Interleukin-1β increases Angptl4 (FIAF) expression via the JNK signaling pathway in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4), also known as fasting-induced adiopogenic factor (FIAF), has recently been reported to influence bone metabolism. However, there have been few studies on regulatory factors other than hypoxia for Angptl4 in bone, and particularly in osteoblasts. Expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a proinflammatory cytokine, is increased in serum or bone microenvironments in inflammatory bone diseases or estrogen deficient-conditions. The present study was conducted to determine whether Angptl4 expression in osteoblasts is affected by IL-1β and investigate its involvement in MAP kinase signaling pathways. Angptl4 RNA levels were increased by IL-1β treatment in murine MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining showed a corresponding increase in Angptl4 protein. IL-1β treatment of osteoblasts induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including extracellular regulated kinases (ERKs), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Furthermore, SP600125, an inhibitor of JNK, significantly blocked the upregulation of Angptl4 by IL-1β. In contrast, treatment with an inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase (SB203580) or an ERK inhibitor (PD98059) produced responses similar to those seen with the DMSO control. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-1β increases Angptl4 expression through a mechanism dependent on the JNK-MAPK signaling pathway in MC3T3-E1 cells.

Tumour volume changes assessed with high-quality KVCT in lung cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated tumour volume changes in patients with lung cancer undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy using image-guided radiotherapy (RT).

METHODS

The kilovoltage image was obtained using CT on rail at every five fractions. The gross tumour volumes (GTVs), including the primary tumour and lymph nodes (LNs), were contoured to analyse the time and degree of tumour regression.

RESULTS

46 patients [32, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 14, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC)] were included in this study. In total, 281 CT scans and 82 sites of GTVs were evaluated. Significant volume changes occurred in both the NSCLC and SCLC groups (p < 0.001 and 0.002), and the average GTV change compared with baseline was 49.85 ± 3.65 [standard error (SE)]% and 65.95 ± 4.60 (SE)% for the NSCLC and SCLC groups, respectively. A significant difference in the degree of volume reduction between the primary tumour and LNs was observed in only the NSCLC group (p < 0.0001) but not in the SCLC group (p = 0.735). The greatest volume regression compared with the volume before the five fractions occurred between the 15 and 20 fractions in the NSCLC group and between the 5 and 10 fractions in the SCLC group.

CONCLUSION

Both primary tumour and LNs were well defined using CT on rail. Significant volume changes occurred during RT, and there was a difference in volume reduction between the NSCLC and SCLC groups, regarding the degree and timing of the tumour reduction in the primary tumour and LNs.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

NSCLC and SCLC groups showed differences in the degree and timing of volume reduction. The primary tumour and LNs in NSCLC regressed differently.

The effect of physically applied alpha hydroxyl acids on the skin pore and comedone

OBJECTIVE

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) have been recognized as commonly used therapy for acne. Our studies examined whether an additional effect of physical treatment using chemical peeling combined with negative pressure and compared with AHA treatment only occurs in acne-prone subjects.

METHODS

The chemical peeling agent used 4% of an AHA solution (mixture of 1000 mL of carbonated water, 20 mL of glycolic acid and 20 mL of lactic acid). All subjects' faces were randomly divided into test and control groups. The test group was treated with chemical peeling combined with a physical effect, and the control group applied chemical peeling alone. For the 23 healthy females (average age: 30.17 ± 5.06 year), we measured sebum output level by light transmission, pore area and number by optical image analyser, and comedone counting before treatment and at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after a single treatment.

RESULTS

Compared to the before treatment, whiteheads and blackheads were significantly decreased at 1, 2 and 4 weeks in the test group (P < 0.05), but for the control group, whiteheads and blackheads showed a tendency to decrease at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. Also at 1 week, whiteheads and blackheads of the test group significantly decreased compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Pore area and number significantly decreased at 1 week (P < 0.05), and the sebum output level was significantly decreased at 4 weeks (P < 0.05) only in the test group, which did not show any significant group difference for individual parameters.

