Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen titres in Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients over 4 years of entecavir treatment

BACKGROUND

The clinical value of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) titre in patients taking nucleotide/nucleoside analogues (NAs) is still controversial. This study aims to investigate the dynamic changes of qHBsAg titres and their significance for predicting virological response (VR) and serological response (SR) to long-term entecavir (ETV) treatment.

METHODS

A total of 48 ETV-naive patients were enrolled and followed prospectively for 4 years, 32 of whom were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive at baseline. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), qualitative HBV serological markers and HBV DNA were detected; qHBsAg titres were measured using Elecsys(®) HBsAg II Quant Assay (Roche Diagnostics, Penzberg, Germany).

RESULTS

The mean baseline HBV DNA and qHBsAg were 7.51 log10 copies/ml and 3.78 log10 IU/ml, respectively. After 48 months of ETV treatment, the rates of VR (<291 copies/ml), ALT normalization and SR (HBeAg/antibody to HBeAg [anti-HBe]) were 89.6% (43/48), 89.6% (43/48) and 34.4% (11/32), respectively. There was a decrease in qHBsAg titres from baseline to month 48, ranging from 3.78 to 3.10 log10 IU/ml. The greatest decrease of qHBsAg was observed in the first 3 months of treatment (0.47 log10 IU/ml), which was significantly correlated with corresponding HBV DNA decreases (3.89 log10 copies/ml; P=0.032). By using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, qHBsAg titres at baseline (area under the curve [AUROC]=0.647) and 3 months after treatment (AUROC=0.586) had poor power in predicting 48-month VR; qHBsAg titres at baseline (AUROC=0.779) and 3 months after ETV treatment (AUROC=0.658) had poor power in predicting 48-month SR in patients who were HBeAg-positive at baseline. Additionally, the decrease of qHBsAg in the first 3 months of treatment also had poor power in predicting either 48 month VR or SR.

CONCLUSIONS

ETV is efficacious in NA-naive patients, and qHBsAg titres decreased significantly in the first 3 months of ETV treatment. However, qHBsAg titre was not a good predictor of 4-year VR and HBeAg/anti-HBe SR in this cohort.

Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma causing walking difficulties

Eccrine angiomatous hamartoma (EAH) is a rare tumoral lesion that consists of vascular and eccrine malformation and often occurs in the distal extremities of children. Although EAH is benign, a therapeutic excision may be required for symptomatic or cosmetic considerations. We hereby report a typical case of EAH presenting as a painful and rapidly growing plaque on the right thigh. The associated symptoms of pain, hyperhidrosis and local hypertrichosis caused walking difficulties until the patient was cured by two excisional surgeries.

Clinicopathology, immunophenotype, T cell receptor gene rearrangement, Epstein-Barr virus status and p53 gene mutation of cutaneous extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal-type

BACKGROUND

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell (NK/T cell) lymphoma, nasal-type, is a rare lymphoma. Skin is the second most common site of involvement after the nasal cavity/nasalpharynx. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype, T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement, the association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and p53 gene mutations of the lymphoma.

METHODS

The clinicopathologic analysis, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization for EBER1/2, TCR gene rearrangement by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), mutations of p53 gene analyzed by PCR and sequence analysis were employed in this study.

RESULTS

In the 19 cases, the tumor primarily involved the dermis and subcutaneous layer. Immunohistochemical staining showed that most of the cases expressed CD45RO, CD56, CD3ε, TIA-1 and GrB. Three cases were positive for CD3 and two cases were positive for CD30. Monoclonal TCRγ gene rearrangement was found in 7 of 18 cases. The positive rate of EBER1/2 was 100%. No p53 gene mutation was detected on the exon 4 - 9 in the 18 cases. Fifteen cases showed Pro (proline)/Arg (arginine) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the exon 4 at codon 72. The expression of p53 protein was 72% (13/18) immunohistochemically.

CONCLUSIONS

Cutaneous NK/T-cell lymphoma is a rare but highly aggressive lymphoma with poor prognosis. No p53 gene mutation was detected on the exon 4 - 9, and Pro/Arg SNPs on p53 codon 72 were detected in the cutaneous NK/T-cell lymphoma. The overexpression of p53 protein may not be the result of p53 gene mutation.

Aquaporin-1 plays a crucial role in estrogen-induced tubulogenesis of vascular endothelial cells

CONTEXT

Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) has been proposed as a mediator of estrogen-induced angiogenesis in human breast cancer and endometrial cancer. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms governing AQP1-mediated, estrogen-induced angiogenesis may contribute to an improved understanding of tumor development.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to identify the estrogen-response element (ERE) in the promoter of the Aqp1 gene and investigate the effects and mechanisms of AQP1 on estrogen-induced tubulogenesis of vascular endothelial cells.

SETTING

The study was conducted in a university hospital in eastern China.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Immunohistological, real-time PCR and Western blot analyses were used to determine the expression AQP1 mRNA and protein in vascular endothelial cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses and luciferase reporter assays identified ERE-like motif in the promoter of the Aqp1 gene.

