[Analysis of clinicopathological features and prognosis of sporadic synchronous multiple primary colorectal cancers]

Objective: To investigate the impact of relative locations of multiple foci and microsatellite status of sporadic, synchronous, multiple, primary, colorectal carcinomas on clinicopathological features and prognosis. Methods: The clinicopathologic and prognostic data of 278 patients with sporadic, synchronous, multiple, primary, colorectal carcinomas who had been admitted to the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from January 2008 to July 2022 were retrospectively collected. The patients were categorized into three groups based on the relative locations of their multiple cancer foci: (1) a right-sided group that comprised patients with multiple cancer foci in the cecum, ascending colon, hepatic flexure of the colon, and transverse colon; (2) a left-sided group that comprised patients with multiple cancer foci in the splenic flexure of the colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum; and (3) a left- and right-sided group that comprised patients with multiple cancer foci in the right half of the colon and left half of the colon/rectum. Additionally, the patients were further divided into two groups based on microsatellite status: a high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and a low MSI/stable MSI (MSI/L&MSS) group. We compared differences in clinical characteristics and prognostic indicators between these groups. The χ2 test was utilized to compare selected clinical characteristics, whereas Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and log-rank tests were performed to compare their effects on prognosis. Result: Among 278 patients with SSCRC, 256 (92.1%) presented with two cancer foci and 22 (7.9%) with more than two foci. Additionally, 255 patients (91.7%) had adenocarcinomas, whereas the remaining 23 (8.3%) had mucinous adenocarcinomas. Lymph node metastases were identified in 136 patients (48.9%); the cancer foci had infiltrated beyond the muscular layer in 238 (85.6%); and 147 patients (52.9%) were diagnosed with TNM Stage III-IV disease. There were 155 patients (55.8%) in the left-sided group, 55 (19.8%) in the right-sided group, and 68 (24.5%) in the left- and right-sided group. Immunohistochemical examination of all four mismatch repair proteins were performed in 199 cases, revealing that 166 of these patients had MSI/L&MSS and 33 MSI-H disease. In the left-sided, left- and right-sided, and right-sided groups, the proportion of women was 16.8% (26/155), 26.5% (18/68), and 49.1% (27/55), respectively; these differences are statistically significant (χ2=22.335, P<0.001). The proportions of patients with more than three cancer foci were 5.2% (8/155), 16.2% (11/68), and 5.5% (3/55), respectively; these differences are statistically significant (χ2=8.438, P=0.015). The proportions of mucinous adenocarcinomas were 4.5% (7/155), 8.8% (6/68), and 18.2% (10/55), respectively; these differences are statistically significant (χ2=10.026, P=0.007). The proportions of patients with lymph node metastases were 55.5% (86/155), 48.5% (33/68), and 30.9% (17/55); these differences are statistically significant (χ2=9.817, P=0.007). The proportions of patients with Stage T3 & T4 disease in each group according to location were 81.3% (126/155), 88.2% (60/68), and 94.5% (52/55), respectively; these differences are statistically significant (χ2=6.293,P=0.043). The proportions of TNM Stage III-IV tumors were 59.4% (92/155), 54.4% (37/68), and 32.7% (18/55), respectively; these differences are statistically significant (χ2=11.637, P=0.003). Age, size of cancer foci, presence of distant metastasis, adenoma, nerve invasion, and vascular invasion did not differ significantly between the three groups (all P>0.05). Compared with those with MSI-H, patients with MSI/L&MSS disease were more likely to be aged >65 years and male (50.6% [84/166] vs. 15.2% [5/33], χ2=13.994,P<0.001; 80.7% [134/166] vs. 54.5% [18/33], χ2=10.457,P=0.001), more likely to be in the left-sided group (63.3% [105/166] vs. 24.2% [8/33], χ2=18.232, P<0.001), had a higher proportion of cancer foci of diameter <4 cm (54.8% [91/166] vs. 33.3% [11/33], χ2=5.086,P=0.024), and a lower proportion of mucinous adenocarcinomas (4.2% [7/166] vs. 27.3% [9/33], χ2=19.791,P<0.001), more likely to develop distant metastases (22.3% [37/166] vs. 6.1% [2/33], χ2=4.601,P=0.032), more likely to have lymph node metastases (57.2% [95/166) vs. 24.2% [8/33], χ2=11.996,P<0.001) and nerve invasion (28.9% [48/166] vs. 6.1% [2/33], χ2=7.643, P=0.006), had a higher proportion of TNM Stage III-IV disease (60.2% [100/166] vs. 24.2% [8/33], χ2=14.374, P<0.001), and a smaller proportion of family history of tumors (28.9% [48/166] vs. 60.6% [20/33], χ2=12.228, P<0.001). All the above-listed differences are statistically significant (all P<0.05). The differences in number of cancer foci, depth of infiltration, presence or absence of adenomas, and vascular invasion were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). In the 33 patients with MSI-H status and mismatch repair protein loss, the highest frequency of deletion was found in PMS-2 (66.7%, 22/33), followed by MLH-1 (57.6%, 19/33), whereas the proportions of MSH-2 (33.3%, 11/33) and MSH-6 (24.2%, 8/33) deletions were relatively low. There were statistically significant differences in the 3-year overall survival rates among the groups according to relative locations of cancer foci. The 3-year overall survival rates were 96.8%, 79.6%, and 88.5% in the right-sided, left- and right-sided, and left-sided groups, respectively (P=0.021). As to microsatellite status, the 3-year overall survival rate of patients with MSI-H disease was 93.8%, which is significantly better than the 78.4% for those with MSI/L & MSS (P=0.026). Conclusions: Among sporadic, synchronous, multiple, primary, colorectal carcinomas, those with right-sided disease had the deepest local infiltration, whereas those with left-sided disease had the greatest number of lymph node metastases, most advanced clinical TNM stage, lowest percentage of MSI-H disease, and the poorest prognosis.

