Prognostic Role of Androgen Receptor Expression in HER2+ Breast Carcinoma Subtypes

HER2+ breast cancer (BC) is an aggressive subtype representing a genetically and biologically heterogeneous group of tumors resulting in variable prognosis and treatment response to HER2-targeted therapies according to estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression. The relationship with androgen receptors (AR), a member of the steroid hormone’s family, is unwell known in BC. The present study aims to evaluate the prognostic impact of AR expression in HER2+ BC subtypes. A total of 695 BCs were selected and reviewed, AR, ER, PR and HER2 expression in tumor cells were examined by immunohistochemical method, and the SISH method was used in case of HER2 with equivocal immunohistochemical score (2+). A high prevalence of AR expression (91.5%) in BC HER+ was observed, with minimal differences between luminal and non-luminal tumor. According to steroid receptor expression, tumors were classified in four subgroups, including BC luminal and non-luminal HER2+ expressing or not AR. The luminal BC HER2 + AR+ was associated with lower histological grade, lower tumor size, higher PR expression and lower HER2 intensity of expression (2+). Also, the non-luminal tumors AR+ showed lower tumor size and lower prognostic stage but frequently higher grade and higher HER2 intensity of expression (3+). These findings should suggest a different progression of luminal and non-luminal tumors, both expressing AR, and allow us to speculate that the molecular mechanisms of AR, involved in the biology of BC HER2 + AR+, differ in relation to ER and PR expression. Moreover, AR expression may be a useful predictor of prognosis for overall survival (OS) in HER2+ BC subtypes. Our findings suggest that AR expression evaluation in clinical practice could be utilized in clinical oncology to establish different aggressiveness in BC HER2+ subtypes.

The content of ATP Synthase in Cerebral Ischemia of Varying Severity Comparative Analysis

Objective. Evaluation of changes in the content of ATP synthase in the parietal cortex and hippocampus of the brain of rats with ischemia of varying severity in a comparative aspect. Methods. The experiments were performed on 88 male outbred white rats weighing 260 ± 20 g. Brain ischemia was modeled under conditions of intravenous thiopental anesthesia (40-50 mg / kg). Total cerebral ischemia was modeled by decapitation of animals. The brain sampling was carried out 1 hour and 24 hours after decapitation - to study tissue respiration of mitochondria, as well as 1 hour later to determine the content of ATP synthase. Subtotal cerebral ischemia was modeled by simultaneous ligation of both common carotid arteries. The material was taken after 1 hour to determine the content of ATP synthase. Stepwise subtotal cerebral ischemia was performed by sequential ligation of both common carotid arteries with an interval of 7 days. The sampling was carried out 1 hour after ligation of the second common carotid artery in each of the subgroups. Partial cerebral ischemia was modeled by ligation of one common carotid artery on the right. The sampling was carried out 1 hour after the operation. Determination of the content of ATP synthase was carried out by immunohistochemical method using monoclonal antibodies. For this purpose, after decapitation, the brain was quickly removed from the rats, pieces of the cerebral cortex were fixed in zinc-ethanol-formaldehyde at + 4 ° C (overnight), then embeddedвinвparaffin. Results. In the group of stepwise subtotal cerebral ischemia, the smallest decrease in the content of ATP synthase was observed in the 1st subgroup with an interval between dressings of 7 days, while the greatest decrease in the content of the enzyme was noted in the 3rd subgroup with the minimum interval between the dressings of the common carotid artery (1 day). Modeling of more severe types of ischemic damage led to pronounced morphological changes in neurons in the parietal cortex and hippocampus of the rat brain - a decrease in their size, deformation of the perikarya, an increase in the degree of neuronal chromatophilia with their simultaneous wrinkling and subsequent death. These disorders were most pronounced in the 3rd subgroup of stepwise subtotal cerebral ischemia with the shortest interval between dressings, which was 1 day, and in the group of total cerebral ischemia. Conclusion. Thus, the most pronounced decrease in the content of ATP synthase was observed in the groups of total cerebral ischemia, subtotal cerebral ischemia and in the 3rd subgroup of stepwise subtotal cerebral ischemia, with a minimal time interval between the ligation of the common carotid artery. In stepwise subtotal cerebral ischemia with an interval between ligation of the common carotid artery of 7 days, the suppression of the ATP synthase content was not so significant.

