Effect of Yogurt Intake Frequency on Blood Pressure: A Cross-Sectional Study

Yogurt consumption is a significant factor in reducing the risk of hypertension and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Although increasing evidence has emerged regarding the potential benefits of probiotics in hypertension, there is a lack of large, cross-sectional studies assessing the association between yogurt intake and blood pressure parameters. We aimed to evaluate the association between yogurt intake frequency and blood pressure. A cross-sectional study was designed using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003 to 2004 and 2005 to 2006. We included 3, 068 adults with blood pressure data and yogurt intake data. Multivariate regression analyses revealed significant inverse associations between yogurt and systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05), diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05), and mean arterial pressure (P < 0.05) in nonhypertensive participants (n = 1 822) but not in hypertensive participants (n = 1 246). Furthermore, a high frequency of yogurt intake prevented hypertension; however, no additional antihypertensive effects were observed in patients already diagnosed with hypertension.

Association between the triglyceride-glucose index and left ventricular global longitudinal strain in patients with coronary heart disease in Jilin Province, China: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) in patients with coronary heart disease and to examine the role of left ventricular GLS in detecting early changes in cardiac function in patients with coronary heart disease in the subclinical stage.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving 178 participants with symptomatic coronary artery disease excluding myocardial infarction or left ventricular dysfunction was conducted in Jilin Province, China. Basic clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic data were obtained from all participants. Myocardial strain parameters were compared between patients with higher TyG index and those with lower TyG index, and the association between the gradually elevated TyG index and on subclinical cardiac function in patients with coronary heart disease was evaluated.

RESULTS

The GLS of left ventricle was lower in the higher TyG index group than in the lower TyG index group. As the TyG index increases, the GLS progressively decreases. The results remained stable after adjusting for confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher TyG index maybe independently associated with subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with coronary heart disease.

MAML3 Contributes to Induction of Malignant Phenotype of Gallbladder Cancer Through Morphogenesis Signalling Under Hypoxia

BACKGROUND/AIM

Hedgehog (HH) signalling is a potential therapeutic target for gallbladder cancer (GBC), and Mastermind-like 3 (MAML3) is involved in the transcription of Smoothened (SMO), which is a key protein of HH signalling during hypoxia in the cancer microenvironment. MAML3 is a NOTCH signalling activator, and HH and NOTCH are involved in morphogenesis signalling. However, the association between MAML3-NOTCH and HH signalling and its role in regulating GBC cells remain unknown. This study aimed to determine whether NOTCH signalling affects tumour aggressiveness in GBC under hypoxic conditions and if MAML3 could be a new comprehensive therapeutic target that regulates morphogenesis signalling, HH, and NOTCH in GBC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used three cell lines (NOZ, TYGBK1, and TGBC2TKB) and 58 resected specimens. These samples were subjected to cell proliferation, RNA interference, invasion, western blot, and immunohistochemical analyses.

RESULTS

MAML3 expression was higher under hypoxic conditions than under normoxic conditions and was involved in the activation of HH and NOTCH signalling. It contributed to the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GBC cells through the NOTCH signalling pathway and enhanced gemcitabine sensitivity. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that MAML3 expression was related to lymphatic invasion, lymph node metastasis, stage category, and a poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION

MAML3 contributes to the induction of the malignant phenotype of GBC under hypoxia through the HH and NOTCH signalling pathways and may be a comprehensive therapeutic target of morphogenesis signalling in GBC.

Effect of hypertriglyceridemia on left ventricular global longitudinal strain in patients with coronary heart disease in Jilin Province, China: a cross-sectional study

Aims

Using speckle tracking technology to investigate the effect of hypertriglyceridemia on the global longitudinal strain(GLS) of the left ventricle in patients with coronary heart disease in the early stage, and to explore the value of myocardial strain in early identification of cardiac dysfunction in patients with coronary heart disease in the pre-heart failure stage.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 138 participants was conducted in Jilin Province, China. Basic clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic data were obtained for all patients. Myocardial strain parameters were compared between the hypertriglyceridemia and normal triglyceride level groups and the effect of hypertriglyceridemia on early left ventricular global longitudinal strain impairment in coronary heart disease patients was evaluated.

