Quantitative analysis of marker compounds in Angelica gigas, Angelica sinensis, and Angelica acutiloba by HPLC/DAD

Although Danggui is the root of Angelica gigas NAKAI in the Korean Pharmacopoeia, it is determined that Danggui is also the root of Angelica sinensis (OLIV.) DIELS in China and Hong Kong, as well as the root of Angelica acutiloba KITAGAWA in Japan. Accordingly, we tried to develop an identification method using the main compounds in A. gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba through HPLC/diode-array detector (DAD). This method was fully validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, and robustness. Multivariate analysis was also implemented after pattern analysis and monitoring. As a result, each compound pattern of A. gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba was identified, making it possible to distinguish them from each other.

Constituents of the stem barks of Ailanthus altissima and their potential to inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production

Three new canthinone type alkaloids, canthin-6-one-1-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), canthin-6-one-1-O-[6-O-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (2) and canthin-6-one-1-O-[2-β-D-apiofuranosyl-6-O-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (3) were isolated from the stem barks of Ailanthus altissima together with four quassinoids (4-7), seven phenylpropanoids (8-14) and a lignan of previously known structure (15). The inflammatory activities of the 15 isolates were screened on LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), a proinflammatory mediator, in RAW 264.7 cells.

Low skeletal muscle mass associates with low femoral neck strength, especially in older Korean women: the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV)

SUMMARY

Data gathered from a nationally representative cohort demonstrated that subject with low skeletal muscle mass had consistently low femoral neck composite strength indices for compression, bending, and impact, especially in older women, supporting the highly integrated nature of skeletal muscle and bone.

INTRODUCTION

Skeletal muscle and bone interact mechanically and functionally. The present study was performed to investigate the association between muscle mass and femoral neck composite strength indices using a nationally representative cohort.

METHODS

This is a population-based, cross-sectional study from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, including 1,275 Koreans (674 women and 601 men) aged 50 years or older. Femoral neck axis length and width were measured by hip DXA scans and were combined with BMD, body weight, and height to create composite indices of femoral neck strength relative to load in three different failure modes: compression, bending, and impact. Presarcopenia was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) divided by body weight that was less than 1 SD below the sex-specific mean for young adults.

RESULTS

After adjusting for confounders, women with presarcopenia had consistently lower indices for compression strength (CSI), bending strength (BSI), and impact strength (ISI) than women without this condition. Men with presarcopenia had a lower ISI value than men without presarcopenia. Multiple regression analyses revealed that lower relative skeletal muscle mass (ASM/weight) associated significantly with lower values for all three femoral neck composite indices in women and with lower CSI and ISI in men.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide the first clinical evidence for the notion that age-related low muscle mass may increase the risk of osteoporotic hip fractures by decreasing femoral neck strength relative to load, especially in older women, and support the highly integrated nature of skeletal muscle and bone.

Intraocular pharmacokinetics of intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor-Trap in a rabbit model

PURPOSE

To determine intraocular pharmacokinetic properties of intravitreally injected vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-Trap in a rabbit model.

METHODS

VEGF-Trap was intravitreally injected in 18 rabbit eyes. Eyes were enucleated 1 h and 1, 2, 5, 14, and 30 days after injections and immediately frozen at -80 °C. Concentration of VEGF-Trap in vitreous, aqueous humor, and retina/choroid was determined using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed to obtain pharmacokinetic properties.

RESULTS

Maximum concentration of VEGF-Trap was achieved at 1 h in all three tissues. A one-compartment model of distribution was selected as the final model for all tissues studied. Estimated half-life of VEGF-Trap in vitreous, aqueous humor, and retinal/choroid was 87.1, 36.8, and 35.0 h, respectively, and estimated mean residence time was 125.7, 53.1, and 50.5 h, respectively. Area under the curve from time 0 to the end point was 10009.8, 3945.1, and 1189.3, respectively. Total exposure of the aqueous humor and retina/choroid to VEGF-Trap was 39.4% and 11.9% of vitreous exposure, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The vitreous half-life of VEGF-Trap is 3.63 days. This is shorter than that of bevacizumab (6.99 days) and longer than that of ranibizumab (2.51 days), as shown in studies using the same experimental settings. The concentration of VEGF-Trap peaked at 1 h after injections in all eye tissues studied.

Homotypic NK cell-to-cell communication controls cytokine responsiveness of innate immune NK cells

While stationary organ cells are in continuous contact with neighboring cells, immune cells circulate throughout the body without an apparent requirement for cell-cell contact to persist in vivo. This study challenges current convention by demonstrating, both in vitro and in vivo, that innate immune NK cells can engage in homotypic NK-to-NK cell interactions for optimal survival, activation, and proliferation. Using a specialized cell-laden microwell approach, we discover that NK cells experiencing constant NK-to-NK contact exhibit a synergistic increase in activation status, cell proliferation, and anti-tumor function in response to IL-2 or IL-15. This effect is dependent on 2B4/CD48 ligation and an active cytoskeleton, resulting in amplification of IL-2 receptor signaling, enhanced CD122/CD132 colocalization, CD25 upregulation, and Stat3 activation. Conversely, 'orphan' NK cells demonstrate no such synergy and fail to persist. Therefore, our data uncover the existence of homotypic cell-to-cell communication among mobile innate lymphocytes, which promotes functional synergy within the cytokine-rich microenvironment.

