Validation of the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group guideline on cancer risk stratification.

OBJECTIVES: Adult-onset Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are associated with cancer. Guideline on cancer risk stratifications and screening in IIM patients was recently published, but their external validity remains verified. We evaluated its applicability and reliability among a Hong Kong IIM cohort. METHODS: The longitudinal observational cohort collected data from IIM patients fulfilling relevant classification criteria from 8 rheumatology centres in Hong Kong. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were reviewed from 2004-2023. IIM patients were stratified into standard, intermediate or high-risk subgroups according to the IMACS guideline. The occurrence of malignancy at or after IIM diagnosis was analyzed. Independent risk factors for cancer were evaluated. RESULTS: 479 patients were included with 327 females (68.3%) and mean age of IIM diagnosis at 54.5 ± 13.6 years. 214 (44.7%) and 238 (49.7%) patients were stratified to high and intermediate risk groups, respectively. Only 5.6% belonged to the standard-risk group. 60 patients (12.5%) had cancer within 3 years of IIM diagnosis. Nasopharyngeal (25%), lung (21.1%) and breast (10.5%) were the top 3 cancers. Significantly more patients (44, 20.6%) in the high-risk group developed cancer within 3 years, compared with intermediate (6.7%, p< 0.001) and standard-risk (0%, p= 0.009) groups. Risk factors for cancer included older age (OR : 1.048, 95%CI : 1.019-1.078), Gottron's rash (OR : 2.453, 95%CI : 1.123-5.356), absence of ILD (OR 2.695, 95% CI : 1.154-6.295), anti-TIF1g positivity (OR : 4.627, 95% CI : 2.046-10.461) and anti-SAE1 positivity (OR : 5.325, 95% CI : 1.271-22.300). CONCLUSIONS: Our real-world study supported the accuracy of cancer risk stratification. Vast majority of IIM patients would be subjected to extensive cancer screening when the guideline was applied.

[A multicenter randomized controlled study of bismuth-containing quadruple therapy followed by Jing-Hua-Wei-Kang in the treatment of patients newly diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori infection and dyspepsia].

Objective: To investigate the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication rate and improvement of dyspepsia in patients who were newly diagnosed with H. pylori infection and dyspepsia and treated by bismuth-containing quadruple therapy followed by Jing-Hua-Wei-Kang(JHWK). Methods: Patients who were newly diagnosed with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection and treated in 16 medical centers in China between December 1, 2017 and September 30, 2019 were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (esomeprazole+amoxicillin+furazolidone+colloidal bismuth pectin capsule, 14 days), followed by JHWK (30 days), and the course of treatment was 44 days in total. In the control group, the administration regimen was bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (esomeprazole+amoxicillin+furazolidone+colloidal bismuth pectin capsule, 14 days). The main outcome measure was H. pylori eradication rate, while the secondary outcome measures were dyspepsia symptom changes and adverse events during the treatment and the 1st month after treatment. Results: A total of 1 054 patients were included in the study. There were 522 cases enrolled in the experimental group, including 224(42.91%) men and 298(57.09%) women, and the age was 53(26, 73) years old; 532 cases enrolled in the control group, including 221(41.54%) men and 311(58.46%) women, and the age was 46(22, 71) years old. Based on PP analysis, it was found that the H. pylori eradication rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than those in the control group (93.85% vs 87.88%, P=0.001). In the group of all enrolled patients, the symptom dyspepsia after H. pylori eradication was significantly improved compared with that before treatment [4(4, 7) vs 15(10, 22), P<0.001], so was the superior and middle abdominal pain [1(1, 4) vs 4(1, 8), P<0.001], the postprandial fullness [1(1, 4) vs 4(4, 9), P<0.001], the early satiety [1(1, 1) vs 4(1, 4), P<0.001], and the heartburn [1(1, 1) vs 1(1, 4), P<0.001]. The symptom dyspepsia after treatment was significantly improved compared with that before treatment in the experimental, the control groups, the successful and the unsuccessful H. pylori eradication groups. The superior and middle abdominal pain after treatment was signifcantly improved than that before treatment [1(1, 2) vs 1(1, 4), P<0.001], so were the postprandial fullness [1(1, 3) vs 1(1, 4), P=0.002] and the dyspepsia[4(4, 7) VS 7(4, 10), P<0.001]. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the experimental group and the control group (1.34% vs 0.38%, P=0.09). Conclusions: Compared with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, bismuth-containing quadruple therapy followed by JHWK significantly improves the H. pylori eradication rate without increasing the incidence of adverse events. H. pylori eradication therapy can improve symptoms of patients with H. pylori infection and dyspepsia.

