Identification of a sugarcane bacilliform virus promoter that is activated by drought stress in plants

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important sugar and biofuel crop in the world. It is frequently subjected to drought stress, thus causing considerable economic losses. Transgenic technology is an effective breeding approach to improve sugarcane tolerance to drought using drought-inducible promoter(s) to activate drought-resistance gene(s). In this study, six different promoters were cloned from sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV) genotypes exhibiting high genetic diversity. In β-glucuronidase (GUS) assays, expression of one of these promoters (PSCBV-YZ2060) is similar to the one driven by the CaMV 35S promoter and >90% higher compared to the other cloned promoters and Ubi1. Three SCBV promoters (PSCBV-YZ2060, PSCBV-TX, and PSCBV-CHN2) function as drought-induced promoters in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. In Arabidopsis, GUS activity driven by promoter PSCBV-YZ2060 is also upregulated by abscisic acid (ABA) and is 2.2-5.5-fold higher when compared to the same activity of two plant native promoters (PScRD29A from sugarcane and PAtRD29A from Arabidopsis). Mutation analysis revealed that a putative promoter region 1 (PPR1) and two ABA response elements (ABREs) are required in promoter PSCBV-YZ2060 to confer drought stress response and ABA induction. Yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays uncovered that transcription factors ScbZIP72 from sugarcane and AREB1 from Arabidopsis bind with two ABREs of promoter PSCBV-YZ2060. After ABA treatment or drought stress, the expression levels of endogenous ScbZIP72 and heterologous GUS are significantly increased in PSCBV-YZ2060:GUS transgenic sugarcane plants. Consequently, promoter PSCBV-YZ2060 is a possible alternative promoter for genetic engineering of drought-resistant transgenic crops such as sugarcane.

SGLT2i relieve proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy patients potentially by inhibiting renal oxidative stress rather than through AGEs pathway

AIMS

To estimate the effects of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) on proteinuria and oxidative stress expression in type 2 diabetes patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

68 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were divided into three groups according urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), including T2DM with non-albuminuria group (UACR < 30 mg/g), T2DM with microalbuminuria group (30 ≤ UACR ≤ 300 mg/g), T2DM with macroalbuminuria group (UACR>300 mg/g). They all received SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) treatment for 12 weeks. The expression of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in plasma and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in urine were measured as indications of oxidative stress. The 24-hour urine samples were collected to measure the concentration of proteinuria and 8-OHdG before and after 12 weeks SGLT2i treatment. Plasma renin activity (PRA), angiotensin II (Ang II) and Aldosterone (ALD) were measured to evaluate renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RASS) levels.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks SGLT2 inhibitors treatment, the median values of 24-hour proteinuria decreased in macroalbuminuria compared to baseline (970 vs. 821 mg/d, P = 0.006). The median values of AGEs and 8-OHdG decreased in microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria groups when compared to baseline, AGEs (777 vs. 136 ug/ml, P = 0.003) and (755 vs. 210 ug/ml, P = 0.001), 8-OHdG (8.00 vs. 1.88 ng/ml, P = 0.001) and (11.18 vs. 1.90 ng/ml, P < 0.001), respectively. Partial correlations showed that 8-OHdG were relevant to the baseline 24-h proteinuria (r = 0.389, p = 0.001), the reduction of OHdG (Δ8-OHdG) were positively correlated with the decrease of 24-h proteinuria (Δ24-h proteinuria) after 12 weeks of SGLT2i treatment (r = 0.283, P = 0.031). There was no significant correlation between 24-h proteinuria and AGEs in baseline (r = -0.059, p = 0.640) as well as between ΔAGEs and Δ24-h proteinuria (r = 0.022, p = 0.872) after12 weeks of SGLT2i treatment in T2DM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

SGLT2i may reduce proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy patients, potentially by inhibiting renal oxidative stress, but not through the AGEs pathway and does not induce RAAS activation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This clinical trial was registered on 15/10/2019, in ClinicalTrials.gov, and the registry number is NCT04127084.

[Effects of Long-term Straw Returning on Fungal Community, Enzyme Activity and Wheat Yield in Fluvo-aquic Soil]

To illustrate the effects of long-term straw returning on the fungal community, soil enzyme activity, and crop yield in a fluvo-aquic soil area typical of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, a 10-year field experiment (established in 2010) located in Dezhou City, Shandong province, was performed, including three fertilization regimes (NF, no fertilization control; NPK, fertilization with chemical N, P, and K fertilizers; NPKS, straw returning combined with chemical N, P, and K fertilizers). This study aimed to explore the regulation mechanisms of fungal communities on soil fertility, enzyme activities, and crop yield by employing co-occurrence network and structural equation model analyses. Our results showed that long-term straw returning significantly improved soil nutrients, enzyme activity, and wheat yield. Compared with the NPK and NF treatments, soil organic matter (SOM) increased by 9.20% and 34.75%, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN) increased by 12.03% and 39.17%, dehydrogenase (DHA) increased by 37.21% and 50.91%, β-glucosidase (β-GC) increased by 17.29% and 73.48%, and wheat production increased by 16.22% and 125.53%, respectively. Different long-term fertilization regimes did not significantly change soil fungal α-diversity but resulted in significant differences in β-diversity. Available phosphorus (AP), SOM, and AN were the main driving factors of fungal community differentiation based on redundancy analysis and hierarchical partitioning analysis. Different abundance analyses revealed significantly different fungal community compositions among fertilization regimes. The long-term NF treatment resulted in a significant enrichment of phosphate/potassium-solubilizing species (i.e., Mortierella, Aspergillus, Ceriporia, and Acremonium) and symbiotic species (i.e., Leohumicola and Hyalodendriella). The relative abundance of pathogenic fungi, namely Sarocladium, Fusarium, and Fusicolla, increased significantly in the NPK treatment. Long-term straw returning in the NPKS treatment significantly stimulated the growth of plant growth-promoting species (i.e., Pseudogymnoascus and Schizothecium) and straw-degrading species (i.e., Trichocladium and Lobulomyces). Co-occurrence network analysis showed that the fungal network was composed of four main modules; the cumulative relative abundance of module 2 was significantly increased under the NPKS treatment and showed a positive linear correlation with DHA and β-GC. The structural equation model further indicated that the wheat yield was mainly regulated by SOM, whereas species of module 2 could indirectly affect SOM and wheat yield by positively regulating DHA and β-GC. Taken together, long-term straw returning to the fluvo-aquic soil area of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain could regulate fungal interspecific interactions, stimulate the growth of specific species groups, inhibit the activity of pathogens, increase the activity of soil enzymes, promote the accumulation of SOM, and achieve high crop yield.

[The expression and clinical significance of Bmi-1 gene in oral leukoplakia with different prognosis]

Objective: To detect the expression of Bmi-1 in oral leukoplakia (OL) cells and tissues, and analyze its role and clinical significance in the malignant transformation of OL. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate Bmi-1 expression in OL samples from 109 patients (51 males, 58 females, age range: 18-74 years) who were treated in the Department of Stomatology, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and the Center of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between 1996 and 2018. The correlation between Bmi-1 expression level and clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in patients with OL was analyzed. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Bmi-1 gene in normal oral mucosal epithelial cells, OL cells, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells, OL tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The effects of Bmi-1 on the proliferation, colony formation and apoptosis were investigated by silencing expression of Bmi-1 in OL cell lines Leuk-1. Results: The protein level of Bmi-1 in OL tissue with severe and mild dysplasia was statistically different (6 819±994 vs 4 713±372, P=0.017). The OSCC-free survival rate of OL patients with high Bmi-1 expression was 65.5% (36/55), which was lower than that of OL patients with low Bmi-1 expression (88.9%, 48/54, P=0.003). Multivariate Cox proportional analysis indicated that Bmi-1 expression was the independent predictor for malignant transformation of OL (HR=2.522, 95%CI: 1.128-5.640, P=0.024). The mRNA level of Bmi-1 in OL specimens was 0.455±0.120, which was higher than that in paired adjacent normal tissues (0.063±0.009, P=0.014). The Bmi-1 mRNA level in malignant transformed OL specimens was (1.405±0.397), which was higher than that in untransformed OL specimens (0.145±0.017, P<0.001). After transfection of Bmi-1-shNC and Bmi-1-shRNA2 adenovirus into OL cell line Leuk-1, there were significant differences in the number of clone formation (824±40 vs 414±38, P=0.002) and apoptosis rate (17.7%±2.3% vs 36.0%±2.0%, P=0.004). Conclusions: The up-regulation of Bmi-1 expression promotes the malignant biological behavior of OL cells. Bmi-1 expression can be used as a predictor for malignant transformation of OL.