Biochemical indicators of implantation success of tissue-engineered oral mucosa

Real-time (RT) determination of the health of in vitro tissue-engineered constructs prior to grafting is essential for prediction of success of the implanted tissue-engineered graft. In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration requires specific release criteria in RT prior to the release of tissue-engineered devices for human use. In principle, assessing the viability and functionality of the cellular component can be achieved by quantifying the secretion of growth factors and chemokines of tissue-engineered constructs. Ex vivo-produced oral mucosa equivalents (EVPOMEs) were fabricated under thermally stressed conditions at 43 °C for 24 h to create a functionally compromised EVPOME. We used microchannel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the functionality of the cellular component, oral keratinocytes, of stressed and unstressed EVPOMEs by measuring the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-8 (IL-8), human β-defensin 1 (hBD-1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and -2) into the spent medium, which was collected on the same day prior to graft implantation into severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Implanted EVPOMEs' histology on the seventh postimplantation day was used to correlate outcomes of grafting to secreted amounts of IL-8, hBD-1, VEGF, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 from corresponding EVPOMEs. Our findings showed that significantly higher levels of IL-8, hBD-1, and TIMP-2 were secreted from controls than from thermally stressed EVPOMEs. We also found a direct correlation between secreted VEGF and IL-8 and blood vessel counts of implanted EVPOMEs. We concluded that measuring the constitutive release of these factors can be used as noninvasive predictors of healthy tissue-engineered EVPOMEs in RT, prior to their implantation.

Effect of rice cell-derived human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis in hamsters

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is an important regulator of the maturation and function of cells in the granulocyte and macrophage lineages, and also plays a significant role in wound healing. In a previous study, we expressed human GM-CSF in rice cells (rice cell-derived human GM-CSF; rhGM-CSF). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate its effect on wound healing in oral mucositis. Oral mucositis was induced in Syrian hamster cheek pouches by 5-fluorouracil treatment and mechanical scratching. Ulcerated areas were treated from days 3 to 14 with an application of 200 µL saline, or of the same volume of a solution containing 0.04, 0.2, or 1 µg/mL rhGM-CSF. Treatment of hamsters with rhGM-CSF reduced the ulcerated areas of the oral mucosa, compared with the control. Early in the healing process, the mucositis tissue layer of the rhGM-CSF-treated group showed significantly decreased myeloperoxidase activity and increased numbers of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells. Treatment with rhGM-CSF also affected expression of inflammatory cytokines in the ulcerative mucosal tissue. These results demonstrate the efficacy of plant-produced rhGM-CSF in wound healing and have significant implications for the development of rhGM-CSF as a therapeutic agent for ulcerative oral mucositis.

The effect of unloading on gene expression of healthy and injured rotator cuffs

Tendon unloading following rupture of one of the rotator cuff tendons can induce alterations in muscle physiology and tendon structure, which can subsequently affect reparability and healing potential. Yet little is known about the effects of muscle and tendon unloading on the molecular response of the rotator cuff. We determined the effect of mechanical unloading on gene expression and morphology of healthy supraspinatus tendons and muscles, and the same muscles after acute injury and repair. Mechanical unloading was achieved by tenotomy and/or botulinum toxin A (BTX) chemical denervation in a rat rotator cuff model of injury and repair. Gene expression profiles varied across regions of the muscle, with the greatest changes seen in the distal aspect of the muscle for most genes. Myogenic and adipogenic genes were upregulated in muscle when unloaded (tenotomy and BTX). Tendon injury, with and without repair, resulted in upregulation of fibrosis- and tendon-specific gene expression. The expression of scleraxis, a transcription factor necessary for tendon development, was upregulated in response to injury and repair. In summary, tendon detachment and repair had the greatest effect on tendon gene expression, while unloading had the greatest effect on muscle gene expression.

The in vitro apoptotic effects of A248 and A1659, newly synthetic histone deacetylase inhibitors in oral cancer cells

OBJECTIVES

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors represent potential therapeutic agents against various cancers. In this study, we attempt to identify whether newly synthesized HDAC inhibitors, A248 and A1659, can be effective anti-cancer drug candidates for oral cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-cancer activities of A248 and A1659 in MC-3 and HN22 human oral cancer cells were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-20yl)-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulphophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay, 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, Western blot analysis, immunocytochemistry, and small interference RNA (siRNA) technology.

RESULTS

A248 and A1659 enhanced histone acetylation and decreased the viability of MC-3 and HN22 cells. A248 and A1659 also induced apoptosis, as evidenced by altered nuclear features and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) cleavage. A248 and A1659 markedly decreased Sp1 expression in a concentration- or time-dependent manner and blocked nuclear translocation of Sp1 protein from the cytosol, which contributed to an increase in p27 expression and a decrease in cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, the knockdown of Sp1 protein with siRNA caused marked alteration of p27 and cyclin D1 expression to induce apoptosis. The most popular HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA) also induced apoptosis and reduced the expression level of Sp1 protein.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that A248 and A1659, two new HDAC inhibitors, may be attractive therapeutic drug candidates for targeting Sp1 in human oral cancer cells.

