Abstract P2-02-15: Discovery of putative circulating tumor cells through somatic mutation profile of epithelial cell adhesion molecule positive single cells from blood of metastatic breast cancer patients

Background: Circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration provides prognostic information for chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer. However, due to its rarity and heterogeneity, it is difficult to distinguish true CTCs from normal blood cells and perform genomic analysis on them for use in therapeutic strategies. The main application of most currently available CTC detection systems consists of an enumeration of putative CTCs without further analysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of single cell picking and target sequencing of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-positive cells for detecting CTCs.

Methods: Whole blood sampled from metastatic breast cancer patients who were newly diagnosed with metastasis or who had disease progression during palliative treatment were used for this study. After applying IsoFlux Circulating Tumor Cell Enrichment Kit (Fluxion, South San Francisco, CA, USA), single CTC candidates were picked from a pool of EpCAM-positive cells. Genomic DNA from the picked cells was whole genome amplified and target sequencing was performed using Ion AmpliSeq™ Cancer Hotspot Panel (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Target sequencing reads were mapped to human genome reference (hg19) using BWA-MEM (0.7.10). Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were annotated using dbSNP, Variome Data 0.2, and COSMIC databases.

Results: A total of 172 EpCAM-positive cells were selected according to size and EpCAM status from whole blood of 11 patients. The remaining cells were grouped into a pooled sample for each patient. The mean read depth of the target genes was 13455×. A mean 7.82 mutations as determined by SNVs listed in the COSMIC database but not in dbSNP and Variome Data 0.2 were detected in each patient. Cells with multiple mutated genes, or those with a mutated gene repeatedly observed in another cell from the same patient were judged to be putative CTCs. At least 2 putative CTCs were detected in 7 patients while no CTCs were detected in 2 patients. Mutated genes observed in the putative CTCs were ABL1, AKT1, APC, CDH1, CDKN2A, ERBB2, FGFR3, HRAS, IDH1, JAK2, KDR, NPM1, RB1, RET, SMARCB1, STK11, and TP53.

Conclusions: Potential CTCs were successfully identified by single cell picking and target sequencing of EpCAM-positive cells from whole blood of metastatic breast cancer patients. Unique mutations not detected in other single cells and pooled samples can be used to distinguish putative CTCs from normal cells. Genomic profiling of corresponding primary tumor and metastatic site biopsy is warranted to verify the CTCs and investigate their role in disease progression.

Citation Format: Lee H-B, Jeon S, Kim BC, Jho S, Kim J, Kang YJ, Yoo T-K, Han JH, Kim Y, Im S-A, Moon H-G, Noh D-Y, Han W. Discovery of putative circulating tumor cells through somatic mutation profile of epithelial cell adhesion molecule positive single cells from blood of metastatic breast cancer patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-02-15.

Hepatitis A in Korea from 2011 to 2013: Current Epidemiologic Status and Regional Distribution

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) has been the leading cause of viral hepatitis in Korea since the 2000s. We aimed to describe the current status and regional differences in hepatitis A incidence. We studied the total number of hepatitis A cases reported to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the National Infectious Diseases Surveillance System between 2011 and 2013. Additionally, National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data and national population data from Statistics Korea were used. In total, 7,585 hepatitis A cases were reported; 5,521 (10.9 cases per 100,000 populations), 1,197 (2.3 cases per 100,000 populations), and 867 (1.7 cases per 100,000 populations) in 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. Fifty-eight patients were infected outside of the country and 7,527 patients represented autochthonous HAV infection cases. Autochthonous HAV infection occurred more frequently among men than women (4,619 cases, 6.1 cases per 100,000 population vs. 2,908 cases, 3.9 cases per 100,000 population). The incidence rate was higher in the 20-29 yr-old group (2,309 cases, 11.6 cases per 100,000 populations) and 30-39 yr-old group (3,306 cases, 13.6 cases per 100,000 populations). The majority of cases were reported from March to June (53.6%, 4,038/7,527). Geographic analyses revealed a consistently high relative risk (RR) of HAV infection in mid-western regions (2011, RR, 1.25, P=0.019; 2012, RR, 2.53, P<0.001; 2013, RR, 1.86, P<0.001). In summary, we report that hepatitis A incidence has been decreasing gradually from 2011 to 2013 and that some regions show the highest prevalence rates of HAV infection in Korea.

