Chronic Stress Dampens Lactobacillus Johnsonii-Mediated Tumor Suppression to Enhance Colorectal Cancer Progression

Colorectal cancer development and outcome are impacted by modifiable risk factors, including psychologic stress. The gut microbiota has also been shown to be linked to psychologic factors. Here, we found a marked deteriorative effect of chronic stress in multiple colorectal cancer models, including chemically induced (AOM/DSS), genetically engineered (APCmin/+), and xenograft tumor mouse models. RNA sequencing data from colon tissues revealed that expression of stemness-related genes was upregulated in the stressed colorectal cancer group by activated β-catenin signaling, which was further confirmed by results from ex vivo organoid analyses as well as in vitro and in vivo cell tumorigenicity assays. 16S rRNA sequencing of the gut microbiota showed that chronic stress disrupted gut microbes, and antibiotic treatment and fecal microbiota transplantation abolished the stimulatory effects of chronic stress on colorectal cancer progression. Stressed colorectal cancer mice displayed a significant decrease in Lactobacillus johnsonii (L. johnsonii) abundance, which was inversely correlated with tumor load. Moreover, protocatechuic acid (PCA) was identified as a beneficial metabolite produced by L. johnsonii based on metabolome sequencing and LC/MS-MS analysis. Replenishment of L. johnsonii or PCA blocked chronic stress-induced colorectal cancer progression by decreasing β-catenin expression. Furthermore, PCA activated the cGMP pathway, and the cGMP agonist sildenafil abolished the effects of chronic stress on colorectal cancer. Altogether, these data identify that stress impacts the gut microbiome to support colorectal cancer progression.

SIGNIFICANCE

Chronic stress stimulates cancer stemness by reducing the intestinal abundance of L. johnsonii and its metabolite PCA to enhance β-catenin signaling, forming a basis for potential strategies to circumvent stress-induced cancer aggressiveness. See related commentary by McCollum and Shah, p. 645.

Intratumoural and peritumoural CT-based radiomics for diagnosing lepidic-predominant adenocarcinoma in patients with pure ground-glass nodules: a machine learning approach

AIM

To develop and validate a diagnostic model utilising machine-learning algorithms that differentiates lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA) from other pathological subtypes in patients with pure ground-glass nodules (pGGNs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This bicentric study was conducted across two medical centres and included 151 patients diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma based on histopathological confirmation of pGGNs. The training cohort consisted of 99 patients from Institution 1, while the test cohort included 52 patients from Institution 2. Radiomics features were extracted from both tumours and the 2 mm peritumoural parenchyma. The tumoural and peritumoural radiomics were designated as Modeltumoural and Modelperitumoural, respectively. The diagnostic efficacy of various models was evaluated through the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Subsequently, a machine-learning-based prediction model that combined Modeltumoural, Modelperitumoural, and Modelclinical-radiological was developed to differentiate LPA from other pathological subtypes in patients with pGGNs.

RESULTS

Modeltumoural achieved area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.762 and 0.783 in the training and validation sets, respectively. Modelperitumoural attained AUCs of 0.742 and 0.667, and Modelclinical-radiological generated an AUC of 0.727 and 0.739 in the training and validation sets, respectively. Among the machine-learning models evaluated, gradient boosting machines demonstrated the best diagnostic efficacy, with accuracy, AUC, F1 score, and log loss values of 0.885, 0.956, 0.943, and 0.260, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The combined model based on machine learning that incorporated tumour and peritumoural parenchyma, as well as clinical and imaging characteristics, may offer benefits in assessing the pathological subtype of pGGNs.

Development of a novel combined nomogram integrating deep-learning-assisted CT texture and clinical-radiological features to predict the invasiveness of clinical stage IA part-solid lung adenocarcinoma: a multicentre study

AIM

To develop a novel combined nomogram based on deep-learning-assisted computed tomography (CT) texture (DL-TA) and clinical-radiological features for the preoperative prediction of invasiveness in patients with clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma manifesting as part-solid nodules (PSNs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted from January 2015 to October 2021 at three centres: 355 patients with 355 PSN lung adenocarcinomas who underwent surgical resection were included and classified into the training (n=222) and validation (n=133) cohorts. PSN segmentation on CT images was performed automatically with a commercial deep-learning algorithm, and CT texture features were extracted. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator was used for feature selection and transformed into a DL-TA score. The combined nomogram that incorporated the DL-TA score and identified clinical-radiological features was developed for the prediction of pathological invasiveness of the PSNs and validated in terms of discrimination and calibration.

RESULTS

The present study generated a combined nomogram for predicting the invasiveness of PSNs that included age, consolidation-to-tumour ratio, smoking status, and DL-TA score, with a C-index of 0.851 (95% confidence interval: 0.826-0.877) for the training cohort and 0.854 (95% confidence interval: 0.817-0.891) for the validation cohort, indicating good discrimination. Furthermore, the model had a Brier score of 0.153 for the training cohort and 0.135 for the validation cohort, indicating good calibration.

CONCLUSION

The developed combined nomogram consisting of the DL-TA score and clinical-radiological features and has the potential to predict the individual risk for the invasiveness of stage IA PSN lung adenocarcinomas.

Famine Exposure during Early Life and Risk of Cancer in Adulthood: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Emerging evidences have explored the association between famine exposure during early life and cancer risk in adulthood, but the results remain controversial and inconsistent. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive evidence on the relation of famine exposure to later cancer risk.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Relevant reports published up to March, 2022 were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of sciences and Medline databases. Pooled relative ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the effect famine exposure on cancer risk.

RESULTS

Totally, 18 published articles with 6,061,147 subjects were included in this study. Compared with unexposed group, early life famine exposure dramatically increased the risk of cancer in adulthood (RR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.04-1.22). The pooled RRs were different in terms of sex, exposure severity, exposure period, famine type, study design type and cancer location. A remarkably elevated risk for cancer was discerned in women exposed to famine (RR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.00-1.18), severe exposure (RR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.02-1.22) and adolescence exposure (RR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.02-2.50), Chinese famine exposure (RR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.29-1.82) and cohort studies (RR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.13-1.42). Moreover, a significant association of early-life famine exposure with increased risk of breast (RR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.05-1.27) and stomach cancers (RR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.24-2.54) was observed.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests that exposure to famine during early life may increase the risk of cancer in adulthood. The above-mentioned association is pronounced in women exposed to famine, severe exposure, adolescence exposure, Chinese famine, cohort studies, breast and stomach cancers. It is essential for decision-makers to take targeted measures for improving population awareness regarding the long-term effect of early life nutritional status.

