Radioactive iodine therapy for follicular thyroid cancer: a 15 years follow-up study of Chinese patients

PURPOSE

To identify long-term predictors of distant metastases (DM) and the overall survival (OS) of follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) patients who underwent radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. And to expand the knowledge about the clinical course and experience of RAI treatment for FTC.

MATERIALS

A total of 117 FTC patients who underwent RAI therapy at our institution from 2005 to 2020 were retrospectively studied. Patient characteristics, serum stimulating thyroglobulin (sTg) and thyroglobulin antibody levels, treatment process and follow-up data were collected until 26 April 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 16 patients (13.7%) were lost to follow-up. A total of 23 (19.7%) patients with DM died and all FTC without DM were still alive. DM was seen in 58.4% (59/101) of patients. The most common location for metastatic lesions was the lung. Then was bone. The mean survival time of FTC with RAI was 156 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 142-171]. Five-year and 10-year cumulative survival rates of them were 88.8% and 67.4%, respectively. As for patients with DM were 80.4% and 41.3%, respectively. Age at diagnosis [odds ratio (OR) = 1.080, P  = 0.009], RAI therapy sessions (OR = 2.959, P  = 0.001) and sTg level (OR = 1.006, P  = 0.002) were predictive of DM occurrence in FTC with RAI. In the group of FTC with DM, survival analysis showed that males were more likely to have a lower OS than females ( P  = 0.039).

CONCLUSION

Age, number of RAI therapy sessions, and sTg level were predictive of the occurrence of DM in FTC patients with RAI. Sex would influence the OS of FTC patients with DM.

A recently evolved BAHD acetyltransferase, responsible for bitter soyasaponin A production, is indispensable for soybean seed germination

Soyasaponins are major small molecules that accumulate in soybean (Glycine max) seeds. Among them, type-A soyasaponins, fully acetylated at the terminal sugar of their C22 sugar chain, are responsible for the bitter taste of soybean-derived foods. However, the molecular basis for the acetylation of type-A soyasaponins remains unclear. Here, we identify and characterize GmSSAcT1, encoding a BADH-type soyasaponin acetyltransferase that catalyzes three or four consecutive acetylations on type-A soyasaponins in vitro and in planta. Phylogenetic analysis and biochemical assays suggest that GmSSAcT1 likely evolved from acyltransferases present in leguminous plants involved in isoflavonoid acylation. Loss-of-function mutants of GmSSAcT1 exhibited impaired seed germination, which attribute to the excessive accumulation of null-acetylated type-A soyasaponins. We conclude that GmSSAcT1 not only functions as a detoxification gene for high accumulation of type-A soyasaponins in soybean seeds but is also a promising target for breeding new soybean varieties with lower bitter soyasaponin content.

m6A Reader YTHDC1 Inhibits Ferroptosis and Radiosensitivity by Promoting SREBF1 mRNA Nuclear Export in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Radioresistance is the main reason for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) recurrence leading to treatment failure, and inducing ferroptosis has gradually been a new way to enhance radiosensitivity. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is involved in regulation of numerous biological processes. However, whether m6A affects ferroptosis in NPC is still unclear. In this study, we conducted a siRNA library screening to identify m6A reader YTHDC1 as an essential oncogene that suppressed ferroptosis and radiosensitivity by promoting SREBF1 mRNA nuclear export in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

MATERIALS/METHODS

The expression and function of YTHDC1 were assessed via CCK8 cell viability assay, immunostaining, real-time PCR, western blot, radiation clonogenic assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization assay. Ferroptosis was determined by detecting cell viability, lipid peroxidation, abnormal mitochondrial and cell death rate. The in vivo effects of YTHDC1 were examined with RSL3 treatment or lentivirus modification of YTHDC1 expression in radiated mouse models.

RESULTS

Based on RSL3-induced ferroptotic cell death model and a siRNA library about m6A modification associated gene screening, we identified m6A reader YTHDC1 could inhibit ferroptosis as well as radiosensitivity of NPC, both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, YTHDC1 protein could recognize m6A sites in the CDS region and 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of SREBF1 mRNA and promote SREBF1 mRNA nuclear export, which finally resulted in transcriptional upregulation of genes key to ferroptosis such as SCD and FASN. Furthermore, the high expression of YTHDC1 was negatively regulated by ZNF598 via ubiquitination and associated with unfavorable survival in NPC patients due to radioresistance.

