First Report of Bacterial Soft Rot of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum in Jilin Province of China

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an annual or biannual plant of the Asteraceae family that produces the hepaprotectant silymarin. In 2012, almost all milk thistle grown in the medicinal herbal garden of Jilin Agricultural University (Changchun, Jilin Province, China) exhibited symptoms of a previously undetected soft rot disease. Initial symptoms on stems appeared as tan, semitransparent, and water-soaked, then became sunken. The rotted lesions expanded rapidly and inner stem tissues were rotten with a foul smell. Eventually, the whole plant became black, then collapsed and died. Economic losses were significant as the seed crop was almost completely lost. Nine bacterial strains were isolated from tissues on nutrient agar (NA) medium after 36 h incubation at 28°C (1). Colonies of the nine strains were round, shiny, grayish white, and convex on NA medium. All strains were gram-negative, non-fluorescent, facultatively anaerobic, motile with two to four peritrichous flagella (observed by electron transmission microscope), positive for catalase and potato rot, but negative for oxidase and lecithinase. Strains grew at 37°C and in yeast salts broth medium containing 5% NaCl. They also liquefied gelatin. Strains were also negative for starch hydrolysis, malonate utilization, gas production from glucose, and indole. Results were variable for the Voges-Proskauer test and production of H₂S from cysteine. The strains utilized esculin, fructose, D-galactose, D-glucose, inositol, lactose, D-mannose, D-mannitol, melibiose, rhamnose, salicin, trehalose, D-xylose, and cellobiose as carbon sources, but not melezitose, α-CH₃-D-gluconate, sorbitol, or starch. Glycerol and maltose were only weakly utilized. Species identity was confirmed by molecular analysis of one of the strains, SMG-2. HPLC indicated a DNA GC content of 50.55%. The 16S rDNA sequence (KC207898) of SMG-2 showed 99% sequence identity to that of a Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum strain (DQ333384) and the sequence of the 16S-23S rDNA spacer region (KJ415377) was 95% similar to that of another known strain of P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (AF232684). Based on biochemical and physiological characteristics (2), as well as 16S rDNA gene analysis, the strains were identified as P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. Pathogenicity of the nine strains was evaluated by depositing a bacterial suspension (10⁸ CFU/ml) on wounded stems (made with a disinfected razor blade) of 3-month-old milk thistle plants. Three plants were inoculated with each strain and three plants were treated with sterilized water as negative controls. Inoculated plants were covered with plastic bags for 24 h in a greenhouse at 28 to 30°C. After 48 h, the plants inoculated with bacteria showed similar symptoms as the naturally infected plants, while control plants remained symptomless. The symptoms observed on inoculated stems were rotten and sunken tissues. Bacteria were re-isolated from the inoculated plants and confirmed to be identical to the original strains based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum causing bacterial soft rot of milk thistle in Changchun, Jilin Province, China. References: (1) Z. D. Fang. Research Method of Phytopathology. China Agricultural Press (In Chinese), 1998. (2) N. W. Schaad et al., eds. Laboratory Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, 3rd ed. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 2001.

