[Study on application of two risk assessment methods in coal dust occupational health risk assessment]

Objective: To evaluate the applicability of quantitative grading method (GBZ/T 229.1-2010) and occupational hazard risk index method in coal dust occupational health risk assessment. Methods: Taking 4 coal mines as the research object of risk assessment and making occupational health field testing and investigation. Based on two risk assessment methods, we analysed the health risk levels of 20 occupations which were exposed to coal dust in workplaces. Results: Coal dust working post had different risk levels in 4 coal mines, the post of higher risk level were mainly concentrated in the underground workplace of coal mine, especially the post of coal mining and tunneling system. The two risk assessment results showed that the risk levels of coal-mining machine drivers and tunneling machine drivers were the highest. The risk levels of coal dust working post used by two risk assessment methods had no significant difference (P>0.05) and were highly correlated (r=0.821, P<0.001) . Evaluation results of two risk assessment methods were supported by the field investigation and literatures. Conclusion: The two risk assessment methods can be used in coal dust occupational health risk assessment.

[Visual quality comparison after multifocal toric intraocular lens or monofocal toric intraocular lens implantation]

Objective: To compare visual quality and satisfaction after multifocal toric intraocular lens (Acrysof IQ Restor toric, ART) and monofocal toric intraocular lens implantation in patients. Methods: It was a prospective nonrandomized Phase Ⅲ clinical trial. Patients with age-related cataract and corneal astigmatism were enrolled and accepted phacoemulsification combined with implantation of intraocular lens (IOL) in Henan Provincial Eye Hospital during March 2013 to December 2014. Fifty-six cases were divided into two groups according to which IOL they chose. ART group included 28 cases (3l eyes) aged from 41.0 to 72.0 years, with an average age of 61.5 years; toric group included 28 cases (33 eyes) aged from 42.0 to 75.0 years, with an average age of 63.5 years. Three months postoperatively, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) at 5, 70, 40 cm, corrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuities, defocus curve, residual refractive astigmatism, rotational stability of the IOL, contrast sensitivity and patientsatisfaction were evaluated. All data were processed by statistic package deal SPSS 16.0. Postoperative visual acuity, residual astigmatism, IOL axial rotation and contrast sensitivity were compared by independent samples t test; preoperative and postoperative corneal astigmatism were compared by paired t-test; spectacle independency and halo incidence were processed by χ(2) test; visual satisfaction score was analyzed by Mann-Whitney test. Results: At 3 months postoperatively, in ART group, UDVA was (0.04±0.05), UIVA was (0.24±0.15), UNVA was (0.20±0.24). While in Toric group, UDVA was (0.06±0.04), UIVA was (0.30±0.13), UNVA was (0.47±0.21). There was no significant difference in UDVA between two groups(t=0.79, P=0.433). But in ART group, UIVA and UNVA were markedly better than those in Toric group(t=2.74, P=0.008; t=3.45, P<0.01). Depth of focus was 5.50 D (+2.00--3.50 D) in the ART group and 2.50 D (+1.00--1.50 D) in the Toric group. Average postoperative residual astigmatism was (-0.45±0.41)D in ART group and (-0.41±0.32)D in the Toric group. There was no significant difference between two groups (t=1.05, P=0.304). Average IOL rotation test was (2.95°±1.34°) in the ART group and (2.75°±1.64°) in the Toric group. There was no significant difference between two groups (t=0.67, P=0.452). Spectacle independency was achieved by 85.7% of patients in the ART group and 32.1% in the Toric group. There was no signifcant difference in distant visual satisfaction scores between the two groups(Z=0.71, P>0.05), while the intermediate and near visual satisfaction scores were significantly different(Z=2.27, P<0.05; Z=2.60, P<0.05) Conclusions: Both of the ART IOL and toric IOL can correct patients astigmatism. Implantation of ART IOL in patients with cataract and corneal astigmatism provided excellent distance, intermediate, and near visual outcomes. It provided better predictability of the refractive results, nice rotational stability, and good optical performance. At the same time, it improved the spectacle independency of cataract patients with astigmatism. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 274-280).

A new angle and its relationship with early fixation failure of femoral neck fractures treated with three cannulated compression screws

BACKGROUND

The Pauwels angle has been used widely, however an accurate evaluation of this angle is difficult because of deformity of the affected lower extremity. Therefore we designed a new measurement of the orientation of femoral neck fracture and applied this in a retrospective study to assess: (1) its reproducibility, (2) its advantages compared with the Pauwels angle, (3) its relationship with the short-term prognosis treated with three cannulated compression screws.

HYPOTHESIS

This new measurement is reproducible and has some reference meaning for the treatment of femoral neck fractures.

METHODS

Two hundred and twenty-eight patients with femoral neck fractures treated with three cannulated compression screws were retrospectively analyzed. The VN angle, which was the angle between the fracture line and the vertical of the neck axis, and the Pauwels angle were measured respectively. The method of ICC was performed to assess the reproducibility of the two angles, and the absolute value of difference in pre-operative and post-operative radiographs was used to evaluate the uniformity of the two angles. These fractures were divided into four groups according to VN angle (VN<0° (n=92), 0°≤VN<10° (n=82), 10°≤VN<15° (n=26), VN≥15° (n=28)), and the short-term (within 6 months) fixation results of radiographs in these fractures were evaluated.

RESULTS

The ICC of the VN angle and the Pauwels angle in pre-operative radiographs were 0.937 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.922-0.950) and 0.942 respectively (95% CI: 0.914-0.970), indicating both angles had a good inter-rater reproducibility. However, there was a great difference between the Pauwels angle in pre-operative and post-operative radiographs (P=0.037), the absolute difference was 10.66±6.47 (range: 1.72-38.48), while no statistical difference for the VN angle (P=0.084) and the absolute difference was 2.20±1.63 (range: 0.05-7.56). The overall fixation failure rate which was defined as screw loosening, varus collapse, obvious fracture displacement or femoral neck shortening was 11.84%, and the mean failure rates according to VN angles were respectively 0%, 3.24% (95% CI: 1.64-4.84), 22.69% (95% CI: 16.43-28.96), 65.45% (95% CI: 59.36-71.53). The mean failure rates of fractures according to post-operative Pauwels angle (<30°, 30-50°, >50°) were respectively 0%, 1.46% (95% CI: 1.42-1.50) and 36.24% (95% CI: 34.93-37.54).

DISCUSSION

The VN angle has a good inter-rater reproducibility, a higher reliability than the Pauwels angle and is closely related to the short-term prognosis of femoral neck fractures treated with cannulated compression screws.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective diagnostic study.

[Application of narrow band imaging in laryngeal tumor]

Objective:To explore the application of narrow band imaging(NBI) technology in laryngeal tumor.Method:From Appril 2014 to Otober 2016, three hundred and twenty-two patients with suspected laryngeal cancer or precancerous lesions were enrolled in the First Central Hospital of Tianjin. Each patient was examined by electronic nasopharyngolaryngoscope under white light and NBI model. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of laryngeal tumor diagnosis under white light mode and NBI mode was compared based on pathological results. Result:The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of white light mode in laryngeal tumor diagnosis were 77.17%,62.07% and 74.36%, respectively whereas the NBI model were 92.91%,77.59% and 90.06%, respectively.The sensitivity and accuracy of NBI model in laryngeal tumor diagnosis were significantly higer than white light model(P<0.05),but not the specificity. Conclusion:The electronic nasopharyngolaryngoscope of NBI technology not only found early lesions of laryngeal cancer, but also can improve the sensitivity and accuracy of laryngeal tumor diagnosis.