CONCLUSION

4% AHA solution combined with a physical effect had rapidly improving effects on whiteheads and blackheads synergistically. Combined physical therapy may have more impact on pore size and seborrhoea.

In vivo time-sequential histological study focused on melanocytes: suggestion of golden time for intervention to prevent post-laser pigmentary changes

BACKGROUND

Post-inflammatory pigmentary changes after laser treatments are challenging adverse effect.

OBJECTIVE

To suggest an ideal time period with regard to intervention to prevent post-laser pigmentary changes, an in vivo time-sequential histological study focused on melanocytes was performed.

METHODS

The back skin of four volunteers was irradiated with Q-switched alexandrite laser (QSAL). In one subject (subject 4), topical corticosteroid was applied onto the irradiated skin from the time of irradiation to day 28. In all subjects, time-sequential skin biopsies were performed at baseline, an immediate time after irradiation, day 2, day 7, and day 28. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Q-switched alexandrite laser led to the successful removal of pigments and most melanocytes from the epidermis in all subjects. At day 28, there was increased epidermal pigmentation in the skin of the subjects 1-3. It was noted that numerous activated melanocytes appeared on day 7, continued to be observed until day 28. However, in the subject 4, the melanocyte activation and post-laser pigmentary changes were not observed.

CONCLUSION

In regard to intervene melanocyte activation, at least 1 week after laser treatment is suggested as a 'golden' time period to prevent pigmentary changes.

EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in young adults: is this a distinct disease entity?

BACKGROUND

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the elderly is defined only in adults older than 50 years. However, EBV-positive DLBCL can affect younger patients. We investigated the prevalence, clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of EBV-positive DLBCL in young adults.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed patients with de novo DLBCL who were registered in the Samsung Medical Center (SMC) retrospective lymphoma cohort and prospective SMC Lymphoma Cohort Study I (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00822731).

RESULTS

A total of 571 cases were included in the analysis. The prevalence of EBV positivity was 6.7% (13/195) and 9.3% (35/376) in the young group (≤50 years) and in the elderly group (>50 years), respectively. EBV status was closely associated with unique unfavorable clinical characteristics [older age, more advanced stage, two or more sites of extranodal involvement, higher International Prognostic Index (IPI), and age-adjusted IPI risk] only in the elderly group. Poor prognostic impact of EBV positivity on overall survival was observed only in the elderly group [hazard ratio (HR) 2.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.83-4.47; P < 0.001], but not in the young group (HR 1.17; 95% CI 0.35-3.89; P = 0.801).

CONCLUSION

A substantial proportion of EBV-positive DLBCL of the elderly can occur in young adults. EBV positivity of DLBCL in young adults was not associated with unfavorable clinical characteristics or worse outcomes. We suggest that EBV-positive DLBCL should not be confined only in the elderly and 'EBV-positive DLBCL in young adults' needs to be considered as a clinically distinct disease entity. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02060435.

Adult porcine islet isolation using a ductal preservation method and purification with a density gradient composed of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution and iodixanol

BACKGROUND

Given the fragility of adult porcine islets, reduction of shearing stress in islet purification using histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution and iodixanol could be an effective strategy. We examined the effect of ductal preservation with HTK solution and an islet purification protocol that utilizes HTK solution and iodixanol in adult porcine islet isolation.

METHODS

Islets were isolated with a modified Ricordi method using adult Prestige World Genetics (PWG) and Yucatan pigs. The discontinuous density gradient was composed of either HTK solution/iodixanol (n = 23, iodixanol group) or Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS)/Ficoll (n = 17, Ficoll group). In the iodixanol group, ductal injection of HTK solution was performed before purification.

RESULTS

In PWG pigs, significantly higher islet yield after purification (3480 ± 214.2 islet equivalent [IEQ]/g, P = .003) and higher recovery rate (85.45% ± 3.49%, P = .0043) were obtained from the HTK/iodixanol group as compared to the HBSS/Ficoll group (1905 ± 323.2 IEQ/g, and 67.22% ± 4.77%, respectively). Similar results were obtained in Yucatan pigs with greater body weight.

