Different Survival of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage C Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients by the Extent of Portal Vein Invasion and the Type of Extrahepatic Spread

Portal vein invasion (PVI) and extrahepatic spread (ES) are two tumor-related factors that define advanced stage in the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system (BCLC stage C), and the recommended first line therapy in this stage is sorafenib. However, the extent of PVI and the type of ES may affect patient prognosis as well as treatment outcome. This study analyzed survival of BCLC stage C HCC patients in order to see whether sub-classification of BCLC stage C is necessary. A total of 582 treatment naïve, BCLC stage C HCC patients [age: 54.3 ± 10.8 years, males = 494 (84.9%), hepatitis B virus (458, 78.7%)], defined by PVI and/or ES, were analyzed. Extent of PVI was divided into none, type I-segmental/sectoral branches, type II-left and/or right portal vein, and type III-main portal vein trunk. Type of ES was divided into nodal and distant metastasis. The extent of PVI and type of ES were independent factors for survival. When patients were sub-classified according to the extent of PVI and type of ES, the median survival was significantly different [11.7 months, 5.7 months, 4.9 months and 2.3 months for C1 (PVI-O/I without distant ES), C2 (PVI-II/III without distant ES), C3 (PVI-0/I with distant ES), and C4 (PVI-II/III with distant ES), respectively, P = 0.01]. Patients’ survival was different according to the treatment modality in each sub-stage. Sub-classification of BCLC stage C according to the extent of PVI and type of ES resulted in a better prediction of survival. Also, different outcome was observed by treatment modalities in each sub-stage. Sub-classification of BCLC stage C is required to minimize heterogeneity within the same tumor stage, that will help better predict survival and to select optimal treatment strategies.     

Experimental Reactivation of Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection in a Modified Cornell-Like Murine Model

The latency and reactivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection has been well studied. However, there have been few studies of the latency and reactivation of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), the most common etiological non-tuberculous Mycobacterium species next to M. tuberculosis in humans worldwide. We hypothesized that latent MAC infections can be reactivated following immunosuppression after combination chemotherapy with clarithromycin and rifampicin under experimental conditions. To this end, we employed a modified Cornell-like murine model of tuberculosis and investigated six strains consisting of two type strains and four clinical isolates of M. avium and M. intracellulare. After aerosol infection of each MAC strain, five to six mice per group were euthanized at 2, 4, 10, 18, 28 and 35 weeks post-infection, and lungs were sampled to analyze bacterial burden and histopathology. One strain of each species maintained a culture-negative state for 10 weeks after completion of 6 weeks of chemotherapy, but was reactivated after 5 weeks of immunosuppression in the lungs with dexamethasone (three out of six mice in M. avium infection) or sulfasalazine (four out of six mice in both M. avium and M. intracellulare infection). The four remaining MAC strains exhibited decreased bacterial loads in response to chemotherapy; however, they remained at detectable levels and underwent regrowth after immunosuppression. In addition, the exacerbated lung pathology demonstrated a correlation with bacterial burden after reactivation. In conclusion, our results suggest the possibility of MAC reactivation in an experimental mouse model, and experimentally demonstrate that a compromised immune status can induce reactivation and/or regrowth of MAC infection.     

A Prospective Study of Fatty Liver Index and Incident Hypertension: The KoGES-ARIRANG Study

Background

Although non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, its influence on hypertension development is poorly understood. We investigated whether fatty liver disease, as assessed by the fatty liver index, could predict the development of hypertension independently of systemic insulin resistance, inflammatory status and adipokine levels.

Methods

Prospective cohort study of 1,521 adults (484 men and 1037 women) aged 40 to 70 years without baseline hypertension examined. An equation was used to calculate fatty liver index and classify patients as follows: fatty liver index <30, no non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; fatty liver index ≥60, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; and 30≤ fatty liver index <60, intermediate fatty liver index.

Results

During an average of 2.6 years of follow-up, 153 subjects (10.06%) developed hypertension. Fatty liver index was positively associated with baseline blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, urinary albumin/creatinine excretion, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. After adjustment for confounding factors, including markers of insulin resistance, systemic inflammation and adiponectin levels, the odds ratio [95% confidence interval] for the incident hypertension increased in a graded manner with fatty liver index (<30 vs. 30–59 vs. ≥60 = 1 vs. 1.83 [1.16~2.88] vs. 2.09 [1.08~4.055], respectively).

Conclusions

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease assessed by fatty liver index was an independent risk factor for hypertension. Our findings suggest that fatty liver index, a simple surrogate indicator of fatty liver disease, might be useful for identifying subjects at high risk for incident hypertension in clinical practice.     

Effect of apple intake on fecal microbiota and metabolites in humans

The effects of apple intake on the fecal flora, water content, pH, and metabolic activities in eight healthy volunteers and the utilization of apple pectin in vitro were investigated. Although several isolates of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and the Bacteroides fragilis group utilized apple pectin, most isolates of Escherichia coli, Collinsela aerofaciense, Eubacterium limosum, and Clostridium perfringens could not. When fecal samples from healthy adults were incubated in liquid broth with apple pectin present or absent, the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the former were higher than those in the later. After the intake of apples (2 apples a day for 2 weeks) by eight healthy adult humans, the number of bifidobacteria in feces increased (p < 0.05 on day 7 and p < 0.01 on day 14 of the intake period), and the numbers of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus including Enterococcus tended to increase. However, lecithinase-positive clostridia, including C. perfringens, decreased (p < 0.05), and Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas tended to decrease. Moreover, the concentrations of fecal acetic acid tended to increase on apple intake. The fecal ammonia concentration showed a tendency to reduce and fecal sulfide decreased (p < 0.05) on apple intake. These findings indicate that apple consumption is related to an improved intestinal environment, and apple pectin is one of the effective apple components improving the fecal environment.     

