Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) guidelines for IFNL3 (IL28B) genotype and PEG interferon-α-based regimens

Pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFN-α or PEG-IFN 2a and 2b)- and ribavirin (RBV)-based regimens are the mainstay for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1. IFNL3 (IL28B) genotype is the strongest baseline predictor of response to PEG-IFN-α and RBV therapy in previously untreated patients and can be used by patients and clinicians as part of the shared decision-making process for initiating treatment for HCV infection. We provide information regarding the clinical use of PEG-IFN-α- and RBV-containing regimens based on IFNL3 genotype.

Genetic mapping of rust resistance genes in confection sunflower line HA-R6 and oilseed line RHA 397

Few widely effective resistance sources to sunflower rust, incited by Puccinia helianthi Schwein., have been identified in confection sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The USDA inbred line HA-R6 is one of the few confection sunflower lines resistant to rust. A previous allelism test indicated that rust resistance genes in HA-R6 and RHA 397, an oilseed-type restorer line, are either allelic or closely linked; however, neither have been characterized nor molecularly mapped. The objectives of this study are (1) to locate the rust resistance genes in HA-R6 and RHA 397 on a molecular map, (2) to develop closely linked molecular markers for rust resistance diagnostics, and (3) to determine the resistance spectrum of two lines when compared with other rust-resistant lines. Two populations of 140 F2:3 families each from the crosses of HA 89, as susceptible parent, with HA-R6 and RHA 397 were inoculated with race 336 of P. helianthi in the greenhouse. The resistance genes (R-genes) in HA-R6 and RHA 397 were molecularly mapped to the lower end of linkage group 13, which encompasses a large R-gene cluster, and were designated as R 13a and R 13b, respectively. In the initial maps, SSR (simple sequence repeat) and InDel (insertion and deletion) markers revealed 2.8 and 8.2 cM flanking regions for R 13a and R 13b, respectively, linked with a common marker set of four co-segregating markers, ORS191, ORS316, ORS581, and ZVG61, in the distal side and one marker ORS464 in the proximal side. To identify new markers closer to the genes, sunflower RGC (resistance gene candidate) markers linked to the downy mildew R-gene Pl 8 and located at the same region as R 13a and R 13b were selected to screen the two F2 populations. The RGC markers RGC15/16 and a newly developed marker SUN14 designed from a BAC contig anchored by RGC251 further narrowed down the region flanking R 13a and R 13b to 1.1 and 0.1 cM, respectively. Both R 13a and R 13b are highly effective against all rust races tested so far. Our newly developed molecular markers will facilitate breeding efforts to pyramid the R 13 genes with other rust R-genes and accelerate the development of rust-resistant sunflower hybrids in both confection and oilseed sunflowers.

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms contribute to the risk of endometriosis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 case-control studies

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease defined as the presence of the endometrium outside the uterine cavity. Endometriosis is a multifactorial and polygenic disease in which angiogenesis may be implicated. Angiogenesis is under the control of numerous inducers, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Many studies have reported that VEGF plays a role in the progression of the disease, but individually published studies showed inconclusive results. We investigated the association between VEGF polymorphisms and the susceptibility to endometriosis. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CBM databases were searched for all articles published up to June 25, 2012, which addressed VEGF polymorphisms and endometriosis risk. We investigated the potential association between VEGF polymorphisms and the risk of endometriosis. Fourteen studies were included with a total of 3313 endometriosis cases and 3393 healthy controls. Meta-analysis results showed that the rs699947 (A>C) and rs1570360 (G>A) polymorphisms in the VEGF gene were associated with a decreased risk of endometriosis, while rs3025039 (C>T) might increase the risk of endometriosis. However, the rs833061 (T>C) and rs2010963 (G>C) polymorphisms of the VEGF gene did not appear to have an influence on endometriosis susceptibility. Results from the meta-analysis suggest that the rs3025039 (C>T) polymorphism of the VEGF gene increases the risk of endometriosis, but the rs699947 (A>C) and rs1570360 (G>A) polymorphisms might be protective factors for endometriosis.

