[Disease burden of colorectal cancer attributable to dietary risk factors from 1990 to 2019 in China]

Objective: To analyze the trend of mortality rate and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) of colorectal cancer attributable to dietary risk factors from 1990 to 2019 in China. Methods: Mortality rate and DALY rate of colorectal cancer attributable to dietary risk factors (diet high in processed meat, diet high in red meat, diet low in calcium, diet in low in fiber, diet low in milk, diet low in whole grains, dietary risks) were collected from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019 (GBD2019). Joinpoint regression model was selected to analyze the trend and an age-period-cohort model was used to estimate the effects of age, period and birth cohort. Results: Joinpoint regression analysis showed that the age-standardized mortality rate and age-standardized DALY rate of colorectal cancer attributable to diet high in processed meat, diet high in red meat, diet low in milk, diet low in whole grains and dietary risks showed an upward trend (P<0.05) from 1990 to 2019, while those attributable to diet low in calcium and diet low in fiber showed a downward trend (P<0.05). The mortality rate and DALY rate of colorectal cancer attributable to diet high in processed meat, diet high in red meat, diet low in milk, diet low in whole grains and dietary risks in age groups from 65 to 79 years showed a quicker upward trend than those in age groups from 25 to 64 years. The mortality rate and DALY rate attributable to diet low in calcium and diet low in fiber in age groups from 65 to 79 years showed a slower downward trend than those in age groups from 25 to 64 years. The mortality rate and DALY rate of colorectal cancer attributable to diet high in processed meat, diet high in red meat, diet low in calcium, diet low in fiber, diet low in milk, diet low in whole grains, and dietary risks increased with age after adjusting for period effect and cohort effect (P<0.05). The mortality rate and DALY rate attributable to diet high in processed meat, diet high in red meat, diet low in calcium, diet low in milk, diet low in whole grains and dietary risks increased with period or cohort, while those attributable to diet low in fiber decreased with period or cohort. Period and cohort effect of dietary risk factors in this study were statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusions: Disease burden of colorectal cancer attributable to dietary risk factors in China showed an upward trend in general. Elderly population is high at risk and more attention should be paid to science popularization and education on dietary risk factors in prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Synaptotagmin-11 regulates immune functions of microglia in vivo

Membrane trafficking pathways mediate key microglial activities such as cell migration, cytokine secretion, and phagocytosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. Previously, we found that synaptotagmin-11 (Syt11), a non-Ca2+ -binding Syt associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) and schizophrenia, inhibits cytokine release and phagocytosis in primary microglia. Here we reported the in vivo function of Syt11 in microglial immune responses using an inducible microglia-specific Syt11-conditional-knockout (cKO) mouse strain. Syt11-cKO resulted in activation of microglia and elevated mRNA levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and iNOS in various brain regions under both resting state and LPS-induced acute inflammation state in adult mice. In a PD mouse model generated by microinjection of preformed α-synuclein fibrils into the striatum, a reduced number of microglia migrated toward the injection sites and an enhanced phagocytosis of α-synuclein fibrils by microglia were found in Syt11-cKO mice. To understand the molecular mechanism of Syt11 function, we identified its direct binding proteins vps10p-tail-interactor-1a (vti1a) and vti1b. The linker domain of Syt11 interacted with both proteins and a peptide derived from it competitively inhibited the interaction of Syt11 with vti1a/vti1b in vitro and in cells. Importantly, application of this peptide induced more cytokine secretion in wild-type microglia upon LPS treatment, phenocopying defects in Syt11 knockdown cells. Altogether, we propose that Syt11 inhibits microglial activation in vivo and regulates cytokine secretion through interactions with vti1a and vti1b.

Synaptotagmin-11 Inhibits Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis via Endophilin A1

Synaptic vesicle (SV) endocytosis is a critical and well-regulated process for the maintenance of neurotransmission. We previously reported that synaptotagmin-11 (Syt11), an essential non-Ca2+-binding Syt associated with brain diseases, inhibits neuronal endocytosis (Wang et al., 2016). Here, we found that Syt11 deficiency caused accelerated SV endocytosis and vesicle recycling under sustained stimulation and led to the abnormal membrane partition of synaptic proteins in mouse hippocampal boutons of either sex. Furthermore, our study revealed that Syt11 has direct but Ca2+-independent binding with endophilin A1 (EndoA1), a membrane curvature sensor and endocytic protein recruiter, with high affinity. EndoA1-knockdown significantly reversed Syt11-KO phenotype, identifying EndoA1 as a main inhibitory target of Syt11 during SV endocytosis. The N-terminus of EndoA1 and the C2B domain of Syt11 were responsible for this interaction. A peptide (amino acids 314-336) derived from the Syt11 C2B efficiently blocked Syt11-EndoA1 binding both in vitro and in vivo Application of this peptide inhibited SV endocytosis in WT hippocampal neurons but not in EndoA1-knockdown neurons. Moreover, intracellular application of this peptide in mouse calyx of Held terminals of either sex effectively hampered both fast and slow SV endocytosis at physiological temperature. We thus propose that Syt11 ensures the precision of protein retrieval during SV endocytosis by inhibiting EndoA1 function at neuronal terminals.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Endocytosis is a key stage of synaptic vesicle (SV) recycling. SV endocytosis retrieves vesicular membrane and protein components precisely to support sustained neurotransmission. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of SV endocytosis remain elusive. Here, we reported that Syt11-KO accelerated SV endocytosis and impaired membrane partition of synaptic proteins. EndoA1 was identified as a main inhibitory target of Syt11 during SV endocytosis. Our study reveals a novel inhibitory mechanism of SV endocytosis in preventing hyperactivation of endocytosis, potentially safeguarding the recycling of synaptic proteins during sustained neurotransmission.

[Landmark vessel in membrane anatomy-based colorectal surgery]

The theory of membrane anatomy has been widely used in the field of colorectal surgery. The key point to perform high quality total mesorectal excision (TME) and complete mesocolic excision (CME) is to identify the correct anatomical plane. Intraoperative identification of the various fasciae and fascial spaces is the key to accessing the correct surgical plane and surgical success. The landmark vessels refer to the small vessels that originate from the original peritoneum on the surface of the abdominal viscera during embryonic development and are produced by the fusion of the fascial space. From the point of view of embryonic development, the abdominopelvic fascial structure is a continuous unit, and the landmark vessels on its surface do not change morphologically with the fusion of fasciae and have a specific pattern. Drawing on previous literature and clinical surgical observations, we believe that tiny vessels could be used to identify various fused fasciae and anatomical planes. This is a specific example of membrane anatomical surgery.

[Diagnostic value of rapid exchange test in patients with peritoneal dialysis catheter dysfunction]

A total of 36 patients with suspected peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter dysfunction in the First Hospital of China Medical University from June 2020 to August 2022 were included, and five patients with normal PD catheter were also included as the control group. There were 22 males and 19 females, and aged (45±21) years. The volume of rapid-phase drainage in the control and dysfunction groups was (2 086±65) and (1 181±637) ml, and the total drainage time was (15.2±1.3) and (38.3±14.9) min, respectively. The volume of rapid-phase drainage in the dysfunction group was reduced and the total drainage time was longer than that in the control group (both P<0.05). Compared with group with PD catheter migration, the duration of new bag instillation was prolonged, the drainage volume in the rapid-phase was reduced, the total drainage duration was prolonged, and the ultrafiltration volume was decreased in the group with PD catheter obstruction (all P<0.05). The rapid exchange test can provide an early preliminary diagnosis of PD catheter dysfunction and identify the type of catheter dysfunction.

