Toxicity of a novel anti-tumor agent 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3: a 26-week intramuscular repeated administration study in rats

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential subchronic toxicity of 20(S)-Ginsenoside Rg3(Rg3), by a 26-week repeated intramuscular administration in rats. Rg3 was administrated to rats at dose levels of 0, 4.2, 10.0 or 20.0 mg/kg/day. There was no treatment-related mortality and, at the scheduled autopsy, dose-dependent increases in the absolute and relative spleen weights, of both the 10.0 mg/kg and 20.0 mg/kg dose groups were observed. Absolute and relative kidney weights were significantly elevated in the female 10.0 mg/kg dose group and in the male 20.0 mg/kg dose group. Hematological investigations revealed a dose-dependent increase in the total white blood cell (WBC) count and in the percentage of neutrophils, but a decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes, in rats treated with doses of 10.0/20.0 mg/kg. These effects were completely reversible during the recovery period, and no other adverse effects were observed. It was concluded that the 26-week repeated intramuscular dose of Rg3 caused increases in the spleen and kidney weights, WBC counts and in the percentage of neutrophils, but a decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes, with doses of 10.0 or 20.0 mg/kg/day. The no-observed-adverse-effect level for rats was considered to be 4.2 mg/kg/day.

Femtosecond dynamics of the collinear-to-spiral antiferromagnetic phase transition in CuO

We report on the ultrafast dynamics of magnetic order in a single crystal of CuO at a temperature of 207 K in response to strong optical excitation using femtosecond resonant x-ray diffraction. In the experiment, a femtosecond laser pulse induces a sudden, nonequilibrium increase in magnetic disorder. After a short delay ranging from 400 fs to 2 ps, we observe changes in the relative intensity of the magnetic ordering diffraction peaks that indicate a shift from a collinear commensurate phase to a spiral incommensurate phase. These results indicate that the ultimate speed for this antiferromagnetic reorientation transition in CuO is limited by the long-wavelength magnetic excitation connecting the two phases.

Expression of PTEN and survivin in cervical cancer: promising biological markers for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation

This study aims to evaluate the expression of the antioncogene phosphatase and tensin (PTEN) homologue and survivin, a protein encoded by the anti-apoptotic gene baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat containing 5 (BIRC5), in the progression of cervical neoplasia and to elucidate the relationship between PTEN and survivin expression based on clinicopathological features in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. A total of 20 patients with cervical ectropion and squamous metaplasia, 30 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and 49 with cervical squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled in the study. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect PTEN and survivin expression in each group. Normal cervical epithelium from 10 people served as the control. Results showed that PTEN expression progressively decreased with the continuum from normal epithelium to squamous cell carcinoma (P < 0.05), whereas survivin expression progressively increased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, positive PTEN immunostaining was associated with clinical stage and tumour size (P < 0.05). The level of PTEN expression in the metastatic pelvic lymph node group was significantly lower compared with the non-metastatic pelvic lymph node group (P < 0.01). Positive PTEN immunostaining was not associated with age or degree of differentiation (P > 0.05). Positive survivin immunostaining was associated with clinical stage and tumour size (P < 0.05). Survivin-positive expression in the metastatic pelvic lymph node group was significantly higher compared with the nonmetastatic pelvic lymph node group (P < 0.01). No obvious relationship was found between survivin expression and patient age (P > 0.05). PTEN expression negatively correlated with survivin expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (P < 0.01). PTEN and survivin expression correlated with incidence and progression of uterine cervical cancer. Positive expression levels of PTEN and survivin provide potential evaluation indices for early diagnosis and prognosis of uterine cervical cancer, and these biomarkers are also potentially promising therapeutic targets.

A very low energy compact electron beam ion trap for spectroscopic research in Shanghai

In this paper, a new compact low energy electron beam ion trap, SH-PermEBIT, is reported. This electron beam ion trap (EBIT) can operate in the electron energy range of 60-5000 eV, with a current density of up to 100 A/cm(2). The low energy limit of this machine sets the record among the reported works so far. The magnetic field in the central drift tube region of this EBIT is around 0.5 T, produced by permanent magnets and soft iron. The design of this EBIT allows adjustment of the electron gun's axial position in the fringe field of the central magnetic field. This turned out to be very important for optimizing the magnetic field in the region of the electron gun and particularly important for low electron beam energy operation, since the magnetic field strength is not tunable with permanent magnets. In this work, transmission of the electron beam as well as the upper limit of the electron beam width under several conditions are measured. Spectral results from test operation of this EBIT at the electron energies of 60, 315, 2800, and 4100 eV are also reported.

