Crucial roles of the CHRNB3-CHRNA6 gene cluster on chromosome 8 in nicotine dependence: update and subjects for future research

Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of preventable death throughout the world. Nicotine, the primary addictive compound in tobacco, plays a vital role in the initiation and maintenance of its use. Nicotine exerts its pharmacological roles through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which are ligand-gated ion channels consisting of five membrane-spanning subunits. Besides the CHRNA4, CHRNB2 and CHRNA5/A3/B4 cluster on chromosome 15, which has been investigated intensively, recent evidence from both genome-wide association studies and candidate gene-based association studies has revealed the crucial roles of the CHRNB3-CHRNA6 gene cluster on chromosome 8 in nicotine dependence (ND). These studies demonstrate two distinct loci within this region. The first one is tagged by rs13277254, upstream of the CHRNB3 gene, and the other is tagged by rs4952, a coding single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 5 of that gene. Functional studies by genetic manipulation in mice have shown that α6*-nAChRs, located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), are of great importance in controlling nicotine self-administration. However, when the α6 subunit is selectively re-expressed in the VTA of the α6(-/-) mouse by a lentiviral vector, the reinforcing property of nicotine is restored. To further determine the role of α6*-nAChRs in the process of nicotine-induced reward and withdrawal, genetic knock-in strains have been examined, which showed that replacement of Leu with Ser in the 9' residue in the M2 domain of α6 produces nicotine-hypersensitive mice (α6 L9'S) with enhanced dopamine release. Moreover, nicotine-induced upregulation may be another ingredient in the pathology of nicotine addiction although the effect of chronic nicotine exposure on the expression of α6-containing receptors is controversial. To gain a better understanding of the pathological processes underlying ND and ND-related behaviors and to promote the development of effective smoking cessation therapies, we here present the most recent studies concerning the genetic effects of the CHRNB3-CHRNA6 gene cluster in ND.

Effect of daily sildenafil on patients with absent nocturnal erections due to pelvic fracture urethral disruption: a single-centre experience

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sequel of pelvic fracture urethral disruption. Those patients with nocturnal erections may respond favourably to sildenafil; however, little is known about the response to sildenafil in patients with absent nocturnal erections. The aim was to evaluate the response to the treatment of sildenafil 50 mg taken once daily in the patients with absent nocturnal erections. From January 2008 to December 2011, a total of 28 patients with absent nocturnal erections were evaluated. We recorded nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity with an erectometer. If nocturnal erections were absent for three nights, patients were administrated sildenafil 100 mg at bedtime and tested again at the fourth night. Penile duplex ultrasound with intracavernous injection was performed to define the cause of ED. All patients received a daily dose of sildenafil 50 mg for 12 weeks. Response to sildenafil treatment was defined as sustained erections allowing vaginal penetration and intercourse. Twenty-three (78%) patients completed the daily sildenafil treatment, and follow-up was available. The nocturnal erections at the fourth night in 13 patients (46.4%) were improved. About 61.5% (8/13) reported effective response to daily sildenafil. The improvement of nocturnal erections induced by sildenafil taken at bedtime might predict the response to sildenafil taken daily.

Dual-band photodetector with a hybrid Au-nanoparticles/β-Ga2O3 structure

Lower dark current, higher photoresponse and faster switching time under a 254 nm light illumination and dual-band are obtained for a photodetector through the introduction of Au-NPs.

Preparation and identification of an antiserum against recombinant UL31 protein of pseudorabies virus

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) early protein UL31 is a homologue of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) UL31, which is a multifunctional protein important for HSV-1 infection. However, the precise roles of PRV UL31 in virus life cycle are still poorly understood. A relatively crucial tool for uncovering the function of UL31 is an antiserum that specifically detects UL31 in the PRV-infected cells. For this purpose, a recombinant UL31 protein consisting of N-terminal 27 aa of UL31 fused to EYFP and His-tag was expressed, purified and used for the preparation of antiserum in BALB/c mice. Our results show that Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assay showed that this antiserum could specifically detect the purified recombinant UL31 as well as full-length UL31 in the PRV infected cells. These results demonstrate that the prepared antiserum could serve as a valuable tool for further studies of UL31 functions in PRV infection.

