Expression of ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 in longissimus dorsi muscle related to meat tenderness in Nanyang cattle

The ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 are secreted proteases, which can cleave aggrecan, brevican and versican to regulate rebuilding of the extracellular matrix. We analyzed the ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 gene expression patterns in longissimus dorsi muscle at intervals from 135 days fetal age to 30 months old by qRT-PCR in Nanyang cattle. Expression of ADAMTS4 was significantly higher in 135 and 185-day-old fetuses than at other stages, while expression of ADAMTS5 decreased during development. The promoter regions of ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 were cloned and the transcription factor binding sites were analyzed with bioinformatic methods. Twelve and six potential transcription factor binding sites were found in the promoter regions of ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 genes, respectively. Three transcription factors (MZF1, C/EBPb, and NF-kap) were selected to analyze the expression pattern during the development of the longissimus dorsi muscle. MZF1 was significantly co-expressed with ADAMTS4, while C/EBPb expression was significantly negatively associated with that of ADAMTS4. We concluded that the expression of ADAMTS4 is positively regulated by MZF1 and negatively regulated by C/EBPb. We examined the relationships of ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 expression with tenderness of longissimus dorsi muscle; ADAMTS4 was significantly and negatively correlated with meat tenderness. We conclude that ADAMTS4 participates in the regulation of muscle development in cattle.

Microwave Doppler reflectometer system in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak

A Doppler reflectometer system has recently been installed in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting (EAST) Tokamak. It includes two separated systems, one for Q-band (33-50 GHz) and the other for V-band (50-75 GHz). The optical system consists of a flat mirror and a parabolic mirror which are optimized to improve the spectral resolution. A synthesizer is used as the source and a 20 MHz single band frequency modulator is used to get a differential frequency for heterodyne detection. Ray tracing simulations are used to calculate the scattering location and the perpendicular wave number. In EAST last experimental campaign, the Doppler shifted signals have been obtained and the radial profiles of the perpendicular propagation velocity during L-mode and H-mode are calculated.

Contribution of dopamine d1/5 receptor modulation of post-spike/burst afterhyperpolarization to enhance neuronal excitability of layer v pyramidal neurons in prepubertal rat prefrontal cortex

Dopamine (DA) receptors in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) modulate both synaptic and intrinsic plasticity that may contribute to cognitive processing. However, the ionic basis underlying DA actions to enhance neuronal plasticity in PFC remains ill-defined. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in layer V-VI pyramidal cells in prepubertal rat PFC, we showed that DA, via activation of D1/5, but not D2/3/4, receptors suppress a Ca(2+)-dependent, apamin-sensitive K(+) channel that mediates post-spike/burst afterhyperpolarization (AHP) to enhance neuronal excitability of PFC neurons. This inhibition is not dependent on HCN channels. The D1/5 receptor activation also enhanced an afterdepolarizing potential (ADP) that follows the AHP. Additional single-spike analyses revealed that DA or D1/5 receptor activation suppressed the apamin-sensitive post-spike mAHP, further contributing to the increase in evoked spike firing to enhance the neuronal excitability. Taken together, the D1/5 receptor modulates intrinsic mechanisms that amplify a long depolarizing input to sustain spike firing outputs in pyramidal PFC neurons.

Microelectromechanical Maltese-cross metamaterial with tunable terahertz anisotropy

Dichroic polarizers and waveplates exploiting anisotropic materials have vast applications in displays and numerous optical components, such as filters, beamsplitters and isolators. Artificial anisotropic media were recently suggested for the realization of negative refraction, cloaking, hyperlenses, and controlling luminescence. However, extending these applications into the terahertz domain is hampered by a lack of natural anisotropic media, while artificial metamaterials offer a strong engineered anisotropic response. Here we demonstrate a terahertz metamaterial with anisotropy tunable from positive to negative values. It is based on the Maltese-cross pattern, where anisotropy is induced by breaking the four-fold symmetry of the cross by displacing one of its beams. The symmetry breaking permits the excitation of a Fano mode active for one of the polarization eigenstates controlled by actuators using microelectromechanical systems. The metamaterial offers new opportunities for the development of terahertz variable waveplates, tunable filters and polarimetry.

