Parameter-Free State Estimation Based on Kalman Filter with Attention Learning for GPS Tracking in Autonomous Driving System

GPS-based maneuvering target localization and tracking is a crucial aspect of autonomous driving and is widely used in navigation, transportation, autonomous vehicles, and other fields.The classical tracking approach employs a Kalman filter with precise system parameters to estimate the state. However, it is difficult to model their uncertainty because of the complex motion of maneuvering targets and the unknown sensor characteristics. Furthermore, GPS data often involve unknown color noise, making it challenging to obtain accurate system parameters, which can degrade the performance of the classical methods. To address these issues, we present a state estimation method based on the Kalman filter that does not require predefined parameters but instead uses attention learning. We use a transformer encoder with a long short-term memory (LSTM) network to extract dynamic characteristics, and estimate the system model parameters online using the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm, based on the output of the attention learning module. Finally, the Kalman filter computes the dynamic state estimates using the parameters of the learned system, dynamics, and measurement characteristics. Based on GPS simulation data and the Geolife Beijing vehicle GPS trajectory dataset, the experimental results demonstrated that our method outperformed classical and pure model-free network estimation approaches in estimation accuracy, providing an effective solution for practical maneuvering-target tracking applications.

Deep Spatio-Temporal Graph Network with Self-Optimization for Air Quality Prediction

The environment and development are major issues of general concern. After much suffering from the harm of environmental pollution, human beings began to pay attention to environmental protection and started to carry out pollutant prediction research. A large number of air pollutant predictions have tried to predict pollutants by revealing their evolution patterns, emphasizing the fitting analysis of time series but ignoring the spatial transmission effect of adjacent areas, leading to low prediction accuracy. To solve this problem, we propose a time series prediction network with the self-optimization ability of a spatio-temporal graph neural network (BGGRU) to mine the changing pattern of the time series and the spatial propagation effect. The proposed network includes spatial and temporal modules. The spatial module uses a graph sampling and aggregation network (GraphSAGE) in order to extract the spatial information of the data. The temporal module uses a Bayesian graph gated recurrent unit (BGraphGRU), which applies a graph network to the gated recurrent unit (GRU) so as to fit the data's temporal information. In addition, this study used Bayesian optimization to solve the problem of the model's inaccuracy caused by inappropriate hyperparameters of the model. The high accuracy of the proposed method was verified by the actual PM2.5 data of Beijing, China, which provided an effective method for predicting the PM2.5 concentration.

Platelet Parameters, C-Reactive Protein, and Depression: An Association Study

Objective

This study aims to investigate the correlation of platelet parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP) with depression.

Methods

The clinical data of 61 patients with depression and 30 healthy control subjects were collected to compare the platelet parameters, CRP levels, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores of the two groups for correlation analysis.

Results

The results revealed that the body mass index (BMI) of patients with depression was lower (P < 0.05) than that of the healthy control subjects, and that this difference was more significant in women than in men. Patients with severe depression showed an increased mean platelet volume (MPV) (P < 0.05). In the patients with depression, MPV was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for work and interest, gastrointestinal symptoms, hopelessness, the anxiety/somatization factor, and the hopelessness factor. Platelet count (PLT) was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for hypochondriasis, and plateletcrit (PCT) was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for middle insomnia and hypochondriasis. Platelet distribution width (PDW) was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms as well as hopelessness. Higher CRP levels (P < 0.05) were found in the patients with depression than in the healthy control subjects. Furthermore, in the patients with depression, CRP levels were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with HAMD scores for guilt and the cognitive impairment factor.

Conclusion

Classical platelet parameters (PLT, MPV, PCT, PDW) and CRP were shown to be associated with specific depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment factors, including sleep, gastrointestinal symptoms, hypochondriasis, losing interest in work, and despair. These results suggest that both platelet parameters and CRP could be suitable biomarkers for predicting the occurrence and prognosis of depression, thus providing a new target for its treatment.

[Establishment of nutrition literacy core items for Chinese preschool children]

Objective: To establish the nutrition literacy core items for preschool children in China. Methods: The framework system and preliminary items of nutrition literacy were established through literature review and experts consultation. E-Delphi method was used to determine the nutrition literacy items. Nine experts in the field of nutrition, child and adolescent health, health education were invited to score the importance of each nutrition literacy item via Email. The judgment basis and familiarity of experts towards the items, active coefficient, authority coefficient and harmony coefficient were evaluated and analyzed to generate the final list of nutrition literacy items. Results: In the first round of E-Delphi consultation, the active coefficient and authority coefficient were 88.9%(8/9) and(0.88±0.07).The harmony coefficient was 0.350 (χ²=36.432, P=0.001). In the second round, the active coefficient and authority coefficient were 100% (9/9) and (0.89±0.11).The harmony coefficient was 0.347 (χ²=34.330, P<0.001). After qualitative and quantitative analyses, we identified the final list of nutrition literacy items consisting of two scales (basic knowledge, lifestyles and dietary behaviors), six subscales (food knowledge, food characteristic, food choice, dietary behavior, dietary safety, and physical activity)with 14 items in total. Conclusion: The framework system and core items of nutrition literacy are established for Chinese preschool children, which could provide a reference basis for the implementation of nutrition education project and the establishment of standardized evaluation tools.

