[Multicenter evaluation of minimal residual disease monitoring in early induction therapy for treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Objective: To evaluate the role of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring during early induction therapy for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Clinical data of 1 164 ALL patients first diagnosed between October 2016 and June 2019 was collected from 16 hospitals in South China Children's Leukemia Group. According to MRD assay on day 15 of early induction therapy, they were divided into MRD<0.10% group, MRD 0.10%-<10.00% group and MRD≥10.00% group. According to MRD assay on day 33, they were divided into MRD<0.01% group, MRD 0.01%-<1.00% group and MRD≥1.00% group. Age, onset white blood cell count, central nervous system leukemia (CNSL), molecular genetic characteristics and other data were compared between groups. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Cox regression model was used to analyze prognostic factors. Results: Of the 1 164 enrolled patients, there were 692 males and 472 females. The age of diagnosis was 4.7 (0.5, 17.4) years. The white blood cell count at initial diagnosis was 10.7 (0.4, 1 409.0) ×109/L. Among all patients, 53 cases (4.6%) had CNSL. The follow-up time was 47.6 (0.5, 68.8) months. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rates were (93.1±0.8) % and (90.3±1.1) %. On day 15 of early induction therapy, there were 466 cases in the MRD<0.10% group, 523 cases in the MRD 0.10%-<10.00% group and 175 cases in the MRD≥10.00% group. The 5-year OS rates of the MRD<0.10% group, MRD 0.10%-<10.00% group and MRD≥10.00% group were (95.4±1.0) %, (93.3±1.1) %, (85.4±2.9) %, respectively, while the RFS rates were (93.2±1.6) %, (90.8±1.4) %, (78.9±4.3) %, respectively (χ2=16.47, 21.06, both P<0.05). On day 33 of early induction therapy, there were 925 cases in the MRD <0.01% group, 164 cases in the MRD 0.01%-<1.00% group and 59 cases in the MRD≥1.00% group. The 5-year RFS rates in the MRD 0.01%-<1.00% group was lowest among three groups ((91.4±1.2) % vs. (84.5±3.2) % vs. (87.9±5.1) %). The difference between three groups is statistically significant (χ2=9.11, P=0.010). Among ALL patients with MRD≥10.00% on day 15 of induction therapy, there were 80 cases in the MRD <0.01% group on day 33, 45 cases in the MRD 0.01%-<1.00% group on day 33 and 45 cases in the MRD≥1.00% group on day 33. The 5-year RFS rates of three groups were (83.9±6.0)%, (67.1±8.2)%, (83.3±6.9)% respectively (χ2=6.90, P=0.032). Univariate analysis was performed in the MRD≥10.00% group on day 15 and the MRD 0.01%-<1.00% group on day 33.The 5-year RFS rate of children with CNSL was significantly lower than that without CNSL in the MRD≥10.00% group on day 15 ((50.0±20.4)% vs. (80.3±4.4)%,χ2=4.13,P=0.042). Patients with CNSL or MLL gene rearrangement in the MRD 0.01%-<1.00% group on day 33 had significant lower 5-year RFS rate compared to those without CNSL or MLL gene rearrangement ((50.0±25.0)% vs. (85.5±3.1)%,χ2=4.06,P=0.044;(58.3±18.6)% vs. (85.7±3.2)%,χ2=9.44,P=0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that age (OR=0.58, 95%CI 0.35-0.97) and white blood cell count at first diagnosis (OR=0.43, 95%CI 0.27-0.70) were independent risk factors for OS. The MRD level on day 15 (OR=0.55,95%CI 0.31-0.97), ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene (OR=0.13,95%CI 0.03-0.54), MLL gene rearrangement (OR=2.55,95%CI 1.18-5.53) and white blood cell count at initial diagnosis (OR=0.52,95%CI 0.33-0.81) were independent prognostic factors for RFS. Conclusions: The higher the level of MRD in early induction therapy, the worse the OS. The MRD levels on day 15 is an independent prognostic factor for RFS.The MRD in early induction therapy guided accurate risk stratification and individualized treatment can improve the survival rate of pediatric ALL.

