[Silent pulmonary shadows]

An elderly woman with a 1-year history of pulmonary shadows was admitted because of intermittent cough and sputum production for 2 months. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans showed bilateral consolidations and ground-glass opacities, with areas of low attenuation inside consolidative opacities on the mediastinal window. Previous history of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and long-term use of a compound menthol nasal drops provided were important clues to the diagnosis. CT scan-guided needle lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed, and lipid-laden macrophages were confirmed in both bronchoalveolar lavage and lung tissue. Final diagnosis of exogenous lipoid pneumonia was made on the basis of her risk factors for aspiration, history of oil exposure, and classic radiological and histopathological features. Symptoms improved after discontinuation of causative exposure. It is important for clinicians to raise awareness of exogenous lipoid pneumonia and other aspiration lung diseases.

[Marked improvement in rheumatoid lung nodules after treatment with tocilizumab combined with glucocorticoids and leflunomide: a case report and literature review]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disorder, is characterized by erosive inflammation of bone and cartilage, leading to progressive joint destruction. Pulmonary involvement occurs in approximately 60% of RA patients, manifests most commonly as interstitial lung disease and, less commonly, as rheumatoid lung nodules. Here, we report a 50-year-old woman, non-smoker, with recurrent cough and sputum of 7 years' duration, accompanied by a chest CT showing multiple cavitary nodules in both lungs. She had been treated empirically at several medical centers and was finally diagnosed with rheumatoid lung nodules. Marked improvement in rheumatoid lung nodules was observed after treatment with tocilizumab in combination with glucocorticoids and leflunomide. The aim of this study was to improve clinicians' understanding of rheumatoid lung nodules by analyzing the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of this case, and reviewing the relevant medical literature.

Use of a combination of diaphragmatic ultrasound and muscle relaxation monitoring in predicting post-extubation adverse respiratory events among elderly patients in an anesthesia intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using a combination of diaphragmatic ultrasound and muscle relaxation monitoring in predicting adverse respiratory events after extubation among elderly patients in an anesthetic intensive care unit (AICU).

METHODS

The study participants were 120 elderly patients who were in the AICU after laparoscopic radical resection for colorectal cancer. Based on whether there were critical respiratory events (CREs) after extubation, they were divided into the adverse event group and the non-adverse event group. We used logistic regression to identify factors influencing the occurrence of CREs post-extubation in elderly patients. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, we analyzed the value of each indicator in predicting CREs post-extubation.

RESULTS

We included 109 patients in the final analysis. In the adverse event group (n = 19), the age, proportion of females, and proportion of preoperative respiratory diseases were higher than in the non-adverse event group (n = 90). The muscle relaxation value, quiet breathing diaphragmatic excursion during extubation (DE-QB), deep breathing diaphragmatic excursion during extubation (DE-DB), and deep breathing diaphragmatic thickening fraction during extubation (DTF-DB) of patients in the adverse event group were significantly lower than those in the non-adverse event group (P < 0.05). Using binary logistic regression analysis, we identified muscle relaxation value, DE-DB, and DTF-DB during extubation as significant predictors of CREs post-extubation in elderly patients (P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the combination of the muscle relaxation value, DE-DB, and DTF-DB during extubation for predicting CREs after extubation in elderly patients was 0.949, which was higher than that of any single indicator.

CONCLUSION

The combination of diaphragmatic ultrasound and muscle relaxation monitoring was more accurate in predicting CREs post-extubation among elderly patients in the AICU.

[Expression of MSI1 and HER2 in mammary Paget's disease and their correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis]

Objective: To investigate the expression of MSI1 and HER2 in mammary Paget's disease, and the correlation between the expression levels of MSI1 and HER2 and the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of the patients. Methods: Clinical data and paraffin-embedded specimens of 34 pairs of mammary Paget's disease and underlying breast cancer were collected at the Department of Pathology, Affiliated Lianyungang Oriental Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from March 2011 to December 2019. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of MSI1 and HER2 in mammary Paget's disease and the accompanying breast cancer, and to analyze the correlation between the expression levels of MSI1 and HER2 and their clinicopathologic features, as well as their influence on prognosis. Results: In mammary Paget's disease, the positive rate of MSI1 was 91.2% (31/34) and the positive rate of HER2 was 88.2% (30/34); the expression of MSI1 and HER2 was positively correlated (P=0.001, r=0.530). The expression of MSI1 was positively correlated with menopausal status (r=0.372, P=0.030) and lymph node metastasis (r=0.450, P=0.008). HER2 expression was positively correlated with menopausal status (r=0.436, P=0.010), and negatively correlated with ER expression (r=-0.365, P=0.034). The co-expression of MSI1 and HER2 was positively correlated with age (r=0.347, P=0.044) and menopausal status (r=0.496, P=0.003), and negatively correlated with ER expression (r=-0.461, P=0.006). Conclusions: MSI1 and HER2 are highly expressed in mammary Paget's disease and their expression levels are positively correlated. The correlation analysis between clinicopathological features and prognosis suggests that both of them may be involved in the occurrence and development of mammary Paget's disease and are potential therapeutic targets for mammary Paget's disease.

