Subcutaneous lysophosphatidylcholine administration promotes a febrile and immune response in Holstein heifer calves

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is immunomodulatory in non-ruminants; however, the actions of LPC on immunity in cattle are undefined. Our objective was to study the effects of LPC administration on measures of immunity, liver health, and growth in calves. Forty-six healthy Holstein heifer calves (age 7 ± 3 d) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (n = 10 to 11 calves/treatment): a milk replacer diet unsupplemented with lecithin in the absence (CON) or presence of subcutaneous (s.c.) administered mixed (mLPC; 69% LPC-16:0, 25% LPC-18:0, 6% other) or pure (pLPC; 99% LPC-18:0) LPC, or a milk replacer diet supplemented with 3% lecithin enriched in lysophospholipids containing LPC in the absence of s.c. administered LPC (LYSO) for 5 wk. Calves received 5 subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of vehicle (10 mL of phosphate-buffered saline containing 20 mg of bovine serum albumin/mL; CON and LYSO) or vehicle containing mLPC or pLPC to provide 10 mg of total LPC/kg of body weight [BW]/injection every 12 h during wk 2 of life. Calves were fed a milk replacer containing 27% crude protein (CP) and 24% fat at 1.75% of BW per d (dry matter basis) until wk 6 of life (start of weaning). Starter grain and water were provided ad libitum. Body measurements were recorded weekly and clinical observations were recorded daily. Blood samples were collected weekly before morning feeding and at 0, 5 and 10 h, relative to the final s.c. injection of vehicle or LPC. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures including fixed effects of treatment, time, and their interaction. A Dunnett's test was used to compare treatments to CON. Peak rectal temperatures were higher in mLPC or pLPC, relative to CON. Plasma LPC concentrations were greater in mLPC and LYSO calves 5 h and 10 h post-final injection, relative to CON. Calves receiving mLPC and pLPC also had higher circulating serum amyloid A concentrations, relative to CON. Calves receiving mLPC had greater serum aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltransferase, and glutamate dehydrogenase concentrations, relative to CON. Calves provided mLPC experienced lower average daily gain (ADG) post-weaning, relative to CON. The LYSO treatment did not modify rectal temperatures, ADG, or measures of liver health, relative to CON. We conclude that LPC administered as s.c. injections induced an acute febrile response, modified measures of liver and immune function, and impaired growth in calves.

Comparison of anal function and quality of life after conformal sphincter preservation operation and intersphincteric resection of very low rectal cancer: a multicenter, retrospective, case-control analysis

PURPOSE

Conformal sphincter preservation operation (CSPO) is a sphincter preservation operation for very low rectal cancers. Compared to intersphincteric resection (ISR), CSPO retains more dentate line and distal rectal wall, and also avoids damaging the nerves in the intersphincteric space. This study aimed to compare the postoperative anal function and quality of life between the CSPO and ISR.

METHOD

Patients with low rectal cancer undergoing CSPO (n = 117) and ISR (n = 66) were included from Changhai and Huashan Hospital, respectively, between 2011 and 2020. A visual analog scale (range 0-10) was utilized to evaluate satisfaction with anal function and quality of life. The anal function was evaluated with Wexner scores and low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score. Quality of life was evaluated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38.

RESULTS

The CSPO group had more male patients (65.8% vs. 50%, p = 0.042), more preoperative chemoradiotherapy (33.3% vs. 10.6%, p < 0.001), lower tumor position (3.45 ± 1.13 vs. 4.24 ± 0.86 cm, p < 0.001), and more postoperative chemotherapy (65% vs. 13.6%, p < 0.001) compared to the ISR group. In addition, CSPO patients had shorter postoperative stay (6.63 ± 2.53 vs. 7.85 ± 4.73 days, p = 0.003) and comparable stoma reversal rates within 1 year after surgery (92.16% vs. 96.97%, p = 0.318). Multivariable analysis showed that CSPO significantly contributed to higher satisfaction with anal function (beta = 1.752, 95% CI 0.776-2.728) and with quality of life (beta = 1.219, 95% CI 0.374-2.064), but not to Wexner, LARS score, or EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38.

CONCLUSION

CSPO improved the satisfaction with anal function and quality of life but utilized more preoperative chemoradiotherapy. CSPO may be an alternative choice for patients with very low rectal cancers in better physical health and with higher requirements for anal function and quality of life.

Radiosurgery Dose Reduction for Brain Metastases on Immunotherapy (RADREMI): One-Year Safety and Efficacy Outcomes from a Multicenter Phase I Trial

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The combination of immunotherapy and single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for treatment of metastatic brain disease has yielded symptomatic radiation necrosis rates as high as 20% (PMID: 29327059). Consequently, the Radiosurgery Dose Reduction for Brain Metastases on Immunotherapy (RADREMI) multicenter phase I trial (registered at clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04047602) was created to address whether reduced-dose SRS can improve morbidity without compromising efficacy. In this report we present our one-year findings.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Eligibility for RADREMI enrollment required brain metastases patients with: a) Histologically-confirmed primary malignancy, b) Receipt of immunotherapy within 30 days of SRS, c) 1-10 MRI-visible brain metastases, d) Estimated median survival of at least 6 months (via disease-specific graded prognostic assessment), and e) No history of whole brain radiation therapy. Reduced-dose SRS utilized 18 Gy for lesions 0-2 cm, 14 Gy for lesions 2.1-3 cm, and 12 Gy for lesions 3.1-4 cm. Symptomatic radiation necrosis was defined as imaging findings consistent with radiation necrosis combined with clinical symptoms requiring steroid administration and/or operative intervention. Local control was defined by Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria.

RESULTS

From December 18, 2019 to June 30, 2022, 54 lesions in 17 patients were treated on RADREMI with at least one-year of follow-up. One-year local control occurred in 52 of 54 lesions and in 15 of 17 patients, yielding control rates of 96% per lesion and 88% per patient. Radiographic radiation necrosis occurred in 2 of 54 lesions (4%). No symptomatic radiation necrosis occurred.

CONCLUSION

Our findings of concurrent immunotherapy + reduced-dose SRS at one-year post-treatment revealed excellent local control (96%) with no symptomatic radiation necrosis, and minimal radiographic radiation necrosis. These results attest to the durability of the safety and efficacy of reduced-dose SRS with immunotherapy for metastatic brain disease.

