Simulating PDT of port-wine stains in the in vivo chicken wattle model using Hemoporfin and radiation at 532 nm: Comparison of a LED and a laser source

Port-wine stain (PWS) birthmarks are congenital capillary malformations occurring in 0.3 %∼0.5 % of newborns. Hemoporfin-mediated vascular-acting photodynamic therapy (Hemoporfin PDT) is an emerging option for treating PWS. This in vivo study aimed to compare laser and light-emitting diodes (LED) as light source for Hemoporfin PDT. Chicken wattles were used as the animal model. Color and histopathological changes were evaluated after combining Hemoporfin with KTP laser or LED light source of 532 nm at the same doses. Both PDT approaches could induce significant vascular injury and color bleaching. Although the use of the laser resulted in a greater vascular clearance, the LED showed more uniform distribution both in the beam profiles and tissue reaction and exhibited better safety. This in vivo study suggests that the LED is a favorable choice for larger PWS lesion.

Lesion segmentation using 3D scan and deep learning for the evaluation of facial portwine stain birthmarks

BACKGROUND

Portwine stain (PWS) birthmarks are congenital vascular malformations. The quantification of PWS area is an important step in lesion classification and treatment evaluation.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combination of 3D scan with deep learning for automated PWS area quantization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PWS color was measured using a portable spectrophotometer. PWS patches (29.26-45.82 cm2) of different color and shape were generated for 2D and 3D PWS model. 3D images were acquired by a handheld 3D scanner to create texture maps. For semantic segmentation, an improved DeepLabV3+ network was developed for PWS lesion extraction from texture mapping of 3D images. In order to achieve accurate extraction of lesion regions, the convolutional block attention module (CBAM) and DENSE were introduced and the network was trained under Ranger optimizer. The performance of different backbone networks for PWS lesion extraction were also compared.

RESULTS

IDeepLabV3+ (Xception) showed the best results in PWS lesion extraction and area quantification. Its mean Intersection over Union (MIou) was 0.9797, Mean Pixel Accuracy (MPA) 0.9908, Accuracy 0.9989, Recall 0.9886 and F1-score 0.9897, respectively. In PWS area quantization, the mean value of the area error rate of this scheme was 2.61 ± 2.33.

CONCLUSIONS

The new 3D method developed in this study was able to achieve accurate quantification of PWS lesion area and has potentials for clinical applications.

IGF2BP3/HIF1A/YAP signaling plays a role in driving acute-on-chronic liver failure through activating hepatocyte reprogramming

BACKGROUND

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome with both high prevalence and mortality. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive and there is no effective therapeutic approach available. Here we aim to uncover novel molecular mechanisms of ACLF and identify potential therapeutic targets.

METHOD

We performed integrative analysis of 3 transcriptomic datasets and subsequent bioinformatic analysis aiming for potential genes of significance in ACLF development, identifying a critical role of IGF2BP3/HIF1A signaling in development of ACLF. Expression of molecules in IGF2BP3/HIF1A pathway and hepatocyte reprogramming markers in clinical samples were then determined by western blot and quantitative PCR. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification of HIF1A was analyzed by m6A dot assay and PCR following m6A-antibody precipitation. The molecular mechanisms among IGFBP3, HIF1α and YAP1 were further validated by gene overexpression and knockdown experiments in HepG2 and Hep3B cells. Cell phenotypes of hepatocyte reprogramming were determined by EdU staining, sphere formation assay and immunoblotting of relevant markers.

RESULTS

Our data demonstrated that IGF2BP3 recognized m6A modification in HIF1A mRNA as an m6A reader, thereby promoting expression of HIF1A by increasing RNA stability. HIF1A activated Rho GTPases (RhoA) and suppressed phosphorylation of YAP via inhibiting LATS1/2, promoting translocation of non-phosphorylated YAP into the nucleus, resulting in fetal liver programme and ultimate hepatic injury in ACLF patients.

CONCLUSION

We reveal a novel molecular mechanism that IGF2BP3/HIF1A/YAP signaling promotes hepatocyte reprogramming, causing hepatic injury in ACLF. Our study provides potential targets for treatment of ACLF.

Lack of furosemide responsiveness predict severe acute kidney injury after liver transplantation

Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains to be a common but severe complication after liver transplantation (LT). However, there are still few clinically validated biomarkers. A total of 214 patients who underwent routine furosemide (1-2 mg/kg) after LT were retrospectively included. The urine output during the first 6 h was recorded to evaluate the predictive value of AKI stage 3 and renal replacement therapy (RRT). 105 (49.07%) patients developed AKI, including 21 (9.81%) progression to AKI stage 3 and 10 (4.67%) requiring RRT. The urine output decreased with the increasing severity of AKI. The urine output of AKI stage 3 did not significantly increase after the use of furosemide. The area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves for the total urine output in the first hour to predict progression to AKI stage 3 was 0.94 (p < 0.001). The ideal cutoff for predicting AKI progression during the first hour was a urine volume of less than 200 ml with a sensitivity of 90.48% and specificity of 86.53%. The area under the ROC curves for the total urine output in the six hours to predict progression to RRT was 0.944 (p < 0.001). The ideal cutoff was a urine volume of less than 500 ml with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 90.91%. Severe AKI after liver transplantation seriously affects the outcome of patients. Lack of furosemide responsiveness quickly and accurately predict AKI stage 3, and patients requiring RRT after the operation.