Dynamics of Polarons in Organic Conjugated Polymers with Side Radicals

Based on the one-dimensional tight-binding Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model, and using the molecular dynamics method, we discuss the dynamics of electron and hole polarons propagating along a polymer chain, as a function of the distance between side radicals and the magnitude of the transfer integrals between the main chain and the side radicals. We first discuss the average velocities of electron and hole polarons as a function of the distance between side radicals. It is found that the average velocities of the electron polarons remain almost unchanged, while the average velocities of hole polarons decrease significantly when the radical distance is comparable to the polaron width. Second, we have found that the average velocities of electron polarons decrease with increasing transfer integral, but the average velocities of hole polarons increase. These results may provide a theoretical basis for understanding carriers transport properties in polymers chain with side radicals.

Effects of Moringa oleifera silage on milk yield, nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical indexes of lactating dairy cows

This study investigated the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) as a partial substitute of alfalfa hay on milk yield, nutrient apparent digestibility and serum biochemical indexes of dairy cows. MO was harvested at 120 days post-seeding. Fresh MO was cut, mixed with chopped oat hay (425:575 on a DM basis), ensiled and stored for 60 days. Sixty healthy Holstein dairy cows were allocated to one of three groups: NM (no MO or control), LM (low MO; 25% alfalfa hay and 50% maize silage were replaced by MO silage) or HM (high MO; 50% alfalfa hay and 100% maize silage were replaced by MO silage). The feeding trial lasted 35 days. The LM and HM diets did not affect dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield or milk composition (lactose, milk fat, milk protein and somatic cell count). The apparent digestibility of DM and NDF was lower for HM group than NM group. Additionally, there were no significant differences in serum biochemical indexes between the LM and NM groups. The HM group had lower serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher serum concentrations of urea than the NM group. The partial replacement of alfalfa hay (≤50%) and maize silage with MO silage had no negative effects on milk yield, in vivo nutrient apparent digestibility or serum biochemical indexes of lactating cows.

Increased expression of nerve growth factor correlates with visceral hypersensitivity and impaired gut barrier function in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a preliminary explorative study

BACKGROUND

Neural-immune-endocrine network mechanism has attracted increased attention in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Pre-clinical evidence indicates that nerve growth factor (NGF) mediates visceral hypersensitivity and gut barrier dysfunction, via interactions with mast cells and sensory nerve fibres.

AIM

To explore the role of nerve growth factor, as well as mast cell-nerve growth factor-nerve interaction in IBS-D pathophysiology.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, IBS-D patients and healthy controls first underwent clinical and psychological assessments. Visceral sensitivity to rectal distension was tested. As gut barrier function markers, serum diamine oxidase and d-lactate were detected. Rectosigmoid biopsies were taken for the analyses of nerve growth factor expression, mast cell count and activation, and sensory nerve fibres expressing transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and calcitonin gene-related peptide. Correlations between these parameters were examined in patients.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight IBS-D patients (28 males, 10 females; average age 30.2 years) and 20 healthy controls (12 males, 8 females; average age 26.8 years) participated in the study. The patients presented increased psychological symptoms, visceral hypersensitivity and impaired gut barrier function. NGF gene expression, mast cell count and sensory nerve fibres were significantly increased in the patients (P < 0.05). In correlation analysis, NGF expression was positively correlated with the disease severity, anxiety and serum diamine oxidase; visceral sensitivity thresholds were negatively associated with NGF expression (Bonferroni corrected P < 0.0029).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated mucosal NGF may interact with mast cells and sensory nerve fibres, contributing to visceral hypersensitivity and impaired gut barrier function in IBS-D.

Tropospheric volatile organic compounds in China

Photochemical smog, characterized by high concentrations of ozone (O₃) and fine particles (PM_2.5) in the atmosphere, has become one of the top environmental concerns in China. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), one of the key precursors of O₃ and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) (an important component of PM_2.5), have a critical influence on atmospheric chemistry and subsequently affect regional and global climate. Thus, VOCs have been extensively studied in many cities and regions in China, especially in the North China Plain, the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta regions where photochemical smog pollution has become increasingly worse over recent decades. This paper reviews the main studies conducted in China on the characteristics and sources of VOCs, their relationship with O₃ and SOA, and their removal technology. This paper also provides an integrated literature review on the formulation and implementation of effective control strategies of VOCs and photochemical smog, as well as suggestions for future directions of VOCs study in China.

The antitumor efficacy of anti-p21Ras scFv mediated by the dual-promoter-regulated recombinant adenovirus KGHV300

Ras mutations and overexpression of the Ras protein, p21Ras, are main causes of cancer development and progression, which has made the Ras gene and p21Ras important targets for therapy of Ras-driven cancers. We previously prepared recombinant adenovirus KGHV100 based on replication-defective adenovirus type 5, which could intracellularly express anti-p21Ras single chain fragment viable antibodies (scFv) and repress tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. However, the anti-tumor effects of this anti-p21Ras scFv were limited by short-term scFv expression due to a replication defect of KGHV100. To enhance the anti-tumor efficacy and safety of anti-p21Ras scFv, the present study constructed a dual-promoter-regulated recombinant adenovirus KGHV300 that carried anti-p21Ras scFv. In KGHV300, the expression levels of the essential replication genes E1a and E1b, were controlled by the human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter and the hypoxia response element, respectively, and the anti-p21Ras scFv gene was controlled by the cytomegalovirus promoter. The conditional replication of KGHV300 and its antitumor efficacy were characterized in several tumor cell lines in vitro and in xenograft models of human breast cancer in nude mice. TCID50 assay demonstrated that KGHV300 could replicate in tumor cell lines but not in normal cell lines. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay indicated that the growth of tumor cells was effectively inhibited by KGHV300 infection. In MDA-MB-231 tumor xenograft models, KGHV300 effectively and significantly inhibited tumor growth and induced apoptosis of tumor cells. We concluded that the recombinant adenovirus KGHV300 may be a more potent and safer antitumor therapeutic for Ras-driven cancer biotherapy.

Preparation and Properties of PMR-II Polyimide/Chopped Quartz Fibre Composites

High-temperature polyimide composites with low and stable dielectric properties were produced by thermally curing prepolyimide moulding compounds which were prepared by the wet impregnation of chopped short quartz fibres with a PMR-II polyimide matrix resin solution, followed by the evaporation of the solvent with vigorous stirring. The mechanical properties, thermo-oxidative stability as well as the dielectric and electric properties of the composites were studied. The experimental results showed that the composites exhibit outstanding mechanical properties and excellent thermal and thermo-oxidative stability at temperatures as high as 371 °C. It was revealed that both the dielectric constant (∼3.0) and loss tangent (∼10−3) of the composites were not obviously changed with a frequency in the broadband wavelength (1 kHz–20 GHz).

[Clinic characters analysis of 52 cases with sinus fungus ball disease]

Objective:To explore the clinic characters and the associated factors for the onset of the sinus fungus ball disease. Method:Analyze 52 cases who have received surgery with sinus fungus ball disease retrospectively. The effect factors of age, sex, occupation, the side of the lesion, involving sinus group number, accompany with merger polyps or not, presence of nasal septum deviation, vesicular middle turbinate, paradoxical middle turbinate, infraorbital cells，routine blood leukocyte classification, serum specific IgE, pathogenic fungi species have all been taken into consideration for statistical analysis. Result:In 52 cases of sinus fungus ball disease, 36 cases only suffered in maxillary sinus, 1 case only suffered in ethmoid sinus, 4 cases only suffered in sphenoid sinus, 7 cases suffered from two sinus lesions with the combination of maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinus in all, 4 cases fuffered from three sinus lesions with the combination of maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus and sphenoid sinus in 2 cases, maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus and frontal sinus in 2 cases. 26 cases have the lesion on left side,17 cases on the right side, 8 cases on both sides. Aspergillus is the main pathogenic fungus for sinus fungus ball. Maxillary sinus is the most susceptible single sinus for sinus fungus ball. Nasal polyps is commonly seen in multiple sinuses fungus ball(P<0.01). Single sphenoid sinus fungus ball is more commonly seen in the patients with diabetes mellitus(P<0.01). Lesion side of sinus fungus ball has nothing to do with the nasal anatomy abnormalities of nasal septum deviation, vesicular middle turbinate, paradoxical middle turbinate, infraorbital cells. Conclusion:The present study indicates that maxillary sinus fungus ball is the most common type for sinus fungus ball. Aspergillus is the main pathogenic fungus for sinus fungus ball. Nasal polyps is more involved in multiple sinuses fungus ball,Single sphenoid sinus fungus ball is more commonly seen in the patients with diabetes mellitus. Lesion side of sinus fungus ball has none relationship with common nasal anatomy abnormalities.

