Different characteristics between mycobacteriophage Chy1 and D29, which were classified as cluster A2 mycobacteriophages

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to isolate a novel mycobacteriophage and then explore its anti-tuberculosis (TB) potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phage was isolated from enriched soil sample. A total of 36 mycobacterial strains obtained from clinical specimens were subjected to investigate the host range of phage by the spot lysis assay. Biological characteristics were investigated through growth curve, host range and phage antimicrobial activity in vitro. Then, genome sequencing and further analysis were accomplished by using an ABI3730XL DNA sequencer and comparative genome, respectively.

RESULTS

A lytic mycobacteriophage (Chy1) was isolated and the plaque morphology was similar to D29. The genome of Chy1 was estimated to be about 47,198 base pair (bp) and strong similarity (97.4% identity) to D29, especially, the Chy1 gene 7 encoding holin which is considered as a clock controlling growth cycle of the corresponding phage, was identical (100% identity) to phage D29 gene 11, thus classifying Chy1 as a member of the cluster A2 family. However, to our surprise, Chy1 can infect a narrower range of host-mycobacterial strains than that of D29. The latent period of Chy1 was quite longer compared to D29. Moreover, Chy1 has a weaker ability to lyse Mycobacterium smegmatis compared to D29.

CONCLUSIONS

The sequence of Chy1 showed 97.4% homology with the genome sequence of D29, but there was a large difference in their biological characteristics. Overall, the results of this investigation indicate that Chy1 is not an ideal candidate for developing mycobacteriophage-based anti-TB therapies but for future researches to investigate the reason why biological characteristics of Chy1 and D29 were remarkably different.

Hepatitis B core-related antigen levels are associated with response to entecavir and peginterferon add-on therapy in hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B patients

Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), a new serum marker, may be useful in monitoring chronic hepatitis B infection. HBcrAg was measured in 175 hepatitis B e antigen-positive patients treated with entecavir (ETV) with or without peginterferon (PEG-IFN) add-on therapy. Decline in HBcrAg was stronger in patients with vs. without combined response (ETV: -3.22 vs. -1.71 log U/mL, p <0.001; PEG-IFN add-on: -3.16 vs. -1.83 IU/mL, p <0.001) and in patients with vs. without hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) response (ETV: -2.60 vs. -1.74 log U/mL, p <0.001; PEG-IFN add-on: -2.38 vs. -2.15 log U/mL, p = 0.31). HBcrAg was associated with combined response (adjusted odds ratio 0.3, 95% confidence interval 0.2-0.5, p <0.001), but was not superior to quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg).

Abstract P1-14-06: A phase II randomized study with eribulin/cyclophosphamide (ErC) and docetaxel/cyclophosphamide (TC) as neoadjuvant therapy in HER2-negative breast cancer- Final analysis of primary endpoint and correlative analysis results

Background: Eribulin mesylate (Er) is a non-taxane inhibitor of microtubule growth that results in G2-M cell cycle arrest, disruption of normal mitotic spindles and apoptosis. Er demonstrated an overall survival (OS) but not progression free survival (PFS) advantage in anthracycline and taxane refractory breast cancer pts. This OS rather than PFS benefit has been attributed to Er's potential to suppress new metastases through its effects on the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway, even in the absence of an effect on the primary tumor or established metastases. In this study ErC was compared to TC, a standard regimen for (neo) adjuvant treatment. A companion exploratory analysis examined the EMT markers E-cadherin and vimentin, as well as the endothelial marker CD-31 assessing tumor vasculature. Final assessments of the primary endpoint of pathological complete response (pCR) and results of the correlative studies will be presented.

Methods: Women with histologically confirmed invasive HER2-negative (IHC 0-1+ or FISH/SISH negative), cT1-3, cN0-2, M0 (pN3a disease allowed) adenocarcinoma of the breast were eligible. Following a 10 pt lead-in to confirm the safety/feasibility of ErC, pts were randomized 2:1. Arm 1, Er 1.4 mg/m2 IV (Days 1 & 8) and C 600 mg/m2 IV (Day 1); Arm 2, T 75 mg/m2 IV and C 600 mg/m2 IV on Day 1, both regimens administered q 21 days x 6 cycles followed by surgery. Tumor samples were collected at baseline and from residual breast cancer at the time of surgery. Samples were assayed for E-cadherin, vimentin, and CD-31 expression by immunohistochemistry.

