Prohibitin2/PHB2, Transcriptionally Regulated by GABPA, Inhibits Cell Growth via PRKN/Parkin-dependent Mitophagy in Endometriosis

Endometriosis (EMS) is a common benign gynecological disease affecting women of reproductive age. It is characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, resulting in chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Endometrial physiological and pathological processes are intimately connected to autophagy. Mitophagy is an essential selective mode that protects cells from metabolic stress and hypoxia. Mitochondrial autophagy mediated by prohibitin 2 (PHB2) is dependent on the PRKN/Parkin pathway and is involved in numerous human diseases. Uncertainty remains as to whether mitophagy regulation by PHB2 contributes to the occurrence and progression of EMS. This study aims to investigate the mechanism underlying the role of PHB2 in EMS. This study detected the protein and mRNA expression of PHB2 in ectopic and normal endometrial tissues of ovarian EMS, in addition to ectopic endometrial cell line 12Z and endometrial stromal cell line KC02-44D for gene overexpression or knockdown. Cell function experiments and mitochondrial function experiments were conducted to investigate the role of PHB2 in the endometrium. Bioinformatic analysis and experiments were also used to investigate the upstream transcription factors that influence PHB2 expression. PHB2 was downregulated in ectopic endometrium, and PHB2 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis. The upregulation of mitophagy markers, including Parkin and LC3II/I, and the downregulation of autophagy degradation markers P62 and TOMM20 in EMS suggest that PHB2 may contribute to cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis via PRKN/Parkin-mediated mitophagy. Analysis and validation of bioinformatics data revealed that the transcription factor GABPA binds directly to the PHB2 promoter region and controls the transcriptional expression of PHB2. This study investigated the role of PHB2 in the onset of EMS. It inhibits EMS growth via PRKN/Parkin-mediated mitophagy, and GABPA controls the transcriptional disorder of PHB2. This study's findings suggest a novel method for investigating the clinical potential of PHB2 in EMS.

Neurological complications of COVID-19

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused several pandemic peaks worldwide due to its high variability and infectiousness, and COVID-19 has become a long-standing global public health problem. There is growing evidence that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) frequently causes multi-organ injuries and more severe neurological manifestations. Therefore, increased awareness of possible neurological complications is beneficial in preventing and mitigating the impact of long-term sequelae and improving the prognostic outcome of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Here, we review the main pathways of SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion and the potential mechanisms causing neurological damage. We also discuss in detail neurological complications, aiming to provide cutting-edge basis for subsequent related basic research and clinical studies of diagnosis and treatment.

Enhanced antifouling properties of marine antimicrobial peptides by PEGylation

Covalent immobilisation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) on underwater surfaces to combat marine biofouling is of great interest as it is an efficient, broad-spectrum and environmentally friendly strategy. Similar to post-translational modifications of natural proteins, artificial modifications of antimicrobial peptides can introduce important impacts on their properties and functions. The present work revealed the enhanced effect of PEGylation on the antifouling properties of marine antimicrobial peptides (LWFYTMWH) through grafting the modified peptides on aluminium surfaces. PEG was coupled to the peptide by solid-phase peptide synthesis, and the PEGylated peptides were bioconjugated to the aluminium surfaces which was pre-treated by aryldiazonium salts to introduce carboxyl groups. The carboxy group has been activated through the reaction with 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride and N-hydroxysuccinimide. The successful modification was confirmed via FT-IR and XPS. Interestingly, the PEGylated peptides modified surfaces could kill 90.0% Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and 76.1% Bacillus sp. (Gram-positive), and showed better antifouling performance than the original peptides modified surfaces. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations showed PEGylation could enhance the ability of peptides to destroy membrane. The PEGylated peptides inserted into the membrane and induced the change in local curvature of membrane, leading to the rupture of membrane. The presence of PEG changed the antimicrobial peptides into more flexible conformations and the high hydrophilicity of PEG hindered the settlement of bacteria. These might be the two main working mechanisms for the increased antifouling efficiency of PEGylated peptides modified surface. This study provided a feasible modification strategy of antimicrobial peptides to enhance their antifouling properties.

