Expression profiles analysis of pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

[Corrected] Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths across the globe and has a poor prognosis.

AIM

To investigate the characteristics of genomic expression profiles of pancreatic cancer and screen differentially expressed genes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using GSE16515 dataset downloaded from GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database, we first screened the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in pancreatic cancer by packages in R language. The key functions of DEGs were investigated by GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment analysis. The potential functionally important SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) was selected from the dbSNP database.

RESULTS

A total of 1270 DEGs were identified. Most of them were predicted to be involved in pancreatic cancer development by sequence variant. Six genes (CDC42, STAT1, RALA, BCL2L1, TGFA, and EGF) were enriched in the known pancreatic cancer pathway. All these six genes had SNP, usually mutation at A/G and C/T point.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide some underlying biomarkers for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

HMGB1 promotes the differentiation of Th17 via up-regulating TLR2 and IL-23 of CD14+ monocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a non-histone nuclear protein that is released extracellulary and has been implicated in autoimmune disease. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signalling is thought to be essential for the inflammatory response and for immune disorders. In recent studies, enhanced HMGB1 and TLR2 expressions have been found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), respectively. The aim of this study is to explore whether HMGB1 stimulation can up-regulate the expression of TLR2 on CD14(+) monocytes from patients with RA and to clarify the subsequent events involving Th17 cells and Th17 cell-associated cytokine changes. Our results showed that the frequency of CD14(+) cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was obviously increased, and enhanced expression of TLR2 on CD14(+) monocytes was also found in patients with RA, compared with healthy controls with statistical significance (P < 0.001). In addition, the levels of IL-17, IL-23 and IL-6 in supernatants from cultured monocytes from patients and in patient's plasma were increased, and NF-κB, the downstream target of TLR2, also showed a marked elevation after monocytes were stimulated by HMGB1. This implies that the enhanced TLR2 pathway and Th17 cell polarization may be due to HMGB1 stimulation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal cancer

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) arising from colorectal cancer (CRC) is generally considered a terminal condition with few treatment options. However, over the past few decades, new chemotherapeutic and biologic agents have improved the median overall survival of patients with unresectable metastatic disease up to 20 months. There has also been emergence of combining cytoreductive surgery (CS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for patients with PC. The literature supporting such an approach is significant, though not extensive, mainly consisting of small single-institution series, one international multicenter retrospective review, and one single-institution prospective randomized trial. Yet, there is remarkable homogeneity among the reported clinical outcomes, demonstrating 5-year OS rates of approximately 25-40% for patients undergoing a complete cytoreduction. These studies have fueled increasing interest in the use of CS and HIPEC for metastatic colorectal cancer over the past decade. However, despite the publication of a consensus statement on the role of CS and HIPEC for PC from CRC, there is still controversy regarding its appropriateness, effectiveness, safety, and application in this subset of patients. In this review we analyze the currently available scientific evidence supporting the clinical application of CS and HIPEC in the treatment of PC of colorectal origin.

Erosive potential of sports beverages

BACKGROUND

Dental erosion is an increasingly prevalent problem in Australia, with the consumption of sports beverages suggested as a risk factor. The aim of this study was to compare the erosive potential of Australian sports beverages.

METHODS

Ten beverages were selected and analysed to determine their pH, titratable acidity and apparent degree of saturation with respect to apatite. The erosive potential of the beverages was measured by human enamel surface loss and surface softening following a 30-minute exposure. A taste testing panel was established to determine the palatability of the sports beverages.

RESULTS

All sports beverages except Sukkie and Endura produced substantial surface loss and surface softening. Compared with the other sports beverages, Sukkie and Endura had a higher pH, lower titratable acidity and higher calcium content. However, Sukkie and Endura were deemed to be less palatable than the other more acidic sports beverages.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of the sports beverages tested produced dental erosion in this in vitro model. However, two new products Sukkie and Endura have lower erosive potential but also lower palatability.

P5-19-07: The Effects of ABCC2 and SLCO1B3 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Docetaxel-Induced Leukopenia in Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose Docetaxel-based combination treatment has known to be effective for breast cancer. Genotyping of ABCC2 and SLCO1B3 were demonstrated determining the risk of docetaxel-induced leucopenia in other ethnic. We designed this phase II trial to evaluate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the two genes association with docetaxel haematological toxicity in chemonaive breast cancer patients of chinese population.

