Active vitamin D3, 1,25-(OH)2D3, protects against macrovasculopathy in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus

To investigate the protective effect of the active form of vitamin D3, 1,25-(OH)2D3, on macrovasculopathy in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, T2DM group, and treatment group. The T2DM model was established after 6 weeks by administering an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg). 1,25-(OH)2D3 was administered by gavage to rats in the treatment group, and an equal volume of peanut oil was administered to rats in the T2DM group. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterols were measured in all rats. The morphology of the thoracic aorta was examined, and the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), endothelin (ET), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), CD54, and CD106 in the thoracic aorta was determined by immunohistochemistry. The expression of FPG, TG, TC, and LDL-C in rats from the T2DM and treatment groups was significantly elevated compared with rats from the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with that in control group, the expression of TNF-α, ET, eNOS, and CD106 was significantly upregulated in the T2DM group and the treatment group, while the expression of CD54 was increased only in the T2DM group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of TNF-α, CD54, and CD106 in rats from the treatment group were lower than those in the T2DM group (P < 0.05). These data suggest that 1,25-(OH)2D3 may protect the macrovessels from injury in T2DM rats by inhibiting the expression of TNF-α, CD54, and CD106.

Transcription factor 7-like 1 dysregulates keratinocyte differentiation through upregulating lipocalin 2

Recent studies strongly suggested that transcription factor 7-like 1 (Tcf7l1, also known as Tcf3) is involved in the differentiation of several types of cells, and demonstrated that Tcf7l1 modulates keratinocytes physiologically through regulating lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a key regulator of cell differentiation. To reveal the potential role of Tcf7l1 in the dysregulation of keratinocyte differentiation, both Tcf7l1 and LCN2 were determined in a variety of skin disorders. The in vitro effect of Tcf7l1 on keratinocyte differentiation was studied by culturing SCC-13 cells, and the human foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) that were transfected with vectors for overexpressing human papillomavirus E6/E7 or Tcf7l1 genes. We found that both Tcf7l1 and LCN2 were highly expressed in those diseases characterized by defective keratinocyte differentiation (especially psoriasis vulgaris, condyloma acuminatum, squamous cell carcinoma, etc). Moreover, compared with control HFKs, SCC-13 cells and E6/E7-harboring HFKs expressed more Tcf7l1 and LCN2. Tcf7l1 siRNA transfection decreased LCN2 but increased involucrin and loricrin in HFKs under calcium stimuli. Conversely, Tcf7l1 overexpression in SCC-13 cells or vector-transfected HFKs induced lower involucrin and loricrin expression and less keratinocyte apoptosis, both of which, however, were partially abrogated by LCN2 siRNA or neutralizing anti-LCN2 antibody. Interestingly, the Tcf7l1 expression in HFKs correlated positively with the MMP-2 level, and the inhibition of MMP-2 decreased the LCN2 level and even attenuated the effect of Tcf7l1 on LCN2 expression. Therefore, Tcf7l1 dysregulates keratinocyte differentiation, possibly through upregulating the LCN2 pathway in an MMP-2 mediated manner. Elucidating the interaction between Tcf7l1 and LCN2 may help understand disordered cell differentiation in some skin diseases.

Engineered Protein Polymer-Gold Nanoparticle Hybrid Materials for Small Molecule Delivery

We have fabricated protein polymer-gold nanoparticle (P-GNP) nanocomposites that exhibit enhanced binding and delivery properties of the small hydrophobic molecule drug, curcumin, to the model breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. These hybrid biomaterials are constructed via in situ GNP templated-synthesis with genetically engineered histidine tags. The P-GNP nanocomposites exhibit enhanced small molecule loading, sustained release and increased uptake by MCF-7 cells. When compared to the proteins polymers alone, the P-GNPs demonstrate a greater than 7-fold increase in curcumin binding, a nearly 50% slower release profile and more than 2-fold increase in cellular uptake of curcumin. These results suggest that P-GNP nanocomposites serve as promising candidates for drug delivery vehicles.