2B4-mediated homotypic interactions among activating NK cells enhances activation and proliferation of NK cells via clustering and polarization of IL-2 receptors (P1101)

Clustering of activating lymphocytes has been frequently observed during early stage of immune responses, but the importance of such multi-cellular clusters has not been systematically investigated due to the lack of tools. To address it, we fabricated cell-laden microwells that allowed us to precisely control multi-cellular interactionss among activating lymphocytes. The role of contact-mediated homotypic interactions between natural killer (NK) cells during IL-2 activation was examined using the cell-laden microwells. To assess the role of NK-NK homotypic interactions on the activation of NK cells, NK cells cultured in two different types of microwells, social microwells that allow contact-mediated multicellular interactions and lonesome microwells that inhibit cell-cell contact, were compared. Activation of NK cells by IL-2 was assessed by measuring phosphorylation of STAT-5, expression of CD25 and Ki-67. Immunofluorescence microscopy was performed to assess the levels of pSTAT-5, CD25, and Ki-67, and percentages of stained cells for each marker were examined and plotted. NK cells in social microwells expressed higher levels of all three markers than those in lonesome microwells, suggesting that homotypic contact-mediated interactions can enhance the activation of NK cells. Further analysis revealed that 2B4 is a key receptor mediating contact-mediated augmentation of NK cells in social miceowells by clustering and polarizing IL-2 receptor chains.

Inhibitory effect of tianeptine on catagen induction in alopecia areata-like lesions induced by ultrasonic wave stress in mice

BACKGROUND

Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by rapid and complete hair loss in one or multiple areas of the scalp. Stress is an important triggering factor in AA.

AIM

To identify the inhibitory effect of tianeptine on catagen induction in C57BL/6 mice with AA-like lesions induced by ultrasonic wave stress (UWS).

METHODS

The mice were divided into four groups. Group 1 received oral tianeptine before and after UWS; group 2 received oral tianeptine only after UWS; group 3 was given UWS treatment only; and group 4 (negative control group) was not given any treatment. Phototrichigraphy and dermatoscopy were used for assessment. Histological analysis was performed using haematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, Masson trichrome and Verhoeff-van Gieson stains. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed. The level of apoptosis and expression of neuropeptides in the skin were assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling and immunofluorescence assays.

RESULTS

Mice in group 1 had an increased rate of hair growth and greater hair-shaft thickness compared with mice in groups 2 and 3. In addition, mice in group 1 had a higher number of anagen hair follicles, increased synthesis of collagen and elastic fibres, decreased mast-cell degranulation, reduction in cell apoptosis in hair follicles, and recovery of vitamin D receptor expression. Expression of neuropeptides (substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide) was not altered.

CONCLUSIONS

Tianeptine might play a role in suppressing catagen induction in a stress-induced AA mouse model.

Two cases of methimazole-induced insulin autoimmune syndrome in graves' disease

We report here the cases of two females with Graves' disease who developed insulin autoimmune syndrome after treatment with methimazole. The patients exhibited a sudden altered mental state after treatment with methimazole for approximately 4 weeks. Patients had hypoglycemia with serum glucose below 70 mg/dL, and laboratory findings showed both high levels of serum insulin and high titers of insulin autoantibodies. The two women had never been exposed to insulin or oral antidiabetic agents, and there was no evidence of insulinoma in imaging studies. After glucose loading, serum glucose, and total insulin levels increased abnormally. One of the patient was found to have HLA-DRB1*0406, which is known to be strongly associated with methimazole-induced insulin autoimmune syndrome. After discontinuation of methimazole, hypoglycemic events disappeared within 1 month. Insulin autoantibody titer and insulin levels decreased within 5 months and there was no further development of hypoglycemic events. We present these cases with a review of the relevant literature.

Exposure to the polybrominated diphenyl ether mixture DE-71 damages the nigrostriatal dopamine system: role of dopamine handling in neurotoxicity

In the last several decades polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have replaced the previously banned polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in multiple flame retardant utilities. As epidemiological and laboratory studies have suggested PCBs as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD), the similarities between PBDEs and PCBs suggest that PBDEs have the potential to be neurotoxic to the dopamine system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neurotoxic effects of the PBDE mixture, DE-71, on the nigrostriatal dopamine system and address the role of altered dopamine handling in mediating this neurotoxicity. Using an in vitro model system we found DE-71 effectively caused cell death in a dopaminergic cell line as well as reducing the number of TH+ neurons isolated from VMAT2 WT and LO animals. Assessment of DE-71 neurotoxicity in vivo demonstrated significant deposition of PBDE congeners in the brains of mice, leading to reductions in striatal dopamine and dopamine handling, as well as reductions in the striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) and VMAT2. Additionally, DE-71 elicited a significant locomotor deficit in the VMAT2 WT and LO mice. However, no change was seen in TH expression in dopamine terminal or in the number of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). To date, these are the first data to demonstrate that exposure to PBDEs disrupts the nigrostriatal dopamine system. Given their similarities to PCBs, additional laboratory and epidemiological research should be considered to assess PBDEs as a potential risk factor for PD and other neurological disorders.

β-Phenethyl isothiocyanate induces death receptor 5 to induce apoptosis in human oral cancer cells via p38

OBJECTIVES

β-Phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) has been demonstrated to fight many types of cancers through various molecular pathways. In this study, we focused on its effect on the induction of apoptosis to inhibit cell growth and molecular mechanism in oral cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2-(4 sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay was used to examine cell viability. The apoptotic effect was investigated using 4'-6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining or Western blotting. Inhibitors were used to determine the molecular target and mechanism of PEITC-mediated apoptosis.