[Study of abnormal lipid metabolism analysis and significance of fatty acid binding protein expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma]

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most dominant cancer in the world and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the China. With the increase in the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the population, the correlation between MS and HCC has gradually been recognized. MS manifests as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (shortly known as NAFLD) in the liver. A large number of research results has shown that the development of fatty liver is closely related to the occurrence of HCC, in which lipid metabolism plays a key regulatory role, and lipid metabolism is regulated by fatty acid binding protein (FABP). This study signifies the lipid metabolism analysis and the key FABP expression conditions in HCC. Methods: Data of patients who were first diagnosed with primary HCC between January 2016 to July 2019 were collected, and were divided into two groups according to the etiology, namely the viral and non-viral hepatitis-related HCC group. The relationship between MS-related factors and HCC was analyzed by t-test and chi square test. The expressions of FABP1, FABP4 and FABP5 were detected in cancer and adjacent tissues by immunohistochemistry, and the expressions of FABP1, FABP4 and FABP5 in HCC with fatty liver were detected by immunofluorescence. Finally, the expressional characteristics of the above-mentioned FABPs in HCC patients were analyzed with different clinicopathological features. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the rate of abnormal lipid metabolism and the number of abnormalities in MS-related factors between the viral and non-viral hepatitis-related HCC group. FABP1, FABP4, and FABP5 expression in HCC tissues were lower than the corresponding adjacent tumor tissues. Compared with simple HCC, FABP1, FABP4, FABP5 expression were increased in HCC tissues with steatosis, and the expression of FABP was closely related to the clinical characteristics of patients. Conclusion: Abnormal lipid metabolism is closely related to non-viral hepatitis-related HCC. The expression of lipid metabolism regulatory proteins FABP1, FABP4, and FABP5 are down-regulated in HCC tissues, but up-regulated in HCC with fatty liver, suggesting that the relationship between MS, especially dyslipidemia, and HCC should be paid attention to in clinical practice for early intervention. FABP1, FABP4, FABP5 may regulate HCC occurrence and development.

Current status and distribution of hip fractures among older adults in China

China is a middle-risk country for hip fracture at present, which differs from previous data that it was low-risk. By 2050, the total number of hip fractures in people older than 65 years is predicted to be 1.3 million.

INTRODUCTION

To assess hip fracture incidence in China and examine the heterogeneity of hip fracture in seven geographical regions of China.

METHODS

There were 238,230 hip fracture patients aged 65 years or older from 2013 to 2016 from a large national in-patients database (HQMS) involving 30.6 million hospitalizations. Taking into account the total national hospitalization rate per calendar year, we estimated the incidence of hip fracture per 100,000 residents older than 65 years in China overall and in seven geographical Chinese regions.

RESULTS

The proportion of men and women older than 65 years with hip fractures was 1.00:1.95. Between 2013 and 2016, the number of hip fractures per 100,000 people age 65+ was 278. China has vast territories; the number of hip fractures per 100,000 people over 65 years old was 202 in Northeast China and 374 in Northwest China. Northwest has higher altitude, lower population density, is less developed with lower urbanization than Northeast China which is low altitude, and highly urbanized.

CONCLUSIONS

China should no longer be regarded as a low-risk country for hip fracture. By 2050, the total number of hip fractures in people older than 65 years in China is predicted to be 1.3 million. Higher altitude areas had higher hip fracture rates than lower altitude, higher urbanized areas.

Multidisciplinary team therapy for left giant adrenocortical carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant epithelial tumor originating from adrenocortical cells that carries a very poor prognosis. Metastatic or inoperable diseases are often considered incurable, and treatment remains a challenge. Especially for advanced cases such as ACC complicated with renal venous cancer thrombus, there are few cumulative cases in the literature.

CASE SUMMARY

The patient in this case was a 39-year-old middle-aged male who was admitted to the hospital for more than half a month due to dizziness and chest tightness. Computed tomography (CT) findings after admission revealed a left retroperitoneal malignant space-occupying lesion, but the origin of the formation of the left renal vein cancer thrombus remained to be determined. It was speculated that it originated from the left adrenal gland, perhaps a retroperitoneal source, and left adrenal mass + left nephrectomy + left renal vein tumor thrombus removal + angioplasty were performed under general anesthesia. Postoperative pathology results indicated a diagnosis of ACC. Postoperative steroid therapy was administered. At 3 mo after surgery, abdominal CT reexamination revealed multiple enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes and multiple low-density shadows in the liver, and palliative radiotherapy and mitotane were administered, considering the possibility of metastasis. The patient is currently being followed up.

CONCLUSION

ACC is a highly malignant tumor. Even if the tumor is removed surgically, there is still the possibility of recurrence. Postoperative mitotane and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy have certain benefits for patients, but they cannot fully offset the poor prognosis of this disease.

Identification of the potential novel biomarkers as susceptibility gene for Wilms tumor

Background

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common malignant renal tumor in children. The aim of this study was to identify potential susceptibility gene of WT for better prognosis.

Methods

Weighted gene coexpression network analysis is used for the detection of clinically important biomarkers associated with WT.

Results

In the study, 59 tissue samples from National Cancer Institute were pretreated for constructing gene co-expression network, while 224 samples also downloaded from National Cancer Institute were used for hub gene validation and module preservation analysis. Three modules were found to be highly correlated with WT, and 44 top hub genes were identified in these key modules eventually. In addition, both the module preservation analysis and gene validation showed ideal results based on other dataset with 224 samples. Meanwhile, Functional enrichment analysis showed that genes in module were enriched to sister chromatid cohesion, cell cycle, oocyte meiosis.

Conclusion

In summary, we established a gene co-expression network to identify 44 hub genes are closely to recurrence and staging of WT, and 6 of these hub genes was closely related to the poor prognosis of patients. Our findings revealed that those hub genes may be used as potential susceptibility gene for clinical diagnosis and prognosis of this tumor.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08034-w.

[Effects of oxygen saturation on all-cause mortality among the elderly over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China]

Objective: To investigate the association between oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and risk of 3-year all-cause mortality among Chinese older adults aged 65 or over. Methods: The participants were enrolled from Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study in year of 2012 to 2014 in 9 longevity areas in China. In this prospective cohort study, 2 287 participants aged 65 or over were enrolled. Data on SpO₂ and body measurements were collected at baseline in 2012, and data on survival outcome and time of mortality were collected at the follow-up in 2014. Participants were divided into two groups according to whether SpO₂ was abnormal (SpO₂<94% was defined as abnormal). Results: The 2 287 participants were (86.5±12.2) years old, 1 006 were males (44.0%), and 315 (13.8%) were abnormal in SpO₂. During follow-up in 2014, 452 were died, 1 434 were survived, and 401 were lost to follow-up. The all-cause mortality rate was 19.8%, and the follow-up rate was 82.5%. The mortality rate of SpO₂ in normal group was 21.1%, and that of abnormal group was 41.6% (P<0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, compared to participants with normal SpO₂, participants with abnormal SpO₂ had increased risk of all-cause mortality with HR (95%CI) of 1.62 (1.31-2.02); HR (95 % CI) was 1.49 (0.98-2.26) for males and 1.71 (1.30-2.26) for females in abnormal SpO₂ group, respectively; HR (95%CI) was 2.70 (0.98-7.44) for aged 65-79 years old, 1.22 (0.63-2.38) for aged 80-89 years old, and 1.72 (1.35-2.19) for aged over 90 years old in abnormal SpO₂ group, respectively. Conclusion: Abnormal SpO₂ was responsible for increased risk of 3-year all-cause mortality among Chinese elderly adults.

