The adverse effects of long-term l-carnitine supplementation on liver and kidney function in rats

Levo-Carnitine (l-carnitine) is widely used in health and food. This study was to focus on the adverse effects of 8-week oral supplementation of l-carnitine (0.3 and 0.6 g/kg) in female and male Sprague Dawley rats. l-carnitine reduced body and fat weights, as well as serum, liver, and kidney lipid levels in rats. Simultaneously, hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation and lipid synthesis were disturbed in l-carnitine-fed rats. Moreover, l-carnitine accelerated reactive oxygen species production in serum and liver, thereby triggering hepatic NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation to elevate serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 levels in rats. Alteration of serum alkaline phosphatase levels further confirmed liver dysfunction in l-carnitine-fed rats. Additionally, l-carnitine may potentially disturb kidney function by altering renal protein levels of rat organic ion transporters. These observations may provide the caution information for the safety of long-term l-carnitine supplementation.

Immunotherapy using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells to treat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced by Gram-negative bacteria induces tolerance and suppresses inflammatory responses in vivo; however, the mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study we show that LPS induces apoptosis of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and modulates phenotypes of DCs. LPS treatment up-regulates expression of tolerance-associated molecules such as CD205 and galectin-1, but down-regulates expression of Gr-1 and B220 on CD11c(+) DCs. Moreover, LPS treatment regulates the numbers of CD11c(+) CD8(+) , CD11c(+) CD11b(low) and CD11c(+) CD11b(hi) DCs, which perform different immune functions in vivo. Our data also demonstrated that intravenous transfer of LPS-treated DCs blocks experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) development and down-regulates expression of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (ROR-γt), interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22 and interferon (IFN)-γ in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-primed CD4(+) T cells in the peripheral environment. These results suggest that LPS-induced apoptotic DCs may lead to generation of tolerogenic DCs and suppress the activity of MOG-stimulated effector CD4(+) T cells, thus inhibiting the development of EAE in vivo. Our results imply a potential mechanism of LPS-induced tolerance mediated by DCs and the possible use of LPS-induced apoptotic DCs to treat autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Production of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] 7 TeV

The production of the strange and double-strange baryon resonances ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) has been measured at mid-rapidity ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]) in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 7 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. Transverse momentum spectra for inelastic collisions are compared to QCD-inspired models, which in general underpredict the data. A search for the [Formula: see text] pentaquark, decaying in the [Formula: see text] channel, has been carried out but no evidence is seen.

Regulating the hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanorods to optimize the performance of spirally hierarchical structure-based glucose sensors

Synthesizing parameters of ZnO nanorods significantly affect the surface morphologies and further the performance of spirally hierarchical structure-based glucose sensors.

The contribution of TGF-β in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT): Down-regulation of E-cadherin via snail

TGF-β plays a central role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is a highly conserved and reversible process that governs tumor development, invasion and metastasis. Through this transition, the epithelial cell acquires a migratory behavior which allows it to move away from the cell community and to integrate into the surrounding tissue. The cells lost epithelial phenotypes including the change of cell polarity and the loss of specialized cell-cell contacts, which related with the shortage of E-cadherin directly. The increasing reports indicated that TGF-β down-regulated the expression of E-cadherin through snail signaling pathway, which played an important role in the development of EMT. In this review, we summarized the contribution of TGF-β in EMT and discussed the molecular mechanism of snail signaling participating in the regulation of E-cadherin triggered by TGF-β.

KEYWORDS

TGF-β, Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT), snail family, E-cadherin.

Exclusive J/ψ photoproduction off protons in ultraperipheral p-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV

We present the first measurement at the LHC of exclusive J/ψ photoproduction off protons, in ultraperipheral proton-lead collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. Events are selected with a dimuon pair produced either in the rapidity interval, in the laboratory frame, 2.5<y<4 (p-Pb) or -3.6<y<-2.6 (Pb-p), and no other particles observed in the ALICE acceptance. The measured cross sections σ(γ+p→J/ψ+p) are 33.2±2.2(stat)±3.2(syst)±0.7(theor)  nb in p-Pb and 284±36(stat)_{-32}^{+27}(syst)±26(theor)  nb in Pb-p collisions. We measure this process up to about 700 GeV in the γp center of mass, which is a factor of two larger than the highest energy studied at HERA. The data are consistent with a power law dependence of the J/ψ photoproduction cross section in γp energies from about 20 to 700 GeV, or equivalently, from Bjorken x scaling variable between ∼2×10^{-2} and ∼2×10^{-5}, thus indicating no significant change in the gluon density behavior of the proton between HERA and LHC energies.

Measurement of prompt D-meson production in p-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV

The p_{T}-differential production cross sections of the prompt charmed mesons D^{0}, D^{+}, D^{*+}, and D_{s}^{+} and their charge conjugate in the rapidity interval -0.96<y_{cms}<0.04 were measured in p-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The nuclear modification factor R_{pPb}, quantifying the D-meson yield in p-Pb collisions relative to the yield in pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, is compatible within the 15%-20% uncertainties with unity in the transverse momentum interval 1<p_{T}<24  GeV/c. No significant difference among the R_{pPb} of the four D-meson species is observed. The results are described within uncertainties by theoretical calculations that include initial-state effects. The measurement adds experimental evidence that the modification of the momentum spectrum of D mesons observed in Pb-Pb collisions with respect to pp collisions is due to strong final-state effects induced by hot partonic matter.

