The Lateralizing Asymmetry of Adrenal Adenomas

CONTEXT

It is presumed that the incidence of adrenal adenomas is symmetric between the left and right adrenal gland; however, anecdotal observations suggest a potential lateralizing asymmetry.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the symmetry in detection of adrenal adenomas and relevance to patient care.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.

POPULATION AND SETTING

One thousand three hundred seventy-six patients with abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating benign-appearing adrenal adenomas.

MAIN OUTCOME

Location and size of adrenal adenomas.

RESULTS

Left-sided adenomas were discovered in 65% of patients, right-sided in 21%, and bilateral adenomas in 14%. Among unilateral adenomas, 75% were left-sided. Left-sided adenomas were more prevalent than right-sided adenomas in each size category except the largest: <10 mm, 87%; 10 to 19 mm, 74%; 20 to 29 mm, 72%; ≥30 mm, 56% (P < 0.0001 for each category, except P = 0.19 when ≥30 mm). Among those with bilateral adenomas, the left-sided adenoma was significantly larger than the right one in 61% of patients (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the baseline prevalence or incidence of cardiometabolic diseases between patients with left-sided vs right-sided adenomas during 5.10 (4.2) years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Adrenal adenomas are substantially more likely to be identified on the left adrenal than the right. This observation may be due to detection bias attributed to the location of the right adrenal, which may preclude identification of right-sided adenomas until they are substantially larger. These findings suggest the potential for an underrecognition of right-sided adenomas that may also impair the accurate detection of bilateral adrenal diseases.

Effects of oral contraceptives on ovulation induction in in vitro fertilization patients with premature ovarian insufficiency

OBJECTIVE

To report a case series of in vitro fertilization patients with premature ovarian insufficiency, who were treated with oral contraceptives to reduce follicle stimulating hormone levels.

METHOD

This was a consecutive case series in a tertiary teaching hospital in China. Twenty-two women with refractory and idiopathic premature ovarian insufficiency were administered a drospirenone/ethinylestradiol oral contraceptive orally. The main outcome measures were the number of oocytes retrieved and the number of embryos frozen.

RESULTS

There were total 106 oral contraceptive treatment cycles and 53 oocyte retrieval cycles in 20 patients (91%, 20/22; 2.4 cycles per woman, 53/22). The total number of oocytes retrieved was 48 in 17 patients (77%, 17/22; 2.2 oocytes per woman, 48/22), and the total number of embryos frozen was 33 in 16 patients (73%, 16/22; 1.5 embryos per woman, 33/22).

CONCLUSION

Oral contraception may be an effective method to induce ovulation for some patients with premature ovarian insufficiency.

Antidiabetic cataract effects of GbE, rutin and quercetin are mediated by the inhibition of oxidative stress and polyol pathway

One of the earliest critical secondary complications of diabetes is the opacification of the eye lens - a condition strictly associated with diabetic cataract. The study presented here was designed to investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE), rutin and quercetin on streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic cataract (DC) rats. Ten weeks after administration of GbE, rutin and quercetin, the opacity of diabetic rats' lenses was graded under a slit lamp. Then, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs), and the activities of aldose reductase (AR) were estimated. The DC-induced rats produced less GSH, higher levels of MDA and AGEs as well as elevated AR activity when compared to the normal group. Administration of GbE, rutin and quercetin remarkably inhibited the AR activity, stimulated the production of glutathione, and decreased the levels of MDA and AGEs in the lenses of DC-induced rats, which eventually delayed the progression of lens opacification in diabetic rats to various degrees. Our results revealed that quercetin had the highest significant (P<0.05) potential to delay the progression of STZ-induced diabetic cataract when compared with rutin and GbE. The mechanism dictating this interesting prowess of quercetin might be attributed to its AR inhibitory strength, anti-lipid peroxidation potential and anti-AGEs activity.

