[Clinical significance of epidermal growth factor receptor and thymidylate synthase expression in primary liver cancer]

Objective: To investigate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS) expression in primary liver cancer, and analyze its clinicopathological features and prognostic significance. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed using EnVision method to detect EGFR and TS expression in 41 cases of liver cancer. Correlation coefficient between EGFR and TS was calculated by Spearman method. Fisher's exact probability method or χ(2) test was used to analyze the clinicopathological features of EGFR and TS. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate of patients in conjunction with the log-rank test.COX proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the prognostic factors of patients. ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive accuracy of EGFR and TS for prognosis. Results: The positive rates of EGFR and TS in liver cancer tissues were 34.15% and 39.02%, respectively. There was a positive correlation between EGFR and TS expressions, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). EGFR was associated with tumor size and tissue differentiation (P < 0.05) in HCC patients, whereas TS was associated with tissue differentiation (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in prognostic effect of EGFR on survival rate (P > 0.05). TS prognostic effect on survival rate was statistically significant (P < 0.05). HR of EGFR was 0.210 with 95% CI, 0.052-0.852, P = 0.029; indicating that the risk of death in patients with negative EGFR was 0.210 times higher than that in patients with positive EGFR. HR of TS was 2.496, with 95% CI, 1.325-4.701, P = 0.005, indicating that the risk of death increased by 2.496 times with the same level of EGFR. The area under the EGFR curve was 0.553 and its approximate reference confidence interval was 95% (0.355, 0.751), indicating that EGFR was a risk factor for death and the area under the TS curve was 0.695, and its approximate reference confidence interval was 95% (0.513, 0.878), indicating that TS was a risk factor for death. Conclusion: EGFR and TS were equally expressed in primary liver cancer, and EGFR and TS expressions were positively correlated. EGFR and TS had an effect on the degree of tissue differentiation in patients with liver cancer. EGFR and TS were risk factors for prognosis, and TS may assist EGFR.

Human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells combined with an acellular cartilage extracellular matrix scaffold improve cartilage repair compared with microfracture in a caprine model

OBJECTIVE

As a novel and promising seed cell, human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJMSCs) are widely applied in tissue engineering. However, whether hWJMSCs can better repair and regenerate the articular cartilage in big animals than microfracture (MF, a predominant clinical treatment strategy for damaged cartilage) is unclear. Evaluation of the validity, and safety of hWJMSCs in a caprine model with a full-thickness femoral condyle articular cartilage defect, compared with MF is required.

METHODS

After cultivation and identification, hWJMSCs were seeded in an acellular cartilage extracellular matrix (ACECM)-oriented scaffold to construct cell-scaffold complex. Six goats with full-thickness femoral condyle articular cartilage defects were randomized to MF (microfracture group, MFG) and cell-scaffold complexes (experimental group, EG). At 2 and 4 weeks, joint fluid was used to assess immuno-inflammatory responses. At 6 and 9 months, all goats were euthanized for assessment of morphology, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histology staining, and evaluation of the elasticity modulus and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents of the repaired regions.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups in immuno-inflammatory parameters. MRI demonstrated higher-quality cartilage and complete subchondral bone at defect sites in the EG at 9 months. Histological staining showed that extracellular cartilage, cartilage lacuna and collagen type II levels were higher in the EG compared to the MFG, while the EG exhibited a higher elasticity modulus.

CONCLUSIONS

The hWJMSCs-ACECM scaffold complex achieved better quality repair and regeneration of hyaline cartilage without cartilage-inducing factor, while retaining the structure and functional integrity of the subchondral bone, compared with MF.

Complete mitochondrial genome of bamboo grasshopper, Ceracris fasciata, and the phylogenetic analyses and divergence time estimation of Caelifera (Orthoptera)

