Voxel-based analysis of age and gender effects on striatal [123I] FP-CIT binding in healthy Japanese adults

Annals of Nuclear Medicine - Although previous studies have investigated age and gender effects on striatal subregional dopamine transporter (DaT) binding, these studies were mostly based on a...     

Strong cytoplasmic expression of NF-κB/p65 correlates with a good prognosis in patients with triple-negative breast cancer

Purpose

Recent studies have indicated that constitutive NF-κB activity could be involved in the proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer.

Methods

The NF-κB/p65 expression and the effects of a NF-κB inhibitor, (?)-DHMEQ, were examined in triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Women with triple-negative breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2002 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed for their expression of NF-κB/p65, Bcl2 and Ki67 by immunohistochemistry in pre- and post-treatment specimens. The factors predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the prognosis were analyzed.

Results

NF-κB/p65 was predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm of MDA-MB-231 cells. Of 34 triple-negative breast cancer patients, positive staining for NF-κB/p65 expression was detected in the nuclei of a few cells in seven tumors before neoadjuvant chemotherapy, while the expression of NF-κB/p65 in the cytoplasm was detected in almost all tumor cells of 33 tumors. The expression levels of NF-κB/p65 were not associated with the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, although the cytoplasmic NF-κB/p65 staining intensity was significantly decreased in the post-treatment tumor samples compared with the pretreatment samples. All patients whose tumors showed strong cytoplasmic NF-κB/p65 expression before neoadjuvant chemotherapy are currently disease free.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that strong cytoplasmic NF-κB/p65 expression could be a prognostic marker for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.

     

Cardiometabolic Changes and Disparities Among Persons With Spinal Cord Injury: A 17-Year Cohort Study

Background:

Cardiometabolic syndrome in individuals who are aging with spinal cord injury (SCI) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Longitudinal research is needed on the natural progression of cardiometabolic syndrome in SCI.

Objective:

To identify the magnitude of changes in biomarkers of cardiometabolic syndrome and diabetes over time in people aging with SCI, and to discern how these biomarkers relate to demographics of race/ethnicity and sex.

Methods:

This cohort study was a follow-up of a convenience sample of 150 participants (mean age, 51.3; duration of SCI, 27.3 years) from a full cohort of 845 who participated in research in which physiologic and serologic data on cardiovascular disease had been prospectively collected (1993–1997). Inclusion criteria were adults with traumatic-onset SCI. Average years to follow-up were 15.7 ± 0.9. Assessments were age, race, level and completeness of injury, duration of injury, blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, serum lipids, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and medications used. Primary outcome was meeting at least 3 of the criteria for cardiometabolic syndrome.

Results:

The frequency of cardiometabolic syndrome increased significantly from 6.7% to 20.8% or 38.2% according to 2 definitions. It was significantly higher in Hispanics and apparently higher in women. Diabetes increased significantly by a factor of 6.7.

Conclusion:

Our data indicate clinically important increases in the frequency of cardiometabolic syndrome, especially among Hispanic and female participants, and a similar increase in diabetes among individuals aging with SCI. Clinical practice guidelines need to be customized for women and Hispanics with SCI.Key words: aging, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, risk factorsCardiometabolic syndrome comprises a set of interrelated risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.^1,2 These risks are an escalating problem for people with spinal cord injury (SCI).^3–10 The main causes of cardiometabolic syndrome in persons with SCI are diet and fitness level.9 Overfeeding during initial rehabilitation can become habitual, and the effect is amplified by a lowered metabolic rate and muscle atrophy.⁹ The resulting weight gain and metabolic changes are difficult to reverse by exercise alone.11 The SCI population is aging. Consequently, cardiometabolic syndrome in people who are aging with SCI presents substantial challenges.The risk of cardiometabolic syndrome in SCI in the United States is as high as 58% for those who are relatively young, predominantly nonsmoking, and with intact adrenergic systems.¹² The prevalence of cardiometabolic syndrome is 34% in individuals with SCI in the United States,¹² with low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in 76%, high triglycerides in 68%, and hypertension in 29% of patients studied.¹² The National Cholesterol Education Project’s Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines provide a 4-step sequential algorithm for customized management of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease.¹³ Lipid-lowering interventions were indicated in 63% of SCI patients studied, yet at the time of the study none of the patients had received such intervention.¹² Consequently, new evidence-based clinical practice guidelines are in development.¹⁴ Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic syndrome must take into account both the natural progression of the syndrome and disparities in underserved and disadvantaged populations. Gaps in existing research suggest a need for longitudinal studies that characterize the natural progression of cardiometabolic syndrome in the SCI population and that assess the risk factors associated with its progression in disparate demographic groups. In the able-bodied, disparities associated with race/ethnicity include higher rates of coronary artery disease and/or diabetes among Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians/Pacific Islanders.^15–17 Cardiometabolic disparities associated with race/ ethnicity are probably related to nutrition that is linked to culture, which may be influenced by socioeconomic status, and to genetic adaptations coupled with cultural nutritional history. Racial/ ethnic cardiometabolic disparities may also be influenced by restricted access to health care associated with poverty. Cardiometabolic disparities related to sex are primarily influenced by ignorance in medical practice,^18–21 because screening, diagnostics, treatment, and research have been primarily focused on men.Our purpose was to characterize the natural progression of cardiometabolic disease in persons aging with SCI. The 2 objectives were to identify the magnitude of changes in cardiometabolic syndrome and overt diabetes status over 17 years in a cohort of 150 outpatients with chronic SCI, and to identify how these changes relate to demographics of race/ethnicity and sex.     

