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Biomedical subjects

Yang Li

Publications and source records attributed to Yang Li.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Detection of picomolar levels of interleukin-8 in human saliva by SPR.

Researchers at UCLA have discovered that the levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) protein in the saliva of healthy individuals and patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are 30 pM and 86 pM, respectively. In this study, we present the development of the first immunoassay for the quantification of picomolar IL-8 concentrations in human saliva using Biacore surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in a microfluidic channel. A sandwich assay using two monoclonal antibodies, which recognize different epitopes on the antigen (IL-8), was used. Only 13 minutes were required to determine the quantity of pure IL-8 added to just 100 microL of either buffer or saliva-based samples. The limit of detection (LOD) of this immunoassay in buffer was 2.5 pM, and the precision of the response for each concentration was <3% of the coefficient of variation. When first analyzing the saliva supernatants, non-specific binding to the surface was observed. By adding carboxymethyl dextran sodium salt (10 mg mL(-1)) to compete with the surface dextran and primary antibody for non-specific interactions, the signal to noise ratio was greatly improved. The LOD of this immunoassay in saliva was 184 pM. A minimum concentration of 250 pM of exogenous IL-8 could then be consistently detected in a salivary environment. The precision of the response for each IL-8 concentration tested was <7% of the coefficient of variation. Diagnostic sensitivity for oral cancer can be achieved by pre-concentrating the saliva samples 10 fold prior to SPR analysis, making the target levels of IL-8 300 pM for healthy individuals and 860 pM for oral cancer patients.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Genistein derivatives as selective estrogen receptor modulators: sonochemical synthesis and in vivo anti-osteoporotic action.

Genistein derivatives were synthesized from genistein through a facile sonochemical approach in high yields. The bioassay was performed on ovariectomized (OVX) rats in terms of bone mineral density (BMD) and the weight of bone ash (WBA) to lead to the discovery of eight novel genistein-based selective estrogen receptor modulators. Attention to the structure-activity relationship disclosed that the newly introduced 2-hydroxyethylthio scaffolds were essential for the anti-osteoporotic activity. Moreover, the anti-osteoporotic action of genistein, deprivable by methylation, could be restored and enhanced by subsequent sulfonation. The most promising compound was 4',5,7-tri[3-(2-hydroxyethylthio)propoxy]isoflavone, displaying 24% (or 8%) increment in BMD and 31% (or 11%) increase in WBA of the femora relative to those discerned with the OVX (or genistein) group. Acute toxicity test showed that none of the active compounds was acutely toxic.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2005

Inhibition of experimental colon cancer metastasis by the GABA-receptor agonist nembutal.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and GABA receptors have been recently detected on epithelial colon cancer cells. Nembutal (pentobarbital) is a barbiturate with GABA-agonistic effects. We demonstrate that GABA receptors are present on colon cancer cell lines (KM12SM, HT29, RKO). Nembutal (0.1-500 microg/ml) continuous exposure resulted in an IC50 level of 58 microg/ml for the KM12SM cells and 120 microg/ml for the HT29 cells. Nembutal reduced cellular cAMP concentration in colon cancer cells and resulted in a dose and time dependent decrease in MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels. In the KM12SM intracecal injected mice, 9 of 10 mice in the metaphane group developed a primary tumor (mean weight = 2.16 g +/- 0.76) compared to 7 of 10 mice in the nembutal group (mean weight = 0.41 g +/- 0.21, p = 0.03). In the KM12SM intrasplenic injected mice, the tumor weight in the spleen was 85% smaller in the nembutal group compared to the metaphane group (p = 0.008). In the HT29 injected mice, the metaphane group and nembutal group had similar tumor incidence, but combined tumor weight (primary tumor and liver metastases) was significantly higher in the metaphane group (1.61+/- 0.45 g) versus 0.07 +/- 0.05 g; p = 0.008. The incidence of liver metastases in the nembutal group was zero compared to eight out of nine in the metaphane group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence that nembutal is a potent inhibitor of primary colon cancer and metastasis. These findings may have therapeutic implications for the treatment of colon and other cancers.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

New enantiomeric polylactide-block-poly(butylene succinate)-block-polylactides: syntheses, characterization and in situ self-assembly.

