miR-31 regulates interleukin 2 and kinase suppressor of ras 2 during T cell activation

MicroRNA (miRNA) has an important role as a master regulator of gene expression in immune system and is upregulated during T cell differentiation, however its function is not clear yet. In this study, the contribution of miR-31 in T cell activation was investigated. miR-31 was upregulated during the activation of primary T lymphocytes upon T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. Ectopic expression of miR-31 increased the expression of interleukin (IL)-2, while knockdown of endogenous miR-31 decreased the IL-2 expression. To gain more insights into the regulatory mechanism, we performed a bioinformatic analysis and found miR-31 potentially targeted kinase suppressor of ras 2 (KSR2), a repression factor of Ras2 kinase. Using reporter gene and western blotting assays, we confirmed that miR-31 could inhibit KSR2 by directly targeting its 3' untranslated region (UTR). Moreover, miR-31 enhanced nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) activity in Jurkat T cells, and increased transcription activity of IL-2 promoter in primary T cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that miR-31 upregulated IL-2 expression via reduction of its up-stream kinase suppressor, KSR2, and is a component of T cell activation.

A suppository for treating cervical erosion and its preparation method

OBJECTIVE

To study a suppository for treating cervical erosion, its preparation method, and to observe its therapeutic effect on cervical erosion in animal models.

METHODS

Twenty rats were divided into five groups: blank control group, model group, and three different therapeutic concentration groups. Phenol slurry was injected through the vagina to create cervical erosion animal models. After seven days of drug treatment, the difference of cervical histopathology was observed and compared between different groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the model group showed obvious cervical erosion, inflammatory cell infiltration, vascular dilatation, and congestion. Among the administration group, the high administration group had the least inflammation and cell infiltration in the mucous membrane.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant effect of therapeutic drugs in rats with cervical erosion, which is related to the concentration of drugs.

Gankyrin promotes breast cancer cell metastasis by regulating Rac1 activity

Tumor metastasis is responsible for most cancer patients' deaths. Understanding the mechanism of metastasis is crucial for improving the cure rate for cancer. Here, we report that Gankyrin, a chaperone of ubiquitin-proteasome, has an essential role in breast cancer metastasis. We find that Gankyrin is highly overexpressed in human breast cancers and the expression correlates strongly with lymph node metastasis. Knocking down Gankyrin expression in highly metastatic human breast cancer cells significantly decreases cancer cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that depletion of Gankyrin inhibits intrinsic Rac1 activity and induces large focal adhesions. Overexpression of Gankyrin accelerates focal adhesion turnover and increases cell migration. Notably, reduction of Gankyrin expression in mouse mammary tumor cell significantly decreases tumor metastasis to lung in animal models. Therefore, our findings suggest that Gankyrin is crucial for breast cancer metastasis and highlight the potential of Gankyrin as a therapeutic target for tumor metastasis.

Right lobe living-donor liver transplantation with or without middle hepatic vein: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare outcomes after right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with or without the middle hepatic vein (MHV).

METHODS

Studies were identified through a computerized search of Pubmed, Embase, Ovid, the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Library database, and the Web of Science. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of each study and abstracted outcome data. We extracted data for liver functional recovery in donors, donor hospital stay, donor complications and liver functional recovery in recipients. We synthesized published data using random-effects and fixed-effect models, expressing results as weighted mean differences (WMD) or relative risk (RR).

RESULTS

The 11 included eligible studies came from medical centers worldwide. Significant differences between "with MHV" versus "without MHV" groups were not observed for liver functional recovery (P=.08; WMD=-2.88), donor hospital stay (P=.00; WMD=0.00), or donor complications (P=.90; RR=1.02). However, our meta-analysis showed a significant benefit for recipients liver functional recovery favoring the MHV group (P=.02; WMD=-33.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis discovered that right lobes with MHV not only experienced better liver functional recovery in recipients, but also caused no greater harm or risk to donors.

