Risk factors for the rupture of mirror middle cerebral artery aneurysm using computer-assisted semiautomated measurement and hemodynamic analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the morphologic and hemodynamic risk factor of mirror middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 40 paired mirror MCA aneurysms. Aneurysms were divided into ruptured and unruptured groups. Seventeen morphological and nine hemodynamic parameters were measured using computer-assisted semiautomated measurement (CASAM) and computer flow dynamic (CFD) simulation. We performed a paired t-test (for normally distributed data) or a paired Wilcoxon rank-sum (for non-normally distributed data) to analyze all parameters between the groups. Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis identified independent risk factors. The receiver operating characteristic curve was analyzed to acquire the area under the curve (AUC) and the cutoff values of the independent risk factors. RESULTS: There were significant differences in morphological and hemodynamic parameters between the ruptured and unruptured mirror aneurysms. The multivariate logistic analysis showed that the greater size (odds ratio [OR] = 9.807, p = 0.003), smaller neck diameter (OR = 0.285, p = 0.018) and maximum oscillatory shear index (OSI) (OR = 0.000001, p = 0.046) were independently correlated with aneurysm rupture. AUCs for size, N. and maximum OSI were 0.794, 0.695, and 0.701, respectively. The cutoff values of the size, neck diameter, and maximum OSI were 6.30, 5.07, and 0.356437, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Morphology and hemodynamics can help predict aneurysm rupture risks. The more significant size, smaller neck diameter and maximum OSI were independent risk factors for the rupture of MCA aneurysms. The variables could aid practical risk evaluation.

[The role and mechanism of autophagy in lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response of A549 cells]. / 自噬在脂多糖诱导的A549ç»†èƒžç‚Žç—‡ååº”ä¸­çš„ä½œç”¨åŠæœºåˆ¶ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To study the role and mechanism of autophagy in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response of human alveolar epithelial A549 cells. METHODS: A549 cells were stimulated with LPS to establish a cell model of inflammatory response, and were then grouped (n=3 each) by concentration (0, 1, 5, and 10 µg/mL) and time (0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours). The A549 cells were treated with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) to be divided into four groups (n=3 each): control, LPS, 3-MA, and 3-MA+LPS. The A549 cells were treated with autophagy agonist rapamycin (RAPA) to be divided into four groups (n=3 each): control, LPS, RAPA, and RAPA+LPS. The A549 cells were transfected with the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) overexpression plasmid to be divided into four groups (n=3 each): TLR4 overexpression control, TLR4 overexpression, TLR4 overexpression control+LPS, and TLR4 overexpression+LPS. The A549 cells were transfected with TLR4 siRNA to be divided into four groups (n=3 each): TLR4 silencing control,TLR4 silencing, TLR4 silencing control+LPS, and TLR4 silencing+LPS. CCK-8 assay was used to measure cell viability. Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of inflammatory indicators (NLRP3, Caspase-1, and ASC), autophagic indicators (LC3B, Beclin-1, and P62), and TLR4. RESULTS: After stimulation with 1 µg/mL LPS for 12 hours, the levels of inflammatory indicators (NLRP3, Caspase-1, and ASC), autophagic indicators (LC3B, Beclin-1, and P62), and TLR4 increased and reached the peak (P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the 3-MA+LPS group had reduced expression of autophagy-related proteins and increased expression of inflammation-related proteins and TLR4, while the RAPA+LPS group had increased expression of autophagy-related proteins and reduced inflammation-related proteins and TLR4 (P<0.05). The TLR4 overexpression+LPS group had reduced autophagy-related proteins and increased inflammation-related proteins compared with the TLR4 overexpression control+LPS group, and the TLR4 silencing+LPS group had increased autophagy-related proteins and reduced inflammation-related proteins compared with the TLR4 silencing control+LPS group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the LPS-induced inflammatory response of human alveolar epithelial A549 cells, autophagic flux has a certain protective effect on A549 cells. TLR4-mediated autophagic flux negatively regulates the LPS-induced inflammatory response of A549 cells.