A morphometric study of the thoracolumbar spine spinous process and lamina space in the Chinese

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to analyse the anatomical parameters of the thoracolumbar spine spinous process and lamina space for Chinese anatomic study, and provide an anatomical reference for its clinical operation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Samples from 24 adult autopsy subjects were obtained from the thoracolumbar spine spinous process and lamina space at levels T1 through L5. Direct measurements were made for the spinous process spacing distance, spinous process length, width, thickness and inclination angle, and the lamina space width and height.

RESULTS

1. Distance of the spine spinous process spacing: Thoracic part: The maximum tip distance was observed at T4~T5 level, and the minimum tip distance was observed at T9~T10 level. The maximum centre distance and root distance were observed at T11~T12 level, and the minimum were observed at T5~T6 level separately. Lumbar part: distance of spinous process spacing in lumbar part showed a decreasing pattern from L1~L2 to L5~S1. 2. Length, width, thickness of the spine spinous process: 1) The length of the spinous process: The upper border gradually increased from T1 to T6 and then decreased till T12 region. The centre region is T8 maximum, T11 minimum. The lower border length showed a decreasing trend from T1 to T12. Lumbar part: The length increased from L1 and reached maximum value at L3. Then, the length decreased gradually to reach minimum value at L5. 2) The width of the spinous process: The width showed an increasing trend from T1 to T12. Lumbar part: Maximum width was seen at L3 and a minimum L5. 3) The thickness of the spinous process: Tip thickness > Centre thickness > Root thickness in each thoracic and lumbar vertebra. Thoracic part: the maximum tip thickness is T1, T7 minimum, The maximum centre thickness is T12, T7 minimum. The maximum root height is T6, T9 minimum. Lumbar part: Maximum tip thickness was seen at L1, and a minimum L3. Maximum centre thickness was seen at L5, and a minimum L2. Maximum root thickness was seen at L2, and a minimum L1. 3. Inclination angle of the spine spinous process: The inclination angle gradually decreased from T1 to T7 to minimum value at T7 and then increased till T12 region. 4. Width and height of lamina space: 1) The width of lamina space: For thoracic part, the data became shorter gradually from T1~T2 to T5~T6, and then increased till to T11~T12. For lumbar part, the width of lamina space increased from T12~L1 to L5~S1. 2) The height of lamina space: In the thoracic vertebrae, the maximum height of centre region was observed at T11~T12 and the minimum mean value was observed at T3~T4. In the lumbar vertebrae, the height of the lamina space was gradually increased from T12~L1 to L5~S1.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reports morphometric data of the thoracolumbar spine spinous process and lamina space in the Chinese population, which provides an anatomic basis for thoracolumbar spine design of internal fixation, posterior surgery, puncture and epidural anaesthesia.

Determination of the Content of 4-FMA in Rat Plasma Samples by HPLC-MS/MS Method

Objective To develop a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （HPLC-MS/MS） method for the determination of the content of 4-fluoromethamphetamine （4-FMA） in rat plasma, and to provide a methodological basis for the study of the toxicokinetics of 4-FMA in rats. Methods Rat plasma samples were added into internal standard methamphetamine （MA）. Its proteins were precipitated with methanol and then separated with Poroshell 120 EC-C18 chromatographic column. A 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and a 0.1% formic acid acetonitrile solution were used as the mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Electrospray ionization source was used for detection in the multiple reaction monitoring （MRM） mode. Results The linear relationship was good when the mass concentration of 4-FMA in plasma samples was in the range of 5-1 000 ng/mL （r>0.999）. The limit of detection （LOD） was 3 ng/mL and the limit of quantification （LOQ） was 5 ng/mL. The accuracy was expressed as relative error （RE）, and in the range of ±5%, the intra-day precision and inter-day precision （relative standard deviation, RSD） less than 9%, and the extraction recovery rate was more than 90%. The analysis and detection of plasma samples were completed within 2.5 min. Conclusion This study developed a HPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of 4-FMA in rat plasma samples. This method is accurate, rapid, simple and sensitive and can be applied to the study of toxicokinetics of 4-FMA.