Experimental study of the potential hazards of surgical smoke from powered instruments

BACKGROUND

Many surgical instruments have been replaced with powered devices in open gastrointestinal and laparoscopic surgery. The production of smoke as a result of vaporization of surgical tissue is inevitable, and exposure to surgical smoke is a long-standing concern. These vapours are potentially hazardous to patients and surgical teams. The present research was designed to compare various surgical devices to determine whether viable cells exist in their surgical smoke.

METHODS

The search for viable cells in surgical smoke was conducted using both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Various cancers were cauterized with electrocautery, radiofrequency ablation and ultrasonic scalpels, and the resulting surgical smoke was aspirated with Transwell(®) membrane; viable cells were sought in the surgical smoke. In an in vivo experiment, samples of SCC7 were cauterized with an ultrasonic scalpel and the sediment from the rinsed Transwell(®) membrane liquid after centrifugation was injected subcutaneously into the lower back of mice.

RESULTS

Viable cells were found only in the smoke from ultrasonic scalpels (in all 25 samples taken 5 cm from the cautery; 2 of 25 samples at 10 cm). Viable cells in the surgical smoke from ultrasonic scalpels implanted in mice grew in 16 of 40 injection sites. Histological and biochemical analyses revealed that these cancer cells were identical to the cancer cells cauterized by the ultrasonic scalpel.

CONCLUSION

Viable tumour cells are produced in the surgical smoke from tumour dissection by ultrasonic scalpel. Surgical relevance Surgical smoke is a byproduct of dissection using a number of powered devices. Hazards to operating room personnel and patients are unclear. This study has shown that use of an ultrasonic dissection device can produce smoke that contains viable tumour cells. Although the model is somewhat artificial, a theoretical risk exists, and measures to evacuate surgical smoke efficiently are important.

High normal albuminuria is associated with arterial stiffness and carotid atherosclerosis in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Current evidence suggests that high normal albuminuria is significantly associated with increased cardiovascular risk. This study investigated the association between urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) within the normal range and subclinical atherosclerosis in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This cross-sectional study involved 521 type 2 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurement and ultrasound assessment of carotid atherosclerosis was done. Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by the presence of high baPWV (>1682 cm/s), carotid atherosclerosis (intima-media thickness >0.8 mm or the presence of plaques), and carotid stenosis (≥50% of luminal narrowing). Across the tertiles of ACR, there was a trend for an increasing prevalence of high baPWV (16.8%, 20.0%, and 38.2%, P < 0.001), carotid atherosclerosis (46.9%, 55.4%, and 64.7%, P < 0.001), and carotid stenosis (12.7%, 16.0%, and 30.1%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, patients in the highest ACR tertile had an odds ratio of 2.05 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-3.72, P = 0.019) for high baPWV, 1.78 (95% CI, 1.08-2.93, P = 0.024) for carotid atherosclerosis, and 2.72 (95% CI, 1.44-5.11, P = 0.002) for carotid stenosis compared to those in the lowest tertile. The relation of ACR with carotid atherosclerosis and stenosis remained significant even in patients without diabetic retinopathy.

CONCLUSION

High normal albuminuria was significantly associated with atherosclerotic vascular changes, independent of retinopathy and other cardiovascular risk factors. High normal albuminuria may be an early marker for subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.

Microcavity effect using nanoparticles to enhance the efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes

In this paper, in contrast with previously reported approaches, we suggest exploiting a microcavity effect using nanoparticles to improve the optical efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED). The method to input the nanoparticles inside the OLED device is simple and cost effective by virtue of employing a solution process using a spin coating fabrication method. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were used to improve the reflection by its high refractive index. In tandem with optimized heights of the organic layers, the increased light reflectance at the anode side, which includes the TiO2 nanoparticle layer, improved the optical efficiency of the OLED device via the microcavity effect. In order to prove that the enhancement of the optical efficiency was due to an enhanced microcavity effect caused by TiO2 nanoparticles, a microcavity simulation was conducted. The electrical characteristics were not affected by the nanoparticles and a clear pixel image was maintained. The results in this paper show that a nanoparticle based microcavity effect can be exploited to enhance the optical efficiency of OLEDs.

