Myostatin in black Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata): full-length cDNA cloning and age-dependent mRNA expression compared with IGF-I

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and myostatin (MSTN) are a pair of critical positive and negative growth regulators. The aim of the current study was to examine the age-dependent and muscle-specific expression of IGF-I and MSTN mRNAs in black Muscovy ducks in order to understand their roles in regulating the postnatal muscle growth of domestic ducks. The full-length cDNA of the black Muscovy duck MSTN gene was cloned and the age-dependent mRNA expression profile was compared with that of the IGF-I mRNA in skeletal muscles. The cDNA sequence of the MSTN gene was 1128 bp in length and encodes 375 amino acids, with more than 94.9% homology with poultry MSTN genes, and 83.0-92.0% homology with that of human and mammals (accession: KR006339.1). The IGF-I and MSTN mRNA expression exhibited opposite trends in age-dependency and in different muscles: IGF-I mRNA level was high in the early postnatal stage and low in the late mature stage, corresponding positively to growth; while the MSTN mRNA was low in the early stage, increased gradually and reached the highest level in mature muscles, and was negatively related to muscle growth. In the breast muscles, IGF-I mRNA was much higher than in the leg muscles; the opposite effect was seen in MSTN mRNA. These data suggest that the relative expression levels of IGF-I and MSTN are essential determinants in the temporal and muscle-specific regulation of postnatal skeletal muscle growth in Muscovy duck and possibly in other poultry species as well.

[Associations of sigmoid colon mucosal mast cells with bowel symptoms and psychological status in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the bowel symptoms and psychological status of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea (IBS-D), and to verify whether sigmoid colon mucosal mast cells (MCs) and their activation have effect on the symptoms and psychological status of IBS-D patients.

METHODS

Patients meeting Rome Ⅲ diagnostic and subtyping criteria of IBS-D who visited the outpatient clinic of gastroenterology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were consecutively enrolled between July 2009 and June 2012. IBS symptoms questionnaire was completed using face-to-face interview, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA)/ Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were administrated to evaluate psychological status, both by well-trained investigators. Mast cell tryptase monoclonal antibody was used for immunohistochemical staining to detect MCs and degranulated MCs in mucosal biopsy of sigmoid colon. MCs and degranulated MCs were blindly counted by a senior pathologist, and presented as number of cells in high power field (HPF) and percentage of activated MCs. Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman rank correlation analysis.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven patients with IBS-D were enrolled in this study, with mean age of (44±11) years. 70.10%(68 cases) of the IBS-D patients had comorbid anxiety and/or depression. The median total numbers of MCs, activated MCs, and percentage of activated MCs in sigmoid mucosa were 11.60 (7.09)/HPF, 2.00 (1.40) /HPF, and 17.50% (10.90%), respectively. Patients having abdominal pain/discomfort before bowel movement "every day with intermediate to high severity" had significantly larger numbers of total MCs in sigmoid colon compared with those with pain or discomfort "not every day and mild" [13.80(4.85)vs 7.60(5.90)/HPF, P=0.019]; the patient having "frequent" urge to have a bowel movement and mushy stools showed significantly higher percentage of activated MCs in sigmoid colon mucosa compared to those having the symptoms "some of the time" [18.75%(9.12%) vs 14.50%(13.14%), P=0.031; 21.33%(7.43%)vs 11.51%(10.65%)vs 18.42%(8.61%), P=0.030]. There was a positive correlation between the bowel movement during IBS-D onset and the percentage of activated MCs (r=0.221, P=0.030). There were no statistically significant differences in the total number of MCs and percentage of activated MCs between the patients with anxiety/depression and those without anxiety/depression (P=0.255, P=0.315). Scores of HAMA and HAMD were found not correlated with either total MCs number or percentage of activated MCs in sigmoid colon mucosa(all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of IBS-D patients had comorbid anxiety and/or depression. The total number and activation status of MCs in sigmoid colon mucosa might be related with some intestinal symptoms in IBS-D patients. Psychological disorders might influence the pathogenesis and regression of IBS-D through brain-gut axis other than MCs in sigmoid colon mucosa.

