The Therapeutic Effect of Pancreatic Kininogenase on Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: To determine the therapeutic efficacy and cost-effective of pancreatic kininogenase (PKase) on treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) compared with Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: 104 patients with DPN receiving standard glucose control therapy were randomly assigned into 3 groups: Group-A received PKase treatment, Group-B received PGE1 treatment, and Group-C received only standard glucose control therapy. Michigan neuropathy screening instrument (MNSI) score, neurophysiology examination, and nerve conduction velocity were measured. Results: Standard glucose control therapy significantly reduced hyperglycemia to a similar level in all groups. Questionnaire grading and neurophysiology examination both indicated that no significant difference was found at the end of treatment between Groups -A and -B. Except for the ulnar nerve sensory conduction velocity that was significantly improved in Group-B, the remaining nerve conduction velocity (regardless of sensory or motor nerve conduction velocities) was improved to a similar level in Groups -A and -B. Group-A had significantly reduced questionnaire grading and better improvement in motor nerve conduction velocity of the common peroneal nerve, ulnar nerve, and sensory nerve conduction velocity of the sural nerve as compared with Group-C. However, the medical cost of PKase was only 18.9% of that of PGE1 during one course of treatment. Conclusions: PKase has the similar therapeutic efficacy as PGE1 on treatment of DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the medical cost of PKase is one fifth of that of PGE1. Thus, PKase is a cost-effective drug for treatment of DPN.

[Corneal biomechanical properties in keratoconic and normal eyes]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the corneal biomechanical properties of keratoconic and normal eyes, and to explore the changing characteristics in keratoconic eyes.

METHODS

Case-control study. Thirty-two keratoconic subjects(41 eyes)and 41 subjects(41 eyes)with normal corneas were enrolled in this study. Scheimpflug noncontact tonometry(Corvis ST)was performed to measure the length of Appl 1(1st A length), velocity of Appl 1(Vin), length of Appl 2(2nd A length), velocity of Appl 2(Vout), deformation amplitude(DA), peak distance, and radius. Comparison of the biomechanical property values between the keratoconic and normal eyes was performed using One-Way ANOVA. Pearson or Spearman correlations were used to evaluate the relationship between corneal biomechanical properties and corneal morphology parameters. The areas under ROC curves of the biomechanical properties of Corvis ST were calculated.

RESULTS

In the keratoconic group, the values of Vin, Vout, and DA were(0.201±0.268),(0.463±0.121), and(1.146±0.113)mm, respectively, which were obviously greater than the normal group[(0.151±0.017),(0.418±0.060), and(1.146 ± 0.113)mm, respectively; F=6.028, 20.724, 10.606, P=0.016, 0.000, 0.001]. The radius in the keratoconic eyes was(5.898 ± 0.976)mm, apparently shorter than the normal eyes[(7.012 ± 0.728)mm; F=5.277, P=0.023]. In the keratoconic eyes, there were significant correlations between the 1st A length, Vout, DA, radius and the thickness of the thinnest cornea(r=0.330,-0.490,-0.482, 0.676, P=0.035, 0.001, 0.001, 0.000). There were significant correlations between the DA, radius and the anterior surface refractive power Km(r=0.751,-0.528, P=0.044, 0.019). The Vin, Vout, DA, and radius had statistically significant correlations with the maximum posterior surface elevation(r=0.475,-0.552,-0.399, 0.273, P=0.021, 0.015, 0.001, 0.000). The areas under ROC curves of the radius, DA, Vout, and Vin were all greater than 0.9.

CONCLUSIONS

There were obvious changes of corneal biomechanical properties in keratoconic eyes compared with normal eyes. The radius showed a better sensitivity for the change of corneal biomechanical properties and a major reference value for the diagnosis of keratoconus. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52:669-673).

