[A comparative study of rigid gas permeable corneal contact lenses versus frame glasses for refractive correction of postoperative aphakic eyes after congenital cataract surgery in infants and children]

Objective: The aim of this paper is to compare the refractive correction effects of rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGPCL) and spectacle correction in children with aphakia after congenital cataract surgery. Methods: This was a prospective non-randomized controlled trial. Children with aphakic eyes after congenital cataract surgery, who underwent vision correction in the Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic of Beijing Tongren Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from April 2012 to November 2019, were continuously collected. Those who voluntarily chose to wear RGPCL for refractive correction were included in the experimental group. Patients with monocular disease were in trial group 1, and patients with binocular disease were in trial group 2. Patients who chose to wear frame glasses for refractive correction were included in the control group. Patients with monocular disease were in control group 1, and patients with binocular disease were in control group 2. Regional origin, medical history, and family information were collected at the first diagnosis. During the follow-up, adverse reactions occurring during the process of wearing glasses were recorded. The Teller acuity card was used for visual examination to obtain the best-corrected visual acuity and convert it into the logarithm of the minimum resolution angle. The degree of nystagmus was determined according to the amplitude and frequency of nystagmus. Treatment cost, treatment compliance, and the reasons for adopting or not adopting RGPCL were analyzed through a questionnaire completed by the parents of children with RGPCL. Results: A total of 203 children (344 eyes) who underwent congenital cataract surgery were included, including 124 males (210 eyes) and 79 females (134 eyes). The age range was 3 to 36 months. There were 28 cases in the experimental group, including 19 cases in trial group 1 and 9 cases in trial group 2. There were 175 cases in the control group, including 43 cases in control group 1 and 132 cases in control group 2. Except for 6 months of age, the visual acuity of the experimental group was better than that of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The visual acuity of children in trial group 1 was better than that of children in control group 1 at the same age. Among them, at 12 months of age [1.54 (1.27, 1.97), 1.84 (0.97, 2.12)], 18 months of age [1.27 (0.97, 1.84), 1.84 (0.97, 2.12)], 24 months of age [1.54 (1.27, 1.84), 1.84 (0.97, 2.12)], and 30 months old [0.97 (0.66, 1.27), 1.54 (0.66, 2.12)], the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The visual acuity of children in trial group 2 was better than that in control group 2 at the same age. Among them, at 18 months old [1.27 (0.97, 1.54), 1.27 (0.66, 2.12)], 24 months old [0.97 (0.66, 1.27), 1.27 (0.66, 2.12)], and 30 months old [1.27 (0.66, 2.12)], the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The remission rate of nystagmus in the experimental group was 8/9 (8 cases), the remission rate of nystagmus in the control group was 34.40% (32 cases), and the exacerbation rate was 29.03% (27 cases). The average annual cost of the experimental group was 25 125 yuan, and that of the control group was 2 511 yuan. Conclusions: RGPCL is a well-tolerated, safe, and effective treatment for infants and young children. The visual acuity and degree of nystagmus were significantly improved in children who wore RGPCL for aphakia refractive correction after congenital cataract surgery compared with spectacle correction.

[Efficacy and prognostic factors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of secondary acute myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and prognostic factors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) . Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective clinical study, adult patients aged ≥18 years who underwent allo-HSCT for sAML at four centers of the Zhejiang Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Collaborative Group from January 2014 to November 2022 were included, and the efficacy and prognostic factors of allo-HSCT were analyzed. Results: A total of 95 patients were enrolled; 66 (69.5%) had myelodysplastic syndrome-acute myeloid leukemia (MDS-AML) , 4 (4.2%) had MDS/MPN-AML, and 25 (26.3%) had therapy-related AML (tAML) . The 3-year CIR, LFS, and overall survival (OS) rates were 18.6% (95% CI 10.2%-27.0%) , 70.6% (95% CI 60.8%-80.4%) , and 73.3% (95% CI 63.9%-82.7%) , respectively. The 3-year CIRs of the M-AML group (including MDS-AML and MDS/MPN-AML) and the tAML group were 20.0% and 16.4%, respectively (P=0.430) . The 3-year LFSs were 68.3% and 75.4%, respectively (P=0.176) . The 3-year OS rates were 69.7% and 75.4%, respectively (P=0.233) . The 3-year CIRs of the groups with and without TP53 mutations were 60.0% and 13.7%, respectively (P=0.003) ; the 3-year LFSs were 20.0% and 76.5%, respectively (P=0.002) ; and the 3-year OS rates were 40.0% and 77.6%, respectively (P=0.002) . According to European LeukmiaNet 2022 (ELN2022) risk stratification, the 3-year CIRs of patients in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 8.3%, 17.8%, and 22.6%, respectively (P=0.639) . The three-year LFSs were 91.7%, 69.5%, and 65.6%, respectively (P=0.268) . The 3-year OS rates were 91.7%, 71.4%, and 70.1%, respectively (P=0.314) . Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced disease at allo-HSCT and TP53 mutations were independent risk factors for CIR, LFS, and OS. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the prognosis of patients who underwent allo-HSCT among the MDS-AML, MDS/MPN-AML, and tAML groups. Advanced disease at transplantation and TP53 mutations were poor prognostic factors. ELN2022 risk stratification had limited value for predicting the prognosis of patients with sAML following allo-HSCT.

