CircRbms1 fosters MST1 mRNA and protein levels to motivate myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury via autophagic status

AIMS

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a significant contributor to death in individuals diagnosed with coronary heart disease on a worldwide level. The specific mechanism by which circRbms1 contributes to the damage caused by myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) is not well understood. The primary aim of this study was to examine the role of circRbms1 and its associated mechanisms in the setting of I/R injury.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An in vivo MI mice model and an in vitro MI cell model was established. The expression levels were detected using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Cellular proliferation, apoptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy were detected by immunostaining, immunohistochemistry, western blot, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down assay, and RIP assay were performed to validate the molecular interactions. CircRbms1 was up-regulated in A/R-induced HCMs and acted as a sponge for miR-142-3p, thereby targeting MST1. CircRbms1 could improve stability of MST1 by recruiting IGF2BP2 (all P < 0.05). CircRbms1 knockout reduced cell pyroptosis, improved autophagy and proliferation level in A/R-induced HCMs (all P < 0.05). CircRbms1 knockout alleviated cardiac dysfunction and cell pyroptosis and enhanced autophagy and proliferation in mice through the miR-142-3p/MST1 axis.

CONCLUSIONS

CircRbms1 inhibited the miR-142-3p/MST1 axis and played a protective role in myocardial I/R injury. It may provide a new therapeutic target for I/R heart injury.

LncRNA RNA ROR Aggravates Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Cardiomyocyte Ferroptosis by Targeting miR-769-5p/CBX7 Axis

Ferroptosis is a new way of cell death which is reported to participate in the pathology of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury, but it's mechanism remains unclear. The present investigation is to study the emerging role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) regulator of reprogramming (ROR) in cardiomyocyte ferroptosis after hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) administration. RT-qPCR and/or Western blot methods were performed to examine the gene/or protein levels, and CCK-8, ELISA, and DCFH-DA staining determined the cellular viability and ferroptosis. Dual-luciferase and RNA immunoprecipitation were applied to verify molecular interaction. LncRNA ROR and miR-769-5p were overexpressed and reduced in blood samples from MI patients and H/R-treated AC16 cells, respectively. Mechanistically, lncROR sponged to miR-769-5p, thus upregulating CBX7 expression. Functional experiments presented that lncRNA ROR silence mitigated H/R-stimulated inflammatory damage, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in AC16 cells, whereas these roles could be reversed by co-downregulation of miR-769-5p or co-overexpression of CBX7. These data uncovered that lncRNA ROR prevented against H/R-induced cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by modulating miR-769-5p/CBX7 signaling, emphasizing the therapeutic value of lncRNA ROR in MI/R injury.

Prognosis of Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Patients With Lipid Metabolism Pathway Alternations to Immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly improve the survival of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but only some patients obtain clinical benefits. Predictive biomarkers for ICIs can accurately identify people who will benefit from immunotherapy. Lipid metabolism signaling plays a key role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immunotherapy. Hence, we aimed to explore the association between the mutation status of the lipid metabolism pathway and the prognosis of patients with NSCLC treated with ICIs. We downloaded the mutation data and clinical data of a cohort of patients with NSCLC who received ICIs. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze the association between the mutation status of the lipid metabolism signaling and the prognosis of NSCLC receiving ICIs. Additionally, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)–NSCLC cohort was used to explore the relationships between the different mutation statuses of lipid metabolism pathways and the TME. Additionally, we found that patients with high numbers of mutations in the lipid metabolism pathway had significantly enriched macrophages (M0- and M1-type), CD4 + T cells (activated memory), CD8 + T cells, Tfh cells and gamma delta T cells, significantly increased expression of inflammatory genes [interferon-γ (IFNG), CD8A, GZMA, GZMB, CXCL9, and CXCL10] and enhanced immunogenic factors [neoantigen loads (NALs), tumor mutation burden (TMB), and DNA damage repair pathways]. In the local-NSCLC cohort, we found that the group with a high number of mutations had a significantly higher tumor mutation burden (TMB) and PD-L1 expression. High mutation status in the lipid metabolism pathway is associated with significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) in NSCLC, indicating that this marker can be used as a predictive indicator for patients with NSCLC receiving ICIs.