Results: Enrollment was completed 4/2014 (76 pts); 10 pts in lead-in phase, 66 pts were randomized (Arm 1, 44; Arm 2, 22). In the randomized population, 77% had invasive ductal adenocarcinoma; median tumor size 3.1 cm (range, 0.4-10cm; 29.5% were T3); axillary nodes clinically positive in 52%. 34% of pts were triple negative (TN). 59 pts (89%) underwent surgery after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on study. pCR rates were 9% and 18% on the TC and ErC arms respectively. 4/7 pts with pCR on the ErC arm were TN. tumor samples were analyzed from 69 pts (including lead-in pts) for expression of the EMT biomarkers. Of these, 40 pts had paired pre- and post-treatment samples, and 29 pts had either a pre- or post-treatment sample (including 8 pre-treatment samples from pts who achieved pCR). In pre-treatment tumor specimens (61 samples), E-cadherin levels were modest-high in 80%, vimentin expression was seen in 39%, and CD-31 expression observed in 21% of the samples. Analysis of pre- and post-treatment paired specimens and differential effects according to treatment regimen will be presented.

Conclusion: The observed pCR rate of 18% with ErC in this HER2- pt population was comparable with other NAC regimens. Correlative evaluation of EMT markers and tumor vascular density with response is ongoing and will be presented.

Citation Format: Yardley DA, Chandra P, Hart L, Wright GS, Ward P, Mani A, Shastry M, Finney L, Guo S, DeBusk LM, Hainsworth JD, Burris III HA. A phase II randomized study with eribulin/cyclophosphamide (ErC) and docetaxel/cyclophosphamide (TC) as neoadjuvant therapy in HER2-negative breast cancer- Final analysis of primary endpoint and correlative analysis results. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-14-06.

Origin of ultralow Young׳s modulus in a metastable β-type Ti-33Nb-4Sn alloy

Although there is difficulty in growing a Ti-33Nb-4Sn single crystal due to its ultralow β-phase stability, the single-crystal elastic constants of metastable β-type Ti-33Nb-4Sn (wt%) alloy were extracted successfully from its polycrystal by in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction technique, to clarify the origin of the ultralow Young's modulus in its polycrystal. It is indicated that compared to binary TiCr, TiV and TiNb alloys, the Ti-33Nb-4Sn alloy possesses slightly lower β-phase stability with respect to {110}<110>(-)shear (i.e., C׳) but much lower β-phase stability regarding to {001}〈100〉 shear (i.e., C44). An analysis by the Hill approximation suggests that the ultralow isotropic polycrystalline Young׳s modulus (EH) of Ti-33Nb-4Sn alloy originates from the extremely low shear modulus C44 as well as the relatively low C׳. This indicates that in addition to C׳, C44 has a significant contribution to the Young's modulus of polycrystal, which challenges a conventional understanding that the Young's modulus of β-type Ti alloys is predominantly determined by C׳.

Laparoscopic colorectal resection versus open colorectal resection in octogenarians: a systematic review and meta-analysis of safety and efficacy

Octogenarians are more often viewed as high-risk surgical candidates. This increased risk is attributed to an age-related decline in physical function and reserve capacity coupled with the presence of various underlying diseases. There are no current guidelines or consensus on the optimal treatment strategy for this cohort of complex patients. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic colorectal resection versus open colorectal resection in octogenarians. The meta-analysis was conducted following all aspects of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A systematic literature review was carried out using the following databases: MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and OVID. Only studies comparing outcome of laparoscopic and open colorectal resections in the elderly population (≥80 years) were selected. The data collected included the patient demographics, interventions, observed outcome and sources of bias. When performing the statistical analysis, we used the odds ratio for categorical variables and the weighted mean difference for continuous variables. The results of this systematic review and pooled analysis demonstrated the safety and potential benefits of laparoscopic colorectal resection in octogenarians. LC can reduce the length of hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, time to return of normal bowel function, and incidence of postoperative pneumonia, wound infection, and postoperative ileus.

