Synergistic Radiation Effects in PPD CMOS Image Sensors Induced by Neutron Displacement Damage and Gamma Ionization Damage.

The synergistic effects on the 0.18 µm PPD CISs induced by neutron displacement damage and gamma ionization damage are investigated. The typical characterizations of the CISs induced by the neutron displacement damage and gamma ionization damage are presented separately. The CISs are irradiated by reactor neutron beams up to 1 × 1011 n/cm2 (1 MeV neutron equivalent fluence) and 60Co γ-rays up to the total ionizing dose level of 200 krad(Si) with different sequential order. The experimental results show that the mean dark signal increase in the CISs induced by reactor neutron radiation has not been influenced by previous 60Co γ-ray radiation. However, the mean dark signal increase in the CISs induced by 60Co γ-ray radiation has been remarkably influenced by previous reactor neutron radiation. The synergistic effects on the PPD CISs are discussed by combining the experimental results and the TCAD simulation results of radiation damage.

Investigation of chromosomal genetic characteristics and identification of structural variation in the offspring of hexaploid triticale×hexaploid wheat.

Hexaploid triticale is an important genetic resource for genetic improvement of common wheat, which can broaden the genetic basis of wheat. In order to lay a foundation for the subsequent research and utilization of triticale germplasm materials, the chromosomal genetic characteristics of cross and backcross offspring of hexaploid triticale×hexaploid wheat were investigated in the process of transferring rye chromatin from hexaploid triticale to hexaploid wheat. Hybrid and backcross combinations were prepared with hexaploid triticale 16yin171 as the maternal parent and hexaploid wheat Chuanmai62 as the paternal parent. The chromosomes in root tip cells of F1, BC1F1 and BC1F2 plants were traced and identified non-denaturing florescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH). The results indicated that the backcross setting rate of hybrid F1 was 2.61%. The transmission frequency of 2R chromosome was the highest in BC1F1 plants while the transmissibility of rye chromosome in BC1F2 plant was 6R>4R>2R, and the 5B-7B wheat translocation in BC1F2 plants showed severe segregation. A total of 24 structural variant chromosomes were observed both in BC1F1 and BC1F2 plants, including chromosome fragments, isochromosomes, translocations, and dicentric chromosomes. In addition, the seed length and 1000-grain weight of some BC1F2 plants were better than that of the hexaploid wheat parent Chuanmai 62. Therefore, multiple backcrosses should be adopted as far as possible to make the rapid recovery of group D chromosomes, ensuring the recovery of fertility in offspring, when hexaploid tritriale is used as a bridge to introduce rye genetic material into common wheat. At the same time, the potential application value of chromosomal structural variation materials should be also concerned.

The evaluation of levosimendan in patients with acute myocardial infarction related ventricular septal rupture undergoing cardiac surgery: a prospective observational cohort study with propensity score analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of levosimendan in patients with acute myocardial infarction related ventricular septal rupture (AMI-VSR) underwent cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study with propensity score analysis. PATIENTS: There were 261 patients with AMI-VSR in our study. After 1:1 propensity matching, 106 patients (53 levosimendan and 53 control) were selected in the matched cohort. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS: Patients who received levosimendan were assigned to the levosimendan group (n = 164). The patients who were not received were levosimendan assigned to the control group (n = 97). The levosimendan was initiated immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass. Then, it has been maintained during the postoperative 3 days. The poor outcomes were identified as follows: death and postoperative complications (postoperative stroke, low cardiac output syndromeneeded mechanical circulatory support after surgery, acute kidney injury (≥ stage III), postoperative infection or septic shock, new developed atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmias). MAIN RESULTS: Before matching, the control group had more length of ICU stay (6.69 ± 3.90 d vs. 5.20 ± 2.24 d, p < 0.001) and longer mechanical ventilation time (23 h, IQR: 16-53 h vs. 16 h, IQR: 11-23 h, p < 0.001). Other postoperative outcomes have not shown significant differences between two groups. After matching, no significant difference was found between both groups for all postoperative outcomes. The Kaplan-Meier survivul estimate and log-rank test showed that the 90-day survival had no significant differences between two groups before and after matching. CONCLUSION: Our study found that a low-dose infusion of levosimendan in AMI-VSR patients underwent surgical repair did not associated with positively affect to postoperative outcomes.

