Inhibition of phospholipase D2 augments histone deacetylase inhibitor-induced cell death in breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are promising anticancer drugs but their effect on tumor treatment has been disappointing mainly due to the acquisition of HDAC inhibitor resistance. However, the mechanisms underlying such resistance remain unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we performed Western blot, q-PCR, and promoter assay to examine the expression of HDAC inhibitor-induced phospholipase D2 (PLD2) in MDA-MB231and MDA-MB435 breast cancer cells. Apoptosis and proliferation were analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition to invasion and migration assay, angiogenesis was further measured using in vitro tube formation and chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane model.

RESULTS

HDAC inhibitors including suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), trichostatin, and apicidin, induce expression of PLD2 in a transcriptional level. SAHA upregulates expression of PLD2 via protein kinase C-ζ in breast cancer cells and increases the enzymatic activity of PLD. The combination treatment of SAHA with PLD2 inhibitor significantly enhances cell death in breast cancer cells. Phosphatidic acid, a product of PLD activity, prevented apoptosis promoted by cotreatment with SAHA and PLD2 inhibitor, suggesting that SAHA-induced PLD2 expression and subsequent activation of PLD2 might confers resistance of breast cancer cells to HDAC inhibitor. The combinational treatment of the drugs significantly suppressed invasion, migration, and angiogenesis, compared with that of either treatment.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide further insight into elucidating the advantages of combination therapy with HDAC and PLD2 inhibitors over single-agent strategies for the treatment of cancer.

Association of Alcohol Intake and Fracture Risk in Elderly Varied by Affected Bones: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies investigating association of alcohol intake and fracture risk in elderly yielded conflicting results. We first examined the association between alcohol intake and total fracture risk in elderly subjects and further analyzed whether the association varied by fracture locations.

METHODS

This is a nationwide population-based cohort study which included all people aged 66 (n=1,431,539) receiving the National Screening Program during 2009-2014. Time-to-event were defined as duration from study recruitment, the day they received health screening, to the occurrence of fracture.

RESULTS

Total fracture was significantly lower in mild drinkers [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)=0.952; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) =0.931-0.973] and higher in heavy drinkers (aHR=1.246; 95% CI=1.201-1.294) than non-drinkers. Risk pattern of alcohol consumption and fracture differed according to affected bones. Similar J-shaped trends were observed for vertebra fractures, but risk of limb fracture showed a linear relationship with alcohol intake. For hip fracture, risk decrement was more pronounced in mild and moderate drinkers, and significant increment was noted only in very severe drinkers [≥60 g/day; (aHR)=1.446; 1.162-1.801].

CONCLUSION

Light to moderate drinking generally lowered risk of fractures, but association between alcohol and fracture risk varied depending on the affected bone lesions.

Phospholipase D1 inhibition sensitizes glioblastoma to temozolomide and suppresses its tumorigenicity

