Itching is a significant problem and a mediator between disease severity and quality of life for patients with psoriasis: results from a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

In patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been shown to improve in parallel with improvement in disease severity.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the role of pruritus (itch) in mediating the relationship between improvements in disease severity and HRQOL.

METHODS

Data from a phase 2 clinical trial, in which 142 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis received ixekizumab or placebo, were used for this posthoc analysis. Relationships between improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Itch Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), as well as in individual DLQI domains (symptoms and feelings, treatment, work and school, daily activities, leisure, and personal relationships) from baseline to week 16 were determined. Multiple hierarchical linear regressions and Sobel tests were conducted to evaluate the results.

RESULTS

Improvement in PASI was highly correlated with pruritus improvement and improvements in DLQI total and domain scores at week 16 (P < 0·01). Multiple hierarchical linear regression analyses showed a statistically significant (P < 0·01) association between improvement in pruritus and improvement in DLQI total score and each of the six DLQI domain scores after adjusting for improvement in PASI. Sobel tests indicated that pruritus had a significant mediation effect (P < 0·05) on the association of PASI improvement with improvement in DLQI total score and all domains except the personal relationships score.

CONCLUSIONS

Pruritus appears to be an important mediator of the association between improvements in disease severity and HRQOL in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Effect of once-daily tadalafil on confidence and perceived difficulty in performing sexual intercourse in men who were incomplete responders to as-needed PDE5 inhibitor treatment

INTRODUCTION

For men with erectile dysfunction (ED), the expectation of difficulty and level of confidence in achieving and maintaining an erection have an impact on sexual performance.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS

This 12-week, double-blind study investigated once-daily tadalafil (2.5 mg titrated to 5 mg or 5 mg) (n = 176) or placebo (n = 79) on confidence and perceived difficulty in performing sexual intercourse in men with ED who were incomplete responders to as-needed phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor therapy. The Confidence in Performing Sexual Intercourse Questionnaire (CPSIQ) and Difficulty in Performing Sexual Intercourse Questionnaire (DPSIQ) were administered at baseline and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

The mean change in CPSIQ for the tadalafil group was 1.8, which represents a shift from 'very low' to 'moderate' sexual confidence vs. a mean change of 0.5 in the placebo group (p < 0.0001). The mean change in DPSIQ for tadalafil was 1.6, which represents a shift from 'very difficult' to 'moderately' or 'slightly difficult' sexual performance vs. a mean change of 0.4 in the placebo group (p < 0.0001). Among men receiving tadalafil with an International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) end-point score of ≥ 26 or who achieved a minimal clinically important difference in IIEF-EF score at end-point, the mean changes in CPSIQ were 3.0 and 2.4, respectively (both p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Once-daily tadalafil vs. placebo improves confidence and decreases difficulty in performing sexual intercourse for men with ED who were incomplete responders to as-needed PDE5 inhibitor therapy.

Weight loss composition is one-fourth fat-free mass: a critical review and critique of this widely cited rule

Maximizing fat loss while preserving lean tissue mass and function is a central goal of modern obesity treatments. A widely cited rule guiding expected loss of lean tissue as fat-free mass (FFM) states that approximately one-fourth of weight loss will be FFM (i.e. ΔFFM/ΔWeight = ∼0.25), with the remaining three-fourths being fat mass. This review examines the dynamic relationships between FFM, fat mass and weight changes that follow induction of negative energy balance with hypocaloric dieting and/or exercise. Historical developments in the field are traced with the 'Quarter FFM Rule' used as a framework to examine evolving concepts on obesity tissue, excess weight and what is often cited as 'Forbes' Rule'. Temporal effects in the fractional contribution of FFM to changes in body weight are examined as are lean tissue moderating effects such as ageing, inactivity and exercise that frequently accompany structured low-calorie diet weight loss protocols. Losses of lean tissue with dieting typically tend to be small, raising questions about study design, power and applied measurement method reliability. Our review elicits important questions related to the fractional loss of lean tissues with dieting and provides a foundation for future research on this topic.

