Lymphatic endothelial cell-secreted CXCL1 stimulates lymphangiogenesis and metastasis of gastric cancer

Lymph node metastasis is a significant factor in gastric cancer prognosis. It is well known that cancer cells secrete lymphangiogenic factors, thereby promoting lymphangiogenesis. However, the effects of lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC)-secreted factors on the process of lymphangiogenesis and tumor cell metastasis remain unclear. We established an animal model and successfully isolated LECs from afferent lymph vessels of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in animal models. A microarray analysis was performed to characterize gene expression profile in afferent LECs induced by metastatic cancer cells. There were significant differences in 846 genes between normal LECs and LECs with lymph node metastasis. Among these genes, we found that expression of CXCL1 was upregulated, which was confirmed by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. In a coculture system, gastric cancer cells induced CXCL1 secretion from LECs, which was associated with the NF-κB pathway. CXCL1 stimulated LECs migration and tube formation involving FAK-ERK1/2-RhoA activation and reorganization of F-actin. In human gastric cancer specimens, CXCR2 expression was positively correlated with TNM (Tumor, node, metastasis) stage and lymphatic vessel density. These results suggested that LECs of afferent SLNs had specific expression profiles, which were distinct from those of normal lymphatic vessels and appeared to promote metastasis. The expression pattern described in our study, including CXCL1 in LECs and its receptor CXCR2 in cancer cells, offers a promising therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

The attitudes of oncology physicians and nurses toward phase I, II, and III cancer clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the attitudes of oncology physicians and nurses toward phase I, II, and III cancer clinical trials.

METHODS

A questionnaire was administered to 358 oncology physicians and nurses.

RESULTS

The effective response rate was 79.3%. Of the respondents, 67.6%, 95.1%, and 98.6% reported that cancer patients would benefit from phase I, II, and III trials, respectively. Respondents would also recommend that their patients participate in phase I (64.4%), II (88.4%), and III trials (95.1%). When asked to assume the role of cancer patients, the respondents themselves were willing to participate in phase I (48.2%), II (72.9%), and III trials (89.8%). Respondents who admitted having little or no understanding of cancer clinical trials were not willing to recommend participation in phase I clinical trials to their patients (OR 0.187, 95% CI 0.110-0.319, p<0.001). No factor was significantly associated with respondents' willingness to recommend that their patients participate in phase II or III clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

Most physicians and nurses hold positive attitudes toward clinical trials, especially phases II and III. The number of medical staff who approved of clinical trials was positively associated with the stage of the phase trial.

Laparoendoscopic single-site liver resection: a preliminary report of 12 cases

BACKGROUND

Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery is an emerging laparoscopic procedure previously used for cholecystectomy and appendectomy. However, few studies have examined LESS liver resection, and its benefits require investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of LESS liver resection.

METHODS

From December 2009 to October 2010, 12 patients were selected for LESS liver resection with institutional review board approval. The LESS technique was performed using a transumbilical TriPort or three 5-mm trocars with a 5-mm linear or flexible laparoscope. Conventional or articulating laparoscopic instruments were used to mobilize and transect the lesions.

RESULTS

The LESS liver resection procedure was successfully completed for 10 patients (83.3%), with the remaining 2 patients (16.7%) undergoing conversion to conventional multiport laparoscopy. The procedures consisted of left lateral segment resection (n = 4) and partial resection (n = 8) in addition to concomitant cholecystectomy (n = 3). The mean operative time was 80.4 min (range, 35-160 min), and the mean estimated blood loss was 45 ml (range, 20-800 min). No postoperative complications were noted except for biliary leakage (200 ml/day)in one patient. The mean hospital stay was 4.3 days (range, 2-8 days). No patient required postoperative analgesia, and the pain visual analog score 48 h after surgery was 0.53 (range, 0-2). Pathology identified 10 benign and 2 malignant liver tumors with a clear margin.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary data show that LESS liver resection is safe and feasible for selected patients, with potential benefits that include a fast recovery, light pain, and cosmetically acceptable scarring. However, this procedure requires advanced instruments and complicated laparoscopic techniques, with a risk of intraoperative bleeding and postoperative bile leakage.

