Fisher information matrix of the Dirichlet-multinomial distribution

In this paper we derive explicit expressions for the elements of the exact Fisher information matrix of the Dirichlet-multinomial distribution. We show that exact calculation is based on the beta-binomial probability function rather than that of the Dirichlet-multinomial and this makes the exact calculation quite easy. The exact results are expected to be useful for the calculation of standard errors of the maximum likelihood estimates of the beta-binomial parameters and those of the Dirichlet-multinomial parameters for data that arise in practice in toxicology and other similar fields. Standard errors of the maximum likelihood estimates of the beta-binomial parameters and those of the Dirichlet-multinomial parameters, based on the exact and the asymptotic Fisher information matrix based on the Dirichlet distribution, are obtained for a set of data from Haseman and Soares (1976), a dataset from Mosimann (1962) and a more recent dataset from Chen, Kodell, Howe and Gaylor (1991). There is substantial difference between the standard errors of the estimates based on the exact Fisher information matrix and those based on the asymptotic Fisher information matrix.     

Evaluation and optimization of DNA delivery into gliosarcoma 9L cells by a cholesterol-based cationic liposome

This paper reports results concerning the transfection of gliosarcoma cells 9L using an original cholesterol-based cationic liposome as carrier. This cationic liposome was prepared from triethyl aminopropane carbamoyl cholesterol (TEAPC-Chol) and a helper lipid, dioleoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE). The used concentration of liposome was not cytotoxic as revealed by the MTT test. TEAPC-Chol/DOPE liposomes allowed the plasmids encoding reporter genes to enter the nucleus as observed both by electron microscopy and functionality tests using fluorescence detection of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luminometric measurements of luciferase activity. By changing the cationic lipid/DNA molar charge ratio, optimal conditions were determined. Further, improvement of the transfection level has been obtained by either precondensing plasmid DNA with poly-l-lysine or by adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the transfection medium. The optimal conditions determined are different depending on whether the transfection is made with cells in culture or with tumors induced by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of cells in Nude mice. For in vivo assays, a simple method to overcome the interference of haemoglobin with the chemiluminescence intensity of luciferase has been used. These results would be useful for gaining knowledge about the potential for the cationic liposome TEAPC-Chol/DOPE to transfect brain tumors efficiently.     

噬菌体治疗细菌性感染及其限制因素

近年来,细菌耐药性已成为抗感染领域面临的严峻问题,临床对一些细菌性感染疾病束手无策。噬菌体疗法是一种通过噬菌体裂解细菌来治疗病原菌感染的治疗手段。噬菌体在抗菌领域表现出显著的优越性,成为目前治疗细菌性感染的研究热点。本文对近年来噬菌体治疗动物和人类病原菌感染、限制其临床应用的因素及解决措施进行综述。     

基于"经筋理论"针刀治疗对早中期膝骨关节炎患者骨代谢指标和血清TIMP-1、MMP-3、MMP-13的影响

摘要 目的：探讨基于"经筋理论"针刀治疗对早中期膝骨关节炎（KOA）患者骨代谢指标和血清金属蛋白酶抑制物-1（TIMP-1）、基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）-3、MMP-13的影响。方法：根据随机数字表法,将2021年1月至2023年1月期间就诊于新疆医科大学附属第一医院的120例早中期KOA患者分为对照组（n=60,常规治疗）和研究组（n=60,对照组的基础上接受"经筋理论"针刀治疗）。对比两组疗效、量表评分[疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）、西安大略和麦克马斯特大学骨关节炎调查表（WOMAC）]、骨代谢指标[抗酒石酸盐酸性磷酸酶异构体（TRACP-5b）、骨特异性碱性磷酸酶（BALP）、骨钙素（BGP）]和血清TIMP-1、MMP-3、MMP-13。结果：与对照组相比,研究组的临床总有效率更高（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,研究组治疗后WOMAC、VAS评分和血清MMP-3、MMP-13、TRACP-5b水平更低,TIMP-1、BALP、BGP水平更高（P<0.05）。结论：基于"经筋理论"针刀治疗早中期KOA患者,可有效减轻疼痛症状,提高临床治疗效果,可能与改善骨代谢指标和血清TIMP-1、MMP-3、MMP-13水平有关。     