Dicliptera Chinensis polysaccharides target TGF-β/Smad pathway and inhibit stellate cells activation in rats with dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic fibrosis

This study aims to study impact of Dicliptera chinensis polysaccharide (DCP) on hepatic fibrosis (HF) and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Liver fibrosis model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of dimethyl nitrosamines (DMN) in rat. Rats in treatment group were administrated with different concentrations of DCP (0, 100, 300 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome staining were used to assess histo-pathological change. α-SMA, TGF-β1 and pSmad 2/3 were assayed by immuno-histochemistry. HSC-T6 cells were stimulated by recombined rat TGF-β1 (1 ng/mL) to simulate an activating model in vitro and then interfered with DCP (concentration of 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 µg/ml). MTT assay was used to determine cell proliferation and western blotting was used to detect α-SMA and pSmad 2/3 expression. Results demonstrated that DCP alleviated DMN-induced liver fibrosis in rat and significantly down-regulated TGF-β1 expression, pSmad2/3 and α-SMA in liver tissue in a dose-dependent way. DCP inhibited proliferation and activation of TGF-β1-stimulated HSC-T6 in vitro and significantly down-regulated α-SMA and pSmad2/3 expression. In conclusion, this study revealed that DCP attenuates progression of liver fibrosis through suppressing TGF-β/Smad pathway. DCP is a potential botanical polysaccharide to management liver fibrosis.

Decrease of the insulin-like growth factor-1 bioavailability in spontaneously hypertensive rats with erectile dysfunction

We investigated the role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in spontaneously hypertensive rats with erectile dysfunction. Firstly, we evaluated intracavernous pressure. The bioavailability of IGF-1 at both mRNA and protein levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot respectively. Then, cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentrations were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cavernosal pressure was significantly decreased in the hypertensive and the propranolol treatment groups compared to the normal control group (P < 0.01). Cavernous IGF-1 bioavailability and the concentrations of cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate were both significantly decreased in the hypertensive and the propranolol treatment groups compared to the normal control group (P < 0.01). This study suggests that an obvious decrease in cavernous IGF-1 levels might play an important role in spontaneously hypertensive rats with erectile dysfunction.

Spontaneous renal hemorrhage caused by invasive mole: a case report

CASE

The authors report a case with spontaneous renal hemorrhage caused by invasive mole. The diagnosis was gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), with metastasis to brain, kidneys, and lungs at Stage IV. The patient was given etoposide-methotrexate-actinomycin D plus cyclophosphamide-vincristine (EMACO) treatment regimen for 11 times including three times with consolidation chemotherapies. Laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) + laparoscopic-assisted left renal excision + evacuation of the left perirenal hematoma were performed during the eighth chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Post-operational pathological examination revealed trophoblasts within the lesions present in uterine fundus and the residue images of a few trophoblasts present in the left renal mass.

Microbubble generation by piezotransducer for biological studies

Bubbles induced by blast waves or shocks are speculated to be the major cause of damages in biological cells in mild traumatic brain injuries. Microbubble collapse was found to induce noticeable cell detachment from the cell substrate, changes in focal adhesion and biomechanics. To better understand the bubble mechanism, we would like to construct a system, which allows us to clearly differentiate the impact of bubbles from that of shocks. Such a generator needs to be low profile in order to place under a microscope. A piezoelectric transducer system was designed to meet the need. The system uses either a flat or a spherical focusing piezoelectric transducer to produce microbubbles in a cuvette loaded with cell-culture medium. The transducer is placed on the side of the cuvette with its axis lining horizontally. A cover slip is placed on the top of the cuvette. The impact of the waves to the cells is minimized as the cover slip is parallel to the direction of the wave. Only bubbles from the medium reach the cover slip and interact with cells. The effect of bubbles therefore can be separated that of pressure waves. The bubbles collected on a cover slip range in size from 100 μm to 10 μm in radius, but the dominant size is 20-30 μm.

Metal-insulator transition in the quasi-one-dimensional transport of fractional quantum Hall states

We investigate edge state transmission in quantum point contacts (QPCs) in the fractional quantum-Hall regime, finding behavior reminiscent of a metal-insulator transition. The transition is suggested by an unusual behavior of the differential conductance in the fractional-quantum-Hall regime, and by the presence of a fixed point and universal scaling in the temperature dependence of the linear conductance. Noting that the 0.7 feature evolves continuously into a last fractional plateau at high magnetic fields, we suggest that this still unresolved feature may itself be viewed as a manifestation of a local, microscopic, metal-insulator transition.

The effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on pulmonary function during robotic cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on pulmonary function under the conditions of one-lung ventilation (OLV) and carbon dioxide pneumothorax in robotic cardiac surgery.

