Whole-genome sequencing analysis in fetal structural anomalies: novel phenotype-genotype discoveries

OBJECTIVES

The identification of structural variants and single-nucleotide variants is essential in finding molecular etiologies of monogenic genetic disorders. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is becoming more widespread in genetic disease diagnosis. However, data on its clinical utility remain limited in prenatal practice. We aimed to expand our understanding of implementing WGS in the genetic diagnosis of fetal structural anomalies.

METHODS

We employed trio WGS with a minimum coverage of 40× on the MGI DNBSEQ-T7 platform in a cohort of 17 fetuses presenting with aberrations detected by ultrasound, but uninformative findings of standard chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and exome sequencing (ES).

RESULTS

Causative genetic variants were identified in two families, with an increased diagnostic yield of 11.8% (2/17). Both were exon-level copy-number variants of small size (3.03 kb and 5.16 kb) and beyond the detection thresholds of CMA and ES. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, we have described the first prenatal instance of the association of FGF8 with holoprosencephaly and facial deformities.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis demonstrates the clinical value of WGS in the diagnosis of the underlying etiology of fetuses with structural abnormalities, when routine genetic tests have failed to provide a diagnosis. Additionally, the novel variants and new fetal manifestations have expanded the mutational and phenotypic spectrums of BBS9 and FGF8. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Learning the Vector Coding of Egocentric Boundary Cells from Visual Data

The use of spatial maps to navigate through the world requires a complex ongoing transformation of egocentric views of the environment into position within the allocentric map. Recent research has discovered neurons in retrosplenial cortex and other structures that could mediate the transformation from egocentric views to allocentric views. These egocentric boundary cells respond to the egocentric direction and distance of barriers relative to an animal's point of view. This egocentric coding based on the visual features of barriers would seem to require complex dynamics of cortical interactions. However, computational models presented here show that egocentric boundary cells can be generated with a remarkably simple synaptic learning rule that forms a sparse representation of visual input as an animal explores the environment. Simulation of this simple sparse synaptic modification generates a population of egocentric boundary cells with distributions of direction and distance coding that strikingly resemble those observed within the retrosplenial cortex. Furthermore, some egocentric boundary cells learnt by the model can still function in new environments without retraining. This provides a framework for understanding the properties of neuronal populations in the retrosplenial cortex that may be essential for interfacing egocentric sensory information with allocentric spatial maps of the world formed by neurons in downstream areas, including the grid cells in entorhinal cortex and place cells in the hippocampus.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The computational model presented here demonstrates that the recently discovered egocentric boundary cells in retrosplenial cortex can be generated with a remarkably simple synaptic learning rule that forms a sparse representation of visual input as an animal explores the environment. Additionally, our model generates a population of egocentric boundary cells with distributions of direction and distance coding that strikingly resemble those observed within the retrosplenial cortex. This transformation between sensory input and egocentric representation in the navigational system could have implications for the way in which egocentric and allocentric representations interface in other brain areas.

C1q/TNF-related protein-9 suppresses inflammation in synovial cells from patients with osteoarthritis

Objective: Synovial inflammation contributes to cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis (OA) development. Targeting the inflammation process may provide a promising strategy for OA treatment. It has been demonstrated that C1q/tumour necrosis factor-related protein-9 (CTRP9) has immunosuppression capabilities. Thus, we conducted this study to investigate the role of CTRP9 in OA and its therapeutic potential.Method: The expression level of CTRP9 was quantified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), serum, and synovial cells (SCs) isolated from OA patients by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between the expression level of CTRP9 and the disease activity of OA was determined. The inflammation-suppressing effects of CTRP9 were assessed in vitro.Results: The expression level of CTRP9 was increased in the PBMCs and serum of OA compared to healthy controls. The serum level of CTRP9 was found to be positively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and visual analogue scale score. In addition, CTRP9 protein suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β, in PBMCs and SCs in vitro. CTRP9 was increased in OA patients and positively correlated with the disease activity. The recombinant CTRP9 had inflammation-suppressing activities in vitro.Conclusion: CTRP9 may have therapeutic potential for treating OA.Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized as cartilage destruction resulting from synovial inflammation (1-6). According to the clinical symptoms and levels of inflammation, OA has been divided into primary generalized osteoarthritis (PGOA) and erosive inflammatory osteoarthritis (EIOA) (7). The only available treatment for OA is joint replacement. Thus, it is necessary to develop novel and effective therapeutic strategies to treat OA.Because synovial inflammation contributes to OA development, targeting the inflammation process may provide a promising strategy for OA treatment. Previous investigations showed that pro-inflammatory factors promoted OA development (8-10), while anti-inflammatory factors suppressed it (11-14). Thus, we conducted the present study to investigate the role of C1q/tumour necrosis factor-related protein-9 (CTRP9), an anti-inflammatory factor (15), in OA, and its therapeutic potential.

Learning receptive field properties of complex cells in V1

There are two distinct classes of cells in the primary visual cortex (V1): simple cells and complex cells. One defining feature of complex cells is their spatial phase invariance; they respond strongly to oriented grating stimuli with a preferred orientation but with a wide range of spatial phases. A classical model of complete spatial phase invariance in complex cells is the energy model, in which the responses are the sum of the squared outputs of two linear spatially phase-shifted filters. However, recent experimental studies have shown that complex cells have a diverse range of spatial phase invariance and only a subset can be characterized by the energy model. While several models have been proposed to explain how complex cells could learn to be selective to orientation but invariant to spatial phase, most existing models overlook many biologically important details. We propose a biologically plausible model for complex cells that learns to pool inputs from simple cells based on the presentation of natural scene stimuli. The model is a three-layer network with rate-based neurons that describes the activities of LGN cells (layer 1), V1 simple cells (layer 2), and V1 complex cells (layer 3). The first two layers implement a recently proposed simple cell model that is biologically plausible and accounts for many experimental phenomena. The neural dynamics of the complex cells is modeled as the integration of simple cells inputs along with response normalization. Connections between LGN and simple cells are learned using Hebbian and anti-Hebbian plasticity. Connections between simple and complex cells are learned using a modified version of the Bienenstock, Cooper, and Munro (BCM) rule. Our results demonstrate that the learning rule can describe a diversity of complex cells, similar to those observed experimentally.