CONCLUSION

Ductal preservation and iodixanol-based islet purification using HTK solution improved the yield of adult porcine islet isolation compared to the conventional method using HBSS and Ficoll. The results of this study support the feasibility of an adult porcine islet isolation protocol using HTK solution and iodixanol, which have the favorable physical properties.

Expanded criteria for liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver transplantation (LT) is one of the few effective treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim in this study was to evaluate the risk factors for HCC recurrence and propose new criteria for LT based on pretransplantation findings. One hundred eighty patients who underwent LT for HCC between 2002 and 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Outcome measures included maximal tumor size and number of tumors revealed by radiological studies before transplantation, demographics, and tumor recurrence. Maximal tumor size >6 cm, >7 tumors, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels >1000 ng/mL were identified as independent prognostic factors of HCC recurrence in univariate and multivariate analysis. Disease-free survival rate in patients with a maximal tumor size ≤6 cm, ≤7 tumors, and/or AFP levels ≤1000 ng/mL at 1, 3, and 5 years was 97.9%, 91.5%, and 90.0%, respectively, but the 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rate of patients who had a maximal tumor size >6 cm, >7 tumors, and/or AFP levels >1000 ng/mL was 61.9%, 47.6%, and 47.6%, respectively (P < .001). In conclusion, LT can improve the survival of patients with advanced HCC if they have a maximal tumor size ≤6 cm, tumor number ≤7, and/or AFP levels ≤1000 ng/mL.

Risk factors for deterioration of nodular bronchiectatic Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease

SETTING The long-term natural course of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease with nodular bronchiectasis, the most common pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease, is not well described.

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for the deterioration of nodular bronchiectatic MAC lung disease over a 5-year follow-up period.

DESIGN

Clinical and laboratory data of 67 patients with nodular bronchiectatic MAC lung disease were collected. Chest computerised tomographic images were used to count the number of lung segments involved at diagnosis and measure subcutaneous fat thickness during follow-up.

RESULTS

The 34 patients who showed deterioration had significantly lower body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.004) and % predicted forced vital capacity (P = 0.032), higher numbers of lung segments involved (P < 0.001) and MAC-positive sputum cultures (P = 0.028), and thinner chest subcutaneous fat during follow-up (P < 0.001) than patients without deterioration. In particular, patients with both BMI <21.0 kg/m(2) and more than four lung segments involved had a 240-fold increased risk of deterioration (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with poor nutritional status and extensive lung involvement tend to experience deterioration of nodular bronchiectatic MAC lung disease.

Uric acid and the risk of graft failure in kidney transplant recipients: a re-assessment

The association of hyperuricemia with kidney allograft outcomes remains controversial. We studied this problem in 1170 kidney transplants from January 2000 to December 2010. The primary endpoint was total graft failure (i.e. graft loss or death). Conventional, time-dependent and marginal structural Cox proportional hazards models were fitted, the latter accounting for kidney function as a time-varying confounder affected by prior uric acid levels. Uric acid level was associated with an increased risk of total graft failure in time-fixed and time-varying models (HR 1.02 [95% CI: 1.003-1.04] and HR 1.02 [95% CI: 1.01-1.03], respectively, for every 10 µmol/L increase in uric acid). In contrast, the marginal structural model showed a modestly protective effect (HR 0.90 [95% CI: 0.85-0.94] for every 10 µmol/L increase in uric acid). Similar results were observed for death-censored graft failure and death with graft function. In summary, the absence of a deleterious association between elevated uric acid and graft outcome after accounting for graft function as a time-varying confounder suggests that uric acid is not an independent risk factor for graft failure. The modestly protective effect of uric acid may be an indicator of nutritional status but further study is warranted.

