The efficacy and functional consequences of interactions between human spermatozoa and seminal fluid extracellular vesicles.

Abstract: Seminal fluid extracellular vesicles (SFEVs) have previously been shown to interact with spermatozoa and influence their fertilisation capacity. Here, we sought to extend these studies by exploring the functional consequences of SFEV interactions with human spermatozoa. SFEVs were isolated from the seminal fluid of normozoospermic donors prior to assessing the kinetics of sperm-SFEV binding in vitro, as well as the effects of these interactions on sperm capacitation, acrosomal exocytosis, and motility profile. Biotin-labelled SFEV proteins were transferred primarily to the flagellum of spermatozoa within minutes of co-incubation, although additional foci of SFEV biotinylated proteins also labelled the mid-piece and head domain. Functional analyses of high-quality spermatozoa collected following liquefaction revealed that SFEVs did not influence sperm motility during incubation at pH 5, yet SFEVs induced subtle increases in total and progressive motility in sperm incubated with SFEVs at pH 7. Additional investigation of sperm motility kinematic parameters revealed that SFEVs significantly decreased beat cross frequency and increased distance straight line, linearity, straightness, straight line velocity, and wobble. SFEVs did not influence sperm capacitation status or the ability of sperm to undergo acrosomal exocytosis. Functional assessment of both high- and low-quality spermatozoa collected prior to liquefaction showed limited SFEV influence, with these vesicles inducing only subtle decreases in beat cross frequency in spermatozoa of both groups. These findings raise the prospect that, aside from subtle effects on sperm motility, the encapsulated SFEV cargo may be destined for physiological targets other than the male germline, notably the female reproductive tract. Lay Summary: A male's influence over the biological processes of pregnancy extends beyond the provision of sperm. Molecular signals present in the ejaculate can influence the likelihood of pregnancy and healthy pregnancy progression, but the identity and function of these signals remain unclear. In this study, we wanted to understand if nano-sized particles present in the male ejaculate, called seminal fluid extracellular vesicles, can assist sperm in traversing the female reproductive tract to access the egg. To explore this, we isolated seminal fluid extracellular vesicles from human semen and incubated them with sperm. Our data showed that seminal fluid extracellular vesicles act to transfer molecular information to sperm, but this resulted in only subtle changes to the movement of sperm.

Long noncoding RNA DSCR8 promotes the proliferation of liver cancer cells and inhibits apoptosis via the miR-22-3p/ARPC5 Axis.

Emerging evidence shows that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a vital role in the tumorigenesis and development of cancer, implying that some lncRNAs could be potential therapeutic targets. In this study, we employed Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases to construct a ceRNA network by bioinformatic analysis, and the Down syndrome critical region 8 (lncRNA_DSCR8)/miR-22-3p/actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 5 (ARPC5) axis was identified as a potential target in liver cancer (LC). Next, we found that DSCR8 is highly expressed in LC cell lines Hep3B and Huh7. In addition, sh-DSCR8 inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis. Furthermore, we certified that DSCR8 serves as function as a sponge for miR-22-3p, while ARPC5 is a target gene of miR-22-3p, and the functions of DSCR8 promoting LC cell proliferation could be rescued by miR-22-3p. This study suggests that lncRNA_DSCR8 promotes LC progression and inhibits its apoptosis by regulating the miR-22-3p/ARPC5 axis, signifying that DSCR8 could be a novel therapeutic target for LC.

TRAF3 plays a role in lupus nephritis by regulating Th17 cell and Treg cell balance as well as NF-κB signaling pathway in mice.

Lupus nephritis (LN) occurs with inflammatory lesion in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor associated factor 3 (TRAF3) is an important mediator in inflammation. To explore the roles of TRAF3 in LN, the LN mouse model was firstly established with intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of pristine. Our results found that the amount of urinary protein was increased evidently at day 28, and renal damage occurred in the LN mouse model, but the TRAF3 knockdown reduced the urinary protein and alleviated the inflammatory lesion. The proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-17a, IFN-γ and IgM, IgG antibody were enriched, but there was little amount of IL-10 in the LN mouse model. Moreover, the amount of CD40+ B cells, CD4+ T cells sub-type, Th17 cells were abundant, and the proteins TRAF3, TRAF2, NF-κBp52, IKKα, ICAM1 in the kidney were highly expressed in the LN mouse model. However, TRAF3 knockdown enhanced the production of IL-10 and reduced the amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunoglobulin, and the protein expressions of TRAF3, TRAF2, NF-κBp52, IKKα, ICAM1. In conclusion, TRAF3 plays a role in LN by regulating Th17 cell and Treg cell balance as well as NF-κB signaling pathway in mice.

