What is the impact of zinc deficiency for pancreatectomies in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma?

Backgroundand purpose: Zinc is an essential element for human health and plays an important role in metabolic, immunological and other biological processes. The present study was conducted to investigate the association between zinc deficiency (ZD) and the perioperative clinical course in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).MethodsOf 216 patients with PDAC who underwent elective pancreatectomy between 2013 and 2017 at our institution, 206 patients with sufficient clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. The perioperative variables were compared and the risk factors associated with infectious complications were identified.ResultsZD was preoperatively present in 36 (17.5%) of 206 patients with PDAC. In the patients of the ZD group, a higher proportion of males, higher preoperative modified Glasgow prognostic scores, a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and a higher occurrence of postoperative infectious complications after pancreatectomy were observed, compared to the non-ZD group. By a univariate analysis, three risk factors were significantly associated with infectious complications after pancreatectomy: ZD (vs non-ZD: p = 0.002), serum albumin <3.5 g/dl (vs ≥ 3.5 g/dl: p = 0.005), and the procedure of pancreaticoduodenectomy (vs others: p = 0.013). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the occurrence of infectious complications was significantly associated with ZD (OR 3.430, 95%CI 1.570 to 7.490, p = 0.002) and the procedure of pancreaticoduodenectomy (OR 2.030, 95%CI 1.090 to 3.770, p = 0.025).ConclusionsThe current study newly demonstrated that ZD could serve as a preoperative predictor of infectious complications after pancreatectomies in the patients with PDAC.     

Acquired acrodermatitis enteropathica due to zinc‐depleted parenteral nutrition

Well‐known causes of zinc deficiency, also referred to as acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE), include defects in intestinal zinc transporters and inadequate intake, but a rare cause of acquired zinc deficiency discussed here is an iatrogenic nutritional deficiency caused by parenteral nutrition administered without trace elements. While zinc‐depleted parenteral nutrition causing dermatosis of acquired zinc deficiency was first reported in the 1990s, it is now again relevant due to a national vitamin and trace element shortage. A high index of suspicion may be necessary to diagnose zinc deficiency, particularly because early clinical findings are nonspecific. We present this case of acquired zinc deficiency in a patient admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit for respiratory distress and atypical pneumonia, who subsequently developed a severe bullous eruption due to iatrogenic zinc deficiency but was treated effectively with enteral and parenteral zinc supplementation, allowing for rapid re‐epithelialization of previously denuded skin.     

MicroRNA-301b-3p accelerates the growth of gastric cancer cells by targeting zinc finger and BTB domain containing 4

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to be aberrantly expressed and exert essential roles in the tumorigenesis and progression of gastric cancer (GC). miR-301b-3p has been recognized as a cancer-related miRNA in lung cancer, bladder cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the function of miR-301b-3p in GC progression and its underlying mechanism have not been studied yet. In this study, we found that miR-301b-3p expression was up-regulated in GC tissues compared to adjacent noncancerous tissues. Furthermore, the elevated levels of miR-301b-3p were detected in GC cell lines (SGC-7901, AGS, MKN-45 and MGC-803) as compared with GES-1 cells. Interestingly, GC tissues from patients with tumor size ≥ 5 cm and advanced tumor stages showed obvious higher levels of miR-301b-3p compared to matched controls. Functionally, miR-301b-3p knockdown prominently inhibited cell proliferation, and induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and apoptosis in MGC-803 cells. Meanwhile, ectopic expression of miR-301b-3p conversely regulated these biological behaviors of MKN-45 cells. Next, we found that miR-301b-3p knockdown increased, whereas miR-301b-3p overexpression reduced the expression of zinc finger and BTB domain containing 4 (ZBTB4) in GC cells. Accordingly, luciferase reporter assay identified ZBTB4 as a direct target of miR-301b-3p. ZBTB4 overexpression markedly restrained the growth of MGC-803 cells. More importantly, ZBTB4 silencing partially reversed miR-301b-3p knockdown-induced tumor suppressive effects on MGC-803 cells. In conclusion, we firstly revealed that miR-301-3p was highly expressed in GC and contributed to tumor progression via attenuating ZBTB4, which might provide a novel molecular-targeted strategy for GC treatment.     

Trace metal toxicity in some food items in three major markets in Ado-Odo/Ota LGA,Ogun State,Nigeria and associated health implications

BackgroundMany of the markets in Nigeria are open, where foodstuffs are laid bare on flat trays and open baskets, directly exposing them to environmental contaminants. This study aimed at determining whether some food items on sale around an industrialized area of Ogun State are contaminated with trace metals.MethodsSeven different food items – Clarias gariepinus (roasted, fresh and smoked) Bos taurus (dried and fresh beef), zobo leaf (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus) were sampled from three major markets, namely: Lusada, Atan and Ota in Ado-Odo/Ota LGA of Ogun State. They were analyzed for Lead, Cadmium, Nickel, Manganese and Zinc using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.ResultsCd was not detected in most of the food items across the markets. Pb, Ni and Mn were detected in very high concentrations above the maximum allowable limits by international regulatory agencies. Zn was the only metal that was generally below regulatory limits in food items across the three markets. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values were generally higher than values acceptable in food.ConclusionSome of the food items consumed in this area are not entirely safe from metal toxicity and this may have serious health consequences.     