Resistance of glioblastoma to the chemotherapeutic compound temozolomide is associated with the presence of glioblastoma stem cells in glioblastoma and is a key obstacle for the poor prognosis of glioblastoma. Here, we show that phospholipase D1 is elevated in CD44^High glioblastoma stem cells and in glioblastoma, especially recurring glioblastoma. Phospholipase D1 elevation positively correlated with the level of CD44 and poor prognosis in glioblastoma patients. Temozolomide significantly upregulated the expression of phospholipase D1 in the low and moderate CD44 populations of glioblastoma stem cells, but not in the CD44^High population in which phospholipase D1 is highly expressed. Phospholipase D1 conferred resistance to temozolomide in CD44^High glioblastoma stem cells and increased their self‐renewal capacity and maintenance. Phospholipase D1 expression significantly correlated with levels of temozolomide resistance factors, which were suppressed by microRNA‐320a and ‐4496 induced by phospholipase D1 inhibition. Genetic and pharmacological targeting of phospholipase D1 attenuated glioblastoma stem cell‐derived intracranial tumors of glioblastoma using the microRNAs, and improved survival. Treatment solely with temozolomide produced no benefits on the glioblastoma, whereas in combination, phospholipase D1 inhibition sensitized glioblastoma stem cells to temozolomide and reduced glioblastoma tumorigenesis. Together, these findings indicate that phospholipase D1 inhibition might overcome resistance to temozolomide and represents a potential treatment strategy for glioblastoma. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Phospholipase D1 is upregulated by vorinostat and confers resistance to vorinostat in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor and drug resistance remains a major barrier for therapeutics. Epigenetic alterations are implicated in GBM pathogenesis, and epigenetic modulators including histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are exploited as promising anticancer therapies. Here, we demonstrate that phospholipase D1 (PLD1) is a transcriptional target of HDAC inhibitors and confers resistance to HDAC inhibitor in GBM. Treatment of vorinostat upregulates PLD1 through PKCζ‐Sp1 axis. Vorinostat induces dynamic changes in the chromatin structure and transcriptional machinery associated with PLD1 promoter region. Cotreatment of vorinostat with PLD1 inhibitor further attenuates invasion, angiogenesis, colony‐forming capacity, and self‐renewal capacity, compared with those of either treatment. PLD1 inhibitor overcomes resistance to vorinostat in GBM cells intracranial GBM tumors. Our finding provides new insight into the role of PLD1 as a target of resistance to vorinostat, and PLD1 inhibitor might provide the basis for therapeutic combinations with improved efficacy of HDAC inhibitor.

Differential Impact of Cigarette Smoking on Fracture Risks in Subjective Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the differential impact of cigarette smoking on fracture risks in SCD and dementia.

METHODS

A nationwide population-based cohort study design was used. Out of all the people aged 66 (n=1,555,103) who went through the National Screening Program from 2009-2014, 968,240 participants with eligible data were included in the study. Time-to-event was calculated as the duration between the NSPTA and fracture incidence. Cox proportional-hazard regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the risk of fractures.

RESULTS

Increased risk of all [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)=1.184; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.184, 1.093-1.283], hip (aHR=1.518; 95% CI=1.168-4.972), vertebral (aHR=1.235; 95% CI=1.101-1.386) fractures were increased in current smokers with more than 20 or more pack years (≥20 py) of SCD group, after adjusting for all relevant confounding factors. In dementia group, however, current smokers ≥20 py were at reduced risk of hip fractures (aHR=0.249; 95% CI=0.089-0.97).

CONCLUSION

There was a disparate influence of cigarette smoking on the fracture risks in SCD and dementia group. Further studies are warranted to explicate this phenomenon, and personalized preventive measures according to one's cognitive status are imperative, since risk factors of fractures can exert disparate influence on patients at different stage of cognitive trajectory.

Effects of Moderate Intensity Exercise on the Cortical Thickness and Subcortical Volumes of Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease Patients: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the impact of moderate intensity exercise on the cortical thickness and subcortical volumes of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.

METHODS

Sixty-three preclinical AD patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18-florbetaben positron emission tomography (PET) data were enrolled in the study. Information on demographic characteristics, cognitive battery scores, self-reported exercise habits were attained. Structural magnetic resonance images were analyzed and processed using Freesurfer v6.0.

RESULTS

Compared to Exercise group, Non-Exercise group demonstrated reduced cortical thickness in left parstriangularis, rostral middle frontal, entorhinal, superior frontal, lingual, superior parietal, lateral occipital, inferior parietal gyrus, temporal pole, precuneus, insula, fusiform gyrus, right precuneus, superiorparietal, lateral orbitofrontal, rostral middle frontal, medial orbitofrontal, superior frontal, lingual, middle temporal gyrus, insula, supramarginal, parahippocampal, paracentral gyrus. Volumes of right thalamus, caudate, putamen, pallidum, hippocampus, amygdala were also reduced in Non-Exercise group.

CONCLUSION

Moderate intensity exercise affects cortical and subcortical structures in preclinical AD patients. Thus, physical exercise has a potential to be an effective intervention to prevent future cognitive decline in those at high risk of AD.