Many cortical functions originate from the learning ability of the brain. How the properties of cortical cells are learned is vital for understanding how the brain works. There are many models that explain how V1 simple cells can be learned. However, how V1 complex cells are learned still remains unclear. In this paper, we propose a model of learning in complex cells based on the Bienenstock, Cooper, and Munro (BCM) rule. We demonstrate that properties of receptive fields of complex cells can be learned using this biologically plausible learning rule. Quantitative comparisons between the model and experimental data are performed. Results show that model complex cells can account for the diversity of complex cells found in experimental studies. In summary, this study provides a plausible explanation for how complex cells can be learned using biologically plausible plasticity mechanisms. Our findings help us to better understand biological vision processing and provide us with insights into the general signal processing principles that the visual cortex employs to process visual information.

Macrophage Depletion Improves Chronic Rejection in Rats With Allograft Heart Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Macrophages may be important in chronic rejection after organ transplantation. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of depleting macrophages for a certain amount of time to alleviate chronic rejection in a heart transplant model of Fischer to Lewis rats.

METHODS

Clodronate liposome was injected abdominally to deplete macrophages for 2 time frames. The expression levels of ectodysplasin 1, arginase 1 (Arg1), chitinase-like lectin (Ym1), interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were detected.

RESULTS

1. The expression levels of α-SMA, interferon gamma, TNF-α, and MCP-1 and the transformation of peripheral T cells were lower after macrophage depletion for 2 or 4 weeks. 2. The expression levels of α-SMA, TNF-α, and MCP-1 and the transformation of peripheral T cells were even lower after 4 weeks compared with 2 weeks, except for interferon gamma. 3. A higher level of expression of Arg1 and Ym1 after macrophage depletion for 2 weeks was observed. 4. A higher level of expression of IL-10 after macrophage depletion for 2 weeks, but not 4 weeks, was also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Macrophage clearance after heart transplantation alleviated chronic rejection probably via M2 polarization of regenerated macrophages, reduced T-lymphocyte proliferation, and changed the expression levels of interferon gamma, TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-10.

Toward a Biologically Plausible Model of LGN-V1 Pathways Based on Efficient Coding

Increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that the visual system employs a sparse code to represent visual stimuli, where information is encoded in an efficient way by a small population of cells that respond to sensory input at a given time. This includes simple cells in primary visual cortex (V1), which are defined by their linear spatial integration of visual stimuli. Various models of sparse coding have been proposed to explain physiological phenomena observed in simple cells. However, these models have usually made the simplifying assumption that inputs to simple cells already incorporate linear spatial summation. This overlooks the fact that these inputs are known to have strong non-linearities such the separation of ON and OFF pathways, or separation of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Consequently these models ignore a range of important experimental phenomena that are related to the emergence of linear spatial summation from non-linear inputs, such as segregation of ON and OFF sub-regions of simple cell receptive fields, the push-pull effect of excitation and inhibition, and phase-reversed cortico-thalamic feedback. Here, we demonstrate that a two-layer model of the visual pathway from the lateral geniculate nucleus to V1 that incorporates these biological constraints on the neural circuits and is based on sparse coding can account for the emergence of these experimental phenomena, diverse shapes of receptive fields and contrast invariance of orientation tuning of simple cells when the model is trained on natural images. The model suggests that sparse coding can be implemented by the V1 simple cells using neural circuits with a simple biologically plausible architecture.

The effect of insulin on bone mineral density among women with type 2 diabetes: a SWAN Pharmacoepidemiology study

This was a longitudinal study examining the effects of insulin use on bone mineral density loss. Insulin use was found to be associated with greater bone mineral density loss at the femoral neck among women with diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION

Women with diabetes mellitus (DM) have higher bone mineral density (BMD) and experience slower BMD loss but have an increased risk of fracture. The data regarding the effect of insulin treatment on BMD remains conflicted. We examined the impact of insulin initiation on BMD.

METHODS

We investigated the annual changes in BMD associated with the new use of insulin among women with DM in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Propensity score (PS) matching, which is a statistical method that helps balance the baseline characteristics of women who did and did not initiate insulin, was used. Covariates with a potential impact on bone health were included in all models. Mixed model regression was used to test the change in BMD between the two groups. Median follow-up time was 5.4 years.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 110 women, mean age, 53.6 years; 49% white and 51% black. Women using insulin (n = 55) were similar on most relevant characteristics to the 55 not using insulin. Median diabetes duration for the user group was 10 vs. 5.0 years for the non-user group. There was a greater loss of BMD at the femoral neck among insulin users (- 1.1%) vs non-users (- 0.77%) (p = 0.04). There were no differences in BMD loss at the spine - 0.30% vs - 0.32% (p = 0.85) or at the total hip - 0.31% vs - 0.25 (p = 0.71), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with T2DM who initiated insulin experienced a more rapid BMD loss at the femoral neck as compared to women who did use insulin.

