Interkingdom Hormonal Regulations between Plants and Animals Provide New Insight into Food Safety

Food safety has become an attractive topic among consumers. Raw material production for food is also a focus of social attention. As hormones are widely used in agriculture and human disease control, consumers' concerns about the safety of hormone agents have never disappeared. The present review focuses on the interkingdom regulations of exogenous animal hormones in plants and phytohormones in animals, including physiology and stress resistance. We summarize these interactions to give the public, researchers, and policymakers some guidance and suggestions. Accumulated evidence demonstrates comprehensive hormonal regulation across plants and animals. Animal hormones, interacting with phytohormones, help regulate plant development and enhance environmental resistance. Correspondingly, phytohormones may also cause damage to the reproductive and urinary systems of animals. Notably, the disease-resistant role of phytohormones is revealed against neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. These resistances derive from the control for abnormal cell cycle, energy balance, and activity of enzymes. Further exploration of these cross-kingdom mechanisms would surely be of greater benefit to human health and agriculture development.

[A case of poisoning caused by intramuscular injection of esfenvalerate]

Esfenvalerate is a kind of commonly used highly effective pyrethroid insecticide. It is common for people who are poisoned by contact or misuse, but rarely reported for people who are poisoned by intramuscular injection. This paper reports a case of intramuscular injection of esfenvalerate in the Department of Infection, West China Hospital of Sichuan University in November 2021. The patient was intramuscularly injected with about 20 ml of esfenvalerate, inducing the sense of swelling and tingling, degeneration and necrosis of striated muscle tissue at the injection site, also liver function damage and other manifestations. The patient was discharged from hospital after rehydration, accelerating poison metabolism, anti-infection, liver protection and local puncture.

Changes in cropland soil carbon through improved management practices in China: A meta-analysis

Recommended management practices (RMPs, e.g., manuring, no-tillage, crop residue return) can increase soil organic carbon (SOC), reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and maintain soil health in croplands. However, there is no consensus on how RMPs affect the SOC storage potential of cropland soils for climate change mitigation. Here, based on 2301 comparisons from 158 peer-reviewed papers, a meta-analysis was conducted to explore management-induced SOC stock changes and their variations under different conditions. The results show that SOC stocks in the 0-20 cm layer were increased by 31.8% when chemical fertilization combined with manure application was compared with no fertilizer; 9.98% when no-tillage was compared with plow tillage; and 10.84% when straw return was compared with removal. The RMPs favorably increased SOC stock in arid areas, and in alkaline and fine-textured soils. Initial SOC, carbon-nitrogen ratio, and experimental duration could also affect SOC storage. Compared with the initial SOC stock, RMPs increased the SOC sequestration potential by 2.6-4.5% in the 0-20 cm soil depth, indicating that these practices can help China achieve targets to increase SOC by 4.0‰. Hence, it is essential to implement RMPs for climate change mitigation and soil fertility improvement.

Effects of tillage and cropping sequences on crop production and environmental benefits in the North China Plain

The ever-increasing trend of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is accelerating global warming and threatening food security. Environmental benefits and sustainable food production must be pursued locally and globally. Thus, a field experiment was conducted in 2015 to understand how to balance the trade-offs between agronomic productivity and environment quality in the North China Plain (NCP). Eight treatments consisted of two factors, i.e., (1) tillage practices: rotary tillage (RT) and no-till (NT), and (2) cropping sequences (CS): maize-wheat-soybean-wheat (MWSW), soybean-wheat-maize-wheat (SWMW), soybean-wheat (SW), and maize-wheat (MW). The economic and environmental benefits were evaluated by multiple indicators including the carbon footprint (CF), maize equivalent economic yield (MEEY), energy yield (EY), and carbon sustainability index (CSI). Compared with NT, RT increased the EY and MEEY, but emitted 9.4% higher GHGs. Among different CSs, no significant reduction was observed in CF. The lowest (2.0 Mg CO₂-eq ha^-1 year^-1) and the highest (5.6 Mg CO₂-eq ha^-1 year^-1) CF values were observed under MW and SWMW, respectively. However, CSs with soybean enhanced MEEY and the net revenue due to their higher price compared to that of MW. Although the highest CSI was observed under RT-MW, soybean-based crop rotation could offset the decline in CSI under NT when compared to that for RT. These findings suggest that conservation agriculture (CA) could enhance the balance in trade-offs between economic and environmental benefits. Additional research is needed on how to achieve high crop production by establishing a highly efficient CA system in the NCP.

P06.06.B standardization of therapy and manufacturing using tumor-associated antigen-stimulated autologous dendritic cells co-cultured with cytokine-induced killer cells in cancer immunotherapy

Background

The application of DC-CIK in the field of cancer immunotherapy has been shown to be an effective treatment. However, the cost of DC-CIK treatment is prohibitive for many patients, and the lack of standard manufacturing processes and treatment strategies are the main limitations.

Material and Methods

Our experiments used tumor lysate instead of tumor cell line as tumor-associated antigen source with DCs co-culture. We provide the most efficient method for obtaining autologous DC-CIK cells from peripheral blood. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate DCs activation, CBA assay was used to quantify cytokines secreted by CIK cells, and the antitumor activity of DC-CIK was evaluated in vitro by K562 cell line.

Results

We demonstrate that the manufacturing process of employing frozen Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) can balance patient’s comfort and economic benefits. DC-CIK can effectively upgrade the immunological specificity of CIK cells to tumors in the presence of tumor-associated antigen. In vitro experiments showed that when the number of DC: CIK cells was co-cultured in 1:20 ratio on the 14th day, the amount of cytokine secreted by CIK cells was the largest, and the anti-tumor immune effect was the most potent. When the number of CIK: K562 cells was in 25:1 ratio, the cytotoxic activity of CIK on K562 cells was the highest.

Conclusion

We developed an efficient activated fashion of DC:CIK, established the optimal ratio of DC-CIK immunologic activity and the best cytotoxic model of CIK to K562 cells.

[Analysis of failure causes and countermeasures of automatic coagulation analyzer detection of thrombin time]

To study the failure alarm information displayed on the automatic coagulation analyzer (coagulation method) of thrombin time (TT), and formulate the coping strategies combined with clinical information. Methods: A total of 233 failed TT blood samples [132 males, 101 females, with a median age of 73 (66, 79) years] were selected from 21 359 inpatients in Peking University First Hospital from January to June 2021. The statistical analysis was made and the failure causes and solutions were summarized according to the coagulation curve and the error codes displayed on the coagulation instrument, in combination with the clinical information, sample characteristics, medication status and other reasons. Meanwhile, a total of 96 TT detection failed lipid blood samples [56 males, 40 females, with a median age of 72 (65, 79) years] were analyzed from the inpatients in Peking University First Hospital from July to November 2021. TT results were obtained by artificial coagulation curve interpretation method, magnetic bead method and high-speed centrifugal re-detection method, respectively. The TT results of the three methods were compared. Results: The proportion of 233 failed TT tests from the total number of samples was 1.1% (233/21 359). There were 41.2% (96/233) samples with lipids, 23.2% (54/233) samples with heparin interference, 22.3% (52/233) samples with oral anticoagulant, and 13.3% (31/233) samples with micro-coagulation or insufficient plasma volume among these test failure samples. The classifications for these alarm information of coagulation curves showed on the instrument were as follows: 32.6% (76/233) of samples with higher changes in absorbance at baseline (SD>2 mAbs), 30.5% (71/233) of samples without peak values of second derivative, 25.8% (60/233) of samples with absorbance difference<35 mAbs between baseline and plateau period, 8.6% (20/233) samples with too low starting point or no starting point, and 2.6% (6/233) samples without coagulation curves. Among these 233 samples, there were 55.8% (130/233) samples that could be manually judged according to the reaction principle and standard coagulation curve pattern. Among the 96 samples that failed in coagulation method due to lipemia, there were 78 samples with sufficient blood volume tested by magnetic bead method. The TT results of the high-speed centrifugal redetection method, artificial coagulation curve interpretation method and magnetic bead method were 14.10 (14.80, 13.38) s, 14.30 (14.99, 13.60) s, and 15.65 (17.25, 14.65) s, respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.055). For 78 lipid samples, there was a correlation between the results of the artificial coagulation curve interpretation method and the results of magnetic bead method (r=0.99,P=0.001). Conclusions: For those samples failed in TT detection by coagulation method on automatic coagulation instrument, the cause of failure can be analyzed through coagulation curve and alarm information. For the lipid samples, TT results can be obtained by manual interpretation method, high-speed centrifugation method and magnetic bead method.