Safety and preliminary antitumor activity of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) receptor I kinase inhibitor, vactosertib, in combination with paclitaxel in patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma

e16505

Background: Recent studies demonstrated that TGF-β signaling attenuation in combination with paclitaxel inhibits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem-like cells features, especially in diffuse type. We are reporting dose finding part in phase 1b study evaluating the combination of vactosertib, a highly selective and potent TGF-β inhibitor, with paclitaxel as a second line treatment in patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma (GA). Methods: Eligible patients (pts) are ≥19 years old, have ECOG status ≤1, and have progressed on the first line treatment of metastatic GA treated with the combination therapy of fluoropyrimidine and platinum, or trastuzumab containing combination therapy in HER2-positive GA. The primary objective is to assess the safety and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of vactosertib given 5 days on/2 days off in combination with weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2. Three dose levels of vactosertib (100, 200, and 300 mg BID) were tested. Results: As of Jan. 25, 2020, 12 pts were enrolled to the study (6, 3, and 3 pts in 100, 200, and 300 mg BID, respectively) and finished the safety evaluation. Median age was 50 (range, 39-65), 50% were male, and 75% had gastrectomy (4 pts with subtotal gastrectomy; 5 pts with total gastrectomy). At all cohorts, no dose limiting toxicity was observed. The most frequently reported treatment related adverse events (AEs) were anemia (50.0%), anorexia (41.6%), fatigue (33.3%), and urticaria (33.3%). AEs were mostly grade 1 or 2 and manageable. One case of grade 3 anorexia was reported as a treatment-related severe adverse event. Among 6 evaluable patients in 200/300 mg BID cohorts, the best responses to treatment were partial response in 1 patient; 57% decrease from baseline, 16.7% of overall response rate, and 83.3% of disease control rate at 12 weeks. Median progression free survival of the RP2D cohort has not been reached yet. Updated safety, PK, efficacy and biomarker data will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: The combination of vactosertib plus paclitaxel has been well tolerated. The anti-tumor activity of this combination in patients with metastatic GA is now under exploration in the phase 2a part of the study. Clinical trial information: NCT03698825 .

Small molecule-induced simultaneous destabilization of β-catenin and RAS is an effective molecular strategy to suppress stemness of colorectal cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), the major driver of tumorigenesis, is a sub-population of tumor cells responsible for poor clinical outcomes. However, molecular mechanism to identify targets for controlling CSCs is poorly understood.

METHODS

Gene Set Enrichment Analyses (GSEA) of Wnt/β-catenin and RAS signaling pathways in stem-like subtype of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients were performed using two gene expression data set. The therapeutic effects of destabilization of β-catenin and RAS were tested by treatment of small molecule KYA1797K using CRC patient derived cells.

RESULTS

Treatment with KYA1797K, a small molecule that destabilizes both β-catenin and RAS via Axin binding, effectively suppresses the stemness of CSCs as shown in CRC spheroids and small intestinal tumors of Apc^Min/+/K-Ras^G12DLA2 mice. Moreover, KYA1797K also suppresses the stemness of cells in CRC patient avatar model systems, such as patient-derived tumor organoids (PDTOs) and patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDTX).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that destabilization of both β-catenin and RAS is a potential therapeutic strategy for controlling stemness of CRC cells. Video abstract.

Direct measurement of electrostatic interactions between poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres with optical laser tweezers

In this study, we measured the force of electrostatic interactions between poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles dispersed in organic solvent mixtures of cyclohexyl bromide (CHB) and n-decane. Optical laser tweezers were employed to directly measure interactive forces between paired PMMA particles in a CHB medium that contained n-decane in various volume ratios. CHB, having a moderate dielectric constant, provided an environment with a high charge storage capacity. The addition of n-decane lowered the effective refractive index of the medium, which increased the optical trapping efficiency. We also fabricated microscope flow cells with a commonly used UV-curable adhesive and quantified the effects of dissolved adhesive compounds through interactive force measurements and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. In addition, we studied the impact of CHB dissociation into H⁺ and Br^- ions, which could screen electrostatic interactions.