First Report of Phoma rhei as a Pathogen of Rheum rhabarbarum in China

Rheum rhabarbarum L., rhubarb, is a perennial herb planted mainly in Hebei, Hubei, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, and Jilin provinces as well as Inner Mongolia, China. The plant grows about 1,000 meters above sea level (4), and is used widely in China to treat constipation and gout. From June to September 2012, a leaf spot was observed on R. rhabarbarum in the medicinal garden of Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, causing significant effects on the leaves of all infected plants. In the early stage of disease development, small red lesions were visible on infected leaves, which subsequently developed into irregularly shaped or circular necrotic spots, each with a light colored center, pink-red alternating concentric rings, and surrounded by a chlorotic halo. Some lesions became perforated in the center. Lesions ranged from 1 to 15 mm in diameter. Extensive spotting resulted in general browning and yellowing of entire leaves. As lesions enlarged and coalesced, some leaves died from the margin inwards. Lesions on the stem were fusiform and sunken. Small pieces of diseased leaves and stems were surface-disinfested in 75% ethanol for 60 s, rinsed twice in distilled water, dried, and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). A Phoma species was isolated that produced a gray or dark gray colony after 5 to 7 days. The isolate was transferred to oatmeal agar (OA) (3). Pycnidia were dark brown to black, globose to subglobose, and 121 to 354 × 100 to 262 μm. Conidia were ellipsoidal or reniform, colorless, unicellular, and 3.8 to 6.5 × 1.7 to 4.1 μm. On the basis of these characteristics, the fungus was identified as Phoma rhei (1). A PCR assay with the ITS4 and ITS5 primers was used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) (2). The amplified product (567 bp) was sequenced and the sequence submitted to GenBank (Accession No. KF531831). The ITS sequence exhibited 99% identity to that of a P. rhei isolate in GenBank (GU237743.1), confirming the morphological identification. Pathogenicity of eight isolates on rhubarb was confirmed by spraying a spore suspension (1 × 10⁶ spores/ml) produced on PDA on the leaves of each 6-year-old R. rhabarbarum (cv. Boyedahuang) plant. Each isolate was inoculated onto five plants, and five plants were sprayed similarly with sterilized water as a control treatment. The plants were then covered with plastic bags for 48 h, and kept in a greenhouse (20 to 30°C with a 12-h photoperiod/day). Initial symptoms on inoculated leaves were observed 3 to 4 days after inoculation, while the control plants remained healthy. Re-isolations from lesions on the inoculated leaves, using the same protocol as the original isolations, produced fungal colonies with the same morphological characteristics as the original isolates of P. rhei, but no fungi were re-isolated from the control plants. This fungus has been found on R. rhaponticum in New Zealand (1), but to our knowledge this is the first report of P. rhei on R. rhabarbarum in China. References: (1) G. H. Boerema et al. Phoma Identification Manual. Diffferentiation of Specific and Infra-Specific Taxa in Culture. CABI Publishing. Wallingford, UK, 2004. (2) D. E. L. Cooke et al. Mycol. Res. 101:667, 1997. (3) Z. D. Fang. Research Method of Phytopathology. China Agricultural Press (In Chinese), 1998. (4) A. J. Li et al. Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae. Tomus 25:171, 1998.

[The anesthesiologic value of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation combined with general intravenous anesthesia in endoscopic thyroidectomy patients: a clinical study]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical anesthesia value of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) combined with general intravenous anesthesia in endoscopic bilateral thyroidectomy patients.

METHODS

Totally 60 patients who underwent endoscopic bilateral thyroidectomy were equally randomly assigned to 2 groups, the treatment group and the control group, 30 in each group. Patients in the treatment group received TAES combined general intravenous anesthesia, while those in the control group received total intravenous anesthesia. Anesthesia was maintained by target controlled infusion of propofolum combined constant speed infusion of remifentanil in the two groups. TAES was maintained from 30 min before anesthesia induction to the end of endoscopic thyroidectomy at bilateral Hegu (L14) and Neiguan (PC6). The mean artery pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded at different time points of anesthesia, i.e., immediately after entry into the operating room (TO), immediately after intubation (T1), 5 min after intubation (T2), 5 min before incision (T3), 5 min after incision (T4), 30 min after inflation (T5), at the end of surgery (T6), 5 min before extubation (T7), immediately after extubation 0 (T8), and 5 min after extubation (T9). The concentration of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were measured at TO, T3, T5, and T6. The target concentration of propofol was also recorded at T3, T4, and T5.

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference in the operation time between the two groups (P >0.05). Compared with TO in the same group, HR at T3-T4 decreased and increased at T8-T9, and MAP increased at T7-T9 in the treatment group; HR decreased at T3 and increased at T7-T9, MAP increased at T1, T5, T7-T9, and MAP decreased at T2-T3 in the control group. IL-6 increased at T5-T6, while TNF-alpha decreased at T6 in the two groups (P <0.01,P <0.05). Compared with the control group at the same time point, HR decreased at T6-T9, MAP decreased at T1, T4, T5, T7-T9, MAP increased at T3, and IL-6 decreased at T5-T6 in the treatment group (P <0. 05). The concentration and the total amount of propofol were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0.01,P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TAES could maintain the hemodynamics more stably and inhibit the stress response in endoscopic thyroidectomy. It also reduce the dosage of anesthetics and improve the safety of anesthesia.