RESULTS

β-Phenylethyl isothiocyanate inhibited the growth of HN22 human oral cancer cells and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in HN22 cells as evidenced by nuclear fragmentation and the activation of caspase 3. It increased cleaved caspase 8, truncated BID, and death receptor 5 (DR5) through the activation of p38 MAPK. This result was confirmed by blockage of PEITC-induced cleavages of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase, caspase-3, caspase-8, and DR5 by p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580. We also found that PEITC activated p38 and augmented DR5 to induce apoptosis in other human oral cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that DR5 is a potential molecular target for PEITC-induced apoptosis in oral cancer via p38 MAPK.

Cerebrospinal fluid amyloid β and tau in LRRK2 mutation carriers

OBJECTIVE

The goal of the current investigation was to examine a cohort of symptomatic and asymptomatic LRRK2 mutation carriers, in order to address whether the reported alterations in amyloid β (Aβ) and tau species in the CSF of patients with sporadic Parkinson disease (PD) are a part of PD pathogenesis, the aging process, or a comorbid disease in patients with PD, and to explore the possibility of Aβ and tau as markers of early or presymptomatic PD.

METHODS

CSF Aβ42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau were measured with Luminex assays in 26 LRRK2 mutation carriers, who were either asymptomatic (n = 18) or had a phenotype resembling sporadic PD (n = 8). All patients also underwent PET scans with 18F-6-fluoro-l-dopa (FD), 11C-(±)-α-dihydrotetrabenazine (DTBZ), and 11C-d-threo-methylphenidate (MP) to measure dopaminergic function in the striatum. The levels of CSF markers were then compared to each PET measurement.

RESULTS

Reduced CSF Aβ42 and tau levels correlated with lower striatal dopaminergic function as determined by all 3 PET tracers, with a significant association between Aβ42 and FD uptake. When cases were restricted to carriers of the G2019S mutation, the most common LRRK2 variant in our cohort, significant correlations were also observed for tau.

CONCLUSIONS

The disposition of Aβ and tau is likely important in both LRRK2-related and sporadic PD, even during early phases of the disease. A better understanding of their production, aggregation, and degradation, including changes in their CSF levels, may provide insights into the pathogenesis of PD and the potential utility of these proteins as biomarkers.

Evaluation of the efficacy of immunocastration vaccine composed of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone conjugated with Salmonella typhimurium flagellin in rats

Immunocastration is an alternative method to replace surgical castration that is commonly performed in domestic and pet animals. In this study, a new immunocastration vaccine was developed, and its efficacy was evaluated in male rats. Six tandem copies of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) peptide were genetically fused to Salmonella typhimurium flagellin fljB (STF2) that is a ligand of toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5). The recombinant STF2-GnRH protein expressed in Escherichia coli was used as the immunocastration vaccine. Sixteen male rats were equally assigned to four groups. Excluding the control rats, three groups were immunized with 100, 200 and 400 μg of the STF2-GnRH vaccine, respectively. All of the immunized rats developed significantly higher titres of antibodies to GnRH than the control rats. The size and weight of both testes and epididymides from the immunized rats were significantly smaller than those of the control rats. Testicular tissues in the immunized rats demonstrated atrophy of seminiferous tubules and decreased numbers of both spermatogonia and spermatocytes. These data indicate that the newly developed STF2-GnRH vaccine has a potent immunogenicity to GnRH and efficiently suppresses the development of testes in rats.

Effect of public deliberation on attitudes toward surrogate consent for dementia research

OBJECTIVE

To assess the informed, deliberative views of the older general public toward a policy of allowing surrogate consent for Alzheimer disease (AD) research.

METHODS

A total of 503 persons aged 50+ recruited by random digit dialing were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: deliberation, education, or control. The deliberation group attended an all-day education/peer deliberation session; the education group received written information only. Participants were surveyed at baseline, after deliberation session (or equivalent time), and 1 month after the session, regarding their attitudes toward a policy of allowing surrogate consent for research studies of varying risks and potential benefits (a lumbar puncture study, a drug randomized controlled trial, a vaccine randomized controlled trial, and an early phase gene transfer trial).

RESULTS

At baseline, a policy of surrogate consent for AD research was supported by 55%-91%, depending on the scenario. The education group had a transient increase in support for one research scenario after receiving the information materials. In the deliberation group, support for surrogate consent was higher after deliberation for all scenarios (67% to 97%), with much of the increase sustained 1 month after the deliberation session. No changes occurred in the control group. The study's limitations include self-selection of participants due to the demanding nature of attendance at the deliberation sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

This sample of the older general public generally supported a policy of surrogate consent for AD research at baseline. Their support increased with democratic deliberation involving informed, in-depth exploration of the relevant scientific and ethical issues.

Frequency and determinants of missing data in clinical and prognostic variables recently added to SEER

BACKGROUND

The objectives of the present study were to examine and quantify the frequency of missing information for the collaborative stage (CS) site-specific factors (SSF) added to the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data collection in 2004, to evaluate patient-, disease-, and registry-related factors associated with incomplete data, and to quantify time and effort required to collect information for each variable of interest.

METHODS

The study included 2 parts: 1) an analysis of existing nationwide SEER data; and 2) an evaluation of time and effort as reported by hospital registrars in the Metropolitan Atlanta and Rural Georgia (MARGA) SEER Registry catchment area. The first analysis examined all SSF for all types of cancers reported to the SEER Program between 2004 and 2007 from all 17 SEER registries. The data for the second analysis were limited to 5 cancer sites: breast, prostate, colon/rectum, testes, and lymphoma. Information for each cancer site was collected from 40 cancer registrars who were asked to estimate the amount of time and effort spent on abstracting each variable of interest.

