Protective influence of rosiglitazone against testicular ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Testicular torsion is a urology urgent disease which causes testicular injury and potential sterility. In this study, we explored the protective influence of rosiglitazone on testicular ischaemia-reperfusion damage. There were 28 male Sprague Dawley rats in total, which were assigned randomly to four groups. Group A was blank control one; group B was testicular injury one; group C was rosiglitazone one; group D was rosiglitazone antagonist one. The testicles were counter-rotated after 2 hr and then underwent orchiectomy 24 hr later. We found that testicular tissue structure of rats was seriously damaged in groups B and D. However, group C had better testicular architecture. Similar findings were also shown for lipid peroxidation by evaluating the MDA activity (p < .05). Unlike group B or group D, the levels of inflammation by evaluating the MPO activity, the levels of TNF-a, IL-1 and IL-6 and the expressions of ICAM-1 were prominently lower in group C (p < .05) as well. So our researches demonstrated that rosiglitazone significantly decreased the amount of responsive oxygen radical and regulated inflammatory responses. Rosiglitazone had a protective influence against testicular ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats and possibly depended on its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant traits.

[The effect of follicular fluid from patients with endometriosis, follicle stimulating hormone and bone morphogenetic protein 15 on the proliferation and progesterone secretion of granular cells]

Objective: The study was designed to evaluate the effect of follicular fluid from patients with endometriosis, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15) on the proliferation and progesterone secretion of human luteinized granular cells in vitro. Methods: Cumulus granulosa cells were collected from the patients who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) ovulation due to tubal or male factor infertility on the day of the retrieval. The cells in the control group were cultured with complete medium of DMEM/F-12, an extra of FSH at a dose of 12 μg/L was added in the FSH group, an extra of BMP-15 at a dose of 6 μg/L was added to the BMP-15 group, an extra of 5% of the follicular fluid from the patients with tubal or male factor infertility was added to the tubal group, an extra of 5% of the follicular fluid from the patients with endometriosis infertility was added to the endometriosis group, an extra of 5% of the follicular fluid from the patients with endometriosis infertility plus FSH at a dose of 12 μg/L were added to the endometriosis plus FSH group, and an extra of 5% of the follicular fluid from the patients with endometriosis infertility plus BMP-15 at a dose of 6 μg/L were added to the endometriosis plus BMP-15 group. Hemacytometer counting method was used to observe the growth of cells after 48 hours, and chemiluminescence method was utilized to measure the level of progesterone in culture supernatant. Results: The cell proliferation was enhanced in the FSH group, while the proliferation was inhibited in the endometriosis group and the endometriosis plus BMP-15 group, compared to the control group, both of which, were statistically significant. Compared to the control group, the progesterone levels from the culture supernatant of granular cells were significantly elevated in the FSH group, tubal group and endometriosis group. The secretion of progesterone in the endometriosis group was lower than that in the tubal group. After addition of FSH into the endometriosis group (the endometriosis plus FSH group), the secretion level of progesterone was significantly increased, compared to the control group and the endometriosis group. After adding BMP-15 into the endometriosis group (the endometriosis plus BMP-15 group), the secretion level of progesterone was increased, compared to the control group. Conclusions: FSH, but not BMP-15, was able to enhance the proliferation and progesterone secretion of granular cells. The proliferation of granular cells and secretion of progesterone were inhibited by the follicular fluid from patients with endometriosis, which was reversed by FSH. However, BMP-15 had no effect on the outcome of follicular fluid from patients with endometriosis.

Limits of Predictability of Cascading Overload Failures in Spatially-Embedded Networks with Distributed Flows

Cascading failures are a critical vulnerability of complex information or infrastructure networks. Here we investigate the properties of load-based cascading failures in real and synthetic spatially-embedded network structures, and propose mitigation strategies to reduce the severity of damages caused by such failures. We introduce a stochastic method for optimal heterogeneous distribution of resources (node capacities) subject to a fixed total cost. Additionally, we design and compare the performance of networks with N-stable and (N-1)-stable network-capacity allocations by triggering cascades using various real-world node-attack and node-failure scenarios. We show that failure mitigation through increased node protection can be effectively achieved against single-node failures. However, mitigating against multiple node failures is much more difficult due to the combinatorial increase in possible sets of initially failing nodes. We analyze the robustness of the system with increasing protection, and find that a critical tolerance exists at which the system undergoes a phase transition, and above which the network almost completely survives an attack. Moreover, we show that cascade-size distributions measured in this region exhibit a power-law decay. Finally, we find a strong correlation between cascade sizes induced by individual nodes and sets of nodes. We also show that network topology alone is a weak predictor in determining the progression of cascading failures.