Effects of atorvastatin combined with trimetazidine on myocardial injury and inflammatory mediator in unstable angina patients during perioperative of percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of atorvastatin combined with trimetazidine on periprocedural myocardial injury and serum inflammatory mediators in unstable angina pectoris (UAP) patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

90 patients with UAP treated with conventional medications and PCI were recruited and were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group. The control group had 42 patients were treated with atorvastatin alone, while the experimental group had 48 cases treated with atorvastatin combined with trimetazidine. All the patients were checked the preoperative 24h and postoperative 24h PCI concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interlukin-10 (IL-10).

RESULTS

At the pre-PCI stage, every serum factors was no significant difference. 24 hours after the PCI intervention, the occurence of abnormal cTnI level in the experimental group was remarkable reduced than the control group. In the experimental group, the serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ significantly decreased (p < 0.05); while IL-10 was increased. In the control group, all the mediators were increased significantly except the hs-CRP (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

No unexpected symptom was found in patients with large dose atorvastatin combined with large dose trimetazidine. The administration of conventional medications together with the atorvastatin plus trimetazidine were able to reduce the prevalence of postoperative myocardial injury.

A meta-analysis of bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the biology of ovarian cancer. The clinical efficacy and side effects of bevacizumab, the vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, on survival and toxicity in women with this ovarian cancer, was not conclusive. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis in order to clarify the efficacy of bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the electronic database of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CNKI for clinical controlled trials of comparing bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone in the treatment of ovarian cancer. The primary outcomes of eligible studies included median progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicities such as enterobrosis, hypertension, albuminuria, congestive heart failure (CHF), neutrophils, thrombosis, and bleeding. The Hazard ratio (HR) and relative risk were used for the meta-analysis and were expressed with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All the statistical analyses were carried out by  Stata 11.0 software (http://www.stata.com; Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA).

RESULTS

We included 5 studies with 1798 cases in the bevacizumab combined with the chemotherapy group and 1810 subjects in the chemotherapy alone group. The pooled results showed that bevacizumab + chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone can significant prolong the median PFS (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46-0.82; P < 0.05) but not the OS (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.59-10.9; P > 0.05); the toxicity analysis showed that the enterobrosis, hypertension, albuminuria, neutrophils, thrombosis, and bleeding were significantly increased in the bevacizumab + chemotherapy group compared with chemotherapy alone (Pall < 0.05). But the CHF risk between the two groups was not statistical different (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy prolonged the median PFS in patients with ovarian cancer but also increase the risk of developing enterobrosis, hypertension, albuminuria, neutrophils, thrombosis, and bleeding.

Interface induced transition from bipolar resistive switching to unipolar resistive switching in Au/Ti/GaOx/NiOx/ITO structures

The transition of resistive switching behavior from bipolar to unipolar induced by interface was found and investigated in Au/Ti/GaO_x/NiO_x/ITO structure.

Growing duckweed for biofuel production: a review

Duckweed can be utilised to produce ethanol, butanol and biogas, which are promising alternative energy sources to minimise dependence on limited crude oil and natural gas. The advantages of this aquatic plant include high rate of nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) uptake, high biomass yield and great potential as an alternative feedstock for the production of fuel ethanol, butanol and biogas. The objective of this article is to review the published research on growing duckweed for the production of the biofuels, especially starch enrichment in duckweed plants. There are mainly two processes affecting the accumulation of starch in duckweed biomass: photosynthesis for starch generation and metabolism-related starch consumption. The cost of stimulating photosynthesis is relatively high based on current technologies. Considerable research efforts have been made to inhibit starch degradation. Future research need in this area includes duckweed selection, optimisation of duckweed biomass production, enhancement of starch accumulation in duckweeds and use of duckweeds for production of various biofuels.

Rapid Metal -free Macromolecular Coupling via in situ Nitrile Oxide-Activated Alkene Cycloaddition

Nitrile oxide 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition is a simple and powerful coupling methodology. However, the self-dimerization of nitrile oxides has prevented the widespread use of this strategy for macromolecular coupling. By combining an in situ nitrile oxide generation with a highly reactive activated dipolarophile, we have overcome these obstacles and present a metal-free macromolecular coupling strategy for the modular synthesis of several ABA triblock copolymers. Nitrile oxides were generated in situ from chloroxime terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) B-blocks and coupled with several distinct hydrophilic (poly(2-methyloxazoline) and poly(ethylene glycol)), and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) or hydrophobic (poly(L-lactide) A-blocks terminated in activated dipolarophiles in a rapid fashion with high yield. This methodology overcomes many drawbacks of previously reported metal-free methods due to its rapid kinetics, versatility, scalability, and ease of introduction of necessary functionality. Nitrile oxide cycloaddition should find use as an attractive macromolecular coupling strategy for the synthesis of biocompatible polymeric nanostructures.