Aucubin alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation via Nrf2-mediated signaling activity in experimental traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Aucubin (Au), an iridoid glycoside from natural plants, has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory bioactivities; however, its effects on a traumatic brain injury (TBI) model remain unknown. We explored the potential role of Au in an H2O2-induced oxidant damage in primary cortical neurons and weight-drop induced-TBI in a mouse model. METHODS: In vitro experiments, the various concentrations of Au (50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml, or 200 µg/ml) were added in culture medium at 0 h and 6 h after neurons stimulated by H2O2 (100 µM). After exposed for 12 h, neurons were collected for western blot (WB), immunofluorescence, and M29,79-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining. In vivo experiments, Au (20 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally at 30 min, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h after modeling. Brain water content, neurological deficits, and cognitive functions were measured at specific time, respectively. Cortical tissue around focal trauma was collected for WB, TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) staining, Nissl staining, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR), immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 72 h after TBI. RNA interference experiments were performed to determine the effects of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) on TBI mice with Au (40 mg/kg) treatment. Mice were intracerebroventricularly administrated with lentivirus at 72 h before TBI establishment. The cortex was obtained at 72 h after TBI and used for WB and q-PCR. RESULTS: Au enhanced the translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus, activated antioxidant enzymes, suppressed excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reduced cell apoptosis both in vitro and vivo experiments. In the mice model of TBI, Au markedly attenuated brain edema, histological damages, and improved neurological and cognitive deficits. Au significantly suppressed high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-mediated aseptic inflammation. Nrf2 knockdown in TBI mice blunted the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory neuroprotective effects of the Au. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data suggest that Au provides a neuroprotective effect in TBI mice model by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory responses; the mechanisms involve triggering Nrf2-induced antioxidant system.

Inhibition of Elevated Hippocampal CD24 Reduces Neurogenesis in Mice With Traumatic Brain Injury.

In the adult rodents' brain, CD24 expression is restricted to immature neurons located in the neurogenesis areas. Our previous studies have confirmed that CD24 expression could be markedly elevated in the cerebral cortex after traumatic brain injury (TBI) both in humans and in mice. Although there is a close relationship between CD24 and neurogenesis, it remains unknown about the specific role of CD24 in neurogenesis areas after TBI. Here, the expression of CD24 was detected in the ipsilateral hippocampus by the Western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RNA interference was applied to investigate the effects of CD24 on post-traumatic neurogenesis. Brain sections were labeled with CD24 and doublecortin (DCX) via immunofluorescence. The Morris water maze test was used to assess cognitive functions. The results indicated that both mRNA and protein levels of CD24 were markedly elevated in the hippocampus after TBI. Meanwhile, TBI could cause a decrease of DCX-positive cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Downregulation of CD24 significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 in the ipsilateral hippocampus. Meanwhile, inhibition of CD24 could reduce the number of DCX-positive cells in the dentate gyrus area and impair cognitive functions of the TBI mice. These data suggested that hippocampal expression of CD24 might positively regulate neurogenesis and improve cognitive functions after TBI.

Autophagic blockage by bismuth sulfide nanoparticles inhibits migration and invasion of HepG2 cells.

The biological effects of nanoparticles are of great importance for the in-depth understanding of safety issues in biomedical applications. Induction of autophagy is a cellular response after nanoparticle exposure. Bismuth sulfide nanoparticles (Bi2S3 NPs) are often used as a CT contrast agent because of their excellent photoelectric conversion ability. Yet there has been no previous detailed study other than a cell toxicity assessment. In this study, three types of Bi2S3 NPs with different shapes (Bi2S3 nano rods (BSNR), hollow microsphere Bi2S3 NPs (BSHS) and urchin-like hollow microsphere Bi2S3 NPs (ULBSHS)) were used to evaluatecytotoxicity, autophagy induction, cell migration and invasion in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2). Results showed that all three Bi2S3 NPs lead to blockage in autophagic flux, causing p62 protein accumulation. The cell death caused by these Bi2S3 NPs is proved to be autophagy related, rather than related to apoptosis. Moreover, Bi2S3 NPs can reduce the migration and invasion in HepG2 cells in an autophagy-dependent manner. ULBSHS is the most cytotoxic among three Bi2S3 NPs and has the best tumor metastasis suppression. These results demonstrated that, even with relatively low toxicity of Bi2S3 NPs, autophagy blockage may still substantially influence cell fate and thus significantly impact their biomedical applications, and that surface topography is a key factor regulating their biological response.