A further survey of the quantitative trait loci affecting swine body size and carcass traits in five related pig populations.

Breeding for good meat quality performance while maintaining large body size and desirable carcass traits has been the major challenge for modern swine selective breeding. To address this goal, in the present work we studied five related populations produced by two commercial breeds (Berkshire and Duroc) and two Chinese breeds (Licha black pig and Lulai black pig). A single-trait GWAS performed on 20 body size and carcass traits using a self-developed China Chip-1 porcine SNP50K BeadChip identified 11 genome-wide significant QTL on nine chromosomes and 22 suggestive QTL on 15 chromosomes. For the 11 genome-wide significant QTL, eight were detected in at least two populations, and the rest were population-specific and only mapped in Shanxia black pig. Most of the genome-wide significant QTL were pleiotropic; for example, the QTL around 75.65 Mb on SSC4 was associated with four traits at genome-wide significance level. After screening the genes within 50 kb of the top SNP for each genome-wide significant QTL, NR6A1 and VRTN were chosen as candidate genes for vertebrae number; PLAG1 and BMP2 were identified as candidate genes for body size; and MC4R was the strong candidate gene for body weight. The four genes have been reported as candidates for thoracic vertebrae number, lumbar vertebrae number, carcass length and body weight respectively in previous studies. The effects of VRTN on thoracic vertebrae number, carcass length and body length have been verified in Shanxia black pig. Therefore, the VRTN genotype could be used in gene-assisted selection, and this could accelerate genetic improvement of body size and carcass traits in Shanxia black pig.

[Effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by all-trans retinoic acid on apoptosis of FLT3-ITD mutated leukemia cells by activating autophagy in FLT3-ITD mutated protein].

Objective: Endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)was used as the research emphasis to further investigate the mechanisms of apoptosis of FLT3-ITD-mutated leukemia cells and decreased expression of FLT3-ITD mutated protein induced by all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA). Methods: FLT3-ITD-mutated leukemia cell lines(MV4-11 and MOLM13)were treated with ATRA. Flow cytometry was conducted to assess cell apoptosis. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blot were used to detect the expression of ERS-related and autophagy-related genes and protein, respectively. Results: A low-dose ATRA further increased FLT3-ITD cells and ERS levels. ATRA acted on the ERS-related PERK/eif2ɑ signaling pathway and continued to increase the ERS of FLT3-ITD cells, resulting in an upregulation of apoptotic gene CHOP expression. After the treatment with ATRA, FLT3-ITD protein in FLT3-ITD cells was decreased. Of the two main ERS-related protein degradation pathways, ER-associated degradation(ERAD)and ER-activated autophagy(ERAA), the expression of ERAD-related protein ATF6 in FLT3-ITD cells was not significantly changed on ATRA, whereas the expression of ERAA-related proteins Atg7 and Atg5 were significantly increased. Conclusions: ATRA further raises the ERS level of FLT3-ITD cells continuously by activating the ERS-related PERK/eif2ɑ signal pathway and induces FLT3-ITD protein autophagy degradation through ERAA pathway, which induces apoptosis of FLT3-ITD-mutated leukemia cells. These results provide preliminary evidence on the use of ATRA in the treatment of refractory leukemia with FLT3-ITD.

Zearalenone Altered the Serum Hormones, Morphologic and Apoptotic Measurements of Genital Organs in Post-weaning Gilts.

