Vernonia calvoana Shows Promise towards the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

The treatment for ovarian cancers includes chemotherapies which use drugs such as cisplatin, paclitaxel, carboplatin, platinum, taxanes, or their combination, and other molecular target therapies. However, these current therapies are often accompanied with side effects. Vernonia calvoana (VC) is a valuable edible medicinal plant that is widespread in West Africa. In vitro data in our lab demonstrated that VC crude extract inhibits human ovarian cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting its antitumor activity. From the VC crude extract, we have generated 10 fractions and VC fraction 7 (F7) appears to show the highest antitumor activity towards ovarian cancer cells. However, the mechanisms by which VC F7 exerts its antitumor activity in cancer cells remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that VC F7 inhibits cell proliferation and induces DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in ovarian cells through oxidative stress. To test our hypothesis, we extracted and fractionated VC leaves. The effects of VC F7 were tested in OVCAR-3 cells. Viability was assessed by the means of MTS assay. Cell morphology was analyzed by acridine orange and propidium iodide (AO/PI) dye using a fluorescent microscope. Oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated by the means of lipid peroxidation, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase assays, respectively. The degree of DNA damage was assessed by comet assay. Cell cycle distribution was assessed by flow cytometry. Data generated from the MTS assay demonstrated that VC F7 inhibits the growth of OVCAR-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner, showing a gradual increase in the loss of viability in VC F7-treated cells. Data obtained from the AO/PI dye assessment revealed morphological alterations and exhibited characteristics such as loss of cellular membrane integrity, cell shrinkage, cell membrane damage, organelle breakdown, and detachment from the culture plate. We observed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the levels of malondialdhyde (MDA) production in treated cells compared to the control. A gradual decrease in both catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were observed in the treated cells compared to the control. Data obtained from the comet assay showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the percentages of DNA cleavage and comet tail length. The results of the flow cytometry analysis indicated VC F7 treatment caused cell cycle arrest at the S-phase checkpoint. Taken together, our results demonstrate that VC F7 exerts its anticancer activity by inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing DNA damage, and causing cell cycle arrest through oxidative stress in OVAR-3 cells. This finding suggests that VC F7 may be a potential alternative dietary agent for the prevention and/or treatment of ovarian cancer.

Trends in the Stroke Death Rate Among Mississippi Adults, 2000-2016

INTRODUCTION

On average, more than 1,700 people in Mississippi die from stroke annually, but data on trends by age, sex, and race in Mississippi are limited. We examined trends in the stroke death rate among adults in Mississippi aged 35 or older by age, sex, and race.

METHODS

We used Mississippi Vital Statistics data to calculate age-specific death rates for stroke among people in Mississippi aged 35 or older from 2000 to 2016. We identified cases according to underlying cause-of-death codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). We used Joinpoint software to calculate annual percentage change (APC) and the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in death rates for stroke by age, sex, and race (non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white).

RESULTS

Among adults aged 35 or older, the age-adjusted stroke death rate declined 30.7% from 141.3 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 97.9 per 100,000 population in 2016, with an AAPC of -2.4% (95% confidence interval, -3.1% to -1.6%). Stroke death rates declined significantly among both men and women in the first trend segment (2000-2009 for men and 2000-2007 for women) but did not decline in the second trend segment (2009-2016 for men and 2007-2016 for women). Non-Hispanic black men had the smallest decline in stroke death rates during the full study period. Among people aged 55 to 64 and non-Hispanic white men, rates shifted from a significant annual decline during the first segment to a significant annual increase during the second segment.

CONCLUSION

Age-adjusted stroke death rates among adults in Mississippi aged 35 or older declined significantly between 2000 and 2016, but trends differed by age, race, and sex. Clinical and community interventions aimed at reducing stroke risk factors, particularly for adults aged 55 to 64, are needed in Mississippi.

