NAMPT suppresses glucose deprivation-induced oxidative stress by increasing NADPH levels in breast cancer

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is a rate-limiting enzyme involved in NAD+ biosynthesis. Although NAMPT has emerged as a critical regulator of metabolic stress, the underlying mechanisms by which it regulates metabolic stress in cancer cells have not been completely elucidated. In this study, we determined that breast cancer cells expressing a high level of NAMPT were resistant to cell death induced by glucose depletion. Furthermore, NAMPT inhibition suppressed tumor growth in vivo in a xenograft model. Under glucose deprivation conditions, NAMPT inhibition was found to increase the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, leading to cell death. This cell death was rescued by treatment with antioxidants or NAD+. Finally, we showed that NAMPT increased the pool of NAD+ that could be converted to NADPH through the pentose phosphate pathway and inhibited the depletion of reduced glutathione under glucose deprivation. Collectively, our results suggest a novel mechanism by which tumor cells protect themselves against glucose deprivation-induced oxidative stress by utilizing NAMPT to maintain NADPH levels.

Crystal structure of 3-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]-2-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-enenitrile

In the title compound, C₁₈H₁₂N₄O₂, which has a delocalized D—π—A electronic structure, the dihedral angles between the central benzene ring and the planes of the pendant imidazole and nitro­benzene rings are 37.65 (9) and 4.96 (7)°, respectively. In the centrosymmetric crystal structure, mol­ecules are linked by weak C—H⋯O inter­actions, generating [001] C(6) chains.

Usefulness of normal saline for sealing the needle track after CT-guided lung biopsy

AIM

To determine whether the use of normal saline for sealing the needle track can reduce the incidence of pneumothorax and chest tube placement after computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective, randomised, controlled trial enrolling 322 patients was conducted. All patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: those in whom the needle track was not sealed with normal saline (n=161, Group A) and those who did receive normal saline (n=161, Group B). CT-guided biopsy was performed with coaxial technique. Normal saline, which ranged from 1-3 ml, was injected while the trocar needle was being withdrawn. Patient characteristics, lesion, and procedure variables were analysed as potential risk variables for occurrence of pneumothorax and chest tube placement.

RESULTS

The incidence of pneumothorax was 26.1% in Group A and 6.2% in Group B (p<0.001). Nine patients in Group A and one patient in Group B required chest tube placement (p=0.010). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, smaller lesion size, greater needle-pleural angle, longer lesion-pleural distance, presence of emphysema, and no sealing the needle track with normal saline were significantly associated with an increased risk of pneumothorax, and that the latter three factors were also associated with an increased risk of pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement.

CONLUSION

Normal saline for sealing the needle track significantly reduces the incidence of pneumothorax and prevents subsequent chest tube placement after CT-guided lung biopsy.

Effects of tryptophan supplementation on growth performance, antioxidative activity, and meat quality of ducks under high stocking density

High stocking density (STD) could affect duck welfare and production. The objective of our study was to investigate whether dietary tryptophan (TRP) supplementation could alleviate the detrimental effects of high STD on ducks. White Pekin ducks at 4 to 6 wk of age were raised at 11 birds/m(2) and fed diets containing 0.18, 0.48, 0.78, or 1.08% TRP for 21 d. Growth performance, concentrations of TRP and metabolites in the blood and hypothalamus, antioxidative activities in serum and tissue, meat quality, serum uric acid, and urea nitrogen were measured. Weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly improved by TRP supplementation at ≥ 0.48 and ≥ 0.78% (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Serum TRP, hypothalamic TRP, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacitic acid (5-HIAA), and 5-HIAA/5-HT were also increased significantly (P < 0.01). These increases plateaued at 0.48% TRP, and no further improvement was obtained by adding more TRP to the diet. Dietary TRP supplementation significantly increased levels of total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in serum; GSH-Px in liver; and GSH-Px and CAT in breast muscle (P < 0.05). Malondialdehyde levels in breast muscle decreased (P < 0.001). Drip loss of breast muscle and pH decline at 45 min postmortem were reduced by TRP supplementation (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Meat color was similar among different treatments (P > 0.05). Breast muscle shear force was increased significantly when dietary TRP level increased to 1.08% (P < 0.01). For ducks raised at 11 birds/m², dietary TRP supplementation could alleviate stress and improve growth performance, antioxidative activity, and meat quality.

