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High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a non-histone nuclear protein which has been intensively studied in various physiological and pathological processes including leukemia. Here in this study, we further demonstrated that HMGB1 presents higher expression in the bone marrow mononuclear cells of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients compared with the normal controls and contributes to the AML pathogenesis and progression by inhibiting apoptosis, facilitating proliferation, and inducing myeloid differentiation blockade of AML cells. Mechanistic investigation revealed that transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI) acts as a potential downstream target of HMGB1 and lentivirus-mediated knockdown of TGFBI expression impaired phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)–induced myeloid differentiation of AML cell lines. On the other hand, chidamide, an orally histone deacetylase inhibitor, decreases HMGB1 expression significantly in AML cells with concomitant upregulation of TGFBI expression, and confers therapeutic effect on AML by inducing cell differentiation, apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation. In conclusion, our findings provide additional insights that HMGB1 is a promising therapeutic target of AML, and also present experimental evidence for the clinical application of chidamide as a novel agent in AML therapy by downregulating HMGB1 expression. Key messages: HMGB1 induces cell proliferation and myeloid differentiation blockade and inhibits apoptosis of AML cells. TGFBI acts as a potential target of HMGB1. Chidamide, a selective HDAC inhibitor, confers promising therapeutic effect for AML via downregulating HMGB1 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), which causes 80-100% mortality in neonatal piglets, is one of the most devastating viral diseases affecting swine worldwide. To date, the lack of effective vaccines and drugs is the main problem preventing control of the global spread of PEDV. In this study, we produced PEDV virus-like particles (VLPs) composed of S, M, and E proteins with a baculovirus expression system and tested them via indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA)and Western blot analysis. Electron microscopy showed that the morphological structure of the PEDV VLPs was similar to that of the protovirus. Microneutralization assays and ELISpot analysis demonstrated that PEDV VLPs induced highly specific antibody responses and Th2-mediated humoral immunity. As a result, the PEDV VLPs displayed excellent immunogenicity in mice. Therefore, a VLP-based vaccine has the potential to prevent PEDV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A poly(ionic liquid-glycidylmethacrylate-co-ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) monolithic column was prepared via in situ free-radical polymerisation and used as an on-line solid-phase extraction column. The obtained monolithic column was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurement, and mercury intrusion porosimetry, which showed a relatively uniform and porous structure. During the on-line solid-phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography protocol, nifedipine, nitrendipine, and felodipine were separated efficiently from human plasma using a methanol-water linear gradient at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min. The extraction efficiency for the targets was satisfactory with no matrix interference. Under the optimized extraction conditions, the linear regression coefficient was >0.9973; precisions for inter- and intra-day assays presented as relative standard deviations were less than 7.29 %, and the accuracy and recovery was in the range of 96-105 and 90-106 %, respectively. As a result, the polymerization monolithic column exhibited high selectivity and good permeability, and it was feasible to be used as an on-line SPE column. Meanwhile, validation assays also demonstrated acceptable sensitivity and precision for simultaneous quantitative screening of nifedipine, nitrendipine, and felodipine in human plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The posture first hypothesis suggests that under dual-task walking conditions older adults prioritize gait over cognitive task performance. Functional neural confirmation of this hypothesis, however, is lacking. Herein, we determined the functional neural correlates of the posture first hypothesis and hypothesized that the presence of neurological gait abnormalities (NGA) would moderate associations between brain activations, gait and cognitive performance. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy we assessed changes in oxygenated hemoglobin levels in the pre-frontal cortex (PFC) during normal walk and walk while talk (WWT) conditions in a large cohort of non-demented older adults (n = 236; age = 75.5 ± 6.49 years; female = 51.7 %). NGA were defined as central (due to brain diseases) or peripheral (neuropathic gait) following a standardized neurological examination protocol. Double dissociations between brain activations and behavior emerged as a function of NGA. Higher oxygenation levels during WWT were related to better cognitive performance (estimate = 0.145; p < 0.001) but slower gait velocity (estimate = −6.336, p < 0.05) among normals. In contrast, higher oxygenation levels during WWT among individuals with peripheral NGA were associated with worse cognitive performance (estimate = −0.355; p < 0.001) but faster gait velocity (estimate = 14.855; p < 0.05). Increased activation in the PFC during locomotion may have a compensatory function that is designed to support gait among individuals with peripheral NGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual tasks that involve walking and cognitive interference tests are commonly used in mobility assessments and interventions. However, factors that explain variance in dual-task performance costs are poorly understood. We, therefore, examined the moderating effects of two putative constructs, postural reserve and hazard estimate, on performance on a walking while talking paradigm. Participants were 285 non-demented older adults (mean age = 76.9 years; %female = 54.4). Postural reserve was operationalized as the presence or absence of clinical gait abnormalities. An empirical factor, based on measures of executive functions, served as a marker for hazard estimate. The moderation effects of postural reserve and hazard estimate on dual-task costs were examined via two-way interactions in a joint linear mixed effect model. Significant dual-task costs were observed for gait speed (95% CI = 30.814 to 39.121) and cognitive accuracy (95% CI = 6.568 to 13.607). High hazard estimate had a protective effect against decline in gait speed (95% CI = −8.372 to −0.151) and cognitive accuracy (95% CI = −8.372 to −0.680). Poor postural reserve was associated with reduced decline in gait speed (95% CI = −9.611 to −0.702) but did not moderate the decline in cognitive accuracy (95% CI = −3.016 to 4.559). Assessing postural reserve and hazard estimate can help improve mobility risk assessment procedures and interventions for individuals with cognitive and movement disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To estimate the validity of neurological gait evaluations in predicting falls in older adults. We studied 632 adults age 70 and over (mean age 80.6 years, 62% women) enrolled in the Einstein Aging Study whose walking patterns were evaluated by study clinicians using a clinical gait rating scale. Association of neurological gaits and six subtypes (hemiparetic, frontal, Parkinsonian, unsteady, neuropathic, and spastic) with incident falls was studied using generalized estimation equation procedures adjusted for potential confounders, and reported as risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Over a mean follow-up of 21 months, 244 (39%) subjects fell. Mean fall rate was 0.47 falls per person year. At baseline, 120 subjects were diagnosed with neurological gaits. Subjects with neurological gaits were at increased risk of falls (risk ratio 1.49, 95% CI 1.11–2.00). Unsteady (risk ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.04–2.22), and neuropathic gait (risk ratio 1.94, 95% CI 1.07–3.11) were the two gait subtypes that predicted risk of falls. The results remained significant after accounting for disability and cognitive status, and also with injurious falls as the outcome. Neurological gaits and subtypes are independent predictors of falls in older adults. Neurological gait assessments will help clinicians identify and institute preventive measures in older adults at high risk for falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of information on whether brief nutrition education can succeed in improving longer-term dietary patterns in disadvantaged populations with HIV/AIDS. In the SMART/EST II Women's Project 466 disadvantaged women with HIV/AIDS were randomized to one of four groups and received a two-phase training consisting of a coping skills/stress management and nutrition education provided either in a group or individually. At baseline the majority of participants had excessive fat and sugar consumption and suboptimal intakes of vegetables, fruits, calcium-rich foods and whole grains. Dietary patterns for all participants improved after the nutrition intervention primarily due to decreases in high fat and high sugar foods such as soda and fried foods and were still significantly better 18 months later. There were only short-term differences in improvements between the four groups. These findings support the value of even brief nutrition education for disadvantaged women living with HIV/AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From Oct. 1989 to Dec. 1998, 9 patients aged 12–67 years underwent carinal resection and reconstruction through right or left intercostal space thoracotomy. No important postoperative complications occurred and there were no perioperative deaths. Leiomyoma, neurofibroma, carcinoid and squamous cell carcinoma was found in one patient respectively, adenocarcinoma in 2 patients, adenoid cystic carcinoma in 3 patients. The actuarial 3-year survival rate for patients with malignant tumors was 42. 9%. In order to diagnose early and correctly, bronchoscopy and computed tomography should be used. The end-to-end anastomosis of trachea with bilateral bronchi is the optimal choice among the modes of carinal reconstruction. Some principles of surgery and perioperative care are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response by Sarah Friedman, Katherine S. Sandhu, Cuiling Wang, Magdy S. Mikhail and Erika Banks to a letter to the editor about their article "Factors influencing long-term pessary use," in April 2, 2011 issue is presented.