Roles of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 and nuclear factor-κB in immune response to spinal tuberculosis in a New Zealand white rabbit model

This study aimed to explore the roles of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in immune response to spinal tuberculosis in a New Zealand white rabbit model. Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were collected and divided into four groups: experimental group (n=30, spinal tuberculosis model was established), the sham group (n=15, sham operation was performed) and the blank group (n=3). The qRT-PCR assay and western blotting were applied to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of MCP-1 and NF-κB in peripheral blood. ELISA was used to measure serum levels of MCP-1, NF-κB, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10. Flow cytometry was adopted to assess the distributions of CD4⁺, CD8⁺ lymphocytes and CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3 lymphocyte subsets. Compared with the sham and blank groups, the mRNA and protein expressions of MCP-1 and NF-κB in the experimental group were significantly increased. The experimental group had lower serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ and higher serum level of IL-10 than the sham and blank groups. In comparison to the sham and blank groups, CD4⁺ T lymphocyte subsets percentage, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio and CD4⁺ CD25⁺ Foxp3+ Tregs subsets accounting for CD4⁺ lymphocyte in the experimental group were lower, while percentage of CD8⁺ T lymphocyte subsets was higher. Our study provided evidence that higher expression of MCP-1 and NF-κB may be associated with decreased immune function of spinal tuberculosis, which can provide a new treatment direction for spinal tuberculosis.

Prenatal maternal bereavement and mortality in the first decades of life: a nationwide cohort study from Denmark and Sweden

BACKGROUND

The loss of a close relative is one of the most stressful life events. In pregnancy, this experience has been associated with a higher risk of fetal death and under-five mortality, but little is known about potential effects on long-term mortality in offspring. We examined the association between prenatal maternal bereavement and mortality in a cohort of 5.3 million children followed until up to 37 years of age.

METHOD

The population-based cohort study included 5 253 508 live singleton births in Denmark (1973-2004) and Sweden (1973-2006). Children born to mothers who lost a child, spouse, sibling, or parent during or 1 year before pregnancy were categorized as exposed.

RESULTS

Prenatal maternal bereavement was associated with a 10% increased all-cause mortality risk in offspring [mortality rate ratio (MRR) 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.18]. The association was the most pronounced for children of mothers who lost a child/spouse (MRR 1.28, 95% CI 1.14-1.44) and was stronger during the first 10 years of life. Prenatal maternal bereavement may have stronger effects on natural causes of death in offspring, including infectious/parasitic disease (MRR 1.86, 95% CI 1.07-3.23), endocrine/nutritional/metabolic diseases (MRR 3.23, 95% CI 2.02-5.17), diseases of nervous system (MRR 3.36, 95% CI 2.47-4.58), and congenital malformations (MRR 1.39, 95% CI 1.08-1.80). No excess mortality risk in offspring was observed for unnatural causes of death.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal maternal bereavement was associated with an increased long-term mortality risk in offspring, particularly for selected natural causes of diseases and medical conditions. Our results support the fetal programming hypothesis that prenatal stress may contribute to ill health from physical diseases later in life.

[Loop-mediated isothermal amplification for visual detection of hepatitis B virus]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the method of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) using boiled serum for visual detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV).

METHODS

Specific LAMP primers were designed according to the conservative region compared with the sequence of S genes in GenBank, and DNA of the samples was extracted by kit and boiling methods. The reaction conditions of LAMP were optimized, and HBV standard strains and clinical samples were examined to evaluate the specificity, sensitivity, and anti-interference ability of LAMP. Visual detection was performed for the results of LAMP, and SPSS 17.0 was used for consistency test.

RESULTS

The optimal reaction conditions of LAMP were established. LAMP had a high specificity, and there was no nonspecific amplification. The sensitivity of LAMP was 10 copies/tube, regardless of the method for nucleic acid extraction. Hydroxynaphthol blue (HNB) had a comparable sensitivity to electrophoresis and SYBR Green I, and, unlike SYBR Green I, did not cause aerosol pollution easily. In addition, with fluorescent quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) as the gold standard, LAMP using the boiling method and FQ-PCR were in good consistency (Kappa = 0.762, P > 0.05). However, PCR using boiling method was not well consistent with FQ-PCR (Kappa = 0.186, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

LAMP has certain advantages over PCR in detecting HBV infection, and LAMP can be used to detect HBV in the field or primary hospitals.