[Comparison of application effects of colonoscopy, fecal immunochemical test and a novel risk-adapted screening approach in colorectal cancer screening in Xuzhou population]

Objective: To compare the application effect of the colonoscopy, fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and novel risk-adapted screening approach in colorectal cancer screening in Xuzhou population. Methods: From May 2018 to April 2019, 4 280 subjects aged 50-74 were recruited from Gulou district, Yunlong district and Quanshan district of Xuzhou. They were randomly assigned to the colonoscopy group (n=863), FIT group (n=1 723) and novel risk-adapted screening approach group (n=1 694) according to the ratio of 1∶2∶2. For the novel risk-adapted screening approach group, after the risk assessment, high-risk subjects were invited to undergo colonoscopy and low-risk subjects were invited to undergo FIT examination. All FIT positive subjects were invited to undergo colonoscopy. Colonoscopy participation rate [(the number of colonoscopies completed/the number of colonoscopies invited to participate)×100%], detection rate of colorectal lesions [(the number of diagnosed patients/the number of colonoscopies completed)×100%], colonoscopy resource load (the number of colonoscopies completed/the number of diagnosed advanced tumors) and FIT resource load in each group were calculated and compared. Results: The age of all subjects was (61±6) years old, including 1 816 males (42.43%). There was no statistically significant difference in the socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects in different screening groups. The colonoscopy participation rate was 22.60% (195/863) in the colonoscopy group, 57.04% (77/135) in the FIT group, and 33.94% (149/439) in the novel risk-adapted screening approach group, respectively. The colonoscopy participation rate was higher in the FIT group than in the colonoscopy group and the novel risk-adapted screening approach group (P<0.001). The colonoscopy participation rate of novel risk-adapted screening group was significantly higher than the colonoscopy group (P<0.001). The detection rates of advanced tumors were 6.67% (13/195), 9.09% (7/77) and 8.72% (13/149), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The colonoscopy resource load (95%CI) was 15 (13-17) in the colonoscopy group, 11 (9-14) in the FIT group and 11 (10-13) in the novel risk-adapted screening approach group, respectively. Among them, the colonoscopy resource load of high-risk individuals in the novel risk-adapted screening approach group was 12 (9-15). FIT resource loads (95%CI) were 207 (196-218) and 88 (83-94) in the FIT group and the novel risk-adapted screening approach group. Conclusion: The combined application of risk-adapted screening approach and FIT may have a good application effect in colorectal cancer screening.

FOXA1 can be modulated by HDAC3 in the progression of epithelial ovarian carcinoma

FOXA1 is associated with malignant tumors, but the function of FOXA1 in EOC is unclear. HDAC3 can influence the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of EOC. In this study, we wanted to explore the function of FOXA1 in ovarian cancer and the relationship between HDAC3 and FOXA1.The expression of HDAC3 and FOXA1 was detected by immunohistochemical staining of primary lesions from 127 epithelial ovarian carcinoma patients. A proliferation assay, a Transwell assay, an apoptosis assay and animal experiments were used to assess the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis abilities of ovarian cancer cells before and after transfection with FOXA1. The relevance of the in vitro findings was confirmed in xenografts. The H-scores for FOXA1 and HDAC3 staining in FIGO stage III-IV were noticeably higher and predicted adverse clinical outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer. The expression level of HDAC3 was significantly correlated with the expression level of FOXA1. Invasion, proliferation and apoptosis capacity and tumor formation were decreased in the FOXA1-knockdown cells. Experiments in xenografts confirmed that HDAC3 mediated tumor formation. In conclusion, FOXA1 can be modulated by HDAC3 through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and FOXA1 plays essential roles in the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of EOC cell lines and xenograft experiments.

MUC16 affects the biological functions of ovarian cancer cells and induces an antitumor immune response by activating dendritic cells

Background

Ovarian cancer is the 5^th most common lethal gynecological malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of about 47% and a localized stage diagnosis of 15%, leading to about 125,000 global deaths each year. Therefore, it is urgent to explore novel and effective strategies for radical cure.