Results

The overall longitudinal strain of the left ventricle was smaller in the hypertriglyceridemia group than in the normal triglyceride group. After the multivariate Logistic regression model adjusting for the influence of confounding factors, the results remained stable.

Conclusions

The risk of impairment of global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle in patients with coronary heart disease is positively correlated with triglyceride levels, and hypertriglyceridemia maybe an independent risk factor affecting early cardiac dysfunction in the pre-heart failure stage of patients with coronary heart disease.

C4orf47 Contributes to the Induction of Stem-like Properties in Gallbladder Cancer Under Hypoxia

BACKGROUND/AIM

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a refractory cancer with poor prognosis. Recently, therapy targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) has gained attention. Cancer hypoxia is a significant factor in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Our research has shown that hypoxia activates several molecules and signaling pathways that contribute to the development of various types of cancer. Our analysis indicated that C4orf47 expression was up-regulated in a hypoxic environment and had a role in the dormancy of pancreatic cancer. There are no other reports on the biological significance of C4orf47 in cancer and its mechanism is still unknown. This study analyzed how C4orf47 affects refractory GBC to develop a new effective therapy for GBC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two human gallbladder carcinomas were used to examine how C4orf47 affects proliferation, migration, and invasion. C4orf47 was silenced using C4orf47 siRNA.

RESULTS

C4orf47 was over-expressed in gallbladder carcinomas under hypoxic conditions. C4orf47 inhibition increased the anchor-dependent proliferation and decreased the anchor-independent colony formation of GBC cells. C4orf47 inhibition reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and suppressed migration and invasiveness of GBC cells. C4orf47 inhibition decreased CD44, Fbxw-7, and p27 expression and increased C-myc expression.

CONCLUSION

C4orf47 enhanced invasiveness and CD44 expression, and reduced anchor-independent colony formation, suggesting that C4orf47 is involved in plasticity and the acquisition of the stem-like phenotype of GBC. This information is useful for the development of new therapeutic strategies for GBC.

C4orf47 contributes to the dormancy of pancreatic cancer under hypoxic conditions

In our comprehensive analysis of pancreatic cancer pathology, we found that the C4orf47 molecule was upregulated in hypoxic environments. C4orf47 is reported to be a centrosome-associated protein, but its biological significance in cancer is completely unknown; therefore, we assessed its role in pancreatic cancer. We found that C4orf47 was a direct target of HIF-1α and is upregulated in hypoxic conditions, in which it suppressed the cell cycle and inhibits cell proliferation through up-regulation of the cell cycle repressors Fbxw-7, P27, and p57; and the down-regulation of the cell cycle promoters c-myc, cyclinD1, and cyclinC. Furthermore, C4orf47 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enhanced their cell plasticity and invasiveness. In addition, the p-Erk/p-p38 ratio was significantly enhanced and down-regulated CD44 expression by C4orf47 suppression, suggesting that C4orf47 is involved in pancreatic cancer dormancy under hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, the potential of C4orf47 expression was a good prognostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer. These results contribute to the elucidation of the pathology of refractory pancreatic cancer and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

O-174 Individualized versus standard FSH dosing in predicted poor responders: an RCT

Study question

Is there a difference in fertility outcomes between individualized or standard FSH dosing in women scheduled for IVF with an expected poor response?

Summary answer

In predicted poor responders (AFC&lt;10) undergoing IVF/ICSI, individualized FSH dosing does not improve ongoing pregnancy rates as compared to a standard FSH dose.

What is known already

Poor responders usually lead to many detrimental effects on IVF outcomes due to low oocyte number and quality which in turn result in low pregnancy outcomes and an increased chance of cycle cancellation. Clinicians often individualize the FSH dose using ovarian reserve tests (ORT), including antral follicle count (AFC), basal FSH (bFSH), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). However, it is unclear whether individualized FSH dosing improves clinical outcomes.

