[Prokaryotic expression and purification of antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and the inhibiting effect against Candida albicans]

OBJECTIVE

To study the inhibitory effect of antimicrobial peptide LL-37 on Candida albicans through its ability to promote the secretion of immune factors by vaginal epithelial cells.

METHODS

(1) LL-37 prokaryotic expression vector pET-Duet/LL-37 was constructed and its expression was induced in Escherichia coli M15. The expressed LL-37 fusion protein was purified and identified by western blot. Antifungal activity of the purified protein was initially identified by Kirby-Bauer (K-B) method. (2) Purified LL-37 protein was added to human vaginal epithelial cells co-cultured with Candida, and inhibitory effect on Candida growth was determined by the glucose consumption method. Interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 10 (IL-10) concentration and IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio were measured by ELISA at different time points.

RESULTS

(1) LL-37 fusion protein was purified to 96% purity at a concentration of 433.92 μg/ml, and was shown to possess anti-fungal activity confirmed by the K-B method. (2) A Candida-vaginal epithelial cells co-culture system was successfully constructed. LL-37 recombinant protein inhibited the growth of Candida with absorbance values significantly higher in the treatment group compared to the control group at all measured time points (12-hour: 3.008±0.003 versus 2.967±0.003, 24-hour: 2.941±0.003 versus 2.601±0.003, 48-hour: 2.893 ± 0.004 versus 2.409 ± 0.003; all P<0.01). Furthermore, the rate of decrease was also much slower compared to the control group. In both control and experimental groups, IFN-γ and IL-10 secretion levels were observed to rise at first peaking at 24 hours and subsequently decrease. For each time period, IFN-γ concentration in the experimental group was significantly higher at 24 hours compared to the control group [(104.00 ± 1.07) versus (85.17 ± 0.28) pg/ml,P<0.01]. In contrast, IL-10 concentrations were significantly lower than the control group at all time points (P<0.01). IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio was also observed to be significantly higher than the control group at all measured time points (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

(1) Recombinant protein LL-37 could significantly inhibit the growth of Candida. (2) By influencing the secretion of immune factors such as IFN-γ, IL-10, etc, recombinant protein LL-37 is able to adjust vaginal epithelial cells local immunity, and enhance resistance to Candida infection.

Synthesis of protein/hydroxyapatite nano-composites by a high-gravity co-precipitation method

A high-gravity co-precipitation strategy was introduced to the fabrication of protein/hydroxyapatite nano-composites with improved protein adsorption efficiencies and enhanced biocompatibilities.

Swimming exercise ameliorates neurocognitive impairment induced by neonatal exposure to isoflurane and enhances hippocampal histone acetylation in mice

Isoflurane-induced neurocognitive impairment in the developing rodent brain is well documented, and regular physical exercise has been demonstrated to be a viable intervention for some types of neurocognitive impairment. This study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of swimming exercise on both neurocognitive impairment caused by repeated neonatal exposure to isoflurane and the underlying molecular mechanism. Mice received 0.75% isoflurane exposures for 4h on postnatal days 7, 8, and 9. From the third month after anesthesia, the mice were subjected to regular swimming exercise for 4weeks, followed by a contextual fear condition (CFC) trial. We found that repeated neonatal exposure to isoflurane reduced freezing behavior during CFC testing and deregulated hippocampal histone H4K12 acetylation. Conversely, mice subjected to regular swimming exercise showed enhanced hippocampal H3K9, H4K5, and H4K12 acetylation levels, increased numbers of c-Fos-positive cells 1h after CFC training, and less isoflurane-induced memory impairment. We also observed increases in histone acetylation and of cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP) during the swimming exercise program. The results suggest that neonatal isoflurane exposure-induced memory impairment was associated with dysregulation of H4K12 acetylation, which may lead to less hippocampal activation following learning tasks. Swimming exercise was associated with enhanced hippocampal histone acetylation and CBP expression. Exercise most likely ameliorated isoflurane-induced memory impairment by enhancing hippocampal histone acetylation and activating more neuron cells during memory formation.