Ultrasound Imaging Based on Molecular Targeting for Quantitative Evaluation of Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

The aim of the present study was to quantitatively diagnose and monitor the therapy response of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) with the use of targeted ultrasound (US) imaging. Targeted microbubbles (MBs) were fabricated, and the binding of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) antibodies to MBs was observed. To establish a quantitative method based on targeted US imaging, contrast-enhanced US was applied for IRI rats. After andrographolide treatment, the IRI rats were subjected to the quantitative targeted US imaging for a therapeutic effect. Effective binding of ICAM-1 antibodies to MBs was observed. According to the quantitative targeted US imaging, the ICAM-1 normalized intensity difference (NID) in the IRI rats (38.74 ± 15.08%) was significantly higher than that in the control rats (10.08 ± 2.52%, p = 0.048). Further, different degrees of IRI (mild IRI, moderate to severe IRI) were distinguished by the use of the NID (37.14 ± 2.14%, 22.34 ± 1.08%, p = 0.002). Analysis of mRNA expression demonstrated the accuracy of analyzing the NID by using quantitative targeted US imaging (R²  = 0.7434, p < 0.001). Andrographolide treatment resulted in an obviously weakened NID of ICAM-1 (17.7 ± 4.8% vs 34.2 ± 6.6%, p < 0.001). The study showed the potential of the quantitative targeted US imaging method for the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of IRI.

Long noncoding RNA HOXA-AS2 represses P21 and KLF2 expression transcription by binding with EZH2, LSD1 in colorectal cancer

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have received increased attention as a new class of functional regulators involved in human carcinogenesis. HOXA cluster antisense RNA 2 (HOXA-AS2) is a 1048-bp lncRNA located between the HOXA3 and HOXA4 genes in the HOXA cluster that regulates gene expression at a transcription level. HOXA-AS2 is previously found to be overexpressed in gastric cancer (GC) and promotes GC cells proliferation. However, its potential role and molecular mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC) are not known. Here, we identified that HOXA-AS2 is significantly upregulated in CRC tissue. In addition, increased HOXA-AS2 expression is associated with a larger tumor size and an advanced pathological stage in CRC patients. HOXA-AS2 knockdown significantly suppressed proliferation by blocking the G1/S transition and caused apoptosis of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. The mechanistic investigations showed that HOXA-AS2 could interact with EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2), LSD1 (lysine specific demethylase 1) and recruit them to p21 (CDKN1A), KLF2 promoter regions to repress their transcription. Furthermore, the rescue experiments demonstrated that HOXA-AS2 oncogenic function is partly through regulating p21. In conclusion, our data suggest that HOXA-AS2 may function as an oncogene by modulating the multiple genes expression involved in CRC proliferation, and also provides a potential target for CRC therapy.

[Effect of catheter choice during embryo transfer on the clinical outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer]

OBJECTIVE

To compare two flexible embryo catheters and determine whether clinical outcome differs in the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles.

METHODS

This prospective control study was conducted by one doctor between July 2012 and November 2013. In the study, 2 064 patients undergoing fresh embryo transfer by using IVF-ET/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-ET in Reproductive Medical Center of Peking University Third Hospital were recruited. The subjects were divided into two groups. Cook Sydney IVF embryo transfer catheters (product model: K-JETS-7019-SIVF) were used for embryo transfer in group 1 (n=949), and Frydman-CCD catheters (product model: 131230301) were used in group 2 (n=1 115). Pregnancy outcomes were compared between these two groups.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in age, diagnosis for infertility and stimulation protocol used between the two groups. In addition, there was no difference in the number of oocytes collected and in the number and score of embryos transferred. The significantly higher implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate (34.40% vs. 26.92%, 51.21% vs. 41.52%, 42.57% vs. 33.09%, P<0.05) were observed in group 1 compared with group 2. The abortion rate was not significantly different between the two groups (11.93% vs. 15.98%, P>0.05). The proportion of difficult transfer was higher in group 1 than that in group 2 (5.27% vs. 3.41%, P<0.05). There was no difference in the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate between the two difficult transfer cycles.

CONCLUSION

The type of embryo transfer catheter affects the clinical outcome in IVF. Good clinical outcome can be obtained by using Cook Sydney IVF catheter, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Gene Expression Profile Regulated by CREB in K562 Cell Line

BACKGROUND

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) is a member of the CREB/activation transcription factor 1 family that binds to an octanucleotide cAMP response element consensus sequence in promoters of target genes.

METHODS

CREB has been shown to regulate a variety of cellular functions, including cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis, differentiation, metabolism, hematopoiesis, immune response, and neuronal activity. CREB was also identified as a proto-oncogene involving in transformation by promoting abnormal proliferation and survival of myeloid cells. To understand the mechanism of CREB functions in leukemogenesis, the transcriptional profiles from a K562 cell line in which CREB was knocked down were analyzed with the use of bioinformatics methods.

RESULTS

DAVID Bioinformatics Resources and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were performed to identify the targets that are regulated by CREB. A total of 692 genes were up-regulated and 364 genes down-regulated. The up-regulated genes were significantly enriched in pathways of cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia. GSEA analysis showed expression of Notch1 pathway to be decreased and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway to be activated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results identified candidate gene sets that could be used to guide research on discovering the mechanism of CREB during leukemogenesis.

[Outcome of treatment of Y chromosome AZFc microdeletion patients]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the treatment options for patients with azoospermia factor (AZF) c microdeletion on Y chromosome.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty three patients, who were diagnosed as AZFc microdeletion on Y chromosome in Peking University Third Hospital, were recruited in our study. In order to get better treatment option for this kind of patients, we retrospectively analyzed their clinic data including the treatment process and pregnancy outcome and found out the characteristics of their semen.