The present study was aimed at investigating the adverse effects of dietary zearalenone (ZEA) (1.1 to 3.2 mg/kg diet) on serum hormones, morphologic and apoptotic measurements of genital organs in post-weaning gilts. A total of twenty gilts (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc) weaned at 21 d with an average body weight of 10.36±1.21 kg were used in the study. Gilts were fed a basal diet with an addition of 0, 1.1, 2.0, or 3.2 mg/kg purified ZEA for 18 d ad libitum. Results showed that 3.2 mg/kg ZEA challenged gilts decreased (p<0.05) the serum levels of luteinizing hormone, however, serum levels of prolactin in gilts fed the diet containing 2.0 mg/kg ZEA or more were increased (p<0.05) compared to those in the control. Linear effects on all tested serum hormones except progesterone were observed as dietary ZEA levels increased (p<0.05). Gilts fed ZEA-contaminated diet showed increase (p<0.05) in genital organs size, hyperplasia of submucosal smooth muscles in the corpus uteri in a dose-dependent manner. However, the decreased numbers of follicles in the cortex and apoptotic cells in the ovarian were observed in gilts treated with ZEA in a dose-dependent manner. Degeneration and structural abnormalities of genital organs tissues were also observed in the gilts fed diet containing 1.1 mg/kg ZEA or more. Results suggested that dietary ZEA at 1.1 to 3.2 mg/kg can induce endocrine disturbance and damage genital organs in post-weaning gilts.

Genome-wide identification of quantitative trait loci for pork temperature, pH decline, and glycolytic potential in a large-scale White Duroc x Chinese Erhualian resource population.

The pH values and temperatures at 45 min, and 3, 9, 15, and 24 h postmortem in the LM and semimembranosus muscle (SM) and glycolytic potential in LM were measured in 1,030 F(2) animals from a White Duroc x Erhualian resource population. A whole genome scan was performed with 183 microsatellites covering 19 porcine chromosomes to detect QTL for traits measured. A total of 73 QTL have been identified, including 1% genome-wise significant QTL for 24-h pH in LM and SM on SSC 15, and for glycolytic potential, total glycogen, and residual glycogen on SSC3, 6, and 7. Six 5% genome-wise significant QTL were detected for 9-h pH in SM on SSC3, pH decline from 3/9 h to 24 h in SM on SSC7, glycolytic potential on SSC1, and total glycogen on SSC1 and 6. This study confirmed QTL previously identified for pH except those on SSC1, 11, 12, and X, and found 11 new 5% genome-wise significant QTL for glycogen-related traits. This is the first time to report QTL for pH development during post-slaughter and for glycolytic potential at 5% genome-wise significance level. In addition, the observed different QTL for pH and pH decline at different times show that causal genes for pH postmortem play distinct roles at specific stages, in specific muscles, or both. These results provide a starting point for fine mapping of QTL for the traits measured and improve the understanding of the genetic basis of pH metabolism after slaughter.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous draining to inferior vena cava.

A 12-year-old girl complained of tachycardia and dyspnea after exertion but without cyanosis. Her echocardiogram showed an ASD and a widened inferior vena cava. A difference in PO2 between inferior and superior vena cava was evident. An anastomosis between left atrium and pulmonary vein, and a long oval pericardium to cover the opening of the descending vein and ASD into left atrium were performed during cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient recovered without complications.

Adherence patterns and DNA probe types of Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheal patients in China.

One hundred and seventy-two strains of Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheal patients in Beijing, P.R. China, were analyzed for plasmid DNA profile, HEp-2 cell adherence ability and reactivity to 10 previously described DNA probes. They had not been recognized as pathogenic E. coli in China. Of the 110 strains tested, 76 (69%) contained one or multiple large plasmids. Of the 71 strains with the large plasmids 64 could adhere to HEp-2 cells. Of the 172 strains, 102 (59.3%) were hybridized with at least one of the 10 probes. Of those, seven strains hybridized with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAggEC) probe. Their serotypes were O128 (two strains), O6 (one strain), and O111 (one strain). Three strains were untypable. Six and three strains were hybridized with enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) attaching and effacing genes (eae) or EPEC adherence factor (EAF) probe, respectively. Two non-O157: H7 strains hybridized with enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) probe. Seventy-two strains (41.9%) hybridized with shiga-like toxin 2 or 1 (SLT2 or SLT1) probes. Among the SLT1 or SLT2 probe-positive strains, 54 hybridized with invasive (INV) plasmid probe developed for identification of enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) and Shigella species. The INV and SLT probe-positive strains might represent a new variety of verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC).

Role of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozymes in intact canine trachealis.

