The Treg/Th17 imbalance in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

To assess whether Treg/Th17 balance was broken in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We studied 25 patients who were diagnosed as idiopathic DCM (18 men and seven women, mean age 35.6 +/- 5.2) and 25 normal persons (18 men and seven women, mean age 33.8 +/- 4.9). Then, we detected Treg/Th17 functions on different levels including cell frequencies, related cytokine secretion and key transcription factors in patients with idiopathic DCM and controls. The results demonstrated that patients with idiopathic DCM revealed significant increase in peripheral Th17 number, Th17-related cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, IL-23) and transcription factor (RORgammat) levels and obvious decrease in Treg number, Treg-related cytokines (TGF-beta1 and IL-10) and transcription factor (Foxp3) levels when compared to normal persons. Results indicated that Treg/Th17 functional imbalance existed in patients with idiopathic DCM, suggesting a potential role for Treg/Th17 imbalance in the development of idiopathic DCM.

Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy for uterine prolapse with prolene mesh

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical effects of laparoscopic sacral colpopexy using prolene mesh for patients with pelvic organ prolapse.

METHODS

Laparoscopic placement of prolene mesh in the rectovaginal septum and veslcovaginal septum of 42 women with uterine prolapse with bladder and rectum prolapse. One mesh was fixed to the round ligaments and another to the periosteum of the sacral vertebrae. Operation time, blood loss, complication rate and follow-up surgery results were recorded monthly and analyzed according to the POP-Q system. The uterus was preserved in all cases.

RESULTS

The mean operating time was 92 +/- 12 min and the mean blood loss during surgery was 98 +/- 11 ml. Postoperatively, both prolapse and symptoms were highly significantly improved (p < 0.001) according to the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy for uterine prolapse using prolene mesh is a minimally invasive and effective new technique that offers a chance for patients who desire to preserve their uterus.

Photonic approach to the selective inactivation of viruses with a near-infrared subpicosecond fiber laser

We report a photonic approach for selective inactivation of viruses with a near-infrared subpicosecond laser. We demonstrate that this method can selectively inactivate viral particles ranging from nonpathogenic viruses such as the M13 bacteriophage and the tobacco mosaic virus to pathogenic viruses such as the human papillomavirus and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). At the same time, sensitive materials such as human Jurkat T cells, human red blood cells, and mouse dendritic cells remain unharmed. The laser technology targets the global mechanical properties of the viral protein shell, making it relatively insensitive to the local genetic mutation in the target viruses. As a result, the approach can inactivate both the wild and mutated strains of viruses. This intriguing advantage is particularly important in the treatment of diseases involving rapidly mutating viral species such as HIV. Our photonic approach could be used for the disinfection of viral pathogens in blood products and for the treatment of blood-borne viral diseases in the clinic.

Using a minigene approach to characterize a novel splice site mutation in human F7 gene causing inherited factor VII deficiency in a Chinese pedigree

Factor VII deficiency which transmitted as an autosomal recessive disorder is a rare haemorrhagic condition. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular genetic defect and determine its functional consequences in a Chinese pedigree with FVII deficiency. The proband was diagnosed as inherited coagulation FVII deficiency by reduced plasma levels of FVII activity (4.4%) and antigen (38.5%). All nine exons and their flanking sequence of F7 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the proband and the PCR products were directly sequenced. The compound heterozygous mutations of F7 (NM_000131.3) c.572-1G>A and F7 (NM_000131.3) c.1165T>G; p.Cys389Gly were identified in the proband's F7 gene. To investigate the splicing patterns associated with F7 c.572-1G>A, ectopic transcripts in leucocytes of the proband were analyzed. F7 minigenes, spanning from intron 4 to intron 7 and carrying either an A or a G at position -1 of intron 5, were constructed and transiently transfected into human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells, followed by RT-PCR analysis. The aberrant transcripts from the F7 c.572-1G>A mutant allele were not detected by ectopic transcription study. Sequencing of the RT-PCR products from the mutant transfectant demonstrated the production of an erroneously spliced mRNA with exon 6 skipping, whereas a normal splicing occurred in the wide type transfectant. The aberrant mRNA produced from the F7 c.572-1G>A mutant allele is responsible for the factor VII deficiency in this pedigree.