Clinical significance of serum bilirubin and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels on coronary atherosclerosis assessed by multidetector computed tomography

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Low bilirubin and high gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), which are endogenous markers of oxidative stress, confer a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated associations between serum concentrations of bilirubin, GGT and coronary atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A cross-sectional analysis was performed on 1520 subjects who underwent multidetector computed tomography scans. Coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD), was defined as the presence of coronary artery stenosis of ≥50%. Total bilirubin (TB) level was negatively correlated with CACS and coronary stenosis whereas GGT level was positively correlated with CACS in men. However, there was no correlation between TB, GGT levels and either CACS or coronary artery stenosis in women. In a multivariate-adjusted model, TB level was inversely associated with a CACS > 100 [odds ratio (OR) per log standard deviation (SD), 0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.52-0.87], and OCAD (OR per log SD, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62-0.95) in men. By contrast, GGT level was positively associated with a CACS > 100 (OR per log SD, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.05-1.73) but not with OCAD. Adding TB and GGT to the conventional risk factors increased predictive accuracy for CACS > 100 (net reclassification improvement index [NRI] = 13.1%, P = 0.026; integrated discrimination index [IDI] = 0.024, P = 0.001) and for OCAD (NRI = 12.6%, P = 0.026; IDI = 0.010, P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

Low TB and high GGT levels were concomitantly associated with coronary atherosclerosis in Korean men. Future studies are needed to elucidate the causal associations of TB and GGT with CVD.

Analysis of aberrantly spliced transcripts of a novel de novo GNAS mutant in a male with albright hereditary osteodystrophy and PHP1A

Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a genetic disorder due to target-organ unresponsiveness to parathyroid hormone (PTH). PHP type 1A (PHP1A) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) and PTH resistance caused by defects at the GNAS locus. We analyzed the GNAS gene in a male with typical AHO and elevated PTH levels. We identified a novel de novo heterozygous mutation at the splice donor site in intron-7 (IVS7+1G>A, c.585+1G>A) of the GNAS gene. No GNAS mutations were detected in his parents. Our patient was diagnosed with PHP1A due to a heterozygous de novo mutation in the GNAS gene. Reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR analysis and sequencing revealed that this de novo splice mutation generated alternative splicing errors leading to the formation of 2 mutant transcripts: one with exon-7 deleted, the other with whole intron-7 included. To investigate whether these aberrantly spliced transcripts were stable, we assessed the differential expression of GNAS mRNAs in the proband's blood by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. In the proband, the relative expression levels of wild-type, exon-7-deleted, and intron-7-included GNAS mRNAs were 0.21, 6.12E-07, and 1.08E-04, respectively, relative to wild-type GNAS mRNA from a healthy control (set at 1.0). This suggests that this novel de novo splicing mutation generates rapidly decaying mutant transcripts, which might affect stimulatory G-protein activity and give rise to this sporadic case. In conclusion, this is an interesting report of aberrantly spliced mRNAs from a de novo splice mutation of the GNAS gene causing PHP1A in a male.

Voluntary exercise prior to traumatic brain injury alters miRNA expression in the injured mouse cerebral cortex

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may be important mediators of the profound molecular and cellular changes that occur after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the changes and possible roles of miRNAs induced by voluntary exercise prior to TBI are still not known. In this report, the microarray method was used to demonstrate alterations in miRNA expression levels in the cerebral cortex of TBI mice that were pretrained on a running wheel (RW). Voluntary RW exercise prior to TBI: i) significantly decreased the mortality rate and improved the recovery of the righting reflex in TBI mice, and ii) differentially changed the levels of several miRNAs, upregulating some and downregulating others. Furthermore, we revealed global upregulation of miR-21, miR-92a, and miR-874 and downregulation of miR-138, let-7c, and miR-124 expression among the sham-non-runner, TBI-non-runner, and TBI-runner groups. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction data (RT-qPCR) indicated good consistency with the microarray results. Our microarray-based analysis of miRNA expression in mice cerebral cortex after TBI revealed that some miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-92a, miR-874, miR-138, let-7c, and miR-124 could be involved in the prevention and protection afforded by voluntary exercise in a TBI model.

Implementation of secondary stroke prevention protocol for ischaemic stroke patients in primary care

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of a secondary stroke prevention protocol in the general out-patient clinic.

DESIGN

Cohort study with pre- and post-intervention comparisons.

SETTING

Two general out-patient clinics in Hong Kong.