[An analysis of relative factors, bacteriological profile and antibiogram of neonatal sepsis]

Objective: This study was designed to identify the relative factors, bacteriological profile and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern of neonatal sepsis. Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted on the clinical information, pathogen identification and antibiotic sensitivity results of 425 newborns with neonatal sepsis admitted to Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from 2010 to 2017. Of the 425 positive blood-cultures, 148 (34.82%) were early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) and 277 (65.18%) were late-onset neonatal sepsis (LOS). Clinical information and pathogen identification were compared between EOS and LOS. Antibiotic sensitivity of gram negative organisms (G(-)) and gram positive organisms (G(+)) were also detected. Results: The rates of premature delivery (78.70%, n=218), low birth weights (67.15%, n=186) and cesarean delivery (59.57%, n=165) were significantly increased in LOS (P<0.05) compared with those rates in EOS, which were 41.89% (n=62), 37.84% (n=56) and 46.62% (n=69). Parturients fever (18.24%, n=27) and meconium like amniotic fluid (25.68%, n=38) were significantly increased in EOS (P<0.05) compared with those rates in LOS, which were 7.94% (n=22) and 5.42% (n=15). Among the identified pathogen, the incidence of G(-) and G(+) bacteria were 216 (50.83%) and 201 (47.29%) respectively, and the rest was Candida glabrata (1.88%, n=8). Escherichia coli 68 (16.00%) was the predominant isolate followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.18%, n=56). The detection rate of Hemolytic staphylococcus (10.81%, n=16) was significantly increased in EOS (P<0.001) compared with LOS (1.44%, n=4). However, the incidence of Klebsiella pneumonia (5.88%, n=44) was higher in LOS (P=0.024) compared with EOS (8.11%, n=12). Most of the gram positive isolates exhibited high resistance to penicillin (90.32%-100.00%) and cephalosporin group antibiotics (25.00%-100.00%). Similarly, the majority of the gram negative isolates showed higher resistance to ampicillin (83.33%-100.00%), but susceptible to aminoglycosides (0-11.76%), quinolones (0-17.65%) and β-lactams (0-5.88%). Conclusion: Among the study population, the percent of preterm, low birth weight and cesarean section were higher in LOS while parturients fever and meconium-like amniotic fluid were higher in EOS. The pathogens with the highest detection rate were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The results of antibiotic susceptibility test showed that common pathogens had high resistance to commonly used antibacterial drugs.

Hydroxychloroquine protects melanocytes from autoantibody-induced injury by reducing the binding of antigen-antibody complexes

Vitiligo is a polygenic autoimmune disorder characterized by loss of pigmentation due to melanocyte destruction. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an effective immunosuppressant widely used in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. As generalized vitiligo (GV) is commonly considered to be a T cell and autoantibody-induced immune disorder, the present study aimed to determine whether HCQ protects melanocytes from autoantibody‑induced disruption. Anti‑melanocyte antibodies were obtained from the serum of patients with progressive GV and the effects of HCQ on prevent the autoantibody‑induced disruption of melanocytes was observed. Cell‑based ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence and western blotting were used to analyze the autoantibody content of sera samples obtained from 32 patients with progressive GV. The cytotoxicity of HCQ was detected by MTT assay, and 1 µg/ml HCQ was applied to human primary melanocytes (HMCs) to examine whether it could exert protective effects against autoantibody‑induced immune injury. Flow cytometry was used to measure autoantibody binding to the surface of HMCs. Complement‑dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody‑dependent cell‑mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) were monitored by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase‑releasing assays. The concentration of autoantibodies in sera samples taken from GV patients was significantly higher than in controls, particularly in patients who had >10% of their body surface affected by vitiligo. The majority of the autoantibodies presented in the HMCs and human keratinocytes (HKCs) and were predominantly localized to the cell surface and cytoplasm. The molecular weights of the autoantigens were identified as 30, 37‑39, 42, 53, 60‑75, 90, 100, 110, and 126 kDa; the 30 kDa protein was observed only in HMCs. The addition of HCQ at a concentration of 1 µg/ml produced no significant cytotoxicity in HMCs and was demonstrated to reduce the binding of GV immunoglobulin G (IgG) to the surface of HMCs. HCQ also significantly decreased the effects of ADCC and CDC that were mediated by GV IgG. The present study provides evidence that HCQ dissociates autoantibody-antigen complexes on the surface of HMCs and reverses ADCC and CDC activity in vitro. Thus, in addition to its effectiveness as an antimalarial therapeutic agent, HCQ may also be a promising potential treatment for patients with vitiligo.

Aspirin-triggered Lipoxin A4 attenuates mechanical allodynia in association with inhibiting spinal JAK2/STAT3 signaling in neuropathic pain in rats

Aspirin-triggered Lipoxin A4 (ATL), as a Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) epimer, is endogenously produced by aspirin-acetylated cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) and plays a vital role in endogenous anti-inflammation via the LXA4 receptor (ALX). Recent investigations have indicated that spinal neuroinflammation and the activation of the Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2)/Signal Transducers and Transcription Activators 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway are involved in neuropathic pain states. However, the effect of ATL on neuroinflammation and JAK2/STAT3 signaling in chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain in rats has not been well-studied. The present study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of ATL on neuropathic pain and assessed the role of spinal JAK2/STAT3 signaling on the effect of ATL. Intrathecal administration of ATL significantly attenuated mechanical allodynia via spinal ALX and inhibited the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) on day 7 of CCI surgery. In addition, ATL markedly suppressed the upregulation of p-STAT3 induced by the neuropathic pain. Blockade of JAK2-STAT3 signaling with intrathecal administration of the JAK2 inhibitor AG490 or the STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201 clearly reduced mechanical allodynia and the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in CCI rats. Interestingly, inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling via ATL or the specific signaling inhibitor (AG49, S3I-201) further promoted the increased expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) mRNA in the spinal cord induced by CCI surgery. Taken together, our results suggested that the analgesic effect of ATL was mediated by inhibiting spinal JAK2/STAT3 signaling and hence the spinal neuroinflammation in CCI rats.

