Purpose: Androgen receptor is an essential transcriptional factor that contributes to the development and progression of prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated the androgen regulation and ...functional analysis of 14-3-3 zeta in prostate cancer.Experimental Design: Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) combined with DNA microarray (ChIP-chip) analysis in LNCaP cells, we identified a functional androgen receptor-binding site in the downstream region of the 14-3-3 zeta gene. Androgen regulation was examined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blot analysis. Prostate cancer cells stably expressing 14-3-3 zeta and siRNA knockdown were used for functional analyses. We further examined 14-3-3 zeta expression in clinical samples of prostate cancer by immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription PCR.Results: Androgen-dependent upregulation of 14-3-3 zeta was validated at the mRNA and protein levels. The 14-3-3 zeta gene is favorable for cancer-cell survival, as its ectopic expression in LNCaP cells contributes to cell proliferation and the acquired resistance to etoposide-induced apoptosis. 14-3-3 zeta expression was associated with androgen receptor transcriptional activity and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA expression. Immunoprecipitation indicated that 14-3-3 zeta was associated with androgen receptor in the nucleus. Clinicopathologic studies further support the relevance of 14-3-3 zeta in prostate cancers, as its higher expression is associated with malignancy and lymph node metastasis.Conclusions: 14-3-3 zeta is a novel androgen-responsive gene that activates proliferation, cell survival, and androgen receptor transcriptional activity. 14-3-3 zeta may facilitate the progression of prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 18(20); 5617-27. copy2012 AACR.
Abstract
Using the AKARI, Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data, we investigated ...the relation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mass (M
PAH), very small grain mass (M
VSG), big grain mass (M
BG) and stellar mass (M
star) with galaxy merger for 55 star-forming galaxies at redshift z < 0.2. Using the SDSS image at z < 0.1 and the HST image at z > 0.1, we divided the galaxies into merger galaxies and non-merger galaxies with the morphological parameter asymmetry A, and quantified merging stages of galaxies based on the morphological indicators, the second-order momentum of the brightest 20 per cent region M
20 and the Gini coefficient. We find that M
PAH/M
BG of merger galaxies tend to be lower than that of non-merger galaxies and there are no systematic differences of M
VSG/M
BG and M
BG/M
star between merger galaxies and non-merger galaxies. We find that galaxies with very low M
PAH/M
BG seem to be merger galaxies at late stages. These results suggest that PAHs are partly destroyed at late stages of merging processes. Furthermore, we investigated M
PAH/M
BG variations in radiation field intensity strength G
0 and the emission line ratio of
${\rm O\,\small {I}}\, \lambda 6300/{\rm H}\alpha$
that is a shock tracer for merger galaxies and find that M
PAH/M
BG decreases with increasing both G
0 and
${\rm O\,\small {I}}/{\rm H}\alpha$
. PAH destruction is likely to be caused by two processes: strong radiation fields and large-scale shocks during merging processes of galaxies.
Pigmented Bowen's disease (pBD) is a subtype of Bowen's disease, which presents clinically as a well‐circumscribed, hyperpigmented plaque. Its clinical manifestations are not fully characterized, and ...differential diagnoses include various pigmented skin lesions. Dermoscopy could be useful for the diagnosis, although nothing has been reported on the dermoscopic features of clonal‐type pBD. We herein report a first case of clonal‐type pBD on the sole and its dermoscopic features. Dermoscopy showed brown to blue‐gray dots/globules and focally anastomosing lines on the non‐weight‐bearing area, while the weight‐bearing area had a brown to blue‐gray fibrillar‐like pattern. To investigate the relationship between dermoscopy and histopathology, we focused on the melanin distribution in the horny layer of the epidermis, and used vertical dermoscopy observation. We investigated the relationship between dermoscopy and pathology by melanin depth estimation using a color lightness value.