OT3-01-11: A Randomized, Phase II Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Evaluating MetMAb and/or Bevacizumab in Combination with Weekly Paclitaxel in Patients with Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Background

Dysregulation of the HGF/Met pathway has been associated with tumorigenesis in many malignancies, including the basal sub-type of triple-negative breast cancer. MetMAb (RG3638) is a recombinant, humanized, monovalent monoclonal antibody directed against Met. By binding to the extracellular domain of Met, MetMAb selectively blocks ligand binding and subsequent activation by HGF. Pre-clinical data support the efficacy of combining MetMAb with numerous chemotherapy agents and with targeted agents including bevacizumab and erlotinib. In clinic, MetMAb has been generally well tolerated as a single agent (Phase I), in combination with bevacizumab (Phase Ib) and with bevacizumab in a dose escalation/expansion study (Phase Ib)1 as well as in combination with erlotinib in patients with previously treated NSCLC2. The combination of MetMAb + erlotinib in NSCLC demonstrated significant benefit in both PFS and OS in patients with Met diagnostic positive tumors whereas those patients with Met diagnostic negative tumors demonstrated a detrimental effect in both PFS and OS. The most commonly reported adverse events associated with MetMAb are peripheral edema and fatigue.

Methods: This clinical trial is a randomized three-arm Phase II study in patients with triple-negative metastatic breast cancer, which makes up the majority of basal sub-type breast cancer. Patients will be randomized (1:1:1) to either paclitaxel + bevacizumab + placebo; paclitaxel + placebo + MetMAb; or paclitaxel + bevacizumab + MetMAb. The primary endpoint of this study is PFS in all patients and by Met diagnostic status. Secondary endpoints include an evaluation of OS, ORR, safety, and pharmacokinetics. To date, 11 patients have been enrolled, and 10 patients have been treated.

Primary and secondary analyses will include all randomized patients, with patients analyzed according to the treatment arm to which they were assigned. Kaplan-Meier methodology will be used to estimate the median PFS for each treatment arm. An estimate of the HR with 95% CI will be determined using a Cox regression model with an indicator variable for the MetMAb-containing arm. Safety will be assessed through summaries of adverse events and will include all patients who receive any amount of study treatment.

This study remains open for accrual; further details on the trial can be found on the ClinicalTrials.gov website under NCT01186991.

1. Moss et al, In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2–6; Orlando, FL; AACR 2011 (abstr 4717).

2. Spigel et al, J Clin Oncol 29:2011 (suppl; abstr 7505).

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr OT3-01-11.

The new P2Y-like receptor G protein-coupled receptor 17 mediates acute neuronal injury and late microgliosis after focal cerebral ischemia in rats

G protein-coupled receptor 17 (GPR17), the new P2Y-like receptor, is phylogenetically related to the P2Y and cysteinyl leukotriene receptors, and responds to both uracil nucleotides and cysteinyl leukotrienes. GPR17 has been proposed to be a damage sensor in ischemic stroke; however, its role in brain inflammation needs further detailed investigation. Here, we extended previous studies on the spatiotemporal profiles of GPR17 expression and localization, and their implications for brain injury after focal cerebral ischemia. We found that in the ischemic core, GPR17 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated at both 12-24 h and 7-14 days, but in the boundary zone the levels increased 7-14 days after reperfusion. The spatiotemporal pattern of GPR17 expression well matched the acute and late (subacute/chronic) responses in the ischemic brain. According to previous findings, in the acute phase, after ischemia (24 h), upregulated GPR17 was localized in injured neurons in the ischemic core and in a few microglia in the ischemic core and boundary zone. In the late phase (14 days), it was localized in microglia, especially in activated (ED1-positive) microglia in the ischemic core, but weakly in most microglia in the boundary zone. No GPR17 was detectable in astrocytes. GPR17 knockdown by a small interfering RNA attenuated the neurological dysfunction, infarction, and neuron loss at 24 h, and brain atrophy, neuron loss, and microglial activation at 14 days after reperfusion. Thus, GPR17 might mediate acute neuronal injury and late microgliosis after focal cerebral ischemia.

