Severe CNS involvement in a subset of long-term treated children with infantile-onset Pompe disease

INTRODUCTION

The standard of care for patients with infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) is enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), which does not cross the blood brain barrier. While neuromuscular manifestations of IOPD are well-described, central nervous system (CNS) manifestations of this disorder are far less characterized. Here we describe severe CNS-related neurological manifestations including seizures and encephalopathy in six individuals with IOPD.

METHOD

We identified six children with IOPD who developed CNS manifestations such as seizures and/or encephalopathy. We studied their brain magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs) and graded the severity of white matter hyperintensities (WMHI) using the Fazekas scale scoring system as previously published. Longitudinal cognitive measures were available from 4/6 children.

RESULTS

All six IOPD patients (4 males/2 females) had been treated with ERT for 12-15 years. Seizures and/or encephalopathy were noted at a median age at onset of 11.9 years (range 9-15 years). All were noted to have extensive WMHI in the brain MRIs and very high Fazekas scores which preceded the onset of neurological symptoms. Longitudinal IQ scores from four of these children suggested developmental plateauing.

DISCUSSION

Among a subset of IOPD patients on long-term ERT, CNS manifestations including hyperreflexia, encephalopathy and seizures may become prominent, and there is likely an association between these symptoms and significant WMHI on MRI. Further study is needed to identify risk factors for CNS deterioration among children with IOPD and develop interventions to prevent neurological decline.

Glucosylsphingosine (Lyso-Gb1): An Informative Biomarker in the Clinical Monitoring of Patients with Gaucher Disease

Historically, disease burden and treatment responses in patients with Gaucher disease (GD) was assessed by monitoring clinical data, laboratory, imaging, chitotriosidase (CHITO), and other biomarkers; however, these biomarkers lack specificity and CHITO is uninformative in patients heterozygous or homozygous for the CHIT1 c.1049_1072dup24 variant. Recently, glucosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb₁), a sensitive and specific GD biomarker, has been recommended for patient monitoring. Furthermore, studies measuring lyso-Gb₁ and CHITO in patients on long-term treatment with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and/or substrate reduction therapy (SRT) reported as group data show a reduction in both analytes, yet individualized patient data are generally unavailable. We describe seven patients on long-term treatment with longitudinal clinical data with monitoring based on current treatment guidelines. We present four patients who exhibit stable disease with normalized CHITO despite elevated lyso-Gb₁. We present one patient who transitioned from ERT to SRT due to lack of a clinical response with life-threatening thrombocytopenia who responded with marked improvement in platelets, and normalized levels of both CHITO and lyso-Gb₁. Finally, we present two ERT to SRT switch patients with stable disease on ERT who exhibited non-compliance on SRT, one with mirrored marked elevations of CHITO and lyso-Gb₁; and another with normal CHITO and platelets, but increasing lyso-Gb₁ levels and enlarged spleen. These clinical vignettes highlight the role of lyso-Gb₁ as a sensitive biomarker in management of patients with GD, and its further value when CHITO is normal and thus uninformative. We highlight the personalized medicine approach needed to optimize treatment outcomes and recommendations for these patients.

The role of glucosylsphingosine as an early indicator of disease progression in early symptomatic type 1 Gaucher disease

Gaucher disease (GD), a lysosomal storage disorder caused by β-glucocerebrosidase deficiency, results in the accumulation of glucosylceramide and glucosylsphingosine. Glucosylsphingosine has emerged as a sensitive and specific biomarker for GD and treatment response. However, limited information exists on its role in guiding treatment decisions in pre-symptomatic patients identified at birth or due to a positive family history. We present two pediatric patients with GD1 and highlight the utility of glucosylsphingosine monitoring in guiding treatment initiation.

Prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma in relation to preoperative subclinical hypothyroidism

INTRODUCTION

It has been established that thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the growth and development of thyroid malignancy, and a higher serum TSH level is associated with the incidence of thyroid cancer and an advanced tumour stage. This study aimed to evaluate the association of preoperative subclinical hypothyroidism with the prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

METHODS

A total of 466 patients who underwent surgery for PTC between December 2006 and June 2009 were enrolled. Among them, 44 patients had subclinical hypothyroidism, while 422 did not have subclinical hypothyroidism, as diagnosed using the preoperative thyroid function test. We compared the recurrence rate and association with clinicopathological features in the two groups.

RESULTS

The median patient age was 46.9 years (17-74 years). There were 420 female and 46 male patients. The median follow-up duration was 81.4 months. There were no statistical differences between the two groups with respect to age, sex, tumour size, extrathyroidal extension, multifocality, lymph node metastasis, TNM stages, recurrence and disease-free survival, despite a significant difference in the average TSH concentrations of the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that preoperative subclinical hypothyroidism was not associated with tumour aggressiveness and recurrence in PTC.

Relationship Between Sexual Function and Pelvic Floor and Hip Muscle Strength in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence

INTRODUCTION

The pelvic floor muscle (PFM) could affect female sexual functions. The hip muscles are morphologically and functionally linked to PFM and are important elements of female sexual attraction.

AIM

To determine the relationship between female sexual function and hip muscle strength and PFM functions in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODS

A total of 42 women with SUI were recruited in this study. Female sexual function was measured using the pelvic organ prolapse urinary incontinence sexual function questionnaire (PISQ). PFM functions were measured using a perineometer. Hip muscle strength was measured using a Smart KEMA tension sensor. The relationship between female sexual function and PFM function and hip muscle strength was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analyses with forward selection.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

PISQ score, PFM functions (strength and endurance), and strength of hip extensor, abductor, and adductor were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

For the behavioral/emotive domain in the PISQ, hip extensor strength (r = 0.452), PFM strength (r = 0.441), PFM endurance (r = 0.362), and hip adductor strength (r = 0.324) were significantly correlated and hip extensor strength emerged in multiple regression. For the physical domain in the PISQ, hip abductor strength (r = 0.417), PFM endurance (r = 0.356), hip adductor strength (r = 0.332), and PFM strength (r = 0.322) were significantly correlated and hip abductor strength entered in multiple regression. For partner-related domain in the PISQ, hip adductor (r = 0.386) and abductor strength (r = 0.314) were significantly correlated and hip adductor strength appeared in multiple regression. For the PISQ total score, hip extensor strength (r = 0.484), PFM endurance (r = 0.470), hip adductor strength (r = 0.424), hip abductor strength (r = 0.393), and PFM strength (r = 0.387) were significantly correlated and hip extensor strength and PFM endurance emerged in multiple regression.

CONCLUSION

The female sexual function could be related to not only PFM functions but also hip muscle strength in women with SUI. Hwang UJ, Lee MS, Jung SH, Ahn SH, Kwon OY. Relationship Between Sexual Function and Pelvic Floor and Hip Muscle Strength in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence. Sex Med 2021;9:100325.

