pH-weighted molecular imaging of gliomas using amine chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI.

Background: Interstitial tissue acidosis resulting from abnormal perfusion and metabolism is a hallmark of cancer. The current study demonstrates that chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI can be used as a noninvasive pH-weighted molecular imaging technique by targeting the chemical exchange between amine protons and protons in extracellular bulk water.

Methods: First, the sensitivity of amine CEST was validated in phantoms under a variety of conditions, including different magnetic field strengths, amino acid concentrations, and pH values.

Cutting Edge: Synchronization of IRF1, JunB, and C/EBPβ Activities during TLR3-TLR7 Cross-Talk Orchestrates Timely Cytokine Synergy in the Proinflammatory Response.

Multiple pathogen-associated molecular pattern-induced TLR pathway cross-talk provokes proinflammatory cytokine synergy in macrophages, which is important for pathogen resistance and immune homeostasis. However, the detailed mechanisms are unclear. In this article, we demonstrate viral RNA analog-induced transcription synergy of Il6 and Il12b via IFN regulatory factor (IRF)1 (TLR3-TIR domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β [TRIF] responsive), C/EBPβ (TLR7-MyD88 responsive), and JunB (all responsive).

Phase II study of trastuzumab in combination with S-1 and cisplatin in the first-line treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer.

Purpose: The use of trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the HER2 protein, in combination with 5-fluorouracil/platinum-based chemotherapy improves survival in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer. In addition, TS-one (S-1)/platinum is also used as a standard of care in Asian countries. However, little is known about the combination of S-1/cisplatin chemotherapy and trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer.

Applications of DART-MS for food quality and safety assurance in food supply chain.

Direct analysis in real time (DART) represents a new generation of ion source which is used for rapid ionization of small molecules under ambient conditions. The combination of DART and various mass spectrometers allows analyzing multiple food samples with simple or no sample treatment, or in conjunction with prevailing protocolized sample preparation methods. Abundant applications by DART-MS have been reviewed in this paper.

Xanthohumol induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in ca ski human cervical cancer cells.

We investigate induction of apoptosis by xanthohumol on Ca Ski cervical cancer cell line. Xanthohumol is a prenylated chalcone naturally found in hop plants, previously reported to be an effective anticancer agent in various cancer cell lines. The present study showed that xanthohumol was effective to inhibit proliferation of Ca Ski cells based on IC50 values using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay.

Determination of Dicyandiamide in Powdered Milk Using Direct Analysis in Real Time Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

The direct analysis in real time (DART) ionization source coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS/MS) system has the capability to desorb analytes directly from samples without sample cleanup or chromatographic separation. In this work, a method based on DART/Q-TOF MS/MS has been developed for rapid identification of dicyandiamide (DCD) present in powdered milk. Simple sample extraction procedure employing acetonitrile-water (80:20, v/v) mixture was followed by direct, high-throughput determination of sample extracts spread on a steel mesh of the transmission module by mass spectrometry under ambient conditions.

Association of proinflammatory cytokines and chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients: a multi-centered, prospective, cohort study.

Background: Existing evidence suggests that proinflammatory cytokines play an intermediary role in postchemotherapy cognitive impairment. This is one of the largest multicentered, cohort studies conducted in Singapore to evaluate the prevalence and proinflammatory biomarkers associated with cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: Chemotherapy-receiving breast cancer patients (stages I-III) were recruited.

Clinical study of l-asparaginase in the treatment of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type.

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, (ENKTL) is a rare distinct entity of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is prevalent in Asia and Latin America but rare in North America and Europe. ENKTL represents an aggressive clinical course and a poor prognosis especially for advanced disease.

Tumour pharmacodynamics and circulating cell free DNA in patients with refractory colorectal carcinoma treated with regorafenib.

Background: Regorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, is used in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to standard therapy. However, this benefit was limited to 1.4 months improvement in overall survival, with more than half of patients experiencing grade 3 to 4 adverse events.

[Notch signaling promotes receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand-induced ostoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells in vitro].

Objective: This study aims to explore the effect of Notch signaling depression on the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells.

Methods: Mice RAW264.

False negative rate for intraoperative sentinel lymph node frozen section in patients with breast cancer: a retrospective analysis of patients in a single Asian institution.

Background And Objective: Intraoperative frozen section of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) in clinically node negative breast cancer patients detects metastatic disease and enables axillary lymph node dissection to be performed in the same operative setting. Internationally, the false negative rate (FNR) for SLN biopsy ranges from 5.5% to 43%.

Burnout, psychological morbidity and use of coping mechanisms among palliative care practitioners: A multi-centre cross-sectional study.

Background: The prevalence of burnout, psychological morbidity and the use of coping mechanisms among palliative care practitioners in Singapore have not been studied.

