Data integration for identification of important transcription factors of STAT6-mediated cell fate decisions

Data integration has become a useful strategy for uncovering new insights into complex biological networks. We studied whether this approach can help to delineate the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6)-mediated transcriptional network driving T helper (Th) 2 cell fate decisions. To this end, we performed an integrative analysis of publicly available RNA-seq data of Stat6-knockout mouse studies together with STAT6 ChIP-seq data and our own gene expression time series data during Th2 cell differentiation. We focused on transcription factors (TFs), cytokines, and cytokine receptors and delineated 59 positively and 41 negatively STAT6-regulated genes, which were used to construct a transcriptional network around STAT6. The network illustrates that important and well-known TFs for Th2 cell differentiation are positively regulated by STAT6 and act either as activators for Th2 cells (e.g., Gata3, Atf3, Satb1, Nfil3, Maf, and Pparg) or as suppressors for other Th cell subpopulations such as Th1 (e.g., Ar), Th17 (e.g., Etv6), or iTreg (e.g., Stat3 and Hif1a) cells. Moreover, our approach reveals 11 TFs (e.g., Atf5, Creb3l2, and Asb2) with unknown functions in Th cell differentiation. This fact together with the observed enrichment of asthma risk genes among those regulated by STAT6 underlines the potential value of the data integration strategy used here. Thus, our results clearly support the opinion that data integration is a useful tool to delineate complex physiological processes.

Gut microbiome remodeling induces depressive-like behaviors through a pathway mediated by the host's metabolism

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the result of complex gene-environment interactions. According to the World Health Organization, MDD is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and it is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. However, the definitive environmental mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of MDD remain elusive. The gut microbiome is an increasingly recognized environmental factor that can shape the brain through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. We show here that the absence of gut microbiota in germ-free (GF) mice resulted in decreased immobility time in the forced swimming test relative to conventionally raised healthy control mice. Moreover, from clinical sampling, the gut microbiotic compositions of MDD patients and healthy controls were significantly different with MDD patients characterized by significant changes in the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Fecal microbiota transplantation of GF mice with 'depression microbiota' derived from MDD patients resulted in depression-like behaviors compared with colonization with 'healthy microbiota' derived from healthy control individuals. Mice harboring 'depression microbiota' primarily exhibited disturbances of microbial genes and host metabolites involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. This study demonstrates that dysbiosis of the gut microbiome may have a causal role in the development of depressive-like behaviors, in a pathway that is mediated through the host's metabolism.

Down-regulation of tumor suppressor PDCD4 expression in endometrium of adenomyosis patients

OBJECTIVE

Adenomyosis is a common benign gynecological disease which has some malignant behaviors. Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) is a newly identified tumor suppressor gene which lowly expresses in various cancers. However, the expression status of PDCD4 in endometrium of adenomyosis patients has not been investigated. The aim of this study is to assess the expression levels of PDCD4 in endometrium of normal controls and adenomyosis patients.

METHODS

The expression of PDCD4 in endometrium of normal controls and eutopic or ectopic endometrium of patients with adenomyosis was evaluated with quantitative real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. In addition, the levels of serum estradiol and progesterone in normal controls and adenomyosis patients were detected using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.

RESULTS

The results showed that PDCD4 mainly expressed in the cytoplasma of glandular epithelium of control endometrium and varied during the cycle changes of endometrium, which may be regulated by changing concentrations of progesterone in the menstrual cycle. Compared with the proliferative phase of control endometrium, PDCD4 expression was down-regulated in proliferative phase of eutopic endometrium or ectopic endometrium, and there was no cyclic variation of PDCD4 expression in eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis patients due to progesterone resistance.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that PDCD4 may be involved in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis, which will provide a novel strategy for the early diagnosis and new therapeutic target of adenomyosis.

