Time-to-progression following conventional compared with drug-eluting-bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation in patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIMS: To identify the optimal transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) approach in patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; >5 cm) by comparing conventional TACE (cTACE) and drug-eluting-bead (DEB)-TACE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 63 consecutive HCC patients who received TACE at a single medical centre from September 2009 to October 2015. Primary endpoints were 3-year overall survival (OS) rate and time-to-progression (TTP). Hazard ratios (HRs) from Kaplan-Meier curves were calculated to compare survival estimates. RESULTS: The median OS was shorter in the cTACE group, but was not significantly different from the DEB-TACE group (33.9 versus 35.6 months, respectively; p=0.52). The mean TTP was shorter in the cTACE group than in the DEB-TACE group (13.9 versus 17.5 months, respectively; p=0.01). There was no difference in 3-year survival (HR=0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51-1.78; p=0.880) and TTP (HR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.42-1.16; p=0.147) between the groups; however, patients treated with DEB-TACE were more likely to have longer TTP in the first 2 years following treatment (HR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.29-0.88; p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Although DEB-TACE is not superior in terms of TTP or OS in patients with large HCC, it may have greater efficacy in the first 24 months following therapy.

Medical costs incurred by organ damage caused by active disease, comorbidities and side effect of treatments in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a Taiwan nationwide population-based study.

This study aims to systematically investigate the medial expenditures incurred by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-associated organ damages in order to assess the economic impact of damage accrual by active disease, comorbidities and side effect of treatments. In total, 22,258 SLE cases were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database, and organ damages assessed were according to the list from Systemic Lupus International Collaborative Clinic/American Rheumatology damage index system. Medical expenditures incurred by organ damages in the first as well as the subsequent year were obtained from the database. Our data reflected that organ damages caused by active disease and comorbidities, such those of renal, neuropsychiatric, pulmonary and cardiovascular systems are among the highest costing of all damage items. This study also shows that significant medical expenditures are incurred by damage items such as those occurring in ocular and musculoskeletal systems, which are typically caused by side effect of treatments such as corticosteroids. The medical expenditure in subsequent year still causes substantial economic burden. This systematic and continuous survey provided important reference of disease burden of SLE.

First Report of Bacterial Wilt Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum on Chard in Taiwan.

Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla L.) is a biennial herbaceous plant in the Chenopodiaceae family. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and is one of the most popular traditional vegetables in Taiwan. Chard accessions VI048530 and VI050121 growing in fields at Shanhua, Tainan, showed wilting symptoms in March and April 2013. The initial symptoms of wilt were observed on young green leaves. These symptoms progressed over time to chlorosis, interveinal necrosis, and finally blight. Finally, the plants collapsed and died. Vascular and pith tissues were discolored, especially at the stem base. A whitish mass oozed from the cut end of diseased stems. A total of eight bacterial strains were isolated from stems and roots of wilted chard plants. On tetrazolium chloride (TZC) medium (4), colonies were round to oval, fluidal, and white with a pink or red center after incubation at 30°C for 48 h. A typical hypersensitive reaction was induced within 24 h when the strains were infiltrated into tobacco leaves. Koch's postulates on chard plants were confirmed using the eight strains within a greenhouse, under natural light, with temperature and humidity ranges from 25 to 34°C and 56 to 98%, respectively. Fifteen chard (VI048530) plants at the four- to six-leaf stage were inoculated by soil drenching with 30 ml of a ~108 CFU/ml bacterial suspension. Sterile water was used as negative control. After 4 to 6 days, the first symptoms of wilt were observed on the young chard leaves. The progression of symptom development was identical to that observed in the field. The colony morphology on TZC medium of isolates from the inoculated plants was identical to that previously described from field samples. Pathogenicity of the strains was also tested on tomato (VI005790), eggplant (VI046095), and pepper (PBC1367) plants using the previously described inoculation procedure. The mean disease incidences on tomato, eggplant, and pepper plants were 100% (120/120), 100% (120/120), and 79.2% (95/120) respectively. Latent infection was found in asymptomatic pepper plants (16/120) by a printing method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of total DNA from each strain using the Ralstonia solanacearum-specific primer pair AU759f and AU760r (5) produced the expected 282-bp amplicon. All the isolated strains were identified as biovar 3 based on their capacity to utilize three hexose alcohols (mannitol, sorbitol, and dulcitol) and three disaccharides (lactose, maltose, and cellobiose) (2) to produce acid. Based on the phylotype-specific multiplex PCR assay and the partial egl gene sequence (GenBank accession numbers KM100442 to KM100449) (1), all chard isolates were identified as R. solanacearum phylotype I, sequevar 34. Bacterial wilt symptoms have also been observed on beet (Beta vulgaris L.), a close relative of chard, but beet has not been confirmed as a host plant (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of chard as a host of R. solanacearum worldwide. References: (1) M. Fegan and P. Prior. Page 449 in: Bacterial Wilt Disease and the Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex. C. Allen et al., eds. APS Press, St. Paul, MN, 2005. (2) A. C. Hayward. J. Appl. Bacteriol. 27:265, 1964. (3) A. Kelman. The Bacterial Wilt caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum. Tech. Bull. No. 99. N.C. Agric. Exp. Stn., 1953. (4) A. Kelman. Phytopathology 44:693, 1954. (5) N. Opina et al. Asia Pac. J. Mol. Biol. Biotechnol. 5:19, 1997.