Two-step shoulder delivery method reduces the incidence of shoulder dystocia

OBJECTIVE

io compare two-step method ot shoulder delivery with one-step for the maternal and neonatal outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a randomized controlled clinical trial. Women scheduled for vaginal delivery without severe complications were enrolled and randomly arranged into two groups. Women in study group were delivered by two-step method for shoulder delivery, that is to wait for at least one contraction after head delivery, and naturally delivery of shoulder. Women in controlled group were delivered by one-step method, that is after the head was delivered, gentle press of head was applied to facility shoulder delivery. Maternal and neonatal outcomes as Apgar score, rate of shoulder dystocia, and postpartum bleeding were recorded. Interval of head to shoulder was timed in second.

RESULTS

The study group had lower rate of shoulder dystocia than that in control group (X²= 4.27,p =0.03), no increasing of asphyxia, and postpartum bleeding. The average interval of head to shoulder in study group was longer than that in control group. There was no difference in interval between shoulder dystocia vs. normal birth group, neither was there a difference in interval between asphyxia babies and normal babies group. By two-step method, the mean value of head to shoulder interval was 59.025 seconds, 95% CI (20.000-150.000 seconds), mean+2xSD = 148.927 seconds. In one-step group, mean was 44.172 seconds, 95% CI= (10.000~105.000 seconds), mean +2xSD = 94.812 seconds.

CONCLUSION

Two-step method of shoulder delivery had a lower rate of shoulder dystocia than one-step method, no increasing of neonatal asphyxia and postpartum bleeding. The longer interval of head to shoulder did not relate to shoulder dystocia and asphyxia. The normal value of head to shoulder interval might be longer than 60 seconds.

Changes in R-R and Q-T Intervals Following Cardiac Vagotomy in Neonatal Swine

Asymmetric innervation of the myocardium, especially a predominance of sympathetic innervation, may establish conditions whereby electrical instability could result. Using a swine animal model, we studied the effect of right cardiac vagal denervation on the variability of R-R and Q-T intervals. Newborn pigs were assigned randomly to two groups: sham-operated controls (C), or denervation of the right cardiac vagus nerve (RCVX). EKGs were recorded weekly until the two groups exhibited significant heart rate differences. Analysis of the EKG included measurements of R-R and Q-T intervals and corrected Q-T intervals (QTc). Poincaré plots were used to display age-related differences in R-R and Q-T intervals. For RCVX animals, decreased QTc and R-R intervals were noted at 6 and 7 weeks after denervation, respectively. Unexpectedly, one RCVX animal exhibited marked sudden pauses in sinus rhythm. These data indicated that reduced vagal cardiac modulation during development might alter cardiac electrical stability in conscious swine.

Low miR-133a expression is a predictor of outcome in patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer

OBJECTIVE

Identification and development of new biomarkers could be beneficial for diagnosis and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) patients. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical significance of miR-133a expression in tissues from ESCC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptive-PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to examine miR-133a expression levels in 126 ESCC tissues. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and differences in survival rates were analyzed using the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to determine whether miR-133a was an independent predictor of survival.

RESULTS

We found that the levels of miR-133a in ESCC tissues exhibited lower than that in matched normal tissues (p < 0.01). Low miR-133a expression was positively associated with T stage of ESCC (p = 0.013) and tumor length (p = 0.007). Moreover, low levels of miR-133a was associated with lower overall survival (OS) (p = 0.001) and disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.001). According to multivariate analysis, miR-133a level was confirmed to be an independent prognostic factor for worse survival.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-133a may represent a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in esophageal squamous cell cancer prognosis and treatment.

Cell morphologic changes and PCNA expression within craniofacial sutures during monkey Class III treatment

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and compare the cellular morphologic changes and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression within craniofacial sutures in growing Rhesus monkeys treated with a Class III functional appliance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six Rhesus monkeys in the mixed dentition stage were divided into three groups: a 45-day experimental group, a 90-day experimental group, and a control group. Monkeys in the experimental groups were fitted with a Class III magnetic twin-block appliance. Cellular changes in six craniofacial sutures-the zygomaticomaxillary, zygomaticotemporal, transverse palatine, pterygopalatine, zygomaticofrontal, and frontomaxillary sutures were qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated by means of histomorphologic analysis, TEM, and immunohistochemical test of PCNA.

RESULTS

Obvious and altered bone remodeling combined with bone deposition and resorption was present in craniofacial sutures in the experimental groups. Increased activity of enlarged fibroblasts with abundant organelles was revealed. PCNA expression increased in the 45-day group compared with the control group, followed by the 90-day group. The highest percentage of PCNA-positive cells was found in the pterygopalatine suture in the 45-day group and the zygomaticomaxillary suture in the 90-day group.

