Organo-erbium systems for optical amplification at telecommunications wavelengths

Modern telecommunications rely on the transmission and manipulation of optical signals. Optical amplification plays a vital part in this technology, as all components in a real telecommunications system produce some loss. The two main issues with present amplifiers, which rely on erbium ions in a glass matrix, are the difficulty in integration onto a single substrate and the need of high pump power densities to produce gain. Here we show a potential organic optical amplifier material that demonstrates population inversion when pumped from above using low-power visible light. This system is integrated into an organic light-emitting diode demonstrating that electrical pumping can be achieved. This opens the possibility of direct electrically driven optical amplifiers and optical circuits. Our results provide an alternative approach to producing low-cost integrated optics that is compatible with existing silicon photonics and a different route to an effective integrated optics technology.

HSCARG negatively regulates the cellular antiviral RIG-I like receptor signaling pathway by inhibiting TRAF3 ubiquitination via recruiting OTUB1

RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) recognize cytosolic viral RNA and initiate innate immunity; they increase the production of type I interferon (IFN) and the transcription of a series of antiviral genes to protect the host organism. Accurate regulation of the RLR pathway is important for avoiding tissue injury induced by excessive immune response. HSCARG is a newly reported negative regulator of NF-κB. Here we demonstrated that HSCARG participates in innate immunity. HSCARG inhibited the cellular antiviral response in an NF-κB independent manner, whereas deficiency of HSCARG had an opposite effect. After viral infection, HSCARG interacted with tumor necrosis receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) and inhibited its ubiquitination by promoting the recruitment of OTUB1 to TRAF3. Knockout of HSCARG attenuated the de-ubiquitination of TRAF3 by OTUB1, and knockdown of OTUB1 abolished the effect of HSCARG. HSCARG also interacted with Ikappa-B kinase epsilon (IKKε) after viral infection and impaired the association between TRAF3 and IKKε, which further decreased the phosphorylation of IKKε and interferon response factor 3 (IRF3), thus suppressed the dimerization and nuclear translocation of IRF3. Moreover, knockdown of TRAF3 dampened the inhibitory effect of IFN-β transcription by HSCARG, suggesting that TRAF3 is necessary for HSCARG to down-regulate RLR pathway. This study demonstrated that HSCARG is a negative regulator that enables balanced antiviral innate immunity.

Relationship between the expression of CES2, UGT1A1, and GUSB in colorectal cancer tissues and aberrant methylation

Irinotecan (CPT-11) is considered an important drug in the treatment of colorectal cancer, but its continuous administration reduces its sensitivity and influences the curative effect. The metabolism of CPT-11 is mainly controlled by carboxy-lesterase (CES), UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A (UGT1A), and β-glucuronidase (GUSB). Studies to date have shown that methylation acts as an important mechanism for gene expression to suppress the metabolic enzymes of many chemotherapeutics. This study, which selected 99 colorectal cancer patients, 23 of whom had paracancerous tissues and eight of whom had large intestine adenomas, aimed to investigate the correlation between the protein expression of the CPT-11 metabolic enzyme genes CES2, UGT1A1, and GUSB and various clinical pathological parameters of colorectal cancer tissues, as well as the relationship between methylation regulation and the gene expression of CES2, UGT1A1, and GUSB. We used immunohistochemistry staining, methylation-specific PCR, and clinical status to reveal the possible regulatory targets of chemotherapeutic resistance in colorectal cancer and to provide new ideas and countermeasures to reverse anti-cancer drug resistance and chemosensitization. The results showed that the expression of CES2, UGTA1A1, and GUSB varies in colorectal pathology tissues and that the expression of CES2 is somewhat related to tumor staging. This relationship is likely caused by the gene regulation of UGT1A1 and GUSB, and other regulation mechanisms may also be involved. The methylation of the CES2 gene is irrelevant to the morbidity associated with colorectal cancer. The GUSB gene showed no significant differences in methylation, and the hemi-methylation was also positive, the regulating ability of which needs to be verified. The potential role of these genes in the colorectal cancer progression, which may be directly related to the methylation regulation of UGT1A1, requires further research. The promoter of the UGT1A1 gene in colorectal cancer cells is methylated, which is an important mechanism of UGT1A1 gene silencing and can be regarded as the target point of research for CPT-11 drug resistance and control mechanisms for the reversal of drug resistance.

