Hydroxychavicol, a novel betel leaf component, inhibits platelet aggregation by suppression of cyclooxygenase, thromboxane production and calcium mobilization

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Platelet hyperactivity is important in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Betel leaf (PBL) is consumed by 200-600 million betel quid chewers in the world. Hydroxychavicol (HC), a betel leaf component, was tested for its antiplatelet effect.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We tested the effect of HC on platelet aggregation, thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, ex vivo platelet aggregation and mouse bleeding time and platelet plug formation in vivo. The pharmacokinetics of HC in rats was also assessed.

KEY RESULTS

HC inhibited arachidonic acid (AA) and collagen-induced platelet aggregation and TXB(2) production. HC inhibited the thrombin-induced TXB(2) production, but not platelet aggregation. SQ29548, suppressed collagen- and thrombin-induced TXB(2) production, but not thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. HC also suppressed COX-1/COX-2 enzyme activity and the AA-induced ROS production and Ca(2+) mobilization. HC further inhibited the ex vivo platelet aggregation of platelet-rich plasma (>100 nmole/mouse) and prolonged platelet plug formation (>300 nmole/mouse) in mesenteric microvessels, but showed little effect on bleeding time in mouse tail. Moreover, pharmacokinetics analysis found that more than 99% of HC was metabolized within 3 min of administration in Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

HC is a potent COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor, ROS scavenger and inhibits platelet calcium signaling, TXB(2) production and aggregation. HC could be a potential therapeutic agent for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases through its anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet effects, without effects on haemostatic functions.

The potential role of phagocytic capacity in the osteolytic process induced by polyethylene wear particles

Osteolysis induced by ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene wear particles is the major cause of long-term failure of artificial joints. We examined the effects of wear particles on bioactivity by analysing the biophysical aspects of particle phagocytosis. We estimated the maximum number of internalized particles (the phagocytic capacity) for particles of various sizes and shapes. We demonstrated that elongated particles had a smaller phagocytic capacity than spherical particles of the same volume. A review of the literature showed that the ratio of particle concentration (number of particles/number of cells) to phagocytic capacity is critical for particle-induced biological responses. When this ratio was < 1, the biological response was approximately proportional to the ratio itself. When this ratio was > 1, limited changes in the biological response were observed. The saturation level of the phagocytic capacity for a particle population appears to reflect the degree of polyethylene particle-induced biological response.

Development and validation of the revised Cedars-Sinai health-related quality of life for rheumatoid arthritis instrument

OBJECTIVE

To improve accuracy and content coverage of the original 33-item Cedars-Sinai Health-Related Quality of Life for Rheumatoid Arthritis Instrument (CSHQ-RA).

METHODS

A total of 312 RA patients from 55 sites were screened in a 24-week trial. Patients completed an expanded 48-item version of the CSHQ-RA, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36), and Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index at 5 visits. The revised CSHQ-RA was created based on response frequencies and distributions, item-to-item correlation, factor and Rasch analysis, and input from experts. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and responsiveness. Minimum clinically important difference (MCID) was also measured.

RESULTS

Response rates were 93% at baseline and 71% at 12 weeks. Eighty-one percent of respondents at baseline were women, mean +/- SD age was 52 +/- 12 years, and mean +/- SD duration of RA was 10.8 +/- 10.4 years. The revised CSHQ-RA included 36 items measuring 7 domains (4 original and 3 new). All Cronbach's alpha coefficients were >0.8, indicating good internal consistency. Test-retest reliability measured intraclass correlation coefficients, which ranged from 0.86 to 0.95. All 7 domains correlated significantly with the MOS SF-36 and HAQ, indicating good convergent validity. Analysis of variance of disability group scores showed good discriminant validity (P < 0.0001). The MCIDs ranged from 6.2 for social well-being to 14.8 for pain/discomfort.

CONCLUSION

The revised CSHQ-RA was validated using a broader RA patient population. It captures 3 additional domains (social well-being, pain/discomfort, and fatigue), which allow for measuring all important aspects of health-related quality of life.

Association of obesity and chronic diseases in Taiwan

Two systems were used to classify weight status based on body mass index (BMI) of 3,178 Taiwanese adults who participated in the 1993-1996 Nutrition and Health Survey and to explore associations of BMI categories and disease. In the system proposed by the International Association for the Study of Obesity and the International Obesity Taskforce for Asian adults, overweight was associated with one disease (hypertension) and obesity was associated with four diseases: diabetes (OR = 2.66; 95% CI = 1.39-5.09; p < 0.01); gout (OR = 4.33; 95% CI = 1.92-9.75; p < 0.01); hypertension (OR = 4.92; 95% CI = 2.87-8.42; p < 0.01); thyroid disease (OR = 2.29; 95% CI = 1.12-4.67; p < 0.05). In the system devised by Taiwan Health Department for Taiwanese adults, overweight was associated with four diseases (arthritis, diabetes, gout, hypertension), and obesity was associated with three diseases: diabetes (OR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.07-4.19; p < 0.05); gout (OR = 4.06; 95% CI = 1.77-9.28; p < 0.01); hypertension (OR = 5.28; 95% CI = 3.23-8.63; p < 0.01). The Obesity Taskforce may underestimate the association of excess weight and disease in Taiwan.