A web-based intervention to increase weight loss treatment initiation: results of a cluster randomized feasibility and acceptability trial

Evidence-based behavioral weight loss treatment is under-utilized. To increase initiation of treatment, we developed a single-session, online, primary care-based intervention ("mobilization tool"). We evaluated the mobilization tool's acceptability for primary care patients with obesity, trial design feasibility, and signal of an effect of the tool on treatment initiation. In this cluster randomized feasibility trial, primary care providers (PCPs) were randomized to a mobilization tool or comparator tool arm. Patients with obesity and a scheduled appointment with a randomized PCP were assigned to complete the mobilization or comparator tool prior to their appointment. The online mobilization tool asks patients to answer questions about a variety of weight-related topics and then provides automated, tailored feedback that addresses psychosocial determinants of weight loss treatment initiation. The comparator tool provided a nontailored description of treatments. All participants were offered free enrollment in behavioral weight loss treatments. Six PCPs were randomized. Sixty patients (57% female; 66% white; aged 55 ± 13 years) participated in this study of 296 contacted for eligibility evaluation (20.2%). Six-month follow-up assessments were completed by 65% (22/34) of the mobilization and 73% (19/26) of comparator tool participants. Participants completing the acceptability survey reported that the mobilization tool was usable, enjoyable, informative, and useful. Weight loss treatment was initiated by 59% (n = 19) of mobilization and 33% (n = 8) of comparator tool participants. The mobilization tool shows promise for increasing treatment initiation among primary care patients, which may increase population weight loss. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02708121.

Abstract P1-12-02: Withdrawn

This abstract was withdrawn by the authors.

Citation Format: Chung IY, Hur H, Lee J, Lee JW, Youn HJ, Han K, Kim NW, Jung S-Y, Kim Z, Kim KS, Lee MH, Han S-H, Jung SH. Withdrawn [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-12-02.

Perceived barriers and facilitators of initiation of behavioral weight loss interventions among adults with obesity: a qualitative study

Background

Evidence-based behavioral weight loss interventions are under-utilized. To inform efforts to increase uptake of these interventions, it is important to understand the perspectives of adults with obesity regarding barriers and facilitators of weight loss intervention initiation.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study in adults with obesity who had recently attempted weight loss either with assistance from an evidence-based behavioral intervention (intervention initiators) or without use of a formal intervention (intervention non-initiators). We recruited primary care patients, members of a commercial weight loss program, and members of a Veterans Affairs weight loss program. Intervention initiators and non-initiators were interviewed separately using a semi-structured interview guide that asked participants about barriers and facilitators of weight loss intervention initiation. Conversations were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Two researchers used open coding to generate the code book on a subset of transcripts and a single researcher coded remaining transcripts. Codes were combined into subthemes, which were combined in to higher order themes. Intervention initiators and non-initiators were compared.

Results

We conducted three focus groups with participants who had initiated interventions (n = 26) and three focus groups (n = 24) and 8 individual interviews with participants who had not initiated interventions. Intervention initiators and non-initiators were, respectively, 65% and 37.5% white, 62% and 63% female, mean age of 55 and 54 years old, and mean BMI of 34 kg/m². Three themes were identified. One theme was practical factors, with subthemes of reasonable cost and scheduling compatibility. A second theme was anticipated effectiveness of intervention, with subthemes of intervention content addressing individual needs; social aspects influencing effectiveness; and evaluating evidence of effectiveness. A third theme was anticipated pleasantness of intervention, with subthemes of social aspects influencing enjoyment; anticipated dietary and tracking prescriptions; and identity and self-reliance factors. Different perspectives were identified from intervention initiators and non-initiators.

Conclusions

Strategies to engage individuals in evidence-based weight loss interventions can be developed using these results. Strategies could target individuals’ perceived barriers and benefits to initiating interventions, or could focus on refining interventions to appeal to more individuals.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-5795-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A natural infection by the red sea bream iridovirus-type Megalocytivirus in the golden mandarin fish Siniperca scherzeri

An outbreak of a Megalocytivirus infection was found in the golden mandarin fish Siniperca scherzeri during September and October 2016, in Korea. Phylogeny and genetic diversity based on the major capsid protein (MCP) and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) genes showed a new strain. Designated as GMIV, this strain derived from the golden mandarin fish was suggested to belong to the red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV)-subgroup I. Additionally, this train clustered with the ehime-1 strain from red sea bream Pagrus major in Japan and was distinguished from circulating isolates (RSIV-type subgroup II and turbot reddish body iridovirus [TRBIV] type) in Korea. The infection level, evaluated by qPCR, ranged from 8.18 × 102 to 7.95 × 106  copies/mg of tissue individually, suggesting that the infected fish were in the disease-transmitting stage. The diseased fish showed degenerative changes associated with cytomegaly in the spleen as general sign of Megalocytivirus infection. The results confirm that the RSIV-type Megalocytivirus might have crossed the environmental and species barriers to cause widespread infection in freshwater fish.

Comparison of shoulder strength in males with and without myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted in order to compare the strength of scapular elevator and shoulder abductor with and without restricted scapular elevation between male subjects with and without myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius.

METHODS

In total, 15 male subjects with myofascial trigger points, and 15age- and weight-matched male subjects without myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius. Each subject was measured in the strength of maximum isometric scapular elevation and shoulder abduction with and without restricted scapular elevation. Maximum isometric contractions were measured using the Smart KEMA strength measurement system. Independent t-tests were used to compare shoulder strength values between the myofascial trigger points and non- myofascial trigger points groups.

FINDING

The results showed that shoulder abductor strength in the group with myofascial trigger points (5.64kgf) was significantly lower than in the group without myofascial trigger points (11.96kgf) when scapular elevation was restricted (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the strength of the scapular elevator or shoulder abductor between groups (p>0.05).

INTERPRETATION

These findings suggest that decreased strength in the shoulder abductor with restricted scapular elevation should be considered in evaluating and treating individuals with myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius.

Measuring the effect of femoral malrotation on knee joint biomechanics for total knee arthroplasty using computational simulation

Objectives

Malrotation of the femoral component can result in post-operative complications in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), including patellar maltracking. Therefore, we used computational simulation to investigate the influence of femoral malrotation on contact stresses on the polyethylene (PE) insert and on the patellar button as well as on the forces on the collateral ligaments.

Materials and Methods

Validated finite element (FE) models, for internal and external malrotations from 0° to 10° with regard to the neutral position, were developed to evaluate the effect of malrotation on the femoral component in TKA. Femoral malrotation in TKA on the knee joint was simulated in walking stance-phase gait and squat loading conditions.

Results

Contact stress on the medial side of the PE insert increased with internal femoral malrotation and decreased with external femoral malrotation in both stance-phase gait and squat loading conditions. There was an opposite trend in the lateral side of the PE insert case. Contact stress on the patellar button increased with internal femoral malrotation and decreased with external femoral malrotation in both stance-phase gait and squat loading conditions. In particular, contact stress on the patellar button increased by 98% with internal malrotation of 10° in the squat loading condition. The force on the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) increased with internal and external femoral malrotations, respectively.

