Meta-analysis of the long term effects of different interventions on chronic total coronary occlusions

BACKGROUND

Coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) is the end stage of coronary artery atherosclerosis. CTO revascularization can be performed by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), bare metal stent (BMS) or drug-eluting stent (DES). It is important to scientifically evaluate the effectiveness of CTO interventional treatments.

METHODS

Relevant studies of long term outcomes for several kinds of CTO treatments were examined. Data were extracted and assessed by two independent clinical experts, pooled and analyzed using meta-analysis.

RESULTS

(1) Totally 8 articles comparing outcomes between PTCA and BMS treatment were analyzed. Follow-up variables such as mortality, subsequent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), re-occlusion, re-stenosis and target lesion revascularization (TLR) were analyzed by meta-analysis. Compared with BMS intervention, PTCA was associated with significant higher rate of re-occlusion, re-stenosis, subsequent PTCA and TLR. (2) Totally 12 articles compared long term outcomes between BMS groups and DES groups, encompassed 3605 CTO patients. During the long-term follow-up, six variables as major adverse cardiac events (MACE), myocardial infarction, all-cause death, subsequent CABG, accumulated MACE-free survival rate, re-stenosis/re-occlusion rate were analyzed by meta-analysis. Compared with patients in DES groups, patients in BMS groups had significant higher MACE, subsequent CABG, re-stenosis/re-occlusion rate, TLR, target vessel revascularization, while lower MACE-free survival rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of re-occlusion, re-stenosis, subsequent PTCA and TLR were significantly lower for BMS implantation than for PTCA procedure. Variables, including MACE, subsequent CABG, re-stenosis/re-occlusion rate were higher while accumulated MACE-free survival rate was lower in BMS groups than in DES groups.

Molecular structure and physicochemical properties of pepsin-solubilized type II collagen from the chick sternal cartilage

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Recently, type II collagen (CII) was found to be effective clinically for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the molecular properties of CII could be changed during the preparation process. In the present study, we isolated CII from chick sternal cartilage and studied the structural characteristics of purified CII.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pepsin-solubilized CII was purified from sternal cartilage of the chick using a combination of pepsin digestion, NaCl precipitation and DEAE-Sepharose CL 6B ion exchange chromatography. Then, the molecular structure and physicochemical properties of pepsin-solubilized CII were investigated.

RESULTS

According to the electrophoretic patterns, the purified preparation consisted of a single band (α chain) and dimmers (β chains) with a subunit Mr of 110 kDa, were characterized to type II, and contained imino acid of 232 residues/1000 residues. The maximum transition temperature (Tmax) of the pepsin-solubilized CII measured by DSC was 45.60°C. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra analysis revealed that pepsin-solubilized CII retained more intermolecular crosslinks during the preparation process. Investigation results of atomic force microscope (AFM) indicated that the collagen fibrils from chick cartilage were about 146 nm in width and highly periodic with a banding pattern of -68.3 nm spacing. Analysis of physical properties indicated that pepsin-solubilized CII were highly solubilized in the pH range of 1-3.5 and the optimal NaCl concentration was 0.6 mol/L.

CONCLUSIONS

Chick sternal cartilage can be used as an alternative CII source.

The importance of laboratory water quality for studying initial bacterial adhesion during NF filtration processes

Biofouling of nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes for water treatment has been the subject of increased research effort in recent years. A prerequisite for undertaking fundamental experimental investigation on NF and RO processes is a procedure called compaction. This involves an initial phase of clean water permeation at high pressures until a stable permeate flux is reached. However water quality used during the compaction process may vary from one laboratory to another. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of laboratory water quality during compaction of NF membranes. A second objective was to investigate if the water quality used during compaction influences initial bacterial adhesion. Experiments were undertaken with NF 270 membranes at 15 bar for permeate volumes of 0.5 L, 2 L, and 5 L using MilliQ, deionized or tap water. Membrane autopsies were performed at each permeation point for membrane surface characterisation by contact angle measurements, profilometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The biological content of compacted membranes was assessed by direct epi-fluorescence observation following nucleic acid staining. The compacted membranes were also employed as substrata for monitoring the initial adhesion of Ps. fluorescens under dynamic flow conditions for 30 min at 5 min intervals. Compared to MilliQ water, membrane compaction using deionized and tap water led to decreases in permeate flux, increase in surface hydrophobicity and led to significant build-up of a homogeneous fouling layer composed of both living and dead organisms (>10(6) cells cm(-2)). Subsequent measurements of bacterial adhesion resulted in cell loadings of 0.2 × 10(5), 1.0 × 10(5) cells cm(-2) and 2.6 × 10(5) cells cm(-2) for deionized, tap water and MilliQ water, respectively. These differences in initial cell adhesion rates demonstrate that choice of laboratory water can significantly impact the results of bacterial adhesion on NF membranes. Standardized protocols are therefore needed for the fundamental studies of bacterial adhesion and biofouling formation on NF and RO membrane. This can be implemented by first employing pure water during all membrane compaction procedures and for the modelled feed solutions used in the experiment.