A recombinant plasmid of composite cysteine proteinase inhibitor/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene of periodic Brugia malayi functions on DNA immunity in the host

OBJECTIVES

Both cysteine proteinase inhibitors (CPIs) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) play important roles in the pathogenesis of parasites and their relationship with the hosts. We constructed a new eukaryotic recombinant expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH of periodic Brugia malayi for investigation of the DNA vaccine-elicited immune responses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We cloned a gene encoding the CPIs and GAPDH from periodic B. malayi into vector pcDNA3.1. The composited plasmid or the control was injected into the tibialis anterior muscle of the hind leg in BALB/c mice, respectively. The target genes were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in muscle tissues. The stimulation index (SI) of T-lymphocyte proliferation and the levels of interferon-gamma (INF-g) and interleukin-4 ( IL-4) in serum were detected by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium blue and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

The pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH was amplified from muscle tissues of the mice after immunisation. The SI of the immunised group was significantly higher than that of the two control groups (P < 0.05). The levels of INF-g and IL-4 of pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH group were both higher than those of the two control groups (P < 0.05). The level of INF-g of pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH group was significantly higher than that of pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/CpG group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH could elicit specific humoural and cellular immune responses in mice.

Translation and validation of a Chinese version of the Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire

To adapt the English version of the Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire (MFIQ) for Chinese-speaking patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and to evaluate its validity and reliability. In total, 352 patients diagnosed with TMD according to the research diagnostic criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) Axis I were included in this study. The psychometric evaluation included reliability, which was evaluated by internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient), and test-retest reliability and validity, which were tested by content and construct validity. Because the content validity of item 11 (kissing) was low (0·12), this item was excluded in subsequent analyses. For exploratory factor analysis, three factors were extracted, accounting for 63·6% of the variance. All items had factor loadings above 0·4. Two models were tested by confirmatory factor analysis, and the two-factor model was adopted (χ(2) /df = 2·279, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0·086, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0·910). Internal reliability (coefficient alpha values of 0·925 and 0·720 for each factor) and test-retest reliability (ICCfactor1 = 0·895, 95% CIfactor1 = 0·869-0·918, ICCfactor2 = 0·720, 95% CIfactor2 = 0·645-0·783) of the Chinese MFIQ were excellent. A reliable and valid Chinese version of the MFIQ was constructed for the evaluation of Chinese patients with TMD after some modification of the English version of the MFIQ.

Observation of Weyl nodes and Fermi arcs in tantalum phosphide

A Weyl semimetal possesses spin-polarized band-crossings, called Weyl nodes, connected by topological surface arcs. The low-energy excitations near the crossing points behave the same as massless Weyl fermions, leading to exotic properties like chiral anomaly. To have the transport properties dominated by Weyl fermions, Weyl nodes need to locate nearly at the chemical potential and enclosed by pairs of individual Fermi surfaces with non-zero Fermi Chern numbers. Combining angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculation, here we show that TaP is a Weyl semimetal with only a single type of Weyl fermions, topologically distinguished from TaAs where two types of Weyl fermions contribute to the low-energy physical properties. The simple Weyl fermions in TaP are not only of fundamental interests but also of great potential for future applications. Fermi arcs on the Ta-terminated surface are observed, which appear in a different pattern from that on the As-termination in TaAs and NbAs.

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using a retrograde intramedullary nail with a valgus curve

OBJECTIVE

Many different techniques have been described for performing tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis (TTCA) in patients with severe hindfoot disorders such as failed ankle arthroplasty and failed ankle joint arthrodesis with subsequent subtalar arthritis. The use of straight retrograde intramedullary nails is extremely limited because they may interfere with normal heel valgus position and risk damaging the lateral plantar neurovascular structures. Curved retrograde intramedullary nails have been designed to overcome these shortcomings. The purpose of this single surgeon series was to investigate the outcomes of TTCA using a curved retrograde intramedullary nail.