Gimesia benthica sp. nov., a planctomycete isolated from a deep-sea water sample of the Northwest Indian Ocean.

A Gram-stain-negative, stalked, oval-shaped and budding bacterial strain, designated E7T, was isolated from a deep-sea water sample collected from the Northwest Indian Ocean. The novel strain was strictly aerobic, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. It grew at 6-40 °C (optimum 30 °C) and pH 5.5-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0-7.5). The strain required 0.5-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3.0-5.0 %) for growth. Aesculin, starch, pectin and Tween 20 were hydrolysed. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain E7T showed the highest similarity with Gimesia maris DSM 8797T (97.5 %). The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain E7T and G. maris DSM 8797T were 78.0 and 19.3 %, respectively. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain E7T were C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6) and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine (PMME), phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine (PDME), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain E7T was 52.8 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic inference and phenotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain E7T represents a novel species of the genus Gimesia, for which the name Gimesia benthica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E7T (=CGMCC 1.16119T=KCTC 72737T).

Halovulum marinum sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea water of the Indian Ocean, and emended description of the genus Halovulum.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by peritrichous flagella, oval to rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain 2CG4T, was isolated from a deep-sea water sample collected from the Northwest Indian Ocean. The results of phylogenetic analysis of both 16S rRNA gene and RpoC protein sequences indicated that this strain was affiliated with the genus Halovulum in the Amaricoccus clade of the family Rhodobacteraceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria, sharing 95.3 % similarity at the 16S rRNA gene sequence level with the type strain of Halovulum dunhuangense YYQ-30T, the only species in the genus Halovulum. The predominant fatty acids (>10 %) of 2CG4T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/ or C18 : 1ω6c; 61.1 %) and cyclo-C19 : 0ω8c (15.6 %). The polar lipids of 2CG4T were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol. The only isoprenoid quinone of 2CG4T was ubiquinone-10. The DNA G+C content of 2CG4T was determined to be 69.4 %. The central gene pufLM for the photosynthetic reaction was not detected. No growth occurred for 2CG4T in the absence of NaCl. On the basis of these data, it is concluded that the 2CG4T represents a novel species of the genus Halovulum, for which the name Halovulum marinum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2CG4T (=CGMCC 1.16468T=JCM 32611T).

Knockdown of long noncoding RNA PVT1 suppresses cell proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer via upregulation of microRNA-214-3p.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the occurrence and tumorigenesis of numerous malignant cancers. Microarray expression profiles were used to screen colorectal cancer (CRC)-related differentially expressed genes and lncRNAs, which revealed that insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) were highly expressed in CRC. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of lncRNA PVT1 in CRC. Subcellular localization detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization identified that lncRNA PVT1 was primarily located in the cytoplasm. The interaction between lncRNA PVT1 and microRNA-214-3p (miR-214-3p) and IRS1 was predicted using the RNA22 website. Next the dual luciferase reporter gene assay, RNA pull-down, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays verified lncRNA PVT1 to be a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) against miR-214-3p, and IRS1 was found to be a target of miR-214-3p. The expression pattern of lncRNA PVT1, miR-214-3p, IRS1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and Akt was characterized in response to lncRNA PVT1 silencing or miR-214-3p upregulation. Meanwhile, their regulatory effects on cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis were detected in CRC cells. With increased levels of miR-214-3p and decreased levels of lncRNA PVT1 in CRC cells, the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, putative (PI3K) and Akt was reduced, and consequently, the cell apoptosis was stimulated and cell proliferation and invasion were suppressed. All in all, lncRNA PVT1 competitively binds to miR-214-3p to upregulate the expression of IRS1 thus activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thus accelerating CRC progression. This study suggests that lncRNA PVT1 might be a potential target of therapeutic strategies for CRC treatment.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study mainly suggests that long noncoding (lnc)RNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) is a downregulated lncRNA in colorectal cancer (CRC), accelerating CRC progression. Strikingly, lncRNA PVT1 acts as a competitive endogenous RNA against microRNA (miR)-214-3p, whereas miR-214-3p targets insulin receptor substrate 1, which draws a comprehensive picture of the potential molecular mechanisms of lncRNA PVT1 in CRC.