[Qualitative and quantitative research on sulfur fumigation of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi) by near-infrared spectroscopy]

The contents of coumarins in the sulfur fumigated Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi, ADR) were reduced significantly. To achieve the quality control of ADR, the qualitative identification of sulfur fumigated ADR and quantitative model of imperatorin content should be established. The near-infrared (NIR) spectrograms of non-sulfur and sulfur fumigated ADR were collected by NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy technology and pretreated by the method of first derivative derivation and vector normalization. The Ward's Algorithm method was used for the cluster analysis. The non-sulfur and sulfur fumigated ADR can be quickly identified in the range of 8,806. 0-3 811.0 cm(-1) based on the cluster analysis. The NIR quantitative model of imperatorin was established by the contents of imperatorin determined by HPLC in combination with partial least squares regression analysis. According to the calibration model established in this study, correlation coefficients (R2), the root-mean-square error of cross-validation (RMSECV), and the root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP) for imperatorin were 0.982 8, 0.006 8, 0.011 8, respectively. The quantitative model of imperatorin can be applied to determine the content of imperatorin in ADR accurately.

Kinetic modeling of inherent mineral catalyzed NO reduction by biomass char

The evolution of rice straw char reactivity during reaction with NO was examined in differential reactor at 900 and 1000 °C. Original and acid-washed rice straw chars were used. Surface area and mineral content of char samples with different conversion were analyzed. The reactivity of the acid-washed char increased until conversion Xchar = 20%, remained constant, and then decreased continuously to zero. The reactivity of the original char decreased continuously to zero throughout the reaction, with a faster decrease at 1000 °C. Mineral transformation during original char reaction was obvious. Concentration of acid-soluble K decreased about 56% and 90% at 900 and 1000 °C. Ca and Mg released little to gas phase, but reacted with SiO2 in a small amount. The evolution of the acid-washed char reactivity correlated well with the development of surface area and was well predicted by random pore model. The reactivity of the original char depended not only on the development of surface area, but also on transformation of inherent minerals, mainly K. A two-reaction model was built which well predicted inherent K transformation. A modified random pore model was developed, which successfully simulated inherent mineral catalyzed char-NO reaction.

Association of novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the vascular endothelial growth factor-A gene with high-altitude adaptation in yak (Bos grunniens)

Vascular endothelial growth factor-A gene (VEGF-A) is a key regulator of angiogenesis and an endothelial cell mitogen that plays an important role in high-altitude adaptation. In this study, we detected 2 novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of VEGF-A by screening for genetic variation in 700 individuals of 3 domestic Chinese yak breeds--namely Gannan (GN), Datong (DT), and Tianzhu white (TZW)--using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing techniques. GN and DT yaks live at high altitude and TZW yaks live at low altitude on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. SNP g.8430T>C is located in intron 4 of VEGF-A. SNP g.14853G>A is located in the 3' untranslated region of VEGF-A. Frequencies of the GA and AA genotypes and the A allele of SNP g.14853G>A observed in GN and DT yaks were significantly higher than that in TZW yaks (P < 0.01). No significant difference among the breeds was observed for SNP g.8430T>C. The frequency of haplotype TA was significantly higher (P < 0.01), whereas the frequency of TG (P < 0.01) was significantly lower in GN and DT yaks compared with that in TZW yaks. The 2 SNPs were in moderate linkage disequilibrium in GN and DT yaks, but not in TZW yaks. The fixation index (FST) pairwise value was significantly different among the breeds studied. The neutral test result indicated that the region between the 2 SNPs may have been subjected to positive or balancing selection, and the high-altitude hypoxia environment might be the main determinant for selection. These results suggest that VEGF-A might contribute to the high-altitude adaptability of yak.

Assessment of children's own health status using visual analogue scale and descriptive system of the EQ-5D-Y: linkage between two systems

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study is to derive a scoring system for the EQ-5D child-friendly version (EQ-5D-Y) from a population-based sample of children based on their own health state assessments on the descriptive system and the visual analogue scale (VAS).

