Guanine chemiluminescent biosensor capable of rapidly sensing mercury in a sample

Using DNA aptamer (T–Hg²⁺–T hairpin-DNA) and guanine chemiluminescene detection, a highly sensitive biosensor was developed for the rapid quantification and monitoring of Hg²⁺ in drinking water.

Identification of metabolites produced by Phanerochaete chrysosporium in the presence of amlodipine orotate using metabolomics

Pharmaceuticals are very useful in treating human diseases but they are excreted to the environment sometimes in their original form or as byproducts of human metabolism. Pharmaceuticals and their metabolites have been proven by studies to be harmful to non-target ecological species and may be persistent in different water matrices. In this regard, there is an emergent need to eliminate these compounds to prevent their adverse effects on aquatic species. Biodegradation using white-rot fungi is a promising technology for the removal of recalcitrant compounds; however, products of fungal biodegradation can also be detrimental. In this novel study, we evaluated the ability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium to degrade amlodipine, an anti-hypertensive drug which was recently found in water systems. Analysis of amlodipine metabolites was done using quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography mass spectrometry after the degradation set-up of 120 hours. Pharmaceutical degradation was seen using triple quadrupole liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Ninety-two significant metabolites (P-value ≤ 0.05) were significantly expressed after false discovery rate adjustment at a significance threshold of q = 0.05. Pyridine derivatives which were identified from samples became the basis of the proposed degradation pathway of amlodipine in this study.

Effect of adjunctive dipyridamole to DAPT on platelet function profiles in stented patients with high platelet reactivity. The result of the ACCEL-DIP Study

Adjunctive use of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor can enhance antiplatelet and vasoprotective properties in patients with cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PDE5 inhibitor dipyridamole on platelet function in stented patients with high platelet reactivity (HPR) during dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel. Patients with HPR after 600-mg clopidogrel loading were randomly assigned to adjunctive dipyridamole 75 mg twice daily to standard DAPT (DIP group; n = 45) or double-dose clopidogrel of 150 mg daily (DOUBLE group; n = 46) for 30 days. Platelet function was assessed at baseline and 30-day follow-up with platelet reactivity index (PRI) by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein-phosphorylation (VASP-P) assay and platelet aggregation (PA) by light transmittance aggregometry (LTA). Primary endpoint was PRI at 30-day follow-up. HPR was defined as PRI > 50%. Baseline platelet function did not differ between the groups. Following 30-day therapy, platelet function was significantly reduced in the DIP and DOUBLE groups (all p-values ≤ 0.004 and ≤ 0.068, respectively). PRI values were not significantly different between the two groups (mean difference: 3.1%; 95% confidence interval: -2.8% to 9.0%: p = 0.295). PA values and prevalence of HPR were similar between the groups. However, a significant number of patients still exhibited HPR in the DIP (75.6%) and DOUBLE (67.4%) groups. In conclusion, among stented HPR patients, adding dipyridamole to DAPT does not reduce platelet reactivity and prevalence of HPR compared with double-dose clopidogrel therapy, and therefore both strategies are inadequate to overcome HPR.

Spontaneous resolution of post-transplant localized cytomegalovirus lymphadenitis mimicking tumor recurrence

Compromised T-cell immunity persists for up to 1 year after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and patients treated with ASCT are more likely to develop atypical lymphoid hyperplasia that mimics tumor recurrence. Here, we present a case of cervical lymphadenitis due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in a patient who had undergone ASCT for Burkitt lymphoma, which mimicked tumor recurrence on computed tomography and positron emission tomography-computed tomography 6 months after ASCT. This lesion was confined to the regional lymph nodes and was not accompanied by signs of systemic involvement, such as fever, splenomegaly, an elevated C-reactive protein level, or viremia. The localized CMV lymphadenitis resolved spontaneously without treatment after 6 months (12 months after ASCT) and the elevated CMV immunoglobulin-M titer normalized 6 months after resolution. Our experience with this case suggests that cautious follow-up without anti-CMV treatment should be considered in cases of post-ASCT localized CMV lymphadenitis without systemic involvement in patients with complete engraftment.

Characteristic of InGaN/GaN Laser Diode Grown by a Multi-Wafer MOCVD System

InGaN/GaN multi-quantum well (MQW) laser diodes (LDs) were grown on c-plane sapphire substrates using a multi-wafer MOCVD system. The threshold current for pulsed lasing was 1.6 A for a gain-guided laser diode with a stripe of 10 × 800 μm2. The threshold current density was 20.3 kA cm−2 and the threshold voltage was 16.5 V. The optical power ratio of transverse electric mode to transverse magnetic mode was found to be greater than 50. The characteristic temperature measured from the plot of threshold current versus measurement temperature was between 130 and 150K.