Synergy of Hofmeister effect and ligand crosslinking enabled the facile fabrication of super-strong, pre-stretching-enhanced gelatin-based hydrogels

Hydrogels are becoming increasingly popular in biomedical and soft machine manufacturing, but their practical application is limited by poor mechanical properties. In recent years, Hofmeister effect-enhanced gelatin hydrogels have become popular. However, the synergy of the Hofmeister effect using other toughening methods is still less investigated. We have fabricated an ultra-high strength gelatin-based hydrogel by introducing ligand cross-linking and hydrogen bonds. Unlike conventional double-network hydrogels, the dense physical cross-linking involving sacrificial bonds gives the hydrogel excellent fatigue resistance and self-recovery properties. The enhancement of mechanical properties by the Hofmeister effect is attributed to the disruption of the hydration shell of the gelatin molecular chains, which leads to stronger interactions between the molecular chains. The mechanical properties of the hydrogels are adjustable over a wide range by varying the concentration of the soaked (NH₄)₂SO₄ solution. The fixation of the gelatin molecular chain orientation by the Hofmeister effect and the reorganization of the coordination bonds allow the hydrogels to be self-reinforced by pre-stretching. At the same time, the modulus contraction of hydrogels in high-concentration salt solutions, and relaxation and swelling in dilute solutions exhibit ionic stimulation responses and shape recovery capability, and hybrid hydrogels have great potential as bio-actuators.

Remarkable ferroelectricity-modulated electronic and magnetic properties in a 2H-VS2/BiAlO3(0001) hybrid system

In the present work, a 2H-VS₂/BiAlO₃(0001) hybrid system is constructed to perform first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results reveal that, in addition to the ionic-vdW interface coupling, the ferromagnetic semiconductive 2H-VS₂ monolayer on the ferroelectric BiAlO₃(0001) substrate exhibits n-type or p-type doping behavior and even half-metal characteristics. Furthermore, the magnetoelectric coefficient (α_S) for the 2H-VS₂/BiAlO₃(0001) structures can reach a value of 10^-10 G cm² V^-1 with ferroelectric polarization reversal. The estimated Curie temperatures (T_c) of the 2H-VS₂ monolayer on the BiAlO₃(0001) Z+ (positive), Z+↓ (polarization-reversed Z+), Z- (negative), and Z-↑ (polarization-reversed Z-) polar surfaces were found to be 176, 276, 266, and 87 K, respectively. This indicates that the magnetic properties of the 2H-VS₂ monolayer are remarkably tunable using a ferroelectric BiAlO₃(0001) knob. These important findings provide a distinctive treatment option for controllable and adjustable nanoelectronic, photoelectronic, and spintronic devices based on a 2H-VS₂ monolayer.

Construction of Core-Shell NanoMOFs@microgel for Aqueous Lubrication and Thermal-Responsive Drug Release

The construction of porous nanocarriers with good lubricating performance and stimuli-responsive drug release is significant for the synergetic therapy of osteoarthritis (OA). Although metal-organic framework nanoparticles (nanoMOFs) as carriers can support drug delivery, achieving the synergy of aqueous lubrication and stimuli-responsive drug release is challenging. In this work, a core-shell nanoMOFs@poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) microgel hybrid via one-pot soap-free emulsion polymerization is developed. Programmable growth of the PNIPAm microgel layer on the surface of nanoMOFs is achieved by tuning the concentration of the monomer and the crosslinker in the reaction. Reversible swelling-collapsing behaviors of the hybrid are realized by tuning the temperature below and above the lower critical solution temperature. When used as water lubrication additives, the hybrid enables reductions in both the coefficient of friction and wear volume. In vitro thermal-responsive drug release is demonstrated on the diclofenac sodium-loaded hybrid by controlling the swelling and collapsing states of the PNIPAm nanolayer. Moreover, the good biocompatibility of the hybrid is verified by culturing toward HeLa and BEAS-2B cells. These results establish a nanoMOFs@microgel hybrid that can achieve friction and wear reduction and thermal-responsive drug release.

