Vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) hijacks twist1 to inhibit vasculogenic mimicry in hepatocellular carcinoma

Rationale: Vitamin D (VD) has been suggested to have antitumor effects, however, research on the role of its transporter vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP, gene name as GC) in tumors is limited. In this study, we demonstrated the mechanism underlying the inhibition of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) by VDBP in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and proposed an anti-tumor strategy of combining anti-PD-1 therapy with VD. Methods: Three-dimensional cell culture models and mice with hepatocyte-specific GC deletion were utilized to study the correlation between VDBP expression and VM. A patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) model was further applied to validate the therapeutic efficacy of VD in combination with an anti-PD-1 drug. Results: The study revealed that VDBP expression is negatively correlated with VM in HCC patients and elevated VDBP expression is associated with a favorable prognosis. The mechanism studies suggested VDBP hindered the binding of Twist1 on the promoter of VE-cadherin by interacting with its helix-loop-helix DNA binding domain, ultimately leading to the inhibition of VM. Furthermore, VD facilitated the translocation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) into the nucleus where VDR interacts with Yin Yang 1 (YY1), leading to the transcriptional activation of VDBP. We further demonstrated that the combination of VD and anti-PD-1 led to an improvement in the anti-tumor efficacy of an anti-PD-1 drug. Conclusion: Collectively, we identified VDBP as an important prognostic biomarker in HCC patients and uncovered it as a therapeutic target for enhancing the efficacy of immune therapy.

Multicentered analysis of percutaneous sclerotherapies in venous malformations of the face

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and outcome of image-guided sclerotherapy for treating venous malformations (VMs) of the face.

Materials and methods

A multicenter cohort of 68 patients with VMs primarily affecting the face was retrospectively investigated. In total, 142 image-guided sclerotherapies were performed using gelified ethanol and/or polidocanol. Clinical and imaging findings were assessed to evaluate clinical response, lesion size reduction, and complication rates. Sub-analyses of complication rates depending on type and injected volume of the sclerosant as well as of pediatric versus adult patient groups were conducted.

Results

Mean number of procedures per patient was 2.1 (±1.7) and mean follow-up consisted of 8.7 months (±6.8 months). Clinical response (n = 58) revealed a partial relief of symptoms in 70.7% (41/58), 13/58 patients (22.4%) presented symptom-free while only 4/58 patients (6.9%) reported no improvement. Post-treatment imaging (n = 52) revealed an overall objective response rate of 86.5% (45/52). The total complication rate was 10.6% (15/142) including 4.2% (7/142) major complications, mostly (14/15, 93.3%) resolved by conservative means. In one case, a mild facial palsy persisted over time. The complication rate in the gelified ethanol subgroup was significantly higher compared to polidocanol and to the combination of both sclerosants (23.5 vs. 6.0 vs. 8.3%, p = 0.01). No significant differences in complications between the pediatric and the adult subgroup were observed (12.1 vs. 9.2%, p = 0.57). Clinical response did not correlate with lesion size reduction on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Conclusion

Image-guided sclerotherapy is effective for treating VMs of the face. Clinical response is not necessarily associated with size reduction on imaging. Despite the complex anatomy of this location, the procedures are safe for both adults and children.

Recent advancement in VM task allocation system for cloud computing: review from 2015 to2021

Cloud computing is new technology that has considerably changed human life at different aspect over the last decade. Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, almost all life activity shifted into cloud base. Cloud computing is a utility where different hardware and software resources are accessed on pay per user ground base. Most of these resources are available in virtualized form and virtual machine (VM) is one of the main elements of visualization.VM used in data center for distribution of resource and application according to benefactor demand. Cloud data center faces different issue in respect of performance and efficiency for improvement of these issues different approaches are used. Virtual machine play important role for improvement of data center performance therefore different approach are used for improvement of virtual machine efficiency (i-e) load balancing of resource and task. For the improvement of this section different parameter of VM improve like makespan, quality of service, energy, data accuracy and network utilization. Improvement of different parameter in VM directly improve the performance of cloud computing. Therefore, we conducting this review paper that we can discuss about various improvements that took place in VM from 2015 to 20,201. This review paper also contain information about various parameter of cloud computing and final section of paper present the role of machine learning algorithm in VM as well load balancing approach along with the future direction of VM in cloud data center.

Induction of lncRNA NORAD accounts for hypoxia-induced chemoresistance and vasculogenic mimicry in colorectal cancer by sponging the miR-495-3p/ hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)

Hypoxic microenvironment represents the hallmark of solid tumors including colorectal cancer (CRC) and facilitates angiogenesis and chemoresistance, leading to poor prognosis. lncRNA NORAD acts as an oncogenic gene to orchestrate cancer progression by regulating cell proliferation and migration. Notably, an emerging study corroborates the elevation of NORAD during hypoxic conditions in pancreatic cancer. Nevertheless, its biological role in hypoxia-evoked CRC remains unclear. Herein, enhanced expression of NORAD and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was validated in CRC tissues. Furthermore, there was a positive association between NORAD and HIF-1α in CRC tissues. CRC cells exposed to hypoxia exhibited a stronger ability to form vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), concomitant with higher expression of NORAD. NORAD knockdown restrained hypoxia-induced VM formation and VM marker VE-cadherin expression. Moreover, knockdown of NORAD counteracted CRC cell resistance to 5-FU by decreasing cell viability and increasing cell apoptosis. Additionally, NORAD loss reduced hypoxia-induced HIF-1α expression and subsequent epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by increasing E-cadherin and inhibiting N-cadherin expression. Intriguingly, HIF-1α overexpression reversed NORAD downregulation-mediated inhibition of VM formation and 5-FU resistance. There was a low expression of miR-495-3p in CRC tissues. Furthermore, NORAD could act as a competitive endogenous RNA of miR-495-3p to regulate HIF-1α. Importantly, inhibition of miR-495-3p muted the efficacy of NORAD loss in hypoxia-induced EMT, VM, and chemoresistance. Thus, the current data highlight that NORAD knockdown may antagonize hypoxia-triggered CRC malignancy by suppressing VM formation and chemoresistance by sponging miR-495-3p/HIF-1α to regulate EMT, supporting a promising therapeutic target for refractory hypoxia in CRC.

Long non-coding RNA HULC stimulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process and vasculogenic mimicry in human glioblastoma

Background

Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) HULC (highly upregulated in liver cancer) is considered as an oncogenic factor for various malignant tumors. This study aimed to reveal the role of lncRNA HULC in the malignant behavior of glioblastoma (GBM) by exploring its effects on the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) of human GBM.

Materials and Methods

The contents of VM in 27 GBM samples were assessed by immunohistochemistry‐histology and their association with progress‐free survival (PFS) was analyzed. Human GBM SHG44 and U87 cells were manipulated to establish stable lncRNA HULC overexpressing and silencing cells by lentivirus‐based technology. The effects of altered lncRNA HULC on vasculogenic tubular formation, invasion, and EMT process in GBM cells were tested in vitro and the growth of implanted GBM tumors and their EMT process were examined in vivo.

Results

The numbers of VM were positively associated with disease progression, but negatively with PFS periods of GBM patients. Compared with the control vec cells, lncRNA HULC overexpression significantly increased the tubular formation, invasion, and EMT process of both SHG44 and U87 cells, accompanied by promoting the growth of implanted GBM tumors and EMT process in mice. LncRNA HULC silencing had opposite effects on the tubular formation, invasion, and EMT process as well as tumor growth of GBM cells.

Conclusion

LncRNA HULC stimulates the EMT process and VM in human GBM, and may be a therapeutic target for intervention of GBM.