[Risk factors of low cardiac output syndrome after cardiac valvular surgery in elderly patients with valvular disease complicated with giant left ventricle].

Objective: To explore the risk factors of low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) after cardiac valvular surgery in elderly patients with valvular disease complicated with giant left ventricle. Methods: This was a retrospective study. The clinical data of patients over 60 years old with giant left ventricle who underwent cardiac valvular surgery in Henan Provincial People's Hospital (Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital) from January 2016 to January 2020 were collected in this study. Patients were divided into LCOS group and non-LCOS group. The clinical data, preoperative echocardiographic results and surgical data of all patients were collected. Taking LCOS as dependent variable and statistically significant variables in univariate analysis as independent variable, multivariate logistic regression equation was constructed to identify the risk factors of LCOS after cardiac valvular surgery in elderly patients with valvular disease complicated with giant left ventricle. On the basis of logistic regression, the risk factors of continuous variables were put into the regression model for trend test. Results: A total of 112 patients were included, among whom 76 patients were male, the mean age was (65.3±3.8) years. There were 21 cases in LCOS group and 91 cases in non LCOS group. Univariate analysis showed that age≥70 years, preoperative NYHA cardiac function class Ⅳ, preoperative renal dysfunction, preoperative cerebrovascular disease, preoperative LVEF<40%, blood loss/total blood volume>20%, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time>130 minutes and aortic cross-clamp time>90 minutes all had statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age≥70 years (OR=5.067, 95%CI 1.320-19.456, P=0.018), preoperative NYHA cardiac function class Ⅳ (OR=3.100, 95%CI 1.026-9.368, P=0.045), renal dysfunction (OR=3.627, 95%CI 1.018-12.926, P=0.047), CPB time>130 minutes (OR=4.539, 95%CI 1.483-13.887, P=0.008) were the independent risk factors of LCOS after cardiac valvular surgery in elderly patients with giant left ventricle. Risk of LCOS was significantly higher in patients aged from 65 to 70 years (OR=1.784, 95%CI 0.581-5.476) and aged 70 years and above (OR=4.400, 95%CI 1.171-16.531) than in patients aged from 60 to 65 years. The trend test results showed that the risk of LCOS increased significantly in proportion with the increase of age (P for trend=0.024). Risk of LCOS was significantly higher in patients with CPB time between 90 and 110 minutes (OR=1.917, 95%CI 0.356-10.322), 110 and 130 minutes (OR=1.437, 95%CI 0.114-18.076) and 130 minutes and above (OR=5.750, 95%CI 1.158-28.551) than in patients with CPB time ≤ 90 minutes (P for trend=0.009). Conclusions: The risk factors of LCOS after cardiac valvular surgery are age≥70 years, preoperative NYHA cardiac function class Ⅳ, renal dysfunction, CPB time>130 minutes in elderly patients with giant left ventricle.

[Efficacy of Yisaipu tapering in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis].

