Induction of tryptophan hydroxylase in the liver of s.c. tumor model of prostate cancer

Enhanced degradation of tryptophan (Trp) and thus decreased plasma Trp levels are common in several types of cancers. Although it is well known that Trp catabolism is induced in the tumor microenvironment by the enzymes expressed in cancer cells, immune cells, or both, few studies have examined systemic Trp catabolism in cancer pathophysiology. The present study aimed to evaluate Trp catabolism in both tumor and peripheral tissues using tumor‐engrafted Copenhagen rats that were s.c. inoculated with AT‐2 rat prostate cancer cells negative for expression of Trp catabolic enzymes. Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) metabolomics showed significantly decreased plasma Trp levels in AT‐2 engrafted rats, accompanied by increased kynurenine/Trp ratios in spleen and thymus and serotonin levels in liver and thymus. Quantitative PCR and enzymatic activity assays showed indoleamine‐2, 3‐dioxygenase, an inducible enzyme that catalyzes Trp to kynurenine, was increased in tumor tissues, whereas tryptophan‐2,3‐dioxygenase, a major Trp catabolic enzyme that regulates systemic level of Trp, tended to be increased in the liver of AT‐2 engrafted rats. Furthermore, tryptophan hydroxylase‐1 (TPH1), an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction of Trp to serotonin, was significantly increased in liver and spleen of AT‐2 engrafted rats. Further histochemical analysis revealed that the induction of TPH1 in the liver could be attributed to infiltration of mast cells. A similar phenomenon was observed with nonneoplastic liver samples from colorectal cancer patients. These results suggested that Trp catabolism toward serotonin synthesis might be induced in peripheral remote tissues in cancer, which could have a pathophysiological effect on cancer.

Association between plasma α-aminobutyric acid and depressive symptoms in older community-dwelling adults in Japan

AIM

To examine the association between depressive symptoms and plasma amino acid related metaboli in older adults.

METHODS

A total of 152 older adults aged ≥65 years, residing in Niigata, Japan, were used for analysis. We evaluated depressive symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15, which has been validated in older community-dwelling individuals, and used a cut off score of ≥5 to classify participants as having depressive symptoms. We used high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to measure the concentrations of plasma amino acid-related metabolites, and carried out logistic regression analysis to assess the association between depressive symptoms and plasma amino acid-related metabolites.

RESULTS

Of the 119 older adults (mean age 76.3 years) included in the analysis, 22 were classified as having depressive symptoms (depressive group). There were no significant differences in physical and cognitive impairments between participants in the depressive and non-depressive groups. The plasma α-aminobutyric acid (AABA) level was significantly lower in the depressive group than in the non-depressive group (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed the best-fit model, which included AABA, leucine, threonine, hydroxyl proline and histidine levels (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.8346; 95% confidence interval 0.7365-0.9326). In particular, the plasma AABA level was strongly associated with depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma AABA level is significantly associated with depression symptoms in older community-dwelling adults in Japan. Thus, plasma AABA might serve as a potential marker of depression in older adults aged ≥65 years. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 254-258.

Spatial variation in the parasitic isopod load of the Japanese halfbeak in western Japan

Cymothoid isopods (family Cymothoidae) are commonly found parasitizing diverse fishes, including commercial species. However, the effects of these parasites on host body condition are still poorly known. Here we investigated the spatial variation of the effects of parasite infection on host body condition, using the parasitic load of the cymothoid Mothocya parvostis on the Japanese halfbeak Hyporhamphus sajori at 4 sampling sites in western Japan. M. parvostis prevalence at each site (41.6-74.4%) was higher than that known for other fish host-cymothoid systems (usually less than 30%). The number of isopods in infected hosts, the reproductive status of female isopods (i.e. ovigerous/non-ovigerous), and the body size of female and male isopods relative to the size of their hosts were not significantly different among sites. However, at the site where human activity was most intense, M. parvostis infection had a significantly negative effect on host body condition. These results suggest that the effect of cymothoid infection on host body condition might be benign under natural conditions but becomes detrimental in habitats that are unsuitable for the host, such as highly human-impacted areas.