RESULTS

Expression of AQP1 in blood vessels of human breast and endometrial carcinoma tissues were significantly higher than controls. Estradiol (E2) dose-dependently increased the expression levels of AQP1 mRNA and protein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). A functional ERE-like motif was identified in the promoter of the Aqp1 gene. AQP1 colocalized with ezrin, a component of the ezrin/radixin/moesin protein complex, and, ezrin colocalized with filamentous actin in HUVECs. Knockdown of AQP1 or ezrin with specific small interfering RNA significantly attenuated the formation of transcytoplasmic filamentous actin stress fibers induced by E2 and inhibited E2-enhanced cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tubule formation of HUVECs.

CONCLUSIONS

Estrogen induces AQP1 expression by activating ERE in the promoter of the Aqp1 gene, resulting in tubulogenesis of vascular endothelial cells. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning the angiogenic effects of estrogen.

[Study on intestinal absorption of tilianin in rats of single-pass perfusion model]

OBJECTIVE

To study the intestinal absorption mechanism of tilianin in rats.

METHOD

The single-pass perfusion model was established in rats. The concentrations of tilianin with in situ intestinal perfusion were determined by HPLC. The impact factors, such as verapamil, reserpine, phloridzin and rifampicin, on Ka and Papp of tilianin in rat jejunum were investigated.

RESULT

Compared with the control group, Ka and Papp in rat jejunum were significantly higher after being added with verapamil and reserpine (P < 0.05). Papp of tilianin in rat jejunum was significantly lower after being added with phloridzin (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, both Ka and Papp of tilianin in rat jejunum were not significantly higher after being added with rifampicin.

CONCLUSION

Tilianin is the substrate of P-gp, BCRP and SGLT1. The effluent effect of P-gp and BCRP is the main mechanism of tilianin in intestinal absorption, indicating that tilianin can realize intestinal absorption and transport by relying on SGLT1. Tilianin is not the substrate of bile salt transporter protein.

[Effect of Dingguier umbilical paste on rats with functional dyspepsia and mice with splenic asthenia]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of Dingguier umbilical paste on rats with functional dyspepsia and mice with splenic asthenia, and investigate the related mechanism.

METHOD

Functional dyspepsia models of rats were made by irregular food intake plus diluted hydrochloric acid. Successional treatments were offered for 14 days. The rats weights, contents of serum NO, AChE and MC were measured. The rats with splenic asthenia were made by rhubarb feed, and observed the affection of gastric emptying.

RESULT

Compared with those in the model control group, the weight of rats in all dosages Dingguier umbilical paste groups increased obviously (P < 0.05), pepsin activity of rats in the dosage (1.34 g x kg(-1)) Dingguier umbilical paste groups was significantly higher and the contents of NO and quantities of MC in the dosage (2.67 g x kg(-1)) Dingguier umbilical paste groups decreased clearly (P < 0.05), and the contents of serum AChE in all dosages Dingguier umbilical paste groups rose apparently. The weight of mice with splenic asthenia increased obviously, accelerated gastric emptying, and improved the symptom.

CONCLUSION

Dingguier umbilical paste has significant improvement of indigestion. The related mechanism may be to reduce the content of serum NO and the quantity of MC and enhance the content of serum AChE.

Comparative analysis of the envelope glycoproteins of foamy viruses

One of the most fascinating findings in retrovirology is the construction of viral vectors based on foamy viruses (FVs) for gene therapy. The envelope glycoprotein (Env), one of the structural proteins of FV, is an important antigen in the immunoassays, as it is highly specific. To compare the characteristics of all 15 available FV Envs, the phylogenesis, hydrophobicity, modifications, and conserved motifs were analyzed based on the Env sequences. Meanwhile, the secondary structures of transmembrane (TM) domains of FV Envs were predicted. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on Envs indicated that the foamy viruses from different hosts could form three groups. The hydrophobicity analysis revealed that FV Envs had two prominent hydrophobic regions, which was similar to other retroviruses. Though the glycosylation, ubiquitination, and the secondary structures of TM domains of FV Envs were in line with other retroviruses, the roles were distinctly different. Interestingly, the analyses of conserved motifs suggested that FV Envs possessed several specific functional motifs.

Capture and conversion of CO2 at ambient conditions by a conjugated microporous polymer

Conjugated microporous polymers are a new class of porous materials with an extended π-conjugation in an amorphous organic framework. Owing to the wide-ranging flexibility in the choice and design of components and the available control of pore parameters, these polymers can be tailored for use in various applications, such as gas storage, electronics and catalysis. Here we report a class of cobalt/aluminium-coordinated conjugated microporous polymers that exhibit outstanding CO2 capture and conversion performance at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. These polymers can store CO2 with adsorption capacities comparable to metal-organic frameworks. The cobalt-coordinated conjugated microporous polymers can also simultaneously function as heterogeneous catalysts for the reaction of CO2 and propylene oxide at atmospheric pressure and room temperature, wherein the polymers demonstrate better efficiency than a homogeneous salen-cobalt catalyst. By combining the functions of gas storage and catalysts, this strategy provides a direction for cost-effective CO2 reduction processes.

