Abstract 3432: HLJ1 serves as an inhibitor of epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inactivating β-catenin signaling

HLJ1 (DnaJ-like heat shock protein), also known as DNAJB4, was classified as a tumor suppressor gene. The expression of HLJ1 inversely associates with invasive ability and can predict the clinical outcomes of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, the role of HLJ1 in suppressing cancer metastasis is still unclear. Here, we identified HLJ1 as a novel inhibitor of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our functional assays in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that Knock-down of HLJ1 promotes invasion capabilities of lung cancer cells and causes liver macrometastasis; meanwhile, the crucial domain of HLJ1 in suppression of cancer invasion was also confirmed. We found that the HLJ1-overexpressing cells maintain the well-organized cell adhesion and polarity. Inversely, an increase in actin polymerization and the formation of actin stress fibers were observed in the HLJ1-silencing cells. HLJ1 down-regulates the transcriptional activities of slug promoter and facilitates E-cadherin transcription, leading to the inhibition of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Further, we identified the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway in which HLJ1 involved by cDNA microarray and pathway analysis. The subcellular distribution of β-catenin is predominant in the nucleus and the tyrosine-phosphorylated levels of β-catenin are up-regulated in the HLJ1-silenced clones. Finally, we showed a decreased accumulation of β-catenin and an enhanced degradation of β-catenin in absence of HLJ1 expression. Taken together, our study reveals that HLJ1 has anti-metastatic activity by repressing β-catenin signaling and provides a molecular model for the development of new anticancer agents.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3432. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3432

Abstract 77: Study of the effect of MAPRE2 on human lung adenocarcinoma cell migration and invasion

Lung cancer is the most malignant disease which makes lots of people dead worldwide. More and more evidences showed that cancers might arise from chromosome alteration, including amplification or deletion. Our previous study integrating microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization and affymetrix gene expression profiles identified a potential candidate gene, MAPRE2, in a lung cancer cell line model with different invasion capability. MAPRE2 (Microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 2) is usually located on microtubule and interactes with tumor suppress gene APC (adenomatous polyposis coli). MAPRE2 might be involved in microtubule polymerization, cell migration and tumorigenesis of colorectal cancers, but its function is unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of MAPRE2 on cancer cell function. The results of real-time PCR and western blotting showed that DNA copy number, RNA and protein level of MAPRE2 were higher in low invasive lung cancer cells than in highly invasive cells. Immunofluorescence assay indicated that the distribution of MAPRE2 protein was predominant in cytoplasm. Furthermore, overexpression of MAPRE2 could inhibit cancer cell proliferation, anchorage- dependent and -independent growth, cell motility, invasion ability in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. On the contrary, silencing MAPRE2 enhanced lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion ability. Consider the whole map of MAPRE2-regulated signalling, transcriptomic analysis was performed and the results showed that MAPRE2 could affect 1039 genes (ANOVA, FDR< 0.05) which are dominantly involved in cell cycle and adhesion-related biological signalling, such as MAPK, focal adhesion and tight junction pathways. Our results suggested that MAPRE2 might play a significant role in MAPRE2-mediated pathways to suppress tumorigenesis and metastasis.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 77. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-77

The difference in myocardial injuries and mitochondrial damages between asphyxial and ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrests

INTRODUCTION

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and asphyxia account for most cardiac arrests but differ in cardiac arrest course, neurologic deficit, and myocardial damage. In VF resuscitation, cardiac mitochondria were known to be damaged via excess generation of reactive oxygen species. This study evaluated the difference of cardiac mitochondrial damages between VF and asphyxial cardiac arrests.

METHODS

In the VF + electrical shock (ES) group, VF was induced and untreated for 5 minutes, followed by 1 minute of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and 1 ES of 5 J. Animals were killed immediately after ES. In the asphyxia group, cardiac arrest was induced by airway obstruction, and then pulselessness was maintained for 5 minutes, followed by 1 minute of CPR. The animals were killed immediately after CPR. The histology and ultrastructural changes of myocardium and complex activities and respiration of mitochondria were evaluated. The mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening was measured based on mitochondrial swelling rate.

RESULTS

The histopathologic examinations showed myocardial necrosis and mitochondrial damage in both cardiac arrests. Instead of regional damages of myocardium in the VF + ES group, the myocardial injury in the asphyxia group distributed diffusely. The asphyxia group demonstrated more severe mitochondrial damage than the VF + ES group, which had a faster mitochondrial swelling rate, more decreased cytochrome c oxidase activity, and more impaired respiration.