Replacing ground corn with soyhulls plus palmitic acid in low metabolizable protein diets with or without rumen-protected amino acids: Effects on production and nutrient utilization in dairy cows

We previously observed that diets with reduced starch concentration decreased yields of milk and milk protein in dairy cows fed low metabolizable protein diets. Supplementation of reduced-starch diets with a lipid source may attenuate or eliminate production losses. Our objective was to investigate the effects of partially replacing ground corn with soyhulls plus a palmitic acid-enriched supplement on dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield and composition, plasma AA concentration, and N and energy utilization in cows fed low metabolizable protein diets (mean = -68 g/d balance) with or without rumen-protected Met, Lys, and His (RP-MLH). Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows averaging (mean ± standard deviation) 112 ± 28 d in milk, 724 ± 44 kg of body weight, and 46 ± 5 kg/d of milk in the beginning of the study were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Each period lasted 21 d, consisting of 14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for data and sample collection. Diets were fed as follows: (1) high starch (HS), (2) HS plus RP-MLH (HS+AA), (3) reduced starch plus a palmitic acid-enriched supplement (RSPA), and (4) RSPA plus RP-MLH (RSPA+AA). The HS diet contained (DM basis) 26% ground corn and 7% soyhulls, and the RSPA diet had 10% ground corn, 22% soyhulls, and 1.5% palmitic acid. The HS diet averaged (DM basis) 32.6% starch and 4% ether extract, while starch and ether extract concentrations of the RSPA diet were 21.7 and 5.9%, respectively. All 4 diets had (DM basis) 40% corn silage, 5% mixed-mostly grass haylage, 5% grass hay, and 50% concentrate. Diets did not affect DM intake and milk yield. Contrarily, feeding RSPA and RSPA+AA increased yields of energy-corrected milk (47.0 vs. 44.8 kg/d) and milk fat (1.65 vs. 1.50 kg/d) compared with HS and HS+AA. Milk fat concentration tended to decrease when RP-MLH was supplemented to HS, but no change was seen when added to RS (starch level × RP-MLH interaction). Milk and plasma urea N increased, and milk N efficiency decreased in cows fed RSPA and RSPA+AA versus HS and HS+AA. Apparent total-tract digestibilites of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber, as well as urinary urea N and total N excretion, were greater in cows offered RSPA and RSPA+AA than HS and HS+AA. Plasma Met and His concentrations increased with supplemental RP-MLH. Intake of gross energy and digestible energy and the output of urinary and milk energy were all greater with feeding RSPA and RSPA+AA versus HS and HS+AA. In summary, partially replacing ground corn with soyhulls plus palmitic acid in diets supplemented or not with RP-MLH increased milk fat yield and fiber digestibility and maintained DM intake and milk yield, but with decreased milk N efficiency and elevated urinary N excretion.

The Synergistic Mechanism of Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Metabolism between the Green and White Tissues of Ananas comosus var. bracteatus Chimeric Leaves

Ananas comosus var. bracteatus (Ac. bracteatus) is a typical leaf-chimeric ornamental plant. The chimeric leaves are composed of central green photosynthetic tissue (GT) and marginal albino tissue (AT). The mosaic existence of GT and AT makes the chimeric leaves an ideal material for the study of the synergistic mechanism of photosynthesis and antioxidant metabolism. The daily changes in net photosynthetic rate (NPR) and stomatal conductance (SCT) of the leaves indicated the typical crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) characteristic of Ac. bracteatus. Both the GT and AT of chimeric leaves fixed CO₂ during the night and released CO₂ from malic acid for photosynthesis during the daytime. The malic acid content and NADPH-ME activity of the AT during the night was significantly higher than that of GT, which suggests that the AT may work as a CO₂ pool to store CO₂ during the night and supply CO₂ for photosynthesis in the GT during the daytime. Furthermore, the soluble sugar content (SSC) in the AT was significantly lower than that of GT, while the starch content (SC) of the AT was apparently higher than that of GT, indicating that AT was inefficient in photosynthesis but may function as a photosynthate sink to help the GT maintain high photosynthesis activity. Additionally, the AT maintained peroxide balance by enhancing the non-enzymatic antioxidant system and antioxidant enzyme system to avoid antioxidant damage. The enzyme activities of reductive ascorbic acid (AsA) and the glutathione (GSH) cycle (except DHAR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) were enhanced, apparently to make the AT grow normally. This study indicates that, although the AT of the chimeric leaves was inefficient at photosynthesis because of the lack of chlorophyll, it can cooperate with the GT by working as a CO₂ supplier and photosynthate store to enhance the photosynthetic ability of GT to help chimeric plants grow well. Additionally, the AT can avoid peroxide damage caused by the lack of chlorophyll by enhancing the activity of the antioxidant system. The AT plays an active role in the normal growth of the chimeric leaves.

Impact of COVID-19 on acute ischemic stroke presentation and prognosis in a county-level stroke center

OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced regular medical procedures and health-seeking behaviors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients in county-level stroke centers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively collected AIS patients during the strict lockdown period (January 24, 2020, to March 27, 2020) and the corresponding "new normal" period (2021) of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients seen during the same timeframe in 2019 were enrolled as controls. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the clinical characteristics of AIS patients who presented during the lockdown and new normal periods and those who presented during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period.

RESULTS

A total of 134 AIS patients presented during the lockdown period (the 2020 group), 207 patients in the pre-COVID-19 period (the 2019 group) and 201 patients in the "new normal" period (the 2021 group). Compared to the 2019 group, there was approximately 1/3 reduction in the number of patients who presented during the lockdown period, while the number of patients who received IVT or EVT was similar between the two groups. The number of patients, baseline characteristics, workflow intervals and clinical outcomes presented during the "new normal" period were similar between the 2019 and 2021 groups. Logistic regression showed that lockdown or new normal status were not risk factors associated with a poor outcome at 90 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In county-level city stroke centers, the COVID-19 lockdown resulted in a reduction in the number of patients with AIS admitted to the hospital but had no effect on patients treated with IVT or EVT. Lockdown or new normal status did not influence the prognosis of AIS patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of major cardiometabolic diseases: a Mendelian randomization study

OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is suggested to be implicated in the development of cardiometabolic diseases. We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to assess potential causality for associations of RA with the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2D), coronary artery disease (CAD), and ischaemic stroke.

METHOD

Seventy independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with RA were identified as instrumental variables from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 58 284 European subjects. Summary-level data for the associations of the 70 genetic variants with T2D, CAD, and ischaemic stroke were taken from three GWASs with a total of 1 529 131 participants. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) MR was used in the main analyses.