Correlation between DQB1 genetic polymorphism and genetic susceptibility in patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea

We examined patients of Han nationality diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in Guangdong, China, to analyze the correlation between DQB1 allele polymorphisms and the genetic susceptibility to IBS-D. A total of 120 IBS-D patients of Han nationality in Guangdong, China, and 60 healthy control volunteers were included. DQB1 allele polymorphisms were investigated by polymerase chain reaction. Subjects' serum interleukin (IL)-10 level, colonic permeability, and tight junction marker zonula occludens 1 (ZO1) mRNA level were also investigated. Our data showed that the DQB1*02 allele frequency was significantly higher in IBS-D patients, while the DQB1*0603 frequency was lower than in healthy volunteers. The DQB1*03, DQB1*04, DQB1*05, DQB1*0601, DQB1*0602, and DQB1*0604 alleles did not show significant differences between IBS-D patients and healthy controls. Furthermore, patients with DQB1*03- positive and DQB1*0603-negative alleles showed more severe colonic permeability and lower serum IL-10 level and ZO1 level compared to healthy controls or even IBS-D patients with other genotypes. The present study indicated the DQB1*02 or DQB1*0603 alleles are related to IBS-D occurrence in Guangdong, China, and the mechanism of the disease may be related to reduced serum IL-10 levels.

Association of polymorphisms of angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 with retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus among Chinese individuals

AIMS

To examine the association of Angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene polymorphisms and retinopathy in a Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cohort.

METHODS

A total of 743 T2DM participants were involved in this study including 408 female and 335 male cases. Female cases were divided into two groups: diabetes without retinopathy (DNR group, n=171) and with retinopathy (DR group, n=237), the latter was further subclassified into nonproliferative DR (NPDR group, n=121) and proliferative DR (PDR group, n=116). Male cases were assigned to DNR group (n=153) and DR group (n=182) which was further grouped into NPDR group (n=86) and PDR group (n=96). Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs2074192 and rs714205) in ACE2 gene were genotyped.

RESULTS

In female cases, the frequency of genotypes TT in rs2074192 and CC in rs714205 were higher in DR and PDR group than in DNR group (P<0.05). The frequency of alleles T in SNP rs2074192 and C in SNP rs714205 was higher in DR group (P<0.05) and PDR group (P<0.05) than in DNR group. The frequency of allele T in SNP rs2074192 was higher in PDR group (P=0.04) than in NPDR group. The frequency of haplotype TC and CG was higher in DR and PDR groups, respectively (P<0.05). No positive results were found in male cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed that SNPs rs2074192 and rs714205 in ACE2 gene were associated with the susceptibility of DR and PDR.

High statistics measurement of the positron fraction in primary cosmic rays of 0.5-500 GeV with the alpha magnetic spectrometer on the international space station

A precision measurement by AMS of the positron fraction in primary cosmic rays in the energy range from 0.5 to 500 GeV based on 10.9 million positron and electron events is presented. This measurement extends the energy range of our previous observation and increases its precision. The new results show, for the first time, that above ∼200  GeV the positron fraction no longer exhibits an increase with energy.

Expression of urocortin and corticotrophin-releasing hormone receptor-2 in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

INTRODUCTION

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Fetal distress in ICP is an acute process, and the abnormal expression of placental local vasodilatory factors play an essential role. Urocortin (UCN) exhibits a powerful concentration-dependent vasodilatation effect in the utero-placental-fetal unit. Our study aimed to investigate placental and serum UCN expression in ICP patients.

METHODS

Blood and placenta samples were obtained from the ICP patients and controls. UCN and corticotrophin-releasing hormone receptor-2 (CRH-R2) expression were detected by ELISA, immunohistochemistry, Western Blotting and real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Placental UCN expression of ICP was lower compare to the controls (0.27 ± 0.11 vs. 0.85 ± 0.21) (P < 0.05). Placental CRH-R2 (0.97 ± 0.09 vs. 0.86 ± 0.09) showed no difference between the ICP and controls (P > 0.05). Placental UCN mRNA (1.45 ± 0.31 vs. 0.72 ± 0.29) and CRH-R2 mRNA expression (1.11 ± 0.10 vs. 0.84 ± 0.24) were higher compared to the controls (all P < 0.05). Maternal serum UCN levels demonstrated no difference from 34 (79.47 ± 11.35 pg/ml) to 37 (84.24 ± 13.62 pg/ml) weeks of gestation in controls (P > 0.05). Maternal serum UCN levels of ICP were decreased from 34 (68.53 ± 16.95 pg/ml) to 37 (47.91 ± 15.65 pg/ml) weeks of gestation (P < 0.05) and were lower than controls at 35 (64.19 ± 22.50 pg/ml), 36 (50.06 ± 13.98 pg/ml) and 37 weeks of gestation (all P < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

The down-regulated UCN expression in the placenta and maternal serum during ICP may impair the blood flow regulation of the utero-placental-fetal unit and contribute to fetal distress. Maternal serum UCN levels might represent a potential clinical predictor of adverse fetal outcomes and optimize the clinical management.

