Leukemia-related chromosomal loss detected in hematopoietic progenitor cells of benzene-exposed workers

Benzene exposure causes acute myeloid leukemia and hematotoxicity, shown as suppression of mature blood and myeloid progenitor cell numbers. As the leukemia-related aneuploidies monosomy 7 and trisomy 8 previously had been detected in the mature peripheral blood cells of exposed workers, we hypothesized that benzene could cause leukemia through the induction of these aneuploidies in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. We measured loss and gain of chromosomes 7 and 8 by fluorescence in situ hybridization in interphase colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) cells cultured from otherwise healthy benzene-exposed (n=28) and unexposed (n=14) workers. CFU-GM monosomy 7 and 8 levels (but not trisomy) were significantly increased in subjects exposed to benzene overall, compared with levels in the control subjects (P=0.0055 and P=0.0034, respectively). Levels of monosomy 7 and 8 were significantly increased in subjects exposed to <10 p.p.m. (20%, P=0.0419 and 28%, P=0.0056, respectively) and ≥ 10 p.p.m. (48%, P=0.0045 and 32%, 0.0354) benzene, compared with controls, and significant exposure-response trends were detected (P(trend)=0.0033 and 0.0057). These data show that monosomies 7 and 8 are produced in a dose-dependent manner in the blood progenitor cells of workers exposed to benzene, and may be mechanistically relevant biomarkers of early effect for benzene and other leukemogens.

The prediction of 30-day mortality in patients with primary pontine hemorrhage: a scoring system comparison

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Owing to its low morbidity but high mortality, no accurate scoring system focuses on primary pontine hemorrhage (PPH) has been established. We aim to compare the performances of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II with the ICH score in predicting the 30-day mortality in patients with PPH.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients admitted with a diagnosis of PPH to a university-affiliated hospital in southern China from May 2000 to June 2011. Data related to patient demographics and that necessary to calculate APACHE II, SAPS II, and ICH score were recorded. Performances of these scoring systems were presented as calibration and discrimination, which were measured by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, respectively.

RESULTS

Among 75 patients with PPH finally included, 31 (41.3%) died within 30 days. SAPS II (χ(2) = 6.57, P = 0.682) had the best calibration, followed by APACHE II (χ(2) = 8.06, P = 0.428) and ICH score (χ(2) = 4.94, P = 0.176). Furthermore, in terms of area under the ROC curve, APACHE II (0.919) was more discriminative than SAPS II (0.890) and ICH score (0.844).

CONCLUSIONS

In predicting 30-day mortality in patients with PPH, SAPS II has the best calibration, while APACHE II has the highest discrimination. The ICH score, which is easier and simpler to calculate, should be modified for PPH.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-C2β Inhibits Cisplatin-Mediated Apoptosis via the Akt Pathway in Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A major problem in treating oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with cisplatin is the development of drug resistance. In order to determine whether phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-C2β (encoded by the PIK3C2B gene) reduced the sensitivity of ESCC to cisplatin, transfected Eca109 cells that overexpressed PIK3C2B were produced. Additionally, PI3K-C2β-siRNA was used to silence endogenous PI3K-C2β in EC9706 cisplatin-resistant cells. The relationship between PIK3C2B expression and clinicopathological characteristics was also investigated in samples from 61 patients. The overexpression of PIK3C2B in Eca109 cells significantly inhibited cisplatin-induced apoptosis and cleavage of caspase-3. Knockdown of PI3K-C2β enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis in EC9706 cells. PIK3C2B expression was associated with an increased level of phosphorylated Akt. Based on the tumour samples, expression of PIK3C2B was associated with tumour metastasis and in vitro assay suggested that it mediated cell migration. These results indicated that PI3K-C2β, via the Akt signalling pathway, might play a key role in cisplatin resistance and that targeting this pathway might be useful in treating cisplatin-resistant tumours.

No time to lose--high throughput screening to assess nanomaterial safety

Nanomaterials hold great promise for medical, technological and economical benefits. Knowledge concerning the toxicological properties of these novel materials is typically lacking. At the same time, it is becoming evident that some nanomaterials could have a toxic potential in humans and the environment. Animal based systems lack the needed capacity to cope with the abundance of novel nanomaterials being produced, and thus we have to employ in vitro methods with high throughput to manage the rush logistically and use high content readouts wherever needed in order to gain more depth of information. Towards this end, high throughput screening (HTS) and high content screening (HCS) approaches can be used to speed up the safety analysis on a scale that commensurate with the rate of expansion of new materials and new properties. The insights gained from HTS/HCS should aid in our understanding of the tenets of nanomaterial hazard at biological level as well as assist the development of safe-by-design approaches. This review aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the HTS/HCS methodology employed for safety assessment of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), including data analysis and prediction of potentially hazardous material properties. Given the current pace of nanomaterial development, HTS/HCS is a potentially effective means of keeping up with the rapid progress in this field--we have literally no time to lose.