Simplified Chinese version of hip and knee replacement expectations surveys in patients with osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: cross-cultural adaptation, validation and reliability.

BACKGROUND: The Hospital for Special Surgery Hip Replacement Expectations Survey (HSS-THRES) and Knee Replacement Expectations Survey (HSS-TKRES) are widely used tools developed to assess patients' preoperative expectations for total hip and knee arthroplasty. This study aimed to translate and adapt the HSS-THRES and HSS-TKRES into Chinese versions (SC-THRES/TKRES) and evaluate their psychometric properties in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Patients scheduled for total hip (104 hip OA and 51 AS) or knee replacements (101 knee OA) were recruited in this study. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate structural validity. The internal consistency was assessed by the Cronbach's α coefficient. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess test-retest reliability. The construct validity was analyzed by evaluating the correlations between SC-THRES/TKRES and the Expectation WOMAC. The correlations with the Expectation WOMAC were tested against our hypotheses. We additionally compared preoperative expectations of AS patients to those of hip OA patients. RESULTS: The results of CFA for the SC-THRES and SC-TKRES demonstrated good fit. The results for the SC-THRES/TKRES revealed good test-retest reliability and good internal consistency (AS: ICC = 0.893, Cronbach's α = 0.815; hip OA: ICC = 0.878, Cronbach's α = 0.814; knee OA: ICC = 0.806, Cronbach's α = 0.808). The correlations between the SC-THRES/TKRES and the Expectation WOMAC were moderate (0.541 for AS, 0.490 for hip OA and 0.465 for knee OA), which were consistent with the hypotheses. CONCLUSION: The SC-THRES/TKRES are reliable, valid for the evaluation of Chinese patients with OA and AS undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty. The surveys can be used as part of preoperative assessments. Meanwhile, additional research is needed to replicate these findings and to assess the content validity in a larger sample.

Translation and validation of the simplified Chinese version of the anterior cruciate ligament-return to sport after injury (ACL-RSI).

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to obtain a translation and adaptation of the anterior cruciate ligament-return to sport after injury (ACL-RSI) into simplified Chinese and validate the simplified Chinese version. METHODS: Translation and adaptation were performed according to the guidelines of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Outcome Committee. A total of 122 patients who were diagnosed with an ACL injury and underwent primary arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) between 2015 and 2016 were included in this study. The simplified Chinese version of the ACL-RSI (SC-ACL-RSI), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee form were completed. Psychometric evaluations included score distribution, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct and discriminant validity. RESULTS: SC-ACL-RSI scores exhibited a normal distribution without ceiling and floor effects. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.98, indicating excellent test-retest reliability. SC-ACL-RSI scores were correlated with all KOOS subscales (r = 0.30 to 0.69, p < 0.001), the IKDC subjective knee form (r = 0.46, p < 0.001) and the Lysholm score (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). The mean scores between patients who returned to the same preinjury level of sport (65.1 ± 14.3) and those who could not return to the same level (51.0 ± 15.0) were significantly different (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The SC-ACL-RSI is a reliable and valid instrument to evaluate the psychological impact of a patient returning to sport after ACLR. It is important to evaluate patients' ability to return to sport after an ACL injury. The information provided by the SC-ACL-RSI will affect decisions regarding treatment and rehabilitation plans, which are more likely to influence clinical outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Translation and validation of the Simplified Chinese version of International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form.