[COL11A1 regulates PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway and promotes human lung adenocarcinoma primary cell migration and invasion]

Objective: To investigate the role and mechanism of COL11A1 in lung adenocarcinoma migration and invasion. Methods: Surgical pathological tissues of 4 patients with lung adenocarcinoma admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from September to November 2020 were used. Immunohistochemical methods were used to identify lung adenocarcinoma tissues, para-cancerous tissues and parallel transcriptome sequencing. Genetic prognostic analysis was conducted by TCGA and GTEx databases.The expression level of COL11A1 gene in lung adenocarcinoma and adjacent tissues was detected by Western blotting.The primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells cultured. The COL11A1 siRNA was transfected into primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells, then the transcriptome sequencing of differential genes was performed,and KEGG enrichment analysis of differential gene enrichment pathway was conducted. Protein expression and phosphorylation were detected by Western blot method. Cell migration was detected by scratch healing test. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 method and invasion ability was detected by Transwell method. Results: Ten differentially expressed genes were screened by transcription sequencing in lung adenocarcinoma. Prognostic analysis of single gene showed that COL11A1 gene expression level was correlated with survival rate (P<0.001). The expression of COL11A1 in lung adenocarcinoma was higher than that in adjacent tissues by Western blot (P<0.001). Transcriptome sequencing of COL11A1 siRNA transfection into primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells showed that differential genes were concentrated in PI3K-akt pathway. The expression of tumor suppressor gene PTEN in siRNA transfection group was significantly higher than that in control group and negative transfection group by Western blot. The expression of Aktp-Akt 473 p-Akt 308 p-PTENp-PDK1p-c-Rafp-GSK-3 β was down-regulated (all P<0.05).Compared with the negative control group, the ability of migration, proliferation and invasion of primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells in siRNA transfection group decreased (all P<0.05). COL11A1 regulates PI3K/Akt/GSK-3 β pathway to promote migration and invasion of primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Conclusion: COL11A1 regulates PI3K/Akt/GSK-3 β pathway to promote migration and invasion of primary human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Benign lymphoepithelial cyst of parotid gland without human immunodeficiency virus infection: A case report

BACKGROUND

Benign lymphoepithelial cyst (BLEC) of the parotid gland is a rare benign embryonic-dysplastic cystic tumor in the anterolateral neck that occurs most commonly in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive adults and rarely in non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients. The main presentation is a slow-growing, painless mass, and secondary infection may cause acute inflammatory symptoms.

CASE SUMMARY

A 44-year-old Chinese male patient presented with a 1-year history of a mass in the left side of the neck. On physical examination, a mass similar in size and shape to a quail egg was found in the left parotid gland. The mass was tough, without tenderness, and easily moveable. The results of HIV tests, including antibody and nucleic acid tests and CD4+ T cell examination, were negative. Imaging examination revealed a left parotid gland mass. The patient underwent surgical treatment, and BLEC was diagnosed based on postoperative pathology. After 2 years of follow-up, the patient survived well without related discomfort.

CONCLUSION

The detailed characteristics of a BLEC in a patient without HIV infection contribute to an improved understanding of this rare disease.

[MiR-340 mediates the involvement of high mobility group box 1 in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis]

Objective: To explore the pathogenic mechanism of the miR-340/high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) axis in the formation of liver fibrosis. Methods: A rat liver fibrosis model was established by injecting CCl(4) intraperitoneally. miRNAs targeting and validating HMGB1 were selected with gene microarrays after screening the differentially expressed miRNAs in rats with normal and hepatic fibrosis. The effect of miRNA expressional changes on HMGB1 levels was detected by qPCR. Dual luciferase gene reporter assays (LUC) was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-340 and HMGB1. The proliferative activity of the hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6 was detected by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay after co-transfection of miRNA mimics and HMGB1 overexpression vector, and the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins type I collagen and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) was detected by western blot. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance and the LSD-t test. Results: Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining results showed that the rat model of liver fibrosis was successfully established. Gene microarray analysis and bioinformatics prediction had detected eight miRNAs possibly targeting HMGB1, and animal model validation had detected miR-340. qPCR detection results showed that miR-340 had inhibited the expression of HMGB1, and a luciferase complementation assay suggested that miR-340 had targeted HMGB1. Functional experiments results showed that HMGB1 overexpression had enhanced cell proliferation activity and the expression of type I collagen and α-SMA, while miR-340 mimics had not only inhibited cell proliferation activity and the expression of HMGB1, type I collagen, and α-SMA, but also partially reversed the promoting effect of HMGB1 on cell proliferation and ECM synthesis. Conclusion: miR-340 targets HMGB1 to inhibit the proliferation and ECM deposition in hepatic stellate cells and plays a protective role during the process of liver fibrosis.