[Performance evaluation and validation of automated digital image analysis in peripheral blood cells morphology examination]

Objective: To verify and evaluate the performance of automated digital image(DIA) for peripheral blood cell morphology examination. Methods: Three hundred and seventy-nine routine peripheral blood smears and 18 plasmodium positive peripheral blood smears were collected. Blood smears were made and stained by Wright -Giemsa method.White blood cell (WBC) differentiation of blood smears were pre-classified by DIA (DIA direct classification), re-classified (manually reviewed after DIA classification), and artificially classified under microscope. the inter-assay and intra-assay coefficients of variation (CV) of DIA were respectively calculated for repeatability verification. Taking the artificial microscopy as the gold standard, the sensitivity、specificity and accuracy of DIA were calculated. The DIA ability of peripheral blood blast cell morphological count, platelet (PLT) morphological count and morphological examination of plasmodium were also verified. Results: Except for eosinophils and basophils, the inter-assay and intra-assay CV of WBC classification by DIA in normal samples were < 10%. The CV of WBC classification in abnormal samples increased with the decrease of cell percentage. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DIA pre-classification were 90.5%, 99.2%, 98.2%. Through pre-classification and re-classification by DIA,the results of the blood smears which triggered blast cell alarm had a good correlation with manual classification(r=0.812, 0.983, both P<0.01). The PLT morphological count by DIA had high correlation with hematology analyzer (r=0.946, P<0.01). The deviation absolute value of two methods of PLT count was < 15%, while in PLT aggregation or giant thrombocytosis samples,the deviation absolute value of PLT count by two methods was > 15%. After image acquisition by DIA, 17 plasmodium trophozoites were detected in 18 plasmodium-positive peripheral blood smears, and the images were clear. Conclusions: The DIA system has good repeatability, high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in peripheral blood WBC classification. Its pre-classification and re-classification results have high correlation with the manual classification results.

[Association between dietary vitamin A intake and gestational diabetes mellitus in the first trimester]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between dietary vitamin A intake and its sources in the first trimester and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: A prospective study was conducted to select women at 6-14 weeks of gestation in an obstetric clinic of a maternal and child health care medical institution in Chengdu in 2017. The types and quantities of food during the first trimester were collected by 3-day 24-hour dietary recalls. Dietary vitamin A intake was calculated based on the Chinese Food Composition Table (2018), and it was divided into animal and plant vitamin A intakes according to its food sources. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed at 24-28 weeks of gestation to diagnose GDM according to the Chinese guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (2014). According to the estimated average requirement (EAR) and recommended nutrient intake (RNI), dietary vitamin A intake was divided into low-level group (<EAR), medium-level group (EAR-RNI) and high-level group (>RNI). Animal and plant vitamin A intakes were divided into four groups (Q1-Q4) according to the quartile method, respectively. The association between dietary vitamin A intake, its different sources of vitamin A intake and GDM in the first trimester was analyzed by log-binomial regression models. Results: A total of 1 298 valid samples were finally included. The average dietary vitamin A intake, animal and plant vitamin A intakes in the first trimester were 341.1 (227.8-501.0) μgRAE/d, 139.3 (69.6-195.3) μgRAE/d and 184.2 (99.4-301.1) μgRAE/d, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, log-binomial regression analysis showed that the risk of GDM in high-level group of dietary vitamin A intake was lower than that in low-level group [RR (95%CI):0.53 (0.36-0.80)]. Pregnant women in the highest quartile of animal vitamin A intake had a lower risk of GDM than those in the lowest quartile [RR (95%CI):0.66 (0.47-0.95)]. No relationship between plant vitamin A intake and GDM was found. Conclusion: Dietary vitamin A intake in the first trimester is associated with the occurrence of GDM, and higher intake than RNI may reduce the risk of GDM. Higher vitamin A intake from animal-derived food is associated with decreased risk of GDM.

[Effects of PD-L1 on immunosuppression of bacterial sepsis and its relevant mechanism]

Objective: To investigate the expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in dendritic cells (DCS) and its related signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced immunosuppression of bacterial sepsis.Methods: Stimulating with bacterial LPS, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells could induce T lymphocyte immunosuppression imitating bacterial sepsis model. The experiments were divided into 5 groups: control group, LPS group, 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1- benzopyran-4-one (LY294002)+LPS group, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate(PDTC)+LPS group and LPS+anti-PD-L1 group with 6 multiple wells in each group. After mice bone marrow source monocytes were cultured with rmGM-CSF (10 ng/ml) and rmIL-4 (1 ng/ml) in 10% fetal bovine serum 1640 for 4 days, DCs cells were treated with with 10 ng/ml LPS for 12 h to obtain immunosuppressive cells with high expression of PD-L1. Pathway-inhibitors LY294002 (10 μmol/L) and PDTC (20 μmol/L) were used to block PI3K and NF-κB signals. Flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to detect the PD-L1 expression and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signal activation on DCs. BrdU cell proliferation assay and γ-interferon enzyme-linked immunospot assay were used to detect ovalbumin specific T lymphocyte proliferation response and cytotoxic T cell response, respectively. Results: Compared with the control group, the percentage of PD-L1 positive cells and PD-L1 red fluorescence intensity of DCs were all increased(P＜0.01), while DCs- mediated T cell proliferation and γ-interferon spot-forming cell number were decreased (P＜0.01).PI3K inhibitor LY294002, NF-κB inhibitor PDTC and PD-L1 blocking antibody could significantly reverse the inhibition of DCs mediated T lymphocytes immunosuppression above (P＜0.01). Conclusion: PD-L1 was a key molecule that mediates immunosuppression in lipopolysaccharide induced bacterial sepsis. PI3K Signal and NF- κB signal were also involved in this immunosuppressive process.

[Difference analysis of somatic mutations between deficient mismatch repair and proficient mismatch repair gene related with colorectal cancer]

Objective: To analyze the difference of somatic mutation of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein deletion (dMMR) /integrity (pMMR) in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: A total of 93 cases of paraffin pathological tissue derived from CRC patients underwent surgical treatment and postoperative routine immunohistochemical diagnosed as dMMR in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Medical College from January 2015 to January 2017 were collected and conducted the second-generation sequencing test. The expressions of 4 MMR proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2) in CRC tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry method, and the immunohistochemistry results were re-interpreted according to the American Association of Pathologists (CAP) standard. Second-generation sequencing technology was used to detect somatic mutations of 41 genes in 93 cases of paraffin pathological CRC tissue, and Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the gene mutation differences between groups. Results: After re-evaluation according to CAP standard, 31 cases were divided into pMMR group and 62 cases in dMMR group among the 93 CRC patients. The medium number of gene mutations in the dMMR group was 9.5, higher than 3.0 of the pMMR group (P<0.001). Somatic mutation differences were found in 17 genes between the dMMR and pMMR groups, including breast cancer susceptibility genes 1 (BRCA1), BRCA2, MLH1, PDGFRA, PIK3CA, APC, ATM, KIT, MET, PMS2, MSH6, POLE, MSH2, PTCH1, epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), TP53 and ERBB2 genes. The pathogenic somatic mutation rates of BRAF, MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 in the dMMR group were higher than those in the pMMR group [21.0% (13/62) vs 9.7% (3/31), 9.7% (6/62) vs 0 (0/31), 21.0% (13/62) vs 0 (0/31), 22.6% (14/62) vs 0 (0/31), P<0.05]. The mutation rate differences of BLM N515fs, BRAF V600E, PTCH1 R1308fs and KRAS G13D sites were statistically different between the dMMR group and the pMMR group [22.6% (14/62) vs 0 (0/31), 19.4% (12/62) vs 3.2% (1/31), 11.3% (7/62) vs 0 (0/31), 16.1% (10/62) vs 3.2% (1/31), P<0.05]. The mutation rates of 3 uncommon sites including BLM N515fs, MSH6 F1088fs and PTCH1 R1308fs were 28.2% (11/39), 15.4% (6/39) and 15.4% (6/39) in patients with dMMR who were missing MLH1 and PMS2 together, statistically different from all of 0 (0/31) in pMMR patients (P<0.05). Conclusions: CRC Patients with dMMR have more related gene somatic mutations. The BRAF V600E mutation is closely related to dMMR. KRAS G13D, BLM N515fs and PTCH1 R1308fs mutation sites are also associated with the expression of MMR proteins.

[A study on the correlation between medical staff engagement, perceived organizational support and turnover intention]

Objective: To explore the relationship between medical staff's engagement, perceived organizational support and turnover intention. Methods: In May 2019, 600 medical and nursing staff from a tertiary hospital in Tianjin were selected by random sampling method. The questionnaire survey was conducted by using Gallup Q12 questionnaire, perceived organizational support scale and turnover intention scale. The correlation between engagement, organizational support and turnover intention was analyzed by person correlation analysis and regression analysis, and multivariate stepwise linear analysis was used for multiple factor analysis Return. Results: the total average scores of engagement, sense of organizational support and turnover intention were (2.18±0.56) , (3.48±0.72) and (2.71±0.67) respectively. There was a positive correlation between engagement and perceived organizational support (r=0.674, P<0.01) , and negatively correlated with turnover intention (R=-0.416, -0.487, P<0.05) . The factors of turnover intention were engagement and organizational support (F=54.673, 81.558, P<0.01) . Perceived organizational support partially mediated the relationship between engagement and turnover intention (P<0.01) . Conclusion: The engagement and organizational support of medical staff are related to turnover intention.

[Relationship of early tumor shrinkage and depth of response with the prognosis and treatment effect of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment in advanced gastric cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive]

Objective: To explore the relationship of early tumor shrinkage (ETS) and depth of response (DpR) with the prognosis and treatment effect of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment in advanced gastric cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) positive. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathological data of 23 patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma diagnosed by imaging in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 1st, 2008 to December 31th, 2017. Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test were used for the survival analysis. Cox regression was used to analyze the factors associated with prognosis. Results: The objective response rate (ORR) of the 23 patients was 43.5% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 82.6%. Univariate analysis showed the median progress-free survival (mPFS) of ETS≥20% and ETS<20% were 13.0 months and 4.5 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). The median overall survival (mOS) of ETS≥20% and ETS<20% were 26.8 months and 10.1 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). The median progress-free survival (mPFS) of DpR≥15% and DpR<15% were 13.0 months and 4.5 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P=0.001). The median overall survival (mOS) of DpR≥15% and DpR<15% were 26.8 months and 9.5 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed ETS was an independent factor of PFS (P=0.030), tumor site and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score were independent factors of OS (P<0.05). Conclusion: ETS and DpR might be used to predict the treatment efficacy and prognosis of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy as the first-line treatment of HER-2 positive gastric cancer.