CONCLUSIONS

Both VF and asphyxial cardiac arrests caused myocardial injuries and mitochondrial damages. Asphyxial cardiac arrest presented more diffuse myocardial injuries and more severe mitochondrial damages than VF cardiac arrest.

miRNA-34b as a tumor suppressor in estrogen-dependent growth of breast cancer cells

Introduction

Estrogen is involved in several physiological and pathological processes through estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated transcriptional gene regulation. miRNAs (miRs), which are noncoding RNA genes, may respond to estrogen and serve as posttranscriptional regulators in tumorigenic progression, especially in breast cancer; however, only limited information about this possibility is available. In the present study, we identified the estrogen-regulated miR-34b and investigated its functional role in breast cancer progression.

Methods

Estrogen-regulated miRNAs were identified by using a TaqMan low density array. Our in vivo Tet-On system orthotopic model revealed the tumor-suppressive ability of miR-34b. Luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated miR-34b were regulated by p53-ER interaction.

Results

In this study, we identified one such estrogen downregulated miRNA, miR-34b, as an oncosuppressor that targets cyclin D1 and Jagged-1 (JAG1) in an ER+/wild-type p53 breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), as well as in ovarian and endometrial cells, but not in ER-negative or mutant p53 breast cancer cell lines (T47D, MBA-MB-361 and MDA-MB-435). There is a negative association between ERα and miR-34b expression levels in ER+ breast cancer patients. Tet-On induction of miR-34b can cause inhibition of tumor growth and cell proliferation. Also, the overexpression of miR-34b inhibited ER+ breast tumor growth in an orthotopic mammary fat pad xenograft mouse model. Further validation indicated that estrogen's inhibition of miR-34b expression was mediated by interactions between ERα and p53, not by DNA methylation regulation. The xenoestrogens diethylstilbestrol and zeranol also showed similar estrogenic effects by inhibiting miR-34b expression and by restoring the protein levels of the miR-34b targets cyclin D1 and JAG1 in MCF-7 cells.

Conclusions

These findings reveal that miR-34b is an oncosuppressor miRNA requiring both ER+ and wild-type p53 phenotypes in breast cancer cells. These results improve our ability to develop new therapeutic strategies to target the complex estrogenic pathway in human breast cancer progression through miRNA regulation.

MicroRNA regulation via DNA methylation during the morula to blastocyst transition in mice

Epigenetic regulation is responsible for transcriptional silencing of genes and parental imprinting. This study addresses the question whether microRNAs (miRNAs) could be affected by DNA methylation during morula-blastocyst transition. Mouse embryos were treated with/without a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, 5-aza-dC, 10 nM-5 μM). Changes of miRNAs were analyzed by quantitative real-time (Q-PCR)-based megaplex pre-amp microRNA assays. Development from morula to blastocyst in mice was inhibited by 5-aza-dC in a dose-dependent manner (10 nM-5 μM), with half of the embryos arrested at morula stage when treated with levels of 5-aza-dC as low as 50 nM. In total, 48 down-regulated microRNAs and 17 up-regulated microRNAs (≥5-fold changes) were identified after 5-aza-dC treatment, including let-7e, mir-20a, mir-21, mir-34b, mir-128b and mir-452. Their predicted targets were selected based on software analysis, published databases and further confirmed by Q-PCR. At least eight targets, including dnmt3a, jagged 1, sp1, edg2, abcg4, numa1, tmsb10 and csf1r were confirmed. In conclusion, 5-aza-dC-modified microRNA profiles and identification of the microRNA's targets during the morula to blastocyst stage in mice provide information that helps us to explore the relationship between fertility, microRNA regulation and epigenetic intervention.

Performance evaluation of the UV/H2O2 process on selected nitrogenous organic compounds: reductions of organic contents vs. corresponding C-, N-DBPs formations

The presence of various organic contaminants in water sources is of concern due to their direct threats to human health and potential to react with disinfectants to form carcinogenic byproducts including trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids and nitrosamines in finished water. This study applied both medium-pressure and low-pressure ultraviolet light coupled with hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) to evaluate its efficacy for degradation of selected nitrogenous organic compounds and corresponding disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation. Six organic compounds were chosen as target precursors based on their nitrogen contents and molecular structures. The results showed that higher oxidation capacity resulted in better reduction of organic matters and DBP formation potentials (DBPFPs). However, insufficient contact time and oxidant doses could lead to a rise of DBPFPs in the early stages of UV/H2O2 reactions. A greater percentage removal was achieved for organic carbon than organic nitrogen after UV/H2O2 treatment, especially for compounds with complicated structure such as diltiazem. During the UV/H2O2 treatment, the intermediate products include tertiary amine, dimethyl amine (DMA) or DMA-like structures, which are N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors after chlorination or chloramination. Furthermore, it was observed that using dissolved organic nitrogen and DMA to predict NDMAFP could lead to biased conclusions because of the complex nature of nitrogenous matters in aqueous environments.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes induce airway hyperreactivity and parenchymal injury in mice

Inhalation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has raised serious concerns related to potential toxic effects in the respiratory system. This study examined possible SWCNT-induced toxic mechanisms in vivo in mice. The results indicated that a single intratracheal instillation of SWCNTs could induce airway hyperreactivity and airflow obstruction and confirmed previous findings of granulomatous changes in the lung parenchyma that persisted from 7 days to 6 months after exposure. The irreversible lung pathology and functional airway alterations in the mouse model mimicked obstructive airway disease in humans. Transcriptomic analysis showed that SWCNTs might up-regulate proteinases (cathepsin K and matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]12), chemokines C-C motif ligands (CCL2 and CCL3), and several macrophage receptors (Toll-like receptor 2, macrophage scavenger receptor 1). Pathway analyses showed that NF-κB-related inflammatory responses and downstream signals affecting tissue remodeling dominated the pathologic process. The NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate attenuated SWCNT-induced airway hyperreactivity, chronic airway inflammation, and MMP12 and cathepsin K expression when administered in vivo, whereas a cathepsin K inhibitor could partially reduce airway hyperreactivity and granulomatous changes in the SWCNT-treated group. The up-regulation of cathepsin K and MMP12 by SWCNTs was further confirmed via in vitro coculture of bronchoalveolar macrophages with lung epithelial/mesenchymal cells but not in macrophages without coculture, indicating that SWCNT-induced MMP12 and cathespin K were cell-type specific and cell-cell interaction dependent. In conclusion, exposure to SWCNTs may cause irreversible obstructive airway disease. Nanotoxicogenomics uncovered novel mechanisms underlying SWCNT-induced lung diseases, implicating MMP12 and cathepsin K in the pathologic injury as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Ascorbic acid mitigates the myocardial injury after cardiac arrest and electrical shock

PURPOSE

To examine the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) administrated during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the myocardial injury in a rat model of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and electrical shock (ES).

METHODS

VF was induced in male Wistar rats and left untreated for 5 min, followed by 1 min of CPR, and then one ES of 5 J. At the start of CPR, animals received either intravenous administration of AA (100 mg/kg) or Tempol (30 mg/kg), two antioxidants, or 0.9% saline (VF + ES group). After ES, animals were immediately killed. Myocardial lipoxidation was determined by malondialdehyde (MDA) assay. The histology and ultrastructural changes of myocardium were also evaluated. The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening was measured based on the mitochondrial swelling rate. The complex activities and respiration of mitochondria were assessed, too.

RESULTS

Increased myocardial injury and mitochondrial damage in the VF + ES group were noted. AA and Tempol alleviated such damages. Both AA and Tempol improved accelerated mitochondrial swelling; decreased complex activities and respiratory dysfunction occurred in the VF + ES group. The animals receiving AA and Tempol during CPR had better successful resuscitation rates and 72-h survival than the VF + ES group.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous administration of AA and Tempol at the start of CPR may reduce lipid peroxidation and myocardial necrosis, diminish mitochondrial damage, facilitate resuscitation, and improve outcomes after VF + ES.

Curcumin induces EGFR degradation in lung adenocarcinoma and modulates p38 activation in intestine: the versatile adjuvant for gefitinib therapy

Background

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with L858R or exon 19 deletion mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have good responses to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), gefitinib. However, patients with wild-type EGFR and acquired mutation in EGFR T790M are resistant to gefitinib treatment. Here, we showed that curcumin can improve the efficiency of gefitinib in the resistant NSCLC cells both in vitro and in vivo models.

Methods/Principal Findings

After screening 598 herbal and natural compounds, we found curcumin could inhibit cell proliferation in different gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cell lines; concentration-dependently down-regulate EGFR phosphorylation through promoting EGFR degradation in NSCLC cell lines with wild-type EGFR or T790M EGFR. In addition, the anti-tumor activity of gefitinib was potentiated via curcumin through blocking EGFR activation and inducing apoptosis in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cell lines; also the combined treatment with curcumin and gefitinib exhibited significant inhibition in the CL1-5, A549 and H1975 xenografts tumor growth in SCID mice through reducing EGFR, c-MET, cyclin D1 expression, and inducing apoptosis activation through caspases-8, 9 and PARP. Interestingly, we observed that the combined treatment group represented better survival rate and less intestinal mucosal damage compare to gefitinib-alone therapy. We showed that curcumin attenuated the gefitinib-induced cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis through altering p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in intestinal epithelia cell.

Conclusions/Significance

Curcumin potentiates antitumor activity of gefitinib in cell lines and xenograft mice model of NSCLC through inhibition of proliferation, EGFR phosphorylation, and induction EGFR ubiquitination and apoptosis. In addition, curcumin attenuates gefitinib-induced gastrointestinal adverse effects via altering p38 activation. These findings provide a novel treatment strategy that curcumin as an adjuvant to increase the spectrum of the usage of gefitinib and overcome the gefitinib inefficiency in NSCLC patients.

Clustered genomic alterations in chromosome 7p dictate outcomes and targeted treatment responses of lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR-activating mutations

PURPOSE

Although epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been proven more effective for patients with lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR-activating mutation rather than wild type, the former group still includes approximately 30% nonresponders. The molecular basis of this substantial response heterogeneity is unknown. Our purpose was to seek molecular aberrations contributing to disease progression at the genome-wide level and identify the prognostic signature unique to patients with EGFR-activating mutation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We first investigated the molecular differences between tumors with EGFR-activating mutation and wild-type tumors by conducting high-density array comparative genomic hybridization on a collection of 138 adenocarcinoma tissues. We then used an independent group of 114 patients to validate the clinical relevance of copy-number alterations (CNAs) in predicting overall and disease-free survival. Finally, focusing on 23 patients with EGFR mutation receiving EGFR-TKI treatment, we investigated the association between CNAs and response to EGFR-TKIs.

RESULTS

We identified chromosome regions with differential CNAs between tumors with EGFR-activating mutation and wild-type tumors and found the aberration sites to cluster highly on chromosome 7p. A cluster of six representative chromosome 7p genes predicted overall and disease-free survival for patients with EGFR-activating mutation but not for those with wild type. Importantly, simultaneous presence of more genes with increased CNAs in this cluster correlated with less favorable response to EGFR-TKIs in patients with EGFR-activating mutation.

CONCLUSION

Our results shed light on why responses to EGFR-TKIs are heterogeneous among patients with EGFR-activating mutation. They may lead to better patient management in this population.

Abstract 501: Characterization of lung cancer stem/initiating cells from non-small-cell lung cancer patients

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been proposed to be responsible for chemoresistant, tumor recurrent, and metastasis. To culture and characterize the CSCs become urgent and may be helpful to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Accumulated evidences indicated the importance of CSCs in tumor formation and successfully isolated the CSCs from patients or cell lines with different cancer types; however, this has not been well explored in lung cancer. Not alike previous isolation through specific markers and quiescent condition, we cultured the lung cancer stem/initiating cells from patient with lung adenocarcinoma and the CSCs formed tumor sphere as fed by the surrounding stroma cells. These lung cancer stem/initiating cells were characterized with highly expressed levels of the stemness makers, nanog, oct4, sox2, and klf4 (53.3-, 37.7-, 13.0, and 4.4-folds changes) as comparing to the feeder cells, also, showed relative higher percentages of side population (27.4%), ALDH activity (14%), higher tumorigenesity compared to other lung cancer cell lines including adenocarcinoma (A549, H522, H23, Hop62, and EKVX), large cell carcinoma (Hop92), squamous cell carcinoma (H226), and bronchi alveolar carcinoma (H322M). These lung CSCs also showed higher drug resistance capacity represented by IC50 to chemotherapy drugs including docetaxel, cisplatin, vinorelbine distrate, and etoposide (13.0-, 1.55, 27.2- and 103.3-folds increased). Furthermore, we found that as less as 100 cells could generate adenocarcinoma formation both in orthotropic or subcutaneous models in severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. Interestingly, the lung CSCs could spontaneous differentiate into epithelial types of cancer cells as removing the feeder cells in vitro or different phenotypes of adenocarcinoma cells in vivo. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that the Wnt, Notch, TGF-β and HGF signaling pathways are highly expressed in the lung CSCs and quickly down-regulated as removing the feeder cells. The gene expression profiles also provide the novel markers for selection CSCs from lung cancer cell lines and lung cancer patients. To sum up, we have cultured the cancer stem/initiating cells from lung cancer patient with the feeder cells, which providing the tumor microenvironment to maintain the stemness of the cancer stem cells. This model should be helpful not only for isolating and cultured the lung CSCs from patients, but also in developing the anti-cancer strategy targeting on lung CSCs.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 501. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-501

Urine specific gravity as a predictor of early neurological deterioration in acute ischemic stroke

We previously found that a blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio>15 is an independent predictor of early neurological deterioration after acute ischemic stroke, which suggests that dehydration may be a cause of early deterioration. The aim of this study was to determine whether urine specific gravity, which is another indicator of hydration status and one that is more easily obtained, is also an independent predictor of early deterioration or stroke-in-evolution (SIE). Demographic and clinical data were recorded at admission from patients with acute ischemic stroke who were prospectively enrolled from October 2007 to June 2010. We compared patients with and without stroke-in-evolution (based on an increase of 3 points or more points on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale within 3 days). Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were carried out. A total of 317 patients (43 SIE and 274 non-SIE) were enrolled; the first 196 patients comprised the cohort of our previous study. The only two independent predictors of early deterioration or SIE were BUN/Cr>15 and urine specific gravity>1.010. After adjusting for age and gender, patients with a urine specific gravity>1.010 were 2.78 times more likely to develop SIE (95% CI=1.11-6.96; P=0.030). Urine specific gravity may be useful as an early predictor of early deterioration in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Patients with urine specific gravity ≤ 1.010 therefore may have a reduced likelihood of early neurological deterioration.

Establishing a 'Physician's Spiritual Well-being Scale' and testing its reliability and validity

The purpose of this study was to develop a Physician's Spiritual Well-Being Scale (PSpWBS). The significance of a physician's spiritual well-being was explored through in-depth interviews with and qualitative data collection from focus groups. Based on the results of qualitative analysis and related literature, the PSpWBS consisting of 25 questions was established. Reliability and validity tests were performed on 177 subjects. Four domains of the PSpWBS were devised: physician's characteristics; medical practice challenges; response to changes; and overall well-being. The explainable total variance was 65.65%. Cronbach α was 0.864 when the internal consistency of the whole scale was calculated. Factor analysis showed that the internal consistency Cronbach α value for each factor was between 0.625 and 0.794 and the split-half reliability was 0.865. The scale has satisfactory reliability and validity and could serve as the basis for assessment of the spiritual well-being of a physician.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Reports on percutaneous cryoablation to treat patients with HCC are sparse in the medical literature. This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of percutaneous cryotherapy for unresectable or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

The results of 40 patients with unresectable HCC and 26 patients with recurrent HCC treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryotherapy from January 2006 to June 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

We used percutaneous cryotherapy to treat 76 tumors in 40 patients with unresectable and 76 tumors in 26 patients with recurrent HCC. The size of the tumors was 2.8 ± 1.7 cm (mean ± S.D.). The mean number of treatment sessions for unresectable and recurrent HCC were 1.7 and 1.4, respectively. All cryotherapy procedures were technically successful. No procedure-related death was observed. The overall complication rate was 12.1%. Patients with unresectable HCC had 1-, and 3-year overall survival rates of 81.4%, and 60.3%, while the disease-free survival rates at 1 year and 3 years were 67.6% and 20.8%, respectively. Patients with recurrent HCC had 1-, and 3-year overall survival rates of 70.2%, and 28.8%, while the disease-free survival rates at 1 year and 3 years were 53.8% and 7.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryotherapy was safe and efficacious in the treatment of unresectable and recurrent HCC. Further randomized trials are needed to compare the safety and efficacy of cryotherapy with other forms of percutaneous treatment so that an unbiased therapeutic strategy can be devised.

