MicroRNA-584-5p/RUNX family transcription factor 2 axis mediates hypoxia-induced osteogenic differentiation of periosteal stem cells

BACKGROUND

The hypoxic environment during bone healing is important in regulating the differentiation of periosteal stem cells (PSCs) into osteoblasts or chondrocytes; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

AIM

To determine the effect of hypoxia on PSCs, and the expression of microRNA-584-5p (miR-584-5p) and RUNX family transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in PSCs was modulated to explore the impact of the miR-584-5p/RUNX2 axis on hypoxia-induced osteogenic differentiation of PSCs.

METHODS

In this study, we isolated primary mouse PSCs and stimulated them with hypoxia, and the characteristics and functional genes related to PSC osteogenic differentiation were assessed. Constructs expressing miR-584-5p and RUNX2 were established to determine PSC osteogenic differentiation.

RESULTS

Hypoxic stimulation induced PSC osteogenic differentiation and significantly increased calcified nodules, intracellular calcium ion levels, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in PSCs. Osteogenic differentiation-related factors such as RUNX2, bone morphogenetic protein 2, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, and ALP were upregulated; in contrast, miR-584-5p was downregulated in these cells. Furthermore, upregulation of miR-584-5p significantly inhibited RUNX2 expression and hypoxia-induced PSC osteogenic differentiation. RUNX2 was the target gene of miR-584-5p, antagonizing miR-584-5p inhibition in hypoxia-induced PSC osteogenic differentiation.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that the interaction of miR-584-5p and RUNX2 could mediate PSC osteogenic differentiation induced by hypoxia.

[Association between anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody titers and duodenal histopathology among adults with celiac disease]

To evaluate the association between serum anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (anti-tTG) titers and the severity of histological damage to the duodenal mucosa and to predict a possible anti-tTG cutoff value for diagnosing celiac disease (CD) and villous atrophy in the domestic population. Clinical and pathological data from 76 adult CD patients with positive anti-tTG titers and duodenal biopsy results who were treated at the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2017 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation between anti-tTG titers and the severity of duodenal mucosal damage was statistically assessed to predict the optimal anti-tTG titer cut-off value for diagnosing CD and villous atrophy. Of the 76 patients, 10 had underlying CD, and of the 66 patients with duodenal histopathology, four were Marsh Ⅰ, six were Marsh Ⅱ, and 56 were Marsh Ⅲa-c grade. In adults with CD, anti-tTG titers were shown to be associated with the severity of histological damage to the duodenal mucosa. When the anti-tTG level was ≥5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing CD were 83.9% and 92.9%, respectively. When the anti-tTG titer was ≥8 times the ULN, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing villous atrophy were 67.9% and 90.0%, respectively. Anti-tTG levels had a strong predictive value for diagnosing CD in adults when titers exceeded 10 times the ULN. Thus, the anti-tTG cut-off value can be combined with clinical judgment to diagnose CD, limiting the use of invasive endoscopy.

Enhanced Intrinsic Anomalous Valley Hall Effect Induced by Spin-Orbit Coupling in MXene Monolayer M3N2O2 (M = Y, La)

The limitation of suitable anomalous valley Hall effect (AVHE) materials has seriously hindered the booming development and the widespread application of valleytronics. Here, through the first-principles calculations, we propose a MXene monolayer Y₃N₂O₂ with spontaneous valley polarization (VP) of 21.3 meV, which induces intrinsic AVHE. The VP can be modulated linearly, which provides a route of effective control of the valley signals. Importantly, VP can be enhanced by adjusting up the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) based on a SOC Hamiltonian model and the first-principles calculations. From this physics underlying, we substitute the Y atom with the La atom and further propose the monolayer La₃N₂O₂, in which the heavy atom La will provide stronger SOC than Y atom. The spontaneous VP in La₃N₂O₂ is enhanced to 100.4 meV, so AVHE can be easily achieved. Our work not only provides compelling candidates for AVHE materials but also offers a novel mindset for finding suitable valleytronic devices.

[Imaging study on the safety of axial pedicle screw placement by the position of the screw trajectory tip on the anteroposterior and lateral radiographs]

Objective: To propose a method to judge the safety of axial pedicle screw placement based on the position of the tip of the screw trajectory on the anteroposterior and lateral X-ray radiographs. Methods: The cervical CT data of 40 patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from December 2020 to December 2021 were selected, including 24 males and 16 females, with a mean age of (47.6±13.2) years. Based on the three-dimensional model reconstruction of Mimics software and its function of X-ray, the transmission of the axial pedicle screw and its anteroposterior and lateral films was simulated. The position of the tip of the simulated screw trajectory was divided into 5 regions (regions Ⅰ-Ⅴ) from the inside to the outside on the anteroposterior virtual radiographs, and the upper and lower regions (regions a, b) on the lateral virtual radiographs. By adjusting the direction of the screw, the tip of the screw was located in the corresponding 10 regions (80 screws in each area) on the virtual projections of the anteroposterior and lateral virtual radiographs respectively, and its accuracy was analyzed by CT to determine whether each screw penetrated the medial wall of the pedicle or vertebral artery foramen. The anteroposterior and lateral X-rays and postoperative CT data of 34 patients who underwent axial pedicle screw placement (67 axial pedicle screws were placed in total) from January 2014 to December 2021 were collected, including 18 males and 16 females, with a mean age of (45.8±14.1) years. The position of the tip of the screw trajectory on the anteroposterior and lateral films was divided in the same way. The number of screws in the corresponding 10 positions was counted, and CT analysis was used to determine whether each screw penetrated the medial wall of the axial pedicle or the vertebral artery foreman. Results: The results of the imaging simulation screw placement study showed that the perforation rate of the vertebral artery foramen in region Ⅳ and Ⅴ was 75.0% (120/160) and 100% (160/160), respectively, while the perforation rate of the medial wall of the axial pedicle in the region Ⅰ was 85.6%(137/160). The failure rate in regions Ⅱ and Ⅲ was relatively lower, and the performance of simulated screws located in the region a was better than those in region b. The perforation rates of the medial wall in regions (a-Ⅱ) and (a-Ⅲ) was 7.5% (6/80) and 0 (0/80), respectively, and the perforation rates of the vertebral foramen was 0 (0/80) and 21.3% (17/80), respectively. The retrospective imaging study also showed a higher rate of placement failure in regions Ⅰ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ, and relatively lower in regions Ⅱ and Ⅲ. There were total of 15 screws in region a-Ⅱ and a-Ⅲ, and no destruction of the medial wall of the axial pedicle and the vertebral artery foreman occurred there. Conclusions: Regions a-Ⅱ and a-Ⅲ are the "safety areas" of the tip of the pedicle screw trajectory in the axial vertebra. By analyzing the tip of the pedicle screw trajectory on the anteroposterior and lateral radiographs, the operator can determine the reasonable trajectory of axial pedicle screw placement, prevent the injury of the cervical spinal cord and vertebral artery, and reduce the risk of operation.

[Clinical and microbiological characteristics of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae lung abscess]

Objective: To study the clinical and microbiological characteristics of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP) lung abscess, and to compare with the classic Klebsiella pneumoniae (cKP) lung abscess. Methods: A total of 18 patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae lung abscesses admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2017 to September 2020 enrolled. The strains with positive result of string test were defined as hvKP, and the negative strains were defined as cKP. The patients' basic diseases, symptoms, laboratory data and other clinical characteristics were collected. The microbiological characteristics of the strains included as following: VITEK method to determine the in vitro susceptibility of the strains to antibiotics; PCR to detect the capsular serotypes and virulence genes. The differences in clinical characteristics and microbiological characteristics of strains between hvKP group and cKP group were compared. Results: Among the 18 patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae lung abscess, 12 were hvKP infection, mainly male (10 cases), with a median age of 59.0 years; 8 cases in the hvKP group had an onset time of ≤2 weeks, and the median onset time was 10.5 days. There were significantly more diabetes (12 cases) and extrapulmonary abscesses (11 cases) in hvKP group than those in cKP group (both P<0.001). The extrapulmonary abscesses in the hvKP group were mainly liver abscesses (10 cases), and 4 cases were multi-site (≥3) abscesses. The number of indwelling catheters and invasive procedures before infection were higher in cKP group than those in hvKP group (both P=0.025). The imaging of Klebsiella pneumoniae lung abscess was mainly subpleural with the size of less than 10 cm. There were more multiple abscesses cases in hvKP group (9 cases) than cKP group (P=0.009). The median interval time between the detection of a pulmonary abscess and an extrapulmonary abscess was 1.0 day. The resistance rate of common antibiotics was significantly lower in hvKP than cKP. Conclusions: hvKP lung abscesses are more common in patients with diabetes, and the clinical manifestations are nonspecific. The lung imaging manifestations are multiple subpleural abscesses, indicating hematogenous dissemination. Liver abscesses were present in most cases, suggesting the source of infection. The main virulent gene of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae is aero. For patients with hvKP lung abscess, attention should be paid to finding hidden lesions.

