Effects of dietary forage sources on rumen microbial protein synthesis and milk performance in early lactating dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary forage sources on milk performance, rumen microbial protein synthesis, and N utilization in early lactation dairy cows. Twelve primiparous Chinese Holstein dairy cows (45 ± 6.0 DIM) were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric, with a forage-to-concentrate ratio of 45:55 [dry matter (DM) basis] and contained similar concentrate mixtures. Different forage sources were then added (on a DM basis): 21% corn silage, 19% corn stover, and 5% alfalfa hay (CS); 19% corn silage, 21% Chinese wild rye hay and 5% alfalfa hay (CWR); or 19% corn silage, 9% Chinese wild rye hay, and 17% alfalfa hay (AH). Each period lasted for 21 d, with the first 14 d for an adaptation period. Dry matter intake was not affected by the source of dietary forage. Milk yield was higher for cows fed AH than those fed CS, with an intermediate value for CWR. Milk protein content was higher in the cows fed AH compared with CWR (3.02 vs. 2.92%), with CS (2.95%) at an intermediate position. The contents of milk fat and lactose were not different among the treatments. However, milk efficiency (milk yield/DM intake) was higher for cows fed AH than those fed CS, with those fed CWR intermediate. Cows fed AH had higher microbial protein yield and metabolizable protein than those fed CS or CWR. The concentrations of urea N in the urine, blood, and milk were decreased for cows fed AH, indicating an increased N conversion. The results indicated that corn stover could replace Chinese wild rye grass in the diets for lactating cows and that a high proportion of alfalfa hay in the diet is beneficial for milk protein production by increasing microbial protein yield. This can be attributed to the improving the supply of rumen-available energy.

Ommatin beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous of northeast China and southern England

Lower Cretaceous beetles belonging to the extant tribe Ommatini (Coleoptera: Cupedidae: Ommatinae) are revised and six new species proposed in the extinct Eurasian genusCionocoleus:Cionocoleus tanaesp. n.,Cionocoleus olympicussp. n. (Yixian Formation, China);Cionocoleus elizabethaesp. n.,Cionocoleus watsonisp. n.,Cionocoleus minimussp. n. (Weald Clay Group, UK); andCionocoleus jepsonisp. n. (Purbeck Limestone Group, UK). New morphological data is provided forCionocoleus magicusandCionocoleus cervicalisstat. n. of whichCionocoleus planiusculusis considered a synonym (Yixian Formation).Cionocoleus punctatuscomb. n. is considered the oldest record (Upper Jurassic; Kazakhstan) of this presumably xylophagous, warm climate genus. A simple key is provided to all known species ofCionocoleus.

Primary immunodeficiency in south China: clinical features and a genetic subanalysis of 138 children

OBJECTIVES

We analyzed the clinical features of 138 patients with primary immunodeficiency (PID) and performed genetic testing on a subset of patients in order to complete gaps in research on PID in South China and thus improve pediatricians' ability to recognize and diagnose PID.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis based on the medical records of PID patients hospitalized in our institution between May 1999 and June 2012. Gene sequencing was performed in 59 cases.

RESULTS

Children with PID usually present with fever and repeated infections that generally affect the respiratory and digestive tracts. Growth retardation is observed in some cases. Of the 138 patients, 113 were boys, median age at onset was 5 months (range, 0-119 months), and age at diagnosis was 10 months (2-159 months). A family history of repeated infection or death of family members in infancy because of recurrent infections was recorded in 20 cases (14.49%). Antibody defects were detected in 48 cases (34.78%), combined immunodeficiency disease in 45 cases (32.61%), and other well-defined immunodeficiency syndromes in 45 cases (32.61%). Of the 59 patients from the genetic subanalysis, 24 (15.94%) had a genetic mutation (x-linked agammaglobulinemia, 8 cases; severe combined immunodeficiency, 8 cases; hyperimmunoglobulin M syndrome, 3 cases; hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome, 3 cases; chronic granulomatous disease, 2 cases). We detected 4 novel mutations. No relevant mutations were found in the remaining 35 cases.After treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and anti-infectious agents, 16 patients died in hospital, and 5 cases died after discontinuing treatment (mortality, 15.22%).