Bile acid aspiration associated with lung chemical profile linked to other biomarkers of injury after lung transplantation

Aspiration of gastrointestinal contents has been linked to worse outcomes following lung transplantation but uncertainty exists about underlying mechanisms. We applied high-resolution metabolomics of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in patients with episodic aspiration (defined by bile acids in the BALF) to identify potential metabolic changes associated with aspiration. Paired samples, one with bile acids and another without, from 29 stable lung transplant patients were studied. Liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectroscopy was used to interrogate metabolomic contents of these samples. Data were obtained for 7068 ions representing intermediary metabolites, environmental agents and chemicals associated with microbial colonization. A substantial number (2302) differed between bile acid positive and negative samples when analyzed by false discovery rate at q = 0.01. These included pathways associated with microbial metabolism. Hierarchical cluster analysis defined clusters of chemicals associated with bile acid aspiration that were correlated to previously reported biomarkers of lung injury including T cell granzyme B level and the chemoattractants CXCL9 and CXCL10. These data specifically link bile acids presence in lung allografts to inflammatory pathways known to segregate with worsening allograft outcome, and provide additional mechanistic insight into the association between reflux and lung allograft injury.

Healthcare use and prescription patterns associated with adult asthma in Korea: analysis of the NHI claims database

BACKGROUND

National Health Insurance (NHI) claim records could provide valuable data for epidemiological studies of asthma in Korea. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of adult asthma and to investigate asthma-related healthcare use and prescription patterns in Korea over 5 years.

METHODS

National Health Insurance claim records from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010 were analyzed in a retrospective, population-based study. Outcome measures included asthma prevalence, healthcare use, and prescription patterns over time, by type of hospital, and by medical specialty. Additionally, we assessed differences in healthcare use between newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed patients in 2009.

RESULTS

Over 5 years, the prevalence of asthma among Korean adults increased from 4944 to 5707 cases per 100,000 population (from 3760 to 4445 in men and from 6108 to 6951 in women). Asthma-related outpatient visits decreased from 4.82 ± 8.02 to 3.44 ± 5.50. Approximately 3% of all patients were hospitalized and 2.4% received asthma-related emergency treatment each year. Pulmonary function tests were performed in 10-11% of patients an average of 1.3 times per year. Newly diagnosed patients experienced fewer asthma-related hospitalizations (1.78% vs 4.35%) and emergency department visits (0.80% vs 2.11%) than the previously diagnosed group. Prescriptions of inhaled corticosteroids-based inhalers were maintained with about 20% of average of all types of hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of asthma in Korea has increased over a recent 5-year period, and asthma is still suboptimally controlled. Public health strategies are needed to improve the management of asthma in adults.

Differences in omega-3 and fatty acid profiles between patients with endometriosis and those with a functional ovarian cyst

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory gynaecological disease. Problems associated with endometriosis include dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia and infertility. We evaluated the omega-3 and fatty acid profiles in erythrocytes and tissues in patients with endometriosis (n = 10) or a functional ovarian cyst (n = 12), using a food frequency questionnaire that included questions about 117 food items typical of Korean meals. Erythrocyte levels of 20:5n3 and 22:6n3, the omega-3 index, and n-3 PUFA were significantly higher, and the n-6:n-3 ratio was significantly lower in the endometriosis group than in the functional ovarian cyst group. The functional ovarian cyst group consumed significantly more fruit than the group with endometriosis.

The etiology of uterine sarcomas: a pooled analysis of the epidemiology of endometrial cancer consortium

BACKGROUND

Uterine sarcomas are characterised by early age at diagnosis, poor prognosis, and higher incidence among Black compared with White women, but their aetiology is poorly understood. Therefore, we performed a pooled analysis of data collected in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium. We also examined risk factor associations for malignant mixed mullerian tumours (MMMTs) and endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EECs) for comparison purposes.

METHODS

We pooled data on 229 uterine sarcomas, 244 MMMTs, 7623 EEC cases, and 28,829 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk factors associated with uterine sarcoma, MMMT, and EEC were estimated with polytomous logistic regression. We also examined associations between epidemiological factors and histological subtypes of uterine sarcoma.

RESULTS

Significant risk factors for uterine sarcoma included obesity (body mass index (BMI)≥30 vs BMI<25 kg m(-2) (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.22-2.46), P-trend=0.008) and history of diabetes (OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.41-3.83). Older age at menarche was inversely associated with uterine sarcoma risk (≥15 years vs <11 years (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.34-1.44), P-trend: 0.04). BMI was significantly, but less strongly related to uterine sarcomas compared with EECs (OR: 3.03, 95% CI: 2.82-3.26) or MMMTs (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.60-3.15, P-heterogeneity=0.01).

