Retraction Note: MiR-221 inhibits proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells via down regulation of SOCS3.

The article "MiR-221 inhibits proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells via down regulation of SOCS3", by J. Xie, J.-T. Wen, X.-J. Xue, K.-P. Zhang, X.-Z. Wang, H.-H. Cheng, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (7): 1914-1921-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201804_14714-PMID: 29687843 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief for misconduct and data fabrication. An investigation conducted by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, determined that the information and images presented in the paper have been manipulated, pieced together, and subjected to various fraudulent alterations. Consequently, the Editor in Chief mistrusts the results presented and has decided to withdraw the articles. The corresponding authors did not respond to journal correspondence about the investigation and retraction of this article. This article has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/14714.

[Association between body mass index and coronary heart disease in Qingdao: a prospective study].

Objective: To analyze the association between body mass index (BMI) and coronary heart disease. Methods: The data for the present study were from the prospective cohort study of China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) in Qingdao, a total of 33 355 participants aged 30-79 years were included in the study. Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between BMI and coronary heart disease. Results: During the follow-up for an average 9.2 years, a total of 2 712 cases of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and 420 cases of major coronary events (MCE) were found. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that, compared with participants with normal BMI, the participants who were overweight had a 41% and 87% higher risk of IHD and MCE, the adjusted HR were 1.41 (95%CI: 1.27-1.56) and 1.87 (95%CI: 1.43-2.44), respectively. The participants who were obesity had 91% and 143% higher risk of IHD and MCE, the adjusted HR were 1.91 (95%CI: 1.72-2.13) and 2.43 (95%CI: 1.82-3.24), respectively. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity might increase the risk for IHD and MCE.

[Analysis of factors associated with the structure of the gut microbial community in HIV/AIDS patients in some areas of Henan province].

Objective: To investigate the related factors associated with the structure of the gut microbial community in HIV infection/AIDS cases (HIV/AIDS) in Henan province. Methods: The convenience sampling method was used to select 122 cases who were receiving Antiviral Treatment (ART) or ART-naive in Henan. Whole blood and stool specimens were collected. Genomic DNA of stool samples was extracted, and the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene were sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 high-throughput sequencing system. The analysis was performed mainly at the genus level, and the 30 genera with the highest abundance were selected as a measure of the gut microbial community structure. The correlation between community structure and related factors was analyzed using redundancy analysis and Envfit function. Results: 122 cases were finally completed sequencing and analysis, the average BMI was (23.62±2.78) kg/m2 and the average age was (47±13) years. Among them, male accounted for 66.39% (81/122), and heterosexual transmission route constituted the largest ratio, accounting for 51.64% (63/122). 36 cases were treatment naive (29.51%, 36/122). The top five dominant genera of the total population (122 cases) were Prevotella, Roseburia, Megamonas, Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium and the top five dominant genera of the ART population (86 cases) were Prevotella, Megamonas, Bacteroides, Roseburia and Faecalibacterium. The top five dominant genera of the ART-naive population (36 cases) appeared as Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, Bacteroides and Megamonas. In the total population, ART (P<0.001) was the most significant factors of community structure. Other significant factors were: duration of diagnosis (P=0.009), viral load (P=0.022) and anti-HCV (P=0.018). ART was positively correlated with Megamonas and negatively correlated with Prevotella, Roseburia and Faecalibacterium, while the other three factors of duration of diagnosis, viral load and anti-HCV were positively correlated with Prevotella, Roseburia and Faecalibacterium and negatively correlated with Megamonas. In the ART-naive population, duration of diagnosis (P=0.003) were the factors significantly associated with community structure. Duration of diagnosis was positively correlated with Roseburia, Faecalibacterium, Megamonas and Prevotella and negatively correlated with Bacteroides. Conclusion: ART and duration of diagnosis were factors significantly associated with gut microbial community structure and had a significant impact on multiple high-abundance genera.

[Human leukocyte antigen polymorphism of HIV infected persons without disease progress for long-term in Henan province, 2011-2016].

