MicroRNAs of the mesothorax in Qinlingacris elaeodes, an alpine grasshopper showing a wing polymorphism with unilateral wing form

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are now recognized as key post-transcriptional regulators in regulation of phenotypic diversity. Qinlingacris elaeodes is a species of the alpine grasshopper, which is endemic to China. Adult individuals have three wing forms: wingless, unilateral-winged and short-winged. This is an ideal species to investigate the phenotypic plasticity, development and evolution of insect wings because of its case of unilateral wing form in both the sexes. We sequenced a small RNA library prepared from mesothoraxes of the adult grasshoppers using the Illumina deep sequencing technology. Approximately 12,792,458 raw reads were generated, of which the 854,580 high-quality reads were used only for miRNA identification. In this study, we identified 49 conserved miRNAs belonging to 41 families and 69 species-specific miRNAs. Moreover, seven miRNA*s were detected both for conserved miRNAs and species-specific miRNAs, which were supported by hairpin forming precursors based on polymerase chain reaction. This is the first description of miRNAs in alpine grasshoppers. The results provide a useful resource for further studies on molecular regulation and evolution of miRNAs in grasshoppers. These findings not only enrich the miRNAs for insects but also lay the groundwork for the study of post-transcriptional regulation of wing forms.

Interleukin-4 regulates macrophage polarization via the MAPK signaling pathway to protect against atherosclerosis

Our study aimed to investigate the effects of interleukin-4 (IL-4) on macrophage polarization, as well as its role in the development of atherosclerosis. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, ox-LDL group, and ox-LDL + IL-4 groups. The expression of M1/M2 macrophage surface markers such as TNF-α, CD68, and CD206 were analyzed by western blot. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. Measurement of CD86/CD206 expression ratio (M1/M2 ratio) was performed via flow cytometry. In addition, ApoE(-/-) mice on a C57BL/6 background were subjected to high-fat diets, and were used as a model of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic lesion area was quantified after mice were treated with ox-LDL and IL-4. Finally, expression of phosphorylated MAPK signaling molecules such as p-ERK and p-JNK was quantified using western blot. The expression of TNF-α and CD86 markedly increased after cells were treated with ox-LDL, whereas the expression of CD206 markedly increased after PBMCs were treated with IL-4. It is possible that IL-4 could decrease ox-LDL-induced cell viability and the CD86/CD206 (M1/M2) ratio. Additionally, IL-4 intervention attenuated ox-LDL-induced atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE(-/-) mice, and decreased ox- LDL-induced expression of p-ERK and p-JNK. Our findings indicate that IL-4 may induce macrophages to take on an M2 phenotype in order to resolve inflammation via inhibition of MAPK signaling pathways, thereby protecting against atherosclerosis. IL-4 may serve as an intervention target for atherosclerosis.

Effects of hemodialysis and hemoperfusion on inflammatory factors and nuclear transcription factors in peripheral blood cell of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of hemodialysis (HD) and hemoperfusion (HP) on inflammatory factors and nuclear transcription factors in peripheral blood cell of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

92 cases of MODS patients undergoing maintained hemodialysis in our hospital were randomly divided into the control group and observation group. The control group was treated with conventional hemodialysis (HD), the observation group was treated with hemoperfusion combined therapy (HD+HP) based on the control group. The levels of serum creatinine (SCR), serum total cholesterol (TC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum albumin (Alb) were compared and analyzed between two groups before and after treatment. The levels of NK-κB p65 in the white cell of peripheral blood were compared between two groups before and after treatment by Western blot. The levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 in peripheral blood were detected between two groups before and after treatment using ELISA method.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the levels of Scr, BUN and TC were significantly decreased, while the level of Alb was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The level of cytoplasm NK-κB p65 protein in peripheral blood was significantly increased in the observation group, while the level of nuclear NK-κB p65 in peripheral blood was significantly decreased (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hemodialysis combined with hemoperfusion in treating MODS patients could significantly improve the biochemical indicators, effectively remove the inflammatory mediums, and significantly inhibit the activation of NK-κB.