[Influence of antiretroviral prophylaxis on growth of HIV-exposed uninfected infants]

Objective: To evaluate the influence of antiretroviral prophylaxis on the growth and development of HIV-exposed uninfected infants in Guangzhou. Methods: Data were from the national information system for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection, syphilis and hepatitis B. After excluding death and perinatal HIV infection cases, 564 HIV-exposed uninfected infants were included. The infants were divided into three groups, nevirapine (NVP) group, zidovudine (AZT) group and untreated group. The influences of antiretroviral prophylaxis on the body weight and height of the HIV-exposed uninfected infants were analyzed by using generalized estimating equations. Results: The HIV-exposed uninfected infants at 1-month old had lower Z scores of body weight-for-age and body height-for-age than the World Health Organization's reference standard. The prevalence of wasting in AZT group (17.5%) was higher than that in NVP group (6.2%) for 1-month old infants. Taking NVP or AZT was a protective factor for Z score of body length-for-age (P<0.05). Intrauterine exposure to triple antiviral drugs was a risk factor for the Z scores of body weight-for-age and body length-for-age (P<0.05). Conclusion: The physical growth and development of HIV-exposed uninfected infants at 1-month old was not well, and HIV-exposed uninfected infants who taking AZT had a higher incidence of wasting. Attention should be paid to these infants.

[Comparative treatment analysis of upper gastroenterology submucosal tumors originating from muscularis propria layer: submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection versus endoscopic submucosal excavation]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) and endoscopic submucosal excavation (ESE) for upper gastroenterology submucosal tumors (SMT) originating from the muscularis propria (MP) layer.

METHODS

Clinicopathological and endoscopic data of 42 cases with upper gastroenterology tumors originating from the MP layer who were treated with STER (n=28) or ESE (n=14) between April 2013 and December 2016 in Peking University Third Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The treatment and complications of the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

In the study, 42 cases were all resected by therapeutic endoscopy successfully．There was no significant difference (STER vs. ESE) in gender, age, mean tumor size [1.5 (1.0-6.0) cm vs. 1.3 (0.5-2.0) cm, P=0.056]. STER was superior to ESE with reduced sutured time [3.5 (1.0-11.0) min vs. 8.0 (2.0-33.0) min, P=0.006], but more resection time [46.5 (11.0-163.0) min vs.19.5 (6.0-56.0) min, P=0.007]. There was statistical difference between the two groups in resection time or sutured time, but no significant difference (STER vs. ESE) in total operative time [52.0 (14.0-167.0) min vs. 31.5 (10.0-88.0) min, P=0.080]. En bloc resection rates (92.9% vs. 85.7%), hospital stay duration and complications (10.7 vs. 0.0) were similar in the STER and ESE groups. One case developed mediastinal emphysema and 2 pneumonia after operation in STER group, and all of them recovered uneventfully after conservative treatments; There were no complications in the ESE group. After operation, 28 cases of leiomyoma and 14 cases of stromal tumor were diagnosed by routine pathological and immunohistochemical staining. Among them, 6 cases of stromal tumors in group STER were all extremely low risk, 4 cases of stromal tumors in group ESE were extremely low risk, 4 cases of stromal tumors in group ESE were medium risk (the size of the lesion was about 1.0-2.0 cm, and mitotic figures counted (6-8)/50 high power field). The median follow-up time of all the patients was 46.5 (24-60) months, and the shortest follow-up time for medium risk stromal tumors was 32 months. No residual tumor, recurrence and implantation in the tunnel were observed.

CONCLUSION

STER or ESE can be used as an effective and safe option for treatment of submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria of the upper digestive tract. Compared with STER, ESE had shorter resection time but longer wound closure time. There was no significant difference in total operation time.

[Expression and distribution of programmed death receptor 1 and T cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 in breast cancer microenvironment and its relationship with clinicopathological features]

Objective: To explore the expression and distribution of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and T-cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 (TIM-3) in breast cancer microenvironment and analyze the their correlation with the clinicopathological features. Methods: The specimens of tumor tissue and adjacent tissues from 30 patients with infiltrative breast cancer who were diagnosed as breast cancer from June 2016 to May 2017 in The First Hospital of Jiaxing were collected, and the specimen were divided into two parts along the center. After embedding and cryosectioning, the expression and distribution of PD-1 and TIM-3 protein in tumor tissues were observed by immunofluorescence staining. Another part of the specimen was cut and digested, and non-continuous density gradient centrifugation was used to extract tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in TILs. Meanwhile, the protein expression was determined by Western blotting. The relationship between the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 and pathological parameters of breast cancer was analyzed with correlation analysis. Results: Immunofluorescence results showed that more PD-1 and TIM-3 positive cells were observed in the tumor tissues compared with the tumor-adjacent tissues. The qRT-PCR showed that the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 mRNA in TILs were both significantly higher than those in paracancerous tissues (3.09±0.38 vs 1.26±0.23, 3.42±0.31 vs 1.57±0.29, t=4.16, 4.37, both P<0.05). At the protein level, the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in tumor tissue lymphocytes(0.66±0.08, 0.80±0.11) was significantly higher than those in cancerous tissues(0.10±0.01, 0.26±0.02) (t=6.79, 4.57, both P<0.05). There were significant differences in the expression of PD-1, TIM-3 mRNA in the TILs between the different tumor histological grades, tumor sizes, lymph node metastasis (t=2.22-2.99, all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the expression of PD-1 and TIM-3 in tumor tissues (r=0.616, P<0.01). Conclusions: In the breast cancer microenvironment, PD-1, TIM-3-mediated signaling pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of breast cancer, it provides a new basis for the combination therapy of breast cancer.

circRNA.33186 Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis by Sponging miR-127-5p

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent age-related joint disorder, is characterized by chronic inflammation, progressive articular cartilage destruction, and subchondral bone sclerosis. Accumulating evidences indicate that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a critical role in various diseases, but the function of circRNAs in OA remains largely unknown. Here we showed that circRNA.33186 was significantly upregulated in IL-1β)-treated chondrocytes and in cartilage tissues of a destabilized medial meniscus (DMM)-induced OA mouse model. Knockdown of circRNA.33186 increased anabolic factor (type II collagen) expression and decreased catabolic factor (MMP-13) expression. Knockdown of circRNA.33186 also promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes. Silencing of circRNA.33186 in vivo markedly alleviated DMM-induced OA. Mechanistic study showed that circRNA.33186 directly binds to and inhibits miR-127-5p, thereby increasing MMP-13 expression, and contributes to OA pathogenesis. Taken together, our findings demonstrated a fundamental role of circRNA.33186 in OA progression and provide a potential drug target in OA therapy.

[Efficacy and outcome of transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with cryptogenic stroke]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and outcome of transcatheter patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS). Methods: Sixty consecutive patients with cryptogenic stroke who undertook transcatheter PFO closure between May 2015 and September 2017 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital were enrolled in this prospective study.Transcranial Doppler (TCD) bubble test was performed and right-left shunt(RLS) was confirmed in all patients.Closure success rate,effective closure rate, complications, recurrence of ischemic stroke and new onset atrial fibrillation were evaluated. Results: A total of 60 patients (42 male,age range 24-68 (47±11)years) were included in the study.PFO size (motionless state) was (1.6±0.6)mm.RLS before closure was graded and 11 patients had moderate RLS and 48 patients had large RLS (include 41 patients who experienced shower or curtain effect).Closure success rate was 100% (60/60).No severe complications were observed.At 6 months,45 patients completed TCD bubble test.Of these, 4 patients suffered from moderate to large residual and thus effective closure rate was 91%(41/45).The mean follow-up period was 2-29 (median 12) months. During the follow-up, only 1 patient experienced recurrent cerebral infarction.New onset atrial fibrillation was not detected. Conclusion: Transcatheter PFO closure is effective,safe and related with a good outcome in reduction of recurrent CS for patients with PFO.

[Value of MRI in the pre-operative diagnosis and classification of oblique vaginal septum syndrome]

Objective: To explore the role of MRI in the pre-operative diagnosis and classification of oblique vaginal septum syndrome (OVSS) . Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical records and pre-operative MRI images of 19 patients with surgery proved OVSS was carried out. Two experienced radiologists reviewed the pre-operative pelvic MRI of the 19 patients in consensus blind to the surgery results. Characteristics including malformations of the uterus, cervix and vagina, the diagnosis of the disorder and classification were evaluated. Pre-operative MRI diagnosis and classification were correlated with surgical findings. Results: Mean age of onset of symptoms for the 19 patients was 15 years (ranged 9-25 years) , and mean age of menarche was 12 years. Ten patients suffered from dysmenorrhea or lower abdominal pain, 5 patients complained of vaginal discharge, 3 patients had a history of irregular menstruation, 1 patient suffered from primary infertility. All 19 patients showed uteri didelphys. Eighteen patients showed vaginal oblique septum.One patient showed cervical atresia.MRI was completely correlated with the surgery in the pre-operative diagnosis of OVSS. MRI classification was in line with surgery in 17 patients, including 9 patients with imperforate septum (typeⅠ) , 6 patients with perforate septum (type Ⅱ) , 1 patient with imperforate septum and cervical fistula (type Ⅲ) , and another one with cervical agenesis (type Ⅳ) . One case of type Ⅱ was misdiagnosed as type Ⅰ, another one of type Ⅰ was misdiagnosed as type Ⅲ. Pre-operative MRI classification was correlated with surgery in 17 out of 19 patients. Conclusion: Pre-operative MRI allows excellent manifestation and accurate diagnosis of OVSS, and could also facilitate the evaluation of the classification.

