IL-6 gene promoter polymorphisms and risk of coronary artery disease in a Chinese population

We investigated the relationships between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the interleukin (IL)-6 gene 174 G>C (rs1800795), 572 G>C (rs1800796), and 597 G/A (rs1800797) and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk in a Chinese population. This case-control study recruited 296 CAD patients and 327 controls between January 2009 and May 2012. Genotyping of IL-6 174 G>C (rs1800795), 572 G>C (rs1800796), and 597 G/A (rs1800797) was performed on a 384-well plate format using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. CAD patients were more likely to be older and male, with a higher body mass index, diabetes, and hypertension, and presented higher triglycerides, and lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. We found that the IL-6 174CC genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of CAD compared to the wild-type GG genotype in a codominant model [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.94 (1.13-3.37)], whereas IL-6 174 G>C polymorphisms presented an increased risk of CAD in dominant and recessive models. However, we did not find that the IL-6 572 CC and 597 AA genotypes were correlated with an increased risk of CAD. IL-6 174 G>C rs1800795 was associated with CAD risk in a Chinese population. Further large-scale studies are required to determine whether IL-6 SNPs interact with environmental factors in the development of CAD.

First Report of Aphelenchoides besseyi Causing White Tip Disease of Rice in Jilin Province, China

White tip disease of rice caused by the plant-parasitic nematode Aphelenchoides besseyi is an important domestic quarantine issue causing heavy yield losses of rice. During a survey for rice diseases in 2013, suspect white tip disease of rice was observed in the cities of Changchun and Gongzhuling, Jinlin Province, China. Leaf tips of susceptible rice varieties were white or yellow, becoming brown or black as necrosis set in. Tips of developing leaves were twisted and wrinkled. The flag leaf became twisted above the panicle until development was inhibited. General stunting of the plant accompanied leaf injury. Panicles were severely reduced and produced small deformed kernels while spikelets were reduced in number. Maturity of panicles was delayed, and secondary panicles arising from the lower nodes of the panicle were sterile. Nematodes were isolated from rice grains of diseased panicles. Key morphological features were determined for females and males. Measurements of females (n = 15) were: body length 612.50 to 735.00 μm (mean 673.75 μm), body width 17.37 to 22.21 μm (mean 19.79 μm), esophagus to gland 64.44 to 68.07 μm (mean 66.26 μm), and tail 34.41 to 41.29 μm (mean 37.85 μm). Females had a relatively short ovary with oocytes arranged in several lines; posterior uterine branch two to four times as long as body width; and tail tapering, conoid, with terminus bearing a mucro with four processes arranged in a shape somewhat that of a star. Measurements of males (n = 22) were: body length 483.39 to 580.00 μm (mean 531.70 μm), body width 14.46 to 17.12 μm (mean 15.79 μm), esophagus to gland 63.97 to 66.42 μm (mean 65.20 μm), and tail 30.38 to 36.45 μm (mean 33.41 μm). Males had a curved tail about 180° when relaxed, three pairs of ventrosubmedian papillae with the first one adanal, spicula curved with a slight basal process, and terminus bearing four mucrones arranged variably. Both males and females had lateral field occupying one fourth of the body width, marked by four incisures; delicate cephalic framework; small spear with moderate-size basal knobs; excretory pore was anterior to nerve ring; and intestine joined to esophagus immediately behind median bulb (3). All morphological data and characters were consistent with A. besseyi. Molecular diagnosis as A. besseyi was confirmed after DNA was extracted from nematodes (n = 16) and the templates were used in PCR analysis. The internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of rDNA was amplified with primers TW81 and AB28 (2). The size of PCR product was 842 bp, and this sequence (KJ009342) was submitted to GenBank and was 98% similar with that of A. besseyi isolates from India (JF826519, JF93390, JF826517, JF826518) and Russia (EU186069). Molecular identification was further confirmed by amplifying part of the ITS region and part of the 5.8 gene of rDNA using the A. besseyi-specific primers BSF and BSR (1). The amplification yielded a 312-bp product specific to A. besseyi. Morphological and molecular data confirmed that the pathogen responsible for white tip disease in Changchun and Gongzhuling was A. besseyi. While this nematode has been reported from many rice-producing areas in China, this is the first detection of A. besseyi in Jilin Province, China. References: (1) R. Q. Cui et al. Plant Quarantine (Chinese) 24:10-12, 2010. (2) S. A. Subbotin et al. Nematology 2:153, 2000. (3) G. Thorne. Principles of Nematology. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1972.

Spectral measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation amplitude and frequency at Daya Bay

A measurement of the energy dependence of antineutrino disappearance at the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment is reported. Electron antineutrinos (ν¯(e)) from six 2.9  GW(th) reactors were detected with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls. Using 217 days of data, 41 589 (203 809 and 92 912) antineutrino candidates were detected in the far hall (near halls). An improved measurement of the oscillation amplitude sin(2)2θ(13)=0.090(-0.009)(+0.008) and the first direct measurement of the ν¯(e) mass-squared difference |Δm(ee)2|=(2.59(-0.20)(+0.19))×10(-3)  eV2 is obtained using the observed ν¯(e) rates and energy spectra in a three-neutrino framework. This value of |Δm(ee)2| is consistent with |Δm(μμ)2| measured by muon neutrino disappearance, supporting the three-flavor oscillation model.

