[Development of an asthenopia survey questionnaire for general surveys].

Objective: To design a visual fatigue questionnaire that can be used for population surveys. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that involved three stages of subjects' recruitment. In the first stage, by convenience sampling, 150 individuals who complained of visual fatigue were selected at public places in Wenzhou City in May 2016. The 19-Item Asthenopia Survey Questionnaire (ASQ-19) was used to conduct the survey, and the questionnaire was adjusted. In the second stage, 200 outpatient participants were recruited from Wenzhou Medical University Affiliated Eye and Optometry Hospital from June 2016 to May 2017 and were divided into a visual fatigue group and a control group based on clinical diagnosis. The adjusted visual fatigue questionnaire was used for validation. In the third stage, 64 outpatient participants who met the inclusion criteria were continuously recruited from the Wenzhou Medical University Affiliated Eye and Optometry Hospital in July 2022. They were tested using the adjusted visual fatigue questionnaire and retested one week later. During the questionnaire adjustment stage, factor analysis and feedback were used to adjust the scoring method and items of the ASQ-19 questionnaire. The adjusted questionnaire was then analyzed for reliability, validity, accuracy, and subject acceptance during the validation and retest stages. Results: A total of 403 participants were included, and 456 questionnaires were distributed. Eventually, 432 valid questionnaires were collected from 379 participants, resulting in a valid response rate of 94.7%. During the questionnaire adjustment phase, there were 140 valid questionnaires from 140 participants consisting of 56 males and 84 females with an average age of (35.2±12.4) years. In the questionnaire validation phase, there were 186 valid questionnaires from 186 participants. Sixty-two participants had visual fatigue and 124 were controls. During the questionnaire retesting phase, 53 participants yielded 106 valid questionnaires. The group consisted of 20 males and 33 females with an average age of (22.8±4.9) years. After factor analysis, the symptom severity graded as none, mild, moderate, severe, and very severe was scored as 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 points, respectively. The total score was 44, and the final questionnaire consisted of 11 items (numbered 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 17, 18, and 19). The 11-Item Asthenopia Survey Questionnaire (ASQ-11) had a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.89, a split-half reliability of 0.82, and a test-retest Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.90 (P<0.001). The structural validity was 51.26%, and the discriminative validity was a t-value of 9.19 (P<0.001). On average, it took (2.82±0.43) minutes for participants to complete the questionnaire. The receiver operating characteristic curve had a cutoff value of 8.5, with a sensitivity of 74.19% and a specificity of 80.65%. Conclusion: The ASQ-11, with fewer items and a shorter completion time, is easy for participants to use and is suitable for screening or self-assessment of visual fatigue in the general population. Additionally, it is convenient for clinical and epidemiological studies related to visual fatigue.

[Relationship between parental reproductive age and the risk of overweight and obesity in offspring].

Objective: To explore the role of parental reproductive age on the risk of overweight and obesity in offspring. Methods: The participants were derived from physical examination data of students aged 6-18 years in seven provinces in China, and questionnaire survey was used to collect demographic characteristics and lifestyle information of the students and their parents. A total of 41 567 children with complete data were included. According to the restricted cubic spline curve, maternal reproductive age was divided into three categories, 14-23, 24-28, and 29-38 years, and paternal reproductive age was divided into 14-23, 24-30, and 31-42 years. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between parental reproductive age and parental nutritional status and the risk of overweight and obesity in offspring. Results: The mean age of 41 567 children was (10.6±3.2) years, and the mean paternal and maternal age were (27.9±4.4) years and (25.8±4.0) years, respectively. The detection rate of overweight and obesity was 23.4%. After adjusting factors of children diet and behaviors, the OR(95%CI)of offspring overweight and obesity in groups of fathers aged 24-30 years and mothers aged 24-28 years was 1.11 (1.04-1.18) and 1.16 (1.08-1.24), respectively. When none parents were overweight and obese, the difference of obesity risk was not statistically significant. When both parents were overweight and obese, the OR(95%CI)of offspring overweight and obesity in groups of fathers aged 24-30 years and mothers aged 14-28 years old was 1.27 (1.00-1.62) and 1.33 (1.07-1.65) respectively. Conclusion: Parental reproductive age and parental overweight and obesity status may both increase the risk of overweight and obesity in offspring, with a significant interaction effect.

[Expert consensus on measurement and clinical application of serum HBV RNA in patients with chronic HBV infection].