Methods

Short hairpin RNA targeting the Mucin16 (MUC16) gene was used to establish MUC16 knockdown in ovarian cancer cells. RT-PCR was performed to quantify the expression of MUC16 mRNA, and western blotting was performed to detect the expression of MUC16 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) wound healing and transwell assays were performed to assess cell proliferation and cell invasion. Flow cytometry was used to detect CD80-, CD83-, and CD86-expressing dendritic cells (DCs) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) activated by MUC16-pulsed DCs.

Results

In this study, we identified MUC16 as a novel target antigen for immunotherapy against ovarian cancer, which was significantly up regulated in ovarian cancer cells and high-grade ovarian serous adenocarcinoma tissues. MUC16 knockdown in Ovcar3 cells using short hairpin RNA targeting the MUC16 gene suppressed the proliferation of migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in Ovcar3 cells markedly. MUC16 significantly up-regulated CD80, CD83, and CD86 (mature makers) expression in DCs and T-cell transformation into CD8⁺ T-cells detected by Flow cytometry.

Conclusions

For malignant ovarian cancer, MUC16 overexpression promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. MUC16 pulsing mediated DC maturation and activated CTL response in vitro. Our study offers promising DC-based immunotherapy of considerable clinical value for patients with ovarian cancer.

CK19 Promotes Ovarian Cancer Development by Impacting on Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Background

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer and is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) is a small type I cytokeratin. The aim of this study is to explore the functional role of CK19 and its underlying mechanism in EOC.

Methods

The expression levels of CK19 in EOC tissues were identified by Western blotting and RT-PCR assay. Transwell assay and CCK-8 proliferation assay were used to assess the invasion, migration and proliferation abilities of overexpressed or knockdown CK19 of ovarian cancer cells. We also detected the related genes of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway, including β-catenin, TCF7, LEF1, c-MYC and cyclin D1 in the transfected ovarian cancer cells by Western blotting and RT-PCR assay.

Results

The results demonstrated that CK19 was upregulated in EOC tissue. CK19 was verified to promote the invasion, proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, CK19 activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by upregulated β-catenin, TCF7, LEF1, c-MYC and cyclin D1.

Conclusions

In summary, this is the first study to investigate the role of CK19 in EOC. These findings provide a potential new therapeutic target for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.

Construction and function of a fusion protein consisting of a single‑chain variable fragment and RBP4

Preeclampsia is one of the complications of pregnancy. Often presenting as new-onset hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation in a previously normotensive patient, it can progress rapidly to serious complications, and is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality. The present study involved the construction of a fusion protein consisting of a single-chain antibody variable fragment (scFv) and the retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4). and investigated the function of this protein. The MaxCodon™ Optimization Program (v13) was used to optimize the amino acid sequence of the scFv-RBP4 fusion protein and full-length splice primers were designed by Detai Bio Tech. The scFv-RBP4 gene was inserted into a proEM expression vector using double digestion, and the accuracy of the final expression vector was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The plasmid was transfected into DH5α competent cells and the plasmid was extracted from cells using a transfection reagent. The plasmid and scFv-RBP4 fusion protein were purified by nickel-iminodiacetic acid affinity chromatography. Cell proliferation was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and cell invasion was measured using a Transwell invasion assay. The results from the digestion and sequencing showed that the scFv-RBP4 fusion protein was constructed correctly and that the purity of the target protein was >90%. The scFv-RBP4 fusion protein was stably expressed in 293T cells. The scFv-RBP4 fusion protein was extracted from the 293T cells and functional studies were carried out. The scFv-RBP4 fusion protein significantly increased the invasion, but not the proliferation, of HTR8/SVneo cells.

Search for CP Violation in Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations by the T2K Experiment with 2.2×10^{21} Protons on Target

The T2K experiment measures muon neutrino disappearance and electron neutrino appearance in accelerator-produced neutrino and antineutrino beams. With an exposure of 14.7(7.6)×10^{20} protons on target in the neutrino (antineutrino) mode, 89 ν_{e} candidates and seven anti-ν_{e} candidates are observed, while 67.5 and 9.0 are expected for δ_{CP}=0 and normal mass ordering. The obtained 2σ confidence interval for the CP-violating phase, δ_{CP}, does not include the CP-conserving cases (δ_{CP}=0, π). The best-fit values of other parameters are sin^{2}θ_{23}=0.526_{-0.036}^{+0.032} and Δm_{32}^{2}=2.463_{-0.070}^{+0.071}×10^{-3}  eV^{2}/c^{4}.