Conclusions

These findings provide support for orthopaedic surgeons to determine a more accurate femoral component alignment in order to reduce post-operative PE problems.

Cite this article: K-T. Kang, Y-G. Koh, J. Son, O-R. Kwon, C. Baek, S. H. Jung, K. K. Park. Measuring the effect of femoral malrotation on knee joint biomechanics for total knee arthroplasty using computational simulation. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:552–559. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.511.BJR-2016-0107.R1.

Outbreak of hirame rhabdovirus infection in cultured spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus on the western coast of Korea

In this study, we determined the cause of a disease outbreak in spotted sea bass, Lateolabrax maculatus reared in culture cages on the western coast of Korea in 2013. The major signs in the diseased fish exhibited were haemorrhaging on the membranes of the abdomen, gastrointestinal organs and opercular gills, as well as an enlarged spleen. No external morphological signs of infection were visible, except for a darkening in colour. No parasites or pathological bacteria were isolated from the diseased fish; however, epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cells inoculated with tissue homogenates from the diseased fish showed cytopathic effects (CPEs). Virus particles in the EPC cells were bullet-shaped, 185-225 nm long and 70-80 nm wide, characteristic of Rhabdoviridae. Polymerase chain reaction analyses of homogenized tissues from the diseased fish and supernatants of cell cultures with CPEs indicated specific, 553-bp-long fragments corresponding to the matrix protein gene of the hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV). Phylogenetically, the HIRRV phosphoprotein gene of spotted sea bass was more closely related to phosphoproteins from Chinese and Polish HIRRV strains than from other Korean strains. To our knowledge, this is the first report of HIRRV infection in cultured spotted sea bass.

Odor-identity dependent motor programs underlie behavioral responses to odors

All animals use olfactory information to perform tasks essential to their survival. Odors typically activate multiple olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) classes and are therefore represented by the patterns of active ORNs. How the patterns of active ORN classes are decoded to drive behavior is under intense investigation. In this study, using Drosophila as a model system, we investigate the logic by which odors modulate locomotion. We designed a novel behavioral arena in which we could examine a fly’s locomotion under precisely controlled stimulus condition. In this arena, in response to similarly attractive odors, flies modulate their locomotion differently implying that odors have a more diverse effect on locomotion than was anticipated. Three features underlie odor-guided locomotion: First, in response to odors, flies modulate a surprisingly large number of motor parameters. Second, similarly attractive odors elicit changes in different motor programs. Third, different ORN classes modulate different subset of motor parameters.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.11092.001

Humans rely chiefly on vision to understand and navigate the world around them. But for many organisms, the world is dominated by their sense of smell. For these animals, everyday activities, like finding food, depend on being able to change behavior based on odor-based cues. To meet the challenges of detecting and discriminating between different odors, animals have many odorant receptors that bind to the odors, which are found on olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). Each odor activates multiple ORNs, and different odors activate different combinations of ORNs. But it is not clear how activities from different classes of ORN are combined to create the perception of an odor or to guide behavior.

Now, Jung et al. have investigated the logic by which odors can alter a fruit fly’s movements. The olfactory system of the fruit fly is organized along similar lines to that of a mammal, but is much simpler. Moreover, many genetic tools are available in fruit flies to allow neuroscientists to activate and inactivate specific neurons and assess the effect this has on behavior.

The results suggest that odor-guided movement in fruit flies has two noteworthy features. Firstly, in the presence of odors, flies alter their walking in unexpectedly large number of ways. Therefore, one needs to consider many different factors, or “motor parameters”, to describe how odors affect a fly’s movement. For instance, instead of just walking faster or slower, a fly can change how long it stops (stop duration), how long it runs (run duration) and how fast it runs (run speed) – all of which will affect overall speed. Secondly, a single class of ORN can strongly affect some parameters (like run duration) without affecting others (like stop duration). These data indicate that the neural circuits involved have a modular organization in which each ORN class affects a subset of motor parameters, and each motor parameter is affected by a subset of ORN classes. These findings were largely unexpected.

Jung et al.’s study focused on attractive odors. Future work will study repulsive odors to investigate if similar results are seen when studying repulsion versus attraction.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.11092.002

Effects of Oxide Layer on the Bonding Strength of Ni-Cr Alloys with Porcelain Ceramics

The metal-ceramic crown restoration was the most actively used at esthetic restoration for its convenience of forming. Due to constant rise of gold price, non-precious metal such as Ni-Cr alloy have been widely used as metal-ceramic restorations. For easy casting and lower melting point Be was added as minor component to Ni-Cr for a long time, but the use of Be was regulated to deteriorate to human lung. In this study, Ni-Cr specimens containing Be (T-3, Ticonium, USA) and non-Be (Bellabond Plus, BEGO, Germany) were fabricated and by heat treatments at 800-1050 0C oxide layer was formed for subsequent bonding to porcelain ceramics. By heat treatment of the non-Be specimens at high temperature more thick oxide layer was formed and showed lower bonding strength due to the debonding at oxide layers. But in the Be-containing specimens debonding was occurred at porcelain layer so that they showed higher bonding strength. So by heat treatment of non-Be specimens at vacuum condition rather thinner oxide film could be formed so that showed higher coupling strength due to the debonding at porcelain layers than oxide layers.

Pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin trihydrate in cultured olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The study was aimed at investigating the pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin trihydrate (AMOX) in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) following oral, intramuscular, and intravenous administration, using high-performance liquid chromatography following. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax ), following oral administration of 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), AMOX was 1.14 (Tmax , 1.7 h) and 0.76 μg/mL (Tmax , 1.6 h), respectively. Intramuscular administration of 30 and 60 mg/kg of AMOX resulted in Cmax values of 4 and 4.3 μg/mL, respectively, with the corresponding Tmax values of 29 and 38 h. Intravenous administration of 6 mg/kg AMOX resulted in a Cmax of 9 μg/mL 2 h after administration. Following oral administration of 40 and 80 mg/kg AMOX, area under the curve (AUC) values were 52.257 and 41.219 μg/mL·h, respectively. Intramuscular 30 and 60 mg/kg doses resulted in AUC values of 370.274 and 453.655 μg/mL·h, respectively, while the AUC following intravenous administration was 86.274 μg/mL·h. AMOX bioavailability was calculated to be 9% and 3.6% following oral administration of 40 and 80 mg/kg, respectively, and the corresponding values following intramuscular administration were 86% and 53%. In conclusion, this study demonstrated high bioavailability of AMOX following oral administration in olive flounder.

The impact of activated p-AKT expression on clinical outcomes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a clinicopathological study of 262 cases

BACKGROUND

Oncogenic phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/serine-threonine kinase (PI3K/AKT) pathway plays a critical role in cell proliferation and growth. Phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) has been reported to be abnormally overexpressed and to have poor prognostic impact in solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

To define the clinical implications of p-AKT expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), we calculated arbitrary units (AUs) by multiplying the intensity and the proportion of p-AKT expression and investigated the impact of p-AKT expression on clinical outcomes. We assessed 262 patients with DLBCL. Based on a cutoff value of the upper limit of the third quartile of AUs, 56 patients were classified as high p-AKT and the remaining 206 patients were classified as low p-AKT.