Association between the reactivity of local cerebral oxygen saturation after hypo-to-hypercapnic tests and delirium after abdominal surgery in older adults: A prospective study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between changes in regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) and postoperative delirium in older adults undergoing major abdominal surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study enrolled older adults scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from August 2021 to January 2022. The change in rSO2 from baseline was determined using the hypo-to-hypercapnic test. The main study outcome was the occurrence of postoperative delirium.

RESULTS

A total of 101 participants were included for analysis, of whom 16 (15.8%) developed postoperative delirium. Compared with non-delirium participants, the mean arterial pressure and heart rate were not significantly different in the postoperative delirium group at T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T6 (all P_interaction > 0.05), but the delirium group had lower pH, lower PaO2, and higher lactate levels at T4, T5, and T6 (all P_interaction < 0.05). rSO2 at T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T6 was 69.0 (63.2-75.2), 70.7 ± 7.3, 68.2 ± 7.5, 72.1 ± 8.0, 69.9 ± 7.8, 67.4 ± 7.2, and 71.7 ± 8.1, respectively. The postoperative change in rSO2 during the hypercapnia test (TΔrSO2%) was 6.62 (5.31-9.36). Multivariable analysis showed that the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (odd ratio, OR = 1.89, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.10-3.25, P = 0.021), preoperative albumin levels (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48-0.94, P = 0.022), rSO2 at T4 (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41-0.89, P = 0.010), and postoperative TΔrSO2% (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.66-0.98, P = 0.028) were independently associated with postoperative delirium in older adults undergoing elective abdominal surgery.

CONCLUSION

The rSO2 measured at T4 and postoperative TΔrSO2% were independently associated with postoperative delirium in older adults undergoing elective abdominal surgery.

[Prevalence and influencing factors of deciduous dental caries among preschool children in Qingdao city in 2019]

In 2019, the rate of primary tooth caries rate among 1 598 preschool children in Shinan District and Shibei District of Qingdao was 59.4%. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that compared with children ≤ 2 years old with history of iron deficiency anemia (IDA), suffering IDA, breastfeeding to 2 years old and no tooth melanin, children ≤ 2 years old without history of IDA, not suffering IDA, breastfeeding to less than 2 years old and heavy tooth melanin had a lower risk of primary tooth caries, with OR (95%CI) values about 0.328 (0.197-0.549), 0.354 (0.208-0.603), 0.636 (0.437-0.926) and 0.301 (0.143-0.635), respectively.

[The role of EBUS-TBNA in the systematic evaluation of lymph node staging and resectability analysis in non-small cell lung cancer]

Objective: To evaluate the role of endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in lymph node staging and resectability assessment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: The clinical data of 154 patients with NSCLC who underwent EBUS-TBNA from March 2015 to December 2018 were collected. All accessible mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes were systematically explored and punctured using EBUS-TBNA. EBUS-TBNA and CT were used for preoperative staging and resectability evaluation. Results: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of EBUS-TBNA were 94.2%, 100.0% and 96.0%, respectively, while those of CT were 89.9%, 31.8% and 72.0%, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of EBUS-TBNA in lymph nodes with short diameter less than 15 mm were 92.4%, 100.0% and 96.0%, respectively, while those of CT were 80.7%, 34.8% and 60.1%, respectively, with statistical differences (P<0.05). The staging of 62 patients was changed, 27 cases were up-regulated and 35 cases were down-regulated. Among them, 32 cases had been changed to resectable. The evaluating resectability of EBUS-TBNA showed excellent consistency with that of pathological results (Kappa=0.95). The sensitivity and specificity were 100.0% and 97.2%, respectively. Conclusion: EBUS-TBNA can systemically evaluate the metastatic status of NSCLC patients and improve the accuracy of preoperative lymph node staging and resectability assessment.

Intraocular Pressure Elevation During Laparoscopic Hysterectomy of Patients in the Steep Trendelenburg Position Under Propofol Anesthesia

Objective: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) during laparoscopic hysterectomy of patients in the steep trendelenburg (ST) position under propofol anesthesia. Methods: Seventy female patients, without history of ocular pathology, undergoing elective laparoscopic hysterectomy, were randomly assigned to control (Con) group or dexmedetomidine (Dex) group. The Dex group was treated with a loading dose of Dex (1 μg/kg), infusing intravenously over 15 min, followed by continuous infusion of Dex (0.4 μg/kg/h) until the end of procedure. The Con group received an equal volume of normal saline. IOP was measured three times in each eye at 11 different time points. Intraoperative data, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and end-tidal CO2, total dose of propofol and remifentanil were measured. Results: The IOP was increased in a time dependent manner following anesthesia induction until the end of surgery period under the ST position (T3–T8), while this tendency was depressed by Dex at T7 (p = 0.024) and T8 (p = 0.004) points as compared to the Con group. IOP was declined in the Dex group at 5 and 60 min after tracheal extubation (p = 0.000 and p = 0.007, respectively). Compared with T1 point, the IOP recovered to the baseline in the Dex group at T10 point (p = 0.235), but not in the Con group (p = 0.009). Conclusions: IOP can be controlled to a certain level in patients undergo laparoscopic hysterectomy in the ST position when receiving propofol combined with Dex which can also promote the IOP recovery to the preoperative level during the immediate post-tracheal extubation period.