External Quality Assessment for Rubella Virus RNA Detection Using Armored RNA in China

BACKGROUND

Although tremendous efforts have been made to reduce rubella incidence, there are still 300 new cases of congenital rubella syndrome daily; thus, rubella infections remain one of the leading causes of preventable congenital birth defects. An effective surveillance system, which could be achieved and maintained by using an external quality assessment program, is critical for prevention and control of this disease.

METHODS

Armored RNAs, which are noninfectious and RNase-resistant, were used for encapsulation of the E1 gene of rubella virus and for preparation of a 10-specimen panel for external quality assessment. Thirty-two laboratories across mainland China that used nucleic acid tests for rubella virus RNA detection were included in the external quality assessment program organized by the National Center for Clinical Laboratories of China.

RESULTS

Different kinds of commercial kits were used by the laboratories for nucleic acid extraction and TaqMan real-time reverse-transcription PCR for rubella virus RNA detection; 99.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity were achieved in this external quality assessment program.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the participating laboratories obtained accurate results for rubella nucleic acid tests, thereby achieving the quality required for regional rubella and congenital rubella syndrome elimination.

Swimming training alleviated insulin resistance through Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling in type 2 diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES

Increasing evidence suggests that regular physical exercise improves type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the potential beneficial effects of swimming on insulin resistance and lipid disorder in T2DM, and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were fed with high fat diet and given a low dosage of Streptozotocin (STZ) to induce T2DM model, and subsequently treated with or without swimming exercise. An 8-week swimming program (30, 60 or 120 min per day, 5 days per week) decreased body weight, fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin.

RESULTS

Swimming ameliorated lipid disorder, improved muscular atrophy and revealed a reduced glycogen deposit in skeletal muscles of diabetic rats. Furthermore, swimming also inhibited the activation of Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway, decreased Wnt3a mRNA and protein level, upregulated GSK3β phosphorylation activity and reduced the expression of β-catenin phosphorylation in diabetic rats.

CONCLUSION

The trend of the result suggests that swimming exercise proved to be a potent ameliorator of insulin resistancein T2DM through the modulation of Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway and therefore, could present a promising therapeutic measure towards the treatment of diabetes and its relatives.

Quercetin inhibited epithelial mesenchymal transition in diabetic rats, high-glucose-cultured lens, and SRA01/04 cells through transforming growth factor-β2/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway

Diabetic cataract (DC), an identified life-threatening secondary complication of diabetes mellitus, has proven to be a dilemma because of its multifactorial caused and progression. An increasing number of studies have shown that in addition to the maillard reaction, enhanced polyol pathway, and oxidative insults, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is related to the prevalence of DC. Quercetin, a classic flavonoid with multiple pharmacological effects has been reported to possess therapeutic efficacy in the management and treatment of this disease. However, the mechanism underlying its therapeutic efficacy in EMT of lens epithelial cells (SRA01/04) and contribution to resolving DC remains a mystery. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of quercetin on EMT of SRA01/04 and high-glucose (HG)-induced lens opacity accompanied by lens fibrosis induced by type-1 diabetes. Furthermore, we sought to clarify the specific mechanisms underlying these effects. At week 14 after streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneal administration, diabetic rats showed lens opacity accompanied with diminished antioxidant function, enhanced polyol pathway activity, and non-enzymatic glycation. Western blotting confirmed EMT in rat SRA01/04 cells with significantly increased α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and decreased E-cadherin expressions. Treatment of the lens with quercetin ameliorated the oxidative stress, inhibited aldose reductase (AR) activation, reduced advanced glycation end product (AGE) production, and finally suppressed EMT in the early stages. Our in vitro results showed that high-glucose activated the transforming growth factor-β2/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (TGF-β2/PI3K/Akt) signalling and EMT in SRA01/04 cells. Further, induced oxidative stress, activation of aldose reductase, and accumulation of advanced glycation end products were also involved in this process. Quercetin was potent enough to effectively ameliorate the high glucose (HG)-induced EMT of SRA01/04 cells by inhibiting the activation of TGF-β2/PI3K/Akt, enhancing the antioxidant capacity, inhibiting AR activity, and reducing AGE production. From the whole animal to tissues, and finally the cellular level, our results provide considerable evidence of the therapeutic potential of quercetin for DC. This might be due to its inhibition of EMT mediated through inhibition of the TGF-β/PI3K/Akt pathway.