Comparative proteomics study of freshly isolated, in vitro cultured, and proliferating islet preparation cells

BACKGROUND

In vitro islet expansion has recently drawn interest for its potential application in diabetes therapy, while how islet cells adapt to in vitro circumstances is not quite clear.

AIM

Proteomics changes of cultivated islet cells under different conditions were examined in this study.

MATERIAL/SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A comparative proteomics study was performed on fresh isolated islet cells, cultured cells and in vitro proliferating islet cells stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor via electrophoresis and liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

In total, 1897 proteins were identified in this study. Hierarchical analysis revealed substantial changes in the proteome during cultivation but relatively less difference between different culture conditions. Over 100 proteins showed significantly different expression levels between groups, most of which are involved in metabolism or cell process pathways. Overall, the detected proteins were involved in 152 known pathways. Furthermore, in-depth investigation suggested that some proteins, such as extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases and Rac, might play key roles in the proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of in vitro cultured islet cells.

CONCLUSION

We established comparative proteome references of fresh and cultured islet cells, which could provide useful information for future islet transplantation strategy.

Multidrug resistance-associated biomarkers PGP, GST-pi, Topo-II and LRP as prognostic factors in primary ovarian carcinoma

This study aims to investigate the expression of P-glycoprotein (PGP), glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi), DNA topoisomerase II (Topo-II) and lung resistance-related protein (LRP) in ovarian carcinoma, thus providing better chemotherapy choice and post-operative prognosis for ovarian carcinoma patients. A total of 80 primary ovarian carcinoma, 16 benign ovarian epithelial neoplasm, and 12 normal ovarian tissue samples were collected. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of PGP, GST-pi, Topo-II and LRP, and the results were analysed by correlation with clinicopathological parameters. Positive expression rates of PGP, GST-pi, Topo-II and LRP in patients with ovarian carcinoma (57.5%, 58.8%, 76.3% and 73.8%, respectively) were all higher than those found in normal and benign tissue (P<0.05). In clinical stages I/II vs. III/IV, the expression rates of PGP, GST-pi, Topo-II and LRP were 40.7% vs. 66% (P<0.05), 40.7% vs. 67.9% (P<0.05), 66.7% vs. 81.1% (P>0.05) and 55.6% vs. 83.0% (P<0.05), respectively. Carcinoma differentiation ranged from well to poor, and expression levels of each marker were as follows: PGP, 57.9%, 62.1% and 53.1% (P>0.05); GST-pi, 36.8%, 55.2% and 75.0% (P<0.05); Topo-II, 52.6%, 79.3% and 87.5% (P<0.05); and LRP, 84.2%, 69.0% and 71.9% (P>0.05). Ovarian carcinoma patients with PGP-, GST-pi-, Topo-II- and LRP-positive expression had a shorter median survival time than those who were negative for these markers (PGP: 36 months vs. 48 months [P=0.0017]; GST-pi: 36 months vs. 41 months [P=0.0103]; Topo-II: 37 months vs. 39 months [P=0.3811]; LRP: 37 months vs. 55 months [P=0.002]). COX regression analysis demonstrated that the clinical stage of the tumour, and the expression of PGP, GST-pi or LRP, may influence patient survival time after surgery. The relative death risk for patients with clinical stage III/IV tumours increased 9.46-fold compared to those with stage I/II tumours. The relative death risk in the PGP-, GST-pi- and LRP-positive groups increased by 2.049-, 2.452- or 2.609-fold, respectively, compared with the corresponding negative groups. PGP, GST-pi, Topo-II and LRP are all expressed in primary ovarian carcinoma, indicating the presence of multidrug resistance in this disease. Combined evaluation of PGP, GST-pi, Topo-II and LRP expression may enable better chemotherapeutic choice and provide an accurate prognosis for ovarian carcinoma patients.

