bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scientific overview: CSCI-CITAC annual general meeting and young investigator’s forum 2010
Authors: Berger Mike , Bosse Dominick , Kuruvilla M Sara , Lang Pencilla , Murray Jean-Christophe , Nguyen Long Viet
Published: May 2017

In 2010, the annual general meeting of the Clinical Investigator Trainee Association of Canada – Association des cliniciens-chercheurs en formation du Canada (CITAC-ACCFC) and the Canadian Society for Clinician Investigators (CSCI) was held between September 20 and 22 in Ottawa. Several globally-renowned scientists, including this year’s CSCI/Royal College Henry Friesen Award recipient, Dr. Paul Kubes, Distinguished Scientist Award recipient, Dr. Gideon Koren and Joe Doupe Young Investigator Award recipient, Dr. Torsten Neil, discussed a variety of topics relating to the role of technology in medicine.

The meeting was well attended by clinician scientists and trainees from across Canada and offered trainees mentorship and networking opportunities in addition to showcasing their research at the young investigator forum. The aim of this scientific overview is to highlight the research presented by trainees at both the oral plenary session as well as the poster presentation sessions of this meeting. Similar to last year’s meeting [1], research questions being investigated by trainees covered the spectrum of medical disciplines, encompassing both basic science as well as clinical areas, and are summarized below.

[1] Ong Tone, S., Dugani, S., Marshall, H., Shamji, M.F., Murray, J-C., and Bossé, D. 2010 Scientific overview of the CSCI-CITAC 2009 conference. Clin Invest Med 33: E69-72, E73-67
Portopulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Hopps Eugenia , Valenti Amelia , Caimi Gregorio
Published: May 2017

Portopulmonary hypertension (PPHT) is a respiratory complication of portal hypertension, defined as an increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of > 25 mmHg with an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance of > 240 dyn.s/cm-5 and a normal pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ( < 15 mmHg), which often occurs in subjects with liver cirrhosis. Histopathological features of PPHT are endothelial and smooth-muscle cell proliferation and fibrosis leading to luminal obstruction in the resistance arteries. The pathogenesis of PPHT may result from an imbalance between vasoconstrictor and vasodilating factors. The most common pulmonary symptom is exertional dyspnea; fatigue, chest pain and syncope occur more often at an advanced stage. Edema, ascites and prominent jugular veins are signs of both decompensated hepatic cirrhosis and right ventricular failure. Right heart catheterisation is the gold standard for the diagnosis and defines PPHT in mild disease with PAP less than 35 mmHg, moderate disease with PAP between 35 and 45 mmHg, and severe disease with PAP of 45 mmHg or higher. The medical treatment of portopulmonary hypertension is based on the treatment of other forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension, including vasomodulating pharmacologic agents. Liver transplantation is accompanied by high risk of mortality, generally due to acute right ventricular failure and cardiovascular collapse. The prognosis of PPHT is poor with mean survival of 15 months.
The relationship between adiponectin and blood pressure in premenopausal and postmenopausal women
Authors: Kotani Kazuhiko , Chen Jui-Tung , Taniguchi Nobuyuki
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Menopause can affect the reportedly inverse association between adiponectin and blood pressure (BP); however, this relationship is still poorly understood. The present study cross-sectionally compared the relationship between adiponectin and BP in pre- and postmenopausal women.

Methods: Healthy, asymptomatic women on no medication (n = 262) were divided into a premenopausal group (n = 125, mean age 44.7 years) and a postmenopausal group (n = 137, mean age 65.6 years). Fasting values of serum adiponectin and BP were measured, in addition to body mass index (BMI), blood glucose and lipids. The correlation between the levels of adiponectin/BMI and mean BP (MBP) was analyzed with a linear regression model for the respective groups.

Results: The median adiponectin/BMI did not significantly differ between the pre- and postmenopausal groups (0.37 and 0.42, P = 0.08), and the premenopausal group had a significantly lower level of mean MBP than the postmenopausal group (87.6 and 100.7 mmHg, P < 0.001). In an unadjusted analysis, adiponectin/BMI was found to be significantly and inversely correlated with MBP in the premenopausal group (r = -0.499, P < 0.001) and the postmenopausal group (r = -0.203, P < 0.01), respectively. In a stepwise multivariate-adjusted analysis, adiponectin/BMI remained significantly, inversely and independently correlated with MBP in the premenopausal group (β = -0.383, P < 0.001), while no significant correlation was found between adiponectin/BMI and MBP for the postmenopausal group.

Conclusions: The adiponectin-BP relationship appears to be associated with premenopausal state.
Assessment of anti-sperm antibodies in couples after testicular sperm extraction
Authors: Ozturk Ufuk , Ozdemir Erkan , Dede Onur , Sagnak Levent , Goktug HN Goksel , Gurbuz Oguz A , Mustafa Mustafa , İmamoglu M Abdurrahim
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Testicular spermatozoa can be retrieved successfully by the testicular sperm extraction (TESE) procedure and used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Disruption in the blood-testis barrier can lead to the production of antisperm antibodies (ASA). The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the frequency of ASA formation in couples after TESE procedure.

