[Effect of superfine powder and aqueous extract of Polygonati Rhizoma on rats with natural perimenopausal syndrome]

This study aims to examine the effect of superfine powder and aqueous extract of Polygonati Rhizomaon on natural perimenopausal syndrome in rats and explore the underlying mechanism. To be specific, a total of 60 female SD rats(14-15 months old) with estrous cycle disorder were screened by the vaginal smear and randomized into model control group, β-estradiol 3-benzoate group(0.1 mg·kg~(-1)), superfine powder of Polygonati Rhizoma group(0.25, 0.5 g·kg~(-1)) and aqueous extract of Polygonati Rhizoma group(0.25, 0.5 g·kg~(-1)), and another 10 female SD rats(14-15 months old) were selected as the youth control group. The administration lasted 6 weeks. Then the perimenopausal syndrome-related indexes such as body temperature, microcirculatory blood flow of face and ear, vertigo period, salivary secretion, grip force, and bone strength were determined and open field test was conducted. The immune system-related indexes such as the wet weight and index of thymus and spleen, percentage of T lymphocytes and subgroups in peripheral blood, and hematological indexes were measured. In addition, the ovary-related indexes such as estrous cycle, the wet weight and index of uterus and ovary, ovarian tissue morphology, and cell apoptosis were determined. Moreover, hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis(HPO)-related indexes such as serum sex hormone levels, cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1(CYP11A1), cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1(CYP19A1), and cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1(P450 17A1) in ovarian tissue were measured. The results showed that the superfine powder and aqueous extract of Polygonati Rhizoma significantly decreased body temperature(anal, facial and dorsal temperature), microcirculatory blood flow in the ear, and vertigo period, increased salivary secretion, grip force, bone strength, total distance and total speed in the open field test, wet weight and index of thymus and spleen, lymphocyte ratio, CD3~+ level, and CD4~+/CD8~+ ratio, reduced neutrophil number and ratio, estrous cycle disorder ratio, and number of ovarian apoptotic cells, raised wet weight and index of uterus, wet weight of ovary, levels of inhibin B(INHB), estradiol(E_2), anti-müllerian hormone(AMH), and ovarian CYP11A1 and CYP19A1, decreased follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinizing hormone(LH) content, and improved ovarian tissue morphology. It is suggested that the superfine powder and aqueous extract of Polygonati Rhizoma can improve the symptoms associated with natural perimenopausal syndrome in rats and enhance ovarian function and immune function. The mechanism is that they regulate HPO axis function by increasing estrogen synthesis.

[Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in the setting of vemurafenib therapy for metastatic melanoma: a case report]

A 53-year-old female patient complained of 1 week of bilateral visual blurring. She was previously diagnosed with metastatic melanoma of the inguinal lymph nodes and treated with the oral targeted drug vemurafenib. She exhibited aqueous flare in the left eye, and her fundus examination revealed optic disc swelling in the left eye and bilateral serious detachment of the retinal neuroepithelial layer. Fluorescein angiography showed multiple pinpoint hyperfluorescence leakage spots in the prometaphase and appeared as multilobular dye pooling in the late phase. We diagnosed her as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome and gave glucocorticoid treatment for eyes. Oral vemurafenib was also taken intermittently under the guidance of an oncologist. After treatment, her bilateral vision improved, the anterior segment inflammation disappeared, and the retinal neuroepithelial layer reattached, with presence of the "sunset glow" fundus.

[Altered dynamics of brain spontaneous activity in betel quid dependence chewers]

Objective: To investigate the dynamic characteristics of brain spontaneous activity in betel quid dependence (BQD) chewers and its relationship with clinical indexes. Method: This study was conducted in Hainan General Hospital from April to December 2019 and the data of 53 BQD chewers (37 males and 16 females, aged 20 to 58(38±11) years) and 37 healthy controls (HC) (24 males and 13 females, aged 23-57(42±12) years) were collected. All these subjects underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scan. The dynamic characteristics of resting fMRI indexes, including dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo) and degree centrality (DC) of these subjects were calculated using the sliding time window method, parameters such as age and dynamic local consistency were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between dynamic indexes, betel quid dependence score (BQDS) and disease duration in BQD group. Results: BQD chewers showed decreased dynamic ALFF in the left orbital prefrontal cortex (0.138±0.041 vs 0.171±0.070), the right temporal pole superior temporal gyrus (0.277±0.070 vs 0.319±0.086) and the right inferior parietal lobule (0.223±0.052 vs 0.259±0.088) than HC (all P<0.05). For regional homogeneity, BQD chewers showed a decrease dynamic ReHo in the right inferior temporal gyrus (0.055±0.008 vs 0.061±0.009), the orbital prefrontal cortex (0.058±0.005 vs 0.063±0.008), the right inferior frontal gyrus (0.081±0.006 vs 0.087±0.011), the right superior occipital gyrus (0.056±0.007 vs 0.062±0.008), the left precentral gyrus (0.068±0.008 vs 0.074±0.008), and the left superior frontal gyrus (0.058±0.008 vs 0.064±0.009) than HC (all P<0.05). BQD chewers showed an increase dynamic ReHo in the right precuneus (0.095±0.009 vs 0.089±0.008) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in DC between the two groups (all P>0.05). The relationships between three dynamic ALFF and BQDS (r=-0.104, -0.015, -0.119), seven dynamic ReHo and BQDS (r=-0.099, -0.141, -0.055, -0.078, -0.027, -0.111, -0.090), three dynamic ALFF and disease duration (r=-0.122, -0.095, -0.171), and seven dynamic ReHo and disease duration (r=0.242, -0.252, 0.035, 0.056, 0.047, 0.081, 0.169) were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Conclusions: BQD chewers showed a decrease dynamic ReHo and/or ALFF in multiple brain regions dominated by prefrontal cortex, and an increase dynamic ReHo in the right precuneus.

A developmental switch between electrical and neuropeptide communication in the ventromedial hypothalamus

Dissecting neural connectivity patterns within local brain regions is an essential step to understanding the function of the brain.¹ Neural microcircuits in brain regions, such as the neocortex and the hippocampus, have been extensively studied.² By contrast, the microcircuit in the hypothalamus remains largely uncharacterized. The hypothalamus is crucial for animals' survival and reproduction.³ Knowledge of how different hypothalamic nuclei coordinate with each other and outside brain regions for hypothalamus-related functions has been significantly advanced.^4-9 Although there are limited studies on the neural microcircuit in the lateral hypothalamus (LHA)^10,11 and the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN),^12,13 the patterns of neural microcircuits in most of the given hypothalamic nuclei remain largely unknown. This study applied combinatory approaches to address the local neural circuit pattern in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and other hypothalamic nuclei. We discovered a unique neural circuit design in the VMH. Neurons in the VMH were electrically coupled at the early postnatal stage like ones in the neocortex.¹⁴ However, unlike neocortical neurons,^14,15 they developed very few chemical synapses after the disappearance of electrical synapses. Instead, VMH neurons communicated with neuropeptides. The similar scarceness of synaptic connectivity found in other hypothalamic nuclei further indicated that the lack of synaptic connections is a unique feature for local neural circuits in most adult hypothalamic nuclei. Thus, our findings provide a solid synaptic basis at the cellular level to understand hypothalamic functions better.