[Effects of exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor on the morphology and function of cochlea in the animal model of hereditary hearing loss]

Objective:To study the effect of early administration exogenous BDNF on the morphology and function of conditional knockout Cx26 mice cochlea.Method:Conditional knockout Cx26 mice was chosen as animal model, early after birth (P0-P2) exogenous BDNF (rAAV mediated BDNF plasmid, AAV-BDNF) was injected through scala media. Expression of BDNF in the cochlea was observed by western-blot, the growth promoting effect of nerve fibers was detected by IHC; 2 m after injection, the protective effect of BDNF on corti and spiral ganglion cells were detected by resin section; animal hearing were tested by ABR.Result:①Exogenous BDNF could be well expressed in the inner ear; ②Exogenous BDNF has a good effect on the growth of cochlea nerve fiber; ③Exogenous BDNF could protect the morphology of organ of corti; to count the number of spiral ganglion cells, using the density value of top-turn in non-injected ear as the standard unit, the values of middle and basal turn in injected ear were 0.81±0.02, 0.65±0.02, compared with non-injected ears, both statistically significant difference could be found, indicates that exogenous BDNF can effectively improve the number of spiral ganglion cells. ④By calculating the ABR threshold of different frequencies of the injected and non-injected ear, there was no statistical difference between them. Indicates that exogenous BDNF has no effect on improving the function of cochlea.Conclusion:The protective effect of early administration exogenous BDNF was effective in the cochlea and spiral ganglion cells of conditional knockout Cx26 mice, but no protective effect for auditory function.

The efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy in children and adult patients with allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Clinical research has shown that sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is effective and safe in moderate-severe allergic rhinitis (AR) induced by house dust mite (HDM). However, the sample size in many studies is small. Meanwhile, the controversy on the efficacy and safety in the very young children younger than four years old still existed.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SLIT with Dermatophagoides farinae (Der.f) extracts in children and adult patients with allergic rhinitis, particularly in the very young children.

METHOD

A total of 573 subjects aged 3-69 with AR received a three-year course of sublingual immunotherapy with Der.f extracts along with pharmacotherapy. The total nasal symptoms score (TNSS), total medication score (TMS), visual analogue score (VAS) and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated at each visit.

RESULT

TNSS, TMS, VAS were significantly improved during the three-year course of treatment in comparison to the baseline values (P<0.01). Besides, significant improvement in nasal symptoms and reduction of medication use were also observed in young children aged 3-6 years (P<0.01). No severe systemic adverse events (AEs) were reported.

CONCLUSION

SLIT with Der.f drops is clinically effective and safe in children and adult patients with HDM-induced AR, including the very young children less than four years old.

Fungal-derived cues promote ocular autoimmunity through a Dectin-2/Card9-mediated mechanism

Uveitis (intraocular inflammation) is a leading cause of loss of vision. Although its aetiology is largely speculative, it is thought to arise from complex genetic-environmental interactions that break immune tolerance to generate eye-specific autoreactive T cells. Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), induced by immunization with the ocular antigen, interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP), in combination with mycobacteria-containing complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), has many clinical and histopathological features of human posterior uveitis. Studies in EAU have focused on defining pathogenic CD4⁺ T cell effector responses, such as those of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells, but the innate receptor pathways precipitating development of autoreactive, eye-specific T cells remain poorly defined. In this study, we found that fungal-derived antigens possess autoimmune uveitis-promoting function akin to CFA in conventional EAU. The capacity of commensal fungi such as Candida albicans or Saccharomyces cerevisae to promote IRBP-triggered EAU was mediated by Card9. Because Card9 is an essential signalling molecule of a subgroup of C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) important in host defence, we evaluated further the proximal Card9-activating CLRs. Using single receptor-deficient mice we identified Dectin-2, but not Mincle or Dectin-1, as a predominant mediator of fungal-promoted uveitis. Conversely, Dectin-2 activation by α-mannan reproduced the uveitic phenotype of EAU sufficiently, in a process mediated by the Card9-coupled signalling axis and interleukin (IL)-17 production. Taken together, this report relates the potential of the Dectin-2/Card9-coupled pathway in ocular autoimmunity. Not only does it contribute to understanding of how innate immune receptors orchestrate T cell-mediated autoimmunity, it also reveals a previously unappreciated ability of fungal-derived signals to promote autoimmunity.

Multifaceted interaction of bone, muscle, lifestyle interventions and metabolic and cardiovascular disease: role of osteocalcin

Undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) may play a role in glucose homeostasis and cardiometabolic health. This review examines the epidemiological and interventional evidence associating osteocalcin (OC) and ucOC with metabolic risk and cardiovascular disease. The complexity in assessing such correlations, due to the observational nature of human studies, is discussed. Several studies have reported that higher levels of ucOC and OC are correlated with lower fat mass and HbA1c. In addition, improved measures of glycaemic control via pharmacological and non-pharmacological (e.g. exercise or diet) interventions are often associated with increased circulating levels of OC and/or ucOC. There is also a relationship between lower circulating OC and ucOC and increased measures of vascular calcification and cardiovascular disease. However, not all studies have reported such relationship, some with contradictory findings. Equivocal findings may arise because of the observational nature of the studies and the inability to directly assess the relationship between OC and ucOC on glycaemic control and cardiovascular health in humans. Studying OC and ucOC in humans is further complicated due to numerous confounding factors such as sex differences, menopausal status, vitamin K status, physical activity level, body mass index, insulin sensitivity (normal/insulin resistance/T2DM), tissue-specific effects and renal function among others. Current observational and indirect interventional evidence appears to support a relationship between ucOC with metabolic and cardiovascular disease. There is also emerging evidence to suggest a direct role of ucOC in human metabolism. Further mechanistic studies are required to (a) clarify causality, (b) explore mechanisms involved and

Effects of IL-10 on iron metabolism in LPS-induced inflammatory mice via modulating hepcidin expression

OBJECTIVE

Body's iron metabolism is at one dynamic balance status, and abnormal iron metabolism may lead to renal anemia. Inflammation stimuli may lead to abnormal iron metabolism and aggravation of chronic failure anemia. Hepcidin can regulate iron metabolic homeostasis, further mediating renal anemia. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an inflammatory inhibitor, but with an unclear function in the regulation of hepcidin expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BALB/c mice were randomly assigned into three groups: control group; lipid polysaccharide (LPS) group, which received 0.1 mg/kg LPS via tail veins; IL-10 group with 0.2 mg/kg IL-10 injection after LPS. Red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobulin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and iron content in hemoglobulin were measured. Real-time PCR quantified hepcidin mRNA expression in all groups. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tested serum hepcidin, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. Western blot analyzed expression of mouse transferrin receptor 2 (TfR2) and hepcidin signal pathway molecule STAT3.