Objective: To assess the efficacy of Yisaipu tapering in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: A total of 87 cases of AS patients from Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital who were treated with Yisaipu and celecoxib were retrospectively analyzed from February 2013 to April 2017.All patients received full dose Yisaipu and celecoxib in the initial 12 weeks.After that, the patients in the full dose group maintained Yisaipu (50 mg/w) treatment from the 13(rd) to 24(th) week, while tapering group received Yisaipu 50 mg subcutaneous injection once every other week.By using AS disease activity score (ASDAS), Bath AS functional index (BASFI) and magnetic resonance (MR) score of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) plus recording adverse events, differences of efficacy and safety between groups were compared. Results: ASDAS and BASFI of tapering group were 1.1±0.7 and 1.3±1.1, while those of full dose group were 1.0±0.7 and 1.1±1.0, respectively.No significant difference of ASDAS or BASFI was found between groups.Besides, the MR scores of tapering and full dose groups were 8±7 and 8±6 respectively before therapy, while they were significantly lower in the 24(th) week (4±4 and 4±3, P<0.05). However, changes of MR score between groups were similar (P>0.05). Conclusion: Dose tapering of Yisaipu subcutaneous injection might be effective for keeping stable of disease activity and function in patients with AS.Its efficacy is similar to those of full dose Yisaipu.

Genomic characterization and sequence diversity of the ß2-microglobulin gene in the miiuy croaker, Miichthys miiuy.

ß2-Microglobulin (ß2m) is related to major histocompatibility complex class I alpha chains, and forms cell-surface glycoproteins that mediate a variety of functions in immune defense. In general, ß2m has no isoforms and is not polymorphic in higher vertebrates, but polymorphisms between different alleles have been found in some fish species. In this study, full-length ß2m cDNA and genomic sequences were cloned from the miiuy croaker (Miichthys miiuy). The miiuy croaker ß2m gene shares many of the same characteristics as other fish species. Three exons and two introns were identified in the miiuy croaker ß2m gene; these genomic structural features are similar to those present in other fish. The deduced ß2m amino acid sequence exhibited 34.7-90.1% identity with mammal and teleost ß2m amino acid sequences. Sequence polymorphism analysis in six individuals identified three alleles that encoded two proteins, confirming that ß2m polymorphisms exist in this species. Phylogenetic analysis elucidated the evolutionary history of the ß2m protein among warm-blooded vertebrates and bony fish.

Host genetic susceptibility to oral cancer: evidence from meta-analyses and pooled analyses.

BACKGROUND: A large number of meta-analyses and pooled analyses have been published on the topic of the genetic variants for oral cancer, and many positive results have been identified; however, there might be some false-positive results. The aim of this study was to identify the 'true positive' (noteworthy) results using the method of false-positive report probability (FPRP). METHODS: The PubMed database, Embase database, CNKI database, and Wanfang database were searched to retrieve the meta-analyses, pooled analyses, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which addressed the associations between genetic polymorphisms and the risk of oral cancer. The significant associations were further analyzed using the method of FPRP. RESULTS: A total of 14 variants were identified from meta-analyses and pooled analyses, which concern the associations between oral cancer and genetic variants. Among these 14 variants, 9 variants were reported to be significantly associated with the risk of oral cancer (CYP1A1-MspI, CYP2E1-RsaI/PstI, MTHFR-C677T, p73-G4C14-to-A4T14, XRCC1-Arg194Trp, CYP1A1-Ile462Val, GSTM1-±, and NAT2 slow vs rapid). After assessing the results of FPRP, none of the nine statistically significant associations were noteworthy (true positive). In addition, no noteworthy results were identified from GWAS. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this study found no noteworthy associations between variants and the risk of oral cancer. Further candidate genes associations studies should be performed to explore the etiology of oral cancer.

Composition and structure of microbial communities associated with different domestic sewage outfalls.