Bone morphogenetic protein-15 in follicle fluid combined with age may differentiate between successful and unsuccessful poor ovarian responders

BACKGROUND

The counselling of poor ovarian responders about the probability of pregnancy remains a puzzle for gynaecologists. The aim of this study was to optimise the management of poor responders by investigating the role of the oocyte-derived factor bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15) combined with chronological age in the prediction of the outcome of in-vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in poor responders.

METHODS

A retrospective study conducted in a university hospital. A total of 207 poor ovarian responders who reached the ovum pick-up stage undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with three or fewer follicles no less than 14 mm on the day of oocyte retrieval were recruited from July 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009. Another 215 coinstantaneous cycles with normal responses were selected as controls. The BMP-15 levels in the follicular fluid (FF) of the 207 poor responders were analysed by western blot. Based on the FF BMP-15 level and age, poor responders were sub-divided into four groups. The main outcome measures were the FF BMP-15 level, implantation rate, pregnancy rate, and live birth rate.

RESULTS

The implantation rate (24.2% vs. 15.3%), chemical pregnancy rate (40% vs. 23.7%), clinical pregnancy rate (36.5% vs. 20.4%) and live birth rate (29.4% vs. 15.1%) in the high BMP-15 group were significantly higher than those in the low BMP-15 group. Furthermore, poor responders aged less than or equal to 35 years with a higher FF BMP-15 level had the best implantation, pregnancy and live birth rates, which were comparable with those of normal responders.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests a potential role of BMP-15 in the prediction of the IVF outcome. A high FF BMP-15 combined with an age less than or equal to 35 years may be used as a potential indicator for repeating IVF cycles in poor ovarian responders.

1-[(3,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)carbonyl]-5-methylindolizine-3-carbonitrile

In the title mol­ecule, C₁₆H₁₄N₄O, the indolizine ring system is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.013 (3) Å, and forms a dihedral angle of 7.52 (12)° with the pyrazole ring. In the crystal, weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking inter­actions, with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.6378 (16) Å, link mol­ecules along [001].

Development of indirect ELISAs for differential serodiagnosis of classical and highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

The objective of this study was to develop two indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (iELISAs) for detection of serum antibodies against classical vaccine strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and highly pathogenic PRRSV (HP-PRRSV). To detect the common antibodies against classical and HP-PRRSV, the coating antigen used in the iELISA (designated iELISA-180) was the antigen of Nsp2-180, the 180aa at amino terminal of Nsp2. To detect the different antibodies against classical and HP-PRRSV, the coating antigen in the second iELISA (designated iELISA-D29) was Nsp2-D29, the deleted 29aa in Nsp2 of HP-PRRSV. The antigen concentration and serum dilutions were optimized using a draughtboard titration. The cut-off values of 0.361 at OD(450nm) for the iELISA-180 and 0.27 at OD(450nm) for the iELISA-D29 were determined by testing a panel of 120 classical PRRSV positive and 198 PRRSV negative pig serum samples, which generated the specificity of 97.1% and 96.7%, the sensitivity of 96.9% and 96.3% for iELISA-180 and iELISA-D29, respectively. The agreements between the Western blot and iELISA-180 and iELISA-D29 were 98%, 96.7%, respectively. The developed iELISAs can be used to differentiate serologically HP-PRRSV from the vaccinated or classical PRRSV in clinical serum samples.

[Application of TRUST, TP-ELISA and TPPA in the serologic diagnosis of syphilis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the application value of toluidine red unheated serum test (TRUST), treponema pallidum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TP-ELISA) and treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPPA) in the serologic diagnosis of syphilis.

METHODS

We collected serum samples from 12 622 inpatients, 2 253 outpatients and 1 500 subjects in the medical examination center, and screened them by TRUST and TP-ELISA, followed by quantitative tests using TRUST and TPPA.

RESULTS

Among the 16 375 cases, clinically diagnosed syphilis was confirmed in 384, with a positive rate of 100% either by TRUST (1:2 -1 :16) or TPPA (1:80 - 1:2 560), and 92.2% by TP-ELISA.

CONCLUSION

TP-ELISA and TRUST should be simultaneously used for syphilis screening, but not TP-ELISA alone, and the results should be confirmed by TPPA. The combination of the three methods plays a valuable role in reducing the misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis, and contributes to the early and accurate diagnosis of syphilis.

Down-regulation of S100A11, a calcium-binding protein, in human endometrium may cause reproductive failure

BACKGROUND

Low expression levels of S100A11 proteins were demonstrated in the placental villous tissue of patients with early pregnancy loss, and S100A11 is a Ca2+-binding protein that interprets the calcium fluctuations and elicits various cellular responses.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to determine S100A11 expression in human endometrium and its roles in endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation.

METHODS

S100A11 expression in human endometrium was analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical techniques. The effects of S100A11 on embryo implantation were examined using in vivo mouse model, and JAr (a human choriocarcinoma cell line) spheroid attachment assays. The effects of endometrial S100A11 on factors related to endometrial receptivity and immune responses were examined. Using a fluorescence method, we examined the changes in cytosolic Ca2+ and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-treated endometrial cells transfected with or without S100A11 small interfering RNA.

