Chronic periodontitis can affect the levels of potential oral cancer salivary mRNA biomarkers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: More than 100 salivary constituents have been found to show levels significantly different in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) from those found in healthy controls, and therefore have been suggested to be potential salivary biomarkers for OSCC detection. However, many of these potential OSCC salivary biomarkers are also involved in chronic inflammation, and whether the levels of these biomarkers could be affected by the presence of chronic periodontitis was not known. The objective of this pilot study was therefore to measure the levels of seven previously reported potential OSCC salivary mRNA biomarkers in patients with chronic periodontitis and compare them to levels found in patients with OSCC and healthy controls. The seven salivary mRNAs were interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1ß, dual specificity phosphatase 1, H3 histone family 3A, ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 1, S100 calcium-binding protein P (S100P) and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected from a total of 105 human subjects from the following four study groups: OSCC; CPNS (chronic periodontitis, moderate to severe degree, non-smokers); CPS (chronic periodontitis, moderate to severe degree, smokers); and healthy controls. Levels of each mRNA in patient groups (OSCC or chronic periodontitis) relative to the healthy controls were determined by a pre-amplification reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction approach with nested gene-specific primers. Results were recorded and analyzed by the Bio-Rad CFX96 Real-Time System. Mean fold changes between each pair of patient vs. control groups were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U-test with Bonferroni corrections. RESULTS: Only S100P showed significantly higher levels in patients with OSCC compared to both patients with CPNS (p = 0.003) and CPS (p = 0.007). The difference in S100P levels between patients with OSCC and healthy controls was also marginally significant (p = 0.009). There was no significant difference in the levels of salivary IL-8, IL-1ß and dual specificity phosphatase 1 mRNAs between patients with OSCC and patients with CPNS (p = 0.510, 0.058 and 0.078, respectively); no significant difference in levels of salivary ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 1 and spermine N1-acetyltransferase mRNAs between patients with OSCC and patients with CPS (p = 0.318 and 0.764, respectively); and no significant difference in levels of the H3 histone family 3A mRNA between patients with OSCC and either CPS (p = 0.449) or healthy controls (p = 0.107). CONCLUSIONS: Salivary S100P mRNA could be a reliable biomarker for OSCC detection, regardless of the presence of chronic periodontitis. The presence of chronic periodontitis could significantly affect the levels of the other six mRNAs, and negatively influence reliability for using them as biomarkers for oral cancer detection.

Comparison of through-the-scope stent insertion with standard stent insertion for the management of malignant colorectal obstruction: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to compare the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the through-the-scope (TTS) stent technique to that of the standard metallic stent technique for the management of malignant colorectal obstruction. METHODS: Fifty-two patients scheduled to receive stent insertion for the management of acute obstructive colorectal cancer were enrolled in our study and divided into a TTS stent group (n = 24) and a standard stent group (n = 28). The stent insertion procedure was performed under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance in all patients. The success rate, complications, fluoroscopic time, and clinical remission rate were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The technique success rate was 100 % (24/24) in the TTS stent group and 78.6 % (22/28) in the standard stent group (p = 0.03). In five patients in the standard stent group, the stent failed to pass through occlusive lesions because of the stiffness of the stent system. Serious bleeding occurred in one patient in the standard stent group. The fluoroscopy time in the TTS stent group was significantly reduced (12.9 ± 6.6 min) compared with that of the standard stent group (24.8 ± 9.8 min; p < 0.01). Silent perforation occurred in 17.9 % (5/28) of the cases in the standard stent group compared with none in the TTS (p = 0.03). Clinical remission was achieved in 97.1 % (23/24) and 78.6 % (22/28) of patients in the TTS and standard stent groups, respectively (p = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: The TTS stent is safer and more feasible for the management of malignant colorectal obstructions than the standard stent, and the TTS technique provides a higher success rate, a similar clinical remission rate, and a markedly reduced fluoroscopic time.