A recombinant type 2 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus between NADC30-like and a MLV-like: Genetic characterization and pathogenicity for piglets

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an economically important pathogen for swine industry worldwide. The recombination occurring among PRRSV strains has been recognized as one of important molecular mechanisms for the evolution of PRRSV. Current prevalence of PRRSV NADC30-like causing clinical disease outbreaks is highly concerned in China. In the present study, the genetic characterization of a recombinant type 2 PRRSV (designated TJnh1501) was analyzed and its pathogenicity for piglets was examined. Our study showed that each region of TJnh1501 genome had 96.67-100% nucleotide and 96.5-100% amino acid identities with a Chinese highly pathogenic PRRSV-derived modified-live virus (MLV)-like except for its nonstructural protein 2 (nsp2)-coding region; while its nsp2-coding region shared higher nucleotide (84.44-85.85%) and amino acid (82.44-84.79%) identities with NADC30 and NADC30-like CHsx1401, and in particular, the highly variable region of nsp2 exhibited characteristic 131-aa deletion identical to NADC30 and NADC30-like CHsx1401. Meanwhile, we identified two recombination breakpoints located in the nt1737 and nt3506 of nsp2-coding region, which had higher nucleotide homology with NADC30 and NADC30-like CHsx1401. Moreover, TJnh1501 infection could cause persistent fever, moderate respiratory clinical signs, higher viremia, and obvious gross and microscopic lung lesions in piglets. The virus was shown to have lower pathogenicity than HP-PRRSV JXwn06, but higher than NADC30-like CHsx1401 for piglets. Our findings reveal that TJnh1501 is a recombinant type 2 PRRSV from the recombinant event between NADC30-like and MLV-like derived from the Chinese highly pathogenic PRRSV, and it exhibits intermediate virulence for pigs. This study adds valuable evidence for understanding the role of genomic recombination in the evolution of PRRSV.

Canonical hedgehog signalling regulates hepatic stellate cell-mediated angiogenesis in liver fibrosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are liver-specific pericytes regulating angiogenesis during liver fibrosis. We aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which hedgehog signalling regulated HSC angiogenic properties and to validate the therapeutic implications.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Rats and mice were treated with carbon tetrachloride for in vivo evaluation of hepatic angiogenesis and fibrotic injury. Diversified molecular approaches including real-time PCR, Western blot, luciferase reporter assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and co-immunoprecipitation were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms in vitro.

KEY RESULTS

Angiogenesis was concomitant with up-regulation of Smoothened (SMO) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in rat fibrotic liver. The SMO inhibitor cyclopamine and Gli1 inhibitor GANT-58 reduced expression of VEGF and angiopoietin 1 in HSCs and suppressed HSC tubulogenesis capacity. HIF-1α inhibitor PX-478 suppressed HSC angiogenic behaviour, and inhibition of hedgehog decreased HIF-1α expression. Furthermore, heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) was characterized as a direct target gene of canonical hedgehog signalling in HSCs. HSP90 inhibitor 17-AAG reduced HSP90 binding to HIF-1α, down-regulated HIF-1α protein abundance and decreased HIF-1α binding to DNA. 17-AAG also abolished 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (SAG) (a SMO agonist)-enhanced HSC angiogenic properties. Finally, the natural compound ligustrazine was found to inhibit canonical hedgehog signalling leading to suppressed angiogenic properties of HSCs in vitro and ameliorated liver fibrosis and sinusoidal angiogenesis in mice.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

We have provided evidence that the canonical hedgehog pathway controlled HSC-mediated liver angiogenesis. Selective inhibition of HSC hedgehog signalling could be a promising therapeutic approach for hepatic fibrosis.