Naloxone attenuates ischemic brain injury in rats through suppressing the NIK/IKKα/NF-κB and neuronal apoptotic pathways.

Although naloxone has been documented to exert neuroprotection in animal model of cerebral ischemia, the mechanism is not well understood. In this present study we investigated whether naloxone affected the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in ischemic brain injury of rats. SD rats were subjected to a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion surgery, and received naloxone (0.5, 1, 2 mg/kg, i.v.) immediately after ischemia. Neurological deficits were evaluated 24 h after ischemia using the McGraw Stroke Index, and then the rats were killed, and the brains were collected for further analyses. We show that naloxone treatment dose-dependently decreased the infarction volume and morphological injury, improved motor behavioral function, and markedly curtailed brain edema. Furthermore, naloxone administration significantly inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and decreased the levels of nuclear NF-κB p65 in the ischemic penumbra. Naloxone administration also dose-dependently increased the NF-κB inhibitory protein (IκBα) levels and attenuated phosphorylated NIK and IKKα levels in the ischemic penumbra. In addition, naloxone administration dose-dependently increased Bcl-2 levels, decreased Bax levels, stabilized the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and inhibited cytochrome c release and caspase 3 and caspase 9 activation. These results indicate that the neuroprotective effects of naloxone against ischemic brain injury involve the inhibition of NF-κB activation via the suppression of the NIK/IKKα/IκBα pathway and the obstruction of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in neurons.

Hyphobacterium indicum sp. nov., isolated from deep seawater, and emended description of the genus Hyphobacterium.

A novel aerobic, Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain 2ED5T, was isolated from a deep seawater sample in the north-west Indian Ocean. Cells of the strain were oval- to rod-shaped, and motile by a polar flagellum or sessile by a prostheca. The strain formed creamy white colonies on 2216E marine agar plates. It grew at 10-40 °C (optimum 28 °C) and pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum pH 6.0-7.0). The strain required 1-6 % (w/v) NaCl for growth and grew optimally in the presence of 2-3 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain 2ED5T was affiliated with the genus Hyphobacterium in the family Hyphomonadaceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria, sharing 95.1 % similarity at the 16S rRNA gene sequence level with the type strain of Hyphobacterium vulgare, the only species in the genus Hyphobacterium. The major fatty acids of the strain were C18 : 1ω7c and iso-C17 : 1ω9c, and the polar lipids included monoglycosyl diglyceride, sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol, glucuronopyranosyl diglyceride, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and an unidentified glycolipid. The strain contained ubiquinone Q-10 as the predominant respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of the strain was 60.9 mol%. Based on the results of this polyphasic analysis, strain 2ED5T represents a novel species in the genus Hyphobacterium, for which the name Hyphobacterium indicum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2ED5T (=CGMCC 1.16466T=JCM 32612T).

[Diversity, antibacterial activites and growth promoting characteristics of endophytic fungi from sandal (Santalum album)].

