Invasion of Peripheral Immune Cells into Brain Parenchyma after Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation

Although a direct link has long been suspected between systemic immune responses and neuronal injuries after stroke, it is unclear which immune cells play an important role. A question remains as to whether the blood brain barrier (BBB) is transiently disrupted after circulatory arrest to allow peripheral immune cells to enter brain parenchyma. Here, we developed a clinically relevant cardiac arrest and resuscitation model in mice to investigate the BBB integrity using noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging. Changes in immune signals in the brain and periphery were assayed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Quantitative variance maps from T1-weighted difference images before and after blood-pool contrast clearance revealed BBB disruptions immediately after resuscitation and one day after reperfusion. Time profiles of hippocampal CA1 neuronal injuries correlated with the morphological changes of microglia activation. Cytotoxic T cells, CD11b⁺CD11c⁺ dendritic cells, and CD11b⁺CD45^+hi monocytes and macrophages were significantly increased in the brain three days after cardiac arrest and resuscitation, suggesting direct infiltration of these cells following the BBB disruption. Importantly, these immune cell changes were coupled with a parallel increase in the same subset of immune cell populations in the bone marrow and blood. We conclude that neurovascular breakdown during the initial reperfusion phase contributes to the systemic immune cell invasion and subsequent neuropathogenesis affecting the long-term outcome after cardiac arrest and resuscitation.

X-Ray Crystallographic Studies for Revealing Binding Sites of General Anesthetics in Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels

X-ray crystallography is a powerful tool in structural biology and can offer insight into structured-based understanding of general anesthetic action on various relevant molecular targets, including pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs). In this chapter, we outline the procedures for expression and purification of pLGICs. Optimization of crystallization conditions, especially to achieve high-resolution structures of pLGICs bound with general anesthetics, is also presented. Case studies of pLGICs bound with the volatile general anesthetic isoflurane, 2-bromoethanol, and the intravenous general anesthetic ketamine are revisited.

Enabling Controlling Complex Networks with Local Topological Information

Complex networks characterize the nature of internal/external interactions in real-world systems including social, economic, biological, ecological, and technological networks. Two issues keep as obstacles to fulfilling control of large-scale networks: structural controllability which describes the ability to guide a dynamical system from any initial state to any desired final state in finite time, with a suitable choice of inputs; and optimal control, which is a typical control approach to minimize the cost for driving the network to a predefined state with a given number of control inputs. For large complex networks without global information of network topology, both problems remain essentially open. Here we combine graph theory and control theory for tackling the two problems in one go, using only local network topology information. For the structural controllability problem, a distributed local-game matching method is proposed, where every node plays a simple Bayesian game with local information and local interactions with adjacent nodes, ensuring a suboptimal solution at a linear complexity. Starring from any structural controllability solution, a minimizing longest control path method can efficiently reach a good solution for the optimal control in large networks. Our results provide solutions for distributed complex network control and demonstrate a way to link the structural controllability and optimal control together.

[Comparison of the prognostic value of the seventh and eighth edition of The AJCC Esophageal Cancer Staging System for the patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲesophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To compare and evaluate the prognostic value of the 7(th) and 8(th) edition of The AJCC Esophageal Cancer Staging System for patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: The clinical data of 328 esophageal cancer patients who received operation at Department of Esophageal Cancer, Tianjin Tumour Hospital from January 2006 to December 2010 were restrospectively analyzed. There were 63 female and 265 male patients. The mean age was 65 (range: 33 to 87) years. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify the prognosis factors. Results: The five years overall survival rates among patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ were both significantly different (χ(2)=87.035, 84.730, all P=0.000) according to the 7(th) and 8(th) editions of the TNM staging systems. The five years overall survival rate among patients with stage ⅡB and ⅢA were significantly different (39.6% vs 23.4%, P=0.001) according to the 7(th) edition of the esophageal cancer staging systems.According to the 8(th) edition of the esophageal cancer staging system, the 5 years survival rate of patients with stage ⅡA and ⅡB, ⅢB and Ⅳ was statistically significant (58.5% vs. 35.5%, P=0.040; 18.9% vs. 0, P=0.000). In multivariate analysis, tumor size, T staging, N staging and tumor differentiation (HR=1.592, 95%CI: 1.185 to 2.139, P=0.002; HR=1.519, 95% CI: 1.236 to 1.867, P=0.000; HR=1.647, 95% CI: 1.448 to 1.874, P=0.000; HR=1.404, 95% CI: 1.059 to 1.861, P=0.018) were the main independent prognosis factors affecting the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients. Conclusions: Both the 7(th) and the 8(th) editions of TNM staging systems are able to reflect the clinical prognosis of patients receiving radical resection of esophageal cancer, and the factors of tumor size, differentiaton, invasion depth and lymph node metastases are the independent predictors of prognosis. The 8(th) edition provides a more detailed and more reasonable for the staging of stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ for esophageal cancer patients than the 7(th) edition, and it is more accurate for the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer after surgery.