Differences of Sleep Disorders Between Vestibular Migraine and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Introduction: Sleep disorders can affect the overall health and quality of life of patients. This study was conducted to compare the differences of sleep disorders in vestibular migraine (VM) patients and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) patients. Methods: VM patients, BPPV patients, and healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Pittsburgh sleep quality index and polysomnography monitoring were used as subjective and objective, respectively, evaluation methods to evaluate the sleep quality of participants in the latest month. Results: Fifty-seven BPPV patients, 48 VM patients, and 42 HCs were included in this study. There were 79.16% VM patients, 54.39% BPPV patients, and 14.28% HCs with sleep disorders. The difference in the incidence rate of sleep disorders was significant between VM patients and BPPV patients (p = 0.008) and significantly higher in both the VM group (p < 0.00001) and BPPV group (p = 0.00004) than in the HC groups (14.28%). Compared with BPPV patients, the VM patients had the significantly lower sleep efficiency (p < 0.001) and N3 (p < 0.001) and the significantly higher time of wake-up after sleep onset (p < 0.001), N1 (p < 0.001), and N2 (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the VM patients had significantly higher incidence rates of severe obstructive sleep apnea hypoventilation syndrome (p = 0.001) and periodic leg movement in sleep (p = 0.016). Conclusion: The incidence rate of sleep disorders was significantly higher in both VM and BPPV patients than in the HC groups. To improve the curative effects, clinicians should pay more attention to the comorbidity of sleep disorders in treating VM and BPPV.

Virtual Monoenergetic CT Imaging via Deep Learning

Conventional single-spectrum computed tomography (CT) reconstructs a spectrally integrated attenuation image and reveals tissues morphology without any information about the elemental composition of the tissues. Dual-energy CT (DECT) acquires two spectrally distinct datasets and reconstructs energy-selective (virtual monoenergetic [VM]) and material-selective (material decomposition) images. However, DECT increases system complexity and radiation dose compared with single-spectrum CT. In this paper, a deep learning approach is presented to produce VM images from single-spectrum CT images. Specifically, a modified residual neural network (ResNet) model is developed to map single-spectrum CT images to VM images at pre-specified energy levels. This network is trained on clinical DECT data and shows excellent convergence behavior and image accuracy compared with VM images produced by DECT. The trained model produces high-quality approximations of VM images with a relative error of less than 2%. This method enables multi-material decomposition into three tissue classes, with accuracy comparable with DECT.

Expression of AGGF1 and Twist1 in hepatocellular carcinoma and their correlation with vasculogenic mimicry

BACKGROUND

The most common reason for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment failure is recurrence and metastasis. AGGF1 (a promoting gene of tumor metastasis), vasculogenic mimicry (VM, new blood supply formation in malignant tumors), and Twist1 (an evolutionarily conserved basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor) are all valuable factors for metastasis and prognosis in diverse common human cancers. However, the correlation of AGGF1, Twist1, and VM in HCC is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the correlations among these factors as well as their correlation with clinicopathologic data and survival in HCC.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was used to detect the expression of AGGF1 and Twist1 in 111 archival surgical specimens of human HCC. Furthermore, clinical data were collected.

RESULTS

Levels of VM, AGGF1 and Twist1 were significantly higher in HCC tissues than in normal hepatic tissues. Levels of VM, AGGF1, and Twist1 were positively associated with AFP, HBsAg, size, capsular invasion, Child-Pugh classification level, and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, and negatively associated with patients' overall survival (OS). In multivariate analysis, high levels of VM, AGGF1, Twist1, AFP, Child-Pugh classification level, as well as TNM stage were independently correlated with lower OS in patients with HCC.

CONCLUSION

VM and the expression of AGGF1 and Twist1 may represent promising metastatic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as therapeutic targets for HCC.

FOXM 1 induces Vasculogenic mimicry in esophageal cancer through β-catenin /Tcf4 signaling

Objective

To investigate the role of FOXM1, β-catenin and TCF4 in esophageal cancer (EC) and their relationship to VM (Vasculogenic Mimicry).

Methods

CCK-8 were performed to examine EC cell proliferation in FOXM1 silenced cells. EC cell migration and invasion were investigated through wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. The formation of pipe like structures were assessed in 3D cultures. The expression of Foxm1, β-catenin, Tcf4 and E-cadherin were investigated through western blot, RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. The relationship between FOXM1 expression, clinic-pathological features, and overall survival (OS) were further analyzed.

Results

A loss of FOXM1 expression correlated with the OS of ESCC patients. FOXM1 silencing led to a loss of cell growth and suppressed cell migration and invasion in ESCC cells. VM structures were identified in ESCC tissues and human EC cell lines. Mechanistically, FOXM1 was found to promote tumorigenesis through the regulation of β-catenin, Tcf4, and E-cadherin in EC cells, leading to the formation of VM structures.

Conclusions

These findings highlight FoxM1 as a novel therapeutic target in ESCC.

Density-dependent offspring interactions do not explain macroevolutionary scaling of adult size and offspring size

Most life forms exhibit a correlated evolution of adult size (AS) and size at independence (SI), giving rise to AS-SI scaling relationships. Theory suggests that scaling arises because relatively large adults have relatively high reproductive output, resulting in strong density-dependent competition in early life, where large size at independence provides a competitive advantage to juveniles. The primary goal of our study is to test this density hypothesis, using large datasets that span the vertebrate tree of life (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals). Our secondary goal is to motivate new hypotheses for AS-SI scaling by exploring how subtle variation in life-histories among closely related species is associated with variation in scaling. Our phylogenetically informed comparisons do not support the density hypothesis. Instead, exploration of AS-SI scaling among life-history variants suggests that steeper AS-SI scaling slopes are associated with evolutionary increases in size at independence. We suggest that a positive association between size at independence and juvenile growth rate may represent an important mechanism underlying AS-SI scaling, a mechanism that has been underappreciated by theorists. If faster juvenile growth is a consequence of evolutionary increases in size at independence, this may help offset the cost of delayed maturation, leading to steeper AS-SI scaling slopes.

Aberrant expression of MYH9 and E-cadherin in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and their relationship to vasculogenic mimicry

PURPOSE

To investigate whether vasculogenic mimicry (VM) exists in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and to elucidate the relationship among expression of MYH9, E-cadherin and VM.

METHODS

The expression of MYH9 (non-muscle myosin heavy chain 9), E-cadherin protein and VM in 120 specimens of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and 120 specimens of normal esophageal mucosa were detected by using immunohistochemical and histochemical staining.

RESULTS

VM channels were identified in 58 (48.33%) of the 120 ESCC specimens and none of the normal esophageal mucosa was found to have VM. The rates of expression of MYH9 and E-cad in ESCC were 57.50% and 40.00%, while rates in the control group were 13.33% and 73.33%, respectively (P<0.05). VM and the expression levels of MYH9 and E-cad were significantly connected with lymph node metastasis, serosa invasion, pTNM staging and 5-year-survival rates of patients with ESCC (P<0.05). VM was positively correlated with MYH9, but negatively correlated with E-cad, and MYH9 was negatively significantly correlated with E-cad. The 5-year-survival rates of patients with ESCC were 6.89% (4/58) in the VM group and 67.74% (42/62) in the non-VM group, 8.00% (4/50) in high MYH9 expression group and 60.00% (42/70) in low MYH9 expression group. However, the 5-year-survival rate in high E-cad expression group was 86.95% (40/46) and that in low E-cad expression group was 8.11% (6/74) (P<0.05). Cox multifactorial regression analysis demonstrated that lymph node metastasis, pTNM stage, VM and expression levels of MYH9 and E-cad were independent risk factors in patients with ESCC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

ESCC'patients with VM had a poor differentiation and a bad clinical prognosis; Combined detection of VM, MYH9 and E-cad may play an essential role in predicting the invasion, metastasis, and progression of patients with ESCC.

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule and epithelial-mesenchymal transition are associated with vasculogenic mimicry, poor prognosis, and metastasis of triple negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the phenotype of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs). Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a novel pattern of tumor blood supply and associated with aggression and metastasis of TNBC. Previous studies have shown that both CSCs and EMT are associated with VM, although the underlying mechanism is yet unclear. The present study aimed to analyze the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of CSC marker, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), EMT-related markers, including transcription factors (TFs) (Slug, Twist1, and ZEB1), and EMT markers (E-cadherin and vimentin) in 137 TNBC. The expression of these markers was correlated to the clinicopathological features and VM channels of the tumors, including patient overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Furthermore, the expression of EpCAM and EMT-related markers showed a positive correlation with distant metastasis and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). A significant association was noted between VM and histological grade (P = 0.007). Moreover, VM showed a significant positive correlation with EpCAM, EMT-associated TFs, and VE-cadherin expression in TNBC. Furthermore, binary logistic analysis showed that VM expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis (P < 0.05). In survival analysis, the overexpression of EpCAM and ZEB1 predicted a poor prognosis with respect to OS and DFS. In addition, the presence of VM was significantly associated with poor OS and DFS. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that VM expression is an independent prognostic factor for TNBC patients. In summary, VM was confirmed as a potential biomarker for TNBC associated with poor clinical outcomes and tumor metastasis. This study also suggested that EpCAM protein might be involved in VM formation by EMT in TNBC.