Light-induced systemic signalling down-regulates photosynthetic performance of soybean leaves with different directional effects

When plants are exposed to a heterogeneous environment, photosynthesis of leaves is not only determined by their local condition, but also by certain signals from other parts of the same plant, termed systemic regulation. Our present study was conducted to investigate the effects of light-dependent systemic regulation on the photosynthetic performance of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) under heterogeneous light conditions. Soybean plants were treated with heterogeneous light. Then gas exchange characteristics were measured to evaluate the photosynthetic performance of leaves. Parameters related to photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence, Rubisco and photosynthates were examined to study the mechanisms of light-dependent systemic regulation on photosynthesis. Light-induced systemic signalling by illuminated leaves reduced the Pn of both upper and lower non-illuminated leaves on the same soybean plant. The decrease in gs and increase in Ci in these non-illuminated leaves indicated restriction of carbon assimilation, which was further verified by the decline in content and activity of Rubisco. However, the activation state of Rubisco decreased only in upper non-illuminated leaves. Quantum efficiency of PSII (ΦPSII) and ETR also decreased only in upper non-illuminated leaves. Moreover, the effects of light-induced systemic signalling on carbohydrate content were also detectable only in upper non-illuminated leaves. Light-induced systemic signalling by illuminated leaves restricts carbon assimilation and down-regulates photosynthetic performance of non-illuminated leaves within a soybean plant. However, effects of such systemic regulation differed when regulated in upward or downward direction.

[Application of machine learning models in predicting early stone-free rate after flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy for renal stones]

OBJECTIVE

To establish predictive models based on random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm and to investigate their value in predicting early stone-free rate (SFR) after flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (fURL) in patients with renal stones.

METHODS

The clinical data of 201 patients with renal stones who underwent fURL were retrospectively investigated. According to the stone-free standard, the patients were divided into stone-free group (SF group) and stone-residual group (SR group). We compared a number of factors including patient age, body mass index (BMI), stone number, stone volume, stone density and hydronephrosis between the two groups. For low calyceal calculi, renal anatomic parameters including infundibular angle (IPA), infundibular width (IW), infundibular length (IL) and pelvic calyceal height (PCH), would be measured. We brought above potential predictive factors into random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm respectively to develop two predictive models. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was established in order to test the predictive ability of the model. Clinical data of 71 patients were collected prospectively to validate the predictive models externally.

RESULTS

In this study, 201 fURL operations were successfully completed. The one-phase early SFR was 61.2%. We built two predictive models based on random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm. The predictive variables' importance scores were obtained. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of the two predictive models for early stone clearance status prediction was 0.77. In the study, 71 test samples were used for external validation. The results showed that the total predictive accuracy, predictive specificity and predictive sensitivity of the random forest and XGBoost models were 75.7%, 82.6%, 60.0%, and 81.4%, 87.0%, 68.0%, respectively. The first four predictive variables in importance were stone volume, mean stone density, maximal stone density and BMI in both random forest and XGBoost predictive models.

CONCLUSION

The predictive models based on random forest and XGBoost machine learning algorithm can predict postoperative early stone status after fURL for renal stones accurately, which will facilitate preoperative evaluation and clinical decision-making. Stone volume, mean stone density, maximal stone density and BMI may be the important predictive factors affecting early SFR after fURL for renal stones.

Anti-Müllerian hormone inhibits activation and growth of bovine ovarian follicles in vitro and is localized to growing follicles

STUDY QUESTION

Does anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) inhibit activation (initiation of growth) of primordial follicles and attenuate the growth of primary follicles in cattle, an excellent animal model for human ovarian follicular development?

SUMMARY ANSWER

AMH inhibited activation of bovine primordial follicles and attenuated the growth of activated follicles in vitro.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

In mice null mutant for AMH, the pool of primordial follicles is depleted prematurely and AMH inhibits follicle activation in vitro. Results of studies with human ovarian tissue in vitro were inconsistent. Our previous work provided indirect evidence that AMH inhibits follicle activation in bovine ovaries.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Pieces of fetal bovine ovarian cortex (2 pieces/culture well), obtained during mid or late pregnancy, were cultured in control medium or with graded doses of AMH for 2, 10 or 12 days. Effects of treatment on follicle activation and growth were determined by histological morphometry; follicles in every 20th histological section were staged (primordial or primary), counted, and measured. In addition, AMH was immunolocalized in bovine ovaries obtained at various times during pregnancy (n = 20 ovaries).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Bovine fetal ovaries at mid or late gestation were obtained at a commercial abattoir. Pieces of ovarian cortex were cultured without or with AMH and fixed for histological morphometry on Day 0 and at the end of culture. Treatments were applied to duplicate cultures from each of two or three fetuses. In 12-day cultures, addition of AMH was delayed until the third day. Histological analysis provided information about the types, numbers and sizes of follicles in cortical pieces before and after treatments. Ovaries obtained during the second and third trimesters were assessed for the presence of AMH by immunohistochemistry.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

AMH (100-500 ng/ml) inhibited follicle activation in response to an activator (insulin) in ovarian cortical pieces from fetal ovaries in late gestation. Dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the diameters of primary follicles and their oocytes were also observed. These results were obtained only when AMH was added to cultures in advance of insulin (presumably because it penetrates tissue more slowly than insulin). Results of experiments with cortical pieces from fetal ovaries at mid-gestation, when follicles are forming, showed that AMH did not inhibit the formation of follicles. Immunohistochemical localization of AMH showed that it is not present in fetal ovaries until the third trimester, when it was localized to the granulosa cells of secondary and small antral follicles.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION

The experiments were performed with fetal ovaries because follicles form and follicle activation begins during fetal life in cattle (as it does in humans), so fetal ovarian cortex of later gestation provides tissue rich in primordial follicles. We assume, but have no experimental evidence, that our findings also apply to post-natal ovaries.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Although circulating AMH is used as an indication of the follicular reserve in women, little is known about AMH in human ovaries. Cattle are an excellent non-primate model for human ovarian follicular development and, hence, the findings suggest similar roles for AMH in human follicular development.

LARGE SCALE DATA

Not applicable.

STUDY FUNDNG/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This research was supported by National Research Initiative Competitive Grants no. 00-35203-9151, 2003-35203-13532, and 2008-35203-05989) from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to JEF and by an NIH National Research Service Award (F32 HD08264) to RAC. There are no conflicts of interest or competing interests.

Growth under elevated air temperature alters secondary metabolites in Robinia pseudoacacia L. seedlings in Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils

Plant secondary metabolites play a pivotal role in growth regulation, antioxidant activity, pigment development, and other processes. As the global climate changes, increasing atmospheric temperatures and contamination of soil by heavy metals co-occur in natural ecosystems, which alters the pH of rhizosphere soil and influences the bioavailability and mobility of metals. Elevated temperatures in combination with heavy metals are expected to affect plant secondary metabolites, but this issue has not been extensively examined. Here, we investigated secondary metabolites in Robiniapseudoacacia seedlings exposed to elevated temperatures using a passive warming device in combination with Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils. Heavy metals significantly stimulated the accumulation of saponins, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids in leaves and stems; alkaloid compounds increased in leaves and decreased in stems, and condensed tannins fluctuated. Elevated temperatures, alone and in combination with Cd and Pb, caused increases in secondary metabolites in the plant tissues. Phenolic compounds showed the greatest changes among the secondary metabolites and significant interactive effects of temperature and metals were observed. These results suggest that slightly elevated temperature could enhance protective and defense mechanisms of Robinia pseudoacacia seedlings exposed to heavy metals by stimulating the production of secondary metabolites.

The clinical and histopathological characteristics of early-onset basal cell carcinoma in Asians

BACKGROUND

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is by far the most common cancer in white populations. In addition, recent reports have demonstrated an increasing incidence of BCC in Korea. We have observed a significant number of early-onset BCC cases in which the disease occurred in patients younger than 50 years.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of early-onset BCC in an Asian population, specifically in Koreans.

METHODS

One hundred and five patients with early-onset BCC were enrolled from a total of 1047 BCC patients who underwent surgery between January 1997 and December 2014 (942 patients over the age of 50 years were designated as the control group).

RESULTS

Early-onset BCC accounted for 10.03% of all 1047 cases and the incidence over time displayed an incremental trend. The early-onset group displayed similar results as the control group, with a predominance of female BCC patients and the majority of tumours displaying the following characteristics: small in size, occurring in sun-exposed areas and belonging to the noduloulcerative clinical subtype and nodular histopathological subtype. In comparison with a previous study in a Western population, the incidence of the disease in non-exposed areas of the body, as well as the proportion of tumours of the superficial histological subtype, were lower in Asian patients.

CONCLUSION

Although the clinicopathological characteristics of BCC are well-known, these characteristics have not been determined for early-onset BCC in an Asian population. Therefore, this study is the first report on early-onset BCC in Asians, specifically in a Korean patient group.