Since the discovery of circulating hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis B in 1996, a growing number of studies have focused on clarifying the biological characteristics and clinical application value of serum HBV RNA. This consensus mainly summarizes the research progress of serum HBV RNA existing profiles, quantitative detection methods, and current clinical applications. In order to better apply this indicator for the clinical management of patients with chronic HBV infection, recommendations on quantitative detection target regions, detection results, and clinical applications are put forward.

[A new valid and reliable questionnaire of asthenopia: development and evaluation].

Objective: To design a valid and reliable questionnaire to determine various causes of asthenopia for use by clinicians and researchers. Methods: The items to be included in the first version questionnaire were selected based on its definition and literature review. The second version was improved from patients interviews and the Delphi method. In this phase, 17 experts, 97 patients [47 males, 50 females, age (34.42±14.62) years old] with asthenopia and 20 controls [9 males, 11 females, age (33.50±7.31) years old] were involved to generated item list. In the Validation phase, we conducted two round interview through 275 asthenopia patients [97 males,186 females,age (34.42±14.62) years old] and 49 controls [17 males,32 females,age (35.79±8.88) years old]for item reduction and questionnaire validity and reliability assessment. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to reduce items and derive the subscale that each item belongs to. Internal consistency was calculated for all resulting subscales, using Cronbach's α coefficient, spilt-half reliability and repeatability. The repeatability of the questionnaire was measured by Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Our initial questionnaire contained 52 symptoms and 2 self-evaluation questions. After the item reduction and assessment, 19 items were selected and classified into three domains through factor analysis. Cronbach α for the three subscales of this version was between 0.79 and 0.85, while for the complete questionnaire it was 0.90, with a spilt-half reliability of 0.80. Factor analysis showed the three components had eigenvalues>3 and these explained 54.3% of the variance. Conclusions: The 19-item asthenopia questionnaire has acceptable psychometric properties, making it a valid and reliable tool for ophthalmologists and optometrists to evaluate asthenopia as well as to seek causes. It has the potential to be used in clinical trials and outcome research. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57:284-291).

[Therapeutic effect of tonsillectomy on IgA nephropathy after kidney transplantation].

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of tonsillectomy on IgA nephropathy (IgAN) after renal transplantation. Methods: From March 2011 to July 2018, 201 kidney transplantation recipients who were diagnosed of IgAN by transplant renal biopsy in the Department of Organ Transplantation of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were retrospectively reviewed, of which 18 patients underwent tonsillectomy after renal biopsy. The clinical data of the 18 patients were collected, patient and kidney survival time and function of the transplanted kidney were analyzed. Results: Of the 18 recipients, 13 were male and 5 were female, with an average age of (36.0±10.9) years. All 18 patients survived during follow-up. Two patients returned to dialysis treatment 10 months and 14 months after tonsillectomy, respectively. The creatinine was 94 (78, 133) µmol/L, 95 (74, 139) µmol/L, 106 (87, 158) µmol/L and 95(81, 147) µmol/L before tonsillectomy, 3 months, 1 year and 2 years after tonsillectomy, respectively (P=0.206). Urinary protein quantification was 0.31 (0.16, 1.38) g/24 h, 0.34 (0.10, 1.42) g/24 h, 0.33 (0.11, 0.56) g/24 h and 0.25 (0.10, 0.50) g/24 h at the same time points, respectively (P=0.104). The two patients who returned to dialysis were diagnosed of IgAN by transplant renal biopsy because of elevated creatinine, proteinuria and hematuria, 9 years and 4 years after kidney transplant respectively. Renal biopsy suggested that glomerular and segmental sclerosis were 7/24, 5/24 and 1/6, 2/6, respectively. Additionally, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA) were both occupied 30% in the biopsies, and tonsillectomy was performed 461 days and 1 077 days after diagnosis of IgAN, respectively. Conclusions: Tonsillectomy can maintain the stability of renal function and prevent the aggravation of proteinuria in IgAN patients after renal transplantation. However, if pathology suggests obvious glomerulosclerosis or IF/TA, tonsillectomy may not be effective.

