Proton pump inhibitors as a possible cause of vitiligo: an in vivo and in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disorder of melanocytes. Recently, some clinical reports have suggested that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may worsen vitiligo, but their effects on melanocytes have yet to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of PPIs on melanogenesis in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: We examined the effect of PPIs on melanogenesis in B16 murine melanoma cells by measuring melanin content and tyrosinase (TYR) activity. TYR and tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) were monitored by western blotting. Finally, a PPI was applied to zebrafish embryos to investigate its in vivo effect on pigmentation. RESULTS: In agreement with our clinical experience of worsened vitiligo after PPI treatment, PPIs decreased both melanin content and TYR activity. Western blotting showed that PPIs decreased TYR and TRP-1 protein levels. In the zebrafish test, PPIs inhibited body pigmentation in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the functional inhibition of melanization by PPIs may induce or aggravate vitiligo lesions in genetically predisposed patients.

The effect of immunosuppressive therapies on the endothelial host response in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

While several effective therapies for critically ill patients with COVID-19 have been identified in large, well-conducted trials, the mechanisms underlying these therapies have not been investigated in depth. Our aim is to investigate the association between various immunosuppressive therapies (corticosteroids, tocilizumab and anakinra) and the change in endothelial host response over time in critically ill COVID-19 patients. We conducted a pre-specified multicenter post-hoc analysis in a Dutch cohort of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU between March 2020 and September 2021 due to hypoxemic respiratory failure. A panel of 18 immune response biomarkers in the complement, coagulation and endothelial function domains were measured using ELISA or Luminex. Biomarkers were measured on day 0-1, day 2-4 and day 6-8 after start of COVID-19 treatment. Patients were categorized into four treatment groups: no immunomodulatory treatment, corticosteroids, anakinra plus corticosteroids, or tocilizumab plus corticosteroids. The association between treatment group and the change in concentrations of biomarkers was estimated with linear mixed-effects models, using no immunomodulatory treatment as reference group. 109 patients with a median age of 62 years [IQR 54-70] of whom 72% (n = 78) was male, were included in this analysis. Both anakinra plus corticosteroids (n = 22) and tocilizumab plus corticosteroids (n = 38) were associated with an increase in angiopoietin-1 compared to no immune modulator (n = 23) (beta of 0.033 [0.002-0.064] and 0.041 [0.013-0.070] per day, respectively). These treatments, as well as corticosteroids alone (n = 26), were further associated with a decrease in the ratio of angiopoietin-2/angiopoietin-1 (beta of 0.071 [0.034-0.107], 0.060 [0.030-0.091] and 0.043 [0.001-0.085] per day, respectively). Anakinra plus corticosteroids and tocilizumab plus corticosteroids were associated with a decrease in concentrations of complement complex 5b-9 compared to no immunomodulatory treatment (0.038 [0.006-0.071] and 0.023 [0.000-0.047], respectively). Currently established treatments for critically ill COVID-19 patients are associated with a change in biomarkers of the angiopoietin and complement pathways, possibly indicating a role for stability of the endothelium. These results increase the understanding of the mechanisms of interventions and are possibly useful for stratification of patients with other inflammatory conditions which may potentially benefit from these treatments.

Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with early breast cancer.

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with early breast cancer were updated and published online in 2023, and adapted, according to previously established standard methodology, to produce the Pan-Asian adapted (PAGA) ESMO consensus guidelines for the management of Asian patients with early breast cancer. The adapted guidelines presented in this manuscript represent the consensus opinions reached by a panel of Asian experts in the treatment of patients with breast cancer representing the oncological societies of China (CSCO), Indonesia (ISHMO), India (ISMPO), Japan (JSMO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS), the Philippines (PSMO), Singapore (SSO), Taiwan (TOS) and Thailand (TSCO), co-ordinated by ESMO and KSMO. The voting was based on scientific evidence and was independent of the current treatment practices, drug access restrictions and reimbursement decisions in the different Asian regions represented by the 10 oncological societies. The latter are discussed separately in the manuscript. The aim is to provide guidance for the optimisation and harmonisation of the management of patients with early breast cancer across the different regions of Asia, drawing on the evidence provided by both Western and Asian trials, whilst respecting the differences in screening practices, molecular profiling, as well as the age and stage at presentation. Attention is drawn to the disparity in the drug approvals and reimbursement strategies, between the different regions of Asia.