Abstract P5-03-13: The anticancer effects of Supinoxin® (RX-5902) in triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 through phosphorylated p68 on Tyr593

Several studies have indicated that the DEAD box RNA helicase DDX5/p68 plays several important roles in cancer (1, 2). In particular, p68 that is phosphorylated on Tyr593 has been shown to be associated with cell transformaton, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell migration (3). Therefore, phosphorylated p68 may be a promising target for novel anti-cancer therapeutics. We previously reported that 1-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[(6-fluoro-2-methoxyquinoxalin-3-yl) aminocarbonyl] piperazine (RX-5902, Supinoxin®) inhibits the growth of cancer cells at low nanomolar concentrations by interacting with phosphorylated p68 on Tyr593, interfering with the phosphorylated p68-β-catenin signaling pathway (4). In this study, we sought to determine whether phosphorylated p68 on Tyr593 plays a key role in RX-5902's ability to inhibit cancer cell growth by knocking down p68. p68-siRNA efficiently down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated p68 on Tyr593 as well as p68 in the triple-negative (TN) breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Exposure of p68-siRNA-transfected cells to the IC50 concentration of RX-5902 protected MDA-MB-231 cells from the cytotoxic effects of RX-5902, indicating the phosphorylated p68 on Tyr593 is a key molecule for RX-5902 cytotoxic effects. We also examined the tumor growth inhibition (TGI) of RX-5902 in the human TN-breast tumor (MDA-MB-231) xenograft mouse model. Not only did RX-5902 demonstrate potent efficacy in this model but also oral administration with RX-5902 resulted in dose-dependent TGI and extended the overall survival of these animals. Oral administration of 160, 320 and 600 mg/kg of RX-5902 showed 54.4%, 84.4% and 100% TGI, respectively whereas 5 mg/kg of Abraxane (iv) showed only 48.2% TGI at day 29. Further studies demonstrated the inhibitory effects of RX-5902 on cellular motility in MDA-MB-231 in wound healing assays, suggesting the potential function of phosphorylated p68 on Tyr593 in cell migration (5). These data support the potential therapeutic activity of RX-5902 in triple negative breast cancers. A Phase 1 study of RX-5902 on relapse/refractory solid tumors is ongoing.

References

1. Fuller-Pace, FV, RNA Biology 10, 121–132 (2013)

2. Dai et al. Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, 33, 64-71 (2014

3. Yang et al., Cell, 127, 139–155 (2006)

4. Kost et al., Journal of Cellular Biochemistry ;online: 3 FEB 2015 05:14PM EST | DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25113) (2015).

5. Remenyi et al, presented at 2015 AACR (2015).

Citation Format: Kim DJ, Yang MY, Lee YB, Remenyi J, Fuller-Pace F. The anticancer effects of Supinoxin® (RX-5902) in triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 through phosphorylated p68 on Tyr593. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-03-13.

Association of tumor necrosis factor-α 308G/A polymorphism with urogenital cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We integrated all the eligible studies and investigated whether the TNF-α 308G/A polymorphism correlates with urogenital cancer risk. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a risk factor for some urogenital cancers; however, in prostate and bladder cancers the results are controversial. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and the Wanfang Database were searched for all case-control studies on the relationship between the TNF-α 308G/A polymorphism and susceptibility to urogenital cancer between January 1994 and January 2015. The pooled odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated to assess the associations. A total of 504 articles were found, 39 of which involved 11,613 cases and 12,542 controls that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Overall, the TNF-α 308G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of urogenital cancer. In the subgroup analysis for different cancer types, significant associations were found in cervical cancer and urothelial carcinoma, while our meta-analysis indicated that there were no significant associations between the TNF-α 308G/A polymorphism and prostate, bladder, or renal cancers. When stratified by ethnicity, significant associations were observed in Caucasian populations, whereas no significant associations were found in African-Americans, Asians, or mixed populations. Furthermore, carriers of the -308A allele among the hospital-based case-control group were at a high risk of urogenital cancer. Our meta-analysis showed that the TNF-α 308G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with urogenital cancer risk, particularly in the Caucasian and hospital-based populations.

Changes in the transcriptome of bovine ovarian cortex during follicle activation in vitro

The signals that regulate activation, a key transition in ovarian follicular development, are still not well understood, especially in nonrodent species. To gain insight into the regulation of this transition in cattle, we combined a microarray approach with an in vitro system in which ovarian cortical pieces cultured in control medium are enriched for primordial follicles, whereas pieces cultured with insulin are enriched for primary follicles. Total RNA was extracted from cultured cortical pieces, and then transcripts were identified and analyzed using the Affymetrix Bovine Genome GeneChip array. Around 65% of the transcripts in the bovine GeneChip were detected in cultured cortical pieces. Comparison between pieces cultured with or without insulin generated 158 differentially expressed transcripts. Compared with controls, 90 transcripts were upregulated and 68 were downregulated by insulin. These transcripts are involved in many biological processes and functions, but most are associated with cellular growth or cell cycle/cell death. The transcript encoding ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C (UBE2C) was significantly upregulated during follicle activation, and Ingenuity Pathways Analysis revealed that UBE2C can interact with the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Both PTEN mRNA and protein were lower in cortical pieces cultured with insulin than in controls. In addition, FOXO3a, a downstream effector of PTEN signaling, underwent nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling during primordial to primary follicle development in bovine fetal ovaries, further suggesting the involvement of the PTEN pathway in follicle activation in cattle. Genes and pathways identified in this study provide interesting candidates for further investigation of mechanisms underlying follicle activation.

Expression patterns of melatonin receptors in chicken ovarian follicles affected by monochromatic light

Artificial illumination is an important exogenous factor in the control of many physiological and behavioral processes as well as an important environmental factor in the management of laying hens. Melatonin receptors are members of the G protein-coupled receptor family. The hormone melatonin is secreted primarily by the pineal gland, with highest levels occurring during the dark period of a circadian cycle. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of monochromatic light on chicken egg reproduction and expression of melatonin receptors in chicken ovarian follicles. A total of 552 19-week-old hens were randomly divided into 4 groups with 138 birds in each group. Each group was randomly divided into 3 replicates with 46 birds in each replicate. Feed and water were provided for ad libitum. Light treatments were: control cool white (400-760 nm), blue (480 nm), green (560 nm), and red (660 nm). The short wavelength (blue light) group produced a greater total number of eggs at 300 days of age than did the long wavelength (red light) group, and the red light group showed higher melatonin receptor type 1A and melatonin receptor type 1C mRNA and protein expression. These results suggest that the wavelength of light is closely related to chicken egg number at 300 days of age; there is no effect of monochromatic light on melatonin receptor type 1B.

The effect of negative pressure aging on the aggregation of Cu2O nanoparticles and its application to laser induced copper electrode fabrication

The aggregation and dispersion of nanoparticles are critical problems in selective laser sintering. In this study, negative pressure aging was applied to resolve the aggregation of nanoparticles and a metal oxide reduction method used to make a well-dispersed nanoparticles in solvent. As a result, metal oxide nanoparticles were synthesized according to a grade of the aggregation and aging conditions found to provide well-dispersed nanoparticles in solvent with less re-dissolution of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, a coating quality and characteristics of laser induced sintering were analyzed according to the grade of the aggregation. The coating quality was affected by the aggregation and the statistical dispersion of nanoparticles. The coating deposited by particles with a wide statistical dispersion has a better quality when compared with the coating prepared from particles with a narrow dispersion. The quality of laser sintered electrode depends on the aggregation but the dependency of the aggregation diminishes as the irradiation of the laser power is decreased.

Diversity resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp Tritici in rye chromosome arm 1RS expressed in wheat

The 1BL.1RS wheat-rye translocation contained in the Russian cultivar Aurora has been the most widespread alien translocation in wheat-breeding programs all over the world. However, following the prevalence of new biotypes of the pathogens, disease-resistance genes in this translocation chromosome have been overcome and consequently they have been eliminated in modern wheat-breeding programs. In this paper, we report on 12 new primary 1BL.1RS translocation lines derived from the crosses of a Chinese high yield wheat cv. Mianyang 11 with three rye cultivars collected from China. GISH, C-banding and PCR techniques using the specific primers for 1BS, 1RS and centromeres of wheat and rye were applied to identify the constitution of chromosomes. The results confirmed that all 1BL.1RS chromosomes in the 12 primary translocation lines contained integrated 1RS chromosome arms. In the resistance analysis using five kinds of Pst pathotypes, the 12 primary translocation lines showed diversity resistance to stripe rust, which contained at least five different new genes (alleles), significantly different from the Yr9 gene coming from Russian wheat cultivar Aurora. The results indicated that the chromosome arm 1RS in the rye population carries abundant yet untapped genes (alleles) for resistance to wheat stripe rust, which would originate from the neutral diversity in the natural population of rye. It is suggested that creating more primary translocation lines in genome modification will be extremely important to use the diversity of alien R-genes, which was generated by long-term neutral mutation and maintained in the population of alien species.

Prognostic implication of molecular aberrations in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Different molecular aberrations can be discriminated into certain prognostic subgroups in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) patients but their impact on allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains controversial and studies from Asian populations are lacking. Forty-two adult non-M3 AML patients receiving allo-HSCT from 2002 to 2009 in southern Taiwan were retrospectively reviewed for survey, 23 (54.7%) of whom were CN-AML. NPM1, FLT3-ITD, and CEBPA were analyzed. After a median follow-up of 104 weeks (range, 8 to 384), patients in the good risk group (harboring either NPM1 or CEBPA mutation without concurrent FLT3-ITD) showed a borderline worse overall survival (OS) compared with the intermediate/poor risk group (P = 0.08). Interestingly, a poorer OS was found in patients with the CEBPA mutation (P = 0.003) but not the NPM1 mutation (P = 0.96). No OS difference was found between patients with or without FLT3-ITD (P = 0.15). In patients receiving allo-HSCT at first remission, there was no significant OS benefit in the good risk group (P = 0.33). In patients receiving allo-HSCT beyond first remission, disease status played a major role (P = 0.006), irrespective of molecular aberrations. Allo-HSCT in good risk patients should be carefully evaluated in Taiwanese, especially in patients with the CEBPA mutation. Conversely, allo-HSCT should be considered in first remission in patients with an intermediate/poor risk, where it may overcome the adverse impact of FLT3-ITD. Disease status remained a main issue in patients receiving allo-HSCT beyond first remission.