Phylogenetic analysis and character evolution of tribe Arethuseae (Orchidaceae) reveal a new genus Mengzia.

Delimitation of the tribe Arethuseae has varied considerably since it was first defined. The relationships within Arethuseae, particularly within the subtribe Arethusinae, remain poorly elucidated. In this study, we reconstructed the phylogeny of Arethuseae, using six plastid markers (matK, ycf1, rbcL rpoc1, rpl32-trnL and trnL-F) from 83 taxa. The ancestral state reconstruction of 11 selected morphological characters was also conducted to identify synapomorphies and assess potential evolutionary transitions. Morphological character comparision between the distinct species Bletilla foliosa and other species are conducted. Our results unequivocally supported the monophyly of Arethuseae, which included highly supported clades and a clear synapomorphy of non-trichome-like lamellae. Furthermore, B. foliosa formed a separate clade in the subtribe Arethusinae, instead of clustering with the other Bletilla species in the subtribe Coelogyninae. The morphological characters comparision further showed that the B. foliosa clade could be distinguished from other genera in Arethuseae by multiple characters, including presence of lateral inflorescence, three lamellae with trichome-like apex and four pollinia. In light of these molecular and morphological evidences, we propose Mengzia as a new genus to accommodate B. foliosa and accordingly provide descriptions of this new genus and combination.

Intravitreal injection of resveratrol inhibits laser-induced murine choroidal neovascularization.

AIM: To determine the effects of intravitreal resveratrol (RSV) on murine laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS: The toxicity of RSV to choroidal endothelial cell (CEC) was measured using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Effects of RSV on choroidal endothelial cell (CEC) migration were evaluated with a modified Boyden chamber assay, while tube formation was evaluated in a 2-D gel assay. CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation in mice. The effects of intravitreal injection of RSV on CNV development were evaluated by fluorescein angiography (FA), confocal analysis of isolectin B4 labeled choroidal flat mounts, and histologic examination of CNV membranes. Immunostaining was used to analyze the expression and phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). RESULTS: No significant cell toxicity was observed in CEC if the concentration of RSV was less than 200 µmol/L (P>0.05). RSV inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced CEC migration (P<0.05) and tube formation (P<0.05) in vitro. Furthermore, intravitreal injection of RSV significantly inhibited laser induced CNV formation in mice. The FA leakage, CNV volume and CNV area analysis revealed that there were 41%, 45%, and 58% reduction in RSV-treated eyes (1.691±0.1032, 178 163±78 623 µm3 and 6508±619.0 µm2, respectively) compared with those in control (2.724±0.08447, 379 676±98 382 µm3 and 16 576±2646 µm2, respectively; P<0.05). Phospho-VEGFR2 expression was much weaker in the sections of CNV lesions in RSV injected mice compared with that in control (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of RSV exerts an inhibitory effect on CNV, which may through suppressing endothelial cell migration, tube formation and VEGFR2 phosphorylation.

Plasmodium yoelii 17XL infection modified maturation and function of dendritic cells by skewing Tregs and amplificating Th17.

BACKGROUND: Emerging data has suggested that Tregs, Th17, Th1 and Th2 are correlated with early immune mechanisms by controlling Plasmodium infection. Plasmodium infection appeared to impair the antigen presentation and maturation of DCs, leading to attenuation of specific cellular immune response ultimately. Hence, in this study, we aim to evaluate the relevance between DCs and Tregs/Th17 populations in the process and outcomes of infection with Plasmodium yoelii 17XL (P.y17XL). METHODS: DCs detection/analysis dynamically was performed by Tregs depletion or Th17 neutralization in P.y17XL infected BALB/c mice via flow cytometry. Then the levels of cytokines production were detected using enzyme-linked mmunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Our results indicated that Tregs depletion or Th17 neutralization in BALB/c mice infected with P.y17XL significantly up-regulated the percentages of mDC and pDC, increased the expressions of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD80, CD86 on DCs and the levels of IL-10/IL-12 secreted by DCs, indicating that abnormal amplification of Tregs or Th17 may damage the maturation and function of DCs during the early stage of malaria infection. Interestingly, we also found that the abnormal amplification of Th17, as well as Tregs, could inhibit the maturation of DCs. CONCLUSIONS: Tregs skewing or Th17 amplification during the early stage of malaria infection may inhibit the maturation and function of DCs by modifying the subsets of DCs, expressions of surface molecules on DCs and secretion mode of cytokines.