Silencing of circRNA.2837 Plays a Protective Role in Sciatic Nerve Injury by Sponging the miR-34 Family via Regulating Neuronal Autophagy

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a class of non-coding RNAs that are involved in transcriptional and posttranscriptional gene expression regulation and associated with different kinds of human diseases. However, the characterization and function of circular RNAs in peripheral nerve injuries remain elusive. Here, we established a rat sciatic nerve injury model and identified at least 4,942 distinct circular RNA candidates and a series of circular RNAs that were differentially expressed in injured nerve tissues compared with matched normal tissues. We characterized one frequently downregulated circular RNA, circRNA.2837, and further investigated its function in sciatic nerve injury. We found that circRNA.2837 regulated autophagy in neurons in vitro and in vivo, and downregulation of circRNA.2837 alleviated sciatic nerve injury via inducing autophagy in vivo. Mechanistically, knockdown of circRNA.2837 may protect neurons against neurological injury by acting as a sponge for members of miR-34 family. Our findings suggested that differentially expressed circular RNAs were involved in the pathogenesis of sciatic nerve injury, and circular RNAs exerted regulatory functions in sciatic nerve injury and might be used as potential targets in sciatic nerve injury therapy.

[Effects and mechanisms of ursodeoxycholic acid on isoprenaline-Induced myocardial fibrosis in mice]

Objective: To investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on myocardial fibrosis in mice. Method: To observe the expression of transforming growth factor(TGF) -β1, CTGF, MMPs and the degree of myocardial fibrosis, 61 male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group, low dose UDCA group, high dose of UDCA group, spironolactone group, and the control group.Isoproterenol (ISO) injection was given subcutaneously (30 d) to make the model of myocardial fibrosis.Corresponding anti-fibrosis drugs (UDCA or spironolactone) were given by gavage.HE staining and Masson staining were performed to explore the inflammation and fibrosis in the myocardium.The expression of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ protein was detected by immunohistochemistry to evaluate the degree of fibrosis among the groups.Western blot was used to detect the expression of transforming growth factor, (TGF)-β1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-4, -1 and anti-phospho-NFKBIA (p-IκB-α) inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) protein in myocardium. Results: HE and Masson staining results showed that in the normal group, myocardial fibrosis is less, while the control group showed a large amount of fibrotic tissue (P<0.05). Tissue fibrosis in the low/high dose UDCA group and spironolactone group was significantly reduced compared with the control group (P<0.05), in which high dose of UDCA reduces fibrosis more significantly.Immunohistochemistry results showed that collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ protein expression was significantly increased (P<0.05). Whereas in the low/high UDCA dose group and spironolactone group, collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05), the high UDCA dose group decreased more significantly.Western blot results suggest that TGFβ-1 expression in the myocardial tissue was significantly increased compared to the normal group (P<0.05), whereas low/high UDCA dose group and spironolactone group, TGFβ-1 protein expression were significantly decreased [UDCA(1.52±0.16), (1.02±0.12), (1.01±0.21)vs (2.73±0.12), P<0.05], in which high UDCA dose group TGFβ-1 protein expression level decreased more significantly.However, there was no significant difference in the expression of CTGF, MMP2/9 and TIMP1/4 protein among the groups (P>0.05). UDCA decrease p-IκB-α expression and increase IκB protein expression dose-dependently. Conclusions: UDCA can relieve isoproterenol induced myocardial fibrosis and reduce the myocardial collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ deposition in a dose dependent manner.Down-regulating of TGFβ-1 protein expression through the inhibition of TGR5-NF-κB signal transduction pathway might be a potential mechanism underlying UDCA's effects.

Delayed dehiscence of the pericarp: role in germination and retention of viability of seeds of two cold desert annual Brassicaceae species

Considerable variation occurs in post-maturity timing of dehiscence in fruits of Brassicaceae species, and several studies have shown that the pericarp plays an important role in seed germination and retention of viability in species with indehiscent fruits. However, little is known about the significance to seed biology of delay in pericarp dehiscence for <1 year in the field. Thus, we determined the role of the pericarps of Leptaleum filifolium and Neotorularia korolkovii, which open in <1 year after fruit maturity and dispersal, in seed germination and retention of seed viability. We compared dormancy-break via after-ripening in the laboratory and germination phenology and retention of seed viability in intact siliques and isolated seeds buried in an experimental garden. Seeds of both species have Type 6 non-deep physiological dormancy, which is enhanced by the pericarp. Seeds of both species after-ripened during summer 2013, and some of them germinated in autumn and some in the following spring in watered and non-watered soil. Germination percentages of seeds in siliques increased in soil in spring 2014, after the pericarps had opened. Most isolated seeds of L. filifolium and N. korolkovii had germinated or were dead by spring 2014 and summer 2015, respectively, whereas 60% of the seeds of both species in the (opened) pericarps were viable after 24 months. Thus, although the pericarp opened 9-10 months after burial, its presence had a significant effect on seed dormancy, germination phenology and retention of viability of seeds of L. filifolium and N. korolkovii.

The Growth Hormone Receptor Gene is Associated with Mandibular Height in a Chinese Population

Genetic influences are important in the determination of mandibular morphology, and growth hormone receptor ( GHR) is believed to have an important influence on the growth of craniofacial bone. In this study, we used quantitative trait locus methods to evaluate the relationship between craniofacial morphology and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GHR in an unselected healthy Chinese population. We systematically screened the 10 exons and nearby introns of GHR and identified 6 SNPs. Using 4 SNPs as markers, we studied the relationships between genotypes and craniofacial linear measurements. Individuals with the genotype CC of polymorphism I526L had a significantly greater mandibular ramus length (condylion-gonion/ articulare-gonion) than those with genotype AC or AA. Haplotype analysis showed that there were also significant differences between the long and short mandibular height groups in an extreme population. Our results indicate that the GHR gene polymorphism I526L is associated with mandibular height in the Chinese population.

Lack of association between ERCC5 gene polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk in a Chinese population

We conducted a case-control study to assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ERCC5 promoter (rs2094258 and rs751402) and development of gastric cancer in a Chinese population. This investigation included 184 patients with pathologically diagnosed gastric cancer and 206 healthy subjects recruited between October 2012 and December 2014. The genotyping of ERCC5 rs2094258 and rs751402 variants was performed by polymerase chain reaction coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism. Genotype distributions of these polymorphisms conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both patient (P = 0.25 for rs2094258 and P = 0.61 for rs751402) and control groups (P = 0.48 for rs2094258 and P = 0.42 for rs751402). Using unconditional logistic regression analysis, we found that neither of these ERCC5 variants was associated with increased risk of gastric cancer under co-dominant, dominant, or recessive models (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we suggest that the rs2094258 and rs751402 polymorphisms are not connected to the development of this disease under codominant, dominant, and recessive models.

Adult male circumcision with a circular stapler versus conventional circumcision: A prospective randomized clinical trial

Male circumcision is the most frequently performed procedure by urologists. Safety and efficacy of the circumcision procedure requires continual improvement. In the present study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of a new male circumcision technique involving the use of a circular stapler. In total, 879 consecutive adult male patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: 441 underwent stapler circumcision, and 438 underwent conventional circumcision. The operative time, pain score, blood loss volume, healing time, treatment costs, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. The operative time and blood loss volume were significantly lower in the stapler group than in the conventional group (6.8 ± 3.1 vs 24.2 ± 3.2 min and 1.8 ± 1.8 vs 9.4 ± 1.5 mL, respectively; P<0.01 for both). The intraoperative and postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the stapler group than in the conventional group (0.8 ± 0.5 vs 2.4 ± 0.8 and 4.0 ±0.9 vs 5.8 ± 1.0, respectively; P<0.01 for both). Additionally, the stapler group had significantly fewer complications than the conventional group (2.7% vs 7.8%, respectively; P<0.01). However, the treatment costs in the stapler group were much higher than those in the conventional group (US$356.60 ± 8.20 vs US$126.50 ± 7.00, respectively; P<0.01). Most patients (388/441, 88.0%) who underwent stapler circumcision required removal of residual staple nails. Overall, the present study has shown that stapler circumcision is a time-efficient and safe male circumcision technique, although it requires further improvement.