Association of dietary intake of folate and MTHFR genotype with breast cancer risk

We conducted a hospital-based case-control study to investigate the associations of dietary intake of folate and MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms with breast cancer in a Chinese population. A 1:1-matched case-control study was conducted. Two hundred and thirty patients who were newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed breast cancer and 230 controls were enrolled from Xinxiang Central Hospital. Folate intake was calculated by standard portion size and relative size for each food item in the questionnaire. Genotyping of MTHFR C677T and A1298C was performed by PCR-RFLP. MTHFR 677TT (OR = 2.26, 95%CI = 1.09-4.87, P = 0.02) and T allele (OR = 1.40, 95%CI = 1.03-1.90, P = 0.03) had an increased risk of laryngeal cancer when compared with the CC genotype. We found any interaction between MTHFR C677T and folate intake (P for interaction = 0.02). In conclusion, our study demonstrated that MTHFR C677T polymorphism and folate are associated with risk of breast cancer.

Role of hydroxyethyl starch in ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat intestinal transplantation

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to evaluate the role of 0%, 3%, 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and University of Wisconsin (UW) perfusion and preservation solutions on ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) of rat intestinal transplantations, solutions, respectively.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats underwent orthotopic intestinal transplantation (Lewis to Lewis) after using perfusion and preservation saline (group l), 3% HES (group 2), 6% HES (group 3), or UW (group 4) solutions. The change in weight was recorded from preoperative to postoperative day (POD) 30. At 30 minutes after reperfusion, we harvested intestinal juice preoperatively as well as at 30 minutes after reperfusion and on POD 1 and 3 when recipients underwent open surgery for maltose absorption tests and sampling. The Park' scores of IRI were evaluated by light microscopy after hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.

RESULTS

An increased weight was more evident in group 2 than the other groups, particularly the on POD 1 and POD 3 (P < .05). It was significantly greater than groups 1 and 3 on POD 7 (P < .05). Compared with the other groups, the 30-minute post-reperfusion. Park score and intestinal juice content in group 2 was decreased significantly (P < .01), while in group 3 the Park score was increased, and the maltose absorption level decreased significantly (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Three percent HES solution attenuated IRI in rat intestinal transplantation. High-concentration HES solutions were unfit for intestinal preservation. Thus the adverse effects of UW solution may be attribute at least in part to its high HES, concentration.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the pseudorabies virus UL31 gene

We amplified a 816-bp sequence of the UL31 gene from the pseudorabies virus (PRV) Becker strain genome. Evidence that this was the UL31 gene was confirmed by cloning and sequencing. The PRV UL31 gene encodes a putative protein of 271-amino acid residues, which was designated the UL31 protein. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that PRV UL31 contains a conserved PHA03328 domain, closely related with the herpes virus nuclear egress lamina protein UL31 family and highly conserved among counterparts encoded by herpes UL31 genes. Nucleic acid sequence and amino acid sequence alignments demonstrated that PRV UL31 has a relatively higher homology with UL31 homologous proteins of subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae than other subfamilies. In addition, phylogenetic analysis showed that PRV UL31 has a close evolutionary relationship with members of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, especially bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), BoHV-5, equine herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4), EHV-9 and EHV-1. Antigen prediction demonstrated that several potential B-cell epitopes are located in PRV UL31. Additionally, secondary structure and three-dimension structure prediction revealed that PRV UL31 predominantly consists of α-helix. Taken together, these results provide insight on the function and mechanism of UL31 during PRV infection.

