[Preliminary studies on the role of mast cells in the phenotype and immune activation of type 2 inflammatory cytokine release of atopic dermatitis]

Objective: To investigate the role of mast cells in atopic dermatitis (AD) phenotype and the immune activation of type 2 inflammatory cytokine release. Methods: Nine AD skin samples were obtained from the Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, and nine healthy skin control samples were obtained from the surgical excision of excess normal skin by orthopedic surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, which were subjected to toluidine blue staining and fluorescence staining to clarify the mast cell degranulation activation status of the AD skin lesions. We investigated whether MC903 could directly activate mast cells in vivo through the toe swelling and exudation assay in wild-type mice; we constructed the MC903-AD model using wild-type and KitW-sh/W-sh mast cell-deficient mice in order to investigate whether mast cells affected the phenotype, histopathology, and the level of type 2 inflammatory factors in AD mice; we extracted mouse peritoneal mast cells and the ability of MC903 to activate mast cells to release inflammatory mediators in vitro was explored by calcium imaging, tryptase and β-aminohexokinase release assays, and MCP-1 and CXCL-2 release assays. Results: The number of degranulated mast cells in an activated state was increased in skin lesions of AD patients compared to healthy controls, with (5.40±1.14) and (2.20±0.84), respectively (P<0.001). KitW-sh/W-sh mast cell-deficient AD mice had an attenuated phenotype with ADI scores of (5.50±1.05), compared to wild-type AD mice with (10.00±0.89) (P<0.001). The release of type 2 inflammatory factors in wild-type AD mice was higher than those in KitW-sh/W-sh mast cell-deficient AD mice, with IL-4 levels of (29.50±1.87) and (15.33±1.86) pg/mg (P<0.001), IL-13 levels were (6.32±0.25) and (3.93±0.22) pg/mg (P<0.001), IL-31 levels were (9.73±0.38) and (6.89±0.27) pg/mg (P<0.001), and TSLP levels were (206.00±4.43) and (99.00±4.86) pg/mg (P<0.001), respectively. MC903 could cause mast cell activation in wild-type mice, leading to increased swelling and exudation in the toes of mice, and MC903 could activate mast cells in vitro, leading to increased degranulation and release of inflammatory factors such as MCP-1 and CXCL-2. Conclusions: The number of activated mast cells was increased in skin lesions of AD patients than in healthy controls. KitW-sh/W-sh mast cell-deficient AD mice showed significantly reduced phenotype, histopathology, and type 2 inflammatory factor levels compared with wild-type AD mice. MC903 activates mast cells in vivo and in vitro. Mast cells play a key role in AD phenotype and immune activation.

[Analysis of prognostic factors of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma treated with pegaspargase/L-asparaginase: a multicenter retrospective study]

Objective: To explore the prognostic factors of extracellular NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) treated with pegaspargase/L-asparaginase. Methods: The clinical data of 656 ENKTL patients diagnosed at 11 medical centers in the Huaihai Lymphoma Working Group from March 2014 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: a training set (460 cases) and a validation set (196 cases) at 7∶3, and the prognostic factors of the patients were analyzed. A prognostic scoring system was established, and the predictive performance of different models was compared. Results: Patients' median age was 46 (34, 57) years, with 456 males (69.5% ) and 561 nasal involvement (85.5% ). 203 patients (30.9% ) received a chemotherapy regimen based on L-asparaginase combined with anthracyclines, and the 5-year overall survival rate of patients treated with P-GEMOX regimen (pegaspargase+gemcitabine+oxaliplatin) was better than those treated with SMILE regimen (methotrexate+dexamethasone+cyclophosphamide+L-asparaginase+etoposide) (85.9% vs 63.8% ; P=0.004). The results of multivariate analysis showed that gender, CA stage, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) score, HGB, and EB virus DNA were independent influencing factors for the prognosis of ENKTL patients (P<0.05). In this study, the predictive performance of the prognostic factors is superior to the international prognostic index, Korean prognostic index, and prognostic index of natural killer lymphoma. Conclusion: Gender, CA stage, ECOG PS score, HGB, and EB virus DNA are prognostic factors for ENKTL patients treated with pegaspargase/L-asparaginase.

[Progress in methodology of the Global Burden of Disease Study and its impact on the disease burden of parasitic diseases]

Currently, the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) is the most comprehensive, systematic, and largest-scale global observational epidemiological project, which measures the national, regional and global mortality and disability of diseases, injuries and risk factors that threaten human health using unified indicators, such as disability-adjusted life year. This review describes the development history, assessment process and methodological advances of GBD, and discusses the impact of GBD on the burden of parasitic diseases, aiming to provide insights into the widespread use of GBD.

[Temporal trends in disease burden of major human parasitic diseases in China from 1990 to 2019]

OBJECTIVE

To analysize the temporal trends in the disease burden of major human parasitic diseases in China from 1990 to 2019, so as to provide the evidence for improving the parasitic disease control strategy in China.

METHODS

The disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of malaria, intestinal nematode infections, schistosomiasis, food-borne trematodiases, cysticercosis and echinococcosis in China from 1990 to 2019 were captured from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019), and age- and gender-specific DALYs of parasitic diseases were estimated. The temporal trends in DALYs of malaria, intestinal nematode infections, schistosomiasis, food-borne trematodiases, cysticercosis and echinococcosis were evaluated in China from 1990 to 2019 using average annual percent change (AAPC) with Joinpoint regression analysis.