Sodium MRI at 7T for Early Response Evaluation of Intracranial Tumors following Stereotactic Radiotherapy Using the CyberKnife

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Conventionally, early treatment response to stereotactic radiotherapy in intracranial tumors is often determined by structural MR imaging. Tissue sodium concentration is altered by cellular integrity and energy status in cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate the feasibility of sodium MR imaging at 7T for the preliminary evaluation of radiotherapeutic efficacy for intracranial tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected from 16 patients (12 men and 4 women, 24-75 years of age) with 22 intracranial tumors who were treated with stereotactic radiation therapy using CyberKnife at our institution between December 1, 2016, and August 15, 2019. Sodium MR imaging was performed at 7T before and 48 hours, 1 week, and 1 month after CyberKnife radiation therapy. Tissue sodium concentration (TSC) was calculated and analyzed based on manually labeled regions of tumors.

RESULTS

Ultra-high-field sodium MR imaging clearly showed the intratumoral signal, which is significantly higher than that of normal tissue (t = 5.250, P <.001)., but the edema zone has some influence. The average TSC ratios of tumor to CSF in the 22 tumors, contralateral normal tissues, edema zones, frontal cortex, and frontal white matter were 0.66 (range, 0.23-1.5), 0.30 (range, 0.15-0.43), 0.58 (range, 0.25-1.21), 0.25 (range, 0.17-0.42), and 0.30 (range, 0.19-0.49), respectively. A total of 12 tumors in 8 patients were scanned at 48 hours, 1 week, and 1 month after treatment. The average TSC at 48 hours after treatment was 0.06 higher than that before treatment and began to decrease at 1 week. The TSC ratios of 10 continued to decline and 2 tumors increased at 1 month, respectively. Tumor volume decreased by 2.4%-99% after 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in the TSC can be quantified by sodium MR imaging at 7T and used to detect radiobiologic alterations in intracranial tumors at early time points after CyberKnife radiation therapy.

CT texture analysis-based nomogram for the preoperative prediction of visceral pleural invasion in cT1N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma: an external validation cohort study

AIM

To develop a nomogram based on computed tomography (CT) texture analysis for the preoperative prediction of visceral pleural invasion in patients with cT1N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A dataset of chest CT containing lung nodules was collected from two institutions, and all surgically resected nodules were classified pathologically based on the presence of visceral pleural invasion. Each nodule on the CT image was segmented automatically by artificial-intelligence software and its CT texture features were extracted. The dataset was divided into training and external validation cohorts according to the institution, and a nomogram for predicting visceral pleural invasion was developed and validated.

RESULTS

Of a total of 313 patients enrolled from two independent institutions, 63 were diagnosed with visceral pleural invasion. Three-dimensional (3D) CT long diameter, skewness, and sphericity, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were identified as independent predictors for visceral pleural invasion by multivariable logistic regression. The nomogram based on multivariable logistic regression showed great discriminative ability, as indicated by a C-index of 0.890 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.867-0.914) and 0.864 (95% CI: 0.817-0.911) for the training and external validation cohorts, respectively. Additionally, calibration of the nomogram revealed good predictive ability, as indicated by the Brier score (0.108 and 0.100 for the training and external validation cohorts, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

A nomogram was developed that could compute the probability of visceral pleural invasion in patients with cT1N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma with good calibration and discrimination. The nomogram has potential as a reliable tool for clinical evaluation and decision-making.

Comprehensive analysis of lncRNAs as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common histological type of renal carcinoma and has a high recurrence rate and poor outcome. Accurate patient risk stratification based on genetic markers can help to identify the high-risk patient for early and further treatments and would promote patient survival. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have attracted widespread attention as biomarkers for early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis because of their high specificity and sensitivity. Here, we performed a systematic search in NCBI PubMed and found 44 lncRNAs as oncogenes, 18 lncRNAs as tumor suppressors, 199 lncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers, 62 lncRNAs as prognostic biomarkers, and 3 lncRNAs as predictive biomarkers for ccRCC. We also comprehensively discuss the biological functions and molecular regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs in ccRCC. Overall, the present study is a systemic analysis to assess the expression and clinical value of lncRNAs in ccRCC, and lncRNAs hold promise to be diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers.

Characterization of serum adiponectin and leptin in healthy perinatal dairy cows or cows with ketosis, and their effectson ketosis involved indices

We investigated changes in concentrations of ADP (adiponectin), LEP (leptin), BHBA (beta-hydroxybutyric acid), NEFA (non-esterified fatty acid), Glucose (Glu) and INS (insulin) in serum of healthy perinatal dairy cows and cows with ketosis. Twenty-one healthy cows and seventeen cows with ketosis from a herd of a total 60 Holstein cows (near dry period i.e. 56 days antepartum) were selected. Blood was collected through the tail vein every 7 days, from 56 day antepartum to 56 day postpartum. Serum ADP, LEP, BHBA, NEFA, Glu, and INS concentrations were determined, and ketosis was diagnosed through serum BHBA (≥1.2 mmol/L). We showed the concentration of serum adipokines and energy balancing indices were stable during antepar- tum period. However, ADP concentration increased while LEP decreased, and there were a significant increase in cows with ketosis compared to that of in healthy cows. Serum BHBA and NEFA concentrations increased significantly at first, and then gradually decreased in both healthy cows and cows with ketosis. However, cows with ketosis showed higher concentrations of BHBA and NEFA which restored later. The serum concentration of Glu in both healthy dairy cows and cows with ketosis showed a decreasing trend. INS concentration in healthy cows was decreased while it was increased in cows with ketosis. The results reflect the extent of hypo- glycemia and lipid mobilization postpartum, suggest IR exists in cows with ketosis while serum ADP and LEP might play roles in the development of ketosis.

Extensible artificial intelligence model predicts post-ablation AF recurrence using coronary sinus electrogram

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major public health problem with significant adverse outcomes and catheter ablation is a widely adopted treatment. The CABANA trial showed that catheter ablation reduced AF recurrence to a greater extent than medications. However, some of patients who underwent this procedure still experience relapse. Here, we present an innovative way to identify this subgroup using an artificial intelligence (AI) -assisted coronary sinus electrogram.