Articular cartilage metabolism in patients with Kashin-Beck Disease: an endemic osteoarthropathy in China

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate CD44 and proteoglycan metabolism in patients suffering from Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD), an endemic osteoarthropathy that affects 2.5 million of 30 million people living in the KBD regions of China.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical analyses of cluster of differentiation-44 (CD44), BC-13 and 3-B-3(-) expression were performed in cartilage sections harvested from KBD and normal patients. In addition, the serum levels of soluble CD44 (sCD44), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 were determined using a sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Hematoxylin & eosin and toluidine blue staining indicated that there was cell necrosis and proteoglycan loss in cartilage from both KBD children and adult cartilage. Strong immunohistochemical staining for CD44, BC-13 and 3-B-3(-) occurred in the majority of adult KBD patients and most KBD children. Furthermore, statistically significant elevated levels of sCD44, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were found in the sera of both adult and child KBD patients when compared to the levels of normal adult and child controls. Interestingly, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha serum levels were all high in normal children from KBD regions when compared to normal children from non-KBD regions suggesting that unidentified factors (e.g., a genetic predisposition) may protect some people from KBD pathology.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that altered CD44, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha metabolism occurs in the pathogenesis of KBD and there is an increased aggrecanase-generated proteoglycan loss from KBD adult and child cartilage. These primary metabolic changes are likely to be significant contributing factor causing pathological joint formation and instability that leads to secondary osteoarthritis in KBD patients.

Partition of six phthalic acid esters in soluble and solid residual fractions of wastewater sludges

Distributions of six priority controlled Phthalic acid esters (PAEs), including di-methyl phthalate (DMP), di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), di-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-octyl phthalate (DOP) were studied based on soluble and insoluble fractions of sludge samples collected at four wastewater treatment plants in Shanghai, China. Three sludge samples comprised hydrophilic colloidal particles of high protein contents and low aromaticity. Meanwhile, these sludges contained DBP of 4.2 to approximately 5.7 mg kg(-1) dried solids (ds) and DEHP of 21.1 to approximately 55.6 mg kg(-1) ds, respectively. Another sludge sample comprised mainly hydrophobic colloidal particles of humic substances and high aromaticity. It contained DBP of 1.18 mg kg(-1) ds and DEHP of 2.89 mg kg(-1) ds, respectively. The most abundant components noted amongst the six studied PAEs were DBP and DEHP, which mostly associated with the insoluble fraction of sludge. Specifically, the DBP and DEHP in insoluble fraction (the solid residual phase) accounted for 89.8 to approximately 98.2% and 88.6 to approximately 99.6% of those in the whole sludge. The partition coefficients of DBP and DEHP for the soluble and insoluble fractions of sludge correlated with the suspension SUVA254, suggesting that interaction between pi-electrons of DBP or DEHP and those of organic particulates in suspension contributes most of the sorption processes.

Low-temperature synthesis and photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanotubes by thermal oxidation of Zn nanowires

A low-cost and catalyst-free two-step approach has been developed to produce ZnO nanotubes (ZNTs) by simple thermal oxidation of Zn nanowires under 20 Pa at a low temperature of 400 °C. The growth mechanism of ZNTs is discussed in detail. The formation of these tubular structures is closely linked to the oxidation pressure and temperature, which involves a process consisting of the deposition of Zn nanowires, cracking of the Zn nanowires and sublimation of the Zn cores, and subsequent oxidation to ZNTs. The optical properties were studied by using Raman and photoluminescence spectra, where a strong green emission related to the single ionized oxygen vacancy appears. The photocatalytic activity measurement indicates an enhanced photocatalytic activity of the prepared ZNTs due to their high surface-to-volume ratios and abundant oxygen vacancies near the surfaces of the ZNTs. This type of high surface area structural ZNTs could find promising potential for optoelectronic and environmental applications.

