[Comparison of the accuracy of predicting prognosis of brain function in patients after cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation with two kinds of electroencephalogram techniques combined with neuron-specific enolase].

Objective: To compare the accuracy of electroencephalography (EEG) grading or amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) grading combined with NSE in predicting brain function prognosis after cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPR) in adults. Methods: The patients who were admitted to Fujian Medical University Union Hospital after CPR from January 2015 to June 2019 were enrolled. Demographic data, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), blood neuron specific enolase (NSE), EEG grading and aEEG grading were collected. The main clinical outcome was the prognosis of brain function (Glasgow-Pittsburgh cerebral performance category, CPC) in patients at 3 months after CPR. Accordingly, the patients were divided into two groups: favorable prognosis group and poor prognosis group, and relevant parameters were compared between the two groups. The predictive ability of EEG grading or aEEG grading combined with NSE for brain function prognosis was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: A total of 57 patients were enrolled, with 34 males and 23 females. The average age was (65±19) years old. In terms of Young EEG scales, there was 16 grade 1 cases (28.1%), 24 grade 2-5 cases (42.1%) and 17 grade 6 cases (29.8%), respectively. As for aEEG grading, there was 11 grade Ⅰ cases (19.3%), 25 grade Ⅱ cases (43.9%) and 21 grade Ⅲ cases (36.8%), respectively. There was no significant difference of age, sex, length of stay between the two groups (all P>0.05). However, there was significant difference of EEG grading scale, aEEG grading, GCS grading and NSE between the two groups (all P<0.05). The area under curve (AUC) of NSE, EEG grading and aEEG grading for predicting brain function prognosis was 0.81, 0.82 and 0.85, respectively (all P<0.01). In aEEG grading combined with NSE group, the AUC of was 0.92, and the optimal cut-off point was 4.5, with a sensitivity of 95.8% and a specificity of 79.0%. In EEG grading combined with NSE group, the AUC was 0.90, and the optimal cut-off point was 3.6, with a sensitivity of 92.1% and a specificity of 77.0%. Conclusions: aEEG grading combined with NSE is more accurate in predicting prognosis in patients with cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation when compared to EEG grading. Considering its feasibility, aEEG grading combined with NSE is more suitable for clinical application.

[Consistency of ALK Ventana-D5F3 immunohistochemistry interpretation in lung adenocarcinoma among Chinese histopathologists].

Objective: To understand the consistency of ALK Ventana-D5F3 immunohistochemistry (IHC) interpretation in Chinese lung adenocarcinoma among histopathologists from different hospitals, and to recommend solution for the problems found during the interpretation of ALK IHC in real world, with the aim of the precise selection of patients who can benefit from ALK targeted therapy. Methods: This was a multicenter and retrospective study. A total of 109 lung adenocarcinoma cases with ALK Ventana-D5F3 IHC staining were collected from 31 lung cancer centers in RATICAL research group from January to June in 2018. All cases were scanned into digital imaging with Ventana iSCANcoreo Digital Slide Scanning System and scored by 31 histopathologists from different centers according to ALK binary (positive or negative) interpretation based on its manufacturer's protocol. The cases with high inconsistency rate were further analyzed using FISH/RT-PCR/NGS. Results: There were 49 ALK positive cases and 60 ALK negative cases, confirmed by re-evaluation by the specialist panel. Two cases (No. 2302 and No.2701) scored as positive by local hospitals were rescored as negative, and were confirmed to be negative by RT-PCR/FISH/NGS. The false interpretation rate of these two cases was 58.1% (18/31) and 48.4% (15/31), respectively. Six out of 31 (19.4%) pathologists got 100% accuracy. The minimum consistency between every two pathologists was 75.8%.At least one pathologist gave negative judgement (false negative) or positive judgement (false positive) in the 49 positive or 60 negative cases, accounted for 26.5% (13/49), 41.7% (25/60), respectively, with at least one uncertainty interpretation accounted for 31.2% (34/109). Conclusion: There are certain heterogeneities and misclassifications in the real world interpretation of ALK-D5F3 IHC test, which need to be guided by the oncoming expert consensus based on the real world data.