[Clinical application of bipolar tweezers-clamp for hepatic parenchymal transection]

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of the bipolar tweezers-clamp for the hepatic parenchymal transection in the resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: From January 2020 to January 2021,63 patients with the hepatocellular carcinoma for hepatectomy at Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery,Yuebei People's Hospital Affiliated to Shantou University Medical College were analyzed retrospectively.According to the different instruments used in the hepatic parenchymal transection,the patients were divided into bipolar tweezers-clamp group and ultrasonic scalpel group.There were 32 patients in bipolar tweezers-clamp group,with age of (55.5±10.5)years(range:37 to 78 years),including 22 males and 10 females,tumor size was (6.0±3.4)cm(range:2.4 to 13.4 cm). There were 6 patients with portal vein tumor thrombus and 5 patients with portal hypertension. There were 31 patients in ultrasonic scalpel group,with aged(57.8±10.1)years(range:37 to 79 years),including 27males and 4 females,tumor size was(7.9±5.1)cm(range: 2.4 to 21.3 cm),3 patients with portal vein tumor thrombus and 2 patients with portal hypertension. The preoperative baseline data,operation time,blood loss,postoperative liver function and the complications were compared between two groups using t test,χ² test and Fisher exact probabilityrespectively. Results: The operation was successfully completed in both groups.Compared with the ultrasonic scalpel group,the operation time was significantly shorter((219.3±76.4)minutes vs.(294.0±100.8)minutes,t=-3.322,P=0.002),the blood loss was less((250(475)ml vs. 500(1 050)ml,t=-2.307,P=0.026),the concentrate red blood cells transfusion volume was less(0.92(0.88)U vs. 2.32(4.00)U,Z=-1.987,P=0.047) in the bipolar tweezers-clamp group.The postoperative serum ALB level was higher in the bipolar tweezers-clamp group than that in the ultrasonic scalpel group((33.5±6.1)g/L vs. (29.5±4.2)g/L,t=3.226,P=0.020) on postoperative day 1;((35.7±4.5)g/L vs.(30.1±3.2)g/L,t=5.575,P<0.01) on postoperative day 3;((33.2±3.7)g/L vs. (31.0±4.4)g/L,t=3.020,P=0.004) on postoperative day 7. There was no significant difference in serum ALT,TBIL and PT level between the two groups(all P>0.05).No postoperative bile leakage occurred in both groups.The postoperative complications occurred in 8 cases(25.0%)in the bipolar tweezers-clamp group,including liver failure in one,and in 11 cases(35.5%)in the ultrasonic scalpel group,including liver failure in two(P>0.05). Conclusion: The bipolar tweezers-clamp is a safe and reliable method for the hepatic parenchymal transaction,which is quick and less bleeding during the hepatic resection.

Buddleoside-Rich Chrysanthemum indicum L. Extract has a Beneficial Effect on Metabolic Hypertensive Rats by Inhibiting the Enteric-Origin LPS/TLR4 Pathway

As the number of patients with metabolic hypertension (MH) is increasing, there is an essential require for global measures to prevent and treat MH. Flavonoids such as buddleoside (BUD) from Chrysanthemum indicum L. are the main pharmacological components of cardiovascular activities. Previous studies have suggested that the buddleoside-rich Chrysanthemum indicum L. extract (BUDE) can reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). However, its effect on MH and how it works remains to be researched. In this study, it was observed that BUDE could lower blood pressure, improve dyslipidemia, and decrease the level of plasma LPS in MH rats. Moreover, BUDE improved intestinal flora and increased the expression of occludin and claudin-1 in the colon, and improved the pathological injury of the colon. Western bolt and qRT-PCR experiments showed that BUDE could down-regulate TLR4 and MyD88 protein and mRNA expression and inhibit phosphorylation of IKKβ, IκBα and NF-κB p65 in vessels of MH rats. These results showed that BUDE could regulate intestinal flora, improve intestinal barrier function, reduce the production and penetration of LPS, thereby inhibiting the vascular TLR4/MyD88 pathway, improving vascular endothelial function, and ultimately lowering blood pressure in MH rats. This study provides a new mechanism of BUDE against MH by inhibiting the enteric-origin LPS/TLR4 pathway.

Interstitial eosinophilic infiltration in diabetic nephropathy is indicative of poor prognosis, with no therapy benefit from steroid

BACKGROUND

Studies suggested that eosinophils in diabetes might be associated with severity of diabetic nephropathy (DN). In a retrospective study of 102 Chinese patients with biopsy-proven DN, we aimed to evaluate relationships of both blood and renal eosinophils (Eos) to the severity of DN and check whether Eos can serve as an indicator of prognosis as well as the therapeutic effect of steroids.

METHODS

One hundred and two patients diagnosed with DN were enrolled. Demographical and clinical data and histopathological scores were associated. Interstitial eosinophilic aggregates (IEA) were defined as the presence of ≥10 Eos in at least one high-power field. End-stage renal disease was defined as the end point.

RESULTS

We observed that log₂ (blood eosinophil counts) correlated with neutrophil counts, proteinuria, and tubulointerstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. IEA was observed in 33.3% of the DN patients and was associated with decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate, higher proteinuria, hematuria, higher HbA1c, increased blood eosinophil counts, tubular injury, tubulointerstitial chronicity, and interstitial inflammation. IEA was associated with worse renal prognosis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.424, P = 0.008). Consistently, urine eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) (ng/mgCr) was associated with renal injury and poor renal prognosis (HR 1.173, P = 0.020). Patients with IEA were more likely to be treated with steroid/immunosuppressants (47.1% vs 14.7%, P = 0.001) but did not show renal benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

It suggested that both blood and renal infiltrated eosinophils were prevalent in DN and associated with severity of DN. IEA in renal pathology showed better fit in correlation with renal prognosis. Treatment with steroid/immunosuppressants showed no significant improvement regarding renal prognosis.

Diagnostic roles of urinary kidney microvesicles in diabetic nephropathy

Background

The pathology of diabetic nephropathy (DN) broadly involves the injury of glomeruli, tubulointerstitium and endothelium. Cells from these compartments can release increased numbers of microvesicles (MVs) into urine when stressed or damaged. Currently whether urinary MVs from these three parts can help diagnose DN and reflect pathological features remain unclear.

Methods

Forty-nine patients with histologically proven DN and 29 proteinuric controls with membranous nephropathy or minimal change disease were enrolled. Urinary podocyte, proximal tubular and endothelial cell-derived MVs were quantified by flow cytometry. Renal glomerular, tubulointerstitial and vascular lesions were semi-quantitatively scored and their relevance to urinary MVs were analyzed.

Results

DN patients had greater numbers of urinary MVs from podocytes, proximal tubular and endothelial cells compared with proteinuric controls. The combination of podocyte nephrin+ MVs and diabetic retinopathy optimally diagnose DN with 89.7% specificity and 88.9% sensitivity. Moreover, positive correlations were observed between urinary levels of proximal tubular MVs and the severity of tubular injury and between urinary levels of endothelial MVs and the degree of vascular injury. Using urinary proximal tubular MVs as the indicators for tubular injury, the differences between DN patients and proteinuric controls diminished after matching the degree of renal vascular injury or when proteinuria >8 g/24 h.

Conclusions

Urinary kidney-specific cell-derived MVs might serve as noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of DN in diabetic proteinuric patients. Their elevated levels could reflect corresponding renal pathological lesions, helping physicians look into the heterogeneity of DN.