[Impact of different obesity patterns on coronary microvascular function in male patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease]

Objective: This study sought to investigate the impact of different obesity patterns on coronary microvascular function in male patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of male patients diagnosed with suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between December 2015 and August 2021. All patients underwent the one-day rest and stress ¹³N-ammonia positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging. Overall obesity was defined by body mass index (BMI) ≥28 kg/m² and abdominal obesity was defined by waist circumference ≥90 cm. Hyperemic myocardial blood flow (MBF)<2.3 ml·min^-1·g^-1 or coronary flow reserve (CFR)<2.5 were referred as CMD. All patients were grouped based on their BMI and waist circumference. MBF, CFR, the incidence of CMD, hemodynamic parameters, and cardiac function were compared among the groups. Results: A total of 136 patients were included. According to BMI and waist circumference, patients were categorized into 3 groups: control group (n=45), simple abdominal obesity group (n=53) and compound obesity group (n=38). Resting MBF did not differ between groups (F=0.02,P=0.994). Compared with the control group, hyperemic MBF was significantly lower in the simple abdominal obesity and compound obesity groups ((2.82±0.64) ml·min^-1·g^-1, (2.44±0.85) ml·min^-1·g^-1 and (2.49±0.71) ml·min^-1·g^-1, both P<0.05, respectively). Hyperemic MBF was comparable among the groups of patients with obesity (P=0.772). CFR was significantly lower in the simle abdominal obesity group compared with the control group (2.87±0.99 vs. 3.32±0.62,P=0.012). Compared with the control group, CFR tended to be lower in the compound obesity group (3.02±0.91 vs. 3.32±0.62,P=0.117). The incidence of CMD was significantly higher in both the simple abdominal obesity and compound obesity groups than in the control group (62.3%, 52.6% vs. 22.2%, both P<0.01, respectively). Waist circumference was an independent risk factor for male CMD (OR=1.057, 95%CI: 1.013-1.103, P=0.011). Conclusions: In male patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease, abdominal obesity is associated with decreased coronary microvascular function. Male patients with simple abdominal obesity face the highest risk of CMD.

Ethnicity and paediatric healthcare utilisation: Improving the quality of quantitative research

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the stark health inequities affecting minority ethnic populations in Europe. However, research on ethnic inequities and healthcare utilisation in children has seldom entered the policy discourse. A scoping review was conducted in the UK, summarising and appraising the quantitative evidence on ethnic differences (unequal) and inequities (unequal and unfair or disproportionate to healthcare needs) in paediatric healthcare utilisation.

Methods

Embase, Medline and grey literature sources were searched for studies published 2001-2021. Studies that found differences and inequities were mapped by ethnic group and healthcare utilisation outcome. They were appraised using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence appraisal checklists. The distribution of studies was described across various methodological parameters.

Results

Of the 61 included studies, most found evidence of ethnic variations in healthcare utilisation (n = 54, 89%). Less than half attempted to distinguish between ethnic differences and inequities (n = 27, 44%). Studies were concentrated on primary and preventive care and hospitalisation, with minimal evidence on emergency and outpatient care. The quality of studies was often limited by a lack of theory underpinning analytical decisions, resulting in conflation of difference and inequity, and heterogeneity in ethnic classification. The majority of studies examined children's ethnicity but overlooked parent/caregiver ethnicity, and also didn't investigate patterns across age, year or location.

Conclusions

To improve the validity, generalisability and comparability of research on ethnicity and paediatric healthcare utilisation, findings from this scoping review were used to develop recommendations for future research. These lessons could be applied more broadly across the European context to improve evidence generation and evidence-based policy-making to reduce inequities in healthcare.

Key messages

• Quantitative studies of ethnicity and paediatric healthcare utilisation in the UK lack the use of sound theoretical frameworks, and often do not distinguish between ethnic differences and inequities.

• The quality of future studies can be improved with greater attention to how ethnicity is classified and analysed, alongside specific considerations for examining healthcare utilisation in children.

Combination of liquid crystal and deep learning reveals distinct signatures of Parkinson's disease-related wild-type α-synuclein and six pathogenic mutants

α-Synuclein is a central player in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology. Various point mutations in α-synuclein have been identified to alter the protein-phospholipid binding behavior and cause PD. Therefore, exploration of α-synuclein-phospholipid interaction is important for understanding the PD pathogenesis and helping the early diagnosis of PD. Herein, a phospholipid-decorated liquid crystal (LC)-aqueous interface is constructed to investigate the binding between α-synucleins (wild-type and six familial mutant A30P, E46K, H50Q, G51D, A53E and A53T) and phospholipid. The application of deep learning analyzes and reveals distinct LC signatures generated by the binding of α-synuclein and phospholipid. This system allows for the identification of single point mutant α-synucleins with an average accuracy of 98.3±1.3% in a fast and efficient manner. We propose that this analytical methodology provides a new platform to understand α-synuclein-lipid interactions, and can be potentially developed for easy identification of α-synuclein mutations in common clinic.

Synaptotagmin-11 inhibits spontaneous neurotransmission through vti1a

Recent work has revealed that spontaneous release plays critical roles in the central nervous system, but how it is regulated remains elusive. Here, we report that synaptotagmin-11 (Syt11), a Ca²⁺ -independent Syt isoform associated with schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease, suppressed spontaneous release. Syt11-knockout hippocampal neurons showed an increased frequency of miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents while over-expression of Syt11 inversely decreased the frequency. Neither knockout nor over-expression of Syt11 affected the average amplitude, suggesting the pre-synaptic regulation of spontaneous neurotransmission by Syt11. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation, and affinity-purification experiments demonstrated a direct interaction of Syt11 with vps10p-tail-interactor-1a (vti1a), a non-canonical SNARE protein that maintains spontaneous release. Importantly, knockdown of vti1a reversed the phenotype of Syt11 knockout, identifying vti1a as the main target of Syt11 inhibition. Domain analysis revealed that the C2A domain of Syt11 bound vti1a with high affinity. Consistently, expression of the C2A domain alone rescued the phenotype of elevated spontaneous release in Syt11-knockout neurons similar to the full-length protein. Altogether, our results suggest that Syt11 inhibits vti1a-containing vesicles during spontaneous release.

[Study on the mechanism of resistance to cypermethrin in Culex pipiens pallens using proteomics]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the differentially expressed proteins between cypermethrin-resistant and -sensitive Culex pipiens pallens, so as to unravel the mechanism underlying the resistance to cypermethrin in Cx. p. pallens.

METHODS

A quantitative proteomic analysis was performed among cypermethrin-sensitive and -resistant isolates of Cx. p. pallens using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) labeling coupled with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

A total of 164 differentially expressed proteins were identified between cypermethrin-sensitive and -resistant isolates of Cx. p. pallens, including 54 up-regulated proteins and 110 down-regulated proteins. A large number of cuticular proteins, larval cuticular proteins, pupal cuticular proteins and cuticular structural constituent proteins, which are associated with cytoskeletal structure and components, were differentially expressed between cypermethrin-sensitive and -resistant isolates of Cx. p. pallens. Thirteen proteins, which were involved in energy production and conversion, translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, lipid transport and metabolism, post-translational modification, protein turnover, chaperones, cytoskeleton and intracellular transportation, were validated to be differentially expressed between cypermethrin-sensitive and -resistant isolates of Cx. p. pallens, which may serve as potential markers of cypermethrin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple insecticide resistance mechanisms contribute to the resistance to cypermethrin in Cx. p. pallens, including cuticular resistance and metabolic resistance, and the cuticular protein genes and cytochrome P450 enzymes may play an important role in the resistance of Cx. p. pallens to cypermethrin.

Simple, rapid and sensitive detection of Parkinson's disease related alpha-synuclein using a DNA aptamer assisted liquid crystal biosensor

Alpha-synuclein (αS) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the detection of αS using a simple, rapid and sensitive approach is still challenging. Herein, we construct a new type of biosensor for the detection of αS, combining the stimuli-responsiveness of liquid crystals (LCs) and the specific interaction of a DNA aptamer with proteins. In principle, the positively charged surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) binds with the negatively charged DNA aptamer via electrostatic interactions; in the presence of αS, the DNA aptamer specifically binds with αS and releases CTAB, which is an amphiphilic molecule and subsequently assembles at the LC-aqueous interface, resulting in a homeotropic alignment of LCs with a dark optical signal. In the absence of αS, CTAB binds with the DNA aptamer without affecting the alignment of LCs, which shows planar anchoring with a bright optical signal. The response time of LCs towards αS is rapid and can be down to minutes. The LC biosensor established here has a good specificity for αS and can recognize αS even from a mixture of proteins. The LC biosensor also exhibits high sensitivity with a limit of detection of αS as low as 10 pM, which is comparable to that of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This work provides a new strategy for the detection of αS in a simple, rapid and sensitive manner, possessing promising potentials towards early diagnosis and clinical applications.