Methods: Thirty-seven couples were included in the study at the Urology Clinic of the Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Women’s Health Training and Research Hospital. History, physical examination, spermiogram, and endocrine profiles were obtained for all male patients. All the male patients in this study had been diagnosed with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and underwent microdissection TESE. Secondary and tertiary cases were also included in the study. Serum samples were obtained from all 74 patients before TESE, and at three and 12 months after TESE. Serum ASA levels were determined. ANOVA was performed for statistical analysis for serum Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), testosterone and testicular volume. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: There were no differences in the testicular volumes, serum FSH and testosterone levels before and after TESE. None of the patients or their partners developed significant levels of ASA as a result of the TESE procedure.

Conclusion: TESE procedure does not cause ASA production in either males or their female partners.
Carotid intima-media thickness and paraoxonase activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Cece Hasan , Yazgan Pelin , Karakas Ekrem , Karakas Omer , Demirkol Ahmet , Toru Ismail , Aksoy Nurten
Published: May 2017

Purpose: The risk of atherosclerosis is increased in several rheumatological disorders, but any such risk remains unproven for ankylosing spondylitis. Since carotid intima-media thickness is an indicator of early atherosclerosis, and the paraoxonase (PON1) enzyme has antioxidant activity to prevent LDL oxidation, we aimed to identify: 1) the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and serum paraoxonase (PON1) activity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients; and 2) the possible differences in CIMT in AS patients versus age-matched, healthy controls.

Methods: Forty-five AS patients (36.8±9.8 years, 36 males, 9 females) and 30 controls (35.9±10.2 years, 23 males, 7 females) were recruited consecutively. Serum PON1 activity and CIMT were measured. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiologic Index (BASRI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) were used to identify relationships between these clinical indices and levels of CIMT and PON1.

Results: Mean CIMT was significantly increased in AS patients relative to controls (0.49±0.06 mm vs. 0.59±0.07 mm; p < 0.0001). Conversely, serum PON1 activity was decreased (199.1±60.3 U/L vs. 96.7±29 U/L; p < 0.0001). PON1 activity was negatively correlated with CIMT (r = -0.557, p = 0.0001). Disease duration was positively correlated with CIMT (r = 0.542, p = 0.0001) and negatively correlated with PON1 (r = -0.649, p = 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, disease duration and serum PON1 activity were found to be independent predictors of CIMT (R2 = 0.687, p = 0.0001).

Conclusions: In conclusion, significantly increased CIMT and decreased PON1 activity suggest a relationship between atherosclerosis and AS: a relationship that is strongly correlated with disease duration.
Quantification of plasma hTERT DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma patients by quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Yang Ying-Jun , Chen Hui , Huang Ping , Li Cheng-Hua , Dong Zi-He , Hou Yu-Lei
Published: May 2017

Purpose: To investigate the levels of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) DNA in the plasma of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to evaluate the diagnostic value and correlation of hTERT DNA with clinical parameters in HCC.

Methods: A real-time quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) system was designed and evaluated. Plasma samples were collected from 60 HCC patients, 21 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 29 healthy controls. Plasma DNA was extracted and quantiﬁed by FQ-PCR. The diagnostic value of plasma hTERT DNA levels and their relationships with clinical characteristics were analyzed statistically.

Results: Plasma levels of hTERT DNA in HCC patients were significantly higher than in HBV patients (4.18×104±4.94×104 copies/μl vs 1.21×104±6.63×103 copies/μl, P=0.003) and healthy controls (4.18×104±4.94×104 copies/μl vs 1.44×104±6.61×103 copies/μl, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 90% for the ability of hTERT DNA levels to detect malignancy at a cutoff value of 1.87×104 copies/μl. Association analysis revealed that plasma hTERT DNA levels were closely related to tumor size, portal vein cancer embolus and TNM stage (P=0.013, P=0.010, and P=0.029, respectively), but were not associated with lymph node metastasis, hepatitis B surface antigen, or α-fetoprotein (AFP) (all P > 0.05). The levels of plasma hTERT DNA in HCC patients with AFP ≤20 ng/ml were significantly higher than in HBV patients (4.59×104±4.98×104 copies/μl vs 1.44×104±6.63×103 copies/μl, P=0.016) and in healthy controls (4.59×104±4.98×104 copies/μl vs 1.21×104±6.63×103 copies/μl, P=0.001).

Conclusions: Quantitation of plasma hTERT DNA by FQ-PCR may provide a novel complementary tool with potential clinical applications for the screening and detection of HCC. Plasma hTERT DNA has the potential to be a broad tumor marker for common cancers.
Myotoxic effects of levobupivacaine, bupivacaine and ropivacaine in a rat model
Authors: Yildiz Karamehmet , Efesoy Sukran Nergiz , Ozdamar Saim , Yay Arzu , Bicer Cihangir , Aksu Recep , Kilic Eser
Published: May 2017

Aim: The aim of this study is to histopathalogically compare the myotoxic effects of a single injection of levobupivacaine, bupivacaine and ropivacaine in rat skeletal muscle.

Materials and Methods: Rats received intramuscular injections of 0.5% bupivacaine (Group B), 0.5% ropivacaine (Group R), 0.5% levobupivacaine (Group L), or 0.9% normal saline (Group SF) (30 rats/group). At two, 10 and 20 days, 10 rats from each group were sacrificed and muscle samples were examined for myotoxic effects using hematoxylin-eosin staining under a light microscope.