The diversity of microbiota in waste waters has not been thoroughly examined, despite the potential impact of microbes on effluent quality. Wastewater microbial communities harbor pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites. To study microbial communities in domestic sewage outfalls, 454 pyrosequencing technology was used to investigate the composition of microbial communities associated with municipal wastewater during different seasons sampled over the course of one year. A total of 195,103 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from 20 samples. The R software was used to calculate the number of indices describing the alpha diversity associated with each bacterial assemblage. In this study, the a-diversity index (H', D, J), in which higher numbers represent more diversity, was found to change with seasonal cycle. The diversity of bacterial assemblages was high in all samples, indicating that species diversity was also very high. The taxonomic composition of the assemblages varied considerably among samples, with some dominated by Proteobacteria, while others were dominated by Bacteroidetes or Firmicutes. In 2 samples, the relative prevalence of Proteobacteria exceeded 90%. α-Proteobacteria, b-proteobacteria, and g-proteobacteria represented 90% or more of all Proteobacteria. The present characterization of wastewater from five sewage outfalls indicated the presence of some pathogenic bacteria. The g-Proteobacteria in sewage wastefalls identified in this study included Enterobacteriaceae, Vibrionaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Salmonella, Yersinia, Vibrio, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Identification and assessment of differentially expressed genes involved in growth regulation in Apostichopus japonicus.

Rapid and efficient growth is a major consideration and challenge for global mariculture. The differential growth rate of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, has significantly hampered the total production of the industry. In the present study, forward and reverse suppression subtractive hybridization libraries were constructed and sequenced from a fast-growth group and a slow-growth group of the sea cucumber. A total of 142 differentially expressed sequence tags (ESTs) with insertions longer than 150 bp were identified and further analyzed. Fifty-seven of these ESTs (approximately 40%) were functionally annotated for cell structure, energy metabolism, immunity response, and growth factor categories. Six candidate genes, arginine kinase, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, HSP70, ß-actin, ferritin, and the ADP-ribosylation factor, were further validated by quantitative PCR. Significant differences were found between the fast- and slow-growth groups (P < 0.05) for the expression levels of arginine kinase, cytochrome c oxidase, HSP70, the ADP-ribosylation factor, and ß-actin. However, no significant difference was observed for ferritin. Our results provide promising candidate gene markers for practical size screening, and also further promote marker-assisted selective breeding of this species.

Beta-catenin-sensitive isoforms of lymphoid enhancer factor-1 are selectively expressed in colon cancer.

Constitutive activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is a root cause of many colon cancers. Activation of this pathway is caused by genetic mutations that stabilize the beta-catenin protein, allowing it to accumulate in the nucleus and form complexes with any member of the lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF1) and T-cell factor (TCF1, TCF3, TCF4) family of transcription factors (referred to collectively as LEF/TCFs) to activate transcription of target genes. Target genes such as MYC, CCND1, MMP7 and TCF7 (refs. 5-9) are normally expressed in colon tissue, so it has been proposed that abnormal expression levels or patterns imposed by beta-catenin/TCF complexes have a role in tumor progression. We report here that LEF1 is a new type of target gene ectopically activated in colon cancer. The pattern of this ectopic expression is unusual because it derives from selective activation of a promoter for a full-length LEF1 isoform that binds beta-catenin, but not a second, intronic promoter that drives expression of a dominant-negative isoform. beta-catenin/TCF complexes can activate the promoter for full-length LEF1, indicating that in cancer high levels of these complexes misregulate transcription to favor a positive feedback loop for Wnt signaling by inducing selective expression of full-length, beta-catenin-sensitive forms of LEF/TCFs.

Alteration of Phascolosoma esculenta heat shock protein 90 expression under heavy metal exposure and thermal stress.