CONCLUSIONS

In recent years, the number of patients with PID has risen gradually in South China. Genetic testing can confirm diagnosis. Since PID seriously affects children's quality of life, it is important to diagnose, treat, and intervene early.We hope our clinical and genetic analyses of children with PID can provide diagnostic guidance for clinicians.

IFPA Meeting 2012 Workshop Report II: epigenetics and imprinting in the placenta, growth factors and villous trophoblast differentiation, role of the placenta in regulating fetal exposure to xenobiotics during pregnancy, infection and the placenta

Workshops are an important part of the IFPA annual meeting as they allow for discussion of specialized topics. At IFPA meeting 2012 there were twelve themed workshops, four of which are summarized in this report. These workshops related to various aspects of placental biology: 1) epigenetics and imprinting in the placenta; 2) growth factors and villous trophoblast differentiation; 3) role of the placenta in regulating fetal exposure to xenobiotics during pregnancy; 4) infection and the placenta.

Abstract P6-11-01: Intermittent High Dose Proton Pump Inhibitor Improves Progression Free Survival as Compared to Standard Chemotherapy in the First Line Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Purpose: High dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) has proved to be potentially effective when combined with chemotherapy in preclinical data. This study (NCT01069081) was designed to investigate whether the efficacy of chemotherapy could be improved with the addition of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Patients and Methods: Females elder than 18 years old with histologically confirmed metastatic breast cancer were eligible for participation. Patients enrolled were randomly assigned to three arms: Arm A, docetaxol 75 mg/m2 on d4, followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on d4, repeated every 21 days until maxinum 6 cycles or presence of disease progression or intolerable toxicity; Arm B, the same chemotherapy plus esomeprazole 80 mg p.o. bid three days on and the subsequent four days off, beginning on d1 repeated weekly up to disease progression, intolerable toxicity, patient's withdrawal, or a maximum of 66 weeks; Arm C, the same as Arm B with the only difference being dose of esomeprazole at 100 mg p.o. bid. The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS), and the secondary endpoints were time to progression (TTP), objective response rate (ORR), safety profile, and overall survival (OS).

Results: From Aug. 2009 to Dec. 2011, 100 women signed informed consent form (ICF) and 94 patients have undergone at least one injection of chemotherapy. Three patients had severe hypersensitivity reactions, two occurring after the first injection of docetaxol and one in the second cycle. After a median follow up of 17 months, 68 (72.3%) patients got disease progression and 23 (24.5%) patients died. Median PFS for the whole group (n = 94), arm A (n = 33), arm B (n = 30), arm C (n = 31) were 8.9, 7.5, 10.9, and 9.5 months, respectively (p = 0.082). A significant difference was observed between patients who had taken PPI and who not with median PFS of 9.5 and 7.5 months, respectively (p = 0.030). Among 17 patients with triple negative breast cancer, this difference was bigger with median PFS of 9.5 and 3.3 months, respectively (p = 0.014). The overall response rates for the whole group, arm A, arm B, arm C were 58.5%, 51.5%, 63.3%, 61.3%, respectively.

Conclusion: This trial is the first randomized study to demonstrate antitumor effects of intermittent high dose PPI in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Docetaxel and cisplatin doublet is comparable to the other first-line chemotherapeutical regimens and the addition of proton pump inhibitor to the doublet improves efficacy with no adding toxicity, especially in patients with triple negative breast cancer.

Key Words Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI), Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), Phase II Study, Metastatic Breast Cancer, Chemotherapy

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-11-01.

Abstract P5-18-24: Population pharmacokinetics of trastuzumab emtansine, a HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: clinical implications of the effect of various covariates

Background: Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is a HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate composed of the humanized monoclonal antibody trastuzumab, the potent cytotoxic agent DM1 (a microtubule inhibitor), and a stable thioether linker. To estimate typical pharmacokinetic (PK) parameter values and interpatient variability, a population PK model for T-DM1 was previously developed from 1 phase 1 (0.3 to 4.8 mg/kg in qw or q3w regimens) and 2 phase 2 (3.6 mg/kg q3w) trials (Gupta, J Clin Pharmacol 2012). The model reported here has been updated with additional data from 2 randomized trials (phase 2 TDM4450g and phase 3 EMILIA, 3.6 mg/kg q3w). Another phase 2 trial (TDM4688g) was used for external validation of the model. The effect of demographic and pathophysiological covariates on the PK of T-DM1 was explored to better understand the clinical factors that might affect exposure and clinical outcome for individual patients.