Study on relationship between chemokines and immune activation phenotype of breast cancer

e12564

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women. The incidence rate and mortality rate are increasing year by year. Studies have shown that chemokines may act as an important driver in the immune microenvironment of breast cancer. Understanding the potential immunobiological driving effect in breast cancer is important for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, which is helpful to determine the immunotherapy strategy for patients. Methods: Gene expression data of 1050 cases of breast cancer were downloaded from TCGA database. Cluster analysis was applied to investigate the level of immunity of the observations using ssGESA software. The observations were divided into three groups according to their immune score. The expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL4 and CCL5 chemokines were checked for the three groups using PHEATMAP software. The differential expression analysis for the three groups was performed using Edger software. The enrichment analysis was conducted using clusterprofiler software. Results: Cluster analysis showed that the observations could be divided into three subgroups according to their immunity score, and the heatmap proved that expression level of CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL4 and CCL5 chemokines of the subgroup with high immune score were apparently higher than that of the other two subgroups. The differential expression analysis revealed that the expressions of T cell exhaustion genes were markedly different between high-level group and low-level group. A total of 402 differentially expressed genes were identified, among which 380 were up-regulated in high-level group, comparing to low-level group, and 22 were down-regulated in high-level group, comparing to low-level group. Enrichment analysis indicated they were enriched in T cell-related pathway, such as th17, th1, th3 cell differentiation and so on. Conclusions: Our study showed that the expression of four chemokines were obviously different between the groups with high immune score and low immune score. Observations with high expression of four chemokines had more active levels of immune infiltration. Differentially expressed genes were enriched in T cell-related pathway. These four chemokines could be potential biomarkers for breast cancer patients through their unique immune characteristics.

Determination of Total Dietary Fiber (CODEX Definition) by Enzymatic-Gravimetric Method and Liquid Chromatography: Collaborative Study

A method for the determination of total dietary fiber (TDF), as defined by the CODEX Alimentarius, was validated in foods. Based upon the principles of AOAC Official MethodsSM 985.29, 991.43, 2001.03, and 2002.02, the method quantitates high- and low-molecular-weight dietary fiber (HMWDF and LMWDF, respectively). In 2007, McCleary described a method of extended enzymatic digestion at 37C to simulate human intestinal digestion followed by gravimetric isolation and quantitation of HMWDF and the use of LC to quantitate low-molecular-weight soluble dietary fiber (LMWSDF). The method thus quantitates the complete range of dietary fiber components from resistant starch (by utilizing the digestion conditions of AOAC Method 2002.02) to digestion resistant oligosaccharides (by incorporating the deionization and LC procedures of AOAC Method 2001.03). The method was evaluated through an AOAC collaborative study. Eighteen laboratories participated with 16 laboratories returning valid assay data for 16 test portions (eight blind duplicates) consisting of samples with a range of traditional dietary fiber, resistant starch, and nondigestible oligosaccharides. The dietary fiber content of the eight test pairs ranged from 11.57 to 47.83. Digestion of samples under the conditions of AOAC Method 2002.02 followed by the isolation and gravimetric procedures of AOAC Methods 985.29 and 991.43 results in quantitation of HMWDF. The filtrate from the quantitation of HMWDF is concentrated, deionized, concentrated again, and analyzed by LC to determine the LMWSDF, i.e., all nondigestible oligosaccharides of degree of polymerization 3. TDF is calculated as the sum of HMWDF and LMWSDF. Repeatability standard deviations (sr) ranged from 0.41 to 1.43, and reproducibility standard deviations (sR) ranged from 1.18 to 5.44. These results are comparable to other official dietary fiber methods, and the method is recommended for adoption as Official First Action.