Solution NMR Studies of Anesthetic Interactions with Ion Channels

NMR spectroscopy is one of the major tools to provide atomic resolution protein structural information. It has been used to elucidate the molecular details of interactions between anesthetics and ion channels, to identify anesthetic binding sites, and to characterize channel dynamics and changes introduced by anesthetics. In this chapter, we present solution NMR methods essential for investigating interactions between ion channels and general anesthetics, including both volatile and intravenous anesthetics. Case studies are provided with a focus on pentameric ligand-gated ion channels and the voltage-gated sodium channel NaChBac.

Abstract P3-12-11: Disparities in adjuvant hormone adherence in breast cancer patients within a universal healthcare model

Background: Patient adherence to adjuvant hormonal therapy for breast cancer (BC) is correlated with improved survival. Recent publications have demonstrated ethnic disparities in adjuvant hormone adherence (AHA) for privatized healthcare models.

Objective: To identify disparities in AHA for BC patients within a universal healthcare system in Alberta, Canada.

Methods: Patients diagnosed from 2007-2014 with stage I-III, ER+/HER2- BC receiving adjuvant FECD or DC chemotherapy and at least one month of adjuvant hormonal therapy in Alberta, Canada were retrospectively assessed. Hormone monotherapy (tamoxifen, AI), switch strategies (tam to AI), and treatment duration were collected. Compliance was assessed with central pharmacy data. Patient ethnicity was identified using patient first/last and parental last name via Onolytics® ethnographic software. Ethnicity was further verified using a centrally collected place of birth. Age, AJCC stage, psychiatric diagnoses (mood, bipolar), and comorbidity were collected. Log rank and Chi squared were used to assess difference between adjuvant hormonal therapy for variables at 1, 2, and 5 years. Log rank p-values at 2 years are reported.

Results: A total of 2,399 ER+ patients were included for analysis. AHA was non-significant for ethnicity (p=0.797), comorbidity (p=0.623), psychiatric disorders (p=0.145), or elderly cohorts (p= 0.814). AHA by stage was significant with stage III > II > I (p=0.004) having the highest compliance rates. AHA was highest for planned hormonal switch strategies (p=0.004) compared to monotherapy.

Hormone Adherence RatesCharacteristicsNo. of Patients% AdherenceEthnicity  Caucasian211891.6Asian15293.4Middle Eastern/African9593.7Hispanic2491.7Age  <65207791.8>6534192.1Comorbidity  096191.21-3134392.2>311493Psychiatric Dx  Yes31189.7No210792.1Stage  I45388.3II151292.1III45394.5Hormone Strategy  Monotherapy173190.9Switch68794.2

Conclusion: AHA is not dependent on ethnicity, age, comorbidity, or psychiatric diagnosis in a universal healthcare model. Conversely, higher rates of AHA are seen with planned switch strategy compared to monotherapy, contradictory to the BIG I-98 trial. Patients with higher stage, and thus higher risk of BC recurrence have increased adherence compared to their low risk counterparts. Reinforcement of AHA for low/moderate risk BC patients, in addition to tamoxifen to AI switch strategies may improve overall adherence.

Citation Format: Veitch ZW, Khan OF, Tilley D, Kostaras X, King K, Lupichuk S, Tang P. Disparities in adjuvant hormone adherence in breast cancer patients within a universal healthcare model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-11.

