[Clinical and genetic features of seven children with MYH9-related disease].

Objective: To summarize and analyze of the clinical and genetic characteristics of children with nonmuscle myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9)-related disease (MYH9-RD). Methods: To screen the patients who were first diagnosed as "chronic/refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) " from April 2016 to May 2019 in Beijing Children's Hospital by genetic and clinical examinations, then the clinical manifestation, laboratory examination and genetics results of 7 children diagnosed with MYH9-RD were collected and summarized retrospectively. Results: Among 7 children diagnosed with MYH9-RD, 3 were males and 4 females. The age of onset was 1.25 (0.41-6.16) years. The course of disease was 2.16 (0.41-8.59) years. The automatic platelet count was (9 (5-30))×109/L. All the cases were found with giant platelets under microscope,and the manual platelet count was (70 (30-100))×109/L. Four cases had skin hemorrhage or epistaxis and 3 cases had no bleeding. All 7 patients had received first-or second-line therapy of ITP, of whom 1 case received splenic embolization, and all the treatments mentioned above were ineffective. Finally, it was confirmed that all 7 patients had heterozygous missense mutations of MYH9 gene by next generation sequencing (NGS), including 2 pedigrees and 5 sporadic cases. Four sporadic mutations occurred in N-terminal globular head domain (HD), and 1 sporadic case with p.D1424N mutations occurred in the C-terminal tail domain (TD). One of the pedigrees also had p.D1424N mutation. The other familial case had a novel variant with one missense variant p.A44D caused by the c.131C>A transition. One of the two p.R702 mutations had kidney damage, and several relatives of the new p.A44D mutations had deafness. Conclusions: In this study, the spontaneous mutations of seven MYH9-RD were common, and all patients were misdiagnosed as ITP, whereas the bleeding was mild and immunotherapy was ineffective. The suspected disease can be identified earlier by manual visual platelet volume and count, which can be confirmed by genetic testing. It is more important to monitor the development of other organs damage instead of thrombocytopenia. For cases with p.R702 mutations the doctor should be aware of kidney damage, and for the cases with novel mutations p.A44D the doctor should be aware of hearing loss.

Association between C-myc and K-ras gene polymorphisms and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between c-myc and K-ras gene polymorphisms and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 200 NHL patients in our hospital in the past 3 years were collected as disease group, while 200 healthy people were taken as control group. The genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the peripheral blood was extracted in both groups, amplified via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sent to the company for the detection of c-myc and K-ras gene polymorphisms. The expressions of c-myc and K-ras were detected via Reverse Transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and the levels of clinical indexes hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (PLT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined in the Laboratory Department. RESULTS: The allele distribution at c-myc gene locus rs121918684 was different between control group and disease group (p=0.000), and the G allele frequency was 202 (0.505) in the control group and 263 (0.657) in the disease group. In the disease group, the GG genotype frequency at c-myc gene locus rs121918684 [97 (0.485)], the CC genotype frequency at rs775522201 [98 (0.490)], and the GA genotype frequency at K-ras gene locus rs1137188 [127 (0.635)] were all significantly higher than those in the control group (p=0.000, p=0.002, p=0.011). In the disease group, the frequency of recessive model GC+CC (p=0.003), heterozygous model GC (p=0.035), and homozygous model CC (p=0.037) at c-myc gene locus rs121918684 was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the frequency of recessive model CT+TT (p=0.046) at c-myc gene locus rs775522201 was also markedly lower than that in the control group. The haplotype frequency of c-myc CC (p=0.000), GC (p=0.000), and GT (p=0.018) in the disease group was different from that in the control group. Moreover, the CT genotype at c-myc gene locus rs775522201 was remarkably correlated with the c-myc gene expression, and the gene expression was markedly increased in the disease group. The TT genotype at K-ras gene locus rs12245 was correlated with the K-ras gene expression, and the gene expression was notably increased in the disease group. There was an association between GG genotype at c-myc gene locus rs121918684 and LDH level (p=0.000), between CT genotype at c-myc gene locus rs775522201 and PLT level (p=0.002), and between AA genotype at K-ras gene locus rs1137188 and Hb level (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The c-myc and K-ras gene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to NHL, gene expression and levels of Hb, PLT, and LDH.

