Amphiphilic triblock copolymer poly(p-dioxanone-co-L-lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol), enhancement of gene expression and inhibition of lung metastasis by aerosol delivery

We describe the development of an aerosol system for topical gene delivery to the lungs of C57BL/6 mice. This system is based on the combination of the commercial cationic lipid Lipofectin with a novel amphiphilic triblock copolymer, poly(p-dioxanone-co-L-lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PPDO/PLLA-b-PEG, and abbreviated in the text as polymeric micelles). After optimizing conditions for DNA delivery to the lungs of mice using the combination of polymeric micelles with Lipofectin and LacZ DNA, we used the Lipofectin/polymeric micelle system to deliver the tumor suppressor gene PTEN to the lungs of C57BL/6 mice bearing the B16-F10 melanoma. Lipofectin/PTEN/polymeric micelles significantly improved gene expression of PTEN in the lungs of mice with no evidence of cell toxicity or acute inflammation. Importantly, lung metastasis, as measured by lung weight, was significantly reduced (P<0.001), as were total tumor foci in the lungs (P<0.001) and size of individual tumor nodules in animals treated with Lipofectin/PTEN/polymeric micelles compared with control animals. Survival time was also extended. These results suggest that the Lipofectin/polymeric micelle system is appropriate for enhancing gene delivery in vivo and that it can be applied as a non-invasive gene therapy for lung cancer.

Preparation and drug release activity of scaffolds containing collagen and poly(caprolactone)

A new biodegradable polymeric scaffold was prepared by using collagen and poly(caprolatctone) (PCL). These scaffolds were found to be soft, spongy, and transparent in nature and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and FTIR spectrum. To these biodegradable polymeric scaffolds, antibiotic drugs namely amikacin and gentamycin were incorporated separately to study their release pattern from scaffolds. Amikacin and gentamycin release activity of the scaffolds containing a constant quantity of collagen but different quantities of PCL were studied at various time intervals viz. 1, 4, 24, and 48 h by measuring the optical density at 257 and 255 nm, respectively.

Relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and plasma neuroactive steroids in alcoholism, depression and controls

Deficiency in the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been associated with increased corticotropin releasing hormone and may contribute to hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) hyperactivity. Elevated levels of the neuroactive steroids, allopregnanolone (3alpha,5alpha-THP) and 3alpha,5alpha-tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC) appear to counter-regulate HPA hyperactivity. Plasma essential fatty acids and neurosteroids were assessed among 18 male healthy controls and among 34 male psychiatric patients with DSM-III alcoholism, depression, or both. Among all subjects, lower plasma DHA was correlated with higher plasma THDOC (r = -0.3, P < 0.05) and dihydroprogesterone (DHP) (r = -0.52, P < 0.05). Among psychiatric patients lower DHA was correlated with higher DHP (r = -0.60, P < 0.01), and among healthy controls lower plasma DHA was correlated with higher THDOC (r = -0.83, P < 0.01) and higher isopregnanolone (3beta,5alpha-THP) (r = -0.55, P < 0.05). In this pilot observational study, lower long-chain omega-3 essential fatty acid status was associated with higher neuroactive steroid concentrations, possibly indicating increased feedback inhibition of the HPA axis.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha promoter polymorphism associated with increased susceptibility to secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in the Korean population

Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) can be associated with various diseases including infections and lymphoma. The clinical findings of HLH can be explained by an increased production of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). As not all the patients with infection or lymphoma have secondary HLH, we investigated the relationship between susceptibility to secondary HLH and TNF-alpha promoter polymorphisms to identify genetic factors of secondary HLH. We determined the alleles of four promoter sites (-1031/-857/-308/-238) of TNF-alpha gene by using Taqman-based allelic discrimination assays in the 66 Korean patients with secondary HLH and 100 healthy Korean controls. We found that the frequency of the TNF-alpha -1031C allele, which is associated with higher-plasma TNF-alpha levels, was enriched in patients with secondary HLH compared with healthy controls (OR=2.00, 95% CI 1.20-3.30, P=0.007). In haplotype analysis of TNF-alpha polymorphisms, the haplotype H6 (CTGG) was detected only in the patient group, and the haplotype group (H2 or H5 or H6) including TNF-alpha -1031C allele was overexpressed in secondary HLH patients (OR=2.52, 95% CI 1.33-4.77, P=0.004). These results suggested that TNF-alpha -1031C allele and its associated haplotypes in Koreans may enhance susceptibility to secondary HLH.