RESULTS

The DALYs were 643 836.42 person-years due to food-borne trematodiases, 156 853.03 person-years due to cysticercosis, 79 764.62 person-years due to schistosomiasis, 70 989.73 person-years due to intestinal nematode infections, 4 258.61 person-years due to echinococcosis and 264.86 person-years due to malaria in China in 2019, respectively. The overall DALYs of six parasitic diseases were higher among men (546 441.93 person-years) than among women (409 525.33 person-years), and were greater among adults at ages of 14 to 65 years (684 780.84 person-years) than among children at 14 years and lower (35 437.38 person-years) and the elderly at ages of 65 years and older (235 749.04 person-years). During the period from 1990 to 2019, food-borne trematodiases were the leading cause of DALYs among the six parasitic diseases, and cysticercosis shifted from the fourth leading cause in 1990 to the second leading cause of DALYs in China in 2019, while intestinal nematode infections shifted from the second leading cause in 1990 to the fourth leading cause of DALYs in 2019. The DALYs of major human parasitic diseases appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2019, with the fastest drop seen in DALYs due to malaria (AAPC = -19.6%, P = 0.003), followed by due to intestinal nematode infections (AAPC = -8.2%, P < 0.001) and schistosomiasis (AAPC = -3.1%, P < 0.001), and a slow decline was seen in the DALYs of food-borne trematodiases (AAPC = -1.0%, P < 0.001), while there were no significant decrease in the DALYs of echinococcosis (AAPC = -0.5%, P = 0.264) and the DALYs of cysticercosis appeared a tendency towards a rise (AAPC = 0.7%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The disease burden of major human parasitic diseases appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2019, with a high disease burden seen due to food-borne parasitic diseases, no remarkable reduction seen in echinococcosis, and a tendency towards a rise seen in cysticercosis. It is recommended to focus on echinococcosis control, and continue to consolidate the control achievements of other major human parasitic diseases in China; meanwhile, the surveillance and prevention of food-borne parasitic diseases should be reinforced.

Brain charts for the human lifespan

Over the past few decades, neuroimaging has become a ubiquitous tool in basic research and clinical studies of the human brain. However, no reference standards currently exist to quantify individual differences in neuroimaging metrics over time, in contrast to growth charts for anthropometric traits such as height and weight1. Here we assemble an interactive open resource to benchmark brain morphology derived from any current or future sample of MRI data ( http://www.brainchart.io/ ). With the goal of basing these reference charts on the largest and most inclusive dataset available, acknowledging limitations due to known biases of MRI studies relative to the diversity of the global population, we aggregated 123,984 MRI scans, across more than 100 primary studies, from 101,457 human participants between 115 days post-conception to 100 years of age. MRI metrics were quantified by centile scores, relative to non-linear trajectories2 of brain structural changes, and rates of change, over the lifespan. Brain charts identified previously unreported neurodevelopmental milestones3, showed high stability of individuals across longitudinal assessments, and demonstrated robustness to technical and methodological differences between primary studies. Centile scores showed increased heritability compared with non-centiled MRI phenotypes, and provided a standardized measure of atypical brain structure that revealed patterns of neuroanatomical variation across neurological and psychiatric disorders. In summary, brain charts are an essential step towards robust quantification of individual variation benchmarked to normative trajectories in multiple, commonly used neuroimaging phenotypes.

Study of PWR hot leg creep rupture and RCS depressurization strategy during an SBO accident

Preventing the leakage of radioactive materials is important to nuclear safety. During a station blackout accident in pressurized water reactors, the hot leg creep rupture caused by hot leg countercurrent flow occurs before the reactor pressure vessel failure that caused by lower head rupture. The secondary fission products barrier is lost after hot leg creep rupture. An analysis for this phenomenon was done using the Modular Accident Analysis Program version 4.0.4 code. A station blackout accident for CPR1000 is simulated and the occurrence and influence of hot leg creep rupture phenomenon are analyzed in detail. After that, a sensitivity analysis of the opening of different pressurizer pilot-operated relief valves at five minutes after entering severe accident management guideline (before the hot leg creep rupture occurs) is studied. The results show that reactor pressure vessel failure time can be extended by at least 4 h if at least one pilot-operated relief valve is opened and direct containment heating phenomenon can be eliminated if at least two pilot-operated relief valves are opened.

LncRNA NEAT1 accelerates the occurrence and development of diabetic nephropathy by sponging miR-23c

OBJECTIVE

LncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been reported to play an oncogenic role in the occurrence and development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The aim of our study was to investigate the potential mechanism by which NEAT1 facilitates the progression of DN.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was carried out to determine the abundance of NEAT1, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cyclin D1, P38, apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), Fibronectin, α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and miR-23c in the serum of DN patients, normal patients and mouse mesangial cells (MMCs). Cell proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), qRT-PCR and Western blot assays. Flow cytometry and Western blot were applied to measure apoptosis of MMCs. Cell fibrosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The binding sites between miR-23c and NEAT1 were predicted by starBase bioinformatics software, and the relationship was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

The enrichment of NEAT1 was elevated in the serum of DN patients and MMCs induced by high concentration of glucose. NEAT1 overexpression accelerated proliferation, fibrosis and EMT and restrained apoptosis of MMCs induced by high concentration of glucose. MiR-23c bound to NEAT1, and the inhibition of miR-23c counteracted the suppressive effect of NEAT1 depletion on proliferation, fibrosis and EMT of MMCs induced by high concentration glucose.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA NEAT1 promoted proliferation, fibrosis and EMT while impeded apoptosis of MMCs through sponging miR-23c. LncRNA NEAT1 and miR-23c might be underlying therapeutic targets for the treatment of DN.