MicroRNA-584-3p reduces the vasculogenic mimicry of human glioma cells by regulating hypoxia-induced ROCK1 dependent stress fiber formation

We report in this study that microRNA-584-3p (miR-584-3p) is related to the vasculogenic mimicry (VM) of human glioma cells. Unsurprisingly, the postoperative survival time was significantly prolonged in those glioma patients without VM phenomena compared with those with positive VM. miR-584-3p may function as a potent tumor suppressor by inhibiting VM of malignant glioma. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these properties remain poorly understood. Our preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that miR-584-3p suppressed the VM by disturbing hypoxia-induced stress fiber formation and migration of glioma cells. Specifically, we defined ROCK1 as a potential functionally relevant target of miR-584-3p involved in this process in glioma cells. Our results demonstrate a tumor suppressor function for miR-584-3p in glioma, where it inhibits the VM of tumor cells by antagonizing hypoxia-induced ROCK1-dependent stress fiber formation. Our findings have potential implications for glioma gene therapy by targeting miR-584-3p and suggest that VM could represent a prognostic indicator for gliomas.

The prognostic value of Tiam1 correlates with its roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression and angiogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Tiam1 has been identified as an oncogene and acts as an activator of GTPase Rac. Tiam1 was reported to be a promoter of cancer progression in various cancer types, while in lung adenocarcinoma, its mechanism of action is poorly understood.

Materials and Methods

Immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot assay were used to determine Tiam1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma tissues, and its association with prognosis was determined by statistical analysis. We depleted Tiam1 in both A549 and H1975 cancer cell lines. Carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester staining and colony formation assays were used to evaluate its impact on cell proliferation ability after depletion. Transwell migration assay and wound healing assays were performed to determine its impact on migration ability of both cell lines. Western blot assay and immunofluorescence staining were used to analyze the association between Tiam1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression. Tube formation assay and vasculogenic mimicry assay were used to show the impact of Tiam1 depletion on cancer angiogenesis.

Results

In this study, we demonstrated that Tiam1 overexpression in lung adenocarcinoma was significantly associated with advanced tumor grade and poor prognosis. In vitro assays indicated that Tiam1 depletion significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration capacities in A549 and H1975 cells. Further investigations revealed that Tiam1 plays an important role in EMT program enhancement, angiogenesis, and accelerated tumor progression. Notably, Tiam1 depletion in cancer cells strongly inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cell angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry capacities of both cancer cell lines.

Conclusion

Tiam1 overexpression is associated with lung adenocarcinoma progression and may indicate poor prognosis. Tiam1 accelerated tumor progression due to EMT and angiogenesis enhancement. Our data may provide a novel therapeutic target for lung adenocarcinoma.

The correlation of KAI1, Slug and vasculogenic mimicry in the prediction of metastasis and prognosis in colorectal carcinoma

KAI1 and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition regulator Slug, as well as vasculogenic mimicry (VM), play a significant role in the process of metastasis and prognosis in many human cancers. This study investigated the relationship of KAI1, Slug and VM and their connection with clinicopathological features, metastasis and their prognostic value in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the expression of KAI, Slug, VM, E-cadherin (E-cad) and vimentin in 134 human CRC and corresponding normal mucosal tissues. The results showed that the protein expressions of KAI1, Slug and VM in tumor tissues were significantly different from adjacent normal mucosal tissues. The expression of KAI1 was negatively related, while the expressions of Slug and VM are positively related with differentiation, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and TNM stage. KAI1 was negatively related, while VM was positively related with invasion. The expression of KAI1 showed a negative correlation with Slug and VM. Moreover, the expression of Slug was positively associated with VM. A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the expression of Slug and VM was negatively and KAI1 expression was positively correlated with overall survival. Low KAI1 expression and high Slug and VM expression showed a poorer prognosis in CRC. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the expression of KAI1, Slug, VM and TNM stage were independent predictors of OS in CRC. The expression of KAI1, Slug and VM was correlated with metastasis and prognosis. These findings suggest that KAI1, Slug and VM can be novel therapeutic targets to predict metastasis and prognosis in CRC patients.

Correlation of KAI1, CD133 and vasculogenic mimicry with the prediction of metastasis and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive type of tumor with high mortality and poor prognosis, KAI1 is a metastasis suppressor gene which was first found in prostate carcinoma and mapped to chromosome 11p11.2. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a new blood supply phenomenon that exists in highly malignant tumors. CD133 is one of the most common CSC markers for cancer stem cells, and it is related to drug resistance. The purpose of this study was to verify the hypothesis that the above biomarkers have some association with metastasis and prognosis in HCC.

METHODS

The levels of KAI1, VM and CD133 in 108 whole tissue samples of HCC were detected by immunohistochemistry and histochemistry. Clinical data were also collected.

RESULTS

Levels of CD133 and VM were significantly higher, and the level of KAI1 was significantly lower in HCC tissues than that in normal liver tissues. Levels of CD133 and VM were positively associated with cirrhosis, grade, venous invasion, lymph node metastasis (LNM), intrahepatic metastasis, and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages, and negatively with patients' overall survival (OS). The level of KAI1 was negatively correlated with cirrhosis, grade, venous invasion, lymph node metastasis (LNM), intrahepatic metastasis and TNM stages, and positively with patients' overall survival (OS). In a multivariate analysis, CD133, VM KAI1, and TNM stage were independently correlated with OS in patients with HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

KAI1, CD133, and the existence of VM may have important impacts on metastasis and prognosis in HCC.

Expression of vimentin and Oct-4 in gallbladder adenocarcinoma and their relationship with vasculogenic mimicry and their clinical significance

Vimentin (a marker of epithelial-mesenchymal transition), and Oct-4 (a marker of cancer stem cells) are predicative biomarkers for identifying malignant cell invasion and metastasis. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM), a newly discovered tumor characteristic that is common in highly invasive malignancies, is considered to be an important factor in evaluating the prognosis and metastasis of many malignancies. The following paper analyzes the correlation between vimentin, Oct-4, and VM in gallbladder adenocarcinoma (GBAC) specimens using immunohistochemistry in an attempt to elucidate the survival and clinicopathological parameters of changes in vimentin, Oct-4, and VM. Briefly, significantly higher positive expression rates of vimentin, Oct-4, and VM were observed in GBAC tissues than in the corresponding para-carcinoma tissues. In addition, the levels of vimentin, Oct-4, and VM were positively correlated with tumor grade, lymph node metastasis (LNM), infiltration of the surrounding tissues (STI), and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, as well as inversely with a patient's overall survival (OS) time. Moreover, the analysis of multiple factors shows that high vimentin, Oct-4, and VM levels, STI, and LNM as well as TNM stage were potential and significant factors for OS time in patients with GBAC. To sum up, the positive expression of vimentin, Oct-4, and VM may be undesirable factors for metastasis, invasion and prognosis, as well as effective therapeutic targets for GBAC.

Vasculogenic mimicry and expression of slug and vimentin correlate with metastasis and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been the leading cause of cancer death in recent years, its morbidity and mortality were increasing yearly. The presence of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is associated with a high tumor grade, short survival, invasion, and metastasis. Slug is a key regulating factor in the process of EMT. Vimentin is one of the cytoskeleton proteins that plays an important role in EMT. However, associations among VM, Slug and vimentin and their clinicopathologic significance in NSCLC are unclear. In this study, we analyzed associations among VM, Slug and vimentin in NSCLC, and their respective associations with clinicopathologic characteristics and survival in NSCLC. Methods: Positive expression of VM, Slug and vimentin in 198 whole NSCLC tissue samples were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Patients' clinical data were also collected. Results: Levels of VM, Slug and vimentin were significantly higher in NSCLC tissues than in normal lung tissues. Levels of VM, Slug and vimentin were positively associated with tumor grade, distant metastasis (DM), lymph node metastasis (LNM), and tumor-node metastasis (TNM) stage, and inversely with patients overall survival time (OST). In multivariate analysis, high expression of VM, Slug, vimentin, and tumor grade, DM, LNM, TNM stage, were potential to be independent prognostic factors for OST in patients with NSCLC. Conclusion: VM, Slug and vimentin affect NSCLC evolution; and the combined detection of VM, Slug and vimentin are valuable factors for metastasis and prognosis in NSCLC patients.