Cyclosporine-Induced Apoptosis in Osteosarcoma Cells

INTRODUCTION

Posttransplant bone disease is one of the complications of cyclosporine (CsA), which is widely used as an immunosuppressive agent in the field of kidney transplantation. Cyclosporine treatment causes osteopenia as a result of altered bone turnover, but the pathogenic mechanisms of this process remain unclear. This study examined the ability of CsA to induce apoptosis in a rat osteoblast cell line.

RESULTS

We induced apoptosis in rat osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8 cells by exposure to CsA. MTT assay showed that CsA exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on ROS 17/2.8 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed enhanced processing of caspase-8, Bax, and p53 after CsA treatment. Expression of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was elevated by CsA treatment. Pro-caspase-3 and Bcl-2 proteins were decreased by CsA.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that CsA induced apoptosis of osteoblasts.

Nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: analysis of 36 cases. Clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma

Nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (NMZL) is a relatively uncommon type of lymphoma. Because of the rarity, the natural history and the optimal treatment modality have not been well defined. Therefore, we performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical features and treatment outcomes of NMZL. Thirty-six patients who were histologically diagnosed as NMZL were included in the analysis. Fifty-three percent of the patients had localized disease (stages I and II), and 21.2% (7/33) had bone marrow involvement at presentation. B symptom was present in only three patients (8.3%). Most patients were categorized as low or low-intermediate risk group by international prognostic index (IPI) (77.1%). Majority (94.4%) of the patients with localized disease achieved complete remission (CR) after the initial treatment. Of the seven patients with disseminated disease, who were treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy, four patients achieved CR. Of the seven patients who received nonanthracycline-based chemotherapy, no patient achieved CR. After the median follow-up duration of 36 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.9 (95% CI; 2.9-5.6) years, and the estimated 5-year PFS and overall survival rates were 47.2 and 82.7%, respectively. The significant predictive factors for PFS were performance status, advanced stage, and follicular lymphoma IPI (FLIPI) in this study. This clinical feature is similar to FL rather than to MZL-MALT type.

Identification of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium using specific PCR primers obtained by comparative genomics in Salmonella serovars

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a major foodborne pathogen throughout the world. Until now, the specific target genes for the detection and identification of serovar Typhimurium have not been developed. To determine the specific probes for serovar Typhimurium, the genes of serovar Typhimurium LT2 that were expected to be unique were selected with the BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) program within GenBank. The selected genes were compared with 11 genomic sequences of various Salmonella serovars by BLAST. Of these selected genes, 10 were expected to be specific to serovar Typhimurium and were not related to virulence factor genes of Salmonella pathogenicity island or to genes of the O and H antigens of Salmonella. Primers for the 10 selected genes were constructed, and PCRs were evaluated with various genomic DNAs of Salmonella and non-Salmonella strains for the specific identification of Salmonella serovar Typhimurium. Among all the primer sets for the 10 genes, STM4497 showed the highest degree of specificity to serovar Typhimurium. In this study, a specific primer set for Salmonella serovar Typhimurium was developed on the basis of the comparison of genomic sequences between Salmonella serovars and was validated with PCR. This method of comparative genomics to select target genes or sequences can be applied to the specific detection of microorganisms.

Therapeutic use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor could conceal residual malignant cells in patients with AML1/ETO+ acute myelogenous leukemia

We have experienced a number of cases of AML1/ETO+ acute myelogenous leukemia that showed remission based on bone marrow (BM) morphological criteria, but that revealed clonal abnormalities in most cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Interestingly, most of these cases had AML with AML1/ETO rearrangement. The malignant cells were differentiated and considered mature cells after granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment. To clarify the possible mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, we investigated the expression levels of G-CSFR in AML cells with AML1/ETO rearrangement by flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The number of AML1/ETO+ cells expressing G-CSFR at baseline was significantly higher than that of AML1/ETO- AML cells (2673 vs 522). In addition, the G-CSFR gene was more highly expressed in AML1/ETO+ cells than in AML1/ETO- cells by real-time PCR. This study reveals that cases showing remission after treatment with G-CSF mostly had leukemia with AML1/ETO rearrangement. This finding might be explained by the higher expression of G-CSF receptor in AML1/ETO+ cells than in AML1/ETO- cells. We recommend that remission should be confirmed by FISH, because malignant clones can be differentiated and masked in morphological examination or chromosome test, especially for AML with AML1/ETO rearrangement.

