Molecular phylogeny of the family Rhabdiasidae (Nematoda: Rhabditida), with morphology, genetic characterization and mitochondrial genomes of Rhabdias kafunata and R. bufonis.

BACKGROUND: The family Rhabdiasidae (Nematoda: Rhabditida) is a globally distributed group of nematode parasites, with over 110 species parasitic mainly in amphibians and reptiles. However, the systematic position of the family Rhabdiasidae in the order Rhabditida remains unsolved, and the evolutionary relationships among its genera are still unclear. Moreover, the present knowledge of the mitochondrial genomes of rhabdiasids remains limited. METHODS: Two rhabdiasid species: Rhabdias kafunata Sata, Takeuchi & Nakano, 2020 and R. bufonis (Schrank, 1788) collected from the Asiatic toad Bufo gargarizans Cantor (Amphibia: Anura) in China, were identified based on morphology (light and scanning electron microscopy) and molecular characterization (sequencing of the nuclear 28S and ITS regions and mitochondrial cox1 and 12S genes). The complete mitochondrial genomes of R. kafunata and R. bufonis were also sequenced and annotated for the first time. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses based on the amino acid sequences of 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) of the mitochondrial genomes were performed to clarify the systematic position of the family Rhabdiasidae in the order Rhabditida using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI). The phylogenetic analyses based on the 28S + ITS sequences, were also inferred to assess the evolutionary relationships among the genera within Rhabdiasidae. RESULTS: The detailed morphology of the cephalic structures, vulva and eggs in R. kafunata and R. bufonis was revealed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the first time. The characterization of 28S and ITS regions of R. kafunata was reported for the first time. The mitogenomes of R. kafunata and R. bufonis are 15,437 bp and 15,128 bp long, respectively, and both contain 36 genes, including 12 PCGs (missing atp8). Comparative mitogenomics revealed that the gene arrangement of R. kafunata and R. bufonis is different from all of the currently available mitogenomes of nematodes. Phylogenetic analyses based on the ITS + 28S data showed Neoentomelas and Kurilonema as sister lineages, and supported the monophyly of Entomelas, Pneumonema, Serpentirhabdias and Rhabdias. Mitochondrial phylogenomic results supported Rhabdiasidae as a member of the superfamily Rhabditoidea in the suborder Rhabditina, and its occurrance as sister to the family Rhabditidae. CONCLUSIONS: The complete mitochondrial genome of R. kafunata and R. bufonis were reported for the first time, and two new gene arrangements of mitogenomes in Nematoda were revealed. Mitogenomic phylogenetic results indicated that the family Rhabdiasidae is a member of Rhabditoidea in Rhabditina, and is closely related to Rhabditidae. Molecular phylogenies based on the ITS + 28S sequence data supported the validity of Kurilonema, and showed that Kurilonema is sister to Neoentomelas. The present phylogenetic results also indicated that the ancestors of rhabdiasids seem to have initially infected reptiles, then spreading to amphibians.

Austraplectana extranes sp. n. (Nematoda: Cosmocercoidea) from Australian amphibians Mixophyes carbinensis Mahony, Donnellan, Richards & McDonald (Anura: Myobatrachidae) and Rhinella marina (Linnaeus) (Anura: Bufonidae).

The genus Austraplectana Baker, 1981 is a poorly known group of cosmocercoid nematodes. In the present study, a new species of Austraplectana, A. extranes sp. n., was described using both light and scanning electron microscopy, based on specimens collected from the carbine barred frog Mixophyes carbinensis Mahony, Donnellan, Richards & McDonald (Anura: Myobatrachidae) and the cane toad Rhinella marina (Linnaeus) (Anura: Bufonidae) in Australia. Austraplectana extranes sp. n. can be easily distinguished from its congener by the much longer and different morphology of tails in both sexes, the different number and arrangement of caudal papillae, the presence of single precloacal median heart-shaped papilla and large posterior protuberance with cuticular comb-like fringe in male.

Native species Maxvachonia chabaudi Mawson, 1972 (Nematoda: Cosmocercoidea) found in the invasive marine toad Rhinella marina (Linnaeus) (Anura: Bufonidae) in Australia.