[Central nervous system toxicity caused by bortezomib: five case reports and a review of literature]

目的

探讨硼替佐米中枢神经系统（CNS）毒性的临床特点、诊断和治疗。

方法

报道5例由硼替佐米引起的CNS毒性患者并结合现有文献探讨其临床特点。

结果

5例患者中有4例在应用硼替佐米后出现了中枢性发热，主要表现为持续性高热、周身无汗、未能找到感染病灶、对退热药不敏感，停用硼替佐米后症状好转。4例患者中有3例伴随顽固性低钠血症，1例明确诊断为抗利尿不当综合征（SIAD），可能是硼替佐米同时影响了下丘脑体温调节中枢和抗利尿激素神经分泌细胞所致。1例患者诊断为可逆性后部脑病综合征（PRES），表现为应用硼替佐米后出现意识障碍，头CT示双侧半卵圆中心白质密度减低，停用硼替佐米后患者症状消失且未再复发。此外，我们还发现血小板计数可能与硼替佐米CNS毒性的严重程度相关。

结论

硼替佐米的CNS毒性非常罕见，表现为3种形式：SIAD、PRES和中枢性发热，及时识别和治疗对于预防不可逆的神经并发症非常重要。

Effects of feeding corn bran and soybean hulls on nutrient digestibility, rumen microbial protein synthesis, and growth performance of finishing lambs

Some grain processing by-products rich in digestible fiber are good feed resources for ruminants. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing a portion of corn and corn stover with the combinations of corn bran and soybean hulls in the diet of fattening lambs on nutrient digestion, rumen microbial protein synthesis, and growth performance. A total of 36 Dorper × Small Thin-Tailed crossbred ram lambs (BW = 22.2 ± 0.92 kg; mean ± SD) were randomly divided into three groups, and each group was fed 1 of 3 treatment diets: 1) 0% corn bran and soybean hulls (control); 2) 9% corn bran and 9% soybean hulls (18MIX); and 3) 17% corn bran and 17% soybean hulls (34MIX). The feeding experiment was conducted for 70 days, with the first 10 days for adaption. The DM intake was higher for 34MIX (1635.3 g/d) than for control diet (1434.7 g/d; P = 0.001). Lambs fed 18MIX and 34MIX diets (230.2 and 263.6 g/d, respectively) had higher average daily gain and feed efficiency than those fed control diet (194.8 g/d; P < 0.01). Dry matter and NDF digestibility for 34MIX group (60.9 and 49.5%) were higher than for control (55.2 and 41.3%; P < 0.01). No difference was observed in nitrogen digestibility among treatment diets (P = 0.778). The lambs fed 34MIX diet excreted more urinary purine derivatives, indicating that more microbial protein was yielded than those fed control diet (P < 0.01), while 18MIX was not different from the other two diets (P > 0.05). The metabolizable protein supplies were improved with increasing co-products inclusion rate. The results indicated that corn bran and soybean hulls in combination can effectively replace a portion of corn and corn stover in the ration of finishing lambs with positive effect on nutrient digestion and growth performance.

Effects of melatonin administration to cashmere goats on cashmere production and hair follicle characteristics in two consecutive cashmere growth cycles

The objective of the study was to determine the long-term effects of melatonin treatment on cashmere production and hair follicle populations in cashmere goats and their activity in two consecutive cashmere growth cycles. Twenty-four female Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 12), one of which received melatonin implants, the other being an untreated control group. Melatonin implants were subcutaneously inserted behind the ear at a dose of 2 mg/kg live weight on two occasions -April 30 and June 30, 2016. Hair samples were collected by combing in April of 2017 and 2018, and the weight, staple length, and diameter of the cashmere fibers were measured. Blood and skin samples were collected monthly between April and September 2016, and in April and September in 2017 for the analysis of melatonin concentration and the characteristics of secondary hair follicle populations, respectively. The results indicated that serum melatonin concentration in the treated goats was elevated (P < 0.05) relative to that of the control group, but only during the first growth cycle. Melatonin treatment of cashmere goats in one cashmere growth cycle increased the weight, staple length, and density (all P < 0.05) of the cashmere fibers and decreased fiber diameter (P < 0.01), but did not affect the characteristics of cashmere production in the subsequent annual cycle. Melatonin treatment had no effect on the population of skin secondary hair follicles for two consecutive cycles. However, in the first growth cycle after treatment, it advanced the onset of activity of skin secondary hair follicles by 2 mo (P < 0.05), and it increased the number of follicles that were active (P < 0.05). In summary, the melatonin treatment of cashmere goats in one cashmere growth cycle improved cashmere production for that cycle only, with no residual effects on the subsequent cycle, a technique acceptable to the cashmere goat industry. The enhancement of cashmere production after the treatment of goats with melatonin appears to involve the acceleration of the annual regeneration of skin secondary hair follicles and increased population of active secondary hair follicles in the skin of cashmere goats.

Effects of physical forms of starter feed on growth, nutrient digestibility, gastrointestinal enzyme activity, and morphology of pre- and post-weaning lambs

The physical form of starter feed may affect the gastrointestinal development and the performance of ruminant. However, little information is available on how changes in the physical forms of starter feed influence the performance of lambs, especially during the pre- and post-weaning periods. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different physical forms of starter feeds on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gastrointestinal enzyme activity, and morphology of pre- and post-weaning lambs. Twenty-four 8-day-old male Hu lamb (5.04 ± 0.75 kg BW) were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments: 1) a pelleted starter (PS) feed and 2) a textured starter (TS) feed, which included coarse mashed steam-flaked corn. From eight to thirty-five days of age (pre-weaning), the lambs were bottle-fed milk replacer (MR) at 2% of BW measured on day 8. All lambs were weaned at day 35 when feeding of MR was stopped. Six lambs for each treatment were euthanized at 21 or 42 days of age for sampling. The following results are obtained by variance analysis: TS lambs had a greater (P < 0.05) final BW, higher apparent digestibility of starch and ether extract, activities of α-amylase pre- or post-weaning, and higher (P < 0.05) average dry matter intake and lipase post-weaning in small intestine contents and had a trend of significantly higher average daily gain post-weaning (P = 0.07). Rumen development analysis of TS lambs showed a significantly higher (P < 0.05) relative weight of rumen post-weaning, greater papillae length, increased circular and layered muscle, increased sectional area pre- and post-weaning, and increased rumen papillae width post-weaning. Textured starter treatment increased the villus height and villus width (except jejunum pre-weaning) of the whole small intestine and villus height to crypt depth ratio of jejunum and ileum during the whole period and tended to increase the relative weight of the rumen pre-weaning (P = 0.07). The results indicated that TS feeding is more beneficial to lambs over the weaning transition than PS in promoting gastrointestinal development, intestinal enzyme activities, nutrient digestibility, and growth performance. The findings provide new insights into the selection of physical forms of starter feeds in lamb production. Further research with more animals and female lambs is needed to obtain a more complete conclusion.

Parkin-dependent and -independent degradation of synaptotagmin-11 in neurons and astrocytes

Synaptotagmin-11 (Syt11) is associated with schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease (PD) and is a critical substrate of parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase linked to PD. Previously we reported that Syt11 regulates multiple membrane trafficking pathways in neurons and glia. However, the regulation of Syt11 degradation remains largely unknown. As the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) plays crucial roles in protein degradation and quality control, we investigated UPP-dependent Syt11 degradation in this study. We found that Syt11 is a short-lived protein with a half-life of 1.49 h in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide and is mainly degraded by UPP in neurons. The degradation was further accelerated under sustained neuronal activity and was parkin-dependent. Interestingly, Syt11 had a faster turnover in astrocytes with a half-life of 0.58 h, and UPP partially contributed to its degradation. Mechanical stress applied on astrocytes by hypoosmotic treatment led to reduced Syt11 protein level but increased parkin level. However, the degradation of Syt11 was parkin-independent under both isoosmotic and hypoosmotic condition. Altogether, our results revealed active and distinct proteolytic regulation of Syt11 in neurons and astrocytes.