Cloning the swamp buffalo SRY gene for embryo sexing with multiplex-nested PCR

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an efficient method for sexing embryos. The objective of this study was to develop an accurate and reliable method for sexing swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryos. The SRY gene from swamp buffalo genomic DNA was amplified by PCR, using primers based on the sequence of the Holstein SRY gene. This fragment was sequenced based on a BLAST search; the SRY gene was highly conserved. Using a Southern blot, there was a strong signal in genomic DNA only from male swamp buffalo. Two pairs of nested primers, targeted to amplify the swamp buffalo SRY conserved region, were designed for sex identification. Simultaneously, the G3PDH gene was co-amplified to serve as an internal control. A multiplex-nested PCR system was optimized by varying the following individually: concentrations of Mg(2+) and dNTPs, ratio of concentrations of primers and numbers of cycles. Biopsies of 27 IVF-derived embryos and 24 embryos fertilized with Y-chromosome-bearing sperm were examined. Using optimized procedures, clear signals following PCR amplification were obtained from all embryo samples; PCR amplification accuracy was further verified by comparing PCR and dot blots. We concluded that this PCR technique was highly reliable for sexing swamp buffalo embryos.

369 AMPLIFICATION OF THE SRY GENE FOR SEXING OF BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS) EMBRYOS USING NESTED MULTIPLEX PCR

In mammals, the Y chromosome-linked SRY gene is responsible for male sex determination. Therefore, a logical approach for embryo sex identification is to amplify the male-specific single-copy SRY gene. The objective of this study was to design specific primers for amplification of buffalo SRY gene and develop a reliable PCR method for sex identification of buffalo embryos. Genomic DNA was extracted from swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) peripheral blood. A pair of primers based on the sequence of Holstein bovine SRY gene (forward, 52-GTTTGCCTTATGGATTTATT-32; reverse, 52-TCTACTTTAGCCTATTTG-32) was used to amplify whole buffalo SRY gene. This amplified fragment was isolated and constructed into plasmids for sequencing. Two pairs of primers, S1/S2 (forward, 52-CCATGAACGCCTTCATTTTGTG-32; reverse, 52-ACGAGGTCGATATTTATAGC CC-32) and S3/S4 (forward, 52-AAGCAGCTGGGCTATGAGTGGAA-32; reverse, 52-ACGAGGTCGATATTTATAGCCC-32), were designed based on the SRY sequence above. Simultaneously, the G3PDH gene was amplified to serve as an internal control for both male and female embryos. A multiplex-nested-PCR system was optimized by varying the following parameters individually: concentration of Mg2+, dNTPs, primers, and different cycles number. Twenty-seven IVF morulae were identified with the optimal PCR procedure after biopsy. Accuracy of PCR amplification was verified by dot blotting. The sex of 24 embryos fertilized with Y-sperm separated by flow cytometry was also examined. Results indicated that the optimal procedure of Nested-Multiplex-PCR consisted of 1.5 mM Mg2+, 100 �M dNTPs, 0.5 �M SA3/SA4 primers, and 0.25 �M GA3/GA4 primers, and 35 cycles. Accuracy of identification was 100% for 27 IVF morulae; 14 were judged as males and 13 were females. The result of blotting confirmed that the accuracy of amplification was 100%. The proportion of males was 83.3% (20/24) in embryos fertilized with Y-sperm. This confirms that the PCR system targeting the SRY gene can be used for accurate sex identification of buffalo embryos. This study was supported by grants from the Foundation of Guangxi Key Laboratory for Subtropical Bio-Resource Conservation and Utilization (SB0403) and the Guangxi Department of Science and Technology (0626001-3-1).