Hypothesis

Our hypothesis is that credible features in the electrogram can be extracted by AI for prediction, therefore rigorous drug administration, close follow-up or potential second procedure can be applied to these patients.

Methods

67 patients from two independent hospitals (SPH & ZSH) with non-valvular persistent AF undergoing circumferential pulmonary vein isolation were enrolled in this study, 23 of which experienced recurrence 6 months after the procedure. We collected standard 2.5-second fragments of coronary sinus electrogram from ENSITE NAVX (SPH) and Carto (ZSH)system before the ablation started. A total of 1429 fragments were obtained and a transfer learning-based ResNet model was employed in our study. Fragments from ZSH were used for training and SPH for validation of deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN). The AI model performance was evaluated by accuracy, recall, precision, F-Measure and AUC.

Results

The prediction accuracy of the DCNN in single center reached 96%, while that in different ablation systems reached 74.3%. Also, the algorithm yielded values for the AUC, recall, precision and F-Measure of 0.76, 86.1%, 95.9% and 0.78, respectively, which shows satisfactory classification results and extensibility in different cardiology centers and brands of electroanatomic mapping instruments.

Conclusions

Our work has revealed the potential intrinsic correlation between coronary sinus electrical activity and AF recurrence using DCNN-based model. Moreover, the DCNN model we developed shows great prospects in the relapse prediction for personalized post-procedural management.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The National Natural Science Foundation of China

A positive, growth-based PAM screen identifies noncanonical motifs recognized by the S. pyogenes Cas9

CRISPR technologies have overwhelmingly relied on the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpyCas9), with its consensus NGG and less preferred NAG and NGA protospacer-adjacent motifs (PAMs). Here, we report that SpyCas9 also recognizes sequences within an N(A/C/T)GG motif. These sequences were identified on the basis of preferential enrichment in a growth-based screen in Escherichia coli. DNA binding, cleavage, and editing assays in bacteria and human cells validated recognition, with activities paralleling those for NAG(A/C/T) PAMs and dependent on the first two PAM positions. Molecular-dynamics simulations and plasmid-clearance assays with mismatch-intolerant variants supported induced-fit recognition of an extended PAM by SpyCas9 rather than recognition of NGG with a bulged R-loop. Last, the editing location for SpyCas9-derived base editors could be shifted by one nucleotide by selecting between (C/T)GG and adjacent N(C/T)GG PAMs. SpyCas9 and its enhanced variants thus recognize a larger repertoire of PAMs, with implications for precise editing, off-target predictions, and CRISPR-based immunity.

Relationship of adiponectin, leptin, visfatin and IGF-1 in cow's venous blood and venous cord blood with calf birth weight

The Intrauterine fetal development process is complicated and affected by many regulating factors such as maternal nutritional status, transcription factors and adipokines. Adipokines are kinds of active substances secreted by adipose tissue, including more than 50 kinds of molecules. To explore the correlation between calf birth weights and adipokines including adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, and IGF-1 in cows venous and venous cord blood. Fifty-four healthy multiparous Chinese Holstein cows were used; in which, cows with a calf weight less than 40 kg were included in group A (n=9); those with a calf weight between 40 kg~45 kg were included in group B (n=25) and ≥45 kg were included in group C (n=20), venous blood and cord venous blood was collected. An ELISA kit was used to evaluate the concentration of adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, and IGF-1, correlations between index-index and index-calf birth weight were analysed. In both cows venous and cord venous blood, adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, and IGF-1 levels were significantly correlated with each other (p⟨0.01), and levels of these adipokines in venous blood were significantly higher than cord venous blood (p⟨0.01). Adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, and IGF-1 in venous cord blood were positively correlated with calf birth weights, and significantly correlated with calf birth weights respectively (p⟨0.01). Our study showed that adiponectin, leptin, and IGF-1 were found in venous blood and cord venous blood, and adiponectin, leptin, and IGF-1 in venous and cord venous blood potentially inter-regulated each other; adiponectin, leptin, and IGF-1 in venous blood were not significantly correlated with calf birth weights, while adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, and IGF-1 in venous cord blood were significantly correlated with calf birth weights, respectively.

Ethnic Groups Differences in the Prevalence of Sarcopenia Using the AWGS Criteria

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia in different ethnic groups and the association with cultural life styles in west China.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

The communities in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Xinjiang provinces.

PARTICIPANTS

4500 participants aged 50 years or older in west China were enrolled in this study. Sarcopenia was defined according to the diagnostic algorithm of the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS).

MEASUREMENTS

We measured gait speed, handgrip strength and muscle mass by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for all eligible participants. Life-style information were collected by reviewers. Relationships between sarcopenia and ethnic groups were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

We found 869 (19.31%) adults aged 50 years old or older were sarcopenia. The mean age is 62.4±8.3 years. The main ethnic groups enrolled in this study is Han, Tibetan, Qiang, Yi and Hui. The crude prevalence of sarcopenia is 22.3% in Han, 18.2% in Tibetan, 11.8% in Qiang, 34.7% in Yi and 26.7% in Hui. Compared to Han, after adjusting sex and age, Qiang has a lower prevalence of sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR]: 0.44, 95% CI 0.35-0.55), Yi has a higher prevalence of sarcopenia (OR: 1.78, 95% CI 1.29-2.43). While adding adjusting other potential cofounders, sarcopenia is still less prevalent in Qiang (OR: 0.44, 95% CI 0.34-0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

The crude prevalence of sarcopenia is 22.3% in Han, 18.2% in Tibetan, 11.8% in Qiang, 34.7% in Yi and 26.7% in Hui. Sarcopenia was less prevalent in Qiang compared with Han. Further studies to determine related factors of sarcopenia among different ethnic groups are recommended.

Association Between Number of Teeth, Denture Use and Frailty: Findings from the West China Health and Aging Trend Study

OBJECTIVE

Frailty and poor oral health are both common age-related conditions. However, the association between oral health and frailty has not been explored thoroughly among older Chinese adults. We aimed to investigate the associations between number of teeth, denture use, and frailty among older adults in western China.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Community-based.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 4037 community-dwelling individuals aged 60 and older from the West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT) study.

