ABSTRACTBackground: Binding lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with high-affinity, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and CD14 lower the threshold stimulatory concentrations of LPS dramatically and ...enhance the rate of cytokine production markedly. This study aimed to investigate the kinetic expression of LBP/CD14 and its possible relationship with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) to better understand the pathophysiology of obstructive jaundice. Materials and Methods: The tissues (liver, spleen, intestine, and lung) of male Sprague-Dawley rats were harvested at pre-bile duct ligation in controls and at specific time points (24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hr) after bile duct ligation. LBP, CD14, and TNF-α mRNA expression were measured in tissues harvested from controls and at the specific time points. Results: Hepatic LBP mRNA expression increased significantly at five days after bile duct ligation. CD 14 mRNA expression increased significantly after five days of bile duct ligation in liver, lung, spleen, and ileum. TNF-α mRNA expression increased significantly in all four organs (liver, lung, spleen, and ileum) after four days of bile duct ligation. Conclusion: Five days of bile duct ligation upregulated CD 14 mRNA expression in liver, lung, spleen, and ileum and increased TNF-α mRNA expression simultaneously in the liver, lung, spleen, and ileum. In addition, five days of bile duct ligation also upregulated LBP mRNA expression in the liver and increased hepatic TNF-α mRNA expression simultaneously. The kinetic expressions of LBP and CD 14 in obstructive jaundice are intriguing and further evaluation is warranted.
The beta-nitrostyrene family have been implicated for anti-cancer property. However, the pharmacological role of beta-nitrostyrene in esophageal cancer remain unclear. Here, a beta-nitrostyrene ...derivative, CYT-Rx20, was synthesized and assessed for its anti-cancer activities and underlying mechanism in esophageal cancer. CYT-Rx20 induced cytotoxicity in esophageal cancer cells by promoting apoptosis through activation of caspase cascade and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Besides, CYT-Rx20 inhibited esophageal cancer cell migration and invasion by regulating the expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. CYT-Rx20 decreased cell viability and migration through suppression of the PI3K/AKT and STAT3 pathways. Of note, the cytotoxicity and anti-migratory effect of CYT-Rx20 were enhanced by co-treatment with SC79 (AKT activator) or colivelin (STAT3 activator), suggesting the dependency of esophageal cancer cells on AKT and STAT3 for survival and migration, an oncogene addiction phenomenon. In xenograft tumor-bearing mice, CYT-Rx20 significantly reduced tumor growth of the implanted esophageal cancer cells accompanied by decreased Ki-67, phospho-AKT, and phospho-STAT3 expression. In orthotopic esophageal cancer mouse model, decreased tumor growth and lung metastasis with reduced Ki-67 and phospho-STAT3 expression were observed in mice treated with CYT-Rx20. Together, our results suggest that CYT-Rx20 is a potential beta-nitrostyrene-based anticancer compound against the tumor growth and metastasis of esophageal cancer.
A 42-year-old man presented with a two-year history of progressive dysphagia and hoarseness. Esophagogram and endoscopy revealed submucosal mass effect on the upper esophagus. Computed tomography and ...magnetic resonance imaging revealed an elongated mass in the retrotracheal region of the lower neck with extension to the posterior mediastinum. Partial tumor resection and histopathological evaluation revealed a WHO type B2 thymoma. Adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy were subsequently administered resulting in complete tumor regression. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ectopic retrotracheal thymoma with clinicai and imaging manifestations mimicking those for esophageal submucosal tumor.
The benefit of tissue microarray (TMA) is its capability to analyse large numbers of tissue samples in a uniform fashion. This study was designed to evaluate the capability of TMA for analyzing the ...status of death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) in breast cancer patient and to explore its potential in the management of breast cancer.
Over a 60-month period, tissue specimens of 99 patients with primary invasive breast cancer were selected. Tissue microarray (TMA) was applied to detect the DAPK1 expression. The data for the other clinicopathologic variables, including age, histological grading, estrogen receptor status and TNM staging were also recorded.
Tumor in 11 patients (11.1%) scored 1 for DAPK1 expression, 55 patients (55.6%) scored 2 and 33 (33.3%) scored 3. We found no obvious link between DAPK1 expression and age, histologic grading, primary tumor staging, lymph node status, estrogen receptor and TNM stage. TNM staging was found to be significantly linked to the overall five-year survival rate through multivariate analysis.
DAPK1 expression did not show any meaningful value in predicting outcome for patients with breast cancer.
The role of family history of lung cancer (LCFH) in screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has not been prospectively investigated and with long-term follow-up.
A multicenter prospective ...study with up to three rounds of annual LDCT screening was conducted to determine the detection rate of LC in asymptomatic first or second-degree relatives of LCFH.