Approximating Phosphorus Leaching from Agricultural Organic Soils by Soil Testing

Phosphorus applied to soils in excess of crop requirement could create situations favorable to P enrichment in subsurface flow that contributes to eutrophication of surface water. This pathway of P loss can be more severe in muck (i.e., organic) soils where agricultural production is intensive. This study evaluated the suitability of various environmental and agronomic soil P tests initially designed for mineral soils to predict dissolved reactive P (DRP) in subsurface flow from organic soils. Intact soil columns were collected from 44 muck soils in Ontario to provide a wide range of soil test P levels. A lysimeter leaching study was conducted by evenly adding water in an amount equivalent to 5 mm of rainfall. The leachate DRP concentration was linearly related to soil water-extractable P and CaCl-extractable P with values of 0.90 and 0.93, respectively, and to Bray-1 P and FeO-impregnated filter paper extractable P in a split-line model with a change point. Mehlich-3 P and Olsen P, a method recommended for agronomic P calibration in Ontario, were not related to leachate DRP concentration. All P sorption index (PSI) based degree of P saturation (DPS) values were closely related to leachate DRP in split-line models, with the DPS indices expressed as Bray-1 P/PSI and FeO-P/PSI having the highest correlation with leachate DRP concentration. Because it is desirable from practical and economic standpoints that the environmental risk assessment shares the same soil test with agronomic P calibration, the two PSI-based DPS indices as presented can be considered as environmental risk indicators of DRP subsurface loss from organic soils.

Notified tuberculosis among Singapore residents by ethnicity, 2002-2011

SETTING

The National Tuberculosis Programme in Singapore where, among resident cases, higher tuberculosis (TB) rates have been reported in ethnic Malays.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of resident TB cases by ethnicity, and to assess whether Malays differ from other groups in terms of the above parameters.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional review of records from the tuberculosis registry's electronic database.

RESULTS

Among 15 622 resident cases notified, 72.2% were Chinese, 18.7% Malay, 5.8% Indian and 2.9% were from other minorities. Compared to other ethnicities, Malays were more likely to be incarcerated at the time of notification (odds ratio [OR] 3.70, 95%CI 3.03-4.52) and clustered at the same residential address (OR 1.65, 95%CI 1.44-1.89), but were less likely to be aged ≥65 years (OR 0.61, 95%CI 0.54-0.70) or to reside in high-cost housing (OR 0.11, 95%CI 0.07-0.17). In terms of disease characteristics, more Malays had diabetes mellitus (OR 1.54, 1.37-1.73), a highly-positive acid-fast bacilli smear (OR 1.64, 95%CI 1.47-1.83) and cavitary disease on chest X-ray (OR 1.41, 95%CI 1.28-1.55).

CONCLUSION

Compared to other ethnicities, reported TB cases among Malays were more severe and were likely to be more infectious. Increased vigilance in case management and contact investigations, as well as an improvement in the socio-economic conditions of this community, are required to reduce TB rates in this ethnic group.

Regional gastrointestinal transit and pH studied in 215 healthy volunteers using the wireless motility capsule: influence of age, gender, study country and testing protocol

BACKGROUND

The wireless motility capsule (WMC) offers the ability to investigate luminal gastrointestinal (GI) physiology in a minimally invasive manner.

AIM

To investigate the effect of testing protocol, gender, age and study country on regional GI transit times and associated pH values using the WMC.

METHODS

Regional GI transit times and pH values were determined in 215 healthy volunteers from USA and Sweden studied using the WMC over a 6.5-year period. The effects of test protocol, gender, age and study country were examined.

RESULTS

For GI transit times, testing protocol was associated with differences in gastric emptying time (GET; shorter with protocol 2 (motility capsule ingested immediately after meal) vs. protocol 1 (motility capsule immediately before): median difference: 52 min, P = 0.0063) and colonic transit time (CTT; longer with protocol 2: median 140 min, P = 0.0189), but had no overall effect on whole gut transit time. Females had longer GET (by median 17 min, P = 0.0307), and also longer CTT by (104 min, P = 0.0285) and whole gut transit time by (263 min, P = 0.0077). Increasing age was associated with shorter small bowel transit time (P = 0.002), and study country also influenced small bowel and CTTs. Whole gut and CTTs showed clustering of data at values separated by 24 h, suggesting that describing these measures as continuous variables is invalid. Testing protocol, gender and study country also significantly influenced pH values.

CONCLUSIONS

Regional GI transit times and pH values, delineated using the wireless motility capsule (WMC), vary based on testing protocol, gender, age and country. Standardisation of testing is crucial for cross-referencing in clinical practice and future research.