RESULTS

The main IVW MR analysis showed that genetically determined RA was associated with higher risks of T2D [odds ratio (OR): 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.05; p < 0.001] and CAD (OR: 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.03; p = 0.012), but not ischaemic stroke (OR: 1.00, 95% CI 0.99-1.02; p = 0.961). Sensitivity analyses with multiple MR methods confirmed these associations. MR-Egger regression showed no evidence of pleiotropy in the association between genetically determined RA and the risk of T2D, CAD, and ischaemic stroke. Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis showed that the association between genetically determined RA and the risk of T2D, CAD, and ischaemic stroke was not driven by any individual SNP.

CONCLUSION

Genetically determined RA was associated with increased risks of T2D and CAD, suggesting that RA plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of T2D and CAD.

Toxicological evaluation of brominated vegetable oil in Sprague Dawley rats

Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration on an interim basis as a food additive. Past studies have raised concerns about potential toxicities from consuming BVO. To investigate further these toxicities, we conducted a 90-day dietary exposure study in Sprague Dawley rats and analyzed tissue distribution of the main metabolites. Six-week-old male and female rats were fed diets containing 0 (control), 0.002%, 0.02%, 0.1%, or 0.5% BVO by weight. Statistically significant increases were observed in the serum bromide in the high-dose group of both sexes and in the incidence of thyroid follicular cell hypertrophy in the two highest dose groups of males and the high-dose group of females. An increase in serum TSH was observed in the high-dose group for both sexes, as well as a decrease in serum T4 in the high-dose males. A clear dose-response was observed in di- and tetra-bromostearic acid levels in the heart, liver, and inguinal fat. These data expand upon previous observations in rats and pigs that oral exposure to BVO is associated with increased tissue levels of inorganic and organic bromine, and that the thyroid is a potential target organ of toxicity.

The highly continuous reference genome of a leaf-chimeric red pineapple (Ananas comosus var. bracteatus f. tricolor) provides insights into elaboration of leaf color

Ananas comosus var. bracteatus f. tricolor (GL1) is a red pineapple accession whose mostly green leaves with chimeric white leaf margins turn red in spring and autumn and during flowering. It is an important ornamental plant and ideal plant research model for anthocyanin metabolism, chimeric leaf development, and photosynthesis. Here, we generated a highly contiguous chromosome-scale genome assembly for GL1 and compared it with other 3 published pineapple assemblies (var. comosus accessions MD2 and F153, and var. bracteatus accession CB5). The GL1 assembly has a total size of ∼461 Mb, with a contig N50 of ∼2.97 Mb and Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog score of 97.3%. More than 99% of the contigs are anchored to 25 pseudochromosomes. Compared with the other 3 published pineapple assemblies, the GL1 assembly was confirmed to be more continuous. Our evolutionary analysis showed that the Bromeliaceae and Poaceae diverged from their nearest common ancestor ∼82.36 million years ago (MYA). Population structure analysis showed that while GL1 has not undergone admixture, bracteatus accession CB5 has resulted from admixture of 3 species of Ananas. Through classification of orthogroups, analysis of genes under positive selection, and analysis of presence/absence variants, we identified a series of genes related to anthocyanin metabolism and development of chimeric leaves. The structure and evolution of these genes were compared among the published pineapple assemblies with reveal candidate genes for these traits. The GL1 genome assembly and its comparisons with other 3 pineapple genome assemblies provide a valuable resource for the genetic improvement of pineapple and serve as a model for understanding the genomic basis of important traits in different pineapple varieties and other pan-cereal crops.

Impact of Thyroid Tissue Status on the Cut-Off Value of Lymph Node Fine-Needle Aspiration Thyroglobulin Measurements in Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Objective: To study the optimal cut-off value of thyroglobulin measurement in a fine-needle aspiration (FNA-Tg) in diagnosing malignant lymph nodes and benign lymph nodes (LNs) according to the thyroid tissue status.

Methods: A total of 517 LNs were aspirated: 401 preoperative LNs, 42 LNs after subtotal thyroidectomy and 74 suspected LNs after total thyroidectomy. The cut-off value of FNA-Tg was obtained from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The cut-off value with the best diagnostic performance was then obtained by comparing different cut-off values from other studies.

Results: LN FNA-Tg levels differed between preoperative and total thyroid disease (p < 0.001) and subtotal thyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy (p = 0.03), but not between preoperative and subtotal thyroidectomy (p = 1.00). Accordingly, those 443 LNs with preoperative and subtotal thyroidectomy were compared to those 74 without thyroid tissue. The optimal cut-off value in thyroid tissue group was 19.4 ng/ml and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.95 (95% CI 0.92–0.97). The optimal cut-off value in thyroid tissue absence group was 1.2 ng/ml and the AUC was 0.93 (0.85–0.98). After the analysis and comparison of multiple cut-off values, the optimal diagnostic performance was still found to be 19.4 ng/ml and 1.2 ng/ml.

Conclusion: The influential factors of FNA-Tg are still controversial, and the optimal cut-off value of FNA-Tg can be determined based on the presence or absence of thyroid tissue. FNA-Tg can be used as an important auxiliary method for diagnosing cervical metastatic LNs of thyroid cancer.

Habitual Exposure to Trigeminal Stimuli and Its Effects on the Processing of Chemosensory Stimuli

Our objective was to compare brain responses to trigeminal and olfactory stimuli in frequent and non-frequent gum chewers in order to explore whether habitual exposure to trigeminal stimuli affects their central-nervous processing. In healthy subjects, fMRI brain scans were obtained for 20 frequent gum chewers (GC) and 20 non-frequent gum chewers (N'GC), in response to four odorous stimuli; 2 'trigeminal' (peppermint and spearmint) and 2 non-trigeminal or 'olfactory' (cherry and strawberry). During measurements, subjects reported intensity and pleasantness ratings for all stimuli. In addition, a test for general trigeminal sensitivity test (lateralization test) and an odor threshold test was performed. Brain activations in response to individual odors were investigated for the total study population followed by group wise (GC and N'GC) analysis separately for responses to trigeminal (peppermint + spearmint) and olfactory (cherry + strawberry) odors. (1) The GC group exhibited higher trigeminal sensitivity compared to the N'GC group. (2) Olfactory odors activated bilateral insular cortex and amygdala. Apart from olfactory areas (amygdala, insular cortex), trigeminal odors also produced activations in right thalamus and right substantia nigra. (3) In the GC group, olfactory odors produced higher bilateral insular cortex activation than in N'GC group, but no such differences were observed for trigeminal odors. GC subjects appeared to be more responsive to trigeminal chemosensory stimuli. However, this did not directly translate into differences in central-nervous activations to trigeminal stimuli; instead, the use of chewing gum was associated with stronger brain activation towards olfactory stimuli.