The p53-Bak apoptotic signaling axis plays an essential role in regulating differentiation of the ocular lens

The tumor suppressor p53 is a master regulator of apoptosis and also plays a key role in cell cycle checking. In our previous studies, we demonstrated that p53 directly regulates Bak in mouse JB6 cells (Qin et al. 2008. Cancer Research. 68(11):4150) and that p53-Bak signaling axis plays an important role in mediating EGCG-induced apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate that the same p53-Bak apoptotic signaling axis executes an essential role in regulating lens cell differentiation. First, during mouse lens development, p53 is expressed and differentially phosphorylated at different residues. Associated with p53 expression, Bak is also significantly expressed during mouse lens development. Second, human p53 directly regulates Bak promoter and Bak expression in p53 knockout mice (p53-/-) was significantly downregulated. Third, during in vitro bFGF-induced lens cell differentiation, knockdown of p53 or Bak leads to significant inhibition of lens cell differentiation. Fourth, besides the major distribution of Bak in cytoplasm, it is also localized in the nucleus in normal lens or bFGF-induced differentiating lens cells. Finally, p53 and Bak are co-localized in both cytoplasm and nucleus, and their interaction regulates the stability of p53. Together, these results demonstrate for the first time that the p53-Bak apoptotic signaling axis plays an essential role in regulating lens differentiation.

The tumor suppressor p53 regulates c-Maf and Prox-1 to control lens differentiation

The tumor suppressor p53 plays a key role in regulating apoptosis and cell cycle progression. In addition, p53 is implicated in control of cell differentiation in muscle, the circulatory system, ocular lens and various carcinoma tissues. However, the mechanisms by which p53 controls cell differentiation are not fully understood. Here we present evidence that p53 directly regulates c-Maf and Prox1, two important transcription factors controlling differentiation in the ocular lens. First, human and murine c-Maf and Prox1 gene promoters contain authentic p53 DNA binding sites. Second, p53 directly binds to the p53 binding sites found in the promoter regions. Third, exogenous p53 induces dose-dependent expression of the luciferase report gene driven by both c-Maf and Prox1 promoters, and p53 binds to both promoters in the ChIP assays. Fourth, in the in vitro differentiation model, knockdown of p53 significantly inhibits lens differentiation which is associated with downregulated expression of c-Maf and Prox1. Finally, in p53 knockout mice, the expression of c-Maf and Prox1 are significantly altered. Together, our results reveal that p53 regulates lens differentiation through modulation of two important transcription factors, c-Maf and Prox1, and through them p53 thus controls expression of various differentiation-related downstream crystallin genes.

The PP2A-Aβ gene is regulated by multiple transcriptional factors including Ets-1, SP1/SP3, and RXRα/β

Protein phosphatase-2A (PP-2A) is a major serine/threonine phosphatase abundantly expressed in eukaryotes. PP-2A is a heterotrimer that contains a 65 kD scaffold A subunit, a 36 kD catalytic C subunit, and a regulatory B subunit of variable isoforms ranging from 54-130 kDs. The scaffold subunits, PP2A-Aα/β, act as platforms for both the C and B subunits to bind, and thus are key structural components for PP-2A activity. Mutations in both genes encoding PP2A-Aα and PP2A-Aβ lead to carcinogenesis and likely other human diseases. Our previous work showed that the gene coding for PP2A-Aα is positively regulated by multiple transcription factors including Ets-1, CREB, and AP-2α but negatively regulated by SP-1/SP-3. In the present study, we have functionally dissected the promoter of the mouse PP2A-Aβ gene. Our results demonstrate that three major cis-elements, including the binding sites for Ets-1, SP1/SP3, and RXRα/β, are present in the proximal promoter of the mouse PP2A-Aβ gene. Gel mobility shifting assays reveal that Ets-1, SP1/SP3, and RXRα/β all bind to PP2A-Aβ gene promoter. In vitro mutagenesis and reporter gene activity assays demonstrate that while Ets-1 displays negative regulation, SP1/SP3 and RXRα/β positively regulate the promoter of the PP2A-Aβ gene. Co-expression of the cDNAs encoding Ets-1, SP1/SP3, or RXRα/β and the luciferase reporter gene driven by PP2A-Aβ promoter further confirm their control over the PP2A-Aβ promoter. Finally, ChIP assays demonstrate that Ets-1, SP1/SP3, and RXRα/β can all bind to the PP2A-Aβ gene promoter. Together, our results reveal that multiple transcription factors regulate the PP2A-Aβ gene. Moreover, our results provide important information explaining why PP2A-Aα and PP2A-Aβ display distinct expression levels.

