A Drug Repurposing Approach Reveals Targetable Epigenetic Pathways in Plasmodium vivax Hypnozoites

Radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria must include elimination of quiescent 'hypnozoite' forms in the liver; however, the only FDA-approved treatments are contraindicated in many vulnerable populations. To identify new drugs and drug targets for hypnozoites, we screened the Repurposing, Focused Rescue, and Accelerated Medchem (ReFRAME) library and a collection of epigenetic inhibitors against P. vivax liver stages. From both libraries, we identified inhibitors targeting epigenetics pathways as selectively active against P. vivax and P. cynomolgi hypnozoites. These include DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors as well as several inhibitors targeting histone post-translational modifications. Immunofluorescence staining of Plasmodium liver forms showed strong nuclear 5-methylcystosine signal, indicating liver stage parasite DNA is methylated. Using bisulfite sequencing, we mapped genomic DNA methylation in sporozoites, revealing DNA methylation signals in most coding genes. We also demonstrated that methylation level in proximal promoter regions as well as in the first exon of the genes may affect, at least partially, gene expression in P. vivax. The importance of selective inhibitors targeting epigenetic features on hypnozoites was validated using MMV019721, an acetyl-CoA synthetase inhibitor that affects histone acetylation and was previously reported as active against P. falciparum blood stages. In summary, our data indicate that several epigenetic mechanisms are likely modulating hypnozoite formation or persistence and provide an avenue for the discovery and development of improved radical cure antimalarials.

Hurricane Michael and Adverse Social and Mental Health Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES

To assess changes in mental health and social risk factors in pregnant women in counties affected by Hurricane Michael (October 2018).

METHODS

Data from the Universal Perinatal Risk Screen (UPRS) and vital statistics for the state of Florida were obtained. Prenatal risk factors (unplanned pregnancy, mental health services, high stress, use of tobacco or alcohol, young children at home or with special needs, trouble paying bills) were compared in the year before and year after Hurricane Michael in affected counties (n = 18,887). Log-Poisson regression with robust variance was used for binary outcomes, adjusting for maternal age, race, BMI, and education.

RESULTS

A smaller proportion of pregnant women were screened in the months after the hurricane. No changes were seen in overall scores. The proportion referred was lower in the 1 month after Michael compared to that in 1 month before Michael (RR 0.78, 95% CI = 0.71, 0.86), but greater in the year after (RR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.10). Most individual risk factors on the screener did not change significantly, except having an illness that required ongoing medical care was less common in the short term (3 months after vs. 3 months before: aRR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.66, 0.87), and more common in the longer term (1 year after vs. 1 year before, aRR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.18). Birth certificate data suggested smoking during pregnancy was higher among women who experienced Michael during their pregnancies (aRR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.32).

DISCUSSION

Perinatal screening and referral declined in the short-term aftermath of Hurricane Michael.

Harmful algal bloom-related 311 calls, Cape Coral, Florida 2018-2019

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) can adversely impact water quality and threaten human and animal health. People working or living along waterways with prolonged HAB contamination may face elevated toxin exposures and breathing complications. Monitoring HABs and potential adverse human health effects is notoriously difficult due to routes and levels of exposure that vary widely across time and space. This study examines the utility of 311 calls to enhance HAB surveillance and monitoring. The study focuses on Cape Coral, FL, USA, located along the banks of the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary and the Gulf of Mexico. The wider study area experienced a prolonged cyanobacteria bloom in 2018. The present study examines the relationship between weekly water quality characteristics (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, microcystin-LR) and municipal requests for information or services (algal 311 calls). Each 1 μg/L increase in waterborne microcystin-LR concentrations corresponded with 9% more algal 311 calls (95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.15, p = 0.002). The results suggest water quality monitoring and the 311 dispatch systems may be further integrated to improve public health surveillance.

Constraints on Cosmic Strings Using Data from the Third Advanced LIGO-Virgo Observing Run

We search for gravitational-wave signals produced by cosmic strings in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo full O3 dataset. Search results are presented for gravitational waves produced by cosmic string loop features such as cusps, kinks, and, for the first time, kink-kink collisions. A template-based search for short-duration transient signals does not yield a detection. We also use the stochastic gravitational-wave background energy density upper limits derived from the O3 data to constrain the cosmic string tension Gμ as a function of the number of kinks, or the number of cusps, for two cosmic string loop distribution models. Additionally, we develop and test a third model that interpolates between these two models. Our results improve upon the previous LIGO-Virgo constraints on Gμ by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude depending on the model that is tested. In particular, for the one-loop distribution model, we set the most competitive constraints to date: Gμ≲4×10^{-15}. In the case of cosmic strings formed at the end of inflation in the context of grand unified theories, these results challenge simple inflationary models.

Constraints on Cosmic Strings Using Data from the Third Advanced LIGO-Virgo Observing Run

We search for gravitational-wave signals produced by cosmic strings in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo full O3 dataset. Search results are presented for gravitational waves produced by cosmic string loop features such as cusps, kinks, and, for the first time, kink-kink collisions. A template-based search for short-duration transient signals does not yield a detection. We also use the stochastic gravitational-wave background energy density upper limits derived from the O3 data to constrain the cosmic string tension Gμ as a function of the number of kinks, or the number of cusps, for two cosmic string loop distribution models. Additionally, we develop and test a third model that interpolates between these two models. Our results improve upon the previous LIGO-Virgo constraints on Gμ by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude depending on the model that is tested. In particular, for the one-loop distribution model, we set the most competitive constraints to date: Gμ≲4×10^{-15}. In the case of cosmic strings formed at the end of inflation in the context of grand unified theories, these results challenge simple inflationary models.