Differentiation of human dental stem cells reveals a role for microRNA-218

BACKGROUND

Regeneration of lost periodontium is the ultimate goal of periodontal therapy. Advances in tissue engineering have demonstrated the multilineage potential and plasticity of adult stem cells located in periodontal apparatus. However, it remains unclear how epigenetic mechanisms controlling signals determine tissue specification and cell lineage decisions. To date, no data are available on micro-RNA (miRNA) activity behind human-derived dental stem cells (DSCs).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, we isolated periodontal ligament stem cells, dental pulp stem cells and gingival stem cells from extracted third molars; human bone marrow stem cells were used as a positive control. The expression of OCT4A and NANOG was confirmed in these undifferentiated cells. All cells were cultured under osteogenic inductive conditions and RUNX2 expression was analyzed as a marker of mineralized tissue differentiation. The miRNA expression profile was obtained at baseline and after osteogenic induction in all cell types.

RESULTS

The expression of RUNX2 demonstrated successful osteogenic induction of all cell types, which was confirmed by alizarin red stain. The analysis of 765 miRNAs demonstrated a shift in miRNA expression that occurred in all four stem cell types, including a decrease in hsa-mir-218 across all differentiated cell populations. Hsa-mir-218 targets RUNX2 and decreases RUNX2 expression in undifferentiated human DSCs. DSC mineralized tissue type differentiation is associated with a decrease in hsa-mir-218 expression.

CONCLUSION

These data reveal a miRNA-regulated pathway for the differentiation of human DSCs and a select network of human miRNAs that control DSC osteogenic differentiation.

Diversity, abundance, and distribution of NO-forming nitrite reductase-encoding genes in deep-sea subsurface sediments of the South China Sea

In marine ecosystems, both nitrite-reducing bacteria and anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria, containing different types of NO-forming nitrite reductase-encoding genes, contribute to the nitrogen cycle. The objectives of study were to reveal the diversity, abundance, and distribution of NO-forming nitrite reductase-encoding genes in deep-sea subsurface environments. Results showed that higher diversity and abundance of nirS gene than nirK and Scalindua-nirS genes were evident in the sediments of the South China Sea (SCS), indicating bacteria containing nirS gene dominated the NO-forming nitrite-reducing microbial community in this ecosystem. Similar diversity and abundance distribution patterns of both nirS and Scalindua-nirS genes were detected in this study sites, but different from nirK gene. Further statistical analyses also showed both nirS and Scalindua-nirS genes respond similarly to environmental factors, but differed from nirK gene. These results suggest that bacteria containing nirS and Scalindua-nirS genes share similar niche in deep-sea subsurface sediments of the SCS, but differed from those containing nirK gene, indicating that community structures of nitrite-reducing bacteria are segregated by the functional modules (NirS vs. NirK) rather than the competing processes (anammox vs. classical denitrification).

Exome sequencing-driven discovery of coding polymorphisms associated with common metabolic phenotypes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Human complex metabolic traits are in part regulated by genetic determinants. Here we applied exome sequencing to identify novel associations of coding polymorphisms at minor allele frequencies (MAFs) >1% with common metabolic phenotypes.

METHODS

The study comprised three stages. We performed medium-depth (8×) whole exome sequencing in 1,000 cases with type 2 diabetes, BMI >27.5 kg/m(2) and hypertension and in 1,000 controls (stage 1). We selected 16,192 polymorphisms nominally associated (p < 0.05) with case-control status, from four selected annotation categories or from loci reported to associate with metabolic traits. These variants were genotyped in 15,989 Danes to search for association with 12 metabolic phenotypes (stage 2). In stage 3, polymorphisms showing potential associations were genotyped in a further 63,896 Europeans.