PURPOSE: To cross-culturally adapt and validate the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form to Simplified Chinese (SC-IKDC-SKF). METHODS: The original version was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Simplified Chinese according to standard guidelines. A total of 103 patients enrolled in our research. Each participant was asked to complete three instruments including the SC-IKDC-SKF, the Lysholm knee score, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Each participant was asked to complete the SC-IKDC-SKF twice with an interval of 7 days. A portion of the participants (n = 51) finished the SC-IKDC-SKF a third time with an interval of 12 months after arthroscopic treatment. Psychometric assessments included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content and construct validity, and responsiveness. RESULTS: Strong internal consistency was proved with Cronbach's α = 0.92. The intraclass correlation coefficient reached 0.94, indicating high test-retest reliability. No ceiling or floor effect was observed. Compared with the Lysholm knee score and the subscales of SF-36, good convergent and divergent validity of the SC-IKDC-SKF were demonstrated. The standard response mean was 2.39 and the effect size was 1.33, indicating high responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS: The SC-IKDC-SKF was demonstrated to be a reliable, valid and responsive instrument for evaluating knee functions and symptoms of patients with knee pathology in mainland China. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Characteristics of carcinogenic human papillomavirus infection in Suzhou: Epidemiology, vaccine evaluation, and associated diseases.

Human papillomavirus infection is a major health problem and caused substantial benign and malignancy diseases among female and male worldwide. We aim to investigate the epidemiology of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and related diseases in Suzhou population. As well as evaluating the potential benefit of a nine-valent HPV vaccine (regardless of HPV-6 and -11) in Suzhou. A total of 40,108 people aged 13-89 years were retrospectively examined by database retrieval from 2010 to 2015. Thirteen genotypes (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 66) of HR-HPV were detected using Tellgenplex™ xMAP™ HPV DNA Test assay. The overall prevalence of HR-HPV was 21.1%, the female and male account for 96.4% and 3.6%, respectively. The infection rate among male (25.6%, 367/1,432) was significantly higher than that among female (20.9%, 8,100/38,676), X2 = 17.341 (P < 0.001), with OR = 1.293, 95% CI (1.146-1.460). The five most frequent HR-HPV genotypes were HPV-16 (5.12%), -52 (5.07%), -58 (3.02%), -39 (2.00%), and -18 (1.74%). HR-HPV infection rate was peak in person aged <20 years, and second higher in person aged 51-60 years. Infection modes as HPV-16, -18, -31, -33, -45, -52, -58 alone or mixed accounted for 63.2%. The top three prevalent diseases in HR-HPV infected women were cervicitis, vaginitis, and cervical lesions, and in men were verruca, urethritis, and balanitis, respectively. This is the first study to demonstrate HPV infection status in Suzhou population. Both women and men had a large burden of HPV infection. The nine-valent HPV prophylactic vaccines may potentially prevent 63.2% HR-HPV infection in Suzhou. J. Med. Virol. 89:895-901, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Comparison of artificial graft versus autograft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Critically evaluation and summarization for the outcomes between autografts and artificial grafts using in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have not been performed currently. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes between artificial ligaments and autografts at a short- to mid-term follow-up. METHODS: A computerized search of the databases was conducted including Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane library. Only prospective or retrospective comparative studies with a minimum 2-year follow-up and a minimum sample size of 15 for each group were considered for inclusion. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and methodological quality assessment. A Mantel-Haenszel analysis was used for pooling of results. Sensitivity analysis was performed in order to maintain the stability of results. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in this study. The total sample size was 403 (autograft group: 206 patients; synthetic graft group: 197 patients). Four studies were randomized controlled trials. Two studies were retrospective comparative studies and one study was non-randomized prospective comparative study. In terms of instrumented laxity, patient-oriented outcomes and complications, no significant difference was occurred between new artificial ligaments and autografts. But the results of IKDC grades and instrumented laxity were worsen in early artificial ligaments compared to autografts. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of new generation of artificial ligaments are similar to autografts at a short- to mid-term follow-up. However, the early artificial ligaments are not suggested for ACL reconstruction compared to autografts.

Hyperspectral Imaging Detection of Total Viable Count from Vacuum Packing Cooling Mutton Based on GA and CARS Algorithms.

