Tree-augmented Cox proportional hazards models

We study a hybrid model that combines Cox proportional hazards regression with tree-structured modeling. The main idea is to use step functions, provided by a tree structure, to 'augment' Cox (1972) proportional hazards models. The proposed model not only provides a natural assessment of the adequacy of the Cox proportional hazards model but also improves its model fitting without loss of interpretability. Both simulations and an empirical example are provided to illustrate the use of the proposed method.     

Native polycystin 2 functions as a plasma membrane Ca2+-permeable cation channel in renal epithelia

Mutations in polycystin 2 (PC2), a Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel, cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Whether PC2 functions in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or in the plasma membrane has been controversial. Here we generated and characterized a polyclonal antibody against PC2, determined the subcellular localization of both endogenous and transfected PC2 by immunohistochemistry and biotinylation of cell surface proteins, and assessed PC2 channel properties with electrophysiology. Endogenous PC2 was found in the plasma membrane and the primary cilium of mouse inner medullar collecting duct (IMCD) cells and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, whereas heterologously expressed PC2 showed a predominant ER localization. Patch-clamping of IMCD cells expressing endogenous or heterologous PC2 confirmed the presence of the channel on the plasma membrane. Treatment with chaperone-like factors facilitated the translocation of the PC2 channel to the plasma membrane from intracellular pools. The unitary conductances, channel kinetics, and other characteristics of both endogenously and heterologously expressed PC2 were similar to those described in our previous study in Xenopus laevis oocytes. These results show that PC2 functions as a plasma membrane channel in renal epithelia and suggest that PC2 contributes to Ca(2+) entry and transport of other cations in defined nephron segments in vivo.     

四川邛崃山脉雪豹与赤狐时空生态位关系

食肉动物是生态系统中关键的功能类群,探究顶级捕食者和次级捕食者的种间作用和共存机制有助于我们深入理解生态系统变化和物种种群动态变化的驱动机制,是目前全球大型兽类种群衰退背景下的重要议题.在动物物种生态位的诸多维度中,空间与时间生态位是其中最为关键的两个维度,了解同域分布物种之间在时、空生态位上的相互关系是探究物种共存机...     

Cimetidine enhances immune response of HBV DNA vaccination via impairment of the regulatory function of regulatory T cells

Cimetidine (CIM), a histamine 2-receptor antagonist, is postulated to enhance immune responses owing to its inhibitory effects on suppressor T cells. In this report, we evaluated effects of cimetidine on the potency of antigen-specific immunity generated by DNA vaccine encoding hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg, pcD-S2). Our data demonstrate that CIM as adjuvant significantly increased HBsAg-specific cell-mediated and humoral immunities that were characterized by higher Ig2a/IgG1 ratio. In addition, CIM significantly promotes an elevated level of IL-4 and IFN-γ in antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells and a robust antigen-specific cytotoxic response in the animals immunized with pcD-S2 plus CIM. Further, CIM induces pro-inflammatory cytokine expression such as the IL-12 and down-regulates anti-inflammatory cytokine expression such as IL-10 and TGF-β, which may lead to an impairment of CD4⁺CD25⁺ Treg cell-mediated suppression. Collectively these findings suggest that CIM enhances the immune responses of HBV DNA vaccine through the stimulation of pro-inflammatory and inhibition of anti-inflammatory cytokine expression patterns.     

