Combined Administration of Human Ghrelin and Human Growth Hormone Attenuates Organ Injury and Improves Survival in Aged Septic Rats

Sepsis is a major healthcare concern, especially in the elderly population. The use of an animal model closely resembling clinical conditions in this population may provide a better prediction in translating bench studies to the bedside. Ghrelin inhibits sympathetic nerve activity and inflammation in young septic animals; however, aged animals become hyporesponsive to ghrelin. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of combined human ghrelin and growth hormone (GH) for sepsis treatment in the elderly utilizing a clinically relevant animal model of sepsis. Male Fischer 344 rats 22 to 24 months old were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Human ghrelin plus GH or vehicle (normal saline) was administered subcutaneously at 5 h after CLP. At 20 h after CLP, blood and tissue samples were collected for various analyses. Combined treatment attenuated serum levels of lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in aged septic rats. The integrity of the microscopic structure in the lungs, liver and kidneys was well preserved after treatment. Expression of IL-6, TNF-α, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and keratinocyte-derived chemokine as well as myeloperoxidase activity and caspase-3 activation were significantly reduced in the lungs and liver of treated rats. Moreover, treated rats showed an improvement in cardiovascular function and increased expression of ghrelin receptor and c-fos in the brainstem. Finally, the 10-d survival of aged septic rats was increased from 29% to 64% after combined treatment and was associated with less body weight loss. Our findings warrant the development of combined human ghrelin and GH for sepsis treatment in the geriatric population.

Impact of common SNPs in VEGF gene on the susceptibility of osteosarcoma

We conducted a case-control study to assess the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -634G/C, +936C/T, and +1612G/A genetic variations in the development of osteosarcoma in a Chinese population. This hospital-based case-control study examined 130 patients with osteosarcoma and 130 age- and gender-matched healthy controls from March 2011 and March 2013. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was applied to assess the VEGF -634G/C, +936C/T, and +1612G/A gene polymorphisms. Using conditional regression analysis, individuals carrying the TT genotype of VEGF +936C/T were found to be correlated with an elevated risk of osteosarcoma, with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.70 (1.02-8.28). In conclusion, our study suggests that the TT genotype of VEGF +936C/T genetic variants is associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma.

Haemocyanin is essential for embryonic development and survival in the migratory locust

Haemocyanins are commonly known as copper-containing oxygen carriers within the haemolymph of arthropods, and have been found in many orders of insects. However, it remains unresolved why haemocyanins persist in insects that possess elaborate tracheal systems for oxygen diffusion to cells. Here we identified haemocyanins in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria that consists of two distinct subunits, Hc1 and Hc2. Genomic sequence analysis indicated that Hc1 and Hc2 have four and three gene copies, respectively, which may have evolved via gene duplication followed by divergent evolution of introns. The two subunits exhibit abundant and embryonic-specific expression at the mRNA and protein level; their expression peaks in the mid-term embryo and is not detectable in the late nymphal and adult stages. A larger proportion of the haemocyanins is present in the yolk compared with that in the embryo. Immunostaining shows that haemocyanins in the embryo are mainly expressed in the epidermis. Knockdown of Hc1 and Hc2 results in significant embryonic developmental delay and abnormality as well as reduced egg hatchability, ie the proportion of hatched eggs. These results reveal a previously unappreciated and fundamental role for haemocyanins in embryonic development and survival in insects, probably involving the exchange of molecules (eg O2 ) between the embryo and its environment.

Intake of water and different beverages in adults across 13 countries

Purpose

To describe the intake of water and all other fluids and to evaluate the proportion of adults exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on energy intake from free sugar, solely from fluids.

Methods

A total of 16,276 adults (46 % men, mean age 39.8 years) were recruited in 13 countries from 3 continents. A 24-h fluid-specific record over 7 days was used for fluid assessment.

Results

In Spain, France, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia and China, fluid intake was characterised by a high contribution of water (47–78 %) to total fluid intake (TFI), with a mean water intake between 0.76 and 1.78 L/day, and a mean energy intake from fluids from 182 to 428 kcal/day. Between 11 and 49 % of adults exceeded the free sugar WHO recommendations, considering solely fluids. In Germany, UK, Poland and Japan, the largest contributors to TFI were hot beverages (28–50 %) and water (18–32 %). Mean energy intake from fluids ranged from 415 to 817 kcal/day, and 48–62 % of adults exceeded free sugar WHO recommendations. In Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, the contribution of juices and regular sugar beverages (28–41 %) was as important as the water contribution to TFI (17–39 %). Mean energy intake from fluids ranged 565–694 kcal/day, and 60–66 % of the adults exceeded the free sugar WHO recommendation.