Factors Affecting the Incidence of Angel Wing in White Roman Geese: Stocking Density and Genetic Selection.

The present study investigated stocking density and genetic lines, factors that may alter the severity and incidence of angel wing (AW), in White Roman geese. Geese (n = 384) from two genetically selected lines (normal- winged line, NL, and angel-winged line, AL, respectively) and one commercial line (CL) were raised in four pens. Following common commercial practice, low-stocking-density (LD), medium-stocking-density, and high-stocking-density treatments were respectively administered to 24, 32, and 40 geese per pen at 0 to 3 weeks (1.92 m(2)/pen) and 4 to 6 weeks (13.2 m(2)/pen) of age and to 24, 30, and 36 geese at 7 to 14 weeks (20.0 m(2)/pen) of age. The results revealed that stocking density mainly affected body weight gain in geese younger than 4 weeks, and that geese subjected to LD had a high body weight at 2 weeks of age. However, the effect of stocking density on the severity score of AW (SSAW) and incidence of AW (IAW) did not differ significantly among the treatments. Differences were observed among the genetic stocks; that is, SSAW and IAW were significantly higher in AL than in NL and CL. Genetic selection generally aggravates AW, complicating its elimination. To effectively reduce IAW, stocking density, a suspected causal factor, should be lower than that presently applied commercially.

Modal analysis and efficient coupling of TE01 mode in small-core THz Bragg fibers.

We report a design of low-loss THz Bragg fibers with a core size on the order of wavelength that operates near the cutoff frequency of its TE01 mode. We also propose a broadband Y-type mode converter based on branched rectangular metallic waveguides to facilitate coupling between the TE01 mode of the Bragg fiber and the TEM mode in free space with 60% efficiency. Our fiber holds strong promise to facilitate beam-wave interaction in gyrotron for high-efficiency THz generation.

Elevated CO2 concentration impacts cell wall polysaccharide composition of green microalgae of the genus Chlorella.

UNLABELLED: The effect of CO2 concentration on the relative content of starch, lipid and cell wall carbohydrates in microalgal biomass was investigated for the four following Chlorella strains: C. vulgaris (UTEX 259), C. sorokiniana (UTEX 2805), C. minutissima (UTEX 2341) and C. variabilis (NC64A). Each strain had a different response to CO2 concentration. The starch content was higher in UTEX259 and NC64A cultured with 2% CO2 in the air supply than in cells cultured with ca. 0·04% CO2 (ambient air), while starch content was not affected for UTEX 2805 and UTEX 2341. The lipid content was higher in Chlorella minutissima UTEX 2341 cultured in 2% CO2 than in cells cultured in ambient air, but was unchanged for the other three strains. All four Chlorella strains tended to have a higher percentage of uronic acids and lower percentage of neutral sugars in their cell wall polysaccharide complement when grown with 2% CO2 supply. Although the percentage of neutral sugars in the cell walls varied with CO2 concentration, the relative proportions of different neutral sugar constituents remained constant for both CO2 conditions. The results demonstrate the importance of considering the effects of CO2 on the cell wall carbohydrate composition of microalgae. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Microalgae have the potential to produce products that will reduce society's reliance on fossil fuels and address challenges related to food and feed production. An overlooked yet industrially relevant component of microalgae are their cell walls. Cell wall composition affects cell flocculation and the recovery of intracellular products. In this study, we show that increasing CO2 level results in greater cell wall polysaccharide and uronic acid content in the cell walls of three strains of microalgae. The results have implications on the management of systems for the capture of CO2 and production of fuels, chemicals and food from microalgae.

Selection for Duration of Fertility and Mule Duck White Plumage Colour in a Synthetic Strain of Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos).

