Barley (Hordeum vulgare) circadian clock genes can respond rapidly to temperature in an EARLY FLOWERING 3-dependent manner

An increase in global temperatures will impact future crop yields. In the cereal crops wheat and barley, high temperatures accelerate reproductive development, reducing the number of grains per plant and final grain yield. Despite this relationship between temperature and cereal yield, it is not clear what genes and molecular pathways mediate the developmental response to increased temperatures. The plant circadian clock can respond to changes in temperature and is important for photoperiod-dependent flowering, and so is a potential mechanism controlling temperature responses in cereal crops. This study examines the relationship between temperature, the circadian clock, and the expression of flowering-time genes in barley (Hordeum vulgare), a crop model for temperate cereals. Transcript levels of barley core circadian clock genes were assayed over a range of temperatures. Transcript levels of core clock genes CCA1, GI, PRR59, PRR73, PRR95, and LUX are increased at higher temperatures. CCA1 and PRR73 respond rapidly to a decrease in temperature whereas GI and PRR59 respond rapidly to an increase in temperature. The response of GI and the PRR genes to changes in temperature is lost in the elf3 mutant indicating that their response to temperature may be dependent on a functional ELF3 gene.

Construction of recombinant adenovirus Ad-rat PLCγ2 and its effects on apoptosis of rat liver cell BRL-3A in vitro

Although the role of PLCγ2 in apoptotic response has been reported, too little is known about whether PLCγ2 induces liver cell apoptosis during liver regeneration. Therefore, this study firstly packaged Ad-PLCγ2 recombinant adenovirus and primarily evaluated its effect on apoptosis of rat liver cell BRL-3A in vitro. Following ten days of co-transfection of pHBAd-MCMV-GFP-PLCγ2 and pHBAd-BHG into HEK293 cells, viral cytopathic effect (CPE) was apparent. Following three rounds of amplification, tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50) assay showed that the titer value reached 1×1010 PFU/mL. After 24 h of transfection of recombinant adenovirus into BRL-3A cells, transfection efficiency of adenovirus into BRL-3A cells was above 90% when obsereved under fluorescent microscopy. qRT-PCR and Western blot assays showed mRNA and protein levels of PLCγ2 were significantly elevated in the transfected BRL-3A cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that, compared with the control and Ad-GFP groups, cell apoptosis rate of Ad-PLCγ2 group were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the cell cycle in Ad-PLCγ2 group was arrested at G1 phase which was manifested by a marked increase (P<0.01) in the percentage of G1 phase cells and a great decrease (P<0.01) in the percentage of S and G2/M phase cells. It was concluded from above results that recombinant adenovirus Ad-PLCγ2 was packaged successfully, and could promote cell apoptosis by arresting the transition from G1 to S phase of BRL-3A cells.

A flexible field-limited ordered ZnO nanorod-based self-powered tactile sensor array for electronic skin

A tactile sensor is an essential component for realizing biomimetic robots, while the flexibility of the tactile sensor is a pivotal feature for its application, especially for electronic skin. In this work, a flexible self-powered tactile sensor array was designed based on the piezoelectricity of ZnO nanorods (NRs). The field-limited ordered ZnO NRs were synthesized on a flexible Kapton substrate to serve as the functional layer of the tactile sensor. The electrical output performances of the as-fabricated tactile sensor were measured under pressing and bending forces. Moreover, we measured the human-finger pressure detection performance of the tactile sensor array, suggesting that the corresponding mapping figure of finger pressure could be displayed on the monitor of a personal computer (PC) in the form of lighted LED and color density through a LabVIEW system. This as-grown sensory feedback system should be of potential valuable assistance for the users of hand prostheses to reduce the risk and obtain a greater feeling of using the prostheses.

