Values of Immunoglobulin and Complements for Evaluating Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Multiple Myeloma.

BACKGROUND: The goal was to detect the levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) and complements (C) in patients newly diagnosed as multiple myeloma (MM) and to analyze their value in evaluating the efficacy of bortezomib and the impact on survival time. METHODS: A total of 125 patients newly diagnosed as MM admitted to our hospital were included into the research group, while another 118 healthy volunteers were recruited into the control group. The effectiveness of Ig and C in efficacy evaluation after treatment with bortezomib and the influencing factors for the survival rate were analyzed. Moreover, survival analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The response rate was 78.51% in the research group. The sensitivity and area under the curve (AUC) of combination of serum IgG, κ light chain, λ light chain, C3 and C4 levels in efficacy evaluation were 97.89% and 0.791, respectively, which were superior to those of any single indicator (p < 0.05). The proportion of stage III cases and the levels of serum IgG, κ light chain, λ light chain, C3 and C4 among the dead patients were higher than those among the surviving patients (p < 0.05). Stage III, serum IgG, κ light chain, λ light chain, C3 and C4 were all the risk factors for death in the research group. The increase in the above indicators was associated with the death of patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of serum IgG, κ light chain, λ light chain, C3 and C4 levels can be more effective than any single indicator in efficacy evaluation of bortezomib.

Hypoxia stimulates the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma via up-regulating the NUSAP1 expression.

Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive malignant tumor, which most commonly occurs in children and adolescents. This study aims to reveal that hypoxia promotes the invasion of osteosarcoma cells by up-regulating the expression of NUSAP1. The expression of HIF-1α and NUSAP1 was significantly up-regulated in MG63 cells cultured in hypoxia for 6-36 h. Furthermore, hypoxia induced the migration and invasion of MG63 cells and regulated the level of E-cad, N-cad, Vimentin, Snail, Slug, MMP2, and MMP9 proteins. Importantly, knockdown of NUSAP1 inhibited hypoxia-induced cell migration and invasion. In the hypoxia microenvironment, the addition of HIF-1α inhibitor or the transfection of siRNA specifically targeting HIF-1α significantly reduced the expression of HIF-1α and NUSAP1 and markedly inhibited the migration and invasion of MG63 cells under the hypoxia microenvironment. In conclusion, hypoxia induced the expression of NUSAP1 in a HIF-1α-dependent manner, stimulating the migration and invasion of MG63 cells.

Screening and identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic drugs in melanoma via integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Melanoma is a highly aggressive malignant skin tumor with a high rate of metastasis and mortality. In this study, a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was used to clarify the hub genes and potential drugs. Download the GSE3189, GSE22301, and GSE35388 microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), which contains a total of 33 normal samples and 67 melanoma samples. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) approach analyze DEGs based on the DAVID. Use STRING to construct protein-protein interaction network, and use MCODE and cytoHubba plug-ins in Cytoscape to perform module analysis and identified hub genes. Use Gene Expression Profile Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) to assess the prognosis of genes in tumors. Finally, use the Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb) to screen targeted drugs related to hub genes. A total of 140 overlapping DEGs were identified from the three microarray datasets, including 59 up-regulated DEGs and 81 down-regulated DEGs. GO enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs are mainly involved in the biological process such as positive regulation of gene expression, positive regulation of cell proliferation, positive regulation of MAP kinase activity, cell migration, and negative regulation of the apoptotic process. The cellular components are concentrated in the membrane, dendritic spine, the perinuclear region of cytoplasm, extracellular exosome, and membrane raft. Molecular functions include protein homodimerization activity, calmodulin-binding, transcription factor binding, protein binding, and cytoskeletal protein binding. KEGG pathway analysis shows that these DEGs are mainly related to protein digestion and absorption, PPAR signaling pathway, signaling pathways regulating stem cells' pluripotency, and Retinol metabolism. The 23 most closely related DEGs were identified from the PPI network and combined with the GEPIA prognostic analysis, CDH3, ESRP1, FGF2, GBP2, KCNN4, KIT, SEMA4D, and ZEB1 were selected as hub genes, which are considered to be associated with poor prognosis of melanoma closely related. Besides, ten related drugs that may have therapeutic effects on melanoma were also screened. These newly discovered genes and drugs provide new ideas for further research on melanoma.

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma presented as erythema nodosum: A case report.