Dynamic effects of CYP3A5 polymorphism on dose requirement and trough concentration of tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Tacrolimus is a widely used immunosuppressive drug with marked pharmacokinetic variability partly due to CYP3A5 polymorphism. Our study aimed to investigate the dynamic effects of CYP3A5 genotypes on dose requirement and trough concentration (C0 ) of tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: A total of 194 Chinese renal transplant recipients received oral tacrolimus twice daily. Whole-blood C0 of tacrolimus were measured on the 3rd day, 7th day, 14th day, 1st month, 3rd month and 6th month post-transplantation. CYP3A5 genotypes were determined and the recipients were categorized as CYP3A5 expressers (CYP3A5*1 allele carriers) and non-expressers (homozygous CYP3A5*3). The correlated serum creatinine, haematocrit and albumin were also detected. RESULTS: The allele frequencies for CYP3A5*1/*1, *1/*3 and *3/*3 were 7·7%, 44·8% and 47·4%, respectively. There were no significant variability in serum creatinine, haematocrit and albumin values between CYP3A5 expressers and non-expressers. Larger doses were administered to CYP3A5 expressers than to non-expressers after surgery except the initial dose. C0 were much lower in CYP3A5 expressers than in non-expressers on the 3rd day, 7th day, 14th day and 1st month post-transplantation (P < 0·01); however, no significant differences were found on the 3rd and 6th months post-transplantation. All of the dose-adjusted C0 in CYP3A5 expressers were significantly lower than non-expressers (P < 0·01). Less of the recipients achieving target C0 (4-8 ng/mL) were found in CYP3A5 expressers than in non-expressers after initial dose (35·7% vs. 50%). Meanwhile, CYP3A5 non-expressers were detected having higher C0 (>8 ng/mL) during 3 months post-transplantation. Besides, the proportions in the two groups both increased gradually over time and up to 91·8% and 94% on the 6th month, respectively. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: There are no significant differences in serum creatinine, haematocrit and albumin values between CYP3A5 expressers and non-expressers. CYP3A5 expressers have decreased dose-adjusted tacrolimus C0 when compared to non-expressers. Dose-adjusted C0 of tacrolimus increases in a time-dependent manner in both groups.

[An investigation of trichloroethylene-induced effects on histone methylation in L-02 hepatic cells].

Objective: To further explore TCE-induced hepatotoxicity and its mechanisms by identification of trichloroethylene (TCE) induced abnormal histone methylation in human liver cells. Methods: L-02 cells were treated with 0 and 8 mmol/L TCE for 24 h. Histones were extracted by acid. Liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS/MS) were used to identify and quantify TCE related histone methylations. TCE induced abnormal methylation of H3K79 me2 and H3K79 me3 were validated by Western blot analysis. The further analysis of the function of histone abnormal methylation modifications were done by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and Western blot analysis of p53 and ɤH2AX. Results: After treatment with TCE for 24 h in L-02 cells, the 36 TCE related histone methylation sites in 28 peptide segments were identified by MS. After treatment with TCE in concentrations of 0 and 8.0 mmol/L in L-02 cells for 24 h, the relative expression level of histone H3K79 me3 were 1.00±0.06, 0.70±0.09 (t=15.01, P=0.015); the relative expression level of histone H3K79 me2 were 1.00±0.05, 0.74±0.07 (t=16.69, P=0.018); the Olive Tail Moment about DNA damage were 1.46±0.28, 3.12± 0.68 (t=15.22, P=0.018); the relative expression levels of p53 were 1.00±0.04, 1.24±0.04 (t=18.71, P= 0.012); and the relative expression levels of ɤH2AX were 1.00 ± 0.03, 1.56 ± 0.11 (t=8.32, P=0 045). Conclusion: TCE can induce changes in the relative expression level of H3K79 me2 and H3K79 me3 in L-02 cell, and induce DNA damage, suggesting that TCE may induce changes in the relative expression level of H3K79 me2 and H3K79 me3 by DNA damage.

The efficacy and safety of intensified enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium with low exposure of calcineurin inhibitors in Chinese de novo kidney transplant recipients: a prospective study.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a transient intensified enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) dosing regimen with low exposure of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in Chinese de novo kidney transplantation. METHODS: In a 6-month prospective study, a total of 97 recipients were enrolled and assigned to either an intensified EC-MPS dosing (IS) regimen or a standard EC-MPS dosing (SD) regimen. The area under the curve (AUC) of MPA was assessed at week 1 post transplant. The incidences of acute rejection, patient and graft survival, renal allograft function and adverse events were analysed. RESULTS: The IS regimen displayed a trend of acute rejection risk reduction (IS 2.7% vs. SD 13.3%, p = 0.061) and allograft function improvement (IS 62.8 ± 14.0 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) vs. SD 56.6 ± 18.3 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) , p = 0.084) after 6-month follow-up. MPA-AUC0-12 h was substantially higher in the intensified EC-MPS group than the standard EC-MPS group, though without a significant difference (71.4 ± 41.7 vs. 53.0 ± 27.0 mg·h/l, p = 0.107). The IS regimen did not increase the incidence of adverse effects (IS 54.1% vs. 45.0%, p = 0.39), including diarrhoea or leucopenia. CONCLUSIONS: The intensified EC-MPS dosing regimen maintaining low-dose CNIs in this study may be beneficial for Chinese adult de novo kidney transplant recipients in terms of acute rejection and allograft function and is safe within 6 months post transplant.