[The value of multi-gene testing in benign or malign diagnosis of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology]

Objective: To study the diagnostic value of a multi-gene molecular testing in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. Methods: From February 2018 to September 2018, patients with thyroid nodules who underwent fine needle aspiration(FNA) at Peking University Cancer Hospital were enrolled. Three hundred and sixty patients were included, consisting of 86 men and 274 women, with a mean age of 45.8 years (between 13 and 89 years old). Among 391 nodules, 141 were cytologically inderminate and 75 were resected. FNA samples underwent prospective testing using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay, which included 16 genes for point mutations and 26 types of gene fusions. The testing results of indeterminate nodules were compared with surgical outcomes, to determine the diagnostic performance. The results were compared with the BRAF V600E single gene mutation analysis by χ(2) test. Results: The multi-gene testing showed a sensitivity of 73.2%, specificity of 96.8%, positive predictive value of 96.8%, and negative predictive value of 73.2%. The diagnostic accuracy of multi-gene testing was significantly higher than the BRAF V600E mutation test (83.3% vs 73.6%, χ(2)=31.588, P<0.01). Conclusion: Multi-gene testing in FNA samples is an effective method to diagnose cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules, which has a higher accuracy than BRAF V600E mutation detection.

Expression of CD63 in Lung Tissue of Guinea Pigs Dying of Anaphylactic Shock

Abstract

Objective To study the protein expression of cluster of differentiation 63 （CD63） in lung tissues of guinea pigs that died of anaphylactic shock and discuss the diagnostic value of CD63 for death from anaphylactic shock. Methods Twenty guinea pigs were randomly divided into control group, anaphylactic shock immediate death group, cold storage group （4 ℃ for 48 h） and frozen group （-20 ℃ for 7 d）. The animal model of guinea pigs that died of anaphylactic shock was established with human mixed serum injection. The expression changes of CD63 protein and CD63 mRNA in lung tissues were detected by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining, immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and real-time RT-PCR. Results HE staining results showed congestion, and edema of lung tissues, and eosinophil infiltration in the anaphylactic shock groups. Western blotting analysis results showed that the expression of CD63 protein in the lung tissues of guinea pigs that died of anaphylactic shock was significantly higher than that in the control group （P<0.05）. Comparison between the anaphylactic shock groups was made, and the differences had no statistical significance. The results of immunohistochemical staining and real-time RT-PCR were consistent with that of Western blotting. ELISA results showed that CD63 protein expression in the immediate death group was higher than that in the control group （P<0.05）. Conclusion The expression of CD63 protein and CD63 mRNA in the lung tissues of guinea pigs that died of anaphylactic shock is significantly enhanced. Animal carcasses which were put in cold storage for 48 h and frozen for 7 d do not affect the examination of the above indicators. CD63 protein is expected to become an auxiliary diagnostic indicator of death from anaphylactic shock.

[Fine-needle aspiration for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic performance of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology for the detection of lateral lymph node metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: A total of 109 lateral lymph nodes with suspicious metastases from 85 patients were retrospectively subjected to FNAC, fine-needle aspiration thyroglobulin measurement (FNATg), and FNATg/SerumTg measurement. Lymph node pathological results after surgery were taken as the gold standard. Using Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson linear model and ROC curve were used for data analysis. Results: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNATg for the diagnosis of lateral neck lymph node metastasis were respectively 93.7%, 90.0% and 93.3% and those of FNATg/SerumTg were respectively 89.9%, 90.0% and 93.2% respectively, the threshold values for FNATg and FNATg/SerumTg were 0.925 ng/ml and 1.007, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNATg combined with FNAC were respectively 91.0%,93.5% and 94.4%. The existence of thyroid tissue and the expression of serum Tg did not affect the expression of lymph node FNATg. The FNATg cutoff value of 0.925 ng/ml showed the best diagnostic performance in patients with a thyroid gland, while the FNATg/SerumTg cutoff ratio of 14.95 showed the best diagnostic performance in patients without a thyroid gland. The serum TgAb significantly interfered with the expression of FNATg in the lateral neck metastatic lymph nodes (P=0.049). Conclusions: FNATg alone or the combination of FNATg with FNAC are highly reliable in the diagnosis of lateral neck lymph node metastases in patients with PTC. The expression of TgAb may interfere with the accuracy of the diagnostic performance of FNATg.