Identification of intertypic recombinant infectious bronchitis viruses from slaughtered chickens

Avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) poses a major threat to the global poultry industry. New IBV geno- and serotypes are continually reported. However, information on IBV prevalence is not frequently addressed in these reports. This study reports on a viral surveillance program in Taiwan from 2005 to 2006 with sampling conducted in poultry slaughterhouses. The genetic features of the obtained field isolates were investigated using sequence analysis and SimPlot analysis. A 1-directional neutralization test was performed to examine the antigenic variations among the collected viruses. The selection pressures that may contribute to the evolution of Taiwan IBV during recent decades were assessed. The surveillance program revealed that 8 out of 47 flocks (17%) were IBV-infected, from which 13 IBV isolates were recovered. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the S1 gene, 11 of 13 isolates (84.6%) clustered with Taiwan group I. One IBV isolate showed evidence of frequent recombination events with China-like IBV in the spike glycoprotein (S) gene. Another isolate demonstrated the incorporation of China-like and H120-like genome fragments within the S2 gene and the membrane protein (M) gene region, respectively. Some antigenic changes were found in the 1-directional neutralization test. However, no positive selection pressures were related to those variations in the S1 genes among Taiwan IBV. Based on our work, we suggest that sampling chickens in poultry slaughterhouses is an effective and valuable means of compiling viral prevalence data, particularly in situations where there is subclinical infection. Infectious bronchitis viruses from slaughtered chickens revealed intertypic genetic recombination and antigenic diversity.

Evaluation of methanogenic treatment of TMAH (tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide) in a full-scale TFT-LCD wastewater treatment process

This study evaluated TMAH biodegradation under methanogenic conditions. Under methanogenic conditions, a sludge from a full-scale UASB treating TFT-LCD wastewater was able to degrade 2,000 mg/L of TMAH within 10 h and attained a specific degradation rate of 19.2 mgTMAH/gVSS-h. Furthermore, several chemicals including some surfactants, DMSO, and sulfate were examined for their potential inhibitory effects on TMAH biodegradation under methanogenic conditions. The results indicated that surfactant S1 (up to 2%) and DMSO (up to 1,000 mg/L) presented negligible inhibitory effects on TMAH degradation, while surfactant S2 (0.2-1%) might inhibit methanogenic reaction without any TMAH degradation for 3-5 h. At sulfate concentrations higher than 300 mg/L, a complete inhibition of methanogenic reaction and TMAH biodegradation was observed. Results from cloning and sequencing of archaeal 16S rRNA gene fragments showed that Methanosarcina barkeri and Methanosarcina mazei were the dominant methanogens in the UASB treating TMAH-containing TFT-LCD wastewater.

Mutation analysis of the APC gene in Taiwanese FAP families: low incidence of APC germline mutation in a distinct subgroup of FAP families

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal-dominant disease caused by germline mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. The affected individuals develop colorectal polyposis and show various extra-colonic manifestations. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic and clinical characteristics of FAP in Taiwanese families and analyze the genotype-phenotype correlations. Blood samples were obtained from 66 FAP patients registered in the hereditary colorectal cancer database. Then, germline mutations in the APC genes of these 66 polyposis patients from 47 unrelated FAP families were analyzed. The germline-mutation-negative cases were analyzed by performing multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of the MUTYH gene. Among the analyzed families, 79% (37/47) of the families showed 28 APC mutations, including 19 frameshift mutations, 4 nonsense mutations, 3 genomic deletion mutations, 1 missense mutation, and 1 splice-site mutation. In addition, we identified 15 novel mutations in 32% (15/47) of the families. The cases in which APC mutations were not identified showed significantly lower incidence of profuse polyposis (P = 0.034) and gastroduodenal polyps (P = 0.027). Furthermore, FAP families in which some affected individuals had less than 100 polyps showed significant association with low incidence of APC germline mutations (P = 0.002). We have added the APC germline-mutation data for Taiwanese FAP patients and indicated the presence of an FAP subgroup comprising affected individuals with nonadenomatous polyps or less than 100 adenomatous polyps; this form of FAP is less frequently caused by germline mutations of the APC gene.

Antiapoptotic cardioprotective effect of hypothermia treatment against oxidative stress injuries

OBJECTIVES

The effect of hypothermia on cardiomyocyte injury induced by oxidative stress remains unclear. The authors investigated the effects of hypothermia on apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes exposed to oxidative stress.