[Clinicopathological characteristics of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma].

Objective: To investigate the clinical presentation, clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Methods: Four cases of ATLL from Fujian Cancer Hospital between October 2017 and May 2018 were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical stains and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HTLV-1 provirus genes. The relevant literature was reviewed. Results: There were two males and two females, age range 38-80 years. All patients were from coastal cities of Fujian province. Clinical presentations including lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were detected in most patients; skin lesion, hypercalcemia and lymphocytosis were also commonly detected.Histologically, there was diffuse effacement of the normal architecture by tumor cells infiltration. The inflammatory background is usually sparse, with scanty eosinophils. The atypical lymphoid cells were typically medium to large sized with pronounced nuclear pleomorphism, irregular nuclei, chromatin clumping and prominent nucleoli. Blast-like cells with transformed nuclei were present in variable proportions. Giant cells with convoluted or cerebriform nuclear contours may be present. Rare cases may be composed predominantly of anaplastic tumor cells. Characteristic "flower cells" with large multi-lobated nuclei can be seen. The tumor cells were strongly positive for CD2, CD3, CD5, CD4 and CD25, but negative for CD7, CD8 and cytotoxic molecules (including TIA-1, Granzyme B and perforin). In three cases, the large transformed cells were positive for CD30. In one case, the anaplastic large cells were diffusely and strongly positive for CD30. All cases were negative for EBER, but positive for HTLV-1 provirus. Conclusions: ATLL is a rare type of T cell lymphoma with unique clinical and pathological features, and should be distinguished from peripheral T cell lymphoma, NOS, ALK negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma and mycosis fungoides. Hypercalcemia, systemic disease, characteristic "flower cells" and specific immunophenotypic profile of CD3(+), CD4(+), CD25(+), and CD7(-) are highly suggestive. However, ATLL can only be confirmed if the presence of HTLV-1 provirus.

[Optimization of delivering minimum Gd-DTPA at the posterior upper point on tympanic medial wall and hT2W-3D-FLAIR sequence for detecting endolymphatic hydrops].

Objective: To optimize delivery of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid(Gd-DTPA) at the posterior upper point on tympanic medial wall and heavily T2-weighted 3-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (hT2W-3D-FLAIR) sequence, and to implement the technique of detecting endolymphatic hydrops using gadolinium-enhancement MRI. Methods: Thirteen patients with periphery vertigo, who visited Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Changhai Hospital during June and December of 2017, were enrolled in the study.0.10-0.20 ml of Gd-DTPA in various dilutions (10, 20, and 40-fold) were delivered at the posterior upper point on tympanic medial wall using a soft-tipped tympanic suction and drug-spraying needle through an artificially perforated tympanic membrane. Inner ear MRI was performed at 8, 24 h after Gd-DTPA administration using a 3T MR machine in combination with a 20-channel Tim 4G head/neck coil and the sequence of hT2W-3D-FLAIR to detect the gadolinium-enhancement signal within the inner ear and possible endolymphatic hydrops. The scanning time was either 8 min 35 s or 15 min 11 s. Results: Efficient inner ear uptake of Gd-DTPA was detected and induced high signal to noise ratio of MRI in patients receiving targeted delivery of 0.15-0.20 ml of 10-fold diluted contrast agent at the posterior upper point on tympanic medial wall. At 8 h after delivery, significant uptake was detected in the scala tympani and vestibuli of hook region and basal turn of the cochlea, and perilymhatic compartment of the vestibule. At 24 h after delivery, the distribution of Gd-DTPA became homogenous in each turn of the cochlea and perilymphatic compartment of the vestibule. However, obvious individual variance existed in the inner ear uptake when 0.10 ml of 40-fold diluted Gd-DTPA was delivered. Efficient inner ear uptake and high quality images that generated in patients receiving 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 ml of 20-fold Gd-DTPA demonstrated endolymphatic hydrops with minor individual variance. There was insignificant difference in the enhancement signal of inner ear between 0.15 and 0.10 ml groups when Gd-DTPA was diluted at 20-fold except for the signal of semicircular canal of 0.15 ml group (190.00±53.95 vs 165.50±42.13, t=2.61, P<0.05). There was insignificant difference in the image quality between 8 min 35 s and 15 min 11 s canning time. Various degrees of endolymphatic hydrops were detected in 7 cochleae and 11 vestibule, and both simultaneous cochlear and vestibular endolymphatic hydrops were detected in 4 ears. Cochlear endolymphatic hydrops was detected in all the 3 patients with definite Meniere's disease, and 2 of them had combined cochlear and vestibular endolymphatic hydrops. Endolymphatic hydrops was not detected in patients with possible Meniere's disease nor with symptoms of superior semicircular canal dehiscence. Conclusion: Targeted delivery of 0.10 ml with 20-fold diluted Gd-DTPA (total dosage of 5 µmol) at the posterior upper point on tympanic medial wall in combination with 8 min 35 s scanning time hT2W-3D-FLAIR sequence for inner ear MRI in a 3T MR machine is a clinically practical method to detect endolymphatic hydrops, and reduce the requirement for MRI hardware.