Triennial Reproduction Symposium: the ovarian follicular reserve in cattle: what regulates its formation and size?

The ovarian follicular reserve has been linked to fertility in cattle. Young adult cattle with low vs. high numbers of antral follicles ≥ 3 mm in diameter in follicular waves also have fewer preantral follicles and decreased fertility. This underscores the importance of understanding the factors that regulate early follicular development and establish the ovarian follicular reserve, but little is known about how the follicular reserve is first established. In ruminants and humans, follicles form during fetal life, but there is a gap (about 50 d in cattle) between the appearance of the first primordial follicles and the first growing, primary follicles. In this review we present evidence that in cattle, fetal ovarian steroids (i.e., estradiol and progesterone) are negative regulators of both follicle formation and of the acquisition by newly formed follicles of the capacity to activate (i.e., initiate growth). The results indicate that capacity to activate is linked to the completion of meiotic prophase I by the oocyte. The inhibitory effects of estradiol on follicle activation were found to be reversible and correlated with inhibition of the progression of meiotic prophase I. Fetal bovine ovaries produce steroid hormones and production varies considerably during gestation and in a pattern consistent with the hypothesis that they inhibit follicle formation and capacity of newly formed follicles to activate in vivo. However, little was known about how steroid production is regulated. In our studies, both LH and FSH stimulated progesterone and estradiol production by ovarian pieces in vitro. The addition of testosterone to the culture medium enhanced estradiol production, especially when FSH was also present, but inhibited progesterone production, even in the presence of gonadotropins. Evidence is also presented for effects of maternal nutrition and health and for potential effects of estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the size of the ovarian follicular reserve established during fetal life. In summary, fetal ovarian steroids may be important regulators of the early stages of follicular development in cattle. Therefore, external factors that alter steroid production or action may affect the size of the ovarian follicular reserve.

Tunable magnetic properties by interfacial manipulation of L1(0)-FePt perpendicular ultrathin film with island-like structures

Based on interfacial manipulation of the MgO single crystal substrate and non-magnetic AIN compound, a L1(0)-FePt perpendicular ultrathin film with the structure of MgO/FePt-AIN/Ta was designed, prepared, and investigated. The film is comprised of L1(0)-FePt "magnetic islands," which exhibits a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), tunable coercivity (Hc), and interparticle exchange coupling (IEC). The MgO substrate promotes PMA of the film because of interfacial control of the FePt lattice orientation. The AIN compound is doped to increase the difference of surface energy between FePt layer and MgO substrate and to suppress the growth of FePt grains, which takes control of island growth mode of FePt atoms. The AIN compound also acts as isolator of L1(0)-FePt islands to pin the sites of FePt domains, resulting in the tunability of Hc and IEC of the films.

The earliest stages of follicular development: follicle formation and activation

The formation of primordial follicles to establish a reservoir of resting follicles and the gradual depletion of that reservoir to provide a succession of growing follicles are key to female fertility, but little is known about the regulation of these early stages of follicular development. This review summarizes the efforts of our laboratory to elucidate these critical processes in cattle. Primordial follicles first appear in fetal ovaries around the end of the first trimester of pregnancy (Day 90), during a decline in fetal ovarian production of estradiol and progesterone. In ovarian cortical pieces from 90 to 120-day-old fetuses, follicles form in vitro and estradiol or progesterone inhibits follicle formation, whereas the non-aromatizable androgen 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) does not. Newly formed bovine follicles are not capable of activating within 2 days in vitro, but they can acquire the capacity to activate during a longer culture; estradiol and progesterone inhibit the acquisition of their capacity to activate. When primordial follicles first form in cattle, their oocytes are not yet in meiotic arrest and acquisition of competence to activate is correlated with their progression to meiotic arrest at the diplotene stage of first prophase. After they acquire the competence to activate, bovine primordial follicles can be stimulated to activate in vitro by insulin or kit ligand, whereas anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is inhibitory. Although few follicles progress to the secondary stage in vitro, addition of testosterone or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) dramatically increased the incidence of that transition. Regulation of the earliest stages of follicular development is complex and far from understood; better understanding could lead to new interventions to enhance fertility.

The capacity of primordial follicles in fetal bovine ovaries to initiate growth in vitro develops during mid-gestation and is associated with meiotic arrest of oocytes

In cattle and other species in which the pool of resting, primordial follicles is formed during fetal life, little is known about the regulation of the early stages of ovarian follicular development. We used histological morphometry and a combination of observations in vivo and experiments in vitro to study the timing and regulation of follicle formation and the acquisition of the capacity of primordial follicles to initiate growth in cattle. In vivo, primordial, primary, and secondary follicles were first observed around Days 90, 140, and 210 of gestation, respectively. The long interval between the first appearance of primordial and primary follicles suggests that primordial follicles are not capable of activating when they are first formed, or they are inhibited from activating. This hypothesis was confirmed by the finding that most primordial follicles in pieces of ovarian cortex obtained from fetal ovaries older than 140 days activated (i.e., initiated growth) after 2 days in vitro, whereas follicles in cortical pieces from 90- to 140-day-old fetal ovaries did not. We tested the hypothesis that the oocytes of newly formed primordial follicles are not in meiotic arrest and found that before Day 141, most oocytes ( approximately 73%) were in prediplotene stages of prophase I, whereas after Day 140, the majority of oocytes ( approximately 85%) had arrested at the diplotene stage. This observation was further confirmed by the finding that levels of mRNA for YBX2, a protein associated with meiotic arrest, were 2.3 times higher in ovarian cortical pieces isolated after versus before Day 141. Primordial follicles in cortical pieces from 90- to 140-day-old fetal ovaries did activate during a longer, 10-day culture, but activation could be inhibited by adding estradiol or progesterone, but not dihydrotestosterone (all at 10(-6) M). Fetal ovaries secreted estradiol in vitro, and secretion by ovaries from 83 to 140-day-old fetuses declined precipitously ( approximately 30-fold) with age, consistent with the hypothesis that estradiol inhibits activation of newly formed primordial follicles in vivo. In summary, the results show that newly formed primordial follicles do not activate in vivo or within 2 days in vitro and that capacity to activate is correlated with achievement of meiotic arrest by the oocyte and can be inhibited by estradiol, which fetal ovaries actively produce around the time of follicle formation.

A free scapular skin flap for penile reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

There are many possible methods for penis reconstruction, among them, pedicled flaps, myocutaneous flaps, combined osseocutaneous flaps, and free skin flaps. This study evaluated the free scapular skin flap method for penile reconstruction.

METHODS

Fifteen men aged 20 to 48 underwent the procedure between March 2000 and February 2006, with follow-up examinations from 6 months to 5 years.

RESULTS

Fourteen of the reconstructions were successful, with patients enjoying good cosmetic results as well as functionality.

CONCLUSION

The free scapular skin flap technique is a good method for penile reconstruction.

Vascular endothelial growth factor stimulates the primary to secondary follicle transition in bovine follicles in vitro

Little is known about the mechanisms regulating the growth of early preantral follicles, especially in nonrodent mammalian species. To test the hypothesis that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes the primary to secondary follicle transition, pieces of bovine fetal ovarian cortex were cultured with VEGF (0, 1, 10, or 100 ng/ml) for 0 or 10 days, followed by morphometric analysis. On day 0, cortical pieces contained mostly primordial follicles, but after 10 days in vitro most primordial follicles had activated, differentiating into primary follicles. VEGF had no effect on the numbers of primordial or primary follicles, compared with untreated controls, but all doses increased the number of secondary follicles. In the second experiment, a range of lower doses of VEGF (0.1-10 ng/ml) increased the number of secondary follicles in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of VEGF transcripts by RT-PCR showed expression of mRNA for three isoforms of VEGF (VEGF121, 165, and 189) in fetal bovine ovarian cortex, with VEGF121 and 165 expressed predominantly and levels of mRNA for VEGF121 and 189 increasing after day 211 of gestation, when the first secondary follicles appear. Expression of mRNA for both VEGF receptors (flt-1 and flk-1) was also detected, but did not change with the development of fetal ovaries. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive staining for VEGF in blood vessels and in follicle cells of secondary follicles, consistent with Western blot analyses showing increases in VEGF protein as ovarian development progressed. Taken together, the results provide support for a role for VEGF in the primary to secondary follicle transition.