A comparison of the cytogenetic alterations and global DNA hypomethylation induced by the benzene metabolite, hydroquinone, with those induced by melphalan and etoposide

Specific cytogenetic alterations and changes in DNA methylation are involved in leukemogenesis. Benzene, an established human leukemogen, is known to induce cytogenetic changes through its active metabolites including hydroquinone (HQ), but the specific alterations have not been fully characterized. Global DNA hypomethylation was reported in a population exposed to benzene, but has not been confirmed in vitro. In this study, we examined cytogenetic changes in chromosomes 5, 7, 8, 11 and 21, and global DNA methylation in human TK6 lymphoblastoid cells treated with HQ for 48 h, and compared the HQ-induced alterations with those induced by two well-known leukemogens, melphalan, an alkylating agent, and etoposide, a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor. We found that rather than inducing cytogenetic alterations distinct from those induced by melphalan and etoposide, HQ induced alterations characteristic of each agent. HQ induced global DNA hypomethylation at a level intermediate to melphalan (no effect) and etoposide (potent effect). These results suggest that HQ may act similar to an alkylating agent and also similar to a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor in living cells, both of which may be potential mechanisms of benzene toxicity. In addition to cytogenetic changes, global DNA hypomethylation may be another mechanism underlying the leukemogenicity of benzene.

The Role of Plasmalemmal-Cortical Anchoring on the Stability of Transmembrane Electropores

The structure of eukaryotic cells is maintained by a network of filamentous actin anchored subjacently to the plasma membrane. This structure is referred to as the actin cortex. We present a locally constrained surface tension model for electroporation in order to address the influence of plasmalemmal-cortical anchoring on electropore dynamics. This model predicts that stable electropores are possible under certain conditions. The existence of stable electropores has been suggested in several experimental studies. The electropore radius at which stability is achieved is a function of the characteristic radii of locally constrained regions about the plasma membrane. This model opens the possibility of using actin-modifying compounds to physically manipulate cortical density, thereby manipulating electroporation dynamics. It also underscores the need to improve electroporation models further by incorporating the influence of trans-electropore ionic and aqueous flow, cortical flexibility, transmembrane protein mobility, and active cellular wound healing mechanisms.

Quantification of electroporative uptake kinetics and electric field heterogeneity effects in cells

We have conducted experiments quantitatively investigating electroporative uptake kinetics of a fluorescent plasma membrane integrity indicator, propidium iodide (PI), in HL60 human leukemia cells resulting from exposure to 40 mus pulsed electric fields (PEFs). These experiments were possible through the use of calibrated, real-time fluorescence microscopy and the development of a microcuvette: a specialized device designed for exposing cell cultures to intense PEFs while carrying out real-time microscopy. A finite-element electrostatic simulation was carried out to assess the degree of electric field heterogeneity between the microcuvette's electrodes allowing us to correlate trends in electroporative response to electric field distribution. Analysis of experimental data identified two distinctive electroporative uptake signatures: one characterized by low-level, decelerating uptake beginning immediately after PEF exposure and the other by high-level, accelerating fluorescence that is manifested sometimes hundreds of seconds after PEF exposure. The qualitative nature of these fluorescence signatures was used to isolate the conditions required to induce exclusively transient electroporation and to discuss electropore stability and persistence. A range of electric field strengths resulting in transient electroporation was identified for HL60s under our experimental conditions existing between 1.6 and 2 kV/cm. Quantitative analysis was used to determine that HL60s experiencing transient electroporation internalized between 50 and 125 million nucleic acid-bound PI molecules per cell. Finally, we show that electric field heterogeneity may be used to elicit asymmetric electroporative PI uptake within cell cultures and within individual cells.