PP-1α and PP-1γ display antagonism and differential roles in tumorigenicity of lung cancer cells

Protein serine/threonine phosphatases are important cellular signaling molecules and play major roles in regulating many different functions including cell proliferation, senescence, programmed cell death, and oncogenic cell transformation. Among different serine/threonine phosphatases, PP-1 and PP-2A contribute to more than 90% phosphatase activities in eukaryotes. While the functions of PP-2A in cell transformation and tumorigenesis have been well established, the role of PP-1 in carcinogenesis remains to be further explored. Moreover, PP-1 exists in different isoforms, whether these isoforms have differential functions in tumorigenesis remains to be examined. In the present study, we demonstrated that in lung cancer 1299 cells, PP1α and PP- 1 & γ exist in an antagonizing balance. In the parent H1299 cells, PP-1γ is dominant, about 4-fold higher than that of PP-1α. Overexpression of PP-1α significantly down-regulates PP-1γ at both mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, knockdown of PP-1α leads to upregulation of PP-1γ. Moreover, overexpression of PP-1α significantly attenuates the ability of the H1299 cells in promoting tumorigenicity as tested in immuno-deficient nude mice. This attenuation is derived from the halted cell cycle progression, which is largely attributed by the changed RB-E2F activity. Together, our results demonstrate that PP-1α and PP-1γ not only antagonize each other in lung cancer cells, but also display differential functions in tumorigenicity.

Molecular tagging of a novel rust resistance gene R(12) in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Sunflower production in North America has recently suffered economic losses in yield and seed quality from sunflower rust (Puccinia helianthi Schwein.) because of the increasing incidence and lack of resistance to new rust races. RHA 464, a newly released sunflower male fertility restorer line, is resistant to both of the most predominant and most virulent rust races identified in the Northern Great Plains of the USA. The gene conditioning rust resistance in RHA 464 originated from wild Helianthus annuus L., but has not been molecularly marked or determined to be independent from other rust loci. The objectives of this study are to identify molecular markers linked to the rust resistance gene and to investigate the allelism of this gene with the unmapped rust resistance genes present in HA-R6, HA-R8 and RHA 397. Virulence phenotypes of seedlings for the F(2) population and F(2:3) families suggested that a single dominant gene confers rust resistance in RHA 464, and this gene was designated as R(12). Bulked segregant analysis identified ten markers polymorphic between resistant and susceptible bulks. In subsequent genetic mapping, the ten markers covered 33.4 cM of genetic distance on linkage group 11 of sunflower. A co-dominant marker CRT275-11 is the closest marker distal to R(12) with a genetic distance of 1.0 cM, while ZVG53, a dominant marker linked in the repulsion phase, is proximal to R(12) with a genetic distance of 9.6 cM. The allelism test demonstrated that R(12) is not allelic to the rust resistance genes in HA-R6, HA-R8 and RHA 397, and it is also not linked to any previously mapped rust resistance genes. Discovery of the R(12) novel rust resistance locus in sunflower and associated markers will potentially support the molecular marker-assisted introgression and pyramiding of R(12) into sunflower breeding lines.

Paediatric bacterial keratitis cases in Shanghai: microbiological profile, antibiotic susceptibility and visual outcomes

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to review the microbiological profile, in vitro antibiotic susceptibility and visual outcomes of paediatric microbial keratitis in Shanghai, China over the past 6 years.

METHODS

Medical records of patients aged ≤16 years were reviewed, who were diagnosed as having bacterial keratitis between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2010. Bacterial culture results and in vitro antibiotic susceptibility were analysed. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between visual impairment and possible risk factors.

RESULTS

Eighty consecutive cases of paediatric bacterial keratitis cases were included, among which 59 were identified as having positive culture. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most commonly isolated organism (n=23; 39.0%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=11; 18.6%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=6; 10.2%). Antibiotic sensitivities revealed that tested bacteria had low resistance rates to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides (8.3-18.4% and 12.5-24.4%, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis proved that visual impairment was significantly associated with Gram-negative bacterial infection (odds ratio (OR)=7.626; P=0.043) and an increasing number of resistant antibiotics (OR=0.385; P=0.040).

CONCLUSIONS

S. epidermidis was the most common isolated organism in Shanghai paediatric keratitis. The fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides remained good choices for treating these patients. Gram-negative bacterial infection and an increasing number of resistant antibiotics were associated with worse visual prognoses in paediatric keratitis.