RESULTS

Among the 183 patients, sperms can be found in ejaculated semen in 105 patients (57.4%, 105/183). One hundred and three patients (98.1%, 103/105) were diagnosed as severe or extremely severe oligospermia. Regular medication was given to 98 patients, 6 patients (6.1%, 6/98) of which got natural pregnancy. The other 99 patients who have sperms in their semen received intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), 68 patients (68.7%, 68/99) of which got pregnancy. Seventy eight patients were diagnosed as azoospermia among all the 183 patients. Forty nine patients received testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), and 21 patients choose to receive micro-TESE directly. Among the 49 patients with TESA, sperms were retrieved in 17 patients (34.7%, 17/49), and sperms were not retrieved in 32 patients (65.3%, 32/49), of which 12 patients (37.5%, 12/32) gave up treatment and 20 patients (62.5%, 20/32) choose micro-TESE. Among the 41 patients who choose to receive micro-TESE, operation has been done on 19 patients, of which 11 patients (57.9%, 11/19) got sperms. Among the 11 patients, TESA has been done on 6 patients before micro-TESE, of which 4 patients (66.6%, 4/6) got sperms. ICSI has already been done on 7 azoospermia AZFc microdeletion patients who underwent micro-TESE, of which 4 patients (57.1%, 4/7) get pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

AZFc microdeletion patients who had sperms were always diagnosed as severe or extremely severe oligospermia. ICSI was their first choice instead of drug therapy. For AZFc microdeletion patients who were diagnosed as azoospermia, TESA was one of their choices, however, the success rate is not high. Micro-TESE is still possible to get sperms even after the failure of TESA. Therefore, we may choose micro-TESE instead of TESA in some azoospermia patients in order to reduce surgical trauma on patients.

SU(4) Skyrmions in the ν=±1 Quantum Hall State of Graphene

We explore different Skyrmion types in the lowest Landau level of graphene at a filling factor ν=±1. In addition to the formation of spin and valley pseudospin Skyrmions, we show that another type of spin-valley entangled Skyrmions can be stabilized in graphene due to an approximate SU(4) spin-valley symmetry that is affected by sublattice symmetry-breaking terms. These Skyrmions have a clear signature in spin-resolved density measurements on the lattice scale, and we discuss the expected patterns for the different Skyrmion types.

[Outcome of treatment of Y chromosome AZFc microdeletion patients]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the treatment options for patients with azoospermia factor (AZF) c microdeletion on Y chromosome.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty three patients, who were diagnosed as AZFc microdeletion on Y chromosome in Peking University Third Hospital, were recruited in our study. In order to get better treatment option for this kind of patients, we retrospectively analyzed their clinic data including the treatment process and pregnancy outcome and found out the characteristics of their semen.

RESULTS

Among the 183 patients, sperms can be found in ejaculated semen in 105 patients (57.4%, 105/183). One hundred and three patients (98.1%, 103/105) were diagnosed as severe or extremely severe oligospermia. Regular medication was given to 98 patients, 6 patients (6.1%, 6/98) of which got natural pregnancy. The other 99 patients who have sperms in their semen received intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), 68 patients (68.7%, 68/99) of which got pregnancy. Seventy eight patients were diagnosed as azoospermia among all the 183 patients. Forty nine patients received testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), and 21 patients choose to receive micro-TESE directly. Among the 49 patients with TESA, sperms were retrieved in 17 patients (34.7%, 17/49), and sperms were not retrieved in 32 patients (65.3%, 32/49), of which 12 patients (37.5%, 12/32) gave up treatment and 20 patients (62.5%, 20/32) choose micro-TESE. Among the 41 patients who choose to receive micro-TESE, operation has been done on 19 patients, of which 11 patients (57.9%, 11/19) got sperms. Among the 11 patients, TESA has been done on 6 patients before micro-TESE, of which 4 patients (66.6%, 4/6) got sperms. ICSI has already been done on 7 azoospermia AZFc microdeletion patients who underwent micro-TESE, of which 4 patients (57.1%, 4/7) get pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

AZFc microdeletion patients who had sperms were always diagnosed as severe or extremely severe oligospermia. ICSI was their first choice instead of drug therapy. For AZFc microdeletion patients who were diagnosed as azoospermia, TESA was one of their choices, however, the success rate is not high. Micro-TESE is still possible to get sperms even after the failure of TESA. Therefore, we may choose micro-TESE instead of TESA in some azoospermia patients in order to reduce surgical trauma on patients.

A joint QRS detection and data compression scheme for wearable sensors

This paper presents a novel electrocardiogram (ECG) processing technique for joint data compression and QRS detection in a wireless wearable sensor. The proposed algorithm is aimed at lowering the average complexity per task by sharing the computational load among multiple essential signal-processing tasks needed for wearable devices. The compression algorithm, which is based on an adaptive linear data prediction scheme, achieves a lossless bit compression ratio of 2.286x. The QRS detection algorithm achieves a sensitivity (Se) of 99.64% and positive prediction (+P) of 99.81% when tested with the MIT/BIH Arrhythmia database. Lower overall complexity and good performance renders the proposed technique suitable for wearable/ambulatory ECG devices.

Microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes in preeclamptic and normal placental tissues

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

To detect the candidate genes for preeclampsia (PE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The gene expression profiles in preeclamptic and normal placental tissues were analyzed using cDNA microarray approach and the altered expression of important genes were further confirmed by real-time RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) technique. Total RNA was extracted from placental tissues of three cases with severe PE and from three cases with normal pregnancy. After scanning, differentially expressed genes were detected by software.