[Clinicopathologic features and expression of OCT4 protein in testicular diffuse large B cell lymphoma].

Objective: To evaluate the expression of OCT4 and SALL4 in testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and the utility of an immunohistochemical (IHC) panel of OCT4, SALL4 and CD20 in the differential diagnosis of DLBCL and GCT of the testis. Methods: Eighteen cases of testicular DLBCL were selected.IHC method was used to detect the protein expression of CD20, CD3, CD5, CD10, bcl-6, MUM1, Ki-67, bcl-2, c-MYC, OCT4 and SALL4. Results: Among the 18 cases, CD20 and PAX5 were strongly and diffusely expressed in all cases, while CD21, CD3, cyclinD1, SALL4, CD117 and PLAP were all negative. CD5, bcl-2 and c-myc were expressed in 3, 16 and 8 cases, respectively. Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 40%-95%. Bcl-2 and c-MYC were co-expressed in seven cases. Four cases were GCB-DLBCL and the remaining 14 cases were non-GCB-DLBCL, according to Hans algorithm. Nuclear OCT4 expression was present in two cases, which demonstrated moderate expression in >50% of neoplastic cells. Univariate analysis showed that clinical stage, CD5 and OCT4 expression were relevant to prognosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis further confirmed that clinical stage, CD5 and OCT4 were independent prognostic factors in patients with testicular DLBCL. Conclusions: Care should be exercised in using OCT4 as the sole marker of germ cell differentiation in the testis. The association of OCT4 and CD5, bcl-2 co-expression raises the question of whether OCT4 expression in DLBCL may reflect more aggressive biology.