RESULTS

We analyzed 825,952 cases pertaining to 18 different cancer sites and 45 different variables. Of the 45 SSF variables examined in this study, 12 had at least 50% of cases with missing data. Conversely, a total of 21 variables were at least 80% complete. Our analysis of determinants of missing SSF data showed an improvement of reporting since 2004 for most variables. Older patients (80+ years of age) tended to have a higher proportion of missing data compared to 40- to 59-year-olds (reference category). For the specific cancers presented in this paper, patients diagnosed in non-metropolitan areas tended to have a slightly higher proportion of missing data compared to those diagnosed in metropolitan areas. We found no discernable patterns of association between probability of having missing data and patients' race, sex, or registry. According to the registrars' reports, data collection for CS SSF requires a median of 2-3 minutes with a range of 1-15 minutes. There was great variability in the perceived level of difficulty associated with finding the necessarily data.

CONCLUSIONS

The data completeness for CS SSF ranges widely, and is largely site- and variable-specific. The main barrier to data completeness appears to be the availability of information in the medical records. Our results indicate that for a number of SSF the proportion of missing data is so high that these variables can be of little, if any, use for population-based research. The practical implications of our findings with respect to existing and future SSF need to be explored.

Differentiation of benign and malignant ampullary obstructions on MR imaging

OBJECTIVE

To define diagnostic criteria for differentiating malignant ampullary carcinoma from benign ampullary obstruction on MR imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nineteen patients with ampullary carcinoma and 22 patients with benign ampullary obstruction were enrolled. At the first session, two radiologists independently evaluated specific imaging findings, and then reached consensus decisions. At the second session, another two radiologists, who were informed about useful differentiation criteria based on the results from the first session, reviewed images and determined the causes of ampullary obstruction. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each interpretation session, and the Cohen κ statistic was used to evaluate interobserver agreement.

RESULTS

Findings of the presence of an ampullary mass (P<0.001), papillary bulging (P<0.001), irregular (P=0.021) and asymmetric (P<0.001) common bile duct (CBD) narrowing, and proportional biliary dilatation (P<0.001) were more commonly seen in patients with an ampullary carcinoma. The sensitivity and specificity of the first session were 84.2% and 86.4% after consensus. The sensitivity increased to 100% for both the readers at the second session, while the specificity decreased to 63.6% and 59.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of an ampullary mass, papillary bulging, irregular and asymmetric narrowing of the CBD, or proportional biliary dilatation may improve the diagnosis of ampullary carcinoma in patients with ampullary obstruction.

Transport and metabolism of the antitumour drug candidate 2'-benzoyloxycinnamaldehyde in Caco-2 cells

The transport and metabolism of the antitumour drug candidate 2'-benzoyloxycinnamaldehyde (BCA) was characterized in Caco-2 cells. BCA disappeared rapidly from the donor side without being transported to the receiver side during its absorptive transport across Caco-2 cells. Its metabolites 2'-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (HCA) and o-coumaric acid (OCA) were formed in both the donor and the receiver sides. HCA, in a separate study, also disappeared rapidly from the donor side, mostly being converted to its oxidative metabolite OCA during its absorptive transport across Caco-2 cells. OCA was transported rapidly in the absorptive direction across Caco-2 cells with a P(app) of 25.4 +/- 1.0 x 10(-6) cm s(-1) (mean +/- standard deviation (SD), n = 3). OCA was fully recovered from both the donor and the receiver side throughout the time-course of this study. Formation of HCA from BCA was inhibited almost completely by bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP), a selective inhibitor of carboxylesterases (CES), and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), a broad specificity inhibitor of esterases in Caco-2 cells, suggesting that this hydrolytic biotransformation was likely mediated predominantly by CES. Conversion of HCA to OCA was inhibited significantly by isovanillin, a selective inhibitor of aldehyde oxidase (AO). Inhibitors for xanthine oxidase (XO) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which are known to be involved in the oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids, did not have a significant effect on the biotransformation of HCA to OCA in Caco-2 cells. In summary, the present work demonstrates that BCA is hydrolysed rapidly to HCA, followed by subsequent oxidation to OCA, in Caco-2 cells. The results provide a mechanistic understanding of the poor absorption and low bioavailability of BCA after oral administration.

Presenilin enhancer-2 (PSENEN), a component of the gamma-secretase complex, is involved in adipocyte differentiation

This study was conducted to identify genes expressed during adipocyte differentiation of bovine intramuscular fibroblast-like cells using differential display reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The presenilin enhancer-2 (PSENEN) gene was found to be down-regulated during adipocyte differentiation of bovine intramuscular fibroblast-like cells. The ectopic expression of bovine PSENEN in 3T3-L1 reduced adipogenesis and the inhibition of endogenous PSENEN by siRNA induced adipogenesis on d 4 of adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Interestingly, the expression of gamma-secretase complex gene-related Notch signaling was decreased at d 2 and d 4 during adipocyte differentiation. In addition, expression of the Notch-signaling genes (Notch-1, Hes-1, Pref-1, adipsin) was regulated during adipocyte differentiation by regulation of PSENEN expression. These results suggest that PSENEN plays an important role in adipocyte differentiation and that Notch signaling is involved in adipogenesis.