RESULTS

In two experiments (the fluorescent labels were exchanged), a total of 111 differentially expressed genes were detected. In placental tissue ofpreeclamptic pregnancy, 68 differentially expressed genes were up-regulated, and 44 differentially expressed genes were down-regulated. Of these genes, 16 highly differentially expressed genes were confirmed by real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR, and the result showed that the ratio of gene expression differences was comparable to that detected by cDNA microarray.

CONCLUSION

The results of bioinformatic analysis showed that encoding products of differentially expressed genes were correlated to infiltration of placenta trophoblastic cells, immunomodulatory factors, pregnancy-associated plasma protein, signal transduction pathway, and cell adhesion. Further studies on the biological function and regulating mechanism of these genes will provide new clues for better understanding of etiology and pathogenesis of PE.

A comparison of DXA and CT based methods for estimating the strength of the femoral neck in post-menopausal women

The study goal was to compare simple two-dimensional (2D) analyses of bone strength using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) data to more sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) finite element analyses using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) data. DXA- and QCT-derived femoral neck geometry, simple strength indices, and strength estimates were well correlated.

INTRODUCTION

Simple 2D analyses of bone strength can be done with DXA data and applied to large data sets. We compared 2D analyses to 3D finite element analyses (FEA) based on QCT data.

METHODS

Two hundred thirteen women participating in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) received hip DXA and QCT scans. DXA BMD and femoral neck diameter and axis length were used to estimate geometry for composite bending (BSI) and compressive strength (CSI) indices. These and comparable indices computed by Hip Structure Analysis (HSA) on the same DXA data were compared to indices using QCT geometry. Simple 2D engineering simulations of a fall impacting on the greater trochanter were generated using HSA and QCT femoral neck geometry; these estimates were benchmarked to a 3D FEA of fall impact.

RESULTS

DXA-derived CSI and BSI computed from BMD and by HSA correlated well with each other (R=0.92 and 0.70) and with QCT-derived indices (R=0.83-0.85 and 0.65-0.72). The 2D strength estimate using HSA geometry correlated well with that from QCT (R=0.76) and with the 3D FEA estimate (R=0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

Femoral neck geometry computed by HSA from DXA data corresponds well enough to that from QCT for an analysis of load stress in the larger SWAN data set. Geometry derived from BMD data performed nearly as well. Proximal femur breaking strength estimated from 2D DXA data is not as well correlated with that derived by a 3D FEA using QCT data.

A computationally efficient QRS detection algorithm for wearable ECG sensors

In this paper we present a novel Dual-Slope QRS detection algorithm with low computational complexity, suitable for wearable ECG devices. The Dual-Slope algorithm calculates the slopes on both sides of a peak in the ECG signal; And based on these slopes, three criterions are developed for simultaneously checking 1)Steepness 2)Shape and 3)Height of the signal, to locate the QRS complex. The algorithm, evaluated against MIT/BIH Arrhythmia Database, achieves a very high detection rate of 99.45%, a sensitivity of 99.82% and a positive prediction of 99.63%.

Interferon signature gene expression is correlated with autoantibody profiles in patients with incomplete lupus syndromes

Interferon (IFN) signature genes have been shown to be expressed highly in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially in the presence of active disease. However, the expression of this gene signature in individuals with incomplete forms of lupus and the pathogenic relationship between IFN signature genes and autoantibody production have not been explored fully. In the present study, we examined the gene expression and autoantibody profiles of patients diagnosed with incomplete lupus erythematosus (ILE) to determine correlations of the gene expression signature with autoantibody production. Gene expression analysis was carried out on the 24K Illumina Human Refseq-8 arrays using blood samples from 84 subjects, including patients with SLE (n = 27) or ILE (n = 24), first-degree relatives (FDR) of these patients (n = 22) and non-autoimmune control (NC) individuals (n = 11). Autoantibody expression was measured using standard immunoassays and autoantigen proteomic arrays. Up-regulation of a set of 63 IFN signature genes was seen in 83% of SLE patients and 50% of ILE patients. High levels of IFN gene expression in ILE and SLE showed significant correlations with the expression of a subset of IgG autoantibodies, including chromatin, dsDNA, dsRNA, U1snRNP, Ro/SSA, La/SSB, topoisomerase I and Scl 70, while low IFN levels were correlated with immunoglobulin (Ig)M autoreactivity. These studies suggest that in patients with ILE the IFN gene expression signature may identify a subset of these individuals who are at risk for disease progression. Furthermore, high levels of alpha IFN may promote autoantibody class-switch from IgM to the more pathogenic IgG class.

Distribution of the Alpha-Gal Epitope on Adult Porcine Bone Tissue

INTRODUCTION

Bone xenografts from pig to human appear to be an alternative to resolve the shortage of bone autologous and allografts. However, the major obstacle of pig-to-human xenotransplantation is the interaction between human natural anti-Gal antibody and the alpha-Gal epitope abundantly expressed on pig endothelium. It was important to investigate the expression of alpha-Gal epitopes in porcine bone tissue to look for an ideal method to remove the alpha-Gal epitopes.

METHODS

The cortical and trabecular bone were retrieved from five pigs. After the soft tissues and periosteum were removed, the blood and marrow cavity were cleaned with phosphate-buffered solution. All 5 mm x 5 mm x 5 mm samples were imbedded in paraffin and methyl methacrylate resin for histological sections. The mouse IgM M86 monoclonal antibody, which was highly specific for alpha-Gal epitopes, was used to document alpha-Gal epitope expression by immunostaining of tissues and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Gal-positive immunostaining and immunofluorescence were observed on the surface of osteocytes and Haversian canals. There was a significant difference in Gal expression between cortical and trabecular bone tissues. There was no Gal expression in the extracellular matrix of bone.