[Microcystic, elongated and fragmented invasive pattern in endometrial adenocarcinoma: a clinicopathologic analysis of 72 cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic features of microcystic, elongated and fragmented (MELF) pattern invasion of endometrial adenocarcinoma. Methods: HE and immunohistochemistry staining method were used to analysis morphologic features and immunophenotype of 72 patients of endometrial adenocarcinoma with MELF pattern invasion, and chi-square test was used to analysis the clinicopathologic features. Results: The mean age of 72 patients was 54 years (40 to 70 years). Thirty-two patients were pre-menopausal and 40 were post-menopausal. According to the FIGO staging system (2014), 32 cases(44.4%)were at stage Ⅰ, 22 cases(30.6%)at stage Ⅱ, 17 cases(23.6%)at stage Ⅲ and 1 case(1.4%) at stage Ⅳ. Microscopically, MELF invasion showed microcystic, elongated slit-like or fragmented glands in myometrium and their lining cells usually were cube or flat, as well as the single or clusters of eosinophilic tumor cells mimicking histocytes. In addition, a fibromyxoid or inflammatory stromal response was often present.Immunohistochemical staining showed that MELF invasion was positive for p16, CA125 and CA19-9, but negative for ER, PR and p53.Compared with non-MELF pattern invasion, significant differences were noted in menopause pausimenia, FIGO stages, deep invasion into myometrium, lymph metastasis, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSL), serum CA125 and CA19-9 in patients with MELF pattern invasion (all P<0.05). Conclusions: MELF pattern invasion of endometrial adenocarcinoma is characterized by advanced FIGO stage, deep myoinvasion, high metastasis rate to lymph node and LVSL. Pathologists should recognize the MELF invasion and evaluate the depth of myometrium of infiltration and LVSL with special attention to the presence of MELF invasion with necessary immunohistochemistry for more accurate pathological diagnosis.

[Clinicopathologic analysis of extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease of breast: a report of 12 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease(RDD)of the breast. METHODS: Twelve cases of extranodal RDD of the breast were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin stain and immunohistochemical staining.The morphological features and immunophenotype were observed by light microscopy, accompanied with a review of the literature. RESULTS: Twelve cases of extranodal RDD of the breast are presented. The patients were women and their ages ranged from 15 to 55 years (mean =37 years). Except one patient with involvement of the right breast and ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes, other eleven patients' disease confined to the breast. Seven cases located in the right breast, the other five cases in the left breast. Microscopically, it showed a typical morphology, characterized by diffuse infiltration of large histiocytes, lymphocytes and plasmocytes that formed irregular nodular structure with light and dark appearance under microscope. Spindling of histiocytosis often arranged in a vague storiform with prominent fibrosis, accumulation of foamy histiocytes and scattered atypical nuclei. The characteristic histocytes and emperipolesis could not be seen obviously in extranodal RDD of the breast.Immunohistochemical staining showed histocytes were strongly positive for S-100 protein, CD68 and CD163, while negative for CD1a. CONCLUSIONS: Extranodal RDD of the breast is very rare. Because of unconspicuous emperipolesis and lack of specificity in clinic and images, extranodal RDD of the breast is easy to be misdiagnosed as other histiocytosis. The microscopic differential diagnosis includes idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, infective granulomas, langerhans cell histiocytosis, IgG4 related sclerosing disease, Erdheim-Chester disease, benign fibrous histiocytoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma and Hodgkin Lymphoma. Light and dark appearance under microscope is the important clue in diagnosis of extranodal RDD in breast. Immunohistochemistry is also helpful.

