In vivo Recombinant Adenovirus-mediated p53 Gene Therapy in a Syngeneic Rat Model for Colorectal Cancer

The p53 gene has a significant role in controlling genomic stability of cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tumor response of allograft colorectal tumor treated with Ad5CMV-p53 in a syngeneic rat model. Two weeks after the inoculation of WB-2054-M5 tumor cells in the flank of rats, rats were randomly assigned by tumor size to one of three groups (n=18 in each): phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Ad5CMV, and Ad5CMV-p53. Recombinant adenovirus or PBS was administered through intratumoral injection at three divided doses every other day for 4 weeks. Apoptosis of the tumors was evaluated using TUNEL assay. After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the volume (cm3) of tumors in PBS, Ad5CMV, and Ad5CMV-p53 was as follows: 2 week: 1.66±0.43, 1.40±0.47, 0.75±0.26 (p<0.001), 4 week: 4.41±0.88, 3.93±1.86, 2.33±0.51 (p<0.001). Tumor growth showed no statistically significant difference between the PBS and Ad5CMV groups (6-week vol. p=0.32). The TUNEL assay results revealed more apparent apoptotic cells in Ad5CMV-p53-treated tumors than in other groups. Growth of allograft colorectal cancer in the syngeneic rat model was significantly suppressed by intratumoral Ad5CMV-p53 gene therapy. These results demonstrate that gene replacement therapy with p53 may provide a novel modality of treatment in conjunction with other present treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer

Characteristics of diabetic and non-diabetic carpal tunnel syndrome in terms of clinical, electrophysiological, and Sonographic features: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Although diabetes is considered a major risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the characteristics of diabetic CTS have not been fully understood. Objective This study is aimed at evaluation of the clinical, electrophysiological, and ultrasonographic findings of non-diabetic and diabetic CTS. Methods This retrospective, cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with CTS. Patient age, sex, involved side, body mass index, clinical and electrophysiological findings, and median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) were identified. Diabetes was identified through patient or guardian interviews, medical records, and medication history. Linear and binary logistic regression models were established to confirm the associations between the electrophysiological findings, median nerve CSA, and clinical outcomes. Covariates, such as age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, symptom duration, and thenar muscle weakness were adjusted. Results Out of the 920 hands, 126 and 794 belonged to the diabetic and non-diabetic CTS groups, respectively. The patients were significantly older in the diabetic CTS group (P < 0.001). The rate of thenar weakness in the diabetic CTS group was also significantly higher than that in the non-diabetic CTS group (P = 0.009). The diabetic CTS group had a more severe electrodiagnostic grade (P = 0.001). The prolonged onset latency of the compound motor nerve action potential (CMAP) and median nerve CSA were well associated with the degree of clinical symptoms. Increased median nerve CSA was significantly associated with prolonged CMAP onset latency (β = 0.64; P = 0.012), prolonged transcarpal latency (β = 0.95; P = 0.044), and decreased CMAP amplitude (β = -0.17; P = 0.002) in the non-diabetic CTS group. Conclusion Diabetic CTS had more profound electrophysiological abnormalities. Distal motor latency and median nerve CSA were not only associated with each other, but also with clinical symptoms. Further studies are needed to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diabetic CTS

Usefulness of the Forrest Classification to Predict Artificial Ulcer Rebleeding during Second-Look Endoscopy after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

Background/Aims: Delayed post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) bleeding (DPEB) is difficult to predict and there is controversy regarding the usefulness of prophylactic hemostasis during second-look endoscopy. This study evaluated the risk factors related to DPEB, the relationship between clinical outcomes and the Forrest classification, and the results of prophylactic hemostasis during second-look endoscopy. Methods: Second-look endoscopy was performed on the day after ESD to check for recent hemorrhage or potential bleeding and the presence of artificial ulcers in all patients. Results: DPEB occurred in 42 of 581 patients (7.2%). Multivariate analysis determined that a specimen size ≥40 mm (odds ratio [OR], 3.03; p=0.003), and a high-risk Forrest classification (Forrest Ib+IIa+IIb; OR, 6.88; p<0.001) were risk factors for DPEB. DPEB was significantly more likely in patients classified with Forrest Ib (OR, 24.35; p<0.001), IIa (OR, 12.91; p<0.001), or IIb (OR, 8.31; p<0.001) ulcers compared with Forrest III ulcers. There was no statistically significant difference between the prophylactic hemostasis and non-hemostasis groups (Forrest Ib, p=0.938; IIa, p=0.438; IIb, p=0.397; IIc, p=0.773) during second-look endoscopy. Conclusions: The Forrest classification of artificial gastric ulcers during second-look endoscopy seems to be a useful tool for predicting delayed bleeding. However, routine prophylactic hemostasis during second-look endoscopy seemed to not be useful for preventing DPEB

Water-stable polymer hole transport layer in organic and perovskite light-emitting diodes

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly-styrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is commonly used as a hole-transport material in optoelectronic devices such as organic and perovskite-based solar cells and light-emitting diodes. Moreover, PEDOT:PSS is suitable for fabricating flexible and roll-to-roll devices by solution processing. However, PEDOT:PSS has hygroscopic properties, and the water molecules it attracts can damage the active layer of de-vices, leading to reduced device stability. In this study, we develop a water-stable hole transport layer (HTL) in perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) via a simple and effective method, which involves the modification of PEDOT:PSS with 2-pentacosa-10,12-diynamidoethylsulfate as a photo-crosslinking agent. Experimental results show that devices with the developed HTL show greater long-term stability than PeLEDs and OLEDs based on pristine PEDOT:PSS