CONCLUSIONS

Major alpha-Gal epitopes were on the surface of osteocytes of porcine bone tissues. A method should be used to damage the osteocytes and eliminate the alpha-Gal epitopes to avoid the xenogenic rejection in xenotransplantation of porcine bone tissues.

Cellular activation patterns of the main olfactory bulb and accessory olfactory bulb following exposure to beddings soiled by same- or opposite-sex conspecifics in Mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus)

Using induction of Fos as an index, we studied cellular activation patterns in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) and main olfactory bulb (MOB) of Mandarin voles ( Microtus mandarinus (Milne-Edwards, 1871)) following their exposure to beddings soiled by different sexes. Male and female Mandarin voles that were exposed to beddings soiled by the opposite sex produced significantly more Fos-immunoreactive (Fos-ir) neurons in the anterior portion of the AOB and significantly fewer Fos-ir neurons in the posterior portion of the AOB than voles exposed to beddings soiled by the same sex. Furthermore, male and female Mandarin voles exposed to bedding soiled by different sex produced different numbers of Fos-ir cells in MOB. Mandarin voles exposed to beddings soiled by the opposite sex produced significantly more Fos-ir neurons in MOB than voles exposed to beddings soiled by the same sex. Our results establish that Mandarin voles of each sex showed different cellular activation patterns in AOB and MOB following exposures to sex-specific beddings. We suggest that both AOB and MOB were involved in sexual activities induced by chemosensory signals.

Leisure activity and risk of cognitive impairment: The Chongqing aging study

The authors followed 5,437 people aged 55 years and older with normal baseline Mini-Mental State Examination score annually for 5 years. The mean incidence of cognitive impairment was 2.3% per year. Cognitive activities in both the individual item (playing board games and reading) and the composite measure were associated with the reduced risk of cognitive impairment, while watching television was associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment.

Cryoloop vitrification of rabbit oocytes

BACKGROUND

Vitrification is assumed to be a promising method to cryopreserve human oocytes but still needs optimization. In this study, rabbit oocytes (fertilized by ICSI) were vitrified with cryoloops, and the effect of three different cryopreservation protocols on spindle configuration and embryo quality was assessed.

METHODS

Metaphase II rabbit oocytes were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (i) control; (ii) E40 [40% ethylene glycol (EG)]; (iii) ED20 [20% EG + 20% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO)]; and (iv) ED20 + M (20% EG + 20% DMSO + vitrification machine). After warming, one part of each group was fertilized by ICSI to examine the fertilization and embryo cleavage ability, and the others were immunostained for tubulin and chromatin before visualization using confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

The survival rates after warming were 79.1, 83.1 and 82.3%, respectively. In protocols E40 and ED20, the spindles were severely injured and the embryo quality not good compared with those in the ED20 + M group.

CONCLUSIONS

The fastest cooling rate in combination with EG and DMSO as cryoprotectants had the fewest adverse effects on the spindle configuration of rabbit oocytes and embryo development.

Thermal oxide based silica ridge waveguide

A silica planar waveguide structure, where a ridge waveguide resides on a vacuum gap, was invented. The silica layer, which was fabricated through thermal oxidation at 1150 masculineC, had an excellent optical index uniformity on the order of 3x10(-5) @1550 nm, and a thickness uniformity of 10 nm at a thickness of 10 microm. Straight waveguide with low insertion loss was demonstrated. Improved thermal efficiency of this structure to cause phase change was discussed in comparison to the conventional channel waveguide structure. Finally, the limitation of this technology to make complex device structures was also explored.

Intrafullerene electron transfers in Sm-containing metallofullerenes: Sm@C2n (74 < or = 2n < or = 84)

The electronic properties of Sm-containing metallofullerenes, Sm@C74, Sm@C76 (I, II), Sm@C78, Sm@C80, Sm@C82 (I, II, III) and Sm@C84 (I, II, III), are characterized by UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). The UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectra of Sm@C74, Sm@C80, Sm@C82 (I, II, III) and Sm@C84 (I, II) are quite similar to those of the corresponding Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu, Tm, Yb-based metallofullerenes. In contrast, the absorption spectra of Sm@C76 (I, II), Sm@C78 and Sm@C84(III) show a novel feature: the onset for Sm@C78 is observed approximately 2600 nm, which corresponds to a small band gap (approximately 0.5 eV). Furthermore, the oxidation states of Sm atom in the various fullerene cages are investigated by EELS, which reveals that the Sm atom takes +2 oxidation state in the fullerene cages. A probable rationale for the tendency to have the Sm2+ state is presented based on a simple thermochemical cycle model.

Maturation of the reconstructed oocytes by germinal vesicle transfer in rabbits and mice