[Evaluation of the tear film function in diabetic patients using the Keratograph 5M]

Objective: To evaluate the tear film function of diabetic patients using the Keratograph 5M and to analyze its related factors. Methods: Case-control study. A total of 89 inpatients (174 eyes) diagnosed with diabetes in the Department of Endocrinology at our hospital were recruited. According to the fundus fluorescein angiography results, subjects were divided into two groups, diabetic retinopathy (DR) group and none-DR group. All subjects were examined for duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin, creatinine, 24-hour urinary protein, and 24-hour urinary microalbumin/urinary creatinine, and by electromyography. The Keratograph 5M was used to obtain the first and average tear film break-up time (BUTf and BUTav), tear meniscus height, the upper and lower meibomian gland loss scores. The data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: Compared to the non-DR group, the BUTf and the BUTav in the DR group were shorter [(8.42±4.71) s vs. (10.24±5.32) s, (11.20±5.25) s vs. (12.67±5.52) s; P=0.000]. There was no significant difference in the tear meniscus height between the three groups (P=0.067). The tear meniscus height were negatively related with glycosylated hemoglobin, and not related with duration of diabetes, 24-hour urinary microalbumin/urinary creatinine, creatinine, 24-h urinary protein, and electromyography results. As the duration of diabetic longer, the upper and lower meibomian gland loss scores added(Z=19.514, 15.342, P<0.05). Patients with EMG abnormal, the lower meibomian gland loss scores added(Z=-2.312, P<0.05). Conclusions: The Keratograph 5M can directly evaluate the tear film condition of diabetic patients.Diabetic patients with retinopathy and higher glycosylated hemoglobin tend to suffer tear film dysfunction. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54:762-766).

Facilitating the measurement of circulatory hydrogen sulfide with fluorescence probe-coated microplates

OBJECTIVE

The hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) role in pathogenesis of various diseases were wildly addressed in recent decade. The circulatory (plasma or serum) and biological fluid H₂S measurement is still an enormous issues due to the technical limitation. This paper aimed to develop a novel measurement method based on fluorescence probe.

METHODS

Firstly, 20 μL ethanol was used to dissolve 100 pmol fluorescence probe, then added in a 96-well plate. An equal volume of ethanol was also added to the blank well of the plate. The plate was placed in a dark room for about 1 h until the fluorescence probe was evenly coated in the 96-well microplate and dried. The plate was frozen at -20 °C for later use. Secondly, the plasma or serum sample was added with saturated ammonium sulfate buffer (pH 7.8) and then centrifuged to remove the proteins. The equal volume supernatant liquid was added to the probe-coated well and the probe-uncoated well. The plate was incubated in a dark environment at 37 °C for 2 h. Finally, after incubation, the fluorescence density was acquired at Λ_Ex/Λ_Em 340/445 nm in a microplate reader. The differences of the fluorescence density values between the probe-coated well and probe-uncoated well were counted and H₂S concentration of plasma/serum was calculated by standard curve with NaHS.

RESULTS

The method had high sensitivity (from 0.3 to 100 μmol/L) and specificity for measuring H₂S as compared with other biologically relevant reactive sulfur species and sulfur-containing amino acid. Serum H₂S concentrations were assayed in 188 health volunteers using this method [(12.1±3.5) μmol/L, 95%CI: 4.6-19.8 μmol/L], and the frequency distribution showed a normal tendency(one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, P>0.1). The serum H₂S concentrations in 30 hypertension patients were decreased compared with 22 age- and gender-matched health individuals (paired-samples t test, t=9.937, P<0.001). There were no differences of H₂S concentration in serum [(19.66±2.32) μmol/L] or plasma [(18.67±2.07) μmol/L], between the samples acquired from artery [(19.34±0.51) μmol/L] or vein [(18.99±0.50) μmol/L] of male Wistar rats (repeated measurement of ANOVA, P=0.38). One week frozen samples did not affect the detection. The values of the repeated measurement did not differ (two-way ANOVA, P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The present method is easily performed with high sensitivity, specificity and repeatability for circulatory H₂S. It is also quick and may apply for large samples.

Changes in the gut microbiome of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in response to White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection

Intestinal microorganisms play important roles in maintaining host health, but their functions in aquatic animal hosts have yet to be fully elucidated. The Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, is one such example. We attempted to identify the shift of gut microbiota that occurred in response to infection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), an emerging viral pathogen in the crab aquaculture industry. The microbiota may exert some control over aspects of the viral pathogenesis. We investigated the changes in composition and structure of the crab gut microbiome during various WSSV infection stages of 6 h post-infection (hpi) and 48 hpi, using a 16S rRNA approach on the MiSeq Illumina sequencing platform. Four phyla (Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Tenericutes and Bacteroidetes) were most dominant in the gut of E. sinensis regardless of the WSSV infection stages. However, further analysis revealed that over 12 bacterial phyla, 44 orders and 68 families were significantly different in abundance at various states of WSSV infection. Several intriguing aspects of E. sinensis gut bacteria that had not been previously reported were also uncovered, such as class Mollicutes was dominant here, but absent in crabs from Yangtze River estuary and Chongming Islands. Overall, this study provided the first evidence that changes in gut microbiome were closely associated with the severity of WSSV infection and that indicator taxa could be used to evaluate the crab health status.

Comparing effects of cervical anterior approach and laminoplasty in surgical management of cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament by a prospective nonrandomized controlled study

INTRODUCTION

The laminoplasty has been the most widely used surgical method for OPLL. In recent years, increasing attention has been drawn to the anterior operative approaches for surgical treatment of cervical OPLL. However, which method is the optimum selection for therapy of cervical OPLL is still obscure. Therefore, we performed this prospective nonrandomized clinical study in patients with multilevel cervical myelopathy due to OPLL and compare the therapeutic efficiency of laminoplasty and anterior approach (cervical discectomy and/or cervical corpectomy) in the management of multilevel cervical OPLL.