Study design, size, duration

Between March 2019 and April 2020, we performed a single-center, parallel, open-label RCT in women with an AFC&lt;10. A total of 661 women were randomized either to start FSH dosing at 300IU/225IU or 150IU. The primary outcome was live birth attributable to the first ART cycle within 18 months of randomization. In this abstract, we report ongoing pregnancy rates. Live birth date will be available at the meeting.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Women referred for their first IVF/ICSI cycle, &lt;43 years of age, AFC&lt;10 were approached. A total of 328 women were allocated to the individualized group and 333 women were allocated to the standard group. In the individualized group, women with AFC 1-6 were assigned to 300IU/day (n = 122), while women with AFC 7-9 were assigned to 225IU/day (n = 206). In the standard group, women were assigned 150IU/day. Outcomes were evaluated from an intention-to-treat perspective.

Main results and the role of chance

For ongoing pregnancy rate attributable to the first ART cycle for individualized versus standard dosing was comparable [52.44% vs 46.25%, relative risk (RR): 1.29 (95%CI, 0.94-1.74), P = 0.11]. Biochemical pregnancy rate [62.50% vs 62.16%, RR: 1.01 (95%CI, 0.74-1.39), P = 0.929], clinical pregnancy rate [59.45% vs 58.86%, RR: 1.02 (95%CI, 0.75-1.40), P = 0.877] and multiple pregnancy rate [5.18% vs 5.12%, RR: 1.01 (95%CI, 0.51-2.02), P = 0.971] also did not differ between individualized and standard dosing. There are 24 women who are ongoing pregnancy but do not reach live birth in the completed embryo transfer cycle. The individualized group reported less poor response (31.1% vs 48.7%: P &lt; 0.001), more obtained oocytes (6.80 ± 3.85 vs 5.28 ± 3.22; P &lt; 0.001), less embryos (3.76 ± 2.70 vs 3.16 ± 2.42; P = 0.004), and less good quality embryos (2.61 ± 2.29 vs 2.21 ± 2.05; P = 0.018). When outcomes were compared over the first embryo transfer, ongoing pregnancy rates were 39.0% (128/328) versus 37.2% (124/333), respectively [RR:1.08 (95%CI, 0.79-1.48), P = 0.636], without differences in the other outcomes. There are 7 women who are ongoing pregnancy but do not reach live birth in the first embryo transfer cycle.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Due to the open-label character, potential selective canceling and small dose adjustments of standard dosing were allowed. This abstract reports on ongoing pregnancy. At the meeting, we will present live birth rates.

Wider implications of the findings

In women with predicted poor response, an increased dose does not increase ongoing pregnancy rates. A standard dose of 150IU/day is recommended in these women.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR1900021944

TrkB/BDNF Signaling Could Be a New Therapeutic Target for Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling plays a role in inducing malignant phenotypes in several aggressive types of cancers. To create a conclusive therapy targeting TrkB/BDNF signaling in solid refractory cancers, the biological significance of TrkB/BDNF signaling was analyzed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three PDAC cell lines were used as target cells to investigate proliferation and invasiveness. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and the TrkB tyrosine kinase inhibitor k252a were used as TrkB/BDNF signaling inhibitors.

RESULTS

All PDAC cell lines expressed TrkB and BDNF. When TrkB and BDNF were inhibited by siRNA or k252a, the invasiveness of PANC-1 and SUIT-2 cells significantly decreased. When TrkB was inhibited by siRNA or k252a, proliferation was significantly inhibited in PDAC cells.

CONCLUSION

TrkB/BDNF signaling may be a new therapeutic target for PDAC. Therapies targeting TrkB/BDNF signaling may be a conclusive cancer therapy for refractory solid cancer.