[Comparative study of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation and surgical resection for colorectal cancer with liver metastasis]

Objective: To study the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation and surgical resection for liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 184 patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer in Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2012 to June 2017.Percutaneous microwave ablation or surgical resection for liver metastases were selected under ultrasound guidance. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the treatment of liver metastases. There were 98 patients in the microwave-only group (56 males and 42 females, aged (59±11) years) and 86 cases in the surgery-only group (56 males and 30 females, aged (56±11) years). The baseline data of the two groups were compared, and the results showed that the size of the metastatic lesions in the microwave-only group was smaller than that in the surgery-only group, and the remaining data didn't had statistical differences.The survival time of the two groups of patients was analyzed separately.According to the size of the metastases, the metastases were divided into groups with a diameter of<3 cm and a group of ≥3 cm. The survival time of patients in the microwave-only group and the surgery-only group were analyzed respectively.According to the different primary tumor grades of colorectal cancer, the survival time of patients in the simple microwave-only group and the surgery-only group in the primary tumors Duck A, Duck B, and Duck C were analyzed. Results: In the microwave-only group, the overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 100%, 50.9%, and 20.9%; in the surgery-only group, the overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 100%, 42.8%, and 20.8%, respectively. There was no significant difference in overall survival between the groups (P=0.972).Metastatic focus diameter ≥3 cm: the overall survival rates of 1, 3, and 5 years with microwave-only were 100%, 65.4%, and 12.1%; the overall survival rates of 1, 3, and 5 years with surgery-only were 100%, 59.5%, and 30.9%. There was no significant difference in overall survival between the groups (P=0.067). The long-term survival rate of the surgery-only group was greater than that of the microwave-only group (P=0.018).Metastasis diameter<3 cm: there was no significant difference in overall survival between the surgery-only group and the microwave-only group (P=0.103).In the treatment of Duck B and C liver metastases of primary colorectal cancer, there was no significant difference in overall survival between microwave alone and surgery alone (P=0.376, P=0.385).Multivariate analysis showed that the size of colorectal cancer metastases was an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases. Conclusions: Percutaneous microwave ablation has a good effect on colorectal cancer liver metastases and has a similar survival prognosis as surgery.For livers with color ≥ 3 cm in colorectal cancer, the long-term survival rate of the surgery-only group is greater than that of the microwave-only group.

[Effects of estimated glomerular filtration rate on all-cause mortality in the elderly aged 65 years and older in 8 longevity areas in China]

Objective: To investigate the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and all-cause mortality in the elderly aged 65 years and older in longevity areas in China. Methods: Data used in this study were obtained from Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study, a sub-cohort of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, 1 802 elderly adults were collected in the study during 2012-2017/2018. In this study, the elderly were classified into 4 groups, moderate-to-severe group [<45 ml·min(-1)·(1.73 m(2))(-1)], mild-to-moderate group [45- ml·min(-1)·(1.73 m(2))(-1)], mild group [60- ml·min(-1)·(1.73 m(2))(-1)] and normal group [≥90 ml·min(-1)·(1.73 m(2))(-1)] according to their eGFR levels. Results: After 6 years of follow-up, 852 participants died, with a mortality rate of 47.3%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the levels of eGFR were negatively correlated with all-cause mortality risk in the elderly (the HR of elderly was 0.993 and the 95%CI was 0.989-0.997 for every unit of eGFR increased, P=0.001), while compared with the group with normal eGFR, the HRs (95%CI) of the elderly in the moderate-to-severe group, mild-to-moderate group, and mild group were 1.690 (1.224-2.332, P=0.001), 1.312 (0.978-1.758, P=0.070), 1.349 (1.047-1.737, P=0.020) respectively [trend test P<0.001]. Conclusion: The decrease in eGFR was associated with higher mortality risk among the elderly in longevity areas in China.

Prognostic Significance of FKBP14 in Gastric Cancer

Introduction

Although our understanding on gastric cancer biology is better than a decade ago, its practical effect on screening and diagnosis remains limited. Moreover, there are no markers that can be accurately used in the clinic to diagnose early-stage gastric cancer or monitor the patient's response to therapy. Herein, we investigate whether FKBP14 is involved in the progression of gastric cancer.

Methods

The AGS cell line was chosen for over-expression analysis, whereas the SGC-7901 cell line was selected for knock-down analysis. AGS cells were transfected with an FKBP14 overexpression plasmid (AGS-PLV.O-FLAG). The expression pattern of FKBP14 in both cell lines was determined by Western blot and RT-PCR. Cell proliferation was assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8, whereas apoptosis was performed using flow cytometry. The expression of FKBP14 in 70 Chinese patients with gastric cancer was also investigated using tissue microarrays and compared with gastric cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas.

Results

FKBP14 was highly expressed in SGC7901 and had a relatively low expression in AGS cells. Upregulation of FKBP14 in AGS cells promoted migration and invasion and inhibits apoptosis. Knock-down of FKBP14 resulted in a suppression in migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis in the SGC-7901 cell line. Effectively, gastric cancer patients had a higher expression of FKBP14, with a lower survival rate (P = 0.028). Patients with a high expression of FKBP14 were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P =0.016), and an advanced histologic grade (P =0.021).

Conclusion

FKBP14 is often up-regulated in gastric cancer. Patients with a high expression of FKBP14 are usually associated with worse overall survival. FKBP14 is an oncogene in gastric cancer, and is a potential biomarker for GC diagnosis, invasion, and prognosis.

Oridonin induces apoptosis in HGC-27 cells by activating the JNK signaling pathway

Gastric cancer (GC) is a very common type of cancer. Although current treatment modalities include surgical resection and chemotherapy, many patients are either not eligible for radical resection or have a poor response to chemotherapy. Due to the complex features of the disease, there is a need for complementary therapy. In the present study, the effects of oridonin on cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis were assessed in the HGC-27 cell line using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, real-time cell analysis, and an Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) detection kit, respectively. The effect of oridonin on apoptosis, through the JNK pathway, was also investigated using western blotting. The present study demonstrated that oridonin can suppress cell viability and inhibit cell proliferation by inducing G₂/M arrest. Oridonin also induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in cells by activating the phosphorylated-JNK/C-JUN pathway. These results demonstrate the potential of oridonin as a potential therapeutic compound for the treatment of GC.

[Postoperative distal tibiofibular synostosis: radiographic characteristics and the influence on ankle mobility]

Objective: To investigate the clinical and imaging characteristics of distal tibiofibular synostosis in postoperative ankle fractures and its effects on the ankle mobility. Methods: The clinical and imaging data of 47 patients with distal tibiofibular synostosis treated surgically from October 1991 to June 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 30 males and 17 females, aged from 15 to 68 years with a mean age of (39±13) years. The original fracture types, internal fixation profiles, imaging features of distal tibiofibular synostosis were recorded. Ankle range of motion (ROM) and complications at the last follow-up were also evaluated.The ROMs of healthy and fractured sides were compared with paired sample rank test. Results: The patients were followed up for 3 to 204 months (mean 25.4 months). Of the patients, 34(72.4%) were ankle fractures, 7(14.9%) were distal tibiofibular fractures, 1(2.1%) was tibiofibular shaft fracture, 2(4.3%) were tibial shaft fractures associated with lateral malleolus fracture and the resting 3(6.4%) were Pilon fractures. In patients with ankle fractures, 76.5%(26/34) of the synostosis occurred at the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, while 23.5%(8/34) at the proximal of the tibiofibular sydesmosis; in patients with distal tibiofibular fracture, 85.7%(6/7) of the tibiofibular synostoses occurred at the fracture sites. The synostosis occurred at the level of syndesmotic screws in 8 patients (88.9%, 8/9) fixed with distal tibiofibular syndesmotic screws. And synostosis occurred at the sites of the distal locking screws in all (3/3) of the patients fixed with intramedullary nails. At the last follow-up, the active plantarflexion, active dorsiflexion and passive dorsiflexion in the affected side was 0°(0°, 5°), 2°(0°, 5°), 5°(0°, 10°) less than those in the healthy side, respectively (Z=-3.493, -4.491, -5.130, all P<0.05).During the follow-up, 4 patients complained of lateral ankle discomfort with no impact on daily life. Conclusions: Post-operative distal tibiofibular synostosis mainly occurs at the sites of fractures, distal tibiofibular syndesmotic screw sites and the sites of the distal locking screws of tibial intramedullary nails. ROM of the injured ankle decreases in comparison with that at the contralateral side, although no obvious symptoms are observed and no intervention needed.