HYPOTHESIS

There is no difference in clinical effects between anterior cervical spine surgery and laminoplasty in the treatment of multilevel cervical OPLL.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 150 consecutive patients with multilevels of cervical OPLL underwent anterior approaches (ACDF, ACCF and HDF) from July 2010 to June 2014, which were enrolled in this study. During the same period, one hundred and two patients receiving the laminoplasty were enrolled in the study. The clinical effects, alignment and range of motion (ROM) of cervical spine in patients of the anterior group and posterior group were assessed, respectively. The effects of high signals in T2 weighed MRI scans and percentage of spinal canal stenosis in these patients were also evaluated. Finally, postoperative complications regarding each group were analyzed.

RESULTS

Although significant differences in types of OPLL and preoperative sagittal alignment of cervical spine occurred in the two groups (P<0.05), clinical effects of the two groups were similar (P>0.05). The cervical curvature in laminoplasty group showed significant decrease at final follow-up (P<0.05). For ROM of cervical spine, no significant alteration was observed in both groups. The high T2 weighed signals and rate of spinal canal stenosis can influence clinical effects of both anterior group and laminoplasty group. In addition, significantly higher complication rate was observed in laminoplasty group compared with anterior group (P<0.05).

DISCUSSION

Both anterior and laminoplasty approaches can be considered effective and safe procedures in the treatment of the multilevel OPLL. However, the anterior approach with relatively lower incidence of postoperative complications is a better choice for cases with poor cervical curvature and serious spinal canal stenosis.

TYPE OF STUDY AND LEVEL OF PROOF

Level 3 nonrandomized, controlled clinical trials.

Development of In situ hybridization and real-time PCR assays for the detection of Hepatospora eriocheir, a microsporidian pathogen in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

A microsporidian parasite, Hepatospora eriocheir, is an emerging pathogen for the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. Currently, there is scant information about the way it transmits infection in the crustacean of commercial importance, including its pathogenesis, propagation and infection route in vivo. In this study, chromogenic in situ hybridization (ISH) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays were developed to address this pressing need, and we provided an advance in the detection methods available. Pathogens can be seen in situ with associated lesions using ISH. Positive hybridization signals were noted inside the epithelial cells of the hepatopancreas, and putative free parasite spores were observed within the tubule lumen, which were associated with lesions detected by electron microscopy and haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) analysis. qPCR allows the determination of parasite loads in infected tissues, which is important for understanding disease progression and transmission. The hepatopancreas displayed the biggest statistical copy numbers among different tissues of infected crabs, confirming a tissue-specific pathogen infection characteristic. The qPCR assay also proved to be suitable for the diagnosis of asymptomatic carrier crabs. Combination of the two methods could facilitate the study of H. eriocheir infection mechanism in E. sinensis, enhance the early diagnosis of the pathogen and improve the management of microsporidian diseases in commercial crustaceans.

[Efficacy for artery chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate efficacy and safety of artery chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

A total of 138 cases of Sichuan Cancer Hospital of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed from January 2011 to November 2014.All cases were divided into three groups, 61 cases were treated by artery chemoembolization (ACB group), 43 cases were treated by artery chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation (Joint group), 34 cases were treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA group). Recent efficiency, overall survival time, adverse reactions and complications of three groups were analyzed. The risk factors related to survival time of 138 patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

The recent efficiency of ACB group, Joint group and RFA group were 73.8%(45/61), 93.0%(40/43), 85.3%(29/34), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=18.499, P=0.005). 1, 2, 3-year survival rates of Joint group were 90.7%(39/43), 58.1%(25/43), 20.9%(9/43), respectively that were better than ACB group(57.4%(35/61), 24.6%(15/61), 11.5%(7/61)) and RFA group(58.8%(20/34), 32.4%(11/34), 11.8%(4/34)), (χ(2) value were respectively 8.242 and 4.934, P values were 0.004 and 0.026). Chemotherapy side effects and complications of ablation were of no significant difference (P>0.05). Chemotherapy side effects and complications of ablation were of no significant difference (P>0.05). The number of tumors, tumor size, TNM staging, eastern cooperative oncology group (ECOG) score were independent risk factors which impact on survival time for non-small cell lung cancer. The artery chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation treatment can improve survival time of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

CONCLUSION

Artery chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation is a safe, effective, minimally-invasive treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

[The Integration and Regulation of Hormone-Sensitive Lipase in Reproductive System]

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) has long been considered as a classical rate-limiting enzyme during lipolysis since it was first described in 1960s. HSL is regulated mainly by catecholamine, including adrenalin. Studies in recent years indicated that the substrates for HSL are not only triglycerides, but also diacylglycerol with the catalytic activity is ten times that of triglycerides, glycerol esters and cholesterol esters, which overthrow the opinion that HSL is specific to triglyceride. The scientists have generated HSL gene knockout mice and confirmed HSL is widely located in the reproductive system, which indicates that HSL may play an important role in the regulation of physiological and pathophysiological process in the reproductive system. Here, we will focus on the features of the HSL gene, mRNA and its protein, and summarize the HSL functions in the reproductive system.