CT angiography versus Digital Subtraction angiography for intracranial vascular pathology in a clinical setting.

No abstract available.

Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer.

The most recent version of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) was published in 2021. A special, hybrid guidelines meeting was convened by ESMO and the Korean Society of Medical Oncology (KSMO) in collaboration with nine other Asian national oncology societies in May 2022 in order to adapt the ESMO 2021 guidelines to take into account the differences associated with the treatment of MBC in Asia. These guidelines represent the consensus opinions reached by a panel of Asian experts in the treatment of patients with MBC representing the oncological societies of China (CSCO), India (ISMPO), Indonesia (ISHMO), Japan (JSMO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS), the Philippines (PSMO), Singapore (SSO), Taiwan (TOS) and Thailand (TSCO). The voting was based on the best available scientific evidence and was independent of drug access or practice restrictions in the different Asian countries. The latter were discussed when appropriate. The aim of these guidelines is to provide guidance for the harmonisation of the management of patients with MBC across the different regions of Asia, drawing from data provided by global and Asian trials whilst at the same time integrating the differences in genetics, demographics and scientific evidence, together with restricted access to certain therapeutic strategies.

Sequence analysis of a fish vitellogenin cDNA with a large phosvitin domain.

Vitellogenins (Vtg) are egg-yolk precursor proteins crucial for reproductive success in oviparous animals. We have cloned the first complete cichlid Vtg cDNA from the tilapia fish, Oreochromis aureus. This cDNA has the largest phosvitin (PV) domain amongst piscine Vtgs, being comparable to those of lamprey, Xenopus, and chicken. Thus, the size of PV is independent of the evolutionary advancement of a species. The closer interspecific relationship between O. aureus Vtg1 and Fundulus VtgII than the intraspecific relationship between Fundulus VtgI and II isoforms suggests that teleost ancestors had at least two Vtg isoforms. Contrary to the results of previous phylogenetic inference using Vtgs which indicate that insect lineage is most diverged and nematodes are closer to vertebrate lineage, our results show that nematodes and hexapods form two monophyletic sister groups. Another arthropod taxon, represented by a malacostracan crustacean, Penaeus japonicus, appears to be more closely related to the vertebrates than the hexapods.

A novel piscine vitellogenin gene: structural and functional analyses of estrogen-inducible promoter.

The Oreochromis aureus vitellogenin, OaVtg, gene spans 9 kb and contains 34 exons. Its transcription start site is located 15 bp upstream of the translational start codon. Although the OaVtg promoter has a nonconsensus TATA, transient transfection assay showed that this promoter is capable of driving basal transcription. Two imperfect estrogen response elements: EREp (proximal) and EREd (distal) are located in the promoter at - 532 and - 1352, respectively. In competition gel mobility-shift assays, only EREp exhibited specific binding of the recombinant estrogen receptor protein, GST-C/D OaER. Another imperfect ERE (EREexon2) was detected within exon 2 of the OaVtg gene. This is a novel finding for a vitellogenin (Vtg) gene. EREexon2 similarly showed specific recognition of GST-C/D OaER. Both EREp and EREexon2 showed comparable binding affinities as consensus ERE. In transient transfections, the OaVtg promoter, EREp and EREd elicited significant increase in estrogen-dependent synthesis of CAT protein. Hence, we propose that the non-consensus OaVtg EREs contribute to the estrogen-dependent regulation of the OaVtg gene in vivo.

Interaction of chemical and high vascular pressure injury in isolated canine lung.

