Diagnostic potential of near-infrared Raman spectroscopy in the stomach: differentiating dysplasia from normal tissue

Raman spectroscopy is a molecular vibrational spectroscopic technique that is capable of optically probing the biomolecular changes associated with diseased transformation. The purpose of this study was to explore near-infrared (NIR) Raman spectroscopy for identifying dysplasia from normal gastric mucosa tissue. A rapid-acquisition dispersive-type NIR Raman system was utilised for tissue Raman spectroscopic measurements at 785 nm laser excitation. A total of 76 gastric tissue samples obtained from 44 patients who underwent endoscopy investigation or gastrectomy operation were used in this study. The histopathological examinations showed that 55 tissue specimens were normal and 21 were dysplasia. Both the empirical approach and multivariate statistical techniques, including principal components analysis (PCA), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA), together with the leave-one-sample-out cross-validation method, were employed to develop effective diagnostic algorithms for classification of Raman spectra between normal and dysplastic gastric tissues. High-quality Raman spectra in the range of 800–1800 cm⁻¹ can be acquired from gastric tissue within 5 s. There are specific spectral differences in Raman spectra between normal and dysplasia tissue, particularly in the spectral ranges of 1200–1500 cm⁻¹ and 1600–1800 cm⁻¹, which contained signals related to amide III and amide I of proteins, CH₃CH₂ twisting of proteins/nucleic acids, and the C=C stretching mode of phospholipids, respectively. The empirical diagnostic algorithm based on the ratio of the Raman peak intensity at 875 cm⁻¹ to the peak intensity at 1450 cm⁻¹ gave the diagnostic sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 80.0%, whereas the diagnostic algorithms based on PCA-LDA yielded the diagnostic sensitivity of 95.2% and specificity 90.9% for separating dysplasia from normal gastric tissue. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves further confirmed that the most effective diagnostic algorithm can be derived from the PCA-LDA technique. Therefore, NIR Raman spectroscopy in conjunction with multivariate statistical technique has potential for rapid diagnosis of dysplasia in the stomach based on the optical evaluation of spectral features of biomolecules.

Impacts of weight change on prehypertension in middle-aged and elderly women

BACKGROUND

Individuals with prehypertension, a new blood pressure category defined as systolic blood pressure of 120-139 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mm Hg, are at an increased risk for heart diseases and are strongly recommended to practice lifestyle changes, including weight control. Data on impacts of long-term weight change on prehypertension are sparse.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between weight change since age 20 and prehypertension risk.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional analysis of 36 075 non-hypertensive women aged 40-70 years, information on weight history was collected at enrollment in the Shanghai Women's Health Study; blood pressures were measured 2-3 years later by medical professionals. The odds ratios (ORs) of prehypertension were calculated for women who gained or lost weight since age 20 compared with those with stable weight (gain or loss <5 kg), adjusting for age, lifestyle factors, sodium intake and body mass index at age 20.

RESULTS

A total of 47% of the study participants (n=16 981) had prehypertension. For a 6- to 10-kg gain, the OR (95% CI) was 1.36 (1.28-1.45); for 11- to 15-kg gain, 1.64 (1.54-1.75); for 16- to 20-kg gain, 2.32 (2.14-2.51); for 21- to 25-kg gain, 2.91 (2.60-3.26); and for a gain >25 kg; 3.65 (3.13-4.26). While for a 6- to 10-kg loss and a loss >10 kg, the respective ORs were 0.76 (0.67-0.87) and 0.47 (0.38-0.59). The increase in prehypertension risk associated with each 1-kg gain was similar to that associated with a 1-year increase in age. Although weight gain during early adulthood appeared to have a more pronounced effect on the risk of prehypertension, weight gain later in life also contributed significantly to an elevated risk.

CONCLUSION

Weight gain since age 20 substantially increases risk for prehypertension in non-hypertensive individuals, while weight loss significantly lowers the risk, emphasizing the importance of weight control throughout adulthood in preventing hypertension.

