Pyrazolone derivative C29 protects against HFD-induced obesity in mice via activation of AMPK in adipose tissue.

Beige adipocytes have been considered as a potential strategy in anti-obesity therapy because of its thermogenic capacity. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays important roles in regulating adipose tissue function. C29 is a novel pyrazolone derivative with AMPK activity. In the current study, we investigated the role of C29 in the regulation of thermogenesis using differentiated adipocytes and diet-induced obese mice, and explored the mechanisms that might be involved in energy expenditure via adipocyte AMPK activation. We showed that treatment with C29 (2.5-10 µM) concentration-dependently increased thermogenesis in differentiated preadipocytes separated from inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT), evidenced by increased expression levels of thermogenesis markers such as Ucp1, Pgc-1α, Dio2, Prdm16, Cox7a1, Cox8b, Elovl3, and Cidea, fatty acid oxidation (FAO) genes including Cpt1a, Lcad and Pparα, as well as beige-selective genes such as Cd137, Tmem26, Slc27a1, and Tbx1. In high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, oral administration of C29 (30 mg·kg-1·day-1) for 9 weeks alleviated HFD-induced obesity, promoted energy expenditure and modulated iWAT browning. However, these effects were not observed in adipose-specific AMPKα1/α2 knockout (AKO) mice following C29 administration. Together, this study demonstrates that C29 regulates energy balance via adipocyte AMPK. Our findings show that the discovery of AMPK activators that specifically target adipose tissue may have therapeutic potential for treating obesity-related metabolic diseases.

Sarsasapogenin improves adipose tissue inflammation and ameliorates insulin resistance in high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6J mice.

Insulin resistance is a major cause of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Macrophage infiltration into obese adipose tissue promotes inflammatory responses that contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Suppression of adipose tissue inflammatory responses is postulated to increase insulin sensitivity in obese patients and animals. Sarsasapogenin (ZGY) is one of the metabolites of timosaponin AIII in the gut, which has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory action. In this study, we investigated the effects of ZGY treatment on obesity-induced insulin resistance in mice. We showed that pretreatment with ZGY (80 mg·kg-1·d-1, ig, for 18 days) significantly inhibited acute adipose tissue inflammatory responses in LPS-treated mice. In high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice, oral administration of ZGY (80 mg·kg-1·d-1, for 6 weeks) ameliorated insulin resistance and alleviated inflammation in adipose tissues by reducing the infiltration of macrophages. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ZGY not only directly inhibited inflammatory responses in macrophages and adipocytes, but also interrupts the crosstalk between macrophages and adipocytes in vitro, improving adipocyte insulin resistance. The insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory effects of ZGY may result from inactivation of the IKK /NF-κB and JNK inflammatory signaling pathways in adipocytes. Collectively, our findings suggest that ZGY ameliorates insulin resistance and alleviates the adipose inflammatory state in HFD mice, suggesting that ZGY may be a potential agent for the treatment of insulin resistance and obesity-related metabolic diseases.

AMPK activator C24 inhibits hepatic lipogenesis and ameliorates dyslipidemia in HFHC diet-induced animal models.

Dyslipidemia is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of lipids in plasma. Recently, various studies demonstrate that the increased activity of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) causes health benefits in energy regulation. Thus, great efforts have been made to develop AMPK activators as a metabolic syndrome treatment. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the AMPK activator C24 on dyslipidemia and the potential mechanisms. We showed that C24 (5-40 µM) dose-dependently increased the phosphorylation of AMPKα and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and inhibited lipogenesis in HepG2 cells. Using compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, or hepatocytes isolated from liver tissue-specific AMPK knockout AMPKα1α2fl/fl;Alb-cre mice (AMPK LKO), we demonstrated that the lipogenesis inhibition of C24 was dependent on hepatic AMPK activation. In rabbits with high-fat and high-cholesterol diet-induced dyslipidemia, administration of C24 (20, 40, and 60 mg · kg-1· d-1, ig, for 4 weeks) dose-dependently decreased the content of TG, total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in plasma and played a role in protecting against hepatic dysfunction by decreasing lipid accumulation. A lipid-lowering effect was also observed in high-fat and high-cholesterol diet-fed hamsters. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the small molecular AMPK activator C24 alleviates hyperlipidemia and represents a promising compound for the development of a lipid-lowering drug.