Blood glucose fluctuations in patients with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus correlates with heart rate variability: A retrospective analysis of 210 cases

Aim

This retrospective analysis aims to evaluate the correlation between blood glucose fluctuation (BGF) and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Subjects and Methods

In total, 210 patients with CHD and T2DM from January 2014 to January 2019 admitted to Wenling Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were enrolled in this study. Based on whether BGF existed, patients were allocated to BG control group and BG fluctuation group. The HRV parameters, frequency of adverse events, and Gensini score between groups were recorded and Pearson analysis was performed.

Results

Results displayed that no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), alcohol consumption history, drinking history, or serum lipid were found between groups (P > 0.05 for all items). However, the BGF parameters were significantly higher while the HRV parameters were significantly lower in BG fluctuation group, compared with BG control group (P < 0.05 for all items). Pearson analysis showed that despite mean blood glucose (MBG) and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) both correlated with a standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) level, the correlation coefficient of MAGE-SDNN was much higher (-0.705 vs -0.185). Additionally, the frequencies of adverse events and Gensini scores were also significantly higher in the BG fluctuation group than the BG control group.

Conclusions

It suggests that BGF strongly correlated with HRV in patients with CHD and T2DM. It also provides experimental instructions for clinical practice.

[The prognostic significance of peripheral lymphocyte/monocyte ratio and PET-2 evaluation in adult Hodgkin's lymphoma]

目的

探讨淋巴细胞/单核细胞比值（LMR）及2个疗程后PET评价（PET-2）在成人霍奇金淋巴瘤（HL）中的预后价值。

方法

回顾性分析2007年1月至2016年3月南京医科大学第一附属医院133例初诊成人HL患者的临床资料。采用X-tile软件确定变量的最佳临界值，生存分析采用Kaplan-Meier法及Cox回归。

结果

133例HL患者中位年龄33（18~84）岁，男女比例1.9∶1。LMR最佳临界值为2.5，LMR<2.5组无进展生存（PFS）时间（P<0.001）和总生存（OS）时间（P<0.001）均较LMR ≥2.5组显著缩短。多因素生存分析显示LMR<2.5是HL患者PFS（HR=2.35，95%CI 1.36~4.07，P=0.002）和OS（HR=10.36，95%CI 2.35~45.66，P=0.002）的独立预后因素。56例患者的PET-2结果分析显示，PET-2阳性患者PFS明显差于PET-2阴性患者（P=0.022）。根据LMR和PET-2将患者分为PET-2阴性且LMR ≥2.5、PET-2阳性或LMR<2.5、PET-2阳性且LMR<2.5三组，三组间的PFS和OS差异均有统计学意义（P值分别为0.009和0.012）。

结论

LMR<2.5是成人HL患者的独立预后不良因素。PET-2与LMR结合的预后价值可能更好。

A new locus regulating MICALL2 expression was identified for association with executive inhibition in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Impaired executive inhibition is a core deficit of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is a common childhood-onset psychiatric disorder with high heritability. In this study, we performed a two-stage genome-wide association study of executive inhibition in ADHD in Han Chinese. We used the Stroop color-word interference test to evaluate executive inhibition. After quality control, 780 samples with phenotype and covariate data were included in the discovery stage, whereas 922 samples were included in the replication stage. We identified one new significant locus at 7p22.3 for the Stroop word interference time (rs11514810, P=3.42E-09 for discovery, P=0.01176 for replication and combined P=5.249E-09). Regulatory feature analysis and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data showed that this locus contributes to MICALL2 expression in the human brain. Most genes in the network interacting with MICALL2 were associated with psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, hyperactive-impulsive-like behavior was induced by reducing the expression of the zebrafish gene that is homologous to MICALL2, which could be rescued by tomoxetine (atomoxetine), a clinical medication for ADHD. Our results suggested that MICALL2 is a new susceptibility gene for executive inhibition deficiency related to hyperactive-impulsive behavior in ADHD, further emphasizing the possible role of neurodevelopmental genes in the pathogenic mechanism of ADHD.

Femtosecond electron-phonon lock-in by photoemission and x-ray free-electron laser

The interactions that lead to the emergence of superconductivity in iron-based materials remain a subject of debate. It has been suggested that electron-electron correlations enhance electron-phonon coupling in iron selenide (FeSe) and related pnictides, but direct experimental verification has been lacking. Here we show that the electron-phonon coupling strength in FeSe can be quantified by combining two time-domain experiments into a "coherent lock-in" measurement in the terahertz regime. X-ray diffraction tracks the light-induced femtosecond coherent lattice motion at a single phonon frequency, and photoemission monitors the subsequent coherent changes in the electronic band structure. Comparison with theory reveals a strong enhancement of the coupling strength in FeSe owing to correlation effects. Given that the electron-phonon coupling affects superconductivity exponentially, this enhancement highlights the importance of the cooperative interplay between electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions.