Differential Associations Between Volumes of Atrophic Cortical Brain Regions and Memory Performances in Early and Late Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background

Early and late mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients have been reported to have a distinctive prognosis of converting to Alzheimer’s disease.

Objective

To evaluate the difference in gray matter volume and assess the association between cognitive function evaluated by comprehensive cognitive function test, and cortical thickness across healthy controls (HCs) (n = 37), early (n = 30), and late MCI patients (n = 35).

Methods

Differences in gray matter volume were evaluated by whole brain voxel-based morphometry across the groups. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze group by memory performance interactions for the normalized gray matter volume.

Results

The early MCI group showed reduced gray matter volume in the right middle temporal gyrus in comparison to the HC group. The late MCI group displayed atrophy in the left parahippocampal gyrus in comparison to the HC group. Late MCI patients exhibited a decreased gray matter volume in the left fusiform gyrus in comparison to patients in the early MCI group (Monte Carlo simulation corrected p < 0.01, Tukey post hoc tests). Furthermore, there was a significant group (HC vs. early MCI) by memory performance interaction for the normalized cortical volume of the right middle temporal gyrus. Additionally, a significant group (early MCI vs. late MCI) by memory performance interaction was found for the normalized gray matter volume of the left fusiform gyrus (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Early and late MCI patients showed distinctive associations of gray matter volumes in compensatory brain regions with memory performances. The findings can contribute to a better understanding of the structural changes in compensatory brain regions to elucidate memory decline in the trajectory of the subdivided prodromal stages of the Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Mapping Anisotropic and Heterogeneous Colloidal Interactions via Optical Laser Tweezers

Heterogeneity among particles is an inherent feature that allows nondeterministic prediction of the properties of assembled structures and materials composed of many particles. Here, we report a promising strategy to quantify the heterogeneous and anisotropic interactions between ellipsoid particles using optical laser tweezers. The configuration and separation between two particles at an oil-water interface were optically controlled, and the capillary interaction behaviors were directly observed and measured. As a result, the optimal particle configurations at energetically favorable states were obtained, and the interaction forces between the particles were identified accurately by determining the trap stiffness in the direction of major and minor axes of the particle. Visualization of the capillary field around individual particles confirmed that the capillary interactions were quadrupolar, anisotropic, and heterogeneous. The measurement method presented here can be widely used to quantify interaction fields for various types of anisotropic particles.

Alterations in Intra- and Interregional Intrinsic Brain Connectivity Are Differentially Associated with Memory Performance in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

BACKGROUND

Previous research has separated spatial patterns of intra- and interregional intrinsic brain connectivity, as evaluated by regional homogeneity (ReHo) and functional connectivity (FC), respectively, in prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, the intra- and interregional intrinsic brain connectivities have been demonstrated to have a significant relationship with each other.

OBJECTIVE

To explore FCs from brain regions which display a difference in ReHo between an amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) group and healthy controls (HC) and to examine the relationship of intra- and interregional intrinsic brain connectivity to cognitive function in both groups.

METHODS

Thirty-four subjects with aMCI and 38 HC underwent 3T MRI scanning and a battery of neuropsychological tests.

RESULTS

The aMCI group exhibited significantly higher ReHo in the left putamen and lower ReHo in the left inferior temporal gyrus than the HC. Furthermore, both groups showed a distinctive functional connectivity pattern seeded from 2 regions of interest which exhibited significant ReHo differences between the groups. In the HC group, only ReHo exhibited significant associations with memory performance, but in the aMCI group, only FC seeded from the left inferior temporal gyrus showed significant correlations with memory performance.

CONCLUSIONS

By approaching both intra- and interregional intrinsic brain activities in the early stages of AD, the findings of this research provide insights into the early pathogenesis of AD as related to memory performance.