Because both chemical and mechanical insults to the lung may occur concomitantly with trauma, we hypothesized that the pressure threshold for vascular pressure-induced (mechanical) injury would be decreased after a chemical insult to the lung. Normal isolated canine lung lobes (N, n = 14) and those injured with either airway acid instillation (AAI, n = 18) or intravascular oleic acid (OA, n = 25) were exposed to short (5-min) periods of elevated venous pressure (HiPv) ranging from 19 to 130 cmH2O. Before the HiPv stress, the capillary filtration coefficient (Kf,c) was 0.12 +/- 0.01, 0.27 +/- 0.03, and 0.31 +/- 0.02 ml.min-1.cmH2O-1 x 100 g-1 and the isogravimetric capillary pressure (Pc,i) was 9.2 +/- 0.3, 6.8 +/- 0.5, and 6.5 +/- 0.3 cmH2O in N, AAI, and OA lungs, respectively. However, the pattern of response to HiPv was similar in all groups: Kf,c was no different from the pre-HiPv value when the peak venous pressure (Pv) remained less than 55 cmH2O, but it increased reversibly when peak Pv exceeded 55 cmH2O (P less than 0.05). The reflection coefficient (sigma) for total proteins measured after pressure exposure averaged 0.60 +/- 0.03, 0.32 +/- 0.04, and 0.37 +/- 0.09 for N, AAI, and OA lobes respectively. However, in contrast to the result expected if pore stretching had occurred at high pressure, in all groups the sigma measured during the HiPv stress when Pv exceeded 55 cmH2O was significantly larger than that measured during the recovery period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Genomic structure and sequence analysis of the valyl-tRNA synthetase gene of the Japanese pufferfish, Fugu rubripes.

The genomic sequence and exon-intron organisation of the valyl-tRNA synthetase gene in the Japanese pufferfish, Fugu rubripes, have been determined. This single-copy Fugu gene spans 8.5 kb, about 2.5 times smaller than that in man (21 kb). It contains 29 exons, with the largest intron being 1008 bp. The predicted polypeptide consists of 1217 amino acids, with a molecular weight of 138 kD and an isoelectric point of 7.27. It shares 40% identity in the overlapping region with its homolog in bacteria, 47% with yeast, and 67% with man. The Fugu gene has an additional N-terminal sequence which shows strong similarity to elongation factory-1gamma, a feature it shares only with the human sequence, but not with any other lower eukaryote or prokaryote studied so far. This N-terminal segment is encoded in the first six exons, suggesting their capture by a translocation through introns. Indeed, the acquisition of extra domains to perform related functions in RNA splicing and translation of polypeptides has already been observed in other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Two cDNA sequences of human valyl-tRNA synthetase have been published, with discrepancies between them. Aided by comparisons with the Fugu gene, three of these discrepancies have been resolved, involving the elucidation of the sequence and positions of two introns. This compact vertebrate genome has demonstrated its value as a tool for the analysis of genes at the genomic level.

The usefulness of routine preoperative chest X-rays and ECGs: a prospective audit.

INTRODUCTION: Pre-operative Chest X-ray (CXR) and electrocardiograms (ECG) are routinely ordered locally for patients above a certain age. This study examines the usefulness of such a practice and its clinical impact. METHODS: Prospective audit of 875 consecutive anaesthetic patients over a one-month period, assessing the proportion and impact of abnormal CXR or ECG findings. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with abnormal CXR or ECG increased with worsening ASA status. There was little impact of routine pre-operative CXR and ECG on anaesthetic management. Only 11/324 CXR and 13/375 ECG affected anaesthetic technique or choice of therapeutic procedure. CONCLUSION: Targeted investigations should be performed as indicated by clinical findings rather than on the basis of arbitrary age cut-offs.

Magnetic resonance imaging of brain metastases: magnetisation transfer or triple dose gadolinium?

