Serum lipid profile in gynecologic tumors: a retrospective clinical study of 1,550 patients

BACKGROUND

The study was performed to characterize and compare the serum lipid profile in gynecologic cancers and benign diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 1,550 age-matched females were included in this study: 760 patients with gynecologic cancers and 790 patients with benign diseases. Serum levels of triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), total cholesterol (TC), and lipoprotein (a) were measured.

RESULTS

Compared to gynecologic benign disease group, gynecologic cancer group was associated with higher level of TG (p = 0.0002), as well as lower level of HDL-c (p < 0.0001), LDL-c (p = 0.004) and TC (p = 0.003). Compared to benign ovarian tumor group, ovarian cancer group had significantly lower levels of HDL-c (p < 0.0001), LDL-c (p = 0.0009), and TC (p < 0.0001), as well as a trend of higher level of lipoprotein (a) (p = 0.10). Compared to endometriosis group, endometrial cancer group showed higher levels of TG (p < 0.0001) and lower levels of HDL-c (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in any lipid parameters between cervical cancer group and uterine leiomyomas group.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, compared with benign diseases, gynecologic cancers are associated with a disordered lipid profile characterized by higher TG and lipoprotein (a) levels, and lower HDL-c, LDL-c, and TC levels. The association is most conspicuous in ovarian cancers. Endometrial cancer is accompanied by alterations only in TG and HDL-c levels, while cervical cancer does not appear to be associated with disordered lipid profile.

The application of multi-objective optimization method for activated sludge process: a review

The activated sludge process (ASP) is the most generally applied biological wastewater treatment approach. Depending on the design and specific application, activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can achieve biological nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal, besides the removal of organic carbon substances. However, the effluent N and P limits are getting tighter because of increased emphasis on environmental protection, and the needs for energy conservation as well as the operational reliability. Therefore, the balance between treatment performance and cost becomes a critical issue for the operations of WWTPs, which necessitates a multi-objective optimization (MOO). Recent studies in this field have shown promise in utilizing MOO to address the multiple conflicting criteria (i.e. effluent quality, operation cost, operation stability), including studying the ASP models that are primarily responsible for the process, and developing the method of MOO in the wastewater treatment process, which facilitates better optimization of process performance. Based on a better understanding of the application of MOO for ASP, a comprehensive review is conducted to offer a clear vision of the advances, and potential areas for future research are also proposed in the field.

Upregulation of mitogen-inducible gene 6 triggers antitumor effect and attenuates progesterone resistance in endometrial carcinoma cells

Researches regarding mitogen-inducible gene 6 (Mig-6) have confirmed its role as a tumor suppressor and progesterone resistance factor in endometrium. In this study, after confirming the downregulation of Mig-6 protein in endometrial carcinoma (EC) tissues, the expression of Mig-6 was upregulated in Ishikawa cells by pCMV6-Mig-6 plasmid. We observed the increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation and invasion potential of Ishikawa cells after upregulation of Mig-6. The proapoptosis ability of P4 significantly enhanced by 39.36%, the antiproliferation ability increased by 37.90% and the anti-invasion ability increased by 48.89%, suggesting the antiprogesterone resistance potential of Mig-6 in endometrium. In addition, the results suggested that Mig-6 may induce Ishikawa cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway, inhibit cell proliferation via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway and the anti-invasion potential may associate with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 downexpression. Therefore, upregulation of Mig-6 may add a new strategy to suppress endometrial tumorigenesis and attenuate the progesterone resistance during P4 treatment.

Satisfactory Usage of a Lacerated Kidney for Transplantation: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Organ shortage is the main bottleneck in the wait-list for transplantation; therefore, expanding the donor pool is an effective way to solve the problem. Usage of the traumatized liver for transplantation has been applied, but the use of lacerated kidneys for transplant donor is rarely reported.

METHODS

We reported a successful case of donation after brain death. The donor committed suicide by jumping from a campus dormitory building. One of the donated kidneys was severely injured. Two lacerations measured 4 × 1 × 1 cm in the medial margin of the graft and 1 × 1 × 1.5 cm in the front side of the graft, respectively. After repair with continuous absorbable suture, the lacerated kidney was transplanted to a recipient.