Abstract P1-10-08: Development of a first-in-class oral selective ERα covalent antagonist (SERCA) for the treatment of ERαWT and ERαMUT breast cancer

Mutations in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) are detected in up to 30% of breast cancer patients who have relapsed during endocrine therapy. ERα mutations functionally confer resistance to existing classes of endocrine therapies, likely through gaining constitutive activity. The fact that current ER-directed therapies are only partially effective in the ERα mutant setting, and that a significant proportion of resistant breast cancer metastases continue to remain dependent on ERα signaling for growth/survival, highlights the critical need to develop the next generation of ERα antagonists that can overcome aberrant ERα activity. Using structure-based drug design approaches we have identified a novel class of ERα antagonist referred to as Selective ERα Covalent Antagonist (SERCA) that inactivate both wild-type and mutant ERα by targeting a unique cysteine residue that is not conserved among other steroid hormone receptors. Biophysical, biochemical and cellular analyses confirm the covalent mechanism of action, specific binding to ER and selective inhibition of ERα-dependent transcription of SERCAs. H3B-6545 is a highly selective SERCA that potently antagonizes wild-type and mutant ERα in biochemical and cell based assays demonstrating increased potency over standard of care and other experimental agents. In vivo, H3B-6545 shows superior efficacy to fulvestrant in the MCF-7 xenograft model with once daily oral dosing, achieving maximal antitumor activity at doses &gt;10x below the maximum tolerated dose in mice. In addition, H3B-6545 shows superior antitumor activity to both tamoxifen and fulvestrant in patient derived xenograft models of breast cancer carrying estrogen receptor mutations. In summary, H3B-6545 is a first-in-class, orally available and selective ER covalent antagonist with a compelling pre-clinical profile that is being developed for the treatment of ERα positive breast cancer.

Citation Format: Korpal M, Puyang X, Furman C, Zheng GZ, Banka D, Wu J, Zhang Z, Thomas M, Mackenzie C, Yao H, Rimkunas V, Kumar P, Caleb B, Karr C, Subramanian V, Irwin S, Larsen N, Vaillancourt F, Nguyen T-V, Davis A, Chan B, Hao MH, O'Shea M, Prajapati S, Agoulnik S, Kuznetsov G, Kumar N, Yu Y, Lai G, Hart A, Eckley S, Fekkes P, Bowser T, Joshi JJ, Selvaraj A, Wardell S, Norris J, Smith S, Reynolds D, Mitchell L, Wang J, Yu L, Kim A, Rioux N, Sahmoud T, Warmuth M, Smith PG, Zhu P. Development of a first-in-class oral selective ERα covalent antagonist (SERCA) for the treatment of ERαWT and ERαMUT breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-08.

Diagnostic Accuracy of PET, SPECT, and Arterial Spin-Labeling in Differentiating Tumor Recurrence from Necrosis in Cerebral Metastasis after Stereotactic Radiosurgery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Radiographic assessment of cerebral metastasis after stereotactic radiosurgery remains a major challenge in neuro-oncology. It is often difficult to distinguish tumor progression from radiation necrosis in this setting using conventional MR imaging. The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of different functional imaging modalities for detecting tumor recurrence after stereotactic radiosurgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients treated between 2007 and 2010 and identified 14 patients with cerebral metastasis who had clinical or radiographic progression following stereotactic radiosurgery and were imaged with arterial spin-labeling, FDG-PET, and thallium SPECT before stereotactic biopsy. Diagnostic accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for each imaging technique by using the pathologic diagnosis as the criterion standard.

RESULTS

Six patients (42%) had tumor progression, while 8 (58%) developed radiation necrosis. FDG-PET and arterial spin-labeling were equally sensitive in detecting tumor progression (83%). However, the specificity of arterial spin-labeling was superior to that of the other modalities (100%, 75%, and 50%, respectively). A combination of modalities did not augment the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, or negative predictive value of arterial spin-labeling.

CONCLUSIONS

In our series, arterial spin-labeling positivity was closely associated with the pathologic diagnosis of tumor progression after stereotactic radiosurgery. Validation of this finding in a large series is warranted.

Effects of TNF-α polymorphisms on asthma risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have examined associations between TNF-α polymorphisms and asthma risk, but the results have been conflicting.

