[Identification and preliminary validation of potential biomarkers in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of atopic dermatitis].

Objective: To explore the difference of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) transcripts between atopic dermatitis (AD) and healthy controls, and to screen and preliminarily validate potential biomarkers of AD. Methods: From January 2021 to May 2022, blood samples from 9 AD patients and 10 healthy controls were collected from the Dermatology and Cosmetic Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, ribonucleic acid-sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to determine the transcriptome and relative expression of PBMC, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and protein-protein interaction networks (PPI) analysis, and the potential biomarkers were identified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: The age of patients in the AD group [M (Q1, Q3)] was 26.50 (22.75, 30.50) years old, and the course of disease [M (Q1, Q3)] was 15 (10, 20) years,and the age of the healthy control group [M (Q1, Q3)] was 37.00 (27.75, 40.25) years old. Compared with healthy controls, 1 044 DEGs were detected in PBMC samples in AD group, including 668 up-regulated genes and 376 down-regulated genes. Differential variable splicing (AS) showed that mutually exclusive exons (46.74%) and skipped exon (31.01%) accounted for a large proportion. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that AD is closely linked to DEGs implicated in the inflammatory response and cytokine interaction and signal pathway. Comprehensive enrichment analysis and PPI analysis selected the expression of 8 candidate genes (CCL4, CCR3, CXCR5, NFKBIA, CXCL1, IL-1B, CCL20, LY96), which was confirmed by qRT-PCR and were consistent with that of RNA-seq. Conclusions: CCL4, CCR3, CXCR5, NFKBIA, CXCL1, IL-1B, CCL20 and LY96 might be potential biomarkers of AD, participating in the occurrence and development of AD.

[Multicenter clinical epidemiological analysis of elderly atopic dermatitis in China].

Objective: To investigate and analyze the clinical features of elderly atopic dermatitis (AD) in China. Methods: Based on the National Clinical Research and Homogeneous Diagnosis and Treatment Project for Type 2 Inflammation Dermatosis, a total of 2 281 patients aged 65 years or older were enrolled from 172 grade A tertiary hospitals who were diagnosed as atopic dermatitis from June 2021 to February 2023, and their demographics, clinical feature, and disease severity, etc. were collected. Elderly AD patients were divided into groups based on gender, history of allergic diseases (with or without a personal or family history of allergic diseases), and clinical features (site of onset, AD signs) and scales were compared within the groups. Median (Q1, Q3) was used for quantitative data. Results: The age of 2 281 elderly AD patients was 73.02 (68.83, 79.62) years old, among whom there were 1 649 males (72.29%) and 632 females (27.71%). A total of 2 244 cases were recorded with the information of the onset stage, of whom 1 713 cases (76.34%) occurred in the elderly stage. A total of 2 136 cases were recorded with the information of personal or family history of allergic diseases, of which 1 076 cases (50.37%) had a personal or family history of allergic diseases, and 1 060 (49.63%) had no history of allergic diseases. Skin lesions were predominantly involved in the waist, back, buttocks, and AD signs were mainly eczema-like skin lesions on the cheek and/or scalp and/or limb extension. Patients with moderate to severe AD accounted for 60.58% (1 327 cases), moderate to severe itching accounted for 81.32% (1 781 cases). Patients with anxiety and depression accounted for 46.14% (1 011 cases) and 39.27% (860 cases), respectively. Men had a higher EASI score than women [9.67 (4.77, 19.28) vs 8.45 (3.98, 17.11), P=0.040]. EASI, HADS-anxiety and WI-NRS scores were higher in patients with history of allergic diseases than those without allergy history [ (9.79 (4.84, 19.96) vs 8.96 (4.05, 18.31), P=0.015; 7.22 (3.49, 10.00) vs 6.81 (3.12, 9.33), P=0.012; 7.64 (5.62, 9.07) vs 7.38 (5.35, 8.91), P=0.036]. Conclusion: Elderly AD patients have their own exclusive clinical manifestations, and the understanding of these characteristics is beneficial for guiding clinical development of targeted management plans. Elderly AD patients are mostly senile onset, and male patients are more than female patients, skin lesions are mainly distributed on the extended side, and the disease burden is heavy.