A synthetic strain of ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) was developed by introducing genes for long duration of fertility to be used as mother of mule ducklings and a seven-generation selection experiment was conducted to increase the number of fertile eggs after a single artificial insemination (AI) with pooled Muscovy semen. Reciprocal crossbreeding between Brown Tsaiya LRI-2 (with long duration of fertility) and Pekin L-201 (with white plumage mule ducklings) ducks produced the G0. Then G1 were intercrossed to produce G2 and so on for the following generations. Each female duck was inseminated 3 times, at 26, 29, and 32 weeks of age. The eggs were collected for 14 days from day 2 after AI. Individual data regarding the number of incubated eggs (Ie), the number of fertile eggs at candling at day 7 of incubation (F), the total number of dead embryos (M), the maximum duration of fertility (Dm) and the number of hatched mule ducklings (H) with plumage colour were recorded. The selection criterion was the breeding values of the best linear unbiased prediction animal model for F. The results show high percentage of exhibited heterosis in G2 for traits to improve (19.1% for F and 12.9% for H); F with a value of 5.92 (vs 3.74 in the Pekin L-201) was improved in the G2. Heritabilities were found to be low for Ie (h (2) = 0.07±0.03) and M (h (2) = 0.07±0.01), moderately low for Dm (h (2) = 0.13±0.02), of medium values for H (h (2) = 0.20±0.03) and F (h (2) = 0.23±0.03). High and favourable genetic correlations existed between F and Dm (rg = 0.93), between F and H (rg = 0.97) and between Dm and H (rg = 0.90). The selection experiment showed a positive trend for phenotypic values of F (6.38 fertile eggs in G10 of synthetic strain vs 5.59 eggs in G4, and 3.74 eggs in Pekin L-201), with correlated response for increasing H (5.73 ducklings in G10 vs 4.86 in G4, and 3.09 ducklings in Pekin L-201) and maximum duration of the fertile period without increasing the embryo mortality rate. The average predicted genetic response for F was 40% of genetic standard deviation per generation of selection. The mule ducklings' feather colour also was improved. It was concluded that this study provided results for a better understanding of the genetics of the duration of fertility traits in the common female duck bred for mule and that the selection of a synthetic strain was effective method of improvement.

Aerosolised 5-azacytidine suppresses tumour growth and reprogrammes the epigenome in an orthotopic lung cancer model.

BACKGROUND: Epigenetic silencing by promoter methylation and chromatin remodelling affects hundreds of genes and is a causal event for lung cancer. Treatment of patients with low doses of the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine in combination with the histone deacetylase inhibitor entinostat has yielded clinical responses. The subcutaneous dosing route for consecutive days and reduced bioavailability of 5-azacytidine because of inactivation by cytidine deaminase may limit the expansion of epigenetic therapy into Phase III trials. To mitigate these barriers, an aerosol of 5-azacytidine was generated and characterised. METHODS: The effect of aerosol vs systemic delivery of 5-azacytidine on tumour burden and molecular response of engrafted lung tumours in the nude rat was compared. RESULTS: Pharmacokinetics revealed major improvement in the half-life of 5-azacytidine in lung tissue with aerosol delivery. Aerosolised 5-azacytidine significantly reduced lung tumour burden and induced global demethylation of the epigenome at one-third of the comparable effective systemic dose. High commonality for demethylation of genes was seen in tumours sampled throughout lung lobes and across treated animals receiving the aerosolised drug. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these findings show that aerosolised 5-azacytidine targets the lung, effectively reprogrammes the epigenome of tumours, and is a promising approach to combine with other drugs for treating lung cancer.

Evaluation of biodegradable paclitaxel-eluting nanofibre-covered metal stents for the treatment of benign cardia stricture in an experimental model.