METHODS

A search was performed of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Wanfang databases. Data were extracted and pooled ORs with 95% CIs were calculated.

RESULTS

Fifty-four studies were included. A significant association between the TNFA-308A/G polymorphism and asthma susceptibility was observed for AA + AG vs GG (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.23-1.58; P < .001). This polymorphism was also significantly associated with asthma risk in whites (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.25-1.73; P < .001), atopic asthma risk (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.16-1.65; P < .001), pediatric asthma risk (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.23-1.79; P < .001), and adult asthma risk (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.21-1.52; P < .001).There was also a significant association between the TNFA -857C/T polymorphism and asthma risk in the recessive model (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.43; P < .001). In the subgroup analyses, asthma risk was significantly increased in Asians (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07-1.41; P = .004) and atopic individuals (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.13-1.57; P < .001). No significant association was found for the TNFA-238A/G polymorphism. There were insufficient data to evaluate the associations between TNFA -1031T/C and -863C/A polymorphisms and asthma risk.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that TNFA -308A/G and -857C/T polymorphisms are risk factors for asthma.

Recovery of white matter tracts in regions of peritumoral FLAIR hyperintensity with use of restriction spectrum imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

DTI is being increasingly used to visualize critical white matter tracts adjacent to brain tumors before neurosurgical resection. However, brain tumors, particularly high-grade gliomas, are typically surrounded by regions of FLAIR hyperintensity that include edema, which increase isotropic diffusion, degrading the ability of standard DTI to uncover orientation estimates within these regions. We introduce a new technique, RSI, which overcomes this limitation by removing the spherical, fast diffusion component introduced by edema, providing better analysis of white matter architecture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 10 patients with high-grade gliomas surrounded by FLAIR-HI that at least partially resolved on follow-up imaging were included. All patients underwent RSI and DTI at baseline (FLAIR-HI present) and at follow-up (FLAIR-HI partially resolved). FA values obtained with RSI and DTI were compared within regions of FLAIR-HI and NAWM at both time points.

RESULTS

RSI showed higher FA in regions of FLAIR-HI and NAWM relative to DTI, reflecting the ability of RSI to specifically measure the slow, restricted volume fraction in regions of edema and NAWM. Furthermore, a method by time interaction revealed that FA estimates increased when the FLAIR-HI resolved by use of standard DTI but remained stable with RSI. Tractography performed within the region of FLAIR-HI revealed the superior ability of RSI to track fibers through severe edema relative to standard DTI.

CONCLUSIONS

RSI improves the quantification and visualization of white matter tracts in regions of peritumoral FLAIR-HI associated with edema relative to standard DTI and may provide a valuable tool for neurosurgical planning.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits nuclear factor kappa B activation by stabilizing inhibitor IκBα via mRNA stability and reduced phosphorylation in passively sensitized human airway smooth muscle cells

Excessive activation of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) is involved in human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) activities in asthma. We investigated the effects of 1,25 - dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25 - (OH) 2D3] on the NF- κB signaling pathway in passively sensitized HASMCs and the molecular mechanisms involved. HASMCs were treated with either healthy controls' serum, asthma patients' serum or pretreated with 1,25 - (OH) 2D3 prior to treatment with asthmatics' serum. At 1 h after serum treatment: electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to detect NF-κB DNA binding activity; immunocytochemical staining was used to observe the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65; Western blots were used for NF-κB p65, IκBα, and phospho-IκBα protein levels and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65; real-time quantitative PCR was used for NF-κB p65 and IκBα mRNA expressions; and actinomycin D treatment was used to determine IκBα mRNA stability. Our major findings were: (1) 1,25 - (OH) 2D3 significantly reduced asthma serum passively sensitized HASMCs NF-κB DNA binding activity and inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65; (2) 1,25 - (OH) 2D3 increased the stability of IκBα mRNA with reduced IκBα phosphorylation in asthma serum passively sensitized HASMCs and significantly increased IκBα expression in these HASMCs. Inhibiting NF-κB signalling with 1,25 - dihydroxyvitamin D3 may be a therapeutic approach for controlling HASMC-related remodelling in asthma.