In situ self-assemblies of new biodegradable triblock PLLA-b-PBS-b-PLLA and PDLA-b-PBS-b-PDLA have been investigated in acetonitrile solution. At first, two series of PLLA-b-PBS-b-PLLA and PDLA-b-PBS-b-PDLA, respectively denoted as the P and Q triblock copolyester series, were prepared with fixed PBS block ((overline) M(n,NMR) = 6.9 kDa) and diverse enantiomeric PLLA/PDLA blocks. Further, their chemical structures and thermal properties were characterized by means of titration, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), polarimeter, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and thermal analytical instruments. When mixing the synthesized enantiomeric copolyester pairs denoted as P(1)/Q(1) - P(8)/Q(8) in acetonitrile solution at 60 degrees C, in situ self-assemblies were found to happen for the P(4)/Q(4) to P(8)/Q(8) pairs, bearing longer enantiomeric PLA block lengths. DSC and WAXD analysis of the self-assembled microparticles demonstrated that PLLA/PDLA racemic crystals were formed for the P(5)/Q(5) - P(8)/Q(8) systems, as evidenced by their melting points over 200 degrees C, and a new X-ray diffraction peak detected at 2theta = 11.8 degrees . Moreover, morphological studies by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated the formation of disk- or platelet-like microparticles. It was noted that the diameters of the microparticles self-assembled in situ decreased from 1.28-1.50 mum down to 480-660 nm, through tailoring the enantiomeric PLA block length. Other factors, such as a central PBS block, the enantiomeric block length and the preparation conditions were suggested to play important roles in the in situ self-assembly of these enantiomeric triblock copolyesters. These results provide a facile way to self-assemble hydrophobic, biodegradable microparticles, through tuning the important van der Waals stereocomplexation interactions between two enantiomeric blocks in solution.

Acetonitriles↗
PubMed2005

Structural requirements for differential sensitivity of KCNQ K+ channels to modulation by Ca2+/calmodulin.

Calmodulin modulation of ion channels has emerged as a prominent theme in biology. The sensitivity of KCNQ1-5 K+ channels to modulation by Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) was studied using patch-clamp, Ca2+ imaging, and biochemical and pharmacological approaches. Coexpression of CaM in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells strongly reduced currents of KCNQ2, KCNQ4, and KCNQ5, but not KCNQ1 or KCNQ3. In simultaneous current recording/Ca2+ imaging experiments, CaM conferred Ca2+ sensitivity to KCNQ4 and KCNQ5, but not to KCNQ1, KCNQ3, or KCNQ1/KCNE1 channels. A chimera constructed from the carboxy terminus of KCNQ4 and the rest KCNQ1 displayed Ca2+ sensitivity similar to KCNQ4. Chimeras constructed from different lengths of the KCNQ4 carboxy terminal and the rest KCNQ3 localized a region that confers sensitivity to Ca2+/CaM. Lobe-specific mutations of CaM revealed that its amino-terminal lobe mediates the Ca2+ sensitivity of the KCNQ/CaM complex. The site of CaM action within the channel carboxy terminus overlaps with that of the KCNQ opener N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). We found that CaM overexpression reduced NEM augmentation of KCNQ2, KCNQ4, and KCNQ5, and NEM pretreatment reduced Ca2+/CaM-mediated suppression of M current in sympathetic neurons by bradykinin. We propose that two functionally distinct types of carboxy termini underlie the observed differences among this channel family.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori action of 30 Chinese herbal medicines used to treat ulcer diseases.