METHODS

Ninety-eight patients underwent robotic cardiac surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System, including 58 on-pump surgeries and 40 off-pump surgeries. Respiratory parameters and arterial blood gases were assessed at the following time points: 25 min after the induction of anesthesia under two-lung ventilation (T1), 25 min after OLV (T2), 25 min after the termination of CPB under OLV in the on-pump group or 25 min after the main surgery intervention in the off-pump group (T3) and 20 min before the end of surgery (T4). Dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), alveolar-arterial PO2 difference (PA-aDO2), oxygenation index (OI) and artery-alveolar O2 pressure ratio (a/A) were calculated.

RESULTS

No significant differences in pulmonary function parameters between T2 and T3 were observed in the off-pump group. However, in the on-pump group, compared with those at T2, PETCO2, Ppeak, PaCO2 and PA-aDO2 at T3 were higher, whereas SpO2, Cdyn, PaO2, OI and a/A were lower (p<0.05). Comparisons between the two groups at T3 indicated that SpO2, Cdyn, PaO2, OI and a/A were higher, while Ppeak, PaCO2 and PA-aDO2 were lower in the off-pump group (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In robotic cardiac surgery under the conditions of OLV and carbon dioxide pneumothorax, CPB worsened pulmonary function and tolerance to OLV and carbon dioxide pneumothorax.

First Report of Meloidogyne graminicola Infecting Banana in China

Bananas (Musa spp.) are one of world's most popular fruits, and China is the third largest banana-producing country in the world. Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., are common pests of banana worldwide, but damage to this crop caused by M. graminicola has not been reported up to now. During a survey of root-knot nematode species infecting banana in Fujian Province, China, swollen, galled primary and secondary root samples of Musa nana cv. Tianbao (AAA) were collected from two commercial fields in Nanjing County in May 2013. The affected plants did not exhibit obvious above-ground symptoms. Seriously infected roots were malformed and dehiscent, with the tissue discolored and rotting. Examination of symptomatic roots revealed one to several females of Meloidogyne sp. within each gall, with egg masses that were often completely embedded within the gall without protruding through the root surface, and with second-stage juveniles (J2) hatched inside the galls. Population densities of this nematode ranged from 452 to 2,056 eggs and J2 per 5 g of fresh roots. Males were rarely observed. Morphological measurements of 25 females and 20 J2 matched the original description of M. graminicola (1). The perineal patterns of females were dorsoventrally ovoid, with low to moderately high and round dorsal arches and lacking obvious lateral lines; striae were smooth and some were broken by a few obvious irregular, zig-zag striae in the dorsal part of the pattern; phasmids were close together (13.1 to 19.7 μm). The J2 had long tapered tails (63.4 to 75.5 μm), with long narrow hyalines (13.1 to 19.9 μm) and marked clavate termini. DNA was extracted from one mature female. The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region was amplified with V5367/26S (TTGATTACGTCCCTGCCCTTT/TTTCACTCGCCGTTACTAAGG) (2) and the COII and IRNA mtDNA genes were amplified with C2F3/MRH106 (GGTCAATG TTCAGAAATTTGTGG/AATTTCTAAAGACTTTTCTTAGT) (3) and then sequenced. The sequences were subjected to a database search using BLAST to verify the identity. Sequences from the ITS region were 788 bp (GenBank Accession Nos. KM111531 and KM236560) and were 96.8 to 99.1% identical to the known sequences of M. graminicola in Genbank. Sequences from the mtDNA were 666 bp (KM111533 and KM236559) and showed 99.1 to 99.4% homology with the known sequences of M. graminicola (KJ139963 and HG529223). In glasshouse tests, banana plantlets (M. nana cv. Tianbao) about 20 cm high were transplanted in 25-cm-diameter pots and inoculated with 5,000 J2 of each collected population of M. graminicola replicated six times; a noninoculated control was included. After 15 weeks, all inoculated plants were stunted and chlorotic. Galling symptoms on roots were similar to those in the field, and dissection of galled root tissue revealed that different life stages of the nematode were present, with population densities ranging from 1,238 to 6,562 eggs and J2 per 5 g of fresh roots. The noninoculated control plants grew well and had no galling symptoms on the roots. These results confirmed the nematodes' pathogenicity on banana. On the basis of these results, the root-knot nematodes isolated from banana in Nanjing County were confirmed as M. graminicola. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a natural infection of banana with M. graminicola. References: (1) A.M. Golden and W. Birchfield. Plant Dis. Rep. 52:423, 1968. (2) T. C. Vrain et al. Fund. Appl. Nematol. 15:565, 1992. (3) J. Xu et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 110:309, 2004.

Wnt5a is involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous lichen planus

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous lichen planus (CLP) is a chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated disease. Wnt5a is one of the most extensively studied Wnt proteins, and has important functions in stimulating inflammation, cell proliferation, cell fate determination and cell differentiation. Wnt5a expression in CLP has not been comprehensively studied to date.

