Inducible nitric oxide inhibitor enhances the anti-tumor effect of cisplatin on CNE-2 cells by inducing cell apoptosis

OBJECTIVE

Inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) inhibitor S-methylisothiourea (SMT) has been reported to have anti-tumor effects on several types of cancers.  We aimed to investigate whether SMT can inhibit nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells CNE-2 proliferation through raise chemotherapy effect of diaminodichloroplatinum (DDP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CNE-2 cells were treated with SMT, DDP and both of them respectively. MTT and colony-forming assay was performed to detect the proliferation effect of the treatment. Hoechst 33258 staining and apoptosis analysis were performed to investigate the apoptosis effect of chemotherapy. Additionally, the NO level was detected to estimate the activity of iNOS.

RESULTS

CNE-2 cells expressed high level of iNOS. SMT can inhibit CNE-2 cells growth in a dose-dependent manner and have the effect on reducing dosage of DDP as well as enhancing the anti-tumor efficacy by promote cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that SMT play a synergism role in the inhibition process of DDP on nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and SMT could be a promising therapeutic factor for cancer prevention.

Effects of a recovery management intervention on Chinese heroin users' community recovery through the mediation effect of enhanced service utilization

BACKGROUND

This study investigates whether a recovery management intervention (RMI) can improve the utilization of community drug treatment and wraparound services among heroin users in China and subsequently lead to positive recovery outcomes.

METHODS

Secondary analysis was conducted drawing data from a randomized controlled trial; 100 heroin users with no severe mental health problems were recruited in two Shanghai districts (Hongkou and Yangpu) upon their release from compulsory rehabilitation facilities. A latent variable modeling approach was utilized to test whether the RMI influences heroin users' perceived motivation and readiness for treatment, enhances treatment and wraparound service participation, and, in turn, predicts better recovery outcomes.

RESULTS

Enrollment in drug treatment and other social service utilization increased significantly as a result of RMI rather than an individual drug user's motivation and readiness for treatment. Increased service utilization thus led to more positive individual recovery outcomes. In addition to this mediation effect through service utilization, the RMI also improved participants' community recovery directly.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that better drug treatment enrollment, community service utilization and recovery outcomes can be potentially achieved among heroin users in China with carefully designed case management interventions.

Limited human-to-human transmission of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, Shanghai, China, March to April 2013

In April 2013, two members of one family were successively confirmed as cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in Shanghai, China. Respiratory specimens from the two cases and their close contacts were tested using real-time reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR. Paired serum specimens from contacts were tested by haemagglutination inhibition assay and microneutralisation test. The index patient developed severe pneumonia. Her husband presented with pneumonia shortly thereafter. Both cases had highly similar clinical features and infection with A(H7N9) virus was confirmed in both cases by genetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a high level of similarity between the sequences from the two patients and environmental samples collected from wet markets in Minhang and Changning districts. Six samples from the Changning wet market were confirmed as A(H7N9) positive. Of 27 close contacts, one developed mild respiratory symptoms and another tested positive for A(H7N9) antibodies, but both were negative by real-time RT-PCR. The other 25 close contacts of both cases were A(H7N9) negative. Limited human-to-human transmission of the virus most likely occurred in the family cluster. However, other close contacts did not test positive for the virus, suggesting limited potential for extensive human-to-human transmission of the virus.

Double-resonance enhanced intersubband second-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities in GaN/AlGaN step quantum wells

Second-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities for second harmonic generation (SHG) associated with intersubband transitions in GaN/AlGaN single quantum well and step quantum well have been studied theoretically by solving Schrödinger and Poisson equations self-consistently. The calculated results suggest that due to the very large polarization-induced field in the quantum well, the potential profile becomes asymmetrical, leading to large second-order susceptibilities. A high value about 4 × 10^-7 m/V can be obtained in single quantum well structure. Furthermore, by adopting step quantum well structure to increase the asymmetry degree of the potential profile and manipulate the energy levels for double-resonance, a significant enhancement of second-order susceptibility can occur in step quantum well. Specifically, the susceptibility can be as large as 4 × 10^-6 m/V with structure optimization, about an order of magnitude greater than that in single quantum well. The results indicate that nonlinear optical elements based on GaN/AlGaN step quantum wells are very promising for SHG in a wide range of wavelengths from telecommunication to mid-infrared, especially effective in longer wavelength.

