Investigating the mechanisms underlying U46619-induced contraction on porcine lower esophageal sphincter.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is associated with an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter (LES), resulting in the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. U46619, a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor agonist, induces contractions in various smooth muscles. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of U46619 on the porcine LES. To achieve this, contractions of the clasp and sling strips of the porcine LES, induced by U46619 were measured using isometric transducers. Furthermore, the contractile mechanism of U46619 in the porcine LES was investigated by pretreating the strips with atropine (a muscarinic receptor antagonist), tetrodotoxin (a neuronal sodium channel blocker), nifedipine (a calcium channel blocker), and Ca2+-free Krebs-Henseleit solution. Additionally, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to determine the presence of the TXA2 receptor in porcine LES. The results of this study demonstrated that U46619 caused marked concentration-dependent contractions in both porcine sling and clasp strips. The mechanism of U46619-induced contraction of the porcine LES was found to be related to calcium channels. Furthermore, the reverse transcription PCR analysis and IHC revealed that the TXA2 receptor was expressed in the clasp and sling fibers of porcine LES. Consequently, this study suggests that U46619 mediates the contraction of porcine LES through calcium channels and has potential as a therapeutic approach for treating GERD. Significance Statement This study establishes that U46619 induces concentration-dependent contractions in porcine LES, primarily mediated by calcium channels. The presence of the TXA2 receptor in LES clasp and sling fibers is confirmed. These findings highlight U46619's potential as a GERD therapeutic by targeting calcium channels for LES contraction modulation.

Use of Silicone Tubes as Antiadhesion Devices in a Modified Two-Stage Flexor Tendon Reconstruction in Zone II: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the outcome of a modified two-stage flexor tendon reconstruction using silicone tubes as antiadhesion devices while performing simultaneous tendon grafting. METHODS: From April 2008 to October 2019, 16 patients (21 fingers) with zone II flexor tendon injuries, who sustained failed tendon repair or neglected tendon laceration, were treated by a modified two-stage flexor tendon reconstruction. The first stage of treatment comprised flexor tendon reconstruction with interposition of silicone tubes to minimize fibrosis and adhesion around the tendon graft; the second stage of treatment comprised silicone tube removal under local anesthesia. RESULTS: The patient median age was 38 (range, 22-65) years. After a median follow-up period of 14 (range, 12-84) months, the median total active motion (TAM) of fingers was 220° (range, 150-250°). Excellent and good TAM ratings were identified in 71.4%, 76.2%, and 76.2% according to the Strickland, modified Strickland, and American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) evaluation systems, respectively. At follow-up, complications included superficial infections in two fingers of one patient whose silicone tube was removed 4 weeks postoperatively. The most common complication was a flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint (four fingers) and/or distal interphalangeal joint (nine fingers). The rate of failed reconstruction was higher in patients with preoperative stiffness and infection. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone tubes are suitable antiadhesion devices, and the modified two-stage flexor tendon reconstruction technique is an alternative procedure with a shorter rehabilitation period for complicated flexor tendon injury, compared with current popular reconstructions. Preoperative stiffness and postoperative infection may compromise the final clinical outcome. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

WWOX Modulates ROS-Dependent Senescence in Bladder Cancer.

The tumor-suppressor gene, WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), has been found to be lost in various types of cancers. ROS result as a tightly regulated signaling process for the induction of cell senescence. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of WWOX in the regulation of ROS and cell senescence, which is intriguing in terms of the possible mechanism of WWOX contributing to bladder cancer. In this study, we used the AY-27 rat bladder tumor cell line and F344 orthotopic bladder tumor models to reveal the pro-senescence effects of WWOX and the corresponding underlying mechanism in bladder cancer. WWOX-overexpressing lentivirus (LV-WWOX) remarkably stimulated cellular senescence, including increased senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) formation, enlarged cellular morphology, and induced SA-ß-Gal-positive staining. A further mechanism study revealed that the pro-senescence effect of LV-WWOX was dependent on increased intercellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which subsequently triggered p21/p27. Moreover, LV-WWOX significantly inhibited the tumor size by 30.49% in the F344/AY-27 rat orthotopic model (p < 0.05) by activating cellular senescence. The expression of p21 was significantly enhanced in the orthotopic bladder tumors under WWOX treatment. The orthotopic bladder tumors in the groups of rats verified the effect in vivo. Our study suggests that WWOX, an ROS-dependent senescence-induced gene, could be further studied for its therapeutic implications in bladder cancer.

Immunohistochemistry Helps to Distinguish Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-like Nuclear Features/Noninvasive Encapsulated Follicular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Other Follicular Thyroid Lesions.