AIM

To determine the expression and distribution of Wnt5a in CLP.

METHODS

Skin samples were obtained from patients with CLP and healthy controls (HCs). The WNT5A gene was detected by real-time quantitative PCR, and Wnt5a protein by immunohistochemical analysis and western blotting.

RESULTS

WNT5A mRNA was upregulated in CLP samples compared with the HC skin samples (P < 0.001). Wnt5a protein was overexpressed in all layers of the epidermis and dermis in CLP lesions compared with HC skin (all P < 0.001). These results were confirmed by western blotting.

CONCLUSIONS

The data presented in this study suggest that Wnt5a pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CLP.

First Report of Meloidogyne enterolobii on Carrot in China

Carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus) is one of the 10 most economically important vegetable crops in the world. Recently, stunted and yellowing carrots grown on sandy soil in several commercial fields were observed in Dongshan County, Fujian Province, China. Many round to irregular shaped lumps and swellings were present on the surface of tap and fibrous roots, often with secondary roots emerging from the galls on taproots. Severe infection caused short, stubby, forked taproots leading to losses in quality and marketability. Meloidogyne sp. females and egg masses were dissected from the galls. The perineal patterns from 20 females were oval shaped with moderate to high dorsal arches and mostly lacking obvious lateral lines. The second-stage juvenile mean body length (n = 20) was 416 (390 to 461) μm; lateral lips were large and triangular in face view; tail was thin and length was averaged 56.1 (49.8 to 62.1) μm, with a broad, bluntly rounded tip. These morphological characteristics matched the original description of M. enterolobii (5). Species identity was further explored by sequencing the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) region between COII and the lRNA genes using primers C2F3/MRH106 (GGTCAATGTTCAGAAATTTGTGG/AATTTCTAAAGACTTTTCTTA GT) (4). A DNA fragment of ~840 bp was obtained and the sequence (GenBank Accession No. KJ146864) was compared with those in GenBank using BLAST and was 100% identical to the sequences of M. enterolobii and M. mayaguensis, a synonym of M. enterolobii (4). Part of the rDNA spanning ITS1, 5.8S gene, ITS2 was amplified with primers V5367/26S (TTGATTACGTCCCTGCCCTTT/TTTCACTCGCCGTTACTAAGG) (3), and the sequence obtained (KJ146863) was 99 to 100% identical to sequences of M. enterolobii (KF418369.1, KF418370.1, JX024149.1, and JQ082448.1). For further confirmation, M. enterolobii specific primers Me-F/Me-R (AACTTTTGTGAAAGTGCCGCTG/TCAGTTCAGGCAGGATCAACC) (2) were used for amplification of the rDNA-IGS2 sequences of eight populations of the nematode from three localities. A 200-bp amplification product was produced by each population, whereas no product was amplified from control populations of M. incognita or M. javanica. A single product of ~320 bp was obtained using primers 63VNL/63VTH (GAAATTGCTTTATTGTTACTAAG/TAGCCACAGCAAAATAGTTTTC ) (1) from the mtDNA 63-bp repeat region for these populations, and the sequence (KJ146861) showed 100% identity with sequences of M. enterolobii (AJ421395.1, JF309159.1, and JF309160.1). Therefore, the population of Meloidogyne sp. on carrot was confirmed to be M. enterolobii. This nematode has been reported to infect more than 20 plant species belonging to seven families, including Annonaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, Marantaceae, Myrtaceae, and Solanaceae in China. To our knowledge, this is the first report of infection of carrot by M. enterolobii and the first record of M. enterolobii parasitizing a plant in the family Apiaceae in China. M. enterolobii has been reported in Guangdong and Hainan provinces, China. This is the first report of M. enterolobii in Fujian Province, in southeast China. References: (1) V. C. Blok et al. Nematology 4:773, 2002. (2) H. Long et al. Acta Phytopathol. Sin. 36:109, 2006. (3) T. C. Vrain et al. Fundam. Appl. Nematol. 15:565, 1992. (4) J. Xu et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 110:309, 2004. (5) B. Yang and J. D. Eisenback. J. Nematol. 15:381, 1983.

