Mice deficient in MIM expression are predisposed to lymphomagenesis

Missing in metastasis (MIM) is a member of newly emerged inverse Bin-Amphiphysin-Rvs (BAR) domain protein family and a putative metastasis suppressor. Although reduced MIM expression has been associated with bladder, breast and gastric cancers, evidence for the role of MIM in tumor progression remains scarce and controversial. Herein we characterized a MIM knockout mouse strain and observed that MIM-deficient mice often developed enlarged spleens. Autopsy and histological analysis revealed that nearly 78% of MIM(-/-) mice developed tumors with features similar to diffuse large B lymphoma during a period from 1 to 2 years. MIM(-/-) mice also exhibited abnormal distribution of B cells in lymphoid organs with decrease in the spleen but increase in the bone marrow and the peripheral blood. Furthermore, the bone marrow of MIM(-/-) mice contained a higher percentage of pre-B2 cells but fewer immature B-cells than wild-type mice. In response to CXCL13, a B-cell chemokine released from splenic stromal cells, MIM-deficient B-cells did not undergo chemotaxis or morphological changes in response to the chemokine and also did not internalize CXCR5, the receptor of CXCL13. Microarray analyses demonstrated that MIM is the only member of the I-BAR domain family that was highly expressed in human B cells. However, low or absent MIM expression was common in either primary B-cell malignancies or established B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia or lymphomas. Thus, our data demonstrate for the first time an important role for MIM in B-cell development and suggest that predisposition of MIM-null mice to lymphomagenesis may involve aberrant interactions between B lineage cells and the lymphoid microenvironment.

Effect of different selemethionine forms and levels on performance of breeder hens and se distribution of tissue and egg inclusion

A 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments in randomized design was conducted to investigate the effect of different selenomethionine (SM) sources and levels on the productive performance of breeder hens and the Se distribution in the inclusion of eggs and serum and tissues of breeder hens and its offspring. A total of 480 Ling-Nan-Huang breeder hens, 48 weeks of age, were allocated to four treatments, each of which included three replicates of 40 hens. Pretreatment period was 2 weeks, and the experiment lasted 8 weeks. Two SM forms of DL-SM and L-SM were supplemented at 0.15 or 0.30 mg Se/kg into the basal diet. Results showed that the Se level of 0.15 mg/kg supplemented in the diet, compared to 0.30 mg/kg, significantly elevated the percentage of egg production (p<0.05), hatchability (p<0.01), and birthrate (p<0.01), whereas the Se level of 0.30 mg/kg led to a higher Se content in egg contents, serum, and all tissues (p<0.01). In addition, the form of DL-SM showed a significant increase in Se content of egg inclusion (p<0.01), serum (p<0.01), and all tissues (p<0.01, except breeder hens' pancreas and its offspring's liver and breast muscle). The birthrate and yolk Se content were markedly influenced by the interaction between Se source and Se level (p<0.01). The above results suggested that DL-SM, compared to L-SM, had a similar equal effect on the performance of breeder hens, but DL-SM was superior to L-SM with respect to selenium distribution in egg inclusion, serum, and tissues.

Transient ischemic attacks characterized by RNA profiles in blood

OBJECTIVE

Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are common. Though systemic inflammation and thrombosis are associated with TIA, further study may provide insight into TIA pathophysiology and possibly lead to the development of treatments specifically targeted to TIA. We sought to determine whether gene expression profiles in blood could better characterize the proinflammatory and procoagulant states in TIA patients.

METHODS

RNA expression in blood of TIA patients (n = 26) was compared to vascular risk factor control subjects without symptomatic cardiovascular disease (n = 26) using Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 microarrays. Differentially expressed genes in TIA were identified by analysis of covariance and evaluated with cross-validation and functional analyses.