HLA-DR and -DQ eplet mismatches and transplant glomerulopathy: a nested case-control study

We conducted a nested case-control study from a cohort of adult kidney transplant recipients to assess the risk of transplant glomerulopathy (TG) as a function of donor and recipient HLA-DR and -DQ incompatibility at the eplet level. Cases (n = 52) were defined as patients diagnosed with transplant glomerulopathy based on biopsies showing glomerular basement membrane duplication without immune complex deposition. Controls (n = 104) with a similar follow-up from transplantation were randomly selected from the remaining cohort. HLAMatchmaker was used to ascertain the number of DRB1/3/4/5, DQA1 and DQB1 related eplet mismatches (eplet load). Multivariable conditional logistic regression models demonstrated an increase in the odds of TG (odds ratios [OR] of 2.84 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 7.84] and 4.62 [95% CI: 1.51, 14.14]) in the presence of 27-43 and >43 HLA-DR + DQ related eplet mismatches versus <27 eplet mismatches, respectively. When the eplet load was modeled as a continuous variable, the OR for TG was 1.25 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.50) for every 10 additional HLA-DR + DQ eplet mismatches. Our study suggests that minimization of HLA-DR + DQ eplet mismatches may decrease the incidence of transplant glomerulopathy diagnosed by indication biopsies. The role of eplet immunogenicity/antigenicity as determinants of allograft outcomes requires further study.

Age matching improves graft survival after living donor kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND

Donor and recipient age in kidney transplantation are known to affect graft and patient survival. To address the question of whether the age difference between donor and recipient impacts on graft survival and death-censored graft survival after transplantation, we examined the impact of age matching (less than 10-year age difference) on the survivals after living donor kidney transplantation.

METHODS

Two hundred one cases of the primary living donor kidney transplantation were performed and were divided into two groups, age-matched (n = 123) versus age-discrepant (n = 78). Variables included in this study were age, gender, body weight, height, kidney disease, type and duration of dialysis before transplantation, degree of human leukocyte antigen mismatch, ischemic time, graft weight, episode of rejection, type of immunosuppression, recipient serum creatinine after transplantation, and causes of patient death and graft loss.

RESULTS

We observed the disparities of graft survival (P = .008) and death-censored graft survival (P = .003) between the groups. One-, 3-, and 5-year death-censored graft survival was 100%, 100%, and 97% in the age-matched group, respectively; and 97%, 90%, and 88% in the age-discrepant group, respectively. By Cox regression multivariate analysis, the variable of age-matching was an independent predictor for both graft survival (ß = 1.325, P = .017) and death-censored graft survival (ß = 2.217, P = .021).

CONCLUSION

During living donor and recipient matching, age difference between donor and recipient should be minimized.

Associations between pQCT-based fat and muscle area and density and DXA-based total and leg soft tissue mass in healthy women and men

Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT) can be used for muscle and fat area and density assessments. These may independently influence muscle and fat mass measurements from Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA).

OBJECTIVE

To determine associations between pQCT-derived soft tissue density and area measures and DXA-derived soft tissue mass.

METHODS

Linear regression models were developed based on BMI and calf fat and muscle cross-sectional area (FCSA and MCSA) and density measured by pQCT in healthy women (n=76) and men (n=82) aged 20-59 years. Independent variables for these models were leg and total bone-free lean mass (BFLM) and fat mass (FM) measured by DXA.

RESULTS

Sex differences (p<0.01) were found in both muscle (Mean±SE: Women: 78.6±0.4; Men: 79.9±0.2 mg/cm(3)) and fat (Women: 0.8±0.4 Men: 9.1±0.6 mg/cm(3)) density. BMI, fat density, and age (R(2)=0.86, p<0.01) best accounted for the variability in total FM. FCSA, BMI, and fat density explained the variance in leg FM (R(2)=0.87, p<0.01). MCSA and muscle density explained the variance in total (R(2)=0.65, p<0.01) and leg BFLM (R(2)=0.70, p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Calf muscle and fat area and density independently predict lean and fat tissue mass.