Objective: To understand the disease progression and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene polymorphism of HIV-infected persons without disease progress for long term, also known as long-term non-progressors (LTNPs), in Henan province. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 48 LTNPs with complete detection and follow-up information during 2011-2016 in Henan. Changes of CD(4)(+)T cells counts (CD(4)) and viral load (VL) during follow-up period were discussed. Polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-SSOP) was used for the analyses of HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 alleles between LTNPs and healthy controls. Results: From 2011 to 2016, forty-eight LTNPs showed a decrease of the quartile (P(25)-P(75)) of CD(4) from 601.00 (488.50-708.72)/µl to 494.00 (367.00-672.00)/µl, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). The increase of the quartile (P(25)-P(75)) of log(10)VL from 3.40 (2.87-3.97) to 3.48 (2.60-4.37), but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). HLA polymorphism analysis revealed that HLA-B*13:02 and HLA-B*40:06 were more common in LTNPs (P<0.05), while HLA-B*46:01 and HLA-DRB1*09:01 were more common in healthy controls (P<0.05). Conclusions: The CD(4) of LTNPs in Henan showed a downward trend year by year. HLA-B*13:02 and B*40:06 might be associated with delayed disease progression for HIV infected persons in Henan.

[Correlation analysis between the progression of HIV infection and HLA polymorphism].

Objective: To analyze the polymorphisms of human leukocyte differentiation antigens Ⅰ and Ⅱ (HLA-A, B, DRB1) alleles and explore the association between HIV infection and HLA loci, for discovering the distribution of HLA loci in HIV-infected with different disease progression in different parts of Henan Province. Methods: A total of 48 cases of slow progressers and 80 typical progressers in Weishi County, Shangcai County, Xihua County and Xuchang City of Henan Province were studied, and compared with 380 healthy blood donors.For analyzing HLA-A, B, DRB1 alleles and comparing difference among the study subjects, the method of polymerase chain reaction-sequence special oligonucleotide (PCR-SSO) was used. Results: The association of HLA alleles and HIV infection showed that HLA-B*40∶02, HLA-DRB1*04∶05 was significantly more common in healthy people, while HLA-B*15∶18, B*44∶02, B*67∶01 and HLA-DRB1*14∶01 were present in HIV/AIDS.HLA-A*02∶06, HLA-B*13∶02, B*40∶06 in slow progressers were higher than typical progressers from the grouped study, and HLA-B*46∶01 only appeared in the typical progressers. Conclusion: HLA-B*15∶18, B*44∶02, B*67∶01, and HLA-DRB1*14∶01 may be associated with HIV susceptibility.HLA-A*02∶06, HLA-B*13∶02, and B*40∶06 may be associated with delayed disease progression in HIV-infected people, while HLA-B*46∶01 may be associated with accelerated disease progression.

[Safety of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia: a meta-analysis].

Objective: To assess the safety of olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine drugs in dementia patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms. Methods: The EMBASE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Medline, CNKI, Wang Fang were systematically searched for eligible randomized controlled trials of olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine drugs therapy in patients with psychotic symptoms of dementia before February 2016. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the trials and extracted information. All the data was analyzed with meta analysis and software of the Revman5.3 provided by Cochrane network. Results: Overall, 16 relevant RCTs with 1 727 participants were identified (olanzapine group: 672; quetiapine group: 395; risperidone group: 660). (1)Olanzapine group had higher incidence of somnolence than risperidone group (OR=1.49, 95% CI [-1.01-2.21], P=0.05), while for the dizziness, agitation, accidental injury, weight gain, abnormal gait, weakness, sleep disorders, extrapyramidal symptoms, there were no significant difference. (2) Risperidone had higher incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms than quetiapine group (OR=0.11, 95% CI [0.04-0.27], P=0.64), the incidence of somnolence was lower than quetiapine group (OR=0.03, 95% CI [1.06-3.51], P=0.03), while for accidental injury, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, constipation, there were no significant difference. (3) Olanzapine group had higher incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms than quetiapine group (OR=11.10, 95% CI [3.35-36.75], P<0.000 1), while for somnolence, sleep disturbances, constipation, agitation, weight gain, dizziness, there was no significant difference. (4) The subgroup analysis showed that in the Chinese population, compared with the population in Europe and America, risperidone group had higher incidence of agitation, sleep disorders than olanzapine (agitation: [OR= 0.26, 95% CI [0.08-0.82]; sleep disorders: OR= 0.31, 95% CI [0.10-0.99]), olanzapine group had higher incidence of weight gain than quetiapine (OR=6.8, 95% CI [2.00-23.14]). Conclusions: Among olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine, risperidone has lowest incidence of somnolence, quetiapine has lowest incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms. In the Chinese population, compared with the population in Europe and America, risperidone group has higher incidence of agitation, sleep disorders than olanzapine, and olanzapine group has higher incidence of weight gain than quetiapine.

