[Current status and prospects of genetic research on membranous nephropathy]

Primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) is one of the most frequent pathological subtypes of nephrotic syndrome in adults. The use of genome-wide association study (GWAS) technology has propelled the transition from conventional medicine to precision medicine, offering a fresh perspective for comprehending the pathogenesis of PMN and individual variations in greater detail. Furthermore, GWAS will aid in clinical translation, laying a firm foundation for the precise diagnosis and treatment of PMN.

[Exploration of the high-risk factors of catheter-related thrombosis in breast cancer]

Objective: To explore the high risk factors of catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) in breast cancer patients, and provide the basis for the development of appropriate prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: A total of 1 432 breast cancer patients scheduled to receive central venous catheterization in National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from January 1, 2015 to August 31, 2019 were selected. Baseline information and catheterization information of patients were collected. The occurrence of CRT was confirmed by vascular ultrasound examination, and the influencing factors of CRT were analyzed. Results: The total number of catheter days were 121, 980 days in 1 432 patients with breast cancer, and the average number of catheter days in each patient was 85.2 days. The incidence of CRT was 6.8% (97/1 432), which was 0.79 cases/1 000 catheter days. Among 815 patients with centrally inserted central venous catheters (CICC), 43 (5.3%) had CRT, which was 0.70 cases/1 000 catheter days. Among 617 patients with peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC), 54 (8.8%) developed CRT, which was 0.90 cases/1 000 catheter days. CRT was most common in subclavian vein (63.9%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age ≥ 60 years old (OR=1.712, 95% CI: 1.056-2.775, P=0.029), PICC (OR=1.732, 95% CI: 1.130-2.656, P=0.012), the catheter position except subclavian vein (OR=10.420, 95% CI: 1.207-89.991), secondary adjustment of catheter position (OR=3.985, 95% CI: 1.510-10.521, P=0.005) and high D-Dimer level (OR=1.129, 95% CI: 1.026-1.241, P=0.012)were independent risk factors for CRT. Conclusions: The CRT problem can't be ignored in the clinical treatment of breast cancer patients with central venous catheterization. Screening the appropriate age of patients and the type of central venous catheters, reducing the secondary adjustment of catheter position, and timely monitoring the level of D-dimer are helpful to the prevention and treatment of CRT.

Detection of Hole Pockets in the Candidate Type-II Weyl Semimetal MoTe_{2} from Shubnikov-de Haas Quantum Oscillations

The bulk electronic structure of T_{d}-MoTe_{2} features large hole Fermi pockets at the Brillouin zone center (Γ) and two electron Fermi surfaces along the Γ-X direction. However, the large hole pockets, whose existence has important implications for the Weyl physics of T_{d}-MoTe_{2}, has never been conclusively detected in quantum oscillations. This raises doubt about the realizability of Majorana states in T_{d}-MoTe_{2}, because these exotic states rely on the existence of Weyl points, which originated from the same band structure predicted by density functional theory (DFT). Here, we report an unambiguous detection of these elusive hole pockets via Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) quantum oscillations. At ambient pressure, the quantum oscillation frequencies for these pockets are 988 and 1513 T, when the magnetic field is applied along the c axis. The quasiparticle effective masses m^{*} associated with these frequencies are 1.50 and 2.77 m_{e}, respectively, indicating the importance of Coulomb interactions in this system. We further measure the SdH oscillations under pressure. At 13 kbar, we detected a peak at 1798 T with m^{*}=2.86m_{e}. Relative to the oscillation data at a lower pressure, the amplitude of this peak experienced an enhancement, which can be attributed to the reduced curvature of the hole pockets under pressure. Combining our experimental data with DFT+U calculations, where U is the Hubbard parameter, our results shed light on why these important hole pockets have not been detected until now.

[Recurrent syncope related to catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia due to de novo RyR2-R2401H mutation]

Objective: To explore the clinical and molecular genetic features of a Chinese patient with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). Methods: Clinical data including resting electrocardiography, echocardiography and treadmill exercise testing of a patient with CPVT admitted to our department in March 2013 were analyzed, and the peripheral venous blood samples of the patient and his family members and 400 ethnicity-matched healthy controls were obtained. All exons and exon-intron boundaries of the six CPVT-related genes including RYR2, CASQ2, TRDN, CALM1, KCNJ2 and ANKB were sequenced to detect the variants related to CPVT. The relationship between the genotypes and phenotypes was analyzed to direct the target therapy. Results: Recurrent syncope induced either by exercise or extreme frightened fear was observed in this patient. There was no positive family history of syncope or sudden death. The resting electrocardiography and echocardiography of the patient were normal, while the exercise testing revealed bidirectional and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. A cardiac ryanodine receptor gene mutation (R2401H) was identified in this patient, while this mutation was absent in his parents and sister and 400 controls. No variant was detected in the remaining five candidate genes. Treatment with high dose of metoprolol succinate (118.75 mg/d) was effective and patient was free of syncopal attack during the 2 years follow-up. Conclusion: This is the first report on RyR2-R2401H mutation in Chinese patient with CPVT, and high dose of metoptolol is the effective therapy option for CPVT related to RyR2 mutation.