CONCLUSION

Our findings reveal the critical role of YTHDC1 specifically in inhibiting ferroptosis and radiosensitivity via m6A-dependent mechanism and provide an exploitable target and therapeutic strategy for overcoming radioresistance in NPC.

Genome-wide scan for oil quality reveals a coregulation mechanism of tocopherols and fatty acids in soybean seeds

Tocopherols (vitamin E) play essential roles in human health because of their antioxidant activity, and plant-derived oils are the richest sources of tocopherols in the human diet. Although soybean (Glycine max) is one of the main sources of plant-derived oil and tocopherol in the world, the relationship between tocopherol and oil in soybean seeds remains unclear. Here, we focus on dissecting tocopherol metabolism with the long-term goal of increasing α-tocopherol content and soybean oil quality. We first collected tocopherol and fatty acid profiles in a soybean population (>800 soybean accessions) and found that tocopherol content increased during soybean domestication. A strong positive correlation between tocopherol and oil content was also detected. Five tocopherol pathway-related loci were identified using a metabolite genome-wide association study strategy. Genetic variations in three tocopherol pathway genes were responsible for total tocopherol content and composition in the soybean population through effects on enzyme activity, mainly caused by non-conserved amino acid substitution or changes in gene transcription level. Moreover, the fatty acid regulatory transcription factor GmZF351 directly activated tocopherol pathway gene expression, increasing both fatty acid and tocopherol contents in soybean seeds. Our study reveals the functional differentiation of tocopherol pathway genes in soybean populations and provides a framework for development of new soybean varieties with high α-tocopherol content and oil quality in seeds.

The spinach YY genome reveals sex chromosome evolution, domestication, and introgression history of the species

Background

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is a dioecious species with an XY sex chromosome system, but its Y chromosome has not been fully characterized. Our knowledge about the history of its domestication and improvement remains limited.

Results

A high-quality YY genome of spinach is assembled into 952 Mb in six pseudo-chromosomes. By a combination of genetic mapping, Genome-Wide Association Studies, and genomic analysis, we characterize a 17.42-Mb sex determination region (SDR) on chromosome 1. The sex chromosomes of spinach evolved when an insertion containing sex determination genes occurred, followed by a large genomic inversion about 1.98 Mya. A subsequent burst of SDR-specific repeats (0.1–0.15 Mya) explains the large size of this SDR. We identify a Y-specific gene, NRT1/PTR 6.4 which resides in this insertion, as a strong candidate for the sex determination or differentiation factor. Resequencing of 112 spinach genomes reveals a severe domestication bottleneck approximately 10.87 Kya, which dates the domestication of spinach 7000 years earlier than the archeological record. We demonstrate that a strong selection signal associated with internode elongation and leaf area expansion is associated with domestication of edibility traits in spinach. We find that several strong genomic introgressions from the wild species Spinacia turkestanica and Spinacia tetrandra harbor desirable alleles of genes related to downy mildew resistance, frost resistance, leaf morphology, and flowering-time shift, which likely contribute to spinach improvement.

Conclusions

Analysis of the YY genome uncovers evolutionary forces shaping nascent sex chromosome evolution in spinach. Our findings provide novel insights about the domestication and improvement of spinach.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13059-022-02633-x.

[Association between platelet parameters and risk for stroke in people with different blood pressure levels: Dongfeng-Tongji cohort]

