Retraction Note: BNIP1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promotes apoptosis by mTOR in cervical cancer cells.

The article "BNIP1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promotes apoptosis by mTOR in cervical cancer cells", by F.-H. Li, L. Xiang, L. Ran, S. Zhou, Z. Huang, M. Chen, W.-F. Yu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (4): 1397-1407-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201902_17096-PMID: 30840260 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief for the following reasons. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer regarding a possible overlap in Figure 2A, the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. The journal investigation revealed a duplication in Figure 2A between BNIP1 panels, migration and invasion, respectively and in Control and invasion panels. Consequently, the Editor in Chief mistrusts the results presented and has decided to withdraw the article. The authors have been informed about the journal's investigation but remained unresponsive. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/17096 This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

[Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm accelerated/blast phase].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm-accelerated phase/blast phase (MPN-AP/BP) . Methods: A total of 67 patients with MPN-AP/BP were enrolled from February 2014 to December 2021 at the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Their clinical features and prognostic factors were analyzed retrospectively. Results: ① Sixty-seven patients with MPN-AP/BP with a median age of 60 (range, 33-75) years, including 31 males (46.3% ) and 36 females (53.7% ) , were analyzed. Forty-eight patients progressed from primary myelofibrosis (PMF) , and 19 progressed from other myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) , which included polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and MPN unclassifiable. Patients who progressed from PMF had higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels than those who progressed from other MPNs (925.95 vs. 576.2 U/L, P=0.011) , and there were higher proportions of patients who progressed from PMF with splenomegaly (81.4% vs. 57.9% , P=0.05) , a myelofibrosis grade of ≥2 (93.6% vs. 63.2% , P=0.004) , and a shorter duration from diagnosis to the transformation to AP/BP (28.7 vs. 81 months, P=0.001) . ② JAK2V617F, CALR, and MPLW515 were detected in 41 (61.2% ) , 13 (19.4% ) , and 3 (4.5% ) patients, respectively, whereas 10 (14.9% ) patients did not have any driver mutations (triple-negative) . Other than driver mutations, the most frequently mutated genes were ASXL1 (42.2% , n=27) , SRSF2 (25% , n=16) , SETBP1 (22.6% , n=15) , TET2 (20.3% , n=13) , RUNX1 (20.3% , n=13) , and TP53 (17.2% , n=11) . The ASXL1 mutation was more enriched (51.1% vs. 21.1% , P=0.03) , and the median variant allele fraction (VAF) of the SRSF2 mutation (median VAF, 48.8% vs. 39.6% ; P=0.008) was higher in patients who progressed from PMF than those who progressed from other MPNs. ③ In the multivariate analysis, the complex karyotype (hazard ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-6.05; P=0.036) was independently associated with worse overall survival (OS) . Patients who received allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) (median OS, 21.3 vs. 3 months; P=0.05) or acute myeloid leukemia-like (AML-like) therapy (median OS, 13 vs. 3 months; P=0.011) had significantly better OS than those who received supportive therapy. Conclusion: The proportions of patients with PMF-AP/BP with splenomegaly, myelofibrosis grade ≥2, a higher LDH level, and a shorter duration from diagnosis to the transformation to AP/BP were higher than those of patients with other Philadelphia-negative MPN-AP/BP. The complex karyotype was an independent prognostic factor for OS. Compared with supportive therapy, AML-like therapy and allo-HSCT could prolong the OS of patients with MPN-AP/BP.

microRNA-23B inhibits non-small cell lung cancer proliferation, invasion and migration via downregulation of RUNX2 and inhibition of Wnt/Β-catenin signaling pathway.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of all lung cancer cases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) have been reported to play significant roles in the progression of human tumors, however, the expression and biological role of miR-23b in NSCLC remains elusive. Underexpression of miR-23b was detected in NSCLC tissues in comparison with the matched para-carcinoma tissues. The clinical value of miR-23b was analyzed, and the findings showed that miR-23b expression was negatively correlated with poor overall survival and malignant clinicopathologic characteristics of NSCLC patients. Furthermore, functional assays demonstrated that overexpression of miR-23b inhibited NSCLC cell viability, invasion and migration. Luciferase reporter assay and qRT-PCR revealed that RUNX2 was a functional target of miR-23b. The elevated expression of RUNX2 was positively correlated with overall survival of NSCLC patients. Additionally, Western blot analysis indicated that EMT and Wnt/ß-catenin pathways were blocked by the upregulation of miR-23b. Taken together, these data demonstrated that dysregulation of miR-23b/RUNX2 signal may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of NSCLC.