An immune regulatory CCT repeat containing oligodeoxynucleotide capable of causing hair loss in male mice

An oligodeoxynucleotide with CCT repeats (CCT ODN) has been found in our previous study to selectively downregulate Toll-like receptor 7/9 (TLR7/9)-mediated immune responses both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we unexpectedly found that CCT ODN induced severe patchy hair loss around the mouth in male F1 mice (female Balb/c × male C57BL/6) with lupus-like nephritis induced by injecting allogenic lymphocytes and also in male Balb/c mice, but not in female F1 mice and Balb/c mice and either gender of C57BL/6 mice. Increased infiltration of natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D⁺) cells in hair loss skin and upregulated interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) messenger RNA expression in cultured splenocytes were observed in male Balb/c mice. The CCT ODN-conditioned supernatants of cultured mouse splenocytes caused catagen-like changes to hair follicles (HFs). We hypothesized that the CCT ODN could induce patchy hair loss in the male mice with certain genetic traits by mobilizing NKG2D⁺ cells to HFs and by inducing the production of IFN-γ from immune cells. Taken together these data indicated that a gender and genetic preference of immune-regulatory oligonucleotides is causing unexpected clinical situations such as hair loss.

Corrosion of aluminium alloy 1100 in post-LOCA solutions of a nuclear reactor

The influence of pH and temperature on aluminium corrosion in post-LOCA solutions was investigated and the role of adsorbed boron was discussed.

Cost-effectiveness of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone vs. bortezomib plus melphalan and prednisone in transplant-ineligible U.S. patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a cost-effectiveness assessment of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (Rd) vs bortezomib plus melphalan and prednisone (VMP) as initial treatment for transplant-ineligible patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM), from a U.S. payer perspective.

METHODS

A partitioned survival model was developed to estimate expected life-years (LYs), quality-adjusted LYs (QALYs), direct costs and incremental costs per QALY and LY gained associated with use of Rd vs VMP over a patient's lifetime. Information on the efficacy and safety of Rd and VMP was based on data from multinational phase III clinical trials and a network meta-analysis. Pre-progression direct costs included the costs of Rd and VMP, treatment of adverse events (including prophylaxis) and routine care and monitoring associated with MM. Post-progression direct costs included costs of subsequent treatment(s) and routine care and monitoring for progressive disease, all obtained from published literature and estimated from a U.S. payer perspective. Utilities were obtained from the aforementioned trials. Costs and outcomes were discounted at 3% annually.

RESULTS

Relative to VMP, use of Rd was expected to result in an additional 2.22 LYs and 1.47 QALYs (discounted). Patients initiated with Rd were expected to incur an additional $78,977 in mean lifetime direct costs (discounted) vs those initiated with VMP. The incremental costs per QALY and per LY gained with Rd vs VMP were $53,826 and $35,552, respectively. In sensitivity analyses, results were found to be most sensitive to differences in survival associated with Rd vs VMP, the cost of lenalidomide and the discount rate applied to effectiveness outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Rd was expected to result in greater LYs and QALYs compared with VMP, with similar overall costs per LY for each regimen. Results of this analysis indicated that Rd may be a cost-effective alternative to VMP as initial treatment for transplant-ineligible patients with MM, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio well within the levels for recent advancements in oncology.

High-resolution X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman scattering studies of Ge(:Ga) thin films grown on GaAs (001) substrates by MOCVD

Ga-doped Ge thin films grown on GaAs (001) substrates have been studied and compared with unintentionally doped Ge film by using HRXRD and Raman scattering in both surface and cross-section configurations.

Recurrent activating mutations of CD28 in peripheral T-cell lymphomas

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) comprise a heterogeneous group of mature T-cell neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Recently, mutations in TET2 and other epigenetic modifiers as well as RHOA have been identified in these diseases, particularly in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). CD28 is the major co-stimulatory receptor in T cells which, upon binding ligand, induces sustained T-cell proliferation and cytokine production when combined with T-cell receptor stimulation. We have identified recurrent mutations in CD28 in PTCLs. Two residues-D124 and T195-were recurrently mutated in 11.3% of cases of AITL and in one case of PTCL, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS). Surface plasmon resonance analysis of mutations at these residues with predicted differential partner interactions showed increased affinity for ligand CD86 (residue D124) and increased affinity for intracellular adaptor proteins GRB2 and GADS/GRAP2 (residue T195). Molecular modeling studies on each of these mutations suggested how these mutants result in increased affinities. We found increased transcription of the CD28-responsive genes CD226 and TNFA in cells expressing the T195P mutant in response to CD3 and CD86 co-stimulation and increased downstream activation of NF-κB by both D124V and T195P mutants, suggesting a potential therapeutic target in CD28-mutated PTCLs.