Y-chromosome haplotype distribution in Han Chinese populations and modern human origin in East Asians

We investigated the distribution of Y-chromosome haplotype using 19 Y-SNPs in Han Chinese populations from 22 provinces of China. Our data indicate distinctive patterns of Y chromosome between southern and northern Han Chinese populations. The southern populations are much more polymorphic than northern populations. The latter has only a subset of the southern haplotypes. This result confirms the genetic difference observed between southern and northern ethnic populations in East Asia. It supports the hypothesis that the first settlement of modern humans of African origin occurred in the southern part of East Asia during the last Ice Age, and a northward migration led to the peopling of northern China.

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 promotes hepatocarcinogenesis through activation of a novel EGR1/β-catenin signaling axis

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is a key enzyme that couples with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) for the production of PGE₂. Although COX-2 is known to mediate the growth and progression of several human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the role of mPGES-1 in hepatocarcinogenesis is not well established. This study provides novel evidence for a key role of mPGES-1 in HCC growth and progression. Forced overexpression of mPGES-1 in two HCC cell lines (Hep3B and Huh7) increased tumor cell growth, clonogenic formation, migration and invasion, whereas knockdown of mPGES-1 inhibited these parameters, in vitro. In a SCID mouse tumor xenograft model, mPGES-1 overexpressed cells formed palpable tumors at earlier time points and developed larger tumors when compared to the control (p<0.01); in contrast, mPGES-1 knockdown delayed tumor development and reduced tumor size (p<0.01). Mechanistically, mPGES-1-induced HCC cell proliferation, invasion and migration involve PGE₂ production and activation of early growth response 1 (EGR1) and β-catenin. Specifically, mPGES-1-derived PGE₂ induces the formation of EGR1-β-catenin complex, which interacts with TCF4/LEF1 transcription factors and activates the expression of β-catenin downstream genes. Our findings depict a novel crosstalk between mPGES-1/PGE₂ and EGR1/β-catenin signaling that is critical for hepatocarcinogenesis.

Targeting the Akt/mTOR pathway in Brca1-deficient cancers

The breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (Brca1) has a key role in both hereditary and sporadic mammary tumorigenesis. However, the reasons why Brca1-deficiency leads to the development of cancer are not clearly understood. Activation of Akt kinase is one of the most common molecular alterations associated with human malignancy. Increased Akt kinase activity has been reported in most breast cancers. We previously found that downregulation of Brca1 expression or mutations of the Brca1 gene activate the Akt oncogenic pathway. To further investigate the role of Brca1/Akt in tumorigenesis, we analyzed Brca1/Akt expression in human breast cancer samples and found that reduced expression of Brca1 was highly correlated with increased phosphorylation of Akt. Consistent with the clinical data, knockdown of Akt1 by short-hairpin RNA inhibited cellular proliferation of Brca1 mutant cells. Importantly, depletion of Akt1 significantly reduced tumor formation induced by Brca1-deficiency in mice. The third generation inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Palomid 529, significantly suppressed Brca1-deficient tumor growth in mice through inhibition of both Akt and mTOR signaling. Our results indicate that activation of Akt is involved in Brca1-deficiency mediated tumorigenesis and that the mTOR pathway can be used as a novel target for treatment of Brca1-deficient cancers.

Evaluation of progression-free survival by blinded independent central review in patients with progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors treated with sunitinib or placebo

249

Background: Sunitinib is an oral, multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antiangiogenic activity. In a phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial in patients with advanced, well-differentiated progressive pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET), sunitinib 37.5 mg continuous daily dosing significantly improved investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo (median, 11.4 months vs. 5.5 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.418; 95% CI: 0.263, 0.662; P=0.0001). To evaluate the possibility that recognizable treatment- associated adverse events (AEs) might have impacted the efficacy results by unblinding the investigators, we conducted a retrospective blinded independent central review (BICR) of the tumor imaging scans.

Methods: PFS was defined as the time from randomization to the first objective progression of disease or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. Baseline and on-study CT/MRI scans were evaluated independently according to a two-reader, two-time point lock, followed by a sequential locked read, batch mode paradigm, by independent, third party radiologists. Reading radiologists were blinded to investigator tumor assessments and AEs; discrepancies were adjudicated by a similarly blinded and independent third radiologist.

Results: Overall, 171 patients were randomized to treatment (sunitinib, n=86, placebo, n=85). Scans were collected retrospectively for 170 (99.4%) patients. Complete scan sets/time points were available for 160 patients (93.6%). Median PFS based on BICR of scans was 12.6 months for sunitinib and 5.8 months for placebo with an HR of 0.315 (95% CI: 0.181, 0.546; p=0.000015), consistent with the investigator- assessed PFS results.

