Elevated blood eosinophil count is a valuable biomarker for predicting late acute cellular rejection after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have indicated the value of increased blood eosinophil counts for the diagnosis of acute cellular rejection (ACR) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, the relationship between eosinophil count and late ACR at more than 6 months after OLT is still unclear.

METHODS

We sought to retrospectively analyzed the ACR predictive value of eosinophil counts. In the day before or the day of biopsy among 40 biopsies performed on 37 patients beyond 6 months after OLT.

RESULTS

Relative eosinophil count was significantly higher in the ACR (n = 24) than the non-ACR cohort, albeit with no significant difference in absolute eosinophil count. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed an absolute eosinophil count of 0.145 × 10(9)/L and a relative eosinophil count of 2.3% to show the highest Youden index with area under the ROC curves of 0.746 and 0.813, respectively. When absolute eosinophil count ≥ 0.145 × 10(9)/L or relative eosinophil count ≥ 2.3% was defined to be elevated, the sensitivity and specificity to predict ACR were 45.8% and 87.5%, and 75% and 87.5%, respectively. When the absolute eosinophil count ≥ 0.285 × 10(9)/L or relative eosinophil count ≥ 3% was defined as elevated, the sensitivity and specificity were 25% and 100%, and 50% and 100%, respectively. All patients with an absolute eosinophil count ≥ 0.285 × 10(9)/L showed a relative eosinophil count ≥ 3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated blood eosinophil count was a valuable biomarker to predict late ACR after OLT.

Bendless modulates JNK-mediated cell death and migration in Drosophila

The TNF-JNK pathway is a highly conserved signaling pathway that regulates a wide spectrum of biological processes including cell death and migration. To further delineate this pathway, we carried out a genetic screen for dominant modifiers of the cell death phenotype triggered by ectopic expression of Eiger (Egr), the Drosophila TNF ortholog. Here we show that Bendless (Ben), an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, modulates Egr-induced JNK activation and cell death through dTRAF2. Furthermore, Ben physically interacts with dTRAF2 and regulates Egr-induced dTRAF2 polyubiquitination. Finally, Ben is required for JNK-dependent tumor progression, cell migration, oxidative stress resistance and longevity. Our results indicate that Ben constitutes an essential component of the evolutionarily conserved TNF-JNK pathway that modulates cell death and invasion, tumor progression, stress response and lifespan in metazoans.

Diode-pumped continuous wave tunable and graphene Q-switched Tm:LSO lasers

We have investigated the lasing characteristics of Tm:LSO crystal in three operation regimes: continuous wave (CW), wavelength tunable and passive Q-switching based on graphene. In CW regime, a maximum output power of 0.65 W at 2054.9 nm with a slope efficiency of 21% was achieved. With a quartz plate, a broad wavelength tunable range of 145 nm was obtained, corresponding to a FWHM of 100 nm. By using a graphene saturable absorber mirror, the passively Q-switched Tm:LSO laser produced pulses with duration of 7.8 μs at 2030.8 nm under a repetition rate of 7.6 kHz, corresponding to pulse energy of 14.0 μJ.

Measurement of the azimuthal angle dependence of inclusive jet yields in Pb+Pb collisions at √(sNN)=2.76 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Measurements of the variation of inclusive jet suppression as a function of relative azimuthal angle, Δφ, with respect to the elliptic event plane provide insight into the path-length dependence of jet quenching. ATLAS has measured the Δφ dependence of jet yields in 0.14 nb(-1) of √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC for jet transverse momenta p(T)>45 GeV in different collision centrality bins using an underlying event subtraction procedure that accounts for elliptic flow. The variation of the jet yield with Δφ was characterized by the parameter, v(2)(jet), and the ratio of out-of-plane (Δφ~π/2) to in-plane (Δφ~0) yields. Nonzero v(2)(jet) values were measured in all centrality bins for p(T)<160 GeV. The jet yields are observed to vary by as much as 20% between in-plane and out-of-plane directions.