[Effect of different abutment materials on the expression of genes and proteins related to hemidesmosome adhesion in human gingival epithelial cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of polyetheretherketone, zirconium dioxide, and titanium abutment materials on the expression of genes and proteins related to hemidesmosome adhesion in human gingival epithelial cells, in order to screen out abutment materials that are easier for epithelial adhesion. Methods: Forty-eight specimens were prepared in each of the three materials, polyetheretherketone, zirconium oxide, and pure titanium specimens. The surface morphology of each group of specimens was observed by scanning electron microscopy, the surface roughness was measured by the white light interferometer, and the contact angle was measured by optical contact angle measuring instrument. The early adhesion status of human gingival epithelial cells on the surface of each group of specimens was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the proliferation ability of human gingival epithelial cells on the surface of each group of specimens was assessed by using a cell counting kit, and the expression levels of genes and proteins related to the adhesion of human gingival epithelial cells on the surface of each group of specimens were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results: The surface morphology of the three groups of specimens was flat and smooth. The mean roughness (Ra value) of the polyetheretherketone, zirconia, and pure titanium groups were (95.63±2.06), (37.93±3.56), and (134.2±4.62) nm (F=368.16, P<0.001), respectively, and the mean maximum height (Rz value) was (2.42±0.22), (0.87±0.10) and (3.77±0.28) nm (F=91.95, P<0.001), with statistical significance (P<0.05). The contact angles were 81.23°±0.91°, 82.08°±2.10°, and 80.47°±1.85°, respectively, with no statistically significant overall difference (F=0.45, P=0.658). Human gingival epithelial cells showed irregular shapes such as flattened and extended polygons and polygons on the surface of the three groups of specimens, exhibiting a typical paving stone pattern. The differences in cell proliferation among the three groups at 1 and 3 d of culture were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Cell proliferation in the polyetheretherketone group was significantly greater those those in the zirconia and pure titanium groups at 5 and 7 d of culture (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels and protein expression levels of laminin α3, integrin ß4, and collagen ⅩⅦ in the polyetheretheretherketone group at 3 and 7 d of incubation were significantly greater than those in the zirconium oxide and pure titanium groups at the same time points (P<0.05). Conclusions: Polyetheretherketone is more conducive to the adhesion of hemidesmosome in human gingival epithelial cells than zirconium dioxide and pure titanium abutment materials.

[Preparation and characterization of a recombinant poly-epitopic vaccine EgG1Y162-2 (4) against cystic echinococcosis based on the linker GSGGSG].

OBJECTIVE: To perform prokaryotic expression and preliminary characterization of the recombinant poly-epitope vaccine EgG1Y162-2 (4) against cystic echinococcosis. METHODS: The recombinant poly-epitope vaccine EgG1Y162-2 (4) against Echinococcus granulosus based on the linker GSGGSG was subjected to structural three-dimensional (3D) modeling using immunoinformatics to analyze the structural changes and evaluate the antigenicity of the vaccine. The pET30a-EgG1Y162-2 (4) recombinant plasmid was generated using double digestion with EcoR I and Sal I, and then transformed into competent cells. Following protein induction with isopropyl-ß-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG), the prokaryotic expression proteins were characterized using Western blotting, and the antigenicity of the recombinant protein was analyzed using sera from cystic echinococcosis patients and health volunteers. RESULTS: The four EgG1Y162-2 proteins coupled by the 3D structure of the recombinant vaccine EgG1Y162-2 (4) presented independent and effective expression and good antigenicity. The highest protein expression was detected in the supernatant following induction of the recombinant plasmid pET30a-EgG1Y162-2 (4) by 0.2 mmol/L IPTG at 37 °C for 4 h, and a pure protein component was seen following elution with 60 mmol/L imidazole. Western blotting analysis of the recombinant multiepitope protein HIS-EgG1Y162-2 (4) showed a band at approximately 39 kDa, and this band was recognized by sera from cystic echinococcosis patients. CONCLUSIONS: A recombinant poly-epitope vaccine EgG1Y162-2 (4) against cystic echinococcosis has been successfully constructed, which provides a preliminary basis for researches on recombinant multi-epitope vaccine against cystic echinococcosis.

