Background
IL‐25 has been proposed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This study aimed to evaluate the association of IL‐25 with the ...Th2‐biased inflammatory profiles in CRSwNP.
Methods
Nasal polyp (NP) tissues and control uncinate process tissues were collected from 92 patients with CRSwNP, 20 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), and 16 normal control subjects. IL‐25 expression was examined using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, RT‐qPCR, and ELISA. The inflammatory profiles and clinical characteristics of 2 NP subtypes (IL‐25high and IL‐25low) were evaluated, and the effects of IL‐25 on Th2 cytokine production in cultured dispersed polyp cells were examined in vitro.
Results
The mRNA and protein levels of IL‐25 were significantly increased in the polyp tissues compared with the control uncinate process tissues. The IL‐25high subtype showed greater computed tomography scores, endoscopic scores, and Th2 response. Exposure to IL‐25 activated type 2 innate lymphoid cells and Th2 cells in NP simultaneously which further increased Th2 cytokine production in vitro.
Conclusions
Local IL‐25 plays a crucial role in promoting Th2‐biased inflammatory profiles in NP and may serve as a promising therapeutic target in CRSwNP patients.
Aims
This study aimed synergistic effects of three herbs in Salmonella via increased membrane permeability and apoptosis.
Methods and Results
Using high‐performance liquid chromatography, four types ...of phenylethyl glycosides and a lignan were detected in the herb mixture (Brassica juncea, Forsythia suspensa, and Inula britannica). During treatment with the herb mixture (1×, 2×, or 4× the MIC), viable cells decreased to 1·87 log CFU per ml (Salmonella Gallinarum) and 2·33 log CFU per ml (Salmonella Enteritidis) after 12 h of incubation according to inhibition of tricarboxylic acid cycle (P < 0·01). In addition, N‐phenyl‐1‐naphthylamine uptake increased from 229·00 to 249·67 AU in S. Gallinarum and from 232·00 to 250·67 AU in S. Enteritidis (P < 0·05), whereas membrane potential decreased from 8855·00 to 3763·25 AU and from 8703·67 to 4300·38 AU, respectively. Apoptotic Salmonella cells were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry. Transmission electron microscopy observations with negative staining showed protein leakage from damaged Salmonella.
Conclusions
These results showed the synergistic effect of the three herbs against avian pathogenic Salmonella induced by membrane damage and apoptosis.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Salmonella causes enormous economic losses in the poultry industry. These results indicated that potency of natural antimicrobial agents due to apoptosis in Salmonella.
Summary
Background
Acral melanoma (AM) is the most common histopathological subtype of malignant melanoma in Asians. However, differences in the mutational profiles underlying AM and nonacral ...cutaneous melanoma (NAM) in Asians are not well understood.
Objectives
To augment the understanding of the prevalence, patterns and associations of various mutations between different subtypes of melanoma.
Methods
We performed comprehensive genomic profiling of 409 cancer‐associated genes, using next‐generation sequencing, in 66 primary melanomas comprised of 45 AMs and 21 NAMs.
Results
Most of the AMs (n = 27/45; 60%), but only five of 21 (24%) NAMs, were triple wild‐type (triple‐WT) tumours. Compared with AMs, NAMs exhibited a significantly higher frequency of BRAF mutations. The frequencies of NRAS/KRAS mutations, cell‐cycle aberrations, copy number gains in BIRC2, BIRC3 and BIRC5, and gains of receptor tyrosine kinase genes were significantly higher in AMs. Ulceration was found at significantly higher rates in the AMs and NAMs with cell‐cycle aberrations and gains of receptor tyrosine kinase genes. Notably, cell‐cycle aberrations and copy number gains in BIRC2, BIRC3 and BIRC5 were significantly associated with poor melanoma‐specific survival in the 66 patients with melanoma and especially in the 45 patients with AM. Multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis and cell‐cycle aberrations were independent prognostic factors of melanoma‐specific survival.
Conclusions
This study strengthens our understanding of the patterns and clinical associations of oncogenic mutations in AMs and NAMs in Asians.
What's already known about this topic?
Mutation frequencies of driver genes vary between melanoma subtypes.
Acral melanoma is the most common subtype of melanoma in Asians.
KIT mutations and copy number variations occur more frequently in the acral subtype of melanoma than in the nonacral subtype
What does this study add?
NRAS/KRAS mutations, cell‐cycle aberrations, copy number gains in BIRC2, BIRC3 and BIRC5, and amplifications of receptor tyrosine kinase genes were significantly enriched in acral melanoma and could be potential targets for treatment.
Melanomas with cell‐cycle aberrations and gains in receptor tyrosine kinase genes were significantly more likely to contain ulceration.
What is the translational message?
Cell‐cycle aberrations and copy number gains in BIRC2, BIRC3 and BIRC5 were significantly associated with poor melanoma‐specific survival.
These observations should be explored further for future drug development.