MiR-221 inhibits proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells via down regulation of SOCS3.

OBJECTIVE: The over-activation of Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway induced by cytokines are closely correlated with tumorigenesis. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) serves as a negative regulator for JAK-STAT, and its down-regulation is involved in the oncogenesis of pancreatic cancer. We aimed at investigating the effect of miR-221 on the expression and proliferation, cycle and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells and determine the related mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to analyze the regulation between miR-221 and SOCS3. The expressions of miR-221, SOCS3, p-JAK and p-STAT3 in normal human pancreatic epithelial cell HPDE6-C7 and pancreatic cancer cell PANC-1 were quantified by qPCR and Western blot. Flow cytometry was used to identify cell cycle and proliferation. In vitro cultured PANC-1 cells were transfected with miR-221 inhibitor or pIRES2-SOCS3. The expressions of miR-221, SOCS3, p-JAK and p-STAT3, along with the cell proliferation or apoptosis, were compared. RESULTS: Bioinformatics analysis showed the existence of binding site between miR-221 and 3'-UTR of SOCS3 mRNA. Dual luciferase gene reporter assay confirmed the targeted regulation between miR-221 and SOCS3. Compared to HPDE6-C7 cells, higher levels of miR-221, p-JAK and p-STAT3 expression, and lower expression of SOCS3, were found in PANC-1 cells, along with the increase of cell proliferation. Transfection of miR-221 inhibitor or pIRES2-SOCS3 remarkably enhanced SOCS3 expression, inhibited the levels of p-JAK and p-STAT3 expression, and impeded the proliferation of PANC-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-221 decreases proliferation potency of PANC-1 cells and affects JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway via inhibiting SOCS3.

[Diversity of HIV-1 subtypes and primary HIV-1 drug resistance among 302 newly confirmed HIV infections/AIDS in Henan province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate HIV-1 subtype diversity and the frequency of primary drug resistance in newly confirmed HIV infections/AIDS, and the ratio of recently infected cases in Henan. METHODS: Newly confirmed HIV infections/AIDS from June 2013 to October 2013 and from June 2014 to October 2014 in the municipal CDC and county CDC of six cities in Henan province (Nanyang, Luohe, Pingdingshan, Shangqiu, Xuchang and Zhengzhou) were included in this study. Information on demographics, route of infection and antiviral therapy regimen were obtained from report cards, and at follow-up visits. After collection of blood samples from 402 individuals for confirmatory diagnostic tests, 100 were excluded because of hemolysis or insufficient samples in 11 cases, and incomplete amplification results in 89 cases. Recent HIV infection was determined by the BED capture immunoassay. An in-house method were used for genotypic drug resistance tests and sequence analysis. RESULTS: Among the 302 individuals included, the mean age was (44.0±15.5) years, and 160 (53.0%) and 142 (47.0%) cases were confirmed in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The ratio of recent infections was 29.5% (89 cases), inside, the ratio of recent infections were 31.3% (20/64), 40.5% (30/74), 21.3% (32/150), 3/8 and 4/6 in 01_AE, 07_BC, B, 01_B and other subtypes (B/C, C, 01_BC and 08_BC) (χ(2)=13.48, P=0.009). The frequency of the B subtype was higher in former infections, at 55.4% (118/213), than in recent infections, at 36% (32/89) (χ(2)=9.49, P=0.002). In contrast, the ratios of both 07_BC and other subtypes were lower in former infections (20.7% (44/213) and 1% (2/213), respectively) than recent infections (33.7% (30/89), χ(2)=5.78, P=0.016 and 5% (4/89), χ(2)=4.08; P=0.044, respectively). The frequency of primary HIV-1 drug resistance was 6.0% (18 cases) in 302 subjects. The frequency of resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) drugs was 2.7% (8 cases) and 3.6% (11 cases), respectively. Primary HIV-1 drug resistance was more frequent in subtypes B and 07_BC, at 8.7% (13 cases) and 5.4% (4 cases), respectively. CONCLUSION: Newly confirmed HIV infections/AIDS in Henan province harbored certain proportion of none-B subtypes, the frequency of primary resistance tended to be high in HIV-1B infection. The molecular epidemiology of HIV and the development of primary drug resistance should be regularly monitored.