RESULTS

Exome sequencing identified 70,182 polymorphisms with MAF >1%. In stage 2 we identified 51 potential associations with one or more of eight metabolic phenotypes covered by 45 unique polymorphisms. In meta-analyses of stage 2 and stage 3 results, we demonstrated robust associations for coding polymorphisms in CD300LG (fasting HDL-cholesterol: MAF 3.5%, p = 8.5 × 10(-14)), COBLL1 (type 2 diabetes: MAF 12.5%, OR 0.88, p = 1.2 × 10(-11)) and MACF1 (type 2 diabetes: MAF 23.4%, OR 1.10, p = 8.2 × 10(-10)).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

We applied exome sequencing as a basis for finding genetic determinants of metabolic traits and show the existence of low-frequency and common coding polymorphisms with impact on common metabolic traits. Based on our study, coding polymorphisms with MAF above 1% do not seem to have particularly high effect sizes on the measured metabolic traits.

Effects of vascular endothelial cells on osteogenic differentiation of noncontact co-cultured periodontal ligament stem cells under hypoxia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

During periodontitis or orthodontic tooth movement, the periodontal vasculature is severely impaired by chronic inflammation or excessive mechanical force. This leads to a hypoxic microenvironment of the periodontal cells and enhances the expression of various cytokines and growth factors that may regulate angiogenesis and alveolar bone remodeling. However, the role of hypoxia in regulating the communication between endothelial cells (ECs) and osteoblast progenitors during the remodeling and repair of periodontal tissue is still poorly defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vascular ECs on osteogenic differentiation, mineralization and the paracrine function of noncontact co-cultured periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) under hypoxia, and further reveal the involvement of MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK pathways in the process.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

First, PDLSCs were obtained and a noncontact co-culture system of PDLSCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells was established. Second, the effects of different time-periods of hypoxia (2% O(2) ) on the osteogenic potential, mineralization and paracrine function of co-cultured PDLSCs were investigated. Third, ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activities of PDLSCs under hypoxia were measured by western blotting. Finally, we employed specific MAPK inhibitors (PD98059 and SB20350) to investigate the involvement of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in PDLSC osteogenesis under hypoxia.

RESULTS

We observed further increased osteogenic differentiation of co-cultured PDLSCs, manifested by markedly enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) levels, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Sp7 transcriptional and protein levels and mineralized nodule formation, compared with PDLSCs cultured alone. ERK1/2 was phosphorylated in a rapid but transient manner, whereas p38 MAPK was activated in a slow and sustained way under hypoxia. Furthermore, hypoxia-stimulated transcription and expression of osteogenic regulators (hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, ALP, Runx2, Sp7, PGE(2) and VEGF) were also inhibited by PD98059 and SB203580 to different degrees.

CONCLUSION

Further increased osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of co-cultured PDLSCs under hypoxia were regulated by MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK pathways. And the ECs-mediated paracrine of PGE(2) and VEGF may facilitate the unidirectional PDLSC-EC communication and promote PDLSCs osteogenesis.

Correlation between plasma amino acid profiles and the various stages of hepatitis B infection

The amino acid metabolism in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is significantly changed. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the amino acid profiles and varying clinical stages of HBV infection, and investigated their significance. The plasma amino acid concentrations in 115 patients with HBV infection and 32 healthy donors were detected and analyzed, and the main indicators of liver function were measured. Correlation analysis was performed between the amino acid profiles (Fischer's ratio, branched-chain amino acid to tyrosine ratio [BTR]) and the key indicators of liver function in patients with HBV infection. Fisher's ratio and the BTR of patients with HBV infection was found to differ from that of the healthy controls, and was also found to significantly correlate with the stage of HBV infection. Changes in the BTR were closely related to the level of key indicators of liver function, and a significant relationship was detected between the Fischer's ratio and the BTR (r=0.928, p<0.001). These results suggest that Fischer's ratio and the BTR can indirectly reflect the degree of liver cell injury. Determining and tracking the plasma amino acid profiles could, therefore, be used for the diagnosis, treatment selection, and prognosis of patients with varying stages of HBV infection.