Genome-wide association studies identify susceptibility loci affecting respiratory disease in Chinese Erhualian pigs under natural conditions

Prevalence of swine respiratory disease causes poor growth performance in and serious economic losses to the swine industry. In this study, a categorical trait of enzootic pneumonia-like (EPL) score representing the infection gradient of a respiratory disease, more likely enzootic pneumonia, was recorded in a herd of 332 Chinese Erhualian pigs. According to their EPL scores and the disease effect on weight gains, these pigs were grouped into controls (EPL score ≤ 1) and cases (EPL score > 1). The weight gain of the case group reduced significantly at days 180, 210, 240 and 300 as compared to the control group. The heritability of EPL score was estimated to be 0.24 based on the pedigree information using a linear mixed model. All 332 Erhualian pigs and their nine sire parents were genotyped with Illumina Porcine 60K SNP chips. Two genome-wide association studies were performed under a generalized linear mixed model and a case-control model respectively. In total, five loci surpassed the suggestive significance level (P = 2.98 × 10^-5 ) on chromosomes 2, 8, 12 and 14. CXCL6, CXCL8, KIT and CTBP2 were highlighted as candidate genes that might play important roles in determining resistance/susceptibility to swine EP-like respiratory disease. The findings advance understanding of the genetic basis of resistance/susceptibility to respiratory disease in pigs.

Electrospray Deposition of Uniform Thickness Ge23Sb7S70 and As40S60 Chalcogenide Glass Films

Solution-based electrospray film deposition, which is compatible with continuous, roll-to-roll processing, is applied to chalcogenide glasses. Two chalcogenide compositions are demonstrated: Ge23Sb7S70 and As40S60, which have both been studied extensively for planar mid-infrared (mid-IR) microphotonic devices. In this approach, uniform thickness films are fabricated through the use of computer numerical controlled (CNC) motion. Chalcogenide glass (ChG) is written over the substrate by a single nozzle along a serpentine path. Films were subjected to a series of heat treatments between 100 °C and 200 °C under vacuum to drive off residual solvent and densify the films. Based on transmission Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and surface roughness measurements, both compositions were found to be suitable for the fabrication of planar devices operating in the mid-IR region. Residual solvent removal was found to be much quicker for the As40S60 film as compared to Ge23Sb7S70. Based on the advantages of electrospray, direct printing of a gradient refractive index (GRIN) mid-IR transparent coating is envisioned, given the difference in refractive index of the two compositions in this study.

Demethylase Inhibitor Fungicide Resistance in Pyrenophora teres f. sp. teres Associated with Target Site Modification and Inducible Overexpression of Cyp51

Pyrenophora teres f. sp. teres is the cause of net form of net blotch (NFNB), an economically important foliar disease in barley (Hordeum vulgare). Net and spot forms of net blotch are widely controlled using site-specific systemic fungicides. Although resistance to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors and quinone outside inhibitors has been addressed before in net blotches, mechanisms controlling demethylation inhibitor resistance have not yet been reported at the molecular level. Here we report the isolation of strains of NFNB in Australia since 2013 resistant to a range of demethylase inhibitor fungicides. Cyp51A:KO103-A1, an allele with the mutation F489L, corresponding to the archetype F495I in Aspergillus fumigatus, was only present in resistant strains and was correlated with resistance factors to various demethylase inhibitors ranging from 1.1 for epoxiconazole to 31.7 for prochloraz. Structural in silico modeling of the sensitive and resistant CYP51A proteins docked with different demethylase inhibitor fungicides showed how the interaction of F489L within the heme cavity produced a localized constriction of the region adjacent to the docking site that is predicted to result in lower binding affinities. Resistant strains also displayed enhanced induced expression of the two Cyp51A paralogs and of Cyp51B genes. While Cyp51B was found to be constitutively expressed in the absence of fungicide, Cyp51A was only detected at extremely low levels. Under fungicide induction, expression of Cyp51B, Cyp51A2, and Cyp51A1 was shown to be 1.6-, 3,- and 5.3-fold higher, respectively in the resistant isolate compared to the wild type. These increased levels of expression were not supported by changes in the promoters of any of the three genes. The implications of these findings on demethylase inhibitor activity will require current net blotch management strategies to be reconsidered in order to avoid the development of further resistance and preserve the lifespan of fungicides in use.

The efficacy and safety of intensified enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium with low exposure of calcineurin inhibitors in Chinese de novo kidney transplant recipients: a prospective study

AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a transient intensified enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) dosing regimen with low exposure of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in Chinese de novo kidney transplantation.