RESULTS

S100A11 was expressed in human endometrium. S100A11 protein levels were significantly lower in endometrium of women with failed pregnancy than that in women with successful pregnancy outcomes. The knockdown of endometrial S100A11 not only reduced embryo implantation rate in mouse but also had adverse effects on the expression of factors related to endometrial receptivity and immune responses in human endometrial cells. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that S100A11 proteins were mainly localized in endoplasmic reticulum. The EGF up-regulated endometrial S100A11 expression and promoted the Ca2+ uptake and release from Ca2+ stores, which was inhibited by the knockdown of S100A11.

CONCLUSIONS

Endometrial S100A11 is a crucial intermediator in EGF-stimulated embryo adhesion, endometrium receptivity, and immunotolerance via affecting Ca2+ uptake and release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. Down-regulation of S100A11 may cause reproductive failure.

Effect of biochar amendment on the bioavailability of pesticide chlorantraniliprole in soil to earthworm

To evaluate the effect of biochar amendment on the bioavailability of chlorantraniliprole (CAP) in soils with different physico-chemical properties, the uptake of CAP from various soils by earthworms was studied. It was observed that the biochar amendment of the soils affected the sorption of CAP, but the magnitude of the sorption enhancement by biochar amendment among the soils was varied, presumably due to the attenuation of the sorptivity of the biochar when amended in the soil. The amendment with biochars leads to a decrease in the bioavailability of CAP in the soils to earthworms, and more prominent for biochar BC850 amendment. In the soil with a CAP concentration of 10 mg kg(-1), the residue of CAP in the earthworm tissues was found to be 9.65 mg kg(-1), in comparison with that the CAP residue was 4.05 mg kg(-1) in BC450 amended soil and 0.59 mg kg(-1) in BC850, respectively. The degree of bioavailability reduction by same level of biochar amendment was different among soils with different properties. The results demonstrate that the properties of soils are important to performance of biochar in soil.

[Impact of biochar amendment on the sorption and dissipation of chlorantraniliprole in soils]

The effects of biochar amendment on sorption and dissipation of chlorantraniliprole (CAP) in 5 different agricultural soils were studied. Red gum wood (Eucalyptus spp.) derived biochar was amended into a black soil, a yellow soil, a red soil, a purplish soil, and a fluvo-aquic soil at the rate of 0.5% (by weight). The sorption and dissipation behaviors of CAP in soils with and without biochar amendment were measured by batch equilibration technique and dissipation kinetic experiment, respectively. The objective was to investigate the impact of biochar application on the environmental fate of pesticides in agricultural soils with different physical-chemical properties, and evaluate the potential ecological impacts of field application of biochar materials. The results showed that biochar application in soils could enhance the sorption of CAP, but the magnitudes were varied among soils with different properties. Amendment of 0.5% (by weight) biochar in the black soil, which have high content of organic matter (4.59%), resulted in an increase of sorption coefficient (K(d)) by 2.17%; while for the fluvo-aquic soil with organic matter content of 1.16%, amendment of biochar at the same level led to an increase of 139.13%. The sorption capacity of biochar was partially suppressed when biochar was mixed with soils. The calculated K(Fbiochar) of biochar after mixed in the black soil, yellow soil, red soil, purplish soil, and fluvo-aquic soil were decreased by 96.94%, 90.6%, 91.31%, 68.26%, and 34.59%, respectively, compared to that of the original biochar. The half-lives of CAP in black soil, yellow soil, red soil, purplish soil, and fluvo-aquic soil were 115.52, 133.30, 154.03, 144.41 and 169.06 d, respectively. In soils amended with biochar, the corresponding half-lives of CAP were extended by 20.39, 35.76, 38.51, 79.19, and 119.75 d, respectively. Similar to the effects of biochar on CAP sorption, in soil with higher content of organic matter, the retardation of CAP dissipation by amending biochar was smaller than that in soil with lower content of organic matter. Our results suggested that application of biochar in soils could enhance the sorption and sequestration of CAP, and retard its soil dissipation, but the magnitudes depended on the organic matter content of the soils.

Functional expression of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels in human endometrium: a novel mechanism involved in endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation

BACKGROUND

Large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BK(Ca) channels) mediate physiological processes in nonexcitable cells.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine BK(Ca) channel expression in human endometrium and its role in endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation.

METHODS

BK(Ca) channel expression in human endometrium is described at different phases of the menstrual cycle using quantitative real time-PCR and Western blot techniques. Their effects on embryo implantation were examined using JAr spheroid attachment assays and in vivo mouse model. We examined their effects on endometrial receptivity factors, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity using quantitative real time-PCR, Western blot, and EMSA analyses. Changes in electrophysiological properties and cytosolic free Ca(2+) were measured in endometrial cells with or without specific BK(Ca) blocker or transfected with BK(Ca) small interfering RNA using patch-clamp and fluorescence analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

BK(Ca) channels are expressed in human endometrial cells in a phase-related fashion during the menstrual cycle (proliferative, 0.20 ± 0.02, vs. mid-secretory, 0.72 ± 0.07; P < 0.01). Blocking BK(Ca) channel function or knockdown of endogenous BK(Ca) channel expression not only decreased JAr spheroid attachment rate and embryo implantation rate in mice but also significantly reduced the expression levels of endometrial receptive factors, including leukemia inhibitory factor, integrin β3, claudin-4, and DKK-1, in human endometrial cells. Blocking BK(Ca) channels also reduced BK(Ca)-regulated NF-κB activity, cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations, and membrane potentials in human endometrial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations demonstrate that BK(Ca) channels: 1) are expressed in endometrial cells; 2) affect embryo implantation by mediating endometrial receptive factors; and 3) alter the activity of NF-κB and homeostasis of Ca(2+) in the human endometrial cells.

