VGLL3 expression is associated with macrophage infiltration and predicts poor prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer

Background/objectiveHigh-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most common histologic type of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Due to its poor survival outcomes, it is essential to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The hippo pathway is crucial in various cancers, including gynaecological cancers. Herein, we examined the expression of the key genes of the hippo pathway and their relationship with clinicopathological significance, immune cells infiltration and the prognosis of HGSOC.MethodsThe Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data were curated to analyse the mRNA expression as well as the clinicopathological association and correlation with immune cell infiltration in HGSOC. The protein levels of significant genes in the HGSOC tissue were analysed using Tissue Microarray (TMA)-based immunohistochemistry. Finally, DEGs pathway analysis was performed to find the signalling pathways associated with VGLL3.ResultsVGLL3 mRNA expression was significantly correlated with both advanced tumor stage and poor overall survival (OS) (p=0.046 and p=0.003, respectively). The result of IHC analysis also supported the association of VGLL3 protein with poor OS. Further, VGLL3 expression was significantly associated with tumor infiltrating macrophages. VGLL3 expression and macrophages infiltration were both found to be independent prognostic factors (p=0.003 and p=0.024, respectively) for HGSOC. VGLL3 was associated with four known and three novel cancer-related signalling pathways, thus implying that VGLL3 is involved in the deregulation of many genes and pathways.ConclusionOur study revealed that VGLL3 may play a distinct role in clinical outcomes and immune cell infiltration in patients with HGSOC and that it could potentially be a prognostic marker of EOC

Growth of ultra-uniform graphene using a Ni/W bilayer metal catalyst

We investigated a bilayer catalyst system consisting of polycrystalline Ni and W films for growing mono-layer graphene over large areas. Highly uniform graphene was grown on Ni/W bilayer film with 100% coverage. The graphene grown on Ni/W bilayer film and transferred onto an insulating substrate exhibited average hole and electron mobilities of 727 and 340 cm(2)V(-1)s(-1), respectively. A probable growth mechanism is proposed based on X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy, which suggests that the reaction between diffused carbon and tungsten atoms results in formation of tungsten carbides. This reaction allows the control of carbon precipitation and prevents the growth of non-uniform multilayer graphene on the Ni surface; this has not been straightforwardly achieved before. These results could be of importance in better understanding mono-layer graphene growth, and suggest a facile fabrication route for electronic applications. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLCopen0

A standardized extract of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour. exerts a protective effect on benzalkonium chloride-induced mouse dry eye model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In contrast to other leguminous plants generally used as food, Rhynchosia volubilis Loureiro, a small soybean with a black seed coat, has been used as a traditional oriental remedy for various human diseases in Eastern Asia. In this study, we demonstrated the protective effect of R. volubilis against dry eye disease. AIM OF THE STUDY We aimed to investigate whether a standardized ethanol extract of R. volubilis (EERV) can protect the cornea in a benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced mouse dry eye model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental dry eye was induced by the instillation of 0.2% BAC on mouse cornea. A standardized ethanol extract of R. volubilis (EERV) was orally administered following BAC treatment. The positive control group was treated with commercial eye drops. Fluorescein staining, tear break-up time (BUT), and hematoxylin and eosin staining were evaluated on the ocular surface. Squamous metaplasia and apoptosis in the corneal epithelial layer were detected by immunostaining. Furthermore, the protein expression of cytochrome c, Bcl-2, and Bax was determined. RESULTS EERV treatment significantly improved fluorescein scoring, BUT, and smoothness in the cornea compared to the vehicle group. In addition, EERV inhibited squamous metaplasia and apoptosis in the cornea. The expression of cytochrome c and Bax was upregulated, while that of Bcl-2 was downregulated in the vehicle group compared with that in the control group. However, EERV treatment inhibited the expression of cytochrome c and Bax, while that of Bcl-2 was improved. CONCLUSION Standardized EERV could be a beneficial candidate for the treatment of dry eye disease

Effect of intradialytic change in blood pressure and ultrafiltration volume on the variation in access flow measured by ultrasound dilution

AbstractBackgroundProspective access flow measurement is the preferred method for vascular access surveillance in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We studied the effect of intradialytic change in blood pressure and ultrafiltration volume on the variation in access flow measured by ultrasound dilution.MethodsAccess flow was measured 30minutes, 120minutes, and 240minutes after the start of HD by ultrasound dilution in 30 patients during 89 HD sessions and evaluated for variation.ResultsThe mean age of the 30 patients was 62±11 years: 19 were male. The accesses comprised 16 fistulae and 14 grafts. The mean access flow over all sessions decreased by 6.1% over time (1265±568mL/min after 30minutes, 1260±599mL/min after 120minutes, and 1197±576mL/min after 240minutes, P<0.01 by repeated measures ANOVA). In addition, a≥5% decrease in mean arterial pressure during HD significantly reduced access flow (P=0.014). However, no other variable (ultrafiltration volume, sex, age, presence of diabetes, type or location of access, body surface area, hemoglobin, serum albumin level) interacted significantly with the effect of time on access flow. Furthermore, mean arterial pressure did not correlate with ultrafiltration volume.ConclusionWe conclude that the variation in access flow during HD is relatively small. Decreased blood pressure is a risk factor for variation in access flow measured by ultrasound dilution. In most patients whose blood pressures are stable during HD, the access flow can be measured at any time during the HD treatment

High-Grade Hydronephrosis Predicts Poor Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy in Patients with Bladder Cancer

We examined whether the presence and severity of preoperative hydronephrosis have prognostic significance in patients who underwent radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The medical records of 457 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 1986 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Following the Society for Fetal Urology grading system, patients were divided into low-, and high-grade hydronephrosis groups. Clinicopathologic factors associated with preoperative hydronephrosis and survival were evaluated. Of a total of 406 patients, unilateral hydronephrosis was found in 74 (18.2%), bilateral hydronephrosis in 11 (2.7%), and no hydronephoris in 321 (79.1%). Low-grade hydronephrosis was found in 57 (12.2%) patients and high-grade hydronephrosis in 28 (6%). Preoperative hydronephrosis was related to higher pT stage and lymph node invasion. In univariate analysis, the presence of hydronephrosis, hydronephrosis grade, age, pT and pN stage, tumor grade, surgical margin, number of retrieved nodes, carcinoma in situ, and lymphovascular invasion were significant prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival. In multivariate analysis, bilateral hydronephrosis and high-grade hydronephrosis remained significant predictors for decreased survival. The presence of preoperative hydronephrosis, and high-grade hydronephrosis are significant prognostic factors in patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy

Selection of high berberine yielding phellodendron insulare nak. lines and the antimicrobial activity of their extracts

High berberine yielding Phellodendron insulare Nak. lines were selected by aggregate cloning method and the antimicrobial activity of their extracts was assessed. The berberine producing cork tree lines were selected by adopting a colorimetric method. In all 300 high berberine producing lines were selected with a colorimetric reagent containing 5M HCl and H2O2 and established from dissociated cell aggregates. The crude extracts from these lines showed antibacterial activities against tested Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimulium, and Listeria monocytogenes. The cork tree extracts were found to be inhibitory to these test organisms. Further the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts was on par with the berberine isolated from the extracts from native cork trees. These results have potential for developing alternative plant products as antimicrobial substances for application in agriculture and food industry