Additive effect of heat on the UVB-induced tyrosinase activation and melanogenesis via ERK/p38/MITF pathway in human epidermal melanocytes

Heat is known as an environmental factor that causes significant skin pigmentation, but its effects on melanogenesis have been poorly studied. It has been shown that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in ultraviolet B (UVB) and stress-induced melanogenesis in melanocytes. In this study, we investigated the effects of heat and UVB, on melanocyte melanogenesis, differentiation, and MAPK phosphorylation. The results showed that heat (1 h at 40 °C for 5 days) increased cell dendrites, enlarged cell bodies, and induced extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)/p38/MITF activation but did not influence melanogenesis of human epidermal melanocytes from skin phototype III. UVB irradiation (20 mJ/cm(2) for 5 days) induced melanogenesis and c-jun N-terminal kinases (JNK)/p38/MITF/tyrosinase activation in melanocytes from skin phototype III. UVB combined with heat resulted in much more significant tyrosinase activation and melanogenesis as compared with UVB alone in melanocytes from skin phototype III. Furthermore, heat treatment and UVB irradiation induced JNK, ERK, and p38 activation but not melanogenic and morphological changes in melanocytes from skin phototype I. These findings suggested that heat promoted melanocyte differentiation, probably via heat-induced ERK/p38/MITF/activation. Furthermore, heat had an additive effect on the UVB-induced tyrosinase activation and melanogenesis. These results provide a new clue for dermatologists for the treatment of hypopigmented skin disease with heat combined with UVB irradiation.

Acquired localized hypertrichosis induced by internal fixation and plaster cast application

Hypertrichosis refers to increased vellus hair growth and is independent to androgen excess. The acquired localized hypertrichosis (ALH) is one of the typical hypertrichosis, which mainly results from chronic irritation, inflammation, friction, and occlusion by plaster of Paris. Here, we report a young boy who had ALH on his right hand following a closed fracture with internal fixation and plaster cast application. The case is unusual because the hairy area is limited to the operative region of internal fixation. We suggest that the local vascular changes and skin inflammation induced by internal fixation and plaster cast application may be associated with ALH.

Unilateral linear capillaritis: two unusual Chinese cases

Unilateral linear capillaritis (ULC) is a rare special variation of pigmented purpuric dermatosis (PPD), which is characterized clinically by linear or segmental distribution of pigmented purpuric macules located predominantly on the lower extremities and showing a favorable prognosis. In this case report, we describe two unusual cases of ULC, in one male and one female patient, with unilateral lesions involving the upper extremities that loosely follow the dermatome lines. Biopsy results revealed a common histopathology feature to PPD without heavy band-like infiltration in the upper dermis. On review 20 months after the onset, the eruptions of Patient 1 had spontaneously faded from parts of the affected area. Meanwhile, after a period of 18 months post onset, the eruptions of Patient 2 had became less visible after treatment with PUVA for 2 months, leaving a faded pigmentation.

Treating sewage using coimmobilized system of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and activated sludge

Chlorella pyrenoidosa was coimmobilized with activated sludge to produce algae-bacteria beads for sewage treatment. Hydrolysis/acidogenesis pretreatment could improve the symbiotic microenvironment of coimmobilized Chlorella pyrenoidosa and activated sludge, and as a result, promote the removal of nutrients (COD(cr), inorganic nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus) in the sewage. A photo-bioreactor combining hydrolysis/acidogenesis pretreatment and coimmobilized technique was designed to treat sewage continuously. The results show that, the removal efficiencies of COD(cr), NH4(+)-N and TP reached steady state after 4-days of experiment. The removal efficiencies of COD(cr), NH4(+)-N and TP were 59.6%, 59.0% and 60.3% respectively.

Eruptive cherry angiomas associated with vitiligo: Provoked by topical nitrogen mustard?

We report a 27-year-old man who had suffered with vitiligo for 7 years and with eruptive cherry angiomas within or around the repigmented vitiliginous skin for 2 years. After continual therapy for vitiligo with topical nitrogen mustard in a concentration of 0.001% for 5 years, multiple cherry angiomas erupted within or around the repigmented vitiliginous plaques. The discontinue therapy with nitrogen mustard stopped the appearance of new cherry angiomas. The presence of eruptive cherry angiomas was evident and was confirmed by histopathology. We suggest that the chronic chemical stimuli caused by topical nitrogen mustard might result in the formation of eruptive cherry angiomas.

