[Clinical observation of isolated immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis and immunoglobulin G4 sclerosing cholangitis combined autoimmune pancreatitis]

Objective: To compare and analyze patient's general condition, laboratory testing and therapeutic responses of isolated immunoglobulin G4- related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) and immunoglobulin G4 sclerosing cholangitis combined autoimmune pancreatitis (IgG4-SC/AIP). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on IgG4-SC patients who attended outpatient and inpatients department of our hospital from April 2014 to March 2018 and their demographic characteristics, laboratory testing, and therapeutic responses were statistically analyzed. Normal distribution of continuous variables was compared with t-test, non-normal distribution of continuous variables was compared using the Mann-Whitney U test, and the categorical variables were compared with χ (2) test. Results: 29 IgG4-SC patients were included, including 19-isolated IgG4-SC and 10 IgG4-SC combined AIP (IgG4-SC/AIP). The average age of onset in the isolated IgG4-SC group was (46.06±19.03) years which was lower than IgG4-SC/AIP group (62.60±15.11), t = -2.360, P < 0.05. The median IgG4 in IgG4-SC/AIP patients is higher than that in isolated IgG4-SC, respectively 10.87 (3.73 ~ 20.13) and 3.14 (2.37 ~ 4.78)g/L(U = 159.000, P < 0.05). IgG4/IgG ratio is higher in IgG4-SC/AIP, than that in isolated IgG4-SC, respectively 0.62(0.23 ~ 0.86) and 0.16(0.10 ~ 0.21), U = 130.000, P < 0.05. Liver cirrhosis was more common in isolated IgG4-SC group (47%) than the IgG4-SC/AIP group (0), χ (2) = 9.637, P < 0.05. The median biochemical response time of isolated IgG4-SC group was 3.00 (2.00 to 4.00) months, which was longer than 1.00 (1.00 to 1.25) months of IgG4-SC/AIP group, U = 30.000, P < 0.05. The biochemical recurrence rate of isolated IgG4-SC group was 32%, which was lower than that of IgG4-SC/AIP (χ (2) = 6.461, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum IgG4 level and IgG4/IgG ratio were higher in patients with IgG4-SC/AIP group, and therapeutic responses in isolated IgG4-SC patients were worse than that of IgG4-SC/AIP patients. The efficacy of glucocorticoid monotherapy and immunosuppressive agents combined with glucocorticoid therapy demonstrated no considerable difference in IgG4-SC patients.

[Research status and challenges in immunoglobulin G4-related hepatobiliary disease]

IgG4-associated hepatobiliary diseases are group of autoimmune diseases characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates with an elevated serum IgG4 levels, affecting pancreas and biliary tract. In addition, it mainly includes IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis, IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis and IgG4-related autoimmune hepatitis. An accurate diagnosis helps to avoid unnecessary surgery. Notably, an early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis and enhance the quality of life. This review will focus on research advances and difficulties encountered in the study of IgG4 related hepatobiliary diseases.

Opposite Aerosol Index-Cloud Droplet Effective Radius Correlations Over Major Industrial Regions and Their Adjacent Oceans

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) C6 L3 and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA-Interim reanalysis data from 2003 to 2016 are employed to study aerosol-cloud correlations over three industrial regions and their adjacent oceans, as well as explore the impact of meteorological conditions on the correlations. The analysis focusing on liquid and single-layer clouds indicates an opposite aerosol-cloud correlation between land and ocean; namely, cloud effective radius is positively correlated with aerosol index over industrial regions (positive slopes), but negatively correlated over their adjacent oceans (negative slopes), for a quasi-constant liquid water path. The positive slopes are relatively large under low lower-tropospheric stability (LTS; weakly stable condition), but much weaker or even become negative under high LTS (stable conditions) and high liquid water path. The occurrence frequency of cloud top height (CTH) and LTS suggests that positive correlations are more likely corresponding to relatively high CTH and low LTS, while negative to low CTH and high LTS.

Analysis of cases managed by the otolaryngology service in the Chinese military peacekeeping level 2 medical treatment facility in Mali

OBJECTIVES

As part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, the People's Republic of China have deployed a level 2 medical treatment facility (CHN L2). The aim of this study was to review the cases managed by the otolaryngology service within this facility.