[Molecular epidemiological investigation on Theileria in yellow cattle from Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture of Hunan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and genetic variation of Theileria in yellow cattle in Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture of Hunan Province. METHODS: A total of 184 blood specimens were collected from Fenghuang, Huanyuan and Baojing counties of Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture during the period from August 2018 through August 2019, and were detect using PCR assay with the specific 18S ribosomal rRNA (18S rRNA) gene targeting Theileria. The gene sequences of positive specimens were aligned with the sequences recorded in GenBank, and a phylogenetic tree was created with Plasmodium ovale 18S rRNA as an outgroup. RESULTS: A total of 143 blood samples were positive for Theileria, with a mean detection rate of 77.7%. Theileria was prevalent in the blood samples from yellow cattle in all three counties, with detection rates of 85.0% in Fenghuang County, 88.3% in Huayuan County and 61.0% in Baojing County, respectively. There was no significant difference in the detection rate of Theileria between Xiangxi yellow cattle and normal yellow cattle (77.2% vs. 79.5%; χ2 = 0.08, P > 0.05), while the detection of Theileria was significantly lower in the housed yellow cattle than in free-range cattle (68.9% vs. 89.7%; χ2 = 22.36, P < 0.01). A total of 18 PCR positive samples were randomly selected for sequencing and analysis, and all samples showed more than 99.0% homology with T. luwenshuni isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 18 positive samples were clustered into the same branch with T. luwenshuni, but were far away from other isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Theileria is high in yellow cattle from Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture of Hunan Province, and T. luwenshuni may be the dominant parasite species.

Hyperlipidemia Impairs Osseointegration via the ROS/Wnt/ß-Catenin Pathway.

The influence of hyperlipidemia on titanium implant osseointegration and the underlying mechanisms is not well understood. This study investigates the changes in osseointegration and explores the potential mechanisms in hyperlipidemia conditions. In vivo, specialized titanium implants were implanted in the femurs of diet-induced or genetic hyperlipidemia mice. In vitro, primary murine osteoblasts were cultured on the titanium surface in high-fat medium. Results showed that hyperlipidemia led to poor osseointegration in both types of mice in vivo, and high-fat medium impaired the osteogenic differentiation of primary osteoblasts on the titanium surface in vitro. In addition, high-fat medium caused significant overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibition of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in osteoblasts. Both N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, an ROS antagonist) and Wnt3a (an activator of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway) attenuated the poor osteogenic ability of osteoblasts. In addition, NAC reactivated the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in osteoblasts under high-fat stimulation. These results demonstrate that hyperlipidemia impairs osseointegration via the ROS/Wnt/ß-catenin pathway and provide support for the ROS or Wnt/ß-catenin pathway as a promising therapeutic target for the development of novel drugs or implant materials to improve the osseointegration of implants in hyperlipidemic patients.

[Extraction and Separation of Sinapine from Rapeseed Cake and the Mode of Action of Melanin Production Inhibition].

Brassica campestris L. is the important oil-bearing crop in China. Rapeseed cake is the main byproduct of rapeseed oil extraction. As the main active ingredient in rapeseed cake, sinapine has several important biological activities. Therefore, the inhibitory activity of sinapine on tyrosinase in vitro and its free radical-scavenging rate were determined. Tyrosinase activity in A-375 human melanocytes was also investigated and the effects of sinapine on the melanin content and its antioxidant effects on melanin biosynthesis were studied. The results showed that sinapine had significant antioxidant activity. Sinapine significantly inhibited A-375 human melanocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Sinapine inhibited melanin synthesis in A-375 cells by downregulating the mRNA and protein expression of TRP-1, TRP-2, and MITF factors. The results showed that rapeseed cake sinapine inhibited melanin production and could be used as a potential active ingredient in the development of whitening agents.

[Application of diffusion weighted imaging in accurate diagnosis of middle ear cholesteatoma].

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) combined with high resolution temporal bone CT (HRCT) in the location diagnosis of middle ear cholesteatoma and its value in the postoperative follow-up. Methods: 134 patients with inital cholesteatoma and 22 patients with suspected recurrent cholesteatoma were selected for HRCT, conventional MRI and DWI examination. Based on the intraoperative and pathological diagnosis, DWI and HRCT images were combined to evaluate the consistency between the lesion location and invasion area of the initial cholesteatoma and intraoperative lesions. The results of HRCT and DWI in the diagnosis of recurrent middle ear cholesteatoma were statistically analyzed to evaluate their diagnostic efficacy. Results: The accuracy rate of DWI combined with HRCT was 90.3%.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HRCT and DWI in the diagnosis of recurrent middle ear cholesteatoma were 27.8%, 75.0%, 83.3%, 18.8% and 100%, 75.0%, 94.7% and 100%, respectively, and the Kappa values consistent with the pathological results were 0.024 and 0.843, respectively. Chi-square test confirmed that there were differences in the diagnosis between groups (P<0.001). Conclusions: Combined with the high sensitivity of DWI and the high resolution of HRCT, the accuracy of preoperative positioning of the newly diagnosed cholesteatoma can be improved and surgery strategy can be guided. DWI is also of high diagnostic value for recurrent cholesteatoma in the middle ear.

