A new small molecule inhibits Streptococcus mutans biofilms in vitro and in vivo

AIMS

The aim of this study was to identify new small molecules that can inhibit Streptococcus mutans biofilms by in vitro and in vivo model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We evaluated the effect of a small molecule 2-amino-imidazole/triazole conjugate (2-AI/T) on the formation of Strep. mutans biofilms by culturing in 96-well plates. Toxicity was assessed through cell culture and intragastrically administering to mice. The anti-biofilm and anti-caries effects were investigated in vivo. The inhibitive mechanism was detected by isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (itraq) and RT-QPCR. In vitro and in vivo study revealed that 2-AI/T significantly inhibited biofilm formation of Strep. mutans and is more so than inhibiting planktonic cells without toxicity. The ribosome and histidine metabolism pathways of Strep. mutans were significantly regulated by this compound.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the 2-AI/T conjugate is a potent inhibitor that can be potentially developed into a new drug to treat and prevent dental caries.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first study to use small molecule from marine natural products, to protect from dental caries in vivo. It has potential broad range application in clinical caries prevention, or as a bioactive ingredient for food applications.

Chemoradiation for gastric cancer: controversies, updates and novel techniques

The INT0116 trial established the role of adjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) in the multidisciplinary approach to the management of locally advanced gastric cancer. However, whether adjuvant CRT is indispensable for patients undergoing D2 dissection remains undefined. The adjuvant chemoradiation therapy in stomach cancer (ARTIST) trial, which was designed to compare adjuvant chemotherapy to CRT, failed to demonstrate differences in disease-free and overall survival in the whole study group; however, subgroup analysis indicated that patients with lymph node metastasis may benefit from additional radiation. A follow-up ARTIST II trial is currently under way. The efficacy of adjuvant CRT remains controversial because of variation among studies in the inclusion criteria and treatment delivery methods; however, the identification of patients who would benefit from CRT is critical. Advanced radiotherapy techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy protect normal tissues via motion management and decreased radiation-induced toxicity and contribute to plan optimization. Further studies integrating clinical and molecular factors as well as neoadjuvant CRT are warranted.

AT1R A1166C polymorphism and risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension: a meta-analysis of case control studies

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to perform a quantitative review of previous case control studies examining the association between AT1R A1166C polymorphism and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used as measures of effect sizes. Overall effect sizes were derived using a random-effects model or fixed-effects model when appreciated, and stratified by ethnicity. Funnel plots and Egger's regression asymmetry tests were utilized for publication bias detection.

RESULTS

A total of ten articles (including 920 PIH cases and 1408 controls) were included in this meta-analysis. The overall effect sizes (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.54-2.98, p < 0.00001) of additive model indicated PIH patients had a significant higher frequency of allele C. Meanwhile, the OR of the dominant model was 2.22 (95% CI: 1.51-3.26,p < 0.00001) which signified that PIH patients also had a significant higher frequency of AC+CC genotypes. The subgroup analyses were in line with the overall outcomes except the Caucasians PIH patients had a non-significant CA+CC genotypes (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 0.95-1.98, p > 0.05). The Egger's test of additive model (p = 0.451) and dominant model (p = 0.623) revealed no statistical significance for publication bias.

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis suggested that the AT1R Al166C polymorphism was significantly associated with the PIH, especially in Asian subjects.

Synthesis of novel monolithic activated carbons from phenol–urea–formaldehyde resin

Phenol–urea–formaldehyde (PUF) organic foams have been firstly synthesized from phenol–urea–formaldehyde resin under alkaline conditions, which can be used as precursor to produce cellular activated carbon foams.

TRAIL-expressing gingival-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibit tumorigenesis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Recent research has verified that mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow or adipose tissues can migrate toward a variety of tumors. In this study, we explored whether human gingival-derived MSCs (G-MSCs) can migrate toward tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and evaluated the antitumor effect of engineered G-MSCs in expressing and delivering the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). An in vitro cell migration assay with Transwell plates showed that human G-MSCs can migrate toward TSCC cell lines (Tca8113 and Cal27). Then, human G-MSCs, as a type of cell-based vehicle, were transduced with full-length TRAIL and enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter genes by the lentivirus (LV) system (G-MSCs with full-length TRAIL; G-MSCFLT). Tca8113 and Cal27 were co-cultured with G-MSCFLT, respectively, to evaluate the function of G-MSCFLT on tumor cells in vitro. This resulted in G-MSCFLT's inducing a great number of tumor cell necrosis and apoptosis. Meanwhile, in vivo antitumor assays were performed by administering G-MSCFLT to nude mice locally and systematically (mixed injection with tumor cells and tail vein injection). This showed that G-MSCFLT can reduce or even inhibit TSCC growth regardless of the method of administration, especially when the mixed injection of tumor cells and G-MSCFLT was at a ratio of 1:1, which showed no tumor formation. Furthermore, this verified that G-MSCFLT migrated toward TSCC in quantity. These data emphasize the effectiveness of G-MSCs as a vehicle for cell-based gene therapy and the antitumor activity of TRAIL-expressing G-MSCs.

