Inhibin A, activin A, placental growth factor and uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index in the prediction of pre-eclampsia

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether the measurement of maternal serum inhibin A, activin A and placental growth factor (PlGF) at 12 + 0 to 16 + 0 weeks of gestation alone or in combination with second-trimester uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index (PI) is useful in predicting pre-eclampsia.

METHODS

This was a case-control study of pre-eclampsia. From pregnant women attending their first antenatal examination at 12-16 weeks we collected serum samples and stored them at - 80 °C. All patients also underwent uterine artery Doppler examination to measure the PI at 22-24 weeks' gestation. We retrieved for analysis frozen samples from women who then developed pre-eclampsia, as well as three control samples per woman, matched for gestational age and storage time. Inhibin A, activin A and PlGF were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by an examiner who was blinded to the pregnancy outcome.

RESULTS

There were 31 cases with pre-eclampsia and 93 controls. Second-trimester uterine artery PI and marker levels were expressed as multiples of the median (MoM). The uterine artery PI was increased in pregnancies with pre-eclampsia compared with controls (mean ± SD, 1.45 ± 0.31 MoM vs. 1.02 ± 0.25 MoM, P < 0.001), as were the level of inhibin A (mean ± SD, 1.57 ± 0.34 MoM vs. 1.08 ± 0.43 MoM, P < 0.001) and the level of activin A (mean ± SD, 1.68 ± 0.38 MoM vs. 1.06 ± 0.42 MoM, P < 0.001). The level of PlGF was decreased in pre-eclampsia compared with controls (mean ± SD, 0.69 ± 0.23 MoM vs. 1.00 ± 0.26 MoM, P < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristics curves were analyzed for controls and cases and areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.796 (95% CI, 0.712-0.880, P < 0.001) for inhibin A, 0.823 (95% CI, 0.746-0.899, P < 0.001) for activin A, 0.831 (95% CI, 0.752-0.910, P < 0.001) for PlGF and 0.851 (95% CI, 0.783-0.920, P < 0.001) for uterine artery PI. The combination of activin A, inhibin A and PI using logistic regression analysis yielded an AUC of 0.907 (95% CI, 0.830-0.938, P < 0.001) with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 80%. The combination of activin A, PlGF and PI gave an AUC of 0.925 (95% CI, 0.852-0.978, P < 0.001) with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 80%. Combining all four markers gave an AUC of 0.941 (95% CI, 0.891-0.990, P < 0.001) with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 80%.

CONCLUSION

Early second-trimester serum inhibin A, activin A, PlGF and second-trimester uterine artery Doppler PI may add further information for the prediction of pre-eclampsia. The combination of the three serum markers and uterine artery Doppler PI has the highest prediction value for pre-eclampsia.

Search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H→WW→lνq'q decay channel

We present a search for the standard model Higgs boson (H) in pp collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96  TeV in events containing a charged lepton (ℓ), missing transverse energy, and at least two jets, using 5.4  fb(-1) of integrated luminosity recorded with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. This analysis is sensitive primarily to Higgs bosons produced through the fusion of two gluons or two electroweak bosons, with subsequent decay H→WW→ℓνq'q, where ℓ is an electron or muon. The search is also sensitive to contributions from other production channels, such as WH→ℓνbb. In the absence of a signal, we set limits at the 95% C.L. on the cross section for H production σ(pp→H+X) in these final states. For a mass of M(H)=160  GeV, the limit is a factor of 3.9 larger than the cross section in the standard model and consistent with an a priori expected sensitivity of 5.0.

Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy performed above the pubic symphysis - a new scarless approach

The three-port method is commonly used for laparoscopic appendectomy. To obtain a better cosmetic result, we have selected the single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy to be performed above the pubic symphysis. We performed six single-incision laparoscopic appendectomies above the pubic symphysis. During each operation, a 2 cm transverse incision was made in the pubic hair area 3-4 cm above the pubic symphysis. A 5 mm trocar was then placed as an observation port with another two 5 mm trocars as main- and side-operating ports. The laparoscopic appendectomy was performed using this single-incision method. Six patients (five male and one female; body mass indexes of 18.07, 19.27, 21.67, 18.34, 26.83 and 22.46 kg/m(2), respectively) underwent successful single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy above the pubic symphysis. Operating times were recorded at 55, 58, 47, 51, 42 and 33 minutes, the corresponding post-operative anal ventilation times were 25, 24, 22, 18, 7 and 10 hours, while post-operative hospitalization periods stand at 3, 5, 2, 1, 3 and 2 days, respectively. No complications occurred during or post-operation. Our initial work shows that a single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy performed above the pubic symphysis is feasible and safe and yields excellent post-operative cosmetic results.

