BS3-2: Mammary Stroma as an NSAID Target; Implications for Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer

Utilizing a young women's breast cancer cohort from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, we show that women diagnosed as late as five-ten years postpartum have worse prognosis than nulliparous women or women diagnosed during pregnancy, and represent ∼50% of all young women's breast cancer patients. We propose that breast involution following pregnancy accounts for this poor prognosis. Characterization of involution identifies tissue remodeling programs that share similarities with microenvironments known to promote metastasis. Using SHG imaging, we find fibrillar collagen bundles with radially-aligned fibers similar to those observed in invasive tumors deposited in the involuting gland. By immunohistochemistry and FACS we find macrophages with an M2-polarization-like profile similar to tumor-associated macrophages at abundant levels during involution. In three independent mouse models for postpartum breast cancer, we isolate postpartum mammary gland involution as a driving force for cancer progression. Mammary tumors arising in the mouse involuting microenvironment express COX-2 and isolated tumor cells are motile and invasive in a collagen-1/COX-2 dependent manner. Targeting involution-macrophages as likely mediators of tumor promotion was accomplished using a previously described mouse transgenic model. Macrophage depletion during involution had catastrophic effects on normal mammary gland involution. Conversely, inhibition of COX-2 with celecoxib, aspirin or ibuprofen did not interfere with postpartum lobular regression. COX-2 inhibition did decrease tumor growth, local tumor cell dispersion and lung metastasis. NSAID treatment also suppressed collagen and tenascin-C deposition in the involuting microenvironment, suggesting that modulation of extracellular matrix proteins may be a novel mechanism by which NSAIDs exhibit chemopreventive activity. Our studies indicate two distinct roles for COX-2 in the postpartum setting. COX-2 activity within the tumor cell is required for invasiveness and COX-2 activity in the host promotes collagen fibrillogenesis. Several correlative observations implicate the collagen/COX-2 pathway in postpartum breast cancer in women: involuting breast tissue has increased collagen with radially aligned fibers, analysis of 11 publically available microarray data sets shows high COL1A and COX-2 independently correlate with decreased relapse free-survival in young breast cancer patients, and COX-2 protein is observed in DCIS lesions in postpartum cases at higher levels than nulliparous cases.

In summary, our studies suggest further research into COX-2 inhibitor use might provide a novel strategy to improve the prognosis of young women should they be diagnosed with postpartum breast cancer. The question of whether an NSAID based intervention study could be aimed at recently pregnant women at high risk for breast cancer also remains to be determined, but is an extremely desirable objective given that the ∼ 6 million pregnancies in the US per year.

Supported by grants from DoD Synergistic Idea Awards BC060531 & BC10400/001, Komen Foundation KG090629, DoD Idea Award BC074970 to PJK, ACS New England Division Postdoctoral Fellowship Spin Odyssey PF-08-257-01-CSM to TRL and DoD Predoctoral Grants BC073482 to JO and BC100910 to HM.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr BS3-2.

A Comparison of the Forces Applied to a Manikin during Laryngoscopy with the Glidescope® and Macintosh Laryngoscopes

The force applied during laryngoscopy can cause local tissue trauma and can induce cardiovascular responses and cervical spine movement in susceptible patients. Previous studies have identified numerous operator and patient factors that influence the amount of force applied during intubation. There are few studies evaluating the effect of different laryngoscope blades and no study involving video laryngoscopes. In this study we measured the forces using two laryngoscopic techniques. Three FlexiForce Sensors® (A201-25, Tekscan, Boston, MA, USA) were attached to the concave blade surface of a Macintosh and a GlideScope® laryngoscope. Experienced anaesthetists performed Macintosh and GlideScope intubations on the Laerdal® Airway Management Trainer manikin. Compared to Macintosh intubations, the GlideScope intubations had equal or superior views of the glottis with 55%, 58% and 66% lower median peak, average and impulse forces applied to the tongue base. The distal sensor registered the most force in both devices and the force distribution pattern was similar between the devices. The findings suggest that the GlideScope requires less force for similar or better laryngoscopic views, at least in a manikin model.

