In Vitro and in Vivo antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extraction of purple rice

The antioxidant activities of ethyl acetate extraction of purple rice (EAEPR) were evaluated by various methods in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro antioxidant assays, EAEPR was found to have strong 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity hydroxyl radical, reducing power and metal-ion chelating activity. In in vivo antioxidant assays, mice were administered with EAEPR via gavage for 42 consecutive days. As a result, administration of EAEPR significantly enhanced the activities of glutathione peroxidase in serums and livers of mice. EAEPR could improve the lipid status, especially total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. In addition, total phenolic content of EAEPR was 188.21mg/g. The main phenolic compounds in EAEPR analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry were determined as ferulic acid and quercetin. The contents of ferulic acid and quercetin in EAEPR were 14.21mg/g and 35.28mg/g, respectively. The Nrf2 expression was significantly elevated after administration of EAEPR.These results suggested that EAEPR had potent antioxidant activity and could be explored as a novel natural antioxidant.

A comparison of telbivudine and entecavir in the treatment of hepatitis B e antigen-positive patients: a prospective cohort study in China

There are few studies directly comparing the efficacy and safety of telbivudine and entecavir. The present prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of these compounds in 196 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B for a median follow-up period of 172 weeks; 97 were treated with telbivudine and 99 were treated with entecavir. Patients showing suboptimal responses could also take adefovir at 24-48 weeks and all patients with viral breakthrough were started on adefovir. The 240-week cumulative proportions of patients showing undetectable hepatitis B DNA levels and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) normalization were similar in the two study groups. Viral breakthrough developed in 14% of the telbivudine group and in 2% of the entecavir group (p 0.002). Interestingly, the cumulative proportions of patients treated with entecavir and telbivudine showing HBeAg seroconversion were 12% versus 21% at 48 weeks (p 0.041), 15% versus 38% at 96 weeks (p 0.001), 24% versus 50% at 144 weeks (p 0.001), 33% versus 53% at 192 weeks (p 0.004) and 36% versus 53% at 240 weeks (p 0.005), respectively. Patients treated with telbivudine were therefore significantly more likely to show HBeAg seroconversion than those receiving entecavir and similar results were observed in study sub-groups matched for age, serum ALT, and HBV DNA levels. A safety analysis identified no differences between grade 3/4 creatine kinase elevations in the study groups and only telbivudine was associated with improved kidney function.

Abstract P2-12-15: The role of neck dissection in breast cancer patients with synchronous and metachronous ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of neck dissection in breast cancer patients who present with ipsilateral supraclavicular lymphnode metastasis (ISLM) without distant metastasis and to reveal the outcomes of neck dissection in different molecular subtypes.

Methods: A total of 90 patients with synchronous ISLM and 36 patients with metachronous ISLM without distant metastasis between 2000 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Combined-modality treatments were performed, and patients were respectively divided into two parts according to whether they received neck dissection or not.

Results: In the synchronous ISLM group, there was no significant difference between the neck dissection and non-dissection group with respect to age, menstrual status, tumour size, and histological type, PR and HER2 status. Patients with negative ER status and a higher number of positive axillary nodes were more common in the neck dissection group. The five-year locoregional relapse free survival (LRFS) was 63.6% in the neck dissection group VS. 48.9% in the non-dissection group, respectively (P=0.359). The 5-year distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) was 37.3% in the neck dissection group VS. 38.5% in the non-dissection group, respectively (P=0.882). Further analyses were performed by the site of metastases. Results showed that the incidence of bone metastasis was lower in neck dissection patients (14.7% vs. 28.6%, P=0.132). Due to the limited amount of patients, subgroup analysis was just performed in the subtypes with negative ER status, negative PR status and negative HER2 status, respectively. The five-year LRFS of patients receiving neck dissection in the subtypes with negative ER status, negative PR status and negative HER2 status was 63.7%, 59.8%and 61.2%, which was much better than their matched non-dissection group, respectively. However, the difference was not statistically significant. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was similar between the neck dissection and non-dissection group in the subtypes of negative ER status and negative PR status, respectively. However, the 5-year OS of HER2 negative subtype significantly decreased in the neck dissection group (37.2% vs. 65.4%, P=0.032). Besides, it's worth mentioning that in the HER2 positive subtype, the mean time to relapse, metastasis and death was shorter in the neck dissection subgroup compared with the non-dissection subgroup. In the metachronous ISLM group, a trend of better regional control, with similar PFS and OS, was achieved in the neck dissection group.