Diagnostic and Treatment Monitoring Potential of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-D in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare multisystem disease occurring almost exclusively in premenopausal women and characterized by cystic lung destruction, abdominal tumors (renal angiomyolipomas (AML)), and involvement of the axial lymphatics (adenopathy, lymphangioleiomyomas). Serum vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D), a lymphangiogenic factor, has been recently considered as a novel marker for LAM. Herein we report the diagnostic and differential diagnostic value of serum VEGF-D in LAM patients and evaluate the change of serum VEGF-D levels before and after treatment with sirolimus. The study group included 66 patients with LAM (47 definite LAM and 19 probable LAM based on European Respiratory Society guidelines), 14 patients with other polycystic lung diseases, and 20 healthy female controls. Serum VEGF-D levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Serum VEGF-D levels were significantly increased in definite LAM patients compared with healthy controls (3890.3±373.3 pg/ml vs. 413.3±33.2 pg/ml, p<0.05). The optimal cutoff point for LAM diagnosis was 692.5 pg/ml with sensitivity of 97.9% and specificity of 100%. In probable LAM patients, serum VEGF-D levels were all greater than 692.5 pg/ml. Serum VEGF-D levels were significantly increased in definite LAM patients who had chylothorax compared with those without chylothorax (5153.9±598.3 pg/ml vs. 2869.8±372.8 pg/ml, p<0.05). But serum VEGF-D levels in LAM patients with/without pneumothorax, AML, and lymphangioleiomyomas were not significantly changed. Serum VEGF-D levels in definite LAM patients and patients with other cystic lung diseases were 3890.3±373.3 pg/ml and 412.6±27.5 pg/ml, respectively (p <0.05). We determined an optimal cutoff value of 688.5pg/ml, resulting in sensitivity of 97.9% and specificity of 100%. Following a median of 12-month treatment with sirolimus, serum VEGF-D levels decreased from 3135.0±909.4 pg/ml to 1731.8±621.2 pg/ml and symptoms improved. Our study found that serum VEGF-D levels were significantly higher in LAM patients compared with healthy controls and patients with other polycystic lung diseases and that the levels were further increased when complicated by chylothorax. Serum VEGF-D levels may be useful for diagnosis and differential diagnosis with high specificity and sensitivity as well as for following treatment response with sirolimus.

Immunological mechanisms involved in probiotic-mediated protection against Citrobacter rodentium-induced colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic, incurable inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract that cause severe diarrhoea, intestinal inflammation, pain, fatigue and weight loss. In this study, we first developed a model of Citrobacter rodentium-induced colitis and then evaluated the protective effects of selected probiotics on inflammation. The results showed that administration of a combination of probiotics including Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103, Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 and Lactobacillus plantarum A significantly increased the production of CD11c+ dendritic cells in the spleen (3.62% vs phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-treated control, P<0.01) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). In addition, the presence of probiotics significantly up-regulated the development of CD4+/CD25+/Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in MLNs by approximately 2.07% compared to the effect observed in the PBS-treated control (P<0.01) and down-regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-17, tumour necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ, by 0.11, 0.11 and 0.15%, respectively, compared to the effect observed in the PBS-treated control (P<0.01).These effects conferred protection against colitis, as shown by histopathological analyses.

Characterization of Pseudomonas chlororaphis from Theobroma cacao L. rhizosphere with antagonistic activity against Phytophthora palmivora (Butler)

AIM

To isolate and characterize rhizobacteria from Theobroma cacao with antagonistic activity against Phytophthora palmivora, the causal agent of the black pod rot, which is one of the most important diseases of T. cacao.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Among 127 rhizobacteria isolated from cacao rhizosphere, three isolates (CP07, CP24 and CP30) identified as Pseudomonas chlororaphis, showed in vitro antagonistic activity against P. palmivora. Direct antagonism tested in cacao detached leaves revealed that the isolated rhizobacteria were able to reduce symptom severity upon infection with P. palmivora Mab1, with Ps. chlororaphis CP07 standing out as a potential biocontrol agent. Besides, reduced symptom severity on leaves was also observed in planta where cacao root system was pretreated with the isolated rhizobacteria followed by leaf infection with P. palmivora Mab1. The production of lytic enzymes, siderophores, biosurfactants and HCN, as well as the detection of genes encoding antibiotics, the formation of biofilm, and bacterial motility were also assessed for all three rhizobacterial strains. By using a mutant impaired in viscosin production, derived from CP07, it was found that this particular biosurfactant turned out to be crucial for both motility and biofilm formation, but not for the in vitro antagonism against Phytophthora, although it may contribute to the bioprotection of T. cacao.

CONCLUSIONS

In the rhizosphere of T. cacao, there are rhizobacteria, such as Ps. chlororaphis, able to protect plants against P. palmivora.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study provides a theoretical basis for the potential use of Ps. chlororaphis CP07 as a biocontrol agent for the protection of cacao plants from P. palmivora infection.

[Analysis on the nuclear division index of peripheral blood lymphocytes in the 281 general population of Anhui, China]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the reference range and influeing factors of the nuclear division index (NDI) of peripheral blood lymphocyte in Chinese general population in Anhui province.

METHODS

We selected 281 subjects from the general poulation in Anhui province, without occupational exposure to genetic toxicants and no chronic disease history. We used questionnaires to collect occupational history, age, gender, region, body mass index, smoking, and alcohol drinking status etc. NDI was measured by cytokinesis block micronucleus assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes, and the related factors were also analyzed. And NDI was used as the dependent variable, age, gender and other factors as independent variables to conduct stepwise multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

We found the data of NDI according with normal distribution, and the nuclear division index was 1.71±0.22, the minimum value was 1.10 while the maximum was 2.36. The results showed that NDI value of the males (1.67±0.20) were lower than that of the females (1.76±0.24), the difference was statistically significant (t=-3.65, P<0.001); current smokers NDI (1.66±0.18) lower than non-smokers (1.73±0.24) differences were statistically significant (t=3.06, P=0.002); the NDI of drinking groups (1.66±0.20) was lower than that of non-drinking population (1.74±0.23), the differences was statistically significant (t=3.15, P=0.002); Using multiple stepwise linear regression calibration factors and found that gender was an independent factor of NDI (β=0.098, Sx=0.027, t=3.66, P< 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We set the reference value on the nuclear division index among general population of survey areas in this study, it could provide a reference for similar studies and will provide reference for better evaluation of the effects of hazards on the body.