MRI findings in cervical spinal cord type II neurological decompression sickness: a case report

Decompression illness affecting the cervical spinal cord is uncommon. We report a case that presented with mixed signs and symptoms of cervical myelopathy and Type II neurological decompression sickness. This presented a diagnostic dilemma that required the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to elucidate the underlying cause. Cervical spine MRI revealed the presence of tiny hypointensities and edema within the spinal cord that corresponded to the clinical findings. The patient recovered with residual neurological deficits after hy-perbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy. To our knowledge, these MRI findings have yet to been described in literature and we recommend the use of MRI to assist diving physicians in the management of complex cases as long as it does not delay recompression.

Utility of intravoxel incoherent motion MR imaging for distinguishing recurrent metastatic tumor from treatment effect following gamma knife radiosurgery: initial experience

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Intravoxel incoherent motion MR imaging can simultaneously measure the diffusion and perfusion characteristics of brain tumors. Our aim was to determine the utility of intravoxel incoherent motion-derived perfusion and diffusion parameters for assessing the treatment response of metastatic brain tumor following gamma knife radiosurgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-one consecutive patients with metastatic brain tumor treated with gamma knife radiosurgery were assessed by using intravoxel incoherent motion imaging. Two readers independently calculated the 90th percentile and the 10th percentile histogram cutoffs for perfusion, normalized CBV, diffusion, and ADC. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve and interreader agreement were assessed.

RESULTS

With the combination of the 90th percentile histogram cutoff for perfusion and the 10th percentile histogram cutoff for diffusion, the sensitivity and specificity for differentiating recurrent tumor and treatment were 79.5% and 92.3% for reader 1 and 84.6% and 94.2% for reader 2, respectively. With the combination of the 90th percentile histogram cutoff for normalized CBV and the 10th percentile histogram cutoff for ADC, the sensitivity and specificity for differentiating recurrent tumor and treatment were 69.2% and 100.0% for reader 1 and 74.3% and 100.0% for reader 2, respectively. Compared with the combination of 90th percentile histogram cutoff for normalized CBV and the 10th percentile histogram cutoff for ADC, adding intravoxel incoherent motion to 90th percentile histogram cutoff for normalized CBV substantially improved the diagnostic accuracy for differentiating recurrent tumor and treatment from 86.8% to 92.3% for reader 1 and from 89.0% to 93.4% for reader 2, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficients between readers were higher for perfusion parameters (intraclass correlation coefficient range, 0.84-0.89) than for diffusion parameters (intraclass correlation coefficient range, 0.68-0.79).

CONCLUSIONS

Following gamma knife radiosurgery, intravoxel incoherent motion MR imaging can be used as a noninvasive imaging biomarker for differentiating recurrent tumor from treatment effect in patients with metastatic brain tumor.

Attitudes towards involuntary incarceration for tuberculosis: a survey of Union members

BACKGROUND

Policies involving the use of involuntary incarceration for tuberculosis (TB) are highly ethically controversial. To encourage ethical reflection within the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), the Ethics Advisory Group (EAG) surveyed members regarding their attitudes and values relating to involuntary incarceration for TB.

METHODS

Members of the Union TB section were invited to respond to an anonymous web-based survey. The survey included both multiple choice questions describing a range of scenarios regarding involuntary incarceration, and free-text fields inviting respondents to provide general comments on ethical issues.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 194 participants, 33 (17%) of whom were opposed to involuntary incarceration on principle. The age and sex of the respondents was not associated with likelihood of principled opposition; respondents from North America were least likely to be opposed to involuntary incarceration (P = 0.02). Respondents were most likely to consider involuntary incarceration for persons with known multidrug-resistant TB or a history of previous treatment default, and least likely where people lived alone, were university-educated or the main income provider for their families.

CONCLUSION

This survey found a wide range of viewpoints regarding involuntary incarceration, and highlights a number of key elements in ethical engagement with the tensions surrounding involuntary incarceration. We provide commentary on approaches to ethical policy making in the light of these findings.