MEASUREMENTS

Frailty was assessed using the physical frailty phenotype (PFP) and categorized as non-frail, prefrail and frail. In addition, number of teeth and denture use were examined by calibrated dentists. Multinomial logistic regression models were performed to examine the association between number of teeth, denture use, and frailty.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of frailty was 6.7% among 4037 participants aged 60 and older in western China. Participants with no more than 20 teeth were associated with higher odds of being prefrail or frail whether wearing dentures or not. Denture using could not help lower the odds of being prefrail or frail for older adults with fewer teeth.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that frailty was associated with having fewer teeth (≤20 teeth) among older Chinese adults. Future research involving targeted interventions addressing number of teeth may help provide information to establish effective strategies for frailty prevention in older adults.

The comparison of thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy and open esophagectomy: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy (TLE) and open esophagectomy (OE) in the treatment of esophageal cancer.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases for relevant keywords and the medical subject headings. After we had screened further, 13 clinical trials were included in the final meta-analysis. Specific odds ratios (ORs), standardized mean differences (SMDs), mean differences (MDs), and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

The outcomes of treatment effects included anastomotic leakage, blood loss, number of lymph nodes harvested, and operating time. Comparing OE for esophageal cancer patients, the pooled OR of anastomotic leakage was 0.89 (95% CI = [0.47, 1.68]), the pooled SMD of blood loss was - 0.56 (95% CI = [-0.77, -0.35]), the pooled MD of lymph nodes harvested was - 0.93 (95% CI = [-2.35, 0.50]), and the pooled SMD of operating time was 0.31 (95% CI = [0.02, 0.59]).

CONCLUSION

TLE was found to significantly decrease patients' blood loss. There is no difference of anastomotic leakage and the number of lymph nodes harvested between TLE and OE.

MiR-107 inhibits proliferation of lung cancer cells through regulating TP53 regulated inhibitor of apoptosis 1 (TRIAP1)

Aims

Accumulating evidence indicates that aberrant expression of miR-107 plays a crucial role in cancers. This study aims to display the function of miR-107 and its novel target genes in the progression of lung cancer.

Methods and Material

MiR-107 or miR-107 inhibitor was transfected into lung cancer cells A549. The levels of miR-107 and TP53 regulated inhibition of apoptosis 1 (TRIAP1) were examined by quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis and Western Blot. Functionally, MTT and colony formation assays were carried out to test the effect of miR-107 inhibitor and/or small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting TRIAP1 mRNA on proliferation of lung cancer cells. Levels of miR-107 or TRIAP1 were detected in clinical lung cancer samples by using qRT-PCR analysis.

Results

QRT-PCR analysis revealed that miR-107 inhibitor or miR-107 was successfully transfected into A549 cells. Western Blot indicated that miR-107 decreased the expression of TRIAP1 protein in the cells. In contrast, miR-107 inhibitor augmented the levels of TRIAP1 protein. Functionally, miR-107 inhibitor remarkably suppressed A549 cell proliferation, whereas, TRIAP1 siRNAs could abrogate the miR-107 inhibitor-induced proliferation of cells. Then, we validated that TRIAP1 was increased in clinical lung cancer samples. MiR-107 expression was negatively related to TRIAP1 expression in clinical lung cancer samples.

Conclusions

MiR-107 suppresses cell proliferation by targeting TRIAP1 in lung cancer. Our finding allows new insights into the mechanisms of lung cancer that is mediated by miR-107.

Gefitinib versus Docetaxel in Treated Non-small-cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-analysis

The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib and docetaxel in treated patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods. A literature search was performed using PubMed and CNKI databases for relevant keywords and the Medical Subject Headings. After further full-text screening, 10 clinical trials were included in the final meta-analysis. Specific odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals were calculated. Results. The outcomes of treatment efficacy included disease control rates, quality-of-life improvement rates, 3~4 grade adverse events. Comparing gefitinib to docetaxel for NSCLC patients, the pooled odds ratios (OR) of disease control rates was 1.09, (95% confidential index [CI] = 0.84–1.43), the pooled OR of quality-of-life improvement rates was 2.49, (95% CI = 1.77–3.49), the pooled OR of 3~4 grade adverse events was 0.49, (95% CI = 0.32–0.75). Conclusion. Gefitinib was found to significantly improve patients’ quality-of-life and obviously decrease patients’ adverse events of 3~4 grade.There is no difference of disease control rates between gefitinib and docetaxel.

Dexmedetomidine post-treatment induces neuroprotection via activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in rats with subarachnoid haemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Dexmedetomidine, a sedative agent, provides neuroprotection when administered during or before brain ischaemia. This study was designed to determine whether dexmedetomidine post-treatment induces neuroprotection against subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and the mechanisms for this effect.

METHODS

Subarachnoid haemorrhage was induced by endovascular perforation to the junction of the right middle and anterior cerebral arteries in adult rats. Dexmedetomidine was applied immediately or 2 h after onset of SAH. Neurological outcome was evaluated 2 days after SAH. Right frontal cortex area 1 was harvested 24 h after SAH for western blotting.

RESULTS

Subarachnoid haemorrhage reduced neurological scores and increased brain oedema and blood-brain barrier permeability. These effects were attenuated by dexmedetomidine post-treatment. Neuroprotection by dexmedetomidine was abolished by PD98095, an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation. Phospho-ERK, the activated form of ERK, was increased by dexmedetomidine; this activation was inhibited by PD98095.

CONCLUSIONS

Dexmedetomidine post-treatment provides neuroprotection against SAH. This effect appears to be mediated by ERK.

Genomic alterations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma determined by cancer gene-targeted sequencing

BACKGROUND

To determine genomic alterations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumors obtained through routine clinical practice, selected cancer-related genes were evaluated and compared with alterations seen in frozen tumors obtained through research studies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

DNA samples obtained from 252 FFPE HNSCC were analyzed using next-generation sequencing-based (NGS) clinical assay to determine sequence and copy number variations in 236 cancer-related genes plus 47 introns from 19 genes frequently rearranged in cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) status was determined by presence of the HPV DNA sequence in all samples and corroborated with high-risk HPV in situ hybridization (ISH) and p16 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in a subset of tumors. Sequencing data from 399 frozen tumors in The Cancer Genome Atlas and University of Chicago public datasets were analyzed for comparison.

RESULTS

Among 252 FFPE HNSCC, 84 (33%) were HPV positive and 168 (67%) were HPV negative by sequencing. A subset of 40 tumors with HPV ISH and p16 IHC results showed complete concordance with NGS-derived HPV status. The most common genes with genomic alterations were PIK3CA and PTEN in HPV-positive tumors and TP53 and CDKN2A/B in HPV-negative tumors. In the pathway analysis, the PI3K pathway in HPV-positive tumors and DNA repair-p53 and cell cycle pathways in HPV-negative tumors were frequently altered. The HPV-positive oropharynx and HPV-positive nasal cavity/paranasal sinus carcinoma shared similar mutational profiles.