AT1 receptor blockade in the central nucleus of the amygdala attenuates the effects of muscimol on sodium and water intake

The blockade of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) with the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol significantly reduces hypertonic NaCl and water intake by sodium-depleted rats. In the present study we investigated the effects of previous injection of losartan, an angiotensin II type-1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, into the CeA on 0.3M NaCl and water intake reduced by muscimol bilaterally injected into the same areas in rats submitted to water deprivation-partial rehydration (WD-PR) and in rats treated with the diuretic furosemide (FURO). Male Sprague-Dawley rats with stainless steel cannulas bilaterally implanted into the CeA were used. Bilateral injections of muscimol (0.2 nmol/0.5 μl, n=8 rats/group) into the CeA in WD-PR-treated rats reduced 0.3M NaCl intake and water intake, and pre-treatment of the CeA with losartan (50 μg/0.5 μl) reversed the inhibitory effect of muscimol. The negative effect of muscimol on sodium and water intake could also be blocked by pretreatment with losartan microinjected into the CeA in rats given FURO (n=8 rats/group). However, bilateral injections of losartan (50 μg/0.5 μl) alone into the CeA did not affect the NaCl or water intake. These results suggest that the deactivation of CeA facilitatory mechanisms by muscimol injection into the CeA is promoted by endogenous angiotensin II acting on AT1 receptors in the CeA, which prevents rats from ingesting large amounts of hypertonic NaCl and water.

[Surgical treatment of inferior pole comminuted fractures of patella with new type tension band]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effectiveness of inferior pole fracture of patella treating by the new tension band.

METHODS

From Dec. 2011 to Dec. 2013, 21 patients with inferior pole fracture of patella were treated with the new tension band which consisted of cannulated screw, titanium cable and shims. There were 21 patients[10 males, 11 females, the average age was 54 years(21 to 79)],of whom,all were "fell on knees".

RESULTS

The average operation time was 89 min (57-197 min),the follow-up visits were done from 7-31 months (average 18 months), the bone healing time was from 8-12 weeks (average 10.5 weeks). The post operation assessment was done by Bostman score, from 20-30 (average 27),10 excellent,and 11 good. No complication occurred.

CONCLUSION

The new tension band is the effective treatment for inferior pole fracture of patella. The internal fixation is reliable, it is simple to operate, and patients can take exercises as early as possible. Therefore, the new tension band has a better clinical value.

A case of bone marrow infection by Staphylococcus saccharolyticus

We report a case of fatal bone marrow infection caused by Staphylococcus saccharolyticus in a 26 year old female. The causative organism was isolated by anaerobic culture on blood agar, and was identified by PCR amplification of the gap gene and genotyping of the resultant sequence.

Diversity of platelet function and genetic polymorphism in clopidogrel-treated Chinese patients

We investigated the correlation between genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 enzyme genes and the outcome of clopidogrel treatment in 118 coronary disease patients after percutaneous coronary intervention at the Chinese PLA General Hospital. Patients were divided into an ischemia event relapse group (IERG) and a non-IERG group (NIERG) based on relapse of ischemia events within 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention. Ischemia occurred in 26.27% of patients. Thromboelastogram platelet mapping results showed that compared with the NIERG, the ADP-induced platelet inhibition ratio in the IERG was significantly lower (31.33 ± 24.91% vs 54.68 ± 26.63%, P < 0.05). The platelet inhibition ratio of patients carrying mutant alleles CYP3A5*3 (41.98 ± 29.33% vs 52.89 ± 26.49%), CYP2C19*2 (43.15 ± 27.97% vs 55.89 ± 26.71%), and P2Y12*1 (38.74 ± 24.36% vs 52.19 ± 28.58%) was lower than patients with the wild-type alleles. The frequency of ischemia event relapse in patients with the mutant alleles CYP3A5*3 and CYP2C19*2 was significantly higher than patients carrying the G/G genotype; however, there was no significant difference between patients carrying the T/T genotype and C allele of P2Y12*1. Thus, coexisting polymorphisms of CYP3A5*3 and 2C19*2, but not P2Y12*1, play an important role in the variability of clopidogrel's curative effect.