Discussion: Neck dissection is an effective approach to improve the regional control for the patients with ISLM, especially for the subtypes with negative ER status, negative PR status and probably positive HER2 status in the synchronous ISLM. But, it might not be comfortable for the patients with negative HER2 status, because of the unfavorable effect on its overall survival. In addition, neck dissection, with better regional control, might be helpful for the control of bone metastasis, which is beneficial for long term survival.

Citation Format: Xiao C, Qi X, Chen A, Zhang W, Zhang P, Cao X. The role of neck dissection in breast cancer patients with synchronous and metachronous ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-15.

Protective effect of ferulic acid against 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells

Oxidative stress is closely related to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. However, the underlying antioxidant mechanisms of ferulic acid (FA) aganist oxidantive stress are poorly understood. We evaluated the potential protective effects of FA against 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced damage in PC12 cells. Our results indicated that pretreatment with FA prior to AAPH exposure significantly increased PC12 cell survival, and also increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity. Furthermore, FA treatment reduced cellular lactate dehydrogenase release and malondialdehyde levels. It attenuated AAPH-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, as determined by flow cytometric detection of annexin V. Reductions in mitochondrial membrane potential and accumulation of intracellular Ca2+ were also inhibited by FA treatment. These findings suggested that FA protected PC12 cells against AAPH-induced oxidative stress, and may be a neuroprotective agent.

Cross-sectional survey on public health informatics workforce in China: issues, developments and the future

OBJECTIVE

To explore the current situation and issues related to the development of the public health informatics (PHI) workforce in provincial and prefectural centers for disease control and prevention (CDCs) in China, and to describe the corresponding strategies to address these issues for the future.

STUDY DESIGN

National cross-sectional study.

METHODS

One thousand two hundred and eighty-one respondents were selected at random from provincial and prefectural CDCs. The survey used a self-administered, structured questionnaire with an online data collection tool that integrated data quality control and user management. The questionnaire was divided into seven main categories. Score percentage of satisfaction and proportion in each part were calculated. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data, stratifying by country region, CDC level, job role and educational level.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty staff from provincial CDCs and 1121 staff from prefectural CDCs were selected. Only 7.4% (33/445) of prefectural CDCs were not involved in this survey, due to lack of PHI practitioners. CDC staff in the eastern region were predominantly aged 30-39 years (39.5%), which was much younger compared with the other regions (P = 0.0012). Only 34 respondents (2.7%) had academic majors in both health and information technology. More staff had Master's degrees and a higher level of education (18.7%) in the eastern region compared with the other regions (P < 0.0001). Staff in the eastern region in high-level positions and with a higher level of education were more knowledgeable about PHI strategy. Prefectural CDC staff were more satisfied with their work and training than provincial CDC staff. In the eastern region, 34.9% of staff were hired through competitive recruitment, and 57.8% of staff had received a job description with detailed information about their responsibilities, which was higher than in the other regions. Staff in the western region were more likely to leave if a better job became available (37.7%) compared with staff in the other regions (P = 0.0116).

CONCLUSION

This study found regional disparities in PHI workforce development, possibly related to disparities in overall regional development. Findings showed a severe shortage of staff with a background in PHI, and occupational development paths were clearly lacking. Based on this study of current workforce issues, a comprehensive strategy for PHI workforce development in China has been described.

Human cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), China

Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is known to be endemic in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), China; however, there is relatively little data from hospital records or community prevalence studies, and the situation regarding occurrence of human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is unclear. Here we review the available reports about human echinococcosis in the seven prefectures of TAR. In addition, two pilot studies by mass screening using ultrasound (with serology) were undertaken (2006/7) in Dangxiong County of Lhasa Prefecture (north central TAR) and Dingqing County of Changdu Prefecture (eastern TAR). In Dangxiong County a prevalence of 9.9% (55/557) for human CE was obtained but no human AE cases were detected. By contrast, in Dingqing County (N= 232 persons screened), 11 CE cases (4.7%) and 12 AE cases (5.2%) (including one mixed CE and AE case) were diagnosed by ultrasound. Hospital records and published reports indicated that CE cases were recorded in all of seven prefectures in Tibet Autonomous Region, and AE cases in four prefectures. Incidence rates of human CE were estimated to range from 1.9 to 155 per 100,000 across the seven prefectures of TAR, with a regional incidence of 45.1 per 100,000. Incidence of AE was estimated to be between 0.6 and 2.8 cases per 100,000. Overall for TAR, human AE prevalence appeared relatively low; however, the pilot mass screening in Dingqing in eastern TAR indicated that human AE disease is a potential public health problem, possibly similar to that already well described in Tibetan communities bordering TAR in north-west Sichuan and south-west Qinghai provinces.

