Aging of Intrinsic Circadian Rhythms and Sleep in a Diurnal Nonhuman Primate, Macaca mulatta

There is growing evidence that alterations in the intrinsic circadian clock and sleep might affect the aging process. The rhesus monkey ( Macaca mulatta) provides unique opportunities to explore the role of the clock in successful and unsuccessful physiological and cognitive aging in a diurnal primate with consolidated nighttime sleep, complex cognitive functions, long life span, and phylogenetic proximity to humans. A longitudinal study was conducted to characterize the effects of aging on the entrained and intrinsic circadian rhythms of activity, polysomnographic sleep patterns, and melatonin production in unrestrained male rhesus monkeys [6—9 ( n = 6) and 24—28 ( n = 4) years of age]. An age-dependent decline was found in the stability of circadian rhythms of activity and in peak melatonin levels. The range of individual intrinsic circadian periods (τ) is not age-dependent. Aged monkeys do not display clearly defined “morningness-eveningness” chronotypes and, unlike the young, show no correlation between the chronotype under entrained conditions and the length of intrinsic circadian period. The daily activity period (α) is reduced with age and this is associated with high day-to-day variability in sleep quantity and quality, fragmentation of nighttime sleep and daytime wakefulness, increased daytime sleep time, overall increase in stage 1 sleep, and reduced time spent in rapid-eye movement and slow-wave sleep. In the absence of environmental time cues, age-dependent changes in sleep and circadian rhythms are exacerbated and circadian patterns of sleep in young rhesus monkeys start resembling those in aged animals, together suggesting important role of circadian regulation in aging sleep phenotype. This first characterization of age-dependent changes in the intrinsic rhythms and sleep in rhesus monkeys, demonstrating major similarities to human aging phenotype, should assist in the search for the mechanisms involved and for effective prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.

Strong impact of acute kidney injury on survival after liver transplantation

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In an evaluation of Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria in liver transplanted patients, we retrospectively analyzed the usefulness of these criteria to predict survival of 193 consecutive patients at a single center who underwent primary OLT for clinical parameters and peak AKI. Postoperative AKI according to AKIN occurred in 60.1% of the patients, namely, stages 1, 2, and 3 in 30%, 13% and 17.1% respectively. Using multivariate logistic regression, AKIN stage 1 and 2 AKI were independently associated with the pre-OLT Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and age, while stage 3 AKI was independently associated with MELD and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores. The 28-day and 1-year mortality post-OLT of AKI patients were 15.5% and 25.9% respectively compared with 0% and 3.9% among non-AKI patients (P < .05 for both). The survival rates of non-AKI and stages 1, 2, and 3 AKI subjects were 96%, 85.5%, 84%, and 45.3%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed independent risk factors for mortality during the first year after transplantation to include post-OLT AKI (12.1; P < .05), post-OLT infection (HR 4.7; P < .01), pre-OLT hypertension (HR 4.4; P < .01) hazard ratio [HR] and post-OLT APACHE II ≥10 (HR 3.6; P < .05). We concluded that AKI as defined by the AKIN criteria is a major complication of OLT linked to a poor outcomes. It remains to be evaluated whether aggressive perioperative therapy to prevent AKI can improve survival among OLT patients.

Synergistic potentiation of anti-tumor immunity with light-activated drug therapy and anti-CTLA4 antibody treatment

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Background: Talaporfin sodium (TS) is a light-activated, locally cytoreductive drug in phase III clinical trials for several different cancers. It is activated intratumorally with a thin, flexible LED array. TS treatment has been shown in preclinical studies to activate CD8+-dependent anti-tumor immunity in a model of metastatic breast cancer. Anti-CTLA4 antibody is an immunotherapy that acts by suppressing negative regulation of immune effectors. It has recently completed a successful phase III clinical trial in melanoma patients in which it was shown to prolong survival. TS and anti-CTLA4 antibody have great potential to synergistically reduce primary tumor burden and generate systemic anti-tumor immunity.

Methods: This study examined combination treatment with these two therapies in a murine prostate cancer tumor model (C57BL/6 + TRAMP C2). A large, established tumor on the left side of each mouse was treated with light-activated TS (or light- only control). One day after treatment, mice were injected intradermally with 0.5 × 106 TRAMP C2 cells on the opposite flank. Anti-CTLA4 (or vehicle control) was given on days 1, 4, 7 and 10. Progression of the untreated tumor was measured.

Results: Growth of untreated tumors was prevented or significantly delayed in 55% and 33% of combination-treated animals, respectively (n = 9). In addition, contralateral tumor growth was prevented in 1 of 9 animals given talaporfin sodium alone while another animal's tumor showed growth delay. None of the untreated controls or anti-CTLA4 only animals showed a similar response. Individual combination-treated mice with delayed tumor growth often showed an atypical tumor growth curve in which progression either tapered off or began to reverse between 30 and 40 days post treatment.

Conclusions: Reduction of tumor using local treatment with a light-activated drug could potentiate the anti-tumor immune response resulting from anti-CTLA4 treatment and prevent growth of secondary tumors in a preclinical prostate cancer model.