Health and Racial Disparity in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common noncutaneous malignancy and the second most lethal form of cancer among women in the United States. It currently affects more than one in ten women worldwide. The chance for a female to be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime has significantly increased from 1 in 11 women in 1975 to 1 in 8 women (Altekruse, SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2007. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, 2010). This chance for a female of being diagnosed with cancer generally increases with age (Howlader et al, SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2010. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, 2013). Fortunately, the mortality rate from breast cancer has decreased in recent years due to increased emphasis on early detection and more effective treatments in the White population. Although the mortality rates have declined in some ethnic populations, the overall cancer incidence among African American and Hispanic population has continued to grow. The goal of the work presented in this book chapter is to highlight similarities and differences in breast cancer morbidity and mortality rates among non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black populations. This book chapter also provides an overview of breast cancer, racial/ethnic disparities in breast cancer, breast cancer incidence and mortality rate linked to hereditary, major risk factors of breast cancer among minority population, breast cancer treatment, and health disparity. A considerable amount of breast cancer treatment research have been conducted, but with limited success for African Americans compared to other ethnic groups. Therefore, new strategies and approaches are needed to promote breast cancer prevention, improve survival rates, reduce breast cancer mortality, and ultimately improve the health outcomes of racial/ethnic minorities. In addition, it is vital that leaders and medical professionals from minority population groups be represented in decision-making in research so that racial disparity in breast cancer can be well-studied, fully addressed, and ultimately eliminated in breast cancer.

VERNONIA AMYGDALINA DELILE EXHIBITS A POTENTIAL FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKEMIA

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been on front line to encourage developing countries to identify medicinal plants that are safe and easily available to patients. Traditional medicine represents the first-treatment choice for the healthcare of approximately 80% of people living in developing countries. Also, its use in the United States has increased by 38% during within the last decade of the 20^th century alone. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the efficacy of a medicinal plant, Vernonia amygdalina Delile (VAD), as a new targeted therapy for the management of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), using HL-60 cells as a test model. To address our specific aim, HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells were treated with VAD. Live and dead cells were determined by acridine orange and propidium iodide (AO/PI) dye using the Cellometer Vision. The extent of DNA damage was evaluated by the comet assay. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry assessment. Data obtained from the AO/PI assay indicated that VAD significantly reduced the number of live cells in a dose-dependent manner, showing a gradual increase in the loss of viability in VAD-treated cells. We observed a significant increase in DNA damage in VAD-treated cells compared to the control group. Flow cytometry data demonstrated that VAD induced apoptosis in treated cells compared to the control cells. These results suggest that induction of cell death, DNA damage, and cell apoptosis are involved in the therapeutic efficacy of VAD. Because VAD exerts anticancer activity in vitro, it would be interesting to perform clinical trials to confirm its effectiveness as an anticancer agent towards the treatment of APL patients.

Pericytes Elicit Resistance to Vemurafenib and Sorafenib Therapy in Thyroid Carcinoma via the TSP-1/TGFβ1 Axis

PURPOSE

The BRAF^V600E oncogene modulates the papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) microenvironment, in which pericytes are critical regulators of tyrosine-kinase (TK)-dependent signaling pathways. Although BRAF^V600E and TK inhibitors are available, their efficacy as bimodal therapeutic agents in BRAF^V600E-PTC is still unknown.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We assessed the effects of vemurafenib (BRAF^V600E inhibitor) and sorafenib (TKI) as single agents or in combination in BRAF^WT/V600E-PTC and BRAF^WT/WT cells using cell-autonomous, pericyte coculture, and an orthotopic mouse model. We also used BRAF^WT/V600E-PTC and BRAF^WT/WT-PTC clinical samples to identify differentially expressed genes fundamental to tumor microenvironment.

RESULTS

Combined therapy blocks tumor cell proliferation, increases cell death, and decreases motility via BRAF^V600E inhibition in thyroid tumor cells in vitro. Vemurafenib produces cytostatic effects in orthotopic tumors, whereas combined therapy (likely reflecting sorafenib activity) generates biological fluctuations with tumor inhibition alternating with tumor growth. We demonstrate that pericytes secrete TSP-1 and TGFβ1, and induce the rebound of pERK1/2, pAKT and pSMAD3 levels to overcome the inhibitory effects of the targeted therapy in PTC cells. This leads to increased BRAF^V600E-PTC cell survival and cell death refractoriness. We find that BRAF^WT/V600E-PTC clinical samples are enriched in pericytes, and TSP1 and TGFβ1 expression evoke gene-regulatory networks and pathways (TGFβ signaling, metastasis, tumor growth, tumor microenvironment/ECM remodeling functions, inflammation, VEGF ligand-VEGF receptor interactions, immune modulation, etc.) in the microenvironment essential for BRAF^WT/V600E-PTC cell survival. Critically, antagonism of the TSP-1/TGFβ1 axis reduces tumor cell growth and overcomes drug resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Pericytes shield BRAF^V600E-PTC cells from targeted therapy via TSP-1 and TGFβ1, suggesting this axis as a new therapeutic target for overcoming resistance to BRAF^V600E and TK inhibitors.