[Prognostic implication of alterations in epidermal growth factor receptor and MGMT in glioblastoma].

Objective: To investigate the prognostic impact of alterations of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and MGMT in glioblastoma. Methods: The retrospective study included 161 supratentorial glioblastomas diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from 2009 to 2015. EGFR and EGFRvⅢ protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry; EGFR amplification was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization; MGMT promoter methylation was detected by pyrosequencing. The change of molecular genetics EGFR and MGMT and outcome were assessed statistically. Results: There were 161 patients, including 85 (52.8%) males and 76 (47.2%) females. The mean age was 53 years, and the median overall survival was 13 months. The integrated classification of glioblastoma included 16 IDH-mutant, 134 wild type, and 11 NOS. The rate of overexpression of EGFR protein was 32.9%(53/161), and that of EGFR amplification was 37.5%(18/48). There was high concordance between immunohistochemistry and FISH(85.4%, Kappa=0.475, P<0.01) and between the level of EGFR protein and EGFR amplification (P<0.01). Twelve cases showed EGFRvⅢ expression, and all also showed EGFR protein overexpression; 149 cases were EGFRv Ⅲ wild type, and EGFR protein overexpression was seen in 27.5%(41/149) of cases. There was no correlation between EGFR and EGFRv Ⅲ expression. Of all cases, 70.2%(106/151) showed MGMT promoter methylation by pyrosequencing. The changes of molecular genetics of EGFR and MGMT were not related. EGFR amplification and protein overexpression had no significant relationship with prognosis. Patients with EGFRv Ⅲ-mutant had shorter survival time than the EGFRv Ⅲ-wild type(P=0.014); patients with MGMT promoter methylation had better prognosis than without (PFS:P=0.002,OS:P=0.006),and MGMT promoter methylation was an independent predictor for overall survival (HR=0.269, 95%CI 0.124-0.583, P=0.001). Conclusions: EGFR protein expression by immunohistochemistry correlates with the status of EGFR amplification. Patients with EGFRv Ⅲ-mutant tumors have poorer prognosis than that with EGFRv Ⅲ-wild type tumors. MGMT promoter methylation is closely associated with prognosis and an independent predictor for overall survival.

[A large scale cohort study on the immunization effect of hepatitis B vaccine in Fujian province].

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination in Fujian province. Methods: Based on the hepatitis B immunization strategy of China, a cohort study was designed, involving the population in Fujian province. The population under study was divided into natural exposure birth cohort before 1992 and the immunization birth cohort after 1992 (including voluntary vaccination cohort and standardized vaccination cohort). By cleaning the database of hepatitis B cases which directly reported through network and looked into the incidence and related death outcomes of acute hepatitis B from 2004 to 2017, the incidence levels of hepatitis B and immunization effects were analyzed and evaluated among different birth cohorts. Results: During the observation period, the overall prevalence of hepatitis B in Fujian province was 44.594 per 100 000, with mortality rate as 0.010 per 100 000. The incidence of natural exposure cohort of birth was 56.885 per 100 000. The incidence of voluntary vaccination cohort of birth was 14.502 per 100 000. Compared with the voluntary vaccination cohort, the risk of hepatitis B increased significantly in the natural exposed cohort (RR=3.923), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.000 7), with attributable risk as 42.383 per 100 000. The attributable risk ratio was 74.507. The population attributable risk ratio was 70.967%. The population attributable risk was 35.448 per 100 000. The attributable rate in standardized vaccination cohorts born after 2002 was 2.336 per 100 000. Compared with the cohorts born before 1992, the RR was 24.347 (P=0.000 0), the attributable risk was 54.549 per 100 000, and the attributable risk ratio was 95.893%, the population attributable risk ratio was 95.300%, the population attributable risk was 47.371 per 100 000, comparing to the natural exposed population. Conclusions: The effectiveness of hepatitis B immunization program had been remarkable in Fujian province since 1992. However, further studies on the persistency of hepatitis B vaccine immunization and its public health significance still needed to be carried out.