MiR-20a promotes lung tumorigenesis by targeting RUNX3 via TGF-ß signaling pathway.

MiR-20a shows a significant role in the development of various human tumors. However, its specific biological function in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still not clear. qRT-PCR was applied for detecting miR-20a expression. The analysis of cell growth and apoptosis were performed by MTT, xenograft models, Western blot assays. Dual luciferase reporter, Western blotting and qRT-PCR were carried out to verify the potential target of miR-20a. In NSCLC tissues and cells, miR-20a was highly expressed and RUNX3 was lowly expressed. Moreover, up-regulation of miR-20a expression promoted NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, while low-expression of miR-20a showed the converse case on cell proliferation, invasion and migration. RUNX3 was verified as the direct target of miR-20a and it could overturn its biological function in NSCLC cells. Moreover, miR-20a negatively regulated RUNX3 expression. Mechanistically, increasing miR-20a expression inhibited RUNX3 expression and then activated the TGF-ß signaling pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrated that re-expression of miR-20a promoted lung tumorigenesis by down-regulation of RUNX3 and facilitating the activation of TGF-ß signaling pathway.

[Comparison of radiological and clinicopathological features of craniofacial fibro-osseous lesions].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological and radiological features of benign fibro-osseous lesion (BFOL). Methods: Sixty-five cases of craniofacial BFOL, eight cases of peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) and one case of low-grade central osteosarcoma diagnosed at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital between January 2010 and March 2019 were collected. The clinicopathologic features, hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and radiographic features were analyzed. MDM2 gene amplification was detected by FISH in difficult borderline cases. Results: This cohort of BFOLs included 50 cases of fibrous dysplasia (FD), 12 cases of ossifying fibroma (OF), and three cases of juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma (JPOF). The average ages of patients with FD,OF and JPOF were 31.7, 39.2 and 26.0 years respectively. The male to female ratio was 1.0∶1.8.The average age of POF was 47.0 years, with male to female ratio of 1∶7. Patient of low-grade central osteosarcoma was a 48-year-old man. Twenty-seven cases of FD were located in the jaw, and 23 cases were in other craniofacial bones. Nine cases of OF were located in the jaw, and three cases were in the nasal cavity. Two cases of JPOF were in the nasal sinus, and one was in the jaw. All POF were located in the gingiva, and low-grade central osteosarcoma was located in the mandible. The imaging features of FD were luffa-like or ground-glass like signal shadows with poorly defined borders with expansion. OF had clear borders or sclerosing margins. Both JOF and low-grade central osteosarcoma were expansile intraosseously and with focally invasive nodular masses with ground-glass like signal shadows; and POF showed soft tissue mass with bone formation. Histological features of BFOLs showed mixed fibrous and irregular osteoid lesions. FD had no clear relationship with the host bone and no osteoblasts surrounded the bone trabeculae. Osteoblasts rimming was found in OF, and the boundaries of the host bone were clear. JPOF and low-grade central osteosarcoma infiltrated the host bone focally, and the latter showed mild cellular atypia. MDM2 amplification was detected in low-grade central osteosarcoma. Conclusions: BFOLs are a group of fibro-osseous lesions with similar morphology in the head and neck and face, but their clinical features and prognosis are different; and their imaging and histological characteristics are also slightly different. Attentions should be given to the combination of clinical, imaging and pathologic features of BFOLs, especially the differential diagnosis between BFOLs and low-grade central osteosarcoma. Molecular detection could be used to assist the diagnosis in difficult cases.

PCAT1 promotes the proliferative and migratory potentials of ovarian cancer via targeting NEK2.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify the potential role of PCAT1 in the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer (OC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression levels of PCAT1 and NEK2 in OC tissues and cell lines were detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Correlation between PCAT1 expression with tumor stage and prognosis of OC patients was analyzed. Knockdown or over-expression of PCAT1 and NEK2 were achieved by siRNA or lentivirus transfection, respectively. Subsequently, cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle progression and migration were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry and transwell assay, respectively. Furthermore, the protein levels of relative genes in Wnt pathway were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: PCAT1 was highly expressed in OC tissues and cell lines, especially in tumor tissues with stage III-IV compared with stage I-II. The prognosis of OC patients with higher expression of PCAT1 was significantly worse than those with lower expression. In vitro experiments confirmed that PCAT1 knockdown obviously inhibited proliferative and migratory potentials, whereas induced apoptosis of OC cells. No significant changes were observed in cell cycle progression of OC cells after knockdown or overexpression of PCAT1. Meanwhile, overexpression of PCAT1 remarkably upregulated the expression level of NEK2, which was the target gene of PCAT1. Interestingly, NEK2 knockdown could obviously suppress cell migration. Furthermore, Western blot results elucidated that PCAT1 knockdown could inhibit the protein levels of relative genes in Wnt pathway in OC cells. CONCLUSIONS: PCAT1 was highly expressed in OC tissues than adjacent normal tissues. PCAT1 overexpression significantly promoted proliferative and migratory potentials, whereas inhibited apoptosis of OC cells through upregulating NEK2 expression via Wnt pathway.