On the zero-bias anomaly and Kondo physics in quantum point contacts near pinch-off

We investigate the linear and non-linear conductance of quantum point contacts (QPCs), in the region near pinch-off where Kondo physics has previously been connected to the appearance of the 0.7 feature. In studies of seven different QPCs, fabricated in the same high-mobility GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction, the linear conductance is widely found to show the presence of the 0.7 feature. The differential conductance, on the other hand, does not generally exhibit the zero-bias anomaly (ZBA) that has been proposed to indicate the Kondo effect. Indeed, even in the small subset of QPCs found to exhibit such an anomaly, the linear conductance does not always follow the universal temperature-dependent scaling behavior expected for the Kondo effect. Taken collectively, our observations demonstrate that, unlike the 0.7 feature, the ZBA is not a generic feature of low-temperature QPC conduction. We furthermore conclude that the mere observation of the ZBA alone is insufficient evidence for concluding that Kondo physics is active. While we do not rule out the possibility that the Kondo effect may occur in QPCs, our results appear to indicate that its observation requires a very strict set of conditions to be satisfied. This should be contrasted with the case of the 0.7 feature, which has been apparent since the earliest experimental investigations of QPC transport.

Tuning the Fano resonance with an intruder continuum

Through a combination of experiment and theory we establish the possibility of achieving strong tuning of Fano resonances (FRs), by allowing their usual two-path geometry to interfere with an additional, "intruder", continuum. As the coupling strength to this intruder is varied, we predict strong modulations of the resonance line shape that, in principle at least, may exceed the amplitude of the original FR itself. For a proof-of-concept demonstration of this phenomenon, we construct a nanoscale interferometer from nonlocally coupled quantum point contacts and utilize the unique features of their density of states to realize the intruder. External control of the intruder coupling is enabled by means of an applied magnetic field, in the presence of which we demonstrate the predicted distortions of the FR. This general scheme for resonant control should be broadly applicable to a variety of wave-based systems, opening up the possibility of new applications in areas such as chemical and biological sensing and secure communications.

Formation of a protected sub-band for conduction in quantum point contacts under extreme biasing

Managing energy dissipation is critical to the scaling of current microelectronics and to the development of novel devices that use quantum coherence to achieve enhanced functionality. To this end, strategies are needed to tailor the electron-phonon interaction, which is the dominant mechanism for cooling non-equilibrium ('hot') carriers. In experiments aimed at controlling the quantum state, this interaction causes decoherence that fundamentally disrupts device operation. Here, we show a contrasting behaviour, in which strong electron-phonon scattering can instead be used to generate a robust mode for electrical conduction in GaAs quantum point contacts, driven into extreme non-equilibrium by nanosecond voltage pulses. When the amplitude of these pulses is much larger than all other relevant energy scales, strong electron-phonon scattering induces an attraction between electrons in the quantum-point-contact channel, which leads to the spontaneous formation of a narrow current filament and to a renormalization of the electronic states responsible for transport. The lowest of these states coalesce to form a sub-band separated from all others by an energy gap larger than the source voltage. Evidence for this renormalization is provided by a suppression of heating-related signatures in the transient conductance, which becomes pinned near 2e(2)/h (e, electron charge; h, Planck constant) for a broad range of source and gate voltages. This collective non-equilibrium mode is observed over a wide range of temperature (4.2-300 K) and may provide an effective means to manage electron-phonon scattering in nanoscale devices.

Predictors for dose reduction of antiviral therapy in older patients infected with hepatitis C virus: a meta-regression analysis

Treatment-related adverse events (AE) were more frequent in older patients treated by pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) for chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and most of them required dose reduction. A meta-regression analysis was conducted to explore the possible reasons for this occurrence. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science through May 2013, for clinical trials examining the safety of PEG-IFN plus RBV in elderly patients with CHC. Data were extracted for host, viral, and outcome information. Single-arm meta-analysis was performed to evaluate AE. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to explore predictors for dose reduction secondary to AE. Eighteen observational studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall incidences of AE were 61.3%. Dose reductions due to AE were 54.2%. In patients with genotype 1, the rate of sustained virological response (SVR) was 36.9%. In patients with genotypes 2 or 3, the rate of SVR was 72.8%. Patients with more dose reduction due to AE have a tendency toward a lower likelihood of obtaining SVR (coefficient:-0.529), especially for genotype 1 patients. Host factors (male gender, coefficient 4.403; higher body weight, coefficient 0.140; and advanced fibrosis stage, coefficient 1.582) and viral factors (HCV genotype 1, coefficient 2.279) have a significant impact on dose reduction due to AE. Some host and viral factors affected dose reduction due to AE. Increasing rates of fibrosis with age may play a role as a mechanism affecting dose reduction secondary to AE and SVR in different age groups.