Electrostatic Modulation and Mechanism of the Electronic Properties of Monolayer MoS2 via Ferroelectric BiAlO3(0001) Polar Surfaces

In the present work, first-principles density functional theory calculations were carried out to explore the intrinsic interface coupling and electrostatic modulation as well as the effect of ferroelectric polarization reversal in the MoS₂/BiAlO₃(0001) [MoS₂/BAO(0001)] hybrid system. In addition to the interaction mechanism of the large ionic-van der Waals (vdW) coupling, our results indicate that the electronic properties of monolayer MoS₂ on the BAO(0001) polar surface can be effectively modulated by reversing the ferroelectric polarization and/or engineering the domain structures of the substrate. Due to the unusual charge transfer between the MoS₂ overlayer and the down-polarized ferroelectric BAO(0001) substrate, in the final analysis, the physical mechanism determining the interfacial charge transfer in the MoS₂/BAO(0001) hybrid system is attributed to the specific band alignment between the clean BAO(0001) surface and the freestanding monolayer MoS₂. Furthermore, our study predicts that MoS₂-based ferroelectric field-effect transistors and various types of seamless p-i, n-i, p-n, p⁺-p, and n⁺-n homojunctions possessing an extremely steep built-in electric field can be fabricated by reversing the ferroelectric polarization and/or patterning the domain structure of the BAO(0001) substrate.

Interface coupling and charge doping in graphene on ferroelectric BiAlO3(0001) polar surfaces

The ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs) based on graphene/ferroelectric (Gr/FE) hybrid systems have been attracting a lot of attention in recent years. The interface interaction and charge transfer between graphene and the ferroelectric substrates are important factors that determine the performance of graphene-based FeFETs. According to our intuitive sense, the electrostatically doped carriers in graphene on the ferroelectric positive and negative surfaces should be n-type and p-type, respectively. In the present work, however, by employing first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we reveal that an unusual charge doping effect occurs in graphene on the thermodynamically preferred ferroelectric BiAlO₃(0001) polar surfaces. The graphene on the BiAlO₃(0001) positive surface is electrostatically doped p-type, while the BiAlO₃(0001) negative surface induces n-type carriers in the graphene overlayer. Further analysis demonstrates that, although the electrostatic doping effect in the Gr/FE system depends on the polarization direction of the ferroelectric substrate, the resultant carrier type and density in graphene are determined by the specific band arrangement between graphene and the ferroelectric polar surface. In addition to the graphene-based FeFETs, our results predict that the Gr/BiAlO₃(0001) systems can be used to fabricate graphene p-n homojunctions by engineering the domain pattern in the ferroelectric substrate.

Patterning Chronic Active Demyelination in Slowly Expanding/Evolving White Matter MS Lesions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Slowly expanding/evolving lesions measured by conventional T1-weighted/T2-weighted brain MR imaging may contribute to progressive disability accumulation in MS. We evaluated the longitudinal change in myelin and axonal tissue integrity in white matter slowly expanding/evolving lesions by means of the magnetization transfer ratio and DTI radial diffusivity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Slowly expanding/evolving lesions were detected within the Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of BIIB033 in Participants With Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis When Used Concurrently With Avonex (SYNERGY) Phase 2 clinical trial dataset (NCT01864148), comprising patients with relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive MS (n = 299) with T1-weighted/T2-weighted MR imaging at all trial time points (baseline to week 72).

RESULTS

Compared with non-slowly expanding/evolving lesions (areas not classified as slowly expanding/evolving lesion) of baseline nonenhancing T2 lesions, slowly expanding/evolving lesions had a lower normalized magnetization transfer ratio and greater DTI radial diffusivity, both in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (n = 242) and secondary-progressive MS (n = 57, P < .001 for all). Although the changes with time in both the normalized magnetization transfer ratio and DTI radial diffusivity between slowly expanding/evolving lesions and non-slowly expanding/evolving lesions were positively correlated (P < .001), a decrease in the normalized magnetization transfer ratio and a greater increase in DTI radial diffusivity were observed in slowly expanding/evolving lesions versus non-slowly expanding/evolving lesions from baseline to week 72 in relapsing-remitting MS and secondary-progressive MS (P < .001 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Patterns of longitudinal change in the normalized magnetization transfer ratio and DTI radial diffusivity in slowly expanding/evolving lesions were consistent with progressive demyelination and tissue loss, as seen in smoldering white matter MS plaques.

P03.09 Real world management and prognosis of glioma patients:SYSUCC report from China

Background: The conventional way of patient treatment should be following guidelines. While in clinical practice, patients received treatments very often away from suggested guideline. In this report, we reviewed glioma patients received real world treatment at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) and results of this patient series.

Methods: Total of 1215 glioma patients received surgery at SYSUCC from 2000 to 2017 were enclosed for analysis. The pathologic diagnosis of patients has followed WHO classification (initially 2007 standard, than 2016 standard).