Blockade of lysophosphatidic acid receptors LPAR1/3 ameliorates lung fibrosis induced by irradiation

Lung fibrosis is a common and serious complication of radiation therapy for lung cancer, for which there are no efficient treatments. Emerging evidence indicates that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and its receptors (LPARs) are involved in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. Here, we reported that thoracic radiation with 16Gy in mice induced development of radiation lung fibrosis (RLF) accompanied by obvious increases in LPA release and LPAR1 and LPAR3 (LPAR1/3) transcripts. RLF was significantly alleviated in mice treated with the dual LPAR1/3 antagonist, VPC12249. VPC12249 administration effectively prolonged animal survival, restored lung structure, inhibited fibroblast accumulation and reduced collagen deposition. Moreover, profibrotic cytokines in radiation-challenged lungs obviously decreased following administration of VPC12249, including transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). In vitro, LPA induced both fibroblast proliferation and CTGF expression in a dose-dependent manner, and both were suppressed by blockade of LPAR1/3. The pro-proliferative activity of LPA on fibroblasts was inhibited by siRNA directed against CTGF. Together, our data suggest that the LPA-LPAR1/3 signaling system is involved in the development of RLF through promoting fibroblast proliferation in a CTGF-dependent manner. The LPA-LPAR1/3-CTGF pathway may be a potential target for RLF therapy.

Combining conditionally replicating adenovirus-mediated gene therapy with chemotherapy: a novel antitumor approach

Despite significant improvements in diagnosis and innovations in the therapy of specific cancers, effective treatment of neoplastic diseases still presents major challenges. Recent studies have shown that conditionally replicating adenoviruses (CRAds) not only have the ability to destroy cancer cells but may also be potential vectors for the expression of therapeutic genes. Several studies in animal models have demonstrated that the combination of CRAds-mediated gene therapy and chemotherapy has greater therapeutic benefit than either treatment modality alone. In this review, an overview of specifications for a novel antitumor approach combining CRAd-gene therapy and chemotherapy is provided and recent progress in this field is discussed.

Choice of stenting strategy in true coronary artery bifurcation lesions

BACKGROUND

The optimal stenting strategy in true coronary artery bifurcation lesions has not been determined. In this study, a strategy of always stenting both the main vessel and the side branch (MV plus SB) was compared with a strategy of stenting the MV only with optional stenting of the SB. Stents used were sirolimus-eluting stents and paclitaxel-eluting stents.

METHODS

A total of 108 patients with true coronary bifurcation lesions were randomly assigned to either routine stenting with drug-eluting stents (DES) in both the branches (group MV plus SB) or provisional stenting with DES placement in the main branch and DES placement in the SB only if MV stenting alone provided inadequate results (group MV). The primary end points were major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 8 months, including myocardial infarction, cardiac death, and stent thrombosis or target vessel revascularization by either percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting.

RESULTS

Angiographic follow-up revealed 28.91+/-20.43% stenosis of the SB after provisional stenting and 18.93+/-15.34% (P<0.01) after routine stenting. The corresponding binary restenosis rates were 35.2 and 14.8% (P=0.015). SB stents were implanted in 16.7% of patients in the provisional stenting group and 94.4% of patients in the routine stenting group. In the main branch, binary restenosis rates prebifurcation were 11.1% after provisional and 7.4% after routine stenting (P=0.51), whereas binary restenosis rates postbifurcation were 14.8 and 9.3% (P=0.38), respectively. The overall 8-month incidence of target lesion reintervention was 31.5% after provisional and 7.4% after routine stenting (P<0.01), and cumulative MACE were 38.9 and 11.1% (P<0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Routine stenting significantly improved the MACE outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention in true coronary bifurcation and bifurcation angle of 60 or less lesions as compared with provisional stenting.