Standard nomenclature for primate breeding and husbandry

Managers of primate colonies seek to record colony data in a systematic way which will be helpful in daily management. Each colony develops individual record systems, tailored to its specific operations and budget. These diversified systems provide the base for a set of uniform record items, which enables information to be shared among institutions, and used for the overall management of a self-sustaining captive primate population, as well as for national planning of primate resources. The present report identifies basic information needed for local colony management and data items that require standard nomenclature. Such data will provide the basic demographic profiles unavailable at most primate colonies today.     

A proteomic and phosphoproteomic landscape of KRAS mutant cancers identifies combination therapies

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Development of a human three-dimensional organotypic skin-melanoma spheroid model for in vitro drug testing

Despite remarkable efforts, metastatic melanoma (MM) still presents with significant mortality. Recently, mono-chemotherapies are increasingly replenished by more cancer-specific combination therapies involving death ligands and drugs interfering with cell signaling. Still, MM remains a fatal disease because tumors rapidly develop resistance to novel therapies thereby regaining tumorigenic capacity. Although genetically engineered mouse models for MM have been developed, at present no model is available that reliably mimics the human disease and is suitable for studying mechanisms of therapeutic obstacles including cell death resistance. To improve the increasing requests on new therapeutic alternatives, reliable human screening models are demanded that translate the findings from basic cellular research into clinical applications. By developing an organotypic full skin equivalent, harboring melanoma tumor spheroids of defined sizes we have invented a cell-based model that recapitulates both the 3D organization and multicellular complexity of an organ/tumor in vivo but at the same time accommodates systematic experimental intervention. By extending our previous findings on melanoma cell sensitization toward TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) by co-application of sublethal doses of ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB) or cisplatin, we show significant differences in the therapeutical outcome to exist between regular two-dimensional (2D) and complex in vivo-like 3D models. Of note, while both treatment combinations killed the same cancer cell lines in 2D culture, skin equivalent-embedded melanoma spheroids are potently killed by TRAIL+cisplatin treatment but remain almost unaffected by the TRAIL+UVB combination. Consequently, we have established an organotypic human skin-melanoma model that will facilitate efforts to improve therapeutic outcomes for malignant melanoma by providing a platform for the investigation of cytotoxic treatments and tailored therapies in a more physiological setting.     

Microflow system promotes acetaminophen crystal nucleation

It is known that interfaces have various impacts on crystallization from a solution. Here, we describe crystallization of acetaminophen using a microflow channel, in which two liquids meet and form a liquid–liquid interface due to laminar flow, resulting in uniform mixing of solvents on the molecular scale. In the anti‐solvent method, the microflow mixing promoted the crystallization more than bulk mixing. Furthermore, increased flow rate encouraged crystal formation, and a metastable form appeared under a certain flow condition. This means that interface management by the microchannel could be a beneficial tool for crystallization and polymorph control.     

AMPH1 functions as a tumour suppressor in ovarian cancer via the inactivation of PI3K/AKT pathway

AMPH1, an abundant protein in nerve terminals, plays a critical role in the recruitment of dynamin to sites of clathrin‐mediated endocytosis. Recently, it is reported to be involved in breast cancer and lung cancer. However, the impact of AMPH1 on ovarian cancer is unclear. In this study, we used gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function methods to explore the role of AMPH1 in ovarian cancer cells. AMPH1 inhibited ovarian cancer cell growth and cell migration, and promoted caspase‐3 activity, resulting in the increase of cell apoptosis. In xenograft mice model, AMPH1 prevented tumour progression. The anti‐oncogene effects of AMPH1 on ovarian cancer might be partially due to the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway after overexpression of AMPH1. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the staining of AMPH1 was remarkably reduced in ovarian cancer tissues compared with normal ovarian tissues. In conclusion, our study identifies AMPH1 as a tumour suppressor in ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo. This is the first evidence that AMPH1 inhibited cell growth and migration, and induced apoptosis via the inactivation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway on ovarian cancer, which may be used as an effective strategy.