Intraocular Pressure Elevation During Laparoscopic Hysterectomy of Patients in the Steep Trendelenburg Position Under Propofol Anesthesia

Objective: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) during laparoscopic hysterectomy of patients in the steep trendelenburg (ST) position under propofol anesthesia. Methods: Seventy female patients, without history of ocular pathology, undergoing elective laparoscopic hysterectomy, were randomly assigned to control (Con) group or dexmedetomidine (Dex) group. The Dex group was treated with a loading dose of Dex (1 μg/kg), infusing intravenously over 15 min, followed by continuous infusion of Dex (0.4 μg/kg/h) until the end of procedure. The Con group received an equal volume of normal saline. IOP was measured three times in each eye at 11 different time points. Intraoperative data, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and end-tidal CO2, total dose of propofol and remifentanil were measured. Results: The IOP was increased in a time dependent manner following anesthesia induction until the end of surgery period under the ST position (T3–T8), while this tendency was depressed by Dex at T7 (p = 0.024) and T8 (p = 0.004) points as compared to the Con group. IOP was declined in the Dex group at 5 and 60 min after tracheal extubation (p = 0.000 and p = 0.007, respectively). Compared with T1 point, the IOP recovered to the baseline in the Dex group at T10 point (p = 0.235), but not in the Con group (p = 0.009). Conclusions: IOP can be controlled to a certain level in patients undergo laparoscopic hysterectomy in the ST position when receiving propofol combined with Dex which can also promote the IOP recovery to the preoperative level during the immediate post-tracheal extubation period.

TEM8 functions as a receptor for uPA and mediates uPA-stimulated EGFR phosphorylation

Background

TEM8 is a cell membrane protein predominantly expressed in tumor endothelium, which serves as a receptor for the protective antigen (PA) of anthrax toxin. However, the physiological ligands for TEM8 remain unknown.

Results

Here we identified uPA as an interacting partner of TEM8. Binding of uPA stimulated the phosphorylation of TEM8 and augmented phosphorylation of EGFR and ERK1/2. Finally, TEM8-Fc, a recombinant fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of human TEM8 linked to the Fc portion of human IgG1, efficiently abrogated the interaction between uPA and TEM8, blocked uPA-induced migration of HepG2 cells in vitro and inhibited the growth and metastasis of human MCF-7 xenografts in vivo. uPA, TEM8 and EGFR overexpression and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were found co-located on frozen cancer tissue sections.

Conclusions

Taken together, our data provide evidence that TEM8 is a novel receptor for uPA, which may play a significant role in the regulation of tumor growth and metastasis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-018-0272-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Lipid Metabolic Disturbance in Mice

: Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) have been shown to ameliorate hyperglycemia in diabetic animals and individuals. However, little is known about whether AD-MSCs affect lipid metabolism. Here we have demonstrated for the first time that AD-MSC infusion can significantly suppress the increase in body weight and remarkably improve dyslipidemia in db/db obese mice and diet-induced obesity mice. Induction of white fat tissue "browning" and activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and its downstream hormone-sensitive lipase in adipose tissue contribute to the antiobesity and lipid-lowering effects. Thus, AD-MSC infusion holds great therapeutic potential for dyslipidemia and associated cardiovascular diseases.

SIGNIFICANCE

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered one of the most promising types of stem cells for translational application because of their rich tissue sources, multilineage differentiation capacity, and easy amplification in vitro and unique immunobiological properties. This study demonstrated that adipose-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs) infusion can significantly suppress the increase in body weight and remarkably improve dyslipidemia in obese mice. Induction of white fat tissue "browning" and activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and its downstream hormone-sensitive lipase in adipose tissue were demonstrated to contribute to the antiobesity and lipid-lowering effects. Thus, AD-MSC infusion holds great therapeutic potential for dyslipidemia.

[Transfection Efficiency of Ad5F11p-GFP on CIK and NK-92 Cells and Its Influence on Biological Characteristics]

OBJECTIVE

To study transfection efficiency of Ad5F11p-GFP and its influence on biological characteristics of CIK and NK-92 cells in order to predict the application of Ad5F11p vector in immunotherapy.

METHODS

Two kinds of immune cells, cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells and natural-killer (NK) cell line NK-92 cells, were transfected by Ad5F11p-GFP at different multiplicity of transfection (MOI), and untransfected immune cells were used as negative control. GFP expression was determined by flow cytometry, the cell morphology was observed with microscope, the cell proliferation was analyzed by trypan blue staining, specific cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells was determined by LDH assay.

RESULTS

About 90% of transfection efficiency for NK-92 cells could be achieved at a MOI of 25, while the transfection efficiency for CIK was less than 40% at a MOI of 200. In addition, the transfection efficiency basically unchanged at the same MOI for 48 h and 96 h, and the immune cells transfected with the virus trended to form agglomeration, displaying slower proliferation, increase of IFN-γ release and enhancement of tumor killing activity.

