Mycoplasma infection of cancer cells enhances anti-tumor effect of oxidized methylcytidines.

Oxidized methylcytidines 5-hydroxymethyl-2'deoxycytidine (5hmdC) and 5-formy-2'deoxycytidine (5fdC) are deaminated by cytidine deaminase (CDA) into genome-toxic variants of uridine, triggering DNA damage and cell death. These compounds are promising chemotherapeutic agents for cancer cells that are resistant to pyrimidine derivative drugs, such as decitabine and cytarabine, which are inactivated by CDA. In our study, we found that cancer cells infected with mycoplasma exhibited a markedly increased sensitivity to 5hmdC and 5fdC, which was independent of CDA expression of cancer cells. In vitro biochemical assay showed that the homologous CDA protein from mycoplasma was capable of deaminating 5hmdC and 5fdC into their uridine form. Moreover, mycoplasma infection increased the sensitivity of cancer cells to 5hmdC and 5fdC, whereas administration of Tetrahydrouridine (THU) attenuated this effect, suggesting that mycoplasma CDA confers a similar effect as human CDA. As mycoplasma infection occurs in many primary tumors, our findings suggest that intratumoral microbes could enhance the tumor-killing effect and expand the utility of oxidized methylcytidines in cancer treatment.

Transcranial color Doppler sonography as an alternative tool for evaluation of terminal internal carotid artery steno-occlusion in moyamoya disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate color Doppler ultrasonography criteria and its value in assessing the steno-occlusion of the terminal internal carotid artery in moyamoya disease. METHODS: According to the digital subtraction angiography findings, patients were divided into three groups: occlusion of the terminal internal carotid artery, >50% stenosis, and ≤50% stenosis. We measured the terminal and proximal internal carotid artery parameters of each group using transcranial and cervical color Doppler sonography. RESULTS: Blood flow signals in 12 terminal internal carotid arteries were absent, which were verified as occlusion by digital subtraction angiography. Parameters were obtained in the remaining 159 terminal/proximal internal carotid arteries to predict cutoffs for >50% stenosis and occlusion. For >50% stenosis, mean flow velocity >88.50 cm/s in the terminal internal carotid artery could achieved the highest receiver operating characteristic curve area of 0.776 with 62.50% sensitivity, 88.15% specificity, 48.39% positive predictive values, 92.97% negative predictive value, and 84.27% overall accuracy. For the occlusion, mean flow velocity <49.50 cm/s in the terminal internal carotid artery achieve the highest receiver operating characteristic curve area of 0.734 with 55.56% sensitivity, 83.81% specificity, 63.83% positive predictive values, 78.57% negative predictive value, and 74.21% overall accuracy. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve cutoffs for other parameters were less than 0.7. CONCLUSION: Mean flow velocity of terminal internal carotid artery provides useful diagnostic information for detecting steno-occlusion in moyamoya disease. It may be used as an alternative tool to evaluate steno-occlusion of the terminal internal carotid artery in moyamoya disease.

Taxonomic revision and redescription of Microphysogobio hsinglungshanensis, the type species of Microphysogobio Mori, 1934 (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).

The genus Microphysogobio was established by Mori [Mori, T. (1934). The fresh water fishes of Jehol. In Report of the first scientific expedition to Manchoukuo. 1: pp. 1-61] based on a single specimen (Microphysogobio hsinglungshanensis) collected in the Luanhe River basin, Xinglong County, Hebei Province, China. Because the genus characteristics were derived from its type species, M. hsinglungshanensis, the detailed description is essential. In addition, to distinguish M. hsinglungshanensis and Microphysogobio chinssuensis, the description based on holotype and more specimens is needed. M. hsinglungshanensis can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: mouth shallow arc shaped and inferior; medial pad on lower lip inverted trapezoid and usually grooved; barbel short, 6.9%-14.3% in head length; lateral-line scales 38-39; ventral region between pectoral-fin origin and pelvic-fin origin scaleless; scales above lateral line 4-4.5; predorsal scales 10-11; vertebrae 4 + 32 - 34; caudal-fin membrane with two or three rows of irregular black spots. The characteristics of this genus were redefined based on M. hsinglungshanensis in this study.

