Association between acetaminophen use and vitiligo in US women and men

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Exposure to chemical phenols, which can act as tyrosine analogues and result in anti-melanocyte autoimmunity, has been associated with vitiligo. Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol) is an over-the-counter analgesic of phenolic origin. The risk of vitiligo with systemic exposure to acetaminophen has not yet been evaluated.

METHODS

We examined the risk of vitiligo with regular use acetaminophen in women, the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and in men, the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). Regular acetaminophen use was asked biennially from 1990 in NHS and from 1986 in HPFS, and the year of clinician-diagnosed vitiligo was asked retrospectively in 2012 in the cohorts.

RESULTS

In NHS, a total of 161 vitiligo cases were identified during a follow-up of 571,724 person-years; in HPFS, a total of 183 vitiligo cases were identified during a follow-up of 680,313 person-years. Regular use of acetaminophen was associated with an increased vitiligo risk in NHS but not HPFS. The multivariable relative risk (RR) was 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-2.25) in NHS and 1.09 (95% CI 0.76-1.55) in HPFS. The higher risk of vitiligo was similar by duration of acetaminophen use in women; the multivariable RRs were 1.47 (95% CI 0.98-2.21) for acetaminophen use under 5 years, and 1.78 (95% CI 1.11-2.84) for acetaminophen use over 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Acetaminophen may be associated with a higher risk of vitiligo in women.

Transition to a first suicide attempt among young and middle-aged males with a history of suicidal thoughts: A two-year cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Although many studies have examined the risk and protective factors associated with suicidal behavior, little is known about the probability of transition from suicidal thoughts to suicidal attempts and the factors that distinguish those who have suicidal thoughts from those who progress to a suicide attempt.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the probability and predictors of transition to a suicide attempt among young and middle-aged males with a history of suicidal thoughts but no prior history of attempting suicide.

METHODS

We used data from the first two waves of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health, approximately two years apart. We followed the cohort of males aged 18-55 years who, at wave 1, reported a lifetime history of suicidal ideation but no history of a prior suicide attempt. We report transition probabilities to a first suicide attempt at Wave 2 and used logistic regression models to examine baseline predictors of transition to a first suicide attempt over the two-year period among males aged 18 years and older.

RESULTS

From the 1,564 males with suicidal thoughts at wave 1,140 participants (8.9%; 95% CI:7.6,10.5) reported to have had their first suicide attempt in the two-year period. In multivariate analyses, males aged 30-39 (OR=0.31; 95% CI: 0.16,0.60), 40-49 (OR=0.47; 95% CI:0.24,0.91) and 50-55 (OR=0.31; 95% CI: 0.13,0.73) all had lower odds of a first suicide attempt compared to males aged 18-29 years. The odds of a first suicide attempt were significantly higher for males who were: living in inner regional areas (ref: major cities) (OR=2.32; 95% CI: 1.33,4.04); homosexual or bisexual (OR=2.51; 95% CI: 1.17,5.36); working night shift as their main job (OR=1.75; 95% CI: 1.05,2.91); and, living with a disability (OR=1.99; 95% CI: 1.07,3.65). Clinical indicators such as symptoms of depression and illicit substance use were not significant predictors of transition to a first suicide attempt in multivariate models, nor were indicators of social connection.

CONCLUSION

We estimated that 8.9% of Australian males aged 15-55 years with a history of suicidal thoughts and no prior history of suicide attempts will progress to a first suicide attempt within two-years. Neither psychological distress, illicit substance use nor social connection indicators were correlated with transition to a first suicide attempt. Rather, it was socio-demographic indicators that were associated with transition to a first suicide attempt.

Neurofilament light as a predictive biomarker of unresolved chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in subjects receiving paclitaxel and carboplatin

Management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) remains a significant challenge in the treatment of cancer. Risk mitigation for CIPN involves preemptive reduction of cumulative dose or reduction of dose intensity upon emergence of symptoms, despite the risk of reduced tumor efficacy. A predictive biomarker for dose-limiting CIPN could improve treatment outcomes by allowing providers to make informed decisions that balance both safety and efficacy. To identify a predictive biomarker of CIPN, markers of neurodegeneration neurofilament-light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), tau and ubiquitin c-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) were assessed in serum of up to 88 subjects drawn 21 days following the first of 6 treatments with chemotherapeutics paclitaxel and carboplatin. Serum NfL and GFAP were increased with chemotherapy. Further, NfL change predicted subsequent onset of grade 2–3 CIPN during the remainder of the trial (mean treatment duration = 200 days) and trended toward stronger prediction of CIPN that remained unresolved at the end of the study. These results confirm previous reports that serum NfL is increased in CIPN and provide the first evidence that NfL can be used to identify subjects susceptible to dose-limiting paclitaxel and carboplatin induced CIPN prior to onset of symptoms.

Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices within Treatment-As-Usual and Evidence-Based Practice Initiatives

Publicly funded initiatives are underway to improve implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP) in youth mental health services. However, we know little about the success of these initiatives or about EBP implementation independent of such initiatives. We examined EBP implementation in a treatment as usual (TAU) state and in six states with publicly funded EBP initiatives (EBPIs). In Study 1, we examined providers' use of practices derived from the evidence base (PDEB) and their predictors among 780 providers in a TAU state. In Study 2, we conducted a systematic review of implementation strategies, outcomes, and predictors of EBP use in six state funded EBPIs. Study 1 suggests TAU providers use PDEB alongside practices without consistent research support; provider racial/ethnic minority status, learning theory orientation, and manual use predict greater PDEB use. Study 2 indicates EBPIs employ multiple recommended implementation strategies with variable outcomes across studies and measurement approaches. Predictors of EBP use in EBPIs also varied, though training, setting, and youth age were consistent predictors across studies. While sample differences and inconsistent measurement across studies made direct comparisons somewhat tenuous, rates of PDEB use in the TAU sample appeared similar to those in publicly funded EBPIs. However, two states reported comparisons with TAU samples and found higher EBP implementation under EBPI. Different predictors impacted EBP use in TAU versus EBPIs. Our findings highlight the need for improved evaluation of EBPIs including clear reporting standards for outcomes and more consistent, standardized measurement of EBP use in order to better understand and improve EBPIs.

The Effects of Embedded Skin Cancer Interventions on Sun-Safety Attitudes and Attention Paid to Tan Women on Instagram

Background and Objectives

Because of high skin cancer risks for young women, it is vital that effective interventions reach and influence this demographic. Visual social media platforms, like Instagram, are popular with young women and are an appropriate intervention site; yet, they also host competing images idealizing tan skin. The present study tested the ability of digital sun-safety interventions to affect self-control-related emotions and visual attention to subsequent tan-ideal images as well as sun-safety attitudes.

Methods

Women were recruited from a large public Mid-Atlantic university in the United States. Participants (N = 120) were randomly assigned to view an appearance benefits intervention, a self-control emotions intervention, or a control message, each designed to look like an Instagram sponsored story. After self-reporting self-compassion and anticipated pride, participants then viewed seven pairs of Instagram posts featuring either tan or pale women while an eye tracker assessed visual attention. Finally, participants self-reported their responses to questions assessing sun-safety-related norms, efficacy, and attitudes.

Results

A mixed design analysis of covariance revealed that women who first viewed the appearance benefits intervention story spent less time visually fixated on Instagram images of tan women than did those who viewed the self-control emotions intervention or control message (p = 0.005, ηp2 = 0.087). Regressions also revealed interactions between the intervention conditions and feelings of anticipated pride on both visual attention and sun-safety attitudes.

Conclusion

Sponsored stories on Instagram can promote sun-safety attitudes, depending on the emotional responses they generate. Additionally, sponsored interventions can affect subsequent visual attention.

Clinical Feasibility of Ultrafast Contrast-Enhanced T1-Weighted 3D-EPI for Evaluating Intracranial Enhancing Lesions in Oncology Patients: Comparison with Standard 3D MPRAGE Sequence

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Contrast-enhanced 3D T1WI is a preferred sequence for brain tumor imaging despite the long scan time. This study investigated the clinical feasibility of ultrafast contrast-enhanced T1WI by 3D echo-planar imaging compared with a standard contrast-enhanced 3D MPRAGE sequence for evaluating intracranial enhancing lesions in oncology patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-one patients in oncology underwent brain MR imaging including both contrast-enhanced T1WI, 3D-EPI and 3D MPRAGE, in a single examination session for evaluating intracranial tumors. Two neuroradiologists evaluated image quality, lesion conspicuity, diagnostic confidence, number and size of the lesions, and contrast-to-noise ratio measurements from the 2 different sequences.