The present study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of germinal vesicle (GV) transfer in rabbits and mice. The GV oocytes were collected from ovaries and cultured in 20 microg/mL 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthin (IBMX) in TCM199 medium, which caused oocytes to shrink, enlarging the perivitelline space to facilitate the GV removal and transfer. Pairs of GV-cytoplast complexes were fused with electric pulses, and the fused, reconstructed oocytes were cultured in TCM199 for 24 h. Results are as follows: 1) The exposure time of rabbit GV oocytes to IBMX medium affected the success of GV removal. For oocytes cultured for 2 and 3 h in IBMX medium, removed rates were 56% and 44, respectively, significantly higher (P < 0.05) than removal rates of GV oocytes cultured for 1 and 4 h (27% and 27%, respectively); 2) There was no significant difference (P > 0.1) in fusion and maturation rates of rabbit reconstructed oocytes collected at 72 and 84 h after initiation of FSH injection to donors; 3) eCG in the maturation media improved development of rabbit-to-rabbit GV transferred oocytes but had no positive effect on mouse-to-rabbit GV transferred oocytes; 4) When mouse GV-karyoplasts were injected into enucleated rabbit oocytes, fusion rates of GV-karyoplasts measuring 40- to 50-microm and 80- to 90-microm in diameters obtained were 84% and 93%, respectively. The rates were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than fusion rates after transferring GV-karyoplasts measuring 30- to 35-microm in diameter (63%). The maturation rate (89%) of reconstructed oocytes composed of 80- to 90-microm mouse GV-karyoplasts and rabbit GV-enucleated cytoplasts was higher than that seen for oocytes composed of 40- to 50-microm (77%, P<0.05) or 30- to 35-microm (59%, P<0.01) mouse karyoplasts. Thirty-five of the 63 (56%) mature mouse-to-rabbit reconstructed oocytes had the normal complement of 20 chromosomes.

The ability of an oligomeric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope antigen to elicit neutralizing antibodies against primary HIV-1 isolates is improved following partial deletion of the second hypervariable region

Partial deletion of the second hypervariable region from the envelope of the primary-like SF162 virus increases the exposure of certain neutralization epitopes and renders the virus, SF162DeltaV2, highly susceptible to neutralization by clade B and non-clade B human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-positive) sera (L. Stamatatos and C. Cheng-Mayer, J. Virol. 78:7840-7845, 1998). This observation led us to propose that the modified, SF162DeltaV2-derived envelope may elicit higher titers of cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies than the unmodified SF162-derived envelope. To test this hypothesis, we immunized rabbits and rhesus macaques with the gp140 form of these two envelopes. In rabbits, both immunogens elicited similar titers of binding antibodies but the modified immunogen was more effective in eliciting neutralizing antibodies, not only against the SF162DeltaV2 and SF162 viruses but also against several heterologous primary HIV type 1 (HIV-1) isolates. In rhesus macaques both immunogens elicited potent binding antibodies, but again the modified immunogen was more effective in eliciting the generation of neutralizing antibodies against the SF162DeltaV2 and SF162 viruses. Antibodies capable of neutralizing several, but not all, heterologous primary HIV-1 isolates tested were elicited only in macaques immunized with the modified immunogen. The efficiency of neutralization of these heterologous isolates was lower than that recorded against the SF162 isolate. Our results strongly suggest that although soluble oligomeric envelope subunit vaccines may elicit neutralizing antibody responses against heterologous primary HIV-1 isolates, these responses will not be broad and potent unless specific modifications are introduced to increase the exposure of conserved neutralization epitopes.

[Experimental study of shuangcao granule no. 1 on duck hepatitis B virus in ducklings]

OBJECTIVE

To study the in vivo anti-viral effect of a Chinese drug, composite Shuangcao Anti-Jaundice Granule No. 1(SCG-1), on duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV).

METHODS

Guangzhou brown spot ducklings infected with DHBV were used as the hepatitis B animal model, for which, 1-day old ducklings were infected with DHBV. Positive DHBV-DNA in ducklings sera were detected 13 days after the infection, and then SCG-1 was given for 14 days and DHBV-DNA was detected by dot-blot hybridization test.

RESULTS

After medicated with SCG-1 [10 g/(kg.day) and 5 g/(kg.day)] 7 days and 14 days, optic density value (OD value) of DHBV-DNA in ducklings' sera were obviously lower than that before treatment, there was significant difference. But rebound phenomenon appeared in both groups 3 days after stopping medication (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

SCG-1 could inhibit the replication of DHBV-DNA in Guangzhou ducklings.

Measurement and significance of oblique occipital frontal diameter and superior inferior diameter of hepatic left lobulus in patients with hepatic fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

To study the changes and significance of oblique occipital frontal diameter (OFD) and superior inferior diameter (SID) of the hepatic left lobulus in different stages of hepatic fibrosis, and to evaluate the value of corresponding serological examination in the non-invasive diagnosis to hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis.

METHODS

Seventy-two patients with chronic hepatitis were confirmed by biopsy. OFD and SID of the hepatic left lobulus were measured by type B ultrasonic flaw detector. Serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type IV collagen (CIV) and type III procollagen (PCIII) were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

SID of the hepatic left lobulus in S(4) stage was 5.7cmA1.5cm, significantly shorter than the values of 7.7cmA1.4 cm in S(0) stage. OFD of the hepatic left lobulus was longer in S(4) stage than S(0) stage, but the difference didn't reach statistical significance. Serum levels of HA, LN,CIV, and PCIII elevated as the increase of fibrosis. HA and PCIII increased to 273.4mug/LA131.3mug/L and 167. 4mug/LA48.1mug/L in S3 stage from 66.2mug/LA35.0mug/L and 103. 4mug/LA23.8mug/L in S(0) stage.

CONCLUSION

Changes in of SID and OFD of the hepatic left lobulus and serum levels of HA and PCIII may indicate indirectly mid-late hepatic fibrosis or early cirrhosis.

[Preliminary study on relationship between different viral pathogenesis and disease prognosis in patients with severe viral hepatitis]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between different viral pathogenesis and disease prognosis in severe viral hepatitis.

METHODS

Different viral pathogenesis of 87 dead and live cases with severe viral hepatitis were compared.