Production and characterization of recombinant glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger expressed in Pichia pastoris

Recombinant glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger expressed in Pichia pastoris by fed-batch fermentation was purified and assessed with 1·26 purification fold to homogeneity using Q-Sepharose F.F. chromatography. The enzyme was determined by SDS-PAGE and gradient PAGE, which showed a dimeric form of 150 kDa. The purified rGOD was proved to be a glycoprotein, and the content of which was estimated to be 36·7 and 25·14% by phenol-sulfuric acid and anthrone-sulfuric acid methods. Characteristics demonstrated that the highest activity was in pH 6·0 at 40°C and was stable at a broad pH range from 4·0 to 9·0 at 55°C or below. The optimum substrate for this enzyme was d-glucose, and the Km was 21·06 mmol l(-1) as well as the Vmax was 359 μmol min(-1) mg(-1). rGOD possessed high resistance to various chemicals except for Hg(2+), Fe(2+), Ag(+), Cu(2+), 1,4-dithiothreitol, sodium dodecyl sulfate and ascorbic acid. In addition, the inhibitors also exhibited intensive fluorescence quenching effect on rGOD.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Glucose oxidase is a very important enzyme produced by several species. However, large-scale applications have always been postponed by its complexity in fermentation and purification. Our research focused on developing new purification strategy of recombinant GOD from A. niger expressed in P. pastoris. Here, we described this novel one-step purification method and subsequent research in the characteristics of rGOD which showed different results from previous work. These can open new opportunities to increase its application.

Limits on spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon cross sections from 225 live days of XENON100 data

We present new experimental constraints on the elastic, spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon cross section using recent data from the XENON100 experiment, operated in the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. An analysis of 224.6 live days×34 kg of exposure acquired during 2011 and 2012 revealed no excess signal due to axial-vector WIMP interactions with 129Xe and 131Xe nuclei. This leads to the most stringent upper limits on WIMP-neutron cross sections for WIMP masses above 6 GeV/c², with a minimum cross section of 3.5×10(-40) cm² at a WIMP mass of 45 GeV/c², at 90% confidence level.

ER stress-mediated apoptosis induced by celastrol in cancer cells and important role of glycogen synthase kinase-3β in the signal network

HeLa cells treated with celastrol, a natural compound with inhibitive effect on proteasome, exhibited increase in apoptotic rate and characteristics of apoptosis. To clarify the signal network activated by celastrol to induce apoptosis, both the direct target proteins and undirect target proteins of celastrol were searched in the present study. Proteasome catalytic subunit β1 was predicted by computational analysis to be a possible direct target of celastrol and confirmed by checking direct effect of celastrol on the activity of recombinant human proteasome subunit β1 in vitro. Undirect target-related proteins of celastrol were searched using proteomic studies including two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis and iTRAQ-based LC-MS analysis. Possible target-related proteins of celastrol such as endoplasmic reticulum protein 29 (ERP29) and mitochondrial import receptor Tom22 (TOM22) were found by 2-DE analysis of total cellular protein expression profiles. Further study showed that celastrol induced ER stress and ER stress inhibitor could ameliorate cell death induced by celastrol. Celastrol induced translocation of Bax into the mitochondria, which might be related to the upregulation of BH-3-only proteins such as BIM and the increase in the expression level of TOM22. To further search possible target-related proteins of celastrol in ER and ER-related fractions, iTRAQ-based LC-MS method was use to analyze protein expression profiles of ER/microsomal vesicles-riched fraction of cells with or without celastrol treatment. Based on possible target-related proteins found in both 2-DE analysis and iTRAQ-based LC-MS analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was established using bioinformatic analysis. The important role of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) in the signal cascades of celastrol was suggested. Pretreatment of LiCL, an inhibitor of GSK3β, could significantly ameliorate apoptosis induced by celastrol. On the basis of the results of the present study, possible signal network of celastrol activated by celastrol leading to apoptosis was predicted.

First-order liquid-liquid phase transition in cerium

We report the first experimental observation of a liquid-liquid phase transition in the monatomic liquid metal cerium, by means of in situ high-pressure high-temperature x-ray diffraction experiments. At 13 GPa, upon increasing temperature from 1550 to 1900 K high-density liquid transforms to a low-density liquid, with a density difference of 14%. Theoretic models based on ab initio calculations are built to investigate the observed phase behavior of the liquids at various pressures. The results suggest that the transition primarily originates from the delocalization of f electrons and is deemed to be of the first order that terminates at a critical point.