A novel, label-free liquid crystal biosensor for Parkinson's disease related alpha-synuclein

A liquid crystal biosensor based on DNA aptamer for sensitive detection of Parkinson's Disease (PD) related alpha-synuclein was developed. This LC biosensor is constructed using a simple and label free method, and it not only enables early PD diagnosis, but also provides a general platform for detection based on DNA aptamer.

Replacing soybean meal with flax seed meal: effects on nutrient digestibility, rumen microbial protein synthesis and growth performance in sheep

Flax seed meal (FSM) is rich in various nutrients, especially CP and energy, and can be used as animal protein feed. In animal husbandry production, it is a long-term goal to replace soybean meal (SBM) in animal feed with other plant protein feed. However, studies on the effects of replacing SBM with FSM in fattening sheep are limited. The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of replacing a portion of SBM with FSM on nutrient digestibility, rumen microbial protein synthesis and growth performance in sheep. Thirty-six Dorper × Small Thin-Tailed crossbred rams (BW = 40.4 ± 1.73 kg, mean ± SD) were randomly assigned into four groups. The dietary treatments (forage/concentrate, 45 : 55) were isocaloric according to the nutrient requirements of rams. Soybean meal was replaced with FSM at different levels (DM basis): (1) 18% SBM (18SBM), (2) 12% SBM and 6% FSM (6FSM), (3) 6% SBM and 12% FSM (12FSM) and (4) 18% FSM (18FSM). The rams were fed in individual pens for 60 days, with the first 10 days for adaptation to diets, and then the digestibility of nutrients was determined. There was no significant difference in DM intake, but quadratic (P < 0.001) effects on the average daily gain and feed efficiency were detected, with the highest values in the 6FSM and 12FSM groups. For DM and NDF digestibility, quadratic effects were observed with the higher values in the 6FSM and 12FSM groups, but the digestibility of CP linearly decreased with the increase in FSM in the diet (P = 0.043). There was a quadratic (P < 0.001) effect of FSM inclusion rate on the estimated microbial CP yield. However, the values of intestinally absorbable dietary protein decreased linearly (P < 0.001). For the supply of metabolisable protein, both the linear (P = 0.001) and quadratic (P = 0.044) effects were observed with the lowest value in the 18FSM group. Overall, the results indicated that SBM can be effectively replaced by FSM in the diets of fattening sheep and the optimal proportion was 12.0% under the conditions of this experiment.

[The fundus autofluorescence of retinal astrocytic hamartomas in tuberous sclerosis complex]

Objective: To investigate the autofluorescence findings of retinal astrocytic hamartoma (RAH) in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. Twenty-three patients (35 eyes) who were referred to Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital between November 2012 and June 2018 with established TSC-associated RAH diagnosis were included. The findings of fundus autofluorescence, fundus photos and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were retrospectively reviewed. RAH lesions were classified into three types based on the morphology shown in fundus photos. The fundus autofluorescence features of TSC-associated RAH were described. The Welch's test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The patients were 8 males and 15 females aged (28±9) years old (range, 15-55 years). Seventy-two RAH lesions were examined, including 59 type 1 RAHs, 7 type 2 RAHs and 6 type 3 RAHs. According to fundus autofluorescence, type 1 RAHs could be further divided into reduced, speckled and background autofluorescence patterns, among which the hypoautofluorescence pattern accounted for the majority (69.5%, 41/59), while the speckled pattern was usually accompanied by outer retinal disorganization and discontinuation of photoreceptor outer segment as revealed by SD-OCT. No significant difference was revealed in tumor thickness for reduced, speckled and background autofluorescence patterns of type 1 RAHs [(490.2±97.9) vs. (589.2±221.6) vs. (463.0±76.2) μm respectively, F=1.426, P=0.283]. Among type 1 RAHs, the number of reduced autofluorescence pattern lesions found in perifoveal, peripapillary, inferonasal, inferotemporal, superonasal, superotemporal quadrants were 9, 4, 4, 7, 4, 13 respectively, while that of speckled autofluorescence pattern lesions were 3, 0, 3, 2, 3, 2 and background autoflurorescence pattern lesions 3, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0. No significant difference was revealed in location distribution (P=0.452) either. Type 2 RAHs featured numerous hyperautofluorescent spots or plaques, and calcification in type 2 RAHs varied in autofluorescence intensity. Type 3 RAHs, combining the features of type 1 and 2 RAHs, were characterized by central hyperautofluorescent spots and hypoautoflurescent rim, but the area of hyperautofluorescence was smaller than that of calcification as shown in fundus photos. Conclusions: In TSC, the fundus autofluorescence of RAHs varies from hypoautofluorescence to hyperautofluorescence patterns according to RAH types. The retinal involvement and calcification degree of TSC-associated RAHs could be reflected on the autofluorescence, which was beneficial to the full assessment. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 211-216).

Pathogenic Mutations Differentially Regulate Cell-to-Cell Transmission of α-Synuclein

Recent studies suggest that the cell-to-cell spread of pathological α-synuclein (α-syn) plays important roles in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). PD patients who carry α-syn gene mutations often have an earlier onset and more severe clinical symptoms and pathology than sporadic PD cases who carry the wild-type (WT) α-syn gene. However, the molecular mechanism by which α-syn gene mutations promote PD remains unclear. Here, we hypothesized that pathogenic mutations facilitate the intercellular transfer and cytotoxicity of α-syn, favoring an early disease onset and faster progression. We investigated the effects of eight known pathogenic mutations in human α-syn (A18T, A29S, A30P, E46K, H50Q, G51D, A53E, and A53T) on its pathological transmission in terms of secretion, aggregation, intracellular level, cytotoxicity, seeding, and induction of neuroinflammation in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, cultured rat neurons, and microglia, and the rat substantia nigra pars compacta. We found that 2 of the 8 mutations (H50Q and A53T) significantly increased α-syn secretion while 6 mutations (A18T, A29S, A30P, G51D, A53E, and E46K) tended to enhance it. In vitroα-syn aggregation experiments showed that H50Q promoted while G51D delayed aggregation most strongly. Interestingly, 3 mutations (E46K, H50Q, and G51D) greatly increased the intracellular α-syn level when cultured cells were treated with preformed α-syn fibrils (PFFs) compared with the WT, while the other 5 had no effect. We also demonstrated that H50Q, G51D, and A53T PFFs, but not E46K PFFs, efficiently seeded in vivo and acutely induced neuroinflammation in rat substantia nigra pars compacta. Our data indicate that pathogenic mutations augment the prion-like spread of α-syn at different steps and blockade of this pathogenic propagation may serve as a promising therapeutic intervention for PD.

[Incidence and risk factors for cardiovascular events in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia]

