Thermoluminescence responses of terbium-doped magnesium orthosilicate with different synthesis conditions

Numerous materials have been proposed for thermoluminescence dosemeter, and the example of highest sensitivity is cited as magnesium orthosilicate doped with terbium (Mg2SiO4:Tb). Nevertheless, the material is currently not commercially attractive because the sensitivity varies greatly with synthesis techniques. This is a multi-parameter problem, and the current work explores some of the conditions required to consistently enhance the response. These new results show that to get a high TL response, Mg2SiO4:Tb should be prepared at a high temperature of at least 1500°C, for sintering times of several hours. In the current example, the optimum time was 6 h. Signals also vary with the terbium activator concentration, and good responses were achieved with a concentration of Tb at 5 wt %. Overall, this suggests that with careful preparation, the potentially high dosimetry performance might be exploited. The inherent problem of concentration quenching is considered, and the potential benefits of processing the powder with pulse laser annealing are reviewed in the light of successful luminescence and laser studies for rare-earth-doped laser materials.

Inhibition of eIF2α dephosphorylation enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an inducer of cancer cell death that holds promise in cancer therapy. Cancer cells are more susceptible than normal cells to the cell-death-inducing effects of TRAIL. However, a variety of cancer cells are resistant to TRAIL through complex mechanisms. Here, we investigate the effects of inhibition of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 subunit α (eIF2α) dephosphorylation on TRAIL-induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells. Treatment of hepatoma cells with salubrinal, an inhibitor of eIF2α dephosphorylation, enhances TRAIL-induced eIF2α phosphorylation, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) expression and caspase activation. Salubrinal enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis, which could be abrogated by caspase inhibitor. Overexpression of phosphomimetic eIF2α (S51D) enhances TRAIL-induced CHOP expression, caspase 7 and PARP cleavage and apoptosis. By contrast, overexpression of phosphodeficient eIF2α (S51A) abrogates the stimulation of TRAIL-induced apoptosis by salubrinal. Moreover, knockdown of growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 34 (GADD34), which recruits protein phosphatase 1 to dephosphorylate eIF2α, enhances TRAIL-induced eIF2α phosphorylation, CHOP expression, caspase activation and apoptosis. Furthermore, the sensitization of hepatoma cells to TRAIL by salubrinal is dependent on CHOP. Knockdown of CHOP abrogates the stimulation of TRAIL-induced caspase activation and apoptosis by salubrinal. Combination of salubrinal and TRAIL leads to increased expression of Bim, a CHOP-regulated proapoptotic protein. Bim knockdown blunts the stimulatory effect of salubrinal on TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Collectively, these findings suggest that inhibition of eIF2α dephosphorylation may lead to synthetic lethality in TRAIL-treated hepatoma cells.

Search for dark matter in events with a hadronically decaying W or Z boson and missing transverse momentum in pp collisions at √s=8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search is presented for dark matter pair production in association with a W or Z boson in pp collisions representing 20.3  fb(-1) of integrated luminosity at √s=8  TeV using data recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Events with a hadronic jet with the jet mass consistent with a W or Z boson, and with large missing transverse momentum are analyzed. The data are consistent with the standard model expectations. Limits are set on the mass scale in effective field theories that describe the interaction of dark matter and standard model particles, and on the cross section of Higgs production and decay to invisible particles. In addition, cross section limits on the anomalous production of W or Z bosons with large missing transverse momentum are set in two fiducial regions.

Porphyrin metabolisms in human skin commensal Propionibacterium acnes bacteria: potential application to monitor human radiation risk

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium, is a commensal organism in human skin. Like human cells, the bacteria produce porphyrins, which exhibit fluorescence properties and make bacteria visible with a Wood's lamp. In this review, we compare the porphyrin biosynthesis in humans and P. acnes. Also, since P. acnes living on the surface of skin receive the same radiation exposure as humans, we envision that the changes in porphyrin profiles (the absorption spectra and/or metabolism) of P. acnes by radiation may mirror the response of human cells to radiation. The porphyrin profiles of P. acnes may be a more accurate reflection of radiation risk to the patient than other biodosimeters/biomarkers such as gene up-/down-regulation, which may be non-specific due to patient related factors such as autoimmune diseases. Lastly, we discuss the challenges and possible solutions for using the P. acnes response to predict the radiation risk.