Epigenetic regulation in dental pulp inflammation

Dental caries, trauma, and other possible factors could lead to injury of the dental pulp. Dental infection could result in immune and inflammatory responses mediated by molecular and cellular events and tissue breakdown. The inflammatory response of dental pulp could be regulated by genetic and epigenetic events. Epigenetic modifications play a fundamental role in gene expression. The epigenetic events might play critical roles in the inflammatory process of dental pulp injury. Major epigenetic events include methylation and acetylation of histones and regulatory factors, DNA methylation, and small non-coding RNAs. Infections and other environmental factors have profound effects on epigenetic modifications and trigger diseases. Despite growing evidences of literatures addressing the role of epigenetics in the field of medicine and biology, very little is known about the epigenetic pathways involved in dental pulp inflammation. This review summarized the current knowledge about epigenetic mechanisms during dental pulp inflammation. Progress in studies of epigenetic alterations during inflammatory response would provide opportunities for the development of efficient medications of epigenetic therapy for pulpitis.

Triggered self-assembly of magnetic nanoparticles

Colloidal magnetic nanoparticles are candidates for application in biology, medicine and nanomanufac-turing. Understanding how these particles interact collectively in fluids, especially how they assemble and aggregate under external magnetic fields, is critical for high quality, safe, and reliable deployment of these particles. Here, by applying magnetic forces that vary strongly over the same length scale as the colloidal stabilizing force and then varying this colloidal repulsion, we can trigger self-assembly of these nanoparticles into parallel line patterns on the surface of a disk drive medium. Localized within nanometers of the medium surface, this effect is strongly dependent on the ionic properties of the colloidal fluid but at a level too small to cause bulk colloidal aggregation. We use real-time optical diffraction to monitor the dynamics of self-assembly, detecting local colloidal changes with greatly enhanced sensitivity compared with conventional light scattering. Simulations predict the triggering but not the dynamics, especially at short measurement times. Beyond using spatially-varying magnetic forces to balance interactions and drive assembly in magnetic nanoparticles, future measurements leveraging the sensitivity of this approach could identify novel colloidal effects that impact real-world applications of these nanoparticles.

[Effects of iron chelation therapy on allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in myelodysplastic syndrome patients with iron overload]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of iron chelation therapy on hematopoietic reconstitution and related complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

METHODS

Various clinical parameters were analyzed retrospectively in 57 MDS patients with iron overload who received allo-HSCT. According to the level of serum ferritin (SF) before transplantation divided patients into two groups: the effective treatment group (SF<1 000 μg/L) and iron overload group (SF≥1 000 μg/L).

RESULTS

①30/57 cases were received iron chelation treatment, 27/57 patients didn' t received iron chelating therapy before transplantation. 19/30 cases were in the effective treatment group, and the median SF level before transplantation was 561 (223-846) μg/L. 11/30 cases were in the iron overload group, and the median SF level before transplantation was 1 262 (1 100-2 352) μg/L. The median SF level was 1 540 (1 320-3 112) μg/L of 27 patients didn't received iron chelating therapy before transplantation. ② The rate of fully-engraftment in the effective treatment group and iron overload group was 19 cases (100.0% ) and 34 cases (89.5% ), myeloid reconstitution of 12(10-18) and 12(11-30) days respectively (P=0.441), and platelet reconstitution of 13(12-30) and 15 (10-32) days respectively (P=0.579). ③The infection risk rate of the effective treatment group was less than iron overload group [36.8% (7/19) vs 82.4% (28/34), P=0.002]. ④The incidence of aGVHD in effective treatment group was less than iron overload group [26.3%(5/19) vs 64.7%(22/34), P= 0.010]. All patients of the effective treatment group were Ⅰ/Ⅱ degree. 16 cases were Ⅰ/Ⅱ degree and 6 cases were Ⅲ/Ⅳ degree in the iron overload group. ⑤ 6 cases of iron overload group accepted iron chelation treatment early post-transplantation, and SF level decreased from 2 870 (2 205-3 580) μg/L to 1 270 (1 020-1 650) μg/L. ⑥The difference of median disease-free survival time between the effective treatment group and iron overload group was not statistically significant [28.9 (0.3-89.5) months vs 21.2(0.1-81.0) months, χ(2)=3.751, P=0.053].