Coexistence of Replica Bands and Superconductivity in FeSe Monolayer Films

To elucidate the mechanisms behind the enhanced T_{c} in monolayer (1 ML) FeSe on SrTiO_{3} (STO), we grew highly strained 1 ML FeSe on the rectangular (100) face of rutile TiO_{2}, and observed the coexistence of replica bands and superconductivity with a T_{c} of 63 K. From the similar T_{c} between this system and 1ML FeSe on STO (001), we conclude that strain and dielectric constant are likely unimportant to the enhanced T_{c} in these systems. A systematic comparison of 1 ML FeSe on TiO_{2} with other systems in the FeSe family shows that while charge transfer alone can enhance T_{c}, it is only with the addition of interfacial electron-phonon coupling that T_{c} can be increased to the level seen in 1 ML FeSe on STO.

Origin of the low critical observing temperature of the quantum anomalous Hall effect in V-doped (Bi, Sb)2Te3 film

The experimental realization of the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect in magnetically-doped (Bi, Sb)2Te3 films stands out as a landmark of modern condensed matter physics. However, ultra-low temperatures down to few tens of mK are needed to reach the quantization of Hall resistance, which is two orders of magnitude lower than the ferromagnetic phase transition temperature of the films. Here, we systematically study the band structure of V-doped (Bi, Sb)2Te3 thin films by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and show unambiguously that the bulk valence band (BVB) maximum lies higher in energy than the surface state Dirac point. Our results demonstrate clear evidence that localization of BVB carriers plays an active role and can account for the temperature discrepancy.

Characterization of Th17 and FoxP3(+) Treg Cells in Paediatric Psoriasis Patients

Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions affecting both children and adults. Growing evidence indicates that T-helper 17 (Th17) cells and CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. However, the relationship between Th17 and Treg cells and their dynamic variations in paediatric psoriasis remain unclear. In this study, we found that both Th17 and FoxP3(+) Treg cells and the ratio of Th17 to Treg cell frequency in the peripheral circulation were increased in patients with paediatric psoriasis and were positively correlated with the disease severity. The function of Treg to suppress CD4(+) CD25(-) T cell proliferation and IFN-γ secretion was impaired during the onset of psoriasis. After disease remission, both the Th17 and Treg cell frequencies were decreased, and the suppressive function of the Treg cells was obviously restored. However, neither Treg cells from the disease onset nor those after remission can regulate IL-17 secretion by CD4(+) T cells. These findings will further our understanding of the associations between Th17 and Treg cells in paediatric psoriasis and their influence on disease severity.

The self-similar character of the microscopic thermal fluctuation inside an argon-copper nanofluid

The microscopic thermal behavior inside an argon-copper nanofluid is investigated based on equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation. A self-similar structure appears in the signal of the microscopic heat current in the nanofluid system at the equilibrium state. The fractal dimension is calculated to mathematically quantify the self-similar structure. It is found that the fractal dimension increases with the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid. The relationship between the fractal dimension of the microscopic heat current and the thermal conductivity of the nanofluid serves as a link between the microscopic and macroscopic properties of the nanofluid.

Sex- and isoform-specific mechanism of neuroprotection by transgenic expression of P450 epoxygenase in vascular endothelium

OBJECTIVE

Cytochrome P450 epoxygenases (CYP) metabolize arachidonic acid to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which exhibit vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions in experimental cerebral ischemia. We evaluated the effect of endothelial-specific CYP overexpression on cerebral blood flow, inflammatory cytokine expression and tissue infarction after focal cerebral ischemia in transgenic mice.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

Male and female wild-type and transgenic mice overexpressing either human CYP2J2 or CYP2C8 epoxygenases in vascular endothelium under control of the Tie2 promoter (Tie2-CYP2J2 and Tie2-CYP2C8) were subjected to 60-min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Microvascular cortical perfusion was monitored during vascular occlusion and reperfusion using laser-Doppler flowmetry and optical imaging. Infarct size and inflammatory cytokines were measured at 24h of reperfusion by TTC and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. Infarct size was significantly reduced in both Tie2-CYP2J2 and Tie2-CYP2C8 transgenic male mice compared to corresponding WT male mice (n=10 per group, p<0.05). Tie2-CYP2J2, but not Tie2-CYP2C8 male mice maintained higher blood flow during MCAO; however, both Tie2-CYP2J2 and Tie2-CYP2C8 had lower inflammatory cytokine expression after ischemia compared to corresponding WT males (n=10 per group for CBF and n=3 for cytokines, p<0.05). In females, a reduction in infarct was observed in the caudate-putamen, but not in the cortex or hemisphere as a whole and no differences were observed in blood flow between female transgenic and WT mice (n=10 per group).

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of CYP epoxygenases in vascular endothelial cells protects against experimental cerebral ischemia in male mice. The mechanism of protection is in part linked to enhanced blood flow and suppression of inflammation, and is both sex- and CYP isoform-specific.

U-shaped association of body mass index in early adulthood with unintentional mortality from injuries: a cohort study of Swedish men with 35 years of follow-up

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the dose-response association between body mass index (BMI) in young adulthood and the risk of mortality caused by unintentional injuries.

