Overexpression of c-erbB-2 (also known as HER-2/neu) has been found in many human cancers, including head and neck squamous
cell carcinoma (SCC). We therefore examined expression of the oncoprotein ...in oral SCC primary tumor samples and compared its
relationship with clinical stages and survival rate. Out of 80 cases of oral SCC, high expression level (++ or +++) of c-erbB-2
was found in 41 cases. Of the 80 cases with follow-up information, 39 were further investigated for the correlation of expression
level of c-erbB-2 and survival rate. Overexpression of the oncoprotein was significantly correlated with shorter overall survival,
and the patients with low and no expression of c-erbB-2 had much higher survival rates. Overexpression of c-erbB-2 was also
significantly correlated with nodal stage and metastasis. We found that high expression level of c-erbB-2 was frequently detected
in oral cancer cell lines but not in the other head and neck SCC cell lines. Thus, we conclude that overexpression of c-erbB-2
is a frequent event in oral SCC and is correlated with poor survival and may be used as a poor prognostic factor.
Background: There is evidence suggesting that autistic traits are associated with schizotypal traits. This study examined the factor structure of the Autism Spectrum Quotient 10 (AQ-10) and its ...associations with schizotypal traits (measured by the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief SPQ-B) in a cohort of Chinese adolescents and young adults. Methods: Invitation letters, stratified by locations and housing types, were randomly sent to individuals aged 15 to 24 years for participation. Assessments were made using face-to-face or online interviews. Autistic traits were assessed using the Chinese version of the AQ-10. Schizotypal personality traits were assessed using the Chinese version of the 22-item SPQ-B.
Results: In total, 395 male and 536 female participants (mean age, 19.93 years) were recruited between July 2020 and May 2021. Exploratory factor analysis of the AQ-10 yielded three factors (theory of mind, task switching, and attention deficits) explaining 55.11% of the total variance. Autistic traits were positively correlated with schizotypal traits of disorganised features (r equivalent 0.21, p < 0.001), interpersonal relationship deficits (r equivalent 0.19, p < 0.001), and cognitive-perceptual deficits (r equivalent 0.11, p equivalent 0.001). Conclusion: In Chinese adolescents and young adults, autistic traits, especially task switching and attention deficits (compared with theory of mind) are more closely correlated with schizotypal personality traits. Disentangling the overlapping and diametrical structure of autistic traits and schizotypal traits May help understand their aetiologies, assessment, and interventions.
Background: Patients with dual hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have responded poorly to interferon (IFN) monotherapy. The purpose of the present paper was to assess the ...effect of combined IFN‐α and ribavirin therapy in patients infected with both hepatitis B and C.
Methods: Thirty‐six patients received 3 or 5 MU IFN‐α‐2b thrice weekly and oral ribavirin (800–1200 mg/day) for 24 weeks. All patients had positive hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to HCV, and HCV‐RNA. Before treatment, one patient had positive hepatitis B e antigen. Eighteen patients had positive HBV‐DNA tested by Amplicor (Cobas Amplicor Monitor, Roche Diagnostics, Branchburg, NJ, USA), with a mean HBV‐DNA level of 3.1 ± 0.9 log copies/mL. Another 72 patients with HCV infection alone served as controls.
Results: Adverse events led to withdrawal in three patients receiving 5 MU IFN. Based on an intent‐to‐treat analysis, the biochemical response and serum HCV clearance rate at the end of 48 weeks follow up was similar in patients with dual infection and HCV infection alone (56% vs 72%; and 69% vs 71%, respectively). There was no significant difference in sustained HCV clearance rate between the 3‐MU group (n = 13) and the 5‐MU group (n = 23; 85% vs 61%). At the end of 48 weeks follow up, two (11%) of 18 pretreatment viremic patients had negative serum HBV‐DNA (<200 copies/mL), while eight of those without pretreatment viremia had reoccurrence of HBV‐DNA.