Submandibular gland sparing in intensity-modulated radiotherapy for N0-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated and quantified the feasibility of submandibular gland (SMG) sparing in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for N0-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS

Ten patients with N0-stage NPC were enrolled in the study. Four IMRT plans were produced for each, with different limiting conditions. In plan A, SMG sparing was ignored; in plans B, C and D, the mean dose to SMGs was restricted to 39 Gy. In addition, at least 95% of planning target volume (PTV)-IIa (PTV of clinical target volume involving level IIa lymph node) in plan C and 90% of PTV-IIa in plan D were required to have a 60 Gy covering.

RESULTS

The average mean dose to SMGs was 54.6 ± 3.6 Gy in plan A and was lower 39.3 ± 0.3, 49.3 ± 1.9 and 46.7 ± 2.8 Gy in plans B, C and D, respectively. The volume of PTV-IIa covered by 60 Gy was 98.9%, 81.6%, 95.2% and 90.8% in plans A, B, C and D, respectively, and showed a parallel association between dose reduction to SMGs and the covering deficit of PTV-IIa.

CONCLUSION

Reducing the mean dose received by SMG to 39 Gy or less in IMRT for N0-stage NPC is feasible.

Current status of standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion in China

With the wide-spread and application of acupuncture and moxibustion, the demand of its standardization construction is increasingly prominent. On the basis of further investigation into the standards of acupuncture and moxibustion in China, this article summarize the research status of Chinese standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion, analyse some problems existing in current construction of acupuncture and moxibustion standardization, and put forward several strategies for moving forward, in order to show an overall and objective understanding of acupuncture and moxibustion standardization.

Long non-coding RNA UCA1 promotes breast tumor growth by suppression of p27 (Kip1)

Functional genomics studies have led to the discovery of a large amount of non-coding RNAs from the human genome; among them are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Emerging evidence indicates that lncRNAs could have a critical role in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell growth and apoptosis as well as cancer progression and metastasis. As master gene regulators, lncRNAs are capable of forming lncRNA–protein (ribonucleoprotein) complexes to regulate a large number of genes. For example, lincRNA-RoR suppresses p53 in response to DNA damage through interaction with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein I (hnRNP I). The present study demonstrates that hnRNP I can also form a functional ribonucleoprotein complex with lncRNA urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (UCA1) and increase the UCA1 stability. Of interest, the phosphorylated form of hnRNP I, predominantly in the cytoplasm, is responsible for the interaction with UCA1. Moreover, although hnRNP I enhances the translation of p27 (Kip1) through interaction with the 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of p27 mRNAs, the interaction of UCA1 with hnRNP I suppresses the p27 protein level by competitive inhibition. In support of this finding, UCA1 has an oncogenic role in breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we show a negative correlation between p27 and UCA in the breast tumor cancer tissue microarray. Together, our results suggest an important role of UCA1 in breast cancer.

Potential economic and health impacts of ochratoxin A regulatory standards

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin found in multiple agricultural commodities worldwide. OTA causes renal toxicity in certain animal species, but there is little documented evidence of adverse health effects in humans. Until recently, few nations have established regulations on maximum levels for OTA in commodities. The application of regulations may cause economic loss to food producers, which should be considered alongside potential health benefits from enacting such regulations. We evaluate the potential economic impacts of the recently proposed OTA maximum limits (MLs) for foodstuffs by Health Canada. Potential costs to Canadian food producers and nations exporting to Canada are estimated using data on reported proportion of foodstuffs exceeding OTA ML levels, and market data from the Canadian Importer's Database and the United States Department of Agriculture Global Agricultural Trade System. If the proposed OTA MLs are enforced, estimated annual losses to Canadian food producers could exceed 260 million Canadian dollars (CD), based on proportion of products expected to have OTA levels exceeding the MLs. Wheat and oat producers would experience the greatest proportion of economic loss. The United States is the largest exporter to Canada of foods that would be subject to the proposed MLs, and would experience an estimated annual loss of over 17 million CD; primarily in the infant food, breakfast cereal and raisin industries. The countervailing health benefits of such OTA standards are unclear. These potential health and economic implications should be considered by policymakers when setting regulatory standards on food safety.