Epidemiology of myopia

Myopia is one of the most prevalent disorders of the eye. Higher myopia is associated with comorbidities that increase risks of severe and irreversible loss of vision, such as retinal detachment, subretinal neovascularization, dense cataract, and glaucoma. In recent years, reports from population-based prevalence studies carried out in various geographical areas now give a clear picture of the current distribution of refractive error. The scarcity of data from well-designed longitudinal cohort studies is still yet to be addressed. These studies have confirmed the previous data indicating that prevalence of refractive error varies according to ethnicity and geographic regions, and also point to an increase in myopia prevalence over the past half-century. The problem is particularly pronounced in affluent, industrialised areas of East Asia. Environmental risk factors for myopia related to socioeconomic status and lifestyle have been identified. The past decade has seen a greater understanding of the molecular biological mechanisms that determine refractive error, giving further support to the belief that myopia is the result of a complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental exposures. This review summarizes data on the prevalence, incidence, progression, associations, risk factors, and impact from recent epidemiological studies on myopia.

Formation, structure and electrochemical performance of nano-sized Li2FeSiO4/C synthesized with the co-incorporation of citric acid and glucose followed by a two-step annealing

Nano-sized Li₂FeSiO₄/C composites are synthesized using a simple recipeviathe co-incorporation of citric acid and glucose with various molar ratios followed by a two-step annealing.

Establishment of reference range for thyroid hormones in normal pregnant women in China's coastal area

PURPOSE

The current study aims to establish reference ranges for thyroid hormones in normal pregnant women during their pregnancy period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A one-time cross-sectional survey was conducted on 490 normal pregnant women and 51 nonpregnant women (control). The serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free tetraiodothyronine (FT4) levels were measured.

RESULTS

The serum FT3 and FT4 levels in pregnant women decreased gradually from the first to the last three months of pregnancy (p < 0.01). The serum TSH level increased gradually during the whole pregnancy (p < 0.01), and was significantly lower than the control (p < 0.01) in the first three months. However, in the middle and last three months of pregnancy, TSH was higher than the control (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The thyroid hormone levels in normal pregnant women are different from those in non-pregnant women; significant differences exist among the three stages of pregnancy.

Abstract S4-05: Exome sequencing identifies shift in TP53 and PIK3CA mutation status after paclitaxel-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

Purpose: The changed gene-expression profiles of breast cancer under neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) have been described. However, it remains unclear whether chemotherapy affects somatic mutation status in breast cancer. We investigated the influence of paclitaxel-based chemotherapy on somatic mutations in tumor tissues from patients with breast cancer.

Patients and Methods: Samples were derived from two cohorts: first, 296 patients who underwent paclitaxel-based NCT with matched pre- and post-chemotherapy tumor tissues; second, 81 patients who underwent paclitaxel-based chemotherapy with pre-chemotherapy tumor tissues. First, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) to examine the exomes (100-fold coverage) of two paired basal-like breast cancer samples (pre-treatment tumor biopsies and post-treatment tumors). Shift in somatic mutation status was validated by Sanger sequencing and analyzed in an extension cohort of 296 patients. Furthermore, we performed microdissection and genetic heterogeneity analysis for samples from 81 patients who underwent paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. Somatic mutation status was determined to reveal potential impact of paclitaxel-based chemotherapy on mutation status.