Racial Disparities and Preventive Measures to Renal Cell Carcinoma

Kidney cancer ranks among the top 10 cancers in the United States. Although it affects both male and female populations, it is more common in males. The prevalence rate of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which represents about 85% of kidney cancers, has been increasing gradually in many developed countries. Family history has been considered as one of the most relevant risk factors for kidney cancer, although most forms of an inherited predisposition for RCC only account for less than four percent. Lifestyle and other factors such as occupational exposure, high blood pressure, poor diet, and heavy cigarette smoking are highly associated with its incidence and mortality rates. In the United States, White populations have the lowest prevalence of RCC compared to other ethnic groups, while Black Americans suffer disproportionally from the adverse effects of RCC. Hence, this review article aims at identifying the major risk factors associated with RCC and highlighting the new therapeutic approaches for its control/prevention. To achieve this specific aim, articles in peer-reviewed journals with a primary focus on risk factors related to kidney cancer and on strategies to reduce RCC were identified. The review was systematically conducted by searching the databases of MEDLINE, PUBMED Central, and Google Scholar libraries for original articles. From the search, we found that the incidence and mortality rates of RCC are strongly associated with four main risk factors, including family history (genetics), lifestyle (poor diet, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol drinking), environment (community where people live), and occupation (place where people work). In addition, unequal access to improvement in RCC cancer treatment, limited access to screening and diagnosis, and limited access to kidney transplant significantly contribute to the difference observed in survival rate between African Americans and Caucasians. There is also scientific evidence suggesting that some physicians contribute to racial disparities when performing kidney transplant among minority populations. New therapeutic measures should be taken to prevent or reduce RCC, especially among African Americans, the most vulnerable population group.

Cadmium Chloride Induces DNA Damage and Apoptosis of Human Liver Carcinoma Cells via Oxidative Stress

Cadmium is a heavy metal that has been shown to cause its toxicity in humans and animals. Many documented studies have shown that cadmium produces various genotoxic effects such as DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations. Ailments such as bone disease, renal damage, and several forms of cancer are attributed to overexposure to cadmium. Although there have been numerous studies examining the effects of cadmium in animal models and a few case studies involving communities where cadmium contamination has occurred, its molecular mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated. In this research, we hypothesized that oxidative stress plays a key role in cadmium chloride-induced toxicity, DNA damage, and apoptosis of human liver carcinoma (HepG₂) cells. To test our hypothesis, cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Lipid hydroperoxide content stress was estimated by lipid peroxidation assay. Genotoxic damage was tested by the means of alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry assessment (Annexin-V/PI assay). The result of MTT assay indicated that cadmium chloride induces toxicity to HepG₂ cells in a concentration-dependent manner, showing a 48 hr-LD50 of 3.6 µg/mL. Data generated from lipid peroxidation assay resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase of hydroperoxide production, specifically at the highest concentration tested. Data obtained from the Comet assay indicated that cadmium chloride causes DNA damage in HepG₂ cells in a concentration-dependent manner. A strong concentration-response relationship (p < 0.05) was recorded between annexin V positive cells and cadmium chloride exposure. In summary, these in vitro studies provide clear evidence that cadmium chloride induces oxidative stress, DNA damage, and programmed cell death in human liver carcinoma (HepG₂) cells.

Secondary Data Analytics of Aquaporin Expression Levels in Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells

Glioblastoma is the most common brain tumor in adults in which recurrence has been attributed to the presence of cancer stem cells in a hypoxic microenvironment. On the basis of tumor formation in vivo and growth type in vitro, two published microarray gene expression profiling studies grouped nine glioblastoma stem-like (GS) cell lines into one of two groups: full (GSf) or restricted (GSr) stem-like phenotypes. Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) are water transport proteins that are highly expressed in primary glial-derived tumors. However, the expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 have not been previously described in a panel of 92 glioma samples. Therefore, we designed secondary data analytics methods to determine the expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 in GS cell lines and glioblastoma neurospheres. Our investigation also included a total of 2,566 expression levels from 28 Affymetrix microarray probe sets encoding 13 human aquaporins (AQP0-AQP12); CXCR4 (the receptor for stromal cell derived factor-1 [SDF-1], a potential glioma stem cell therapeutic target]); and PROM1 (gene encoding CD133, the widely used glioma stem cell marker). Interactive visual representation designs for integrating phenotypic features and expression levels revealed that inverse expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 correlate with distinct phenotypes in a set of cell lines grouped into full and restricted stem-like phenotypes. Discriminant function analysis further revealed that AQP1 and AQP4 expression are better predictors for tumor formation and growth types in glioblastoma stem-like cells than are CXCR4 and PROM1. Future investigations are needed to characterize the molecular mechanisms for inverse expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 in the glioblastoma stem-like neurospheres.