Conclusions: Combination therapy with IFN‐α and ribavirin was effective in achieving sustained HCV clearance in patients with dual HBV and HCV infection, comparable to those with hepatitis C infection alone. Combination therapy using 3 MU IFN‐α seemed as effective as 5 MU, and was well tolerated in the study population. However, large‐scale control trials are necessary to clarify these findings.
We have previously shown that emodin suppresses tyrosine kinase activity of HER-2/neu-encoded p185neu receptor tyrosine kinase. In this study, we examine the relationship between the chemical ...structure and the activity of emodin and nine derivatives, and identified that one methyl, one hydroxy, and one carbonyl functional groups are critical for the biological activities of emodin. We also found that one of the derivatives 10-(4-acetamidobenzylidene)-9-anthrone (DK-V-47) is more effective than emodin in repressing the tyrosine phosphorylation of p185neu and in inhibiting the proliferation and transformation of HER-2/neu-overexpressing human breast cancer cells. Using mutation-activated HER-2/neu transformed 3T3 cells, we also investigated whether emodin and DK-V-47 can inhibit malignant transformation induced solely by the HER-2/neu oncogene. We found that DK-V-47 is more potent than emodin in suppressing transformation phenotypes of activated HER-2/neu transformed 3T3 cells including anchorage-dependent and -independent growth, metastasis-associated properties. These results clearly indicate that the inhibition of p185neu tyrosine kinase by both emodin and DK-V-47 is capable of suppressing the HER-2/neu associated transformed phenotypes including the ability to induce metastatic potential. Our results also support the chemotherapeutic implications of the use of either emodin or DK-V-47 to target HER-2/neu-overexpressing cancer cells.
An airfreight container with automated instruments for measurement of atmospheric gases and trace compounds was operated on a monthly basis onboard a Boeing 767-300 ER of LTU International Airways ...during long-distance flights from 1997 to 2002 (CARIBIC, Civil Aircraft for Regular Investigation of the Atmosphere Based on an Instrument Container, http://www.caribic-atmospheric.com). Subsequently a more advanced system has been developed, using a larger capacity container with additional equipment and an improved inlet system. CARIBIC phase #2 was implemented on a new long-range aircraft type Airbus A340-600 of the Lufthansa German Airlines (Star Alliance) in December 2004, creating a powerful flying observatory. The instrument package comprises detectors for the measurement of O3, total and gaseous H2O, NO and NOy, CO, CO2, O2, Hg, and number concentrations of sub-micrometer particles (>4 nm, >12 nm, and >18 nm diameter). Furthermore, an optical particle counter (OPC) and a proton transfer mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) are incorporated. Aerosol samples are collected for analysis of elemental composition and particle morphology after flight. Air samples are taken in glass containers for laboratory analyses of hydrocarbons, halocarbons and greenhouse gases (including isotopic composition of CO2) in several laboratories. Absorption tubes collect oxygenated volatile organic compounds. Three differential optical absorption spectrometers (DOAS) with their telescopes mounted in the inlet system measure atmospheric trace gases such as BrO, HONO, and NO2. A video camera mounted in the inlet provides information about clouds along the flight track. The flying observatory, its equipment and examples of measurement results are reported.
The aim of this study was to assess morbidity and associated factors in patients with lung cancer (LC).
This study used a cross-sectional design with consecutive sampling. Study subjects were ...recruited from the LC outpatient clinic and inpatient ward in a medical center from March 2016 to February 2018. Patients with LC were enrolled and assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and the List of Threatening Experiences Questionnaire.
One hundred and four patients were included in the study. The most prevalent psychiatric disorder was depressive disorder (25.0%), followed by adjustment disorder (17.3%), alcohol use disorder (3.8%), and insomnia disorder (3.8%). Fifty percent of patients had a psychiatric diagnosis. Using logistic regression analysis, it was found that severity of fatigue (OR=1.77; 95% CI, 1.03-3.03;
<0.05), severity of stressor (OR=14.14; 95% CI, 2.49-80.20;
<0.05), and severity of anxiety (OR=3.75; 95% CI, 1.87-7.54;
<0.001) were three significant associated factors. Patient health problems, death of a close family member or friend, and major financial crisis were the three most common stressors among our cancer patients.
