Improved Measurement of the Evolution of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

Reactor neutrino experiments play a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of neutrinos. In this Letter, the evolution of the flux and spectrum as a function of the reactor isotopic content is reported in terms of the inverse-beta-decay yield at Daya Bay with 1958 days of data and improved systematic uncertainties. These measurements are compared with two signature model predictions: the Huber-Mueller model based on the conversion method and the SM2018 model based on the summation method. The measured average flux and spectrum, as well as the flux evolution with the ^{239}Pu isotopic fraction, are inconsistent with the predictions of the Huber-Mueller model. In contrast, the SM2018 model is shown to agree with the average flux and its evolution but fails to describe the energy spectrum. Altering the predicted inverse-beta-decay spectrum from ^{239}Pu fission does not improve the agreement with the measurement for either model. The models can be brought into better agreement with the measurements if either the predicted spectrum due to ^{235}U fission is changed or the predicted ^{235}U, ^{238}U, ^{239}Pu, and ^{241}Pu spectra are changed in equal measure.

Precision Measurement of Reactor Antineutrino Oscillation at Kilometer-Scale Baselines by Daya Bay

We present a new determination of the smallest neutrino mixing angle θ_{13} and the mass-squared difference Δm_{32}^{2} using a final sample of 5.55×10^{6} inverse beta-decay (IBD) candidates with the final-state neutron captured on gadolinium. This sample is selected from the complete dataset obtained by the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment in 3158 days of operation. Compared to the previous Daya Bay results, selection of IBD candidates has been optimized, energy calibration refined, and treatment of backgrounds further improved. The resulting oscillation parameters are sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0851±0.0024, Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.466±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the normal mass ordering or Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.571±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the inverted mass ordering.

[Analytical performance verification protocols and performance specifications of platelet-dependent von Willebrand factor activity testing]

Objective: To investigate the analytical performance verification protocols and performance specifications of platelet-dependent von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity testing (VWF:GPIbM) for clinical laboratories. Methods: According to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) documents and National Health Standard of China, the performance verification of VWF:GPIbM was designed and implemented using Sysmex CS-5100 instrument and its corresponding reagents. (1) Precision verification: Two commercial quality control samples (with normal and low activity levels) and three plasma pools (with activity range from 5.0% to 150.0%) were prepared. Each sample was tested five times daily for five consecutive days. The coefficient of variation (CV) of intra-and inter-run precisions were calculated, and the precision evaluation criterion was set according to package inserts. (2) Trueness verification: The calibrator was diluted to five reference materials with activity values of 5.2%, 31.2%, 62.4%, 104.0% and 138.7%, and each reference material was tested five times daily for five consecutive days. The bias between the measured value and the reference value was calculated, and the trueness evaluation criterion was set according to the total allowable error. (3) Linearity verification: Ten pooled plasmas with theoretical value range from 3.6% to 160.4% were prepared for the linearity verification of two calibration curves set by the manufacturer (i.e. low range and normal range calibration curve). Each pooled plasma was tested three times in a single run. The slope and R² of linear regression of mean of measured value and theoretical value, as well as bias, were calculated, and the linearity evaluation criterion was set according to National Health Standard of China and package inserts. (4) Limit of quantitation verification: The calibrator was diluted to two reference materials with activity values of 3.3% and 2.7%, and each material was tested twelve times. The limit of quantitation evaluation criterion was set according to CLSI document. Results: The CVs of intra-and inter-run were 1.0%-2.5% and 1.1%-2.6%, respectively. The biases of trueness verification were -0.4%, 1.0%, -2.6%, 0.3% and -2.7%, respectively. The linearity verification results of low range (3.6%-31.8%) and normal range (28.4%-160.4%) showed that the slopes of regression equation were 1.021 7 and 0.996 2, respectively, R² were 0.993 5 and 0.993 9, respectively, and the biases with 0-1.8% and -10.1%-0 of plasmas met the criterion. The biases ranged from -0.4% to 0.3% of test results in the verification of limit of quantitation met the criterion. Conclusion: The verification results of VWF:GPIbM assay for precision, trueness, linearity and limit of quantification meet the performance requirements indicated in the package inserts and the criteria set in this study, which can be taken as a reference of performance verification for the clinical laboratories.

First Measurement of High-Energy Reactor Antineutrinos at Daya Bay

This Letter reports the first measurement of high-energy reactor antineutrinos at Daya Bay, with nearly 9000 inverse beta decay candidates in the prompt energy region of 8-12 MeV observed over 1958 days of data collection. A multivariate analysis is used to separate 2500 signal events from background statistically. The hypothesis of no reactor antineutrinos with neutrino energy above 10 MeV is rejected with a significance of 6.2 standard deviations. A 29% antineutrino flux deficit in the prompt energy region of 8-11 MeV is observed compared to a recent model prediction. We provide the unfolded antineutrino spectrum above 7 MeV as a data-based reference for other experiments. This result provides the first direct observation of the production of antineutrinos from several high-Q_{β} isotopes in commercial reactors.

Protective effect of liriodendrin against liver ischaemia/reperfusion injury in mice via modulating oxidative stress, inflammation and nuclear factor kappa B/toll-like receptor 4 pathway

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of liriodendrin (LDN) is a lignan diglucoside in hepatic ischaemia/ /reperfusion (I/R) injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The liver I/R was established in male C57BL/6 mice. The effect of LDN is initially investigated on hepatic I/R injury via estimating histopathology of liver. The level of metabolic enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was studied along with apoptosis of mouse hepatocytes via TUNEL and flow cytometry analysis. The effect of LDN was investigated on oxidative stress biomarkers (glutathione [GSH] content, malondialdehyde [MDA] and superoxide dismutase [SOD] activities) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-1β and IL-6). Western blot study was also conducted to elucidate the effect of LDN on toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B (TLR4/NF-kB).

RESULTS

Liriodendrin alleviates liver I/R injury, as manifested by decreased plasma ALT, AST and ALP with improvement in liver necrotic area. LDN also reduces apoptosis of mouse hepatocytes with reduction of oxidative stress and generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It significantly reduces the expression of TLR4 and NF-kB.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrated that LDN reduces liver injury and prevented apoptosis of hepatocytes following I/R injury. In addition, LDN also reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and TLR4/NF-kB in I/R injured mice.

Inhibition of A2AR gene methylation alleviates white matter lesions in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats

OBJECTIVE

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) can cause ischemic cerebral white matter lesions (IWML). The aim of this study was to explore the roles of A2A receptors (A2AR) in IWML and the effect of methylation in A2AR gene.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SD rat model of CCH was constructed by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) method. The rats were then treated with DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor (decitabine), agonist (CGS21680) and A2AR inhibitor (SCH58261). Morris water maze and Kluver-Barrera staining were used to assess spatial learning and reference memory after IWML, respectively. Gene transcription and protein expression were measured by qRT-PCR, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting, respectively. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and DNMT were detected by assay kit. Methylation of A2AR gene promoter region was detected by bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP).

RESULTS

We found that the down-regulated expression of A2AR in corpus callosum under CCH was associated with IWML and cognitive impairment. We further showed that A2AR agonist can reduce the IWML under CCH, and A2AR inhibitor can aggravate the IWML under CCH. We also found that the expression level of DNMTs in corpus callosum and the methylation level in the promoter region of A2AR gene were increased under CCH. DNMT inhibitors could protect white matter by inhibiting the methylation of A2AR promoter and rescue the downregulation of A2AR under CCH.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that the downregulation of A2AR mediates IWML in CCH, and A2AR downregulation is related to the increased methylation of A2AR gene promoter. DNMT inhibitors play a protective role in IWML.

Joint Determination of Reactor Antineutrino Spectra from ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu Fission by Daya Bay and PROSPECT

A joint determination of the reactor antineutrino spectra resulting from the fission of ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu has been carried out by the Daya Bay and PROSPECT Collaborations. This Letter reports the level of consistency of ^{235}U spectrum measurements from the two experiments and presents new results from a joint analysis of both data sets. The measurements are found to be consistent. The combined analysis reduces the degeneracy between the dominant ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu isotopes and improves the uncertainty of the ^{235}U spectral shape to about 3%. The ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu antineutrino energy spectra are unfolded from the jointly deconvolved reactor spectra using the Wiener-SVD unfolding method, providing a data-based reference for other reactor antineutrino experiments and other applications. This is the first measurement of the ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu spectra based on the combination of experiments at low- and highly enriched uranium reactors.