Expression level of NSE, S100B and NPY in children with acute miliary phthisis and secondary tubercular meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression level of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S100B and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in children with acute miliary tuberculosis and secondary tubercular meningitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 28 children diagnosed with acute miliary tuberculosis and secondary tubercular meningitis were included into group A, 25 children diagnosed with pure acute miliary tuberculosis were included into group B and 23 children diagnosed with suspected meningitis were included into group C. The levels of NSE, S100B and NPY in cerebrospinal fluid and serum were detected. RESULTS: The levels of NSE, S100B and NPY in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of group A were significantly higher than the levels in the other two groups, differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). A multifactor retrospective analysis suggested that secondary tubercular meningitis was significantly correlated with the high expression of S100B, NPY and NSE in cerebrospinal fluid and serum. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection of the expression levels of NSE, S100B and NPY in cerebrospinal fluid and serum was of great value for the diagnosis of tubercular meningitis secondary to acute miliary tuberculosis.

Analysis of the relationship between ribosomal DNA ITS sequences and active components in Rhodiola plants.

Rhodiola plants are a valuable resource in traditional Chinese medicine. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and the three active components in Rhodiola plants. For this, we determined ITS sequence polymorphisms and the concentrations of active components salidroside, tyrosol, and gallic acid in different Rhodiola species from the Tibetan Plateau. In a total of 23 Rhodiola samples, 16 different haplotypes were defined based on their ITS sequences. Analysis of the active components in these same samples revealed that salidroside was not detected in species with haplotypes H4, H5, or H10, tyrosol was not detected with haplotypes H3, H5, H7, H10, H14, or H15, and gallic acid was detected in with all haplotypes except H14 and H15. In addition, the concentrations of salidroside, tyrosol and gallic acid varied between samples with different haplotypes as well as those with the same haplotype, implying that no significant correlation exists between haplotype and salidroside, tyrosol or gallic acid concentrations. However, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed for among these three active components.

Effects of tumor-specific antigen induced by lentinan on murine H22 hepatocellular carcinoma immunoprophylaxis.

OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent tumor types and the third most common form of morbidity in cancer-related deaths worldwide. Lentinan isolated from Lentinus edodes, is known to be a biologically active macromolecule with extremely strong activation of the human immune system such as host-mediated anti-cancer activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the immunoprophylaxis effect of the antigens induced by lentinan on murine hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antigens were prepared by a co-culture method (HCL) and purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation precipitation (Z1, Z2, Z3). The effects of antigens on murine hepatocellular carcinoma immunoprophylaxis were determined in vivo. The cellular immunity of the immunized mice was tested by spleen lymphocyte proliferation tests and peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis assays. The tumor-specific antigen was confirmed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Results in vivo revealed that the antigens (HCL/Z1) activated immunoprophylaxis against hepatocellular carcinoma with a better survival status. The survival rates (60%, 100%) of the HCL/Z1 group were better than the model group (p < 0.01). The quantity of lymphocytes in the spleen in the HCL or Z1 groups treated with ConA or LPS were higher than that of the model group (p < 0.01). The phagocytosis ability of macrophages in the HCL or Z1 groups was better than that of the control group or model group (p < 0.01). The characterization of Western blot analysis showed that about 59.6 kDa tumor specific antigen combined with antiserum of immunized mice specifically appeared in antigens. CONCLUSIONS: The newly generated tumor-specific antigen played a key role in the anti-tumor immune response and in activating the immune system. Our results suggest that this protein could serve as a tumor vaccine, and it could generate new ideas for tumor immunoprophylaxis.

Diversity of arthropod community in transgenic poplar-cotton ecosystems.

Poplar-cotton agro-ecosystems are the main agricultural planting modes of plain cotton fields in China. Here, we performed a systematic survey of the diversity and population of arthropod communities in four different combination of poplar-cotton eco-systems, including I) non-transgenic poplar and non-transgenic cotton fields; II) non-transgenic poplar and transgenic cotton fields [Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton]; III) Bt transgenic poplar (high insect resistant strain Pb29) and non-transgenic cotton; and IV) transgenic poplar and transgenic cotton fields, over a period of 3 years. Based on the statistical methods used to investigate community ecology, the effects of transgenic ecosystems on the whole structure of the arthropod community, on the structure of arthropods in the nutritive layer, and on the similarity of arthropod communities were evaluated. The main results were as follows: the transgenic poplar-cotton ecosystem has a stronger inhibitory effect on insect pests and has no impact on the structure of the arthropod community, and therefore, maintains the diversity of the arthropod community. The character index of the community indicated that the structure of the arthropod community of the transgenic poplar-cotton ecosystem was better than that of the poplar-cotton ecosystem, and that system IV had the best structure. As for the abundance of nutritional classes, the transgenic poplar-cotton ecosystem was also better than that of the non-transgenic poplar-cotton ecosystem. The cluster analysis and similarity of arthropod communities between the four different transgenic poplar-cotton ecosystems illustrated that the structure of the arthropod community excelled in the small sample of the transgenic poplar-cotton ecosystems.