Background and Objectives: We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of various immunohistochemical (IHC) markers and panels for differentiation among benign follicular nodules (BFNs), noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasms with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTPs), noninvasive encapsulated follicular variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (NEFVPTCs), and infiltrative FVPTC (IFVPTC). Materials and Methods: Sixty-three cases were classified as BFNs, NIFTPs, NEFVPTCs, or IFVPTCs and were evaluated using the following markers: CK19, CD56, galectin-3, CITED1, HBME-1, VE1, and TROP-2. Results: The IHC results for NIFTP and NEFVPTC exhibited no statistically significant differences. In differentiating IFVPTCs from BFNs and NIFTPs/NEFVPTCs, galectin-3 and TROP-2 were the markers with the highest sensitivity plus high specificity, respectively. In various combinations, panel co-expression of two markers, including galectin-3 and/or HBME-1 and/or TROP-2, and the combination of galectin-3 and TROP-2 co-expression could achieve 100% in all aspects. In terms of discrimination of BFNs from NIFTP/NEFVPTC, CK19 was the single most sensitive marker (81.3%), while CD56 was the most specific (100%). The panel consisting of CK19 and/or HBME-1 exhibited the greatest sensitivity (96.9%), but the panel with CD56 and/or HBME-1 exhibited the greatest specificity (90.5%). Conclusions: Our results broaden the use of IHC markers for differential diagnoses among the four groups of follicular-based lesions. In addition, the similar IHC profiles of NIFTP and NEFVPTC also suggest the original criterion of <1% papillae within tumors, providing a reliable NIFTP diagnosis. Their close relationship may represent a spectrum of progressing neoplasia.

Long-Chain Fatty Acid Receptors Mediate Relaxation of the Porcine Lower Esophageal Sphincter.

Long-chain fatty acids activate the free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFA1) and FFA4. In the gastrointestinal system, FFA1 and FFA4 have been found in the pancreas and intestine. Fatty food and decreased lower esophageal sphincter (LES) motility are associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The effect of long-chain fatty acids on the esophageal motility is unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of long-chain fatty acids on the porcine LES motility ex vivo using isometric transducers. In endothelin 1-precontracted porcine LES strips, the FFA1 selective agonists, fasiglifam, TUG424, and GW9508, caused marked relaxations in a concentration-dependent manner. The relative efficacies to elicit relaxation were GW9508 > TUG424 > fasiglifam in both clasp and sling strips. In contrast, the FFA4 specific agonists, TUG891 and GSK137647, produced mild relaxations. In addition, the endogenous FFA1 agonist DHA caused a mild relaxation whereas GW1100, an FFA1 antagonist, inhibited GW9508 induced relaxation of the porcine LES clasp and sling muscle. Both real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry revealed that FFA1 and FFA4 were expressed in the porcine LES. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the FFA4 expression was much lower than FFA1. Taken together, long-chain fatty acid receptor agonists elicit relaxation of the porcine LES. FFA1 might influence LES motility.

Estradiol mediates relaxation of porcine lower esophageal sphincter.

Most pregnant women have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) during pregnancy. Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy is associated with GERD. The effects of estradiol on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) motility and GERD are not clearly known. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of estradiol on the motility of the porcine LES. Relaxations of clasp and sling strips of porcine LES caused by estradiol were measured using isometric transducers. We investigated the mechanism of estradiol-induced relaxation of the porcine LES using tetraethylammonium, apamine, iberiotoxin, glibenclamide, KT5720, KT5823, NG-nitro-l-arginine, tetrodotoxin, and ω-conotoxin GVIA. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to determine the existence of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in the porcine LES. In endothelin-1-precontracted porcine LES strips, estradiol caused marked relaxations in a concentration-dependent manner. The mechanism of estradiol-induced relaxation on the porcine LES was associated with the potassium channel. Reverse transcription PCR analysis and IHC revealed that GPER was expressed in the sling and clasp fibers of the porcine LES. This finding suggests that GPER mediates the relaxation of the porcine LES. Estradiol may play a role in LES motility.

A Hydrogel-Based Epirubicin Delivery System for Intravesical Chemotherapy.