[Preliminary clinical observations of retina injury in alkaline ocular trauma patients]

Objective: To investigate the features of the full-field electroretinogram (FERG) in patients with ocular surface alkaline injury, and to clarify the clinical significance of FERG examination in alkaline ocular trauma. Methods: Retrospective series of case study. A total of 22 patients with chemical ocular surface injury who were treated in the Department of Ophthalmology of Peking University Third Hospital from May 2018 to January 2020 were selected, including 20 males (25 eyes) and 2 females (2 eyes). The age ranged from 19 to 60 years old (average, 41). There were 17 eyes with alkaline ocular trauma, 7 eyes with thermal burn, and 3 eyes with acid ocular trauma. Seventeen contralateral healthy eyes in patients with unilateral mechanical trauma were used as controls. Fourteen alkaline trauma eyes with visual acuity records were further observed according to the degree of visual impairment. All patients were subjected to different flash intensity stimuli in accordance with a standard of the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision for dark-adapted and light-adapted full-field FERG. One-way ANOVA and SNK-q was used for the comparison between groups. The unpaired t test was used for the comparison of patients with different vision. Results: Compared with healthy eyes the injured eyes' amplitude of dark adaption FERG b-wave under the dark stimulation of 0.01 cd·s·m^-2 in alkaline ocular trauma, thermal burn, acid ocular trauma was (135±85), (169±55), and (112±43) versus (341±53) μV, respectively; compared with healthy eyes, the differences were statistically significant (F=31.38; q=8.94, 5.70， 5.45；all P<0.01). Compared with healthy eyes the injured eyes' amplitude of dark adaption FERG a-wave under the dark stimulation of 3.00 cd·s·m^-2 in alkaline ocular trauma, thermal burn, acid ocular trauma was (178±78), (172±35), and (99±53) versus (334±60) μV, respectively; compared with healthy eyes, the differences were statistically significant (F=24.33; q=7.04， 5.60， 5.80；all P<0.01). Compared with healthy eyes the injured eyes' amplitude of dark adaption FERG b-wave under the dark stimulation of 3.00 cd·s·m^-2 in alkaline ocular trauma, thermal burn, acid ocular trauma was (354±79), (342±77), and (352±201) versus (600±78) μV, respectively; compared with healthy eyes, the differences were statistically significant (F=27.68; q=8.11， 6.51， 4.48； all P<0.01). Compared with healthy eyes the injured eyes' amplitude of dark adaption FERG OPs under the dark stimulation of 3.00 cd·s·m^-2 in alkaline ocular trauma, thermal burn, acid ocular trauma was (97±54), (107±41), and (45±22) versus (206±32) μV, respectively; compared with healthy eyes, the differences were statistically significant (F=25.03; q=7.36， 5.13， 5.96； all P<0.01).There was no significant difference in FERG between patients with visual acuity≥0.2 and those with visual acuity<0.2 (P>0.05) after alkaline ocular trauma. Conclusions: By detecting the amplitude change of FERG wave form of chemical ocular trauma, in this study, the amplitude of FERG wave form in alkaline ocular trauma was generally decreased. It's suggested that alkaline ocular trauma can cause damage to the rod and cone systems of retinal. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 514-518).

[Clinical observation of electroretinogram examination in ocular alkali burn]

Objective: To investigate the wave variations of the electroretinography (ERG), and explore the clinical value of using ERG in alkali injury. Methods: A total of 13 patients with alkali burns who were treated in the Department of Ophthalmology of Peking University Third Hospital from May 2018 to October 2019 were selected, including 12 males and 1 female. The age ranged from 19 to 60 years old. A total of 15 injured eyes were used as the alkali burn group, meanwhile, another 15 contralateral eyes with mechanical unilateral trauma were used as the healthy controls. ERG examination was performed to compare the amplitudes of 6 activation-induced responses between the two groups. Results: Compared with control group, b-wave amplitude of dark adaption 0.01 ERG in alkali injury group decreased [(137±23) μV vs (348±14) μV, P<0.001]. Compared with control group [(335±17) μV and (368±19) μV], a-wave amplitude of dark adaption 3.0 ERG and 10.0 ERG in alkali injury groups [(172±20) μV and (220±21) μV] were decreased (both P<0.001). As for b-wave amplitude of dark adaption 3.0 ERG and 10.0 ERG, compared with control group [(610±20) μV and (612±19) μV], those of alkali injury groups [(359±21) μV and (384±21) μV] were decreased (both P<0.001). In terms of oscillatory potentials (OPs) amplitude of dark 3.0 ERG adaption, compared with control group [(209±8) μV], that of alkali injury group [(94±13) μV] was decreased (P<0.001). Compared with normal group [(58±3) μV], a-wave amplitude of light adaption 3.0 ERG in alkali injury group [(40±4) μV] was decreased (P<0.001). As for b-wave amplitude of light adaption 3.0 ERG, compared with control group [(146±6) μV], that of alkali injury group [(90±11) μV] was decreased (P<0.001). In terms of photopic 3.0 flicker 30 Hz of light adaption, compared with control group [(166±10) μV], that of alkali injury group [(93±11) μV] was decreased (P<0.001). Conclusion: Alkali injury can cause ocular surface morphological changes, meanwhile, it leads to the alternations of the visual function.

Importance of stabilization of the neonatal transport network in critically ill neonates

Objective

This study aimed to investigate how to stabilize the condition of critically ill neonates within the neonatal transport network.

Methods

A total of 243 critically ill newborns in four hospitals involved in the transport network were enrolled. The newborns were divided into the research and control groups. In the research group, medical staff underwent theoretical training, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) professionals participated and provided on-site guidance on delivery of high-risk infants. Delivery of high-risk neonates in the control group was conventionally managed in local hospitals, and neonates were transferred after a phone call to the NICU.

Results

Gestational age and body weight were lower, and dexamethasone use was higher in the research group than in the control group. The proportions of neonates who underwent mask pressure, endotracheal intubation, pulmonary surfactant application, and chest compressions were higher, and those with dyspnea and nervous system abnormalities were lower in the research group than in the control group. Blood gas and sugar levels were better in the research group than in the control group.

Conclusion

Strengthening professional training and participation of professional NICU staff in childbirth can improve the conditions of high-risk neonates and increase safety of their transportation.

[Relationship between the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 expression and antiviral efficacy of nucleos(t)ide and interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis B]

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism of poor response of nucleoside and interferon therapy in some patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and the negative regulatory factor of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression in the interferon-signaling pathway. Also, study the clinical relationship between SOCS3 and antiviral efficacy of nucleoside and interferon. Methods: Peripheral blood and matched liver tissue samples from 54 CHB patients who participated in the OSST study were selected. HBsAg was measured at different time points (baseline and weeks 12, 24, 36, and 48) to observe the antiviral efficacy. Meanwhile, quantitative real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of SOCS3 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and matched liver tissues (baseline and 48 weeks). At the end of the 48-week treatment, patients with HBsAg negative or HBeAg seroconversion were defined as response group, and vice versa. Paired t-tests were used to compare normal distribution variables and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the median differences between groups of non-normally distributed variables. Results: After 48 weeks of treatment, serum HBsAg levels in the Peg-IFN group continued to decline (average decrease of 1.14 log(10) IU / ml at week 48; P = 0.001 compared with baseline), while the entecavir group remained almost unchanged during treatment (average decrease was 0.05 log(10) IU / ml at week 48; compared with baseline P = 0.12). The expression of SOCS3 mRNA (Messenger RNA, mRNA) in peripheral blood and liver tissues of non-responder group was significantly higher than the response group in the course of Peg-IFNα2a treatment. The immunohistochemical results of liver tissue showed that the expression of SOCS3 in the non-responder group was significantly higher than that in the response group at baseline (P = 0.027). After 48 weeks of treatment with Peg-IFNα2a, the expression of SOCS3 in the non-responder group was significantly higher than that in the baseline and response groups (P = 0.003, P = 0.012, respectively). Conclusion: The expression of SOCS3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and liver tissues of non-responding CHB patients was significantly higher than that of responding CHB patients during interferon and nucleoside antiviral therapy. We speculated that SOCS3 might affect the antiviral efficacy through negative regulation of JAK-STAT signaling pathway, and partly expose the mechanism of interferon resistance.