Untargeted analysis of first trimester serum to reveal biomarkers of pregnancy complications: a case-control discovery phase study

Understanding of causal biology and predictive biomarkers are lacking for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and preterm birth (PTB). First-trimester serum specimens from 51 cases of HDP, including 18 cases of pre-eclampsia (PE) and 33 cases of gestational hypertension (GH); 53 cases of PTB; and 109 controls were obtained from the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth repository. Metabotyping was conducted using liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify signals that differed between groups after controlling for confounders. Signals important to predicting HDP and PTB were matched to an in-house physical standards library and public databases. Pathway analysis was conducted using GeneGo MetaCore. Over 400 signals for endogenous and exogenous metabolites that differentiated cases and controls were identified or annotated, and models that included these signals produced substantial improvements in predictive power beyond models that only included known risk factors. Perturbations of the aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, L-threonine, and renal secretion of organic electrolytes pathways were associated with both HDP and PTB, while pathways related to cholesterol transport and metabolism were associated with HDP. This untargeted metabolomics analysis identified signals and common pathways associated with pregnancy complications.

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease increases coronavirus disease 2019 disease severity in nondiabetic patients

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has attracted increasing worldwide attention. While diabetes is known to aggravate COVID-19 severity, it is not known whether nondiabetic patients with metabolic dysfunction are also more prone to more severe disease. The association of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) with COVID-19 severity in nondiabetic patients was investigated here.

METHODS

The study cohort comprised 65 patients with (i.e. cases) and 65 patients without MAFLD (i.e. controls). Each case was randomly matched with one control by sex (1:1) and age (±5 years). The association between the presence of MAFLD (as exposure) and COVID-19 severity (as the outcome) was assessed by binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

In nondiabetic patients with COVID-19, the presence of MAFLD was associated with a four-fold increased risk of severe COVID-19; the risk increased with increasing numbers of metabolic risk factors. The association with COVID-19 severity persisted after adjusting for age, sex, and coexisting morbid conditions.

CONCLUSION

Health-care professionals caring for nondiabetic patients with COVID-19 should be cognizant of the increased likelihood of severe COVID-19 in patients with MAFLD.

Outcome of using vaginal misoprostol for treatment of retained products of conception after first trimester miscarriage: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Standard treatment for retained products of conception (RPOC) is dilation and curettage (D&C), however, this brings a risk of intrauterine synechiae and subsequent fertility issues. A treatment strategy to avoid D&C is medical management with misoprostol. The justification for misoprostol in this setting is extrapolated from miscarriage and termination literature, however, no studies have looked specifically in the setting of RPOC. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of misoprostol as definitive management of RPOC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2016 to March 2017 at an Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic. Patients diagnosed with RPOC with clinical symptoms and ultrasound findings of endometrial mass and/or doppler flow treated expectantly, medically with vaginal misoprostol or with a suction D&C underwent a chart review. Primary outcome was resolution of RPOC without surgical intervention.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Of 1743 unique pregnancies, 189 women were diagnosed with RPOC. 34% (65/178) chose misoprostol for management of RPOC. Baseline demographics between the three treatment modalities (expectant, medical, surgical) were comparable. 65% (42/65) of patients who took misoprostol avoided D&C. Misoprostol is most effective (76%) in the setting of RPOC if the primary treatment for miscarriage was expectant management, with less success with primary medical management (44%) and primary surgical management (40%).

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease is associated with severity of COVID-19

The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has attracted increasing worldwide attention. While metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) affects a quarter of world population, its impact on COVID-19 severity has not been characterized. We identified 55 MAFLD patients with COVID-19, who were 1:1 matched by age, sex and obesity status to non-aged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected patients without MAFLD. Our results demonstrate that in patients aged less than 60 years with COVID-19, MAFLD is associated with an approximately fourfold increase (adjusted odds ratio 4.07, 95% confidence interval 1.20-13.79, P = .02) in the probability for severe disease, after adjusting for confounders. Healthcare professionals caring for patients with COVID-19 need to be aware that there is a positive association between MAFLD and severe illness with COVID-19.

[Technological innovation and patent transformation in rectal cancer surgery]

Surgery for rectal cancer has obtained quick improvement in techniques and concepts in recent years but still has challenging areas. Colorectal surgeons always seek to make operations clearer and easier, so that surgery can be safer and less time-consuming while guaranteeing surgical goals. With this purpose, our team have explored to make innovations in operations for rectal cancer and translate relevant patents from 2009. We summarize our achievements in this article as follows: (1) Reverse Miles operation (perineal operation first then laparoscopic abdominal operation) with two relevant patents-specialized instruments bag for laparoscopic operations (patent number ZL201520442331.0) and accessory spotlight for ultrasound scalpel (patent number ZL20102 0137689.X). (2) Laparoscopic sphincter-saving surgery for low rectal cancer through marker meeting approach with two patents-vacuum rectal drainage tube with functions of irrigation and ventilation (patent number ZL201520374385.8) and sterile sleeve cover of ultrasound scalpel handle (patent number ZL201920648102.2). (3) Laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer and natural orifice specimen extraction. Different methods were designed according to the location of the tumor that classified as 20-40 cm, 10-20 cm and 5-10 cm to anus. Two relevant patents were specialized instruments for natural orifice specimen extraction (patent application number ZL2017101480141) and plastic film sleeve for natural orifice specimen extraction (patent application number ZL 201921169857.0). Reformation of surgical technique and innovation of surgical instruments should be conducted by surgeons with innovative thinking who always seek the way to translate ideas to patents and then real products to promote surgical treatment.