[Clinical efficacy of catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with endovascular interventions for acute lower limb ischemia].

Objective: To explore the risk factors and treatment of acute lower limb ischemia with catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with endovascular interventions. Methods: Totally 191 patients (191 lower limbs) with acute lower limb ischemia in department of vascular surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2012 to June 2017 who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with endovascular interventions were collected. According to imaging findings and clinical characteristics, the patients were divided into acute arterial embolism group (n=36) and acute arterial thrombosis group (n=155). The treatment effect, long-term follow-up and the risk factors closely related to primary patency were analyzed. Results: Among the 191 patients, the immediate success rate of surgery was 100%, the amputation rate within 30 days was 8.4% (16/191), and the mortality rate within 30 days was 2.6% (5/191). The mean follow-up was 31.0 (1.0-60.0) months. The 1-year overall survival rate was 92.1% and the 5-year was 79.5%. The primary patency rate was 74.3% within 1 year and 61.5% within 5 years. Primary vascular patency rate within 1 year and 5 years was mainly affected by occlusion segment (OR=3.5, 2.9, P<0.05), outflow tract (OR=3.2, 2.8, P<0.05) and ischemia degree (OR=3.4, 3.6, P<0.05). Conclusion: Catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with endovascular interventions for acute lower limb ischemia is a safe and effective method. Risk factors for primary patency at 1 and 5 years are occlusion segment, outflow tract and ischemia degree.

Correlation between endometrial receptivity with expressions of IL-1 and VEGF in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between endometrial receptivity with expressions of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) 21 days old were randomly divided into control group (n=12) and PCOS group (n=12). Rats in the control group were normally raised, and PCOS model was established in rats of the PCOS group. All the rats were sacrificed when they grew to 80 days old. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expressions of IL-1 and VEGF. Western blotting was performed to measure the relative expressions of IL-1 and VEGF proteins. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) was utilized to determine the relative messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions of IL-1 and VEGF. Data related to endometrial receptivity were detected. RESULTS: The expression levels of IL-1 and VEGF in the PCOS group declined markedly compared with those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). PCOS group had notably lower protein expressions of IL-1 and VEGF than the control group, with statistically significant differences (p<0.05). The mRNA expressions of IL-1 and VEGF in PCOS group were significantly lower than those in the control group, displaying statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Compared with that in the control group, the endometrial receptivity of rats in the PCOS group was reduced evidently, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Both IL-1 and VEGF had positive correlations with the endometrial receptivity. CONCLUSIONS: Both IL-1 and VEGF are positively correlated with the endometrial receptivity in the case of PCOS, which can serve as therapeutic targets for PCOS and improve endometrial receptivity in the future.

BNIP1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promotes apoptosis by mTOR in cervical cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: BNIP1, a member of the BH3-only protein family, plays essential roles in a variety of biological processes. However, the mechanism and function of BNIP1 are still unknown in cervical cancer. We aim to explore the roles of BNIP1 on cervical cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion abilities by mTOR signaling pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: qRT-PCR and Western blot assays were performed to assess BNIP, mTOR, and p70S6K1 expressions. CCK-8, transwell and flow cytometry assays were used to measure the representative proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis abilities. RESULTS: Our findings indicated that BNIP1 is down-expressed in cervical cancer tissues and cells, and was negatively associated with lymphatic metastasis. Overexpression of BNIP1 suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. Silence of BNIP1 by siRNAs accelerated proliferation, migration and invasion, and inhibited apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. In addition, we found that BNIP1 significantly inhibited mTOR, p70S6K1, and p-p70S6K1 expressions; BNIP1 affected the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion abilities of cervical cancer cells by regulating mTOR expression. CONCLUSIONS: BNIP1 can be considered a marker for cervical carcinoma therapy.