[The relationship between hazard ratio and median survival time]

The hazard ratio and median survival time are the routine indicators in survival analysis. We briefly introduced the relationship between hazard ratio and median survival time and the role of proportional hazard assumption. We compared 110 pairs of hazard ratio and median survival time ratio in 58 articles and demonstrated the reasons for the difference by examples. The results showed that the hazard ratio estimated by the Cox regression model is unreasonable and not equivalent to median survival time ratio when the proportional hazard assumption is not met. Therefore, before performing the Cox regression model, the proportional hazard assumption should be tested first. If proportional hazard assumption is met, Cox regression model can be used; if proportional hazard assumption is not met, restricted mean survival times is suggested.

A value-added approach to improve the nutritional quality of soybean meal byproduct: Enhancing its antioxidant activity through fermentation by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SWJS22

The action of β-glucosidase and protease of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SWJS22 in the fermentation of soybean meal caused a significant increase 1): in total phenolic and flavonoid contents with two-fold or higher, largely associated with daidzein, glycitein, genistein, protocatechuic, and p-hydroxybenzoic, gallic acids; 2): the amount of peptides <3 kDa, maillard reaction intermediate and maillard reaction product with five-, three- and twenty-one-fold, respectively. The significant increase in the amount of antioxidant components in the lyophilised fermented soybean meal supernatant (LFSMS) was associated with the improved antioxidant activity. Namely, the DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity of the LFSMS generally increased, and LFSMS (at doses >250 mg/kg body weight) improved the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity, and inhibited the formation of malondialdehyde in mouse serum and liver (p < 0.05). Therefore, LFSMS could be used as functional food ingredients.

KRAS G12V Mutation is an Adverse Prognostic Factor of Chinese Gastric Cancer Patients

This study aims to investigate the molecular characteristics of Chinese gastric cancer patients. In our study, the KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutation status of 485 GC patients were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to plot survival curves according to different genotypes. The results show that the frequency of KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA mutations were 4.1%, 1.2% and 3.5%, respectively. BRAF mutations were significantly concentrated in stage III and IV gastric cancer (P=0.009). KRAS G12V mutation carriers have much shorter OS than other mutation carriers and wild-type group patients (P=0.013). In conclusion, only the KRAS G12V mutation has an adverse effect on patient survival.

[Deltoid ligament augmentation and repairing in ankle fracture associated with deltoid ligament injury and syndesmosis diastasis]

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of the deep component augmentation and superficial component repairing and syndesmosis screw fixation in treating ankle fracture associated with deltoid ligament injury and syndesmosis diastasis. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2017, 16 patients with ankle fracture combined with deltoid ligament injury and syndesmosis diastasis were treated with the deep component augmentation and superficial component repairing in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital.Of the patients, 13 were males and 3 were females, with an average age of (38±10) years (21-57 years). Nine cases were athletic injuries, 4 cases were daily-life injuries and 3 cases were traffic injuries.According to the Weber classification, 6 cases were type B, 10 cases were type C. According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, 6 cases were supination external rotation Ⅳ injury, 9 cases were pronation external rotation Ⅳ injury, 1 case was pronation abduction Ⅲ injury.The surgical treatment method was rigid fixation of the lateral malleolus and deep deltoid ligament augamentation instead of syndesmosis screw fixation.The effect of the surgical method was observed. Results: The average follow up was (24±12) months (6-40 months). The mean degree of dorsiflexion was 17.8°±6.8° (5°-30°), with 3.8°±6.0° (0°-15°) less than that in normal side, the mean degree of plantar flexion was 46.9°±7.9°, with 1.9°±3.9° (0°-10°) less than that in normal side.The mean Philips and Schwartz score was 96.8±5.1 (82-100), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Score was 97.4±4.6 (84-100). Conclusion: In the treatment of ankle fracture associated with deltoid ligament injury and syndesmosis diastasis, the deep component augmentation and superficial component repairing and proper rehabilitation can benefit the functional recovery.

[Evaluation of the proximal femur geometry in patients with elderly osteoporotic hip fractures]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the proximal femur geometry and elderly osteoporotic hip fractures. Methods: From May 2015 to December 2015, 137 patients with elderly osteoporotic hip fractures were involved.69 cases were in the fracture group and 68 cases were in the control group.CT scan were performed on all patients and the proximal femur geometry parameters were measured, including the neck width (NW), neck length (NL), neck shaft angle (NSA), femur head diameter (FHD), head height (HH) and Offset.Statistical analysis was performed between two groups. Results: The results of single factor analysis showed that age, sex, NL, FHD, NSA and Offset had significantly differences between two groups (P<0.05). The multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex, NL and NSA were independent risk factor for the hip fractures.The ROC curve analysis showed that area under curve (AUC) were 0.818, 0.818 and 0.725, respectively. Conclusions: The patients with older age, longer NL and larger NSA might be prone to hip fracture and it was an effective and feasible method to reconstruct and measure the CT data of the proximal femur with Mimics software.

Sex-related variations in cortical and trabecular bone of the femoral neck in an elderly Chinese population

Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was used to investigate sex-related variations in cortical and trabecular bone of the femoral neck. Cortical bone thickness of women in the superior quadrant was thinner than that of men, and the cortex in all four quadrants was negatively associated with age in women.

INTRODUCTION

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate sex-related similarities and differences in femoral neck structure in an elderly Chinese population by QCT bone investigational toolkit (BIT) analysis.

METHODS

This study included 207 male (67.9 ± 7.7 years; range, 55-87 years) and 400 female subjects (68.0 ± 8.7 years; range, 55-96 years). BIT module was used to measure cortical and trabecular bone in anatomic quadrants of the femoral neck. Measurements of cortical thickness (Ct.Th), cortical vBMD (Ct.vBMD), trabecular vBMD (Tb.vBMD), and integral vBMD (It.vBMD) at the femoral neck were determined in four anatomical sectors.

RESULTS

The greatest difference between sexes, after adjusting for age, height, and weight, was in Ct.Th of Quadrant Supero-anterior (SA), which was 27.4% lower in women (p<0.001). Ct.Th of Quadrant Supero-posterior (SP) was 15.1% lower in women (p = 0.027). Ct.Th and Tb.vBMD in all four quadrants appeared to be negatively associated with age in females, whereas no significant relationship was observed in males, except Ct.Th of Quadrant SP.

CONCLUSIONS

The superior femoral neck geometry between males and females was significantly different, even after adjustment for body size and age, and the sub-regional cortical and trabecular bone negatively age-related changes in women indicated that women apparently have a more vulnerable geometrical outcome with age for fractures than men.

A novel Sugarcane bacilliform virus promoter confers gene expression preferentially in the vascular bundle and storage parenchyma of the sugarcane culm

BACKGROUND

Saccharum species such as sugarcane and energy cane are key players in the expanding bioeconomy for sugars, bioenergy, and production of high-value proteins. Genomic tools such as culm-regulated promoters would be of great value in terms of improving biomass characteristics through enhanced carbon metabolism for sugar accumulation and/or fiber content for biofuel feedstock. Unlike the situation in dicots, monocot promoters currently used are limited and mostly derived from highly expressed constitutive plant genes and viruses. In this study, a novel promoter region of Sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV; genus Badnavirus, family Caulimoviridae), SCBV21 was cloned and mapped by deletion analysis and functionally characterized transiently in monocot and dicot species and stably in sugarcane.