Lower incidence and severity of tomato virus in elevated CO(2) is accompanied by modulated plant induced defence in tomato

Elevation in atmospheric CO(2) concentration broadly affects plant phenology and physiology, and these effects may alter the performance of plant viruses. The effects of elevated CO(2) on the susceptibility of tomato plants to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) were examined for two successive years in open top chambers (OTC) in the field. We experimentally tested the hypothesis that elevated CO(2) would reduce the incidence and severity of TYLCV on tomato by altering plant defence strategies. Our results showed that elevated CO(2) decreased TYLCV disease incidence (by 14.6% in 2009 and 11.8% in 2010) and decreased disease severity (by 20.0% in 2009 and 10.4% in 2010). Elevated CO(2) also decreased the level of TYLCV coat protein in tomato leaves. Regardless of virus infection, elevated CO(2) increased plant height and aboveground biomass. Additionally, elevated CO(2) increased the leaf C:N ratio of tomato, but decreased soluble protein content in leaves. Notably, elevated CO(2) increased the salicylic acid (SA) level in uninfected and infected plants. In contrast, elevated CO(2) reduced jasmonic acid (JA) in uninfected plants while it increased JA and abscisic acid (ABA) in virus-infected plants. Furthermore, combined exogenous SA and JA application enhanced resistance to TYLCV more than application of either SA or JA alone. Our results suggest that the modulated antagonistic relationship between SA and JA under elevated CO(2) makes a great contribution to increased tomato resistance to TYLCV, and the predicted increases in tomato productivity may be enhanced by reduced plant virus susceptibility under projected rising CO(2) conditions.

CD28 superagonist antibody treatment attenuated obliterative bronchiolitis in rat allo-orthotopic tracheal transplantation by preferentially expanding Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells

Obliterative airway disease (OAD) due to chronic alloantigen rejection remains a major challenge for long-term graft survival in lung transplantation. It is known that superagonistic CD28-specific monoclonal antibody JJ316 (supCD28 MAb) has the ability to induce regulatory T cells (Tregs) efficiently. Here we used a rat orthotopic tracheal transplantation model to investigate the effects of supCD28 MAb on expanding Tregs in vivo and its application in suppression of acute and chronic airway allograft rejection. SupCD28 MAb administration revealed a significant increase in the CD4+CD25+ T cells, CD4+FoxP3+ T cells, and CD4+CD25+ FoxP3+ T cells population among CD4+ T cells in spleen, peripheral blood, as well as cervical lymph nodes. The allografts from animals treated with supCD28 MAb showed significantly less airway obliteration and rejection of the respiratory epithelium compared with allografts of the mouse immunoglobulin G-treated group on the 5th day and the 60th day after transplantation. Overall, our data demonstrated that an intraperitoneally administrated low dose of supCD28 MAb was sufficient to induce Treg cell expansion in vivo and was effective in protecting the airway graft from early rejection and chronic OAD development. These findings provide the basis for new therapies to prevent OAD and perhaps rejection of allografts in other human transplantations.

Magnetic structure of CuCrO₂: a single crystal neutron diffraction study

This paper presents results of a recent study of multiferroic CuCrO(2) by means of single crystal neutron diffraction. This system has two close magnetic phase transitions at T(N) = 24.2 K and T(mf) = 23.6 K. The low temperature magnetic structure below T(mf) is unambiguously determined to be a fully three-dimensional proper screw. Between T(N) and T(mf) antiferromagnetic order is found that is essentially two-dimensional. In this narrow temperature range, magnetic near neighbor correlations are still long range in the (H,K) plane, whereas nearest neighbors along the L direction are uncorrelated. Thus, the multiferroic state is realized only in the low temperature three-dimensional state and not in the two-dimensional state.

Association of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) polymorphisms with acute leukemia susceptibility

INTRODUCTION

Aberrant activation of Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway leads to deregulated proliferation, differentiation, or apoptosis of normal cells. One of the members of this family, JAK2, plays a very important role in metabolizing carcinogens and medications. This study aimed to detect whether any association exists between genetic polymorphisms in JAK2 gene and individual susceptibility to acute leukemia.

METHODS

A case-control study in a Chinese population with 260 acute leukemia cases and 280 healthy controls matched by age, gender, and ethnicity. Genomic DNA was assayed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) with five genetic polymorphisms in JAK2 gene.