BACKGROUND: Benign strictures at the cardia are troublesome for patients and often require repeated endoscopic treatments. Paclitaxel can reduce fibrosis. This study evaluated a biodegradable paclitaxel-eluting nanofibre-covered metal stent for the treatment of benign cardia stricture in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Drug release was investigated in vitro at pH 7·4 and 4·0. Eighty dogs were divided randomly into four groups (each n = 20): controls (no stent), bare stent (retained for 1 week), and two drug-eluting stent (DES) groups with retention for either 1 week (DES-1w) or 4 weeks (DES-4w). Lower oesophageal sphincter pressure (LOSP) and 5-min barium height (5-mBH) were assessed before, immediately after stent deployment, at 1 week, and 1, 3 and 6 months later. Five dogs in each group were killed for histological examination at each follow-up point. RESULTS: Stent migration rates were similar (0 bare stent versus 2 DES; P = 0·548). The percentage and amount of paclitaxel released in vitro was higher at pH 4·0 than at pH 7·4. After 6 months, LOSP and 5-mBH were both improved in the DES-1w (P = 0·004 and P = 0·049) and DES-4w (both P < 0·001) groups compared with the bare-stent group, with better relief when the stent was retained for 4 weeks (P = 0·004 and P = 0·007). The DES was associated with a reduced peak inflammatory reaction and less scar formation compared with bare stents, especially when inserted for 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: The DES was more effective for the treatment of benign cardia stricture than bare stents in a canine model. Retention of the DES for 4 weeks led to a better clinical and pathological outcome than 1 week.

Biodegradable rapamycin-eluting nano-fiber membrane-covered metal stent placement to reduce fibroblast proliferation in experimental stricture in a canine model.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The aim of the current study was to assess whether placement of the biodegradable rapamycin-eluting nano-fiber membrane-covered metal stent is followed by less fibroblast proliferation and tissue hyperplasia compared with bare stents in experimental stricture in a dog model. METHODS: A total of 80 dog models of stricture were randomly divided into a control group (n = 20, no stent insertion), a bare stent group (BSG, n = 20, 1-week retention), and two drug-eluting stent sub-groups (DESG-1w, n = 20, 1-week retention; DESG-4w, n = 20, 4-week retention). Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, 5-minute barium height (5-mBH), and cardia diameter were assessed before, immediately after the procedure, and regularly thereafter for 6 months. Five dogs in each group were euthanized for histological examination at each follow-up assessment. RESULTS: Stent insertion was well tolerated, with similar migration rates (0 % in BSG vs. 7.5 % in DESGs; P = 0.5441). At 6 months, LES pressure and 5-mBH improved in DESG-1w (26.70 ± 5.02 mmHg and 6.50 ± 2.98 cm) and DESG-4w (20.16 ± 5.50 mmHg and 1.54 ± 0.98 cm) compared with BSG (39.94 ± 5.22 mmHg and 11.1 ± 5.46 cm) (P < 0.05), with DESG-4w being more stable than DESG-1w (P < 0.05). The cardia maintained greater patency in the DESGs (7.10 ± 3.09 mm in DESG-1w; 9.16 ± 3.77 mm in DESG-4w) than in the BSG (1.86 ± 2.45 mm; P < 0.05). Reduced peak inflammatory reactions and scarring occurred in DESGs compared with the BSG (P < 0.05), with a better outcome in DESG-4w than in DESG-1w (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this experimental stricture model, rapamycin-eluting stents were more effective than bare stents for the reduction of fibroblast proliferation and tissue hyperplasia after stent placement. Furthermore, 4-week retention of the drug-eluting stent led to a better outcome than 1-week retention.

Novel genetic markers of the carbonic anhydrase II gene associated with egg production and reproduction traits in Tsaiya ducks.

In our previous cDNA microarray study, we found that the carbonic anhydrase II (CA2) gene is one of the differentially expressed transcripts in the duck isthmus epithelium during egg formation period. The aim of this study was to identify the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CA2 gene of Tsaiya ducks. The relationship of SNP genotype with egg production and reproduction traits was also investigated. A total of 317 ducks from two lines, a control line with no selection and a selected line, were employed for testing. Three SNPs (C37T, A62G and A65G) in the 3'-untranslated region of the CA2 gene were found. SNP-trait association analysis showed that SNP C37T and A62G were associated with duck egg weight besides fertility. The ducks with the CT and AG genotypes had a 1.46 and 1.62 g/egg lower egg weight as compared with ducks with the CC and AA genotypes, respectively (p < 0.05). But the ducks with CT and AG genotypes had 5.20% and 4.22% higher fertility than those with CC and AA genotypes, respectively (p < 0.05). Diplotype constructed on these three SNPs was associated with duck fertility, and the diplotype H1H4 was dominant for duck fertility. These findings might provide the basis for balanced selection and may be used in marker-assisted selection to improve egg weight and fertility simultaneously in the Tsaiya ducks.