[Relationship between crown form of upper central incisors and papilla filling in Chinese Han-nationality youth]

OBJECTIVE

To explore a crown form classification method for upper central incisor which is more objective and scientific than traditional classification method based on the standardized photography technique. To analyze the relationship between crown form of upper central incisors and papilla filling in periodontally healthy Chinese Han-nationality youth.

METHODS

In the study, 180 periodontally healthy Chinese youth ( 75 males, and 105 females ) aged 20-30 (24.3±4.5) years were included. With the standardized upper central incisor photography technique, pictures of 360 upper central incisors were obtained. Each tooth was classified as triangular, ovoid or square by 13 experienced specialist majors in prothodontics independently and the final classification result was decided by most evaluators in order to ensure objectivity. The standardized digital photo was also used to evaluate the gingival papilla filling situation. The papilla filling result was recorded as present or absent according to naked eye observation. The papilla filling rates of different crown forms were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 19.0.

RESULTS

The proportions of triangle, ovoid and square forms of upper central incisor in Chinese Han-nationality youth were 31.4% (113/360), 37.2% (134/360) and 31.4% (113/360 ), respectively, and no statistical difference was found between the males and females. Average κ value between each two evaluators was 0.381. Average κ value was raised up to 0.563 when compared with the final classification result. In the study, 24 upper central incisors without contact were excluded, and the papilla filling rates of triangle, ovoid and square crown were 56.4% (62/110), 69.6% (87/125), 76.2% (77/101) separately. The papilla filling rate of square form was higher (P=0.007).

CONCLUSION

The proportion of clinical crown form of upper central incisor in Chinese Han-nationality youth is obtained. Compared with triangle form, square form is found to favor a gingival papilla that fills the interproximal embrasure space. The consistency of the present classification method for upper central incisor is not satisfying, which indicates that a new classification method, more scientific and objective than the present one, is to be found.

Effect of rosuvastatin on high glucose-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

It is well established that endothelial injury plays an essential role in atherosclerotic plaque formation. Accumulating evidence has shown that high glucose levels may detrimentally affect cultured endothelial cells through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of rosuvastatin on high glucose-induced ER stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs treated with 30 mM glucose were used to simulate high-glucose conditions, and rosuvastatin concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 nM were used. Cell viability was analyzed by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay, and apoptosis rate was measured using flow cytometry. Expression of GRP78, IRE1α, XBP1s, and CHOP was quantified using western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Compared to cells treated with high glucose alone, cell viability increased and apoptosis rate decreased significantly in the rosuvastatin + high-glucose groups. Furthermore, GRP78, IRE1α, XBP1s, and CHOP expression was downregulated as a result of rosuvastatin administration. These results suggest that rosuvastatin may protect HUVECs from injury induced by high glucose levels, through alleviation of ER stress.

[The efficacy analysis of interferon combined with imatinib in chronic myelogenous leukemia patients with ABL kinase domain mutations]

To retrospectively analyze the efficacy of interferon plus imatinib (IM) in patients with chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia(CML-CP)and ABL kinase domain mutations. The mutation rates of ABL kinase region in patients with Sokal score low, medium and high risk CML-CP were statistically significant (6.25%, 9.42% and 47.06%, P<0.05). The response rates of interferon plus IM versus second-generation TKI in CML-CP with non-T315I ABL kinase domain mutations were comparable (61.11% vs 65.52%, P>0.05). When CML-CP patients with ABL kinase domain mutations were resistant to TKI or not accessible to second-generation TKI, interferon plus IM can be an alternative choice.

[Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with huge lymph node metastasis and squamous cell cancerization:a case report]

We report a 75 years old woman with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma,and squamous cell cancer was found in her lymph node metastases.The patient was characterized by a cervical mass,which was diagnosed as papillary thyroid microcarcinoma by fine needle aspiration.Total thyroidectomy+right radical neck dissection+Ⅵ bilateral neck lymph node dissection were performed for the patient.

One-step synthesis and luminescence properties of tetragonal double tungstates nanocrystals

A versatile one-step thermolysis protocol is demonstrated to produce a uniform dispersion of tetragonal double tungstates NaRE(WO4)2 (RE = rare earth) nanocrystals (NCs). Oriented attachment in the [001] direction occurred. Doping with luminescent RE(3+) ions resulted in highly luminescent NCs showing characteristic line emission of the dopant as well as a blue emission assigned to surface adsorbed organic species.

Isolation and characterization of a novel paraffin wax-degrading bacterium, Pseudomonas sp strain PW-1, from petroleum-contaminated sites

An isolate capable of degrading paraffin wax was isolated from petroleum-contaminated sites in Daqing, China, and identified as Pseudomonas sp strain PW-1 by analyzing the 16S rDNA sequence (GenBank accession No.: KF529529) as well as the biochemical and physiological characteristics. The optimized degradation conditions of the isolate were as follows: FeSO4 metal ion concentration of 0.01 g, temperature of 30°C, (NH4)2SO4 nitrogen source concentration of 1.5 g/L, and a carbon: nitrogen ratio of 10:1. Response surface methodology-based analysis of the culture time, inoculation amount, and initial pH of the medium revealed that the optimal theoretical conditions were a culture time of 11.16 days, inoculation amount of 3.13%, and an initial pH of 9.29. The theoretical degradation rate was up to 54.68% under the optimal conditions. Taking into account the experimental conditions of a laboratory, 11.2 days of cultivating time, 3% inoculum, and a medium initial pH of 9.3 were used in practical settings. Experimental results showed that the degradation rate of paraffin wax was 52.85%, which demonstrated that this strain could degrade 1050 mg paraffin wax, using it as the sole carbon source, in a 1000-mL minimal salts medium. These results indicate that the strain PW1 can be used for application in oil wells with paraffin deposition problems in order to enhance oil recovery.

Corrigendum Effects of probucol on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells injured by hypoxia/reoxygenation - Genet. Mol. Res. 15 (1): gmr.15016752

Published online: March 4, 2016 (DOI: 10.4238/gmr.15016752). Corrected after publication: June 3, 2016 (DOI: 10.4238/gmr.150267521). The information of authors' affiliations is as follows: Y. L. Chai(1,2), J.Z. Xu(1), Y.L. Zhang(1) and G.T. Sheng(2). (1)Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China. (2)No.1 Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, People's Hospital of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.

[Impact of biological function on ovarian clear cell carcinoma ES2 cell line with ARID1A gene expression down-regulating in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficiency of biological function of AT rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A) gene silenced by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on ovarian clear cell carcinoma ES2 cell line.

METHODS

(1) The three pairs ARID1A gene siRNA interference fragments siN1 (ARID1A-705), siN2 (ARID1A-1513), siN3 (ARID1A-2282) and one pair negative control were respectively designed, and transfected into ES2 cells by RNA interference max reagent transiently. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and western blot methods were used to detect the expression of ARID1A mRNA and protein in ES2 cells transfected with interference fragments respectively. So as to select the best silencing effect of siRNA interference fragment(that was siN3), and then was used in the following experiment. (2) The following experiment were divided into three groups, namely siN3 transfection group, negative control group and blank control group. The proliferative activity of three groups of cells after transient transfection (6, 24, 48, 72, 96 hours) was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and expressed as absorbance (A) value; the apoptosis rate of three groups of cells transfected transiently with interference fragment was measured by flow cytometry with annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining; the ability of cellular invasion of three groups of cells transfected transiently with interference fragment was tested by transwell experiment; the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) protein in ES2 cells transfected transiently with interference fragment was measured by western blot.

