Protective activity of a novel resveratrol analogue,HS-1793, against DNA damage in 137Cs-irradiated CHO-K1 cells

Resveratrol has received considerable attention as a polyphenol with anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Radiation is an important component of therapy for a wide range of malignant conditions. However, it causes damage to normal cells and, hence, can result in adverse side effects. This study was conducted to examine whether HS-1793, a novel resveratrol analogue free from the restriction of metabolic instability and the high dose requirement of resveratrol, induces a protective effect against radiation-induced DNA damage. HS-1793 effectively scavenged free radicals and inhibited radiation-induced plasmid DNA strand breaks in an in vitro assay. HS-1793 significantly decreased reactive oxygen species and cellular DNA damage in 2 Gy-irradiated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells. In addition, HS-1793 dose-dependently reduced the levels of phosphorylated H2AX in irradiated CHO-K1 cells. These results indicate that HS-1793 has chemical radioprotective activity. Glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity in irradiated CHO-K1 cells increased significantly following HS-1793 treatment. The enhanced biological anti-oxidant activity and chemical radioprotective activity of HS-1793 maintained survival of irradiated CHO-K1 cells in a clonogenic assay. Therefore, HS-1793 may be of value as a radioprotector to protect healthy tissue surrounding tumor cells during radiotherapy to obtain better tumor control with a higher dose.     

Acne Knowledge of Hispanic Parents of Teenagers with Mild to Moderate Acne

We performed a cross‐sectional study of Hispanic and non‐Hispanic parents of children with acne using a survey designed to determine their level of awareness of acne and its treatment; 82% of Hispanic parents and 40% of non‐Hispanic parents agreed that a health care provider should treat mild acne (p < 0.001). Hispanic parents of adolescents with acne agreed more frequently than non‐Hispanic parents that children with mild and moderate acne should be taken to a health care provider for treatment, but they tended not to visit health care providers. Future studies should aim to determine the reasons for this discrepancy, after which culturally sensitive educational programs can be developed to address this disparity.     

Amylase level after pancreaticoduodenectomy in predicting postoperative pancreatic fistula

BackgroundIt is new clinical interest higher serum amylase level with pancreatitis after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) correlates with postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Nevertheless, its evidence and study were scarce. We aimed to investigate correlation of serum amylase level immediate after PD and POPF occurrence.MethodsOf 163 patients who underwent PD at between January 2009 and December 2019, retrospective analysis was conducted to identify risk factors including serum amylase level immediate after PD for POPF occurrence.ResultsOverall incidence of POPF (25/163) was 15.3%. The patients occurred a POPF had significantly higher level of serum amylase on POD0 compared to in whom without a POPF (414 vs 253, p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, ASA classification, post pancreatectomy acute pancreatitis (POAP, serum amylase on POD0 >285IU/L) and Fistula Risk Grade were correlated with POPF occurrence. In multivariable analysis, Fistula risk grade and POAP were significantly associated with developing POPF.ConclusionIn patients with higher serum amylase (>285IU/L) on POD0 with higher fistula risk grade, comprehensive management to achieve mitigation of POPF is important.     

What Ancestry Can Tell Us About the Genetic Origins of Inter-Ethnic Differences in Asthma Expression

Differences in asthma prevalence have been described across different populations, suggesting that genetic ancestry can play an important role in this disease. In fact, several studies have demonstrated an association between African ancestry with increased asthma susceptibility and severity, higher immunoglobulin E levels, and lower lung function. In contrast, Native American ancestry has been shown to have a protective role for this disease. Genome-wide association studies have allowed the identification of population-specific genetic variants with varying allele frequency among populations. Additionally, the correlation of genetic ancestry at the chromosomal level with asthma and related traits by means of admixture mapping has revealed regions of the genome where ancestry is correlated with the disease. In this review, we discuss the evidence supporting the association of genetic ancestry with asthma susceptibility and asthma-related traits, and highlight the regions of the genome harboring ancestry-specific genetic risk factors.