Linked Comment: Johansson. Br J Dermatol 2020; 182:1085.
Plain language summary available online
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe safety and efficacy of tirofiban during endovascular therapy in patients undergoing intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant IV tPA remain unclear. This study aimed to ...investigate the safety and efficacy of intra-arterial tirofiban use during endovascular therapy in patients treated with IV tPA. MATERIALS AND METHODSUsing a multicenter registry, we enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent endovascular therapy. Safety outcomes included postprocedural parenchymal hematoma type 2 and/or thick subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, and 3-month mortality. Efficacy outcomes included the successful reperfusion rate, postprocedural reocclusion, and good outcomes at 3 months (mRS scores of 0-2). The tirofiban effect on the outcomes was evaluated using a multivariable analysis while adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTSAmong enrolled patients, we identified 314 patients with stroke (279 and 35 patients in the no tirofiban and tirofiban groups, respectively) due to an intracranial artery occlusion who underwent endovascular therapy with intravenous thrombolysis. A multivariable analysis revealed no association of intra-arterial tirofiban with postprocedural parenchymal hematoma type and/or thick subarachnoid hemorrhage (adjusted OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.20-4.10; P = .918), intraventricular hemorrhage (adjusted OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.02-2.85; P = .467), and 3-month mortality (adjusted OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.04-1.87; P = .299). Intra-arterial tirofiban was not associated with good outcome (adjusted OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 0.89 -6.12; P = .099). CONCLUSIONSUsing intra-arterial tirofiban during endovascular therapy after IV tPA could be safe.
A nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) mass screening trial using a combination of immunoglobulin A antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen and nuclear antigen-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent ...assay in addition to indirect mirror examination in the nasopharynx and/or lymphatic palpation (IMLP) was conducted in southern China. Cantonese aged 30-59 years residing in 2 cities randomly selected by cluster sampling, Sihui and Zhongshan, were invited to participate in this screening from May 2008 through May 2010. Participants were offered fiberoptic endoscopy examination and/or pathologic biopsy if their serologic tests reached our predefined level of high risk or if results from the physical examination indicated possible cancer (i.e., were IMLP positive). A total of 28,688 individuals were voluntarily screened in the initial round. The overall NPC detection rate was 0.14% (41/28,688) with an early diagnosis rate of 68.3% (28/41) during the first year of follow-up. Thirty-eight of 41 cases (92.7%) were detected among the high-risk group, and 7 of 41 cases (17.1%) were detected among the IMLP-positive group. The 2 Epstein-Barr virus serologic tests by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay could be a feasible alternative for NPC screening in endemic areas. Further follow-up is needed to examine whether screening has an effect on decreasing mortality from NPC in these areas.
ABSTRACT
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella serotypes isolated from 7 chicken meat brands produced by different integrated broiler operations in Korea were determined. In ...total, 210 samples were collected from retail supermarkets in Seoul, South Korea, and analyzed for the presence of Salmonella. Of 210 chicken meat samples, overall Salmonella prevalence was 22.4%. Salmonella Enteritidis was the dominant serovar, with an isolation rate of 57.4% from the Salmonella-positive chickens, followed by Salmonella Montevideo. Salmonella isolates frequently were resistant to various antibiotics, including 100% to erythromycin, 87% to cephalothin, 85% to nalidixic acid, and 70% to streptomycin. Of the 47 isolates, 41 (87.2%) isolates were resistant to 3 or more antibiotics. Moreover, the Salmonella profiles of each chicken meat brand were different by broiler operation. Brand A showed the highest prevalence of Salmonella (18 isolates, 60%), whereas brand G showed the lowest prevalence (one isolate, 3.3%). Eight among the 18 isolates of brand A were resistant to 11 antibiotics, whereas 5 of the 6 brand C isolates were resistant to only 2 antibiotics. This study demonstrates that a high proportion of chicken meat in Korea is contaminated with Salmonella and the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella of chicken meat differ significantly according to the integrated broiler operation.
We show that parity-time (PT) symmetry can be spontaneously broken in the recently reported energy level attraction of magnons and cavity photons. In the PT-broken phase, the magnon and photon form a ...high-fidelity Bell state with maximum entanglement. This entanglement is steady and robust against the perturbation of the environment, which is in contrast to the general wisdom that expects instability of the hybridized state when the symmetry is broken. This anomaly is further understood by the compete of non-Hermitian evolution and particle number conservation of the hybrid system. As a comparison, neither PT-symmetry breaking nor steady magnon-photon entanglement is observed inside the normal level repulsion case. Our results may open an exciting window to utilize magnon-photon entanglement as a resource for quantum information science.
Adjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy are some of the standards of care for gastric cancer (GC). The Adjuvant chemoRadioTherapy In Stomach Tumors (ARTIST) 2 trial compares two adjuvant ...chemotherapy regimens and chemoradiotherapy in patients with D2-resected, stage II or III, node-positive GC.