Forrestiacids†A and†B, Pentaterpene Inhibitors of ACL and Lipogenesis: Extending the Limits of Computational NMR Methods in the Structure Assignment of Complex Natural Products.

Forrestiacids A (1) and B (2) are a novel class of [4+2] type pentaterpenoids derived from a rearranged lanostane moiety (dienophile) and an abietane unit (diene). These unprecedented molecules were isolated using guidance by molecular ion networking (MoIN) from Pseudotsuga forrestii, an endangered member of the Asian Douglas Fir Family. The intermolecular hetero-Diels-Alder adducts feature an unusual bicyclo[2.2.2]octene ring system. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, GIAO NMR calculations and DP4+ probability analyses, electronic circular dichroism calculations, and X-ray diffraction analysis. This unique addition to the pentaterpene family represents the largest and the most complex molecule successfully assigned using computational approaches to predict accurately chemical shift values. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited potent inhibitory activities (IC50 s <5 µM) of ATP-citrate lyase (ACL), a new drug target for the treatment of glycolipid metabolic disorders including hyperlipidemia. Validating this activity 1 effectively attenuated the de novo lipogenesis in HepG2 cells. These findings provide a new chemical class for developing potential therapeutic agents for ACL-related diseases with strong links to traditional medicines.

The Landscape of Histone Modifications in a High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese (DIO) Mouse Model.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major chronic healthcare concern worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that a histone-modification-mediated epigenetic mechanism underlies T2D. Nevertheless, the dynamics of histone marks in T2D have not yet been carefully analyzed. Using a mass spectrometry-based label-free and chemical stable isotope labeling quantitative proteomic approach, we systematically profiled liver histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) in a prediabetic high-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) mouse model. We identified 170 histone marks, 30 of which were previously unknown. Interestingly, about 30% of the histone marks identified in DIO mouse liver belonged to a set of recently reported lysine acylation modifications, including propionylation, butyrylation, malonylation, and succinylation, suggesting possible roles of these newly identified histone acylations in diabetes and obesity. These histone marks were detected without prior affinity enrichment with an antibody, demonstrating that the histone acylation marks are present at reasonably high stoichiometry. Fifteen histone marks differed in abundance in DIO mouse liver compared with liver from chow-fed mice in label-free quantification, and six histone marks in stable isotope labeling quantification. Analysis of hepatic histone modifications from metformin-treated DIO mice revealed that metformin, a drug widely used for T2D, could reverse DIO-stimulated histone H3K36me2 in prediabetes, suggesting that this mark is likely associated with T2D development. Our study thus offers a comprehensive landscape of histone marks in a prediabetic mouse model, provides a resource for studying epigenetic functions of histone modifications in obesity and T2D, and suggest a new epigenetic mechanism for the physiological function of metformin.

Prognostic factors in Chinese patients with prostate cancer receiving primary androgen deprivation therapy: validation of Japan Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (J-CAPRA) score and impacts of pre-existing obesity and diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine the prognostic factors in Chinese patients with prostate cancer receiving primary androgen deprivation therapy (PADT), validate the Japan Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (J-CAPRA) score, and investigate the impacts of pre-existing obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: The study enrolled Chinese patients diagnosed with prostatic adenocarcinoma and treated with bilateral orchiectomy as PADT at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University (Shanghai, China), from January 2003 to December 2015. The overall survival (OS) and prognostic value of J-CAPRA score, pre-existing obesity, DM, and various clinicopathological variables were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 435 patients enrolled, 174 (40.0%) deaths occurred during follow-up; 3- and 5-year OS were 74.0 and 58.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified that higher Gleason score and metastasis were both correlated with worse OS and that higher J-CAPRA score was correlated with worse OS [hazard ratio (HR) 1.110, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.035-1.190, P = 0.003). Different risk categories based on J-CAPRA score showed good stratification in OS (log-rank P = 0.015). In subgroup analysis, pre-existing obesity as a protective factor in younger patients (age ≤ 65, HR 0.271, 95% CI 0.075-0.980, P = 0.046) and pre-existing DM as a risk factor in older patients (> 75, HR 1.854, 95% CI 1.026-3.351, P = 0.041) for OS were recognized, and the prediction accuracy of J-CAPRA was elevated after incorporating pre-existing obesity and DM. CONCLUSIONS: The J-CAPRA score presented with good OS differentiation among Chinese patients under PADT. Younger patients (age ≤ 65) had better OS with pre-existing obesity, while older patients (age > 75) had worse OS with pre-existing DM.