Impact of optimal lipid value achievement between 2005 and 2009 in patients with mixed dyslipidaemia on cardiovascular event rates

BACKGROUND

The burden of cardiovascular (CV) disease remains high despite substantial improvements in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement rates.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two cohorts of mixed dyslipidaemia patients were identified from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database. Patients with no baseline lipids [LDL-C, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] at optimal values (n=27,094) and patients at LDL-C goal but with at least one other lipid not at optimal value at baseline (n=83,067) were followed for approximately 2 years. The primary outcome was the association between achievement of optimal lipid values (OLV) and occurrence of ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease or peripheral arterial disease. Achievement of OLV during follow up occurred in 6.8% of patients with no baseline lipids at optimal values and in 17.9% of patients at LDL-C goal with at least one other lipid not at optimal value at baseline. After adjustment, significant reductions in CV events were associated with achievement of OLV across the entire lipid panel in patients who had no optimal baseline lipid values (hazard ratio, 0.407; 95% confidence interval, 0.303-0.546) or when patients were at LDL-C goals at baseline (hazard ratio, 0.764; 95% confidence interval, 0.703-0.831).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, challenges to effective treatment of mixed dyslipidaemia remain, as evidenced by a minority of patients achieving optimal lipid levels. There appears to be an association with incremental lowering of CV event rates beyond LDL-C goal attainment when compared with achieving OLV across the entire lipid panel for LDL-C, TG and HDL-C.

Precise study of the Z/γ* boson transverse momentum distribution in pp collisions using a novel technique

Using 7.3 fb⁻¹ of pp collisions collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron, we measure the distribution of the variable φ(η)*, which probes the same physical effects as the Z/γ* boson transverse momentum, but is less susceptible to the effects of experimental resolution and efficiency. A QCD prediction is found to describe the general features of the φ(η)* distribution, but is unable to describe its detailed shape or dependence on boson rapidity. A prediction that includes a broadening of transverse momentum for small values of the parton momentum fraction is strongly disfavored.

Evaluation of Thin Dielectric-Glue Wafer-Bonding for Three Dimensional Integrated Circuit-Applications

The critical adhesion energy of benzocyclobutene (BCB)-bonded wafers is quantitatively investigated with focus on BCB thickness, material stack and thermal cycling. The critical adhesion energy depends linearly on BCB thickness, increasing from 19 J/m2 to 31 J/m2 as the BCB thickness increases from 0.4 μm to 2.6 μm, when bonding silicon wafers coated with plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposited (PECVD) silicon dioxide (SiO2). In thermal cycling performed with 350 and 400 oC peak temperatures, the significant increase in critical adhesion energy at the interface between BCB and PECVD SiO2 during the first thermal cycle is attributed to relaxation of residual stress in the PECVD SiO2 layer. On the other hand, the critical adhesion energy at the interface between BCB and PECVD silicon nitride (SiNx) decreases due to the increase of residual stress in the PECVD SiNx layer during the first thermal cycle.

MicroRNA dysregulation in colorectal cancer: a clinical perspective

Recent researches have shed light on the biological importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) genesis, progression and response to treatments. The potential utility of miRNAs in the preclinical stage have been explored and investigated. In this review, we explored the literature and reviewed the cutting edge progress in the discovery of noninvasive plasma and faecal miRNAs for CRC early diagnosis, as well as their measurability and predictability. We also discussed the utility of miRNAs as novel prognostic and predictive markers, and their association with CRC clinical phenotypes including recurrence, metastasis and therapeutic outcomes. Finally, we summarised miRNA-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms and their potential influence on sporadic CRC susceptibility and therapeutic response. In conclusion, the use of miRNAs as biomarker for CRC is still in its infancy and need further characterisation and evaluation.