PATIENTS

Ischaemic stroke patients who had long-term follow-up in two clinics were recruited. The patients of one clinic received the intervention (intervention group) and the patients of the second clinic did not receive the intervention (control group). The recruitment period lasted for 6 months from 1 September 2008 to 28 February 2009. The pre-intervention phase data collection started within this 6-month period. The protocol implementation started at the intervention clinic on 1 April 2009. The post-intervention phase data collection started 9 months after the protocol implementation, and ran for 6 months from 1 January 2010 to 30 June 2010.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical data before and after the intervention, including blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin level, low-density lipoprotein level and prescription pattern, were compared between the two groups to see whether there was enhancement of secondary stroke management.

RESULTS

A total of 328 patients were recruited into the intervention group and 249 into the control group; data of 256 and 210 patients from these groups were analysed, respectively. After intervention, there were significant reductions in mean (± standard deviation) systolic blood pressure (135.2 ± 17.5 mm Hg to 127.7 ± 12.2 mm Hg), glycated haemoglobin level (7.2 ± 1.0% to 6.5 ± 0.8%), and low-density lipoprotein level (3.4 ± 0.8 mmol/L to 2.8 ± 1.3 mmol/L) in the intervention group (all P<0.01). There were no significant reductions in mean systolic blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin level, or low-density lipoprotein level in the control group. There was a significant increase in statin use (P<0.01) in both clinics.

CONCLUSION

Through implementation of a clinic protocol, the standard of care of secondary stroke prevention for ischaemic stroke patients could be improved in a general out-patient clinic.

Caspase-dependent cell death-associated release of nucleosome and damage-associated molecular patterns

Apoptosis, which is anti-inflammatory, and necrosis, which is pro-inflammatory, represent the extremes of the cell death spectrum. Cell death is complex and both apoptosis and necrosis can be observed in the same cells or tissues. Here, we introduce a novel combined mode of cellular demise--caspase-dependent regulated necrosis. Most importantly, it is mainly characterized with release of marked amount of oligo- or poly-nucleosomes and their attached damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and initiated by caspase activation. Caspase-activated DNase has dual roles in nucleosomal release as it can degrade extracellularly released chromatin into poly- or oligo-nucleosomes although it prohibits release of nucleosomes. In addition, osmotically triggered water movement following Cl(-) influx and subsequent Na(+) influx appears to be the major driving force for nucleosomal and DAMPs release. Finally, Ca(2+)-activated cysteine protease, calpain, is an another essential factor in nucleosomal and DAMPs release because of complete reversion to apoptotic morphology from necrotic one and blockade of nucleosomal and DAMPs release by its inhibition.

Gender and age differences in the impact of overweight on obesity-related quality of life among Korean adults

SUMMARY

OBJECTIVE

To investigate gender and age difference in impact of overweight on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Korean adults.

METHODS

Cross-sectional obesity-related quality of life (QOL) scores were measured by a Korean obesity-related QOL scale (KOQOL) from 448 Korean adults aged 20-80 years. A body mass index (BMI) was categorized with normal-weight as BMI < 23 kg/m(2), overweight as BMI ≥ 23 kg/m(2) based on the alternative cutoff points for Asians. Each gender was respectively stratified by median age, 45 years for men and 50 years for women, to examine the obesity-related QOL by age groups.

RESULTS

Women had a poorer obesity-related QOL compared to men (p < 0.001). In the younger age group, overweight women had a poorer obesity-related QOL compared with normal-weight women (p < 0.001), however normal-weight and overweight men showed no difference in obesity-related QOL. In the older age group, overweight men showed better QOL on the domains of work-related and psychosocial health than those for normal-weight men, but overweight women still suffered from work-related and routine life QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the impact of overweight on obesity-related QOL was different for gender and age group. We should consider the results to manage weight in overweight persons.

Abstract P2-09-19: Zerumbone suppresses IL-1b-induced cell migration and invasion through inhibition of IL-8 expression and MMP3 expression in human triple negative breast cancer cells

Background: Inflammation is a key regulatory process in breast cancer progression and severity. Several studies have demonstrated that prolonged exposure of breast tumor cells to inflammatory cytokines leads to epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT), which is the principle mechanism involved in metastasis and tumor invasion. Disruption of the signaling pathways involved in EMT may therefore provide an effective treatment strategy for currently difficult to treat or untreatable cancers such as TNBC. The interleukin (IL)-1 plays a pivotal role on breast cancer proliferation, invasion and/or inflammation. Here, we investigated the correlation of MMP-3 and IL-8 on IL-1b-induced cell migration and invasion as well as the inhibitory effect of zerumbone on IL-1β-induced MMP-3 and IL-8.