Methods: For the current analysis, 9934 T-DM1 serum concentration-time data points from 671 patients were simultaneously fitted using NONMEM® software. T-DM1 concentration-time data to date are best described using a 2-compartment linear model. All relevant and plausible covariates likely to have an effect on T-DM1 systemic exposure, or likely to have clinical relevance, were explored for possible correlation with the key T-DM1 PK parameters of clearance (CL) and central volume of distribution (Vc). These covariates include those related to demographics, renal and hepatic function, disease status, and treatment history.

Results: The estimated CL for T-DM1 is 0.68 L/day, Vc is 3.13 L, and the terminal half-life is 3.94 days. Interindividual variability (IIV) of the base model is 25.6% and 17.5% for CL and Vc, respectively. Patients with greater body weight, sum of longest dimension of target lesions, serum concentration of shed HER2 extracellular domain, and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations, as well as patients with lower serum albumin and baseline trastuzumab concentrations, have statistically faster CL. Patients with greater body weight also have statistically larger Vc. Incorporation of these covariates (P<0.001 by likelihood ratio test) decreased IIV of CL and Vc to 19.1% and 11.7%, respectively. All covariates together explain 44.4% and 55.8% of IIV in CL and Vc, respectively. The model sensitivity analysis suggests that a patient with a statistically significant PK covariate value at the 5th or 95th percentile of the population will have a <20% difference in cumulative exposure (as represented by area under the T-DM1 concentration-time curve) compared with a typical patient with a median covariate value.

Conclusions: A relatively small IIV for the estimated T-DM1 PK parameters of CL and Vc was observed. None of the evaluated covariates had a clinically meaningful magnitude of effect on T-DM1 exposure (<20% difference for patients with 5th and 95th percentiles vs patients with median value of covariates) that would justify a further dose adjustment. The body weight–based dose of 3.6 mg/kg q3w without further correction for other factors is considered appropriate in ongoing clinical trials.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-18-24.

Pharmacokinetics of ginkgolide B injection in beagle dogs

A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed, validated, and applied to the pharmacokinetic study with doses of 0.68, 2.73 and 10.92 mg/kg of ginkgolide B in beagle dogs after intravenous infusion.An aliquot of blood samples were -collected, separated and quantitatively analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method with mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.02% ammonia solution (33:67, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min on the UltimateTM XB-C18 column (5 μm, 4.6×150 mm).The method was sensitive, accurate and convenient, and can be used for the determination of ginkgolide B in beagle dogs. The Cmax and AUC0-∞ of GB increased with dose escalation, but ANOVA analyses showed that no significant difference was observed in other pharmacokinetic parameters between different doses.An LC/MS method was developed with good sensitivity, reproducibility and specificity. In the pharmacokinetic study of GB in beagle dogs, linear pharmacokinetics was found at doses from 0.62 to 10.92 mg/kg after a single-dose intravenous infusion. Gender differences were not observed in the pharmacokinetics of GB.

Association of the interleukin-10 gene polymorphism (-1082A/G) with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene polymorphism (-1082A/G) has been shown to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but findings are not consistent across studies. The aim of our meta-analysis was to assess the association between the -1082A/G polymorphism in the IL-10 gene and SLE.

METHODS

We searched all publications on the association between the IL-10 (-1082A/G) polymorphism and SLE in PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang (Chinese). Meta-analysis was conducted using software Stata version 10.1. Meta-odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on fixed-/random-effects models depended on Cochran's Q-statistic and I(2) values.