METHODS

In a 6-month prospective study, a total of 97 recipients were enrolled and assigned to either an intensified EC-MPS dosing (IS) regimen or a standard EC-MPS dosing (SD) regimen. The area under the curve (AUC) of MPA was assessed at week 1 post transplant. The incidences of acute rejection, patient and graft survival, renal allograft function and adverse events were analysed.

RESULTS

The IS regimen displayed a trend of acute rejection risk reduction (IS 2.7% vs. SD 13.3%, p = 0.061) and allograft function improvement (IS 62.8 ± 14.0 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) vs. SD 56.6 ± 18.3 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) , p = 0.084) after 6-month follow-up. MPA-AUC0-12 h was substantially higher in the intensified EC-MPS group than the standard EC-MPS group, though without a significant difference (71.4 ± 41.7 vs. 53.0 ± 27.0 mg·h/l, p = 0.107). The IS regimen did not increase the incidence of adverse effects (IS 54.1% vs. 45.0%, p = 0.39), including diarrhoea or leucopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

The intensified EC-MPS dosing regimen maintaining low-dose CNIs in this study may be beneficial for Chinese adult de novo kidney transplant recipients in terms of acute rejection and allograft function and is safe within 6 months post transplant.

Adipose-derived stem cells undergo spontaneous osteogenic differentiation in vitro when passaged serially or seeded at low density

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are a convenient source of cells for regenerating tissue. Widespread application of ADSCs requires that they propagate efficiently and differentiate in vitro. We investigated the differentiation potential of ADSCs during long-term expansion in vitro and when the cells were seeded at low density. ADSCs were isolated from the inguinal fat pads of 3-week-old male rats, then cultured serially for 12 passages; some ADSCs at passage 3 were seeded at low density. The differentiation potential of ADSCs from passage 3 to passage 12 was assessed by their capacity for adipogenesis and osteogenesis while cultured in specific induction media. Spontaneous osteogenesis of ADSCs at passage 12 and of ADSCs that were seeded at low density was detected by western blotting, alizarin red S staining and measurement of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. We found that with increasing passage number, the adipogenic potential of ADSCs decreased and osteogenic differentiation increased. Alizarin red S staining, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expressions, and ALP activity demonstrated that both ADSCs at passage 12 and those that were seeded at low density differentiated into osteoblasts without additional induction factors.

The CHRM3 gene is implicated in abnormal thalamo-orbital frontal cortex functional connectivity in first-episode treatment-naive patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

The genetic influences in human brain structure and function and impaired functional connectivities are the hallmarks of the schizophrenic brain. To explore how common genetic variants affect the connectivities in schizophrenia, we applied genome-wide association studies assaying the abnormal neural connectivities in schizophrenia as quantitative traits.

METHOD

We recruited 161 first-onset and treatment-naive patients with schizophrenia and 150 healthy controls. All the participants underwent scanning with a 3 T-magnetic resonance imaging scanner to acquire structural and functional imaging data and genotyping using the HumanOmniZhongHua-8 BeadChip. The brain-wide association study approach was employed to account for the inherent modular nature of brain connectivities.

RESULTS

We found differences in four abnormal functional connectivities [left rectus to left thalamus (REC.L-THA.L), left rectus to right thalamus (REC.L-THA.R), left superior orbital cortex to left thalamus (ORBsup.L-THA.L) and left superior orbital cortex to right thalamus (ORBsup.L-THA.R)] between the two groups. Univariate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based association revealed that the SNP rs6800381, located nearest to the CHRM3 (cholinergic receptor, muscarinic 3) gene, reached genomic significance (p = 1.768 × 10-8) using REC.L-THA.R as the phenotype. Multivariate gene-based association revealed that the FAM12A (family with sequence similarity 12, member A) gene nearly reached genomic significance (nominal p = 2.22 × 10-6, corrected p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, we identified the first evidence that the CHRM3 gene plays a role in abnormal thalamo-orbital frontal cortex functional connectivity in first-episode treatment-naive patients with schizophrenia. Identification of these genetic variants using neuroimaging genetics provides insights into the causes of variability in human brain development, and may help us determine the mechanisms of dysfunction in schizophrenia.