[Efficacy of biventricular pacing on preventing heart failure in patients with high degree atrioventricular block (BIVPACE-AVB Trial)].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term effect of biventricular (BIV) and right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing on cardiac function in patients with high-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)over 35%. METHODS: A total of 118 consecutive patients with high-degree AVB in six hospitals from East China between May 2009 and December 2012 were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind and parallel controlled study. Patients were randomly assigned to BIV and RVA pacing with or without LV lead on after one-week cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Cardiac function including New York Heart Association(NYHA), 6 minute walking distance (6MWD), Minnesota living with heart failure (MLHF) score, LVEF, left ventricular end-diastolic volumes/diameters (LVEDV/LVEDD) and other echocardiography parameters, as well as N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)were assessed at 6 months and 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients were successfully implanted with CRT. Cardiac function was significantly improved after one-week BIV pacing (n=57) compared with pre-CRT: rate of patients with NYHA Ⅲ (25.44%(29/114) vs. 9.65%(11/114)), MLHF score (17.1±13.6 vs. 26.9±21.6), 6MWD ((315.4±121.8)m vs. (291.8±102.9)m) and NT-proBNP (157.0(70.0, 639.0) ng/L vs. 444.7(144.0, 1 546.0)ng/L, all P<0.05). In BIV group, 6MWD extended from (314.8±142.7)m to (332.7±117.5)m at 6 months (P<0.05), LVEF increased from (60.7±7.9)% at 1 week to (56.6±10.7)% at 6 months(P<0.05), both LVEDV and LVEDD decreased at 12 months compared with at 1 week ((116.2±39.5)ml vs. (131.4±49.6)ml and (50.2±5.6)mm vs. (52.5±6.8)mm, P<0.05). In RVA group (n=57), 6MWD increased at 6 months compared that at 1week ((342.4±109.9)m vs. (310.2±105.1)m, P<0.05), NT-proBNP was higher at 12 months than that at 1 week (349.5(191.8, 884.3)ng/L vs. 127.0(70.3, 336.7)ng/L, P<0.05). Compared with RVA group, BIV group had a bigger shrink in LVEDV decrease at 12 months was more significant in BIV group ((-16.68±24.30)ml vs. (9.09±29.30)ml, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac pacing could acutely improve the cardiac function in patients with high-degree AVB and LVEF over 35%. Improvements on cardiac function and remodeling are more significant after 12-month BIV pacing than that of RVA pacing. Clinical Trail Registry: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-TRC-10000832.

[Expression of PDGFRA and CMYC in extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma and their prognostic implications].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between expression of PDGFRA/CMYC and clinicopathologic features of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma. Methods: Fifty-four cases of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma were included in the study.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of CD20, CD2, CD3, CD56, TIA1, GrB, Ki-67, PDGFRA and CMYC.In situ hybridization was performed to detect the presence of EBV encoded small RNA (EBER). Fifty cases of nasopharyngeal mucosal lymphoid tissue hyperplasia were used as normal control. Results: Among 54 cases of ENKTL, CD2, CD3, GrB, and TIA1 were expressed in all the tumors. CD56 was expressed in 47 cases (81.0%) and CD20 was not detectable in any cases. Ki-67 proliferative index expression of > 60% was found in 45 cases (83.3%). In situ hybridization for EBER was positive in all cases (100%). The positive expression rates of PDGFRA and CMYC in extranodal NK/T-cell lymphomas were 51.9%(28/54) and 53.7%(29/54), respectively, much higher than those in nasopharyngeal mucosal lymphoid tissue hyperplasia (0, P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between PDGFRA and CMYC (r=0.295, P<0.05). The expression of CMYC was correlated with clinical efficacy (P<0.05), but not with gender, age, Ann Arbor stage, B symptoms and therapeutic regimen (all P>0.05). The expression of PDGFRA was correlated with B symptoms (P<0.05), while not with gender, age, Ann Arbor stage, therapeutic regimen and clinical efficacy (all P>0.05). The co-expression of PDGFRA and CMYC was not correlated with gender, age, Ann Arbor stage, B symptoms, therapeutic regimen and clinical efficacy (P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the stage, clinical efficacy, CMYC protein and the co-expression of PDGFRA and CMYC were significantly correlated with the prognosis. The overall survival of the patients with CMYC positive expression was shorter than of that of the patients with negative expression (P<0.05). Multivariable Cox regression analysis further confirmed that clinical stage, CMYC protein expression, and the co-expression of PDGFRA and CMYC were independent prognostic factors in patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma. Conclusion: CMYC protein, and the co-expression of PDGFRA and CMYC can be as an independent prognostic factor in patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma and influence the prognosis of patients.

δ-Catenin, a Wnt/ß-catenin modulator, reveals inducible mutagenesis promoting cancer cell survival adaptation and metabolic reprogramming.