RESULTS

Ultrafast 3D-EPI T1WI did not reveal significant differences in diagnostic confidence, contrast-to-noise ratio_{lesion/parenchyma}, and the number of enhancing lesions compared with MPRAGE (P > .05). However, ultrafast 3D-EPI T1WI revealed inferior image quality, inferior anatomic delineation and greater susceptibility artifacts with fewer motion artifacts than images obtained with MPRAGE. The mean contrast-to-noise ratio_WM/GM and visual conspicuity of the lesion on ultrafast 3D-EPI T1WI were lower than those of MPRAGE (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrafast 3D-EPI T1WI showed comparable diagnostic performance with sufficient image quality and a 7-fold reduction in scan time for evaluating intracranial enhancing lesions compared with standard MPRAGE, even though it was limited by an inferior image quality and frequent susceptibility artifacts. Therefore, we believe that ultrafast 3D-EPI T1WI may be a viable option in oncology patients prone to movement during imaging studies.

Anticancer properties of dried-pericarp water extracts of Camellia japonica L. fermented with Aspergillus oryzae through regulation of IGFBP-2/mTOR pathway

This study aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of dried-pericarp water extract of fermented C. japonicus (CJ). The dried-pericarp water extracts of CJ were fermented using Aspergillus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 30 °C and 35 °C. The anticancer activities of both water extracts fermented at 30 °C and 35 °C using A. oryzae against FaDu cells were remarkably changed compared with unfermented dried-pericarp water extract of CJ, which has no anticancer activity. Cleaved-PARP, caspase 3, and apoptotic cells stained with annexin V/PI were significantly increased by treatment with A. oryzae extracts fermented at 30 °C. The insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) protein level and mTOR phosphorylation by A. oryzae fermented extracts (AOFE) were dramatically reduced, and the expression levels of IGFBP-2 and phosphorylated mTOR were significantly increased depending on the glucose concentrations in FaDu cells. These results suggested that the cell viabilities in AOFE were restored as the glucose concentrations increased. Furthermore, it was confirmed LC/MS/MS that the content of gallic acid was increased by fermentation of Aspergillus oryzae (5.596 ± 0.1746 μg/mg) compared to the unfermented extract (1.620 ± 0.0432 μg/mg). Based on these results, the anticancer effect of AOFE was achieved through inhibition of the IGFBP-2/mTOR signaling pathway. These results suggest that AOFE may be a potential treatment for head and neck cancer.

Genetic variants in the folate metabolic pathway genes predict cutaneous melanoma-specific survival

BACKGROUND

Folate metabolism plays an important role in DNA methylation and nucleic acid synthesis and thus may function as a regulatory factor in cancer development. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified some single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with cutaneous melanoma-specific survival (CMSS), but no SNPs were found in genes involved in the folate metabolic pathway.

OBJECTIVES

To examine associations between SNPs in folate metabolic pathway genes and CMSS.

METHODS

We comprehensively evaluated 2645 (422 genotyped and 2223 imputed) common SNPs in folate metabolic pathway genes from a published GWAS of 858 patients from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and performed the validation in another GWAS of 409 patients from the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study, in which 95/858 (11·1%) and 48/409 (11·7%) patients died of cutaneous melanoma, respectively.

RESULTS

We identified two independent SNPs (MTHFD1 rs1950902 G>A and ALPL rs10917006 C>T) to be associated with CMSS in both datasets, and their meta-analysis yielded an allelic hazards ratio of 1·75 (95% confidence interval 1·32-2·32, P = 9·96 × 10^-5 ) and 2·05 (1·39-3·01, P = 2·84 × 10^-4 ), respectively. The genotype-phenotype correlation analyses provided additional support for the biological plausibility of these two variants' roles in tumour progression, suggesting that variation in SNP-related mRNA expression levels is likely to be the mechanism underlying the observed associations with CMSS.

CONCLUSIONS

Two possibly functional genetic variants, MTHFD1 rs1950902 and ALPL rs10917006, were likely to be independently or jointly associated with CMSS, which may add to personalized treatment in the future, once further validated. What is already known about this topic? Existing data show that survival rates vary among patients with melanoma with similar clinical characteristics; therefore, it is necessary to identify additional complementary biomarkers for melanoma-specific prognosis. A hypothesis-driven approach, by pooling the effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a specific biological pathway as genetic risk scores, may provide a prognostic utility, and genetic variants of genes in folate metabolism have been reported to be associated with cancer risk. What does this study add? Two genetic variants in the folate metabolic pathway genes, MTHFD1 rs1950902 and ALPL rs10917006, are significantly associated with cutaneous melanoma-specific survival (CMSS). What is the translational message? The identification of genetic variants will make a risk-prediction model possible for CMSS. The SNPs in the folate metabolic pathway genes, once validated in larger studies, may be useful in the personalized management and treatment of patients with cutaneous melanoma.