[Table: see text]

A phase 0 microdosing trial to identify chemoresistance in bladder cancer

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Background: DNA damage is the critical step in cancer cell response to platinum (Pt) chemotherapy. We hypothesize that low levels of Pt-induced DNA damage are predictive of chemoresistance. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is an ultrasensitive method for measuring radiocarbon. By measuring 14C bound to DNA, AMS can detect carboplatin-induced DNA damage after patients receive one subtoxic microdose of 14C-labeled carboplatin.

Methods: Cancer cells and mice bearing tumor xenografts were treated with one microdose (1/100th of the therapeutic dose) or one therapeutic dose of [14C]carboplatin. Carboplatin-DNA adducts and other relevant parameters such as drug influx/efflux, intracellular drug inactivation, and repair of DNA damage, were measured and correlated with response to chemotherapy.

Results: AMS detected Pt-DNA damage when cancer cells and mice with tumor xenografts were exposed to one microdose of [14C]carboplatin. The levels of microdose-induced DNA damage were linearly proportional to the DNA damage caused by the therapeutic drug dose (R2=0.92, p<0.001); and these levels of DNA damage correlated with chemoresistance. Low DNA damage predicts chemoresistance. Measuring drug uptake/efflux, intracellular inactivation and DNA repair allowed insight into some resistance mechanisms. We have opened a phase 0 microdosing trial to study patients with bladder cancer who are scheduled to receive Pt-based chemotherapy. One subtoxic microdose of 14C-carboplatin will be administered to these patients before biopsy. Pt-induced DNA damage and repair in left-over tumor biopsy specimens and other relevant parameters will be measured and correlated with the response and toxicity of chemotherapy. Molecular analysis of genes such as ERCC1 and RRM1 will be analyzed and compared with this phase 0 results. We have opened a similar phase 0 trial in dog patients with bladder cancer.

Conclusions: The levels of DNA damage induced by nontoxic microdosing carboplatin can potentially predict chemoresistance in cancer cell lines. The clinical data of the phase 0 trial will be presented.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Preparation and Properties of Poly(Phenyleneterephthalamide)-Silica Ceramers With Interphase Bonding From Aminophenyltrimethoxysilane

Poly(phenyleneterephthalamide) chains having carbonyl chloride end groups were prepared by reacting a mixture of m- and p--phenylene diamines with terephthaloyl chloride, and were then end-capped with aminophenyl-trimethoxysilane. The polymer thus prepared was used to synthesize a hybrid material in which it was chemically bonded to a silica network produced in-situ by hydrolyzing tetramethoxysilane. Films prepared from this hybrid material were yellow but transparent, and quite tough. The transparency of the films and their mechanical strength were considerably improved relative to the corresponding systems in which the inorganic network was not bonded to the organic phase. Tensile strength was found to increase initially with addition of silica but then to decrease rapidly with further additions. Elongation at rupture also decreased after an initial small increase. A systematic increase in the tensile modulus and hardness with increase in the silica content and a decrease in water absorption were also observed. SEM analysis showed that the silica particle size depends on the silica content, and was 0.5 μm or less. These transparent ceramers were found to withstand tensile stresses the order of 175 MPa and had thermal decomposition temperatures around 460 - 475 ° C, and could thus be very useful in engineering applications at high temperatures.

Differentiation between glioblastomas, solitary brain metastases, and primary cerebral lymphomas using diffusion tensor and dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Glioblastomas, brain metastases, and PCLs may have similar enhancement patterns on MR imaging, making the differential diagnosis difficult or even impossible. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a combination of DTI and DSC can assist in the differentiation of glioblastomas, solitary brain metastases, and PCLs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six glioblastomas, 25 brain metastases, and 16 PCLs were retrospectively identified. DTI metrics, including FA, ADC, CL, CP, CS, and rCBV were measured from the enhancing, immediate peritumoral and distant peritumoral regions. A 2-level decision tree was designed, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was used at each level to determine the best model for classification.

RESULTS

From the enhancing region, significantly elevated FA, CL, and CP and decreased CS values were observed in glioblastomas compared with brain metastases and PCLs (P < .001), whereas ADC, rCBV, and rCBV(max) values of glioblastomas were significantly higher than those of PCLs (P < .01). The best model to distinguish glioblastomas from nonglioblastomas consisted of ADC, CS (or FA) from the enhancing region, and rCBV from the immediate peritumoral region, resulting in AUC = 0.938. The best predictor to differentiate PCLs from brain metastases comprised ADC from the enhancing region and CP from the immediate peritumoral region with AUC = 0.909.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of DTI metrics and rCBV measurement can help in the differentiation of glioblastomas from brain metastases and PCLs.