Oreonectes guilinensis (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae), a new loach species from Guangxi, China.

A new loach Oreonectes guilinensis sp. nov. is described from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. It is the second surface-dwelling fish identified in the genus Oreonectes after the type species Oreonectes platycephalus. This new species can be distinguished from other species within the genus by the combination of the following features: a round caudal fin, 13-14 branched rays, an incomplete lateral line with 4-6 pores, a short pelvic fin located some distance from the anus, a scale-covered body, a stout build (body width 14.0%-16.7% of standard length), a posterior chamber of well-developed airbladder and a yellowish-brown body with a lateral dark brown strip. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis based on cytb gene recovered this new species in a well-supported clade with the type species O. platycephalus, sister to the Lefua clade. Morphological comparisons as well as our phylogenetic tree support Oreonectes shuilongensis, Oreonectes daqikongensis, Oreonectes jiarongensis as species of Troglonectes. Based on our results there are 6 valid species in the genus Oreonectes.

Changing Ischemic Lesion Patterns and Hemodynamics of the Posterior Cerebral Artery in Moyamoya Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine how hemodynamics of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) are associated with cerebral ischemic lesions in moyamoya disease (MMD). METHODS: Thirty-six patients with ischemic MMD (Suzuki grade IV-V) were retrospectively analyzed. Hemodynamic parameters of the PCA were measured by transcranial color-coded sonography. We classified the range of ischemic lesions into 3 grades and perfusion levels into 3 grades according to computed tomography (CT) results. PCA steno-occlusion and leptomeningeal collaterals were confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. Ultrasonographic parameters in the PCA were compared with these radiographic findings. RESULTS: The velocity in the involved PCA (mean flow velocity [MFV] median, 42.00 [range, 34.50-58.00] cm/s) was significantly lower than that in the normal PCA (MFV median, 95.00 [range, 76.50-119.50] cm/s) (P < .001). The velocity in the PCA increased significantly as the leptomeningeal collateral stage advanced (MFV stage 1: median, 38.50 [range, 29.75-63.50] cm/s; stage 2: median, 55.00 [range, 44.00-96.00] cm/s; stage 3: median, 94.00 [range, 54.00-118.25] cm/s; stage 4: median, 85.50 [range, 70.50-117.75] cm/s, respectively) (P < .05). Decreased PCA velocities were associated with a larger ischemic area on CT (P ≤ .001). PCA velocity had no correlation with CT perfusion level of the temporal and frontal lobes. PCA velocity had significant correlations with perfusion level in the occipital (P < .001) and parietal lobes (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest ischemic lesion patterns (as demonstrated on CT imaging) are associated with PCA velocity measurements in the advanced stage of MMD. Thus, monitoring PCA velocity in patients with advanced MMD may provide additional information to assist in managing these patients.

Redescription of Microphysogobiotungtingensis (Nichols, 1926) with the description of a new species of the genus (Cypriniformes, Gobionidae) from southern China.

Although Microphysogobiotungtingensis (Nichols, 1926) has been treated valid since it was described, its morphology remains vague, especially when comparing it with another similar species, M.elongatus (Yao & Yang, 1977). In this study, the types of both species were examined and also compared with several lots of specimens from a wide geographical range: there is no significant difference in morphology between them. Additionally, molecular evidence supported by mitochondrial gene sequence also showed low genetic distance in between. Thus, it is suggested that M.elongatus is a junior synonym of M.tungtingensis. While revising these two species, a new species, Microphysogobiopunctatus sp. nov., was discovered that has a similar distribution with them both. However, it can be distinguished from its congeners by having a globular or oval shaped posterior air-bladder chamber which length 58.6%-82.8% of eye diameter; a narrow upper jaw cutting edge which less than half mouth width; a slender caudal peduncle with depth 34.6%-48.5% of length; and a six-branched-ray anal fin. This new species also has numerous small black spots on all fins which is also unique. The new species is morphologically and molecularly close to M.bicolor (Nichols, 1930).