The genus Maxvachonia Chabaud et Brygoo, 1960 (Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercidae) is a poorly known group of parasitic nematodes. Species of Maxvachonia are native to Madagascar-Australo-Papuan Region, where they are known to parasitise frogs, snakes and skinks. Unfortunately, most of Maxvachonia species have been inadequately described. In the present study, we report the native species Maxvachonia chabaudi Mawson, 1972 from the intestine of the invasive marine toad Rhinella marina (Linnaeus) in Australia for the first time. We speculate that the marine toads infected with M. chabaudi are likely related to their eating skinks or the similarity in diet/habitat/ecology between the toad and the skinks. The detailed morphology of M. chabaudi was studied using light microscopy and, for the first time, scanning electron microscopy, based on the newly collected specimens. Some characters important for the specific diagnosis of M. chabaudi are reported for the first time, including each lip with distinct inner flanges, the location of vulva varying from anterior to posterior of the oesophageal bulb and the presence of single medio-ventral precloacal papilla. An identification key to the species of Maxvachonia is provided.

Morphology, genetic characterization and molecular phylogeny of the poorly known nematode parasite Cissophyllus leytensis Tubangui & Villaamil, 1933 (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from the Philippine sailfin lizard Hydrosaurus pustulatus (Eschscholtz, 1829) (Reptilia: Squamata).

BACKGROUND: The genus Cissophyllus (Cosmocercoidea: Kathlaniidae) is a rare group of nematodes parasitic in turtles and lizards. To date, only four species have been reported in Asia and North America. However, most of them are inadequately described. The species Cissophyllus leytensis has never been reported since it was originally described by Tubangui and Villaamil in 1933 from the Philippine sailfin lizard Hydrosaurus pustulatus (Eschscholtz, 1829) (Reptilia: Squamata). Furthermore, the systematic status of Cissophyllus/Cissophyllinae in the family Kathlaniidae of the superfamily Cosmocercoidea remains under debate. METHODS: The detailed morphology of C. leytensis was studied using light microscopy (LM) and, for the first time, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), based on newly collected specimens from the type host H. pustulatus. Six different genetic markers, including nuclear sequences [small ribosomal subunit (18S), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large ribosomal subunit (28S)], plus mitochondrial genes [cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (cox2) and 12S small subunit ribosomal RNA gene] of C. leytensis were sequenced. Additionally, in order to test the validity of the subfamily Cissophyllinae and clarify the phylogenetic relationships of Cissophyllus and the other genera in the family Kathlaniidae, phylogenetic analyses based on 18S + 28S and ITS sequence data were performed using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Our observations using LM and SEM revealed some previously unreported morphological features, necessitating the redescription of this poorly known species. The presence of remarkable morphological variation in the isthmus and the position of excretory pore among different individuals was found. Molecular analysis showed no intraspecific nucleotide divergence detected in the 18S, ITS, 28S, cox2 and 12S regions among different individuals of C. leytensis, but a low level of intraspecific genetic variation was found in the cox1 (0.52%). Our phylogenetic results showed the representatives of the Cosmocercoidea divided into four large clades (Cosmocerca + Aplectana + Cosmocercoides representing the family Cosmocercidae, Cruzia representing the subfamily Cruzinae of Kathlaniidae, Falcaustra + Cissophyllus + Megalobatrachonema representing the subfamily Kathlaniinae of Kathlaniidae, and Orientatractis + Rondonia representing the family Atractidae). The genus Cissophyllus clustered together with the genus Megalobatrachonema in both the ML and BI trees using ITS sequence data, but displayed a sister relationship to the genus Falcaustra in the ML tree and to the genera Falcaustra + Megalobatrachonema in the BI tree using 18S + 28S sequence data. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular phylogenetic results further confirmed that the family Kathlaniidae is not a monophyletic group. The subfamily Cruziinae should be moved from the hitherto-defined family Kathlaniidae and elevated as a separate family Cruziidae. The present phylogenetic results also negated the validity of the subfamily Cissophyllinae and supported the genus Cissophyllus assigned in the subfamily Kathlaniinae. Molecular analysis indicated that the morphological variation in the isthmus and position of excretory pore among different individuals should be considered as intraspecific variation. Moreover, some characters important for the specific diagnosis of C. leytensis are reported for the first time: the number of acuminate denticles (lamellae) on each lip, the chitinized pharynx with three flabellate pharyngeal plates, the presence of single medioventral precloacal papilla and the detailed morphology of caudal papillae. The present study is only the second record of C. leytensis.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Paraleptus chiloscyllii Yin & Zhang, 1983 (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) from the brownbanded bambooshark Chiloscyllium punctatum Müller & Henle (Elasmobranchii: Orectolobiformes).