Epigenetic silencing of miR-137 induces drug resistance and chromosomal instability by targeting AURKA in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most prevalent hematologic malignancy. Aberrant microRNAs (miRNAs) expression has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of MM. In this study, we further demonstrated that miR-137 was significantly downregulated in MM and negatively correlated with clinical prognosis. Moreover, we described the epigenetic regulation of miR-137 and its association with progression-free survival in MM patients. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-137 in MM cell line (miR-137 OE) increased its sensitivity to bortezomib and eprirubicin in vitro. Also, some high-risk genetic abnormalities in MM, including deletion of chromosome 1p22.2, 14q or 17p13, and gain of chromosome 1p22.2 were detected in NCI-H929 empty vector (NCI-H929 EV) treated cells but not in the NCI-H929 miR-137 overexpression (NCI-H929 miR-137 OE) cells. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR-137 targeted AURKA. Ectopic expression of miR-137 strongly reduced the expression of AURKA and p-ATM/Chk2 in MM cells, and increased the expression of p53, and p21. Importantly, miR-137 overexpression together with bortezomib treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth in MM xenograft model. Taken together, this study demonstrates that miR-137 is epigenetically silenced in MM, and overexpression of miR-137 could reduce drug resistance and overcome chromosomal instability of the MM cells via affecting the apoptosis and DNA damage pathways.

Inhibition of YAP signaling contributes to senescence of hepatic stellate cells induced by tetramethylpyrazine

Accumulating evidence indicates that hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the central mediators and major effectors in the development of hepatic fibrosis. It is well-known that regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis are potential strategies to block the activation of HSCs. Recently, several studies have revealed that induction of HSC senescence could prevent and cure the liver fibrosis. In our previous work, we have demonstrated that the natural product tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) could inhibit the activation of HSCs and ameliorate hepatic fibrosis. The aim of this study was to identify a new role of TMP in the regulation of activated HSC senescence and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In this study, our data showed that TMP could promote HSC senescence in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, TMP affected the cell cycle and telomerase activity. We further demonstrated that P53 siRNA or P53 pharmacological inhibitor PFT-α abrogated the TMP-induced HSC senescence in vitro. Meanwhile, similar results were obtained in vivo. Further studies indicated that TMP promoted the expression of P53 through a YAP inhibition-dependent mechanism. Moreover, silencing YAP enhanced TMP induction of activated HSC senescence. Collectively, our results suggested that TMP inhibited the activation of HSCs by inducing senescence and had therapeutic implication for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Ischemic postconditioning protects the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury via neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria

As a result of its spatial confinement in cardiomyocytes, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is thought to regulate mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function by maintaining nitroso-redox balance and Ca²⁺ cycling. Thus, we hypothesize that ischemic postconditioning (IPostC) protects hearts against ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury through an nNOS-mediated pathway. Isolated mouse hearts were subjected to I/R injury in a Langendorff apparatus, H9C2 cells and primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in vitro. IPostC, compared with I/R, decreased infarct size and improved cardiac function, and the selective nNOS inhibitors abolished these effects. IPostC recovered nNOS activity and arginase expression. IPostC also increased AMP kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and alleviated oxidative stress, and nNOS and AMPK inhibition abolished these effects. IPostC increased nitrotyrosine production in the cytosol but decreased it in mitochondria. Enhanced phospholamban (PLB) phosphorylation, normalized SR function and decreased Ca²⁺ overload were observed following the recovery of nNOS activity, and nNOS inhibition abolished these effects. Similar effects of IPostC were demonstrated in cardiomyocytes in vitro. IPostC decreased oxidative stress partially by regulating uncoupled nNOS and the nNOS/AMPK/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha/superoxide dismutase axis, and improved SR function through increasing SR Ca²⁺ load. These results suggest that IPostC protected hearts against I/R injury via an nNOS-mediated pathway.