Optimizing electrical activation of porcine oocytes by adjusting pre- and post-activation mannitol exposure times

Modifying electrical activation conditions have been used to improve in vitro embryo production and development in pigs. However, there is insufficient information about correlations of porcine embryo development with oocyte pre- and post-activation conditions. The purpose of this study was to compare the developmental rates of porcine oocytes subjected to different mannitol exposure times, either pre- or post-electrical activation, and to elucidate the reason for the optimal mannitol exposure time. Mannitol exposure times around activation were adjusted as 0, 1, 2 or 3 min. Blastocyst development were checked on day 7. Exposure of oocytes to mannitol for 1 or 2 min before electrical activation produced significantly higher blastocyst rates than exposure for 0 or 3 min. There was no significant difference in blastocyst rates when activated oocytes were exposed to mannitol for 0, 1, 2 or 3 min after electrical activation. While exposure of oocytes to mannitol for 1 min pre- and 3 min post-activation showed significantly higher blastocyst development than 0 min pre- and 0 min post-activation. It also showed higher maintenance of normal oocyte morphology than exposure for 0 min pre- and 0 min post-activation. In conclusion, exposure of oocytes to mannitol for 1 min pre- and 3 min post-activation seems to be optimal for producing higher in vitro blastocyst development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos. The higher blastocyst development is correlated with higher maintenance of normal morphology in oocytes exposed to mannitol for 1 min pre- and 3 min post-activation.

Temporal changes in foveal contour after macular hole surgery

BACKGROUND

To investigate the changes in inner foveal contour after surgery for macular hole (MH) and its clinical implications.

METHODS

This retrospective observational case series included 66 eyes from 66 patients who underwent surgery for MH. Notching of tissue was defined as an abrupt alteration in the inner contour of the parafoveal tissue based on postoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) image. The distance between the parafoveal edges of the outer plexiform layer (OPL) was defined as the inter-OPL distance. The inter-OPL distance was divided into nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior lengths. The difference in the lengths of each direction between the early and late postoperative period was compared between directions with and without notching.

RESULTS

The early and late postoperative examination was performed at 4.6±2.9 weeks and 6.2±0.6 months, respectively. Notching of tissue was noted in 54 eyes (81.8%). In 53 eyes with a measurable inter-OPL distance, the notching of tissue was noted in 45 eyes (84.9%) regardless of preoperative MH size. The mean amount of foveal tissue elongation that occurred during the designated period was 104.6±68.8 and 78.4±72.9 μm in the directions with and without the notching of tissue (P<0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The changes in the inner foveal contour, including notching of tissue and elongation of foveal tissue, were noted in the majority of eyes after MH surgery. Notching of tissue on OCT image could be a clinical marker for the development of foveal tissue elongation after MH surgery.

Rubi Fructus (Rubus coreanus) activates the expression of thermogenic genes in vivo and in vitro

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the anti-obesity effect of Rubi Fructus (RF) extract using brown adipose tissue (BAT) and primary brown preadipocytes in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6 J mice (n=5 per group) were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks with or without RF. Brown preadipocytes from the interscapular BAT of mice (age, post-natal days 1-3) were cultured with differentiation media (DM) including isobutylmethylxanthine, dexamethasone, T3, indomethacin and insulin with or without RF.

RESULTS

In HFD-induced obese C57BL/6 J mice, long-term RF treatment significantly reduced weight gain as well as the weights of the white adipose tissue, liver and spleen. Serum levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also reduced in the HFD group which received RF treatment. Furthermore, RF induced thermogenic-, adipogenic- and mitochondria-related gene expressions in BAT. In primary brown adipocytes, RF effectively stimulated the expressions of thermogenic- and mitochondria-related genes. In addition, to examine whether LIPIN1, a regulator of adipocyte differentiation, is regulated by RF, Lipin1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and RF were pretreated in primary brown adipocytes. Pretreatment with Lipin1 siRNA and RF downregulated the DM-induced expression levels of thermogenic- and mitochondria-related genes. Moreover, RF markedly upregulated AMP-activated protein kinase. Our study shows that RF is capable of stimulating the differentiation of brown adipocytes through the modulation of thermogenic genes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that RF prevents the development of obesity in mice fed with a HFD and that it is also capable of stimulating the differentiation of brown adipocytes through the modulation of thermogenic genes, which suggests that RF has potential as a therapeutic application for the treatment or prevention of obesity.