The bamboo grasshopper Ceracris fasciata is regarded as a major pest species because of the damage it causes to bamboo, and its classification within the families and subfamilies of the suborder Caelifera remains unclear. Thus, we attempted to resolve these questions using molecular biology methods and analyses. Our results are as follows: (1) the complete mitochondrial genome of C. fasciata is 15,569 bp in length. The mitochondrial genome contains a standard set of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and an A + T-rich region in the same order as those of the other analysed Caeliferan species. The putative start codon for the COX1 gene in C. fasciata is ACC, although it is not defined in other genes. The presence of tandem repeats of different sizes in the A + T-rich region may lead to size differences in other mitochondrial genomes. The mitochondrial genome of C. fasciata harbours the typical 37 genes and an A + T-rich region, and it shows similar characteristics to those of other grasshopper species. Characterization of the mitochondrial genome has enriched our knowledge of the mitochondrial genomes of Orthoptera around the world. Therefore, the phylogenetic relationships in Orthoptera can be re-examined. (2) In phylogenetic analyses, the monophyly of Orthoptera and its two suborders (Caelifera and Ensifera) has been consistently recovered based on most of the datasets selected, regardless of the optimal criteria. Our results do not support the monophyly of the subfamily Oedipodinae of Caelifera. We found that Phlaeoba albonema of the Acridinae is sorted into a clade with Ceracris in all our phylogenetic trees, and field experiments show that Phlaeoba always lives with Ceracris in the same ecotopes. Therefore, we suggest that Phlaeoba should be classified as a member of the Oedipodinae. We found that C. fasciata always clustered with Ceracris kiangsu, and both were sisters to Ceracris versicolor. Therefore, the genetic relationship between C. fasciata and C. kiangsu is closer than that between C. fasciata and C. versicolor. (3) The oldest estimated time of divergence of Ensifera in this context was determined to be 146.16 million years ago (Mya), or around the late Jurassic or early Cretaceous. We estimated that katydids (Grylloidea) likely diverged from other groups in the early Cretaceous. According to our divergence time analyses, we concluded that the ancestral Acrididae probably originated in the early Paleogene, and it is likely that the major diversification events happened at the middle Paleogene, well into the next geologic time. We estimated that crickets (Tettigoniidae) likely diverged from other groups in the early Cretaceous. Acrididae and Romaleinae group, Pyrgacrididae and Ommexechidae group, the youngest two clades we observed, were estimated to have diverged 58.79 Mya, between the middle and early Paleogene. C. versicolor is a sister to the group containing C. kiangsu and C. fasciata. First, C. versicolor diverged from the sister group (C. kiangsu + C. fasciata) around 44.81 Mya, and then the C. kiangsu and C. fasciata group separated at 43.04 Mya.

Effect of early fasting and total parenteral nutrition support on the healing of incision and nutritional status in patients after sacrectomy

INTRODUCTION

Surgical site infection is one of the most common complications for patients after sacrectomy, which often accompanied by poor wound healing, sinus formation and serious metabolic disturbance.

HYPOTHESIS

We tried to avoid the surgical site infection caused by feces during early period after surgery through early fasting and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) support, then compared the clinical results of these patients with other patients that received enteral nutrition (EN) early after sacrectomy.

METHODS

Forty-eight patients after sacrectomy (the level of sacrectomy above S₂) were randomly divided into two groups: TPN group and EN group. The patients of two groups received different nutrition support from the first day to the seventh day after surgery, then the factors such as nutritional and metabolic status after surgery, incidence of complications as well as the time of incision healing and hospitalization were observed.

RESULTS

The p-value of total serum protein, albumin, serum alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin at seventh day after sacrectomy between TPN group and EN group is <0.0005. The p-value of hemoglobin at seventh day after sacrectomy between TPN group and EN group is 0.001. The p-value of total serum protein at fourteenth day after sacrectomy between TPN group and EN group is 0.003. The p-value of albumin and total bilirubin at fourteenth day after sacrectomy between TPN group and EN group is 0.001. The p-value of hemoglobin, serum alanine aminotransferase at fourteenth day after sacrectomy between TPN group and EN group is <0.0005. The incidence of gastrointestinal complication and delay of apparition of feces in EN group were lower than that in TPN group (p=0.041, p<0.0005). The incidence of surgical site infection, the time of incision healing and hospitalization in TPN group were lower than that in EN group (p=0.048, p=0.008, p<0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

The method of fasting and supported by TPN during the early period after sacrectomy contribute to the incision healing, meanwhile, it shortens the hospitalization time and abates the incidence of complications in patients after sacrectomy.

TYPE OF STUDY

It is a comparative randomized study.

LEVEL OF PROOF

High-powered prospective randomized trial.

A novel HLA-B allele, HLA-B*40:245 was identified in a patient with hepatitis B virus infection

A novel allele HLA-B*40:245 was discovered in a hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patient.

[Trends in 30-day case fatality rate in patients hospitalized due to acute myocardial infarction in Beijing, 2007-2012]