The aim of this study was to investigated the biological diversity, antibacterial activites and the plant growth-promoting traits of endophytic fungi of sandal (Santalum album), and to assess their potential in the development of antibacterial substances and rapid cultivation of sandal. The results of isolation and taxa analysis of endophytic fungi from sandal showed that 325 strains of endophytic fungi belonging to 16 genera of endophytic fungi were isolated from sandal (of which 86 from roots, 105 from stems and 134 from leaves). The isolation rate and colonization rate of endophytic fungi in different sandal parts showed the same pattern of change: leave>stems>roots. The diversity index of endophytic fungi in sandal roots was significantly higher than that of stems and leaves. The dominant endophytic fungi of sandal roots, stems and leaves showed significant differences. The dominant endophytic fungi of roots were Fusarium (50.00%) and Alternaria (10.47%), Alternaria (58.11%) and Acremonium (20.00%) for stems, and Pantoea (74.63%) for leaves. The antibacterial activity of 40 representative strains of sandal endophytic fungi were analyzed and the results showed that 90% of endophytic fungi exhibited inhibitory activity against at least one of the tested bacteria strains, and the strains with inhibitory activity to Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis accounted for 45.0%, 30%, 47.5%, 55%, 72.5%, and 62.5%, respectively. The sandal fungal endophytes with plant growth-promoting characteristics were screened, and 5 strains of endophytic fungi with phosphorus-solubilizing activity, 8 strains of endophytic fungi producing IAA, and 4 strains of endophytic fungi producing siderophores were found. Among them, endophytic fungus Monilia sp TXRF45 clould produced IAA and siderophores, and also show phosphate-solubilizing activity. The results indicated that the endophytic fungi of Sandal were rich in species diversity and their distribution had a certain tissue specificity. Some strains showed good antibacterial activity and growth-promoting properties, which could potentially applicable for the development of antibacterial substances and rapid cultivation of sandal.

Genome-wide Identification and analysis of the stress-resistance function of the TPS (Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase) gene family in cotton.

BACKGROUND: Trehalose (a-D-glucopyranosyl a-D-glucopyranoside) is a nonreducing disaccharide and is widely distributed in bacteria, fungi, algae, plants and invertebrates. In the study, the identification of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) genes stress-related in cotton, and the genetic structure analysis and molecular evolution analysis of TPSs were conducted with bioinformatics methods, which could lay a foundation for further research of TPS functions in cotton. RESULTS: The genome information of Gossypium raimondii (group D), G. arboreum L. (group A), and G. hirsutum L. (group AD) was used in the study. Fifty-three TPSs were identified comprising 15 genes in group D, 14 in group A, and 24 in group AD. Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the genetic structure and molecular evolution of TPSs. Real-time PCR analysis was performed to investigate the expression patterns of gene family members. All TPS family members in cotton can be divided into two subfamilies: Class I and Class II. The similarity of the TPS sequence is high within the same species and close within their family relatives. The genetic structures of two TPS subfamily members are different, with more introns and a more complicated gene structure in Class I. There is a TPS domain(Glyco transf_20) at the N-terminal in all TPS family members and a TPP domain(Trehalose_PPase) at the C-terminal in all except GrTPS6, GhTPS4, and GhTPS9. All Class II members contain a UDP-forming domain. The responses to environmental stresses showed that stresses could induce the expression of TPSs but the expression patterns vary with different stresses. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of TPSs varies with different species but is relatively uniform on chromosomes. Genetic structure varies with different gene members, and expression levels vary with different stresses and exhibit tissue specificity. The upregulated genes in upland cotton TM-1 is significantly more than that in G. raimondii and G. arboreum L. Shixiya 1.

Molecular and Cytogenetic Characterization of a Powdery Mildew-Resistant Wheat-Aegilops mutica Partial Amphiploid and Addition Line.

Aegilops mutica Boiss., a diploid species (2n = 2x = 14, TT), has been rarely studied before. In this research, a hexaploid wheat (cv. Chinese Spring)-Ae. mutica partial amphiploid and a wheat-Ae. mutica addition line were characterized by chromosome karyotyping, FISH using oligonucleotides Oligo-pTa535-1, Oligo-pSc119.2-1, and (GAA)8 as probes, and EST-based molecular markers. The results showed that the partial amphiploid strain consisted of 20 pairs of wheat chromosomes and 7 pairs of Ae. mutica chromosomes, with both wheat 7B chromosomes missing. EST-based molecular marker data suggested that the wheat-Ae. mutica addition line carries the 7T chromosome. Resistance tests indicated that both the partial amphiploid and the 7T addition line were highly resistant to powdery mildew, whereas the wheat control line Chinese Spring was highly susceptible, indicating the presence of a potentially new powdery mildew resistance gene on the Ae. mutica 7T chromosome. The karyotype, FISH patterns, and molecular markers can now be used to identify Ae. mutica chromatin in a wheat background, and the 7T addition could be used as a new powdery mildew resistance source for wheat breeding.