RESULTS

The distributions of rs56118985 GA genotype in the acute leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) groups were both slightly different when compared with the control group (P = 0.049 and P = 0.045). The frequencies of rs2230724 AA and GA genotypes in the acute leukemia and its subtypes were all significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001). This suggested that subjects with A allele of rs2230724 were susceptible to acute leukemia and its subtypes. In addition, A allele of rs2230724 should be an important genetic determinant for acute leukemia and AML.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that the risk of acute leukemia might be associated with JAK2 polymorphisms.

Immunohistochemical evidence: testicular and scented glandular androgen synthesis in muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) during the breeding season

In order to elucidate the relationship between androgens and the function of the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) scented glands during the breeding season, we investigated immunolocalization of steroidogenic enzymes P450scc, 3βHSD and P450c17 in the muskrat testes and scented glands. Nine adult muskrats were obtained in March (n=3), May (n=3) and July (n=3) 2010. Steroidogenic enzymes were immunolocalized using polyclonal antisera raised against bovine adrenal P450scc, human placental 3βHSD and porcine testicular P450c17. Histologically, all types of spermatogenic cells including mature-phase spermatozoa in seminiferous tubules were observed in all testes. Glandular cells, interstitial cells, epithelial cells and excretory tubules were identified in scented glands during the breeding season. P450scc, 3βHSD and P450c17 were only identified in Leydig cells during the breeding season; P450scc and P450c17 were observed in glandular cells of scented glands, however, 3βHSD was not found in scented glands during the breeding season. These novel findings provide the first evidence showing that scented glands of the muskrats are capable of locally synthesizing androgens and androgens acting via an endocrine, autocrine or paracrine manner may play an important role in scented gland function during the breeding season.

Altered brain activation and connectivity in early Parkinson disease tactile perception

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Deficits in tactile perception are common in patients with PD. However, the neural mechanisms have not been previously reported in the early stages. This study aims to investigate how the brain activity and connectivity changed under tactile perception at early Parkinsonian state by using functional MR imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients with early PD and 22 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited and scanned under a passive tactile stimulation task. Within-group and between-group activation maps were acquired, and regions of interest were defined according to the group-comparison result. This was followed by a functional connectivity analysis based on the graph theory.

RESULTS

We found that in the PD group, bilateral sensorimotor cortex was hypoactive during the task, whereas the hyperactive regions were mainly in bilateral prefrontal cortex, bilateral cerebellum, and contralateral striatum. There was a significant decrease of total connectivity degree in ipsilateral SMA in PD, which was negatively correlated with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score. Furthermore, the connection strengths among the areas of prefrontal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum were increased.

CONCLUSIONS

This study illustrated that early PD was associated with not only altered brain activation but also changed functional connectivity in tactile perception. The most significant impairment was in SMA, whereas striato-prefrontal and cerebello-prefrontal loops may play a compensatory role in early PD tactile function.

Increased expression of the large GTPase dynamin 2 potentiates metastatic migration and invasion of pancreatic ductal carcinoma

Pancreatic ductal tumors invade local parenchyma and metastasize to distant organs. Src-mediated tyrosine kinase signaling pathways promote pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) metastasis, though the molecular mechanisms supporting this invasive process are poorly understood and represent important and novel therapeutic targets. The large GTPase Dynamin2 (Dyn2), a Src-kinase substrate, regulates membrane-cytoskeletal dynamics although it is yet to be defined if this mechanoenzyme contributes to tumor cell migration and invasion. Therefore the goal of this study was to test if Dyn2 is upregulated in human pancreatic tumors and to define its role in cell migration and metastatic invasion using in vitro assays and nude mouse models. Histological analysis showed that 81% of the 85 patients tested had elevated Dyn2 in PDAC tissue. To test if Dyn2 overexpression alters metastatic properties of human pancreatic tumor cells, stable clones of BxPC-3 cells overexpressing either wild-type Dyn2 or a phosphorylation-deficient mutant Dyn2Y(231/597)F known to attenuate Dyn2 function, were generated and analyzed for migratory capacity. Importantly, tumor cells expressing 2-3 fold levels of Dyn2 protruded lamellipodia at twice the rate, migrated faster (180%) and farther (2.5-fold greater net distance) on glass and through transwell chambers (2-3 fold more cells through the filter) compared to cells expressing Dyn2Y(231/597)F or vector alone. Further, siRNA-mediated depletion of Dyn2 and dynamin inhibitors MiTMAB and Dynasore significantly reduced cell migration (>66%), wound healing (>75%) and invasion in transwell assays (>95%) compared to DMSO treated cells. To test the metastatic potential conferred by increased Dyn2 expression, the BxPC-3 clonal cell lines were implanted orthotopically into the pancreas of nude mice. Cells expressing Dyn2-GFP exhibited a 3-fold increase in large distal tumors compared to cells expressing Dyn2Y(231/597)F or vector alone. Finally, histological analysis of pancreatic metastases from human patients revealed that Dyn2 is upregulated in 60% of metastatic tumors examined. These findings are the first to implicate dynamin in any neoplastic condition and to directly demonstrate a role for this mechanoenzyme in invasive cell migration.