Enhanced flexor tendon healing through controlled delivery of PDGF-BB

A fibrin/heparin-based delivery system was used to provide controlled delivery of platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) in an animal model of intrasynovial flexor tendon repair. We hypothesized that PDGF-BB, administered in this manner, would stimulate cell proliferation and matrix remodeling, leading to improvements in the sutured tendon's functional and structural properties. Fifty-six flexor digitorum profundus tendons were injured and repaired in 28 dogs. Three groups were compared: (1) controlled delivery of PDGF-BB using a fibrin/heparin-based delivery system; (2) delivery system carrier control; and (3) repair- only control. The operated forelimbs were treated with controlled passive motion rehabilitation. The animals were euthanized at 7, 14, and 42 days, at which time the tendons were assessed using histologic (hyaluronic acid content, cellularity, and inflammation), biochemical (total DNA and reducible collagen crosslink levels), and biomechanical (gliding and tensile properties) assays. We found that cell activity (as determined by total DNA, collagen crosslink analyses, and hyaluronic acid content) was accelerated due to PDGF-BB at 14 days. Proximal interphalangeal joint rotation and tendon excursion (i.e., tendon gliding properties) were significantly higher for the PDGF-BB-treated tendons compared to the repair-alone tendons at 42 days. Improvements in tensile properties were not achieved, possibly due to suboptimal release kinetics or other factors. In conclusion, PDGF-BB treatment consistently improved the functional but not the structural properties of sutured intrasynovial tendons through 42 days following repair.

Activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 regulates human histidine decarboxylase expression

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) catalyzes the formation of histamine from histidine. Histamine has various effects in physiological and pathological reactions, such as inflammation, cell growth, and neuro-transmission. We investigated the role of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 on hypoxia-induced HDC expression in human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). Hypoxia significantly increased histamine production. HDC expression and activity were induced by hypoxia. Additionally, when cells were transfected with a native form of HIF-1alpha, hypoxia could induce higher HDC expression than in the nontransfected cell. HIF-1 binding activity for HDC 5' flanking region (HFR) was similar to that for the hypoxia-responsive element. Using HDC promoter deletion analysis, we also demonstrated that HFR was regulated by HIF-1 activation. In addition, depletion of HIF-1alpha prevents hypoxic induction of HDC in BMMCs. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that hypoxia induces HDC expression by transcriptional mechanisms dependent upon HIF-1.

Surrogate consent for dementia research: a national survey of older Americans

BACKGROUND

Research in novel therapies for Alzheimer disease (AD) relies on persons with AD as research subjects. Because AD impairs decisional capacity, informed consent often must come from surrogates, usually close family members. But policies for surrogate consent for research remain unsettled after decades of debate.

METHODS

We designed a survey module for a random subsample (n = 1,515) of the 2006 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, a biennial survey of a nationally representative sample of Americans aged 51 and older. The participants answered questions regarding one of four randomly assigned surrogate-based research (SBR) scenarios: lumbar puncture study, drug randomized control study, vaccine study, and gene transfer study. Each participant answered three questions: whether our society should allow family surrogate consent, whether one would want to participate in the research, and whether one would allow one's surrogate some or complete leeway to override stated personal preferences.

RESULTS

Most respondents stated that our society should allow family surrogate consent for SBR (67.5% to 82.5%, depending on the scenario) and would themselves want to participate in SBR (57.4% to 79.7%). Most would also grant some or complete leeway to their surrogates (54.8% to 66.8%), but this was true mainly of those willing to participate. There was a trend toward lower willingness to participate in SBR among those from ethnic or racial minority groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Family surrogate consent-based dementia research is broadly supported by older Americans. Willingness to allow leeway to future surrogates needs to be studied further for its ethical significance for surrogate-based research policy.

Role of reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial dysregulation in 3-bromopyruvate induced cell death in hepatoma cells : ROS-mediated cell death by 3-BrPA

Hexokinase type II (HK II) is the key enzyme for maintaining increased glycolysis in cancer cells where it is overexpressed. 3-bromopyruvate (3-BrPA), an inhibitor of HK II, induces cell death in cancer cells. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of 3-BrPA-induced cell death, we used the hepatoma cell lines SNU449 (low expression of HKII) and Hep3B (high expression of HKII). 3-BrPA induced ATP depletion-dependent necrosis and apoptosis in both cell lines. 3-BrPA increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to mitochondrial dysregulation. NAC (N-acetyl-L: -cysteine), an antioxidant, blocked 3-BrPA-induced ROS production, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cell death. 3-BrPA-mediated oxidative stress not only activated poly-ADP-ribose (PAR) but also translocated AIF from the mitochondria to the nucleus. Taken together, 3-BrPA induced ATP depletion-dependent necrosis and apoptosis and mitochondrial dysregulation due to ROS production are involved in 3-BrPA-induced cell death in hepatoma cells.