CONCLUSION

Ad5F11p- modified NK-92 shows a good prospect for adoptive immunotherapy.

Aggregation of Ribosomal Protein S6 at Nucleolus Is Cell Cycle-Controlled and Its Function in Pre-rRNA Processing Is Phosphorylation Dependent

Ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) has long been regarded as one of the primary r-proteins that functions in the early stage of 40S subunit assembly, but its actual role is still obscure. The correct forming of 18S rRNA is a key step in the nuclear synthesis of 40S subunit. In this study, we demonstrate that rpS6 participates in the processing of 30S pre-rRNA to 18S rRNA only when its C-terminal five serines are phosphorylated, however, the process of entering the nucleus and then targeting the nucleolus does not dependent its phosphorylation. Remarkably, we also find that the aggregation of rpS6 at the nucleolus correlates to the phasing of cell cycle, beginning to concentrate in the nucleolus at later S phase and disaggregate at M phase. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1649-1657, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Short-term memory of danger signals or environmental stimuli in mesenchymal stem cells: implications for therapeutic potential

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) possess some characteristics of immune cells, including a pro-inflammatory phenotype, an immunosuppressive phenotype, antibacterial properties and the expression of Toll-like receptor proteins. Here we show that, similar to immune cells, MSCs retain information from danger signals or environmental stimuli for a period of time. When treated with the pro-inflammatory factors lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), MSCs display increased expression of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1. Following re-plating and several rounds of cell division in the absence of stimulating factors, the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 remained higher than in untreated cells for over 7 days. A spike in cytokine secretion occurred when cells were exposed to a second round of stimulation. We primed MSCs with LPS and LPS-primed MSCs had better therapeutic efficacy at promoting skin flap survival in a diabetic rat model than did unprimed MSCs. Finally, we found that several microRNAs, including miR146a, miR150 and miR155, along with the modification of DNA by 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), mediate the MSC response to LPS and TNF-α stimulation. Collectively, our data suggest that MSCs have a short-term memory of environmental signals, which may impact their therapeutic potential.

Design and implementation of a 150 GHz single-channel millimeter wave interferometer on Joint TEXT tokamak

A simple, single-channel millimeter-wave interferometer system has been designed, fabricated, and installed on the J-TEXT tokamak. For the plasma density anticipated on J-TEXT, a solid-state source operating at 150 GHz has been chosen to minimize errors due to both vibration along the beam path and refraction in the plasma. The new aspect of the interferometer design is to use a subharmonic mixer for detection with a frequency doubled 150 GHz source. It employs a single source which is bias-tuned and modulated with a sawtooth wave form up to 100 kHz in order to generate the intermediate frequency. The 12.5 GHz voltage-controlled oscillator is multiplied to 75 GHz before a final doubler raises it to 150 GHz. A portion of the 75 GHZ power is used for the local oscillator (LO) and is directly connected to the LO input of the subharmonic mixer. The phase is evaluated by a digital phase comparator using a software-based algorithm. Detection noise limits the minimum resolvable phase change with the interferometer to ±0.05 fringe, which corresponds to an averaged electron density change along the chord of ±1.1 × 10(17) m(-2). The maximum measurable electron density is expected to be ∼9 × 10(19) m(-3). A comparison of preliminary results from the millimeter wave interferometer with that from the far-infrared hydrogen cyanide laser (wavelength of 337 μm) interferometer shows good agreement during the pulse flat-top period. The millimeter wave interferometer system will be used as a part of the density feedback control system in the future.

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in acute myelogenous leukaemia is associated with clinical prognosis

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family belongs to type I receptor tyrosine kinases. Overexpression or mutation of EGFR/ErbB1 gene has been detected in a large number of human solid tumours. According to some previous report, this gene is not expressed in hematological malignancies. However, two recent clinical case reports showed that erlotinib caused complete remission of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)-M1 in patients who had both AML-M1 and non-small-cell lung cancer. These results are supported by preclinical studies in which EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors have anti-proliferative effects on AML. These findings prompted us to determine whether EGFR is expressed in human AML, through a large-scale screening of both leukaemic cell lines and clinical samples. Our results show that EGFR is expressed by about 33% of human AML (containing M1 to M7 subtypes) and by some human leukaemia cell lines (K562, MEG-01, CEM and SKO-007). Its expression is not limited to certain AML types but has been detected in many leukaemic cells. In addition, EGFR expression was intimately associated with the poor clinical outcomes. Finally, we find that only EGFR-positive leukaemic cells respond to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of cetuximab, the monoclonal antibodies against EGFR.

