[Bioinformatics-based analysis of the effect of general Transcription Factor IIH on prognosis of Prostate cancer].

Objective: To investigate the genetic and expression characteristics of transcription factor IIH (TFIIH) in pre-initiationcomplex in prostate cancer (PCa) and its relationship with prostate cancer progression. Methods: Analyzing the expression characteristics and clinical signification of TFIIH subunits about 495 cases of PCa and 52 cases of adjacent cancer in The Cancer Genome Atlas-Prostate adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PRAD) database. PCa microarray chip was used to verify the correlation between the key factor General Transcription Factor IIH Subunit 4 (GTF2H4) in TFIIH and clinical features. Results: The 495 patients with PCa were (61.01±6.82) years old.The mRNA expression of ERCC3、GTF2H4 and MNAT1 were high in PCa tissues with GS≥8(P<0.05). The expression of GTF2H4 and MNAT1 were relevant to the pathological stages(P<0.05). High expression of GTF2H4 has higher biochemical recurrence (BCR) rate in PCa patients(HR=2.47, 95%CI:1.62-3.77, P<0.001), which has better predictive effect of BCR in PCa patients(The 3rd, 5th, and 7th year AUC all>0.7) than other subunits, and it has been verified in four additional databases. Single-factor Cox regression analysis showed that GTF2H4 were risk factors for BCR (HR=2.470, 95%CI:1.620-3.767, P<0.001) and GTF2H5 were protective factors(HR=0.506,95%CI: 0.336-0.762, P=0.001). The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that the protein expression of GTF2H4 was correlated with the clinical features of PCa patients.The differences of the above results were statistically significant. Conclusion: GTF2H4, the key factor of TFIIH, is highly expressed in PCa and indicates a poor prognosis.

[The characteristics of gut microbiota in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with hypertriglyceridemia].

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of gut microbiota in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). Methods: Eighty-one patients first diagnosed with T2DM were enrolled in the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2018 to December 2020, including 58 patients [46 males and 12 females, aged (43±13) years] with HTG [HTG group, triglyceride (TG)≥1.7 mmol/L]. There were 23 cases without HTG (NTG group), including 20 males and 3 females, aged (46±13) years. According to the severity of HTG, the patients of HTG group were divided into severe HTG group (STG group, TG ≥5.6 mmol/L) and mild HTG group (MTG group, 1.7 mmol/L≤TG<5.6 mmol/L). Thirty healthy controls were matched accordingly, including 21 males and 9 females, aged (45±6) years. Clinical laboratory indicators and feces of the subjects were collected and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to compare the differences in intestinal flora among the groups. Results: The Shannon and Simpson indexes in HTG group were lower than those in NTG group and healthy control group (5.02±0.91 vs 5.45±0.55 and 5.60±0.63, P=0.003; 0.90±0.06 vs 0.93±0.04, 0.94±0.04, P=0.002). Compared with healthy control group and NTG group, the abundance of intestinal P_Proteobacteria, g_Escherichia_Shigella, s_Escherichia_Coli and g_Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 increased in HTG group, while the abundance of p_Firmicutes, g_Faecalibacterium and Faecalibacterium_prausnitzii decreased. The abundance of g_Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 in the STG group was higher than that of NTG and MTG groups, while the abundance of g_Faecalibacterium decreased. Spearman correlation analysis suggested that g_Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 was positively correlated with glycosylated hemoglobin (r=0.22, P=0.044), fasting blood glucose (r=0.36, P=0.001), TG (r=0.27, P=0.015) and total cholesterol (r=0.44, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that g_Faecalibacterium was a protective factor for T2DM with HTG(OR=0.90, 95%CI:0.83-0.97, P=0.006). Conclusions: The intestinal flora of T2DM patients with HTG was dysregulated, which was manifested as decreased diversity, increased abundance of P_Proteobacteria and decreased abundance of p_Firmicutes. g_Faecalibacterium is a protective factor for T2DM with HTG.

[Analysis on drug sensitivity spectrum of 167 multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in China].