Carotid intima-media thickness in Chinese Type 2 diabetic subjects with or without microalbuminuria.

BACKGROUND: To examine the association of microalbuminuria (MAU) with the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in Chinese Type 2 diabetic subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-nine patients (64±13 yr, 154 males) were divided into 2 groups: one with MAU (no.=119) or one without (no.=120). We recorded clinical and biochemical data as well as CIMT and ankle-brachial index (ABI). RESULTS: The patients with MAU had had diabetes mellitus (DM) longer, had higher blood pressure (BP). They also had lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and higher levels of circulating glucose, glycated hemoglobin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein than those without. Lower mean ABI was found in those with MAU, however, they did not have higher mean CIMT (0.72±0.15 vs 0.71±0.16 mm, p=0.525). In patients without MAU, CIMT correlated with age, DM duration, systolic BP, eGFR, albumin- to-creatinine ratio, and ABI. However, in those with MAU, CIMT correlated only with age and eGFR. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that mean CIMT correlated only with age for patients without MAU, but correlated with age and body mass index for those with MAU. Dividing the patients into 5 age groups, we found that the older the patient, the higher the mean CIMT with no group differences between those with and without MAU in both genders. However, patients with eGFR below 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) had higher mean CIMT than those above (0.75±0.16 vs 0.69±0.14 mm, p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 diabetic patients with MAU were not associated with higher CIMT. Conversely, those with deterioration of renal function were more likely associated.

First Report of Stem Canker Disease of Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus and H. polyrhizus) Caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum in Taiwan.

Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus and H. polyrhizus Britt. & Rose), a perennial succulent plant grown in the tropics, is becoming an emerging and important fruit plant in Taiwan. In September of 2009 and 2010, a number of pitaya plants were found to have a distinctive canker on stems. The disease expanded quickly to most commercial planting areas in Taiwan (e.g., Pintung, Chiayi, and Chunghua). Symptoms on the stem were small, circular, sunken, orange spots that developed into cankers. Pycnidia were erumpent from the surface of the cankers and the stems subsequently rotted. After surface disinfestation with 0.1% sodium hypochloride, tissues adjacent to cankers were placed on acidified potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at room temperature for 1 week, after which colonies with dark gray-to-black aerial mycelium grew. Hyphae were branched, septate, and brown and disarticulated into 0- to 1-septate arthrospores. Sporulation was induced by culturing on sterile horsetail tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) leaves. Conidia (12.79 ± 0.72 × 5.14 ± 0.30 µm) from pycnidia were one-celled, hyaline, and ovate. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA was PCR amplified with primers ITS1 and ITS4 (2) and sequenced. The sequence (GenBank Accession No. HQ439174) showed 99% identity to Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (Penz.) Crous & Slippers (GenBank Accession No. GQ330903). On the basis of morphology and nucleotide-sequence identity, the isolates were identified as N. dimidiatum (1). Pathogenicity tests were conducted in two replicates by inoculating six surface-sterilized detached stems of pitaya with either mycelium or conidia. Mycelial plugs from 2-day-old cultures (incubated at 25°C under near UV) were inoculated to the detached stems after wounding with a sterile needle. Conidial suspensions (103 conidia/ml in 200 µl) were inoculated to nonwounded stems. Noninoculated controls were treated with sterile medium or water. Stems were then incubated in a plastic box at 100% relative humidity and darkness at 30°C for 2 days. The symptoms described above were observed on inoculated stems at 6 to 14 days postinoculation, whereas control stems did not develop any symptoms. N. dimidiatum was reisolated from symptomatic tissues. To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. dimidiatum causing stem canker of pitaya. References: (1) P. W. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 55:235, 2006. (2) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al., eds. Academic Press, New York, 1990.