Signaling mechanism underlying α2A -adrenergic suppression of excitatory synaptic transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats

Stimulation of α2A -adrenoceptors (ARs) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) produces a beneficial effect on cognitive functions such as working memory. A previous study in our laboratory showed that α2A -AR stimulation suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission in layer V-VI pyramidal cells of the rat medial PFC (mPFC). However, the intracellular mechanism underlying the α2A -AR suppression remains unclear. In the present study, we recorded evoked excitatory postsynaptic current (eEPSC) in layer V-VI pyramidal cells of the mPFC, using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. We found that the α2A -AR agonist guanfacine significantly suppresses eEPSC in mPFC pyramidal cells. The α2A -AR inhibition is mediated by the Gi-cAMP-PKA-PP1-CaMKII-AMPAR signaling pathway, as such inhibition no longer exists when each step of this pathway is blocked with NF023, Rp-cAMP, PKI5-24 or H89, tautomycin, and KN-62 or KN-93, respectively.

Involvement of pGluR1, EAAT2 and EAAT3 in offspring depression induced by prenatal stress

It is widely known that prenatal stress (PS) exposure causes depression-like behaviour to offspring, as well as maladaptive responses including neurobiological and physiological changes. However, the underlying mechanism of PS induced juvenile-onset depression remains largely unravelled. The inadequacies of monoamine deficiency hypothesis, the emerging evidence of altered glutamate neurotransmission in mood disorders, as well as our previous studies inspired us to assess the potential role of glutamatergic system in the pathogenesis of juvenile depression. In this research, we examined the expression of phosphorylated GluR1 subunit of ionotropic receptor alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR), the Na+-dependent glutamate transporters excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) and EAAT3 in the hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex of 1-month-old rat offspring after mid and late PS exposure. Prenatally stressed offspring rats showed significantly prolonged duration of immobility and shortened immobility latency in tail suspension test. We also detected that PS significantly altered the expression of glutamate receptor and glutamate transporters of these depressed rats. In brief, the changes of phosphorylated GluR1 subunit of AMPAR protein level in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, as well as markedly decreased EAAT2 mRNA expression in the hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex and EAAT3 mRNA expression in the hippocampus of stressed rats were both observed. These results underpinned that glutamate receptors and glutamate transporters might be involved in the progress of depression-like behaviour in juvenile rat offspring induced by PS.

The relationship of plumage colours with MC1R (Melanocortin 1 Receptor) and ASIP (Agouti Signaling Protein) in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

1. The relationship of polymorphisms in the Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R) and Agouti Signalling Protein (ASIP) genes with plumage colour in Japanese quail was investigated by cloning and sequencing the entire coding regions from black, white and maroon Japanese quail embryos at 12 d of incubation. 2. Three SNPs were identified in the MC1R coding region by multiple alignment of sequences from individuals with different plumage colours. A missense C/T mutation located at 169 bp within the Open Reading Frame caused a Ile57Val mutation in the amino acid sequence, and had a significant relationship with the black colour. 3. The expression of MC1R was higher in black plumage quails than that in maroon plumage quails, whereas the expression of ASIP was higher in maroon plumage quails than that in black plumage quails. 4. It is concluded that the black plumage colour in Japanese quails may be caused by either increased production of MC1R or decreased production of ASIP.

Activation of β2-adrenoceptor enhances synaptic potentiation and behavioral memory via cAMP-PKA signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a critical role in cognitive functions, including working memory, attention regulation, behavioral inhibition, as well as memory storage. The functions of PFC are very sensitive to norepinephrine (NE), and even low levels of endogenously released NE exert a dramatic influence on the functioning of the PFC. Activation of β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs) facilitates synaptic potentiation and enhances memory in the hippocampus. However, little is known regarding these processes in the PFC. In the present study, we investigate the role of β2-AR in synaptic plasticity and behavioral memory. Our results show that β2-AR selective agonist clenbuterol facilitates spike-timing-dependent long-term potentiation (tLTP) under the physiological conditions with intact GABAergic inhibition, and such facilitation is prevented by co-application with the cAMP inhibitor Rp-cAMPS. Loading postsynaptic pyramidal cells with Rp-cAMPS, the PKA inhibitor PKI(5-24), or the G protein inhibitor GDP-β-S significantly decreases, but does not eliminate, the effect of clenbuterol. Clenbuterol suppresses the GABAergic transmission, while blocking GABAergic transmission by the GABA(A) receptor blocker partially mimics the effect of clenbuterol. In behavioral tests, a post-training infusion of clenbuterol into mPFC enhances 24-h trace fear memory. In summary, we observed that prefrontal cortical β2-AR activation by clenbuterol facilitates tLTP and enhances trace fear memory. The mechanism underlying tLTP facilitation involves stimulating postsynaptic cAMP-PKA signaling cascades and suppressing GABAergic circuit activities.