Degradation of acetochlor by a bacterial consortium of Rhodococcus sp.T3-1, Delftia sp.T3-6 and Sphingobium sp.MEA3-1

Owing to acetochlor persistence in the environment and its perceptible threats to the ecosystem and human health, it is urgent to search for effective approaches to decontaminate acetochlor. In this study, an acetochlor-degrading enrichment culture was obtained by continuous enrichment from acetochlor-contaminated soil and named T3. T3 could completely degrade 100 mg l(-1) acetochlor and butachlor within 6 days. Two bacterial strains Rhodococcus sp.T3-1 and Delftia sp.T3-6 and one strain Sphingobium sp.MEA3-1 were isolated and identified from T3 by using acetochlor and MEA as sole carbon source, respectively. These three bacteria could completely mineralize acetochlor by the cooperative metabolism. The biochemical pathway of acetochlor degradation by these three bacteria in a consortium was proposed: acetochlor to 2'-methyl-6'-ethyl-2-chloroacetanilide (CMEPA) by Rhodococcus sp. T3-1, CMEPA to 2-methyl-6-ethyl aniline (MEA) by Delftia sp.T3-6 and MEA by Sphingobium sp.MEA3-1 based on the identified degradation intermediates. Under laboratory conditions, the consortium was effective in the acetochlor mineralization.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study presents a bacterial consortium consisting of Rhodococcus sp.T3-1, Delftia sp.T3-6 and Sphingobium sp.MEA3-1 could completely mineralize acetochlor by biochemical cooperation. The study reveals the metabolic mechanism of acetochlor biodegradation and highlights the potential of the bacterial consortium for cleaning up acetochlor and its metabolites subsisting in the environment.

Complete genome sequence of an isolate of papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus from commercialized PRSV-resistant transgenic papaya in China

Papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus is highly destructive to commercial papaya production. Here, the complete genome sequence was determined for an isolate of papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus, designated PLDMV-DF, infecting the commercialized papaya ringspot virus (PRSV)-resistant transgenic papaya from China. Excluding the 3'-poly (A) tail, the sequence shares high sequence identity to several PLDMV isolates from Taiwan and Japan and is phylogenetically most closely related to the isolate from Japan. Infection of PLDMV-DF in transgenic PRSV-resistant papaya may indicate emergence of this disease in genetically engineered plants. The reported sequence for this isolate may help generate bi-transgenic papaya resistant to PRSV and PLDMV.

The adverse effects of phoxim exposure in the midgut of silkworm, Bombyx mori

The silkworm is an important economic insect. Poisoning of silkworms by organophosphate pesticides causes tremendous loss to the sericulture. In this study, Solexa sequencing technology was performed to profile the gene expression changes in the midgut of silkworms in response to 24h of phoxim exposure and the impact on detoxification, apoptosis and immune defense were addressed. The results showed that 254 genes displayed at least 2.0-fold changes in expression levels, with 148 genes up-regulated and 106 genes down-regulated. Cytochrome P450 played an important role in detoxification. Histopathology examination and transmission electron microscope revealed swollen mitochondria and disappearance of the cristae of mitochondria, which are the important features in insect apoptotic cells. Cytochrome C release from mitochondria into the cytoplasm was confirmed. In addition, the Toll and immune deficiency (IMD) signal pathways were all inhibited using qRT-PCR. Our results could help better understand the impact of phoxim exposure on silkworm.

Deficiency of antithrombin and protein C gene in 202 Chinese venous thromboembolism patients

INTRODUCTION

Antithrombin and protein C gene deficiencies are commonly inherited risk factors for VTE patients. We aim to investigate the deficiency of these two gene in 202 Chinese patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE).

METHODS

Antithrombin activity (AT: A) and protein C activity (PC: A) were measured in 202 VTE patients, and for those with unexplainable low results, PCR and direct sequencing of the related genes were carried out.

RESULTS

Deficiency levels of antithrombin and protein C gene were found to be 2% and 8%, respectively. AT or PC hereditary deficiency can be found in 10% patients with VTE.

CONCLUSION

Protein C gene deficiency might be more prevalent than AT gene deficiency in Chinese VTE patients. Functional assay combined with genetic analysis is useful in the diagnosis of inherited defects in VTE patients.

