Ionic liquid-based reagents improve the stability of midterm fecal sample storage

Fecal samples are widely used in metagenomic research, which aims to elucidate the relationship between human health and the intestinal microbiota. However, the best conditions for stable and reliable storage and transport of these samples at room temperature are still unknown, and whether samples stored at room temperature for several days will maintain their microbiota composition is still unknown. Here, we established and tested a preservation method using reagents containing imidazolium- or pyridinium-based ionic liquids. We stored human fecal samples in these reagents for up to 7 days at different temperatures. Subsequently, all samples were sequenced and compared with fresh samples and/or samples treated under other conditions. The 16S rRNA sequencing results suggested that ionic liquid-based reagents could stabilize the composition of the microbiota in fecal samples during a 7-day storage period, particularly when stored at room temperature. Thus, this method may have implications in the storage of fecal samples for metagenomic research.

Organ Donation and Transplantation From Donors With Systemic Infection: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

Donors with bacteremia and sepsis are often considered to be controversial for organ retrieval due to potential transmission of an infectious agent to the recipient. Herein we report our initial experience of organ donation and transplantation results from donors with systemic infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2013 to December 2014, 125 cases of donation were completed in our organ procurement organization including 90 cases of donation after brain death (DBD) and 35 cases of donation after circulatory death (DCD). The results of bacterial culture of the donor's peripheral venous blood (PVB), blood from central venous catheter (BCVC), urine, bronchial aspiration, and tip of central venous catheter (TCVC; Maki's semiquantitative culture) were retrospectively reviewed. All liver transplant recipients received specific antibiotics according the susceptibility profiles of the PVB cultures, and all kidney transplant recipients received specific antibiotics according the susceptibility profiles of the PVB and urine cultures. Bacterial infection diseases transmission from donors of the liver and kidney transplant recipients were also retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The positive rates of the bacterial culture of the donor's bronchial aspiration, PVB, BCVC, TCVC, and urine were 46.4% (39/84), 20.2% (24/119), 15.8% (12/76), 11.1% (3/27), and 7.0% (8/115), respectively. Only 28.1% (9/32) of donors with positive cultures of PVB or urine received specific antimicrobial therapy before harvesting. Twenty-two livers and 46 kidneys from donors with systemic infection (positive PVB culture) were transplanted, and no case of bacterial infection diseases transmission occurred in the recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

In the circumstance of donor systemic infection with positive bacterial culture of PVB, the liver and kidney can be transplanted safely with prophylactic antibiotics. Donors with systemic infection are not a contraindication for organ donation.

Association between interleukin-17 gene polymorphisms and the risk of laryngeal cancer in a Chinese population

IL-17 is associated with the occurrence and development of laryngeal cancer. However, no study has reported the association between IL-17 polymorphisms and laryngeal cancer susceptibility. Therefore, we analyzed the association of three polymorphism loci (rs2275913, 197 G/A; rs3748067, 383 A/G; and rs763780, 7488 T/C) of IL-17A and IL-17F with laryngeal cancer in the Chinese population. A case-control study was performed with 325 patients and 325 controls. Polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing methods. SPSS17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Allele and genotype frequencies of IL-17A rs2275913 were significantly different between patients and controls (P < 0.05). Frequencies of rs2275913 (197 G/A) AA and GA+AA genotypes compared to the GG genotype were significantly higher in patients than in controls, indicating the association of these genes with laryngeal cancer susceptibility; adjusted OR values were 2.54 (1.50-4.23) and 1.62 (1.19-2.17), respectively. Furthermore, individuals with the GA+AA genotype, compared to the GG genotype, aged ≤60 years, with smoking and alcohol consumption habits, and without a family history of cancer showed a higher cancer risk (OR = 2.74, 95%CI = 1.41-5.23; OR = 2.11, 95%CI = 1.21-3.55; OR = 1.91, 95%CI = 1.02-3.70; OR = 1.99, 95%CI = 1.08-3.39, respectively). In conclusion, the rs2275913 IL-17A (197 G/A) is associated with the incidence and development of laryngeal cancer in the Chinese population, and the AA and GA+AA genotypes harbor a high laryngeal cancer risk.