L-arginine upregulates the gene expression of target of rapamycin signaling pathway and stimulates protein synthesis in chicken intestinal epithelial cells

L-arginine (Arg) is an indispensable amino acid in avians and is required for growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of L-Arg on protein synthesis and genes expression involved in target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway in chicken enterocytes. Cells were cultured for 4 days in L-Arg-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10, 100, 200, 400, or 600 μM L-Arg. Cell growth, cell cycle, protein synthesis, and protein degradation as well as mRNA expression levels of TOR, ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) were determined. The results showed that cell viability was enhanced by L-Arg with a maximal response at 10 to 400 μM. Increasing extracellular concentrations of L-Arg from 10 to 400 μM increased the cells in S and G2/M phase to a significant extent and decreased cell numbers in G0/G1 phase. Further more, addition of 100, 200, or 400 μM L-Arg to culture medium increased protein synthesis and reduced protein degradation in chicken intestinal epithelial cells. Consistent with the data on cell growth and protein turnover, supplementation of 100, 200, or 400 μM L-Arg increased the mRNA abundances of TOR, 4E-BP1, and S6K1. It was concluded the action of L-Arg involves in upregulating the genes expression of TOR cell signaling pathway which increases protein synthesis and reduces protein degradation.

Activation of PPARγ is required for hydroxysafflor yellow A of Carthamus tinctorius to attenuate hepatic fibrosis induced by oxidative stress

Oxidative stress caused hepatic fibrosis by activating hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which were implemented by depressing PPARγ activation. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) as a nature active ingredient with antioxidant capacity was able to effectively attenuate oxidative stress mediated injury. So it will be very interesting to study effect of HSYA on HSCs activation and liver fibrosis, and reveal the role of PPARγ·CCl4 and H2O2 were used to mimic oxidative stress mediated hepatic injury in vitro and in vivo respectively. The anti-fibrosis effects of HSYA were evaluated and its mechanisms were disclosed by applying western blot, histopathological analysis, flow cytometry, RT-PCR and ELISA. Our results showed that HSCs activation and proliferation could be induced by oxidative stress, and the expressive levels of TGF-β1 and TIMP-1, the serum levels of ALT, AST, HA, LN, III-C and IV-C were also enhanced by oxidative stress, which is correlated with liver fibrosis (p<0.05 or p<0.01). HSYA was able to effectively inhibit oxidative stress mediated hepatic injury by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes, up regulating the expression of PPARγ and MMP-2, and down regulating the expression of TGF-β1 and TIMP-1, and reducing α-SMA level. The protective effect of HSYA can be significantly attenuated by GW9662 via blocking PPARγ (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Taken together, these results demonstrate that HSYA is able to significantly protect the liver from oxidative stress, which requires for HSYA to stimulate PPARγ activity, reduce cell proliferation and suppress ECM synthesis.

Effects of supplemental copper and chromium on the serum and egg traits of laying hens

1. This study investigated the effects of supplemental copper and chromium on the serum and egg traits of laying hens using 144 forty-five-week-old White Leghorn layers. The hens were randomly assigned into 9 groups to conduct this 3 copper (0, 125 and 250 mg/kg as copper sulphate) x 3 chromium (0, 800 and 1600 microg/kg as chromium picolinate) factorial trial. 2. Egg yolk cholesterol was significantly reduced by supplementary copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) and there was an interaction between Cu and Cr supplementation. Egg production, egg weight, eggshell strength and eggshell thickness were not influenced by Cu or Cr supplementation. 3. Serum cholesterol concentration was decreased by Cu supplementation and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) was reduced markedly by both Cu and Cr. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly increased by Cu and Cr. Interaction occurred between Cu and Cr in the VLDL and HDL parameters. Supplmentary Cu also reduced VLDL-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and enhanced HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), while supplemental Cr had a contrary effect on these two parameters. 4. If minimum egg cholesterol content is the criterion, this study suggests that 125 mg/kg of Cu together with 800 to 1600 microg/kg of Cr provide adequate supplementary concentrations for laying hens.

Patients' preference for radiotherapy fractionation schedule in the palliation of symptomatic unresectable lung cancer

The palliative radiotherapeutic management of unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer is controversial, with various fractionation (Fx) schedules available. We aimed to determine patient's choice of Fx schedule after involvement in a decision-making process using a decision board. A decision board outlining the various advantages and disadvantages apparent in the Medical Research Council study of Fx schedules (17 Gy in two fractions vs 39 Gy in 13 fractions) was discussed with patients who met Medical Research Council eligibility criteria. Patients were then asked to indicate their preferred Fx schedules, reasons and their level of satisfaction with being involved in the decision-making process. Radiation oncologists (RO) could prescribe radiotherapy schedules irrespective of patients' preferences. Of 92 patients enrolled, 55% chose the longer schedule. English-speaking patients were significantly more likely to choose the longer schedule (P = 0.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-7.6). Longer Fx was chosen because of longer survival (90%) and better local control (12%). Shorter Fx was chosen for shorter overall treatment duration (80%), cost (61%) and better symptom control (20%). In all, 56% of patients choosing the shorter schedule had their treatment altered by the treating RO, whereas only 4% of patients choosing longer Fx had their treatment altered (P < 0.001). Despite this, all (100%) patients were satisfied with being involved in the decision-making process. The decision board was useful in aiding decision-making, with both Fx schedules being acceptable to patients. Interestingly, despite the longer average survival associated with longer Fx, nearly half of the patients believed that this was not as important as a shorter duration of treatment and lower cost. Despite patients' preferences, there were significant alterations of preferred schedules because of RO's own biases.

Clinical features and outcome of neuropsychiatric lupus in Chinese: analysis of 240 hospitalized patients

Neuropsychiatric (NP) events are severe manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and relate to poor outcome. The aims of this study are to investigate the NP manifestations of SLE and to identify the predictive factors for clinical outcome. There was a retrospective review of 240 hospital patients with primary NP events of SLE (NPSLE) from 1990 to 2004. Neuropsychiatric manifestations, SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score, System lupus International Collaborating Clinic/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SLICC/ACR-DI) score, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, treatment and mortality rate were included for analysis. From this group of patients, 15 NP syndromes were identified. The most frequent manifestation was headache, followed by seizure. The mean SLEDAI and SLICC/ACR-DI scores were 19.9 +/- 6.9 and 3.5 +/- 1.6, respectively. Abnormal MRI features were found in 67% (61/91) patients. At least one intrathecal (IT) injection of methotrexate (MTX) plus dexamethasone (DXM) was administered to 109 (45.4%) patients. High dose (1 g) intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy (IVMP) was administered to 167 (69.5%) patients. Multifactor analysis revealed that high SLICC/ACR-DI scores and sets of concurrent NP symptoms were independently associated with poor outcome, whereas pulse IVMP and IT injection of MTX plus DXM were protective factors against poor outcome. From our data, NPSLE is heterogeneous and is usually associated with high disease activity and organ damage scores. High SLICC/ACR-DI score and having more than two sets of NP symptoms are the predictors for poor outcome, whereas pulse IVMP and IT injection of MTX plus DXM can improve the prognosis.

Does the implementation of radiation oncology outpatient infection control measures adversely affect patient satisfaction with doctor-patient interaction?

INTRODUCTION

There are worldwide concerns of an impending avian influenza outbreak, with nations formulating infection control strategies to prepare for such an event. Little evidence exists for how infection control measures impact on the provision of cancer services, or how patient experience would be affected. Our aim was to compare patient satisfaction with doctor-patient interaction, during and following a period of infection control measures.

METHODS

We measured patient satisfaction using a validated 29-question instrument for two weeks during the implementation of strict infection control measures as a result of the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak (T1), and compared results with a two-week period after measures had been lifted (T2).

RESULTS

A total of 296 patients were surveyed, 149 at T1 and 147 at T2. Most patients indicated overall satisfaction, with 92.3 percent and 86.9 percent satisfied at T1 and T2, respectively (p-value is not significant). Mean satisfaction index was 3.02 and 3.04 out of 4 at T1 and T2, respectively (p-value is not significant). However, the responses for several individual questions did differ significantly between time points. At T1 more patients indicated satisfaction for understanding the doctor's plans (p-value is 0.001), while at T2, more patients indicated satisfaction for being told how to care for their condition (p-value is 0.04).

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated high patient satisfaction at both time points. Similar levels of satisfaction despite infection control measures may be due to patients being more tolerant of problems in doctor-patient interactions during the outbreak due to media campaigns. This research may facilitate those healthcare services planning to minimise the impact of infection control measures on patient care.

Paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil and hydroxyurea concurrent with radiation in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We conducted a phase II trial using paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil and hydroxyurea concurrent with radiation (TFHX).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-nine patients with locally advanced NPC were treated with CRT consisting of 4-day continuous infusions of paclitaxel (20 mg/m(2)/d) and 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m(2)/d), and oral hydroxyurea 500 mg bid for nine doses, every 3 weeks concurrent with radiotherapy (RT). RT consisted of once daily 200cGy fractions 5 times per week to a total of 7000cGy.