Vasculogenic mimicry and expression of ALDH1, Beclin1, and p16 correlate with metastasis and prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a new blood supply in malignant tumors and has long been considered as an effective factor in the metastasis and prognosis of many cancers. ALDH1 (a marker of cancer stem cells), Beclin1 (a biomarker of autophagy) and p16 (a suppressor gene of tumor) are all useful predictive factors for many cancer metastases. However, the prognostic and metastatic value of VM, ALDH1, Beclin1, or p16 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is unclear. In this study, we analyzed correlations among VM, ALDH1, Beclin1, and p16 in OSCC, and their respective associations with clinicopathological parameters and survival in OSCC.

METHODS

Positive rates of VM, ALDH1, Beclin1, and p16 in 186 whole OSCC specimens were detected by immunohistochemical and histochemical staining. Patients' clinical information was also collected.

RESULTS

Positive rates of VM, ALDH1, and Beclin1 were significantly higher, and levels of p16 were significantly lower in OSCC than in normal oral tissues. Positive rates of VM, ALDH1, and Beclin1 were positively associated with tumor grade, primary tumor (pT), lymph node metastasis (LNM), and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and inversely with patients overall survival (OS) time. Levels of p16 was negatively associated with grade, pT, LNM, and TNM stage, and positively associated with smoking and alcohol. The p16+ subgroup had significantly longer OS time than did the p16- subgroup. In multivariate analysis, high ALDH1, VM, Beclin1 levels, tumor grade, pT, LNM, TNM stage, and low p16 levels were potential to be independent prognostic factors for OS time in OSCC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

VM, and the expression of ALDH1, Beclin1, and p16 represent promising markers for metastasis and prognosis, and potential therapeutic targets for OSCC.

Nodal signaling promotes vasculogenic mimicry formation in breast cancer via the Smad2/3 pathway

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a nonangiogenesis-dependent pathway that promotes tumor growth and disease progression. Nodal signaling has several vital roles in both embryo development and cancer progression. However, the effects of Nodal signaling on VM formation in breast cancer and its underlying mechanisms are ill-defined. We analyzed the relationship between Nodal signaling and VM formation in one hundred human breast cancer cases and the results showed that the expression of Nodal was significantly correlated with VM formation, tumor metastasis, differentiation grade, TNM stage and poor prognosis. Furthermore, up-regulation of Nodal expression promoted VM formation of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of Nodal expression restrained VM formation. In addition, Nodal induced EMT and up-regulated the expression of Slug, Snail and c-Myc. We found that blocking the Smad2/3 pathway by administering SB431542 inhibited VM formation in breast cancer cell lines and xenografts. Taken together, Nodal signaling through the Smad2/3 pathway up-regulated Slug, Snail and c-Myc to induce EMT, thereby promoting VM formation. Our study suggests that the Nodal signaling pathway may serve as a therapeutic target to inhibit VM formation and improve prognosis in breast cancer patients.

Expression of LGR5 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation to vasculogenic mimicry

BACKGROUND

LGR5, also named as GPR49, is considered as a biomarker of cancer stem cells which have been responsible for the initiation, progression, metastasis, and recurrence of cancers. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) which defines the formation of fluid-conducting tubes by highly progressive and genetically dysregulated cancer cells has been considered as useful biomarker for metastasis and prognosis in various cancers. In this study, we analyzed associations between LGR5 and VM in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and their association with clinicopathological characters in OSCC.

METHODS

Positive rates of LGR5 and VM in 190 OSCC tissue samples and correspondence normal tissues were detected by immunohistochemical and histochemical staining. Patients' clinical data were also collected.

RESULTS

Positive rates of LGR5 and VM were significantly higher in OSCC tissues than those in normal tissues. Positive rates of LGR5 and VM were positively related to tumor size, grades, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stages, and inversely with patients overall survival time. And there was a positive association between the expression of LGR5 and positive rate of VM. In multivariate analysis, high expression of LGR5 and positive VM and lymph node metastasis, as well as TNM stages were to be considered as independent prognosis factors for overall survival time in patients with OSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of LGR5 and VM represent potential biomarkers for metastasis and prognosis, as well as therapeutic targets for OSCC.

Vasculogenic mimicry and expression of Twist1 and KAI1 correlate with metastasis and prognosis in lung squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a new blood supply development often seen in highly aggressive cancers and has been considered as a usefully metastatic and prognostic factor for many cancers. Twist1 (a biomarker of epithelial-mesenchymal transition), and KAI1 (a suppressor of tumor metastasis) are both usefully predictive factors for metastasis in many cancers. However, the metastatic and prognostic value of VM, Twist1, or KAI1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is unclear. In this study, we analyzed associations among VM, Twist1, and KAI1 in LSCC, and their respective associations with clinicopathological parameters and survival in LSCC.

CASE PRESENTATION

Positive rates of VM, Twist1, and KAI1 in 157 whole LSCC tissue specimens were detected by immunohistochemistry and histochemical staining. Patient's clinical data were also collected. Levels of VM and Twist1 were significantly higher, and levels of KAI1 were significantly lower, in LSCC tissues than in normal lung tissues. Levels of VM and Twist1 were positively associated with tumor grade, lymph node metastasis (LNM), and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and inversely with patients overall survival (OS) time; levels of KAI1 was negatively associated with tumor grade, LNM, and TNM stage, and the KAI1+ subgroup had significantly longer OS time than did the KAI1- subgroup. In multivariate analysis, high VM, or Twist1 levels, TNM stage, size of tumors, and low KAI1 levels were potential to be independent prognostic factors for OS time in patients with LSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

VM, and the expression of Twist1 and KAI1 represent promising markers for metastasis and prognosis, and potential therapeutic targets for LSCC.

Evaluation of the correlation of vasculogenic mimicry, ALDH1, KAI1 and microvessel density in the prediction of metastasis and prognosis in colorectal carcinoma

Background

Metastasis and recurrence are the most common reasons for treatment failure of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Vasculogenic mimicry (VM, blood supply formation often seen in highly aggressive tumors), Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1, a biomarker of cancer stem cells), KAI1 (a suppressor gene of tumor metastasis) are all valuable factors for metastasis and prognosis in diverse human cancers. However, the correlation of VM, ALDH1, KAI1 and microvessel density (MVD) in CRC is unclear. In this study, we analyzed the correlations among VM, ALDH1, KAI1 and MVD, as well as their respective correlations with clinicopathological parameters and survival in CRC.

Methods

The level of VM, ALDH1, KAI1 and MVD in 204 whole tissue samples of CRC were examined by immunhistochemistry. Clinical data was also collected.

Results

Levels of VM, ALDH1 and MVD were significantly higher, and levels of KAI1 significantly lower, in CRC tissues than in normal colorectal tissues. Levels of VM, ALDH1 and MVD were positively associated with invasion of depth, lymph node metastasis (LNM), distant metastasis and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages, and negatively with patients’ overall survival (OS). Levels of KAI1 was negatively correlated with invasion of depth, LNM, distant metastasis and TNM stages, and the KAI1 positive expression subgroup had significantly longer OS than did the KAI1- subgroup. In multivariate analysis, high levels of VM, ALDH1 and KAI1, as well as TNM stages were independently correlated with lower OS in patients with CRC.

Conclusions

VM, MVD and the expression of ALDH1 and KAI1 may represent promising metastatic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as potential therapeutic targets for CRC.