Association of blood mercury levels with nonmelanoma skin cancer in the U.S.A. using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2003-2016)

BACKGROUND

Some studies have reported increased incidence or mortality of lung and brain cancers associated with occupations involving potential mercury exposure. Epidemiological evidence related to skin cancer is also limited.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between blood mercury (Hg) levels and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC).

METHODS

We used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2003 to 2016. The exposures were blood total (tHg), inorganic (iHg) and methylmercury (MeHg). The outcome was a self-reported diagnosis of NMSC. We included participants aged ≥ 20 years who had information on blood mercury and sociodemographic factors. We conducted a logistic regression analysis to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of NMSC associated with quartiles of blood Hg, after adjusting for the sociodemographic factors and survey year.

RESULTS

The number of participants was 29 413; mean age was 49 years and 52% were female. Compared with those with a tHg ≤ 0·47 μg L^-1 (Q1), those with a tHg > 1·74 μg L^-1 (Q4) had nearly double the odds of NMSC (OR 1·79, 95% CI 1·19-2·71; P_trend = 0·004). Similarly, those in the highest quartile of MeHg (> 1·44 μg L^-1 ) had 1·7 times greater odds of NMSC (OR 1·74, 95% CI 1·13-2·70; P_trend = 0·01) than those in the lowest quartile (≤ 0·21 μg L^-1 ). iHg levels were nonsignificantly positively associated with NMSC (P_trend = 0·08).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that higher blood tHg and MeHg levels were associated with a higher prevalence of NMSC. Linked Comment: Taylor. Br J Dermatol 2020; 183:413-414.

Do severe maternal morbidity and adequate prenatal care affect the delivery cost? A nationwide cohort study for 11 years with follow up

OBJECTIVE

To explore whether severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and adequate prenatal care (PNC) affect delivery cost.

DESIGN

Population-based retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort in Korea.

POPULATION

A total of 90 035 deliveries in 2003 and 2013.

METHODS

Severe maternal morbidity was determined using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's algorithm. Delivery medical costs were calculated by estimating claimed total medical costs using year-specific inflation adjustment factors. Adequate PNC was estimated by the Kessner Adequacy of Prenatal Care Index. To estimate adjusted mean delivery medical costs related to SMM, we applied a generalised estimating equation model with log link and γ distribution, by adjusting for all covariates.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Delivery cost was calculated by estimating claimed total medical cost during delivery hospitalisation using year-specific inflation.

RESULTS

Of the 90 035 deliveries, 2041 (2.27%) involved SMM. Women with SMM had a greater adjusted mean cost of delivery (US$ 1,263, 95% CI US$ 1,196-1,334) than those without (US$ 740, 95% CI US$ 729-750). Interestingly, women who had inadequate PNC had higher delivery medical costs than those with adequate PNC, adjusted for all covariates.

CONCLUSION

Delivery involving SMM was associated with nearly doubled medical costs. Additionally, inadequate PNC increased the medical costs of delivery. The current study confirmed the burden of SMM and found that adequate PNC might be a useful preventive factor in reducing medical costs.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

We found that women with severe maternal morbidity and inadequate prenatal care had increased medical costs during delivery hospitalisation.

The Effects of Modality, Device, and Task Differences on Perceived Human Likeness of Voice-Activated Virtual Assistants

Paying attention to the rising popularity of virtual assistants (VAs) that offer unique user experiences through voice-centered interaction, this study examined the effects of modality, device, and task differences on perceived human likeness of, and attitudes toward, voice-activated VAs. To do so, a 2 (modality: voice vs. text) × 2 (device: mobile vs. laptop) × 2 (task type: hedonic vs. utilitarian) mixed factorial experimental design was employed. Findings suggest that voice (vs. text) interaction leads to more positive attitudes toward the VA system mediated by heightened perceived human likeness of the VA, but only with utilitarian (vs. hedonic) tasks. Interestingly, laptop (vs. mobile phone) interaction also enhanced perceived human likeness of the VA. This study offers theoretical and practical implications for VA research by exploring the combinational effects of modality, device, and task differences on user perceptions through human-like interactions.