Topical bromfenac for post-cataract extraction: A systematic review and pooled analysis

Bromfenac, a promising ophthalmic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has been used once daily for postoperative ocular inflammation and pain with satisfying efficacy, however, no integrated conclusion on its safety in clinical settings has been drawn. The purpose of this pooled analysis is to investigate the safety and efficacy of once daily bromfenac for ocular inflammation and pain among patients after cataract extraction (CE). MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched from inception to September 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that studied topical bromfenac after CE were analyzed. Included studies were systemically reviewed, and effects were summarized using odds ratio (OR) with suitable effect model. Four RCTs involving 2294 participants were included. Topical bromfenac significantly increased the proportion of cleared ocular inflammation (OR, 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.83–3.07; P <0.00001), ocular pain free (OR, 5.14; 95% CI, 4.07–6.49; P <0.00001), and decreased risk of overall adverse events (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.38–0.58; P <0.00001). Bromfenac has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for postoperative pain and inflammation in subjects undergoing CE. This is evidenced by the lower incidence of adverse events and the low scores for ocular pain and inflammation across multiple RCTs. However, demographics, co-morbidities of study participants, and the amount of co-medication were not reported, these possible sources of heterogeneity should be examined in future clinical trials.

A novel peripheral cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist, BPR0912, reduces weight independently of food intake and modulates thermogenesis

AIM

To investigate the in vivo metabolic effects of treatment with BPR0912, a novel and potent peripheral cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) antagonist, on both normal mice and diet-induced obese (DIO) mice.

METHODS

The acute peripheral effects of BPR0912 administration on gastrointestinal transit and energy metabolism in normal mice were investigated. The effects of chronic BPR0912 treatment were compared with those of rimonabant using DIO mice. Alterations to body weight and biochemical and metabolic variables were determined.

RESULTS

Acute treatment with BPR0912 did not alter food intake or energy metabolism, but efficiently reversed CB1R-mediated gastrointestinal delay. Chronic treatment of DIO mice with BPR0912 showed that BPR0912 exerts a food intake-independent mechanism, which contributes to weight loss. Genes involved in β-oxidation and thermogenesis were upregulated in white adipose tissue (WAT) in addition to increased lipolytic activity, whereas Ucp1 expression was induced in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and body temperature was elevated. Expression of the β2-adrenoceptor was specifically elevated in both WAT and BAT in a manner dependent on the BPR0912 dose. Lastly, chronic BPR0912 treatment was more efficacious than rimonabant in reducing hepatic triglycerides in DIO mice.

CONCLUSION

BPR0912 exhibits significant in vivo efficacy in inducing food intake-independent weight loss in DIO mice, while tending to reduce their hepatic steatosis. The thermogenic effects of BPR0912, as well as its modulation of protein and gene expression patterns in WAT and BAT, may enhance its efficacy as an anti-obesity agent. The results of the present study support the benefits of the use of peripheral CB1R antagonists to combat metabolic disorders.

Study of the relationship between the expression of nerve growth factor and aneurysm formation and prognosis

We sought to investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) expression on the formation and prognosis of cerebral aneurysms. Forty-eight cases were selected following a diagnosis of cerebral aneurysm using computed tomography angiography and surgical confirmation. Thirty-four cases of healthy deaths were also chosen. The tissue was tested for NGF expression changes by reverse-transcription PCR, Western blot and histopathology, and NGF expression was compared between the cerebral aneurysm and healthy groups. The expression level of NGF in cerebral aneurysm tissue was significantly increased over that observed in control tissue. The abnormal expression of NGF is related to cerebral aneurysms. The elevated expression of NGF in cerebral aneurysms may be associated with a poor prognosis.

Induction function of siRNA-mediated survivin gene silencing on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell apoptosis