Application value of multislice spiral computed tomography angiography in the evaluation of renal artery variation in living donor kidney transplantation

This study aims to investigate the accuracy and value of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) angiography in the evaluation of renal artery variation in living donor kidney transplantation. Two hundred seventy-three kidney transplantation donors underwent preoperative MSCT scanning. Two doctors determined the running direction and variation of the renal artery through joint analysis of the preoperative original MSCT image and the recombination image using the blind reading method, compared the imaging results with the intraoperative results, and evaluated the accuracy and application value of MSCT angiography in the evaluation of renal artery variation in living donor kidney transplantation. CT angiography (CTA) can better show the renal artery and its variation. A total of 52 accessory renal arteries were found in the 273 kidney transplant operations, whereas 55 accessory renal arteries were found in preoperative MSCT. Four accessory renal arteries indicated in the MSCT were not found during the operation, and one accessory renal artery found during the operation was not indicated in the preoperative MSCT. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of MSCT in the diagnosis of accessory renal arteries were 98.1, 98.2, 92.7, 99.5, and 98.2%, respectively. MSCT angiography can sensitively and accurately show the renal artery and its variation in living donor kidney transplantation, and has important clinical value for the formulation of the operative scheme before the transplantation.

Component-Resolved Diagnostic Study of Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus Major Allergen Molecules in a Southern Chinese Cohort

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Little is known about component-resolved diagnosis (CRD) for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) sensitization in the Chinese population. We aimed to evaluate sensitization to Der p components in southern China.

METHODS

Two-hundred immunotherapy-naïve patients with asthma and/or rhinitis positive to specific IgE (sIgE) against Der p extract, along with 20 Der p-negative nonallergic healthy controls, were tested for sIgE against Der p 1, Der p 2, and Der p 10 using ImmunoCAP 100. Seventy-five were further examined with the ImmunoCAP Immuno Solid-phase Allergen Chip (ISAC). Der p 10-positive patients were also tested for sIgE against crude extracts of cockroach, moth, and shrimp.

RESULTS

In total, 183 (91.5%) of the 200 patients were sensitized to Der p 1 and/or Der p 2. The proportion of positive results and the median level of s1gE against Der p 1 were higher in children than in adults. Der p 1 and Der p 2 correlated with Der p in sIgE levels. ImmunoCAP ISAC demonstrated 100% specificity and 84% sensitivity in detecting Der p 1, Der p 2, and Der p 10 compared with ImmunoCAP 100. Sensitization to Der p 10 correlated well with sIgE to shrimp, moths, cockroaches, Pen m 1, Bla g 7, and Ani s 3.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of Der p 1 and Der p 2 provided a good reflection of atopy to Der p in a Chinese cohort. Sensitization to Der p 10 may result from cross-reactivity with seafood and cockroaches in coastal southern China. ImmunoCAP ISAC may be a useful tool for CRD, with comparable performance to ImmunoCAP 100.

Active yet extremely durable Co3O4 spheroids of different texture without/with Au deposition for CO oxidation

Co₃O₄ spheroids of different texture without/with Au deposition were highly active yet very durable at 60–90 °C for CO oxidation. The calcined Co₃O₄-based catalysts and the yolk–shell type one were even more durable. The catalysts encountered obvious enhancement in CO oxidation activity via in situ pretreatment.

Plasma FGF23 levels and heart rate variability in patients with stage 5 CKD

Fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23) is a bone-derived hormone which regulates mineral homeostasis but may also have a role in cardiovascular disease. Here, we found that higher plasma FGF23 was independently associated with decreased heart rate variability in stage 5 CKD patients and parathyroidectomy may reverse these abnormal indicators.

INTRODUCTION

Lower heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with healthy controls is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Higher levels of plasma FGF23 also predict higher risk of CVD. Here, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between plasma FGF23 levels and HRV in patients with stage 5 CKD and to investigate longitudinal changes of them together with the correlation between their changes in two severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) subgroups with successful parathyroidectomy (PTX) and persistent SHPT.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 100 stage 5 CKD patients, 78 controls, and a prospective study in two PTX subgroups classified as successful PTX (n = 24) and persistent SHPT (n = 4) follow-up. Blood examination and 24-h Holter monitoring for HRV were measured.

RESULTS

Most HRV indices were lower in stage 5 CKD patients than in healthy controls, and plasma FGF23 levels were higher. In multivariate stepwise regression models, levels of plasma FGF23 and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) were correlated with HRV. The successful PTX subgroup had significant improvements over baseline in HRV indices. Persistent SHPT subgroup had numerically similar changes in HRV indices. However, plasma FGF23 levels decreased in both subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma FGF23 levels were higher in CKD patients than in controls, much higher in patients with severe SHPT. FGF23 was independently associated with decreased HRV in stage 5 CKD. Successful PTX may reverse these abnormal indicators and contribute to decreases in the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Hydroxyl-functionalized poly(trimethylene carbonate) electrolytes for 3D-electrode configurations

Hydrogen-bonding hydroxyl side groups in a polycarbonate solid polymer electrolyte lead to improved surface adhesion and enable the application of thin, conformal electrolyte films onto complex 3D-structured electrode substrates.