Methods: Triple negative breast cancer cells (Hs578T and MDA-MB231) were cultured DMEM with 10% FBS and 1% antibiotics. The levels of IL-8 and MMP-3 mRNA were analyzed by real-time PCR. The levels of secreted IL-8 and MMP-3 protein expression were analyzed by ELISA and western blot analysis, respectively. Cell viabilities by drug were analyzed by MTT assay. Cell invasion and migration was detected by Boyden chamber assay.

Results: The level of IL-8 and MMP-3 mRNA and protein expression significantly increased by IL-1β treatment in both Hs578T cells and MDA-MB231 cells. In addition, IL-1β-induced cell migration and invasion also increased in Hs578T and MDA-MB231 cells. On the other hand, the levels of basal and IL-1β-induced IL-8 and MMP-3 expression were decreased by zerumbone.

Conclusion: IL-1β induces the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells through IL-8 and MMP-3 expression. These effects are significantly suppressed by zerumbone. Therefore, we suggest that zerumbone may act as a useful therapeutic agent for treatment of triple negative breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P2-09-19.

Evaluation of patient outcome after discontinuation of alfuzosin treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a multicentre, prospective study

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess patient outcome after discontinuation of alfuzosin treatment in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODS

This study included 200 BPH patients. Alpha-blockers were discontinued after 12 weeks of treatment when the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) was reduced to < 8 points, peak urine flow rate (Q(max)) was increased to ≥ 15 ml/s, the postvoiding residual (PVR) urine volume was ≤ 100 ml and the patient agreed to discontinue treatment. Urinary symptoms of the patients were assessed at 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after discontinuation of medication, and surveys were performed asking whether patients wanted to restart administration of medication.

RESULTS

Of 200 enrolled patients, 142 (71.00%) received 12 weeks of treatment with 10 mg of alfuzosin. The medication was discontinued in 58 of 142 patients (40.85%) because urinary symptoms had improved. Among these patients, follow-up observations were performed for 49 patients up to 24 weeks after treatment discontinued. Of these 49 patients, 28 (57.14%) showed correct urination without a need to restart treatment up to 24 weeks after the medication was discontinued. The discontinuation group demonstrated improved voiding symptoms, including Q(max) and PVR, relative to the re-administration group at baseline. Furthermore, the discontinuation group showed a smaller prostate volume than the re-administration group (p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

When patients with BPH displayed symptomatic improvement upon treatment with alpha-blockers, the improvements were maintained in a select subpopulation of patients without the need to re-administer the alpha-blockers.

Fibrolytic enzyme and ammonia application effects on the nutritive value, intake, and digestion kinetics of bermudagrass hay in beef cattle

The objectives were to compare the effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (Biocellulase A20) or anhydrous ammonia (4% DM) treatment on the nutritive value, voluntary intake, and digestion kinetics of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon cultivar Coastal) hay harvested after 2 maturities (5- and 13-wk regrowths). Six individually housed, ruminally cannulated Brangus steers (BW 325 ± 10 kg) were used in an experiment with a 6 × 6 Latin square design with a 3 (additives) × 2 (maturities) factorial arrangement of treatments. Each period consisted of 14 d of adaptation and 7, 4, 1, 1, and 4 d for measuring in vivo digestibility, in situ degradability, no measurements, rumen liquid fermentation and passage indices, and rate of solid passage, respectively. Steers were fed hay for ad libitum intake and supplemented with sugarcane molasses and distillers grain (supplement total of 2.88 kg DM/d). Enzyme did not affect the nutritional composition of hay but ammonia treatment decreased hay NDF, hemicellulose, and ADL concentrations and increased the CP concentration particularly for the mature lignified 13-wk hay. The enzyme increased NDF and hemicellulose digestibility of the 5-wk hay but decreased those of the 13-wk hay. Ammoniation decreased intake of hay but increased digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, hemicellulose, ADF, and cellulose and increased the ruminal in situ soluble and potentially digestible fractions and the rate of DM degradation of the 13-wk hay. Also, ammoniation increased the concentrations of ruminal NH3, total VFA, acetate, and butyrate but enzyme treatment did not. Neither enzyme addition nor ammoniation affected rate of liquid and solid passage. In conclusion, ammoniation decreased the concentration of most fiber fractions, decreased the intake of hays, and increased their CP concentration, in vivo digestibility, and in situ degradability at both maturities whereas enzyme application increased fiber digestibility of the 5-wk hay but decreased it in the case of the 13-wk hay.

