MYC and gastric adenocarcinoma carcinogenesis

MYC is an oncogene involved in cell cycle regulation, cell growth arrest, cell adhesion, metabolism, ribosome biogenesis, protein synthesis, and mitochondrial function. It has been described as a key element of several carcinogenesis processes in humans. Many studies have shown an association between MYC deregulation and gastric cancer. MYC deregulation is also seen in gastric preneoplastic lesions and thus it may have a role in early gastric carcinogenesis. Several studies have suggested that amplification is the main mechanism of MYC deregulation in gastric cancer. In the present review, we focus on the deregulation of the MYC oncogene in gastric adenocarcinoma carcinogenesis, including its association with Helicobacterpylori （Hpylon] and clinical applications.     

Muscular adaptations to training programs using the Nordic hamstring exercise or the stiff-leg deadlift in rugby players

Sport Sciences for Health - Muscular responses to training programs with the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) have been widely investigated to understand its preventive effects on muscle strain...     

Human alpha fetoprotein enhances epidermal growth factor proliferative activity upon porcine granulosa cells in monolayer culture.

Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is present at high concentrations in fetal fluids, certain neoplasias, and regenerating liver. Its physiological function remains largely unknown. Using a primary monolayer culture system, we investigated the proliferative activity of human (h) cord blood (CB) and highly purified AFP. hAFP, purified from hCB by Cibacron blue and immunoaffinity chromatography was homogeneous on SDS-PAGE and silver stain. Porcine granulosa cells from ovarian small follicles were cultured (25,000/cm2) for 2 days in medium (Ham's F-12:DMEM, 1:1) + 5% fetal calf serum (FCS) to facilitate attachment, followed by 6 days in medium containing: FCS, hCB or h amniotic fluid (1-20%)+/- EGF (10 ng/ml); or 0.25% plasma-derived serum (PDS) containing human low density lipoprotein (LDL, 25 ug/ml), +/- AFP (0.05-5 ug), and +/- EGF and IGF-I (10 ng/ml). In this system, single growth factors do not stimulate proliferation, a characteristic also exhibited by AFP. When combined with EGF, however, AFP dose-dependently increased proliferation to levels equal to that obtained with 10% FCS (2.3-fold increase vs PDS/LDL controls). When combined with EGF+IGF-I, AFP again dose-dependently increased proliferation to levels equal to that obtained with 10% FCS+EGF (6.7-fold increase vs controls). Purified human albumin used in place of AFP was not effective. TGF-a but not PDGF could replace the proliferative activity of EGF. These results suggest that AFP at physiological levels, although not itself mitogenic, can enhance the mitogenic activity of EGF and TGF-a and may function to modulate growth factor-mediated proliferation during development and neoplasia.     

Time-dependent modulation of AMPA receptor phosphorylation and mRNA expression of NMDA receptors and glial glutamate transporters in the rat hippocampus and cerebral cortex in a pilocarpine model of epilepsy

The pilocarpine model in rodents reproduces the main features of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy related to hippocampus sclerosis (MTLE-HS) in humans. It has been demonstrated in this model that the phosphorylation of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor GluR1 subunit is increased 1 h after pilocarpine treatment. Moreover, alterations in the levels of glutamate transporters have been associated with chronic epilepsy in humans. Despite these studies, the profile of these changes has not yet been addressed. We analyzed the protein content and phosphorylation profile of the AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit by western blotting. We also used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to analyze the expression of glial glutamate transporters and the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor NR1 subunit in the hippocampus (Hip) and cerebral cortex (Ctx) at different time points after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (Pilo-SE) in male adult Wistar rats. Biochemical analysis was performed in the Hip and Ctx at 1, 3, 12 h (acute period), 5 days (latent period), and 50 days (chronic period) after Pilo-SE. Key findings include an increase in the phosphorylation of GluR1-Ser⁸⁴⁵ in the Ctx and GluR1-Ser⁸³¹ in the Hip at different times during the acute period, and a decrease in the total content of the GluR1 subunit in the Ctx in the latent period. There was a down-regulation of the mRNA expression and protein levels of EAAT1 and EAAT2, and a decrease of the NR1 mRNA expression, in the Ctx during the latent period. Notably, during the chronic period, the EAAT2 mRNA expression and protein levels decreased while the NR1 mRNA levels increased in the Hip. Taken together, our findings suggest a time- and structure-dependent imbalance of glutamatergic transmission in response to Pilo-SE, which might be associated with either epileptogenesis or the seizure threshold in MTLE-HS.     