Conclusions: This BICR of tumor scans confirms the investigator-assessed, clinically meaningful PFS benefit of sunitinib in patients with pancreatic NET, and provides evidence against the presence of any systematic bias favoring sunitinib.

[Table: see text]

The role of T-helper cells in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is rapidly gaining recognition as an inflammatory disease showing contribution from innate and adaptive immunity pathways towards disease initiation and progression. Components of adaptive immunity especially T cells, are shown to be involved in atherogenesis and subsets of T cells are known to drive/ dampen inflammatory processes in atherosclerosis. However, the regulatory balance between the T cell subsets remains unclear. In this review, we summarize the role of T helper cells Th1, 2, 3 and 17, and regulatory cells Treg in atherosclerosis by studying the cytokines involved in Th cell functioning. We further examine the diverse roles of T helper cells for regulating the progression of atherosclerosis.

Abstract P3-14-06: Pharmacokinetic (PK) Interaction Potential of Trastuzumab-DM1 (T-DM1) and Pertuzumab (P) in Pts with HER2-Positive, Locally Advanced or MBC: Results from a Phase 1b/2 Study

Introduction

T-DM1 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of the cytotoxic DM1 conjugated to trastuzumab and retaining its antitumor properties. P is a HER2-directed monoclonal antibody that inhibits HER2 dimerization and subsequent signaling. The combination of T-DM1 and P has demonstrated synergistic antitumor activity in HER2-positive xenograft models. T-DM1 and P are expected to undergo proteolytic degradation with no significant involvement of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes. In contrast, DM1 is metabolized mainly by CYP3A4 and to a limited extent by CYP3A5. Therefore, a key component in evaluating this combination clinically is determining whether a PK-based drug interaction potential exists when these drugs are administered together. Assessment of PK-based therapeutic protein-ADC interaction potential is novel, as antibodies have typically been combined with chemotherapy in clinical studies. Methods

This 3+3 dose escalation, open-label, phase 1b/2 study evaluated the safety, tolerability, PK, and efficacy of T-DM1 (3.0 mg/kg q3w or 3.6 mg/kg q3w [established phase 2 dose]) in combination with P (840 mg loading dose; 420 mg q3w thereafter) in pts with HER2-positive locally advanced or MBC. Because of the half-life of both agents, staggered dosing was not a practical approach to assess the PK interaction. Thus, both drugs were administered sequentially on Day 1 of each cycle. All pts receiving study treatment were evaluated for serum concentrations of T-DM1, total trastuzumab (conjugated and unconjugated to DM1), and plasma concentrations of DM1, at pre-specified time points. To avoid the interference of P with the quantification of total trastuzumab, a new assay that allows capturing trastuzumab in the presence of P was developed and validated. PK of T-DM1 and related analytes were compared with historical single agent data by population and/or noncompartmental analyses. Whether combination with P was a significant covariate of T-DM1 clearance and central volume of distribution (V1) was tested. The confidence intervals (CIs) of the ratios of clearance and V1 of combination to monotherapy were estimated. A CI containing 1 is indicative of comparable parameters. Results

PK data were available for 63 pts. Combination with P was not a significant covariate of T-DM1 clearance and V1 (P&gt;0.05 by the log likelihood ratio test). The combination to monotherapy ratios for clearance and V1 had a 95% CI of [0.90-1.04] and [0.95-1.06], respectively, indicating comparable clearance and V1 of combination and monotherapy. The average post-hoc Bayesian estimates of T-DM1 clearance and V1 in the presence of P were 0.69±0.14 L/day and 3.3±0.41 L, which were comparable with historical measures of 0.73±0.19 L/day and 3.4±0.57 L with monotherapy. The average maximal concentration of total trastuzumab in cycle 1 was 101±29 μg/ml in the 3.0 mg/kg TDM1 dose (n=3) and 98±32 μg/ml for the 3.6 mg/kg dose (n=60). The maximum DM1 level was &lt;17 ng/mL at both T-DM1 doses. The PK of total trastuzumab and DM1 were also comparable with monotherapy (data not shown).

Conclusions

This assessment suggests that P does not alter the PK of T-DM1 when these drugs are administered together.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-14-06.

Discovery of notch-sparing gamma-secretase inhibitors

Overwhelming evidence supports a central role for the amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the proteases that produce Abeta from its precursor protein APP are top targets for therapeutic intervention. Considerable effort has focused on targeting gamma-secretase, which generates the C-terminus of Abeta; however, gamma-secretase inhibitors cause serious toxicities due to interference with the Notch signaling pathway. We have been working toward compounds that directly alter gamma-secretase activity to reduce Abeta production without affecting the proteolysis of Notch. Using purified enzyme and substrate, we have shown that gamma-secretase can be selectively inhibited in this way by naphthyl-substituted gamma-aminoketones and gamma-aminoalcohols. These early hits, however, suffered from chemical instability and/or poor potency. Iterative design, synthesis and evaluation have led to the discovery of Notch-sparing gamma-secretase inhibitors with substantially increased potencies in biochemical and cellular assays. These compounds are of low molecular weight and are under evaluation for drug-like properties. The discovery and development of these compounds will be discussed.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with PRNP G114V mutation in a Chinese family

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence has shown clinical phenotypic heterogeneity of inherited prion diseases, even between patients harbouring the same mutation in the PRNP gene.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS

We collected clinical data from a Chinese family with autosomal dominant dementia and screened the PRNP gene on 28 living members. A stereotactic biopsy of the right frontal lobe of the proband was performed.

RESULTS

The family comprised four affected individuals within two successive generations. The age of onset was in 30 or 40 s, and the duration was about 2-3 years. Clinical features of the affected members included neuropsychiatric disturbances, progressive dementia and extrapyramidal symptoms. Immunostaining for prion protein showed fine granular deposits of PrP(sc) in the neuropil. The PRNP gene analysis demonstrated a heterozygous G114V mutation in 15 family members. The proband was diagnosed as familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (fCJD).

CONCLUSION

This study strengthens the linkage of the G114V mutation to CJD. It supports the worldwide distribution of fCJD despite differences in genetic background.

Capsaicin causes cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in ER-positive and -negative breast cancer cells by modulating the EGFR/HER-2 pathway

Capsaicin (trans-8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is an ingredient of chili peppers with inhibitory effects against cancer cells of different origin. We examined the activity of capsaicin on breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The drug potently inhibited growth of ER-positive (MCF-7, T47D, BT-474) and ER-negative (SKBR-3, MDA-MB231) breast cancer cell lines, which was associated with G(0)/G(1) cell-cycle arrest, increased levels of apoptosis and reduced protein expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER-2, activated extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) and cyclin D1. In contrast, cell-cycle regulator p27(KIP1), caspase activity as well as poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage were increased. Notably, capsaicin blocked breast cancer cell migration in vitro and decreased by 50% the size of MDA-MB231 breast cancer tumors growing orthotopically in immunodeficient mice without noticeable drug side effects. in vivo activation of ERK was clearly decreased, as well as expression of HER-2 and cyclin D1, whereas caspase activity and PARP cleavage products were increased in tumors of drug-treated mice. Besides, capsaicin potently inhibited the development of pre-neoplastic breast lesions by up to 80% without evidence of toxicity. Our data indicate that capsaicin is a novel modulator of the EGFR/HER-2 pathway in both ER-positive and -negative breast cancer cells with a potential role in the treatment and prevention of human breast cancer.

Association between IRF6 SNPs and oral clefts in West China

Analyses of previous data have confirmed the contribution of the IRF6 gene to susceptibility to non- syndromic oral clefts (NSOC) in some populations. We tested for associations between the rs2013162, rs2235375, and rs2235371 polymorphisms in IRF6 and the risk of NSOC, using both case-parent trio and case-control designs on samples from western China. Our study group consisted of 332 persons with NSOC, their parents (289 mothers and 243 fathers for 206 complete trios for these three SNPs), and 174 control individuals. We found strong evidence of over- and under-transmission of the C allele (the Val allele) at rs2235371, and the C allele at rs2235375 in cleft case-parent trios (P = 0.013 and P = 0.000, respectively). There were significant differences in the frequency distributions of both genotypes and alleles when cases were compared with control infants at rs2235371 and rs2235375. Five specific haplotypes showed significant over- and under-transmission. These results further support a role for IRF6 variants in western Chinese populations.