The costs and benefits of reforestation in Liping County, Guizhou Province, China

Reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is becoming a pressing issue for the global community. Afforestation and reforestation are promoted worldwide as an effective means of sequestering carbon. For its national interest and global concerns, China has made great efforts to protect its existing forests and develop programs of afforestation and reforestation. Based on two surveys recently conducted in Liping County, Guizhou province, this paper investigates the economic changes associated with the implementation of the "Grain For Green" policy. Based on the analytical framework of benefit cost analysis, this paper concludes that the implementation of the reforestation of sloping agricultural land policy would not be possible if there were no government subsidies for the peasants. The short term economic returns of land and labour from forestation are substantially lower than those generated from grain or cash crop production on the steep slope lands. The government subsidies provide great economic incentives for peasants to take part in the project. The subsidies in fact have elevated peasant income in rural Liping. The estimated potential economic returns of plantations over the long run indicate that the removal of the government financial subsidies would not create an economic crisis for the peasants if the current market conditions continue.

Genetic polymorphisms involved in toxicant-metabolizing enzymes and the risk of chronic benzene poisoning in Chinese occupationally exposed populations

Benzene is a recognized haematotoxin and leukaemogen, but its mechanism of action and the role of genetic susceptibility are still unclear. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) are involved in benzene activation; and NAD (P)H:quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), glutathione S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) and glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1) participate in benzene detoxification. The common, well-studied single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analysed in these genes drawn from the toxicant-metabolizing pathways. A total of 100 workers with chronic benzene poisoning (CBP) and 90 controls were enrolled in China. There was a 2.82-fold (95% CI = 1.42-5.58) increased risk of CBP in the subjects with the NQO1 609C > T mutation genotype (T/T) compared with those carrying heterozygous (C/T) and wild-type (C/C). The subjects with the GSTT1 null genotype had a 1.91-fold (95% CI = 1.05-3.45) increased risk of CBP compared with those with GSTT1 non-null genotype. There was no association of CYP2E1 and MPO genotype with CBP. A three genes' interaction showed that there was a 20.41-fold (95% CI = 3.79-111.11) increased risk of CBP in subjects with the NQO1 609C > T T/T genotype and with the GSTT1 null genotype and the GSTM1 null genotype compared with those carrying the NQO1 609C > T C/T and C/C genotype, GSTT1 non-null genotype, and GSTM1 non-null genotype. The study provides evidence of an association of a gene-gene interaction with the risk of CBP.

Amplification of apoptosis through sequential caspase cleavage of the MET tyrosine kinase receptor

Activation of the MET tyrosine kinase receptor by hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor is classically associated with cell survival. Nonetheless, stress stimuli can lead to a caspase-dependent cleavage of MET within its juxtamembrane region, which generate a proapoptotic 40 kDa fragment (p40 MET). We report here that p40 MET is in fact generated through an additional caspase cleavage of MET within its extreme C-terminal region, which removes only few amino acids. We evidenced a hierarchical organization of these cleavages, with the C-terminal cleavage favoring the juxtamembrane one. As a functional consequence, the removal of the last amino acids of p40 MET increases its apoptotic capacity. Finally, cells expressing a MET receptor mutated at the C-terminal caspase site are unable to generate p40 MET and are resistant to apoptosis, indicating that generation of p40 MET amplifies apoptosis. These results revealed a two-step caspase cleavage of MET resulting in the reshaping of this survival receptor to a proapoptotic factor.

Regulation of the Ets-1 transcription factor by sumoylation and ubiquitinylation

Sumoylation and ubiquitinylation reversibly regulate the activity of transcription factors through covalent attachment to lysine residues of target proteins. We examined whether the Ets-1 transcription factor is modified by sumoylation and/or ubiquitinylation. Among four potential SUMO motifs in Ets-1, we identified lysines 15 and 227 within the LK(15)YE and IK(227)QE motifs, as being the sumoylation acceptor sites. Using transfection of Ets-1 wildtype (WT) or its sumoylation deficient version (Ets-1 K15R/K227R), as well as WT or mutant proteins of the SUMO pathway, we further demonstrated that the E2 SUMO-conjugating enzyme Ubc9 and a E3 SUMO ligase, PIASy, can enhance Ets-1 sumoylation, while a SUMO protease, SENP1, can desumoylate Ets-1. We also found that Ets-1 is modified by K48-linked polyubiquitinylation independently of the sumoylation acceptor sites and is degraded through the 26S proteasome pathway, while sumoylation of Ets-1 does not affect its stability. Finally, sumoylation of Ets-1 leads to reduced transactivation and we demonstrated that previously identified critical lysine residues in Synergistic Control motifs are the sumoylation acceptor sites of Ets-1. These data show that Ets-1 can be modified by sumoylation and/or ubiquitinylation, with sumoylation repressing transcriptional activity of Ets-1 and having no clear antagonistic action on the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation pathway.

