A three-protein biomarker panel assessed in diagnostic tissue predicts death from prostate cancer for men with localized disease

Only a minority of prostate cancers lead to death. Because no tissue biomarkers of aggressiveness other than Gleason score are available at diagnosis, many nonlethal cancers are treated aggressively. We evaluated whether a panel of biomarkers, associated with a range of disease outcomes in previous studies, could predict death from prostate cancer for men with localized disease. Using a case-only design, subjects were identified from three Australian epidemiological studies. Men who had died of their disease, cases (N = 83), were matched to referents (N = 232), those who had not died of prostate cancer, using incidence density sampling. Diagnostic tissue was retrieved to assess expression of AZGP1, MUC1, NKX3.1, p53, and PTEN by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC). Poisson regression was used to estimate mortality rate ratios (MRRs) adjusted for age, Gleason score, and stage and to estimate survival probabilities. Expression of MUC1 and p53 was associated with increased mortality (MRR 2.51, 95% CI 1.14-5.54, P = 0.02 and 3.08, 95% CI 1.41-6.95, P = 0.005, respectively), whereas AZGP1 expression was associated with decreased mortality (MRR 0.44, 95% CI 0.20-0.96, P = 0.04). Analyzing all markers under a combined model indicated that the three markers were independent predictors of prostate cancer death and survival. For men with localized disease at diagnosis, assessment of AZGP1, MUC1, and p53 expression in diagnostic tissue by IHC could potentially improve estimates of risk of dying from prostate cancer based only on Gleason score and clinical stage

Association between the risk of malnutrition and functional capacity in patients with peripheral arterial disease: A cross-sectional study

Introduction The risk of malnutrition is an important predictor of functional capacity in the elderly population. However, whether malnutrition is associated with functional capacity in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) is poorly known. Purpose To analyse the association between the risk of malnutrition and functional capacity in patients with PAD. Methods This cross-sectional study included 135 patients with PAD of both genders, ≥50 years old, with symptomatic PAD (Rutherford stage I to III) in one or both limbs and with ankle-brachial index ≤0.90. The risk of malnutrition was assessed by the short form of the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form and patients were classified as having normal nutritional status (n = 92) and at risk of malnutrition (n = 43). Functional capacity was objectively assessed using the six-minute walking test (6MWT, absolute maximal distance and relativized and expressed as a percentage of health subjects), short-physical performance battery (SPPB, balance, gait speed and the sit and stand test) and the handgrip test, and subjectively, using the Walking Impairment Questionnaire and Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History. The association between the risk of malnutrition and functional capacity was analysed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression adjustments for gender, age, ankle-brachial index, body mass index, use of statins, coronary arterial disease and stroke. For all statistical analyses, significance was accepted at p<0.05. Results Thirty-two per cent of our patients were classified with a risk of malnutrition. The risk of malnutrition was associated with the absolute 6MWT total distance (OR = 0.994, P = 0.031) relative 6MWT total distance (OR = 0.971, P = 0.038), lowest SPPB total score (OR = 0.682, P = 0.011), sit and stand (OR = 1.173, P = 0.003) and usual 4-meter walk test (OR = 1.757, P = 0.034). Conclusion In patients with PAD, the risk of malnutrition was associated with objective measurements of functional capacity

Rhabdomyoblastic Differentiation in Head and Neck Malignancies Other Than Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a relatively common soft tissue sarcoma that frequently affects children and adolescents and may involve the head and neck. Rhabdomyosarcoma is defined by skeletal muscle differentiation which can be suggested by routine histology and confirmed by immunohistochemistry for the skeletal muscle-specific markers myogenin or myoD1. At the same time, it must be remembered that when it comes to head and neck malignancies, skeletal muscle differentiation is not limited to rhabdomyosarcoma. A lack of awareness of this phenomenon could lead to misdiagnosis and, subsequently, inappropriate therapeutic interventions. This review focuses on malignant neoplasms of the head and neck other than rhabdomyosarcoma that may exhibit rhabdomyoblastic differentiation, with an emphasis on strategies to resolve the diagnostic dilemmas these tumors may present. Axiomatically, no primary central nervous system tumors will be discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN IN VIVO 2-DEOXYGLUCOSE UPTAKE MODEL TO ASSESS GLUCOSE ASSIMILATION FOLLOWING DRUG TREATMENT IN MICE