[Effect of shikonin on function of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast like synoviocytes]

To observe the effect of shikonin on the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) fibroblast like synoviocytes induced by tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and to explore its mechanism of action from aspects of protein kinase B(Akt) and mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathways. TNF-α(20 ng·mL~(-1)) was used in this experiment to induce human RA fibroblast like synovial cell line(MH7 A). After addition of different concentrations of shikonin(0.025, 0.05, 0.1 pmol·L~(-1)), the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion ability of MH7 A cells were detected by MTT test, scratch test, adhesion test, Transwell invasion test, respectively. Protein expression of Akt and MAPK signaling pathway molecules in MH7 A cells was detected by Western blot. The results showed that as compared with the control group, TNF-α could significantly induce the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion of MH7 A cells, and increase the phosphorylation level of Akt, JNK, p38 and extracellular regulatory protein kinase(ERK). As compared with the TNF-α group, shikonin had no significant effect on TNF-α-induced proliferation of MH7 A cells after 24 h treatment, and it could reduce the TNF-α-induced proliferation of MH7 A cells in a concentration dependent manner after 48 h treatment. Shikonin also significantly reduced the TNF-α-induced migration, adhesion, invasion and phosphorylation levels of Akt, JNK, p38, ERK in MH7 A cells within 24 h. These results suggested that shikonin could reduce the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion ability of MH7 A cells induced by TNF-α, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of Akt and MAPK signaling pathway activation.

[Clinical practice guideline for Tripterygium Glycosides/Tripterygium wilfordii Tablets in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis]

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f.(TwHF) is one of the most effective traditional Chinese herbal medicines against rheumatoid arthritis. As the representative agents of TwHF, Tripterygium Glycoside Tablets(TGT) and Tripterygium wilfordii Tablets(TWT) were included as Class A drugs in the 2019 edition of Medicine Catalogue for National Basic Medical Insurance, Injury Insurance and Maternity Insurance, and TGT was also included in 2018 edition of National Essential Drug List and 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, it is difficult to grasp the specific clinical applications of TGT and TWT. Side effects occur from time to time. The curative effect is uneven in patients. And the package inserts of TGT and TWT are not described in details. In order to standardize the clinical application of Tripterygium wilfordii preparations, 38 authoritative units and 48 well-known experts in rheumatoid immunology clinical department, drug supervision and management, pharmacy and evidence-based medicine research fields jointly developed Tripterygium Glycoside Tablets and Tripterygium wilfordii Tablets Medication Guide for reference in clinical application, teaching and scientific research. The guideline followed the &quot;evidence-based, consensus-assisted and experience-based&quot; principles to form &quot;recommendations&quot; for the evidence supported ones, and form &quot;consensus suggestions&quot; for those without evidence support by using nominal group method. In this way, the medication recommendations on function, usage and dosage, drug combinations, precautions, efficacy, safety and other aspects of TGT and TWT can be provided. The application of this Guide will help to avoid or reduce the adverse reactions of T. wilfordii preparations, enhance the efficacy and reduce the cost of medicine, with certain demonstration and promotion values to improve the rational use level of traditional Chinese medicine.

[Network analysis and experimental verification of Qingyan Formula in treatment of perimenopausal anxiety disorder]

This paper aims to explore the potential of Qingyan Formula(QYF) in the treatment of perimenopausal anxiety disorder(PAD) by network pharmacological method, and verify the pharmacodynamics and mechanism by using animal experiments. First, Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) was used to retrieve the active components of QYF. Then the potential drug targets were screened with use of Integrative Pharmacology-based Network Computational Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCMIP) v2.0 and Swiss Target Prediction database. Targets related to PAD were retrieved and screened from the OMIM database and GeneCards database. The intersection targets of QYF and PAD were screened out, and then the enrichment analysis of the signal pathways was conducted. Open field experiments and the O maze experiment were used to verify the pharmacodynamic effect of QYF in the treatment of PAD rats, and the serum neurotransmitter level was detected. The results showed that QYF may be have the function of regulating steroid hormone signaling pathways such as steroid hormone synthesis, ovarian steroidogenesis and estrogen signaling pathways, regulating central neurotransmitters signaling pathways including tryptophan metabolism pathways, Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, TGF-β signaling pathway and regulating inflammatory response pathways including NF-κB signaling pathway, Apelin signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and FOXO signaling pathway. All of the signaling pathways were related to PAD, which indicated that QYF may have the role of treating PAD. Qingyan Formula 70% ethanol extract(QYFE) revealed anxiolytic effects by extending the activity time and distance of anxious ovariectomized(OVX) rats in the central field of open field experiments, and increasing the duration and activity distance of anxious OVX rats in the open arm area in O maze experiments. QYFE increased serum serotonin/5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), and gamma aminobutyric acid(GABA) levels in anxious OVX rats, significantly reduced glutamate(Glu) and norepinephrine(NA) levels, and reversed the disturbance of excitatory/suppressive transmitter balance caused by OVX, which may be related to its effect on alleviating anxiety disorder in OVX rats.