Preparation of Novel Biocidal N-Halamine Polymers

The preparation and biocidal efficacies of eight new N-halamine polymers have been reported. The polymers are in the classes known as dichlorohydantoins, trichlorotriazinediones, and dichloropyrimidinones. They were synthesized from the commercial polymers polystyrene, poly(methyl vinyl ketone), and polymethacrylamide. All of the polymers were insoluble in water and leached only small amounts (less than 0.5 mg/L) of free chlorine into flowing water. It was demonstrated that the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus in water flowing through filters made of these polymers was inactivated. These materials show considerable commercial potential as biocidal water filters, especially the dichloro-poly(styrene-hydantoin) because of its inexpensive synthetic route.

Passive Paradigm Single-Tone Elicited ERPs in Tension-Type Headaches and Migraine

The active 'oddball' event-related potential (ERP) P3 is elongated or reduced in migraine and tension-type headaches, indicating a deficit of active attention in these primary headaches. It is then reasonable to study the passive attention function in these headaches through the technology of passive paradigm singletone elicited ERPs. We invited 32 patients suffering from chronic tension-type headache (CTTH), 17 from frequent episodic tension-type headache (FETH) and 32 from interictal migraine without aura, as well as 28 healthy subjects to undergo passive paradigm single-tone ERPs. There were no statistically significant differences when the mean latencies and amplitudes of N1, P2, N2 or the mean latencies of P3 of the four groups were considered. In contrast, the P3 amplitudes were significantly reduced in the patient groups when compared with healthy controls. However, no further significant difference was found between patient groups when considering P3 amplitude. Our study demonstrated a deficit of passive attention in CTTH, FETH and migraine, but could not separate these headache types in this regard. The reduced P3 in patients might be due to the head pain experienced.

Metabolomic analysis of human plasma reveals that arginine is depleted in knee osteoarthritis patients

OBJECTIVE

To identify novel biomarker(s) for knee osteoarthritis (OA) using a metabolomics approach.

METHOD

We utilized a two-stage case-control study design. Plasma samples were collected from knee OA patients and healthy controls after 8-h fasting and metabolically profiled using a targeted metabolomics assay kit. Linear regression was used to identify novel metabolic markers for OA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to examine diagnostic values. Gene expression analysis was performed on human cartilage to explore the potential mechanism for the novel OA marker(s).

RESULTS

Sixty-four knee OA patients and 45 controls were included in the discovery stage and 72 knee OA patients and 76 age and sex matched controls were included in the validation stage. We identified and confirmed six metabolites that were significantly associated with knee OA, of which arginine was the most significant metabolite (P < 3.5 × 10(-13)) with knee OA patients having on average 69 μM lower than that in controls. ROC analysis showed that arginine had the greatest diagnostic value with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.984. The optimal cutoff of arginine concentration was 57 μM with 98.3% sensitivity and 89% specificity. The depletion of arginine in OA patients was most likely due to the over activity of arginine to ornithine pathway, leading to imbalance between cartilage repair and degradation.

CONCLUSION

Arginine is significantly depleted in refractory knee OA patients. Further studies within a longitudinal setting are required to examine whether arginine can predict early OA changes.

MiR-370 promotes cell death of liver cancer cells by Akt/FoxO3a signalling pathway

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNAs have emerged as key regulators in cancer cell biology. In the present study, we investigate the role and the involving mechanism of miR-370 in the progression of liver cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MiR-370 levels were detected by real-time PCR assay. Cell proliferation of HepG2, MHCC-97H and SMMC-7721 was determined by MTT assay. PI staining was detected by FACS analysis. Colony formation was used to test liver cancer cell growth. FoxO3a and Akt expression was determined by western blotting analysis.

RESULTS

MiR-370 level was significantly down-regulated in liver cancer cells. Functional analysis revealed that miR-370 mimics suppressed cell proliferation of liver cancer cells, while transfection with miR-370 inhibitor increased cell proliferation of liver cancer cells. Moreover, miR-370 mimics induced cell death of HepG2. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis results demonstrated that miR-370 inhibited the proliferation of liver cancer cells by activating FoxO3a.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-370 inhibited cell proliferation of liver cancer cells by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. It worked as a tumor suppressor to suppress the progression of human liver cancers.