Cluh plays a pivotal role during adipogenesis by regulating the activity of mitochondria

Cluh is a cytosolic protein that is known to specifically bind the mRNAs of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins and play critical roles in mitochondrial biogenesis. Here, we report the role of Cluh in adipogenesis. Our study shows that mRNA expression of Cluh is stimulated during adipogenesis, and that cAMP/Creb signalling increases its transcription. Cluh depletion impaired proper adipocyte differentiation, with reductions seen in lipid droplets and adipogenic marker gene expression. Interestingly, the inductions of the brown adipocyte-specific genes, Ucp1, Cidea and Cox7a1, are severely blocked by Cluh depletion during brown adipogenesis. Mitochondrial respiration and the stability of mRNAs encoding mitochondrial proteins are reduced by Cluh depletion during brown adipogenesis. These results suggest that Cluh, which is induced during adipogenesis, promotes the post-transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial proteins and supports differentiation.

Diagnosis validation and clinical characterization of atopic dermatitis in Nurses' Health Study 2

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies of atopic dermatitis (AD) are often limited by case definitions that have not been validated.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we assessed the accuracy of self-report of AD in a large cohort of US female nurses, the Nurses' Health Study 2 (NHS2). We also provide clinical characteristics of AD in the cohort.

METHODS

We sent an electronic questionnaire to NHS2 participants who previously reported ever having a diagnosis of AD. This questionnaire was designed to confirm cases of AD using previously validated algorithms with >85% specificity. We assessed the association of AD with asthma, comparing the results when different definitions of AD were applied. We also inquired about various aspects of participants' AD.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 2509 of 5126 (49%) nurses who were sent the questionnaire, with an average age of 62. Most participants (1996/2509, 80%) reiterated their previously reported clinician diagnosis of AD. Application of the two diagnostic algorithms yielded confirmation of 1538 and 1293 prevalent cases, respectively. The association of AD with asthma was stronger when more stringent AD case definitions were applied. Participants generally reported mild disease (92% with ≤10% maximal body surface area involved) and a high proportion (57%) reported adult-onset disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-report of AD diagnosis has good reliability, and future analyses will be strengthened by our ability to conduct sensitivity analyses with refined confirmed AD subgroups.

Gender differences, UV exposure and risk of lentigo maligna in a nationwide healthcare population cohort study

BACKGROUND

Our understanding of the relationship between ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and lentigo maligna (LM) has been largely derived from epidemiologic/clinical studies based on invasive melanoma. Recent studies have shown gender differences in melanocytic tumours incidence.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of UV light with LM by gender remains unclear.

METHODS

Two prospective cohort study [Nurses' Health Study (1980-2012)] and [Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2010)] were analysed. All participants with LM or MIS, non-LM type were included in analysis. UV index at birth, age 15, and age 30 were calculated by gender. Lifetime UV flux was calculated. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 110 485 women from NHS and 41 015 men from HPFS were examined. A total of 281 LM and 776 melanoma in situ (MIS), non-LM cases were reported. Risk of LM increased with increasing UV flux exposure in multivariate-adjusted models for men (P for trend = 0.04), but not for women (P for trend = 0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

UV flux may be associated with LM in men but not in women.

Effect of irradiation-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity toward human cancer cells

BACKGROUND AIMS

Irradiation enhances the adhesion between natural killer (NK) cells and target cells by up-regulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on target cells. Therefore, we investigated the effect of irradiation-induced ICAM-1 expression on human cancer cells on NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

METHODS

Expression levels of ICAM-1 on the target cell surface before and after irradiation of six human cancer cell lines (HL60, SKBR-3, T47D, HCT-116, U937 and U251) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Ex vivo expansion of NK cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed by co-culture with irradiated K562 cells. The related adhesion molecule lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) on NK cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and WST-8 assays were performed to check NK cell cytotoxicity. Finally, blocking assays were performed using monoclonal antibodies against ICAM-1 or LFA-1.