Use of a standardized structured interview for early diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients with depressive disorder is crucial and might increase their quality of life.
A broadband doubly balanced monolithic ring mixer with a new intermediate frequency (IF) signal extraction method implemented by 0.15 mum pHEMT process is presented. The hybrid couplers of the ...proposed mixer consist of multiple coupled lines and fourfold coupled line Marchand baluns. The use of multiple coupled lines leads to a die size less than 1 times 1 mm 2 and improves the bandwidth of the mixer. The novel fourfold coupled line allows the extraction of the IF signal directly without any extra low pass filter circuits. The mixer exhibited 8-13 dB conversion loss, high radio frequency/local oscillation isolation of 35-50 dB over 16-40 GHz and an input 1-dB compression point of 14 dBm.
Increased breast cancer growth has been associated with increased expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Upon activation, RTKs may transmit ...their oncogenic signals by binding to the growth factor receptor bound protein-2 (Grb2), which in turn binds to SOS and activates the Ras/Raf/MEK/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. Grb2 is important for the transformation of fibroblasts by EGFR and ErbB2; however, whether Grb2 is also important for the proliferation of breast cancer cells expressing these RTKs is unclear. We have used liposomes to deliver nuclease-resistant antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (oligos) specific for the GRB2 mRNA to breast cancer cells. Grb2 protein downregulation could inhibit breast cancer cell growth; the degree of growth inhibition was dependent upon the activation and/or endogenous levels of the RTKs. Grb2 inhibition led to MAP kinase inactivation in EGFR, but not in ErbB2, breast cancer cells, suggesting that different pathways might be used by EGFR and ErbB2 to regulate breast cancer growth.
Abstract Objectives The clinical translation of cell-based therapies for ischemic heart disease has been limited because of low cell retention (<1%) within, and poor targeting to, ischemic ...myocardium. To address these issues, we developed an injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) shear-thinning hydrogel (STG) and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) construct (STG-EPC). The STG assembles as a result of interactions of adamantine- and β-cyclodextrin–modified HA. It is shear-thinning to permit delivery via a syringe, and self-heals upon injection within the ischemic myocardium. This directed therapy to the ischemic myocardial border zone enables direct cell delivery to address adverse remodeling after myocardial infarction. We hypothesize that this system will enhance vasculogenesis to improve myocardial stabilization in the context of a clinically translatable therapy. Methods Endothelial progenitor cells (DiLDL+ VEGFR2+ CD34+ ) were harvested from adult male rats, cultured, and suspended in the STG. In vitro viability was quantified using a live-dead stain of EPCs. The STG-EPC constructs were injected at the border zone of ischemic rat myocardium after acute myocardial infarction (left anterior descending coronary artery ligation). The migration of the enhanced green fluorescent proteins from the construct to ischemic myocardium was analyzed using fluorescent microscopy. Vasculogenesis, myocardial remodeling, and hemodynamic function were analyzed in 4 groups: control (phosphate buffered saline injection); intramyocardial injection of EPCs alone; injection of the STG alone; and treatment with the STG-EPC construct. Hemodynamics and ventricular geometry were quantified using echocardiography and Doppler flow analysis. Results Endothelial progenitor cells demonstrated viability within the STG. A marked increase in EPC engraftment was observed 1-week postinjection within the treated myocardium with gel delivery, compared with EPC injection alone (17.2 ± 0.8 cells per high power field (HPF) vs 3.5 cells ± 1.3 cells per HPF, P = .0002). A statistically significant increase in vasculogenesis was noted with the STG-EPC construct (15.3 ± 5.8 vessels per HPF), compared with the control ( P < .0001), EPC ( P < .0001), and STG ( P < .0001) groups. Statistically significant improvements in ventricular function, scar fraction, and geometry were noted after STG-EPC treatment compared with the control. Conclusions A novel injectable shear-thinning HA hydrogel seeded with EPCs enhanced cell retention and vasculogenesis after delivery to ischemic myocardium. This therapy limited adverse myocardial remodeling while preserving contractility.
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