Ginsenoside-Rd improves outcome of acute ischaemic stroke - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 Ginsenoside-Rd is a receptor-operated calcium channel antagonist and has shown promise as a neuroprotectant in our phase II study. As an extended work, we sought to confirm its efficacy and safety of Ginsenoside-Rd in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 390 patients with acute ischaemic stroke in a 3:1 ratio to receive a 14-day intravenous infusion of Ginsenoside-Rd or placebo within 72 h after the onset of stroke. Our primary end-point was the distribution of disability scores on the modified Rankin scale (mRs) at 90 days.

RESULTS

  The efficacy analysis was based on 386 patients (Ginsenoside-Rd group: 290; placebo group: 96). Ginsenoside-Rd significantly improved the overall distribution of scores on the mRs, as compared with the placebo (P = 0.02; odds ratios [OR], 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-2.78). There were significant differences between the two groups when we categorized the scores into 0-1 vs. 2-5 (P = 0.01; OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.23-4.38; 66.8% vs. 53.1%). It also improved the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at 15 days [P < 0.01; least squares mean (LSM), -0.77; 95% CI, -1.31 to -0.24]. Mortality and rates of adverse events were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

  Ginsenoside-Rd improved the primary outcome of acute ischaemic stroke and had an acceptable adverse-event profile.

Effect of ionizing radiation on acinar morphogenesis of human prostatic epithelial cells under three-dimensional culture conditions

Homeostasis is maintained by the interplay of multiple factors that directly or indirectly regulate cell proliferation and cell death. Complex multiple interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix occur during acinar morphogenesis and changes in these might indicate carcinogenesis of cells from a normal to a malignant, invasive phenotype. In this study, the human prostatic epithelial cell line RWPE-1 was cultured under three-dimensional (3-D) culture conditions, and the effect of ionizing radiation on acinar morphogenesis and its association with autophagy were discussed. The results illustrated that formation of specific spheroid (acinar) structures was detectable under 3-D culture conditions. Radiation induced the disruption of acini in different cell models using either gene overexpression (Akt) or gene knock-down (Beclin 1 and ATG7). Introduction of Akt not only accelerated the growth of cells (i.e., caused the cells to manifest elongating and microspike-like structures that are obviously different from structures seen in wild-type RWPE-1 cells under two-dimensional conditions), but also changed their morphological characteristics under 3-D culture conditions. Knock-down of autophagy-related genes (Beclin 1 and ATG7) increased the radiosensitivity of cells under 3-D culture conditions, and cells died of non-apoptotic death after radiation. The results suggested that ionizing radiation may change the cell phenotype and the formation of acini. Additionally even the autophagy mechanism may play a role in these processes.

The HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (part V): capravirine and its analogues

Capravirine (S-1153, AG1549), a 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazole derivative, was firstly reported by the Shionogi company to inhibit HIV-1 strains which were resistant to other NNRTIs. However, safety and efficacy studies showed that capravirine had no specific advantages over currently used NNRTIs. Consequently, clinical trials were discontinued after phase IIb. Notwithstanding, with aim to obtain novel inhibitors against drug-resistant HIV-1 strains, an in-depth analysis of the particular binding mode of capravirine, together with the wide use of analogue-based chemical evolution strategies, such as bioisosteric replacement, molecular hybridization, prodrug approach, ligand efficiency, etc., gave a huge impetus to the optimization of capravirine. Especially, lersivirine (UK-453,061) was selected for further clinical evaluation due to its very impressive potency against a broad panel of key HIV-1 mutants, safety, pharmacokinetics and other pharmaceutical factors. In this review, we present a comprehensive survey of the literature on the development of capravirine-based NNRTIs. Other interesting NNRTIs with the same or similar binding mode like capravirine have been reported to highlight the structural diversity, pharmacophoric similarity of NNRTIs, which provided important hints for drug design.

