Analysis of PIK3CA Mutation Concordance and Frequency in Primary and Different Distant Metastatic Sites in Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the concordance rate of PIK3CA mutations between primary and matched distant metastatic sites in patients with breast cancer and to verify whether there are differences in the frequency of PIK3CA hotspot mutations depending on the metastatic sites involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens of primary breast and matched distant metastatic tumors were retrospectively obtained for 49 patients. Additionally, 40 archived FFPE specimens were independently collected from different breast cancer metastatic sites, which were limited to three common sites: the liver, brain, and lung. PIK3CA mutations were analyzed using droplet digital PCR, including hotspots involving exons 9 and 20. RESULTS: After analysis of 49 breast tumors with matched metastasis sites, 87.8% showed concordance in PIK3CA mutation status. According to PIK3CA hotspot mutation testing in 89 cases of breast cancer metastatic sites, the proportion of PIK3CA mutations at sites of metastasis involving the liver, brain, and lung was 37.5%, 28.6%, and 42.9%, respectively, which did not result in statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The high concordance of PIK3CA mutation status between primary and matched metastasis sites suggests that metastatic sites, regardless of the metastatic organ, could be considered sample sources for PIK3CA mutation testing for improved therapeutic strategies in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Effect of preparation method of noble metal supported catalyts on formaldehyde oxidation at room temperature: Gas or liquid phase reduction.

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is toxic to the human body and is one of the main threats to the indoor air quality (IAQ). As such, the removal of HCHO is imperative to improving the IAQ, whereby the most useful method to effectively remove HCHO at room temperature is catalytic oxidation. This review discusses catalysts for HCHO room-temperature oxidation, which are categorized according to their preparation methods, i.e., gas-phase reduction and liquid-phase reduction methods. The HCHO oxidation performances, structural features, and reaction mechanisms of the different catalysts are discussed, and directions for future research on catalytic oxidation are reviewed.

A Complex of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) Matisum. and Thymus vulgaris L. Improves Menopausal Symptoms and Supports Healthy Aging in Women.

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of MS-10® for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in 71 premenopausal women for 4 and 12 weeks. A total of 12 individual menopausal symptom scores were assessed using the Kupperman index. MS-10 treatment effectively improved the symptoms by ∼48%. In addition, the quality of life of the women improved by 36% from four perspectives: vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual symptoms as evaluated using the menopause-specific quality of life (MenQoL) questionnaire. Our results show that MS-10 improves insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and estrogen utilization through receptor activation, which are thought to have causative therapeutic effects on menopause and aging inhibition in women. Improvement of Enthotheline-1 (ET-1) in the blood after MS-10 intake led to an improvement in menopausal vascular symptoms. Improvements in bone formation and absorption markers such as osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSALP), C-telopeptides of type I collagen (CTx), deoxypyridinoline (deoxyPYD), and N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx) in blood or urine indicate that MS-10 fundamentally improves bone health in women. By confirming the improvement of the psychological well-being index based on the improvement of stress hormone cortisol, MS-10 can solve causative psychological and physical stress-related symptoms. Moreover, various safety tests, such as those for female hormones, were confirmed. Therefore, it can be confirmed that MS-10 is a natural pharmaconutraceutical that causatively and safely improves health of women and aids in antiaging processes.

YES-10 Improves Stress, Tension, and Fatigue by Reducing Cortisol and IL-6 Levels.

The extract of Clematis mandshurica Rupr. (CMR) inhibits the production of proinflammatory mediators from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peritoneal macrophages and concanavalin A-stimulated splenocytes. Erigeron annuus Pers. (EAP) extract suppresses the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from preadipocytes. Furthermore, the mixture of the leaf extracts of CMR and EAP, YES-10®, protected against nerve injuries induced by ischemia/reperfusion, suggesting a ROS-scavenging action. These observations show the anti-inflammatory action of YES-10. Inflammatory cytokines can cause alterations in mental function, including depression, by influencing the neurotransmitter system. Thus, it was hypothesized that YES-10 could improve mental health, such as depression, anxiety, and sense of well-being. Seventy-two subjects were recruited and randomly divided into YES-10 or placebo groups (n = 36 per group). Each group was daily administered two capsules orally, containing 200 mg of YES-10 or placebo, for 4 weeks in a double-blinded manner and tested for levels of depression, anxiety, well-being, and mental fitness using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Psychosocial Well-being Index (PWI), and Mental Fitness Scale (MFS). In addition, the levels of cortisol (a stress hormone), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (an inflammatory cytokine), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG; a marker of oxidative stress) in the serum were measured. The BDI, BAI, PWI, and MFS scores decreased significantly, and the serum levels of cortisol, IL-6, and 8-OHdG were lowered significantly (P < .05), suggesting that YES-10 has the ability to improve mental health by relieving stress and by decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Pinus thunbergii bark extract rich in flavonoids promotes hair growth in dorsal skin by regulating inflammatory cytokines and increasing growth factors in mice.