Geometric Effects of Colloidal Particles on Stochastic Interface Adsorption

The stochastic interface adsorption behaviors of ellipsoid particles were investigated using optical laser tweezers. The particles were brought close to the oil-water interface, attempting to attach forcefully to the interface. Multiple attempts of the particle attachments statistically quantified the dependence of the adsorption probability on the particle aspect ratio. It was found that the adsorption probability proportionally increased with the aspect ratio because of the decrease in electrostatic interactions between the charged particles and the charged interface for higher aspect ratio particles. In addition, the adsorption holding time required for the interface attachments was found to increase as the aspect ratio decreased. Notably, the probabilistic adsorption behaviors of the ellipsoid particles and the holding time dependence revealed that the particle adsorption to the interface occurred stochastically, not deterministically. We also demonstrated that the adsorption behaviors measured on a single-particle scale were consistent with the gravity-induced spontaneous adsorption properties performed on a large scale with regard to the nondeterministic adsorption behaviors and the aspect ratio dependence on the adsorption probability.

Diagnostic Validity of an Automated Probabilistic Tractography in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

Objective

Although several prior works showed the white matter (WM) integrity changes in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer’s disease, it is still unclear the diagnostic accuracy of the WM integrity measurements using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in discriminating aMCI from normal controls. The aim of this study is to explore diagnostic validity of whole brain automated probabilistic tractography in discriminating aMCI from normal controls.

Methods

One hundred-two subjects (50 aMCI and 52 normal controls) were included and underwent DTI scans. Whole brain WM tracts were reconstructed with automated probabilistic tractography. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values of the memory related WM tracts were measured and compared between the aMCI and the normal control groups. In addition, the diagnostic validities of these WM tracts were evaluated.

Results

Decreased FA and increased MD values of memory related WM tracts were observed in the aMCI group compared with the control group. Among FA and MD value of each tract, the FA value of left cingulum angular bundle showed the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 with a sensitivity of 88.2%, a specificity of 76.9% in differentiating MCI patients from control subjects. Furthermore, the combination FA values of WM integrity measures of memory related WM tracts showed AUC value of 0.98, a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 94.2%.

Conclusion

Our results with good diagnostic validity of WM integrity measurements suggest DTI might be promising neuroimaging tool for early detection of aMCI and AD patients.

Relationship between Delusion of Theft and Cognitive Functions in Patients with Mild Alzheimer's Disease

Although delusion of theft (DT) is the most frequent type of delusion in Alzheimer's disease (AD), its relationship to cognitive functions remains unclear. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the relationship between DT and cognitive functions in mild AD. Two hundred eighty-nine mild AD patients were enrolled in this study. These subjects were classified into three groups: patients with no delusions (ND, n=82), patients with paranoid delusions (PD, n=114) and patients with DT (n=93). Cognitive functions and their associations with the degree of delusion were compared among the three groups. The results showed that verbal Fluency scores were significantly lower in the PD group than in the DT and ND groups. Word List Recall scores were significantly lower in the DT group than in the PD and ND groups. Interestingly, delusion severity measured with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory delusion subscale correlated negatively with the Word List Recall scores in the DT group. In this study, we demonstrated that episodic memory functions in mild AD patients were associated with DT, but not with PD. Further studies might be needed to clarify the pathophysiology of delusions associated with AD.

Heterogeneous Capillary Interactions of Interface-Trapped Ellipsoid Particles Using the Trap-Release Method

Heterogeneous capillary interactions between ellipsoid particles at the oil-water interface were measured via optical laser tweezers. Two trapped particles were aligned in either tip-to-tip (tt) or side-to-side (ss) configurations via the double-trap method and were released from the optical traps, leading to particle-particle attractions due to the capillary forces caused by quadrupolar interface deformation. On the basis of image analysis and calculations of the Stokes drag force, the capillary interactions between two ellipsoid particles with the same aspect ratio (E) were found to vary with the particle pairs that were measured, indicating that the interactions were nondeterministic or heterogeneous. Heterogeneous capillary interactions could be attributed to undulation of the interface meniscus due to chemical and/or geometric particle heterogeneity. The power law exponent for the capillary interaction U_cap ≈ r^-β was found to be β ≈ 4 and was independent of the aspect ratio and particle configuration in long-range separations. Additionally, with regard to the tt configuration, the magnitude of the capillary force proportionally increased with the E value (E > 1) when two ellipsoid particles approached each other in the tt configuration.