Recent progress on the molecular pharmacology of propofol

The precise mechanism by which propofol enhances GABAergic transmission remains unclear, but much progress has been made regarding the underlying structural and dynamic mechanisms. Furthermore, it is now clear that propofol has additional molecular targets, many of which are functionally influenced at concentrations achieved clinically. Focusing primarily on molecular targets, this brief review attempts to summarize some of this recent progress while pointing out knowledge gaps and controversies. It is not intended to be comprehensive but rather to stimulate further thought, discussion, and study on the mechanisms by which propofol produces its pleiotropic effects.

Boundary Constraints for Minimum Cost Control of Directed Networks

Controlling directed networks with minimum cost has become an emerging branch in the areas of complex networks and control recently. In this paper, we focus on this minimum cost control problem subject to two types of boundary constraints, namely, trace boundary constraint and orthonormal boundary constraint on the input matrices. First, the minimum cost control problem is formulated as an optimization model for each type of boundary constraint. Next, two iterative algorithms, named as trace-constraint-based projected gradient method and orthonormal-constraint-based projected gradient method, are proposed to solve the optimal problem, respectively. Then, convergence properties of both algorithms are established. Finally, extensive simulation results show the effectiveness of our methods based on detailed comparisons between the two boundary conditions. We believe the results reveal some interesting physical insights for the optimal control of directed networks.

BNIP3 induces apoptosis and protective autophagy under hypoxia in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines: BNIP3 regulates cell death

Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19-kDa interacting protein (BNIP3), a pro-apoptosis protein regulated by the methylation status of its promoter, has been implicated in inducing autophagy. However, the roles of BNIP3 and BNIP3-induced autophagy under hypoxia remain uncertain in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Two esophageal squamous cancer cell lines, CAES17 and KYSE140, were selected on the basis of the expression and methylation status of BNIP3 to investigate the features of BNIP3 under hypoxia. Hypoxia increased cell death and the expression of BNIP3, whose promoter status was lower methylation, in a time-dependent manner. BNIP3 knockdown by RNA interference downregulated cell death. These studies demonstrated that the exposure of ESCC cells to hypoxia increased the autophagic punctate distribution of MDC staining and GFP-LC3 and that autophagy rate could be inhibited by BNIP3-siRNA. In addition, under hypoxia, cells transfected with BNIP3-siRNA exhibited a lower apoptosis rate than the control, and the apoptosis induced by BNIP3 exhibited a caspase-independent manner. Furthermore, the administration of the autophagic inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) could augment BNIP3-induced cell apoptosis and death, suggesting that autophagy plays a protective role under hypoxia. Together, our studies indicated that BNIP3 exerts prodeath effects through the induction of caspase-independent apoptosis under hypoxia in ESCC, though BNIP3-induced autophagy acting as a survival mechanism.

Ketamine Inhibition of the Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channel GLIC

Ketamine inhibits pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs), including the bacterial pLGIC from Gloeobacter violaceus (GLIC). The crystal structure of GLIC shows R-ketamine bound to an extracellular intersubunit cavity. Here, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of GLIC in the absence and presence of R- or S-ketamine. No stable binding of S-ketamine in the original cavity was observed in the simulations, largely due to its unfavorable access to residue D154, which provides important electrostatic interactions to stabilize R-ketamine binding. Contrary to the symmetric binding shown in the crystal structure, R-ketamine moved away from some of the binding sites and was bound to GLIC asymmetrically at the end of simulations. The asymmetric binding is consistent with the experimentally measured negative cooperativity of ketamine binding to GLIC. In the presence of R-ketamine, all subunits showed changes in structure and dynamics, irrespective of binding stability; the extracellular intersubunit cavity expanded and intersubunit electrostatic interactions involved in channel activation were altered. R-ketamine binding promoted a conformational shift toward closed GLIC. Conformational changes near the ketamine-binding site were propagated to the interface between the extracellular and transmembrane domains, and further to the pore-lining TM2 through two pathways: pre-TM1 and the β1-β2 loop. Both signaling pathways have been predicted previously using the perturbation-based Markovian transmission model. The study provides a structural and dynamics basis for the inhibitory modulation of ketamine on pLGICs.