Measurement of quarkonium production at forward rapidity in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text]TeV

The inclusive production cross sections at forward rapidity of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text](1S) and [Formula: see text](2S) are measured in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.35 pb[Formula: see text]. Quarkonia are reconstructed in the dimuon-decay channel and the signal yields are evaluated by fitting the [Formula: see text] invariant mass distributions. The differential production cross sections are measured as a function of the transverse momentum [Formula: see text] and rapidity [Formula: see text], over the ranges [Formula: see text] GeV/c for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] GeV/c for all other resonances and for [Formula: see text]. The measured cross sections integrated over [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and assuming unpolarized quarkonia, are: [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]b, [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]b, [Formula: see text] nb and [Formula: see text] nb, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second one is systematic. The results are compared to measurements performed by other LHC experiments and to theoretical models.

The burden of influenza-like illness in the US workforce

BACKGROUND

The disease burden of influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) on the working population has been documented in the literature, but statistical evidence of ILI-related work absenteeism in the USA is limited due to data availability.

AIMS

To assess work absenteeism due to ILIs among privately insured employees in the USA in 2007-8 and 2008-9.

METHODS

We used the 2007-9 MarketScan® research databases. Full-time employees aged 18-64 years, with the ability to incur work absence and continuously enrolled in the same insurance plan during each season were included. We identified ILI episodes using ICD-9 codes for influenza and pneumonia (480-487). For each season, we calculated the mean work-loss hours per ILI episode and the proportion of employees who had at least one ILI episode. Work-loss hours and ILI rates were examined by subgroups.

RESULTS

The mean number of work hours lost per ILI episode was 23.6 in 2007-8 and 23.9 in 2008-9. The proportion of employees with at least one ILI was 1.7% in 2007-8 and 1.2% in 2008-9. In both seasons, the proportion with ILI was higher among older (2.1 and 1.5%) and hourly workers (2.0 and 1.3%), workers in the southern region (1.9 and 1.3%) and those in oil, gas or mining industries (1.9 and 1.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the disease burden associated with ILIs in the working population is not trivial and deserves attention from policymakers and health care professionals to design effective strategies to reduce this burden.

Rotavirus vaccines and health care utilization for diarrhea in the United States (2007-2011)

OBJECTIVES

To examine reductions in diarrhea-associated health care utilization after rotavirus vaccine implementation and to assess direct and indirect effectiveness of vaccination.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort analysis of claims data of commercially insured US children aged <5 years. We examined annual pentavalent (RV5) and monovalent (RV1) rotavirus vaccine coverage. We compared rates of diarrhea-associated health care utilization in prevaccine (2001-2006) versus postvaccine introduction (2007-2011) years, compared rates of diarrhea-associated health care utilization in vaccinated versus unvaccinated children and compared rates in unvaccinated children in postvaccine versus prevaccine years.

RESULTS

Among children aged <5 years, RV5 and RV1 rotavirus vaccine coverage rates reached 58% and 5%, respectively, by December 31, 2010. Compared with the average rate of rotavirus-coded hospitalizations in 2001-2006, rates were reduced by 75% in 2007-2008, 60% in 2008-2009, 94% in 2009-2010, and 80% in 2010-2011. Compared with unvaccinated children, in 2010-2011, the rate of rotavirus-coded hospitalizations was reduced by 92% among RV5 recipients and 96% among RV1 recipients. Rotavirus-coded hospitalization rate reductions among RV5 recipients versus unvaccinated children ranged from 87% among <1-year-olds to 81% among 4-year-olds. Compared with prevaccine rates in 2001-2006, rotavirus-coded hospitalization rates among unvaccinated children decreased by 50% in 2007-2008, 77% in 2009-2010, and 25% in 2010-2011.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of rotavirus vaccines has substantially reduced diarrhea health care utilization in US children. Both rotavirus vaccines conferred high protection against rotavirus hospitalizations; RV5 conferred durable protection through the fourth year of life. Vaccination also conferred indirect benefits to unvaccinated children.

Benefits from immunization during the vaccines for children program era - United States, 1994-2013

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program was created by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 and first implemented in 1994. VFC was designed to ensure that eligible children do not contract vaccine-preventable diseases because of inability to pay for vaccine and was created in response to a measles resurgence in the United States that resulted in approximately 55,000 cases reported during 1989-1991. The resurgence was caused largely by widespread failure to vaccinate uninsured children at the recommended age of 12-15 months. To summarize the impact of the U.S. immunization program on the health of all children (both VFC-eligible and not VFC-eligible) who were born during the 20 years since VFC began, CDC used information on immunization coverage from the National Immunization Survey (NIS) and a previously published cost-benefit model to estimate illnesses, hospitalizations, and premature deaths prevented and costs saved by routine childhood vaccination during 1994-2013. Coverage for many childhood vaccine series was near or above 90% for much of the period. Modeling estimated that, among children born during 1994- 2013, vaccination will prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes, at a net savings of $295 billion in direct costs and $1.38 trillion in total societal costs. With support from the VFC program, immunization has been a highly effective tool for improving the health of U.S. children.

Economic evaluation of the routine childhood immunization program in the United States, 2009

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the economic impact of the 2009 routine US childhood immunization schedule, including diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate, inactivated poliovirus, measles/mumps/rubella, hepatitis B, varicella, 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate, hepatitis A, and rotavirus vaccines; influenza vaccine was not included.