RESULTS

The high p-AKT group was closely associated with more advanced stage (stage III-IV, P = 0.02), two or more extranodal involvement (P = 0.03), lactic dehydrogenase elevation (P = 0.03), higher International Prognostic Index risk groups (high intermediate/high, P = 0.02), and the presence of B-symptoms (P = 0.01). The high p-AKT group showed substantially worse overall survival (OS) (median OS, 115.0 months versus not reached, P = 0.004) and progression-free survival (PFS) (median PFS, 25.5 versus 105.8 months, P = 0.019) compared with the low p-AKT group. Multivariate analysis revealed that high p-AKT expression retained its significant poor prognostic impact for OS (hazard ratio 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.7; P = 0.031). The subgroup with high p-AKT expression and concurrent Epstein-Barr virus positivity showed worst prognosis with the median OS and PFS of 15.2 and 7.4 months.

CONCLUSION

DLBCL patients with high p-AKT expression showed distinct clinical features and followed a more rapidly deteriorating clinical course with worse OS and PFS. Thus, a more effective treatment option should be developed for this subset of DLBCL patients, and targeting PI3K/AKT pathway may be a promising therapeutic strategy.

Topical administration of the pan-Src kinase inhibitors, dasatinib and LCB 03-0110, prevents allergic contact dermatitis in mice

BACKGROUND

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a delayed type of T cell-mediated cutaneous inflammatory response, in which multiple cell types are involved. Dasatinib and LCB 03-0110 are small molecule multityrosine kinase inhibitors, and they share remarkably similar target kinases such as the c-Src family, Btk and Syk, which play key roles in the cell signalling of T cells and other inflammatory cells.

OBJECTIVES

 To test the anti-ACD activity of dasatinib and LCB 03-0110 and compare it with that of tacrolimus (FK506) and triamcinolone acetonide (a glucocorticoid), which are widely used for topical treatment of ACD, and to examine the two compounds for their capacity to induce skin atrophy, a side-effect.

METHODS

 ACD was induced on the ears of mice by repeated topical application of oxazolone. Each test compound was then topically applied on the ear. Ear swelling, epidermal thickness and levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured. The skin atrophy induced by the compounds was tested during prolonged application on the dorsal skin of hairless mice, followed by haematoxylin and eosin staining.

RESULTS

  Dasatinib and LCB 03-0110 suppressed the symptoms of ACD such as ear swelling, increase in epidermal thickness and synthesis of inflammatory cytokines (i.e. interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ) in a dose-dependent manner. The two compounds showed near-equal potency to tacrolimus; however, their potency was lower than that of triamcinolone acetonide. Prolonged treatment with the two compounds did not induce any skin atrophy, whereas use of steroidal agents induced severe atrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

  Dasatinib and LCB 03-0110 could be used as effective agents for the treatment of ACD without the adverse side-effect of skin atrophy.

Prospective analysis of quality of life in elderly patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Given the more comorbidities with a decline in physiologic reserve, it can be challenging to make appropriate treatment decisions in the elderly.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Here, we prospectively evaluated and compared the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients aged ≥ 65 with aged <65 who were treated with a postoperative chemotherapy for completely resected stage Ib, II or IIIa non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Either four cycles of paclitaxel (Taxol)-carboplatin (PC) or vinorelbine-cisplatin (NP) was used. The HRQOL was assessed with EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13.

RESULTS

Between October 2008 and October 2011, a total of 139 patients (aged <65, n = 73; ≥ 65, n = 66) were enrolled, and 127 (91.4%) completed the questionnaire. Overall, the quality of life (QOL) in elderly patients did not significantly deteriorate with adjuvant chemotherapy and the time trend of QOL in elderly patients was similar to that of younger patients. Although the elderly suffered from increased treatment-related adverse events involving sore mouth, peripheral neuropathy and alopecia compared with the baseline, the same time trends were also observed in younger group. The mean dose intensities (MDIs) for PC and NP regimen were not significantly different between the two age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative chemotherapy did not substantially reduce HRQOL in elderly NSCLC patients, and HRQOL during and after adjuvant chemotherapy did not significantly differ by age.

Abstract P5-07-04: Aurora kinase regulates PKC-mediated MMP-9 expression and invasion in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Aurora kinase is a novel family of serine/threonine kinases. Elevated expression of aurora kinase A and B is observed in many tumor cells, and dysregulation of aurora kinase has been linked to tumorigenesis. Therefore, a number of studies focused in their oncogene activities as anti-tumor targets. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM) and it is important process for breast cancer cell invasion. MMP-9 can be stimulated by activation of various cellular signaling pathways including protein kinase C (PKC), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs), activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Here, we show that 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a directly PKC activator stimulation resulted in an up-regulation and phosphorlyation of aurora kinases in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Also, Results showed that inhibition of the aurora kinases suppressed TPA-induced MMP-9 secretion/expression and cell invasion through suppression of NF-κB, AP-1, and MAPKs in MCF-7 breast cancer cell. In conclusion, this study provides new insight into the novel role of aurora kinase for expression of MMP-9 by TPA and regulation of aurora kinase by TPA through MAPKs signaling pathway.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-07-04.

Abstract P1-10-01: Curcumin suppresses MMP-9 expression via inhibition of PKCα/MAPKs and NF-κB/AP-1 activation in MCF-7 cells

Background: Curcumin is a polyphenol derived from the plant turmeric (Curcuma longa), which is commonly used as a spice. It was recently reported for its anticancer effect on several types of cancer cells in vitro, however the molecular mechanisms of this anticancer effect are not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the effect of curcumin on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate(TPA)-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) expression and cell invasion in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Materials and Methods: The effect of curcumin on MCF-7 cell viability was determined using MTT assay. The cells invasion was demonstrated by the Matrigel-coated transwell assay. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the effect of curcumin on the expression of MMP-9. MMP-9 mRNA levels were analyzed by real-time PCR. NF-κB and AP-1 DNA binding was analyzed by EMSA.

Results: Our results showed that curcumin inhibits TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion through suppressing NF-κB and AP-1 activation. Curcumin strongly repressed the TPA-induced phosphorylation of p38 and JNK and also inhibited TPA-induced translocation of PKCa from the cytosol to the membrane, but did not affect the translocation of PKCδ.

Conclusion: It is concluded that curcumin inhibits the TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion through the suppression of the PKCα/MAPK/NF-kB/AP-1 pathway in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Accordingly, curcumin may have the therapeutic potential in restricting breast cancer metastasis.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-01.

Effects of a cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor on expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and vascular endothelial growth factor in rats with cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity

BACKGROUND

The mechanism of cyclosporine (CsA)-induced nephrotoxicity has been suggested to be vasoconstriction due to reduced nitric oxide (NO), providing tissue fibrosis by elevation of transforming growth factor beta and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this study using a rat model of CsA-induced nephrotoxicity, we administered a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor to ameliorate the renal injury and alter the expression of endothelial No synthase (eNOS) and VEGF.