Testosterone Stimulates the Primary to Secondary Follicle Transition in Bovine Follicles In Vitro1

The mechanisms controlling the initiation and early stages of follicular growth are poorly understood. Our laboratory developed a serum-free culture system that supports spontaneous and wholesale activation of primordial follicles in pieces of cortex dissected from the ovaries of fetal calves and fetal baboons. However, very few follicles activated in vitro progressed to the secondary stage. To determine whether androgens can promote the primary to secondary follicle transition, pieces of fetal bovine ovarian cortex were cultured in serum-free medium in the absence or presence of testosterone (T, 10(-7) and 10(-6) M) or estradiol (E(2), 10(-6) M) for 10 days. Cortical pieces were then fixed and embedded in plastic for serial sectioning and morphometric analysis; fresh cortical pieces fixed on Day 0 served as uncultured controls. Freshly isolated cortical pieces contained mostly primordial follicles, whereas after 10 days in vitro, most primordial follicles had activated, differentiating into primary follicles as expected. Neither T nor E(2) affected the number of primordial and primary follicles compared with controls (P > 0.05). However, T (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) increased the number of secondary follicles (P < 0.05), whereas E(2) had no effect, suggesting that the effect of T was not due to conversion of T to E(2). In the second experiment, the optimal concentration of T for preantral follicle growth was determined. A range of lower doses of T (10(-10)-10(-7) M) increased the number of secondary follicles in cultured cortical pieces in a dose-dependent manner, with 10(-7) M T being the most effective (P < 0.05). In the third experiment, addition of a specific androgen receptor blocker, flutamide, inhibited the stimulatory effects of T on the primary to secondary follicle transition (P < 0.05), suggesting a receptor-mediated action of T. Localization of androgen receptors by immunohistochemistry revealed immunostaining for the androgen receptor in ovarian stromal cells and increasing immunoreactivity in follicle cells as follicular development progressed from primordial and primary to secondary to antral follicles, suggesting the involvement of the androgen receptor in bovine folliculogenesis. In summary, our results show that T promotes the growth of bovine follicles activated in vitro and suggest that its stimulatory effect is mediated through androgen receptors in the stroma and/or follicular cells.

Clinical manifestations and management of labor and delivery in women with factor IX deficiency

Haemophilia is uncommon in females and little is known about the clinical manifestations and postpartum management of women with this disorder. Clinical characteristics of postpartum bleeding were evaluated in women with factor IX deficiency (FIX:C < 0.20 U mL(-1)), including two with haemophilia B and three carriers of haemophilia B, undergoing labour and delivery. Data were collected prospectively during routine outpatient comprehensive haemophilia care at the haemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania and during inpatient management. Four of five women experienced postpartum bleeding, during six of 16 deliveries: the median haemoglobin was 10.7 g% and two required blood transfusion. Postpartum bleeding was significantly more common among those receiving fewer than 4 days of FIX replacement: six of 13 (46.1%) receiving fewer three or fewer days bled vs. none of three (0%) receiving six or more days treatment [P < 01 (Wilcoxon)]. Postpartum bleeding was not related to the route of delivery (P = 0.525), vaginal vs. Caesarean, nor the FIX level (P = 0.371; FIX > 0.05 U mL(-1) vs. < or =0.05 U mL(-1)). Compared with females with von Willebrand disease or FXI deficiency, females with FIX deficiency were more likely to experience postpartum bleeding (P = 0.008) and anaemia (P = 0.045); and they were less likely to experience menorrhagia (P = 0.065), but the latter did not reach significance. Postpartum bleeding is common in women with haemophilia B or carriers of haemophilia B, and treatment with factor replacement for at least 4 days of postpartum may prevent bleeding following delivery in such women.

Follicular development: the role of the follicular microenvironment in selection of the dominant follicle

The importance of endocrine signals in the regulation of follicular development has long been recognized. However, the follicular microenvironment also plays a critical role in determining follicular fate. This review summarizes our studies on the role of the intrafollicular IGF system in selection of the dominant follicle (DF) in cattle. During the bovine estrous cycle, the largest antral follicles develop in two or three successive waves of follicular recruitment and selection of a DF. High concentrations of estradiol in the follicular fluid are the hallmark of dominant and preovulatory follicles and are associated with lower concentrations of low molecular weight (MW) insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP-2, -4, and -5), which can prevent binding of IGF to its receptor. Our studies have shown that dominant and preovulatory follicles also have much higher levels of an IGFBP-4/-5 protease activity, which is the bovine equivalent of the human IGFBP-4 protease, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A). Studies of follicles isolated just after the emergence of the DF showed that PAPP-A is present in the follicular fluid of the DF as soon as it can be detected as morphologically dominant. To examine whether higher levels of PAPP-A in one follicle of the cohort (the future DF) precedes morphological dominance, the four largest follicles were isolated from pairs of bovine ovaries obtained before one follicle of the cohort was significantly larger the others, around the time that one follicle was first detected as morphologically dominant and after dominance was well established. Analysis of the temporal sequence of changes in estradiol, low MW IGFBPs, free IGF, and PAPP-A in the follicular fluid suggested that an increase in PAPP-A is the earliest biochemical difference yet detected in the future DF and that follicular selection is the result of a progressive series of changes beginning with the acquisition of PAPP-A, which leads to a decrease in IGFBP-4 and -5 and an increase in free IGF, which synergizes with FSH to increase estradiol production. Co-dominant follicles, induced by injection of small doses of recombinant bovine (rb) FSH, both had levels of PAPP-A similar to the single DF of control heifers, supporting the hypothesized role of FSH in the induction of PAPP-A in the DF. Taken together, these results suggest a critical role for FSH-induced PAPP-A, and thus for free IGF, in the selection of the DF. In contrast, other experiments provided evidence for a deleterious effect of IGF on the initiation of bovine follicular growth and the survival of primordial and primary follicles in vitro. These results underscore the importance of the follicular microenvironment in determining follicular fate and indicate that its effects can be stage-specific.

Clinical significance of cell differentiation in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Hepatocellular carcinoma is commonly found in Asian countries and prognosis still remains unsatisfactory due to recurrence after surgical tumor resection.

METHODOLOGY

We try to demonstrate the recurrence and survival time in 99 surgical patients grading by tumor cellular differentiation from surgical specimen.

RESULTS

The rates of well, moderate, and poor differentiation were encountered in 21 cases (21.2%), 61 cases (61.6%) and 17 cases (17.7%), respectively. Small tumor (< 3 cm) was found in only one (5.9%) in the poor differentiation group and 38.1% and 37.7% in the well and moderate differentiation groups. Capsular invasion was found in 13 (61.9%), 39 (63.9%) and 7 (41.1%) in the well, moderate and poor differentiation group, respectively. We found 41.9% (18/43) and 22.4% (13/58) to be tumor free in capsule invasion (-) and (+) after a period of 18.1 and 29.9 months, respectively. However, the recurrent time was 10.6 and 11.3 months, respectively with no significant difference (p > 0.05). Vascular invasion was more frequent in the poor differentiation group (76.5%) than the well (23.8%) and moderate (60.7%) differentiation groups (P < 0.05). We found 23.5% (4/17) and 35% (21/60) to be tumor free but the recurrence time was 6.5 and 14.1 months for the vascular invasion (-) and (+), respectively. The residual median survival times were 6.5 and 14 months after recurrence, respectively. The tumor recurrence rates were 52.7% (11/21), 52.4% (32/61), and 35.5% (6/17) and recurrence times were 11.7, 11.9, and 4.5 months for the well, moderate and poor differentiation group respectively totally. The recurrence time of young age group (< 39 years old) was shorter than the others and there was no patient of well differentiation less than 40 years old. The recurrence time was shorter in the poor differentiation group but there was no significant difference according to age group. The median survival times were 22.2, 22.9, and 9.5 months for each group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma cell had a clinical significance and was found to be positively correlated with the invasive proclivity. The median survival time was longer in both the well and moderate differentiation group, but not in the poor differentiation group. The clinical data revealed that the extended operations performed upon the patients with poor differentiation effected the recurrence time but not the survival time.

[Repair of facial soft tissue defect using temporal flap pedicled with orbicularis oculi muscle]

OBJECTIVE

To probe into the methods and effects of small soft tissue defect of facial area, nose and eyelid repaired by temporal island flap pedicled with orbicularis oculi muscle.

METHODS

From 1994 to 1999, 12 cases with cicatricial ectropion of eyelid, scar in nose and facial area or facial mole were repaired by temporal flap pedicled with orbicularis oculi muscle. The maximal area of skin flap was 3 cm x 5 cm.

RESULTS

All the skin flaps were survived after operation. Six cases were followed up from 6 months to 4 years, the results were satisfied. There were no secondary deformity or scar formation in the donor site.

CONCLUSION

The blood supply of orbicularis oculi muscle is plentiful. It is a reliable method to repair of small facial tissue defect using temporal island flap pedicled with orbicularis oculi muscle. But in bigger facial soft tissue defect, it should be cautious.

A new triterpene lactone from the roots of Patrinia scabiosaefolia

A new triterpene lactone named patrinolide A (1) has been isolated from the roots of Patrinia scabiosaefolia (Valerianaceae). Its structure was determined to be 11beta,21beta-dihydroxy-3-oxooleanan-28,13beta-olide on the basis of spectral analysis, including 2D-NMR techniques. Key words: Patrinia scabiosaefolia, Valerianaceae, Lactone, Patrinolide, 11beta,21beta-dihydroxy-3-oxooleanan-28,13beta-olide.

[Research report of common oral diseases of 800 old people in Jing'an District, Shanghai]

OBJECTIVE

To find out the condition of the oral health of the old people in Jing'an district, Shanghai and explore new measures for their oral health taken by the community.

METHODS

The method employed by us involves visiting 800 old people aged from 60 to 74 to inspect their oral health, using indexes and standards with reference to the standards used at the 2nd national oral epidemiological survey.