Analysis of selected phthalates in Canadian indoor dust collected using household vacuum and standardized sampling techniques

Phthalates have been used extensively as plasticizers to improve the flexibility of polymers, and they also have found many industrial applications. They are ubiquitous in the environment and have been detected in a variety of environmental and biological matrices. The goal of this study was to develop a method for the determination of 17 phthalate esters in house dust. This method involved sonication extraction, sample cleanup using solid phase extraction, and isotope dilution GC/MS/MS analysis. Method detection limits (MDLs) and recoveries ranged from 0.04 to 2.93 μg/g and from 84 to 117%, respectively. The method was applied to the analysis of phthalates in 38 paired household vacuum samples (HD) and fresh dust (FD) samples. HD and FD samples compared well for the majority of phthalates detected in house dust. Data obtained from 126 household dust samples confirmed the historical widespread use of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), with a concentration range of 36 μg/g to 3840 μg/g. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BzBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) were also found in most samples at relatively high concentrations. Another important phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), was detected at a frequency of 98.4% with concentrations ranging from below its MDL of 0.51 μg/g to 69 μg/g.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator mediates neuroglial coupling in the central nervous system

The interaction between neurons, astrocytes and endothelial cells plays a central role coupling energy supply with changes in neuronal activity. For a long time it was believed that glucose was the only source of energy for neurons. However, a growing body of experimental evidence indicates that lactic acid, generated by aerobic glycolysis in perivascular astrocytes, is also a source of energy for neuronal activity, particularly when the supply of glucose from the intravascular space is interrupted. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an evolutionary conserved kinase that couples cellular activity with energy consumption via induction of the uptake of glucose and activation of the glycolytic pathway. The uptake of glucose by the blood-brain barrier is mediated by glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1), which is abundantly expressed in endothelial cells and astrocytic end-feet processes. Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) is a serine proteinase that is found in endothelial cells, astrocytes and neurons. Genetic overexpression of neuronal tPA or treatment with recombinant tPA protects neurons from the deleterious effects of metabolic stress or excitotoxicity, via a mechanism independent of tPA's ability to cleave plasminogen into plasmin. The work presented here shows that exposure to metabolic stress induces the rapid release of tPA from murine neurons but not from astrocytes. This tPA induces AMPK activation, membrane recruitment of GLUT1, and GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake in astrocytes and endothelial cells. Our data indicate that this is followed by the synthesis and release of lactic acid from astrocytes, and that the uptake of this lactic acid via the monocarboxylate transporter-2 promotes survival in neurons exposed to metabolic stress.

Operative treatment improves patient function in recalcitrant medial epicondylitis

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the outcome of open surgery for patients with recalcitrant medial epicondylitis following failed conservative management. The clinical results are presented for 15 patients (17 elbows) who were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 66 months. Operative treatment improved patient function significantly with a mean increase in grip strength of 10kg and a mean decrease (improvement) in DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score of 25.7. All but one patient experienced little or no residual elbow discomfort and had excellent Mayo elbow performance scores postoperatively. Eleven of the twelve patients who were previously in employment were able to return to work within eight weeks of surgery. This study demonstrates that operative treatment for recalcitrant medial epicondylitis is effective in restoring patient function and strength.

Decreased functional connectivity between the amygdala and the left ventral prefrontal cortex in treatment-naive patients with major depressive disorder: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study

BACKGROUND

Convergent studies provide support for abnormalities in the structure and functioning of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the amygdala, the key components of the neural system that subserves emotional processing in major depressive disorder (MDD). We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine potential amygdala-PFC functional connectivity abnormalities in treatment-naive subjects with MDD.