Identification of estrogen response element in the aquaporin-2 gene that mediates estrogen-induced cell migration and invasion in human endometrial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence suggests that aquaporins (AQP) can facilitate cell migration, invasion, and proliferation in tumor development in addition to water transport.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine AQP2 expression in the endometrial tissues from patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC) and determine the roles and mechanisms of AQP2 in estrogen-related cell migration, invasion, adhesion, and proliferation of Ishikawa (IK) cells.

APPROACH

AQP2 expression levels were measured in human endometrial cells and estradiol (E(2))-treated IK cells, and the estrogen-response element was identified. After blocking down and up-regulating the endogenous expression of AQP2 in IK cells, cell morphology, capacity for invasion, migration and adhesion, and expression markers of membrane/cytoskeleton were analyzed.

RESULTS

AQP2 was expressed in endometrial tissues from patients with EC and endometriosis, both of which are estrogen-dependent diseases. In IK cells, E(2) dose-dependently increased AQP2 expression, which was blocked by the estrogen receptor inhibitor ICI182780. An estrogen-response element was identified in the AQP2 promoter. E(2) significantly increased the migration, invasion, adhesion, and proliferation of IK cells. AQP2 knockdown attenuated E(2)-enhanced migration, invasion, and adhesion. AQP2 knockdown reduced not only the E(2)-enhanced expression of F-actin and annexin-2 but also the E(2)-induced alteration of cell morphology. Moreover, higher expression levels of F-actin and annexin-2 were detected in the endometrial tissues from patients with EC.

CONCLUSIONS

AQP2 mediates E(2)-enhanced migration, invasion, and adhesion through alteration of F-actin and annexin-2 expression and reorganization of F-actin, and inhibition of AQP may be a potential method for antitumor therapy.

Caveolin-1 plays a crucial role in inhibiting neuronal differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells via VEGF signaling-dependent pathway

In the present study, we aim to elucidate the roles of caveolin-1(Cav-1), a 22 kDa protein in plasma membrane invaginations, in modulating neuronal differentiation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). In the hippocampal dentate gyrus, we found that Cav-1 knockout mice revealed remarkably higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the more abundant formation of newborn neurons than wild type mice. We then studied the potential mechanisms of Cav-1 in modulating VEGF signaling and neuronal differentiation in isolated cultured NPCs under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Hypoxic embryonic rat NPCs were exposed to 1% O₂ for 24 h and then switched to 21% O₂ for 1, 3, 7 and 14 days whereas normoxic NPCs were continuously cultured with 21% O₂. Compared with normoxic NPCs, hypoxic NPCs had down-regulated expression of Cav-1 and up-regulated VEGF expression and p44/42MAPK phosphorylation, and enhanced neuronal differentiation. We further studied the roles of Cav-1 in inhibiting neuronal differentiation by using Cav-1 scaffolding domain peptide and Cav-1-specific small interfering RNA. In both normoxic and hypoxic NPCs, Cav-1 peptide markedly down-regulated the expressions of VEGF and flk1, decreased the phosphorylations of p44/42MAPK, Akt and Stat3, and inhibited neuronal differentiation, whereas the knockdown of Cav-1 promoted the expression of VEGF, phosphorylations of p44/42MAPK, Akt and Stat3, and stimulated neuronal differentiation. Moreover, the enhanced phosphorylations of p44/42MAPK, Akt and Stat3, and neuronal differentiation were abolished by co-treatment of VEGF inhibitor V1. These results provide strong evidence to prove that Cav-1 can inhibit neuronal differentiation via down-regulations of VEGF, p44/42MAPK, Akt and Stat3 signaling pathways, and that VEGF signaling is a crucial target of Cav-1. The hypoxia-induced down-regulation of Cav-1 contributes to enhanced neuronal differentiation in NPCs.

Characterization of vector diffraction-free beams

It is observed that a constant unit vector denoted by I is needed to characterize a complete orthonormal set of vector diffraction-free beams. The previously found diffraction-free beams are shown to be included as special cases. The I-dependence of the longitudinal component of diffraction-free beams is also discussed.

Characteristics and evolution of the PUF gene family in Bombyx mori and 27 other species

The Pumilio protein is the founding member of the PUF family of RNA-binding proteins, which contains 8 repeat Puf domains and plays important roles during embryogenesis and post-embryogenesis by binding the Nanos response element (NRE) of specific target genes in eukaryotes. In addition, many other proteins containing the Puf domain were identified but with different functions from the Pumilio protein in various species. Taking advantage of the newly assembled genome sequences, in this study we performed a genome-wide analysis of PUF genes in silkworm and other 27 species. In the silkworm, three PUF genes were identified, named Bmpumilio, Bmpenguin and Bmnop by homology analysis. In fungi and animals, four evolutionarily conservational PUF gene families were identified, Group-A, -B, -C and -D. While Group-A, -C, and -D are present in all fungi and animals, Group-B was only identified in fungi. Interestingly, the number and features of the Puf domains are distinct in each group, suggesting different roles for these proteins in every group. The EST and microarray data showed that the mRNA of the three PUF genes can be widely detected in all tissues of the silkworm. Our results provide some new insights into the functions and evolutionary characteristics of PUF proteins.