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of epirubicin-loaded gelatin hydrogel (EPI-H) in the treatment of superficial urothelium carcinoma. Hydrogel was prepared by Schiff base-crosslinking of gelatin with glutaraldehyde. EPI-H exhibited high entrapment efficiency (59.87% ± 0.51%). EPI-H also increased epirubicin accumulation in AY-27 cells when compared with the effect of aqueous solutions of epirubicin (EPI-AQ); respective epirubicin-positive cell counts were 69.0% ± 7.6% and 38.3% ± 5.8%. EPI-H also exhibited greater cytotoxicity against AY-27 cells than that of EPI-AQ; IC50 values were 13.1 ± 1.1 and 7.5 ± 0.3 µg/mL, respectively. Cystometrograms showed that EPI-H reduced peak micturition, threshold pressures, and micturition duration, and that it increased bladder compliance more so than EPI-AQ. EPI-H enhanced epirubicin penetration into basal cells of urothelium in vivo, whereas EPI-AQ did so only to the umbrella cells. EPI-H inhibited tumor growth upon intravesical instillation to tumor-bearing bladder of F344 rats, inducing higher levels of caspase-3 expression than that observed with EPI-AQ treatment; the number of caspase-3 positive cells in treated urothelium carcinoma was 13.9% ± 4.0% (EPI-AQ) and 34.1% ± 1.0%, (EPI-H). EPI-H has value as an improved means to administer epirubicin in intravesical instillation treatments for bladder cancer.

Mechanism of bombesin-induced tonic contraction of the porcine lower esophageal sphincter.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder that is related to an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Previous studies showed that bombesin could increase LES pressure in humans and opossums. The aim of the present study was to characterize the effects of bombesin on porcine LES contraction. We used the selective agonists, neuromedin B (NMB), gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), and [D-Tyr(6),Apa-4Cl(11),Phe(13),Nle(14)]bombesin-(6-14) (DTACPN-BN), as well as receptor antagonists of bombesin receptor subtype 2 (BB2), and 3 (BB3) for ex vivo contraction studies. Atropine, nifedipine, tetrodotoxin, and ω-conotoxin GVIA were used to explore the agonist-induced LES contraction mechanism. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were applied to detect bombesin receptor expression. Our results indicate that GRP and DTACPN-BN, but not NMB, induced tonic contractions of the porcine LES in a dose-dependent manner, and the contractions were inhibited with selective BB2 and BB3 antagonists. The GRP-induced contraction is mainly caused by L-type Ca(2+) channel-mediated Ca(2+) influx. However, DTACPN-BN-induced contractions are associated with neuronal conduction. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry revealed that BB2 and BB3 were expressed in the porcine LES. Bombesin-induced tonic contraction of the LES is mediated through BB2 and BB3. Bombesin, BB2, and BB3 agonists might have the potential to treat GERD.

Development of an Animal Model for Alcoholic Liver Disease in Zebrafish.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) continues to be a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. To date, no zebrafish animal model has demonstrated the characteristic manifestations of ALD in the setting of chronic alcohol exposure. The aim of this study was to develop a zebrafish animal model for ALD. Male adult zebrafish were housed in a 1% (v/v) ethanol solution up to 3 months. A histopathological study showed the characteristic features of alcoholic liver steatosis and steatohepatitis in the early stages of alcohol exposure, including fat droplet accumulation, ballooning degeneration of the hepatocytes, and Mallory body formation. As the exposure time increased, collagen deposition in the extracellular matrix was observed by Sirius red staining and immunofluorescence staining. Finally, anaplastic hepatocytes with pleomorphic nuclei were arranged in trabecular patterns and formed nodules in the zebrafish liver. Over the time course of 1% ethanol exposure, upregulations of lipogenesis, fibrosis, and tumor-related genes were also revealed by semiquantitative and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. As these data reflect characteristic liver damage by alcohol in humans, this zebrafish animal model may serve as a powerful tool to study the pathogenesis and treatment of ALD and its related disorders in humans.

Application of the C3-binding motif of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B to protect mice from invasive group a streptococcal infection.