Involvement of serotonin mechanism in methamphetamine-induced chronic pulmonary toxicity in rats

The widest distribution and the highest uptake of methamphetamine (MA) in the human body occurred in the lungs, so that more and more attention should be paid to MA-induced pulmonary toxicity. MA induces the release of serotonin, which is an important mediator in pulmonary disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the chronic response of the lung to MA and its potential mechanism in rats. Models of the chronic toxicity of MA were established with MA of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg (intraperitoneally, twice per day) for 5 weeks. It was found that the high dose of MA induced rat pulmonary toxicity: crowded lung parenchyma, thickened septum, reduced number of alveolar sacs, inflammatory cell infiltration, and pulmonary arteriolar remodeling. In addition, MA resulted in a significant increase in the lung serotonin concentration and the marked upregulation of tryptophan hydroxylase 1, vesicular monoamine transporter 2, serotonin transporter, and downregulation of monoamine oxidase-A. These findings suggest that MA induced chronic pulmonary toxicity, which is concerned with the elevated serotonin concentration in rat lungs by increased synthesis, reduced metabolism, augmented accumulation, and promoted release of serotonin.

Delay-dependent impairment of spatial working memory with inhibition of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in hippocampal CA1 region of rats

Hippocampal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is required for spatial working memory. Although evidence from genetic manipulation mice suggests an important role of hippocampal NMDAR NR2B subunits (NR2B-NMDARs) in spatial working memory, it remains unclear whether or not the requirement of hippocampal NR2B-NMDARs for spatial working memory depends on the time of spatial information maintained. Here, we investigate the contribution of hippocampal NR2B-NMDARs to spatial working memory on delayed alternation task in T-maze (DAT task) and delayed matched-to-place task in water maze (DMP task). Our data show that infusions of the NR2B-NMDAR selective antagonists, Ro25-6981 or ifenprodil, directly into the CA1 region, impair spatial working memory in DAT task with 30-s delay (not 5-s delay), but severely impair error-correction capability in both 5-s and 30-s delay task. Furthermore, intra-CA1 inhibition of NR2B-NMDARs impairs spatial working memory in DMP task with 10-min delay (not 30-s delay). Our results suggest that hippocampal NR2B-NMDARs are required for spatial working memory in long-delay task, whereas spare for spatial working memory in short-delay task. We conclude that the requirement of NR2B-NMDARs for spatial working memory is delay-dependent in the CA1 region.

Characterization of myostatin gene (MSTN) of Pekin duck and the association of its polymorphism with breast muscle traits

Myostatin, encoded by the MSTN gene, is a negative regulator of muscle growth, and its expression level in muscle tissue is closely correlated with muscle growth and satellite cell proliferation. To identify the characteristics of the Pekin duck MSTN gene and the relationship between its polymorphism and breast muscle traits in Pekin duck, cDNA cloning and analysis and the expression pattern in breast muscle development and polymorphism were performed using molecular cloning, quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and molecular marker technology. The results showed that a 1320-bp sequence, including a 93-bp 5'-UTR, 1128-bp CDS, and 99- bp 3'-UTR, was obtained, and two alternative splicing isoforms were detected. The alternative splicing isoforms encoded 375- and 251-amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of Pekin duck MSTN was similar to other vertebrates and exhibited the highest similarity to chicken. The expression pattern of MSTN in breast muscle tissue showed a tendency to increase, except for a slight decrease at 6 weeks. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms were found in the Pekin duck MSTN gene by cDNA sequencing from different individuals. The T129C had significant association with breast muscle thickness, and the T952C had significant association with the fossilia ossis mastodi length. This study reveals the molecular characteristics of the Pekin duck MSTN gene and the relationship of its polymorphism with breast muscle traits in Pekin duck. Therefore, it can provide some useful basic understanding of MSTN functions.