Cigarette smoke induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in normal term fetal membranes

Cigarette smoking and bacterial infections are two major risk factors associated with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (pPROM). We hypothesized that exposure of fetal membranes to cigarette smoke extracts might induce oxidative stress (OS) and fetal membrane apoptosis, culminating in an alternate pathway to that commonly activated by infection. To test this, we characterized the production of prostanoids and biomarkers of apoptosis in normal term human fetal membrane explant cultures. Fetal membrane explants collected at term (from cesarean deliveries, not in labor) were stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) for 24 h. Two classes of prostanoids, F2-Isoprostane (F2-IsoP), a marker of OS and PGF2α, a classical uterotonin, were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Western blot analyses of tissue lysates were performed to quantify the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 and actin (as a control). Fetal membrane apoptosis was detected by immunohistochemistry for active caspase 3 and confirmed by TUNEL staining for nuclear fragmentation. CSE exposure resulted in significantly more F2-IsoP production from fetal membranes (242.8 ± 79.3 pg/ml/mg of total membrane protein) compared to unstimulated controls (131.5 ± 53.1 pg/ml/mg; p < 0.0001). By contrast, PGF2α was not different in CSE vs. controls (1083 ± 527 vs. 1136 ± 835 pg/ml/mg of protein; p = 0.80). CSE-exposed tissues demonstrated a dose-dependent decrease in Bcl2 expression and increases in active caspase 3 and nuclear fragmentation in both amnion and chorion cells compared to controls. In summary, fetal membranes exposed to CSE manifest evidence of OS and apoptosis. The differential pattern of prostanoid production observed in this study supports the hypothesis that an alternate non-inflammatory pathway mediated by OS and apoptosis in pPROM may promote proteolysis resulting in membrane weakening and rupture.

The farther from town the lower the blood pressure: report from rural Yunnan province

BACKGROUND

Hypertension (HTN) is a major cause of death in Chinese farmers. Remoteness from population centers may independently affect HTN prevalence and severity.

METHODS

We used random cluster sampling to select 27 villages in Yunnan province, China. Within each village, we randomly selected 50-80 men and women between the ages of 50 and 70 years. A total of 1,177 participants underwent interviews and blood pressure (BP) measurement. We evaluated the relationship between BP and distance of the participants' village from the town and county centers with and without adjustment for covariates.

RESULTS

There was a significant (P < 0.001) inverse relationship between BP and distance from populations centers. For every 10 km from the town center, the mean systolic BP (SBP) in the village decreased by 1.2 mm Hg and the mean diastolic by 0.5 mm Hg. After adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, body mass index, smoking, and drinking, we found that SBP decreased by 1.8 mm Hg (P = 0.03) and diastolic BP by 1.0 mm Hg (P = 0.02) for every 10 km distance from the town center.

CONCLUSIONS

HTN prevalence and severity are significantly linked to distance from population centers in rural Chinese farmers. The farther a farmer's village is from larger population centers, the greater is the probability that his/her BP will be normal. This relationship is independent of age, gender, ethnicity, body mass index, smoking, and alcohol use. Strategies in addressing HTN in rural regions should take account of this geographic dependence on distance from population centers.

Search for single vectorlike quarks in pp ̄ collisions at √s=1.96 TeV

We present a search for hypothetical vectorlike quarks in pp ̅ collisions at √s=1.96  TeV. The data were collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb(-1). We select events with a final state composed of a W or Z boson and a jet consistent with a heavy object decay. We observe no significant excess in comparison to the background prediction and set limits on production cross sections for vectorlike quarks decaying to W+jet and Z+jet. These are the most stringent limits to date for electroweak single vectorlike quark production at hadron colliders.

Clinical characteristics and molecular analysis of 21 Chinese children with congenital agammaglobulinemia

Congenital agammaglobulinemia is a humoral primary immunodeficiency and affected patients have extremely low levels of peripheral B cells and profound deficiency of all immunoglobulin isotypes. Mutations of the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene are responsible for most of the congenital agammaglobulinemia. In this study, the phenotypes of congenital agammaglobulinemia were investigated in 21 male children from 21 unrelated Chinese families. Sixteen different mutations of BTK gene were identified in 18 patients, and three patients did not have BTK gene mutations. Nine mutations had been reported previously including one gross deletion (c.722_2041del), one missense mutation (c.1764G>T), three non-sense mutations (c.194C>A, c.895C>T and c.1821G>A) and four invariant splice-site mutations (c.971+2T>C, c.1481+2T>A, c.1482-2A>G, c.1699-2A>G). Seven novel mutations were identified (c.373_441del, c. 504delG, c.537delC, c.851delA, c.1637G>A, c.1879T>C and c. 1482_1882 del). Ten of the eighteen mutations of BTK gene were located in the TK domain, four in the PH domain, three in the SH3 domain and one spanned the TH, SH3, SH2 and TK domain. Candidate genes of autosomal-recessive agammaglobulinemia, including IGHM, CD79a, CD79b and IGLL1, were screened in three patients without mutations in the BTK gene. A compound heterozygosity mutation in the IGHM gene (c.1956G>A, c.175_176insC) was identified in one patient. The results of our study further support that molecular genetic testing represents an important tool for early confirmed diagnosis of congenital agammaglobulinemia and may allow accurate carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis.