RESULTS

Complete response was seen in 86% and 71% of patients at 4 and 12 months after CRT. The median follow-up was 34 months. Twenty-three patients experienced relapse. Sixteen deaths occurred: 13 from progressive disease. Three-year overall survival and progression-free survival were 72% and 54% respectively, with locoregional and distant control rates of 83% and 64% at 3 years respectively. Grade 3 to 4 acute toxicities included oropharyngeal mucositis in 81% of patients treated, dermatitis in 63%, weight loss in 32%, and neutropenia in 22%. Neutropenic fever was seen in 14%. There were no treatment-related deaths from acute toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

TFHX is shown to be feasible in NPC. Non-cross resistant induction chemotherapy should be further studied with this regimen.

Immunohistochemical and molecular assessment of human herpesvirus type 8 in gastrointestinal tumours

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract, histologically identified as highly cellular spindle or epithelioid cell tumours, and often positive for CD34 (60-70%). Kaposi's sarcomas (KSs) are similar to GISTs: they are most often found in the gastrointestinal tract (although cutaneous lesions do occur), they are also composed of spindle or epithelioid cells (although erythrocytes are also seen), and the tumour cells are nearly all positive for CD34. Human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) DNA has been found consistently in all types of KS, in particular in CD34 positive KS tumour cells. However, the association between HHV-8 and GIST has not been investigated.

AIMS

To assess the presence of HHV-8 in GISTs.

METHODS

Paraffin wax embedded tissues of 86 primary GISTs and their recurrent or metastatic tumours were analysed immunohistochemically for the CD34 antigen and HHV-8 latent nuclear antigen 1 (LNA-1) and by means of the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real time PCR for HHV-8 DNA.

RESULTS

None of the 86 GISTs contained HHV-8 DNA sequences or LNA-1 positive cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate the lack of HHV-8 infection in GIST tumour cells. HHV-8 does not appear to play a role in the pathogenesis of GIST, irrespective of the status of the tumour.

Interpreting the improved outcome of patients with central nervous system metastases managed in clinical trials compared with standard hospital practice

The aims were to determine the median survival and prognostic factors of patients with central nervous system (CNS) metastases managed with whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT), and to explore selection criteria in recently published clinical trials using aggressive interventions in CNS metastases. A retrospective audit was performed on patients managed with WBRT for CNS metastases. Potential prognostic factors were recorded and analysed for their association with survival duration. The proportion of patients with these factors was also compared with those of patients managed under three recently reported studies investigating aggressive interventions, such as radiosurgery and chemotherapy for CNS metastases. Seventy-three patients were treated with WBRT for cerebral metastases over a 12-month period. The median survival of the population was 3.4 months (95% confidence interval: 2.7-4.1), with 6- and 12-month survival rates of 30 and 18%, respectively. Significant prognostic factors for prolonged median survival were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status 0-2 (P = 0.015), Medical Research Council neurological functional status 0-1 (P = 0.006), and Recursive Partitioning Analysis Class 2 versus Class 3 (P = 0.020). On multivariate analysis, younger patient age (P = 0.02) and better performance status (P < 0.01) were associated with improved outcome. When comparing these characteristics with selected published studies, our study cohort demonstrated a higher proportion of patients with poor performance status, a greater number of metastases per patient and a higher incidence of extracranial disease. This reflects the selected nature of patients in these published studies. Central nervous system metastases confer a poor prognosis and, for the majority of patients, aggressive interventions are unlikely to improve survival. The use of potentially toxic and expensive treatments should be reserved for those few in whom these studies have shown a potential benefit.

Patient satisfaction with doctor-patient interaction in a radiotherapy centre during the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak

An outpatient radiotherapy department assessed how precautions implemented during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak affected patient satisfaction with doctor-patient interaction and explored variables potentially influencing satisfaction. The information obtained would help prepare us for future infectious disease outbreaks. Outpatients seen during the outbreak completed a validated questionnaire assessing satisfaction with doctor-patient interaction. Additional items assessed included patients' perception of SARS measures and patient demographics. Of 149 patients, 97% had heard of SARS, 92% believed SARS precautions necessary, and 54% believed contracting SARS was possible despite the precautions. Patients were satisfied with doctors wearing masks (97%), temperature checks (97%), and patients wearing masks (96%). Despite the high satisfaction levels with SARS precautions, 24% believed it had adversely affected doctor-patient interaction. With regards to doctor-patient interaction, 94% of patients were satisfied. Patients were most satisfied with the 'information exchange' domain (mean score 3.23 out of 4) compared to other domains (P < 0.0001, 100.00% confidence) and were less satisfied with the 'empathy' domain compared to other domains (P < 0.0001, 100.00% confidence). Patients were most satisfied with understanding their treatment plan (100%), doctor being honest (97%) and being understood (96%). Patients were least satisfied with information about caring for their illness (61%), that the visit could be better (59%), and the doctor showing more interest (58%). On multivariate analysis, patients who were less satisfied with SARS measures were significantly less satisfied with doctor-patient interaction (P = 0.0001). Dissatisfaction with SARS measures was associated with significant dissatisfaction for questions in all domains. Older age and non-breast cancer patients were also less satisfied with doctor-patient interaction. Most (94%) of patients were satisfied with doctor-patient interaction, despite implementation of infectious disease prevention measures. However, patients who were dissatisfied with the SARS precautions had poorer satisfaction. In particular, physician empathy appeared to be most adversely affected. The results have relevance to any radiotherapy department preparing contingency plans in the event of infectious disease outbreaks.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation in breast cancer patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy and the role of preemptive lamivudine administration

BACKGROUND

Recent data suggest that hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation develops in 41% of breast cancer (BC) patients carrying HBV after chemotherapy. Our study aimed to determine the role of preemptive use of lamivudine in BC patients undergoing chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The test group consisted of 11 female patients with BC who were seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Of these, 10 patients were treated in an adjuvant setting and one for metastatic disease. Lamivudine was given from the start of chemotherapy and was maintained until 1 month after the last infusion of chemotherapy. The control group consisted of nine historical BC patients carrying HBV and received similar systemic chemotherapy without preemptive lamivudine. Variables including HBsAg, HBV envelope antigen, anti-HBV envelope antibody, serial serum alanine transaminase (ALT), quantitative HBV viral DNA analysis, and HBV-DNA precore promoter and precore sequence were monitored. Test for emergence of mutant strains, notably nucleotide 550, was performed 6 months after the completion of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

All patients tolerated lamivudine well without development of evident HBV reactivation or overt hepatitis. Serum ALT remained unchanged without rebound hepatitis after cessation of chemotherapy and withdrawal of lamivudine. No emergence of lamivudine-selective resistant strain (so-called tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate mutations) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results encourage preemptive use of lamivudine for prevention of HBV reactivation in patients who need short-term chemotherapy.

Hiding in the bunker: Challenges for a radiation oncology department operating in the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak

In February 2003, one woman returned from Hong Kong to Singapore with a previously undescribed atypical pneumonia. Two months later, Singapore is facing its greatest ever threat to its population's health and the country's economy. The government has taken strong action to break the chain of infection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). As a radiation oncology department in Singapore, we have faced challenges in keeping staff and patients safe while continuing to provide a service to our patients. In this article, we outline the measures taken to curb SARS in Singapore and discuss the implications for Australasian radiation oncology departments.

The effect of dextran to restore the activity of pulmonary surfactant inhibited by albumin

Pulmonary surfactant is crucial to maintain the proper functioning of the respiration system. Certain types of blood proteins (e.g. albumin) were found to inhibit the activity of pulmonary surfactant. Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis (ADSA) was used to study the effect of dextran to restore the activity of an albumin-inhibited pulmonary surfactant. It was found that dextran could effectively restore surface tension properties of the inhibited surfactant in vitro. Furthermore, dextran improved the performance of pulmonary surfactants when albumin was absent. It was found that when a surfactant film was under high compression (e.g. above 70% surface area reduction), the presence of dextran increased film stability, so that the film could sustain high surface pressures without being collapsing.

Expression of a blood-brain barrier-specific antigen in the reproductive tract of the male rat

The endothelial barrier antigen (EBA) is a protein expressed specifically by the endothelial cells of the rat brain barrier vessels. This antigen has been described as a 'barrier protein' and is used as a marker for the competent blood-brain barrier. A blood-testis barrier has also been described. However, unlike the blood-brain barrier, which is formed by endothelial cells, the blood-testis barrier is formed mainly by the Sertoli cells, which provide an isolated environment for spermatogenic cells within the seminiferous tubules. Testicular blood vessels express the erythroid glucose transporter protein and other markers, which are strongly expressed in brain blood vessels, and may contribute to the blood-testis barrier. This study was carried out to determine whether Sertoli cells or testicular blood vessels express EBA. Tissues of other organs were used as controls for EBA expression. EBA was expressed by the endothelial cells in most microvessels of the testis, and in a few vessels of the epididymis, seminal vesicle, prostate gland, vas deferens and bladder-neck region. Furthermore, EBA was strongly and consistently detected in epithelial cells of the rete testis and dorsolateral prostate gland, and in a few epithelial cells of the ventral prostate gland, the seminal vesicle and the coagulating gland. However, Sertoli cells, which are the main site of the blood-testis barrier, were negative for EBA. In conclusion, EBA may have a wider role in rat tissues than has been previously appreciated.

