Regulation of a TGF-β1-CD147 self-sustaining network in the differentiation plasticity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Cellular plasticity has an important role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, the involvement of a TGF-β1-CD147 self-sustaining network in the regulation of the dedifferentiation progress was fully explored in HCC cell lines, hepatocyte-specific basigin/CD147-knockout mice and human HCC tissues. We demonstrated that TGF-β1 stimulation upregulated CD147 expression and mediated the dedifferentiation of HCC cells, whereas all-trans-retinoic acid induced the downregulation of CD147 and promoted differentiation in HCC cells. Overexpression of CD147 induced the dedifferentiation and enhanced the malignancy of HCC cells, and increased the transcriptional expression of TGF-β1 by activating β-catenin. CD147-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production activated pro-TGF-β1. The activated TGF-β1 signaling subsequently repressed the HNF4α expression via Smad-Snail1 signaling and enhanced the dedifferentiation progress. Hepatocyte-specific basigin/CD147-knockout mice decreased the susceptibility to N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced tumorigenesis by suppressing TGF-β1-CD147 signaling and inhibiting dedifferentiation in hepatocytes during tumor progression. CD147 was positively correlated with TGF-β1 and negatively correlated with HNF4α in human HCC tissues. Positive CD147 staining and lower HNF4α levels in tumor tissues were significantly associated with poor survival of patients with HCC. The overexpression of HNF4α and Smad7 and the deletion of CD147 by lentiviral vectors jointly reprogrammed the expression profile of hepatocyte markers and attenuated malignant properties including proliferation, cell survival and tumor growth of HCC cells. Our results highlight the important role of the TGF-β1-CD147 self-sustaining network in driving HCC development by regulating differentiation plasticity, which provides a strong basis for further investigations of the differentiation therapy of HCC targeting TGF-β1 and CD147.

[X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome type 1 complicated with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and ileal perforation: case report and literature review]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze and summarize the clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and treatment of X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome type 1 (XLP-1).

METHOD

A retrospective study was done in 2012 on an XLP-1 patient to collect the data on clinical manifestation, laboratory examination, gene and protein expression, complications and prognosis. Literatures were reviewed in Pubmed with the key word"X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome".

RESULT

The patient with persistent high fever, jaundice, abdominal distension, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenectasis, rash and suspicious positive family history; the patient eventually died of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), with intestinal perforation, intestinal infection and bleeding after being infected with EB virus. This patient with SH2D1A gene exon 1 large fragment of the coding region of the nucleotide deletion and insertion mutations causing missense mutations (p.Leu25Lys) and nonsense mutations (stop codon TAG was inserted after missense mutation so that the protein encoded by the early termination of the 25 amino acids), which led to SAP protein missing. The expression of SAP in his mother was also partly missing. Retrieval of reports on XLP-1 was conducted through literature search (included totally 157 cases) at home and abroad, positive family history accounted for 60.6%(40/66); lymphoma incidence accounted for 49.7%(72/145); low gamma globulin occurred in 24.8%(39/157) of cases; secondary HLH ratio accounted for 43.3%(68/157); XLP-1 in patients with hemorrhagic enteritis and gastritis was low, accounted for only 2.6%(3/116).

CONCLUSION

XLP-1 patients occasionally develop necrotic enteritis complicated with ileal perforation.XLP-1 with large fragment deletion of SH2D1A gene might be associated with serious gastrointestinal manifestations.

A monoclonal antibody targeting ErbB2 domain III inhibits ErbB2 signaling and suppresses the growth of ErbB2-overexpressing breast tumors

The anti-ErbB2 antibodies trastuzumab and pertuzumab in combination have recently been approved for the treatment of patients with ErbB2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Pertuzumab, which binds to ErbB2 near the center of domain II, and trastuzumab, which binds to the juxtamembrane region of ErbB2 domain IV, directly interfere with domain II- and domain IV-mediated heterodimerization contacts, respectively. In this study, we report a novel anti-ErbB2 antibody, 3E10, which binds to an epitope in domain III that appears to be located opposite to the dimerization interfaces in domain II and domain IV of ErbB2. Our data show that the 3E10 antibody inhibits ErbB2 heterodimerization via a mechanism that strikingly differs from trastuzumab and pertuzumab. It could be speculated that the 3E10 antibody may affect ErbB2 heterodimerization by causing major conformational changes of ErbB2. Furthermore, 3E10 provides synergistic inhibition of ErbB2 heterodimerization and signaling in combination with either trastuzumab or pertuzumab. The combination of these three anti-ErbB2 antibodies that have complementary mechanisms of action appears to be an extremely potent ErbB2 heterodimerization blocker. Compared with trastuzumab plus pertuzumab, the combination of trastuzumab, pertuzumab and 3E10 provides a more potent blockade of ErbB2 signaling. Consistent with this, trastuzumab plus pertuzumab plus 3E10 results in greater in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity in ErbB2-overexpressing breast tumor models, suggesting its potential use for treating ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer.