[Expression of goat IL-18 mature protein in insect/baculovirus and determination of bioactivity of the recombinant protein]

AIM

To express goat IL-18 in insect/baculovirus and detect the bioactivity of the recombinant protein.

METHODS

The mature goat interleukin-18(gIL-18) gene was cloned into the baculovirus transfer vector pFastBac Dual, and then the resulting eukaryotic expression plasmid pFastBac Dual-gIL18 was transformed into DH10Bac, followed by the identification of Bacmid-gIL18 recombinat plosmid by three antibiotics and blue-white patch. Finally, the recombinant bacmid was transfected into sf9 insect cells by Cellfectin and the transfected cells were harvested at different times. Then the expressed protein was identified by SDS-PAGE, Western blot and bioactivity assay.

RESULTS

The recombinant protein recognized and bound to its specific antibody. Bioactivity assay showed that the recombinant protein stimulated the proliferation of lymphocytes and induced IFN-γproduction in spleen lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION

The mature gIL-18 protein has been expressed successfully in insect/baculovirus expression system, and have good immunogenicity and bioactivity. The study paves a way for application of gIL-18 as an immunomodulator or immune adjuvant.

[Heterologous expression of attacin gene from Musca domestica in Pichia pastoris]

OBJECTIVE

To construct recombinant expression plasmid with an antibacterial peptide (attacin) mature peptide gene from Musca domestica and express an antibacterial peptide attacin in Pichia pastoris.

METHODS

The coding region of attacin mature peptide was cloned into the expression vector pPIC9K. The recombinant plasmid was linearized by digestion with Sac I and transformed into P. pastoris GS115 by electroporation. The insert clones containing multiple copies were selected with geneticin, pha, enotype and PCR. The expression of P. pastoris GS115/pPIC9K-attacin were induced with methanol. The supernatant of the expressed protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The anti-bacterial activity of expression product was analyzed by agarose diffusion assay.

RESULTS

The expression plasmid was constructed and transformed into P. pastoris GS115. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis indicated that the recombinant containing recombinant plasmid pPIC9K-attacin expressed a Mr 22000 protein. The expression product inhibited the growth of E. coli K12D31.

CONCLUSION

The attacin gene from Musca domestica has been expressed in P. pastoris.

Poly[aqua-hemi(μ(4)-oxalato)[μ(3)-5-(pyrazin-2-yl)tetra-zolato]cadmium(II)]

In the title polymeric complex, [Cd(C₅H₃N₆)(C₂O₄)_0.5(H₂O)]_n, the Cd^II ion is coordinated by four O atoms and three N atoms from two 5-(pyrazin-2-yl)tetra­zolate ligands, two oxalate ligands and one water mol­ecule, displaying a distorted monocapped octa­hedral geometry. The bridging ligands link metal centres, forming a three-dimensional network which is stabilized by inter­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen-bonding inter­actions.

Formation of cyanide from carbon 1 of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid during its conversion to ethylene

It has been shown that 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) is the immediate precursor of ethylene, which is derived from C-2 and C-3 of ACC. When [1-(14)C]ACC was administered to etiolated mungbean (Vigna radiata) hypocotyls, approximately 16% of the ACC was converted to ethylene and about 10% of the radioactivity was converted to [(14)C]asparagine in 7 hr. In etiolated epicotyls of common vetch (Vicia sativa), after 7 hr about 14% of the ACC was converted to ethylene and 16% of the radioactivity was converted to beta-cyanoalanine plus gamma-glutamyl-beta-cyanoalanine. Itis known that in most plants cyanide is metabolized to asparagine via the intermediate beta-cyanoalanine, whereas in a fewplants such as V. sativa, beta-cyanoalanine is converted to the conjugate gamma-glutamyl-beta-cyanoalanine. We confirmed that [(14)C]cyanide was metabolized into [(14)C]asparagine in mungbean and into [(14)C]cyanoalanine plus its conjugate in V. sativa. Moreover, after feeding plant tissue with [1-(14)C]ACC, [(14)C]asparagine isolated from mungbean and beta-[(14)C]cyanoalanine from V. sativa were labeled in the C-4 position, as would be expected if these two compounds were derived from [(14)C]cyanide. When the conversion of ACC to ethylene in V. sativa tissue was inhibited by high temperature (41 degrees C), the conversion of [1-(14)C]ACC to beta-[(14)C]cyanoalanine and gamma-glutamyl-beta-[(14)C]cyanoalanine was similarly inhibited. When [carboxyl-(14)C]ACC was administered to mungbean and V. sativa, (14)CO(2) was recovered in an amount equivalent to the amount of ethylene produced. These data indicate that in the conversion of ACC to ethylene the carboxyl group yields CO(2), and C-1 is released as HCN.

