Targeting of nuclear factor kappaB Pathways by dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin, a novel inhibitor of breast carcinomas: antitumor and antiangiogenic potential in vivo.

We previously designed and synthesized the new nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) inhibitor dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ) derived from the structure of the antibiotic epoxyquinomicin C. We looked into the effect of DHMEQ on cellular phenotypes and tumor growth in mice injected with human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231 or MCF-7. In estrogen-independent breast adenocarcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231, NF-kappaB is constitutively activated. The addition of DHMEQ (10 microg/mL) completely inhibited the activated NF-kappaB for at least 8 hours. On the other hand, NF-kappaB is not activated in estrogen-dependent MCF-7 cells. In this cell line, DHMEQ completely inhibited the tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappaB. DHMEQ did not inhibit the degradation of IkappaB but inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB by both p65/p50 and RelB/p52 pathways. MDA-MB-231 cells secrete interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 without stimulation, and DHMEQ decreased the secretion levels of both cytokines. When MDA-MB-231 or MCF-7 cells were stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha, the inhibitory effects of DHMEQ were still maintained. I.p. administration of DHMEQ (thrice a week) significantly inhibited the tumor growth of MDA-MB-231 (12 mg/kg) or MCF-7 (4 mg/kg) in severe combined immunodeficiency mice. No toxicity was observed during the experiment, including the loss of body weight. An immunohistological study on resected MCF-7 tumors showed that DHMEQ inhibited angiogenesis and promoted apoptosis. Furthermore, in Adriamycin-resistant MCF-7 cells highly expressing multidrug resistance gene-1, DHMEQ also exhibited the above capability, including down-regulation of IL-8. Thus, DHMEQ might be a potent drug for the treatment of various breast carcinomas by inhibiting the NF-kappaB activity.     

Can Bariatric Surgery be Performed Safely in Patients with Severe Treatment-Resistant Asthma?

Obesity-associated severe asthma is a distinct phenotype characterised by resistance to standard asthma therapies. Bariatric surgery appears to be a viable alternative for those who have failed trials of traditional weight loss methods. However, anaesthetic and surgical risks are potential barriers. We describe three patients with treatment-resistant obesity-associated severe asthma who underwent bariatric surgery without complications due to the multidisciplinary perioperative planning and care involved in these complex cases. All three patients showed improvements in asthma control and reduction in maintenance medication use post-surgery.     

4‐(4‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐butanol (rhododendrol)‐induced melanocyte cytotoxicity is enhanced by UVB exposure through generation of oxidative stress

4‐(4‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐butanol (rhododendrol, RD), a skin‐whitening agent, was reported to cause skin depigmentation in some users, which is attributed to its cytotoxicity to melanocyte. It was reported that cytotoxicity to melanocyte is possibly mediated by oxidative stress in a tyrosinase activity‐dependent manner. We examined the effect of UV radiation (UVR) on RD‐induced melanocyte cytotoxicity as an additional aggravating factor. UVR enhanced RD‐induced cytotoxicity in normal human epidermal melanocytes (NHEMs) via the induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Increased generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected. Pretreatment with N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC), antioxidant and precursor of glutathione significantly attenuated ER stress‐induced cytotoxicity in NHEMs treated with RD and UVR. Increase in cysteinyl‐RD‐catechol and RD‐pheomelanin in NHEMs treated with RD and UVR suggested that, after UVR excitation, RD or RD metabolites are potent ROS‐generating substances and that the tendency to produce RD‐pheomelanin during melanogenesis amplifies ROS generation in melanocytes. Our results help to elucidate the development mechanisms of RD‐induced leukoderma and provide information for innovation of safe skin‐whitening compounds.     

Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Association of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with autism spectral disorder (ASD) has been suggested since 1980s. Despite the observed association, its role as a risk factor for ASD remains to be defined. In the present review, we systematically evaluated the available evidence associating congenital CMV infection with ASD using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. Any studies on children with CMV infection and ASD were evaluated for eligibility and three observational studies were included in meta-analysis. Although a high prevalence of congenital CMV infection in ASD cases (OR 11.31, 95% CI 3.07–41.66) was indicated, too few events (0–2 events) in all included studies imposed serious limitations. There is urgent need for further studies to clarify this issue.     

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma,thyroid cancer and Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a patient with X‐linked recessive Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases with a nuclear factor‐κB essential modifier mutation

Nuclear factor (NF)‐κB essential modifier (NEMO), also known as IκB kinase subunit‐γ (IKKγ), is a pivotal molecule in the NF‐κB signaling pathway. Mutations of NEMO cause incontinentia pigmenti and X‐linked ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency. Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases (MSMD), which confers an almost selective predisposition to mycobacterial infection, is also caused by NEMO mutations. We herein report the first case of a patient with X‐linked recessive (XR) MSMD who developed cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, thyroid cancer and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The relationship between NEMO mutation and oncogenesis is discussed.     

Long-term monitoring of IOX4 in horse hair and its longitudinal distribution with segmental analysis using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization Q Exactive high-resolution mass spectrometry for the purpose of doping control

IOX4, a hypoxia-inducible factor stabilizer, is classified as a banned substance for horses in both horse racing and equestrian sports. We recently reported the pharmacokinetic profiles of IOX4 in horse plasma and urine and also identified potential monitoring targets for the doping control purpose. In this study, a long-term longitudinal analysis of IOX4 in horse hair after a nasoesophageal administration of IOX4 (500 mg/day for 3 days) to three thoroughbred mares is presented for the first time for controlling the abuse/misuse of IOX4. Six bunches of mane hair were collected at 0 (pre), 1, 2, 3, and 6 month(s) postadministration. Our results showed that the presence of IOX4 was identified in all postadministration horse hair samples, but no metabolite could be detected. The detection window for IOX4 could achieve up to 6-month postadministration (last sampling point) by monitoring IOX4 in hair. In order to evaluate the longitudinal distribution of IOX4 over 6 months, a validated quantification method of IOX4 in hair was developed for the analysis of the postadministration samples. Segmental analysis of 2-cm cut hair across the entire length of postadministration hair showed that IOX4 could be quantified up to the level of 1.84 pg/mg. In addition, it was found that the movement of the incorporated IOX4 band in the hair shaft over 6 months varied among the three horses due to individual variation and a significant diffusion of IOX4 band up to 10 cm width was also observed in the 6-month postadministration hair samples.