RBP4 regulates trophoblastic cell proliferation and invasion via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Insufficient trophoblast invasion is associated with preeclampsia (PE) development. Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is important for regulating cell differentiation, migration and invasion. The aim of the present study was to determine RBP4 expression and function in the human placenta and to examine the underlying mechanisms. In the present study, RBP4 expression was determined in serum samples from 35 pregnant women with PE and 30 healthy pregnant women using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Cell proliferation was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, and cell invasion was examined with transwell assays. RBP4 concentrations were significantly lower in the PE group when compared with the control group. RBP4 overexpression enhanced HTR8/SVneo cell proliferation and invasion, and the levels of phosphorylated (p-) phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and p-protein kinase B (AKT) in HTR8/SVneo cells. RBP4 knockdown significantly inhibited HTR8/SVneo cell proliferation and invasion, and repressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinases. In addition, RBP4 knockdown significantly reduced the levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT in HTR8/SVneo cells. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that RBP4 overexpression increased HTR8/SVneo cell proliferation and invasion by suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling and RBP4 knockdown induced the opposite effects.

Oncological and reproductive outcomes of adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix managed with the loop electrosurgical excision procedure

Background

The standard treatment for cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) is hysterectomy, which is a more aggressive treatment than that used for squamous intraepithelial lesions. Several previous studies have primarily demonstrated that the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is as safe and effective as cold knife cone (CKC) biopsy when AIS is unexpectedly found in a loop excision. This study evaluated the safety of LEEP as the initial treatment for patients with AIS who were strictly selected and evaluated before and after loop resection.

Methods

The oncological and reproductive outcomes of a series of AIS patients who underwent LEEP as the initial treatment between February 2006 and December 2016 were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

A total of 44 women were eligible for analysis. The mean age at diagnosis was 36.1 years, and 14 patients were nulliparous. Multiple lesions were identified in 4 (9.1%) patients. Either hysterectomy (6 patients) or repeat cone biopsies (3 patients) were performed in 8 of the 10 patients who presented positive or not evaluable surgical resection margins (SMs) on the initial LEEP specimens. Residual disease was detected in two patients. All patients were closely followed for a mean of 36.9 months via human papillomavirus testing, PAP smears, colposcopy, and endocervical curettage when necessary. No recurrences were detected. Of the 16 patients who desired to become pregnant, 8 (50%) successfully conceived, and the full-term live birth rate was 83.3% among this subgroup.

Conclusions

LEEP with negative SMs was a safe and feasible fertility-sparing surgical procedure for patients with AIS, and the obstetric outcome was satisfactory. However, long-term follow-up is mandatory.

The safety of fertility and ipsilateral ovary procedures for borderline ovarian tumors

Objective

To explore the optimal treatment options for women with borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs).

Materials and Methods

The medical records of consecutive patients with BOTs in two academic institutions were retrospectively collected. The pertinent data, including clinicopathological characteristics and, treatment and prognostic information were evaluated.

Results

A total of 281 cases of BOTs were included in this analysis. For the entire series, the 5- year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 91.8% and 98.5%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, reservation of the ipsilateral ovary (HR: 0.104 [95% CI, 0.036–0.304], p = 0.000) and FIGO stage II–III (HR: 6.811 [95% CI, 2.700–17.181], p = 0.000) were the independent risk factors for recurrence. Ovarian surface involvement (HR: 64.996 [95% CI, 4.054–1041.941], p = 0.003) was the only independent prognostic factor for OS. Lymphadenectomy and adjunct chemotherapy had no significant impact on patients’ recurrence and survival (recurrence: p = 0.332 and 0.290, respectively, survival: p = 0.896 and 0.216, respectively).