Wet-chemical synthesis and consolidation of stoichiometric bismuth telluride nanoparticles for improving the thermoelectric figure-of-merit

Bismuth telluride nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized using a low-temperature wet-chemical approach from bismuth(III) oleate and tri-n-octylphosphine telluride. The size and shape of the NPs can be controlled by adjusting the temperature, reaction time, and nature of the surfactants and solvents. Aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, xylenes) and ethers (phenyl- and benzyl-ether) favor the formation of stoichiometric Bi2Te3 NPs of platelike morphology, whereas the presence of oleylamine and 1-dodecanethiol yields Bi-rich Bi2Te3 spherical NPs. XRD, IR, SEM, TEM, and SAED techniques have been used to characterize the obtained products. We show that the surfactants can be efficiently removed from the surface of the NPs using a two-step process employing nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate and hydrazine hydrate. The surfactant-free NPs were further consolidated into high density pellets using cold-pressing and field-assisted sintering techniques. The sintered surfactant-free Bi2Te3 showed electrical and thermal properties comparable to Bi2Te3 materials processed through conventional solid state techniques, and greatly improved over other nanostructured Bi2Te3 materials synthesized by wet-chemical approaches.

Video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy: surgical and oncological results

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated the reproducibility of video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) and we report our initial experience in the treatment of penile cancer with palpable inguinal lymph nodes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From July 2006 to November 2010 were conducted 33 VEIL in 20 patients as complementary treatment for penile cancer in two referral hospitals in Latin America. We analyzed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients and surgical and oncologic outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifty-five percent of the patients included were clinical stage N0 and 45% were N +. Thirteen patients underwent bilateral VEIL and the remaining seven underwent VEIL unilateral and conventional open surgery in the contralateral limb. The average operative time for VEIL was 119 minutes and mean resected lymph nodes was 8 per lymphadenectomy. The overall complication rate was 33.2%. No patient had skin necrosis. The lymphatic complication rate was 27.2%. Of the 6 cases in which the saphenous vein was preserved (18.2%) there were no lymphatic complications (P=,2). The overall survival rate was 80% and cancer-specific survival was 90%. Mean follow-up was 20 months.

CONCLUSIONS

VEIL in the adjunctive treatment of penile cancer is safe, reproducible and may be an alternative to conventional lymphadenectomy. Patients with palpable lymphadenopathy also may benefit from this technique. Oncological results seem to be adequate however require longer follow-up to be confirmed.

Social relations, social support and survival among patients with cancer

This study examined the relationship between social relationships and social support and survival following a first diagnosis of breast, colorectal, or lung cancer. Findings showed different factors related to survival for those with breast vs lung or colorectal cancer and for those with localized vs non-localized cancers. Results provide important evidence that social relations and social support may operate differently depending on cancer site and extent of disease.

A service tracking and referral form to monitor the receipt of services in a case management program

Too often, systematic recording procedures are not developed which describe and assess the delivery of social work--and, more specifically, case management--services. The authors report on the Service Tracking and Referral Form developed by California's Adolescent Family Life Evaluation Project to document the receipt of services by pregnant adolescent clients as a result of case management intervention. The rationale and process underlying the development and use of the project's Service Tracking and Referral Form are discussed. Data are presented to illustrate the kinds of information which can be generated from the form. Finally, the authors discuss the form's utility and the possible uses of these types of data for case management, supervisory, administrative, and evaluative purposes.

A longitudinal analysis of psychological adaptation among survivors of cancer

This longitudinal study examined the psychological adaptation of newly diagnosed cancer patients. Findings showed a decline in patient's mental health status over time. Initial psychological status and other psychosocial factors, and not illness-related factors, were predictive of subsequent adaptation. Two psychologically vulnerable patient groups were identified: those who remained distressed over time and those whose mental health status declined over time.

Mental health services among ambulatory patients with human immunodeficiency syndrome infections

A retrospective study of 463 medical and social service records of patients with AIDS, ARC and minimally symptomatic individuals was conducted to examine mental health services delivered by primary medical care providers. A substantial minority of patients in all three groups had a psychiatric diagnosis and were prescribed psychotropic medications. Recognition of psychiatric complications varied by ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

Longitudinal analysis of psychological adaptation among family members of patients with cancer

A growing body of research suggests that a cancer diagnosis reverberates throughout the family system. The majority of studies provide evidence of the psychological distress experienced by family members at the time of diagnosis and during terminal and early bereavement stages. Increasingly, however, patients survive a cancer diagnosis. Therefore, their experience and that of family members more closely approximates living with a chronic illness. In this longitudinal study of 143 pairs of patients and significant others it was found that a substantial minority of significant others experienced psychological distress up to one year after the patient's initial diagnosis. The psychologically vulnerable group of significant others included an initially poor functioning group who remained so over time as well as a group whose mental health status declined over time. Personal and social resources were more important factors in declining mental health than illness-related factors.