A novel genetic marker of the ovomucoid gene associated with hatchability in Tsaiya ducks (Anas platyrhynchos).

Transcriptome analysis using a cDNA microarray was performed to identify differentially expressed genes that are correlated with hatchability, and a new PCR-RFLP marker of high hatchability among the identified genes was observed. We used the cDNA microarray technique for gene expression profiling of the magnum epithelium of laying Tsaiya ducks, and several regulated genes associated with hatchability were found. The results of real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis confirmed that the mRNA and protein levels of ovomucoid in the magnum epithelium of animals in the low-hatchability group were significantly higher than the levels in the high-hatchability group (P < 0.05). Primers TovF1 and TovR1, designed according to the ovomucoid EST sequence, were used to amplify genomic DNA samples of different individual Tsaiya ducks, and sequence analysis of the amplified DNA products showed deletion among the ducks from the low-hatchability group. Primers TovF2 and TovR2 were used to perform PCR-RFLP analysis on the amplified DNA products to classify the ducks into +/+, +/- and -/- genotypes. The animals of +/+ and +/- genotypes were identified as having significantly higher hatchability than those of the -/- genotype (P < 0.05). In contrast, no differences were observed between genotypes in terms of fertility, duration of fertility, egg weight or total number of eggs. Our results indicated that a novel PCR-RFLP marker of high hatchability, an ovomucoid gene polymorphism, can be used as a genetic marker for marker-assisted selection to improve hatchability in Tsaiya ducks.

Endovascular treatment of recurrent intracranial aneurysms with re-coiling or covered stents.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experiences in the treatment of recurrent intracranial aneurysms with re-coiling or covered stents. METHODS: A total of 291 patients with 305 intracranial aneurysms were treated with detachable coils, and 41 (28.9%) of 142 patients with aneurysms in the internal carotid artery had a recurrent aneurysm during the follow-up period. For this study, 31 recurrent aneurysms in 31 patients who had angiograms within 6 months following retreatment with detachable coils (group A, n = 20) or covered stents (group B, n = 11) were analysed. Aneurysms were categorised as complete or incomplete occlusion via angiographic assessment and graded as full recovery, improvement, no change or deterioration via clinical assessment. Data regarding technical success, initial and final angiographic results, mortality, morbidity and final clinical outcome were collected and analysed postoperatively. RESULTS: Coil embolisation and covered stent placement were technically successful in all recurrent aneurysms. The initial angiographic results showed complete occlusion in 11 patients (55%) in group A and in eight (72.7%) in group B (p = 0.452), and the final angiographic results exhibited complete occlusion in 10 patients (50%) in group A and in 11 (100%) in group B (p = 0.005). There were no significant differences in technique success, mortality, culminate morbidity or final clinical outcome between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent aneurysms after coiling can be successfully treated and occluded with re-coiling or covered stent placement. However, covered stents seem to be more effective than re-coiling with regard to complete occlusion of recurrent aneurysms.