Paraleptus (Spirurida: Physalopteridae) is a small genus of nematodes, parasitic in fishes, most species of which are inadequately described. Genetic data for these congeners have not been reported. The detailed morphology of P. chiloscyllii was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy, based on newly collected specimens from the brownbanded bambooshark C. punctatum Müller & Henle (Elasmobranchii: Orectolobiformes) in the Taiwan Strait. Some previously unreported morphological features of taxonomic significance were observed, i.e., pseudolabium with two sublateral rows of 6-7 small spines, 7-8 small spines on each lower rim between pseudolabia, deirids not distally bifurcated, vulva with remarkable protruding lip, presence of 1 pair medio-ventral precloacal papillae and 1 pair of discoid protrusions of postcloacal lip in male. The specimens described by González-Solís & Ali's (2015) as P. chiloscyllii from the Arabian carpetshark C. arabicum off Iraq are considered a new species, for which the name P. moraveci n. sp. is proposed. The genetic characterization of the partial small (18S) and large (28S) ribosomal DNA, and the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) of P. chiloscyllii are provided for the first time. There was no intraspecific nucleotide divergence detected in the 18S and 28S regions among different individuals of P. chiloscyllii, but a low level of intraspecific genetic variation was found in the cox1 (0.62-0.92%). The present genetic data is very important for molecular identification, and will be valuable for further invertigantions on the population genetics and phylogeny of this group.

Morphology, genetic characterization and phylogeny of Aplectana dayaoshanensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from frogs.

Cosmocercoid nematodes are common parasites in the digestive tract of amphibians. However, our knowledge of the species diversity, genetic data and molecular phylogeny of the superfamily Cosmocercoidea are far from being well understood. In the present study, large numbers of cosmocercoid nematodes were collected from the fine-spined frog Sylvirana spinulosa (Smith) (Anura: Ranidae) and the white-spotted thigh tree-frog Polypedates megacephalus (Hallowell) (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in Guangxi Province, China. Integrated morphological and genetic evidence reveals these nematode specimens to be a new species of the genus Aplectana, A. dayaoshanensis n. sp. (Cosmocercoidea: Cosmocercidae). The molecular characterization of small ribosomal DNA (18S), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large ribosomal DNA (28S) of A. dayaoshanensis n. sp., together with the 28S of A. chamaeleonis (Baylis, 1929) (collected from Hyperolius kivuensis Ahl in Rwanda), were reported for the first time. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood (ML) inference based on 18S + 28S and ITS sequence data, respectively, both supported the family Cosmocercidae to be a monophyletic group and the family Kathlaniidae to be a paraphyletic group. Our phylogenetic results rejected the monophyly of the genus Aplectana. The present results contribute to the knowledge of the species diversity and genetic data of cosmocercoid nematodes, and preliminarily revealed the phylogenetic relationships of the major families and some genera in the Cosmocercoidea.

LncRNA HCG18 suppresses CD8+ T cells to confer resistance to cetuximab in colorectal cancer via miR-20b-5p/PD-L1 axis.

Aim: We aimed to explore the effect of long noncoding RNA HCG18 in colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials & methods: Relative gene and protein expression were screened. Colony formation and flow cytometry assays were performed to determine proliferation and apoptosis. Dual luciferase and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to validate the interaction between indicated molecules. Xenograft in nude mice was applied to verify the conclusion in vivo. Results:HCG18 and PD-L1 were upregulated while miR-20b-5p was downregulated in CRC tissue. Functional analysis revealed that lncRNA HCG18 promoted proliferation, migration and resistance to cetuximab of CRC cells via the miR-20b-5p/PD-L1 axis. Conclusion:HCG18 facilitated progress of the tumor, conferred to cetuximab resistance and suppressed CD8+ T cells via the miR-20b-5p/PD-L1 axis.