Nonuniform allocation of hippocampal neurons to place fields across all hippocampal subfields

The mechanisms governing how the hippocampus selects neurons to exhibit place fields are not well understood. A default assumption in some previous studies was the uniform random draw with replacement (URDWR) model, which, theoretically, maximizes spatial "pattern separation", and predicts a Poisson distribution of the numbers of place fields expressed by a given cell per unit area. The actual distribution of mean firing rates exhibited by a population of hippocampal neurons, however, is approximately exponential or log-normal in a given environment and these rates are somewhat correlated across multiple places, at least under some conditions. The advantage of neural activity-dependent immediate-early gene (IEG) analysis, as a proxy for electrophysiological recording, is the ability to obtain much larger samples of cells, even those whose activity is so sparse that they are overlooked in recording studies. Thus, a more accurate representation of the activation statistics can potentially be achieved. Some previous IEG studies that examined behavior-driven IEG expression in CA1 appear to support URDWR. There was, however, in some of the same studies, an under-recruitment of dentate gyrus granule cells, indicating a highly skewed excitability distribution, which is inconsistent with URDWR. Although it was suggested that this skewness might be related to increased excitability of recently generated granule cells, we show here that CA1, CA3, and subiculum also exhibit cumulative under-recruitment of neurons. Thus, a highly skewed excitability distribution is a general principle common to all major hippocampal subfields. Finally, a more detailed analysis of the frequency distributions of IEG intranuclear transcription foci suggests that a large fraction of hippocampal neurons is virtually silent, even during sleep. Whether the skewing of the excitability distribution is cell-intrinsic or a network phenomenon, and the degree to which this excitability is fixed or possibly time-varying are open questions for future studies. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Genetic and morphological variation of three freshwater lake populations of Coilia ectenes (Engraulidae)

Population structure of the important commercial fish, Coilia ectenes, was investigated in samples from three freshwater lakes in the Eastern China using a multivariate approach of morphometrics and mitochondrial DNA control region sequencing. A total of eighteen morphological distances of truss method and eight morphometric variables were taken from each fish. Multivariate analyses of the morphometric data revealed significant morphological differences among the three lake populations, especially for those samples from Taihu Lake. Discriminant functions were used to compare sites, and these permitted an 83% success rate in distinguishing fish from the three sites. However, no obviously geographical differentiation was found among those populations of C. ectenes based on the genetic data. In the AMOVA analysis, only 2.2% genetic variability came from different populations, and most of them were present within the sub-populations. Experience a recent population expansion and some movement of fish among those areas, quite possibly enough to bring about relative genetic homogeneity, but there is insufficient to prevent the three populations from differing phenotypically. The diversified environmental factors may be playing an important role in shaping morphological variations among those populations.

UV-induced grafting processes with in situ formed photomask for micropatterning of two-component biomolecules

We report a photolithographic process for micropatterning of two-component biomolecules on a transparent organic film via lateral functional polymer brushes of poly(sodium acrylate) (P(AA)) and poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (P(GMA)). The pattern of binary polymer brushes were prepared via consecutive UV-initiated grafting processes, under the assistance of the in situ formed poly (4,4'-bi[N-(4-vinylbenzyl) pyridinium]) (P(BVV)) photomask. The epoxy groups of the P(GMA) microdomains can be aminated for covalently coupling biotin, while the P(AA) microdomains were used for immobilizing immunoglobulin (IgG). The resulting biotin- and IgG-coupled microdomains interact specifically with their corresponding target proteins, avidin and anti-IgG, respectively.

[Regulatory function of Shen-reinforcing and qi-supplementing drugs on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and interleukin-6 dysfunction in asthmatic rats]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of Shen-reinforcing and qi-supplementing (SRQS) drugs on some ingredients of neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) network in asthma rat model.

METHODS

Asthma model was established by ovalbumin sensitization and long-term excitation. Forty healthy Brown Norway rats of clean grade were randomly divided into 4 groups by randomized digital table, the normal control group and the three treated groups treated by low, moderate and high dose of SRQS drugs respectively. Blood content of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) was detected by RIA; interleukin-6 (IL-6) and corticosterone were determined by ELISA; and the mRNA expresion of corticosteroid release hormone (CRH) in hypothalamus was tested by Realtime-PCR.