Erythropoietin Receptor is a Risk Factor for Prognosis: A Potential Biomarker in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background: Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate of all cancers, and LUAD's survival rate is particularly poor. Erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) is a member of the cytokine class I receptor family and can be detected in cancers such as lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), however, the expression levels and prognostic value of EPOR in LUAD are still unclear.Methods: Multiple bioinformatics databases such as TIMER, Kaplan-Meier Plotter and TCGA databases, immunohistochemical method, and clinicopathological data of 92 LUADpatients between January 2008 and June 2016 were used to explore the EPOR expression, gene mutations affecting EPOR expression, EPOR-interacting or coexpressed genes, potential biological functions and the correlation of EPOR expression with prognosis, immune microenvironment and so on.All statistical analyses were performed in the R version 4.1.1.Results: In this study, the EPOR mRNA expression in LUAD tissues was possibly downregulated compared with that in normal lung tissues, but the EPOR protein expression in LUAD tissues was higher than that in paired normal lung tissues. Mutations in five genes, DDX60L, LGR6, POTEB3, RIF1 and SOX5, resulted in downregulation of EPOR expression, mutations in 10 genes includingC1orf168, DBX2 and EIF5B, resulted in upregulation of EPOR expression. Erichment analyses showed that EPOR is involved in neural tissue ligand-receptor interactions, MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways and cancer pathways. The KM Plotter and PrognoScan databases consistently concluded that EPOR was associated with prognosis in LUAD patients. Our clinicopathological data showed that high EPOR expression was associated with poorer OS (29.5 vs 46 months) and had a good predictive ability for 5-year survival probability. Conclusions: EPOR expression might be downregulated at the mRNA levels and significantly upregulated at the protein levels in LUAD, which showed that the mRNA and protein levels of EPOR are inconsistent.The high expression of EPOR was associated with poor prognosis and is expected to be a potential new prognostic marker for LUAD.

“D-cell hypothesis of schizophrenia”: Background theory of Novel non-D2 receptor medicinal chemistry

The latest psychopharmacological study showed effectiveness of a novel non-D2-receptor-binding drug, SEP-363856, for the treatment of schizophrenia. Characteristic receptor profile of the compound is shown to be trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) full agonist and 5-hydroxytryptamin 1A (5-HT 1A) receptor partial agonist. I found the TAAR1 ligand neuron, D-neuron, in the striatum and nucleus accumbens (Acc), an antipsychotic acting site, of human brain, though failed to find in the homologous area of monkey. To study human D-neuron functions, total of 154 post-mortem brains, and a modified immunohistochemical method using high qualified antibodies against monoamine-related substances, was applied. Number of D-neurons in the caudate nucleus, putamen, and Acc was reduced in post-mortem brains with schizophrenia. The reduction was significant (p<0.05) in Acc. “D-cell hypothesis of schizophrenia”, which I proposed based on this post-mortem brain study, that NSC dysfunction-induced D-neuron reduction as cellular and molecular basis of mesolimbic dopamine (DA) hyperactivity, showing progressive pathophysiology of schizophrenia, has been proved to be a predictive hypothesis for TAAR1 medicinal chemistry.

D-neuron, ligand neuron of trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1): Key of novel non-D2 receptor-binding antipsychotics

The latest psychopharmacological study showed effectiveness of a novel non-D2-receptor-binding drug, SEP-363856, for the treatment of schizophrenia. The compound is trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) full agonist and also 5-hydroxytryptamin 1A (5-HT 1A) receptor partial agonist. I found the TAAR1 ligand neuron, D-neuron, in the striatum and nucleus accumbens (Acc), a neuroleptic acting site, of human brains, though failed to find in the homologous area of monkey brains. To study human D-neuron functions, total of 154 post-mortem brains, and a modified immunohistochemical method using high qualified antibodies against monoamine-related substances, was applied. The number of D-neuron in the caudate nucleus, putamen, and Acc was reduced in post-mortem brains with schizophrenia. The reduction was significant (p<0.05) in Acc. I proposed “D-cell hypothesis of schizophrenia”, that NSC dysfunction-based D-neuron reduction is cellular and molecular basis of mesolimbic dopamine (DA) hyperactivity, progressive pathophysiology and prospectiveness of TAAR1 medicinal chemistry, emphasizing importance of D-neuron.