RESULTS

Total mortality of 87 patients with severe hepatitis was 74.71% (65/87), total prevalence of HBV infection alone in these patients was 41.38% (36/87). The detection rates of HBV infection alone and superinfection of different hepatitis viruses in 68 patients with chronic severe hepatitis (CSH) were 41.18% (28/68) and 58.82% (40/68) respectively. The prevalences of superinfection of HBV and HEV or HAV and superinfection of HBV and CMV in patients with CSH were 27.94% (19/68) and 10.29 (7/68) respectively. The mortality of superinfection of HBV and CMV (85.71%) was the highest, followed by HBV infection alone (77.78%). In addition, the prevalence and mortality of HBV infection alone in 19 patients with acute or subacute severe hepatitis was the highest.

CONCLUSION

HBV, HEV or HAV infection alone was the main viral pathogenesis of severe hepatitis. Superinfection of different viruses in patients with CSH was the most common viral infection type. An unpromising prognosis of superinfection of HBV and CMV in CSH is noted.

The sCYMV1 hairpin ribozyme: targeting rules and cleavage of heterologous RNA

The catalytic center of the RNA from the negative strand of the satellite RNA of chicory yellow mottle virus type 1 (sCYMV1) is in the hairpin ribozyme family, has catalytic activity, and cleaves substrates before a preferred GUA sequence. This is different from that of the satellite RNA from the negative strand of tobacco ringspot virus (sTRSV) which prefers a GUC sequence at the site of cleavage. The sCYMV1 hairpin ribozyme has now been developed for cleaving heterologous RNA substrates. When helix 1 was extended from the native 5 bp to 6 bp with a newly added A:U base pair, catalytic activity increased three-fold. The preferred sequence for the substrate loop was the native A*GUA sequence where * is the site of cleavage. When each nucleotide in this sequence was changed to each of the other three nucleotides, catalytic activity decreased 66-100%. RNA targets, containing this A*GUA sequence, were located in both human papillomavirus and HIV-1. Ribozymes were developed which efficiently cleaved these targets in vitro. These results identify a new class of hairpin ribozymes capable of cleaving substrates before a preferred GUA sequence rather than the GUC preferred by the sTRSV hairpin ribozyme. This expands the repertoire of target sites available for gene therapy using the hairpin ribozyme.

[Preliminary study on chemical changes in the decocting process of radix et rhizoma Rhei]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the chemical changes in the decocting process of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei.

METHOD

Comparing the contents of many kinds of anthraquinones in the crude drug, decoction and drug sediments of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei by HPLC.

RESULT

The contents of combined and free anthraquinones changed after the crude drug was decocted.

CONCLUSION

These changes may be related to the hydrolysis of combined anthraquinones, the decomposition of free anthraquinones, and the inter-transition among anthraquinones.

Observation on electromyogram changes in 93 cases of peripheral facial paralysis treated by point-through-point acupuncture

Bioelectricity of the affected muscles at acute stage, recovery stage and sequel state in 93 cases of peripheral facial paralysis was observed with EMG. Pathological potential or motor potential was found to be reduced to varying degrees in all the affected muscles. After treatment by point-through-point acupuncture, myodynamia recovered fairly rapidly, EMG showed obvious changes, pathological potential decreased, and the normal motor unit potential increased remarkably. Comparative analysis of EMG before and after acupuncture indicated that point-through-point acupuncture had an obvious therapeutic effect on the disease. It was also very significant that EMG was used in diagnosing various stages of peripheral facial paralysis, evaluation of prognosis and guidance in clinical treatment.

[Experimental in vivo passage of H2 strain of live attenuated vaccine of hepatitis A in common marmosets]

Common marmosets with negative serum antibodies against hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) and normal liver functions were used for the tests of passage of H2 vaccine strain of HAV to explore its residual virulence after attenuation and possibility of its reversion. Common marmosets were inoculated with attenuated live vaccine, and fecal suspension and/or proliferative liquid in tissue culture of the progeny of vaccine HAV excreted from their feces were passaged in common marmosets. Result of three serial passages in vivo indicated that there was no significant difference in serum anti-HAV titer, and no or low-level changes in activities of liver enzymes, no pathological changes in liver tissues observed, and detectable but minimal HAV was shed in stool of the all animals.

Catalytic properties of hairpin ribozymes derived from Chicory yellow mottle virus and arabis mosaic virus satellite RNAs

Regions of the negative strands of the satellite RNAs of chicory yellow mottle virus (sCYMV1) and arabis mosaic virus (sArMV) have similarity in sequence and predicted secondary structure compared to the tobacco ringspot virus satellite RNA (sTRSV) hairpin ribozyme, suggesting that they may also be catalytic RNAs of a similar type. Our experiments show that the hairpin ribozyme-like sequences derived from sCYMV1 and sArMV have high phosphodiesterase activity. The Kcat values determined are similar to that of the highly active native sTRSV hairpin ribozyme under the same conditions, although the Km values are much higher. The Km of the sArMV ribozyme was reduced 3-fold, with no change in kcat, by extending substrate hybridization in helix 2. Additionally, the three hairpin ribozymes prefer different GUX sequences on the immediate 3'-side of the cleavage site. The sTRSV hairpin ribozyme cleaves GUX substrates with catalytic efficiencies in the relative order GUC >> GUU > GUG = GUA. The sCYMV1 ribozyme cleaves GUA > GUC, GUG, GUU. The sArMV ribozyme prefers GUA > GUG > GUU > GUC. The functional domain, regulating substrate selection at this position, must reside in the nucleotides that vary between the ribozyme--substrate complexes. The sTRSV ribozyme is most efficient at cleaving GUC complexes, while the sCYMV1 and sArMV ribozymes are most efficient for cleaving GUA-containing sequences.