A new respiratory monitoring and processing system based on Wii remote: proof of principle

PURPOSE

To create a patient respiratory management system and patient self-practice tool using the Wii remote, a widely available consumer hardware product.

METHODS

The Wii remote (Wiimote) (Nintendo, Redmond, WA) contains an infrared (IR) camera that can track up to four spots whose coordinates are reported to a host computer via Bluetooth. The Wiimote is capable of tracking a fiducial box currently used by a commercial monitoring system [Real-time Position Management(TM) (RPM) system, Varian Associates, Palo Alto, CA], if the correct IR source is used. The authors validated the Wiimote tracking by comparing the amplitude and frequency of signals among those reported by Wiimote with known movements from an inhouse servo-driven respiratory simulator, as well as with those measured using the RPM. The simulator comparison was done using standard sinusoid signals with amplitude of 2.0 cm as well as recorded patient respiratory traces. The RPM comparisons were done by simultaneously recording the RPM reflective box position with the Wiimote and the RPM. Timing was compared between these two systems by using the digital beam-on signal from the CT scanner, for the 4DCT to synchronize these acquisitions.

RESULTS

The data acquisition rate from the Wiimote was 100.0 ± 0.4 Hz with a version 2.1 Bluetooth adaptor. The standard deviation of the height of the motion extrema was 0.06 and 1.1 mm when comparing those measured by the Wiimote and the servomotor encoder for standard sinusoid signal and prerecorded patient respiratory signal, respectively. The standard deviation of the amplitude of motion extrema between the Wiimote and RPM was 0.9 mm and the timing difference was 253 ms.

CONCLUSION

The performance of Wiimote shows promise for respiratory monitoring for its faster sampling rate as well as the potential optical and GPU abilities. If used with care it can deliver reasonable spatial and temporal accuracy.

A novel technique for analyzing the similarity and dissimilarity of DNA sequences

l(i,j) denotes the distance between the point (xi, yi) and the point (xj, yi) in graphical representation. By classifying li,j, i, j = 1, 2,…, N according to the number of points between (xi, yi) and (xj, yi), N - 1 types are obtained. The average and variance of every type are assembled by the novel invariant v = (a1, d1, a2, d2,…, aN, d>N). Compared with the traditional invariants, the leading eigenvalue, the max-min (eigenvalue), the leading eigenvalue/N, the average matrix element, and the average row sum, this strategy complies with the rule of using the average, extracts more information about biological sequences, and reduces the amounts of computation. It is superior to the traditional invariants in predicting similarity and dissimilarity among different species.

Progesterone receptor-B enhances estrogen responsiveness of breast cancer cells via scaffolding PELP1- and estrogen receptor-containing transcription complexes

Progesterone and estrogen are important drivers of breast cancer proliferation. Herein, we probed ER-alpha and PR cross-talk in breast cancer models. Stable expression of PR-B in PR-low/ER+ MCF7 cells increased cellular sensitivity to estradiol and IGF1, as measured in growth assays performed in the absence of exogenous progestin; similar results were obtained in PR-null/ER+ T47D cells stably expressing PR-B. Genome-wide microarray analyses revealed that unliganded PR-B induced robust expression of a subset of estradiol-responsive ER-target genes, including CathepsinD (CTSD). Estradiol-treated MCF7 cells stably expressing PR-B exhibited enhanced ER Ser167 phosphorylation and recruitment of ER, PR, and the proline, glutamate and leucine rich protein 1 (PELP1) to an estrogen response element (ERE) in the CTSD distal promoter; this complex co-immunoprecipitated with IGF1R in whole cell lysates. Importantly, ER/PR/PELP1 complexes were also detected in human breast cancer samples. Inhibition of IGF1R or PI3K blocked PR-B-dependent CTSD mRNA upregulation in response to estradiol. Similarly, inhibition of IGF1R or PR significantly reduced ER recruitment to the CTSD promoter. Stable knockdown of endogenous PR or onapristone treatment of multiple unmodified breast cancer cell lines blocked estradiol-mediated CTSD induction, inhibited growth in soft agar, and partially restored tamoxifen-sensitivity of resistant cells. Further, combination treatment of breast cancer cells with both onapristone and IGF1R tyrosine kinase inhibitor AEW541 was more effective than either agent alone. In summary, unliganded PR-B enhanced proliferative responses to estradiol and IGF1 via scaffolding of ERalpha/PELP1/IGF1R-containing complexes. Our data provide a strong rationale for targeting PR in combination with ER and IGF1R in patients with luminal breast cancer.