Conclusions

The highest volumes recorded in most of the countries were for water, mean energy intake from fluids was up to 694 kcal/day, and 66 % of adults exceeded the free sugar WHO recommendation solely by fluids. Actions to create an environment in favour of water consumption and reduce sugar intake from fluids therefore are warranted.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00394-015-0952-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A novel multivariate scoring system for determining the prognosis of lymph node-negative esophageal squamous cell carcinoma following surgical therapy: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Identifying patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with negative prognostic factors, which have an extremely low survival rate, has been problematic.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected clinical data for 648 patients with lymph node-negative ESCC who were treated at the Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center from 1990 to 2005. Survival difference was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

We identified advancing age, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), surgical procedure, tumor location, number of resected lymph nodes, poor tumor differentiation, and surgical stage as independent prognostic risk factors. Furthermore, based on the results of multivariate analysis, we constructed a novel scoring system that included the factors of age, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, number of resected lymph nodes, tumor differentiation, and surgical stage. Risk score (RS) was computed with the scoring system, and patients were divided into Class A (RS: 0-5) and Class B (RS: 6-10). P < 0.001 indicated statistical significance. A significant difference (p < 0.001) demonstrated that Class B was strongly related to a low survival rate and poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION

We developed a new simple flexible scoring system of high prognostic significance, which has the potential to guide postoperative therapeutic strategies and follow-up frequency and to provide better prognostic information for patients and their families.

Responses of microbial respiration to nitrogen addition in two alpine soils in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

An incubation experiment was conducted to examine the effects of nitrogen (N) application on microbial respiration in alpine meadow and alpine shrub soils from eastern of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Four different levels of nitrogen fertilization were selected in this study: control (CK, 0 mg N g(-1)), low (LN, 0.04 mg N g(-1)), medium (MN, 0.16 mg N g(-1)), high (HN, 0.4 mg N g(-1)). The results showed that microbial respiration was higher in alpine shrub than in alpine meadow soil, regardless of the rate of N application. Total microbial respiration overthe course of incubation period decreased in both soils with HN and MN treatments relative to control, but no significant differences were observed in soils with LN treatments. There was significantly positive correlation between total microbial respiration and dissolved organic carbon concentration in both soils. The results indicated that DOC may be a useful indicator of microbial respiration rate in alpine soils and the increasing N inputs could drive a negative feedback to global warming effects of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere in alpine soils.

A systematic review of the prevalence of nutrition labels and completeness of nutrient declarations on pre-packaged foods in China

BACKGROUND

The Chinese government launched a voluntary nutrition labelling code in 2007 and made it mandatory since 1 January 2013. This article aims to quantify the prevalence of nutrition labels and the completeness of nutrient declarations on pre-packaged foods in China and to explore the impact of the 2007 code.

METHODS

A systematic search of the published and grey literature was done, and a random-effects meta-analysis was used to obtain summary estimates.

RESULTS

There were 15 surveys identified from 13 reports. For 44% (95% confidence interval: 37-51%) of the 22 636 food items, the product label provided information on one or more nutrients. There was significant heterogeneity between the surveys (I(2) = 99%, P < 0.001) raising some uncertainty about the reliability of the estimate. The heterogeneity was in part explained by differences in labelling between food categories (P < 0.001) but not by changes in the prevalence of nutrition labels over time (P = 0.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Most pre-packaged foods in this survey had a nutrition label non-compliant with current Chinese nutrition labelling standards. The voluntary code launched in 2007 had limited impact on nutrition labelling. There is significant scope for the recently introduced mandatory labelling requirements to improve nutrition labelling in China.

Uptake and depuration of gold nanoparticles in Daphnia magna

This study presents a series of short-term studies (total duration 48 h) of uptake and depuration of engineered nanoparticles (ENP) in neonate Daphnia magna. Gold nanoparticles (Au NP) were used to study the influence of size, stabilizing agent and feeding on uptake and depuration kinetics and animal body burdens. 10 and 30 nm Au NP with different stabilizing agents [citrate (CIT) and mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUDA)] were tested in concentrations around 0.5 mg Au/L. Fast initial uptake was observed for all studied Au NP, with CIT stabilized Au NP showing similar rates independent of size and MUDA showing increased uptake for the smaller Au NP (MUDA 10 nm > CIT 10 nm, 30 nm > MUDA 30 nm). However, upon transfer to clean media no clear trend on depuration rates was found in terms of stabilizing agent or size. Independent of stabilizing agent, 10 nm Au NP resulted in higher residual whole-animal body burdens after 24 h depuration than 30 nm Au NP with residual body burdens about one order of magnitude higher of animals exposed to 10 nm Au NP. The presence of food (P. subcapitata) did not significantly affect the body burden after 24 h of exposure, but depuration was increased. While food addition is not necessary to ensure D. magna survival in the presented short-term test design, the influence of food on uptake and depuration kinetics is essential to consider in long term studies of ENP where food addition is necessary. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a short-term test design to assess the uptake and depuration of ENP in D. magna. The findings underlines that the assumptions behind the traditional way of quantifying bioconcentration are not fulfilled when ENPs are studied.

Preoperative Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Exercise-induced Changes in Pulse Oximetry Predict Early Postoperative Respiratory Complications in Lung Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Postoperative respiratory complications often arise in lung cancer patients after lung resection, although these are often difficult to predict. We sought to identify reliable predictors of early-onset postoperative respiratory complications in lung cancer patients who had moderate-to-severe preoperative respiratory impairment.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study that included 107 consecutive lung cancer patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s <60% of predicted who were scheduled for thoracotomy and lung resection. Preoperative functional assessments included pulmonary function testing by spirometry, single breath diffusion capacity of lung for carbon monoxide, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Risk factors for early-onset postoperative respiratory complications that occurred within 30 days postoperatively were sought from among these pulmonary function testing and cardiopulmonary exercise testing results.

RESULTS

By multivariable logistic regression, peak oxygen uptake (V'O_2max%; p < 0.001) and the transcutaneous pulse oxygen saturation difference during load exercise (ΔSPO₂%; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of postoperative respiratory complications. A receiver operating characteristic curve had an area under the curve of 0.846 for the combination of V'O_2max% and ΔSPO₂%, while the area under the curve with V'O_2max% only was 0.726. From this, the probability of postoperative respiratory complications was [Formula: see text]. P_complication ≥ 0.202 for postoperative respiratory complications had a sensitivity of 80.8% and a specificity of 81.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

For lung cancer patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s <60% of predicted, in addition to common preoperative tests, V'O_2max% and ΔSPO₂% may be an aid for predicting early-onset postoperative respiratory complications.

Combination of adenoviruses expressing melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 and chemotherapeutic agents produces enhanced cytotoxicity on esophageal carcinoma

We examined the combinatory antitumor effects of adenoviruses expressing human mda-7/IL-24 gene (Ad-mda-7) and chemotherapeutic agents on nine kinds of human esophageal carcinoma cells. All the carcinoma cells expressed the melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (MDA-7/IL-24) receptor complexes, IL-20R2 and either IL-20R1 or IL-22R1, and were susceptible to Ad-mda-7, whereas fibroblasts were positive only for IL-20R2 gene and resistant to Ad-mda-7-mediated cytotoxicity. Sensitivity of these esophageal carcinoma cells to Ad-mda-7 was however lower than that to Ad expressing the wild-type p53 gene. We thereby investigated a possible combination of Ad-mda-7 and anticancer agents and found that Ad-mda-7 with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin, mitomycin C or etoposide produced greater cytotoxic effects than those by Ad-mda-7 or the agent alone. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of the agents in respective cells were decreased by the combination with Ad-mda-7. Cell cycle analyses showed that Ad-mda-7 and 5-FU increased G2/M-phase and S-phase populations, respectively, and the combination augmented sub-G1 populations. Ad-mda-7-treated cells showed cleavages of caspase-8, -9 and -3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, but the cleavage levels were not different from those of the combination-treated cells. Ad-mda-7 treatments upregulated Akt phosphorylation but suppressed IκB-α levels, whereas 5-FU treatments induced phosphorylation of p53 and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2. Molecular changes caused by the combination were similar to those by Ad-mda-7 treatments, but the Ad-mda-7-mediated upregulation of Akt phosphorylation decreased with the combination. These data collectively suggest that Ad-mda-7 induced apoptosis despite Akt activation and that the combinatory antitumor effects with 5-FU were produced partly by downregulating the Ad-mda-7-induced Akt activation.