Methylphenidate enhances NMDA-receptor response in medial prefrontal cortex via sigma-1 receptor: a novel mechanism for methylphenidate action

Methylphenidate (MPH), commercially called Ritalin or Concerta, has been widely used as a drug for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Noteworthily, growing numbers of young people using prescribed MPH improperly for pleasurable enhancement, take high risk of addiction. Thus, understanding the mechanism underlying high level of MPH action in the brain becomes an important goal nowadays. As a blocker of catecholamine transporters, its therapeutic effect is explained as being due to proper modulation of D1 and α2A receptor. Here we showed that higher dose of MPH facilitates NMDA-receptor mediated synaptic transmission via a catecholamine-independent mechanism, in layer V∼VI pyramidal cells of the rat medial prefrontal cortex (PFC). To indicate its postsynaptic action, we next found that MPH facilitates NMDA-induced current and such facilitation could be blocked by σ1 but not D1/5 and α2 receptor antagonists. And this MPH eliciting enhancement of NMDA-receptor activity involves PLC, PKC and IP3 receptor mediated intracellular Ca(2+) increase, but does not require PKA and extracellular Ca(2+) influx. Our additional pharmacological studies confirmed that higher dose of MPH increases locomotor activity via interacting with σ1 receptor. Together, the present study demonstrates for the first time that MPH facilitates NMDA-receptor mediated synaptic transmission via σ1 receptor, and such facilitation requires PLC/IP3/PKC signaling pathway. This novel mechanism possibly explains the underlying mechanism for MPH induced addictive potential and other psychiatric side effects.

Ultrafast insulator–metal phase transition in vanadium dioxide studied using optical pump–terahertz probe spectroscopy

We studied the ultrafast dynamic behavior of the photoinduced insulator–metal phase transition in VO2 thin film using optical pump–terahertz probe spectroscopy with different excitation fluences and at different temperatures. We observed two processes in the insulator–metal phase transition in VO2: a fast process and a slow process. The fast process is a nonthermal process, which is ascribed to the nucleation of the metal phase, while the slow process is strongly affected by temperature and is ascribed to the thermally driven growth and coalescence of metal domains in VO2. The transient complex conductivity spectra at different delay times are also investigated.

Association of p53 Arg72Pro and MDM2 SNP309 polymorphisms with glioma

Epidemiological studies of the association of variants p53 Arg72Pro and MDM2 single-nucleotide polymorphism 309 (SNP309) with glioma risk have produced inconsistent results. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the association of these 2 variants with glioma susceptibility using a meta-analysis approach. For p53 Arg72Pro, 10 case-control studies including 2587 glioma patients and 4061 unrelated controls were identified. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) for Arg/Pro heterozygotes and Pro/Pro homozygotes were 1.08 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.85-1.37] and 1.08 (95%CI = 0.85-1.36), respectively, when compared to Arg/Arg carriers. Under the dominant effect model, Pro allele carriers also showed no significantly elevated glioma risk (pooled OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 0.90-1.38), and similar results were found under the recessive-effect model (pooled OR = 1.17, 95%CI = 0.85-1.61). For variant MDM2 SNP309, 3 case-control studies including 606 cases and 309 controls were identified. A marginal association with glioma risk was found for heterozygous G/T carriers (pooled OR = 1.95, 95%CI = 1.00- 3.81), whereas homozygous G/G carriers showed an increased but not significantly elevated risk of glioma (pooled OR = 2.14, 95%CI = 0.71-6.45) compared with that of T/T homozygotes. We also found no significant association between the MDM2 SNP309 polymorphism and glioma risk (pooled OR = 1.86, 95%CI = 0.94-3.67 and pooled OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 0.62-2.56, respectively) under the dominant and recessive models. Taken together, the current data suggested that the 2 polymorphisms may not contribute to glioma susceptibility.