Apoptosis of lens epithelial cells induced by cinobufagin in vitro

AIM

To investigate the in vitro effects and mechanism of action of cinobufacini on apoptosis of lens epithelial cells (LEC).

METHODS

Rabbit LEC were cultured for 72 hours with cinobufacini at different concentrations(0.0 [control], 0.1, 0.2, 0.3mg/L). The inhibition ratio of cinobufacini acting on LEC was analyzed by ethyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT); the changes in DNA structure, by electrophoresis, and the apoptosis rate, by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes bcl-2 and bax was examined using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

At concentrations of 0.1mg/L-0.3mg/L, cinobufacini inhibited LEC proliferation. The inhibition ratio increased as the concentration of the drug increased. The typical DNA-ladders on electrophoretic gels were observed for extracts of LEC in the treated groups. The higher the drug concentration (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3mg/L) was, the higher the apoptosis rate (20.47±0.65%, 27.14±0.95%, and 33.49±0.77%, respectively) would be. The apoptosis rates in these groups were significantly different from those of the control group (P<0.01). With the drug concentration increasing, the mRNA expression levels of the pro-apoptotic bax increased, whereas those of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 decreased.

CONCLUSION

Cinobufacini can notably induce apoptosis of LEC by decreasing the ratio of bcl-2 to baxin vitro. With its low toxicity, this medication may be effective in the prevention and treatment of posterior capsule opacification.

G546A polymorphism of growth differentiation factor-9 contributes to the poor outcome of ovarian stimulation in women with diminished ovarian reserve

The growth differential factor-9 (GDF-9) gene, an oocyte-specific factor, was screened in 106 Chinese women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and three single-nucleotide polymorphisms, c.G169A, c.C447T and c.G546A, were detected. We found GDF-9 c.G546A, but not c.G169A or c.C447T, to be correlated with the poor ovarian stimulation and in vitro fertilization outcomes in women with DOR.

[Recent advances on extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma of nasal type]

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKT), is a distinct clinicopathologic disease, common among East Asia and Latin America population. Clinically, it frequently occurs in middle-aged men. It predominantly occurs in the nasal or paranasal areas and less frequently in the skin. The main clinical features are nasal congestion, sore throat, dysphagia and epistaxis, due to a destructive mass involving the midline facial tissues. The pathogenesis of ENKT remains uncertain. It is thought that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may play a role in the development of this entity. Pathologically, lymphoma cells exhibit angioinvasion, angiodestruction and coagulative necrosis. It has unique characteristics including the expression of cytoplasmic CD3, CD56 and cytotoxic molecules such as TIA-1, and is positive for EBV in situ hybridization. The overall prognosis of this disease is poor because of frequent relapse or resistance to treatment. Although several studies have explored the treatment of ENKL in recent years, the optimal therapy has still not been found. Due to the highly aggressive features of tumors, every endeavor has been made to investigate factors associated with poor outcome. In this review, the recent advances on cause and pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and staging, pathologic characteristics, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of ENKL are summarized.

[The brain mechanism of memory encoding and retrieval: a review on the fMRI studies]

Memory encoding and memory retrieval are two important processes of the memory. The main results of studies on the neural basis of the memory encoding and memory retrieval by functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI) technique were summarized in this review. The neural basis of memory encoding and retrieval phases varies with different materials, memory types, and age stages. It means that the neural networks of these memory activities are separate. The functional locations of the activated brain areas during memory encoding and during memory retrieval phases are overlapped with distinction. The activated brain areas of memory encoding mainly locate in the prefrontal lobe, the temporal lobe, the parietal lobe, the anterior hippocampus, the thalamus, and the basal ganglia (including the striatum and the marginal division of the striatum). The activated brain areas of memory retrieval mainly locate in the prefrontal lobe, the temporal lobe, the entorhinal cortex, the perirhinal cortex, the posterior hippocampus, the thalamus, and the basal ganglia. The anterior hippocampus is mainly activated during the encoding phase, whereas posterior hippocampus is mainly activated during the retrieval phase. The intensity of the activated cerebral cortex regions during the encoding phase is stronger than that during the retrieval phase, whereas the opposite activated pattern is found in the subcortical structures, mainly the basal ganglia and thalamus, during the two phases. It seems that the stimulation might activate certain cerebral cortex areas during the memory encoding phase, then the information is transported to the subcortical structures and comes back to the cerebral cortex to complete the memory retrieval phase. The encoding and retrieval phases of the memory are supposed to be accomplished by a neural circuit among the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus and cerebral cortex, rather than the cerebral cortex only.