PTEN inactivation by germline/somatic c.950_953delTACT mutation in patients with Lhermitte-Duclos disease manifesting progressive phenotypes

Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD), a neurological manifestation of Cowden syndrome (CS), is a rare and benign cerebellar disorder, featured by dysplastic cerebellar ganglion cells which replace granular and Purkinje cells. Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN) is confirmed as the susceptibility gene for CS which represents the most complex features and is not easily recognizable. We reported two index patients with LDD diagnosed either in an isolated form or coexist with CS. These two patients displayed progressive though comparable phenotypes and were found to carry an identical PTEN c.950_953delTACT mutation in either germline or somatic sources of DNA, respectively. Negative or moderate expression levels of PTEN were validated by immunohistochemistry in the corresponding patients' affected tissues. This study has revealed a novel pathogenicity locus to LDD/CS as a candidate for early molecular diagnosis. In addition, the differential PTEN mutation status with corresponding LDD phenotypes suggests a potential correlation between germline or somatic mutation and coexisting LDD/CS or isolated LDD, respectively. Furthermore, our data could lend some reference to the underlying molecular mechanism of LDD pathogenesis in the future.

The estimated glomerular filtration rate is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, independently of albuminuria, in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIM

The aim of this paper was to study the relationship between the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria in the Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

As a cross-sectional study, common carotid artery (CCA) IMT as a surrogate marker of cardiovascular disease is adopted. Data were obtained from a study undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of diabetic complications. Body mass measurements, fasting blood measures, urinary albuminuria creatinine ratio and carotid atherosclerotic measurements were investigated. Association of the carotid IMT with albuminuria stage and eGFR was determined by stepwise multivariate regression analysis adjusting for the possible confounders.

RESULTS

1) The mean age of all 721 patients was 65.33±11.32 years and the duration of diabetes was 7.72±6.93 years. 2) The percentage of impaired eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and albuminuria was 4.9% and 41.3% respectively, 37.0% with microalbuminuria and 4.3% with macroalbuminuria. 3) Compared to subjects with normoalbuminuria (28.8%), the percentage of CCA-IMT thickening in subjects with macroalbuminuria (41.9%) and microalbuminuria (43.1%) was higher (P<0.01). Moreover, compared to patients with eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (28.8%), patients with eGFR ranged from 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2 (43.2%) and eGFR< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (51.4%) tended to have greater percentage of CCA-IMT thickening (P<0.01). 4) In a stepwise regression model, age, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, reduced HDL-cholesterol and eGFR were independent predictors of CCA-IMT, after adjusting for potential confounders including gender, current smoker, duration of diabetes, waist circumference, hypertension, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, postprandial glucose, HbA1c and albuminuria stage.

CONCLUSION

Reduced eGFR associated with IMT thickening independently of albuminuria is found in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and further studies investigating the clinical outcomes are needed because this study is based on a cross-sectional design.

Identification of a novel human testicular interstitial gene, RNF148, and its expression regulated by histone deacetylases

Multiple genes are restrictively expressed in mammalian testicular tissues, and they play important roles in the complex process of spermatogenesis. Investigation of these genes and their expression regulation mechanisms is valuable to elucidate the molecular process of spermatogenesis. In this study, we identified a novel human gene, ring finger protein 148 (RNF148) that is abundantly expressed in testes and slightly expressed in pancreas. In situ hybridization analysis showed that RNF148 messenger RNA was mainly present in the interstitial cells of human testicular tissues, and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed protein levels in that location. Treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A activated the expression of RNF148 messenger RNA in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in HEK293T and HeLa cells, neither of which normally express RNF148. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that trichostatin A treatment increased the binding of acetylated histone H3 to the RNF148 gene promoter. We identified a novel human testicular interstitial gene and observed that histone deacetylases regulate RNF148 expression.

Association between copy number variations of HLA-DQA1 and ankylosing spondylitis in the Chinese Han population

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease with complex genetic traits. Multiple sequence variations have been associated with AS, but explained only a proportion of heritability. The studies herein aimed to explore potential associations between genomic copy number variation (CNV) and AS of Han Chinese. Five AS patients were examined with the high-density comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) microarrays in the first screen test for AS associated CNVs. A total of 533 AS patients and 792 unrelated controls were examined in confirmation studies with the AccuCopy assays. A significant association was observed between the CNV of the HLA-DQA1 and AS. Comparing with controls, AS patients showed an aberrant copy number (CN), and significantly increased number of patients had more than 2 copies of the HLA-DQA1. Therefore, CNV of the HLA-DQA1 may play an important role in susceptibility to AS in Han Chinese population.