METHODS

A right nephrectomy was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 30; 200-250 g, all male). The Ischemia group (n = 6) underwent ligation of the left renal artery for 45 minutes (IR) before observation for 28 days. After IR, the udenafil group (n = 6) was treated with 10 mg/kg drug orally, the CsA group (n = 6) received 15 mg/kg CsA injected subcutaneously and the CsA plus udenafil group (n = 6) received 15 mg/kg CsA injected subcutaneously together with the oral administration of 10 mg/kg udenafil.

RESULTS

Administration of udenafil significantly decreased serum creatinine either alone (0.21 ± 0.04 mg/dL) or in combination with CsA (1.86 ± 0.35 mg/dL) versus the ischemia (0.85 ± 0.22 mg/dL) and the CsA alone (3. 10 ± 0.77 mg/dL) group. (P = .002; P = .002). Comparing the Hematoxylin-eosin staining of the ischemia (0.41 ± 0.09) and CsA (0.44 ± 0.08) groups showed a significantly decreased loss of nuclei in proximal tubules after the administration of udenafil (0.27 ± 0.05 [P = .004] and 0.26 ± 0.02 [P = .002] respectively). Immunohistochemical staining showed strong eNOS staining in the udenafil and CsA plus udenafil groups. Western blots for eNOS showed decreased expression in the CsA group and increased expression in the udenafil group. Western blots for VEGF revealed reduced expression only in the CsA plus udenafil group. eNOS mRNA was decreased in the CsA (0.017 ± 0.010) compared with the ischemia group (0.048 ± 0.015; P = .000). VEGF mRNA which was decreased in the CsA group (2.026 ± 1.109), showed greater tendency after administration of udenafil (0.440 ± 0.449) (P = .003).

CONCLUSION

The phosphodiesterase inhibitor ameliorated renal injury in a rat model of CsA-induced nephrotoxicity, possibly related to increased eNOS and reduced VEGF expression.

Association of total tooth loss with socio-behavioural health indicators in Korean elderly

This study examined the association between total tooth loss, and socio-behavioural factors and general health indicators in elderly Koreans using national databases. Cross-sectional data for this study were from the third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III), which was conducted among non-institutionalised civilians by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2005. KNHANES III used a stratified, multistage probability sampling design on a representative of total South Korean population, according to geographical areas, age and sex groups. Among them, 1091 subjects aged 65 years and above were identified as potential participants in this study. The dependent variable in this study was the self-reported total tooth loss. The independent variables consisted of the following four categories: demographic information, socio-behavioural factors, psychological factors and general health indicators. The data were weighted to adjust for the sampling complexity, and SPSS version 14 for Windows software was used for data analysis. There were significant differences in total tooth loss odds according to the socio-behavioural backgrounds (education and smoking), psychological conditions (perceived oral health) and general health status (diabetes and body mass index as underweight). This suggests that the total tooth loss is associated with the socio-economic status, health-related behaviour and general health. However, more extensive longitudinal data and research will be needed to better explain the relationship between the total tooth loss and these variables.

Synthesis of flavonoids and their effects on aldose reductase and sorbitol accumulation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat tissues

Aldose reductase, the key enzyme of the polyol pathway, and oxidative stress are known to play important roles in the complications of diabetes. A drug with potent inhibition of aldose reductase and oxidative stress, therefore, would be a most promising drug for the prevention of diabetic complications. The purpose of this study was to develop new compounds with these dual-effects through synthesis of chalcone derivatives and by examining the structure-activity relationships on the inhibition of rat lens aldose reductase as well as on antioxidant effects. A series of 35 flavonoid derivatives were synthesized by Winget's condensation, oxidation, and reduction of appropriate acetophenones with appropriate benzaldehydes. The inhibitory activity of these derivatives on rat lens aldose reductase and their antioxidant effects, measured using Cu2+ chelation and radical scavenging activities on 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl in-vitro, were evaluated. Their effect on sorbitol accumulation in the red blood cells, lenses and sciatic nerves of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was also estimated. Among the new flavonoid derivatives synthesized, those with the 2′,4′-dihydroxyl groups in the A ring such as 2,4,2′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone (22), 2,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone (11), 2′,4′-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethylchalcone (21) and 3,4,2′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone (18) were found to possess the highest rat lens aldose reductase inhibitory activity in-vitro, their IC50 values (concentration of inhibitors giving 50% inhibition of enzyme activity) being 1.6 times 10−7, 3.8 times 10−7, 4.0 times 10−7 and 4.6 times 10−7 M, respectively. All of the chalcones tested except 3, 18, 23 with o-dihydroxy or hydroquinone moiety showed a weak free radical scavenging activity. In the in-vivo experiments, however, compound 18 with o-dihydroxy moiety in the B ring showed the strongest inhibitory activity in the accumulation of sorbitol in the tissues. It also showed the strongest activity in transition metal chelation and free radical scavenging activity. Of the 35 4,2′-dihydroxyl and 2′,4′-dihydroxyl derivatives of flavonoid synthesized, including chalcone, flavone, flavanone, flavonol and dihydrochalcone, some chalcone derivatives synthesized were found to possess aldose reductase inhibition and antioxidant activities in-vitro as well as inhibition in the accumulation of sorbitol in the tissues in-vivo. 3,4,2′,4′-Tetrahydroxychalcone (18, butein) was the most promising compound for the prevention or treatment of diabetic complications.

In vitro andin vivo antifungal activities of 6-[(N-4-bromophenyl) amino]-7-chloro-5,8-quinolinediones

Antifungal activities of 6-[(N-4-bromophenyl)amino]-7-chloro-5,8-quinolinedione (RCK7) were tested. The MIC values of RCK7 were determined for antifungal suceptibility,in vitro againstAspergillus niger, Cryptococcus neoformans andTrichophyton mentagrophyte by standard agar streak method.In vitro, RCK7 showed more potent antifungal activity than fluconazole and ketoconazole. Also, RCK7 was tested forin vivo antifungal activity in the treatment of systemic infection withCandida albicans in normal mice. The therapeutic potential of RCK7 had been assessed by evaluating their survival rate against systemic infections compared with that of ketoconazole. ED(50) of intraperitoneally administered RCK7 was 2.05+/-0.30 mg/kg but that of ketoconazole was 8.00+/-0.73 mg/kg, respectively. When RCK7 was administered intravenously at the ED(50) (2.05 mg/kg), the colony counts ofCandida albicans in the liver after 7 days and 14 days were reduced as likely as ketoconazole at the ED(50) (8.00 mg/kg), and the better survival rates than ketoconazole's were achieved after 14 days. The results suggest that RCK7 may be a potent antifungal agent.