Patients and Methods We selected 45 breast cancer patients who received docetaxel combination chemotherapy, Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and detected polymorphisms in ABCC2 and SLCO1B3.

Results All patients were evaluated for toxicity. 28 patients developed with grade 3 or 4 leukopenia, and 17 with grade 1 or 2 in nadir leukocyte from cycle 1 baseline. The combined analysis indicated a significant association of 9383C/G in ABCC2 (P = 0.002) and 5676A/G in SLCO1B3 (P = 0.005) with docetaxel induced ***leukopenia. Patients homozygous for the variant allele (GG) of SLCO1B3 5676A/G had significantly higher leukopenia compared to patients with AA/AG ***genotypes(P &lt;0.05). Similar trend was observed for ABCC2 (9383C/G) with heterozygotes (CG) having the highest percentage decrease compared to those with CC/GG genotypes(P = 0.06).

Conclusion The study indicating that SNPs in ABCC2 and SLCO1B3 may predict the risk of leukopenia induced by docetaxel chemotherapy in china breast cancer patients.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-19-07.

Use of gene expression profiling to determine prognosis and therapeutic targets for patients with appendiceal carcinoma

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Background: Appendiceal carcinomas are rare neoplasms that often present as peritoneal surface malignancies. The tumors are treated similarly to primary colorectal metastases, despite having different biological environments. The aim of this study is to utilize genomic analyses to understand the underlying biology of appendiceal carcinoma in order to better guide prognosis and therapy.

Methods: Forty-one metastatic human tumors to the peritoneum (26 appendiceal carcinoma, 15 colorectal carcinoma) were subjected to global gene expression analysis. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering was used to differentiate phenotypes based on differential gene expression. Phenotypes were further analyzed to find differences in oncogenic pathway deregulation and findings were validated using gene specific inhibitors in vitro.

Results: Unsupervised hierarchical clustering revealed three distinct phenotypes, two consisting of predominantly low grade appendiceal samples (Cluster 1 and Cluster 2) and one consisting of predominantly colorectal samples (Cluster 3). Cluster 1 consisted of patients with good prognosis and Cluster 2 consisted of patients with poor prognosis (p = 0.046). Further characterization of Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 with oncogenic pathway signatures identified increased deregulation of the EGFR pathway in the poor prognosis cluster. Similarly, colon cancer cell lines with the poor prognosis phenotype were found to be more sensitive to gefitinib (EGFR inhibitor) (p = 0.038).

Conclusions: The use of geneexpression profiling can be used to identify prognosis and novel therapeutic targets for patients with appendiceal carcinoma. These methods can serve as models to understand the biology of appendiceal carcinoma and to assist in the design of future trials for patients with appendiceal cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

In vitro experiments with the triangular flap cutter applied to functional tracheoesophageal shunt for voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy

BACKGROUNDS

Since the introduction and practice of functional tracheoesophageal shunt (FTES) for voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy, patients have often suffered from fistula-related complications such as aspiration, tract stenosis and infection partly as a result of nonstandardized or incorrectly made flap operation. In striving to solve these problems as far as possible, a triangular flap cutter (TFC) was developed to perform the flap operation.

METHODS

Flap operations were performed using a TFC on 10 tracheoesophageal models (pigs) and 10 fresh esophageal models (esophageal cancer patients, with their informed consent) and incision parameters and incision effects were detected.

RESULTS

Perfect triangular flaps were achieved in 18 out of 20 cases using the TFC with minimal peripheral tissue injury (average time, 2-3 min). Of the 2 unsuccessful cases, 1 case exhibited insertion failure and the other experienced flap creation failure due to clinical contraindication for TFC use and insufficient operational skills, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The TFC is a new device, which offers the unique advantage of precise incision for the creation of a flap, with the potential to resolve fistula-related problems and improve operation efficiency.

Accuracy and clinical relevance of computed tomography scan interpretation of peritoneal cancer index in colorectal cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis: a multi-institutional study

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of peritoneal metastases by computed tomography (CT) scans is challenging and has been reported to be inaccurate.