Anaesthesia trainees' exposure to regional anaesthesia in an Australian tertiary adult teaching hospital

The purpose of this study was to quantify the exposure of anaesthetic trainees to regional anaesthesia in an Australian tertiary adult teaching hospital. We reviewed data collected on all regional blocks performed by the anaesthetic department over a two-year period. The data was then broken down to give an estimate of the number of each block performed by each training year group. There was an average of 27.7 full-time equivalent trainees attached to the department. Trainees performed a total of 1374 blocks over this period. The average number of blocks performed by basic training year one trainees each year was 6.5, basic training year two trainees 13.5, advanced training year one trainees 14.9, advanced training year two trainees 19.1, advanced training year three trainees 23.1 and regional fellows 144.0. The number of total blocks and the proportion of advanced blocks increased with increasing level of training while supervision declined. Trainees in the two regional fellowship positions (7% of the trainee pool) performed 42% of the 1374 blocks. Factors that may influence the exposure of trainees to regional anaesthesia and the assessment of competency are considered.

Using videotelephony to support paediatric oncology-related palliative care in the home: from abandoned RCT to acceptability study

Videotelephony (real-time audio-visual communication) has been used successfully in adult palliative home care. This paper describes two attempts to complete an RCT (both of which were abandoned following difficulties with family recruitment), designed to investigate the use of videotelephony with families receiving palliative care from a tertiary paediatric oncology service in Brisbane, Australia. To investigate whether providing videotelephone-based support was acceptable to these families, a 12-month non-randomised acceptability trial was completed. Seventeen palliative care families were offered access to a videotelephone support service in addition to the 24 hours 'on-call' service already offered. A 92% participation rate in this study provided some reassurance that the use of videotelephones themselves was not a factor in poor RCT participation rates. The next phase of research is to investigate the integration of videotelephone-based support from the time of diagnosis, through outpatient care and support, and for palliative care rather than for palliative care in isolation. Trial registration ACTRN 12606000311550.

Age of road-killed common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and common ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) in an urban environment

Road-associated mortality has been identified as having major ecological effects on small, fragmented and declining populations. Both the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) appear to be in decline in some regions across their natural ranges. Urban populations may be an exception; however, little is known of their population ecology. This study investigates age trends in a subset of road-killed brushtail and ringtail possums collected along eight northern Sydney roads between March 2004 and March 2006. From a total of 591 recorded road-killed possums, 86 were collected for use in this study (36 brushtails, 50 ringtails). Age was estimated using tooth wear patterns on cleaned skulls. Both species showed trends associated with age, and younger possums of both species were more likely to be killed on roads than older animals. Male-biased dispersal of subadult possums is considered a major contributing factor to the over-representation of young brushtail possums in this road-kill sample.

Treatment in the field of 27 horses with epiglottic entrapment

Twenty-seven horses were treated for epiglottic entrapment by using an oral, hand-assisted bistoury knife technique, under general anaesthesia; 26 of them returned successfully to racing, but one developed a permanently displaced soft palate. After the surgery 13 of the horses had an increased handicap rating and 13 had a decreased rating.

Initial effects of anti-pronation tape on the medial longitudinal arch during walking and running

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of an augmented LowDye taping technique on the medial longitudinal arch of the foot during dynamic tasks such as walking and jogging, and to elucidate the relation between tape induced changes in static and dynamic foot posture.

METHODS

Seventeen subjects (mean (SD) age 27 (5.8) years) who were asymptomatic and exhibited a navicular drop greater than 10 mm were studied. Medial longitudinal arch height standardised to foot length during standing and at mid-stance of walking and jogging was measured from digital video images taken before and after the application of an anti-pronation taping technique. A no tape control condition was also included.

RESULTS

Compared with the no tape control condition, tape produced a significant mean (SD) increase in the medial longitudinal arch height index of 0.031 (0.015), 0.026 (0.014), and 0.016 (0.017) during standing, walking, and jogging respectively (p < 0.05). The relative increase in medial longitudinal arch height represents an anti-pronation effect. The tape induced changes in the medial longitudinal arch height measured during standing correlated strongly with those measured during walking and jogging (Pearson's r = 0.7 and 0.76 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The augmented LowDye tape was effective in controlling pronation during both static and dynamic activity. Tape induced changes in static foot posture paralleled those during walking and jogging.