RESULTS

(1) The RT-PCR results showed that the ARID1A mRNA relative expression levels in ES2 cells after transfected transiently with siN1, siN2 and siN3 were 0.007 8±0.005 7, 0.006 8±0.000 3 and 0.002 8±0.000 3 respectively. They were all apparently lower than that in the negative control group (0.034 6±0.001 3; all P<0.01). The western blot results showed that the expression levels of ARID1A protein were 0.439 4±0.000 7, 0.424 4±0.005 0 and 0.386 0±0.005 8 respectively. They were also lower than that in the negative control group (0.732 4 ±0.030 3; all P<0.01). The siN3 with the highest transfection efficiency was selected to use in the following experiment. (2) The CCK-8 method showed that the proliferative activity of siN3 transfection group cells after transfected transiently at 6 hours was not statistically significant difference compared with those in negative control group and blank control group (0.506±0.010, 0.491±0.006, 0.498±0.009, respectively; all P>0.05). However, the proliferative activity of siN3 transfection group cells after transfected transiently at 24, 48, 72, 96 hours were higher than those in negative control group and blank control group (all P<0.01). The flow cytometry results showed that the apoptosis rate of siN3 transfection group cells was (20.0±3.9)%, which was significantly lower than those in negative control group and blank control group [(31.5±5.0)%, (34.0±4.2)%, respectively; all P<0.05]. The transwell experiment showed that the penetrated cell counts of siN3 transfection group was 60.4±2.9, which was apparently higher than those in negative control group and blank control group (54.2±3.5, 52.1±3.8, respectively; all P<0.01). Western blot experiment showed that the relative expression levels of NF-κB, MT1-MMP and MMP2 protein in siN3 transfection group were respectively 1.85±0.16, 0.37±0.08, 1.38± 0.11, which were apparently higher than those in negative control group (0.93±0.11, 0.17±0.05, 0.86±0.06; all P<0.05) and blank control group (0.94 ± 0.04, 0.15 ± 0.08, 0.85 ± 0.10, respectively; all P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

It would be to promote the cell doubling time, reduce cell apoptosis and increase the invasive capability in ES2 cells that ARID1A expression was down-regulating by ARID1A mRNA interference. The invasion mechanism may be related to the activation of NF-κB signal transduction pathway, up-regulation of MT1-MMP expression and then promoting the invasion of tumor cells via the up-regulation of MMP2 expression.

The role of Toll-like receptors in periodontitis

Periodontitis is a common infectious disease. Recent studies have indicated that the progression of periodontitis may be regulated by interactions between host immunity and periodontopathic bacteria. Although periodontopathic bacteria can destroy periodontal tissue, a dysfunctional host immune response triggered by the bacteria can lead to more severe and persistent destruction. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a type of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) that recognizes pathogens, have been implicated in host innate immune responses to periodontopathic bacteria and in the activation of adaptive immunity. TLR-targeted drugs may hold promise to treat periodontal disease. This review summarizes recent studies on the role of TLRs in periodontitis and discusses areas needing further research. We believe TLRs may be an effective biomarker for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontitis in the near future.

Effects of probucol on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells injured by hypoxia/reoxygenation

There is increasing evidence suggesting that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays an important role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. This study was designed to examine the effect of probucol on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injured by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and the potential mechanisms involving ERS. Injured HUVECs induced by Na2S2O4 served as an H/R model in vitro. The concentration of probucol in this study ranged from 3 to 27 μM. Cell viability was analyzed using MTT and a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The expression of GRP78, X-box-binding protein (XBP)-1, and CHOP (c/EBP-hemologous protein) were quantified using western blot. Compared to cells with H/R injury alone, the results showed that the cell viability increased significantly with probucol, while the LDH leakage rate was significantly lower as analyzed by the LDH assay. Furthermore, the expression levels of GRP78, XBP-1, and CHOP were significantly downregulated. These results indicated that probucol effectively protected HUVEC from injury induced by H/R and that the mechanism might be related to attenuation of ERS.

Plastic responses in the metabolome and functional traits of maize plants to temperature variations

Environmentally inducible phenotypic plasticity is a major player in plant responses to climate change. However, metabolic responses and their role in determining the phenotypic plasticity of plants that are subjected to temperature variations remain poorly understood. The metabolomic profiles and metabolite levels in the leaves of three maize inbred lines grown in different temperature conditions were examined with a nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomic technique. The relationship of functional traits to metabolome profiles and the metabolic mechanism underlying temperature variations were then explored. A comparative analysis showed that during heat and cold stress, maize plants shared common plastic responses in biomass accumulation, carbon, nitrogen, sugars, some amino acids and compatible solutes. We also found that the plastic response of maize plants to heat stress was different from that under cold stress, mainly involving biomass allocation, shikimate and its aromatic amino acid derivatives, and other non-polar metabolites. The plastic responsiveness of functional traits of maize lines to temperature variations was low, while the metabolic responsiveness in plasticity was high, indicating that functional and metabolic plasticity may play different roles in maize plant adaptation to temperature variations. A linear regression analysis revealed that the maize lines could adapt to growth temperature variations through the interrelation of plastic responses in the metabolomes and functional traits, such as biomass allocation and the status of carbon and nitrogen. We provide valuable insight into the plastic response strategy of maize plants to temperature variations that will permit the optimisation of crop cultivation in an increasingly variable environment.

Analysis of imprinted messenger RNA expression in deceased transgenic cloned goats

Genomic imprinting is an important epigenetic mechanism that has vital effects on fetal growth and development. We observed the differences in four tissues (heart, spleen, liver, and kidney) from dead transgenic cloned goats using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Eight imprinted genes in the tissues of dead transgenic cloned and normal goats were analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. H&E staining results from the abortion group indicated the lack of obvious morphological changes in heart and spleen tissues, while inflammatory cell infiltration and glomerular nephritis characteristics were observed in liver and kidney tissues, respectively. Compared to the control group, CDKN1C, H19, IGF2R, and SNRPN were significantly (P < 0.05) overexpressed in the heart tissue of the abortion group, while XIST was significantly reduced. In the liver tissues, CDKN1C and DLK1 expression decreased, while GNAS, H19, IGF2R, PEG3, and XIST expression increased significantly. In the spleen tissues, DLK1 expression increased, while GNAS, H19, IGF2R, PEG3, SNRPN, and XIST expression decreased. In the kidney tissues, CDKN1C, DLK1, GNAS, IGF2R, and PEG3 expression increased, while H19 and XIST expression decreased. The overall expression of imprinted genes was abnormal in different tissues of transgenic cloned goats, and the degree of abnormal genomic imprinting was more severe in the abortion group compared to the death and control groups. These results suggest that abnormal expression of imprinted genes may cause developmental defects in transgenic cloned goats. Moreover, abnormal epigenetic modifications may affect the reprogramming of transgenic donor cells.

Education Status of Oral Genetics at the Fourth Military Medical University and other Chinese Dental Schools

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the current state of genetics education at the Fourth Military Medical University (FMMU) and compare it with other dental schools of China.

METHODS

Detailed information about the history and current education status of Oral Genetics in the FMMU were collected and questionnaires were completed to acquire the feedback of twenty-seven students on the course. In the other thirty-five dental schools including the capitals of twenty-five provinces and four municipalities in China, information about the oral genetic course were collected by a telephone survey. The contents of survey included whether or not the Oral Genetic course is offered and some basic information about the curriculum (such as the content, hours, teachers' background and teaching methods).

RESULTS

Among a total of thirty-six dental schools investigated, six of them (16.7%) offered the Oral Genetic course or related lectures/seminars. The length and contents of the curriculum vary among these schools. The FMMU offered the oral genetic curriculum both to undergraduates and graduated students. Their teachers had a broad range of backgrounds, such as dentistry, biology, genetics, and biochemistry. The students considered the Oral Genetics course to be helpful for their future professional careers.