Aim: We aimed to study the prevalence of burnout and psychological morbidity among palliative care practitioners in Singapore and its associations with demographic and workplace factors as well as the use of coping mechanisms.

Design: This was a multi-centre, cross-sectional study of all the palliative care providers within the public healthcare sector in Singapore.

An integrative approach identified genes associated with drug response in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the second leading cause of global cancer mortality worldwide. However, the molecular mechanism underlying its carcinogenesis and drug resistance is not well understood. To identify novel functionally important genes that were differentially expressed due to combinations of genetic and epigenetic changes, we analyzed datasets containing genome-wide mRNA expression, DNA copy number alterations and DNA methylation status from 154 primary GC samples and 47 matched non-neoplastic mucosa tissues from Asian patients.

Screening of HaCaT clones for CCL20 gene knockout and preliminary exploration of gene-targeting vector transfection approaches in this cell line.

Background: Inhibition of CC chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20), which is expressed by human keratinocytes after proinflammatory cytokine stimulation, may reduce migration of recipient Langerhans cells into tissue-engineered allogeneic skin grafts and minimize immune rejection by the recipient. Here, we screened CCL20 gene knockout clones in the human immortalized skin keratinocyte line HaCaT and tested multiple transfection methods for optimal efficiency.

Material And Methods: The CCL20 gene was PCR amplified from HaCaT genomic DNA.

Brain biopsy in neurologic decline of unknown etiology.

Brain biopsies have an uncertain role in the diagnosis of patients with dementia or neurologic decline of unknown etiology. They are often performed only after an exhaustive panel of less invasive tests and procedures have failed to provide a definitive diagnosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of brain biopsies in this patient group through the retrospective analysis of 53 brain biopsies performed for neurologic disease of unknown etiology at a single tertiary care institution between December 2001 and December 2011.

Calycosin and genistein induce apoptosis by inactivation of HOTAIR/p-Akt signaling pathway in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

Background: Calycosin and genistein are the two main components of isoflavones. Previously, we reported that these compounds display antitumor activities in the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T47D. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of action of calycosin and genistein, and their respective efficacies as potential therapies for the treatment of breast carcinoma in the clinic.

Novel SNP improves differential survivability and mortality in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide due to poor patient prognosis and clinical outcome. Here, we studied the genetic variations underlying NSCLC pathogenesis based on their association to patient outcome after gemcitabine therapy.

Results: Bioinformatics analysis was used to investigate possible effects of POLA2 G583R (POLA2+1747 GG/GA, dbSNP ID: rs487989) in terms of protein function.

Molecular typing of Shigella sonnei isolates circulating in Nanjing, China, 2007-2011.

Introduction: Shigellosis is a major public health concern worldwide. This study intended to assess the baseline genotyping data among local Shigella sonnei strains spanning over five years.

Methodology: Fifty non-repeat clinical strains of S.

[Esthetic reconstruction of the anterior teeth area following a combined periodontic-orthodontic treatment in adult periodontal patients].

Objective: To evaluate the role of the combined periodontic-orthodontic treatment in the esthetic reconstruc- tion of the anterior teeth area following periodontitis.

Methods: Thirteen adult patients with anterior teeth displacements were treated. The probing pocket depth (PD; 102 teeth, 612 sites), bleeding on probing (102 teeth, 204 sites), papilla index (PI; 128 papillae), and papillary height (PH; 128 papillae) of each patient were assessed at baseline, 3 months after the initial therapy, and the end of the orthodontic treatment.

Relationship Between [18F]FDOPA PET Uptake, Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC), and Proliferation Rate in Recurrent Malignant Gliomas.

Purpose: Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 6-[(18)F]fluoro-L-dopa ([(18)F]FDOPA) positron emission tomography (PET) are used to interrogate malignant tumor microenvironment. It remains unclear whether there is a relationship between [(18)F]FDOPA uptake, diffusion MRI estimates of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and mitotic activity in the context of recurrent malignant gliomas, where the tumor may be confounded by the effects of therapy. The purpose of the current study is to determine whether there is a correlation between these imaging techniques and mitotic activity in malignant gliomas.

Novel liver findings in ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency due to Xp11.4-p21.1 microdeletion.

Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD, OMIM 311250), the most common urea cycle disorder, results in impaired synthesis of citrulline from carbamoyl phosphate and ornithine. Individuals have been identified with OTCD due to a contiguous gene deletion at Xp11.4-p21.

Signatures of tumour immunity distinguish Asian and non-Asian gastric adenocarcinomas.

Objective: Differences in gastric cancer (GC) clinical outcomes between patients in Asian and non-Asian countries has been historically attributed to variability in clinical management. However, recent international Phase III trials suggest that even with standardised treatments, GC outcomes differ by geography. Here, we investigated gene expression differences between Asian and non-Asian GCs, and if these molecular differences might influence clinical outcome.