Inflammation and arthritis: perspectives of the glycobiologist

This review focuses on the role of glycosylation during the development of joint inflammation and degeneration. Although glycoproteins and glycan-binding proteins have essential functions in bone and cartilage, and in the inflammatory process, their exact roles are still uncertain due to the vast complexity of carbohydrate structures. Glycosylated epitopes have been shown to play a role in the induction of arthritis in animal models. Currently available drugs are aimed at the protection of cartilage and bone structures but new developments in this area should take into account the tight and specific interactions between bone and cartilage. It is anticipated that new agents will help to remodel damaged joints, based on knowledge of cartilage and bone turnover and on the exact role of glycosylated molecules and cell surface receptor glycoproteins in these processes. Highly sensitive imaging techniques and well-characterized In vivo models will accelerate this development.     

Down-regulation of α-L-fucosidase 1 expression confers inferior survival for triple-negative breast cancer patients by modulating the glycosylation status of the tumor cell surface

α-L-fucosidase 1 (FUCA1) is a lysosomal enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of the terminal fucose residue in breast cancer cells. FUCA1 mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR, and there was a greater than 139-fold increase in FUCA1 mRNA expression in breast tumor samples compared with normal breast tissue samples (*P = 0.005, n = 236). Higher FUCA1 mRNA expression was preferentially detected in early-stage tumors (stage 0 to 2) compared with advanced-stage tumors (stage 3 to 4) (stage 0-1 versus stage 3, *P = 0.015; stage 0-1 versus stage 4, *P = 0.024). FUCA1 protein levels were higher in advanced-stage tumors concomitant with decreased fucosylated Lewis-x antigen expression, as evidenced using the immunohistochemical staining H-score method (*P < 0.001). Statistical analysis revealed that lower FUCA1 levels significantly predicted an inferior overall survival rate among triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients compared with non-TNBC patients (*P = 0.009). Two stable FUCA1 siRNA knock-down MDA-MB-231 cell lines were established, and the results suggest that transient FUCA inhibition creates a selective pressure that triggers the metastasis of primary tumor cells, as detected by wound healing and invasion assays (*P < 0.01). The results suggest that FUCA1 may be a potential prognostic molecular target for clinical use, especially in TNBC patients.     

Prenatal Sonographic Abnormal Appearances of the Fetal Hyaloid Artery: From Normal Variants to Pathology

This is a case series on the abnormal sonographic appearance and outcome of the fetal hyaloid artery (HA) detected during between 1987 and 2015 at one medical center. Fifteen cases were detected during fetal anatomy scans, usually performed at 14 to 16 weeks’ gestation. Three other cases were diagnosed following referral for a second opinion. In nine fetuses, the HA regressed normally throughout pregnancy. Of them, eight neonates had normal outcomes and one had cataract at the same eye. All nine other cases ended with adverse outcomes. Failure of the HA to regress in the third trimester appears to be an indicator of congenital blindness.     

Elucidation of molecular expression associated with abnormal development and sterility caused by electron beam irradiation in Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to elucidate the mode of indirect action of electron beam irradiation at the molecular level against a quarantine pest, Spodoptera litura (F.).

Material and methods: Electron beam irradiation (50–200?Gy) was applied to S. litura eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults, after which the feeding area, body weight, deformity of pupae and adults, ovarian development, expression levels of vitellogenin (Vg) and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) genes, and protein levels were analyzed.

Results: The amount of feeding by S. litura larvae and the synthesis level of 70?kDa storage protein significantly decreased as the electron beam dose increased. When larvae were treated with the electron beam, morphological deformities appeared in the pupae, and abnormal wing disc (AWD) expression significantly decreased. Ovarian development was completely inhibited in emerged adults that had undergone 200?Gy electron beam irradiation as pupae. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays showed significant downregulation of the Vg and VgR genes due to electron beam irradiation; whereas the synthesis level of Vg protein (190?kDa) did not decrease with time in eggs unlike in non-irradiated (control) S. litura eggs, exhibiting irradiation induced impairment of Vg functioning.

Conclusions: These findings of radiation-induced abnormal development and sterility in S. litura together with the correlated changes at the molecular level may facilitate the development of a phytosanitary strategy against this quarantine pest using electron beam irradiation.     

Perspectives on Pap Test Follow-Up Care Among Rural Appalachian Women

Approximately one- to three-quarters of women notified of abnormal Pap test results do not receive appropriate follow-up care, dramatically elevating their risk for invasive cervical cancer. We explored barriers to and facilitators of follow-up care for women in two counties in Appalachian Kentucky, where invasive cervical cancer incidence and mortality are significantly higher than the national average. In-depth interviews were conducted among 27 Appalachian women and seven local health department personnel. Those who had been told of an atypical Pap test result tended to have one of three reactions: (1) not alarmed and generally did not obtain follow-up care; (2) alarmed and obtained follow-up care; or (3) alarmed, but did not obtain care. Each of these typologies appeared to be shaped by a differing set of three categories of influences: personal factors; procedure/provider/system factors; and ecological/community factors. Recommendations to increase appropriate follow-up care included pursuing research on explanations for these typologies and developing tailored interventions specific to women in each of the response types.     

日光温室作业对蔬菜种植人员眼健康的影响

目的探讨日光温室作业对蔬菜种植人员眼健康的影响。方法选取西北某地区739名温室蔬菜种植人员(温室组)和263名非温室蔬菜种植人员(非温室组)作为研究对象,采用问卷调查方式收集其一般人口学信息和眼异常症状情况,并测量双侧裸眼视力。结果温室组和非温室组人员左眼视力分别为4.89±0.33和4.91±0.25,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);右眼视力分别为4.86±0.32和4.91±0.24,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。男性温室组右眼视力(4.89±0.38)低于非温室组(4.98±0.22),差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);女性温室组与非温室组右眼视力分别为4.84±0.28和4.89±0.24,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。温室组和非温室组眼痒、眼干等眼部异常症状发生率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。多因素分析显示,年龄、性别和眼异常症状种类数是影响视力的重要因素(P<0.05);女性和温室作业人员更易出现眼异常症状(P<0.05)。结论日光温室作业可能引起蔬菜种植人员眼损伤风险升高,主视眼视力可能更易受损。