Abstract A106: Development of IDX-1197, a novel, selective, and highly potent PARP inhibitor

Background: PARP inhibitors have demonstrated clinically meaningful increase in progression-free survival as a single agent in women with recurrent ovarian cancer following a response to platinum-based chemotherapy. However, there still needs more improvement in efficacy because PARP inhibitors have comparatively low efficacy in non-germline BRCA-mutated patients. We aimed to develop a novel PAPR inhibitor that may have potent antitumor efficacy against the non-germline BRCA-mutated patients in addition to the germline BRCA-mutated patients. Here, we describe a novel selective PARP inhibitor IDX-1197. Materials and Methods: We conducted in vitro assays to evaluate IDX-1197 as a PARP inhibitor using PARP enzyme assay and PARP-catalytic inhibition assay in Hela cells. We evaluated in vivo efficacy of IDX-1197 against ovarian and breast tumor growth using patient-derived xenograft models. To investigate PARP inhibition in tumors, tumor PAR levels were measured by ELISA in the PDX models. Results: In enzyme assay, IDX-1197 potently inhibited PARP1 and PARP2 activities with IC50 values of 1.4 nM and 1.0 nM, respectively. By contrast, IDX-1197 was not sensitive to PARP5A (Tankyrase-1), which belongs to the PARP family (IC50&gt;10 μM). In DNA damage-induced Hela cells, IDX-1197 significantly inhibited PARP1-mediated PAR expression (EC50 = 0.5 nM). In the germline BRCA1-mutated ovarian cancer PDX model, oral administration of IDX-1197 exhibited significant PAR inhibition (&gt;90%) in tumor tissues until 24 hr post dose. IDX-1197 also dose-dependently led to potent tumor growth inhibition compared to Olaparib treatment group. Furthermore, IDX-1197 showed improved antitumor activity against breast cancer PDX models, which included both germline BRCA-mutated and non-germline BRCA-mutated models. In these models, IDX-1197 exhibited greater tumor growth inhibition compared with olaparib and/or niraparib. Conclusions: IDX-1197 is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of PARP1/2 with significant in vitro and in vivo activities in multiple cancer models. These preclinical data demonstrate the efficacy of IDX-1197, which has the potential for a best-in-class profile, in non-germline BRCA-mutated patients as well as BRCA-mutated patients. Based on these findings, IDX-1197 has entered clinical phase 1 trial in Korea. Funded by National OncoVenture.

Citation Format: Myongjae Lee, Joon-Tae Park, Ji-hun Yang, Dohee Kim, In-Gyu Je, Yoon Suk Lee, Jinah Jeong, Dong Keun Song, Soobong Park, Hong-Sub Lee, Yong-Man Kim, Shin-Wha Lee, Dong Woo Kang, Ha-Young Lee, Jung Yong Kim, Sungsook Lee, Nam Seok Baek, Jae-Hoon Kang. Development of IDX-1197, a novel, selective, and highly potent PARP inhibitor [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A106.

Body Mass Index in Mild Cognitive Impairment According to Age, Sex, Cognitive Intervention, and Hypertension and Risk of Progression to Alzheimer's Disease

Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a prodromal stage of dementia. The association of body mass index (BMI) and progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in MCI subjects according to age, sex, and cognitive intervention remains unknown. We investigated the relationship between BMI and the risk of progression to AD in subjects with MCI, as well as the effect of BMI on progression to AD depending on age, sex, cognitive intervention, and chronic diseases. Methods: Three hundred and eighty-eight MCI subjects were followed for 36.3 ± 18.4 months, prospectively. They underwent neuropsychological testing more than twice during the follow-up period. The MCI subjects were categorized into underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese subgroups. The associations between baseline BMI and progression to AD over the follow-up period were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. Data were analyzed after stratification by age, sex, cognitive intervention, and chronic diseases. Results: After adjustment for the covariates, the underweight MCI group had a higher risk of progression to AD [hazard ratio (HR): 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-4.82] relative to the normal weight group. After stratifying by age, sex, cognitive intervention, and chronic diseases, this effect remained significant among females (HR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.40-7.10), the older elderly ≥75 years old (HR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.42-8.72), the non-intervention group (HR: 3.06, 95%CI: 1.18-7.91), and the hypertensive group (HR: 4.71, 95% CI: 1.17-18.99). Conclusion: These data indicate that underweight could be a useful marker for identifying individuals at increased risk for AD in MCI subjects. This association is even stronger in females, older elderly subjects, the non-cognitive intervention group, and the hypertensive group.