Reactivation of precore mutant hepatitis B virus in chemotherapy-treated patients

BACKGROUND

A point mutation from G to A at nucleotide (nt) 1896 of the precore region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA has been shown to be associated with fulminant and severe hepatitis. Further studies have suggested that this point mutation, together with additional mutations in the precore promoter, is probably linked to the reactivation of HBV in patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy. Taiwan is an area with a high prevalence of HBV where hepatitis B flare-up has become a serious problem of HBV carriers who must rely on chemotherapy to treat their diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine if nt 1896 mutation was also present in Chinese patients in Taiwan who developed severe liver disease after chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirteen HBV carrier patients, including eight patients with lymphoma, two with germ cell tumors, two with breast carcinomas, and one with acute myeloid leukemia, received chemotherapy in the authors' hospital from February 1994 to May 2000. They all received steroid-containing regimens or antiemetics during chemotherapy. These patients were monitored closely for the development of severe hepatitis during or after chemotherapy. Their sera were harvested at different times for direct sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction products of the precore region of HBV DNA.

RESULTS

Six of the 13 patients developed severe hepatitis with a fulminant course during or after the completion of chemotherapy. A point mutation from G to A at nt 1896 was detected in five of these six patients. Among those five patients, four had additional precore mutations. The other patient did not have the nt 1896 mutation but had mutations at nt 1835 (A to C). None of the other seven patients lacking the precore nt 1896 mutation developed severe hepatitis flare-up. One of those seven patients who developed moderate elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) without hyperbilirubinemia did have precore mutations other than nt 1896. None of the other six patients had mutations over the precore region.

CONCLUSIONS

Nucleotide mutation of the precore region, notably at position 1896, is associated with reactivation of HBV with a fulminant course during or after chemotherapy. The current data, together with other investigators' findings, suggest that patients who are HBV carriers with HBV envelope antigen (HBeAg) (-)/anti-HBV envelope antibody (Anti-HBe)(+) status should be assayed to determine if they carry mutant HBV before chemotherapy. Prophylactic use of lamivudine is strongly recommended for patients who carry mutant HBV at precore region, especially at nt 1896 (G to A), before and during chemotherapy.

Reactivation of precore mutant hepatitis B virus in chemotherapy-treated patients

BACKGROUND

A point mutation from G to A at nucleotide (nt) 1896 of the precore region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA has been shown to be associated with fulminant and severe hepatitis. Further studies have suggested that this point mutation, together with additional mutations in the precore promoter, is probably linked to the reactivation of HBV in patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy. Taiwan is an area with a high prevalence of HBV where hepatitis B flare-up has become a serious problem of HBV carriers who must rely on chemotherapy to treat their diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine if nt 1896 mutation was also present in Chinese patients in Taiwan who developed severe liver disease after chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirteen HBV carrier patients, including eight patients with lymphoma, two with germ cell tumors, two with breast carcinomas, and one with acute myeloid leukemia, received chemotherapy in the authors' hospital from February 1994 to May 2000. They all received steroid-containing regimens or antiemetics during chemotherapy. These patients were monitored closely for the development of severe hepatitis during or after chemotherapy. Their sera were harvested at different times for direct sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction products of the precore region of HBV DNA.

RESULTS

Six of the 13 patients developed severe hepatitis with a fulminant course during or after the completion of chemotherapy. A point mutation from G to A at nt 1896 was detected in five of these six patients. Among those five patients, four had additional precore mutations. The other patient did not have the nt 1896 mutation but had mutations at nt 1835 (A to C). None of the other seven patients lacking the precore nt 1896 mutation developed severe hepatitis flare-up. One of those seven patients who developed moderate elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) without hyperbilirubinemia did have precore mutations other than nt 1896. None of the other six patients had mutations over the precore region.

CONCLUSIONS

Nucleotide mutation of the precore region, notably at position 1896, is associated with reactivation of HBV with a fulminant course during or after chemotherapy. The current data, together with other investigators' findings, suggest that patients who are HBV carriers with HBV envelope antigen (HBeAg) (-)/anti-HBV envelope antibody (Anti-HBe)(+) status should be assayed to determine if they carry mutant HBV before chemotherapy. Prophylactic use of lamivudine is strongly recommended for patients who carry mutant HBV at precore region, especially at nt 1896 (G to A), before and during chemotherapy.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces the expression of DR6, a member of the TNF receptor family, through activation of NF-kappaB

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family are ligand-regulated transmembrane proteins that mediate apoptosis as well as activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Exogenous expression of DR6, a recently identified member of the TNF receptor family, induced apoptosis in untransformed or tumor-derived cells and the apoptotic function of DR6 was inhibited by co-expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L) or the inhibitor-of-apoptosis (IAP) family member, survivin. Expression of a dominant negative mutant of FADD failed to protect from DR6-mediated apoptosis indicating that unlike TNFR1 and Fas, DR6 induced apoptosis via a FADD-independent mechanism. Despite the ability of exogenous DR6 expression to induce apoptosis, DR6 mRNA and protein were found to be elevated in prostate tumor cell lines and in advanced stages of prostate cancer. Analysis of several anti-apoptotic proteins revealed that Bcl-x(L) levels and serine 32 phosphorylation of IkappaB, the natural inhibitor of NF-kappaB, were similarly elevated in cells expressing high levels of DR6, suggesting that NF-kappaB-regulated survival proteins may protect from DR6-induced apoptosis and that DR6 is a target of NF-kappaB regulation. Treatment of LnCAP cells with TNF-alpha resulted in increases in both DR6 mRNA and protein levels, and this induction was suppressed by inhibitors of NF-kappaB. Similarly, treatment of cells expressing high levels of DR6 with indomethacin and ibuprofen, compounds also known to perturb NF-kappaB function, resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in DR6 protein and mRNA levels. These results demonstrate that TNF-alpha signaling induces the expression of a member of its own receptor family through activation of NF-kappaB.

[The research progress of the association of mitochondrial DNA mutation with cardiomyopathy]

There are some human diseases associated with mitochondrial DNA genome defect. Now many studies think that: oxygen radical resulting from oxidative phosphorylation(OXPHOS) disorder caused by myocardium ischemia and the increased OXPHOS induction damage mitochondrial DNA. Chronic damage accumulations lead to mitochondrial DNA deletion or point mutation in the end which show mitochondrial DNA 5.0 kb or 7.4 kb deletion and point mutation at position C15452A in the cytochrome b gene; the conservative sequence mutation of tRNA gene such as A4300G, C4320T point mutation in the tRNA Ilegene, A3243G point mutation in the tRNA leu gene etc result in defective contractile proteins whose persistent and inefficient contraction may increase the myocardium's metabolic demands for ATP and leads to cardiac hypertrophy. In this article, we review the study on the association of mitochondrial DNA mutation with ischemic cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

A comparison of methods for yeast identification including CHROMagar Candida, Vitek system YBC and a traditional biochemical method

BACKGROUND

CHROMagar Candida (CAC) is a new chromogenic medium for the presumptive identification of clinically-important yeast isolates. A yeast biochemical card (YBC), a part of the Vitek system is an automatic method for the identification of clinically-important yeast isolates. We conducted a comparison of these two methods with a traditional biochemical method in order to choose a rapid and accurate technique for yeast identification.

METHODS

All yeast isolates were inoculated onto Sabourand dextrose agar (SDA) and CAC, and incubated at 30 degrees C for 48 hours. All isolates were simultaneously tested using traditional biochemical methods and the yeast biochemical card from the Vitek system.

RESULTS

We evaluated 235 yeast isolates from clinical specimens, including 89 Candida albicans, 47 Candida tropicalis, 43 Candida glabrata, six Trichosporon beigelii, and five Candida krusei in addition to 45 isolates of other yeast species. Isolates were presumptively identified on the basis of colony color and appearance on CAC medium. These observations were compared with a traditional biochemical yeast-identification method and also with YBC from the Vitek system. For five commonly-isolated species (Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and Trichosporon beigelii), agreement among the CAC medium, YBC method and traditional biochemical method were 98.9% (187/189), 96.3% (182/189), 100% (189/189), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

From our comparison, the CAC medium is a convenient and economic method to identify five commonly-noted yeast species, and the YBC method warrants a greater cost and requires a longer period of time to obtain reliable results.