CONCLUSION

The genomic profile of FFPE HNSCC tumors obtained through routine clinical practice is comparable with frozen tumors studied in research setting, demonstrating the feasibility of comprehensive genomic profiling in a clinical setting. However, the clinical significance of these genomic alterations requires further investigation through application of these genomic profiles as integral biomarkers in clinical trials.

Isoflurane unveils a critical role of glutamate transporter type 3 in regulating hippocampal GluR1 trafficking and context-related learning and memory in mice

Glutamate transporter type 3 (EAAT3) may play a role in cognition. Isoflurane enhances EAAT3 trafficking to the plasma membrane. Thus, we used isoflurane to determine how EAAT3 might regulate learning and memory and the trafficking of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors, such as GluR1, to the plasma membrane, a fundamental biochemical process for learning and memory. Here, isoflurane increased EAAT3 but did not change GluR1 levels in the plasma membrane of wild-type mouse hippocampus. Isoflurane increased protein phosphatase activity in the wild-type and EAAT3(-/-) mouse hippocampus. Also, isoflurane reduced GluR1 in the plasma membrane and decreased phospho-GluR1 in EAAT3(-/-) mice. The phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid attenuated these effects. Finally, isoflurane inhibited context-related fear conditioning in EAAT3(-/-) mice but not in wild-type mice. Thus, isoflurane may increase GluR1 trafficking to the plasma membrane via EAAT3 and inhibit GluR1 trafficking via protein phosphatase. Lack of EAAT3 effects leads to decreased GluR1 trafficking and impaired cognition after isoflurane exposure in EAAT3(-/-) mice.

Cerebral vasodilator properties of Danshen and Gegen: a study of their combined efficacy and mechanisms of actions

Danshen and Gegen are two commonly used Chinese herbal medicines for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the combination effects of these two herbs on cerebral vascular tone and their underlying mechanisms of actions. Basilar artery rings were obtained from rats and precontracted with U46619. Cumulative administrations of aqueous extracts of Danshen, Gegen, or the two herbs combined (DG; ratio 7:3) produced concentration-dependent relaxation of the artery rings. Statistical analysis on these findings produced a combination index (CI) of 1.041 at ED50, which indicates the two herbs produced additive vasodilator effects when used as a combined decoction. Removal of the endothelium had no effect on the vasodilator properties of Danshen, Gegen, and DG. However, their maximum effects (Imax) were significantly blunted by a KATP channel inhibitor glibenclamide, a non-selective K(+) channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium (TEA), and by a combination of K(+) channel inhibitors (glibenclamide+TEA+iberiotoxin+4-aminopyridine+barium chloride). In addition, Danshen, Gegen, and DG produced augmentation of KATP currents and inhibited Ca(2+) influx in vascular smooth muscle cells isolated from rat basilar arteries. Furthermore, these agents inhibited CaCl2-induced contraction in the artery rings. In conclusion, the present study showed that Danshen and Gegen produced additive vasodilator effects on rat cerebral basilar arteries. These effects were independent of endothelium-derived relaxant factors (EDRF), but required the opening of KATP channels and inhibition of Ca(2+) influx in the vascular smooth muscle cells. It is suspected that the cerebral vasodilator effects of Danshen and Gegen produced either on their own or in combination, can help patients with obstructive cerebrovascular diseases.

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate attenuates surgery-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction possibly via inhibition of nuclear factor κB

Surgery induces learning and memory impairment. Neuroinflammation may contribute to this impairment. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is an important transcription factor to regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesize that inhibition of NF-κB by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) reduces neuroinflammation and the impairment of learning and memory. To test this hypothesis, four-month-old male Fischer 344 rats were subjected to right carotid exploration under propofol and buprenorphine anesthesia. Some rats received two doses of 50mg/kg PDTC given intraperitoneally 30min before and 6h after the surgery. Rats were tested in the Barnes maze and fear conditioning paradigm begun 6days after the surgery. Expression of various proteins related to inflammation was examined in the hippocampus at 24h or 21days after the surgery. Here, surgery, but not anesthesia alone, had a significant effect on prolonging the time needed to identify the target hole during the training sessions of the Barnes maze. Surgery also increased the time for identifying the target hole in the long-term memory test and decreased context-related learning and memory in fear conditioning test. Also, surgery increased nuclear expression of p65, a NF-κB component, decreased cytoplasmic amount of inhibitor of NF-κB, and increased the expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 and active matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). Finally, surgery enhanced IgG extravasation in the hippocampus. These surgical effects were attenuated by PDTC. These results suggest that surgery, but not propofol-based anesthesia, induces neuroinflammation and impairment of learning and memory. PDTC attenuates these effects possibly by inhibiting NF-κB activation and the downstream MMP-9 activity.

Identification of a novel HLA-B*27 allele, B*27:79 and the B*27 subtype polymorphism in the Hunan ethnic Han population of China

This article describes a novel HLA-B*27 allele, HLA-B*27:79, which was identified in a Hunan Han ethnic individual of China by a PCR sequence-based typing method. The new sequence has one nucleotide mutation at position 437(A→T) compared with the allele B*27:04:01. This nucleotide change causes an amino acid substitution from Aspartate (Asp) to Valine (Val) at codon 122. This is the first report of mutation at this position in the HLA-B locus. Then, we investigated the HLA-B*27 subtype polymorphism of the Hunan Han population, and the results showed that B*27:04, B*27:05 and B*27:06 are the predominant subtypes with the allele frequencies 0.97%, 0.26% and 0.10% respectively.