The changing relationship between HbA1c and FPG according to different FPG ranges

PURPOSE

Since the American Diabetes Association included hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in the diagnostic criteria for diabetes in 2010, the clinical use of HbA1c has remained controversial. We explored the use of HbA1c for diagnosing diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia in comparison with fasting plasma glucose (FPG).

METHODS

We screened 3710 adult subjects (mean age = 55.24 years) comprising 1704 males and 2006 females. We drew an receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate the ability of HbA1c to diagnose diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia according to FPG. We used Kappa coefficient and Pearson's correlation coefficient to evaluate the relationship between HbA1c and FPG in different FPG ranges.

RESULTS

The areas under ROC curve to diagnose diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia were 0.859 (95 % CI 0.827-0.892) and 0.633 (95 % CI 0.615-0.651). The kappa coefficients between FPG and HbA1c for diagnosis of diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia were 0.601 (P < 0.001) and 0.104 (P < 0.001). The Pearson's correlation coefficient of FPG and HbA1c was 0.640 (P < 0.001), but when we classified FPG as normal, intermediate hyperglycemia and diabetes, the coefficients became 0.07 (P = 0.002), 0.185 (P < 0.001) and 0.760 (P < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between HbA1c and FPG changed according to the different FPG ranges. When FPG was higher, the relationship was stronger. HbA1c and FPG were highly consistent in diagnosing diabetes, but they were not in predicting intermediate hyperglycemia.

Electrochemical functionalization of Au by aminobenzene and 2-aminotoluene

Au surfaces are functionalized by aminobenzene (AB) and 2-aminotoluene (AT) using the electrochemical reduction of diazotized 1,4-diaminobenzene and 2,5-diaminotoluene. The IR spectroscopic measurements reveal the successful modification of Au surfaces by AB and AT. Both types of layers show similar thicknesses as obtained by microgravimetric measurements via electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). However, the faradaic efficiency for the grafting of AT onto an EQCM-Au sensor was 6% compared to 41% for the grafting of AB. This behavior points to a steric hindrance during the binding of AT to the EQCM surface induced by the additional methyl group present in the toluene derivative. The AB and AT functionalized surfaces have been further modified by the amidation reaction of EDC/NHS activated 4-nitrobenzoic acid. This model system reveals that the amidation reaction is slightly hindered in case of the AT layer due to the presence of the methyl group close to the amino group. This behavior leads to a four times less amount of amide bonds at the AT compared to AB modified Au surfaces as obtained from IR spectroscopic measurements.

Allelic polymorphism of KIR2DL2/2DL3 in a southern Chinese population

KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 segregate as alleles of the same killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene locus. They have been associated with viral infectious diseases and certain cancers and their allelic information may help to better comprehend mechanisms. The allelic polymorphism of KIR2DL2/2DL3 has been shown to influence their binding specificity and affinity to the HLA-C1 ligands. The present study aims to investigate the distribution of the allelic polymorphism of KIR2DL2/2DL3 in a southern Chinese population using sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP) and PCR-sequence-based typing (SBT) at the entire coding sequence. Of the 306 tested individuals, 1.96% were positive for KIR2DL2 only, 78.10% for KIR2DL3 only, and 19.93% for both KIR2DL2 and 2DL3. KIR2DL3 showed a high degree of diversity in the study population with 15 alleles detected including 8 novel ones. The predominant 2DL3 allele in the study population is 2DL3*00101 (92.81%) followed by 2DL3*00201 (24.18%), 2DL3*023 (4.25%), and 2DL3*00109 (1.31%). The remaining 11 2DL3 alleles all had a frequency below 1%. Three detected 2DL2 alleles were 2DL2*00301 (18.95%), 2DL2*00101 (3.59%), and the novel 2DL2*013 (0.33%). These results provide further insight into the KIR gene diversity in Southern Chinese and may help to better understand the role played by KIR genes in associated diseases.