Establishment of a normal reference value of parathyroid hormone in a large healthy Chinese population and evaluation of its relation to bone turnover and bone mineral density

A normal reference value of parathyroid hormone (PTH) was established for the first time in a large sample of healthy Chinese subjects by completely excluding interference of vitamin D deficiency. A high PTH level correlated significantly with an elevated bone turnover and a reduced bone mineral density (BMD).

INTRODUCTION

The aims of this study are to establish a normal reference value for serum PTH and to evaluate the effect of parathyroid gland status on bone turnover and BMD.

METHODS

Our cross-sectional study included 1436 healthy individuals from 5 different Chinese cities. Concentrations of serum PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), procollagen I N-terminal peptide (P1NP, a bone formation marker), and carboxyl-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX, a bone resorption marker) were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The relation of PTH concentration to age, gender, height, and weight was examined. Reference values of PTH were established for all subjects and for subjects categorized by serum 25OHD concentrations. Correlations of PTH levels with bone turnover biomarkers and BMD were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Reference values of PTH were 8.84-69.95 pg/mL in all the subjects and 7.48-60.73 and 5.83-56.78 pg/mL in the subjects with serum 25OHD concentrations of ≥20 and ≥30 ng/mL, respectively. Serum PTH showed a negative linear correlation with 25OHD, and the breakpoint was 18.21 ng/mL, below which the PTH level rapidly increased. The increase in PTH levels with age showed a positive linear correlation with P1NP and β-CTX concentrations and a negative linear correlation with BMD at the lumbar spines and the femoral neck.

CONCLUSIONS

A reference value of PTH was established in a large sample of healthy Chinese subjects according to 25OHD status, gender, and age. A high PTH level correlated significantly with an elevated bone turnover and a reduced BMD.

Calpain 2-mediated autophagy defect increases susceptibility of fatty livers to ischemia-reperfusion injury

Hepatic steatosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality after liver resection and transplantation. This study focuses on the role of autophagy in regulating sensitivity of fatty livers to ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. Quantitative immunohistochemistry conducted on human liver allograft biopsies showed that, the reduction of autophagy markers LC3 and Beclin-1 at 1 h after reperfusion, was correlated with hepatic steatosis and poor survival of liver transplant recipients. In animal studies, western blotting and confocal imaging analysis associated the increase in sensitivity to I/R injury with low autophagy activity in fatty livers. Screening of autophagy-related proteins showed that Atg3 and Atg7 expression levels were marked decreased, whereas calpain 2 expression was upregulated during I/R in fatty livers. Calpain 2 inhibition or knockdown enhanced autophagy and suppressed cell death. Further point mutation experiments revealed that calpain 2 cleaved Atg3 and Atg7 at Atg3Δ92-97 and Atg7Δ344-349, respectively. In vivo and in vitro overexpression of Atg3 or Atg7 enhanced autophagy and suppressed cell death after I/R in fatty livers. Collectively, calpain 2-mediated degradation of Atg3 and Atg7 in fatty livers increases their sensitivity to I/R injury. Increasing autophagy may ameliorate fatty liver damage and represent a valuable method to expand the liver donor pool.

Association of Complement C5 Gene Polymorphisms with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy of Type 2 Diabetes in a Chinese Han Population

Purpose

To investigate the association of C5 SNPs with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

A total of four C5 SNPs including rs2269067, rs7040033, rs1017119 and rs7027797 were genotyped in 400 PDR patients with T2D (cases) and 600 non- proliferative diabetic retinopathy PDR (NPDR) with T2D patients (controls) by using PCR-RFLP method. mRNA expression was examined by real-time PCR. Cytokine production was detected by ELISA.

Results

The frequency of GG genotype of C5 rs2269067 was significantly increased in cases compared with controls (Pc = 3.4×10⁻⁵, OR = 1.87). And C5 mRNA expression was significantly increased in rs2269067 GG cases as compared with CG or CC cases (P = 0.003, P = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the production of IL-6 was significantly increased in rs2269067 GG cases compared to CG cases or CC cases (P = 0.002, P = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

C5 rs2269067 GG genotype confers risk for PDR of T2D in Chinese han population and is associated with an elevated C5 mRNA expression and an increased IL-6 production.