Mutations of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway has essential roles in development and cancer. Although ß-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutations are well established and are known to drive tumorigenesis, discoveries of mutations in other components of the pathway lagged, which hinders the understanding of cancer mechanisms. Here we report that δ-catenin (gene designation: CTNND2), a primarily neural member of the ß-catenin superfamily that promotes canonical Wnt/ß-catenin/LEF-1-mediated transcription, displays exonic mutations in human prostate cancer and promotes cancer cell survival adaptation and metabolic reprogramming. When overexpressed in cells derived from prostate tumor xenografts, δ-catenin gene invariably gives rise to mutations, leading to sequence disruptions predicting functional alterations. Ectopic δ-catenin gene integrating into host chromosomes is locus nonselective. δ-Catenin mutations promote tumor development in mouse prostate with probasin promoter (ARR2PB)-driven, prostate-specific expression of Myc oncogene, whereas mutant cells empower survival advantage upon overgrowth and glucose deprivation. Reprogramming energy utilization accompanies the downregulation of glucose transporter-1 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage while preserving tumor type 2 pyruvate kinase expression. δ-Catenin mutations increase ß-catenin translocation to the nucleus and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression. Therefore, introducing δ-catenin mutations is an important milestone in prostate cancer metabolic adaptation by modulating ß-catenin and HIF-1α signaling under glucose shortage to amplify its tumor-promoting potential.

Diffusion-weighted MRI of the normal adult pancreas: the effect of age on apparent diffusion coefficient values.

AIM: To investigate and characterize the effect of age on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the normal adult pancreas using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred and fifty-nine adult patients without pancreatic disease, ranging from 20-81 years of age (mean 50.9 years; 436 men, 123 women), were included in this study. Breath-hold single-shot echo-planar DWI (b-values = 0, 500 s/mm(2)) was employed to determine the ADCs across all patients. Dependency of ADCs on age was characterized using a Spearman rank-order correlation test. RESULTS: Across the age spectrum, there was no significant correlation between ADC and age (p = 0.409). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study suggest that the effect of age on ADCs can be excluded from the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases and design of future studies using breath-hold single-shot DWI and ADCs (as calculated with b-values of 0 and 500 s/mm(2)).

Torsional electromechanical systems based on carbon nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are among the most highly studied nanomaterials due to their unique (and intertwined) mechanical and electrical properties. Recent advances in fabrication have allowed devices to be fabricated that are capable of applying a twisting force to individual CNTs while measuring mechanical and electrical response. Here, we review major results from this emerging field of study, revealing new properties of the material itself and opening possibilities for advances in future devices.

Adiponectin inhibits oxidative stress in human prostate carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Emerging data suggest that obesity increases the risk of aggressive prostate cancer (PC), but the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain to be fully elucidated. Oxidative stress (OS) is a key process in the development and progression of PC. Adiponectin, an adipocyte-specific hormone, circulates at relatively high levels in healthy humans, but at reduced levels in obese subjects. Moreover, case-control studies also document lower levels of serum adiponectin in PC patients compared with healthy individuals. METHODS: Human 22Rv1 and DU-145 PC cell lines were examined for the generation of OS and detoxification of reactive oxygen species after treatment with adiponectin. Normality was confirmed using the Shapiro-Wilk test and results were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: We demonstrate that adiponectin increased cellular anti-oxidative defense mechanisms and inhibited OS in a significant and dose-dependent manner. We show that adiponectin treatment decreased the generation of superoxide anion in both cell lines, whereas the transcript levels of NADPH oxidase (NOX)2 and NOX4 increased. We also found indications of an overall anti-oxidative effect, as the total anti-oxidative potential, catalase activity and protein levels, and manganese superoxide dismutase protein levels increased significantly (P<0.05) in both cell lines after treatment with adiponectin. CONCLUSION: Lower levels of adiponectin in obese individuals may result in higher levels of prostatic OS, which may explain the clinical association between obesity, hypoadiponectinemia and PC.

First Report of Twig Canker on Peach Caused by Phomopsis amygdali in China.