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and limitations of using the uptake of (\u2714)C-2-deoxyglucose ((\u2714)C-2DG) in the conscious mouse as a screening model for detecting changes in glucose uptake. The uptake of (\u2714)C-2DG was measured in gastrocnemius muscle, retroperitoneal fat, liver, cerebral cortex, and blood. Insulin (2 U/kg) sc significantly reduced 2DG levels in blood compared to saline controls but significantly increased 2DG levels in muscle and fat. There was no effect on cerebral cortex 2DG uptake. Hydrocortisone (HC) treatment (300 mg/kg, ip) significantly reduced brain and muscle 2DG uptake. The decreased 2DG uptake in the brain may result from HC-induced hyperglycemia or a reduction in extracellular sorbitol space. The effect of HC on the muscle appears to be a direct effect. Adrenalectomy had no detectable effect on 2DG uptake in peripheral tissues. Acute doses of tolazamide (TZ) 50 mg/kg ip, caused a pronounced elevation of 2DG in muscle and fat. This was similar to the 2DG profile seen with insulin for TZ elevates endogenous insulin levels. Tolazamide also produced an increased uptake of 2DG in brain. The increased 2DG uptake in brain, fat, and muscle did not appear to be a result of lowered blood glucose, and consequently higher 2DG specific activity, produced by TZ. Subchronic treatment with TZ did not change tissue 2DG uptake compared to controls. However, insulin levels were lower than the control group suggesting an enhancement of insulin action. Acute doses of TZ potentiated the decrease in plasma glucose values seen with repeated orbital sinus puncture in viable yellow obese mice. The insulin resistance of viable yellow obese mice was seen in the fat tissue of these animals. Subchronic TZ treatment had no effect on insulin levels or on 2DG tissue uptake in peripheral tissues of these mice. The limitations of the model seem to involve the brain and liver. Increasing glucose concentrations lead to decreased 2DG brain uptake. It also appears that 2DG may not be reflecting glucose assimilation in the liver. However, it appears that the in vivo 2DG uptake model, which uses 2DG transport and phosphorylation as the insulin postreceptor events, is a useful screening method for detecting changes in glucose assimilation following drug therapy in fat and muscle

A novel preservation technique applied to fiordilatte cheese

Bio-plastics are starting to graduate from the 'emerging technology' stage to market acceptance as everyday materials. In the present study, nanocomposite coatings embedding copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were developed as new active packaging for fresh dairy products. In order to combine the bioactivity of CuNPs with a biodegradable polymer matrix, copper nanoparticles were satisfactorily incorporated into polylactic acid (PLA). Two different routes were carried out to prepare active films by picosecond-pulsed laser ablation. The nano-materials were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy. Copper release was also measured through atomic absorption analyses. To assess the antimicrobial effects of nanocomposite systems, both in vitro and in vivo tests were carried out. The active polylactic acid films showed good antibacterial activity. In fiordilatte samples stored at 4 C during 9 days, proliferation of main spoilage microorganisms was delayed with a consequent preservation of sensory attributes. These results represent a step forward in the possible application of copper in the food packaging industry. Industrial relevance Bio-plastics with active properties represent the most emerging technology in food packaging field. Results from the current paper demonstrate that antimicrobial films of PLA embedding copper nanoparticles could be developed and applied to fresh dairy products as fiordilatte. In fact, the in vivo test confirmed the antimicrobial effects on fiordilatte spoilage, without compromising sensory attributes. Results could gain great importance from the industrial dairy sector