 10(-3) eV(2)<|Δm(41)(2) |< 0.3 eV(2) range. The relative spectral distortion due to the disappearance of electron antineutrinos was found to be consistent with that of the three-flavor oscillation model. The derived limits on sin(2) 2θ(14) cover the 10(-3) eV(2) ≲ |Δm(41)(2)| ≲ 0.1 eV(2) region, which was largely unexplored.

Memantine improves spatial learning and memory impairments by regulating NGF signaling in APP/PS1 transgenic mice

Memantine (MEM) is used for improving the cognitive impairments of the patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) by multiple neuroprotective mechanisms. However, it is still not clear whether nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling is involved in the mechanisms of MEM. The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of MEM treatment on the cognitive performance and amyloidosis in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, and disclosed the NGF-related mechanism of MEM. We found that MEM treatment improved the cognitive performance by decreasing the escape latency and path length in the navigation test, by shortening the duration in target quadrant and reducing the frequency to pass through the target in probe trial, and by prolonging the latency and decreasing the frequencies of entering the dark compartment in passive avoidance test. The over-expressions of Aβ(1-42) and amyloid precursor protein (APP) were also decreased in the brains of APP/PS1 mice. Interestingly, MEM treatment improved the decreased NGF levels in APP/PS1 mice. Furthermore, NGF/TrkA signaling was activated by increasing the phosphorylation levels of tyrosine kinase (TrkA), proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase, Raf1 (c-Raf), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)1/2 and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) after MEM treatment. Simultaneously, MEM also inhibited NGF/p75(NTR) signaling via decreasing the cleavage substrate of p75(NTR), increasing the JNK2 phosphorylation and decreasing the levels of p53 and cleaved-caspase 3. Therefore, the dual-regulation on NGF signaling was attributed to the improvements of cognitive deficits and Aβ depositions in APP/PS1 mice. In conclusion, MEM treatment activated the NGF/TrkA signaling, and inhibited the p75(NTR) signaling in APP/PS1 mice to ameliorate the behavioral deficits and amyloidosis, indicating that NGF signaling was a new potential target of MEM treatment for AD therapy.

Observation of η'→π+ π π+ π- and η'→π+π- π0 π0

Using a sample of 1.3 × 10(9)  J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, we report the first observation of η(')→π(+)π(-)π(+)π(-) and η(')→π(+)π(-)π(0)π(0). The measured branching fractions are B(η(')→π(+)π(-)π(+)π(-)) = [8.53 ± 0.69(stat.) ± 0.64(syst.)]×10(-5) and B(η(')→π(+)π(-)π(0) π(0)) = [1.82 ± 0.35(stat.) ± 0.18(syst.)] × 10(-4), which are consistent with theoretical predictions based on a combination of chiral perturbation theory and vector-meson dominance.

Clinical observation of 32P metabolic mode at the level of sub-target nuclides

AIM

The aim of this paper was to observe the metabolic mode of 32P at the level of sub-target nuclides.

METHODS

Twenty-one cancer patients were locally injected with 32P-labelled glass microspheres and then observed to determine the equalization of 32P radionuclide metabolism in the tumor target. We imaged 3 sub-target regions of interest (ROI) 1/3 the size in both the anterior and posterior directions by bremsstrahlung single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) X-ray imaging. The radiation dose parameters of the beta rays including the initial dose rate, the effective half-life, and the effective half-life of the cumulative radiation dose were then calculated.

RESULTS

The radionuclide metabolism of the 21 complete tumor targets complied with the mono-compartmental model of index metabolism, but the level of tumor control did not correlate with radiation dose parameters. In contrast, the radionuclide metabolism of the 63 sub-targets did not comply with the mono-compartmental model. Instead, 32 sub-targets were better represented by bi-compartmental or tri-compartmental metabolic models. None of the remaining 31 sub-targets complied with index metabolism.

CONCLUSION

The complexity of the radiation dose at the sub-target level partially explains poor local tumor control. Future studies will be required to improve the expression of internal exposure to radiation dose parameters.