Magnetic resonance mapping demonstrates benefits of VEGF-induced myocardial angiogenesis.

Coronary occlusive disease is the leading cause of death in industrial nations and affects one in four adults. Although heart attacks are caused by occlusion of a coronary artery, some patients have occlusions without infarction because they have sufficient collateral vessels providing an alternate pathway for blood supply. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic peptide that can stimulate collateral vessel development in the ischaemic myocardium. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and image processing to identify and quantify non-invasively the benefits related to VEGF infusion on collateral development in the heart. This was accomplished as a placebo-controlled study in the porcine model of chronic ischaemia that most closely mimics the human pathophysiology of progressive coronary occlusion. Image series converted to a space-time map demonstrated that with treatment the ischaemic zone was smaller and the contrast arrival delay was less, which resulted in better ejection fraction and regional wall thickening. These findings demonstrate in a manner applicable to humans, that VEGF improves collateral blood supply, resulting in improved cardiac global and regional function after and in spite of coronary artery occlusion.

Comparative study of percutaneous nephrostomy using catheters with and without locking strings.

BACKGROUND: Although it is generally felt that a catheter with a locking string can achieve better fixation and thus prevent catheter displacement, no formal study has ever substantiated this. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts from 80 patients (mean age of 64.6 ± 14.76 y) who underwent percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) over a 1-year period. RESULTS: Most patients had catheters without locking strings and only 17 patients (21.3%) had catheters with locking strings. The median duration of catheter placement was 29 days (interquartile range 14 - 57 d). There were no significant differences in patients' characteristics or catheter outcomes between catheters with and catheters without locking strings (p > 0.05). In addition, no significant difference in the catheter 90-day survival between catheter types was found (log rank test, p = 0.638). On univariate analysis, tumor as an indication for PCN (p = 0.018), obstruction (p = 0.021) and displacement (p = 0.007) were associated with reduced catheter survival. The multivariate analysis indicated that tumor as an indication for PCN (HR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13 - 0.63, p = 0.002), obstruction (HR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08 - 0.77, p = 0.015) and catheter displacement (HR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03 - 0.31, p < 0.001) were independent hazard factors for reduced catheter 90-day survival. CONCLUSION: No significant difference in either complication rate or 90-day survival was found between catheters with or without locking strings. These findings may prove helpful to the clinician in deciding the type of catheter to use during PCN.

Umbilical separation time delayed by alcohol application.

AIMS: To compare the effects on time of umbilical cord separation of cleaning with 95% alcohol and natural drying in a high-humidity subtropical country. METHODS: One hundred and fifty neonates were randomly assigned to two groups, 75 in each. For the control group, umbilical cleansing with 95% alcohol was performed after daily bathing; natural drying without a topical regimen was used for the trial group. RESULTS: Complete information was obtained for 71 neonates in the control group and 71 in the trial group. At 1 month after delivery, no enrolled neonate had developed omphalitis or skin infection. Cord separation time was significantly reduced for the natural-drying group compared with the alcohol-cleansing group (p=0.014). In both groups, separation time was longer for newborns delivered by caesarean section than for those delivered vaginally (p=0.001). Nine mothers in the trial group and five in the control group complained of discharge from the umbilicus. Separation time was not influenced by gender, gestational age, birthweight or length, gravidity, meconium staining, maternal age or presence of discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Cleaning with 95% alcohol did not reduce umbilical cord separation time. This traditional method is not necessary for routine cord management, even in a subtropical country.