[Effect of VDR gene silencing on proliferation and NF-κB activation of airway smooth muscle cells]

Objective: To investigate the effect of VDR gene silencing on proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) and elucidate the role of NF-κB. Methods: A recombinant lentiviral vector specifically targeting VDR gene in rat was constructed by RNA interference. Rat ASMCs were divided into blank group, empty vector group and interference group. ASM cell line model stably silencing the VDR gene RNA expressing was selected by puromycin. Then MTT colorimetric assay and cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry were used to examine cell proliferation. The activation of nuclear factor-κB was determined by immunofluorescence double label method. Moreover, NF-κB-dependent transcription activity was tested through luciferase reporter gene assay. Western blotting was used for IκBα and phospho-IκBα protein levels and actinomycin D treatment was used to determine IκBα mRNA stability. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 23.0 software. Differences between groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA analysis. Multiple comparisons among groups were made by Student-Newman-Keuls test. Results: (1) As compared with those in the blank group and the empty vector group, the cell proliferation index (PI) and the percent of ASMCs at G₂/M phase in the interference group were markedly increased (P<0.05), but their percent at G_0/1 phase was decreased (P<0.05).(2) In the interference group, the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in ASMCs was obviously induced. And its level of receptor gene NF-κB p65 (1.37±0.28) was significantly higher than that in the blank group (1.00±0.19,P=0.031) and in the empty vector group (0.96±0.18,P=0.027).(3) In the interference group, the IκBα protein level in ASMCs (0.13±0.04) was obviously less than that in the blank group (0.29±0.05, P=0.023) and in the empty vector group (0.32±0.07, P=0.014). Oppositely, the p-IκBα/IκBα level in the interference group (0.86±0.04) was much more than that in the blank control group (0.41±0.07, P=0.026) and in the empty vector group (0.37±0.05, P=0.017). (4) In the interference group, IκBα mRNA showed a shorter half-life, (171.31±9.67) min, compared to that in the blank group [(224.69±7.95) min,P=0.032] and in the empty vector group [(230.41±6.37) min,P=0.035]. Conclusion: VDR gene silencing could promote ASMC proliferation and the underlying mechanism may involve the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

[Comparative study ofmethylene blue tracer and double tracer containing nuclide in sentinel lymph node biopsy of breast cancer]

Objective: To compare the application effect of blue dye single tracer and blue dye combined with nuclide double tracer in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) of breast cancer surgery. Methods: A total of 92 breast cancer patients in Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute from November 2017 to October 2019 underwent methyleneblue dye combined with (99)Tc(m) sulfur colloid nuclide double tracer in SLNB, while other 92 cases in Jining First People Hospital underwent blue dye single tracer. The number of SLN detection, detection rate, accuracy rate, sensitivity, and false negative rate of the two groups were compared. The impacts of age, menstruation, tumor location, tumor size, clinical stage, pathological type, and estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal receptor 2 (HER-2), molecular typing, dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI)on the detection rate of SLN were analyzed. Results: The number of detection, detection rate, accuracy, sensitivity, and false negative rate of the blue dye single tracer group were 3.20±1.10, 90.22%, 93.48%, 95.24% and 4.76%, respectively; the double tracer group were 3.37±1.02, 92.39%, 95.65%, 95.65% and 4.35%, respectively, without significant difference (all P>0.05). In different age, menstrual condition, tumor location, clinical stage, pathological type, ER, PR, HER-2 expression and molecular typing, the detection rate of single tracer group and double tracer group had no significant difference (all P>0.05). However, in the tumor size of 2-5 cm and without DCE-MRI examination, the detection rate of single tracer group was significantly lower than that of double tracer group. Conclusion: The effect of blue dye single tracer in detecting SLN of breast cancer is equivalent to that of double tracer method, which is worthy of promotion and application in primary hospitals.

Lamin B1 deficiency promotes malignancy and predicts poor prognosis in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is a kind of global malignancy. However, the expression pattern and clinical relevance of lamin B1 in GC remain to be elucidated. We endeavored to investigate how GC is influenced by lamin B1 and the related mechanisms. The lamin B1 expression in GC tissues from 71 patients was assessed by using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The expression of lamin B1 was connected with the clinical stage, depth of invasion, and poorer overall survival. Colony formation assays and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) were used to assess cell viability. The migration ability of GC cells was determined by cell scratch assay and Transwell invasion assay. Moreover, we used two cell lines of GC to explore the underlying mechanism of lamin B1 in boosting the GC cells proliferation and invasion in vitro by assessing the effects on related signal transduction pathways. Our data demonstrated that the expression level of lamin B1 was downregulated in GC tissues, and low expression level of lamin B1 was significantly correlated with higher clinical stage, depth of invasion, nodal stage, and poor prognosis. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that lamin B1 knockdown promoted, whereas lamin B1 overexpression inhibited, gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration. We also observed that lamin B1 knockdown could promote the activity of the PI3K/PTEN/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathway with a decrease in the p53/p21WAF1/CIP1 expression, whereas lamin B1 overexpression contributed to the opposite results. In conclusion, our studies indicate that lamin B1 deficiency is crucial in GC progression. Furthermore, the results elucidating the biological mechanisms of lamin B1 may potentially contribute to current GC treatment modalities.

RNA-seq reveals transcriptome changes of the embryonic lens cells in Prox1 tissue specific knockout mice

OBJECTIVE

Prox1 is expressed in both lens epithelial cells and fiber cells and is essential for lens fiber cell elongation. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms of how Prox1 mutations influence lens fiber cells development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Comparative transcriptomes analysis of Prox1 conditional knockout (cKO) lens and wild-type (WT) lens were performed using the data GSE69940 downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined by the R package "edgeR" of Trinity software. GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases) enrichment analysis were performed using the cluster Profiler R package. Then, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was predicted using Cytoscape, and the Module analysis of the PPI network was analyzed through the Cytoscape MCODE plugin. Moreover, MotifDb package in R was used to predict the transcription factors binding to Prox1 promoter regions.

RESULTS

In total, 2263 differentially expressed genes were identified between the two groups. GO and KEGG analysis showed that the down-regulated genes were enriched in camera-type eye term, nucleosome assembly, lens fiber cell differentiation, and cell modified and amino acid metabolism. The KEGG pathway of up-regulated genes was associated with lens development, including Hedgehog signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. GO terms of up-regulated DEGs were mainly relevant to bone morphological development, muscle development, and sensory organ morphological development. Next, the PPI network of DEGs was constructed, and 4 modules were analyzed. Moreover, 30 transcription factors were predicted, which are likely to be downstream targets of Prox1 with potential roles in lens development in mice.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insights into the unique transcriptome profile of lens cells in Prox1 conditional knockout mice, which is a valuable resource for further study of mouse lens genomics.

Improved Constraints on Sterile Neutrino Mixing from Disappearance Searches in the MINOS, MINOS+, Daya Bay, and Bugey-3 Experiments

Searches for electron antineutrino, muon neutrino, and muon antineutrino disappearance driven by sterile neutrino mixing have been carried out by the Daya Bay and MINOS+ collaborations. This Letter presents the combined results of these searches, along with exclusion results from the Bugey-3 reactor experiment, framed in a minimally extended four-neutrino scenario. Significantly improved constraints on the θ_{μe} mixing angle are derived that constitute the most constraining limits to date over five orders of magnitude in the mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2}, excluding the 90% C.L. sterile-neutrino parameter space allowed by the LSND and MiniBooNE observations at 90% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<13  eV^{2}. Furthermore, the LSND and MiniBooNE 99% C.L. allowed regions are excluded at 99% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<1.6 eV^{2}.