Metabolomics to reveal biomarkers and pathways of preterm birth: a systematic review and epidemiologic perspective

INTRODUCTION

Most known risk factors for preterm birth, a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality, are not modifiable. Advanced molecular techniques are increasingly being applied to identify biomarkers and pathways important in disease development and progression.

OBJECTIVES

We review the state of the literature and assess it from an epidemiologic perspective.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central were searched on January 31, 2019 for original articles published after 1998 that utilized an untargeted metabolomic approach to identify markers of preterm birth. Eligible manuscripts were peer-reviewed and included original data from untargeted metabolomics analyses of maternal tissue derived from human studies designed to determine mechanisms and predictors of preterm birth.

RESULTS

Of 2823 results, 14 articles met the inclusion requirements. There was little consistency in study design, outcome definition, type of biospecimen, or the inclusion of covariates and confounding factors, and few consistent associations with metabolites were identified in this review.

CONCLUSION

Studies to date on metabolomic predictors of preterm birth are highly heterogeneous in both methodology and resulting metabolite identification. There is an urgent need for larger studies in well-defined populations, to determine biomarkers predictive of preterm birth, and to reveal mechanisms and targets for development of intervention strategies.

Abstract P5-09-13: Disparities in germline mutation testing: do Medi-Cal and uninsured patients with breast cancer receive genetic testing in a safety net setting?

Background: National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend that women with breast cancer diagnosed at age ≤50 undergo cancer genetic risk assessment and that those age ≤45 undergo testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndromes such as BRCA. In prior studies of primarily commercially insured women, 30% of those ≤40 years of age received BRCA testing (Levy 2011), and 34% of those ≤50 years were referred for genetic assessment (Stuckey 2016). Our aim was to determine rates and predictors of genetic testing among publicly insured or uninsured women at a safety net medical center.

Methods: Women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ from 2010 through 2016 were identified from the institutional tumor registry of a Los Angeles County public hospital. Eligible for this analysis were those at high risk for HBOC syndromes as defined by 1) age ≤50 at diagnosis or 2) age ≤60 with triple negative breast cancer. Women were excluded if they received all of their cancer treatment at an outside institution. Medical records were reviewed to determine receipt of genetic testing and test results. Univariate logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between patient characteristics and receipt of testing.

Results: 307 women were included in the analysis. 92.5% (284) were age ≤50 and 54.7% (168) were age ≤45. The majority (72.1%) had Medi-Cal or Medicare and 26.1% were uninsured at diagnosis. The racial distribution was 63.8% Hispanic, 19.2% black, 11.1% Asian and 5.5% non-Hispanic white. Overall, 52.1% (160/307) underwent genetic testing and 13.1% (21/160) were found deleterious germline mutations (BRCA1=10, BRCA2=8, BRCA not specified=1, PALB2=1, TP53=1). Among women who underwent testing, 55.0% were tested for BRCA1/2 only and 36.8% received multigene panel testing; specific testing information was unavailable for the remainder. Age, race/ethnicity, and presence of metastatic disease at diagnosis were associated with differences in genetic testing rates, whereas insurance status and year of cancer diagnosis were not (Table 1).

Conclusions: In a safety net setting with mostly Medi-Cal-insured and uninsured patients, the overall rate of germline mutation testing in women with breast cancer (52.1%) was at least comparable to that in studies of commercially insured populations. Notably, testing rates in this population were significantly different when stratifying by age, race, and cancer stage. These findings highlight subgroups in this underserved population who warrant additional attention to assessment of their cancer genetic risk.

 Total (N=307)Number tested% testedP valueAge at diagnosis   P<0.001<30 years11872.7 30-39 years654569.2 40-49 years1819552.5 ≥50 years501224.0 Race/ethnicity   P=0.011Non-Hispanic white17635.3 Asian341955.9 Black592135.6 Hispanic19611458.2 Unknown100.0 Stage at diagnosis   P=0.007Non-metastatic28515554.4 Metastatic22522.7 Insurance   P=0.594Uninsured804758.8 Medi-Cal/Medicare*22311149.8 Private insurance2150.0 Unknown2150.0 Year of diagnosis   P=0.0982010421740.5 2011472348.9 2012462656.5 2013602948.3 2014392461.5 2015392153.8 2016342058.8 *1 patient had Medicare; the remainder had Medi-Cal

Citation Format: Pan K, Yan JE, Huynh KT, Peng KA, Ozao-Choy J, Dauphine C, Park S, Dickson PI. Disparities in germline mutation testing: do Medi-Cal and uninsured patients with breast cancer receive genetic testing in a safety net setting? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-09-13.