Functional cardiomyocytes derived from Isl1 cardiac progenitors via Bmp4 stimulation

As heart failure due to myocardial infarction remains a leading cause of morbidity worldwide, cell-based cardiac regenerative therapy using cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) could provide a potential treatment for the repair of injured myocardium. As adult CPCs may have limitations regarding tissue accessibility and proliferative ability, CPCs derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) could serve as an unlimited source of cells with high proliferative ability. As one of the CPCs that can be derived from embryonic stem cells, Isl1 expressing cardiac progenitor cells (Isl1-CPCs) may serve as a valuable source of cells for cardiac repair due to their high cardiac differentiation potential and authentic cardiac origin. In order to generate an unlimited number of Isl1-CPCs, we used a previously established an ESC line that allows for isolation of Isl1-CPCs by green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression that is directed by the mef2c gene, specifically expressed in the Isl1 domain of the anterior heart field. To improve the efficiency of cardiac differentiation of Isl1-CPCs, we studied the role of Bmp4 in cardiogenesis of Isl1-CPCs. We show an inductive role of Bmp directly on cardiac progenitors and its enhancement on early cardiac differentiation of CPCs. Upon induction of Bmp4 to Isl1-CPCs during differentiation, the cTnT+ cardiomyocyte population was enhanced 2.8±0.4 fold for Bmp4 treated CPC cultures compared to that detected for vehicle treated cultures. Both Bmp4 treated and untreated cardiomyocytes exhibit proper electrophysiological and calcium signaling properties. In addition, we observed a significant increase in Tbx5 and Tbx20 expression in differentiation cultures treated with Bmp4 compared to the untreated control, suggesting a link between Bmp4 and Tbx genes which may contribute to the enhanced cardiac differentiation in Bmp4 treated cultures. Collectively these findings suggest a cardiomyogenic role for Bmp4 directly on a pure population of Isl1 expressing cardiac progenitors, which could lead to enhancement of cardiac differentiation and engraftment, holding a significant therapeutic value for cardiac repair in the future.

Lycopene protects pancreatic acinar cells against severe acute pancreatitis by abating the oxidative stress through JNK pathway

This study investigated the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of lycopene on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in both in vivo and in vitro models. Utilizing a rat model, we found that lycopene administration protected against SAP, as indicated by the decreased levels of serum amylase and C-reactive protein. Pathological changes were alleviated by pretreatment with lycopene. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 were decreased by lycopene. The decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in the pancreatic tissues of the lycopene-treated group were indirectly evaluated by measuring the levels of myeloperoxidase, lipid peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. Lycopene protected acinar cells against necrosis and apoptosis by relieving the mitochondrial and endoplasmic stress caused by ROS which was shown in electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry staining of active nuclear factor-κB p65. The protective effect was also observed in a simulated SAP model in a rat acinar cell line. ROS and apoptotic staining were compared between groups. Lycopene exerts protective effects against SAP in rats that may be related to its anti-inflammatory property through inhibiting the expression of damage-associated molecular patterns, and anti-oxidative property which can thus maintain cellular homeostasis and prevent the phosphorylation of JNK pathway.

Pre-clinical efficacy of combined therapy with novel β-catenin antagonist BC2059 and histone deacetylase inhibitor against AML cells