Early third trimester maternal response to glucose challenge and pregnancy outcome in Chinese women-relationship between upper distribution level and recommended diagnostic criteria

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between upper distribution levels of glucose values in the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and recommended diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

The distribution of the OGTT 2-h values of 13,501 pregnant women, which were below the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold for overt diabetes mellitus (DM), and managed in one teaching hospital in China, was reviewed and related to maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS

For the entire group, the 90th and 95th percentile values of the OGTT 2-h glucose level, respectively, were close to the diagnostic cutoff values of the WHO and International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria. For adverse maternal outcomes, glucose level above the 90th percentile value was associated with increased hypertensive disorders, whereas no difference was seen with cutoff using the 95th percentile value. For perinatal outcomes, the 90th percentile was associated with increased neonatal intensive care unit admission and hypoglycemia, whereas the 95th percentile showed in addition association with phototherapy for jaundice and 5th-minute Apgar score <7. Although no differences in the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes were found using the different cutoffs, the >95th percentile cutoff value would have missed out 33.3-56.7% of the cases of adverse outcomes that would otherwise have been attributed to GDM.

CONCLUSIONS

Further studies are warranted to clarify which diagnostic criterion is most appropriate universally to identify adverse pregnancy outcomes attributed to GDM, and which could be mitigated with treatment specific for GDM.

A huge adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas with sarcomatoid change: An unusual case report

Adenosquamous carcinoma rarely occurs in the pancreas, and is characterized by the presence of cellular components from both duct adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma. Here, we describe a rare case of pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma with sarcomatous change. Immunohistochemistry showed that the sarcomatous lesion lost the epithelial marker and aberrantly expressed of acquired mesenchymal markers, which indicated that this special histological phenotype may be attributed to epithelial-mesenchymal transition. This case also indicated that a routine radical surgery without aggressive treatment strategies was still appropriate for adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas with sarcomatoid change.

Crystal structure of di-chlorido-(2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-κ(3) N,N',N'')zinc: a redeter-min-ation

The crystal structure of the title compound, [ZnCl₂(C₁₅H₁₁N₃)], was redetermined based on modern CCD data. In comparison with the previous determination from photographic film data [Corbridge & Cox (1956 ▶). J. Chem. Soc.159, 594–603; Einstein & Penfold (1966 ▶). Acta Cryst.20, 924–926], all non-H atoms were refined with anisotropic displacement parameters, leading to a much higher precision in terms of bond lengths and angles [e.g. Zn—Cl = 2.2684 (8) and 2.2883 (11) compared to 2.25 (1) and 2.27 (1) Å]. In the title mol­ecule, the Zn^II atom is five-coordinated in a distorted square-pyramidal mode by two Cl atoms and by the three N atoms from the 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ligand. The latter is not planar and shows dihedral angles between the least-squares planes of the central pyridine ring and the terminal rings of 3.18 (8) and 6.36 (9)°. The mol­ecules in the crystal structure pack with π–π inter­actions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.655 (2) Å] between pyridine rings of neighbouring terpyridine moieties. These, together with inter­molecular C—H⋯Cl inter­actions, stablize the three-dimensional structure.

Management of bile duct injuries combined with accessory hepatic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Bile duct injuries (BDIs) are difficult to avoid absolutely when the biliary tract has a malformation, such as accessory hepatic duct. Here, we investigated the management strategies for BDI combined with accessory hepatic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Rat injury model of docetaxel extravasation

Docetaxel is a novel type of chemotherapy drug that actively treats a number of malignant tumors. The aim of the present study was to explore the severity and natural course of tissue damage induced by docetaxel extravasation and to confirm the vesicant potential of docetaxel. Rats were selected for the establishment of the ulcer model. Different volumes and concentrations were explored to induce the skin ulcer and to confirm the optimum rational injection model. The natural course of tissue injury and pathological changes produced by docetaxel extravasation were observed by comparing to vinorelbine extravasation. A 0.4 ml volume and a 6 mg/ml concentration were the optimum rational injection model for the induction of the skin ulcer. The docetaxel extravasation induced local tissue necrosis, followed by granuloma formation and hyperpigmentation or scar formation. The severity of the injury depended on the concentration of the extravasation used in the rat model. The injury occurred on the first day following extravasation and lasted 4-6 weeks. The damage from docetaxel was weaker than vinorelbine in association with the depth and extension of necrosis. In conclusion, docetaxel extravasation can induce tissue necrosis. However, the severity of necrosis was weaker than that of vinorelbine. Docetaxel has superficial vesicant properties.