Objective: To explore the incidence, risk factors of cardiovascular events (CVE) and their impact on 30-day mortality in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective study. Patients hospitalized with CAP from 5 teaching hospitals in Beijing, Shandong and Yunnan provinces during 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015 were included and clinical data were retrieved from the Hospital Information System (HIS), and patients were divided into CVE group and non-CVE group. Age, sex, comorbidities, pneumonia severity index(PSI)/CURB-65 score, routine blood test, biochemical examinations, radiological findings on admission and mortality on 30-day after admission were analyzed. The primary endpoint was acute CVE during hospitalization, the secondary endpoint was 30-day death after admission. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors for CVE. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare the difference on 30-day mortality between CVE patients and non-CVE patients by Log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to assess the impact of CVE on the 30-day mortality among CAP patients after adjustment with age, sex, comorbidities, PSI/CURB-65 score. Results: A total of 3 561 CAP patients were included into the final analysis, including 210 (5.9%) patients in CVE group and 3 351 (94.1%) patients in non-CVE group. Compared with patients in non-CVE group, patients in CVE group were older (P<0.001), prevalence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, aspiration risk and bedrid were significantly higher (all P<0.001); prevalence of CURB-65 score 3-5 and PSI risk class Ⅳ/Ⅴ were also significantly higher (both P<0.001). The proportion of axillary temperature<36 ℃, respiratory rate≥30 beats/minutes, confusion, leukocytes>10×10(9)/L, hemoglobin<100 g/L, platelets>300×10(9)/L, albumin<35 g/L, blood urea nitrogen>7 mmol/L, fasting blood glucose>11 mmol/L, serum C-reaction protein>100 mg/L, serum procalcitonin≥2 μg/L, arterial pH<7.35, arterial PO(2)/FiO(2)≤300 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and multilobar infiltrates and pleural effusion on chest X-ray or CT scan were significantly higher in CVE group than in non-CVE group(all P<0.05); the 30-day mortality was significantly higher in CVE group than in non-CVE group(P<0.001). The incidence of CVE was significantly higher in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease(CVD) than in patients without CVD (13.9%(150/1 079) vs. 2.4%(60/2 482), χ(2)=178.737, P<0.001). Meanwhile, the incidence of CVE increased with PSI in patients with Ⅰ/Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ/Ⅴ class, respectively(χ(2)=228.350, P<0.001); and CURB-65 score 0-1, 2 and 3-5, respectively (χ(2)=387.154, P<0.001). Cox regression analysis revealed that age (HR=1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.09, P=0.002), coronary heart disease (HR=1.88, 95%CI 1.01-3.51, P=0.048), chronic heart failure (HR=4.25, 95%CI 1.89-9.52, P<0.001), PSI risk class (HR=1.66, 95%CI 1.50-2.62, P=0.029) and serum procalcitonin≥ 2 μg/L (HR=3.72, 95%CI 1.60-8.66, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for CVE in CAP patients. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the survival probability of patients with CVE was significantly lower than patients without CVE (P<0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities and PSI/CURB-65 score, Cox regression model showed that CVE was associated with increased 30-day mortality in CAP patients (HR=6.05, 95%CI 3.11-11.76, P<0.001). Conclusions: Although the incidence of CVE is not high in Chinese patients hospitalized with CAP, CVE is common in patients with severe pneumonia and in patients with CVD. Age, cardiovascular disease, PSI risk class and serum procalcitonin are the risk factors for CVE in this patient cohort. CVE is related to increased 30-day mortality in CAP patients.

Synaptotagmin-11 regulates the functions of caveolae and responds to mechanical stimuli in astrocytes

Caveolae play crucial roles in intracellular membrane trafficking and mechanosensation. In this study, we report that synaptotagmin-11 (Syt11), a synaptotagmin isoform associated with Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia, regulates both caveolae-mediated endocytosis and the caveolar response to mechanical stimuli in astrocytes. Syt11-knockout (KO) accelerated caveolae-mediated endocytosis. Interestingly, the caveolar structures on the cell surface were markedly fewer in the absence of Syt11. Caveolar disassembly in response to hypoosmotic stimuli and astrocyte swelling were both impaired in Syt11-KO astrocytes. Live imaging revealed that Syt11 left caveolar structures before cavin1 during hypoosmotic stress and returned earlier than cavin1 after isoosmotic recovery. Chronic hypoosmotic stress led to proteasome-mediated Syt11 degradation. In addition, Syt11-KO increased the turnover of cavin1 and EH domain-containing protein 2 (EHD2), accompanied by compromised membrane integrity, suggesting a mechanoprotective role of Syt11. Direct interactions between Syt11 and cavin1 and EHD2, but not caveolin-1, are found. Altogether, we propose that Syt11 stabilizes caveolar structures on the cell surface of astrocytes and regulates caveolar functions under physiological and pathological conditions through cavin1 and EHD2.

[Transmission electron microscopic observation on gonad of Oncomelania hupensis offspring bred in Weishan Lake areas]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the morphological changes in the testes and ovaries of adult 12th-generation Oncomelania hupensis bred for 12 winters in Weishan Lake areas.

METHODS

The offspring of the adult O. hupensis snails bred in the Weishan Lake that were originated from the Yangzhou section of the Yangtze River was defined as the experiment group, while uninfected, adult O. hupensis snails captured from the marshland of the Yangzhou section of the Yangtze River served as the control group. Snails were dissected and intact testicular and ovarian specimens were sampled, routinely fixed, dehydrated, embedded, polymerized in an oven and sliced on an ultramicrotome. The sections were visualized under a transmission electron microscope, and the ultrastructure of the snail gonad was compared between the experiment and control groups.

RESULTS

Transmission electron microscopy showed "9 + 2" microtubules on the transverse sections of the tails of sperm cells in the testes of male snails in the control group, with triangular acrosomes and spiral, dense nuclei seen in the tip, while in the experiment group, the "9 + 2" microtubules disappeared on the transverse sections of the tails of sperm cells in the testes of male snails, with low chromatin density found in the tip. Transmission electron microscopy revealed clear nucleolus and nuclear membranes in the ova of female snail ovaries, and displayed yolk body, liposomes and endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm, bilayer twists of nuclear membrane and a uniform nucleolus in the control group, while in the experiment group, smooth nuclear membrane and unclear nucleolus were observed in the ova of female snail ovaries, with few contents seen within cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Following breeding for 12 winters in the Weishan Lake, the 12th-generation O. hupensis snails fail to fully adapt to the natural environment in northern China, and the remarkable changes in the ultrastructure of the snail gonad may be a cause of gradual decline and even extinction of O. hupensis in the Weishan Lake areas.

[Study on insecticide resistance of Culex pipiens pallens in southwest region of Shandong Province]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the sensitivity of Culex pipiens pallens to common chemical insecticides in the southwestern region of Shandong Province, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the development of reasonable and effective mosquito control measures.

METHODS

The resistance of Cx. pipiens pallens larvae to 5 chemical insecticides, such as cypermethrin, deltamethrin, DDVP, propoxur, and acetofenate were tested by using the WHO biological test method in 2018, and the co-toxicity coefficients after compounding the above-mentioned insecticides were tested by using a drug compounding method.

RESULTS

The resistance indexes of Cx. pipiens pallens to cypermethrin, deltamethrin, DDVP, propoxur, and acetofenate in 3 cities were 144.43-557.54, 118.17-445.33, 6.44-19.00, 2.37-8.10, and 0.88-2.98, respectively, and expect the difference between the DDVP resistances of Cx. pipiens pallens in Jining City and Heze City was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), all the other differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The synergistic coefficients of cypermethrin + DDVP, cypermethrin + propoxur, DDVP + acetofenate, and propoxur + acetofenate were 199.58 - 456.95, 190.56 - 292.37, 123.32 - 319.24, and 192.31 - 367.32, respectively. The lower synergism was observed by using the mixture of DDVP + propoxur (synergistic coefficient: 99.87-108.36) .

CONCLUSIONS

After decades of chemical control, Cx. pipiens pallens in the southwestern region of Shandong Province has produced different degrees of resistance to common chemical insecticides. Therefore, comprehensive control measures should be taken to control mosquito breeding and prevent the development of insecticide resistance.

[Three-level logistic analysis related to influencing factors on condom use among female sex workers aged 35 years and above in Qingdao]

Objective: To analyze the influencing factors on condom use among 35-years-or-older female sex workers (OFSWs) in Qingdao by using the three-level logistic model. Methods: From March to June 2014, OFSWs were recruited in Qingdao, using respondent-driven sampling. Related information on OFSWs and their recent five sexual partners (not including husband) were obtained by conducting a questionnaire survey on OFSWs. A Three-level logistic regression model was conducted to analyze the influencing factors of condom use between OFSWs and their sexual partners. Results: A total of 420 OFSWs participated the survey as well as information on 2 100 sexual partners. Results from the empty model showed that the use of condoms among OFSWs having an aggregation that related to the levels of working sites and their own behaviors. Results from the three-levels of logistic model analysis showed that, OFSWs that having had junior middle school education (OR=1.450, 95%CI: 1.054-1.994)/high school education or above (OR=2.264, 95%CI: 1.215-4.222), knowing the function of condom use (OR=2.004, 95%CI: 1.273-3.154) would have higher rates of condom use. OFSWs with higher score of attitude on condom use (OR=0.796, 95%CI: 0.745-0.849), having had syphilis infections in the past (OR=0.657, 95%CI: 0.478-0.902) would have lower rate of condom use. For the sexual partners, the rate of condom use among OFSWs' regular partners were higher than that of OFSWs' boyfriends (OR=15.291, 95%CI: 8.441-27.700; OR=29.032, 95%CI: 15.413-54.682). Conclusion: Condom use of OFSWs was affected by behaviors of both OFSWs themselves and their sexual partners. Prevention and control programs should focus on OFSWs and their sexual partners at the same time. The key intervention contents should include target populations as: OFSWs with low level of education, having had infections of syphilis, those who do not use condoms with their trusted partners.