We examined the function of survivin gene expression in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), as well as small interfering RNA (siRNA) on controlling CNE-2 NPC proliferation and apoptosis. Immunohistological methods, in situ hybridization, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique were used to detect survivin protein and mRNA expression. We designed an siRNA sequence to inhibit survivin gene expression. The MTT method was used to examine the function of siRNA on controlling cell growth and proliferation. Induction of cell apoptosis by siRNA was examined by flow cytometry; electron microscopy was used to observe ultrastructure changes in CNE-2 cells. Western blotting was used to detect survivin gene expression. The survivin protein was expressed in 71.9% of cells, while its mRNA was expressed in 65.6% of cells. Relative mRNA expression was 4.16 x 10(-2); these data for the control groups were 23.3, 33.3, and 4.42 x 10(-4), respectively. Following transfection with 3 different siRNA sequences, survivin mRNA expression in CNE-2 cells was decreased. Inhibition of cell proliferation and rate of apoptosis increased with increasing siRNA concentration. Western blotting revealed decreased survivin expression and electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural changes in cancer cells. Survivin gene expression in NPC generally increased. In vitro transcription of siRNA decreased CNE-2 survivin gene expression, and different sequences of siRNA decrease gene expression in CNE-2 cells to varying degrees. Transfected siRNA3 can effectively inhibit CNE-2 cell proliferation and induce apoptosis; gene silencing using siRNA may represent a new treatment for NPC.

Effects of hypoxia on the immunomodulatory properties of human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells

The environment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is hypoxic, which plays an important role in maintaining their self-renewal potential and undifferentiated state. MSCs have been proven to possess immunomodulatory properties and have been used clinically to treat autoimmune diseases. Here, we tested the effects of hypoxia on the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs and examined its possible underlying mechanisms. We found that hypoxic stimulation promoted the immunomodulatory properties of human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hGMSCs) by enhancing the suppressive effects of hGMSCs on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The proliferation of PBMCs was significantly inhibited, while the apoptosis of PBMCs was increased, which was associated with the Fas ligand (FasL) expression of hGMSCs. The in vivo study showed that systemically infused hGMSCs could enhance skin wound repair, and 24-h hypoxic stimulation significantly promoted the reparative capacity of hGMSCs. For mechanism, hGMSC treatment inhibited the local inflammation of injured skin by suppressing the inflammatory cells, reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), which was promoted by hypoxia. Hypoxia preconditioning may be a good optimizing method to promote the potential of MSCs for the future cell-based therapy.

Surveillance of tuberculosis treatment outcomes of Singapore citizens and permanent residents, 2002-2011

SETTING

Singapore, which had a tuberculosis (TB) incidence rate of 41 per 100,000 resident population in 2011.

OBJECTIVE

To report the outcomes of Singapore citizens and permanent residents treated for TB from 2002 to 2011.

METHODS

A computerised treatment surveillance module (TSM) was launched in 2001 to track the progress and outcome of TB patients nationally. Physicians were required to submit an electronic or paper return for every patient at each clinic visit. Treatment adherence, drugs prescribed, treatment delivery mode and final outcome, specified as 'completed treatment', 'lost to follow-up', 'death', 'transferred out', 'permanent cessation of treatment' and 'still on treatment/no final outcome', were captured. Quarterly cohort outcomes at 12-15 months after starting treatment were combined to generate annual treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

Treatment completion rates increased from 73.4% to 82.8%. The proportion of patients lost to follow-up decreased from 3.4% to 1.7%, while that of patients still on treatment or with no final outcome decreased from 10.5% to 4.4%. The death rate ranged between 10.2% and 11.7%; the majority were not attributed to TB.

CONCLUSION

TB treatment completion among Singapore citizens and permanent residents has improved since 2002 as the likely result of the TSM and other initiatives introduced over the past decade.

Latent tuberculosis in patients with diabetes mellitus: prevalence, progression and public health implications

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) confers a higher risk for tuberculosis (TB). Yet, TB screening and chemoprophylaxis for latent TB infection (LTBI) in DM remains controversial. We conducted a cross-sectional study to elucidate LTBI prevalence and longitudinal follow-up to ascertain LTBI to active TB progression rate in DM.

METHODS

220 DM patients without previous TB from the outpatient diabetes clinic of the hospital were enrolled. T-Spot TB, tuberculin-skin-test (TST) and chest radiography (CXR) were performed. LTBI was defined by negative CXR with reactive T-Spot TB. Progression to active TB was confirmed by cross-checking against the TB registry.

RESULTS

The prevalence of LTBI was 28.2% (62/220) by reactive T-Spot. None progressed to active TB from 2007-2013. Multivariate analysis revealed that any co-morbidity (p=0.016) was positively associated while metformin (p=0.008) was negatively associated with LTBI.

CONCLUSIONS

Over a quarter of DM patients harbor LTBI. While the lack of demonstrable progression to active TB within the follow-up time frame up to this point does not unequivocally support a routine TB screening policy or anti-TB chemoprophylaxis for LTBI in a diabetic population for now, this preliminary evidence needs re-evaluation with longer follow-up of this enrolled cohort over the next decade.