Human papillomavirus genotypes and p16 expression in oral leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma

Several studies have shown a broad variation in the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in oral leukoplakia (OLK) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), whereas the relationship is less well-defined and specific HPV genotypes lack examination in OLK. In the present study, the role of HPV and surrogate p16 expression was investigated to explore the correlation and pathogenesis in OLK and OSCC. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow-through hybridization technology were utilized to detect HPV genotypes in oral exfoliated cells from 30 healthy volunteers, 103 OLK and 30 OSCC patients. Expression of p16 was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in biopsies from these OLK and OSCC, in addition to 15 normal oral mucosal tissues as the control group. The healthy controls showed 3.3% (1/30) HPV presence; In OLK and OSCC, the detection rate was 4.9% (5/103), 3.3% (1/30), respectively. No significant relationship between HPV and OLK or OSCC was observed when compared with the control group (P>0.05). All 6 HPV-positive OLK and OSCC cases had p16 overexpression. But the sensitivity of p16 IHC was poor, because 88.4% (38/43) of p16 over-expressed OLK were HPV negative. There was no statistical significance between HPV and the sex, age, site, alcohol consumption, or smoking. These findings suggested HPV had a low prevalence in OLK and OSCC. This suggests the detection of HPV genotypes by PCR in exfoliated cells combined with p16 IHC may be more accurate to represent HPV infection.

Multistage Coupling of Laser-Wakefield Accelerators with Curved Plasma Channels

Multistage coupling of laser-wakefield accelerators is essential to overcome laser energy depletion for high-energy applications such as TeV-level electron-positron colliders. Current staging schemes feed subsequent laser pulses into stages using plasma mirrors while controlling electron beam focusing with plasma lenses. Here a more compact and efficient scheme is proposed to realize the simultaneous coupling of the electron beam and the laser pulse into a second stage. A partly curved channel, integrating a straight acceleration stage with a curved transition segment, is used to guide a fresh laser pulse into a subsequent straight channel, while the electrons continue straight. This scheme benefits from a shorter coupling distance and continuous guiding of the electrons in plasma while suppressing transverse beam dispersion. Particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate that the electron beam from a previous stage can be efficiently injected into a subsequent stage for further acceleration while maintaining high capture efficiency, stability, and beam quality.

[Influence of EDC ethanol solution on dentin shear bond strength with a self-etch adhesive system]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the bonding ability of one representative self-etch adhesive system by applying the micro-shear bond strength test method with different concentrations of carbodiimide [1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide, EDC] ethanol solution pretreatment.

METHODS

Extracted sound human third molars were collected from patients ranging 18 to 40 years. In the study, 80 molars were first sectioned to prepare a flat middle coronal dentin surface and then were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=16) according to without/with different surface treatments [blank control; 80% (volume fraction) ethanol control; EDC ethanol solution of three concentrations (0.01 mol/L, 0.3 mol/L and 0.5 mol/L)]. Each specimen underwent a micro-shear bond strength test and failure mode observation. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test to analyze the difference of the micro-shear bond strength, and chi-square test/Fisher's exact test for the failure mode frequency of the micro-shear bond strength test specimens at a significance level of P=0.05.

RESULTS

The micro-shear bond strength of the three concentration EDC treatments were (35.29±8.97) MPa (0.01 mol/L EDC treatment group), (40.24±9.68) MPa (0.3 mol/L EDC treatment group), (37.38±9.66) MPa (0.5 mol/L EDC treatment group) separately; and that of the 80% ethanol group was (37.49±7.76) MPa. All micro-shear bond strength value of the above four groups was statistically higher than that of the blank control group [(33.81±7.98) MPa]. The immediate micro-shear bond strength and failure mode was of no statistically significant difference among all the groups. It was noticed that the immediate micro-shear bond strength of 0.3 mol/L was higher than that of all the other groups, especially higher than that of the 80% ethanol pretreatment group despite that there was no significant difference among all the groups. And the test of failure mode indicated that the cohesive failure was more common, while the frequency of adhesive failure was rare in each experimental group.

CONCLUSION

EDC pretreatment had no adverse effect on the immediate micro-shear bond strengths of Clearfil SE Bond. Meanwhile, EDC treatment did not cause more adhesive failure in immediate micro-shear test, which had further denoted what was said above. However, it needs more research to illustrate the anti-enzymatic role of EDC in dentin bonding.

An Unfamiliar “Common” Skin Disease: Poison Ivy Allergic Contact Dermatitis

We present a case of phytodermatitis caused by a poisonous plant known as poison ivy. It is one of the leading causes of allergic contact dermatitis and it causes significant morbidity in the United States. Prevention of the disease is by identification and avoidance of the plant. Barrier protection minimises the chance of contact and prompt rinsing with soap water limits antigen exposure after skin contact. General approach to treatment of allergic contact dermatitis can be applied but special precaution should be taken on the duration of systemic steroid therapy. Too short a course of oral steroid may result in a more severe recurrent flare. High potency topical steroids may limit the development of skin lesions. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2011; 18:335-338)

The effect of acupuncture on chemotherapy-associated gastrointestinal symptoms in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal (gi) symptoms are the most notable side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs; such symptoms are currently treated with drugs. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acupuncture on gi symptoms induced by chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS

A cohort of 56 patients was randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. All patients received combination chemotherapy with oxaliplatin-paclitaxel. Patients in the experimental group received 30 minutes of acupuncture therapy daily for 2 weeks. The frequency and duration of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, the average days and costs of hospitalization, and quality-of-life scores were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Nausea was sustained for 32 ± 5 minutes and 11 ± 3 minutes daily in the control and experimental groups respectively (p < 0.05). On average, vomiting occurred 2 ± 1 times daily in the experimental group and 4 ± 1 times daily in the control group (p < 0.05). Abdominal pain persisted for 7 ± 2 minutes and 16 ± 5 minutes daily in the experimental and control groups respectively (p < 0.05). On average, diarrhea occurred 1 ± 1 times daily in the experimental group and 3 ± 1 times daily in the control group (p < 0.05). The average quality-of-life score was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05). No adverse events were observed for the patients receiving acupuncture.

CONCLUSIONS

Acupuncture, a safe technique, could significantly reduce gi symptoms induced by chemotherapy and enhance quality of life in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Analysis of symptom clusters in Chinese cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, or postoperative chemoradiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the common symptom clusters in cervical cancer patients treated with radiotherapy alone, chemorachothierapy, or postoperative chemoradiotherapy, and evaluate differences among multi-modality treatment in these symptom clusters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-three patients diagnosed with cervical cancer were recruited to the survey, in which destination time was the fourth friday of radiotherapy. Symptoms of patients were evaluated by the Chinese version of the 13-item M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI).

RESULTS

Among the symptoms, lack of appetite was the most common and the most severe symptome, treatment modalities may have important effects on symptom clusters in cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The results offer valuable information for the future development treatment-based symptom cluster intervention.

Impact of asthma, exposure period, and filters on human responses during exposures to ozone and its initiated chemistry products

The impact of asthma, exposure period, and filter condition downstream of the mixing box of air-conditioning system on building occupants' perceptual response, work performance, and salivary α-amylase secretion during exposures to ozone and its initiated chemistry products is studied. The experiments were conducted in a field environmental chamber (FEC) (240 m(3)) simulating an office environment. Experiments were conducted during periods when the air-handling system operated with new or used pleated panel filters at constant recirculation (7/h) and ventilation (1/h) rates. Average ozone and secondary organic aerosols (ozone-initiated chemistry products) measured during non-asthmatic and asthmatic subjects' 3-h exposures in the FEC were in the ranges approximately 20-37 ppb and approximately 1.6-3 μg/m(3), respectively. Asthmatic subjects' perceived odor intensity and sensory (eye, nose, and throat) irritation ratings were generally lower than those of non-asthmatic subjects, possibly explaining why asthmatic subjects accept perceived air quality more than non-asthmatic subjects. However, asthmatic subjects' perceived physiological-like symptom ratings (flu, chest tightness, and headache) and concentrations of secreted salivary α-amylase were generally higher than those of non-asthmatic subjects. Asthmatic subjects had significantly lower accuracy than non-asthmatic subjects in a task that required higher concentration although they had higher work speed. Filter condition did not make any significant difference for subjects' responses.