From 2007 to 2011, there were 1,102 participants enrolled, including 805 and 297 from simplex (SF) and multiplex families (MF), respectively (54.2% female, and 70.0% never-smokers). Last follow-up date was May 05, 2021. The overall LC detection rate was 4.5% (50/1102). The detection rate in MF was 9.4% (19/202) and 4.4% (4/91) in never-smokers and who smoked, respectively. The corresponding rates for SF were 3.7% (21/569) and 2.7% (6/223), respectively. Of them, 68.0% and 22.0% of cases with stage I and IV diseases, respectively. LC diagnoses within a 3-year interval from initial screening were younger, higher detection rate, and more stage I disease; thereafter, more stage III/IV disease and 66.7% (16/24) with negative or semi-positive nodules in initial CT scans. Within the 6-year interval, only maternal (modified rate ratio RR=4.46, 95% confidence interval CI=2.32-8.56) or maternal relative history of LC (modified RR=5.41, 95% CI=2.84-10.30) increased the risk of LC.
LCFH is a risk factor for LC, more in MF history, never-smokers, younger adults, and those with maternal relatives with LC. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm mortality benefit of LDCT screening in those with LCFH.
Double primary bronchogenic carcinoma and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid are extremely rare. We describe the case of a patient who underwent surgical resection for these two cancers.
A ...56-year-old man presented to our hospital complaining of a cough with blood-tinged sputum. A slowly growing mass in the left lobe of the lung had been noted for about 1 year. He underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery of the left lower lobe and mediastinal lymph node dissection through an 8 cm utility incision. Pathology revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and the dissected lymph nodes were negative for malignancy. He also complained of a mass in his neck, which had grown slowly for over 5 years. A computed tomography scan of the neck revealed a left thyroid mass compressing the trachea towards the right side. There was no cervical lymphadenopathy. A left thyroid lobectomy was performed and pathology revealed a papillary carcinoma. Thus, he underwent a second operation to remove the right lobe of the thyroid. He underwent subsequent adjuvant chemotherapy.
In a review of the literature, it appears that there has only been one previously reported case of these two cancers, which was in Japan. The relationship between these two cancers is still unclear, and more case reports are required to determine this relationship.
The BaMV RNA binds to chloroplast phosphoglycerate kinase and is targeted to chloroplast for replication
.
The
Bamboo mosaic virus
(
BaMV
) is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Previously, ...we identified that the chloroplast phosphoglycerate kinase (chl-PGK) from
Nicotiana benthamiana
is one of the viral RNA binding proteins involved in the
BaMV
infection cycle. Because chl-PGK is transported to the chloroplast, we hypothesized that chl-PGK might be involved in viral RNA localization in the chloroplasts. To test this hypothesis, we constructed two green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fused mislocalized PGK mutants, the transit peptide deletion mutant (NO TRANSIT PEPTIDE NOTP-PGK-GFP) and the nucleus location mutant (nuclear location signal NLS-PGK-GFP). Using confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that NOTP-PGK-GFP and NLS-PGK-GFP are localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus, respectively, in
N. benthamiana
plants. When NOTP-PGK-GFP and NLS-PGK-GFP are transiently expressed, we observed a reduction in
BaMV
coat protein accumulation to 47% and 27% that of the wild-type PGK-GFP, respectively. To localize viral RNA in infected cells, we employed the interaction of NLS-GFP-MS2 (phage MS2 coat protein) with the modified
BaMV
RNA containing the MS2 coat protein binding sequence. Using confocal microscopy, we observed that
BaMV
viral RNA localizes to chloroplasts. Furthermore, elongation factor1a fused with the transit peptide derived from chl-PGK or with a Rubisco small subunit can partially restore
BaMV
accumulation in
NbPGK1
-knockdown plants by helping
BaMV
target chloroplasts.
Small village populations in which there is a high amount of kinship can cause complications in cases of disaster victim identification. This problem was highlighted by the loss of life after Typhoon ...Morakot struck Taiwan where over 500 people from small isolated communities lost their lives. Most of the victims were buried by landslides in the remote mountainous areas of southern Taiwan. Only 146 pieces of human remains were recovered after searching for 4 months. Most of the human remains were received for examination as severely damaged fragments prevented possible identification by morphological features. DNA testing using the traditional duo parent/child or sibling screening by STR data opens the possibility of including not only the actual victim but also false positives. Variable likelihood ratios were obtained when comparing DNA types from human remains to those from potential relatives; however, with the DNA typing of numerous members of the same living family, multiple matches to potential families were avoided. Of the 146 samples obtained and collapsed to 130 victims, they were linked to 124 individuals resulting in their identification when compared to a pool of 588 potential relatives. Six of the human remains could not be linked to any living relative and remain unknown.
High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a life-threatening illness that can occur in individuals ascending to altitudes exceeding 2400 m. The risk factors are rapid ascent, physical exertion and a ...previous history of HAPE. This work presents a case study of a 74-year-old man who underwent left side pneumonectomy 40 years ago and subsequently experienced several instances of HAPE. The well-known risk factors for HAPE were excluded in this patient. We suspect that the post-pneumonectomy condition may be a risk factor for HAPE based on this case. J Formos Med Assoc 2007;106(4):320-322
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![The Synthetic [beta]-Nitros...](http://api.summon.serialssolutions.com/2.0.0/image/issn/XR4PS5YY4K/1932-6203/small "The Synthetic [beta]-Nitrostyrene Derivative CYT-Rx20 Inhibits Esophageal Tumor Growth and Metastasis via PI3K/AKT and STAT3 Pathways")