RESULTS

Patients with TIA had different patterns of gene expression compared to controls. There were 480 probe sets, corresponding to 449 genes, differentially expressed between TIA and controls (false discovery rate correction for multiple comparisons, p ≤ 0.05, absolute fold change ≥1.2). These genes were associated with systemic inflammation, platelet activation, and prothrombin activation. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the identified genes suggested the presence of 2 patterns of RNA expression in patients with TIA. Prediction analysis identified a set of 34 genes that discriminated TIA from controls with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

CONCLUSION

Patients with recent TIA have differences of gene expression in blood compared to controls. The 2 gene expression profiles associated with TIA suggests heterogeneous responses between subjects with TIA that may provide insight into cause, risk of stroke, and other TIA pathophysiology.

Effects of thermo-chemical pre-treatment of grass silage on methane production by anaerobic digestion

Dried grass silage (GS) was pre-treated at different NaOH loading rates (1%, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% by volatile solids (VS) mass in grass silage) and temperatures (20 °C, 60 °C, 100 °C and 150 °C) to determine effects on its bio-degradability in terms of the hydrolysis yield and degradation of ligno-cellulosic materials for biogas production. At 100 °C and the four NaOH loadings, up to 45% of the total COD was solubilised and up to 65.6%, 36.1% and 21.2% of lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose were removed, respectively; biological methane production potentials obtained were 359.5, 401.8, 449.5 and 452.5 ml CH₄/g VS added, respectively, being improved by 10-38.9% in comparison with untreated GS. VS removals following anaerobic digestion were 67.6%, 76.9%, 85.3%, 95.2% and 96.7% for untreated GS and GS treated at the four NaOH loadings, respectively. 100 °C and the NaOH loading rate of 5% is recommended as a proper GS pre-treatment condition.

Comparison of different forms of dietary selenium supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, selenium deposition, and antioxidant property in broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different sources of dietary selenium (Se) supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, Se deposition, and antioxidant property in broilers. A total of 600 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers with an average body weight (BW) of 44.30 ± 0.49 g were randomly allotted to three treatments, each of which included five replicates of 40 birds. These three groups received the same basal diet containing 0.04 mg Se/kg, supplemented with 0.15 mg Se/kg from sodium selenite (SS) or from L-selenomethionine (L-Se-methionine (Met)) or from D-selenomethionine (D-Se-Met). The experiment lasted 42 days. Both Se source and time significantly influenced (p < 0.01) drip loss of breast muscle. Supplementation with L-Se-Met and D-Se-Met were more effective (p < 0.05) in decreasing drip loss than SS. Besides, the pH value of breast muscle was also significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by time. The SS-supplemented diet increased more (p < 0.05) liver, kidney, and pancreas glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities than the D-Se-Met-supplemented diet. In addition, L-Se-Met increased more (p < 0.01) liver and pancreas GSH-Px activities than D-Se-Met. The antioxidant status was greatly improved in broilers of L-Se-Met-treated group in comparison with the SS-treated group and was illuminated by the increased glutathione (GSH) concentration in serum, liver, and breast muscle (p < 0.05); superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver (p < 0.01); total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) in kidney, pancreas, and breast muscle (p < 0.05) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in kidney and breast muscle (p < 0.05) of broilers. Besides, supplementation with D-Se-Met was more effective (p < 0.01) in increasing serum GSH concentration and decreasing breast muscle MDA concentration than SS. L-Selenomethionine supplementation significantly increased GSH concentration in liver and breast muscle (p < 0.05); SOD activity in liver (p < 0.01); and T-AOC in liver, pancreas, and breast muscle (p < 0.05) of broilers, compared with broilers fed D-Se-Met diet. The addition of L-Se-Met and D-Se-Met increased (p < 0.01) Se concentration in serum and different organs studied of broilers in comparision with broilers fed SS diet. Therefore, dietary L-Se-Met and D-Se-Met supplementation could improve antioxidant capability and Se deposition in serum and tissues and reduce drip loss of breast muscle in broilers compared with SS. Besides, L-Se-Met is more effective than D-Se-Met in improving antioxidant status in broilers.