Evaluation of MR spectroscopy and diffusion-weighted MRI in detecting bone marrow changes in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

AIM: To prospectively investigate the role of MR spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in assessing vertebral marrow changes in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight postmenopausal women (mean age 63.7+/-3.5 years; range 55-81 years), who underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of the spine, were divided into three bone density groups (24 with normal, 25 with osteopaenic, and 29 with osteoporotic) based on T score. Both MRS and DWI of the L3 vertebral body were performed to calculate the marrow fat content and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). The results were compared between three groups and correlated with BMD. RESULTS: Vertebral marrow fat content was significantly increased in the osteoporotic group (59.97+/-5.78%), when compared with that of the osteopaenic group (53.04+/-7.66%, p=0.001) and the normal bone density group (48.79+/-7.1%, p<0.001). ADC values in the osteoporotic, osteopaenic, and normal bone density groups were 0.39+/-0.02x10(-3)mm(2)/s, 0.41+/-0.02x10(-3)mm(2)/s, and 0.47+/-0.03x10(-3)mm(2)/s, respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). A statistically significant positive correlation between T scores and ADC existed (r=0.835, p<0.001). The vertebral marrow fat content was negatively correlated to the bone density (r=-0.639, p<0.001) and to marrow ADC (r=-0.554, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The postmenopausal women with osteoporosis exhibited a corresponding increase in vertebral marrow fat content as the bone density decreased. Marrow fat content and ADC were related to the bone density. MRS and DWI are helpful in evaluating the bone marrow changes in postmenopausal women.

Temporary self-expanding metallic stents and pneumatic dilation for the treatment of achalasia: a prospective study with a long-term follow-up.

The present study compares the efficacy of a self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS, diameter of 30 mm) and pneumatic dilation for the long-term clinical treatment of achalasia. A total of 155 patients diagnosed with achalasia were allocated for pneumatic dilation (n= 80, group A) or a temporary, 30-mm diameter SEMS (n= 75, group B). The SEMSs were placed under fluoroscopic guidance and removed by gastroscopy 4-5 days after placement. Data on clinical symptoms, complications, and long-term clinical outcomes were collected, and follow-up observations were performed at 6 months and at 1, 3-5, 5-8, 8-10, and >10 years, postoperatively. Pneumatic dilation and stent placement were technically successful in all of the patients. There were no significant differences in technique success, 30-day mortality, or complications between the two groups. The clinical remission rate in group A was significantly lower than that in group B at 1, 1-3, 3-5, 5-8 and, >10 years (P < 0.05), while the cumulative clinical failure rate in group A (66%, 53/80) was higher than that in group B (92%, 6/75). The mean primary patency in group B was significantly longer than that in group A (4.2 vs 2.1 years, respectively; P < 0.001). A temporary, 30-mm diameter SEMS was associated with a better long-term clinical efficacy in the treatment of patients with achalasia as compared with treatment with pneumatic dilation.

Effects of fumarate on ruminal ammonia accumulation and fiber digestion in vitro and nutrient utilization in dairy does.

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of fumarate on ruminal ammonia accumulation and fiber digestion in vitro and on feed intake and nutrient utilization in dairy does. Batch cultures of mixed rumen microorganisms were used to study effects of different concentrations of fumarate on fermentation with various N sources (ammonia as ammonium bicarbonate, casein amino acids, casein peptides, gelatin peptides) and feeds (bermudagrass hay, mixed diet of 60% bermudagrass hay plus 40% concentrate) for 6 and 24h, respectively. Substrates were grouped into pairs for separate incubations. Monosodium fumarate was added to incubation tubes to achieve final concentrations of 0, 5, and 10mM fumarate. More ammonia accumulated at the end of incubation with added ammonium bicarbonate. Ammonia concentration was higher for peptide compared with amino acid incubation, and for casein peptide compared with gelatin peptide. Addition of fumarate linearly decreased ammonia for all N sources and for feed substrates. For all substrate types, fumarate treatment increased acetate, propionate, and total volatile fatty acids (VFA), decreased acetate to propionate ratio, and tended to reduce branched-chain VFA. Digestion of feed neutral detergent fiber (NDF) by rumen microorganisms was improved by fumarate along with elevated endoglucanase and xylanase activities. In an animal metabolism experiment, 8 dairy does (4 per treatment) were used in a completely randomized design for 21 d. Does were fed a hay plus concentrate diet without (control) or with fumarate (6 g/head per day) supplementation to determine feed intake, whole-tract nutrient digestibility, and N utilization. Fumarate treatment did not affect weight change or feed intake but increased whole-tract digestion of gross energy, crude protein, and cellulose. Digested N was increased by fumarate supplementation; however, N retention was unaffected. Plasma glucose concentration was elevated with fumarate but urea N concentration remained unchanged. Fumarate addition had significant effects on rumen microbial fermentation by decreasing ammonia and branched-chain VFA, and by increasing acetate and propionate, and NDF digestion. These effects were reflected in the improvement in whole-tract gross energy, crude protein, and cellulose digestion and elevated plasma glucose concentration when dairy does were supplemented with fumarate.