Dietary starch level and rumen-protected methionine, lysine, and histidine: Effects on milk yield, nitrogen, and energy utilization in dairy cows fed diets low in metabolizable protein

Our objective was to investigate the interactions between starch level and rumen-protected Met, Lys, His (RP-MLH) on milk yield, plasma AA concentration, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows fed low metabolizable protein diets (mean = -119 g/d of metabolizable protein balance). Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows (138 ± 46 d in milk, 46 ± 6 kg/d in milk) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Each period lasted 21 d with 14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for data and sample collection. Dietary starch level varied by replacing (dry matter basis) pelleted beet pulp and soyhulls with ground corn resulting in the following treatments: (1) 20% pelleted beet pulp and 10% soyhulls (reduced starch = RS), (2) RS plus RP-MLH (RS+AA), (3) 30% ground corn (high starch = HS), and (4) HS plus RP-MLH (HS+AA). Dietary starch concentrations averaged 12.3 and 34.4% for RS and HS basal diets, respectively. Diets were supplemented with RP-MLH products to supply digestible Met, Lys, and His. Compared with RS and RS+AA diets, HS and HS+AA diets increased yields of milk (37.9 vs. 40.1 kg/d) and milk protein (1.07 vs. 1.16 kg/d) and decreased dry matter intake (25.9 vs. 25.2 kg/d), milk urea N (12.6 vs. 11.0 mg/dL), and plasma urea N (13.3 vs. 11.6 mg/dL). Milk N efficiency was greater in cows fed the HS and HS+AA than RS and RS+AA diets (28.9 vs. 25%), and RP-MLH supplementation improved milk true protein concentration. Starch level × RP-MLH interactions were observed for plasma concentrations of Arg and Lys, with RP-MLH being more effective to increase plasma Arg (+16%) and Lys (+23%) when supplemented to the RS than the HS basal diet. Replacing pelleted beet pulp and soyhulls with ground corn lowered the plasma concentrations of all essential AA except Met and Thr. In addition, the plasma concentrations of His and Met increased with RP-MLH. The apparent total-tract digestibilities of neutral and acid detergent fiber were lower, and those of starch and ether extract greater in cows offered the HS and HS+AA diets than RS and RS+AA diets. Urinary excretion of urea N decreased by replacing pelleted beet pulp and soyhulls with ground corn. Enteric CH₄ production, CH₄ yield, and CH₄ intensity all decreased in the HS and HS+AA versus RS and RS+AA diets. Diets did not affect the intakes of gross energy, metabolizable energy, and net energy of lactation. In contrast, digestible energy intake increased with feeding the RS and RS+AA diets, whereas CH₄ energy decreased in cows fed the HS and HS+AA diets. Supplementation with RP-MLH had no effect on energy utilization variables. Overall, the lack of interactions between dietary starch level and RP-MLH supplementation on most variables measured herein showed that the effects of starch intake and RP-MLH were independent or additive.

Replacing soybean meal with okara meal: Effects on production, milk fatty acid and plasma amino acid profile, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows

Okara meal is a byproduct from the production of soymilk and tofu and can potentially replace soybean meal (SBM) in dairy diets due to its high crude protein (CP) concentration and residual fat. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of replacing SBM with okara meal on feed intake, yields of milk and milk components, milk fatty acid (FA) profile, nutrient utilization, and plasma AA concentration in lactating dairy cows. Twelve multiparous (65 ± 33 d in milk) and 8 primiparous (100 ± 35 d in milk) organically certified Jersey cows were paired by parity or days in milk, and within pair, randomly assigned to treatments in a crossover design with 21-d periods (14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for data and sample collection). Diets were fed as total mixed ration formulated to be isonitrogenous and isofibrous and contained (dry matter basis) 50% mixed, mostly grass baleage, 2% sugarcane liquid molasses, 2% minerals-vitamins premix, and either (1) 8.1% SBM, 10% soyhulls, and 27.9% ground corn (CTRL); or (2) 15% okara meal, 8% soyhulls, and 23% ground corn (OKR). Dietary CP, ash-free neutral detergent fiber, and total FA averaged 15.4, 35.3, and 3.08% for CTRL and 15.9%, 36.3%, and 3.74% for OKR, respectively. Substitution of SBM with okara meal did not alter dry matter intake but increased intakes of CP and ash-free neutral detergent fiber. Additionally, no significant differences between treatments were observed for yields of milk and milk components, and concentrations of milk fat, lactose, and total solids. However, milk true protein concentration was lower in cows fed OKR (3.76%) versus CTRL (3.81%). Both milk urea N (8.51 vs. 9.47 mg/dL) and plasma urea N (16.9 vs. 17.8 mg/dL) concentrations decreased with OKR relative to the CTRL diet, respectively. Compared with CTRL, feeding OKR lowered the milk proportions of total odd-chain FA, de novo FA, and mixed FA and increased those of preformed FA, total n-6 FA, and total n-3 FA. The milk proportions of trans-10 18:1, trans-11 18:1, and cis-9,trans-11 18:2 were greater with feeding OKR versus the CTRL diet. The apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients, urinary excretion of total purine derivatives (uric acid plus allantoin), and total N were not affected by treatments. Except for plasma Leu, which was lower in OKR compared with the CTRL diet, no other significant changes in the plasma concentrations of AA were observed. The plasma concentration of carnosine was lowest in cows receiving the OKR diet. Overall, our results revealed that okara meal can completely replace SBM without negatively affecting production and nutrient digestibility in early- to mid-lactation Jersey cows. Further research is needed to assess the economic feasibility of including okara meal in dairy diets, as well as the amount of okara meal that maximizes yields of milk and milk components in dairy cows in different stages of lactation.

Study on the characteristics and mechanism of pulsed laser cleaning of polyacrylate resin coating on aluminum alloy substrates

The behavior of paint removal with a pulsed laser has been investigated using an Nd:YAG fiber laser. Experimental and theoretical analyses are conducted to reveal the underlying mechanism of the paint removal. The results show that the depth, radius, and volume of the pit formed by a single pulse become larger with increases in the energy density. The ideal parameters for the complete removal of paint have been achieved. During the paint removal, burning occurred over the surface, and the variation in element content has been attributed to the absorption of laser energy. Under the action of the pulsed laser, there was breakage and rearrangement of chemical bonds such as C-C, C-N, and C-O in the molecular chain of the polyacrylate paint coating. Through these analyses, the paint removal mechanism was shown to be based on chemical bond breakage, combustion, and mechanical action provided by the thermal expansion and plasma shock.