CONCLUSION

In the largest aetiological study of uterine sarcomas, associations between menstrual, hormonal, and anthropometric risk factors and uterine sarcoma were similar to those identified for EEC. Further exploration of factors that might explain patterns of age- and race-specific incidence rates for uterine sarcoma are needed.

Flavonoid intake and risk of pancreatic cancer in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study Cohort

Background:

Limited epidemiological studies show inverse associations between dietary flavonoid intake and pancreatic cancer risk, but results are inconsistent and are based on few cases. We examined the association between intake of flavonoids and pancreatic cancer risk in the large, prospective National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study Cohort.

Methods:

During follow-up through 2006 (median follow-up 10.6 years), 2379 pancreatic cancer cases were identified. We used Cox proportional hazards modelling to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:

We found no association between total flavonoid intake (Q5 vs Q1 HR=1.09, 95% CI: 0.96–1.24) or any flavonoid subtypes and pancreatic cancer risk. Significant interactions were not observed by age, sex, smoking status, BMI or diabetes.

Conclusion:

Our results do not support the hypothesis that flavonoids have a protective role in pancreatic cancer carcinogenesis.

Establishing the Origin of Elevated Uranium Concentrations in Groundwater near the Central Ogcheon Metamorphic Belt, Korea

We examined the origin of the U-enriched groundwater in Daejeon, near the Ogcheon U zone in Korea. For this study, groundwater ionic species and C, S, and Sr isotopic compositions were analyzed. The U-enriched groundwater occurred only in the Daejeon granite region, while all the groundwater in the Ogcheon Supergroup showed very low U concentrations. In the granite region, the pedospheric or atmospheric origin of dissolved C and S means that the aquifer has been well connected to the oxidized surface environment. The Sr/Sr ratios indicated a lithospheric origin of Sr. Groundwater isotopic compositions in the Ogcheon belt varied greatly, indicating their complex sources. In this region, dissolved C originated from graphite-rich slate and limestone. The broad range of δS suggested that the composite sources included atmospheric SO for most groundwater, lithogenic SO for mine drainage and quarry water, and anthropogenic SO for polluted groundwater. This study indicates that the U-enriched groundwater is not related to the present U ores in the Ogcheon belt but is genetically associated with the granite body itself. The varying but considerable U contents within the granite body can be present as isolated groups. We infer that locally high U contents in the Daejeon granite might inherently be due to assimilation of the Ogcheon U-mineralized zone into granitic melt during the Mesozoic; however, the pH and Eh conditions except aquifer geology were very important factors in developing highly enriched U groundwater in the Daejeon granite region. Thermodynamic modeling highlights the importance of dissolved Ca and (bi-)carbonate in U geochemistry.

Abstract P3-07-04: Cigarette smoking and postmenopausal breast cancer risk: results from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study

Epidemiologic evidence regarding the relationship between smoking and breast cancer risk is inconsistent. Some studies suggest that the relationship depends on interaction with other factors, such as alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). We investigated the relationship between smoking and breast cancer risk and interactions with breast cancer risk factors in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, a large prospective cohort. Postmenopausal women ages 50–71 years (N = 192,076) in six US states and two metropolitan areas were followed from 1995–1996 through 2006. Risk factor information was self-reported at baseline. Smoking status was based on whether participants smoked ≥ 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and whether they currently smoked (current −15%, former −40%, never −45%). Alcohol use was estimated from a dietary questionnaire, and categorized based on drinking ≤ 5 or &gt; 5 g/day. BMI was calculated from reported height and weight and categorized as ≥ 30 or &lt; 30 kg/m2. MHT use was categorized as current, former, or never use of any estrogen or progestin preparation. Cancer diagnosis, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) data were reported by state registries. After a mean 9.6 years of follow-up, 7,698 women were diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Multiplicative interactions between smoking and covariates were evaluated using the likelihood ratio test (LRT). Overall, smokers were at an increased risk of breast cancer compared to women who never smoked (current HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10, 1.28; former HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02, 1.13). Excess risk diminished as time since quitting increased and was close to null for women who quit smoking ≥ 10 years prior to study enrollment compared to never smokers (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.98, 1.11). Relative risks differed significantly based on alcohol use (P-LRT &lt; 0.01), but not BMI or MHT use (P-LRT &gt; 0.05). The HR associated with current smoking was 1.15 (95% CI 1.05, 1.25) among women who drank ≤ 5 g/day, but was higher among women who drank &gt; 5 g/day (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.22, 1.61). The relationship for those who drank &gt; 5 g/day persisted after adjustment for the amount of alcohol (5–10, 10–20, 20–35, &gt;35 g/day) consumed (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.18, 1.56). Among women who drank &gt; 5 g/day, current smoking was associated with increased risks of hormone receptor-positive tumors (ER+/PR+ HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.01, 1.64; ER+/PR- HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.27, 3.50), but not ER−/PR− tumors (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.64, 1.79). In summary, we found that smoking was associated with elevated breast cancer risk which was strongest among women who drank &gt; 5 g of alcohol per day. Among these women, smoking-associated increases in breast cancer risk were limited to hormone receptor-positive tumors, consistent with the known relationship between alcohol use and ER+ breast cancer risk. Findings were similar after additional adjustment for the amount of alcohol consumed, suggesting that the increased risks were not due to residual confounding by alcohol dose, although further analyses are needed to fully understand the interaction between these two factors.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-07-04.