[Identification of the 1RS-7DS.7DL wheat-rye small segment translocation lines].

Rye (Secale cereale L., RR) is a valuable genetic resource for the improvement of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L., AABBDD). Transferring alien rye genes into wheat by distant hybridization and automatic chromosome doubling is an important and efficient method to boost agronomic traits, disease resistance and widening the gene pool in wheat. In this study, an octoploid triticale CD-13 (AABBDDRR) was obtained via automatic chromosome doubling by crossing landrace Penganbaimaizi (T. aestivum L., AABBDD) and rye "Qinling rye" (S. cereale cv. Qinling, RR). GISH and FISH analyses indicated that CD-13 contained a 1RS-7DS.7DL wheat-rye small segment translocation chromosome. In order to transfer the 1RS-7DS small segment translocation into hexaploid wheat, 58 lines of the F5 inbred population from the cross CD-13 x Chuanmai 42 were screened for rye chromosome segments by GISH and FISH analyses. The results showed that 13 lines contained the 1RS-7DS.7DL small segment translocation chromosome by reciprocal translocation between 1RS and 7DS. These translocation lines carrying 1RS small rye alien segment were tested for the translocation breakpoints and the presence of a storage protein locus Sec-1. The Sec-1 locus was absent in the line 811, a stable 1RS-7DS.7DL small segment translocation line. The translocation breakpoint of 1RS-7DS.7DL of this line was located in the interval of IB267-IAG95 around the telomere of 1RS chromosome. Thousand-kernel weight of the line 811 was much higher than the parent CD-13, but not significantly different from Chuanmai 42. This indicated that 1RS-7DS.7DL small segment translocation had no negative effect on thousand-kernel weight in the genetic background of Chuanmai 42. The line with 1RS-7DS.7DL translocation chromosomes can be used as a new genetic material for further studies of valuable genes and their genetic effect on 1RS small segment.

A novel wheat-Dasypyrum breviaristatum substitution line with stripe rust resistance.

The introduction of genetic variation from wild and cultivated Triticeae species has been a long-standing approach for wheat improvement. Dasypyrum breviaristatum species harbor novel and agronomically important genes for resistance against multi-fungal diseases. The development of new wheat-D. breviaristatum introgression lines offers chances for the identification of stripe rust resistance gene(s). A wheat line, D11-5, was selected from a cross between wheat line MY11 and wheat-D. breviaristatum partial amphiploid TDH-2. It was characterized by FISH and PCR-based molecular markers. Chromosome counting revealed that the D11-5 line shows a hexaploid set of 2n = 6x = 42 chromosomes. FISH analysis using the Dasypyrum repetitive sequence pDb12H as a probe demonstrated that D11-5 contained a pair of D. breviaristatum chromosomes, while FISH with wheat D-genomic repetitive sequences revealed that the chromosome 2D was absent in D11-5. The functional molecular markers confirmed that the introduced D. breviaristatum chromosomes belong to the homoeologous group 2, indicating that D11-5 was a 2V(b) (2D) disomic substitution line. Field resistance showed that the introduced D. breviaristatum chromosomes 2V(b) were responsible for the stripe rust resistance at the adult plant stage. FISH, C-banding, and PCR-based molecular marker analysis indicated that the chromosome 2V(b) of D. breviaristatum was completely different from the chromosome 2V of D. villosum. The identified wheat-D. breviaristatum chromosome substitution line D11-5 may be applied to produce agronomically desirable stripe rust resistance germplasm.

Transcriptional abundance is not the single force driving the evolution of bacterial proteins.