Measurements of h(c)(1P(1)) in psi' decays

We present measurements of the charmonium state h(c)(1P(1)) made with 106x10(6) psi' events collected by BESIII at BEPCII. Clear signals are observed for psi'-->pi0 h(c) with and without the subsequent radiative decay h(c)-->gamma eta(c). First measurements of the absolute branching ratios B(psi'-->pi0 h(c)) = (8.4+/-1.3+/-1.0) x 10(-4) and B(h(c)-->gamma eta(c)) = (54.3+/-6.7+/-5.2)% are presented. A statistics-limited determination of the previously unmeasured h(c) width leads to an upper limit Gamma(h(c))<1.44 MeV (90% confidence). Measurements of M(h(c)) = 3525.40+/-0.13+/-0.18 MeV/c2 and B(psi'-->pi0 h(c)) x B(h(c)-->gamma eta(c)) = (4.58+/-0.40+/-0.50) x 10(-4) are consistent with previous results.

Inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis by ATF-Fc, an engineered antibody targeting urokinase receptor

Urokinase (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis, and overexpression of these molecules is strongly correlated with poor prognosis in a variety of malignant tumors. In this study, ATF-Fc, an antibody-like molecule comprising the amino-terminal fragment of human uPA (ATF) linked to the Fc fragment of human IgG1 via a flexible linker was developed. Its antitumor activities were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that ATF-Fc had obvious cytotoxic effect on several types of tumor cells, which is dependent on cellular expression of uPAR and its Fc fragment. Treatment with ATF-Fc caused a significant suppression on tumor growth and metastasis of xenograft human tumors (MCF-7 breast cancer and BGC-823 gastric cancer) in athymic nude mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ATF-Fc had an anti-angiogenesis activity both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, we provided a novel therapeutic antibody-like molecule in the management of a variety of solid tumors by disrupting the uPA/uPAR interaction.

Antitumor activities of TEM8-Fc: an engineered antibody-like molecule targeting tumor endothelial marker 8

Tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) was discovered as a cell membrane protein that is predominantly expressed in tumor endothelium and identified as a receptor for anthrax toxin. We developed an antibody-like molecule that consists of the protective antigen (PA)-binding domain of human TEM8 linked to the Fc portion of human immunoglobulin G1 (TEM8-Fc). This engineered protein bound to PA in a divalent cation-dependent manner and efficiently protected J774A.1 macrophage-like cells against anthrax toxin challenge in a dose-dependent manner. TEM8-Fc suppressed the growth and metastasis of xenograft human tumors in athymic nude mice (control versus 10 mg/kg TEM8-Fc, mean tumor weight: LS-180, 1.72 versus 0.16 g, difference = 1.56 g, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.96 to 2.16 g; P<.001; MCF-7, 1.12 versus 0.08 g, difference = 1.04 g, 95% CI = 0.77 to 1.31 g; P<.001; HepG2, 1.28 versus 0.35 g, difference = 0.93 g, 95% CI = 0.60 to 1.25 g; P<.001). Furthermore, TEM8 interacted with the M2 isoenzyme of pyruvate kinase (M2-PK), which has an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. TEM8-Fc is a novel therapeutic antibody-like agent in the management of solid tumors that may act by trapping M2-PK.

[Study on interaction between sulfonylurea herbicides and catalase by fluorescence spectroscopy]

The binding of Sulfonylurea herbicides to catalase in aqueous solution was studied using fluorescence spectroscopy. It was shown that herbicides have a strong ability to quench the catalase fluorescence mainly through a static quenching procedure. The binding constant K and the number of binding site n were calculated according to the fluorescence quenching results. For chlorsufuron, K=8.69 x 10(5) L x mol(-1) and n = 1.16; for metsufuron methyl, K = 1.01 x 10(6) L x mol(-1) and n = 1.21; and for bensufuron methyl, K = 3.52 x 10(3) L x mol(-1), n = 0.77. It is clear that the binding of metsufuron methyl with catalase is stronger than that of chlorsufuron, while the binding of chlorsufuron stronger than that of bensufuron methyl.

[Expression of ATR-Fc fusion protein in CHO cells]

ATR-Fc is a fusion protein consisting of extracellular domain of human anthrax toxin receptor (ATR) and a fragment (hinge, CH2, and CH3 domains) of the Fc of human IgG1. The aim of ATR-Fc expression is to get an antibody-like molecule binding to protective antigen (PA), a component of anthrax toxins, this fusion protein may compete with cell surface receptor for PA binding, and block the transport of lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF) into cells, thereby act as an antitoxin to prevent and treat anthrax infection. A DNA fragment encoding N-terminal amino acids 1-227 of ATR and human IgG1 Fc was inserted into the Hind III and Not I sites of pcDNA3.1 to generate the eukaryotic vector pcDNA3.1/ATR-Fc for expression of ATR-Fc fusion protein. Using lipofectine-mediated gene transfer technique, pcDNA3.1/ATR-Fc was transfected into CHO-K1 cells. After selected with G418, a recombinant CHO cell line, ATR-Fc-1D5, whose expression level was about 10 - 15 microg/(10(6) cells x d), was established. The recombinant protein expressed by the ATR-Fc-1D5 cells was purified with protein A chromatography. The experimental results demonstrated a direct and specific interaction between ATR-Fc and PA assessed by ELISA.