[High level of hemoglobin during the first trimester of pregnancy associated with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus]

Objective: To explore the relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) level during the first trimester of pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: A total of 1 276 participants, who underwent scheduled prenatal examination and normal singleton delivery at the Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai and Hospital of Intergrated Chinese and Western Medicine in Minhang District, from January 2016 to May 2018 were included. There were 99 cases of GDM (GDM group) and 1 177 cases of normal (control group) pregnant women.Based on the serum Hb level during the first trimester of pregnancy, participants were divided into three groups, 236 cases of low Hb level group (Hb<110 g/L), 868 cases of normal Hb level group (110 g/L≤Hb<130 g/L), and 172 cases of high Hb level group (Hb≥130 g/L). Maternal clinical data were collected, including Hb level during the first trimester of pregnancy, three-point blood glucose (BG) of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and fasting insulin during the second trimester of pregnancy. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and homeostasis model assessment of pancreatic β cell function index (HOMA-β) were used to evaluate insulin resistance and pancreatic β cell function. Results: (1) Hb level during the first trimester of pregnancy in GDM group was significantly higher than that in control group [(123±10),(119±11) g/L, P<0.05]. There were no significant difference in gravidity, parity, index of liver and renal function (all P>0.05). (2) Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), 1-hour BG and 2-hour BG of OGTT were significantly increased in the high Hb level group during the first trimester of pregnancy, which were (23±4) kg/m(2), (7.3±2.0) mmol/L, and (6.5±1.4) mmol/L (P<0.05), respectively. The pre-pregnancy BMI, 1-hour BG and 2-hour BG of the normal or low Hb level group were (22±3) kg/m(2), (6.7±1.6) mmol/L, (6.1±1.2) mmol/L; (22±3) kg/m(2), (6.5±1.5) mmol/L, (5.9±1.1) mmol/L, respectively. There were no statistically significant difference in levels of fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and HOMA-β within 3 groups (all P>0.05). (3) In the high Hb level group, prevalence of pregnancy overweight or obesity and GDM were the highest, which were 37.2%(64/172) and 15.1%(26/172), respectively; the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (4) The serum Hb level in the first trimester was positively related with pre-pregnancy BMI (r=0.130, P<0.05), 1-hour BG (r=0.129, P<0.05), 2-hour BG (r=0.134, P<0.05), fasting insulin (r=0.096, P<0.05), and HOMA-IR (r=0.101, P<0.05).Logistic regression indicated that Hb≥130 g/L during the first trimester of pregnancy was an independent risk factor for GDM (OR=2.799, 95%CI: 1.186-6.604; P<0.05). Conclusion: The high level of Hb (Hb≥130 g/L) during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with GDM.

Extraction of the ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu Antineutrino Spectra at Daya Bay

This Letter reports the first extraction of individual antineutrino spectra from ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu fission and an improved measurement of the prompt energy spectrum of reactor antineutrinos at Daya Bay. The analysis uses 3.5×10^{6} inverse beta-decay candidates in four near antineutrino detectors in 1958 days. The individual antineutrino spectra of the two dominant isotopes, ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu, are extracted using the evolution of the prompt spectrum as a function of the isotope fission fractions. In the energy window of 4-6 MeV, a 7% (9%) excess of events is observed for the ^{235}U (^{239}Pu) spectrum compared with the normalized Huber-Mueller model prediction. The significance of discrepancy is 4.0σ for ^{235}U spectral shape compared with the Huber-Mueller model prediction. The shape of the measured inverse beta-decay prompt energy spectrum disagrees with the prediction of the Huber-Mueller model at 5.3σ. In the energy range of 4-6 MeV, a maximal local discrepancy of 6.3σ is observed.

[Comparative study on the efficacy and safety between pegfilgrastim (PEG-rhG-CSF) and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in promoting hematopoietic recovery after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after hematological malignancy]

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety between Pegfilgrastim (PEG-rhG-CSF) and Recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) in hematological malignancy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: 157 patients after allo-HSCT were enrolled in this study from June 2015 to November 2016. Two agents of G-CSF were used to stimulate hematopoietic recovery after transplantation. There were 65 cases in PEG-rhG-CSF and 92 cases in rhG-CSF groups. Patients in PEG-rhG-CSF group were given a single subcutaneous dose of 6 mg on the first day and +8 d, while cases in rhG-CSF group were given in dose of 5 μg·kg(-1)·d(-1) by subcutaneous injection from +1 d continuing to neutrophils more than 1.5×10(9)/L, and then the indicators and survival rates in two groups after transplantation were compared. Results: ①There were no significant differences of the neutrophil implantation time[13.5 (8-12) d vs 13 (9-24) d, P=0.393] and platelet implantation time [14 (9-160) d vs 14 (9-92) d, P=0.094] between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups respectively. There were no significant differences in terms of neutropenia period (P=0.435) , number of cases who got fever during neutropenia (P=0.622) , and the median time of fever in neutropenia period (P=0.460) , respectively between the two groups. There were no significant differences of erythrocyte and platelet transfusions (P=0.074, P=0.059) within 1 month after transplantation. ②There were no significant differences with regard to the incidences of acute GVHD[23.1% (15/65) vs 34.8% (32/92) , P=0.115], chronic GVHD[20.0% (13/65) vs 32.6% (32/92) , P=0.081], Ⅱ-Ⅳdegree of acute GVHD[30.0% (13/65) vs 30.4% (30/92) , P=0.287] and extensive chronic GVHD[9.2% (6/65) vs 20.7% (19/92) , P=0.135] between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups. ③There were no significant differences in terms of disease free survival (DFS) (62.5% vs 61.4%, P=0.478) and overall survival (OS) (67.4% vs 67.3%, P=0.718) between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups. ④There was no significant difference of the non-relapse mortality (NRM) between PEG-rhG-CSF and rhG-CSF groups[20.5% (95%CI 11.4%-37.0%) vs 32.6% (95%CI 22.2%-47.9%) , P=0.141]. The relapse rate was not statistically significant[14.9% (95%CI 7.4%-29.8%) vs 10.0% (95%CI 5.0%-20.0%) , P=0.299]. Conclusion: Compared with rhG-CSF, PEG-rhG-CSF could reduce the times of injection. There were no differences in terms of hematopoietic recovery, the incidence of GVHD, relapse rate, DFS and OS rates after allo-HSCT between two groups.

Dexmedetomidine enhances ropivacaine-induced sciatic nerve injury in diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

Previous studies suggest that dexmedetomidine has a protective effect against local anaesthetic-induced nerve injury in regional nerve blocks. Whether this potentially protective effect exists in the context of diabetes mellitus is unknown.

METHODS

A diabetic state was established in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Injections of ropivacaine 0.5%, dexmedetomidine 20 μg kg^-1 (alone and in combination), or normal saline (all in 0.2 ml) were made around the sciatic nerve in control and diabetic rats (n=8 per group). The duration of sensory and motor nerve block and the motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were determined. Sciatic nerves were harvested at post-injection day 7 and assessed with light and electron microscopy or used for pro-inflammatory cytokine measurements.

RESULTS

Ropivacaine and dexmedetomidine alone or in combination did not produce nerve fibre damage in control non-diabetic rats. In diabetic rats, ropivacaine induced significant nerve fibre damage, which was enhanced by dexmedetomidine. This manifested with slowed MNCV, decreased axon density, and decreased ratio of inner to outer diameter of the myelin sheath (G ratio). Demyelination, axon disappearance, and empty vacuoles were also found using electron microscopy. An associated increase in nerve interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α was also seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Ropivacaine 0.5% causes significant sciatic nerve injury in diabetic rats that is greatly potentiated by high-dose dexmedetomidine. Although the dose of dexmedetomidine used in this study is considerably higher than that used in clinical practice, our data suggest that further studies to assess ropivacaine (alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine) use for peripheral nerve blockade in diabetic patients are warranted.

Measurement of the Electron Antineutrino Oscillation with 1958 Days of Operation at Daya Bay

We report a measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation from the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment with nearly 4 million reactor ν[over ¯]_{e} inverse β decay candidates observed over 1958 days of data collection. The installation of a flash analog-to-digital converter readout system and a special calibration campaign using different source enclosures reduce uncertainties in the absolute energy calibration to less than 0.5% for visible energies larger than 2 MeV. The uncertainty in the cosmogenic ^{9}Li and ^{8}He background is reduced from 45% to 30% in the near detectors. A detailed investigation of the spent nuclear fuel history improves its uncertainty from 100% to 30%. Analysis of the relative ν[over ¯]_{e} rates and energy spectra among detectors yields sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0856±0.0029 and Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.471_{-0.070}^{+0.068})×10^{-3}  eV^{2} assuming the normal hierarchy, and Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.575_{-0.070}^{+0.068})×10^{-3}  eV^{2} assuming the inverted hierarchy.