Objective: To explore the associations of platelet parameters platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and plateletcrit (PCT) with the risk for stroke in people with different blood pressure levels. Methods: All the participants were from Dongfeng-Tongji cohort, including 38 295 retired employees from Dongfeng Motor Corporation at the first follow-up survey. After excluding participants with coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, history of platelet influential drug use and those with missed data of platelet parameters or blood pressure or lost to follow-up, finally a total of 21 294 participants were included in this study. All the participants completed baseline questionnaires, physical examinations, clinical biochemical tests, and blood sample collection. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and the corresponding 95% confident intervals (CIs) for the associations between platelet parameters and risk for stroke in people with different blood pressure levels. Results: After a mean follow-up of 8.0 years, 1 578 participants developed incident stroke [1 266 ischemic stroke (IS) cases and 312 hemorrhagic stroke (HS) cases]. Compared with the participants with PLT<188×10⁹/L, those with PLT≥188×10⁹/L among hypertension cases were significantly associated with higher risks for stroke and IS (stroke: HR=1.27, 95%CI: 1.12-1.44; IS: HR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.21-1.60). Among hypertension group, compared with participants with PCT<0.165%, PCT≥0.165% were significantly associated with higher risk for stroke (HR=1.15, 95%CI: 1.01-1.30) and lower risk for HS (HR=0.70, 95%CI: 0.53-0.93); Among non-hypertension and hypertension group, PCT ≥0.165% were significantly associated with higher risks of IS (HR=1.27, 95%CI: 1.05-1.54; HR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.14-1.50). MPV and PDW were not significantly associated with risk for stroke. Risk for stroke increased significantly in hypertension cases with different platelet parameters levels compared with non-hypertension cases with lower levels of each platelet parameters. Conclusion: Higher levels of PLT and PCT could increase the risks for stroke and IS in middle-aged and elderly hypertension patients, and lower levels of PCT could decrease the risk for HS in hypertension patients.

Genomes of the Banyan Tree and Pollinator Wasp Provide Insights into Fig-Wasp Coevolution

Banyan trees are distinguished by their extraordinary aerial roots. The Ficus genus includes species that have evolved a species-specific mutualism system with wasp pollinators. We sequenced genomes of the Chinese banyan tree, F. microcarpa, and a species lacking aerial roots, F. hispida, and one wasp genome coevolving with F. microcarpa, Eupristina verticillata. Comparative analysis of the two Ficus genomes revealed dynamic karyotype variation associated with adaptive evolution. Copy number expansion of auxin-related genes from duplications and elevated auxin production are associated with aerial root development in F. microcarpa. A male-specific AGAMOUS paralog, FhAG2, was identified as a candidate gene for sex determination in F. hispida. Population genomic analyses of Ficus species revealed genomic signatures of morphological and physiological coadaptation with their pollinators involving terpenoid- and benzenoid-derived compounds. These three genomes offer insights into and genomic resources for investigating the geneses of aerial roots, monoecy and dioecy, and codiversification in a symbiotic system.

Effect of sample delivery conditions on Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) assay

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) measurements are influenced by several factors. We investigated the effect of sample delivery conditions on RAAS measurements including sample storage temperature and time. Blood samples were collected from thirty participants using enzyme inhibitor tubes and serum separation gel evacuated tubes. Plasma and serum from fresh blood samples without further storage (as baseline), and from blood samples that were stored at either 0 °C, 4 °C, or 25 °C for 3 h, 6 h and 24 h, respectively, were extracted and stored at -30 °C for batch measurements using radioimmunoassay. Concentrations of Aldosterone (Ald) decreased following delivery temperature and time, and were significantly different when samples were set aside at 0 °C for 24 h (p < .01), 4 °C for 6 h (p < .01), and 25 °C for 3 h (p < .05). However, levels of Angiotensin (Ang I) increased following delivery temperature and time, and were significantly different when samples were set aside at 0 °C and 4 °C for 6 h (p < .05) and at 25 °C for 3 h (p < .001). However, no changes were observed for the concentrations of plasma renin activity (PRA) and Ang II, except for Ang II which increased significantly when samples were set aside at 25 °C for 24 h (p < .001). Our results indicate that samples used for RAAS measurement should be placed at a low temperature and analyzed as soon as possible after collection.

[Surgical treatment of port-site metastases after laparoscopic radical resection of gastric cancer]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of surgical treatment of port-site metastasis after laparoscopic radical resection of gastric cancer. Methods: The clinical and follow-up data of five patients with port-site metastases after laparoscopic radical resection of gastric cancer at Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital between January 2014 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Port-site metastases occurred within 6 months after gastrointestinal tumor resection in three patients, 10 months after the operation in one patient, and 30 months after the operation in one patient, respectively. Metastasis to the abdominal cavity or distant metastasis was excluded before the surgical treatment of the port-site metastases, and all patients recovered well after the operation. No incisional infection or hernia occurred. By December 2018, two patients died (they survived for 13 and 24 months, respectively) and three patients survived. The follow-up duration ranged from 7 to 19 months. Conclusions: Surgical resection of port-site metastases is not difficult due to their superficial location. Surgical treatment can improve the prognosis of patients without abdominal or distant metastasis/recurrence.