Occupational coke oven emissions exposure and risk of abnormal liver function: modifications of body mass index and hepatitis virus infection

OBJECTIVES

Occupational coke oven emissions (COEs) have been considered an important health issue. However, there are no conclusive data on human hepatic injury due to COE exposure. The association of COE exposure with liver function was explored and the effects of modification of potential non-occupational factors were assessed.

METHODS

705 coke oven workers and 247 referents were investigated. Individual cumulative COE exposure was quantitatively estimated. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C antibody were measured.

RESULTS

Among those with high COE exposure, the adjusted ORs of abnormal ALT and AST were 5.23 (95% CI 2.66 to 10.27) and 1.95 (95% CI 1.18 to 3.52), respectively. Overweight individuals (body mass index (BMI) > or =25 kg/m(2)) with high COE exposure had elevated risks of abnormal ALT (adjusted OR 23.93, 95% CI 8.73 to 65.62) and AST (adjusted OR 5.18, 95% CI 2.32 to 11.58). Risk of liver damage in hepatitis B virus- or hepatitis C virus-positive individuals with COE exposure was also elevated.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term exposure to COE increases the risk of liver dysfunction, which is more prominent among those with higher BMI and hepatitis virus infection. The risk assessment of liver damage associated with COE exposure should take BMI and hepatitis virus infection into consideration.

Accelerated dobutamine stress testing: safety and feasibility in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Dobutamine pharmodynamics require approximately 10 min to reach steady state. Despite this, standard dobutamine stress echo typically uses 3-min stages of advancing dobutamine doses because of safety concerns.

HYPOTHESIS

In patients with a high pretest probability of coronary artery disease (CAD), a continuous infusion of high-dose dobutamine is a feasible and safe method for performing a dobutamine stress test.

METHODS

Forty-seven consecutive patients (mean age 64 +/- 11 years) with 3.0 +/- 1.4 cardiac risk factors underwent dobutamine stress testing utilizing a single, high-dose (40 mcg/kg/min), continuous dobutamine infusion. The 40 mcg/kg/min infusion was continued for up to 10 min or until a test endpoint had been reached. If a test endpoint was not achieved, atropine (up to 1.0 mg) was added.

RESULTS

Heart rate rose from 71 +/- 12 to 137 +/- 18 beats/min at peak (p<0.0001) with a concomitant change in systolic blood pressure (143 +/- 35 vs. 167 +/- 38 mmHg; p = 0.001) but no change in diastolic blood pressure (74 +/- 19 vs. 75 +/- 18 mmHg; p = NS). Target heart rate was achieved in 20 of 47 (43%) patients with accelerated dobutamine alone and in 34 of 47 (72%) with the addition of atropine. An average of 11.6 +/- 3.7 min was required to obtain target heart rate. Subjective sensations from the dobutamine occurred in 49% of patients (palpitations 21%, nausea 6%, chest pain 6%, headache 6%, dizziness 13%), mild arrhythmia in 48% of patients (ventricular premature beats 38%, supraventricular tachycardia 10%), and one patient had nonsustained ventricular tachycardia.

CONCLUSION

A single, high-dose (40 mcg/kg/min) dobutamine-atropine protocol provides an efficient means of performing dobutamine stress echocardiography with a similar symptom profile as conventional dobutamine infusion protocols in patients with a high pretest probability of CAD. Randomized, controlled studies will be necessary to assess the sensitivity and specificity of this accelerated dobutamine echo protocol.

The effect of transient balloon occlusion of the mitral valve on left atrial appendage blood flow velocity and spontaneous echo contrast

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) is a phenomenon that is commonly seen in areas of blood stasis. It is a slowly moving, cloud-like swirling pattern of "smoke" or increased echogenicity recorded on echocardiography. SEC is commonly seen in the left atrium of patients with mitral stenosis or atrial fibrillation. The presence of SEC has been shown to be a marker of increased thromboembolic risk.

HYPOTHESIS

By using transesophageal echocardiography during percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy (PBMV), the study investigated the relationship between SEC and varying left atrial appendage (LAA) blood flow velocity in the human heart.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis underwent percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy with intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography monitoring. We alternatively measured LAA velocities and observed the left atrium for various grades of SEC (0 = none to 4 = severe) before and after each balloon inflation.