CONCLUSIONS

The pterygopalatine and zygomaticomaxillary sutures are more active among the craniofacial sutures in the craniofacial complex remodeling during Class III treatment. The magnetic twin-block appliance effectively promoted suture remodeling by enhancing the activity and proliferation of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and fibroblasts, especially in the early phase.

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis reveals the evolutionary rearrangement mechanism in Brassica

The genus Brassica has many species that are important for oil, vegetable and other food products. Three mitochondrial genome types (mitotype) originated from its common ancestor. In this paper, a B. nigra mitochondrial main circle genome with 232,407 bp was generated through de novo assembly. Synteny analysis showed that the mitochondrial genomes of B. rapa and B. oleracea had a better syntenic relationship than B. nigra. Principal components analysis and development of a phylogenetic tree indicated maternal ancestors of three allotetraploid species in Us triangle of Brassica. Diversified mitotypes were found in allotetraploid B. napus, in which napus-type B. napus was derived from B. oleracea, while polima-type B. napus was inherited from B. rapa. In addition, the mitochondrial genome of napus-type B. napus was closer to botrytis-type than capitata-type B. oleracea. The sub-stoichiometric shifting of several mitochondrial genes suggested that mitochondrial genome rearrangement underwent evolutionary selection during domestication and/or plant breeding. Our findings clarify the role of diploid species in the maternal origin of allotetraploid species in Brassica and suggest the possibility of breeding selection of the mitochondrial genome.

The Cementocyte-An Osteocyte Relative?

Cementum is a mineralized tissue covering the tooth root that functions in tooth attachment and posteruptive adjustment of tooth position. During formation of the apically located cellular cementum, some cementoblasts become embedded in the cementoid matrix and become cementocytes. As apparently terminally differentiated cells embedded in a mineralized extracellular matrix, cementocytes are part of a select group of specialized cells, also including osteocytes, hypertrophic chondrocytes, and odontoblasts. The differentiation and potential function(s) of cementocytes are virtually unknown, and the question may be posed whether the cementocyte is a dynamic actor in cementum in comparable fashion with the osteocyte in the skeleton, responding to changing tooth functions and endocrine signals and actively directing local cementum metabolism. This review summarizes the literature with regard to cementocytes, comparing them to their closest "cousins," the osteocytes, where insights gained from osteocyte studies serve to inform the critical examination of cementocytes. The review identifies important unanswered questions about these cells regarding their origins, differentiation, morphology and lacuno-canalicular system, selective markers, and potential functions.

Relationship of Serum Adiponectin Levels and Metformin Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

We performed this meta-analysis to investigate and determine the role of metformin on serum adiponectin levels in Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were thoroughly searched. Eligible human studies assessing the association between serum adiponectin levels and metformin in patients were included, and data were extracted and then analyzed with STATA 12.0 statistical software. Eighteen cohort studies conducted among Asians and Caucasians from 2004 to 2013 were recruited. Post-treatment serum adiponectin level (mmol/l) was higher than pre-treatment levels in T2DM patients (SMD=0.19, 95% CI=0.09-0.30, p<0.001). Country-subgroup analysis showed that serum adiponectin levels in T2DM patients increased after the treatment of metformin in Italy (SMD=0.34, 95% CI=0.09-0.59, p=0.008). Further detection method and follow-up time subgroup analyses implied a positive association of metformin with serum adiponectin level in T2DM patients by using all ELISA, PETIA, and RIA in both<12 weeks and≥12 weeks subgroups (all p<0.05). The present meta-analysis provides compelling evidence that metformin may increase serum adiponectin levels when treating T2DM. Further studies should be promoted to explore the combined efficacy of metformin with other antidiabetic drugs, or developing new predictors with antidiabetic efficacy.

Role of interleukin-6 polymorphisms in the development of allergic rhinitis

The aim of this study was to investigate the role played by the IL-6 rs1800795 (-174G/C) and rs1800796 (-572G>C) polymorphisms in the susceptibility to allergic rhinitis in a Chinese population. A total of 265 patients with allergic rhinitis and 265 controls from our hospital were enrolled in this study. The IL-6 rs1800795 and rs1800796 polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism. The results of the χ(2) statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the allele frequencies of IL-6 rs1800795 between patients with allergic rhinitis and controls (χ(2) = 4.52, P = 0.03). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that individuals with the C allele of IL-6 rs1800795 were susceptible to increased risk of allergic rhinitis, compared to those expressing the G allele (adjusted OR = 1.31; 95%CI = 1.01-1.68). In conclusion, the results of our study indicated that the IL-6 rs1800795 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of allergic rhinitis.