Molecular identification of variety purity in a cotton hybrid with unknown parentage using DNA-SSR markers.

Molecular identification of hybrid purity is difficult in regional trials of cotton varieties and hybrid trials. In particular, the molecular detection of hybrid purity has not yet been reported in the case of unknown parentage. In this study, we screened 5000 pairs of primers and chose 17 pairs of core simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers to determine the F1 purity of Han6402. The results showed that the purity based on SSR markers reached 100%. Twelve of the 17 pairs of primers exhibited co-dominant banding patterns, and 5 showed non-co-dominant banding patterns. Moreover, we constructed an F1 SSR fingerprinting profile that enabled the identification of the authenticity of Han 6402. Using these primers, we subsequently detected 44 individual F2 seedlings, and the results exhibited different extents of separation, in which the majority of genotypes were heterozygous with co-dominance at most of the loci that differed from each other. The results validated the underlying heterozygous status of the F2 population at the molecular level. Therefore, we conclude that the set of core SSR primers can be used for the laboratory identification of the authenticity and purity of cotton hybrids, not only for distinguishing Fl hybrids or segregating F2 populations, but also for detecting volunteer seeds as fake F1 hybrids in the cotton hybrid industry, based on the hybrid fingerprinting.

Thermal management and prototype testing of Compton scattering X-ray beam position monitor for the Advanced Photon Source Upgrade.

Accurate and stable x-ray beam position monitors (XBPMs) are key elements in obtaining the desired user beam stability in the Advanced Photon Source Upgrade. In the next-generation XBPMs for the canted-undulator front ends, where two undulator beams are separated by 1.0 mrad, the lower beam power (<10 kW) per undulator allows us to explore lower-cost solutions based on Compton scattering from a diamond placed edge-on to the x-ray beam. Because of the high peak power density of the x-ray beams, this diamond experiences high temperatures and has to be clamped to a water-cooled heat spreader using thermal interface materials (TIMs), which play a key role in reducing the temperature of the diamond. To evaluate temperature changes through the interface via thermal simulations, the thermal contact resistance (TCR) of TIMs at an interface between two solid materials under even contact pressure must be known. This paper addresses the TCR measurements of several TIMs, including gold, silver, pyrolytic graphite sheet, and 3D graphene foam. In addition, a prototype of a Compton-scattering XBPM with diamond blades was installed at APS Beamline 24-ID-A in May 2015 and has been tested. This paper presents the design of the Compton-scattering XBPM, and compares thermal simulation results obtained for the diamond blade of this XBPM by the finite element method with in situ empirical measurements obtained by using reliable infrared technology.

Andrographolide radiosensitizes human esophageal cancer cell line ECA109 to radiation in vitro.

To explore the radiosensitivity of andrographolide on esophageal cancer cell line ECA109. The inhibition effects of andrographolide were measured using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Clonogenic survival assay was used to evaluate the effects of andrographolide on the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells. Immunofluorescence was employed to examine Bax expression. The changes in cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were assayed using flow cytometry. The expression of NF-κb/Cleaved-Caspase3/Bax/Bcl-2 was measured using Western blot analysis. DNA damage was detected via γ-H2AX foci counting. With a clear dose and time effects, andrographolide was found to inhibit the proliferation of esophageal cell line ECA109. The results of the clonogenic survival assay show that andrographolide could markedly enhance radiosensitivity (P < 0.05) with a sensitizing enhancement ratio of 1.28. Andrographolide caused a dose-dependent increase in Cleaved-Caspase3/Bax protein expression and a decrease in Bcl-2/NF-κb expression. Apoptosis in andrographolide-treated ECA-109 increased significantly compared with the apoptosis in the simple drug and radiation combined with drug groups (P < 0.001; P < 0.05). Moreover, compared with the independent radiation group, the andrographolide combined with radiation group increased the number of DNA double chain breaks. Andrographolide can increase the radiosensitivity of esophageal cell line ECA109. This result may be associated with the decrease in the NF-κb level and the induced apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells.

An in vivo and in vitro assessment of the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and immunomodulatory activities of Clematis terniflora DC. extract, participation of aurantiamide acetate.