Recombinant beta interferon could clear the low-dose infected porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in MARC-145 cells.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes one of the most economically devastating and pandemic porcine diseases. Previous study has shown that MARC-145 cells pretreated with recombinant IFN-ß (rIFN-ß) couldn't develop cytopathic effect (CPE) of PRRSV. However, up to date, it is not clear whether MARC-145 cells post-treated with rIFN-ß could develop CPE of PRRSV. The present work showed that the MARC-145 cells didn't develop the CPE at 120 hr post-infection (p.i.) with low-dose of PRRSV when the cells were pre-treated with rIFN-ß (Group 1), post-treated with rIFN-ß at 4 hr p.i. (Group 2), or post-treated with rIFN-ß at 8 hr p.i. (Group 3), while the MARC-145 cells could develop CPE when the cells were infected with high-dose PRRSV and then treated with rIFN-ß at 24 hr p.i.. Furthermore, the indirect immunofluorescence assay confirmed that there were a few N protein-positive cells in the high-dose infected cells in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3, while there were no N protein-positive cells in the low-dose infected cells in all rIFN-ß treatment groups. In addition, the numbers of N protein-positive cells in high-dose infected cells (MOI = 10) in Group 1 were lower than that in Group 2 and Group 3. The results above demonstrated that both pre-treatment with rIFN-ß and an earlier post-treatment with rIFN-ß could inhibit the PRRSV replication and could clear the low-dose infected PRRSV, which indicated that the rIFN-ß had efficient antiviral activities when the cells have been infected with PRRSV.

[Application and research advances of delayed sural neurotrophic vascular flap for diabetic foot ulcers].

Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the serious complications of diabetes. Diabetic wounds are of great difficulty to repair, causing a high amputation rate and a great burden to patients and their family members and society. Researches showed that the delayed sural neurotrophic vascular flap has a great effect in repairing diabetic foot ulcers. This article mainly reviewed the clinical status and research advances of the delayed sural neurotrophic vascular flap in repairing diabetic foot ulcers, intending to provide a reference for its application and research.

[Clinical repair strategy for ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers based on the sinus tract condition and range of skin and soft tissue defects].