Cloning and characterization of three chemosensory proteins from Spodoptera exigua and effects of gene silencing on female survival and reproduction

Insect chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are supposed to transport hydrophobic chemicals to receptors on sensory neurons. However, CSPs are broadly expressed in various insect tissues, suggesting their involvement in the physiological processes beyond chemoreception. So, the exact physiological roles of CSPs in insects still need to be unraveled. In this study, three full-length of CSP genes from Spodoptera exigua have been cloned and characterized. The deduced amino acid sequences of SexiCSP1, SexiCSP2 and SexiCSP3 revealed open reading frames of 128, 128 and 126 amino acids, respectively, with four conserved cysteine residues. The expression patterns of the three SexiCSPs were further investigated by real-time PCR. Three SexiCSPs were expressed in antennae, heads, legs, wings, thoraxes, abdomens, testes and ovaries, with the highest expression level in female and male antennae. Furthermore, all three SexiCSPs mRNA were distributed extensively in the tested development stages with the highest expression level in pupae. RNAi-based gene silencing study resulted in a dramatic reduction of corresponding mRNA in female S. exigua after injection with dsRNA of all three SexiCSPs. Consequentially, 42.5% of mortalities, 68.3% (compare to DEPC water injected control) and 71.4% (compare to uninjected control) oviposition inhibition, and significantly effected egg hatching were observed in the female S. exigua injected with dsSexiCSP3 as compared to control treatments. On the other hand, dsSexiCSP1 and dsSexiCSP2 injected female adults did not show effects on survival and reproduction. Our study confirms the utility of RNAi approach to functional characterization of CSP genes in S. exigua and provides a starting point for further studies on female survival and reproduction in this insect. It also reveals the potential pest controlling method, as insect behavior regulation agent that disrupts the expression of chemosensory proteins.

Insight into the vertical detachment energy oscillation of Na(n)C60(-) clusters

We have performed a detailed density functional theory study on the structural and electronic properties of Na(n)C(60)(-) (n = 1-12) clusters. The calculated vertical detachment energies show good agreement with the experimental data, which confirms the 3p (n = 3p) oscillation rule. The oscillation can be attributed to the combination of the charge depletion distribution induced by removing electrons and the number of the sodium atoms in direct contact with the fullerene. Based on the structural and electronic properties, the Na atoms can be categorized into two groups, one is for the metal atoms directly bonded to the fullerene surface, and the other one is for those without bonding to the fullerene. The Na atoms in group one would donate electrons to both the fullerene and the Na atoms in group two. As the total number of the sodium atoms increases, the number of Na atoms in group one would continue increasing till the size n = 3p - 1 to meet a shoulder from n = 3p - 1 to n = 3p, which accounts for the maximum vertical detachment energy at the size of n = 3p as drawn from the detailed electronic property studies.

The clinical pharmacogenomics implementation consortium: CPIC guideline for SLCO1B1 and simvastatin-induced myopathy

Cholesterol reduction from statin therapy has been one of the greatest public health successes in modern medicine. Simvastatin is among the most commonly used prescription medications. A non-synonymous coding single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs4149056, in SLCO1B1 markedly increases systemic exposure to simvastatin and the risk of muscle toxicity. This guideline explores the relationship between rs4149056 (c.521T>C, p.V174A) and clinical outcome for all statins. The strength of the evidence is high for myopathy with simvastatin. We limit our recommendations accordingly.

Effects of ginsenoside Rg1 or 17β-estradiol on a cognitively impaired, ovariectomized rat model of Alzheimer's disease

Ginsenoside Rg1, which could improve spatial learning and memory, might be a useful agent for preventing and treating cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study was designed to test the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on an ovariectomized (OVX) and d-galactose (d-gal)-injected rat model of AD, which is characterized with progressive learning and memory deficits, AD-related molecules alteration and differentiation/apoptosis imbalance in hippocampal neurons. OVX Wistar rats received daily injections of d-gal (100mg/kg) combined with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rg1 (5, 10, 20mg/kg) or 17-β-estradiol (E2, 100 μg/kg), or normal saline (NS, 1.0 ml/kg) for 6 weeks. Ovarian steroid deprivation plus d-gal injection led to spatial learning and memory capacity impairments, as well as increased Aβ(1-42) production. Ginsenoside Rg1 and E2-treatment significantly ameliorated these deteriorations in AD rats. Seven weeks after surgery, α-secretase a disintegrin and metallopeptidase domain 10 (ADAM 10) in hippocampus of AD rats was dramatically decreased, while β-secretase β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE 1) increased compared with those in sham-operated ones (P<0.05). Levels of cleaved caspase 3 were increased in the hippocampus of AD rats. Ginsenoside Rg1 and E2-treatment increased ADAM 10 level while reduced BACE 1 level and apoptosis. Moreover, moderate i.e. 10mg/kg/d and high i.e. 20mg/kg/d ginsenoside Rg1 displayed more effective function than low i.e. 5mg/kg/d ginsenoside Rg1. Our findings demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 and E2 on AD rats and support the potential application of ginsenoside Rg1 in the treatment of learning and memory impairments in postmenopausal women.