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of brain metastases relies on the neovascularity of metastases and the associated breach of blood-brain barrier manifesting as enhancement on T1-weighted images. There are 2 main strategies to improve the detection of brain metastases. One may increase the dose of gadolinium and increase the signal of the lesion. Alternatively, one may also lower the signal of the background (by magnetisation transfer suppression), in which case the enhancing lesion is rendered more conspicuous without increasing the dose of gadolinium. We aim to compare the efficacy of single-dose conventional spin-echo T1 scans with magnetisation transfer (MT) suppression with triple-dose conventional spin-echo T1 scans in the detection of brain metastases in 18 patients undergoing imaging for brain metastases. An incremental dose technique was employed. After administration of a single dose of gadolinium, MT suppressed T1-weighted scans were obtained, followed by a conventional T1 scan. Two doses of gadolinium were subsequently given, achieving a cumulative triple-dose, and a conventional T1-weighted scan was then performed. We found single-dose MT suppressed and triple-dose scans performed equally well and detected 26 metastatic lesions. They detected 5 (5/26, 19%) more lesions than the conventional single-dose T1 scans. Five (5/21, 24%) questionable lesions on single-dose conventional scans were confidently diagnosed on the single-dose MT suppressed and the triple-dose conventional scan. We conclude that single-dose MT suppressed scans are a cost-effective technique of detecting brain metastases.

Effect of preoperative education on behaviour of children during induction of anaesthesia: a randomised clinical trial of efficacy.

In this randomised prospective study we aimed to evaluate whether preoperative anaesthetic education delivered to children on the day of surgery reduces anxiety behaviour during induction of anaesthesia. One hundred children, six to 15 years of age, undergoing general anaesthesia for ambulatory surgery were allocated at random to a preoperative education group (n=50) or a control group (n=50). The main outcomes were behaviour score, self-reporting of satisfaction score and identification of the stage when children felt most fearful. Data from all 100 participants were analysed. There was no difference in behaviour score at induction or satisfaction score between the groups. Eighteen percent in the intervention group reported no fear preoperatively vs 10% in the control group. Intravenous induction failed in nine out of 38 children in the intervention group (23.7%) compared to five out of 40 in the control group (12.5%). When intravenous induction failed, eight out of nine (89%) of the intervention group remained co-operative during gas induction compared to two out of five (40%) of the control group. Preoperative education delivered on the day of surgery did not reduce anxiety behaviour in children during intravenous induction of anaesthesia, but did reduce anxiety during subsequent inhalational induction.

Large fasciocutaneous perforator based V-Y advancement flap for large post-mastectomy wound reconstruction--our experience with three cases.

Old and frail patients with advance breast malignancy require mastectomy which often results in large defects requiring soft tissue cover. We present three cases of large fasciocutaneous perforator based V-Y advancement flaps for reconstruction of large post-mastectomy wounds in older patients with large tumours. This technique reduces the morbidity of patients who have severe co-existing morbidity factor in addition to the advance breast disease.

Single-cell protein diet of a novel recombinant vitellogenin yeast enhances growth and survival of first-feeding tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae.

Yeast single-cell protein (SCP) is a high-nutrient feed substitute. This study evaluates the dual applications of a novel recombinant Pichia pastoris SMD1168H (SMD) yeast, expressing a tilapia vitellogenin protein (rVtg), as an SCP diet for Artemia and the first-feeding fish larvae. Instar II Artemia fed rVtg, rVtg precultured in 5% fish oil (rVtg-FO), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), or native SMD had greater lipid contents (P < 0.05) than the freshly hatched. Lipid deposition in the Artemia fed rVtg or rVtg-FO was greater (P < 0.05) than in those fed SMD or SC. Diet-induced accumulation of low levels of docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3)] was detected only in Artemia fed the rVtg-based diets. Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were fed solely yeast diets singly or in combination (d 3-22), or a staggered regimen of yeast (d 3-12) followed by unenriched or yeast-enriched Artemia (d 13-22). The larvae fed rVtg for 22 d increased in length and weight (P < 0.05), whereas those fed SC or SMD suffered growth suppression and high mortality. Such adverse consequences were ameliorated when 50% of SC was substituted with rVtg. The larvae prefed rVtg followed by a dietary switch to Artemia preenriched for 48 h with rVtg or rVtg-FO were greatest in length, had the highest weight gain, and lived the longest. Besides delivering rVtg protein, essential fatty acids and amino acids, rVtg may have probiotic effects in enhancing larval survival. This study suggests the feasibility of using the rVtg yeast as an Artemia booster and an SCP first feed for larvae.