CONCLUSION

Genetic education in dentistry in China is still at a preliminary stage. More effort must be paid to spread the knowledge of Oral Genetics in China. In addition, domestic and international communications and networks for Oral Genetics should be set up in the near future.

Effect of gene polymorphims on the warfarin treatment at initial stage

The adverse reactions of warfarin that were found mainly occurred in the first month. This study was carried out to observe the effect of gene polymorphisms on the warfarin therapy at the initial stage. Four-hundred and sixty Chinese patients began warfarin treatment with daily 2.5 mg after heart valve replacement operations were enrolled. The daily international normalized ratio (INR) for anticoagulation were recorded till the seventh day. Blood samples were collected and used to detect genotypes for VKORC1 rs7294, CYP2C9 rs1057910, CYP4F2 rs2108622 and ORM1 rs17650. INR and their changes were compared among genotypes. INR was partially correlated with the VKORC1 rs7294, CYP2C9 rs1057910, CYP4F2 rs2108622 and ORM1 rs17650 polymorphisms from the third, fourth and sixth day on, respectively. VKORC1 rs7294 and CYP4F2 rs2108622 carriers responded lower than the wild genotype, whereas CYP2C9 rs1057910 and ORM1 rs17650 carriers responded higher, respectively. Fifty percent of AA/*1*3/CC/*S*S patients and 16% of AA/*1*1/CC/*S*S patients were over anticoagulation treated with INR >4.0 at the third day. Ninety percent of VKORC1 rs7294 carrier patients have INR <1.63, a mark of the 25% of lower responders of the wild genotype. Our study provided another kind of evidence that VKORC1 rs7294, CYP2C9 rs1057910, CYP4F2 rs2108622 and ORM1 rs17650 affected the action of warfarin in different styles. Patients with AA/*1*1/CC/*S*S, AA/*1*3/CC/*S*S should use a less initial dosage to avoid over anticoagulation, and patients with VKORC1 rs7294 should use larger initial dose to proof an effective therapy.

Analysis of Structures, Functions, and Epitopes of Aminopeptidase from Trichinella spiralis

We have previously reported that the recombinant T. spiralis aminopeptidase (rTsAP) could induce a partial protective immunity against T. spiralis infection in mice. The aim of this study was to predict the structures and functions of TsAP protein by using the full length cDNA sequence of TsAP gene. TsAP sequence was 1515 bp length with a 1515 bp biggest ORF encoding 504-amino acid protein. The molecular weight and isoelectric point of TsAP were 54.7 kDa and 6.69, respectively. TsAP structure domains contained a Peptidase_M17_N and a Peptidase_M17 domain, which has the function of catalysis of the hydrolysis of N-terminal amino acid residues. TsAP had no signal peptide site and transmembrane domain, and located in cytoplasm. The secondary structure of TsAP contained 16 α-helix, 14 β-strand and 29 coils. The TsAP had 11 and 21 potential antigenic epitopes of T cell and B cell, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic analyses of TsAP, T. spiralis have the closest relationship with Plasmodium falciparum. TsAP was a kind of proteolytic enzyme with a variety of biological functions and its antigenic epitopes could provide important insights on the diagnostic antigens and target molecular of anti-Trichinella drugs.

Identification of transgenic cloned dairy goats harboring human lactoferrin and methylation status of the imprinted gene IGF2R in their lungs

Dairy goat is a good model for production of transgenic proteins in milk using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). However, animals produced from SCNT are often associated with lung deficiencies. We recently produced six transgenic cloned dairy goats harboring the human lactoferrin gene, including three live transgenic clones and three deceased transgenic clones that died from respiratory failure during the perinatal period. Imprinted genes are important regulators of lung growth, and may be subjected to faulty reprogramming. In the present study, first, microsatellite analysis, PCR, and DNA sequence identification were conducted to confirm that these three dead kids were genetically identical to the transgenic donor cells. Second, the CpG island methylation profile of the imprinted insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF2R) gene was assessed in the lungs of the three dead transgenic kids and the normally produced kids using bisulfite sequencing PCR. In addition, the relative mRNA level of IGF2R was also determined by real-time PCR. Results showed that the IGF2R gene in the lungs of the dead cloned kids showed abnormal hypermethylation and higher mRNA expression levels than the control, indicating that aberrant DNA methylation reprogramming is one of the important factors in the death of transgenic cloned animals.

Subtraction suppressive hybridisation analysis of differentially expressed genes associated with puberty in the goat hypothalamus

The cost of developing replacement nanny goats could be reduced by decreasing the age at puberty because this way nanny goats could be brought into production at an earlier age. The aim of the present study was to screen genes related to puberty to investigate the molecular mechanisms of puberty. Subtracted cDNA libraries were constructed for hypothalami from juvenile (Group A), pubertal (Group B) and age-matched control pubertal (Group E) Jining grey (JG) and Liaoning cashmere (LC) goats using suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH). Differentially expressed genes were analysed by bioinformatics methods. There were 203 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in the subtracted cDNA libraries that were differentially expressed between JG and LC goats at the juvenile stage, 226 that were differentially expressed at puberty and 183 that were differentially expressed in the age-matched control group. The differentially expressed ESTs in each subtracted cDNA library were classified as known gene, known EST and unknown EST according to sequence homology in the GenBank non-redundant (NR) and EST database. According to gene function analysis in the COG (Cluster of Orthologous Groups) database, the known genes were grouped into 10 subdivisions in Group A, into seven subdivisions in Group E and into nine subdivisions in Group B under three categories: cellular processes and signalling, information storage and processing, and metabolism. Pathway analysis in the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway database of known genes revealed that the three pathways that most differentially expressed genes were involved in were metabolic pathways, Parkinson's disease and oxidative phosphorylation. Protein interaction analysis of the high homology genes revealed the most dominant network to be structure of ribosome/protein translation, oxidative phosphorylation and carbohydrate metabolism. The results reveal that the onset of puberty is a complex event involving multiple genes in multiple biological processes. The differentially expressed genes include genes related to both neuroendocrine and energy metabolism.

A case of familial Carney complex

Carney complex is a syndrome characterized by skin pigmentation abnormalities, myxomas, endocrine tumors/overactivity, and schwannomas. It is caused by a mutation in the PRKAR1A gene that encodes the enzyme protein kinase A regulatory subunit type 1 alpha. A 23-year old male was diagnosed with Carney complex on the basis of spotty skin lentigines on his face and lips, multiple thyroid neoplasms, a right ventricular myxoma, and bilateral testicular tumors. A total bilateral orchectomy was performed and the pathological findings revealed Leydig's cell tumors on one side and a Sertoli cell tumor on the other side. When his first-degree relatives were examined, his mother was found to have Carney complex as well. This is the first reported case of familial Carney complex in China.

Theoretical study of pre-formed hole geometries on femtosecond pulse energy distribution in laser drilling

Maxwell's wave equation was solved for fs laser drilling of silicon. The pre-formed hole wall's influence on the propagation behavior of subsequent laser pulses was investigated. The laser intensity at hole bottom shows distinct profile as compared with that at hole entrance. The multi-peaks and ring structure of the laser intensity were found at hole bottom. The position of maximum laser intensity (MLI) in relation to the wall taper angle was studied. It was found that the position of the MLI point would be closer to the hole entrance with increasing taper angle. This observation provides valuable information in predicting the position of plasma plume which is a key factor influencing laser drilling process. The elliptical entrance hole shape and zonal structure at the hole bottom reported in the literatures have been reasonably explained using the laser intensity distribution obtained in the present model.