[The prevalence of primary HIV-1 drug resistance in newly reported HIV infections in Henan].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of primary HIV-1 drug resistance in newly reported HIV infected individuals receiving no antiviral treatment in Henan. METHODS: Network direct reporting information of newly reported HIV infection cases in six cities of Henan during January to June, 2013 and January to June, 2014 were collected, and blood samples were collected from the cases to conduct genotypic drug resistance test and sequence analysis. RESULTS: Primary HIV-1 drug resistance was detected in 45 of 624 newly reported HIV infection cases, the prevalence of primary HIV-1 drug resistance was 7.21%, which was classified as moderate. Univariate analysis revealed that the prevalence of primary HIV-1 drug resistance was higher in females(χ(2)=11.463, P = 0.001), in age group <20 years(χ(2)=8.969, P=0.011), in illiterates(χ(2)=18.072, P=0.001)and in cases of HIV subtype B infection(χ(2)=9.897, P=0.019). Multi-univariate analysis revealed that the risk of primary HIV-1 drug resistance was high in females(OR=2.194, 95%CI: 1.111-4.331). Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor(NNRTI), Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor(NRTI)and Protease inhibitor(PI)resistance mutations were found in 4.97%, 3.53% and 1.12% of the cases, respectively. M184V/I(2.08%)and K103N/S(2.88%)were the most commonly emerged NRTI and NNRTI resistance mutation. Multiple NRTI resistance mutation was found in four cases. HIV subtype B infections accounted for largest proportion(51.76%, 323/624), followed by CRF07_BC cases(23.72%, 148/624)and CRF01_AE cases(19.71%, 123/624). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of primary HIV-1 drug resistance was moderate in the newly reported HIV infected individuals in Henan. The surveillance for HIV-1 drug resistance transmission should be strengthened and drug resistance test before the antiviral treatment should be given.

[Characteristics of long-term non-progressors and HIV controllers among HIV-infections in Henan, China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and characteristics of long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) and HIV controllers (HCs) among HIV-infections in Henan, China. METHODS: Data in two databases (Information management system of HIV/AIDS prevention and control; HIV/AIDS testing application platform of Henan) were used to identify the LTNPs and HCs, investigation and verification, sample collection and correlation testing were carried out thereafter. RESULTS: A total of 148 LTNPs/HCs were identified. Among them, 71 were followed up, including 58 LTNPs and 22 HCs, 12 cases were both LTNP and HC, 46 cases were LTNP but non-HC(LTNP+ HC-), 10 cases of HC but non-LTNP. Of the 71 individuals, 50 (70.4%) were males, 55 (77.5%) were older than 40 years of age, all belonged to Han nationality, 61 (85.9%) were farmers, 52 (73.2%) were infected through former plasma donation, 56 (78.9%) were-HCV positive. Median (interquartile range) of the CD4 counts was 538 (445-654) cell/µl and with virus load as 3.14 (2.03-3.82) log(10) copies/ml. The median viral load of HC was lower than that of LTNP + HC-(P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The characteristic of LTNPs and HCs in Henan HIV-infections were remarkable, more accurate classification of these cases was helpful to further research.

Effect of chemoradiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in resectable pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Controversy remains existed whether chemoradiotherapy (CRT), especially neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neoadjuvant CRT) achieves a significant benefit in resectable pancreatic cancer (PC) treatment. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to clarify the benefits of CRT and neoadjuvant CRT in resectable PC. METHODS: Eligible trials were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane center, China National Knowledge Internet and Wanfang database since their inception to July 31, 2013. Only patients with resectable PC, who underwent tumor resection and received CRT and/or neoadjuvant CRT, were enrolled. The treatment outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to measure the pooled effect according to a fixed-effects model. The statistical heterogeneity between trials was detected by χ(2) and I (2) test. Sensitivity analyses were also carried out. RESULTS: A total of 28 studies were identified as relevant, but only 17 studies with a total of 3,088 patients were included in the comparison between CRT versus non-CRT, and a total number of three studies with 189 patients included in the comparison between neoadjuvant CRT versus postoperative CRT. The comparison between CRT and non-CRT showed that the overall pooled HR for death was 0.96 (95% CI 0.89-1.03; P = 0.28). The HR for progress was 0.83 (95% CI 0.68-1.03, P = 0.09). Comparison between neoadjuvant CRT and adjuvant CRT revealed a pooled HR of 0.93 (95% CI 0.69-1.25; P = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that CRT showed no significant effect on OS and PFS when compared to non-CRT. Neoadjuvant CRT showed no significant effect over postoperative adjuvant CRT.