[Editorial explanation for Clinical practice guideline for Tripterygium Glycosides/Tripterygium wilfordii Tablets in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis]

Clinical practice guideline for Tripterygium Glycosides/Tripterygium wilfordii Tablets in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(T/CACM 1337-2020) was approved on June, 2020 by the Standardization Office of Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine. Our group developed this guideline for the clinical application of Tripterygium Glycosides/Tripterygium wilfordii Tablets according to the manual for the clinical experts consensus of Chinese patent medicine from January, 2018, when this project was approved by Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine. In this article, the detailed information on our compilation process was provided, in order to facilitate the understanding and the application of the guideline, as well as provide reference for the development of clinical practice guideline for other Chinese patent medicine.

Evaluating the impact of dose reductions and delays on progression-free survival in women with ovarian cancer treated with either three-weekly or dose-dense carboplatin and paclitaxel regimens in the national prospective OPAL cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the impact of chemotherapy dose reductions and dose delays on progression-free survival (PFS) in women with ovarian cancer receiving first line chemotherapy in a real world prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian (or peritoneal, fallopian tube) cancer enrolled in a national Australian prospective study, OPAL, who commenced three-weekly carboplatin (AUC 5 or 6) and paclitaxel 175 mg/m² (CP) or carboplatin (AUC 5 or 6) and dose-dense weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m² (DD-CP) were eligible. Primary endpoint was PFS.

RESULTS

634 evaluable patients, 309 commenced CP and 325 DD-CP. Patient's age was similar in the two groups (median 62 years, range 21-79). All planned chemotherapy doses were completed by 66% vs 40% (p < 0.001) in the CP and DD-CP groups respectively. There was at least one treatment delay in 28% vs 58% (p < 0.001) in the CP and DD-CP groups, respectively, and 29% vs 49% (p < 0.001), respectively, required at least a 15% dose reduction for either carboplatin or paclitaxel. Median PFS was 29.2 [22.9, 43.8] and 21.5 [19.4, 23.1] months in the CP and DD-CP groups respectively. Adjusting for age, histology and FIGO stage PFS did not differ between treatment groups. Median PFS was similar in patients irrespective of dose reduction or dose delay.

CONCLUSION

Patients receiving DD-CP required more dose reductions and delays due to haematological toxicities and lower completion rates than CP without significant difference in median PFS between CP and DD-CP. Median PFS was similar in patients irrespective of dose reduction or dose delay.

Research into the intervention effect of folic acid on arsenic-induced heart abnormalities in fetal rats during the periconception period

BACKGROUND

The incidence of CHD is the highest among birth defects and is increasing year to year. CHD seriously harms the health of infants and young children and presents a large economic burden to families and society. The pathogenesis of CHD and preventive measures are the focus of current research. Our research aimed to explore the intervention effect of folic acid on heart abnormalities resulting from sodium arsenic (NaAsO2) exposure during the periconception period.