KiSS1 inhibits growth and invasion of osteosarcoma cells through inhibition of the MAPK pathway

As a metastasis suppressor, KiSS1 has been implicated in numerous human cancers. However, recent studies have demonstrated that KiSS1 promotes tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer, and it is unclear about the expression and function of KiSS1 in human osteosarcoma (OS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the role and molecular mechanisms of KiSS1 in human OS. The expression of KiSS1 was assessed by immunohistochemical assay using a tissue microarray procedure in forty cases of OS tissues. A gain-of-function approach was used to observe the effects of lentiviral vector-mediated overexpression of KiSS1 (Lv-KiSS1) on the biological behaviors including proliferative activities and invasive potential of OS MG-63 cells, indicated by MTT and Transwell assays, respectively. The results showed that the expression of KiSS1 protein in OS tissues was significantly lowered compared to that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCT) (42.5% vs 70.0%, P=0.023), and had negative correlation with distant metastases of the tumor (P=0.019). Overexpression of KiSS1 inhibited proliferation and invasion of OS cells with the decreased expression of p38 MAPK and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Taken together, our findings indicate that the decreased expression of KiSS1 is correlated with distant metastasis of OS, and KiSS1 may function as a tumor suppressor in OS cells through inhibition of the MAPK pathway, suggesting that KiSS1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer.

Low-concentration capsaicin promotes colorectal cancer metastasis by triggering ROS production and modulating Akt/mTOR and STAT-3 pathways

Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most common human malignancies, is a major public health problem in the developed world. Capsaicin, widely used as a food additive and as an analgesic agent, is a major pungent ingredient of red pepper. Though capsaicin-induced apoptosis was previously reported in cancer cells, relatively little is known about the impact of capsaicin on other aspect of cancer cell behavior. In this study, we demonstrated that treatment with high-concentration of capsaicin (≥ 200 µM for SW480 and CT-26 cell lines; ≥ 25 µM for HCT116 cell line) inhibited CRC cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. In spite of no anti-proliferative effect, notably, low-concentration of capsaicin (100 µM for SW480 and CT-26 cell lines; 12.5 µM for HCT116 cell line) enhanced both migratory and invasive capability of these cells, which was validated by both in vitro and in vivo model. Further, we showed that 100 µM capsaicin induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT), up-regulated expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and activated Akt/mTOR and STAT-3 pathways in SW480 cells. Finally, we showed that capsaicin-induced metastasis of CRC cells was mediated by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Our findings are considered a significant step toward a better understanding of capsaicin-associated regulatory network on CRC cells.

[Modified methylene blue method for measurement of hydrogen sulfide level in plasma]

In past decade, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) as a novel gasotransmitter, covered many fields in biological and medical research. However, there is no effective, convenient and high-throughput method for determination of circulatory H₂S until now. Here, we aim to develop an easy method for measurement of circulatory H₂S by modified methylene blue method. In the present study, we added Zn²⁺ to plasma sample to deposit H₂S, HS⁻ and S²⁻, as well as plasma protein, then used NaOH to re-dissolve plasma protein. ZnS deposition was re-dissolved by the addition of N, N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine, and the remnant protein was deposited by trichloroacetic acid. After centrifugation, ferriammonium sulfate was added to the supernatant fluid to generate methylene blue, which was analyzed by spectrophotometer at 665 nm. Using the present method, we found that most ions including sulfate and thiosulfate did not affect detection of H₂S concentration, but albumin (physiological concentration) reduced the detection value, which suggested the binding of serum albumin and a certain amount of H₂S. The relative recovery ratio of present method is 81.9%, which implies that the method is relative accurate for the determination of H₂S concentration in plasma or serum. H₂S levels of frozen plasma samples from 65 healthy volunteers detected by the present method were (13.93 ± 4.98) µmol/L. There was no obvious difference between the detection values of fresh and frozen samples from the same SD rats. These results suggest the modified methylene blue assay is stable, sensitive, convenient and high-throughput. The method can be used to analyze the circulatory H₂S in clinical and basic research.

RAPD and ISSR-assisted identification and development of three new SCAR markers specific for the Thinopyrum elongatum E (Poaceae) genome

Diploid Thinopyrum elongatum, a wild relative of wheat, contains many agronomically desirable traits and has potential for increasing genetic variability and introducing desirable characters in this crop. Few molecular markers are available for rapid screening of T. elongatum genome segments in the wheat genetic background. We used 36 RAPD primers and 33 ISSR primers to screen for polymorphisms in the common wheat variety Chinese Spring and in T. elongatum. Two RAPD markers and one ISSR marker, designated OPF03(1407), LW10(1487) and UBC841(701), were identified and were specific for the T. elongatum E genome. Three pairs of primers flanking these specific sequences were designed to produce SCAR markers. All three SCAR markers were T. elongatum E genome-specific. Two of these SCAR markers, SCAR(807) and SCAR(577), were present in all seven T. elongatum chromosomes, while SCAR(839) was specific for T. elongatum chromosomes 2E and 3E. These newly developed SCAR markers should be useful for detecting alien genome chromatin or chromosome segments in the genetic background of common wheat.