In the process of spectral modeling, spectral extraction of characteristic bands with different variable screening algorithms is an important step for improving the model effects. Total viable count of cooling mutton under vacuum packing condition was chosen as the research index in this paper, while the influence of 2 variable screening algorithms on its hyperspectral PLS model effects was compared. Mutton muscle spectra of Regions of interest (ROIs) were extracted and preprocessed. Subsequently, Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS) were applied to extract characteristic bands from preprocessed spectra at full band range of 473～1 000 nm. Model effects of GA-PLS, CARS-PLS and W-PLS with corresponding bands selection were contrasted and analyzed. The results indicated that both model effects of GA-PLS, CARS-PLS were better than that of W-PLS, and CARS-PLS model effect was optimal. As for the CARS-PLS model, the determination coefficient (R2c) and root mean square error (RMSEC) of calibration set was 0.96 and 0.29, and the determination coefficient (R2cv) and root mean square error (RMSECV) of leave-one-out cross validation was 0.92 and 0.46, respectively. Meanwhile, the determination coefficient (R2p), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) and the ratio of standard deviation to standard error of prediction (RPD) of prediction set was 0.92 and 0.47 and 3.58, respectively. Therefore, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology combined with CARS-PLS can achieve quick, non-destructive and accurate detection of mutton total viable count.

Cross-cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Simplified Chinese Version of the Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale.

PURPOSE: To perform a cross-cultural adaptation and translation of the original version of the Activities of Daily Living Scale of the Knee Outcome Survey into Simplified Chinese and validate of the Simplified Chinese version. METHODS: The original version was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Simplified Chinese according to the guidelines and the recommendations of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Outcome Committee. A total of 213 patients (96 male, 117 female) were selected to participate in our investigation. The inclusion criteria were as follows: 18 years of age and older, able to speak Chinese Mandarin and read Simplified Chinese, and referred to physical therapy for evaluation and treatment for a knee disorder. The exclusion criteria were as follows: patients who had disorders or impairments involving both knees, patients who had other conditions that could affect lower extremity function, patients with physical therapy related to the knee in the previous 1 month, and patients with psychological problems. Each participant was asked to complete the Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS), International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and Short Form 36 forms and to provide baseline demographic data. Each participant completed the KOS-ADLS twice on 2 nonconsecutive days for reliability evaluation. A portion of the participants (n = 161) finished the KOS-ADLS a third time 4 weeks after physical treatment to test responsiveness. RESULTS: The original version of the KOS-ADLS was well adapted and translated into Simplified Chinese. Simplified Chinese of KOS-ADLS was shown to have good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.855 to 0.929), great test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.935 to 0.961), high construct validity as we hypothesized (significant correlations with Short Form 36 subscales, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form), and high responsiveness (standard response means = 0.97 to 1.23, standard effect size = 0.81 to 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Simplified Chinese of KOS-ADLS was shown to have good reliability, validity, and responsiveness for use in patients with knee disorders in China. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, testing of previously developed diagnostic criteria in a series of consecutive patients with universally applied gold standard.

[Effects of Regions of Interest (ROIs) on Detection Models of Mutton pH Based on Hyperspectral Imaging].

Selection of Regions of interest (ROIs) and subsequent spectral extraction was a key step of non-destructive detection and analysis based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI). For the rapid and accurate detection of mutton pH, the study on the effects of 2 different ROIs on mutton pH models was carried out in the visible-near infrared region of 473～1 000 nm. 2 ROIs methods of Rectangle Regions (RR) and Image Segmentation (IS) were adopted to extract 122 corresponding representative spectra respectively. The influence of different preprocessing methods and ROIs methods on 3 pH models, including stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR), principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR), was compared and analyzed. The results indicated that SMLR and PLSR model performance was optimal in 3 models established with spectral data extracted from Rectangle Regions (RR) and Image Segmentation (IS) respectively. As for the SMLR model, corresponding to the RR ROIs method, the correlation coefficient (Rcal) and root mean square error (RMSEC) of calibration set was 0.85 and 0.085 respectively, and the correlation coefficient (Rp) and root mean square error (RMSEP) of prediction set was 0.82 and 0.097 respectively. As for the PLSR model, corresponding to the IS ROIs method, the correlation coefficient(Rcal) and root mean square error (RMSEC) of calibration set was 0.95 and 0.050 respectively, and the correlation coefficient (Rp) and root mean square error (RMSEP) of prediction set was 0.91 and 0.071 respectively. By comparing the modeling results of spectral data extracted from 2 ROIs methods, the modeling performances of Image Segmentation (IS) were always better than Rectangle Regions (RR) in all the 3 modeling methods. The study shows that it is feasible to apply hyperspectral imaging technology combined with the ROIs method of Image Segmentation (IS) to accurate, fast and non-destructive detection of mutton pH.