Objective: To understand the distribution and trends in 30-day coronary heart disease (CHD) case fatality rate in patients hospitalized due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Beijing during 2007-2012. Methods: The clinical data of patients hospitalized due to AMI in Beijing from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2012 were collected from "The Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance System in Beijing" . A total of 77 943 local patients aged ≥25 years were hospitalized due to AMI in Beijing during the this period. After excluding duplicate records and validation for the completeness and accuracy of the records, the clinical characteristics of the patients and 30-day CHD case fatality rate in the patients were analyzed. Trends in 30-day CHD case fatality rate in the patients were analyzed with Poisson regression models. Results: The age-standardized average 30-day CHD case fatality rate was 9.7% in the 77 943 patients. During this period, a decreasing trend was observed in 30-day CHD case fatality rate after adjusting for age and gender (P<0.001). The age-standardized 30-day CHD case fatality rate decreased by 16.0%, from 10.8% in 2007 to 9.0% in 2012. The decreases of 30-day CHD case fatality rates were noted in both men and women, whereas 30-day CHD case fatality rate was higher in women (14.1%) than in men (7.6%) after adjusting for age. During this period, the proportion of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) decreased, while the proportion of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) increased with year. A significant decline (20.1%) in 30-day case fatality rate of STEMI was found, but no decline was found for 30-day mortality rate of NSTEMI. Conclusion: A decreasing trend in 30-day CHD case fatality rate was observed in the patients aged ≥25 years and hospitalized due to AMI in Beijing during 2007-2012, indicating the improvement in short-term prognosis of patients hospitalized due to AMI. Our findings highlight the urgent need to improve the treatment for woman and NSTEMI patients.

[Effects of ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on osteopontin expression and autophagy in tubular cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy rat]

Objective: To investigate the effects of ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on tubulointerstitial inflammatory molecules and autophagy in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats. Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to DN group (n=6) and DN+ PDTC group (n=6, PDTC, ip, 100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1), all received streptozotocin (STZ) 60 mg/kg intraperitoneally, and the other 12 rats were randomly divided into control group (n=6) and PDTC group (n=6). At the end of 12 weeks, after serum creatine (Scr) and 24-hour urinary protein were determined, rats were sacrificed to determined the renal pathological damages and the changes of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65, p62, osteopontin (OPN), microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, nuclear p-NF-κB p65 by immunohistological stainning and Western blot, and ultrastructural changes of autophagic process was observed by electron microscopy (EM). Results: Scr was similar among the four groups (P>0.05). The levels of urinary protein in DN group and DN + PDTC group were significantly higher than the other two groups (all P<0.01), but the level of urinary protein in DN + PDTC group was lower than that of DN group (P<0.05). DN + PDTC group had less tubulointerstitial damage compared with DN group (P<0.05). Among the four groups, expressions of p62, p65, OPN of tubulointerstitial area in DN group were significantly higher than that of the other groups (all P<0.05), and Western blot showed that DN+ PDTC group had less expressions of NF-κB p65, nuclear p-p65, OPN and more expresssion of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ compared with DN group (all P<0.05), which were consistent with the decreased autophagic vacuoles and increased mitochondria dysfunction revealed by EM. Correlation analysis showed that renal LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ was negatively correlated the expressions of nuclear p-p65 and OPN (r=-0.45, P=0.02; r=-0.50, P=0.01), and p62 was positively correlated the expressions of nuclear p-p65 and OPN (r=0.33, P=0.01; r=0.41, P=0.01). Conclusion: Tubular NF-κB activation is closely related to autophagy dysfunction in DN rats, and PDTC may enhance autophagy activity in tubule cells by blocking NF-κB activity.

Abstract P6-08-15: Not presented

This abstract was not presented at the symposium.

The effects of post-traumatic depression on cognition, pain, fatigue, and headache after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury: a thematic review

BACKGROUND

Post-traumatic depression (PTD) is one of the most common secondary complications to develop after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, it rarely manifests singularly, and often co-occurs with other common TBI impairments.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this thematic review is to evaluate studies examining the relationships between PTD and cognition, fatigue, pain, and headache among individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI.

RESULTS

We reviewed 16 studies examining the relationship between PTD and cognition (five articles), fatigue (five articles), pain (four articles), and headache (two articles). Two studies failed to identify the significant associations between PTD and neuropsychological test performance, while one study found a positive association. Two other studies found that early PTD was associated with later executive dysfunction. Studies on fatigue suggest it is a cause, not consequence, of PTD. Individuals with PTD tended to report more pain than those without PTD. Studies examining relationships between PTD and post-traumatic headache were equivocal.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies evaluating the effects of PTD on common TBI impairments have yielded mixed results. Evidence suggests PTD precedes the development of executive dysfunction, and a strong link exists between fatigue and PTD, with fatigue preceding PTD. Future prospective studies evaluating PTD relationships to pain and headache are warranted to elucidate causality.

Interventions for humeral shaft fractures: mixed treatment comparisons of clinical trials

We designed a study to compare the efficacy of five main therapeutic options, including external fixation, open reduction and plate osteosynthesis (ORPO), minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO), dynamic compression plate (DCP), and intramedullary nail (IMN) in treating humeral shaft fractures. Our results indicated that MIPO and IMN were recommended as the optimal treatments for clinical use.