αA- and αB-crystallins interact with caspase-3 and Bax to guard mouse lens development

The small heat shock protein, α-crystallin, exists in two isoforms, αA and αB, and displays strong ability against stress-induced apoptosis. Regarding their functional mechanisms, we and others have demonstrated that they are able to regulate members in both caspase and Bcl-2 families. In addition, we have also shown that αA and αB may display differential anti-apoptotic mechanisms under certain stress conditions. While αA-crystallin regulates activation of the AKT signaling pathway, αB negatively regulates the MAPK pathway to suppress apoptosis induced by UV and oxidative stress. Although previous studies revealed that αA and αB could regulate members in both caspase and Bcl-2 families, the molecular mechanism, especially the in vivo regulation still waits to be elucidated. In the present communication, we present both in vitro and in vivo evidence to further demonstrate the regulation of caspase-3 and Bax by αA and αB. First, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and yeast two-hybrid selection analysis demonstrate that αA and αB directly bind to caspase-3 and Bax with differential affinities. Second, immunohistochemistry reveals that αA and αB regulate caspase-3 and Bax at different developmental stages of mouse embryo. Third, coimmunoprecipitation shows that αA and αB form in vivo interacting complexes with caspase-3 and Bax. Together, our results further confirm that αA and αB regulate caspase-3 and Bax in vitro and in vivo to regulate lens differentiation.

Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium Guidelines for CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotypes and warfarin dosing

Warfarin is a widely used anticoagulant with a narrow therapeutic index and large interpatient variability in the dose required to achieve target anticoagulation. Common genetic variants in the cytochrome P450-2C9 (CYP2C9) and vitamin K-epoxide reductase complex (VKORC1) enzymes, in addition to known nongenetic factors, account for ~50% of warfarin dose variability. The purpose of this article is to assist in the interpretation and use of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotype data for estimating therapeutic warfarin dose to achieve an INR of 2-3, should genotype results be available to the clinician. The Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) of the National Institutes of Health Pharmacogenomics Research Network develops peer-reviewed gene-drug guidelines that are published and updated periodically on http://www.pharmgkb.org based on new developments in the field.(1).

Field nanoemitter: one-dimension Al4C3 ceramics

As a kind of ionic (or salt-like) carbide, Al(4)C(3) hardly any active functions have been found except for structure material purposes. However, considering the unique characteristic features of its crystal structure, we think Al(4)C(3) in fact might have huge potential for exhibiting active functionality on field-emission application. Herein, we report for the first time the catalyst-free synthesis and excellent field emission properties of Al(4)C(3) one-dimension (1-D) nanostructures. The 1-D nanostructures acting as cold electron emitters display excellent field emission performance with the turn-on field as low as 1.4-2.0 V μm(-1) and the threshold field down to 4.2-4.4 V μm(-1). Such emitters are technologically useful, because they can be easily fabricated on large substrates, and the synthesis process is simple and broadly applicable. The findings conceptually provide new opportunities for the application of Al(4)C(3) ceramic material in vacuum microelectronic devices.

Apoptosis: its functions and control in the ocular lens

The ocular lens is a non-vascular and non-innervated transparent organ that plays an important role in vision processing. This unique organ is derived from the embryonic ectoderm of the brain region through a complicated differentiation process in which apoptosis plays a key role. First, when the committed ectoderm becomes thickened and invaginated, the defined number of cells required to form the lens vesicle is partially determined by apoptosis. Second, separation of lens vesicle from the above corneal ectoderm is executed through apoptosis of the lens stalk cells. Finally, differentiation of the lens epithelial cells is controlled by the regulators, most of which are involved in control of apoptosis at multiple signaling steps. The lens is also characterized by continuous growth and differentiation in the adulthood. Through the different stages of growth and differentiation in the adult lens, various stress conditions can induce apoptosis of the lens epithelial cells, leading to eventual non-congenital cataractogenesis. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on the functions and regulators of apoptosis in the ocular lens.

SUMOylation in ocular development and pathology

SUMOylation, a posttranslational modification process in which SUMO, the small ubiquitin-related modifier or small ubiquitin-like modifier, is added to the target proteins, plays an important role in regulating a variety of cellular processes including protein-protein interactions, subcellular localization, protein-DNA interactions and enzyme activity. This process adds another layer of control in eukaryote gene expression, and it regulates both transcriptional activation and repression. In the present review, we summarized the currently emerging information regarding the function of SUMOylation in ocular development and pathology.