Clinical significance of CD44 expression in children with hepatoblastoma

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CD44 and its clinical significance in children suffering from hepatoblastoma (HB). CD44 expression was detected with immunohistochemistry staining in 30 samples from hepatoblastoma children and 10 normal liver tissue samples from normal children. The data obtained was statistically analyzed using the chi-square test, using the SPSS (v.11.0) software. The rate of CD44 expression was significantly higher (66.7%) in hepatoblastoma tissues than in normal liver tissues (χ(2) = 4.848, P < 0.05). The rate of CD44 expression was significantly higher in children with stage III or IV hepatoblastoma (83.3%) than that in children with stage I and II hepatoblastoma (χ(2) ＝ 5.625, P < 0.05) (41.7%). Therefore, CD44 expression might play an important role in the pathogenesis, progression, and prognosis of HB in children.

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: Signal to Reduce Corticoid in Renal Transplant Recipients?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to report the treatment effectiveness of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) in a renal transplant recipient who received conventional therapy with little effect, and then reducing corticoid successively and with a better outcome later.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective comparison of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of a 57-year-old renal transplant recipient who received conventional therapy and reducing corticoid successively after he was diagnosed as CSCR in the left eye.

RESULTS

The BCVA of the left eye stayed at 20/200 after 3 months' conventional therapy, but rapidly improved to 20/25 after reducing corticoid by one-half. At the same time, SD-OCT showed much more obvious absorption of retinal liquid in the left eye from reducing corticoid than from conventional therapy. Despite the reducing of corticoid by one-half, the patient did not show any signs of rejection of the renal transplant.

CONCLUSIONS

CSCR may be a sign in renal transplant recipients for reducing corticoid, and reducing corticoid might be a more reliable and safer treatment for such patients.

Dynamic changes of global DNA methylation and hypermethylation of cell adhesion-related genes in rat kidneys in response to ochratoxin A

Ochratoxin A (OTA), which is found in a variety of food products, is associated with the development of nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity in rats and has raised public health concerns. A previous study in our laboratory indicated that OTA exposure induced cytotoxicity by decreasing global DNA methylation in vitro. However, the relationship between OTA-induced nephrotoxicity and DNA methylation changes in vivo remains unclear. The object of this study was to investigate whether OTA can change global DNA methylation or alter the expression of several critical tumour-related genes by inducing methylation modifications before carcinogenesis. We focused on the mechanism of action of OTA in regard to DNA methylation, including the expression of DNA methyltransferases and the regulation of specific cell signalling pathways. Dynamic and dose-dependent changes of global DNA methylation were observed during OTA-induced nephrotoxicity and probably associated with the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1. 13-week exposure of OTA caused hypermethylation in the promoters of critical cell adhesion-related genes, E-cadherin and N-cadherin, leading to reduction of the corresponding mRNA expression, accompanied by transcriptional activation of the Wnt and PI3K/AKT pathways. These findings suggested that long-term OTA exposure could disrupt DNA methylation profile, which might be one of the possible mechanisms of OTA-induced nephrotoxicity.

An improved technique for bladder cancer: Pure laparoscopic radical cystectomy with orthotopic U-shape ileal neobladder using titanium staples

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience with an improved technique of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) and orthotopic ileal neobladder reconstruction, evaluating the perioperative and pathological outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 56 cases who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy followed by construction of an orthotopic U-shaped ileal neobladder between August 2010 and December 2014. These data include intraoperative data, early and long-term postoperative complications, neobladder function, urinary continence and oncologic results. Also the key innovative procedure was introduced with details.