During May and June of 2009, canker and twig dieback were observed with 30 to 40% incidence in trees in one peach orchard in Nanhui of Shanghai (cv. YuLu juicy peach) and one orchard (cv. JingXiu yellow peach) in Jiaxin of Zhejiang Province, China. Cankers were generally centrally positioned on the nodes at the base of shoots with sunken, reddish brown/tan-to-silver symptoms. Blight was also observed on a few shoots (1). Five samples were collected from each orchard and isolations were conducted on potato sucrose agar (PSA). Ten isolates were obtained and all had white mycelia on PSA. Black pycnidia, formed in culture, produced two types of conidia: hyaline, fusiform alpha conidia and hyaline, string-like beta conidia. Alpha conidia varied from 5.0 to 6.3 × 1.5 to 2.5 µm and beta conidia ranged from 20 to 25 × 1.2 to 1.5 µm. Morphological characteristics suggested the identity of the fungal isolates to be Phomopsis amygdali. To confirm pathogenicity, an inoculum suspension was made from one isolate (106 conidia/ml) and was sprayed until runoff onto five twigs with buds. Inoculated twigs were maintained at 26°C and 100% relative humidity in a growth chamber with a 12-h period of fluorescent light daily. Twigs inoculated with sterilized water were included as noninoculated controls. After 4 days, dark brown lesions appeared around buds on inoculated twigs. No symptoms were observed on the control twigs. Constriction cankers were reproduced and P. amygdali was reisolated from the lesions. To confirm the identity of the pathogen, total genomic DNA was extracted with the cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) method from the mycelia of two isolates from YuLu juicy peach and Jinxiu yellow peach (2). PCR was performed with universal primers ITS1 (5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3') and ITS4 (5'-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3') to amplify a DNA fragment of approximately 550 bp. The PCR products were purified and sequenced in both directions (Sangon Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., China). The sequences (GenBank Accession Nos. HQ632013 and HQ632014) shared 98.9% identity with each other (MegAlign software; DNASTAR, Madison, WI). A comparison of these two sequences with those in GenBank showed that the sequences had the highest nucleotide similarity (99%) with P. amygdali isolate FAU1052 from peach in the southeastern United States (Accession No. AF102998). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. amygdali causing twig canker on peach in China and will provide useful information for developing effective control strategies. References: (1) D. F. Farr et al. Mycologia 91:1008, 1999. (2) M. A. Saghai-Maroof et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 81:8014, 1984.

First Report of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus Infecting Cowpea in China.

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is a devastating pathogen of tomato that causes significant yield losses in many tropical and subtropical regions (1). In China, this virus was first found in 2006 on tomato in Shanghai (2). In October 2008, chlorotic yellow leaves of cowpea (Vigna sinensis) were observed in Qingpu, Shanghai, China with 15 to 20% incidence in plants in high tunnels. Large populations of whiteflies were observed in association with the diseased cowpea. The disease agent was transmitted to cowpea (and tomato) by whiteflies, which resulted in chlorotic yellow leaves on cowpea (yellow leaf curl symptoms on tomato) that were identical to those observed in the field. On the basis of the suspected insect vector, symptomology, and severe epidemics of tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) in Shanghai in recent years, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus was suspected as the causal agent. Total DNA was extracted from four symptomatic cowpea samples. PCR was performed with specific primers V416 (5'-CAAGGCACAAACAAGCGACG-3') and C1287 (5'-CTCAACTTCCGAATTTGGACGAC-3') to amplify a 872-bp DNA fragment of the viral coat protein (CP) gene and an amplicon of the expected size was obtained in all four samples but not from healthy leaf samples. The PCR products were sequenced and the sequences were identical among samples. Primers TYLCV-F (5'-CAGGAGGCAGCCAAGTATGAG-3') and TYLCV-R (5'-ACTAATGCCTGTTCYTTCATTCC-3') (Y = C or T/U) were designed on the basis of the sequence (Accession No. HM804856) and reported (Accession No. FM163463) CP gene to amplify the full-length viral DNA of cowpea isolate (CN:SH:Cowpea:08). The sequence was determined to be 2,781 nucleotides long (Accession No. GU434143). A comparison of the sequence with those in GenBank shows that the cowpea isolate has the highest nucleotide sequence identity (99%) with TYLCV isolate XH2 from tomato in Xinghua, Jiangsu, China (Accession No. GU111505). To our knowledge, this is the first report of TYLCV infecting cowpea in China and also the first report in the world. References: (1) H. Czosnek and H. Laterrot. Arch. Virol. 142:1391, 1997. (2) J. B. Wu et al. Plant Dis. 90:1359, 2006.