Delta-Radiomics Guides Adaptive De-Intensification after Induction Chemotherapy in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in the IMRT Era

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

In the setting of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and induction chemotherapy (IC), the benefits from concurrent chemotherapy remained controversial for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC). This study aimed to construct a delta-radiomics model for benefit prediction and patient selection for omitting concurrent chemotherapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Between December 2009 and December 2015, a total of 718 patients with LANPC treated with IC+IMRT or IC+concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were retrospectively enrolled and randomly assigned to a training set (n = 503) and a validation set (n = 215). Radiomic features were extracted from magnetic resonance images of pre-IC and post-IC. Interclass correlation coefficients and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to select robust radiomic features. After univariate Cox analysis, a delta-radiomics signature was built using the LASSO-Cox regression. A nomogram incorporating the delta-radiomics signature and clinical prognostic factors was then developed and evaluated for calibration and discrimination. Risk stratification by the nomogram was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier methods. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The delta-radiomics signature, which comprised 19 selected features, was independently associated with prognosis. It yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71 to 0.82) for the training set and 0.71 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.81) for the validation set. The nomogram composed of the delta-radiomic signature, age, T category, N category, pre-treatment Epstein-Barr virus DNA, and treatment showed great calibration and discrimination performance with an AUC of 0.80 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.85) for the training set and 0.75 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.85) for the validation set. Risk stratification by the nomogram excluding the treatment variable resulted in two risk groups with distinct OS. Significant better outcomes were observed in the high-risk patients with IC+CCRT compared to those with IC+IMRT (5-year OS: 73.8% vs. 61.4% in the training set and 85.8% vs. 65.6% in the validation set; all log-rank p < 0.05), while comparable outcomes between IC+CCRT and IC+IMRT were shown for the low-risk patients (95.8% vs. 95.8% in the training set and 92.2% vs. 88.3% in the validation set; all log-rank p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The delta-radiomics signature was identified as an independent indicator of LANPC. Integrating clinical predictors with the delta-radiomics signature, the radiomics-based nomogram could predict individual's survival outcomes and benefits from concurrent chemotherapy after IC for LANPC. Low-risk patients with LANPC determined by the nomogram may be potential candidates for omission of concurrent chemotherapy following IC in the IMRT era.

[Changes of brain network characteristics in patients with depression before and after precise repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation]

Objective: To investigate the changes of brain network characteristics in patients with depression before and after precise repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment. Methods: Patients with depression in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University and healthy volunteers in the community of Xinxiang city from February 2018 to March 2019 were simultaneously recruited. The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was precisely selected as the stimulation target through the latest Human Brainnetome Atlas, and the near infrared navigation was used to achieve accurate brain stimulation treatment in combination with the structural magnetic resonance data. Moreover, functional connectivity was analyzed before and after rTMS treatment in significantly altered brain areas of patients with depression. Results: Nineteen patients (11 males and 8 females) with depression were included, aged (34±11) years. Meanwhile, 22 healthy controls (9 males and 13 females), aged (30±9) years, were also enrolled. Functional connectivity of insular cortex was decreased in depression patients when the insula was analyzed as the target area (P<0.05). The functional connection from insula to middle frontal lobe and superior parietal lobe in patients with depression decreased before rTMS treatment (P<0.05), but increased after rTMS treatment (P<0.05). The functional connection between dIg_L of the insula and the right middle prefrontal lobe was correlated with Beck Anxiety Index (BAI) before rTMS treatment and Beck Depression Index (BDI) after rTMS treatment (r=0.737, P=0.003; r=0.696, P=0.005). Conclusions: Abnormal functional connectivity of insula may be the brain imaging mechanism of rTMS treatment. Precise brain region selection based on Human Brainnetome Atlas provides a new technical method for clinical rTMS precision treatment.

Aerobic exercise regulates FGF21 and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and inhibits atherosclerosis in mice

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a known risk factor for atherosclerosis, is readily regulated by exercise, and it can inhibit NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)-mediated pyroptosis. However, it is not clear whether aerobic exercise inhibits atherosclerosis via these pathways. Eight-week-old apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice on a high-fat diet were randomly divided into 1-h post-exercise (EX-1h), 24-h post-exercise (EX-24h), and sedentary (SED) groups. C57BL/6J wild-type mice fed normal chow served as controls (WT group). Mice in the EX-1h and EX-24h groups were subjected to treadmill exercise training for 12 weeks. Aerobic exercise reduced body weight; blood glucose, lipid, and inflammation levels; and aortic plaque area proportion. Aerobic exercise increased the sensitivity of FGF21 by upregulating the expression of the downstream receptor adiponectin (ApN); the serum FGF21 level after exercise increased initially, and then decreased. Aerobic exercise downregulated the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis-related markers in the aorta, and FGF21 may participate in the above process. Meanwhile, the liver may be the tissue source of serum FGF21 during aerobic exercise. In conclusion, aerobic exercise may inhibit atherogenesis by regulating FGF21 and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis. Our study provides new information on the atherosclerosis-preventing mechanism of aerobic exercise.

Photoluminescence and magnetism integrated multifunctional black phosphorus probes through controllable PO bond orbital hybridization

Biological probes with integrated photoluminescence and magnetism characteristics play a critical role in modern clinical diagnosis and surgical protocols combining fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. However, traditional magnetic semiconductors can easily generate a spin splitting at the Fermi level and half-metallic electronic occupation, which will sharply reduce the radiation recombination efficiency of photogenerated carriers. To overcome this intrinsic contradiction, we propose a controllable oxidation strategy to introduce some particular PO bonds into black phosphorus nanosheets, in which the p orbital hybridization between P and O atoms not only provides some carrier recombination centers but also leads to a room-temperature spin polarization. As a result, the coexistence of photoluminescence and magnetism is realized in multifunctional black phosphorus probes with excellent biocompatibility. This work provides a new insight into integrating photoluminescence and magnetism together by intriguing atomic orbital hybridization.