Endothelin-1 combined with extracellular matrix proteins promotes the adhesion and chemotaxis of amelanotic melanocytes from human hair follicles in vitro

During the repigmentation of vitiliginous skin, amelanotic melanocytes (AMMCs) migrate from the outer root sheath (ORS) of the hair follicles into depigmented skin. It has been shown that endothelin-1 (ET-1) is an important cytokine in the migration of epidermal melanocytes, produced by keratinocytes particularly after irradiation with ultraviolet B (UVB). To further examine the role of ET-1 on the migration of AMMCs, we investigated the effects of ET-1 to the adhesion and chemotaxis of human AMMCs combined with extracellular matrix proteins (ECMP) and observed the effects on the actin and tubulin cytoskeleton of AMMC by ET-1. Human AMMCs were treated with different concentrations of ET-1 (0.1-100 nM) to observe adhesion on culture dishes coated with fibronectin (FN), laminin (LN) and collagen IV (CIV). In addition, chemotaxis on FN, LN and CIV coated micropore filters, with various concentrations of ET-1 as attractants, was investigated using a Boyden chemotaxis chamber. Cellular microfilaments and microtubules were immunostained with Rhodamine labeled actin and FITC labeled beta-tubulin. The effects of ET-1 on cytoskeleton were observed with laser confocal microscopy. The study demonstrated that ET-1 increases human AMMCs adhesion on FN in a dose-dependent manner, but minor increases are found on the coated surface with LN and CIV. ET-1 also induces chemotaxis of AMMCs on CIV, LN and FN in a dose-dependent manner. The greatest effect was seen with CIV. Minor chemotactic effects were observed with non-coated surfaces. A concentration of >or=10nM ET-1 induced an apparent increase in stress fibers underneath the cell membrane, but no effects were found on tubulin. ET-1 has various effects on the adhesion and chemotaxis of AMMCs on various ECMP, which could be partly due to a modulation and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton.

A Gene Locus Responsible for Reticulate Pigmented Anomaly of the Flexures Maps to Chromosome 17p13.3

Reticulate pigmented anomaly of the flexures (RPAF), also called Dowling-Degos disease, is a rare autosomal-dominant cutaneous disorder characterized by spotted and reticulate pigmentation of the flexures. The gene, or even the chromosomal location, for RPAF has not yet been identified. In this study, one Chinese family with RPAF was identified and subjected to a genomewide screen for linkage analysis. We identified a locus at chromosome 17p13.3 with a maximum two-point limit of detection score of 3.61 at markers D17S831and D17S1866 (at recombination fraction theta=0.00). Haplotype analyses indicated that the disease gene is located within the 6.8 cM region distal to D17S1798. It is the first locus identified for RPAF. This study provides a map location for isolation of a disease gene causing RPAF.

Generalized granuloma annulare associated with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

We describe a 63-year-old Chinese woman with generalized granuloma annulare (GGA) associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for 10 years. She developed non-annular papule lesions after a previous infection of hepatitis B virus. Since then, her clinical course was aggressive with involvement of the trunk, extremities and neck. Histologically, granulomatous inflammations were found in the upper to mid dermis. The HBV DNA in these lesions was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). GGA was totally regressed after treatment of interferon-alpha for 3 months. To the best of our knowledge, GGA associated with chronic HBV infection has never been reported in literature. The prognostic significance of the association of granulomatous inflammation and virus infection is reviewed.

A modified method for purifying amelanotic melanocytes from human hair follicles

We describe a modified method for establishing long-term pure cultures of amelanotic melanocytes (AMMC) derived from human hair follicles. Normal human corpse scalp (just after death, 1 h) was transected 1 mm below the epidermis, and hair follicles in the remaining dermis were isolated by a two-step enzyme treatment. Hair follicle cell suspensions were prepared by 0.50% trypsin treatment for 30 min and cultured in an optimized melanoblast proliferation nature mitogen medium. Cells attached to the substratum were mostly amelanotic melanocytic in character with small, bipolar shapes in the early stage; only a few keratinocytes and rare fibroblasts were observed. Keratinocytes were easily removed by differential trypsinization. After the third passage, the proliferating cells were all amelanotic melanocytes as confirmed by immunostaining with polyclonal antibodies to alphaPEP7h, which recognized the tyrosinase protein located on melanosomes and NKI/beteb, which is a pre-melanosomal antigen against synthetic peptides corresponding to the carboxyl termini of human melanosomal protein GP100. Cultured AMMC were highly positive to L-dopa reactivity after the addition of IBMX to the culture medium for 7 days. Many stage I and II melanosomes and occasional stage III melanosomes without stage IV melanosomes were found in the cytoplasm by transmission electron microscope. This modified technique is potentially more suitable for cultivating amelanotic melanocytes. The availability of pure cultures of hair-follicle amelanotic melanocytes will facilitate investigations of the roles of those cells in migration and differentiation during treatment of vitiligo.