First Report of Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus Infecting Melon in China.

In October 2007, symptoms of chlorosis on the upper leaves and a bright yellow color on the lower leaves were observed sporadically on hami melon (Cucumis melo cv. Xuelihong) in a high tunnel in Nanhui of Shanghai, China. Disease progresses from initial mottling of leaves into leaves that are completely yellow with the veins remaining green. The oldest leaves develop symptoms first, so these leaves have a pronounced even yellow color. In October 2009, these symptoms were found in all melons produced in the suburbs of Shanghai. These symptoms were similar to those caused by Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) and Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) (1-3). Twelve samples from symptomatic melons were collected in the Jiading, Nanhui, Fengxian, and Chongming districts of Shanghai for virus diagnosis. Large populations of whiteflies were observed in association with the diseased cucurbit crops. Total RNA was extracted with Trizol reagents (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). We used random primers (9-mer) for reverse transcription-PCR. Extracts were for CYSDV using specific primers CYSDV-CP-F (5'-ATGGCGAGTTCGAGTGAGAA-3') and CYSDV-CP-R (5'-TCAATTACCACAGCCACCTG-3') to amplify a 756-bp fragment of coat protein gene and CCYV using specific primers CCYV-HSP-F1 (5'-TGCGTATGTCAATGGTGTTATG-3') and CCYV-HSP-R1 (5'-ATCCTTCGCAGTGAAAAACC-3') to amplify a 462-bp fragment of the HSP gene (1). CYSDV was not found in all samples. The expected 462-bp target fragment of CCYV was obtained in all samples but not from any of the healthy controls. All the 462-bp PCR products were cloned to pGEM-T vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced. All sequences obtained were homologous. A comparison of the submitted sequence (GenBank Accession No. HQ148667) with those in GenBank showed that the sequence had 100% nucleotide identity to the Hsp70h sequences of (CCYV) isolates from Japan (Accession Nos. AB523789 and AB457591) (1,4), Taiwan (Accession No. HM120250) (2), and mainland of China (Accession Nos. GU721105, GU721108, and GU721110). CCYV is a new member of the genus Crinivirus, first discovered in Japan in 2004 (4) and reported in Taiwan in 2009 (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of CCYV on melon in China. References: (1) Y. Gyoutoku et al. Jpn. J. Phytopathol. 75:109, 2009. (2) L.-H. Huang et al. Plant Dis. 94:1168, 2010. (3) L. Z. Liu et al. Plant Dis.94:485, 2010. (4) M. Okuda et al. Phytopathology 100:560, 2010.

Androgens induce oxidative stress and radiation resistance in prostate cancer cells though NADPH oxidase.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) facilitates the response of prostate cancer (PC) to radiation. Androgens have been shown to induce elevated basal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PC, leading to adaptation to radiation-induced cytotoxic oxidative stress. Here, we show that androgens increase the expression of p22(phox) and gp91(phox) subunits of NADPH oxidase (NOX) and ROS production by NOX2 and NOX4 in PC. Pre-radiation treatment of 22Rv1 human PC cells with NOX inhibitors sensitize the cells to radiation similarly to ADT, suggesting that their future usage may spare the need for adjuvant ADT in PC patients undergoing radiation.