IGFBP2 promotes vasculogenic mimicry formation via regulating CD144 and MMP2 expression in glioma

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) refers to the fluid-conducting channels formed by aggressive tumor cells rather than endothelial cells (EC) with elevated expression of genes associated with vascularization. VM has been considered as one of the reasons that glioblastoma becomes resistant to anti-VEGF therapy. However, the molecular basis underlying VM formation remains unclear. Here we report that the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) acts as a potent factor to enhance VM formation in glioma. Evidence showed that elevated IGFBP2 expression was positively related with VM formation in patients with glioma. Enforced expression of IGFBP2 increased network formation of glioma cells in vitro by activating CD144 and MMP2 (Matrix Metalloproteinase 2). U251 cells with stable knockdown of IGFBP2 led to decreased VM formation and tumor progression in orthotopic mouse model. Mechanistically, IGFBP2 interacts with integrin α5 and β1 subunits and augments CD144 expression in a FAK/ERK pathway-dependent manner. Luciferase reporter and ChIP assay suggested that IGFBP2 activated the transcription factor SP1, which could bind to CD144 promoter. Thus, IGFBP2 acts as a stimulator of VM formation in glioma cells via enhancing CD144 and MMP2 expression.

[A review about the research progress of the acoustical-electrical transducer for totally implantable cochlear implant]

Cochlear implantation has become a crucial approach for the treatment for patients with severe and profound sensorineural hearing loss. However, some patients would be embarrassed by the exterior components, which limited the patient's social activities. The idea of totally implantable cochlear implant (TICI) was put forward to alleviate these inconveniences. The implantable acoustical-electrical transducer would be a breakthrough in the study of TICI. In this paper, a summary of all kinds of designs ideas was made.

TBX21 polymorphisms are associated with virus persistence in hepatitis C virus infection patients from a high-risk Chinese population

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and the varied outcomes of the infection depend on both viral and host factors. We have demonstrated that the HCV alternate reading frame protein (F protein) is related to Th1/Th2 bias which is involved in virus persistence in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that genetic variants of TBX21 (T cell specific T-box transcription factor) were associated with the outcomes of HCV infection and F protein generation. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs17250932, rs2074190, rs4794067) in the TBX21 gene were genotyped in a case-control study in a cohort of a high-risk group, including 354 healthy controls and 747 CHC patients (190 anti-F protein antibody seronegative patients and 557 anti-F protein antibody seropositive patients). Results showed that the rs4794067 C allele in the TBX21 promoter was significantly more common in CHC patients (OR = 1.335, 95% CI = 1.058-1.684, P = 0.015), exceptionally in anti-F protein seropositive patients (OR = 1.547, 95% CI = 1.140-2.101, P = 0.005), compared with healthy controls. And the risk effect was also significantly high in patients with HCV 1b genotype and mild fibrosis (P = 0.021, P = 0.010, respectively). Compared with the most frequent haplotype TAT, haplotype analysis showed that the distribution of TAC was significantly different between the chronic HCV carrier group and the healthy group, and so was the anti-F antibody seronegativity group and the anti-F antibody seronegativity group (all P < 0.001). Our results suggested that TBX21 variants may be involved in the etiology of this disease.

Dual-wavelength synchronous operation of a mode-locked 2-μm Tm:CaYAlO4 laser

We experimentally demonstrated dual-wavelength synchronous operation of a high-power passively mode-locked 2-μm Tm:CaYAlO4 (Tm:CYA) disordered crystal laser with semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) as mode locker. The mode-locked laser emitted an average output power as high as 830 mW with pulse duration of 35.3 ps and repetition rate of 145.4 MHz. The mode-locking dual wavelengths were centered at 1958.9 nm and 1960.6 nm, respectively. Autocorrelation trace clearly shows beating pulses with pulse width of 3.5 ps and repetition rate of 0.13 THz.