Targeting NLRP3 Inflammasome Reduces Age-Related Experimental Alveolar Bone Loss

The cause of chronic inflammatory periodontitis, which leads to the destruction of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, is multifactorial. An increasing number of studies have shown the clinical significance of NLRP3-mediated low-grade inflammation in degenerative disorders, but its causal linkage to age-related periodontitis has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the therapeutic potential of NLRP3 inhibition in age-related alveolar bone loss by using in vivo and in vitro models. The poor quality of alveolar bones in aged mice was correlated with caspase-1 activation by macrophages and elevated levels of IL-1β, which are mainly regulated by the NLRP3 inflammasome, in periodontal ligament and serum, respectively. Aged mice lacking Nlrp3 showed better bone mass than age-matched wild-type mice via a way that affects bone resorption rather than bone formation. In line with this finding, treatment with MCC950, a potent inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome, significantly suppressed alveolar bone loss with reduced caspase-1 activation in aged mice but not in young mice. In addition, our in vitro studies showed that the addition of IL-1β encourages RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis from bone marrow-derived macrophages and that treatment with MCC950 significantly suppresses osteoclastic differentiation directly, irrelevant to the inhibition of IL-1β production. Our results suggest that the NLRP3 inflammasome is a critical mediator in age-related alveolar bone loss and that targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome could be a novel option for controlling periodontal degenerative changes with age.

1057 Evaluating Differences In Upper Airway Anatomy Between Diabetic And Non-diabetic OSA Patients

Introduction

Studies show that OSA is linked to impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and the onset of diabetes. We hypothesized that diabetic OSA patients will have higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) values than OSA patients without diabetes after adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI) and that this difference can be explained through increases in upper airway structures between diabetic and non-diabetic OSA patients.

Methods

This study evaluated differences in upper airway and craniofacial dimensions and volume of the pharyngeal soft tissues between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Airway sizes, soft tissue volumes and craniofacial dimensions were quantified using three-dimensional MRI in OSA patients without diabetes (n=237) and OSA patients with diabetes (n=64). Comparisons in upper airway measures among diabetics and non-diabetics were performed using linear regression models controlling for age, sex, BMI, race, and AHI.

Results

Among study participants, diabetic OSA patients were older than non-diabetic OSA patients (54.2±10.1 vs. 47.3±11.1 years; p&lt;0.0001). No significant differences were found between diabetic and non-diabetic OSA patients with respect to BMI (39.8±7.0 vs. 38.4±8.8 kg/m2; p=0.207) or AHI (45.0±31.0 vs. 38.8±27.8 events/hour; p=0.154). In covariate adjusted models, non-diabetic OSA patients also had smaller RP minimum airway area (adjusted difference [95% CI] = -3119 [-5359, 879] mm2; p=0.0066) and RP minimum AP distance (-16.0 mm [-29.6, -2.5]; p=0.021) compared to diabetic OSA patients. No differences were observed in soft tissue volumes or craniofacial dimensions.

Conclusion

While diabetics had higher average AHI, we observed no significant differences in AHI between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with sleep apnea. In general, upper airway anatomy was similar between diabetic and non-diabetics apneics, controlling for demographic factors and AHI. Future studies should examine dynamic changes, in addition to static upper airway anatomy, in diabetic and non-diabetics apneics.

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The acute phase protein orosomucoid 1 is upregulated in early lactation but does not trigger appetite-suppressing STAT3 signaling via the leptin receptor

Dairy cows consume inadequate amounts of feed in early lactation and during conditions and diseases such as excessive fatness, heat stress, and infectious diseases. Affected cows often experience increases in plasma concentrations of acute phase proteins consistent with the negative effect of inflammation on appetite. The acute phase protein orosomucoid 1 (ORM1), also known as alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, was recently reported to reduce appetite in the mouse through its ability to bind the full-length leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) and activate appetite-suppressing signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. These observations raise the possibility that ORM1 exerts appetite-suppressing effects in dairy cattle during periods of increased inflammatory tone. The applicability of this model was assessed in 2 ways. First, we asked whether ORM1 is regulated during periods of inadequate appetite such as the transition from late pregnancy to early lactation and periods of increased inflammatory tone. Plasma ORM1 was invariant in late pregnancy but increased 2.5-fold between parturition and d 7 of lactation. Gene expression studies showed that liver was the major source of this elevation with little contribution by adipose tissue or mammary gland. Additional studies showed that plasma ORM1 was not increased further by excessive fatness or by reproductive dysfunction in early lactation and was completely unresponsive to inflammatory stimuli such as heat stress or intravascular administration of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide during established lactation. Second, we tested the ability of ORM1 to trigger STAT3 signaling through Ob-Rb using Chinese hamster ovary K1 (CHO-K1) cells transfected with a STAT3 expression plasmid. In this configuration, CHO-K1 cells did not express Ob-Rb and were incapable of leptin-induced STAT3 phosphorylation. Leptin responsiveness was conferred by co-transfecting with bovine Ob-Rb, with leptin causing increases of 5.7-fold in STAT3 phosphorylation and 2.1-fold in the expression of the STAT3-dependent gene, SOCS3. In contrast, neither bovine or human ORM1 triggered STAT3 phosphorylation irrespective of dose and period of incubation tested. In summary, bovine ORM1 is not increased during periods of increased inflammatory tone except in early lactation and is incapable of Ob-Rb-dependent STAT3 signaling. Overall, these data are inconsistent with ORM1 mediating the appetite-suppressing effects of inflammation in cattle through Ob-Rb.

miR-215 promotes cell migration and invasion of gastric cancer cell lines by targeting FOXO1

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumor worldwide and has high morbidity and mortality. microRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs which play critical roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. In this current study, we used qRT-PCR to detect miR-215 and FOXO1 expression level in 50 paired gastric cancer tissues and found that miR-215 was frequently overexpressed and FOXO1 was down-regulated in GC cancer tissues. Clinicopathological analysis showed that miR-215 expression level was correlated with the progression of tumor invasion and TNM stage. Additionally, transwell invasion assay showed that miR-215 promoted the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. We found that miR-215 decreased FOXO1 expression by directly binding to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of FOXO1. These results suggest that miR-215 promotes cell migration and invasion of gastric cancer by targeting FOXO1. Therefore, this study provides a promising therapeutic strategy for treating gastric cancer.