Vaccination status, acceptance, and knowledge toward a COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional survey in China

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are considered both a high-risk population regarding infections and effective vaccine recommenders whose willingness to be vaccinated is the key to herd immunity. However, the vaccination status, acceptance, and knowledge of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine among HCWs remain unknown. Therefore, we conducted an online survey regarding the above among HCWs in China after the vaccine was made available. Questionnaires returned by 1,779 HCWs were analyzed. Among these participants, 34.9% were vaccinated, 93.9% expressed their willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccine knowledge level was high (89.2%). A bivariate analysis found that participants with a college degree, low level of knowledge, non-exposure to COVID-19 status, and those who are females or nurses have a lower vaccination rate, while participants who are married, with a monthly income of more than 5,000 yuan, and low knowledge levels are less willing to be vaccinated. A multivariate analysis found that participants with a high (OR = 7.042, 95% CI = 4.0918-12.120) or medium (OR = 3.709, 95% CI = 2.072-6.640) knowledge level about COVID-19 vaccines were more willing to be vaccinated. Participants were less likely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine if they were married (OR = 0.503, 95% CI = 0.310-0.815). In summary, Chinese HCWs have a strong willingness to be vaccinated and a high level of knowledge. Measures, such as targeted education for HCWs with low willingness and low level of knowledge, open vaccine review procedures, increased government trust, reduced vaccine costs, and provide vaccination guarantee policies, may improve the vaccination coverage of the at-risk group.

[Effects of metformin and adiponectin on endometrial cancer cells growth]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of metformin and adiponectin on the proliferation of EC cells and the relationship between metformin and adiponectin.

METHODS

The proliferation impact of different concentrations of metformin and adiponectin on two types of EC cells ishikawa (IK) and HEC-1B was confirmed by CCK-8 method. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the effect of different concentrations of metformin on the changes of adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) of the EC cells both in mRNA and protein level and the role of compound C, an adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor, on the above effects.

RESULTS

(1) Both metformin and adiponectin could significantly promote the proliferation of endometrial cancer (EC) cells in a time and concentration dependent manner (P<0.05).(2)Metformin and adiponectin had synergy anti-proliferative effect on EC cells and the combination index (CI) value of IK cells was 0.906 34 and of HEC-1B cells was 0.827 65. (3)qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 after 5 mmol/L and 10 mmol/L metformin, respectively, stimulating IK and HEC-1B cells for 48 hours and the mRNA expressions of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were significantly increased when compared with the control group (0 mmol/L)(IK: AdipoR1 of 5 mmol/L and 10 mmol/L group: P<0.001,AdipoR2 of 5 mmol/L group: P<0.001; HEC-1B: AdipoR1 of 5 mmol/L group: P<0.001, 10 mmol/L group: P=0.023, AdipoR2 of 5 mmol/L group: P<0.001, 10 mmol/L group: P=0.024). When combined with compound C, the RNA levels of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were not different compared with the control group (0 mmol/L, P>0.05). (4) Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 after 5 mmol/L and 10 mmol/L metformin, stimulating IK and HEC-1B cells for 48 hours and the protein level was significantly increased when compared with the control group (0 mmol/L)(IK: AdipoR1 of 5 mmol/L group: P=0.04, 10 mmol/L group: P=0.033, AdipoR2 of 5 mmol/L group: P=0.044, 10 mmol/L group: P=0.046; HEC-1B: AdipoR1 of 5 mmol/L group: P=0.04, 10 mmol/L group: P=0.049, AdipoR2 of 5 mmol/L group: P=0.043, 10 mmol/L group: P=0.035). When combined with compound C,the protein levels of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were not different compared with the control group (0 mmol/L, P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

We find that metformin and adiponectin have synergy anti-proliferative effect on EC cells. Besides, metformin can increase adiponectin receptors expressions of EC cells both in mRNA and protein levels and this effect is accomplished by the activation of AMPK signaling pathway.

Measurement of the toroidal radiation asymmetry during massive gas injection triggered disruptions on J-TEXT

Disruptions have the potential to cause severe damage to large tokamaks like ITER. The mitigation of disruption damage is one of the essential issues for the tokamak. Massive gas injection (MGI) is a technique in which large amounts of a noble gas are injected into the plasma in order to safely radiate the plasma energy evenly over the entire plasma-facing wall. However, the radiated energy during the disruption triggered by massive gas injection is found to be toroidally asymmetric. In order to investigate the spatial and temporal structures of the radiation asymmetry, the radiated power diagnostics for the J-TEXT tokamak have been upgraded. The multi-channel arrays of absolute extreme ultraviolet photodiodes have been upgraded at four different toroidal positions to investigate the radiation asymmetries during massive gas injection. It is found that the toroidal asymmetry is associated with plasma properties and MGI induced MHD activities.

[Clinical and electrophysiological studies of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the sensitive scales and the early change of nerve conduction for chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXLIPN), and to investigate correlation between the symptoms of acute OXLIPN and chronic OXLIPN.

METHODS

Between December 2014 and August 2015, 16 colorectal cancer patients confirmed by pathology, from department of Oncology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, scheduled to receive XELOX, completed the acute neurotoxic symptoms questionnaire at the end of 1 cycles and the scales of TNSc and NCI-CTC at the baseline and the end of 4 cycles. Nerve conduction studies (bilateral peroneal nerves and sural nerves) were performed in 11 patients at the baseline and the end of 4 cycles.

RESULTS

After chemotherapy, TNSc increased 1-9 points for all cases, while NCI-CTC increased 1 point for only 9 cases, the remaining 7 cases had the same NCI-CTC score before and after chemotherapy, where TNSc increased 1-6 points. Left sural nerve a-SNAP (amplitude of sensory nerve action potential) was (15.3±5.8)μV before chemotherapy and(12.3±5.0)μV after chemotherapy. Right sural nerve a-SNAP was (17.4±8.6)μV before chemotherapy and (13.3±6.7)μV after chemotherapy. After chemotherapy, these datum were significantly reduced for left peroneal nerve distal and proximal a-CMAP (amplitude of compound muscle action potential), bilateral sural nerve a-SNAP and left sural nerve SCV (sensory conduction velocity) (P<0.05). After chemotherapy, TNSc was correlated significantly with the acute neurotoxic symptoms questionnaire (Spearman r=0.698, P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

TNSc is more sensitive to the severity and changes in chronic OXLIPN than NCI-CTC. Sural nerve a-SNAP has a higher sensitivity for the early changes of nerve conduction studies in chronic OXLIPN. Patients who have more symptoms of acute OXLIPN are those who eventually develop more severe chronic OXLIPN.

