A novel HLA-B allele, B*07:55, identified by sequence-based typing

The novel allele differs from HLA-B*07:02:01 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 538 in exon 3.

Identification of a novel HLA-A allele, A*24:128 in a Chinese individual

The novel HLA-A*24:128 shows one nucleotide change from HLA-A*24:02:01:01 in exon 2 at position 155 from A to G.

A novel HLA-B allele, B*13:18, identified by sequence-based typing

The B*13:18 allele differs from the most closely matching allele B*13:02:01 by one nucleotide substitution in exon 3, at position 539.

Bioinformatics analysis of two microarray gene-expression data sets to select lung adenocarcinoma marker genes

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) is the most frequent histologic type of lung cancer and rates of adenocarcinoma are increasing in most countries. Recently, several molecular markers have been identified to predict LAC. However, more prognostic makers and the underlying role of those makers are still imperative.

AIM

In this study, our objective was to identify a set of discriminating genes that can be used for characterization and prediction of response to LAC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the bioinformatics analysis method, we merged two LAC datasets-GSE2514 and GSE7670 to find novel target genes and pathways to explain the pathogenicity.

RESULTS

The results showed that EDNRB (endothelin receptor type B), ADRB2 (beta-adrenergic receptor), S1PR1 (sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1), P2RY14 (PsY purinoceptor 14), LEPR (leptin-receptor), GHR (growth hormone receptor), PPM1D (protein phosphatase-1D), and GADD45B (growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible, beta) have high degrees in response to LAC. Additionally, EDNRB, ADRB2, S1PR1, P2RY14, LEPR, and GHR may be involved in LAC through Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, but PPM1D and GADD45B may be through p53 signaling pathway. Some of our prediction had been demonstrated by previous reports, such as ADRB2, S1PR1, GHR, PPM1D, and GADD45B. Therefore, we hope our study could lay a basis for further study of other target genes, such as EDNRB, P2RY14, and LEPR.

CONCLUSIONS

It is effective to identify potential molecular marker for LAC and predict their underlying functions by bioinformatics analysis and graph clustering method. However, further experiments are still indispensable to confirm our conclusion.

Cigarette smoking extract causes hypermethylation and inactivation of WWOX gene in T-24 human bladder cancer cells

Genomic, epigenetic and expression alterations of WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) have been implicated in multiple tumor types. The current study was designed to examine the expression of WWOX in tumor tissues of human bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC) and the influence of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on WWOX expression and methylation status in T-24 bladder cancer cells. WWOX protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining in a series of tumor samples from 78 patients with BTCC and 26 normal bladder tissues. The expression level and methylation status of WWOX in CSE-treated cells were examined by using quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR and methylation specific PCR, respectively. The expression levels of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) 1, 3A and 3B were also detected. We found that WWOX expression was absent or reduced in 79.5% (62/78) of BTCC tissues, but only in 19.2% (5/26) of normal bladder tissues. Loss of WWOX expression was correlated with tumor grade (P=0.019) and cigarette smoking (P=0.031), but was not associated with age, gender, tumor size and tumor number. Hypermethylation of WWOX promoter and exon 1 was specifically induced by CSE with a kinetics concurrent to the suppression of WWOX mRNA in T-24 cells. Furthermore, CSE treatment induced a significant time-dependent increase in the level of DNMT1, but has no effects on DNMT3A and DNMT3B. Taken together, these novel findings suggest that hypermethylation of WWOX induced by cigarette smoking may represent one underlying mechanism for the loss expression of WWOX in bladder cancer.

Peer relationships and suicide ideation and attempts among Chinese adolescents

BACKGROUND

Suicide is a global health concern. Therefore, studying suicide behaviour and identifying the early roots of suicide are critical. To address these issues, the present study examined (i) the association between peer relationships and suicide ideation and attempts among Chinese adolescents; and (ii) whether such associations were moderated or mediated by feeling of loneliness. We hypothesized that problems in peer relationships were positively associated with suicide ideation and attempts, and that feeling of loneliness would moderate and mediate such associations.

METHODS

The sample included 8778 Chinese adolescents from a large survey. Measures of peer relationships, suicide ideation and attempts, and feeling of loneliness were obtained through adolescents' self-reports.

RESULTS

Results from multivariate logistic regressions suggested that specific problems in peer relationships, such as lack of peer association and being victimized by bullying, were significantly related to suicide ideation and attempts. In addition, the moderating effects of feeling of loneliness on the association between peer relationships and suicide ideation and attempts were found. Finally, some gender effects were also found.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provided strong evidence that suicide ideation and attempts were serious problems among adolescents in China, to which peer relationships played an important role. Further, feeling of loneliness acted as a moderator affecting the association between peer relationships and suicide ideation and attempts. Finally, there were some gender differences that have important implications.