Conclusions

Fertility-sparing surgery with healthy ovarian preservation seems safe and feasible for young women who prefer fertility-sparing treatment. Ovarian cystectomy to conserve the affected ovary/ovaries without ovarian surface involvement may be cautiously performed under fully informed consent for young women with bilateral BOTs who strongly prefer fertility-sparing treatment and have no evidence of infertility. However, long-term follow-up is necessary due to the relapse susceptibility of the ovary.

Combined Analysis of Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations at T2K

T2K reports its first results in the search for CP violation in neutrino oscillations using appearance and disappearance channels for neutrino- and antineutrino-mode beams. The data include all runs from January 2010 to May 2016 and comprise 7.482×10^{20} protons on target in neutrino mode, which yielded in the far detector 32 e-like and 135  μ-like events, and 7.471×10^{20} protons on target in antineutrino mode, which yielded 4 e-like and 66  μ-like events. Reactor measurements of sin^{2}2θ_{13} have been used as an additional constraint. The one-dimensional confidence interval at 90% for the phase δ_{CP} spans the range (-3.13, -0.39) for normal mass ordering. The CP conservation hypothesis (δ_{CP}=0, π) is excluded at 90% C.L.

[Survey of the third Zika virus disease case in the mainland of China]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the performance of Zika virus(ZIKV)disease prevention and control.

METHODS

Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the clinical manifestations, laboratory detection results and disease progression of the third imported ZIKV disease case in the mainland of China.

RESULTS

On 19 February 2016, a ZIKV disease case was confirmed in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, which was the third imported case of ZIKV disease confirmed by China CDC laboratory and expert consulting. The patient just had a travel to Fiji and Samoa and had mosquito bite history in Samoa. The patient was hospitalized on 16 February after the onset on 14 February and the eruption on 15 February. The body temperature of the patient became normal on 17 February, the rash disappeared on 19 February and the conjunctivitis resolved on 20 February. The positive detection of the viral nucleic acid in blood was only for 3 consecutive days, and the viral nucleic acid could be detected in urine even after negative detection in blood for 4 days.

CONCLUSION

The symptoms of the patient were typical. ZIKV can be detected by using blood sample in early phase, but after body temperature become normal, the virus can be detected in urine.

microRNA-183 down-regulates the expression of BKCaβ1 protein that is related to the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the expression of microRNA (miRNA)-183 and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels β1 subunit (BKCaβ1) in the lung tissues of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used for detecting the expression of miRNA-183 and BKCaβ1 in the lung tissues from 45 COPD patients and 30 lung cancer patients without COPD. Possible miRNAs that target BKCaβ1 were forecasted by bioinformatics. The expression of these miRNAs in the peripheral blood of COPD patients was also examined. After transfecting vascular smooth muscle cells with pGCMV/EGFP/miR-183 plasmid, the expression of miRNA-183 and BKCaβ1 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.

RESULTS

The expression of BKCaβ1 in the lung tissues of COPD patients was significantly lower than control. Western blotting data showed that the expression of BKCaβ1 protein in COPD group was significantly lower than control. After transfecting the vascular smooth muscle cells with pGCMV/EGFP/miR-183 plasmid, we found that the level of BKCaβ1 mRNA was not significantly reduced by the increase of miRNA-183 level, but the expression of BKCaβ1 protein was down-regulated.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicated that miRNA-183 might play a role in the expression of BKCaβ1, and the expression of miRNA-183 and BKCaβ1 were possibly related with the pathogenetic pathways of COPD. Hippokratia 2014; 18 (4): 328-332.

The effect of tranexamic acid on artificial joint materials: a biomechanical study (the bioTRANX study)

Background

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been successfully used to reduce bleeding in joint replacement. Recently local TXA has been advocated to reduce blood loss in total knee or hip replacement; however, this raised concerns about potential adverse effects of TXA upon the artificial joint replacement.

Materials and methods

In this biomechanical study we compared the effects of TXA and saline upon the following biomechanical properties of artificial joint materials—(1) tensile properties (ultimate strength, stiffness and Young’s modulus), (2) the wear rate using a multi-directional pin-on-plate machine, and (3) the surface topography of pins and plates before and after wear rate testing.