Spreading patterns, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma and salivary gland-type carcinomas

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we aim to analyse the different spreading patterns, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma (NPAC) and salivary gland-type carcinomas (NPCs).

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANT

The current study report on a retrospective analysis of oncologic outcome of 76 pathologically confirmed consecutive cases of nasopharyngeal adenocarcinomas (NAC), including 31 NPAC, 33 adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) and 12 mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Overall survival rates (OS) and disease-free survival rates (DFS).

RESULTS

In 12 patients with cranial nerve (CN) palsy, there were ACC (n = 9), NPAC (n = 2) and MEC (n = 1) (P = 0.016). CT-/MRI-detected CN involvements were found in 22 patients. Lymph node metastasis was observed in 25.8% of NPAC (n = 8), 12.1% of ACC (n = 4) and 8.3% of MEC (n = 1). Significant differences were observed in 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates between patients with and without CT-/MRI-detected CN involvement (P = 0.002 and P = 0.002, respectively), and similar results were found between patients with and without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.002 and P = 0.018, respectively). In 37 patients with early-stage disease (stages I-II), significant differences were observed in 5-year OS and DFS rates between the surgical and non-surgical treated groups (P = 0.031 and P = 0.012, respectively). In 39 patients with advanced-stage disease (stages III-IV), significant or marginally differences were observed in DFS and OS between the chemoradiotherapy and non-chemoradiotherapy groups (P = 0.007 and P = 0.062, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

ACC has a higher CN invasion than NPAC and MEC, and NPAC has the highest rate of lymphatic metastases. CT-/MRI-detected CN involvements and lymph node metastasis indicate a negative impact on the prognosis. The outcome of surgical patients in our series is encouraging in early-stage NPAC and NPCs, and chemoradiotherapy may be the optimal treatment for the advanced-stage patients.

Comparative analysis of phylogenetic relationships, morphologies, and pathogenicities among Curvularia lunata isolates from maize in China

To understand the effects of disease-resistant maize varieties and new cropping systems on the population of Curvularia lunata, 52 isolates of C. lunata were collected in China from 2011 to 2013. The isolates were analyzed in terms of phylogenetic relationships, morphology, and pathogenicity. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 52 isolates clustered into 2 distinct clusters with further subdivisions, suggesting the emergence of new genetic divergence within C. lunata. Results of morphology and pathogenicity analyses demonstrated that there were significant differences among these isolates: 27 isolates were classified as fast growing, 5 as slow growing, and 20 as moderate growing. Three isolates had white-colored colonies, 13 had yellowish green-colored colonies, and the remaining isolates had dark green-colored colonies. Furthermore, conidiation rates were assessed: 30 isolates were characterized as having low conidiation rates, 15 as having medium conidiation rates, and the remaining 7 isolates as having high conidiation rates. Eleven of the isolates appeared to be strongly pathogenic against maize, 15 isolates proved to be weakly pathogenic against maize, and the remaining isolates were regarded to be moderately pathogenic. Interestingly, correlation analysis demonstrated a negative correlation between the growth rate and the pathogenicity of the isolates, while a positive correlation was observed between the conidiation rate and the pathogenicity. No correlation was observed between the colony color and the pathogenicity of the isolates.

[Interaction of DAXX and human papillomavirus type 16 E2 protein]

The aim of the study was to explore the interactions of human papilloma virus 16 (HPV16) E2 protein and Daxx. The location or co-localization of PML and E2 with Daxx in Caski cells was observed by indirect immunofluorescence test. The interaction of E2 and Daxx was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation, Western-blot and yeast-two hybrid assay. In Caski cells the fluorescence of Daxx or PML was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm or nucleus, respectively, and in the align image their signals did not overlapped. However, when the red signal of HPV16 E2 and the green signal of Daxx in cyto- plasm of Caski cells were merged, the yellow signals appeared. The yeast co-transformed with pGBKT7/Daxx and pGADT7/E2 or pGADT7/E2 TAD can grow onto SD/-Trp-Leu-His and SD/-Trp-Leu-His-Ade plates. So Daxx wasn't co-located with PML but with HPV16 E2 mainly in the cytoplasm of Caski cells. On the base of the results one can propose that HPV16 E2, in particularly its transcription-activity domain (TAD), interacts with Daxx.

First survey of helminths in adult goats in Hunan Province, China

The objective of the present survey was to reveal the prevalence of helminths in adult goats in Hunan Province, the People's Republic of China. From July 2010 through February 2013, a total of 479 goats slaughtered in local abattoirs and markets were examined for the presence of helminths using a helminthological approach. Eighty-six percent of the examined goats were infected with at least one species of helminths. In total, 15 genera of helminths were found representing 2 phyla, 3 classes, 5 orders, and 11 families. Oesophago-stomum, Ostertagia and Haemonchus were the most prevailing nematode genera, Eurytrema was the predominant trematode genus detected, whereas the infection of adult goats with cestodes was not common, with Cysticercus tenuicollis being the most common genus. The worm burdens showed obvious seasonal variation in that nematodes and cestodes were abundant in summer and winter, and the trematodes peaked in winter, which was consistent with the seasonal precipitation of Hunan Province. The geographical distribution of helminths in goats ascended with altitude. Goats in the mountainous areas were more severely infected with helminths than goats in the hilly areas, whereas infection of goats with helminths was much less in the lake areas. The present investigation highlights the high prevalence of helminths in adult goats in Hunan Province, China, which provides baseline data for assessing the effectiveness of future prevention and controlling measures against helminth infection in adult goats in this province and elsewhere.

Pathway analysis detect potential mechanism for familial combined hyperlipidemia

BACKGROUND

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is the most commonly inherited hyperlipidemia in men. It constitutes a substantial risk factor for atherosclerosis patients.

AIM

To delineating the potential mechanism of FCHL by bioinformatics tools.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify the potential functional proteins and their interactive relationships in familial combined hyperlipidemia.