The full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) of heat shock protein 90 was cloned from Phascolosoma esculenta (PeHSP90) using expressed sequence tag and rapid amplification of cDNA end approaches. The cDNA of PeHSP90 was 2521 bp including a 5'-untranslated region of 110 bp, a 3'-untranslated region of 230 bp, and an open reading frame of 2181 bp. All of the characteristic motifs of the HSP90 family were completely conserved in the deduced amino acid of PeHSP90. The expression of PeHSP90 was induced by 3 heavy metals or elevated temperature, under which Zn²âº displayed effects were more toxic than those of Cd²âº and Cu²âº. The polyclonal antibodies generated from the recombinant product of PeHSP90 were specifically identified not only in the recombinant product but also in the native protein from hemocytes. These results strongly suggested that PeHSP90 was involved in heavy metal challenge and thermal stress regulation in P. esculenta.

An epidemiological survey of low back pain and axial spondyloarthritis in a Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) in a Chinese Han population. METHODS: A face-to-face investigation was performed in the Han population of Dalang Town, Yangshan County, Guangdong Province, China, using a questionnaire established in France in 1999. First the clinical features associated with SpA were investigated, then the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 and sacroiliac joint radiographic examinations were carried out. Finally, the diagnosis of SpA was determined by rheumatologists. RESULTS: A total of 13 315 subjects participated in the study and 10 921 were aged >16 years; of these, 787 (7.21%) had LBP. There were 92 axial SpA patients (0.782% in subjects >16 years old and 11.96% in subjects with LBP). There were 29 (0.253%) cases of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 60 (0.507%) undifferentiated axial SpA (USpA), and three (0.022%) psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Patients in the SpA groups had higher percentages in onset <40 years, insidious onset, morning stiffness, and affected for >3 months compared with those in other LBP groups. Simultaneous symptoms associated with spondylitis, such as buttock pain, heel pain, psoriasis, and SpA family history, were more commonly present. Of the axial SpA patients, 82.67% were HLA-B27 positive, clearly a greater percentage than those (11.65%) in other LBP groups. CONCLUSIONS: The survey questionnaire for SpA in this study is useful for axial SpA screening in China. In southern China, the prevalence of LBP is 7.21%. The prevalence of axial SpA is 0.782%. USpA is the most common subtype of SpA, followed by AS.

[Clinical randomized controlled trial on influence of recombinant human growth hormone on the immune function of younger children with severe burn injuries].