Giant delayed pseudo-aneurysm following screw placement in C1 lateral mass

We report the case of a patient who suffered iatrogenic vertebral artery injury (VAI) during a cervical spine posterior fixation procedure. The patient suffered massive bleeding and hemorrhagic shock at the time of screws placement in C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle. The postoperative MRI and CT angiography showed a pseudoaneurysm 7.0 cm in diameter in the cervical spine. The iatrogenic VAI during posterior screw fixation is extremely rare. But, it can cause catastrophic consequences. We discuss the causes for the iatrogenic VAI and review the preventative measures and suitable management to avoid iatrogenic complications.

Module function and two-way clustering analysis of Epstein-Barr virus-related nasopharyngeal cancer

This study sought to identify and characterize the function of genes as diagnostic markers for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). The gene expression profile of GSE13597 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, which included 28 EBV-related NPC gene expression profile data sets, 25 disease samples, and 3 control samples. Data were pre-processed, and differentially expressed genes were screened using the R language. The co-expression coefficient was calculated to construct a co-expression network using Cytoscape. ClusterONE was used to perform module analysis to find enriched gene families. The BiCAT software was used to perform a two-way clustering analysis of differentially expressed gene expression profiles based on the co-expression networks and to verify the enriched gene families, followed by functional enrichment analysis of these gene families. The MCM gene family was found to be enriched in EBV-related NPC. This gene family is essential for eukaryotic DNA replication. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes in the co-expression network revealed that the enriched biological processes and pathways were mainly involved in the cell cycle. EBV-related NPC is likely associated mainly with the process of cell reproduction, providing a strong basis for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of EBV-related NPC and a direction for targeted chemotherapy.

Abstract P1-08-26: Hypertension and phosphorylated vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 are potential independent predictive factors for progession-free survival in apatinib-treated advanced breast cancer

Background: Apatinib, one specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets the VEGF receptor 2 was assessed in patients with advanced breast cancer. This substudy was to explore potential predictive and prognostic factors for apatinib-treated breast cancer.

Method: 80 patients were enrolled and received a starting dose of apatinib 750 or 500 mg/d in 4-week cycles. Efficacy was assessed according to RECIST 1.1 criteria, toxicity was graded based on the CTC adverse events version 4.0. The analyzed factors included patient-related factors, such as age; tumor-related factors, such as circulating biomarkers determined by multiplex cytokine assay and phosphorylated VEGFR2 by immunostaining; and treatment-related factors, such as adverse events. Cox Proportional Hazard model and Logistic test were performed as multivariate analysis to define the independent prognostic factors.

Result: Median PFS was 3.84 months, OS 10.64 months, with 17.5% of objective response rate.

Table 1. Efficacy summary No.PFS(months) 95% CIOS(months) 95% CIORR(%)CBR(%)Total803.84 (2.66, 5.03)10.64 (8.55, 12.73)17.537.5TNBC604.30 (2.83, 5.77)9.23 (5.69, 12.77)2041.67non-TNBC203.34 (2.05, 4.63)10.66 (10.38, 10.95)1025P value 0.2110.6700.4990.286

The most frequent adverse events were hypertension (66.3% for all grades, 17.5% for grade 3/4), hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR, 62.5% for all grades, 20% for grade 3/4), and proteinuria (61.3% for all grades, 7.5% for grade 3/4). According to univariate analysis, longer PFS was correlated with hypertension (p = 0.011), HFSR (p = 0.018), post-menopause (p = 0.021), less previous chemotherapy (p = 0.021), higher drug trough concentration (p = 0.025), and higher baseline serum sVEGFR2 (p = 0.031). Median PFS was 6.60 and 2.00 m in patients with higher and lower p-VEGFR2 expressions (p = 0.001). According to multivariate regression analysis, hypertension (p = 0.038; HR, 0.583, 95% CI 0.351 - 0.969) and p-VEGFR2 expression level (p = 0.013; HR, 0.404, 95% CI 0.198 - 0.826) were independent predictive factors of PFS.