RESULTS

The post-transplantation renal function gradually recovered. Furthermore, serious complications, such as large amounts of hemorrhage, delayed graft function, or urinary fistula did not occur. The serum creatinine dropped from 1232 μmol/L to 120 μmol/L and maintained normal range after surgery. In addition, the daily urine output was normal. At day 12 after operation, the patient was discharged.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case shows that the use of a lacerated donor kidney appears to be feasible, but long-term effects need further observation.

Comparison of plain radiography and CT in postoperative evaluation of ankle fractures

AIM

To compare postoperative plain radiographs with computed tomography (CT) post-processing images in evaluating the quality of anatomical reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 168 patients who sustained closed ankle fracture and were treated with open reduction and internal fixation in East Hospital were reviewed. Postoperative plain radiographs and CT post-processing images were evaluated. The observation was performed under volume-rendering mode and multiplanar reconstruction mode. The assessment was performed by two independent orthopaedic surgeons. The inter- and intra-observer variations were analysed by kappa statistics. The differences between plain radiographs and CT post-processing images were compared using χ(2) test (McNemar's test).

RESULTS

Inter- and intra-observer agreement was almost perfect (0.813-1.000) using CT post-processing images, which was higher than that using plain radiographs (0.323-0.848). More non-anatomical reduction could be recognised in the supination-external rotation (SER), supination-adduction (SAD), pronation-external rotation (PER), and overall groups (p<0.05) and more poor internal fixation could be recognised in the SER, SAD, and overall groups (p<0.05) using CT post-processing images than using radiographs.

CONCLUSION

More residual articular step, fracture fragment displacement, and poor internal fixation could be detected by CT post-processing images than plain radiographs.

MLN4924 induces Noxa upregulation in acute myelogenous leukemia and synergizes with Bcl-2 inhibitors

MLN4924 (pevonedistat), an inhibitor of the Nedd8 activating enzyme (NAE), has exhibited promising clinical activity in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Here we demonstrate that MLN4924 induces apoptosis in AML cell lines and clinical samples via a mechanism distinct from those observed in other malignancies. Inactivation of E3 cullin ring ligases (CRLs) through NAE inhibition causes accumulation of the CRL substrate c-Myc, which transactivates the PMAIP1 gene encoding Noxa, leading to increased Noxa protein, Bax and Bak activation, and subsequent apoptotic changes. Importantly, c-Myc knockdown diminishes Noxa induction; and Noxa siRNA diminishes MLN4924-induced killing. Because Noxa also neutralizes Mcl-1, an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 paralog often upregulated in resistant AML, further experiments have examined the effect of combining MLN4924 with BH3 mimetics that target other anti-apoptotic proteins. In combination with ABT-199 or ABT-263 (navitoclax), MLN4924 exerts a synergistic cytotoxic effect. Collectively, these results provide new insight into MLN4924-induced engagement of the apoptotic machinery that could help guide further exploration of MLN4924 for AML.

Health-related quality of life and related factors among elderly people in Jinzhou, China: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

With rapid reductions in fertility and mortality, China has to face the dramatic ageing of its population. Although an ageing population is associated with greater life expectancy, and reflects a huge improvement in people's living standards and health care services, it also means that more elderly people suffer from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The prolonged course of illness and disability associated with chronic diseases may significantly reduce health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among elderly people. The aims of this study were to evaluate HRQoL of elderly people living in Jinzhou, and to identify the predictors of HRQoL.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study with stratified sampling.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1015 elderly people (≥60 years) living in the three administrative regions (Linghe, Guta and Taihe) of Jinzhou. A demographic questionnaire and Short Form-36 were employed to collect demographic variables and evaluate HRQoL, respectively. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to estimate factors related to HRQoL of the subjects.