RESULTS

In silico analysis of SCBV21 [1816 base pair (bp)] identified two putative promoter regions (PPR1 and PPR2) with transcription start sites (TSS1 and TSS2) and two TATA-boxes (TATAAAT and ATATAA), and several vascular-specific and regulatory elements. Deletion analysis revealed that the 710 bp region spanning PPR2 (with TSS2 and ATATAA) at the 3' end of SCBV21 retained the full promoter activity in both dicots and monocots, as shown by transient expression of the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) gene. In sugarcane young leaf segments, SCBV21 directed a 1.8- and 2.4-fold higher transient EYFP expression than the common maize ubiquitin 1 (Ubi1) and Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoters, respectively. In transgenic sugarcane, SCBV21 conferred a preferential expression of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene in leaves and culms and specifically in the culm storage parenchyma surrounding the vascular bundle and in vascular phloem cells. Among the transgenic events and tissues characterized in this study, the SCBV21 promoter frequently produced higher GUS activity than the Ubi1 or 35S promoters in a manner that was not obviously correlated with the transgene copy number.

CONCLUSIONS

The newly developed plant viral SCBV21 promoter is distinct from the few existing SCBV promoters in its sequence and expression pattern. The potential of SCBV21 as a tissue-regulated promoter with a strong activity in the culm vascular bundle and its storage parenchyma makes it useful in sugarcane engineering for improved carbon metabolism, increased bioenergy production, and enhanced stress tolerance.

[The expression and significance of heparanase in oral squamous cell carcinoma with different metastatic potentials]

Objective: To detect the expression of heparanase (HPSE) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with different metastatic potentials and investigate its clinical significance. Methods: Transcriptional and translational status of HPSE in OSCC cell lines with different metastatic capacities, primary OSCC samples and their paired metastatic cancer tissues were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate HPSE expression in 131 OSCC samples. The correlation between HPSE expression pattern and clinicopathological parameters and clinical outcome in patients with OSCC were analyzed. HPSE level was reduced using HPSE-siRNAs in OSCC cell lines and its impact on cell migration and invasion was measured by scratch assay and matrigel invasion assay. Results: The mRNA and protein levels of HPSE were remarkably up-regulated in OSCC cell lines with highly metastatic capacity (P<0.000 1) and metastatic OSCC tissues (P<0.000 1). The protein levels of HPSE were strongly associated with lymph node metastasis (P<0.000 1) and tumor node metastasis stage (P=0.012). Survival analyses revealed that high HPSE expression was associated with worse overall survival (P=0.000 3). Multivariate Cox proportional analyses indicated that HPSE expression was strongly associated with clinical outcome in patients with OSCC (HR=2.203, 95% CI: 1.203-3.988, P=0.009). The siRNA-mediated silencing of HPSE could suppress the migration and invasion (P=0.008) of HN12 cells in vitro. Conclusions: The up-regulation of HPSE contributes to invasion and metastasis of OSCC. HPSE may serve as a useful biomarker for patients with OSCC.

[Safety and efficacy of partial nephrectomy for solitary kidney tumor]

Objective: To explore the safety and clinical efficacy of partial nephrectomy for solitary kidney tumor. Methods: Twenty patients with a functional or anatomic solitary kidney who underwent nephron-sparing surgery for one or more renal masses were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 male and 5 female patients with mean age of 63 years.Patients were divided into open partial nephrectomy(OPN) group and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy(LPN) group, the two groups were followed up.Demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed using student t-test for continuous variables, and the χ² test for categorical variables. Results: There were 21 tumors whose maximum diameter were 1.5 to 6.0 cm, the mean size was (3.7±1.3)cm, mean operative time was (205.3±81.8)minutes, and median estimated blood loss was 385.6 ml.Five cases accepted blood transfusion intro-operation, 1 case appeared leakage of urine post-operation, none had obvious fever.Eighteen cases were clear cell carcinoma, 2 cases were chromophobe renal carcinoma, 1 case was papillary renal cell carcinoma.Seventeen cases were T1aNxM0, 3 cases were T1bNxM0, 1 case was T3NxM0.One case lost to follow up, the others had completed a mean follow-up of 21.5 months (ranging from 1 to 53 months). One case recurred, no one had metastasis, all patients were alive.The hemoglobin ((114.9±19.6)g/L) and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) ((46.5±18.2) ml/min) of postoperative day were lesser than pre-operation ((130.7±18.8)g/L, (58.0±16.4) ml/min), while the serum creatinine was higher ((123.8±39.8) μmol/L vs.(90.9±33.2) μmol/L). Three months after operation, hemoglobin, serum creatinine and eGFR had no difference with pre-operative.Compared with OPN group, LPN group gain less blood loss (306 ml vs.510 ml)(t=-2.38, P=0.03), had shorter length of stays (15 d vs.21 d)(t=-3.34, P=0.04), had longer time of renal artery clamping (25.8 min vs.16.5 min)(t=2.60, P=0.02). Conclusions: Partial nephrectomy is secure and effective selection for solitary kidney tumor.The LPN has less trauma, gain less blood loss, recover faster and has shorter length of stays than the OPN, which needs shorter ischaemic time.

LYAR promotes colorectal cancer cell mobility by activating galectin-1 expression

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms of CRC pathogenesis are not fully understood. In this study, we report the characterization of LYAR (Ly-1 antibody reactive clone) as a key regulator of the migration and invasion of human CRC cells. Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that LYAR is expressed at a higher level in metastatic CRC tissues. We found that LYAR promoted the migratory and invasive capabilities of CRC cells. Gene expression profile analysis of CRC cells showed that LGALS1, which encodes the galectin-1 protein, was a potential target of LYAR. The ChIP assay and gene reporter assays indicated that LYAR directly bound to the LGALS1 promoter. The ectopic expression of galectin-1 partially restored the mobile potential of LYAR knocked-down cells, which suggests that galectin-1 contributed to the LYAR-promoted cell migration and invasion of CRC cells. Thus, this study revealed a novel mechanism by which the transcription factor LYAR may promote tumor cell migration and invasion by upregulating galectin-1 gene expression in CRC.

Abstract 4929: UbcH10 may represent a potential marker of gastric carcinoma

Gastric cancer is a fatal disease with limited early diagnostic methods available. There is an urgent need to find more effective targets for early diagnosis and therapeutics. UbcH10 is an ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme with a high expression reported in some cancers. Several gastric tumor cell lines with high or low expression of UbcH10 were exploited to study the role of UbcH10 in gastric cancer. Knocking down of UbcH10 expression using siRNA in high expressing gastric cancer cell lines resulted in reduced proliferation, increased cisplatin-induced apoptosis and reduced serum-induced ERK, Akt and p38 phosphorylation signaling. In agreement, overexpression of UbcH10 expression in low-expression gastric cancer cell lines led to enhanced cell proliferation, resistance to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Most importantly, IHC analyses showed that the UbcH10 protein expressed at a high level in patient gastric cancer tissues, but not in adjacent mesenchyme tissues. These data suggest that UbcH10 may promote gastric cancer growth and can serve as a biomarker for diagnosis or target for new therapeutics in gastric cancer.

Citation Format: Mengxuan Yang, Yingying Qu, Gang Hu, Shiwei Tu, RL Shi, XB Wu, ZQ Hu, QM Zhang, SQ Liu, GF Pan, Ziping Zhang, He Zhou. UbcH10 may represent a potential marker of gastric carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4929.

[Epidemiological analysis of hospitalized patients with femoral neck fracture in a first-class hospital of Beijing]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical parameters of the patients with femoral neck fracture such as general condition, therapy method, hospitalized expense so as to provide more effective management plan for the clinical work.

METHODS

The patients with femoral neck fracture above 50 years who received in-patient treatment from 2008 January to 2012 December were admitted into this study. We collected and analyzed the information, such as age, chronic medical disease, therapy method, hospitalized duration and expense and so on.