Reduced long noncoding RNA PGM5-AS1 facilitated proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer through sponging miR-100-5p.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at investigating the expression of Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) PGM5-AS1 and its facilitating effects on proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer by sponging miR-100-5p. PATIENTS AND METHODS: qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expressions of PGM5-AS1 and SMAD4 in human colorectal cancer tissues and cells. CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate the SW403 cells proliferation and transwell assay was performed to evaluate the SW403 cells migration. The correlation between miR-100-5p and PGM5-AS1 was detected by statistical analysis. Bioinformatics prediction and Luciferase assay were performed to explore the interaction and binding site of PGM5-AS1 and miR-100-5p, miR-100-5p and SMAD4, respectively. RESULTS: We found that both PGM5-AS1 and SMAD4 were downregulated in human colorectal cancer tissues and cells. qRT-PCR and CCK-8 assay showed that PGM5-AS1 expression is associated with the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. Transwell assay showed that PGM5-AS1 regulated the migration ability of colorectal cancer cells. The bioinformatics prediction and Luciferase assay demonstrated that by sponging miR-100-5p, PGM5-AS1 can serve as a molecular sponge to further regulate the expression of SMAD4. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found that lncRNA-PGM5-AS1 was low expressed in human colorectal cancer cells, which could promote tumor proliferation, migration and invasion by serving as a molecular sponge and by modulating the inhibitory effect of miR-100-5p on tumor suppressor gene SMAD4.

Performance of BAC for DBPs precursors' removal for one year with micro-polluted lake water in East-China.

Effectiveness of biological activated carbon (BAC) filter in removing disinfection byproducts (DBPs) precursors of micro-polluted lake water for one year was conducted. The formation potential (FP) of DBPs (trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs) and Nitrosamines (NAs)), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), molecular weight (MW) distribution and excitation emission matrix fluorescence (EEM) of dissolved organic material (DOM) in the influent and effluent of BAC were determined. The results indicated that the removal efficiency (RE) of DOC ranged from 42.9-28.3%. Neither virgin GAC nor long-term operated BAC could efficiently dispose of THMs and HAAs precursors (RE from 35.2-18.8%, from 42 to 8.4%, respectively), however, BAC still showed good ability in removal of NAs precursors after a year operation, of which RE just dropped from 81.7-69.6%. There was strong correlation between RE of NAs precursors and DOC with small MW (<0.5 kDa). The removal of HAAs precursors showed relatively close relation to aromatic protein-like components and soluble microbial pollutants (SMPs). Weak direct relationship was found between the water quality parameters and THMs precursors.