METHODS

A multi-institutional prospective observational registry study of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer was conducted and a subset analysis was performed to examine peritoneal cancer index (PCI) based on CT and intraoperative exploration.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients (mean age 52.6 ± 12.4 years) from 16 institutions were included in this study. Inaccuracies of CT-based assessment of lesion sizes were observed in the RUQ (P = 0.004), LLQ (P < 0.0005), RLQ (P = 0.003), distal jejunum (P = 0.004), and distal ileum (P < 0.0005). When CT-PCI was classified based on the extent of carcinomatosis, 17 cases (33%) were underestimations, of which, 11 cases (21%) were upstaged from low to moderate, 4 cases (8%) were upstaged from low to severe, and 2 cases (4%) were upstaged from moderate to severe. Relevant clinical discordance where an upstage occurred to severe carcinomatosis constituted a true inaccuracy and was observed in six cases (12%).

CONCLUSIONS

The actual clinical impact of inaccuracies of CT-PCI was modest. CT-PCI will remain as a mandatory imaging tool and may be supplemented with other tools including positron emission tomography scan or diagnostic laparoscopy, in the patient selection for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Surface Modification and Planar Defects of Calcium Carbonates by Magnetic Water Treatment

Powdery calcium carbonates, predominantly calcite and aragonite, with planar defects and cation-anion mixed surfaces as deposited on low-carbon steel by magnetic water treatment (MWT) were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and vibration spectroscopy. Calcite were found to form faceted nanoparticles having 3x (01̄14) commensurate superstructure and with well-developed {112̄0} and {101̄4} surfaces to exhibit preferred orientations. Aragonite occurred as laths having 3x (01̄1) commensurate superstructure and with well-developed (01̄1) surface extending along [100] direction up to micrometers in length. The (hkil)-specific coalescence of calcite and rapid lath growth of aragonite under the combined effects of Lorentz force and a precondensation event account for a beneficial larger particulate/colony size for the removal of the carbonate scale from the steel substrate. The coexisting magnetite particles have well-developed {011} surfaces regardless of MWT.

Protein kinase C deficiency-induced alcohol insensitivity and underlying cellular targets in Drosophila

Multiple subtypes of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes are implicated in various neurological disorders including alcohol insensitivity, a trait strongly associated with alcoholism in humans, but molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the PKC activities remain poorly understood. Here we show that functional knockdown of conventional, novel or atypical PKC in the fly nervous system each resulted in alcohol insensitivity. Neuroanatomical mapping of conventional Ca(2+)-sensitive PKC53E activity uncovers a previously uncharacterized role of Drosophila serotonin neurons in alcohol sensitivity. The deficiency of PKC53E but not novel Ca(2+)-independent PKC98E appears to reduce synaptic serotonin levels, since acute inhibition of serotonin reuptake by citalopram and Prozac reversed alcohol insensitivity in flies expressing PKC53E double-stranded RNA in serotonin neurons. Together, findings from this and our previous studies indicate that PKC53E and PKC98E differentially regulate fly alcohol sensitivity through independent modulation of conserved serotonin and neuropeptide Y-like systems.

Modelling of the mitochondrial apoptosis network

In this paper, we performed an experimental observation-based computer simulation of the regulatory network of mitochondrial apoptosis. By modelling we obtained dynamical understandings of various apoptosis-related proteins, including cytochrome c (cyt c) release and caspase activation. Through parameter analysis, we examined the role of Bcl-2 family proteins and the natural inhibitors of apoptosis in the regulatory network of apoptosis. Furthermore, the effects of several amplified loops in the network were found to enhance caspase activation and make the decision of apoptosis switch like. Consistent with most available experimental evidences, our results yield insights into the complex regulatory mechanism of mitochondrial apoptosis.

Clinical course and prognostic factors of clinical early IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is prevalent in many countries including China. At the time of diagnosis many IgAN patients present with normal renal function, proteinuria of 0.4 g/d or less, and normal blood pressure and they are classified as clinically early IgAN patients. However, the natural history of clinically early IgAN and prognostic factors has not yet been clarified.

METHODS

We investigated 177 early IgAN patients (108 males and 69 females) followed up for a mean period of 111 +/- 43 months.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period among 177 clinically early IgAN patients, urinary abnormalities disappeared in 9% of the patients; increased proteinuria was present in 79 patients (46%). The prevalence of hypertension was 38% (68 patients), and 24% (43 patients) developed renal insufficiency. Poor renal outcome was associated with haematuria, urinary protein excretion index (UPEI, the product of urinary protein excretion at the time of renal biopsy and prebiopsy duration), and tubulointerstitial lesions.

CONCLUSION

Renal outcome is dismal in patients with clinically early IgAN. Haematuria, UPEI, and tubulointerstitial lesions could be useful markers of a progressive course.