METHODS

Sixty 35-day-old female SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups with 12 rats in each group. Group A was the control group. The rats were given distilled water and ordinary chow. The rats in group B were given distilled water containing 75 mg/L NaAsO2 and ordinary chow. The rats in groups C, D, and E were given distilled water containing 75 mg/L NaAsO2 and chow containing 0.53 mg/kg, 5.3 mg/kg, and 10.6 mg/kg folic acid, respectively. The general condition of the embryos and the histopathology of the embryonic hearts were examined. The acetylation levels of histone H3K9 in heart tissues and the expression levels of Mef2C (which is related to heart development) were observed.

RESULTS

The embryo weight and placental weight of groups B-E were significantly lower than those of group A (P < 0.05). The heart malformation rate of the fetal rats in groups B-E was significantly higher than that of the fetal rats in group A (P < 0.05). We found that the level of H3K9 acetylation in fetal rat cardiomyocytes in groups B-E was significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.05) and that the level of H3K9 acetylation in groups C-E was lower than that in group B (P < 0.05). The mRNA level of Mef2C in fetal rat cardiomyocytes in group B-E was significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.05), and the mRNA level of Mef2C in groups C-E was significantly lower than that in group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Supplementation with folic acid during the periconception period can interfere with the toxic effects of arsenic on the heart. The mechanism may be that lowering the acetylation levels of histone H3K9 in heart tissues leads to decreased expression levels of Mef2C, which may play a protective role in heart development in fetal rats.

Recurrent and metastatic extragastrointestinal stromal tumors of the mesentery with C-KIT and PDGFRA mutations: a case report

EGISTs originating outside the gastrointestinal tract share some similarities with the GISTs regarding their immunohistochemical features including the positive expression of CD117 and CD34. The majority of EGISTs carry activating mutations of the C-KIT or PDGFRA genes. However, there is no precedent in the literature where the two mutations occur in one case of EGISTs to date. We describe herein, a 52-year-old female who presented as mesenteric and pelvic regions masses showing positive immunoreactivity for CD117, DOG-1, CD34. Mutation analysis identified two mutations that located in the exon 13 of C-KIT and in the exon 18 of PDGFRA. The patient was treated sequentially with imatinib, sunitinib, sorafenib, and regorafenib. However, the prognosis was undesirable. Previous research has shown that expression of members of Bcl-2 family may be helpful in predicting prognosis, the survival time, and the resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. IHC was performed to detect the expression of BCL-2 family. The results show that high BCL-2 expression and low BAX expression in both specimens. In conclusion, our case may suggest that the presence of both C-KIT and PDGFRA mutations in EGISTs patients may indicate a very poor prognosis; and the expression level of BCL-2 and BAX could predict clinical outcome.

Defective expression of polarity protein Par3 promotes cervical tumorigenesis and metastasis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the partition-defective 3 protein (Par3) regulates cervical carcinoma growth and metastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to analyze the expression of Par3 protein in samples from 89 cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) patients among Uyghur women. The specific short hairpin (shRNA) vector as well as eu- karyotic expression vector of PARD3 was transfected into SiHa cell lines. The variation of migration and invasion after transfection was determined using Transwell assays, cell cycle, and apoptosis were assayed by flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTS

The incidence of CSCC was associated with reduced expression of Par3. Downregulation of Par3 was significantly associated with more advanced tumors (i.e., higher histological grade, lymph node involvement, and higher tumor stages) (p < 0.05 for all). Lost expression of Par3 promotes prolif- eration, inhibits apoptosis, and enhances migration and invasion. Loss of Par3 induces MMP9 expression and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) related genes (N-cadherin, E-cadherin, and β-catenin) expression changed in SiHa cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduced Par3 expression in cervical cancer indicates tumor-suppressive properties of Par3 that may be a marker of poor prognosis in cervical cancer patients, and the molecular determinants of epithelial polarity which have tumorigenesis enhancing impact, might through EMT.

Decreasing high postprandial stearic acid in impaired fasting glucose by dietary regulation

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine the postprandial change in free fatty acid (FFA) profiles in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and to evaluate the effect of low glycemic index (GI) load on postprandial FFA profiles and inflammation.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

First, 50 IFG and 50 healthy subjects were recruited; and 2 -h postprandial changes in FFA profiles were determined. Second, the 50 IFG subjects then received three different loads: glucose load (GL), high glycemic index (HGI) load and low glycemic index (LGI) load, respectively. FFA profile, glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and inflammatory biomarkers were assayed at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min.