Comparison of alfuzosin 10 mg with or without propiverine 10 mg, 20 mg in men with lower urinary tract symptom and an overactive bladder: randomised, single-blind, prospective study

PURPOSE

The efficacy and safety of treatment with alfuzosin 10 mg plus propiverine 10 or 20 mg in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and an overactive bladder were investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this parallel-arm, prospective, multicentre, single-blind study, men who were ≥ 40 years old, had an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of ≥ 8, an Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) of ≥ 3 and an OABSS urgency item score of ≥ 2 were randomised in a 1 : 1 :1 ratio to receive alfuzosin 10 mg alone (Group A) or with propiverine 10 mg (Group B) or 20 mg (Group C) for 8 weeks. Four and 8 weeks after commencing treatment, OABSS was measured along with IPSS, maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax ) and postvoid residual volume (PVR). Adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 135 men, including 43 in Group A, 48 in Group B and 44 in Group C, completed the study. Relative to baseline, all groups demonstrated significant reductions in OABSS and the IPSS after eight treatment weeks (p < 0.005). The improvement of OABSS in Group C was significantly greater than Group A and B (Group A: 0.70 ± 1.94; Group B: 2.50 ± 2.98; Group C: 4.30 ± 3.40; p < 0.005). An observed improvement of Qmax and PVR in the three groups did not achieve statistical significance. Overall adverse event rates were higher in Group C but not significant compared with others.

CONCLUSION

In patients with LUTS and overactive bladder, combined therapy with alfuzosin 10 mg plus propiverine 20 mg was significantly more effective than alfuzosin monotherapy and propiverine 10 mg combined therapy in terms of improving OABSS while not significantly affecting Qmax or PVR.

2-{(E)-[4-(Diphenylamino)phenyl]iminomethyl}phenol

The asymmetric unit of the title Schiff base molecule, C₂₅H₂₀N₂O, contains two independent mol­ecules. In each mol­ecule, the C=N bond is in an E conformation. The most significant difference between the two mol­ecules is seen for the dihedral angles between the meth­oxy-substituted benzene ring and the two phenyl rings, which are 85.5 (1) and 82.3 (1)° in the first mol­ecule, and 49.0 (1) and 40.4 (1)° in the second. This conformational difference is reflected in the central C=N—C C torsion angle, which is 28.7 (2)° in the first mol­ecule and −29.8 (3)° in the other. In each mol­ecule, there is an intra­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bond.

Enhanced carbohydrate craving in patients with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

Although hyperphagia is a common manifestation of diabetes mellitus, data on food craving in patients with diabetes are limited. This study compared food craving in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and a control group without diabetes.

METHODS

A total of 210 subjects (105 with Type 2 diabetes and 105 age-, sex- and BMI-matched control subjects) participated in two food craving surveys. The surveys were as follows: the General Food Cravings Questionnaire--Trait, which assesses the general trait of food craving; and the Food Cravings Questionnaire--State, which assesses the state of food craving or current desire for high-carbohydrate or high-fat foods in response to pictures of food. Follow-up Food Cravings Questionnaire--State surveys were administered approximately 3 months later to the subjects with diabetes. Survey results were analysed to assess relationships between food craving and glycaemic control.

RESULTS

The General Food Cravings Questionnaire--Trait scores in the group with Type 2 diabetes and the control group were not significantly different. The group with Type 2 diabetes had higher carbohydrate craving scores, but lower fat craving scores, than the control group. Carbohydrate craving scores in subjects with diabetes were positively correlated with HbA(1c). In follow-up surveys, carbohydrate craving scores declined in patients with improved glycaemic control.

CONCLUSIONS

The surveys showed that patients with Type 2 diabetes had higher carbohydrate cravings and lower fat cravings than the age-, sex- and BMI-matched control group. Carbohydrate craving in patients with diabetes was associated with poor glycaemic control.