The canonical WNT-β-catenin pathway is essential for self-renewal, growth and survival of AML stem/blast progenitor cells (BPCs). Deregulated WNT signaling inhibits degradation of β-catenin, causing increased nuclear translocation and co-factor activity of β-catenin with the transcriptional regulator TCF4/LEF1 in AML BPCs. Here, we determined the pre-clinical anti-AML activity of the anthraquinone oxime-analog BC2059 (BC), known to attenuate β-catenin levels. BC treatment disrupted the binding of β-catenin with the scaffold protein TBL1 (transducin β-like 1) and proteasomal degradation and decline in the nuclear levels of β-catenin. This was associated with reduced transcriptional activity of TCF4 and expression of its target genes, cyclin D1, c-MYC and survivin. BC treatment dose-dependently induced apoptosis of cultured and primary AML BPCs. Treatment with BC also significantly improved the median survival of immune-depleted mice engrafted with either cultured or primary AML BPCs exhibiting nuclear expression of β-catenin. Co-treatment with the pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat and BC synergistically induced apoptosis of cultured and primary AML BPCs, including those expressing FLT3-ITD, as well as further significantly improved the survival of immune-depleted mice engrafted with primary AML BPCs. These findings underscore the promising pre-clinical activity and warrant further testing of BC against human AML, especially those expressing FLT3-ITD.

A novel biomarker Linc00974 interacting with KRT19 promotes proliferation and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Location-associated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) was reported to interact with target protein via a cis-regulatory process especially for the Flank10kb class lncRNA. Based on this theory, we aimed to explore the regulatory mechanisms of Linc00974 and KRT19 (an lncRNA beyond the Flank10kb class with protein) when we first confirmed the aberrant expression in hepatocellular carcinoma in a previous study. Knockdown of Linc00974 resulted in an inhibition of cell proliferation and invasion with an activation of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro, which was also validated by a subcutaneous and tail vein/intraperitoneal injection xenotransplantation model in vivo. We further investigated the interaction pattern of Linc00974 and KRT19. MiR-642 was identified, by acting as the competing endogenous RNA in regulating Linc00974 and KRT19. Linc00974 was increased owing to an abnormal hypomethylation promoter, which induced the upregulation of KRT19 via ceRNA interaction, resulting in the activation of the Notch and TGF-β pathways as detected by cDNA microarray. We also discovered Linc00974F-1 stably expressed in the plasma. By the combined analysis of Linc00974F-1 with CYFRA21-1, we found that these joint indicators predicted growth and metastasis of tumor in HCC patients. In conclusion, the combination of Linc00974 and KRT19 may be novel indices for clinical diagnosis of tumor growth and metastasis in HCC, while Linc00974 may become a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of HCC progression.

Serum levels of sclerostin, Dickkopf-1, and secreted frizzled-related protein-4 are not changed in individuals with high bone mass causing mutations in LRP5

SUMMARY

We compared circulating levels of Wnt inhibitors among patients with high bone mass mutations in LRP5, unaffected kindred, and unrelated normal controls. Inhibitors were unchanged in affected and unaffected kindred. We saw no meaningful differences between controls and affected individuals. LRP5 signaling may not influence circulating levels of these inhibitors.

INTRODUCTION

It is thought that gain-of-function mutations in LRP5 result in high bone mass syndromes because these allelic variants confer resistance to the actions of endogenous inhibitors of Wnt signaling. We therefore attempted to determine if circulating levels of Wnt inhibitors are altered in patients with gain-of-function mutations in LRP5.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study in a university research center. Serum was collected from consented volunteers known to have either the G171V or N198S gain-of-function mutations in LRP5, kindred members affected with either mutation, unrelated kindred, and unrelated normal age-matched controls. BMD was provided or measured on site.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences found in the serum levels of sclerostin (SOST), Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1), or secreted frizzled-related protein-4 (SFRP-4) in affected vs. unaffected individuals from different kindreds or when compared to age-matched unrelated normal individuals. Mean serum SOST values in affected and unaffected kindred members and unrelated normal controls were 52.7 ± 6.1, 36.5 ± 9.6, and 54.8 ± 5.4, respectively. For Dkk-1, the values were 25.9 ± 3.4, 25.7 ± 3.0, and 17.3 ± 2.3 and for SFRP-4, 38.1 ± 2.3, 39.8 ± 3.6, and 28.5 ± 1.7. Serum levels of RANKL and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were not different in the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating levels of endogenous Wnt inhibitors do not change in patients with gain-of-function mutations in LRP5 including Dkk1, which is suppressed by Wnt signaling. It may be that circulating levels of Wnt inhibitors do not reflect changes in target tissues. It is also possible that other mechanisms besides or in addition to resistance in Wnt inhibitors explains the skeletal effects of these mutations.