RESULTS

There were 1 794 femoral neck fracture patients above 50 years (male/female=1/2.06) in our hospital in recent 5 years and the annual average rate of increase was 7.3%. The average age of the patients was (69.9±10.7) years and the annual average rate of increase was 0.6%. The chronic medical disease diagnosis ratio was 55.0%. The average waiting time for operation was (6.8±4.2) days and the average hospitalized duration was (12.9±4.9) days which showed downward trend in recent years. The most popular operations were cannulated screw internal fixation (41.8%) and artificial femoral head replacement (34.1%). In the study, 146 cases (7.9%) received nonsurgical treatment which showed downward trend. The average hospitalized expense was (35 075.7±11 343.2) yuan which showed no obvious change in recent years. The cost for the females was more than that for the males. The expense for hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty increased while that for cannulated screw internal fixation decreased gradually.

CONCLUSION

The cannulated screw internal fixation and artificial femoral head replacement were the most important operations for the patients with femoral neck fracture. The number and the average age of the patients were on the rise while the expense showed no obvious change in recent years.

[Anterior dislocation of the fibula resulting from surgical malreduction: a case report]

Ankle joint fracture is one of the most common types of fracture. There are many researches on the injury mechanism, treatment principles and surgical techniques. A type of injury which combines posterior dislocation of fibula, known as the Bosworth injury, is relatively rare. In 1947, Bosworth first described this type of injury as an unusual ankle fracture dislocation with fixed posterior fracture dislocation of the distal part of the fibula. In this type of fracture, the proximal fibular shaft fragment locks behind the tibialis posterior tubercle. This rare ankle fracture variant is often not recognized in initial radiographs and requires a computed tomographic (CT) scan for verification. But there are already many reports, discussing the injury mechanism, treatment principles and surgical techniques. However, there are few reports of anterior dislocation of the fibula, caused by either injury or surgery. The mechanism of the injury is still not clear. This article reports a case of anterior dislocation of the fibula. We report a patient with left ankle open fracture (Lauge-Hansen pronation-external rotation stage III, Gustilo IIIA). Open reduction and internal fixation was done in the initial surgery, but ended up with poor reduction, resulting in fibula anterior dislocation, anterior dislocation of talus and tibia fibular dislocation. The fibula was dislocated anteriorly of the tibia, which rarely happened. The patient suffered severe ankle joint dysfunction. The second operation took out the original internal fixation, reduced the fracture, and reset the internal fixation. The function of ankle joint was improved obviously after operation. But because of the initial injury and the two operations, the soft tissue around the fracture was greatly damaged. 6 months after the second operation, and the fracture still not healed, so the bone graft was carried out in the third surgery. Two months after the third surgery, the function of the ankle was significantly better than before, but the fracture healing was poor, which needed further review. Through this case, we understand the rare type of ankle fracture with anterior dislocation of the fibula, and recognize that the timing and quality of initial surgery has a great impact on the patient's prognosis and rehabilitation period.

Cloning and sequence analysis of the coding sequence of β-actin cDNA from the Chinese alligator and suitable internal reference primers from the β-actin gene

β-Actin is an essential component of the cytoskeleton and is stably expressed in various tissues of animals, thus, it is commonly used as an internal reference for gene expression studies. In this study, a 1731-bp fragment of β-actin cDNA from Alligator sinensis was obtained using the homology cloning technique. Sequence analysis showed that this fragment contained the complete coding sequence of the β-actin gene (1128 bp), encoding 375 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of β-actin is highly conserved and its nucleotide sequence is slightly variable. Multiple alignment analyses showed that the nucleotide sequence of the β-actin gene from A. sinensis is very similar to sequences from birds, with 94-95% identity. Ten pairs of primers with different product sizes and different annealing temperatures were screened by PCR amplification, agarose gel electrophoresis, and DNA sequencing, and could be used as internal reference primers in gene expression studies. This study expands our knowledge of β-actin gene phylogenetic evolution and provides a basis for quantitative gene expression studies in A. sinensis.

[Management of pelvic injury associated with complete anterior sacroiliac joint dislocation]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the management of pelvic injury associated with complete anterior sacroiliac joint dislocation.

METHODS

In the study, 6 cases of pelvic injury associated with complete anterior sacroiliac joint dislocation treated in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from February 2008 to June 2014 were analyzed. We described the history and severity of injury, emergency treatment, and fracture radiology. In all the cases, the surgical treatment and postoperative functional exercise were performed. We followed up all the cases on an average of 1.6 years, assessed the postoperative recovery and summed up the treatment experience.

RESULTS

All the 6 patients with fractures recovered without infection and nerve symptoms after surgery. Their X-rays showed good reduction of sacroiliac joints. All the cases were followed up on an average of 1.6 years. Six months after surgery, the Majeed scores were perfect in 2 cases, good in 2, fair in 1, and poor in 1. The patients with poor scores suffered persistent pain, and decreased physical activity, and when walking long distances, they needed a walking stick. The 2 patients with low scores could not resume the original work.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic injury associated with complete anterior sacroiliac joint dislocation is a special type of the pelvic injury since the managements during the emergency phase are difficult.The surgery should be done as early as possible, and the anterior approach is available for the reduction and fixation.

[Pregnancy-related pelvic ring disease and its treatment]

Pregnancy-related pelvic ring disease brings great suffering to pregnant women, including the separation of the pubic symphysis and sacroiliac joint pain. Hormonal changes leading to ligamentous laxity is the main reason for Pregnancy-related pelvic ring disease. In normal pregnant cases, and the physiologic widening at the symphysis is about 3-7 mm. When the widening of the symphysis is more than 10 mm, it may lead to symptoms and need active treatment. Currently the diagnosis of the pubic symphysis separation is based on the clinical symptoms and signs. The treatment of acute pubic symphysis separation bases on conservative therapy, includes bed rest and physical therapy. But when the widening of the symphysis is more than 4 cm, the surgery intervention may be a good treatment. If the conservative treatment is not obviously effective, the surgery consists of plate fixation in the pubic symphysis and sacroiliac screw fixation. Other indications for the surgical intervention include inadequate reduction, recurrent diastasis, intractable symptoms, and open rupture.

The clinical significance and risk factors of solitary lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer

AIMS

To assess the clinical significance and risk factors of solitary lymph node metastasis (SLM) in gastric carcinoma and establish a more accurate method to evaluate the possibility of lymph node metastasis (LM).

METHODS

A total of 385 patients with gastric carcinoma who underwent D2 lymphadenectomy at the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University were included in this research. Then we used a group of data from Sun Yat-sen University Gastrointestinal Hospital (SYSUGIH) to validate the accuracy of our developed method. The χ2 test, Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test, COX model, and discriminate analysis were used to analyze the data with SPSS13.0.

RESULTS

We found that the LM number and pathological T staging were independent prognostic risk factors. CEA grading, LN status by CT, and T staging by CT were independent risk factors for LM in gastric carcinoma. In addition, we developed the equation Y = -5.0 + X1 + 1.8X3 + 0.7X4 (X1 = CEA grading, X3 = LN status by CT, X4 = T staging by CT) to evaluate the situation of LM. The data from SYSUGIH shows this equation has a better accuracy compared with CT.

CONCLUSIONS

SLM is an independent risk factor in gastric cancer. And there was no survival difference between the skip metastasis group and the other SLM group (P = 0.659). It is inappropriate for the patient with SLM doing a standard D2 lymphadenectomy, due to the fact that LM rarely occurs in the splenic artery, splenic hilum. The risk factors for LM include CEA grading, LN status by CT, and T staging by CT. And we can use Y = -5.0 + X1 + 1.8X3 + 0.7X4 (X1, CEA grading, X3 = LN status by CT, X4 = T staging by CT, the critical value is 0.3) to estimate the possibility of LM, which has a better accuracy compared with CT.