A region-matching method for pulse transit time estimation: potential for improving the accuracy in determining carotid femoral pulse wave velocity

Carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is the 'gold standard' for assessment of arterial stiffness. The reliability of cfPWV measurement depends on the estimation of pulse transit time (PTT). This study aimed to validate a region-matching method for determining PTT and cfPWV against the existing 'foot-to-foot' methods. A cohort of 81 subjects (33 males and 48 females) aged 25-80 (45.1±15.7 years) were studied. PTTs were estimated by the region matching and 'foot-to-foot' methods ('diastole minimum', 'maximum first derivative', 'maximum second derivative' and 'tangent intersection' methods) with manual identification as the reference method and were subsequently used to calculate cfPWV. In a subgroup of 30 individuals, the measurements were repeated after 1 h. There were excellent correlations between cfPWV obtained by the reference method and all the estimated methods (r>0.9, P<0.001 for all), except the diastole minimum method (r=0.793, P<0.001). The region-matching method yielded cfPWV with a better accuracy (mean difference=-0.161 m s(-1), limits of agreement: -0.79 to 0.46 m s(-1)) and repeatability (mean difference=-0.228 m s(-1), intraclass correlation coefficient=0.957) comparing with the 'foot-to-foot' methods. These results demonstrate that the proposed region-matching method is more accurate and suitable for PTT estimation and cfPWV measurement.

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.

First Report of Barley yellow striate mosaic virus on Wheat in China

In the spring of 2014, a survey of viral diseases on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was carried out in Hebei Province, China. The samples with virus-like symptoms of dwarfing and flag leaf yellowing were collected in Zhaoxian, Quyang, Anxin, and Luannan. To reproduce the viral symptoms and confirm whether the unknown virus was transmitted by insect vectors, the nymphs of aviruliferous planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus Fallen, Homoptera: Delphacidae) were transferred onto diseased wheat from the field for a 3-day acquisition access period and a 10-day incubation on fresh wheat seedlings, and then were exposed to 2- to 3-leaf stage wheat seedlings of wheat variety Shixin828 for a 3-day inoculation access period. The infected wheat plants developed mosaic symptoms on the young leaves at 7 days post inoculation (dpi), and followed with severe symptoms including stunting, chlorotic spots, and striation along the veins of leaves at around 14 dpi. The infection symptoms were same as in the field but distinct from wheat infected with Rice black streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) or Northern cereal mosaic virus (NCMV). For further confirmation, total RNA was extracted from the symptomatic wheat leaves, and NCMV specific primers, NCMV-PF/NCMV-PR (5'-ATGGATAAGAAAGCAAGTGGA-3'/5'-TTAAAAGTCGGCATACGGGTC-3') and RBSDV specific primers, S10-F/S10-R (5'-TTACCCAACATCACGCAACT-3'/5'-GAGCAGGAACTTCACGACAAC-3') were used for amplification of sequences of phosphoprotein and coat protein genes, respectively. Neither RBSDV nor NCMV were present in the symptomatic tissue according to the RT-PCR assay (4). Tissues derived from symptomatic wheat leaves were fixed and embedded in Spurr's resin and used for ultra-thin sectioning and transmission electron microscopy observations, revealing large amounts of Rhabdovirus-like particles in the cytoplasm. The identified particles were about 315 to 353 × 46 to 57 nm, similar in size to Barley yellow striate mosaic virus (BYSMV), a member of the genus Cytorhabdovirus reported from Italy (2). The specific primer pair (5'-ACTAAGGGGGTACTCCGACC-3' and 5'-CTGATCTGCTTTGAGGGGCA-3') was designed based on the reported polymerase (L) gene sequence of BYSMV isolate Zanjan-1 (GenBank Accession No. FJ665628) (1), and used for the BYSMV detection by RT-PCR. A single bright band of the expected size (~500 bp) was obtained from total RNA extracted from the plants exhibiting symptoms in the greenhouse. No such band was amplified from asymptomatic plants, while 15 out of 23 field samples also produced the same 500-bp products in RT-PCR. PCR products from three virus-positive field samples were sequenced directly and the sequences were submitted to GenBank (KM052176, KM052177, and KM052178). BLAST search showed that the sequences shared 96 to 97% nucleotide identity with the polymerase L gene sequence of BYSMV isolate Zanjan-1, whereas only 73 to 75% identity with NCMV (AB030277 and GU985153) (1,3,5). To our knowledge, this is the first report of BYSMV occurrence on wheat in China. References: (1) R. Almasi et al. J. Phytopathol. 158:351, 2010. (2) A. Appiano et al. Cytol. 6:105, 1974. (3) H. C. Chen et al. Sci. Agric. Sinica 3:64, 1980. (4) X. F. Duan et al. Acta Phytopathol. Sinica 40:337, 2010. (5) F. Tanno et al. Arch. Virol. 145:1373, 2000.

Decorin-induced proliferation of avian myoblasts involves the myostatin/Smad signaling pathway

Decorin, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan as a component of the extracellular matrix, plays an important role in the skeletal muscle development. It has been reported that decorin promoted proliferation and differentiation of muscle cells by restraining myostatin activity in rodents. However, the effects and mechanisms of decorin on avian myoblast proliferation are not understood clearly. Thus, in our research, decorin overexpressing and knocking-down quail myoblast-7 (QM7) myoblasts were established to explore the effects of decorin on avian myoblast proliferation by flow cytometry. The results showed that overexpression of decorin enhanced the proliferation of QM7 myoblasts, which was accompanied by the upregulation of follistatin and primary muscle regulatory factors (i.e., myogenic factor 5, myogenic factor 1, myogenin), and downregulation of myostatin expression, as well as the decreased phosphorylation level of SMAD family member 3 (Smad3). In line with expectations, decorin RNAi displayed an opposite effect on the proliferation and gene expression pattern of QM7 cells. In conclusion, our in vitro studies suggested the decorin-mediated myostatin/Smad signaling pathway might be involved in the regulation of avian myoblast proliferation.

Effects of isobutyrate supplementation on ruminal microflora, rumen enzyme activities and methane emissions in Simmental steers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of isobutyrate supplementation on rumen microflora, enzyme activities and methane emissions in Simmental steers consuming a corn stover-based diet. Eight ruminally cannulated Simmental steers were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. The treatments were control (without isobutyrate), low isobutyrate (LIB), moderate isobutyrate (MIB) and high isobutyrate (HIB) with 8.4, 16.8 and 25.2 g isobutyrate per steer per day respectively. Isobutyrate was hand-mixed into the concentrate portion. Diet consisted of 60% corn stover and 40% concentrate [dry matter (DM) basis]. Dry matter intake (averaged 9 kg/day) was restricted to a maximum of 90% of ad libitum intake. Population of total bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria and anaerobic fungi were linearly increased, whereas that of protozoa and total methanogens was linearly reduced with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. Real-time PCR quantification of population of Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Fibrobacter succinogenes was linearly increased with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. Activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, xylanase and β-glucosidase were linearly increased, whereas that of protease was linearly reduced. Methane production was linearly decreased with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. Effective degradabilities of cellulose and hemicellulose of corn stover were linearly increased, whereas that of crude protein in diet was linearly decreased with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. The present results indicate that isobutyrate supplemented improved microflora, rumen enzyme activities and methane emissions in steers. It was suggested that the isobutyrate stimulated the digestive micro-organisms or enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. In the experimental conditions of this trial, the optimum isobutyrate dose was approximately 16.8 g isobutyrate per steer per day.

Effects of TiO2 nanotube layers on RAW 264.7 macrophage behaviour and bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression

OBJECTIVES

To investigate behaviour and osteogenic cytokine expression of RAW264.7 macrophages grown on TiO2 nanotube layers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 was cultured on TiO2 nanotubes of varying diameter; macrophage morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Cell adhesion and viability were assessed with the aid of the MTT method and BMP-2 and TGF-β gene expression were examined by RT-PCR analysis. Levels of BMP-2, TGF-β1 and ICAM-1 proteins secreted into the supernatant were measured by ELISA assay.