Gossypol with methyltestosterone and ethinylestradiol male does not affect rat spermatogonial stem cell differentiation

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether administration of the regimen of gossypol at 12 mg/kg/day combined with methyltestosterone at 20 mg/kg/day and ethinylestradiol at 100 microg/kg/day for a long term of twenty-four weeks could affect the existence and differentiation of rat spermatogonial stem cell. This was assessed by conducting TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling detection, spermatogonial stem cell transplantation and fertility recovery evaluation. Our results showed that spontaneous apoptosis was observed in normal rats' testes from the control group with an apoptotic index (AI) average of 10.24+/-1.52. In the regimen-treated group, the predominant apoptotic cells were spermatocytes and spermatids in the seminiferous tubules. Spermatogonia were not apoptotic (AI averaged 113.42+/-13.24). Two to three months after transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells isolated from regimen-treated rats into recipient nude mice, elongated rat spermatids were identified in the seminiferous tubules of recipient nude mice. Six weeks after withdrawal of the administration, fertility of the regimen-treated rats was recovered compared with that of the control group. The number of litters produced by females mated with regimen-treated males averaged 9.88+/-0.166 matched 10.30+/-0.171 of control group and the litters of the first generation appeared to be normal. These results indicated that the administration of this regimen did not affect the existence and differentiation potential of spermatogonial stem cells of the regimen-treated rats.

Expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in human endometrial cancer cells and the effect of treatment with tamoxifen or buserelin

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) is an important determinant of macrophage infiltration in tumours. This study investigated the effect of tamoxifen and the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist buserelin on MCP-1 in the human endometrial cancer cell line EFE-184. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to determine MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Immunoreactive MCP-1 in the cell culture media was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Tamoxifen inhibited MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression in endometrial cancer cells and inhibited MCP-1 secretion in a time- and dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 10(-7) to 10(-5) M. Buserelin had no significant effect on MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression. These results suggest that tamoxifen directly inhibits the expression of MCP-1 in this cell line by blocking the MCP-1 signalling pathways. These findings may contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the different effects of tamoxifen and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists in the treatment of endometrial cancer.

Sulfadimethoxine degradation kinetics in manure as affected by initial concentration, moisture, and temperature

Sulfadimethoxine is a widely used sulfonamide veterinary antibiotic and could be a source of agricultural contamination. Therefore, information is needed about its degradation kinetics in manure under aerobic conditions. Based on the analysis of first-order kinetics and the assumption that sulfadimethoxine availability for degradation in manure could be limiting, a new kinetic model was developed and was found to fit the degradation kinetics well. The degradation rate in sterile manure was found to be much lower than in nonsterile manure, indicating that biodegradation was significant. In biologically active manure, the degradation rate constant decreased with increasing initial concentration of sulfadimethoxine, implying that the activity of the degrading microorganisms was inhibited. Increasing moisture or temperature was found to increase sulfadimethoxine degradation in manure. Mixing manure containing high levels of sulfadimethoxine with manure containing lower levels may result in more rapid degradation, thus greatly diminishing sulfadimethoxine contamination in manure and significantly reducing sulfadimethoxine inputs into the environment. During treatment, keeping the manure moist and storing in a moderately warm place under aerobic conditions may also help to diminish sulfadimethoxine contamination.

Animal food intake and cooking methods in relation to endometrial cancer risk in Shanghai

We evaluated animal food intake and cooking methods in relation to endometrial cancer risk in a population-based case–control study in Shanghai, China. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to collect the usual dietary habits of 1204 cases and 1212 controls aged 30–69 years between 1997 and 2003. Statistical analyses were based on an unconditional logistic regression model adjusting for potential confounders. High intake of meat and fish was associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer, with adjusted odds ratios for the highest vs the lowest quartile groups being 1.7 (95% confidence interval: 1.3–2.2) and 2.4 (1.8–3.1), respectively. The elevated risk was observed for all types of meat and fish intake. Intake of eggs and milk was not related to risk. Cooking methods and doneness levels for meat and fish were not associated with risk, nor did they modify the association with meat and fish consumption. Our study suggests that animal food consumption may play an important role in the aetiology of endometrial cancer, but cooking methods have minimal influence on risk among Chinese women.

Body weight and weight change in relation to blood pressure in normotensive men

We examined blood pressure (BP) in association with weight change since age 20, body mass index (BMI) at different ages and fat distribution in normotensive individuals using baseline survey data collected in the Shanghai Men's Health Study, an ongoing population-based prospective cohort study of Chinese men aged 40-74 years. All anthropometric and BP measurements were performed by medical professionals. Included in this analysis were 25 619 men who had no prior history of hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular disease, never took any antihypertensive medication and had both normal systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) (<140/90 mm Hg). Both SBP and DBP increased linearly across the whole range of weight gain since age 20. The adjusted mean differences between the highest and the lowest quintiles of weight gain were 6.0 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.6, 6.5) for SBP and 3.9 (95% CI: 3.6, 4.2) for DBP. When accounting for BMI at age 20, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of prehypertension (SBP, 120-139 and/or DBP, 80-89 mm Hg) was 4.1 (95% CI: 3.7, 4.5; P for trend <0.0001) comparing the extreme quintiles of weight gain. Similar positive associations were also observed for BMI at age 40, current BMI, circumferences of the waist and hips and waist-to-hip ratio. In conclusion, these data suggest that weight gain since age 20 and elevated adiposity may contribute significantly to the rise in BP in normotensive individuals, emphasizing the importance of weight control throughout adulthood in preventing high BP.