METHODS

We used data from the 2008 and 2010 Raising Healthy Eating and Active Living Kids in Alberta surveys of grade five students aged primarily 10-11 years and their parents in the Canadian province of Alberta. We applied a random split sample approach. Two-thirds of the sample (modeling sample) was used for the estimation of the EQ-5D-Y VAS. The remaining one-third sample (validation sample) was used for the examination of the prediction accuracy of the estimation model. Multilevel linear regression was used to estimate EQ-5D-Y VAS score and produce EQ-5D-Y index values from the children's self-rated states described in the EQ-5D-Y and the accompanying VAS values.

RESULTS

The mean EQ-5D-Y VAS-based index value was 0.891 (SD 0.133) in the modeling sample and 0.885 (SD 0.134) in the validation sample. The own VAS-based index generally showed logical consistency, with lower values for health states that were logically worse. There was no statistically significant difference between the observed and the predicted VAS values in this sample.

CONCLUSIONS

This study elicited a value set for health states defined by the EQ-5D-Y that is based on respondents' own VAS ratings from a large representative sample of Canadian children. Future study is needed to validate this type of value set among different age groups of children.

Cognitive dysfunction after off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

A meta-analysis to compare the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) versus after conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODS

A systematic search of the Medline(®), EMBASE(®) and Cochrane Library databases was performed to identify randomized controlled trials published until the end of November 2011. Data were analysed using RevMan version 5.0 software.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 13 randomized controlled trials which included a total of 2326 cases. Meta-analysis found that the incidence of POCD was significantly higher following CABG than after OPCAB during the perioperative period (1-2 weeks) and at 3 months postsurgery. There were no significant between-group differences at 6 or 12 months postsurgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with CABG, OPCAB was found to be associated with a reduced incidence of early-stage POCD. Caution must be taken when interpreting these findings because of limitations in the available data.

[Chemical constituents contained in fatty oil from seeds of Cucumis sativus]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents contained in the seeds of Cucumis sativus.

METHOD

The fatty oil was extracted by heating and refluxing with petroleum ether. Potassium hydroxide-methanol solution was used for saponification. An unsaponifiable matter was extracted by EtOAc and separated with various chromatographic methods. Its structure was identified on the basis of their physicochemical properties and spectral data. The fatty acid fraction was methyl-esterified and determined by GC. The composition and relative content of fatty acid were determined with normalization method of peak area.

RESULT

24-ethylcholesta-7, 22, 25-trienol (1), 24-ethylcholesta-7, 25-dienol (2) ,avenasterol (3), spinasterol (4), karounidiol (5) and isokarounidiol (6) were separated and identified from the unsaponifiable matter. Myristic acid (7, 0.12%), palmitic acid (8, 12.04%), palmitoleic acid (9, 0.09%), heptadecanoic acid (10, 0.06%), stearic acid (11, 5.64%), oleic acid (12, 6.95%), linoleic acid (13, 74.40%), arachidic acid (14, 0.19%), and alpha-linolenic acid (15, 0.51%) were identified from the fatty acids part.

CONCLUSION

Compounds 5, 6, 9, 10, 14,and 15 were first reported in C. sativus.

Diabetes insipidus as the first symptom caused by lung cancer metastasis to the pituitary glands: clinical presentations, diagnosis, and management

BACKGROUND

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI), secondary to pituitary metastatic lesions, is uncommon; however, lung and breast cancer are the commonest malignancies to have metastases to the pituitary. Early management of systemic chemotherapy and pituitary irradiation might improve the prognosis of patients.

AIMS

To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of CDI caused by lung cancer metastasis to the pituitary glands.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 10 patients who had CDI as their first symptom before their lung cancers were diagnosed. Their clinical presentations, anterior pituitary gland function, sellar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), management, and prognosis were described.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This retrospective cross-sectional clinical study was conducted in a medical college hospital.

RESULTS

The patient's mean age was 58.6±7.8 years. Diabetes insipidus was the main complaint when they were referred to our hospital. MRI revealed specific dumbbell-shaped masses in the sella turcica in five patients. In seven patients whose hormones were measured, the levels of hormones from adenohypophysis were abnormally low in six patients. The main treatments included surgery, systemic chemotherapy, and sellar irradiation. Although nine patients had poor prognoses, one patient has survived for more than 3 years, suggesting benefit from early diagnosis and treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

New-onset CDI might be the only symptom presented by the patients with pituitary metastasis (PM) from lung cancer. Dumbbell-shaped sellar masses in MRI are prone to the diagnosis of PM. A thorough examination for primary cancer should be carried out in these aged and elderly patients.