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is an important human pathogen that produces several extracellular exotoxins to facilitate invasion and infection. Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SPE B) has been demonstrated to be an important virulence factor of GAS. Our previous studies indicate that SPE B cleaves complement 3 (C3) and inhibits the activation of complement pathways. In this study, we constructed and expressed recombinant fragments of SPE B to examine the C3-binding site of SPE B. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and pull-down assays, we found that the C-terminal domain, containing amino-acid residues 345-398, of SPE B was the major binding site of human serum C3. We further identified a major, Ala376-Pro398, and a minor C3-binding motif, Gly346-Gly360, that both mediated the binding of C3 complement. Immunization with the C3-binding motifs protected mice against challenge with a lethal dose of non-invasive M49 strain GAS but not invasive M1 strains. To achieve higher efficiency against invasive M1 GAS infection, a combination of synthetic peptides derived from C-terminal epitope of streptolysin S (SLSpp) and from the major C3-binding motif of SPE B (PP6, Ala376-Pro398) was used to elicit specific immune response to those two important streptococcal exotoxins. Death rates and the severity of skin lesions decreased significantly in PP6/SLSpp-immunized mice that were infected with invasive M1 strains of GAS. These results indicate a combination of the C3-binding motif of SPE B and the protective epitope of SLS could be used as a subunit vaccine against invasive M1 strains group A streptococcal infection.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in Taiwan shows a frequent gain of ITK gene.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is an aggressive peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) of follicular helper T-cell origin and is rare in Taiwan. There are overlapping features of AITL and peripheral T-cell lymphoma with a follicular growth pattern (PTCL-F). Around one fifth of PTCL-F exhibits t(5;9)(q33;q22)/ITK-SYK chromosomal translocation, which is essentially absent in AITL. We retrospectively investigated 35 cases of AITL from Taiwan with histopathology review, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for t(5;9)(q33;q22)/ITK-SYK and correlated the results with overall survival. Twenty-six cases of not otherwise specified PTCL (PTCL-NOS) were also examined by FISH for comparison. Most AITL patients were male (69%) and elderly (median age at 67 years) with frequent bone marrow involvement (53%), high Ann Arbor stages (77%), and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (68%). Most cases (80%) showed a typical CD4+/CD8- phenotype and in 90% cases there were scattered EBV-positive B-cells (less than 10% cells). None of these cases showed t(5;9)(q33;q22)/ITK-SYK translocation by FISH. Gain of ITK and SYK gene was identified in 38% and 14% tumors, respectively, but both were not associated with overall survival. Performance status < 2 was associated with a better outcome but not the other clinicopathological factors. All PTCL-NOS cases were negative for ITK-SYK translocation with similar rates (38% and 12%, respectively) of gains at ITK and SYK loci as that of AITL. In this so far the largest series of AITL from Taiwan, we reported the clinicopathological features and FISH findings on ITK and SYK genes. We confirmed the absence of t(5;9)(q33;q22)/ITK-SYK translocation, which may serve as an additional differential diagnostic tool from PTCL-F when present. PTCL-NOS shared a similar pattern of ITK and SYK gains with AITL. More studies are warranted to elucidate the roles of SYK and ITK and other genes in the lymphomagenesis of AITL in Taiwan.

Preparation and characterization of gelatin-based mucoadhesive nanocomposites as intravesical gene delivery scaffolds.

This study aimed to develop optimal gelatin-based mucoadhesive nanocomposites as scaffolds for intravesical gene delivery to the urothelium. Hydrogels were prepared by chemically crosslinking gelatin A or B with glutaraldehyde. Physicochemical and delivery properties including hydration ratio, viscosity, size, yield, thermosensitivity, and enzymatic degradation were studied, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out. The optimal hydrogels (H), composed of 15% gelatin A175, displayed an 81.5% yield rate, 87.1% hydration ratio, 42.9 Pa·s viscosity, and 125.8 nm particle size. The crosslinking density of the hydrogels was determined by performing pronase degradation and ninhydrin assays. In vitro lentivirus (LV) release studies involving p24 capsid protein analysis in 293T cells revealed that hydrogels containing lentivirus (H-LV) had a higher cumulative release than that observed for LV alone (3.7-, 2.3-, and 2.3-fold at days 1, 3, and 5, resp.). Lentivirus from lentivector constructed green fluorescent protein (GFP) was then entrapped in hydrogels (H-LV-GFP). H-LV-GFP showed enhanced gene delivery in AY-27 cells in vitro and to rat urothelium by intravesical instillation in vivo. Cystometrogram showed mucoadhesive H-LV reduced peak micturition and threshold pressure and increased bladder compliance. In this study, we successfully developed first optimal gelatin-based mucoadhesive nanocomposites as intravesical gene delivery scaffolds.

Effect of thalidomide on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in a rat model of liver regeneration.

Liver regeneration is an angiogenesis-associated phenomenon. The present study investigated the influence of thalidomide, an antiangiogenic agent, on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and liver regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. PH was performed on 50 rats dosed with either thalidomide (100 mg/kg) or a vehicle (controls) by intragastric administration. Serial changes in hepatic microcirculation were evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry. The VEGF expression in liver tissue was assessed by immunohistochemical study and western blot analysis. Following hepatectomy, the liver regeneration rate increased markedly and reached a peak at 96 h in the two groups. Thalidomide did not affect the overall restoration of liver mass, although a delay in cell proliferation was observed. Prior to PH, the liver microcirculation in rats treated with thalidomide for 2 days was comparatively less than that in their corresponding controls; however, no significant difference between the groups was detected at any time-point following PH. Western blotting showed that the expression of VEGF was upregulated by hepatectomy and the expression levels in the two groups were equal at all studied time-points. The immunohistochemical staining revealed a waved pattern of VEGF expression which advanced from the periportal to pericentral area in both groups, but a slower advancement was detected in thalidomide-treated rats. In conclusion, thalidomide exerted no significant effects on the expression of VEGF and did not impair the overall restoration of liver mass in a rat model of PH-induced liver regeneration, providing supportive evidence for its use as an adjunct treatment modality for liver cancers.