METHODS

We performed a cohort study including 7 43 398 men identified by linkage of the Multigeneration Register and the Military Service Conscription Register. Cox regression models were used to examine crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of the relationships between BMI at age 18-20 years and the risk of death from all unintentional injuries as well as from specific unintentional injuries. We then estimated the population attributable fractions (PAFs)-the proportion of unintentional deaths that was attributable to underweight, overweight and obesity in this population-based cohort.

RESULTS

During 35.9 years of follow-up, 6461 deaths occurred from unintentional injuries, including 3064 deaths from road injury, 978 from poisoning, 503 from falls, 243 from fire and 348 from drowning. Underweight subjects had a higher risk of mortality in all unintentional injuries (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.10) and mortality in burns (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.13-2.40) compared with BMI between 18.5 and 22.5 kg m(-2) (reference group). BMI >25 kg m(-2) was associated with increased risk of death from all unintentional injuries (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.12-1.65) and road accidents (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.14-1.97). Estimates of PAF suggested that 4.4% of the mortality in Swedish men caused by unintentional injuries could have been avoided if BMI values were kept between 18.5 and 22.5 kg m(-2).

CONCLUSIONS

A U-shaped association was observed between BMI and risk of unintentional death. Both underweight and overweight were associated with increased mortality risk for all unintentional injuries and for subtype causes. Our study suggests that BMI might be a significant target for preventive interventions on deaths caused by unintentional injuries.

Dietary acid load, kidney function, osteoporosis, and risk of fractures in elderly men and women

SUMMARY

Because kidney dysfunction reduces the ability to excrete dietary acid excess, we hypothesized that underlying kidney function may have confounded the mixed studies linking dietary acid load with the risk of osteoporosis and fractures in the community. In a relatively large survey of elderly men and women, we report that dietary acid load did neither associate with DEXA-estimated bone mineral density nor with fracture risk. Underlying kidney function did not modify these null findings. Our results do not support the dietary acid-base hypothesis of bone loss.

INTRODUCTION

Impaired renal function reduces the ability to excrete dietary acid excess. We here investigate the association between dietary acid load and bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis, and fracture risk by renal function status.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted in 861 community-dwelling 70-year-old men and women (49% men) with complete dietary data from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS). The exposure was dietary acid load as estimated from 7-day food records by the net endogenous acid production (NEAP) and potential renal acid load (PRAL) algorithms. Renal function assessed by cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rate was reduced in 21% of the individuals. Study outcomes were BMD and osteoporosis state (assessed by DEXA) and time to fracture (median follow-up of 9.2 years).

RESULTS

In cross-section, dietary acid load had no significant associations with BMD or with the diagnosis of osteoporosis. During follow-up, 131 fractures were validated. Neither NEAP (adjusted hazard ratios (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI)), 1.01 (0.85-1.21), per 1 SD increment) nor PRAL (adjusted HR (95% CI), 1.07 (0.88-1.30), per 1 SD increment) associated with fracture risk. Further multivariate adjustment for kidney function or stratification by the presence of kidney disease did not modify these null associations.

CONCLUSIONS

The hypothesis that dietary acid load associates with reduced BMD or increased fracture risk was not supported by this study in community-dwelling elderly individuals. Renal function did not influence on this null finding.

Single nucleotide polymorphism in the neuroplastin locus associates with cortical thickness and intellectual ability in adolescents

Despite the recognition that cortical thickness is heritable and correlates with intellectual ability in children and adolescents, the genes contributing to individual differences in these traits remain unknown. We conducted a large-scale association study in 1583 adolescents to identify genes affecting cortical thickness. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; n=54,837) within genes whose expression changed between stages of growth and differentiation of a human neural stem cell line were selected for association analyses with average cortical thickness. We identified a variant, rs7171755, associating with thinner cortex in the left hemisphere (P=1.12 × 10(-)(7)), particularly in the frontal and temporal lobes. Localized effects of this SNP on cortical thickness differently affected verbal and nonverbal intellectual abilities. The rs7171755 polymorphism acted in cis to affect expression in the human brain of the synaptic cell adhesion glycoprotein-encoding gene NPTN. We also found that cortical thickness and NPTN expression were on average higher in the right hemisphere, suggesting that asymmetric NPTN expression may render the left hemisphere more sensitive to the effects of NPTN mutations, accounting for the lateralized effect of rs7171755 found in our study. Altogether, our findings support a potential role for regional synaptic dysfunctions in forms of intellectual deficits.

Androgen receptor overexpression is neuroprotective in experimental stroke

Male sex is a known risk factor in human stroke. However, the role of the cognate receptor for androgens-the androgen receptor (AR)-in stroke outcome remains unclear. Here, we found that AR mRNA is downregulated in the peri-infarct tissue of gonadally intact male mice subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and 6 h reperfusion. We then used genetically engineered mice overexpressing AR in brain (AR-Tg) to compare outcomes from MCAO in intact or castrated males and to evaluate the neuroprotective role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) replacement in AR-Tg castrates. A further evaluation of AR overexpression in ischemic paradigms was performed using rat PC12 cells transfected with human AR and treated with oxidative and apoptotic stressors. We then studied the role of DHT in cultures overexpressing AR. Our results show (1) ischemia alters the expression of AR by decreasing AR mRNA levels, (2) AR overexpression is protective in vivo against MCAO in intact and castrated AR-Tg mice and in vitro against oxidative and apoptotic stressors in AR-PC12 cells, and (3) DHT does not enhance the protection triggered by AR overexpression in AR-Tg castrated mice nor in AR-PC12 cells.

Efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen on survival of random pattern skin flap in diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to determine if hyperbaric oxygen improved random pattern skin flap survival in diabetic rats.

METHODS

Cranially-based, 4 x 10 cm dorsal skin flaps were raised in 38 diabetic rats induced by streptozocin (STZ). The animals were randomly divided equally into two groups. Group A was a control group observed in the room air and Group B was the experimental group, which received hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy. The HBO2 regimen consisted of 90 minutes of treatment with 100% O2 at 2.5 ATA (atmosphere absolute ATA) per day for 7 consecutive days. On the 7th postoperative day, we measured the necrotic flap area and the new growth number of capillary vessel and the granulation tissue thickness.

RESULTS

The percentage of necrosis flap area for group A was 50.5 +/- 10.5%; for group B it was 38.5 +/- 9.3%. The reduction in necrosis flap area was highly significant (p < 0.01) compared with controls. Also, new-growth capillary vessel and granulation tissue thickness were statistically different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study demonstrated beneficial effects of HBO2 in improving diabetic rat dorsal skin flap survival.

Role of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 in estradiol-mediated neuroprotection

Estradiol is protective in experimental cerebral ischemia, but the precise mechanisms remain unknown. Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that is activated by estrogen, translocates to the nucleus, and induces the transcription of neuroprotective genes, such as bcl-2. We determined whether estradiol increases STAT3 activation in female rat brain after focal cerebral ischemia and whether STAT3 activation contributes to estradiol-mediated neuroprotection against ischemic brain injury. Ovariectomized (OVX) female rats with and without estradiol replacement were subjected to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and phosphorylated STAT3 (P-STAT3) and total STAT3 (T-STAT3) were quantified by Western blot analysis at 3 and 22 h of reperfusion. STAT3 activation was colocalized with neuronal and survival markers microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and Bcl-2 using immunohistochemistry. Infarct size was measured at 22 h after MCAO in estradiol-treated OVX animals in the presence and absence of STAT3 inhibitor cucurbitacin I (JSI-124) using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Estradiol increased P-STAT3 in the ischemic cortex cytosolic fraction at 3 h after MCAO without affecting T-STAT3. This was associated with increased P-STAT3 in the nuclear fraction, which remained elevated at 22 h after MCAO. The nuclear P-STAT3 colocalized with MAP2 and Bcl-2 within the peri-infarct zone. The P-STAT3 inhibitor JSI-124 abolished the protective effect of estradiol without affecting infarct size in untreated OVX rats. We conclude that estradiol increases STAT3 phosphorylation in neurons after MCAO and that STAT3 activation plays an important role in estradiol-mediated neuroprotection.

Antileukemic activity of lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase-beta inhibitor CT32228 in chronic myelogenous leukemia sensitive and resistant to imatinib

PURPOSE

Lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT)-beta catalyzes the conversion of lysophosphatidic acid to phosphatidic acid, an essential component of several signaling pathways, including the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Inhibition of LPAAT-beta induces growth arrest and apoptosis in cancer cell lines, implicating LPAAT-beta as a potential drug target in neoplasia.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

In this study, we investigated the effects of CT32228, a specific LPAAT-beta inhibitor, on BCR-ABL-transformed cell lines and primary cells from patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

RESULTS

CT32228 had antiproliferative activity against BCR-ABL-positive cell lines in the nanomolar dose range, evidenced by cell cycle arrest in G2-M and induction of apoptosis. Treatment of K562 cells with CT32228 led to inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, consistent with inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Importantly, CT32228 was highly active in cell lines resistant to the Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitor imatinib. Combination of CT32228 with imatinib produced additive inhibition of proliferation in cell lines with residual sensitivity toward imatinib. In short-term cultures in the absence of growth factors, CT32228 preferentially inhibited the growth of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units from chronic myelogenous leukemia patients compared with healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

These data establish LPAAT-beta as a potential drug target for the treatment of BCR-ABL-positive leukemias.

In vitro activity of Bcr-Abl inhibitors AMN107 and BMS-354825 against clinically relevant imatinib-resistant Abl kinase domain mutants

Imatinib, a Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a highly effective therapy for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Despite durable responses in most chronic phase patients, relapses have been observed and are much more prevalent in patients with advanced disease. The most common mechanism of acquired imatinib resistance has been traced to Bcr-Abl kinase domain mutations with decreased imatinib sensitivity. Thus, alternate Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitors that have activity against imatinib-resistant mutants would be useful for patients who relapse on imatinib therapy. Two such Bcr-Abl inhibitors are currently being evaluated in clinical trials: the improved potency, selective Abl inhibitor AMN107 and the highly potent dual Src/Abl inhibitor BMS-354825. In the current article, we compared imatinib, AMN107, and BMS-354825 in cellular and biochemical assays against a panel of 16 kinase domain mutants representing >90% of clinical isolates. We report that AMN107 and BMS-354825 are 20-fold and 325-fold more potent than imatinib against cells expressing wild-type Bcr-Abl and that similar improvements are maintained for all imatinib-resistant mutants tested, with the exception of T315I. Thus, both inhibitors hold promise for treating imatinib-refractory CML.