Two novel DAX1 gene mutations in Chinese patients with X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita: clinical, hormonal and genetic analysis

Mutations in the DAX1 gene result in X-linked congenital adrenal hypoplasia (AHC). Affected boys usually present with primary adrenal failure in early infancy or childhood and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) at puberty. This paper describes the clinical, hormonal, radiological, and genetic characteristics of 2 Chinese patients with X-linked AHC. Primary adrenal insufficiency occurred in the 2 patients during their childhood and HH was recognized at puberty. Genomic DNA was extracted from their peripheral blood leukocytes and coding sequence abnormalities of the DAX1 gene were assessed by PCR and direct sequencing analysis. Genetic analysis of the DAX1 gene revealed 2 novel mutations c.572-575 dupGGGC, p.Thr193Gly,fs,205X and c.773- 774 dupCC, p.Ser259Pro,fs,264X in exon 1, causing frameshifts and yeilding premature stop codons at 205 and 264, respectively. This study identifies 2 novel mutations in the DAX1 gene which can further expand the mutation database and benefit patients in the diagnosis and treatment of AHC.

Changes in spatial distribution of flexor digitorum superficialis muscle activity is correlated to finger's action

Multitendoned extrinsic muscles of the human hand can be divided into several neuromuscular compartments (NMCs), each of which contributes to the ability of human finger to produce independent finger movements or force. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the spatial activation of flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) during the fingertip force production with non-invasive multichannel surface electromyography (sEMG) technique. 7 healthy Subjects were instructed to match the target force level for 5s using individual index finger (I), individual middle finger (M) and the combination of the index and middle finger (IM) respectively. Simultaneously, a 2 × 6 electrode array was employed to record multichannel sEMG from FDS as finger force was produced. The entropy and center of gravity of the sEMG root mean square (RMS) map were computed to assess the spatial inhomogeneity in muscle activation and the change in spatial distribution of EMG amplitude related to the force generation of specific task finger. The results showed that the area and intensity of high amplitude region increased with force production, and the entropy increased with force level under the same task finger. The findings indicate that the change of spatial distribution of multitendoned extrinsic hand muscle activation is correlated to specific biomechanical functions.

Peroxiredoxins in colorectal neoplasms

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are novel group proteins with efficient antioxidant capacity, and some of them also have effects on cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance. Altogether six distinct Prxs expressions were investigated in histological samples of colorectal neoplasm and the distant normal tissues and investigated associatedly with parameters such as clinical stage and lymphnodes metastasis. Normal colorectal tissues were almost negative for Prxs, except Prx4 (15/32). In colorectal cancer tissues, the most prominent reactivity was observed with Prx2 in 23/32 cases, while the corresponding figures for others was 21/32 (Prx1), 18/32 (Prx3, Prx5, Prx6) and 8/32 (Prx4). Prx1 (P=0.023), Prx2 (P=0.012), and Prx5 (P=0.028) were the isoforms that showed significantly increased expression in colorectal cancer patients with stage III or lymphnodes metastasis-positive cases. There was a significant relationship between the expression of Prx1 and Prx2 (rs=0.425, P=0.015) and between Prx3 and Prx4 (rs=0.364, P=0.041). Additionally, 8 cases were studied by western analysis. Prx1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 were particularly elevated in tumors compared to nonmalignant tissue as assessed by immunohistochemistry. It appeared that some Prxs were upexpression in colorectal cancer tissues and may have some prognostic significance; the induction of Prxs could be explained by increased production of reactive oxygen species in carcinomatous tissue.