Objective: To investigate the drugs-sensitivity spectrum of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in China and provide a scientific evidence for the drug selection in clinical therapy and the control of MDR-TB. Methods: A total of 167 strains of MDR-TB were included in this study. Every strain was genotyped by lysX gene sequencing and their sensitivity to 13 different anti-TB drugs was tested by using MicroDST(TM) and BACTEC(TM) MGIT 960(TM) liquid-culturing method. The association between drug resistance and genotypes as well as cross drug resistance was also analyzed. The results were analyzed by means of the comparison of enumeration data between two groups with χ(2) test. Results: The overall resistance rate of 167 MDR-TB strains to 11 anti-TB drugs, except isoniazide and rifampicin, was 95.81%, the rates of pre-extensive drug-resistance (pre-XDR) and extensive drug-resistance were 31.14%(52/167) and 6.59% (11/167), respectively. The streptomycin resistance rate of Beijing genotypes was significantly higher than that of the non-Beijing genotypes ( χ(2)=30.682, P<0.05), while the pre-XDR proportion in Beijing genotypes was lower than that in non-Beijing genotypes (χ(2)=5.332, P<0.05). The resistance rates of Ofloxacin and Pyrazinamide in the modern Beijing genotype were significantly higher than those in classical ones (χ(2)=4.105 and χ(2)=3.912, P<0.05). In addition, the cross-resistance rate to rifampicin and rifabutin was 86.23%. A significant difference in drug-resistance rate to rifabutin was seen among groups with different levels of rifampicin resistance (χ(2)=45.912, P<0.05). There was positive correlation not only between ofloxac resistance and moxifloxac resistance, but also between amikacin resistance and kanamycin resistance, with the coefficient of 0.87 and 0.91, respectively. Conclusions: In this study, we observed that there were high incidences of the resistance to 11 anti-TB drugs in 167 clinical MDR-TB strains and the cross resistance phenomena between drugs of the same type were quite serious. The majority of MDR-TB strains belonged to Beijing genotype, which was highly associated with streptomycin resistance.

The antibiofilm and collagen-stabilizing effects of proanthocyanidin as an auxiliary endodontic irrigant.

AIM: To evaluate the antibiofilm effect of proanthocyanidin (PA) solution as an irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and its influence on the mechanical properties and biodegradation resistance of demineralized root dentine. METHODOLOGY: Enterococcus faecalis were introduced into human root dentine tubules by a serial centrifugation method and grown for 1 week. Dentine blocks infected with 1-week-old E. faecalis biofilms were treated with the following irrigants: sterile water (control), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), 2% PA, 5% PA and 10% PA. After treatment, the live and dead bacteria proportions within E. faecalis biofilms were analysed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. To evaluate the biostability of fully demineralized dentine treated by the aforementioned irrigants, the elastic modulus and hydroxyproline release of human dentine incubated in collagenase solution were tested at baseline, after irrigant treatment and after biodegradation, respectively. Furthermore, the surface chemical bond of demineralized dentine collagen treated by various irrigants was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way anova and Tukey's post hoc multiple comparisons with the significance level at 5%. RESULTS: The proportion of dead E. faecalis volume was significantly higher in the PA and CHX groups than that in the control group (P < 0.05). PA irrigation significantly increased the mechanical properties of demineralized dentine (P < 0.05), and the effect was enhanced with increasing PA concentration. CHX and PA groups had significantly less elasticity loss and hydroxyproline release (P < 0.05). The biomodification of dentine collagen by PA was verified by increased C-O/C-N peak percentage under C1s and C-O peak percentage under O1s narrow-scan XPS spectra. CONCLUSIONS: Proanthocyanidin killed E. faecalis within biofilms and enhanced the biostability of the collagen matrix of demineralized root dentine. It might be used as an auxiliary endodontic irrigant with antibiofilm and collagen-stabilizing effects.

[The role of cell-crystal reaction mediated inflammation in the formation of intrarenal calcium oxalate crystals].

Calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis is the common disease of urinary surgery, its exact pathogenesis is still unclear.It is believed that the renal inflammatory injury induced by cell-crystal reaction plays an important role in the formation of intrarenal calcium oxalate crystals. Recent studies indicated that inflammation induced by cell-crystal reaction can cause renal cell damage, stimulate intracellular expression of NADPH oxidase, trigger the massive production of reactive oxygen species, activate nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway, release a large number of inflammatory factors, and cause inflammatory cascade effect of the kidney, thus promoting the accumulation, nucleation and growth of calcium salt crystals, eventually leading to the formation of intrarenal crystals and even stones. In this process, the regulatory factors and mechanisms involved include macrophages, NLRP3-high mobility group box-1 protein inflammation network, fetuin A, autophagy activation and other factors.

Protective Effect of a Novel Technique for Liver Transplantation in the Rat.

The rat orthotopic liver transplantation model with extremely short anhepatic phase was established to study its protective effect on the recipients and graft. One hundred fifty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: group A (n = 30), using magnetic rings for the suprahepatic vena cava reconstruction; group B (n = 30), using 7/0 Prolene sutures for suprahepatic vena cava running anastomosis as control; and a sham-operated group (n = 30) as a blank control group. The changes in liver enzyme, serum creatinine, endotoxin, and cytokine levels and histopathology were recorded. The serum creatinine, potassium, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase levels at different points in time in group A were lower than those in group B (P < .05). The level of portal vein blood endotoxin in group A was significantly lower than that in group B at each point (P < .01). At the same time, all the cytokines in group B were higher than those in group A, and the two groups were higher than those in the sham operation group. The mean levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ, (IFN-γ), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) at 3 hours were higher than at 6 hours in group A. IL-10 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were all higher at 3 hours in groups A and B. Levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1, L-selectin, and TIMP-1 in group A and IL-10, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, L-selectin, and TIMP-1 in group B were higher in blood than in the liver. Levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-10, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 in group A and TNF-α, IFN-γ IL-1ß, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 in group B were higher in the liver than in blood. We conclude that the extremely short anhepatic phase has protective effects on recipients and grafts in rat liver transplantation because it is related to alleviating ischemia-reperfusion injury and reducing the endotoxin release.

Bacterial communities associated with invasive populations of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in China.

The oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) is a destructive insect pest of a wide range of fruits and vegetables. This pest is an invasive species and is currently distributed in some provinces of China. To recover the symbiotic bacteria of B. dorsalis from different invasion regions in China, we researched the bacterial diversity of this fruit fly among one laboratory colony (Guangdong, China) and 15 wild populations (14 sites in China and one site in Thailand) using DNA-based approaches. The construction of 16S rRNA gene libraries allowed the identification of 24 operational taxonomic units of associated bacteria at the 3% distance level, and these were affiliated with 3 phyla, 5 families, and 13 genera. The higher bacterial diversity was recovered in wild populations compared with the laboratory colony and in samples from early term invasion regions compared with samples from late term invasion regions. Moreover, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Providencia sp. were two of the most frequently recovered bacteria, present in flies collected from three different regions in China where B. dorsalis is invasive. This study for the first time provides a systemic investigation of the symbiotic bacteria of B. dorsalis from different invasion regions in China.

[Liver transplantation for benign liver tumor: six cases report and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse and explore the indications and efficacy of liver transplantation for benign liver tumor. METHODS: From Jan.2001 to Dec.2014, 6 patients, incluing 3 males and 3 females, with benign liver tumor underwent liver transplantation in our department.There were 2 cases of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, 1 case of hepatic cavernous hemangioma, 1 case of liver mesenchymal hamartoma, 1 case of hilar bile duct mucinous cystadenoma, and 1 case of hepatic adenoma. The data of surgical procedure, perioperative complications, postoperative management, and the outcome of follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: Six orthotopic liver transplantation from one living donor and five cadaveric donors were performed. One patient died in the perioperative period, and other patients were discharged with normal liver and kidney function. Within the follow-up time of 22 to 88 months, these patients could live the normal lives with stable graft function and nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantation is the most efficient treatment for unresectable and symptomatic benign lesions, with the favourable outcome.