A comparative study assessing a new tool for occluding parenchymal blood flow during liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a new tool (the hepatic section vascular blocker, HSVB) with hepatic pedicle clamping and hemihepatic vascular exclusion to control bleeding during liver resection for cancer. METHODS: Clinical data on 117 patients who underwent liver resection from 2004 to 2009 were analysed retrospectively. Forty-two patients had liver resection using the HSVB (group A), in 35 patients hemihepatic vascular exclusion was used (group B), and in 40 patients hepatic pedicle clamping with a Pringle manoeuvre was used (group C). Blood loss, operative time, postoperative hepatic function and complications were compared. RESULTS: Mean blood loss and operative time in group A were significantly less than in groups B (p=0.026 and p<0.001, respectively) and C (p<0.001 and p<0.001). There were significant differences between groups A and C in total bilirubin (TB) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels on postoperative days 3 and 7, and group A had better hepatic function (TB p=0.014 and p=0.009; ALT p<0.001 and p<0.001). The rate of postoperative ascites was significantly higher in group C compared with group A (p<0.001). In group C, 2 patients had liver failure, 1 had a gastro-intestinal haemorrhage and 1 died. CONCLUSIONS: Using the HSVB during liver resection effectively controlled bleeding, saved operative time and preserved hepatic function. It proved to be a safe and feasible technique.

Preparation and characterization of grafted collagen-multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites.

This paper describes a new class of composite materials designed by combining multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and grafted collagen matrix. These materials show high mechanical capabilities by taking advantage of the favorable mechanical characteristics of MWCNTs. Furthermore, doping carbon nanotubes into grafted collagen matrix results in a substantial improvement of thermal stability and infrared emissivity. Thus these materials possess potential applications in some fields such as biomedicine and infrared camouflage.

Quox 1 homeobox protein is expressed in postmitotic sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia.

The expression of vertebrate homeoproteins has been extensively studied in a variety of normal and cancerous tissues, but little is known on the role of vertebrate homeoproteins in the proliferation and differentiation of cells from these tissues. In the present study, we investigate the relationship between Quox 1 protein (a quail homeodomain containing protein) expression and the proliferation and differentiation of quail dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and neural crest cells. In vivo [3H]TdR labeling experiments demonstrate that the postmitotic sensory neuroblasts appear before the formation of the ganglion, and that more than half of sensory neuroblasts from DRG have already terminated their proliferation in embryos of 2 days of incubation (E2). All DRG neurons have completely ceased to proliferate from E6.5 onwards. By means of immunocytochemistry, we observe that Quox 1 protein is accumulated exclusively in all bipolar neurons in culture of DRG from E9-E11, and in all postmitotic sensory-like neuroblasts during in vitro cell differentiation of the neural crest. The Quox 1 immunoreactive neurons express simultaneously neurofilaments or substance P, and they are never labeled by anti-bromodeoxyuridine. These observations together with the morphology of Quox 1 positive cells, demonstrate that Quox 1 protein is expressed in the postmitotic sensory neurons of DRG. Our previous experiments have shown that between E4 and E6, the accumulation of Quox 1 protein increases in DRG in vivo, but decreases in the central nervous system in which cell proliferation decreases (Xue et al., (1993) Mech. Dev. 43, 149-158). Taken together, our results show that the accumulation of Quox 1 protein in DRG is tightly linked to the increase in the number of postmitotic neurons, whereas in the central nervous system the level of expression of Quox 1 seems concomitant with the extent of cell proliferation.

Spatial and temporal effects of axial structures on myogenesis of developing somites.