Spectral studies of SnO2 nanofibres prepared by electrospinning method

Tin oxide nanofibres with 100-150 nm diameter has been prepared, for the first time by calcination of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)/SnO2 composite fibres prepared by electrospinning method as precursor. Scanning electron microscopic images revealed cylindrical morphology of the fibres after calcination at 600 degrees C. Both, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectral data confirmed the presence of phase pure tetragonal rutile tin oxide after calcination process. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra of tin oxide nanofibres under excitation at 325 nm wavelength show a strong green emission at 525 nm with a band gap of 2.41 eV. FT-IR spectra confirmed the formation of pure tin oxide after calcination at 600 degrees C and complete removal of PVAc during calcination. UV-vis spectrum of the fibres showed absorption at 315 nm due to the direct electron transfer in tin oxide.

Effects of Elevated Atmospheric CO(2) Concentration on the Infection of Rice Blast and Sheath Blight

ABSTRACT The effect of elevated atmospheric CO(2) concentration on rice blast and sheath blight disease severity was studied in the field in northern Japan for 3 years. With free-air CO(2) enrichment (FACE), rice plants were grown in ambient and elevated ( approximately 200 to 280 mumol mol(-1) above ambient) CO(2) concentrations, and were artificially inoculated with consist of Magnaporthe oryzae. Rice plants grown in an elevated CO(2) concentration were more susceptible to leaf blast than those in ambient CO(2) as indicated by the increased number of leaf blast lesions. Plants grown under elevated CO(2) concentration had lower leaf silicon content, which may have contributed to the increased susceptibility to leaf blast under elevated CO(2) concentrations. In contrast to leaf blast, panicle blast severity was unchanged by the CO(2) enrichment under artificial inoculation, whereas it was slightly but significantly higher under elevated CO(2) concentrations in a spontaneous rice blast epidemic. For naturally occurring epidemics of the sheath blight development in rice plants, the percentage of diseased plants was higher under elevated as opposed to ambient CO(2) concentrations. However, the average height of lesions above the soil surface was similar between the treatments. One hypothesis is that the higher number of tillers observed under elevated CO(2) concentrations may have increased the chance for fungal sclerotia to adhere to the leaf sheath at the water surface. Consequently, the potential risks for infection of leaf blast and epidemics of sheath blight would increase in rice grown under elevated CO(2) concentration.

Effects of green tea consumption on inflammation, insulin resistance and pulse wave velocity in type 2 diabetes patients

In this study, we examined the effects of green tea on inflammation and arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes patients. As results, inflammatory markers, such as hsCRP and IL-6, were unchanged after green tea consumption, and neither were blood glucose, lipid profiles, insulin resistance, or serum adiponectin levels. Furthermore, tea consumption did not improve baPWV. These results suggest that the above-described mechanisms are unlikely to explain the cardiovascular risk reduction by tea consumption observed in epidemiological studies.

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 33 protein in patients with asthma: Relevance to airflow limitation

BACKGROUND

ADAM33 has been identified as a novel asthma susceptibility gene in genomewide screening and association studies. High-level expression in smooth muscles and fibroblasts suggests that ADAM33 plays a role in airway remodeling in patients with asthma.

METHODS

The ADAM33 protein was identified in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids of patients with asthma and normal control subjects using Western blotting antibody against the catalytic domain. ADAM33 expression was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining of mucosal biopsy specimens. The levels of ADAM33 protein in the BAL fluids were measured by dot blotting, and were correlated with the FEV1 values of the patients with asthma.

RESULTS

Western blot analysis revealed the presence of the ADAM33 protein, with a molecular mass of approximately 55 kD in the BAL fluids. ADAM33 was expressed in the smooth muscles and basement membranes of almost all the patients with asthma, but was absent in the normal control subjects. The ADAM33 levels were increased significantly in patients with moderate to severe asthma and in patients with mild asthma, as compared with normal control subjects (p = 0.001 and p = 0.016, respectively). The ADAM33 protein levels correlated inversely with the FEV(1)% predicted in the patients with asthma (r = -0.486, p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

ADAM33 is associated with asthma development, and the levels of ADAM protein are related to asthma severity.