Results

There were no significant differences in tensile strength, wear rates or surface topography of either ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene pins or cobalt chromium molybdenum metal plates between specimens soaked in TXA and specimens soaked in saline.

Conclusion

Biomechanical testing shows that there are no biomechanical adverse affects on the properties of common artificial joint materials from using topical TXA.

Level of evidence

V

Comparison of prediction equations to estimate glomerular filtration rate in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease

AIM

We sought to evaluate the applicability of formulae based on serum creatinine (SC) levels in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three hundred and twenty-seven patients with CKD who had undergone (99m) Tc-DTPA glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation were enrolled. The Cockcroft-Gault equation, SC-reciprocal equation, Gate equation, Hull equation, Jelliffe-1973 equation, Jelliffe-1971 equation, Mawer equation, Bjornsson equation, reexpressed 6-variable MDRD equation and reexpressed 4-variable MDRD equation were compared. Using the (99m) Tc-DTPA GFR as the standard GFR (sGFR), the accuracy of estimated GFR was compared with sGFR in various stages of CKD.

RESULTS

Median per cents of the absolute difference ranged from 28.16% to 39.39%, accuracy with a deviation less than 30% ranging from 39.4% to 53.5%, accuracy with a deviation less than 50% ranging from 63.0% to 80.7%. None of the equations had accuracy up to the 70% level with a deviation less than 30% from sGFR. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated that mean difference ranged from -2.42 to 16.39 mL/min/1.73 m(2), whereas precision ranged from 82.66 to 106.15 mL/min/1.73 m(2). However, the agreement limits of all the equations exceeded the prior acceptable tolerances defined as 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Linear regression showed that the slopes of regression line ranged from 0.37 to 0.54 and intercepts ranged from -12.10 to 3.86. When the overall performance as well as bias and accuracy were compared in different stages of CKD, GFR estimated by Jelliffe-1973 equation, Cockcroft-Gault equation and Bjornsson equation showed promising results.

CONCLUSION

When SC was measured by the enzymatic method, GFR estimation equations showed great bias in Chinese CKD patients. At present, the Jelliffe-1973 equation and Cockcroft-Gault equation may be more accurate in the Chinese ethnic group.

[Transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells BEP2D induced by ²³⁸Pu α-particles]

BACKGROUND

To establish a model for the study of transformation of human cell by radon and its progeny.

METHODS

BEP2D, a HPV18 immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line, was irradiated with high-energy α-particles emitted by ²³⁸Pu.

RESULTS

A single 1. 5 Gy dose of α-particles induced transformation of the cells. A series of sequential steps arose among transformed cells, including altered growth kinetics, resistance to serum-induced terminal differentiation, and anchorage-independence growth.

CONCLUSIONS

This cell line may provide a model to study the cellular and molecular changes at various stages in radiation carcinogenesis.

Outcomes of maintenance therapy with tacrolimus versus azathioprine for active lupus nephritis: a multicenter randomized clinical trial

AIM

The optimal maintenance therapy for active diffuse lupus nephritis remains to be established. In this study, we explored the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus for maintaining remission of active lupus nephritis compared to that of azathioprine.

METHODS

Seventy patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis who achieved remission were enrolled in nine nephrology centers in China from 2006 to 2008. Patients were randomized either to tacrolimus plus prednisone (n = 34) or azathioprine plus prednisone (n = 36) for six months. Tacrolimus was titrated to achieve a trough blood concentration of 4-6 ng/mL, and the dosage of azathioprine was 2 mg/kg/d. Prednisone was administered at a dose of 10 mg/d to both groups. The primary outcome was incidence of relapse. Response, clinical parameters and adverse effects were secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

After six months of therapy, two of the azathioprine-treated patients developed renal relapse compared to none of the tacrolimus-treated patients (p = 0.49; odds ratio, 1.06; 95% CI (0.98, 1.15)). Leucopenia (defined as < 2000 cells per cubic millimeter) was significantly more frequent in the azathioprine group than the tacrolimus group (47% vs. 9%, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

In conjunction with prednisone, maintenance therapy with tacrolimus and azathioprine has a similar low rate of renal relapse, and the tacrolimus regimen has a more favorable safety profile, with less leucopenia. However, since our study lacked sufficient power, longer follow-up is needed to draw final conclusions.