Dreaming during sevoflurane or propofol short-term sedation: a randomised controlled trial

Prior reports suggest that dreaming during anaesthesia is dependent on recovery time. Dreaming during sedation may impact patient satisfaction. The current study explores the incidence and content of dreaming during short-term sedation with sevoflurane or propofol and investigates whether dreaming is affected by recovery time. A total of 200 women undergoing first trimester abortion (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I) participated in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either sevoflurane or propofol for short-term sedation. Patients were interviewed upon emergence with the modified Brice questionnaire. The results showed the incidence of dreaming was significantly different between anaesthesia groups with 60% (60/100) of the sevoflurane group and 33% (33/100) of the propofol group (P=0.000). However, recovery time did not significantly differ between groups. In the sevoflurane group, a greater number of dreamers could not recall what they had dreamed about (P=0.02) and more patients reported dreams that had no sound (P=0.03) or movement (P=0.001) compared with dreamers in the propofol group. Most participants reported dreams with positive emotional content and this did not significantly differ between groups. Anaesthesia administered had no effect on patient satisfaction. The results suggest that the incidence of dreaming was not affected by recovery time. Patient satisfaction was not influenced by choice of sedative and/or by the occurrence of dreaming during sevoflurane or propofol short-term sedation.

The role of smoking status and collagen IX polymorphisms in the susceptibility to cervical spondylotic myelopathy

We investigated a possible association of collagen IX tryptophan (Trp) alleles (Trp2 and Trp3) and smoking with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in 172 Chinese patients and 176 age- and gender-matched controls. The smoking status was evaluated by smoking index (SI). The CSM cases had a significantly higher prevalence of Trp2 alleles (Trp2+) than controls (19.8 vs 6.2%, P = 0.002), but the prevalence of Trp3 alleles (Trp3+) was similar between the two groups (23.3 vs 21.6%, P = 0.713). Logistic regression analyses showed that the subjects with Trp2+ had a higher risk for CSM. We thus analyzed whether smoking status influenced the association between Trp2 alleles and CSM risk. Among Trp2+ subjects with an SI less than 100, the smoking status did not influence the effect of risk for SCM [odds ratio (OR) = 1.34, 95% confidential interval (95%CI) = 0.85-2.18, P > 0.05]. When SI increased from 101 to 300, the OR for CSM reached 3.34 (95%CI = 2.11-5.67, P = 0.011); when SI was more than 300, the OR for CSM reached 5.56 (95%CI = 3.62-7.36, P < 0.001). Among Trp2- subjects with SI more than 300, the OR for CSM increased 2.14 (95%CI = 1.15-4.07, P = 0.024). We found a significant association between the Trp2 alleles and CSM risk and smoking amplifies this risk, suggesting that smoking abstinence is important for reducing CSM occurrence in subjects with high genetic risk.

Pig large tumor suppressor 2 (Lats2), a novel gene that may regulate the fat reduction in adipocyte

Clenbuterol, a Beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, has been proven to be a powerful repartition agent that can decrease fat deposition. Based on results from our previous cDNA microarray experiment of pig clenbuterol administration, a novel up-regulated EST was full-length cloned (4859 bp encoding 1041 amino acids) and found to be the pig homolog of large tumor suppressor 2 (Lats2). We mapped pig Lats2 to chromosome 11p13-14 by using FISH, and western blotting demonstrated that pig Lats2 protein was most abundant in adipose. In Drosophila, Lats2 ortholog was reported as a key component of the Hippo pathway which regulates cell differentiation and growth. Here, we show that pig Lats2 exhibit inverted expression to YAP1, another member of the Hippo pathway which positively regulates cell growth and proliferation, during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Our results suggested that Lats2 may involve in Hippo pathway regulating the fat reduction by inhibiting adipocyte differentiation and growth.

Perilipin gene 1237 T > C polymorphism is not associated with obesity risk in northern Chinese Han adults

OBJECTIVE

To identify the association between PLIN 1237 polymorphism and obesity in Chinese Han adults.

METHODS

A total of 994 adults (157 obese subjects, 322 overweight subjects, and 515 normal controls) were recruited from two rural communities. PLIN 1237 polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction-fragment-length-polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Association between PLIN polymorphisms and obesity status was estimated by ordinal logistic regression.

RESULTS

The three genotypes of PLIN 1237 were detected with a percentage of 54.3%, 37.1%, and 8.6% in TT, TC, and CC genotypes, respectively. For the PLIN 1237 polymorphism locus, the frequency of alleles T and C was 0.73 and 0.27, respectively. The PLIN 1237 polymorphisms were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. PLIN 1237 polymorphism was not associated with obesity. The odds ratio for overweight or obesity for the CC+TC genotype was 0.8 (0.4, 1.4) in women (P = 0.4) and 0.6 (0.3, 1.3) in men (P = 0.2) after adjustment for age, education, household income and alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity.

CONCLUSION

Chinese Han adults have a lower frequency of variant-allele C in PLIN 1237. PLIN 1237 T > C polymorphism is not significantly associated with obesity in northern Chinese adults.