MP6: HOMOCYSTEINE LEVEL IN PFO RELATED STROKE PATIENTS WITH RESPECT TO MEDICAL THERAPY VS PFO CLOSURE

Purpose of Study

Homocysteine is an independent risk factor of ischemic stroke by promoting vascular endothelial dysfunction and thrombotic process through oxidative stress. We previously found that PFO closure may reduce total homocysteine level (tHcy) in plasma. Here, we compare the effect of PFO closure and medical treatment in reducing mild homocysteinemia in PFO-related stroke patients.

Methods Used

28 PFO-related stroke patients with mildly elevated tHcy (>12 µmol/l) were prospectively recruited in accordance with IRB. 14 received PFO closure and 14 were treated by medical therapy (antiplatelet/anticoagulant) alone. None of the patients were on folate or vitamin B supplementation. Plasma was collected at baseline and 1 year follow-up after treatment. tHcy level was determined by selected reaction monitoring using mass spectrometry.

Summary of Results

Compared to medical therapy, PFO closure resulted in a lower tHcy level during follow-up (PFO closure: 11.13±3.94 µmol/L, medical therapy: 15.48±3.55 µmol/L, p=0.006), with no difference at baseline (PFO closure: 17.77±4.39 µmol/L, medical therapy: 16.47±7.50 µmol/L, p=0.575). Mild hyperhomocysteinemia patients post PFO closure had a significant reduction of tHcy by 37.34% (p=0.0005), with 71.43% of the patients (10 of 14) having tHcy levels back to normal (<12 µmol/l), while most of medically treated patients (13 of 14) stayed abnormal (p=0.4820) (χ2-test, adjusted p=0.002).

Conclusions

We found that compared with routine medical therapy, PFO closure reduced tHcy level in patients with mild hyperhomocysteinemia. Since PFO stroke patients tend to be younger, the life-time risk of even mildly elevated tHcy may be important for future thrombotic risk. Understanding the mechanism of PFO-related tHcy changes is important in optimizing medical treatment (e.g, folate replacement); studies are ongoing.

Abstract MP6 Figure 1

MP13: IMPORTANT ROLE OF PROTHROMBIN TIME (PT) AND PARTIAL THROMBOPLASTIN TIME (PTT) IN PREDICTING TPA-RELATED HEMORRHAGIC TRANSFORMATION

Purpose of Study

IV tPA is not routinely followed by blood work due to its reputed short half life. While there has been much focus on tPA's extra-vascular effects on the neurovascular unit in the context of hemorrhagic transformation (HT), little is known about its intravascular efficacy, where it has its intended effect. Emerging data suggest that tPA may be most effective in microvasculature and IV therapy may be a good adjunct to intra-arterial therapy. We previously found that the effect of tPA can last more than 72 hr after stroke onset. Now, we report that even routine blood labs can potentially predict HT.

Methods Used

72 storke patients with IV tPA were recruited on IRB approval. Clinical coagulation profile (PT, PTT, fibrinogen and D-dimer) were performed at 12, 24, 72 hr post tPA. Patients on medications (e.g. anticoagulants) or with conditions (e.g. liver dysfunction, infection) that may affect these labs were excluded.

Summary of Results

Compared to those without HT, HT patients had significantly higher PT and PTT (Fig A,B) as early as 12 hr post IV tPA and throughout the first 3 days of treatment. ROC analysis suggested PT/PTT at 12 and 24 hr has potential to predict tPA-induced HT (Fig C,D. PT: AUC=0.848, p=0.001; PTT: AUC=0.877; p=0.003).

Conclusions

Higher PT/PTT level within 72 hr of IV tPA is early marker of tPA-induced HT. Whether these routine labs have value in symptomatic hemorrhage will require further study in a larger cohort. But this proof-of-concept study suggests that tPA efficacy can potentially be followed in real time. The development of a reliable blood test would be of clinical utility to gauge thrombolytic efficacy in real time to guide and triage adjunct treatments.

Abstract MP13 Figure 1

15: PFO CLOSURE REDUCES PLASMA LEVELS OF SEROTONIN IN A LONG TERM FOLLOWUP OF STROKE PATIENTS

Purpose of Study

PFO allows venous clots and vasoactive factors to bypass pulmonary filtration and remain in circulation. We previously identified an immediate reduction of procoagulant serotonin (5-HT) in left atrial blood post PFO closure. To understand the long-term effect of PFO closure, we report the change of 5-HT in peripheral venous blood in 1-year followup.