CONCLUSIONS

Iron overload obviously increased transplant-related complications, and effective iron chelation therapy before transplantation significantly decreased the incidence of infection and degree of aGVHD, thereby reduced the non-relapse mortality in patients with MDS.

Density functional theory investigations on the binding modes of amidoximes with uranyl ions

η¹-O of tautomerized amidoximes and η¹-O/η²-N–O of anionic amidoximes are all plausible coordination modes for amidoximes in ligating uranyl ions.

Deacetylation of tumor-suppressor MST1 in Hippo pathway induces its degradation through HBXIP-elevated HDAC6 in promotion of breast cancer growth

Reduction or loss of tumor-suppressor mammalian STE20-like kinase 1 (MST1) in Hippo pathway contributes to the tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism leading to reduction of MST1 in cancers remains poorly understood. In this study, we explored the hypothesis that the oncoprotein hepatitis B X-interacting protein (HBXIP) is involved in the reduction of MST1 in breast cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays revealed that the expression of HBXIP was negatively associated with that of MST1 in 98 clinical breast tissue samples. Then we found that HBXIP could posttranslationally downregulate MST1 in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, we identified that MST1 could be acetylated on its lysine 35 residue in the cells. Strikingly, the treatment with trichostatin A, an inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), markedly increased the levels of MST1 acetylation and protein in the cells. Interestingly, the oncoprotein HBXIP could significantly inhibit acetylation of MST1, resulting in the reduction of MST1 protein. Notably, we revealed that the HDAC6 could reduce the protein levels of MST1 through deacetylation modification of MST1 in the cells. Moreover, our data revealed that HBXIP upregulated HDAC6 at the levels of mRNA and protein by activating transcription factor nuclear factor-κB. Deacetylation of MST1 promoted the interaction of MST1 with HSC70 in the cells, resulting in a lysosome-dependent degradation of MST1 via chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). Functionally, the reduction of tumor-suppressor MST1 mediated by HBXIP promoted the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Thus we conclude that the deacetylation of MST1 mediated by HBXIP-enhanced HDAC6 results in MST1 degradation in a CMA manner in promotion of breast cancer growth. Our finding provides new insights into the mechanism of tumor-suppressor MST1 reduction in breast cancer.

Pathology of the lower nasolacrimal duct mucosa at multiple time points after lacrimal retrograde catheterization in rabbit

Lacrimal duct obstruction is a common eye disease, and obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct accounts for over 50% of these cases. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction is usually treated surgically. Lacrimal retrograde catheterization is a novel surgical approach with a high success rate and a relatively high recurrence rate. In this study, we examined the postoperative pathological changes in the lower nasolacrimal duct mucosa at multiple time points (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 weeks) after retrograde lacrimal dilated drainage tube implantation in rabbits. One side of the nasolacrimal duct was obstructed in 14 rabbits. Compared to the control side, the 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-week groups presented no obvious changes in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained tissue. The 10-week group presented isolated granulomas. The 12- and 14-week groups presented scattered granulomas. The granulomas were smaller and the density of fibroblasts was lower in the 12-week group compared with the 14-week group. Transforming growth factor-β1 immunohistochemistry resulted in strong immunoreactivity in the 14-week group and weak immunoreactivity in the 12-week group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Fibroblast apoptosis was observed in the 4- and 6-week groups, and disorganized fibers were observed in the 10-week group. Most fibroblasts in the 12- and 14-week groups were the active type with mechanocytes. Granulomas were induced after a long time by the implantation of silicone tubes in rabbits. Thus, recurrent obstructions of the nasolacrimal duct may be caused by granulomas, progressive fibrosis, and/or adhesion of the surrounding tissues.

Development of a real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for the sensitive and rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes

A real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RealAmp) assay for the detection of Listeria was developed. The RealAmp assay, using primers specific for the hemolysin-encoding hlyA gene, was verified using Listeria monocytogenes strains (n = 58) from different regions of the world. Both the sensitivity and specificity of the RealAmp assay were high. The RealAmp assay could detect 10(3) CFU ml(-1) within 30 min. A comparative evaluation of the RealAmp assay, the API Listeria assay, and the real-time PCR assay revealed that the RealAmp assay is simpler, faster, and has a higher specificity than the other two assays.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Conventional culture and molecular detection methods are always time consuming and require a specific laboratory infrastructure, thereby restricting their use for the rapid detection and diagnosis of pathogens. A real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RealAmp) assay performed by ESEtube scanner to rapidly detect Listeria monocytogenes isolated from food was developed. The results showed that the RealAmp assay using the tube scanner was more efficient and precise than the conventional API Listeria assay and the real-time PCR assay.