Infection by Helicobacter pylori has been ascertained to be an important etiologic impetus leading usually to chronic active gastritis and gastric ulcer with growing incidences worldwide. Utilizing as the test pathogen a standard and five clinic strains of Helicobacter pylori, the antibacterial action was assessed in vitro with ethanol extracts of 30 Chinese herbal medicines which have been frequently prescribed since ancient times for treating gastritis-like disorders. Among the 30 tested materials, the ethanol extracts of Abrus cantoniensis (Fabaceae), Saussurea lappa (Asteraceae) and Eugenia caryophyllata (Myrtaceae) were strongly inhibitory to all test strains (MICs: approximately 40 microg/ml), and Hippophae rhamnoides (Elaeagnaceae), Fritillaria thunbergii (Liliaceae), Magnolia officinalis and Schisandra chinensis (Magnoliaceae), Corydalis yanhusuo (Papaveraceae), Citrus reticulata (Rutaceae), Bupleurum chinense and Ligusticum chuanxiong (Apiaceae) substantially active with MICs close to 60.0 microg/ml. As to antibacterial actions of the aqueous extracts of the same drugs, those derived from Cassia obtusifolia (Fabaceae), Fritillaria thunbergii and Eugenia caryophyllata were remarkably inhibitory against all the six Helicobacter pylori strains (MICs: approximately 60 microg/ml). The work compared almost quantitatively the magnitude of the anti-Helicobacter pylori actions of the 30 most prescribed gastritis-treating Chinese herbal drugs, and located as well some source plants where potent anti-Helicobacter pylori phytochemicals could be characterized.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2005

An oligonucleotide microarray for microRNA expression analysis based on labeling RNA with quantum dot and nanogold probe.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important regulatory roles in animals and plants by targeting mRNAs for cleavage or translational repression. They have diverse expression patterns and might regulate various developmental and physiological processes. Profiling miRNA expression is very helpful for studying biological functions of miRNAs. We report a novel miRNA profiling microarray, in which miRNAs were directly labeled at the 3' terminus with biotin and hybridized with complementary oligo-DNA probes immobilized on glass slides, and subsequently detected by measuring fluorescence of quantum dots labeled with streptavidin bound to miRNAs through streptavidin-biotin interaction. The detection limit of this microarray for miRNA was approximately 0.4 fmol, and the detection dynamic range spanned about 2 orders of magnitude. We made a model microarray to profile 11 miRNAs from leaf and root of rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica) seedlings. The analysis results of the miRNAs had a good reproducibility and were consistent with the northern blot result. To avoid using high-cost detection equipment, colorimetric detection, a method based on nanogold probe coupled with silver enhancement, was also successfully introduced into miRNA profiling microarray detection.

Biotinylation↗
PubMed2005

Synthesis and structures of cycloalkylidene-bridged cyclopentadienyl metallocene catalysts: effects of the bridges of ansa-metallocene complexes on the catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization.

A series of cycloalkylidene-bridged cyclopentadienyl metallocene complexes, [(CH(2))(n)C(C(5)H(4))(2)MCl(2)] (M = Ti, n = 4 (4), 5 (5), 6 (6); M = Zr, n = 4 (7), 5 (8), 6 (9); M = Hf, n = 4 (10), 5 (11), 6 (12)), have been synthesized and applied to ethylene polymerization after activation with methyl aluminoxane (MAO). The cycloalkylidene-bridged titanocene catalysts exhibit much higher activities than the corresponding zirconocene and hafnocene analogues, and have the highest activities at higher temperatures. In comparison, the silacyclopentylidene-bridged metallocene complexes [(CH(2))(4)Si(C(5)H(4))(2)MCl(2)] (M = Ti (13), Zr (14)) and isopropylene-bridged metallocene complexes [Me(2)C(C(5)H(4))(2)MCl(2)] (M = Ti (15), Zr (16)) have also been synthesized and applied to ethylene polymerization. In both cases, the titanocene complexes show much higher activities than the corresponding zirconocene analogues, especially at a lower temperature. The molecular structures of complexes 4-9 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The structure-activity relationships, especially the effects of the bridges of ansa-metallocene complexes, are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Large-scale identification of proteins in human salivary proteome by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-mass spectrometry.

Human saliva contains a large number of proteins and peptides (salivary proteome) that help maintain homeostasis in the oral cavity. Global analysis of human salivary proteome is important for understanding oral health and disease pathogenesis. In this study, large-scale identification of salivary proteins was demonstrated by using shotgun proteomics and two-dimensinal gel electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (2-DE-MS). For the shotgun approach, whole saliva proteins were prefractionated according to molecular weight. The smallest fraction, presumably containing salivary peptides, was directly separated by capillary liquid chromatography (LC). However, the large protein fractions were digested into peptides for subsequent LC separation. Separated peptides were analyzed by on-line electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using a quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometer, and the obtained spectra were automatically processed to search human protein sequence database for protein identification. Additionally, 2-DE was used to map out the proteins in whole saliva. Protein spots 105 in number were excised and in-gel digested; and the resulting peptide fragments were measured by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry and sequenced by LC-MS/MS for protein identification. In total, we cataloged 309 proteins from human whole saliva by using these two proteomic approaches.