A Mayan founder mutation is a common cause of deafness in Guatemala

Over 5% of the world's population has varying degrees of hearing loss. Mutations in GJB2 are the most common cause of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNHL) in many populations. The frequency and type of mutations are influenced by ethnicity. Guatemala is a multi-ethnic country with four major populations: Maya, Ladino, Xinca, and Garifuna. To determine the mutation profile of GJB2 in a ARNHL population from Guatemala, we sequenced both exons of GJB2 in 133 unrelated families. A total of six pathogenic variants were detected. The most frequent pathogenic variant is c.131G>A (p.Trp44*) detected in 21 of 266 alleles. We show that c.131G>A is associated with a conserved haplotype in Guatemala suggesting a single founder. The majority of Mayan population lives in the west region of the country from where all c.131G>A carriers originated. Further analysis of genome-wide variation of individuals carrying the c.131G>A mutation compared with those of Native American, European, and African populations shows a close match with the Mayan population.

Prevalence of migraine in persons with the 3243A>G mutation in mitochondrial DNA

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Over the last three decades mitochondrial dysfunction has been postulated to be a potential mechanism in migraine pathogenesis. The lifetime prevalence of migraine in persons carrying the 3243A>G mutation in mitochondrial DNA was investigated.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 57 mDNA 3243A>G mutation carriers between May 2012 and October 2014 were included. As a control group, a population-based cohort from our epidemiological studies on migraine in Danes was used. History of headache and migraine was obtained by telephone interview, based on a validated semi-structured questionnaire, performed by trained physicians.

RESULTS

The prevalence of migraine is significantly higher in persons carrying the 3243A>G mutation than in controls (58% vs. 18%; P < 0.001). This applies for both subforms of migraine, migraine without aura (47% vs. 12%; P < 0.001) and migraine with aura (18% vs. 6%; P < 0.001), and in females (58% vs. 24%; P < 0.001) and males (58% vs. 12%; P < 0.001) for any migraine.

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of migraine in persons with the mDNA 3243A>G mutation was found. This finding suggests a clinical association between a monogenetically inherited disorder of mitochondrial dysfunction and susceptibility to migraine. Mitochondrial DNA aberrations may contribute to the pathogenesis of migraine.

Local cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 immunoglobulin inhibition of rejection response is dependent on indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activities in the allograft

A previous study showed that local gene transfer of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 immunoglobulin (CTLA4Ig) significantly prolonged the survival time of rat flap allografts. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is considered to be able to modulate the unresponsiveness state of allografts. In this study, we tested the expression of the CD80 molecule, IDO mRNA, and the level of the tryptophan metabolite kynurenine with or without the application of the IDO blocker 1-methyl-tryptophan (1-MT) in a rat composite tissue allotransplantation model. CD80 expression could be detected in the allograft. The ration of IDO mRNA/glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA and the level of kynurenine were both enhanced (46.3 ± 8.8 versus 4.6 ± 1.8 and 18.9 ± 1.3 μmol/L versus 2.1 ± 0.2 μmol/L separately) after adenovirus-mediated CTLA4Ig (AdCTLA4Ig) transduction. When 1-MT was applied to the AdCTLA4Ig perfusion recipients, the ration of IDO mRNA/GAPDH mRNA (5.2 ± 2.9) and the level of kynurenine (0.8 ± 0.5 μmol/L) were significantly reduced. Moreover, the allograft survival time was greatly reduced when 1-MT was applied to AdCTLA4Ig perfusion recipients compared to single AdCTLA4Ig perfusion therapy recipients (7.2 days versus 13.6 days). We showed that the inhibitory effect of locally delivered CTLA4Ig is dependent on IDO activities within the allograft.

A NIMA-Related Kinase Suppresses the Flagellar Instability Associated with the Loss of Multiple Axonemal Structures