The role of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma of the minor salivary gland: a case report

A case of hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma (HCCC) of the minor salivary glands of the oral cavity is reported. A 52- year-old woman presented with a growing mass at the base of the tongue. The patient underwent complete resection of the tumour. The histological picture was characterized by trabeculae or solid nests of proliferating cells with a clear cytoplasm, surrounded by a hyalinizing stroma. Tumour cells were immunoreactive for Cytokeratins 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 17 and 18. No reactivity was observed for cytokeratin 20, vimentin, S- 100 protein, smooth-muscle actin, muscle-specific actin, and calponin. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of HCCC of minor salivary glands of the oral cavity. The clinical presentation, the immunohistochemical pattern and the role of cytokeratins in the differential diagnosis of HCCC are discussed with a review of the literature.

Examining chronic kidney disease management in a single center

AIMS

The management of patients with chronic kidney disease in outpatient clinics was assessed for the ability to achieve targets of care advocated in clinical practice guidelines.

METHODS

272 records of outpatients with increased serum creatinine (> or = 1.5 mg/dl for women, > or = 2.0 mg/dl for men) were reviewed for details of their assessment and management. Prevailing data on blood pressure, anemia, bone disease and lipid status as well as therapeutic changes were evaluated.

RESULTS

The subjects were aged 64 +/- 18 years, serum creatinine 2.6 +/- 1.1 mg/dl, and calculated GFR (MDRD formula) 19.2 +/- 9.9 ml/min. Median UproV was 1.0 (0.024 - 12.4) g/day. Causes of CKD were diabetes (33.5%), HTN (8.8%), GN (19.5%), and adult PKD (3.3%). Treatment targets were BP < 130/85 mmHg, Hct > or = 36%, serum Ca++ > or = 8.5 mg/dl, serum Po4 < 4.5 mg/dl and cholesterol < 200 mg/dl. Of the patients with abnormal findings, mean values for SBP were 153 +/- 17 mmHg, DBP 93 +/- 6 mmHg, Hct 31.7 +/- 2.9%, Ca++ 8.0 +/- 0.7 mg/dl, PO4 5.6 +/- 1.0 mg/dl, and cholesterol 236 +/- 37 mg/dl. Only a minority of patients with abnormal values had their treatment altered. Furthermore, only 54% of patients with hypertension were treated with either ACEi or ARB therapy. Finally, only 6% of patients with hypercholesterolemia had fasting lipid levels measured.

CONCLUSION

This data suggests that treatment of patients with CKD has improved, but that many opportunities exist to optimize their care.

Perflubron emulsion reduces inflammation during extracorporeal circulation

The recovery from cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass can be complicated by an acute inflammatory response. Circulating blood through an extracorporeal circuit (ECC) contributes to this complication. Perfluorocarbon-based blood substitutes (PFCs) are under investigation for use as a component of the ECC "prime" solution, because PFCs increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the diluted blood. Some PFCs may provide the additional benefit of attenuating the ECC-induced inflammatory response. Earlier, we reported that perflubron emulsion (PFE, Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp.) reduced neutrophil (PMN) activation in vivo. However, the potential of PFE to reduce ECC-induced PMN activation has not been investigated. In this study, we used a small-scale ECC model to quantify the extent of PMN activation during circulation and to examine if PFE treatment attenuated PMN activation. ECC circuits were filled with a mixture of blood and Plasmalyte. Two groups were studied: an untreated group containing blood plus PlasmaLyte and a treated group in which some of the Plasmalyte was substituted with PFE (4.5 g/100 ml). Hematology and measures of whole blood PMN activation were made from blood samples taken periodically throughout the 120-min ECC circulation period. We found, for the untreated group, a significant decrease in the number of circulating PMNs and an increase in PMN activation with time. PMN activation was demonstrated as a significant increase in the expression of the PMN adhesion protein CD11b (P < 0.05) and an increase in PMN oxygen free radical production (reactive oxygen species (ROS)). After 120 min of circulation, the PMNs remained capable of a significant response to a second inflammatory stimulus, but PFE treatment significantly attenuated the fMLP-induced increase in PMN ROS at t = 120 min (P < 0.05). These results suggest that PFE may have dual utility in cardiac surgery, to increase oxygen delivery and to serve as an antiinflammatory agent.