[Single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) purification by immuno-affinity chromatography]

The only difference of primary structure between single-chain prourokinase (pro-UK or scu-PA) and two-chain urokinase (UK or tcu-PA) is the cleavage of a single peptide bond (Lys158-Ile159) and transform scu-PA into its active two-chain form. A 13-peptide (Thr-Leu-Arg-Pro-Arg-Phe-Lys-Ile-Ile-Gly-Gly-Glu-Cys), which spans the cleavage peptide bond, was synthesized and linked to KLH (Keyhole limpet hemocyanin). The Balb/c mice were immunized by the conjugated protein with proper adjuvant. According to the Kohler and Milstein's methods, a hybridoma cell line G7 secreting monoclonal antibody specific for scu-PA was obtained. The anti-scu-PA McAb, purified from the supernatant of porous microcarrier hybridoma cell culture, was conjugated to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B to prepare an immuno-affinity chromatography column. The u-PA was purified only by this affinity column from the supernatant of cultivating the u-PA-producing recombinant CHO cell, the u-PA recovery ratio is 90.4%, the purification factor was about 50, with the specific activity of 1.2 x 10(5) IU/mg, the scu-PA ratio in the u-PA product was 96.3%. Compared to immuno-affinity chromatography, the 3-step process for purifying u-PA (cation-exchange column, gel filtration column and benzamidine affinity column) has a u-PA recovery ratio of about 65%, with a specific activity of 1.0 x 10(5) IU/mg, and an scu-PA ratio of about 90%. These results showed that immuno-affinity chromatography is simple to recover u-PA and effective to separate scu-PA from tcu-PA.

Lack of effect of protein deprivation-induced intrauterine growth retardation on behavior and corticosterone and growth hormone secretion in adult male rats: a long-term follow-up study

To further define the neuroendocrine consequences of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), we have used a rat model of maternal protein restriction throughout pregnancy to examine the pattern of corticosterone and GH secretion under basal conditions and in response to psychological stress in male offspring at 4, 9, and 18 months of age. The findings were correlated with studies of behavioral activity. Despite a consistent reduction in birth weight and failure of catch-up growth, there were no significant differences in GH secretory profiles between IUGR and control rats at any age. We were unable to demonstrate a difference in the number, amplitude, length, or area of corticosterone secretory pulses between control and IUGR animals; although again, there was a significant decrease with age. The mean peak plasma concentration of corticosterone in response to a noise stress also declined with age but was unaffected by IUGR. There were no consistent, statistically significant differences in behavioral responses between normal control and IUGR animals or between groups of animals at different ages. These results do not, therefore, support the presence of major functional abnormalities in either GH or corticosterone secretory responses in adult male rats subjected to IUGR.

Intra-uterine growth retardation results in increased cardiac arrhythmias and raised diastolic blood pressure in adult rats

OBJECTIVES

Epidemiological evidence in humans suggests that intrauterine growth retardation is associated with an increased risk of hypertension and coronary heart disease in later life. To begin to understand the mechanisms involved, we developed and exploited a rat model of intrauterine growth retardation to assess predisposition to arrhythmias and resting blood pressure levels at defined ages from 4 to 18 months.

METHODS

Isolated working heart experiments were carried out on rats that had been subjected to intrauterine growth retardation by prenatal protein deprivation and age-matched male Wistar controls to measure susceptibility to wall stress-induced arrhythmias. In addition, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured in conscious rats via an indwelling arterial catheter.

RESULTS

Hearts from intrauterine growth retarded animals showed significantly more ventricular premature beats and more episodes of ventricular tachycardia at all ages examined (4, 9 and 18 months), and at 4 and 18 months, a reduction in coronary blood flow. Diastolic pressure was significantly raised by intrauterine growth retardation in both groups examined (4 and 9 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Protein malnutrition during the intrauterine period results in profound intrauterine growth retardation that is associated with a raised diastolic blood pressure and an increased predisposition to cardiac arrhythmias in later life. These results are consistent with epidemiological observations made in human populations, and as similar pathophysiological changes may operate in both situations, intrauterine protein deprivation may be a useful model to help define some of the mechanisms involved.

[Production of u-PA with rCHO cell culture on porous microcarriers in serum-free growth medium]

A novel technique was developed to deal with apoptosis in large-scale animal cell culture. By means of replacing part of Cytopore porous microcarriers at regular intervals, a rCHO cell line, which produces urokinase-type plasminogen activitor(u-PA), was cultivated continuously with serum-free medium in a 30 L stirred tank for 91 days. The cell density was maintained at (1.3-2.6) x 10(7)/mL, and > 90% of cells was viable. In order to reduce the effect of cell density on cell growth and expression, a cyclic pressure oscillation was exerted on a 7.5 L reactor headspace to enhance cell expression at high cell density to a certain extent. During the 67 days of medium-replacement culture, the maximal cell density reached 2.64 x 10(7)/mL, and cell viability was always kept above 95% when combined with microcarrier-replacement. Compare to control culture, culture with cyclic pressure oscillation could enhance cell expression level and reduce the ratio of glucose metabolized anaerobically to produce lactate. With four-step purification process, about 80 g u-PA(approximately 90% scu-PA) was recovered from approximately 2100 liters supernatant which contained approximately 135 g u-PA.