Detection of urine and blood clenbuterol following short-term oral administration in the horse.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The pharmacokinetics of clenbuterol in equine urine and blood was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Urine and blood samples were collected following 3-day multiple oral administrations. The samples were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and further confirmed by solid phase extraction and capillary electrophoresis. RESULTS: Urinary clenbuterol was detectable until day 14 after the last dose. The urinary excretion of clenbuterol was characterized by a biphasic pattern. The half-lives of the bi-exponential elimination (t(1/2alpha) and t(1/2beta)) for urinary clenbuterol were about 12.1 and 48 hours. After a single oral administration (4 microg/kg) of clenbuterol, the half-life of serum clenbuterol was approximately 11.4 hours.

Moment of inertia: psychophysical study of an overlooked sensation.

The distribution of mass in an object held in the hand, as described by its moment of inertia, is a fundamental and potent but largely unrecognized contributor to the object's "feel." A limited set of experiments has produced Weber fractions for human differential sensitivity to this property in the approximate range of 1/5 to 1/3, which is about ten times the Weber fraction reported for lifted weights.

Atorvastatin does not affect insulin sensitivity and the adiponectin or leptin levels in hyperlipidemic Type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: In addition to lipid lowering, further pleotropic effects of statins have been postulated. We aimed to study if the various pleotropic effects are due indirectly to the modulation of adipocytokines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the effect of atorvastatin on insulin sensitivity and the plasma adiponectin and leptin concentrations. Our randomized open labeled study had 29 hyperlipidemic Type 2 diabetic patients (14 females, 15 males, mean age 60.0+/-2.2 yr). They were randomized into three 12-week atorvastatin intervention types. Each day patients were given either 10 mg (no.=10), 20 mg (no.=10) or 40 mg (no.=9). Evaluations were performed before and after intervention. RESULTS: All baseline characteristics were statistically identical in the 3 groups. Drop in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured at the end. With 10 mg the drop was 30%, 37%, and 30%. The 20 mg group was 43%, 54%, and 34%. The 40 mg group was 42%, 51%, and 27%. Groups had no significant change of body mass index, HDLcholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin levels. Also, levels of insulin, adiponectin, leptin, homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA) and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) stayed the same. Pooled parameters of all 29 patients showed no difference in levels of insulin, adiponectin, leptin, HOMA, and QUICKI before and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Atorvstatin does not affect insulin sensitivity and the adiponectin or leptin levels in hyperlipidemic Type 2 diabetes.

cisRED: a database system for genome-scale computational discovery of regulatory elements.

We describe cisRED, a database for conserved regulatory elements that are identified and ranked by a genome-scale computational system (www.cisred.org). The database and high-throughput predictive pipeline are designed to address diverse target genomes in the context of rapidly evolving data resources and tools. Motifs are predicted in promoter regions using multiple discovery methods applied to sequence sets that include corresponding sequence regions from vertebrates. We estimate motif significance by applying discovery and post-processing methods to randomized sequence sets that are adaptively derived from target sequence sets, retain motifs with p-values below a threshold and identify groups of similar motifs and co-occurring motif patterns. The database offers information on atomic motifs, motif groups and patterns. It is web-accessible, and can be queried directly, downloaded or installed locally.

High density lipoproteins stimulate the production and secretion of endothelin-1 from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells.

The concentration of HDL in the blood inversely correlates with the incidence of cardiovascular disease, probably related to the ability of these lipoproteins to efflux cholesterol from vascular cells. it is also possible that HDL affect the production or action of vasoactive peptides implicated in the development of vascular diseases. Therefore, we determined the effects of human HDL on the production and secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1) from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. HDL produced a highly significant stimulation of endothelin secretion (maximum 240% of control), even at very low levels of lipoproteins (1 microgram/ml). HDL also stimulated the translation of ET-1 by twofold in the bovine aortic endothelial cells. In contrast, HDL had no significant effect on steady state mRNA levels, transcript degradation, or transcription. Stimulation of ET-1 secretion by HDL was dependent on protein kinase C activation. Purified apo A-I, the major apoprotein of HDL, increased ET-1 secretion and translation approximately 85% as potently as HDL. Our results indicate that low concentrations of human HDL strongly stimulate the production of ET-1, a powerful vasoconstrictor and mitogen for the vascular smooth muscle cell. We propose that HDL may participate in the regulation of vasomotor tone through this potentially important effect in the vasculature.