Short-range linkage relationships of the valyl-tRNA synthetase gene in Fugu rubripes.

The class III region of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is gene-dense, averaging one gene every 10-20 kilobases (kb). Its gene order has been compared with other organisms. To extend this analysis further in another non-mammalian vertebrate, the compact genome of Fugu rubripes was investigated for the existence of orthologues of these class III genes and their relative arrangements. Orthologues of the Mr 70000 heat shock protein (HSP70) and valyl-tRNA synthetase genes have been isolated. They do not seem to be closely physically linked as compared with mammals (supported by longer-range analysis using pulsed field gel electrophoresis). Random shotgun sequencing of the two Fugu cosmids containing the gene encoding valyl-tRNA synthetase revealed sequences resembling genes encoding tenascin-X, the nuclear antigen A/Ro of Sjogren's syndrome, and the Landsteiner-Wiener blood group glycoprotein. These linkage relationships recapitulate some mammalian data, albeit imperfectly. Tenascin-X has been located both in the human and mouse Mhc class III regions. Three copies of a sequence found in the gene encoding Sjogren's syndrome nuclear antigen A/Ro have been identified in the human Mhc class I region; the mouse Mhc class I region contains one copy. It is postulated that a fragmented gene pattern had existed prior to convergence in the ancestral mammalian immune response-related Mhc region, and that some of these genes had belonged to the same linkage group.

Short-range linkage relationships, genomic organisation and sequence comparisons of a cluster of five HSP70 genes in Fugu rubripes.

Twelve cosmids containing sequences resembling genes encoding members of the 70-kDa heat-shock protein family, HSP70. have been isolated from Fugu rubripes. They can be broadly divided into three groups of overlapping cosmids. Restriction analysis and sequencing of one set of five cosmids have revealed five intronless Fugu HSP70 genes spanning 42 kb, arranged in a combined head-to-head, tail-to-tail and head-to-tail orientation. The levels of DNA and amino acid identity are very high with respect to one another, and are most similar to HSP70 sequences linked to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region in other species. Putative heat-shock consensus elements are identified. Non-HSP70 sequences with homology to known genes have been found physically linked to this Fugu HSP70 cluster: the Drosophila melanogaster SOL gene, the Drosophila melanogaster nemo gene, the Caenorhabditis elegans T17E9.1 gene and the sequence encoding the serine protease domain. The linkage relationships described here so far bear no resemblance to those of HSP70 in other organisms. Convergence of mammalian HSP70 and MHC class I and II loci probably occurred after fish had diverged.

Cortisol-induced hepatic vitellogenin mRNA in Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner).

Cortisol triggers rapid but transient transcription of the silent vitellogenin (Vg) gene in male Oreochromis aureus, producing short-lived Vg mRNA. Implantation of cocoa butter containing cortisol at 0.8, 8, 20, and 40 micrograms/g fish body wt induced hepatic Vg mRNA within 1 or 2 hr. Implantation of cortisol at the lowest of these dosages (0.8 micrograms/g body wt) produced a transient surge in serum cortisol within 1 hr. This is equivalent to a 30-fold increase over that of the resting male fish in which the endogenous cortisol levels measured 10.5 +/- 2.39 and 11.4 +/- 3.1 ng/ml, respectively, for fish kept communally or singly. Although sham implantation with cocoa butter also resulted in the elevation of serum cortisol, the rise was much more gradual, only reaching a peak after 6 hr. Thus, parameters like the treatment regime, sampling time intervals after implantation, and the interaction between these two factors can significantly affect the serum cortisol concentrations (P = 0.001). Although implantation of cocoa butter with or without cortisol increased serum cortisol, albeit unsynchronized, Vg mRNA was detected only in the hormone-treated group. The profile of Vg mRNA accumulation appeared to coincide with that of serum cortisol, further suggesting the activating effect of exogenous cortisol on Vg gene. Compared with an earlier study on estradiol-induced Vg gene expression, the action of cortisol was more rapid, but transient. This is reflected in the rapid clearance of the cortisol-induced Vg mRNA and, hence, the lack of plasma Vg protein during cortisol treatment.