Influence of paeoniflorin on intracellular calcium ion concentration in the sphincter of Oddi of hypercholesterolemic rabbits

This study aimed to investigate the influence of hypercholesterolemia (HC) on intracellular calcium ion concentration in the sphincter of Oddi (SO) of rabbits and the influence of paeoniflorin on intracellular calcium ion concentration in the hypercholesterolemic rabbit SO. Sixteen purebred New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: the control group and the HC model group (8 rabbits in each group). The control group was fed standard diet. The HC group was fed standard diet plus cholesterol for a total of 8 weeks to induce and establish the rabbit HC model. The SO segment of HC rabbits was taken and enzyme treated to obtain SO cells. After primary culture, immunohistochemical analysis was performed. Fluo-3/AM was used to load SO cells, and then intracellular calcium ion concentration was determined by confocal microscopy. Intracellular calcium ion in the SO of the HC group was higher than that of the normal group; intracellular calcium ion in the HC rabbit SO of the paeoniflorin group was lower than that of the control group, where the paeoniflorin effect was greater with higher concentrations. High cholesterol caused an increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration in the rabbit SO, and paeoniflorin can reduce intracellular calcium ion concentration in the HC rabbit SO in a concentration-dependent manner.

Identification of a natural product-like STAT3 dimerization inhibitor by structure-based virtual screening

STAT3 regulates a variety of genes involved with cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, inflammation, and immunity. The purpose of this study was to apply molecular docking techniques to identify STAT3 inhibitors from a database of over 90000 natural product and natural product-like compounds. The virtual screening campaign furnished 14 hit compounds, from which compound 1 emerged as a top candidate. Compound 1 inhibited STAT3 DNA-binding activity in vitro and attenuated STAT3-directed transcription in cellulo with selectivity over STAT1 and with comparable potency to the well-known STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201. Furthermore, compound 1 inhibited STAT3 dimerization and decreased STAT3 phosphorylation in cells without affecting STAT1 dimerization and phosphorylation. Compound 1 also exhibited selective anti-proliferative activity against cancer cells over normal cells in vitro. Molecular docking analysis suggested that compound 1 might putatively function as an inhibitor of STAT3 dimerization by binding to the SH2 domain. This study also validates the use of in silico techniques to identify inhibitors of protein-protein interactions, which are typically considered difficult to target with small molecules.

Carbohydrate metabolism changes in Prunus persica gummosis infected with Lasiodiplodia theobromae

Peach gummosis represents a significant global disease of stone fruit trees and a major disease in the south peach production area of the Yangtze River of China. In this study, the carbohydrate composition of peach shoots during infection by Lasiodiplodia theobromae was examined. The expression of genes related to metabolic enzymes was also investigated. Control wounded and noninoculated tissue, lesion tissue, and wounded and inoculated surrounding lesion tissue of peach shoots were analyzed. Soluble sugars, glucose, mannose, arabinose, and xylose significantly increased in inoculated tissues of peach shoots compared with control tissues at different times after inoculation. Accumulation of polysaccharides was also observed by section observation and periodic acid Schiff's reagent staining during infection. Analysis using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that the abundance of key transcripts on the synthesis pathway of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-D-glucuronate, UDP-D-galactose, and UDP-D-arabinose increased but the synthesis of L-galactose and guanosine diphosphate-L-galactose were inhibited. After inoculation, the transcript levels of sugar transport-related genes (namely, SUT, SOT, GMT, and UGT) was induced. These changes in sugar content and gene expression were directly associated with peach gum polysaccharide formation and may be responsible for the symptoms of peach gummosis.

Slug is temporally regulated by cyclin E in cell cycle and controls genome stability

The transcriptional repressor Slug is best known to control epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promote cancer invasion/metastasis. In this study, we demonstrate that Slug is temporally regulated during cell cycle progression. At G1/S transition, cyclin E-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 mediates the phosphorylation of Slug at Ser-54 and Ser-104, resulting in its ubiquitylation and degradation. Non-phosphorylatable Slug is markedly stabilized at G1/S transition compared with wild-type Slug and greatly leads to downregulation of DNA synthesis and checkpoint-related proteins, including TOP1, DNA Ligase IV and Rad17, reduces cell proliferation, delays S-phase progression and contributes to genome instability. Our results indicate that Slug has multifaceted roles in cancer progression by controlling both EMT and genome stability.