Dietary butylated hydroxytoluene improves lipid metabolism, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic response of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

A 10-week growth trail was conducted to investigate the efficacy and tolerance of dietary butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) by evaluating inflammation, apoptosis and hepatic disease related to oxidative stress in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Four experimental diets were prepared with BHT supplement levels of 0 (B0), 150 (B150), 300 (B300) and 1500 (B1500) mg/kg, in which B150 was at the maximum recommended level established by European Union Regulation, and the B300 and B1500 levels were 2 and 10-fold of B150, respectively. Each diet was fed to 6 replicates with 30 largemouth bass (initial body weight, IBW = 6.20 ± 0.01 g) in each tank. The BHT inclusion level did not affect the specific growth rate, but fish in the B150 group showed the lowest feed conversion rate (P < 0.05). BHT inclusion significantly decreased the levels of plasma TC, TG, LDL, ALT and AKP, and increased the (HDL-C)/TC ratio (P < 0.05). Plasma MDA was significantly decreased in the B150 group and GSH-Px was extremely enhanced in each BHT inclusion group (P < 0.05). Hepatic T-AOC was significantly enhanced and O2- was significantly decreased in each BHT inclusion group compared to the B0 group (P < 0.05), as well as hepatic MDA was significantly decreased in B1500 group (P < 0.05). Dietary BHT inclusion down-regulated the hepatic mRNA levels of inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis related genes, including TNFα, TGF-ß1, α-SMA, IL8, IL11ß and caspase-9. Moreover, BHT could improve hepatic lipid metabolism via up-regulating the mRNA levels of APOA1, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and down-regulating the mRNA levels of PPAR-γ and APOB. Histological examination of the liver morphology with H&E and Sirius Red staining showed that BHT inclusion decreased necrotic degenerative changes and collagen deposition in largemouth bass. An immunofluorescence examination revealed significantly decreased cleaved caspase-3 signals in the BHT groups. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that ROS induces hepatic cell apoptosis and fibrosis via the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis by activating caspase-9 in the mitochondria and then initiates apoptosis by activating caspase-3. Consuming 2.32-23.80 mg/kg·bw/d (150-1500 mg/kg in diet) of BHT effectively improved the plasma and hepatic lipid metabolism, antioxidant response as well as reduced ROS production, protecting hepatic cells from injury. It is implied that even a 10-fold increase of the maximum level of BHT (150 mg/kg) is safe for the largemouth bass.

Tangeretin has anti-asthmatic effects via regulating PI3K and Notch signaling and modulating Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine balance in neonatal asthmatic mice.

Asthma is a chronic allergic disease characterized by airway inflammation, airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), and mucus hypersecretion. T-lymphocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma, mediating airway inflammatory reactions by secreting cytokines. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Notch signaling pathways are associated with T cell signaling, proliferation, and differentiation, and are important in the progression of asthma. Thus, compounds that can modulate T cell proliferation and function may be of clinical value. Here, we assessed the effects of tangeretin, a plant-derived flavonoid, in experimental asthma. BALB/c mice at postnatal day (P) 12 were challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Separate groups of mice (n=18/group) were administered tangeretin at 25 or 50 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage. Dexamethasone was used as a positive control. Tangeretin treatment reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and also restored the normal histology of lung tissues. OVA-specific IgE levels in serum and BALF were reduced. AHR, as determined by airway resistance and lung compliance, was normalized. Flow cytometry analyses revealed a reduced Th17 cell population. Tangeretin reduced the levels of Th2 and Th17 cytokines and raised IFN-γ levels. PI3K signaling was inhibited. The expressions of the Notch 1 receptor and its ligands Jagged 1 and 2 were downregulated by tangeretin. Our findings support the possible use of tangeretin for treating allergic asthma.

Risk Factors Associated with Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism of Catheter Directed Thrombolysis for Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the risk factors associated with symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the lower limbs treated by catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) without inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) placement. METHODS: A total 266 patients with acute/subacute ilio-femoral, ilio-femoropopliteal, and femoropopliteal thrombosis confirmed by computed tomography venography or ultrasound Doppler were studied. All patients were treated with CDT. CTPA (computed tomography pulmonary angiography) examination was performed in all patients before thrombolysis. Patients with clinically suspected symptomatic PE were confirmed by repeated CTPA after treatment. The major outcome of this study was the occurrence of symptomatic PE events during CDT. RESULTS: During CDT, the incidence of symptomatic PE events was 4.9% (13/266). Patients with silent PE had a higher risk of developing symptomatic PE (10/110, 9.1%) than those who had no prior PE (3/156, 1.9%); multivariate analysis confirmed this difference (OR 4.018, 95% CI 1.048-15.402). It was also found that patients with previous heart disease had a higher risk of developing symptomatic PE (11/90, 12.2%) than those with no prior heart disease (2/176, 1.1%). Multivariate analysis confirmed that previous heart disease increased the risk of developing symptomatic PE (OR 10.407, 95% CI 2.228-48.617). One patient who suffered from heart failure and silent PE before CDT died of symptomatic PE (1/13, 7.7%). CONCLUSION: The risk of developing symptomatic PE is most markedly increased in patients with previous silent PE and heart disease. Selective rather than routine IVCF placement is an appropriate approach.