AIM: Clematis terniflora DC. has been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of tonsillitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and prostatitis. Despite its widespread use in China, there are currently no studies systematically examined its therapeutic effects and mechanism of action. As such, the present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and immunomodulatory effects of C. terniflora DC. using rodent and cellular models. METHODS: The anti-inflammatory properties of the 70% ethanol eluted fraction of the 70% ethanol extract of C. terniflora DC. (EECTD) were evaluated using the xylene-induced ear swelling test, the carrageenan-induced edema model, and the cotton pellet granuloma method. Its antinociceptive activities were determined using both the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the hot plate assay. In parallel, we conducted an in vitro assay in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of EECTD and its purified form, aurantiamide acetate (AA) on inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release. RESULTS: EECTD (300mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of writhing, extended the pain response latency, and suppressed xylene-induced ear swelling. Each EECTD treatment group also had significant inhibition of cotton granulation formation in addition to reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema. EECTD was also shown to alleviate signs of inflammation in histopathological paw sections. However, it had a less noticeable effect on mouse ear swelling in the delayed type hypersensitivity test. A purified compound was isolated from EECTD and its structure was identified as AA. In vitro experimental results showed that both EECTD and AA were able to significantly inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines NO and PGE2 on LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that EECTD has significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, partially related to one of the active substances identified as AA. We hypothesize that these effects are related to its ability to inhibit the production of cytokines NO and PGE2. However, further work will be needed to determine its exact mechanism of action.

The cyclic hexapeptide AcF attenuates sepsis-induced acute lung injury and mortality in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the possible beneficial effects of AcF on acute lung injury (ALI) in a rat model of sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following four experimental groups (n = 10 per group): animals undergoing a sham cecal ligature puncture (CLP) (Sham group); animals undergoing CLP (control group); or animals undergoing CLP and treated with saline (Saline group) and animals undergoing CLP and treated with AcF (AcF group). At 24 h after CLP, blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected. The lung wet/dry weight ratio, Protein concentration and the count of inflammatory cells or neutrophils in the BALF were determined. The pathologic changes in lungs were examined with the optical microscopy. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the expression of inflammatory cytokines were measured in lung tissue and BALF respectively. Survival rates were recorded at 120h in the four groups in another experiment. RESULTS: Histology findings revealed acute lung injury in rats in the CLP group, whereas those in the AcF-treated group had mild lung injury. Treatment with AcF significantly attenuated the CLP-induced pulmonary edema and inflammation, as it significantly decreased lung wet/dry ration, protein concentration and the infiltration of inflammatory cells and neutrophils in the lung tissues. In addition, the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1b and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) was decreased in AcF treated group compared with the control saline treated group. CONCLUSIONS: AcF administration ameliorates acute lung injury in a rat model of sepsis induced by CLP. AcF can be developed as a novel treatment for severe sepsis-induced ALI.

Evidence for microbunching "sidebands" in a saturated free-electron laser using coherent optical transition radiation.

We report the first measurements of z-dependent coherent optical transition radiation (COTR) due to electron-beam microbunching at high gains ( >10(4)) including saturation of a self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser (FEL). In these experiments the fundamental wavelength was near 530 nm, and the COTR spectra exhibit the transition from simple spectra to complex spectra ( 5% spectral width) after saturation. The COTR intensity growth and angular distribution data are reported as well as the evidence for transverse spectral dependencies and an "effective" core of the beam being involved in microbunching.

Exponential gain and saturation of a self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser.

Self-amplified spontaneous emission in a free-electron laser has been proposed for the generation of very high brightness coherent x-rays. This process involves passing a high-energy, high-charge, short-pulse, low-energy-spread, and low-emittance electron beam through the periodic magnetic field of a long series of high-quality undulator magnets. The radiation produced grows exponentially in intensity until it reaches a saturation point. We report on the demonstration of self-amplified spontaneous emission gain, exponential growth, and saturation at visible (530 nanometers) and ultraviolet (385 nanometers) wavelengths. Good agreement between theory and simulation indicates that scaling to much shorter wavelengths may be possible. These results confirm the physics behind the self-amplified spontaneous emission process and forward the development of an operational x-ray free-electron laser.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 in China: molecular analysis and genotype-phenotype correlation in 5 families.