Genetic association of IL-21 polymorphisms with dilated cardiomyopathy in a Han Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune abnormalities appear to be major predisposing factors for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Interleukin-21 (IL-21) gene polymorphisms have been previously found to be associated with autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to assess the role of IL-21 in DCM in a Han Chinese population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 364 independent DCM patients and 384 unrelated healthy controls were recruited for this case-control association study. rs2055979 and rs12508721 were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. IL-21 plasma levels in samples from DCM and control individuals were evaluated by ELISA. The association between the SNPs and overall survival (OS) was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Hazard ratios and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed in a Cox regression analysis with adjustment for sex and age.

RESULTS

The T allele frequencies of both SNPs were higher in DCM patients than in controls (p < 0.001). The genotypic frequencies of rs2055979 G > T and rs12508721 C > T were associated with DCM in the codominant, dominant, and recessive models (p < 0.05). IL-21 plasma levels in patients were higher than those of the control subjects (p = 0.009). The TT genotypes of both SNPs were associated with significantly higher plasma levels (prs2055979 = 0.03, prs12508721 < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the genotypic frequencies of both SNPs were associated with OS in the dominant and the recessive models (p < 0.001). The TT genotypes of both SNPs were associated with the worst OS (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that theIL-21 gene plays an important role in susceptibility to DCM as well as in the clinical outcome of this ailment in the Han Chinese population.

Predictive value of miR-9 as a potential biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis

Background:

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a distinctive geographic distribution and is characterised by its strong tendency of metastasis. We aimed to examine the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in plasma samples of NPC patients to explore their clinical significance in disease development and progression.

Methods:

This study was divided into four steps: (1) confirmation of differentially expressed miRNAs using microarray analysis and quantitative PCR validation; (2) comparison of plasma miR-9 levels during NPC progression; (3) evaluation of the predictive performance of plasma miR-9 as a biomarker for NPC metastasis; and (4) comparison of plasma miR-9 levels between pre- and post-treatment samples.

Results:

Plasma microarray profiling identified 33 differentially expressed miRNAs between NPC patients and healthy volunteers. The significantly declined level of miR-9 in NPC patients was confirmed through two-stage validation. The low level of plasma miR-9 was significantly correlated with worse lymphatic invasion and advanced TNM stage. The plasma miR-9 could distinguish locoregional from metastatic NPC cases with a high sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, the plasma miR-9 level was significantly elevated in post-treatment plasma compared with those pre-treatment samples.

Conclusion:

Our study reports that plasma miR-9 may serve as a useful biomarker to predict NPC metastasis and to monitor tumour dynamics.

Homozygous loss-of-function mutation of the LEPREL1 gene causes severe non-syndromic high myopia with early-onset cataract

High myopia is a severe visual impairment which can increase the risk of retinal degeneration, subretinal hemorrhage, choroidal neovascularization, cataract and retinal detachment. We recruited an autosomal-recessive high myopia family, with affected subjects who also present early-onset cataract, retinal degeneration and other complications. Using targeted capturing and whole exome sequencing, we identified a homozygous non-sense mutation in the LEPREL1 gene which causes premature termination of the translation at the fifth amino acid (c.13C>T; p.Q5X), co-segregating with the phenotypes. LEPREL1 encodes a proline hydroxylase called prolyl 3-hydroxylase 2 (P3H2), a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase that hydroxylates collagens. The results show that LEPREL1 plays an important role in eye development and homozygous loss-of-function mutation of this gene can cause severely high myopia and early-onset cataract. Our study also strongly suggests that the disruption of collagen modification is one of the pathogenic mechanisms of high myopia and cataract.