RESULTS

LPS model group had lower RBC, Hb, HCT, MCV and iron content in Hb, plus elevated hepcidin, IL-6, TNF-α, TfR2 and STAT3 expression (p < 0.05 compared to the control group). IL-10 treatment group significantly facilitated RBC, Hb, HCT, MCV and Hb iron contents in LPS-induced inflammatory model mice, which also had lower hepcidin, IL-6, TNF-α, TfR2 or STAT3 expression (p < 0.05 compared to LPS group).

CONCLUSIONS

IL-10 can improve iron metabolism and alleviate anemia via suppressing inflammatory factor, modulating STAT3 signal pathway, down-regulating hepcidin expression and inhibiting TfR expression.

Osteogenic potential of three different autogenous bone particles harvested during implant surgery

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to compare the osteoblast activity and osteogenic potential of autogenous bone particles harvested using three different techniques and determine the most advantageous method of collecting autogenous bone particles.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Bone particles were harvested from 20 patients during dental implant surgery using bone scraping, low-speed drilling and bone trap filtering. After the osteoblasts were cultured, cell proliferation, migration, mineralization, transcription of osteogenesis-related genes, secretion of osteogenesis-related proteins and osteoinductive protein content in the bone particle matrix were evaluated.

RESULTS

Osteoblast activity and osteogenic potential were higher in bone samples harvested by scraper or low-speed drilling than in samples harvested by bone trap filter. Although these parameters were slightly lower in the low-speed drilling group than in the scraper group, significant differences were found only in bone Gla protein levels. However, the levels of osteoinductive proteins in the bone particle matrix were significantly higher in the low-speed drilling group than in the scraper group.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-speed drilling is a recommendable and effective technique for collecting autogenous bone particles. In implant operations, low-speed drilling can be considered the first-line option, and if the quantity of harvested bone is insufficient, bone shavings obtained by the scraper may be considered.

Intrinsically patterned two-dimensional materials for selective adsorption of molecules and nanoclusters

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have been studied extensively as monolayers, vertical or lateral heterostructures. To achieve functionalization, monolayers are often patterned using soft lithography and selectively decorated with molecules. Here we demonstrate the growth of a family of 2D materials that are intrinsically patterned. We demonstrate that a monolayer of PtSe₂ can be grown on a Pt substrate in the form of a triangular pattern of alternating 1T and 1H phases. Moreover, we show that, in a monolayer of CuSe grown on a Cu substrate, strain relaxation leads to periodic patterns of triangular nanopores with uniform size. Adsorption of different species at preferred pattern sites is also achieved, demonstrating that these materials can serve as templates for selective self-assembly of molecules or nanoclusters, as well as for the functionalization of the same substrate with two different species.

[Expression and clinical significance of Nrf2 and ERK pathway in papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective:To explore the expression and clinical significance of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and ERK sinal in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Method:PTC microassy were detected by immunohistochemical method (IHC). The expression of Nrf2, ERK₂ and p-ERK½ in PTC, para-carcimoma and normal thyroid tissue were detected by Western blot. The transcriptional level of Nrf2 mRNA in PTC, para-carcimoma and normal thyroid tissue were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) method. Result:Nrf2, ERK₂, p-ERK½ protein were high expression in group of lymph node metastasis PTC and negative or weak positive expression in para-carcinoma tissue (P<0.01). And the proteins of clinical stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ of PTC groups express higher than without lymph node metastasis group and clinical stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ of PTC group (P<0.05). The expression of Nrf2 protein was positively correlated with ERK₂ and p-ERK½ protein in PTC (r=0.723 2,r=0.668 6,P<0.05). The Western blot results of Nrf2, ERK₂, p-ERK½ had a higher level in PTC than those of paracarcinoma and normal thyroid tissue (P<0.01). The level of Nrf2 mRNA were higher than those of paracarcinoma and normal thyroid tissue (P<0.01). Conclusion:High expresion of Nrf2 may be associated with the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma, and may relate to the high expression and activity of ERK pathway.

Surfactant reduced the mortality of neonates with birth weight ⩾1500 g and hypoxemic respiratory failure: a survey from an emerging NICU network

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the efficacy of surfactant therapy and assisted ventilation on morbidity and mortality of neonates with birth weight (BW) ⩾1500 g and hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF).

STUDY DESIGN

We retrospectively analyzed 5650 patients with BW ⩾1500 g for incidence, management and outcome of HRF, defined as acute hypoxemia requiring mechanical ventilation and/or nasal continuous positive airway pressure ⩾24 h. The patients were allocated into groups of moderate preterm (1735, 30.7%), late preterm (1431, 25.4%), early term (ETM, 986, 17.5%), full term (1390, 24.6%) and post term (79, 1.4%), with gestational age ⩽33, 34 to 36, 37 to 38, 39 to 41 and ⩾42 weeks, respectively.