RESULTS

Macrophages cultured on nanotube layers had spread out morphology, the largest (120 nm) nanotube layer eliciting an elongation by 24 h. Macrophages adhered significantly less to 120 nm TiO2 nanotubes than to control discs at 4 h after application; after 24 h incubation, macrophages were sufficiently viable (P < 0.05) on 30 and 70 nm nanotube layers. Increasing nanotube diameter led to increased BMP-2 protein secretion and increased BMP-2 mRNA expression.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that nanoscale topography of TiO2 nanotube layers can affect macrophage morphology, adhesion, viability and BMP-2 expression. Macrophages grown on layers of large nanotubes had the highest potential to enhance bone formation during bone healing.

Polymorphism analysis of IGFBP-5 gene exon 1 in Tibet Mini-pig and Junmu No. 1 White pig

The genetic resources and the mechanism of miniaturization in the Tibet Mini-pig have not been comprehensively studied. Polymorphisms in genes related to the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis have been investigated for years, but few on the polymorphism of IGF-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) in the Tibetan pig. In this study, allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) was used to analyze polymorphisms in exon 1 of the IGFBP-5 gene in two pig breeds, Tibet Mini-pigs and Junmu No. 1 White pigs. A BLAST analysis of the expressed sequence tags in the porcine IGFBP-5 gene revealed that exon 1 of this gene has two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), G188T and G503A. The AS-PCR results demonstrated that in both pig breeds examined, the TT, GT, and GG genotypes existed at the G188T locus, with GT as the most common genotype. At the G503A locus, GG, GA, and AA genotypes existed in Junmu No. 1 White pigs, with the GA genotype as the most frequently occurring. By contrast, at this locus, only the GA and AA genotypes were observed in the Tibetan pigs, and AA was more common than GA. There was a significant difference (P < 0.01) in allele distribution between the two breeds at the G503A locus but not the G188T locus, and there was a lower polymorphism information content for the two polymorphic loci in Tibet Mini-pigs than in Junmu No. 1 White pigs. The present study revealed SNPs in exon 1 of IGFBP-5 gene in the Tibet Mini-pig, possibly providing more understanding of the mechanism of miniaturization.

Molecular characterization and identification of Th1 epitopes of a Schistosoma japonicum protein similar to prosaposin

The tegument of schistosomula contains T cell antigens that might simulate the protective mechanisms of the radiation-attenuated vaccine in a mouse model of schistosomiasis. Immune mechanisms mediated by the CD4+ Th1 response are important in the RAV model. To rapidly identify Th1 epitopes in molecules from the Schistosoma japonicum schistosomula tegument, this study analyzed S. japonicum proteomics data. Preliminary experiments identified a protein similar to prosaposin (SjPSAP) from the tegument of schistosomula. We confirmed that SjPSAP was present in the tegument of the parasite using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. We then identified Th cell epitopes in SjPSAP using in silico prediction combined with experimental validation. From the SjPSAP sequence, we used several algorithms to predict 11 promiscuous Th cell epitopes that might bind to both murine and human MHC class II molecules. To validate the in silico predictions, proliferation and cytokine production profiles of spleen lymphocytes from BALB/c mice immunized with the 11 predicted peptides were measured in vitro using a modified methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay and flow cytometry. The results showed that 4 of the 11 predicted peptides induced a recall CD4+ Th1 response in vitro. We measured direct binding of the four peptides predicted to induce a response to antigen-presenting cells from BALB/c mice using a fluorometric method and found that the peptides bound to both I-Ad and I-Ed mouse molecules. These results demonstrated that potentially protective Th1-type epitopes in SjPSAP molecules could be identified rapidly by combining in silico prediction with experimental validation. This strategy could be a fast method for identifying Th1 epitopes in a schistosoma antigen with features such as large size or poor expression of recombinant antigens.

Highly stable wideband microwave extraction by synchronizing widely tunable optoelectronic oscillator with optical frequency comb

Optical frequency combs (OFCs), based on mode-locked lasers (MLLs), have attracted considerable attention in many fields over recent years. Among the applications of OFCs, one of the most challenging works is the extraction of a highly stable microwave with low phase noise. Many synchronisation schemes have been exploited to synchronise an electronic oscillator with the pulse train from a MLL, helping to extract an ultra-stable microwave. Here, we demonstrate novel wideband microwave extraction from a stable OFC by synchronising a single widely tunable optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) with an OFC at different harmonic frequencies, using an optical phase detection technique. The tunable range of the proposed microwave extraction extends from 2 GHz to 4 GHz, and in a long-term synchronisation experiment over 12 hours, the proposed synchronisation scheme provided a rms timing drift of 18 fs and frequency instabilities at 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁵/1 s and 2.2 × 10⁻¹⁸/10000 s.

LiSr4(BO3)3:Ce3+ phosphor as a new material for ESR dosimetry

LiSr4(BO3)3:0.01Ce(3+) phosphor was investigated to assess its potential as a material for measurements of radiotherapeutic doses with electron spin resonance (ESR). The ESR spectrum of the phosphor irradiated with (60)Co features five ESR signals. An isochronal annealing experiment has shown that the strongest of these signals is associated with the same trap center as the 473 K peak on the TL glow curve of this material. The dose-response is linear in the studied range from 0.89 to 90.30 Gy. Fading of the signal was also investigated.

Oct4 and Sox2 overexpression improves the proliferation and differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells in Xiaomeishan porcine

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BMSCs) are a population of self-renewing multipotent cells that are capable of differentiating into various cellular lineages, and are widely employed in tissue engineering and cell therapy. Recently, clinical research involving BMSCs has become increasingly popular. In order to conduct appropriate research, it is first necessary to amplify large amounts of functional BMSCs in vitro. However, after several passages of expanding in vitro, the proliferation and differentiation potential of BMSCs gradually decline. To determine whether overexpression of Oct4 or Sox2 might prevent this decline, we transfected Oct4 or Sox2, which are essential for the pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells, into BMSCs of Xiaomeishan porcine by a lentivirus. The results showed that overexpression of Sox2 or Oct4 BMSCs in culture media containing a basic fibroblast growth factor resulted in higher proliferation and differentiation compared to controls, suggesting that genetic modification of stemness-related genes is an efficient way to maintain the proliferation and differentiation potential of BMSCs.

Isolation and molecular analysis of genes Stpk-V2 and Stpk-V3 homologous to powdery mildew resistance gene Stpk-V in a Dasypyrum villosum accession and its derivatives

Wheat-Dasypyrum villosum translocated chromosomes T6V#2S•6AL and T6V#4S•6DL are known to confer excellent resistance to wheat powdery mildew (PM). However, it is difficult to distinguish the two sources of PM resistance genes through multi-pathotype testing because to date no virulence for them has been found. To reveal the relationship between the PM resistance genes from the two translocations, the sequence of the Stpk-V gene, a key member of powdery mildew resistance locus Pm21, was used as a reference to isolate homologous genes from a D. villosum accession No.1026 and its derivatives 6V#4(6D) disomic substitution (DS) line RW15 and T6V#4S•6DL translocation line Pm97033. Two genes Stpk-V2 and Stpk-V3 were cloned from No.1026. Sequence alignment showed that Stpk-V2 and Stpk-V3 shared 98.2 % and 96.2 % of their DNA and 99.3 % and 100 % of their amino acids in identity with Stpk-V. Compared with Stpk-V, a 22-bp direct sequence repeat and a miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE) were found in the intron 4 of Stpk-V2 and Stpk-V3, respectively. However, Stpk-V2 was not present in DS line RW15 and translocation line Pm97033 based on the PCR result, indicating that Stpk-V2 did not contribute to the PM resistance of RW15 and Pm97033. In the promoter region, a 78-bp insertion was found not only in Stpk-V2 and Stpk-V3, but also in its orthologous gene Stpk-A of wheat. In addition, there was a 17 bp/8 bp deletion/insertion in the putative promoter of Stpk-V3 in comparison with that of Stpk-V/Stpk-V2. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that the expression levels of Stpk-V and Stpk-V3 genes in the translocation lines were induced by the pathogen, but Stpk-V had a higher expression level than Stpk-V3 at 12 h after inoculation with Bgt. The diversity of Stpk-V gene will help to explore new resistance genes to PM in D. villosum for wheat breeding.