Effect of particle size on the lymphatic distribution of 111Indium-aminopolystyrene through intrapleural administration

The study examined the impact of size on lymphatic particle distribution through intrapleural (ipl.) administration. Aminopolystyrene of three sizes, 0.29 microm, 2.18 microm, and 11.2 microm were radiolabeled with 111Indium and their biodistributions were evaluated in rats after ipl administration. Animals received either particles of three different sizes (4 mg, 200 microCi/animal) or unconjugated 111Indium as control. The percentage of injected dose (%ID) per organ or sample was determined for left (L) and right (R) mediastinal lymph nodes (LN), blood, lung, and pleural wash. The biodistribution of 2.18 microm 111In-aminopolystyrene was further investigated at 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h following ipl administration to examine the possible particle retention time. The 2.18 microm particles had significantly higher uptake in both LLN and RLN compared to other sizes. The systemic uptake was minimal. At 72 h, there was still 3.2 +/- 3.2% and 2.1 +/- 1.8% of injected dose retained in the LLN and RLN, respectively. Scintigraphic imaging revealed significant accumulation of the radioactivity in mediastinal nodes. Particle size has significant impact on lymphatic particle distribution through ipl administration. Approximately 2 microm seems to be a suitable size.

Verapamil modulates LPS-induced cytokine production via inhibition of NF-kappa B activation in the liver

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of verapamil on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10)] and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) in the liver.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups of eight rats each: control rats treated with saline (0.9 % NaCl); rats treated with saline and then challenged intraperitoneally with LPS (10 mg/kg); rats treated intraperitoneally with different levels of verapamil (1, 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) and then challenged with LPS (10 mg/kg); and rats treated only with verapamil (10 mg/kg). TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10 and NF-kappa B in the liver tissues were investigated as well as the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) one hour after LPS injection.

RESULTS

LPS alone stimulated production of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10, and activated NF-kappa B in the liver. Pretreatment with verapamil before LPS challenge reduced acute liver injury, down-regulated production of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6), up-regulated production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) and inhibited NF-kappa B activation in the liver in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

Verapamil can attenuate acute liver injury by down-regulating the production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 and up-regulating IL-10 in the liver, possibly via inhibition of NF-kappa B.

Application of independent component analysis to dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging for assessment of cerebral blood perfusion

Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging is widely used for in vivo assessment of the cerebral blood perfusion. In this work, we investigate the use of independent component analysis (ICA) on DCE imaging data for assessment of cerebral blood perfusion, without any prior knowledge of the underlying tissue vasculature and arterial input function. The minimum description length (MDL) criterion and principle component analysis (PCA) were employed to reduce the dimension of the data. An oscillating index method was used to select the components of interest. Numerical simulation and patient case studies were carried out to investigate the performance of ICA. The results show that ICA is able to extract physiologically meaningful components from the DCE imaging data. The advantages of ICA include its efficiency of computation, clarity of obtained component maps, and no need of the manually selected input function. The obtained independent component maps can provide reliable reference to identify the arterial and venous structure, and allow better demarcation of the tumor territories. The potential of ICA to be a useful clinical tool for diagnosis of cerebral vascular disease and for the assessment of treatment response has been demonstrated.

Characterization of Cryptocaryon irritans isolates from marine fishes in Mainland China by ITS ribosomal DNA sequences

Seven isolates of Cryptocaryon irritans from different host species and geographical locations in Mainland China were characterized by the first (ITS-1) and second (ITS-2) internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) using two isolates of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis for comparative purposes. The rDNA region including the ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2, and flanking 18S and 28S sequences were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and the amplicons were sequenced directly. The ITS-1, 5.8S, and ITS-2 sequences were 129, 160, and 190 bp in length, respectively, for all seven C. irritans isolates, whereas the corresponding sequences for the two I. multifiliis isolates were 142, 153, and 194 bp, respectively. While sequence variation among the seven C. irritans isolates ranged from 0 to 1.6% in both the ITS-1 and ITS-2, and the two I. multifiliis isolates differed by 1.4% in the ITS-1 and 1.0% in the ITS-2; C. irritans differed from I. multifiliis by 57.1-60.9% in the ITS-1 and 79.4-83.0% in the ITS-2, indicating that ITS sequences provide reliable genetic markers for the identification and differentiation of the two species. Phylogenetic analysis using the sequence pairwise-distance data using the neighbor-joining method inferred that the seven C. irritans isolates from Mainland China and two other isolates (T.A and Aus.C) from other countries clustered together to show monophyly, which could be readily distinguished from the other monophyletic group all from other regions. Therefore, ITS sequence data and phylogenetic analysis provided strong support that C. irritans isolates from Mainland China represent a single species. The definition of genetic markers in the ITS rDNA provide opportunities for studying the ecology and population genetic structures of the C. irritans from Mainland China and elsewhere and is also relevant to the diagnosis and control of fish diseases they cause.