Korean maritime pine bark (Pinus thunbergii) has been used as an alternative medicine due to its beneficial properties, including anti­inflammatory effects. To date, the anti­inflammatory and hair growth­promoting effects of Pinus densiflora bark extract have remained elusive. Therefore, in the present study, Pinus thunbergii bark was extracted with pure water (100˚C) and the extract was examined to determine its polyphenol and flavonoid content. C57BL/6 mice were used to assess the effects of the extract to promote hair growth. The extract (1, 2 and 4%) was topically applied onto shaved dorsal skin and hair growth was observed for 17 days. A significant increase in hair growth was observed with 2 and 4% extract. Based on this finding, the optimal dose of the extract for effective hair growth promotion was determined to be 2%. The mechanisms of hair growth promotion were investigated via immunohistochemical analysis of changes in inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in the hair follicles following treatment with 2% extract. The treatment reduced the levels of TNF­α and IL­1ß, which are pro­inflammatory cytokines, while it enhanced the levels of IL­4 and IL­13, which are anti­inflammatory cytokines, in the hair follicles. In addition, elevated insulin­like growth factor I and vascular epidermal growth factor were detected in hair follicles following treatment. Based on these findings, it was suggested that the extract of Pinus thunbergii bark may be utilized for hair loss prevention and/or hair growth promotion.

Effect of cutting time and cooking temperature on physicochemical properties of chicken breast meat emulsion sausage with olive oil.

This study aimed to optimize the emulsification of olive oil in chicken sausage production at varying cutting times (30, 45, and 60 s) and cooking temperatures (63, 73, and 83°C). Pork backfat sausages were prepared as controls, using the same variables. The quality attributes of the sausages were analyzed, and the distribution of lipid droplets was identified using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The combinations of cutting time and cooking temperature in olive oil sausages showed different emulsifying characteristics. Meat emulsion with olive oil at a cutting time of 60 s and cooking temperature of 73°C showed the highest emulsion stability with lowest water and lipid loss (2.49%, P < 0.05). The pH values were lower for olive oil samples than for the controls (5.9 vs. 6.2, P < 0.05). Cutting time of 60 s and cooking temperature of 73°C generated higher hardness, gumminess, and chewiness in olive oil sausages (P < 0.05). The replacement of pork backfat with olive oil resulted in a higher b*, C*, and h values, as well as lower lipid oxidation (P < 0.05). In addition, microstructural images exhibited a finer distribution of lipid droplets in olive oil sausages with a cutting time of 60 s. In conclusion, chicken sausage at a cooking temperature of 73°C and cutting time of 60 s was optimal for producing sausages with olive oil. Given the condition, the sausages produced from olive oil had better emulsion and oxidative stability than sausages produced from pork backfat.

NTRK oncogenic fusions are exclusively associated with the serrated neoplasia pathway in the colorectum and begin to occur in sessile serrated lesions.

Neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions are emerging tissue-agnostic drug targets in malignancies including colorectal carcinomas (CRCs), but their detailed landscape in the context of various colorectal carcinogenesis pathways remains to be investigated. In this study, pan-tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in retrospectively collected colorectal epithelial tumor tissues, including 441 CRCs [133 microsatellite instability-high (MSI-high) and 308 microsatellite stable (MSS)] and 595 premalignant colorectal lesions (330 serrated lesions and 265 conventional adenomas). TRK-positive cases were then subjected to next-generation sequencing and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization to confirm NTRK rearrangements. TRK IHC positivity was not observed in any of the MSS CRCs, conventional adenomas, traditional serrated adenomas, or hyperplastic polyps, whereas TRK positivity was observed in 11 of 58 (19%) MLH1-methylated MSI-high CRCs, 4 of 23 (17%) sessile serrated lesions with dysplasia (SSLDs), and 5 of 132 (4%) sessile serrated lesions (SSLs). The 11 TRK-positive MSI-high CRCs commonly harbored CpG island methylator phenotype-high (CIMP-high), MLH1 methylation, BRAF/KRAS wild-type, and NTRK1 or NTRK3 fusion (TPM3-NTRK1, TPR-NTRK1, LMNA-NTRK1, SFPQ-NTRK1, ETV6-NTRK3, or EML4-NTRK3). Both NTRK1 or NTRK3 rearrangement and BRAF/KRAS wild-type were detected in all nine TRK-positive SSL(D)s, seven of which demonstrated MSS and/or CIMP-low. TRK expression was selectively observed in distorted serrated crypts within SSLs and was occasionally localized at the base of serrated crypts. NTRK fusions were detected only in SSLs of patients aged ≥50 years, whereas BRAF mutation was found in younger age-onset SSLs. In conclusion, NTRK-rearranged colorectal tumors develop exclusively through the serrated neoplasia pathway and can be initiated from non-dysplastic SSLs without BRAF/KRAS mutations prior to full occurrence of MSI-high/CIMP-high. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A study on the effect of CeO2 addition to a Pt/TiO2 catalyst on the reverse water gas shift reaction.

In this study, a series of catalysts with the composition 1 wt% Pt/X% CeO2-Y% TiO2 (where X and Y range from 0 to 20%) was prepared via impregnation. The effects of different ratios of CeO2/TiO2 on the catalytic activity were examined during the reverse water gas shift reaction (RWGS). The catalytic activities of the Pt-impregnated catalysts were enhanced by increasing CeO2 loading. The activity tests, temperature-programmed reduction via H2, and step test of an elementary RWGS reaction over the catalysts confirmed that the catalytic activity depends on the number of TiO2 or CeO2 sites, which participate in the RWGS reaction, on the surface of the support.

Effects of pH and metal composition on selective extraction of calcium from steel slag for Ca(OH)2 production.

This research article explains the effects of pH and metal composition on the selective calcium extraction from steel slag. The operating parameters including extraction solvent type, solvent concentration, metal composition of steel slag, substance type and pH were investigated. HCl, NH4Cl, NH4OH and NaOH were employed as solvents to extract Ca from steel slag. It has been shown that hydrochloric acid effectively extracts Ca. The high metal content in steel slag reacted sensitively to the solvent concentration, and a specific concentration was derived to selectively extract Ca. The optimal solvent for calcium extraction was 2 M HCl, which induced the extraction of 97% of Ca; 46% of Mg; 35% of Al; and 1% of Si from the steel slag. In order to separate Ca in the leaching solution from other metal ions, various acidic/basic substances were added to regulate the pH. The optimal pH level for removing the impurities without calcium was found to be 9.5. The precipitated impurities were removed by filtration, and the pH was adjusted to 13 or higher for Ca(OH)2(s) production. In conclusion, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) revealed that the Ca content produced through the process was more than 99%. It is expected that high-purity Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) will be achieved when the generated Ca(OH)2 is used as a source of calcium for mineral carbonation.

Topical Application of Aronia melanocarpa Extract Rich in Chlorogenic Acid and Rutin Reduces UVB-Induced Skin Damage via Attenuating Collagen Disruption in Mice.

Aronia melanocarpa, a black chokeberry, contains high levels of phenolic acids and polyphenolic flavonoids and displays antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Through high-performance liquid chromatography for extracts from Aronia melanocarpa, we discovered that the extract contained chlorogenic acid and rutin as major ingredients. In this study, we examined the protective effects of the extract against ultraviolet B- (UVB)-induced photodamage in the dorsal skin of institute of cancer research (ICR) mice. Their dorsal skin was exposed to UVB, thereafter; the extract was topically applied once a day for seven days. Photoprotective properties of the extract in the dorsal skin were investigated by clinical skin severity score for skin injury, hematoxylin and eosin staining for histopathology, Masson's trichrome staining for collagens. In addition, we examined change in collagen type I and III, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-3 by immunohistochemistry. In the UVB-exposed mice treated with the extract, UVB-induced epidermal damage was significantly ameliorated, showing that epidermal thickness was moderated. In these mice, immunoreactivities of collagen type I and III were significantly increased, whereas immunoreactivities of MMP-1 and 3 were significantly decreased compared with those in the UVB-exposed mice. These results indicate that treatment with Aronia melanocarpa extract attenuates UV-induced photodamage by attenuating UVB-induced collagen disruption: these findings might be a result of the chlorogenic acid and rutin contained in the extract. Based on the current results, we suggest that Aronia melanocarpa can be a useful material for developing photoprotective adjuvant.