Isolation and culture of amelanotic melanocytes from human hair follicles

We report a method to establish amelanotic melanocytes (AMMC) in culture and we investigate the effects of various components in the culture medium. Normal human scalp from cadaver donors was transected 1 mm below the epidermis, and hair follicles in the remaining dermis were isolated by a two-step enzyme treatment. The individual hair follicles were washed exhaustively and suspensions of hair follicle cells were prepared and cultured in Eagle's minimum essential medium supplemented with 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), cholera toxin and keratinocyte serum-free medium (K-SFM). Geneticin was used to eliminate contaminating fibroblasts. Proliferation of AMMC was observed after addition of TPA and K-SFM including bovine pituitary extract (BPE) into the culture medium. Cell type was determined by staining with monoclonal antibodies, NKI/beteb and HMB-45, which recognize premelanosomal and melanosomal antigens, respectively. The AMMC were also examined using transmission electron microscopy. Treatment with geneticin eliminates the majority of fibroblasts and does not impair the growth of keratinocytes or AMMC. After contaminating fibroblasts and keratinocytes were removed, two distinct cell morphologies remained: (1) large, dendritic and deeply pigmented cells, which did not proliferate and which disappeared by the third passage, and (2) small bipolar cells, which initially were unpigmented and proliferated very rapidly. We observed that TPA at various concentrations stimulated the proliferation of the cells, and at high concentrations could induce the formation of multiple dendrites. K-SFM including BPE accelerated the proliferation of the cells in a dose-dependent manner. After passage 3, almost all cells expressed premelanosomal and melanosomal antigens, recognized by NKI/beteb and HMB-45, respectively. Active mitochondria, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, ribosomes and melannosomes (predominantly in stages I, II or III with some at stage IV in some AMMC) were observed ultrastructurally in the cytoplasm of the cultured cells.

A new arginine substitution mutation of DSRAD gene in a Chinese family with dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria

BACKGROUND

Dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH) is a pigmentary genodermatosis of autosomal dominant inheritance characterized by a mixture of hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules distributed on the dorsal aspects of the hands and feet. To date, only three articles testified that DSH is caused by the mutations of DSRAD gene (also called ADAR1) encoding for RNA-specific adenosine deaminase.

OBJECTIVE

To identify mutations of DSRAD as the disease-causing gene and recognize different mutations giving a clue to insight into the mechanism of DSH.

METHODS

We collected a Chinese DSH family consisting of a total of 11 individuals including five DSH patients (three males and two females). The whole coding region of DSRAD was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and products analyzed by direct sequencing.

RESULTS

We detected a transition, 3463 C>T, leading to a missense mutation (R1155W) in genomic DNAs of five patients, and the point mutation was not found in normal individuals in this DSH family and in 100 unrelated, population-match control individuals.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggests that R1155W missense mutation is a new mutation in exon 15 of DSRAD gene and further testify that DSRAD gene is the pathogenic gene of DSH.

Cloning of the first invertebrate MAGE paralogue: an epitope that activates T-cells in humans is highly conserved in evolution

The MAGE (Melanoma Associated Antigen) family tumor-specific antigens are shared by a number of histologically different tumors. Till date, only human and mouse MAGE genes have been characterized. Our study describes the first non-mammalian member of MAGE super-family, DMAGE from D. melanogaster. A conceptual translation of the cDNA of DMAGE identifies a putative protein that contains a motif that shares eight out of nine amino acids with the previously identified promiscuous, HLA-A2 restricted antigenic epitope in the C-terminus of human MAGE-B1 and -B2. Similarly, this motif of DMAGE shares seven out of nine amino acids with the same antigenic epitope of human MAGE-A3 and -A12. Thus, the phylogeny of proteins that activate tumor specific T-cells in mammals as unmutated self-proteins began at least 100 million years earlier in evolution than the emergence of the adaptive immune system of higher vertebrates. Northern analysis revealed that DMAGE is a developmentally regulated gene highly expressed in adult fruit fly and in the embryo of D. melanogaster. In contrast, the expression level of the mRNA of DMAGE in fruit fly larva is substantially lower than in embryo and adult fly. We propose that studies of DMAGE on D. melanogaster may help define the function(s) of MAGE super-family genes.

Human herpesvirus 8 open reading frame 26 and open reading frame 65 sequences from multiple myeloma patients: a shared pattern not found in Kaposi's sarcoma or primary effusion lymphoma

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), multicentric Castleman's disease, and recently multiple myeloma (MM). DNA sequence analyses of HHV-8 suggest that multiple HHV-8 strains exist. We extracted DNA from 24 patients with MM and 3 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and compared HHV-8 open reading frames (ORFs) 26 and 65 sequences with those derived from patients with KS, PEL, and two HHV-8-positive PEL cell lines KS-1 and BC-1. ORF26 sequence data suggest that MM patients are consistently carriers of HHV-8 strain subtype C3. All MM patients also consistently revealed either a single bp deletion or substitution at position 112197 in ORF65. This unique alteration is not present in patients with KS or PEL or in PEL cell lines. It occurs in the portion of ORF65 that is known to be responsible for a serological response to HHV-8.