Halorussus ruber sp. nov., isolated from an inland salt lake of China.

Halophilic archaeal strain YC25(T) was isolated from Yuncheng salt lake in Shanxi, China. Cells of strain YC25(T) were observed to be pleomorphic rods, stained Gram-negative, and formed red-pigmented colonies on solid media. Strain YC25(T) was found to be able to grow at 25-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 1.4-4.8 M NaCl (optimum 1.7 M), at 0-1.0 M MgCl2 (optimum 0.01 M), and at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum pH 6.5). The cells lysed in distilled water, and the minimal NaCl concentration to prevent cell lysis was found to be 8 % (w/v). The major polar lipids of the strain were phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester (PGP-Me), phosphatidylglycerol sulfate (PGS), sulfated galactosyl mannosyl glucosyl diether (S-TGD-1), sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether (S-DGD-1), galactosyl mannosyl glucosyl diether (TGD-1), mannosyl glucosyl diether (DGD-1), and an unknown diglycosyl diether (DGD-2) chromatographically identical to those of Halorussus rarus CGMCC 1.10122(T). The 16S rRNA gene and rpoB' gene of strain YC25(T) were phylogenetically related to the corresponding genes of Halorussus rarus CGMCC 1.10122(T) (94.3-95.4 and 91.5 % nucleotide identity, respectively). The DNA G+C content of strain YC25(T) was determined to be 63.3 mol%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic properties suggested that strain YC25(T) (=CGMCC 1.12122(T) = JCM 18363(T)) represents a new species of Halorussus, for which the name Halorussus ruber sp. nov. is proposed.

Effect of temperature on oxidative stress, antioxidant levels and uncoupling protein expression in striped hamsters.

According to the rate of living-free radical hypothesis, higher metabolic rates should increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, the "uncoupling to survive" hypothesis postulates that uncoupling proteins (UCPs) can decrease ROS production by lowering the potential of the inner mitochondrial membrane, in which case the correlation between metabolic rate and ROS levels would be a negative rather than positive. In this study, we examined energy intake, oxidative stress levels, antioxidant activity and the expression of UCPs in brown adipose tissue (BAT), and in the liver, heart, skeletal muscle and brain, of striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis) acclimated to either 5 °C or 32.5 °C. The energy intake of hamsters acclimated to 5 °C increased by 70.7%, whereas the energy intake of hamsters acclimated to 32.5 °C decreased by 31.3%, relative to hamsters kept at room temperature (21 °C) (P<0.05). Malonadialdehyde (MDA) levels, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity in BAT significantly decreased in 5 °C group, but increased in 32.5 °C group, relative to the 21 °C group. Neither ROS levels (i.e. H2O2 levels), nor antioxidants in skeletal muscle, liver, heart or brain tissue, were affected by temperature. UCP1 expression in BAT was significantly up-regulated in 5 °C group, but down-regulated in 32.5 °C group, relative to the 21 °C group. UCP3 expression of skeletal muscle was also up-regulated significantly in hamsters acclimated to 5 °C. These results suggest that the relationship between ROS levels and metabolic rate was negative, rather than positive. UCP1 expression in BAT may have played a role in lowering ROS levels.

Prognostic significance of BMP7 as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma.

This study aims to evaluate the association between BMP7 tissue expression and patient prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression of BMP7 mRNA in HCC was characterized using real-time PCR and 30 pairs of fresh frozen HCC tissues and corresponding noncancerous tissues. BMP7 protein expression in HCC was confirmed using immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray chip. Finally, BMP7 expression was correlated with conventional clinicopathological features of HCC and patient outcome. The expression of BMP7 mRNA and protein in HCC cells was much higher than in normal hepatic cells. Our results showed that the high expression of BMP7 in HCC was related to tumor size (p < 0.001), histological differentiation (p = 0.041), serum AFP (p = 0.007), and tumor stage (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that a high-expression level of BMP7 resulted in a significantly poor prognosis of HCC patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that BMP7 expression level was an independent prognostic parameter for the overall survival rate of HCC patients. These findings provide evidence that a high-expression level of BMP7 serves as a biomarker for poor prognosis for HCC. Thus, we speculate that BMP7 may be a potential target of antiangiogenic therapy for HCC.