Work stress among six professional groups: the Singapore experience

Recent developments in stress research have called for attention to how social structures influence the stress and coping processes. This paper examines the experience of work stress among professionals in Singapore and argues that workers' experiences in the workplace are influenced not only by individual personality and job nature, but also by structural forces shaping the profession, the social organization of work institutions and the development of the economy. Data were collected from a survey of professionals in Singapore conducted in 1989-1990. The sample consisted of 2570 men and women from six different professions and para-professions, namely general practitioners, lawyers, engineers, teachers, nurses and life insurance personnel. Results showed that performance pressure and work-family conflicts were perceived to be the most stressful aspects of work. These two stressors also significantly contributed to the experience of overall work stress. Further, stress arising from work-family conflicts, performance pressure and poor job prospects was negatively associated with the level of work satisfaction. These findings were discussed in the contexts of increasing professionalization and de-professionalization and the growing emphases on productivity and efficiency in a quickly developing economy.

Validation of a new noninvasive method (contrast-enhanced transthoracic second harmonic echo Doppler) for the evaluation of coronary flow reserve: comparison with intracoronary Doppler flow wire

OBJECTIVES

We tested the hypothesis that coronary flow reserve (CFR) in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) as assessed by a new noninvasive method (contrast-enhanced transthoracic second harmonic echo Doppler) is in agreement with CFR measurements assessed by intracoronary Doppler flow wire.

BACKGROUND

Contrast-enhanced transthoracic second harmonic echo Doppler is a novel noninvasive method to detect blood flow velocity and reserve in the LAD. However, it has not yet been validated versus a gold-standard method.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients undergoing CFR assessment in the LAD by Doppler flow wire were also evaluated by contrast-enhanced transthoracic Doppler to record blood flow in the distal LAD at rest and during hyperemia obtained by adenosine i.v. infusion. In five patients CFR was evaluated twice (before and after angioplasty).

RESULTS

As a result of the combined use of i.v. contrast and second harmonic Doppler technology, feasibility in assessing coronary flow reserve equaled 100%. The agreement between the two methods was high. In fact, in all but five patients the maximum difference between the two CFR measurements was 0.38. Overall, the prediction (95%) interval of individual differences was -0.69 to +0.72. Reproducibility of CFR measurements was also high. The limits of the agreement (95%) between the two measurements were -0.32 to +0.32.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary flow reserve in the LAD as assessed by contrast-enhanced transthoracic echo Doppler along with harmonic mode concurs very closely with Doppler flow wire CFR measurements. This new noninvasive method allows feasible, reliable and reproducible assessment of CFR in the LAD.

[The three-dimensional titanium miniplate rigid fixation in the treatment of fracture of maxilla]

The three-dimensional (3-D) Titanium miniplate system is one of the newest internal rigid fixation for the maxillo-mandibular surgery in recent years. The geometry of the plate assures a good stability in the three-dimensions of the fracture sits. Thirty patients suffering from maxillo-mandibular fractures had been operated on using the 3-D Titanium miniplates since 1991. The group of the patient included 16 cases of mandibular fractures, 8 cases of maxillary fractures and 6 cases of maxillo-mandibular fracture. All of the patient had very good result without any complication. The follow-up was 6 months to 3 years. The 3-D Titanium miniplate as an ideal easy to use, good resistance against torque forces and, compact forms of the miniplate were the some of the advantages. Clinical examples had been provided to illustrate the actual usage of the 3-D miniplate in the field of the surgical treatment for the maxillo-mandibular fracture. It is the author's opinion that the internal rigid fixation by 3-D Titanium miniplates is a promising method of treating fractures of the maxilla and is to be better tolerated by the patients and surgeons.