[Optimization of expression and purification of recombinant Salvia miltiorrhiza WRKY1 protein in Escherichia coli]

WRKY transcription factor is one of the Zinc finger proteins which contains a highly conserved WRKY domain and is a family of the plant-specific transcription factor. The plasmid pET28a-SmWRKY1 harboring Salvia miltiorrhiza WRKY1 (SmWRKY1) gene was successfully transformed and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The conditions on protein expression of SmWRKY1 in E. coli, including induction duration, temperature, IPTG concentration and the E. coli concentration were optimized. The results showed that the highest protein expression of SmWRKY1 was obtained at 24 hours after the E. coli was cultured in the presence of 0.2 mol x L(-1) IPTG at 20 degrees C with A600 values of 1.0-1.5. This recombinant histidine-tagged protein was expressed at 2.454 g x L(-1) as inclusion body, which was first extracted using urea, and then purified by Ni2+ affinity chromatography and identified by SDS-PAGE. The expression of SmWRKY1 in E. coli was further confirmed by western blotting analysis.

[Construction of Saccharomyces cerevisiae whole-cell biocatalyst system for conversion miltiradiene]

Tanshinones are the bioactive components of the Chinese medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza, while its biosynthetic pathway remains to be characterized. Rapid identification and characterization of the genes correlated to tanshinones biosynthesis is very important. As one of the intermediates of tanshinones biosynthesis, the ferruginol content is relative low in both root and engineered bacteria. It is urgent to construct an efficient system for conversion of miltiradiene to ferruginol to obtain large amount of ferruginol as the substrates for further identifying other downstream genes involved in tanshinones biosynthesis. In this study, we constructed the whole-cell yeast biocatalysts co-expressing miltiradiene oxidase CYP76AH1 and cytochrome P450 reductases (SmCPR1) from Salvia miltiorrhiza, and then characterized it with RT-PCR. After permeabilization, the yeast whole-cell could catalyze turnover of miltiradiene to ferruginol efficiently through single-step biotransformation with a conversion efficiency up to 69.9%. The yeast whole-cell biocatalyst described here not only provide an efficient platform for producing ferruginol in recombinant yeast but also an alternative strategy for identifying other CYP genes involved in tanshinones biosynthesis.

[Expression analysis and subcellular localization of an ERF transcription factor from Salvia miltiorrhiza]

OBJECTIVE

A SmERF1 gene was isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, and expression patterns to different stress condition were analysed in the root tissues of S. miltiorrhiza.

METHOD

The cDNA of SmERF1 gene from S. miltiorrhiza was isolated by RTPCR, and the phylogenetic tree using the neighbour-joining tree method in Mega 5 was obtained. To confirm the protein is likely to localize in the nucleus, the SmERF1 coding region was fused to the N-terminus of the GFP gene under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter and transferred into onion epidermal cells using the particle bombardment method. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed different expression pattern of SmERF1 gene in response to exogenous ABA, MeJA and SA.

RESULT

The phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that SmERF1 is most similar to AP2/ERF VII subgroup members. The transient expression of the SmERF1::GFP fusion protein indicated that the SmERF1 was exclusively localized to the nucleus. The transcript of SmERF1 highly accumulated when the plants were treated with MeJA, while accumulated slightly in response to exogenous ABA, salicylic acid.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest hormone such as ABA, MeJA and SA signaling pathways can be involved in the activation and inhibition of the SmERF1.

[Optimizing expression of recombinant jasmonate ZIM-domain protein from Salvia miltiorrhiza]

OBJECTIVE

Accumulation of tanshinton in Salvia miltiorrhiza are enhanced by exogenous application of jasmonates. The core JA signaling module COI1/JAZ/MYC2 play a central role on control of downstream gene expression in the JA pathway. To obtained the antibody of SmJAZ, SmJAZ recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and optimal expression was performed.

METHOD

The full-length SmJAZ1 ORF was sub-cloned in a prokaryotic expression vector pET32a. The recombinant fusion protein had high expression level in BL21 (DE3) strain of E. coli, and SDS-PAGE analysis showed its molecular weight was about 24 kDa.

RESULT

The induction of E. coli [pET32-JAZ1] in different temperature, induction time, IPTG concentrations and IPTG adding time of E. coli were performed. The induction time and the induction temperature are positively related trends with SmJAZ1 protein expression, and IPTG concentration had no significant impact in protein expression, whereas IPTG adding time had significant impact on protein expression.

CONCLUSION

Shaking the culture at 30 degrees C until the A600 is approximately 0.9 (2 h in LB), and add IPTG to a final concentration of 0.1 mmol x L(-1), and then the optimal expression of SmJAZ1 recombinant protein were accumulated after the induction time of 20 h.

Inserting the tunneller during an outside-in transobturator tape procedure by syringe-needle guidance

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of a novel syringe-needle guidance technique (SNG), and its impact on the perioperative variables and outcomes of patients undergoing an outside-in transobturator tape procedure (TOT). Between November 2006 and May 2008, 48 consecutive women who underwent TOT with SNG were included. Another 25 women without SNG between March 2004 and October 2006 were included as a historical control. There were no significant differences in hospital stays and complication rates between the two groups. However, the operating time was shorter (mean 23.0 vs 28.3 min, p=0.008) in the SNG group than in the control group. The presence of the SNG technique was the sole predictor of the operating time (p=0.003). In conclusion, the SNG technique is a feasible method to provide help in inserting the tunneller of TOT through the transobturator foramen, and did not compromise the outcome.

[Insulin-like growth factor 1 levels and their association with growth and development in infants aged 1-24 months]

OBJECTIVE

To study serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and their association with growth and development in infants aged 1-24 mouths.

METHODS

A total of 525 healthy infants (125 preterm, 400 term) were enrolled. Serum IGF-1 levels were measured using ELISA 1.5, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18 and 24 months after birth. The body weight and body length were simultaneously measured.

RESULTS

Serum IGF-1 levels were the lowest in preterm infants 1.5 months after birth (86+/-60 ng/mL). Thereafter, serum IGF-1 levels increased, and were significantly higher than those in term infants between 4 and 12 months after birth. Serum IGF-1 levels in term infants were the highest (116+/-52 ng/mL) 1.5 months after birth during their life of 12 months old. Thereafter, serum IGF-1 levels decreased and reached to a nadir (69+/-58 ng/mL) 8 months after birth. IGF-I levels were positively correlated with the weight and the height (SDS) in both preterm and term infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum IGF-1 levels are closely associated with growth and development in infants.

Generalized reticulated hyperpigmentation induced by lichen planus

A 68-year-old Chinese woman presented with generalized reticulated dark-brown hyperpigmentation on the trunk, face and limbs, oral Wickham's striae, sparse scalp hair and dark-red reticulated streaks on the occiput of the head and on the neck, some dark-red to violaceous papules on the face, scalp and flanks, light-yellow, deep-seated papules on the palms and soles, and small porcelain-white papules on the dorsal and lateral fingers. The histological features were consistent with the diagnosis of lichen planus (LP). To our knowledge, LP-induced generalized reticulated hyperpigmentation is very rare and this is the first report of the clinical features on the fingers, palms and soles.