Chinese urban-rural disparity in pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccination coverage rate and associated determinants: a cross-sectional telephone survey

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to examine the differences in pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccination coverage rate between urban and rural areas in China, and to explore factors associated with any urban-rural differences.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Data were derived from a cross-sectional telephone survey performed in seven urban and two rural areas soon after the pandemic peak in China, concerning pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccination and associated knowledge, attitudes and practices among the general population in China. A total of 10 669 participants aged 18 years and above participated in the study.

RESULTS

Vaccination amongst rural residents was less than urban residents (8.9% vs 11.2%, P = 0.002). Among those who have not been immunized, 82.2% of rural respondents showed a willingness to get vaccinated against A/H1N1, significantly higher than that of urban respondents (55.3%). The major barrier to vaccination was reported as 'not being informed to get vaccination', of which there was a greater proportion in rural than urban population (71.9% vs 68.8%, P = 0.009). The analysis revealed a number of factors which contribute to this disparity: previous experience of vaccination against flu, degree of awareness of the free vaccination policy, and sociodemographic differences between urban and rural areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant discrepancies existed in the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccination coverage rate and associated determinants, as well as the intention to get vaccinated between urban and rural residents. To improve the effectiveness of similar vaccination programmes in the future, campaigns for rural people need to be specifically tailored to address disparities in uptake.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 upregulates visfatin expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) exerts important functions in controlling glucose homeostasis. Many studies have revealed molecular targets of GLP-1, but its influence on adipokines has not been determined. Visfatin, a recently discovered adipokine, has been shown to attenuate insulin resistance by binding to insulin receptor. Our study shows that GLP-1 induced secretion of visfatin into the culture medium of 3T3-L1 adipocytes due to increased visfatin mRNA expression. Furthermore, the effect of GLP-1 on visfatin was dose- and time-dependent. H89, a protein kinase A inhibitor, prevented the induction of visfatin expression by GLP-1. Moreover, inhibition of NF-κB by PDTC reduced the basal visfatin release while having no effect on the transcription regulation by GLP-1. In addition, GLP-1 alleviated the decrease of visfatin mRNA expression under endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by thapsigargin. Taken together, our study suggests that GLP-1 promotes the novel insulin-mimetic adipocytokine visfatin expression via the PKA pathway and might influence glucose metabolism.

Induction and Maintenance of Systemic Acquired Resistance by Acibenzolar-S-Methyl in Three Cultivated Tobacco Types

Induction and maintenance of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in 'N' gene containing burley, flue-cured, and oriental tobacco cultivars were assessed by monitoring decreases in the number of local lesions caused by Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) following treatment with acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM). Leaf samples were collected from lower, middle, and top positions on seedlings at 3-day intervals over 21 days following ASM treatment and subsequent inoculation with TMV under laboratory conditions. Local lesion number for each leaf was recorded 7 days postinoculation. Reductions in TMV local lesion numbers on ASM-treated versus nontreated tobacco varied over time, and differed for each tobacco type. Based on reduced local lesion numbers, SAR was induced in burley and flue-cured tobacco by 3 and 6 days postinoculation, respectively, while oriental tobacco responded by 9 days. SAR was maintained in burley tobacco from 3 to 9 days after ASM application, and from 9 to 15 days after application in oriental tobacco. ASM treatment reduced local lesion numbers in flue-cured tobacco significantly at 6, 12, and 21 days postapplication, but not at 15 and 18 days after treatment. The SAR response was similar among lower, middle, and top leaves with no effect of ASM on response by leaf position, although TMV local lesion numbers were greater on lower leaves than on middle and top leaves 6 days after treatment, but significantly less on lower leaves 18 days after treatment compared to middle and top leaves.

Immune tolerance of skin allograft transplantation induced by immature dendritic cells of a third party carrying donor antigens in mice

BACKGROUND

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most powerful antigen-presenting cells in the body. Immature DCs (imDCs) can induce transplantation tolerance. In this study, using a mouse model of skin transplantation. We explored the antigen uptake by imDCs, changes in phenotype and function after antigen loading, as well as survival of skin grafts.

METHODS

Mononuclear cells from C57BL/6 mice mixed with a tritiated leucine ([(3)H]Leu) antigen supernate were incubated with Kunming mice imDC and mature DCs. We recorded the expressions of surface molecules that were detected using flow cytometry, mixed lymphocyte reactions, mean survival times, and postoperative morphological changes in skin grafts.