The flavonoid baicalin counteracts ischemic and oxidative insults to retinal cells and lipid peroxidation to brain membranes

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the flavonoid, baicalin is effective at blunting the negative influence of ischemia/reperfusion to the rat retina in situ and of various insults to a transformed retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5 cells) in culture. Baicalin was administered intraperitoneally just before and after an ischemic insult to retina of one eye of a rat. Ischemia was delivered by raising the intraocular pressure above the systolic blood pressure for 50min. Seven days after ischemia, retinas were analysed for the localisation of various antigens. Retinal extracts were also analysed for various mRNAs. Moreover, the content of specific proteins was deduced in retinal and optic nerve extracts. Also, RGC-5 cells in culture were given one of three different insults, light (1000lx for 2 days), hydrogen peroxide (200microM H(2)O(2) for 24h) or serum deprivation (48h) where cell survival and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was assayed. Moreover, a lipid peroxidation assay was used to compare the antioxidant capacity of baicalin with the flavonoid, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Ischemia/reperfusion to the retina affected the localisation of Thy-1 and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and the content of various proteins (optic nerve and retina) and mRNAs (retina). Importantly, baicalin statistically blunted most of the effects induced by ischemia/reperfusion. Only the increase in caspase-8 and caspase-3 mRNAs caused by ischemia/reperfusion were unaffected by baicalin treatment. Baicalin also attenuated significantly the negative insult of light, hydrogen peroxide and serum withdrawal to RGC-5 cells. In the lipid peroxidation studies, baicalin was also found to be equally effective as EGCG to act as an antioxidant. Significantly, the negative insult of serum withdrawal on RGC-5 cell survival was blunted by baicalin but not by EGCG revealing the different properties of the two flavonoids.

Reverse engineering of gene regulatory networks

Systems biology is a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of the interactions of various cellular mechanisms and cellular components. Owing to the development of new technologies that simultaneously measure the expression of genetic information, systems biological studies involving gene interactions are increasingly prominent. In this regard, reconstructing gene regulatory networks (GRNs) forms the basis for the dynamical analysis of gene interactions and related effects on cellular control pathways. Various approaches of inferring GRNs from gene expression profiles and biological information, including machine learning approaches, have been reviewed, with a brief introduction of DNA microarray experiments as typical tools for measuring levels of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression. In particular, the inference methods are classified according to the required input information, and the main idea of each method is elucidated by comparing its advantages and disadvantages with respect to the other methods. In addition, recent developments in this field are introduced and discussions on the challenges and opportunities for future research are provided.

Indepth diagnosis of a secondary clarifier by the application of radiotracer technique and numerical modeling

To make an indepth diagnosis of a full-scale rectangular secondary clarifier, an experimental and numerical study has been performed in a wastewater treatment facility. Calculation results by the numerical model with the adoption of the SIMPLE algorithm of Patankar are validated with radiotracer experiments. Emphasis is given to the prediction of residence time distribution (RTD) curves. The predicted RTD profiles are in good agreement with the experimental RTD curves at the upstream and center sections except for the withdrawal zone of the complex effluent weir structure. The simulation results predict successfully the well-known flow characteristics of each stage such as the waterfall phenomenon at the front of the clarifier, the bottom density current and the surface return flow in the settling zone, and the upward flow in the exit zone. The detailed effects of density current are thoroughly investigated in terms of high SS loading and temperature difference between influent and ambient fluid. The program developed in this study shows the high potential to assist in the design and determination of optimal operating conditions to improve effluent quality in a full-scale secondary clarifier.

Study of flow characteristics in a secondary clarifier by numerical simulation and radioisotope tracer technique

Numerical simulation in a 2-D rectangular coordinate and experimental study have been performed to figure out the flow characteristics and concentration distribution of a large-scale rectangular final clarifier in wastewater treatment facility located in Busan, S. Korea. The purpose of numerical calculation is to verify the experimentally measured data by radioisotope tracer technique and further to understand the important physical feature occurring in a large-scale clarifier, in many cases which is not sufficient by the aid of limited number of experimental data. To this end, a comprehensive computer program is basically made by SIMPLE algorithm by Patankar with the special emphasis on the parametric evaluation of the various phenomenological models. Calculation results are successfully evaluated against experimental data obtained by the method of radioisotope tracer. Detailed comparison is made on the calculated residence time distribution (RTD) curves with measurement inside the clarifier as well as the exhaust. Further the calculation results predict well the well-known characteristics of clarifier flow such as the waterfall phenomenon at the front end of the clarifier, the bottom density current in the settling zone and the upward flow in the withdrawal zone. Thus it is believed that the flow calculation program and the data incorporation technique of radioisotope measurement employed in this study show the high possibility as a complementary tool of experiment in this area.

The Drosophila lymph gland as a developmental model of hematopoiesis

Drosophila hematopoiesis occurs in a specialized organ called the lymph gland. In this systematic analysis of lymph gland structure and gene expression, we define the developmental steps in the maturation of blood cells (hemocytes) from their precursors. In particular, distinct zones of hemocyte maturation, signaling and proliferation in the lymph gland during hematopoietic progression are described. Different stages of hemocyte development have been classified according to marker expression and placed within developmental niches: a medullary zone for quiescent prohemocytes, a cortical zone for maturing hemocytes and a zone called the posterior signaling center for specialized signaling hemocytes. This establishes a framework for the identification of Drosophila blood cells, at various stages of maturation, and provides a genetic basis for spatial and temporal events that govern hemocyte development. The cellular events identified in this analysis further establish Drosophila as a model system for hematopoiesis.

A Serrate-expressing signaling center controls Drosophila hematopoiesis

The differentiation of Drosophila blood cells relies on a functional hierarchy between the GATA protein, Serpent (Srp), and multiple lineage-specific transcription factors, such as the AML1-like protein, Lozenge (Lz). Two major branches of Drosophila hematopoiesis give rise to plasmatocytes/macrophages and crystal cells. Serrate signaling through the Notch pathway is critical in the regulation of Lz expression and the specification of crystal cell precursors, thus providing a key distinction between the two lineages. The expression of Serrate marks a discrete cluster of cells in the lymph gland, a signaling center, with functional similarities to stromal signaling in mammalian hematopoiesis.

A phase II Hoosier Oncology Group study of vinorelbine and estramustine phosphate in hormone-refractory prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

The purpose was to evaluate the combined anti-microtubular regimen of vinorelbine and estramustine phosphate (EMP) in hormone refractory prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Weekly vinorelbine 20 mg/m2 (or 15 mg/m2 if a history of prior pelvic radiotherapy) was combined with EMP at 280 mg orally tds for 3 days (the day before, the day of and the day after vinorelbine infusion). After 8 weeks of therapy the combination was given every other week.