Stabilization of the activity of ATP-sensitive potassium channels by ion pairs formed between adjacent Kir6.2 subunits

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are formed by the coassembly of four Kir6.2 subunits and four sulfonylurea receptor subunits (SUR). The cytoplasmic domains of Kir6.2 mediate channel gating by ATP, which closes the channel, and membrane phosphoinositides, which stabilize the open channel. Little is known, however, about the tertiary or quaternary structures of the domains that are responsible for these interactions. Here, we report that an ion pair between glutamate 229 and arginine 314 in the intracellular COOH terminus of Kir6.2 is critical for maintaining channel activity. Mutation of either residue to alanine induces inactivation, whereas charge reversal at positions 229 and 314 (E229R/R314E) abolishes inactivation and restores the wild-type channel phenotype. The close proximity of these two residues is demonstrated by disulfide bond formation between cysteine residues introduced at the two positions (E229C/R314C); disulfide bond formation abolishes inactivation and stabilizes the current. Using Kir6.2 tandem dimer constructs, we provide evidence that the ion pair likely forms by residues from two adjacent Kir6.2 subunits. We propose that the E229/R314 intersubunit ion pairs may contribute to a structural framework that facilitates the ability of other positively charged residues to interact with membrane phosphoinositides. Glutamate and arginine residues are found at homologous positions in many inward rectifier subunits, including the G-protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium channel (GIRK), whose cytoplasmic domain structure has recently been solved. In the GIRK structure, the E229- and R314-corresponding residues are oriented in opposite directions in a single subunit such that in the tetramer model, the E229 equivalent residue from one subunit is in close proximity of the R314 equivalent residue from the adjacent subunit. The structure lends support to our findings in Kir6.2, and raises the possibility that a homologous ion pair may be involved in the gating of GIRKs.

Regulation by GDI of RhoA/Rho-kinase-induced Ca2+ sensitization of smooth muscle myosin II

We characterized the role of guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) in RhoA/Rho-kinase-mediated Ca2+ sensitization of smooth muscle. Endogenous contents (approximately 2-4 microM) of RhoA and RhoGDI were near stoichiometric, whereas a supraphysiological GDI concentration was required to relax Ca2+ sensitization of force by GTP and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS). GDI also inhibited Ca2+ sensitization by GTP. G14V RhoA, by alpha-adrenergic and muscarinic agonists, and extracted RhoA from membranes. GTPgammaS translocated Rho-kinase to a Triton X-114-extractable membrane fraction. GTP. G14V RhoA complexed with GDI also induced Ca2+ sensitization, probably through in vivo dissociation of GTP. RhoA from the complex, because it was reversed by addition of excess GDI. GDI did not inhibit Ca2+ sensitization by phorbol ester. Constitutively active Cdc42 and Rac1 inhibited Ca2+ sensitization by GTP. G14V RhoA. We conclude that 1) the most likely in vivo function of GDI is to prevent perpetual "recycling" of GDP. RhoA to GTP. RhoA; 2) nucleotide exchange (GTP for GDP) on complexed GDP. RhoA/GDI can precede translocation of RhoA to the membrane; 3) activation of Rho-kinase exposes a hydrophobic domain; and 4) Cdc42 and Rac1 can inhibit Ca2+ sensitization by activated GTP. RhoA.

[The effects of electric copper needle on venous thrombosis in the rat]

OBJECTIVE

In order to study the relation between the electric copper needle and venous thrombosis in the rat.

METHODS

90 rats were divided into two groups, each using either the superficial epigastric vein or the femoral vein for the experiment. The relations of voltage, current, electrifying time and venous thrombosis were studied and the histological changes were observed.

RESULTS

1. 1.4 V DC did not damage the vessel-nerve. 2. The current declined with time to 0.1 mA. 3. When the diameters of the copper needle and the vein were similar (P > 0.05), the thrombogenesis time was from 5.5 to 10.5 minutes. When the diameters of the copper needle and the vein were different (P < 0.05), the thrombogenesis time was from 7.5 to 17.5 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

For the electric copper needle to get ideal treatment, the best voltage is 4 V DC for 5.5 to 10.5 minutes or 7.5 to 17.5 minutes.

Diphtheria toxin fused to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and Ara-C exert synergistic toxicity against human AML HL-60 cells

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor fused to truncated diphtheria toxin (DT388-GM-CSF) sensitized wild-type and Bcl2-overexpressing HL60 human leukemia cells to intoxication by Ara-C based on proliferation and clonogenic assays. The toxin/drug combination showed dramatic synergistic toxicity with combination indices of < 0.1. Synergy was not seen with two other protein synthesis inhibiting drugs--ricin and cycloheximide nor with GMCSF alone. No changes in Ara-C incorporation into cellular DNA or cell cycle occupancy were seen. As compared to exposure to DT388-GM-CSF or Ara-C alone, co-treatment produced significant increases in cytosolic accumulation of cytochrome c, a higher percentage of cells with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in reactive oxygen species and morphologic changes of apoptosis, and a greater induction of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and DNA fragmentation factor 45 (DFF45) cleavage activities of caspase 3. Co-treatment did not significantly alter Bcl2, Bcl-xL, Bax or Fas receptor (FasR), but modestly increased Fas ligand (FasL) protein. These finding suggest that co-treatment with DT388-GM-CSF may lead to a lowered apoptotic threshold and clonogenic survival of human AML blasts due to Ara-C. These observations also suggest that clinical trials of combination therapy may be warranted in patients with AML.