High prevalence of VanB2 vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in Taiwan

Thirty-six VanB glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolates were collected from patients in five different hospitals in Taiwan. The vancomycin resistance genes were amplified by the long vanB PCR, which amplifies the 6,373-bp vanB gene cluster including the vanR(B2), vanS(B2), vanY(B2), vanW(B2), vanH(B2), vanB2, and vanX(B2) genes. The deduced amino acid sequences were found to be 95 to 98% homologous to those of the vanB1 gene cluster: VanR(B1), 97%; VanS(B1), 97%; VanY(B1), 96%; VanH(B1), 95%; VanB1, 96%; and VanX(B1), 98%. Restriction enzyme analysis of the long vanB PCR products revealed that all 36 isolates had the same vanB2-specific pattern. DNA sequence analysis of the vanB2 gene, which is a D-Ala-D-Lac ligase gene, revealed that none of the 36 sequences were identical to the previously published vanB2 sequence. Thirty-one isolates had 1 nucleotide different from the published vanB2 sequence. The sequences of the other five isolates differed from the published vanB2 sequence by 2 or 3 nucleotides. Four isolates with a low or moderate resistance to vancomycin (MIC = 4 to 32 microg/ml) were found to have the same leucine-to-methionine change at amino acid position 308 of the vanB2 gene. The genomic DNAs of all 36 isolates were digested with SmaI and then typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Eight different PFGE types (I to VIII) were observed, and type I was found to be prevalent in all hospitals examined in this study. This result suggests that intra- and interhospital dissemination of this E. faecium strain has occurred in Taiwan.

Effects of chromium nicotinate on performance, carcase characteristics and blood chemistry of growing turkeys

1. The objective of this trial was to study the effects of chromium nicotinate (Cr) supplementation on the performance, carcase characteristics and blood constituents of 9 to 22 week-old male turkeys. 2. Fifty-four 8-week-old male turkeys weighing 2.9 +/- 0.28 kg were allocated at random into 9 groups with 3 dietary treatments and 3 replicates. The dietary treatment was different dietary concentrations of chromium in the basal diet, to provide 0 (control), 1 or 3 mg/kg. The feeding trial lasted for 14 weeks. 3. Results showed that 1 mg/kg chromium supplementation significantly improved weight gain and food intake at 9 to 18 weeks of age but did not significantly influence performance at 19 to 22 week of age. The breast and thigh muscle were significantly increased in birds receiving 1 mg/kg chromium supplementation but were decreased by 3 mg/kg of supplementation. 4. Dietary chromium supplementation did not significantly influence other serum constituents, including insulin, HDL, VLDL+LDL, HDL-C, VLDL-C+LDL-C, total protein, albumin, and gamma-globulin at 18 and 22 weeks of age. 5. The serum triacylglycerol (TG) and uric acid contents were significantly increased, while glycerol and alpha-globulin were significantly reduced by 3 mg/kg chromium supplementation. However, 1 mg/kg chromium supplementation significantly reduced serum cholesterol and glycerol at 18-weeks old. At 22 weeks of age, 1 mg/kg chromium supplementation significantly increased serum glucose and decreased the uric acid concentration whereas 3 mg/kg chromium supplementation significantly increased the creatinine concentration and decreased beta-globulin concentration.

Detection and typing of vancomycin-resistance genes of enterococci from clinical and nosocomial surveillance specimens by multiplex PCR

Ninety-three clinical isolates of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) collected from nine hospitals in Taiwan were examined for the presence of vanA, vanB, vanC1, or vanC2/vanC3 genes by a multiplex PCR. Forty-seven of these VRE isolates were vanA positive, 1 contained both vanC1 and vanA, 40 harboured vanB, 2 were vanC1, and 3 were identified to be vanC2/vanC3. Twenty-four vanA isolates were sensitive to teicoplanin and thus did not have a typical VanA phenotype. Five isolates with the VanC phenotype harboured vanB. None of the 40 clinically isolated vancomycin-susceptible E. faecium or E. faecalis and the vancomycin-resistant Leuconostoc and Pediococcus isolates were positive for any of the van genes. While performing nosocomial surveillance, VRE were isolated from 47 of 467 rectal swabs by culture. Compared with the conventional culture method, the sensitivity and specificity of the multiplex PCR for detecting and identifying vancomycin-resistance genes in enterococci directly from culture-positive broth were 97.9% and 100%, respectively. The results suggest that genotypic characterization of vancomycin-resistance is necessary for all clinical VRE isolates and that the multiplex PCR assay can be an alternative method for this purpose.

Quinupristin-dalfopristin resistance among gram-positive bacteria in Taiwan

To understand quinupristin-dalfopristin resistance among clinical isolates of gram-positive bacteria in Taiwan, where this agent is not yet available for clinical use, we evaluated 1,287 nonduplicate isolates recovered from January 1996 to December 1999 for in vitro susceptibility to quinupristin-dalfopristin and other newer antimicrobial agents. All methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates were susceptible to quinupristin-dalfopristin. High rates of nonsusceptibility to quinupristin-dalfopristin (MICs, >/=2 microg/ml) were demonstrated for the following organisms: methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (31%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (16%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (8%), viridans group streptococci (51%), vancomycin-susceptible enterococci (85%), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (100%), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (66%), Leuconostoc spp. (100%), Lactobacillus spp. (50%), and Pediococcus spp. (87%). All isolates of MSSA, MRSA, S. pneumoniae, and viridans group streptococci were susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin. The rates of nonsusceptibility to vancomycin and teicoplanin were 5 and 7%, respectively, for CoNS, ranging from 12 and 18% for S. simulans to 0 and 0% for S. cohnii and S. auricularis. Moxifloxacin and trovafloxacin had good activities against these isolates except for ciprofloxacin-resistant vancomycin-resistant enterococci and methicillin-resistant staphylococci. In Taiwan, virginiamycin has been used in animal husbandry for more than 20 years, which may contribute to the high rates of quinupristin-dalfopristin resistance.

Apoptosis may be an early event of progestin therapy for endometrial hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of apoptosis during progestin therapy for the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia.

METHODS

Pre- and posttreatment paraffin-embedded endometrial tissue samples from 19 women with endometrial hyperplasia were examined for changes in glandular cellularity and apoptotic activity related to the administration of progestins. Twelve patients were successfully treated with progestin therapy and 7 patients failed treatment. Glandular cellularity was assessed based on calculating the average number of cells per gland obtained on histologic examination of hematoxylin and eosin stained tissue sections. Apoptotic activity was assessed on the same tissue sections by counting the average number of apoptotic cells per 10 high power fields (hpf) using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The effects of progesterone on apoptotic activity in a low-grade endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line (Ishikawa cells) was also examined using an ELISA cell death detection kit.

RESULTS

Glandular cellularity significantly decreased with progestin therapy in both treatment outcome groups. The reduction in cells per gland was significantly greater in the group of successfully treated cases compared to the treatment failures (P = 0.005). However, within the successfully treated group, in situ detection of apoptotic cells using the TUNEL assay showed no statistical difference between pre- and posttreatment endometrial samples. Interestingly, a significant decrease in apoptosis was found in posttreatment samples of the group with persistent hyperplasia. The average number of apoptotic cells detected in 10 hpf was reduced from 7.9 prior to treatment to 3.1 after progestin therapy (P = 0.03). In the progesterone-treated Ishikawa cell line, an increase in apoptotic activity started at 24 h, reached a peak at 48 h, and continued up to 72 h of hormone treatment. At 48 h, apoptotic activity was 42.6% greater than in the untreated control (P = 0.04). By 72 h of progesterone treatment, apoptosis was 37.2% greater in the treated cells compared to the noninoculated cells (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Progestin-induced apoptosis may occur during the early period of treatment for endometrial hyperplasia. Compared to the fully responsive group, persistent endometrial hyperplasia may have intrinsically different molecular mechanisms in response to progestin therapy.

Decreased luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA expression in human ovarian epithelial cancer

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to examine the distribution and cellular localization of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) in ovarian epithelial tumors (OETs) and their presumed precursor lesions-ovarian epithelial inclusions (OEIs). The clinicopathologic correlation of the receptor expression in OET was also examined.

METHODS

Fifteen microdissected samples of ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), 20 OEIs from benign ovaries, and 141 OETs, including 48 cystadenomas, 33 borderline tumors, 60 carcinomas, and 5 metastatic cancers, were examined for LHR expression by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. LHR expression in tumor epithelium and tumor stroma was analyzed separately. The clinicopathologic correlation data were analyzed by standard analysis of variance and contingency table methods.