Outcomes according to body mass index following laparoscopic surgery in patients with colorectal cancer

Purpose:

Body mass index (BMI) may not be appropriate for different populations. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested 25 kg/m² as a measure of obesity for Asian populations. The purpose of this report was to compare the oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal resection with BMI classified from the WHO Asia-Pacific perspective.

Patients and Methods:

All patients underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection from September 2006 to March 2015 at a tertiary referral hospital. A total of 2408 patients were included and classified into four groups: underweight (n = 112, BMI <18.5 kg/m²), normal (n = 886, 18.5–22.9 kg/m²), pre-obese (n = 655, 23–24.9 kg/m²) and obese (n = 755, >25 kg/m²). Perioperative parameters and oncologic outcomes were analysed amongst groups.

Results:

Conversion rate was the highest in the underweight group (2.7%, P < 0.001), whereas the obese group had the fewest harvested lymph nodes (21.7, P < 0.001). Comparing oncologic outcomes except Stage IV, the underweight group was lowest for overall (P = 0.007) and cancer-specific survival (P = 0.002). The underweight group had the lowest proportion of national health insurance but the highest rate of medical care (P = 0.012).

Conclusion:

The obese group had the fewest harvested lymph nodes, whereas the underweight group had the highest estimated blood loss, conversion rate to open approaches and the poorest overall and cancer-specific survivals.

The association between hippocampal subfield volumes and education in cognitively normal older adults and amnestic mild cognitive impairment patients

OBJECTIVE

Previous research has indicated that there are potential associations between education and total hippocampal volume in the trajectory of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the correlation between education and hippocampal subfield volumes in the progression of AD has yet to be understood. This study examined the relationship between education, which is a standard proxy for cognitive reserve, and hippocampal subfield volumes in healthy and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) groups.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Thirty-eight subjects with aMCI and 39 healthy control subjects underwent 3 T magnetic resonance imaging, and hippocampal subfield volumes were measured by automated segmentation. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the association between education and hippocampal subfield volumes.

RESULTS

Education had a significant negative correlation with the left parasubiculum, presubiculum, and subiculum volumes in the aMCI group. In addition, multiple subfield volumes including left parasubiculum, left/right presubiculum, left cornus ammonis (CA)3, and left CA4 showed a significant correlation with the neuropsychological test scores in the control group and aMCI group.

CONCLUSION

These findings contribute to a better understanding of the association between education, hippocampal subfield volumes, and amnestic cognitive functions in the early phase of AD.

Electrostatic interactions between particles through heterogeneous fluid phases

We investigated the electrostatic interactions between particles acting through heterogeneous fluid phases. An oil lens system floating on the surface of water was used to trap particles at different fluid-fluid interfaces. The inner particles are located at the centrosymmetrically curved oil-water interface inside the oil lens while satellite particles are located at the curved air-water interface, separated by a particular distance from the triple phase boundary. The satellite particles are likely to be captured in an energy minimum state due to electrostatic repulsions by the inner particles balanced with the gravity-induced potential energy. As the size of the oil lens decreases upon evaporation, the satellite particles escape from the gravitational confinement at a critical moment. The self-potential values of the inner particles and the satellite particles were calculated by employing an energy balance and the experimentally obtained geometric parameter values. It was found that the self-potential values of the inner particles decrease as oil evaporates over time and that the magnitude of the self-potential of the satellite particles is a hundred times larger than that of the inner particles. These results demonstrate significant effects of the thickness and shape of the nonpolar superphase on the electrostatic interactions between the particles trapped at different fluid-fluid interfaces.