Curcumin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells by regulating the expression of IkappaBalpha, c-Jun and androgen receptor

Curcumin possesses chemopreventive properties against several types of cancer, but the molecular mechanisms by which it induces apoptosis of cancer cells and inhibits cancer cell proliferation are not clearly understood. To evaluate the antitumor activity of curcumin for prostate cancer, we used an androgen dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cell line and an androgen independent PC-3 prostate cancer cell line as experimental models. We treated these cells with curcumin and then evaluated the effects of curcumin on cell cycle profiling and apoptosis, as well as the activation of NF-kaapaB and c-jun in these cells. The results showed that the ratios of apoptosis in LNCaP and PC-3 cells were significantly elevated in a dose dependent manner after exposure to curcumin. In addition, curcumin induces the G2/M cell cycle arrest of LNCaP and PC-3 cells in a dose dependent manner. Mechanistically, we found that curcumin upregulated the protein level of NF-kappaB inhibitor IkappaBalpha and downregulated protein levels of c-Jun and AR. These data suggest that curcumin is a promising agent for the treatment of both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Effect of multiple invasive foci on breast cancer outcomes according to the molecular subtypes: a report from the Korean Breast Cancer Society

BACKGROUND

In this study, the prognostic impact of the presence of the multifocal or multicentric tumor (MMT) and its association with molecular subtypes were investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We investigated the breast cancer metastasis and survival in patients with multifocal or multicentric invasive foci in the same breast. The study population includes 2882 patients in the Seoul National University Hospital Breast Care Center (SNUHBCC) dataset and 41 179 patients in Korean Breast Cancer Registry (KBCR) dataset.

RESULTS

From SNUHBCC dataset, we observed a significant role of MMT in developing distant metastasis and death when the tumors were triple-negative subtype. This subtype-specific prognostic importance of MMT in overall survival was also seen in KBCR dataset (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02-1.69). In tumors <2 cm, the hazard ratios (HRs) for node metastasis and death were similar along the tumor size change in triple-negative subtype, while other subtypes showed a stepwise increment, suggesting the biologic importance of small invasive foci in this subtype.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate the prognostic importance of MMT in patients with triple-negative breast cancers. Small additional invasive foci in triple-negative breast cancer patients should be considered as clinically relevant tumor deposits.

Assessment of the fatty liver index as an indicator of hepatic steatosis for predicting incident diabetes independently of insulin resistance in a Korean population

AIMS

Fatty liver disease, especially non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is considered to be the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, both closely associated with insulin resistance. Furthermore, fatty liver disease assessed by ultrasonography is known to be a predictor of the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, it remains unclear whether fatty liver disease plays a role in the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes independently of insulin resistance. In this study, we investigated whether fatty liver disease assessed by the fatty liver index can predict the development of Type 2 diabetes independently of systemic insulin resistance.

METHODS

We examined the clinical and laboratory data of 7860 subjects without diabetes who underwent general routine health evaluations at the Asan Medical Center in 2007 and had returned for follow-up examinations in 2011. Fatty liver index was calculated using an equation that considers serum triglyceride levels, γ-glutamyltransferase, waist circumference and BMI.

RESULTS

During a 4-year period, 457 incident diabetes cases (5.8%) were identified. The odds ratios for the development of Type 2 diabetes were significantly higher in the group with a fatty liver index ≥ 60 (fatty liver index-positive) than in the group with a fatty liver index < 20 (fatty liver index-negative) after adjusting for various confounding variables including homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Odds ratios were significant regardless of the insulin resistance status at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that fatty liver index as a simple surrogate indicator of hepatic steatosis is valuable in identifying subjects at high risk for Type 2 diabetes. In addition, fatty liver disease itself contributes to the development of Type 2 diabetes independently of systemic insulin resistance.