Telomerase antisense inhibition for the proliferation of endometrial cancer in vitro and in vivo

The objective of this study was to investigate the antitumor effect of antisense telomerase oligodeoxynucleotides to endometrial cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) against the human telomerase transcripatse (hTERT) synthesized to serve as telomerase inhibitors. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay were used to test the expression of hTERT messengerRNA (mRNA) and inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro. In vivo, antitumor effects of ODNs or combined with cisplatin were evaluated in endometrial cancer xenograft. Telomerase activity was tested by telomeric repeat amplification protocol. Antisense ODNs could inhibit proliferation of human endometrial cancer cells (HEC-1-A) in vitro, and downregulate the expression hTRET mRNA in a dose- and period-dependent manner. The tumor growth inhibitory rate of low- and high-dose ODNs were 34.20% and 89.21%, and combined group was 75.30%. Telomerase activity was downregulated to 87.32% compared to the control in the ODNs-treated xenograft tumors. Antisense oligonucleotides of hTERT effectively inhibit the growth of endometrial cancer cell line. Telomerase inhibitor might be a new strategy for chemotherapy or chemoprevention in endometrial cancer.

CYP19A1 genetic polymorphisms may be associated with obesity-related phenotypes in Chinese women

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of the CYP19A1 gene and obesity-related phenotypes, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).

SUBJECTS

In total, 1241 Chinese women, who were recruited as community controls for a population-based case-control study of breast cancer.

METHODS

Nineteen haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (htSNPs) in four haplotype blocks were genotyped.

RESULTS

Significant associations were observed for WHR at three SNPs that are located in haplotype block 1, including rs2445765, rs1004984 and rs1902584 (P=0.05, 0.04 and 0.01, respectively). Women, particularly premenopausal women, who carried the minor allele at any of these SNPs, had higher WHR than those without it. Of these three SNPs, the strongest association was observed at rs1902584, which is the closest to Promoter I.4, the major promoter for adipose tissue. Haplotype analyses indicated an association between the haplotype TCCAT in block 1 and WHR with a P-value of 0.02.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that CYP19A1 genetic polymorphisms may be associated with the risk of obesity among Chinese women, especially among premenopausal women. The CYP19A1 protein (aromatase) plays a critical role in estrogen biosynthesis and thus affects body fat distribution and regulation.

Dehalogenation of halogenated fumigants by polysulfide salts

Halogenated fumigants are among the most heavily used pesticides in agriculture. Because of their high mobility and toxicological characteristics, the contamination of air or groundwater by these compounds has been a great environmental concern. In this study, we investigated dehalogenation of several halogenated fumigants by polysulfides. The reaction of polysulfides and methyl iodide (MeI), 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), and chloropicrin (CP) was very rapid. When the initial fumigant and polysulfide concentrations were both 0.2 mM, the observed 50% disappearance time values (DT50) of MeI, cis-1,3-D, and trans-1,3-D were 27.2, 29.6, and 102 h, respectively. When the initial polysulfide concentration was 1.0 mM, the corresponding DT50 values were only 2.2, 1.6, and 3.8 h. Under similar conditions, the reaction with CP was even more rapid than with the other fumigants. In 0.2 mM polysulfide solution, more than 90% of the spiked CP disappeared in 1 h after the initiation of the reaction. The reaction between fumigants and polysulfides also progressed at enhanced rates when the polysulfide solution was initially purged with nitrogen. Analysis of reaction kinetics and initial products suggests that the reaction is SN2 nucleophilic substitution for MeI and 1,3-D but likely reductive dehalogenation for CP. Given the high reactivity of polysulfide salts toward halogenated fumigants, this reaction may be used as a pollution mitigation strategy, such as for disposal of fumigant wastes, treatment of fumigant-containing wastewater, and cleanup of fumigant residues in environmental media.