To elucidate the precise roles of axial structures in the myogenic differentiation of the somite, we have examined the effects of the axial organs' precise spatial position during migration and differentiation of somitic cells by using in vivo transplantation of the neural tube and of the notochord directly into the paraxial mesoderm. Differentiation of myotomal cells was identified through the use of Quox 1 antibody which recognizes specifically a quail homeoprotein Quox 1. We have demonstrated that both ectopic neural tube and notochord are able to influence the myogenesis in somites, but that the spatial position of axial organs and the degree of somite maturation at grafting time are decisive. At the level of the somites which were already formed and developmentally advanced (somites III-VI), both neural tube and notochord promote myogenesis, and the promoting effect of notochord is more efficient than that of the neural tube. In the newly formed somites (I-II) and/or the segmental plate mesoderm, the notochord inhibits the myogenesis of somites, whereas the neural tube plays an evident myogenic promoting role. But the myogenic effect of the neural tube depends not only upon the stage of developing somites and presomitic mesoderm, but also on the developmental maturation of the neural tube. We have demonstrated that the myogenic effect of the rostral part of neural tube is stronger than that of its caudal part. This observation suggests that there is a gradient of myogenic effect along the rostrocaudal axis of the neural tube, which depends on the developmental maturation of neural tube, and that the generation of skeletal muscle during somitogenesis may be in relation with the rostrocaudal gradient of the capacity of the neural tube to stimulate myogenesis since somites are also distributed along an anteroposterior axis.

Quox-1, an Antp-like homeobox gene of the avian embryo: a developmental study using a Quox-1-specific antiserum.

Quox-1 is an homeogene isolated in the quail by using the Drosophila Antp cDNA as a probe. Quox-1 homeodomain sequence homology is 98% and 100% with Antp and mouse Hox1.1 homeodomains respectively. The region of the molecule 3' to the homeodomain has no homology with any known protein sequence (Xue et al., 1991). We have raised an antiserum, designated anti-Quox-1, to the C-terminal portion of the quail Quox-1 protein. By Western blot analysis the polyclonal antibody detects proteins of the same apparent molecular weight in quail and chick embryo extracts. The developmental expression of the Quox-1 protein was examined by immunocytochemistry in whole-mount preparations or on sections of quail and chick embryos and in cell cultures. The same binding patterns were observed in the two species examined. The initial expression of Quox-1 protein was detected in the neural primordium at presomitic stages. The immunoreactivity is concentrated in the head fold and progressively extends over the fore- and midbrain when the neural tube closes. Later in development, the Quox-1 protein becomes widespread over the whole central nervous system, including forebrain and eyes. The Quox-1 gene is also active in a subpopulation of neural crest cells at the early phase of their migration in vivo and in vitro. Later on, the sensory neurons of the DRG showed anti-Quox-1 immunoreactivity, whereas sympathetic ganglia did not express this gene. Expression of Quox-1 in somitic mesenchyme is at first detected in virtually all cell nuclei of the early segmented somites, but after sclerotome-dermomyotome dichotomy, Quox-1 expression becomes restricted to the myotome. These results show that in contrast to the other vertebrate class I Hox genes, whose homeobox is of Antp type, Quox-1 has a domain of expression that includes fore- and midbrain, as well as the rest of the neural anlage.

Expression of the gene encoding tyrosine hydroxylase in a subpopulation of quail dorsal root ganglion cells cultured in the presence of insulin or chick embryo extract.

Avian sensory ganglia contain a population of normally latent autonomic precursors with catecholaminergic potentialities. The present study examines the expression of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene in quail dorsal root ganglia (DRG) by both in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. In situ hybridization using quail TH cDNA as a probe demonstrated the presence in DRG cell cultures of TH mRNA in a subpopulation of cells that never express the adrenergic phenotype in vivo. Expression of the TH gene in autonomic precursor cells of DRG in culture is totally dependent on the presence either of insulin or chick embryo extract. The numbers of catecholaminergic cells expressing TH mRNA and TH immunoreactivity evolve in a closely similar manner during the culture period. Using two primers, specific for highly conserved 5' regions of TH cDNA, it was possible to detect the same band of DNA amplified by PCR in total RNA from DRG cultures grown in the presence of insulin, sympathetic ganglia and adrenal gland. No amplified DNA was detected in uncultured DRG cells. These data further indicate that, under the influence either of insulin or a still unknown factor contained in the CEE, the TH gene is induced in a subpopulation of DRG cells.