Chromatography, Liquid↗
PubMed2005

Sex difference in the repolarization currents of rabbit ventricular cells.

The current difference between male and female rabbit ventricular myocytes was investigated for elucidating the mechanism of longer QT interval and higher incidence of drug-associated torsade de pointes in female rabbits than in male rabbits. Whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record APD, Ito, IK,tail, IK1 and ICa,L of myocytes from left ventricular apex. There was no difference in the membrane capacitance between male and female rabbit myocytes. APD90 was longer in female rabbits (560.4+/-26.5 ms, n=15) than in male ones (489.0+/-20.7 ms, n = 14), P<0. 05. In female rabbit myocytes, IKtail, Ito, IK1 and ICa,L were 0.71+/-0.05 pA/pF (n=17), 8.28+/-1.03 pA/pF (n=18), 24.5+/-3.6 pA/pF (n=12) and 9.0+/-2.3 pA/pF (n=15) respectively. In male rabbit myocytes, they were 0.84+/-0.07 pA/pF (n=18), 8.60+/-1.20 pA/pF (n=18), 25.9+/-4.5 pA/pF (n=14) and 9.3+2.6 pA/pF (n=16) respectively. IK,tail in female rabbits was significantly lower than that of male rabbits (P<0.05), but there was no difference in Ito,IK1 and ICa.L between male rabbits and female rabbits (P>0.05). The lower IK.tail of female rabbit myocytes may contribute to the longer repolarization and the higher incidence of drug-associated torsade de pointes.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2005

Effect of lidocaine and amiodarone on transmural heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization in isolated rabbit hearts model of sustained global ischemia.

To study the effect of of lidocaine and amiodarone on the transmural heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization in isolated rabbit hearts model of sustained global ischemia and to explore the mechanisms underlying the antiarrhythmic activity of lidocaine and amiodarone, rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, ischemia group, lidocaine group and amiodarone group. By the monophasic action potential (MAP) recording technique, MAPs of epicardium, mid-myocardium and endocardium were simultaneously recorded across the left ventricular free wall in rabbit hearts perfused by low-flow ischemia (2.5 mL/min) in Langendorff method to study the transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) and arrhythmic induced by ischemia. Our results showed that TDR of three myocardial layers in ischemia group were significantly lengthened after ischemia. TDR was increased from 17.5 +/- 3.9 ms to 31.2 +/- 4.6 ms at the time that concided with the onset of sustained ventricle arrhythmic. Amiodarone could decrease TDR, but lidocaine could increase TDR at initial ischemia, and no significant difference was found at other ischemia time points. 5 cases had ventriclar arrhythmia in ischemia group (62.5%), but no case in lidocaine group (P < 0.01) and only 1 case in amiodarone group had ventrilar arrhythmia (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found between amiodarone group and lidocaine group. It is concluded that TDR of of three myocardial layers increases significantly at ischemia and it is closely associated with development of ventricular arrhythmia, and amiodarone could decrease TDR, but lidocaine could increase TDR at initial ischemia and has no effects at other ischemia time points.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2005

Differences between attention-deficit disorder with and without hyperactivity: a 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) to investigate possible neurometabolic differences between the predominantly inattentive subtype (ADHD-I), the combined subtype (ADHD-C) and normal controls. Proton spectra were acquired bilaterally on the lenticular nucleus in 20 schoolboys having ADHD and 10 matched controls. The boys with ADHD were divided into ADHD-C subtype (n=10) and ADHD-I subtype (n=10) according to DSM-IV criteria. The peaks of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), Choline moieties (Cho), myo-inositol (mI), creatine (Cr) and alpha-Glx were measured and their ratios to Cr were calculated. One-way ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni tests were used to detect the difference of the peak-area ratios of NAA, Cho, mI, and alpha-Glx to Cr among the three groups. There was a significant overall group difference in the NAA/Cr ratio both in the right and left lenticular nucleus (right: P=0.002; left: P=0.003). Only the ADHD-C subtype group showed a significant difference with controls (right: P=0.001; left: P=0.003) the right lenticular nucleus, the NAA/Cr ratio in the ADHD-C group was significantly lower than that in the ADHD-I group (P=0.012). In the left lenticular nucleus, the NAA/Cr ratio in the ADHD-C group showed a significant trend compared to the ADHD-I group (P=0.06). This study demonstrated the existence of measurable difference between children with ADHD-C and ADHD-I using (1)H-MRS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Frequent allelic imbalances at 8p and 11q22 in oral and oropharyngeal epithelial dysplastic lesions.