Measurement of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

This Letter reports a measurement of the flux and energy spectrum of electron antineutrinos from six 2.9 GWth nuclear reactors with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls in the Daya Bay experiment. Using 217 days of data, 296 721 and 41 589 inverse β decay (IBD) candidates were detected in the near and far halls, respectively. The measured IBD yield is (1.55±0.04) ×10(-18)  cm(2) GW(-1) day(-1) or (5.92±0.14) ×10(-43)  cm(2) fission(-1). This flux measurement is consistent with previous short-baseline reactor antineutrino experiments and is 0.946±0.022 (0.991±0.023) relative to the flux predicted with the Huber-Mueller (ILL-Vogel) fissile antineutrino model. The measured IBD positron energy spectrum deviates from both spectral predictions by more than 2σ over the full energy range with a local significance of up to ∼4σ between 4-6 MeV. A reactor antineutrino spectrum of IBD reactions is extracted from the measured positron energy spectrum for model-independent predictions.

Nano-grained ZrB2 thin films as a high-performance diffusion barrier in Cu metallization

Nano-grained ZrB₂ thin films are prepared by radio-frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering and, the thermal stability and the diffusion barrier performance are evaluated at elevated temperatures.

Oxygen-vacancy modified TiO2 nanoparticles as enhanced visible-light driven photocatalysts by wrapping and chemically bonding with graphite-like carbon

In this work, an effective composite photocatalyst (TC800) was prepared which exhibits higher photocatalytic activity under visible light than previously reported TiO₂/non-graphene carbon compounds.

Oral and craniofacial manifestations of multiple sclerosis: implications for the oral health care provider

Multiple sclerosis is a complex neurological condition affecting sensory and motor nerve transmission. Its progression and symptoms are unpredictable and vary from person to person as well as over time. Symptoms of orofacial pain, trigeminal neuralgia, spasticity, spasms, tremor, fatigue, depression and progressive disability, impact on the individual's ability to maintain oral health, cope with dental treatment and access dental services. Also, many of the medications used in the symptomatic management of the condition have the potential to cause dry mouth and associated oral disease. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis, and treatment focuses on prevention of disability and maintenance of quality of life. The oral health care team plays an essential role in ensuring that oral health impacts positively on general health. This review highlights the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, oral and craniofacial manifestations and their management, and oral health care considerations in patients with MS.

Cross-sectional survey on public health informatics workforce in China: issues, developments and the future

OBJECTIVE

To explore the current situation and issues related to the development of the public health informatics (PHI) workforce in provincial and prefectural centers for disease control and prevention (CDCs) in China, and to describe the corresponding strategies to address these issues for the future.

STUDY DESIGN

National cross-sectional study.

METHODS

One thousand two hundred and eighty-one respondents were selected at random from provincial and prefectural CDCs. The survey used a self-administered, structured questionnaire with an online data collection tool that integrated data quality control and user management. The questionnaire was divided into seven main categories. Score percentage of satisfaction and proportion in each part were calculated. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data, stratifying by country region, CDC level, job role and educational level.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty staff from provincial CDCs and 1121 staff from prefectural CDCs were selected. Only 7.4% (33/445) of prefectural CDCs were not involved in this survey, due to lack of PHI practitioners. CDC staff in the eastern region were predominantly aged 30-39 years (39.5%), which was much younger compared with the other regions (P = 0.0012). Only 34 respondents (2.7%) had academic majors in both health and information technology. More staff had Master's degrees and a higher level of education (18.7%) in the eastern region compared with the other regions (P < 0.0001). Staff in the eastern region in high-level positions and with a higher level of education were more knowledgeable about PHI strategy. Prefectural CDC staff were more satisfied with their work and training than provincial CDC staff. In the eastern region, 34.9% of staff were hired through competitive recruitment, and 57.8% of staff had received a job description with detailed information about their responsibilities, which was higher than in the other regions. Staff in the western region were more likely to leave if a better job became available (37.7%) compared with staff in the other regions (P = 0.0116).

CONCLUSION

This study found regional disparities in PHI workforce development, possibly related to disparities in overall regional development. Findings showed a severe shortage of staff with a background in PHI, and occupational development paths were clearly lacking. Based on this study of current workforce issues, a comprehensive strategy for PHI workforce development in China has been described.