Objective: To preliminarily investigate the influence of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the immune function of younger children with severe burn injuries. Methods: A total of 30 younger children with severe burn injuries, conforming to the study criteria, were admitted to our hospital from July 2016 to July 2018. They were enrolled in the prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial and divided into group rhGH [n=15, 10 boys and 5 girls, aged (22±10) months] and control group [n=15, 8 boys and 7 girls, aged (21±7) months] according to the random number table. The patients in control group received anti-shock, anti-infection, and wound caring therapies, etc. On the basis of above-mentioned treatment, the patients in group rhGH were subcutaneously injected with rhGH once every night before bedding, with a dosage of 0.2 IU·kg(-1)·d(-1), from the 3rd day post injury for 7 consecutive days. Before and on the 3rd and 7th day of rhGH treatments, the fasting peripheral venous blood was collected from patients in both groups. Blood glucose level was detected by glucometer. Percentages of CD4(+) T lymphocytes, CD8(+) T lymphocytes, CD3(+) T lymphocytes, CD19(+) B lymphocytes, and ratio of CD4(+) T lymphocytes to CD8(+) T lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometer. Mass concentration of serum immune globulin (Ig) A, IgG, and complement C3 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were processed with Fisher's exact probability test, independent sample t test, analysis of variance for repeated measurement and Bonferroni correction, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: (1) The blood glucose levels of children in the two groups were similar before and on the 3rd and 7th day of rhGH treatment (t=0.474, 1.652, 1.997, P>0.05). The glucose levels of children in group rhGH on the 3rd and 7th day of rhGH treatment [(6.9±1.0) and (7.7±1.1) mmol/L] were significantly higher than (5.9±0.9) mmol/L before rhGH treatment (P<0.05). The glucose level of children in control group on the 7th day of rhGH treatment was significantly higher than that before rhGH treatment (P<0.05). (2) The percentages of CD4(+) T lymphocytes of children in group rhGH before rhGH treatment and on the 7th day of rhGH treatment were (35.1±2.0)% and (38.5±2.2)%, which were close to (36.2±2.0)% and (33.6±2.2)% in control group, respectively (t=0.371, 1.553, P>0.05). The percentages of CD4(+) T lymphocytes of children in group rhGH on the 7th day of rhGH treatment[(44.7±2.2)%] was significantly higher than (36.5±2.2)% in control group (t=2.624, P<0.05). The percentage of CD4(+) T lymphocytes of children in group rhGH on the 7th day of rhGH treatment was significantly higher than that before rhGH treatment (P<0.05). The percentages of CD4(+) T lymphocytes of children in control group on the 3rd and 7th day of rhGH treatment were both close to the percentage before rhGH treatment (P>0.05). (3) The percentage of CD8(+) T lymphocytes of children in group rhGH on the 3rd day of rhGH treatment was significantly lower than that in control group (t=2.107, P<0.05). (4) The ratio of CD4(+) T lymphocytes to CD8(+) T lymphocytes of children in group rhGH on the 7th day of rhGH treatment (2.36±0.20) was significantly higher than 1.72±0.20 in control group (t=2.285, P<0.05). The ratio of CD4(+) T lymphocytes to CD8(+) T lymphocytes of children in group rhGH on the 7th day of rhGH treatment was significantly higher than 2.04±0.19 before rhGH treatment (P<0.05). (5) The percentages of CD3(+) T lymphocytes and CD19(+) B lymphocytes of children in the two groups were similar before and on the 3rd and 7th day of rhGH treatment (t=1.913, 0.552, 1.327, 1.465, 1.587, 0.407, P>0.05). The percentages of CD3(+) T lymphocytes of children in group rhGH on the 3rd and 7th day of rhGH treatment were significantly higher than the percentage before rhGH treatment (P<0.05). (6) The mass concentration of serum IgA, complement C3, and IgG of children in the two groups was similar before and on the 3rd and 7th day of rhGH treatment (t=-1.596, -0.100, 1.263, -0.220, 1.378, 1.631, Z=0.228, 0.519, 1.182, P>0.05). The mass concentration of serum IgA and complement C3 of children in group rhGH on the 3rd and 7th day of rhGH treatment was significantly higher than that before rhGH treatment(P<0.05). Conclusions: rhGH has little effect on humoral immunity of younger children with severe burn injuries with limited influence on CD19(+) B lymphocyte, mass concentration of serum IgA, IgG, and complement C3. It may improve the cellular immunity function mainly through promoting the release of CD4(+) T lymphocyte, reducing the release of CD8(+) T lymphocyte. It can be used in clinical treatment of younger children with severe burn injuries.

Online in-tube solid-phase extraction using a nonfunctionalized PVC tube coupled with ICPMS for in vivo monitoring of trace metals in rat brain microdialysates.

We have developed a simple, automatic, online in-tube solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for the preconcentration of trace elements from saline samples. The method takes advantage of the adsorption of trace metal ions onto the interior of a nonfunctionalized PVC tube as a means of separation from the matrix salt. The adsorption of transition metal ions is presumably dominated by Lewis acid/base interactions, which facilitate the formation of metal-PVC complexes. For simultaneous determination of multiple trace metals in the extracellular fluid from the brains of anesthetized rats, we developed an online analytical system comprising microdialysis sampling, the established in-tube extraction procedure, and ICPMS. In the extraction step, the efficiency was optimal when the pH of the sample was adjusted to 8.0 using phosphate buffer. After extraction onto the interior of PVC tube, the adsorbed analytes were eluted with 0.5% HNO 3 prior to online ICPMS measurement. For those elements present in the extracellular fluid at less than nanogram-per-milliliter concentrations (i.e., Cu, Zn, and Mn), a temporal resolution of 12 min was required to collect enough microdialysate to meet the sensitivity requirements of the ICPMS instrument. Noteworthily, because washing and postconditioning the interior of PVC tube are not necessary, a relatively unsophisticated and clean procedure was attained and extremely low detection limits in the range of 5.0 to 510 ng L (-1) were thus obtained for the analysis of Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Co in microdialysate samples of 8 microL by ICPMS. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to exploit PVC peristaltic tubing as an SPE adsorbent in the laboratory-on-valve mode for online sample treatment and trace metal preconcentration prior to ICPMS measurement. We confirmed the analytical reliability of this method through the analysis of the certified reference material SLEW-3 (estuarine water) and 2670a (human urine) and demonstrated its applicability through simultaneous in vivo monitoring of the basal concentrations and concentration profiles of multiple metal ions in the brain extracellular fluid of a living rat.