RESULTS

From February 1998 to February 1999, 23 men were enrolled with a median age of 69 years (range 50-83 years). The median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at entry was 160 ng/ml (range 0-802 ng/ml). A median of 13 weeks of therapy was administered and the median follow-up was 14.8 months. Eleven patients (48%) had lower extremity edema requiring diuretic therapy, two (9%) had grade 2 granulocytopenia and four patients [17%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5% to 39%] had a thromboembolic episode. There was no treatment-related mortality. Fifteen of 21 patients (71%; 95% CI 49% to 89%) had at least a 50% decrease in the PSA for at least 2 months with a median time to serologic progression of 3.5 months (range 0.75-10.5 months). One of eight patients (12.5%; 95% CI 0% to 53%) with measurable disease had a confirmed partial response. The estimated median survival was 15.1 months and the actual one year overall survival was 71% (95% CI 51% to 88%).

CONCLUSIONS

Weekly vinorelbine with short course oral EMP is an active regimen as evaluated by rate of PSA response, time to progression and median survival. However, the toxicities of EMP, even when given as a short course, are still problematic.

Maintenance daily oral etoposide versus no further therapy following induction chemotherapy with etoposide plus ifosfamide plus cisplatin in extensive small-cell lung cancer: a Hoosier Oncology Group randomized study

BACKGROUND

We performed this phase III study to determine whether the addition of 3 months of oral etoposide in non-progressing patients with extensive small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) treated with four cycles of etoposide plus ifosfamide plus cisplatin (VIP) improves progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with extensive SCLC with a Karnofsky performance score (KPS) > or =50, adequate renal function and bone marrow reserve were eligible. Patients with CNS metastasis were eligible and received concurrent whole-brain radiotherapy. All patients received etoposide 75 mg/m2, ifosfamide 1.2 g/m2 and cisplatin 20 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1-4 every 3 weeks for four cycles. Non-progressing patients were randomized to oral etoposide 50 mg/m2 for 21 consecutive days every 4 weeks for three courses versus no further therapy until progression.

RESULTS

From September 1993 to June 1998, 233 patients were entered and treated with VIP with 144 non-progressing patients subsequently randomized to oral etoposide (n = 72) or observation (n = 72). Minimum follow up for all patients is 2 years. Toxicity with oral etoposide was mild. There was an improvement in median PFS favoring the maintenance arm of 8.23 versus 6.5 months (P = 0.0018). There was a trend towards an improvement in median (12.2 versus 11.2 months), 1-year (51.4% versus 40.3%), 2-year (16.7% versus 6.9%) and 3-year (9.1% versus 1.9%) survival (P = 0.0704) favoring the maintenance arm.

CONCLUSIONS

Three months of oral etoposide in non-progressing patients with extensive SCLC was associated with a significant improvement in PFS and a trend towards improved overall survival.

Evaluation of the role of imidazolidinone motif of antineoplastic 4-phenyl-1-arylsulfonylimidazolidinones using 4-phenyl-2-arylsulfonyloxazolines

To evaluate the role of imidazolidinone moiety of potential anticancer 4-phenyl-1-arylsulfonylimidazolidinones 1 for their cytotoxicity, conformationally similar 4-phenyl-2-arylsulfonylaminooxazolines 2 were synthesized and compared their cytotoxicities with those of the corresponding 1. Compounds 2 showed much reduced activity compared to N-arylsulfo-nylimidazolidinones 1. This result might indicate that the imidazolidinone ring of 1 have the other roles for the activity as an essential structural motif in addition to conformational contribution.

Association between polymorphisms of ethanol-metabolizing enzymes and susceptibility to alcoholic cirrhosis in a Korean male population

Alcohol is oxidized to acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and cytochrome P-4502E1 (CYP2E1), and then to acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Polymorphisms of these ethanol-metabolizing enzymes may be associated with inter-individual difference in alcohol metabolism and susceptibility to alcoholic liver disease. We determined genotype and allele frequencies of ALDH2, CYP2E1, ADH2, and ADH3 in male Korean patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (n=56), alcoholics without evidence of liver disease (n=52), and nondrinkers (n=64) by using PCR or PCR-directed mutagenesis followed by restriction enzyme digestion. The prevalences of heterozygous ALDH2*1/*2 plus homozygous ALDH2*2/*2 in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (7.1%) and alcoholics without evidence of liver disease (3.8%) were significantly lower than that in nondrinkers (45.3%). The c2 allele frequencies of the CYP2E1 in alcoholic cirrhosis, alcoholics without evidence of liver disease, and nondrinkers were 0.21, 0.20, and 0.20, respectively. Allele frequencies of ADH2*2 in the three groups were 0.78, 0.74, and 0.77 and those of ADH3*1 were 0.94, 0.98, and 0.95. Therefore, we confirmed the observation that the ALDH2*2 gene protects against the development of alcoholism. However, the development of cirrhosis in Korean alcoholic patients was not associated with polymorphisms of ethanol-metabolizing enzymes.

Accuracy of predicting long-term prostate specific antigen outcome based on early prostate specific antigen recurrence results after radical prostatectomy

PURPOSE

We determined how prostate specific antigen (PSA) doubling time changed with time and whether an early measure of doubling time would accurately predict long-term PSA values and clinical outcome in a cohort of patients followed expectantly after radical prostatectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed data on 121 patients with PSA recurrence after radical retropubic prostatectomy. Group and individual analyses were performed on 60 patients who met study inclusion criteria. PSA doubling time was calculated and a curve was plotted using logarithmic transformation with linear regression and least squares analysis. In analysis 1 patients were placed into 3 subgroups according to doubling time. Doubling time was calculated per subgroup and the slopes of the aggregate curves were compared to determine how doubling time changed with time. In analysis 2 we calculated early doubling time per patient using only the initial 2 detectable PSA values and compared it with eventual doubling time in each using all PSA values. In addition, we analyzed how doubling time correlated with the clinical course.

RESULTS

Using the group methodology there was no statistically significant acceleration or deceleration with time in doubling time slope in any of the 3 subgroups. On individual analysis we noted a weak correlation of early with eventual doubling time (correlation coefficient 0.69, p = 0.01). In 88% of patients eventual doubling time was not within 10% of early doubling time. Metastasis developed in 60% of patients with an eventual DT of 0 to 6 months, while 80% with an eventual doubling time of 6 to 12 months had no evidence of local or metastatic disease. No patients with an eventual doubling time of greater than 12 months have had metastatic disease and only 4 (16%) had local recurrence, which was treated with radiation therapy. In 8 of the 14 patients (23%) with local recurrence or metastatic disease early doubling time predicted eventual doubling time. Early doubling time was more rapid and slower than eventual doubling time in 5 and 1, respectively, of the remaining cases, which would have placed them in a different subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

On group analysis PSA doubling time appeared to be constant with time and there was no evidence that it accelerated with time in our dataset of PSA recurrence after radical prostatectomy. On individual analysis early doubling time showed a weak but statistically significant correlation with eventual doubling time. However, there was significant inaccuracy when predicting PSA doubling time based on early PSA values in individuals. Generally early projections of doubling time tend to over predict tumor biological aggressiveness, that is local recurrence or metastasis. A need remains for more accurate predictors of the rate of disease progression at initial PSA recurrence to determine accurately early in the clinical course the patients who may benefit from additional therapy. Currently no patient in our study has died of prostate cancer.