Disorders in angiogenesis and redox pathways are main factors contributing to the progression of rheumatoid arthritis: a comparative proteomics study.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by comparing protein expression in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with RA with that in FLS from normal subjects, using proteomics analysis. METHODS: Proteins extracted from primary cultures of FLS obtained from 50 patients with RA and 10 normal subjects were analyzed by automated 2-dimensional nano-electrospray ionization liquid chromatography tandem mass spectometry. Differentially expressed proteins were screened by 2-sample t-test (P < 0.05) and fold change (>1.5), based on the bioinformatics analysis. The expression of vasculature development-related proteins (Thy-1, connective tissue growth factor [CTGF], and thrombospondin 1 [TSP-1]) and redox-related proteins (superoxide dismutase 2 [SOD2]) in synovial tissue was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The effect of Thy-1 and CTGF knockdown on Thy-1, CTGF, TSP-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was analyzed by RNA interference experiments. RESULTS: According to the criteria of having >1 unique peptide per protein present and a false discovery rate of ≤5%, 1,060 proteins were identified from patients with RA, and 1,292 proteins were identified from normal subjects, from which 100 differentially expressed proteins were screened out from the RA proteins. Of these, 46 proteins were up-regulated, and the remaining 54 proteins were down-regulated. Gene ontology and pathway analyses showed that 6 vasculature development-related proteins were up-regulated, including Thy-1, CTGF, and TSP-1, while 11 redox-related proteins were down-regulated, including SOD2. The results were consistent with those obtained using mass spectrometry. Thy-1, VEGF, CTGF, and TSP-1 were down-regulated after Thy-1 knockdown, and VEGF and CTGF were down-regulated after CTGF knockdown. Recombinant human CTGF could enhance proliferation and Transwell migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of vasculature development-related proteins and down-regulation of redox-related proteins in FLS are predominant factors that may contribute to the pathogenesis of RA.

Systematic expression analysis of genes related to multidrug-resistance in isogenic docetaxel- and adriamycin-resistant breast cancer cell lines.

Docetaxel (Doc) and adriamycin (Adr) are two of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of breast cancer. However, their efficacy is often limited by the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR). The purpose of this study was to investigate MDR mechanisms through analyzing systematically the expression changes of genes related to MDR in the induction process of isogenic drug resistant MCF-7 cell lines. Isogenic resistant sublines selected at 100 and 200 nM Doc (MCF-7/100 nM Doc and MCF-7/200 nM Doc) or at 500 and 1,500 nM Adr (MCF-7/500 nM Adr and MCF-7/1,500 nM) were developed from human breast cancer parental cell line MCF-7, by exposing MCF-7 to gradually increasing concentrations of Doc or Adr in vitro. Cell growth curve, flow cytometry and MTT cytotoxicity assay were preformed to evaluate the MDR characteristics developed in the sublines. Some key genes on the pathways related to drug resistance (including drug-transporters: MDR1, MRP1 and BCRP; drug metabolizing-enzymes: CYP3A4 and glutathione S-transferases (GST) pi; target genes: topoisomerase II (TopoIIα) and Tubb3; apoptosis genes: Bcl-2 and Bax) were analyzed at RNA and protein expression levels by real time RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively. Compared to MCF-7/S (30.6 h), cell doubling time of MCF-7/Doc (41.6 h) and MCF-7/Adr (33.8 h) were both prolonged, and the cell proportion of resistant sublines in G1/G2 phase increased while that in S-phase decreased. MCF-7/100 nM Doc and MCF-7/200 nM Doc was 22- and 37-fold resistant to Doc, 18- and 32-fold to Adr, respectively. MCF-7/500 nM Adr and MCF-7/1,500 nM Adr was 61- and 274-fold resistant to Adr, three and 12-fold to Doc, respectively. Meantime, they also showed cross-resistance to the other anticancer drugs in different degrees. Compared to MCF-7/S, RT-qPCR and Western blot results revealed that the expression of MDR1, MRP1, BCRP, Tubb3 and Bcl-2 were elevated in both MCF-7/Doc and MCF-7/Adr, and TopoIIα, Bax were down-regulated in both the sublines, while CYP3A4, GST pi were increased only in MCF-7/Doc and MCF-7/Adr respectively. Furthermore, the changes above were dose-dependent. The established MCF-7/Doc or MCF-7/Adr has the typical MDR characteristics, which can be used as the models for resistance mechanism study. The acquired process of MCF-7/S resistance to Doc or Adr is gradual, and is complicated with the various pathways involved in. There are some common resistant mechanisms as well as own drug-specific changes between both the sublines.