Training-induced and electrically induced potentiation in the neocortex

Long-term potentiation (LTP) shares many properties with memory and is currently the most popular laboratory model of memory. Although it has not been proven that memory is based on an LTP-like mechanism, there is evidence that learning a motor skill can induce LTP-like effects. This evidence was obtained in a slice-preparation experiment, which precluded within-animal comparisons before and after training. In the present experiments, Long-Evans rats were unilaterally trained to acquire a forelimb reaching and grasping skill. Evoked potentials were found to be larger in motor cortex layer II/III in the trained, compared to the untrained, hemisphere in slice, acute, and chronic preparations. Consistent with previous research, the trained hemisphere was less amenable to subsequent LTP induction. Furthermore, the application of either LTP- or LTD-inducing stimulation during the training phase of the reaching task disrupted the acquisition of the skill, providing further evidence that memory may be based on an LTP mechanism.

Sensitivity and linearity of superconducting radio-frequency single-electron transistors: effects of quantum charge fluctuations

We have investigated the effects of quantum fluctuations of quasiparticles on the operation of superconducting radio-frequency single-electron transistors (rf-SETs) for large values of the quasiparticle cotunneling parameter alpha = 8EJ/Ec, where EJ and Ec are the Josephson and charging energies. We find that, for alpha > 1, subgap rf-SET operation is still feasible despite quantum fluctuations that wash out quasiparticle tunneling thresholds. Surprisingly, such rf-SETs show linearity and signal-to-noise ratio superior to those obtained when quantum fluctuations are weak, while still demonstrating excellent charge sensitivity.

[Diagnosis and treatment of congenital biliary duct cyst: twenty-year experience]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the experience in diagnosis and treatment of congenital biliary duct cyst.

METHODS

Clinical data from 108 patients treated from 1980 to 2000 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Abdominal pain, jaundice and abdominal mass were presented in most pediatric patients. Clinical symptoms in adult patients were non-specific, resulting in delayed diagnosis frequently. Fifty-seven patients (52.7%) had coexistent pancreatic biliary disease. Carcinoma of the biliary duct occurred in 18 patients (16.6%). Ultrasonic examination was performed in 94 patients, ERCP in 46, and CT in 71. All of the patients were correctly diagnosed before operation. Abnormal pancreatobiliary duct junction was found in 39 patients. Before 1985, the diagnosis and classification of congenital biliary duct cyst were established by ultrasonography preoperatively and confirmed during operation. The main procedure was internal drainage by cyst-enterostomy. After 1985, the diagnosis was decided with ERCP and CT, the procedure was cyst excision with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. In 1994, we used a new and simplified operative procedure to reduce the risk of malignancy of choledochal cyst. Retrograde infection of the biliary tract the major postoperative complication, could be controlled by the administration of antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONS

The concept in diagnosis and treatment of congenital choledochal cyst has been changed greatly. CT and ERCP are of great help in the classification of the disease. Currently, cyst excision with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is strongly recommended as the treatment of choice for patients with type I and IV cysts. Piggyback orthotopic liver transplantation is indicated for type V cysts (Caroli's disease) with frequently recurrent cholangitis, resulting in biliary cirrhosis.

[Mannose-binding lectin gene site mutations and the susceptibility of rheumatic heart disease]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene exon 1 site mutations and chronic rheumatic heart disease (CRHD).

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restrictive fragment length Polymorphism (RFLP) were used to investigate the MBL exon 1 alleles in 36 patients with CRHD and 39 normal people.

RESULTS

No C and D alleles of MBL gene were found in both groups. Eleven patients had A/B alleles, 1 patient had B/B alleles, 15 normal people had A/B alleles but none of the 39 normal people had B/B alleles. Statistic analyses showed no significant difference between CRHD group and normal group. But when the age of heart-disease-symptom-onset (HDSO) of the CRHD group were considered, we found that the mean HDSO age of patients with B allele was 30 +/- 14 years and the mean HDSO age of patients with AA homozygous was 37 +/- 11 years. P < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

MBL gene mutations may not be a main factor of the pathogenesis of CRHD, but MBL deficiency may facilitate the development of CRHD in younger people and accelerate the progress of CRHD. This is consistent with the phenomenon that the most susceptible people of rheumatic heart disease are teenagers.