METHODS

Decision analysis was conducted using population-based vaccination coverage, published vaccine efficacies, historical data on disease incidence before vaccination, and disease incidence reported during 2005 to 2009. Costs were estimated using the direct cost and societal (direct and indirect costs) perspectives. Program costs included vaccine, administration, vaccine-associated adverse events, and parent travel and work time lost. All costs were inflated to 2009 dollars, and all costs and benefits in the future were discounted at a 3% annual rate. A hypothetical 2009 US birth cohort of 4,261,494 infants over their lifetime was followed up from birth through death. Net present value (net savings) and benefit-cost ratios of routine childhood immunization were calculated.

RESULTS

Analyses showed that routine childhood immunization among members of the 2009 US birth cohort will prevent ∼42,000 early deaths and 20 million cases of disease, with net savings of $13.5 billion in direct costs and $68.8 billion in total societal costs, respectively. The direct and societal benefit-cost ratios for routine childhood vaccination with these 9 vaccines were 3.0 and 10.1.

CONCLUSIONS

From both direct cost and societal perspectives, vaccinating children as recommended with these vaccines results in substantial cost savings.

First Report of Dimethachlon Resistance in Field Isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Oilseed Rape in Shaanxi Province of Northwestern China

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen causing diseases in a wide range of plants, including oilseed rape (3). Substantial economic losses caused by S. sclerotiorum have been reported in the United States, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Hungary, India, Nepal, and Japan (1). Application of fungicides is the principal tool for controlling S. sclerotiorum because of lack of high level of host resistance. Dicarboximide fungicides such as dimethachlon have been widely used to control S. sclerotiorum in recent years in China and field isolates with reduced sensitivity to dimethachlon have been reported in Jiangsu Province of eastern China (2). In order to understand the current status of dimethachlon resistance in S. sclerotiorum isolates of northwestern China, 196 and 344 isolates of S. sclerotiorum collected from oilseed rape fields in 10 counties throughout Shaanxi Province in 2011 and 2012, respectively, were assayed for sensitivity to dimethachlon using 5 μg ml^-1 dimethachlon as a discriminatory dose. Mycelial plugs (6 mm in diameter) cut from the margin of a 48-h-old colony were placed in the center of petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 5 μg ml^-1 dimethachlon; PDA without fungicide served as the control. Cultures were incubated at 26°C and colony growth was measured after 72 h of incubation. Isolates that showed growth on PDA amended with fungicide were tentatively considered resistant to dimethachlon, whereas the completely inhibited isolates were considered sensitive. Results showed that 1.02% or 2 isolates of the 196 isolates collected in 2011 and 3.78% or 13 isolates of the 344 isolates collected in 2012 were resistant to dimethachlon. For all the isolates considered resistant and 42 randomly selected sensitive isolates, 50% effective concentrations (EC₅₀) were determined on PDA amended with a series of dimethachlon concentrations. The average EC₅₀ value of dimethachlon for sensitive isolates was 0.29 ± 0.02 μg ml^-1 Resistance ratios (EC₅₀ of resistant isolate / average EC₅₀ of sensitive isolates) for the two resistant isolates detected in 2011 were 10.28 and 23.83, respectively, whereas resistance ratios for the 13 resistant isolates detected in 2012 ranged from 24.90 to 101.97. The average EC₅₀ value of dimethachlon for the 13 resistant isolates detected in 2012 was 19.05 μg ml^-1, and EC₅₀ values for the two resistant isolates detected in 2011 were 2.98 and 6.91 μg ml^-1, respectively. These results indicated that both resistance frequency and resistance level increased from 2011 to 2012. Bioassay results of three resistant isolates indicated that there was positive cross-resistance between dimethachlon and other dicarboximide fungicides such as iprodione and procymidone. To our knowledge, this is the first report of dimethachlon resistance in S. sclerotiorum in Shaanxi Province of northwestern China. The molecular mechanism of dimethachlon resistance in field isolates of S. sclerotiorum remains to be studied. Although resistance frequency is low at present, dimethachlon resistance should be kept in mind and fungicide resistance management tactics such as use of biological control agents, fungicide tank-mixing, or alternating dimethachlon with other fungicides having different modes of action is recommended in controlling S. sclerotiorum. References: (1) M. D. Bolton et al. Mol Plant Pathol. 7:1, 2006. (2) H. X. Ma et al. Plant Dis. 93:36, 2009. (3) L. H. Prudy. Phytopathology 69:875, 1979.

Simulation of the phase diagram of magnetic vortices in two-dimensional superconductors: evidence for vortex chain formation

We study the superconducting vortex states induced by the interplay of long-range Pearl repulsion and short-range intervortex attraction using Langevin dynamics simulations. We show that at low temperatures the vortices form an ordered Abrikosov lattice both in low and high fields. The vortices show distinctive modulated structures at intermediate fields depending on the effective intervortex attraction: ordered vortex chain and kagome-like vortex structures for weak attraction; bubble, stripe and antibubble lattices for strong attraction. Moreover, in the regime of the chain state, the vortices display structural transitions from chain to labyrinthine (or disordered chain) and/or to disordered states depending on the strength of the disorder.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: the association between human papillomavirus infection and oesophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection might be one of the potential risk factors for oesophageal cancer. However, the previous epidemiological findings were heterogeneous.

AIM

To explore the association between HPV infection and oesophageal cancer risk by means of meta-analysis.