Fabrication and biological characteristics of beta-tricalcium phosphate porous ceramic scaffolds reinforced with calcium phosphate glass

The fabrication process, compressive strength and biocompatibility of porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) ceramic scaffolds reinforced with 45P(2)O(5)-22CaO-25Na(2)O-8MgO bioglass (beta-TCP/BG) were investigated for their suitability as bone engineering materials. Porous beta-TCP/BG scaffolds with macropore sizes of 200-500 muicrom were prepared by coating porous polyurethane template with beta-TCP/BG slurry. The beta-TCP/BG scaffolds showed interconnected porous structures and exhibited enhanced mechanical properties to those pure beta-TCP scaffolds. In order to assess the effects of chemical composition of this bioglass on the behavior of osteoblasts cultured in vitro, porous scaffolds were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 2 weeks, and original specimens (without soaked in SBF) seeded with MC3T3-E1 were cultured for the same period. The ability of inducing apatite crystals in simulated body fluid and the attachment of osteoblasts were examined. Results suggest that apatite agglomerates are formed on the surface of the beta-TCP/BG scaffolds and its Ca/P molar ratio is approximately 1.42. Controlling the crystallization from the beta-TCP/BG matrix could influence the releasing speed of inorganic ions and further adjust the microenvironment of the solution around the beta-TCP/BG, which could improve the interaction between osteoblasts and the scaffolds.

[Glucocorticoids, adipose metabolism and insulin resistance]

Obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes are associated with elevated concentration of circulating free fatty acid (FFA), which is critically governed by the process of triglyceride lipolysis in adipocytes. Endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids excess could induce insulin resistance and diabetes. Thus, the effects of glucocorticoids stimulating adipose lipolysis and elevating FFA release may contribute to glucocorticoids-induced insulin resistance and diabetes. This review focuses on the regulation and function of glucocorticoids in adipose lipolysis and metabolism.

Minerals, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity of citrus peel extract by hot water

Some dried citrus peels, more familiar as chenpi in China, have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicines from ancient times. This paper reports the efficiency of infusion cooking on extracting minerals and phenolic compounds (flavanone glycosides [FGs], polymethoxylated flavones [PMFs], and phenolic acids), and also antioxidant activity of hot water extract of citrus peels. Peels of 2 citrus varieties, namely, Satsuma mandarin (C. unshiu Marc.) and Ponkan (C. poonensis Hort. ex Tanaka), which belong to C. reticulata, were selected. As a result, hot water extraction was efficient in extracting phenolic acids and some minerals. As for citrus flavonoids, narirutin, nobiletin, and tangeretin were easier to extract than hesperidin. The result of antioxidant capacity assays indicated that for citrus peels, hot water extract had almost the same capacity as the methanol extract. We suggested that Ponkan was more suitable as the source of chenpi, since its hot water extract had much higher content of phenolic acids, FGs and PMFs, and higher antioxidant capacity than those of Satsuma mandarin. Generally, to raise the extraction temperature or to prolong the time could not yield higher content of phenolic compounds and stronger antioxidant capacity, though the content of minerals increased to some extent. Furthermore, a 2nd-time extraction seemed necessary since considerable minerals and phenolic compounds could be obtained by doing so. Finally, we suggested that 2 times extraction at 100 degrees C for 30 min was proper to extract the minerals and phenolic compounds in chenpi.

[Adipose triglyceride lipase regulates adipocyte lipolysis]

Obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes are associated with elevated concentration of circulating free fatty acids (FFAs), which are critically governed by the process of triglyceride lipolysis in adipocytes. Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) are two major enzymes in the control of triacylglycerol hydrolysis in adipose tissue. ATGL expressed predominantly in white adipose tissue specifically initiates triacylglycerol hydrolysis to generate diacylglycerols and FFA, a role distinguished from HSL that mainly hydrolyzes diacylglycerols. The transcription of ATGL is regulated by several factors. ATGL activity is regulated by CGI-58. Under basal conditions, interaction of CGI-58 with a lipid droplet associating protein, perilipin, results in an inactivation of ATGL activity. During PKA-stimulated lipolysis, CGI-58 is released from phosphorylated perilipin and in turn, binds to ATGL. This action facilitates triglyceride lipolysis. This review focuses on the regulation and function of ATGL in adipose lipolysis and metabolism.

[Perilipin associated with lipid droplets regulates lipolysis]

Perilipins are the proteins associating with the lipid droplets in adipocytes and steroidogenic cells. Unphosphorylated perilipins coat the surface of intracellular lipid droplets to form a barrier that prevents lipase from accessing to triacylglycerol core, thus suppressing lipolysis. Upon activation of protein kinase A (PKA), two proteins, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and perilipins, are phosphorylated. The phosphorylated perilipin is required for inducing the translocation of HSL from the cytosol to the lipid droplets of adipocytes and is essential for the initiation of lipolytic reaction. It is proposed that phosphorylation of perilipin is a key step for the activation of lipolytic cascade via PKA and ERK signaling pathways. Dysregulation of perilipin involves in the pathogenesis of obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis.

[Function of PAT family proteins in the lipid metabolism]

Triglycerides are stored in intracellular lipid droplets in mammalian cells. Current evidences suggest that the intracellular lipid droplets are active participants in a variety of metabolic processes, and thus are considered as functional organelles in cells. The lipid droplet is composed of a triglyceride core surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer in which several proteins are embedded. Four of these proteins belong to a family of structurally related PAT protein, which includes perilipin, ADRP, TIP47 and S3-12. In this review, we summarize the functions of these proteins in the modulation of lipolysis and lipid droplets formation.