[Construction and in vitro verification of a new humanized anti-CD19 CAR-T cells with high affinity]

目的

构建人源化抗CD19嵌合抗原受体T细胞（CAR-T），通过体外实验验证其杀伤白血病细胞的能力。

方法

将人CD19的鼠源抗体（FMC63）进行了人源化改造，获得高亲和力的人源化CD19抗体；构建携带人源化CD19 CAR慢病毒载体，感染T细胞获得人源化CD19 CAR-T细胞（hCART19）；按不同效靶比将效应细胞[hCART19、未转染的T细胞（阴性组）及对照病毒转染的T细胞（对照组）]及靶细胞（CHO-K1-CD19及Raji细胞）混合培养，LDH释放实验及ELISA法检测hCART19杀伤白血病细胞的能力及细胞因子释放水平；白血病小鼠模型检测hCART19的杀瘤效果。

结果

LDH释放实验证实随着效靶比的不断增加，对靶细胞的杀伤率逐渐增加，当效靶比为10∶1时hCART19组的杀伤率最大，在Raji细胞中为（87.56±1.99）%，明显高于阴性组[（19.31±1.16）%]及对照组[（21.35±1.19）%]（P值均<0.001）。ELISA法检测显示Raji细胞作为靶细胞时，hCART19组IL-2水平[（10.56±0.88）pg/ml]及IFN-γ[（199.02±12.66）pg/ml]较阴性组[IL-2：（3.55±0.26）pg/ml；IFN-γ：（37.63±0.85）pg/ml]及对照组[IL-2：（2.92±0.32）pg/ml；IFN-γ：（52.07±3.33）pg/ml]明显升高（P值均<0.001）。以上实验在CHO-K1-CD19细胞作为靶细胞时也出现了相似的结果。给予白血病小鼠模型尾静脉分别注射hCART19、对照病毒转染的T细胞及未转染的T细胞，结果显示hCART19组小鼠存活时间>40 d，另外两组小鼠在20~30 d全部死亡，差异有统计学意义（χ²=11.73，P=0.008）。

结论

成功构建了具有抗白血病活性的人源化CD19 CAR-T细胞，为下一步的临床研究奠定了基础。

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of long-term glucocorticoid users with community-acquired pneumonia]

Objective: To explore the clinical features, etiological features and prognostic risk factors of long-term glucocorticoid users with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: A retrospective study included 100 long-term glucocorticoid users with CAP (G-CAP group) from 11 hospitals of China between January 2014 and December 2014, while 100 non-immunocompromised patients with community-acquired pneumonia were enrolled as controls (nICH-CAP group). Characteristics including age, gender, underlying diseases, corticosteroids, symptoms, disease severity, imaging manifestations, etiology, respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, whether the application of vasoactive drugs, antibiotics application, hospital mortality rate between the two groups were compared, and the prognostic factors of G-CAP were investigated using Logistic regression. Results: The peripheral blood lymphocytes[1.06(0.70, 1.68) vs 1.44 (0.87, 1.98)]in G-CAP group was less than nICH-CAP group (P<0.05). CT with pulmonary interstitial change (28.6% vs 9.9%), the proportion of patients with respiratory failure (25.0% vs 7.0%), mechanical ventilation (9.0% vs 2.0%), noninvasive mechanical ventilation (12.0% vs 2.0%), septic shock (9.0% vs 2.0%), and the hospital mortality rate (13.0% vs 3.0%) in G-CAP group were significantly higher than in nICH-CAP group (all P<0.05). Bacterial infection accounted for the highest proportion of infection (61.3%) in G-CAP group, but also virus infection (19.4%) and mixed infection (16.1%). Pseudomonas accounted for the highest proportion (47.4%) in bacterial infection of G-CAP. Logistic regression analysis showed that peripheral blood lymphocytes (OR=0.004, 95% CI: 0.000-0.234; P<0.05) and respiratory failure (OR=17.766, 95% CI: 4.933-131.0; P<0.05) were independent predictors of death in G-CAP group. Conclusions: The proportion of severe pneumonia and the mortality rate of patients with G-CAP are higher than the patients with nICH-CAP. Lymphopenia and respiratory failure are associated with poor outcome of patients with G-CAP.

Phagocytosis Assay for α-Synuclein Fibril Uptake by Mouse Primary Microglia

Microglia are professional phagocytes in the brain and deficiency in their phagocytic activity plays an important role in Parkinson's disease. This protocol mainly describes the phagocytosis assay for uptake of α-synuclein preformed fibrils, a pathologic form of α-synuclein, by primary microglia.

[Effect of peripheral bloodgenomic DNA methylation on the relationship between methyl donor status and risk of breast cancer]

Objective: To explore the effect of peripheral blood genomic DNA methylation on the relationship between methyl donor status and risk of breast cancer. Methods: A case-control study was conducted. Each three hundred breast cancer cases and controls were consecutively recruited. Food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary information. Amounts on folate, methionine, choline and betaine intake were calculated. Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction. Peripheral blood genomic DNA methylation was measured by using the Methyl Flash(TM) Methylated DNA Quantification Kit. Pathway analysis was used to examine the effect of genomic DNA methylation on the relations between methyl donor status and risk of breast cancer. Results: The genome DNA methylation rates were 0.46%±0.25% and 0.53%±0.34%, respectively on both cases and controls, with differences statistically significant (P<0.01). Results from the pathway analysis, results showed that methionine consumption was related to genomic DNA methylation (β=0.065, P<0.05) while genomic DNA methylation was related to the risk of breast cancerk (β=-0.027, P<0.05), respectively. Conclusions: The level of peripheral blood genomic DNA methylation in breast cancer cases was significantly lower than that in the controls. Genomic DNA methylation seemed to have played a mediated role between methionine and the risk of breast cancer.

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

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

INTRODUCTION

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

METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSIONS

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

Putting a brake on synaptic vesicle endocytosis

In chemical synapses, action potentials evoke synaptic vesicle fusion with the presynaptic membrane at the active zone to release neurotransmitter. Synaptic vesicle endocytosis (SVE) then follows exocytosis to recapture vesicle proteins and lipid components for recycling and the maintenance of membrane homeostasis. Therefore, SVE plays an essential role during neurotransmission and is one of the most precisely regulated biological processes. Four modes of SVE have been characterized and both positive and negative regulators have been identified. However, our understanding of SVE regulation remains unclear, especially the identity of negative regulators and their mechanisms of action. Here, we review the current knowledge of proteins that function as inhibitors of SVE and their modes of action in different forms of endocytosis. We also propose possible physiological roles of such negative regulation. We believe that a better understanding of SVE regulation, especially the inhibitory mechanisms, will shed light on neurotransmission in health and disease.

Synaptotagmin-11 inhibits cytokine secretion and phagocytosis in microglia

Cytokine secretion and phagocytosis are key functions of activated microglia. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their regulation in microglia remain largely unknown. Here, we report that synaptotagmin-11 (Syt11), a non-Ca²⁺ -binding Syt implicated in Parkinson disease and schizophrenia, inhibits cytokine secretion and phagocytosis in microglia. We found Syt11 expression in microglia in brain slices and primary microglia. Interestingly, Syt11-knockdown (KD) increased cytokine secretion and NO release in primary microglia both in the absence and presence of lipopolysaccharide. NF-κB was activated in untreated KD microglia together with enhanced synthesis of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and iNOS. When the release capacity was assessed by the ratio of extracellular to intracellular levels, only the IL-6 and TNF-α secretion capacity was increased in Syt11-KD cells, suggesting that Syt11 specifically regulates conventional secretion. Consistently, Syt11 localized to the trans-Golgi network and recycling endosomes. In addition, Syt11 was recruited to phagosomes and its deficiency enhanced microglial phagocytosis. All the KD phenotypes were rescued by expression of an shRNA-resistant Syt11, while overexpression of Syt11 suppressed cytokine secretion and phagocytosis. Importantly, Syt11 also inhibited microglial phagocytosis of α-synuclein fibrils, supporting its association with Parkinson disease. Taken together, we propose that Syt11 suppresses microglial activation under both physiological and pathological conditions through the inhibition of cytokine secretion and phagocytosis.