Observation of a charged charmoniumlike structure in e+ e- → (D* D*)± π∓ at √s = 4.26 GeV

We study the process e+ e- →(D* D*)± π∓ at a center-of-mass energy of 4.26 GeV using a 827  pb(-1) data sample obtained with the BESIII detector at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. Based on a partial reconstruction technique, the Born cross section is measured to be (137±9±15)  pb. We observe a structure near the (D* D*)± threshold in the π∓ recoil mass spectrum, which we denote as the Zc±(4025). The measured mass and width of the structure are (4026.3±2.6±3.7)  MeV/c2 and (24.8±5.6±7.7)  MeV, respectively. Its production ratio σ(e+ e- → Zc±(4025)π∓ → (D* D*)± π∓)/σ(e+ e- → (D* D*)± π∓) is determined to be 0.65±0.09±0.06. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

Radiation dose reduction in paranasal sinus CT using model-based iterative reconstruction

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

CT performed with Veo model-based iterative reconstruction has shown the potential for radiation-dose reduction. This study sought to determine whether Veo could reduce noise and improve the image quality of low-dose sinus CT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty patients consented to participate and underwent low- and standard-dose sinus CT on the same day. Standard-dose CT was created with filtered back-projection (120 kV[peak], 210 mA, 0.4-second rotation, and 0.531 pitch). For low-dose CT, mA was decreased to 20 (the remaining parameters were unchanged), and images were generated with filtered back-projection and Veo. Standard- and low-dose datasets were reconstructed by using bone and soft-tissue algorithms, while the low-dose Veo reconstruction only had a standard kernel. Two blinded neuroradiologists independently evaluated the image quality of multiple osseous and soft-tissue craniofacial structures. Image noise was measured by using multiple regions of interest.

RESULTS

Eight women and 12 men (mean age, 63.3 years) participated. Volume CT dose indices were 2.9 mGy (low dose) and 31.6 mGy (standard dose), and mean dose-length products were 37.4 mGy-cm (low dose) and 406.1 mGy-cm (standard dose). Of all the imaging series, low-dose Veo demonstrated the least noise (P < .001). Compared with filtered back-projection low-dose CT using soft-tissue and bone algorithms, Veo had the best soft-tissue image quality but the poorest bone image quality (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Veo significantly reduces noise in low-dose sinus CT. Although this reduction improves soft-tissue evaluation, thin bone becomes less distinct.

The association of glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms in patients with osteosarcoma: evidence from a meta-analysis

Osteosarcoma is a life-threatening malignancy that often occurs in teenagers. Numerous studies have reported glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms are associated with osteosarcoma, but the results are inconclusive, partially because the sample size in each of published studies is relatively small. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of the published studies to estimate the association more accurately. To preciously examine the association between the glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and osteosarcoma, we undertook a meta-analysis of six case-control studies. The association between the glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and osteosarcoma risk was assessed by odds ratios together with their 95% confidence intervals using a fixed-effects model or random-effects model. In addition, hazard ratio was used to measure the relationship between glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and prognosis in patients with osteosarcoma. We found that there was significant association between the polymorphisms in GSTT1 or GSTM3 (AA versus BB) and osteosarcoma risk. In addition, there is no evidence of association on GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 (IIe/IIe versus IIe/Val) or GSTP1 (IIe/IIe versus Val/Val) polymorphisms with prognosis in osteosarcoma. In conclusion, the GSTT1 and GSTM3 polymorphisms might influence osteosarcoma risk.

Quantification and genetic diversity of total and microcystin-producing Microcystis during blooming season in Tai and Yang-cheng lakes, China

AIMS

The aims of present study were to evaluate the abundances, genetic diversity of total and microcystin-producing Microcystis over temporal and spatial scales, and to investigate relationships among Microcystis and water parameters in Tai and Yang-cheng lakes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Abundances of total and microcystin-producing Microcystis varied across sampling periods and locations, which were assessed using qPCR with primers specific to Microcystis 16S rDNA and mcyA genes. The 16S rDNA from two lakes were relatively diverse. However, mcyA genes were rather conservative and were >97% identical to reference sequences. The highly positive correlations between mcyA and microcystin presence (r = 0·671 in Tai; r = 0·799 in Yang-cheng) suggested that mcyA can be used as a good biomarker for microcystin productions.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that Microcystis were genetically diverse between these conjunctive lakes; however, mcyA genes were relatively conservative in two lakes. Quantifying mcyA by qPCR was an efficient tool for monitoring toxic Microcystis.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study has improved our understanding of observable differences within and between each lake on spatial and temporal scales. And the discovery of new mcyA sequences in natural water enriched the understanding of phylogenetic diversity of Microcystis and toxin-production-related mcy gene.