Effects of β-hydroxybutyricacid on the synthesis and assembly of very low-density lipoprotein in bovine hepatocytes in vitro

β-Hydroxybutyricacid (BHBA) is an important metabolite that involved in the development of ketosis and fatty liver in dairy cows. Dairy cows with fatty liver displayed high blood concentration of BHBA and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) assembly. The effects of BHBA on VLDL synthesis and assembly in hepatocytes of cows were unclear. In this study, bovine hepatocytes were cultured and treated with different concentrations of BHBA. We found that BHBA treatment upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB 100), apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) and showed in a firstly increased and then decreased trend. Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein levels of LDLR showed in a reverse trend. Consequently, VLDL content was significantly increased in medium-dose BHBA treatment group, while decreased in high-dose group. These results indicate that the effects of BHBA on the VLDL synthesis showed in a dose-dependent manner that low levels of BHBA increase VLDL synthesis and high levels of BHBA decrease VLDL synthesis.

Rapamycin-topotecan combination exhibited enhanced antitumor efficacy compared to topotecan used alone in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells

The present study aimed to investigate the antitumor efficacy of combination of topotecan with rapamycin, a mTOR inhibitor, in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells A2780cis and COC1/DDP. Expressions of mTOR and its target molecules p70S6K and 4E-BP1 were determined in A2780cis and COC1/DDP and the parental cells A2780 and COC1 that are sensitive to cisplatin using Western blotting. Cell proliferation was examined using MTT assay in vitro and a nude mouse model in vivo, respectively. Cell apoptosis and the relevant proteins were determined by flow cytometry and Western blotting. We found that the levels of phosphorylated mTOR, p70S6K, and 4E-BP1 were obviously higher in A2780cis and COC1/DDP cells than that in A2780 and COC1 cells. Pretreatment with rapamycin significantly enhanced the effects of topotecan in suppressing cell proliferation and soliciting cell apoptosis in A2780cis and COC1/DDP cells. Cells that were sequentially exposed to rapamycin and topotecan had significantly higher levels of cleaved caspase-8, -3, and PARP compared to those treated with topotecan alone. Mice co-administered rapamycin and topotecan had significantly decreased terminal tumor burden without additional loss of bodyweight compared to the mice received topotecan alone. The results suggested that rapamycin sensitized A2780cis and COC1/DDP cells to topotecan-induced apoptosis and rapamycin-topotecan combination might have a value in treatment of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer.

Allicin as a possible adjunctive therapeutic drug for stage II oral submucous fibrosis: a preliminary clinical trial in a Chinese cohort

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of allicin in the treatment of stage II oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) in a Chinese patient cohort. A randomized clinical trial was performed. Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) or allicin was injected intralesionally weekly for 16 weeks. Improvements in mouth opening, burning sensation, and oral health-related quality of life were evaluated. Forty-eight subjects completed the study without obvious adverse reactions. At 40 weeks, the net gain in mouth opening was 2.27 ± 0.84 mm in the TA group and 5.16 ± 1.04 mm in the allicin group. Burning sensation improved by 2.79 ± 0.87 in the TA group and by 4.33 ± 1.04 in the allicin group. The OHIP-14 score improved by 4.67 ± 2.94 in the TA group and by 12.58 ± 9.82 in the allicin group. Allicin intralesional injections improved mouth opening, burning sensation, and oral health-related quality of life in these stage II OSF patients. Allicin appears to be a potential adjunctive therapeutic drug.

AIM2 inflammasome is dispensable for the host defense against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

Respiratory tract infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of hospital&mdash;acquired pneumonia in immune&mdash;compromised individuals. Lung infection with P. aeruginosa is often associated with production of various inflammatory cytokines including IL&mdash;1&#946;. Production of IL&mdash;1&#946; requires proteolytic cleavage by a multiprotein complex termed inflammasome. AIM2 inflammasome recognizes foreign cytosolic double stranded DNA. A role of AIM2 in P. aeruginosa infection has not been reported previously. In this study, we found that P. aeruginosa infection induced degradation of AIM2 protein in macrophages and induction of AIM2 mRNA expression in macrophages and in the lung of mice. Interestingly, P. aeruginosa infection induced a similar level of IL&mdash;1&#946;, IL&mdash;6 and TNF production in wild&mdash;type and AIM2&mdash;deficient mice. Similarly, no significant differences in bacterial clearance, neutrophil infiltration and NF&mdash;&#954;B activation were observed between wild&mdash;type and AIM2&mdash;deficient mice following P. aeruginosa lung infection. Our data suggest that AIM2 inflammasome is dispensable for the host defense against P. aeruginosa infection.