Aspergillus spondylodiscitis in solid organ transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Transplantation practices have had a significant effect on the epidemiology of invasive Aspergillosis. Aspergillus spondylodiscitis is rare in transplant recipients. The optimal treatment has yet to be defined because of the rarity of such cases. This article reviews the available literature on Aspergillus spondylodiscitis in solid organ transplant recipients and provides recommendations on its management.

METHODS

We identified 15 cases of Aspergillus spondylodiscitis in transplant recipients. Most patients were heart transplant recipients. Back pain was the mode of presentation in all patients. Most cases were afebrile. The dominant location was the lumbar spine.

RESULTS

Aspergillus fumigatus was responsible for 84.62% of cases and A flavus for 15.38%. The overall recovery rate was 66.67%. Delay in diagnosis remained a major impediment to the successful treatment of spinal aspergillosis. Treatment included antifungal therapy alone or combined with surgery. Initial therapy with voriconazole could lead to better curative effects.

CONCLUSION

Combined medical and operative interventions are recommended for treatment.

Patterns of progression in patients with recurrent glioblastoma treated with bevacizumab

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated patterns of tumor progression in patients with recurrent glioblastoma who were treated with bevacizumab (BEV) alone or in combination with irinotecan (CPT-11) while participating in the BRAIN study.

METHODS

An independent neuroradiologist reviewed MRI scans at baseline and progression in patients who received BEV (n = 85) or BEV+CPT-11 (n = 82) while on BRAIN. Tumor patterns were scored as local, distant, diffuse, or multifocal. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Hazard ratios for PFS and OS were estimated using a Cox regression model.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight percent of patients who participated in BRAIN had nonlocal disease at baseline (72% local disease). Sixty-seven (79%) patients treated with single-agent BEV and 57 (70%) patients treated with BEV+CPT-11 experienced disease progression while on BRAIN. Most patients in each treatment group did not have a change in the radiographic pattern of their tumor (i.e., "no shift") at the time of progression. The proportion of BEV patients with no shift (82%) was greater than that of BEV+CPT-11 patients (53%, χ(2) p = 0.0004), and a greater proportion of BEV+CPT-11 patients (39%) compared with BEV patients (16%) experienced local-to-diffuse tumor pattern at progression (χ(2) p = 0.002). Patients treated with BEV or BEV+CPT-11 who had local-to-local or local-to-diffuse progression patterns had similar efficacy outcomes, including objective response, PFS, and OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients treated with BEV or BEV+CPT-11 on BRAIN did not experience a change from baseline in radiographic characteristics of disease at the time of progression.

Strong impact of acute kidney injury on survival after liver transplantation

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In an evaluation of Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria in liver transplanted patients, we retrospectively analyzed the usefulness of these criteria to predict survival of 193 consecutive patients at a single center who underwent primary OLT for clinical parameters and peak AKI. Postoperative AKI according to AKIN occurred in 60.1% of the patients, namely, stages 1, 2, and 3 in 30%, 13% and 17.1% respectively. Using multivariate logistic regression, AKIN stage 1 and 2 AKI were independently associated with the pre-OLT Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and age, while stage 3 AKI was independently associated with MELD and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores. The 28-day and 1-year mortality post-OLT of AKI patients were 15.5% and 25.9% respectively compared with 0% and 3.9% among non-AKI patients (P < .05 for both). The survival rates of non-AKI and stages 1, 2, and 3 AKI subjects were 96%, 85.5%, 84%, and 45.3%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed independent risk factors for mortality during the first year after transplantation to include post-OLT AKI (12.1; P < .05), post-OLT infection (HR 4.7; P < .01), pre-OLT hypertension (HR 4.4; P < .01) hazard ratio [HR] and post-OLT APACHE II ≥10 (HR 3.6; P < .05). We concluded that AKI as defined by the AKIN criteria is a major complication of OLT linked to a poor outcomes. It remains to be evaluated whether aggressive perioperative therapy to prevent AKI can improve survival among OLT patients.