RESULTS

Our results showed that androgen receptor (AR) might play an important role in familial combined hyperlipidemia by interaction with TGIF1, NR3C1, KLK2, etc. Some pathways were also identified, such as Hedgehog signaling pathway, Phosphatidylinositol signaling system, and Long-term depression, which were all demonstrated participating in lipid metabolism in previous experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

Although lack of direct evidence, by PPI network construction it proved AR is a key factor in FCHL, and also demonstrated that PPI network construction is an alternative avenue for FCHL analysis.

Phase II study of sorafenib in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil to treat recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of sorafenib combined with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

It was a Simon two-stage designed trial. Chemotherapy-naive patients with recurrent or metastatic disease were enrolled. The regimen was sorafenib 400 mg orally b.i.d., cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) i.v. day 1, and 5-FU 1000 mg/m(2)/day CIV for 4 days, repeated every 21 days. After a maximum of six cycles of chemotherapy, patients received maintenance of sorafenib.

RESULTS

In total, 54 patients were enrolled. The objective response rate reached 77.8%, including 1 complete response and 41 partial responses. The median progression-free survival was 7.2 months (95% CI 6.8-8.4 months), and the median overall survival was 11.8 months (95% CI 10.6-18.7 months). Major toxic effects included hand-foot skin reaction, myelosuppression, and gastrointestinal (GI) reaction. The incidence of hemorrhage was 22.2%, and one patient with liver metastases died of GI bleeding. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was carried out in a subset of patients with liver metastases.

CONCLUSION

Combination of sorafenib, cisplatin (80 mg/m(2)) and 5-FU (3000 mg/m(2)) was tolerable and feasible in recurrent or metastatic NPC. Further randomized trials to compare sorafenib plus cisplatin and 5-FU with standard dose of cisplatin plus 5-FU in NPC are warranted.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation between quantitative parameters and histological grading

OBJECTIVE

The quantitative parameters in the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography time-intensity curve of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were studied to explore their possible implication for histological grading of HCC.

METHODS

A total of 130 HCC patients (115 males and 15 females; age: 48.13±11.00 years) were studied using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography time-intensity curve and histological pathology. The quantification software Sonoliver® (TomTec Imaging Systems, Unterschleissheim, Germany) was applied to derive time-intensity curves of regions of interest in the interior of HCCs and in reference. Quantitative parameters of 115 patients were successfully obtained, including maximum of intensity (IMAX), rise time (RT), time to peak (TTP), rise slope (RS) and washout time (WT). Histological grading of HCC was performed using haematoxylin-eosin staining, and monoclonal antibodies specific for smooth muscle actin were used to observe unpaired arteries (UAs).

RESULTS

There were significant differences among WTs in the three differentiated HCC groups (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences among RT, TTP, RS and IMAX in the differentiated HCC groups. Moreover, the number of UAs in the differentiated HCC groups showed no statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

WT plays an important role in predicting well, moderately and poorly differentiated HCC.

Oxygen vacancy density-dependent transformation from infrared to Raman active vibration mode in SnO2 nanostructures

Raman spectra acquired from spherical, cubic, and cuboid SnO2 nanocrystals (NCs) reveal a morphologically independent Raman mode at ∼302 cm(-1). The frequency of this mode is slightly affected by the NC size, but the intensity increases obviously with decreasing NC size. By considering the dipole changes induced by oxygen vacancies and derivation based on the density functional theory and phonon confinement model, an oxygen vacancy density larger than 6% is shown to be responsible for the transformation of the IR to Raman active vibration mode, and the intensity enhancement is due to strong phonon confinement.

Longitudinal optical phonon-plasmon coupling in luminescent 3C-SiC nanocrystal films

Glycerol-passivated 3C-SiC nanocrystal (NC) solid films with tunable blue photoluminescence show abnormal longitudinal optical (LO) phonon behavior. As the NC size increases, the LO phonon intensity increases in the Raman spectra of the solid films and is even larger than that of the transverse optical mode. The Raman spectra cannot be fitted by using only the phonon confinement model. When further considering the coupling between the LO phonon and plasmon induced by the surface deformation potential in the glycerol layer, good agreement is achieved between the experiments and theory. This indicates that the coupled LO phonon-plasmon effect arising from the surface bonding structure plays a crucial role in the modified LO phonon behavior.

Crystalline core/shell Si/SiO2 nanotubes formed via interfacial stress imbalance

Crystalline core/shell Si/SiO2 nanotubes (NTs) with outer diameters of 130-220 nm and lengths of approximately 1 microm have been synthesized using thermal evaporation. High resolution scanning electron microscopy reveals that the NT formation stems from the intrinsic interfacial stress imbalance in the strained Si/SiO2 bilayered film, consequently leading to NTs with different orifice levels. The NT diameters depend strongly on the bilayer film thicknesses and crystal orientations of the Si and SiO2 layers. A modified Timoshenko formula is derived to calculate the dependence of the tube diameter on the bilayer film thickness. The obtained results are consistent well with experimental data.

First Report of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus on Melon in China