Transoral resection of odontoid process fragment in a rheumatoid patient using Coblation electrosurgery

A new technique is described for the removal of ligaments and soft tissue during a transoral resection of the odontoid process in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The technique employed is Coblation, a form of electrosurgery that operates at lower temperatures than conventional electrosurgical technique and, therefore, produces less collateral damage.

Genetic composition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in cerebrospinal fluid and blood without treatment and during failing antiretroviral therapy

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is a significant cause of morbidity. The requirements for HIV adaptation to the CNS for neuropathogenesis and the value of CSF virus as a surrogate for virus activity in brain parenchyma are not well established. We studied 18 HIV-infected subjects, most with advanced immunodeficiency and some neurocognitive impairment but none with evidence of opportunistic infection or malignancy of the CNS. Clonal sequences of C2-V3 env and population sequences of pol from HIV RNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were correlated with clinical and virologic variables. Most (14 of 18) subjects had partitioning of C2-V3 sequences according to compartment, and 9 of 13 subjects with drug resistance exhibited discordant resistance patterns between the two compartments. Regression analyses identified three to seven positions in C2-V3 that discriminated CSF from plasma HIV. The presence of compartmental differences at one or more of the identified positions in C2-V3 was highly associated with the presence of discordant resistance (P = 0.007), reflecting the autonomous replication of HIV and the independent evolution of drug resistance in the CNS. Discordance of resistance was associated with severity of neurocognitive deficits (P = 0.07), while low nadir CD4 counts were linked both to the severity of neurocognitive deficits and to discordant resistance patterns (P = 0.05 and 0.09, respectively). These observations support the study of CSF HIV as an accessible surrogate for HIV virions in the brain, confirm the high frequency of discordant resistance in subjects with advanced disease in the absence of opportunistic infection or malignancy of the CNS, and begin to identify genetic patterns in HIV env associated with adaptation to the CNS.

A medical center's experience with managing specialty bed usage

The focus of this case study was the escalating use of specialty beds at a large military medical center. Members of a multidisciplinary task force looked at current use of specialty beds, clinical appropriateness of past decisions regarding use of these beds, and education of staff members. They concluded that specialty beds were being ordered randomly from multiple vendors without the benefit of sound clinical decision making. The task force narrowed the types of beds used from 16 to only 7, limited the number of primary bed vendors to two and placed them under contract, educated staff regarding proper selection of specialty beds, and established a protocol specifying WOC nurses and physicians as responsible personnel for ordering specialty beds. These efforts resulted in a marked decline in the use of specialty beds, better patient clinical outcomes, and a sizable cost reduction.

An fMRI study of reduced left prefrontal activation in schizophrenia during normal inhibitory function

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to investigate the hypothesis that schizophrenia is associated with a dysfunction of prefrontal brain regions during motor response inhibition. Generic brain activation of six male medicated patients with schizophrenia was compared to that of seven healthy comparison subjects matched for sex, age, and education level while performing 'stop' and 'go-no-go' tasks. No group differences were observed in task performance. Patients, however, showed reduced BOLD signal response in left anterior cingulate during both inhibition tasks and reduced left rostral dorsolateral prefrontal and increased thalamus and putamen BOLD signal response during stop task performance. Despite good task performance, patients with schizophrenia thus showed abnormal neural network patterns of reduced left prefrontal activation and increased subcortical activation when challenged with motor response inhibition.

G2 phase cell cycle arrest in human skin following UV irradiation

The contribution of the short wavelength ultraviolet (UV) component of sunlight to the aetiology of skin cancer has been widely acknowledged, although its direct contribution to tumour initiation or progression is still poorly understood. The loss of normal cell cycle controls, particularly checkpoint controls, are a common feature of cancer. UV radiation causes both G1 and G2 phase checkpoint arrest in vitro cultured cells. In this study we have investigated the cell cycle responses to suberythemal doses of UV on skin. We have utilized short-term whole organ skin cultures, and multi parameter immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis to demonstrate that basal and suprabasal layer melanocytes and keratinocytes undergo a G2 phase cell cycle arrest for up to 48 h following irradiation. The arrest is associated with increased p16 expression but no apparent p53 involvement. This type of organ culture provides a very useful model system, combining the ease of in vitro manipulation with the ability to perform detailed molecular analysis in a normal tissue environment.