Regulation of MMP-9 production by human corneal epithelial cells

The matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9, are known to be critical extracellular-remodeling enzymes in wound healing and other diseases of the ocular surface. This study investigated the regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human corneal epithelial cells by growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta and TNF-alpha) they are exposed to, and by doxycycline, a medication used to treat ocular surface disease. Primary human corneal epithelial cell cultures were treated with one of the following cytokines (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha) or growth factors (EGF, HGF, KGF, PDGF-BB, TGF-alpha, TGF-beta), with or without their corresponding inhibitors. The conditioned media were collected after 24 hr for gelatin zymography and MMP-9 activity assay. Total RNA was extracted from the cells treated for 6 hr and was subjected to RT-PCR and Northern hybridization. Between the two gelatinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9, detected by zymography, the 92 kDa MMP-9 in the conditioned medium was markedly up-regulated by the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. The MMP-9 protein and activity were dose-dependently stimulated by IL-1beta or TNF-alpha at 0.1, 1.0 and 10 ng ml(-1). This up-regulation was nearly abolished by neutralizing antibodies (IL-1beta and TNF-alpha) and by IL-1 receptor antagonist. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern hybridization disclosed that the MMP-9 transcript was also markedly up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner by IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. Doxycycline (10 microg ml(-1)) suppressed MMP-9 protein level and activity, but not its mRNA, that was stimulated by IL-1beta and TNF-alpha (1 ng ml(-1)). In contrast, the 72 kDa MMP-2 was not significantly modulated by any of these cytokines. In conclusion, production of MMP-9 is stimulated by the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. These factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of MMP-9 mediated corneal matrix degradation. The efficacy of doxycycline in treating ocular surface diseases may be related to its ability to suppress MMP-9 production in the corneal epithelium.

Suppression of interleukin 1alpha and interleukin 1beta in human limbal epithelial cells cultured on the amniotic membrane stromal matrix

AIMS

Amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation reduces inflammation in a variety of ocular surface disorders. The aim of this study was to determine if AM stroma suppresses the expression of the IL-1 gene family in cultured human corneal limbal epithelial cells.

METHODS

Human corneal limbal epithelial cells were cultured from limbocorneal explants of donor eyes on plastic or on the AM stroma. Transcript expression of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (RA), and GAPDH was compared with or without addition of lipopolysaccharide to their serum-free media for 24 hours using RNAse protection assay (RPA). Their protein production in the supernatant was analysed by ELISA.

RESULTS

Expression of IL-1alpha and IL-1beta transcripts and proteins was significantly reduced by cells cultured on the AM stromal matrix compared with plastic cultures whether lipopolysaccharide was added or not. Moreover, expression of IL-1 RA by cells cultured in the lipopolysaccharide-free medium was upregulated by AM stromal matrix. The ratio between IL-1 RA and IL-1alpha protein levels in AM cultures was higher than in plastic cultures.

CONCLUSIONS

AM stromal matrix markedly suppresses lipopolysaccharide induced upregulation of both IL-1alpha and IL-1beta. These data may explain in part the effect of AM transplantation in reducing ocular surface inflammation, underscoring the unique feature of the AM as a substrate for tissue engineering.

Five new insecticidal sesquiterpenoids from Celastrus angulatus

Five new sesquiterpene polyol esters were isolated from the root bark of Celastrus angulatus by bioassay-guided fractionation. Their structures were determined by spectral data interpretation as 1alpha,2alpha,6beta,8beta,13-pentaacetoxy-9beta-benzoyloxy-4beta-hydroxy-beta-dihydroagarofuran (1), 1alpha,2alpha,6beta-triacetoxy-8alpha-(beta-furancarbonyloxy)-9beta-benzoyloxy-13-isobutanoyloxy-4beta-hydroxy-beta-dihydroagarofuran (2), 1alpha,2alpha,6beta-triacetoxy-8beta-isobutanoyloxy-9beta-(beta-furancarbonyloxy)-13-(alpha-methyl)butanoyloxy-4beta-hydroxy-beta-dihydroagarofuran (3), 1alpha,2alpha,6beta-triacetoxy-8alpha,13-diisobutanoyloxy-9beta-benzoyloxy-4beta-hydroxy-beta-dihydroagarofuran (4), and 1alpha,2alpha,6beta-triacetoxy-8alpha-isobutanoyloxy-9beta-benzoyloxy-13-(alpha-methyl)butanoyloxy-4beta-hydroxy-beta-dihydroagarofuran (5). Compounds 1-5 exhibited insecticidal activity against the larval of Mythimna separata.