Influence of organic zinc supplementation on the antioxidant status and immune responses of broilers challenged with Eimeria tenella

An experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of Zn supplementation on the performance, antioxidant status, and immune responses of broilers challenged with Eimeria tenella. A total of 384 male broilers (1 d old) were assigned to 8 treatments consisting of 8 replicates of 6 chicks each. A basal corn-soybean meal diet (29.6 mg of Zn/kg) was supplemented with methionine hydroxyl analog-Zn chelate at 0, 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg of diet. At 21 d of age, birds were orally gavaged with 1.5 × 10(4) sporulated E. tenella oocysts. Dietary Zn supplementation had no effect on growth performance of either the challenged or nonchallenged birds. Activities of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were increased (P < 0.001) with increasing Zn levels in both the challenged and nonchallenged groups. Lipid peroxidation tended to be reduced (P = 0.08) at Zn inclusion of 20 and 40 mg/kg. In vitro lymphocyte proliferation responses to mitogen concanavalin A and LPS were not influenced by dietary Zn or challenge. The main effects of Zn level and challenge were significant for secretory IgA on d 28 (P < 0.01) and 35 (P < 0.001). During both periods, secretory IgA of birds receiving dietary Zn supplementation was higher (P < 0.05) than that of those receiving no Zn supplementation. Birds fed Zn supplementation excreted fewer oocysts in the excreta than those receiving no Zn supplement (P < 0.001). Results indicated that organic Zn supplementation reduced oxidative stress and improved some immune responses irrespective of whether birds were healthy or challenged with E. tenella.

Characterization of 236 novel alleles at the HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DQB1 and -DPB1 loci from China Marrow Donor Program

Two hundred and thirty-six novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles are described from volunteer donors of the China Marrow Donor Program: 71 HLA-A alleles, 79 HLA-B alleles, 43 HLA-C, 16 HLA-DRB1 alleles, 26 HLA-DQB1 and 1 HLA-DPB1. Two hundred and thirteen (90.3%) of the 236 novel alleles are single nucleotide substitution variants when compared with their most homologous allele. Seventy-eight of these single nucleotide variants are silent substitutions. The remaining novel alleles differ from their most similar allele by two to four nucleotide substitutions. Some of the novel alleles encode amino acid changes at positions not previously reported to be polymorphic, such as codons 57, 62, 67, 41 and 52 in HLA-A alleles; codons 133, 156, 201 and 215 in HLA-B alleles; codons 74, 208 and 225 in HLA-C; codons 25, 32 and 72 in HLA-DRB1; codons 20, 39 and 77 in HLA-DQB1.

Short-range order and near-field effects on optical scattering and structural coloration

We have investigated wavelength-dependent light scattering in biomimetic structures with short-range order. Coherent backscattering experiments are performed to measure the transport mean free path over a wide wavelength range. Overall scattering strength is reduced significantly due to short-range order and near-field effects. Our analysis explains why single scattering of light is dominant over multiple scattering in similar biological structures and is responsible for color generation.