Lumbar spine bone mineral density predicts endothelial reactivity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES

To explore whether endothelial function is related to bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

Consecutive adult SLE patients and age-, sex-, BMI- and smoking-status-matched healthy controls were studied. Subjects with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, renal impairment, dysthyroidism, history of or treatment for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, antiphospholipid syndrome, positive antiphospholipid antibodies or bone loss were excluded. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) at the brachial artery and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) by ultrasound. Lumbar and hip BMD were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Fasting blood samples were assayed for atherogenic index and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Regression models were constructed to study the relationship between FMD and BMD.

RESULTS

One hundred and ten subjects (55 SLE and 55 matched healthy controls) were studied. While there were no differences between SLE patients and controls in menopausal status, blood pressure, atherogenic index, carotid IMT and BMD, SLE patients had significantly poorer FMD even after adjustment for age, gender, smoking and baseline brachial artery diameter. Also, SLE patients with lumbar osteopenia had significantly lower FMD than those with normal BMD. Multivariate regression revealed that lower FMD was associated with lower lumbar BMD and higher serum hsCRP in SLE patients, but these relationships were absent amongst healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Lumbar vertebral BMD predicted endothelial reactivity in SLE patients without clinically-overt bone loss and atherosclerosis. Thus, early atherosclerotic disease should be considered in lupus patients especially if vertebral bone loss is evident.

Combination of hsa-miR-375 and hsa-miR-142-5p as a predictor for recurrence risk in gastric cancer patients following surgical resection

BACKGROUND

Recurrence is a major factor leading to treatment failure and death in gastric cancer (GC) patients following surgical resection. Importantly, the prediction of recurrence is critical in improving clinical outcomes. We isolated a group of microRNAs (miRNAs) and evaluated their usefulness as prognostic markers for the recurrence of GC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 65 GC patients were selected for systematic analysis, 29 patients with recurrence and 36 patients without recurrence. Firstly, miRNAs microarray and bioinformatics methods were used to characterize classifiers from primary tumor samples (n = 8). Following, we validated these predictors both in frozen fresh and paraffin-embedded tissue samples (n = 57) using quantitative PCR.

RESULTS

We have identified 17 differential miRNAs including 10 up-regulated and 7 down-regulated miRNAs in recurrence group. Using k-top scoring pairs (k-TSP) method, we further ascertained hsa-miR-375 and hsa-miR-142-5p as a classifier to recognize recurrence and nonrecurrence cases both in the training and test samples. Moreover, we validated this classifier in 34 frozen fresh tissues and 38 paraffin-embedded tissues with consistent sensitivity and specificity with training set; among them, 15 cases were matched. A high frequency recurrence and poor survival were observed in GC cases with high level of hsa-miR-375 and low level of hsa-miR-142-5p (P < 0.001). In addition, we evaluated that hsa-miR-375 and hsa-miR-142-5p were involved in regulating target genes in several oncogenic signal pathways, such as TP53, MAPK, Wnt and vascular endothelial growth factor.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the combination of hsa-miR-375 and hsa-miR-142-5p as a predictor of disease progression has the potential to predict recurrence risk for GC patients.

Differential expression of NF-kappaB target genes in MALT lymphoma with and without chromosome translocation: insights into molecular mechanism

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is characterized by t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1, t(1;14)(p22;q32)/BCL10-IGH and t(14;18)(q32;q21)/IGH-MALT1, which commonly activate the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB pathway. Gastric MALT lymphomas harboring such translocations usually do not respond to Helicobacter pylori eradication, while most of those without translocation can be cured by antibiotics. To understand the molecular mechanism of these different MALT lymphoma subgroups, we performed gene expression profiling analysis of 21 MALT lymphomas (13 translocation-positive, 8 translocation-negative). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of the NF-kappaB target genes and 4394 additional gene sets covering various cellular pathways, biological processes and molecular functions have shown that translocation-positive MALT lymphomas are characterized by an enhanced expression of NF-kappaB target genes, particularly toll like receptor (TLR)6, chemokine, CC motif, receptor (CCR)2, cluster of differentiation (CD)69 and B-cell CLL/lymphoma (BCL)2, while translocation-negative cases were featured by active inflammatory and immune responses, such as interleukin-8, CD86, CD28 and inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS). Separate analyses of the genes differentially expressed between translocation-positive and -negative cases and measurement of gene ontology term in these differentially expressed genes by hypergeometric test reinforced the above findings by GSEA. Finally, expression of TLR6, in the presence of TLR2, enhanced both API2-MALT1 and BCL10-mediated NF-kappaB activation in vitro. Our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism of MALT lymphomas with and without translocation, potentially explaining their different clinical behaviors.