Optimization of culture of mesenchymal stem cells: a comparison of conventional plate and microcarrier cultures

OBJECTIVES

There has been increasing interest in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) because of their potential use for regenerative therapy; however, there is no well-defined protocol for MSCs culture. This study compares techniques of conventional plate and microcarrier culturing of MSCs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Here, different conditions for isolation and expansion of rat MSCs have been examined and it was found that plating density and plating time in primary culture played important roles for culture of these rat MSCs. When plated at 10(8) /cm(2) density for 72 h, in primary culture, recycling stem cells (RS cells) predominated, and characteristics of rat MSCs (including morphology, growth rate, phenotype and differentiation potentials) remained stable during expansion until passage 14. For subculture of the cells, it was found that their growth rate when incubated at 33 °C was higher than those incubated at 37 °C, and maximal increase was 10- and 6-fold respectively. When cultured using microcarriers, at a density of 1 × 10(5) /mg beads, growth kinetics, phenotype and differentiation potentials also remained constant for cells between passage 2nd and 14th; their maximal number increased 16-fold.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to conventional plate culture, culture using gelatine porous microcarrier Cultispher-S was superior for large-scale production of rat MSCs.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mediates arsenite inhibition of UVB-induced cellular apoptosis in mouse epidermal Cl41 cells

Inorganic arsenic is an environmental human carcinogen, and has been shown to act as a co-carcinogen with solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation in mouse skin tumor induction even at low concentrations. However, the precise mechanism of its co-carcinogenic action is largely unknown. Apoptosis plays an essential role as a protective mechanism against neoplastic development in the organism by eliminating genetically damaged cells. Thus, suppression of apoptosis is thought to contribute to carcinogenesis. It is known that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) can promote carcinogenesis by inhibiting cell apoptosis under stress conditions; and our current studies investigated the potential contribution of COX-2 to the inhibitory effect of arsenite in UV-induced cell apoptosis in mouse epidermal Cl41 cells. We found that treatment of cells with low concentration (5 μM) arsenite attenuated cellular apoptosis upon UVB radiation accompanied with a coinductive effect on COX-2 expression and nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) transactivation. Our results also showed that the COX-2 induction by arsenite and UVB depended on an NFκB pathway because COX-2 co-induction could be attenuated in either p65-deficient or p50-deficient cells. Moreover, UVB-induced cell apoptosis could be dramatically reduced by the introduction of exogenous COX-2 expression, whereas the inhibitory effect of arsenite on UVB-induced cell apoptosis could be impaired in COX-2 knockdown C141 cells. Our results indicated that COX-2 mediated the anti-apoptotic effect of arsenite in UVB radiation through an NFκB-dependent pathway. Given the importance of apoptosis evasion during carcinogenesis, we anticipated that COX-2 induction might be at least partially responsible for the co-carcinogenic effect of arsenite on UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis.

Mechanisms of the cerebral vasodilator actions of isoflavonoids of Gegen on rat isolated basilar artery

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gegen (root of Pueraria lobata) is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, the relaxant actions of three of its isoflavonoids; puerarin, daidzein, and daidzin, were investigated on rat-isolated cerebral basilar artery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rat basilar artery rings were precontracted with 100 nM U46619. Involvement of endothelium-dependent mechanisms was investigated by mechanical removal of the endothelium and inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. Adenylyl cyclase- and guanylyl cyclase-dependent pathways were investigated using their respective inhibitors 9-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-9H-purine-6-amine (SQ22536) and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo [4,3-[alpha]]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). K(+) channels were investigated by pretreatment of the artery rings with various K(+) channel inhibitors, and Ca(2+) channels were investigated in artery rings incubated with Ca(2+)-free buffer and primed with 100 nM U46619 for 5 min prior to adding CaCl(2) to elicit contraction.

RESULTS

Puerarin, daidzein, and daidzin produced concentration-dependent relaxation of the artery rings with concentration that produced 50% inhibition (IC(50)) of 304 ± 49 μM, 20 ± 7 μM, and 140 ± 21 μM, respectively. Removal of the endothelium produced no change on their vasorelaxant responses except the maximum response (I(max)) to puerarin was inhibited by 28%. The NOS inhibitor N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 100 μM) also produced 45% inhibition on the puerarin-induced vasorelaxant response, but not the COX inhibitor flurbiprofen (10 μM). SQ22536 (100 μM) and ODQ (100μM) did not affect the vasodilator responses to puerarin, daidzein and daidzin, but glibenclamide (1μM), tetraethylammonium (TEA, 100mM) or a combination of K(+) channel inhibitors (100nM iberiotoxin+1mM 4-aminopyridine+100 μM barium chloride+1 μM glibenclamide+100mM TEA) reduced their I(max). The contractile response to CaCl(2) was attenuated by 61% and 34% in the presence of daidzein and daidzin, respectively, whereas, puerarin did not significantly affect the contraction.

CONCLUSIONS

The vasorelaxant action of daidzein and daidzin involved opening of K(+) channels and inhibition of Ca(2+) influx in the vascular smooth muscle cells. There is no evidence supporting involvement of endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs) in their actions. In contrast, puerarin produced vasodilatation via an endothelium-dependent mechanism involving nitric oxide production and an endothelium-independent pathway mediated by the opening of K(+) channels. The cerebral vasodilator activities of all these three isoflavonoids may be beneficial to patients with obstructive cerebrovascular diseases.

Isoflurane postconditioning induces neuroprotection via Akt activation and attenuation of increased mitochondrial membrane permeability

We have shown that isoflurane application at the onset of reperfusion (postconditioning) reduces brain ischemic injury in rats. This study was designed to determine whether this protection involved activation of prosurvival protein kinases and maintenance of normal mitochondrial membrane permeability. Two-month-old male rats were subjected to a 90-min middle cerebral arterial occlusion. They then were exposed or were not exposed to 2% isoflurane for 1 h. Ischemic penumbral cerebral cortex was harvested immediately and separated into the mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions. We showed that the mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide content in the ischemic penumbral cortex was significantly reduced, suggesting an increased mitochondrial membrane permeability. This increase was partly attenuated by isoflurane postconditioning. The mitochondrial adenosine diphosphate content in the penumbral cortex was reduced no matter whether the animals were postconditioned with isoflurane. The mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate concentration was not different among various experimental conditions. The phospho-Akt in the cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions of the ischemic penumbral cortex was higher than that in the control cortex. This increase trended to be higher in animals with isoflurane postconditioning. A similar change pattern was observed in the mitochondrial phospho-glycogen synthase kinase 3β, an Akt substrate that can regulate the mitochondrial membrane permeability. Isoflurane postconditioning reduced oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced injury of rat cortical neuronal cultures and increased phospho-Akt in these cells. The isoflurane postconditioning-induced protection in the neuronal cultures was decreased by the Akt inhibitor LY294002. These results suggest that isoflurane postconditioning effects may be mediated by Akt and involve reduced mitochondrial membrane permeability.