METHODS

The medical records of all patients treated by the otolaryngology service at the CHN L2 from 1 March 2015 to 1 March 2018 were retrospectively assessed.

RESULTS

614/10189 (6%) of all cases seen in the hospital during this period were referred to the otolaryngology service. 7/614 cases required admission to hospital (1.14%) and 40/614 cases required surgery (6.51%). 3/40 cases requiring surgery (7.5%) were performed under general anaesthesia and 37 cases (92.5%) were under local anaesthesia. The most common surgical treatment was facial soft-tissue injury debridement and closure. Acute rhinosinusitis was the most common diagnosis, followed by acute pharyngitis and allergic rhinitis. Four patients required medical evacuation to a level 3 medical treatment facility.

CONCLUSIONS

Disease non-battle injury in the form of ear disease was the most common presentation. Maxillofacial soft-tissue injury was the most common cause of traumatic injury. There were limits that the service could provide in terms of medical equipment and consumables, necessitating increased training of otolaryngologists prior to deployment.

[Expression of platelet miR-223 in coronary artery disease patients and its clinical significance]

Objective: To investigate the correlation of the expression of platelet microRNA-223 (miR-223) with the degree of platelet activation and the severity of coronary lesions in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A total of 204 consecutive patients underwent coronary artery angiography (CAG) at Beijing Anzhen Hospital between April and December 2016 were enrolled. According to CAG results, all the patients were divided into two groups: 112 patients in CAD group and 92 patients in control group. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression level of platelet miR-223 and mRNA of its target gene P2Y12. Flow cytometry was performed to detect the expression of platelet associated complement-1 (PAC-1). Results: Compared with control group, the expression level of platelet miR-223 in CAD group was higher [(1.27 (1.17, 1.32) vs 0.73 (0.64, 0.79), P<0.001], while the expression level of P2Y12 mRNA was lower [0.75 (0.51, 0.96) vs 1.00 (0.80, 1.64), P<0.001]. The positive expression rate of PAC-1 of CAD group was higher than that of control group (P<0.001). The expression level of platelet miR-223 was negatively correlated with the expression of P2Y12 (r=-0.39, P=0.02), but positively correlated with the expression of PAC-1 (r=0.50, P<0.001). The platelet miR-223 expression level had a positive correlation with the Gensini score in CAD group (r=0.90, P<0.001), but had no significant correlation with platelet aggregation (r=-0.06, P=0.36). Conclusion: The expression level of platelet miR-223 in patients with CAD may be an indicator for monitoring platelet activation and assessing the severity of CAD.

Are we missing respiratory viral infections in infants and children? Comparison of a hospital-based quality management system with standard of care

OBJECTIVES

Hospital-based surveillance of influenza and acute respiratory infections relies on International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and hospital laboratory reports (Standard-of-Care). It is unclear how many cases are missed with either method, i.e. remain undiagnosed/coded as influenza and other respiratory virus infections. Various influenza-like illness (ILI) definitions co-exist with little guidance on how to use them. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of standard surveillance methods with a prospective quality management (QM) programme at a Berlin children's hospital with the Robert Koch Institute.

METHODS

Independent from routine care, all patients fulfilling pre-defined ILI-criteria (QM-ILI) participated in the QM programme. A separate QM team conducted standardized clinical assessments and collected nasopharyngeal specimens for blinded real-time quantitative PCR for influenza A/B viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus.

RESULTS

Among 6073 individuals with ILI qualifying for the QM programme, only 8.7% (528/6073) would have undergone virus diagnostics during Standard-of-Care. Surveillance based on ICD codes would have missed 61% (359/587) of influenza diagnoses. Of baseline ICD codes, 53.2% (2811/5282) were non-specific, most commonly J06 ('acute upper respiratory infection'). Comparison of stakeholder case definitions revealed that QM-ILI and the WHO ILI case definition showed the highest overall sensitivities (84%-97% and 45%-68%, respectively) and the CDC ILI definition had the highest sensitivity for influenza infections (36%, 95% CI 31.4-40.8 for influenza A and 48%, 95% CI 40.5-54.7 for influenza B).