Evaluation of the correlation of vasculogenic mimicry, ALDH1, KiSS-1, and MACC1 in the prediction of metastasis and prognosis in ovarian carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Recurrence and metastasis are the usual manifestations of treatment failure of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). Vasculogenic mimicry (VM; blood supply development often seen in highly aggressive cancers), aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1, cancer stem cell biomarker), KiSS-1 (suppressor of tumor metastasis), and metastasis associated in colon cancer-1 (MACC1) are all useful predictive factors for metastasis and prognosis in various cancers. In this study, we analyzed associations among VM, ALDH1, KiSS-1, and MACC1 in EOC, and their respective correlations with clinicopathological characteristics and survival in EOC.

METHODS

Positive rates of VM, ALDH1, KiSS-1, and MACC1 in 207 whole EOC tissue samples were detected by immunohistochemistry. Patients' clinical data were also collected.

RESULTS

Levels of VM, ALDH1, and MACC1 were significantly higher, and levels of KiSS-1 significantly lower, in EOC tissues than in benign ovary tumors. Levels of VM, ALDH1, KiSS-1, and MACC1 were associated significantly with tumor/lymph node/metastasis (LNM) grade, implantation, and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, and with patients' overall survival (OS); whereas the KiSS-1+ subgroup had significantly longer OS than did the KiSS-1- subgroup. In multivariate analysis, high VM, ALDH1 or MACC1 levels, FIGO stage, implantation and low KiSS-1 levels were independently associated with shorter OS in patients with EOC.

CONCLUSIONS

VM and expressions of ALDH1, KiSS-1, and MACC1 represent promising markers for metastasis and prognosis, and potential therapeutic targets for EOC.

Endocytosis contributes to BMP2-induced Smad signalling and neuronal growth

Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) is a neurotrophic factor which induces the growth of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons in vitro and in vivo, and its neurotrophic effects have been shown to be dependent on activation of BMP receptors (BMPRs) and Smad 1/5/8 signalling. However, the precise intracellular cascades that regulate BMP2-BMPR-Smad-signalling-induced neurite growth remain unknown. Endocytosis has been shown to regulate Smad 1/5/8 signalling and differentiation induced by BMPs. However, these studies were carried out in non-neural cells. Indeed, there are scant reports regarding the role of endocytosis in BMP-Smad signalling in neurons. To address this, and to further characterise the mechanisms regulating the neurotrophic effects of BMP2, the present study examined the role of dynamin-dependent endocytosis in BMP2-induced Smad signalling and neurite growth in the SH-SY5Y neuronal cell line. The activation, temporal kinetics and magnitude of Smad 1/5/8 signalling induced by BMP2 were significantly attenuated by dynasore-mediated inhibition of endocytosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, BMP2-induced increases in neurite length and neurite branching in SH-SY5Y cells were significantly reduced following inhibition of dynamin-dependent endocytosis using dynasore. This study demonstrates that BMP2-induced Smad signalling and neurite growth is regulated by dynamin-dependent endocytosis in a model of human midbrain dopaminergic neurons.

Predictive Markers Guide Differentiation to Improve Graft Outcome in Clinical Translation of hESC-Based Therapy for Parkinson's Disease

Stem cell treatments for neurodegenerative diseases are expected to reach clinical trials soon. Most of the approaches currently under development involve transplantation of immature progenitors that subsequently undergo phenotypic and functional maturation in vivo, and predicting the long-term graft outcome already at the progenitor stage remains a challenge. Here, we took an unbiased approach to identify predictive markers expressed in dopamine neuron progenitors that correlate with graft outcome in an animal model of Parkinson's disease through gene expression analysis of >30 batches of grafted human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived progenitors. We found that many of the commonly used markers did not accurately predict in vivo subtype-specific maturation. Instead, we identified a specific set of markers associated with the caudal midbrain that correlate with high dopaminergic yield after transplantation in vivo. Using these markers, we developed a good manufacturing practice (GMP) differentiation protocol for highly efficient and reproducible production of transplantable dopamine progenitors from hESCs.

Vascular mimicry formation is promoted by paracrine TGF-β and SDF1 of cancer-associated fibroblasts and inhibited by miR-101 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Vascular mimicry (VM) describes the phenomenon that tumor cells but not endothelial cells form vascular-like channels, which provide blood perfusion for tumor tissues. VM is associated with tumor growth, metastasis and worse survival of different cancers. The mechanisms of VM formation remain largely unknown. We showed that the conditioned medium of cancer-associated fibroblast (CM-CAF) promoted tumor cells to form capillary-like structure in vitro. Consistently, co-implantation of CAFs with tumor cells significantly enhanced VM formation in mouse xenografts, and higher amount of CAFs was found in VM⁺ human HCC tissues compared to VM^- ones. However, the CM-CAF-promoted VM formation was attenuated when TGF-β or SDF1 signaling was abrogated. Similar to CM-CAF, recombinant TGF-β1 and SDF1 induced VM formation. We further disclosed that the CAF-secreted TGF-β and SDF1 enhanced the expression of VE-cadherin, MMP2 and laminin5γ2 via TGF-βR1 and CXCR4 in tumor cells, thereby promoted VM formation. Moreover, tumor cells with high activity of self-sustaining TGF-β signaling displayed strong capability of VM formation. Subsequent investigations showed that miR-101, which was down-regulated in both tumor cells and CAFs, suppressed the CAF-promoted VM formation in vitro and in vivo. Gain- and loss-of-function analyses revealed that miR-101 attenuated TGF-β signaling transduction by targeting TGF-βR1 and Smad2 in tumor cells, and simultaneously abrogated SDF1 signaling by suppressing SDF1 expression in CAFs and inhibiting VE-cadherin expression in tumor cells. Our findings suggest that the miR-101-TGF-β/SDF1-VE-cadherin/MMP2/LAMC2 networks regulate VM formation and represent the potential targets for cancer therapy.

Linearly Patterned Programmed Cell Necrosis Induced by Chronic Hypoxia Plays a Role in Melanoma Angiogenesis

Background: Highly aggressive tumors are exposed to hypoxia and increased tumor interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) conditions which is resistant to blood supply. Physiological responses of the organism may reduce IFP through induction of orderly cell death.

Specific aims: This study demonstrates that orderly cell death provided spatial structure for early angiogenesis in the hypoxic, high-IFP tumor microenvironment and the participation of linearly patterned programmed cell necrosis (LPPCN) in nascent melanoma angiogenesis.

Methods: Animal model, laser capture microdissection, wound healing and transwell assays, three-dimensional cultures, zymography assays, western-blotting analysis, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were performed.

Results: This study demonstrated a special form of cell death occurring in groups of malignant tumor cells which arrayed in lines. Both features of apoptosis and necrosis can be found in this cell death pattern and were termed as LPPCN. Its role as a stimulus of tumor angiogenesis was investigated using human melanoma samples and an animal model. Computer image analysis showed that LPPCN and tumor microvessels had identical spatial distributions. It can be induced by chronic hypoxia, high IFP and subsequent calcium influx. Higher number of tumor associated macrophages (TAM) and VEGF expression were found in the tumor with LPPCN. Based on the tumor-bearing animal model, it was found that block of caspase pathway inhibited LPPCN, microvessel density and vasculogenic mimicry (VM).

Conclusions: LPPCN formation may play an important role in tumor angiogenesis due to stimulation of macrophage infiltration and HIF-1α regulation, and that inhibition of LPPCN may be a novel therapeutic strategy against tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.

Toxicity and medical countermeasure studies on the organophosphorus nerve agents VM and VX

To support the effort to eliminate the Syrian Arab Republic chemical weapons stockpile safely, there was a requirement to provide scientific advice based on experimentally derived information on both toxicity and medical countermeasures (MedCM) in the event of exposure to VM, VX or VM–VX mixtures. Complementary in vitro and in vivo studies were undertaken to inform that advice. The penetration rate of neat VM was not significantly different from that of neat VX, through either guinea pig or pig skin in vitro. The presence of VX did not affect the penetration rate of VM in mixtures of various proportions. A lethal dose of VM was approximately twice that of VX in guinea pigs poisoned via the percutaneous route. There was no interaction in mixed agent solutions which altered the in vivo toxicity of the agents. Percutaneous poisoning by VM responded to treatment with standard MedCM, although complete protection was not achieved.