[Clinical analysis of liver transplantation in treatment of liver metastatic cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and outcome of liver transplantation in the treatment of liver metastatic cancer. METHODS: Four patients with pathologically confirmed liver metastatic cancer underwent liver transplantation, including one of liver metastases from pancreatic endocrine tumor, one from rectal endocrine tumor, one from stomach stromal tumor and one from colorectal carcinoma. Classic surgical method was adopted, i. e. orthotopic liver transplantation for the recipients and transplants came from cadaveric donors. RESULTS: All the four patients had a smooth operation, an uneventful early postoperative recovery and good living quality. The patient with liver metastases from pancreatic endocrine tumor had liver tumor recurrence at four and a half years after the transplantation, and then underwent left lateral hepatic lobectomy, without any recurrence until now. The patient with liver metastases from rectal endocrine tumor had right renal and pelvic tumor metastasis at 16 months after the operation, and died of tumor recurrence 5 years after the liver transplantation. The patient with liver metastases from gastric stromal tumor had extensive pelvic metastases at five and a half months after the transplantation, and survived with tumor for 4 years and 6 months after the operation. The patient with liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma had extensive bilateral lung metastases at 3 months after the transplantation and died one and a half years after the operation. CONCLUSION: For well-differentiated unresectable metastatic liver cancers, liver transplantation may serve as a treatment option and better treatment results can be achieved for some highly selected patients.

MiR-216b is involved in pathogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through HBx-miR-216b-IGF2BP2 signaling pathway.

This study aims to investigate the expression status of miRNA-216b in familial hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the correlation between miRNA-216b expression and pathogenesis, as well as the progression of HCC. The expression profile of miRNAs in plasma of peripheral blood between HCC patients with HCC family history and healthy volunteers without HCC family history was determined by microarray. Using real-time quantitative PCR to detect the expression in paired tissues from 150 patients with HCC, miR-216b was selected as its expression value in HCC patients was significantly lower compared with healthy volunteers. Next, miR-216b expression and the clinicopathological features of HCC were evaluated. The effect of miR-216b expression on tumor cells was investigated by regulating miR-216b expression in SMMC-7721 and HepG2 in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we explored mRNA targets of miR-216b. In 150 HCC, 37 (75%) tumors showed reduced miR-216b expression comparing with their adjacent liver tissues. The decreased expression of miR-216b was significantly correlated with tumor volume (P=0.044), HBV infection (P=0.026), HBV DNA quantitative (P=0.001) and vascular invasion (P=0.032). The 5-year disease-free survival and overall rates after liver resection in low expression and high expression groups of miR-216b are 62% and 54%, 25% and 20%, respectively. MiR-216b overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and miR-216b inhibition did the opposite. The expression of hepatitis B virus x protein (HBx) has tight correlation with downregulation of miR-216b. Furthermore, miR-216b downregulated the expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) and exerted its tumor-suppressor function through inhibition of protein kinase B and extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling downstream of IGF2. MiR-216b inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC by regulating IGF2BP2 and it is regulated by HBx.

Milan criteria, University of California, San Francisco, criteria, and model for end-stage liver disease score as predictors of salvage liver transplantation.

The selection criteria for salvage liver transplantation (SLT) candidates have not been previously established. A global analysis for the association between the criteria and prognosis is required. All of the adult patients who underwent liver transplantation with a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2011, were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 1,554 cases were involved, including 1,392 primary liver transplantation (PLT) and 162 SLT cases. All the cases were classified into 3 groups according to the Milan criteria combined with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), criteria, and significant differences were found between the 2 groups. The overall graft survival rate was lower in all cases of SLT than in PLT (P = .030). Within the Milan criteria, no significant difference in the graft survival rate was found between PLT and SLT. In a Cox regression analysis, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and tumor levels graded according to the Milan/UCSF criteria were found to be independent risk factors for the graft survival rate. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated by the fatality risk values calculated by means of the Cox model and the 1-year graft survival rates of all the patients and of the SLT patients. The areas under the ROC curves were 0.922 and 0.935, respectively. Compared with PLT, the global graft survival rate of SLT was compromised. The MELD score and Milan/UCSF criteria were effective in predicting the prognosis of PLT and SLT. Therefore, when the recurrent lesions of HCC are within the Milan criteria, SLT can be performed with a good prognosis.