Exploration of microfluidic devices based on multi-filament threads and textiles: A review

In this paper, we review the recent progress in the development of low-cost microfluidic devices based on multifilament threads and textiles for semi-quantitative diagnostic and environmental assays. Hydrophilic multifilament threads are capable of transporting aqueous and non-aqueous fluids via capillary action and possess desirable properties for building fluid transport pathways in microfluidic devices. Thread can be sewn onto various support materials to form fluid transport channels without the need for the patterned hydrophobic barriers essential for paper-based microfluidic devices. Thread can also be used to manufacture fabrics which can be patterned to achieve suitable hydrophilic-hydrophobic contrast, creating hydrophilic channels which allow the control of fluids flow. Furthermore, well established textile patterning methods and combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic threads can be applied to fabricate low-cost microfluidic devices that meet the low-cost and low-volume requirements. In this paper, we review the current limitations and shortcomings of multifilament thread and textile-based microfluidics, and the research efforts to date on the development of fluid flow control concepts and fabrication methods. We also present a summary of different methods for modelling the fluid capillary flow in microfluidic thread and textile-based systems. Finally, we summarized the published works of thread surface treatment methods and the potential of combining multifilament thread with other materials to construct devices with greater functionality. We believe these will be important research focuses of thread- and textile-based microfluidics in future.

The role of sequential 18(F) -FDG PET/CT in predicting tumour response after preoperative chemoradiation for rectal cancer

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of sequential positron emission tomography (PET)/CT standardized uptake value (SUV)/metabolic area variation in predicting the pathological response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for rectal cancer.

METHOD

Fifty-three patients diagnosed with clinical T3-4 and/or N+ rectal cancer were enrolled. All patients received CRT followed by radical surgery after 6-8 weeks. A PET/CT scan was performed before (PET/CT1) initiation of treatment and a second scan (PET/CT2) was performed within 1 week after the completion of CRT. Thirty-five of 53 patients also underwent a third (PET/CT3) scan within 1 week before surgery. Maximal SUV within the tumour (SUVmax), average SUV within the tumour (SUVmean), metabolic tumour volume (MV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and response indices (∆%, i.e. the percentage difference between two different PET/CT scans for SUVmax, SUVmean, MV and TLG) were calculated. The different metabolic parameters were analysed and correlated with the tumour regression grade (TRG) score.

RESULTS

When patients were regrouped as responders (TRG 3-4) and nonresponders (TRG 0-2), significant differences were observed in the percentage differences between PET/CT1 and PET/CT3 for MV (∆%MV(1-3); 91.08% vs 75.43%) and for TLG (∆%TLG(1-3); 94.00% vs 82.02%). As demonstrated by receiver-operating characteristics analysis, ∆%MV(1-3) and ∆%TLG(1-3) both had a strong capability to discriminate between responders and nonresponders. Patients classified as having a pathological complete response (pCR) and a non-pCR showed significant differences in the percentage difference between PET/CT1 and PET/CT3 in SUVmax (∆% SUVmax(1-3); 69.17% vs 57.77%), SUVmean (∆% SUVmean(1-3); 44.20% vs 30.19%), ∆%MV(1-3) (90.93% vs 80.30%) and ∆%TLG(1-3) (94.22% vs 85.63%). ∆%TLG (1-3) was a more powerful discriminator than the others.

CONCLUSION

Differences in the SUV/metabolic area with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18(F) -FDG) PET/CT have the potential to predict a response to preoperative CRT for rectal cancer.

Discovery and characterization of LY2784544, a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor of JAK2V617F

Owing to the prevalence of the JAK2V617F mutation in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), its constitutive activity, and ability to recapitulate the MPN phenotype in mouse models, JAK2V617F kinase is an attractive therapeutic target. We report the discovery and initial characterization of the orally bioavailable imidazopyridazine, LY2784544, a potent, selective and ATP-competitive inhibitor of janus kinase 2 (JAK2) tyrosine kinase. LY2784544 was discovered and characterized using a JAK2-inhibition screening assay in tandem with biochemical and cell-based assays. LY2784544 in vitro selectivity for JAK2 was found to be equal or superior to known JAK2 inhibitors. Further studies showed that LY2784544 effectively inhibited JAK2V617F-driven signaling and cell proliferation in Ba/F3 cells (IC₅₀=20 and 55 nM, respectively). In comparison, LY2784544 was much less potent at inhibiting interleukin-3-stimulated wild-type JAK2-mediated signaling and cell proliferation (IC₅₀=1183 and 1309 nM, respectively). In vivo, LY2784544 effectively inhibited STAT5 phosphorylation in Ba/F3-JAK2V617F-GFP (green fluorescent protein) ascitic tumor cells (TED₅₀=12.7 mg/kg) and significantly reduced (P<0.05) Ba/F3-JAK2V617F-GFP tumor burden in the JAK2V617F-induced MPN model (TED₅₀=13.7 mg/kg, twice daily). In contrast, LY2784544 showed no effect on erythroid progenitors, reticulocytes or platelets. These data suggest that LY2784544 has potential for development as a targeted agent against JAK2V617F and may have properties that allow suppression of JAK2V617F-induced MPN pathogenesis while minimizing effects on hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Discovery and characterization of LY2784544, a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor of JAK2V617F