A review on adolescent childbearing in Taiwan: its characteristics, outcomes and risks

In Taiwan, the age-specific fertility rate for adolescent girls aged 15-19 years has remained at 14-18/1,000 births during the past two decades, which is the highest among developed countries in Asia. There was a surprisingly high age-specific fertility rate for married women aged 15-19 years at 726 per 1,000 in 1994, much higher than that of the United States. Adolescent childbearing causes many adverse outcomes including unwanted and unstable marriage, repeated childbearing during adolescence, and increased risks of having low birth weight and preterm births and neonatal mortality. Studies in Taiwan showed that adolescent childbearing is associated with their poor knowledge but open attitude and behaviour on sexuality, the inadequate contraceptive services for the adolescents in need, some risk-taking behaviors, family dysfunction and low socioeconomic status of the adolescents' families. About two-thirds of the fathers of infants born to adolescent girls were adults, even old adults with a low education level Effective strategies for adolescent childbearing prevention range from sex education, the direct provision of contraceptive supplies, and to life options programmes, especially for the adolescents with high risk of adolescent pregnancy. Reducing the incidence of adolescent childbearing by active use of contraception is more important and practical than prohibiting adolescent sexual activity.

Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of three short chain alpha-neurotoxins from the venom of sea snake--Hydrophiinae Hydrophis cyanocinctus Daudin

Three different genes named sn311, sn316 and sn285 were discovered by large-scale randomly sequencing the high quality cDNA library of the venom glands from Hydrophiinae Hydrophis cyanocinctus Daudin. Sequence analysis showed that these three genes encoded three different short chain alpha-neurotoxins of 81 amino acids, which contained a signal peptide of 21 amino acids and followed by a mature peptide of 60 amino acids. Amino acid comparison reveals that mature peptides of sn311 and sn316 are highly homologous, with the only variance at position 46, which is Lys46 and Ser46, respectively. Whereas the mature peptide of sn285 lacks the most conserved amino acids in short chain alpha-neurotoxins, Asp31 and Arg33. The coding sequences of three neurotoxins were cloned into a thioredoxin (TRX) fusion expression vector (pTRX) and expressed as soluble recombinant fusion proteins in E. coli. After purification, approximately 10 mg/l recombinant proteins with the purity up to 95% were obtained. These three recombinant proteins are designated as rSN311, rSN316 and rSN285, they have a molecular weight of 6.963, 6.920 and 6.756 kDa, respectively, which are similar to those predicted from amino acid sequences. LD50 values of rSN311, rSN316 and rSN285 are 0.0827, 0.095, and 0.0647 mg/kg to mice, respectively. Studies on effects of these recombinant proteins on neuromuscular transmission were carried out, and results indicate that they all can produce prompt blockade of neuromuscular transmission, but display distinct biological activity characteristic individually. The results from UV-circular dichroism (CD) spectra indicate that they share similar secondary structure compared to other identified alpha-neurotoxins, and no significant structural differences in these recombinant proteins are observed.

Cloning and characterization of a novel neurotoxin from the sea anemone Anthopleura sp

A full-length cDNA of neurotoxin (Hk2a) was isolated by RT-PCR of total RNA isolated from tentacles of Anthopleura sp. using degenerate oligonucleotide primers and 3',5'-RACE. The cDNA sequence of Hk2a encoded a polypeptide of 47 amino acids, which lacks a typical N-terminal signal sequences commonly found in proteins that are secreted via endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi pathway, indicating the possibility of secretion via a non-classical pathway. The neurotoxin has a predicted molecular mass of 4.8 kDa and a pI value of 7.62. The amino acid sequence of Hk2a is very similar to Anthopleurin C (Ap-C) and Neurotoxin I (Af I), and shares 95% amino acid sequence similarity to Ap-C. The coding region for the matured Hk2a toxin was cloned into the thioredoxin (TRX) fusion expression vector (pTRX) for the fusion expression in Escherichia coli. The recombinant polypeptide of Hk2a (rHk2a) was purified by the affinity chromatography, 15 mg/l of rHk2a was obtained after the digestion with protease 3C and further purification. The molecular weight of rHk2a (5.078 kDa) obtained by MALDI-TOF was very close to that (5Da) calculated from the sequence. The results of the UV-circular dichroism spectra of rHk2a indicates that its secondary structure is similar to that of Ap-B (), having 61.7% beta-sheet and no alpha-helix. Investigation on pharmacological effects of rHk2a in vitro was undertaken, and it was found that LD(50) of rHk2a was 1.4 mg/kg on NIH mice (i.p.). The rHk2a was demonstrated to increase contracting activity on isolated SD rat atria with the enhancing degree reaching 343.5+/-160.5%. The increase in contractile amplitude reached a plateau value within 3-5 min after addition of this toxin.

Functional expression and characterization of a recombinant phospholipase A2 from sea snake Lapemis hardwickii as a soluble protein in E. coli

Three full-length phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) cDNAs from sea snake Lapemis hardwickii venom were cloned and sequenced in our previous study. In order to investigate their biological functions, we established a fusion expression system for PLA(2)-9 in E. coli. The open reading frame encoding mature peptide of PLA(2)-9 was subcloned into the vector pTRX. The Trx-PLA(2)-9 fusion protein was expressed as a soluble protein by IPTG induction at 23 degrees C. The fusion protein was purified with metal-chelate affinity chromatography and then cleaved by enterokinase. The mature recombinant PLA(2)-9 was further purified by ion-exchange chromatography and a final yield of approximately 2.5mg pure PLA(2)-9 from 1l of bacteria culture was obtained. The catalytic activity of recombinant PLA(2)-9 (rPLA(2)-9) was measured and found to be similar to native enzyme. As the Austrelaps superbus PLA(2), which shares 90% nucleotide sequence similarity to PLA(2)-9, the rPLA(2)-9 displayed the anti-platelet aggregation effect. Site-directed mutagenesis of the two conserved residues, His-48 and Asp-49, resulted in the loss of catalytic activity, however did not affect the inhibition effect of platelet aggregation suggesting that these two activities of sea snake PLA(2)-9 may be dissociated.

Recombinant human interleukin-10 inhibits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells stimulated by advanced glycation end products and neointima hyperplasia after carotid injury in the rat

The purposes of this study was to determine the effects of recombinant human interleukin-10 (rhIL-10) on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) stimulated by advanced glycation end products (AGE) and neointima hyperplasia after rat carotid arterial injury. Rat aortic VSMCs were cultured and treated with rhIL-10 or AGE respectively, and then co-treated with rhIL-10 and AGE. Proliferation of VSMCs was quantified by colormetric assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytomertry. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with recombinant human IL-10 (rhIL-10) for 3 d after carotid arteries injury. The ratio of neointima to media area at the site of arterial injury was measured 28 d after balloon injury. The p44/42 MAPK activity was evaluated by the immunoblotting technique using anti-p44/42 phospho-MAPK antibody. Compared to control, AGE stimulated VSMCs proliferation. rhIL-10 alone had no effect on VSMCs growth. With AGE stimulation, rhIL-10, at dose as low as 10 ng/ml, inhibited VSMCs growth (P<0.05). The cell number in G(0)/G(1) phase of AGE and rhIL-10 co-treatment group was higher than that of AGE treatment alone (P<0.01) by flow cytometry analysis. Compared with the control group of neointima hyperplasia in rats, the ratio of neointima to media area of recombinant human IL-10 group was reduced by 45% (P<0.01). The p44/42 MAPK activity was significantly enhanced by AGE. The AGE effects were opposed by rhIL-10. The anti-inflammatory cytokine rhIL-10 inhibits AGE-induced VSMCs proliferation. Recombinant human IL-10 also inhibited neointima hyperplasia after carotid artery injury in rats. The results suggest the possibility that recombinant human IL-10, as a potential therapeutic approach, prevents neointimal hyperplasia.