Association between folate status and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Background/Objectives:

To investigate the effect of folate status on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) progression and its relationship with high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV).

Subjects/Methods:

We evaluated 20 000 sexually active women aged <65 years in Yangqu County by using a questionnaire; the subjects were also screened using the ThinPrep cytologic test (TCT). Patients with abnormal TCT results (other than glandular cell abnormalities) who were willing to provide informed consent were further diagnosed using colposcopy and histopathological examination. We investigated 247 cases of low-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), 125 cases of high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and 877 controls. A 24-item food frequency questionnaire was filled out by the investigator to estimate the consumption of dietary folate. Positivity for hrHPV from residual exfoliated cervical cells was tested; serum folate was also measured.

Results:

The hrHPV infection rate in HSIL patients (77.6%) was higher than that in LSIL (33.2%) and control (32.0%) patients. Dietary folate intakes in controls, LSIL and HSIL were 306.9±176.6, 321.8±168.0 and 314.7±193.8 μg/kcal, respectively. The levels of serum folate in controls, LSIL and HSIL were 18.2±7.9, 15.9±7.1 and 14.3±7.5 nmol/l, respectively. Increased CIN correlated with higher rates of hrHPV infection and lower levels of serum folate.

Conclusions:

Low levels of serum folate may increase the risk of CIN progression. Furthermore, potential synergy may exist between low serum folate levels and hrHPV infection to promote CIN development.

[Research of gestrinone-related abnormal uterine bleeding and the intervention in the treatment: a multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence, influencing factors and intervention of gestrinone-related abnormal uterine bleeding at different dosage of gestrinone in the clinical treatment.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, randomized, control study of 195 Chinese women with endometriosis or adenomyosis from June 2011 to November 2013. The subjects were randomized into three groups with oral administration of gestrinone, 2.5 mg dose at one time; twice a week group: 67 cases with oral administration twice a week last three months; double dose first month group: 67 cases with oral administration triple times a week at first month, then twice a week for two months; three times a week group: 61 cases with oral administration three times a week last three months. The improvement of the abnormal uterine bleeding, the changes in estrogen, liver function and blood coagulation were evaluated. At the same time, B-ultrasound examination evaluation were performed.

RESULTS

(1) Three months later, the incidence of abnormal uterine bleeding in twice a week group was 30% (20/67), in double dose first month group and three times a week group were 7%(5/67) and 16% (10/61) respectively, there were significant difference between three groups (P<0.05). The incidence in double dose first month group was the most lower. (2) Univariate analysis showed that the dosage and ovarian size were the significant factors for abnormal uterine bleeding (OR=0.461,P= 0.003;OR=0.303,P=0.016); logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the risk of abnormal uterine bleeding in double dose first month group was the lowest when compared with twice a week group and three times a week group, the risk in twice a week group was 5-fold higher than that in double dose first month group (OR=0.211,P=0.011). The incidence of abnormal uterine bleeding in participants with abnormal ovarian volume results from ovarian cyst or ovarian surgery was significantly lower than those with normal ovarian volume (OR=0.304,P=0.018). (3) After the treatment of three months, there were no significant difference in alanine transaminase level between the groups (P>0.05). The body mass index significantly increased in three group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between the groups (P>0.05). As for blood coagulation, there were also no significant differences between the groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Double dose of gestrinone in the first month could significantly decrease the incidence of gestrinone-related abnormal uterine bleeding. It is a more optimied dosage of gestrinone and without severe side effects.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, registration number: ChiCTR-TRC-12002327.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Pareuchiloglanis gongshanensis (Siluriformes, Sisoridae, Pareuchiloglanis): genome characterization and phylogenetic analysis

Pareuchiloglanis gongshanensis, a small-sized benthic fish, distributed in southwest China. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome of P. gongshanensis was sequenced to be 16 588 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, a control region and the origin of the light strand replication. The overall nucleotide composition was 30.70% A, 24.11% T, 29.16% C and 16.02% G, with an A + T bias of 54.82%. The gene composition and the structural arrangement of the P. gongshanensis complete mitochondrial DNA were identical to most of the other vertebrates. This will provide a useful tool for understanding the genetic diversity, population structure and conservation status of P. gongshanensis in the future.