Apoptosis in the supraspinatus tendon with stage II subacromial impingement

The purpose of this study was to investigate the histopathology, including apoptosis, in the supraspinatus tendon with stage II subacromial impingement. Samples from the critical zone of the supraspinatus tendon were obtained from 5 patients with subacromial impingement syndrome and 10 autopsy cases without shoulder diseases as controls. Three-micrometer-thick sections were cut and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) for routine histologic examination. Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) assay in which the frequency of the apoptotic cells was expressed by the apoptotic index. Control supraspinatus tendons showed normal morphology, whereas supraspinatus tendons from shoulders with impingement showed significant mucoid degeneration. Correspondingly, few apoptotic cells were observed in control tendons, whereas a large number of apoptotic cells were observed in the degenerative area of tendons from impingement shoulders. The apoptotic indices were significantly higher in the impingement shoulders (ssDNA, 18.84% +/- 1.75%; TUNEL, 24.92% +/- 2.79%) than in the control shoulders (ssDNA, 5.22% +/- 1.30%; TUNEL, 7.01% +/- 1.05%) (P = .04 for ssDNA and P = .017 for TUNEL). Mechanical impingement seems to cause tendon degeneration and apoptosis of the tendon cells in the supraspinatus tendon in stage II impingement.     

Carcinogenic susceptibility to N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) in rasH2 mice

To evaluate the susceptibility of rasH2 mice to N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN), a potent carcinogen targeting the lung, liver, thyroid, and kidney, male, 6-week old, rasH2 mice and wild-type littermates (non-Tg mice) were given DHPN in drinking water at 0, 20 or 200 ppm, and 0 or 200 ppm, respectively, for 26 weeks. The experiment using rasH2 mice given 200 ppm DHPN and non-Tg mice given 200 and 0 ppm DHPN was completed at 20 weeks, since mortality in these groups was remarkably increased due to hemangiosarcomas of the liver. Histologically, tumors developed in the lung and liver in both rasH2 and non-Tg mice treated with DHPN. In addition, proliferative lesions were observed in the forestomach, urethra, and excretory duct of salivary glands in rasH2 mice given 200 ppm DHPN. RT-PCR analysis showed no marked difference in expression of mRNAs for the transgene and the endogenous mouse ras gene between the whole lung tissue containing a neoplasm and normal lung tissue. Our results suggest that rasH2 mice are highly susceptible to DHPN, the target organs including the forestomach, salivary gland and urethra, which have not been found to develop tumors in previous long-term carcinogenicity studies of DHPN in rats and mice.     

Inguinal herniation in two patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

We report two cases of subacute inguinal swelling in uremic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Computed tomography, scintigraphy demonstrated a mass in the right groin. Surgical repair of an inguinal hernia resulted in complete resolution of the inguinal swelling. Both patients could restart continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, without complication.     

Thirteen-week repeated dose toxicity study of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) extract in rats

Wormwood, Artemisia absinthium, is a very bitter plant, and its extract has been used as food additives such as seasonings for food and drinks. A 13-week repeated dose toxicity study of wormwood extract was performed in both sexes of Wistar Hannover (GALAS) rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups consisting of 10 males and 10 females each, and were given water containing 0, 0.125, 0.5, or 2% wormwood extract. All rats had survived at the end of the study, and no changes indicating obvious toxicities that are attributable to the treatment of wormwood extract were observed in the body weights, hematological and serum biochemical examinations, organ weights, and histopathological examinations. Based on the results of the present study, the NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect-level) of wormwood extract of Wistar Hannover rats was estimated to be 2% (equivalent to 1.27 g/kg/day in males and 2.06 g/kg/day in females) or more.     

A new method of immobilization after traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder: a preliminary study

This preliminary prospective study was conducted to determine whether immobilization with the arm in external rotation would decrease the rate of recurrence after initial traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder. Forty patients with initial shoulder dislocations were assigned to (1) conventional immobilization in internal rotation (IR group, n = 20) or (2) a new method of immobilization in external rotation (ER group, n = 20). The recurrence rate was 30% in the IR group and 0% in the ER group at a mean 15.5 months. The difference in recurrence rate was even greater among those who were aged less than 30 years (45% in the IR group and 0% in the ER group). Immobilization with the arm in external rotation is effective in reducing the rate of recurrence after initial dislocation of the shoulder.