Enzymes contributing to the hydrogen peroxide signal dynamics that regulate wall labyrinth formation in transfer cells.

Transfer cells are characterized by an amplified plasma membrane area supported on a wall labyrinth composed of a uniform wall layer (UWL) from which wall ingrowth (WI) papillae arise. Adaxial epidermal cells of developing Vicia faba cotyledons, when placed in culture, undergo a rapid (hours) trans-differentiation to a functional epidermal transfer cell (ETC) phenotype. The trans-differentiation event is controlled by a signalling cascade comprising auxin, ethylene, apoplasmic reactive oxygen species (apoROS), and cytosolic Ca2+. Apoplasmic hydrogen peroxide (apoH2O2) was confirmed as the apoROS regulating UWL and WI papillae formation. Informed by an ETC-specific transcriptome, a pharmacological approach identified a temporally changing cohort of H2O2 biosynthetic enzymes. The cohort contained a respiratory burst oxidase homologue, polyamine oxidase, copper amine oxidase, and a suite of class III peroxidases. Collectively these generated two consecutive bursts in apoH2O2 production. Spatial organization of biosynthetic/catabolic enzymes was deduced from responses to pharmacologically blocking their activities on the cellular and subcellular distribution of apoH2O2. The findings were consistent with catalase activity constraining the apoH2O2 signal to the outer periclinal wall of the ETCs. Strategic positioning of class III peroxidases in this outer domain shaped subcellular apoH2O2 signatures that differed during assembly of the UWL and WI papillae.

Prevalence of amblyopia among preschool children in central south China.

AIM: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with amblyopia among children aged 30-83mo in central south of China. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in children aged 30-83mo in Changsha (an urban city) and Zhangjiajie (a rural area) in central south of China. Clinical examinations including ocular alignment, ocular motility, visual acuity (VA), prism cover test, cycloplegic refraction, slit lamp examination and fundus examination were performed by trained study ophthalmologists and optometrists. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a 2-line difference between eyes with VA<20/32 in the worse eye and with coexisting anisometropia [≥1.00 D spherical eutivalent (SE) for hyperopia, ≥3.00 D SE for myopia, and ≥1.50 D for astigmatism], strabismus, or past or present visual axis obstruction. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as VA in both eyes <20/40 (≥ 48-month-old) and <20/50 (< 48-month-old), with coexisting hyperopia ≥4.00 D SE, myopia ≤-6.00 D SE, and astigmatism ≥2.50 D, or past or present visual axis obstruction. RESULTS: There were 8042 children enrolled and 7713 children were screened. The amblyopia prevalence in children aged 30-83mo was 1.09% (95% confidence interval, 0.86%-1.35%) with no age (P=0.81), gender (P=0.46) or area distribution (P=0.93) differences. Of these, 0.68% were unilateral cases and 0.41% were bilateral cases. Underlying causes included anisometropia (40%), binocular refractive error (36%), strabismus (14%) and deprivation (10%). Hyperopia combined with astigmatism was the frequent refractive error for ametropic and anisometropic amblyopia. CONCLUSION: In this rural and urban Chinese population, 1.09% of children with 30-83mo of age had amblyopia, a prevalence rate similar to that of many other studies. Anisometropia and refractive error are the most common causes of unilateral and bilateral amblyopia respectively.

Outcomes of single-port gasless laparoscopic breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer: An observational study.

To compare the clinical efficacy and aesthetic perspectives between single-port gasless laparoscopic breast-conserving surgery (SGL-BCS) and traditional breast-conserving surgery (T-BCS) in early-stage breast cancer. A total of 70 patients who were diagnosed with stage I or stage II breast cancer participated in this study, which 35 patients underwent SGL-BCS, while others underwent T-BCS. There were no death or severe intraoperative complications, and none of the patients exhibited regional recurrence, distant metastases, or any critical complications after 2 years follow-up. SGL-BCS is feasible and safe surgery, and has advantages in terms of a single, shorter, hidden incision, high-satisficed aesthetic outcome and less intraoperative blood loss.

Ethylene and hydrogen peroxide regulate formation of a sterol-enriched domain essential for wall labyrinth assembly in transfer cells.

Transfer cells (TCs) facilitate high rates of nutrient transport into, and within, the plant body. Their transport function is conferred by polarized wall ingrowth papillae, deposited upon a specialized uniform wall layer, that form a scaffold supporting an amplified area of plasma membrane enriched in nutrient transporters. We explored the question of whether lipid-enriched domains of the TC plasma membrane could serve as organizational platforms for proteins regulating the construction of the intricate TC wall labyrinth using developing Vicia faba cotyledons. When these cotyledons are placed in culture, their adaxial epidermal cells trans-differentiate to a TC phenotype regulated by auxin, ethylene, extracellular hydrogen peroxide (apoH2O2), and cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) arranged in series. Staining cultured cotyledons with the sterol-specific dye, Filipin III, detected a polarized sterol-enriched domain in the plasma membrane of their trans-differentiating epidermal transfer cells (ETCs). Ethylene activated sterol biosynthesis while extracellular apoH2O2 directed sterol-enriched vesicles to fuse with the outer periclinal region of the ETC plasma membrane. The sterol-enriched domain was essential for generating the [Ca2+]cyt signal and orchestrating construction of both the uniform wall layer and wall ingrowth papillae. A model is presented outlining how the sterol-enriched plasma membrane domain forms and functions to regulate wall labyrinth assembly.

[Pathological Research of Splenic Extramedullary Hematopoiesis in Aged Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the occurrence and various influencing factors of the splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis in rats. METHODS: A total of 411 rats of different sex and species were assigned to this study. These rats were fed different feed in the same environment, and killed after 104 weeks. The spleen of all animals was embedded in paraffin, sectioned, stained with hematoxylin and eosin(H& E), then examined by optical microscopy to observe splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis. RESULTS: At the end of the study, it was found that the splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis occurred in 116 animals (28.22%). The splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis that included the erythroid, granulocytic and megakaryocytic lineages (23.11%); the inciderce of splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis in Wistar rats was higher than that in SD rats; the incidence of splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis in female was higher than that in male; the feed had no effect on splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis of all animals; different species and different feed were also did not involve in the level of splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis. CONCLUSION: Species and sex show effect on the incidence of splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis, but does not involve in the level of splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis; feed had no influences on all indexes of splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis. The results of this study may provide a reference for the study of the splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis of the aging human.

Transcript Profiling Identifies Gene Cohorts Controlled by Each Signal Regulating Trans-Differentiation of Epidermal Cells of Vicia faba Cotyledons to a Transfer Cell Phenotype.

Transfer cells (TCs) support high rates of membrane transport of nutrients conferred by a plasma membrane area amplified by lining a wall labyrinth comprised of an uniform wall layer (UWL) upon which intricate wall ingrowth (WI) papillae are deposited. A signal cascade of auxin, ethylene, extracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and cytosolic Ca2+ regulates wall labyrinth assembly. To identify gene cohorts regulated by each signal, a RNA- sequencing study was undertaken using Vicia faba cotyledons. When cotyledons are placed in culture, their adaxial epidermal cells spontaneously undergo trans-differentiation to epidermal TCs (ETCs). Expressed genes encoding proteins central to wall labyrinth formation (signaling, intracellular organization, cell wall) and TC function of nutrient transport were assembled. Transcriptional profiles identified 9,742 annotated ETC-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs; Log2fold change > 1; FDR p ≤ 0.05) of which 1,371 belonged to signaling (50%), intracellular organization (27%), cell wall (15%) and nutrient transporters (9%) functional categories. Expression levels of 941 ETC-specific DEGs were found to be sensitive to the known signals regulating ETC trans-differentiation. Significantly, signals acting alone, or in various combinations, impacted similar numbers of ETC-specific DEGs across the four functional gene categories. Amongst the signals acting alone, H2O2 exerted most influence affecting expression levels of 56% of the ETC-specific DEGs followed by Ca2+ (21%), auxin (18%) and ethylene (5%). The dominance by H2O2 was evident across all functional categories, but became more attenuated once trans-differentiation transitioned into WI papillae formation. Amongst the eleven signal combinations, H2O2/Ca2+ elicited the greatest impact across all functional categories accounting for 20% of the ETC-specific DEG cohort. The relative influence of the other signals acting alone, or in various combinations, varied across the four functional categories and two phases of wall labyrinth construction. These transcriptome data provide a powerful information platform from which to examine signal transduction pathways and how these regulate expression of genes encoding proteins engaged in intracellular organization, cell wall construction and nutrient transport.