The impact of activated p-AKT expression on clinical outcomes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a clinicopathological study of 262 cases

BACKGROUND

Oncogenic phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/serine-threonine kinase (PI3K/AKT) pathway plays a critical role in cell proliferation and growth. Phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) has been reported to be abnormally overexpressed and to have poor prognostic impact in solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

To define the clinical implications of p-AKT expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), we calculated arbitrary units (AUs) by multiplying the intensity and the proportion of p-AKT expression and investigated the impact of p-AKT expression on clinical outcomes. We assessed 262 patients with DLBCL. Based on a cutoff value of the upper limit of the third quartile of AUs, 56 patients were classified as high p-AKT and the remaining 206 patients were classified as low p-AKT.

RESULTS

The high p-AKT group was closely associated with more advanced stage (stage III-IV, P = 0.02), two or more extranodal involvement (P = 0.03), lactic dehydrogenase elevation (P = 0.03), higher International Prognostic Index risk groups (high intermediate/high, P = 0.02), and the presence of B-symptoms (P = 0.01). The high p-AKT group showed substantially worse overall survival (OS) (median OS, 115.0 months versus not reached, P = 0.004) and progression-free survival (PFS) (median PFS, 25.5 versus 105.8 months, P = 0.019) compared with the low p-AKT group. Multivariate analysis revealed that high p-AKT expression retained its significant poor prognostic impact for OS (hazard ratio 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.7; P = 0.031). The subgroup with high p-AKT expression and concurrent Epstein-Barr virus positivity showed worst prognosis with the median OS and PFS of 15.2 and 7.4 months.

CONCLUSION

DLBCL patients with high p-AKT expression showed distinct clinical features and followed a more rapidly deteriorating clinical course with worse OS and PFS. Thus, a more effective treatment option should be developed for this subset of DLBCL patients, and targeting PI3K/AKT pathway may be a promising therapeutic strategy.

PHF2 histone demethylase acts as a tumor suppressor in association with p53 in cancer

Plant homeodomain finger 2 (PHF2) has a role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression by demethylating H3K9-Me2. Several genome-wide studies have demonstrated that the chromosomal region including the PHF2 gene is often deleted in some cancers including colorectal cancer, and this finding encouraged us to investigate the tumor suppressive role of PHF2. As p53 is a critical tumor suppressor in colon cancer, we tested the possibility that PHF2 is an epigenetic regulator of p53. PHF2 was associated with p53, and thereby, promoted p53-driven gene expression in cancer cells under genotoxic stress. PHF2 converted the chromatin that is favorable for transcription by demethylating the repressive H3K9-Me2 mark. In an HCT116 xenograft model, PHF2 was found to be required for the anticancer effects of oxaliplatin and doxorubicin. In PHF2-deficient xenografts, p53 expression was profoundly induced by both drugs, but its downstream product p21 was not, suggesting that p53 cannot be activated in the absence of PHF2. To find clinical evidence about the role of PHF2, we analyzed the expressions of PHF2, p53 and p21 in human colon cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues from patients. PHF2 was downregulated in cancer tissues and PHF2 correlated with p21 in cancers expressing functional p53. Colon and stomach cancer tissue arrays showed a positive correlation between PHF2 and p21 expressions. Informatics analyses using the Oncomine database also supported our notion that PHF2 is downregulated in colon and stomach cancers. On the basis of these findings, we propose that PHF2 acts as a tumor suppressor in association with p53 in cancer development and ensures p53-mediated cell death in response to chemotherapy.