Effects of curcumin on hippocampal expression of NgR and axonal regeneration in Aβ-induced cognitive disorder rats

Curcumin has been widely used for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its mechanism is still not clear. Inhibitory factors of axonal regeneration have been shown to cause a series of pathophysiological changes in the early period of AD. In this study, the co-receptor (Nogo receptor; NgR) of three axonal growth-inhibitory proteins was examined, and effects of curcumin on spatial learning and memory abilities and hippocampal axonal growth were investigated in amyloid β-protein (Aβ)1-40-induced AD rats. Results showed that the expression of NgR in the AD group significantly increased and the number of axonal protein-positive fibers significantly reduced. The spatial learning and memory abilities of AD rats were significantly improved in the curcumin group. Furthermore, hippocampal expressions of NgR mRNA and protein decreased, and the expression of axonal protein significantly increased. There was a negative correlation between the expression of NgR and axonal growth. Together, these results suggested that curcumin could improve the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD rats. The mechanism might be related with its lowering of hippocampal NgR expression and promoting axonal regeneration.

Qualitative analysis and enantiospecific determination of angular-type pyranocoumarins in Peucedani Radix using achiral and chiral liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Angular-type pyranocoumarins (APs), the derivatives of khellactone, are widely documented as the main active constituents in Peucedani Radix (Chinese name: Qian-hu). Owing to the natural occurrence of chiral centers, enantiomers of APs are extensively distributed in the original plant, and enantioselective performances have been definitely demonstrated for these enantiomers. In current study, the chemical characterization of the major and minor APs in Peucedani Radix was performed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and hybrid ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry. On the other hand, a heart-cut two-dimensional achiral-chiral liquid chromatography combining triple quadropole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry system (2D LC-MS/MS) was developed for simultaneous enantiospecific quantification of eighteen coumarins, including seven pairs of enantiomers. Eleven APs (1-11) were recruited to propose UV absorption characteristics and electrospray ionization fragmentation patterns of APs. A total of 42 components were categorized into APs based on their UV spectral properties and identified according to the proposed mass fragmentation pathways, while two linear-type furanocoumarins (12-13) were unambiguously assigned by further purification. A Capcell core RP-C18 column was employed in the primary LC dimension to achieve efficient racemic separation for the main chemical constituents (1-9 and 12-13) in Peucedani Radix, while a Chiralpak AD-RH column was utilized in the secondary dimension to contribute enantioselective separation for seven enantiomerically enriched components (1, 3 and 5-9). Collectively, the results provided the chemical evidences for revealing the material basis of the therapeutic effects of Peucedani Radix, and the developed 2D LC-MS/MS system in the present study is expected to be an ideal tool for the quality control of Peucedani Radix as well as a reliable technique for complex matrices containing both achiral and chiral components.

Analysis of antithrombotic therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation

This study aimed to analyze the impact factors and outcome of antithrombotic therapy in elderly patients over 65 years old that suffered from atrial fibrillation (AF). A total of 256 elderly patients with AF over 65 years old were divided into 3 groups: 65-74 years old (N = 86), 75-84 years old (N = 122), and over 85 years old (N = 48). The clinical characteristics, antithrombotic therapy, and its related impact factors were retrospectively analyzed. Of all patients, 187 received antithrombotic therapy. In the 65-74 year-old group, 78 patients received antiplatelet treatment (90.7%) and 5 patients received anticoagulation treatment (5.8%). In the 75-84 year-old group, 76 patients received antiplatelet treatment (62.3%) and 14 patients received anticoagulation treatment (11.5%). In the group of over 85 year-olds, 33 patients received antiplatelet therapy (68.8%) and 4 patients received anticoagulation treatment (8.3%). Eleven patients had deep vein thrombosis and atrial thrombosis during antiplatelet therapy (5.9%), 5 patients had gastrointestinal hemorrhage after antiplatelet therapy (2.7%), 2 patients had gastrointestinal bleeding, and 3 patients had brain hemorrhage after anticoagulation treatment (21.7%). Suboptimal antithrombotic therapy was observed in the elderly patients with AF, partly owing to the risks of both thromboembolism and bleeding.