Neurotoxicity and mode of action of N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET)

Recent studies suggest that N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and that this action may result in neurotoxicity and pose a risk to humans from its use as an insect repellent. We investigated the mode of action of DEET neurotoxicity in order to define the specific neuronal targets related to its acute toxicity in insects and mammals. Although toxic to mosquitoes (LD₅₀ ca. 1.5 µg/mg), DEET was a poor acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (<10% inhibition), even at a concentration of 10 mM. IC₅₀ values for DEET against Drosophila melanogaster, Musca domestica, and human acetylcholinesterases were 6–12 mM. Neurophysiological recordings showed that DEET had excitatory effects on the housefly larval central nervous system (EC₅₀: 120 µM), but was over 300-fold less potent than propoxur, a standard anticholinesterase insecticide. Phentolamine, an octopamine receptor antagonist, completely blocked the central neuroexcitation by DEET and octopamine, but was essentially ineffective against hyperexcitation by propoxur and 4-aminopyridine, a potassium channel blocker. DEET was found to illuminate the firefly light organ, a tissue utilizing octopamine as the principal neurotransmitter. Additionally, DEET was shown to increase internal free calcium via the octopamine receptors of Sf21 cells, an effect blocked by phentolamine. DEET also blocked Na⁺ and K⁺ channels in patch clamped rat cortical neurons, with IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range. These findings suggest DEET is likely targeting octopaminergic synapses to induce neuroexcitation and toxicity in insects, while acetylcholinesterase in both insects and mammals has low (mM) sensitivity to DEET. The ion channel blocking action of DEET in neurons may contribute to the numbness experienced after inadvertent application to the lips or mouth of humans.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation can improve survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumour thrombosis: extending the indication for ablation?

AIM

To retrospectively assess long-term survival benefit and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumour thrombosis (PVTT), and to evaluate factors that significantly affect outcomes of these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and thirty-four HCC patients (118 men and 16 women; mean age 54.8 years, range 26-79 years) with PVTT were retrospectively assessed. Patients were treated with TACE combined with RFA. Data analysed included patient demographics, liver volume, Child-Pugh score, and Cancer of the Liver Italian Programme (CLIP) score and imaging findings. Survival time (from occurrence of PVTT to last follow-up) was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, predictive factors and its correlation with survival was assessed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression method.

RESULTS

The median overall survival (OS) time was 29.5 months (range 16.6-42.4 months), the 1, 3, and 5 year OS were 63%, 40%, and 23%. Cox hazards regression analysis revealed that functional remnant liver volume (FRLV), remnant liver volume (RLV)/total liver volume (TLV), radiation, tumour number, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) distribution, and gross type were the only independent predictive factors of outcome (p = 0.039, 0.010, 0.009, 0.034, 0.031, and 0.000, respectively).

CONCLUSION

TACE combined with RFA was found to be an effective therapy, FRLV and RLV/TLV have close correlation with survival for HCC patients with PVTT type I, II, or partial III and Child-Pugh A or B.

First Report of Botrytis cinerea Causing Fruit Rot of Pyrus sinkiangensis in China

Fragrant pear, Pyrus sinkiangensis Yu, is widely cultured in northern China, and is typically sweeter and of higher economic value than other pears. (2,3). In early October 2012, a fruit rot affecting approximately 30% of 300 kg of P. sinkiangersis produced in Korla orchards of Xinjiang was observed in a market of Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China. Early symptoms appeared as small, round, pale yellow-brown lesions on the fruit, which expanded from 10 to 20 mm diameter in 7 days. Later, affected fruit completely rotted and were covered with grey-white mycelium after 20 days. On the surface of mycelium, branched, septate conidiophores (2.0 mm tall and 13 to 15 μm thick) were produced. These were melanized at the base and hyaline near the apex. Conidia were hyaline, aseptate, ellipsoidal to obovoid, with a slightly protuberant hilum and ranged from 7 to 13.5 × 5.5 to 8.5 μm. One isolate of the pathogen (zm120286) was made by dispersing conidia on the potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, directly removed from the sporulating tissue with thin needle. The colony was gray to white and produced blackish sclerotia at the edge of the colonies, which was 3.0 to 4.0 × 2.0 to 3.0 mm after 2 weeks of incubation at 22°C. The pathogen was identified as Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr on the basis of the morphology and ITS sequencing of rDNA (1,4). The sequence (GenBank Accession No. KF010847) was 100% identical to the sequences of two Botryotinia fuckeliana (anamorph: Botrytis cinerea) (e.g., GenBank Accession Nos. KC683713, HM849615). Koch's postulates were performed by placing a 5 mm diameter mycelia plug removed from the periphery of a 7-day-old colony of zm120286 on 10 surface-sterilized fresh fragrant pears collected from Korla orchards. An equal number of fresh fragrant pears were inoculated with 5 mm diameter plugs of PDA medium to serve as controls. All fragrant pears were incubated in clear plastic boxes with a dish of sterile distilled water at 25°C under ambient light. Symptoms identical to those described in the outbreak above were observed after 3 days. From each of the symptomatic pears, B. cinerea was recovered, whereas controls remained symptom-free. To our knowledge, this is the first outbreak of B. cinerea on P. sinkiangersis in China, which may necessitate the development of pre-harvest management practices. References: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew, England, 1971. (2) X.W. Li et al. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin, 26(15):100-102, 2010. (3) T. Yu and K. Kuan. Acta Phytotaxon. Sin. 8: 202, 1963. (4) Z. Y. Zhang. Flora Fungorum Sinicorum. Vol. 26. Botrytis, Ramularia. Science Press, Beijing, 2006.