Stress in the life course: a life history approach

This article examines the relationship between stress and distress in the life course, emphasizing the time elapsed between the event and measurement of psychological distress. Stressors are conceptualized as either distal or proximal based on how recently they occurred. Distal stressors are further classified as status changes or undesirable life changes. Using a life history calendar approach, we examine stressors occurring over a 15-year-period. We explore whether distal stressors affect current depressive symptomatology above and beyond the effect of more recent stressors and how these stressors vary in frequency and affect over 3 empirically defined age groups. While some events decrease in frequency over age, others occur consistently across age groups. Most important, distal stressors significantly impact current depressive symptomatology, independent of proximal stressors. Types of distal stressors affecting depression vary over age, indicating that the stage of life at which a stressor occurs is a significant determinant of the stressor's effect on depression.

Stimulation of megakaryocytopoiesis in mice by human modified C-reactive protein (mCRP)

The prototypic human acute phase reactant, C-reactive protein (CRP), and a structurally modified form of CRP (mCRP) were studied as agents which could stimulate thrombopoiesis in both in vitro and in vivo mouse models. mCRP, but not the widely studied (native) pentameric form of CRP, demonstrated significant megakaryocyte colony-stimulating activity. This activity was measured in plasma clot cultures incubated with pokeweed mitogen-stimulated spleen cell conditioned medium (PWM-SCM). mCRP increased the number of mouse megakaryocyte colonies in a dose-dependent manner. While significantly more colonies were observed in mCRP-treated cultures compared to controls, the kinetics of megakaryocyte growth and maturation were similar to those measured in cultures stimulated with PWM-SCM lacking mCRP. A low level of megakaryocyte growth-promoting activity was noted when mCRP was added to plasma clot cultures not incubated with spleen cell conditioned medium. However, the most striking activity of mCRP was in potentiating stimulated megakaryocyte colony formation (i.e., as a Meg-POT factor). In in vivo experiments, mCRP injected subcutaneously into normal mice resulted in significant increases in blood platelet numbers compared to control mice receiving sham injections. These results suggest that a modified form of CRP has thrombopoietic activity in both in vitro and in vivo mouse models, Therefore, one important biological role for CRP during an acute-phase response might be to contribute, after a structural modification, to the hematopoietic regulation of blood platelets.

Urban stress in China

The stress-distress model is examined in the context of a Chinese urban center, Tianjin. Conceptually, the relationship between stress (as reflected in life events) and distress (as reflected in depressed symptoms) is hypothesized to hold across societies. At the same time, the measures of stress must reflect the social reality of a particular community of society. In the case of urban China, the politically-imposed stratification system arranges individuals and family lives around work units. These work units dictate all aspects of the life of the worker and his or her family, ranging from housing, major purchases, access to local and distance facilities, schooling and employment for children, to retirement pension and funeral expenses. As a result, relationships in the work context are expected to produce stress-inducing conflicts. Results from a community survey of Tianjin residents in 1986 support both the generality of the stress-distress model and the specificity of the effects of work-related stressors.

Work and family roles and psychological well-being in urban China

A theoretical framework that delineates the relationships between work and family roles and psychological well-being is derived from U.S. research and utilized to examine the relationships of work and family stress with psychological well-being in urban China. Data from a sample of 733 married and employed individuals in urban Shanghai confirm the general model of the link between work and family stress and psychological distress. Due to the centrality of work roles for the Chinese, work stress exerts a stronger relationship on psychological well-being than does family stress. Furthermore, the Chinese are more vulnerable to stress arising from interpersonal conflicts than from role demands. In addition, gender differences are found in the relationship between role stress and distress. Women tend to experience more family demands than men. Women's mental health status is tied similarly to stress arising from work and family roles, whereas men are more vulnerable to work stress than family stress. However, Chinese women do not report significantly greater generalized distress than men.

[Surgical repair of laparocele with expanded PTFE: technicalities]

Surgical repair of ventral hernias may often be quite difficult; however, the use of prosthesis, now generally accepted by many surgeons, has improved the results of such type of surgery. The Authors experience confirm the safety of the expanded PTFE and its versatility of employment, obtaining good functional and aesthetic results.