Antilambda production in Au+Au collisions at 11.7A GeV/c

We present results for antilambda and antiproton production in Au+Au collisions at 11.7 A GeV/c including spectra and extracted invariant yields for both species in central and peripheral collisions in the rapidity range 1.0<y<1.4. The antilambda yield increases from dN(Lambda;)/dy = 1.2(+0.7+0.2)(-0.6-0.2)x10(-3) in peripheral collisions to 19(+4+3)(-5-2)x10(-3) in central collisions. The direct antiproton yield is deduced from the measured total antiproton spectra to extract the ratio of antilambda-to-direct-antiproton production. The Lambda/p ratio near midrapidity increases from 0.26(+0.19+0.5)(-0.15-0.4) in peripheral collisions to 3.6(+4.7+2.7)(-1.8-1.1) in central collisions, a value larger than current theoretical estimates.

Effects of bupivacaine and ropivacaine on high-voltage-activated calcium currents of the dorsal horn neurons in newborn rats

BACKGROUND

Local anesthetics, such as bupivacaine, have been reported to block calcium currents in primary sensory neurons and to interfere with the release of neurotransmitters in central nervous system neurons. However, it is unknown whether local anesthetics affect the calcium current activity of central nervous system neurons.

METHODS

Using a traditional whole cell voltage clamp technique, effects of bupivacaine and ropivacaine on high-voltage-activated calcium currents (HVA-Ic(a)) were investigated in enzymatically dissociated dorsal horn neurons of neonatal rats. Calcium currents were evoked by testing pulses from a holding potential of -90 to 0 mV.

RESULTS

Bupivacaine significantly reduced HVA-Ic(a) in a dose-dependent manner. The peak HVA-Ic(a) decreased by 24.5+/-2.5, 32.0+/-6.8, 59.4+/-6.2, 88.3+/-1.5, and 91.6+/-1.1% in response to 10, 30, 50, 100 and 200 microM bupivacaine, respectively. Unlike bupivacaine, ropivacaine markedly increased HVA-Ic(a) at lower concentrations (< 50 microM) but decreased HVA-Ic(a) at higher concentrations (> or = 50 microM). The percent increases in peak HVA-Ic(a) induced by 10 and 30 microM ropivacaine were 95+/-19.1 and 41.6+/-8.3%, respectively. The percent decreases in response to 50, 100, and 200 microM ropivacaine were 21.1+/-2.1, 63.2+/-6.0 and 79.1+/-7.6%, respectively. Results indicate that the inhibitory potency of ropivacaine on HVA-Ic(a) was significantly lower than that of bupivacaine at the same concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study showed that bupivacaine inhibited HVA-Ic(a) recorded from dorsal horn neurons and that ropivacaine increased HVA-Ic(a) at lower concentrations but decreased HVA-Ic(a) at higher concentrations. The inhibitory potency of ropivacaine was lower than that of bupivacaine. Inhibition of calcium currents of central nervous system neurons may be related to the systemic neurotoxic effects of local anesthetics (e.g., convulsions, seizures).

Baryon rapidity loss in relativistic Au + Au collisions

An excitation function of proton rapidity distributions for different centralities is reported from AGS Experiment E917 for Au+Au collisions at 6, 8, and 10.8 GeV/nucleon. The rapidity distributions from peripheral collisions have a valley at midrapidity which smoothly change to distributions that display a broad peak at midrapidity for central collisions. The mean rapidity loss increases with increasing beam energy, whereas the fraction of protons consistent with isotropic emission from a stationary source at midrapidity decreases with increasing beam energy. The data suggest that the stopping is substantially less than complete at these energies.

The effects of ropivacaine on sodium currents in dorsal horn neurons of neonatal rats

We used a whole cell patch clamp technique to study the effects of ropivacaine on rat dorsal horn neurons. Under voltage clamp, ropivacaine (10-400 microM) produced a dose-dependent inhibition of sodium current. From a holding potential (V(h)) of -80 mV, sodium currents evoked by test pulses to 0 mV were inhibited by ropivacaine with a mean drug concentration required to produce 50% current inhibition (IC(50)) value of 117.3 microM, which was more than the value of the bupivacaine (IC(50) 53.7 microM). The inhibition effect of ropivacaine was also voltage-dependent. Current evoked from a V(h) of -60 mV was inhibited by ropivacaine with a mean IC(50) value of 74.3 microM, which was less than that obtained at the V(h) of -80 mV. The inhibition effect of ropivacaine on sodium current was use dependent. Repeated activation by a train of depolarizing pulses (5 Hz, 20 ms) increased the inhibitory effects of ropivacaine. The ratio amplitudes of the 20th to the first pulse were 91.2% and 71.1%, respectively, in the absence and presence of ropivacaine (50 microM). Ropivacaine also produced a significant hyperpolarizing shift of 11 mV in the steady-state inactivation curve of sodium current. The inhibition of ropivacaine on the sodium channel may contribute to the mechanism of action of local anesthetics during epidural and spinal anesthesia.

[Method of mRNA differential display and its application in life science]

The changes of mRNA expression level control cell function. Many factors such as individual development, cell proliferation and differentiation, and even apoptosis, physiological stimuli, and drug treatment will change the level of gene expression. Comparisons of gene expression in different cell types provide the underlying information for analyzing the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the physiological processes. A method of mRNA differential display is developed recently, providing a powerful and useful tool, which can efficiently and rapidly isolate the genes that display a difference in transcription. These genes may play important role in cell function.

[Research progress on the glia cell line-derived neurotrophic factor]

Glia cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a novel type of neurotrophic factor cloned in 1993. Recent research revealed that it may have potential application in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and motor neuron diseases. This short review summarized the character of the protein, gene structure, tissue distribution, and its physiological functions and pathological implications.