Adsorption of a PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer on metal oxide surfaces with a view to reducing protein adsorption and further biofouling

Abstract Biomolecule adsorption is the first stage of biofouling. The aim of this work was to reduce the adsorption of proteins on stainless steel (SS) and titanium surfaces by modifying them with a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-poly(propylene oxide) (PPO)-PEO triblock copolymer. Anchoring of the central PPO block of the copolymer is known to be favoured by hydrophobic interaction with the substratum. Therefore, the surfaces of metal oxides were first modified by self-assembly of octadecylphosphonic acid. PEO-PPO-PEO preadsorbed on the hydrophobized surfaces of titanium or SS was shown to prevent the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA), fibrinogen and cytochrome C, as monitored by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Moreover, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry were used to characterize the surfaces of the SS and titanium after competitive adsorption of PEO-PPO-PEO and BSA. The results show that the adsorption of BSA is well prevented on hydrophobized surfaces, in contrast to the surfaces of native metal oxides.

Search for supersymmetry in hadronic final states with missing transverse energy using the variables αT and b-quark multiplicity in pp collisions at [Formula: see text]

An inclusive search for supersymmetric processes that produce final states with jets and missing transverse energy is performed in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 11.7 fb-1 collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. In this search, a dimensionless kinematic variable, αT, is used to discriminate between events with genuine and misreconstructed missing transverse energy. The search is based on an examination of the number of reconstructed jets per event, the scalar sum of transverse energies of these jets, and the number of these jets identified as originating from bottom quarks. No significant excess of events over the standard model expectation is found. Exclusion limits are set in the parameter space of simplified models, with a special emphasis on both compressed-spectrum scenarios and direct or gluino-induced production of third-generation squarks. For the case of gluino-mediated squark production, gluino masses up to 950-1125 GeV are excluded depending on the assumed model. For the direct pair-production of squarks, masses up to 450 GeV are excluded for a single light first- or second-generation squark, increasing to 600 GeV for bottom squarks.

Efficient colonization and harpins mediated enhancement in growth and biocontrol of wilt disease in tomato by Bacillus subtilis

Both Bacillus subtilis and harpins stimulate plant growth and defence against various plant pathogens. In this study, B. subtilis 168 and two derivatives, surfactin producer OKB105 and combined surfactin and HpaGX ooc producer OKBHF, were applied to tomato plants to investigate the mechanisms underlying this effect. To evaluate colonization ability, strains were labelled with green fluorescent protein (GFP). Although biofilm distribution of the three strains was similar on root surfaces, Colonization populations of the two surfactin producers were approximately 2- to 3-fold higher than that of strain 168, and this was accompanied by significantly increased tomato growth. These results suggest that efficient colonization, possibly facilitated by surfactin production, enhanced the efficiency of plant growth promotion by B. subtilis. All three B. subtilis treatments caused plants to have less severe disease symptoms after inoculation with Ralstonia solanacearum, with plants treated with OKBHF being the most resistant, suggesting that hpaGX ooc improves biocontrol efficiency of B. subtilis. Analysis of defence-related genes showed a synergistic effect of HpaGX ooc on B. subtilis enhancement of the expression of the pathogenesis-related genes PR1b1 and PR-P2. In contrast, expression of the defence-related genes PINI and PINII was suppressed.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Bacillus subtilis and harpins are biological control agents with respective advantages. In this study, combinations of the both were applied to tomato in the form of hpaGX ooc -expressing B. subtilis, showed much better effects on resistance to wilt disease, and equivalent effects on plant growth promotion compared with the progenitor strain have a great potential in agricultural use.