Intratumoural heterogeneity measured using FDG PET and MRI is associated with tumour-stroma ratio and clinical outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

AIM

To evaluate the association between the tumour-stroma ratio and intratumoural heterogeneity measured using 2-[¹⁸F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and further investigate the prognostic significance of imaging biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Textural-based imaging parameters of the primary tumour were extracted in 44 patients. In addition, the difference between the minimum and maximum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (ADCdiff) was calculated on MRI. The relationships between the tumour-stroma ratio and imaging parameters were evaluated. The associations between imaging parameters and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression models.

RESULTS

Coarseness (r=-0.382) on PET and ADCdiff (r=0.534) on MRI were significantly correlated with the proportion of stroma. The best imaging biomarkers for the 2-year RFS prediction were coarseness (AUC=0.741) and ADCdiff (AUC=0.779). Multivariate analysis showed that coarseness (hazard ratio=10.549, 95% confidence interval=2.544-43.748, p=0.001) was an independent prognostic factor for RFS.

CONCLUSION

Heterogeneity imaging parameters are significantly associated with the tumour-stroma ratio. These imaging biomarkers may help to facilitate the risk stratification for tumour recurrence in HNSCC.

Systematic investigation of the SERS efficiency and SERS hotspots in gas-phase deposited Ag nanoparticle assemblies

Revealing the SERS hotspots and SERS efficiencies of Ag nanoparticle assemblies based on the design of multifarious rainbow-like nanoparticle bands.

Stable Na plating/stripping electrochemistry realized by a 3D Cu current collector with thin nanowires

A 3D Cu current collector with thin nanowires can significantly promote the stability of a Na anode via tuning a Na plating model.

Uncoupling the solids retention times of flocs and granules in mainstream deammonification: A screen as effective out-selection tool for nitrite oxidizing bacteria

This study focused on a physical separator in the form of a screen to out-select nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) for mainstream sewage treatment. This separation relied on the principle that the NOB prefer to grow in flocs, while anammox bacteria (AnAOB) reside in granules. Two types of screens (vacuum and vibrating) were tested for separating these fractions. The vibrating screen was preferred due to more moderate normal forces and additional tangential forces, better balancing retention efficiency of AnAOB granules (41% of the AnAOB activity) and washout of NOB (92% activity washout). This operation resulted in increased NOB out-selection (AerAOB/NOB ratio of 2.3) and a total nitrogen removal efficiency of 70% at influent COD/N ratio of 1.4. An effluent total nitrogen concentration <10mgN/L was achieved using this novel approach combining biological selection with physical separation, opening up the path towards energy positive sewage treatment.

Development of plasma bolometers using fiber-optic temperature sensors

Measurements of radiated power in magnetically confined plasmas are important for exhaust studies in present experiments and expected to be a critical diagnostic for future fusion reactors. Resistive bolometer sensors have long been utilized in tokamaks and helical devices but suffer from electromagnetic interference (EMI). Results are shown from initial testing of a new bolometer concept based on fiber-optic temperature sensor technology. A small, 80 μm diameter, 200 μm long silicon pillar attached to the end of a single mode fiber-optic cable acts as a Fabry-Pérot cavity when broadband light, λ_o ∼ 1550 nm, is transmitted along the fiber. Changes in temperature alter the optical path length of the cavity primarily through the thermo-optic effect, resulting in a shift of fringes reflected from the pillar detected using an I-MON 512 OEM spectrometer. While initially designed for use in liquids, this sensor has ideal properties for use as a plasma bolometer: a time constant, in air, of ∼150 ms, strong absorption in the spectral range of plasma emission, immunity to local EMI, and the ability to measure changes in temperature remotely. Its compact design offers unique opportunities for integration into the vacuum environment in places unsuitable for a resistive bolometer. Using a variable focus 5 mW, 405 nm, modulating laser, the signal to noise ratio versus power density of various bolometer technologies are directly compared, estimating the noise equivalent power density (NEPD). Present tests show the fiber-optic bolometer to have NEPD of 5-10 W/m² when compared to those of the resistive bolometer which can achieve <0.5 W/m² in the laboratory, but this can degrade to 1-2 W/m² or worse when installed on a tokamak. Concepts are discussed to improve the signal to noise ratio of this new fiber-optic bolometer by reducing the pillar height and adding thin metallic coatings, along with improving the spectral resolution of the interrogator.