[Transformation of sainfoin by Agrobacterium rhizogenes LBA9402 Bin19 and regeneration of transgenic plants]

Hypocotyl segments of Onobrychis viciaefolia were transformed by Agrobacterium rhizogenes LBA9402 which harboured pBin19 and pRi1855. Seedling age and preculture time of hypocotyl segments influenced the transformation frequency. Paper electrophoresis revealed that 70% of single hairy root cultures could synthesize agropine. Calli were induced from hairy root segments on MS medium containing 0-9.05 mumol/L 2,4-D and 0-2.22 mumol/L 6-BA at first, then they were transferred onto MS0 medium without kanamycin for regeneration. Constitution and concentration of phytohormones in callus induction media affected subsequent regeneration of calluses on MS0 medium remarkably. Regeneration frequency and shoot number per callus declined when 2,4-D concentration in callus induction media increased from 4.52 to 9.05 mumol/L, while they ascended when 6-BA in callus induction media increased from 0 to 2.22 mumol/L. On MS medium supplemented with 4.52 mumol/L 2,4-D and 2.22 mumol/L 6-BA, only 14.2% hairy root segments could produce calluses, but the regeneration frequency reached 58.1% and the shoot number per callus was 37.2. In 32 analysed plants regenerated from 8 kanamycin resistant hairy root lines, 25 were nptII positive and showed different copy numbers.

[Decrease of cAMP and increase of amino acids contents in mouse brain after dihydroetorphine tolerance]

AIM

To study the mechanism of dihydroetorphine (DHE) tolerance.

METHODS

DHE tolerance was produced by repeated s.c. injections in progressively increased doses to mice for 8 d. The concentrations of amino acids and cAMP were detected by RP-HPLC/fluorescence assay and radioimmunoassay, respectively.

RESULTS

The basal contents of glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), and GABA in whole brain (cerebellum removed) were increased respectively from 14.1 +/- 2.1, 3.0 +/- 0.4, and 1.8 +/- 0.8 mumol/g tissue in control mice to 17.2 +/- 2.2, 4.1 +/- 0.6, and 3.2 +/- 1.0 mumol/g tissue in tolerant mice, and the rates of increase were 22.0% (P < 0.05), 36.7% (P < 0.01), and 77.8% (P < 0.05 vs control), respectively. There was no significant difference in the basal contents of Gln (5.1 +/- 1.0 vs 4.5 +/- 1.7 mumol/g tissue of control). The basal contents of cAMP in hypothalamus and striatum were decreased respectively from 271 +/- 38 and 189 +/- 31 nmol/g tissue in control mice to 96 +/- 15 and 65 +/- 21 nmol/g tissue in tolerant mice (P < 0.01), and the rates of decrease were 64.6% and 65.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference of cAMP in cerebral cortex (72 +/- 20 vs 55 +/- 15 nmol/g tissue of control).

CONCLUSION

The increases of Glu, Asp, and GABA in brain and the decrease of cAMP in hypothalamus and striatum were involved in DHE tolerance.

Localization of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus in bone marrow biopsy samples from patients with multiple myeloma

We have recently demonstrated the presence of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in cultured bone marrow (BM) stromal dendritic cells from all patients with myeloma studied. To show that these findings were not an artifact of tissue culture, we performed in situ hybridization (ISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect KSHV in BM core biopsies. Using ISH to open reading frame-72 (ORF 72), we localized KSHV to BM dendritic cells in 17 of 20 patients with myeloma, 2 patients with plasmacytosis associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and 1 case of aplastic anemia. In contrast, BM from normal subjects (n = 4) and patients with lymphoma and leukemia (n = 21) did not contain KSHV. PCR amplification with KSHV primers demonstrated product in fresh BM biopsy samples from 6 of 7 myeloma patients, whereas three normal marrows contained no amplified product. These findings suggest that KSHV, possibly through alterations in the BM microenvironment and production of viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6), may stimulate and maintain abnormal plasma cell proliferation in myeloma and related disorders.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection of bone marrow dendritic cells from multiple myeloma patients

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) was found in the bone marrow dendritic cells of multiple myeloma patients but not in malignant plasma cells or bone marrow dendritic cells from normal individuals or patients with other malignancies. In addition the virus was detected in the bone marrow dendritic cells from two out of eight patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a precursor to myeloma. Viral interleukin-6, the human homolog of which is a growth factor for myeloma, was found to be transcribed in the myeloma bone marrow dendritic cells. KSHV may be required for transformation from MGUS to myeloma and perpetuate the growth of malignant plasma cells.