Natriorexigenic effect of DAMGO is decreased by blocking AT1 receptors in the central nucleus of the amygdala

μ-Opioid receptor (μ-OR) activation with agonist [D-Ala², N-Me-Phe⁴, Gly⁵-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) induces sodium (0.3M NaCl) intake in rats. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of pre-injections of losartan (AT1 angiotensin receptor antagonist) into the CeA on 0.3 M NaCl and water intake induced by DAMGO injected bilaterally in the same area in rats submitted to water deprivation-partial rehydration (WD-PR) and in rats treated with the diuretic furosemide (FURO) combined with a low dose of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (CAP) injected subcutaneously (FURO/CAP). Male Sprague-Dawley rats with stainless steel cannulas implanted bilaterally into the CeA were used. In WD-PR rats, bilateral injections of DAMGO (2 nmol in 0.5 μL) into the CeA induced 0.3 M NaCl and water intake, and pre-treatment with losartan (108 nmol in 0.5 μL) injected into the CeA reduced 0.3 M NaCl and water intake induced by DAMGO. In FURO/CAP rats, pre-treatment with losartan (108 nmol in 0.5 μL) injected into the CeA attenuated the increase in 0.3M NaCl and water intake induced by DAMGO (2 nmol in 0.5 μL) injected into the same site. The results suggest that the natriorexigenic effect of DAMGO injected into the CeA is facilitated by endogenous angiotensin II acting on AT1 receptors in the CeA, which drives rats to ingest large amounts of hypertonic NaCl.

miR-30e reciprocally regulates the differentiation of adipocytes and osteoblasts by directly targeting low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6

Reciprocal relationship usually exists between osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis, with factors stimulating one of these processes at the same time inhibiting the other. In the present study, miR-30e was found to be involved in the reciprocal regulation of osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation. Our data indicated that miR-30e was induced in primarily cultured mouse bone marrow stromal cell, mesenchymal cell line C3H10T1/2 and preadipocyte 3T3-L1 after adipogenic treatment. Conversely, it was reduced in mouse stromal line ST2 and preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 after osteogenic treatment. Enforced expression of miR-30e in 3T3-L1 significantly suppressed the growth of the cells and induced the preadipocytes to differentiate into mature adipocytes, along with increased expression of adipocyte-specific transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) and C/EBPβ, and the marker gene aP2. In contrast, inhibition of the endogenous miR-30e enhanced the cell growth and repressed preadipocytes to differentiate. Conversely, supplementing miR-30e activity blocked, whereas knocking down miR-30e enforced the preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 to fully differentiate. Furthermore, miR-30e overexpression stimulated adipocyte formation and inhibited osteoblast differentiation from marrow stromal cells. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6), one of the critical coreceptor for Wnts, was shown to be a direct target of miR-30e by using the luciferase assay. Knockdown of LRP6 in 3T3-L1 cells downregulated β-catenin/T-cell factor (TCF) transcriptional activity and dramatically potentiated the differentiation of the cells into mature adipocytes. Taken together, the present work suggests that the expression of miR-30e is indispensable for maintaining the balance of adipocytes and osteoblasts by targeting the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling.