Crystal structure of tetraaquabis(8-chloro-9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracene-1-carboxyl-ato-κO (1))cobalt(II) dihydrate.

In the title complex, [Co(C15H6ClO4)2(H2O)4]·2H2O, the Co(II) ion is bound by two carboxylate O atoms of two 5-chloro-9,10-anthra-quinone-1-carboxyl-ate anions and four water O atoms in a trans conformation, forming an irregular octa-hedral coordination geometry. This arrangement is stabilized by intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between water and carboxyl-ate. Further O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between coordinating and non-coordinating water and carboxyl-ate produce layers of mol-ecules that extend parallel to (001). The organic ligands project above and below the plane. Those ligands of adjacent planes are inter-digitated and there are π-π inter-actions between them with centroid-centroid distances of 3.552 (2) and 3.767 (2) Šthat generate a three-dimensional supra-molecular structure.

Crystal structure of 4-acetamido-benzoic acid monohydrate.

In the title compound, C9H9NO3·H2O, the plane of the acetamide group is oriented at 20.52 (8)° with respect to the benzene ring, whereas the plane of the carb-oxy-lic acid group is essentially coplanar with the benzene ring [maximum deviation = 0.033 (1) Å]. In the crystal, classical O-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the organic mol-ecules and water mol-ecules of crystallization into a three-dimensional supra-molecular architecture.

Squamous cell carcinoma of ear and temporal bone: A retrospective study on clinicopathological predictors.

BACKGROUND: Ear and temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (ETBSCC) is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor with minimal clinicopathological studies. The object of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the predictive effect of clinicopathological variables on the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of ETBSCC patients in a single tertiary medical center in Tianjin, China. METHODS: A cohort of 44 patients with diagnosed ETBSCC from December 2012 to August 2022 were retrospectively studied. Univariate and multivariate analysis were, respectively, performed for the assessment of clinicopathological predictors, including sex, age, history of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), lesion side, diameter, the choice of surgical approach, parotidectomy, neck dissection, adjuvant therapies, T stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor grade, margin, perineural invasion (PNI), and Ki-67 index. RESULTS: Seventeen females and 27 males were included, with the mean age of 65 years old, ranging from 36 to 89 years. The 5-year OS rate was 43% (mean 51 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 39-64). Significant prediction of a worse prognosis for 5-year OS rate was observed under univariate analysis for advanced T stage, positive margin, identified PNI, and higher Ki-67 index, respectively. Advanced T stage was confirmed to be an independent prognostic factor strongly affecting 5-year OS rate among this cohort of patients using a multivariate cox proportional hazard model. CONCLUSION: We found that clinicopathological parameters, especially postoperative pathological parameters, play a critical role in predicting the prognosis of ETBSCC patients.

Temporal control of trichome distribution by microRNA156-targeted SPL genes in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The production and distribution of plant trichomes is temporally and spatially regulated. After entering into the flowering stage, Arabidopsis thaliana plants have progressively reduced numbers of trichomes on the inflorescence stem, and the floral organs are nearly glabrous. We show here that SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN LIKE (SPL) genes, which define an endogenous flowering pathway and are targeted by microRNA 156 (miR156), temporally control the trichome distribution during flowering. Plants overexpressing miR156 developed ectopic trichomes on the stem and floral organs. By contrast, plants with elevated levels of SPLs produced fewer trichomes. During plant development, the increase in SPL transcript levels is coordinated with the gradual loss of trichome cells on the stem. The MYB transcription factor genes TRICHOMELESS1 (TCL1) and TRIPTYCHON (TRY) are negative regulators of trichome development. We show that SPL9 directly activates TCL1 and TRY expression through binding to their promoters and that this activation is independent of GLABROUS1 (GL1). The phytohormones cytokinin and gibberellin were reported to induce trichome formation on the stem and inflorescence via the C2H2 transcription factors GIS, GIS2, and ZFP8, which promote GL1 expression. We show that the GIS-dependent pathway does not affect the regulation of TCL1 and TRY by miR156-targeted SPLs, represented by SPL9. These results demonstrate that the miR156-regulated SPLs establish a direct link between developmental programming and trichome distribution.

Endocytosis-mediated entry of a caterpillar effector into plants is countered by Jasmonate.

Insects and pathogens release effectors into plant cells to weaken the host defense or immune response. While the imports of some bacterial and fungal effectors into plants have been previously characterized, the mechanisms of how caterpillar effectors enter plant cells remain a mystery. Using live cell imaging and real-time protein tracking, we show that HARP1, an effector from the oral secretions of cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), enters plant cells via protein-mediated endocytosis. The entry of HARP1 into a plant cell depends on its interaction with vesicle trafficking components including CTL1, PATL2, and TET8. The plant defense hormone jasmonate (JA) restricts HARP1 import by inhibiting endocytosis and HARP1 loading into endosomes. Combined with the previous report that HARP1 inhibits JA signaling output in host plants, it unveils that the effector and JA establish a defense and counter-defense loop reflecting the robust arms race between plants and insects.

Retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics and related influencing factors of Kawasaki disease.

To compare the clinical characteristics of complete Kawasaki disease (KD) and incomplete Kawasaki disease (IKD), and analyze the possible risk factors of coronary artery lesion (CAL) in KD. The clinical data of 139 children with KD admitted to the hospital from January 2016 to June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. The differences of clinical characteristics between children with KD and children with IKD were compared. The risk factors of CAL were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Comparison of clinical characteristics between KD and IKD groups, the results showed there was significant difference in terms of conjunctival congestion, rash, lymph node enlargement, hand and foot redness, intravenous immune globulin non reaction and fever time (P < .05). Comparison of laboratory indicators between 2 groups, the results showed that there was significantly difference in the levels of neutrophils (P < .05). 15 cases (15.31%) in KD group were complicated with CAL, and 17 cases (41.46%) in IKD group were complicated with CAL, and the results showed there was a significant difference between the 2 groups (P < .05). Univariate analysis showed that the age and Hb of children with CAL were lower than those of children with nCAL, while C-reactive protein, NT-proBNP, NEUT, and ESR were higher than those of children with nCAL (P < .05). Multivariate analysis showed that the increase of NT-proBNP and the decrease of Hb may be independent risk factors for the occurrence of CAL in children with KD. The clinical manifestation of children with IKD is not typical. Compared with KD children, the fever time is longer and the incidence of CAL is higher. Under-age, increased NT-proBNP and decreased Hb may be independent risk factors for CAL in KD children.

Clinical data analysis of 22 cases with hypoparathyroidism misdiagnosed as epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with hypoparathyroidism always present with recurrent tetany caused by hypocalcemia. These patients are usually misdiagnosed with epilepsy and incorrectly treated with anti-epileptic drugs. This research analyzed clinical data about 22 patients with hypoparathyroidism misdiagnosed as epilepsy and summarized the clinical experience for reducing misdiagnosis and incorrect therapy about hypoparathyroidism. METHOD: Totally 160 patients with hypoparathyroidism, administrated to the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 1st, 2008, to July 1st, 2021, were enrolled in this report. Clinical data about 22 patients initially misdiagnosed with epilepsy were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 160 cases with hypoparathyroidism, 22 patients (12 males and 10 females) were misdiagnosed with epilepsy in local hospitals. The misdiagnosis rate was 13.75% and the median duration of misdiagnosis was 8.0 (2.0, 14.8) years. The clinical manifestations of the 22 patients misdiagnosed as epilepsy included tetany 81.8% (18/22), disturbance of consciousness 27.3% (6/22), limb numbness 13.6% (3/22), limb weakness 27.3% (6/22), mental and behavioral abnormality 9.1% (2/22), and memory impairment 13.6% (3/22), etc. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was performed in 9 cases, which presented as slow wave and spike-slow complex wave in 3 cases, slowing down of Î¸ and δ band background in 2 cases and normal EEG in 4 cases. Out of the 15 cases that underwent head computed tomography (CT) scan, in which 13 cases had intracranial calcification. Anti-epileptic drugs were used to treat 22 patients, of which 17 patients were treated with two kinds of drugs. With calcium and calcitriol supplement in all these 22 patients, the anti-epileptic drugs were gradually reduced and withdrawn in 17 cases. In the other 5 cases with secondary epilepsy, the type of anti-epileptic drugs was reduced to one and the clinical condition improved obviously. CONCLUSION: The clinical manifestations of hypoparathyroidism are complex and usually be misdiagnosed as primary epilepsy. Detection of serum calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone is very important to avoid misdiagnosis and incorrect therapy about hypoparathyroidism.

Kidney re-transplantation after living donor graft nephrectomy due to de novo chromophobe renal cell carcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: There are few reported cases of allograft nephrectomy due to malignancy followed by successful renal re-transplantation two years later. In this paper, we report a patient who underwent kidney re-transplantation after living donor graft nephrectomy due to de novo chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) involving the allograft kidney. CASE SUMMARY: A 34-year-old man underwent living kidney transplantation at the age of 22 years for end-stage renal disease. Maintenance immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisone. Six years post-transplantation, at another hospital, ultrasonography revealed a small mass involving the upper pole of the graft. The patient declined further examination and treatment at this point. Seven years and three months post-transplantation, the patient experienced decreasing appetite, weight loss, gross hematuria, fatigue, and oliguria. Laboratory tests showed anemia (hemoglobin level was 53 g/L). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a large heterogeneous cystic-solid mass involving the upper pole of the renal allograft. Graft nephrectomy was performed and immunosuppressants were withdrawn. Histological and immunohistochemical features of the tumor were consistent with ChRCC. One year after allograft nephrectomy, low doses of tacrolimus and MMF were administered for preventing allosensitization. Two years after allograft nephrectomy, the patient underwent kidney re-transplantation. Graft function remained stable with no ChRCC recurrence in more than 2-years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: De novo ChRCC in kidney graft generally has a good prognosis after graft nephrectomy and withdrawal of immunosuppression. Kidney re-transplantation could be a viable treatment. A 2-year malignancy-free period may be sufficient time before re-transplantation.

Silencing a cotton bollworm P450 monooxygenase gene by plant-mediated RNAi impairs larval tolerance of gossypol.

We identify a cytochrome P450 gene (CYP6AE14) from cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), which permits this herbivore to tolerate otherwise inhibitory concentrations of the cotton metabolite, gossypol. CYP6AE14 is highly expressed in the midgut and its expression correlates with larval growth when gossypol is included in the diet. When larvae are fed plant material expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) specific to CYP6AE14, levels of this transcript in the midgut decrease and larval growth is retarded. Both effects are more dramatic in the presence of gossypol. As a glutathione-S-transferase gene (GST1) is silenced in GST1 dsRNA-expressing plants, feeding insects plant material expressing dsRNA may be a general strategy to trigger RNA interference and could find applications in entomological research and field control of insect pests.

[A clinico-pathological analysis of HCV infection in post-liver transplantation patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathological characteristics of HCV infection after liver transplantation. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of the clinico-pathological changes of 73 liver biopsies obtained from 61 patients who had HCV infection (including HCV recurrence and reinfection) after liver transplantation in our center from September 2000 to September 2006. RESULTS: Abnormal enzyme test results due to HCV infection happened on the 9th to the 1553rd post-transplantation surgery day. The serum HCV RNA level was higher than 10(5) copies/ml in 19 cases and between 10(2)-10(5) copies/ml in the other 42 cases. The histological changes in the transplanted livers were hepatocellular degeneration, necrosis and apoptosis, portal infiltrations and fibrosis. They were classified into two stages (early stage and late stage) according to the onset of fibrosis which appeared within 90 days or later after their transplantation in our study. The incidence of predominant portal infiltrates and liver fibrosis in early stage and late stage was 5.7% (2/35) and 94.7% (36/38) (chi2=54.34, P<0.01) and 2.9% (1/35) and 97.4% (37/38) (chi2=61.47, P<0.01) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pathological features of early stage and late stage hepatitis C infection in transplanted livers are different and they are also different from that in native livers. Liver biopsies are important in clinical staging, evaluation of the severity, and differential diagnosis of post-transplantation HCV infection.

Characterization of QTLs for harvest index and source-sink characters in a DH population of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

A DH population containing 81 DH lines from an indica-japonica cross of rice and an RFLP linkage map consisting of 232 markers were used to map quantitative trait loci(QTLs) for harvest index, biomass, grain yield, sink capacity and plant height by a computer program QTLMapper1.0 based on mixed linear models. A total of 21 significant main-effect QTLs and 9 pairs of epistatic loci were detected. Of these, three detected QTLs for grain yield collectively accounted for 42% of the phenotypic variation with a LOD of 7.10. These three grain yield QTLs were corresponded either to QTLs for harvest index or QTLs for biomass in both locations and directions of additive effects, which sheds light on the genetic basis of the formula 'grain yield = biomass x harvest index'. Four detected QTLs for harvest index collectively explained 46% of the total phenotypic variation and four QTLs for biomass jointly accounted for 64% of the trait variation. No coincidence of harvest index QTLs with any biomass QTLs was found, therefore indicating the possibility of pyramiding favorable alleles for both traits through gene recombination so as to obtain a genotype possessing both high harvest index and heavy plant biomass. Five QTLs for plant height were detected that cumulatively explained 64% of the phenotypic variation with a LOD of 11.62. Among these, three with smaller effects respectively co-located with some of the QTLs for biomass, sink capacity and/or grain yield, but not with any of harvest index QTLs, thus suggesting that plant height was to some extent directly associated with 'source' and 'sink' but not with 'transportation' of the 'source-transportation-sink' concept, at least in this genetic background and environment. In view of a somewhat low resolution of the genetic map used in the study and the fact that when plant height QTLs co-located with those for yield and/or yield related traits, these co-located QTLs were all in the same directions of additive effects, it is more likely that these QTLs co-located in a same chromosomal region might be a single QTL which have effects on multiple traits. If this is true, the above observation have led us to assume that QTLs which have pleotropic effects on yield and/or yield related traits and plant height are very different from those which had relatively large effects only on plant height. The former contribute strongly to yield and/or yield related traits but weakly to plant height while the later contribute mainly to plant height. Obviously, due to that an increase of plant height is always coupled with an increase in lodging susceptibility, discriminating between above two types of QTLs is critical in breaking the traits' undesired association in breeding for improved yield potential of rice. In addition, based on the co-location analysis of main-effect QTLs for the studied traits, five genomic regions were found to be highly associated with harvest index, biomass, sink capacity and grain yield.