Optical signatures of parity anomaly in a gapped graphene-like system

Parity anomaly refers to the violation of coordinate reflection symmetry induced by the quantum fluctuations. It is proposed to exist in a graphene-like system with a finite bare mass for Dirac fermions, and manifests itself as a parity-violating quantum correction to the current of each species of fermions. Coulomb interaction greatly increases the fermion mass, and produces various types of excitons. Of particular interest is the ρ-exciton, which is directly connected to parity anomaly and can be generated by absorbing a specific photon. The exciton is a particle-hole bound state, and can be regarded as condensed-matter analogue of meson composed of quark-anti-quark pair. By virtue of this correspondence, we analyze the optical conductivity and calculate the mass of ρ-exciton by employing the Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov sum rule method that is widely used in the studies of hadron phenomenology. We show that ρ-exciton leads to a sharp peak in the optical conductivity, which is observable in optical experiments. Moreover, we study the impact of scalar-like excitons on two-photon processes by computing the decay amplitude, and also find peaks in the Raman spectra.

[Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of thyroid: a case report]

A elderly woman patient，with a unclear boundary,solid,smooth surface,moderately active mass that estimated 0.4 cm at its greatest diameter in the left lobe of thyroid. Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic mass in the left lobe and Computed Tomography showed a 38 mm×25 mm×23 mm oval lesion with uniform density in the left lobe also. The surgical findings revealed tumor located in the inner side of left thyroid lobe near the isthmus,with unclear boundary. Pathological examination showed unclear boundaries between thyroid and tumor,the tumor cells attack into the muscle tissue,braided/ fascicles spindle shaped or star shaped myofibroblasts cells in the tumor area with myxedema inflammatory background and the lesion did not have any mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the spindle cells were positive for Vim,ACT,SMA,Bcl2 and ClyD1,and focal lesion histiocytes showed focal positive for CD68,CK and S-100,but negative for DES,Mgo,CD99,CD34,CD117,IgG4,ALK-1.The pathological diagnosis supports inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of thyroid. Imaging and immunohistochemistry and others are useful in differential diagnosis.

Pre-harvest foliar application of ethephon strengthens gibberellins-induced fruit expansion in Pyrus pyrifolia

To identify the roles of ethylene in fruit development in Japanese pear Pyrus pyrifolia 'Niitaka', one of the non-climacteric genotypes, source-sink strength and fruit development during fruit expansion were investigated when ethephon was applied after a conventional gibberellic acid (GA) lanolin paste treatment on the pedicel. The results demonstrate that the conventional GA treatment during the early stage of fruit expansion resulted in larger fruit size and advanced fruit maturation, but pre-harvest foliar application of ethephon only advanced fruit maturation. However, pre-harvest foliar application of ethephon with a preceding conventional GA treatment during the early stage of fruit expansion dramatically improved fruit size and advanced fruit maturation over GA or ethephon alone. Moreover, the early foliar application of ethephon showed a better efficacy in increasing fruit size than the late spraying. A further study revealed that when ethephon was applied after the conventional GA treatment, it improved source-sink strength associated with leaf photosynthesis and the specific rate of [¹³C] accumulation in fruit, and also strengthened cell expansion more than did GA or ethephon alone.

Effects of carbomer eye drops in combination with orthokeratology lens in treating adolescent myopia

To investigate the effects of carbomer eye drops (CED) during long-time wearing of overnight orthokeratology lens of adolescents with myopia, 260 teenagers with myopia treated in the Henan Provincial People’s Hospital from June 2012 to August 2014 and followed-up for more than 2 years were enrolled. All the patients underwent regular fitting of orthokeratology lens. They were divided into a CED (Vidisic) group (130 cases, 260 eyes treated with CED) and rewetting drops (RD) (Baushe and Lomb) group (130 cases, 260 eyes treated with RD). The effects in the two groups were observed. The incidence of corneal epithelial defects one day, one week and one month after treatment of the CED group was lower than that of the RD group, and the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05); the tear break up time (TBUT) of the CED group was higher than that of the RD group at different time points, and the difference had statistical significance (P less than 0.05); the difference of the value of Schirmer I test between the two groups had no statistical significance (P>0.05). It is concluded that carbomer eye drops can stabilize tear film and protect and repair corneal epithelium during the wearing of orthokeratology lens.

Correlation between genetic susceptibility of tuberculosis and macrophage migration inhibitory factor

This paper aims to study the relationship between genetic susceptibility of tuberculosis and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and provide theoretical basis and foundation for further studies on pathogenesis and treatment of tuberculosis. Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the difference of MIF protein expression level in peripheral serum of the test subjects, and analyze the difference of MIF protein expression levels of different genotypes and alleles at -794CATT locus and -173G/C locus. The results showed that MIF protein expression level in serum of patients in the tuberculosis group was higher than that of the healthy control group (p < 0.05). The MIF protein expression level of genotype (5/5+5/6+6/6) and (7/X+8/X) at -794CATT locus of the tuberculosis group was higher than that of the healthy control group (p < 0.05), and MIF protein expression level of genotype GG and (GC+CC) at -173G/C locus of the tuberculosis group was higher than that of the healthy control group (p < 0.05). Therefore, macrophage migration inhibitory factor is an important cell factor which plays a regulating role in the immune system, as it can inhibit macrophage migration and promote the gathering, infiltration and proliferation of macrophages at inflammatory sites. Furthermore, it can secrete some cell factors which play a central role in immunological regulation.

De novo assembly, functional annotation, and marker development of Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) fruit transcriptome through massively parallel sequencing

This study investigated the Asian pear transcriptome using the RNA-Seq normalized fruit cDNA library to create a transcriptomic resource for unigene and marker discovery. Following the removal of lowquality reads, 127,085,054 trimmed reads were assembled de novo to yield 37,649 non-redundant unigenes with an average length of 599 bp. Alternative splicing events were detected in 4121 contigs. A total of 30,560 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 7443 simple sequence repeat (SSR) makers were obtained. Approximately 21,449 (56.9%) unigenes were categorized into three gene ontology groups; 3682 (9.8%) were classified into 25 cluster of orthologous groups; and 10,451 (27.8%) were assigned to six Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. Differentially expressed genes were investigated using the reads per kilobase of the exon model per million reads methodology. A total of 546 unigenes showed significant differences in expression levels at different fruit developmental stages. Gene ontology categories associated with various aspects, including carbohydrate metabolic processes, transmembrane transport, and signal transduction, were enriched with genes with divergent expressions. These Pyrus pyrifolia transcriptome data provide a rich resource for the discovery and identification of new genes. Furthermore, the numerous putative SSRs and SNPs detected in this study will be important resources for the future development of a linkage map or of marker-assisted breeding programs for the Asian pear.

Synaptotagmin-11 inhibits clathrin-mediated and bulk endocytosis

Precise and efficient endocytosis is essential for vesicle recycling during a sustained neurotransmission. The regulation of endocytosis has been extensively studied, but inhibitors have rarely been found. Here, we show that synaptotagmin-11 (Syt11), a non-Ca(2+)-binding Syt implicated in schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease, inhibits clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and bulk endocytosis in dorsal root ganglion neurons. The frequency of both types of endocytic event increases in Syt11 knockdown neurons, while the sizes of endocytosed vesicles and the kinetics of individual bulk endocytotic events remain unaffected. Specifically, clathrin-coated pits and bulk endocytosis-like structures increase on the plasma membrane in Syt11-knockdown neurons. Structural-functional analysis reveals distinct domain requirements for Syt11 function in CME and bulk endocytosis. Importantly, Syt11 also inhibits endocytosis in hippocampal neurons, implying a general role of Syt11 in neurons. Taken together, we propose that Syt11 functions to ensure precision in vesicle retrieval, mainly by limiting the sites of membrane invagination at the early stage of endocytosis.