Methods Used

97 PFO-related stroke patients were recruited on IRB approval. Venous blood was collected at baseline (BL) and 1 year follow-up (FU) of treatments (PFO closure and medical therapy). Plasma 5-HT was quantified by mass spectrometry. Patients with serotonin modifying medications (ie. SSRIs) or conditions (anxiety/depression) were excluded.

Summary of Results

5-HT level in peripheral venous blood was significantly reduced by 27.27% (BL: 7.57±8.04 µM; FU: 5.51±5.72 µM; p=0.0034) in 61 patients receiving PFO closure (figure 1A). In the 37 PFO patients treated with medicine alone, no changes were observed (BL: 5.79±7.15 µM; FU: 6.25±6.68 µM; p=0.4050) (figure 1B). 5-HT reduction was independently associated with PFO closure after adjusting for age, gender, medical history and medication status in a multivariate regression (figure 1C).

Conclusions

We found that PFO closure independently reduced 5-HT level in peripheral venous blood. These results support the hypothesis that PFO related right-to-left interatrial shunt may foster higher level of procoagulant and vascoactive substances in circulation. While PFO closure decrease prothrombotic markers immediately post closure, this effect is sustained in long term followup up to 1 year. Further studies on the clinical outcome of these PFO patients with respect to their prothrombotic circulatory profiles are ongoing.

Abstract 15 Figure 1

Long-term benefits and risks of frontline nilotinib vs imatinib for chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase: 5-year update of the randomized ENESTnd trial

In the phase 3 Evaluating Nilotinib Efficacy and Safety in Clinical Trials–Newly Diagnosed Patients (ENESTnd) study, nilotinib resulted in earlier and higher response rates and a lower risk of progression to accelerated phase/blast crisis (AP/BC) than imatinib in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP). Here, patients' long-term outcomes in ENESTnd are evaluated after a minimum follow-up of 5 years. By 5 years, more than half of all patients in each nilotinib arm (300 mg twice daily, 54% 400 mg twice daily, 52%) achieved a molecular response 4.5 (MR^4.5; BCR-ABL⩽0.0032% on the International Scale) compared with 31% of patients in the imatinib arm. A benefit of nilotinib was observed across all Sokal risk groups. Overall, safety results remained consistent with those from previous reports. Numerically more cardiovascular events (CVEs) occurred in patients receiving nilotinib vs imatinib, and elevations in blood cholesterol and glucose levels were also more frequent with nilotinib. In contrast to the high mortality rate associated with CML progression, few deaths in any arm were associated with CVEs, infections or pulmonary diseases. These long-term results support the positive benefit-risk profile of frontline nilotinib 300 mg twice daily in patients with CML-CP.

Telomerase activity and its association with psychological stress, mental disorders, lifestyle factors and interventions: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To summarise and discuss the association between telomerase activity and psychological stress, mental disorders and lifestyle factors.

METHOD

A systematic review was carried out to identify prospective or retrospective studies and interventions published up to June 2015 that reported associations between telomerase activity and psychological stress, mental disorders and lifestyle factors. Electronic data bases of PubMed, ProQuest, CINAHL and Google Scholar were searched.

RESULTS

Twenty six studies on humans measured telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or leukocytes and examined its association with psychological stress, mental disorders and lifestyle factors. Of those studies, three reported significantly decreased telomerase activity in individuals under chronic psychological stress. Interestingly, one of the three studies found that acute laboratory psychological stress significantly increased telomerase activity. Nine studies reported mixed results on association between mental disorders and telomerase activity. Of the nine studies, five reported that major depressive disorder (MDD) was associated with significantly increased telomerase activity. In thirteen out of fourteen studies on lifestyle factors, it was reported that physical exercise, diet micronutrient supplementation, mindfulness meditation, Qigong practice or yoga mediation resulted in increase in telomerase activity. In addition, two studies on animal models showed that depression-like behaviour was associated with decreased hippocampus telomerase activity. Five animal studies showed that physical exercise increased telomerase activity by cell-type-specific and genotype-specific manners.