Diode-pumped continuous wave tunable and graphene Q-switched Tm:LSO lasers

We have investigated the lasing characteristics of Tm:LSO crystal in three operation regimes: continuous wave (CW), wavelength tunable and passive Q-switching based on graphene. In CW regime, a maximum output power of 0.65 W at 2054.9 nm with a slope efficiency of 21% was achieved. With a quartz plate, a broad wavelength tunable range of 145 nm was obtained, corresponding to a FWHM of 100 nm. By using a graphene saturable absorber mirror, the passively Q-switched Tm:LSO laser produced pulses with duration of 7.8 μs at 2030.8 nm under a repetition rate of 7.6 kHz, corresponding to pulse energy of 14.0 μJ.

Effect of microbiological and immunological enteral nutrition on intestinal function and immune status in the patients with long-term use of antibiotics

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effect of microbiological and immunological enteral nutrition (MEIN composed by probiotics, L-Glutamide, deep-sea fish oil and Nutrison Fibre) on intestinal function and immune status in the patients with long-term use of antibiotics.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

56 severe apoplexy patients with pulmonary infectious complication were randomly divided into two groups: a microbiological and immunological enteral nutrition group (MEIN group, n=28) and an enteral nutrition group (EN group, n=28). MEIN suspension (Live Combined Bifidobacterium, L-Glutamide, deep-sea fish oil and Nutrison Fibre) and ordinary enteral nutrition liquid (Nutrison Fibre) were given to patients of the MEIN group and EN group respectively for at least for 20 days. Then the trophonemata, incidence rates of abdominal pain, abdominal distention and diarrhea, tolerance and immunologic parameters including CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocyte percentage, CD4+/CD8+ ratio and NK cells in peripheral blood were estimated and compared between the two groups during the period of nutritional support.

RESULTS

No statistical difference was observed in trophonemata between the two groups (p > 0.05). The abdominal pain and abdominal distension incidence rates of the patients in MEIN group were significantly lower than those of patients in EN group. (7.2% vs 32.1%, 14.2% vs 39.3%, 0% vs 10.7%) (p < 0.05). There was a significantly better tolerance in MEIN group compared to EN group after treatment (p < 0.05). In addition, the levels of immune parameters of the patients in MEIN group were much higher compared to that of those in EN group on the 20th day after grouping (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the general formula EN, MEIN is more helpful for the patients with Long-term use of antibiotics in improving intestinal function and cellular immune function.

Passively Q-switched Nd:Sc0.2Y0.8SiO5 dual-wavelength laser with the orthogonally polarized output

We have demonstrated a laser-diode pumped continuous-wave (CW) and passively Q-switched laser with a Nd:Sc(0.2)Y(0.8)SiO(5) (Nd:SYSO) crystal for the first time. In the CW operation, the laser was found to oscillate in tri-wavelength regime at 1074.8 nm, 1076.6 nm and 1078.2 nm, respectively. The maximum CW output power of 1.96 W was obtained, giving an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 35% and a slope efficiency of 39%. Using either Cr(4+):YAG or V(3+):YAG crystal as saturable absorber, stable passively Q-switched laser was obtained at dual-wavelength of 1074.8 nm and 1078.2 nm with orthogonal-polarization. The maximum average output power, pulse repetition rate, and shortest pulse width were 1.03 W, 50 kHz, and 24 ns, respectively. The passively Q-switched dual-wavelength laser could be potentially used as a source for generation of terahertz radiation.

Diode-pumped femtosecond Yb:CaNb2O6 laser

We report to our knowledge a diode-pumped passively mode-locked Yb:CaNb(2)O(6) (Yb:CN) laser for the first time. Both CW and passive mode-locking operation of the laser are experimentally investigated. A maximum CW output power of 1.4 W with a slope efficiency of 20% is obtained on a 7 mm long 1.5 at.% Yb:CN crystal, while stable passive mode-locking with a commercial semiconductor saturable absorption mirror (SESAM) was achieved on a 3 mm long 3 at.% Yb:CN crystal. The mode-locked pulses have pulse width of 251 fs and an average output power of 44 mW at 1038 nm.