Results: Muscle damage in Groups B, L and R was similar qualitatively. In samples taken two days after injection, the muscle damage in Group B was maximal [Damage score: 3.0 (2.0-3.0)], Group R had less damage than Group B [damage score: 2.0 (2.0-3.0)] and the damage in Group L was minimal [Damage score: 1.0 (1.0-2.0)]. In muscle samples taken 10 days after injection, there was no significant difference in muscle damage scores among Groups B, R and L. In muscle samples taken 20 days after injection, regeneration was complete, and muscle mass was histologically normal for each of the three groups (B, L and R).

Conclusion: Levobupivacaine’s myotoxic effect is qualitatively similar to that seen (and previously reported) with bupivacaine and ropivacaine. Levobupivacaine was found to be quantitatively less myotoxic than bupivacaine and ropivacaine after a single intramuscular injection, only two days after injection. Myonecrosis developed after a single intramuscular injection of local anesthetic but was completely regenerated by the 20th day after injection.
Vascular progenitor recruitment in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury
Authors: Chung Yuan , Abou-Nassar Karim E , Li Yuhua , Filion Lionel , Watpool Irene , McArdle Tracy , McIntyre Lauralyn , Ramsay Timothy , Cheesman Judy , Touyz Rhian , Burns Kevin D , Allan David S
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Endothelial-like vascular progenitor cells (VPCs) are blood-derived angiogenic precursors that can facilitate vascular repair. The mobilization of peripheral blood VPCs and their role in recovery were investigated in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting.

Methods: Blood samples were drawn on days 0, 3, 7 and 14 in 38 patients admitted to ICU: 30 with AKI and in eight controls with normal renal function. Circulating VPC levels were quantified by the early outgrowth cell cluster-forming assay and/or by flow cytometry.

Results: AKI patients (16 males, mean age 62.4) were classified as Risk (R, n=5), Injury (I, n=11) and Failure (F, n=14) according to the RIFLE criteria. VPC clusters increased over time following the diagnosis of AKI (p < 0.01 for day 0 vs. day 14) while VPC clusters were higher at enrollment in control patients and decreased over time (p=0.02). Greater mobilization of VPCs occurred in patients with more severe AKI at enrollment (I and F categories compared with R, p=0.05). A trend towards greater mobilization of VPC clusters was observed in patients with improved renal function (p=0.07).

Conclusion: Time-dependent increases in circulating VPCs occur in critically ill patients with established AKI. Greater mobilization of VPCs may be associated with recovery of renal function, suggesting a potential role for VPCs in repair after kidney injury.
The Programme for Global Paediatric Research
Authors: Zipursky Alvin
Published: May 2017

When it comes to global health, there is no 'them'... only 'us.'" - Global Health Council

There is a major anomaly in child health research. The majority of pediatric research resources and expertise is located in the developed world, whereas the vast majority of childhood disease and mortality is in the developing world. This disequilibrium has been referred to as the “10/90 gap”, suggesting that only 10% of global health research dollars are devoted to conditions that account for 90% of the global disease burden (Global Forum for Health Research).

The Programme for Global Paediatric Research (PGPR) began as an effort to include, in a major pediatric research conference, topics dealing with diseases of children in the developing world in order to engage more interest and more research dollars. It has evolved into a program educating and linking professionals, and developing global networks of colleagues working collaboratively to solve major childhood health problems.
Heart rate variability and turbulence to determine true coronary artery disease in patients with ST segment depression without angina during exercise stress testing
Authors: Celik Atac , Ozturk Ahmet , Ozbek Kerem , Kadi Hasan , Koc Fatih , Ceyhan Koksal , Erkorkmaz Unal
Published: May 2017

Purpose: ST segment depression without angina during an exercise stress test causes diagnostic problems, particularly in non-diabetic patients. Heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate turbulence (HRT) are used to evaluate the changes in cardiac autonomic functions and are also both decreased in patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was determine the values of HRV and HRT that discriminate true coronary artery disease from false positive stress test results.

Methods: Ninety non-diabetic patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography (CA) due to suspected coronary artery disease after ST segment depression without angina during an exercise stress test were enrolled in the study. Prior to CA, 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiogram recordings were taken and HRV and HRT parameters were calculated.

Results: Patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of their coronary lesions: (group 1 normal, group 2 non-obstructive and group 3 obstructive. There were no differences among the groups with regards to age, sex, medical history, medications, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, body mass index, fasting glucose, anemia and thyroid status, lipid profile and creatinine clearance. HRV parameters and turbulence slope (TS) were significantly lower while turbulence onset (TO) was significantly higher in group 3 than groups 1 and 2. According to the cut-off values calculated using ROC analysis, SDNN≤69.63 msec, TO > 0.14%, and TS≤2.78 msec/RR have high diagnostic accuracy for predicting obstructive coronary artery disease.

Conclusion: HRV and HRT parameters may provide additional information for discriminating between patients who do and do not truly need CA.
Over-expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer in prostate cancer is associated with high risk of prostate-specific antigen relapse after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Bi Xue-cheng , Liu Jiu-Min , Zheng Xiang-guang , Xian Zhi-Yong , Feng Zi-Wei , Lou Yao-Xiong , Zhong Wei-de , Wu Chin-lee
Published: May 2017

Purpose: The prognostic efficiency of clinical grading and staging in patients with confined or moderately differentiated prostate cancer (PCa) has been markedly improved, which underscores the importance of new prognostic markers. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) has been demonstrated to be involved in cancerangiogenesis, metastasis and invasion. EMMPRIN expression was evaluated by measuring mRNA and protein levels in a large cohort of patients with PCa following prostatectomy and the findings were compared with clinico-pathological parameters, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) relapse time.