The role of individual cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes in regulating cAMP and cGMP content in intact canine trachealis was examined using isozyme-selective and nonselective PDE inhibitors. The inhibitors used in this study were characterized previously [Mol. Pharmacol. 37:206-214 (1990)] and included: 1) zaprinast, an inhibitor (Ki = 0.1 microM) of the cGMP-specific PDE (cAMP Km = 135 microM; cGMP Km = 4 microM); 2) SK&F 94120, an inhibitor (Ki = 7 microM) of the cGMP-inhibited PDE (cAMP Km = 0.3 microM; cGMP Km = 8 microM); 3) Ro 20-1724, an inhibitor (Ki = 5 microM) of the cAMP-specific PDE (cAMP Km = 4 microM; cGMP Km = 40 microM); and 4) 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), a nonselective PDE inhibitor (IC50 = 1-30 microM). In addition to the aforementioned isozymes, canine trachealis contains a Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated PDE (cAMP Km = 1 microM; cGMP Km = 2 microM) and a GMP-stimulated PDE (cAMP Km = 93 microM; cGMP Km = 60 microM), for which selective inhibitors are not available. Isolated canine trachealis strips were contracted with methacholine and exposed to various concentrations of PDE inhibitors, before being relaxed by the cumulative addition of isoproterenol, an adenylate cyclase activator, or sodium nitroprusside, a guanylate cyclase activator. At the completion of the concentration-response studies, tissues were flash-frozen and assayed for cyclic nucleotide content. Neither isoproterenol-induced relaxation nor cAMP accumulation was altered by zaprinast, but both of these responses were potentiated by pretreatment of tissues with either SK&F 94120 or Ro 20-1724. The effects of SK&F 94120 and Ro 20-1724 were additive, and the combination of SK&F 94120, Ro-1724, and IBMX had no greater effect on the responses to isoproperenol than did either IBMX alone or the combination of SK&F 94120 plus Ro 20-1724. In contrast, zaprinast potentiated sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation and cGMP accumulation, whereas neither SK&F 94120 nor Ro 20-1724 altered these responses. IBMX produced a greater potentiation than did zaprinast, and the combination of zaprinast and IBMX had a greater effect than either agent alone. The results of this study suggest that the cGMP-inhibited and cAMP-specific PDEs are responsible for cAMP hydrolysis in intact canine trachealis, whereas cGMP hydrolysis is mediated by the cGMP-specific PDE as well as the Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated PDE and/or the cGMP-stimulated PDE.

Identification of injury-induced mitotic cells in adult rat cerebral cortex by neuron-specific markers.

Adult rat brains were injured by partial decortication. Four days later, the brains were examined for mitotic cells that were immunostained for neuronal markers: the neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and neurofilaments (NF). Of the 30 rats stained for NSE, 15 were found to have NSE-positive cells containing mitotic figures; of the 25 rats stained for NF, 12 possessed NF-positive cells in mitosis. Most of the mitotic neurons were granule cells and small- and medium-size pyramidal cells and were located in cortical layer III within 500 microns from the wound margin. Although a rare phenomenon, mitosis of neurons in the neocortex of mature mammalian brains may reflect neuronal plasticity in response to injury.

Glia maturation factor-beta promotes the appearance of large neurofilament-rich neurons in injured rat brains.

Adult rat brains were injured by partial decortication. Glia maturation factor-beta (GMF-beta) was applied to the wound cavity 3 times over a period of two months. At the end of the experiment, brain sections were prepared and immunostained for neurofilaments. Large, neurofilament-rich neurons were observed in clusters in the brain tissue adjacent to the wound cavity. These neurons displayed prominent apical dendrites, some of which grew out branches toward the direction of the wound. The results suggest that GMF-beta promotes the hypertrophy of selective neurons in the injured cerebral cortex and implies a role for GMF-beta in central nervous system regeneration.

Inhibition of the low km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in intact canine trachealis by SK&F 94836: mechanical and biochemical responses.