Protective effects of bone morphogenetic protein 7 against amyloid-beta induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells

Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) has neuroprotective effects against ischemia, oxidation stress, and lipopolysaccharide, but its role on amyloid-beta (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we exposed PC12 cells to Aβ25-35 for 26 h to induce neurotoxicity, and added exogenous BMP7 at 2 h to observe the neuroprotective effects. The protective mechanisms involved, mostly related to inhibition of cell apoptosis and oxidation stress, were analyzed. In rat in vivo experiments, we bilaterally injected Aβ1-40 into the basal forebrain to simulate neuropathological processes in AD, performed the Morris water maze test to evaluate the effect of Aβ on spatial learning and memory, and explored the change of endogenous BMP7 expression in the brain. The present study demonstrated that BMP7 prevented neuronal injuries in PC12 cells induced by Aβ25-35, including cell apoptosis and morphological impairment of dendrites as well as oxidation stress. BMP7 treatment significantly protected PC12 cells against Aβ25-35-induced injury and inhibited the increasing content of the Bax gene and the decreasing activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Aβ1-40 bilaterally injected into the rat basal forebrain obviously inhibited the rat's spatial learning ability and memory, and significantly induced downregulation of endogenous BMP7 in the basal forebrain while upregulating it in the hippocampus. Our results suggest that BMP7 has neuroprotective effects against Aβ, which may be mediated through inhibition of Bax gene expression during cell apoptosis and elevation of SOD activities during the oxidative stress response. On the other hand, endogenous BMP7 may have a potential self-modulation capacity through negative feedback between the region of the basal forebrain and the hippocampus as a protective cytokine.

Association of olfactory bulb volume and olfactory sulcus depth with olfactory function in patients with Parkinson disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Olfactory dysfunction is commonly associated with IPD. We here report the association of OB volume and OS depth with olfactory function in patients with PD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Morphometric analyses by using MR imaging and the Japanese T&T olfactometer threshold test were used to evaluate olfactory structure and function in 29 patients with PD and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

RESULTS

The olfactory recognition thresholds were significantly higher in patients with PD than in healthy controls (3.82 ± 1.25 versus 0.45 ± 0.65, P<.001). Olfactory atrophy with reductions in the volume of the OB (37.30 ± 10.23 mm(3) versus 44.87 ± 11.84 mm(3), P<.05) and in the depth of OS (8.90 ± 1.42 mm versus 9.67 ± 1.24 mm, P<.05) was observed in patients with PD but not in controls. Positive correlations between olfactory performance and OB volumes were observed in both patients with PD (r=-0.45, P<.0001) and in controls (r=-0.42, P<.0001). In contrast, there was no significant correlation between the depth of OS and olfactory function in either cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The results provide evidence that early olfactory dysfunction in patients with PD may be a primary consequence of damage to the OB. Neuroimaging of olfactory structures together with the assessment of olfactory function may be used to identify patients with PD.

A model to determine 3-month mortality risk in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Liver failure has high mortality. There are accurate but controversial models to determine mortality of patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF). We developed a logistic regression model (LRM) and tested its ability to predict the 3-month mortality of patients with ACHBLF.

METHODS

The LRM was constructed using data from an internal cohort of 242 consecutive patients with ACHBLF and was tested on an external cohort of 210 patients with the same conditions. The receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated for the LRM, model of end-stage liver disease (MELD), Child-Pugh score (CPS), and a previously reported LRM that has not yet been validated in patients with ACHBLF. Predictions of 3-month mortality obtained with 4 models from the same datasets were compared using areas under receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

The LRM identified 5 independent factors associated with survival of patients with ACHBLF: hepatic encephalopathy (odds ratio [OR], 2.165; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.015-4.616), hepatorenal syndrome (OR, 9.767; 95% CI, 4.273-22.328), cirrhosis (OR, 2.339; 95% CI, 1.110-4.930), hepatitis B e antigen (OR, 2.874; 95% CI, 1.376-6.003), and prothrombin activity/age (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.037-0.395). Data from the internal and external cohorts indicated that the LRM had significantly greater prognostic accuracy than the MELD, CPS, or previous LRM.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a logistic regression model that predicted the 3-month mortality of patients with ACHBLF with greater accuracy than the MELD, CPS, or the previous LRM.

Cystic cavernous malformation of the cerebellopontine angle: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Cavernous malformations (CMs) in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are rare, and most of such CMs reported to date are solid and extend from the internal auditory canal into the CPA. In contrast, cystic CMs that arise in the CPA and do not involve the internal auditory canal and dura of the skull base are extremely rare.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 50-year-old man presented with vertigo and progressive hearing loss in the right ear. MRI examination revealed a lesion in the CPA with solid and cystic components. Surgery was performed. Well-circumscribed adhesion to cranial nerves, the cerebellum, or the brain stem was noted during surgery. The lesion was totally resected. Pathological examination suggested the lesion to be a CM. At 1-year follow-up, the symptoms at presentation had resolved and no complications had occurred.