Enhancement of Glucose Utilization by Loesenerine through AMPK Activation in Myotubes.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia derived from insulin resistance in periphery tissue. Effects of skeletal muscle on glucose disposal are closely related to insulin resistance. The potential effects on mitochondrial function of loesenerine, a macrocyclic spermidine alkaloid from the aerial part of Euonymus fortunei (TURCZ.) HAND.-MAZZ were observed after a high-throughout screening based on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assay. Further pharmacological studies revealed that loesenerine activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway through increasing ADP/ATP ratio by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration. In addition, loesenerine induced 1.07-, 1.14-, and 1.22-fold increment of glucose uptake in C2C12 cells at the concentrations of 20, 40 and 80 µmol/L, respectively. Meanwhile, incubated with loesenerine for 12 h increased glucose consumption in a dose-dependent manner in C2C12 cells. This is the first report that macrocyclic spermidine alkaloid possesses potential hypoglycemic activity in vitro.

Azoxystrobin, a mitochondrial complex III Qo site inhibitor, exerts beneficial metabolic effects in vivo and in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Several anti-diabetes drugs exert beneficial effects against metabolic syndrome by inhibiting mitochondrial function. Although much progress has been made toward understanding the role of mitochondrial function inhibitors in treating metabolic diseases, the potential effects of these inhibitors on mitochondrial respiratory chain complex III remain unclear. METHODS: We investigated the metabolic effects of azoxystrobin (AZOX), a Qo inhibitor of complex III, in a high-fat diet-fed mouse model with insulin resistance in order to elucidate the mechanism by which AZOX improves glucose and lipid metabolism at the metabolic cellular level. RESULTS: Acute administration of AZOX in mice increased the respiratory exchange ratio. Chronic treatment with AZOX reduced body weight and significantly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in high-fat diet-fed mice. AZOX treatment resulted in decreased triacylglycerol accumulation and down-regulated the expression of genes involved in liver lipogenesis. AZOX increased glucose uptake in L6 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes and inhibited de novo lipogenesis in HepG2 cells. The findings indicate that AZOX-mediated alterations to lipid and glucose metabolism may depend on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling. CONCLUSIONS: AZOX, a Qo inhibitor of mitochondrial respiratory complex III, exerts whole-body beneficial effects on the regulation of glucose and lipid homeostasis in high-fat diet-fed mice. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: These findings provide evidence that a Qo inhibitor of mitochondrial respiratory complex III could represent a novel approach for the treatment of obesity.

2-(3-Benzoylthioureido)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ameliorates metabolic disorders in high-fat diet-fed mice.

AIM: Sterol-regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) are major transcription factors that regulate liver lipid biosynthesis. In this article we reported a novel synthetic compound 2-(3-benzoylthioureido)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (ZJ001) that inhibited the SREBP-1c pathway, and effectively reduced hepatic lipid accumulation in diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice. METHODS: A luciferase reporter driven by an SRE-containing promoter transfected into HepG2 cells was used to discover the compound. Two approaches were used to evaluate the lipid-lowering effects of ZJ001: (1) diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice that were treated with ZJ001 (15 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), po) for 7 weeks; and (2) HepG2 cells and primary hepatocytes used as in vitro models. RESULTS: ZJ001 (10, 20 µmol/L) dose-dependently inhibited the activity of SRE-containing promoter. ZJ001 administration ameliorated lipid metabolism and improved glucose tolerance in DIO mice, accompanied by significantly reduced mRNA levels of SREBP-1C and SREBP-2, and their downstream genes. In HepG2 cells and insulin-treated hepatocytes, ZJ001 (10-40 µmol/L) dose-dependently inhibited lipid synthesis, and reduced mRNA levels of SREBP-1C and SREBP-2, and their downstream genes. Furthermore, ZJ001 dose-dependently increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (Raptor), and suppressed the phosphorylation of mTOR in insulin-treated hepatocytes. Moreover, ZJ001 increased the ADP/ATP ratio in insulin-treated hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: ZJ001 exerts multiple beneficial effects in diet-induced obesity mice. Its lipid-lowering effects may result from the suppression of mTORC1, which regulates SREBP-1c transcription. The results suggest that the SREBP-1c pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of lipid metabolic disorders.