Expression, Distribution and Role of Aquaporins in Various Rhinologic Conditions.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are water-specific membrane channel proteins that regulate cellular and organismal water homeostasis. The nose, an organ with important respiratory and olfactory functions, is the first organ exposed to external stimuli. Nose-related topics such as allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have been the subject of extensive research. These studies have reported that mechanisms that drive the development of multiple inflammatory diseases that occur in the nose and contribute to the process of olfactory recognition of compounds entering the nasal cavity involve the action of water channels such as AQPs. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the relationship between AQPs and rhinologic conditions, focusing on the current state of knowledge and mechanisms that link AQPs and rhinologic conditions. Key conclusions include the following: (1) Various AQPs are expressed in both nasal mucosa and olfactory mucosa; (2) the expression of AQPs in these tissues is different in inflammatory diseases such as AR or CRS, as compared with that in normal tissues; (3) the expression of AQPs in CRS differs depending on the presence or absence of nasal polyps; and (4) the expression of AQPs in tissues associated with olfaction is different from that in the respiratory epithelium.

Brain Factor-7® improves learning and memory deficits and attenuates ischemic brain damage by reduction of ROS generation in stroke in vivo and in vitro.

Brain Factor-7® (BF-7), silk fibroin peptide, is known to be effective in improvement of memory and learning ability. In this study, the effects of BF-7 (10 mg/kg, p.o., pre-treatment for 7 days and post-treatment for 7 days) on neuroprotection and memory and learning functions were investigated in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia and a gerbil model of transient global forebrain ischemia. Furthermore, to find the mechanism of BF-7, we examined the neuroprotective and antioxidative effects of BF-7 in vitro using neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. In vivo model, treatment with BF-7 significantly reduced the number of errors in 8-arm maze test and significantly increased latency time in passive avoidance test at 7 days after focal ischemia compared to those in the vehicle-treated group. In addition, treatment with BF-7 significantly decreased the infarct size or neuronal death at 7 day following transient ischemia compared to that in the vehicle-treated group. In vitro model, 10 or 20 µg/ml of BF-7 treatment significantly increased cell viability in dose-dependent manner. In addition, oxidative stress was significantly attenuated in the ischemic cells, showing that 10 or 20 µg/ml of BF-7 treatment significantly reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to that in the ischemic cells. These results indicate that BF-7 treatment can attenuate ischemic damages and improve memory deficits via reduction of ROS generation.

Evaluation of Factors Associated With Favorable Outcomes in Adults With Bell Palsy.

Importance: Identification of the factors associated with improved facial nerve function after treatment of Bell palsy is important to provide patients with early and effective treatment. Objective: To identify factors that are associated with improved treatment outcomes in patients with Bell palsy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included 1364 patients with Bell palsy treated at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea, between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2017. The medical records of patients admitted to this hospital for management of acute facial palsy were reviewed by 3 otolaryngologists with more than 20 years' experience in treating facial palsy. Main Outcomes and Measures: Facial function at the initial and final visits were measured using the House-Brackmann (H-B) grading system, which is one of several analysis tools developed to quantify facial function and provide reproducible information. It is a widely accepted system for grading facial function in 6 steps, from normal (H-B grade I) to total paralysis (H-B grade VI). Results: In total, 1364 patients with primary Bell palsy (718 [52.6%] women) and a mean (SD) age of 47.7 (16.7) years were enrolled. The overall rate of favorable outcome, which was defined as an H-B grade of I or II at the 6-month follow-up visit, was 80.6% (1099 of 1364 patients). Of 1099 patients who had a favorable outcome at 6 months, 343 (31.2%) were younger than 40 years. Of 1364 patients, 1053 (77.2%) had moderate facial dysfunction (H-B grade III or IV). No pathological spontaneous fibrillation activity (ie, good electromyography [EMG] results) was detected on EMG in 937 of 1364 patients (68.7%), 492 (36.1%) had controlled hypertension, and 673 (49.3%) were treated with oral corticosteroids alone. Multivariable analysis revealed that the following factors were associated with favorable outcome: age younger than 40 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.09-2.22), an initial H-B grade of III or IV (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.93-3.57), good EMG results after 2 weeks of treatment (OR, 3.38; 95% CI, 2.48-4.61), absence of diabetes (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.04-2.36), and control of hypertension (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.16-2.33). Conclusions and Relevance: Multiple logistic regression analysis in this study suggests that multiple clinical factors are associated with favorable outcomes in patients with Bell palsy.