[Effects of saltwater incursion on the microbiological characteristics and denitrification in a riparian rhizosphere soil in Chongming Island of Shanghai, East China].

A simulation test was conducted to study the effects of saltwater incursion on the microbiological characteristics and denitrification in the riparian rhizosphere soils vegetated with different plants in Chongming Island of Shanghai. Saltwater incursion changed the microflora in the rhizospheric soils. Except for actinomycete whose quantity had slight increase, the quantities of bacteria, fungi, nitrifiers, and denitrifiers all decreased to some extent by saltwater incursion, with the denitrifiers decreased by 51.8%, suggesting that the riparian soil microflora responded differentially to saltwater incursion. The activities of soil nitrogen-transforming enzymes were significantly inhibited by saltwater incursion, and the inhibitory effects differed with the enzymes. Nitrite reductase activity was most sensitive to saltwater incursion, with an inhibition rate of 43.5%, followed by urease activity, with 37.4% inhibition, and by dehydrogenase (29.5% inhibition). Saltwater incursion inhibited the denitrification, with the average denitrification rate decreased by 34.9%. There existed significant differences in the eco-physiological responses of the microbes in the rhizosphere soils vegetated with different plants to the saltwater incursion. The microbial quantities and enzyme activities showed the highest inhibition percentages in the rhizosphere soil of Zizania aquatica, followed by in the rhizosphere soils of Acorus calamus and Phragmites australis. Under saltwater incursion, the inhibition percentages of microbial quantities, enzyme activities, and denitrification rate in the rhizosphere soil of A. calamus-P. australis were significantly lower, as compared with those in the rhizosphere soils vegetated with Z. aquatica, A. calamus, and P. australis, respectively, suggesting that mixed vegetation showed a better buffer effect on the responses of riparian rhizosphere soil microbiological processes and denitrification to saltwater incursion.

Vasculogenic mimicry is a key prognostic factor for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a new pattern of blood supply.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence and local lymph node metastasis affected the prognosis of patients with laryngeal cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and pathological significance of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and evaluate its contribution to prognosis. METHODS: Data of 168 cases of LSCC were reviewed retrospectively to reveal clinical pathology and prognostic significance of VM. CD31 and periodic acid-Schiff double staining was used to identify VM. RESULTS: VM in LSCC contributed to lymph node metastasis (P = 0.003) and clinical progression. VM correlated to histopathology grade (P = 0.001) of LSCC. VM was an adverse prognostic factor for both disease-specific survival (P = 0.039) and metastasis-free survival (P = 0.042) by univariate survival analyses. And it was an independent prognostic factor for only disease-specific survival (P = 0.003) by multivariate survival analyses. CONCLUSIONS: VM existed in LSCC. LSCC with VM has more potential to invasion and metastasis.

[Role of vasculogenic mimicry and endothelium-dependent vessel in metastasis of laryngeal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the contribution of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and endothelium-dependent vessel (EDV) to invasion and metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). METHODS: A total of 203 cases with LSCC was reviewed and followed up. VM and EDV in LSCC tissues were assessed by double staining with anti-CD31 immunohistochemistry and periodic acid-schiff. Kruskal-Wallis test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the relationship between VM, EDV and clinical pathology parameters of LSCC. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate overall survival (OS) of patients with LSCC. RESULTS: VM related to pTNM stage, lymph node metastasis and pathology grade of LSCC, while EDV related to primary sites, pTNM stage, T stage and distant metastasis of LSCC. Univariate analysis showed VM (P = 0.014), pTNM stage (P = 0.009), T stage (P = 0.013), nodal status (P = 0.013), histopathology grade (P = 0.038), tumor size (P = 0.028), and radiotherapy (P < 0.0001) related to OS. VM (P = 0.011), primary sites (P = 0.049), tumor size (P = 0.001) and radiotherapy (P < 0.0001) related to disease free survival. Multivariate analysis indicated that VM was an adverse predictor for both OS and disease free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Both VM and EDV existed in LSCC. VM contributed to progression of LSCC through promoting lymph node metastasis. VM is an independent predictor for the prognosis of LSCC.