CONCLUSIONS

Disease-burden estimates and surveillance should account for the underreporting of cases in routine care. Future studies should explore the effect of ILI screening and surveillance in various age groups and settings. Diagnostic algorithms should be based on the WHO ILI case definition combined with targeted testing.

A Doxorubicin-induced Cardiomyopathy Model in Adult Zebrafish

The genetically accessible adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been increasingly used as a vertebrate model for understanding human diseases such as cardiomyopathy. Because of its convenience and amenability to high throughput genetic manipulations, the generation of acquired cardiomyopathy models, such as the doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC) model in adult zebrafish, is opening the doors to new research avenues, including discovering cardiomyopathy modifiers via forward genetic screening. Different from the embryonic zebrafish DIC model, both initial acute and later chronic phases of cardiomyopathy can be determined in the adult zebrafish DIC model, enabling the study of stage-dependent signaling mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. However, variable results can be obtained with the current model, even in the hands of experienced investigators. To facilitate future implementation of the DIC model, we present a detailed protocol on how to generate this DIC model in adult zebrafish and describe two alternative ways of intraperitoneal (IP) injection. We further discuss options on how to reduce variations to obtain reliable results and provide suggestions on how to appropriately interpret the results.

IMA Genome-F 9: Draft genome sequence of Annulohypoxylon stygium, Aspergillus mulundensis, Berkeleyomyces basicola (syn. Thielaviopsis basicola), Ceratocystis smalleyi, two Cercospora beticola strains, Coleophoma cylindrospora, Fusarium fracticaudum, Phialophora cf. hyalina, and Morchella septimelata

Draft genomes of the species Annulohypoxylon stygium, Aspergillus mulundensis, Berkeleyomyces basicola (syn. Thielaviopsis basicola), Ceratocystis smalleyi, two Cercospora beticola strains, Coleophoma cylindrospora, Fusarium fracticaudum, Phialophora cf. hyalina and Morchella septimelata are presented. Both mating types (MAT1-1 and MAT1-2) of Cercospora beticola are included. Two strains of Coleophoma cylindrospora that produce sulfated homotyrosine echinocandin variants, FR209602, FR220897 and FR220899 are presented. The sequencing of Aspergillus mulundensis, Coleophoma cylindrospora and Phialophora cf. hyalina has enabled mapping of the gene clusters encoding the chemical diversity from the echinocandin pathways, providing data that reveals the complexity of secondary metabolism in these different species. Overall these genomes provide a valuable resource for understanding the molecular processes underlying pathogenicity (in some cases), biology and toxin production of these economically important fungi.

Lower bound of network dismantling problem

The network dismantling problem is one of the most fundamental problems in network science. It aims to identify the minimum number of nodes, such that after their removal the network is broken into many disconnected pieces with a sub-extensive size. However, the identification of the minimum removed nodes belongs to the class of nondeterministic polynomial problems. Although many heuristic algorithms have been proposed to identify the removed nodes, the smallest dismantling set remains unknown. Therefore, the determination of a good lower bound of dismantling sets is of great significance to evaluating the performances of heuristic algorithms. The minimum number of deleted nodes to dismantle a network is strictly no smaller than that to dismantle its any subnetwork in nature. Any lower bound of a subnetwork is indeed a lower bound of the original network. Utilizing the heterogeneous degree distribution and 2-core properties, we find that with previous removal of some appropriate nodes, the lower bound obtained on the basis of the subnetwork is counterintuitively significantly better than the one obtained directly on the original network, especially for the real-world networks.

miR-19 targeting of PTEN mediates butyl benzyl phthalate-induced proliferation in both ER(+) and ER(-) breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) is ubiquitous in human's environment, and is strongly linked to breast cancer development. microRNA (miRNA) is an important regulator of target genes. So far, no studies have been reported yet to reveal the action of miRNAs in BBP-mediated breast cancer cell proliferation. In this study, we showed that BBP induced proliferation of both ER(+) MCF-7 and ER(-) MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, proved by increased cell viability, transition of cell cycle from G1 to S phase, upregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Cyclin D1, and downregulation of p21. Meanwhile, the expression of oncogenic miR-19a/b and PTEN/AKT/p21 axis was also modulated by BBP. Furthermore, for the first time we revealed that miR-19 played crucial role in the promoting effect of BBP on breast cancer cells through targeting PTEN 3'UTR. Findings from this study could provide an important new perspective on the molecular mechanisms through which BBP exerts its promoting effect on breast cancer as well as its target intervention.