A 5-week study of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of LY2189265, a novel, long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue, in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIM

To investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of LY2189265 (LY), a novel, long-acting glucagen-like peptide-1 analogue, administered once weekly to subjects with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

This was a placebo-controlled, parallel-group, subject- and investigator-blind study of LY in subjects (N = 43) with type 2 diabetes mellitus controlled with diet and exercise alone or with a single oral antidiabetic medication. Subjects taking metformin or thiazolidinediones continued on their therapy. Subjects receiving sulfonylurea, acarbose, repaglinide or nateglinide were switched to metformin prior to enrollment. Subjects received five once-weekly doses of 0.05, 0.3, 1, 3, 5 or 8 mg. Effects on glucose, insulin and C-peptide concentrations were determined during fasting and following standard test meals. The pharmacokinetics of LY and its effects on HBA1c, glucagon, body weight, gastric emptying and safety parameters were assessed.

RESULTS

Once-weekly administration of LY significantly reduced (p < 0.01) fasting plasma glucose, 2-h post-test meal postprandial glucose and area under the curve (AUC) of glucose after test meals at doses ≥1 mg. These effects were seen after the first dose and were sustained through the weekly dosing cycle. Most doses produced statistically significant increases in insulin and C-peptide AUC when normalized for glucose AUC. Statistically significant reductions in HBA1c were observed for all dose groups except 0.3 mg. The most commonly reported adverse effects (AEs) were nausea (35 events), headache (20 events), vomiting (18 events) and diarrhoea (8 events).

CONCLUSIONS

LY showed improvement in fasting and postprandial glycaemic parameters when administered once weekly in subjects with type 2 diabetes. The pharmacokinetics and safety profiles also support further investigation of this novel agent.

MTBP plays a crucial role in mitotic progression and chromosome segregation

Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) binding protein (MTBP) has been implicated in tumor cell proliferation, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The results of MTBP expression analysis during cell cycle progression demonstrated that MTBP protein was rapidly degraded during mitosis. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that a portion of MTBP was localized at the kinetochores during prometaphase. MTBP overexpression delayed mitotic progression from nuclear envelope breakdown (NEB) to anaphase onset and induced abnormal chromosome segregation such as lagging chromosomes, chromosome bridges, and multipolar chromosome segregation. Conversely, MTBP downmodulation caused an abbreviated metaphase and insufficient mitotic arrest, resulting in abnormal chromosome segregation, aneuploidy, decreased cell proliferation, senescence, and cell death, similar to that of Mad2 (mitotic arrest-deficient 2) downmodulation. Furthermore, MTBP downmodulation inhibited the accumulation of Mad1 and Mad2, but not BubR1 (budding uninhibited by benzimidazoles related 1), on the kinetochores, whereas MTBP overexpression inhibited the release of Mad2 from the metaphase kinetochores. These results may imply that MTBP has an important role in recruiting and/or retaining the Mad1/Mad2 complex at the kinetochores during prometaphase, but its degradation is required for silencing the mitotic checkpoint. Together, this study indicates that MTBP has a crucial role in proper mitotic progression and faithful chromosome segregation, providing new insights into regulation of the mitotic checkpoint.

Basic public health services delivered in an urban community: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

To understand the advancements in and barriers to the implementation of measures to improve basic public health services in an urban Chinese community.

STUDY DESIGN

A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were undertaken with the directors of the management centres for community health services in 15 of the 18 districts in Beijing from December 2008 to February 2009. Content analysis of the data was completed in May 2009.

RESULTS

Fifteen types of free basic public health services had been delivered in Beijing. Some were supplied at a low level. An average of £2.38 per person per year was provided for inhabitants since 2008, but demand for funding far exceeded monies available. Teams consisting of general practitioners, community nurses and public health specialists delivered these services. The number of practitioners and their low levels of skill were insufficient to provide adequate services for community residents. Respondents gave recommendations of how to resolve the above problems.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to improve the delivery of basic public health services, it is necessary for Beijing Municipal Government to supply clear and detailed protocols, increase funding and increase the number of skilled practitioners in the community health services.

Identification of site(s) of insulin nitration by peroxynitrite and characterization of its structural change

Insulin nitration mediated by peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) has been implicated in diabetes and diabetic cardiovascular complications. In this study, we identified the nitration sites of porcine insulin by infusion of ONOO(-) and quantified its secondary structural change. Insulin was cleaved with V8 protease to six peptides (four of them contained each tyrosine residue), then analyzed by HPLC-MS and further confirmed the nitration sites by HPLC-MS/MS. At low accumulated doses of peroxynitrite, the main products were two different mono-nitrated insulin species at Tyr-A19 and Tyr-B26 with Tyr-A19 being predominant as shown by peptide mapping. Also, the content of alpha-helix structure of insulin reduced to 22.9 % and random-coil structure increased to 30.2 % (compare with native insulin of 41.7 % and 13.7 %, respectively) as determined by FTIR spectra.