Characterization of immortalized mesenchymal stem cells derived from foetal porcine pancreas

Islet replacement therapy is limited by shortage of donor islet cells. Usage of islet cells derived from porcine pancreatic stem cells (PSCs) is currently viewed as the most promising alternative for human islet transplantation. However, PSCs are rare and have a finite proliferative lifespan. In this study, we isolated and established an immortalized mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) line derived from foetal porcine pancreas, by transfecting human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and called these immortalized pancreatic mesenchymal stem cells (iPMSCs). The iPMSCs have been cultured for more than 80 passages and have capacity to differentiate into neurons, cardiomyocytes, germ cells and islet-like cells, analysed by morphology, RT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry and transplantation assay. Islets derived from iPMSCs reversed hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and secreted insulin and C-peptide in vitro. These results demonstrated that iPMSCs might provide unlimited resources for islet replacement therapy and models for functional cell differentiation.

Effect of different rumen-inert fatty acids supplemented with a dietary antioxidant on performance and antioxidative status of early-lactation cows

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of diets supplemented with fatty acids of different degrees of saturation, in the absence or presence of an antioxidant (AOX; Agrado Plus, Novus International Inc., St. Charles, MO), on dairy cow lactation performance. Calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids were supplemented as a source of lower saturation fatty acid, and a palm acid product was supplemented as the higher saturation fatty acid source. Sixty early-lactation Chinese Holstein cows (100+/-23 d in milk) were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial design: (1) lower saturation fatty acid (LS), (2) LS and AOX, (3) higher saturation fatty acid (HS), and (4) HS and AOX. The Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids and palm acid product were supplied at 1.8 and 1.5% on a dry matter basis, respectively, to form isoenergetic diets. The AOX was added at 0.025% in the ration. The experiment lasted 9 wk, including 1 wk for adaptation. Lactation performance was recorded and milk was sampled and analyzed weekly. Blood samples were taken from the coccygeal vein to determine metabolism parameters on d 16, 36, and 56 during the experiment. Neither fatty acid type nor AOX supplementation showed a significant effect on dry matter intake during the study. Milk yield was lower in the LS-fed cows compared with the cows fed HS. Milk fat and milk protein concentrations were not affected by fatty acid type or AOX supplementation. Adding AOX increased the yield of milk in the LS-fed cows, but did not affect those fed HS. Activity of plasma superoxide dismutase was significantly lower, plasma glucose tended to be lower, and plasma malondialdehyde was higher in the LS-fed animals compared with those fed HS. Addition of AOX decreased both plasma nonesterified fatty acids and hydrogen peroxide contents and increased total antioxidant capacity across the fatty acid types. Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate was not affected by fatty acid type or AOX treatment. Cows fed LS had higher cis-9C(18:1) and trans-10, cis-12C(18:2) in milk at the expense of C(18:0), whereas AOX addition increased milk cis-9C(18:1) at the expense of milk C(12:0), C(16:0), and trans-10, cis-12C(18:2). It is inferred that feeding LS resulted in inferior lactation performance, whereas addition of antioxidant partially alleviated these negative effects.

Directional laser emission from a wavelength-scale chaotic microcavity

We demonstrate directional output from a deformed disk laser of dimensions comparable to the emission wavelength. Unlike larger deformed cavity lasers, which exhibit universal output directionality determined by chaotic ray dynamics, the far-field patterns differ between lasing modes. The directional emission results from weak coupling of isotropic high-quality modes to anisotropic low-quality modes, combined with chiral symmetry breaking of clockwise and counterclockwise propagating waves. This mechanism makes it possible to control the output properties of wavelength-scale lasers.

MicroRNAs play a critical role in tooth development

MicroRNAs are known to regulate gene function in many tissues and organs, but their expression and function, if any, in tooth development are elusive. We sought to identify them by microRNA screening analyses and reveal their overall roles by inactivating Dicer1 in the dental epithelium and mesenchyme. Discrete sets of microRNAs are expressed in molars compared with incisors as well as epithelium compared with mesenchyme. Conditional knockout (cKO) of Dicer1 (mature microRNAs) in the dental epithelium of the Pitx2-Cre mouse results in multiple and branched enamel-free incisors and cuspless molars, and change in incisor patterning and in incisor and molar size and shape. Analyses of differentiating dental epithelial markers reveal a defect in ameloblast differentiation. Conversely, the cervical loop (stem cell niche) is expanded in Dicer1 cKO. These results demonstrate that tooth development is tightly controlled by microRNAs and that specific microRNAs regulate tooth epithelial stem cell differentiation.