[A novel chemo-resistant gene MSX2 discovered by establishment of two pancreatic cancer drug resistant cell lines JF305/CDDP and PANC-1/GEM]

Objective: To explore new multidrug resistant genes of pancreatic cancer by establishment and characterization of chemo-resistant cell lines. Methods: The cisplatin-resistant cell line JF305/CDDP and the gemcitabine-resistant cell line PANC-1/GEM were induced by high-dose intermittent treatment. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the 50% inhibiting concentration (IC(50)), drug resistance index (R), cross-resistance, and growth difference of different cells. The changes of cell cycle and migration ability of drug-resistant cells were determined by flow cytometry and transwell assay, respectively. And then real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of multidrug resistance-related genes. Results: The drug resistance indexes of JF305/CDDP and PANC-1/GEM were 15.3 and 27.31, respectively, and there was cross-resistance. Compared with the parental cells, the proliferation rate of JF305/CDDP was decreased by 40% on the fourth day (P<0.05); the proportion of S phase was decreased from (45±2)% to (30±2)% (P<0.05), and the migration ability was enhanced from (32 ±1) cells per field to (158±5) cells per field (P<0.01). The expression of multidrug resistance-related genes MRP2, MDR1, LRP and MSX2 was increased in JF305/CDDP cells (P<0.05). Knockdown of MSX2 in JF305 cells reduced the expression of MRP2, whereas overexpression of MSX2 in PANC-1 cells upregulated MRP2 level (P<0.05). Conclusions: Two stable multidrug resistant cell lines of pancreatic cancer, JF305/CDDP and PANC-1/GEM, were successfully established. MSX2 might be a new drug resistance related gene in pancreatic cancer cells by up-regulation of MRP2 expression.

Comprehensive analyses of the BES1 gene family in Brassica napus and examination of their evolutionary pattern in representative species

BACKGROUND

The BES1 gene family, an important class of plant-specific transcription factors, play key roles in the BR signal pathway in plants, regulating various development processes. Until now, there has been no comprehensive analysis of the BES1 gene family in Brassica napus, and a cross-genome exploration of their origin, copy number changes, and functional innovation in plants was also not available.

RESULTS

We identified 28 BES1 genes in B. napus from its two subgenomes (AA and CC). We found that 71.43% of them were duplicated in the tetraploidization, and their gene expression showed a prominent subgenome bias in the roots. Additionally, we identified 104 BES1 genes in another 18 representative angiosperms and performed a comparative analysis with B. napus, including evolutionary trajectory, gene duplication, positive selection, and expression pattern. Exploiting the available genome datasets, we performed a large-scale analysis across plants and algae suggested that the BES1 gene family could have originated from group F, expanding to form other groups (A to E) by duplicating or alternatively deleting some domains. We detected an additional domain containing M4 to M8 in exclusively groups F1 and F2. We found evidence that whole-genome duplication (WGD) contributed the most to the expansion of this gene family among examined dicots, while dispersed duplication contributed the most to expansion in certain monocots. Moreover, we inferred that positive selection might have occurred on major phylogenetic nodes during the evolution of plants.

CONCLUSIONS

Grossly, a cross-genome comparative analysis of the BES1 genes in B. napus and other species sheds light on understanding its copy number expansion, natural selection, and functional innovation.

HLA-B*07, HLA-DRB1*07, HLA-DRB1*12, and HLA-C*03:02 Strongly Associate With BMI: Data From 1.3 Million Healthy Chinese Adults