Owing to the prevalence of the JAK2V617F mutation in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), its constitutive activity, and ability to recapitulate the MPN phenotype in mouse models, JAK2V617F kinase is an attractive therapeutic target. We report the discovery and initial characterization of the orally bioavailable imidazopyridazine, LY2784544, a potent, selective and ATP-competitive inhibitor of janus kinase 2 (JAK2) tyrosine kinase. LY2784544 was discovered and characterized using a JAK2-inhibition screening assay in tandem with biochemical and cell-based assays. LY2784544 in vitro selectivity for JAK2 was found to be equal or superior to known JAK2 inhibitors. Further studies showed that LY2784544 effectively inhibited JAK2V617F-driven signaling and cell proliferation in Ba/F3 cells (IC50=20 and 55 nM, respectively). In comparison, LY2784544 was much less potent at inhibiting interleukin-3-stimulated wild-type JAK2-mediated signaling and cell proliferation (IC50=1183 and 1309 nM, respectively). In vivo, LY2784544 effectively inhibited STAT5 phosphorylation in Ba/F3-JAK2V617F-GFP (green fluorescent protein) ascitic tumor cells (TED50=12.7 mg/kg) and significantly reduced (P<0.05) Ba/F3-JAK2V617F-GFP tumor burden in the JAK2V617F-induced MPN model (TED50=13.7 mg/kg, twice daily). In contrast, LY2784544 showed no effect on erythroid progenitors, reticulocytes or platelets. These data suggest that LY2784544 has potential for development as a targeted agent against JAK2V617F and may have properties that allow suppression of JAK2V617F-induced MPN pathogenesis while minimizing effects on hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Identifying the target NSCLC patient for maintenance therapy: an analysis from a placebo-controlled, phase III trial of maintenance pemetrexed (H3E-MC-JMEN)

Background

This was a post hoc analysis of patients with non-squamous histology from a phase III maintenance pemetrexed study in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and methods

The six symptom items' [average symptom burden index (ASBI)] mean at baseline was calculated using the lung cancer symptom scale (LCSS). Low and high symptom burden (LSB, ASBI < 25; HSB, ASBI ≥ 25) and performance status (PS: 0, 1) subgroups were analyzed for treatment effect on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using the Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for demographic/clinical factors.

Results

Significantly longer PFS and OS for pemetrexed versus placebo occurred in LSB patients [PFS: median 5.1 versus 2.4 months, hazard ratio (HR) 0.49, P < 0.0001; OS: median 17.5 versus 11.0 months, HR 0.63, P = 0.0012] and PS 0 patients (PFS: median 5.5 versus 1.7 months, HR 0.36, P < 0.0001; OS: median 17.7 versus 10.3 months, HR 0.54, P = 0.0019). Significantly longer PFS, but not OS, occurred in HSB patients (median 3.7 versus 2.8 months, HR 0.50, P = 0.0033) and PS 1 patients (median 4.4 versus 2.8 months, HR 0.60, P = 0.0002).

Conclusions

ASBI and PS are associated with survival for non-squamous NSCLC patients, suggesting that maintenance pemetrexed is useful for LSB or PS 0 patients following induction.

Laser beam measurement of abdominal sagittal diameter in obese children: a validation study

OBJECTIVES

Sagittal diameter (SAD) has been reported to correlate to visceral fat and cardiovascular risk factors. SAD is measured with the individual lying down, halfway between the lower rib margin and the iliac crest; it represents the mid-height of the abdomen. The aim of this study was to validate SAD measured using a recently-developed laser beam device (SAD(LDB) ) against SAD measured using MRI (SAD(MRI)).

METHODS

Of 48 obese children (25 boys, 23 girls) aged 9-11 years on the waiting list for obesity treatment, 34 agreed to a baseline measurement, which was followed by repeated measurements 6 and 12 months later in 31 and 22 children respectively. MRI was used to examine SAD(MRI) at 5 cm above (SAD(MRI,cra) ) and below (SAD(MRI,cau)) the mid plane of the L4-5 intervertebral disc.