CCDC39 and CCDC40 were first identified as causative mutations in primary ciliary dyskinesia patients; cilia from patients show disorganized microtubules, and they are missing both N-DRC and inner dynein arms proteins. In Chlamydomonas, we used immunoblots and microtubule sliding assays to show that mutants in CCDC40 (PF7) and CCDC39 (PF8) fail to assemble N-DRC, several inner dynein arms, tektin, and CCDC39. Enrichment screens for suppression of pf7; pf8 cells led to the isolation of five independent extragenic suppressors defined by four different mutations in a NIMA-related kinase, CNK11. These alleles partially rescue the flagellar length defect, but not the motility defect. The suppressor does not restore the missing N-DRC and inner dynein arm proteins. In addition, the cnk11 mutations partially suppress the short flagella phenotype of N-DRC and axonemal dynein mutants, but do not suppress the motility defects. The tpg1 mutation in TTLL9, a tubulin polyglutamylase, partially suppresses the length phenotype in the same axonemal dynein mutants. In contrast to cnk11, tpg1 does not suppress the short flagella phenotype of pf7. The polyglutamylated tubulin in the proximal region that remains in the tpg1 mutant is reduced further in the pf7; tpg1 double mutant by immunofluorescence. CCDC40, which is needed for docking multiple other axonemal complexes, is needed for tubulin polyglutamylation in the proximal end of the flagella. The CCDC39 and CCDC40 proteins are likely to be involved in recruiting another tubulin glutamylase(s) to the flagella. Another difference between cnk11-1 and tpg1 mutants is that cnk11-1 cells show a faster turnover rate of tubulin at the flagellar tip than in wild-type flagella and tpg1 flagella show a slower rate. The double mutant shows a turnover rate similar to tpg1, which suggests the faster turnover rate in cnk11-1 flagella requires polyglutamylation. Thus, we hypothesize that many short flagella mutants in Chlamydomonas have increased instability of axonemal microtubules. Both CNK11 and tubulin polyglutamylation play roles in regulating the stability of axonemal microtubules.

Endoplasmic reticulum ribosome-binding protein 1, RRBP1, promotes progression of colorectal cancer and predicts an unfavourable prognosis

BACKGROUND

Ribosome-binding protein 1 (RRBP1) has been implicated in the regulation of unfolded protein response, which is involved in almost every aspect of cancer development. We aimed to explore the significance of RRBP1 in the progression and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

The study population consisted of 856 patients with stage I-III CRC from two hospitals. RRBP1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in colorectal tissues. The correlation of RRBP1 expression and CRC occurrence was assessed in paired cancer-adjacent tissues. Factors contributing to prognosis were evaluated in a training-validation design with univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. Colorectal cancer aggressiveness caused by RRBP1 knockdown or overexpression was evaluated in CRC cells.

RESULTS

RRBP1 was aberrantly overexpressed in CRC. Compared with low-RRBP1 patients, high-RRBP1 patients had shorter disease-specific survival in the training (hazard ratio (HR), 2.423; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.531-3.835) and validation cohorts (HR, 3.749; 95% CI, 2.166-6.448) in multivariate Cox analysis. High-RRBP1 independently predicted a shorter disease-free survival (HR, 4.821; 95% CI, 3.220-7.218) in the validation cohort. RRBP1 knockdown reduced the aggressiveness of CRC cells in vitro and inhibited the growth of CRC xenografts in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

High RRBP1 expression facilitates CRC progression and predicts an unfavourable post-operative prognosis.

Impact of peginterferon beta-1a and disease factors on quality of life in multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

The Phase III ADVANCE study has shown clinical benefits for peginterferon beta-1a 125 µg dosed every 2 weeks versus placebo at 1 year in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). This study assessed the impact of peginterferon beta-1a and disease factors on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using data from ADVANCE.

METHODS

HRQoL was assessed at baseline and 12, 24, and 48 weeks using the 29-item Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) and other generic HRQoL measures. Changes in scores from baseline within each group and differences in mean change from baseline between groups were evaluated. Post-hoc mixed-effects repeated measures analyses were performed to assess the impact of confirmed disability progression and relapses, and the interactions of treatment and these MS events on HRQoL. Predictors with p≥0.1 were excluded from the final models, unless they were clinically meaningful.

RESULTS

Relapses and confirmed disability progression were major drivers of HRQoL. When comparing week 48 to baseline, in placebo-treated patients (n=500), confirmed disability progression was associated with a 6.0-point worsening (p<0.0001) of MSIS-29 physical scores, relative to a 1.9-point worsening (p=0.044) with peginterferon beta-1a every 2 weeks (n=512). Such findings were observed consistently with other generic HRQoL measures. Additionally, having a recent relapse (≤29 days before the HRQoL assessment) was associated with a 10.0-point worsening (p<0.0001) of MSIS-29 psychological scores in placebo-treated patients, compared with a 3.5-point (p=0.031) worsening with peginterferon beta-1a every 2 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with peginterferon beta-1a could help to improve or maintain HRQoL in addition to clinical outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00906399.