Mortality before or during treatment among tuberculosis patients in North Carolina, 1993-2003

SETTING

North Carolina, United States.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the demographic and behavioral risk factors associated with death among tuberculosis (TB) patients in North Carolina.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort of all TB patients reported in North Carolina, 1993-2003 (inclusive). A surveillance dataset based upon Report of Verified Case of Tuberculosis (RVCT) records was cross-linked with the National Death Index (NDI) to confirm date of death and capture additional deaths.

RESULTS

Among 5311 TB patients, 181 died before initiation of TB treatment, and 540 died before completion of TB treatment. Increasing age, miliary/meningeal disease, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were associated with increased risk of death before treatment, during early treatment (initial 8 weeks) and later in TB treatment. In addition to these factors, excess alcohol use (HR 1.62, 95%CI 1.13-2.32) and residence in a nursing home (HR 1.65, 95%CI 1.20-2.29) were associated with a significantly increased risk of death during the first 8 weeks of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Many of the deaths in TB patients occurred in the most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or those with HIV infection, and may be attributable to delayed diagnosis and poor functional status.

Nanostructured lipid carriers as novel carrier for sunscreen formulations

Incorporation of sunscreens into lipid carriers with an increased sun protection factor (SPF) has not yet been fully accomplished. In the present paper, the effectiveness of a sunscreen mixture, incorporated into the novel topical delivery systems, i.e. solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), used as ultraviolet (UV) protector enhancers with a distinctly higher loading capacity has been developed and evaluated. SLN and NLC were produced by hot high pressure homogenization technique in lab scale production. Size distribution and storage stability of formulations were investigated by laser diffractometry and photon correlation spectroscopy. Nanoparticles were characterized by their melting and recrystallization behaviour recorded by differential scanning calorimetry. Lipid nanoparticles produced with a solid matrix (SLN and NLC) were established as a UV protection system. The loading capacities for molecular sunscreens reported before now were in the range of 10-15%. It was possible to load NLC with up to 70% with molecular sunscreen, which is appropriate to obtain high SPFs with this novel UV protection system. The developed formulations provide a beneficial alternative to conventional sunscreen formulations. The UV protective efficacy of the lipid particles varied with the nature of lipid and UV wavelength.

Permanent Genetic Resources added to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 February 2010-31 March 2010

This article documents the addition of 228 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Anser cygnoides, Apodemus flavicollis, Athene noctua, Cercis canadensis, Glis glis, Gubernatrix cristata, Haliotis tuberculata, Helianthus maximiliani, Laricobius nigrinus, Laricobius rubidus, Neoheligmonella granjoni, Nephrops norvegicus, Oenanthe javanica, Paramuricea clavata, Pyrrhura orcesi and Samanea saman. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Apodemus sylvaticus, Laricobius laticollis and Laricobius osakensis (a proposed new species currently being described).

BmHrp28 is a RNA-binding protein that binds to the female-specific exon 4 of Bombyx mori dsx pre-mRNA

The Bombyx mori sex determination gene Bmdsx is alternatively spliced in the male and female to produce the male- and female-specific proteins. In an effort to better understand the mechanism of the alternative splicing regulation of Bmdsx, we conducted a gel-shift assay followed by LC-MS/MS analysis to identify the putative proteins bound to the cis-element CE1+6 in the exon 4 of Bmdsx. A protein named as BmHrp28 which is homologous to the Drosophila Hrp48, a member of the hnRNPA/B family, was identified and expressed in Escherichia coli for testing RNA-protein binding in vitro. All of the results showed that BmHrp28 specifically bound to the CE1+6 RNA probe. BmHrp28 has two RNA recognition motifs at the N-terminal and a glycine-rich motif at the C-terminal. It might be one of the factors involved in the male-specific splicing of Bmdsx.