RESULTS

Postprandial stearic acid (C18:0) increased compared with baseline in all subjects, whereas the change in postprandial C18:0 was more marked in IFG subjects than in healthy subjects. Compared with subjects who received the GL and HGI load, the area under the curve for insulin, GLP-1, C18:0 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha significantly decreased and adiponectin increased in subjects who received the LGI load.

CONCLUSIONS

The rise in postprandial C18:0 in IFG subjects was inhibited by LGI load.

Artificial Plant Root System Growth for Distributed Optimization: Models and Emergent Behaviors

Plant root foraging exhibits complex behaviors analogous to those of animals, including the adaptability to continuous changes in soil environments. In this work, we adapt the optimality principles in the study of plant root foraging behavior to create one possible bio-inspired optimization framework for solving complex engineering problems. This provides us with novel models of plant root foraging behavior and with new methods for global optimization. This framework is instantiated as a new search paradigm, which combines the root tip growth, branching, random walk, and death. We perform a comprehensive simulation to demonstrate that the proposed model accurately reflects the characteristics of natural plant root systems. In order to be able to climb the noise-filled gradients of nutrients in soil, the foraging behaviors of root systems are social and cooperative, and analogous to animal foraging behaviors.

Prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection in freshwater fishes in northeastern China

The prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection in freshwater fishes was surveyed in Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China, between August 2011 and September 2013. Thirteen species of freshwater fish (n=3221) and one species of shrimp (n=93) were collected from Songhua river, Nenjiang river and other lakes or ponds in 37 sites of 15 representative cities in Heilongjiang Province. They were individually examined by digestion technique, and the C. sinensis metacercariae were identified morphologically followed by confirmation using sequences of the second internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA. Ten of the 13 examined species of freshwater fishes were infected with C. sinensis metacercariae, while all shrimps were negative. The overall prevalence of C. sinensis infection in 3221 examined freshwater fishes was 19.96%, with 42.57% (272/639) in Pseudorasbora parva, 22.55% (83/368) in Hemicculter leuciclus, 20.44% (121/592) in Carassius auratus, 17.71% (68/384) in Saurogobio dabryi, 10.85% (23/212) in Rhodeus ocellatus, 10.54% (48/455) in Phoxinus lagowskii, 8.20% (21/256) in Perccottus glehnii, 6.25% (5/80) in Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, 4.55% (1/22) in Xenocypris davidi, and 1.49% (1/67) in Cyprinus carpio. The average infection intensity in P. parva was 103.3 encysted metacercariae per gram of fish meat in Zhaoyuan city. The average prevalence of C. sinensis infection in Songhua river, Nenjiang river and lakes or ponds were 31.96% (503/1574), 11.30% (102/903) and 7.93% (59/744), respectively. The prevalence of C. sinensis infection in Zhaoyuan city (43.68%) was the highest among all sampling locations. These results revealed a high-prevalence of C. sinensis infection in freshwater fishes in Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China, posing significant public health concern.

Crosstalk between EGFR and integrin affects invasion and proliferation of gastric cancer cell line, SGC7901

Background/objective

To investigate the crosstalk between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and integrin-mediated signal transduction pathways in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells.

Methods

EGF was used as a ligand of EGFR to stimulate the gastric adenocarcinoma cell, SGC7901. Signal molecules downstream of the integrin, FAK(Y397) and p130cas(Y410) phosphorylation, were measured by immunoprecipitation and western blot. Fibronectin (Fn) was used as a ligand of integrin to stimulate the same cell line. Signal molecules downstream of EGFR and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) general phosphorylation were also measured. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) small-interfering RNA was designed and transfected into SGC7901 cells to decrease the expression of FAK. Modified Boyden chambers and MTT assay were used to examine the effect of FAK inhibition on the invasiveness and proliferation of SGC7901.

