Aims Increased expression of senescence markers p14ARF and p16INK4a in breast cancer is associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence and poor survival outcome

Breast cancer is a hormonally driven disease. Cellular senescence is an age‐related irreversible cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase upon induction. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression patterns of the senescence markers p14ARF, p16INK4a and p21WAF1/Cip1 during breast cancer progression in a large patient cohort. Methods and results: We conducted a retrospective study of 1080 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma, no special type, over an 11‐year period. We performed immunohistochemical staining on tissue microarrays that included normal, benign hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situand invasive ductal carcinoma tissue from each patient. Invasive ductal carcinomas showed higher expression of p14ARF and p16INK4a but lower expression of p21WAF1/Cip1than non‐malignant tissues. There were significant correlations of normal, benign, preinvasive and malignant tissues with p14ARF, p16INK4a and p21WAF1/Cip1 expression (P < 0.05). Univariate comparison showed a correlation between high p16INK4a expression and poor survival (P = 0.000) and an increased risk of relapse (P = 0.000), whereas high p14ARF expression correlated only with an increased risk of relapse (P = 0.038). Multivariate analysis showed p16INK4a to be an important prognostic factor for overall survival (P = 0.011) and disease‐free survival (P = 0.004), with p14ARF also being a significant prognostic factor for disease‐free survival (P = 0.043). Moreover, patients showing both high p16INK4a expression and and high p14ARF expression had an adjusted three‐fold increased risk of disease recurrence (P < 0.05) and a two‐fold increased risk of all‐cause‐related death (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These finding suggest p16INK4a expression and p14ARF expression may play an important role in the progression of proliferative breast tissue to invasive cancer, and may be useful as prognostic factor

Dichlorido[N,N-diethyl-N′-(2-pyridyl­methyl­ene)ethane-1,2-diamine]mercury(II)

The Hg atom in the title compound, [HgCl2(C12H19N3)], adopts a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry, being ligated by two Cl atoms and three N atoms of the N,N-diethyl-N′-(2-pyridylmethyl­ene)ethane-1,2-diamine ligand. The dihedral angle between the HgN3 and HgCl2 least-squares planes is 88.6 (1)°. The Hg—N distances including the pyridine N and the ammonium N atom are about 0.20 Å longer than the Hg—N distance including the imino N atom

Lactic acid bacteria affect serum cholesterol levels, harmful fecal enzyme activity, and fecal water content

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are beneficial probiotic organisms that contribute to improved nutrition, microbial balance, and immuno-enhancement of the intestinal tract, as well as lower cholesterol. Although present in many foods, most trials have been in spreads or dairy products. Here we tested whether <it>Bifidobacteria </it>isolates could lower cholesterol, inhibit harmful enzyme activities, and control fecal water content.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>In vitro </it>culture experiments were performed to evaluate the ability of <it>Bifidobacterium </it>spp. isolated from healthy Koreans (20~30 years old) to reduce cholesterol-levels in MRS broth containing polyoxyethanylcholesterol sebacate. Animal experiments were performed to investigate the effects on lowering cholesterol, inhibiting harmful enzyme activities, and controlling fecal water content. For animal studies, 0.2 ml of the selected strain cultures (10⁸~10⁹CFU/ml) were orally administered to SD rats (fed a high-cholesterol diet) every day for 2 weeks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>B. longum </it>SPM1207 reduced serum total cholesterol and LDL levels significantly (<it>p </it>< 0.05), and slightly increased serum HDL. <it>B. longum </it>SPM1207 also increased fecal LAB levels and fecal water content, and reduced body weight and harmful intestinal enzyme activities.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Daily consumption of <it>B. longum </it>SPM1207 can help in managing mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia, with potential to improve human health by helping to prevent colon cancer and constipation.</p

A case of Hashimoto's encephalopathy presenting with seizures and psychosis

Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) is a rare, poorly understood, autoimmune disease characterized by symptoms of acute or subacute encephalopathy associated with increased anti-thyroid antibody levels. Here, we report a case of a 14-year-old girl with HE and briefly review the literature. The patient presented with acute mental changes and seizures, but no evidence of infectious encephalitis. In the acute stage, the seizures did not respond to conventional antiepileptic drugs, including valproic acid, phenytoin, and topiramate. The clinical course was complicated by the development of acute psychosis, including bipolar mood, insomnia, agitation, and hallucinations. The diagnosis of HE was supported by positive results for antithyroperoxidase and antithyroglobulin antibodies. Treatment with methylprednisolone was effective; her psychosis improved and the number of seizures decreased. HE is a serious but curable, condition, which might be underdiagnosed if not suspected. Anti-thyroid antibodies must be measured for the diagnosis. HE should be considered in patients with diverse neuropsychiatric manifestations

Effect of rutin from tartary buckwheat sprout on serum glucose-lowering in animal model of type 2 diabetes

This study investigates the anti-diabetic effects of rutin from tartary buckwheat sprout in type 2 diabetes mouse model. The rutin content in tartary buckwheat sprout (TBS) is five times higher than that found in common buckwheat sprout (CBS) as evident from high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Administration of either rutin or TBS ethanolic extract to diabetes mice decreased the serum glucose level significantly. Rutin down-regulated the expression levels of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B; negative regulator of insulin pathway, both transcriptionally and translationally in myocyte C2C12 in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, rutin can play a critical role in down-regulation of serum glucose level in type 2 diabetes

Association Kikuchi disease with Hashimoto thyroiditis: a case report and literature review

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a benign and self-limited disease characterized by fever and lymphadenopathy. The etiology of KFD is unknown, but an autoimmune cause has been suggested. Hashimoto thyroiditis is the most common autoimmune thyroid disorder in children and is known to be associated with other autoimmune diseases. Only a few cases of Hashimoto thyroiditis associated with KFD have been documented. We report a case of a 16-year-old girl who was first diagnosed with KFD and developed Hashimoto thyroiditis 2 years and 6 months later during her follow-up period. Physicians of patients with KFD should consider the possibility of autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Interrupted aortic arch diagnosed with loss of femoral pulse in a patient undergoing patent ductus arteriosus ligation -A case report-

A 12-year-old boy with ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus was presented to the operating room. Upon clamping the patent ductus arteriosus, the femoral arterial pressure curve was lost; however, it returned upon unclamping. Upon further dissection, an interrupted aortic arch was found between the left subclavian artery and patent ductus arteriosus. The surgery was discontinued for further evaluation