Appropriate dose of Lactobacillus buchneri supplement improves intestinal microbiota and prevents diarrhoea in weaning Rex rabbits

This study examined the effects on intestinal microbiota and diarrhoea of Lactobacillus buchneri supplementation to the diet of weaning Rex rabbits. To this end, rabbits were treated with L. buchneri at two different doses (LC: 104 cfu/g diet and HC: 105 cfu/g diet) for 4 weeks. PCR-DGGE was used to determine the diversity of the intestinal microbiota, while real-time PCR permitted the detection of individual bacterial species. ELISA and real-time PCR allowed the identification of numerous cytokines in the intestinal tissues. Zonula occludens-1, polymeric immunoglobulin receptor and immunoglobulin A genes were examined to evaluate intestinal barriers. Results showed that the biodiversity of the intestinal microbiota of weaning Rex rabbits improved in the whole tract of the treated groups. The abundance of most detected bacterial species was highly increased in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum after L. buchneri administration. The species abundance in the HC group was more increased than in the LC group when compared to the control. Although the abundance of Enterobacteriaceae exhibited a different pattern, Escherichia coli was inhibited in all treatment groups. Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 genes were down-regulated in all intestinal tissues as the microbiota changed. In the LC group, the secretion of the inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α was reduced, the gene expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-4 was up-regulated and the expression of intestinal-barrier-related genes was enhanced. Conversely, IL-4 expression was increased and the expression of other tested genes did not change in the HC group. The beneficial effects of LC were greater than those of HC or the control in terms of improving the daily weight gain and survival rate of weaning Rex rabbits and reducing their diarrhoea rate. Therefore, 104 cfu/g L. buchneri treatment improved the microbiota of weaning Rex rabbits and prevented diarrhoea in these animals.

Abstract P6-12-02: Racial/ethnic differences in sleep quality and duration among breast cancer survivors: Results from the women's health initiative (WHI)

BACKGROUND: Sleep is a crucial factor for optimal health, but breast cancer survivors often report poor sleep quality. It is estimated 20-70% of survivors have at least one sleep problem, which contribute to quality of life and health differences among survivors. Minority groups tend to have poorer sleep quality and shorter sleep duration than Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). African-Americans (AA) with breast cancer have a poorer prognosis than NHW for each stage-specific diagnosis and are twice as likely as NHW to report short sleep duration, yet survivor studies are still lacking in AA participants. The purpose of this study was to examine sleep quality and duration patterns before and after cancer diagnosis by race/ethnicity among WHI breast cancer survivors.

METHODS: There were 12,098 postmenopausal women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer after WHI enrollment who were eligible for this secondary analysis. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were described. The WHI Insomnia Rating Scale (WHIIRS) was measured at multiple time points pre- and post-diagnosis. A higher WHIIRS scores (0-20 points) indicates greater sleep disturbance and ≥9 points identifies clinical insomnia. A linear mixed model was fit to the WHIIRS sleep quality data to examine if the trend in sleep quality with time changed following a cancer diagnosis. For short (<6hrs) and long (≥9hrs) sleep duration, we fit a logistic regression model with multilevel mixed effects.

RESULTS: The majority of participants were NHW (87.4%), mean age at diagnosis was 70.3 years, and 75% had localized breast cancer at diagnosis. At baseline, 30% of women had insomnia. The lowest average WHIIRS score was 5.6 among Asians, and the highest was 6.6 among American-Indians and NHWs (p=0.02). AAs had the most women sleeping ≤5 hrs/night and NHW had the least (19.6% vs 5.7%, p<0.01). At diagnosis, the average WHIIRS score was 7.2. After diagnosis, sleep quality improved in the overall study population (p=0.03). Short sleep duration ranged from 6% before diagnosis, 9% at diagnosis and 11% after diagnosis (p=0.29). Long sleep duration ranged from 3% before diagnosis, 6% at diagnosis and 15% after diagnosis (p=0.43). There was no difference in sleep quality across race after diagnosis (p=0.53). The probability of short sleep and long sleep after diagnosis did not differ significantly across race (p=0.12, p=0.90), however racial minorities tended to have higher probabilities of short sleep at diagnosis compared to NHWs.

DISCUSSION: Sleep is an appealing area to target for improvement due to the multiple ways it can be treated. With increasing survival rates, there is an emphasis on improving quality of life in survivors. Our results span 20 years pre-diagnosis to 15 years post-diagnosis and are similar to shorter follow-up studies which found most women's sleep problems resolve within a few years of treatment completion. The lack of difference by race was an unexpected finding in another similar longitudinal study, which suggested most differences are seen in cross-sectional sleep studies. This study adds to the literature on longitudinal sleep data, especially to the little data on sleep trajectories in minority breast cancer survivors.

Citation Format: Beverly CM, Naughton M, Foraker R, Pennell M, Young G, Hale L, Crane T, Pan K, Danhauer S, Feliciano E, Paskett E. Racial/ethnic differences in sleep quality and duration among breast cancer survivors: Results from the women's health initiative (WHI) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-12-02.

Abstract P2-09-06: Addition of ovarian function suppression to endocrine therapy in premenopausal women with early breast cancer: A meta-analysis

Introduction

The Suppression of Ovarian Function Trial (SOFT) and the Tamoxifen and EXemestane Trial (TEXT), together with the Austrian Breast Cancer Study Group (ABCSG-12)and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 3193 (E-3193 trials, have examined adding ovarian function suppression (OFS) using gonadotropin–releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists to endocrine therapy in premenopausal women with early stage breast cancer. However, OFS with GnRH agonist plus aromatase inhibitor has subsequently been found to not consistently reduce estradiol levels to optimal target in the SOFT-EST study (JCO 2016; 34:1584) and implications of these study findings for clinical practice are controversial. Therefore, to further examine this issue, we conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of available evidence.