Phase separation in ternary Co-Gd-Ti liquids

The phase equilibria and the solidification behavior of ternary Co-Gd-Ti (Co ≤35 at.%) alloys have been investigated. The phase transformation and equilibria in the liquid phase were studied in situ for two alloys, Co30Gd35Ti35 and Co30Gd50Ti20, by combining electrostatic levitation of the samples with high-energy synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD) at elevated temperature. The XRD patterns with two diffuse maxima for molten Co30Gd35Ti35 give direct evidence for liquid-liquid phase separation in this composition. In contrast, no indication for phase separation in the Co30Gd50Ti20 alloy is detected. Coarsened microstructures, typical for the phase-separating systems, are observed for the Co30Gd35Ti35, Co25Gd37.5Ti37.5, Co10Gd45Ti45 and Co30Gd20Ti50 cast alloys. Our findings suggest that the stable miscibility gap of binary Gd-Ti extends into the ternary Co-Gd-Ti system (up to about 30 at.% Co). Thermodynamic calculations of the ternary Co-Gd-Ti system by the CALPHAD method are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Preferential killing of human lung cancer cell lines with mitochondrial dysfunction by nonthermal dielectric barrier discharge plasma

The distinctive cellular and mitochondrial dysfunctions of two human lung cancer cell lines (H460 and HCC1588) from two human lung normal cell lines (MRC5 and L132) have been studied by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment. This cytotoxicity is exposure time-dependent, which is strongly mediated by the large amount of H₂O₂ and NO_x in culture media generated by DBD nonthermal plasma. It is found that the cell number of lung cancer cells has been reduced more than that of the lung normal cells. The mitochondrial vulnerability to reactive species in H460 may induce distinctively selective responses. Differential mitochondrial membrane potential decrease, mitochondrial enzymatic dysfunction, and mitochondrial morphological alteration are exhibited in two cell lines. These results suggest the nonthermal plasma treatment as an efficacious modality in lung cancer therapy.

Characterization of the interaction between astrocytes and encephalitogenic lymphocytes during the development of experimental autoimmune encephalitomyelitis (EAE) in mice

The nature of pathogenic mechanisms associated with the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) have long been debated. However, limited research was conducted to define the interplay between infiltrating lymphocytes and resident cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Data presented in this report describe a novel role for astrocyte-mediated alterations to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)(35-55) -specific lymphocyte responses, elicited during the development of experimental autoimmune encephalitomyelitis (EAE). In-vitro studies demonstrated that astrocytes inhibited the proliferation and interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β secretion levels of MOG(35-55) -specific lymphocytes, an effect that could be ameliorated by astrocyte IL-27 neutralization. However, when astrocytes were pretreated with IFN-γ, they could promote the proliferation and secretion levels of MOG(35-55) -specific lymphocytes, coinciding with apparent expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-II on astrocytes themselves. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) demonstrated that production of IL-27 in the spinal cord was at its highest during the initial phases. Conversely, production of IFN-γ in the spinal cord was highest during the peak phase. Quantitative analysis of MHC-II expression in the spinal cord showed that there was a positive correlation between MHC-II expression and IFN-γ production. In addition, astrocyte MHC-II expression levels correlated positively with IFN-γ production in the spinal cord. These findings suggested that astrocytes might function as both inhibitors and promoters of EAE. Astrocytes prevented MOG(35-55) -specific lymphocyte function by secreting IL-27 during the initial phases of EAE. Then, in the presence of higher IFN-γ levels in the spinal cord, astrocytes were converted into antigen-presenting cells. This conversion might promote the progression of pathological damage and result in a peak of EAE severity.