[Clinical efficacy of recombinant activated factor Ⅶ a for 16 hematonosis with moderate or severe bleeding]

目的

观察重组人凝血因子Ⅶa（rFⅦa）对血液病及其异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）术后出血患者的止血疗效。

方法

以2013年5月至2016年5月住院治疗的16例合并中至重度出血的血液病患者为观察对象，非移植组及移植组患者各8例，两组患者应用rFⅦa的用法、用量无明显差异。同时，以同期15例allo-HSCT后发生肠道急性移植物抗宿主病（aGVHD）肠出血患者为对照组（未应用rFⅦa），将其与allo-HSCT后肠道aGVHD肠出血应用rFⅦa患者进行生存比较，总结患者应用rFⅦa治疗的临床疗效。

结果

①非移植组与移植组患者中，rFⅦa止血显效率分别为75.0%（6/8）和37.5%（3/8），显效中位时间分别为38.5和63.0 h，中位总生存（OS）时间分别为201.0和29.0 d，OS率分别为50.0%（4/8）和25.0%（2/8），出血相关死亡率分别为50.0%（2/4）和83.3%（5/6）。②16例患者中显效者9例，无效者7例，显效组与无效组患者中，中位OS时间分别为268.0和24.0 d，OS率分别为66.7%（6/9）和0（0/7）。③同期肠道aGVHD合并肠出血患者，观察组（6例）与对照组（15例）患者的中位OS时间分别为25.5和20.0 d。

结论

血液病患者尤其是allo-HSCT患者出血相关死亡率高，rFⅦa治疗有一定止血疗效；显效组患者OS率较无效组高；allo-HSCT后肠道出血患者采用rFⅦa治疗止血效果不佳的原因可能与移植后导致出血的并发症控制不佳有关。

Evolution of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

The Daya Bay experiment has observed correlations between reactor core fuel evolution and changes in the reactor antineutrino flux and energy spectrum. Four antineutrino detectors in two experimental halls were used to identify 2.2 million inverse beta decays (IBDs) over 1230 days spanning multiple fuel cycles for each of six 2.9 GW_{th} reactor cores at the Daya Bay and Ling Ao nuclear power plants. Using detector data spanning effective ^{239}Pu fission fractions F_{239} from 0.25 to 0.35, Daya Bay measures an average IBD yield σ[over ¯]_{f} of (5.90±0.13)×10^{-43}  cm^{2}/fission and a fuel-dependent variation in the IBD yield, dσ_{f}/dF_{239}, of (-1.86±0.18)×10^{-43}  cm^{2}/fission. This observation rejects the hypothesis of a constant antineutrino flux as a function of the ^{239}Pu fission fraction at 10 standard deviations. The variation in IBD yield is found to be energy dependent, rejecting the hypothesis of a constant antineutrino energy spectrum at 5.1 standard deviations. While measurements of the evolution in the IBD spectrum show general agreement with predictions from recent reactor models, the measured evolution in total IBD yield disagrees with recent predictions at 3.1σ. This discrepancy indicates that an overall deficit in the measured flux with respect to predictions does not result from equal fractional deficits from the primary fission isotopes ^{235}U, ^{239}Pu, ^{238}U, and ^{241}Pu. Based on measured IBD yield variations, yields of (6.17±0.17) and (4.27±0.26)×10^{-43}  cm^{2}/fission have been determined for the two dominant fission parent isotopes ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu. A 7.8% discrepancy between the observed and predicted ^{235}U yields suggests that this isotope may be the primary contributor to the reactor antineutrino anomaly.

Rare Variants in LAMA5 Gene associated with FLT4 and FOXC2 Mutations in Primary Lymphedema May Contribute to Severity

Mutations in the Fms-related tyrosine kinase 4 (FLT4) and forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) genes cause Milroy disease (MD) and lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome (LDS), respectively, but the mechanism underlying disease pathology remains unclear. Applying whole-exome sequencing to two families with MD, one LDS family, and one sporadic LDS case, we identified four rare variants in the laminin subunit alpha-5 gene (LAMA5) in subjects carrying novel and known missense FLT4 mutations and a 7-bp duplication and 1-bp insertion in FOXC2. Phenotyping was expanded in some individuals using magnetic resonance lymphangiography, indiocyanine green fluorescence lymphography, and immunofluorescent lymphatic staining of skin tissue. Skin lymphatic staining showed the existence of dermal lymphatic vasculature in the MD case. Significant lymphatic dysfunction was observed in both MD and LDS patients. In the MD patient, tortuous lymphatics in the dorsum of the foot were slowly enhanced on indocyanine green fluorescent lymphography (ICG) imaging. Dilated lymph collectors with disruption and lymph leakage were observed in the familial LDS case on magnetic resonance lymphangiography (MRL). Numerous tortuous lymph collectors were visualized along the entire length of affected lower limbs on MRL imaging, and retrograde lymph flow was observed in the lymph collectors during ICG lymphography in the isolated LDS case. The finding of rare LAMA5 variants together with FLT4 and FOXC2 mutations suggests that these mutations may be co-responsible for these disorders and most likely interfere with the function of lymphatics. Further, larger studies are needed to confirm these results.

Outbreak of Occupational Brucellosis at a Pharmaceutical Factory in Southeast China

Brucellosis is an occupational disease affecting workers in butcher shops, the milking and dairy product industry, causing more than 500 000 new cases around the world. As a national statutory B infectious disease in China, morbidity of brucellosis is rapidly increasing in recent years. We report an occupational outbreak of brucellosis infection in a pharmaceutical factory. Exposure was a result of manual operation in the process line, close contact with sheep placentas, insufficient disinfection and repeated using of protective suits and infected by aerosol dissemination. Improved preventive methods, appropriate public health measures and spread of health education would be helpful to prevent the occupational outbreak of brucellosis in future.

Limits on Active to Sterile Neutrino Oscillations from Disappearance Searches in the MINOS, Daya Bay, and Bugey-3 Experiments

Searches for a light sterile neutrino have been performed independently by the MINOS and the Daya Bay experiments using the muon (anti)neutrino and electron antineutrino disappearance channels, respectively. In this Letter, results from both experiments are combined with those from the Bugey-3 reactor neutrino experiment to constrain oscillations into light sterile neutrinos. The three experiments are sensitive to complementary regions of parameter space, enabling the combined analysis to probe regions allowed by the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector (LSND) and MiniBooNE experiments in a minimally extended four-neutrino flavor framework. Stringent limits on sin^{2}2θ_{μe} are set over 6 orders of magnitude in the sterile mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2}. The sterile-neutrino mixing phase space allowed by the LSND and MiniBooNE experiments is excluded for Δm_{41}^{2}<0.8  eV^{2} at 95%  CL_{s}.

Improved Search for a Light Sterile Neutrino with the Full Configuration of the Daya Bay Experiment

This Letter reports an improved search for light sterile neutrino mixing in the electron antineutrino disappearance channel with the full configuration of the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. With an additional 404 days of data collected in eight antineutrino detectors, this search benefits from 3.6 times the statistics available to the previous publication, as well as from improvements in energy calibration and background reduction. A relative comparison of the rate and energy spectrum of reactor antineutrinos in the three experimental halls yields no evidence of sterile neutrino mixing in the 2×10^{-4}≲|Δm_{41}^{2}|≲0.3  eV^{2} mass range. The resulting limits on sin^{2}2θ_{14} are improved by approx imately a factor of 2 over previous results and constitute the most stringent constraints to date in the |Δm_{41}^{2}|≲0.2  eV^{2} region.

Heterologous expression of the Hsp24 from Trichoderma asperellum improves antifungal ability of Populus transformant Pdpap-Hsp24 s to Cytospora chrysosperma and Alternaria alternate

The tolerance of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses could be improved by transforming with fungal resistance-related genes. In this study, the cDNA sequence (GenBank Acc. No. KP337939) of the resistance-related gene Hsp24 encoding the 24 kD heat shock protein was obtained from the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma asperellum ACCC30536. The promoter region of Hsp24 contained many cis-regulators related to stresses response, such as "GCN4" and "GCR1" etc. Hsp24 transcription in T. asperellum was up-regulated under six different environmental stresses, compared with the control. Furthermore, following heterologous transformation into Populus davidiana × P. alba var. Pyramidalis (Pdpap), Hsp24 was successfully transcribed in transformant Pdpap-Hsp24s. Pathogen-related genes (PRs) in four Pdpap-Hsp24s were up-regulated compared with those in the control Pdpap (Pdpap-Con). After co-culture of Pdpap-Hsp24s with the weak parasite Cytospora chrysosperma, the transcription of genes related to hormone signal pathway (JA and SA) were up-regulated in Pdpap-Hsp24s, and ethidium bromide (EtBr) and Nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) staining assays indicated that the cell membrane permeability and the active oxygen content of Pdpap-Hsp24s leaves were lower than that of the control Pdpap-Con. And when the Pdpap-Hsp24s were under the Alternaria alternate stress, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) got higher in Pdpap-Hsp24s than that in Pdpap-Con, and the disease spots in Pdpap-Con leaves were obviously larger than those in Pdpap-Hsp24s leaves. In summary, Hsp24 of T. asperellum ACCC30536 is an important defense response gene, and its heterologous expression improved the resistance of transformant Pdpap-Hsp24s to C. chrysosperma and A. alternate.