We used more than 25,000 nutrient samples to elucidate for the first time basin-scale distributions and seasonal changes of surface ammonium (NH
4
+
) and nitrite (NO
2
−
) concentrations in the ...Pacific Ocean. The highest NH
4
+
, NO
2
−
, and nitrate (NO
3
−
) concentrations were observed north of 40°N, in the coastal upwelling region off the coast of Mexico, and in the Tasman Sea. NH
4
+
concentrations were elevated during May–October in the western subarctic North Pacific, May–December in the eastern subarctic North Pacific, and June–September in the subtropical South Pacific. NO
2
−
concentrations were highest in winter in both hemispheres. The seasonal cycle of NH
4
+
was synchronous with NO
2
−
, NO
3
−
, and satellite chlorophyll
a
concentrations in the western subtropical South Pacific, whereas it was synchronous with chlorophyll-
a
but out of phase with NO
2
−
and NO
3
−
in the subarctic regions.
We aimed to prospectively identify the risk factors of sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis.Patients (n = 193) included in a discovery cohort (January 2011 and December 2014) were categorized into ...alcoholic (A1; n = 55) and non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NA; n = 138) groups, and those (n = 235) in a validation cohort (January 2015 to December 2019) were categorized into alcoholic (n = 92), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related (n = 27), and hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis groups (n = 116). Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was determined using computed tomography (SMI-CT) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (SMI-BIA). Endotoxin activity (EA) was measured with an EA assay.SMI-CT correlated with grip strength in all the groups but significantly correlated with SMI-BIA of the men in group A1 (R = 0.64, P < .0001) and both sexes in group NA (male: R = 0.44, P = .0001; female: R = 0.35, P = .003). SMI-CT inversely correlated with the EA levels of the men in group A1 (R = -0.67, P < .0001) and myostatin levels in group NA (R = -0.53, P < .0001). Lower extremity SMI had a strong negative correlation with the EA levels of the men in group A1 (R = -0.58, P < .001), whereas upper extremity SMI showed an inverse trend with EA levels (R = -0.28, P = .08). SMI-CT also inversely correlated with the EA levels in groups A2 (R = -0.52, P = .003) and N (R = -0.67, P < .0001) and myostatin levels in group C (R = -0.65, P < .0001). Moreover, SMI-CT correlated with nutritional factors, including cholinesterase (R = 0.50, P = .005), zinc (R = 0.45, P = .01), branched amino acid-to-tyrosine ratio (R = 0.39, P = .02), and triglyceride (R = 0.33, P = .03) in group N.Sarcopenia risk factors differ among cirrhosis etiologies. Alcohol-induced, intestine-mediated peripheral endotoxemia could participate in sarcopenia development in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Oral health status is known to be associated with lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease. In Japan, around 40% of hemodialysis cases are patients with diabetic ...nephropathy. The aim of this study was to clarify the association between oral health status and diabetic nephropathy-related indices in Japanese middle-aged men. Sixty-six men (age range: 55–64 years) with ≥20 remaining teeth and who received public medical checkups and oral examinations were enrolled. We examined correlations of age, body mass index, HbA1c, HDL-C, LDL-C, neutral fat, serum creatinine, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with the number of remaining teeth or the community periodontal index (CPI) score (periodontal pocket<4 mm: 0, 4–6 mm: 1, ≥6 mm: 2). A positive correlation between the CPI score and serum creatinine and a negative correlation between CPI score and eGFR (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, r=0.459, p<0.01, and r=−0.460, p<0.01, respectively) were observed. The mean eGFR in the CPI score 0 group was significantly higher than that in the CPI score 1/2 group (82.6 vs. 70.7, Student’s t-test, p<0.01). Logistic regression analysis using eGFR as a dependent variable and age, CPI score, body mass index, HbA1c, and neutral fat as independent variables suggested that low eGFR (<60) could be attributed to CPI score (OR=3.169, 95% CI: 1.031–9.742, p=0.044). These results suggest a possible association between periodontal status and renal function in Japanese middle-aged men. Periodontal condition is controlled by oral prophylaxis, and periodontal disease and chronic kidney disease have some common risk factors. Thus, periodontal management can contribute to the prevention of severe chronic kidney disease.
Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is reportedly useful for post-cardiac surgery acute kidney injury (AKI). Although chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a strong risk factor for AKI ...development, no clinical evaluation of plasma NGAL has specifically examined AKI occurring in patients with CKD. This study evaluated plasma NGAL in AKI superimposed on CKD after cardiac surgery.