RESULTS

The median time of the overall procedure was 212 min. The median estimated blood loss was 171 ml. The median hospitalization time after the operation was 21 days. Complications included two cases of unilateral ureter-pouch anastomotic strictures, one case of bilateral ureteral stricture, three cases of vesicourethral anastomotic strictures and three cases of vesicourethral leakage. The mean maximum pouch capacity was 446 ± 32 ml, and pouch pressure at capacity was 18.1 ± 2.6 cm H2O. The Qmax was 14 ± 1.2 ml/s, and the mean postvoid residual was 25 ± 10 ml. There were 9 cases of night-time incontinence at 3 months post-operatively. Negative surgical margins of the bladder specimens were achieved in all patients. During a follow-up period of 3-44 months (average 32.6 months), local recurrence was found in two patients and distant metastasis was occurred in another 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary experience showed that pure LRC with nonabsorbable titanium staples assisted orthotopic U-shape ileal neobladder reconstruction is feasible based on perioperative data and oncologic features.

Emergence of a new GII.17 norovirus variant in patients with acute gastroenteritis in Jiangsu, China, September 2014 to March 2015

From September 2014 to March 2015, 23 outbreaks of norovirus (NoV) acute gastroenteritis occurred in Jiangsu, China. Partial sequencing of the NoV capsid gene suggested that 16 of the 23 outbreaks were related to a new GII.17 variant. This variant was first detected in sporadic specimens in October 2014, and became predominant in February 2015. Analysis of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and complete capsid including the protruding domain P2 sequences confirmed this GII.17 variant as distinct from previously identified GII variants.

RNA interference-mediated knockdown of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in B-cell lymphoma cells

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin superfamily that has been reported to be involved in a number of neurological and psychological situations. Recently, high expression level of BDNF is observed in diverse human malignancies, delineating a role of BDNF in tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, its effect on B-cell lymphoma remains unclear. In this study, RNA interference technology mediated by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was performed to inhibit endogenous BDNF expression in B-cell lymphoma cells. Results showed that knockdown of BDNF reduced cell growth and proliferation of Raji and Ramos cells. Furthermore, down-regulation of BDNF induced a cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in Raji cells, and consequently led to cell apoptosis in vitro. Meanwhile, down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax, activated caspase-3 and caspase-9 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were observed in Raji cells when endogenous BDNF was inhibited. Besides, we also found that suppression of BDNF in Raji cells increased their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drug, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Our research provides a promising therapeutic strategy for human B-cell lymphoma by targeting BDNF.

p38γ MAPK is required for inflammation-associated colon tumorigenesis

Chronic inflammation has long been considered to causatively link to colon cancer development. However, signal transduction pathways involved remain largely unidentified. Here, we report that p38γ mitogen-activated protein kinase mediates inflammatory signaling to promote colon tumorigenesis. Inflammation activates p38γ in mouse colon tissues and intestinal epithelial cell-specific p38γ knockout (KO) attenuates colitis and inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Significantly, p38γ KO inhibits tumorigenesis in a colitis-associated mouse model. The specific p38γ pharmacological inhibitor pirfenidone also suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and colon tumorigenesis. The tumor-promoting activity of epithelial p38γ was further demonstrated by xenograft studies. In addition, p38γ is required for β-catenin/Wnt activities and p38γ stimulates Wnt transcription by phosphorylating β-catenin at Ser605. These results show that p38γ activation links inflammation and colon tumorigenesis. Targeting p38γ may be a novel strategy for colon cancer prevention and treatment.

Broadband nonlinear optical response in multi-layer black phosphorus: an emerging infrared and mid-infrared optical material

Black phosphorous (BP), the most thermodynamically stable allotrope of phosphorus, is a high-mobility layered semiconductor with direct band-gap determined by the number of layers from 0.3 eV (bulk) to 2.0 eV (single layer). Therefore, BP is considered as a natural candidate for broadband optical applications, particularly in the infrared (IR) and mid-IR part of the spectrum. The strong light-matter interaction, narrow direct band-gap, and wide range of tunable optical response make BP as a promising nonlinear optical material, particularly with great potentials for infrared and mid-infrared opto-electronics. Herein, we experimentally verified its broadband and enhanced saturable absorption of multi-layer BP (with a thickness of ~10 nm) by wide-band Z-scan measurement technique, and anticipated that multi-layer BPs could be developed as another new type of two-dimensional saturable absorber with operation bandwidth ranging from the visible (400 nm) towards mid-IR (at least 1930 nm). Our results might suggest that ultra-thin multi-layer BP films could be potentially developed as broadband ultra-fast photonics devices, such as passive Q-switcher, mode-locker, optical switcher etc.