IL-6 secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts induces tamoxifen resistance in luminal breast cancer

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been implicated in the development of resistance to anticancer drugs; however, the role and mechanism underlying CAFs in luminal breast cancer (BrCA) tamoxifen resistance are unclear. We found that stromal fibroblasts isolated from the central or peripheral area of BrCA have similar CAF phenotype and activity. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that CAFs derived from clinical-luminal BrCAs induce tamoxifen resistance through decreasing estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) level when cultured with luminal BrCA cell lines MCF7 and T47D. CAFs promoted tamoxifen resistance through interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion, which activates Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT3) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways in tumor cells, followed by induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and upregulation of E3 ubiquitin ligase anaphase-promoting complex 10 activity, which targeted ER-α degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Inhibition of proteasome activity, IL-6 activity or either the JAK/STAT3 or PI3K/AKT pathways markedly reduced CAF-induced tamoxifen resistance. In xenograft experiments of CAFs mixed with MCF7 cells, CAF-specific IL-6 knockdown inhibited tumorigenesis and restored tamoxifen sensitivity. These findings indicate that CAFs mediate tamoxifen resistance through IL-6-induced degradation of ER-α in luminal BrCAs.Oncogene advance online publication, 9 June 2014; doi:10.1038/onc.2014.158.

Exendin-4 shows no effects on the prostatic index in high-fat-diet-fed rat with benign prostatic hyperplasia by improving insulin resistance

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent disease globally, and accumulating evidence has indicated an association between BPH, insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes. Exendin-4 is widely used in clinics, which could enhance the proliferation of pancreatic β cells. The ability of exendin-4 to promote tumorigenesis has been of concern, and whether exendin-4 would enhance the propagation of BPH is not fully understood. We aimed to determine whether glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors (GLP-1Rs) were expressed in rat prostate and to determine the effect of exendin-4 on prostate of BPH. Male Wistar rats were used and assigned to six groups: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD + exendin-4, HFD + BPH, HFD + BPH + exendin-4 and HFD + BPH + rosiglitazone group. After castration, steroids were injected subcutaneously for 4 weeks to induce BPH. Rats were kept on high-fat diet to induce IR. Treatment groups were treated with exendin-4 and rosiglitazone. Prostatic index and HOMA-IR index were used to evaluate the prostatic hyperplasia status and the degree of IR respectively. The expression of GLP-1R was indicated not only by immunohistochemistry, but also by Western blot analysis. The expression of GLP-1R was significantly higher, and HOMA-IR index and body weight significantly decreased after administration of exendin-4. However, no significant differences in the prostatic index were observed between exendin-4 treatment groups and non-exendin-4 treatment groups. Prostatic index was not influenced by exendin-4 maybe by improving IR and weight loss.

A novel experimental method to evaluate motor task control in Parkinson's patients

In this paper, a novel experimental method was developed to study planar arm movement control in tremor dominant Parkinson's (PD) patients. The method utilized a ball-bearing supported fiberglass brace apparatus against gravity to maintain the upper extremity in the horizontal plane. Subjects can perform postural and movement tasks with minimum damping effects. Arm movements were recorded using the MotionMonitor II system concurrently with EMGs of multiple muscles. Testing results in normal subjects with and without the brace support showed that the inertia and damping effects were negligible for oscillatory arm movement at maximum voluntary frequency (MVF). The tremor behaviors in horizontal posture maintenance and reaching movement in three PD subjects were also obtained with this method. The average frequency of postural tremor was 4.34 ± 0.15 Hz in all arm positions tested. However, the tremor magnitudes changed significantly with posture locations. In performing reaching movements, the tremor was inhibited prior to reaching, but resumed after reaching. These results may provide interesting insights into the pathological mechanisms of Parkinsonian tremor, as well as the modular nature of neural control of movements.