Body mass index is associated with higher Gleason score and biochemical recurrence risk following radical prostatectomy in Chinese men: a retrospective cohort study and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to investigate whether body mass index (BMI) affected pathological characteristics and biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy in Chinese men. METHODS: Medical records of 211 Chinese patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 2006 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed, with follow-up time of 24.5 ± 27.0 months. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression analyses were applied to address the impact of BMI on adverse pathological outcomes and BCR following prostatectomy. A meta-analysis of published studies from MEDLINE or EMBASE was conducted to determine the relationship between BMI and BCR following prostatectomy among Asian populations. RESULTS: Higher BMI was positively correlated with higher biopsy Gleason score (odds ratios (OR) 1.163, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.023-1.322, P = 0.021) and pathological Gleason score (OR 1.220, 95 % CI 1.056-1.410, P = 0.007) in multivariate analysis. BCR was detected in 48 patients (22.7 %). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that higher BMI (hazard ratio (HR) 1.145, 95 % CI 1.029-1.273, P = 0.013) and prostate-specific antigen (HR 1.659, 95 % CI 1.102-2.497, P = 0.015) levels were independent predictors of BCR. The meta-analysis enrolled eight Asian studies of 4145 patients treated by radical prostatectomy. Based on random-effects approach, a 5 kg/m(2) increase in BMI was correlated with 28 % higher risk of BCR (HR 1.22, 95 % CI 0.86-1.72) without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that higher BMI was an independent risk factor for a higher Gleason score, as well as an independent predictor of BCR after radical prostatectomy in Chinese patients. Meta-analysis of Asian studies also indicated that obese patients, although without statistical significance, might be more likely to suffer from BCR.

Fewer complications after laparoscopic nephrectomy as compared to the open procedure with the modified Clavien classification system--a retrospective analysis from southern China.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study is to compare complication rates of laparoscopic nephrectomy and open nephrectomy using a standardized classification method. METHODS: We retrospectively included 843 patients from March 2006 to November 2012, of whom 88 had laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN), 526 had open radical nephrectomy (ORN), 42 had laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN), and 187 had open partial nephrectomy (OPN). A modified Clavien classification system was applied to quantify complications of nephrectomy. Fisher's exact or chi-square test were used to compare complication rates between laparoscopic and open approaches. RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 19.31%, 30.04%, 35.71%, and 36.36% in LRN, ORN, LPN, and OPN, respectively. More Grade II complications (odds ratio = 2.593, 95% CI 1.172 to 5.737, P = 0.010) and longer postoperation hospital stay (9.2 days and 7.6 days, P < 0.001) were observed in ORN compared with LRN. In multivariable analysis, surgical approach (LRN/ORN) (P = 0.036), age (P = 0.044), height (P = 0.020), systolic pressure (P = 0.012), fasting blood glucose level (P = 0.032), and blood loss during operation (P = 0.011) were significant predictors for grade II complications in radical nephrectomy. LPN had similar complication rates compared with OPN. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, LRN had the advantages of less grade II complications and shorter postoperation hospital stay than ORN. Older age and more blood loss during operation would also contribute to more grade II complications in radical nephrectomy.

Visible-Light-Induced Alkoxypyridylation of Alkenes Using N-Alkoxypyridinium Salts as Bifunctional Reagents.

Considering the ubiquitous presence of pyridine moieties in pharmaceutical compounds, it holds immense value to develop practical and straightforward methodologies for accessing heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In recent years, N-alkoxypyridinium salts have emerged as convenient radical precursors, enabling the generation of the corresponding alkoxy radicals and pyridine through single-electron transfer. Herein, we present the first report on visible-light-mediated intermolecular alkoxypyridylation of alkenes employing N-alkoxylpyridinium salts as bifunctional reagents with an exceptionally low catalyst loading (0.5 mol %).

Identification of lignans as ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) inhibitors from the roots of Pouzolzia zeylanica.