Results: Compared with post-treatment biopsies, the analysis of WES data identified and validated TP53 and PIK3CA — as significantly mutated genes in pre-treatment tumors with a mutation frequency of approximately 10% in an independent extension cohort of 296 paired samples of different molecular subtypes. Somatic mutations of TP53 or PIK3CA were detected in 24.3% of the pre-chemotherapy tumor samples (35 of 296 for TP53, 32 of 296 for PIK3CA, 5 of 296 for both genes, respectively) but in only 12.2% of the post-chemotherapy tumor samples (18 of 296 for TP53, 16 of 296 for PIK3CA, 2 of 296 for both genes, respectively). The decrease in mutation rate was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.001). Patients with TP53/PIK3CA mutations switched from positive to negative after chemotherapy had better partial response than patients with no change or with a reverse change (P = .008). Furthermore, patients with TP53/PIK3CA mutations switched from positive to negative had improved disease-free survival (P = 0.018) and improved overall survival (P = 0.032) relative to patients with no change or with a reverse change. In the second cohort, 18.5% of the tumors (15 of 81) showed intratumoral heterogeneity of TP53 or PIK3CA somatic mutations, whereas 81.5% (66 of 81) were homogeneous, either with mutations of certain genes or not.

Conclusion: Our data reveal the novel concept that significant evolution might occur during chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may reduce somatic mutation frequency in patients with breast cancer, likely the result of a preferential response of highly fit sub-clones without mutations of certain genes. In addition, the identification of somatic mutations of TP53 and PIK3CA as biomarkers for prediction of treatment response and prognosis might help us optimize choice for sequential therapy and improve patients’ survival.

KEY WORDS: Exome sequencing; TP53; PIK3CA; neoadjuvant chemotherapy; breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr S4-05.