Results: A total of 1001 newly diagnosed brain glioma patients were analyzed, including 90 cases WHO grade I, 307 grade II, 239 grade III and 365 grade IV. The median age of onset was 14 (1–75), 35 (2–69), 41 (8–82) and 50 (2–86) years old, respectively, for grade I, II, III and IV glioma patients. Tumor total resection was achieved in 567 patients (57.5%). Among all patients, 331 high-grade gliomas (54.8%) and 159 low-grade glioma (40.1%) received radiotherapy, whereas 285 high-grade gliomas (47.1%) and 80 low-grade tumors (20.2%) received chemotherapy. Among high-grade gliomas, the median OS of glioblastoma, anaplastic astrocytoma and anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors were 17.7 months (15.7–19.7 months), 33.7 months (24.0–43.4 months) and 110.6 months (43.5–177.7 months), respectively, whereas the median OS of low-grade gliomas was not reach. The 5-year survival rate of grade I, II, III and IV gliomas was 94.7%, 73.7%, 45.1% and 18.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified that onset age, Karnofsky performance status, tumor location, preoperative seizure, pathological subtype, resection extent and post-surgical treatment were independent predictors of OS for patients with high-grade gliomas. Patients received post-surgical radiotherapy and (or) chemotherapy had better survival than those without adjuvant treatment (grade III: 53.3 vs. 20.6 months, p =0.012; grade IV: 22.9 vs. 12.3 months, p < 0.001). For low-grade gliomas, patients’ age, Ki-67 index, tumor subtype and resection extent were associated with clinical outcomes.

Conclusions: Glioma patients received treatments do not always following guidelines in clinical practice. Although standard care for patients may beneficial for prognosis, personalized treatment may more acceptable for patients and even resulting better outcome which should keep in mind in routine clinical practice.

Exploration of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Treatment of Refractory Diarrhea After Renal Transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Exploration of fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of refractory diarrhea after renal transplantation.

METHODS

Summarize the etiology of 120 cases with diarrhea after renal transplantation from 2014 to 2017 in our hospital. There were 4 recipients of refractory diarrhea who accepted fecal microbiota transplantation with informed consent, and we collected clinical data of stool and bacterial culture, gut microbiota analysis, graft function, electrolytes, immunosuppressant concentrations of prognostic evaluation of patients with fecal transplantation.

RESULTS

The absorption of electrolyte is slightly higher and concentration of tacrolimus and creatinine were not significantly changed compared with before.

CONCLUSION

Fecal microbiota transplantation provides a new choice to refractory diarrhea after renal transplantation as an innovative treatment, but the effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplantation needs long-term observation and further evaluation through large sample data.

Serological evidence for exposure to avian influenza viruses within poultry workers in southern China

The risk of infection with avian influenza viruses for poultry workers is relatively unknown in China, and study results are often biased by the notification of only the severe human cases. Protein microarray was used to detect binding antibodies to 13 different haemagglutinin (HA1-part) antigens of avian influenza A(H5N1), A(H7N7), A(H7N9) and A(H9N2) viruses, in serum samples from poultry workers and healthy blood donors collected in the course of 3 years in Guangdong Province, China. Significantly higher antibody titre levels were detected in poultry workers when compared to blood donors for the most recent H5 and H9 strains tested. These differences were most pronounced in younger age groups for antigens from older strains, but were observed in all age groups for the recent H5 and H9 antigens. For the H7 strains tested, only poultry workers from two retail live poultry markets had significantly higher antibody titres compared to blood donors.

PTPRO represses ERBB2-driven breast oncogenesis by dephosphorylation and endosomal internalization of ERBB2

The plasma membrane-associated tyrosine phosphatase PTPRO is frequently transcriptionally repressed in cancers and signifies poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. In this study, deletion of Ptpro in MMTV-Erbb2 transgenic mice dramatically shortened the mammary tumor latency and accelerated tumor growth due to loss of Ptpro within the breast cancer cells but not in surrounding tissue as confirmed by hetero-transplantation studies. Both in vitro and in vivo data demonstrated that the phosphatase activity was required for the inactivation of ERBB2 and its downstream signaling. PTPRO regulated the phosphorylation status of ERBB2 at Y1248. Co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assay (Duolink) indicated that PTPRO directly physically interacted with ERBB2. Moreover, PTPRO phosphatase activity shortened the half-life of ERBB2 by increasing endocytotic degradation. PTPRO reexpression by demethylation treatment using 5-azacytidine reduced the proliferation and colony formation potential in ERBB2-positive breast cancer cells. Taken together, PTPRO inhibited ERBB2-driven breast cancer through dephosphorylation leading to dual effects of ERBB2 signaling suppression and endosomal internalization of ERBB2, Therefore, reexpression of PTPRO may be a potential therapy for ERBB2-overexpressing breast cancer.

A new lipase–inorganic hybrid nanoflower with enhanced enzyme activity

A new hybrid nanoflower biocatalyst was synthesized using the organic component of Burkholderia cepacia lipase and inorganic component of calcium phosphate.

Imported case of MERS-CoV infection identified in China, May 2015: detection and lesson learned

At the end of May 2015, an imported case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection was confirmed in China. The patient is in a stable condition and is still undergoing treatment. In this report, we summarise the preliminary findings for this imported case and the results of contact tracing. We identified 78 close contacts and after 14 days of monitoring and isolation, none of the contacts presented symptoms and all tested negative for MERS-CoV.