The efficacy and safety of zibotentan in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Recently, novel endothelins like zibotentan and atrasentan and other novel taxanes have been introduced to treat prostate cancer. This study reviews zibotentan in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and derives a more precise estimate of their effect of treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two reviewers searched and extracted data of the published trials and review articles on zibotentan for prostate cancer using the Medline, Embase and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register database. We used hazard ratios (HRs) to assess the effects on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), or time to PSA progression (TTP), and relative risk (RR) for the different types of toxicity. Four randomized controlled trials were identified.

RESULTS

The pooled HR showed that zibotentan did not improve OS and PFS (HR = 0.92, 95%CI = 0.82-1.03, p = 0.161, HR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.89-1.08, p = 0.714). Zibotentan had modest benefits on TTP (HR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.91-0.97, p = 0.001). In addition, zibotentan led to more peripheral edema, anemia, cardiac failure and pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study concludes that zibotentan is not an attractive option for CRPC patients. However, additional studies on other novel therapies are needed to improve patient outcomes.

Ontogenesis of the collapsed layer during haustorium development in the root hemi-parasite Santalum album Linn

The structure and development of collapsed layers of the haustorium were studied in Santalum album Linn. Through light and transmission electron microscopy, it was shown that the collapsed layers originated from starch-containing cells when the haustorium developed an internal gland, thickened gradually and ultimately developed into the mantle, which, combined with the sucker, buckled the host root. We report on the presence of inter-collapsed layers for the first time. These layers develop after penetration into the host and are located between the intrusive tissues and the vascular meristematic region, gradually linking the collapsed layers and remains around the sucker. The proliferation of cells in the meristematic region and the 'host tropism' of cortical layers contribute to pressure within the haustorium and result in development of the collapsed layers. Besides, starch-containing cells that turn into collapsed layers are vulnerable to pressure as they lack a large vacuole, have uneven cell wall thickness and a loose cell arrangement. We proposed that the functions of collapsed layers are to efficiently assure that cell inclusion and energy concentrate at the inner meristematic region and are recycled to affect penetration, reinforce the physical connection between the sandalwood haustorium and host root, and supply space for haustorial development.

PKPD Modeling of Predictors for Adverse Effects and Overall Survival in Sunitinib-Treated Patients With GIST

A modeling framework relating exposure, biomarkers (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sVEGFR)-2, -3, soluble stem cell factor receptor (sKIT)), and tumor growth to overall survival (OS) was extended to include adverse effects (myelosuppression, hypertension, fatigue, and hand–foot syndrome (HFS)). Longitudinal pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic models of sunitinib were developed based on data from 303 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Myelosuppression was characterized by a semiphysiological model and hypertension with an indirect response model. Proportional odds models with a first-order Markov model described the incidence and severity of fatigue and HFS. Relative change in sVEGFR-3 was the most effective predictor of the occurrence and severity of myelosuppression, fatigue, and HFS. Hypertension was correlated best with sunitinib exposure. Baseline tumor size, time courses of neutropenia, and relative increase of diastolic blood pressure were identified as predictors of OS. The framework has potential to be used for early monitoring of adverse effects and clinical response, thereby facilitating dose individualization to maximize OS.

Heat-shock protein 90 inhibitors synergistically enhance melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7-mediated cell killing of human pancreatic carcinoma

Pancreatic cancer is one of the intractable diseases and an effective therapeutic strategy is required to improve the prognosis. We examined possible antitumor effects of adenoviruses expressing melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (Ad-mda-7) and a heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor to human pancreatic carcinoma cells. Ad-mda-7 and an Hsp90 inhibitor, geldanamycin (GA), produced cytotoxic effects, and a combinatory use of Ad-mda-7 and GA further achieved synergistic effects. Administration of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, an inhibitor of reactive oxygen species, eliminated Ad-mda-7- and GA-mediated cytotoxicity. Ad-mda-7 augmented phosphorylated AKT levels but GA did not influence the phosphorylation. GA-treated cells showed cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase but not caspase-3, and upregulated Hsp70 and LC3A/B II levels, whereas Ad-mda-7-treated cells did not. GA treatments augmented ubiquitination and markedly increased melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 (MDA-7) expression levels. These findings suggest that Ad-mda-7-mediated cytotoxicity is dependent on reactive oxygen species but independent of apoptosis or autophagy, and that GA-mediated cytotoxicity was linked with caspase-independent apoptosis and/or autophagy. A mechanism underlying the combinatory effects of Ad-mda-7 and GA remained complex and the synergism is attributable to multiple factors including increased MDA-7 protein stability by GA.