New measurement of antineutrino oscillation with the full detector configuration at Daya Bay

We report a new measurement of electron antineutrino disappearance using the fully constructed Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. The final two of eight antineutrino detectors were installed in the summer of 2012. Including the 404 days of data collected from October 2012 to November 2013 resulted in a total exposure of 6.9×10^{5} GW_{th}  ton days, a 3.6 times increase over our previous results. Improvements in energy calibration limited variations between detectors to 0.2%. Removal of six ^{241}Am-^{13}C radioactive calibration sources reduced the background by a factor of 2 for the detectors in the experimental hall furthest from the reactors. Direct prediction of the antineutrino signal in the far detectors based on the measurements in the near detectors explicitly minimized the dependence of the measurement on models of reactor antineutrino emission. The uncertainties in our estimates of sin^{2}2θ_{13} and |Δm_{ee}^{2}| were halved as a result of these improvements. An analysis of the relative antineutrino rates and energy spectra between detectors gave sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.084±0.005 and |Δm_{ee}^{2}|=(2.42±0.11)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} in the three-neutrino framework.

Search for Event Rate Modulation in XENON100 Electronic Recoil Data

We have searched for periodic variations of the electronic recoil event rate in the (2-6) keV energy range recorded between February 2011 and March 2012 with the XENON100 detector, adding up to 224.6 live days in total. Following a detailed study to establish the stability of the detector and its background contributions during this run, we performed an unbinned profile likelihood analysis to identify any periodicity up to 500 days. We find a global significance of less than 1σ for all periods, suggesting no statistically significant modulation in the data. While the local significance for an annual modulation is 2.8σ, the analysis of a multiple-scatter control sample and the phase of the modulation disfavor a dark matter interpretation. The DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation interpreted as a dark matter signature with axial-vector coupling of weakly interacting massive particles to electrons is excluded at 4.8σ.

Effects of maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy in Chinese women on children's heart rate and blood pressure response to stress

Psychological disturbances, including anxiety and depression, are common during human pregnancy. Our objective was to determine whether these maternal disturbances influence cardiovascular responses of the offspring. The psychological status of 231 pregnant women was determined. Offspring (216) of these women were subsequently exposed to a video challenge stress when aged 7-9 years. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) of the children were determined at rest, in response to video stress and during subsequent recovery. Children's resting and stress-induced increases in HR (bpm), systolic (SBP, mm Hg) and diastolic (DBP, mm Hg) BP were all greater in children whose mothers reported anxiety during pregnancy. Values (mean±s.d.) for resting HR, SBP and DBP were 75.15±5.87, 95.37±2.72 and 66.39±4.74 for children whose mothers reported no anxiety and an average of 81.62±6.71, 97.26±2.90 and 68.86±2.82 for children whose mothers reported anxiety at any level. Respective values for stress-induced increments in HR, SBP and DBP were 14.83.±2.14, 16.41±1.97 and 12.72±2.69 for children whose mothers reported no anxiety and 17.95±3.46, 18.74±2.46 and 14.86±2.02 for children whose mothers reported any level of anxiety. Effects of maternal depression were less consistent. The effects of maternal anxiety remained in multivariate analyses, which also included children's birth weight. The results indicate a long-term influence of maternal psychological status during pregnancy on the cardiovascular responses to stress among offspring. These effects may contribute to prenatal influences on subsequent health of the offspring.

Genome-wide analysis of positively selected genes in seasonal and non-seasonal breeding species

Some mammals breed throughout the year, while others breed only at certain times of year. These differences in reproductive behavior can be explained by evolution. We identified positively-selected genes in two sets of species with different degrees of relatedness including seasonal and non-seasonal breeding species, using branch-site models. After stringent filtering by sum of pairs scoring, we revealed that more genes underwent positive selection in seasonal compared with non-seasonal breeding species. Positively-selected genes were verified by cDNA mapping of the positive sites with the corresponding cDNA sequences. The design of the evolutionary analysis can effectively lower the false-positive rate and thus identify valid positive genes. Validated, positively-selected genes, including CGA, DNAH1, INVS, and CD151, were related to reproductive behaviors such as spermatogenesis and cell proliferation in non-seasonal breeding species. Genes in seasonal breeding species, including THRAP3, TH1L, and CMTM6, may be related to the evolution of sperm and the circadian rhythm system. Identification of these positively-selected genes might help to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying seasonal and non-seasonal reproductive behaviors.