Reduced semen quality in chronic prostatitis patients that induce the release of apoptotic protein Omi/HtrA2 from spermatozoa

The relationship between chronic prostatitis and fertility has been disputed for many years. Several groups have shown infection and autoimmune response against prostate antigens could have a deleterious effect on semen quality and fertility. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that Omi/HtrA2-induced apoptosis in chronic prostatitis could be a mechanism underlying the observed clinical benefit. The Omi/HtrA2 serine protease is a nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein, which can be released from mitochondria into the cytosol after apoptosis stimuli, inducing apoptosis in caspase-dependent and independent manners. Forty-one patients diagnosed as suffering from chronic prostatitis were included. Healthy normal individuals were included as controls. Human spermatozoa in the semen were purified by Percoll-gradient technique to separate the seminal plasma and other round cells. Measurements for sperm concentration, motility, morphology, proinflammatory cytokines, Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels in spermatozoa of chronic protatitis patients, were performed accordingly. Significantly increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines were detected in seminal plasma from these prostatitis patients. Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in prostatitis men than in normal men. This study shows that chronic prostatitis patients present important alterations in their semen quality parameters, Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels of spermatozoa. We speculate that the inflammatory process involved may affect male fertility by release of proapoptotic protein Omi/HtrA2.

Suppression of tumor growth by intra-muscular transfer of naked DNA encoding adrenomedullin antagonist

We have recently reported that the intra-tumoral injection of adrenomedullin (AM) antagonist (AMA; AM (22-52)) peptides significantly reduced the in vivo growth of a pancreatic cancer cell line in severely combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. In the present study, we examined the effects of intra-tumoral and intra-muscular transfers of naked DNA encoding AMA on the in vivo growth of cancer cell lines. We demonstrate that these treatments induce the regression of a pancreatic cancer cell line and a breast cancer cell line inoculated in SCID mice. Furthermore, CD31-positive cells disappear completely from tumor tissues, following treatment, indicating that neo-vascularization is entirely inhibited. These results suggest that the intra-tumoral or intra-muscular transfer of naked DNA encoding AMA might be a promising alternative modality for treating human cancers.

Phase II study of docetaxel plus epirubicin versus docetaxel plus cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy for treatment of advanced breast cancer (CHN TAX-618)

10535

Background: The combination of docetaxel plus epirubicin (TE) have demonstrated a significant activity in advance breast cancer (ABC) as first-line chemotherapy. In the meantime, some emerging literatures suggest that docetaxel-cisplatin (TP) combination has a powerful synergistic interaction with less cardiotoxicity. The main objectives of this multicenter study are to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TE versus TP. Methods: From August 2003 to February 2005, 80 patients with at least one measurable lesion were randomized with ratio of 2:1 to receive TE or TP as as first-line chemotherapy. Dosages were as follows: docetaxel 75 mg/m2 plus epirubicin 60 mg/m2 or docetaxel 75 mg/m2 plus cisplatin 75 mg/m2 intravenously once every 3 weeks for a maximum of 6 cycles. Baseline characteristics were well balanced. Results: A total of 55 patients were assigned to TE (median age 48 yearas) and 25 patients were treated with TP (median age 50 yearas). The same of median 4 cycles treatment were administered for two arms. A complete clinical response was observed in 3.6% and 4.0% of patients treated with TE and TP, respectively (P = 1.00). Overall (complete and partial) clinical response rates for TE and TP were 48% and 56%, respectively (P =0.469). Disease control rates (CR + PR + SD) for TE and TP were 83.6% and 80%, respectively (P = 0.755). The median TTP were TE: 10.8months,TP: 11.2 months days (P = 0.247). Grade 3/4 toxicities included: nausea/vomiting (16.3% TE; 12.0% TP); diarrhea (1.8% TE; 0% TP); alopecia (32.7% TE; 12.0% TP); anemia (1.8% TE; 4.0%TP); neutropenia (65.5% TE; 4.8% TP); febrile neutropenia (3.6% TE; 0% TP). Conclusions: Both TE and TP were active and tolerant regimens for ABC. While there may have been a trend toward lower toxicities in favor of the docetaxel/cisplatin combination, although no significant difference was observed during our study.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.