Improving optical confinement in nanostructures via external mode coupling

We demonstrate the formation of long-lived resonances via external coupling in open nanostructures. In the examples of three dielectric nanorods or strips, external coupling of modes is induced by tuning of the rod spacing and increases the lifetime over an order of magnitude. Such an enhancement results from the destructive interference of fields that minimizes light leakage. Our results illustrate an effective way of storing light in nanostructures, and have potential applications to nanoscale photonic devices.

Improved separability of dipole sources by tripolar versus conventional disk electrodes: a modeling study using independent component analysis

Tripolar electrodes have been shown to have less mutual information and higher spatial resolution than disc electrodes. In this work, a four-layer anisotropic concentric spherical head computer model was programmed, then four configurations of time-varying dipole signals were used to generate the scalp surface signals that would be obtained with tripolar and disc electrodes, and four important EEG artifacts were tested: eye blinking, cheek movements, jaw movements, and talking. Finally, a fast fixed-point algorithm was used for signal independent component analysis (ICA). The results show that signals from tripolar electrodes generated better ICA separation results than from disc electrodes for EEG signals with these four types of artifacts.

Ising versus XY anisotropy in frustrated R(2)Ti(2)O(7) compounds as "Seen" by Polarized Neutrons

We studied the field induced magnetic order in R(2)Ti(2)O(7) pyrochlore compounds with either uniaxial (R=Ho, Tb) or planar (R=Er, Yb) anisotropy, by polarized neutron diffraction. The determination of the local susceptibility tensor {chi(parallel to),chi(perpendicular)} provides a universal description of the field induced structures in the paramagnetic phase (2-270 K), whatever the field value (1-7 T) and direction. Comparison of the thermal variations of chi(parallel to) and chi(perpendicular) with calculations using the rare earth crystal field shows that exchange and dipolar interactions must be taken into account. We determine the molecular field tensor in each case and show that it can be strongly anisotropic.

Phase I study of chidamide (CS055/HBI-8000), a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors and lymphomas

3529

Background: Chidamide (CS055/HBI-8000) is a new benzamide type of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor with low nanomolar activity against HDAC1, 2, 3 and 10. This Phase I study evaluated the safety and tolerability of chidamide in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors and lymphomas. Methods: 31 pts with refractory or relapsed advanced solid tumors (22) and lymphomas (9) were enrolled in this study. Escalating doses of 5, 10, 17.5, 25, 32.5 and 50 mg Chidamide (each with 3 to 7 pts) were administered orally either twice or three times per week for 4 consecutive weeks every 6 weeks. Results: No dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) were identified in the 2 x per week cohorts (22 pts) up to 50 mg; G2 and G3 hematological toxicities (leukopenia/neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) were observed at 50 mg. DLTs were reported as G3 diarrhea or vomiting in 2 pts in the 3 x per week cohort at 50 mg. Common adverse events were G1/G2, fatigue (n = 11), thrombocytopenia (n = 9), anorexia (n = 8), nausea/vomiting (n = 7), leukopenia/neutropenia (n = 6), hypochromia (n = 6), and diarrhea (n = 5). No cystitis, pericarditis, pericardial effusion or prolonged QTc intervals were observed. Single dose PK analysis in pts with 25, 32.5 and 50 mg revealed T1/2 of 16.8–18.3 h, Tmax of 1–2 h in most cases, and a dose-related increase in Cmax and AUC. Multiple dose PK analysis in pts with 32.5 mg 3 x per week suggested drug accumulation with this regimen. Significant induction of histone (H3) acetylation was observed in peripheral white blood cells, which lasted for 2–3 days in most pts after single dosing. 25 pts with total treatment cycles of 49 (range 1–6) were evaluable for efficacy. 4 pts with T-cell lymphomas (4/5 evaluable) and 1 pt with submandibular adenoid cystic carcinoma achieved PR, and 11 pts (2 B-cell lymphomas and 9 solid tumors) experienced SD. Conclusions: Chidamide was well-tolerated in pts with advanced solid tumors and lymphomas in the tested regimens. In addition, the compound exhibited a relatively long half-life, a long-lasting biomarker response and encouraging antitumor activity at well-tolerated doses. The overall phase I results recommend the 2 x per week regimen for phase II studies.

[Table: see text]