Isolation and characterization of a novel Burkholderia cepacia with strong antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani

Strain CF-66 with strong antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani was isolated from compost samples. It is clearly demonstrated that strain CF-66 is belonging to Burkholderia cepacia complex by the morphological and biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequence. The B. cepacia complex consists of a group of bacteria currently organized into nine genomovars, among them genomovar II and genomovar III, contain the highly epidemic strains. However, it was known that strain CF-66 is not a member of genomovar II or III of the B. cepacia complex by species-specific polymerase chain reaction assay. In this study, the antifungal compound CF66I produced by strain CF-66 was purified and characterized. Based on the nuclear magnetic resonance, GC-MS spectral and infrared spectral data, CF66I was confirmed to have amide bonds, alpha-methyl fatty acid, bromine, and some structural units such as CH(2)CH(2)O. CF66I is stable to high temperature, proteolytic enzymes, and organic solvents. CF66I inhibit the growth of a variety of plant pathogenic fungi and pathogenic yeast, whereas bacterial cells are unaffected. CF66I mainly reduced hyphal extension rates in a dose-dependent manner and induced severe change in cell morphology that resulted in swelled and formed very short hyphae with multiple branches.

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Promoter Polymorphism is Not Associated With the Aggressiveness of Disease in Prostate Cancer

AIMS

PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitors-1) regulates plasminogen activation, and is related to tumour development. This study aims to test whether the promoter polymorphism in the PAI-1 gene is related to the aggressiveness of disease in prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, Taqman SNP genotyping assay was used to detect PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism in DNA from paraffin-embedded tissues of 98 Caucasian patients with prostate cancer.

RESULTS

The distribution of the genotypes is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The genotype had no statistically significant relationship with other prognostic factors. Similar risks for recurrence were seen in individuals with the 4G/4G and 4G/5G genotypes compared to those with 5G/5G genotype (odds ratio [OR] 2.65, 95% CI: 0.41-16.94, P = 0.30; OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 0.38-12.49, P = 0.38).

CONCLUSION

We concluded that PAI-1 promoter polymorphism is not associated with the aggressiveness of disease in prostate cancer.

Discordant genetic changes in ovarian and endometrial endometrioid carcinomas: a potential pitfall in molecular diagnosis

Endometrioid carcinoma simultaneously involving ovaries as well as the uterine corpus may present a diagnostic dilemma because of the difficulty in determining whether the lesions are separate primary tumors or metastases. It has been reported that the detection of clonality using microsatellite markers may be useful in solving this dilemma. To determine the usefulness of this technique, we compared the genetic alterations in microsatellite markers present in matched pairs of ovarian tumors from 12 patients. The study includes four ovarian cancer FIGO stage I and eight stage III/IV patients, and four patients also with independent endometrial carcinoma of the uterus. DNA from paraffin-embedded tissue was extracted and amplified using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction, after which the status of microsatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity in four microsatellite loci (BAT25, BAT26, D17S250, and D5S346) were determined. In the four patients with stage I ovarian cancer, four microsatellite markers were identical in one patient and three were identical in the remaining three patients. In high-stage patients, three markers were identical in at least 4/8 cases. In three of four patients with uterine involvement, three of the four markers were identical in the uterine tumor and one of the corresponding ovarian tumors. These results suggest that genetic discordance does not indicate independent origin or metastasis of the tumor but instead a progression of genetic changes at separate sites probably due to the marked genetic instability existing in these tumors. Because of these discordant genetic changes, great caution should be taken when distinguishing between primary and metastatic tumors on the basis of microsatellite markers.

Hydration and dynamic fatigue of dentin

An experimental investigation on the dynamic fatigue response of dentin was conducted to examine the influence of stress rate on the strength and energy to fracture. Rectangular beams were prepared from the coronal dentin of bovine maxillary molars and subjected to four-point flexure to failure. The dentin beams were examined in the fully hydrated and dehydrated condition at stress rates (sigma) ranging from 0.01 to 100 MPa/s. Results for the hydrated dentin showed that the flexure strength, energy to fracture, and flexure modulus all increased with increasing stress rate; the flexure strength increased from 100 MPa ((sigma) = 0.01 MPa/s) to 250 MPa ((sigma) = 100 MPa/s). In contrast, the elastic modulus and strength of the dehydrated dentin decreased with increasing stress rate; the flexural strength of the dehydrated dentin deceased from 170 MPa ((sigma) = 0.01 MPa/s) to 100 MPa ((sigma) = 100 MPa/s). While the hydrated dentin behaved more like a brittle material at low stress rates, the strain to fracture was found to be nearly independent of (sigma). According to the experimental results, restorative conditions that cause development of static stresses within the tooth could promote a decrease in the damage tolerance of dentin.