Mesangial medium with IgA1 from IgA nephropathy inhibits nephrin expression in mouse podocytes

BACKGROUND

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by mesangial deposition of polymeric IgA1, and podocyte injury plays an important role in glomerulosclerosis of the disease. Our previous study indicated that medium of mesangial cells co-incubated with aggregated IgA1 (aIgA1), isolated from IgAN patients, down-regulated nephrin expression. Yet the mechanism remains unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Podocytes were incubated with a medium of mesangial cells co-incubated with aIgA1, which was isolated from IgAN patients, and enalaprilat (10(-5) M), valsartan (10(-5) M) and anti-mouse tumour necrosis factor-alpha antibody (50 ng mL(-1)) separately. Nephrin expression in podocytes was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

The level of angiotensinogen and angiotensin-converting enzyme mRNAs in podocytes, as well as angiotensin, was also increased by a medium of mesangial cells co-incubated with aIgA1 from IgAN patients (P<0.05). Enalaprilat or valsartan partly improved nephrin expression when compared with that by podocytes exposed to the mesangial medium (P<0.05), while the nephrin expression of podocytes with enalaprilat or valsartan was lower than that of podocytes exposed to medium of mesangial cells stimulated by aIgA1 from healthy control (P<0.05). However, anti-mouse tumour necrosis factor-alpha antibody did not show any improvement in nephrin expression.

CONCLUSION

Our findings implicate that local renin angiotensin system activation in podocytes is partly involved in down-regulation of nephrin by mesangial medium in IgA nephropathy.

Molecular characterization of toxigenic and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus isolates, collected from peanut fields in China

AIMS

The objectives of this study were to assess the genetic relationships between toxigenic and atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus collected from peanut fields in China, and to analyse deletions within the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene cluster for the atoxigenic isolates.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Analysis of random-amplified polymorphic DNA and microsatellite-primed PCR data showed that the toxigenic and atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus were not clustered based on their regions and their ability of aflatoxin and sclerotial production. These results were further supported by DNA sequence of ITS, pksA and omtA genes. PCR assays showed that 24 of 35 isolates containing no detectable aflatoxins had the entire aflatoxin gene cluster. Eleven atoxigenic isolates had five different deletion patterns in the cluster.

CONCLUSIONS

Toxigenic and atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus are genetically similar, but some atoxigenic isolates having deletions within the aflatoxin gene cluster can be identified readily by PCR assays.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Because the extensive deletions within the aflatoxin gene cluster are not rare in the atoxigenic isolates, analysis of deletion within the cluster would be an effective method for the rapid screening of atoxigenic isolates for developing biocontrol agents.

[Experiment study of guiding bone tissue regeneration by frozen homologous periosteum]

OBJECTIVE

Explores the feasibility of guiding bone tissue regeneration by frozen homologous periosteum.

METHODS

Rabbit's cranial periosteum was taken and refrigerated. In thirty-one white Japanese big ear rabbits, defects of the mandible were created. Defect at one side was covered with the membrane, another side not. The rabbits were sacrificed on four, eight, twelve, sixteen weeks. Specimens were examined by naked eye, X-ray, and histology.

RESULTS

The frozen homologous periosteummet the requirement of guiding bone tissue regeneration There was no rejection, and could be kept 8 for 12 weeks in the body. It had the favorable efficacy of obstructing the fiber tissue from filling into bone defects and had an efficacy of guiding bone tissue regeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

Frozen homologous periosteum is a perfect guiding bone tissue regeneration membrane.

Simultaneous imaging of proton and fluorine at moderate field

Simultaneous imaging of proton and fluorine nuclei distributed in a unique sample has been performed by multiplexing the receiver coil's frequency for nmr signal acquisition. Implementation of the technique and modifications of a conventional spectrometer are described for operating at 0.13 T.