MCPH1 Protein Expression in Normal and Neoplastic Lung Tissues

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in the world. The main types are small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), the latter including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. NSCLCs account for about 80% of all lung cancer cases. Microcephalin (MCPH1), also called BRIT1 (BRCT-repeat inhibitor of hTERT expression), plays an important role in the maintenance of genomic stability. Recently, several studies have provided evidence that the expression of MCPH1 gene is decreased in several different types of human cancers. We evaluated the expression of protein MCPH1 in 188 lung cancer and 20 normal lung tissues by immunohistochemistry. Positive MCPH1 staining was found in all normal lung samples and only some cancerous tissues. MCPH1-positive cells were significantly lower in lung carcinoma compared with normal tissues. Furthermore, we firstly found that MCPH1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma is higher than its expression in squamous cell carcinoma. Change in MCPH1 protein expression may be associated with lung tumorigenesis and may be a useful biomarker for identification of pathological types of lung cancer.

Pancreatic Insulinoma Misdiagnosed as Epilepsy for Eight Years: A Case Report and Literature Review

A 58-year-old Chinese man presented with intermittent seizure episodes after being misdiagnosed with epilepsy for eight years. MRI revealed an abnormally strong signal in the distal pancreas. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with pancreatic insulinoma based on the histological findings, and his symptoms improved following surgical removal of the tumor. The appearance of unusual manifestations of insulinoma makes it difficult to diagnose the condition. This disorder should be included in the differential diagnosis of epilepsy and mental illness.

[Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells rather than spleen-derived dendritic cells can generate regulatory T cells]

There are many evidences that dendritic cells (DC) can establish and maintain immunological tolerance through inducing the differentiation of regulatory T cells Treg. This study was purposed to explore the possibility to gene-rate Treg from bone marrow-derived DC (BM-DC) or spleen-derived DC (spDC) generated CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) Treg by induction. Bone marrow immature DC (imDC) induced from bone marrow precursor cells of C57BL/6 mice by GM-CSF and IL-4; after culture for 6 day, imDC were stimulated by LPS for additional 16 hours and the mature DC (mDC) have been got; the spDC were collected from spleen of C57BL/6 mice by MACS. Co-culturing fresh BALB/c mouse CD4(+) T cells with these three sorts of DC above mentioned respectively was performed to generate CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) Treg. The expression of FOXP3 in CD4(+) T cells was detected by flow cytometry, and the capacity of different DC generated CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) Treg was evaluated. The results showed that stimulated by C57BL/6 immature or mature DC, the positive rate of FOXP3 in BALB/c CD4(+) T cells increased from (8.57 ± 1.14)% to (15.80 ± 1.35)%, (17.93 ± 1.45)% respectively (P < 0.01); while stimulated by spDC, the positive rate of FOXP3 in BALB/c CD4(+) T cells decreased from (8.57 ± 1.14)% to (3.95 ± 0.79)% (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the BM-DC but not spDC can generate Treg from CD4(+) T cells, BM-DC may mediate immune tolerance rather than the immune response.

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for the endangered Chinese yew Taxus chinensis var. mairei (Taxaceae)

We isolated and characterized 11 microsatellite loci for the Chinese yew, Taxus chinensis var. mairei, an endangered tree species in China, by constructing a (CA)(12)-enriched library. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 to 10. The observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.2500 to 0.8333 and the expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.5196 to 0.8680. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected at these loci. However, four loci significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The null alleles were found to be present at locus Tach9 and locus Tach11 by the Micro-checker test (P < 0.001). These polymorphic loci could be employed in research of gene flow and spatial genetic patterns of T. chinensis var. mairei.

Empirical assessment of state-and-transition models with a long-term vegetation record from the Sonoran Desert

Resilience-based frameworks, including state-and-transition models (STM), are being increasingly called upon to inform policy and guide ecosystem management, particularly in rangelands. Yet, multiple challenges impede their effective implementation: (1) paucity of empirical tests of resilience concepts, such as alternative states and thresholds, and (2) heavy reliance on expert models, which are seldom tested against empirical data. We developed an analytical protocol to identify unique plant communities and their transitions, and applied it to a long-term vegetation record from the Sonoran Desert (1953-2009). We assessed whether empirical trends were consistent with resilience concepts, and evaluated how they may inform the construction and interpretation of expert STMs. Seven statistically distinct plant communities were identified based on the cover of 22 plant species in 68 permanent transects. We recorded 253 instances of community transitions, associated with changes in species composition between successive samplings. Expectedly, transitions were more frequent among proximate communities with similar species pools than among distant communities. But unexpectedly, communities and transitions were not strongly constrained by soil type and topography. Only 18 transitions featured disproportionately large compositional turnover (species dissimilarity ranged between 0.54 and 0.68), and these were closely associated with communities that were dominated by the common shrub (burroweed, Haplopappus tenuisecta); indicating that only some, and not all, communities may be prone to large compositional change. Temporal dynamics in individual transects illustrated four general trajectories: stability, nondirectional drift, reversibility, and directional shifts that were not reversed even after 2-3 decades. The frequency of transitions and the accompanying species dissimilarity were both positively correlated with fluctuation in precipitation, indicating that climatic drivers require more attention in STMs. Many features of the expert models, including the number of communities and participant species, were consistent with empirical trends, but expert models underrepresented recent increases in cacti while overemphasizing the introduced Lehmann's lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana). Quantification of communities and transitions within long-term vegetation records presents several quantitative metrics such as transition frequency, magnitude of accompanying compositional change, presence of unidirectional trajectories, and lack of reversibility within various timescales, which can clarify resilience concepts and inform the construction and interpretation of STMs.

Tissue metabolomic fingerprinting reveals metabolic disorders associated with human gastric cancer morbidity

The principal way to improve the outcome of gastric cancer (GC) is to predict carcinogenesis and metastasis at an early stage. The aims of the present study were to test the hypothesis that distinct metabolic profiles are reflected in GC tissues and to further explore potential biomarkers for GC diagnosis. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was utilized to analyze tissue metabolites from 30 GC patients. A diagnostic model for GC was constructed using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and the metabolomic data were analyzed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum test to identify the metabolic tissue biomarkers for GC. Over 100 signals were routinely detected in one single total ion current (TIC) chromatogram, and the OPLS-DA model generated from the metabolic profile of the tissues adequately discriminated the GC tissues from the normal mucosae. Among the low-molecular-weight endogenous metabolites, a total of 41 compounds, such as amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids and steroids, were detected, and 15 differential metabolites were identified with significant difference (p<0.05). A total of 20 variables were noted which contributed to a great extent in the discriminating OPLS-DA model (VIP value >1.0), among which 12 metabolites were identified using both VIP values (VIP >1) and the Wilcoxon test (p<0.05). In conclusion, the identification of the metabolites associated with GC morbidity potentially revealed perturbations of glycolysis, fatty acid β-oxidation, cholesterol and amino acid metabolism. These results suggest that tissue metabolic profiles have great potential in detecting GC and may aid in understanding its underlying mechanisms.

[Detection of single-walled carbon nanotube bundles by tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy]

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful technique in the characterization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). However, this spectral method is subject to two obstacles. One is spatial resolution, namely the diffraction limits of light, and the other is its inherent small Raman cross section and weak signal. To resolve these problems, a new approach has been developed, denoted tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). TERS has been demonstrated to be a powerful spectroscopic and microscopic technique to characterize nanomaterial or nanostructures. Excited by a focused laser beam, an enhanced electric field is generated in the vicinity of a metallic tip because of the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) and lightening rod effect. Consequently, Raman signal from the sample area illuminated by the enhanced field nearby the tip is enhanced. At the same time, the topography is obtained in the nanometer scale. The exact corresponding relationship between the localized Raman and the topography makes the Raman identification at the nanometer scale to be feasible. In the present paper, based on an inverted microscope and a metallic AFM tip, a tip-enhanced Raman system was set up. The radius of the Au-coated metallic tip is about 30 nm. The 532 nm laser passes through a high numerical objective (NA0.95) from the bottom to illuminate the tip to excite the enhanced electric field. Corresponding with the AFM image, the tip-enhanced near-field Raman of a 100 nm diameter single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) bundles was obtained. The SWNTs were prepared by arc method. Furthermore, the near-field Raman of about 3 SWNTs of the bundles was received with the spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit. Compared with the far-field Raman, the enhancement factor of the tip-enhanced Raman is more than 230. With the super-diffraction spatial resolution and the tip-enhanced Raman ability, tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy will play an important role in the nano-material and nano-structure characterization.