Effect of recombinant human interleukin-10 on the in vitro proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of recombinant human interleukin-10 (rhIL-10) on the proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) cultured in vitro. METHOD: Aortic VSMCs cultured in vitro were treated with varied doses of rhIL-10 alone or in combination with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) or platelet-derived growth factor-BB(PDGF- BB) respectively. The VSMC proliferation was quantified by colormetric assay. RESULTS: Compared with control, both TNF-alpha and PDGF-BB stimulated conspicuous proliferation of VSMCs, but the effect of which was not observed by rhIL-10 treatment alone. In the presence of rhIL-10, the proliferation effects of both TGF-alpha and PDGF-BB on VSMCs were significantly inhibited (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: rhIL-10 can inhibit VSMC proliferation induced by TNF-alpha and PDGF-BB, thus may provide a new therapeutic approach for regulating vascular wall remodeling after vascular injury.

Cloning and characterization of an acidic cytolysin cDNA from sea anemone Sagartia rosea

A full-length cDNA of cytolysin (Src I) was isolated from the tentacle of Sagartia rosea (a representative species in China) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The cDNA with an open reading frame of 648 bp encodes a precursor protein of 216 amino acids, which contains a prepropeptide of 38 amino acids including a signal peptide of 19 amino acids and a propart of 19 amino acids. Lys-Pro at C-terminus of propart is a cleavage site for proline-endopeptidase-like protease. The mature cytolysin has a molecular mass of 19.6 kDa and a pI value of 4.8. Src I is an acidic cytolysin found in sea anemone and shares 75% amino acid sequence similarity to equinatoxin II (Eqt II). The predicted secondary structure of the mature cytolysin comprises 15% alpha-helix, 45% beta-sheet, and 40% random coil. The characteristic amphiphilic alpha-helix of cytolysin is located at the N-terminus of the processed Src I.

Diversity of PLA(2) Genes from Sea Snake Lapemis hardwickii Gray Venom

Three full-length cDNA from Lapemis hardwickii Gray, (namely PLA(2)-8, PLA(2)-9 and PLA(2)-384), encoding phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), were isolated and sequenced. These cDNA sequences were composed of 456 bp, 438 bp and 438 bp, encoding a signal peptide of 27 amino acids and a mature peptide of 125, 119 and 119 amino acids, respectively. The analysis results by computer indicated PLA(2)-8, PLA(2)-9and PLA(2)-384 has a pI of ca. 4.8, 7.8 and 8.4, respectively. Sequence analysis of amino acid and prediction of secondary structure suggested that these isoforms of PLA(2) belong to class I PLA(2) family. PLA(2)-8 was highly homologous (81%) to Notechis scutatus scutatus (Australian tiger snake) PLA(2), PLA(2)-9 and PLA(2)-384 showed fairly high sequence homology (90%) to Enhydrina schistosa (beaked sea snake) PLA(2), indicating that they might have similar functions. These results reflect the diversity of Lapemis hardwickii Gray PLA(2) genes. The successful cloning of these isoenzyme genes of sea snake PLA(2) may provide new information for the study on structure-function relationship of PLA(2) family and its possible molecular mechanism.

Identification and Funtional Characterization of Three Postsynaptic Short-chain Neurotoxins from Hydrophiinae, Lapemis hardwickii Gray

Three cDNA clones, sn12, sn36 and sn160, encoding isoforms of postsynaptic short-chain neurotoxins, were cloned by screening a cDNA library of the venom from Hydrophiinae, Lapemis hardwickii Gray. The sequences of three cDNA clones encoded proteins consisting of 60 amino acid residues. There was only one amino acid substitution among the three isoforms SN12, SN36 and SN160 at the position 46 of mature proteins, and they were Pro(46), His(46) and Arg(46), respectively. The three molecules were expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant proteins were characterized. Different LD(50) were obtained, namely 0.0956 mg/kg, 0.3467 mg/kg and 0.2192 mg/kg, when the SN12, SN36 and SN160 were injected into Kunming mice(i.p.). In analgesic effect assayed by the acetic acid-induced writhing method, SN12 and SN160 showed similar analgesic effect, but SN36 had effects significantly different with the other two. Our studies suggested that the amino acid residues on position 46 could affect the combination between the postsynaptic short-chain neurotoxins and the nicotinic acetylchoine receptor, since different amino acid substitution resulted in different biological activities.

[Recombinant human interleukin-10 inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by TNF-alpha]

Vessel injury provokes a release in proinflammatory cytokines that influence vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. The purposes of this study was to determine the effects of recombinant human interleukin-10 (rhIL-10) on rat vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and the activity of p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) promoted by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Rat aortic VSMCs were cultured and treated with rhIL-10 or TNF-alpha respectively, and then cotreated with rhIL-10 and TNF-alpha. The proliferation of VSMCs was quantified by colormetric assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry. The p44/42 MAPK activity was evaluated by the immunoblotting technique using anti-p44/42 phospho-MAPK antibody. Compared to control group, TNF-alpha stimulated significantly VSMC proliferation in TNF-alpha group. rhIL-10 alone had no effect on VSMC growth, but significantly inhibited VSMC proliferation induced by TNF-alpha at a dose of 10 ng/ml. The cell number in G(0)/G(1) phase of TNF-alpha and rhIL-10 co-treatment group was higher than that of TNF- alpha group (P<0.01) by flow cytometry analysis. The p44/42 MAPK activity was significantly enhanced by TNF-alpha and the TNF-alpha effect was opposed by rhIL-10. It is suggested that rhIL-10 can inhibit TNF-alpha induced VSMC proliferation and phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK.

Effect of genotoxic exposure to chromium among electroplating workers in Taiwan

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between chromium (Cr) concentrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) formation in Cr workers and to assess the effects of susceptible genes (glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1) on the frequency of deletion and SCE/cell. Urinary Cr concentration was significantly elevated in Cr workers (3.67 +/- 3.89 microg/g creatinine) compared to control group (1.21 +/- 1.16 microg/g creatinine, P < 0.01). There was also a significant difference of superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels between Cr workers (6.86 +/- 0.80 U/mg Hb) and controls (7.16 +/- 0.53 U/mg Hb, P < 0.01). The frequencies of SCE and high frequency cells (HFC) were significantly correlated with smoking habits and with duration of exposure to Cr. A significantly higher percentage (50%) of Cr workers had both the null GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotype as compared to 10% of the controls (P < 0.01). However, the chromosomal DNA damage effect of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes, individually or in combination, was not revealed in Cr exposed workers.

Apoptosis induced by isoliquiritigenin in human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells

Isoliquiritigenin, which is possibly a principal anti-tumor constituent of licorice, a traditional Chinese herb, was examined for apoptosis-inducing activity in human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells. Typical morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, DNA ladder formation, and appearance of apoptotic peaks (subG(1)) were observed in MGC-803 cells with isoliquiritigenin treatment. Using Fluo-3 and Rh123 as fluorescent probes, respectively, it was found that the intracellular free calcium concentration increased and the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Deltapsi(m)) decreased in a dose-dependent manner in apoptotic cells. These results suggest that isoliquiritigenin induced apoptosis of MGC-803 cells through calcium- and Deltapsi(m)-dependent pathways, indicating that it is potentially useful as a natural anti-cancer agent.