A pilot study on morphology and the mechanism involved in linearly patterned programmed cell necrosis in melanoma.

Accumulating data provide evidence that autophagy contributes to programmed cell death (PCD) under certain circumstances. Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were performed to investigate the correlation the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3 and Atg4B and linearly patterned programmed cell necrosis (LPPCN) in melanoma. LPPCN was recently reported to be a special PCD, which is similar to neither apoptosis nor conventional necrosis commonly observed in tumoral tissues. The mechanism involved in LPPCN remains unclear. Our data showed that the expression of LC3 and Atg4B in the LPPCN-positive group was significantly higher than that in the LPPCN-negative group regarding protein and mRNA levels (p<0.05). Based on morphological observation, immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR experiments in this study, it was concluded that autophagy may play a crucial role in the process of LPP+CN in melanoma. This study provides novel insights into the mechanism that regulates LPPCN in vivo during tumor development. We speculated that LPPCN may be an early stage event in tumoral neovascularization under hypoxic-microenvironmental conditions. Accordingly, LPPCN can be considered a novel target in the process of antiangiogenesis treatment, which can be expected to obtain a better clinical outcome in the future.

[Relationship between the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor and micro vessel density and their clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the relationship between the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and CD105 micro vessel density (MVD) and their value in evaluating biologic behavior and prognosis in laryngeal cancer. METHODS: Ninety-one cases of laryngeal cancer were analyzed about their clinical and pathology data. In tumor tissue the expression of HIF-1alpha and EGFR was detected by immunohistochemistry and MVD was marked by CD105. RESULTS: The expression of HIF-1alpha was correlated with size, TNM stage, T stage, lymph node metastasis and histological grade (all P<0.05). The expression of EGFR was correlated with TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, histological grade and relapse (all P<0.05). MVD was correlated with type, TNM stage, T stage, lymph node metastasis, metastasis and histological grade (all P<0.05). The expression of HIF-1alpha and EGFR was correlated with MVD (F value was 7.644 and 5.197 respectively, P value was 0.001 and 0.025 respectively). The correlation between the expression of HIF-1alpha and EGFR was significant statistically (r= 0.238, P=0.007). The survival rate of patients of 3 years and 5 years were 56.1% and 44.2% respectively. Survival analysis by Log Rank showed that prognosis of laryngeal cancer patients was correlated with type, TNM stage and the expression of both HIF-1alpha and EGFR. While Cox multiple factors analysis demonstrated that TNM stage and expression of EGFR were independent prognostic factor of laryngeal cancer (P value was 0.049 and 0.041 respectively, RR was 1.300 and 2.417 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: HIF-1alpha and EGFR are key molecular event during development and progression of laryngeal cancer, which act in regulating tumor angiogenesis as well, and show intimate relationship with biological behavior and prognosis of laryngeal cancer.

Control of root cap formation by MicroRNA-targeted auxin response factors in Arabidopsis.

The plant root cap mediates the direction of root tip growth and protects internal cells. Root cap cells are continuously produced from distal stem cells, and the phytohormone auxin provides position information for root distal organization. Here, we identify the Arabidopsis thaliana auxin response factors ARF10 and ARF16, targeted by microRNA160 (miR160), as the controller of root cap cell formation. The Pro(35S):MIR160 plants, in which the expression of ARF10 and ARF16 is repressed, and the arf10-2 arf16-2 double mutants display the same root tip defect, with uncontrolled cell division and blocked cell differentiation in the root distal region and show a tumor-like root apex and loss of gravity-sensing. ARF10 and ARF16 play a role in restricting stem cell niche and promoting columella cell differentiation; although functionally redundant, the two ARFs are indispensable for root cap development, and the auxin signal cannot bypass them to initiate columella cell production. In root, auxin and miR160 regulate the expression of ARF10 and ARF16 genes independently, generating a pattern consistent with root cap development. We further demonstrate that miR160-uncoupled production of ARF16 exerts pleiotropic effects on plant phenotypes, and miR160 plays an essential role in regulating Arabidopsis development and growth.