Clinical label-free biochemical and metabolic fluorescence lifetime endoscopic imaging of precancerous and cancerous oral lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Incomplete head and neck cancer resection occurs in up to 85% of cases, leading to increased odds of local recurrence and regional metastases; thus, image-guided surgical tools for accurate, in situ and fast detection of positive margins during head and neck cancer resection surgery are urgently needed. Oral epithelial dysplasia and cancer development is accompanied by morphological, biochemical, and metabolic tissue and cellular alterations that can modulate the autofluorescence properties of the oral epithelial tissue. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that autofluorescence biomarkers of oral precancer and cancer can be clinically imaged and quantified by means of multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) endoscopy. METHODS: Multispectral autofluorescence lifetime images of precancerous and cancerous lesions from 39 patients were imaged in vivo using a novel multispectral FLIM endoscope and processed to generate widefield maps of biochemical and metabolic autofluorescence biomarkers of oral precancer and cancer. RESULTS: Statistical analyses applied to the quantified multispectral FLIM endoscopy based autofluorescence biomarkers indicated their potential to provide contrast between precancerous/cancerous vs. healthy oral epithelial tissue. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first demonstration of label-free biochemical and metabolic clinical imaging of precancerous and cancerous oral lesions by means of widefield multispectral autofluorescence lifetime endoscopy. Future studies will focus on demonstrating the capabilities of endogenous multispectral FLIM endoscopy as an image-guided surgical tool for positive margin detection during head and neck cancer resection surgery.

Laminin forms an independent network in basement membranes.

Laminin self-assembles in vitro into a polymer by a reversible, entropy-driven and calcium-facilitated process dependent upon the participation of the short arm globular domains. We now find that this polymer is required for the structural integrity of the collagen-free basement membrane of cultured embryonal carcinoma cells (ECC) and for the supramolecular organization and anchorage of laminin in the collagen-rich basement membrane of the Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor (EHS). First, low temperature and EDTA induced the dissolution of ECC basement membranes and released approximately 80% of total laminin from the EHS basement membrane. Second, laminin elastase fragments (E4 and E1') possessing the short arm globules of the B1, B2, and A chains selectively acted as competitive ligands that dissolved ECC basement membranes and displaced laminin from the EHS basement membrane into solution. The fraction of laminin released increased as a function of ligand concentration, approaching the level of the EDTA-reversible pool. The smaller (approximately 20%) residual pool of EHS laminin, in contrast, could only be effectively displaced by E1' and E4 if the collagenous network was first degraded with bacterial collagenase. The supramolecular architecture of freeze-etched and platinum/carbon replicated reconstituted laminin gel polymer, ECC, and collagenase-treated EHS basement membranes were compared and found to be similar, further supporting the biochemical data. We conclude that laminin forms a network independent of that of type IV collagen in basement membranes. Furthermore, in the EHS basement membrane four-fifths of laminin is anchored strictly through noncovalent bonds between laminin monomers while one-fifth is anchored through a combination of these bonds and laminin-collagen bridges.

Elemental analysis of freeze-dried thin sections of Samanea motor organs: barriers to ion diffusion through the apoplast.

Leaflet movements in the legume Samanea saman are dependent upon massive redistribution of potassium (K), chloride (Cl), and other solutes between opposing (extensor and flexor) halves of the motor organ (pulvinus). Solutes are known to diffuse through the apoplast during redistribution. To test the possibility that solute diffusion might be restricted by apoplastic barriers, we analyzed elements in the apoplast in freeze-dried cryosections of pulvini using scanning electron microscopy/x-ray microanalysis. Large discontinuities in apoplastic K and Cl at the extensor-flexor interface provide evidence for a barrier to solute diffusion. The barrier extends from the epidermis on upper and lower sides of the pulvinus to cambial cells in the central vascular core. It is completed by hydrophobic regions between phloem and cambium, and between xylem rays and surrounding vascular tissue, as deduced by discontinuities in apoplastic solutes and by staining of fresh sections with lipid-soluble Sudan dyes. Thus, symplastic pathways are necessary for ion redistribution in the Samanea pulvinus during leaflet movement. In pulvini from leaflets in the closed state, all cells on the flexor side of the barrier have high internal as well as external K and Cl, whereas cells on the extensor side have barely detectable internal or external K or Cl. Approximately 60% of these ions are known to migrate to the extensor during opening; all return to the flexor during subsequent closure. We propose that solutes lost from shrinking cells in the outer cortex diffuse through the apoplast to plasmodesmata-rich cells of the inner cortex, collenchyma, and phloem; and that solutes cross the barrier by moving through plasmodesmata.