RESULTS

A total of 17 studies with 2396 cases and 3653 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was performed for genotypes GG versus AA, GG + AG versus AA, GG versus AG + AA, and G allele versus A allele. Significant differences were found in genotype distribution between SLE and normal controls in whole-population GG versus AA (OR = 1.428, 95% CI = 1.006-2.208). Similar results were detected in the dominant genetics effect of the G allele (OR = 1.202, 95% CI = 1.030-1.403). No significant association was found in allele distribution in whole-population G versus A (OR = 1.125, 95% CI = 0.998-1.269). In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant association was found when GG + AG versus AA was performed in a European population (OR = 1.240, 95% CI = 1.022-1.503) and GG versus AG + AA was performed in an Asian population (OR = 3.596, 95% CI = 1.389-9.311). Significant association was found between genotype distribution in Asians (OR = 4.491, 95% CI = 1.552-13.000). Publication year was detected as the source of heterogeneity. In the stratified analysis by publication year, the pooled OR was 1.049 (95% CI = 0.940-1.171; P (heterogeneity) = 0.431; I(2) ( )= 0.4%) in subgroup 1 (publication years 1999-2004). No significant association was found between the IL-10 (-1082 G) allele and SLE in subgroup 1 (Z = 0.85, p = 0.431). In subgroup 2 (publication years 2005-2011), the pooled OR was 1.327 (95% CI = 1.125-1.565; P (heterogeneity) = 0.143; I(2) ( )= 35.8%). Significant association was found between the IL-10 (-1082 G) allele and SLE (Z = 3.36, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis demonstrates the association between the IL-10 (-1082A/G) polymorphism and SLE. However, further studies are needed for a definitive conclusion.

Mixed-effects Gaussian process functional regression models with application to dose-response curve prediction

We propose a new semiparametric model for functional regression analysis, combining a parametric mixed-effects model with a nonparametric Gaussian process regression model, namely a mixed-effects Gaussian process functional regression model. The parametric component can provide explanatory information between the response and the covariates, whereas the nonparametric component can add nonlinearity. We can model the mean and covariance structures simultaneously, combining the information borrowed from other subjects with the information collected from each individual subject. We apply the model to dose-response curves that describe changes in the responses of subjects for differing levels of the dose of a drug or agent and have a wide application in many areas. We illustrate the method for the management of renal anaemia. An individual dose-response curve is improved when more information is included by this mechanism from the subject/patient over time, enabling a patient-specific treatment regime.

Characterization of the carbonic anhydrases 15b expressed in PGCs during early zebrafish development

The main function of carbonic anhydrases is to regulate acid-base balance. In the present study, the zebrafish CA15b sequence was identified from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database (accession No. NM_213182). The 1716 base pair full-length cDNA of CA15b was obtained by 3' and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends analysis. It was expressed (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis) in the ovary, heart, brain, and muscle, but not in testis or liver. Based on in situ hybridization, CA15b mRNA was transcribed in the ooplasm of stage I to stage II oocytes, in the cortex of stage III oocytes, and along the periphery of stage IV oocytes. Furthermore, this protein was localized (immunohistochemistry) in the plasma membrane of oocytes. Based on whole-mount in situ hybridization, CA15b mRNA was present in every blastomere of embryos from one-cell to blastula stages. Strong signals of the transcripts were present along cleavage furrows of two- and eight-cell stage embryos, which subsequently condensed into four clusters of cells during the blastula stage. During subsequent stages, the four groups of CA15b-expressing cells appeared to move toward the dorsal side of the embryos, clustered into two groups on either side of the midline, and remained visible as they migrated toward the region of the gonad in embryos at 24 hours postfertilization. Expression patterns of CA15b were similar to those of vasa, a marker of primordial germ cells. Thus, we hypothesized that CA15b might be necessary for development of primordial germ cells and female germ cells in zebrafish.

Fiber-based multiple-access ultrastable frequency dissemination

We demonstrate a fiber-based multiple-access ultrastable frequency dissemination scheme over an 83 km fiber link. As a performance test, we reproduce the disseminated 9.1 GHz radio-frequency modulation signal at an arbitrary point in the dissemination channel. Relative frequency stability of 7×10(-14)/s and 5×10(-18)/day is obtained. Highly synchronized frequency signals can be regenerated along the entire fiber pathway and its applications are discussed.