Methods

We updated a recently published literature review of randomized clinical trials (JCO 2016; 34:1689) through June 1, 2016 using the keywords “breast cancer,” “ovarian function suppression,” “tamoxifen,” and “aromatase inhibitor”. Of 683 of records identified through database searching, the 4 studies named above met inclusion criteria and were included in the quantitative synthesis. Information on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival was examined using hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Because of significant heterogeneity in one performed meta-analyses, the random-effects (DerSimonian and Laird) method was used to estimate the combined RR for studies (Open MetaAnalyst).

Results

Combining ABCSG-12, SOFT and TEXT trial findings, OFS addition to aromatase inhibitor resulted in 65 fewer DFS events across the 3 trials compared to OFS addition to tamoxifen (350 DFS events vs. 415 DFS events, respectively, HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.57-1.39, P=0.62, Tau2 =0.09, heterogeneity P<0.01). In contrast, 30 more deaths were seen with OFS plus aromatase inhibitor use (155 deaths vs. 125 deaths, respectively, HR 1.31, 95% CI 0.93 -1.84, P=0.12, Tau2 =0.03, heterogeneity P=0.18). Combining SOFT and E-3193 trials to compare OFS addition to tamoxifen to tamoxifen alone use, more concordance between DFS events and overall survival is seen. There were 24 fewer DFS events across the 2 trials with OFS addition to tamoxifen compared to tamoxifen alone (160 DFS events vs. 184 DFS events, respectively, HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.67-1.03, P=0.09, Tau2 =0, heterogeneity P=0.94) and there were 14 fewer deaths in the OFS plus tamoxifen compared to tamoxifen alone group (58 deaths vs. 72 deaths, respectively, HR 0.76 95% CI 0.53 -1.07, P=0.12, Tau2 =0, heterogeneity P=0.78).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the apparent discordance between DFS and overall survival in the aromatase inhibitor and OFS trials and the results suggesting incomplete and/or intermittent estrogen suppression with GNRH analogs in the SOFT-EST trial suggest that adoption of OFS plus aromatase inhibitor use as adjuvant therapy in premenopausal women with early stage breast cancer may be premature. Longer term survival analyses of the endocrine therapy trials are needed before reliable risks and benefits of aromatase inhibitor plus OFS and tamoxifen plus OFS use as adjuvant therapy can be determined.

Citation Format: Chlebowski R, Pan K, Col NF. Addition of ovarian function suppression to endocrine therapy in premenopausal women with early breast cancer: A meta-analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-09-06.

Measurement of the Target-Normal Single-Spin Asymmetry in Quasielastic Scattering from the Reaction (3)He(↑)(e,e')

We report the first measurement of the target single-spin asymmetry, A(y), in quasielastic scattering from the inclusive reaction (3)He(↑)(e,e') on a (3)He gas target polarized normal to the lepton scattering plane. Assuming time-reversal invariance, this asymmetry is strictly zero for one-photon exchange. A nonzero A(y) can arise from the interference between the one- and two-photon exchange processes which is sensitive to the details of the substructure of the nucleon. An experiment recently completed at Jefferson Lab yielded asymmetries with high statistical precision at Q(2)=0.13, 0.46, and 0.97  GeV(2). These measurements demonstrate, for the first time, that the (3)He asymmetry is clearly nonzero and negative at the 4σ-9σ level. Using measured proton-to-(3)He cross-section ratios and the effective polarization approximation, neutron asymmetries of -(1-3)% were obtained. The neutron asymmetry at high Q(2) is related to moments of the generalized parton distributions (GPDs). Our measured neutron asymmetry at Q(2)=0.97  GeV(2) agrees well with a prediction based on two-photon exchange using a GPD model and thus provides a new, independent constraint on these distributions.

Proton pump inhibitor use and risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We used a meta-analysis approach to investigate the association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients. We searched Ovid Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies. We included studies that compared cirrhotic patients who did or did not use PPIs. The primary outcome was SBP, and the secondary outcome was overall bacterial infection. Results were pooled using random-effect models. This process led to identification of 12 journal articles and 5 conference abstracts. The pooled data showed that PPI use in patients with cirrhosis and ascites was significantly associated with an increased risk of SBP [odds ratio (OR) = 2.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.46-3.23; P < 0.05; I2 = 85.6%] and overall risk of bacterial infection (OR = 1.98; 95%CI = 1.36-2.87; P < 0.05; I2 = 0). Subgroup analysis revealed that journal articles and studies reporting adjusted effect estimates demonstrated that PPI users had a significantly increased risk of SBP (OR = 2.13; 95%CI = 1.61-2.82; P < 0.05; I2 = 29.4%; and OR = 1.98; 95%CI = 1.42-2.77; P < 0.05; I2 = 67%, respectively). In conclusion, PPI use increased the risk of SBP and overall bacterial infection in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. PPIs should be administered after careful assessment of the indications in cirrhotic patients. Future well-designed prospective studies are warranted to clarify the dose relationships and to compare infection risks associated with different classes of PPIs.