Blockage of Nrf2 suppresses the migration and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells in hypoxic microenvironment

Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a critical cell protector by inducing phase two detoxifying and anti-oxidant enzymes in normal cells. But recently, numerous evidence show Nrf2 may play the same beneficial roles toward the cancer cells. Nrf2 is found upexpressed in lots of cancers and promote the proliferation and drug resistance. But studies about the role of Nrf2 in the metastases are few. It has been testified that the tumor cells are under hypoxic conditions. As an important anti-oxidant element, the expression of Nrf2 may be upregulated, which in turn promotes the tumor invasion and metastases in the hypoxic microenvironment. Our team found the expression of Nrf2 correlated with the lymph node metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by pathological sections of esophageal carcinoma patients. Further, the mechanism beneath it was studied in this paper. It was hypothesized that the hypoxia microenvironment transformed Nrf2 a friend to a foe. First, Eca-109 cells were treated with different concentration of CoCl2 . Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that with the increase of the concentration of CoCl2 , the expression levels of Nrf2 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) alpha were upregulated simultaneously. By analyzing the data, a significant correlation between Nrf2 and HIF-1 alpha in the protein levels was found. Further, blockage of Nrf2 mediated by shRNA suppressed the expression of HIF-1 alpha, hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), and matrix metalloproteinase 2 but enhanced the expression of E-cadherin. In addition, the results of wound healing and invasion assay-verified blockage of Nrf2 suppressed the migration and invasion. So it was suggested that blockage of Nrf2 repressed the migration and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells in the hypoxic microenvironment. HIF-1 alpha might be one of the downstream genes of Nrf2 regulated through Nrf2/HO-1 axis in the CoCl2 model. Nrf2 inhibition suppressed matrix metalloproteinase 2 and enhanced E-cadherin partly through HIF-1 alpha way.

Characterization and molecular mapping of a dwarf mutant in wheat

A spontaneous dwarf mutant of wheat was found in an F5 generation line derived from a cross between Huamai No. 9 and Een No. 1 in 1998; it was named Huaai 01. We characterized the genetic pattern of Huaai 01 and mapped the gene controlling the dwarf trait. This dwarf mutant was found insensitive to exogenous gibberellic acid treatment, based on the length of the first leaf and the coleoptile at the seedling stage, suggesting that it plays a crucial role in the gibberellin response pathway. Genetic analysis revealed that a single gene that is partially recessive controls the dwarf phenotype in Huaai 01. We named the dwarfing gene Rht-B2. Simple sequence repeats (SSR) were examined as identifying markers linked to the Rht-B2 gene in an F2 population. We screened 904 pairs of primers and identified 5 SSR markers linked to the Rht-B2 gene. Two markers, barc1096 and xgwm495, were located on the flanking region of the Rht-B2 gene at genetic distances of 2.9 and 3.3 cM, respectively. Based on published SSR linkage data for wheat, the Rht-B2 gene was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 4B. This identification and characterization of the Rht-B2 dwarfing gene will facilitate its utilization in wheat breeding.

Two-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy with modified suture retraction of the fundus: A practical approach

CONTEXT

Although transumbilical single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has been demonstrated to be superior cosmetic, it is only limited to simple cases at present. In complex cases, the standard four- or three-port LC is still the treatment of choice.

AIM

To summarize the clinical effect of a modified technique in two-port LC.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A consecutive series of patients with benign gallbladder diseases admitted to the provincial teaching hospital who underwent LC in the past 4 years were included. A modified two-port LC was the first choice except for those requiring laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The operation was done with suture retraction of the fundus by a needle-like retractor. The patients' data, including the operative time, time consumed by gallbladder retraction, operative bleeding, conversion rate, rate of adding trocars, and postoperative complications were recorded.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Data were expressed as percentage and mean with standard deviation.

RESULTS

Total 107 patients with chronic calculous cholecystitis (N = 61), acute calculous cholecystitis (N = 43), and cholecystic polyps (N = 3) received two-port LC. The procedure was successful in 99 out of 107 cases (success rate, 92.5%), and a third trocar was added in the remaining 8 cases (7.5%) due to severe pathological changes. The operative time was 47.2 (±13.21) min. There was no conversion to open surgery.