METHODS

Studies on HPV infection and oesophageal cancer were identified, the prevalence of HPV infection and its association with oesophageal cancer risk were quantitatively summarised by meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 8990 oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients and 174 oesophageal adenocarcinomas patients were evaluated from 76 included studies. Summarised HPV prevalence in oesophageal SCC was 22.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 18.3-26.7%], HPV-16 was the most frequently observed subtype with a summarised prevalence of 11.4% (95% CI: 8.2-15.7%). With respect to oesophageal adenocarcinoma, HPV prevalence was 35.0% (95% CI, 13.2-65.7%) and HPV-16 prevalence was 11.4% (95% CI: 8.2-15.7%). Due to the limited number of included studies on oesophageal adenocarcinoma, association analyses were performed to oesophageal SCC only. Significant association was observed between HPV infection and oesophageal SCC with a summarised odds ratio of 3.32 (95% CI, 2.26-4.87). According to HPV-16, the strength of the association was found to be 3.52 (95% CI, 2.04-6.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Human papillomavirus infection was observed to be associated with an increased risk of oesophageal SCC in this meta-analysis. However, due to the evident heterogeneity observed between the included studies and the strength of the association not as strong as observed for cervical cancer and laryngeal cancer, further studies are needed to clarify the relation and its underlying mechanisms.

Effects of liver diseases on drug-metabolizing enzymes: implications for drug fate alterations and nano-therapeutic openings

Metabolizing and eliminating toxic chemicals in the liver are key processes in the body's defense system. Drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) play central roles in such processes. The activity and expression of several key DMEs are changed in various liver diseases and thus lead to significantly altered drug disposition. This phenomenon severely affects the pharmacotherapy of clinical medications in terms of the safety and efficacy of drug responses. This review highlights liver physiological functions, altered DMEs, and altered drug disposition in liver diseases. Moreover, the implications of changes in DMEs on the fate of clinically relevant drugs are also discussed. Pregnane X receptor and constitutive androstane receptor are two liver-enriched nuclear receptors originally defined as xenobiotic sensors that affect regulation of DMEs. Altered regulation of DMEs in liver diseases contributes to the development of powerful in vitro and in vivo tools to predict drug responses and options for improved drug delivery and development. Although a number of treatment drugs are available for liver diseases, they are limited by their low drug concentration in the target site, presence of side effects, and instability in the human body. The nanoparticle drug delivery system has recently attracted research attention because of its potential to offer solutions to current obstacles that involve the use of therapeutic drugs for liver diseases. Conclusively, this review aims to improve understanding on the regulation of DMEs in liver diseases and on corresponding implications in drug disposition, including novel therapeutic medications.

Energy dependence of the transverse momentum distributions of charged particles in pp collisions measured by ALICE

Differential cross sections of charged particles in inelastic pp collisions as a function of p_T have been measured at [Formula: see text] at the LHC. The p_T spectra are compared to NLO-pQCD calculations. Though the differential cross section for an individual [Formula: see text] cannot be described by NLO-pQCD, the relative increase of cross section with [Formula: see text] is in agreement with NLO-pQCD. Based on these measurements and observations, procedures are discussed to construct pp reference spectra at [Formula: see text] up to p_T=50 GeV/c as required for the calculation of the nuclear modification factor in nucleus-nucleus and proton-nucleus collisions.

Directed flow of charged particles at midrapidity relative to the spectator plane in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

The directed flow of charged particles at midrapidity is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV relative to the collision symmetry plane defined by the spectator nucleons. A negative slope of the rapidity-odd directed flow component with approximately 3 times smaller magnitude than found at the highest RHIC energy is observed. This suggests a smaller longitudinal tilt of the initial system and disfavors the strong fireball rotation predicted for the LHC energies. The rapidity-even directed flow component is measured for the first time with spectators and found to be independent of pseudorapidity with a sign change at transverse momenta p(T) between 1.2 and 1.7  GeV/c. Combined with the observation of a vanishing rapidity-even p(T) shift along the spectator deflection this is strong evidence for dipolelike initial density fluctuations in the overlap zone of the nuclei. Similar trends in the rapidity-even directed flow and the estimate from two-particle correlations at midrapidity, which is larger by about a factor of 40, indicate a weak correlation between fluctuating participant and spectator symmetry planes. These observations open new possibilities for investigation of the initial conditions in heavy-ion collisions with spectator nucleons.

K(S)0 and Λ production in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

The ALICE measurement of K(S)(0) and Λ production at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV is presented. The transverse momentum (p(T)) spectra are shown for several collision centrality intervals and in the p(T) range from 0.4 GeV/c (0.6 GeV/c for Λ) to 12 GeV/c. The p(T) dependence of the Λ/K(S)(0) ratios exhibits maxima in the vicinity of 3 GeV/c, and the positions of the maxima shift towards higher p(T) with increasing collision centrality. The magnitude of these maxima increases by almost a factor of three between most peripheral and most central Pb-Pb collisions. This baryon excess at intermediate p(T) is not observed in pp interactions at √s=0.9 TeV and at √s=7 TeV. Qualitatively, the baryon enhancement in heavy-ion collisions is expected from radial flow. However, the measured p(T) spectra above 2 GeV/c progressively decouple from hydrodynamical-model calculations. For higher values of p(T), models that incorporate the influence of the medium on the fragmentation and hadronization processes describe qualitatively the p(T) dependence of the Λ/K(S)(0) ratio.