Monolayer polystyrene micro-spheres array master derived by spin-coating method for UV nanoimprint

Polystyrene micro-spheres aqueous suspensions were obtained by an emulsifier-free polymerization method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and laser particle size distribution were used to characterize the colloidal solutions. Results indicate that the polystyrene micro-spheres colloidal solution has a good dispersion and the micro-spheres have a uniform size and smooth surface. The as-prepared polystyrene micro-spheres colloidal solution was spun onto glass substrates and then the coated sample was heated at 70 degrees C for 1 h to form close-packed monolayer polystyrene microspheres arrays, which are used as a master. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the morphological properties of the polystyrene micro-spheres array. A relative good result can be easily obtained by a spinning speed of 2000 rpm for 30 second, when the solution concentration is around 10 wt.%. Furthermore, the polydimethylsiloxane soft mold was replicated from the-fabricated polystyrene micro-spheres array master and was then imprinted onto the photosensitive hybrid film under UV-irradiation and thus the micro-lens arrays built in the photosensitive hybrid sol-gel film were obtained.

CFTR suppresses tumor progression through miR-193b targeting urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in prostate cancer

Cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is expressed in the epithelial cells of a wide range of organs/tissues from which most cancers are derived. Although accumulating reports have indicated the association of cancer incidence with genetic variations in CFTR gene, the exact role of CFTR in cancer development and the possible underlying mechanism have not been elucidated. Here, we report that CFTR expression is significantly decreased in both prostate cancer cell lines and human prostate cancer tissue samples. Overexpression of CFTR in prostate cancer cell lines suppresses tumor progression (cell growth, adhesion and migration), whereas knockdown of CFTR leads to enhanced malignancies both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we demonstrate that CFTR knockdown-enhanced cell proliferation, cell invasion and migration are significantly reversed by antibodies against either urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) or uPA receptor (uPAR), which are known to be involved in various malignant traits of cancer development. More interestingly, overexpression of CFTR suppresses uPA by upregulating the recently described tumor suppressor microRNA-193b (miR-193b), and overexpression of pre-miR-193b significantly reverses CFTR knockdown-enhanced malignant phenotype and abrogates elevated uPA activity in prostate cancer cell line. Finally, we show that CFTR gene transfer results in significant tumor repression in prostate cancer xenografts in vivo. Taken together, the present study has demonstrated a previously undefined tumor-suppressing role of CFTR and its involvement in regulation of miR-193b in prostate cancer development.

HSF is the most important transcriptional factor for porcine MC4R promoter

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is involved in feed intake regulation. It is significantly associated with growth and fatness traits in most breeds and crosses. To understand the essential transcriptional regions of the porcine MC4R promoter, eleven primer pairs were designed to amplify different segment lengths of the MC4R promoter. The PCR products were then ligated along with the Firefly luciferase reporter gene into the PGL3-basic vector. The results showed that a 90 bp fragment could contain the essential regions for control of transcription. Further research found that a short sequence "AGAAAGAAG" (the recognition site of transcription factor HSF) was the most important sequence for supporting activity of the pig MC4R promoter.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy using carbon nanoparticles for Chinese patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

AIMS

To compare the efficacies of methylene blue (MB) and carbon nanoparticles (CNs) as tracers for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), and assess the value of SLNB in predicting the cervical LN status of patients with thyroid microcarcinoma.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis comprised 200 thyroid microcarcinoma patients who underwent intraoperative SLNB. Among them, 100 patients were injected with MB dye. The other 100 patients received a CN suspension injection. Routine pathological examination was performed in all resected specimens.

RESULTS

SLNs detected in the experimental and control groups were 126 and 102, respectively, of which the metastatic LNs confirmed by histopathology were 77 and 48, respectively. The staining rate of cervical level VI LNs in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). For the CN method, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy rate, and false negative rate were 93.3%, 100%, 97%, and 5.2%, respectively, whereas the corresponding figures for the MB method were 80.6%, 100%, 93%, and 9.9%, respectively. The positive rate of cancer metastases for SLNs in the experimental group was 61.1%, which is significantly higher than that in the control group (47.1%; P=0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to the MB method, CNs can maintain the durability of SLN imaging and accurately forecast the LN status of patients with thyroid microcarcinoma; in addition, the CN method was found to be feasible and repeatable. The CN method better aids the screening and selection of patients who are most likely to benefit from cervical LN dissection.

Genetic polymorphisms of the sortase A gene and early childhood caries in two-year-old children

OBJECTIVE

To explore and compare the genetic polymorphisms of the sortase A (srtA) gene found in Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) infecting two-year-old children suffering early childhood caries to those found in caries-free children through molecular identification methods.