RESULTS

After the addition of allogeneic antigen supernate, the counts per minute of imDCs were significantly higher than those of mature DCs. The expression rates of I(A)/I(E) and CD80 significantly increased on the cell surface of imDCs. The counts per minute of imDCs in mixed lymphocyte reactions in the presence of allogeneic antigens was significantly higher than those of controls. Comparing mean survival times with controls, skin grafts were significantly longer in the imDCs groups from donors or from a third party carrying donor antigens.

CONCLUSIONS

ImDCs display a strong antigen uptake, gradually maturing in terms of phenotype and function after loading. Complementary application of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 immunoglobulin blocks the immune response of imDCs. Both imDCs from the third party carrying donor antigens and those from the donor strain can establish antigen-specific immune tolerance to allogeneic skin grafts.

Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of artesunate in experimental colitis

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic and idiopathic gastrointestinal inflammation mediated by disregulated immune responses. Artemisinin (a chemical from a traditional Chinese herbal medicine Artemisia annua L.) and its derivatives have been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis with low side-effects. This study is aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic value of artesunate for inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS

Murine colitis was induced by either oral administration of dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) or intrarectal delivery of 2,4,6- trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) or oxazolone. Mice were treated with artesunate (150mg/kg/day). Peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of artesunate. Changes in cytokines or proteins of interests were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or SDS-PAGE/Western blot.

RESULTS

Artesunate significantly ameliorated DSS colitis and TNBS colitis (but not oxazolone colitis), including reduced weight loss and disease activity, as well as macroscopic and microscopic colonic injury. The expression of NF-κBp65 and p-IκB-α were reduced in artesunate treated TNBS colitis compared with untreated. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-17, and TNF-α were significantly decreased in artesunate treated TNBS colitis or DSS colitis. Furthermore, in vitro artesunate treatment significantly inhibited TNF-α production by LPS-activated macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

Artesunate suppresses TNF-α expression in vitro and in vivo as well as T-helper (Th)1/Th17 responses in TNBS colitis model. Our data suggest a novel clinical application of artesunate as a potential therapy for Crohn's disease.

Gene cloning of porcine adiponectin gene from adipose tissue and construction of its eukaryotic expression vector

To clone adiponectin (ADPN) gene from Shaziling porcine adipocyte and construct its eukaryotic expression vector, total RNA was extracted from subcutaneous fatty tissue. One pair of specific primers was designed by Primer 5.0 software according to the sequence of ADPN gene of porcine available in GenBank. The ADPN gene was amplified by PCR from cDNA and cloned into pMD18-T vector to construct recombinant clonal vector pMD-ADPN, sequenced and analysed. A recombinant expression plasmid pPICZaA-ADPN was constructed by subcloning the cloned ADPN gene into the linearized pPICZaA vector. Then, the plasmid pPICZaA-ADPN was expressed in Pichia pastoris (GS115) by electrotransformation. Western blot and Bradford analysis were used to determine the target protein induced by methanol. Results showed that the genome size of ADPN was 732 bp and encoded 244 amino acid, the nucleotide sequence of ADPN shared 100% identity with that of porcine available in GenBank. Western blot and Bradford analysis showed that the recombinant ADPN was expressed in GS115 correctly and has certain immune activity. The expression level of ADPN was 28.5 μg/ml. In conclusion, the recombinant ADPN could express in eukaryotic expression vector pPICZaA-ADPN constructed in this study effectively.

A salicylic acid-induced rice (Oryza sativa L.) transcription factor OsWRKY77 is involved in disease resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant WRKY transcription factors act as either positive or negative regulators of plant basal disease resistance. To comprehensively characterise the complicated functional network, we isolated OsWRKY77 from rice seedlings treated with salicylic acid. OsWRKY77 is a typical WRKY transcription factor, based on in its protein structure analysis, nuclear localisation of the fused OsWRKY77-GFP protein and gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay binding, which demonstrated that OsWRKY77 was able to bind a W-box. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines overexpressing OsWRKY77 repressed growth of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (PstDC300), and the reduced susceptibility was associated with enhanced expression of defence-related PR1, PR2 and PR5 genes. These results show that OsWRKY77 is a positive regulator of PR gene expression and basal resistance to the bacterial pathogen PstDC3000.