Incremental amounts of rumen-protected histidine increase plasma and muscle histidine concentrations and milk protein yield in dairy cows fed a metabolizable protein-deficient diet

The dairy industry can benefit from low crude protein (CP) diets due to reduced N excretion, but shortages of Met, Lys, and His may limit milk protein synthesis. We studied the effect of incremental amounts of rumen-protected (RP)-His on plasma and muscle AA profile, nutrient utilization, and yields of milk and milk true protein in dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (130 ± 30 d in milk) were randomly assigned to treatment sequences in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d experimental periods. Treatments included a basal diet composed (dry matter basis) of 50% corn silage, 15% haylage, and 35% concentrate supplemented with 0, 82, 164, and 246 g/d of RP-His and 11 g/d of RP-Met. Milk, plasma, and muscle samples were collected weekly or every other week during all 4 periods, whereas spot urine and fecal grab samples were taken only in wk 4 of each period. Data were analyzed individually by week using linear, quadratic, and cubic orthogonal polynomials and repeated measures. Plasma His increased linearly with RP-His during wk 1 (30.3 to 57.2 µM) to wk 4 (33.2 to 63.1 µM). Plasma carnosine increased linearly with supplemental RP-His except in wk 2. No treatment effect was observed for plasma 3-methylhistidine except a quadratic effect in wk 3. Inclusion of RP-His showed linear effects on muscle His in wk 2 (20.1 to 32.5 µM) and 4 (20.3 to 35.5 µM). Whereas muscle anserine and carnosine concentrations were not affected by treatments in wk 4, anserine responded quadratically and carnosine showed a trend for a quadratic response to RP-His in wk 2. During wk 4, treatments did not affect urinary excretion of total purine derivatives, as well as dry matter intake and milk concentrations of fat and true protein. In contrast, milk yield tended to increase linearly (31.2 to 32.7 kg/d) and milk true protein yield responded linearly (0.93 to 0.98 kg/d) and tended to increase quadratically to RP-His supplementation in wk 4. Also, milk urea-N (11.7 to 12.9 mg/dL) and urinary excretion of urea-N (23.7 to 27.0% of N intake) increased linearly with feeding RP-His in wk 4. Overall, RP-His was effective to enhance plasma and muscle concentrations of His and milk protein synthesis. Elevated milk urea-N and urinary excretion of urea-N suggest that plasma His may have exceeded the requirement with excess N converted to urea in the liver. Future research is needed to determine the bioavailability of RP-His supplements to improve the accuracy of diet formulation for AA.

MicroRNA-101 regulates autophagy, proliferation and apoptosis via targeting EZH2 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Laryngeal carcinoma is the second commonest head and neck carcinoma globally. MicroRNA-101 (miR-101) has been reported as a tumor suppressor in multiple malignancies including laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). However, the roles and molecular mechanisms of miR-101 in the development of LSCC have not been fully elucidated. In present study, RT-qPCR assay was performed to detect the expression of miR-101 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) mRNA. Western blot assay was conducted to determine protein expression of LC3-Ⅰ, LC3-Ⅱ, p62 and EZH2. Cell proliferative capacity was evaluated by MTS assay. The effect of miR-101 alone or along with EZH2 on cell apoptosis was assessed by apoptotic index and caspase-3 activity. Bioinformatic analysis, luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were carried out to investigate the interaction between miR-101 and EZH2. Results revealed that miR-101 expression was strikingly down-regulated in LSCC cell lines. Functional analyses showed that ectopic expression of miR-101 suppressed cell autophagy and proliferation and facilitated cell apoptosis in LSCC. Further investigations revealed that miR-101 inhibited EZH2 expression by direct interaction and EZH2 was highly expressed in LSCC cells. Also, EZH2 knockdown reduced the autophagic activity of LSCC cells. Moreover, restoration experiments showed that EZH2 up-regulation weakened miR-101-mediated anti-autophagy, anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis effects in LSCC cells. In conclusion, our findings suggested that miR-101 inhibited autophagy and proliferation and promoted apoptosis via targeting EZH2 in LSCC, providing a deep insight into the pathogenesis of LSCC and hinting the pivotal roles of epigenetic modifications especially histone methylation in the development of LSCC.

Methyl donor supplementation suppresses the progression of liver lipid accumulation while modifying the plasma triacylglycerol lipidome in periparturient Holstein dairy cows

Co-supplementation of methyl donors may lower hepatic lipid content in transition cows. To define the ability of methyl donor supplementation (MDS) to reduce hepatic lipid content and modify the plasma lipidome, 30 multiparous Holstein cows (2.04 ± 0.69 lactations; 689 ± 58 kg of body weight; 3.48 ± 0.10 units of body condition score) were fed a ration with or without rumen-protected methyl donors (22 g/d of Met, 10 g/d of choline chloride, 3 g/d of betaine, 96 mg/d of riboflavin, and 1.4 mg/d of vitamin B₁₂) from d -28 before expected calving through d 14 postpartum. Cows were randomly enrolled based on predefined selection criteria (body condition score and parity). Base diets without MDS were formulated for gestation (15.4% crude protein with a predicted Lys-to-Met ratio of 3.25; 1.44 Mcal of net energy for lactation/kg of dry matter) and lactation (16.6% crude protein with a predicted Lys-to-Met ratio of 3.36; 1.64 Mcal of net energy for lactation/kg of dry matter). Blood sampling occurred from d -28 relative to expected calving through d 14 postpartum. Liver tissue was biopsied at d -28 relative to expected calving and on d 5 and 14 postpartum. In addition to routine analyses, serum AA concentrations on d 10 and 12 were quantified using mass spectrometry. Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) and cholesteryl esters (CE) were qualitatively measured using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Dry matter intake and milk yield were not modified by MDS. The transition from d -28 relative to expected parturition to d 14 postpartum was characterized by increased plasma fatty acid (0.15 to 0.71 mmol/L) and β-hydroxybutyrate (0.34 to 0.43 mmol/L) levels and liver lipid content (3.91 to 9.16%). Methyl donor supplementation increased the serum Met level by 26% and decreased the serum Lys-to-Met ratio by 21% on d 10 and 12, respectively. Moreover, the increase in hepatic lipid content from d 5 through 14 postpartum was suppressed with MDS relative to control (3.57 vs. -0.29%). Dietary MDS modified the TAG and CE lipidome. For example, MDS increased plasma TAG 46:3 (carbon number:double bond) by 116% relative to control cows on d 5 postpartum. Moreover, MDS tended to increase plasma CE 34:6. In contrast, MDS lowered plasma TAG 54:8 by 39% relative to control cows on d 5 postpartum. We concluded that in the absence of gains in dry matter intake and milk and milk protein yields, dietary MDS slows the progression of hepatic lipid accumulation and modifies the plasma TAG lipidome in transition cows.