The association between serum uric acid level and the risk of fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Controversy has arisen in regarding the association between serum uric acid (UA) and fracture risk. Therefore, we conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis by pooling estimate of five prospective studies (29,110 participants). Results showed that an increased serum UA level is associated with a lower risk of fracture. Numerous studies have demonstrated that high serum UA is a relevant risk factor for a wide variety of diseases, whereas new understanding in serum uric acid follows recent reports demonstrating a protective role of UA in health status. However, the association between serum UA and fracture remains controversial. Therefore, we conduct a systemic review and meta-analysis to determine whether elevated UA level is a protective factor for fracture among prospective studies. We searched for studies published before May 6, 2016, using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases, without any language restriction. The inclusion criteria were published studies investigating the association between UA and fractures. Two authors independently screened the retrieved articles in accordance to the predefined inclusion criteria. We pooled the study-specific relative risk estimates using a random-effect model for comparison of persons whose UA levels were in the top tertile with those in the bottom tertile. Factors that may predict these associations were evaluated in subgroup analysis and meta-regression. The five included prospective studies included 29,110 participants. In random-effect models that included all five included studies, the summary hazard ratios (HRs) (top vs bottom tertiles) were 079 (95% CI, 0.69 to 0.89), without evidence of heterogeneity (P for heterogeneity = 0.458; I ² = 0%). Similar results were shown when pooling estimate of three higher-quality studies (HR 0.80 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.93). The association between UA and fracture remained in sensitivity and subgroup analyses. An increased serum UA level is shown to be associated with a lower risk of fracture, albeit additional large, high-quality prospective studies or a meta-analysis of individual data are still needed to verify the association.

Analysis of Nitroxide-Based Distance Measurements in Cell Extracts and in Cells by Pulsed ESR Spectroscopy

Measurements of distances in cells by pulsed ESR spectroscopy afford tremendous opportunities to study proteins in native environments that are irreproducible in vitro. However, the in-cell environment is harsh towards the typical nitroxide radicals used in double electron-electron resonance (DEER) experiments. A systematic examination is performed on the loss of the DEER signal, including contributions from nitroxide decay and nitroxide side-chain cleavage. In addition, the possibility of extending the lifetime of the nitroxide radical by use of an oxidizing agent is investigated. Using this oxidizing agent, DEER distance measurements are performed on doubly nitroxide-labeled GB1, the immunoglobulin-binding domain of protein G, at varying incubation times in the cellular environment. It is found that, by comparison of the loss of DEER signal to the loss of the CW spectrum, cleavage of the nitroxide side chain contributes to the loss of DEER signal, which is significantly greater in cells than in cell extracts. Finally, local spin concentrations are monitored at varying incubation times to show the time required for molecular diffusion of a small globular protein within the cellular milieu.

Collaborating to Compete: Blood Profiling Atlas in Cancer (BloodPAC) Consortium

The cancer community understands the value of blood profiling measurements in assessing and monitoring cancer. We describe an effort among academic, government, biotechnology, diagnostic, and pharmaceutical companies called the Blood Profiling Atlas in Cancer (BloodPAC) Project. BloodPAC will aggregate, make freely available, and harmonize for further analyses, raw datasets, relevant associated clinical data (e.g., clinical diagnosis, treatment history, and outcomes), and sample preparation and handling protocols to accelerate the development of blood profiling assays.

Integral recycling of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash fines (0-2mm) and industrial powder wastes by cold-bonding pelletization

The cold-bonding pelletizing technique is applied in this study as an integrated method to recycle municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash fines (BAF, 0-2mm) and several other industrial powder wastes. Artificial lightweight aggregates are produced successfully based on the combination of these solid wastes, and the properties of these artificial aggregates are investigated and then compared with others' results reported in literature. Additionally, methods for improving the aggregate properties are suggested, and the corresponding experimental results show that increasing the BAF amount, higher binder content and addition of polypropylene fibres can improve the pellet properties (bulk density, crushing resistance, etc.). The mechanisms regarding to the improvement of the pellet properties are discussed. Furthermore, the leaching behaviours of contaminants from the produced aggregates are investigated and compared with Dutch environmental legislation. The application of these produced artificial lightweight aggregates are proposed according to their properties.