The radiation of Haliotrema (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae: Ancyrocephalinae): molecular evidence and explanation inferred from LSU rDNA sequences

The D1-D2 domains of LSU rDNA were used to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships within the Ancyrocephalinae (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) utilizing maximum-parsimony (MP), maximum-likelihood (ML), minimum evolution (ME) and neighbour-joining (NJ) methods. A total of 32 monogenean taxa were examined in the present study, including 9 Haliotrema species and 13 other species representing the Ancyrocephalinae, 4 Thaparocleidus species representing the Ancylodiscoididae, and 6 species representing the Diplectanidae which were used as multiple outgroups. All 4 analyses (i.e. MP, ML, ME and NJ) inferred the same interrelationship pattern: (Diplectanidae, (Ancylodiscoididae, Dactylogyridae)) with high bootstrap support. However, 9 Haliotrema species were dispersed to form 4 clades together with species from other genera, indicating the apparent non-monophyly of Haliotrema. Three major groups were defined based on reconstructed phylogenetic trees to explain the radiation of Haliotrema species. The morphology of the reproductive organ, particularly the male copulatory organ (MCO), was discussed to further understand the formation of each group. (1) Results of the present study indicated an intimate relationship among Metahaliotrema (2 species), Protogyrodactylus (4 species) and Haliotrema (2 of 9 species), and notably, all these species share vagina-absence. (2) Based on the present molecular analyses and the morphological characters of the MCO, we propose to transfer H. spirotubiforum and the undetermined Haliotrema sp. ZHDDb to Euryhaliotrema as new combinations. (3) We propose to erect a new genus to accommodate the Haliotrema species with horn-like shaped MCO. Taxonomic implications of the present molecular phylogenetic analyses are discussed. A wider range of taxa and more DNA markers displaying various evolutionary rates should be used to estimate phylogenetic relationships among species within the Ancyrocephalinae and Ancylodiscoididae in further studies.

One-Pot Glyco-Affinity Precipitation Purification for Enhanced Proteomics: The Flexible Alignment of Solution-Phase Capture/Release and Solid-Phase Separation

A one-pot affinity precipitation purification of carbohydrate-binding protein was demonstrated by designing thermally responsive glyco-polypeptide polymers, which were synthesized by selective coupling of pendant carbohydrate groups to a recombinant elastin-like triblock protein copolymer (ELP). The thermally driven inverse transition temperature of the ELP-based triblock polymer is maintained upon incorporation of carbohydrate ligands, which was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and (1)H NMR spectroscopy experiments. As a test system, lactose derivatized ELP was used to selectively purify a galactose-specific binding lectin through simple temperature-triggered precipitation in a high level of efficiency. Potential opportunities might be provided for enhanced proteomic, cell isolation as well as pathogen detection applications.

Modeling of dispersed-drug release from two-dimensional matrix tablets

A mathematical model was developed and analytical solutions were obtained for dispersed-drug release from two-dimensional matrix tablets in a perfect sink. This model can be used to describe kinetics of solute release from matrices with isotropic or anisotropic properties. Moving boundaries of dispersed-drug in both radial and axial directions and release kinetics were predicted by the model. Various factors influencing release kinetics were analyzed including the ratio of initial solute loading (C0) to solute solubility (Cs), the anisotropy of the matrix and the aspect ratio of tablet radius to the half-thickness. The model is also applicable to 1-D planar or 1-D cylindrical geometries when R/H is larger than 100 or smaller than 0.01.