Allelic imbalance is characteristic of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and contributes to the tumorigenesis of this disease. Our previous studies suggest that chromosome regions 8p and 11q22.2 approximately q22.3 are frequent sites of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in head and neck SCC. Here, we explored the allelic imbalance pattern of these regions in 27 cases of oral epithelial dysplastic lesions. A previously reported frequent LOH (9p21) in head and neck dysplasia was also examined. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) technology was utilized to harvest homogenous cell populations from archived clinical tissues and thus greatly enhancing the sensitivity, accuracy and reliability of genetic assessment. The allelic imbalance (LOH and microsatellite instability) on 8p, 11q22.2 approximately q22.3, and 9p21 were observed at one or more loci in 66.7%, 63.0%, and 63.0% of cases, respectively. Our results demonstrate that 8p, 11q22.2 approximately q22.3, and 9p21 are frequent allelic imbalance regions in oral premalignant dysplasia and suggest the presence of tumor suppressor genes in these regions.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Estrogen and progesterone receptors and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in endometrial cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, and normal endometrium.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is seen in endometrial cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, and normal endometria and whether it correlates with expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors. METHODS: The study was a retrospective, IRB-approved analysis of biopsy samples from 14 patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma, 19 with endometrial hyperplasias, and 10 with normal endometrium. Excluded were samples from women with a history of pelvic radiation, NSAID use, or treatment with hormones during previous year. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Expression of COX-2, estrogen and progesterone receptors were scored according to the proportion of positive-staining cells: 1(+), <10%; 2(+), 10-50%; and 3(+), >50%. A score > or =2(+) was considered positive. Fisher's exact test and analysis of variance were used to compare proportions and continuous variables, respectively. RESULTS: Overexpression of COX-2 was seen in 4 (29%) of the endometrial cancers, 6 (32%) of the endometrial hyperplasia, and 4 (20%) of the normal endometria. These differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.90). No COX-2 expression was found in stromal tissue. Of 14 endometrial cancers, 7 (50%) expressed any COX-2, with 4 (29%) having an expression score of > or =2(+). Of 19 endometrial hyperplasias, 11 (58%) expressed any COX-2; with 6 (32%) having a score of > or =2(+). All 10 normal endometria showed only 1(+) expression. No significant differences were detected in COX-2 expression by grade or stage of cancer. Although 100% and 95% of both hyperplasia and normal endometrium samples expressed in estrogen and progesterone receptors, respectively, only 71% and 79% of endometrial cancers expressed estrogen and progesterone receptors (P = 0.01). A nonparametric trend was performed to detect a relationship, between COX-2 and estrogen receptor or progesterone receptor expression; no significant trend was found. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the immunohistochemical analysis showed a trend toward increased COX-2 expression in endometrial cancer and hyperplasia compared to normal endometria. A larger sample size is needed to confirm these results. The increased COX-2 expression in hyperplasia may signify an early step in carcinogenesis. These findings may represent an important treatment opportunity for synergism in the hormonal therapy of endometrial cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Role of endocannabinoids in the pathogenesis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in bile duct-ligated rats.