Significant association of APOA5 and APOC3 gene polymorphisms with meat quality traits in Kele pigs

Apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) and C3 (APOC3) genes are involved in the PPAR lipid metabolism pathway and thus associated with elevated triglyceride levels. However, whether APOA5 and APOC3 genetic polymorphisms affect intramuscular fat deposition and other meat quality traits remains unknown in pigs. One hundred and seventy-one Kele pigs were sampled to investigate genetic variants in the APOA5 and APOC3 genes and their association with seven pork quality traits. We identified 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of the APOA5 gene and 17 SNPs in the APOC3 gene. Linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed 5 complete linkage disequilibria among these 22 SNPs. We found that 10 SNPs were significantly correlated with meat quality traits, including the mutation A5/-769 in the APOA5 gene, which was significantly associated with cooked weight percentage, and 9 SNPs in the APOC3 gene that were significantly associated with drip loss rate, meat color value of longissimus dorsi muscle and shear force. Therefore, these SNP markers will be useful for marker-assisted selection for improved pork quality.

Paeonia (Paeoniaceae) expressed sequence tag-derived microsatellite markers transferred to Paeonia delavayi

Paeonia Franchet contains approximately 30 species of perennial herbs and is the only member of the family Paeoniaceae. Paeonia delavayi is an endangered ornamental plant that has a compound flower color and is endemic to southwest China. Its optimal habitats have been fragmented and its population size has greatly decreased as a result of human activities. Using a modified biotin-streptavidin capture method, 51 primer sets were identified in 3 wild populations of P. delavayi in this study. Ten primers displayed polymorphisms and 41 amplified no products, gave weak or indistinct bands, or gave larger sizes than expected. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 to 3, and the values for observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.000 to 0.571 and from 0.000 to 0.509, with averages of 0.113 and 0.295, respectively. These markers will be useful for further investigations in resource conservation, selection of parental types in cross-breeding, the molecular evolution of this species, and for related research in Paeonia species.

Comparison of the neurobiological effects of attribution retraining group therapy with those of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of attribution retraining group therapy (ARGT) with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Subjects were sequentially recruited and randomized into two groups, one receiving ARGT (n = 63) and the other SSRIs (n = 66) for 8 weeks. Fifty-four ARGT outpatients with MDD (n = 19), GAD (n = 19), and OCD (n = 16) and 55 SSRI outpatients with MDD (n = 19), GAD (n = 19), and OCD (n = 17) completed the study. All subjects were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Scale before and after treatment. The 10-item Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale was employed only for OCD subjects. Plasma levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone were also measured at baseline and 8 weeks after completion of treatment. Symptom scores were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) in both the ARGT and SSRI groups at the end of treatment. However, MDD, GAD and OCD patients in the ARGT group had significantly lower plasma cortisol concentrations compared to baseline (P < 0.05), whereas MDD and OCD patients receiving SSRIs showed significantly increased plasma levels of serotonin (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that ARGT may modulate plasma cortisol levels and affect the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis as opposed to SSRIs, which may up-regulate plasma serotonin levels via a different pathway to produce an overall improvement in the clinical condition of the patients.

Gene expression patterns of invertase gene families and modulation of the inhibitor gene in tomato sucrose metabolism

Patterns of gene expression in the different types of sucrose metabolism in the tomato are highly variable and heritable. This genetic variation causes considerable functional differences. We examined the patterns of expression of invertase (Inv) gene families and an invertase inhibitor (INH) gene involved in elongating roots, hypocotyls, and fruit of the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Micro-Tom and L. chmielewskii) through a real-time quantitative PCR analysis. We found that the Lin6 gene plays an important role in the vegetative growth stage. Lin5 and Lin7 did not express in Micro-Tom, but did express in L. chmielewskii. Overall relative expression levels of sucrose Inv gene families were significantly lower in L. chmielewskii during the reproductive growth stage than in Micro-Tom, being up to hundreds of times lower. It was not expressed in the dissepiment in L. chmielewskii. We suggest that differences in sucrose accumulation in tomato fruit is mainly due to differentially expressed invertase gene families at the later fruit growth stages.

Perfluorodecalin and bone regeneration

Perfluorodecalin (PFD) is a chemically and biologically inert biomaterial and, as many perfluorocarbons, is also hydrophobic, radiopaque and has a high solute capacity for gases such as oxygen. In this article we have demonstrated, both in vitro and in vivo, that PFD may significantly enhance bone regeneration. Firstly, the potential benefit of PFD was demonstrated by prolonging the survival of bone marrow cells cultured in anaerobic conditions. These findings translated in vivo, where PFD incorporated into bone-marrow-loaded 3D-printed scaffolds substantially improved their capacity to regenerate bone. Secondly, in addition to biological applications, we have also shown that PFD improves the radiopacity of bone regeneration biomaterials, a key feature required for the visualisation of biomaterials during and after surgical implantation. Finally, we have shown how the extreme hydrophobicity of PFD enables the fabrication of highly cohesive self-setting injectable biomaterials for bone regeneration. In conclusion, perfluorocarbons would appear to be highly beneficial additives to a number of regenerative biomaterials, especially those for bone regeneration.

Diabetes self-risk assessment questionnaires coupled with a multimedia health promotion campaign are cheap and effective tools to increase public awareness of diabetes in a large Chinese population

AIMS

To evaluate costs and effectiveness of implementing a diabetes self-risk assessment (Diabetes Risk Score) questionnaire coupled with a multimedia health promotion campaign on changes in diabetes awareness in a large diabetes prevention programme.

METHODS

Between 2007 and 2010, a multimedia health promotion campaign was conducted targeting the 1.94 million population of Qingdao, China, using newspapers, radio programmes, distribution of free booklets and Diabetes Risk Score flyers. Diabetes awareness questionnaires filled out by people first interviewed in 2006 (survey A), before the initiation of the campaign, were compared with those first interviewed between 2007 and 2010 during the campaign period (survey B). The rates of diabetes awareness in both surveys were studied amongst adults aged 35-74 years without a prior history of diabetes, but with a Diabetes Risk Score of ≥ 14.

RESULTS

In survey B, 85, 82 and 76% of the urban participants correctly recognized obesity, family history of diabetes and physical inactivity, respectively, as important risk factors for diabetes; while the awareness rates were 43, 46 and 25%, respectively, in survey A (P < 0.001). The corresponding figures among rural participants were 65, 63 and 53% in survey B and 29, 22 and 11% in survey A (P < 0.001). To cover 1000 individuals, the programme spent €5.4 on the use of the Diabetes Risk Score flyer, €31.3 on the education booklet, €7.7 on the newspaper campaign and €37.5 on radio programmes.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of a Diabetes Risk Score questionnaire with a multimedia health promotion campaign is a cheap and effective health promotion tool to raise public awareness of diabetes.

Changes in total soluble proteins and Ca2+ upon cryopreservation of Prunus mume pollen

Mei Flowers (Prunus mume) are traditional Chinese ornamental plants. Fifty-one Mei cultivars have been conserved in a pollen cryobank since 2003. We used two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) of total soluble proteins and flow cytometric detection of Ca2+ fluorescence to probe changes in pollen grains before and after cryopreservation. Results indicated that: (1) electrophoresis maps of total soluble proteins before and after cryostorage of pollen from three cultivars were different, even though 70 percent of the protein spots among these three cultivars were matched after cryopreservation. We found some protein spots that changed in all three cultivars; their molecular weights and pI were between 12.6-72.8 kDa and 5.6-7.3, respectively; (2): the geometric mean of Ca2+ fluorescence intensity (GMFI) value of cryopreserved pollen was significantly higher compared with that of fresh pollen in cultivar 'Beijing Yudie'. GMFI increased during pollen germination in our studied cultivars, especially after 0.5 and 1.0 h of culturing. In addition, no positive correlation was found between pollen germination rate and GMFI in the present study.