Thrombospondin-1-Based Antiangiogenic Therapy

Ocular angiogenesis is one of the underlying causes of blindness and vision impairment and may occur in a spectrum of disorders, including diabetic retinopathy, neovascular age-related macular degeneration, retinal artery or vein occlusion, and retinopathy of prematurity. As such, strategies to inhibit angiogenesis by suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor activity have proven to be effective in the clinic for the treatment of eye diseases. A complementary approach would be to increase the level of naturally occurring inhibitors of angiogenesis, such as thrombospondin (TSP)-1. This article summarizes the development of TSP-1-based inhibitors of angiogenesis.

Visual analytics of surveillance data on foodborne vibriosis, United States, 1973-2010

Foodborne illnesses caused by microbial and chemical contaminants in food are a substantial health burden worldwide. In 2007, human vibriosis (non-cholera Vibrio infections) became a notifiable disease in the United States. In addition, Vibrio species are among the 31 major known pathogens transmitted through food in the United States. Diverse surveillance systems for foodborne pathogens also track outbreaks, illnesses, hospitalization and deaths due to non-cholera vibrios. Considering the recognition of vibriosis as a notifiable disease in the United States and the availability of diverse surveillance systems, there is a need for the development of easily deployed visualization and analysis approaches that can combine diverse data sources in an interactive manner. Current efforts to address this need are still limited. Visual analytics is an iterative process conducted via visual interfaces that involves collecting information, data preprocessing, knowledge representation, interaction, and decision making. We have utilized public domain outbreak and surveillance data sources covering 1973 to 2010, as well as visual analytics software to demonstrate integrated and interactive visualizations of data on foodborne outbreaks and surveillance of Vibrio species. Through the data visualization, we were able to identify unique patterns and/or novel relationships within and across datasets regarding (i) causative agent; (ii) foodborne outbreaks and illness per state; (iii) location of infection; (iv) vehicle (food) of infection; (v) anatomical site of isolation of Vibrio species; (vi) patients and complications of vibriosis; (vii) incidence of laboratory-confirmed vibriosis and V. parahaemolyticus outbreaks. The additional use of emerging visual analytics approaches for interaction with data on vibriosis, including non-foodborne related disease, can guide disease control and prevention as well as ongoing outbreak investigations.

Developmental Regulation of Genes Encoding Universal Stress Proteins in Schistosoma mansoni

The draft nuclear genome sequence of the snail-transmitted, dimorphic, parasitic, platyhelminth Schistosoma mansoni revealed eight genes encoding proteins that contain the Universal Stress Protein (USP) domain. Schistosoma mansoni is a causative agent of human schistosomiasis, a severe and debilitating Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) of poverty, which is endemic in at least 76 countries. The availability of the genome sequences of Schistosoma species presents opportunities for bioinformatics and genomics analyses of associated gene families that could be targets for understanding schistosomiasis ecology, intervention, prevention and control. Proteins with the USP domain are known to provide bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists and plants with the ability to respond to diverse environmental stresses. In this research investigation, the functional annotations of the USP genes and predicted nucleotide and protein sequences were initially verified. Subsequently, sequence clusters and distinctive features of the sequences were determined. A total of twelve ligand binding sites were predicted based on alignment to the ATP-binding universal stress protein from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. In addition, six USP sequences showed the presence of ATP-binding motif residues indicating that they may be regulated by ATP. Public domain gene expression data and RT-PCR assays confirmed that all the S. mansoni USP genes were transcribed in at least one of the developmental life cycle stages of the helminth. Six of these genes were up-regulated in the miracidium, a free-swimming stage that is critical for transmission to the snail intermediate host. It is possible that during the intra-snail stages, S. mansoni gene transcripts for universal stress proteins are low abundant and are induced to perform specialized functions triggered by environmental stressors such as oxidative stress due to hydrogen peroxide that is present in the snail hemocytes. This report serves to catalyze the formation of a network of researchers to understand the function and regulation of the universal stress proteins encoded in genomes of schistosomes and their snail intermediate hosts.