Spatial-temporal expression of pum1 and pum2 in medaka Oryzias latipes

Two pumilios, pum1 and pum2, were identified in medaka Oryzias latipes. Oryzias latipes pum1 and pum2 are ubiquitous in the adult tissues but with specific expression in the germ cells of gonads, ovary and testis. Pum1 is expressed in the spermatogonia to spermatocytes whilst pum2 presents in spermatocytes of testis only. Oryzias latipes pum1 and pum2 are maternally supplied RNA with ubiquitous expression in the early stages, and embryonic expression of pum1 and pum2 may begin from early gastrula. Both pum1 and pum2 are expressed in the tissues including brain, eye and trunk, and both are expressed in the gonads after hatching. Taken together, Pum1 and Pum2 may play important roles in embryonic and germ cell development of O. latipes.

Surface nanoscale axial photonics: robust fabrication of high-quality-factor microresonators

Recently introduced surface nanoscale axial photonics (SNAP) makes it possible to fabricate high-Q-factor microresonators and other photonic microdevices by dramatically small deformation of the optical fiber surface. To become a practical and robust technology, the SNAP platform requires methods enabling reproducible modification of the optical fiber radius at nanoscale. In this Letter, we demonstrate superaccurate fabrication of high-Q-factor microresonators by nanoscale modification of the optical fiber radius and refractive index using CO2 laser and UV excimer laser beam exposures. The achieved fabrication accuracy is better than 2 Å in variation of the effective fiber radius.

P2-01-25: Truncated p110 ERBB2 (CTF611) Increases Migration and Invasion of Breast Epithelial Cells by Inhibiting STAT5b Activation

Background: Truncated ERBB2 receptors are present in a subset of human ERBB2+ amplified/overexpressing breast tumors, and are associated with trastuzumab resistance, metastasis, and poor clinical prognosis. However, whether truncated ERBB2 receptors are drivers of metastasis has not been well defined. In this study, we examined effects of full-length (p185) and truncated (p110) ERBB2 on the migration and invasion of human mammary epithelial cells, including HMLE and MCF10A cells.

Material and Methods: Recombinant p185 and p110 ERBB2 were stably expressed in human mammary epithelial cells (HMLE) and MCF10A cells via retroviral vector. Expression of comparable levels of p185 and p110 in cells was confirmed by western blot. The phosphorylation states of downstream signaling proteins including STAT5 were assayed via phosphoproteomics and Collaborative Enzyme Enhanced Reactive (CEER™) immunoassay. The effects of the p110 constructs on cell migration and invasion were investigated by transwell assays. shRNA-encoding lentivirus was used for specific silencing of STAT5b in HMLE cells, and STAT5b silencing was confirmed at the protein level using western blot.

Results and Discussion: Expression of p110 ERBB2 increased cell migration (HMLE, p = 0.04; MCF10A, p&lt; 0.01) and invasion (HMLE, p= 0.03) when compared to expression of p185. Furthermore, expression of p110 in HMLE cells was associated with reduced phosphorylation of STAT5b. shRNA mediated silencing of STAT5b was sufficient to increase the migration (p &lt; 0.01) and invasion of HMLE cells, phenocopying the p110 driven effects on HMLE cells. In clinical studies, loss of activated STAT5 protein correlates with breast cancer progression and is a negative predictor of survival. By analyzing publicly available gene expression datasets, we found that STAT5b mRNA expression is also significantly decreased in breast cancer compared to normal breast tissues in several studies, as well as in ERBB2 amplified vs. nonamplified samples. To our knowledge, this is the first reported perturbation of STAT signaling by truncated ERBB2 receptor, and suggests a mechanism by which truncated p110 ERBB2 (CTF611) increases migration and invasion of breast epithelial cells. This study extends the available data regarding STAT5 loss in breast cancer progression.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-01-25.