Selenomethionine: an effective selenium source for sow to improve Se distribution, antioxidant status, and growth performance of pig offspring

The present study was to investigate the efficiency of maternal selenomethionine intake on growth performance, Se distribution, and antioxidant status of pig offspring by comparing with sodium selenite. A total of 12 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with same pregnancy were randomly divided into two groups; each group was replicated six times. These two groups received the same basal gestation and lactation diets containing 0.04 mg Se/kg, supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg sodium selenite and selenomethionine (i.e., seneno-DL: -methylseleno), respectively. The feeding trial lasted for 60 days, with 32 and 28 days for gestation and lactation period, respectively. Compared with sodium selenite, maternal selenomethionine intake significantly (p < 0.05) increased the daily weight gain of piglet from birth to weaning. The Se concentration in the colostrum and milk and tissue Se content of piglets were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the selenomethionine-treated group. The antioxidant status was greatly improved in piglets of selenomethionine-treated group and was illuminated by the increased total antioxidant capability, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione, and decreased the malondialdehyde level in the organs of piglets. The increased (p < 0.05) triiodothyronine (T(3)) and decreased (p < 0.05) thyroxine (T(4)) concentration indicated the improved protein synthesis and energy production in the selenomethionine-treated group. The increased (p < 0.05) pancreatic digestive enzymes of protease, amylase, and lipase activities indicated that maternal selenomethionine intake may have a positive effect on the degradation and absorption of nutrients in its piglets. In summary, we concluded that maternal selenomethionine intake increased Se deposition, antioxidant status, and nutrient use efficiency, thus providing an effective way to improve the growth performance of piglets from birth to weaning.

Single spin asymmetries in charged pion production from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering on a transversely polarized 3He Target at Q2 = 1.4-2.7 GeV2

We report the first measurement of target single spin asymmetries in the semi-inclusive (3)He(e,e'π(±))X reaction on a transversely polarized target. The experiment, conducted at Jefferson Lab using a 5.9 GeV electron beam, covers a range of 0.16 < x < 0.35 with 1.4 < Q(2) < 2.7 GeV(2). The Collins and Sivers moments were extracted from the azimuthal angular dependence of the measured asymmetries. The π(±) Collins moments for (3)He are consistent with zero, except for the π(+) moment at x = 0.35, which deviates from zero by 2.3σ. While the π(-) Sivers moments are consistent with zero, the π(+) Sivers moments favor negative values. The neutron results were extracted using the nucleon effective polarization and measured cross section ratios of proton to (3)He, and are largely consistent with the predictions of phenomenological fits and quark model calculations.

Effect of pig manure to grass silage ratio on methane production in batch anaerobic co-digestion of concentrated pig manure and grass silage

Anaerobic co-digestion of concentrated pig manure (PM) with grass silage (GS) at five different PM to GS volatile solid (VS) ratios of 1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3 and 0:1 was evaluated by examining operation stability and methane (CH(4)) production potentials. The highest specific CH(4) yields were 304.2 and 302.8 ml CH(4)/g VS at PM to GS ratios of 3:1 and 1:1, respectively. The digestion systems failed at the ratio of 0:1. The lag phase lasted 29.5, 28.1, 24.6 and 21.3 days at the ratios of 1:0, 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3, respectively. The daily methane yield was linearly correlated with the acetic acid concentration, indicating methane production was probably associated with acetoclastic methanogenesis. The hydrolysis constant linearly decreased with increasing the fraction of GS in the feedstock. This study recommends applying the PM to GS ratio of 1:1 in practice due to a high specific methane yield and a short lag phase.

Precise extraction of the induced polarization in the 4He(e,e'p)3H reaction

We measured with unprecedented precision the induced polarization P(y) in (4)He(e,e'p)(3)H at Q(2)=0.8 and 1.3  (GeV/c)(2). The induced polarization is indicative of reaction-mechanism effects beyond the impulse approximation. Our results are in agreement with a relativistic distorted-wave impulse approximation calculation but are overestimated by a calculation with strong charge-exchange effects. Our data are used to constrain the strength of the spin-independent charge-exchange term in the latter calculation.

Polarization transfer in the 4He(e,e'p)3H reaction at Q2=0.8 and 1.3 (GeV/c)2

Proton recoil polarization was measured in the quasielastic 4He(e,e'p)3H reaction at Q{2}=0.8 and 1.3  (GeV/c){2} with unprecedented precision. The polarization-transfer coefficients are found to differ from those of the 1H(e,e'p) reaction, contradicting a relativistic distorted-wave approximation and favoring either the inclusion of medium-modified proton form factors predicted by the quark-meson coupling model or a spin-dependent charge-exchange final-state interaction. For the first time, the polarization-transfer ratio is studied as a function of the virtuality of the proton.