The mechanical and biochemical responses of the canine trachealis to SK&F 94836 [2-cyano-1-methyl-3-[4-(4-methyl-6-oxo- 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridazine-3-yl)phenyl]guanidine], a selective inhibitor (ki = 1-3 microM) of the low km cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase, were assessed. Time course studies indicated that SK&F 94836-induced relaxation of trachealis strips contracted with 0.1 microM methacholine was accompanied by an activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-PK). In subsequent experiments, trachealis strips were contracted with three concentrations of methacholine (0.1, 1.0 or 3.0 microM) or two concentrations of histamine (10 or 300 microM) before being relaxed by the cumulative addition of SK&F 94836. The relaxant response to SK&F 94836 (EC50 = 1-10 microM) decreased progressively as tissues were contracted with higher concentrations of methacholine. In parallel with its inhibitory effect on SK&F 94836-induced relaxation, methacholine suppressed the ability of SK&F 94836 to activate cAMP-PK. Interestingly, the inhibition of cAMP-PK activity was not accompanied by a significant inhibition of SK&F 94836-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Unlike the results with methacholine, the concentration of histamine used to contract tissues had no effect on SK&F 94836-induced relaxation or cAMP-PK activation. To determine the effect of SK&F 94836 on the mechanical and biochemical responses to the beta adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol, tissues were first contracted with 3.0 microM methacholine and then incubated with 0, 0.3, 3.0 or 30 microM SK&F 94836 before being relaxed by the cumulative addition of isoproterenol. In these experiments, SK&F 94836 potentiated isoproterenol-induced relaxation, cAMP accumulation and cAMP-PK activation in a concentration-dependent manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Some pharmacological properties of a novel series of 2-substituted 2-phenylcyclohexyl N,N-diethylaminoethyl ethers. II.

The second of a series of 2-phenylcyclohexyl N,N-diethylaminoethyl ethers, (trans-compound), was investigated for its pharmacological actions in mice and rats. The trans-compound shortened the duration of methacholine (20 mg/kg)-induced salivation in mice, which was observed to be inversely proportional to the intraperitoneally administered dose of the compound. In anesthetized rats, a time-course study revealed the effects of the compound to be brief (5-15 minutes). When administered alone, it decreased heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures and increased pulse-pressure. It produced transient apnea followed by slight increase in respiration. In other anesthetized rats, pretreatment with 5 mg/kg trans-compound reversed the depression response and bradycardia induced by injection of increasing doses of methacholine. Respiratory rate was similarly decreased due to initial transient apnea followed by a slight increase. There was a non-significant decrease in rectal temperature when methacholine was injected before or after the compound. These experiments suggest that the trans-compound possesses a weaker anticholinergic activity compared to the cis-compound.

Some pharmacological properties of a novel series of 2-substituted 2-phenylcyclohexyl N,N-diethylaminoethyl ethers I.

Two 2-phenylcyclohexyl N,N-diethylaminoethyl ethers were studied for their pharmacological actions in vitro-the cis- and trans- isomers; and in vivo,-the cis- isomer. These compounds (5 mg/ml) significantly depressed acetylcholine-induced contractions in the isolated guineapig ileum. The trans- isomer produced a greater depression of contraction. The cis- isomer shortened the duration of methacholine-induced salivation in mice when administered intraperitoneally in increasing doses. The duration was found to be inversely proportional to the dose of the compound. In anesthetized rats, pretreatment with either a dose of 5 mg/Kg of the cis- compound or 0.25 mg/Kg of atropine changed the methacholine depressor response to a pressor response. Heart rate was increased in both groups of pretreated rats. Respiratory rate was further augmented by methacholine in the presence of either atropine or the cis- compound, while rectal temperature was slightly decreased. Effects of the cis- isomer when administered alone, on heart rate and blood pressure responses usggest cholinergic activity. However, its ability to decrease the duration of methacholine-induced salivation in mice and its reversal of methacholine-evoked cardiovascular effects are indicative of anticholinergic activity. These experiments suggest that the cis- isomer has a mixed cholinergic and anticholinergic action and thus may be classed as a partial antagonist of the parasympathetic system.