P4-07-12: Identification of p53 Mutation in Whole Genome DNA from Single Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) and Primary Breast Cancers (BC) from Patients (pts) with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)

Background: CTCs represent the source of distant metastases, and are also implied in the growth/re-growth of primary BC. Molecular/gene-level characterization of similarities and discordances between CTCs and BCs in pts with MBC may provide useful information for individualized treatment. Since somatic p53 mutations are frequently observed in primary BCs, we set out to assess the feasibility of identifying such mutations in CTCs from pts with MBCs, and compare the findings with those of the primary BCs from the same pts. Material and Method: Fiber-optic Array Scanning Technology (FAST) was used for identification and location of CTCs on large glass substrates. CTCs were identified after blood samples (10 ml) from MBC pts were stained to detect CTCs via automated digital microscopy by morphology, based on immunofuorescence staining for cytokeratin and nucleus, and the absence of CD45. Single CTCs from 10 pts with MBC were identified and removed from the glass substrates. DNA was extracted, and the whole genome of isolated CTCs was amplified by using whole genome amplification method (Sigma). P53 mutations in exon 5, exon 6, exon 7 and exon 8 were assessed. As comparison, genomic DNA from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) from primary BCs of the same pts, was amplified using the same method.

Results: p53 mutations were found in 8 out of 10 CTCs, and in 4 out of 10 in primary BC samples. Of 8 mutations detected in CTCs, one silent mutation and 7 missense mutations were seen. One particular point mutation, R181L, previously assessed as functional mutation, was observed in 4 out of 8 CTCs. None of the 4 mutations (a silent mutation, one missense mutation and two different deletions) detected in tumor samples were found in CTCs. We validated that the mutations detected in CTCs were not artifacts occurring during genome amplification, by comparing p53 mutations between unamplified tumor genomic DNA vs. amplified samples.

Conclusion: Whole genome amplification based on extracting DNA from single CTCs using FAST, and identification of mutations such as those in p53, is feasible. The quantitative and qualitative discordance in detecting p53 mutations between CTCs and primary BCs may be due to CTCs acquiring new -possibly epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like-characteristics with metastatic potential as they evolve from the primary tumors or metastatic sites, or, technical issues (analyzing FFPE-preserved vs. CTCs, tumor heterogeneity) may contribute to our findings. Further assessment of the functionality of high frequent functional mutations such as R181L is warranted.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-07-12.

S6-4: Protein Kinase Mutation Patterns in Human Breast Cancer

Background: We performed next generation targeted sequencing of all known human protein kinases (n=530 genes) and 56 additional cancer related genes (BRCA1,2, p53, PTEN, etc..) in 112 samples to assess the kinase mutation landscape of breast cancer. Gene expression profiling was also performed on RNA from each specimen and DNA copy number variations were assessed in a subset of 59 cases using array CGH. The three types of genomic data were mapped to canonical biological pathways to identify frequently genomically disturbed pathways in these cancers.

Methods: DNA and RNA extracted from fine needle biopsies of 92 breast cancers were analyzed, 20 samples were sequenced in duplicates or triplicates to assess technical variation of the results. Targeted sequencing was performed with Agilent SureSelect Human Kinome kit and the SOLiD sequencing platform. Gene expression profiling and array CGH were performed with Affymetrix U133A chips and Agilent 244K CGH array. Sequence data was mapped to hg19, functional impact scores were calculated with SWIFT, canonical pathways were obtained from the Broad Institute.

Results: 0.1% of the entire genome was sequenced and &gt;80% of target base pairs had &gt; 20-fold coverage. The mean number of single nucleic acid variants (SNV) and indels per sample were 1043 (range: 493–1583, about 60% homozygous) and 159 (range: 75–269) respectively, 97% of SNVs and 78% of indels were already represented in dbSNP or COSMIC data bases. About 20% of SNVs were predicted to alter kinase or other biological function. The mean number of functionally high impact SNVs was 28 per sample (range 11–47). In addition to known p53 and PI3K mutations we detected frequent mutations in BRCA1 (20%) and observed several predicted high impact SNVs in HER2 (20%) as well as in many MAPK family enzymes. Not all SNVs were distributed equally across disease subsets, SNVs in ULK4, BMP2K, PALB2, ALPK3 were more frequent in triple negative cancers (TNBC) whereas SNVs in EPHA2 was more common in ER+ cancers. Among TNBC, those with residual cancer after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (n=22) had significantly higher rates of SNVs in HUNK, TRPM7, NEK1 and HER3 compared to cases with pathologic complete response (n=25). When high impact SNVs, DNA copy number alterations and gene over-expression (relative to normal breast n=45) observed in individual cases were mapped to biological pathways a complex network of anomalies emerged for each case.