Evidence of dissipative solitons in Yb³⁺:CaYAlO₄

Operation of an end-pumped Yb³⁺:CaYAlO₄ laser operating in the positive dispersion regime is experimentally investigated. The laser emitted strongly chirped pulses with extremely steep spectral edges, resembling the characteristics of dissipative solitons observed in fiber lasers. The results show that dissipative soliton emission constitutes another operating regime for mode locked Yb³⁺-doped solid state lasers, which can be explored for the generation of stable large energy femtosecond pulses.

Femtosecond and continuous-wave laser performance of a diode-pumped Yb3+:CaYAlO4 laser

The cw and femtosecond laser operations of Yb(3+):CaYAlO(4) (Yb:CYA) are demonstrated. The laser emitted a maximum cw power of 1.94 W with a slope efficiency (η(slope)) of 71% and an optical-to-optical efficiency (η(opt)) of 51%. Under mode-locking operation, the laser emitted near transform-limited pulses with 156 fs pulse width, 8.1 nJ pulse energy and 0.74 W average power. The η(slope) and η(opt) of the mode-locked laser were 37% and 20%, respectively.

Immunohistochemical analysis and biological behaviour of gastric glomus tumours: a case report and review of the literature

Gastric glomus tumours are rare and clinically recognized as benign. Nevertheless, some show biological behaviour similar to that of malignant lesions. During the last 40 years, we have encountered only one gastric glomus tumour. Analysis of frozen sections of this tumour suggested a mesenchymal tumour with malignant potential. Three mitoses per 50 high-power fields, with no cytological abnormalities, were observed. Tumour cells were positive for α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin and actin but negative for CD117, S-100 protein, creatine kinase, desmin, CD68, collagen type IV, CD34 and p53. The post-operative period was uneventful. During 37 months' follow-up, no recurrence or metastasis was detected and a benign course was considered likely. Literature on the immunohistochemistry and biological behaviour of gastric glomus tumours was also reviewed. Immunohistochemical studies are helpful in the differential diagnosis of gastric glomus tumours: although most are benign, malignancy cannot be excluded. Thus, long-term follow-up of the patient is necessary.

Annexin A1 expression and its prognostic significance in human breast cancer

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is a calcium- and phospholipid-binding protein and is considered to play an important role in tumorigenesis. However, the correlation between ANXA1 expression and tumor clinicopathological features in patients with breast cancer remains unclear. This study investigated the prognostic value of ANXA1 protein as breast cancer marker. Tissue microarray blocks, containing 20 cases of non-tumor breast tissue, 20 cases of benign breast lesion and 135 cases of breast cancer (107 with lymph node metastasis), were constructed. Expression of ANXA1 in these specimens was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. In non-tumor tissue and benign breast lesions, myoepithelial cells showed strong expression of ANXA1. Negative ANXA1 expression was significantly associated with advanced disease stage (P<0.05), especially pathological-N stage (P<0.01). The patients with loss of ANXA1 expression in tumor tissues showed a significantly worse overall survival compared with positive ones (P<0.05). ANXA1 did not correlate well with estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2/neu status. Moreover, the level of ANXA1 expression in lymph node metastases was higher than corresponding primary breast cancer. These results suggest that ANXA1 may play a multifaceted role in breast cancer development, progression, and metastases.

The pharmacokinetics of C-glycosyl flavones of Hawthorn leaf flavonoids in rat after single dose oral administration

Hawthorn leaf flavonoids (HLF) are used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Various potential pharmacodynamic effects have been observed for vitexin-4''-O-glucoside (VOG) and vitexin-2''-O-rhamnoside (VOR) which are the main constituents of HLF. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of VOG and VOR when a single dose of HLF was administrated orally. The levels of VOG and VOR in plasma, tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and brain), bile, urine and feces were measured by HPLC-UV. The results showed that VOG and VOR have the similar pharmacokinetics. Both of them were absorbed quickly into plasma with maximal plasma concentrations of VOG and VOR being reached within 0.75 h. The mean elimination half-life (t(1/2)) of VOG and VOR were 2.53 h and 2.32 h, respectively. High levels of tissue distribution of VOG and VOR were observed in liver and kidney. No VOG and VOR were detected in brain tissue. There was no long-term accumulation of VOG and VOR in rat tissues examined. The total recovery of the dose in 24 hours was 64.91% (0.70% in urine; 64.21% in feces) for VOG and 89.01% (0.72% in urine; 88.29% in feces) for VOR. The cumulative VOG and VOR excreted in bile represented 0.58% and 13.38% of the doses, respectively. VOG and VOR in HLF were not efficiently absorbed in the rodent gastrointestinal tract.