Repair of cartilage defects in BMSCs via CDMP1 gene transfection

This study aimed at investigating the ability of cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein 1 (CDMP1) gene-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) loaded on the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold for the repair of laryngeal cartilage defects and make a preliminary assessment of its repair effect. The mRNA and protein expressions of hCDMP1 were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The expression of type II collagen (Col II) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The cytoskeletal culture systems before and after transfection were transplanted into the rabbit full-thickness defects of thyroid cartilage for observation of the repair of cartilage defects from general and histological aspects. The exogenous hCDMP1 gene could be successfully transplanted into BMSCs through adenovirus infection to obtain a stable expression. Compared with the control group, hCDMP1 gene-transfected BMSCs had enhanced secretory abilities of Col II, GAG, and other cartilage-specific matrices, with a trend of promoting cartilage differentiation. The transfected cytoskeletal complexes could more effectively repair laryngeal cartilage defects. hCDMP1 gene-transfected BMSCs/PLGA 3-D biological scaffold compounds transplanted into animal bodies could effectively repair laryngeal cartilage defects.

Are adults with intellectual disabilities socially excluded? An exploratory study in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

The aim of this exploratory study is to examine to what extent adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Taiwan are socially excluded and to identify the factors that are potentially associated with such social exclusion.

METHODS

The research method of this study is secondary data analysis, using descriptive and χ2 statistical analysis. Two data sets, from the 2003 and 2006 surveys entitled 'Survey of Living Situation for People with Disabilities in Taiwan', were used (n = 572; n = 618). In addition, 'independent living/living within the community' (as opposed to residing in an institution), 'employment' and 'household economic situation/residing in a low-income household' were social exclusion indicators in this study.

RESULTS

The results revealed that in the 2003 (2006) survey, 81.9% (79.6%) of the subjects fell into at least one category of social exclusion, 11.3% (12.3%) fell into two or more categories and 0.2% (1.1%) fell into all three categories. Moreover, older women with ID, with no spouse or partner, lower educational levels and greater severity of the disability had a significantly greater likelihood of being subjected to more categories of social exclusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding that the proportion of adults with ID and no social exclusion has risen from 18.1% in 2003 to 20.4% in 2006 represents an encouraging trend. However, there has been a marked increase in the proportion of the subjects with more categories of social exclusion, particularly with regard to those who have to endure all three categories, from 0.2% in 2003, to 1.1% in 2006. This implies that, at the time of the last survey, there was still considerable room for improvement in the social inclusion of adults with ID in Taiwan.

Single-shot detection of mid-infrared spectra by chirped-pulse upconversion with four-wave difference frequency generation in gases

Single-shot detection of ultrabroadband mid-infrared spectra was demonstrated by using chirped-pulse upconversion technique with four-wave difference frequency generation in gases. Thanks to the low dispersion of the gas media, the bandwidth of the phase matching condition of the upconversion process becomes very broad and the entire mid-infrared spectrum spanning from 200 to 5500 cm(-1) was upconverted by using a 10 ps chirped pulse to visible wavelength radiation, which was detected with a conventional visible dispersive spectrometer. This method was demonstrated by the successful measurement of infrared absorption spectra of organic polymer films.

Comparison of methods for localization of impacted maxillary canines by panoramic radiographs

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to compare three methods for localization of impacted maxillary canines using only conventional panoramic radiographs.

METHODS

The panoramic radiographs of 94 patients (102 impacted maxillary canines) were reviewed and evaluated using the methods magnification, angulation and superimposition. The actual positions of them were decided with cone beam CT images. The predicted positions of impacted canines from the magnification and angulation methods were compared using the McNemar χ(2) test. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive-likelihood ratio and negative-likelihood ratio were calculated. The canine-incisor index values and α angles of palatally and bucally non-rotated impacted canines were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

The statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference between the magnification and angulation methods (p < 0.01). Using the magnification method, 68.00% of buccal canines and 69.57% of palatal canines could be localized correctly. The results of the angulation method were 28.57% and 84.91%, respectively. The sensitivity of the angulation method for buccal canines was very low. In the superimposition method, 82.98% of the superimposing samples were palatal.

CONCLUSIONS

The magnification and angulation methods were not reliable methods for locating the impacted canine with a single panoramic radiograph. Magnification was more successful than the angulation method. Further research is needed on the magnification method. The image superimposition method could be used as an adjunct to others.