RESULTS

LFA-1 expression increased on NK cells after expansion (P <0.001). The expression of ICAM-1 was significantly upregulated by irradiation after 24 h in various cell lines, including HL60 (P <0.001), SKBR-3 (P <0.001), T47D (P <0.001) and U937 (P <0.001), although the level of expression depended on the cell line. ICAM-1 expression was extremely low before and after irradiation in U251 cells. NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity increased after irradiation of HL60 (P <0.001), SKBR-3 (P <0.001), T47D (P = 0.003), and U937 (P = 0.004) cells, in which ICAM-1 expression was significantly increased after irradiation. IFN-γ production by NK cells in response to HL60 (P <0.001) and T47D (P = 0.011) cells significantly increased after irradiation. NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against irradiated SKBR-3 (P <0.001) and irradiated T47D cells (P = 0.035) significantly decreased after blocking of ICAM-1. Blocking of LFA-1 on NK cells resulted in reduced cytotoxicity against irradiated HL60 (P <0.001) and irradiated SKBR-3 (P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Irradiation upregulates ICAM-1 expression on the surface of human cancer cells and enhances activated NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Therefore, irradiation combined with NK cell therapy may improve the antitumor effects of NK cells.

Mael is essential for cancer cell survival and tumorigenesis through protection of genetic integrity

Germ line-specific genes are activated in somatic cells during tumorigenesis, and are accordingly referred to as cancer germline genes. Such genes that act on piRNA (Piwi-interacting RNA) processing play an important role in the progression of cancer cells. Here, we show that the spermatogenic transposon silencer maelstrom (Mael), a piRNA-processing factor, is required for malignant transformation and survival of cancer cells. A specific Mael isoform was distinctively overexpressed in diverse human cancer cell lines and its depletion resulted in cancer-specific cell death, characterized by apoptosis and senescence, accompanied by an increase in reactive oxygen-species and DNA damage. These biochemical changes and death phenotypes induced by Mael depletion were dependent on ATM. Interestingly Mael was essential for Myc/Ras-induced transformation, and its overexpression inhibited Ras-induced senescence. In addition, Mael repressed retrotransposon activity in cancer cells. These results suggest that Mael depletion induces ATM-dependent DNA damage, consequently leading to cell death specifically in cancer cells. Moreover, Mael possesses oncogenic potential that can protect against genetic instability.

Antimicrobial Mechanism of Oleanolic and Ursolic Acids on Streptococcus mutans UA159

Triterpenoid saponin derivatives oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA), but not betulinic acid (BA), were previously found to have strong antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans. OA and UA inhibited the transcription of genes related to peptidoglycan biosynthesis, thereby preventing bacterial growth. However, it is not clear whether this is the only pathway involved in the antimicrobial activity of these compounds against S. mutans. Therefore, we used quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and microarray analyses to examine the expression of genes related to essential metabolic pathways in S. mutans UA159 following incubation with OA, UA, or BA. An oligonucleotide array consisting of 5363 probes was designed to survey 1928 of the 1963 genes in the genome of S. mutans UA159. Genes that showed >2-fold changes in expression in response to the treatment conditions were annotated, and selected target genes involved in central metabolism were analyzed by qPCR. Microarray analysis confirmed that the gene expression patterns of the OA- and UA-treated cells differed from that of the BA-treated culture, indicating differences in the antimicrobial mechanism. In particular, the expression of pfk and pykF, coding for glycolysis regulatory proteins phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase, respectively, were significantly decreased in the OA and UA groups (P < 0.05), as were genes involved in fatty acid and amino acid synthesis. In addition, the microarray analysis confirmed previous qPCR results showing that peptidoglycan synthesis is down-regulated in the OA- and UA-treated groups. OA and UA also appear to decrease the generation of organic acids by S. mutans UA159, which would have an anticaries effect. Overall, these findings suggest that OA and UA affect multiple genes involved in the central metabolism of S. mutans, with inhibition of glycolysis, fatty acid synthesis, amino acid synthesis, and peptidoglycan synthesis, all contributing to their antimicrobial activity.

Anti-cancer Effect of Cyanidin-3-glucoside from Mulberry via Caspase-3 Cleavage and DNA Fragmentation in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Fruits of Morus alba L. (mulberry) have various bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and anthocyanins and used as a herbal medicine. However, the anti-cancer effects and molecular basis have not been elucidated.

METHODS

We isolated the cyanidin-3-glucoside in various cultivar of mulberry by acidified-methanol extraction methods. This molecule were compared mass spectroscopic properties by LC-MS/MS and analyzed by 1H and 13C NMR. We examined the anti-cancer effect with molecular mechanisms of the cyanidin-3-glucoside on MDA-MB-453 human breast cancer cells and xenograft animal model.