RESULTS

Left atrial appendage maximal ejection velocity was reduced from 35 +/- 14 to 6 +/- 2 mm/s at peak balloon inflation and increased to 40 +/- 16 mm/s after balloon deflation. In comparison with the values before balloon inflation and after balloon deflation, LAA velocities were significantly lower (p < 0.001). New or increased SEC grade was observed during 54 of 61 (88%) inflations and unchanged in 7 (12%) inflations at peak balloon inflation. Spontaneous echo contrast became lower in grade after 55 balloon deflations (90%), completely disappeared after 18 deflations (30%), and remained unchanged after 6 deflations (10%). The mean time to achieve maximal SEC grade (2.5 +/- 1.2 s) coincided with the mean time to trough LAA velocities (2.3 +/- 1.1 s) after balloon inflation. Upon deflation, the mean time to lowest SEC grade (2.9 +/- 1.8 s) coincided with mean time to achieve maximal LAA velocities (2.7 +/- 1.6 s).

CONCLUSION

During balloon inflation, the severity of SEC was enhanced with corresponding reduction in LAA flow velocity. Upon balloon deflation, SEC lightens or disappears with increase in LAA flow velocity.

High resolution flat crystal spectrometer for the Shanghai EBIT

We report on a high resolution flat crystal spectrometer designed for the Shanghai EBIT. Its energy range is from 0.5 to 10 keV. Three crystals can be installed in the vacuum chamber simultaneously, and its effective Bragg angle can be covered from 15 degrees to 75 degrees . A vacuum version charge-coupled device detector is used for detection of photons. An energy resolution under 1 eV was reached in measurements of the 4.5 keV Kalpha(1) line by using an x-ray generator with a titanium anode. The spectrometer was also tested to operate well on the Shanghai EBIT by observing the lines of tungsten at around 3.2 keV.

Rapid cell blocks improve accuracy of breast FNAs beyond that provided by conventional cell blocks regardless of immediate adequacy evaluation

A new "rapid cell block" technique (RCB; the predecessor of Cellienttrade mark Automated Cell Block System) is efficient at recovering sparse material. We previously found that RCBs of breast fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) frequently allow histologic classification of problematic ductal proliferative lesions. Previous studies that did not emphasize cell blocks found that on-site evaluation (OSE) of breast FNAs improves diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to determine if RCB could replace the utility of OSE of breast FNAs. The study included 604 consecutive ultrasound-guided noncyst breast FNAs composed of three cohorts based on the presence or absence of immediate adequacy assessment, conventional (collodion bag) cell blocks (CCB), and RCB. The cohort with OSE together with CCB did not perform as well as the cohort without OSE but with RCB. In a third cohort, performance characteristics of RCBs and CCBs were compared in an independent review by two cytopathologists blinded to the final cytology and follow-up histology diagnosis. By itself, the RCB histologic section was diagnostic 97% of the time, and it provided a diagnostic accuracy superior to CCB by itself and comparable to that provided by the combination of the smears with CCB. Highest accuracy was obtained by combining smears/monolayer preparations and RCB. Replacing OSE with RCBs provided substantial cost savings and savings of time for cytopathologists, radiologists, and their assistants.

A Frequent Partial AZFc Deletion does not Render an Increased Risk of Spermatogenic Impairment in East Asians

The gene families in the AZFc region of the Y chromosome have been shown to be functionally important in human spermatogenesis. The gr/gr deletion, a partial AZFc deletion that reduces the copy numbers of all the AZFc gene families, was identified as a significant risk factor for spermatogenic impairment in Dutch, Spanish and Italians. However, the presence of this deletion in healthy French and Germans questioned its importance in male infertility. In this study, we have shown that the gr/gr deletion does not render an increased risk in Han Chinese. In fact, the gr/gr deletion is frequent (about 8%) in our survey of 886 East Asians from 8 ethnic groups. Furthermore, the DAZ1/DAZ2 deletion has been detected as the primary subtype of the gr/gr deletion in East Asians, though this doublet has been considered as crucial for normal spermatogenesis in Europeans. The different spermatogenic effects of various types of the partial AZFc deletion suggest that the functional difference between AZFc gene copies is a likely cause of inconsistent associations of the gr/gr deletion with spermatogenic impairment across populations.