METHODS

From June 2009 to January 2012, 22 patients underwent TTCA using intramedullary nails with a valgus curve by the same senior surgeon. All patients were available for analysis, the mean follow-up being 22.3 months (range, 6.8-38 months). The main outcome measurements included EQ-5D functional scores, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scale, radiologic assessment and clinical examination.

RESULTS

Bony union and a plantigrade foot were achieved in 100% of subjects, the mean time to union being 3.9 months (range, 2.4 to 6.2 months). Structural bone graft was used in all patients. Postoperative radiologic results showed a good hindfoot alignment in all patients. The only complication was one case of delayed wound healing without deep infection. The mean postoperative EQ-5D functional and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores were 69.33 (range, 20 to 90) and 69.9 (range, 45 to 85) points, respectively. No revision surgery was necessary in our cohort.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study indicate that TTCA using a short, retrograde, curved intramedullary nail is an acceptable technique for obtaining solid fusion and good hindfoot alignment inpatients with severe hindfoot disorders.

Poly-(acryl amine-co-dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride) graft starch flocculant for cleaning-up of wastewater

Graft starch flocculant (GSF) was synthesized by copolymerization of carboxymethylated soluble starch, acryl amine and dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride using ceric ammonium nitrate (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 as the polymerization initiator. The morphology was observed by scanning electron microscope, the structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the surface area was measured by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. The experimental results showed that the GSF had huge pore volume, high specific area and proper reaction groups, which could enhance its ability to adsorb heavy metal ions. The adsorption behavior was investigated through batch experiments in simulated Cu(2+)and Pb(2+) ions wastewater, and adsorption characteristics were affected by many factors, such as flocculant concentration, pH of the solution and adsorption time. Finally, the optimal adsorption parameters were gained, with GSF density of 0.024 mg·L(-1), pH of 8 and a reaction time of 30 min. Application experiments adequately demonstrated that the removal ratio of Cu(2+) and Pb(2+) ions for the local wastewater reached about 50% based on the above optimized condition.

Benzylation of heterocyclic N-oxides via direct oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling with toluene derivatives

A novel cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) of heterocyclic N-oxides with toluene derivatives has been disclosed.

Hyaluronic acid functionalized nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots for targeted specific bioimaging

Schematic illustration of the preparation of HA-CQDs (A) and the following bioimaging application (B).

Raman scattering investigation of the quasi-one-dimensional superconductor Ta₄Pd₃Te₁₆

We have performed polarized Raman scattering measurements on the newly discovered superconductor Ta4Pd3Te16 (T(c) = 4.6 K). We observe 28 out of 33 Raman active modes, with frequencies in good accordance with first-principles calculations. Although most of the phonons observed vary only slightly with temperature and do not exhibit any asymmetric profile that would suggest strong electron-phonon coupling, the linewidth of the A(g) phonon mode at 89.9 cm(-1) shows an unconventional increase with temperature decreasing, which is possibly due to a charge-density-wave transition or the emergence of charge-density-wave fluctuations below a temperature estimated to fall in the 140-200 K range.

Pharmacokinetic study of isatin in dog plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

AIM

A sensitive and selective method was developed and validated to study the pharmacokinetics of isatin.

METHODS

The blood samples were pretreated by protein precipitation method using methanol. Quetiapine was used as an internal standard. After pretreatment, the samples were assayed by LC/MS/MS method and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by WinNonlin 5.2 using non-compartment model. The separation was performed on a Venusil XBP PH column (5 µm, 2.0×100 mm) with an isocratic mobile phase consisted of methanol-water (containing 50 mM ammonium formate) (65:35, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The Agilent G6410B triple quadrupole LC/MS system was operated under the multiple reactions monitoring mode (MRM) using the electrospray ionization technique in positive mode.

RESULTS

The lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) of the analyte of the method was 10 ng/mL. The method was linear with correlation coefficient >0.995. The intraday and interday accuracy and precision of the assay were acceptable.