Intussusception after gastric surgery

Intussusception following gastric surgery is a rare postoperative complication. It may develop in clinical situations following gastroenterostomy, Billroth II gastric surgery with or without Braun anastomosis, or Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. The patients may present with either an acute surgical emergency or with a chronic, relapsing form. The mortality may be up to 50 % in these cases if not treated appropriately, but little is known about the mechanism underlying the condition. Early diagnosis with a high index of suspicion and prompt treatment of the acute form are therefore important. Surgical reduction with laparotomy is mandatory, although definitive corrective and preventative measures have not yet been established.

Serum osteoprotegerin levels are associated with inflammation and pulse wave velocity

OBJECTIVE

We examined the association between serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels, systemic inflammation and arterial stiffness in normal and diabetic patients.

PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS

The study subjects comprised 49 newly diagnosed diabetic patients and 72 age- and sex-matched normal glucose controls. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profiles, serum OPG, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were measured.

RESULTS

Serum OPG levels (6.1 +/- 1.4 vs. 5.4 +/- 1.3 pmol/l, P = 0.011) and baPWV (1562 +/- 354 vs. 1399 +/- 257 cm/s, P = 0.004) were significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the normal glucose group. Serum OPG levels in normal and diabetic patients correlated significantly with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.20, P = 0.035), FBG (r = 0.30, P = 0.002), right baPWV (r = 0.22, P = 0.021), left baPWV (r = 0.26, P = 0.006), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r = 0.19, P = 0.045), IL-6 (r = 0.32, P = 0.001) and hsCRP (r = 0.21, P = 0.027) after adjusting for age and sex. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum OPG level was significantly associated with age, FBG, IL-6, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride and hsCRP (R(2) = 0.299).

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, serum OPG and baPWV levels are elevated in diabetic patients and serum OPG levels are significantly associated with inflammation and arterial stiffness.

Association among serum ferritin, alanine aminotransferase levels, and metabolic syndrome in Korean postmenopausal women

We examined the relationships among serum ferritin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and cardiovascular risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Korean postmenopausal women. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 959 postmenopausal women without an apparent cause of liver disease. Metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of at least 3 of the following: elevated blood pressure, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated serum triglycerides, elevated plasma glucose, and abdominal obesity. Serum ferritin and ALT levels were found to be correlated (r=0.374, P<.001) and to be associated with the components of metabolic syndrome. Subjects with metabolic syndrome showed significantly higher serum ferritin (74.7+/- 2.0 vs 59.6+/- 2.0 ng/mL, P<.001) and ALT levels (21.3+/-1.6 vs 18.7+/-1.5 IU/L, P<.001). Moreover, the greater the number of metabolic syndrome components present, the higher were the serum ferritin and ALT levels (P<.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that serum ALT levels are significantly associated with serum ferritin levels, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, age, and white blood cell count (adjusted R(2)=0.147). Elevated iron stores were positively associated with serum ALT levels and metabolic syndrome in Korean postmenopausal women.

Effect of PPAR-α and -γ agonist on the expression of visfatin, adiponectin, and TNF-α in visceral fat of OLETF rats

A variety of adipocytokines and peptides secreted from adipocytes have been considered to play a crucial role in obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Recently, visfatin, a new adipocytokine, known as a pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor, has been isolated from visceral fat deposits. It has been shown to activate insulin receptors in a manner different from insulin. To understand the role of adipocytokines in improving insulin sensitivity via activation of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) and -gamma (PPAR-gamma), we examined the expression of visfatin, adiponectin, and TNF-alpha in visceral fat depots of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats from early to advanced diabetic stage (from 28 to 40 weeks of age). Serum glucose and insulin concentrations significantly (P<0.05) decreased in rosiglitazone or fenofibrate-treated OLETF rats compared to untreated OLETF rats. Rosiglitazone significantly increased serum adiponectin concentration from 20 to 40 weeks of age (P<0.05), whereas fenofibrate reduced TNF-alpha concentration. The expression of visfatin and adiponectin mRNA in visceral fat deposits was elevated by rosiglitazone or fenofibrate treatments when compared to untreated OLETF rats (P<0.05), whereas, TNF-alpha mRNA was down-regulated by these drugs (P<0.05). These results suggest that rosiglitazone and fenofibrate may prevent type 2 diabetes by regulating adipocytokines including visfatin, adiponectin, and TNF-alpha.