[Effect of autophagy inhibitor combined with EGFR inhibitor on triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of combined administration of autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine/bafilomycin A1 and EGFR inhibitor gefitinib on triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231 cells and estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 cells.

METHODS

All the cells were treated with 3-methyladenine/bafilomycin A1 and/or gefitinib. The effect of autophagy inhibitor and gefitinib on the cell growth was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to determine the alteration of autophagy-related protein (such as LC3) and apoptosis-related proteins (such as caspase-3 and caspase-9).

RESULTS

MTT assay showed that the IC50 in the GE+ 3-MA and GE+ BAF groups were (4.1±0.2) μmol/L and (3.8±0.3) μmol/L, significantly lower than that of the gefitinib alone group [(7.0±0.2) μmol/L] in MDA-MB-468 cells (P<0.05). Similarly, the IC50 in the GE+ 3-MA and GE+ BAF groups were (9.7±0.1) μmol/L and (7.7±0.2) μmol/L, significantly lower than that of the gefitinib alone group [(14.7±0.1) μmol/L]in MDA-MB231 cells (P<0.05). The flow cytometry assay revealed that the apoptosis rates of MDA-MB-468 cells in GE, GE+ 3-MA and GE+ BAF groups were (12.43±3.18)%, (23.37±2.71)% and (18.71±2.81)%, respectively. The apoptosis rates of MDA-MB-231 cells of the GE, GE+ 3-MA and GE+ BAF groups were (12.15±1.82)%, (16.94±2.19)% and (33.83±5.92) %, significantly higher than that of the gefitinib alone group (All P<0.05). The apoptosis rates of the MCF-7 cells were not changed significantly among the three groups (P>0.05). Western blot data showed that the expression levels of LC3 and p-Akt were decreased in the combined groups than that of the gefitinib alone group, while the p-PTEN, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Autophagy inhibitor may enhance the sensitivity to gefitinib in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells by activation of the PTEN/P13K/Akt pathway. Apoptosis in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells might be enhanced by the combination treatment through caspase cascade.

Chlorpyrifos-induced hormesis in insecticide-resistant and -susceptible Plutella xylostella under normal and high temperatures

Hormesis induced by insecticides at the dosage lower than what ostensibly directly causes death on insects was studied. This paper reports the effects of the in vivo application of varied concentrations of chlorpyrifos (CPF) on Plutella xylostella (DBM). The insecticide concentrations applied included 0.000025-2.5 mg l-1, which are far lower than LC1 (7.2 mg l-1), for the CPF-susceptable (Si) DBM, and 250 mg l-1 which is far below LC1 (1286 mg l-1), for the CPF-resistant (Rc) DBM, as well as LC10- and LC50-doses for both strains. Significant hormesis was found with the 'hermetic-CPFs', i.e., 0.0025 mg l-1 for Si DBM and 2.5 mg l-1 for Rc DBM, at the normal or high temperature either in a 24 h or under a long-term treatment. These doses of CPF significantly stimulated the development and increased the fecundity of Si and Rc DBM at 25°C with approximately 23.5-29.8% activity increase on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and 30.5-91.3% increase on glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) at 25 or 38°C in 4-24 h. The enzymatic activities were significantly reduced by LC50-CPF at 25°C in vivo, but the inhibition was relieved significantly, if the insects were first subjected to a hormetic-CPF pretreatment. It was remarkable that the average rates of enzymatic activity increase were 67.5-76.6% for AChE and 366-546% for GSTs. Consequently, it was concluded that the hormesis on Si and Rc DBM could be induced by CPF doses far below LC1 at normal or high temperature in short- or long-term treatment. These findings might help to improve the current insect control practices in the field.

Measurement of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

This Letter reports a measurement of the flux and energy spectrum of electron antineutrinos from six 2.9 GWth nuclear reactors with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls in the Daya Bay experiment. Using 217 days of data, 296 721 and 41 589 inverse β decay (IBD) candidates were detected in the near and far halls, respectively. The measured IBD yield is (1.55±0.04) ×10(-18)  cm(2) GW(-1) day(-1) or (5.92±0.14) ×10(-43)  cm(2) fission(-1). This flux measurement is consistent with previous short-baseline reactor antineutrino experiments and is 0.946±0.022 (0.991±0.023) relative to the flux predicted with the Huber-Mueller (ILL-Vogel) fissile antineutrino model. The measured IBD positron energy spectrum deviates from both spectral predictions by more than 2σ over the full energy range with a local significance of up to ∼4σ between 4-6 MeV. A reactor antineutrino spectrum of IBD reactions is extracted from the measured positron energy spectrum for model-independent predictions.

New measurement of antineutrino oscillation with the full detector configuration at Daya Bay

We report a new measurement of electron antineutrino disappearance using the fully constructed Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. The final two of eight antineutrino detectors were installed in the summer of 2012. Including the 404 days of data collected from October 2012 to November 2013 resulted in a total exposure of 6.9×10^{5} GW_{th}  ton days, a 3.6 times increase over our previous results. Improvements in energy calibration limited variations between detectors to 0.2%. Removal of six ^{241}Am-^{13}C radioactive calibration sources reduced the background by a factor of 2 for the detectors in the experimental hall furthest from the reactors. Direct prediction of the antineutrino signal in the far detectors based on the measurements in the near detectors explicitly minimized the dependence of the measurement on models of reactor antineutrino emission. The uncertainties in our estimates of sin^{2}2θ_{13} and |Δm_{ee}^{2}| were halved as a result of these improvements. An analysis of the relative antineutrino rates and energy spectra between detectors gave sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.084±0.005 and |Δm_{ee}^{2}|=(2.42±0.11)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} in the three-neutrino framework.

Correlation between p53 and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in breast cancer classification

This study aimed to explore new opportunities for developing targeted therapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by analyzing the significance and association between p53 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer. The clinical and pathological data of 264 patients with breast cancer receiving surgery in our hospital from January 2012 to August 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), Ki-67, CK5/6, p53, and EGFR detected by immunohistochemical methods, breast cancer was divided into four molecular subtypes. Then, the expression of p53 and EGFR as well as their correlation in the different subtypes were determined. Among the four subtypes, luminal B breast cancer was the most common type. TNBC and HER2-enriched breast cancer had larger tumor sizes with higher expression of Ki-67 as compared with the luminal types. TNBC had a lower lymph node metastasis rate but higher CK5/6 and EGFR expression than the other three types. The expression of p53 was higher in luminal B, HER2-enriched, and triple-negative breast cancers, and this was positively correlated with the expression of EGFR in TNBC but not in the other subtypes. p53 and EGFR expression was positively correlated in TNBC, which enables us to explore the molecular biological characteristics of TNBC, so as to provide new ideas for the treatment of TNBC.

Correlation analysis of hormone receptors and the expressions of HER-2 and Ki-67 in breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the correlation and clinical significance of hormone receptors and the expressions of HER-2 and Ki-67 in breast cancer primary lesions and lymph node metastatic tissues.

METHODS

83 cases were studied, who were performed breast cancer surgeries and confirmed the ipsilateral axillary lymph node metastasis by the postoperative pathological diagnosis. Immunohistochemical method was used to simultaneously detect the expressions of ER, PR, HER-2 and Ki-67 in the primary lesions and lymph node metastases.