CONCLUSION

This method has been applied successfully to a pharmacokinetic study involving the oral and intravenous administration of isatin to beagle dogs.

Observation of Fermi-Arc Spin Texture in TaAs

We have investigated the spin texture of surface Fermi arcs in the recently discovered Weyl semimetal TaAs using spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The experimental results demonstrate that the Fermi arcs are spin polarized. The measured spin texture fulfills the requirement of mirror and time-reversal symmetries and is well reproduced by our first-principles calculations, which gives strong evidence for the topologically nontrivial Weyl semimetal state in TaAs. The consistency between the experimental and calculated results further confirms the distribution of chirality of the Weyl nodes determined by first-principles calculations.

Oral administration of Lactococcus lactis-expressed recombinant porcine epidermal growth factor stimulates the development and promotes the health of small intestines in early-weaned piglets

AIMS

We previously generated Lactococcus lactis-expressed recombinant porcine epidermal growth factor (LL-pEGF), and demonstrated improved growth performance in early-weaned piglets. This study investigates the effect of LL-pEGF on the development and expression of genes that maintain the structural integrity and function of the small intestine in early-weaned piglets.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The mitogenic effect of porcine epidermal growth factor (pEGF) was tested in vitro with the 5-Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay in fibroblast cells. In the in vivo study, 40 weaned piglets were randomly allocated to control, antibiotic control, Lc. lactis-expressing empty vector (LL-EV) and LL-pEGF treatment groups. Cells treated with LL-pEGF had higher BrdU-positive stained cells than those in the control and the LL-EV treatments (P < 0·05). Scanning electron microscope and histological examination demonstrated that the small intestinal villi treated with LL-pEGF were higher (P < 0·05) than in the other treatments. LL-pEGF increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of the intestinal structural integrity proteins trefoil factor 3, claudin 1 (CLDN1), occludin and zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), the digestive enzymes sucrose, aminopeptidase A, and aminopeptidase N, and the nutrient transporters sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), glucose transporter 2, and peptide transporter 1 (PEPT1) as compared with the control (P < 0·05) in the small intestine. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of CLDN1 in the jejunum and ZO-1 in the ileum were higher in the LL-EV group than in the control group (P < 0·05). LL-EV and the antibiotic control increased SGLT1 mRNA in the jejunum and PEPT1 mRNA in the ileum compared with the control (P < 0·05).

CONCLUSIONS

Recombinant pEGF promotes cell mitosis. Oral administration of Lc. lactis-expressing pEGF stimulated intestinal development by upregulating the gene expression of the intestinal structural integrity proteins, the digestive enzymes and the nutrient transporters.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The combination of epidermal growth factor and genetically modified micro-organisms may be used as dietary supplements to reduce intestinal stress in animals and even humans.

MicroRNA-30d regulates cardiomyocyte pyroptosis by directly targeting foxo3a in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a common cardiac condition in patients with diabetes mellitus, which can result in cardiac hypertrophy and subsequent heart failure, associated with pyroptosis, the pro-inflammatory programmed cell death. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small endogenous non-coding RNAs, have been shown to be involved in diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, whether miRNAs regulate pyroptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy remains unknown. Our study revealed that mir-30d expression was substantially increased in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and in high-glucose-treated cardiomyocytes as well. Upregulation of mir-30d promoted cardiomyocyte pyroptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy; conversely, knockdown of mir-30d attenuated it. In an effort to understand the signaling mechanisms underlying the pro-pyroptotic property of mir-30d, we found that forced expression of mir-30d upregulated caspase-1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Moreover, mir-30d directly repressed foxo3a expression and its downstream protein, apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC). Furthermore, silencing ARC by siRNA mimicked the action of mir-30d: upregulating caspase-1 and inducing pyroptosis. These findings promoted us to propose a new signaling pathway leading to cardiomyocyte pyroptosis under hyperglycemic conditions: mir-30d↑→foxo3a↓→ ARC↓→caspase-1↑→IL-1β, IL-18↑→pyroptosis↑. Therefore, mir-30d may be a promising therapeutic target for the management of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