Conclusion: We observed several known mutations in cancer genes and also detected many SNVs in important regulatory genes that were previously described as functional, germ-line variants with experimentally validated or suspected impact on protein function. Individual cancers have unique combinations of these events. This suggest that cancers arise in the context of complex genomic “germ line noise” which may determine which types of somatic events can or cannot “drive” individual cancers. The data also suggest therapeutic hypotheses about what biological pathways should be targeted in individuals and in subsets of cancers.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr S6-4.

Expression of ecto-ATPase NTPDase2 in human dental pulp

Dental pulpal nerve fibers express ionotropic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) receptors, suggesting that ATP signaling participates in the process of dental nociception. In this study, we investigated if the principal enzymes responsible for extracellular ATP hydrolysis, namely, nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases), are present in human dental pulp. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence experiments showed that NTPDase2 was predominantly expressed in pulpal nerve bundles, Raschkow's nerve plexus, and in the odontoblast layer. NTPDase2 was expressed in pulpal Schwann cells, with processes accompanying the nerve fibers and projecting into the odontoblast layer. Odontoblasts expressed the gap junction protein, connexin43, which can form transmembrane hemichannels for ATP release. NTPDase2 was localized close to connexin43 within the odontoblast layer. These findings provide evidence for the existence of an apparatus for ATP release and degradation in human dental pulp, consistent with the involvement of ATP signaling in the process of dentin sensitivity and dental pain.

Long-haul transmission of 35-Gb/s all-optical OFDM signal without using tunable dispersion compensation and time gating

We propose that the optical OFDM technique using all optical discrete Fourier transform (DFT) has potential as a viable alternative for upgrading long-haul optical transmission systems towards 100-Gb/s. We demonstrate transmission of 35-Gb/s (7 x 5 Gb/s NRZ-OOK) all-optical OFDM signal over ~2000-km dispersion-managed span without using tunable dispersion compensation and time gating. We achieve bit error ratio of 1.2x10(-3) (7x10(-3)) for transmission over 1980-km (2310-km) all-EDFA amplified span consisting of standard single mode fiber (SSMF) and dispersion compensating fiber (DCF). We also study the nonlinear penalty impacting the all-optical OFDM transmission and discuss potential method for its mitigation.

Analysis of altered proteins related to blast crisis in chronic myeloid leukemia by proteomic study

INTRODUCTION

Chromic myeloid leukemia (CML) blast crisis (BC) and imatinib (IM) resistance is a significant barrier to the effective treatment of the disease.

METHODS

Expression profiles of differential proteins were identified, and new biomarkers or pathways related to BC in CML were screened through proteomic analysis. Total proteins from primary bone marrow cells of CML patients in chronic phase (CP) and BC were separated via two-dimensional (2D) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and then analyzed by imagemaster 5.0 software to detect differential protein spots which were already identified by mass spectrometry. Based on the variation of the whole expression profile, some key proteins were picked out for Western blot to confirm the accuracy of proteomics data. Moreover, related signal pathways involving those proteins were investigated.

RESULTS

The result indicated that thirteen protein points between CML-CP and CML-BC were successfully determined. Results from Western blot of RhoA, hnRNPK, ANXA1, PSMB4, and LTA4H were similar to those from 2D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Most of those proteins were involved in the proteosome pathway and the small G-protein pathway.

CONCLUSION

A group of proteins associated with BC can be obtained and the result of this study might provide clues for further research.