Transcriptome analysis of glioma cells for the dynamic response to γ-irradiation and dual regulation of apoptosis genes: a new insight into radiotherapy for glioblastomas.

Ionizing radiation (IR) is of clinical importance for glioblastoma therapy; however, the recurrence of glioma characterized by radiation resistance remains a therapeutic challenge. Research on irradiation-induced transcription in glioblastomas can contribute to the understanding of radioresistance mechanisms. In this study, by using the total mRNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, we assayed the global gene expression in a human glioma cell line U251 MG at various time points after exposure to a growth arrest dose of γ-rays. We identified 1656 genes with obvious changes at the transcriptional level in response to irradiation, and these genes were dynamically enriched in various biological processes or pathways, including cell cycle arrest, DNA replication, DNA repair and apoptosis. Interestingly, the results showed that cell death was not induced even many proapoptotic molecules, including death receptor 5 (DR5) and caspases were activated after radiation. The RNA-seq data analysis further revealed that both proapoptosis and antiapoptosis genes were affected by irradiation. Namely, most proapoptosis genes were early continually responsive, whereas antiapoptosis genes were responsive at later stages. Moreover, HMGB1, HMGB2 and TOP2A involved in the positive regulation of DNA fragmentation during apoptosis showed early continual downregulation due to irradiation. Furthermore, targeting of the TRAIL/DR5 pathway after irradiation led to significant apoptotic cell death, accompanied by the recovered gene expression of HMGB1, HMGB2 and TOP2A. Taken together, these results revealed that inactivation of proapoptotic signaling molecules in the nucleus and late activation of antiapoptotic genes may contribute to the radioresistance of gliomas. Overall, this study provided novel insights into not only the underlying mechanisms of radioresistance in glioblastomas but also the screening of multiple targets for radiotherapy.

Rapid diagnosis of the economically important fruit fly, Bactrocera correcta (Diptera: Tephritidae) based on a species-specific barcoding cytochrome oxidase I marker.

The guava fruit fly, Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an invasive pest of fruit and vegetable crops that primarily inhabits Southeast Asia and which has the potential to become a major threat within both the Oriental and Australian oceanic regions as well as California and Florida. In light of the threat posed, it is important to develop a rapid, accurate and reliable method to identify B. correcta in quarantine work in order to provide an early warning to prevent its widespread invasion. In the present study, we describe a species-specific polymerase chain reaction assay for the diagnosis of B. correcta using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I (mtDNA COI) barcoding genes. A B. correcta-specific primer pair was designed according to variations in the mtDNA COI barcode sequences among 14 fruit fly species. The specificity and sensitivity of the B. correcta-specific primer pair was tested based on the presence or absence of a band in the gel profile. A pair of species-specific B. correcta primers was successfully designed and named BCOR-F/BCOR-R. An ∼280 bp fragment was amplified from specimens belonging to 17 geographical populations and four life stages of B. correcta, while no such diagnostic bands were present in any of the 14 other related fruit fly species examined. Sensitivity test results demonstrated that successful amplification can be obtained with as little as 1 ng µl⁻¹ of template DNA. The species-specific PCR analysis was able to successfully diagnose B. correcta, even in immature life stages, and from adult body parts. This method proved to be a robust single-step molecular technique for the diagnosis of B. correcta with respect to potential plant quarantine.