Comparative study of photodynamic therapy with 5%, 10% and 20% aminolevulinic acid in the treatment of generalized recalcitrant facial verruca plana: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Generalised recalcitrant facial verruca plana responds poorly to current therapeutic options, including cryotherapy, topical drugs and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) laser. Case reports and uncontrolled studies suggested that topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is effective choice of treatment free from potential complications associated with invasive therapies.

AIMS

To investigate the efficacy and safety of PDT with different concentrations of photosensitiser in the treatment of verruca plana.

MATERIALS & METHODS

The two sides of a subject's face were separately randomized to receive aminolevulinic acid (ALA) of 5%, 10% or 20% concentration. All patients were irradiated with 633-nm red light for 339 J/cm(2) total dose. Complete response (CR) rate was assessed on Week 4, 8, and 16 respectively.

RESULTS

The mean overall clearance rate was 74.1%, 68.8%, and 64.6% on Week 4, 8, and 12, respectively, in the 110 treated sides. The CR rate was lower in the 5%-ALA group than in the 10%-ALA group (14.3% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.05) and 20%-ALA group (14.3% vs. 26.3%, p < 0.05) after 12 weeks. The mean severity of pain measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring was 3.8 (range: 2 to 10, depending on the lesion location). The overall recurrence rate was 16.7% (4/24) on Week 12. Hyperpigmentation was observed in 61% (67/110) of all treated sides. On Week 4, 8, and 16, hyperpigmentation was more developed in the 20%-ALA group than in the other two groups (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

In terms of complete clearance rate, the 5% ALA-PDT group was significantly inferior to the 10% and 20% ALA-PDT groups at each follow-up. In contrast, the 20% ALA group showed a higher incidence rate of transient hyperpigmentation than the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This randomised clinical trial suggests that PDT with ALA of 10% concentration offers better efficacy and safety than 5% or 20% concentration for generalised recalcitrant facial verruca plana.

Charmonium and e+e- pair photoproduction at mid-rapidity in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at [Formula: see text]

The ALICE Collaboration at the LHC has measured the J/ψ and ψ' photoproduction at mid-rapidity in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at [Formula: see text]. The charmonium is identified via its leptonic decay for events where the hadronic activity is required to be minimal. The analysis is based on an event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 23 μb-1. The cross section for coherent and incoherent J/ψ production in the rapidity interval -0.9 Collapse

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J/ψ elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

We report on the first measurement of inclusive J/ψ elliptic flow v2 in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV in the rapidity range 2.5<y<4.0. The dependence of the J/ψ v2 on the collision centrality and on the J/ψ transverse momentum is studied in the range 0≤p(T)<10 GeV/c. For semicentral Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV, an indication of nonzero v2 is observed with a largest measured value of v2=0.116±0.046(stat)±0.029(syst) for J/ψ in the transverse momentum range 2≤p(T)<4 GeV/c. The elliptic flow measurement complements the previously reported ALICE results on the inclusive J/ψ nuclear modification factor and favors the scenario of a significant fraction of J/ψ production from charm quarks in a deconfined partonic phase.

High-dose immunosuppressive therapy combined with cord blood infusion and non-myeloablative peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for patients with severe aplastic anemia

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effective rates of high-dose immunosuppressive therapy combined with cord blood infusion (IS + CBI) and non-myeloablative peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (NSCT) for severe aplastic anemia (SAA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched patients received immunosuppressive therapy combined with IS + CBI, whereas those with HLA matches received NSCT. Clinical effective rates, hematopoietic recovery, and prevalence of complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

No significant difference in total effective rate or 2 years long-term survival was observed between the two groups. The total effective treatment in the NSCT, IS + CBI group was 80%, 68.75%, and the 2 years long-term survival rate in two groups was 2 years 76.66%, 68.75%, respectively. The median times of WBC > 1.0×109/L in the NSCT group was faster than that of IS + CBI group (13 vs 19 days) (p = 0.027). The median recovery times of PLT and Hb in the NSCT group was significantly faster than that of IS + CBI group (19 vs 50 days) (p = 0.00), (27 vs 57 days) (p = 0.001). The SAA group and the very SAA (VSAA) group did not show a significant difference in effective rate (76.74% vs 68.42%) (p = 0.490). In the NSCT group, two preparative regimens did not show a significant difference in effect (70.59% vs 92.31%) (p = 0.141).

CONCLUSIONS

IS + CBI is applicable to HLA-mismatched patients with SAA. NSCT is the treatment of choice for patients with HLA matching alleles. Both treatment methods are effective on VSAA.

D meson elliptic flow in noncentral Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 Tev

Azimuthally anisotropic distributions of D0, D+, and D*+ mesons were studied in the central rapidity region (|y|<0.8) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[sNN]=2.76  TeV per nucleon-nucleon collision, with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The second Fourier coefficient v2 (commonly denoted elliptic flow) was measured in the centrality class 30%-50% as a function of the D meson transverse momentum pT, in the range 2-16  GeV/c. The measured v2 of D mesons is comparable in magnitude to that of light-flavor hadrons. It is positive in the range 2<pT<6  GeV/c with 5.7σ significance, based on the combination of statistical and systematic uncertainties.