A new lignan, named pouzolignan P (1), together with 14 known ones (2 - 15) were isolated from the roots of Pouzolzia zeylanica (L.) Benn. Their structures were deduced based on the detailed spectroscopic analysis. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory activities toward the ATP citrate lyase (ACLY). Among them, four lignans, isopouzolignan K (3), gnemontanins E (5), gnetuhainin I (6), and styraxlignolide D (15) showed excellent ACLY inhibitory effect with IC50 values of 9.06, 0.59, 2.63, and 7.62 µM, respectively. These compounds were further evaluated for their cholesterol-lowing effects on ox-LDL-induced high-cholesterol HepG2 cells. Compound 15 emerges as the most potent ACLY inhibitor, which significantly decreased the TC level in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, molecular docking simulations elucidated that 15 formed a strong hydrogen-bond interaction with Glu599 of ACLY, which was an important site responsible for the enzyme catalytic activity.

Novel small-molecule AMPK activator orally exerts beneficial effects on diabetic db/db mice.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is a pivotal guardian of whole-body energy metabolism, has become an attractive therapeutic target for metabolic syndrome. Previously, using a homogeneous scintillation proximity assay, we identified the small-molecule AMPK activator C24 from an optimization based on the original allosteric activator PT1. In this paper, the AMPK activation mechanism of C24 and its potential beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism on db/db mice were investigated. C24 allosterically stimulated inactive AMPK α subunit truncations and activated AMPK heterotrimers by antagonizing autoinhibition. In primary hepatocytes, C24 increased the phosphorylation of AMPK downstream target acetyl-CoA carboxylase dose-dependently without changing intracellular AMP/ATP ratio, indicating its allosteric activation in cells. Through activating AMPK, C24 decreased glucose output by down-regulating mRNA levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) in primary hepatocytes. C24 also decreased the triglyceride and cholesterol contents in HepG2 cells. Due to its improved bioavailability, chronic oral treatment with multiple doses of C24 significantly reduced blood glucose and lipid levels in plasma, and improved the glucose tolerance of diabetic db/db mice. The hepatic transcriptional levels of PEPCK and G6Pase were reduced. These results demonstrate that this orally effective activator of AMPK represents a novel approach to the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

Paraneoplastic hormones: parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and erythropoietin (EPO) are related to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

To investigate the correlation between parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), erythropoietin (EPO), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Immunohistochemical studies on PTHrP, EPO and VEGF were performed in 249 patients with ccRCC. Serum calcium level and haematocrit were analyzed. The expression of the factors and clinicopathological parameters were studied statistically for possible correlations. The incidence for hypercalcaemia and polycythaemia were 15.3% and 2.0% respectively. Expression of PTHrP, EPO, and VEGF were respectively related to advanced stage (P < 0.0001 respectively). PTHrP was not related to tumour grade. Expressions of EPO and VEGF were correlated to tumour grade significantly. All factors were expressed higher in hypercalcaemic patients. PTHrP, EPO, and VEGF were positively correlated with each other in non-hypercalcaemic patients yet not in hypercalcaemic ones. PTHrP and EPO are related to VEGF expression and to the progression of ccRCC. This finding offers us new insight on the behaviour of ccRCC and offers possible targets in RCC treatment.

Positive KI67 and periodic acid-schiff mandates wider range of excision in scrotal extramammary Paget's disease.

BACKGROUND: Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) of the scrotum is a rare disease that requires surgical excision. A positive margin is related to recurrence and poorer prognosis. We aimed to investigate the expression of Ki67 and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) in a biopsy sample and to evaluate their predictive value in true margin status. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with noninvasive scrotal EMPD were included. Immunohistochemical staining of Ki67 and PAS was reviewed and compared statistically with the margin status of intraoperative frozen section examination (FSE). RESULTS: Seventeen of 64 patients had a positive margin discovered at the first FSE. Expression of Ki67 was not significantly different between positive and negative margin status (p = .16). Expression of PAS was higher in samples with positive margins (p = .05). The incidence of positive margins was significantly higher in the double-positive group than in the double-negative group (p = .03). CONCLUSION: Positive expression of both factors in a biopsy sample requires wider excision to ensure negative margins.