Immunoglobulin superfamily is conserved but evolved rapidly and is active in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) proteins are known for their abilities to specifically recognize and adhere to cells. In this paper, we predicted the presence of 133 IgSF proteins in the silkworm (Bombyx mori) genome. Comparison with similar proteins in other model organisms (Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Anopheles gambiae, Apis mellifera and Homo sapiens) indicated that IgSF proteins are conserved but have rapidly evolved from worms to human beings. However, these proteins are well conserved amongst insects. Silkworm microarray-based expression data showed tissue expression of 57 IgSF genes and microbe-induced differential expression of 37 genes. Based on the expression data, we can conclude that the silkworm IgSF is active.

Preparation of All-Trans Retinoic Acid Nanosuspensions Using a Modified Precipitation Method

All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) nanosuspensions were prepared with a modified precipitation method. The ATRA solution in acetone was injected into pure water by an air compressor under the action of ultrasonication. Photon correlation spectroscopy results showed that the mean particle size of ATRA nanoparticles in nanosuspensions reduced from 337 nm to 155 nm as the injection velocity increased and the polydispersity index was 0.45-0.50. The morphology of ATRA nanoparticles varied with the different concentration of ATRA solution in acetone. ATRA nanoparticles showed an amorphous state and stable in 6 months. It could be concluded that this modified precipitation method could produce stable and controllable ATRA nanosuspension to a certain extent, thus benefit for higher saturation solubility.

Metabolic activation of retronecine and retronecine N-oxide – formation of DHP-derived DNA adducts

We have previously reported that metabolism of a series of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in vitro and in vivo generated a set of (+/−)6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP)-derived DNA adducts. It has also been shown that the levels of the DHP-derived DNA adduct formation correlated closely with the tumorigenic potencies of the mice fed with different doses of riddelliine. Retronecine is the necine base and the structurally smallest chemical of the retronecine-type pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Although it has been reported that microsomal metabolism of retronecine generated DHP as a metabolite, it was yet not known whether metabolism of retronecine in vivo could generate DHP-derived DNA adducts and if formed, whether or not the levels of DNA adducts were comparable with those formed from the other tumorigenic retronecine-type pyrrolizidine alkaloids, such as riddelliine, retrorsine, and monocrotaline. In this investigation, the in-vitro and in-vivo metabolic activation of retronecine was studied. Rat liver microsomal metabolism of retronecine in the presence of calf thymus DNA resulted in the formation of a set of DHP–DNA adducts. The metabolism of retronecine N-oxide under similar conditions also formed the similar set of DHP–DNA adducts. The level of DNA adducts from retronecine was enhanced when metabolism by liver microsomes from phenobarbital (PB)-induced rats were used. The DHP–DNA adducts were also found in the liver DNA of female F344 rats treated with retronecine or retronecine N-oxide. The highest level of the total DHP–DNA adducts was found in liver DNA from the rats treated with dehydroretronecine (DHR). The order of the levels of DNA adducts in the liver DNA samples from rats treated with various pyrrolizidine alkaloids was: DHR > riddelliine > riddelliine N-oxide >> retronecine > retronecine N-oxide. The results indicate that 1) retronecine can be metabolized to form DHP by rat liver microsomal enzymes and interacts with DNA to produce DHP–DNA adducts and 2) retronecine N-oxide undergoes the biotransformation to the parent compound, retronecine. The results from this and our previous findings strongly suggest that formation of DHP–DNA adducts may be a potential biomarker for pyrrolizidine alkaloid carcinogenesis.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of 3-phenyl-2-thio-quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide derivatives in hypoxia and in normoxia

A series of novel 3-phenyl-2-ethylthio/ethylsulfinyl/ethylsulfonyl/phenylthio/ phenylsulfonyl-quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide derivatives were synthesized and screened for their cytotoxicity in vitro on human leukaemia cell line HL-60, human esophagus cancer cell line ECA-109, human prostate cancer cell line PC-3, human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC-7901, and human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 in hypoxia and in normoxia. Half of tested compounds showed higher cytotoxic activity both in hypoxia and in normoxia. The mechanism of one potent compound, 67, in hypoxia showed that the mitochondria pathway is involved in the antitumor activity of this class of compounds.