A Structurally Specialized Uniform Wall Layer is Essential for Constructing Wall Ingrowth Papillae in Transfer Cells.

Transfer cells are characterized by wall labyrinths with either a flange or reticulate architecture. A literature survey established that reticulate wall ingrowth papillae ubiquitously arise from a modified component of their wall labyrinth, termed the uniform wall layer; a structure absent from flange transfer cells. This finding sparked an investigation of the deposition characteristics and role of the uniform wall layer using a Vicia faba cotyledon culture system. On transfer of cotyledons to culture, their adaxial epidermal cells spontaneously trans-differentiate to a reticulate architecture comparable to their abaxial epidermal transfer cell counterparts formed in planta. Uniform wall layer construction commenced once adaxial epidermal cell expansion had ceased to overlay the original outer periclinal wall on its inner surface. In contrast to the dense ring-like lattice of cellulose microfibrils in the original primary wall, the uniform wall layer was characterized by a sparsely dispersed array of linear cellulose microfibrils. A re-modeled cortical microtubule array exerted no influence on uniform wall layer formation or on its cellulose microfibril organization. Surprisingly, formation of the uniform wall layer was not dependent upon depositing a cellulose scaffold. In contrast, uniform wall cellulose microfibrils were essential precursors for constructing wall ingrowth papillae. On converging to form wall ingrowth papillae, the cellulose microfibril diameters increased 3-fold. This event correlated with up-regulated differential, and transfer-cell specific, expression of VfCesA3B while transcript levels of other cellulose biosynthetic-related genes linked with primary wall construction were substantially down-regulated.

A Ca2+-dependent remodelled actin network directs vesicle trafficking to build wall ingrowth papillae in transfer cells.

The transport function of transfer cells is conferred by an enlarged plasma membrane area, enriched in nutrient transporters, that is supported on a scaffold of wall ingrowth (WI) papillae. Polarized plumes of elevated cytosolic Ca2+ define loci at which WI papillae form in developing adaxial epidermal transfer cells of Vicia faba cotyledons that are induced to trans-differentiate when the cotyledons are placed on culture medium. We evaluated the hypothesis that vesicle trafficking along a Ca2+-regulated remodelled actin network is the mechanism that underpins this outcome. Polarized to the outer periclinal cytoplasm, a Ca2+-dependent remodelling of long actin bundles into short, thin bundles was found to be essential for assembling WI papillae but not the underlying uniform wall layer. The remodelled actin network directed polarized vesicle trafficking to sites of WI papillae construction, and a pharmacological study indicated that both exo- and endocytosis contributed to assembly of the papillae. Potential candidates responsible for the Ca2+-dependent actin remodelling, along with those underpinning polarized exo- and endocyotosis, were identified in a transcriptome RNAseq database generated from the trans-differentiating epidermal cells. Of most significance, endocytosis was controlled by up-regulated expression of a dynamin-like isoform. How a cycle of localized exo- and endocytosis, regulated by Ca2+-dependent actin remodelling, assembles WI papillae is discussed.

A rare Mechanical prosthetic valve dysfunction.

A rare case of mechanical prosthetic valve dysfunction in mitral position. The mechanical valve opened once every two cardiac cycles. We also found the opening time of the mechanical valve in aortic positions was long and short alternately because of the Left ventricular volume changed every cardiac cycles.

[The regulatory effect of dendritic cells on Th17 cell differentiation and function in mouse infected with Plasmodium yoelii].