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) plants in commercial fields in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang exhibited stunting, deformation, interveinal chlorosis, and leaf mottling in the spring of 2008. In addition, adult and immature whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci biotype B) were present in these melon fields. Thirty-two symptomatic leaf samples were collected from these fields for further analysis (9 from Nanhui County in Shanghai, 11 from Fengxian County in Shanghai, 6 from Kunshan County of Jiangsu, and 6 from Jiashan County of Zhejiang). Total RNA was extracted from these samples along with asymptomatic control plants and screened for the presence of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) by using primers specific to genes encoding coat protein (2) and HSP70h (1) of CYSDV through reverse transcription (RT)-PCR methods. RNA was successfully extracted from 31 of 32 symptomatic samples. All 31 symptomatic leaf samples tested with coat protein primers were positive for CYSDV and yielded the expected fragment length of 394 bp. The RT-PCR products of the coat protein gene from all 31 isolates were cloned and found to be identical in sequence. Thus, only one was deposited in GenBank (No. GU189240). The submitted sequence of the amplified part of the coat protein gene was 99% identical to the sequence of coat protein gene of CYSDV from Jordan, France, and Florida (GenBank Accession Nos. DQ903107, AY204220, and EU596528, respectively) and 98% identical to that of an isolate from Spain (GenBank Accession No. AJ243000). Similarly, all 31 samples were also positive for CYSDV with the primers specific to HSP70h and yielded the expected fragment length of 175 bp. The RT-PCR products of the HSP70h gene from these isolates were also cloned and found to be identical in sequence. The sequence of the amplified portion of the HSP70h gene was found to be identical to the sequence of HSP70h of CYSDV deposited in GenBank (No. AJ439690.2). CYSDV was noticed in all three surveyed regions and the percentage of disease incidence was approximately 68% in all these regions. The occurrence of CYSDV has been previously reported in Europe (Spain and France), southern Asia (Iran and Jordan), North America (United States and Mexico), and other countries (1). To our knowledge, this is first report of CYSDV in China. References: (1) Y.-W. Kuo et al. Plant Dis. 91:330, 2007. (2) J. E. Polston et al. Plant Dis. 92:1251, 2008.

Size-independent low-frequency Raman scattering in Ge-nanocrystal-embedded SiO2 films

The peak position and linewidth of the low-frequency Raman mode observed from amorphous silica films embedded with Ge nanocrystals doped with Si show a size-independent behavior. Spectral analysis reveals the formation of a thin amorphous GeSi layer on the surface of the Ge nanocrystal. Theoretical calculation based on a modified three-region model discloses that the acoustic impedance of the interfacial GeSiO layer is responsible for the size-independent behavior. During high-temperature annealing, Ge atoms are segregated from the interface into the core, and the GeSiO interface layer is converted to SiO(2), leading to disappearance of the size-independent vibration mode.

The relationship between plasma level of adiponectin and coronary lesion complexity in the population of north-east China

The relationship between plasma adiponectin and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in 683 cases of suspected CAD from north-east China was determined. Cases were divided into four groups, as follows: group 1, no stenosis; group 2, > 50% stenosis of one vessel; group 3, > 50% stenosis of two vessels; group 4, > 50% stenosis of three or more vessels. Group 1 was classified as a non-CAD group (control) and groups 2, 3 and 4 were classified as CAD groups. Plasma adiponectin levels were significantly correlated with coronary artery stenosis and were lower in the CAD groups than in the non-CAD group. Adiponectin concentration decreased from group 2 to group 4, but this difference was not significant. Adiponectin levels among females were also lower than for males in the CAD groups. There was a significant difference between plasma adiponectin levels in patients with coronary stenoses versus those without, but there were no significant differences between the three CAD groups in terms of plasma adiponectin levels.

Polymer-assisted formation of giant polyoxomolybdate structures

A highly ordered, porous nanoscale network structure of polyoxomolybdate was prepared from the slow decomposition of an unstable precursor compound MoO(2)(OH)(OOH) in the presence of PEO-containing triblock copolymer gels or semidilute/concentrated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) homopolymer solutions. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) measurements of the 1-microm size crystals revealed an extremely ordered primitive cubic (pc) structure made of polyoxomolybdates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements showed that the overall size of these single crystals was close to 1 microm, in agreement with estimates from the scattering peak widths. Evidence from both scattering measurements and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements suggested that the system formed a highly porous primitive cubic network similar to that of certain zeolite structures. However, the observed lattice constant of 5 nm was much larger. The function of the PEO-containing polymer network was found to be very subtle and complex. Presumably, PEO acted simultaneously as a weak reducing agent and as a viscous matrix to ensure sufficient time for the formation of long-range ordered structures, resulting in the growth of extremely uniform but probably hollow "nanospheres". We suggest that this new material may find unique applications as a high-efficiency absorbent or catalyst. Furthermore, the current synthetic method may open up new pathways to prepare similar functional nanomaterials.

Catecholamines inhibit microglial nitric oxide production

Viral infection in the central nervous system can induce nitric oxide production, which serves as a major host defense against viral infection. Under stress, catecholamine secretion is enhanced and immune responses are diminished in animals. Using N9 microglial cells, this study tested the effect of catecholamines on microglial nitric oxide production. Results indicated that each member of the catecholamine family (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine) was a potent inhibitor of the microglial nitric oxide production. In contrast, dopa, the immediate precursor of the catecholamine biosynthesis pathway, was a weak inhibitor, except at very high concentrations. The inhibitory effect of catecholamines was mimicked by an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist (phenylephrine) and by a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist (isoproterenol), but not by forskolin or analogs of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Western blot analysis indicated that catecholamines caused a slight decrease in the formation of inducible nitric oxide synthase. These results suggest that catecholamines have the ability to block nitric oxide production by microglia, which could partially explain the impaired immune protection against viral infection in the central nervous system in stressed animals.

Inhibition of microglial nitric oxide production by hydrocortisone and glucocorticoid precursors

Viral and bacterial infection in the central nervous system can induce nitric oxide production, which serves as a major host defense against invading microorganisms. Glucocorticoids secretion is enhanced and immune responses are diminished in stressed animals or in patients suffering depression. Using N9 microglial cells, this study tested the hypothesis that glucocorticoids and their precursors caused an impaired immune defense in animals because these compounds could inhibit microglial nitric oxide production. Results indicated that both hydrocortisone and the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, were potent inhibitors of the microglial nitric oxide production. While glucocorticoid precursors were not as potent as hydrocortisone, the potency of these precursors increased linearly as they advanced on the biosynthesis pathway. Northern and Western blot analyses indicated that hydrocortisone and dexamethasone might interfere with the inducible nitric oxide synthase at either the transcription or at the post-translational level, depending on the concentrations used. These results suggest that glucocorticoids have the ability to block nitric oxide production by microgila, which could partially explain the impaired immune protection against infection in the central nervous system in stressed animals.

