A mouse model for triple-negative breast cancer tumor-initiating cells (TNBC-TICs) exhibits similar aggressive phenotype to the human disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) exhibit characteristics quite distinct from other kinds of breast cancer, presenting as an aggressive disease--recurring and metastasizing more often than other kinds of breast cancer, without tumor-specific treatment options and accounts for 15% of all types of breast cancer with higher percentages in premenopausal African-American and Hispanic women. The reason for this aggressive phenotype is currently the focus of intensive research. However, progress is hampered by the lack of suitable TNBC cell model systems.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To understand the mechanistic basis for the aggressiveness of TNBC, we produced a stable TNBC cell line by sorting for 4T1 cells that do not express the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) or the gene for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). As a control, we produced a stable triple-positive breast cancer (TPBC) cell line by transfecting 4T1 cells with rat HER2, ER and PgR genes and sorted for cells with high expression of ER and PgR by flow cytometry and high expression of the HER2 gene by Western blot analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We isolated tumor-initiating cells (TICs) by sorting for CD24⁺/CD44^high/ALDH1⁺cells from TNBC (TNBC-TICs) and TPBC (TPBC-TICs) stable cell lines. Limiting dilution transplantation experiments revealed that CD24⁺/CD44^high/ALDH1⁺cells derived from TNBC (TNBC-TICs) and TPBC (TPBC-TICs) were significantly more effective at repopulating the mammary glands of naïve female BALB/c mice than CD24^-/CD44^-/ALDH1^-cells. Implantation of the TNBC-TICs resulted in significantly larger tumors, which metastasized to the lungs to a significantly greater extent than TNBC, TPBC-TICs, TPBC or parental 4T1 cells. We further demonstrated that the increased aggressiveness of TNBC-TICs correlates with the presence of high levels of mouse twenty-five kDa heat shock protein (Hsp25/mouse HspB1) and seventy-two kDa heat shock protein (Hsp72/HspA1A).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Taken together, we have developed a TNBC-TICs model system based on the 4T1 cells which is a very useful metastasis model with the advantage of being able to be transplanted into immune competent recipients. Our data demonstrates that the TNBC-TICs model system could be a useful tool for studies on the pathogenesis and therapeutic treatment for TNBC.</p

Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women attending a tertiary health center

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among pregnant women is poor. However, increasing awareness may help in diagnosis and prevention of maternal and fetal complications. Hence, this study was aimed at evaluating the knowledge in diagnosed GDM pregnant women. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2014 to March 2017. A total of 500 registered pregnant women diagnosed to have GDM residing within 5 km of the study area aged more than 18 years who were willing to participate in the study were enrolled in the study. The participants were provided with the questionnaire which was designed to assess their knowledge about GDM. RESULTS: The age of the women ranged from 22 to 44 years with mean age as 27.53 ± 2.42 years and median age as 27 years. The most common age group was 26–30 years which comprised 67.6% of the women. Maximum women had primary education (61%) and were Hindus (54.8%). Most of the women were working (54.8%), resided in slum areas (43.2%), and had body mass index (BMI) between 19.8 and 26 kg/m2 (67%). The mean BMI level was 28.07 ± 4.11 kg/m2. The mean blood sugar levels at diagnosis ranged between 88 and 300 mg/dL and the mean blood sugar level was 201.36 ± 38.67 mg/dL and the median blood sugar level was 190 mg/dL. Majority of the women, that is, 57.6% of the women, had an average knowledge about GDM while 21.8% of the women had good knowledge, 1.6% had excellent, and 19% had poor knowledge. The mean knowledge score was 6.51 ± 3.41. The mean percentage of the knowledge was 36.14% ± 18.94%. Statistically significant association was noted between knowledge about GDM with maternal age and educational status, religion, and occupation (P < 0.050), but the GDM knowledge was independent of that found between place of residence (P = 0.715) and family history of DM (P = 0.661). CONCLUSION: There is poor knowledge about GDM in the study area. Hence, there is need to create awareness of this condition through counseling and use of mass media

Prospective Study of Medication Adherence Pattern in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma Patient&apos;s in Tertiary Care teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT Lack of patient compliance with prescribed regimen is an important fascinating problem in medical care, especially in patients suffering from chronic illnesses. Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are the two main chronic lung disorders which are particularly vulnerable for medication non-adherence problem. Aim of the study was to assess medication adherence by self-report method to understand various determinants of medication non-adherence, and to enhance adherence using the strategies of counseling, education, and interviewing the patient. The prospective study was conducted for period of six months, assessed medication and inhaler adherence by administering Morisky self-reported questionnaires and inhaler technique were assessed by the standard checklist. Also reported the reasons for non-adherence.The study shows there was statistically significant increase in medication (P&lt;0.001) and inhaler adherence score (P&lt;0.001) and inhaler technique score (P&lt;0.001) from baseline after pharmacist counseling regarding disease and medication. Comparison between various demographic factors like age, gender, diagnosis, duration of disease, and education status showed equal impact of pharmacist counseling on improvement of overall medication adherence score. Overall medication adherence and inhaler technique improvement was found to be statistically significant in asthma and COPD patients after counseling by pharmacist. The major reasons for medication non-compliance were felt better and stopped, high cost of medication, forgetfulness and lack of access to drug store/hospital

Nanoceramic Composites for Nuclear Radiation Attenuation

The development of radiation attenuation materials with lean cross-sections is the need of the hour. However, the inherent threat of radiations accompanying these processes is of major concern. Thus, in an attempt to shield unnecessary radiations, several novel materials have been fabricated alongside the conventional materials available. Yet, there is a need for cost-effective, efficient shielding materials that have good mechanical strength and effective shielding properties. The present work investigates ceramic composite behaviors and radiation shielding capacity reinforced with lead oxide nano-powder. Developed nano-lead-based cement composites were subjected to mechanical tests to determine flexural and compressive strengths to check their suitability for structural applications. Further, the gamma attenuation test of the composites was conducted to determine their neutron absorption capacity. The addition of nano-leadoxide in the control beams was varied from 0.7 to 0.95 and 1 wt.% of the ceramic matrix. The percentage of nano-leadoxide that gives the best results in both enhanced properties and economic aspects was determined to be 0.6 wt.% of the cement