Objective: To investigate the regulatory effect of dendritic cells (DCs) on Th17 cell differentiation and function during mouse infection with Plasmodium yoelii 17XL strain (Py17XL) and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Twelve female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned into the infection group (Py17XL), the TLR4 blocking group (Py17XL + TLR4), TLR9 blocking group (Py17XL + TLR9), and TLR4 and TLR9 combined blocking group (Py17XL + TLR4+TLR9)(n=3 in each group). Mice in the Py17XL + TLR4 or the Py17XL + TLR9 group received intraperitoneal injection of 10 µg anti-TLR4 or 50 µg anti-TLR9 antibody (both 0.4 ml) to block DCs function at one day before infection. The Py17XL group received same volume of PBS. All groups were then given intraperitoneal injection of 1×10(6) red blood cells (RBCs) infected with Py17XL. The RBC infection rate was calculated on days 0, 3 and 5 after infection, and spleen cell suspension was prepared, in which the CD11c+TLR9+ and Th17 cells were counted by flow cytometry. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 in supernatant of spleen cell culture were determined by ELISA. Results: Flow cytometry showed that DCs were successfully blocked. On day 5 after infection, 28%,29%, 31% and 16.3% mice showed parasitemia in the Py17XL group, the Py17XL + TLR4 group, the Py17XL + TLR9 group, and the Py17XL + TLR4 + TLR9 group, respectively, and on day 7, the proportions were 43.3%, 47.5%, 32.5% and 8%. Mice in the Py17XL group and the Py17XL + TLR4 group all died, while those in other groups began to die from day 6. There was a slow rise of parasitemia rate in the Py17XL + TLR9 group and the Py17XL + TLR4 + TLR9 group compared with the Py17XL group, with a significant extension of survival to days 11 and 15. Results of flow cytometry showed that the proportions of Th17 cells were 1.2% and 1.44% in the Py17XL + TLR9 group and the Py17XL + TLR4 + TLR9 group on day 5, both sighificantly decreased compared with the Py17XL group (1.9%)(P < 0.05, P < 0.01). ELISA revealed that the levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 on day 5 in the Py17XL + TLR4 + TLR9 group [(232.4 ± 15.5) pg/ml and(1791.2 ± 58.2) pg/ml, respectively] were significantly higher than those in the Py17XL group[(90.7 ± 50.1) pg/ml and (962.6 ± 409.0) pg/ml](P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Conclusions: The differentiation and function of Th17 cells are regulated by DCs during Py17XL infection. Blockade of DCs decreases parasitemia and extends lifetime of mice. Further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanisms.

Preliminary results for treatment of early stage breast cancer with endoscopic subcutaneous mastectomy combined with endoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy in China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate efficacy and aesthetic outcome for combined endoscopic subcutaneous mastectomy (E-SM) and endoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy (E-SLNB) in early stage breast cancer patients. METHODS: Combined E-SM+E-SLNB was compared to modified radical resection in a cohort of Chinese patients (n = 49) with stages I and II breast cancer. Patient satisfaction with the aesthetic results was assessed 1 year after surgery with a 5-item-by-4-step scoring system for evaluating cosmetic outcomes. RESULTS: All patients were alive 1 year following surgery with no locoregional recurrence or distant metastases and without any critical complications. The average length of incision was less in patients receiving E-SM+E-SLNB (4.4 vs. 19.4 cm; P < 0.001), but time in surgery was longer (131.6 vs. 99.2 min; P = 0.024). After 1 year, nearly all E-SM+E-SLNB patients rated satisfaction with their appearance as excellent or good (23/24; 95.8% vs. 19/25; 76.0%; P < 0.001), and exhibited less disturbance of sensory (P < 0.001) and motor function (P = 0.014) relative to modified radical resection. CONCLUSIONS: E-SM+E-SLNB provides significant aesthetic and functional advantages for patients with early stage breast cancer without compromising medical efficacy as assessed at 16 months postsurgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:616-620. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Exploration and Application of Discussion-based Teaching Method in Teaching of Medical Parasitology].