Cardiac contractility in cirrhosis is normal at baseline but hyporesponsive to stimuli, a phenomenon known as 'cirrhotic cardiomyopathy'. The pathogenesis remains unclear. Endocannabinoids are vasoactive, but have not previously been examined in the cirrhotic heart. We therefore aimed to systematically clarify a possible role of endocannabinoids in the pathogenesis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Cirrhosis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by bile duct ligation; controls underwent a sham operation. At 4 weeks after operation, isolated left ventricular papillary muscle contractility was studied. Dose-response curve for a beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol was constructed in the presence and absence of a CB-1 antagonist AM251 (1 microM). Cirrhotic muscles had a blunted response to isoproterenol, which was completely restored by AM251. Dose-response curves to anandamide, and CB-1 and CB-2 protein and mRNA expression in Western blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction experiments were not significantly different between cirrhotic and sham muscles. Force-frequency relationship studies were performed in cirrhotic and normal muscles. At higher frequencies, anandamide reuptake blockers (VDM11 and AM404) significantly enhanced muscle relaxation in cirrhotic muscles, but not in controls. This effect was completely blocked by AM251 and pertussis toxin, whereas tetrodotoxin partially reversed it. Taken together, these results indicate a pathogenic role for increased local (neuronal) production of endocannabinoids, mediated by a G(i)-protein-dependent CB-1-responsive pathway in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. The increased tachycardia-stress-induced release of endocannabinoids may help explain why contractility is normal at baseline but attenuated with stress.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed2005

Activity of selective fully human agonistic antibodies to the TRAIL death receptors TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2 in primary and cultured lymphoma cells: induction of apoptosis and enhancement of doxorubicin- and bortezomib-induced cell death.

Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) is a death protein that preferentially kills tumour cells while sparing normal cells. TRAIL has four exclusive receptors, two of which (TRAIL-R1, TRAIL-R2) are death receptors. Both TRAIL/Apo2L and agonistic antibodies to the TRAIL death receptors are currently being explored for cancer therapy. Although the activity of TRAIL/Apo2L in a variety of haematological malignancies has been examined, the activity of anti-TRAIL receptor agonistic antibodies in primary and cultured lymphoma cells has not. Using two fully human selective agonistic monoclonal antibodies to the TRAIL death receptors TRAIL-R1 (HGS-ETR1) and TRAIL-R2 (HGS-ETR2) this study demonstrated that both monoclonal antibodies activated caspase-8 and induced cell death in five of nine human lymphoma cell lines, and induced >10% cell death in 67% and 70%, respectively, of 27 primary lymphoma cells, and >20% cell death in at least one-thirds of the samples. HGS-ETR1 and HGS-ETR2 demonstrated comparable activity in the fresh tumour samples, which was independent of TRAIL receptor surface expression, Bax, cFLIP, or procaspase-8 expression, or exposure to prior therapy. Furthermore, both antibodies enhanced the killing effect of doxorubicin and bortezomib. Our data demonstrate that HGS-ETR1 and HGS-ETR2 monoclonal antibodies can induce cell death in a variety of cultured and primary lymphoma cells, and may have therapeutic value in lymphoma.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2005

Measurement of serum zinc improves prostate cancer detection efficiency in patients with PSA levels between 4 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL.

AIM: To investigate whether the measurement of serum zinc may improve the detection of prostate cancer (PCa) in men who had total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels higher than 4.1 ng/mL. METHODS: A mass screening for PCa of 3940 men over 50 years old was undertaken using total serum PSA. Of the 190 men (4.8%) with elevated PSA, 143 (3.6%) underwent a transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy of the prostate, and 42 men (1% of total and 29.3% of men undergoing biopsy) were found to have cancer. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC-AUC) were used to compare the diagnostic power of cancer detection by means of serum zinc, and free PSA/total PSA ratio (f/t). RESULTS: The men with levels of serum zinc that ranged from 40 ng/mL-60 ng/mL, had an age-adjusted odds ratios(OR) of 5.0. A cutoff value of 100 microg/mL for serum zinc concentration provided a sensitivity of 90.5% and a specificity of 32.7% in elevated PSA range, and a sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 27.1% in gray zone, respectively. In the gray zone ranges of 4.1 ng/mL-10.0 ng/mL, the ROC-AUC for zinc was 73.0% higher than 62.7% of f/t PSA ratio and 56.7% of total PSA. CONCLUSION: PCa displays a lower serum zinc concentration. The measurement of zinc levels improves PCa detection in the gray zone compared with the f/t PSA ratio and total PSA.

Area Under Curve↗