The Summarized Assessment of Endothelin A Receptor Expression in Renal Transplant Compartments Associated with Antibody-Mediated Rejection

The occurrence of anti-endothelin A receptor antibodies may be useful in diagnosis of transplant damage. We noticed that the presence of the endothelin A receptor (ETA receptor) in biopsy compartments is yet to be defined. We decided therefore to analysed the presence and relevance of the ETA receptor in biopsy to define the cause. Our study aims to evaluate the expression of ETA receptors in renal recipients after a biopsy due to the worsening of transplant function. Methods: The expression of ETA receptors was analyzed in renal transplant biopsies using the immunohistochemical method. The evaluation of ETA receptors was performed on paraffin sections. ETA receptor expression was analyzed in four compartments of renal transplant biopsies: glomeruli; vessels; tubular epithelium; and interstitium. The assessment was presented using a three-step scale (0: lack of expression; 1: mild to moderate immunoreactivity; 2: high expression). The results of each compartment from a single biopsy were summarized and assessed in the context of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Results: We analyzed 156 patients who had a renal allograft biopsy after renal transplantation. For each patient, we created a summarized ETA receptor expression score. The summarized ETA receptor expression score analysis showed statistically significant differences in patients with and without AMR. In addition, we noticed that patients with AMR had a significantly higher mean summarized expression of ETA receptor score of 3.28 ± 1.56 compared to patients who had a biopsy for other reasons with a mean summarized ETA receptor expression score of 1.47 ± 1.35 (p < 0.000001). ROC analysis of the ETA receptor expression score for detecting AMR status showed that the most appropriate cut-off for the test of the chosen binary classifier is between 2 and 3 of the summarized ETA receptor expression score. Conclusions: The expression of endothelin A receptors in renal transplant compartments may be associated with antibody-mediated rejection. The positive ETA receptor staining might be a vital feature in the diagnosis of damage in AMR. The summarized ETA receptor expression score seems to be an exciting diagnostic tool in transplant injury assessment.

Verteporfin-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles’ Topical Applications Inhibit Mouse Melanoma Lymphangiogenesis and Micrometastasis In Vivo

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been pointed out as a candidate for improving melanoma treatment. Nanotechnology application in PDT has increased its efficacy by reducing side effects. Herein, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) conjugated with verteporfin (Ver-MSNs), in use with PDT, were administered in mice to evaluate their efficacy on lymphoangiogenesis and micrometastasis in melanoma. Melanoma was induced in mice by the subcutaneous injection of B16-F10 cells. The mice were transcutaneously treated with MSNs, Ver-MSNs, or glycerol and exposed to red light. The treatment was carried out four times until day 20. Lymphangiogenesis and micrometastasis were identified by the immunohistochemical method. Lymphoangiogenesis was halved by MSN treatment compared with the control animals, whereas the Ver-MSN treatment almost abolished it. A similar reduction was also observed in lung micrometastasis. PDT with topically administrated Ver-MSNs reduced melanoma lymphoangiogenesis and lung micrometastasis, as well as tumor mass and angiogenesis, and therefore their use could be an innovative and useful tool in melanoma clinical therapy.

The Effectiveness of Local Application of Melatonin in the Original Dermal Film in Experimental Thermal Trauma