Silicone oil emulsions: strategies to improve their stability and applications in hair care products

Silicone oils have wide range of applications in personal care products due to their unique properties of high lubricity, non-toxicity, excessive spreading and film formation. They are usually employed in the form of emulsions due to their inert nature. Until now, different conventional emulsification techniques have been developed and applied to prepare silicone oil emulsions. The size and uniformity of emulsions showed important influence on stability of droplets, which further affect the application performance. Therefore, various strategies were developed to improve the stability as well as application performance of silicone oil emulsions. In this review, we highlight different factors influencing the stability of silicone oil emulsions and explain various strategies to overcome the stability problems. In addition, the silicone deposition on the surface of hair substrates and different approaches to increase their deposition are also discussed in detail.

Abstract B257: Identification of new CYP26 inhibitors with efficacy in breast cancer xenograft models

Retinoids, such as the prototypical retinoid all trans retinoic acid (ATRA), have been used successfully in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients. They have also been tested for efficacy in solid tumors, including breast cancer. Despite promising preclinical data, the clinical success of using ATRA for breast cancer patients has been limited so far. We hypothesize that this is largely due to three factors: (1) a lack of understanding of the patient population that is likely to respond to retinoid therapy, (2) a significant induction of retinoic acid metabolism with retinoid therapy, resulting in sub-optimal retinoid exposure in tumors and (3) the narrow therapeutic index of ATRA. Several recent studies indicate that breast cancer cells that express the Retinoic Acid Receptor Alpha (RARA) are more likely to respond to retinoic acid than cells without RARA expression. This provides a rationale for selection of patients that are likely to benefit from retinoid therapy in future clinical trials. The cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP26 is the key enzyme involved in ATRA metabolism. CYP26A1 expression is elevated in breast cancer tissue compared to normal tissue and CYP26A1 expression is negatively correlated with patient survival. Angion has identified orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitors of CYP26. Angion's lead inhibitor blocks retinoid metabolism in tumor cells and enhances serum and tumor retinoic acid levels. The compound shows robust single agent efficacy in several murine breast cancer xenograft models. By elevating endogenous serum and tumor retinoic acid levels in a physiological range, CYP26 inhibition therapy is likely to result in a better therapeutic index than systemic retinoid therapy. The identification of orally bioavailable, potent, and selective CYP26 inhibitors eliminates two major drawbacks of systemic retinoid therapy, and– in combination with new insights in selecting patients that are more likely to respond to retinoid therapy– may provide a new impetus for evaluation of retinoic acid signaling modulators as a treatment for breast cancer patients.

Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):B257.

Citation Format: Bert Oehlen, Gaifeng Ma, Siobhan McCormack, Dong Sung Lim, Jim Tarrant, Xiaokang Zhu, Bijoy Panicker, Itzhak D. Goldberg. Identification of new CYP26 inhibitors with efficacy in breast cancer xenograft models. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B257.

Imiquimod 5% cream versus timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution for treating superficial proliferating infantile haemangiomas: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) are the most common vascular tumours of infancy. Topical therapies are a possible treatment for superficial IHs.

AIM

To determine the efficacy and safety of topical therapy in the treatment of superficial proliferating IHs.

METHODS

The medical records of all the patients with proliferating superficial IHs were reviewed. All lesions had been treated either with imiquimod 5% cream or timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution. Lesions were classified into pairs, with one of each treatment in each pair, matched by anatomical location, colour and size. A visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Haemangioma Activity Score (HAS) were used to evaluate the efficacy of the two drugs. The paired Student t-test was used to test for differences in recovery with these two treatments.

RESULTS

In total, 51 patients treated with timolol and 94 treated with imiquimod met the inclusion criteria, and 20 lesions treated with timolol were successfully matched to a lesion treated with imiquimod. The paired t-test indicated that there was no significant difference in either VAS score (P = 0.11) or HAS (P = 0.49). For the imiquimod-treated patients, crusting was the most common reaction (65.0%, 13/20). This did not cause any superficial scarring or skin pigmentation in the matched pairs; however, superficial scars (14.9%, 14/94) and skin pigmentation disorders (28.7%, 27/94) were reported for some of the unmatched cases. There were no adverse events (AEs) during the treatment with timolol.

CONCLUSIONS

Both imiquimod 5% cream or timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution showed equivalent clinical efficacy after 4 months of treatment. Timolol appeared to have fewer AEs than imiquimod in the management of superficial IHs. Larger, prospective controlled trials with long-term treatment are needed to confirm these results.