BACKGROUND: Despite rapid progress in understanding the mechanisms that shape the evolution of proteins, the relative importance of various factors remain to be elucidated. In this study, we have assessed the effects of 16 different biological features on the evolutionary rates (ERs) of protein-coding sequences in bacterial genomes. RESULTS: Our analysis of 18 bacterial species revealed new correlations between ERs and constraining factors. Previous studies have suggested that transcriptional abundance overwhelmingly constrains the evolution of yeast protein sequences. This transcriptional abundance leads to selection against misfolding or misinteractions. In this study we found that there was no single factor in determining the evolution of bacterial proteins. Not only transcriptional abundance (codon adaptation index and expression level), but also protein-protein associations (PPAs), essentiality (ESS), subcellular localization of cytoplasmic membrane (SLM), transmembrane helices (TMH) and hydropathicity score (HS) independently and significantly affected the ERs of bacterial proteins. In some species, PPA and ESS demonstrate higher correlations with ER than transcriptional abundance. CONCLUSIONS: Different forces drive the evolution of protein sequences in yeast and bacteria. In bacteria, the constraints are involved in avoiding a build-up of toxic molecules caused by misfolding/misinteraction (transcriptional abundance), while retaining important functions (ESS, PPA) and maintaining the cell membrane (SLM, TMH and HS). Each of these independently contributes to the variation in protein evolution.

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stromal cell treatment from related donors for patients with refractory aplastic anemia.

BACKGROUND AIMS: This study evaluated the feasibility, safety and immunological effects of the intravenous administration of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from a related donor in patients with refractory aplastic anemia (AA). METHODS: A mean of 6 × 10(5)/kg (range, 5.0-7.1 × 10(5)) MSCs were injected intravenously to 18 patients, including 14 patients with nonsevere AA and four patients with severe AA who were refractory to prior immunosuppressive treatment. The outcomes of patients treated with MSCs were evaluated and compared with a historic control cohort, including 18 patients with refractory AA. RESULTS: Two patients had injection-related adverse events, including transient fever and headache. No major adverse events were reported during the follow-up period. An immunological analysis revealed an increased proportion of CD4(+)CD25(+) FOXP3(+)regulatory T cells in peripheral mononuclear cells. Following up for 1 year, six of 18 patients (33.3%) achieved a complete response or a partial response to MSC treatment. In six patients, two achieved a complete response including a recovery of three hematopoietic cell lines after MSCs therapy at days 88 and 92, two patients achieved only a red cell recovery with hemoglobin levels >100 g/L at days 30 and 48 and two patients had only a platelet recovery with a platelet count of >60 × 10(9)/L at days 54 and 81. In the control cohort, only one patient (5.56%) achieved a partial response during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The data from the present study suggest that treatment with MSCs from a related donor may be a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with refractory AA. The trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: identifier NCT01305694.

Positive KI67 and periodic acid-schiff mandates wider range of excision in scrotal extramammary Paget's disease.

BACKGROUND: Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) of the scrotum is a rare disease that requires surgical excision. A positive margin is related to recurrence and poorer prognosis. We aimed to investigate the expression of Ki67 and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) in a biopsy sample and to evaluate their predictive value in true margin status. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with noninvasive scrotal EMPD were included. Immunohistochemical staining of Ki67 and PAS was reviewed and compared statistically with the margin status of intraoperative frozen section examination (FSE). RESULTS: Seventeen of 64 patients had a positive margin discovered at the first FSE. Expression of Ki67 was not significantly different between positive and negative margin status (p = .16). Expression of PAS was higher in samples with positive margins (p = .05). The incidence of positive margins was significantly higher in the double-positive group than in the double-negative group (p = .03). CONCLUSION: Positive expression of both factors in a biopsy sample requires wider excision to ensure negative margins.

Med19 promotes bone metastasis and invasiveness of bladder urothelial carcinoma via bone morphogenetic protein 2.

Bladder cancer (BCa) remained a major health problem. Med19 was related to tumor growth of BCa. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were reported to be critical in bone metastasis of cancer. We therefore investigated the relations between Med19 and BMPs in BCa and their effect on bone metastasis of BCa. Bladder cancer cell lines were cultured and interfered with Med19 shRNA and control. Expressions of BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-6, BMP-7, BMP-9, and BMP-15 were studied between 2 groups. Fifty-two BCa samples were included for immunohistochemical staining of Med19 and BMP-2. Expressions were scored and studied statistically. Invasiveness was studied with Transwell assay. Silencing or Med19 in BCa cells induced altered expressions of BMPs. Increased expressions of BMP-1, BMP-4, BMP-6, BMP-7, and BMP-15 and decreased expressions of BMP-2, BMP-5, and BMP-9 were noticed, but only BMP-2 reached statistical significance. Expressions of Med19 and BMP-2 were significantly higher in cases with bone metastasis and were positively correlated in cases with bone metastasis and muscle invasion. Med19 is a critical factor involved in the invasiveness and promotion of bone metastasis of BCa, possibly via BMP-2.