An Autoimmune Basis for Raynaud's Phenomenon: Murine Model and Human Disease

OBJECTIVE

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is common in anti-RNP-positive patients with rheumatic diseases but is not itself known to be caused by autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to assess autoantibodies that could mediate this process.

METHODS

Antibodies derived from patient sera and from murine models of anti-RNP autoimmunity were screened for the ability to induce RP-like tissue ischemia and endothelial cell apoptosis in murine models and in vitro systems.

RESULTS

RNP-positive sera from RP patients and murine sera from RNP-positive B cell adoptive transfer recipients induced RP-like tissue ischemia and endothelial cell apoptosis. Proteomic analysis identified cytokeratin 10 (K10) as a candidate autoantigen in RP. Monoclonal anti-K10 antibodies reproduced patterns of ischemic tissue loss and endothelial cell apoptosis; K10 knockout or depletion of anti-K10 activity in serum was protective. Cold exposure enhanced K10 expression and in vivo tissue loss.

CONCLUSION

Anti-K10 antibodies are sufficient to mediate RP-like ischemia in murine models and are implicated in the pathogenesis of RP in patients with anti-RNP autoimmunity.

Therapeutic effect of tenecteplase on treatment of cerebral arterial thrombosis: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy between tenecteplase (TNK) and alteplase (rt-PA). Furthermore, suitable dosage of TNK in cerebral arterial thrombosis treatment was explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The studies met with the predefined selection criteria were selected for the present study. The quality of each study was evaluated by Cochrane quality evaluation. The outcome indexes including early major neurological improvement (MNI), excellent recovery, good recovery, recanalization at 24 hours-complete or partial, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, any parenchymal hematoma and deaths were analyzed by using RevMan and Stata statistical software, under a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model. The safety and efficacy between TNK and rt-PA were investigated. Furthermore, the clinical efficacy outcomes between different dosages of TNK were evaluated. Sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the reliability.

RESULTS

A total of 6 studies were enrolled for the present study. Compared with the 0.1 mg/kg TNK group, 0.25 mg/kg TNK group had a significantly better MNI (RR = 0.66, 95% CI: [0.49, 0.88], p = 0.005) and excellent recovery (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: [0.53, 0.95], p = 0.02). TNK group achieved an increased MNI (RR = 1.59, 95% CI: [1.08, 2.34], p = 0.02) and a reduced parenchymal hematoma (RR = 0.26, 95% CI: [0.10, 0.71], p = 0.009) than rt-PA group.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with rt-PA, TNK could better improve the major neurological function. TNK 0.25 mg/kg had a better clinical treatment effect than TNK 0.1 mg/kg.

Clozapine prescription and quality of life in Chinese patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care

OBJECTIVE

Clozapine is frequently used to treat schizophrenia in China. Maintenance treatment for clinically stable patients with schizophrenia is usually provided by Chinese primary care physicians, but no study has investigated the frequency of its use prescribed by primary care physicians. This study described the frequency, demographic and clinical characteristics of clozapine treatment and its impact on insight and quality of life (QOL) of patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China.

METHOD

A total of 623 patients with schizophrenia treated in 22 primary care services in Guangzhou, China in 2013 formed the study sample. Patients' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics including psychopathology, medication side effects and QOL were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection.

RESULTS

The frequency of clozapine prescription was 35.6% with a mean daily dose of 127.7±88.2 mg. There were no significant differences between the patients with and without clozapine in either of the QOL domains after controlling the confounding factors. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that patients on clozapine had younger age of onset, more hospitalizations, more severe extrapyramidal side effects, but better insight and fewer prescriptions of first generation antipsychotics.

CONCLUSIONS

Clozapine use was found to be common and associated with better insight in patients with schizophrenia treated in primary care in China. Further examination of the rationale and appropriateness of clozapine in primary care in China is warranted.

Production, characterization and immunogenicity of P particles derived from norovirus GII.4 genotype 2004 variant

Norovirus (NoV) is the main cause of nonbacterial infectious gastroenteritis. Due to the difficulty of culturing the virus, research on vaccine against NoV is focused on virus-like particles (VLPs). On the other hand, the P particles assembled from the P domains of NoV capsid protein become a promising vaccine candidate. GII.4 is the most prevalent genotype of NoV. While the immunogenicity of P particles derived from the GII.4 1996 variant has been investigated, the research on P particles of more recently prevalent variants is lacking. In this study, the P domain of the capsid protein of GII.4 genotype 2004 variant was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and auto-assembled into P particles of 14-25 nm. Immunization with P particles induced specific serum antibodies with titers of 245,600 and 145,700 in mice and rabbits, respectively. The GII.4 NoV 2004 variant bound to type A, B and O secretor-positive saliva and immune sera blocked this binding, suggesting induction of neutralizing activity in such sera. Thus, this study demonstrated the immunogenicity of NoV P particles generated from E. coli and provided evidence supporting the development of this approach.

Catalytic helix-sense-selective polymerisation of achiral substituted acetylenes containing bulky π-conjugated planar substituents yielding soluble and statically stable one-handed helical polymers

Helix-sense-selective polymerisation of three new achiral substituted acetylenes containing two bulky π-conjugated planar substituents via imino groups by using catalytic amounts of a chiral source were achieved.

Association between CC motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) polymorphisms and asthma risk: an updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Findings regarding the associations between the CC motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) -403G/A and -28C/G polymorphisms and asthma risk are controversial.We performed a meta-analysis to determine whether CCL5 polymorphisms are associated with asthma risk.

METHODS

We searched the Pubmed, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases for studies published before June 2013. The strength of associations was calculated using ORs with 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Twenty case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. We did not observe a significant association between the CCL5 -403G/A polymorphism and asthma risk (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.93-1.30; P = .25). The CCL5 - 28C/G polymorphism, however, was associated with a significantly elevated asthma risk (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02-1.33; P = .02). Subgroup analyses found that the CCL5 -28C/G polymorphism was significantly associated with asthma risk in Asians (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01-1.33; P = .04) and children (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.63; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that the CCL5 -28C/G polymorphism is a risk factor for asthma.