Child malnutrition in China--present status and changing trend

Halving the malnutrition of under five of years has been set as one of the goals to be achieved by the year of 2000 by Chinese government. So it is important to know the present status of child malnutrition and its trend of changing, in order to predict the possible outcome of the achievement of the goal. According to the Child Survey carried out by the State Statistic Bureau (SSB) in 26 provinces and autonomous regions and 3 municipalities in 1992, the prevalence of malnutrition of under five was: moderate and severe underweight, stunting and wasting were 17.9%, 34.7% and 4.7% respectively. But there are significant differences among urban and rural children and between different provinces. The highest prevalence rate usually occurred in the second year of life of the children, and this may be the result of inadequate weaning food provided to the children. As compared with the data collected in 1987 by SSB in 9 provinces and autonomous regions, an impressive improvement in underweight has occurred within these 5 years. The average declined prevalence was 20.5%. It is specially true for urban children. To stunting, there was also improvement for urban children but not in the rural, resulting and over all increasing of prevalence by 5.9%. To wasting, the prevalence for urban children was low and remained at the same level while there was some what increase in the rural. So, according to these results, with constant economic development and more attempt made in areas and groups at risk, the goal to decrease malnutrition in half in terms of underweight could be reached by the year of 2000.

Immunocytochemical localization of ribonuclease in yolk granules of adult Rana catesbeiana oocytes

To determine the localization of the pyrimidine-guanine sequence-specific ribonuclease in Rana catesbeiana (bullfrog) oocytes, the RNase was first isolated and used to prepare a specific rabbit antiserum. Only one protein of similar molecular size to the RNase was immunoprecipitated from ovary homogenate by the antiserum, but two bands were observed by Western blotting analysis. These two proteins were shown by further purification of antibody and Western blotting analysis to have similar antigenicity. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting of tissue homogenates showed that the RNase was found predominantly in the ovary, but not in other tissues. The specific localization of the RNase was determined by immuno-electron microscopy of oocyte sections incubated with the specific antiserum; the yolk granules, but not other organelles, were found to contain the RNase. Most of the RNase was evenly distributed in the lateral amorphous area of the yolk granule but not in the central yolk crystal area which contains stored vitellogenin proteins. Our results indicate that the RNase is compartmentalized in the yolk granules of oocytes, which might prevent damage to cellular RNAs.

Combined traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Relieving effects of Chinese herbs, ear-acupuncture and epidural morphine on postoperative pain in liver cancer

In the evaluation of Chinese herbs (A), ear-acupuncture (B) and epidural morphine (C) to relieve postoperative pain and abdominal distension, sixteen male patients with primary liver cancer were observed. This study was conducted by means of orthogonal experiment and double blind, randomized design. The patients received various treatments according to the display of the orthogonal table L16(2)15 which corresponds to 2(3) factorial experiment design. C+ (morphine 2 mg) was given before the peritoneum was sutured. A+ (orally administered) and B+ were given 24 hours after operation. 50-100 mg of pethidine was given when the pain intensity VAS (0-100) exceeded 50-70. The observation parameters included plasma leucine enkephalin (LEK), postoperative total dosage of narcotics administered for 5 days, VAS for pain and pain reliever, abdominal distension, urinary retention, constipation, etc. The results were as follows: a. Patients who had received A (A+B+C+, A+B+C-, A+B-C-, A+B-C+); C (C+A+B+, C+A+B-, C+A-B+, C+A-B-), or B (B+A+C+, B+A+C-, B+A-C+, B+A-C-) produced better analgesic effects than those who had received placebo. The A, B, and C reduced narcotics 650, 450 and 550 mg respectively when compared with placebo. The effects of A and C were of statistical significance (P < 0.05), while AB, BC, and AC interactions were not found; b. A and B minimized abdominal distension and urinary retention, while C prolonged them. As compared with the placebo, A and B accelerated restoration of bowel peristalsis (P < 0.05, ANOVA). Both A and B decreased it for 165 hours, while epidural morphine prolonged it for 49 hours; and c.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunoelectron microscopy of tissues processed by rapid freezing and freeze-substitution fixation without chemical fixatives: application to catalase in rat liver hepatocytes

We report on the immunohistochemical demonstration of an enzyme at the electron microscopic level using specimens processed by rapid freezing and the freeze-substitution technique without the use of any chemical fixatives. Fresh rat liver tissue blocks were rapidly frozen by the metal contact method using liquid nitrogen, and were freeze-substituted with acetone without any chemical fixatives at -80 degrees C. Some of the freeze-substituted tissues were embedded in Lowicryl K4M at -20 degrees C; the others were returned to room temperature and embedded in Epok 812 at 60 degrees C. Ultra-thin sections were stained using anti-peroxisomal catalase antibody by the protein A-gold technique. The ultrastructure of the hepatocytes was very well preserved compared with that of conventionally processed tissues. The labeling for catalase was confined to peroxisomes. When the labeling density was compared among freeze-substituted tissues and conventionally processed tissues, that of freeze-substituted and Lowicryl K4M-embedded tissues was the most intense. These results show the usefulness of freeze-substituted tissues for immunohistochemical analysis of cell organelles.