PURPOSE

Nowadays, five main therapeutic options are used in treating humeral shaft fractures: external fixation, open reduction and plate osteosynthesis (ORPO), minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO), dynamic compression plate (DCP), and intramedullary nail (IMN). Aiming to provide reliable evidence for clinical selection, we designed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to evaluate the efficacy of these treatments.

METHODS

NMA was conducted on Bayesian framework with software R 3.3.2 and STATA 13.0. Nonunion rate, radial nerve palsy rate, union time, complication rate, and infection rate were considered as primary outcomes. Mean operation time was the secondary outcome. The outcomes were measured by odds ratio (OR) value and corresponding 95% credible intervals (CrIs) or mean difference (MD) with 95% CrIs. Surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was calculated to show the ranking probability of each treatment.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that ORPO had a higher risk of radial nerve palsy than MIPO (OR = 2.83, 95% CrIs = 1.28-6.23), and DCP had a better performance in preventing complications than IMN (OR = 0.31, 95% CrIs = 0.11-0.84); no other significant difference were observed. According to the SUCRA results, MIPO had a high-ranking probability in almost all outcomes, while external fixation had lowest values in the majority of outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommended MIPO as the optimal treatment for humeral shaft fractures after taking all outcomes into consideration; IMN was also recommended for its relatively good performance, but its complication still needed to be noticed.

Neurokinin-1 receptor blocker CP-99 994 improved emesis induced by cisplatin via regulating the activity of gastric distention responsive neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of vagus and enhancing gastric motility in rats

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is still common in patients with cancer. It was reported that substance P mediated CINV via neurokinin-1 (NK₁ ) receptor and antagonists of NK₁ receptor has been proved useful for treating CINV but the mechanism are not fully understood. This study aimed to examine the role of NK₁ receptor blocker, CP-99 994, when administrated into dorsal motor nucleus of vagus (DMNV), on the cisplatin-induced emesis in rats and the possible mechanism.

METHODS

Rats' kaolin intake, food intake, and bodyweight were recorded every day; gastric contraction activity was recorded in conscious rats through a force transducer implanted into the stomach; gastric emptying was monitored using the phenol red method; single unit extracellular firing in the DMNV were recorded.

KEY RESULTS

DMNV microinjection of CP-99 994 reduced the changes of increased kaolin consumption and suppressed food intake in cisplatin-treated rats; enhanced the gastric contraction activity dose-dependently in control and cisplatin-treated rats but enhanced gastric emptying only in cisplatin-treated rats; reduced the firing rate of gastric distention inhibited (GD-I) neurons but increased the firing rate of GD excited (GD-E) neurons in the DMNV. The effects of CP-99 994 on gastric motility and neuronal activity were stronger in cisplatin-treated rats than those of control rats.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

Our results suggested that CP-99 994 could improve emesis induced by cisplatin by regulating gastric motility and gastric related neuronal activity in the DMNV.

[Effect of BCYRN1 on proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells in rat model of asthma]

Objective: To detect the effect of brain cytoplasmic RNA 1 (BCYRN1) on the proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) in rat model of asthma. Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and asthma group (n=10 each). The ovalbumin (OVA) model was constructed in asthma group. Real time-qPCR was performed to detect the level of BCYRN1 in the ASMCs separated from the airway tissue of these rats. Then 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2, 4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (WST-1) assay, roche real-time cell analyzer assay and Transwell cell migration assay were performed to detect the viability/proliferation and migration of ASMCs which were transfected with Ad-BCYRN1.Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB was used to treat ASMCs to induce proliferation and migration, and the level of BCYRN1 was examined.The viability/proliferation and migration of ASMCs treated with PDGF-BB and transfected with si-BCYRN1 were detected. Inspiratory resistance and expiratory resistance were measured in rats with BCYRN1 knockdown.Briefly, rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (group A), sensitization + Ad-GFP (group B), sensitization + AdSM22α-siBCYRN1 (group C), control + Ad-SM22α-siBCYRN1 (group D) (n=10 each). The corresponding adenovirus vectors were sent to lung of group B, group C and group D through nasal spray. The OVA model was constructed in group B and group C. The rats in group A and group D were treated with saline.After 24 h of the last treatment with OVA or saline, rats of each group were given tracheal intubation, connected with breathing machine. Rats were injected with methacholine to measure the inspiratory resistance and expiratory resistance. Results: The level of BCYRN1 in ASMCs separated from rats in asthma group and in ASMCs treated with PDGF-BB was 3.60±0.45 and 3.53±0.35, respectively, significantly higher than those of the corresponding control (both P<0.01). Ad-BCYRN1 significantly increased the expression of BCYRN1 in ASMCs. The cell viability and proliferation rates of ASMCs transfected with Ad-BCYRN1 increased 1.75-and 1.47-fold compared to those of the control group, respectively (P<0.01); mobility increased 2.42-fold compared to that of the control group (all P<0.01). BCYRN1 knockdown reversed the increasing proliferation and migration of ASMCs induced by PDGF-BB. The cell proliferation rate and cell migration number in the PDGF-BB treatment group were (4.87±0.21)% and 80.00±5.00, respectively, which were significant higher than those in the si-BCYRN1 transfected group ((3.63±0.21)% and 25.33±2.52, all P<0.01). BCYRN1 knockdown reduced the inspiratory resistance and expiratory resistance in sensitization + Ad-SM22α-siBCYRN1 group. When the concentration of acetylcholine reached 1 mg/kg, the inspiratory resistance in the group A, group B, group C, and group D were 8.27±0.21, 25.40±0.56, 12.07±0.67 and 8.40±0.46 cmH₂O·s·ml^-1, and expiratory resistance were 13.30±0.56, 38.37±1.33, 16.40±0.56 and 13.40±0.46 cmH₂O·s·ml^-1, respectively (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Overexpression of BCYRN1 promotes the proliferation and migration of ASMCs in rat model of asthma.