Effect of adding a mycotoxin-sequestering agent on milk aflatoxin M₁ concentration and the performance and immune response of dairy cattle fed an aflatoxin B₁-contaminated diet

This project aimed to examine the effects of adding 2 doses of a montmorillonite-based mycotoxin adsorbent on milk aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)) concentrations and the performance and innate immune response of dairy cows fed an aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1))-contaminated diet. Eight lactating cows were used in a duplicated 4×4 Latin square design with 12-d periods. Treatments included the following: (1) control diet (C), (2) aflatoxin diet (T) containing C and 75 µg of AFB(1)/kg, 3) low-clay (LC) diet containing T and Calibrin A (Amlan International, Chicago, IL) added at 0.2% of the diet dry matter (DM), and 4) high-clay diet (HC) containing T and Calibrin A added at 1% of the diet DM. Milk production and DM intake were recorded daily and milk was sampled twice daily on d 5, 9, 10, 11, and 12 in each period. Blood samples were collected on d 5 and 9 of each period. Dietary treatments did not affect DM intake, milk yield, or feed efficiency. Even though cows were limit fed, feeding T instead of C reduced milk fat yield (0.67 vs. 0.74 kg/d) and milk protein concentration (3.28 vs. 3.36%). Concentrations of AFM(1) in milk of cows fed the T and LC diets were similar (0.57 and 0.64 µg/kg) and greater than those of cows fed the HC diet (0.46 µg/kg). Haptoglobin concentration was greater (22.0 vs. 14.4) and β(2)-integrin expression (220 vs. 131) tended to be greater in cows fed diet T instead of C, but values for cows fed LC, HC, and C did not differ. In comparison to C, feeding T increased the innate immune response and decreased milk fat yield and milk protein concentration, but feeding LC and HC did not affect these measures. Only the HC diet reduced milk AFM(1) concentration.

Autonomic dysfunction in ischemic stroke with carotid stenosis

OBJECTIVES

Impaired autonomic function is common in acute ischemic stroke. Previous limited studies have suggested that atherosclerosis may affect the distensibility of the carotid sinus and then impair the cardiovascular autonomic function. This study sought to investigate cardiovascular autonomic function in patients with ischemic stroke with carotid stenosis.

METHODS

Eighty-five patients with ischemic stroke (58 ones without carotid stenosis and 27 ones with carotid stenosis, average 6 months after stroke onset) and 37 elderly controls were recruited. All performed Ewing's battery autonomic function tests.

RESULTS

From Ewing's battery of autonomic function tests, atypical, definite, or severe autonomic dysfunction was identified in 69.0% patients without carotid stenosis and 88.9% with carotid stenosis, with significant difference between the two groups, and the prevalence of autonomic dysfunction in both groups was higher than that in controls (21.6%). Patients with carotid stenosis showed impairment of all parasympathetic tests (all P < 0.05) and one of the sympathetic tests [Mean fall in systolic blood pressure (BP) on standing: P = 0.051], and those without carotid stenosis only showed impairment in two parasympathetic tests (Valsalva ratio: P = 0.014; heart rate response to deep breathing: P < 0.001) in comparison with controls. Patients with carotid stenosis had significantly more impairment than those without carotid stenosis in some autonomic parameters (Valsalva ratio: P < 0.05; mean fall in systolic BP on standing: P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular autonomic function is impaired in patients with ischemic stroke, but patients with carotid stenosis show more severely impaired parasympathetic and sympathetic functions.

Relationship between radiological characteristics and combined 1p and 19q deletion in World Health Organization grade III oligodendroglial tumours

OBJECTIVE

The radiological characteristics of World Health Organization grade III oligodendroglial tumours in relation to chromosome 1p and 19q deletions were analysed.

METHODS

56 patients recently diagnosed with anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO, n=49) or anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (AOA, n=7) were studied. Their preoperative magnetic resonance images were examined. Deletions of chromosome 1p and 19q were determined using the fluorescence in situ hybridisation method. Both 1p and 19q chromosomes had deletions (1p19q codeletion) in 39 patients (36 AO and 3 AOA).

RESULTS

Tumors associated with the 1p19q codeletion were predominantly located in the frontal lobe (p=0.044). The magnetic resonance image characteristics of indistinct tumour borders (p=0.005 on T1, p=0.036 on T2) and a heterogeneous intratumoural signal intensity (p=0.033 on T1, p=0.041 on T2) were significantly correlated with the 1p19q codeletion. Analysis of patient survival showed those with the 1p19q-co-deleted tumours survived significantly longer than those lacking the 1p19q codeletion (p=0.042). The presence of a heterogeneous signal intensity in T2-weighted images, a characteristic significantly related to the 1p19q codeletion, indicated a favourable prognosis for patients' survival (HR; 0.125, 95% CI, 0.016 to 0.963, p=0.046) based on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

A relationship between radiological characteristics and molecular signatures in AO/AOAs was shown. It is believed that radiological characteristics have prognostic value as a surrogate marker for molecular characteristics.