Vertical distributions of SO(2) and NO(2) in the lower atmosphere in Beijing urban areas, China

Measurements of SO(2) and NO(2) were conducted from January to March 2001 and August 2003 at a 325 m meteorological tower in Beijing. The concentrations of SO(2) and NO(2) observed by passive samplers at ten heights showed complex vertical distributions in winter and summer. The vertical profiles of pollutants were influenced by source emissions, meteorological conditions, urban canopy and other factors. The comparison analysis of winter and summer pollutant concentrations suggests that the decrease in SO(2) concentration was significant in summer, and the reduction of NO(2) was relatively not distinctive. Domestic heating and industrial sources were major sources of SO(2) in urban areas of Beijing. Differing from SO(2,) urban NO(2) was closely related to traffic emission. Meteorological evidence suggests that strong temperature inversions influence vertical distribution of air pollutants over urban Beijing. The high levels of SO(2) and NO(2) concentrations were due to the accumulation of pollutants resulting from the stable atmosphere prevalent during the measurement period. The vertical distributions of air pollutants were controlled and affected by atmospheric dynamical characteristics.

Study of the elastic constants in a La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 film by means of laser-generated ultrasonic wave method

Two dimensional (2D) displacement field of the laser-generated ultrasonic wave is detected in a two-layered structure of La(0.6)Sr(0.4)MnO(3) (LSMO)/MgO system by means of the optical difference detection method. In order to obtain the elastic constants of the La(0.6)Sr(0.4)MnO(3) thin film, the displacement field of the laser-generated ultrasonic wave for the La(0.6)Sr(0.4)MnO(3)/MgO system is analyzed with finite element method (FEM). We further compare the theoretical simulations with the experimental results, and the elastic constants for the LSMO film, i.e., the Young's modulus and Poisson ratio, are obtained.

Charge and charging compensation on oxides and hydroxides in oxygen environmental SEM

Oxygen environment was applied to the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of insulating samples. In the high vacuum SEM, a local oxygen pressure was provided, and in the environmental SEM, oxygen atmosphere was used instead of water, the commercial mode. The charging effects in the SEM observation and component characterization of samples such as Al(2)O(3), Al(OH)(3), Mg(OH)(2) and others can be eliminated or significantly reduced. The oxygen environment does not only provide a new approach to releasing the charging difficulty in the analyses using electron beam as a probe, but also provide an insightful hint to the understanding of the charging processes in general.

[Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 3-hydroxy-6-O-methylerythromycin-9-O-substituted oxime derivatives]

AIM

To study the antibacterial activity against erythromycin-resistant organisms of 3-hydroxy-6-O-methylerythromycin-9-O-substituted oxime derivatives, a new route of synthesis with 6 steps was designed.

METHODS

The starting material, erythromycin A (1), was reacted with NH2OH.HCI to give 2, which reacted with BzBr to give 3. Selective methylation of C-6 hydroxy group using iodomethane afforded 4, which was hydrolyzed with loss of the 3-cladinosyl to give 5. Compound 5 was reduced by H2 to provide 6, which was treated with substituted benzyl chlorides to provide 7 and 8.

RESULTS

Four unreported compounds (5-8) were synthesized. The antibacterial activity of the new compounds were tested in vitro against both erythromycin-susceptible and erythromycin-resistant organisms. The compounds 5 (MIC = 1 microgram.mL-1) and 6 (MIC = 1 microgram.mL-1) showed significant activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis 26,069 compared with erythromycin (MIC = 4 micrograms.mL-1). Compounds 5 (MIC = 16, 4 micrograms.mL-1), 7 (MIC = 32, 64 micrograms.mL-1) and 8 (MIC = 64, 32 micrograms.mL-1) showed better activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae 64 and Staphylococcus aureus 9525 than erythromycin (MIC > 128, 128 micrograms.mL-1).