Observation of e+e- → γX(3872) at BESIII

With data samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring at center-of-mass energies from 4.009 to 4.420 GeV, the process e+e-→ γX(3872) is observed for the first time with a statistical significance of 6.3σ. The measured mass of the X(3872) is (3871.9 ± 0.7s tat ± 0.2 syst)  MeV/c(2), in agreement with previous measurements. Measurements of the product of the cross section σ[e+e- → γX(3872)] and the branching fraction B[X(3872)→π+π-J/ψ] at center-of-mass energies 4.009, 4.229, 4.260, and 4.360 GeV are reported. Our measurements are consistent with expectations for the radiative transition process Y(4260) → γX(3872).

Spectral measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation amplitude and frequency at Daya Bay

A measurement of the energy dependence of antineutrino disappearance at the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment is reported. Electron antineutrinos (ν¯(e)) from six 2.9  GW(th) reactors were detected with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls. Using 217 days of data, 41 589 (203 809 and 92 912) antineutrino candidates were detected in the far hall (near halls). An improved measurement of the oscillation amplitude sin(2)2θ(13)=0.090(-0.009)(+0.008) and the first direct measurement of the ν¯(e) mass-squared difference |Δm(ee)2|=(2.59(-0.20)(+0.19))×10(-3)  eV2 is obtained using the observed ν¯(e) rates and energy spectra in a three-neutrino framework. This value of |Δm(ee)2| is consistent with |Δm(μμ)2| measured by muon neutrino disappearance, supporting the three-flavor oscillation model.

Clinical and experimental observations of peripheral blood leukocytes and nucleated bone marrow cells after local irradiation

AIM

Aim of the study was to observe the impact of bone marrow damage induced by local irradiation on leukopenia.

METHODS

For the human study, five cancer patients received local radiation therapy. Bone marrow aspiration was conducted to measure nucleated cell count and 99mTc-Sc sulfur colloid ECT imaging was carried out to examine bone marrow function. For the animal study, fifty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 3 groups: non-irradiated control group (N.=10), abdomen irradiation group (irradiation area did not cover bone marrow) (N.=20), chest irradiation group (irradiation area covered bone marrow) (N.=20). Nucleated cell counts were taken after confirming onset of leukopenia.

RESULTS

Bone marrow of five patients proliferated normally. ECT imaging showed no abnormality in the pattern of red bone marrow distribution. Hematopoietic function was mildly active.

CONCLUSION

Suppressed myeloproliferative function does not fully account for irradiation-induced leukopenia.

Observation of a charged (DD*)± mass peak in e+ e- → πDD* at sqrt[s] = 4.26 GeV

We report on a study of the process e+ e- → π± (DD*)∓ at sqrt[s] = 4.26  GeV using a 525 pb(-1) data sample collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. A distinct charged structure is observed in the (DD*)∓ invariant mass distribution. When fitted to a mass-dependent-width Breit-Wigner line shape, the pole mass and width are determined to be Mpole = (3883.9±1.5(stat)±4.2(syst))  MeV/c2 and Γpole = (24.8±3.3(stat)±11.0(syst))  MeV. The mass and width of the structure, which we refer to as Zc(3885), are 2σ and 1σ, respectively, below those of the Zc(3900) → π± J/ψ peak observed by BESIII and Belle in π+ π- J/ψ final states produced at the same center-of-mass energy. The angular distribution of the πZc(3885) system favors a JP = 1+ quantum number assignment for the structure and disfavors 1- or 0-. The Born cross section times the DD* branching fraction of the Zc(3885) is measured to be σ(e+ e- → π± Zc(3885)∓)×B(Zc(3885)∓ → (DD*)∓) = (83.5±6.6(stat)±22.0(syst))   pb. Assuming the Zc(3885) → DD* signal reported here and the Zc(3900) → πJ/ψ signal are from the same source, the partial width ratio (Γ(Zc(3885) → DD*)/Γ(Zc(3900) → πJ/ψ)) = 6.2±1.1(stat)±2.7(syst) is determined.