Antimicrobial and disinfectant resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from giant pandas

AIMS

The study aims to demonstrate the antimicrobial and disinfectant resistance phenotypes and genotypes of Escherichia coli isolates obtained from giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Antimicrobial testing was performed according to the standard disk diffusion method. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of disinfectants were determined using the agar dilution method. All isolates were screened for the presence of antimicrobial and disinfectant resistance genes and further analysed for genetic relatedness by pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results showed that 46·6% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Escherichia coli isolates showed resistance to fewer antimicrobials as panda age increased. Among antimicrobial-resistant E. coli isolates, the antimicrobial resistance genes blaCTX-M (88·2%) and sul1 (92·3%) were most prevalent. The disinfectant resistance genes emrE, ydgE/ydgF, mdfA and sugE(c) were commonly present (68·2-98·9%), whereas qac and sugE(p) were relatively less prevalent (0-21·3%). The frequencies of resistance genes tended to be higher in E. coli isolated in December than in July, and PFGE profiles were also more diverse in isolates in December. The qacEΔ1 and sugE(p) genes were higher in adolescent pandas than in any other age groups. PFGE revealed that antimicrobial resistance correlated well with sampling time and habitat.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that antimicrobial and disinfectant resistance was common in giant panda-derived E. coli, and the antimicrobial resistance was associated with sampling time and habitat. Escherichia coli could serve as a critical vector in spreading disinfectant and antimicrobial resistance.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first study that demonstrated the phenotypic and genetic characterizations of antimicrobial and disinfectant resistance in E. coli isolates from more than 60 giant pandas. Frequent transfer of pandas to other cages may lead to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. The study highlights the need for regularly monitoring the antimicrobial and disinfectant resistance in bacteria from giant pandas.

Annealing Dependence of Solution-Processed Ultra-Thin ZrOx Films for Gate Dielectric Applications

Ultra-thin ZrOx thin films on Si substrates were prepared by sol-gel technique and processed with different methods (baked on hot plate at 150 °C, annealed at 500 °C in furnace, and photo-annealed under UV light). The decomposition of the organic groups and the formation of Zr-O bonding in the ZrOx thin films were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that the ZrOx thin film annealed under UV light shows decent characteristics, including an ultra-small surface roughness, a low leakage current density of 10(-9) A/cm2 at 1 MV/cm, a large breakdown electric field of 9.5 MV/cm, and a large areal capacitance of 775 nF/cm2.

Association of PS1 1/2, ACE I/D, and LRP C/T polymorphisms with Alzheimer's disease in the Chinese population: a meta-analysis of case-control studies

The objective of this study was to assess the associations of presenilin 1 (PS1) 1/2, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) C/T polymorphisms with the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the Chinese population. PS1 1/2, ACE I/D, and LRP C/T, which are commonly investigated polymorphisms, were evaluated to obtain summary estimates regarding their associations with AD. In total, the data from 24 studies (2611 patients with AD and 2822 control subjects from 23 provinces and special districts in China) that were obtained from the Chinese Biomedicine Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, and Medline were included. Different models (i.e., dominant, recessive, etc.) of these polymorphisms were analyzed using the Cochrane Review Manager. Statistically significant associations among patients with AD for the 1/1 genotype of the PS1 1/2 polymorphism [odds ratio (OR) = 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-3.04; P = 0.04] and the I/I genotype of the ACE I/D polymorphism (OR = 2.44, 95%CI = 1.78-3.35; P < 0.01) were identified. Statistically significant associations were also found for the PS1 1/2 polymorphism in both the dominant and recessive genetic models, whereas no association was found for the LRP C/T polymorphism. All studies exhibited heterogeneity (P < 0.05). This meta-analysis suggests that the 1/1 genotype of the PS1 1/2 polymorphism and the I/I genotype of the ACE I/D polymorphism are significantly associated with an increased risk of AD in the Chinese population.

Search for a light sterile neutrino at Daya Bay

A search for light sterile neutrino mixing was performed with the first 217 days of data from the Daya Bay Reactor Antineutrino Experiment. The experiment's unique configuration of multiple baselines from six 2.9 GW(th) nuclear reactors to six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 m and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls makes it possible to test for oscillations to a fourth (sterile) neutrino in the 10(-3) eV(2)<|Δm(41)(2) |< 0.3 eV(2) range. The relative spectral distortion due to the disappearance of electron antineutrinos was found to be consistent with that of the three-flavor oscillation model. The derived limits on sin(2) 2θ(14) cover the 10(-3) eV(2) ≲ |Δm(41)(2)| ≲ 0.1 eV(2) region, which was largely unexplored.

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.