CONCLUSION

3-hydroxy-6-O-methylerythromycin-9-O-substituted oxime derivatives have stronger antibacterial activity against some erythromycin-resistant organisms than erythromycin A.

Integrin-like proteins in the pollen tube: detection, localization and function

The distribution of integrin-like proteins in the pollen tube was examined by immunofluorescent labeling and western blotting techniques using antibodies against human placenta integrin vitronectin receptor (VnR), and alpha(v), beta3 and beta1 integrin subunits. Pseudocolor-coded confocal images showed intense immunostaining within 10 and 5 microm of the tip of the pollen tube in Lilium davidii and Nicotiana tabacum respectively. In both segments the site near the plasma membrane was labeled. Western blotting analyses revealed cross-reaction of anti-beta3, anti-alpha(v) and anti-VnR with the proteins in the plasma membrane preparation of L. davidii and Hemerocallis citrina pollen tube. These studies provide evidence for the first time that the integrin-like protein is present in pollen tubes, and it may be mainly composed of alpha(v) and beta3 subunits in lily pollen tubes. In a functional assay, neither anti-VnR antibody nor the Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser tetrapeptide inhibited pollen tube growth of N. tabacum in vitro, but both of them depressed tube growth on the stigma and in style under quasi in vivo culture conditions. The integrin-like proteins localized in the tip and periphery of the pollen tube appeared to play roles in growth of the pollen tube tip and interaction with the extracellular matrix of the style.

Phylogenetic and genetic relationships of Mesorhizobium tianshanense and related rhizobia

The genetic and phylogenetic relationships for strains of Mesorhizobium tianshanense and its relatives were compared by an analysis of the results of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of whole-cell proteins, DNA-DNA hybridization, and full 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The strains of M. tianshanense formed a cluster which was distinct from those of other rhizobium species in the clustering analysis of SDS-PAGE. DNA-DNA relatedness between A-1BS (type strain of M. tianshanense) and the type or reference strains for Mesorhizobium loti, M. huakuii, M. ciceri, M. mediterraneum, and cluster U, an unnamed rhizobial group, ranged from 4.4 to 43.8%. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that M. tianshanense was closely related to the Mesorhizobium phylogenetic branch and could be distinguished from the other four species in this branch. These results further confirmed that these bacteria constitute a distinct rhizobial species.

1,2-Diarylimidazoles as potent, cyclooxygenase-2 selective, and orally active antiinflammatory agents

Series of 1,2-diarylimidazoles has been synthesized and found to contain highly potent and selective inhibitors of the human COX-2 enzyme. The paper describes a short synthesis of the target 1,2-diarylimidazoles starting with aryl nitriles. Different portions of the diarylimidazole (I) were modified to establish SAR. Systematic variations of the substituents in the aryl ring B have yielded very potent (IC50 = 10-100 nm) and selective (1000-12500) inhibitors of the COX-2 enzyme. The study on the influence of substituents in the imidazole ring established that a CF3 group at position 4 gives the optimum oral activity. A number of the diarylimidazoles showed excellent inhibition in the adjuvant induced arthritis model (e.g., ED50 = 0.02 mpk for 22 and 34). The diarylimidazoles are also potent inhibitors of carrageenan-induced edema (ED50 = 9-30 mpk) and hyperalgesia (ED50 = 11-40 mpk). Several orally active diarylimidazoles show no GI toxicity in the rat and mouse up to 200 mpk.

[Isoflavones from Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa]

A new isoflavone, named eurycarpin A and a new natural product isoflavone named eurycarpin B have been isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa P. C. Li. Their structures were determined to be 7,2',4'-trihydroxy-3'-(3,3-dimethylallyl) isoflavone(I) and 7,2'-dihydroxy-6",6"-dimethylpyrano-(2",3":4',3') isoflavone(II) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis (UV, EI-MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, NOE difference and HMBC). In addition, three known isoflavones, licoisoflavone A, calycosin and formononetin, were obtained for the first time from this plant.