Lay abstract In the present study, we found a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), HCG18 (a recently discovered lncRNA that facilitates tumor progression via multiple mechanisms), was upregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC). Further studies revealed that HCG18 suppressed CD8⁺ T-cell (cytotoxic T lymphocyte which kills cancer cell) activation to induce cetuximab (a first-line drug in CRC) resistance. Mechanically, HCG18 elevated expression of PD-L1 (a receptor in T-cell membranes, thus suppressing the proliferation of CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes) via sponging (lncRNA binds with miRNA) miR-20b-5p. This study might provide a deeper insight into understanding cetuximab resistance in CRC.

Hsa_circ_0136666 activates Treg-mediated immune escape of colorectal cancer via miR-497/PD-L1 pathway.

PURPOSE: In the rankings of cancer mortality and incidence worldwide, colorectal cancer ranks fourth and the third, respectively. Circular RNA hsa_circ_0136666 (hsa_circ_0136666) is reported to participate in the growth of colorectal cancer. However, the mechanism by which hsa_circ_0136666 regulates the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer needs to be further explored. In this study, we report here the role of hsa_circ_0136666 in the aberrant activation of Treg cells and immune evasion of tumor cells, providing a new strategy for the treatment of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Western blotting assay and qRT-PCR assay were used to determine protein and mRNA expression levels. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the targeted regulatory relationship. RNA immunoprecipitation was used to detect RNA binding. Colony formation assay was utilized to measure the cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to assess cell apoptosis. Xenograft model was setup to evaluate tumor growth. RESULTS: The results showed that hsa_circ_0136666 and PD-L1 was increased in colorectal cancer cells while miR-497 was decreased in colorectal cancer cells when compared with normal colon epithelial cell line. Hsa_circ_0136666 was demonstrated to directly target miR-497, which also regulated PD-L1 by binding to its 3'UTR. Further mechanistic studies identified that hsa_circ_0136666 controlled cell proliferation and apoptosis via targeting miR-497 and regulating PD-L1 expression. Of note, hsa_circ_0136666 stimulated Treg cells mediated by miR-497/PD-L1 axis and its downstream signal pathway in Treg cells. Finally, hsa_circ_0136666 was found to accelerate the tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that hsa_circ_0136666 promoted the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting miR-497 level in colorectal cancer, thus inducing the activation of Treg cells and leading to the immune escape of tumor, providing a novel mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer.

Description of a new species of Aplectana (Nematoda: Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercidae) using an integrative approach and preliminary phylogenetic study of Cosmocercidae and related taxa.

BACKGROUND: Nematodes of the family Cosmocercidae (Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercoidea) are mainly parasitic in the digestive tract of various amphibians and reptiles worldwide. However, our knowledge of the molecular phylogeny of the Cosmocercidae is still far from comprehensive. The phylogenetic relationships between Cosmocercidae and the other two families, Atractidae and Kathlaniidae, in the superfamily Cosmocercoidea are still under debate. Moreover, the systematic position of some genera within Cosmocercidae remains unclear. METHODS: Nematodes collected from Polypedates megacephalus (Hallowell) (Anura: Rhacophoridae) were identified using morphological (light and scanning electron microscopy) and molecular methods [sequencing the small ribosomal DNA (18S), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1), large ribosomal DNA (28S) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) target regions]. Phylogenetic analyses of cosmocercoid nematodes using 18S + 28S sequence data were performed to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the Cosmocercidae, Atractidae and Kathlaniidae in the Cosmocercoidea and the systematic position of the genus Aplectana in Cosmocercidae. RESULTS: Morphological and genetic evidence supported the hypothesis that the nematode specimens collected from P. megacephalus represent a new species of Aplectana (Cosmocercoidea: Cosmocercidae). Our phylogenetic results revealed that the Cosmocercidae is a monophyletic group, but not the basal group in Cosmocercoidea as in the traditional classification. The Kathlaniidae is a paraphyletic group because the subfamily Cruziinae within Kathlaniidae (including only the genus Cruzia) formed a seperate lineage. Phylogenetic analyses also showed that the genus Aplectana has a closer relationship to the genus Cosmocerca in Cosmocercidae. CONCLUSIONS: Our phylogenetic results suggested that the subfamily Cruziinae should be moved from the hitherto-defined family Kathlaniidae and elevated as a separate family, and the genus Cosmocerca is closely related to the genus Aplectana in the family Cosmocercidae. The present study provided a basic molecular phylogenetic framework for the superfamily Cosmocercoidea based on 18S + 28S sequence data for the first time to our knowledge. Moreover, a new species, A. xishuangbannaensis n. sp., was described using integrative approach.