[The clinical comparison of double knee osteoarthritis patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To study the differences in clinical outcome of double knee osteoarthritis patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: From May 2009 to May 2012, 30 patients (60 knees) with isolated compartmental osteoarthritis of knees were enrolled. Each patient accepted UKA on one knee, TKA on the other. There were 9 male and 21 female patients, aged from 60 to 79 years, average 69 years. Patients evaluation focused on the hospital for special surgery(HSS) knee score, blood loss, hemoglobin 48 h after the operation, the time of knee being able to flex to 90° and patients' sensation after operation. Collection the UKA side and TKA side data and compare two groups of data. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 13 to 35 months, average 20.5 months. There were no component loosening and revision. HSS knee score improved significantly in both two groups: UKA group was promoted from 61 ± 3 to 87 ± 3 (t = 11.21, P < 0.001) and TKA group from 59 ± 5 to 86 ± 3 (t = 17.64, P < 0.001). Compared with the TKA group, the UKA group had less blood loss (t = 11.56, P < 0.001), and a decrease of hemoglobin 48 h after the operation (t = 12.38, P < 0.001). The dates of knees being able to flex ≥ 90° after operation were less (t = 4.03, P < 0.05) in the UKA group. As to therapeutic effects, 70% patients found that UKA was better than TKA; 16.7% patients had opposite opinion; and 13.3% patients found no differences between their two knees. CONCLUSIONS: UKA for the treatment of isolated compartmental osteoarthritis of knee shows as well as TKA, and it has less trauma, less blood loss, more rapid postoperative recovery than TKA.

Morphological evaluation of the risk of posterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture: a mirror aneurysm model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to use morphological parameters of mirror posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms to evaluate aneurysm rupture risk. METHODS: The morphological parameters of 45 pairs of ruptured mirror PCoA aneurysms were analyzed. Conditional univariate and multivariate logistic regression of the following paired morphological parameters was performed: aneurysm with a daughter sac, aneurysm height, aneurysm width, neck width, internal carotid artery diameter, PCoA diameter, flow angle, PCoA angle, aspect ratio, bottleneck factor, size ratio, height/width ratio, fetal posterior cerebral artery, and aneurysm with height > width. A scoring system was established according to the odds ratios (ORs). The receiver operating characteristic was used to test the prediction accuracy of this scoring system in the authors' database of 523 PCoA aneurysms and the threshold value was used to define higher risk. RESULTS: Aneurysm width (OR 1.676, p = 0.014), aneurysm with daughter sac (OR 7.775, p = 0.016), and aneurysm with height > width (OR 9.067, p = 0.012) were independent risk factors for rupture. The scoring system consisted of aneurysm width (1 point per mm), aneurysm with a daughter sac (5 points), and aneurysm with height > width (5 points). The area under the curve (AUC) of the scoring system was 0.842, and its threshold value was 7.97. A score ≥ 8 points was defined as higher risk. The AUC using this definition was 0.802. CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysm width, aneurysms with height > width, and aneurysms with a daughter sac were independent risk factors for PCoA aneurysm rupture. The scoring system devised in this study accurately predicts rupture risk.