Single-center experience of pediatric heart transplantation in taiwan

Heart transplantation (HTx) is a treatment for end-stage heart failure or a complex or inoperable congenital defect. The long-term survival and the adequate donor to recipient body weight (D/R BW) ratio remain to be determined. From March 1995 to May 2004, 14 children (6 months-16 years of age) underwent HTx due to underlying diseases of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 10; 71.4%), congenital heart disease (n = 3; 21.4%), and Kawasaki disease (n = 1; 7.1%). Donor-recipient body weight ratio ranged from 0.89 to 3.9. Big heart syndrome was present in one patient when D/R BW ratio was more than 3. Actuarial survival was 92.9% at 5 years after transplantation. Only the one patient who had Kawasaki disease died due to early primary graft failure. HTx is a feasible method with good long-term survival rates for end-stage heart failure or for complex or inoperable congenital defects. After careful pretransplant evaluation, a high D/R BW ratio (more than 3) is acceptable.

Modulation of HER2 expression by ferulic acid on human breast cancer MCF7 cells

BACKGROUND

The molecular mechanisms underlying the mitogenic effect of ferulic acid (FA), an active compound derived from Angelica sinensis, have never been elucidated. It was the aim of this study to investigate the proliferative effect of FA on human breast cancer cell lines and to elucidate its modulation mechanism on HER2 expression in MCF7 line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By using MCF7 (oestrogen receptor-positive; ER+, HER2-low), BT474 (ER+, HER2-high), MDAMB231 (ER-, HER2-low) and SKBR3 (ER-, HER2-high) human breast cancer cell lines as in vitro models, the mitogenic effects of FA were assessed by trypan blue dye exclusion assay and DNA flow cytometry. Ferulic acid-modulated cell signalling and HER2 gene expression were evaluated in MCF7 line by Western blot and real-time RT-PCR analysis.

RESULTS

Ferulic acid ER-dependently stimulated cell proliferation on MCF7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The HER2 oncogene (one of the prognostic factors of breast cancer) and ESR1 gene (oestrogen receptor-alpha; ERalpha) transcription were markedly up-regulated by FA treatment. Besides, HER2 signalling and its downstream molecules such as AKT and ERK1/2 were involved in FA-modulated ERalpha and cyclin D1 synthesis. Addition of anti-HER2 antibody, trastuzumab, abrogated FA-enhanced proliferative effect on MCF7 cells, indicated a positive feedback control for the action of HER2 in this setting. The fact that the ER antagonist blocked most of the FA-up-regulated HER2 expression, and that trastuzumab down-regulated ERalpha gene expression, suggested a cross-talk between ERalpha and HER2 signalling on MCF7 cells.

CONCLUSION

The authors' conclude that FA causes human breast cancer cell proliferation by up-regulation of HER2 and ERalpha expression.

Efficiency of a grazing-incidence off-plane grating in the soft-x-ray region

Efficiency measurements of a grazing-incidence diffraction grating in the off-plane mount were performed using polarized synchrotron radiation. The grating had 5000 grooves/mm, an effective blaze angle of 14 degrees, and was gold coated. The efficiencies in the two polarization orientations (TM and TE) were measured in the 1.5-5.0 nm wavelength range and were compared with the efficiencies calculated using the PCGrate-SX code. The TM and TE efficiencies differ, offering the possibility of performing unique science studies of astrophysical, solar, and laboratory sources by exploiting the polarization sensitivity of the off-plane grating.

Craniofacial morphometric analysis of mandibular prognathism

The purpose of this study was to provide more information about the morphological characteristics of the craniofacial complex in mandibular prognathism. Forty young adult males having mandibular prognathism were compared with 40 having normal occlusion. This was conducted to carry out geometric morphometric assessments to localize alterations, using Procrustes analysis and thin-plate spline analysis, in addition to conventional cephalometric techniques. Procrustes analysis indicated that the mean craniofacial, midfacial and mandibular morphology was significantly different in prognathic subjects compared with normal controls. This finding was corroborated by the multivariate Hotelling T(2)-test of cephalometric variables. Mandibular prognathism demonstrated a shorter and slightly retropositioned maxilla, a greater total length and anterior positioning of the mandible. Thin-plate spline analysis revealed a developmental diminution of the palatomaxillary region anteroposteriorly and a developmental elongation of the mandible anteroposteriorly, leading to the appearance of a prognathic mandibular profile. In conclusion, thin-plate spline analysis seems to provide a valuable supplement for conventional cephalometric analysis because the complex patterns of craniofacial shape change are visualized suggestive by means of grid deformations.