METHODS

Clinical S. mutans strains were isolated from the dental plaques of two-year-old children. Fifteen strains of S. mutans from the caries-active group and 15 strains of S. mutans from the caries-free group were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from the S. mutans isolates. DNA fragments, including the srtA gene, were amplified by PCR. The PCR products were purified, sequenced and analyzed. A chi-square test and BioEdit software were used to analyze the sequencing results.

RESULTS

All 30 clinically isolated S. mutans strains had a 741 base pair (bp) srtA gene. There were no nucleotide sequence insertions or deletions observed in the srtA genes. Twenty mutations were identified in the srtA genes that taken from the 30 clinical strains. There were 10 silent point mutations at the 78, 99, 150, 165, 186, 222, 249, 261, 312, and 636bp positions. The other 10 mutations were point mutations resulting in a missense mutation at the 23, 34, 36, 47, 112, 114, 168, 176, 470, and 671bp positions. None of the positions were enzyme-activity sites of srt A. The missense mutation rates of the two groups did not exhibit statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSION

There were no genetic polymorphisms of the sortase A gene associated with early childhood caries in two-year-old children.

P4-16-06: Expression Patterns of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kB (RANK) and Src in a Series of Primary Breast Tumors (BT) and Bone Metastases (BM) in Patients (pts) with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)

Background

BM develops in 65–70% of pts with MBC. RANK and its ligand (RANK-L) can be critical in the development and progression of BM. Src overexpression and deregulation occurs in many solid tumors but it has not been fully characterized although an association between Src activity defined by a gene expression signature and BM particularly in ER+ pts has been described. (Zhang XH et al. Cancer Cell. 2009) Our goal was to elucidate the relationship between Src and RANK expression in BT and BM in relation to estrogen-/progesterone-receptor (ER/PR)/HER2 expression and tumor histology (invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) vs invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)).

Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for RANK (R&D Systems clone 80707) and Src (Cell Applications Inc. Phospho Tyr-416) protein expression was performed on archived paraffin embedded BT and BM. Scoring: 0=negative, 1+=weak, 2+=intermediate, 3+=strong and the percent of positive tumor cells; RANK+ = 2–3+, &gt; 1% of cells; Src+ = 1–3+; &gt; 1% of cells. Associations between RANK/Src expression and tumor characteristics were assessed using the chi-square test or McNemar's test for pairs, as appropriate.

Results: From the MSKCC database, using an IRB-approved waiver of consent, we identified 54 pts with MBC who underwent surgical biopsy of a metastatic bone lesion at our center between 2005–2010, and had tissue available for further testing. 17 corresponding BT samples were identified. At the time of diagnosis, 43 (79.5%) primary tumors were ER or PR (+); 6 (11%) were HER2+; 41 (76%) were invasive ductal carcinoma. 87% of BM expressed RANK and 44% expressed Src. (Table 1) No significant correlation between RANK or Src expression in BM and ER/PR/HER2 status of BT was observed. A significant correlation between RANK expression and BT histology was observed, (p=0.0016): 93% of IDC were RANK (+), in comparison to 50% of invasive lobular carcinomas. RANK expression was not significantly different between primary tumor and metastatic bone samples (p=0.99). There was a borderline significant difference in Src expression between primary and metastatic site (p=.06).

Basiliximab for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease after unmanipulated HLA-mismatched/haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND

Anti-CD(25) monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) have been evaluated for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) mainly with matched donors for years, but there is little attention concerning patients with unmanipulated human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched/haploidentical transplantations. We investigated the efficacy and safety of the chimeric Mab, basiliximab, to treat steroid-refractory acute GVHD after unmanipulated mismatched/haploidentical HSCT.

METHODS

Fifty-three patients who developed steroid-refractory acute GVHD between July 2005 and July 2009 were treated at our institute with basiliximab. No prisoners were used in this study.

RESULTS

Forty-six among 53 patients responded, including 37 complete remissions at a median response of 6 days from Mab initiation. There were 29 episodes of viral reactivations, 25 bacterial infections, and 11 probable fungal infections. Thirty-four out of 49 patients who could be evaluated developed chronic GVHD. Twenty-eight of 53 subjects (52.8%) were alive at a median follow-up of 16 months (range, 2-57) posttransplantation. The Kaplan-Meier probability of a 3-year event-free survival was 47.7%. The causes of death were infection alone (n = 15), progressive GVHD with infection (n = 3), relapse (n = 3), and other etiologies (n = 4).