RESULTS

ER exhibited the expression concordance rate as 85.5% in primary lesions and metastases, with significant difference (P = 0.039); the expression concordance rates of PR and HER-2 in primary lesions and metastases were 90.4% and 89.2%, respectively, without significant difference (P = 0.289, 0.180); between the Ki-67-highly-expressed primary lesions and Ki-67-lowly-expressed metastases, the expressions of ER in primary lesions and metastases exhibited statistical significance, with P as 0.031.

CONCLUSIONS

The primary lesions and lymph node metastases had higher consistency, while there was still about 10% patients showed differentiated expression. The simultaneous detection of breast cancer primary lesions and lymph node metastases was still very necessary.

Search for a light sterile neutrino at Daya Bay

A search for light sterile neutrino mixing was performed with the first 217 days of data from the Daya Bay Reactor Antineutrino Experiment. The experiment's unique configuration of multiple baselines from six 2.9 GW(th) nuclear reactors to six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 m and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls makes it possible to test for oscillations to a fourth (sterile) neutrino in the 10(-3) eV(2)<|Δm(41)(2) |< 0.3 eV(2) range. The relative spectral distortion due to the disappearance of electron antineutrinos was found to be consistent with that of the three-flavor oscillation model. The derived limits on sin(2) 2θ(14) cover the 10(-3) eV(2) ≲ |Δm(41)(2)| ≲ 0.1 eV(2) region, which was largely unexplored.

Selecting patients for a second hepatectomy for colorectal metastases: an systemic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Opinions on the suitability of repeat hepatectomy for patients with recurrent colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) vary among studies. We conducted a meta-analysis to establish the criteria for selecting the best candidates for a second hepatectomy.

METHODS

Database and manual searches were performed to identify comparative or prognostic studies published up to October 2013. Outcomes of interest included disease characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and long-term survival after initial and second hepatectomies for patients with CRLM. Study quality was appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and a modified Hayden's score.

RESULTS

A total of 7226 patients from 27 studies were included. Recurrent CRLMs after initial hepatectomy were more likely to be solitary (RR = 0.86, P = 0.045), unilobar (RR = 0.60, P < 0.001), and smaller (WMD = -0.66, P < 0.001). Postoperative morbidity and mortality were comparable between initial and second hepatectomies (RR = 1.10, P = 0.191; RR = 0.78, P = 0.678, respectively). In high-quality studies, patients showed better survival after a second hepatectomy than those after a single hepatectomy (HR = 0.68, P = 0.022). Patients meeting the following six predictors survived longer after second hepatectomy: disease-free survival after initial hepatectomy >1 y (P = 0.034); solitary CRLM at second hepatectomy (P < 0.001); unilobar CRLM at second hepatectomy (P = 0.009); maximal size of CRLM at second hepatectomy ≤ 5 cm (P = 0.035); lack of extrahepatic metastases at second hepatectomy (P < 0.001); and R0 resection at second hepatectomy (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Second hepatectomy is a safe and feasible procedure for patients with recurrent CRLM. In fact, in well-selected patients it improves overall survival. The established criteria can help clinicians to select the best candidates for second hepatectomy and to achieve better long-term outcomes after resection.

Knockdown of VEGFR2 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in hemangioma-derived endothelial cells

Angiogenesis is a process of development and growth of new capillary blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Angiogenic growth factors play important roles in the development and maintenance of some malignancies, of which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGFR2 interactions are involved in proliferation, migration, and survival of many cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of VEGFR2 in human hemangiomas (HAs). Using immunohistochemistry assay, we examined the expression levels of VEGF, VEGFR2, Ki-67, glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) and p-ERK in different phases of human HAs. Positive expression of VEGF, VEGFR2, Ki-67, Glut-1, p-AKT and p-ERK was significantly increased in proliferating phase HAs, while decreased in involuting phase HAs (P=0.001; P=0.003). In contrast, cell apoptotic indexes were decreased in proliferating phase HAs, but increased in involuting phase HAs (P&lt;0.01). Furthermore, we used small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated VEGFR2 knockdown in primary HA-derived endothelial cells (HemECs) to understand  the  role  of  VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling. Knockdown of VEGFR2 by Lv-shVEGFR2 inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in primary HemECs companied with decreased expression of p-AKT, p-ERK, p-p38MAPK and Ki-67 and increased expression of caspase-3 (CAS-3). Overexpression of VEGFR2 promoted cell viability and blocked apoptosis in Lv-VEGFR2-transfected HemECs. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that, increased expression of VEGFR2 is involved in the development of primary HemECs possibly through regulation of the AKT and ERK pathways, suggesting that VEGFR2 may be a potential therapeutic target for HAs. 

Spectral measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation amplitude and frequency at Daya Bay

A measurement of the energy dependence of antineutrino disappearance at the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment is reported. Electron antineutrinos (ν¯(e)) from six 2.9  GW(th) reactors were detected with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls. Using 217 days of data, 41 589 (203 809 and 92 912) antineutrino candidates were detected in the far hall (near halls). An improved measurement of the oscillation amplitude sin(2)2θ(13)=0.090(-0.009)(+0.008) and the first direct measurement of the ν¯(e) mass-squared difference |Δm(ee)2|=(2.59(-0.20)(+0.19))×10(-3)  eV2 is obtained using the observed ν¯(e) rates and energy spectra in a three-neutrino framework. This value of |Δm(ee)2| is consistent with |Δm(μμ)2| measured by muon neutrino disappearance, supporting the three-flavor oscillation model.

Observation of electron-antineutrino disappearance at Daya Bay

The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment has measured a nonzero value for the neutrino mixing angle θ(13) with a significance of 5.2 standard deviations. Antineutrinos from six 2.9 GWth reactors were detected in six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (flux-weighted baseline 470 m and 576 m) and one far (1648 m) underground experimental halls. With a 43,000 ton-GWth-day live-time exposure in 55 days, 10,416 (80,376) electron-antineutrino candidates were detected at the far hall (near halls). The ratio of the observed to expected number of antineutrinos at the far hall is R=0.940±0.011(stat.)±0.004(syst.). A rate-only analysis finds sin(2)2θ(13)=0.092±0.016(stat.)±0.005(syst.) in a three-neutrino framework.

TNIP1, SLC15A4, ETS1, RasGRP3 and IKZF1 are associated with clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese Han population

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with heterogeneous clinical manifestations influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Five novel susceptibility genes (TNIP1, SLC15A4, ETS1, RasGRP3 and IKZF1) for SLE have been identified in a recent genome-wide association study of a Chinese Han population. This study investigated their relationships with disease subphenotypes, including renal nephritis, photosensitivity, antinuclear antibody (ANA), age at diagnosis, malar rash, discoid rash, immunological disorder, oral ulcer, hematological disorder, neurological disorder, serositis, arthritis and vasculitis. Significant associations were found for the single nucleotide polymorphism rs10036748 of TNIP1 with photosensitivity (odds ratio (OR) = 0.87, p = 0.01) and vasculitis (OR = 1.18, p = 0.04); rs10847697 of SLC15A4 with discoid rash (OR = 1.18, p = 0.02); rs6590330 of ETS1 with SLE of age at diagnosis <20 years (OR = 1.24, p = 8.91 x 10(-5)); rs13385731 of RasGRP3 with malar rash (OR = 1.20, p = 0.01), discoid rash (OR = 0.78, p = 0.02) and ANA (OR = 0.72, p = 0.004); rs4917014 of IKZF1 with renal nephritis (OR = 1.13, p = 0.02) and malar rash (OR = 0.83, p = 0.00038), respectively. The study suggested that these susceptibility genes might not only play important roles in the development of SLE, but also contribute to the complex phenotypes of SLE.

The effect of Malononitrilamides (FK778) on phenotypic properties of human peripheral dendritic cells

BACKGROUND

FK778, a malononitrilamide analogue of lefunomide, is currently a promising immunosuppressive drug. Because the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of FK778 are not entirely clarified. We studied its effects on human peripheral dendritic cells.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 12 healthy volunteers were isolated by density separation over Ficoll solution. After resuspension in adaptive immunotherapy medium (AIM)-V medium, they were cultured without exogenous growth factors. The study group was treated with FK 778 (50 microg/mL) or Rapamycin (10 ng/mL). The phenotype of dendritic cell was ascertained by indirect immunoflurescence for analysis by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Compared with the Rapamycin-treated controls, the expressions of CD80, CD83, CD86, HLA-DA, CD54, CD62, CCR5, and CCR7 in the FK778-treated myeloid dendritic cells and the expression of CD80, CD83, CD86, HLA-DA, and CD54 in the FK778-treated plasmacytoid dendritic cells were significantly down-regulated.