RESULTS

Lowest HRQoL scores were obtained in the following dimensions: general health (65.44), role-emotional (69.74) and role-physical (70.20). Multiple stepwise regression showed that factors associated with HRQoL of elderly people were medical health checks, age, socio-economic status, NCDs, and various unhealthy lifestyle behaviours such as smoking, excessive drinking and insufficient exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

This study described overall HRQoL of elderly people in Jinzhou, and found that medical health checks, age, socio-economic status, NCDs, smoking, excessive drinking and insufficient exercise affected HRQoL. These findings will provide a basis for recommendations regarding health management of elderly people, and will also help local government to devise appropriate health intervention strategies for promoting the health status of elderly people in this region.

Formation of C═C bond via knoevenagel reaction between aromatic aldehyde and barbituric acid at liquid/HOPG and vapor/HOPG interfaces

Controlling chemical reactions on surface is of great importance to constructing self-assembled covalent nanostructures. Herein, Knoevenagel reaction between aromatic aldehyde compound 2,5-di(5-aldehyde-2-thienyl)-1,4-dioctyloxybenzene (PT2) and barbituric acid (BA) has been successfully performed for the first time at liquid/HOPG interface and vapor/HOPG interface. The resulting surface nanostructures and the formation of C═C bond are recorded through scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and confirmed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR/FT-IR) spectrometer and UV-vis absorption. The obtained results reveal that Knoevenagel condensation reaction can efficiently occur at both interfaces. This surface reaction would be an important step toward further reaction to produce innovative conjugated nanomaterial on the surface.

Insufficient radiofrequency ablation promotes human hepatoma SMMC7721 cell proliferation by stimulating vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression

The aims of the current study were to investigate the influence of insufficient radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on the cell proliferation of the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, SMMC7721, and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. SMMC7721 cells were subjected to a 47°C treatment regimen to simulate insufficient RFA, in the presence or absence of KN93 [a specific inhibitor of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)], PD98059 [a specific inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)], or axitinib (a specific inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor]. Cell proliferation was determined using a thiazolyl terazolium assay (MTT). The levels of CaMKII, phospho-CaMKII, ERK, phospho-ERK and VEGF were observed by western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that the 47°C treatment regimen: i) Triggered upregulation of VEGF expression in the SMMC7721 cells, which was reduced by CaMKII or ERK inhibition; ii) induced ERK activation was prevented by KN93; and iii) promoted SMMC7721 cell proliferation, which was greatly inhibited by axitinib, KN93 and PD98059. In conclusion, the results indicated that insufficient RFA promotes SMMC7721 cell proliferation by activating CaMKII/ERK-dependent VEGF overexpression.

First Report of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus in Hawthorn in China

Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) is the type species of the genus Trichovirus in the Betaflexiviridae family (1). ACLSV is distributed worldwide in most pome and stone fruit trees of the Rosaceae family, including apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry, apricot, and hawthorn (3). In 2012, a de novo assembly of the fruit transcriptome of a hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) accession maintained in the National Hawthorn Germplasm Repository at Shenyang was conducted using Illumina-based RNA-seq data, and it resulted that a 7,543 nt of the genomic sequence of ACLSV was assembled. To confirm the result of Illumina RNA-Seq analysis, nine pairs of primers were designed according to the assembled sequence of ACLSV to amplify the genomic sequence of ACLSV by RT-PCR with total RNA extracted from hawthorn leaves as template (2). The full-length sequence of the isolate of ACLSV from hawthorn assembled with the sequences of the RT-PCR fragments was also 7,543 nt (GenBank Accession No. KM207212), which shows 99.5% nucleotide identity with the sequence assembled from Illumina RNA-seq data. The isolate of ACLSV from hawthorn was named SY01, which shows about 75% nucleotide identity with the sequences of ACLSV isolated from apple (GenBank Accession No. KJ522693), peach (JN634760), and plum (M58152). The nucleotide sequences of coat protein and RNA polymerase genes of SY01 are about 83 and 88% identical with those of ACLSV isolates in GenBank, respectively. A pair of primers HF/HR (ACCGGCGTCTTTTGCAAACT/TGGGTTCCAGAGTTTGAATGCA), which amplified a 210-bp fragment, was designed according to the sequence of SY01 to detect ACLSV in hawthorns. With RT-PCR, ACLSV was detected in 6 of the 30 accessions of hawthorn, and the nucleotide identity among PCR fragments was 92%. In addition, leaves from six RT-PCR positive plants reacted positively when tested by DAS-ELISA with polyclonal antisera (X-Y Biotechnology, Shanghai, China) raised against ACLSV. These findings, representing the first report of the presence of ACLSV in hawthorn in China, illustrate the need to develop virus-free trees of hawthorn for cultivation and germplasm distribution of this important Rosaceae family plant. References: (1) E. B. Carstens. Arch. Virol. 155:133, 2010. (2) H. Dai et al. PLoS ONE 8(9):e72910, 2013. (3) A. T. Katsiani et al. Plant Pathol. 63:63, 2014.