RESULTS

Each of the differences SAD(LBD) - SAD(MRI, cau) and SAD(LBD) - SAD(MRI,cra) was subjected to a repeated-measurements ANOVA; the visit did not have a statistically significant effect in either case (p = 0.19 and p = 0.72, respectively). The difference SAD(LBD) - SAD(MRI, cau) was 1.50 on average (p < 0.0001; CI 1.26-1.74) while the corresponding figure for SAD(LBD) -SAD(MRI, cra) was 1.26 (p < 0.0001; CI 1.04-1.49). Regression of the difference on the mean gave slopes of -0.09 (p = 0.25) and -0.04 (p = 0.57) respectively. Prediction of SAD(MRI) from SAD(LDB) can be performed in different ways: by means of linear regression or by means of an additive correction.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, this laser device can be used instead of MRI to estimate SAD by using a simple correction.

Abstract S5-6: Activating HER2 mutations in HER2 gene amplification negative breast cancers

Background: Breast cancer genome sequencing projects, performed by the genome sequencing centers in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., are elucidating the somatic mutations and other genomic alterations that occur in human breast cancer. These studies recently identified somatic HER2 mutations in breast cancers lacking HER2 gene amplification.

Results: Compilation of data from seven sequencing studies documented 22 patients with somatic HER2 mutations. These mutations clustered in three regions. The first cluster was at amino acid (aa) 309–310 (exon 8), located in the extracellular domain. These aa residues form part of the HER2 dimerization interface. The second cluster was at aa 755–781, located in the kinase domain (exons 19–20). This was the most common location for HER2 mutations, with 17 out of 22 patients having somatic mutations here. The third region was at aa 835–896, also in the kinase domain (exons 21–22). Using multiple experimental approaches (cell line experiments, in vitro kinase assays, protein structure modeling, and xenograft experiments), we tested seven of these HER2 mutations and showed that 4 of them are activating mutations that are sensitive to lapatinib and trastuzumab. Another 2 mutations were found to be lapatinib resistant and we determined their sensitivity to neratinib, canertinib, and gefitinib.

Conclusions: These findings biologically validate somatic HER2 mutations as good targets for breast cancer treatment, but the appropriate choice of targeted drug is dependent on the precise mutation present. This study is among the first to functionally characterize mutations identified by breast cancer genome sequencing. A prospective, multi-institutional clinical trial has been launched to screen for HER2 mutation positive patients and determine the clinical outcome of treatment with HER2 targeted drugs.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr S5-6.

Evolving concepts on adjusting human resting energy expenditure measurements for body size

Establishing if an adult's resting energy expenditure (REE) is high or low for their body size is a pervasive question in nutrition research. Early workers applied body mass and height as size measures and formulated the Surface Law and Kleiber's Law, although each has limitations when adjusting REE. Body composition methods introduced during the mid-20th century provided a new opportunity to identify metabolically homogeneous 'active' compartments. These compartments all show improved correlations with REE estimates over body mass-height approaches, but collectively share a common limitation: REE-body composition ratios are not 'constant' but vary across men and women and with race, age and body size. The now-accepted alternative to ratio-based norms is to adjust for predictors by applying regression models to calculate 'residuals' that establish if an REE is relatively high or low. The distinguishing feature of statistical REE-body composition models is a 'non-zero' intercept of unknown origin. The recent introduction of imaging methods has allowed development of physiological tissue-organ-based REE prediction models. Herein, we apply these imaging methods to provide a mechanistic explanation, supported by experimental data, for the non-zero intercept phenomenon and, in that context, propose future research directions for establishing between-subject differences in relative energy metabolism.

Adiposity in children and adolescents: correlates and clinical consequences of fat stored in specific body depots

The 2011 Pennington Biomedical Research Center's Scientific Symposium focused on adiposity in children and adolescents. The symposium was attended by 15 speakers and other invited experts. The specific objectives of the symposium were to (i) integrate the latest published and unpublished findings on the laboratory and clinical assessment of depot-specific adiposity in children and adolescents, (ii) understand the variation in depot-specific adiposity and related health outcomes associated with age, sex, maturation, ethnicity and other factors and (iii) identify opportunities for incorporating new markers of abdominal obesity into clinical practice guidelines for obesity in children and adolescents. This symposium provided an overview of important new advances in the field and identified directions for future research. The long-term goal of the symposium is to aid in the early identification of children and adolescents who are at increased health risk because of obesity and obesity-related conditions.