Neurochemical phenotype of vagal afferent neurons activated to express C-FOS in response to luminal stimulation in the rat

The vagus nerve conveys meal-induced primary afferent responses to the brainstem. Electrophysiological studies indicate that luminal stimuli such as osmolarity and the digestion products of carbohydrates elicit powerful vagal nodose neuronal responses by activating serotonin 3 (5-hydroxytryptamine-3, 5-HT3) receptors on intestinal mucosal afferent fibers. To characterize the neurochemical phenotype of neurotransmitters in vagal nodose neurons that are activated by luminal stimulation, we examined c-fos protein (c-Fos) expression in response to luminal stimulation in conscious rats. A double-labeling technique using antisera to glutamate (Glu), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and somatostatin (SS) was used to determine the neurochemical profile of c-Fos-positive neurons. c-Fos immunoreactivity was insignificant in vehicle-treated rats. Luminal perfusions of NaCl (500 mOsm), tap water (5 mOsm), maltose (300 mmol/l), and 5-HT (10(-5) mol/l) each elicited a significant increase in the number of cells expressing c-Fos. Chronic vagotomy eliminated an increase in nodose neuronal c-Fos expression, and the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist granisetron significantly reduced it. Glu-, SP-, and CGRP-containing neurons represented 28%, 53%, and 19%, respectively, of the total population of nodose neurons. Few neurons contained SS. Double-labeling studies revealed that of the c-Fos-positive neurons responsive to hypertonic NaCl, 52%, 41%, and 3% exhibited immunoreactivity for Glu, SP, and CGRP, respectively. Of those responsive to tap water, 47%, 50%, and 4% exhibited immunoreactivity for Glu-, SP- and CGRP, respectively. In addition, 44%, 38%, and 8% of 5-HT-stimulated and 30%, 32%, and 5% of maltose-stimulated c-Fos-positive neurons exhibited, respectively, Glu, SP, and CGRP immunoreactivity. The few neurons that contained SS did not express c-Fos.

CONCLUSIONS

Vagal primary afferent neurons that respond to 5-HT-dependent luminal stimuli, such as hyperosmolarity and maltose, contain mainly Glu and SP. These neurons appear to play an important role in the mediation of the vago-vagal reflex elicited by luminal stimuli.

Molecular and morphological evidence indicates that Pseudorhabdosynochus lantauensis (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) represents two species

Sequences of the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) and the D1-D3 domains of the large subunit (LSU) of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) were determined for multiple specimens of 4 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of the monogenean, Pseudorhabdosynochus lantauensis. OTUs were defined based on their collecting localities, host and/or morphological characteristics. All P. lantauensis specimens of one group (OTUs 1 and 3) differed in their sequences of the ITS-1 and partial LSU rDNA when compared with specimens of a second group (OTUs 2 and 4) by 12% and 2%, respectively. Results of the phylogenetic analyses of the LSU rDNA sequence data showed total (100%) bootstrap support for the separation of P. lantauensis into 2 distinct clades. At least 11 of the 18 nucleotide differences in the LSU sequence between the two P. lantauensis clades were derived (i.e. autapomorphic) characters when the morphologically distinct species, P. epinepheli and P. coioidesis, were used as outgroups. Furthermore, there were several autapomorphic character states for each P. lantauensis clade. This provides sufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis that P. lantauensis represents a single species. Morphological and morphometric differences between these two clades provided additional strong support for the separation of P. lantauensis into two species. These two parasite species were found to co-exist on one of the two species of serranid fish (i.e. Epinephelus coioides) examined in the South China Sea (Guangdong Province, China).

Expression of survivin and bax/bcl-2 in peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma ligands induces apoptosis on human myeloid leukemia cells in vitro

The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanisms of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) ligand-induced apoptosis on human myeloid leukemia K562 and HL-60 cell lines. The results revealed that both 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) and troglitazone (TGZ) have significant anti-proliferation- and apoptosis-inducing effects on these two kinds of leukemia cells. Marked morphological changes of cell apoptosis including condensation of chromatin and nuclear fragmentation were observed clearly using Wright's and Hoechst 33258 staining. Reverse transcription-PCR and western blot analyses demonstrated that both survivin and bcl-2 expression were downregulated markedly, while bax expression was upregulated concurrently when apoptosis occurred. We therefore conclude that 15d-PGJ2 and TGZ have significant apoptosis effects on K562 and HL-60 cells in vitro, and that upregulation of bax as well as downregulation of survivin and bcl-2 expression may be the important apoptosis-inducing mechanisms. The results suggest that PPAR-gamma ligands may serve as potential therapeutic agents for both acute and chronic myeloid leukemia.