First Report of Laurel Oak as a Host for the Pecan Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne partityla, in Florida

Roots of laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia Michx.), member of the family Fagaceae, were found to be heavily galled by the pecan root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne partityla, in two separate home gardens between 2010 and 2012, in Alachua Co., FL. Distinct round galls were observed on secondary and tertiary roots. Internally, root-knot nematode females were clearly visible when the roots were thinly sliced and egg masses were seen protruding from the root surfaces. The nematode species identification was performed using morphology of the male stylet, selected characters of the second-stage juveniles (J2), female perineal patterns, and esterase (EST) and malate dehydrogenase (Mdh) isozyme phenotypes. Morphology of perineal patterns of females, body, stylet, and tail length of the J2 and males all matched those of the original description of M. partityla (2). A swollen deeply grooved rectum was observed in the J2. The male stylet had a blunt tip with a prominent thickening at the junction between the cone and shaft. The stylet knobs of males and females were bipartite, each incised by a deep medium longitudinal groove (2). The isozyme phenotypes (EST = Mp3; Mdh = N1a) were consistent with those previously reported for M. partityla from Florida (1). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) (3) and ribosomal internal transcriber spacer (ITS) DNA (4) of females were amplified to further confirm the nematode species identification. The mtDNA amplification using the C2F3/1108 primer set (3) and the ITS amplification using a recently available M. partityla specific primer set (4) produced fragments of approximately 530 bp and 550 bp, respectively. These were consistent with those already reported for this nematode species. This first report of a plant host for the pecan root-knot nematode outside of the family Juglandaceae indicates that the nematode may have migrated from Quercus species to pecan trees during the period when orchards were being established in Florida. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the pecan root-knot nematode infecting laurel oak. References: (1) J. A. Brito et al. Nematology 10:757, 2008. (2) Kleynhans, K. P. N. Phytophylatica 18:103, 1986. (3) T. O. Powers et al., J. Nematol. 37:226, 2005. (4) R. A. Stamler. M. S. thesis, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, 2009.

Alterations of ADAMTSs and TIMP-3 in human nucleus pulposus cells subjected to compressive load: Implications in the pathogenesis of human intervertebral disc degeneration

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) pertains to the loss of extracellular matrix (ECM), particularly the early loss of aggrecan, the turnover of which is regulated by ADAMTSs. Amongst the etiological factors of IDD, mechanical stress plays an important role in the physiological and pathological processes of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. However, the role of ADAMTSs and their inhibitor in human NP cells under mechanical stress has not been elucidated to date. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of ADAMTSs and TIMP-3 in NP cells under mechanical stress. Human NP cells isolated from non-degenerative and degenerative discs were subjected to dynamic compressive load. The expression of ADAMTSs, aggrecan, and TIMP-3 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and/or Western blot. Consequently, the gene expression of ADAMTS-1, 4, and 5 increased significantly in loaded NP cells compared with not-loaded cells from either non-degenerative or degenerative discs, whereas the gene expression of aggrecan decreased significantly. Moreover, Western blot indicated increased protein levels of ADAMTSs-1, 4, and 5. However, the expression of TIMP-3 altered insignificantly. Together, this study is the first addressing the underlying mechanisms of compressive load as a contributing factor to IDD in terms of ADAMTSs. Our results suggest that compressive load leads to the increase in ADAMTS-1, 4, and 5 that contributes to the decrease of aggrecan and IDD via TIMP-3 independent machinery.