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is an extremely rare subtype of primary cutaneous T cell lymphomas mimicking panniculitis. Clinically, patients are usually presented with subcutaneous nodules, which usually leads to initial misdiagnosis as a benign cutaneous condition. Here, we report a 40-year-old female who presented with subcutaneous erythematous nodules on her extremities with fever. On the basis of the clinical presentations, histopathological features and immunohistochemical findings, a diagnosis of SPTCL was made. The patient was treated with the injection of recombinant human interferon α-1b (30 µg) every other day for 3 months. The lesions gradually regressed. No new erythema nodules reappeared during the 10-month follow-up.

Genome-Wide Identification, Localization, and Expression Analysis of Proanthocyanidin-Associated Genes in Brassica.

Proanthocyanidins (PA) is a type of prominent flavonoid compound deposited in seed coats which controls the pigmentation in all Brassica species. Annotation of Brassica juncea genome survey sequences showed 72 PA genes; however, a functional description of these genes, especially how their interactions regulate seed pigmentation, remains elusive. In the present study, we designed 19 primer pairs to screen a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of B. juncea. A total of 284 BAC clones were identified and sequenced. Alignment of the sequences confirmed that 55 genes were cloned, with every Arabidopsis PA gene having 2-7 homologs in B. juncea. BLAST analysis using the recently released B. rapa or B. napus genome database identified 31 and 58 homologous genes, respectively. Mapping and phylogenetic analysis indicated that 30 B. juncea PA genes are located in the A-genome chromosomes except A04, whereas the remaining 25 genes are mapped to the B-genome chromosomes except B05 and B07. RNA-seq data and Fragments Per Kilobase of a transcript per Million mapped reads (FPKM) analysis showed that most of the PA genes were expressed in the seed coat of B. juncea and B. napus, and that BjuTT3, BjuTT18, BjuANR, BjuTT4-2, BjuTT4-3, BjuTT19-1, and BjuTT19-3 are transcriptionally regulated, and not expressed or downregulated in yellow-seeded testa. Importantly, our study facilitates in better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying Brassica PA profiles and accumulation, as well as in further characterization of PA genes.

MrBayes tgMC3++: A High Performance and Resource-Efficient GPU-Oriented Phylogenetic Analysis Method.

MrBayes is a widespread phylogenetic inference tool harnessing empirical evolutionary models and Bayesian statistics. However, the computational cost on the likelihood estimation is very expensive, resulting in undesirably long execution time. Although a number of multi-threaded optimizations have been proposed to speed up MrBayes, there are bottlenecks that severely limit the GPU thread-level parallelism of likelihood estimations. This study proposes a high performance and resource-efficient method for GPU-oriented parallelization of likelihood estimations. Instead of having to rely on empirical programming, the proposed novel decomposition storage model implements high performance data transfers implicitly. In terms of performance improvement, a speedup factor of up to 178 can be achieved on the analysis of simulated datasets by four Tesla K40 cards. In comparison to the other publicly available GPU-oriented MrBayes, the tgMC3++ method (proposed herein) outperforms the tgMC3 (v1.0), nMC3 (v2.1.1) and oMC3 (v1.00) methods by speedup factors of up to 1.6, 1.9 and 2.9, respectively. Moreover, tgMC3++ supports more evolutionary models and gamma categories, which previous GPU-oriented methods fail to take into analysis.

Estimation of benchmark dose for bone damage and renal dysfunction in a Chinese male population occupationally exposed to lead.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine a possible relationship between lead nephropathy and its effects on the skeleton in male population occupationally exposed to lead in China. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-five lead-exposed male workers in a storage battery plant in Shanghai were selected as the exposed subjects while the 36 healthy male officers in the plant who were not occupationally exposed to lead were treated as the control. Blood lead (BPb) and urine lead were used as biomarkers for exposure. Z score, urine hydroxyproline (HYP), serum alkaline phosphatase (bone isoenzyme) (BALP) and serum osteocalcin (BGP) were used as biomarkers for bone effects. Urine N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (UNAG) and urine albumin (UALB) were applied as biomarkers of renal tubular and glomerular dysfunction. Bone mineral density was measured by the monophoton absorptiometry (SPA-4). RESULTS: It was found that there were linear correlate relationships between lead exposure and NAG, ALB, BALP, BGP, HYP, Z score (P < 0.01), after controlling confounders such as age and work year. NAG, ALB, BALP, BGP and HYP would increase with the increase of lead exposure. Z score would decrease with the increase of lead exposure. Of 21 subjects with osteoporosis, nine subjects were suffering from renal dysfunction. The prevalence of renal dysfunction (42.86%) was significantly higher in the subjects with osteoporosis than in those without osteoporosis (17.65%) (chi(2) = 7.310, P = 0.007). The prevalence of osteoporosis had relationship with renal tubular damage, but not with renal glomerular damage. This showed that glomerular dysfunction plays a smaller role than tubular dysfunction in the causation of bone damage. Benchmark dose in terms of BPb was calculated using Benchmark Dose Software Version 1.3.2 software. The benchmark dose lower limit of a one-sided 95% confidence interval (BMDL) for 10% excess risk was also determined. It was found that BMDL(-05) for BALP, UNAG, BGP, HYP, Z score and UALB of BPb increased sequentially. The BMDL values for UNAG (10.13 microg dL(-1)) were lower than those of Z score (14.17 microg dL(-1)). CONCLUSIONS: The present study has thus demonstrated the combined adverse effects (osteoporosis and renal dysfunction) caused by occupational exposure to lead. There was a dose-response relationship between lead exposure and prevalence of osteoporosis, renal dysfunction and bone metabolism. The renal dysfunction might develop earlier than osteoporosis. Osteoporosis caused by lead was related to the change of bone metabolism and renal dysfunction, which was especially to tubular damage but not to glomerular damage.