Diabetes in the young: a population-based study of South Asian, Chinese and White people

AIMS

Rates of diabetes mellitus in the young have not been quantified on a population level, particularly in South Asian and Chinese populations, which bear high rates of diabetes. We determined the incidence of diabetes (Type 2 diabetes and diabetes using insulin only) and rates of hospitalizations among South Asian, Chinese and White people aged 5-29 years with newly diagnosed diabetes.

METHODS

People with newly diagnosed diabetes (1997-2006) in British Columbia, Canada were identified using population-based administrative data and pharmacy databases. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated for people with diabetes prescribed insulin only and those with Type 2 diabetes. They were followed for up to 8 years for all hospitalizations and diabetes-related complications.

RESULTS

There were 712 South Asians, 498 Chinese and 6176 White people aged 5-29 years with diabetes. Most youth with diabetes had Type 2 diabetes (South Asian 86.4%; Chinese 87.1% and White 61.8%). The incidence of diabetes on insulin only was highest in White people compared with the other groups. The incidence of Type 2 diabetes was highest in South Asians, particularly in 20-29-year-olds, with rates 2.2 times that of White people and 3.1 times that of Chinese people. Hospitalization and diabetes-related complications were uncommon in all groups.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of Type 2 diabetes is higher than previously estimated among youth and is now surpassing diabetes on insulin only. Significant reductions in Type 2 diabetes screening ages in South Asians need to be considered and prevention efforts are urgently required in childhood and adolescence. Global estimates need to consider the epidemic of Type 2 diabetes in the young.

Efficacy of acupuncture for psychological symptoms associated with opioid addiction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This review systematically assessed the clinical evidence for and against acupuncture as a treatment for psychological symptoms associated with opioid addiction. The database was accessed from MEDLINE and China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database. We included all randomized clinical trials published in Chinese and English regardless of their controls. Meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan software, version 5.2. We conducted a literature search of 16 databases from their inception to January 2014. Four studies from Western countries did not report any clinical gains in the treatment of psychological symptoms associated with opioid addiction. 10 of 12 studies from China have reported positive findings regarding the use of acupuncture to treat the psychological symptoms associated with opioid addiction. The methodological quality of the included studies was poor. The meta-analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between the treatment group and the control group for anxiety and depression associated with opioid addiction, although groups did not differ on opioid craving. This review and meta-analysis could not confirm that acupuncture was an effective treatment for psychological symptoms associated with opioid addiction. However, considering the potential of acupuncture demonstrated in the included studies, further rigorous randomized controlled trials with long followup are warranted.

Hetastarch with hypertonic saline loading is a better choice for the maintenance of systemic and pulmonary circulation during general and epidural anesthesia

AIM

Sufficient volume load prior to major surgery is important for better management of anesthesia. In this study we assessed systemic and pulmonary hemodynamic stabilization following a load of hypertonic saline plus hydroxyethyl starch (HHS) solution during anesthesia in elective hepatobiliary surgical patients.

METHODS

Thirty-six hepatobiliary surgical patients, ASA physical status I~II, were randomly and double-blindly divided into: HHS (4 mL/kg) group, hydroxyethyl starch (7 mL/kg) group (HES group) and Ringer's solution (7 mL/kg) group (RL group). All the patients underwent general anesthesia and epidural anesthesia. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), right ventricular-stroke work (RVSW) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were recorded to monitor pulmonary circulation; systemic vascular resistance (SVR), cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) were recorded to monitor systemic circulation. These parameters were recorded before infusion (T0), 10 min after infusion (T1), 5 min after induction (T2), 5, 10 and 20 min after intubation (T3, T4 and T5, respectively).

RESULTS

In pulmonary circulation, MPAP, PAWP and RVSW were increased at T1 compared to T0 in both HES and HHS groups, the latter being more marked at T1. Pulmonary PVR was decreased in both HHS and HES groups compared to RL group during T2 to T5. In systemic circulation, SVR was decreased in both HHS and HES groups during T1 to T5 compared to RL group. CO and SV were increased at T1 compared to T0 in both HHS and HES groups, and they also increased during T1 to T5 in HHS group compared to RL group.

CONCLUSION

HHS solution was superior in maintaining systemic and pulmonary circulation during general anesthesia combined epidural anesthesia.

Metformin promotes autophagy and apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by downregulating Stat3 signaling

The antidiabetic drug metformin exerts chemopreventive and antineoplastic effects in many types of malignancies. However, the mechanisms responsible for metformin actions appear diverse and may differ in different types of cancer. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms specific for different cancers is important to optimize strategy for metformin treatment in different cancer types. Here, we investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of metformin on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. Metformin selectively inhibited cell growth in ESCC tumor cells but not immortalized noncancerous esophageal epithelial cells. In addition to apoptosis, metformin triggered autophagy. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of autophagy sensitized ESCC cells to metformin-induced apoptotic cell death. Mechanistically, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) and its downstream target Bcl-2 was inactivated by metformin treatment. Accordingly, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated Stat3 knockdown enhanced metformin-induced autophagy and apoptosis, and concomitantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of metformin on cell viability. Similarly, the Bcl-2 proto-oncogene, an inhibitor of both apoptosis and autophagy, was repressed by metformin. Ectopic expression of Bcl-2 protected cells from metformin-mediated autophagy and apoptosis. In vivo, metformin downregulated Stat3 activity and Bcl-2 expression, induced apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibited tumor growth. Together, inactivation of Stat3-Bcl-2 pathway contributes to metformin-induced growth inhibition of ESCC by facilitating crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy.