Cost-effectiveness of using 2 vs 3 primary doses of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Although effective in preventing pneumococcal disease, 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is the most expensive vaccine on the routinely recommended pediatric schedule in the United States. We examined the cost-effectiveness of switching from 4 total doses to 3 total doses by removing the third dose in the primary series in the United States.

METHODS

We used a probabilistic model following a single birth cohort of 4.3 million to calculate societal cost savings and increased disease burden from removing the 6-month dose of PCV13. Based on modified estimates of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine from randomized trials and observational studies, we assumed that vaccine effectiveness under the 2 schedules is identical for the first 6 months of life and largely similar after administration of the 12- to 15-month booster dose.

RESULTS

Removing the third dose of PCV13 would annually save $500 million (in 2011$) but would also result in an estimated 2.5 additional deaths among inpatients with pneumonia or invasive pneumococcal disease. Such dose removal would also result in 261,000 estimated otitis media and 12,000 estimated pneumonia cases annually. These additional illnesses could be prevented through modest increases in coverage. Overall, societal savings per additional life-year lost would be ∼$6 million. When nonfatal outcomes are also considered, savings would range from $143,000 to $4 million per additional quality adjusted life-year lost, depending on the assumptions used for otitis media.

CONCLUSIONS

Sizable societal cost savings and a moderate pneumococcal disease increase could be expected from removing the PCV13 primary series' third dose.

Measurement of inelastic, single- and double-diffraction cross sections in proton-proton collisions at the LHC with ALICE

Measurements of cross sections of inelastic and diffractive processes in proton-proton collisions at LHC energies were carried out with the ALICE detector. The fractions of diffractive processes in inelastic collisions were determined from a study of gaps in charged particle pseudorapidity distributions: for single diffraction (diffractive mass MX <200 GeV/c2) [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively at centre-of-mass energies [Formula: see text]; for double diffraction (for a pseudorapidity gap Δη>3) σDD/σINEL=0.11±0.03,0.12±0.05, and [Formula: see text], respectively at [Formula: see text]. To measure the inelastic cross section, beam properties were determined with van der Meer scans, and, using a simulation of diffraction adjusted to data, the following values were obtained: [Formula: see text] mb at [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text]. The single- and double-diffractive cross sections were calculated combining relative rates of diffraction with inelastic cross sections. The results are compared to previous measurements at proton-antiproton and proton-proton colliders at lower energies, to measurements by other experiments at the LHC, and to theoretical models.

Synergy between Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) vIL-6 and HIV-1 Nef protein in promotion of angiogenesis and oncogenesis: role of the AKT signaling pathway

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the cause of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), which is the most common AIDS-associated malignancy. KS is characterized by neovascularization and spindle cell proliferation. The interaction between HIV-1 and KSHV has a central role in promoting the aggressive manifestations of KS in AIDS patients; however, the pathogenesis underlying AIDS-related KS (AIDS-KS) remains unknown. Herein, we examined the potential of HIV-1 negative factor (Nef) to impact KSHV viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6)-induced angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. In vitro experiments showed that exogenous Nef penetrated vIL-6-expressing endothelial cells. Both internalized and ectopic expression of Nef in endothelial cells and fibroblasts synergized with vIL-6 to promote vascular tube formation and cell proliferation. Using a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model, we demonstrated that Nef synergistically promotes vIL-6-induced angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. Animal experiments further showed that Nef facilitates vIL-6-induced angiogenesis and tumor formation in athymic nu/nu mice. Mechanistic studies indicated that Nef synergizes with vIL-6 to enhance angiogenesis and tumorigenesis by activating the AKT pathway in the CAM model, as well as nude mice. LY294002, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), significantly impaired the ability of Nef to promote vIL-6-induced tumorigenesis in an allograft model of nude mice. Our data provide first-line evidence that Nef may contribute to the pathogenesis underlying AIDS-KS in synergy with vIL-6. These novel findings also suggest that targeting the PI3K/AKT signal may be a potentially effective therapeutic approach in AIDS-KS patients.

Measurement of gain characteristics of semiconductor lasers by amplified spontaneous emissions from dual facets

In this letter, we describe a novel gain measurement approach for semiconductor edge-emitting lasers, with which TE and TM gain spectra can be easily obtained by collecting the amplified spontaneous emissions at dual facets of the device. An unstrained and continuously-operated GaAs/AlGaAs single quantum well laser strip is used to illustrate this method. The measured gain spectra are compared with theoretical gain curves to analyze the gain polarization characteristics and the relevant subband structure in the valence band of the well using the measured gain spectra.

Bilateral prediction and intersection calculation autofocus method for automated microscopy

In this paper, a bilateral prediction and intersection calculation autofocus method for automated microscopy, which obtains the in-focus position by calculating the intersection of the predicted left and right focus measure curves located respectively in the left and right sides of the peak position of the focus measure curve, is proposed and performed. According to the autofocus method, the area including the peak position of the focus measure curve and its left and right neighbourhoods should be determined firstly, and the left and right neighbourhoods are considered as the left and right sampling areas. The left and right focus measure curves are predicted by appropriate predicting models according to the two sample sequences, which comprise the focus values by evaluating the sampled images in the left sampling area and right sampling area, respectively and their corresponding sampling positions. The intersection of the predicted left and right focus measure curves is calculated and can be considered as the in-focus position. The autofocus can be realized by moving the focus plane of the microscope to the intersection of the predicted left and right focus measure curves. The proposed bilateral prediction and intersection calculation autofocus method is experimentally verified in an automated light microscopy for implementing microassembly and micromanipulation. The theoretical analyses have shown that the proposed bilateral prediction and intersection calculation autofocus method can not only effectively avoid the principle error caused by assuming the symmetrical focus measure curve in the autofocus methods based on curve fitting, but also eliminate the possible waver search near the peak position in the modified fast climbing servo method. The experimental results have shown that the proposed bilateral prediction and intersection calculation autofocus method possesses the merits as follows: (1) the focusing accuracy is high and slightly affected by the sampling step size and (2) the focusing speed is higher than those of the 7-point hill-climbing search method and the quadratic curve fitting method with a determinate focusing accuracy.