Rhizosphere and Straw Return Interactively Shape Rhizosphere Bacterial Community Composition and Nitrogen Cycling in Paddy Soil.

Currently, how rice roots interact with straw return in structuring rhizosphere communities and nitrogen (N) cycling functions is relatively unexplored. In this study, paddy soil was amended with wheat straw at 1 and 2% w/w and used for rice growth. The effects of the rhizosphere, straw, and their interaction on soil bacterial community composition and N-cycling gene abundances were assessed at the rice maturity stage. For the soil without straw addition, rice growth, i.e., the rhizosphere effect, significantly altered the bacterial community composition and abundances of N-cycling genes, such as archaeal and bacterial amoA (AOA and AOB), nirK, and nosZ. The comparison of bulk soils between control and straw treatments showed a shift in bacterial community composition and decreased abundance of AOA, AOB, nirS, and nosZ, which were attributed to sole straw effects. The comparison of rhizosphere soils between control and straw treatments showed an increase in the nifH gene and a decrease in the nirK gene, which were attributed to the interaction of straw and the rhizosphere. The number of differentially abundant genera in bulk soils between control and straw treatments was 13-23, similar to the number of 16-22 genera in rhizosphere soil between control and straw treatment. However, the number of genera affected by the rhizosphere effect was much lower in soil amended with straw (3-4) than in soil without straw addition (9). Results suggest possibly more pronounced impacts of straw amendments in shaping soil bacterial community composition.

Delayed Anastomotic Occlusion after Direct Revascularization in Adult Hemorrhagic Moyamoya Disease.

Delayed anastomotic occlusion occurred in a considerable proportion of hemorrhagic moyamoya disease (MMD) patients undergoing direct revascularization. This study aimed to investigate the predictors and outcomes of delayed anastomotic occlusion in adult hemorrhagic MMD. The authors retrospectively reviewed 87 adult hemorrhagic MMD patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. After an average of 9.1 ± 6.9 months of angiographic follow-up, the long-term graft patency rates were 79.8%. The occluded group had significantly worse angiogenesis than the non-occluded group (p < 0.001). However, the improvement of dilated anterior choroidal artery-posterior communicating artery was similar (p = 0.090). After an average of 4.0 ± 2.5 years of clinical follow-up, the neurological statues and postoperative annualized rupture risk were similar between the occluded and non-occluded groups (p = 0.750; p = 0.679; respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, collateral circulation Grade III (OR, 4.772; 95% CI, 1.184-19.230; p = 0.028) and preoperative computed tomography perfusion (CTP) Grade I-II (OR, 4.129; 95% CI, 1.294-13.175; p = 0.017) were independent predictors of delayed anastomotic occlusion. Delayed anastomotic occlusion in adult hemorrhagic MMD might be a benign phenomenon. Good collateral circulation (Grade III) and compensable preoperative intracranial perfusion (CTP Grade I-II) are independent predictors for this phenomenon. Moreover, the delayed anastomotic occlusion has no significant correlations with the long-term angiographic and neurological outcomes, except neoangiogenesis.

Hexaaqua-zinc(II) bis-(2,4,5-tricarboxybenzoate) 4,5-diaza-fluoren-9-one disolvate dihydrate.

The asymmetric unit of the title complex, [Zn(H(2)O)(6)](C(10)H(5)O(8))(2)·2C(11)H(6)N(2)O·2H(2)O, contains one half of the complex cation with the Zn(II) ion located on an inversion center, a monovalent 2,4,5-tricarboxybenzoate (1,2,4,5-BTC) counter-anion, a 4,5-diaza-fluoren-9-one (DAFO) mol-ecule and an uncoordinated water mol-ecule. In the crystal structure, O-H⋯O and O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the cations, anions and water mol-ecules into a three-dimensional network.