Methods: EMMPRIN mRNA levels in 20 pairs of normal and cancerous prostate tissues were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Protein expression in paraffin-embedded specimens of prostates gathered from 300 patients with PCa was detected by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody against EMMPRIN. The associations of EMMPRIN protein expression with the clinico-pathological parameters and PSA relapse-free time after radical prostatectomy were subsequently assessed.

Results: Both EMMPRIN mRNA and protein levels were higher in PCa tissue, compared with adjacent normal tissue. In addition, the positive expression rates of EMMPRIN in PCa tissues were significantly associated with preoperative PSA levels (p=0.008), AJCC stage (p=0.006) and Gleason Score (p < 0.001), Risk classification (p < 0.001), lymph node status post-surgery (p < 0.001) and surgical margin status (p < 0.001) were also determined. Multivariate analysis, using the Cox proportional hazards model, revealed that positive EMMPRIN expression was an independent prognostic factor for an increased risk of PSA relapse.

Conclusion: Over-expression of EMMPRIN correlated with the aggressiveness of PCa, and the PSA relapse-free time, and may be a novel and useful biomarker for follow-up and treatment decisions for PCa.
Plasma vitamin D levels and risk of metabolic syndrome in Canadians
Authors: Brenner Darren R , Arora Paul , Garcia-Bailo Bibiana , Wolever Thomas MS , Morrison Howard , El-Sohemy Ahmed , Karmali Mohamed , Badawi Alaa
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in susceptibility to the development of metabolic syndrome, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to quantify the association between vitamin D plasma level, the number of metabolic syndrome components and insulin resistance in Canadians.

Methods: Vitamin D plasma level and clinical data were determined from 1,818 subjects from the Canadian Health Measures Survey; a representative health survey of the general population of Canada conducted from 2007 to 2009. The definition of metabolic syndrome was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Adjusted general linear models were used to estimate the association between vitamin D level and probability of having metabolic syndrome, as well as the association between plasma vitamin D and insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, or HOMA-IR).

Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the study population was 8.9%. The number of metabolic syndrome components was inversely correlated with plasma vitamin D level (ρ= -0.1, p < 0.0001). Subjects in the highest vitamin D quartile had lower odds ratio of metabolic syndrome compared with their counterparts in the lowest vitamin D quartile (0.50, 95% CI= 0.24-1.06). Increasing plasma vitamin D level (by 10 nmol/L) was inversely associated with HOMA-IR score (β= -0.08, p=0.006) in a model adjusted for physical activity, smoking status, month of interview, age, sex and ethnicity.

Conclusion: Vitamin D plasma levels are associated with the occurrence of metabolic syndrome components and insulin resistance among Canadians and are linked to increased level of insulin resistance.
2011 CSCI/CITAC Young Investigators Forum Abstracts
Authors: CSCI CITAC
Published: May 2017

CSCI/CITAC YOUNG INVESTIGATORS FORUM

for

CLINICAL SCIENTISTS IN TRAINING
CIP and MD/PhD STUDENTS

TRIBUNE DES JEUNES CHERCHEURS

pour

CHERCHEURS CLINICIENS EN FORMATION
ÉTUDIANTS INSCRITS AU PROGRAMMES
PFCC ET MD/PHD

Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Mardi, le 13 septembre 2011

Delta Ottawa City Centre
Ottawa, Ontario
Abstracts of the 3rd Annual Canadian National Medical Student Research Symposium
Authors: CNMRSRS _
Published: May 2017

Abstracts of the 3rd Annual Canadian National Medical Student Research Symposium

The CNMSRS has become one of the largest Canadian conferences dedicated to medical student research.

Tthese abstracts represent the breadth and depth of research performed by medical students in Canada.

The 3rd annual CNMSRS took place at the University of Manitoba on June 7-9th, 2011.
Lower plasma soluble TWEAK concentration in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension
Authors: Karadurmus Nuri , Tapan Serkan , Cakar Mustafa , Naharci Ilkin , Celik Turgay , Tasci Ilker , Sayin Selim , Dogan Tolga , Turker Turker , Erbil M Kemal , Saglam Kenan
Published: May 2017

Purpose: To determine circulating levels of the soluble TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK)and its association with demographic and biochemical parameters in a young group of patients with newly diagnosed and never treated hypertension.

Methods: A total of 51 patients (mean age 21.7 ±1.4 years, body mass index (BMI) 24.5 ±1.6 kg/m2) with primary untreated hypertension, and 37 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls (mean age 22.5 ± 1.9 years, BMI 24.7 ± 1.5 kg/m2) were studied. Serums TWEAK and plasma asymmetrical dimethyl arginine (ADMA) levels were measured by EIA.