The hepatic microenvironment promotes lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via METTL3-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification of YAP1.

The inflammatory microenvironment plays an important role in the onset and progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and the liver is a suitable site of metastasis for LUAD cells. However, whether the inflammatory microenvironment of the liver is conducive to the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of LUAD cells remains unclear. In this study, we confirmed that the hepatic inflammatory microenvironment stimulated by IL-6 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of LUAD cells, increased the m6A methylation of total RNA, and transcriptionally activated METTL3 expression. Additionally, METTL3 activated the YAP1/TEAD signaling pathway by increasing the m6A modification and expression of YAP1 mRNA. These results indicate that the hepatic inflammatory microenvironment plays a role in regulating the biological functions of LUAD cells. Further, our study identifies a molecular mechanism that may provide a new strategy for the early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of liver metastasis in LUAD patients.

A new species of Cosmocerca (Nematoda, Ascaridomorpha) from the marine toad Rhinella marina (Linnaeus) (Anura, Bufonidae) in Australia.

The marine toad Rhinella marina (Linnaeus) (Anura, Bufonidae) is a notorious, exotic amphibian species in Australia. However, our present knowledge of the composition of the nematode fauna of R. marina is still not complete. In the present study, a new cosmocercid nematode, Cosmocerca multipapillata sp. nov., was described using both light and scanning electron microscopy, based on specimens collected from R. marina in Australia. Cosmocerca multipapillata sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from its congeners by the body size, the presence of lateral alae and well sclerotized gubernaculum, the number and arrangement of plectanes and rosettes and the length of spicules, oesophagus and tail.

Effect of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio on prognosis in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

AIM: Systemic inflammatory response is closely related to tumor progression. We retrospectively investigated relationships between systemic inflammatory scores, C-reactive protein/albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio (CAR) and clinical characteristics in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 436 patients to find better clinical predictors of NSCLC prognosis. METHODS: Blood specimens were collected 1 week before treatment to test for systemic inflammatory scores and albumin. Patients' overall survival (OS) was calculated via Kaplan-Meier method. Single-factor log-rank and multivariate Cox regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the prognostic significance of CAR and other systemic inflammatory indexes in predicting OS. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier method showed that Glasgow prognosis score (GPS), modified GPS (mGPS), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were reliable prognostic factors for advanced NSCLC. CAR was positively correlated with GPS, mGPS, NLR, PLR and MLR in these patients. CAR was an independent risk factor for OS in advanced NSCLC, and was more closely associated with prognosis than were GPS, mGPS, NLR, PLR or MLR. CONCLUSION: In advanced NSCLC patients, CAR may be a better predictor of prognosis compared with other inflammatory markers. A prospective multicenter study is needed to verify these findings.

Non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography: a reliable clinical tool for evaluating transplant renal artery stenosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate image quality of non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and compare transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) seen by non-contrast-enhanced MRA with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the gold standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 330 patients receiving 369 non-contrast-enhanced MRA examinations from July 2014 to June 2017 were included. Thirty patients received at least two MRA examinations. Image quality was independently assessed by two radiologists. Inter-observer agreement was analyzed. Transplant renal artery anatomy and complications were evaluated and compared with DSA. If possible, accuracy was calculated on a per-artery basis. RESULTS: Good or excellent image quality was found in 95.4 % (352/369) of examinations with good inter-observer agreement (K=0.760). Twenty-two patients with DSA had 28 non-contrast-enhanced MRA examinations within a 2-month period. Of these, 19 patients had TRAS, two patients had pseudoaneurysms, and one patient had a normal transplant renal artery but an occluded external iliac artery. Non-contrast-enhanced MRA correctly detected 19 TRAS and nine normal arteries, giving 96.6 % accuracy on a per-artery basis. CONCLUSIONS: Non-contrast-enhanced MRA demonstrates a good depiction of the transplanted renal artery and shows good correlation with DSA in cases where there was TRAS. KEY POINTS: • Good or excellent image quality was found in 95.4 % of examinations. • Non-contrast-enhanced MRA can clearly map transplant renal artery anatomy. • Non-contrast-enhanced MRA is a reliable tool to detect TRAS.

Elevated serum C-reactive protein, carcinoembryonic antigen and N2 disease are poor prognostic indicators in non-small cell lung cancer.