RESULTS

LHR expression was identified in the majority of OSE and OEI samples. In OETs, LHR positivity was found in the epithelial cells in 27% of cases and in the stromal compartment in 37% of cases. LHR-positive stromal cells were mainly luteinized cells. Within the tumor epithelium, LHR expression was detected in 42% of benign, 24% of borderline, and 17% of malignant OETs. LHR expression in tumor stroma showed a similar trend of reduction from benign to malignant OETs. Within the 17 carcinomas, LHR was expressed in the epithelium in 47% of grade 1, 12% of grade 2, and only 5% of grade 3 cancers. The mean age of the LHR-positive group was younger than that of the receptor-negative patients. Compared with mucinous and other types of OETs, serous OETs showed higher LHR expression in the epithelium. Compared with the OETs removed in the different menstrual phases, OETs in the secretory phase showed higher LHR in the tumor stroma than in the proliferative phase. No receptor mRNA was detected in the epithelium of five carcinomas metastatic to the ovary. LHR transcription splicing variants from a single previous report were confirmed in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Malignant OETs have significant reduction of LHR expression compared with precursor lesions and benign and borderline OETs. LHR expression shows a steady decline from low-grade to high-grade ovarian cancer. The presence of LHR receptor in tumor epithelium suggests that luteinizing hormone in serum may have direct influence on tumor growth, whereas the receptor in tumor stroma may be indicative of a paracrine function of LH in the development of OETs.

Detection of circulating cancer cells by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for uroplakin II in peripheral blood of patients with urothelial cancer

Few attempts have been made at the molecular detection of urothelial cancer cells in the blood or lymph nodes mainly because of an absence of good candidate molecular or genetic changes specific to urothelial cancer or urothelium. In 1990, however, genes that encode urothelium-specific transmembrane proteins, uroplakins (UPs), were cloned. We have established a method of detecting circulating cancer cells in peripheral blood of patients with transitional cell carcinoma by nested reverse transcription-PCR assay for UP II. UP II mRNA-positive cells were detected in 3 (10.3%) of 29 patients with superficial cancers (pTa-1N0M0), 4 (28.6%) of 14 patients with muscularly invasive cancers (pT2-4N0M0), 2 (40.0%) of 5 loco-regional node-positive patients (pN1-2M0), and 6 (75.0%) of 8 patients with distant metastases. Positive rates, therefore, increased with tumor extension (P = 0.0033, Kruskal-Wallis test). Furthermore, sequential blood sampling was performed in three patients with metastases during and after systemic chemotherapy, and UP-II-positive cells were found to have disappeared in two patients who responded well to the systemic chemotherapy. These results suggest that our nested reverse transcription-PCR assay for UP II is highly specific and might be used as a tumor marker for molecular staging of urothelial cancers, although the sensitivity is not so optimal.

Tumor stroma as the main source of inhibin production in ovarian epithelial tumors

PROBLEM

Elevated serum inhibin levels have been found in ovarian cancer patients; however, the source of the elevated inhibin is uncertain. Previous studies of activin in human ovarian cancer suggest that activin may promote the growth of the tumor. The aims of this study were to examine the source of elevated inhibin from ovarian epithelial tumors (OETs) and to preliminarily investigate the role of the gonadotropin-inhibin/activin relationship in the development of OET.

METHOD OF STUDY

The protein and mRNA expression of alpha and betaA subunits of inhibin/activin were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 120 OETs, including 30 benign cystadenomas, 30 borderline tumors, and 60 carcinomas. Stromal and epithelial cells were microdissected from 23 OETs to further examine the expression of alpha and betaA subunits by RT-PCR. Dimeric inhibin A and activin A production were measured by using the two-site ELISA from three OET cell lines in culture under treatment of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

RESULTS

betaA subunit was expressed in the epithelial component of 100% of the cystadenomas, in 80% of borderline tumors, and in 75% of the carcinomas, but not in tumor stroma. Inhibin alpha expression was not found in the epithelium of all OETs studied, but focal inhibin alpha immunoreactivity was seen in the tumor stroma (mainly luteinized stromal cells) in the majority of cases. Dimeric activin A was produced by all of the three OET cell lines with a 1.5-1.9-fold increment after FSH stimulation. However, activin A production was not augmented by LH treatment. No inhibin A was produced by the three OET cell lines with or without gonadotropin stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

The stroma of OET is the major source in the production of inhibin alpha (monomer). Dimeric inhibin A production may be the result of combined efforts of the tumor stroma (alpha subunit) and epithelium (betaA subunit). Cellular, compartmental expression of inhibin and activin subunits may play a role in the development of OET, although the mechanism remains undefined. The unopposed activin A production stimulated by FSH in OET cell lines suggests that activin production may represent one of the cellular mechanisms of growth promotion by FSH.

Use of PCR with universal primers and restriction endonuclease digestions for detection and identification of common bacterial pathogens in cerebrospinal fluid

We have designed a universal PCR capable of amplifying a portion of the 16S rRNA gene of eubacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Legionella pneumophila, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Proteus mirabilis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis. The sizes of the amplified products from various bacteria were the same (996 bp), but the restriction patterns of most PCR products generated by HaeIII digestion were different. PCR products from S. aureus and S. epidermidis could not be digested by HaeIII but yielded different patterns when they were digested with MnlI. PCR products from S. pneumoniae, E. faecium, and E. faecalis yielded the same HaeIII digestion pattern but could be differentiated by AluI digestion. PCR products from E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. marcescens, and E. cloacae also had the same HaeIII digestion pattern but had different patterns when digested with DdeI or BstBI. This universal PCR could detect as few as 10 E. coli or 250 S. aureus organisms. Compared with culture, the sensitivity of this universal PCR for detection and identification of bacteria directly from 150 cerebrospinal fluids was 92.3%. These results suggest that this universal PCR coupled with restriction enzyme analysis can be used to detect and identify bacterial pathogens in clinical specimens.

Characterization of a highly glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus gallinarum isolate

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Adequate treatment of emergency infection involving antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus requires a convergence of clinical and bacteriologic techniques. An isolate of Enterococcus gallinarum, designated as TSGH63, is known to be uncommonly vancomycin-resistant. This study investigated the genetic determinant for this unique characteristic.

METHODS

After completing the conventional identification and sensitivity tests, the genomic content of E. gallinarum TSGH63 was extracted and analyzed by pulse-field electrophoresis. A set of specific primers for vanA, vanB, vanC1, and vanC2/C3 genes was then applied in a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to differentiate its genetic content. To locate the determinant for high vancomycin resistance, the electrophoresis profile was further analyzed by Southern blot using the digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled vanA gene probe. Finally, interspecies transfer of the vancomycin-resistance determinant of E. gallinarum TSGH63 was tested by a conjugation experiment in vitro.

RESULTS

A 50-kb plasmid was identified in the analysis of the genomic extract of E. gallinarum TSGH63 by pulse field electrophoresis. Using multiplex PCR, we demonstrated that E. gallinarum TSGH63 harbors a vanA gene in addition to a vanC1 gene. The DIG-labeled vanA gene-specific probe bound to the plasmid exclusively on the Southern blot. The plasmid-carried vanA gene, but not the vanC1 gene, was found to be transferable from TSGH63 to E. faecalis JH2-2 by conjugation in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of isolation of E. gallinarum with a high level of resistance to glycopeptides in Taiwan. The demonstrated interspecies transfer of the vancomycin-resistance gene highlights the importance of stringent control of the use of vancomycin.

Reduction of BRCA1 expression in sporadic ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine BRCA1 expression and its relationship to cell proliferation in sporadic ovarian epithelial tumors (OETs).

METHODS

We investigated BRCA1 expression and cell proliferative activity in 72 unselected OETs. They comprised 16 benign cystadenomas, 18 borderline (low malignant potential) tumors, and 38 carcinomas (OECs). These patients had no known family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. BRCA1 and the cell proliferation marker, MIB-1, expressions in fixed tissue were investigated in all 72 cases by immunohistochemistry (IHC). BRCA1 mRNA in fresh frozen tissue samples from 20 of these cases was measured by a semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.

RESULTS

The average percentage of BRCA1-positive cells was 5.6% in cystadenomas, 29.7% in borderline tumors, and 6.6% in OECs. The average decreased steadily with increasing grade of OECs: grade 1 (21.4%), grade 2 (1.1%), and grade 3 (0%). The average percentage of MIB-1-positive cells increased steadily from cystadenomas (7.5%) to borderline tumors (22.6%) to carcinomas (41.2%). BRCA1 expression was highly correlated with MIB-1 expression in cystadenomas and borderline tumors. Six of seven OECs negative for BRCA1 by IHC showed low levels of BRCA1 mRNA by RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONS

BRCA1 expression paralleled cell proliferation in benign and borderline OETs, but not in OECs. Sporadic OECs showed significantly reduced levels, rather than complete loss, of BRCA1 expression. The reduction was closely related to tumor grade. Reduction of BRCA1 expression may be of etiologic significance in the occurrence and progression of sporadic ovarian cancer.

Tuberculosis of skeletal muscle in a case of polymyositis

We describe a patient with polymyositis receiving corticosteroid therapy, who presented with persistent fever and mass lesion at the left thigh. Surgical exploration and mycobacterial culture proved to be Mycobacterium Tuberculosis infection involving the semitendinous muscle of the left thigh. Suitable surgical debridement, anti-TB medications, and sufficient corticosteroid administration resulted in a good control of both polymyositis and the tuberculous infection.