Results: In patients and controls, mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 149.8±5.65/93.4±3.4 mmHg and 124.2±6.4/78.24±5.5 mmHg, respectively. Serum sTWEAK levels were lower in the patient group (882.6±228.9 μmol/L vs. 1060.2±231.7μmol/L, p=0.001), whereas plasma ADMA levels werehigher(0.837±0.34μmol/L vs.0.3176±0.25μmol/L, p < 0.001). sTWEAK serum levels correlated with SBP(r=-0.301; p=0.005) and DBP (r=-0.279; p=0.009). Circulating plasma ADMA levels also correlated with SBP (r=0.734; p < 0.001) and DBP (r=0.733; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Young patients with yet untreated primary hypertension have lower circulating serum sTWEAK level compared with healthy controls. Further research for possible associations among serum sTWEAK, endothelial dysfunction and other measures of atherosclerosis may be of benefit in order to better understand the pathophysiology of hypertension and to establish more effective treatment options.
Increased expression of CD55 correlates with tumor progression and poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Shen Yumei , Yin Ruixue , Deng Xiaogang , Shen Hong
Published: May 2017

Purpose: To analyze the expression of complement delay-accelerating factor (CD55) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its correlation with clinicopathologic features, including survival rate.

Methods: Eighty-two nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues were evaluated for CD55 expression using immunohistochemistry. The association between CD55 expression and various clinicopathological characteristics including overall survival was analyzed.

Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the protein expression of CD55 detected in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues was higher than that in the normal nasopharyngeal tissue (P=0.003). In addition, high levels of CD55 protein were positively correlated with the status of lymph node metastasis (P=0.02) and distant metastasis (P=0.01), and clinical stage (P=0.002) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Patients with positive CD55 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival time than did patients with negative CD55 expression (P=0.001). Multivariate analysis suggested that the expression pattern of CD55 protein was an independent prognostic indicator (P=0.009) for the survival of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Conclusion: The data from this study suggest, for the first time, that CD55 is frequently expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its expression is associated with decreased patient survival; therefore, CD55 expression may be a potential unfavorable prognostic factor for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
The effects of selenium and vitamin E on lung tissue in rats with sepsis
Authors: Atli Mustafa , Erikoglu Mehmet , Kaynak Adnan , Esen Haci H , Kurban Sevil
Published: May 2017

Purpose: In this study we examined the ability of selenium and vitamin E to prevent sepsis-induced changes in lung tissue.

Methods: Fifty rats were divided into five groups: Group 1: Control group; Group 2: Sepsis group. In this group only cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) was performed. Group 3: Selenium group. An intraperitoneal dose of 100 µg selenium was given for the first two days followed by a daily dose of 40 µg for the next five days. CLP was performed the following day. Group 4: Selenium and vitamin E group. In addition to selenium, vitamin E was given intramuscularly in a dose of 250 mg/kg/day for seven days. CLP was performed the following day. Group 5: Vitamin E group. Vitamin E was given intramuscularly in a dose of 250 mg/kg/day for seven days. CLP was performed the following day.

Results: There were significant differences between Group 2 and all other groups in terms of blood gas values (pH, pCO2, SaO2), and leukocyte, C-reactive protein (CRP) and glutathione peroxidase levels (p < 0.005). There was no statistically significant difference between groups 3, 4 and 5 in terms of histopathological changes in lung tissue (p > 0.05), but all groups were significantly different compared with Group 2 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Sepsis-induced lung tissue damage can be reduced or prevented by pre-treatment with of selenium and/or vitamin E in a rat model.
Predictors of orthostatic intolerance in healthy young women
Authors: Cote Anita T , Bredin Shannon SD , Phillips Aaron A , Warburton Darren ER
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Orthostatic intolerance is more prevalent in women. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the physiological responses of orthostatic tolerant and intolerant females to progressive lower body negative pressure (LBNP) and to identify predictors of orthostatic tolerance.

Methods: Following baseline measurements, eleven healthy, moderately active women (mean age 24 ± 3 yr) underwent an orthostatic challenge involving four 12-minute stages of progressive LBNP at -15, -30, -45 and -60 mmHg. Traditional haemodynamic characteristics, as well as baroreceptor sensitivity, were analyzed across all stages.

Results: Five women became presyncopal during the test and were classified as low tolerant (LT) while the remaining six were classified as high tolerant (HT). LBNP by group (tolerance) interactions were significantly different for stroke volume (P=0.008) and the rate of decline (slope) of stroke volume (P=0.03). During the early stages of LBNP, the LT group displayed a higher stroke volume than the HT group (76.4 ± 8.6 vs. 60.0 ± 13.3 mL/beat; P=0.02) yet by the final stage, stroke volumes were similar (22.5 ± 11.9 vs. 22.7 ± 4.5 mL/beat, P = 0.99). Baroreceptor sensitivity, heart rate variability and blood pressure variability were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusions: The results of this investigation suggest that orthostatic intolerance in women can be identified during the initial stages of an LBNP challenge, as evidenced by a more rapid decline in stroke volume.
Distinct profile of vascular progenitor attachment to extracellular matrix proteins in cancer patients
Authors: Labonté Laura , Li Yuhua , Addison Christina L , Brand Marjorie , Javidnia Hedyeh , Corsten Martin , Burns Kevin , Allan David S
Published: May 2017

Background: Vascular progenitor cells (VPCs) facilitate angiogenesis and initiate vascular repair by homing in on sites of damage and adhering to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. VPCs also contribute to tumor angiogenesis and induce angiogenic switching in sites of metastatic cancer. In this study, the binding of attaching cells in VPC clusters that form in vitro on specific ECM proteins was investigated.