Measurement of double-polarization asymmetries in the quasielastic (3)He[→](e[→],e(')d) process

We present a precise measurement of double-polarization asymmetries in the ^{3}He[over →](e[over →],e^{'}d) reaction. This particular process is a uniquely sensitive probe of hadron dynamics in ^{3}He and the structure of the underlying electromagnetic currents. The measurements have been performed in and around quasielastic kinematics at Q^{2}=0.25(GeV/c)^{2} for missing momenta up to 270  MeV/c. The asymmetries are in fair agreement with the state-of-the-art calculations in terms of their functional dependencies on p_{m} and ω, but are systematically offset. Beyond the region of the quasielastic peak, the discrepancies become even more pronounced. Thus, our measurements have been able to reveal deficiencies in the most sophisticated calculations of the three-body nuclear system, and indicate that further refinement in the treatment of their two-and/or three-body dynamics is required.

Probing the repulsive core of the nucleon-nucleon interaction via the (4)He(e,e'pN) triple-coincidence reaction

We studied simultaneously the (4)He(e,e'p), (4)He(e,e'pp), and (4)He(e,e'pn) reactions at Q(2)=2(GeV/c)(2) and x(B)>1, for an (e,e'p) missing-momentum range of 400 to 830  MeV/c. The knocked-out proton was detected in coincidence with a proton or neutron recoiling almost back to back to the missing momentum, leaving the residual A=2 system at low excitation energy. These data were used to identify two-nucleon short-range correlated pairs and to deduce their isospin structure as a function of missing momentum, in a region where the nucleon-nucleon (NN) force is expected to change from predominantly tensor to repulsive. The abundance of neutron-proton pairs is reduced as the nucleon momentum increases beyond ∼500  MeV/c. The extracted fraction of proton-proton pairs is small and almost independent of the missing momentum. Our data are compared with calculations of two-nucleon momentum distributions in (4)He and discussed in the context of probing the elusive repulsive component of the NN force.

Measurements of parity-violating asymmetries in electron-deuteron scattering in the nucleon resonance region

We report on parity-violating asymmetries in the nucleon resonance region measured using inclusive inelastic scattering of 5-6 GeV longitudinally polarized electrons off an unpolarized deuterium target. These results are the first parity-violating asymmetry data in the resonance region beyond the Δ(1232). They provide a verification of quark-hadron duality-the equivalence of the quark- and hadron-based pictures of the nucleon-at the (10-15)% level in this electroweak observable, which is dominated by contributions from the nucleon electroweak γZ interference structure functions. In addition, the results provide constraints on nucleon resonance models relevant for calculating background corrections to elastic parity-violating electron scattering measurements.

Effects of bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens on endometrial safety and bone in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVES

Bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens (BZA/CE) has demonstrated efficacy in improving vasomotor and vulvar/vaginal atrophy symptoms in postmenopausal women. This study evaluated the endometrial safety of BZA/CE and effects on bone mineral density (BMD) compared with CE/medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and placebo.

METHODS

The Selective estrogens, Menopause, And Response to Therapy (SMART)-4 trial was a 1-year, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo- and active-controlled, phase-3 study in non-hysterectomized, postmenopausal women (n = 1061; aged 40 -< 65 years). Subjects received BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 or 0.625 mg, CE 0.45 mg/MPA 1.5 mg, or placebo daily. Primary endpoints were the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia and the change in lumbar spine BMD at 1 year. Secondary endpoints included the change in total hip BMD and rates of amenorrhea and breast pain.

RESULTS

At 1 year, no cases of endometrial hyperplasia were identified in the BZA 20-mg/CE 0.45-mg group, while three cases (1.1%) were confirmed for the BZA 20-mg/CE 0.625-mg group (95% one-sided confidence interval upper limit < 4%). Both BZA/CE doses significantly increased lumbar spine and total hip BMD versus placebo (p ≤ 0.001) and showed low incidences of bleeding and breast tenderness, similar to placebo and significantly lower than for CE 0.45 mg/MPA 1.5 mg (p < 0.05). BZA/CE treatment was generally safe and well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 and 0.625 mg significantly improved BMD while maintaining endometrial safety and showed a favorable safety/tolerability profile over 1 year. BZA/CE may be a promising therapy for treating menopausal symptoms and preventing osteoporosis in non-hysterectomized, postmenopausal women.

Controlling magnetoelectric coupling by nanoscale phase transformation in strain engineered bismuth ferrite

The magnetoelectric coupling in multiferroic materials is promising for a wide range of applications, yet manipulating magnetic ordering by electric field proves elusive to obtain and difficult to control. In this paper, we explore the prospect of controlling magnetic ordering in misfit strained bismuth ferrite (BiFeO(3), BFO) films, combining theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and experimental characterizations. Electric field induced transformation from a tetragonal phase to a distorted rhombohedral one in strain engineered BFO films has been identified by thermodynamic analysis, and realized by scanning probe microscopy (SPM) experiment. By breaking the rotational symmetry of a tip-induced electric field as suggested by phase field simulation, the morphology of distorted rhombohedral variants has been delicately controlled and regulated. Such capabilities enable nanoscale control of magnetoelectric coupling in strain engineered BFO films that is difficult to achieve otherwise, as demonstrated by phase field simulations.