Net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 TeV

We report the first measurement of the net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76  TeV, measured with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The dynamical fluctuations per unit entropy are observed to decrease when going from peripheral to central collisions. An additional reduction in the amount of fluctuations is seen in comparison to the results from lower energies. We examine the dependence of fluctuations on the pseudorapidity interval, which may account for the dilution of fluctuations during the evolution of the system. We find that the fluctuations at the LHC are smaller compared to the measurements at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and as such, closer to what has been theoretically predicted for the formation of a quark-gluon plasma.

In-mold Melt Front Rate Control Using a Capacitive Transducer in Injection Molding

In the filling phase of injection molding process, melt-front rate plays a particularly important role in determining the part quality. Prior researches recommend a constant melt-front rate for this phase. A measurement device based on a capacitor principle has been developed. It has been shown that this sensor is effective to measure online and continuously melt-front position in mold cavity. Based on this sensor, this work develops and tests closed-loop control system of direct in-mold melt-front rate control. Several advanced control algorithms, Generalized Predictive Control (GPC), Iterative Learning Control (ILC), and Generalized 2D Model Predictive Iterative Learning Control (2D-GPILC), are designed, implemented, and tested with different mold inserts. The results show that 2D-GPILC, a combination scheme of feedback and iterative learning scheme, gives the best control results.

Expression of corticotrophin-releasing hormone and its receptor in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common pregnancy-specific liver disorders. Although various biological effects of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) has in pregnancy have been reported, its activities in patients with ICP are lacking. Here we evaluated CRH and its receptor (CRH-R1) expression in placenta and serum in control and ICP patients, to assess their potential activities in the ICP pathogenesis.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Placental tissues were obtained from the control and ICP patients (10 cases for each group) between 37 and 39 gestational weeks. Immunohistochemistry, Western Blotting and real-time PCR analysis were used to detect the CRH and CRH-R1 expression in placenta. Meanwhile, maternal serums were analyzed for detecting CRH in the control and ICP patients (80 cases for each group) in 34-37 gestational weeks. All data were observed and recorded for comparing and analyzing in control and ICP patients.

RESULTS

CRH staining was found in syncytiotrophoblast and feto-placental vascular endothelium cells of placenta, whereas CRH-R1 staining was found in syncytiotrophoblast by using immunohistochemical analysis. The CRH expression level in ICP placenta was significantly lower than those results in controls (P < 0.01). For CRH-R1, CRH mRNA and CRH-R1 mRNA expressions, no statistical differences were found between control and ICP groups (all P > 0.05). Serum CRH levels increased in both control and ICP groups, but the growth rate was limited in ICP group, especially in late pregnancy (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The down-regulation of CRH in ICP placentas and the limited growth rate of CRH in the maternal serum of ICP patients might impair the blood flow regulation of the utero-placental-fetal unit, which might result in poor fetoplacental vascular perfusion and adverse pregnancy outcomes. CRH might play a significant role in the pathogenesis of ICP and provide a new approach to further investigate the etiology of ICP.

Transverse momentum distribution and nuclear modification factor of charged particles in p+Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 5.02 TeV

The transverse momentum (p(T)) distribution of primary charged particles is measured in minimum bias (non-single-diffractive) p+Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The p(T) spectra measured near central rapidity in the range 0.5<p(T) <20 GeV/c exhibit a weak pseudorapidity dependence. The nuclear modification factor R(pPb) is consistent with unity for p(T) above 2 GeV/c. This measurement indicates that the strong suppression of hadron production at high p(T) observed in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC is not due to an initial-state effect. The measurement is compared to theoretical calculations.

Multifactor analysis on the outcomes of cervical spondylotic myelopathy with expansive open-door laminoplasty

OBJECTIVES

To examine clinical outcomes following expansive open-door laminoplasty (EOLP) in the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and the factors that influence these outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis in CSM patients following EOLP investigated the relationship between recovery rate, based on the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the impact of age, duration of CSM, and axial symptoms, including the effect of EOLP on cervical curvature.

RESULTS

In total, 79 CSM patients were included. Overall, the preand postoperative (1 year after surgery) mean±SD JOA scores were 9.6±1.4 and 14.7±1.9, respectively, indicating an improvement of 68.9%. Factors that were significantly related to 'excellent' (≥75%) or 'good' (≥50%-<75%) recovery rates included a high preoperative JOA score, short duration of CSM (≤12 months) and patient age<50 years. Significant reductions in cervical curvature angle were only observed in patients with axial symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that CSM should be treated early. The severity of CSM, the patient's age, cervical curvature angle, operation technique and axial symptoms play important roles in clinical outcomes.