RESULTS

In the five groups, 66.9, 42, 21.6, 12.8 and 5.1% had respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). For pneumonia/sepsis and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), the proportion was 13.8%, 25.4%, 38.0%, 52.5% and 76.0%, respectively. Surfactant was given to 21.9% (n=1238) of HRF and 51.2% (n=1108) of RDS. Survival rates of RDS were 82.2%, 87.8%, 84.5%, 77.1% and 75.0%, respectively (numbers needed to treat was 8 to 11 for surfactant benefit). Overall mortality rate of HRF was 21%, or 17.9%, 14.7%, 25.6%, 28.9% and 39.2%, respectively. Mortalities of MAS and pneumonia/sepsis were 29.4 and 27.6%. Relative risk of death was associated with initial disease severity, female gender, mechanical ventilation and congenital anomalies by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Surfactant was effective for infants with RDS and BW ⩾1500 g, and different incidences and outcome of HRF among GA groups reflected standard of perinatal and respiratory care in emerging neonatal intensive care unit network.

Diagnostic value of combined diffusion-weighted imaging with dynamic contrast enhancement MRI in differentiating malignant from benign bone lesions

AIM

To determine the diagnostic value of combined diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with dynamic contrast enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in differentiating malignant from benign bone lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DWI and DCE-MRI were performed in 36 patients (14 were benign and 22 were malignant). The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and signal enhanced extent (SEE), slope value, and time-signal intensity curve (TIC) type were recorded by two observers. Between-group comparison was made using the independent sample t-test and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between the mean ADC value of the benign ([1.75±0.50]×10^-3 mm²/s) and malignant ([1.11±0.47]×10^-3 mm²/s) groups (p=0.001). The threshold ADC value of ≤1.10×10^-3 mm²/s resulted in a sensitivity of 77.3%, a specificity of 92.9%, and an accuracy of 85.1%. A type III curve was found in 23 cases (21 malignant and two benign), a type II curve was seen in six cases (one malignant and five benign), and a type I curve in seven cases (all were benign). The SEE and slope values in the benign and malignant groups were 227.96±172.08, 325.60±125.86 (p=0.058); 0.97±0.67%/s, 3.19±3.20%/s (p=0.016), respectively. ROC analysis showed a sensitivity of 95.5%, a specificity of 85.7%, and an accuracy of 90.6% for malignancy, based on a slope cut-off value of >1.46%/s. Combining ADC and slope values resulted in a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 85.7%, and an accuracy of 92.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Both DWI and DCE-MRI showed promising results for differentiating malignant from benign bone lesions. A combination of DWI and DCE-MRI was the most valuable of the three.

[Preliminary analysis of the effects of tailor-made notched music therapy on chronic idiopathic tinnitus]

Objective: Tailor-made notched music was applied to alleviate the symptoms of chronic idiopathic tinnitus and compared its effectiveness with other existing sound treatment of tinnitus. Methods: Subjects (n=43; ears=75 )were recruited during June 2015 to October 2016 from the out-patients of our hospital. These patients had chronic (longer than 6months) and idiopathic tinnitus, with or without significant sensorineural hearing loss. In the prospective design, the patients were randomly divided into group A (treated with tailor-made notched music) and group B (treated with analogous sound masking), and received the treatment for 3 months. The tinnitus scale, tinnitus questionnaire and audiological findings were evaluated before treatment, and at one month and three months after treatment started. Results: After onemonth of treatment, the effective rate between the two groups was 40.9% and 42.9%, there was no significant difference between the two groups (χ(2)= 0.017, P=0.897). The average VAS for patients in group A showed more decrease in group A than in group B(VAS: 1.8 vs. 0.8, the percentage : 29.5% vs. 13.6%), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (t=-1.450, P=0.155). After 3 months of treatment, the effective rates were 68.2% and 23.8%, respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups (χ(2)= 8.503, P=0.004). The difference of the VAS scores between the two groups was statistically significant (t=-3.263, P=0.002), and the VAS score of group A was less.After 3 months of treatment, there was significant decreaseinthe average tinnitus loudness for patients in group A(t=5.569, P<0.01), and there was no significant changein group B(t=-0.953, P=0.374). There was also significant decreasein the scores of tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) (F=7.334, P<0.05), loudness visual analog scale (VAS) (F=20.48, P<0.001), and the proportion of patients with moderate to severe tinnitus(χ(2)=11.289, P<0.05) in the group A, and there was no significant change in group B(F=2.198, F=0.989, χ(2)=1.651; P=0.120, P=0.378, P=0.438>0.05). Conclusions: Our resultssuggest that long-term normalized listening to tailor-made notched music, can significantly reduce the perceived tinnitus loudness in varying degrees and improve the quality of life of patients. The effects and possible mechanism of this method were discussedin this paper.