Midfacial and mandibular morphometry of children with Class II and Class III malocclusions

There is insufficient evidence in conventional cephalometric analysis of the actual sites of putative maxillofacial change in Class II and Class III malocclusions. The purpose of this study was to provide more information about the morphological characteristics of the midfacial complex and mandible in children with Class II or III malocclusions. Seventy children with Class II, division 1 malocclusion and 70 children with Class III malocclusion were compared with 70 children with normal occlusion. This study was conducted to carry out geometric morphometric assessments to localize alterations using Procrustes analysis and thin-plate spline analysis. Procrustes analysis indicated the midfacial and mandibular morphologies differed between normal occlusion subjects and subjects with Class II or Class III malocclusion (P<0.0001). The deformations in subjects with Class II malocclusion may represent a developmental elongation of the palatomaxillary complex and a shortening of the mandible anteroposteriorly, which leads to the appearance of a protruding midface and retruding mandibular profile. In contrast, the deformations in subjects with Class III malocclusion may represent a developmental shortening of the palatomaxillary complex and elongation of the mandible anteroposteriorly, which leads to the appearance of a retrognathic midface and prognathic mandibular profile.

Linking watershed and eutrophication modelling for the Shihmen Reservoir, Taiwan

The Shihmen Reservoir, located in northern Taiwan, features the second storage volume of impoundments on the island. The watershed of the Shihmen Reservoir has been subjected to serious pollutants due to anthropogenic interference. This study applies a watershed model, BASINS, to simulate the flow and nutrients loads from the watershed. BASINS then drives the CE-QUAL-W2 model for water quality predictions in the reservoir. The watershed modelling results are compared with field data. They reveal that significant nutrient loads were generated from the watershed during storms. The model calibration and verification were achieved with water surface elevation, temperature, and water quality constituents including nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll a in the reservoir using the eutrophication model.

Nodular glomerulosclerosis mimicking diabetic nephropathy without overt diabetes mellitus

The duration of diabetes mellitus and presence of hyperglycemia appear to be important in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Here, we present three patients with edema, heavy proteinuria, chronic renal failure, in whom no past or present symptomatic glucose intolerance or diabetic retinopathy were found. The kidney biopsy of these patients showed diffuse glomerular basement membrane thickening and nodular glomerulosclerosis, which resembled diabetic nephropathy. The renal function of these patients deteriorated rapidly and renal replacement therapy started later in the average of 11 months since the first visiting. These cases were diagnosed as diabetic nodular glomerulosclerosis, although there was no obvious evidence for diabetes. The absence of overt diabetes and diabetic retinopathy at presentation of nodular glomerulosclerosis in these cases does not refute the hypothesis that metabolic consequence of hyperglycemia is a prerequisite for the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathy, but some factors other than hyperglycemia may be responsible for renal damage in our patients. The modifiable risk factors in such a condition are postulated and discussed.

Geometric morphometric assessment of treatment effects of maxillary protraction combined with chin cup appliance on the maxillofacial complex

The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment effects on the maxillofacial complex by maxillary protraction combined with chin cup therapy among growing children. An effective geometric morphometric assessment of cephalometric radiographs, using Procrustes analysis and thin-plate spline analysis, was applied to evaluate shape change in the craniofacial and midfacial configurations of a treated sample of 20 children with skeletal Class III malocclusion. This was compared with matched untreated skeletal Class III controls. Marked treatment induced change involved the maxilla and the mandible. Major deformation consisted of forward advancement of the maxillary complex with negligible rotation of the palatal plane and a forward direction of growth of the mandibular condyle associated with a restriction in sagittal advancement of the chin. Considerable dentoalveolar components contributed to the correction of anterior crossbite. Further detailed study of skeletofacial remodelling in response to maxillary protraction in other skeletal components, including the cranial base and the mandibular complex that contribute to Class III skeletal discrepancies, is warranted.

Relationship between arterial and end-tidal carbon dioxide pressures during anesthesia using a laryngeal tube

BACKGROUND

The Laryngeal Tube (LT), (VBM Medizintechnik, Sulz, Germany) is a relatively new supraglottic device for controlling the airway. Arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO(2)) can be estimated by monitoring the end-tidal tension of carbon dioxide (PETCO(2)). The relationship between PETCO(2) and PaCO(2) during controlled ventilation via the LT has not been reported.