CONCLUSION

Although cystic CMs of the CPA have no established imaging features, a diagnosis of CMs may be suspected when a cystic lesion is present in the CPA and does not involve internal acoustic meatus or dura mater of the skull base. Skillful microsurgical techniques and monitoring of cranial nerves will secure good outcomes for patients with cystic CMs in the CPA.

Overexpression of Forkhead box M1 protein associates with aggressive tumor features and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of this study was to detect the expression of the Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) protein in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to associate FOXM1 expression with clinicopathological features of the patients, and predict the prognosis of patients with FOXM1 expression. Surgical tissue specimens from 151 HCC patients were subjected to a tissue microarray construction and immunohistochemistry analysis of FOXM1 and the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The data showed that the FOXM1 protein was expressed in 59.3% of the HCC tissues, which was significantly higher compared to that of the surrounding non-tumorous tissues (23.8%; P<0.001). Moreover, FOXM1 expression was positively correlated with the labeling index of PCNA (P<0.001) in HCC and with aggressive tumor phenotypes, such as larger tumor size, multiple tumors, bilobar involvement, poor tumor cell differentiation, advanced stage and macrovascular invasion (P<0.05). In addition, HCC patients with FOXM1-positive tumors had a poorer recurrence-free and overall survival after hepatectomy than those with FOXM1-negative tumors. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that FOXM1 expression was an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome (P<0.05). The data from the current study suggest that FOXM1 may play an important role in HCC progression and could be further evaluated as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target.

Occurrence of and risk factors for diabetes mellitus in Chinese patients with chronic pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence and the risk factors of diabetes mellitus (DM) in Chinese patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), with particular emphasis on those with endoscopic or surgical therapy for CP.

METHODS

Four hundred forty-five contacted CP patients in our hospital between January 1, 1997, and July 31, 2007, were followed up. Risk factors for DM were determined in a multivariate analysis after exclusion of 58 patients.

RESULTS

The cumulative rate of DM was 51.5% (SD, 8%) at 20 years after the onset of CP and 27.8% (SD, 6%) at 10 years after endotherapy or surgery, without significant difference between the 2 therapies (P = 0.243). The age at the onset of CP (hazard ratio, 1.032; 95% confidential interval, 1.012-1.052), smoking (2.859, 1.448-5.645), chronic pain (0.412, 0.180-0.945), and pancreatic calcifications (2.326, 1.203-4.496) were identified as independent risk factors for developing DM in the patients before any invasive therapy. Smoking (2.203, 1.153-4.209) and distal pancreatectomy (5.412, 2.506-11.690) were the independent risk factors for DM development in patients after invasive therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of DM seems to be mainly caused by progression of CP because it increased with older age, absence of chronic pain, and pancreatic calcifications, whereas this risk is influenced by smoking and distal pancreatectomy.

Incidence of pancreatic cancer in chinese patients with chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

It is suggested that patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) have a markedly increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared with the general population. This study was designed to determine the rate of pancreatic cancer in CP patients in China.

METHODS

This was a semiprospective, single-center study including 420 consecutive CP patients (285 males and 135 females, median age at onset 39.5 years), with the median follow-up time being 102.3 months (range 24-419 months). We calculated the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) based on the pancreatic cancer incidence in the general population of China.

RESULTS

Four cases of pancreatic cancer (0.9% of patients) were observed in 3,591 patient-years (expected number of cases 0.15; SIR 27.2, 95% CI 7.4-69.6). Similar results were seen in alcoholics and non-alcoholics, and in smokers and non-smokers. When patients lost to follow-up were considered to be followed up until the end point without having developed pancreatic cancer (4,280 patient-years), SIR was 22.8 (CI 6.2-58.4). Based on the Cox model, with inserting factors being sex, age at the time of CP clinical onset, type of pancreatitis, and presence or absence of diabetes, calcification, alcohol use and smoking status, only age was found to correlate positively with the occurrence of pancreatic cancer (>50 years, hazard ratio, 1.8 ± 0.5; p = 0.044).