Pretreated Oenanthe Javanica extract increases anti-inflammatory cytokines, attenuates gliosis, and protects hippocampal neurons following transient global cerebral ischemia in gerbils.

Recently, we have reported that Oenanthe javanica extract (OJE) displays strong neuroprotective effect against ischemic damage after transient global cerebral ischemia. However, neuroprotective mechanisms of OJE have not been fully identified. Thus, this study investigated the neuroprotection of OJE in the hippocampal CA1 area and its anti-inflammatory activity in gerbils subjected to 5 minutes of transient global cerebral ischemia. We treated the animals by intragastrical injection of OJE (100 and 200 mg/kg) once daily for 1 week prior to transient global cerebral ischemia. Neuroprotection of OJE was observed by immunohistochemistry for neuronal nuclear antigen and histofluorescence staining for Fluoro-Jade B. Immunohistochemistry of glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 was done for astrocytosis and microgliosis, respectively. To investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of OJE, we performed immunohistochemistry of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-2 for pro-inflammatory function and interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 for anti-inflammatory function. When we treated the animals by intragastrical administration of 200 mg/kg of OJE, hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons were protected from transient global cerebral ischemia and cerebral ischemia-induced gliosis was inhibited in the ischemic hippocampal CA1 area. We also found that interleukin-4 and -13 immunoreactivities were significantly increased in pyramidal neurons of the ischemic CA1 area after OJE pretreatment, and the increased immunoreactivities were sustained in the CA1 pyramidal neurons after transient global cerebral ischemia. However, OJE pretreatment did not increase interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha immunoreactivities in the CA1 pyramidal neurons. Our findings suggest that pretreatment with OJE can protect neurons and attenuate gliosis from transient global cerebral ischemia via increasing expressions of interleukin-4 and -13. The experimental plan of this study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) in Kangwon National University (approval No. KW-160802-1) on August 10, 2016.

Intermittent fasting increases SOD2 and catalase immunoreactivities in the hippocampus but does not protect from neuronal death following transient ischemia in gerbils.

Intermittent fasting has been shown to have neuroprotective effects against transient focal cerebral ischemic insults. However, the effects of intermittent fasting on transient global ischemic insult has not been studied much yet. The present study examined effects of intermittent fasting on endogenous antioxidant enzyme expression levels in the hippocampus and investigated whether the fasting protects neurons 5 days after 5 min of transient global cerebral ischemia. Gerbils were randomly subjected to either ad libitum or alternate­day intermittent fasting for two months and assigned to sham surgery or transient ischemia. Changes of antioxidant enzymes were examined using immunohistochemistry for cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), mitochondrial (SOD2), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). The effects of intermittent fasting on ischemia­induced antioxidant changes, neuronal damage/degeneration and glial activation were examined. The weight of fasting gerbils was not different from that of control gerbils. In controls, SOD1 and GPX immunoreactivities were strong in pyramidal neurons of filed cornu ammonis 1 (CA1). Transient ischemia in controls significantly decreased expressions of SOD1 and GPX in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Intermittent fasting resulted in increased expressions of SOD2 and CAT, not of SOD1 and GPX, in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Nevertheless, CA1 pyramidal neurons were not protected in gerbils subjected to fasting after transient ischemia, and inhibition of glial­cell activation was not observed in the gerbils. In summary, intermittent fasting for two months increased SOD2 and CAT immunoreactivities in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. However, fasting did not protect the CA1 pyramidal neurons from transient cerebral ischemia. The results of the present study indicate that intermittent fasting may increase certain antioxidants, but not protect neurons from transient global ischemic insult.