Pre-existing root cementum may promote cementoblast differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells

OBJECTIVES

To observe whether preserved healthy cementum could promote differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells to cementoblasts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Symmetrical root slices from each healthy premolar were distributed into either the control group (cementum removed) or test group (cementum preserved). After isolation and characterization, human periodontal ligament cells were inoculated onto root slices for 7 days co-culture. Two slices per group were studied for cell morphology by scanning electronic microscopy. Twenty-three slices were detected for expression of cementum attachment protein and cementum protein 23, two putative cementoblast markers, by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Twenty slices were transplanted into nude mice and analysed using histology and immunohistochemistry for osteopontin and bone sialoprotein expression after 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Cells of the test group had smoother fibroblast morphology and higher cementum protein 23 and cementum attachment protein expression than those of the control group (P < 0.01). In the test group, 14 root slices revealed cementum-like matrix formation resting on old cementum; no splits were observed between newly formed matrix and old cementum. In the control group, 17 specimens had fibrous tissue formation along the root surface and varying width of splits could be seen between new fibrous tissue and dentine surface. Only three specimens demonstrated presence of newly formed thin cementum-like matrix. Newly formed cementum-like matrix was positive for osteopontin and bone sialoprotein.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that healthy root cementum may promote differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells towards cementoblasts.

New precision limit on the strange vector form factors of the proton

The parity-violating cross-section asymmetry in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons from unpolarized protons has been measured at a four-momentum transfer squared Q2 = 0.624  GeV2 and beam energy E(b) = 3.48  GeV to be A(PV) = -23.80 ± 0.78(stat) ± 0.36(syst) parts per million. This result is consistent with zero contribution of strange quarks to the combination of electric and magnetic form factors G(E)(s) + 0.517G(M)(s) = 0.003 ± 0.010(stat) ± 0.004(syst) ± 0.009(ff), where the third error is due to the limits of precision on the electromagnetic form factors and radiative corrections. With this measurement, the world data on strange contributions to nucleon form factors are seen to be consistent with zero and not more than a few percent of the proton form factors.

Multilineage differentiation of dental follicle cells and the roles of Runx2 over-expression in enhancing osteoblast/cementoblast-related gene expression in dental follicle cells

OBJECTIVES

Dental follicle cells (DFCs) provide the origin of periodontal tissues, and Runx2 is essential for bone formation and tooth development. In this study, pluripotency of DFCs was evaluated and effects of Runx2 on them were investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The DFCs were induced to differentiate towards osteoblasts, adipocytes or chondrocytes, and alizarin red staining, oil red O staining or alcian blue staining was performed to reveal the differentiated states. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and primary mouse fibroblasts served as controls. DFCs were also infected with recombinant retroviruses encoding either full-length Runx2 or mutant Runx2 without the VWRPY motif. Western blot analysis, real-time real time RT-PCR and in vitro mineralization assay were performed to evaluate the effects of full-length Runx2 or mutant Runx2 on osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation of the cells.

RESULTS

The above-mentioned staining methods demonstrated that DFCs were successfully induced to differentiate towards osteoblasts, adipocytes or chondrocytes respectively, confirming the existence of pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells in dental follicle tissues. However, staining intensity in DFC cultures was weaker than in BMSC cultures. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that mutant Runx2 induced a more pronounced increase in expression levels of OC, OPN, Col I and CP23 than full-length Runx2. Mineralization assay also showed that mutant Runx2 increased mineralization nodule formation more prominently than full-length Runx2.

CONCLUSIONS

Multipotent DFCs can be induced to differentiate towards osteoblasts, adipocytes or chondrocytes in vitro. Runx2 over-expression up-regulated expression levels of osteoblast/cementoblast-related genes and in vitro enhanced osteogenic differentiation of DFCs. In addition, mutant Runx2-induced changes in DFCs were more prominent than those induced by full-length Runx2.

Effects of core binding factor alpha1 or bone morphogenic protein-2 overexpression on osteoblast/cementoblast-related gene expressions in NIH3T3 mouse cells and dental follicle cells

OBJECTIVES

Bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) has long been used to promote bone and periodontal regeneration, while core binding factor alpha1 (CBFA1) plays important roles in both osteogenic differentiation and tooth morphogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CBFA1 or BMP-2 overexpression on osteoblast/cementoblast-related gene expressions in NIH3T3 cells and dental follicle cells (DFCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CBFA1 or BMP-2 overexpression in NIH3T3 and DFCs was achieved by infection with retroviral vectors containing CBFA1 or BMP-2 cDNA. Cells stably integrated with CBFA1 or BMP-2 cDNA were selected with G418 for 14 days. Western blotting, real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and in vitro mineralization assay were performed to evaluate effects of CBFA1 or BMP-2 overexpression in cells undergoing osteoblast/cementoblast differentiation.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that osteoblast/cementoblast-related gene expression levels in CBFA1-overexpressing NIH3T3 cells were higher than those in BMP-2-overexpressing cells. More mineral nodules were observed in CBFA1-overexpressing NIH3T3 cells than in BMP-2-overexpressing cells. CBFA1 overexpression in DFCs also increased osteoblast/cementoblast-related gene expression and promoted mineral nodule formation. However, no significant changes in gene expression levels nor mineral nodule formation were found in BMP-2-overexpressing DFCs when compared with empty vector transduced DFCs.