Methods: VPC cluster assays were performed in vitro on ECM proteins enriched in cancer cells and in remodelling tissue. Profiles of VPC clusters from patients with cancer were compared to healthy controls. The role of VEGF and integrin-specific binding of angiogenic attaching cells was addressed.

Results: VPC clusters from cancer patients were markedly increased on fibronectin relative to other ECM proteins tested, in contrast to VPC clusters from control subjects, which formed preferentially on laminin. Specific integrin-mediated binding of attaching cells in VPC clusters was matrix protein-dependent. Furthermore, cancer patients had elevated plasma VEGF levels compared to healthy controls and VEGF facilitated preferential VPC cluster formation on fibronectin. Incubating cells from healthy controls with VEGF induced a switch from the ‘healthy’ VPC binding profile to the profile observed in cancer patients with a marked increase in VPC cluster formation on fibronectin.

Conclusion: The ECM proteins laminin and fibronectin support VPC cluster formation via specific integrins on attaching cells and can facilitate patterns of VPC cluster formation that are distinct in cancer patients. Larger studies, however, are needed to gain insight on how tumor angiogenesis may differ from normal repair processes.
Bone marrow aspirate collection and preparation – A comparison of three methods
Authors: DiFrancesco Teresa , Boychuk Duane J. , Lafferty John D. , Crowther Mark A.
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Preparing bone marrow smears using non-anticoagulated bone marrow aspirate is a traditional practice but many laboratories now use anticoagulated aspirate samples in K-EDTA. There are no published studies comparing the effectiveness of these two methods. This report compares the readability of slides, prepared using non-anticoagulated and anticoagulated methods, from three laboratories in Hamilton Ontario.

Methods: A blinded set of 129 aspirate slides prepared using anticoagulated and non-anticoagulated methodologies (using K-EDTA) was reviewed by three reviewers. Slides were classified as unreadable if two of the three observers rejected them based on a standardized survey.

Results: The proportion of slides classed as unreadable varied widely (5.0% to 46.9%) depending on collection and slide preparation methods. Degree of coagulation did not affect readability.

Conclusion: A measurable advantage to using non-anticoagulated bone marrow was not demonstrated. Immediate anticoagulation of bone marrow samples, with laboratory personnel at the bedside to assess sample quality, followed by slide preparation in the laboratory provided the best results.
PEG10 promotes the migration of human Burkitt’s lymphoma cells by up-regulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9
Authors: Xiong Jie , Qin Jian , Zheng Yingcheng , Peng Xiaofan , Luo Yixing , Meng Xiangyu
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Paternally expressed gene 10 (PEG10) is important for apoptosis resistance in cancer cells; however, the effect of PEG10 on tumor cell migration remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of PEG10 on proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion and migration in the Burkitt’s lymphoma cell line, Raji.

Methods: Apoptosis was induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in pcDNA3.0/PEG10 transiently transfected HEK293T cells and PEG10-suppressed Raji cells. siRNAPEG10 was used to inhibit PEG10 expression. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) were performed to analyze the effect of PEG10 on apoptosis. CCK-8 were performed to detect cell proliferation and adhesion. Matrigel invasion were performed using PEG10-suppressed Raji cells to investigate cell migration. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases -2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) were analyzed in PEG10-suppressed Raji cells using both real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis.

Results: HEK293T cells that overexpressed PEG10 exhibited greater viability 48 h following treatment with 5-FU, relative to control cells. Specific inhibition of PEG10 expression by siRNA resulted in inhibition of growth and apoptosis in Raji cells. Adherence and invasion capabilities were downregulated and expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were reduced in PEG10-suppressed Raji cells.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that PEG10 enhances the apoptotic resistance and viability of Raji cells. The migration and adherence invasion capacity of Raji cells could potentially be affected by regulation of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Our research provides a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy of lymphoma.
Plasma biomarkers and cystic fibrosis lung disease
Authors: Cantin André M. , Bilodeau Ginette , Larivée Pierre , Richter Martin V.
Published: May 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether plasma biomarkers reflect changes in lung function and respiratory exacerbations associated with CF lung disease.

Methods: Plasma human leukocyte elastase/alpha1 antitrypsin complex (pHLE complex) values were measured in 28 adult CF patients and 47 healthy volunteers and correlated with forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). pHLE complexes were studied during respiratory exacerbations and after antibiotic therapy. Plasma cytokines and sialic acid were also measured.

Results: pHLE complexes were increased in CF patients (p < 0.01), were inversely correlated with FEV1 (r = 0.71) and FVC (r = 0.67) and returned to normal levels after intravenous antibiotics (p < 0.001). Plasma cytokines did not correlate with lung function. Total sialic acid increased during CF respiratory exacerbations and decreased after antibiotic therapy.

