Circulating microRNAs in hepatitis B virus-infected patients

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are stably present in human serum. The relationship between circulating miRNAs and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected liver disease has not been previously reported. Applied Biosystems array-based miRNA expression profiling was performed on pooled sera obtained from identified groups of chronic asymptomatic carriers (ASC), patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and HBV-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), as well as healthy controls (HC). Nine miRNAs were verified in more clinical samples by RT-PCR. The correlation between miRNAs expression and the relationship between miRNA levels and clinical characteristics was analysed. Results showed that circulating miRNAs were detected in all disease and control samples, and their numbers increased with symptom severity, from 37 in HC, 77 in ASC, 101 in CHB, to 135 in ACLF. The expression levels of most miRNAs were also up-regulated in HBV-infected patients when compared to HC. Expression of the liver-specific miR-122 was significantly up-regulated in HBV-infected patients. Concomitant regulation of miRNAs not in clusters was disrupted by HBV infection. However, such disruption was not observed for miRNAs in paralogous clusters. Furthermore, the level of miRNAs in the CHB serum was up-regulated most in hepatitis B e antigen-positive patients. The expression levels of miR-122 and miR-194 correlated negatively with the age of patients with CHB or ACLF. Functional analysis showed that miR-122 could inhibit HBV replication in Huh7 and HepG2 cells. In all, our study revealed that a number of miRNAs were differentially expressed during HBV infection and underscored the potential importance of miR-122 in the infection process.

Direct observation of broken time-reversal symmetry on the surface of a magnetically doped topological insulator

We study interference patterns of a magnetically doped topological insulator Bi(2-x)Fe(x)Te(3+d) by using Fourier transform scanning tunneling spectroscopy and observe several new scattering channels. A comparison with angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy allows us to unambiguously ascertain the momentum-space origin of distinct dispersing channels along high-symmetry directions and identify those originating from time-reversal symmetry breaking. Our analysis also reveals that the surface state survives far above the energy where angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy finds the onset of continuum bulk bands.

Absence of a holelike fermi surface for the iron-based K0.8F1.7Se2 superconductor revealed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

We have performed an angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of the new iron-based superconductor K(0.8)Fe(1.7)Se(2) (T(c)∼30 K). Clear band dispersion is observed with the overall bandwidth renormalized by a factor of 2.5 compared to our local density approximation calculations, indicating relatively strong correlation effects. Only an electronlike band crosses the Fermi energy, forming a nearly circular Fermi surface (FS) at M (π, 0). The holelike band at Γ sinks ∼90 meV below the Fermi energy, with an indirect band gap of 30 meV, to the bottom of the electronlike band. The observed FS topology in this superconductor favors (π, π) inter-FS scattering between the electronlike FSs at the M points, in sharp contrast to other iron-based superconductors which favor (π, 0) inter-FS scattering between holelike and electronlike FSs.

Electronic structure of optimally doped pnictide Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2: a comprehensive angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy investigation

The electronic structure of the Fe-based superconductor Ba(0.6)K(0.4)Fe(2)As(2) is studied by means of angle-resolved photoemission. We identify dispersive bands crossing the Fermi level forming hole-like (electron-like) Fermi surfaces (FSs) around Γ (M) with nearly nested FS pockets connected by the antiferromagnetic wavevector. Compared to band structure calculation findings, the overall bandwidth is reduced by a factor of 2 and the low energy dispersions display even stronger mass renormalization. Using an effective tight banding model, we fitted the band structure and the FSs to obtain band parameters reliable for theoretical modeling and calculation of physical quantities.

A precise method for visualizing dispersive features in image plots

In order to improve the advantages and the reliability of the second derivative method in tracking the position of extrema from experimental curves, we develop a novel analysis method based on the mathematical concept of curvature. We derive the formulas for the curvature in one and two dimensions and demonstrate their applicability to simulated and experimental angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy data. As compared to the second derivative, our new method improves the localization of the extrema and reduces the peak broadness for a better visualization on intensity image plots.

Significance and relationship between DJ-1 gene and surviving gene expression in laryngeal carcinoma

This study aimed at exploring the correlation between DJ-1 gene and survivin gene in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma by analyzing their gene expression levels and their relationship with clinicopathologic parameters. The expression of DJ-1 gene and survivin gene in 82 laryngeal carcinoma tissues from patients and 82 negative surgical margin tissue samples were detected by immunohistochemistry, respectively. The correlation of their expression levels and patients' clinical parameters were then analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. The positive detection rates of DJ-1 and survivin in laryngeal carcinoma tissues were 71.95% and 60.98%, which were higher than those of the normal control that were 29.27% and 0.00%, respectively (P<0.01). The positive detection rates of DJ-1 and survivin were found associated with tumor stages (P<0.05), but not with lymph node metastasis. The DJ-1 gene expression level was related to cell differentiation (P<0.05). Finally, a positive correlation between DJ-1 and survivin gene expression in laryngeal carcinoma was found. The overall survival rate of patients was 51.2%, and disease-free survival (DFS) was 39.0%. DFS in DJ-1 negative-expression group was 87.0%, and 20.3% in DJ-1 positive-expression group. The negative expression of DJ-1 was associated with a shorter mean patient DFS time (44.643±1.417 months), whereas positive expression of DJ-1 was associated with a longer mean DSF time (25.943±;1.297 months). DJ-1 and survivin play a vital role in the occurrence and development of laryngeal carcinoma. DJ-1 may promote the carcinogenesis of laryngeal cells by up-regulating the survivin gene expression.