Osteoporosis in a Chinese population due to occupational exposure to lead.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that lead may exert actions both directly on osteoblast and osteoclast function, and indirectly via kidney dysfunction on bone turnover. The main focus of this study was to investigate whether occupational lead exposure is associated with low bone mass in a population working in a storage battery plant. METHODS: Monophoton absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) in the population and the Z score was introduced to define osteoporosis (Z score <-2). Lead concentration of urine and blood was determined by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry as an exposure biomarker. A total of 249 persons (191 males and 58 females) participated and completed a questionnaire in order to obtain information on height, weight, age, medical and drug history, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, job position, work year, physical exercise, etc. RESULTS: The BMD was significantly decreased in the groups of the high urinary lead (UPb) level compared with the low UPb level with a significant difference (P < 0.05) in both genders, but no such significant difference was observed in the relationship between blood lead (BPb) and BMD. The prevalence of osteoporosis would increase significantly with the increase of the UPb (P < 0.01) in the linear correlation manner (P < 0.01). There was also such a significant relationship between BPb and osteoporosis (P < 0.01). There was a dose-response relationship between lead exposure and prevalence of osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to BPb, UPb had a more close relationship with osteoporosis caused by lead. It was concluded that occupational exposure to lead is associated with osteoporosis.

[Effects of occupational lead exposure on bone mineral density and bone metabolism in workers].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of occupational lead exposure on the bone mineral density and the bone metabolism in exposed workers. METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-eight lead-exposed workers in a storage battery plant in Shanghai were selected as the exposed subjects while eighty-one healthy officers in the plant who were not occupationally exposed to lead were treated as the control. The blood lead (BPb) and the urinary lead (UPb) were used as the exposure biomarkers while the Z score, the urinary hydroxyproline (HYP) the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) the serum alkaline phosphatase bone isoenzyme BALP and the serum osteocalcin BGP were used as the effect biomarkers for the bone effect caused by the lead. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by the single-photon absorptiometry (SPA-4). RESULTS: The BPb, UPb, HYP, ALP, BALP in the occupational lead exposure group were higher than those in the control group with significantly statistical difference in male (P < 0.01). The levels of BGP in the exposure group was higher than that in the control group without significantly statistical difference (P > 0.05). The BMD in the exposure group was lower than that in the control group without significantly statistical difference (P > 0.05). The BMD was significantly decreased in the groups of the UPb 10 approximately microg/g Cr level compared with the 0 approximately microg/g Cr group with the significant difference (P < 0.01). In males, the BMD was significantly decreased in the group of the BPb 300 approximately microg/L level compared with the 0 approximately microg/L group with the significant difference (P < 0.01). The levels of HYP, ALP, BALP, BGP in the UPb 20 approximately microg/g Cr group were significantly higher than those in the UPb 0 approximately microg/g Cr group (P < 0.05). The levels of HYP, ALP, BALP, BGP in the BPb 300 approximately microg/L group were significantly higher than those in the BPb 0 approximately microg/L group (P < 0.05). The prevalence of both osteoporosis and the abnormal bone metabolisms indexes would increase significantly with the increase of the lead exposure (P < 0.01) with the linear correlation (P < 0.01). But the prevalence of higher BGP had no significant correlation with UPb (P > 0.05). BMDs were calculated using BMDS Version 1.3.2 software and BMDLs were also determined. The BMDLs of BPb and UPb for lead-induced osteoporosis were higher than those representing the change of bone metabolism induced by lead. CONCLUSIONS: The occupational exposure to lead could cause the decrease of the bone mineral density, lead to the osteoporosis, and may affect the bone metabolism.