Significant exercise-induced hypoxaemia with equivocal desaturation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: The wide 95% confidence interval for S(a)O2 measured by pulse oximetry (S(P)O2) and the inherent characteristics of the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve can lead to modest but significant decreases in P(a)O2 (deltaP(a)O2 > or = 5 mmHg) that may be under-appreciated. AIM: To avoid missing potentially significant deltaP(a)O2 by using S(P)O2, this study establishes a threshold of deltaS(P)O2 to detect deltaP(a)O2 by examining the correlation between deltaS(P)O2 and deltaP(a)O2. METHODS: We enrolled 29 elderly patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as assessed by lung function testing. Arterial blood gases and S(P)O2 measurements were carried out during maximal exercise testing. The patients were assigned to groups based on P(a)O2 measurements: group 1 had P(a)O2 at peak exercise (P(a)O2peak) > or = 60 mmHg without a deltaP(a)O2; group 2 had P(a)O2peak > or = 60 mmHg with a deltaP(a)O2; group 3 had P(a)O2peak < 60 mmHg without a deltaP(a)O2; and group 4 had P(a)O2peak < 60 mmHg with a deltaP(a)O2. RESULTS: The study population was evenly distributed between groups 1, 2 and 4. However, group 3 did not have any patients enrolled in this study that met group 3 criteria. The sensitivity of pulse oximetry required to detect S(a)O2 below 90% was 19%. DeltaS(P)O2 of 3% may increase the low sensitivity of S(P)O2 and was shown by a 92% positive predictive value for deltaP(a)O2 > or = 5 mmHg. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that important changes in oxygenation may be avoided if using deltaS(P)O2 rather than absolute values of S(P)O2 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing exercise testing to detect exercise-induced hypoxaemia.

Metabolic fate of exogenous diacylglycerols in A10 smooth muscle cells.

The metabolic fate of exogenous diacylglycerols, 1-palmitoyl-2-[1-14C]oleoyl-sn-glycerol (2-[14C]POG) and 1-stearoyl-2-[1-14C]arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-[14C]SAG), was determined after incubation of A10 smooth muscle cells with liposomal suspensions. Hydrolysis through a diacylglycerol (DG) lipase pathway was the predominant metabolic fate; more than 80% of cell-associated radioactivity from 2-[14C]POG and 2-[14C]SAG was recovered in lipolytic products, monoacylglycerol (MG) and fatty acids (FA), which were present in the incubation medium. Hydrolysis of 2-[14C]POG was reduced completely by tetrahydrolipstatin, a lipase inhibitor. Very little radioactivity from either 2-[14C]POG or 2-[14C]SAG was incorporated into triacylglycerol or phospholipids. DG lipase and kinase activities were measured by in vitro enzyme assays. 1-[1-14C]Palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol (1-[14C]POG) was phosphorylated (kinase activity) to a greater extent than 2-[14C]SAG in assays with both soluble and particulate subcellular fractions from A10 cells. DG lipase activity (hydrolysis of 1-[14C]POG and 2-[14C]SAG) was markedly stimulated by the addition of 20 mM MgCl2 and 20 mM ATP to the assay. Under optimal assay conditions, DG lipase activity exhibited little substrate specificity. Our findings indicate that exogenous DG are mainly hydrolyzed by DG and MG lipases in A10 smooth muscle cells; as a result, signalling mechanisms responding to DG second messengers will be attenuated.

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody to dog hepatic lipase.

Partially purified dog hepatic lipase was used as antigen to produce monoclonal antibodies in mice. In addition to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a reliable and efficient procedure for screening antibodies reacting to hepatic lipase has been developed. A method to distinguish antibodies directing to active site or non-active site epitopes has also been described. We obtained three positive clones that survived after subcloning and expansion. All three monoclonal antibodies possess gamma one (gamma 1) heavy chains and kappa (kappa) light chains. Specificity of monoclonal antibody LDHL No. 537 to dog hepatic lipase was demonstrated by passing post-heparin plasma through its immunoaffinity column. Only dog hepatic lipase was removed by LDHL No. 537 from post-heparin plasma. The immunoaffinity chromatography also demonstrated the co-existence of three enzyme activities (mono- and triacylglycerol lipase and phospholipase A1) on the dog hepatic lipase molecule. The subunit weight of dog hepatic lipase has been estimated at 57500 +/- 600 (n=3) by using immunoaffinity chromatography and the combination of immunoprecipitation and autoradiography methods.