Association of nuclear factor κB expression with a poor outcome in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between nuclear factor κB and the prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We used immunohistochemical studies to examine nuclear factor κB expression in 42 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The results showed that tumors positive for nuclear factor κB were associated with an increased relapse potential, poor disease-free survival, and reduced overall survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Our study indicates that nuclear factor κB could be an independent molecular marker for predicting poor prognosis among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Understanding the biology of nuclear factor κB-mediated pathways may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Single-center experience of 253 portal vein thrombosis patients undergoing liver transplantation in China.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to review the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and surgical options for 253 patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) to assess the the impact of PVT on outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data from 2508 adult patients undergoing 2614 OLTs in our center from September 1998 to July 2007. PVT was scored according to the operative findings and Yerdel grading of PVT. No prisoners were used as donors for this study. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-three patients were diagnosed with PVT (10.09%): there were 104 grade I; 114, grade II; 29, grade III; and 6, grade IV PVT. Sex and previous splenectomy increased the risk for PVT. In grade I and II cases, we performed simple thrombectomy, eversion thrombectomy, or improved eversion thrombectomy (IET, innovated by our center), producing smooth postoperative recoveries with a 0% in-hospitality mortality. In grade III cases, 18 underwent successful IET. Of 11 subjects who had eversion thrombectomy, six failed, and the distal superior mesentery vein or dilated splanchnic collateral tributary had to be used as the inflow vessel in four patients, and portal vein arterialization were performed in the other two patients, all of whom experienced a smooth postoperative recovery except one who died of hepatic failure and pulmonary infection 2 weeks after the operation. The in-hospitality mortality was 3.45%. In grade IV cases, three underwent successful IET, but another three cases failed, with two of them requiring a renal vein as the inflow vessel, and other one undergoing portocaval hemitransposition, with one postoperative death due to hepatic failure and another of cancer recurrence, an in-hospitality mortality rate of 33.33%. The transfusion requirement among PVT patients was significantly higher than that in non-PVT patients (9.32 +/- 3.12 U vs 6.02 +/- 2.40 U; P < .01). Blood loss in PVT patients who underwent the IET technique was significantly lower than that for an eversion thrombectomy (2800.36 +/- 930.52 mL vs 5700.21 +/- 162.50 mL P < .05). The overall actuarial 1-year survival rate in PVT patients was similar to the controls (86.56% vs 89.40%; P > .05). CONCLUSION: OLT was successfully performed for PVT patients. The grade of PVT decided the surgical strategy. Similar 1-year survival rates were attained between PVT patients and controls undergoing OLT.

Involvement of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase-mediated deamination in atherogenesis in KKAy diabetic mice fed with high cholesterol diet.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase has been recognised to be a potential risk factor in vascular disorders associated with diabetic complications and to be related to mortality in patients suffering from heart disease. This enzyme, associated with the vascular system, catalyses the deamination of methylamine and aminoacetone, and also acts as an adhesion molecule related to leucocyte trafficking and inflammation. The deaminated products include the toxic aldehydes, formaldehyde and methylglyoxal, respectively, hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the KKAy mouse, a strain possessing features closely resembling those of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus has been used to substantiate the hypothesis. Vascular lesions were induced via chronic feeding of a high cholesterol diet. RESULTS: Both MDL-72974A, a selective mechanism-based semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase inhibitor and aminoguanidine effectively inhibited aorta semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase activity, and caused a substantial increase in urinary methylamine, and a decrease in formaldehyde and methylgloxal levels. Inhibition of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase also reduced oxidative stress, as shown by a reduction of malondialdehyde excretion. Both MDL-72974A and aminoguanidine reduced albuminuria, proteinuria and the number of atherosclerotic lesions in animals fed with a cholesterol diet over a period of treatment for 16 weeks. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Increased semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase-mediated deamination could be involved in the cascade of atherogenesis related to diabetic complications.

The structure of a mutant photosynthetic reaction center shows unexpected changes in main chain orientations and quinone position.