Adrenomedullin and adrenotensin regulate collagen synthesis and proliferation in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells

To understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation and extracellular-matrix accumulation in the development of pulmonary hypertension and remodeling, this study determined the effects of different doses of adrenomedullin (ADM) and adrenotensin (ADT) on PASMC proliferation and collagen synthesis. The objective was to investigate whether extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) signaling was involved in ADM- and ADT-stimulated proliferation of PASMCs in 4-week-old male Wistar rats (body weight: 100-150 g, n=10). The proliferation of PASMCs was examined by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation. A cell growth curve was generated by the Cell Counting Kit-8 method. Expression of collagen I, collagen III, and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) was evaluated by immunofluorescence. The effects of different concentrations of ADM and ADT on collagen I, collagen III, and p-ERK1/2 protein expression were determined by immunoblotting. We also investigated the effect of PD98059 inhibition on the expression of p-ERK1/2 protein by immunoblotting. ADM dose-dependently decreased cell proliferation, whereas ADT dose-dependently increased it; and ADM and ADT inhibited each other with respect to their effects on the proliferation of PASMCs. Consistent with these results, the expression of collagen I, collagen III, and p-ERK1/2 in rat PASMCs decreased after exposure to ADM but was upregulated after exposure to ADT. PD98059 significantly inhibited the downregulation by ADM and the upregulation by ADT of p-ERK1/2 expression. We conclude that ADM inhibited, and ADT stimulated, ERK1/2 signaling in rat PASMCs to regulate cell proliferation and collagen expression.

Hsp72 expression enhances survival in adenosine triphosphate-depleted renal epithelial cells.

Although prior heat stress (HS) inhibits apoptosis in adenosine phosphate (ATP)-depleted renal epithelial cells (REC), the specific stress protein(s) responsible for cytoprotection have not been identified. The present study evaluated the hypothesis that Hsp72, the major inducible member of the Hsp70 family, protects REC against ATP depletion injury. In the presence of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG), a stable line of transfected opossum kidney cells was induced to overexpress human Hsp72 tagged with the flag epitope. Transfected cells from 2 clones that expressed Hsp72 at a level comparable with wild-type cells were subjected to transient heat stress (43 degrees C for 1 hour). To assess the cytoprotective effect of Hsp72, transfected cells were subjected to transient ATP depletion followed by recovery in the presence vs the absence of IPTG. ATP depletion resulted in nuclear chromatin condensation without cell membrane injury (ie, minimal leak of lactate dehydrogenase) and activation of caspase-3, confirming that apoptosis is the major cause of cell death. In both clones cell survival 1-3 days after ATP depletion was significantly improved in the presence of IPTG. Selective overexpression of Hsp72 reproduced nearly 60% of the protective effect on the survival afforded by prior heat stress. In transfected cells subjected to ATP depletion, Hsp72 overexpression significantly inhibited caspase activation. In native renal cells brief ATP depletion markedly induced the expression of native Hsp72, a finding identical to that observed after renal ischemia in vivo. These studies are the first to directly show that Hsp72 per se mediates acquired resistance to ischemic injury in REC.

Dietary exposure to nitrite and nitrosamines and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Taiwan.