Conclusion: Plasma sialic acid and pHLE complexes reflect clinically meaningful changes in CF lung disease. In contrast, plasma cytokine levels did not correlate with lung function
Current research status of endoscopic submucosal dissection for colorectal neoplasms
Authors: Huang Chen , Huang Ren-Xiang , Xiang Ping , Qiu Zheng-Jun
Published: May 2017

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been applied to, and gradually standardized for, early gastric cancers; however, it has not yet been widely used for treatment of colorectal neoplasms. Compared with gastric ESD, the thinner colorectal wall and winding nature of the colon make colorectal ESD a much more difficult operative technique. Despite greater risks of postoperative complications, particularly perforation of the colon, more and more endoscopists are making an effort to study this new technique in terms of its capability of larger neoplastic resection, higher en bloc resection rate and lower local recurrence rate of neoplasms in comparison with other endoscopic treatments. Thus, colorectal ESD may become the standard treatment for early colorectal neoplasms in the future. This review article discusses the current research on endoscopic submucosal dissection for colorectal neoplasms.
Association of serum fetuin-A levels with heart valve calcification and other biomarkers of inflammation among persons with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Afsar Cigdem U. , Uzun Hafize , Yurdakul Selen , Muderrisoglu Cuneyt , Ergüney Mecdi , Demir Bulent , Aslan Aram , Aral Hale , Ozyazgan Sibel
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Fetuin-A is a multifunctional hepatic secretory protein that inhibits dystrophic vascular and valvular calcification. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship among fetuin-A levels, heart valve calcification and other biomarkers of inflammation in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: The associations among serum fetuin-A concentrations, mitral annular (MAC) and aortic valve calcification and other biomarkers of inflammation (hs-CRP, ferritin, fibrinogen, white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), albumin levels) were evaluated in ACS patients and healthy controls. The study included 95 patients (mean age 61.8±12.10 years) and 81 healthy controls (mean age 48.33±9.19 years).

Results: Fetuin-A levels were significantly lower in patients with ACS than in healthy controls (0.76 ± 0.23 and 1.10 ± 0.45 g/L, respectively; p < 0.001). Fetuin-A was lower in patients with mitral annular calcification (p=0.007) and aortic (p=0.001) valve calcification. In patients with ACS, there was a negative correlation among serum urea (r=-0.377; p < 0.001) and creatinine (r=-0.232; p=0.024) levels and fetuin-A, and a negative correlation among WBC (r=-0.156; p=0,132), ESR (r=-0.214; p=0.037), hs-CRP (r=-0.220; p=0.032) levels and fetuin-A. A positive correlation was seen between albumin and fetuin-A (r=0.362; p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that fetuin-A was the variable that had a significant effect on ACS (p = 0.020 OR = .015; (95% CI)(0.000–0.520).

Conclusion: Fetuin-A levels decrease in patients with acute coronary syndromes, independent of heart valve calcification. Fetuin-A may therefore act as a negative acute phase protein after myocardial infarction.
Advances in Molecular Targets for the Treatment of Medulloblastomas
Authors: Ajeawung Norbert F. , Wang Hao Y. , Gould Peter , Kamnasaran Deepak
Published: May 2017

Purpose: To present an assortment of molecular targets evident from a variety of signal transduction pathways and downstream effectors, which may have clinical relevance for the treatment of medulloblastomas.

Source: Data were archived from MEDLINE, using Boolean-formatted queries on the keywords including: medulloblastoma, pathology, prognosis, classification, tumor regression, inhibition, therapy, clinical trial, therapeutic agent, drug, molecular inhibitor, and signalling pathway. Only the most reputable articles were selected for critical analyses based on the qualitative assessment of the citation index, novelty of the findings and relevance to prospective novel ways of targeted therapies for medulloblastomas.

Principal findings: Medulloblastomas are highly aggressive embryonal tumors of the cerebellum, akin to primitive neuroectodermal tumors elsewhere in the brain. Current treatments for medulloblastomas which include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, remain challenging especially, for younger patients; however, advances in understanding regulatory pathways in medulloblastomas are crucial to develop more effective therapeutic targets. Evidence showing several molecular and pharmacological targets within key signalling pathways, such as HEDGEHOG, WNT, NOTCH, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (ERB, IGF-IR, c-MET, PDGF, Estrogen, p75NTR) , their downstream effectors like PI3K/AKT, c-MYC and STAT3, and as well as other targets such as telomerase and cytoskeletal elements, is summarized. All molecular and pharmacological targets have pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of medulloblastomas. Most importantly, these pathways can be effectively pharmacologically targeted to regress the growth of medulloblastomas. Pre-clinical studies were routinely undertaken with a variety of human and murine cell lines and as well as murine models of medulloblastomas. Thus far, two drugs which target the NOTCH and HEDGEHOG signalling have completed Phase I clinical trials, but with evidence of low efficacies; hence, reinforcing the importance of continuing investigations in search of new therapeutic agents and targets.

Conclusion: Novel therapies, based on better understanding key biological pathways in medulloblastomas, hold promise for improved treatments in due course among patients with medulloblastomas.
Attributes of Interdisciplinary Research Teams: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature
Authors: Lakhani Jahan , Benzies Karen , Hayden K. Alix
Published: May 2017

Purpose: To solve large complex health-related problems, there has been a progressive movement towards interdisciplinary research teams; however, there has been minimal investigation into the attributes of successful teams. The purpose of this literature review was to examine the attributes that are important for the effective functioning of these teams.

Method: Literature from medicine, nursing and psychology databases, published between 1990 and 2010, was reviewed.