Mutation analysis of four Chinese families with pure hereditary spastic paraplegia: pseudo- X-linked dominant inheritance and male lethality due to a novel ATL1 mutation

We studied four Chinese families with pure hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) to investigate the clinical features and associated genetic mutations. Linkage analysis was performed for all families to map the disease locus onto autosomal chromosomes, and related loci involved in HSP on the X chromosome were also examined. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing was used to detect gene mutations. To confirm the influence of a splice-site mutation on mRNA, we used reverse transcription-PCR and direct sequencing. Linkage analysis and ATL1 gene sequencing of amniocytes were performed for prenatal genetic diagnosis. One missense variant (c.1517T>A) and a splice-site mutation (c.1245+1G>A) in SPAST, and two missense variants (c.715C>T, c.1204T>G) in ATL1 were identified. The c.1245+1G>A mutation caused a deletion of exon 9 in the SPAST gene. Prenatal genetic diagnosis showed that fetus did not carry the ALT1 c.1204T>G mutation. Follow-up was maintained for 5 years, and the negative result was confirmed by evidence of a healthy growing boy. We identified two novel mutations and two previously reported mutations in SPAST and ATL1, respectively. The family with the ATL1 c.1204T>G mutation exhibited male-lethality, female infancy-onset, and pseudo- X-linked dominant transmission, which had never been previously reported for HSP. Characteristic facial features were also noticed. The boy on whom prenatal gene diagnosis was performed is healthy and without unusual facies, suggesting that the c.1204T>G mutation might be related to these features. The results extend the genetic spectrum of HSP and suggest that linkage analysis remains a powerful tool in gene discovery studies.

793 nm pump induced photo-bleaching of photo-darkened Yb(3+)-doped fibers

We report on the strong photo-bleaching of the photo-darkening (PD) induced loss under the cladding pump of a 793 nm laser diode (LD) in double clad Yb-doped fibers. Up to 68% PD loss at 810 nm was bleached. The bleaching rates under different powers show that the higher pump power corresponds to the more bleached loss within the same time. Moreover, repeatable processes of PD and photo-bleaching were observed when alternately pumped with 915 and 793 nm LDs. Furthermore, it was found that simultaneously pumping the fiber with 915 and 793 nm LDs can suppress about 80% PD loss, compared with pumping the fiber only with 915 nm LD. The mechanism of photo-bleaching under 793 nm pump was also discussed.

Growth kinetics of Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compound at liquid-solid interfaces in Cu/Sn/Cu interconnects under temperature gradient

The growth behavior of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) at the liquid-solid interfaces in Cu/Sn/Cu interconnects during reflow at 250 °C and 280 °C on a hot plate was investigated. Being different from the symmetrical growth during isothermal aging, the interfacial IMCs showed clearly asymmetrical growth during reflow, i.e., the growth of Cu₆Sn₅ IMC at the cold end was significantly enhanced while that of Cu₃Sn IMC was hindered especially at the hot end. It was found that the temperature gradient had caused the mass migration of Cu atoms from the hot end toward the cold end, resulting in sufficient Cu atomic flux for interfacial reaction at the cold end while inadequate Cu atomic flux at the hot end. The growth mechanism was considered as reaction/thermomigration-controlled at the cold end and grain boundary diffusion/thermomigration-controlled at the hot end. A growth model was established to explain the growth kinetics of the Cu₆Sn₅ IMC at both cold and hot ends. The molar heat of transport of Cu atoms in molten Sn was calculated as + 11.12 kJ/mol at 250 °C and + 14.65 kJ/mol at 280 °C. The corresponding driving force of thermomigration in molten Sn was estimated as 4.82 × 10⁻¹⁹ N and 6.80 × 10⁻¹⁹ N.

Intraoperative mechanical ventilation strategies for obese patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Several intraoperative ventilation strategies are available for obese patients. However, the same ventilation interventions have exhibited different effects on PaO2 /FIO2 concerning obese patients in different trials, and the issue remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a network meta-analysis to identify the optimal mechanical ventilation strategy. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Web of Science for studies published up to June 2014, and the PaO2 /FIO2 in obese patients given different mechanical ventilation strategies was assessed. We assessed the studies for eligibility and extracted data and then pooled the data and used a Bayesian fixed-effect model to combine direct comparisons with indirect evidence. Eligible studies evaluated different ventilation strategies for obese patients and reported the intraoperative PaO2 /FIO2 ratio, atelectasis and pulmonary compliance. Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included for network meta-analysis, including 476 patients who received 1 of 12 ventilation strategies. Volume-controlled ventilation with higher PEEP plus single recruitment manoeuvres (VCV + higher PEEP + single RM) was associated with the highest PaO2 /FiO2 ratio, improving intraoperative pulmonary compliance and reducing the incidence of intraoperative atelectasis.