Stimulation of breast cancer invasion and metastasis by synuclein gamma

We recently identified and cloned novel breast cancer-specific gene BCSG1 by direct differential cDNA sequencing. BCSG1 has a great sequence homology with the Alzheimer's disease related neural protein synuclein (SNC); thus, it was also named SNC-gamma. Overexpression of SNC-gamma in breast cancer cells leads to a significant increase in motility and invasiveness in vitro and a profound augmentation of metastasis in vivo. Our data suggest that this member of the neural protein SNCs might have important functions outside the central nervous system and may play a role in breast cancer progression.

The effects of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 on arachidonic acid-, GTPgammaS-, and phorbol ester-induced Ca2+-sensitization of smooth muscle

The effects of the Rho-kinase inhibitor, Y-27632 [1] on Ca2+-sensitization of force induced by arachidonic acid (AA), phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), GTPgammaS, and by the stable thromboxane analog, 9,11-dideoxy-9alpha,11alpha-methanoepoxy-PGF2alpha (U-46619), were determined in alpha-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscles. Y-27632 relaxed (up to 99%) Ca2+-sensitization by GTPgammaS (10 microM) and U46619 (1 microM), but not by PDBu (20 microM), and reduced GTPgammaS-induced myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation from 28% to 17% (P=0.002). GTPgammaS-induced force sensitization was inhibited by Y-27632 more potently when the inhibitor was added during the plateau of force than prior to stimulation. In alpha-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscle, Y-27632 inhibited AA (50 microM)-induced Ca2+-sensitization of force (by 66 +/- 1.3%) and reduced MLC20 phosphorylation. In contrast, Y-27632 did not relax force Ca2+-sensitized by AA in smooth muscle permeabilized with Triton X-100. We conclude that (i) AA induces Ca2+-sensitization through dual mechanisms, one mediated by Rho-kinase (or a related kinase), and (ii) Rho-kinase is not required for phorbol ester-induced Ca2+-sensitization.

[Quality standards of processed nutmegs]

The quality standards of nutmeg and its processed products were studied in such aspects as volatile oil content, extract determination, moisture content, microscopic characteristics, thin-layer chromatography, and so on. This provided a basis for drawing up the quality standards.

[Comparative study on nutmeg, mace and their processed products]

The contents of volatile oil, myristicin, safrol and methyleugenol, as well as the composition and content of fatty oil in nutmeg, mace and their processed products were comparatively studied. The composition of volatile oil and the detection of trimyristin were compared by TLC. A scientific basis for the development and application of mace has thus been provided.

[Determination of eugenol, methyleugenol and methylisoeugenol in volatile oil of differently processed nutmeg]

A HPLC method for the determination of eugenol, methyleugenol and methylisoeugenol in the volatile oil of differently processed natmeg has been used. The result has shown that the content of eugenol is only sliahtly changed before and after processing, but that of methyleugenol and methylisoeugenol has obviously increased.

[Determination of myristicin and safrol in volatile oil of nutmeg and its processed products by HPLC]

The contents of myristicin and safrol in the volatile oil of nutmeg and its processed products were determined by HPLC. This method is fast, accurate and gives good resolution. It has also been confirmed that myristicin tends to decrease in varying degrees after the nutmeg has been processed.

Identification of a breast cancer-specific gene, BCSG1, by direct differential cDNA sequencing

A high-throughput direct-differential cDNA sequencing approach was employed to identify genes differentially expressed in normal breast as compared with breast cancer. Approximately 6000 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from cDNA libraries of normal breast and breast carcinoma were selected randomly and subjected to EST-sequencing analysis. The relative expression levels of more than 2000 unique EST groups were quantitatively compared in normal versus cancerous breast. Of many putative differentially expressed genes, a breast cancer-specific gene, BCSGC1, which was expressed in high abundance in a breast cancer cDNA library but scarcely in a normal breast cDNA library, was identified as a putative breast cancer marker. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated stage-specific BCSG1 expression as follows: BCSG1 was undetectable in normal or benign breast lesions, showed partial expression in ductal carcinoma in situ, but was expressed at an extremely high level in advanced infiltrating breast cancer. The predicted amino acid sequence of BCSG1 gene has a significant sequence homology to the non-amyloid beta protein fragment of the Alzheimer's disease amyloid protein. BCSG1 overexpression may indicate breast cancer malignant progression from benign breast or in situ carcinoma to the highly infiltrating carcinoma.

[Comparative research on the constituents of the volatile oil in the rhizome of Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm. and its processed products]

Volatile oil was extracted from the rhizome of Cibotium barometz for the first time. Its content was determined to be 83.3 micrograms/g, decreasing significantly after the drug was processed. Twelve constituents from the volatile oil were identified by method of GC-MS. The main constituents were organic acids. The contents of palmitic acid and linoleic acid were the highest. After Cibotium barometz was processed, some constituents were found decreasing and some increasing.