RESULTS

Of the 800 old people investigated, 80.15% suffered from dental caries, 66.24% from gingivitis, 32.38% from periodontitis, 88.13% from impaired teeth, 16.25% from missing teeth and 54.63% from wedge-shaped damages of teeth.

CONCLUSION

The old people have a rather poor oral-health condition and lack a self oral health awareness. The investigation suggests that in our communal health service, propaganda and education for oral hygiene should be carried out to the old people in a planned and targeted manner, along with preventive and restoration treatments.

[A comparative study on the pharmacokinetics of josamycin in Chinese Han, Uighur and Kazak healthy volunteers]

Six Han, 6 Uighur and 6 Kazak healthy volunteers took orally a single dose of 1000 mg josamycin tablets. The concentrations of the drug in serum were detected with bioassay method. The results showed that the pharmacokinetic courses were very similar among these three ethnic groups and fitted to a one-compartment open model. The results in these three groups showed no significant difference.

Altered cellular but not humoral reactions in children with complicated enterovirus 71 infections in Taiwan

Enterovirus 71 (EV 71) infections have high neurovirulence and fatality. Immune responses were assessed in 78 patients with EV 71 infection. EV 71 meningoencephalitis occurred more frequently in younger children and in boys. C-reactive protein levels were not elevated, although total leukocyte counts were increased in these patients. The CD40-ligand expression on T cells significantly decreased in children with meningoencephalitis (P=.041). Polymorphism of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) at position 49 of exon 1 showed a higher frequency of G/G genotype in patients with EV 71 meningoencephalitis than in those without meningoencephalitis (18/31 vs. 14/47; P=.045) and in control subjects (18/31 vs. 25/93l; P=.007). Specific EV 71 neutralizing antibody titers were detectable but did not differ in children with and without meningoencephalitis in the acute and convalescent stages. Results from this study suggest that younger children with a certain CTLA-4 polymorphism and altered cellular but not humoral response may be linked to EV 71 meningoencephalitis.

Antibody-dependent enhancement of heterotypic dengue infections involved in suppression of IFNgamma production

Antibody-dependent enhancement has been implicated in some outbreaks of epidemic dengue hemorrhagic fever, however, the mechanism of antibody-dependent enhancement is not well known. This study was conducted to investigate the cross-protection and cross-enhancement of dengue-2 virus infections by dengue-1 immune sera. It was found that dengue-1 immune sera at 1:5 dilution (n = 12) could neutralize dengue-2 infections in BHK-21 cells, as assessed by a standard plaque-reduction neutralization assay. Two-thirds of the dengue-1 immune sera at 1:25 dilution demonstrated neutralizing effects for dengue-2 infections, whereas, non-immune sera revealed no neutralization for dengue-2 infections in BHK-21 cells. Human mononuclear leukocytes in response to dengue-2 infections elicited a T cell helper 1 (Th1) response revealing induction of IFNgamma but not IL-4 production. Dengue-1 immune sera did not neutralize dengue-2 infections in mononuclear leukocytes. Subneutralizing titers of dengue-1 immune sera at 1:250, but not at 1:10 dilution, enhanced dengue-2 infections in mononuclear leukocytes (1.2 +/- 0.7 x 10(4) vs. 2.8 +/- 0.3 x 10(2) PFU/ml). The enhancement of dengue-2 infections in mononuclear leukocytes by dengue-1 immune sera at 1:250 was associated with an increase in the lymphocyte proliferation index, and a decrease in IFNgamma production (56 +/- 24 vs. 12 +/- 3 pg/ml). The addition of IFNgamma (0.1 microg/ml) suppressed significantly the antibody-dependent enhancement induced by dengue-1 immune sera, whereas the presence of anti-IFNgamma F(ab)2 antibody augmented the antibody-dependent enhancement effect. Results from this study suggest that suppression of Th1 response may be involved in the antibody-dependent enhancement of heterotypic dengue infections. Better regulation of Th1/Th2 reactions may be useful for prevention of heterotypic immune enhancement of dengue infections.

A model of the real-time correlation of viral titers with immune reactions in antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue-2 infections

We simultaneously assessed dengue-2 virus (DEN-2) titers by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immune reactions including interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production by human mononuclear cells (MNLs) in a model of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). We found that DEN-1 immune sera at 1:100 and 1:250, but not those at 1:10 or control sera, enhanced DEN-2 infections in human MNLs as assessed by the fluorogenic RT-PCR technique. The enhanced profiles of DEN-2 infections determined by the RT-PCR in 6 h were reproducible by the standard plaque-forming unit (PFU) measurement established after 7 days. The ADE-enhanced DEN-2 titers determined by the RT-PCR were 5.5-33-fold higher than those detected by PFU assay, suggesting that total virions during infections were much higher than the viable ones detected by PFU assay. MNLs in response to DEN-2 infections had higher IFN-gamma and PGE(2) production. However, the enhancement of DEN-2 infections by DEN-1 immune sera in MNLs was not associated with further enhancement of IFN-gamma production. In contrast, the presence of subneutralizing DEN-1 immune sera that enhanced DEN-2 infections also enhanced PGE(2) but not IL-4 production. The results of this study suggest that ADE of DEN-2 infections associated with induction of immunosuppressive mediators such as PGE(2) and IL-4 can be simultaneously assessed in a real-time fashion.

A model to study antioxidant regulation of endotoxemia-modulated neonatal granulopoiesis and granulocyte apoptosis

Neonates with septicemia tend to develop granulocytopenia, which may, in part, be due to septic mediators such as oxygen free radicals and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Granulocytopenia may be caused by a decrease in granulocyte growth and/or an increase in granulocyte destruction. In the present study, we investigated antioxidant regulation of endotoxin-modulated neonatal granulopoiesis and granulocyte apoptosis. Using human umbilical cord blood (HUCB), we found that simulating endotoxemia in vitro elicited significant superoxide production within a few minutes. Endotoxin exposure suppressed colony-forming unit-granulocyte and monocyte formation in a dose-dependent fashion. Addition of antioxidants such as N-acetyl-cysteine could reverse the endotoxin suppression of colony-forming unit-granulocyte and monocyte formation (13 +/- 5 versus 75 +/- 5 colony-forming units/mL). Spontaneous in vitro granulocyte apoptosis in 6 h, as reflected by phosphatidylserine expression on the cell surface, was higher in granulocytes from HUCB than in those from adult blood (10.8 +/- 1.0% versus 5.6 +/- 1.2%). The addition of endotoxin or IL-8 to the cells in the in vitro model did not promote granulocyte apoptosis, but TNF-alpha, a major mediator of the effects of endotoxin, significantly induced granulocyte apoptosis in HUCB (control versus TNF-alpha: 8.9 +/- 1.2% versus 35.9 +/- 2.9%). Addition of the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine effectively blocked TNF-alpha-induced granulocyte apoptosis as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation. Results from these studies indicate that oxygen radicals are directly involved in endotoxin suppression of granulopoiesis, and indirectly promote granulocyte apoptosis, presumably through TNF-alpha-mediated action. Thus, under certain conditions, modulation of oxygen radical production in the blood may benefit neonates with granulocytopenia.

Common variable immunodeficiency with mosaic trisomy 8: report of one case

This case study reported a 17-year-old female of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) associated with bronchiectasis, pernicious anemia and mosaic trisomy 8. Clinically this patient presented with recurrent sinopulmonary infections, intractable diarrhea, macrocytic anemia, and primary amenorrhea. Immunological tests showed pan-hypogammaglobulinemia and a decrease of peripheral blood B cells (4%) and CD4+ cells (25%). Lymphoproliferative responses to mitogen (PHA) and specific antigen (BCG) were profoundly impaired in the patient in comparison to those in control. Production of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in the in vitro lymphoproliferation was also profoundly depressed. Pernicious anemia demonstrated by larger MCV (112.9 fl) and hyper-segmental granulocytes on peripheral blood smear responded to parental administration of vitamin B12. Interestingly, she had a mosaic trisomy 8 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells but normal 46XX karyotype in the bone marrow cells. To our knowledge, this is the first case of CVID associated with mosaic trisomy 8 reported in the literature. As the case exemplifies, CVID should be considered when the physicians evaluate the patient presenting with recurrent sinopulmonary infections, diarrhea, malnutrition, and pernicious anemia. It requires further study to explore whether the genes in the chromosome 8 are linked to CVID.