Previous studies of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have found elevated risks with higher consumption of salted fish and preserved foods, particularly during childhood. These foods can contain high levels of nitrosamines; however, most studies have not estimated exposure to nitrosamines directly. We conducted a case-control study in Taiwan to evaluate dietary intakes and NPC risk. A total of 375 cases (99% response rate) and 327 controls (88% response rate) were interviewed about their diet as an adult and at age 10 using a food-frequency questionnaire. We interviewed mothers of participants about their child's diet at age 10, age 3 and during weaning and the mother's diet while she was breast-feeding. Mothers of 96 cases and 120 controls were interviewed. Nitrosamine and nitrite levels were assigned to 66 foods based on published values. Intake of nitrosamines and nitrite as an adult was not associated with risk of NPC. High intakes of nitrosamines and nitrite during childhood and weaning were associated with increased risks of NPC for foods other than soy products. Adjusted odds ratios for the highest quartile were 2.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8-5.6] for age 10, 2.6 (95% CI 1.0-7.0) for age 3 and 3.9 (95% CI 1.4-10.4) for weaning diet. Intakes of nitrite and nitrosamines from soybean products during childhood and weaning were inversely associated with risk. Soybeans contain known inhibitors of nitrosation, and thus may explain the inverse association we observed. Our results suggest that nitrosamine and nitrite intake during childhood may play a role in the development of NPC.

Establishment and application of SPA-co-operated ELISA for detection of anti-HCV-IgM.

A staphylococcus aureus protein A co-operated ELISA (SPA-ELISA) for the detection of anti-HCV-IgM has been established using HCV antigenic polypeptide, SPA-bearing germs and horseradish peroxidase labelled anti-human IgM. The specificity of SPA-ELISA has been confirmed by some substitution tests, blocking tests and destroying test with 2-mercaptoethanol. The results showed that the rate of anti-HCV-IgG in a group of patients with acute hepatitis and there were significant difference in anti-HCV-IgM was higher than that of anti-HCV-IgM detected rates between patients with acute hepatitis and those with chronic hepatitis (32.26%, P < 0.01). On the other hand, the positive rates of anti-HCV-IgM were 53.66% and 63.41% in transfusion associated hepatitis, 38.10% and 42.86% in sporadic hepatitis, 6.11% and 16.33% in people who have had active social activities, 40.00% and 10.00% in a group of blood donors respectively. Furthermore, taking into account the characteristics of HCV polypeptide used, its easiness of manipulation, and elimination of the interference of anti-HCV-IgG in sera, the new SPA-ELISA is believed to be of practical value in clinical and epidemiological studies of hepatitis C.

Analysis of antigenic polypeptides of Dane particles and antibody response ability of HBV infected subjects to PreS1 polypeptides.

We demonstrated the constitutive polypeptides (PP) of Dane particles employing Western Blot and investigated the antibody response ability of HBV infected subjects to PreS1 PP in comparison with other serum markers from HBV infected individuals. The results indicated that 1) the major reason for discrepant results may be related to the detergents used in the sample solutions and the degree of denaturation the samples had undergone; 2) there are 12 bands in the PAGE-graph of Dane particles. By Western Blot it was confirmed that 5 PP (P24, P27, P36, P39, P42) are derived from S-open reading frame (S-ORF), P21 is associated with C-ORF, P24-25 possesses some epitopes of Pol protein, and P45 and P76 express similar epitopes to human IgG and IgM; and 3) the prevalence of anti-PreS1 PP was 17.24% in the group of healthy persons following latent HBV infection, much higher than that of HBV infected patients (1.21%). The above findings imply that antibody response ability of the host to PreS1 PP is attributing to the outcome of HBV infection. It may play an important role in the elimination of the virus.

A study of the binding ability of pre-S1 and S2 proteins of hepatitis B virus to human serum albumin.

To assess the relationship between pre-S proteins of HBV and polymerized human serum albumin (PHSA), a labeled avidin biotin ELISA was used to detect pre-S1, S2 and PHSA receptor (PHSAR) activity. PHSAR activity was only present in the samples positive for pre-S1 and/or S2, but not in the samples positive only for HBsAg. Pre-S1, S2 and PHSAR could in some degree be blocked by preincubating serum with PHSA, and the blocking efficiency of PHSA with respect to pre-S2 and PHSAR was similar, suggesting that pre-S2 is the dominant site for binding PHSA in vitro. We also found that PHSAR activity was detectable in 2 cases positive only for pre-S1, but not pre-S2. Furthermore, PHSA could selectively block pre-S1 and PHSAR activity in 2 cases negative for pre-S2, revealing that pre-S1 also possesses binding ability to PHSA, at least in a small number of cases. Using sandwich ELISA, we demonstrated the existence of complexes of HBV envelope proteins and human serum albumin (HSA) in some HBV infected serum samples. The possible significance of these complexes is discussed.

[Barrett's esophagus: a report of 4 cases].

Barrett's esophagus is a complication of gastroesophageal reflux. Radiological findings included gastroesophageal reflux and oesophagitis. It is an important precancerous disorder in the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The authors reported 4 cases confirmed by endoscopy and pathology.