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of the iron-chalcogenide superconductor Fe1.03Te0.7Se0.3: strong coupling behavior and the universality of interband scattering

We have performed angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of the iron-chalcogenide superconductor Fe1.03Te0.7Se0.3 to investigate the electronic structure relevant to superconductivity. We observed a holelike Fermi surface (FS) and an electronlike FS at the Brillouin zone center and corner, respectively, which are nearly nested by the Q∼(π,π) wave vector. We do not find evidence for the nesting instability with Q∼(π+δ,0) reminiscent of the antiferromagnetic order in the parent compound Fe1+yTe. We have observed an isotropic superconducting (SC) gap along the holelike FS with the gap size Δ of ∼4 meV (2Δ/kBTc ∼ 7), demonstrating the strong-coupling superconductivity. The observed similarity of low-energy electronic excitations between iron-chalcogenides and iron-arsenides strongly suggests that common interactions which involve Q∼(π,π) scattering are responsible for the SC pairing.

Observation of Dirac cone electronic dispersion in BaFe2As2

We performed an angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of BaFe2As2, which is the parent compound of the so-called 122 phase of the iron-pnictide high-temperature superconductors. We reveal the existence of a Dirac cone in the electronic structure of this material below the spin-density-wave temperature, which is responsible for small spots of high photoemission intensity at the Fermi level. Our analysis suggests that the cone is slightly anisotropic and its apex is located very near the Fermi level, leading to tiny Fermi surface pockets. The bands forming the cone show an anisotropic leading edge gap away from the cone that suggests a nodal spin-density-wave description.

Generation and analysis of 10 000 ESTs from the half-smooth tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis and identification of microsatellite and SNP markers

Three normalized cDNA libraries were constructed, two of which were constructed from reproductive tissues ovary and testis, and the other one from pooled immune tissues including head kidney, intestine, liver and spleen. A total of 10 542 clones were sequenced generating 10 128 expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Cluster analysis indicated a total of 5808 unique sequences including 1712 contigs and 4096 singletons. A total of 4249 (73%) of the unique ESTs had significant hits to the non-redundant protein database, 2253 of which were annotated using Gene Ontology (GO) terms. A total of 311 microsatellites (with 246 having sufficient flanking sequences for primer design) and 6294 putative SNPs were identified. These genome resources provide the material basis for future microarray development, marker validation and genetic linkage and QTL analysis.

Hand osteoarthritis and pinch grip strength among middle-aged female dentists and teachers

OBJECTIVES

Among female dentists and teachers, we investigated the relationship of pinch grip strength with radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA) and hand joint pain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 295 female dentists and 248 female teachers aged 45-63 years for pinch grip strength using the Martin Vigorimeter. Hand radiographs were examined for the presence of OA in the wrist and each joint of the first, second, and third fingers. Joint pain and tasks with high hand loading during leisure were assessed by questionnaire. Glove size was used as proxy for hand size.

RESULTS

Symptomatic hand OA (jointwise co-occurrence of radiological findings and pain) increased the risk of low pinch grip strength in both hands, with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.3 (95% CI 1.8-6.2) for the right and 2.0 (95% CI 1.1-3.8) for the left hand, allowing for age, occupation, body mass index (BMI), hand size, and hand-loading leisure-time activity. The occurrence of findings and pain in non-corresponding joints was also associated with pinch grip strength in the right hand, but not in the left. Having only radiographic findings or pain was not associated with pinch grip strength.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the view that hand function is related to the severity of hand OA.

Glucose enhances expression of TRPC1 and calcium entry in endothelial cells

Hyperglycemia is a major risk factor for endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease, and in the current study, the link to glucose-induced abnormal intracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(i)(2+)) homeostasis was explored in bovine aortic endothelial cells in high glucose (HG; 25 mmol/l) versus low glucose (LG; 5.5 mmol/l; control). Transient receptor potential 1 (TRPC1) ion channel protein, but not TRPC3, TRPC4, or TRPC6 expression, was significantly increased in HG versus LG at 72 h. HG for 4, 24, and 72 h did not change basal Ca(i)(2+) or ATP-induced Ca(i)(2+) release; however, the amplitude of sustained Ca(i)(2+) was significantly increased at 24 and 72 h and reduced by low concentration of the putative, but nonspecific, TRPC blockers, gadolinium, SKF-96365, and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate. Treatment with TRPC1 antisense significantly reduced TRPC1 protein expression and ATP-induced Ca(2+) entry in bovine aortic endothelial cells. Although the link between HG-induced changes in TRPC1 expression, enhanced Ca(2+) entry, and endothelial dysfunction require further study, the current data are suggestive that targeting these pathways may reduce the impact of HG on endothelial function.