CEACAM6 promotes tumor angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry in gastric cancer via FAK signaling

CEACAM6 is a member of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked immunoglobulin superfamily that is implicated in a variety of human cancers. In our previous study, we reported that CEACAM6 was overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues and promoted cancer metastasis. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of CEACAM6 in tumor angiogenesis and mimicry formation. We found that overexpressed CEACAM6 promoted tubule formation dependent on HUVEC cells and vasculogenic mimicry formation of gastric cancer cells; opposing results were achieved in CEACAM6-silenced groups. Moreover, we found that mosaic vessels formed by HUVEC cells and gastric cancer cells were observed in vitro by 3D-culture assay. Overexpressed CEACAM6 in gastric cancer cells promoted tumor growth, VEGF expression and vasculogenic mimicry structures formation in vivo. In accordance with these observations, we found that phosphorylation of FAK and phosphorylation of paxillin were up-regulated in CEACAM6-overexpressing gastric cancer cells, and FAK inhibitor Y15 could reduce tubule and vasculogenic mimicry formation. These findings suggest that CEACAM6 promotes tumor angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry formation via FAK signaling in gastric cancer and CEACAM6 may be a new target for cancer anti-vascular treatment.

Regulatory and functional connection of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and anti-metastatic pigment epithelium derived factor in melanoma

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily, has potent anti-metastatic effects in cutaneous melanoma through its direct actions on endothelial and melanoma cells. Here we show that PEDF expression positively correlates with microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in melanoma cell lines and human samples. High PEDF and MITF expression is characteristic of low aggressive melanomas classified according to molecular and pathological criteria, whereas both factors are decreased in senescent melanocytes and naevi. Importantly, MITF silencing down-regulates PEDF expression in melanoma cell lines and primary melanocytes, suggesting that the correlation in the expression reflects a causal relationship. In agreement, analysis of Chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to high throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) data sets revealed three MITF binding regions within the first intron of SERPINF1, and reporter assays demonstrated that the binding of MITF to these regions is sufficient to drive transcription. Finally, we demonstrate that exogenous PEDF expression efficiently halts in vitro migration and invasion, as well as in vivo dissemination of melanoma cells induced by MITF silencing. In summary, these results identify PEDF as a novel transcriptional target of MITF and support a relevant functional role for the MITF-PEDF axis in the biology of melanoma.

Ventral midbrain neural stem cells have delayed neurogenic potential in vitro

Neural stem cells (NSCs) have been the focus of an intensive effort to direct their differentiation in vitro towards desired neuronal phenotypes for cell replacement therapies. It is thought that NSCs derived from older embryos have limited neurogenic capacity and are restricted towards an astroglial fate. This idea is largely based on studies that typically analysed NSC-derived progeny following one week of in vitro differentiation. In this report, the neurogenic capacity of older ventral midbrain (VM) NSCs was assessed. When the older NSCs were differentiated for three weeks, there were significant increases in the numbers of newly born neurons at 14 and 21 days, as assessed by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. Therefore this study demonstrates that older NSCs retain significantly more neurogenic potential than was previously thought. These data have implications for NSC preparatory protocols and the choice of donor age for cell transplantation studies, and contributes to the understanding of NSC behaviour in vitro.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ cycling protein phosphorylation in a physiologic Ca2+ milieu unleashes a high-power, rhythmic Ca2+ clock in ventricular myocytes: relevance to arrhythmias and bio-pacemaker design

Basal phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) proteins is high in sinoatrial nodal cells (SANC), which generate partially synchronized, spontaneous, rhythmic, diastolic local Ca(2+) releases (LCRs), but low in ventricular myocytes (VM), which exhibit rare diastolic, stochastic SR-generated Ca(2+) sparks. We tested the hypothesis that in a physiologic Ca(2+) milieu, and independent of increased Ca(2+) influx, an increase in basal phosphorylation of SR Ca(2+) cycling proteins will convert stochastic Ca(2+) sparks into periodic, high-power Ca(2+) signals of the type that drives SANC normal automaticity. We measured phosphorylation of SR-associated proteins, phospholamban (PLB) and ryanodine receptors (RyR), and spontaneous local Ca(2+) release characteristics (LCR) in permeabilized single, rabbit VM in physiologic [Ca(2+)], prior to and during inhibition of protein phosphatase (PP) and phosphodiesterase (PDE), or addition of exogenous cAMP, or in the presence of an antibody (2D12), that specifically inhibits binding of the PLB to SERCA-2. In the absence of the aforementioned perturbations, VM could only generate stochastic local Ca(2+) releases of low power and low amplitude, as assessed by confocal Ca(2+) imaging and spectral analysis. When the kinetics of Ca(2+) pumping into the SR were increased by an increase in PLB phosphorylation (via PDE and PP inhibition or addition of cAMP) or by 2D12, self-organized, "clock-like" local Ca(2+) releases, partially synchronized in space and time (Ca(2+) wavelets), emerged, and the ensemble of these rhythmic local Ca(2+) wavelets generated a periodic high-amplitude Ca(2+) signal. Thus, a Ca(2+) clock is not specific to pacemaker cells, but can also be unleashed in VM when SR Ca(2+) cycling increases and spontaneous local Ca(2+) release becomes partially synchronized. This unleashed Ca(2+) clock that emerges in a physiological Ca(2+) milieu in VM has two faces, however: it can provoke ventricular arrhythmias; or if harnessed, can be an important feature of novel bio-pacemaker designs.

Hydrothermal liquefaction of mixed-culture algal biomass from wastewater treatment system into bio-crude oil

In this study, a mixed-culture algal biomass harvested from a functioning wastewater treatment system (AW) was hydrothermally converted into bio-crude oils. The highest bio-crude oil yield (49% of volatile matter) and the highest energy recovery were obtained at 300 °C with 1 h retention time. The highest heating value of the bio-crude oil was 33.3 MJ/kg, produced at 320 °C and 1h retention time. Thermogravimetric analysis showed approximately 60% of the bio-crude oils were distilled in the range of 200-550 °C; and the solid residue might be suitable for use in asphalt. GC-MS results indicated that the bio-crude oil contained hydrocarbons and fatty acids, while the aqueous product was rich in organic acids and cyclic amines. The nitrogen recovery (NR) in the bio-crude oil ranged from 8.41% to 16.8%, which was lower than the typical range of 25%-53% from previous studies.

Prolyl carboxypeptidase mRNA expression in the mouse brain

Prolyl carboxypeptidase (PRCP), a serine protease, is widely expressed in the body including liver, lung, kidney and brain, with a variety of known substrates such as plasma prekallikrein, bradykinin, angiotensins II and III, and α-MSH, suggesting its role in the processing of tissue-specific substrates. In the brain, PRCP has been shown to inactivate hypothalamic α-MSH, thus modulating melanocortin signaling in the control of energy metabolism. While its expression pattern has been reported in the hypothalamus, little is known on the distribution of PRCP throughout the mouse brain. This study was undertaken to determine PRCP expression in the mouse brain. Radioactive in situ hybridization was performed to determine endogenous PRCP mRNA expression. In addition, using a gene-trap mouse model for PRCP deletion, X-gal staining was performed to further determine PRCP distribution. Results from both approaches showed that PRCP gene is broadly expressed in the brain.