Effect of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation on intestinal inflammation and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a neonatal rat model

Inasmuch as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, metabolites of the essential n-3 and n-6 fatty acids) are known to modulate inflammation, we hypothesized that supplementation of formula with these compounds would prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and intestinal inflammation in our neonatal rat model. Newborn rats were stressed with asphyxia and formula feeding, and randomly assigned to control formula, control with PUFA supplementation, and PUFA with nucleotides. Animals were followed for 72--96 h and assessed for death, gross and histologic NEC, intestinal apoptosis, endotoxemia, and intestinal mRNA synthesis of phospholipase A(2)-II (rate-limiting enzyme for platelet activating factor production), platelet activating factor receptor, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. We found that PUFA reduced the incidence of death and NEC compared with the other groups (NEC 8 of 24 versus 17 of 24 control and 13 of 23 PUFA + nucleotides, p < 0.05). Furthermore, PUFA reduced plasma endotoxemia at 48 h (25 +/- 4 EU/mL versus 276 +/- 39 EU/mL in control and 170 +/- 28 EU/mL in PUFA + nucleotide), intestinal phospholipase A(2)-II expression at 24 h, and platelet activating factor receptor expression at 48 h. Formula supplementation had no effect on apoptosis of intestinal epithelium or intestinal inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Addition of nucleotides with PUFA abrogated the beneficial effects of PUFA on intestinal inflammation. We conclude that PUFA reduces the incidence of NEC and intestinal inflammation in a neonatal rat model.

Incoherent beam combining using stimulated Brillouin scattering in multimode fibers

A beam combining technique for producing a single, spatially coherent beam from two mutually incoherent (temporally and spatially) lasers is demonstrated and the spatial coherence properties of the resulting beam are characterized. The technique is based on simultaneous excitation of stimulated Brillouin scattering by two independent lasers operating at two different wavelengths in a long multimode optical fiber. Though spectrally independent, the resulting Stokes beams produce essentially identical intensity distributions corresponding to the fundamental fiber mode.

Mapping motor inhibition: conjunctive brain activations across different versions of go/no-go and stop tasks

Conjunction analysis methods were used in functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate brain regions commonly activated in subjects performing different versions of go/no-go and stop tasks, differing in probability of inhibitory signals and/or contrast conditions. Generic brain activation maps highlighted brain regions commonly activated in (a) two different go/no-go task versions, (b) three different stop task versions, and (c) all 5 inhibition task versions. Comparison between the generic activation maps of stop and go/no-go task versions revealed inhibitory mechanisms specific to go/no-go or stop task performance in 15 healthy, right-handed, male adults. In the go/no-go task a motor response had to be selectively executed or inhibited in either 50% or 30% of trials. In the stop task, the motor response to a go-stimulus had to be retracted on either 50 or 30% of trials, indicated by a stop signal, shortly (250 ms) following the go-stimulus. The shared "inhibitory" neurocognitive network by all inhibition tasks comprised mesial, medial, and inferior frontal and parietal cortices. Generic activation of the go/no-go task versions identified bilateral, but more predominantly left hemispheric mesial, medial, and inferior frontal and parietal cortices. Common activation to all stop task versions was in predominantly right hemispheric anterior cingulate, supplementary motor area, inferior prefrontal, and parietal cortices. On direct comparison between generic stop and go/no-go activation maps increased BOLD signal was observed in left hemispheric dorsolateral prefrontal, medial, and parietal cortices during the go/no-go task, presumably reflecting a left frontoparietal specialization for response selection.

NMDA receptor antagonist AP5 and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 7-NI affect different phases of learning and memory in goldfish

The present study investigated the amnestic effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist AP5 and nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor 7-NI in avoidance conditioning in goldfish. The results showed that both AP5 and 7-NI, without impairing performance processes, produced anterograde amnesia when given before training. Furthermore, 7-NI produced retrograde amnesia when given immediately following training while AP5 did not. Thus, AP5 and 7-NI affected different phases of learning and memory.