Evaluation of endoscopic-ultrasound-guided celiac ganglion irradiation with iodine-125 seeds: a pilot study in a porcine model

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Implantation of iodine-125 ( (125)I) seeds under the guidance of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has been proved to be a safe alternative treatment option for advanced pancreatic cancer. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of EUS-guided radiation of the celiac ganglia with (125)I seeds in a porcine model.

METHODS

Twelve domestic pigs were randomly divided into three groups. The pigs in group A had blank seeds implanted, and groups B and C had 0.4 mCi and 0.8 mCi (125)I seeds implanted, respectively. Enhanced CT scan and 3-D vascular remodeling were used to check the location of the seeds. All animals were killed and celiac ganglia were checked at 14 and at 60 days after procedure. Necrosis and apoptosis in celiac ganglia and adjacent vessels and organs were also observed.

RESULTS

EUS-guided implantations of (125)I seeds in celiac plexus were successful at first procedure in 10 animals. The remaining two animals were implanted successfully the next day. No severe complications occurred in any animal and no damage was found in the surrounding organs. At day 60 after operation, the apoptotic index in the ganglia was 0.53 in the 0.4 mCi group and 0.94 in the 0.8 mCi group. No apoptotic cells were found in the control group implanted with blank seeds. Damage to vessels and surrounding organs by radioactive seeds was observed in only one pig at each time point.

CONCLUSION

EUS-guided implantation of (125)I seeds beside the celiac ganglia is a safe procedure and can induce apoptosis of local neurons. This new method may lead to an alternative treatment for pain accompanying pancreatic diseases in human.

Antifungal activity of a food-grade dilution-stable microemulsion against Aspergillus niger

AIMS

To study the antifungal activities of a prepared food-grade dilution-stable microemulsion against Aspergillus niger.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Results from the antifungal activity on solid medium by agar dilution method showed that the microemulsion caused complete growth inhibition at 2000 ppm, and at 1000 ppm, showed 55% growth inhibition after 4 days of incubation and a delay of conidiation by 1 day compared with controls. Results from the antifungal activity in liquid medium by broth dilution method showed that the growth of A. niger was completely inhibited when a liquid medium containing 10(6) spores per ml was treated with 500 ppm of microemulsion, which was determined by minimum fungicidal concentration. Study of fungicidal kinetics showed that more than 99% of viable spores were killed within 15 min. These antifungal activities were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy and increased Ca(+2), K(+) and Mg(+2) leakages.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the prepared microemulsions are effective antifungal systems with excellent growth inhibition and sporicidal activities, and indicate that their antifungal activity may be to the result of the disruption and dysfunction of A. niger cell walls and biological membranes.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study suggests the potential use of food-grade dilution-stable microemulsions for antifungal use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Effect of salinity on the activity, settling and microbial community of activated sludge in sequencing batch reactors treating synthetic saline wastewater

The effects of salinity on the activity in nutrient removal, settling and microbial community of activated sludge in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) treating synthetic saline wastewater were investigated. Two SBRs, one treating synthetic saline wastewater (the N-Reactor, with NaCl addition) and the other treating fresh synthetic wastewater (the C-Reactor, without NaCl addition), were operated for 68 days. Three salinities (in terms of concentrations of NaCl)--10, 20 and 40 g NaCl/l--were examined. The microbial activity described with the specific glucose utilization rate, specific nitritation and nitratation rates, and specific phosphorus release and uptake rates, was inhibited in the N-Reactor, in comparison with that in the C-Reactor, except that the specific nitritation and nitratation rates were improved at the salinity of 10 g NaCl/l. The sludge yield coefficient decreased at salinities of 10 and 20 g NaCl/l but it rose at the salinity of 40 g NaCl/l. The settling of activated sludge flocs, in terms of the sludge volume index (SVI), was improved by adding NaCl. Particularly in the first 5 minutes during the SVI measurement, activated sludge flocs in the N-Reactor settled much faster than those in the C-Reactor. However, the effluent from the N-Reactor contained higher suspended solids than the effluent from the C-Reactor. The microbial diversity decreased with increasing the salinity, and the microbial community structure was greatly influenced by the salinity. Bacteriodetes and Actinobacteria were the dominant phylums detected with molecular fingerprinting techniques.