[Ectopic osteogenesis in vivo using bone morphogenetic protein-2 derived peptide loaded biodegradable hydrogel]

We investigated the development of an injectable, biodegradable hydrogel composite of poly(trimethylene carbonate)-F127-poly(trimethylene carbonate)(PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 )loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) derived peptide P24 for ectopic bone formation in vivo and evaluated its release kinetics in vitro. Then we evaluated P24 peptide release kinetics from different concentration of PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel in vitro using bicinchoninic acid (BCA)assay. P24/ PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was implanted into each rat's erector muscle of spine and ectopic bone formation of the implanted gel in vivo was detected by hematoxylin and eosin stain (HE). PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel with concentration more than 20 percent showed sustained slow release for one month after the initial burst release. Bone trabeculae surround the P24/ PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was shown at the end of six weeks by hematoxylin and eosin stain. These results indicated that encapsulated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) derived peptide P24 remained viable in vivo, thus suggesting the potential of PTMC11-F127-PT- MC11 composite hydrogels as part of a novel strategy for localized delivery of bioactive molecules.

Direct observation of the spin texture in SmB6 as evidence of the topological Kondo insulator

Topological Kondo insulators have been proposed as a new class of topological insulators in which non-trivial surface states reside in the bulk Kondo band gap at low temperature due to strong spin-orbit coupling. In contrast to other three-dimensional topological insulators, a topological Kondo insulator is truly bulk insulating. Furthermore, strong electron correlations are present in the system, which may interact with the novel topological phase. By applying spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, here we show that the surface states of SmB6 are spin polarized. The spin is locked to the crystal momentum, fulfilling time reversal and crystal symmetries. Our results provide strong evidence that SmB6 can host topological surface states in a bulk insulating gap stemming from the Kondo effect, which can serve as an ideal platform for investigating of the interplay between novel topological quantum states with emergent effects and competing orders induced by strongly correlated electrons.

A dosimetric analysis of volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy with jaw width restriction vs 7 field intensity-modulated radiotherapy for definitive treatment of cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

Radiation therapy treatment planning was performed to compare the dosimetric difference between volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy (RapidArc™ v. 10; Varian® Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) and 7-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (7f-IMRT) in the definitive treatment of cervical cancer.

METHODS

13 patients with cervical cancer were enrolled in this study. Planning target volume (PTV) 50 and PTV60 were prescribed at a dose of 50 and 60 Gy in 28 fractions, respectively. The dose to the PTV60 was delivered as a simultaneous integrated boost to the pelvic lymph nodes. Owing to the mechanical limitation of the multileaf collimator in which the maximum displacement was limited to 15 cm, two types of RapidArc with different jaw width restrictions (15 and 20-23 cm) were investigated to evaluate their dosimetric differences. The RapidArc plan type with dosimetric superiority was then compared against the 7f-IMRT on the target coverage, sparing of the organs at risk (OARs), monitor units, treatment time and delivery accuracy to determine whether RapidArc is beneficial for the treatment of cervical cancer.

RESULTS

The 15-cm jaw width restriction had better performance compared with the restrictions that were longer than 15 cm in the sparing of the OARs. The 15-cm RapidArc spared the OARs, that is, the bladder, rectum, small intestine, femoral heads and bones, and improved treatment efficiency compared with 7f-IMRT. Both techniques delivered a high quality-assurance passing rate (>90%) according to the Γ3mm,3% criterion.

CONCLUSION

RapidArc with a 15-cm jaw width restriction spares the OARs and improves treatment efficiency in cervical cancer compared with 7f-IMRT.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This study describes the dosimetric superiority of RapidArc with a 15-cm jaw width restriction and explores the feasibility of using RapidArc for the definitive treatment of cervical cancer.