In vivo modulation of polo-like kinases supports a key role for PLK2 in Ser129 α-synuclein phosphorylation in mouse brain

α-Synuclein is the major component of Lewy bodies. α-Synuclein phosphorylated at Ser 129 (Phospho-α-Syn) is the most common synuclein modification observed in Parkinson's disease pathology and transgenic animal models. Polo-like kinase 2 (PLK2) was previously proposed as an important kinase in α-synuclein phosphorylation at Ser129. To better understand the role of PLK2 in α-synuclein phosphorylation in vivo, we further evaluated the effect of PLK2 genetic knockdown and pharmacological inhibition on Phospho-α-Syn levels in different brain regions of PLK2 knockout (KO), heterozygous (Het) and wild-type (WT) mice. Whereas PLK2 knockdown had no effect on Total-α-synuclein brain levels, it resulted in a gene-dosage dependent, albeit incomplete, reduction of endogenous Phospho-α-Syn levels in all brain regions investigated. No compensatory induction of other α-synuclein kinases (PLK3, casein kinase-2, G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) and GRK6) was observed at the mRNA level in the PLK2 KO mouse brain. To determine whether increased activity of another PLK family member is responsible for the residual Phospho-α-Syn levels in the PLK2 KO mouse brain, the pan-PLK inhibitor BI 2536 was tested in PLK2 KO mice. Whereas BI 2536 reduced Phospho-α-Syn levels in WT mice, it did not further reduce the residual endogenous Phospho-α-Syn levels in PLK2 KO and Het mice, suggesting that a kinase other than PLK1-3 accounts for the remaining PLK inhibitor-resistant pool in the mouse brain. Moreover, PLK3 KO in mice had no effect on both Total- and Phospho-α-Syn brain levels. These results support a significant role for a PLK kinase in phosphorylating α-synuclein at Ser129 in the brain, and suggest that PLK2 is responsible for this activity under physiological conditions.

ECAP spread of excitation with virtual channels and physical electrodes

The primary goal of this study was to evaluate physiological spatial excitation patterns for stimulation of adjacent physical electrodes and intermediate virtual channels. Two experiments were conducted that utilized electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) spread-of-excitation (SOE) functions obtained with the traditional forward-masking subtraction method. These two experiments examined spatial excitation patterns for virtual-channel maskers and probes, respectively. In Experiment 1, ECAP SOE patterns were obtained for maskers applied to physical electrodes and virtual channels to determine whether virtual-channel maskers yield SOE patterns similar to those predicted from physical electrodes. In Experiment 2, spatial separation of SOE functions was compared for two adjacent physical probe electrodes and the intermediate virtual channel to determine the extent to which ECAP SOE patterns for virtual-channel probes are spatially separate from those obtained with physical electrodes. Data were obtained for three electrode regions (basal, middle, apical) for 35 ears implanted with Cochlear (N = 16) or Advanced Bionics (N = 19) devices. Results from Experiment 1 showed no significant difference between predicted and measured ECAP amplitudes for Advanced Bionics subjects. Measured ECAP amplitudes for virtual-channel maskers were significantly larger than the predicted amplitudes for Cochlear subjects; however, the difference was <2 μV and thus is likely not clinically significant. Results from Experiment 2 showed that the probe set in the apical region demonstrated the least amount of spatial separation amongst SOE functions, which may be attributed to more uniform nerve survival patterns, closer electrode spacing, and/or the tapered geometry of the cochlea. As expected, adjacent physical probes demonstrated greater spatial separation than for comparisons between each physical probe and the intermediate virtual channel. Finally, the virtual-channel SOE functions were generally weighted toward the basal electrode in the pair.

Diffuse capillary malformation with overgrowth: a clinical subtype of vascular anomalies with hypertrophy

BACKGROUND

Categorization of vascular anomalies with overgrowth is evolving rapidly with the aid of massively parallel genomic sequencing; however, accurate clinical diagnosis is still essential. We identified a group of patients with an extensive, diffuse, reticulate capillary malformation (CM) and variable hypertrophy without major complications.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to study a subset of patients with diffuse CM to better define prognosis and management.

METHODS

Chart review identified 73 patients with diffuse CM who did not fit the criteria for known disorders with CM and/or overgrowth.

RESULTS

Soft-tissue or bony overgrowth did not correlate with location, morphology, or intensity of the vascular stain. Patients required periodic follow-up to monitor for leg length discrepancy. They were found to exhibit normal neurologic development and proportionate overgrowth rather than progressive, disproportionate asymmetry or vascular complications.

LIMITATIONS

This retrospective review was limited to observations documented at clinic visits; these patients require long-term assessment. Further studies are necessary to accurately assess Wilms tumor risk and clinical outcomes in older adults.

CONCLUSION

We propose the term "diffuse capillary malformation with overgrowth" to designate this extensive reticular vascular staining with proportionate overgrowth. We differentiate diffuse capillary malformation with overgrowth from other disorders with CM and hypertrophy.

Neuronal degeneration is observed in multiple regions outside the hippocampus after lithium pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in the immature rat

Although hippocampal sclerosis is frequently identified as a possible epileptic focus in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, neuronal loss has also been observed in additional structures, including areas outside the temporal lobe. The claim from several researchers using animal models of acquired epilepsy that the immature brain can develop epilepsy without evidence of hippocampal neuronal death raises the possibility that neuronal death in some of these other regions may also be important for epileptogenesis. The present study used the lithium pilocarpine model of acquired epilepsy in immature animals to assess which structures outside the hippocampus are injured acutely after status epilepticus. Sprague-Dawley rat pups were implanted with surface EEG electrodes, and status epilepticus was induced at 20 days of age with lithium pilocarpine. After 72 h, brain tissue from 12 animals was examined with Fluoro-Jade B, a histochemical marker for degenerating neurons. All animals that had confirmed status epilepticus demonstrated Fluoro-Jade B staining in areas outside the hippocampus. The most prominent staining was seen in the thalamus (mediodorsal, paratenial, reuniens, and ventral lateral geniculate nuclei), amygdala (ventral lateral, posteromedial, and basomedial nuclei), ventral premammillary nuclei of hypothalamus, and paralimbic cortices (perirhinal, entorhinal, and piriform) as well as parasubiculum and dorsal endopiriform nuclei. These results demonstrate that lithium pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in the immature rat brain consistently results in neuronal injury in several distinct areas outside of the hippocampus. Many of these regions are similar to areas damaged in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, thus suggesting a possible role in epileptogenesis.

BMP-Smad 1/5/8 signalling in the development of the nervous system

The transcription factors, Smad1, Smad5 and Smad8, are the pivotal intracellular effectors of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family of proteins. BMPs and their receptors are expressed in the nervous system (NS) throughout its development. This review focuses on the actions of Smad 1/5/8 in the developing NS. The mechanisms by which these Smad proteins regulate the induction of the neuroectoderm, the central nervous system (CNS) primordium, and finally the neural crest, which gives rise to the peripheral nervous system (PNS), are reviewed herein. We describe how, following neural tube closure, the most dorsal aspect of the tube becomes a signalling centre for BMPs, which directs the pattern of the development of the dorsal spinal cord (SC), through the action of Smad1, Smad5 and Smad8. The direct effects of Smad 1/5/8 signalling on the development of neuronal and non-neuronal cells from various neural progenitor cell populations are then described. Finally, this review discusses the neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with the knockdown of Smad 1/5/8.

Interlimb coordination during the stance phase of gait in subjects with stroke

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the relation between contralesional and ipsilesional limbs in subjects with stroke during step-to-step transition of walking.

DESIGN

Observational, transversal, analytical study with a convenience sample.

SETTING

Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

Subjects (n=16) with poststroke hemiparesis with the ability to walk independently and healthy controls (n=22).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Bilateral lower limbs electromyographic activity of the soleus (SOL), gastrocnemius medialis, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, rectus femoris, and vastus medialis (VM) muscles and the ground reaction force were analyzed during double-support and terminal stance phases of gait.

RESULTS

The propulsive impulse of the contralesional trailing limb was negatively correlated with the braking impulse of the leading limb during double support (r=-.639, P=.01). A moderate functional relation was observed between thigh muscles (r=-.529, P=.035), and a strong and moderate dysfunctional relation was found between the plantar flexors of the ipsilesional limb and the vastus medialis of the contralesional limb, respectively (SOL-VM, r=-.80, P<.001; gastrocnemius medialis-VM, r=-.655, P=.002). Also, a functional moderate negative correlation was found between the SOL and rectus femoris muscles of the ipsilesional limb during terminal stance and between the SOL (r=-.506, P=.046) and VM (r=-.518, P=.04) muscles of the contralesional limb during loading response, respectively. The trailing limb relative impulse contribution of the contralesional limb was lower than the ipsilesional limb of subjects with stroke (P=.02) and lower than the relative impulse contribution of the healthy limb (P=.008) during double support.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings obtained suggest that the lower performance of the contralesional limb in forward propulsion during gait is related not only to contralateral supraspinal damage but also to a dysfunctional influence of the ipsilesional limb.