Effects of TNF-α polymorphisms on asthma risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have examined associations between TNF-α polymorphisms and asthma risk, but the results have been conflicting.

METHODS

A search was performed of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Wanfang databases. Data were extracted and pooled ORs with 95% CIs were calculated.

RESULTS

Fifty-four studies were included. A significant association between the TNFA-308A/G polymorphism and asthma susceptibility was observed for AA + AG vs GG (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.23-1.58; P < .001). This polymorphism was also significantly associated with asthma risk in whites (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.25-1.73; P < .001), atopic asthma risk (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.16-1.65; P < .001), pediatric asthma risk (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.23-1.79; P < .001), and adult asthma risk (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.21-1.52; P < .001).There was also a significant association between the TNFA -857C/T polymorphism and asthma risk in the recessive model (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.43; P < .001). In the subgroup analyses, asthma risk was significantly increased in Asians (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07-1.41; P = .004) and atopic individuals (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.13-1.57; P < .001). No significant association was found for the TNFA-238A/G polymorphism. There were insufficient data to evaluate the associations between TNFA -1031T/C and -863C/A polymorphisms and asthma risk.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that TNFA -308A/G and -857C/T polymorphisms are risk factors for asthma.

Studies on protective effects of human paraoxonases 1 and 3 on atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice

Paraoxonase (PON) possesses antiatherogenic potentials, but the distinct functions of PON members in alleviating atherosclerosis are not yet clear. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of hPON1 and hPON3 against atherosclerosis, and thereby exploring their synergistic mechanism in atherosclerosis development. We generated the recombinant adenovirus AdPON1 and AdPON3, which were capable of expressing hPON1 and hPON3. After AdPON1 and AdPON3 were injected intravenously into 5-week-old apolipoprotein E knockout mice, abundant hPON1 and hPON3 mRNA expression levels were detected. However, increase in serum lactonase activity was detected only in AdPON1-treated mice. Serum antioxidation and anti-inflammation capabilities in AdPON1-treated mice, reflected by malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capability and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, were greatly enhanced, whereas those in AdPON3-treated mice were not significantly affected. Nevertheless, histological analysis revealed that adenovirus-mediated expression of hPON1, hPON3 or both of them reduced atherosclerotic plaque area to a similar extent. Although no synergistic mechanism was detected in reducing arterial lesion size, hPON1 and hPON3 showed synergistic effects on promoting macrophage cholesterol efflux. In conclusion, hPON1 and hPON3 exhibited similar potentials in reducing arterial lesion size, but they exerted antiatherogenic effects in distinct ways.

Association between CpG island methylation of the WWOX gene and its expression in breast cancers

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of the WWOX gene in breast carcinoma and to analyze the relationship between its expression and methylation.

METHODS

Methylation of the WWOX promoter and exon 1 as well as WWOX expression were determined by methylation-specific PCR, reverse transcription PCR and immunohistochemistry in 20 breast cancer tissue samples and corresponding nonneoplastic tissues. The expression of WWOX protein was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 2 breast cancer cell lines.

RESULTS

WWOX mRNA expression was reduced in breast cancer tissues as compared to adjacent tissues (p < 0.001). WWOX mRNA and protein expression was significantly reduced in breast cancer tissues with methylated WWOX CpG islands when compared to tissues without methylation (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). Immunohistochemical analysis also showed that WWOX levels were significantly decreased in tissues with WWOX methylation (p = 0.001). WWOX mRNA and protein expression was greatly reduced in MDA-MB-231 cells, partly due to the methylation of WWOX CpG islands, and recovered after hydralazine treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Differential regulation of the WWOX gene plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer, due partially to methylation of the WWOX DNA CpG islands.

Increased expression of osteopontin in patients with triple-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with triple-negative [oestrogen receptor (ER) negative, progesterone receptor (PR) negative, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) negative] breast cancer, accounting for about 15% of breast cancer cases, are associated with aggressive histology, poor prognosis and shorter survival. Osteopontin is a chemokine-like phosphorylated glycoprotein that plays important role in cancer progression and is found to be a metastasis-associated protein in breast cancer. The goal of the study was to evaluate osteopontin protein expression levels in triple-negative breast carcinomas to determine if they correlated with clinicopathological parameters, thus providing additional support for osteopontin functioning and better understanding of triple-negative breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A database of 239 patients, in whom all three markers (ER, PR, and HER-2/neu) were available, was reviewed. We performed osteopontin protein expression analyses by means of immunohistochemistry on 117 breast carcinoma tissue samples, and then assessed the mean value of osteopontin expression against triple-negative status and clinicopathological parameters.

RESULTS

Of the 239 patients in the study, 47 were classified as triple negative. Of the 117 osteopontin-test patients in this cohort, mean osteopontin levels were significantly higher in the triple-negative breast cancers than in non-triple-negative subtype (P = 0.035). TNM (tumours, nodes, metastases) stage were significantly associated with osteopontin levels (P = 0.038). Univariate analysis showed tumour cell osteopontin positivity above an optimized cut-point to be significantly associated with decreased disease-free survival, but not overall survival. In the multivariate model, osteopontin was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with osteopontin overexpression develop predominantly triple-negative tumours. Osteopontin overexpression is associated with tumour aggressiveness and poor prognosis.

Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses of humans to inactivated influenza vaccine with or without QS21 adjuvant

To evaluate humoral (antibody) and cell mediated immune (CMI) responses, 30 healthy young adults were either given inactivated influenza vaccine with or without QS21 adjuvant. Vaccination site pain and postvaccination myalgias were greater in the QS21 group. Serum antibody increases occurred in 73-93% of subjects for each vaccine and antigen at 2 weeks and 4 weeks but frequencies and mean titers for the two vaccines were not different. No differences in T cell cytotoxicity were detected for either vaccine for influenza A or B infected cells. IFN-gamma for both vaccine groups was increased in supernates after 3 days but not 7 days of stimulation in the cytotoxicity tests; amounts for the two vaccines were similar. To further evaluate CMI, remaining PBMCs were stimulated overnight with cells infected with each vaccine strain; an increase in spot forming cells (sfc) for Granzyme B and IFN-gamma was found for all subjects and in 51 of 54 sfc tests. A slightly higher response in the Gran B test for QS21 subjects was suggested, but no clear immune response advantage was identified among healthy adults for QS21 adjuvanted influenza vaccine.