AIM: To assess the prognostic value of mediastinal lymph node metastases (N2 disease), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to the 7th edition of the TNM classification. METHODS: Newly diagnosed stage III-IV NSCLC were enrolled, including 75 patients with malignant pleural effusion. The relationship between serum CRP levels and other relevant variables such as sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status, smoking status, initial staging, N2 disease, serum albumin, white blood cell count, platelet count, CEA, comorbidity and pathology were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to find prognostic markers using Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Of the 127 patients enrolled, 55 (43%) had elevated CRP levels. There was a significant correlation between serum CRP level and platelet count (P = 0.011). Median overall survival (OS) in the normal CRP group was significantly longer than in the high CRP group (15.7 months vs 9.1 months, P = 0.013). Hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.047), higher CEA (P = 0.043) and N2 disease (P = 0.040) were additional prognostic factors on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis an elevated CRP serum level (HR = 1.796; P = 0.005), higher CEA (HR = 1.563; P = 0.031) and N2 disease (HR = 1.723; P = 0.012) were independent prognostic factors for poor survival. CONCLUSION: High levels of serum CRP and CEA, and N2 disease are independent prognostic indicators for the survival of patients with stage III-IV NSCLC.

Recurrent Proliferative Glomerulonephritis With Monoclonal IgG Deposits After a Renal Transplant Which Was Insensitive to Pulse Therapy Remitted by Double Filtration Plasmapheresis.

Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits manifesting as a nephrotic syndrome recently has been described as a renal disease with the pathological features of mesangial and subendothelial deposits of monoclonal IgG. Eight cases of recurrent proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits after a renal transplant have been reported. Almost all of these patients had a certain remission of proteinuria by steroids alone or with cyclophosphamide, and had further remission through other special treatments (ie, rituximab and plasmapheresis). We present a case of recurrent proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits of the IgG3? subtype after a renal transplant, which was insensitive to pulse intravenous methyl-prednisolone and cyclophosphamide remitted by double filtration plasmapheresis. This case report reveals that recurrent proliferative glomerulo-nephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits may be insensitive to intravenous pulse therapy of methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. We advocate double filtration plasmapheresis as an effective treatment of proliferative glomerulo-nephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits on remission of proteinuria.

Genomic analysis and expression investigation of caleosin gene family in Arabidopsis.

Caleosin is a common lipid-droplet surface protein, which has the ability to bind calcium. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is considered a model organism in plant researches. Although there are growing researches about caleosin in the past few years, a systemic analysis of caleosins in Arabidopsis is still scarce. In this study, a comprehensive investigation of caleosins in Arabidopsis was performed by bioinformatics methods. Firstly, eight caleosins in Arabidopsis are divided into two types, L-caleosin and H-caleosin, according to their molecular weights, and these two types of caleosin have many differences in characteristics. Secondly, phylogenetic tree result indicates that L-caleosin may evolve from H-caleosin. Thirdly, duplication pattern analysis shows that segmental and tandem duplication are main reasons for Arabidopsis caleosin expansion with the equal part. Fourthly, the expression profiles of caleosins are also investigated in silico in different organs and under various stresses and hormones. In addition, based on promoter analysis, caleosin may be involved in calcium signal transduction and lipid accumulation. Thus, the classification and expression analysis of caleosin genes in Arabidopsis provide facilities to the research of phylogeny and functions in this gene family.

Serum VEGFR-3 and survival of advanced gastric cancer patients treated with FOLFOX.

AIM: To explore if vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) can predict overall survival in advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: VEGFR-3 level was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and CEA was assessed by chemiluminescence immunoassay in the sera of 81 advanced gastric cancer patients before treatment with oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid. RESULTS: Median survival time in patients with a low serum VEGFR-3 level was significantly longer than in those with a higher VEGFR-3 level (15.4 mo vs 7.7 mo, P < 0.001). Patients with a low CEA level had a longer survival than those with a higher CEA level (15.8 mo vs 8.6 mo, P < 0.001). Thirty-nine patients with low VEGFR-3 and low CEA levels had a median survival of 19.7 mo (P = 0.0006). The hazard ratio for patients with a high VEGFR-3 level was 2.443 (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: High serum VEGFR-3 level is correlated significantly with poor survival. In patients with a high serum level of VEGFR-3, alternative chemotherapy regimens should be considered.