Ezrin dephosphorylation/downregulation contributes to ursolic acid-mediated cell death in human leukemia cells

Ezrin links the actin filaments with the cell membrane and has a functional role in the apoptotic process. It appears clear that ezrin is directly associated with Fas, leading to activation of caspase cascade and cell death. However, the exact role of ezrin in ursolic acid (UA)-induced apoptosis remains unclear. In this study, we show for the first time that UA induces apoptosis in both transformed and primary leukemia cells through dephosphorylation/downregulation of ezrin, association and polarized colocalization of Fas and ezrin, as well as formation of death-inducing signaling complex. These events are dependent on Rho-ROCK1 signaling pathway. Knockdown of ezrin enhanced cell death mediated by UA, whereas overexpression of ezrin attenuated UA-induced apoptosis. Our in vivo study also showed that UA-mediated inhibition of tumor growth of mouse leukemia xenograft model is in association with the dephosphorylation/downregulation of ezrin. Such findings suggest that the cytoskeletal protein ezrin may represent an attractive target for UA-mediated lethality in human leukemia cells.

Factors associated with referral to medical oncology and subsequent use of adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant chemotherapy (act) for non-small-cell lung cancer (nsclc) is associated with improved survival in the general population, but may be underutilized. We explored the factors associated with referral to medical oncology and subsequent use of act among all patients with resected nsclc in Ontario, Canada.

METHODS

The Ontario Cancer Registry was used to identify all incident cases of nsclc diagnosed in Ontario during 2004-2006. We linked electronic records of treatment and of physician billing to identify surgery, act, and medical oncology consultation. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate factors associated with referral to medical oncology and subsequent use of act.

RESULTS

Among 3354 cases of nsclc resected in Ontario during 2004-2006, 1830 (55%) were seen postoperatively by medical oncology, and 1032 (31%) were treated with act. Patients more than 70 years of age were less likely than younger patients to have a consultation [odds ratio (or): 0.4; p < 0.001]. A higher proportion of cases with stage ii or iii nsclc than with stage i disease were referred (ors: 2.7, 2.0 respectively; p < 0.005). We observed substantial geographic variation in the proportion of surgical cases referred (range: 32%-88%) that was not explained by differences in case mix. Among cases referred to medical oncology, older patients (age 60-69 years, or: 0.4; age 70+ years, or: 0.1; p < 0.001) with greater comorbidity (Charlson comorbidity index: 3+; or: 0.5; p < 0.05) and a longer postoperative stay (median length of stay: 7+ days; or: 0.7; p = 0.001) were less likely to receive act. Use of act was greater in patients with stage ii or iii than with stage i disease (ors: 3.0, 2.7 respectively; p < 0.001); use also varied with geographic location (range: 46%-63%).

CONCLUSIONS

The initial decision to refer to medical oncology is associated with age and stage of disease, and those factors have an even greater effect on the decision to offer act. Comorbidity and postoperative length of stay were not associated with initial referral, but were associated with use of act in patients seen by medical oncology.

HSCARG inhibits NADPH oxidase activity through regulation of the expression of p47phox

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase catalyzes the transfer of electrons from NADPH to O₂, which is the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in nonphagocytic cells. Excess ROS are toxic; therefore, keeping ROS in homeostasis in cells can protect cells from oxidative damage. It is meaningful to further understand the molecular mechanism by which ROS homeostasis is mediated. Human protein HSCARG is a newly identified oxidative sensor and a negative regulator of NF-κB. Here, we find that HSCARG represses the cellular ROS generation through inhibiting mRNA and protein expression of p47phox, a subunit of NADPH oxidase. In contrast, shRNA-mediated HSCARG knockdown increases endogenous p47phox expression level. And HSCARG has no obvious effect on ROS production in p47phox-depleted cells. Furthermore, HSCARG regulates p47phox through inhibition of NF-κB activity. Our findings identify HSCARG as a novel regulator in regulation of the activity of NADPH oxidase and ROS homeostasis.