Principal findings: Thematic organization of the findings identified seven attributes important to effective interdisciplinary research teams: team purpose, goals, leadership, communication, cohesion, mutual respect and reflection. These attributes are described in depth.

Conclusion: Identification of these attributes could form the basis of a new measure to monitor interdisciplinary research team effectiveness, identify weaknesses and promote team development.
Cosmetic and Cognitive Outcomes of Positional Plagiocephaly Treatment
Authors: Shamji Mohammed F. , Fric-Shamji Elana  C. , Merchant Praneal , Vassilyadi Michael
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Positional plagiocephaly is an acquired deformation of an intrinsically normal infant skull by sustained or excessive extrinsic forces. Non-surgical techniques include counter-positioning, supervised prone time and orthotic molding for more refractory cases. Long-term effects of positional plagiocephaly on development remain undefined, and this study evaluated cosmetic and cognitive outcomes of plagiocephaly management.

Method: Surveys were administered to parents of patients treated for positional plagiocephaly through the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Categorical responses interrogated cosmetic outcome, school performance, language skills, cognitive development and societal function. Pearson coefficient analysis tested outcomes dependency on gender, age, and plagiocephaly side at the 0.05 level of significance.

Results: Eighty respondents (51 male, 29 female) were divided as 58 right- and 22 left-sided pathology. Positional therapy was uniformly applied, and a helmet orthosis was utilized in 36% of cases. Median follow-up age was nine years with normal head appearance in 75% of cases. Only 4% of parents and 9% of patients observed significant residual asymmetry. These results did not vary by gender, age or deformity side. Left-sided disease predicted poorer language development and academic performance. Expressive speech abnormality occurred in twice as many patients with left-sided disease (36% versus 16%, p=0.04) along with three-fold greater special education requirements (27% versus 10%, p=0.04).

Conclusions: Non-surgical plagiocephaly management achieved good cosmetic outcome among patients in this study. Children with left-sided disease frequently encountered difficulties with cognitive and scholastic endeavors, although the roles of the underlying disease and the treatment measures in this delay cannot be differentiated.
Advanced glycation end-products activate the renin-angiotensin system through the RAGE/PI3-K signaling pathway in podocytes
Authors: Cheng Cailan L. , Tang Ying , Zheng Zhenda , Liu Xun , Ye Zengchun C. , Wang Cheng , Lou Tanqi Q
Published: May 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) on the components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in podocytes and to understand the mechanism of these effects.

Methods: Immortalized mouse podocytes were exposed to various concentrations of AGEs for different time intervals. The expression levels of angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II type 1 and 2 receptors (AT1R and AT2R) and renin were examined by real-time PCR and western blot; the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and both Akt and phosphorylated Akt were examined by western blot; levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) were assayed by ELISA, and the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was evaluated by measuring the production of hippuric acid in vitro.

Results: Treatment with AGEs resulted in significant increases in the expression of AGT (62%, P=0.002) and AT1R (59%, P=0.01). Moreover, Ang II levels increased significantly in both cell lysates (70%, P=0.018) and conditioned media (65%, P=0.01). ACE activity was also significantly higher in cell lysates (68% , P= 0.035) and conditioned media (65%, P=0.023). There were no changes in renin or AT2R expression (P > 0.05). AGEs did increase the expression of RAGE by 50% (P=0.012) and the phosphorylation of Akt by 100% (P=0.001). When podocytes were pretreated with anti-RAGE antibody (50 µg/ml) or the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor, LY294002 (10 µM), the AGEs-induced increases in AGT and AT1R expression were reduced. Likewise, Ang II levels and ACE activity decreased significantly.

Conclusion: AGEs activate the RAS in podocytes through the RAGE-PI3-K/Akt-dependent pathway and lead to an increase in podocyte apoptosis.
Up-regulated Expression of Fas Antigen in Peripheral T cell Subsets in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Mai Weihua , Liu Xingwei , Fan Yunping , Liu Hanwei , Hong Hai Yu , Han Rongrong , Zhou Wenying
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Recent reports have linked various autoimmune diseases to defective Fas-mediated apoptosis or Fas expression. Here we aimed to determine whether Fas-mediated apoptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG).

Methods: The expression of Fas antigen in peripheral T cell subsets from 17 Chinese patients with MG and 13 healthy individuals was determined by flow cytometry, and its associations with clinical classification, thymus pathology, the concomitance with hyperthyroidism (HT) and corticosteroid treatment were investigated.

Results: Compared with normal controls, a significantly up-regulated expression of Fas antigen was observed in the peripheral CD4+, CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8- T cell subsets from patients with MG. Fas expression in CD4-CD8+ T cells of MG patients with normal thymus was significantly higher than that of patients with thymoma. Fas expressions in CD4+CD8+ T cells in MG patients with HT was significantly higher than controls and the ones without HT. Enhanced Fas expressions was found in CD4-CD8+ and CD4-CD8- T cells of MG patients with corticosteroid treatment, but no significant difference of Fas expression in peripheral T cells between patients with ocular MG (OMG) and general MG (GMG) was observed.

Conclusion: Fas antigen may play a role in the pathogenesis of MG. It may be involved in the mechanisms of corticosteroid treatment, and with the occurrence of HT. OMG may represent a systemic disease, similar to that of GMG.