Differential expression of microRNAs in luteinising hormone-treated mouse TM3 Leydig cells

Testosterone is primarily produced by Leydig cells of the mammalian male gonads. The cellular functions of Leydig cells are regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis, whereas the microRNA (miRNA) changes of LH-treated Leydig cells are unknown. Mouse TM3 Leydig cells were treated with LH, and deep sequencing showed that 29 miRNAs were significantly different between two groups (fold change of >1.5 or <0.5, p < .05), of which 27 were upregulated and two were downregulated. The differential expression of miR-29b-3p, miR-378b, miR-193b and miR-3695 was confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that miRNAs regulated a large number of genes with different functions. Pathway analysis indicated that miRNAs were involved in the Wingless and INT-1, adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase, NF-kappa B and Toll-like receptor signalling pathways. Results showed that miRNAs might be involved in the regulation of LH to Leydig cells.

[Effects of simvastatin on the proliferation, invasion and radiosensitivity in Lewis lung cancer cell line]

Objective: To investigate the effects of simvastatin on proliferation, invasion and radiosensitivity of mouse Lewis lung cancer cell line in vitro. Methods: The inhibitory effects of simvastatin on proliferation of Lewis lung cancer cells were detected by MTT assay. Matrigel invasion and migration assay was used to determine the invasion and motility ability of the Lewis cells. P38 activity was measured by p38 activity detection kit, and the expressions of p-p38, MKP-1, RhoA and MMP-2 were analyzed by Western blot. Lung cancer xenograft model was established in C57BL/6 mice. The mice were randomly divided into control group, simvastatin group, radiotherapy alone group and combined treatment group. The mice were killed 27 days after inoculation. The tumor mass, volume and lung metastatic nodules in the mice were compared. Results: The cell proliferation rates of 0 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L and 30 μmol/L simvastatin groups were 100%, (87.0±9.0)%, (76.5±8.1)% and (67.0±7.3)%, respectively (P<0.05). Invasive cell numbers of the above groups were 298±30, 251±26, 207±20 and 132±19 per field, respectively (P<0.05). The intracellular p38 activities were 100%, (83.1±8.8)%, (70.2±8.2)% and (59.0±6.4)%, respectively. The relative expressions of p-p38 were 100%, (76.2±6.7)%, (56.4±5.4)% and (36.5±3.2)%, respectively. The expressions of RhoA were 100%, (80.1±5.3)%, (55.3±6.2)% and (38.6±4.8)%, respectively. The expressions of MMP-2 were 100%, (89.6±8.6)%, (51.9±4.7)% and (42.7±3.1)%, respectively, while the expressions of MKP-1 were 100%, (136.5±12.2)%, (168.8±15.3)% and (187.7±13.4)%, respectively (all P<0.05). Lung metastatic nodules and mass in the control, simvastatin, radiotherapy group and combined treatment groups were 6.24±1.09, 3.07±0.71 g, 5.09±1.16, 2.43±0.53 g, 3.12±0.68, 1.96±0.62 g and 2.65±0.38, 1.12±0.43 g, respectively (all P<0.05). The tumor inhibition rates were 39.0%, 48.1% and 26.5%, respectively, in the radiotherapy alone, combined treatment and simvastatin groups (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Simvastatin inhibits the proliferation of Lewis cell line by inhibiting the activity of p38 and expression of p-p38. Meanwhile, simvastatin reduces the invasion and motility of Lewis cell line through down-regulating the expression of RhoA and MMP-2. When combined with radiotherapy, simvastatin can inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, and improve the treatment efficacy of radiotherapy synergistically.