RESULTS

The treatment with the mulberry cyanidin-3-glucoside decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner with alteration of apoptotic protein contents, and DNA fragmentation, suggesting that cells undergo apoptosis. Supporting the observations, Treatment with the cyanidin-3-glucoside showed active apoptosis by caspase-3 cleavage and DNA fragmentation through Bcl-2 and Bax pathway. Indeed, cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibits tumor growth in MDA-MB-453 cells-inoculated nude mice. Tumor growth of xenograft nude mouse was significantly reduced compared to the control group by the cyanidin-3-glucoside.

CONCLUSION

The data demonstrate that cyanidin-3-glucoside isolated from mulberry induced apoptosis in breast cancer (MDA-MB-453) cells, and therefore, has a potential as an anti-cancer agent. These results show that mulberry cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibit the proliferation and growth in vitro and in vivo model and, indicating the inhibition of tumor progression.

Alcohol intake and risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) comprises mainly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The association between alcohol intake and NMSC has been inconclusive; therefore the objective of this study is to quantify the relationship between alcohol intake and NMSC using meta-analyses. A systematic literature search of PubMed and Embase was performed on 30 October 2016. Eligible articles were case-control or cohort studies that examined alcohol intake and risk of BCC or cSCC and reported relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Of the 307 articles identified, 13 case-control and cohort studies were included in the systematic review, including 95 241 NMSC cases (91 942 BCC and 3299 cSCC cases). A random-effects model was used to obtain summary RRs and 95% CIs for dose-response meta-analyses. For every 10-gram increase in ethanol intake per day, a positive association was found for both BCC (summary RR of 1·07; 95% CI 1·04-1·09) and cSCC (summary RR of 1·11; 95% CI 1·06-1·16). While there was evidence suggesting a nonlinear association for BCC, it may be due to the sparse data at higher alcohol intake levels. This meta-analysis found evidence that alcohol drinking is positively associated with both BCC and cSCC risk in a dose-dependent manner. These results should be interpreted with caution due to potential residual confounding. Nonetheless, because alcohol drinking is a prevalent and modifiable behaviour, it could serve as an important public health target to reduce the global health burden of NMSC.

Genome-Based Reclassification of Fusobacterium nucleatum Subspecies at the Species Level

Fusobacterium nucleatum is classified as four subspecies, subsp. nucleatum, polymorphum, vincentii, and animalis, based on DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) patterns, phenotypic characteristics, and/or multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). The gold standards for classification of bacterial species are DDH and 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rDNA) sequence homology. The thresholds of DDH and 16S rDNA similarity for delineation of bacterial species have been suggested to be >70 and 98.65%, respectively. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and genome-to-genome distance (GGD) analysis based on genome sequences were recently introduced as a replacement for DDH to delineate bacterial species with ANI (95-96%) and GGD (70%) threshold values. In a previous study, F. hwasookii was classified as a new species based on MLSA and DDH results. 16S rDNA similarity between F. hwasookii type strain and F. nucleatum subspecies type strains was higher than that between F. nucleatum subspecies type strains. Therefore, it is possible that the four F. nucleatum subspecies can be classified as Fusobacterium species. In this study, we performed ANI and GGD analyses using the genome sequences of 36 F. nucleatum, five F. hwasookii, and one Fusobacterium periodonticum strain to determine whether the four F. nucleatum subspecies could be classified as species using OrthoANI and ANI web-based softwares provided by ChunLab and Kostas lab, respectively, and GGD calculator offered by German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures. ANI values calculated from OrthoANI and ANI calculators between the type strains of F. nucleatum subspecies ranged from 89.80 to 92.97 and from 90.40 to 91.90%, respectively. GGD values between the type strains of F. nucleatum subspecies ranged from 42.3 to 46.0%. ANI and GGD values among strains belonging to the same F. nucleatum subspecies, subsp. nucleatum, subsp. polymorphum, subsp. vincentii, and subsp. animalis were >96 and >68.2%, respectively. These results strongly suggest that F. nucleatum subsp. nucleatum, subsp. polymorphum, subsp. vincentii, and subsp. animalis should be classified as F. nucleatum, F. polymorphum, F. vincentii, and F. animalis, respectively.