MRI-measured pelvic bone marrow adipose tissue is inversely related to DXA-measured bone mineral in younger and older adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Recent research has shown an inverse relationship between bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) and bone mineral density (BMD). There is a lack of evidence at the macro-imaging level to establish whether increased BMAT is a cause or effect of bone loss. This cross-sectional study compared the BMAT and BMD relationship between a younger adult group at or approaching peak bone mass (PBM; age 18.0-39.9 years) and an older group with potential bone loss (PoBL; age 40.0-88.0 years).

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Pelvic BMAT was evaluated in 560 healthy men and women with T1-weighted whole-body magnetic resonance imaging. BMD was measured using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

An inverse correlation was observed between pelvic BMAT and pelvic, total and spine BMD in the younger PBM group (r=-0.419 to -0.461, P<0.001) and in the older PoBL group (r=-0.405 to -0.500, P<0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, menopausal status, total body fat, skeletal muscle, subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, neither subject group (younger PBM vs older PoBL) nor its interaction with pelvic BMAT significantly contributed to the regression models with BMD as dependent variable and pelvic BMAT as independent variable (P=0.434-0.928).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that an inverse relationship between pelvic BMAT and BMD is present both in younger subjects who have not yet experienced bone loss and also in older subjects. These results provide support at the macro-imaging level for the hypothesis that low BMD may be a result of preferential differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from osteoblasts to adipocytes.

Ethnic and sex differences in bone marrow adipose tissue and bone mineral density relationship

The relationship between bone marrow adipose tissue and bone mineral density is different between African Americans and Caucasians as well as between men and women. This suggests that the mechanisms that regulate the differentiation and proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells may differ in these populations.

INTRODUCTION

It has long been established that there are ethnic and sex differences in bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk. Recent studies suggest that bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) may play a role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. It is unknown whether ethnic and sex differences exist in the relationship between BMAT and BMD.

METHODS

Pelvic BMAT was evaluated in 455 healthy African American and Caucasian men and women (age 18-88 years) using whole-body T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. BMD was measured using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

A negative correlation was observed between pelvic BMAT and total body BMD or pelvic BMD (r = -0.533, -0.576, respectively; P < 0.001). In multiple regression analyses with BMD as the dependent variable, ethnicity significantly entered the regression models as either an individual term or an interaction with BMAT. Menopausal status significantly entered the regression model with total body BMD as the dependent variable. African Americans had higher total body BMD than Caucasians for the same amount of BMAT, and the ethnic difference for pelvic BMD was greater in those participants with a higher BMAT. Men and premenopausal women had higher total body BMD levels than postmenopausal women for the same amount of BMAT.

CONCLUSIONS

An inverse relationship exists between BMAT and BMD in African American and Caucasian men and women. The observed ethnic and sex differences between BMAT and BMD in the present study suggest the possibility that the mechanisms regulating the differentiation and proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells may differ in these populations.

SU-E-T-251: Analysis of Irradiated Induced Lung Injury in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Treated by Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy(3DCRT)

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to analyze the affect factors with radiation induced lung injury of NSCLC treated by 3DCRT, in order to supply reference criteria for optimize the treatment planning, further to improve the local control rate and the quality of life of NSCLC patients.

METHODS

From August 2000 to December 2004, 107 NSCLC patients received 3DCRT were retrospectively enrolled in this study. All of patients received the prescription doses ranged from 60-68Gy with a median dose of 66Gy. Dosimetric parameters of dose-volume histograms from 3DCRT plans was recorded. The lung injury were assessed for each patient during the treatment and follow-up within 3 months after treatment completion. Acute radiation induced pneumonitis were graded by one radiation oncologist according to the RTOG/EORTC criteria. The correlation between dosimetric parameters with lung injury was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis using Logistic Regression Model of SPSS11.0 software.