Correlation of APC MCR mutation with colorectal neoplasms

AIM: To explore relationship of codon 1493, 1367 and 1328 mutations in mutation cluster region (MCR) of exon 15 of Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene in cases of colorectal neoplasm with the family history.

METHODS: The specimens were prepared for DNA extraction from 21 colorectal adenoma specimens, 16 colorectal carcinoma, 20 healthy germline groups with positive familial history and 8 healthy germline groups without family history. Then MCR of APC gene exon 15 were specifically amplified and sequenced by ABI3100 Genetic Analyzer, and the codon mutations were statistically analyzed among the 4 groups and variation genotypes, and then tested with Chi-square.

RESULTS: The codon mutations of APC MCR from total samples were three variations: 1493(ACG>ACA), 63/69(91.3%); 1367(CAG>TAG), 1/69(1.4%) and 1328(CAG>TAG), 5/69(7.2%)Four genotypes such as 4478 (G→A), 4478 (G/A), 4096 (C/T) and 3979 (C/T) were found out. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were noted between the adenoma group and non-family history group on the analysis of 4478 (G→A) and (G/A), also noted between family history group and no family history group on the analysis of 4478 (G→A). The significant differences (P < 0.05) in pathogenic mutant phenotypes were involved between 4478 (G→A) with 4478 (G/A), 4096 (C/T) and 3979 (C/T), respectively, also between 4478 (G/A) with 4096 (C/T) and 3979 (C/T), but not between 4096 (C/T) and 3979 (C/T).

CONCLUSION: The most frequently present 4478 (G→A) of 1493 (ACG>ACA) is the phenotype of positive history group and adenoma group. In researches, APC MCR codon 1367 and 1328 genotyping are significantly present only in somatic cells of the colorectal cancergenetic phenotypes.

Assessing the influence of field- and GIS-based inquiry on student attitude and conceptual knowledge in an undergraduate ecology lab

Combining field experience with use of information technology has the potential to create a problem-based learning environment that engages learners in authentic scientific inquiry. This study, conducted over a 2-yr period, determined differences in attitudes and conceptual knowledge between students in a field lab and students with combined field and geographic information systems (GIS) experience. All students used radio-telemetry equipment to locate fox squirrels, while one group of students was provided an additional data set in a GIS to visualize and quantify squirrel locations. Pre/postsurveys and tests revealed that attitudes improved in year 1 for both groups of students, but differences were minimal between groups. Attitudes generally declined in year 2 due to a change in the authenticity of the field experience; however, attitudes for students that used GIS declined less than those with field experience only. Conceptual knowledge also increased for both groups in both years. The field-based nature of this lab likely had a greater influence on student attitude and conceptual knowledge than did the use of GIS. Although significant differences were limited, GIS did not negatively impact student attitude or conceptual knowledge but potentially provided other benefits to learners.

[Application of near-field Raman spectroscopy to nano-structure characterization]

Near-field Raman spectroscopy is a novel technology in the near-field optics, and attracts much attention of scientists because of the realization of spectral characterization of nano-structure. The technical advantage of Raman spectroscopy is described in the present review. The principle and practical technical scheme of near-field Raman spectroscopy systems are introduced. Several applications of near-field Raman spectroscopy are mentioned in detail, including carbon nanotube characterization, biological specimen imaging, thermoelectric crystal characterization, dye single molecule detection etc., revealing a broad prospect of the development of near-field Raman spectroscopy in various scientific research fields.

[Transfection efficiency of adenoviral vector AD5/F35 to malignant hematopoietic cells of different origins]

This study was aimed to investigate the transfection efficiency of adenoviral vector AD5/F35 to hematopoietic malignant cells lines of various origins and AD5/F35 cytotoxicity. The hematologic malignant cell lines of various origins were transfected by AD5/F35-EGFP at different multiple of infection (MOI) and AD5-EGFP was used as control; the proportion of fluorescence positive cells was detected by flow cytometry; the killing effect of virus on infective target cells was assayed by MTT and observed by fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that the transfection efficiency of AD5/F35 vector to cell line of myeloid origin was > 99% at MOI = 30, the transfective efficiency of AD5 vector was 26.4% at MOI = 1,000; the transfection efficiency of AD5/F35 vector and AD5 vector to cell line of B cell origin were 11.7% and 5.7%, respectively, at MOI = 1,000. AD5/F35 and AD5 vectors could not effectively transfect cells of T cell origin, no fluorescence positive cells were detected at MOI = 1,000; no significant killing effect of AD5/F35 vector on infective target cells was observed at MOI = 1,000. It is concluded that AD5/F35 vector infection has definite selectivity to hematologic malignant cells of various origin, the infection ability of AD5/F35 vector to cells of myeloid origin is stronger than that to cells of B cell origin, the cytotoxicity of AD5/F35 vector to infective target cells is small. The AD5/F35 vector is preferable to AD5 vector in respect of infection ability and offers good prospects of application in gene therapy for myeloid leukemia cells as target cells.

[Construction of rAAV2-GPIIb/IIIa vector and test of its expression and function in vitro]

This study was aimed to explore the possibility of rAAV2 vector-mediating gene therapy for Glanzmann' s thrombasthenia. The rAAV2-GPIIb/IIIa vector was constructed. The GPIIb/IIIa gene expression in mammal cell were examined by different methods, such as: detection of mRNA expression in BHK-21 cells after 24 hours of infection (MOI = 1 x 10(5) v.g/cell) was performed by RT-PCR; the relation between MOI and quantity of GPII6/IIIa gene expression was detected by FACS after 48 hours of infection; GPIIb/IIIa protein expression in BHK-21 cells after 48 hours of infection (MOI = 10(5) v x g/cell) was assayed by Western blot, GPIIb/IIIa protein expression on cell surface was detected by immunofluorescence, and the biological function of expressing product was determined by PAC-1 conjunct experiments. The results showed that GPIIb/IIIa gene expression in mRNA level could be detected in BHK-21 cells after 24 hours of infection at MOI = 1 x 10(5) v x g/cell and the GPIIb/IIIa gene expression in protein level could be detected in BHK-21 cells after 48 hours of infection at MOI = 1 x 10(5) v x g/cell. In certain range, quantity of GPIIb/IIIa gene expression increased with MOI, but overdose of MOI decreased quantity of GPIIb/IIIa gene expression. Activated product of GPIIb/IIIa gene expression could combined with PAC-I, and possesed normal biological function. In conclusion, rAAV2 vactor can effectively mediate GPIIb and GPIIIa gene expressing in mammal cells, and the products of these genes exhibit biological function. This result may provide a basis for application of rAAV2 vector in Glanzmann's thrombasthenia gene therapy in furture.

C-terminus mutations of Acremonium chrysogenum deacetoxy/deacetylcephalosporin C synthase with improved activity toward penicillin analogs

Deacetoxy/deacetylcephalosporin C synthase (acDAOC/DACS) from Acremonium chrysogenum is a bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes both the ring-expansion of penicillin N to deacetoxycephalosporin C (DAOC) and the hydroxylation of the latter to deacetylcephalosporin C (DAC). Three residues N305, R307 and R308 located in close proximity to the C-terminus of acDAOC/DACS were each mutated to leucine. The N305L and R308L mutant acDAOC/DACSs showed significant improvement in their ability to convert penicillin analogs. R308 was identified for the first time as a critical residue for DAOC/DACS activity. Kinetic analyses of purified R308L enzyme indicated its improved catalytic efficiency is due to combined improvements of K(m) and k(cat). Comparative modeling of acDAOC/DACS supports the involvement of R308 in the formation of substrate-binding pocket.