Vascular endothelial growth factor - its relation to neovascularization and their significance as prognostic factors in renal cell carcinoma

Angiogenesis is a series of processes that include endothelial proliferation, migration and tube formation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is regarded as a potent mediator of angiogenesis, vascular permeability and tumor cell growth in renal cell carcinoma. This study was designed to evaluate the expression of VEGF and the microvessel count (MVC) and to determine their prediction efficacies for prognosis in renal cell carcinoma. The relationship between the expression of VEGF and MVC were evaluated immunohistochemically in 50 patients with renal cell carcinoma who received a radical nephrectomy at Wonju Christian Hospital between 1989 and 1997. Microvessels were identified by immunostaining endothelial cells for CD-31 antigen. The mean follow-up was 96 months (3 - 133 months). Overall 5-year survival rate was 71.5%. VEGF was expressed in the tumor cell cytoplasm. Of the 50 tumors, 23 (46%) were weak to strongly positive for VEGF but 27 (54%) were unreactive. The respective 5-year survival rates for patients with positive and negative expressions of VEGF were 70% and 73% (p > 0.05). The overall mean MVC was 13.4 in a 400x field. Mean MVCs were significantly higher in VEGF-positive tumors (17.6 +/- 12.1) than in VEGF-negative tumors (9.9 +/- 5.4), and the MVCs of the high vascular density group and the low vascular density groups were significantly different. The 5-year survival rates of patients with high vascular density and low vascular density were 59% and 86%. The median survival period for patients with MVCs higher than or equal to 10 vessels/field was 85 months, whereas for those with MVCs lower than 10 vessels/field the median survival time was 102 months. These results suggest that MVC may be a better prognostic factor in renal cell carcinoma than the expression of VEGF.

Cell cycle effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and enhanced growth inhibition in combination with gemcitabine in pancreatic carcinoma cells

Increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in human pancreatic adenocarcinomas, as well as the growth-inhibitory effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in vitro, suggests that NSAIDs may be an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer. Gemcitabine is currently the most effective chemotherapeutic drug available for patients with pancreatic cancer, but is only minimally effective against this aggressive disease. Clearly, other treatment options must be identified. To design successful therapeutic strategies involving compounds either alone or in combination with others, it is necessary to understand their mechanism of action. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of three NSAIDs (sulindac, indomethacin, and NS-398) or gemcitabine in two human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, BxPC-3 (COX-2-positive) and PaCa-2 (COX-2-negative), previously shown to be growth-inhibited by these NSAIDs. Effects on cell cycle and apoptosis were investigated by flow cytometry or Western blotting. Treatment with NSAIDs or gemcitabine altered the cell cycle phase distribution as well as the expression of multiple cell cycle regulatory proteins in both cell lines, but did not induce substantial levels of apoptosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the combination of the NSAID sulindac or NS-398 with gemcitabine inhibited cell growth to a greater degree than either compound alone. These results indicate that the antiproliferative effects of NSAIDs and gemcitabine in pancreatic tumor cells are primarily due to inhibition of cell cycle progression rather than direct induction of apoptotic cell death, regardless of COX-2 expression. In addition, NSAIDs in combination with gemcitabine may hold promise in the clinic for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Inhibition of prostalglandin E2 production by 2'-hydoxychalcone derivatives and the mechanism of action

The effects of 14 synthetic 2'-hydroxychalcone derivatives on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in rat peritoneal macrophages stimulated by the protein kinase C activator, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), were examined to clarify the structure-activity relationship. 2',4-Dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone (compound 3), 2',4-dihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone (compound 8) and 2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone (compound 9) suppressed PGE2 production more potently than the other compounds. The IC50 (50% Inhibitory concentration) value for compounds 3, 8 and 9 was calculated to be 3 microM. The activity of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 was inhibited slightly by compound 9, but that of COX-2 was not inhibited. At concentrations that inhibited the production of PGE2, compound 9 had no effect on the release of radioactivity from [3H]arachidonic acid-labelled macrophages stimulated by TPA. Western-blot analysis revealed that the induction of COX-2 protein by TPA was inhibited by compound 9 in parallel with the inhibition of PGE2 production. Compounds 3 and 8 had similar effects. These findings suggest that 4'-methoxyl and 6'-methoxyl groups are required for the expression of more potent inhibitory activity against PGE2 production, and that the inhibition of PGE2 production by these 2'-hydroxychalcone derivatives is due to the inhibition of TPA-induced COX-2 protein expression.

FDG-PET sensitivity for melanoma lymph node metastases is dependent on tumor volume

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to determine the tumor volume threshold for successful positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of melanoma nodal metastases.

METHODS

Review of a clinical series of patients who had FDG-PET imaging of regional lymph node basins followed by lymphadenectomy. Lymph node tumor volumes were calculated from direct measurements of metastatic nodule(s) in formalin fixed specimens. PET scan interpretations were correlated with histology to determine sensitivity. Sensitivity was correlated with the aggregate lymph node tumor volume in the nodal basin and with AJCC stage group.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients with 49 pathologically positive regional nodal basins comprised the study group. Median total basin tumor volume was 28.3 mm(3)(range 0.004-22,879 mm(3)). FDG-PET sensitivity for detection of all tumor volumes was 0.49. The observed 90% sensitivity threshold for detection of nodal metastases was > or = 78 mm(3). PET sensitivity was 0.14 for detection of tumor volumes < 78 mm(3). PET sensitivity differed by prescan AJCC stage: I-0.0; II-0.24; III-0.81; IV-1.0 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

FDG-PET reliably detects lymph node tumor deposits greater than approximately 80 mm(3) volume, but sensitivity falls rapidly below this. This amount of tumor is most likely to occur in patients with AJCC stage III or IV disease.

DNA methylation and ovarian cancer. I. Analysis of CpG island hypermethylation in human ovarian cancer using differential methylation hybridization

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine CpG island methylation patterns in ovarian cancer and determine whether epigenetic information can be related to clinical data of patients. CpG island (CpGI) hypermethylation is commonly associated with cancer progression, but little is currently known about the role of methylation in ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Differential methylation hybridization (DMH) analysis at 742 loci was performed to determine methylation signatures for 20 primary epithelial ovarian carcinomas (Stages II, III, and IV adenocarcinomas, serous papillary), 6 ovarian cancer cell lines, and normal ovarian surface epithelial cells.

RESULTS

Between 23 and 108 methylated CpGIs were seen in the ovarian carcinomas. Fewer (P < 0.05) methylated CpGIs were observed in the ovarian cancer cell lines; however, a number of CpGIs were commonly hypermethylated in both the cell lines and the tumor samples. A methylation signature, consisting of frequently (P < 0.05) methylated CpGIs, was determined for the samples. The observed pattern of methylation in ovarian cancers included several (11) CpGI tags that were previously reported to be hypermethylated in human breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Epigenetic signatures in ovarian cancer were determined using DMH. This proof-of-concept study lays the foundation for genome-wide screening of methylation to examine epigenotype-phenotype relationships in ovarian cancer.