Note: Nanomechanical characterization of soft materials using a micro-machined nanoforce transducer with an FIB-made pyramidal tip

The quantitative nanomechanical characterization of soft materials using the nanoindentation tech-nique requires further improvements in the performances of instruments, including their force resolution in particular. A micro-machined silicon nanoforce transducer based upon electrostatic comb drives featuring the force and depth resolutions down to ∼1 nN and 0.2 nm, respectively, is described. At the end of the MEMS transducer's main shaft, a pyramidal tip is fabricated using a focused ion beam facility. A proof-of-principle setup with this MEMS nanoindenter has been established to measure the mechanical properties of soft polydimethylsiloxane. First measurement results demonstrate that the prototype measurement system is able to quantitatively characterize soft materials with elastic moduli down to a few MPa.

FGF21 deficiency is associated with childhood obesity, insulin resistance and hypoadiponectinaemia: The BCAMS Study

OBJECTIVE

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) exerts beneficial effects on metabolic homoeostasis and has been reported to be regulated by adiponectin, leptin and resistin. However, while an association between increased circulating FGF21 and metabolic disorders has been reported in adults, paediatric-specific data are lacking.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This study investigated the relationship between FGF21 levels and obesity, insulin resistance (IR), the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and adipokines (adiponectin, leptin and resistin) in a cohort of 3231 Chinese youngsters aged 6-18.

RESULTS

There were gender- and puberty-related differences in FGF21 levels. Unexpectedly, FGF21 levels were decreased in children with obesity, and negatively correlated with insulin, HOMA-IR and leptin levels after adjusting for age, gender, puberty and lifestyle factors. Moreover, multiple regression analyses showed that serum FGF21 positively predicted adiponectin levels while resistin positively predicted FGF21 levels independent of BMI (P<0.05). Children in the lowest FGF21 quintile were more likely to have IR (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.41-2.42; P=0.002) and MetS (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.14-2.28; P=0.007) than those in the highest quintile. Further adjusting for BMI and/or the three adipokines modified the association of FGF21 with MetS (P>0.10) but not with IR (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Although the associations between adiponectin, leptin, resistin and metabolic abnormalities in our paediatric population were similar to those in adults, correlations of FGF21 levels with obesity, IR and MetS were the inverse of those found in adults. Our present findings suggest that FGF21 deficiency, rather than resistance, contribute to IR and hypoadiponectinaemia independently of obesity in young people.

Methylation of SOX1 and VIM promoters in serum as potential biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma

Aberrant methylation of tumor-related genes has been identified as a promising biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 1 (SOX1) and Vimentin (VIM) promoter methylation for HCC. The study included 360 subjects, 240 patients with HCC, 29 with liver cirrhosis (LC), 66 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 25 healthy controls (HCs). The methylation status of SOX1 and VIM promoters in the serum was detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). The methylation frequencies of SOX1 and VIM promoters in HCC patients were significantly higher than those in LC (p<0.001 and p<0.001), CHB (p<0.001 and p<0.001) and HC (p<0.001 and p<0.001) subjects. Furthermore, hypermethylation of SOX1 and VIM promoters were found in patients with advanced TNM stage (III-IV) and larger tumor size (≥5 cm) compared with early stage (I-II) (p<0.001 and p=0.004) patients with smaller tumor size (<3 cm) (p=0.018 and p=0.001). Moreover, the VIM promoter methylation frequency was higher in patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) (p=0.006) and vascular invasion (p=0.003). In addition, the combination of α-fetoprotein (≥20 ng/ml) with SOX1 and VIM promoter methylation significantly improved their diagnostic value. In conclusions, aberrant methylation of SOX1 and VIM promoters may be potential biomarkers for noninvasive detection of HCC and HCC metastasis.

Elk-1-mediated 15-lipoxygenase expression is required for hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular adventitial fibroblast dynamics

AIM

15-Lipoxygenase (15-LO) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). However, the role of 15-LO in the adventitia of the pulmonary arterial wall is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the role of 15-LO in the modulation of pulmonary adventitial fibroblast (PAF) dynamics.

METHODS

Rats were exposed to normoxic or hypoxic (fraction of inspired O₂  = 0.12) treatments for 7 days. PAF proliferation and cell cycle alterations were measured by MTT assay, cell immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. The 15-LO promoter was analysed by luciferase reporter and ChIP assays.