Results

EGF activated FAK(Y397) and p130cas(Y410) phosphorylation, while Fn activated ERK general phosphorylation. Inhibition of FAK expression decreased p130cas(Y410) phosphorylation activated by EGF and ERK general phosphorylation activated by Fn, also decreased the invasiveness and proliferation of SGC7901 cells activated by EGF or Fn.

Conclusion

There is crosstalk between EGFR and integrin signal transduction. FAK may be a key cross point of the two signal pathways and acts as a potential target for human gastric cancer therapy.

Effect of N-cadherin knock-down on invasiveness of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

e15571

Background: Cell adhesion molecules are of crucial importance in cancer invasion and metastasis. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition, characterized by reduced E-cadherin and increased N-cadherin expression, has been recognized as a feature of aggressive tumors, but the importance of this phenotype has not been settled in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Aim: To examine the expressions of N-cadherin and E-cadherin in 62 normal esophageal epithelium specimens, 31 adjacent atypical hyperplasia epithelium specimens and 62 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma specimens, and to investigate the roles of N-cadherin in the invasiveness of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line EC9706 transfected by N-cadherin shRNA.. Methods: PV immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression pattern of N-cadherin and E-cadherin in 62 normal esophageal epithelium specimens, 31 adjacent atypical hyperplasia epithelium specimens and 62 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma specimens. The invasiveness of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line EC9706 in vitro and in vivo was determined by transwell assay and nude mice experiments after EC9706 was transfected by N-cadherin shRNA. Results: The positive rates of N-cadherin decreased in the sequence of carcinoma, adjacent atypical hyperplasia and normal esophageal tissue, which were 75.8%, 61.3%, 29.0% (P < 0.05), respectively, while those of E-cadherin increased in sequence, which were 40.3%, 71.0% and 95.2% (P < 0.05). The increased expression of N-cadherin and decreased expression of E-cadherin were related to the invasion, differentiation, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). The expression level of N-cadherin decreased in the N- cadherin knocked down cells, and the invasiveness of those cells decreased significantly as well in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: These results suggest that N-cadherin is an important factor in the invasiveness of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and N-cadherin may serves as a potential molecular target for biotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Species-specific induction of cytochrome P-450 4A RNAs: PCR cloning of partial guinea-pig, human and mouse CYP4A cDNAs

PCR was used to demonstrate the presence of a conserved region and to clone novel members of the cytochrome P-450 4A gene family from guinea pig, human and mouse cDNAs. This strategy is based on the sequences at nucleotides 925-959 and at the haem binding domain (nucleotides 1381-1410) of the rat CYP4A1 gene. Murine Cyp4a clones showed high sequence identity with members of the rat gene family, but CYP4A clones from human and guinea pig were equally similar to the rat/mouse genes, suggesting that the rat/mouse line had undergone gene duplication events after divergence from human and guinea-pig lines. The mouse Cyp4a-12 clone was localized to chromosome 4 using interspecific backcross mapping, in a region of synteny with human chromosome 1. The assignment of the human CYP4A11 gene to chromosome 1 was confirmed by somatic cell hybridization. An RNAase protection assay was shown to discriminate between the murine Cyp4a-10 and Cyp4a-12 cDNAs. Treatment of mice with the potent peroxisome proliferator methylclofenapate (25 mg/kg) induced Cyp4a-10 RNA in liver, and to a lesser extent in kidney; there was no sex difference in this response. Cyp4a-12 RNA was present at high levels in male control liver and kidney samples, and was not induced by treatment with methylclofenapate. However, Cyp4a-12 RNA was present at low levels in control female liver and kidney RNA, and was greatly induced in both organs by methylclofenapate. Guinea pigs were exposed to methylclofenapate (50 mg/kg), but there was no significant induction of the guinea-pig CYP4A13 RNA. These findings are consistent with a species difference in response to peroxisome proliferators between the rat/mouse and the guinea pig.