Denis RD, Stahlman J, Stamen R, Stanecka E, Stanek RW, Stanescu C, Stanescu-Bellu M, Stanitzki MM, Stapnes S, Starchenko EA, Stark J, Staroba P, Starovoitov P, Staszewski R, Staude A, Stavina P, Steele G, Steinbach P, Steinberg P, Stekl I, Stelzer B, Stelzer HJ, Stelzer-Chilton O, Stenzel H, Stern S, Stewart GA, Stillings JA, Stockton MC, Stoebe M, Stoerig K, Stoicea G, Stonjek S, Stradling AR, Straessner A, Strandberg J, Strandberg S, Strandlie A, Strang M, Strauss E, Strauss M, Strizenec P, Ströhmer R, Strom DM, Strong JA, Stroynowski R, Stugu B, Stumer I, Stupak J, Sturm P, Styles NA, Su D, Subramania HS, Subramaniam R, Succurro A, Sugaya Y, Suhr C, Suk M, Sulin VV, Sultansoy S, Sumida T, Sun X, Sundermann JE, Suruliz K, Susinno G, Sutton MR, Suzuki Y, Suzuki Y, Svatos M, Swedish S, Swiatlowski M, Sykora I, Sykora T, Ta D, Tackmann K, Taffard A, Tafirout R, Taiblum N, Takahashi Y, Takai H, Takashima R, Takeda H, Takeshita T, Takubo Y, Talby M, Talyshev AA, Tam JYC, Tamsett MC, Tan KG, Tanaka J, Tanaka R, Tanaka S, Tanaka S, Tanasijczuk AJ, Tani K, Tannoury N, Tapprogge S, Tarem S, Tarrade F, Tartarelli GF, Tas P, Tasevsky M, Tashiro T, Tassi E, Tayalati Y, Taylor C, Taylor FE, Taylor GN, Taylor W, Teinturier M, Teischinger FA, Teixeira Dias Castanheira M, Teixeira-Dias P, Temming KK, Ten Kate H, Teng PK, Terada S, Terashi K, Terron J, Testa M, Teuscher RJ, Therhaag J, Theveneaux-Pelzer T, Thoma S, Thomas JP, Thompson EN, Thompson PD, Thompson PD, Thompson AS, Thomsen LA, Thomson E, Thomson M, Thong WM, Thun RP, Tian F, Tibbetts MJ, Tic T, Tikhomirov VO, Tikhonov YA, Timoshenko S, Tiouchichine E, Tipton P, Tisserant S, Todorov T, Todorova-Nova S, Toggerson B, Tojo J, Tokár S, Tokushuku K, Tollefson K, Tomlinson L, Tomoto M, Tompkins L, Toms K, Tonoyan A, Topfel C, Topilin ND, Torrence E, Torres H, Torró Pastor E, Toth J, Touchard F, Tovey DR, Tran HL, Trefzger T, Tremblet L, Tricoli A, Trigger IM, Trincaz-Duvoid S, Tripiana MF, Triplett N, Trischuk W, Trocmé B, Troncon C, Trottier-McDonald M, Trovatelli M, True P, Trzebinski M, Trzupek A, Tsarouchas C, Tseng JCL, Tsiakiris M, Tsiareshka PV, Tsionou D, Tsipolitis G, Tsiskaridze S, Tsiskaridze V, Tskhadadze EG, Tsukerman II, Tsulaia V, Tsung JW, Tsuno S, Tsybychev D, Tua A, Tudorache A, Tudorache V, Tuggle JM, Tuna AN, Turala M, Turecek D, Turk Cakir I, Turra R, Tuts PM, Tykhonov A, Tylmad M, Tyndel M, Uchida K, Ueda I, Ueno R, Ughetto M, Ugland M, Uhlenbrock M, Ukegawa F, Unal G, Undrus A, Unel G, Ungaro FC, Unno Y, Urbaniec D, Urquijo P, Usai G, Vacavant L, Vacek V, Vachon B, Vahsen S, Valencic N, Valentinetti S, Valero A, Valery L, Valkar S, Valladolid Gallego E, Vallecorsa S, Valls Ferrer JA, Van Berg R, Van Der Deijl PC, van der Geer R, van der Graaf H, Van Der Leeuw R, van der Ster D, van Eldik N, van Gemmeren P, Van Nieuwkoop J, van Vulpen I, Vanadia M, Vandelli W, Vaniachine A, Vankov P, Vannucci F, Vari R, Varnes EW, Varol