Abstract P1-03-10: HER2 expression in clinical breast cancer samples: A novel detection methodology for HER2 protein quantitation using fluorescent nanoparticles

Background: The human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) is a member of a family of transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors that play an important role in regulated normal cell growth and differentiation. The over-expression of HER2 in a subset of 15-20% of invasive breast cancers has an important bearing on prognosis, as HER2-positive tumors are associated with an aggressive clinical course and poor outcome. Targeting HER2-overexpression has been shown to be a remarkably effective therapeutic modality; however testing of tumor samples to assess the HER2 status of the patient's breast cancer is required. Clinical assays to assess the HER2 status in patients being considered for targeted therapy include immunohistochemistry (IHC), which detects protein over-expression, or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), which detects gene amplification. Both the IHC and FISH methodologies have limitations. Given that the target of the currently approved drugs is the receptor protein, novel detections systems that could more accurately and quantitatively detect HER2 protein in clinical samples over a broad dynamic range would be advantageous and may be clinically helpful.

Material and Methods: A novel detection technology using streptavidin-coated Phosphor Integrated Dot fluorescent nanoparticles (PID) has been developed that can be visualized by fluorescence microscopy and used for quantitative immunofluorescence detection of protein in clinical samples using computer assisted image analysis. In the current study, PID- nanoparticles were used to analyze HER2 protein expression in breast cancer cell lines and 120 well characterized breast cancer samples. These results have been compared with HER2 IHC and HER2 FISH analysis.

Results: The expression levels of HER2 protein from 8 breast cancer cell lines was evaluated by antibody-binding capacity with FACS analysis. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded cell pellets for these cell lines were prepared and used for quantitative HER2 analysis by PID. The PID score/cell for each of these cell lines showed a strong linear correlation with antibody-binding capacity sites/cell by FACS analysis (R2 = 0.94). For the 120 breast cancer samples, PID score/cell was measured and compared against HER2 IHC membrane intensity measure by image analysis (Aperio) and HER2 FISH results. The HER2 PID score/cell showed a correlation coefficient of R2=0.72 versus the average HER2 copy number per cell by FISH, compared with a correlation coefficient of R2=0.41 for HER2 IHC membrane intensity measured by Aperio. For the HER2/CEP17 ratio, the correlation coefficient for the PID score/cell was R2=0.79 compared with a correlation coefficient of R2=0.32 for the HER2 IHC membrane intensity.

Conclusions: PID-nanoparticles demonstrate great potential for the quantitative measurement of protein of clinical interest in routine clinical samples with morphologic confirmation of the tissue being studied. Further studies looking for PID-score thresholds for HER2 gene amplification and correlations with clinical outcome data are warranted and ongoing.

Citation Format: Hicks DG, Goda H, Zhai H, Okada H, McMahon L, Sullivan N, Tang P, Nakano Y. HER2 expression in clinical breast cancer samples: A novel detection methodology for HER2 protein quantitation using fluorescent nanoparticles [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 P1-03-10.

Structural Basis of Alcohol Inhibition of the Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channel ELIC

The structural basis for alcohol modulation of neuronal pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) remains elusive. We determined an inhibitory mechanism of alcohol on the pLGIC Erwinia chrysanthemi (ELIC) through direct binding to the pore. X-ray structures of ELIC co-crystallized with 2-bromoethanol, in both the absence and presence of agonist, reveal 2-bromoethanol binding in the pore near T237(6') and the extracellular domain (ECD) of each subunit at three different locations. Binding to the ECD does not appear to contribute to the inhibitory action of 2-bromoethanol and ethanol as indicated by the same functional responses of wild-type ELIC and mutants. In contrast, the ELIC-α1β3GABA_AR chimera, replacing the ELIC transmembrane domain (TMD) with the TMD of α1β3GABA_AR, is potentiated by 2-bromoethanol and ethanol. The results suggest a dominant role of the TMD in modulating alcohol effects. The X-ray structures and functional measurements support a pore-blocking mechanism for inhibitory action of short-chain alcohols.

Asymmetric Michael Addition Induced by (R)-tert-Butanesulfinamide and Syntheses of Chiral Pyrazolidinone Derivatives

A highly diastereoselective Michael addition of (R)-N-tert-butanesulfinyl imidates 8 to α,β-unsaturated pyrazolidinone 3a has been developed to afford pyrazolidinones 10 possessing three contiguous stereocenters with good to excellent yield and excellent diastereoselectivity. A two-step conversion of reduction and cyclization provides the bicyclic pyrazolopiperidine 12 in a good yield. A series of pyrazolopiperidine derivatives 18 with a quaternary carbon center at C-3a are stereoselectively synthesized via alkylation or Michael addition.