In vitro formation by reverse dialysis of collagen gels containing highly oriented arrays of fibrils

Acid extracts of rat tail tendon were subjected to reverse dialysis against 0.5% PEG at 4 degrees C in an attempt to induce liquid crystallization. After 48 h, gel and fibril formation were initiated by continuing dialysis at 20 degrees C against the same PEG solution adjusted to pH 7.4. The inclusion of calcium- or magnesium chloride (final concentration 0.3-33 mM) in the collagen solution before dialysis resulted in strongly birefringent gels that showed a progressive rotation of the slow axis of birefringence with increasing distance from the lateral margin of the gel. The gels contained fibers running predominantly in the plane of the flattened gel and crossing at angles of between 55 degrees and 90 degrees. We suggest that liquid crystallization is responsible for this phenomenon and that it might be possible to exploit this to produce materials for tissue engineering.

[Pressor effect of substance P applied to the pressor area of ventral surface of medulla oblongata and the underlying mechanism in rabbits]

Experiments were performed on urethane anesthetized and artificially ventilated rabbits. The results were as follows. Application of substance P (SP) to the pressor area of ventral surface of medulla oblongata (VSMp) elicited a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure (BP), but no significant change in heart rate. The pressor response of SP was blocked by pretreatment with SP receptor antagonist (DSP) in VSMp. Application of DSP alone to VSMp elicited a significant decrease in BP. The pressor response of SP was attenuated when VSMp was pretreated with phentolamine or prazosine, whereas pretreatment with yohimbin or propranolol was without effect. Application of SP to VSMp elicited an increase in renal sympathetic nerve discharge (RSND) in association with pressor response; both these responses were blocked by pretreatment with DSP in VSMp. Application of DSP alone to VSMp elicited a significant decrease in RSND and BP. The above results indicate that SP has a pressor effect in VSMp due to activation of SP receptor mediated by alpha 1-receptor. The pressor effect of SP may be mainly due to an increase of peripheral vascular resistance induced by the augmented sympathetic nerve activity. In summary, it appears that endogenous SP in VSMp plays an important role in maintaining sympathetic tone and BP level.

The effect of non-polar liquids and non-ionic detergents on the ultrastructure and assembly of rat tail tendon collagen fibrils in vitro

Non-ionic detergents or emulsions of non-polar liquids when added to solutions of rat tail tendon collagen (RTTC) or to the dispersed fibrils produced similar conspicuous ultrastructural modifications in the form of a D-periodic lesion between bands c2 and d in the 'gap region' of the fibril close to the start of the overlap region. The size and extent of the lesion in some fibrils indicates that at least some of the collagen molecules rupture. In an attempt to detect peptide fragments produced in this way we ran SDS-PAGE gels of collagen fibrils treated with the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100. These contained two peptides (44 and 32 kDa) not seen in controls. The lesions are thought to result from interactions between the hydrophobic part of non-polar liquids or detergents with an anomalous part of the fibril's D-period. The anomalous region has a high concentration of hydrophobic and alanyl residues but exceptionally few charged and hydroxyproline ones. We suggest that the anomalous region may play a part in storing and dissipating strain energy and permitting cross-link formation. Similar collagen-lipid interactions may occur under pathological conditions.

The effect of deamination and/or blocking arginine residues on the molecular assembly of acid-extracted rat tail tendon collagen

We describe the effect of deamination of lysine and blocking of arginine residues on the assembly of collagen into native fibrils and SLS aggregates. Treatment of collagen solutions with one or both of these procedures does not prevent the formation of fibrils or SLS aggregates but reduces their ability to form assemblies with accurate longitudinal registration. These observations provide direct confirmation that hydrophobic interactions are important in collagen assembly. Unbanded fibrils were formed within the first 24 h at 4 degrees C from both acidic and neutralized deaminated and from neutralized control collagen solutions, transversely banded fibrils appearing later. This is compatible with the suggestion that initially, collagen fibrils are assembled by lyotropic liquid crystallization and with other observations which suggest that collagen molecules are initially free to move laterally within the fibril before being locked into place. Fibrils assembled from deaminated collagen solution show two variant longitudinal registration patterns which grade into one another. This suggests that, with a reduction in positively charged side chains, the thermodynamic energy minima responsible for longitudinal registration are less sharp compared with control collagen solutions. Reduction of positive charge by chemical modification helps to explain why the chemical modifications reduce swelling of collagen fibres. It also helps to explain why fibrils form spontaneously at 4 degrees C in both arginine-blocked and deaminated collagen solutions. Thus chemical modifications of rat tail tendon provides new insight into the mechanisms in collagen assembly.