Manganese potentiates nitric oxide production by microglia

Manganese toxicity has been associated with clinical symptoms of neurotoxicity which are similar to the symptoms observed in Parkinson's disease. Earlier reports indicated that reactive microglia was present in the substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson's disease. Using N9 microglial cells, the current study was designed to determine whether high levels of manganese were associated with microglial activation. Results indicated that manganese significantly increased the bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production. This potent activity of manganese was not shared by other transition metals tested, including iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis indicated that manganese increased the cellular production of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Northern blot analysis indicated that manganese likely increased iNOS gene transcription since this agent increased the mRNA level of the inducible nitric oxide synthase. In contrast to other transition metals tested, manganese did not appear to be cytotoxic to microglial cells. These results suggested that manganese could induce sustained production of neurotoxic nitric oxide by activated microglial cells, which might cause detrimental consequences to surrounding neurons.

Nitric oxide: from a mysterious labile factor to the molecule of the Nobel Prize. Recent progress in nitric oxide research

NO is now known to be an important messenger molecule in biology. It regulates a variety of functions within cells and tissues including vasodilation, neurotransmission and immunological process. This review will focus on the nitric oxide synthase gene family and recent progress on molecular genetic analysis of NOS1, NOS2 and NOS3 genes.

Cholesterol oxides induce programmed cell death in microglial cells

N9 microglial cells were used as a model to examine the effect of cholesterol oxides on central nervous system microglia. Results indicated that 25-OH-cholesterol was the most cytotoxic agent among the cholesterol oxides tested. During the process of cell death, this agent caused prominent nuclei condensation and significant DNA fragmentation, a phenomenon association with programmed cell death. Cholesterol oxides were able to potentiate the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production to various degrees. Consistent with this finding, Northern blot analysis indicated that 25-OH-cholesterol potentiated the LPS-induced nitric oxide synthase RNA levels. The cytotoxicity of 25-OH-cholesterol could be prevented by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, a glucose polymer known to cause cholesterol oxide efflux from cells. While much attention has been focused on the cytotoxicity of cholesterol oxides on immune cells within the blood, including lymphocytes and macrophages, the results from this study indicated for the first time that these agents are toxic to microglial cells derived from the central nervous system.

Neurotoxicity of cholesterol oxides on cultured cerebellar granule cells

Cultured rat cerebellar granule cells were used to determine the potential neurotoxicity of cholesterol oxides. The cholesterol oxides tested included: 7-beta-OH-, 7-keto-, 19-OH-, 22(R)-OH-, 22(S)-OH- and 25-OH- cholesterol. Among them, 7-beta-OH- and 7-keto-cholesterol were the most efficacious in causing neuronal death such that 20 microg/ml (50 microM) of these agents killed more than 80% of cells in 2 days. 7-beta-OH-cholesterol at this concentration killed 50% of cells in approximately 7 h. A number of pharmacological agents were tested for their abilities to prevent neuronal death induced by cholesterol oxides. Among them, aurintricarboxylic acid, vitamin E and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin were able to prevent cholesterol oxide-induced neurotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that, in addition to causing pathological changes in cells directly involved in atherosclerosis, cholesterol oxides may induce toxicity in neurons of the central nervous system.

Neurotoxicity of 25-OH-cholesterol on NGF-differentiated PC12 cells

PC12 cells induced to differentiate with nerve growth factor were used to study the neurotoxicity of 25-OH-cholesterol. This agent induced a dose- and time-dependent cell death in neuronal PC12 cells. Cells treated with this agent showed condensed nuclei, a morphology similar to that of cells dying of programmed cell death. However, agents known to prevent neuronal programmed cell death (cyclic AMP, KCl, aurintricarboxylic acid, and cycloheximide) failed to prevent the 25-OH-cholesterol-mediated cytotoxicity. On the other hand, cell death induced by 25-OH-cholesterol was prevented by treatment with vitamin E and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin. In contrast to observations made in other cell types, whole-cell patch clamp recording of neuronal PC12 cells revealed that treatment with 25-OH-cholesterol did not significantly alter calcium influx through voltage-dependent channels. These results provide the first characterization of the toxicity of cholesterol oxides toward neuronal PC12 cells, which should be useful in future studies on the interactions between cholesterol oxides and cells from the nervous system.

Toxicity of cholesterol oxides on cultured neuroretinal cells

PURPOSE

By using nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells as a model for sympathetic neurons, we have recently shown that cholesterol oxides are toxic to cells of neural origin. Since lipid metabolism is known to be involved in some pathological conditions associated with the visual system, we sought to extend this line of research by studying the potential cytotoxicity of cholesterol oxides on primary cultures derived from neuroretinas.

METHODS

Dissociated cultures derived from neuroretinas of 1-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this series of studies. Immunohistochemical staining was used to identify neuronal and glial cell types in these cultures. MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of cholesterol oxides, including 7-beta-OH-, 7-keto-, 19-OH-, 22(R)-OH-, 22(S)-OH- and 25-OH-cholesterol.

RESULTS

Among the cholesterol oxides tested, 7-beta-OH- and 7-keto-cholesterol were the most effective in causing cell death, such that 20 micrograms/ml (50 microM) of these agents killed approximately 80% of cells in 3 days. A time-dependent experiment indicated that 10 micrograms/ml of 7-beta-cholesterol was able to kill 50% of cells in approximately 5 h. A number of pharmacological agents were tested for their ability to prevent cell death induced by cholesterol oxides. Among them, vitamin E and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin were able to prevent cholesterol oxide-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that, in addition to causing pathological changes in cells directly involved in atherosclerosis, cholesterol oxides may be toxic to cells derived from neuroretinas.