RESULTS

In the 107 patients of NSCLC, the rate of irradiated induced lung injury was 62.6% and the rate of =2 grade radiation induced pneumonitis was 38.3%. Twenty-three cases were classified in grade 2, fourteen cases in grade 3, four cases in grade 4. Univariate analysis showed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), number of beams field, lung mean dose, lung V5-V40 were important parameters on radiation induced lung injury. The rate of =2 grade lung injury was 56.3%(18/32) in patients accompany COPD, compared with 30.7%(23/75) of those without COPD. In the same way,the rate of =2 grade lung injury was 61.9%(26/42) in patients of lung mean dose=20Gy, which higher than 19.4%(12/62) of lung mean dose<20Gy. Further more, lung mean dose, lung V20 and COPD were likely to be the independent factors of radiation induced lung injury by Logistic Regression Model.

CONCLUSIONS

lung mean dose, lung V20 and COPD were the independent affect factors on irradiated induced lung injury. Our funding support received from National Natural Science Foundation of China (30870743).

Voluntary weight loss: systematic review of early phase body composition changes

Weight loss follows when adult humans enter a phase of negative energy balance brought about by reducing energy intake and/or increasing energy expenditure. The weight loss period is usually viewed as a continuous process, ending when energy equilibrium is achieved at a lower weight or with death following depletion of fuel stores. However, growing evidence supports the expanded view that induction of negative energy balance leads to well-defined physiological effects characterized by three discrete phases (I-III). At present there are no comprehensive reviews of the 'early' phase of weight loss, a gap highlighted by recent interest in rapidly testing new treatments with short-term protocols. Herein we show from earlier reports and with new data that weight loss during phase I is: mathematically quantifiable with a t(1/2) < 1-week and 4- to 6-week duration; includes well-defined rapidly evolving body composition and energy expenditure changes; and is moderated by multiple factors including subject sex and activity level, nutrients ingested at baseline and during the negative energy balance period, and hormone and pharmacologic treatments. Our in depth review collectively characterizes phase I as a distinct weight loss period while revealing important knowledge gaps that can be filled with appropriately designed future studies.

CT and ultrasound findings of metanephric adenoma: a report of two cases and literature review

Metanephric adenoma (MA) of the kidney is an uncommon benign epithelial tumour that can present at any age. The histology of the lesion is well established, but imaging findings have been described in only a few cases. We report the CT and ultrasound appearance of MA in two females to increase the awareness of this entity among radiologists. Its recognition may facilitate nephron-sparing surgery.

Mitochondrial nutrients stimulate performance and mitochondrial biogenesis in exhaustively exercised rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a combination of nutrients on physical performance, oxidative stress and mitochondrial biogenesis in rats subjected to exhaustive exercise. Rats were divided into sedentary control (SC), exhaustive exercise (EC) and exhaustive exercise with nutrient supplementation (EN). The nutrients include (mg/kg/day): R-α-lipoic acid 50, acetyl-L-carnitine 100, biotin 0.1, nicotinamide 15, riboflavin 6, pyridoxine 6, creatine 50, CoQ10 5, resveratrol 5 and taurine 100. Examination of running distances over the 4-week period revealed that EN rats ran significantly longer throughout the entire duration of the exhaustive exercise period compared with the EC rats. Nutrient supplementation significantly inhibited the increase in activities of alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase, reversed increases in malondialdehyde, inhibited decreases in glutathione S-transferase and total antioxidant capacity in plasma, and suppressed the elevation of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis in splenic lymphocytes. Nutrient supplementation increased the protein expression of mitochondrial complexes I, II and III, mtDNA number and transcription factors involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion in skeletal muscle. These findings suggest that mitochondrial nutrient supplementation can reduce exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, thus leading to enhancement of physical performance and of fatigue recovery.

Suspended microchannel resonators with piezoresistive sensors

Precision frequency detection has enabled the suspended microchannel resonator (SMR) to weigh single living cells, single nanoparticles, and adsorbed protein layers in fluid. To date, the SMR resonance frequency has been determined optically, which requires the use of an external laser and photodiode and cannot be easily arrayed for multiplexed measurements. Here we demonstrate the first electronic detection of SMR resonance frequency by fabricating piezoresistive sensors using ion implantation into single crystal silicon resonators. To validate the piezoresistive SMR, buoyant mass histograms of budding yeast cells and a mixture of 1.6, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 µm diameter polystyrene beads are measured. For SMRs designed to weigh micron-sized particles and cells, the mass resolution achieved with piezoresistive detection (∼3.4 fg in a 1 kHz bandwidth) is comparable to what can be achieved by the conventional optical-lever detector. Eliminating the need for expensive and delicate optical components will enable new uses for the SMR in both multiplexed and field deployable applications.