[The management for pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis with upper respiratory tract concomitant diseases]

Objective:To analyze the clinical impact of upper respiratory tract concomitant diseases in pediatrics chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS) and treatment methods, efficacy and timing of the concomitant diseases.Method:Two hundred and sixty-seven cases with CRS at a tertiary children's medical center from March 2013 to March 2015 were included in this study. The cases were divided into two groups according to the concomitant diseases. 66 cases without concomitant diseases were allocated into group A；201 cases with concomitant diseases were classified into group B. Group B was further divided into two subgroups according to treatment methods: subgroup B1(97 cases) and subgroup B2(104 cases). Group A and B1 were given the same basic treatment for 3 months，while Group B2 was given the basic plus targeted treatment for the same duration. Comprehensive evaluation was conducted at 3, 6 and 15-months after commencement of treatment. Result:The therapeutic effect of Group A was significantly superior to Group B1 in 3 months（P<0.05）.The clinical efficacy of Group A decreased slightly while Group B1 showed significantly reduced efficacy at 6 and 15-months （all P<0.05）. Comparing Group B1 and B2, the comprehensive effect of Group B2 was considerably better than Group B1 at 3 months（P<0.05）. Furthermore, Group B2 showed no decrease in efficacy while Group B1 decreased significantly at 6 and 15-month. Conclusion:Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis, adenoid hypertrophy and chronic tonsillitis, were common the upper respiratory tract accompanying diseases in children with CRS, and they had significant influence on the efficacy and recurrence of CRS. The basic plus targeted treatment can improve the efficacy and reduce recurrence.

MiR-216b increases cisplatin sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells by targeting PARP1

Cisplatin resistance hinders the efficacy of chemotherapy in ovarian cancer. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been implicated in drug resistance in anti-cancer chemotherapy. We compared the expression profiles of miRs between cisplatin-resistant and cisplatin-sensitive ovarian cancer cells, and found that miR-216b was significantly downregulated in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells. To investigate its molecular mechanism, we performed cell viability and apoptosis assays in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cells, and found that miR-216b reduced cell viability and promoted apoptosis. Although 4 potential targets were obtained through bioinformatics, only the mRNA level of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1 was significantly regulated by miR-216b. Disruption of the complementary binding sequence of miR-216b on the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the PARP1 led to the loss of miR-216b targeting. Spearman's correlation coefficient of the levels of miR-216b and PARP1 mRNA from 51 human ovarian cancer specimens also showed a significantly negative correlation between them. Importantly, the improved cisplatin sensitivity induced by miR-216b was markedly reversed by PARP1 overexpression. Tumor formation assay in nude mice further provided an evidence on the suppressive role of miR-216b in tumor growth. Taken together, this study demonstrated that a new miRNA, miR-216b, was involved in cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer, which could be regarded as a potential sensitizer in cisplatin chemotherapy.

Financial barriers and coping strategies: a qualitative study of accessing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and tuberculosis care in Yunnan, China

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) and multidrug-resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB) pose serious challenges to global health, particularly in China, which has the second highest case burden in the world. Disparities in access to care for the poorest, rural TB patients may be exacerbated for MDR-TB patients, although this has not been investigated widely. We examine whether certain patient groups experience different barriers to accessing TB services, whether there are added challenges for patients with MDR-TB, and how patients and health providers cope in Yunnan, a mountainous province in China with a largely rural population and high TB burden.

METHODS

Using a qualitative study design, we conducted five focus group discussions and 47 in-depth interviews with purposively sampled TB and MDR-TB patients and healthcare providers in Mandarin, between August 2014 and May 2015. Field-notes and interview transcripts were analysed via a combination of open and thematic coding.

RESULTS

Patients and healthcare providers consistently cited financial constraints as the most common barriers to accessing care. Rural residents, farmers and ethnic minorities were the most vulnerable to these barriers, and patients with MDR-TB reported a higher financial burden owing to the centralisation and longer duration of treatment. Support in the form of free or subsidised treatment and medical insurance, was deemed essential but inadequate for alleviating financial barriers to patients. Most patients coped by selling their assets or borrowing money from family members, which often strained relationships. Notably, some healthcare providers themselves reported making financial and other contributions to assist patients, but recognised these practices as unsustainable.

CONCLUSIONS

Financial constraints were identified by TB and MDR-TB patients and health care professionals as the most pervasive barrier to care. Barriers appeared to be magnified for ethnic minorities and patients coming from rural areas, especially those with MDR-TB. To reduce financial barriers and improve treatment outcomes, there is a need for further research into the total costs of seeking and accessing TB and MDR-TB care. This will enable better assessment and targeting of appropriate financial support for identified vulnerable groups and geographic development of relevant services.

Abstract P6-08-04: Preclinical efficacy of dasatinib in combination with PARP inhibitor plus standard cytotoxic agent in triple-negative breast cancer xenograft model