Abstract P3-01-02: Correlation of Mammographic breast density and tumor characteristics in Korean breast cancer patients

Introduction: Western studies have demonstrated high breast density as a strong risk factor for breast cancer, it is poorly understood whether breast density affects the diverse phenotypes of breast cancer. We examined the association between various tumor characteristics and mammographic breast density in women with breast cancer.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis in 910 Korean women diagnosed with breast cancer to evaluate the associations between breast density and tumor size, lymph node status, lymphovascular invasion, histologic grade, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER2. Breast density was classified as fatty (percent density less than 50% by a computer-assisted thresholding program, named “Cumulus™”; n = 470) or dense (percent density 50% or more; n = 440) for the cancer-free breast at the time of operation. Logistic regression was used to examine whether the relationships were modified by adjustment for body mass index, age at diagnosis, age at first birth, menopausal status, history of breast-feeding, and breast cancer staging.

Results: Total 910 patients were involved, the mean age and median age at the operation was 48 years old (range 20–82), and the mean percent density was 48.09 (SD = 9.62 %: normally distributed, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test p = 0.32). Crude analysis shows that tumor size over than 0.5cm were more likely to have dense breasts compared with women with a tumor size &lt;=0.5 cm (OR = 3.21, 95% CI = 1.59–6.45, p = 0.001 for tumor sizes 0.6–1.0cm; OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.09–3.74, p = 0.03 for tumor sizes 1.1–1.5cm; OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 0.97–3.33, p = 0.06 for tumor sizes 1.6–2.0cm; and OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 0.92–2.94, p = 0.1 for tumor sizes 2.1cm or more). PD and histologic grade shows reverse association between histologic grade 1 and grade 2,3. Progesteron receptor positive patients tend to have more dense(OR = 1.27, 95% CI=0.97–1.66, p = 0.07) breast than receptor negative patients, although after adjustment of age the statistical significant disappeared. Percent density was not significantly associated with, ER (p = 0.74), HER2 (p = 0.72).

[Levels of cytokines and heat-shock protein 70 in the seminal plasma of patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic value and potentially protective capacity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) in chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

METHODS

We determined the levels of cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and HSP70 by ELISA in the seminal plasma of 150 men: 36 with CBP, 43 with CP/CPPS IIIA, 46 with CP/CPPS IIIB, and 25 healthy controls. We analyzed the correlation of the HSP70 expression in the CBP and CP/CPPS patients with the chronic prostatitis symptom index (CPSI).

RESULTS

Significantly increased levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and HSP70 were observed in the seminal plasma of the CBP patients as compared with the CP/CPPS patients and healthy controls. The expression of IL-1beta was significantly higher in the patients with CP/CPPS IIIA than in those with CP/CPPS III B and the controls, while the HSP70 level remarkably lower in those with CP/CPPS than in the controls, and its concentration in the seminal plasma of the CBP patients was negatively correlated with CPSI.

CONCLUSION

The levels of HSP70 and IL-1beta in the seminal plasma appear to be most reliable molecular biological markers for the diagnosis of CBP and CP/CPPS, respectively. HSP7O has an important protective role in the regulation of cell functions in CBP patients. CP/CPPS is probably detrimental to the function of T cells and consequently suppresses the expression of HSP70.

Restoring transmission of irradiated image fiber bundles

Image fiber bundles are employed in fusion experiments and other high radiation environments where they are used to transmit an image from an unprotected objective lens to a radiation shielded camera. Due to their exposure to neutron and gamma radiation the transmission of these expensive image fiber bundles can rapidly degrade, especially at the shorter visible wavelengths, and require costly replacement. A cost-effective, non-destructive heat treatment process in which entire fiber bundles are heated gradually in air to 150°-200°C and held for tens of hours has been shown to recover much of the transmission lost due to the radiation induced absorption. The restoration process can be repeated multiple times without a loss in effectiveness, although some physical degradation of inter-fiber alignment has been observed. The results and the apparatus used for the successful restoration of the transmission of multiple image fiber bundles across their entire wavelength band will be presented.

Individualized leukemia cell-population profiles in common B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients

Immunophenotype is critical for diagnosing common B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (common ALL) and detecting minimal residual disease. We developed a protocol to explore the immunophenotypic profiles of common ALL based on the expression levels of the antigens associated with B lymphoid development, including IL-7Rα (CD127), cytoplasmic CD79a (cCD79a), CD19, VpreB (CD179a), and sIgm, which are successive and essential for progression of B cells along their developmental pathway. Analysis of the immunophenotypes of 48 common ALL cases showed that the immunophenotypic patterns were highly heterogeneous, with the leukemic cell population differing from case to case. Through the comprehensive analysis of immunophenotypic patterns, the profiles of patient-specific composite leukemia cell populations could provide detailed information helpful for the diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and individualized therapies for common ALL.