Changes of pituitary and penile structure in male adult rats following castration and high-fat diet

AIM

To investigate the influence of low androgen levels and high-fat diet on the structure of pituitary and penis in male rats.

METHODS

Ten-week-old adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, one fed a high-fat diet the other fed a normal diet; each group consisted of 3 subgroups: controls, castrated rats (with low androgen), and castrated rats given undecanoate replenishment. After 11 weeks, the structure of pituitary and penis were observed under light microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of FSH in pituitary and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in corpora cavernosa penis.

RESULTS

The structures of pituitary and penis in castrated rats were injured, and were more damaged in castration together with high-fat diet. Immunohistochemistry showed FSH expression in castrated rats pituitary while castrated rats on a high-fat diet had less positive staining than those on a normal diet. Vascular structure of corpora cavernosa penis, showed a strongly positive COX-2 expression in high-fat diet rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Castration and high-fat diet could induce structural damages of pituitary and penis in male rats. Replacement with testosterone could partially restore the impaired structure. The positive expression of COX-2 implied inflammatory pathway existence on vascular structure of penis in high-fat diet and low-androgen male rats.

Localisation of the benzimidazole fungicide binding site of Gibberella zeae β2-tubulin studied by site-directed mutagenesis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of benzimidazole fungicides is often limited by resistance, and this is the case with the use of carbendazim for controlling Fusarium head blight caused by Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch (anamorph Fusarium graminearum). Recent studies have shown that carbendazim resistance in field strains of G. zeae is associated with mutations in the β(2)-tubulin gene. The aims of the present study were to validate this mechanism and research the binding sites of carbendazim on β(2)-tubulin.

RESULTS

This work used site-directed mutagenesis followed by gene replacement to change the β(2)-tubulin gene of a carbendazim-sensitive field strain of G. zeae at residues 50, 167, 198 or 200. The transformants were confirmed and tested for their sensitivity to carbendazim. All the mutants were resistant to carbendazim, but the level of resistance differed depending on the mutation. Biological characteristics did not differ between the field strain and the site-directed mutants. A three-dimensional model of β(2)-tubulin was constructed, and the possible carbendazim binding site was analysed.

CONCLUSION

Mutations at codons 50, 167, 198 and 200 of G. zeae β(2)tub could cause resistance to carbendazim, and these codons may form a binding pocket.

Effects of Bonding Process Parameters on Wafer-to-Wafer Alignment Accuracy in Benzocyclobutene (BCB) Dielectric Wafer Bonding

Wafer-level three-dimensional (3D) integration is an emerging technology to increase the performance and functionality of integrated circuits (ICs). Aligned wafer-to-wafer bonding with dielectric polymer layers (e.g., benzocyclobutene (BCB)) is a promising approach for manufacturing of 3D ICs, with minimum bonding impact on the wafer-to-wafer alignment accuracy essential. In this paper we investigate the effects of thermal and mechanical bonding parameters on the achievable post-bonding wafer-to-wafer alignment accuracy for polymer wafer bonding with 200 mm diameter wafers. Our baseline wafer bonding process with softbaked BCB (∼35% cross-linked) has been modified to use partially cured (∼ 43% crosslinked) BCB. The partially cured BCB layer does not reflow during bonding, minimizing the impact of inhomogeneities in BCB reflow under compression and/or slight shear forces at the bonding interface. As a result, the non-uniformity of the BCB layer thickness after wafer bonding is less than 0.5% of the nominal layer thickness and the wafer shift relative to each other during the wafer bonding process is less than 1 μm (average) for 200 mm diameter wafers. The critical adhesion energy of a bonded wafer pair with the partially cured BCB wafer bonding process is similar to that with soft-baked BCB.