Glutamate transporter type 3 knockout mice have a decreased isoflurane requirement to induce loss of righting reflex

Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT) uptake extracellular glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. EAAT type 3 (EAAT3), the main neuronal EAAT, is expressed widely in the CNS. We have shown that the volatile anesthetic isoflurane increases EAAT3 activity and trafficking to the plasma membrane. Thus, we hypothesize that EAAT3 mediates isoflurane-induced anesthesia. To test this hypothesis, the potency of isoflurane to induce immobility and hypnosis, two major components of general anesthesia, was compared in the CD-1 wild-type mice and EAAT knockout mice that had a CD-1 strain gene background. Hypnosis was assessed by loss of righting reflex in this study. The expression of EAAT1 and EAAT2, two widely expressed EAATs in the CNS, in the cerebral cortex and spinal cord was not different between the EAAT3 knockout mice and wild-type mice. The concentration required for isoflurane to cause immobility to painful stimuli, a response involving primarily reflex loops in the spinal cord, was not changed by EAAT3 knockout. However, the EAAT3 knockout mice were more sensitive to isoflurane-induced hypnotic effects, which may be mediated by hypothalamic sleep neural circuits. Interestingly, the EAAT3 knockout mice did not have an altered sensitivity to the hypnotic effects caused by ketamine, an i.v. anesthetic that is a glutamate receptor antagonist and does not affect EAAT3 activity. These results suggest that EAAT3 modulates the sensitivity of neural circuits to isoflurane. These results, along with our previous findings which suggests that isoflurane increases EAAT3 activity, indicate that EAAT3 may regulate isoflurane-induced behavioral changes, including anesthesia.

Mechanisms of the relaxant effect of a danshen and gegen formulation on rat isolated cerebral basilar artery

AIM OF THE STUDY

Danshen (root of Salvia miltiorrhiza) and gegen (root of Pueraria lobata) are two herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, most commonly for their putative cardioprotective and anti-atherosclerotic effects. In this study, the actions of a danshen and gegen formulation (DG; ratio 7:3) were investigated on rat-isolated cerebral basilar artery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rat basilar artery rings were precontracted with 100 nM U46619. Involvement of endothelium-dependent mechanisms was investigated by mechanical removal of the endothelium; K(+) channels were investigated by pretreatment of the artery rings with various K(+) channel inhibitors, and Ca(2+) channels were investigated in artery rings incubated with Ca(2+)-free buffer and primed with 100 nM U46619 for 5 min prior to adding CaCl(2) to elicit contraction.

RESULTS

DG produced concentration-dependent relaxation of the artery rings with an IC(50) of 895±121 μg/ml. Mechanical removal of the endothelium or pretreatment with the BK(Ca) channel inhibitor iberiotoxin (100 nM), the K(V) channel inhibitor 4-aminopyridine (1 mM), or the K(IR) channel inhibitor barium chloride (100 μM), all had no effect on the DG-induced response (P>0.05 for all). However, pretreatment with the K(ATP) channel inhibitor glibenclamide (1 μM), the non-selective K(+) channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium (TEA, 100 mM), or a combination of all the K(+) channel inhibitors (iberiotoxin+4-aminopyrindine+barium chloride+glibenclamide+TEA) produced significant inhibition on the DG-induced response (P<0.01 for all); its maximum vasorelaxant effect (Imax) was reduced by 37, 24, and 30%, respectively. Preincubation of the artery rings with DG for 10 min produced concentration-dependent (1, 3 and 7 mg/ml) and total inhibition on the CaCl(2)-induced vasoconstriction.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest the vasorelaxant effect of DG on rat basilar artery is independent of endothelium-derived mediators, whereas, inhibition of Ca(2+) influx in the vascular smooth muscle cells is important, and a minor component is mediated by the opening of K(ATP) channels. DG could be a useful cerebroprotective agent in some patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease.

Ethyl acetate fraction of the root of Rubia cordifolia L. inhibits keratinocyte proliferation in vitro and promotes keratinocyte differentiation in vivo: potential application for psoriasis treatment

Psoriasis is a skin disease associated with hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of keratinocytes. Our previous studies have identified the root of Rubia cordifolia L. as a potent antiproliferative and apoptogenic agent in cultured HaCaT cells (IC(50) 1.4 microg/ml). In the present study, ethanolic extract of Radix Rubiae was fractioned sequentially with hexane, ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol and water. EA fraction was found to possess most potent antiproliferative action on HaCaT cells (IC(50) 0.9 microg/ml). Mechanistic study revealed that EA fraction induced apoptosis on HaCaT cells, as it was capable of inducing apoptotic morphological changes. Annexin V-PI staining assay also demonstrated that EA fraction significantly augmented HaCaT apoptosis. In addition, EA fraction decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The standardized EA fraction was formulated into topical gel and its keratinocyte-modulating action was tested on mouse tail model. EA fraction dose-dependently increased the number and thickness of granular layer and epidermal thickness on mouse tail skin, indicative of the keratinocyte differentiation-inducing activity. Taking the in vitro and in vivo findings together, the present preclinical study confirms that EA fraction is a promising antipsoriatic agent warranting further development for psoriasis treatment.

Morphine preconditioning reduces lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma-induced mouse microglial cell injury via delta 1 opioid receptor activation

Microglial cells play an important role in the inflammatory response of a broad range of brain diseases including stroke, brain infection and neurodegenerative diseases. However, there is very little information regarding how to protect microglial cells. Here, we showed that incubation of the C8-B4 mouse microglial cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) induced cytotoxicity as assessed by the amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from the cells. Preconditioning the cells with morphine for 30 min concentration-dependently reduced LPS plus IFN gamma-induced cell injury. This morphine preconditioning effect was abolished by naloxone, a general opioid receptor antagonist, by naltrindole, a selective delta opioid receptor antagonist and by 7-benzylidenenaltrexone maleate, a selective delta(1) opioid receptor antagonist. However, this protective effect was not affected by beta-funaltrexamine, a selective mu opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine, a selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist or naltriben, a selective delta(2) opioid receptor antagonist. LPS plus IFN gamma induced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which was not affected by morphine preconditioning. Our results suggest that morphine induced a preconditioning effect in microglial cells. This effect may be mediated by delta 1 opioid receptors and may not be through inhibiting the expression of iNOS, a potentially harmful protein.