Measurements of the proton elastic-form-factor ratio mu pG p E/G p M at low momentum transfer

High-precision measurements of the proton elastic form-factor ratio, mu pG p E/G p M, have been made at four-momentum transfer, Q2, values between 0.2 and 0.5 GeV2. The new data, while consistent with previous results, clearly show a ratio less than unity and significant differences from the central values of several recent phenomenological fits. By combining the new form-factor ratio data with an existing cross-section measurement, one finds that in this Q2 range the deviation from unity is primarily due to G p E being smaller than expected.

Precision measurements of the nucleon strange form factors at Q2 approximately 0.1 GeV2

We report new measurements of the parity-violating asymmetry A(PV) in elastic scattering of 3 GeV electrons off hydrogen and 4He targets with <theta(lab)> approximately 6.0 degrees . The 4He result is A(PV)=(+6.40+/-0.23(stat)+/-0.12(syst))x10(-6). The hydrogen result is A(PV)=(-1.58+/-0.12(stat)+/-0.04(syst))x10(-6). These results significantly improve constraints on the electric and magnetic strange form factors G(E)(s) and G(M)(s). We extract G(E)(s)=0.002+/-0.014+/-0.007 at <Q(2)>=0.077 GeV2, and G(E)(s)+0.09G(M)(s)=0.007+/-0.011+/-0.006 at <Q(2)>=0.109 GeV2, providing new limits on the role of strange quarks in the nucleon charge and magnetization distributions.

Percutaneous optical imaging system to track reporter gene expression from vasculatures in vivo

This study develops a percutaneous optical imaging system for tracking fluorescent reporter gene expression in vasculatures. We build a percutaneous optical imaging system that primarily comprised a 1.5-mm, semi-rigid, two-port optical probe. The performance of the optical probe is first tested in vitro with cell phantoms, and then the feasibility of the percutaneous optical imaging system is validated in vivo in eight femoral artery segments of two pigs. The green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene is locally delivered into four arterial segments, while saline is delivered to the four contralateral arterial segments as controls. The targeted arteries are localized using color Doppler, and thereafter the optical probe is positioned to the target arterial segments under ultrasound guidance. Optical imaging captures are obtained using different exposure times from 10 to 60 s. Subsequently, the GFP- and saline-targeted arteries are harvested for fluorescent microscopy confirmation. The percutaneous optical probe is successfully positioned at a distance approximately 2 mm from the targets in all eight arteries. The in-vivo imaging shows higher average signal intensity in GFP-treated arteries than in saline-treated arteries. This study demonstrates the potential using the percutaneous optical imaging system to monitor, in vivo, reporter gene expression from vasculatures.

Individual HIV type 1 envelope-specific T cell responses and epitopes do not segregate by virus subtype

HIV-1 vaccines are often designed to target one or several virus subtype(s). They therefore include antigens (e.g., env or env/gag/pol) from each targeted subtype to elicit subtype-directed immunity. To determine if individual T cells respond to HIV-1 antigens in a subtype-directed manner, we selected four T cell hybridomas, each representative of a different immunodominant response toward a subtype B envelope. Hybridomas were tested for responses toward 20 subtype B envelope proteins and one protein each from subtypes A, C, and D. None of the hybridomas cross-reacted with all subtype B envelopes, yet three responded to a non-B protein. Core epitopes and flanking regions affected responsiveness. This lack of subtype-directed activity was corroborated by analyses of the Los Alamos database; like immune responses, epitope distributions were not dictated by subtype. Results highlight the difficulty of predicting immune responses based on subtype alone and encourage considerations of antigenic disparity in addition to subtype disparity during HIV-1 vaccine design.