Inhibition of nerve growth factor/tyrosine kinase receptor A signaling ameliorates airway remodeling in chronic allergic airway inflammation

OBJECTIVE

The molecular mechanism leading to airway remodeling in patients with allergic asthma is not fully understood. We determined the role of nerve growth factor/tyrosine kinase receptor A signaling in airway remodeling in chronic allergic airway inflammation, and proved that inhibited nerve growth factor (NGF) production ameliorates airway remodeling during chronic allergic airway inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six- to eight-week-old female BALB/c mice were used in this study. Mice were randomized into four groups: phosphate buffer saline (PBS) control group (n = 10); chronic asthmatic group (n = 12); anti-NGF group (n=12); and anti-TrkA group (n=12). First, to determine the impact of NGF on airway remodeling, antibody-blocking experiments were performed in a chronic allergic murine model characterized by matrix deposition in the subepithelial. Secondly, the number of eosinophils, macrophages, neutrophils and the total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was counted. Thirdly, growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) and NGF protein expression was measured by western blot.

RESULTS

It was shown that the number of eosinophils and the total inflammatory cells, NGF and GAP43 protein expression in BALF were markedly higher in asthma group, compared to the other groups. And given anti-NGF or anti-TrkA antibody treatment can reduced GAP43 expression and collagen deposition in the airway.

CONCLUSIONS

NGF triggers wound healing process and airway remodeling by inducing GAP43 production dependent on TrkA in a mouse model of chronic experimental asthma. Controlling epithelial NGF production might be an efficient therapeutic target to prevent allergic asthma.

Identification of the novel KIR3DL1*079 allele from a southern Chinese Han individual

The novel KIR3DL1*079 allele differs from KIR3DL1*0150201 by a single mutation at CDS nt1119 G>T.

Peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst prevents matrix metalloproteinase-9 activation and neurovascular injury after hemoglobin injection into the caudate nucleus of rats

Hemoglobin (Hb) is a major constituent of blood and a potent mediator of oxidative or nitrative stress after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Our previous study demonstrated that Hb could induce abundant peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) formation in vivo, which may be involved in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, however, the drug intervention is absent and also the underlying mechanism. Using an experimental stroke model by injecting Hb into the caudate nucleus of male Sprague-Dawley rats, we assessed the role of ONOO(-) decomposition catalyst, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrinato iron(III) [FeTPPS] in the activation of MMP-9 and Hb-induced neurovascular injuries. 3-Nitrotyrosine (3-NT, as an index of ONOO(-) formation) and NF-κB expression was measured by western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC)/immunofluorescence (IF). Activity of MMP was evaluated by in situ zymography. Neurovascular injury was assessed using zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) by WB and IF, fibronectin (FN) and neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN) IHC. Perihematomal cell death was determined by TUNEL assay. Behavioral outcome was measured by modified neurological severity score (mNSS) test. At the injured striata, profuse 3-NT was produced and mainly expressed in neutrophils and microglia/macrophages. 3-NT formation significantly colocalized with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression. In situ zymography showed that gelatinase activity was mostly co-localized with neurons and blood vessel walls and partly with neutrophils and microglia/macrophages. Enhanced 3-NT production, NF-κB induction and MMP-9 activation were obviously reduced after FeTPPS treatment. Hb-induced injury to tight junction protein (ZO-1), basal lamina of FN-immunopositive microvasculature and neural cells was evidently ameliorated by FeTPPS. In addition, apoptotic cell numbers as well as behavioral deficits were also improved. The present study shows that the administration of the ONOO(-) decomposition catalyst FeTPPS protects against Hb-induced neurovascular injuries and improves neurological function, which possibly in part by suppressing MMP-9 activation.