CONCLUSION

The risk of pancreatic cancer is markedly increased in CP patients in China compared with the general population, especially in older patients. and IAP.

Antisense oligonucleotide inhibits avian influenza virus H5N1 replication by single chain antibody delivery system

H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) causes widespread infections in poultry and wild birds, and has the potential to emerge as a pandemic threat to human. Antisense oligonucleotides (AS ODNs) are highly effective at inhibiting gene replication. Antibody-mediated delivery is a novel approach to target specific cells and tissues. In this study, we designed and synthesized three AS ODNs (PA4, PA492 and PA1203) specific for conserved region of AIV PA protein, and all the three AS ODNs could inhibit viral replication. The PA492 ODN showed the best antiviral effect by viral titers and quantitative RT-PCR in MDCK cells. The fusion protein scFv-tP was constructed as a single chain variable fragment (scFv) against AIV hemaglutinin antigen with a truncated protamine (tP). The results showed that scFv-tP fusion improved the antiviral effectiveness of PA492 in MDCK cells as measured by viral titers, quantitative RT-PCR and indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) assays. In addition, scFv-tP-delivered PA492 was also found to partially protect mice from lethal H5N1 influenza virus challenge. Using scFv-tP delivery, fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled-PA492 was found to be significantly localized in the lungs, compared to liposome-delivered PA492. Moreover, the fusion protein mediated PA492 had a lower lung index and viral titers in the infected mice as compared with the liposome method. These results provided a potential method for using anti-HA fusion protein for the targeted delivery of AS ODNs against AIV H5N1.

Is high resolution melting analysis (HRMA) accurate for detection of human disease-associated mutations? A meta analysis

BACKGROUND

High Resolution Melting Analysis (HRMA) is becoming the preferred method for mutation detection. However, its accuracy in the individual clinical diagnostic setting is variable. To assess the diagnostic accuracy of HRMA for human mutations in comparison to DNA sequencing in different routine clinical settings, we have conducted a meta-analysis of published reports.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Out of 195 publications obtained from the initial search criteria, thirty-four studies assessing the accuracy of HRMA were included in the meta-analysis. We found that HRMA was a highly sensitive test for detecting disease-associated mutations in humans. Overall, the summary sensitivity was 97.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 96.8-98.5; I(2) = 27.0%). Subgroup analysis showed even higher sensitivity for non-HR-1 instruments (sensitivity 98.7% (95%CI: 97.7-99.3; I(2) = 0.0%)) and an eligible sample size subgroup (sensitivity 99.3% (95%CI: 98.1-99.8; I(2) = 0.0%)). HRMA specificity showed considerable heterogeneity between studies. Sensitivity of the techniques was influenced by sample size and instrument type but by not sample source or dye type.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

These findings show that HRMA is a highly sensitive, simple and low-cost test to detect human disease-associated mutations, especially for samples with mutations of low incidence. The burden on DNA sequencing could be significantly reduced by the implementation of HRMA, but it should be recognized that its sensitivity varies according to the number of samples with/without mutations, and positive results require DNA sequencing for confirmation.

High frequency of CD4+ CXCR5+ TFH cells in patients with immune-active chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

T follicular helper (TFH) cells are a special subpopulation of T helper cells and can regulate humoral immune responses. This study examined whether the frequency of CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells could be associated with active immunity in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS

The frequencies of peripheral blood CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells, inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS), and/or programmed death 1 (PD-1) positive CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells in immune-active (IA), immune-tolerant (IT) CHB, and healthy controls (HC) were characterized by flow cytometry analysis. The effect of adevofir dipivoxil treatment on the frequency of CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells, the concentrations of serum IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-21, ALT, AST, HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBV loads in IA patients were determined. The potential association of the frequency of CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells with clinical measures was analyzed. In addition, the frequency of splenic and liver CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells in HBV-transgenic mice was examined. We found that the frequency of CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells in IA patients was significantly higher than that of IT patients and HC, and the percentages of CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH in IA patients were positively correlated with AST. Furthermore, the percentages of ICOS(+), PD-1(+), and ICOS(+)PD-1(+) in CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells in CHB patients were significantly higher than that of HC. Treatment with adefovir dipivoxil reduced the frequency of CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH, PD-1(+)CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells and the concentrations of HBsAg and HBeAg, but increased the concentrations of HBsAb, HBeAb, IL-2 and IFN-γ in IA patients. Moreover, the frequency of splenic and liver CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells in HBV-transgenic mice was higher than that of wild-type controls.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells may participate in the HBV-related immune responses and that high frequency of CD4(+)CXCR5(+) TFH cells may be a biomarker for the evaluation of active immune stage of CHB patients.