Frequency-resolved nonlinear turbulent energy transfer into zonal flows in strongly heated L-mode plasmas in the HL-2A tokamak

The absolute rate of nonlinear energy transfer among broadband turbulence, low-frequency zonal flows (ZFs) and geodesic acoustic modes (GAMs) was measured for the first time in fusion-grade plasmas using two independent methods across a range of heating powers. The results show that turbulent kinetic energy from intermediate frequencies (20-80 kHz) was transferred into ZFs and GAMs, as well as into fluctuations at higher frequencies (>80  kHz). As the heating power was increased, the energy transfer from turbulence into GAMs and the GAM amplitudes increased, peaked and then decreased, while the energy transfer into the ZFs and the ZFs themselves increased monotonically with heating power. Thus there exists a competition between ZFs and GAMs for the transfer of turbulent energy, and the transfer into ZFs becomes dominant as the heating power is increased. The poloidal-radial Reynolds stress and the mean radial electric field profiles were also measured at different heating powers and found to be consistent with the energy transfer measurement. The results suggest that ZFs play an important role in the low-to-high (L-H) plasma confinement transition.

Pre-treatment with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibits systemic intravascular coagulation and attenuates organ dysfunction in lipopolysaccharide-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation rat model

BACKGROUND

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can activate immunological cells to secrete various proinflammatory cytokines involved in the pathophysiological process of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) during infection. In recent years, it has been found that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can affect the activity of these immune cells and regulate the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Here, we report the possible protective effect of BMSCs pre-treatment in LPS-induced DIC rat model and the mechanism.

METHODS

Forty-eight adult male rats were divided into five experimental groups and one control group with eight animals in each group. In the treatment groups, 0, 1'10(6), 2'10(6), 3'10(6), and 5'10(6) of BMSCs were injected intravenously for 3 days before LPS injection, while the control group was treated with pure cell culture medium injection. Then, the LPS (3 mg/kg) was injected via the tail vein in the treatment groups, while the control group received 0.9% NaCl. Blood was withdrawn before and 4 and 8 hours after LPS administration. The following parameters were monitored: platelets (PLT), fibrinogen (Fib), D-dimer (D-D), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interferon-g (IFN-g), interleukin-1b (IL-1b), creatinine (Cr), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and endothelin (ET).

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, a significant change of coagulation parameters were found in the experimental groups. The plasma level of the inflammatory mediator (TNF-a, IFN-g, IL-1b), organ indicator (Cr, ALT, and CK-MB), and ET in the experimental groups were much lower (P < 0.05) than that in the control group. Furthermore, some of these effects were dose-dependent; the statistical comparison of the plasma levels between the groups (from group 2 to group 5) showed a significant difference (P < 0.05), except the ALT and CK-MB levels (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Pre-treatment with BMSCs can attenuate organ dysfunction and inhibit systemic intravascular coagulation effectively via the regulatory effect on immune cells and proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-induced DIC rat model.

CDK10 functions as a tumor suppressor gene and regulates survivability of biliary tract cancer cells

Cyclin-dependent kinase 10 (CDK10) is a member of the Cdc2 family of kinases, and has been demonstrated to be an important determinant of resistance to endocrine therapy for breast cancer. To investigate the expression and possible function of CDK10 in biliary tract cancer (BTC), we systematically examined CDK10 in tissues and cell lines. We found that expression of CDK10 was downregulated in both biliary tract tumors and cell lines. Remarkably, the expression of CDK10 correlated with clinical characteristics. Overexpression or knockdown of CDK10, respectively, inhibited or promoted cell proliferation, colony formation and migration. This suggests that CDK10 functions as a tumor suppressor gene in BTC. Overexpression of CDK10 caused malignant cells to become sensitive to chemotherapy and other hostile environments, suggesting that CDK10 functions to regulate survivability of BTC cells. We investigated the expression of six genes to resolve the mechanism. c-RAF was negatively regulated by CDK10 in both cells and specimens. Our results indicate that CDK10 plays a crucial role in the growth and survivability of biliary tract cancer, and offers a potential therapeutic target for this fatal disease.