Dark matter results from 225 live days of XENON100 data

We report on a search for particle dark matter with the XENON100 experiment, operated at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso for 13 months during 2011 and 2012. XENON100 features an ultralow electromagnetic background of (5.3 ± 0.6) × 10(-3) events/(keV(ee) × kg × day) in the energy region of interest. A blind analysis of 224.6 live days × 34 kg exposure has yielded no evidence for dark matter interactions. The two candidate events observed in the predefined nuclear recoil energy range of 6.6-30.5 keV(nr) are consistent with the background expectation of (1.0 ± 0.2) events. A profile likelihood analysis using a 6.6-43.3 keV(nr) energy range sets the most stringent limit on the spin-independent elastic weakly interacting massive particle-nucleon scattering cross section for weakly interacting massive particle masses above 8 GeV/c(2), with a minimum of 2 × 10(-45) cm(2) at 55 GeV/c(2) and 90% confidence level.

Systematic review of the efficacy of cilostazol, naftidrofuryl oxalate and pentoxifylline for the treatment of intermittent claudication

BACKGROUND

A systematic review and network meta-analysis was undertaken to consider the evidence for the efficacy and tolerability of placebo, cilostazol, naftidrofuryl oxalate and pentoxifylline in patients with intermittent claudication due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Conference Proceedings, BIOSIS, National Research Register and MetaRegister databases were searched. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and published systematic reviews of patients with intermittent claudication due to PAD and whose symptoms persisted despite a period of conservative management. Study selection was conducted by one reviewer with involvement from a clinician. Data were extracted by one reviewer with no blinding to authors or journal, and checked by a second reviewer. Outcome measures were maximum walking distance (MWD) and pain-free walking distance (PFWD).

RESULTS

The review identified 1876 citations; 26 RCTs met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Eleven trials provided data relevant for the meta-analysis. Naftidrofuryl oxalate was ranked first for both MWD and PFWD (probability of 0·947 and 0·987, respectively, of being the best treatment) followed by cilostazol and pentoxifylline. For naftidrofuryl oxalate, cilostazol and pentoxifylline, MWD increased by 60 (95 per cent credible interval 20 to 114) per cent, 25 (11 to 40) per cent and 11 (-1 to 24) per cent respectively relative to placebo, and PFWD increased by 49, 13 and 9 per cent.

CONCLUSION

Naftidrofuryl oxalate and cilostazol are both effective treatments for claudication; naftidrofuryl oxalate is likely to be the most effective, with minimal serious adverse events.

Targeted therapy via oral administration of attenuated Salmonella expression plasmid-vectored Stat3-shRNA cures orthotopically transplanted mouse HCC

The development of RNA interference-based cancer gene therapies has been delayed due to the lack of effective tumor-targeting delivery systems. Attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) has a natural tropism for solid tumors. We report here the use of attenuated S. Typhimurium as a vector to deliver shRNA directly into tumor cells. Constitutively activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is a key transcription factor involved in both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and metastasis. In this study, attenuated S. Typhimurium was capable of delivering shRNA-expressing vectors to the targeted cancer cells and inducing RNA interference in vivo. More importantly, a single oral dose of attenuated S. Typhimurium carrying shRNA-expressing vectors targeting Stat3 induced remarkably delayed and reduced HCC (in 70% of mice). Cancer in these cured mice did not recur over 2 years following treatment. These data demonstrated that RNA interference combined with Salmonella as a delivery system may offer a novel clinical approach for cancer gene therapy.

Pressure tunes electrical resistivity by four orders of magnitude in amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 phase-change memory alloy

Ge-Sb-Te-based phase-change memory is one of the most promising candidates to succeed the current flash memories. The application of phase-change materials for data storage and memory devices takes advantage of the fast phase transition (on the order of nanoseconds) and the large property contrasts (e.g., several orders of magnitude difference in electrical resistivity) between the amorphous and the crystalline states. Despite the importance of Ge-Sb-Te alloys and the intense research they have received, the possible phases in the temperature-pressure diagram, as well as the corresponding structure-property correlations, remain to be systematically explored. In this study, by subjecting the amorphous Ge(2)Sb(2)Te(5) (a-GST) to hydrostatic-like pressure (P), the thermodynamic variable alternative to temperature, we are able to tune its electrical resistivity by several orders of magnitude, similar to the resistivity contrast corresponding to the usually investigated amorphous-to-crystalline (a-GST to rock-salt GST) transition used in current phase-change memories. In particular, the electrical resistivity drops precipitously in the P = 0 to 8 GPa regime. A prominent structural signature representing the underlying evolution in atomic arrangements and bonding in this pressure regime, as revealed by the ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, is the reduction of low-electron-density regions, which contributes to the narrowing of band gap and delocalization of trapped electrons. At P > 8 GPa, we have observed major changes of the average local structures (bond angle and coordination numbers), gradually transforming the a-GST into a high-density, metallic-like state. This high-pressure glass is characterized by local motifs that bear similarities to the body-centered-cubic GST (bcc-GST) it eventually crystallizes into at 28 GPa, and hence represents a bcc-type polyamorph of a-GST.