Strong associations between HLA alleles and infectious and autoimmune diseases are well established. Although obesity is also associated with these diseases, the relationship between HLA and obesity has not been systematically investigated in a large cohort. In the current study, we analyzed the association of HLA alleles with BMI using data from 1.3 million healthy adult donors from the Chinese Marrow Donor Program (CMDP). We found 23 HLA alleles, including 12 low-resolution and 11 high-resolution alleles, were significantly associated with BMI after correction for multiple testing. Alleles associated with high BMI were enriched in haplotypes that were common in both Chinese and European populations, whereas the alleles associated with low BMI were enriched in haplotypes common only in Asians. Alleles B*07, DRB1*07, DRB1*12, and C*03:02 provided the strongest associations with BMI (P = 6.89 × 10^-10, 1.32 × 10^-9, 1.52 × 10^-9, and 4.45 × 10^-8, respectively), where B*07 and DRB1*07 also had evidence for sex-specific effects (P_{heterogeneity} = 0.0067 and 0.00058, respectively). These results, which identify associations between alleles of HLA-B, DRB1, and C with BMI in Chinese young adults, implicate a novel biological connection between HLA alleles and obesity.

[Anti-CD(25) monoclonal antibody as a salvage therapy for steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease in 80 patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of anti-CD(25) monoclonal antibody for steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (SR-aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients. Methods: A total of 80 patients with SR-aGVHD from January 1st 2012 to December 31st 20l6 were enrolled in this study. Acute GVHD were classified as classic aGVHD (n=72) and late-onset aGVHD (n=8). Anti-CD(25) monoclonal antibodys (mAb) were administrated on days 1, 4, 8, 15, and 22. The efficacy of anti-CD(25) mAb was evaluated at day 28 after the initial treatment. The associated factors of clinical outcome were analyzed. Results: The overall response (OR) rate of anti-CD(25) mAb was 75% (60/80), with complete response (CR) rate, partial response (PR) rate and no response(NR) rate 52.5% (42/80), 22.5% (18/80), and 25% (20/80), respectively. GVHD-relapse was not observed with a median follow-up time of 394.5 days (range, 12-1 761 days). The 6-month overall survival (OS) rate was 68.4%(95%CI 63.2%-73.6%). The 1-year OS rate was 63.1% (95%CI 57.6%-68.6%), and 2-years OS rate was 50.7% (95%CI 44.3%-57.1%). Non-relapse mortality (NRM) rate of 1 and 3 years was 32.6% (95%CI 27.2%-38%) and 41.7% (95%CI 35.3%-48.1%), respectively. The 1 and 2 years cumulative incidence of chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) was 32.9% (95%CI 26.4%-39.4%) and 38.9% (95%CI 31.8%-46.0%). By univariate and multivariate analysis, liver involvement was an independent poor risk factor of SR-aGVHD (OR=4.66, 95%CI 1.145-18.962, P=0.032). Conclusion: Anti-CD(25) mAb serves as an alternative and effective salvage therapy for SR-aGVHD at present. Liver involvement is a predictive factor of poor response in patients with SR-aGVHD.

Experimental study on the evolution of Peregrine breather with uniform-depth adverse currents

A series of laboratory experiments were performed to study the evolution of Peregrine breather (PB) in a wave flume in finite depth, and wave trains were initially generated in a region of quiescent water and then propagated into an adverse current region for which the current velocity strength gradually increased from zero to an approximately stable value. The PB is often considered as a prototype of oceanic freak waves that can focus wave energy into a single wave packet. In the experiment, the cases were selected with the relative water depths k_{0}h (k_{0} is the wave number in quiescent water and h is the water depth) varying from 3.11 through 8.17, and the initial wave steepness k_{0}a_{0} (a_{0} is the background wave amplitude) ranges between 0.065 and 0.120. The experimental results show the persistence of the breather evolution dynamics even in the presence of strong opposing currents. We have shown that the characteristic spectrum of the PB persists even on strong currents, thus making it a viable characteristic for prediction of freak waves. It was also found that the adverse currents tend to shift the focusing point upstream compared to the cases without currents. Furthermore, it was found that uniform-depth adverse currents can reduce the breather extension in time domain.

The inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis weakens the drought tolerance in white clover (Trifolium repens) associated with the alteration of extensive proteins

Changes of endogenous polyamine (PA) levels could be a key adaptive response to drought in plants. White clover pretreated with or without dicyclohexylamine (DCHA), an inhibitor of PA biosynthesis, was subjected to drought stress induced by 18% polyethylene glycol 6000 for 8 days in controlled growth chambers. Results showed that drought stress significantly increased endogenous PA content, whereas DCHA significantly decreased PA accumulation under drought stress. The attenuate PA biosynthesis was unfavorable for plant growth and drought tolerance, as reflected by significantly lower relative water content, relative growth rate, instantaneous water use efficiency, and cell membrane stability in leaves in response to drought. On the basis of proteomic analysis, the inhibition of PA synthesis decreased the accumulation of many key differentially expressed proteins including (1) ribosomal structure and biogenesis: elongation factor, ribosomal protein S10E, and 30S ribosomal protein; (2) amino acid transport and metabolism: cysteine synthase, delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, and glutamate decarboxylase; (3) carbohydrate metabolism and energy production: photosystem apoprotein, sucrose-phosphate synthase, phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, sucrose-phosphatase, NADH oxidoreductase, and ATP synthase; (4) antioxidant metabolism: catalase, peroxidase I, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase; and (5) other biological processes: heat shock protein 70, heat shock protein 90, and calcium-dependent protein kinase associated with the decreased drought tolerance in white clover. These findings indicate that PAs play a critical role in the regulation of growth, ribosome, amino acid and energy metabolism, and antioxidant reactions in white clover under drought stress. Drought-induced increases in endogenous PAs could be one of key adaptive responses against drought stress in white clover.

Individual and combined effects of hepatitis B surface antigen level and viral load on liver cancer risk

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and viral load are both hallmarks of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and have potential to stratify liver cancer risk.

METHODS

We carried out a nested case-control study including 211 liver cancer cases and 221 controls who were seropositive for HBsAg within two population-based cohorts in Shanghai. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Risk of liver cancer was positively related to increasing levels of HBV-DNA and HBsAg in dose-response manners. Compared with subjects with HBV-DNA < 2000 IU/ml, the adjusted ORs increased from 2.11 (95%CI: 0.99-4.50) to 10.47 (95%CI: 5.06-21.68) for those with HBV-DNA level at 2000-19 999 to ≥ 20 000 IU/ml. Compared with subjects at a low level of HBsAg (0.05-99 IU/ml), the adjusted ORs increased from 1.82 (95%CI: 0.90-3.68) to 2.21 (95%CI: 1.10-4.43) for those with HBsAg level at 100-999 to ≥ 1000 IU/ml. Compared with subjects with HBV-DNA < 2000 IU/ml and HBsAg < 100 IU/ml, the adjusted ORs were increased from 2.20 (95%CI: 1.07-4.49) for those with HBV-DNA < 2000 and HBsAg ≥ 100 IU/ml to 6.94 (95%CI: 3.39-14.23) for those with HBV-DNA ≥ 2000 IU/ml and HBsAg < 1000 IU/ml, and 16.15 (95%CI: 7.60-34.32) for those with HBV-DNA ≥ 2000 IU/ml and HBsAg ≥ 1000 IU/ml.

CONCLUSION

Elevated levels of HBV-DNA and HBsAg are associated with increased risks of liver cancer. Chronic HBsAg carriers may be suggested to simultaneously lower the viral load to < 2000 IU/ml and HBsAg level to < 100 IU/ml to lower their liver cancer risk.

[Effect of low-dose or standard-dose conjugated equine estrogen combined with different progesterone on bone density in menopause syndrome women]

Objective: To explore the effect of low-dose or standard-dose conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) combined with natural progesterone or dydrogesterone on bone density in menopause syndrome women. Methods: Totally 123 patients with menopause syndrome were recruited and randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: group A (low-dose CEE+progesterone) , group B (standard-dose CEE+progesterone) , group C (standard-dose CEE+dydrogesterone) . Using continuous sequential regimen, the duration of intervention was 12 cycles. The bone mineral density of lumbar 2-4 and neck of femur, the bone metabolic markers, the level of FSH and estradiol were examined just before the drug administration and 12 months after the beginning of experiment. Results: There were 107 cases completed the one year trial. (1) Bone density: after 12 cycles of treatment, there was no significant change in bone density in group A (P>0.05) ; lumbar vertebrae of group B and C increased significantly, at 3.0% and 2.1%respectively (all P<0.05) . The bone density of left femoral neck of group C significantly increased by 2.9% (P=0.029) . There was no significant difference among the treatment groups at the beginning of experiment (P>0.05) . (2) Bone metabolic markers: after 12 cycles of treatment, the levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, Ca/Cr decreased significantly, the difference were statistically significant (all P<0.05) . There was no significant difference among the treatment groups at the beginning of experiment (P>0.05) . (3) Levels of FSH and estradiol: after 12 cycles of treatment, the levels of FSH in three groups were decreased significantly (all P<0.01) . The levels of estradiol in three groups were increased significantly (all P<0.01) . There was no significant difference among the treatment groups at the beginning of experiment (P>0.05) . Conclusions: Both low-dose and standard-dose menopause hormone therapy (MHT) could elevate the level of estradiol, reduce bone turnover, prevent bone loss of postmenopausal women effectively. The standard dose of MHT could also increase the density of vertebrae and femoral neck, and generate more clinical benefits.