T, Varouchas D, Vartapetian A, Varvell KE, Vassilakopoulos VI, Vazeille F, Vazquez Schroeder T, Veloso F, Veneziano S, Ventura A, Ventura D, Venturi M, Venturi N, Vercesi V, Verducci M, Verkerke W, Vermeulen JC, Vest A, Vetterli MC, Vichou I, Vickey T, Vickey Boeriu OE, Viehhauser GHA, Viel S, Villa M, Villaplana Perez M, Vilucchi E, Vincter MG, Vinogradov VB, Virzi J, Vitells O, Viti M, Vivarelli I, Vives Vaque F, Vlachos S, Vladoiu D, Vlasak M, Vogel A, Vokac P, Volpi G, Volpi M, Volpini G, von der Schmitt H, von Radziewski H, von Toerne E, Vorobel V, Vos M, Voss R, Vossebeld JH, Vranjes N, Vranjes Milosavljevic M, Vrba V, Vreeswijk M, Vu Anh T, Vuillermet R, Vukotic I, Vykydal Z, Wagner W, Wagner P, Wahrmund S, Wakabayashi J, Walch S, Walder J, Walker R, Walkowiak W, Wall R, Waller P, Walsh B, Wang C, Wang H, Wang H, Wang J, Wang J, Wang K, Wang R, Wang SM, Wang T, Wang X, Warburton A, Ward CP, Wardrope DR, Warsinsky M, Washbrook A, Wasicki C, Watanabe I, Watkins PM, Watson AT, Watson IJ, Watson MF, Watts G, Watts S, Waugh AT, Waugh BM, Weber MS, Webster JS, Weidberg AR, Weigell P, Weingarten J, Weiser C, Wells PS, Wenaus T, Wendland D, Weng Z, Wengler T, Wenig S, Wermes N, Werner M, Werner P, Werth M, Wessels M, Wetter J, Whalen K, White A, White MJ, White R, White S, Whitehead SR, Whiteson D, Whittington D, Wicke D, Wickens FJ, Wiedenmann W, Wielers M, Wienemann P, Wiglesworth C, Wiik-Fuchs LAM, Wijeratne PA, Wildauer A, Wildt MA, Wilhelm I, Wilkens HG, Will JZ, Williams E, Williams HH, Williams S, Willis W, Willocq S, Wilson JA, Wilson A, Wingerter-Seez I, Winkelmann S, Winklmeier F, Wittgen M, Wittig T, Wittkowski J, Wollstadt SJ, Wolter MW, Wolters H, Wong WC, Wooden G, Wosiek BK, Wotschack J, Woudstra MJ, Wozniak KW, Wraight K, Wright M, Wrona B, Wu SL, Wu X, Wu Y, Wulf E, Wynne BM, Xella S, Xiao M, Xie S, Xu C, Xu D, Xu L, Yabsley B, Yacoob S, Yamada M, Yamaguchi H, Yamaguchi Y, Yamamoto A, Yamamoto K, Yamamoto S, Yamamura T, Yamanaka T, Yamauchi K, Yamazaki T, Yamazaki Y, Yan Z, Yang H, Yang H, Yang UK, Yang Y, Yang Z, Yanush S, Yao L, Yasu Y, Yatsenko E, Yau Wong KH, Ye J, Ye S, Yen AL, Yildirim E, Yilmaz M, Yoosoofmiya R, Yorita K, Yoshida R, Yoshihara K, Young C, Young CJS, Youssef S, Yu D, Yu DR, Yu J, Yu J, Yuan L, Yurkewicz A, Zabinski B, Zaidan R, Zaitsev AM, Zambito S, Zanello L, Zanzi D, Zaytsev A, Zeitnitz C, Zeman M, Zemla A, Zenin O, Ženiš T, Zerwas D, Zevi della Porta G, Zhang D, Zhang H, Zhang J, Zhang L, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Zhao Z, Zhemchugov A, Zhong J, Zhou B, Zhou N, Zhou Y, Zhu CG, Zhu H, Zhu J, Zhu Y, Zhuang X, Zibell A, Zieminska D, Zimin NI, Zimmermann C, Zimmermann R, Zimmermann S, Zimmermann S, Zinonos Z, Ziolkowski M, Zitoun R, Živković L, Zmouchko VV, Zobernig G, Zoccoli A, zur Nedden M, Zutshi V, Zwalinski L. Measurement of jet shapes in top-quark pair events at [Formula: see text] using the ATLAS detector