Isoflurane preconditioning improves short-term and long-term neurological outcome after focal brain ischemia in adult rats

Isoflurane preconditioning improved short-term neurological outcome after focal brain ischemia in adult rats. It is not known whether desflurane induces a delayed phase of preconditioning in the brain and whether isoflurane preconditioning-induced neuroprotection is long-lasting. Two months-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were exposed to or were not exposed to isoflurane or desflurane for 30 min and then subjected to a 90 min middle cerebral arterial occlusion (MCAO) at 24 h after the anesthetic exposure. Neurological outcome was evaluated at 24 h or 4 weeks after the MCAO. The density of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotinylated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positive cells in the penumbral cerebral cortex were assessed 4 weeks after the MCAO. Also, rats were pretreated with isoflurane or desflurane for 30 min. Their cerebral cortices were harvested for quantifying B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression 24 h later. Here, we showed that pretreatment with 1.1% or 2.2% isoflurane, but not with 6% or 12% desflurane, increased Bcl-2 expression in the cerebral cortex, improved neurological functions and reduced infarct volumes evaluated at 24 h after the MCAO. Isoflurane preconditioning also improved neurological functions and reduced brain infarct volumes in rats evaluated 4 weeks after the MCAO. Isoflurane preconditioning also decreased the density of TUNEL-positive cells in the penumbral cerebral cortex. We conclude that isoflurane preconditioning improves short-term and long-term neurological outcome and reduces delayed cell death after transient focal brain ischemia in adult rats. Bcl-2 may be involved in the isoflurane preconditioning effect. Desflurane pretreatment did not induce a delayed phase of neuroprotection.

A nine-gene predictor of therapy response in adult Philadelphia-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL)

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Background: Ph+ ALL in adults shows a poor response to therapy and high frequency of relapse. This study utilized a meta-analysis of previous genome-wide gene expression studies to define and validate a nine-gene predictor of outcome in Ph+ ALL patients. Methods: Normalized gene expression data from previously published studies of 672 ALL patients were analyzed to identify genes associated with therapy response. Expression of the selected genes was assessed using Applied Biosystems low density reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) arrays in bone marrow (BM) samples from 27 adult Ph+ ALL patients treated with standard chemotherapy plus a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Therapy responses were defined at the molecular level by monitoring BCR/ABL1 levels, and categorized into 3 groups: optimal, persistent and relapse. Median follow up was 6 months (range 4–15). Median disease-free survival among the optimal and relapse groups were 12 and 5 months respectively (p = 0.002). There was no statistical difference in age, initial peripheral blood white cell and BM blast counts, and initial normalized BCR/ABL1 levels between groups. Differentially expressed genes were selected using the significance analysis of microarrays (SAM). Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis were applied to assess the correlation between gene expression pattern and therapy response. A predictive model was built using support vector machines. Differences in survival among groups were compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: Data mining and pathway analysis of the published data identified 46 genes in 7 pathways potentially associated with therapy response (p < 0.001). RT-qPCR results from a 15 case training set, 5 in each outcome group, identified 9 genes that classified the cases with 100% accuracy. Validation using an additional 12 cases showed 91.7% prediction accuracy (ROC error = 0.056). Compared with the initial diagnostic samples, gene expression pattern in relapsed samples shifted to that resembling the persistent group. Conclusions: Using data-trimming of whole genome expression studies, we defined and validated a nine-gene signature that is an independent predictive marker for therapy response in adult Ph+ ALL patients.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Pharmacokinetic characterization of hydroxylpropyl-beta-cyclodextrin-included complex of cryptotanshinone, an investigational cardiovascular drug purified from Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)

1. The study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of cryptotanshinone in a hydroxylpropyl-beta-cyclodextrin-included complex in dogs and rats. 2. Animals were administrated the inclusion complex of cryptotanshinone and the concentrations of cryptotanshinone and its major metabolite tanshinone IIA were determined by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. 3. Cryptotanshinone in inclusion complex was absorbed slowly after an oral dose, and the C(max) and AUC(0-)(t) were dose-proportional. The bioavailability of cryptotanshinone in rats was (6.9% +/- 1.9%) at 60 mg kg(-1) and (11.1% +/- 1.8%) in dogs at 53.4 mg kg(-1). The t(1/2) of the compound in rats and dogs was 5.3-7.4 and 6.0-10.0 h, respectively. Cryptotanshinone showed a high accumulation in the intestine, lung and liver after oral administration, while the lung, liver and heart had the highest level following intravenous dose. Excretion data in rats showed that cryptotanshinone and its metabolites were mainly eliminated from faeces and bile, and the dose recovery rate was 0.02, 2.2, and 14.9% in urine, bile, and faeces, respectively. 4. The disposition of cryptotanshinone in an inclusion complex was dose-independent and the bioavailability was increased compared with that without cyclodextrin used to formulate the drug. Cryptotanshinone was distributed extensively into different organs. Excretion of cryptotanshinone and its metabolites into urine was extremely low, and they were mainly excreted into faeces and bile.

Preclinical factors affecting the pharmacokinetic behaviour of tanshinone IIA, an investigational new drug isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza for the treatment of ischaemic heart diseases

Tanshinone IIA (TSIIA) is a major active triterpenoid isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza. The purposes of this study were to investigate various preclinical factors that determined the pharmacokinetics of TSIIA. After oral dosing at 6.7, 20, and 60 mg kg(-1), TSIIA was detected mainly as glucuronidated conjugate (TSIIAG) with only small amounts of the unchanged in the plasma. TSIIA was predominantly excreted into the bile and faeces as TSIIAG, and urine to a minor extent. The C(max) and AUC(0-)(t) of TSIIAG after i.p. administration were significantly lower than those after intragastric administration. The plasma concentration-time profiles of TSIIA following oral dosing of TSIIA showed multiple peaks. The C(max) and AUC(0-)(t) of TSIIA and its glucuronides in rats with intact bile duct were significantly lower than those of rats with bile duct cannulation. Studies from the linked-rat model and intraduodenal injection of bile containing TSIIA and its metabolites indicate that TSIIA glucuronides underwent hydrolysis and the aglycone was reabsorbed from the gut and excreted into the bile as conjugates. TSIIA had a wide tissue distribution, with a very high accumulation in the lung, but very limited penetration into the brain and testes. TSIIA was metabolized by rat CYP2C, 3A and 2D, as ticlopidine, ketoconazole and quinidine all inhibited TSIIA metabolism in rat liver microsomes. Taken collectively, these findings indicate that multiple factors play important roles in determining the pharmacokinetics of TSIIA.