Clonal Status and Clinicopathological Features of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Some studies have demonstrated that Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a neoplastic hyperplasia of Langerhans cells, however some researchers consider that clonality should be assessed in more patients with LCH, both at disease presentation and during the disease course. Monoclonality is a major characteristic of most tumours, whereas normal tissue and reactive hyperplasia are polyclonal. To elucidate the nature of Langerhans cells further, the present study investigated the clinicopathological features and clonality of three cases of LCH in female patients using laser microdissection and a clonality assay, based on X-chromosomal inactivation mosaicism in somatic tissues and polymorphism of the androgen receptor gene. The results indicated that LCH was composed of Langerhans cells with a characteristic morphological appearance, eosinophils, giant cells, neutrophils and foamy cells. Immunohistochemically, the Langerhans cells were positive for CD1a, S-100 protein and vimentin. The clonality assay demonstrated that the Langerhans cells formed a monoclonal population, showing that LCH is neoplastic. We conclude that LCH is characterized by clonal proliferation, although additional studies with larger sample sizes are required to prove this conclusively.

Construction of antisense RNA expression vectors and correction of splicing defect in human beta-globin gene (IVS-2-654 C-->T mutant) in HeLa cells

The antisense fragments, which were available in in vitro system, were cloned into the mammalian expression vector pcDNA3, and were transfected into H654 cells, a mammalian cell line stably expressing the thalassaemic (IVS-2-654 C-->T) human beta-globin gene. In these transfected cells, the level of correctly spliced beta-globin mRNA in total beta-globin mRNA (beta/(beta + beta*)) was improved from 0.07 (0 d) to 0.22 (3 d), and this effect persisted for up to 15 d post transfection. All the results demonstrated that antisense RNAs were able to be transcribed from the antisense fragment expression vectors stably and effectively suppressed aberrant splicing pattern of the mutated beta-globin gene (IVS-2-654 C-->T) and restored correct splicing pathway. This work provided a novel approach with potential clinical significance to gene therapy of this kind of splicing mutants including beta-thalassaemia (IVS-2-654 C-->T) by antisense RNAs.

A new strategy to apply Bacillus subtilis MA139 for the production of solid-state fermentation feed

AIM

The study investigated the potential of using Bacillus subtilis MA139 in combination with Lactobacillus fermentum and Saccharomyces cerevisae to produce solid-state fermentation feed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a pure fermentation, B. subtilis MA139 was able to grow and synthesize antimicrobial substances at temperatures from 25 to 37 degrees C and at a pH from 5.0 to 9.0. Subsequently, B. subtilis MA139, Lact. fermentum and S. cerevisae were used as starter strains co-inoculated in unsterilized substrate (feed-grade soybean meal and wheat bran). Following 10 days of fermentation in a newly developed plastic bag equipped with a one-way valve, lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus became the predominant strains while S. cerevisae cells decreased slightly. Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli K88 and Salmonella typhimurium) were not detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of B. subtilis MA139 as a starter strain co-inoculated with S. cerevisae and Lact. fermentum successfully controlled the growth of enterobacteriaceae.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study provided a facile and low-cost way to produce solid-state fermentation feed.

Primary Intrapulmonary Thymomas: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Primary intrapulmonary thymomas (PIT), which are intrapulmonary tumours without an associated mediastinal component, are very rare; only 29 cases of PIT have been described in the literature since 1951. This report presents a case of PIT in a 59-year old Chinese woman with a type A thymoma (including its pathogenesis, clinical pathological characteristics, immunological phenotype, treatment and prognosis), in the context of a review of the current literature. The origin of thymomas in this unusual location remains unknown. In this case, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the epithelial component was strongly positive for cytokeratin and focally reactive for epithelial membrane antigen. It is concluded that PIT should be considered when the histopathological appearance of a lung tumour is not typical of other pulmonary neoplasms. Complete resection appears sufficient in non-malignant tumours, while in cases of partial resection or malignancy, adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered. Long-term regular clinical follow-up is also warranted, due to the risk of late local recurrence.