Astragalus polysaccharide inhibits isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy via suppressing Ca²⁺-mediated calcineurin/NFATc3 and CaMKII signaling cascades

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by increased sympathetic drive can subsequently lead to congestive heart failure, which represents the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is an active compound extracted from Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus (AM), a frequently used "Qi-invigorating" herbal medicine in traditional medicine broadly used for the treatment of cardiovascular and other diseases. Currently, little is known about the effect of APS on cardiac hypertrophy. In the present study, we aimed to investigate its effect on cardiac hypertrophy and to clarify its possible mechanisms. In vitro cardiac hypertrophic model induced by isoprenaline (ISO) was employed to explore the anti-hypertrophic action of APS. We found that 10 μM ISO treatment for 48 h caused cultured cardiomyocytes to undergo significant increases in cell surface area, total protein content, protein synthesis as well as the expression of hypertrophic markers, including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which were effectively inhibited by APS in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, we found that APS pretreatment alleviated the augment of intracellular free calcium during cardiac hypertrophy induced by ISO. Our further study revealed that the upregulated expression of calcineurin, translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 3 (NFATc3) into nucleus and activation of calmodulin kinase II (reflected by p-CaMKII) were dose dependently suppressed by the application of APS. According to this research, APS exerted its anti-hypertrophic action via inhibiting Ca(2+)-mediated calcineurin/NFATc3 and CaMKII signaling cascades, which provided new insights into the application of APS to the therapy of heart diseases.

The FEN1 E359K germline mutation disrupts the FEN1-WRN interaction and FEN1 GEN activity, causing aneuploidy-associated cancers

Polymorphisms and somatic mutations in Flap Endonuclease 1 (FEN1), an essential enzyme involved in DNA replication and repair, can lead to functional deficiencies of the FEN1 protein and a predisposition to cancer. We identified a FEN1 germline mutation which changed residue E359 to K in a patient whose family had a history of breast cancer. We determined that the E359K mutation, which is in the protein-protein domain of FEN1, abolished the interaction of FEN1 with Werner Syndrome protein (WRN), an interaction which is critical for resolving stalled DNA replication forks. Furthermore, although the flap endonuclease activity of FEN1 E359K was unaffected, it failed to resolve bubble structures, which requires the FEN1 gap dependent endonuclease (GEN) activity. To determine the etiological significance of E359K, we established a mouse model containing this mutation. E359K mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) were more sensitive to DNA cross-linking agents that cause replication forks to stall. Cytological analysis suggested that the FEN1-WRN interaction was also required to for telomere stability; mutant cell lines had fragile telomeres, increased numbers of spontaneous chromosomal anomalies and higher frequencies of transformation. Moreover, the incidence of cancer was significantly higher in mice homozygous for FEN1 E359K than in wild-type mice, suggesting that the FEN1 E359K mutation is oncogenic.