Hand, foot and mouth disease in Guangdong, China, in 2013: new trends in the continuing epidemic

Millions of incidents of hand, foot and mouth disease occur annually in China, with EVA71 and CVA16 as two major causative pathogens. A provincial surveillance system has been implemented in Guangdong for almost 5 years to analyze the aetiological spectrum and epidemic changes. An unusual enterovirus type, CVA6, was identified as the predominant serotype associated with an HFMD epidemic from late 2012 to 2013. In contrast to virus strains isolated before, all CVA6/CHN/2012-2013 strains segregated into one major genetic cluster. This study suggested that one cluster of circulating CVA6 strain had emerged as a new and major cause during a continuing HFMD epidemic in Guangdong, China.

Recombinant PTD-Cu/Zn SOD attenuates hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in cardiomyocytes

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Increasing the protein expression of intracellular Cu/Zn SOD, which is the major endogenous antioxidant enzyme, may attenuate or prevent hypoxia-reoxygenation injury (HRI) in cultured cardiomyocytes. However, ectogenic Cu/Zn-SOD can hardly be transferred into cells to exert biological effects. In this study, we constructed PTD-Cu/Zn SOD plasmid with a kind of translocation structure-Protein transduction domain (PTD) and detected its transmembrane ability and antioxidant effects in H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation injury (HRI).

METHODS

We constructed the pET-PTD-Cu/Zn SOD (CDs) prokaryotic expression vectors in plasmid that were inserted into E. coli BL21 to induce the protein expression of PTD-Cu/Zn SOD. H9c2 cardiomyocyte HRI was achieved by exposing cardiomyocytes to 12 h hypoxia followed by 2 h reoxygenation. Protein expression of PTD-Cu/Zn SOD in cardiomyocytes was assayed by Western blot and their enzyme activities were investigated by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

In cultured cardiomyocytes hypoxia-reoxygenation injury model, exogenous PTD-Cu/Zn SOD could penetrate cell membrane to clear superoxide anion and decrease hydrogen peroxide level in H9c2 cardiomyocytes subjected to HRI. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential was restored to normal, and the cell apoptosis was reduced in cardiomyocytes with PTD-Cu/Zn SOD treatment during HRI.

CONCLUSION

Recombinant PTD-Cu/Zn SOD could scavenge intracellular-free superoxide anion, protect mitochondria from damages, and attenuate the hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in cultured cardiomyocytes.

SARS epidemical forecast research in mathematical model

The SIJR model, simplified from the SEIJR model, is adopted to analyze the important parameters of the model of SARS epidemic such as the transmission rate, basic reproductive number. And some important parameters are obtained such as the transmission rate by applying this model to analyzing the situation in Hong Kong, Singapore and Canada at the outbreak of SARS. Then forecast of the transmission of SARS is drawn out here by the adjustment of parameters (such as quarantined rate) in the model. It is obvious that inflexion lies on the crunode of the graph, which indicates the big difference in transmission characteristics between the epidemic under control and not under control. This model can also be used in the comparison of the control effectiveness among different regions. The results from this model match well with the actual data in Hong Kong, Singapore and Canada and as a by-product, the index of the effectiveness of control in the later period can be acquired. It offers some quantitative indexes, which may help the further research in epidemic diseases.

OT1-01-03: A Phase 3 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Study Comparing Denosumab with Placebo as Adjuvant Treatment for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer Who Are at High Risk of Disease Recurrence (D-CARE)

Background

Bone is a common site of distant recurrence in women with early-stage breast cancer. Cancer cells are thought to stimulate osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, which releases growth factors and cytokines that promote tumor growth. RANK Ligand (RANKL) is the key mediator of osteoclast-induced bone destruction. In preclinical studies, RANKL inhibition reduced the incidence of bone and lung metastases, suppressed tumor progression, and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. Effects were additive with hormonal, chemotherapy, or targeted therapies. Denosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody against RANKL, approved in the U.S. for the prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors. In patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer, denosumab significantly improved bone metastasis-free survival (BMFS) compared to placebo. The D-CARE trial evaluates BMFS effects of denosumab in women with stage II or III breast cancer.