Tetra-ethyl-ammonium hexa-cyanidoferrate(III) bis-(diaqua-{6,6'-dimeth-oxy-2,2'-[o-phenyl-enebis(nitrilo-methyl-idyne)]diphenolato}manganese(III))-methanol-ethanol (1/2/2)

In the title compound, (C(8)H(20)N)[Mn(C(22)H(18)N(2)O(4))(H(2)O)(2)][Fe(CN)(6)]·2CH(3)OH·2C(2)H(5)OH or [NEt(4)][Mn(3-Meosalophen)(H(2)O)(2)](2)[Fe(CN)(6)]·2CH(3)OH·2C(2)H(5)OH, the asymmetric unit consists of one half of an [NEt(4)](+) cation disordered around a twofold axis, the [Mn(3-Meosalophen)(H(2)O)(2)](+) coordination cation, one half of a C(2) symmetric [Fe(CN)(6)](3-) anion and disordered methanol and ethanol solvent mol-ecules that are equally populated at two different sites. The Mn(III) atom chelated by the 3-Meosalophen ligand adopts a slightly distorted MnN(2)O(4) octa-hedral geometry with the coordination completed by two water mol-ecules. The [Mn(3-Meosalophen)(H(2)O)(2)](+) cations, [Fe(CN)(6)](3- )anions and solvent mol-ecules are connected into a zigzag chain through hydrogen-bonding inter-actions.

[Effect of cinobufagin on the expressions of bcl-2 mRNA and bax mRNA and the proliferation of lens epithelial cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of cinobufagin on the proliferation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) and the bcl-2 and bax mRNA expressions of rabbits.

METHODS

Cultured LECs were treated for 72 h with cinobufagin of different concentrations, the end titer was 0.1 mg/L for low, 0.2 mg/L for moderate and 0.3 mg/L for high concentration, respectively. The inhibitory rate of cinobufagin on LECs' proliferation was detected using MTT method; the mRNA expressions of bcl-2 and bax genes in LECs were examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

Proliferation of LECs was inhibited significantly by cinobufagin in a concentration dependent manner, the inhibitory rate was 24.65%, 30.13% and 36.98% respectively for low, moderate and high concentration. With the drug concentration increasing, the mRNA expression levels of the pro-apoptotic bax were increased, whereas those of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 decreased.

CONCLUSION

Cinobufagin can remarkably inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of LECs in vitro, it might be taken as one of the drugs for the prevention and treatment of after-cataract.

[Investigation on clinicopathologic features of lymphomatoid papulosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and prognosis of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP).

METHODS

Clinicopathologic analysis, immunohistochemical staining (LSAB and EliVision method) and in situ hybridization for EBER were undertaken in this study.

RESULTS

Thirteen cases of LyP were studied, derived from six male and seven female patients with a median age of 26.4 years. The most common presentation was multiple symptomless papules or nodules, involving predominately the extremities and trunks. Histologically, the tumor primarily involved the dermis and subcutaneous layer. Six tumors were type A, one was type B and six were type C. The main infiltration patterns were wedge-shaped, band-like, sheet-like or nodular. There was epidermotropism in eight cases. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the large tumor cells in all 12 types A and C cases expressed CD30. All 13 cases expressed two to three T-cell associated antigens (CD3, CD5 or CD45RO) and one to three cytotoxic granule associated antigens (TIA-1, GrB or Perforin). All cases expressed CD4, four expressed CD8, and one expressed CD15. Only one case expressed CD20; and all cases were negative for ALK-1. The tumor cells showing epidermotropism had CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(-) phenotype in most cases. Only one case was EBER1/2 positive. Follow up information was available in 12 patients; all were alive at the end of the follow up period.

CONCLUSIONS

LyP has distinctive clinicopathologic features and immunophenotype with favorable prognosis. In types A and C, the atypical cells showing epidermotropism were similar to those in MF, these cells possess cerebriform and hyperchromatic nuclei. The epidermotropic tumor cells and the CD30(+) large cells may be derived from different clones. EB virus may not be correlated with LyP.

Isolation and expression of GA 2-oxidase2 in tomato

GA 2-oxidases, a key enzyme involves GA biosynthesis, catalyze the degradation of active C(19)-Gibberellins (GAs) through 2-hydroxylation yields inactive GA product. Searching public tomato database, the putative GA2ox2 sequences were assembled. We isolated a full-length GA2ox2 cDNA with primers designed from the assembled sequence. This gene was designed as SlGA2ox2 (GenBank accession No. EF017805). The full-length GA2ox2 gene contained a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 1203 bp, which encoded 322 amino acid residues. Amino acid sequence homology analysis of SlGA2ox2 showed an 88% identity with NtGA2ox2 in tobacco. And alignments of SlGA2ox2 with other known GA2ox from Arabidopsis, Pea, Adzuki Bean, Winter Squash etc indicate low similarity of 47-70%. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed a specific expression profile of SlGA2ox2 in different tissues, which mainly expressed in flowers and traces were detected in roots, stems, leaves and immature fruits.

Advance in molecular targeted therapy for primary hepatocellular carcinoma

New approaches targeting molecular abnormalities specific to primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) has offered a new method to improve patient outcome. The increasing knowledge in the molecular pathogenesis of PHC as well as the introduction of molecular targeted therapies in oncology has created an encouraging trend in the management of this malignancy. Early studies of targeted therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma, including targeting the EGFR pathway and inhibiting angiogenesis and multikinase inhibitors, have shown effective and great perspective. This review summarizes the basic knowledge of those key aspects of the molecular pathogenesis. Relevant preclinical and clinical information on novel compounds for PHC are also reviewed.