BACKGROUND: Twelve genetic types of autosomal dominant hereditary ataxia have been recently identified and the genes responsible for most of them cloned. Molecular identification of the type of ataxia is important to determine the disease prevalence and its natural history in various populations. OBJECTIVES: To perform molecular analysis of 75 Chinese families affected with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) and to evaluate the spectrum of mutations in these genes and the correlation between genotypes and phenotypes in Chinese patients. SETTING: Neurogenetics Unit, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China. METHODS: One hundred nine patients from 75 kindreds diagnosed as having autosomal dominant SCA, 16 patients with sporadic SCA or spastic paraplegia, 280 control chromosomes of the Chinese population, and 120 control chromosomes of the Sakha population were selected for this study. We conducted detailed mutational analysis by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products amplified from genomic DNA. RESULTS: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) was identified in 5 families with 12 studied patients. All affected family members were heterozygous for a CAG repeat expansion in the SCA1 gene containing 51 to 64 trinucleotide repeats. Normal alleles had 26 to 35 repeats. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 accounted for 7% of the studied Chinese families with ataxia. In addition, we determined the frequency of a single vs double CAT interruption in 120 control chromosomes of the Siberian Sakha population, which has the highest known prevalence of SCA1, and compared this with 280 control chromosomes from the Chinese populations. The results show that 64.7% of the Siberian normal alleles contain a single CAT interruption, whereas 92% of the Chinese had more than 1 interruption. CONCLUSIONS: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 is responsible for 7% of affected families in the Chinese population. A correlation between the prevalence of SCA1 and the number of CAT interruptions in the trinucleotide chain suggests that a CAT-to-CAG substitution may have been the initial event contributing to the generation of expanded alleles and influencing relative prevalence of SCA1.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 in China: molecular analysis and genotype-phenotype correlation in nine families.

Sixteen patients from nine Chinese families with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) were heterozygous for a CAG repeat expansion in the SCA2 gene containing 37 to 56 repeats, whereas the normal alleles carried 14 to 28 repeats. One or two CAA triplets within the CAG tract were seen in normal, but not in the expanded alleles. A strong inverse correlation was established between the number of CAG repeats and the age of disease onset. SCA2 accounted for 12% of the known Chinese families with spinocerebellar ataxia.

Machado-Joseph disease in four Chinese pedigrees: molecular analysis of 15 patients including two juvenile cases and clinical correlations.

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder associated with the expansion of a (CAG)n array in the MJD1 gene. We analyzed the sizes of the (CAG)n array using DNA samples from 61 members of four Chinese MJD families and 18 Chinese normal control subjects and confirmed that the (CAG)n array in 15 MJD chromosomes was expanded to 72-86 repeat units. There were no subjects with (CAG)n array sizes intermediate between those of normal and MJD affected groups. Meanwhile, we found a significant negative correlation between the age of onset of symptoms and (CAG)n array size. The largest (CAG)n array of 86 repeat units was in the youngest patient, whose age of onset was 5 years. The intergenerational increase in number of CAG repeat units was associated with the clinical phenomenon of anticipation.

Inhibition of methyl methanesulfonate-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis in spermatozoa of mice by Poly I-C.

Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS 75 mg.kg-1)-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) was inhibited significantly in the spermatozoa of mice injected with Poly I-C (0.05, 0.50, and 5.00 mg.kg-1) at 4 h prior to ip MMS. Radioactivity was reduced from 53 +/- 3 to 50, 45 +/- 5, and 34 +/- 6 dpm/million sperms respectively. The effects of Poly I-C were dose-dependent (r = 0.9498, P less than 0.05) in inhibition of MMS-induced UDS. The effect of serum collected from the mice injected with Poly I-C (0.50 mg.kg-1) had similar effects as that of Poly I-C. Our findings suggest that both Poly I-C alone and mouse serum induced with Poly I-C may prevent the DNA damage produced by MMS.

Soft x-ray absorption cross section of argon determined by a variable absorber technique.

The x-ray absorption cross section of argon was measured in the 1.3-3.8-nm wavelength region. To correct for the presence of higher orders in the monochromator output, a variable pressure technique is used. The results are in good agreement with semiempirical calculations and earlier measurements.