Methods: Women with node-positive or locally advanced (T3 or T4) disease, and known hormone and HER-2 receptor status are eligible. Standard-of-care adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemo-, endocrine, or HER-2 targeted therapy, alone or in combination must be planned with curative intent. Women with a prior history of breast cancer (other than ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS] or lobular carcinoma in situ [LCIS]) or distant metastasis, oral bisphosphonate (BP) use within 1 year or any intravenous BP use are excluded. Patients are randomized 1:1 to receive denosumab 120 mg or placebo subcutaneously monthly for 6 mos, then every 3 mos, for a total of 5 yrs treatment. All patients receive vitamin D (≥ 400 IU) and calcium (≥ 500 mg) supplements. Primary endpoint of this event-driven trial is BMFS. Secondary endpoints include disease-free (DFS) and overall survival. The study is powered for both, BMFS and DFS. Safety, quality of life assessments and biomarkers are additional endpoints. The trial, sponsored by Amgen Inc. and registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01077154 began enrolling patients in June 2010. PG and DF are supported in part by the Avon Foundation, NY.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-01-03.

Denosumab for prevention of fractures in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (PC)

5056

Background: ADT increases bone resorption, reduces bone mineral density (BMD), and increases fracture risk. Previously, we reported that denosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody against RANKL, increased BMD and reduced the incidence of vertebral fractures in men with PC on ADT. We now describe in further detail the effects of denosumab on fractures at other skeletal sites. Methods: Men receiving ADT for nonmetastatic PC were randomized to receive subcutaneous denosumab 60 mg every 6 months (n = 734) or placebo (n = 734), with daily calcium and vitamin D supplements for 3 years. Men < 70 years old were required to have low BMD or a history of osteoporotic fracture. The primary endpoint was percentage change in lumbar spine BMD at 24 months. Key secondary endpoints were subject incidence of new vertebral fractures and fractures at any site (excluding fractures from severe trauma or pathologic fractures) over 3 years. Here, we evaluate the frequency of all fractures and fractures at key osteoporotic sites. The planned sample size (N = 1226) provided power to differentiate effects of denosumab from placebo for the primary and key secondary endpoints. Results: As previously reported, denosumab reduced the incidence of new vertebral fractures by 62% (p = 0.006), fractures at any site by 28% (p = 0.10), and multiple fractures at any site by 72% (p = 0.006) over 3 years. In a post-hoc analysis, we found a consistent trend showing a positive effect of denosumab on nonvertebral fractures. The occurrence of any fractures (counting all fractures within a subject) over 3 years was lower with denosumab than placebo (43 vs 77, p < 0.01). The subject incidence of fractures at 6 high-risk sites (wrist, humerus, hip, pelvis, leg [excluding patella], and clavicle) was numerically lower with denosumab (15 vs 24 placebo; p = 0.12). Also, fewer subjects in the denosumab arm than in the placebo arm reported fractures at key osteoporotic sites (e.g., 2 for denosumab vs 10 for placebo at the radius). Overall rates of adverse events were balanced between treatment arms. Conclusions: Denosumab significantly reduced the incidence of new vertebral fractures and in a post-hoc analysis, showed a trend toward a positive effect on nonvertebral fractures in men receiving ADT for nonmetastatic PC.

[Table: see text]

Effect of denosumab on bone mineral density (BMD) in women with breast cancer (BC) and men with prostate cancer (PC) undergoing hormone ablation therapy

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Background: Hormone ablation therapies, including adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), improve recurrence-free survival in patients (pts) with BC and PC, respectively. However, these treatments increase bone resorption, leading to bone loss and fractures. RANKL is a key mediator of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. In this 24 month (mo) comparison, we investigated the effects of denosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody against RANKL, on preserving BMD across both populations. Methods: Two trials were conducted: a 24-mo BC study and a 36-mo PC study. Postmenopausal women with low BMD receiving AI therapy for nonmetastatic BC and men receiving ADT for nonmetastatic PC (with low BMD or history of osteoporotic fracture if < 70 yrs) were randomized to receive placebo or denosumab 60mg subcutaneously every 6 mos. All pts in both studies were prescribed calcium and vitamin D supplements. The primary endpoint was % change from baseline in lumbar spine (LS) BMD at 12 mos for the BC study and at 24 mos for the PC study. Herein, we present changes in BMD at 24 mos at LS, total hip (TH), and 1/3 radius from both studies. Power calculations were based on enrollment of at least 208 patients in the BC study (for primary endpoint only) and 1226 in the PC study (for primary and key secondary endpoints). The actual numbers randomized were 252 and 1468, respectively. Results: Denosumab increased BMD of the LS, TH, and 1/3 radius compared with placebo at 24 mos in both pt populations ( Table ). In both studies, differences between denosumab and placebo at each skeletal site were consistent, and the effects of denosumab were statistically significantly different from placebo as early as 1 month at the LS in both studies. The overall safety profile was similar to placebo in each study. Conclusions: Denosumab consistently increased BMD at all 3 skeletal sites compared with placebo in both women with BC undergoing AI therapy and in men with PC undergoing ADT.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Design and fabrication of a silicon microreactor for DNA amplification

A silicon microreactor consisting of an integrated heater, temperature sensor and thermal isolation chamber has been described. The thermal characteristics of the device have been studied by computer simulation and a rapid heating rate (20 degrees C--95 degrees C in less than 2 s) has been achieved. The fabrication process, consisting of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques has been established. The design features of this device, in particular the integrated heater and temperature sensor and the thermal isolation chamber allows fast heating/cooling rates and therefore enables efficient thermocycling suitable for DNA amplification.