Mitochondrial DNA associations with East Asian metabolic syndrome

Mitochondrial dysfunction has repeatedly been reported associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MS), as have mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) tRNA and duplication mutations and mtDNA haplogroup lineages. We identified 19 Taiwanese T2DM and MS pedigrees from Taiwan, with putative matrilineal transmission, one of which harbored the pathogenic mtDNA tRNA^Leu(UUR) nucleotide (nt) 3243A>G mutation on the N9a3 haplogroup background. We then recruited three independent Taiwanese cohorts, two from Taipei (N?=?498, mean age 52 and N?=?1002, mean age 44) and one from a non-urban environment (N?=?501, mean age 57). All three cohorts were assessed for an array of metabolic parameters, their mtDNA haplogroups determined, and the haplogroups correlated with T2DM/MS phenotypes. Logistic regression analysis revealed that mtDNA haplogroups D5, F4, and N9a conferred T2DM protection, while haplogroups F4 and N9a were risk factors for hypertension (HTN), and F4 was a risk factor for obesity (OB). Additionally, the 5263C>T (ND2 A165V) variant commonly associated with F4 was associated with hypertension (HTN). Cybrids were prepared with macro-haplogroup N (defined by variants m.ND3 10398A (114T) and m.ATP6 8701A (59T)) haplogroups B4 and F1 mtDNAs and from macro-haplogroup M (variants m.ND3 10398G (114A) and m.ATP6 8701G (59A)) haplogroup M9 mtDNAs. Additionally, haplogroup B4 and F1 cybrids were prepared with and without the mtDNA variant in ND1 3394T>C (Y30H) reported to be associated with T2DM. Assay of mitochondria complex I in these cybrids revealed that macro-haplogroup N cybrids had lower activity than M cybrids, that haplogroup F cybrids had lower activity than B4 cybrids, and that the ND1 3394T>C (Y30H) variant reduced complex I on both the B4 and F1 background but with very different cumulative effects. These data support the hypothesis that functional mtDNA variants may contribute to the risk of developing T2DM and MS.     

A reversible DNA-silver nanoclusters-based molecular fluorescence switch and its use for logic gate operation

Molecule-like silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) with few to tens of atoms are highly sensitive to the sequence and structure of DNA stabilizers. In this paper, a novel pH-triggered reversible molecular fluorescence switch is developed by taking advantage of the DNA-dependent fluorescence pH response of AgNCs. The DNA-AgNCs fluorescence switch simultaneously addresses concerns of simple construction strategy, efficient design and organic-solvent-free operation. Moreover, the excellent photostability and biocompatibility of AgNCs provide great potential for application of the DNA-AgNCs fluorescence switch in the development of functional molecular devices. Specifically, we apply the DNA-AgNCs fluorescence switch combined with the DNA sequence-dependent pH response pattern of AgNCs for construction of molecular logic gates.     

Development of a Blocking ELISA for Detection of Serum Neutralizing Antibodies against Newly Emerged Duck Tembusu Virus

Background

Since April 2010, domesticated ducks in China have been suffering from an emerging infectious disease characterized by retarded growth, high fever, loss of appetite, decline in egg production, and death. The causative agent was identified as a duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV), a member of the Ntaya virus (NTAV) group within the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. DTMUV is highly contagious and spreads rapidly in many species of ducks. More than 10 million shelducks have been infected and approximately 1 million died in 2010. The disease remains a constant threat to the duck industry; however, it is not known whether DTMUV can infect humans or other mammalians, despite the fact that the virus has spread widely in southeast China, one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The lack of reliable methods to detect the serum antibodies against DTMUV has limited our ability to conduct epidemiological investigations in various natural hosts and to evaluate the efficiency of vaccines to DTMUV.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) 1F5 binding specifically to the E protein was developed. Based on the mAb, a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of neutralizing antibodies against DTMUV. The average value of percent inhibition (PI) of 350 duck serum samples obtained from DTMUV-free farms was 1.0% ±5.8% (mean ± SD). The selected cut-off PI values for negative and positive sera were 12.6% (mean +2SD) and 18.4% (mean +3SD), respectively. When compared with a serum neutralizing antibody test (SNT) using chicken embryonated eggs, the rate of coincidence was 70.6% between the blocking ELISA and SNT, based on the titration of 20 duck DTMUV-positive serum samples.

Conclusions/Significance

The blocking ELISA based on a neutralizing mAb allowed rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of neutralization-related antibodies against DTMUV.     

Electrochemical detection of dopamine using porphyrin-functionalized graphene

A new type of porphyrin-functionalized graphene was synthesized and used for highly selective and sensitive detection of dopamine (DA). The aromatic π-π stacking and electrostatic attraction between positively-charged dopamine and negatively-charged porphyrin-modified graphene can accelerate the electron transfer whereas weakening ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) oxidation on the porphyrin-functionalized graphene-modified electrode. Differential pulse voltammetry was used for electrochemical detection, the separation of the oxidation peak potentials for AA-DA, DA-UA and UA-AA is about 188 mV, 144 mV and 332 mV, which allows selectively determining DA. The detection limit of DA can be as low as 0.01 μM. More importantly, the sensor we presented can detect DA in the presence of large excess of ascorbic acid and uric acid. With good sensitivity and selectivity, the present method was applied to the determination of DA in real hydrochloride injection sample, human urine and serum samples, respectively, and the results was satisfactory.