Comparison between resection and transplantation in combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The treatment of choice for combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is surgical resection. However, the efficacy of liver transplantation is not clear. We compared the surgical outcome of hepatic resection and liver transplantation for cHCC-CC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1995 to 2012, 89 patients were diagnosed with cHCC-CC after hepatic resection and 8 patients diagnosed with cHCC-CC after liver transplantation. We excluded 21 patients who were American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Stage III or IV and lost to follow-up. The outcomes were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The poor prognostic factors in cHCC-CC patients who underwent hepatectomy were large tumor size (>5 cm), small safety margin (<2 cm), and low preoperative albumin level. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between the hepatectomy group (n = 68) and the liver transplant group (n = 8) was not statistically different (5-year DFS: 26.2% vs 37.5%, P = .333; 5-year OS: 42.1% vs 50%, P = .591). In the small tumor subgroup (tumor size <5 cm), the DFS and OS between the 2 surgical procedures was not different, and in the adequate resection margin subgroup (safety margin >2 cm), survival was comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

In well-selected cases with small tumor size and with preserved liver function, liver resection should be considered when complete resection is possible.

The relationship between pulmonary function and bone mineral density in healthy nonsmoking women: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010

The aim of this study was to examine the association between pulmonary function and bone mineral density (BMD) in subjects who had never smoked. Pulmonary function was associated with BMD in premenopausal, but not postmenopausal, women.

INTRODUCTION

It has been reported that low bone mass is common in patients with pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, in healthy nonsmoking women, the relationship between bone mass and pulmonary function has yet to be clarified. The object of this study was to determine whether pulmonary function is related to BMD in healthy nonsmoking women based on menopausal status.

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional study based on data obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a nationwide representative survey conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2010. This study included 456 subjects who had never smoked and analyzed data concerning pulmonary function and BMD.

RESULTS

Functional vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were correlated with BMD at lumbar spine, femur neck (FN), and total hip in premenopausal women (p = 0.030, p = 0.003, p = 0.019, respectively, for FVC; p = 0.015, p = 0.006, p = 0.059, respectively, for FEV1). However, FVC and FEV1 were only correlated with BMD at FN in postmenopausal women (p = 0.003 for FVC; p = 0.006 for FEV1). Body mass index (BMI), FVC, and FEV1 were significantly related with BMD at FN, even after adjusting for age and other confounding factors (β = 0.334, p < 0.001; β = 0.145, p = 0.017; and β = 0.129, p = 0.037, respectively) in premenopausal women. However, only age and BMI were correlated with BMD at FN (β = -0.268, p = 0.001 and β = 0.384, p > 0.001) in postmenopausal women after adjusting for confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary function, including FVC and FEV1 are associated with BMD at FN in healthy nonsmoking premenopausal women but not in postmenopausal women.

Diagnostic utility of diffusion tensor imaging in differentiating glioblastomas from brain metastases

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Differentiation of glioblastomas and solitary brain metastases is an important clinical problem because the treatment strategy can differ significantly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential added value of DTI metrics in differentiating glioblastomas from brain metastases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred twenty-eight patients with glioblastomas and 93 with brain metastases were retrospectively identified. Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity values were measured from the enhancing and peritumoral regions of the tumor. Two experienced neuroradiologists independently rated all cases by using conventional MR imaging and DTI. The diagnostic performances of the 2 raters and a DTI-based model were assessed individually and combined.

RESULTS

The fractional anisotropy values from the enhancing region of glioblastomas were significantly higher than those of brain metastases (P < .01). There was no difference in mean diffusivity between the 2 tumor types. A classification model based on fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity from the enhancing regions differentiated glioblastomas from brain metastases with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.86, close to those obtained by 2 neuroradiologists using routine clinical images and DTI parameter maps (area under the curve = 0.90 and 0.85). The areas under the curve of the 2 radiologists were further improved to 0.96 and 0.93 by the addition of the DTI classification model.

CONCLUSIONS

Classification models based on fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity from the enhancing regions of the tumor can improve diagnostic performance in differentiating glioblastomas from brain metastases.