A functional single-nucleotide polymorphism in the ERCC1 gene alters the efficacy of narrowband ultraviolet B therapy in patients with active vitiligo in a Chinese population

BACKGROUND

T lymphocytes have been shown to cause the destruction of melanocytes in vitiligo pathogenesis. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), as an effective therapeutic strategy in vitiligo, can lead to the formation of DNA photoproducts such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) in perilesional lymphocytes and thus induce skin immunosuppression. The repair of DNA photoproducts is performed mainly through the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. We hypothesized that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NER genes might influence the repair capacity of CPDs and thus contribute to variations in phototherapy efficiency.

OBJECTIVES

To detect genetic polymorphisms in NER genes and their relationship with the efficacy of NB-UVB therapy in patients with active vitiligo.

METHODS

We investigated the association of NER SNPs (XPA A23G, XPC Ci11A, XPC C2919A and ERCC1 C118T) with phototherapy efficacy in 86 patients with vitiligo who received NB-UVB treatment. Furthermore, we examined the impact of ERCC1 C118T on the apoptosis of T lymphocytes and CPD accumulation after NB-UVB irradiation.

RESULTS

We found that patients with vitiligo with the ERCC1 codon 118 CC genotype showed better efficacy after NB-UVB irradiation than those with the ERCC1 118 TT and CT genotypes, whereas no such association was documented among the genotypes of XPA A23G, XPC Ci11A or XPC C2919A. Additionally, the apoptosis rates and CPD levels of lymphocytes after NB-UVB irradiation in patients with the ERCC1 118 CC genotype were significantly higher than those in patients with the ERCC1 118 TT and CT genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

The ERCC1 118 CC genotype confers better efficacy of NB-UVB therapy in patients with active vitiligo.

Genome-wide scan demonstrates significant linkage for male sexual orientation

BACKGROUND

Findings from family and twin studies support a genetic contribution to the development of sexual orientation in men. However, previous studies have yielded conflicting evidence for linkage to chromosome Xq28.

METHOD

We conducted a genome-wide linkage scan on 409 independent pairs of homosexual brothers (908 analyzed individuals in 384 families), by far the largest study of its kind to date.

RESULTS

We identified two regions of linkage: the pericentromeric region on chromosome 8 (maximum two-point LOD = 4.08, maximum multipoint LOD = 2.59), which overlaps with the second strongest region from a previous separate linkage scan of 155 brother pairs; and Xq28 (maximum two-point LOD = 2.99, maximum multipoint LOD = 2.76), which was also implicated in prior research.

CONCLUSIONS

Results, especially in the context of past studies, support the existence of genes on pericentromeric chromosome 8 and chromosome Xq28 influencing development of male sexual orientation.

Dental Follicle Cells Participate in Tooth Eruption via the RUNX2-MiR-31-SATB2 Loop

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is characterized by the runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) mutation, which results in delayed tooth eruption due to disturbed functions of dental follicle. Accumulating evidence has revealed a key regulatory circuit, including RUNX2, miR-31, and special AT-rich binding protein 2 (SATB2) acting in concert in mesenchymal stem cell homeostasis and functions. However, whether such a regulatory loop works in dental follicle cells (DFCs) remains unknown. Herein, we investigated the roles of RUNX2-miR-31-SATB2 in DFCs from patients with CCD (DFCs-CCD) to advance our understanding regarding physical tooth eruption. We identified a novel mutation on exon 5 (c.634T>G, p.T212P) in RUNX2 via exome sequencing in the CCD patient with typical clinical presentations. Compared with DFCs from healthy donors, DFCs-CCD displayed significantly lower osteogenic, osteoclast-inductive, and matrix-degrading capacities and had lower RUNX2 (a transcriptional inhibitor of miR-31), higher miR-31, and downregulated SATB2. Lower ratios of RANKL/OPG and RANKL/RANK, as well as decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), would lead to inactivation of osteoclasts and suppression of bone matrix remodeling in DFCs-CCD. Furthermore, the roles of the RUNX2-miR-31-SATB2 loop in DFCs-CCD were revealed by endogenous miR-31 knockdown, which resulted in increased SATB2 and RUNX2, as well as osteoclast-inductive and matrix degradation capacities. Conversely, SATB2, RUNX2, MMP9, MMP2, and osteoclast-inductive factors expression declined upon ectopic miR-31 overexpression in normal DFCs. Importantly, neonatal mice with in vivo siRUNX2 delivery exhibited less activated osteoclasts around dental follicles and delayed tooth eruption. Together, these results suggest that RUNX2 mutation/haploinsufficiency disturbs osteoclast-inductive signaling in DFCs, which may be responsible for delayed tooth eruption in CCD patients. Manipulation of the RUNX2-miR-31-SATB2 loop may be a potential way to facilitate tooth eruption in CCD patients.