BMP2 and GDF5 induce neuronal differentiation through a Smad dependant pathway in a model of human midbrain dopaminergic neurons

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, and is characterised by the progressive degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) system. Current treatments are symptomatic, and do not protect against the DA neuronal loss. One of the most promising treatment approaches is the application of neurotrophic factors to rescue the remaining population of nigrostriatal DA neurons. Therefore, the identification of new neurotrophic factors for midbrain DA neurons, and the subsequent elucidation of the molecular bases of their effects, are important. Two related members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family, BMP2 and growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF5), have been shown to have neurotrophic effects on midbrain DA neurons both in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular (signalling pathway(s)) and cellular (direct neuronal or indirect via glial cells) mechanisms of their effects remain to be elucidated. Using the SH-SH5Y human neuronal cell line, as a model of human midbrain DA neurons, we have shown that GDF5 and BMP2 induce neurite outgrowth via a direct mechanism. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these effects are dependent on BMP type I receptor activation of canonical Smad 1/5/8 signalling.

In vitro micronucleus assay for the analysis of total particulate matter in cigarette smoke: comparison of flow cytometry and laser scanning cytometry with microscopy

The possible genotoxicity of the total particulate matter (TPM) in cigarette smoke has typically been evaluated using the in vitro micronucleus assay. In recent years, automated scoring techniques have been developed to replace the manual counting process in this assay. However, these automated scoring techniques have not been applied in routine genotoxicity assays for the analysis of TPM to improve the assay efficiency. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were treated with TPM produced from 14 types of cigarettes at five concentrations (25-200μg/ml) without exogenous metabolic activation. The three following methods were used to score the micronucleus (MN) frequency: (a) flow cytometry with SYTOX and EMA dyes, which differentially stain micronuclei and apoptotic/necrotic chromatin to enhance assay reliability; (b) laser scanning cytometry with FITC and PI dyes, which is a system that combines the analytical capabilities of flow and image cytometry; and (c) visual microcopy with Giemsa dye. The test results obtained using the three methods were compared using correlation analysis. The key findings for this set of compounds include the following: (a) both flow cytometry- and laser scanning cytometry-based methods were effective for MN identification, (b) the three scoring methods could detect dose-dependent micronucleus formation for the 14 types of TPM, and (c) the MN frequencies that were measured in the same samples by flow cytometry, laser scanning cytometry, and visual microscopy were highly correlated, and there were no significant differences (p>0.05). In conclusion, both flow cytometry and laser scanning cytometry can be used to evaluate the MN frequency induced by TPM without exogenous metabolic activation. The simpler and faster processing and the high correlation of the results make these two automatic methods appropriate tools for use in in vitro micronucleus assays for the analysis of TPM using CHO cells.

Chronic treatment with MPEP, an mGlu5 receptor antagonist, normalizes basal ganglia glutamate neurotransmission in L-DOPA-treated parkinsonian monkeys

Metabotropic glutamate 5 (mGlu5) receptor antagonists reduce L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)-induced dyskinesias (LID) in Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of the prototypal mGlu5 receptor antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP) on glutamate receptors known to be involved in the development of LID in the de novo chronic treatment of monkeys lesioned with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). MPTP monkeys were treated for one month with L-DOPA and developed dyskinesias while those treated with L-DOPA and MPEP (10 mg/kg) developed significantly less. Normal control and saline-treated MPTP monkeys were also included. All MPTP monkeys were extensively and similarly denervated. The basal ganglia [(3)H]ABP688 specific binding (mGlu5 receptors) was elevated in L-DOPA-treated MPTP monkeys compared to controls but not in those treated with L-DOPA and MPEP; dyskinesia scores of these monkeys correlated positively with their [(3)H]ABP688 specific binding. Striatal density (B(max)) of [(3)H]ABP688 specific binding increased in L-DOPA-treated MPTP monkeys compared to other groups and affinity (Kd) remained unchanged. Striatal mGlu5 receptor mRNA remained unchanged following treatments. Elevated basal ganglia specific binding of [(3)H]Ro 25-6981 (NMDA NR1/NR2B receptors), [(3)H]Ro 48-8587 (AMPA receptors) but not [(3)H]CGP-39653 (NMDA NR1/NR2A receptors) was observed only in L-DOPA-treated MPTP monkeys; dyskinesias scores correlated with binding. By contrast, basal ganglia [(3)H]LY341495 specific binding (mGlu2/3 receptors) decreased in L-DOPA-treated MPTP monkeys compared to controls, saline and L-DOPA + MPEP treated MPTP monkeys; dyskinesias scores correlated negatively with this binding. Hence, chronic MPEP treatment reduces the development of LID and is associated with a normalization of glutamate neurotransmission.

Maternal nicotine exposure during lactation alters hypothalamic neuropeptides expression in the adult rat progeny

Maternal exposure to nicotine during lactation causes hyperleptinemia in the pups and, at adulthood, these animals are overweight and hyperleptinemic, while, in their hypothalamus, the leptin signaling pathway is reduced, evidencing a central leptin resistance. Then, we evaluated the expression of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and others in different hypothalamic nuclei in order to better understand the mechanisms underlying the obese phenotype observed in these animals at adulthood. On the 2nd postnatal day (P2), dams were subcutaneously implanted with osmotic minipumps releasing nicotine (NIC-6 mg/kg/day) or saline for 14 days. Offspring were killed in P180 and immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were carried out. Significance data had p<0.05. Adult NIC offspring showed more intense NPY staining in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) (+21%) and increased number of POMC-positive cells in the: arcuate nucleus (+33%), as an increase in fiber density of α-MSH in PVN (+85%). However, the number of CART-positive cells was reduced in the PVN (-25%). CRH staining was more intense in NIC offspring (+136%). Orexins and AgRP were not altered. Thus, maternal nicotine exposure changes hypothalamic neuropeptides in the adult progeny that is partially compatible with leptin resistance.

Regulation of the MIR155 host gene in physiological and pathological processes

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a family of small nonprotein-coding RNAs, play a critical role in posttranscriptional gene regulation by acting as adaptors for the miRNA-induced silencing complex to inhibit gene expression by targeting mRNAs for translational repression and/or cleavage. miR-155-5p and miR-155-3p are processed from the B-cell Integration Cluster (BIC) gene (now designated, MIR155 host gene or MIR155HG). MiR-155-5p is highly expressed in both activated B- and T-cells and in monocytes/macrophages. MiR-155-5p is one of the best characterized miRNAs and recent data indicate that miR-155-5p plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes such as hematopoietic lineage differentiation, immunity, inflammation, viral infections, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Down syndrome. In this review we summarize the mechanisms by which MIR155HG expression can be regulated. Given that the pathologies mediated by miR-155-5p result from the over-expression of this miRNA it may be possible to therapeutically attenuate miR-155-5p levels in the treatment of several pathological processes.

Virtual microscopy using whole-slide imaging as an enabler for teledermatopathology: A paired consultant validation study

Background:

There is a need for telemedicine, particularly in countries with large geographical areas and widely scattered low-density communities as is the case of the Canadian system, particularly if equality of care is to be achieved or the difference gap is to be narrowed between urban centers and more peripheral communities.

Aims:

1. To validate teledermatopathology as a diagnostic tool in under-serviced areas; 2. To test its utilization in inflammatory and melanocytic lesions; 3. To compare the impact of 20× (0.5 μm/pixel) and 40× (0.25 μm/pixel) scans on the diagnostic accuracy.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 103 dermatopathology cases divided into three arms were evaluated by two pathologists and results compared. The first arm consisted of 79 consecutive routine cases (n=79). The second arm consisted of 12 inflammatory skin biopsies (n=12) and the third arm consisted of 12 melanocytic lesions (n=12). Diagnosis concordance was used to evaluate the first arm. Whereas concordance of preset objective findings were used to evaluate the second and third arms.

Results:

The diagnostic concordance rate for the first arm was 96%. The concordance rates of the objective findings for the second and third arms were 100%. The image quality was deemed superior to light microscopy for 40× scans.

Conclusion:

The current scanners produce high-resolution images that are adequate for evaluation of a variety of cases of different complexities.