Establishment of two morphologically distinct PC12 cell lines resistant to 25-OH-cholesterol toxicity

Two novel populations of spontaneous PC12 cell mutants resistant to a toxic concentration of 25-OH-cholesterol (5 microg/ml, 12.5 microM) were isolated and designated as R25R and F25R based on cell morphology. R25R consisted of round cells that were morphologically similar to the parent PC12 cells, and responded to nerve growth factor by extending neurites. F25R was a group of process-bearing flat cells that did not assume a neuronal morphology in the presence of nerve growth factor. These two cell lines also acquired some cross-resistance toward other cholesterol oxides. Nerve growth factor induced prominent voltage-dependent calcium currents in parent PC12 cells and in R25R, but not in F25R. Further experiments indicated that the parent PC12 cells, R25R and F25R exhibited different properties when challenged with a variety of toxic insults, including amphotericin B, serum withdrawal and beta-amyloid protein treatment.

25-Hydroxycholesterol causes death but does not prevent nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells

The effects of cholesterol oxides on regular and neuronal PC12 cells were examined. Among the cholesterol oxides tested, 7-beta-, 22(R)- and 25-OH-cholesterol were very toxic to regular PC12 cells such that approximately 80% of cells were killed after a 3 day incubation with 20 micrograms/ml (50 microM) of these agents. Cholesterol oxides caused cytotoxicity in neuronal PC12 cells at concentrations higher than those observed for regular PC12 cells. The nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth and nitric oxide synthase expression appeared normal in PC12 cells treated with a sublethal dose of 25-OH-cholesterol. Neurite regeneration from established neuronal PC12 cells was not inhibited by the presence of a toxic dose of 25-OH-cholesterol. Given the fact that 25-OH-cholesterol is a potent inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis pathway, these results suggest that the de novo synthesis of cholesterol may not be required for NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.

The enzymatic activity of Drosophila AWD/NDP kinase is necessary but not sufficient for its biological function

The Drosophila abnormal wing discs (awd) gene encodes the subunit of a protein that has nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDP kinase) activity. Null mutations of the awd gene cause lethality after puparium formation. Larvae homozygous for such mutations have small imaginal discs, lymph glands, and brain lobes. Neither the imaginal discs nor the ovaries from such null mutant larvae are capable of further growth or normal differentiation when transplanted into suitable host larvae. This null mutant phenotype can be entirely rescued by one copy of a transgene that has 750 bp of awd upstream regulatory DNA fused to a full-length awd cDNA. Tissue-specific expression of AWD protein from this rescue transgene is identical to tissue-specific expression of beta-galactosidase from a reporter transgene that has the same regulatory region fused to the bacterial lac Z gene. However, this rescue transgene or reporter transgene expression pattern is only a subset of the endogenous pattern of expression detected by either in situ hybridization or immunohistochemistry. This suggests that awd is normally expressed in some tissues where it is not required. The null mutant phenotype cannot be rescued at all by a transgene that has 750 bp of awd upstream regulatory DNA fused to a full-length awd cDNA with a mutation that eliminates NDP kinase activity by replacement of the active site histidine with alanine. This suggests that the enzymatic activity of the AWD protein is necessary for its biological function. The human genes nm23-H1 and nm23-H2 encode NDP kinase A and B subunits, respectively. The protein subunit encoded by either human nm23 gene is 78% identical to that encoded by the Drosophila awd gene. Transgenes that have the 750-bp awd upstream regulatory DNA fused to human nm23-H2 cDNA but not to nm23-H1 cDNA can rescue the imaginal disc phenotype and the zygotic lethality caused by homozygosis for an awd null mutation as efficiently as an awd transgene. However, rescue of female sterility requires twice as much nm23-H2 expression as awd expression. This implies that the enzymatic activity of the AWD protein is not sufficient for its biological function. The biological function may require nonconserved residues of the AWD protein that allow it to interact with other proteins.

The expression of the Drosophila awd gene during normal development and in neoplastic brain tumors caused by lgl mutations

The abnormal wing discs (awd) gene of Drosophila is homologous to the nm23 gene of mammals, a gene whose expression is altered in metastatic tumors. Both awd and nm23 encode nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDP kinases). We have examined the accumulation of AWD/NDP kinase during normal development by assaying enzyme activity in extracts. There is a nearly constant level of activity throughout larval and pupal development. We have examined the tissue-specific transcription of the awd gene by RNA in situ hybridization and by reporter gene expression. In imaginal discs and brains there is no detectable awd gene expression until the beginning of the third larval instar, despite the constant level of enzyme activity measured in extracts of larvae and pupae. The most intense awd gene expression in imaginal discs and brains occurs after the end of larval development. We have also examined awd gene expression in neoplastic brain tumors caused by mutations in the lethal giant larvae (lgl) gene. In lgl mutant brains, as in normal brains, awd gene expression begins during the third larval instar. No tumors form in brains from lgl-; awd- double mutant larva, so awd gene expression is required for tumor formation and/or proliferation. There is more accumulation of AWD/NDP kinase in lgl- mutant brains than there is in normal brains. Using an awd reporter gene, we show that this is a consequence of an increased proportion of awd gene-expressing cells in mutant brains. Using the same awd reporter gene as a marker of donor cells, we have confirmed the invasiveness of lgl-induced neuroblastomas.

The gene for von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (NF1) maps to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 17 in Chinese families

Linkage analysis of six Chinese families with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) confirms the location of the NF1 gene to the region of the proximal long arm of chromosome 17, as in Caucasian populations. The diagnosis of NF1 was made according to internationally accepted criteria. The markers used were D17S71, D17S58, D17S33, and EVI2A. The overall odds in favor of NF1 lying within this linkage group in the families studied are over 150,000:1, with a maximum location score of 5.112 for the interval D17S58-EVI2A.

[Chemical studies on the constituents of radix Ophiopogonis]

In this paper four compounds isolated from Radix Ophiopogonis are described. Their structures have been identified as beta-sitosterol (I), 6-aldehydo-7-methoxy-isoophiopogonanone B (II), beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucopyranoside (III) and 1-borneol-beta-D-apisyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (IV) on the basis of spectral data and hydrolytic reaction.