Large drug resistance virulence plasmids of clinical isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis

Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis generally causes systemic human salmonellosis without diarrhea, and therefore, antimicrobial treatment is essential for such patients. The drug resistance information on this organism is thus of high value. Serovar Choleraesuis usually harbors a virulence plasmid (pSCV) of 50 kb in size. Of the 16 clinical isolates identified to be serovar Choleraesuis, all except one harbored a pSCV and seven of them carried a pSCV of more than 125 kb in size. A pSCV was defined as a plasmid carrying spvC and characteristic deletions detected by PCR and by DNA-DNA hybridization (for the former criterion). The results of PCR, restriction fragment profiles, and Southern DNA-DNA hybridizations of the profiles all indicated that such larger pSCVs were derived from the 50-kb plasmid recombined with non-pSCVs found in some clinical isolates. Fifteen of the 17 strains, including a laboratory strain, were then tested for drug resistance against 16 antibiotics with E-test and the dilution method. The laboratory strain, which harbored a 50-kb pSCV and a 6-kb non-pSCV, was resistant only to sulfonamides (SUL), and its resistance gene, sulII, checked with PCR and DNA-DNA hybridization, was located on the 6-kb non-pSCV. All 14 clinical strains were resistant to multiple drugs. Of the 14, 7 were resistant to SUL, and the resistance gene was located on a plasmid. The sulII gene, but not bla(TEM-1), was carried only on the 6-kb non-pSCV. Of the remaining six large plasmids, three of 90 kb, two of 136 kb, and one of 140 kb, the last three were pSCVs and carried the other SUL gene (sulI) and the bla(TEM-1) gene. The six strains were also resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. None of the 50-kb pSCVs carried resistance genes. These drug resistance genes on the large pSCVs were apparently also acquired through recombination.

Two-photon laser scanning microscopy of epithelial cell-modulated collagen density in engineered human lung tissue

Tissue remodeling is a complex process that can occur in response to a wound or injury. In lung tissue, abnormal remodeling can lead to permanent structural changes that are characteristic of important lung diseases such as interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and bronchial asthma. Fibroblast-mediated contraction of three-dimensional collagen gels is considered an in vitro model of tissue contraction and remodeling, and the epithelium is one factor thought to modulate this process. We studied the effects of epithelium on collagen density and contraction using two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM). TPLSM was used to image autofluorescence of collagen fibers in an engineered tissue model of the human respiratory mucosa -- a three-dimensional co-culture of human lung fibroblasts (CCD-18 lu), denatured type I collagen, and a monolayer of human alveolar epithelial cell line (A549) or human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE14o(-)). Tissues were imaged at days 1, 8, and 15 at 10 depths within the tissue. Gel contraction was measured concurrently with TPLSM imaging. Image analysis shows that gels without an epithelium had the fastest rate of decay of fluorescent signal, corresponding to highest collagen density. Results of the gel contraction assay show that gels without an epithelium also had the highest degree of contraction (19.8% +/- 4.0%). We conclude that epithelial cells modulate collagen density and contraction of engineered human lung tissue, and TPLSM is an effective tool to investigate this phenomenon.

[A controlled clinical study between hepatic arterial infusion with embolized curcuma aromatic oil and chemical drugs in treating primary liver cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness, toxicity and prospective application of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) with Embolized Curcuma Aromatic oil (CAO) in treating primary liver cancer (PLC).

METHODS

In the treated group, 32 patients with PLC were treated by HAI with 1-3 ml of embolized CAO and oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine. In the control group, 32 patients with PLC were treated with transcatheter artery chemoembolization (TACE).

RESULTS

In the treated group, one patient attained complete remission (CR) and 13 partial remission (PR), the total effective rate being 43.75%. The level of alpha fetal protein (AFP) turned to normal range in 7 cases and decreased in other 7. In the control group, 10 obtained PR and the total effective rate being 31.25%, AFP level turned to normal in 5 and decreased in 2. There was no statistical significance between the two groups. The incidences of post-embolism syndrome, such as fever, abdominal pain and vomiting were similar between the two groups but no myelosuppression occurred in the treated group with significant difference (P < 0.01) as comparing with that in the control group. The mean survival time, median survival time, 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rate in the treated group was 11.5 months, 10 months, 37.5%, 13.3% and 6.9% respectively, while in the control group was 7.25 months, 6 months, 15.6%, 3.2% and 0 respectively. The treated group was better in mean survival time, median survival time and 1-year survival rate than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HAI with embolized CAO showed a similar favorite effect in treating PLC as that of TACE, but superior than TACE with longer survival time and milder myelosuppression.

Synthesis of a polymeric 4-N-linked sialoside which inhibits influenza virus hemagglutinin

A multiple sialic acid-bearing polymer 7 has been made in which a novel 4-N-substituted sialoside 5 has been coupled to polyacrylamide. The conjugate 7 has been found to inhibit the agglutination of influenza virus to red blood cells with HAI inhibition constants of around 10(-6) M, based on the sialic acid concentration.

Cytogenetic study of workers exposed to chromium compounds

The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), high SCE frequency cells (HFCs), and genetic polymorphism of genotypes glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1 and T1 were analyzed in peripheral lymphocytes of 35 workers occupationally exposed to chromium (Cr) and 35 matched control group. Results showed that workers exposed to Cr showed 6.07 SCE/cell, as compared to 4.76 SCE/cell for the control group (p<0.01). Smokers showed a statistically significant higher frequency of SCE than non-smokers in both groups. The work duration of Cr workers was an important factor. Workers exposed for more than 5 years showed a significantly higher level of SCEs (p<0.05). Workers exposed to Cr for 5 or more years had higher HFC rates (51.4%) than those exposed for less than 5 years (22.9%), with an odds ratio of 4.5 times than those exposed for less than 5 years. In HFC analysis, Cr workers who smoked showed a higher level of HFC (60%) than the control group (5.7%) and also had a higher odds ratio (60.4) compared with the control group. Among non-smokers, the odds ratio was 9.0. Another objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between SCE and genetic polymorphisms of GST M1 and T1 in Cr workers. The results showed that the incidence of GSTM1 null genotype was 60% in the control group and 77.1% in Cr workers, and percentages of GSTT1 deletion were 42.9% and 62.9% in control and exposed individuals, respectively. There was a slightly increased frequency of SCE among Cr workers with GSTM1 null genotype as opposed to non-null genotype individuals. A similar result was seen among the control group; however, there were no statistically significant differences. In conclusion, the current study found the positive induction of SCE in workers who smoked or/and were exposed to Cr. However, different GST genotypes did not influence the level of cytogenetic damage between groups. Despite slight variation in numbers, they all appear to be not different.

Two-dimensional object recognition through two-stage string matching

A two-stage string matching method for the recognition of two-dimensional (2-D) objects is proposed in this work. The first stage is a global cyclic string matching. The second stage is a local matching with local dissimilarity measure computing. The dissimilarity measure function of the input shape and the reference shape are obtained by combining the global matching cost and the local dissimilarity measure. The proposed method has the advantage that there is no need to set any parameter in the recognition process. Experimental results indicate that the hostage string matching approach significantly improves the recognition rates compared to the one-stage string matching method.

A cross-cultural validation of coping strategies and their associations with caregiving distress

Coping strategies were compared among family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients in Shanghai, China (n = 110) and San Diego, California (n = 139). Four coping factors were reliably consistent in both samples, supporting their widespread relevance to life adversity; behavioral confronting, behavioral distancing/social support, cognitive confronting, and cognitive distancing. Shanghai and San Diego caregivers endorsed similar rates of coping, but Shanghai caregivers reported fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. Although coping strategies were similar, cultural ideals promoting family interdependence, veneration of elderly family members, and acceptance of traditional family roles may have reduced the psychological impacts of caregiving in the Shanghai sample.

A study of the active site of influenza virus sialidase: an approach to the rational design of novel anti-influenza drugs

The development of sialidase inhibitor-based potential anti-influenza drugs using rational drug design techniques has been of recent interest. The present study details as investigation of the active site of influenza virus sialidase by using the program GRID in an attempt to design more potent inhibitors in the hope they will eventually lead to anti-influenza drugs. A number of different probes (amino, carboxy, hydroxy, methyl, etc) have been used in an effort to determine the functional groups most likely to improve the binding of the starting template 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac2en). The data have correctly predicted the binding regions for the carboxylate, acetamido (NH and methyl), and glycerol (OH) groups of N-acetylneuraminic acid. Moreover, the data suggest that the addition of certain functionalities (amino group) at the C-4 position should enhance the overall binding.