A measurement of jet shapes in top-quark pair events using 1.8 fb-1 of [Formula: see text]pp collision data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC is presented. Samples of top-quark pair events are selected in both the single-lepton and dilepton final states. The differential and integrated shapes of the jets initiated by bottom-quarks from the top-quark decays are compared with those of the jets originated by light-quarks from the hadronic W-boson decays [Formula: see text] in the single-lepton channel. The light-quark jets are found to have a narrower distribution of the momentum flow inside the jet area than b-quark jets.

Measurement of top quark polarization in top-antitop events from proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV using the ATLAS detector

This Letter presents measurements of the polarization of the top quark in top-antitop quark pair events, using 4.7  fb(-1) of proton-proton collision data recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at √s=7  TeV. Final states containing one or two isolated leptons (electrons or muons) and jets are considered. Two measurements of α(ℓ)P, the product of the leptonic spin-analyzing power and the top quark polarization, are performed assuming that the polarization is introduced by either a CP conserving or a maximally CP violating production process. The measurements obtained, α(ℓ)P(CPC)=-0.035±0.014(stat)±0.037(syst) and α(ℓ)P(CPV)=0.020±0.016(stat)(-0.017)(+0.013)(syst), are in good agreement with the standard model prediction of negligible top quark polarization.

Under-reporting remains a key limitation of self-reported dietary intake: an analysis of the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The most recent New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey 2008/09 (ANS 08/9) revealed a decrease in reported energy intakes (EIs) compared with the previous 1997 National Nutrition Survey (NNS97). Conversely, measured body weights increased over the same period. We conducted an analysis on the ANS 08/9 data sets to evaluate reported EIs.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Analysis was conducted on data from 3919 (1715 men and 2204 women aged > or = 15 years) survey participants who completed the 24-h dietary recall in the ANS 08/9. Under-reporting was assessed using the ratio of reported EI to estimated resting metabolic rate (EI:RMRest), and a cutoff limit of <0.9 (EI:RMRest) was used to identify low energy reporters (LERs). Results were examined by gender, body size, age and ethnicity.

RESULTS

The mean EI:RMRest (s.e.m.) was 1.34 (0.02) for men, and 1.23 (0.02) for women. Overall, 21% of men and 25% of women were classified as LERs. There was a greater prevalence of LERs among people with overweight (25%), or obesity (30%) than people with normal body weight (16%, P<0.001). The oldest age group (> or =65 years) had a greater prevalence of LERs (33%) compared with all other age groups (19-24%, P<0.001). Pacific people had a greater prevalence of LERs (33%) compared with Maori (26%, P=0.007) and European (23%, P<0.001). Compared with the NNS97, a substantial increase in the prevalence of LERs was evident in most subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Under-reporting of EI will continue to be a major limitation of nutrition surveys without technological innovation. Care should be taken when interpreting EI data.

Glomerular mannose-binding lectin deposition is a useful prognostic predictor in immunoglobulin A nephropathy

There is accumulating evidence to support a hypothesis of the activation of the lectin complement pathway in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). The glomerular deposition of mannose-binding lectin (MBL), an initiator of the lectin pathway, has been identified, but its clinical significance has not been defined consistently. The aim of the present study was to investigate the value of glomerular MBL deposition as a useful histological biomarker in evaluating the severity and predicting the prognosis of IgAN. We included all consecutive patients with biopsy-proven primary IgAN from December 2008 to July 2010. Renal deposition of MBL was detected by immunofluorescence. The biopsy material from 131 patients (72 men) was thus used for MBL staining. The deposition of MBL was observed in a predominantly mesangial pattern in 45 patients (34·35%), which presented as global or segmental deposition. Compared with the patients without glomerular MBL deposition, those with glomerular MBL deposition had more severe proteinuria, decreased renal function, lower levels of serum albumin and a greater possibility of hypertension at the time of renal biopsy; they had more severe histological changes according to the Oxford classification (i.e. mesangial hypercellularity, segmental glomerulosclerosis, endocapillary hypercellularity and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis), and their ratio presented an increase as the histopathological phenotypes segregated according to Lee's classification; furthermore, the follow-up data demonstrated that they had a lower renal remission rate. In conclusion, glomerular MBL deposition may predict a poor prognosis, and thus can be a new prognostic factor in IgA nephropathy.

Imbalance of different types of CD4(+) forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)(+) T cells in patients with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of this study was to examine the numbers of CD4(+) CD25(-) forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)(+) , CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3(+) and CD4(+) CXCR5(+) FoxP3(+) T cells in patients with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The numbers of CD4(+) CD25(-) FoxP3(+) , CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3(+) and CD4(+) CXCR5(+) FoxP3(+) T cells and the concentrations of serum interleukin (IL)-10 in 23 patients and 20 healthy controls (HC) were measured. The potential correlations between CD4(+) FoxP3(+) T cells, serum IL-10 and clinical measures in SLE patients were analysed. In comparison with that in the HC, significantly reduced numbers of CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3(+) and CD4(+) CXCR5(+) FoxP3(+) T cells, but increased numbers of CD4(+) CD25(-) FoxP3(+) T cells, were detected, accompanied by significantly lower levels of serum IL-10 in the patients. Stratification analysis indicated the numbers of CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3(+) and CD4(+) CXCR5(+) FoxP3(+) T cells and serum IL-10 levels in the patients with seropositive anti-dsDNA were significantly less than that in those with seronegative anti-dsDNA. Treatment with the anti-SLE therapy, particularly with prednisone, leflunomide and methotrexate, significantly improved the imbalance of these types of FoxP3(+) T cells and increased the concentrations of serum IL-10 in the drug-responding patients. The numbers of CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3(+) T cells were correlated negatively with the values of SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), whereas the numbers of CD4(+) CD25(-) FoxP3(+) T cells were correlated positively with the values of SLEDAI, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum C3. In addition, the concentrations of serum IL-10 were correlated positively with the numbers of CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3(+) T cells, but negatively with the values of SLEDAI, serum C3, CRP and ESR in these patients. Our data indicate that the imbalance of different types of FoxP3(+) CD4(+) T cells may contribute to the development of SLE in Chinese patients.