Table 2. Summary of univariate analysisFactorsHR (95% CI)Hypertension, with / without0.4856(0.2794 - 0.8442)Hand-foot skin reaction, with / without0.5337(0.3178-0.8963)Proteinuria, with / without0.7887(0.4896-1.270)Fatigue, with / without0.6540 (0.4113-1.040)Age ≥ 60y / &lt; 60y0.5591(0.3101-1.008)Menstruation status, pre / post0.5321(0.3111- 0.9102)ECOG = 0 / ECOG = 10.8989(0.5688-1.421)TNBC / non-TNBC0.6904(0.3863-1.234)DFI ≥ 12m / &lt; 12m0.7114(0.4436-1.141)Visceral metastasis, yes / no0.7999(0.4800-1.333)No. of metastasis site, ≥ 3 / &lt; 31.276(0.7773-2.096)Lines of prior chemothyrapy, ≥ 2 / &lt; 21.792(1.094-2.935)Tumor markers, elevated / normal1.437(0.8507-2.426)sVEGFR2, high / low0.4111(0.1829-0.9239)VEGFR2, high / low0.5112(0.2243-1.165)p-VEGFR2, high / low0.2544(0.1117-0.5796)Hazard ratios for each factor

Conclusion: Apatinib showed substantial antitumor activity in patients with heavy-pretreated advanced breast cancer with manageable toxicity. Hypertension and p-VEGFR2 were independent predictive factors for PFS in apatinib-treated advanced breast cancer, and significantly correlated to higher CBR.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P1-08-26.

Long term ketamine and ketamine plus alcohol toxicity - what can we learn from animal models?

This review addressed the adverse effects of the frequently-used recreational drug, ketamine through using mice and monkey models. Our laboratory has documented initially that ketamine can induce the formation of hyperphosphorlated tau (hypertau), which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), in the cerebral cortex of both mice and monkeys as well as apoptosis in neurons in these species. Besides the cerebral cortex, other centers in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) are also influenced by ketamine. Cerebellum was found to be down-regulated in both mice and humans after long-term of ketamine administration and it was caused by the apoptosis of Purkinje cells. Deleterious effects in other organs reported in long-term ketamine users include of kidney dysfunction leading to proteinuria, fibrosis of the urinary bladder and reduction in size of the urinary bladder leading to frequent urination, increase of liver fibrosis and cardiac problems such as premature ventricular beats. Moreover, ketamine is usually co-administrated with other chemicals such as caffeine or alcohol. It has been reported increased harmful effects when ketamine was used in combination with the above substances. Mechanisms of damages of ketamine might be due to 1) up-regulation of NMDA receptors leading to overestimation of glutamatergic system or 2) the metabolite of ketamine which was a hydroquinone exerted toxicity.

Loss of cell adhesion molecule CHL1 improves homeostatic adaptation and survival in hypoxic stress

Close homologue of L1 (CHL1) is a transmembrane cell adhesion molecule that is critical for brain development and for the maintenance of neural circuits in adults. Recent studies revealed that CHL1 has diverse roles and is involved in the regulation of recovery after spinal cord injury. CHL1 expression was downregulated in the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, and brain stem after the induction of acute hypoxia (AH). In the current study, we sought to address the role of CHL1 in regulating homeostasis responses to hypoxia using CHL1-knockout (CHL1^−/−) mice. We found that, compared with wild-type littermates, CHL1^−/− mice showed a dramatically lower mortality rate and an augmented ventilatory response after they were subjected to AH. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that CHL1 was expressed in the carotid body (CB), the key oxygen sensor in rodents, and CHL1 expression level in the CB as assayed by western blot was decreased after hypoxic exposure. The number of glomus cells and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (a marker for glomus cells) in the CB of CHL1^−/− mice appeared to be increased compared with CHL1^+/+ mice. In addition, in the ex vivo CB preparation, hypoxia induced a significantly greater afferent nerve discharge in CHL1^−/− mice compared with CHL1^+/+ mice. Furthermore, the arterial blood pressure and plasma catecholamine levels of CHL1^−/− mice were also significantly higher than those of CHL1^+/+ mice. Our findings first demonstrate that CHL1 is a novel intrinsic factor that is involved in CB function and in the ventilatory response to AH.

Serum biomarkers analyzed by LC-MS/MS as predictors for short outcome of non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy

PURPOSE

To find potential serum biomakers that can predict clinical outcome upon treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by analyzing differential proteins in serum with different sensitivity of chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sera were collected from 37 NSCLC patients before they were treated with concurrent cisplatin-based CRT. According to the outcome of CRT, the patients were divided into sensitive group and resistant one. The proteins in sera were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis after the high abundance proteins were removed from sera. The significantly differentially expressed proteins between two groups were analyzed by liquid chromatography and tendem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Then, an additional 50 serum samples were used for ELISA analysis to validate the identified proteins that we got in the experiment.