The ARTIST 2 compared, in a 1:1:1 ratio, three adjuvant regimens: oral S-1 (40-60 mg twice daily 4 weeks on/2 weeks off) for 1 year, S-1 (2 weeks on/1 week off) plus oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (SOX) for 6 months, and SOX plus chemoradiotherapy 45 Gy (SOXRT). Randomization was stratified according to surgery type (total or subtotal gastrectomy), pathologic stage (II or III), and Lauren histologic classification (diffuse or intestinal/mixed). The primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS) at 3 years; a reduction of 33% in the hazard ratio (HR) for DFS with SOX or SOXRT, when compared with S-1, was considered clinically meaningful. The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT0176146).
A total of 546 patients were recruited between February 2013 and January 2018 with 182, 181, and 183 patients in the S-1, SOX, and SOXRT arms, respectively. Median follow-up period was 47 months, with 178 DFS events observed. Estimated 3-year DFS rates were 64.8%, 74.3%, and 72.8% in the S-1, SOX, and SOXRT arms, respectively. HR for DFS in the control arm (S-1) was shorter than that in the SOX and SOXRT arms: S-1 versus SOX, 0.692 (P = 0.042) and S-1 versus SOXRT, 0.724 (P = 0.074). No difference in DFS was found between SOX and SOXRT (HR 0.971; P = 0.879). Adverse events were as anticipated in each arm, and were generally well-tolerated and manageable.
In patients with curatively D2-resected, stage II/III, node-positive GC, adjuvant SOX or SOXRT was effective in prolonging DFS, when compared with S-1 monotherapy. The addition of radiotherapy to SOX did not significantly reduce the rate of recurrence after D2 gastrectomy.
•In patients with curatively D2-resected, stage II/III, node-positive GC, adjuvant SOX or SOXRT was effective in prolonging DFS, when compared with S-1 monotherapy.•The addition of radiotherapy to chemotherapy did not significantly reduce the rate of recurrence after D2 gastrectomy.•DFS between patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy was similar across all subgroups, including Lauren classification.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are reported to cause adverse effects on pulmonary function in occupationally exposed workers. However, evidence is lacking on the effect in the general population. ...We hypothesised that VOCs impair pulmonary function through enhancing oxidative stress, especially in the elderly population. A longitudinal panel study of 154 elderly people was performed in South Korea. Repeated spirometric tests were performed up to eight times on different days for each subject. We also measured urinary concentrations of metabolites of the VOC and markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine) on the same day of spirometric tests. A mixed linear regression model was used to evaluate the association among the VOC metabolites, oxidative stress markers and spirometric tests. We found that the urinary levels of hippuric acid and methylhippuric acid, which are metabolites of toluene and xylene, respectively, were significantly associated with reduction of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), FEV₁/forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC. We also found significant associations between the metabolites of VOCs and the markers of oxidative stress. In addition, the oxidative stress markers were associated with pulmonary function parameters. This study suggests that exposure to toluene and xylene exert a harmful effect on pulmonary function by exacerbating oxidative stress in elderly people.
Summary
Background
Little is known about factors affecting the quality of life (QoL) of patients with vitiligo, and previous studies have shown conflicting results.
Objectives
To explore the QoL of ...patients with vitiligo and to identify factors affecting QoL.
Methods
A nationwide questionnaire‐based study was conducted with 1123 patients with vitiligo recruited from 21 hospitals in Korea from July 2015 to June 2016. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire for demographic information and the Skindex‐29 instrument. Mild or severely impaired QoL in patients with vitiligo was assessed according to each domain (symptoms, functioning and emotions) of Skindex‐29. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with QoL.
Results
Of the enrolled participants, 609 were male and 514 female, with a mean age of 49·8 years (range 20–84). The median duration of disease was 3·0 years (range 0–60). Using multivariate logistic regression modelling, the involvement of visible body parts and a larger affected body surface area were consistently associated with QoL impairment in all three domains of Skindex‐29. Additionally, the QoL of patients aged 20–59 years, who potentially had a more active social life than older patients, was associated with functional impairment. Furthermore, a higher educational background was associated with emotional impairment.
Conclusions
A multitude of factors significantly influence the QoL of patients with vitiligo. A better appreciation of these factors would help the management of these patients.
What's already known about this topic?
Quality of life is highly impaired in patients with vitiligo.
What does this study add?
The involvement of visible body parts and a larger affected body surface area were consistently associated with impaired symptoms, functioning and emotions.
Vitiligo with nonvisible lesions also considerably compromises quality of life; vitiligo should not be regarded as a cosmetic problem.
Patients aged 20–59 years experienced significant functional impairment, and those with a higher educational background had more impairment in their emotions.
Linked Comment: Ezzedine and Eleftheriadou. Br J Dermatol 2018; 178:28–29.
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