Impacts of transgenic poplar-cotton agro-ecosystems upon target pests and non-target insects under field conditions.

Poplar-cotton agro-ecosystems are the main agricultural planting modes of cotton fields in China. With increasing acres devoted to transgenic insect-resistant poplar and transgenic insect-resistant cotton, studies examining the effects of transgenic plants on target and non-target insects become increasingly important. We systematically surveyed populations of both target pests and non-target insects for 4 different combinations of poplar-cotton eco-systems over 3 years. Transgenic Bt cotton strongly resisted the target insects Fall webworm moth [Hyphantria cunea (Drury)], Sylepta derogata Fabrieius, and American bollworm (Heliothis armigera), but no clear impact on non-target insect cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii). Importantly, intercrops containing transgenic Pb29 poplar significantly increased the inhibitory effects of Bt cotton on Fall webworm moth in ecosystem IV. Highly resistant Pb29 poplar reduced populations of the target pests Grnsonoma minutara Hubner and non-target insect poplar leaf aphid (Chaitophorus po-pulialbae), while Fall webworm moth populations were unaffected. We determined the effects of Bt toxin from transgenic poplar and cotton on target and non-target pests in different ecosystems of cotton-poplar intercrops and identified the synergistic effects of such combinations toward both target and non-target insects.

Agriculture facilitated permanent human occupation of the Tibetan Plateau after 3600 B.P.

Our understanding of when and how humans adapted to living on the Tibetan Plateau at altitudes above 2000 to 3000 meters has been constrained by a paucity of archaeological data. Here we report data sets from the northeastern Tibetan Plateau indicating that the first villages were established only by 5200 calendar years before the present (cal yr B.P.). Using these data, we tested the hypothesis that a novel agropastoral economy facilitated year-round living at higher altitudes since 3600 cal yr B.P. This successful subsistence strategy facilitated the adaptation of farmers-herders to the challenges of global temperature decline during the late Holocene.

RPA1 expression in esophageal carcinoma and its influence on radiosensitivity of esophageal carcinoma TE-1 cells.

AIM: To determinate the RPA1 expression in esophageal carcinoma and the paired tumor-adjacent tissue, and to explore the influence of RPA1 on radiosensitivity of esophageal carcinoma TE-1 cells. METHODS: Firstly, the RPA1 expression of 40 cases esophageal carcinoma and their adjacent tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Secondly, The esophageal carcinoma cell subline-radiation resistance model (TE-1R) was constructed by radiation-induction, the RPA1 expression and proliferation activity of TE-1 and TE-1R cells were detected by Western blot and MTT assay respectively. After radiation, the expression of RPA1 and cell apoptosis were detected by Western blot and FACS respectively. Cell clone formation and survival rate were detected by clonogenic assay. Thirdly, Inhibiting RPA1 expression by siRNA in TE-1 cells, the expression of RPA1 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, Cell proliferation inhibition ratio and cell apoptosis after radiation were detected by MTT assay and FACS respectively. RESULTS: The RPA1 expression in esophageal carcinoma was significantly higher than that in the tumor-adjacent tissues, which was associated with tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis. The RPA1 expression in TE-1R cells was higher than that in TE-1 cells, while the proliferation activity of TE-1R cells was lower than that of TE-1 cells, and the apoptosis rate of TE-1R cells after radiation was less than that of TE-1 cells. In addtion, the clone formation and survival rate of TE-1R cells were higher than that of TE-1 cells. Moreover, inhibiting RPA1 expression by siRNA-RPA1 could promoted proliferation inhibition ratio and apoptosis rate of TE-1 cells after radiation. CONCLUSION: The over-expression of RPA1 in esophageal carcinoma was related with progression and metastasis. Moreover, radiation induced the excessive expression RPA1 in TE-1 cells, and the radiosensitivity of TE-1R cells was less than that of TE-1 cells. Furthermore, inhibiting RPA1 expression could increase radiosensitivity of TE-1 cells. Overall, RPA1 could influence radiosensitivity and might be one important mechanism of radiation resistance in TE-1 cells.