The human LEF-1 gene contains a promoter preferentially active in lymphocytes and encodes multiple isoforms derived from alternative splicing.

Lymphoid Enhancer Factor-1 (LEF-1) is a member of a family of transcription factors that function as downstream mediators of the Wnt signal transduction pathway. In the absence of Wnt signals, specific LEF/TCF isoforms repress rather than activate gene targets through recruitment of the co-repressor CtBP. Characterization of the full-length human LEF-1 gene locus and its complete set of mRNA products shows that this family member exists as a unique set of alternatively spliced isoforms; none are homologous to TCF-1E/TCF-4E. Therefore LEF-1 is distinct from its TCF family members in that it cannot engage in activities specific to this isoform such as recruitment of the co-repressor CtBP. Expression of alternatively spliced LEF-1 isoforms are driven by a promoter that is highly active in lymphocyte cell lines. Transcription initiates within a TATA-less core promoter region that contains consensus binding sites for Sp1, an E box, an Initiator element and a LEF/TCF binding site, all juxtaposed to the start sites of transcription. The promoter is most active in a B lymphocyte cell line (Raji) in which the endogenous LEF-1 gene is silent, suggesting that the promoter region is actively repressed by a silencing mechanism.

Sequential therapy with "vacuum sealing drainage-artificial dermis implantation-thin partial thickness skin grafting" for deep and infected wound surfaces in children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a "vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) - artificial dermis implantation (ADI) - thin partial thickness skin grafting (TSG)" sequential therapy for deep and infected wounds in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three pediatric patients with deep and infected wounds were treated with sequential VSD-ADI-TSG therapy. The efficacy of this treatment was compared with that of the surgical debridement-change dressings-thin partial thickness skin grafting previously performed on 20 patients. Survival of tissue grafts, color and flexibility, subcutaneous fullness and scar formation of the graft site were examined and compared. RESULTS: The sequential therapy combined the advantages of the VSD treatment, in reducing tissue necrosis and infection on the wound surfaces and promoting the growth of granulation tissue, with the enhancement of grafting by artificial dermis. Compared with the 20 controls, skin grafted on the artificial dermis was more smooth and glossy, while the textures of the region were more elastic, and the scars were significantly lighter in Vancouver scale. CONCLUSION: The sequential VSD-ADI-TSG therapy is a simple and effective treatment for children with deep and infected wounds. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Cloning and characterization of AWP1, a novel protein that associates with serine/threonine kinase PRK1 in vivo.

We describe the cloning and expression of cDNAs encoding a novel human protein of 208 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 22.6kDa and its mouse homologue. We name this protein as AWP1 (associated with PRK1). AWP1 is a ubiquitously expressed protein, and the Awp1 gene is switched on during early human and mouse development. When expressed in COS-1 cells, the Myc-tagged AWP1 has an apparent molecular mass higher than that deduced from its amino acid sequence. AWP1 possesses a conserved zf-A20 zinc finger domain at its N-terminal and a zf-AN1 zinc finger domain at its C-terminal. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that mouse AWP1 specifically interacts with a rat serine/threonine protein kinase PRK1 in vivo. Hence, AWP1 may play a regulatory role in mammalian signal transduction pathways.