CONCLUSION

These data suggested that basiliximab was effective to treat steroid-refractory acute GVHD after unmanipulated HLA-mismatched/haploidentical stem cell transplantation.

Down-regulation of iASPP in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells inhibits cell proliferation and tumor growth

The oncoprotein inhibitory member of the ASPP family (iASPP) is a key inhibitor of the p53 tumor suppressor and is upregulated in patients with acute leukemia and breast carcinoma. To investigate the effect of iASPP inhibition on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, a recombinant lentivirus vector expressing a small interfering RNA (siRNA) against iASPP gene expression was constructed and used to infect human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2 and Hep3B). The results showed that iASPP mRNA and protein levels were significantly down-regulated in both cells infected with the siRNA against iASPP. siRNA-mediated down-regulation of iASPP repressed tumor cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro and induced a growth delay of the tumor in vivo, suggesting that iASPP plays an important role in the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. iASPP may be a valuable candidate target gene in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.

Intestinal growth and morphology is associated with the increase in heat shock protein 70 expression in weaning piglets through supplementation with glutamine

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of oral Gln supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and expression of heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 in weaning piglets. A total of 65 piglets after weaning at 21 d of age (d 0) were used in this experiment. Five piglets were randomly selected and euthanized initially at d 0 to determine baseline values for the expression of Hsp70 in the small intestine. The remaining piglets were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments and received 0 or 1 g of oral Gln/kg of BW every 12 h. After piglets were humanely killed at d 3, 7, and 14 postweaning, the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of piglets were sampled to evaluate intestinal morphology and the expression and localization of Hsp70. The results indicated that oral Gln supplementation increased plasma concentrations of Gln compared with those in control piglets (P < 0.05). Average daily gain and ADFI were greater in piglets orally supplemented with Gln than in control piglets during the whole period (P < 0.05). The incidence of diarrhea in piglets orally supplemented with Gln was 24% less than (P = 0.064) that in control piglets at 8 to 14 d after weaning. The weights of the jejunum and ileum were greater in piglets orally supplemented with Gln compared with those of control piglets relative to BW on d 14 postweaning (P < 0.05). The villus height and the villus height:crypt depth ratio in the jejunum and the ileum were greater in piglets receiving oral Gln on d 14 postweaning (P < 0.05) than in control piglets. These results indicate that Gln supplementation can influence the intestinal morphology of weaned piglets. The expression of hsp70 mRNA and Hsp70 proteins in the duodenum and jejunum was greater in piglets supplemented with Gln than in control piglets (P < 0.05). However, Gln supplementation had no effect on the expression of hsp70 mRNA and Hsp70 proteins in the ileum. Moreover, the localization of Hsp70 in the cytoplasm indicated that Hsp70 has a cytoprotective role in epithelial cell function and structure. These results indicate that Gln supplementation may be beneficial for intestinal health and development and may thus mitigate diarrhea and improve growth performance. The protective mechanisms of Gln in the intestine may be associated with the increase in Hsp70 expression.

Dexamethasone alters the expression of genes related to the growth of skeletal muscle in chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are involved in the muscle wasting caused by trauma, inactivity, and stress. In the present study, three experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of GCs on the expression of genes related to muscle development in chickens. Broilers at 7 or 35 days of age were subjected to dexamethasone (DEX) treatment (2 mg/kg body mass (BM)) for 3 or 7 days. The expression levels of genes such as IGF1, IGF1 receptor, MSTN, WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin (UB) protein ligase 1, myogenic determining factor, and myogenic factor 5 were measured. The results showed that BM gain was significantly suppressed by DEX treatment. The plasma level of insulin was increased (P<0.05) by DEX treatment at feeding, whereas IGF1 was decreased (P<0.05). The expression of genes in the IGF1, myostatin, and UB-proteasome (UBP) pathways were altered by DEX treatment in age- and exposure time-related ways. These results suggest that GCs suppress IGF1 and upregulate myostatin and/or activated myostatin and the UBP pathway, which might be the source of the effect of GCs on muscle development.