Leukemia-associated aberrant immunophenotype in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: changes at refractory disease or first relapse and clinicopathological findings

INTRODUCTION

Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) is commonly used to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) during the course of chemotherapy or relapse. Only one study addressed the immunophenotypic changes in refractory disease. We studied changes in leukemia-associated aberrant immunophenotype (LAIP) in patients with refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHOD

We analyzed 47 patients (refractory = 22; relapsed = 25) by MFC, morphology, and cytogenetic studies.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients (74%) showed variably changed LAIPs. The frequently altered LAIPs were lack of lineage-specific antigen and lineage infidelity. The most frequently changed marker was CD13, followed by CD33, CD56, CD7, CD4, and CD11b. Cytogenetic clonal evolution at persistence/relapse was observed in 15 patients (32%). Morphologically, three patients (6%) showed significant changes at relapse. Patients with refractory AML had a higher association with poor cytogenetic risk and classification of AML with myelodysplasia-related changes. Positive MRD at postinduction was of prognostic significance. Allogeneic stem cell transplant improved overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

LAIP alterations in refractory/relapsed AMLs are common findings. Presence of persistent disease indicates a poor prognosis, regardless of cytogenetic risk or expression of CD7 or CD56. Discordance between cytogenetic and LAIP changes suggests that gross cytogenetic clonal evolution during disease progression only partly contributes to immunophenotypic instability.

Synergistic Effect of Regeneration and Inflammation via Ibuprofen-Loaded Electrospun Fibrous Scaffolds for Repairing Skeletal Muscle

Adult skeletal muscle regeneration involves serial steps among which inflammation in the wounded area is critical for the healing process. However, accelerated tissue regeneration and the inhibition of excessive inflammation are always the targets of tissue engineering, because excessive inflammation in the early stage can impede the regeneration in the following step. In this study, a feasible ibuprofen-loaded poly (L-lactide) (PLLA) fibrous scaffold was designed to evaluate the ability of preventing excessive inflammatory response and promoting regeneration using 35 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The cytotoxicity assay of PLLA and ibuprofen-loaded PLLA fibrous scaffolds (IBU/PLLA) showed that there were no significant cell cytotoxicity on L6 cells. The histological results showed that the IBU/PLLA group had slighter inflammation than PLLA and control groups during the whole process. In the later stage, the regeneration process of the IBU/PLLA group took place on the 7th day, which was almost more than one week earlier than the PLLA and control groups. qRT-PCR analysis further displayed that the IBU/PLLA group had a lower level of inflammatory factors and higher expression of repair factors than the PLLA and control groups, especially from the 7th day, and lasted until the 21st day. Furthermore, there were no statistical differences between the PLLA group and the control group from histological results and qRT-PCR analysis. Taken together, through the muscle wound healing process, the results demonstrated that the ibuprofen-loaded PLLA fibrous scaffolds had better control of excessive inflammation and faster process of healing than non-ibuprofen-loaded groups.

Gambogic acid synergistically potentiates cisplatin-induced apoptosis in non-small-cell lung cancer through suppressing NF-κB and MAPK/HO-1 signalling

Background:

Gambogic acid (GA) has been reported to have potent anticancer activity and is authorised to be tested in phase II clinical trials for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study aims to investigate whether GA would be synergistic with cisplatin (CDDP) against the NSCLC.

Methods:

1-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan (MTT), combination index (CI) isobologram, western blot, quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, xenograft tumour models and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling analysis were used in this study.

Results:

The cell viability results showed that sequential CDDP-GA treatment resulted in a strong synergistic action in A549, NCI-H460, and NCI-H1299 cell lines, whereas the reverse sequence and simultaneous treatments led to a slight synergistic or additive action. Increased sub-G1 phase cells and enhanced PARP cleavage demonstrated that the sequence of CDDP-GA treatment markedly increased apoptosis in comparison with other treatments. Furthermore, the sequential combination could enhance the activation of caspase-3, -8, and 9, increase the expression of Fas and Bax, and decrease the expression of Bcl-2, survivin and X-inhibitor of apoptosis protein (X-IAP) in A549 and NCI-H460 cell lines. In addition, increased apoptosis was correlated with enhanced reactive oxygen species generation. Importantly, it was found that, followed by CDDP treatment, GA could inhibit NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signalling pathways, which have been validated to reduce ROS release and confer CDDP resistance. The roles of NF-κB and MAPK pathways were further confirmed by using specific inhibitors, which significantly increased ROS release and apoptosis induced by the sequential combination of CDDP and GA. Moreover, our results indicated that the combination of CDDP and GA exerted increased antitumour effects on A549 xenograft models through inhibiting NF-κB, HO-1, and subsequently inducing apoptosis.

Conclusion:

Gambogic acid sensitises lung cancer cells to CDDP in vitro and in vivo in NSCLC through inactivation of NF-κB and MAPK/HO-1 signalling pathways, providing a rationale for the combined use of CDDP and GA in lung cancer chemotherapy.