CONCLUSION

FK778 inhibited the differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells.

Pennogenin glycosides with a spirostanol structure are strong platelet agonists: structural requirement for activity and mode of platelet agonist synergism

BACKGROUND

Steroidal saponins have long attracted scientific attention, due to their structural diversity and significant biological activities. For example, total steroidal saponins extracted from the rhizome of Paris polyphylla Sm. var. yunnanensis (TSSPs) constitute an effective treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the active constituents in TSSPs and elucidate the mechanisms that underlie their in vivo pharmacologic actions on hemostasis.

METHODS

Steroidal saponins were purified by chromatography, and their effects upon hemostasis and platelet function were evaluated by tail bleeding time in mice and rats, aggregometry, flow cytometry and Western blotting.

RESULTS

TSSPs promoted hemostasis in vivo and dose-dependently induced rat or human platelet aggregation in vitro. Using bioassay-guided separation, four known pennogenin glycosides with a spirostanol structure were identified as the active ingredients of TSSPs. A structure-activity assay showed that the aglycone and sugar moieties of pennogenin glycosides are both essential for their aggregatory activity. Their synergistic actions on platelet aggregation were observed with pennogenin glycosides and with other known platelet agonists, suggesting that these glycosides are platelet agonists. Aggregation in response to the pennogenin glycosides involved alpha(IIb)beta(3) activation, was inhibited by cAMP, was dependent upon extracellular calcium, secreted ADP and thromboxane synthesis, and was mediated by phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase.

CONCLUSION

We identified pennogenin glycosides with a spirostanol structure as the active ingredients of Paris polyphylla Sm. var. yunnanensis in promoting hemostasis in vivo. Their mode of their action on platelets suggests that they represent a new type of platelet agonist.

Active pharmaceutical ingredients and mechanisms underlying phasic myometrial contractions stimulated with the saponin extract from Paris polyphylla Sm. var. yunnanensis used for abnormal uterine bleeding

BACKGROUND

Total steroidal saponins of Paris polyphylla Sm. var. yunnanensis (TSSP) have been widely used in China for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). But until now, the main active constituents and the mechanisms underlying the pharmacological actions on uterine activity have not been described.

METHODS

Total steroidal saponins were extracted with EtOH and purified by chromatography. In vitro isometric contraction studies were performed using myometrial strips from estrogen-primed or pregnant rats. Intracellular calcium was monitored under a confocal microscope using Fluo-3 AM-loaded myometrial cells.

RESULTS

TSSP dose-dependently induced phasic myometrial contractions in vitro. Experiments with calcium channel blockers or kinase inhibitors demonstrated that the TSSP-stimulated myometrial contraction was mediated by an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) via influx of extracellular calcium and release of intracellular calcium. Through bioassay-guided separation, it was found that total spirostanol saponins exhibited contractile activity in myometrium and Pennogenin-3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->4)[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (PARG) was identified as the active ingredient of TSSP. Furthermore, the contractile response of rat myometrium to PARG was significantly enhanced with advancing pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide evidence that myometrial contractility stimulated by TSSP results from [Ca(2+)](i) increase and supports the possibility that some spirostanol gylcosides may represent a new type of contractile agonist for the uterus.

Triterpenoids from Cimicifugae rhizoma, a novel class of inhibitors on bone resorption and ovariectomy-induced bone loss

OBJECTIVE

Increasing research suggested that Cimicifugae rhizoma might be protective against osteoporosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of three cycloartane-type triterpenoids isolated from Cimicifugae rhizoma, cimicidol-3-O-beta-D-xyloside (1), cimicidanol-3-O-beta-D-xyloside (2) and acetylacteol-3-O-beta-d-xyloside (3) on bone resorption in vitro and bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) mice.

METHODS

The activities of the tested compounds on bone resorption were evaluated using three assays, neonatal mouse parietal bone organ culture, osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) formation and pit formation. The effects on bone mineral density (BMD) and uterine weight were examined using OVX mice. Using LC-MS/MS method, the serum concentrations of the triterpenoids were measured in mice serum collected at 0.5, 1, 3, 6 and 12h following its oral administration.

RESULTS

All of the tested compounds exerted the inhibitory effects on bone resorption in bone organ culture, suppressed both of the formation and the resorbing activity of OCLs. Furthermore, a synergistic effect was observed among those compounds. In vivo studies revealed that compounds 1-3 and the mixture of compounds 1-3 prevented the bone loss in OVX mice without affecting uterine weight, and each compound was detected in the mice serum after single oral administration.

CONCLUSIONS

The triterpenoids exerted the inhibitory effects on osteoclastic bone resorption through the suppression of both OCLs formation and the resorbing activity of OCLs, and also showed a significant protective effect on BMD in OVX mice. The present results might provide a new pharmacological potential for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Protein-protein interactions involving inducible nitric oxide synthase

AIM

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling and effector molecule that contributes to multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes in the kidney, vasculature, and other tissues. High output NO generation by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) participates in host defense against pathogens and contributes to tissue injury during inflammatory states. Because of its potent reactivity and diffusibility, NO generation by iNOS is subject to multiple levels of regulation, including transcriptional, translational, and post-translational controls, including protein-protein interactions. This review examines the experimental basis for these protein-protein interactions and their known and potential importance for kidney and vascular physiology.

METHODS

Analysis of the biomedical literature in the area.

RESULTS

iNOS interacts with the inhibitory molecules Kalirin and NOS-associated protein 1.10 kd (NAP110), which inhibit iNOS homodimerization, as well as activator proteins, the Rac-GTPases. Interactions with caveolin-1 control the intracellular locale and degradation of iNOS in tumor cells. In polarized epithelial cells, associations of iNOS with the scaffolding protein EBP50 position iNOS in the apical membrane near key ion transport proteins that also interact with EPB50. In addition, protein-protein interactions of proteins governing iNOS transcription function to specify activation or suppression of iNOS induction by cytokines.

CONCLUSION

Interactions of iNOS with a diverse group of heterologous proteins provides a selective mechanism to control the activity, spatial distribution, and proximity of iNOS to intended targets, while potentially limiting autotoxicity to the iNOS-expressing cell.

[The synergistic action of guanghuoxiang volatile oil and sodium artesunate against Plasmodium berghei and reversal of SA-resistant Plasmodium berghei]

OBJECTIVE

To study the synergistic action of a combination of guanghuoxiang volatile oil (B) and sodium artesunate (SA) against Plasmodium berghei (P. b) and the resistance-reversal activity against SA-resistant P. b (P. b SA-R).

METHODS

Mice infected with P. b N or P. b R were treated with a combination of B and SA respectively by 4-day suppressive test method and linear regression to calculate the SD50 of B and SA for each drug alone and in combination (equally effective dose compatibility).

RESULTS

B alone, N:SD50 = 87.64 +/- 19.58(GKD), R:SD50 = 43.24 +/- 7.71(GKD); SA alone, N:SD50 = 0.88 +/- 0.01(MGKD), R:SD50 = 27.69 +/- 0.93(MGKD). B and SA combination, N:B SD50 = 36.89 +/- 4.57(GKD), SA SD50 = 0.39 +/- 0.05 (MGKD); R:B SD50 = 7.40 +/- 1.30(GKD), SA SD50 = 4.21 +/- 0.74(MGKD). The synergistic indexes of B and SA in combination were 2.2 for N and 6.6 for R, respectivly. The multiple of resistance reversal of B vs SA was 6.6. The relative reversal rate was 87.6%.

CONCLUSION

A combination of B and SA may enhance the antimalarial effect against P. b and reverse the SA-resistance of P. b and delay the occurrence of resistance to SA in N.