METHODS

Resting-state fMRI data were acquired from 28 individuals with MDD and 30 healthy control (HC) subjects. Amygdala-PFC functional connectivity was compared between the MDD and HC groups.

RESULTS

Decreased functional connectivity to the left ventral PFC (VPFC) from the left and right amygdala was observed in the MDD group, compared with the HC group (p < 0.05, corrected).

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment-naive subjects with MDD showed decreased functional connectivity from the amygdala to the VPFC, especially to the left VPFC. This suggests that these connections may play an important role in the neuropathophysiology of MDD at its onset.

Simple and rapid data-reduction method with pixel-level spatial frequency of shift-rotation method

Absolute testing methods are commonly employed in surface metrology to calibrate the reference surface deviation and obtain the absolute deviation of the surface under test. A simple and reliable data-reduction method of absolute shift-rotation method with rotational and translational measurements is presented here, which relies on the decomposition of the surface deviation into rotationally asymmetric and symmetric components. The rotationally asymmetric surface deviation can be simply obtained by classical N-position averaging method. After that, the two-dimensional problem of estimating the other rotationally symmetric surface deviation can be simplified to a one-dimensional problem, and it can be directly calculated out with pixel-level spatial frequency based on several measurements of different translations in one same direction. Since that no orthogonal polynomials fitting, such as Zernike polynomials, is required in the calculation, the data reduction of the method is simple and rapid. Experimental absolute results of spherical surfaces are given.

Thrombotic risk factors in Chinese Budd-Chiari syndrome patients. An observational study with a systematic review of the literature

In Western countries, thrombotic risk factors for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) are very common, including factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin G20210A mutation, myeloproliferative neoplasms, paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria, etc. However, the data regarding thrombotic risk factors in Chinese BCS patients are extremely limited. An observational study was conducted to examine this issue. A total of 246 BCS patients who were consecutively admitted to our department between July 1999 and December 2011 were invited to be examined for thrombotic risk factors. Of these, 169 patients were enrolled. Neither factor V Leiden mutation nor prothrombin G20210A mutation was found in any of 136 patients tested. JAK2 V617F mutation was positive in four of 169 patients tested. Neither MPL W515L/K mutation nor JAK2 exon 12 mutation was found in any of 135 patients tested. Overt myeloproliferative neoplasms were diagnosed in five patients (polycythemia vera, n=3; essential thrombocythemia, n=1; idiopathic myelofibrosis, n=1). Two of them had positive JAK2 V617F mutation. Both CD55 and CD59 deficiencies were found in one of 166 patients tested. This patient had a previous history of paroxysmal nocturnal haemo-globinuria before BCS. Anticardiolipin IgG antibodies were positive or weakly positive in six of 166 patients tested. Hyperhomocysteinaemia was found in 64 of 128 patients tested. 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutation was found in 96 of 135 patients tested. In conclusion, factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin G20210A mutation, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria are very rare in Chinese BCS patients, suggesting that the etiological distribution of BCS might be different between Western countries and China.

Global geographical overlap of aflatoxin and hepatitis C: controlling risk factors for liver cancer worldwide

About 85% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, liver cancer) cases occur in low-income countries, where the risk factors of dietary aflatoxin exposure and chronic hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV) viral infection are common. While studies have shown synergism between aflatoxin and HBV in causing HCC, much less is known about whether aflatoxin and HCV synergise similarly. From an exposure perspective, it was examined whether there is a geographical overlap in populations worldwide exposed to high dietary aflatoxin levels and with high HCV prevalence. While HCV is one of the most important risk factors for HCC in high-income nations (where aflatoxin exposure is low), it is found that HCV prevalence is much higher in Africa and Asia, where aflatoxin exposure is also high. However, within a given world region, there are some inconsistencies regarding exposure and cancer risk. Therefore, there is a need to control risk factors such as aflatoxin and hepatitis viruses in a cost-effective manner to prevent global HCC, while continuing to evaluate biological mechanisms by which these risk factors interact to increase HCC risk.