METHODS

During general anesthesia, 45 patients were mechanically ventilated using an LT. PETCO(2) and PaCO(2) were measured once PETCO(2) had reached a steady state. The LT was then removed and the trachea intubated using an endotracheal tube (ETT), and the identical ventilatory variables were resumed. Following stabilization, PETCO(2) was again determined and PaCO(2) estimated.

RESULTS

The mean PETCO(2) and PaCO(2) values were 4.43 +/- 0.26 kPa and 4.67 +/- 0.32 kPa, respectively, during LT ventilation, and 4.36 +/- 0.23 kPa and 4.61 +/- 0.26 kPa, respectively, during ETT ventilation. Analysis of differences between the PETCO(2) and PaCO(2) values using the Bland and Altman method revealed a bias +/- precision of 0.24 +/- 0.15 kPa for LT and 0.27 +/- 0.15 kPa for ETT. The root mean square error was 0.28 for the LT and 0.30 for the ETT.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that for healthy adult patients mechanically ventilated via the LT, the PETCO(2) value reflects the PaCO(2) value as closely as when patients are ETT ventilated, allowing capnometry to be used to evaluate the adequacy of ventilation.

Effects of sucrose concentration on the developmental potential of human frozen–thawed oocytes at different stages of maturity

BACKGROUND

Success of human oocyte cryopreservation depends on multiple cryobiological factors that could influence the developmental potential of the oocytes. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different sucrose concentrations on the developmental potential of human frozen-thawed oocytes at different maturity stages.

METHODS

A total of 355 oocytes collected from small follicles were randomly divided into three groups and two groups (B and C) were cryopreserved using slow-freezing method. Group A included 131 oocytes at different maturity stages without freezing. Another 119 oocytes in Group B were cryopreserved with 0.1 M sucrose and 105 oocytes in Group C with 0.2 M sucrose concentration.

RESULTS

The post-thaw survival rate of the oocytes and the cleavage rate in Group C were significantly higher than that of Group B (P<0.05). For immature metaphase I (MI) stage oocytes, a significant difference was found in the maturation rate between Group C and Group B (P<0.05). The maturation rate for the GV oocytes in Groups A and C was significantly higher than Group B (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that sucrose concentration of 0.2 M in the cryoprotectant solution is more suitable for human oocyte cryopreservation.

A CFD study of the deep bed filtration mechanism for submicron/nano-particle suspension

The mechanism of the deep bed filtration for submicron and nano particles suspension was conducted by means of a force analysis on the suspended particles flow path through order-packed granular filter beds. The flow fields through the filter beds were calculated by using the commercial available CFD software--Fluent. Various types of granular packing structures, such as the simple cubic packing, body-centered packing and face-centered packing structures were chosen for analysis. The motion of suspended particle of 2.967, 0.816, 0.460 and 0.050 microm in diameter, respectively, were tracked by considering the following forces including a net gravitational force, hydraulic drag force, lift force, Brownian force, van der Waals force and a double layer force. The effects of the granular bed packing structure, the porosity of these beds and the suspended particle diameter on the capture efficiency of a granular filter bed were examined. The force analysis depicts that the inertial effect and van der Waals force increased the capture probability of particles on the granular filter bed while the lift force and the Brownian force decreased the particle deposition. Simulated results show that among the chosen packing structures, the face-center packed granular bed gives the greatest pressure drop and capture efficiency of particles due to the lower packing porosity. The simple cubic packed filter bed showed the lowest pressure drop and capture efficiency of particles due to the greatest packing porosity among the chosen packing structures. It is mainly due to the simple cubic packing structure in which there exists the free vertical downward flowing path and thus exhibits a higher packing porosity. The comparisons of the simulated capture efficiency with experimental results depicted that the body-centre packed granular bed showed the best approximation of capture efficiency compared to that of the randomly packed granular bed.

Psychometric evaluation of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group—Neurotoxicity (Fact/GOG-Ntx) questionnaire for patients receiving systemic chemotherapy

The purpose of this study was to validate the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group—Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) questionnaire. The FACT/GOG-Ntx is the FACT-G plus an eleven-item subscale (Ntx subscale) that evaluates symptoms and concerns associated specifically with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Two groups of women with ovarian cancer completed the FACT/GOG-Ntx: one group with known neurotoxicities and one group of chemotherapy-naive women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Levels of patient neuropathy, severity of toxicity, and patient quality of life from diagnosis of ovarian cancer to 12 months post-diagnosis were assessed. The Ntx subscale significantly differentiated the two groups at baseline and 3- and 6-month follow-ups, demonstrating significantly fewer problems among chemotherapy-naive patients than among patients with known neuropathy. The FACT/GOG-Ntx is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the impact of neuropathy on health-related quality of life. The Ntx subscale demonstrated sensitivity to meaningful clinical distinctions and change over time.