Suppression of local inflammation contributes to the neuroprotective effect of ginsenoside Rb1 in rats with cerebral ischemia

Local inflammation accounts for the progression of cerebral ischemic insult. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) is a natural product extracted from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. It has been reported to have beneficial effects in cerebral ischemia and to inhibit the inflammatory cascade in sepsis. In this study, to determine whether modulating local inflammation contributed to the neuroprotection of GRb1, male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with GRb1 or vehicle intranasally for 1 week before being subjected to temporary occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery and reperfusion. Neuroprotection of GRb1 was evaluated with a focus on the key elements of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation, such as inflammatory cells, proinflammatory cytokines, and transcriptional factor. GRb1 reduced infarction volume by 57% (n=6, P<0.01) and significantly alleviated the neurological deficit (n=12, modified neurological severity scores [mNSS]: 6.6±1.1 vs. 8.6±1.1, P<0.05). GRb1 depressed the activation of microglia in the penumbra by 15%-27% from 24 h to 72 h after reperfusion and its further convention into phagocytic microglia/macrophages. In GRb1 group, the peak mRNA level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) mRNA was decreased by 35% 12 h after reperfusion, whereas the protein level was significantly reduced by 43%-57%. Downregulation by GRb1 of both interleukin (IL)-6 gene and protein after GRb1 administration was also observed. GRb1 partially inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway from 6 h to 72 h after ischemia and reperfusion onset, as determined by the expression of total and phosphorylated NF-κB/p65, inhibitor protein of κB (IκB)-α, and IκB-kinase complex (IKK)-α. All these results indicate that suppression of local inflammation after cerebral ischemia might be one mechanism that contributes to the neuroprotection of GRb1.

Heading date gene, dth3 controlled late flowering in O. Glaberrima Steud. by down-regulating Ehd1

Heading date in rice is an important agronomic trait controlled by several genes. In this study, flowering time of variety Dianjingyou 1 (DJY1) was earlier than a near-isogenic line (named NIL) carried chromosome segment from African rice on chromosome 3S, when grown in both long-day (LD) and short-day (SD) conditions. By analyzing a large F2 population from NIL × DJY1, the locus DTH3 (QTL for days to heading on chromosome 3) controlling early heading date in DJY1 was fine mapped to a 64-kb segment which contained only one annotated gene, a MIKC-type MADS-box protein. We detected a 6-bp deletion and a single base substitution in the C-domain by sequencing DTH3 in DJY1 compared with dth3 in NIL, and overexpression of DTH3 caused early flowering in callus. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the transcript level of dth3 in NIL was lower than that DTH3 in DJY1 in both LD and SD conditions. The Early heading date 1 (Ehd1) which promotes the RFT1, was up-regulated by DTH3 in both LD and SD conditions. Based on Indel and dCAPs marker analysis, the dth3 allele was only present in African rice accessions. A phylogenetic analysis based on microsatellite genotyping suggested that African rice had a close genetic relationship to O. rufipogon and O. latifolia, and was similar to japonica cultivars. DTH3 affected flowering time and had no significant effect on the main agronomic traits.

Molecular mechanics modeling of deformation and failure of super carbon nanotube networks

A generalized molecular structure mechanics (MSM) model is proposed to investigate the deformation and failure behaviors of super carbon nanotubes (SCNTs) within the quasi-static approximation. The failure mechanism of the SCNTs with Y- and X-type junctions was examined by combining a failure criterion for the breakage of the carbon-carbon bonds in the CNT networks. The carbon-carbon bonds are modeled as elastic bars with equivalent stiffness and break as their elongation ratio reaches only 19%, which means that the broken carbon-carbon bonds are ineffective in terms of the Morse potential function. It is shown that the MSM method, combined with the failure criterion of the carbon-carbon bonds, is a powerful approach to simulate the deformation and failure of both Y junctions and X junctions with different chiralities and sizes. The deformation and failure modes of these junctions which involve rotation, bending and stretching of the CNT arms are predicted using the present model and the effects of various parameters of the junctions on their mechanical behaviors are discussed.