RESULTS

Our results showed that hypoxia induced 15-LO expression in PAFs both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, hypoxia stimulated JNK phosphorylation in PAFs. Blocking 15-LO or JNK suppressed 15-LO-induced PAF proliferation and cell cycle alterations. The inhibition of p27^kipl by gene silencing attenuated 15-LO-induced PAF proliferation and cell cycle alterations. Furthermore, JNK inhibition or Elk-1 knockdown suppressed hypoxia-induced 15-LO expression in PAFs. Luciferase reporter and ChIP assays revealed that the 15-LO promoter contains Elk-1-binding sites and also that Elk-1 increased the hypoxia-induced activity of the 15-LO promoter.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that hypoxia promotes changes in the cellular dynamics of PAFs by inducing 15-LO expression, which leads to vascular adventitial remodelling. The modulation of p27^kipl expression by 15-LO enhances PAF proliferation and cell cycle alterations. Furthermore, the JNK-dependent increase in Elk-1 signalling is required for hypoxia-induced 15-LO expression in PAFs.

ABO Blood-group Antigens in Oral Cancer

Tumor progression is often associated with altered glycosylation of the cell-surface proteins and lipids. The peripheral part of these cell-surface glycoconjugates often carries carbohydrate structures related to the ABO and Lewis blood-group antigens. The expression of histo-blood-group antigens in normal human tissues is dependent on the type of differentiation of the epithelium. In most human carcinomas, including oral carcinoma, a significant event is decreased expression of histo-blood-group antigens A and B. The mechanisms of aberrant expression of blood-group antigens are not clear in all cases. A relative down-regulation of the glycosyltransferase that is involved in the biosynthesis of A and B antigens is seen in oral carcinomas in association with tumor development. The events leading to loss of A transferase activity are related, in some instances, to loss of heterozygosity (LOH) involving chromosome 9q34, which is the locus for the ABO gene, and in other cases, to a hypermethylation of the ABO gene promoter. The fact that hypermethylation targets the ABO locus, but not surrounding genes, suggests that the hypermethylation is a specific tumor-related event. However, since not all situations with lack of expression of A/B antigens can be explained by LOH or hypermethylation, other regulatory factors outside the ABO promoter may be functional in transcriptional regulation of the ABO gene. Altered blood group antigens in malignant oral tissues may indicate increased cell migration. This hypothesis is supported by studies showing that normal migrating oral epithelial cells like malignant cells show lack of expression of A/B antigens, and by studies that target ABH antigens to key receptors controlling adhesion and motility, such as integrins, cadherins, and CD-44.

Role of vitamin A metabolism in IIH: Results from the idiopathic intracranial hypertension treatment trial

INTRODUCTION

Vitamin A and its metabolites (called retinoids) have been thought to play a role in the development of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The IIH Treatment Trial (IIHTT) showed the efficacy of acetazolamide (ACZ) in improving visual field function, papilledema grade, quality of life and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure. We postulated that IIH patients would demonstrate elevated measures of vitamin A metabolites in the serum and CSF.

METHODS

Comprehensive measures of serum vitamin A and its metabolites were obtained from 96 IIHTT subjects, randomly assigned to treatment with ACZ or placebo, and 25 controls with similar gender, age and body mass index (BMI). These included retinol, retinol binding protein, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), alpha- and beta-carotenes, and beta-cryptoxanthin. The IIHTT subjects also had CSF and serum vitamin A and metabolite measurements obtained at study entry and at six months.

RESULTS

At study entry, of the vitamin A metabolites only serum ATRA was significantly different in IIHTT subjects (median 4.33nM) and controls (median 5.04nM, p=0.02). The BMI of IIHTT subjects showed mild significant negative correlations with serum ATRA, alpha- and beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. In contrast, the control subject BMI correlated only with serum ATRA. At six months, the serum retinol, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and CSF retinol were increased from baseline in the ACZ treated group, but only increases in alpha-carotene (p=0.02) and CSF ATRA (p=0.04) were significantly greater in the ACZ group compared with the placebo group. No other vitamin A measures were significantly altered over the six months in either treatment group. Weight loss correlated with only with the change in serum beta-carotene (r=-0.44, p=0.006) and the change in CSF retinol (r=-0.61, p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

Vitamin A toxicity is unlikely a contributory factor in the causation of IIH. Our findings differ from those of prior reports in part because of our use of more accurate quantitative methods and measuring vitamin A metabolites in both serum and CSF. ACZ may alter retinoid metabolism in IIH patients.

Evaluation of ompA and pgtE genes in determining pathogenicity in Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is a major causative agent of gastroenteritis in humans. This important food-borne pathogen also colonises the intestinal tracts of poultry and can spread systemically, especially in chickens. To identify the S. Enteritidis virulence genes involved in infection and colonisation of chickens, chromosomal deletion mutants of the ompA and pgtE genes, which encode essential components of omptins, were constructed. There were no significant differences between the wild-type and ompA and pgtE mutants in a series of in vitro assays, including an intracellular survival assay, survival in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicken serum, and in vitro competition assays. In contrast, in vivo competition assays revealed that ompA and pgtE mutants underwent attenuated growth in liver, cardiac blood, spleen, lung, and kidney compared to a wild-type strain (CVCC3378). When tested in SPF chickens, ompA or pgtE gene inactivation substantially reduced organ colonisation and delayed systemic infection compared with the wild-type strain. Colonisation was restored in S. Enteritidis mutants by reintroduction of the whole ompA or pgtE gene with the native promoters. The results of this study demonstrate that ompA and pgtE play an important role in the pathogenesis of S. Enteritidis and its ability to infect chickens.