RESULTS

Eosinophile inflammation was shown in the pathology of asthma model rats, and also shown a multiple level hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) disorder at the repeated attack of asthma. After treatment, levels of ACTH and CRH mRNA expression in the treated groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P <0.05), but the corticosterone only showed a rising tendency. Level of IL-6 increased during the episode, showing a significant negative correlation with ACTH (r = - 0.325, P = 0.043), and had somewhat reduction after SRQS treatment.

CONCLUSION

SRQS drugs could improve the function of HPH axis independent of IL-6, suggesting that the action is possibly targeted on the neuro-endocrine axis, which might be the hypothalamus.

[Effect of epimedium herb on RANTES and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 expression in lung tissue of asthmatic rats]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of epimedium herb (EH), a Chinese herb for replenishing Shen, on regulated on activation, normal T call expressed and secreted (RANTES) and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3) expression in lung tissue of asthmatic rats, for further exploring the action mechanism of EH in treating asthma.

METHODS

Brown Norway rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control group (A), the allergic asthma model group (B), the group of model rat treated with dexamethasone (C), and the three groups of model rat treated with low (0.125 g/mL), medium (0.5 g/mL), high (2.0 g/mL) dose of EH (D, E and F). RANTES and MCP-3 mRNA expressions in lung tissue were tested with Real-time PCR and the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-5 (IL-5) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

As compared with the model group (B), RANTES, MCP-3 expression and TNF-alpha were lower in the 4 treated groups (C, D, E and F, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); IL-4 was lower in Group C, E and F (P = 0.007, P = 0.047, P = 0.033), while that in Group D was higher than that in Group C (P = 0.012). As for level of IL-5, lowering was shown only in Group C and F (P = 0.003, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Applying EH in the attack stage of asthma can alleviate the airway inflammation by down-regulating the expression of RANTES and MCP-3 in lung tissue.

[The effects of Ad-Gax transfection on apoptosis and related gene expression in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells in hypoxic rat model]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of growth arrest-specific homeobox (Gax) transfection on apoptosis and expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins of rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) exposed to hypoxia.

METHODS

PASMCs were transfected with Gax gene by a replication-deficient adenovirus expressing the hemagglutinin-tagged Gax cDNA (Ad-Gax). After exposure to normal oxygenation (21% O(2)) or hypoxia (2.5% O(2)) for 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h, apoptosis was observed by transmission electronic microscope and TUNEL-positive staining. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in PASMCs were detected by immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS

Before Ad-Gax transfection, none or few of TUNEL-positive PASMCs were detected. After Ad-Gax transfection, the PASMCs unexposed to hypoxia displayed none or few TUNEL-positive stain, while the PASMCs exposed to hypoxia displayed a marked increase in TUNEL-positive stain, especially in cells exposed to hypoxia for 24 h to 48 h. The ratio of apoptosis of PASMCs at normoxic, hypoxia 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h were (9.11 +/- 1.21)%, (34.13 +/- 1.02)%, (39.12 +/- 0.43)%, (50.09 +/- 0.13)%, (60.04 +/- 1.12)% and (55.47 +/- 0.03)% (P < 0.01), respectively. Before Ad-Gax transfection, the level of Bax protein showed no significant increase in PASMCs exposed to hypoxia, while that of Bcl-2 protein increased significantly, as compared to that in PASMCs under normoxic condition. The average optical density (AOD) of Bcl-2 was 2.31 +/- 0.12, 2.35 +/- 0.23, 2.49 +/- 0.27, 2.51 +/- 0.19, 2.54 +/- 0.25 and 2.53 +/- 0.20 at normoxic, hypoxia for 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h before Ad-Gax transfection, respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). After Ad-Gax transfection to PASMCs exposed to hypoxia, Bax protein increased; the AOD of Bax was 3.82 +/- 0.38, 3.12 +/- 0.42, 3.53 +/- 0.61, 4.52 +/- 0.23, 4.25 +/- 0.76 and 4.03 +/- 0.38 at normoxic, hypoxia for 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h (P < 0.01), respectively. But Bcl-2 protein decreased significantly; the AOD of Bcl-2 was 9.11 +/- 1.21, 34.13 +/- 1.02, 39.12 +/- 0.43, 50.09 +/- 0.13, 60.04 +/- 1.12 and 55.47 +/- 0.03, respectively (P < 0.01). After Ad-Gax transfection, the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was negatively correlated with the rate of apoptotic PASMCs (r = -0.53, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Ad-Gax transfection induced PASMC apoptosis after exposure to hypoxia. A possible mechanism is that Gax can downregulate Bcl-2 expression and upregulate Bax expression, especially by decrease of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio.