Background: Dasatinib is an orally-active ATP-competitive small molecule kinase inhibitor that potently inhibits Abl kinase, Src family kinases and other kinases (Lombardo et al., 2004). Src, one of the key targets of dasatinib is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, survival and apoptotic ability of cancer cells (Tryfonopoulos et al., 2011; Pusztai et al., 2014). Dasatinib has shown its anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effectiveness against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in both preclinical and clinical studies (Finn et al., 2011). Several molecular targets including poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) are under clinical investigation for the treatment of TNBC. Recently, PARP inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy have shown promising results in this disease in clinical and preclinical studies (Tutt et al., 2010; Kim et al., 2013; De et al., 2014). Here, we hypothesize that dasatinib in combination with PARP inhibitor (ABT888) plus standard cytotoxic agent (carboplatin) will attenuate the growth of both TNBC cell lines and xenograft tumors. Methodology:We have used BT-20 (PIK3CA mutated, H1047R), HCC70 (PTEN null), HCC1937 (BRCA1 mutated, PTEN null), MDA-MB-231 (KRAS/BRAF mutated), MDA-MB-468 (PTEN null) and SUM149PT (BRCA1 mutated, PTEN null) cells for in vitro study. Survival/proliferation, colony formation and apoptosis were examined by using 2D proliferative/growth assay, 3D-ON-TOP assays, and annexinV staining respectively. We next studied the activation status of Src and its downstream signaling. We also have evaluated the effects on tumor growth inhibition of dasatinib/ABT888/carboplatin as a single agent or in combination by using mouse xenograft model. Results: We observed that 1) Dasatinib inhibited Src activation in all tested lines, induced dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 and S6 RP; 2) level of Cyclin D1 was decreased by dasatinib treatment; 3) high anti-proliferative activities were observed following the treatment of dasatinib along with ABT888 plus carboplatin in both 2D proliferation assay and 3D-ON TOP colony formation assay; 4) dasatinib in combination with ABT888 plus carboplatin inducing early stage apoptosis was seen by Annexin V staining in all tested cell lines; 5) dasatinib alone or combined with ABT888 or carboplatin or in triple combination inhibited tumor growth in TNBC xenograft models, the best tumor inhibition result was induced by triple combination (comparing to no treatment control, the mean tumor volume was decreased ~ 87% ). Conclusion: Our in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that dasatinib may enhance the antitumor activity of PARP inhibitor plus standard cytotoxic agent in TNBC. Mechanistic studies of xenograft tumor samples are ongoing, the results of which will be presented in the meeting.

Citation Format: Sun Y, Lin X, Carlson JH, De P, Dey N, Jepperson T, R & D NCI, Williams C, Leyland-Jones B. Preclinical efficacy of dasatinib in combination with PARP inhibitor plus standard cytotoxic agent in triple-negative breast cancer xenograft model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-04.

Abstract P6-03-01: A combination of dual inhibition in HER2-network by T-DM1 and GDC-0980 provides maximal antitumor efficacy in preclinical model of HER2+ breast cancer

Background: PIK3CA mutation is associated with a lower pCR rate in primary HER2+ breast cancer (BC) treated with trastuzumab and lapatinib in addition to chemotherapy (from five clinical trials, PMID: 27177864). The BOLERO-1 study showed that the efficacy of a combination of mTOR inhibitor (everolimus) plus trastuzumab (T) and paclitaxel was not very efficacious with HER2+ advanced BC patients except for HER2+/ER- BC patients (PMID: 26092818). In the same line, BOLERO 3 trial data showed the same combination (T + everolimus + vinorelbine) is also not efficacious in T-resistant, HER2+ advanced breast cancer women (median PFS 7 months with everolimus and 5.78 months with placebo, HR: 0.78) (PMID: 24742739). T-DM1 does not have typical adverse events of chemotherapy. Therefore, there has been interest in combining it with other targeted agent. Here we tested the efficacy of a combination of T-DM1 plus GDC-0980 (a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor) in HER2+/T-resistant BC cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Methodology: Here we have studied the in vitro and in vivo effects of GDC-0980 along with T-DM1 in HER2+/T-sensitive (BT474), HER2+/T-resistant (BT474HerR), and HER2+/PIK3CA (HCC1954, MDA-MB453) mutated models. We assessed in vitro anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic and activation status of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway following the combination of GDC-0980 plus T-DM1 in HER2+ BC cell lines. We next evaluated the impact of GDC-0980 plus T-DM1 on tumor growth and angiogenesis using xenograft models. Results: 1) GDC-0980 inhibited downstream activation of the PI3K-mTOR signaling pathway effectors, p-AKT (Ser473, The308), p-P70S6K, p-S6RP and p-4EBP1, and this inhibition was more pronounced when GDC-0980 was combined with T-DM1, 2) similarly the anti-proliferative activity of a combination of GDC-0980 plus T-DM1 was significantly higher by 3D-ON-TOP clonogenic assay following heregulin stimulation, 3) consistent with anti-proliferative effects of GDC-0980, the proportion of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle increased in HER2+ cell lines with a concomitant decrease in the S phase of their treatment with GDC-0980, 4) the initiation of apoptotic activity (annexin V) of GDC-0980 was significantly superior to that of an allosteric inhibitor of mTOR, RAD001. GDC-0980 also induced apoptotic markers like cleaved CASPASE3, cleaved PARP1, BIM in HER2+ BC cells and 5) a combination of GDC-0980 plus T-DM1 significantly blocked tumor growth to tumor regression in the HER2+/T-sensitive, HER2+/T-resistant and HER2+/PIK3CA mutated BC xenograft models. Along with its anti-tumor effect, this combination effectively decreased tumor angiogenesis (tumor micro-vessel density via CD31 staining). Conclusions: A combination of GDC-0980 plus T-DM1 significantly blocked in vitro and in vivo HER2+ breast tumor cells growth irrespective of PIK3CA mutation status. This strategy warrants further clinical investigation.

Citation Format: De PK, Carlson JH, Sun Y, Lin X, Friedman L, Dey N, Leyland-Jones B. A combination of dual inhibition in HER2-network by T-DM1 and GDC-0980 provides maximal antitumor efficacy in preclinical model of HER2+ breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-03-01.