Construction of a three-dimensional polynuclear zinc compound based on unique metallophthalocyanine-like subunits.

A polynuclear zinc compound, [Zn(7)(BTA)(7)(OABDC)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(2)-OH)(2).H(2)O] (1), has been prepared by using benzotriazole (HBTA) and 5-oxyacetatoisophthalic acid (H(3)OABDC) as ligands under hydrothermal conditions. For compound 1, an unprecedented metallophthalocyanine-like "Zn(2)(mu(3)-OH)(2) subset [Zn(4)BTA(4)]" subunit is constructed from eta(3)-BTA ligands and Zn atoms and further linked via mu(2)-OH, outer four-connected Zn atoms, and 5-oxyacetateisophthalic acid to form a novel three-dimensional framework.

A novel two-dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer with 6-mercaptonicotinic acid.

The novel title Zn(II) coordination polymer, poly[bis(mu-6-thioxo-1,6-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylato-kappa(2)S:O)zinc(II)], [Zn(C6H4NO2S)2]n, consists of two crystallographically independent zinc centers and two 6-mercaptonicotinate (Hmna-) ligands. Each Zn(II) atom is four-coordinated and lies at the center of a distorted tetrahedral ZnS2O2 coordination polyhedron, bridged by four Hmna- ligands to form a two-dimensional (4,4)-network. Each Hmna- ion acts as a bridging bidentate ligand, coordinating to two Zn(II) atoms through the S atom and a carboxyl O atom. The metal centers reside on twofold rotation axes. The coordination mode of the S atoms and N-H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions between the protonated N atoms and the uncoordinated carboxyl O atoms give the extended structure a wavelike form.

Diaqua-bis(9-oxo-4,5-diaza-fluoren-3-olato-κN,O)cadmium(II).

The title compound, [Cd(C(11)H(5)N(2)O(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], is a mononuclear complex consisting of a Cd(II) atom, two 3-hydr-oxy-4,5-diaza-fluoren-9-one ligands and two coordinated water mol-ecules. The Cd(II) atom, lying on a twofold axis, displays a distorted octa-hedral coordintion. Adjacent mol-ecules are linked by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.84 (1) Å], leading to a one-dimensional chain. Weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds connect the chains into a two-dimensional supra-molecular structure.

Activin Receptor-Like Kinase 1 Combined With VEGF-A Affects Migration and Proliferation of Endothelial Cells From Sporadic Human Cerebral AVMs.

Heterozygous loss of activin receptor-like kinase 1 (Alk1) can lead to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), which is a kind of vascular disease characterized by direct connections between arteries and veins with the lacking of capillaries, and develops into arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in later stage. However, the changes of Alk1 in human sporadic cerebral AVMs (cAVMs) remain unknown. In the present study, we used endothelial cells (ECs) derived from human cAVMs (cAVM-ECs) specimens, to explore the characteristics of cAVM-ECs and the relationship between Alk1 and human sporadic cAVMs. Our data showed that there were obvious morphological changes in cAVM-ECs, and they could trans-differentiate into mesenchyme-like cells easily in a short period. In addition, the abilities of migration of cAVM-ECs were poorer than that in human aortic endothelial cells (HA-ECs). The abilities of proliferation of cAVM-ECs in patients with different ages were lower than HA-ECs. Immunofluorescent staining and Western blot showed that the levels of Alk1 mRNA and protein in the HA-ECs were both higher than that in cAVM-ECs. In addition, the levels of Alk1 mRNA had no significant differences between different ages in cAVM-ECs groups. The levels of VEGF-A mRNA in the cAVM were higher than HA-ECs. Besides, levels of VEGF-A mRNA expression were lower in older cAVM patients. Therefore, we conclude that Alk1 might induce the formation of sporadic human cAVMs through affecting migration and proliferation of endothelial cells combined with VEGF-A.