[Progress on identification and analysis of DNase I hypersensitive sites in plant genomes].

Eukaryotes's gene expression and regulation relies on the interaction of their cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors. The cis-elements are specific DNA sequences in the genome and frequently located in the untranslated regions. The trans-acting factors are usually considered to be proteins that bind to the cis-acting sequences to regulate gene expression. It is well known that the cis-elements are always associated with DNase I hypersensitive site, which is a signature of open chromatin. The identification of all the functional cis-element using high-throughput method in plant genome has not been initiated in plant genomes. With the rapid achievement of genomics studies, an increasing number of plant genomes have been sequenced. Genome-wide identification of DNase I hypersensitive sites will be a considerably efficient method to locate cis-element in plants, which will provide a vital potential for further plant functional genomics. The present review is to reveal the recent progresses on identification and analysis of DNase I hypersensitive site in plant genomes.

Characterization of wheat: Secale africanum introgression lines reveals evolutionary aspects of chromosome 1R in rye.

Wild Secale species, Secale africanum Stapf., serve as a valuable source for increasing the diversity of cultivated rye (Secale cereale L.) and provide novel genes for wheat improvement. New wheat - S. africanum chromosome 1R(afr) addition, 1R(afr)(1D) substitution, 1BL.1R(afr)S and 1DS.1R(afr)L translocation, and 1R(afr)L monotelocentric addition lines were identified by chromosome banding and in situ hybridization. Disease resistance screening revealed that chromosome 1R(afr)S carries resistance gene(s) to new stripe rust races. Twenty-nine molecular markers were localized on S. africanum chromosome 1R(afr) by the wheat - S. africanum introgression lines. Twenty markers can also identically amplify other reported wheat - S. cereale chromosome 1R derivative lines, indicating that there is high conservation between the wild and cultivated Secale chromosome 1R. Nine markers displayed polymorphic amplification between S. africanum and S. cereale chromosome 1R(afr) derivatives. The comparison of the nucleotide sequences of these polymorphic markers suggested that gene duplication and sequence divergence may have occurred among Secale species during its evolution and domestication.

Low local metastatic rate may widen indication of nephron-sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma.

To explore the rationale for renal-sparing surgery as an alternative method to radical nephrectomy in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we analyzed clinical data from 94 patients diagnosed as having RCC. They were divided into 3 groups based on the maximum diameter of their tumor specimens. Group A had tumors size ranging from 0 to 4 cm, group B had tumors size ranging from 4 to 7 cm, and group C had tumors size greater than 7 cm. Tissue samples (5 cm) were taken from the upper pole side, lower pole side, and renal pelvic side of the tumor pseudocapsule; if the tumor was located on 1 pole of the kidney, samples were collected from 2 directions. The specimens were then embedded in paraffin and cut serially at segments 0 to 1, 1 to 3, and 3 to 5 cm. Staining with hematoxylin and eosin, anti-pancytokeratin, and vimentin was performed to determine tumor type and tumor infiltration. From the 94 patients analyzed, 2 patients in group A had RCC metastasis within 1 cm of tissue around the pseudocapsule, and 4 patients in groups B and C had lymph node metastasis without metastasis in the tissue 1 cm outside the pseudocapsule in all 3 directions described. There was no statistical significant difference found between the incidence of local metastasis of the various tumor sizes, suggesting that local metastasis of RCC is not associated with the size of the tumor. Based on the observation that incidences of local metastasis were low in early-stage RCC, we came to the conclusion that pseudocapsule of RCC tumor might have growth-limiting effect on the tumor enclosed. It is theoretically a safer and better surgical option for patients with RCC with a smaller size of tumor and indications for radical nephrectomy to undergo renal-sparing surgery with an excision margin of 1 cm of normal tissue around the pseudocapsule of the tumor.