Down-regulation of Toll-like receptor 7 expression in hepatitis-virus-related human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a pivotal role in innate immunity, controlling inflammatory responses, and further development of adaptive immunity. Hepatitis virus can establish chronic infection, and the associated inflammatory responses are important determinants of virus-associated liver damage. However, the contributions of the host immune system to chronic presence of virus are not clear in patients with hepatitis virus infection. Chronic inflammatory conditions caused by persistent hepatitis virus infections and interferon (IFN)-γ-related immunopathology are known to be related to carcinogenesis. To gain insight into the role of immune modulation in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we studied the expression of TLR7 in cancerous and non-cancerous liver tissue from 87 patients with HCC. Our results showed that TLR7 is significantly down-regulated in neoplastic hepatocytes (P < .001), especially in the patients with hepatitis B (n = 52) or C (n = 24) virus infection. We confirmed this decreased TLR7 expression by quantitative analysis of mRNA using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 26 liver specimens of HCC patients. Using serial deletion analysis of the TLR7 promoter, a hepatocyte-specific regulatory region was found at nucleotides -156 to -98 in the TLR7 promoter. Furthermore, the effects of IFN-γ on TLR7 expression in a hepatoma cell line (HepG2) were investigated in vitro. We demonstrated that IFN-γ significantly decreased TLR7 promoter activity and expression in a dose-dependent manner. We thus propose that hepatitis virus induces down-regulation of TLR7 gene expression through IFN-γ, thereby modulating inflammatory signaling in hepatoma cells.

Bloody nipple discharge in an adolescent girl: unusual presentation of juvenile fibroadenoma.

Fibroadenoma accounts for 50-60% of all breast mass lesions in adolescents. It usually presents as a unilateral palpable breast mass. In contrast, bloody nipple discharge rarely occurs in childhood. We report the case of a 12-year-old pubertal girl who presented with a solitary breast mass and bloody nipple discharge. Physical examination and ultrasound showed a right breast subareolar homogenous mass, about 2.5 cm in diameter, near the lactiferous duct. Histologic diagnosis of the mass revealed a juvenile fibroadenoma with infarction and hemorrhage. The unusual clinical presentation and possible etiology in this patient is described, and the proper management of bloody nipple discharge in pediatric patients is discussed in association with a literature review.

Hepatic angiomyolipoma: report of two cases with emphasis on smear cytomorphology and the use of cell block with immunohistochemical stains.

Angiomyolipoma is a benign mesenchymal lesion that occurs most commonly in the kidney. Its occurrence in the liver is relatively rare. We report two cases of hepatic angiomyolipoma diagnosed by ultrasound-guided, needle aspiration biopsy. One of the patients was a previously healthy 62-yr-old woman who presented with a hepatic mass incidentally during a healthy examination. The other patient was a 67-yr-old man, a victim of chronic hepatitis C, who was found to have a hepatic tumor in the right lobe during regular follow-up. Cytologic preparations of the two hepatic masses showed some mature adipocytes admixed with clusters of variable-sized mesenchyme-like cells with fibrillar cytoplasm and indistinct cytoplasmic borders. Some of the cells were round to oval and others were spindle shaped with oval, cigar-shaped or elongated nuclei. The nuclear chromatin was fine and some cells showed round nucleoli. No thick-walled blood vessels were noted in the cytological smears. In the cell block preparations, a mixture of thick-walled blood vessels, mature adipose tissue, and bundles of variable-sized smooth muscle cells were noted. The spindle or epithelioid smooth muscle cells were positive for vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and human melanoma black (HMB)-45 but negative for desmin and S100 protein in immunohistochemical stains. The purpose of the current study is to describe cytological features of this lesion with differential diagnosis because pathologists may be called on to render a diagnosis on needle aspiration. HMB-45 has been proved to be a sensitive marker for the smooth muscle component of angiomyolipoma. Cell block preparations assisted with immunohistochemical staining should be emphasized for definite diagnosis. Although a surgical procedure may still be necessary once a diagnosis of angiomyolipoma is made, treatment may be tailored for a less aggressive procedure than for malignant hepatic nodules.