The role of ZNRF2 in the growth of non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

ZNRF2 belongs to ubiquitin ligases of the RING superfamily, and has been recently shown to be regulated by Akt to interact with a Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTor). Nevertheless, a role of ZNRF2 in tumorigenesis, especially in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is unknown. Here, we assessed ZNRF2 expression in NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We examined ZNRF2 levels by Western blot using NSCLC specimens, compared to the paired non-tumor controls. We also examined the effects of ZNRF2 on cell growth and cell survival in the presence of fluorouracil.

RESULTS

We detected significant higher levels of ZNRF2 and mTor in NSCLC tissues, compared to the paired non-tumor controls. Moreover, ZNRF2 and mTor levels strongly correlated in NSCLC tissues. High ZNRF2 levels were correlated with poor prognosis of the NSCLC patients. In vitro, overexpression of ZNRF2 increased NSCLC cell growth and suppressed apoptotic cell death in the presence of Fluorouracil, while depletion of ZNRF2 decreased NSCLC cell growth and increased apoptotic cell death in the presence of fluorouracil. ZNRF2 appeared to augment mTor and its downstream targets CyclinD1 and CDK in NSCLC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

ZNRF2 may be a promising target for treating NSCLC.

A multiplex allele-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for HLA-B*13:01 genotyping in four Chinese populations

Human leukocyte antigen HLA-B*13:01 is identified currently as a marker of individual susceptibility to drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction, such as dapsone-induced hypersensitivity reactions (DIHRs) and trichloroethylene-induced dermatitis. Therefore, screening for the HLA-B*13:01 allele can assist clinics in identifying patients at risk of developing DIHRs. By combining the allele-specific primers with TaqMan probes, we established a single tube, triplex real-time PCR to detect HLA-B*13:01. The reliability of this assay was validated by the comparison of genotyping results with those by sequence-based typing (SBT). With this assay, the distribution of HLA-B*13:01 in a total of 350 blood samples from four ethnic groups: Han, Tibetan, Uighur, and Buyei were determined. A 100% concordance was observed between the results with the established real-time PCR and SBT in 100 samples. The detection limit of this assay was 0.016 ng genomic DNA. The prevalence of HLA-B*13:01 carriers were 11%, 8%, 1%, and 2% in the Buyei (n = 100), Northern Han (n = 100), Tibetan (n = 100), and Uighur (n = 50) populations, respectively. The multiplex real-time PCR assay provided a fast and reliable method for accurate detection of HLA-B*13:01 allele prior to dapsone administration in clinical practice and onset of the reaction after exposure to trichloroethylene.

Structure of A-C Type Intervariant Interface in Nonmodulated Martensite in a Ni-Mn-Ga Alloy

The structure of A-C type intervariant interface in nonmodulated martensite in the Ni54Mn25Ga21 alloy was studied using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The A-C interface is between the martensitic variants A and C, each of which has a nanoscale substructure of twin-related lamellae. According to their different thicknesses, the nanoscale lamellae in each variant can be classified into major and minor lamellae. It is the boundaries between these lamellae in different variants that constitute the A-C interface, which is thus composed of major-major, minor-minor, and major-minor lamellar boundaries. The volume fraction of the minor lamellae, λ, plays an important role in the structure of A-C interfaces. For major-major and minor-minor lamellar boundaries, they are symmetrical or asymmetrical tilt boundaries; for major-minor boundary, as λ increases, it changes from a symmetrical tilt boundary to two asymmetrical microfacets. Moreover, both lattice and misfit dislocations were observed in the A-C interfaces. On the basis of experimental observations and dislocation theory, we explain how different morphologies of the A-C interface are formed and describe the formation process of the A-C interfaces from λ ≈ 0 to λ ≈ 0.5 in terms of dislocation-boundary interaction, and we infer that low density of interfacial dislocations would lead to high mobility of the A-C interface.