In this study, students majoring in Clinical Medicine were enrolled to explore the effect of discussion-based teaching method in the teaching of medical parasitology. One hundred and fifty-six students (with an entry year of 2011) in classes 1-3 received the discussion-based teaching while 153 students in classes 4-6 received traditional teaching. The effect of teaching was evaluated in terms of final examination score and questionnaire, and compared between the groups. The final examination score of students receiving the discussion-based teaching （86.1±6.6） was significantly higher than those receiving the traditional teaching（74.2±8.3）（P<0.05）. The discussion-based teaching method was graded as "excellent" by 89.1%（136/156）of the students, and was considered to be superior to the traditional teaching by 96.8%（151/156）of the students. The results indicate that the discussion-based teaching method can enhance interactions between participants, change the ways of thinking, and provide inspirations for learning and exploration.

Calcium-dependent depletion zones in the cortical microtubule array coincide with sites of, but do not regulate, wall ingrowth papillae deposition in epidermal transfer cells.

Trans-differentiation to a transfer-cell morphology is characterized by the localized deposition of wall ingrowth papillae that protrude into the cytosol. Whether the cortical microtubule array directs wall ingrowth papillae formation was investigated using a Vicia faba cotyledon culture system in which their adaxial epidermal cells were spontaneously induced to trans-differentiate to transfer cells. During deposition of wall ingrowth papillae, the aligned cortical microtubule arrays in precursor epidermal cells were reorganized into a randomized array characterized by circular depletion zones. Concurrence of the temporal appearance, spatial pattern, and size of depletion zones and wall ingrowth papillae was consistent with each papilla occupying a depletion zone. Surprisingly, microtubules appeared not to regulate construction of wall ingrowth papillae, as neither depolymerization nor stabilization of cortical microtubules changed their deposition pattern or morphology. Moreover, the size and spatial pattern of depletion zones was unaltered when the formation of wall ingrowth papillae was blocked by inhibiting cellulose biosynthesis. In contrast, the depletion zones were absent when the cytosolic calcium plumes, responsible for directing wall ingrowth papillae formation, were blocked or dissipated. Thus, we conclude that the depletion zones within the cortical microtubule array result from localized depolymerization of microtubules initiated by elevated cytosolic Ca(2+) levels at loci where wall ingrowth papillae are deposited. The physiological significance of the depletion zones as a mechanism to accommodate the construction of wall ingrowth papillae without compromising maintenance of the plasma membrane-microtubule inter-relationship is discussed.

Plasma Membrane Ca2+-Permeable Channels are Differentially Regulated by Ethylene and Hydrogen Peroxide to Generate Persistent Plumes of Elevated Cytosolic Ca2+ During Transfer Cell Trans-Differentiation.

The enhanced transport capability of transfer cells (TCs) arises from their ingrowth wall architecture comprised of a uniform wall on which wall ingrowths are deposited. The wall ingrowth papillae provide scaffolds to amplify plasma membranes that are enriched in nutrient transporters. Using Vicia faba cotyledons, whose adaxial epidermal cells spontaneously and rapidly (hours) undergo a synchronous TC trans-differentiation upon transfer to culture, has led to the discovery of a cascade of inductive signals orchestrating deposition of ingrowth wall papillae. Auxin-induced ethylene biosynthesis initiates the cascade. This in turn drives a burst in extracellular H2O2 production that triggers uniform wall deposition. Thereafter, a persistent and elevated cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration, resulting from Ca(2+) influx through plasma membrane Ca(2+)-permeable channels, generates a Ca(2+) signal that directs formation of wall ingrowth papillae to specific loci. We now report how these Ca(2+)-permeable channels are regulated using the proportionate responses in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration as a proxy measure of their transport activity. Culturing cotyledons on various combinations of pharmacological agents allowed the regulatory influence of each upstream signal on Ca(2+) channel activity to be evaluated. The findings demonstrated that Ca(2+)-permeable channel activity was insensitive to auxin, but up-regulated by ethylene through two independent routes. In one route ethylene acts directly on Ca(2+)-permeable channel activity at the transcriptional and post-translational levels, through an ethylene receptor-dependent pathway. The other route is mediated by an ethylene-induced production of extracellular H2O2 which then acts translationally and post-translationally to up-regulate Ca(2+)-permeable channel activity. A model describing the differential regulation of Ca(2+)-permeable channel activity is presented.