The selfish brain and the barker hypothesis

1. Brain sparing is a feature of intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR). This implies that there is a redistribution of metabolic supply so that body growth slows to a greater extent than brain growth. 2. Intra-uterine growth retardation, as evidenced by a low birthweight for gestational age is a predisposing factor for hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus in adult life. 3. In species like humans, nephrogenesis is complete before birth. In the rat, it is completed shortly after birth. In both species, it can be shown that either undernutrition or IUGR is associated with reduced nephron number. 4. It has been proposed that oligonephropathy results in hyperfiltration, which ultimately leads to glomerulosclerosis and hypertension. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is necessary for normal renal development and fetal renal function. In the rat, blockade of the RAS in the first weeks of life by pharmacological agents reduces glomerular number and has been shown to cause hypertension in adult life. Renal denervation reduces the activity of the fetal RAS and also causes abnormal development of the renin-secreting cells. 5. There is tonic renal sympathetic nerve activity in the late gestation fetal sheep. The level of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) is influenced by the fetal behavioural state. 6. However, interactions between the developing kidney and the developing sympathetic nervous system are poorly understood. On the one hand, renal innervation may be important in the provision of neurotrophic factors that stimulate the development of the RAS and kidney. On the other, high levels of RSNA associated with circulating catecholamines and vasopressin may cause vasoconstriction and limit nephrogenesis. This latter effect could be a predisposing factor to adult hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Effect of cold on fetal heart rate and its variability

1. The effects of cold saline (25 mL) injected over the fetal skin on fetal heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV), measured as the coefficient of variation (CV) in pulse interval (PI) and by power spectral analysis (PSA), were measured in 10 chronically catheterized fetal sheep aged 140-144 days. To determine the extent to which effects on HR and HRV were mediated by the sympathoadrenal neuroendocrine axis and the cardiac vagus, experiments were performed before and after beta-adrenoreceptor blockade with propranolol (n = 12 fetuses) or before and after cardiac vagal blockade with atropine (n = 4 fetuses). 2. Injection of ice-cold saline over the skin caused an immediate rise in mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 46+/-1 to 55+/-1 mmHg (P < 0.001) and HR from 156+/-2 to 182+/-2 b.p.m. (P < 0.001). Heart rate variability, measured as CV of PI, rose from 3.5+/-0.2 to 8.0+/-0.2% (P < 0.001) and total power spectral density (PSD) increased from 78+/-6 to 278+/-16 units (P < 0.001) as measured by PSA. Within 100s, MAP, HR and HRV had returned to baseline. 3. Beta-adrenoreceptor blockade abolished all these changes in HR, HRV and PSD, but had no effect on changes in MAP. Atropine had no demonstrable effect on the responses to cold. 4. Therefore, the increase in fetal MAP, HR and HRV that occurred with stimulation of peripheral thermoreceptors was the result of increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Alterations in efferent cardiac vagal tone were not involved in the cardiac response to cold.

Measurement of baroreceptor-mediated effects on heart rate variability in fetal sheep

To determine if alterations in arterial pressure influenced fetal heart rate variability (HRV), experiments were carried out in chronically catheterized fetal sheep aged 128-138 d. Arterial pressure was raised or lowered by intravenous infusion of phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside, and the effects on heart rate (HR) and HRV were measured (HRV, as the coefficient of variation (CV) in mean pulse interval or by power spectral analysis). Experiments were carried out before and during beta-adrenoceptor blockade with propranolol or before and during cardiac vagal blockade with atropine. There were positive relationships between mean arterial pressure and HRV (slope = 0.074+/-0.001, r = 0.81+/-0.06, p<0.001, measured as the CV of pulse interval) and between mean arterial pressure and power spectral density (slope = 4+/-0.5, r = 0.89+/-0.02, p<0.001) in the frequency range 0.04-0.08 Hz. Beta-adrenoceptor blockade had no effect on these relationships, but they were abolished by cardiac vagal blockade. The sigmoid relationship between fetal HR and mean arterial pressure, i.e. the cardiac baroreflex, was affected, however, by blockade of cardiac sympathetics and abolished by blockade of cardiac vagal activity. Thus, fetal HRV was affected by alterations in arterial pressure, and these effects depended on the integrity of the cardiac vagus, not on alterations in cardiac sympathetic activity. Therefore, although baroreflex control of fetal HR depends on the integrity of both sympathetic and parasympathetic efferent pathways, baroreceptor-induced changes in HRV depend only on the cardiac vagus.

A role for reactive oxygen species in endothelial cell anoikis

When adherent cells, such as epithelial or endothelial cells, are detached and continuously maintained in suspension, they undergo a form of programmed cell death termed anoikis. We demonstrate that coincident with endothelial cell detachment, there is a dramatic rise in the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Reattachment to a solid surface rapidly attenuates the level of ROS. The mitochondria appear to be the major source of the detachment-induced rise in ROS. The change in the intracellular redox state appears to contribute to endothelial anoikis, because treatment with either the cell-permeant antioxidant N-acetylcysteine or the flavin protein inhibitor diphenylene iodonium is demonstrated to reduce oxidant levels and protect against subsequent cell death. Similarly, the endogenous intracellular level of ROS is shown to correlate with the extent of cell death. Finally, we demonstrate that the activities of both caspases and of the c-Jun N-terminal kinases are modulated by the rise in intracellular ROS levels. These results suggest that oxidants serve as signaling molecules and regulators of anoikis.

A method for determining baroreflex-mediated sympathetic and parasympathetic control of the heart in pregnant and non-pregnant sheep

1. The cardiac baroreflex was measured in four non-pregnant and six pregnant ewes before and during beta-adrenoreceptor blockade with propranolol and before and during vagal blockade with atropine. Arterial pressure was raised by phenylephrine and lowered by sodium nitroprusside. The relationships between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), between MAP and heart rate variability (HRV) measured as the coefficient of variation (c.v.) of the mean pulse interval (PI), and between MAP and HRV measured by power spectral analysis were determined. 2. The MAP-HR relationship showed that in pregnant ewes the gain of the cardiac baroreflex was reduced when compared with non-pregnant ewes. Threshold and saturation pressures were higher, maximum achievable HR was lower and there was a decrease in the operating range. 3. V-shaped relationships were obtained between MAP and HRV (measured as the c.v. of PI) and between MAP and power spectral density in the frequency range 0.04-0. 08 Hz. Using selective autonomic blockade the negative, or downward, slope of the V shape was shown to be a measure of baroreceptor-induced, sympathetically mediated effects on HRV. The upward, or positive, slope of the V shape was a measure of baroreceptor-induced, vagally mediated effects. Similar results were also obtained from the cardiac power spectrum, but it was less sensitive. The MAP at which the two slopes intersected was the same as the resting MAP. 4. In pregnant ewes, the slope of the downward limb of the V-shaped relationship between HRV (when measured as the c.v. of PI) and MAP was less than in non-pregnant ewes. 5. The relationship between MAP and the coefficient of variation of the mean pulse interval can therefore be used to measure the degree to which baroreceptor-induced sympathetic and parasympathetic activity affects the heart. 6. The resting MAP is the pressure at which the net effect of these sympathetic and parasympathetic influences on the heart is at a minimum. Studies of both the MAP-HR and MAP-HRV relationships in pregnant and non-pregnant sheep show that in pregnant sheep, there is attenuation of baroreceptor-mediated sympathetic effects on the heart.

IL-6 rescues enterocytes from hemorrhage induced apoptosis in vivo and in vitro by a bcl-2 mediated mechanism

Following a hemorrhagic event, damage to the highly metabolic intestinal tissue induces loss of barrier function leading to bacterial escape and LPS contamination of the host. Orally administered IL-6 restores intestinal barrier function following hemorrhage in both rat and mouse models. IL-6 prevents apoptosis in a variety of lymphoid cells and lines, through the activation of the proto-oncogene bcl-2. This communication elucidates the role of the IL-6-bcl-2 interaction in intestinal apoptosis following hemorrhagic shock. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and p53 immunohistochemical staining were used to examine intestines from mice hemorrhaged and fed saline or IL-6 and enterocytes (IEC-6) exposed to hypoxia and LPS alone or LPS and IL-6 in vitro. In situ hybridization for bcl-2 expression was performed on intestines or enterocytes. Intestinal sections from mice hemorrhaged and fed IL-6 showed reduction in apoptosis and increases in bcl-2 gene expression relative to sections taken from mice hemorrhaged and fed saline. IEC-6 cells exposed to hypoxia and LPS had high numbers of TUNEL staining cells. Subsequent exposure to IL-6 after hypoxia and LPS reduced apoptotic cell numbers and increased bcl-2 gene expression. The data show that exposure of intestinal epithelial cells to IL-6 either by oral administration in hemorrhaged mice or by coculture following hypoxia and LPS treatment results in increased bcl-2 gene expression and reduced damage from apoptosis.