SSR-based genetic linkage map of Cucurbita moschata and its synteny with Cucurbita pepo

The first SSR-based genetic linkage map of Cucurbita moschata was created by integrating the maps of two F2 populations with one common parent developed from the crosses Waltham Butternut (WB) x Nigerian Local (NL) and ZHOU (a hull-less type) x WB. The integrated C. moschata map comprises 205 SSR markers and two morphological traits (Gr and n). The map is composed of 27 linkage groups with a marker density of 7 cM. Comparing the C. moschata map with the published Cucurbita pepo map, we found a high level of macrosynteny. Seventy-two of 76 common SSR markers between C. moschata and C. pepo were located in homologous linkage groups. These markers in general have conserved orders and similar genetic distances; they represent orthologous loci. A reference map based on these SSRs was obtained. No major chromosomal rearrangement between the two species could be detected at present, although four SSR markers were mapped in nonhomologous linkage groups. The comparative alignment of SSR markers did not provide any indication of a possible ancient polyploid origin of the species. The comparative mapping of C. moschata and C. pepo reported here will be useful for further studies on Cucurbit evolution, gene isolation, and breeding work.

Tissue Microarray Assessment of Selenoprotein P Expression in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

This study investigated selenoprotein P expression, using immunohistochemistry, in gastric adenocarcinoma tissue microarrays constructed from 30 gastric adenocarcinoma specimens and 30 normal gastric tissues (controls). Selenoprotein P expression scores were significantly lower in gastric adenocarcinoma (17/30, 56.7%) than in control tissues (25/30, 83.3%). Selenoprotein P was significantly more likely to be expressed in well-to-moderately differentiated cases (13/17, 76.5%) than in cases with low differentiation (4/13, 30.8%) and there was no significant difference in selenoprotein P expression between tumour node metastasis (TNM) stage I – II (11/19, 57.9%) and TNM stage III (6/11, 54.5%). In conclusion, selenoprotein P expression was low in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues compared with control tissues and was related to the degree of gastric adenocarcinoma differentiation but not to TNM stage.

Novel double-superior-trunk injury of the brachial plexus: a case report

Brachial plexus injuries are generally rare and a double-superior-trunk injury of the brachial plexus has never been reported before. We report the first case of a brachial plexus injury in a 43-year-old Chinese male with a double superior trunk. This was observed incidentally during an operation 1 month after initial traction injury sustained in a car accident. The double superior trunk of the brachial plexus was formed by the double roots of C5 and C6, respectively. Six months after discharge, the patient reported the recovery of most of the function of his left arm except the muscles innervated by the radial nerve. Two years after discharge, he reported almost full functional recovery of his left arm. We discuss what is known about anatomical variations of the brachial plexus, and the possible association between this novel brachial plexus anatomy and the almost complete functional recovery of the arm.

Microsatellites for the genus Cucurbita and an SSR-based genetic linkage map of Cucurbita pepo L

Until recently, only a few microsatellites have been available for Cucurbita, thus their development is highly desirable. The Austrian oil-pumpkin variety Gleisdorfer Olkürbis (C. pepo subsp. pepo) and the C. moschata cultivar Soler (Puerto Rico) were used for SSR development. SSR-enriched partial genomic libraries were established and 2,400 clones were sequenced. Of these 1,058 (44%) contained an SSR at least four repeats long. Primers were designed for 532 SSRs; 500 primer pairs produced fragments of expected size. Of these, 405 (81%) amplified polymorphic fragments in a set of 12 genotypes: three C. moschata, one C. ecuadorensis, and eight C. pepo representing all eight cultivar groups. On an average, C. pepo and C. moschata produced 3.3 alleles per primer pair, showing high inter-species transferability. There were 187 SSR markers detecting polymorphism between the USA oil-pumpkin variety "Lady Godiva" (O5) and the Italian crookneck variety "Bianco Friulano" (CN), which are the parents of our previous F(2) mapping population. It has been used to construct the first published C. pepo map, containing mainly RAPD and AFLP markers. Now the updated map comprises 178 SSRs, 244 AFLPs, 230 RAPDs, five SCARs, and two morphological traits (h and B). It contains 20 linkage groups with a map density of 2.9 cM. The observed genome coverage (Co) is 86.8%.

Primary malignant myoepithelioma of the left maxillary sinus: a case report

We describe the case of a 41-year-old woman who presented with a malignant myoepithelioma (MME) in her left maxillary sinus. Exploratory biopsy of the left maxillary sinus was performed and pathological examination demonstrated that the tumour was positive for calponin and cytokeratin 14, which are indicative of MME. Lateral rhinotomy and left total maxillectomy were undertaken and the patient received radiotherapy and chemotherapy post-surgery. Primary recurrence and metastasis to the left angle of the mandible occurred 9 months after the surgery. The patient died of cachexia 13 months after the surgery.