New p53 target, phosphatase of regenerating liver 1 (PRL-1) downregulates p53

Most of the p53 target genes, all except MDM2, COP1 and PIRH2, perform functions in apoptosis, differentiation and cell cycle arrest. The aforementioned oncogenes downregulate p53 through a negative feedback mechanism, and thus contribute to tumor development. In this study, we report a new p53 target, PRL-1, which is believed to be a significant regulator in the development and metastasis of a variety of cancer types. Phosphatase of regenerating liver 1 (PRL-1) overexpression reduced the levels of endogenous and exogenous p53 proteins, and inhibited p53-mediated apoptosis. On the other hand, the ablation of PRL-1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) increased p53 protein levels. The p53 downregulation was mediated by p53 ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Furthermore, p53 ubiquitination by PRL-1 was achieved through two independent pathways, by inducing PIRH2 transcription and by inducing MDM2 phosphorylation through Akt signaling. In addition, we showed that the PRL-1 gene harbors a p53 response element in the first intron, and its transcription is regulated by the p53 protein. These findings imply that the new oncogenic p53 target, PRL-1, may contribute to tumor development by the downregulation of p53 by a negative feedback mechanism.

p38 MAPK and NF-κB on IL-6 Release in Human Gingival Fibroblasts

The induction of interleukin-6 (IL-6) using a proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1beta) was studied in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in relation to p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB transcription factor. When added to HGFs, IL-1beta had a stimulatory effect on the production of IL-6, and this effect was significantly reduced by SB203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor. In addition, the stimulation of IL-6 release also was reduced by the addition of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate or NF-kappaB SN50, which has been reported as potent NF-kappaB inhibitor. Both the NF-kappaB inhibitors in the presence of SB203580 had more inhibitory effect on IL-6 release. IL-13 stimulated NF-kappaB binding affinity as well as p38 MAP kinase activation, leading to the release of IL-6. However, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB203580, had no effect on the NF-kappaB activation, and both the NF-kappaB inhibitors failed to reduce the p38 MAPK activation in the IL-1beta-stimulated HGFs. These results strongly suggest that both p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB are required in IL-1beta-induced IL-6 synthesis and that these two IL-1beta-activated pathways can be primarily dissociated.

Colorimetric heparinase assay for alternative anti-metastatic activity

Heparanase has been previously associated with the metastatic potential, inflammation, and angiogenesis of tumor cells. Heparanase activity has been detected by means of UV absorption, radiolabeled substrates, electrophoretic migration, and heparan sulfate affinity assays. However, those methods have proven to be somewhat problematic with regards to application to actual biological samples, the accessibility of the immobilized substrates, experimental sensitivity, and the separation of degraded products. Rather than focusing on heparanase activity, then, we have developed a rapid, alternative colorimetric heparinase assay, on the basis of the recent finding that sulfated disaccharides generated from heparin by bacterial heparinase exhibit biological properties comparable to those from heparan sulfate by mammalian heparanase. In this study, the concentrations of porcine heparin and bacterial heparinase I were determined using a Sigma Diagnostics Kit. Morus alba was selected as a candidate through this assay system, and an inhibitor, resveratrol, was purified from its methanol extract. Its anti-metastatic effects on the pulmonary metastasis of murine B16 melanoma cells were also evaluated. Our findings suggest that this assay may prove useful as a diagnostic tool for heparinase inhibition, as an alternative anti-metastatic target.

Amyloid precursor protein regulates differentiation of human neural stem cells

Although amyloid beta (Abeta) deposition has been a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the absence of a phenotype in the beta amyloid precursor protein (APP) knockout mouse, tends to detract our attention away from the physiological functions of APP. Although much attention has been focused on the neurotoxicity of Abeta, many studies suggest the involvement of APP in neuroplasticity. We found that secreted amyloid precursor protein (sAPP) increased the differentiation of human neural stem cells (hNSCs) in vitro, while an antibody-recognizing APP dose-dependently inhibited these activities. With a high dose of sAPP treatment or wild-type APP gene transfection, hNSCs were differentiated into astrocytes rather than neurons. In vivo, hNSCs transplanted into APP-transgenic mouse brain exhibited glial differentiation rather than neural differentiation. Our results suggest that APP regulates neural stem cell biology in the adult brain, and that altered APP metabolism in Down syndrome or AD may have implications for the pathophysiology of these diseases.

Placenta hominis protects osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats

In China, Japan, and Korea, placenta hominis extracts (PHEs) are used clinically for the treatment of osteoporosis. The anti-osteoporotic effect of PHEs was studied. The trabecular bone area and thickness in OVX rats decreased by 50% from those in sham-operated rats; these decreases were completely inhibited by administration of PHEs for 7 weeks. Osteoclast numbers and the osteoblast surface were enhanced in OVX rats, but PHEs had no effect on these phenomena. Serum phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase in OVX rats increased compared to those in sham-operated rats, but the increases were not affected by the administration of PHEs. Thyroxine (T4) level was stimulated in OVX rats. The extracts inhibited the T4 level in the OVX rats. These results strongly suggest that PHEs be effective in preventing the development of bone loss induced by OVX in rats.

Anti-inflammatory effect of jeongshintang through suppression of p38 activation in human astrocytoma, U373MG cells

Jeongshintang (JST) is a Korean herbal prescription, which has been successfully used for cerebral diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of JST on Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of JST in attenuating the inflammatory response induced by interleukin (IL)-1beta plus beta-amyloid [1-42] fragment (A beta) in the human astrocyte cell line, U373MG. The production of IL-6, IL-8, and prostaglandin (PG)E2 was significantly increased by IL-1beta plus A beta (1-42) in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). JST significantly inhibited the IL-1beta plus A beta (1-42)-induced IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 production at 24 h (P < 0.05). Maximal inhibition rate of IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 production by JST was about 54.40%, 56.01%, and 44.06% respectively. JST (0.01-1 mg/ml) also attenuated the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and activation of p38 MAPK induced by IL-1beta and A beta (1-42). These results demonstrated that JST has an anti-inflammatory effect, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.