Genomic cloning and structural analysis of the murine polymeric receptor (pIgR) gene and promoter region.

The role of the polymeric receptor (pIgR) is to transport polymeric IgA across various mucosal epithelial layers. Although several mammalian pIgR cDNAs, including mouse, have been cloned, genomic structure has only been partially analyzed in the human, and neither its 5'-upstream region nor its transcriptional start site is known. We report the isolation and characterization of the murine pIgR gene that spans 32 kb and contains 11 exons. The general organization of the murine gene, including its intron/exon boundaries was similar to its human homolog; however, the second intron was 7.2 kb in the mouse vs. only 0.8 kb in humans. Primer extension and 5'-RACE independently identified the identical transcriptional initiation site. Sequence analysis of 350 base pairs in the 5'-flanking region revealed several motifs, including a TATA box, and putative interferon-gamma, HNF-3beta and AP1 sites. In summary, we have isolated the murine pIgR gene and described its structure and organization.

Catalytic nucleophilic acyl substitution of anhydrides by amphoteric vanadyl triflate.

[reaction--see text] Among four vanadyl species examined, vanadyl triflate was the most efficient catalyst to facilitate nucleophilic acyl substitution of anhydrides with a myriad array of alcohols, amines, and thiols in high yields and high chemoselectivity. By using mixed-anhydride technique, one can achieve oleate and peptide syntheses. In marked contrast to common metal triflates, the amphoteric character of the V=O unit in vanadyl species was proven to be responsible for the catalytic profile in this process.

Phosphorus removal under anoxic conditions in a continuous-flow A2N two-sludge process.

The Anaerobic-Anoxic/Nitrification (A2N) system is a continuous-flow, two-sludge process in which Poly-P bacteria are capable of taking up phosphate under anoxic conditions using nitrate as an electron acceptor. The process is very efficient because it maximizes the utilization of organic substrate for phosphorus and nitrogen removal. An experimental lab-scale A2N system fed with domestic sewage was tested over a period of 260 days. The purpose of the experiment was to examine phosphorus removal capacity of a modified A2N two-sludge system. Factors affecting phosphorus and nitrogen removal by the A2N system were investigated. These factors were the influent COD/TN ratio, Sludge Retention Time (SRT), Bypass Sludge Flow rate (BSF) and Return Sludge Flow rate (RSF). Results indicated that optimum conditions for phosphorus and nitrogen removal were the influent COD/TN ratio around 6.49, the SRT of 14 days, and the BSF and RSF were fixed at about 26-33% of influent flow rate.

Experimental study on sequencing batch biofilm reactor with biological filtration (SBBR-BF) for wastewater treatment.

A novel wastewater treatment technology combining a sequencing batch biofilm reactor and biological filtration in an SBBR-BF system was presented. Elastic plastic filaments were fixed as biofilms carrying media. Particle materials (sand or anthracite) and the settled sludge constituted the filtration layer. In the laboratory studies, operating results of SBR, SBBR and SBBR-BF were compared. Better quality and stable water quality of effluent could be achieved in SBBR-BF because the fixed film and filtration layer were added in the reactor. Other laboratory experiment results indicated that slow filtration, cycle water stirring and backwashing making use of the settled supernatant are successful methods for preventing clogging and saving energy. The velocity and headloss of filtration were significantly impacted by different MLSS concentration. The MLSS concentration in the reactor must be less than 1,400 mg/L for optimal results. The average velocity of filtration ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 m/h, the backwash velocity of 10-15 m/h and the backwash time of 20 seconds are recommended according to the laboratory experiment. On-site experiment and study showed that SBBR-BF is a stable and efficient system for domestic wastewater treatment, and is particularly suited for small wastewater treatment plants, because of the simple operation and compact installation.