Comparison of erythrocyte membrane fatty acid contents in renal transplant recipients and dialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Alterations of erythrocyte membrane fatty acid (FA) composition play important roles in cellular function because they change the membrane microenvironment, including transmembrane receptors. The erythrocyte membrane oleic acid content is higher among patients with acute coronary syndrome and also in dialysis patients. However, available data are limited concerning erythrocyte membrane FA content in kidney transplant recipients (KTP). We sought to test the hypothesis that erythrocyte membrane FA content among KTP were different from those in dialysis patients.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 35 hemodialysis, 33 peritoneal dialysis 49 KTP, and 33 normal control subjects (CTL). Their erythrocyte membrane FA content were measured by gas chromatography.

RESULTS

The mean ages of the enrolled dialysis patients, KTP, and CTL were 56.4 ± 10.1, 48.9 ± 10.4, and 49.5 ± 8.3 years, respectively. Mean kidney transplant duration was 89.8 ± 64.8 months and mean dialysis duration, 49.0 ± 32.6 months. The intakes of vegetable lipid and vegetable protein including total calories were significantly increased among KTP versus dialysis patients. Total cholesterol (P < .001) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL; P < .001) levels were significantly higher and C-reactive protein was significantly lower among KTP compared with dialysis patients. The erythrocyte membrane content of palmitoleic acid (P < .001) was significantly higher but oleic acid (P < .001) significantly lower in KTP compared with dialysis patients. The erythrocyte membrane contents of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were significantly higher, and linoleic acid and the omega-6 FA to omega-3 FA ratio (P < .001) significantly lower in KTP compared with dialysis patients. The erythrocyte membrane content of oleic acid was independently associated with monounsaturated fatty acid (beta = 0.771, P < .001), eicosapentaeonic acid (beta = -0.244, P = .010), and HDL (beta = -0.139, P = .049) in KTP.

CONCLUSIONS

FA contents of erythrocyte membranes were significantly different in KTP compared with dialysis patients. These differences may have been associated with improved dietary intake and immunosuppression after kidney transplantation.

Inhibition of b16 melanoma metastasis by administration of g(m3)- or gg3- liposomes - blocking adhesion of melanoma-cells to endothelial-cells (antiadhesion therapy) via inhibition of g(m3)-gg3cer or g(m3)-laccer interaction

Tumor cell (TC) metastasis is initiated by selective adhesion of TCs to target structures such as basement membrane and endotheliaI cells (ECs), followed by transvascular migration of TCs. Variants of murine B16 melanoma having different metastatic potentials (in the order BL6 greater than or equal to F10>F1>WA4) have been characterized by the same decreasing order of cell surface G(M3) expression level, relative adhesiveness to nonactivated ECs, and relative degree of G(M3)-dependent adhesion to Gg3Cer- or LacCer-coated plates. Degree of integrin-dependent cell adhesion and adhesion to IL-1-activated ECs was similar for BL6, F10, and F1. These results suggest that metastatic potential of these B16 variants is closely dependent on relative adhesion to nonactivated ECs, which is based on G(M3)-Gg3Cer or G(M3)-LacCer interaction. This possibility has been supported by further studies showing that blocking of G(M3)-dependent melanoma adhesion by mu M-order concentrations of G(M3) or Gg3Cer in liposomes, or by sialidase treatment of melanoma cells, strongly inhibited BL6 metastasis to lung. Paragloboside or sialylparagloboside did not affect G(M3)-dependent BL6 cell adhesion and did not inhibit metastasis. Spontaneous metastasis from subcutaneously-grown tumors was significantly reduced if G(M3)- or Gg3Cer-liposomes were intravenously injected during tumor growth. Thus, blocking of TC adhesion to nonactivated ECs based on carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction may provide effective anti-adhesion therapy against tumor progression, in analogy to the antimetastatic effect produced by blocking of integrin-dependent cell adhesion.