Bioaccumulation of Cd, Se, and Zn in an estuarine oyster (Crassostrea rivularis) and a coastal oyster (Saccostrea glomerata)

We compared the bioaccumulation of Cd, Se, and Zn in an estuarine oyster (Crassostrea rivularis) and a coastal oyster (Saccostrea glomerata) from both the dissolved and particulate phases. A bioenergetic-based kinetic model was used to predict the exposure pathways of metals in the oysters. The assimilation efficiencies (AEs) of metals, determined for four species of phytoplankton and natural sediment, were in the range of 30-75% for Cd, 25-75% for Se, and 30-80% for Zn, respectively, in the two oysters. There was little difference in metal AE between the two oysters and among the three metals on the same particle type. Metal uptake rate constant, determined from the log-log relationship between metal influx rate and metal concentration in the dissolved phase, was higher for Cd and Zn in the estuarine oyster C. rivularis than in the coastal oyster S. glomerata. The uptake rate constants quantified for Cd, Se, and Zn were the highest among different bivalve species studied so far. The calculated metal absorption efficiency from the dissolved phase was similar to those found in other bivalve species. The measured efflux rate constant in the estuarine oyster C. rivularis was in the range of 0.01-0.03 day(-1) for Cd, Se, and Zn, and were comparable to those found in mussels and clams. In contrast, the efflux rate constant of Cd and Zn in the coastal oyster S. glomerata was 0.003-0.004 day(-1), which may be responsible for the high Cd and Zn concentrations in the oysters. The bioenergetic-based kinetic model predicts that under most circumstances likely experienced by oysters in nature, the majority of Se and Zn in the two oysters stem from uptake from the dietary phase. Dissolved uptake contributes significantly to metal accumulation only when the metal concentration factor (CF) in the particles is in the lower portion of the range typically found in nature. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the metal CF is a critical parameter in determining the exposure pathways of metals in the oysters. Our study demonstrated that estuarine and coastal oysters differed in their strategies in accumulating a high metal concentration in their tissues.

The impact of acute hyponatraemia on severe traumatic brain injury in rats

The effect of experimental acute hyponatraemia on severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) was studied in a modified impact-acceleration model. The cortical contusional volume was quantified by image analysis on serial sections, injured axons were visualized and quantified by beta-Amyloid Precursor Protein (beta-APP) immunohistochemical staining. Regional brain water content was estimated by the wet-dry weight method. The experiment was conducted in Group I (injury only) and Group II (injury followed by acute hyponatraemia). Comparison between the two groups showed that acute hyponatraemia significantly increased contusional volume (3.24 +/- 0.70 mm3 vs. 1.80 +/- 0.65 mm3, P = 0.009) and the number of injured axons (128.7 +/- 44.3 vs. 41.7 +/- 50.1, P = 0.04) in the right thalamus & basal ganglia region. Water content of the brain stem region was also significantly increased by acute hyponatraemia (73.71 +/- 0.14% vs. 72.28 +/- 0.93%, P = 0.004). These results suggest that acute hyponatraemia potentiates secondary brain damage in severe TBI by augmentation of both focal contusion and diffuse axonal injury. The injured brain stem region is more susceptible to edema formation induced by experimental acute hyponatraemia.

Heterogeneous responses of aquaporin-4 in oedema formation in a replicated severe traumatic brain injury model in rats

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the most abundant water channel in the rat brain. In this study, the distribution pattern and mRNA expression levels of AQP4 were examined in a severe traumatic brain injury model by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Oedema formation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity were assessed by wet-dry weight measurements and immunostaining of endogenous IgG respectively. In the oedematous contusional cortex with impaired BBB integrity, negative immunostaining of AQP4 and down-regulation of its mRNA level were identified (P<0.05) at 1 day post-injury, while in other oedematous regions of the injured brain where BBB was intact, there was no significant change in the AQP4 expression level. This heterogeneous pattern of AQP4 responses can be interpreted as follows: focal brain injury (such as a contusion) with impaired BBB resulting in vasogenic oedema is associated with reduction of AQP4 expression, whereas, in cytotoxic oedema, associated with diffuse brain injury with intact BBB, changes in AQP4 expression are not significant. This study provides basic information for investigating new treatments for traumatic brain oedema.

Studies on the animal model of traumatic pseudoaneurysm

Sixty-nine cases of pseudoaneurysm were made in 72 femoral arteries of 54 Japanese white rabbits, with a successful rate of 95.8%. Colored Doppler's ultrasonic imaging, CT, MRI, arterial angiography, anatomic dissection, and histologic observation were carried out at different times after the operation. The mechanism for the formation of pseudoaneurysm was discussed and the effects of colored Doppler's ultrasonic imaging, CT, MRI, and arterial angiography in the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm were evaluated.