Histidine decarboxylase is identified as a potential biomarker of intestinal mucosal injury in patients with acute intestinal obstruction

Various biomarkers currently used for the diagnosis of intestinal mucosal injury (IMI) in patients with acute intestinal obstruction have low sensitivity and specificity. In the present study, IMI, as indicated by the impaired expression of tight junction proteins, including zonula occludens-1, occludin and claudin-1, and inflammation were determined in colonic tissues of patients with 45 strangulated intestinal obstruction (STR-IO) and the adjacent "normal" colonic tissues of 35 patients with colon cancers by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR), Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and histological examination, respectively. Then, two-dimensional fluorescent difference gel electrophoresis coupled with linear trap quadrupole mass spectrometry was used to screen for potential biomarkers of IMI in the serum samples of 10 STR-IO, 10 simple intestinal obstruction (SIM-IO) and 10 normal healthy controls. A total of 35 protein spots were differentially expressed among the serum samples, and six of the proteins were identified as potential biomarkers. Among the six proteins, histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and ceruloplasmin (CP) were elevated significantly in patients with STR-IO, compared with patients with SIM-IO and healthy controls. Thus, HDC and CP were further validated by QRT-PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively, in colonic tissues, serum and urine samples. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic curves were used to show the area under the curves of HDC, CP and several established biomarkers, followed by the determination of the appropriate cutoff values and their sensitivities and specificities. It was shown that for serum and urine, HDC levels achieved sensitivities and specificities compatible to or even greater than those of established biomarkers for the diagnosis of IMI in patients with acute intestinal obstruction, although further validation in a larger cohort is required.

Correlation of Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) with VEGF and HIF-1α expression in human glioma

To investigate the potential role of the notch ligand delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) in glioma angiogenesis, we examined whether its expression correlates with that of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α). Eighty-two specimens of human glioma and 7 of normal brain tissue were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for DLL4, VEGF and HIF-1α expression. Statistical analysis were performed to determine if protein expression correlated with clinicopathological parameters, including histological type, pathological grade, and microvessel density (MVD), determined using CD34-labelling. Expression of DLL4, VEGF and HIF-1α was very strong in gliomas, relative to normal tissues, linked with the malignant grade. Moreover, DLL4 staining positively correlated with VEGF and HIF-1α expression and with MVD. Thus our results indicate that DLL4 represents a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for glioma angiogenesis.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B infection in an adult population in Northeast China

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is higher in adults than in children. We determined the seroepidemiology of HBV infection in an adult population in JiLin, China, to guide effective preventive measures.

METHODS

A cross-sectional serosurvey was conducted throughout JiLin, China. A total of 3833 people was selected and demographic and behavioral information gathered. Serum samples were tested for HBV markers and liver enzymes.

RESULTS

The prevalence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the antibody to the hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), the antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe), and the antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were 4.38%, 35.66%, 1.38%, 6.65%, and 40.88%, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were significantly higher among HBsAg (+) than HBsAg (-) subjects. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors for chronic HBV infection were smoking, poor sleep quality; occupation as private small-businessmen, laborers, or peasants; male gender; family history of HBV; personal history of vaccination; and older age. Independent predictors for exposure to HBV were large family size, occupation as a private small-businessman, male gender, family history of HBV, personal history of vaccination, and older age. Independent predictors for immunity by vaccination were occupation as a private small-businessman, high income, personal history of vaccination, and young age. Independent predictors for immunity by exposure were drinking, male gender, personal history of vaccination, and older age.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence rate of HBV infection (4.38%) was lower than the previous rate of general HBV vaccination. However, 44.59% of the population remained susceptible to HBV. The prevalence of HBV infection was high in young adults, private small-businessmen, peasants, those with a family history of HBV, and males. Therefore, immunization of the non-immune population is reasonable to reduce hepatitis B transmission between adults.