Oral health effects of botulinum toxin treatment for drooling: a systematic review

Background Drooling is a major morbidity in several neurological diseases. Intraglandular botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injections have been used to manage this condition. However, by decreasing salivary flow, BoNT injections may result in an increased risk of caries and other oral adverse effects. In this study, we aimed to assess whether, in patients with drooling, intraglandular BoNT injections are associated with increased dental caries development, modifications on salivary composition (oral pH, buffering capacity and osmolality) and cariogenic bacterial load. Material and Methods We performed a systematic review, searching PubMed, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Scopus for all experimental and observational studies reporting on adverse effects of intraglandular BoNT injections in patients with drooling. Primary study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction were independently performed by two researchers. No studies were excluded based on their language, publication status or date of publication. Studies’ quality was based on revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tools. Meta-analysis was not performed. Results We retrieved 1025 studies, of which 5 were included. Two studies were two randomized controlled trials and three quasi-experimental studies. None of the included studies found BoNT injections to be associated with dental caries development or with significant reductions in oral pH. One of the included primary studies even observed an increase in salivary buffer capacity. One study found an increase in Lactobacilli counts. As for the risk of bias, two studies were classified as having a critical risk, two as high risk and one as having some concerns. Conclusions Currently, there is no evidence that, in patients with drooling, BoNT injections associate with increased risk of dental caries or disturbances in oral pH or salivary buffering capacity. However, the included primary studies had important limitations and differences in their methodologies. Key words:Neurological diseases, drooling, sialorrhea, botulinum toxin, oral health, caries, saliva.     

Reliability and validity of a new classification of MIH based on severity

To describe a new molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) severity scoring system (MIH-SSS) that focuses on the defects’ severity and to assess the sy     

Stratification of complexity in congenital heart surgery: comparative study of the Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS-1) method, Aristotle basic score and Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio- Thoracic Surgery (STS-EACTS) mortality score

Objective

To determine whether stratification of complexity models in congenital heart surgery (RACHS-1, Aristotle basic score and STS-EACTS mortality score) fit to our center and determine the best method of discriminating hospital mortality.

Methods

Surgical procedures in congenital heart diseases in patients under 18 years of age were allocated to the categories proposed by the stratification of complexity methods currently available. The outcome hospital mortality was calculated for each category from the three models. Statistical analysis was performed to verify whether the categories presented different mortalities. The discriminatory ability of the models was determined by calculating the area under the ROC curve and a comparison between the curves of the three models was performed.

Results

360 patients were allocated according to the three methods. There was a statistically significant difference between the mortality categories: RACHS-1 (1) - 1.3%, (2) - 11.4%, (3)-27.3%, (4) - 50 %, (P<0.001); Aristotle basic score (1) - 1.1%, (2) - 12.2%, (3) - 34%, (4) - 64.7%, (P<0.001); and STS-EACTS mortality score (1) - 5.5 %, (2) - 13.6%, (3) - 18.7%, (4) - 35.8%, (P<0.001). The three models had similar accuracy by calculating the area under the ROC curve: RACHS-1- 0.738; STS-EACTS-0.739; Aristotle- 0.766.

Conclusion

The three models of stratification of complexity currently available in the literature are useful with different mortalities between the proposed categories with similar discriminatory capacity for hospital mortality.     

Contribution to the surgical treatment of patients with cervical spine cord injury using simple procedures

Thirty-nine patients with acute cervical spine fractures and/or dislocations between C3 and C7 were submitted to an anterior approach using bone graft fixation without screw and plate systems and three required a preliminary posterior approach to reduce a dislocation. Graft dislodgement due to technical problems occurred at a rate of 7.7% postoperatively and 2.8% 1 month later. No redislodgement occurred. All fusions became solid after 3 months. Their progress was based on the Frankel scale, before surgery, at the moment of the discharge, and at 6 months follow-up. This experience shows how patients with an acute cervical injury can improve even when admitted late after trauma.     

Deficiency of Fibroblast Growth Factor-Inducible 14 (Fn14) Preserves the Filtration Barrier and Ameliorates Lupus Nephritis

TNF ligand superfamily member 12, also known as TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), acts through its receptor, fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), to mediate several key pathologic processes involved in tissue injury relating to lupus nephritis. To explore the potential for renal protection in lupus nephritis by targeting this pathway, we introduced the Fn14 null allele into the MRL-lpr/lpr lupus mouse strain. At 26–38 weeks of age, female Fn14-knockout MRL-lpr/lpr mice had significantly lower levels of proteinuria compared with female wild-type MRL-lpr/lpr mice. Furthermore, Fn14-knockout mice had significantly improved renal histopathology accompanied by attenuated glomerular and tubulointerstitial inflammation. There was a significant reduction in glomerular Ig deposition in Fn14-knockout mice, despite no detectable differences in either serum levels of antibodies or splenic immune cell subsets. Notably, we found that the Fn14-knockout mice displayed substantial preservation of podocytes in glomeruli and that TWEAK signaling directly damaged barrier function and increased filtration through podocyte and glomerular endothelial cell monolayers. Our results show that deficiency of the Fn14 receptor significantly improves renal disease in a spontaneous lupus nephritis model through prevention of the direct injurious effects of TWEAK on the filtration barrier and/or modulation of cytokine production by resident kidney cells. Thus, blocking the TWEAK/Fn14 axis may be a novel therapeutic intervention in immune-mediated proliferative GN.