RESULTS

Proteins in sera of each group were successfully separated on 2D gels. There were significant discrepancies in serum protein expression between NSCLC patients with different CRT sensitivity. Among eight differently expressed proteins, six proteins were successfully identified with five of which higher expressed and one lower expressed in resistant group. The increased Alpha-1-antitrypsin (α1-AT) level in resistant group comparing to sensitive one were validated by ELISA analysis (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Proteomic approach may serve as a useful method in detecting the potential biomarkers for predicting the outcome of treatment in NSCLC patients. NSCLC patients with high α1-AT level in serum before CRT may have a worse treatment outcome.

BioAggregate and iRoot BP Plus optimize the proliferation and mineralization ability of human dental pulp cells

AIM

To investigate the cytotoxicity of BioAggregate and iRoot BP Plus root canal sealer (iRoot BP Plus) to human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) and their effect on proliferation and mineralization of hDPCs and to compare their performance with that of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).

METHODOLOGY

Human dental pulp cells were seeded onto the prepared BioAggregate, iRoot BP Plus and MTA, respectively. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 cell proliferation kit on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. ALP activity was measured to evaluate the cell differentiation potential on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. The expression of odontoblastic differentiation-related genes (dentine phosphoprotein, dentine matrix protein-1 and osteocalcin) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Statistical tests used were one-way anova and post hoc Tukey's test.

RESULTS

The proliferation of hDPCs in the MTA group was suppressed throughout the culture period, whereas the BioAggregate group and the iRoot BP Plus group first significantly increased cell numbers on day 1 (P < 0.01) and then decreased on day 3 to day 7. ALP activity was enhanced in all the three groups from day 3, whilst iRoot BP Plus showed significantly higher ALP activity than MTA (P < 0.01). qRT-PCR indicated that both BioAggregate and iRoot BP Plus groups were associated with a higher upregulation of mineralization and odontoblastic differentiation-associated gene expressions as compared to MTA group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

BioAggregate and iRoot BP Plus were nontoxic and able to induce mineralization and odontoblastic differentiation-associated gene expression in hDPCs.

Secondary degeneration detected by combining voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics in subcortical strokes with different outcomes in hand function

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Secondary degeneration of the pyramidal tract after focal motor pathway stroke has been observed by diffusion tensor imaging. However, the relationships between outcomes in hand function and secondary degeneration in widespread regions are not well understood. For the first time, we investigated the differences of secondary degeneration across the whole brain between subgroups of patients with stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We selected 23 patients who had a subcortical stroke in the left motor pathway and displayed only motor deficits. The patients were divided into 2 subgroups: CPH (11 patients) and PPH (12 patients). Twelve healthy controls matched for age and handedness were also recruited. We used both optimized VBM and TBSS to explore differences of FA across the whole brain between CPH and PPH. Furthermore, ROI analysis was carried out in the identified regions detected by VBM analysis to further quantify the degree of secondary degeneration in the CPH and PPH and compare these with healthy controls.

RESULTS

Compared with PPH, FA was significantly decreased in the CPH in widespread regions of the motor system remote from the primary lesion, including the ipsilesional brain stem, medial frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, supplementary motor area, and contralesional postcentral gyrus. In addition, FA within these identified regions correlated with Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores (hand+wrist).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests a potential biomarker for outcome differences in hand function after subcortical stroke.

Reduced regional gray matter volume in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a voxel-based morphometry study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Decreased oxygen supply may cause neuronal damage in the brains of patients with COPD, which is manifested by clinical symptoms such as neuropsychological deficits and mood disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate brain gray matter change in COPD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using voxel-based morphometry based on the high-resolution 3D T1-weighted MR images of GM volume, we investigated 25 stable patients with COPD and 25 matching healthy volunteers. A battery of neuropsychological tests was also performed.

RESULTS

Patients with COPD (versus controls) showed reduced GM volume in the frontal cortex (bilateral gyrus rectus, bilateral orbital and inferior triangular gyri, and left medial superior gyrus), right anterior insula, cingulate cortex (left anterior and middle gyri, right middle gyrus), right thalamus/pulvinar, right caudate, right putamen, right parahippocampus, and left amygdala. In COPD, in some of these regions, regional GM volume had positive correlations with arterial blood po(2), while in some regions, regional GM volume had negative correlations with disease duration. Patients with COPD (versus controls) had poorer performance in the Mini-Mental State Examination, Visual Reproduction, and Figure Memory tests. Moreover, the GM volume in the inferior triangular frontal cortex in patients with COPD was significantly correlated with the Picture Memory score.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest GM reductions in a number of brain regions in COPD, which were associated with disease severity and may underlie the pathophysiologic and psychological changes in patients with COPD.