CONCLUSION

Although multi-facet results were reported on the association between telomerase activity and psychological stress, mental disorders and lifestyle factors, there were some consistent findings in humans such as (1) decreased telomerase activity in individuals under chronic stress, (2) increased telomerase activity in individuals with MDD, and (3) increased telomerase activity in individuals under lifestyle interventions. Animal studies showed that physical exercise increased telomerase activity in specific cell-types. However, the exact mechanisms for the changes in telomerase activity have not been elucidated. We propose conglomerate models connecting chronic psychological stress, depression, mediation and physical exercise to telomerase activation. Several areas for future research are suggested.

Serum microRNA-125b correlates with hepatitis B viral replication and liver necroinflammation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) were recently reported to play an important role in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and related diseases. We evaluated the correlation between serum miRNA-125b, viral replication and liver necroinflammation in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. Serum miRNA-125b levels in samples from 211 CHB patients were determined by RT-PCR. Liver biopsies were collected from 138 patients. Serum miRNA-125b, miRNA-122 and miRNA-124 levels were determined. Correlations between serum miRNA-125b, viral replication and liver necroinflammation were analysed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the discriminating power of serum miRNA-125b to grade liver necroinflammation (G). HepG2.2.15 cells were transfected with miRNA-125b mimics. Intracellular viral core DNA was extracted and analysed by Southern blot. We found that serum miRNA-125b was positively correlated with the serum HBV DNA level. HBV replication capacity increased after transfection with miRNA-125b mimics. Patients with CHB with moderate-to-severe liver necroinflammation (G ≥2) showed significantly higher (p <0.001) serum miRNA-125b levels than those with G <2. In patients with alanine transaminase levels less than twice the upper limit of normal, serum miRNA-125b combined with miRNA-124 yielded an area under the ROC curve of 0.816, with 70.4% sensitivity and 84.9% specificity to discriminate the grade of liver necroinflammation (G ≥2). Hence, we concluded that miRNA-125b may enhance HBV replication. Serum miRNA-125b correlates with viral load. Serum miRNA-125b alone or combined with miRNA-124 has the potential to discriminate grades of liver necroinflammation, particularly in Chinese patients with CHB who have normal or mildly increased alanine transaminase levels.

Can tumor regression grade influence survival outcome in ypT3 rectal cancer?

PURPOSE

Locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients achieving ypT3 status following neoadjuvant chemoradiation are considered to have poor response with minimal downstaging. However, residual cancer cell amounts vary in the subserosa/perirectal fat. Tumor regression grading (TRG) is an evaluation method based on the proportion of fibrosis and residual cancer cells. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of TRG in ypT3 rectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 325 LARC patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery. TRG scores were recorded by two independent pathologists. Among these patients, 143 were staged as ypT3. We analyzed TRG and other clinicopathological factors and their relationship with survival outcome including overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

Among 143 ypT3 patients, 44 (30.8 %) were TRG1, 84 (58.7 %) were TRG2 and 15 (10.5 %) were TRG3. Seventy-nine (55.3 %) of these patients had metastatic lymph nodes. In univariate analysis, TRG was not associated with DFS (TRG2 vs TRG1, P = 0.852; TRG3 vs TRG1, P = 0.593) or OS (TRG2 vs TRG1, P = 0.977; TRG3 vs TRG1, P = 0.665). Palliative surgery (HR 3.845; 95 % CI 1.670-8.857; P = 0.002) and metastatic lymph nodes after surgery (HR 5.894; 95 % CI 1.142-3.48; P = 0.015) were significantly associated with decreased DFS, while palliative surgery was the only factor associated with worse OS (HR 6.011; 95 % CI 2.150-16.810; P = 0.001). Palliative surgery (HR 3.923; 95 % CI 1.696-9.073; P = 0.001) and metastatic lymph nodes (HR 2.011; 95 % CI 1.152-3.512; P = 0.014) also showed prognostic significance for DFS in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Residual cancer cells evaluated by TRG score after neoadjuvant chemoradiation do not influence survival outcome in ypT3 rectal cancer patients. However, lymph node status is a significant prognostic factor in ypT3 patients.