[The application of the three-step approach based on the regional distribution of hepatic vessel in laparoscopic hemihepatectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical significance of the three-step approach in laparoscopic hemihepatectomy.

METHODS

A total of 32 patients received laparoscopic hemihepatectomy with the three-step approach in Yijishan Hospital affiliated to Wannan Medical College between Aug 2013 and Oct 2015. All patients underwent thin slice CT scan and hemihepatectomy was imitated with the imagic explorer, preoperatively. The vessel distribution was observed at the section and the three-step approach was used in the hemihepatectomy. Pre- and post-operative data were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The length of middle hepatic vein (MHV) was (59.1±12.9) mm and the number of branchs to the left and right lobe were 3.07±0.78 and 3.11±0.64 respectively. The distance between the first branch of MHV and the diaphragmatic surface was (28.07±3.74) mm and the distance between MHV and the visceral surface was (14.4±4.3) mm. The laparoscopic surgeries (left hemihepatectomy in 28 and right hemihepatectomy in 4) were performed successfully in all cases with the three-step approach, without any conversion to the open surgeries. The operation time was (165±42) min in left hemihepatectomy and (305±50) min in right hemihepatectomy. The intraoperative blood loss was (242±65) ml in left hemihepatectomy and (695±122)ml in right hemihepatectomy. All the patients recovered well without severe complications except for bile leakage in 3 patients who were cured with drainage. The postoperative hospital stay was (7.96±1.8) d.

CONCLUSIONS

the distribution of vessel is regional at the section of hemihepatectomy and the three-step approach based on this feature is safe and effective in laparoscopic hemihepatectomy, which can shorten the operation time and reduce the difficulty of operation.

In Vivo 7T MR Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping Reveals Opposite Susceptibility Contrast between Cortical and White Matter Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Magnetic susceptibility measured with quantitative susceptibility mapping has been proposed as a biomarker for demyelination and inflammation in patients with MS, but investigations have mostly been on white matter lesions. A detailed characterization of cortical lesions has not been performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate magnetic susceptibility in both cortical and WM lesions in MS by using quantitative susceptibility mapping.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fourteen patients with MS were scanned on a 7T MR imaging scanner with T1-, T2-, and T2*-weighted sequences. The T2*-weighted sequence was used to perform quantitative susceptibility mapping and generate tissue susceptibility maps. The susceptibility contrast of a lesion was quantified as the relative susceptibility between the lesion and its adjacent normal-appearing parenchyma. The susceptibility difference between cortical and WM lesions was assessed by using a t test.

RESULTS

The mean relative susceptibility was significantly negative for cortical lesions (P < 10^-7) but positive for WM lesions (P < 10^-22). A similar pattern was also observed in the cortical (P = .054) and WM portions (P = .043) of mixed lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

The negative susceptibility in cortical lesions suggests that iron loss dominates the susceptibility contrast in cortical lesions. The opposite susceptibility contrast between cortical and WM lesions may reflect both their structural (degree of myelination) and pathologic (degree of inflammation) differences, in which the latter may lead to a faster release of iron in cortical lesions.

PFKFB3 potentially contributes to paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer cells through TLR4 activation by stimulating lactate production

Paclitaxel is a commonly used agent for breast cancer therapy, which comes across the obstacle "drug resistance", resulting in shortened overall survival of patients. Warburg effect has become one character of cancer cell and was reported to induce paclitaxel resistance, the mechanism of which is poorly understood. In this study, we sought to examine the role of 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase (PFKFB3), a critical regulator of glycolysis, in paclitaxel resistance development. Two clones of paclitaxel resistant breast cancer cells, MCF-7RA and MCF-7RB, were established by a long term exposure of MCF-7 cells to paclitaxel. Consequently, PFKFB3 expression was found to be increased in MCF-7RA and MCF-7RB cells compared with MCF-7 cells. Silencing PFKFB3 expression markedly reduced the IC50 concentrations of MCF-7RA and MCF-7RB cells. Moreover, PFKFB3 modulated toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and MyD88 expression as well as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 release from breast cancer cells in response to paclitaxel exposure. In addition, PFKFB3 overexpression boosted up fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F2,6BP) and lactate production. The enhanced lactate contributed to TLR4 signaling activation, IL-6 and IL-8 generation, and cell viability promotion in MCF-7 cells. In all, we characterized the novel role of PFKFB3 in induction of paclitaxel resistance by raising lactate production and activating TLR4 signaling.