Involvement of apoptosis in the atresia of nonovulatory dominant follicle during the bovine estrous cycle

The present study was designed to 1) investigate whether apoptosis is responsible for the atresia of nonovulatory dominant follicle (DF), 2) to determine if atresia of a nonovulatory DF is associated with alterations in Bcl-2 and Bax expression, 3) to test whether progesterone P(4) has a direct effect on apoptosis in bovine follicles, and 4) to study the pattern of expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in follicles at different developmental stages (small, medium, and large). In experiment 1, 16 cycling cows received a norgestomet ear implant at proestrus (Day 1) for 9 days to mimic the subluteal phase. The cows were assigned either to a control (n = 4) or P(4)-treated groups (n = 12). Injections of P(4) (150 mg, i.m.) were given on Day 3 (n = 4); on Days 3 and 4 (n = 4), and on Days 3, 4, and 5 (n = 4) of the implant period. Controls received injections of corn oil on Days 3, 4, and 5. Unilateral ovariectomy was performed on Days 4, 5, and 6 to recover DFs from cows that had been treated with P(4) for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. DFs in the control group were collected on Day 6. The onset of atresia of DFs was assessed morphologically by ultrasound to determine DF diameters, histologically by light microscopic inspection of tissue sections, and functionally by quantification of follicular fluid steroid hormone levels. Apoptosis was detected by DNA analysis and in situ TUNEL labeling. Expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins was examined by Western blot analysis. The earliest signs of atresia were detected 24 h after P(4) injection as evidenced by decreased diameter, degeneration and detachment of granulosa cells (GCs) from the basal lamina, and a dramatically reduced ratio of estrogen to P(4). Electrophoretic analysis of DNA extracted from DFs of cows treated with P(4) for 24 h revealed a distinct ladder pattern of DNA fragments. In contrast, this pattern was not obvious in DFs from control cows. Similar results were also obtained from TUNEL analysis of DFs. Furthermore, both Bcl-2 and Bax were found to be present in all DFs; however, the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein levels was significantly reduced by 24 h of P(4) treatment compared with DFs from the control group (P < 0.05). Experiment 2 investigated the direct effect of P(4) (4 ng/ml) on apoptosis of cultured GCs using ovaries obtained from a local slaughterhouse. In addition, the pattern of expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in follicles at different developmental stages (small, medium, and large) was studied. No increase in apoptotic DNA fragments was detected in GCs treated with P(4). The ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein levels was variable in small follicles; however, Bax protein level was always relatively higher than that of Bcl-2 in medium and large follicles. In conclusion, our study suggests that apoptosis is the mechanism that underlies the atresia of nonovulatory DFs that develops during the luteal phase of bovine estrous cycle.

A role for both Ets and C/EBP transcription factors and mRNA stabilization in the MAPK-dependent increase in p21 (Cip-1/WAF1/mda6) protein levels in primary hepatocytes

In primary hepatocytes and HepG2 hepatoma cells, prolonged activation of the p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is associated with a reduction in DNA synthesis, mediated by increased expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor protein p21 (Cip-1/WAF1/mda6) (p21). This study was performed to evaluate the contribution of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation in this response. Prolonged activation of the MAPK pathway in wild-type or p21 null hepatocytes caused a large decrease and increase, respectively, in DNA synthesis. Prolonged activation of the MAPK pathway in either wild-type or p21 antisense HepG2 cells also caused large decreases and increases, respectively, in DNA synthesis. MAPK signaling increased the phosphorylation of the transcription factors Ets2, C/EBPalpha, and C/EBPbeta, and rapidly increased transcription from the p21 promoter via multiple Ets- and C/EBP-elements within the enhancer region. Eight hours after MAPK activation, loss of C/EBPbeta or Ets2 function significantly reduced MAPK-stimulated transcription from the p21 promoter and abolished increased p21 protein expression. At this time, MAPK signaling increased both p21 mRNA and p21 protein stabilities that were also demonstrated to be essential for a profound increase in p21 protein levels. Thirty-six hours after MAPK activation, transcription from the p21 promoter was still significantly reduced in cells without either C/EBPbeta or Ets2 function; however, these cells were now capable of exhibiting a partial increase in p21 protein expression. In contrast, loss of C/EBPalpha function modestly reduced MAPK-stimulated transcription from the p21 promoter but strongly inhibited the ability of prolonged MAPK activation to increase protein levels of p21. This data suggested that prolonged enhancement of p21 protein levels may be under posttranscriptional control. In agreement with this hypothesis, prolonged MAPK signaling further increased p21 mRNA stability at 36 h, compared with the 8-h time point. Our data argue that MAPK signaling increased p21 promoter activity via multiple transcription factors, which alone were insufficient for a robust prolonged increase in p21 protein levels in primary hepatocytes, and that to increase p21 protein levels also required enhanced stabilization of p21 mRNA and p21 protein. Collectively, these data suggest that loss of transcription factor and mRNA/protein stabilization functions correlates with an inability of MAPK signaling to cause growth arrest versus proliferation in primary hepatocytes.

Morphological and biochemical identification of apoptosis in small, medium, and large bovine follicles and the effects of follicle-stimulating hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I on spontaneous apoptosis in cultured bovine granulosa cells

The first objective of this study was to determine whether the death of bovine granulosa cells (GC) isolated from small (</= 4 mm), medium (5-8 mm), and large (> 8 mm) follicles during follicular atresia occurs by apoptosis. The second objective was to establish an in vitro model system to elucidate the developmental (GC from follicles of different sizes) and hormonal (FSH and insulin-like growth factor-I [IGF-I]) regulation of bovine GC apoptosis during follicular atresia. Bovine ovaries were obtained from a nearby slaughterhouse. Follicles were classified by morphometric criteria as healthy or atretic. Apoptosis in GC from follicles of different sizes was analyzed by both morphological and biochemical methods. Bovine GC were cultured for 48 h at a density of 5 x 10(6) cells/ml in serum-free media at 39 degrees C to determine the effects of FSH and IGF-I on apoptosis. The results showed that apoptosis occurred in GC from all sizes of follicles. Apoptosis in GC was also detected in some healthy follicles. Degenerate GC displayed the morphological characteristics of apoptosis, including nuclei with marginated chromatin, a single condensed nucleus, multiple nuclear fragments, and/or membrane-bound structures containing variable amounts of chromatin and/or cytoplasm (apoptotic bodies). All GC classified as apoptotic on the basis of their morphology contained fragmented DNA measured by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) technique. Cells that had undergone apoptosis were observed mainly in GC and in scattered theca cells. Throughout the GC layer, apoptotic cell death was more prevalent among antral GC than among mural GC. Interestingly, morphological results showed that no apoptosis occurred in cumulus cells. A time-dependent, spontaneous onset of apoptosis occurred in GC from small, medium, and large follicles during in vitro serum-free culture. The rate of DNA fragmentation in the culture of GC from small follicles was higher than that from medium and large follicles. FSH attenuated apoptotic cell death in GC from medium follicles more effectively than in those from small follicles. IGF-I also suppressed apoptosis in cultured GC from small follicles. In conclusion, this study showed that 1) GC death during bovine follicular development and atresia occurs by apoptosis; 2) apoptosis occurs in GC and theca cells; however, apoptosis does not occur in cumulus cells even in atretic antral follicles; 3) GC from all small, medium, and large follicles undergo spontaneous onset of apoptosis when cultured under serum-free conditions; and 4) FSH and IGF-I can attenuate apoptosis in cultured bovine GC.

Profiles of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from premature infants with respiratory distress disease

In view of cytokine's effects in promoting or inhibiting inflammation, the objective of this study was to explore the characteristics of the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-8 (IL-8), and the inhibitory cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of premature infants suffering from respiratory distress disease. Eighteen premature neonates with respiratory distress disease with gestational age (GA) ranging from 24 to 37 weeks were recruited for study. BAL fluids were collected following endotracheal intubation during an episode of hypoxemia or dyspnea. A series of BAL samples were obtained on day 1, 2, 4 and 7 after intubation for measuring IL-8 and IL-10 levels. The results indicate that premature infants with GA ranging from 24 to 32 weeks had a higher level of IL-8 (p = 0.029), but not level of IL-10 (p = 0.109), in the BAL obtained during the first intubation compared to premature infants with GA ranging from 33 to 37 weeks. The administration of exogenous surfactant did not influence the profiles of IL-8 and IL-10, as compared to those in-patients without treatment. Levels of IL-8 were correlated with IL-10 levels (r = 0.613, p = 0.007) in BAL fluid samples obtained on the day of intubation. The level of IL-8, but not IL-10, was significantly correlated with the duration of intubation. IL-8 and IL-10 levels in BAL fluid samples collected on the day of intubation were correlated with the development of chronic lung disease (CLD). The results suggest that extreme prematurity tends to have increased IL-8 and IL-10 levels in BAL fluid compared to premature infants with older GA, and that these increased levels are associated with the development of CLD.

A novel Drosophila alkaline phosphatase specific to the ellipsoid body of the adult brain and the lower Malpighian (renal) tubule

Two independent Drosophila melanogaster P(GAL4) enhancer-trap lines revealed identical GAL4-directed expression patterns in the ellipsoid body of the brain and in the Malpighian (renal) tubules in the abdomen. Both P-element insertions mapped to the same chromosomal site (100B2). The genomic locus, as characterized by plasmid rescue of flanking DNA, restriction mapping, and DNA sequencing, revealed the two P(GAL4) elements to be inserted in opposite orientations, only 46 bp apart. Three genes flanking the insertions have been identified. Calcineurin A1 (previously mapped to 21E-F) lies to one side, and two very closely linked genes lie to the other. The nearer encodes Aph-4, the first Drosophila alkaline phosphatase gene to be identified; the more distant gene [l(3)96601] is novel, with a head-elevated expression, and with distant similarity to transcription regulatory elements. Both in situ hybridization with Aph-4 probes and direct histochemical determination of alkaline phosphatase activity precisely matches the enhancer-trap pattern reported by the original lines. Although the P-element insertions are not recessive lethals, they display tubule phenotypes in both heterozygotes and homozygotes. Rates of fluid secretion in tubules from c507 homozygotes are reduced, both basally, and after stimulation by CAP(2b), cAMP, or Drosophila leucokinin. The P-element insertions also disrupt the expression of Aph-4, causing misexpression in the tubule main segment. This disruption extends to tubule pigmentation, with c507 homozygotes displaying white-like transparent main segments. These results suggest that Aph-4, while possessing a very narrow range of expression, nonetheless plays an important role in epithelial function.