Sex differences in the impact of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on cardiovascular risk factors

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Information on sex differences in the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors is scarce. We examined whether men exhibit greater differences in established CVD risk factors between NAFLD and non-NAFLD than women.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using a cohort of 10761 apparently healthy Chinese adults who underwent comprehensive health checkups including abdominal ultrasonography. In the setting of NAFLD and non-NAFLD, although men had significantly higher levels of atherogenic lipids as indicated by higher levels of triglyceride, triglyceride/HDL-cholesterol, and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol and worsen renal function as indicated by higher levels of creatinine and lower levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) than female counterparts, men with NAFLD showed greater relative differences in atherogenic lipids and deteriorated renal function than women with NAFLD when compared with their non-NAFLD counterparts. The interactions between sex and NAFLD on triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride/HDL-cholesterol, creatinine, and eGFR were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the multivariate Logistic regression analyses, we observed a stronger association of TG with NAFLD and comparable associations of eGFR or HDL-C with NAFLD in men compared with women.

CONCLUSION

There was greater adverse influence of NAFLD per se on triglyceride, and triglyceride/HDL-cholesterol in men compared with women. The greater adverse influence of NAFLD per se on HDL-C and eGFR in men compared with women probably related to the gender differences in TG levels.

Diagnostic Accuracy of T1-Weighted Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced-MRI and DWI-ADC for Differentiation of Glioblastoma and Primary CNS Lymphoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Glioblastoma and primary CNS lymphoma dictate different neurosurgical strategies; it is critical to distinguish them preoperatively. However, current imaging modalities do not effectively differentiate them. We aimed to examine the use of DWI and T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced-MR imaging as potential discriminative tools.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 18 patients with primary CNS lymphoma and 36 matched patients with glioblastoma with pretreatment DWI and dynamic contrast-enhanced-MR imaging. VOIs were drawn around the tumor on contrast-enhanced T1WI and FLAIR images; these images were transferred onto coregistered ADC maps to obtain the ADC and onto dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion maps to obtain the plasma volume and permeability transfer constant. Histogram analysis was performed to determine the mean and relative ADC_mean and relative 90th percentile values for plasma volume and the permeability transfer constant. Nonparametric tests were used to assess differences, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed for optimal threshold calculations.

RESULTS

The enhancing component of primary CNS lymphoma was found to have significantly lower ADC_mean (1.1 × 10^-3 versus 1.4 × 10^-3; P < .001) and relative ADC_mean (1.5 versus 1.9; P < .001) and relative 90th percentile values for plasma volume (3.7 versus 5.0; P < .05) than the enhancing component of glioblastoma, but not significantly different relative 90th percentile values for the permeability transfer constant (5.4 versus 4.4; P = .83). The nonenhancing portions of glioblastoma and primary CNS lymphoma did not differ in these parameters. On the basis of receiver operating characteristic analysis, mean ADC provided the best threshold (area under the curve = 0.83) to distinguish primary CNS lymphoma from glioblastoma, which was not improved with normalized ADC or the addition of perfusion parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

ADC was superior to dynamic contrast-enhanced-MR imaging perfusion, alone or in combination, in differentiating primary CNS lymphoma from glioblastoma.

MC3R gene polymorphisms are associated with early childhood adiposity gain and infant appetite in an Asian population

BACKGROUND

Polymorphic variants within human melanocortin-3 receptor gene (MC3R) gene have been associated with obesity. However, its influence on infancy and early childhood adiposity has not been reported before.

OBJECTIVES

We assessed associations between genotype at polymorphic sites within MC3R with early childhood adiposity and interaction with early childhood appetitive traits.

METHODS

We studied 1090 singletons in an Asian mother-offspring cohort genotyped for MC3R and in a subgroup (n = 422) who had completed Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaires (CEBQ) at 12 months. Children were followed from birth to 48 months, and up to 10 measurements of body mass index and five measures of triceps and subscapular skin-folds were obtained.

RESULTS

Independent of potential confounders, each additional MC3R minor allele copy was associated with greater body mass index standard deviation score [B{95% confidence interval}: 0.004 units/month {0.001,0.007}; p = 0.007], triceps [0.009 mm/month {0.001,0.02}; p = 0.021] and subscapular skin-fold [0.008 mm/month {0.002,0.01}; p = 0.011] gain velocity in the first 48 months. Each additional MC3R minor allele copy was also associated with increased odds of overweight [odds ratio {95% confidence interval}: 1.48{1.17-1.88}] and obesity [1.58{1.10-2.28}] in the first 48 months. Every additional copy of MC3R minor allele was positively associated with 'slowness-in-eating' appetitive trait [0.24{0.06,0.39}, p = 0.006]; however, the relationship between 'slowness-in-eating' with adiposity gain was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the role of MC3R genetic variants in adiposity gain during early childhood.