日常膳食锌摄入水平与绝经后女性骨密度之间的关系：一项基于DRYAD数据库的二次分析

目的明确每日膳食锌摄入量与绝经后女性骨密度之间的相关性。方法采用Empowerstats和R软件对DRYAD数据库数据进行二次分析,通过线性回归探索每日膳食锌摄入量与绝经后女性骨密度之间的线性关系,并采用广义加性模型进行曲线拟合分析二者间的非线性关系。结果该研究共纳入282例绝经后女性。在调整年龄、每日钙摄入量后,每日膳食锌摄入量和绝经后女性髋骨骨密度存在阈值关联。当每日摄入锌超过32.9 mg时,每日锌摄入量每增加1 mg,髋骨骨密度增加4.87 mg/cm2(P0.05)。结论每日膳食锌摄入量与绝经后女性骨密度之间存在阈值效应关系,这将为今后绝经后女性预防骨质疏松的营养支持与补充提供依据和指导。     

Copper and Zinc Levels in Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients versus Healthy Subjects

Background: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous hematological disease and certain serum factors are assumed to be involved in its pathogenesis and progression. Given this, our aim was to comparatively investigate the copper, zinc, and iron levels in MDS patients and healthy individuals. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 31 patients with MDS (according to the WHO criteria after investigating laboratory tests such as peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspiration) attending Bahonar Hospital, Kerman, Iran, and 31 healthy subjects from 2016 to 2018. The levels of copper, ceruloplasmin, zinc, ferritin, and iron were compared between the two groups. Results: Among the MDS patients, five individuals (16.13%) had low serum copper level (mean: 67.8 ± 4.35 µg/dl). Serum copper level was 111.3 ± 27.7 and 138.3 ± 26.6 in case and control groups, respectively (P = 0.0001). The serum zinc level and bone marrow iron level were also significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Overall, it can be concluded that because only a small proportion of the MDS patients enrolled in this study were found to have lower copper levels compared with the MDS patients population, further studies with a larger sample size and also clinical trials in MDS patients with serum zinc, and copper deficiency are recommended, and post-treatment hematological reassessment would also be beneficial to achieving more definitive results.     

Assessment of Serum CoQ10 Levels and other Antioxidant Markers in Breast Cancer

Background: The balance of the oxidative state in the body is fundamental for the maintenance of homeostasis. It has been implicated in the onset and progression of several diseases including breast cancer. The way in which the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) / antioxidants balance leads to or responds to disease is still controversial. In this study, TAC is used as a reference for the total antioxidant power of the body and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for its vital importance in cellular antioxidant action and being the only lipid soluble antioxidant synthesized endogenously. Copper and zinc were measured as trace elements reflecting the antioxidant micronutrient profile of the body. Methods: After approval of the ethical committee, 60 recently diagnosed non-intervened breast cancer patients were recruited from the Medical Research Institute hospital, Alexandria University along with 20 apparently healthy volunteers as control group. Full patient history was taken including breastfeeding history, parity, hormone replacement therapy use, body mass index, pathological examination, metastatic work up results, past medical history and drug use. CA 15-3 and laboratory investigations evaluating blood glucose, kidney and liver functions were performed. Q10 levels were measured by HPLC using a kit from Recipe®. TAC was assayed spectrophotometrically (Biodiagnostics®). Copper and Zinc levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the CoQ10, TAC and copper levels in the breast cancer group when compared to the control group. Zinc showed no statistically significant difference between the studied groups. Conclusion: Inspite of the fact that a high antioxidant level is usually considered as a favourable state, TAC, CoQ10 and copper levels showed significantly higher levels in the breast cancer group when compared to the control group. It is worth mentioning that the cancer group were all recently diagnosed, non-intervened and showed no signs of metastasis. It is still unclear whether the increased antioxidant levels offer a selective growth advantage to tumor cells over their surrounding normal cells or serve as a protective measure by the body in an attempt to correct the assault triggered by the ROS.     

miR-9通过靶向E盒结合锌指蛋白2调控小细胞肺癌的恶性生物学行为及其可能的机制

目的：探讨 miR-9 通过靶向 E 盒结合锌指蛋白 2（zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2，ZEB2）对小细胞肺癌（small cell lung cancer，SCLC）细胞生物学行为的调控作用，分析miR-9在SCLC中的作用及其工作机制。方法：采用qPCR、WB和免疫组化方法检测于2018年2月至2019年11月于河北医科大学第四医院肿瘤内科接受手术治疗的67例SCLC患者癌组织及癌旁组织中ZEB2的表达。采用TargetScan预测miR-9的潜在靶基因并通过双荧光素酶报告基因试验、qPCR和WB法进行验证。CCK-8法、流式细胞术和Transwell实验检测miR-9和ZEB2 过表达对 NCI-H446 的生物学行为影响，WB法检测对细胞中E-cadherin，N-cadherin和Vimentin蛋白表达的影响。利用miR-9过表达NCI-H446细胞构建SCLC裸鼠移植瘤模型，观察miR-9对裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响。结果：SCLC组织中ZEB2的mRNA和蛋白表达水平明显高于癌旁正常组织（P<0.01）。miR-9在ZEB2的3'' UTR上具有潜在的结合位点，与对照组相比，miR-9过表达组NCI-H446细胞中ZEB2的mRNA和蛋白表达水平明显降低（P<0.01），细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力均显著下降（P<0.05或P<0.01），促EMT蛋白表达减少，而同时过表达ZEB2能够逆转上述影响。体内实验中，miR-9过表达组移植瘤体积、重量均明显低于对照组（P<0.05或P<0.01）。miR-9组裸鼠肿瘤组织中和ZEB2蛋白的表达均较对照组明显降低（P<0.01）。结论：miR-9通过靶向调控ZEB2从而抑制SCLC细胞的生物学行为以及NCI-H446裸鼠移植瘤的生长。     

Curcumin ameliorates hepatic chronic inflammation induced by bile duct obstruction in mice through the activation of heme oxygenase-1

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