Objective: To investigate the clinical repair strategy for ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers based on the sinus tract condition and range of skin and soft tissue defects. Methods: The study was a retrospective observational study. From July 2017 to March 2023, 21 patients with stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, including 13 males and 8 females, aged 14-84 years. There were 31 ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers, with an area of 1.5 cm×1.0 cm-8.0 cm×6.0 cm. After en bloc resection and debridement, the range of skin and soft tissue defect was 6.0 cm×3.0 cm-15.0 cm×8.0 cm. According to the depth and size of sinus tract and range of skin and soft tissue defects on the wound after debridement, the wounds were repaired according to the following three conditions. (1) When there was no sinus tract or the sinus tract was superficial, with a skin and soft tissue defect range of 6.0 cm×3.0 cm-8.5 cm×6.5 cm, the wound was repaired by direct suture, Z-plasty, transfer of buttock local flap, or V-Y advancement of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap. (2) When the sinus tract was deep and small, with a skin and soft tissue defect range of 8.5 cm×4.5 cm-11.0 cm×6.5 cm, the wound was repaired by the transfer and filling of gracilis muscle flap followed by direct suture, or Z-plasty, or combined with transfer of inferior gluteal artery perforator flap. (3) When the sinus tract was deep and large, with a skin and soft tissue defect range of 7.5 cm×5.5 cm-15.0 cm×8.0 cm, the wound was repaired by the transfer and filling of gracilis muscle flap and gluteus maximus muscle flap transfer, followed by direct suture, Z-plasty, or combined with transfer of buttock local flap; and transfer and filling of biceps femoris long head muscle flap combined with rotary transfer of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap; and filling of the inferior gluteal artery perforator adipofascial flap transfer combined with V-Y advancement of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap. A total of 7 buttock local flaps with incision area of 8.0 cm×6.0 cm-19.0 cm×16.0 cm, 21 gracilis muscle flaps with incision area of 18.0 cm×3.0 cm-24.0 cm×5.0 cm, 9 inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps or inferior gluteal artery perforator adipofascial flaps with incision area of 8.5 cm×6.0 cm-13.0 cm×7.5 cm, 10 gluteal maximus muscle flaps with incision area of 8.0 cm×5.0 cm-13.0 cm×7.0 cm, 2 biceps femoris long head muscle flaps with incision area of 17.0 cm×3.0 cm and 20.0 cm×5.0 cm, and 5 posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flaps with incision area of 12.0 cm×6.5 cm-21.0 cm×10.0 cm were used. The donor area wounds were directly sutured. The survival of muscle flap, adipofascial flap, and flap, and wound healing in the donor area were observed after operation. The recovery of pressure ulcer and recurrence of patients were followed up. Results: After surgery, all the buttock local flaps, gracilis muscle flaps, gluteus maximus muscle flaps, inferior gluteal artery perforator adipofascial flaps, and biceps femoris long head muscle flaps survived well. In one case, the distal part of one posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap was partially necrotic, and the wound was healed after dressing changes. In another patient, bruises developed in the distal end of inferior gluteal artery perforator flap. It was somewhat relieved after removal of some sutures, but a small part of the necrosis was still present, and the wound was healed after bedside debridement and suture. The other posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flaps and inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps survived well. In one patient, the wound at the donor site caused incision dehiscence due to postoperative bleeding in the donor area. The wound was healed after debridement+Z-plasty+dressing change. The wounds in the rest donor areas of patients were healed well. After 3 to 15 months of follow-up, all the pressure ulcers of patients were repaired well without recurrence. Conclusions: After debridement of ischial tuberosity pressure ulcer, if there is no sinus tract formation or sinus surface is superficial, direct suture, Z-plasty, buttock local flap, or V-Y advancement repair of posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap can be selected according to the range of skin and soft tissue defects. If the sinus tract of the wound is deep, the proper tissue flap can be selected to fill the sinus tract according to the size of sinus tract and range of the skin and soft tissue defects, and then the wound can be closed with individualized flap to obtain good repair effect.

On implementing maximum economic yield in commercial fisheries.

Economists have long argued that a fishery that maximizes its economic potential usually will also satisfy its conservation objectives. Recently, maximum economic yield (MEY) has been identified as a primary management objective for Australian fisheries and is under consideration elsewhere. However, first attempts at estimating MEY as an actual management target for a real fishery (rather than a conceptual or theoretical exercise) have highlighted some substantial complexities generally unconsidered by fisheries economists. Here, we highlight some of the main issues encountered in our experience and their implications for estimating and transitioning to MEY. Using a bioeconomic model of an Australian fishery for which MEY is the management target, we note that unconstrained optimization may result in effort trajectories that would not be acceptable to industry or managers. Different assumptions regarding appropriate constraints result in different outcomes, each of which may be considered a valid MEY. Similarly, alternative treatments of prices and costs may result in differing estimates of MEY and their associated effort trajectories. To develop an implementable management strategy in an adaptive management framework, a set of assumptions must be agreed among scientists, economists, and industry and managers, indicating that operationalizing MEY is not simply a matter of estimating the numbers but requires strong industry commitment and involvement.

[Mechanisms mediating the inhibitory effects of quercetin against phthalates-induced testicular oxidative damage in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of quercetin against testicular oxidative damage induced by a mixture of 3 commonly used phthalates (MPEs) in rats. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, MPEs exposure group, and MPEs with low-, median- and high-dose quercetin treatment groups. For MPEs exposure, the rats were subjected to intragastric administration of MPEs at the daily dose of 900 mg/kg for 30 consecutive days; Quercetin treatments were administered in the same manner at the daily dose of 10, 30, and 90 mg/kg. After the treatments, serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and testicular malondialdeyhde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected, and testicular pathologies of the rats were observed with HE staining. The expressions of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH2 associated protein 1 (Keap1) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in the testis were detected using immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the rats with MPEs exposure showed significant reductions of the anogenital distance, weight of the testis and epididymis, and the coefficients of the testis and epididymis with lowered serum testosterone, LH and FSH levels (P < 0.05). Testicular histological examination revealed atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, spermatogenic arrest, and hyperplasia of the Leydig cells in MPEs-exposed rats. MPEs exposure also caused significant increments of testicular Nrf2, MDA, SOD, CAT and HO-1 expressions and lowered testicular Keap1 expression (P < 0.05). Treatment with quercetin at the median and high doses significantly ameliorated the pathological changes induced by MPEs exposure (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Quercetin treatment inhibits MPEs-induced oxidative testicular damage in rats possibly by direct scavenging of free radicals to lower testicular oxidative stress and restore the regulation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Anti-TCRß mAb induces long-term allograft survival by reducing antigen-reactive T cells and sparing regulatory T cells.