Ablation of LKB1 in the heart leads to energy deprivation and impaired cardiac function

Energy deprivation in the myocardium is associated with impaired heart function and increased morbidity. LKB1 is a kinase that is required for activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as well as 13 AMPK-related protein kinases. AMPK stimulates ATP production during ischemia and prevents post-ischemic dysfunction. We used the Cre–Lox system to generate mice where LKB1 was selectively knocked out in cardiomyocytes and muscle cells (LKB1-KO) to assess the role of LKB1 on cardiac function in these mice.Heart rates of LKB1-KO mice were reduced and ventricle diameter was increased. Ex vivo, cardiac function was impaired during aerobic perfusion of isolated working hearts, and recovery of function after ischemia was reduced. Although oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial function were normal, the AMP/ATP ratio was increased in LKB1-KO hearts. This was associated with a complete ablation of AMPKα2 activity, and a stimulation of signaling through the mammalian target of rapamycin. Our results establish a critical role for LKB1 for normal cardiac function under both aerobic conditions and during recovery after ischemia. Ablation of LKB1 leads to a decreased cardiac efficiency despite normal mitochondrial oxidative metabolism.     

The state and conservation of Southeast Asian biodiversity

Southeast Asia is a region of conservation concern due to heavy losses of its native habitats. In this overview, we highlight the conservation importance of Southeast Asia by comparing its degree of species endemism and endangerment, and its rate of deforestation with other tropical regions (i.e., Meso-America, South America, and Sub-Saharan Africa). Southeast Asia contains the highest mean proportion of country-endemic bird (9%) and mammal species (11%). This region also has the highest proportion of threatened vascular plant, reptile, bird, and mammal species. Furthermore, not only is Southeast Asia’s annual deforestation rate the highest in the tropics, but it has also increased between the periods 1990–2000 and 2000–2005. This could result in projected losses of 13–85% of biodiversity in the region by 2100. Secondary habitat restoration, at least in certain countries, would allow for some amelioration of biodiversity loss and thus potentially lower the currently predicted extinction rates. Nonetheless, urgent conservation actions are needed. Conservation initiatives should include public education, sustaining livelihoods, and ways to enhance the sustainability of agriculture and increase the capacity of conservation institutions. Furthermore, these actions should be country-specific and not ignore areas heavily populated by humans, as they can also harbour high numbers of threatened species. We urge that cooperative conservation initiatives be undertaken and support (e.g., capacity-building) be given by more developed countries in the region and beyond.     

Isolation of compound microsatellite markers for the endangered plant Neolitsea sericea (Lauraceae)

? Premise of the study: The development of compound microsatellite markers was conducted in Neolitsea sericea to investigate genetic diversity and population genetic structure of this endangered insular species. ? Methods and Results: Using the compound microsatellite marker technique, 10 compound microsatellite markers that were successfully amplified showed polymorphism when assessed in 55 individuals from two populations in East China and Japan. Overall, the number of alleles ranged from 3 to 17, with an average of 7.9 alleles per locus. In addition, these primers could be easily amplified in Neolitsea aurata var. paraciculata and N. aurata var. chekiangensis. ? Conclusions: The highly polymorphic markers developed and characterized in this study will be useful for population genetic studies of N. sericea.     

Mechanisms of heart development in the Japanese lamprey, Lethenteron japonicum

SUMMARY Vertebrate hearts have evolved from undivided tubular hearts of chordate ancestors. One of the most intriguing issues in heart evolution is the abrupt appearance of multichambered hearts in the agnathan vertebrates. To explore the developmental mechanisms behind the drastic morphological changes that led to complex vertebrate hearts, we examined the developmental patterning of the agnathan lamprey Lethenteron japonicum . We isolated lamprey orthologs of genes thought to be essential for heart development in chicken and mouse embryos, including genes responsible for differentiation and proliferation of the myocardium ( LjTbx20, LjTbx4/5 , and LjIsl1/2A ), establishment of left–right heart asymmetry ( LjPitxA ), and partitioning of the heart tube ( LjTbx2/3A ), and studied their expression patterns during lamprey cardiogenesis. We confirmed the presence of the cardiac progenitors expressing LjIsl1/2A in the pharyngeal and splanchnic mesoderm and the heart tube of the lamprey. The presence of LjIsl1/2A -positive cardiac progenitor cells in cardiogenesis may have permitted an increase of myocardial size in vertebrates. We also observed LjPitxA expression in the left side of lamprey cardiac mesoderm, suggesting that asymmetric expression of Pitx in the heart has been acquired in the vertebrate lineage. Additionally, we observed LjTbx2/3A expression in the nonchambered myocardium, supporting the view that acquisition of Tbx2/3 expression may have allowed primitive tubular hearts to partition, giving rise to multichambered hearts.