METHODS

Cardiomyocytes (H9c2) derived from embryonic rat heart cell culture were exposed to either normothermic (37 degrees C) or hypothermic (31 degrees C) environments before undergoing oxidative stress via treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). The degree of apoptosis was determined by annexin V and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TUNEL) staining. The amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was compared after H(2)O(2) exposure between normo- and hypothermic-pretreated groups. Mitochondrial dysfunction in both groups was measured by differential reductase activity and transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim).

RESULTS

Hydrogen peroxide induced significant apoptosis in both normothermic and hypothermic cardiomyocytes. Hypothermia ameliorated apoptosis as demonstrated by decreased annexin V staining (33 +/- 1% vs. 49 +/- 4%; p < 0.05) and TUNEL staining (27 +/- 17% vs. 80 +/-25%; p < 0.01). The amount of intracellular ROS increased after H(2)O(2) treatment and was higher in the hypothermic group than that in the normothermic group (237.9 +/- 31.0% vs. 146.6 +/- 20.6%; p < 0.05). In the hypothermic group, compared with the normothermic group, after H(2)O(2) treatment mitochondrial reductase activity was greater (72.0 +/- 17.9% vs. 27.0 +/- 13.3%; p < 0.01) and the mitochondria DeltaPsim was higher (101.0 +/- 22.6% vs. 69.7 +/- 12.9%; p < 0.05). Pretreatment of cardiomyocytes with the antioxidant ascorbic acid diminished the hypothermia-induced increase in intracellular ROS and prevented the beneficial effects of hypothermia on apoptosis and mitochondrial function.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypothermia at 31 degrees C can protect cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress-induced injury by decreasing apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction through intracellular ROS-dependent pathways.

Preoperative assessment and staging of hilar cholangiocarcinoma with 16-multidetector computed tomography cholangiography and angiography

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To evaluate prospectively the preoperative use of 16-multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with cholangiography and angiography in determining the resectability of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODOLOGY

From January 2002 to January 2008, 75 consecutive patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent preoperative MDCT with cholangiography and angiography. 3D images of the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile ducts were created and viewed simultaneously. The accuracy of MDCT with cholangiography and angiography was determined by comparison with intraoperative and pathologic findings.

RESULTS

All patients tolerated the CT imaging well and without serious complication. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates were 92.9%, 100%, and 96% for portal vein invasion and 83.3%, 100%, and 93.3% for hepatic arterial invasion. The accuracy rate of longitudinal tumor extension, using the modified Bismuth-Corlette classification, was 96%. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of prediction of resectability were 95.7%, 82.1%, and 90.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative MDCT with cholangiography and angiography gave a good assessment of the degree of biliary and vascular involvement of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. It also accurately predicted resectability.

Anticancer effects of tanshinone I in human non-small cell lung cancer

Tanshinones are the major bioactive compounds of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) roots, which are used in many therapeutic remedies in Chinese traditional medicine. We investigated the anticancer effects of tanshinones on the highly invasive human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, CL1-5. Tanshinone I significantly inhibited migration, invasion, and gelatinase activity in macrophage-conditioned medium-stimulated CL1-5 cells in vitro and also reduced the tumorigenesis and metastasis in CL1-5-bearing severe combined immunodeficient mice. Unlike tanshinone IIA, which induces cell apoptosis, tanshinone I did not have direct cytotoxicity. Real-time quantitative PCR, luciferase reporter assay, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that tanshinone I reduces the transcriptional activity of interleukin-8, the angiogenic factor involved in cancer metastasis, by attenuating the DNA-binding activity of activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB in conditioned medium-stimulated CL1-5 cells. Microarray and pathway analysis of tumor-related genes identified the differentially expressed genes responding to tanshinone I, which may be associated with the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase and Rac1 signaling pathways. These results suggest that tanshinone I exhibits anticancer effects both in vitro and in vivo and that these effects are mediated at least partly through the interleukin-8, Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Rac1 signaling pathways. Although tanshinone I has a remarkable anticancer action, its potential anticoagulant effect should be noted and evaluated.

Lercanidipine-Induced Chyloperitoneum in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

Objective

Lercanidipine is a lipophilic calcium channel blocker and a widely used antihypertensive agent. However, it can cause chyloperitoneum in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). The incidence, pathophysiology, and clinical impact of these adverse events are not known.

Design

Retrospective study.

Method

Patients were screened for use of antihypertensive agents. Those that had taken lercanidipine were identified and dialysate cholesterol (Chol) and triglyceride (TG) levels were checked. Serum levels were taken from the routine biochemistry record closest to the time of the dialysate levels. Dialysate Chol and TG from patients on other antihypertensives and with matched serum lipid profiles were compared.