Somatic VHL alteration and its impact on prognosis in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Somatic inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene is the most frequent genetic event observed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CC-RCC). However, the prognostic relevance of somatic VHL alteration and its target, hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha has not been defined. We investigated the genetic changes in the VHL gene and HIF-1alpha and studied their clinical implications in patients with sporadic CC-RCC. Patients who underwent nephrectomy were eligible if they had pathologically confirmed CC-RCC not associated with VHL disease or familial RCC. Tumor tissues were selected from paraffin blocks on the basis of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis was performed to detect VHL mutations and genetic changes in HIF-1alpha, which were followed by automated direct sequencing. VHL hypermethylation was examined by methylation-specific PCR. A total of 56 patients were enrolled and somatic VHL alterations were detected in 16 patients (29%); intragenic mutation in eight, hypermethylation in five, both alterations in three. The mutation types were missense in five patients, silent in three, nonsense in two, and frameshift in one. Somatic VHL alterations were not significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). However, patients with 'loss-of-function' VHL mutation showed significantly decreased PFS (P=0.016) and OS (P=0.046). Although the association between VHL alteration and response to immunotherapy was not significant (P=0.486), patients with missense mutation seem to have better response to immunotherapy. The Pro582Ser change in HIF-1alpha was detected in six patients (11%) and was positively correlated with the development of metastases (P=0.023). This study did not show an association between somatic VHL alteration and prognosis in patients with sporadic CC-RCC. However, it suggests that the therapeutic and prognostic implication of somatic VHL alteration may be different according to the mutational subtype and that the Pro582Ser change in HIF-1alpha may contribute to the development of metastases.

Relationship between serum adiponectin concentration, pulse wave velocity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), serum adiponectin concentration and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as a risk marker for atherosclerosis.

METHODS

A total of 213 nonalcoholic subjects (67 males, 146 females) participated in this study. Division of subjects into the NAFLD group or the normal group was based on the existence of fatty liver detected by sonography.

RESULTS

Serum adiponectin levels in the NAFLD group were significantly lower than those in the normal group. After adjusting for age, body-mass index (BMI) and the homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA), there was a significant negative correlation between NAFLD and serum adiponectin level only in females (r = -0.22, P = 0.008). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a tendency of inverse correlation between NAFLD and serum adiponectin level in females (P = 0.055). After adjustment for age, BMI and HOMA value, serum adiponectin levels were inversely correlated with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) levels (r = -0.199 (P = 0.004) and r = -0.282 (P < 0.001)). On the other hand, baPWV in the NAFLD group was also significantly higher than that in the normal group in females (P = 0.005). Individual levels of serum ALT, aspatate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and GGT were positively correlated with baPWV after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, HOMA and systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Serum adiponectin level and baPWV were significantly associated with NAFLD and various liver enzymes, especially in females.

Complete Nonvisualization of Basilar Artery on MR Angiography in Patients with Vertebrobasilar Ischemic Stroke: Favorable Outcome Factors

BACKGROUND

In vertebrobasilar ischemic stroke, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) occasionally fails to visualize the basilar artery, but in these patients, little attention has been given to establishing correlations between the clinical and the radiological findings. Our aim was to identify clinical or radiological measures that could assist in predicting a favorable clinical outcome.

METHODS

Risk factors, clinicoradiological features, and functional outcomes were assessed in 40 patients with vertebrobasilar ischemic stroke whose basilar arteries were absent on MRA. The presence of potential feeding arteries to the posterior circulation was recorded from a review of the MRA data. To permit quantitative analysis of the images, a potential feeding artery score (PFAS; range: 0-8) was established. One point was assigned when a signal was seen from an intracranial vertebral artery, a posterior inferior cerebellar artery, a superior cerebellar artery, or a posterior cerebral artery. On MRI, the location of the infarction was classified as involving the proximal, middle, and distal territories of the intracranial posterior circulation. The infarctions were also categorized as single- or multi-sector infarctions, and according to whether more than one penetrating or branch artery was involved. Clinical outcomes were classified as favorable (modified Rankin Scale = 0-2) or poor (modified Rankin Scale = 3-6).

RESULTS

The clinical outcome was favorable in 30% (n = 12) of patients, and poor in 70% (n = 28). A transient ischemic attack preceded the stroke in 48% of patients, especially those with a favorable outcome (67%). Patients with a favorable outcome had a higher PFAS (p = 0.036) and an increased incidence of single-sector infarction (p = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that a higher PFAS, accompanied by a single-sector infarction, is a predictor of improved clinical outcome in patients with vertebrobasilar ischemic stroke in which the basilar artery was absent on MRA.