Background: The development and pathogenetic substantiation of the new agents used for local therapy of thermal trauma (TT) is an urgent problem in medicine. Melatonin (MT) is an endogenous factor of homeostasis regulation with pleiotropic potential. The aim of our study was to assess the morphology, expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), indicators of repair, oxidative destruction of lipids in the skin lesion focus in the dynamics of experimental TT under the conditions of using the original dermal film (DF) with MT. Methods and Results: The experiment was performed on 104 male Wistar rats weighing 200-240 g. For modeling TT II degree according to ICD-10 a relative area of 3.5% of the body surface, an interscapular region isolated from the surrounding tissues, was immersed in distilled water at 98-99 °C for 12 sec. DF based on sodium carboxymethylcellulose with an area of 12 cm2 with MT at a concentration of 5 mg/g was applied daily for five days. The wound area and epithelialization rate were calculated. The content of MMP-9 and VEGF in the burn wound was assessed by an immunohistochemical method. In the homogenate of the burn wound, the content of LPO products was assessed. Morphological and biochemical studies were performed on Days 5, 10 and 20 after TT induction. With experimental TT from Day 5 to Day 20, the absolute area of the burn wound decreases by 35%, the rate of epithelialization increases, the number of neutrophils in the focus of thermal damage decreases, while the representation of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and fibroblasts increases; the expression of MMP-9 and VEGF increases; predominantly secondary and final LPO products in the heptane phase accumulate, the final products of LPO in the isopropanol phase of the lipid extract. The use of MT in the composition of DF daily for 5 days with experimental TT leads to a decrease in the area of the wound defect (by 46% of the original area on Day 20), an increase in the rate of its epithelialization, an increase in the content of lymphocytes and fibroblasts in the burn wound on Days 5, 10 and 20 of TT, a decrease in the representation of neutrophils and macrophages on Days 5 and 10, as well as an increase in VEGF expression on Days 5 and 10, MMP-9 - on Day 5 and a decrease in MMP-9 expression on Days 10 and 20 of TT. In addition, the use of MT in the composition of DF leads to a decrease in the content of predominantly secondary and end products of LPO in the heptane and isopropanol phases of the burn wound on Days 10 and 20 of TT. Correlation analysis revealed that a decrease in the burn surface area under a local application of MT occurs with an increase in the content of VEGF in the wound area and a decrease in the content of MMP-9 and secondary and final LPO products in the heptane phase and the isopropanol phase. On Day 20, there were direct moderate correlations between the absolute burn surface area, on one hand, and secondary and final LPO products, on the other, in the heptane phase (R=0.51, R=0,68; P<0.05) and the isopropanol phase (R=0.44, R=0.46; P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained expand the existing understanding of the role of changes in the expression of MMP-9 and VEGF in the pathogenesis of TT. We believe that the repair-stimulating effect of MT in the DF, which we established during TT at the preclinical stage, is associated with the LPO-limiting effect of MT and a change in the expression of MMP-9 and VEGF in the burn wound and is a prerequisite for further study of the mechanism of action and the effectiveness of MT application in clinical conditions in TT.

Molecular Predictors of Effective Implantation and Live Birth in IVF Programs

The aim of the study was to improve the possibilities of predicting blastocyst implantation and live birth of ART programs in women of late reproductive age with tubal-peritoneal infertility based on immunohistochemical markers of the endometrium. Methods and Results: The results of IVF and IVF/ICSI programs were analyzed in 68 patients of late reproductive age (36-44 years of age) with tubal-peritoneal factor of infertility. Morphological examination of the endometrium was performed on Day 7 after confirmed ovulation in the cycle preceding ART. The expression of vitamin D receptors (VDR) and HOXA11 in endometrial stromal cells was assessed by immunohistochemical method. The effectiveness of using the endometrial markers VDR and HOXA11 as potential predictors of ART programs efficiency was confirmed by prognostic models. The levels of the stromal expression of VDR<8.7% and HOXA11<6.1% (probability >0.27) were determined to be favorable for successful blastocyst implantation. The expression levels of VDR<8.3% and HOXA11<6.1% in endometrial stromal cells are prognostically favorable for live birth (probability >0.19) in women of late reproductive age with tubal-peritoneal infertility who undergoing ART treatment with their own oocytes.

Research Progress on the Effect of Sphingosine Kinase 2 on Glioma

Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore the role of sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) in the treatment of glioma, which is the most common primary tumor in the central nervous system. Methods: A total of 82 patients were included in this study, with 27 cases in the control group and 55 cases in the glioma group; the expressions of SphK2 and gp130 in the two groups were compared by immunohistochemical method, and the correlation between the two factors was analyzed. Results: Both SphK2 and gp130 were upregulated in the glioma group, and the two factors were significantly correlated. Conclusion: The high expression of SphK2 may play an important role in the occurrence, development, and diagnosis of glioma.