Descending facilitation from the rostral ventromedial medulla maintains nerve injury-induced central sensitization

Nerve injury can produce hypersensitivity to noxious and normally innocuous stimulation. Injury-induced central (i.e. spinal) sensitization is thought to arise from enhanced afferent input to the spinal cord and to be critical for expression of behavioral hypersensitivity. Descending facilitatory influences from the rostral ventromedial medulla have been suggested to also be critical for the maintenance, though not the initiation, of experimental neuropathic pain. The possibility that descending facilitation from the rostral ventromedial medulla is required for the maintenance of central sensitization was examined by determining whether ablation of mu-opioid receptor-expressing cells within the rostral ventromedial medulla prevented the enhanced expression of repetitive touch-evoked FOS within the spinal cord of animals with spinal nerve ligation injury as well as nerve injury-induced behavioral hypersensitivity. Rats received a single microinjection of vehicle, saporin, dermorphin or dermorphin-saporin into the rostral ventromedial medulla and 28 days later, underwent either sham or spinal nerve ligation procedures. Animals receiving rostral ventromedial medulla pretreatment with vehicle, dermorphin or saporin that were subjected to spinal nerve ligation demonstrated both thermal and tactile hypersensitivity, and showed significantly increased expression of touch-evoked FOS in the dorsal horn ipsilateral to nerve injury compared with sham-operated controls at days 3, 5 or 10 post-spinal nerve ligation. In contrast, nerve-injured animals pretreated with dermorphin-saporin showed enhanced behaviors and touch-evoked FOS expression in the spinal dorsal horn at day 3, but not days 5 and 10, post-spinal nerve ligation when compared with sham-operated controls. These results indicate the presence of nerve injury-induced behavioral hypersensitivity associated with nerve injury-induced central sensitization. Further, the results demonstrate the novel concept that once initiated, maintenance of nerve injury-induced central sensitization in the spinal dorsal horn requires descending pain facilitation mechanisms arising from the rostral ventromedial medulla.

[Experimental study on effect of kang ai-bao II to cancer cells with cell CT analysis in mice]

The result of the experiment indicated that Kang Ai-bao II ([symbol: see text] II) had a destructive effect on DNA and RNA of cancer cells. Our study provided the basis for the clinical practice. The effect of Kang Ai-bao II on U14 cancer cell in C57 BL mice was investigated with confocal laser scanning microscopy.

[Ultrastructural observation of intratumoral neutrophils and macrophages induced by garlic oil]

After injection of garlic oil in tumor focus a large amount of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes appeared. Some neutrophils and macrophages located adjacent to the tumor cells, some processes of neutrophils and macrophages penetrated into intracellular body of tumor cells. This result showed that garlic oil could induce neutrophils and macrophages against tumor.

[Flow cytometric analysis of the garlic oil effect on DNA content of cancer cell cycle]

Flow cytometry (FCM) is a new technique developed in the recent decade. This technique may measure DNA content of 5000 cells per second and trace the dynamic changes in cell proliferation cycle and offer a hint for designing clinical treatment protocol, monitor prognosis and elucidate the mechanisms of antitumor drugs. The authors previous studies showed significant effect of garlic oil on prolongation of life expectancy and inhibition of tumor growth in mice. Using FCM the authors analysed the effect of garlic oil on cell cycle in S180 tumor cells, 2-6 hrs after single administration or multiple administration the cell number in S phase rapidly decreased, in G1 phase increased. This suggests garlic oil may blockade cells to progress from G1 phase to S phase and result in accumulation of cells in G1 phase and directly inhibit the synthesis of DNA and the cell cycle. Theoretical basis for clinical application was offered and some aspects of antitumor mechanism of garlic oil were elucidated.

Circulatory effects of anisodamine on cardiopulmonary bypass

Anisodamine, a new M-cholinergic blocker discovered in China, was employed in experimental dogs on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with a view to observing its hypotensive activities. Before bypass an intravenous bolus injection of anisodamine 5 mg/kg caused a transient fall of about 20 mmHg in arterial blood pressure for 10 to 15 minutes, with an increase of about 10 mmHg in pulse pressure, indicating lowering afterload. During bypass, a continuous intravenous drip of anisodamine brought about 27 to 37 mmHg fall in perfusion pressure (compared with the control group) while the perfusion flow rate was kept constant. Beneficial effects of anisodamine were manifested, post-bypass, by enhancement of cardiac output, lack of elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure, a speedy recovery of the ST segment to normal, and a decrease of the rate-pressure product, as results of circulatory improvement and myocardial protection.