Analysis of skin color change and related gene expression after crossing of Dongxiang black chicken and ISA layer

This study evaluated the effects of the autosomal domi-nant Fm gene in conjunction with the sex-linked Id gene on skin color and related gene expression. Ten Dongxiang black cocks were selected to build ten families by mating 60 individuals of ISA B-line layers. The skin color of the F1 generation was observed at different time points. At 126 days, 36 chickens were slaughtered, and gene expression of TYRP1, TYRP2, MC1R, and EDNRB in breast skin was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. The ratio of Dongxiang black chickens with white skin chicks in the F1 generation to that of non-white was 3:7 (HoFF: HeFf). At 126 days, all F1 generation cocks showed white skin (115/115), while the percentages of hens with black skin were 100% (HoFF, 27/27) and 53.75% (HeFf, 43/80). The change in skin color peaked between 42 and 84 days. The offspring of HoFF displayed significantly higher expres-sion of MC1R, compared with those of HeFf (P < 0.05). The "L" value of hen's skin was significantly lower, and TYRP1 and TYRP2 expres-sion was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in cocks with the same Fm/fm genotype. These findings indicate the presence of homozygous and heterozygous Fm in Dongxiang black chickens, with the offspring of homozygous birds showing a higher percentage of black skin percentage. The expression of the four genes studied was correlated with skin color, with TYRP1 and TYRP2 representing the most suitable molecular markers.

SIDE EFFECTS OF TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT WITH FIXED-DOSE COMBINATIONS

This paper aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and safety of Fixed-dose Combinations (FDCs) on tuberculosis. A computer search was carried out to review the literature related to clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trails (CCTs) on the curative effect and safety of treating pulmonary tuberculosis with FDCs. The results demonstrated that, in the 22 studies examined, comparison of sputum negative conservation rate of treating smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis with FDCs and single drug, the relative risk (RR) value and 95% confidence interval (CI) were 1.02 (1.01, 1.03) and 1.01 (1.00, 1.02), respectively, at the end of the 2nd month and 6th month (P<0.05), while comparison of the relapse rate within six months showed that RR value and 95% CI was 1.72 (0.98, 3.02) (P>0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in total occurrence of the rates of side effects pertaining to skin reaction, gastrointestinal tract side reaction, occurrence rate of liver and gall side reaction or occurrence rate of drug withdrawal because of side effects (P>0.05). After sensitivity analysis, it was found that occurrence rate of gastrointestinal tract side effects and occurrence rate of liver and gall side effects were unstable. All the findings suggest that the curative effect of treating tuberculosis with FDCs is better than that of a single drug. More reliable evidence is required since the safety evaluation results are not stable.

High-resolution melting curve analysis of the ADSL and LPL genes and their correlation with meat quality and blood parameters in chickens

Adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) are key enzymes in the metabolism of inosine monophosphate (IMP) and fat mass, which are important factors in meat quality evaluation. In this study, we selected 50 hens from the ISA B-line layers and Guangxi Yellow chickens, slaughtered the chickens at 120 days old, and analyzed polymorphisms in the ADSL and LPL genes using the high-resolution melting curve method. Blood lipid parameters, intramuscular fat (IMF), and IMP content were higher (P < 0.05) in Guangxi Yellow chickens than in ISA B-line layers, while LPL activity was lower (P < 0.05). In exon 2 of the ADSL gene, a C3484T mutation was identified. In both breeds, the CC genotype showed the highest IMP, and IMP was the lowest in the TT genotype. In the 5ꞌ regulatory region of the LPL gene, a C293T mutation was identified. In both breeds, the CC genotype showed the lowest LPL and IMF, while IMF was the highest in the TT genotype. The percentages of individuals with the TT type in the ADSL gene, which was associated with the lowest IMP, were 16.0 and 52.0% in Guangxi chickens and ISA layers, respectively. The percentages of individuals with the CC type of the LPL gene, which was associated with the lowest LPL and IMF, were 28.0 and 44.0%, respectively. The ADSL and LPL gene mutations are correlated with differences in meat quality in different chicken breeds, and high-resolution melting curve is an effective prediction technology for these mutations.

Meta-analysis of constitutive QTLs for disease resistance in maize and its synteny conservation in the rice genome

We collected data regarding 340 disease resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) from the maize genomic database (MaizeGDB). We constructed an integrated linkage map and analyzed this map by using the BioMercator 2.1 software with IBM2 2008 Neighbors genetic linkage map as a reference. We used a meta-analysis method to identify five "consensus" synthetic resistance QTLs located on maize chromosomes 1, 3, 6, and 10, with map intervals of 5.14, 9.00, 28.50, 1.73, and 33.34 cM, respectively. The gene and marker sequences within the five "consensus" QTLs were downloaded from the MaizeGDB website. We identified eight resistance gene analogs (RGAs), through comparison of these sequences with the resistance genes of other members of Poaceae by using the online BLASTx software. On the basis of comparative mapping between the maize genetic map and the rice physical map, 54 rice and 44 maize resistance genes were projected onto the maize IBM2 2008 Neighbors genetic linkage map by using a synteny conservation approach. Additionally, 15 resistance genes in the "consensus" QTL regions were found in two "consensus" QTLs on chromosomes 3 and 6; these resistance genes included rp3, scmv2, wsm2, RG3, RG16, RG36, RG51, RG53, scmv1, mdm1, RG5, RG8, RG10, RG14, and RG29. Our results provide valuable information for fine-mapping QTL, gene cloning, and molecular breeding for resistance in maize.

Quantitative trait loci mapping for kernel row number using chromosome segment substitution lines in maize

Unveiling the genetic architecture of grain yield and yield-related traits is useful for guiding the genetic improvement of crop plants. Kernel row number (KRN) per ear is an important yield component, which directly affects the grain yield of maize. In this study, we constructed a set of 130 chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs), using Nongxi531 as the donor parent and H21 as recipient parent, by continuous backcrossing and selfing. In total, 11 quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected for KRN by stepwise regression under 3 environmental settings, with 9.87-19.44% phenotypic variation being explained by a single QTL. All 11 QTL were also detected by single-factor ANOVA across the 3 environments tested. Of these 11 QTL, 4 were identified across more than 2 environments, indicating that they are authentically expressed under different environments to control the formation and development of KRN in female maize inflorescences. The CSSLs harbored a greater number of favorable alleles for KRN compared to the H21 line, and could be employed as improved H21 lines in maize breeding programs.

Altered MENIN expression disrupts the MAFA differentiation pathway in insulinoma

The protein MENIN is the product of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN1) gene. Altered MENIN expression is one of the few events that are clearly associated with foregut neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), classical oncogenes or tumour suppressors being not involved. One of the current challenges is to understand how alteration of MENIN expression contributes to the development of these tumours. We hypothesised that MENIN might regulate factors maintaining endocrine-differentiated functions. We chose the insulinoma model, a paradigmatic example of well-differentiated pancreatic NETs, to study whether MENIN interferes with the expression of v-MAF musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homologue A (MAFA), a master glucose-dependent transcription factor in differentiated β-cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of a series of human insulinomas revealed a correlated decrease in both MENIN and MAFA. Decreased MAFA expression resulting from targeted Men1 ablation was also consistently observed in mouse insulinomas. In vitro analyses using insulinoma cell lines showed that MENIN regulated MAFA protein and mRNA levels, and bound to Mafa promoter sequences. MENIN knockdown concomitantly decreased mRNA expression of both Mafa and β-cell differentiation markers (Ins1/2, Gck, Slc2a2 and Pdx1) and, in parallel, increased the proliferation rate of tumours as measured by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Interestingly, MAFA knockdown alone also increased proliferation rate but did not affect the expression of candidate proliferation genes regulated by MENIN. Finally, MENIN variants with missense mutations detected in patients with MEN1 lost the WT MENIN properties to regulate MAFA. Together, our findings unveil a previously unsuspected MENIN/MAFA connection regarding control of the β-cell differentiation/proliferation balance, which could contribute to tumorigenesis.