ID: 137: GRK2 INHIBITION REDUCES POST-MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION CARDIAC FIBROBLAST MEDIATED ADVERSE REMODELING

Objectives

Remote (non-infarct) territory fibrosis is a significant cause of post-infarction heart failure (HF). We have previously shown that increased G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2) activity in adult human cardiac fibroblasts (CF) isolated from failing hearts is an important mechanism of cardiac fibrosis through uncoupling β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling. This study investigates the potential therapeutic role of GRK2 inhibition on CF biology in vivo.

Methods

Adult male rats underwent LAD ligation to induce post-MI HF. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial fibrosis was quantitated by histologic staining. LV CF were isolated and cultured. GRK2 was inhibited by intra-coronary adenoviral-mediated delivery of a GRK2 inhibitor (Ad-GRK2ct) immediately following LAD ligation (n=11). Control rats received a null adenovirus (n=10). Animals were studied prior to and 12 weeks post-MI and adenoviral delivery.

Results

There was a significant decline in LV function at 12 weeks post-MI which [Fractional shortening: 0.35±0.01 vs. 0.52±0.01, p<0.01]. There was significant increase in remote territory (non-infarct area) fibrosis at 12 weeks post-MI compared to control [12±1% vs. 2±1% fibrosis, p<0.05], consistent with adverse remodeling. Additionally, collagen synthesis was significantly upregulated in isolated CF 12 weeks post-MI compared to control CF [3559±760 vs. 1029±45 cmp/mg protein, p<0.02]. At 12 weeks post-MI, GRK2 activity was increased 1.4-fold [p<0.01]. There was a 42% decrease in intracellular cAMP [p<0.05] and loss of b-agonist (isoproterenol)-stimulated inhibition of collagen synthesis characteristic of normal CF, indicating uncoupling of β-AR signaling post-MI. Adenoviral mediated overexpression of GRK2ct, GRK2 inhibitor, in vitro in the cultured CF post-MI led to a 50% decrease in aSMA expression (p<0.01) as well as a significant decreased collagen expression and synthesis compared to null adenovirus (Ad-Null) control [1928±126 vs. 2611±213 cmp/mg protein, p<0.05], restoring the control CF phenotype. Intra-coronary delivery of Ad-GRK2ct following MI significantly reduced post-MI LV dysfunction vs. Ad-Null as measured by improved fractional shortening [0.42±0.01 vs. 0.30±0.02, p<0.01] and ejection fraction [72±1% vs. 57±2%, p<0.03]. Ad-GRK2ct also decreased peri-infarct and remote territory fibrosis by 60% [p<0.03]. Consistent with these findings, Ad-GRK2ct resulted in an over 25% decreased in α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III expression in CF isolated 12 weeks post-MI vs. Ad-Null [p<0.04] providing evidence of decreased post-MI CF activation and myofibroblast transformation with Ad-GRK2ct.

Conclusions

Uncoupling of β-adrenergic signaling in CF via increased GRK2 appears to be a key mechanism of post-MI fibrosis. Targeted inhibition of GRK2 and restoration of b-adrenergic signaling/cAMP production in CF may represent a novel therapeutic approach to prevent pathological fibrosis and maladaptive remodeling.

LiAlH4supported on TiO2/hierarchically porous carbon nanocomposites with enhanced hydrogen storage properties

LiAlH₄supported on TiO₂/hierarchically porous carbon (LAH–TiO₂/HPC) nanocomposites were prepared and they exhibited enhanced hydrogen storage performance.