Prostate-specific antigen kinetics under androgen deprivation therapy and prostate cancer prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the difference in characteristics of post-treatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics among respective patients and their influence on disease prognosis. METHODS: A cohort of totally 332 eligible patients with histologically confirmed and hormonally naïve prostate cancer, identified from the patients' database of Huashan Hospital, all received combined androgen deprivation therapy including bilateral orchiectomy or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonists with the oral administration of flutamide 250 mg t.i.d. All patients had their serum PSA level tested at least every 3 months in the first 2 years and at least once a half year from the third year on. PSA nadir, time to PSA nadir (TTPN), PSA normalization (<4 ng/ml), undetectable PSA level (<0.2 ng/ml), biochemical failure, overall survival and cancer-specific survival were analyzed. RESULTS: PSA normalization, TTPN, and reaching the undetectable PSA level perhaps were the independent risk factors for predicting the three types of prognosis. Probably the best cut-off of PSA nadir was 0.2 ng/ml (sensitivity 65.7%, specificity 80.6%) and the best cut-off of TTPN was 10 months (sensitivity 71.6%, specificity 63.9%). CONCLUSIONS: These results implied that a lower level of PSA nadir and longer TTPN can predict a better disease prognosis.

Med19 promotes bone metastasis and invasiveness of bladder urothelial carcinoma via bone morphogenetic protein 2.

Bladder cancer (BCa) remained a major health problem. Med19 was related to tumor growth of BCa. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were reported to be critical in bone metastasis of cancer. We therefore investigated the relations between Med19 and BMPs in BCa and their effect on bone metastasis of BCa. Bladder cancer cell lines were cultured and interfered with Med19 shRNA and control. Expressions of BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-6, BMP-7, BMP-9, and BMP-15 were studied between 2 groups. Fifty-two BCa samples were included for immunohistochemical staining of Med19 and BMP-2. Expressions were scored and studied statistically. Invasiveness was studied with Transwell assay. Silencing or Med19 in BCa cells induced altered expressions of BMPs. Increased expressions of BMP-1, BMP-4, BMP-6, BMP-7, and BMP-15 and decreased expressions of BMP-2, BMP-5, and BMP-9 were noticed, but only BMP-2 reached statistical significance. Expressions of Med19 and BMP-2 were significantly higher in cases with bone metastasis and were positively correlated in cases with bone metastasis and muscle invasion. Med19 is a critical factor involved in the invasiveness and promotion of bone metastasis of BCa, possibly via BMP-2.

In Situ Preparation of High-Performance Silicon-Based Integrated Electrodes Using Cross-Linked Cyclodextrins.

The strategy of material modification for improving the stability of silicon electrodes is laborious and costly, while the conventional binders cannot withstand the repeated massive volume variability of silicon-based materials. Hence, there is a demand to settle the silicon-based materials' problems with green and straightforward solutions. This paper presents a high-performance silicon anode with a binder obtained by in situ thermal cross-linking of citric acid (CA) and ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) during the electrode preparation process. The Si electrode with a binder synthesized by the one-pot method shows excellent cycling performance. It maintains a specific capacity of 1696 mAh·g-1 after 200 cycles at a high current of 0.5 C. Furthermore, the carbonylation of ß-CD to carbonyl-ß-CD (c-ß-CD) introduced better water solubility, and the c-ß-CD can generate multidimensional connections with CA and Si, which significantly enhances the specific capacity to 1941 mAh·g-1 at 0.5 C. The results demonstrate that the prepared integrated electrode facilitates the formation of a stable and controllable solid electrolyte interface layer of Si and accommodates Si's repeated giant volume variations.

Is there an association between advanced stage of renal cell carcinoma and paraneoplastic syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate any association between renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The retrospective analysis included 1,028 patients of Chinese Han nationality with resectable RCC and PNS. The PNS included elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hypertension, cachexia, anemia, pyrexia, abnormal liver function, hypercalcemia, polycythemia, varicocele and neuromyopathy. Staging was categorized as local (T1-2N0M0) and locally advanced (T3-4NxM0). RESULTS: Among patients with at least one PNS, elevated ESR (p = 0.008), cachexia (p = 0.000), varicocele (p = 0.000) and pyrexia (p = 0.021) were related to advanced stage of RCC. Among patients with only one PNS, hypertension (p = 0.012) and hypercalcemia (p = 0.000) were related to advanced stage. The remaining PNS were not associated with tumor stage. CONCLUSION: Pyrexia, elevated ESR, cachexia and varicocele were related to advanced RCC. Hypertension and hypercalcemia occurring as single PNS, although also correlated with advanced stage, require further investigation.