This study prospectively evaluated 146 adult patients with scheduled cardiac surgery at 2 general hospitals. Plasma NGAL was measured before surgery, at ICU arrival after surgery (0 hours), and 2, 4, 12, 24, 36, and 60 hours after ICU arrival.
Based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD guideline, 72 (49.3%) were diagnosed as having CKD. Of 146 patients, 53 (36.3%) developed AKI after surgery. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that preoperative plasma NGAL, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and operation time are significantly associated with AKI occurrence after surgery. Plasma NGAL in AKI measured after surgery was significantly higher than in non-AKI irrespective of CKD complication. However, transient decrease of plasma NGAL at 0 to 4 hours was observed especially in AKI superimposed on CKD. Plasma NGAL peaked earlier than serum creatinine and at the same time in mild AKI and AKI superimposed on CKD with increased preoperative plasma NGAL (>300 ng/ml). Although AKI superimposed on CKD showed the highest plasma NGAL levels after surgery, plasma NGAL alone was insufficient to discriminate de novo AKI from CKD without AKI after surgery. Receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed different cutoff values of AKI for CKD and non-CKD patients.
Results show the distinct features of plasma NGAL in AKI superimposed on CKD after cardiac surgery: 1) increased preoperative plasma NGAL is an independent risk factor for post-cardiac surgery AKI; 2) plasma NGAL showed an earlier peak than serum creatinine did, indicating that plasma NGAL can predict the recovery of AKI earlier; 3) different cutoff values of post-operative plasma NGAL are necessary to detect AKI superimposed on CKD distinctly from de novo AKI. Further investigation is necessary to confirm these findings because this study examined a small number of patients.
Stereoselective synthesis of the C23−C34 fragment of symbiodinolide, which possesses the originally proposed stereochemistry, and its diastereomers was achieved in 19 steps from l-aspartic acid, ...respectively. Comparison of spectroscopic data of the synthetic products with those of the degraded product of symbiodinolide led to a structural revision of the C23−C34 fragment.
Purpose
To evaluate the feasibility of a novel embolization technique, the Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP) anchoring technique, to stabilize the delivery system for microcoil embolization.
Materials ...and methods
Three patients were enrolled in this study, including two cases of internal iliac artery aneurysms and one case of internal iliac arterial occlusion prior to endovascular aortic repair. An AVP was used in each case for embolization of one target artery, and the AVP was left in place. The AVP detachment wire was then used as an anchor to stabilize the delivery system for microcoil embolization to embolize the second target artery adjacent to the first target artery. The microcatheter for the microcoils was inserted parallel to the AVP detachment wire in the guiding sheath or catheter used for the AVP.
Results
The AVP anchoring technique was achieved and the microcatheter was easily advanced to the second target artery in all three cases.
Conclusion
The AVP anchoring technique was found to be feasible to advance the microcatheter into the neighboring artery of an AVP-embolized artery.
Many surgical techniques have been developed to treat inguinal hernia. In recent years, the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach has been widely performed to repair inguinal ...hernia. Giant inguinal hernia (GIH) is an extremely rare disease that is a challenge for general surgeons. GIH appears when patients neglect the treatment for many years and it is defined as an inguinal hernia that extends below the midpoint of inner thigh in standing position. According to previous publications, the Lichtenstein tension-free hernioplasty is recommended to repair GIH. In this article, we describe consecutive four cases of GIH repaired via the TAPP approach.
From April 2015 to March 2017, 200 patients underwent hernioplasty against inguinal hernia at our hospital. Inguinal hernias were treated via the TAPP approach in principle. We performed hernioplasty via the TAPP approach in all 4 patients (2%) who met the definition of Type 1 GIH. Demographic information, maximum diameter of hernia sac, hernia orifice size, and surgical data were obtained.
The mean operative time was 135 min. No intraoperative complications were encountered. All patients could walk from postoperative day 1 and were discharged home early, but they all had scrotal seromas. Three patients did not need puncture or drainage, but one of them required puncture. All seromas disappeared within 6 months. There was no recurrence in the 8- to 24-month follow-up.
The TAPP approach is a feasible, safe therapeutic option that may reduce wound size and pain following surgical treatment of Type 1 GIH.
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