Comparison between cerebral state index and bispectral index during desflurane anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral state index (CSI) is an anesthesia depth monitor alternative to bispectral index (BIS). Published comparative studies have used propofol or sevoflurane. However, studies using desflurane have not been reported yet. Different volatile anesthetics have different electroencephalography signatures. The performance of CSI may be different in desflurane anesthesia. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare CSI and BIS during desflurane anesthesia. METHODS: Thirty-three patients were recruited. Desflurane and remifentanil were used to maintain general anesthesia. BIS and CSI were recorded simultaneously every minute. End-tidal concentration of desflurane was maintained at 4% from the beginning of surgery for 5 minutes. Pairwise data of CSI and BIS were obtained five times at one-minute intervals. This process was repeated in the order of 6%, 8%, and 10%. RESULTS: BIS and CSI were negatively correlated with the end-tidal concentration of desflurane with a similar degree of correlation (correlation coefficient BIS: -0.847, CSI: -0.844). The relationship between CSI and BIS had a good linearity with a slope close to 1 (R2 = 0.905, slope = 1.01). For the relationship between CSI and BIS at each end-tidal concentration of desflurane, CSI and BIS showed good linearity in 4% and 10% (R2 = 0.559, 0.540). However, the linearity and slope were decreased in 6% and 8% (R2 = 0.163, 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: CSI showed an equivalent degree of overall performance compared to BIS in desflurane anesthesia. Accounting for previous literature, CSI can be used as a good substitute for BIS regardless of the kind of anesthetics used.

Expression of aquaporins mRNAs in patients with otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the associations between measured levels of aquaporin (AQP) mRNAs and clinical manifestations in patients with various types of otitis media (OM). METHODS: AQP1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 mRNA levels were assayed by real-time PCR from 57 patients with chronic otitis media (COM), 24 patients with cholesteatomatous otitis media (choleOM), and 82 patients with otitis media with effusion (OME). The relationships of these mRNA levels with the presence of bacteria, the type of hearing loss, and clinical manifestations of OM types were evaluated. RESULTS: All eight AQP mRNAs were expressed in inflammatory tissue, chole matrix, and effusion fluid obtained from all 163 patients with OM. The levels in OME of AQP2, 4, 6, and 10 mRNA; and the levels in choleOM of AQP1, 3, 4, and 10 mRNA were elevated significantly compared to the corresponding levels in COM (p < .05). The expression level of AQP8 mRNA did not differ among OM types. Among samples positive for bacterial culture, AQP1 mRNA was significantly higher in OME than in COM and choleOM, AQP5 mRNA was significantly lower in OME than in COM and choleOM, and AQP10 mRNA was significantly higher in OME and choleOM than in COM (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The levels of expression of AQP mRNA are associated with the pathophysiology of OM.

Droplet digital PCR-based EGFR mutation detection with an internal quality control index to determine the quality of DNA.

In clinical translational research and molecular in vitro diagnostics, a major challenge in the detection of genetic mutations is overcoming artefactual results caused by the low-quality of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPET)-derived DNA (FFPET-DNA). Here, we propose the use of an 'internal quality control (iQC) index' as a criterion for judging the minimum quality of DNA for PCR-based analyses. In a pre-clinical study comparing the results from droplet digital PCR-based EGFR mutation test (ddEGFR test) and qPCR-based EGFR mutation test (cobas EGFR test), iQC index ≥ 0.5 (iQC copies ≥ 500, using 3.3 ng of FFPET-DNA [1,000 genome equivalents]) was established, indicating that more than half of the input DNA was amplifiable. Using this criterion, we conducted a retrospective comparative clinical study of the ddEGFR and cobas EGFR tests for the detection of EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) FFPET-DNA samples. Compared with the cobas EGFR test, the ddEGFR test exhibited superior analytical performance and equivalent or higher clinical performance. Furthermore, iQC index is a reliable indicator of the quality of FFPET-DNA and could be used to prevent incorrect diagnoses arising from low-quality samples.

Catalytic Performance of Ce0.6Y0.4O2-Supported Platinum Catalyst for Low-Temperature Water-Gas Shift Reaction.

In this study, Pt/Ce0.6Y0.4O2 catalyst was prepared using a citric sol-gel method and was used as a catalyst for a water-gas shift (WGS) reaction. Compared to 1 wt % Pt/CeO2 and Pt/Y2O3 catalysts, the Pt/Ce0.6Y0.4O2 catalyst showed a much higher WGS catalytic activity. At 250 °C, the conversion of carbon monoxide was 86.35% at a weight hourly space velocity of 30 000 cm3 gcat -1 h-1. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were investigated via X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, chemisorption, H2 and CO temperature-programmed reduction, and in situ diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. These results confirmed that the catalytic activity did not depend on the dispersion and particle size of platinum. The high reducibility of the Ce0.6Y0.4O2 support plays a crucial role in improving the activity of the Pt/Ce0.6Y0.4O2 catalyst, and this improvement can also be explained by the reduction in CO adsorption strength.