CONCLUSION

Two-port LC using a needle-like retractor for suture retraction of the gallbladder fundus is a practical approach when considering the safety, convenience, and indications as well as relatively minimal invasion.

Measurement of the Bs(0)→μ+ μ- branching fraction and search for B(0)→μ+ μ- with the CMS experiment

Results are presented from a search for the rare decays Bs(0)→μ+ μ- and B(0)→μ+ μ- in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 and 8 TeV, with data samples corresponding to integrated luminosities of 5 and 20  fb(-1), respectively, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. An unbinned maximum-likelihood fit to the dimuon invariant mass distribution gives a branching fraction B(Bs(0)→μ+ μ-)=(3.0(-0.9)(+1.0))×10(-9), where the uncertainty includes both statistical and systematic contributions. An excess of Bs(0)→μ+ μ- events with respect to background is observed with a significance of 4.3 standard deviations. For the decay B(0)→μ+ μ- an upper limit of B(B(0)→μ+ μ-)<1.1×10(-9) at the 95% confidence level is determined. Both results are in agreement with the expectations from the standard model.

Anti-inflammatory effect of purified dietary anthocyanin in adults with hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease and previous studies have demonstrated that anthocyanin inhibits atherosclerosis. In the present study, we explored the effects of anthocyanins on inflammatory cytokines in hypercholesterolemic adults and cell lines.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 150 subjects with hypercholesterolemia consumed a purified anthocyanin mixture (320 mg/d) or a placebo twice a day for 24 weeks in a randomized, double-blind trial. Anthocyanin consumption significantly decreased the levels of serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (-21.6% vs. -2.5%, P = 0.001), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) (-12.3% vs. 0.4%, P = 0.005) and plasma IL-1β (-12.8% vs. -1.3%, P = 0.019) compared to the placebo. We also found a significant difference in the LDL-cholesterol (-10.4% vs. 0.3%, P = 0.030) and HDL-cholesterol level changes (14.0% vs. -0.9%, P = 0.036) between the two groups. In cell culture assays in vitro, purified anthocyanin mixture, delphinidin-3-Ο-β-glucoside (Dp-3g) and cyanidin-3-Ο-β-glucoside (Cy-3g) inhibited IL-6 and IL-1β-induced CRP production (P < 0.05) in HepG2 cell line and LPS-induced VCAM-1 secretion (P < 0.05) in porcine iliac artery endothelial cell line respectively in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the reduction of inflammatory cytokines associated with anthocyanin mixture was stronger when compared with the effects of Dp-3g and Cy-3g separately (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Anthocyanin mixture reduced the inflammatory response in hypercholesterolemic subjects. In addition, different anthocyanin compounds were found to have additive or synergistic effects in mediating anti-inflammatory responses in vitro cell culture assays.

Relationship between endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies examining whether polymorphisms (G894T, 4b/a, and T786C) in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with ischemic stroke have yielded conflicting results. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the potential association between these three eNOS gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched databases until April 30, 2012 and used fixed or random effects models to estimate the pooled odds ratios (ORs).

RESULTS

We analyzed 34 case-control data sets from 33 publications involving 5261/5823 cases/controls for G894T, 4295/4682 for 4b/a, and 2698/3254 for T786C polymorphisms. For Asian populations, all models showed significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke for the G894T (dominant model: OR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.30-1.91; P = 0.000) and 4b/a polymorphisms (dominant model: OR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.25-1.71; P = 0.000), even after Bonferroni correction (because 0.000 < 0.017). In white populations, the aa genotype seemed to be protective for ischemic stroke, as indicated by the recessive model (OR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22-0.87; P = 0.019). In Asian populations, the T786C polymorphism was significantly associated with ischemic stroke, as found using the dominant (OR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02-1.34; P = 0.025) and additive models (OR = 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05-1.33; P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Our comprehensive meta-analysis ascertains that the G894T, 4b/a, and T786C polymorphisms are associated with ischemic stroke risk in Asians. A possible contrasting role of the 4b/a polymorphism in ischemic stroke was indicated in white populations.