Patients

14 of 222 patients had taken lercanidipine during February 2005 to January 2006, accounting for 12% of all patients on calcium channel blockers in our PD center.

Results

Of 14 patients prescribed lercanidipine, 8 (57%) developed chyloperitoneum. None had peritonitis and the dialysate was clear under microscopic examination. Mean dialysate TG was 128.4 ± 133.0 mg/dL and mean dialysate Chol was 18.2 ± 24.9 mg/dL in patients that developed chyloperitoneum. These patients were also noted to have higher blood TG and Chol than patients that did not develop chyloperitoneum. In contrast, patients on other antihypertensive agents with matched blood TG and Chol levels had low dialysate TG levels and zero dialysate Chol.

Conclusion

Lercanidipine frequently causes chyloperitoneum in Taiwanese PD patients. The risk of developing this adverse event seems to be related to the blood lipid profile. The mechanism of this phenomenon is worthy of further investigation.

Lercanidipine-induced chyloperitoneum in patients on peritoneal dialysis

OBJECTIVE

Lercanidipine is a lipophilic calcium channel blocker and a widely used antihypertensive agent. However, it can cause chyloperitoneum in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). The incidence, pathophysiology, and clinical impact of these adverse events are not known.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHOD

Patients were screened for use of antihypertensive agents. Those that had taken lercanidipine were identified and dialysate cholesterol (Chol) and triglyceride (TG) levels were checked. Serum levels were taken from the routine biochemistry record closest to the time of the dialysate levels. Dialysate Chol and TG from patients on other antihypertensives and with matched serum lipid profiles were compared.

PATIENTS

14 of 222 patients had taken lercanidipine during February 2005 to January 2006, accounting for 12% of all patients on calcium channel blockers in our PD center.

RESULTS

Of 14 patients prescribed lercanidipine, 8 (57%) developed chyloperitoneum. None had peritonitis and the dialysate was clear under microscopic examination. Mean dialysate TG was 128.4 +/- 133.0 mg/dL and mean dialysate Chol was 18.2 +/- 24.9 mg/dL in patients that developed chyloperitoneum. These patients were also noted to have higher blood TG and Chol than patients that did not develop chyloperitoneum. In contrast, patients on other antihypertensive agents with matched blood TG and Chol levels had low dialysate TG levels and zero dialysate Chol.

CONCLUSION

Lercanidipine frequently causes chyloperitoneum in Taiwanese PD patients. The risk of developing this adverse event seems to be related to the blood lipid profile. The mechanism of this phenomenon is worthy of further investigation.

Curcumin inhibits lung cancer cell invasion and metastasis through the tumor suppressor HLJ1

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is an active component of the spice turmeric and has a diversity of antitumor activities. In this study, we found that curcumin can inhibit cancer cell invasion and metastasis through activation of the tumor suppressor DnaJ-like heat shock protein 40 (HLJ1). Human lung adenocarcinoma cells (CL1-5) treated with curcumin (1-20 mumol/L) showed a concentration-dependent reduction in cell migration, invasion, and metastatic ability, and this was associated with increased HLJ1 expression. Knockdown of HLJ1 expression by siRNA was able to reverse the curcumin-induced anti-invasive and antimetastasis effects in vitro and in vivo. The HLJ1 promoter and enhancer in a luciferase reporter assay revealed that curcumin transcriptionally up-regulates HLJ1 expression through an activator protein (AP-1) site within the HLJ1 enhancer. JunD, one of the AP-1 components, was significantly up-regulated by curcumin (1-20 mumol/L) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Knockdown of JunD expression could partially reduce the curcumin-induced HLJ1 activation and diminish the anti-invasive effect of curcumin, indicating that JunD would seem to be involved in curcumin-induced HLJ1 expression. Curcumin was able to induce c-Jun NH(2)-kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, whereas the JNK inhibitor (SP-600125) could attenuate curcumin-induced JunD and HLJ1 expression. Activation of HLJ1 by curcumin further leads to up-regulation of E-cadherin and a suppression of cancer cell invasion. Our results show that curcumin induces HLJ1, through activation of the JNK/JunD pathway, and inhibits lung cancer cell invasion and metastasis by modulating E-cadherin expression. This is a novel mechanism and supports the application of curcumin in anti-cancer metastasis therapy.