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

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

Actions of osteoporosis treatments on bone histomorphometric remodeling: a two-fold principal component analysis

This was the first study to apply principal component analysis method to bone histomorphometric parameters. The results corroborated teriparatide's distinct, yet different, mechanisms of action, which stimulate both bone formation and resorption.

INTRODUCTION

This study consolidated bone histomorphometric parameters and compared the effects of two osteoporosis treatments on bone remodeling by using a principal component analysis (PCA).

METHODS

Included in this analysis were postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who were treated with either teriparatide or alendronate and who completed transiliac bone biopsy at either 6 or 18 months in the randomized, double-blind Forteo Alendronate Comparator Trial. Eighteen histomorphometric parameters were grouped into formation and resorption categories. The first principal component of each category was estimated through the PCA. The summation of principal formation component (PFC) and principal resorption component (PRC) was calculated to represent the overall level of bone turnover. The difference between PFC and PRC was computed to determine the balance between formation and resorption.

RESULTS

The PFC was significantly higher in the teriparatide group than in the alendronate group (P < 0.0001), while the PRC was numerically lower in the alendronate group (P = 0.18). The mean difference between the PFC and PRC was positive in the teriparatide group and negative in the alendronate group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our approach of consolidating bone histomorphometric remodeling parameters corroborated the idea that the distinct, yet different, mechanisms of action of teriparatide treatment stimulate both bone formation and resorption, and alendronate treatment suppresses both bone formation and resorption.

High frequencies of activated B cells and T follicular helper cells are correlated with disease activity in patients with new-onset rheumatoid arthritis

This study aimed to examine the frequency of different subsets of circulating B and T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in patients with new-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and following standard therapies. Twenty-five RA patients and 15 healthy controls (HC) were recruited for characterizing the frequency of CD27⁺, immunoglobulin (Ig)D⁺, CD86⁺, CD95⁺, Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9⁺ B cells and inducible T cell co-stimulator (ICOS) and programmed death 1 (PD-1)-positive Tfh cells and the level of serum interleukin (IL)-21. The potential correlation between the frequency of different subsets of B and Tfh cells and the values of clinical measures in RA patients was analysed. In comparison with HC, significantly higher percentages of circulating IgD⁺ CD27⁻ CD19⁺ naive B, CD86⁺ CD19⁺ and CD95⁺ CD19⁺ activated B, CD3⁺ CD4⁺ CXCR5⁺, CD3⁺ CD4⁺ CXCR5⁺ ICOS⁺, CD3⁺ CD4⁺ CXCR5⁺ PD-1⁺ and CD3⁺ CD4⁺ CXCR5⁺ ICOS⁺ PD-1⁺ Tfh cells but lower IgD⁺ CD27⁺ CD19⁺ preswitch memory B cells were detected, accompanied by significantly higher levels of serum IL-21 in the RA patients. Furthermore, the percentages of CD95⁺ B cells were correlated positively with the frequency of PD-1⁺ Tfh cells, but negatively with ICOS⁺ Tfh cells. The percentages of CD86⁺ B cells and ICOS⁺ Tfh cells were correlated positively with the values of disease activity score 28 (DAS28). Following the drug therapies for 1 month, the percentages of CD86⁺ B and PD-1⁺ Tfh cells were reduced significantly in the drug-responding patients. Our data suggest that activated B and Tfh cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of RA and the frequency of activated B and Tfh cells may be used as biomarkers for evaluating the therapeutic responses of individual patients with RA.