Childhood obesity increases left-ventricular mass irrespective of blood pressure status

Adults with a left-ventricular mass index (LVMI) in grams normalized to height in meters(2.7) (LVMI g/m(2.7)) >51 g/m(2.7) are more prone to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. We delineated the odds for cardiac structural sequelae amongst apparently normal white and African-American (AA) children with varying body mass indices (BMI) and office blood pressures. A total of 2,071 children with normal echocardiograms were categorized into risk groups based on BMI and systolic blood pressures (SBPs). Predictors of cardiac sequelae examined were age, sex, race, and z-scores (z) for BMI, SBP, and diastolic blood pressure. Cardiac sequelae measures included (LVMI g/m(2.7)) >51 g/m(2.7), (LVMI) (g/m(2.7)) z, left atrial size (LA(ht)) (mm) z, and relative wall thickness z. Mean age was 14 ± 2 years with 56 % being male and 13 % being AA. Children were divided into "controls" (n = 1,059) and risk groups based on BMI and SBP. Odds ratio for LVMI (g/m(2.7)) > 51.0 g/m(2.7), varied from 5.3 up to 8.5 in children with increased BMI. Both increased BMI and SBP z were associated with increased LVMI (g/m(2.7)) z; however, BMI z had a stronger association. Increased BMI z and AA race were associated with greater LA(ht) (mm) z. AA controls had a nonsignificantly increased LVMI z and a significantly increased LA(ht) (mm) and RWT z. Being overweight or obese is associated with cardiac sequelae in children to the extent known to be associated with adverse outcomes in adults. Healthy AA children have unique cardiac structural differences.

Ammonia-induced Na,K-ATPase/ouabain-mediated EGF receptor transactivation, MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling and ROS formation cause astrocyte swelling

Ammonia toxicity is clinically important and biologically poorly understood. We reported previously that 3mM ammonia chloride (ammonia), a relevant concentration for hepatic encephalopathy studies, increases production of endogenous ouabain and activity of Na,K-ATPase in astrocytes. In addition, ammonia-induced upregulation of gene expression of α2 isoform of Na,K-ATPase in astrocytes could be inhibited by AG1478, an inhibitor of the EGF receptor (EGFR), and by PP1, an inhibitor of Src, but not by GM6001, an inhibitor of metalloproteinase and shedding of growth factor, suggesting the involvement of endogenous ouabain-induced EGF receptor transactivation. In the present cell culture study, we investigated ammonia effects on phosphorylation of EGF receptor and its intracellular signal pathway towards MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT; interaction between EGF receptor, α1, and α2 isoforms of Na,K-ATPase, Src, ERK1/2, AKT and caveolin-1; and relevance of these signal pathways for ammonia-induced cell swelling, leading to brain edema, an often fatal complication of ammonia toxicity. We found that (i) ammonia increases EGF receptor phosphorylation at EGFR(845) and EGFR(1068); (ii) ammonia-induced ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation depends on the activity of EGF receptor and Src, but not on metalloproteinase; (iii) AKT phosphorylation occurs upstream of ERK1/2 phosphorylation; (iv) ammonia stimulates association between the α1 Na,K-ATPase isoform, Src, EGF receptor, ERK1/2, AKT and caveolin-1; (v) ammonia-induced ROS production might occur later than EGFR transactivation; (vi) both ammonia induced ERK phosphorylation and ROS production can be abolished by canrenone, an inhibitor of ouabain, and (vii) ammonia-induced cell swelling depends on signaling via the Na,K-ATPase/ouabain/Src/EGF receptor/PI3K-AKT/ERK1/2, but in response to 3mM ammonia it does not appear until after 12h. Based on literature data it is suggested that the delayed appearance of the ammonia-induced swelling at this concentration reflects required ouabain-induced oxidative damage of the ion and water cotransporter NKCC1. This information may provide new therapeutic targets for treatment of hyperammonic brain disorders.

Establishing best practices and guidance in population modeling: an experience with an internal population pharmacokinetic analysis guidance

This tutorial describes the development of a population pharmacokinetic (Pop PK) analysis guidance within Pfizer, which strives for improved consistency and efficiency, and a more systematic approach to model building. General recommendations from the Pfizer internal guidance and a suggested workflow for Pop PK model building are discussed. A description is also provided for mechanisms by which conflicting opinions were captured and resolved across the organization to arrive at the final guidance.

CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology (2013) 2, e51; doi:10.1038/psp.2013.26; advance online publication 3 July 2013