[Clinical characteristics of bone disease in multiple myeloma and clinical significance of monitoring bone metabolic markers]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical characteristics of bone disease in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and the clinical significance of monitoring bone metabolic markers.

METHODS

The data of 178 MM cases newly diagnosed in Beijing Ji Shui Tan Hospital from January 2009 to June 2014 were reviewed to analysis the types and classification of bone disease and to observe the clinical characteristics of patients with different grades of bone disease. The levels of bone metabolic markers total procollagen type Ⅰ N-terminal peptide (tPINP) and β C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen (β-CTX) were monitored regularly in the two years following treatment in 66 cases.

RESULTS

(1) Among the 178 newly diagnosed MM cases, 167 cases complained of pain in bones on first visit, 35 cases combined with hypercalcemia, 83 cases combined with osteoporosis, 154 cases combined with osteolytic bone destruction, and 73 cases combined with pathologic fracture. The most common osteolytic location was the spine. The most common fracture sites was the spine. (2) According to bone disease grading, the 178 cases were divided into group A (bone grade 0-2, n=51) and group B(bone grade 3-4, n=127). There were no significant differences between group A and group B in gender, median age, therapeutic effect/ineffec, median overall survival, median progress-free survival, mean serum lactic dehydrogenase, mean albumin, urine light chains and serum creatinine(all P>0.05). Compared with group A, group B had lower hemoglobin level[(99.78±29.93)vs (108.84±29.30) g/L], and higher blood calcium level[(2.47±0.40)vs (2.30±0.29) mmol/L], serum β2-microglobuin level[(6.04±4.84)vs (4.12±3.97)mg/L], and bone marrow plasma cells percentage(33.30%±24.87% vs 23.51%±22.67%)(all P<0.05). (3) Before treatment, the levels of β-CTX and tPINP in patients of group B(n=47) were higher than those in group A(n=19)(median 0.78 vs 0.42 μg/L, 60.95 vs 43.47 μg/L, both P<0.05). The ratio of β-CTX /tPINP in group B was higher than that in group A (median 0.017 vs 0.012, P<0.05). After chemotherapy for 3 months, there were no differences in the level of tPINP compared with that before treatment in both group A and group B (both P>0.05), the level of β-CTX decreased significantly compared with that before treatment in both groups(median 0.16 vs 0.42 μg/L, 0.26 vs 0.78 μg/L, both P<0.05); the ratio of β-CTX /tPINP decreased significantly compared with that before treatment in both group A and in group B(median 0.008 vs 0.012, 0.011 vs 0.017, both P<0.05). There were no differences in the level of β-CTX, tPINP and β-CTX/tPINP ratio after treatment for 6 months, 1 year and 2 years compared with that after 3 months in both group A and group B (all P>0.05). (4)All patients were divided into two groups according to the therapeutic effect: effective group included patients who reach the effect of partial remission or better remission(n=48), while ineffective group included patients who did not reach the effect of partial remission(n=18). Before treatment there were no differences in the level of β-CTX, tPINP and β-CTX/tPINP ratio between the effective groupand the ineffective group (all P>0.05). After chemotherapy for 3 months, there were no differences in the level of tPINP compared with that before treatment in both effective group and ineffective group (all P>0.05), but the level of β-CTX decreased significantly compared with that before treatment both in effective group and ineffective group (median 0.24 vs 0.60 μg/L, 0.44 vs 0.95 μg/L, both P<0.05). The ratio of β-CTX /tPINP decreased significantly compared with that before treatment both in effective group and ineffective group (median 0.005 vs 0.012, 0.005 vs 0.011, both P<0.05). There were no differences in the level of β-CTX, tPINP and β-CTX/tPINP ratio after treatment for 6 months, 1 year and 2 years compared with that for 3 months both in effective group and ineffective group (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pain in bones, osteolysis and pathological fracture are the most common clinical manifestations in myeloma-related bone disease. The severity of bone disease can reflect the tumor load, but may not affect the therapeutic effect and the overall survival. The bone metabolic markers tPINP and β-CTX can be used to evaluate the severity of myeloma-related bone disease at diagnosis and to monitor the effect of treatment for bone disease.