We report on the unexpected structural changes caused by substitution of acidic amino acids in the Q(B) binding pocket of the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center by alanines. The mutations targeted key residues L212Glu and L213Asp of this transmembrane protein-cofactor complex. The amino acid substitutions in the L212Ala-L213Ala mutant reaction center ("AA") were known to affect the delivery of protons after the light-induced generation of Q(B)(-), which renders the AA strain incapable of photosynthetic growth. The AA structure not only revealed side chain rearrangements but also showed movement of the main chain segments that are contiguous with the mutation sites. The alanine substitutions caused an expansion of the cavity rather than its collapse. In addition, Q(B) is found mainly in the binding site that is proximal to the iron-ligand complex (closest to Q(A)) as opposed to its distal binding site (furthest from Q(A)) in the structure of the wild-type reaction center. The observed rearrangements in the structure of the AA reaction center establish a new balance between charged residues of an interactive network near Q(B). This structurally and electrostatically altered complex forms the basis for future understanding of the structural basis for proton transfer in active reaction centers which retain the alanine substitutions but carry a distant compensatory mutation.

[Determination of trace nickel in coal gangue by catalytic fading spectrophotometry].

In KH2PO4-Na2B4O7 (pH = 6.3) buffered solution the trace Ni(II) can strongly catalyze the fading reaction of carmine. Time and temperature can influence the reaction, and the reaction stops at the low temperature. Based on this study, a catalysis spectrophotometric method for determining trace Ni(II) is developed. The results show that the detection limits of the method is 2.5 x 10(-11) g.mL-1 for Ni(II) and Beer's law is obeyed for Ni(II) in the range of 0-1.2 micrograms.50 mL-1. Combined with solvent extraction spearation, the method has been applied to the determination of trace Ni in coal gangue with satisfactory results.

[Clinical observation on multiple organ dysfunction syndrome due to fish gall bladder poisoning].

OBJECTIVE: To study the functional changes of liver, kidney, myocardium and gastro-intestine after fish gall bladder poisoning and the pathogenic mechanism of acute renal failure. METHODS: The liver and kidney function, myocardial enzyme, urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (N-AG), 24 hrs intake and output volume of liquid and kidney B-ultrasonographic examination in 11 patients of severe acute fish gall bladder poisoning were observed. And kidney biopsy was carried out in one patient under B-ultrasonography for understanding the renal pathological changes. RESULTS: All the 11 patients were cured with disappearance of clinical symptoms. After the poisoning the order of the severity of organ damage were kidney, liver, myocardium and gastro-intestine tract. The levels of blood creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urinary N-AG, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, total bilirubin were lowered significantly after treatment. Biopsy examination under light microscope showed toxic damage of renal tubules mainly in proximal tubules, and under electron microscope, the pathologic changes were mitochondrial vacuolar degeneration of tubular epithelial cells, swelling of epithelial cells, partial fusion of processes in glomeruli and narrowing of saccular cavity. CONCLUSION: Fish gall bladder poisoning could cause acute multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), the affected organs in order of severity of damage were kidney, liver, myocardium and gastro-intestine tract. In kidney the damage was mainly at the proximal tubules. Urinary NAG is a sensitive criterion for determining the diagnosis and prognosis of renal tubular dysfunction.

[The separation of three basic drugs with carboxymethyl-poly-beta-cyclodextrin as chiral additive by capillary electrophoresis].

Five cyclodextrin derivatives, namely phosphate ester beta-CD, carboxymethyl-beta-CD(CM-beta-CD), bis-[6-oxygen-(beta-carboxymethyl-succinic acid-4-ester)] beta-CD(F-CM-beta-CD), beta-CD polymer(P-beta-CD), carboxymethyl-poly-beta-CD (CD-P-beta-CD), were used as chiral selector for separation of three basic drugs, lobeline, thiopendonesodium, flunarizine by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). All the five cyclodextrins have chiral separation ability to lobeline. P-beta-CD and CM-P-beta-CD have chiral recognition to thiopentonesodium and flunarizine. The results indicate that via optimizing separation conditions by varying pH and the concentration of chiral selectors the three racemic drugs could be baseline separated with 2% P-beta-CD or 0.5% CM-P-beta-CD in the buffer of 30 mmol/L Tris-H3PO4. And the best resolution ranging from 4 to 35 with CM-P-beta-CD as chiral additive was obtained within 10 min. The results were much better than those reported in other references.