Quasi-empirical Bayes methodology for improving meta-analysis

This article addresses the problem of heterogeneity among various studies to be combined in a meta-analysis. We adopt quasi-empirical Bayes methodology to predict the odds ratios for each study. As a result, the predicted odds ratios are pulled toward the estimated common odds ratio of the various studies under consideration. With strong heterogeneity among the studies, we jointly consider the display of the 95% CIs of the ORs and a Dixon's test (1950) for "outliers" to exclude the "extreme" estimated ORs. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our methodology based on the data analyzed by Thompson and Pocock (1987) demonstrating the power of the new approach to meta-analysis to find statistical agreement in what looks like great disagreement via a chi-squared test. We believe our technique (i.e., minimum mean-square sense) will go a long way toward increasing the trustworthiness of meta-analysis.

Carbon monoxide and nitric oxide protect against tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis in osteoblasts: HO-1 is necessary to mediate the protection

BACKGROUND

Carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) each have unique roles for various inflammatory states, including inflammatory bone resorption. Although it is known that NO can induce the expression of the cytoprotective enzyme HO-1, there is no information as to whether the protective effect of CO requires NO production or whether CO must induce the expression of HO-1 to exert its functional effects.

METHODS

Murine osteoblast cells, MC3T3E1 osteoblasts, were cultured for CO and NO-associated HO-1 experiments and were transfected with pcDNA 3, pcDNA 3-HO-1, control siRNA or HO-1 siRNA using Nucleofector. For cell death measurement, MTT and annexin V assays were used. We performed Western blotting to check the expressions of HO-1 and iNOs and measured the HO-1 enzyme activity. We also measured the amounts of nitrite and nitrate using Griess reagents.

RESULTS

The increased expression of HO-1 is required for the protective effect of NO and a single treatment of CO can increase the expression of HO-1, and this is also important for the protective effect of CO in MC3T3E1 osteoblasts. CO as well as NO attenuates the TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in osteoblasts. The anti-apoptotic effect of CO or NO is not mediated by cGMP, and CO has no effect on the release of NO. The inhibition of HO-1 with using the HO-1 inhibitor ZnPP or HO-1 siRNA resulted in a striking increase of apoptosis in the CO/TNF-alpha-treated cells. Furthermore, HO-1 overexpression showed resistance against the TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity in the MC3T3E1 osteoblasts.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for HO-1 expression to mediate the protection provided by exogenous CO or NO in osteoblasts.

Different glucose uptake and glycolytic mechanisms between hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma with increased (18)F-FDG uptake

(18)F-FDG uptake in malignant tumors largely depends on the presence of facilitated glucose transporters, especially type 1 (Glut 1) and a rate-limiting glycolytic enzyme, hexokinase (HK) type II. Low expression of Glut 1 was reported in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), whereas high expression was found in cholangiocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry and proteome analysis were performed to obtain a detailed evaluation of the mechanisms involved in glucose uptake and use in these tumors.

METHODS

Tumor tissues obtained from both HCC (n = 7) and mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma patients (n = 7) who showed increased (18)F-FDG uptake on PET were used. Immunohistochemistry for Glut 1 and HK I-III was performed in all tumor tissues. To identify proteins that regulate carbohydrate metabolism, a proteome analysis with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight and enzymatic digestion in-gel were performed using 8 available tumor samples and 3 normal liver tissues. Of the 8 tumor samples, 4 were HCCs; one was an intermediate phenotype HCC, and 3 were cholangiocarcinomas. The spot intensity of the proteins was calculated using proteome data; the tissues then were divided into 2 groups on the basis of the protein expression pattern, because the protein expression pattern of the intermediate-phenotype HCC was close to that of the cholangiocarcinomas. Group A included the HCCs and group B included the intermediate-phenotype HCC as well as the cholangiocarcinomas.

RESULTS

Immunoreactivity for Glut 1 was positive in all cholangiocarcinomas, but was negative in all HCCs except the one intermediate phenotype. However, HK II was positive in HCCs but was negative in 6 of the 7 cholangiocarcinomas. A total of 331 protein spots with a P value of <0.05 were identified by proteome analysis. Thirteen of these proteins that regulate carbohydrate metabolism were selected. The pentose phosphate pathway was increased in both groups, but more significantly in group B. Gluconeogenesis enzymes were decreased in both groups, but the tricarboxylic acid cycle-regulating enzyme expression was variable.

CONCLUSION

HCCs have different glucose-regulating mechanisms from those of cholangiocarcinomas, even though both tumors showed increased (18)F-FDG uptake on PET scans. Further studies are required with regard to energy metabolism and (18)F-FDG uptake patterns in association with various oncogenic alterations regulating multiple steps of the glycolytic pathways.

Aspects of gene polymorphisms in cerebral infarction: inflammatory cytokines

During the last decade, a growing corpus of evidence has indicated an important role of inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of cerebral lesion following stroke. Recent data suggest that genetics may in turn contribute to modulating the effects of inflammatory cytokines on cerebral infarction (CI). This paper reviews the physiologic characteristics of major inflammatory cytokines and recent research developments related to cell biology and pathobiology in CI. In particular, this review focuses on the genetic aspects of inflammatory cytokines and their implications in CI.