Targeting of BCR-ABL: Lessons learned from BCR-ABL inhibition

In 1960 researchers reported that balanced translocation between chromosomes 22 and 9 resulted in the generation of Philadelphia chromosome. This breakthrough revolutionized our knowledge related to leukemia biology and contemporary studies revealed that chromosomal translocation resulted in the fusion between the 5' segment of BCR gene and 3' segment of the ABL gene to form BCR/ABL fusion gene. Research over the years has progressively and systematically improved our understanding of the genetic and proteomic basis of Leukemia. Genome-wide profiling studies, including genome sequencing and microarray analysis, have helped us in identification of different intracellular signaling cascades that are frequently mutated in Leukemia.  We partition this multi-component review into different sections related to biochemical characteristics of BCR-ABL+ cells, underlying mechanism of generation of mutations and crosstalk of BCR-ABL with various intracellular signaling cascades. We also summarize how BCR-ABL encoding mRNA is negatively regulated by different miRNAs and the strategies which are currently being used to effectively target BCR-ABL protein. We also provide an overview of the natural products which have been used for targeting of BCR-ABL protein. Better understanding of the protein network of Philadelphia positive leukemic cells will prove to be helpful in getting a step closer to personalized medicine.

[Tetrahydrobiopterin improves left ventricular diastolic function possibly through upregulating phosphorylated protein kinase B expression in hypertensive mice induced by deoxycorticosterone acetate]

Objective: To investigate whether tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) could improve left ventricular diastolic function through phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway in hypertensive mice. Methods: Ten-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used to establish the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive model, age matched Sham mice serve as the controls. Mice were divided into four groups: Sham(n=20), Sham+ BH4 (n=20), DOCA (n=22), and DOCA+ BH4 (n=22). On the 14 days after surgery, mice in Sham+ BH4 and DOCA+ BH4 groups received BH4 (0.1 ml/10 g) supplement for 7 days, while mice in Sham and DOCA groups were given equal volume of normal saline.The blood pressure measurements were performed 7 days later.Hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters were used to assess left ventricular functions.High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to measure cardiac biopterins BH4 and BH2.The phosphorylated phospholamban (p-PLB) was detected by immunohistochemical staining. PI3K, Akt and phosphorylated Akt were assayed with Western blot analysis. Results: (1) The systolic and diastolic blood pressure of DOCA group were significantly higher than control group (P<0.05). Compared with DOCA group, the systolic blood pressure was lower in DOCA+ BH4 mice (P=0.027). Diastolic blood pressure was similar between the groups. (2) Compared with Sham group, the left ventricular diastolic function indexes such as mitral annulus velocity (E') and E'/A'ratio were significantly lower, while the E/ E'ratio was significantly higher(P<0.05)in DOCA mice. The E/ E'ratio of DOCA+ BH4 group was significantly lower than that of DOCA group (P<0.05). Compared with Sham group, the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure volumetric coefficient (EDPVR) and left ventricular relaxation time constant Tau index were significantly higher in DOCA mice (P=0.002, 0.011 and 0.016, respectively). The EDPVR and Tau index were significantly lower in DOCA+ BH4 group than in DOCA group (P<0.05). (3) Compared with Sham group, the myocardial contents of BH4 and BH2 were significantly lower in DOCA mice (P<0.05). The BH4 levels and BH4/BH2 ratio were significantly higher in Sham+ BH4 and DOCA+ BH4 groups than in the DOCA group (P<0.05), but the BH2 levels were similar between groups. (4) The cGMP content, SOD activity and NO content in the left ventricular myocardial tissue were significantly lower (P<0.05), while the MDA content was significantly higher in DOCA mice than in Sham mice.The NO content and SOD activity in DOCA+ BH4 groups were significantly higher than in the DOCA group (P<0.05). (5) Compared with DOCA group, the expression of p-PLB was significantly higher in Sham mice and lower in DOCA+ BH4 mice (P<0.05). (6) The expression of PI3K, Akt and p-Akt (Ser473 and Thr308) in DOCA mice were significantly lower than in Sham group (P<0.05). The expression of PI3K, Akt and p-Akt (Ser473) was significantly higher in DOCA+ BH4 group than in DOCA group (P<0.05). p-Akt (Thr308) expression was similar between DOCA + BH4 group and DOCA group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that BH4 could improve left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive mice, this effect might be mediated by reducing the oxidative stress in ventricular myocardium through modlating the expression of Akt and PLB phosphorylation.

[The diagnosis and treatment strategy for patients with severemultispace abscesses in neck]

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with severe deep neck abscess,etiology,imaging,appropriate treatment selection in those patients,to improve the judgement and understanding of the disease.Method:Thirty cases of severe deep neck abscess treated from March 2010 to June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed,including the clinical characteristics,diagnosis and treatment strategy.Result:The sore throat,odynophagia,dysphagia,fever and difficulty breathing were the most common symptoms of severe deep neck abscess.The causes of deep neck abscess were tooth diseases(5 cases),foreign bodies in pharynx or esophagus(4 cases),the second branchial crack cyst with multiply abscess,uncertain cause(20 cases).Six of the above cases complicated with mediastinal abscess.Radiologic evaluation was performed on all of the patients to identify the most probable location of the abscess:parapharyngeal space,retropharyngeal space,masticator space,carotid space,etc.Twenty-five cases were treated by drainage via incising lateral neck and 4 patientsreceived abscess puncture aspiration.Life-threatening complications were developed in all cases,29 cases were cured but one case dead.Conclusion:The treatment of severe deep neck multispace abscesses should be mindful.Once deep neck abscesses are diagnosed,we should timely undertake surgical drainage via incising lateral neck.Emergency tracheostomy should be perform in some case like severe dyspnea,airway obstrucion.Antibiotics should be appropriately applied,and basic diseases and complications should be carefully controlled.