Correlation of Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) with VEGF and HIF-1α expression in human glioma

To investigate the potential role of the notch ligand delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) in glioma angiogenesis, we examined whether its expression correlates with that of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α). Eighty-two specimens of human glioma and 7 of normal brain tissue were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for DLL4, VEGF and HIF-1α expression. Statistical analysis were performed to determine if protein expression correlated with clinicopathological parameters, including histological type, pathological grade, and microvessel density (MVD), determined using CD34-labelling. Expression of DLL4, VEGF and HIF-1α was very strong in gliomas, relative to normal tissues, linked with the malignant grade. Moreover, DLL4 staining positively correlated with VEGF and HIF-1α expression and with MVD. Thus our results indicate that DLL4 represents a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for glioma angiogenesis.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 modulates invasion and apoptosis of PC-3M prostate cancer cells via regulating expression of VEGF, MMP9 and caspase-3

Prostate cancer is a form of malignancy that is most likely to develop in older males, but because of the propensity to metastasize to parts of the body, particularly the bones, can have a deleterious impact on quality of life. Recently monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has been shown to play important role in prostate cancer progression and metastasi. In this study we aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying its functional roles. In vitro transwell invasion assays with PC-3M prostate cancer cells demonstrated MCP-1 promotion of invasion, while annexin V-FITC and TUNEL confirmed inhibition of apoptosis. Treatment MCP-1 further led to significant upregulation of VEGF and MMP-9 and downregulation of Caspase-3 at both mRNA and protein levels compared with untreated control (P < 0.05), while siRNA mediated knockdown reversed these changes. Taken together, our results indicate important roles of MCP-1 in prostate cancer progression and metastasis and our finding of regulation of VEGF, MMP-9 and Caspase-3 expression open up new possibilities for targeted therapy.

Lactobacillus plantarum ameliorates colonic epithelial barrier dysfunction by modulating the apical junctional complex and PepT1 in IL-10 knockout mice

Probiotics are efficacious in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. However, the precise mechanisms remain unknown. To determine whether probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) ameliorates colonic epithelial barrier dysfunction present in interleukin-10 knockout (IL-10⁻(/)⁻) mice, IL-10⁻(/)⁻ and wild-type mice received LP or the vehicle for 4 wk. Colitis was assessed by histological scores and clinical manifestation, and gut paracellular permeability was measured by Ussing chamber. Oligopeptide transporter 1 (PepT1)-mediated transepithelial transport was evaluated by measuring the plasma cephalexin concentration. The expression and distribution of apical junctional complex (AJC) proteins and PepT1 were determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence and their mRNA by reverse transcriptase-PCR. Spontaneous colitis was observed in all IL-10⁻(/)⁻ mice in which paracellular permeability was increased, in conjunction with decreased expression and redistribution of zonula occludens-1, occludin, claudin-1, and β-catenin. PepT1 expression was increased, accompanied with an enhanced cephalexin transport. Colonic epithelial barrier dysfunction was further confirmed by increased bacterial translocation and proinflammatory cytokine production. Treatment with LP decreased colonic paracellular permeability with restoration of expression and distribution of AJC proteins and partially prevented PepT1 expression and cephalexin transport in IL-10⁻(/)⁻ mice. Moreover, treatment with LP also prevented bacterial translocation and proinflammatory cytokine production in IL-10⁻(/)⁻ mice. Results from this study indicated that treatment with LP may ameliorate colonic epithelial barrier dysfunction in IL-10⁻(/)⁻ mice, by modulating the AJC- and PepT1-mediated transepithelial transport.

Giant cell reparative granuloma in the temporal bone of the skull base: report of two cases

Giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) in the temporal bone of the skull base is a very rare benign osteolytic lesion. Here, we report two cases that were initially misdiagnosed according to the patients' histories, clinical symptoms, and brain imaging prior to surgery. One case had a history of resection of a middle cranial fossa meningioma. The other case had a history of otitis media and mastoiditis. Pathological examination of the surgical specimens led to the diagnosis of GCRG for both cases. Both patients recovered well after surgical removal of the lesion without radiotherapy. Follow-up for 2 years indicated no recurrence of GCRG. These two cases support the hypothesis that repairing responses of bone tissue to either trauma or inflammation may underlie the pathogenesis of GCRG.