CONCLUSIONS

CBFA1 overexpression up-regulated expression levels of osteoblast/cementoblast-related genes and enhanced in vitro osteogenic differentiation more efficiently than BMP-2 in both NIH3T3 cells and DFCs.

Induction of programmed cell death in aging Prorocentrum donghaiense cells as was evidenced preliminarily by the identification of associated transcripts

Prorocentrum donghaiense caused large-scale red tides off Chinese coast in recent years. Expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis was carried out for this dinoflagellate in order to identify the genes involved in its proliferation and death. A cDNA library was constructed for P. donghaiense at late exponential growth phase, and 308 groups of EST were generated, which include 36 contigs and 272 singletons. Among 22 groups showed homologies with known genes, 2 matched significantly with caspase and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Caspase and proliferating cell nuclear antigen are 2 key proteins involved in programmed cell death. Their identification evidenced preliminarily the induction of PCD in aging P. donghaiense. The identified included also calmodulin and protein phosphatase, two proteins involved in diverse cell processes including PCD by binding to or modifying others.

[The murine submandibular gland conditioned medium induce the development of CFU-GM and CFU-meg]

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose is to determine whether murine submandibular gland produce hematopoietic growth factors or not and which hematopoietic growth factor are produced by murine submandibular gland.

METHODS

By using the techniques of culture of hematopoietic progenitor cells(CFU-GM, CFU-Meg) ex vivo, flow-cytometry, the effects of murine submandibular gland conditioned medium(SGCM) on the development of CFU-GM and CFU-Meg in mice was studied.

RESULTS

SGCM can stimulate the development of CFU-GM and CFU-Meg (without any exogeneous HGF), almost no colony in control (without any exogeneous HGF and SGCM); the promoting activity of male SGCM is higher than female SGCM's in augmenting colony formation of CFU-Meg (P < 0.05), there is no difference of CFU-GM(P > 0.05). The stimulating activity of anemic mice SGCM is higher normal mice SGCM's (P < 0.05). IL-3 can collaborate with female SGCM to stimulate proliferation of CFU-Meg. SGCM can promote bone morrow cell entiring the active proliferative phase(S/G2).

CONCLUSION

Submandibular gland can stimulate the development of CFU-GM and CFU-Meg by secreting hematopoietic growth factor-like activities. Our study provide the experimental evidences for clarifying the relationship between submandibular gland and hematopoiesis.

[The effect of mouthguard on strength of the musculus deltoideus]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of mouthguard on strength of musculus deltoideus and to observe the possibility of its improving sports ability.

METHODS

The custom mouthguards were fabricated respectively for 8 subjects with soft resin by direct method. The activities of the musculus deltoideus and masseter were tested by means of electromyograph (EMG), while the subjects lay, made maximum voluntary biting with mouthguard and pressed 5 kg. The EMG potentials were transferred to a computer. The data were handled and the integral values of EMG were exported.

RESULTS

The subjects set a great value on the mouthguard's comfort, retention and protection. The EMG values of the musculus deltoideus and masseter of the subjects biting with mouthguards were 1.1600 v/s and 0.3825 v/s, and the values of those biting without mouthguards were 0.6125 v/s and 0.213 8 v/s, respectively. The muscular strength of the former was significantly improved compared with that of the latter (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Wearing a mouthguard and maximum voluntary biting can enhance the masseter force and reflectively improve the musculus deltoideus strength.

[Grey correlation and cluster analysis on relationship between Cercidiphyllum japonicum community and its environment]

The relationship between 10 years old C. japonicum plantation forest community and its environmental conditions was studied by grey correlation method and cluster analysis. The results showed that there existed closer relations among soil organic matter, available Ca, Fe, Mg and N. Except for N and Mn, all soil available elements tested had no direct impact on the absorption and accumulation of corresponding elements by the community. The tree species in different habitats was found to absorb soil elements selectively to some extent. The factors affecting the basal diameter, DBH, height and biomass of C. japonicum could be lined as soil chemical characteristics > soil physical properties > climate factors, in which, available P had little impact on the growth of C. japonicum. It is suggested that C. japonicum could be restored in the area with higher air moisture and with fertile porous soil between elevation of 2200-2700 m.

[Effect of human umbilical vein endothelial cells on granulopoiesis, erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of endothelial cells on the proliferations of granulocytic, erythrocytic and megakaryocytic progenitor cells.

METHODS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were collected within 12 hours after cesarean section and were cultured according to Jaffe's method. The human endothelial culture supernatant (HECS) harvested from primary culture medium was centrifuged. Bone marrow mononuclear cells of mice were prepared and then cultured in semi-solid agar or methylcellulose with the addition of HECS.

RESULTS

Colony-forming yields were increased in the culture systems with HECS. But in the systems with no HECS, exogenous GM-CSF, EPO and IL-3 added to the hematopoietic progenitor cultures were necessary to induce colony-forming. Synergistic increase in progenitor cell expansion was observed when both HECS and exogenous cytokines were added to hematopoietic progenitor cultures.

CONCLUSION

1. Endothelial cells can support the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. 2. HECS as a source of standard hematopoietic growth factors can be used in the expansion of stem cells in vitro and in the therapy of hemopathy. 3. Interactions between endothelial cells and hematopoietic stem cell or progenitors may play an important role in the regulation of hematopoiesis in vivo. 4. Endothelial cells may produce other soluble growth factors potentiating the action of a set of cytokines such as GM-CSF and IL-6.