Loss of resistance to saline reduces responses accompanying spinal needle insertion during institution of 'needle-through-needle' combined spinal-epidural analgesia

Normal saline or air is used to identify loss of resistance during identification of the epidural space for combined spinal-epidural analgesia. Following epidural needle placement using air for loss of resistance, up to 80% of parturients move, grimace, vocalise or experience paraesthesia or dysaesthesia during subsequent dural puncture by a spinal needle. We compared the effects of saline versus air for loss of resistance on the occurrence of these subjective and objective responses during thecal penetration. With institutional approval, 55 parturients presenting for labour analgesia were studied. After infiltration of lignocaine at an L2-L5 vertebral interspace, a 17 gauge Tuohy epidural needle attached to a 5 ml loss of resistance syringe containing either saline or air was inserted and advanced until loss of resistance was identified by injection of 3 to 5 ml of content. During subsequent 'needle-through-needle' insertion of a 27 gauge pencil-point spinal needle through the meninges, all subjective and objective patient responses were recorded, as well as each patient's reply to the question "Did you feel that?". The two groups (n = 28, n = 27) were comparable. In those given saline and air respectively, 5 (18%) and 12 (44%) parturients responded to and/or acknowledged having perceived dural puncture (P < 0.005). Overall, 7 and 31 (P < 0.0005) subjective and objective responses occurred during dural puncture in those given saline and air, respectively. The study found that use of saline to determine loss of resistance is associated with fewer patient responses at the moment of thecal penetration during 'needle-through-needle' placement of the spinal needle at combined spinal-epidural analgesia.

Engagement of activated Notch signalling in collagen II-specific T helper type 1 (Th1)- and Th17-type expansion involving Notch3 and Delta-like1

Our previous study demonstrated that T helper (Th) cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) display an altered expression profile of Notch receptors and enhanced activation of Notch signalling. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of distinct Notch receptors and ligands in the activation and differentiation of collagen II (CII)-reactive Th cells upon antigen-specific restimulation. Spleen mononuclear cells (SMNCs) from CII-immunized DBA/1J mice were restimulated by culturing with CII. CII-specific proliferation and differentiation of T cells were determined by tritiated thymidine ((3) [H]-TdR) incorporation and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. The mRNA expression of Notch receptors and Hes1 was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). There was a clear increase in the percentage of Th1 cells and Th17 cells after CII restimulation. No significant difference was observed in the percentage of regulation T cells (T(reg) ) in SMNCs with or without CII restimulation. CII restimulation induced up-regulated transcript levels of Hes1 in CII-reactive CD4(+) T cells. The mRNA level of Notch3 was also up-regulated significantly, while the levels of the other three Notch receptors were not increased. Inhibition of Notch signalling by N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) and Notch3 antibody decreased the collagen-specific T cell proliferation and attenuated Th1- and Th17-type responses, while treatment with Notch ligand Delta-like 1 promoted such a response. The present study demonstrates that Notch signalling is engaged in CII-specific Th1- and Th17-type expansion in which Notch3 and Delta-like1 were involved. Selective inhibition of Notch signalling mediated by Notch3 or Delta-like1 may offer a new strategy for the treatment of RA.

Let-7/miR-98 regulate Fas and Fas-mediated apoptosis

Fas is ubiquitously expressed on a variety of cells and triggers apoptosis, which have critical roles in the immune system. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been recently identified as regulators that modulate target gene expression and are involved in diverse biological processes, such as cell proliferation and apoptosis. This study was undertaken to investigate the contribution of miRNA in the regulation of Fas expression and Fas-mediated apoptosis. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that Fas was a potential target of let-7/miR-98 family. Indeed ectopic expression of let-7/miR-98 reduced, whereas knockdown of endogenous let-7/miR-98 increased the expression of Fas at both mRNA and protein levels. Let-7/miR-98 was verified to target Fas 3' untranslated region directly by site-directed gene mutagenesis and reporter gene assay. More importantly, introduction of let-7/miR-98 could decrease the sensitivity to Fas-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, let-7/miR-98 expression was reduced in activation-induced cell death process, accompanied by increased expression of Fas. In conclusion, our study first demonstrated that let-7/miR-98 regulated Fas expression and the sensitivity of Fas-mediated apoptosis.

Lack of correlation between enterococcal counts and the presence of human specific fecal markers in Mississippi creek and coastal waters

The objective of this study was to determine whether statistically valid correlations could be shown between enterococcal counts of samples from creek and coastal sites and the presence of two molecular, library-independent markers that specify human and/or sewage pollution. Four hundred ninety samples were collected between August 2007 and April 2009 to determine enterococcal counts and the presence of genetic markers for the sewage indicator organisms Methanobrevibacter smithii and Bacteroidales. The presence of human/sewage markers and enterococcal counts were higher in creek samples than coastal samples, but the higher creek levels did not statistically correlate with the either enterococcal count or the presence of the markers present in coastal samples. Furthermore, there was no correlation between enterococcal counts in coastal samples and either marker at any of the beach sites tested. The results of this investigation in Mississippi coastal waters suggest that human/sewage markers are unlikely to correlate with enterococci counts in the nearshore environment and that enterococcal counts may be indicative of other animal or environmental sources. Additionally, a study comparing conventional gel electrophoresis with capillary electrophoresis did not convincingly establish that one method was better than the other in regard to the results obtained. The capillary method does allow reproducibility of results and the ability to analyze multiple samples in a short period of time; however, the operational expenditures exceed the cost of traditional gel electrophoresis.