Protective attenuated lentivirus immunization induces SIV-specific T cells in the genital tract of rhesus monkeys

Live attenuated lentivirus immunization is the only vaccine strategy that elicits consistent protection against intravaginal challenge with pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). To determine the mechanism of protection in rhesus monkeys infected with attenuated simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)89.6, a detailed analysis of SIV Gag-specific T-cell responses in several tissues including the genital tract was performed. Six months after SHIV infection, antiviral T-cell responses were rare in the cervix; however, polyfunctional, cytokine-secreting, and degranulating SIV Gag-specific CD4(+) T cells were consistently found in the vagina of the immunized macaques. SIV-specific CD8(+) T cells were also detected in the vagina, blood, and genital lymph nodes of most of the animals. Thus, an attenuated SHIV vaccine induces persistent antiviral T cells in tissues, including the vagina, where these effector T-cell responses may mediate the consistent protection from vaginal SIV challenge observed in this model.

Aquaporin JcPIP2 is involved in drought responses in Jatropha curcas

Water channel proteins, aquaporins, play fundamental roles in transmembrane water movements in plants. A new full-length cDNA encoding aquaporin was isolated from the seedlings of Jatropha curcas. The gene of the plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) from J. curcas (JcPIP2) contained an 843 bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 280 amino acids. The amino acid sequence showed 94% identity with Ricinus communis PIP. Injection of JcPIP2 complementary RNA into Xenopus oocytes increased 10-fold the osmotic water permeability of the oocytes. Immunodetection of JcPIP2 with anti-JcPIP2 antibody indicated that this protein is ubiquitously located in all tested tissues of the plant. To investigate the relationship between aquaporins and drought resistance in J. curcas, the abundance of JcPIP2 was examined in seedlings of two J. curcas populations, GaoYou CSC63 and YanBian S1, under water deficit with PEG6000. Under field conditions, those two populations, GaoYou CSC63 was resistant to water deficit, but YanBian S1 was sensitive to water deprivation. With the increasing degree of drought stress, JcPIP2 level increased in seedlings of GaoYou CSC63, whereas there was no significant change in seedlings of YanBian S1. Compared with YanBian S1, GaoYou CSC63 also showed higher root hydraulic conductivity and lower decreasing trend in the seedlings under water deficit. These results indicated that JcPIP2 probably played a role in drought resistance in J. curcas.

A new semisynthetic ocotillol-type saponin and resuscitation of haemorrhagic shock

A new ocotillol-type saponin (PGQ) has been semisynthesised from 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 for the first time, in with a yield of 73%, by oxidation and cyclisation of the side-chain. Its structure was characterised by IR, HR-MS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, (1)H-(1)H COSY, DEPT, HMBC and HMQC spectroscopy as 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-dammar- 20S,24S-epoxy-3beta,12beta,25-triol (1). The saponin produced a beneficial effect on resuscitation of haemorrhagic shock as follows: first, it could significantly rise increased mean arterial pressure; second, it could increased blood oxygen content; third, it could markedly decreased serum lipoperoxidase and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Thus, the saponin had the effect of an anti-haemorrhagic shock.

Structure-activity relationship studies on ADAM protein-integrin interactions

The ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family of proteins possess multi-domain structures composed of a signal peptide, a prodomain, a metalloprotease domain, a disintegrin-like domain, a cysteine rich domain, an epidermal growth factor-like domain, a transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail. The disintegrin-like domain shares sequence similarity with the soluble venom disintegrins, a family of proteins which are potent inhibitors of integrin-mediated platelet aggregation and cell adhesion. Several ADAMs have been reported to interact with integrins, and the disintegrin-like domain may be crucial part in this respect. A description of structure-activity relationship of ADAM proteins interacting with integrin is outlined in this review. The review highlights recent reports on potential integrin family for ADAMs and how ADAMs selectively modulate interaction for integrin mediated cell function. Lastly, it describes progress in understanding the structural features and functional roles of the ADAMs in normal and pathological conditions and how this insight may assist the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Self-aligned all-epitaxial microcavity for cavity QED with quantum dots

Using time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy, we have studied the Purcell spontaneous emission enhancement provided by a novel type of microcavity that forms a fully buried, all-epitaxial semiconductor heterostructure. The quantum dot containing region and the cavity boundaries are simultaneously defined in a unique way and lead to spatially self-aligned emitters. We demonstrate post-growth control of the quality factor and the capability of directly imaging the spatial field distribution that critically impacts the Purcell effect.