[Effects of occupational lead exposure on lumbar vertebral fracture in male workers.].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of occupational lead exposure on lumbar vertebral fracture in exposed male workers. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-two lead-exposed male workers in a storage battery plant in Shanghai were selected as the study population. The blood lead (BPb) and the urinary lead (UPb) were measured by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by the monophoton absorptiometry(SPA-4) and Z score was determined. Anteroposterior and lateral lumbar spinal X-ray films were taken to determine lumbar vertebral fracture. RESULTS: For the occupationally lead-exposed workers, geometric mean of BPb was 0.85 (0.33 approximately 1.90) micromol/L, geometric mean of UPb was 4.84 (0.46 approximately 21.31) microg/g Cr, and the prevalence of lumbar vertebral fracture was 19.7%. The prevalence of lumbar vertebral fracture would increase with the increase of age and work year, but with no significantly statistical difference (P > 0.05). The bone mineral density (BMD) would decrease with the increase of BPb and UPb (P < 0.05). The prevalence of lumbar vertebral fracture would increase significantly with the increase of the lead exposure (P < 0.05) with the linear correlation (P < 0.05). The prevalence of lumbar vertebral fracture would increase significantly with the decrease of the bone mass (P < 0.01) with the linear correlation (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The occupational exposure to lead could cause the decrease of the bone mineral density and the increase of the prevalence of lumbar vertebral fracture. The development of lumbar vertebral fracture is associated with the decrease of bone mass.

[Effects of CO2 on high density culture of Chaetoceros mulleri].

The effect of CO2 and the manner of CO2 offer on the growth rate and maximual cell density of ultro-high density culture of Chaetoceros mulleri in the photobioreactor were studied in the work. The amount of CO2 offered to the culture was controlled by the parameter of pH value in the culture. Furthermore the growth kinetics of Chaetoceros muller in the photobioreactor was studied. The results showed requirement of CO2 by the cells and the increase of pH in the culture were the key limiting factors to the growth, when a high cell concentration in the culture was reached. The offer of CO2 could improve the statute of CO2, could control the pH in the culture and increase the growth rate and maximum cell density. The results from the experiments of CO2 offer manner showed different efficiency to growth was resulted from differences of CO2 offer manner. The best way is mixing the CO2 and air before the CO2 was offered to the culture.

Effects of cell density, light intensity and mixing on Undaria pinnatifida gametophyte activity in a photobioreactor.

An on-line controlled 7 l sterilizable photobioreactor was used for the optimisation of a culture of gametophytes of Undaria pinnatifida. The gametophytes, which had been stored for three years in a culture cabinet at 16 degrees C, could rapidly grow in the photobioreactor under controlled conditions. The rate of increase of dissolved oxygen and pH were used to monitor the photosynthetic activity. Optimal gametophytes density changed varying the light intensity. The optimal cell densities were 3.24 and 3.45 g FW l(-1) when the cultures were exposed to 61.7 and 82.3 microE m(-2) s(-1), respectively. The optimal cell density was higher under a high photon flux density (PFD) than under low PFD. On the other hand, the optimal light intensities were different for different cell density cultures. The light saturation point was higher at high cell density cultures than at low cell density cultures. The optimal rotational speed was 150 rpm for high cell density culture in the photobioreactor.

[Evaluation of the effect of intervened measures for health behavior of lead exposed workers].

OBJECTIVE: To intervene the health behavior of lead exposed workers by setting down and implementing a series of measures and evaluating the effects of these measures so that the occupational lead poisoning would be decreased. METHODS: 105 lead exposed workers in a factory were chosen as subjects. Blood lead concentration and rate of cognition on relevant health knowledge were examined before and after intervened measures. RESULTS: The cognition rate raised from 56.6% to 97.3% after training. Lead concentration in blood decreased by 17.7% (t = 4.10, P = 0.000) and delta-ALA in urine decreased by 23.9% (t = 4.248, P = 0.000) 12 months after intervention. The prevalence of occupational lead absorption and poisoning also decreased. The number of workers with blood lead content > 2.41 mumol/L was decreased from 6 to 3, and > 1.93 mumol/L from 14 to 10. CONCLUSION: To develope occupational health promotion, enhance health education and improve health behavior are the effective way to prevent from occupational lead poisoning.