Importance of imaging method over imaging modality in noninvasive determination of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction: assessment by two- and three-dimensional echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the concordance between biplane and volumetric echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) strategies and their impact on the classification of patients according to left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) (LVEF). BACKGROUND: Transthoracic echocardiography and MRI are noninvasive imaging modalities well suited for serial evaluation of LV volume and LVEF. Despite the accuracy and reproducibility of volumetric methods, quantitative biplane methods are commonly used, as they minimize both scanning and analysis times. METHODS: Thirty-five adult subjects, including 25 patients with dilated cardiomyopathies, were evaluated by biplane and volumetric (cardiac short-axis stack) cine MRI and by biplane and volumetric (three-dimensional) transthoracic echocardiography. Left ventricular volume, LVEF and LV function categories (LVEF > or =55%, >35% to <55% and < or =35%) were then determined. RESULTS: Biplane echocardiography underestimated LV volume with respect to the other three strategies (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between any of the strategies for quantitative LVEF. Volumetric MRI and volumetric echocardiography differed by a single functional category for 2 patients (8%). Six to 11 patients (24% to 44%) differed when comparing biplane and volumetric methods. Ten patients (40%) changed their functional status when biplane MRI and biplane echocardiography were compared; this comparison also revealed the greatest mean absolute difference in estimates of EF for those subjects whose EF functional category had changed. CONCLUSIONS: Volumetric MRI and volumetric echocardiographic measures of LV volume and LVEF agree well and give similar results when used to stratify patients with dilated cardiomyopathy according to systolic function. Agreement is poor between biplane and volumetric methods and worse between biplane methods, which assigned 40% of patients to different categories according to LVEF. The choice of imaging method (volumetric or biplane) has a greater impact on the results than does the choice of imaging modality (echocardiography or MRI) when measuring LV volume and systolic function.

A 3-microRNA scoring system for prognostication in de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients.

As a highly heterogeneous disease, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) needs fine risk stratification to get an optimal outcome of patients. MicroRNAs have florid biological functions and have critical roles in the pathogenesis and prognosis in AML. Expression levels of some single microRNAs are influential for prognosis, but a system integrating several together and considering the weight of each should be more powerful. We thus analyzed the clinical, genetic and microRNA profiling data of 138 de novo AML patients of our institute. By multivariate analysis, we identified that high expression of hsa-miR-9-5p and hsa-miR-155-5p were independent poor prognostic factors, whereas that of hsa-miR-203 had a trend to be a favorable factor. We constructed a scoring system from expression of these three microRNAs by considering the weight of each. The scores correlated with distinct clinical and biological features and outperformed single microRNA expression in prognostication. In both ours and another validation cohort, higher scores were associated with shorter overall survival, independent of other well-known prognostic factors. By analyzing the mRNA expression profiles, we sorted out several cancer-related pathways highly correlated with the microRNA prognostic signature. We conclude that this 3-microRNA scoring system is simple and powerful for risk stratification of de novo AML patients.

Cold-induced ependymin expression in zebrafish and carp brain: implications for cold acclimation.

Cold acclimation has been suggested to be mediated by alternations in the gene expression pattern in the cold-adapted fish. To investigate the mechanism of cold acclimation in fish brain at the molecular level, relevant subsets of differentially expressed genes of interest were identified and cloned by the PCR-based subtraction suppression hybridization. Characterization of the selected cold-induced cDNA clones revealed one encoding ependymin. This gene was shown to be brain-specific. The expression of ependymin was induced by a temperature shift from 25 degrees C to 6 degrees C in Cyprinus carpio or 12 degrees C in Danio rerio. Activation of ependymin was detected 2 h after cold exposure and peaked at more than 10-fold at 12 h. This peak level remains unchanged until the temperature returns to 25 degrees C. Although the amount of soluble ependymin protein in brain was not changed by cold treatment, its level in the fibrous insoluble polymers increased 2-fold after exposure to low temperature. These findings indicate that the increase in ependymin expression is an early event that may play an important role in the cold acclimation of fish.