TCR specific antibodies may modulate the TCR engagement with antigen-MHC complexes, and in turn regulate in vivo T cell responses to alloantigens. Herein, we found that in vivo administration of mAbs specific for mouse TCRß (H57-597), TCRα or CD3 promptly reduced the number of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in normal mice, but H57-597 mAb most potently increased the frequency of CD4(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells. When mice were injected with staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) superantigen and H57-597 mAb, the expansion of SEB-reactive Vß8(+) T cells was completely abrogated while SEB-nonreactive Vß2(+) T cells remained unaffected. More importantly, transient H57-597 mAb treatment exerted long-lasting effect in preventing T cell responses to alloantigens, and produced long-term cardiac allograft survival (>100 days) in 10 out of 11 recipients. While Treg cells were involved in maintaining donor-specific long-term graft survival, T cell homeostasis recovered over time and immunity was retained against third party allografts. Moreover, transient H57-597 mAb treatment significantly prolonged survival of skin allografts in naïve recipients as well as heart allografts in skin-sensitized recipients. Thus, transient modulation of the TCRß chain by H57-597 mAb exhibits potent, long-lasting therapeutic effects to control alloimmune responses.

p38a MAPK is involved in BMP-2-induced odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp cells.

AIM: To investigate whether the p38α mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) is involved in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-induced odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). METHODOLOGY: Recombinant retrovirus encoding shRNA against p38α MAPK was constructed to investigate the role of p38α MAPK on BMP-2-induced odontoblastic differentiation of HDPCs. HDPCs were transfected with retrovirus expressing sh-p38α. Activation of p38α MAPK was detected by Western blot. The effects of p38α MAPK on BMP-2-induced odontoblastic differentiation of HDPCs were measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and the expression of odontoblastic markers was identified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The effect of SD-282, a p38a-specific inhibitor, on BMP-2-induced odontoblastic differentiation was also investigated. RESULTS: BMP-2 dose- and time-dependently upregulated phosphorylation of p38α of HDPCs. Compared with BMP-2-treatment group, gene knock-down of p38α MAPK significantly inhibited ALP activity and the formation of mineralized nodules in HDPCs. Moreover, suppression of p38α MAPK repressed the odontoblastic differentiation in HDPCs. Consistently, inhibition of p38α by SD-282 also decreased odontoblastic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: p38α MAPK is involved in BMP-2-induced odontoblastic differentiation of HDPCs.

Abnormal male meiosis explains pollen sterility in the polyploid medicinal plant Pinellia ternata (Araceae).

Pinellia ternata is an important traditional Chinese medicinal plant. Its different populations in China have various ploidy levels, based on x = 13, as well as extensive aneuploid series. The microsporogenesis process was observed in specimens from three populations from three regions of Hubei Province; they were characterized by normal and abnormal meiotic divisions in pollen mother cells (PMCs) at all stages simultaneously. Meiotic abnormalities including univalents/multivalents, chromosomal laggards/bridges and micronuclei appeared in about 50% of the PMCs, together with abnormal cytokinesis. Chromatin/chromosome transfer between meiocytes occurred only during the first division, at low frequency; this might contribute to these meiotic abnormalities. Although the remaining 50% of the PMCs presented normal cytological behavior, pollen fertility was only about 2%. These results provide cytological explanations for its low seed-set and the general use of asexual reproduction through tubers and bulbils; it also explains the wide variations in chromosome number.

Horizontal gene transfer in herpesviruses identified by using support vector machine.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the probable origin of new genes. Identification of HGT-introduced genes would be helpful to the understanding of the genome evolution and the function prediction of new genes. In this study, a method using support vector machine (SVM) was used to distinguish horizontally transferred genes and non-horizontally transferred genes of mammalian herpesviruses based on the atypical composition identification, with accuracy higher than 95% within a reasonable length of time by using just a common PC. This identified 302 putative horizontally transferred genes, 171 genes being identified for the first time. Although most putative transferred genes are of unknown function, many genes have been discovered or predicted to encode glycoproteins or membrane proteins.