[Significance and implication on changes of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen in the diagnosis of recurrence squamous cell carcinoma of cervix]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the significance of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) in the diagnose of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of cervix, and seek an effective approach to monitor tumor recurrence after treatment as early as possible.

METHODS

All the data were collected from 1 557 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College from Jan. 2004 to Dec. 2010, the data of un-controlled cases(patients whose serum level of SCC- Ag failed to decrease to normal level or patients with incomplete tumor extinction)were eliminated, there were 1 394 cases of complete remission were analyzed, the median age was 46 years( rang, 18-72 years). According to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages (FIGO, 1994), 71 cases were in stage Ia, 360 cases stage Ib, 254 cases stage IIa, 207 cases stage IIb, 95 cases stage IIIa, 289 cases stage IIIb, 106 cases stage IVa and 12 cases stage IVb. Radical hysterectomy was performed in 685 cases with stage I-IIa, concurrent radiation and chemotherapy was performed in 709 cases with stage IIb-IV. Taking serum cut off value of SCC- Ag was 1.95 µg/L, the level ≤ 1.95 µg/L as SCC- Ag negative expression and >1.95 µg/L as SCC-Ag positive expression. The positive expression status of SCC-Ag before treatment, the relationship between the post-treatment recurrence rate after SCC-Ag becoming negative and the clinicopathological features of the patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed, concurrently combined with gynecological check- up, pathological and imaging examination, followed by comparative analysis with the results of monitoring.

RESULTS

Among 1 394 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma, there were 1 169 cases with positive SCC-Ag, the positive expression rate of SCC-Ag before treatment was closely related with the clinical stages and tumor size(all P < 0.01), which was not related with pathological grade and lymphatic metastasis(all P > 0.05). The positive expression of SCC-Ag in 1 169 patients before treatment turned negative after treatment, 279 patients with recurrence whose positive expression of SCC- Ag turned negative after treatment, the recurrence rate was closely related with clinical stages, pathological grade, lymphatic metastasis and tumor size(all P < 0.01). Among 279 cases of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of cervix, the median time of the increase in serum level of SCC-Ag was 12.4 months, and the median time of clinical or imaging examination was 19.0 months. And the recurrence time in the increase of patients' serum level of SCC- Ag occurred obviously earlier than that in clinical or radiographic manifestation (P < 0.01), the median time of recurrence of the increase in serum level of SCC-Ag was obviously earlier than that of abnormality found by clinical or imaging examination(P < 0.01). Among 279 cases with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of cervix, the serum level of SCC-Ag >5 µg/L for patients with central recurrence was 4.2% (4/96), while in the group of pelvic wall recurrence group was 56.2% (45/80)and in distant metastasis group was 87.4% (90/103). The level of SCC- Ag >5 µg/L from the patients with pelvic wall recurrence and distant metastasis were much higher than that of patients with central recurrence (P < 0.01), and the same results were shown between distant metastasis group and pelvic wall recurrent group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

SSC-Ag expression in serum of patients with cervical squamous carcinoma is closely related with clinical stages and the tumor size. Dynamic monitoring the level of SSC-Ag could contribute to the early diagnosis for tumor recurrence, but it has some limitations for patients with central recurrence, which should deserve our attention.

Pathoanatomy and treatment modifications of metacarpophalangeal joint locking of the thumb

Ten patients with metacarpophalangeal joint locking of the thumb were studied. Three of them underwent surgical release. During surgery, it was found that the radial sesamoid was seated in a cartilage defect on the volar aspect of the metacarpal head. It appeared that the defect was created by the proximal edge of sesamoid. When the abductor pollicis brevis and flexor pollicis brevis muscles were partially detached from their insertion at the base of the proximal phalanx, the locking could be successfully released. We hypothesize the mechanism of the metacarpophalangeal joint locking of the thumb in our cases was a hyperextension injury that displaced the radial sesamoid distally and radially. In turn, the sesamoid's pointed proximal edge wore a groove in the cartilage on the metacarpal head, and under abductor pollicis brevis and flexor pollicis brevis tension, the radial sesamoid was locked into the cartilage defect; thereby causing locking of the joint.