The Gastrodia elata genome provides insights into plant adaptation to heterotrophy

We present the 1.06 Gb sequenced genome of Gastrodia elata, an obligate mycoheterotrophic plant, which contains 18,969 protein-coding genes. Many genes conserved in other plant species have been deleted from the G. elata genome, including most of those for photosynthesis. Additional evidence of the influence of genome plasticity in the adaptation of this mycoheterotrophic lifestyle is evident in the large number of gene families that are expanded in G. elata, including glycoside hydrolases and urease that likely facilitate the digestion of hyphae are expanded, as are genes associated with strigolactone signaling, and ATPases that may contribute to the atypical energy metabolism. We also find that the plastid genome of G. elata is markedly smaller than that of green plant species while its mitochondrial genome is one of the largest observed to date. Our report establishes a foundation for studying adaptation to a mycoheterotrophic lifestyle.

The Gastrodia elata genome provides insights into plant adaptation to heterotrophy

We present the 1.06 Gb sequenced genome of Gastrodia elata, an obligate mycoheterotrophic plant, which contains 18,969 protein-coding genes. Many genes conserved in other plant species have been deleted from the G. elata genome, including most of those for photosynthesis. Additional evidence of the influence of genome plasticity in the adaptation of this mycoheterotrophic lifestyle is evident in the large number of gene families that are expanded in G. elata, including glycoside hydrolases and urease that likely facilitate the digestion of hyphae are expanded, as are genes associated with strigolactone signaling, and ATPases that may contribute to the atypical energy metabolism. We also find that the plastid genome of G. elata is markedly smaller than that of green plant species while its mitochondrial genome is one of the largest observed to date. Our report establishes a foundation for studying adaptation to a mycoheterotrophic lifestyle.

PR-957 mediates neuroprotection by inhibiting Th17 differentiation and modulating cytokine production in a mouse model of ischaemic stroke

Acute ischaemic stroke can induce secondary brain injury by activating an inflammatory response that contributes to clinical impairment. As a specific inhibitor of the immunoproteasome subunit low molecular weight polypeptide 7 (LMP7), PR-957 may participate in regulating pathophysiological and inflammatory responses in multiple diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). We investigated the neuroprotective properties of PR-957 in a mouse model of stroke, induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After MCAO and injections of PR-957 or vehicle, we evaluated mice behaviourally using modified Neurological Severity Scores (mNSS) and sensorimotor tests, including the adhesive-removal test, a foot-fault test and an inclined plane test. Infarct volume was measured 24 and 72 h after MCAO. Infiltration by different lymphocyte subpopulations was evaluated by flow cytometry and immunofluorescent staining of brain tissue from the penumbral area. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to measure the expression of proinflammatory cytokines: interkeukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17A, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Expression of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT-3) protein levels in brain was measured by immunoblot. MCAO mice treated with PR-957 showed a significant decrease in infarct volume and had mild neurological deficits compared to vehicle-treated mice. PR-957 administration also significantly decreased IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17A and TNF-α. PR-957 provides neuroprotection via inhibiting T lymphocyte infiltration and decreasing T helper type 17 (Th17) cell differentiation in MCAO mice, which may result from the reduced expression of pSTAT-3. The neuroprotective effect of PR-957 indicates its potential utility as anti-inflammatory therapy for ischaemic stroke.