016 and 029, respectively) The rFA and

016 and .029, respectively). The rFA and Palbociclib chemical structure ipsilateral FA values after 2 weeks of stroke onset correlate with the motor function outcome. “
“Working memory impairment is among the earliest signs of cognitive

decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We aimed to study the functional and structural substrate of working memory impairment in early AD dementia and MCI. We studied a group of 12 MCI and AD subjects compared to 12 age- and gender-matched healthy elderly controls using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a 2-back versus 1-back letter recognition task. We performed a three-way image fusion analysis with joint independent component analysis of cortical activation during working memory, and DTI derived measures of fractional anisotropy (FA) and the mode of anisotropy. We found significant hypoactivation in posterior brain areas and relative hyperactivation in anterior brain areas during working memory in AD/MCI subjects compared to controls. Corresponding independent components from DTI data revealed reduced FA and reduced mode of anisotropy in intracortical projecting fiber tracts with posterior predominance and increased FA and increased mode along the corticospinal tract in AD/MCI compared Selleckchem CHIR 99021 to controls. Our findings suggest that impairments of structural fiber

tract integrity accompany breakdown of posterior and relatively preserved anterior cortical

activation during working memory performance in MCI/AD subjects. “
“Multimodal CT with CT angiography (CTA) and CT perfusion (CTP) are increasingly used in stroke triage. Our aim was to identify parameters most predictive of hemorrhagic transformation (HT), especially symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH). This retrospective study included patients evaluated by baseline multimodal CT ≤ 9 hours from ictus with acute nonlacunar middle Morin Hydrate cerebral artery (MCA) territory infarction. Two readers independently evaluated CTP maps for ischemic severity and CTA source images (CTA-SI) for infarct extent (as measured by ASPECTS). Presence of proximal occlusion (ICA or M1) and degree of collateralization (collateral score) were also assessed on CTA. HT was defined as SICH if associated with deterioration ≥ 4-points on NIHSS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified independent predictors of SICH. ROC curves selected optimal thresholds. Of 84 patients reviewed, HT occurred in 22 (26.2%) and SICH in 8 (9.5%). Univariate predictors for SICH were proximal occlusion (OR = 8.65, P= .049), collateral score (OR = .34, P= .017), ASPECTS (OR = .46, P= .001), and CBV (OR = .001, P= .005). Multivariate analysis revealed ASPECTS as the only independent predictor with optimal threshold ≤ 5 and sensitivity and specificity of 75.0% and 85.5%, respectively. For acute MCA infarcts ≤ 9 hours, the strongest predictor of SICH on multimodal CT was ASPECTS on CTA-SI.

Using molecular, pharmacological, and functional biophysical appr

Using molecular, pharmacological, and functional biophysical approaches the principal findings in these studies of mouse cholangiocytes are: (1) both small and large cholangiocytes express a repertoire of both P2X and P2Y receptors; (2) both small and large cholangiocytes develop polarized epithelial monolayers with a high transepithelial resistance and demonstrate rapid increases in [Ca2+]i and

transepithelial secretion (Isc) upon exposure to extracellular nucleotides; (3) nucleotide-stimulated secretion is dependent on IP3 receptor-mediated increases in [Ca2+]i and Ca2+-activated Cl− channel activation; (4) both small and large cholangiocytes demonstrate mechanosensitive ATP release which is dependent on intact vesicular trafficking pathways; and (5) the magnitude of mechanosensitive ATP release is significantly greater in small versus selleck chemicals large cholangiocytes. Thus, these studies demonstrate

that both small and large cholangiocytes Bafilomycin A1 purchase express all components of the purinergic signaling axis and collectively, provide a working model for mechanosensitive ATP-stimulated secretion along intrahepatic bile ducts. Additionally, the ATP-mediated secretory pathway identified in the mouse small cholangiocytes, which do not exhibit secretin-stimulated secretion,3, 17 represent the first identification of a secretory pathway in these specialized cells. The existence of a gradient along the biliary axis, wherein RANTES ATP released from small cholangiocytes “upstream” may represent an important paracrine signal to the “downstream” P2 receptor-expressing large cholangiocytes, has important implications for bile formation (Fig. 8). Although regulated ATP release has been identified in all liver cells studied, including both human and rat hepatic parenchymal cells and biliary

epithelial cells,20, 22 these are the first studies to characterize ATP release in mouse cholangiocytes, and several observations deserve highlighting. First, the magnitude of ATP release from small cholangiocytes was significantly greater than that from large cholangiocytes. Because the mechanism of cholangiocyte ATP release has not been identified, the cellular basis for this difference in ATP release cannot be determined. Although CFTR has been proposed as a regulator of ATP release,12, 24, 25 MSC do not express CFTR,17 suggesting alternate ATP release pathways in these cells. One proposed alternate mechanism involves exocytosis of ATP-enriched vesicles. In fact, biliary cells possess a dense population of vesicles ∼140 nm in diameter in the subapical space,26 and increases in cell volume increase the rate of exocytosis to values sufficient to replace ∼30% of plasma membrane surface area within minutes.

The frequency of the bowel opening (BO) after completing bowel pr

The frequency of the bowel opening (BO) after completing bowel preparation regime till patient report to endoscopy unit selleck chemical for colonoscopy recorded. The quality of bowel preparation is assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). The bowel preparation assesses base on scoring, BBPS 9 (excellent), BBPS 8-7 (good), BBPS 6-4 (fair) and BBPS 0-3 (poor) Results: Total of 442 patients were recruited for this study. However only 424 patients were included for the study because 20 patients did not complete the bowel preparation. There were 303 (71.5%) male patients and 121 (28.5%) female patients. The mean age of the study population is 45.9 + 14.9. Based of BBPS scoring the, 223 (52.6%) patients

had excellent bowel preparation, 132 (31.1%)) patients had good bowel preparation, 25 (5.9%) patients had bowel preparation and 44 (10.5%) had poor bowel preparation. Following this the quality of bowel preparation further grouped into satisfactory group

380 (89.6%) (which included excellent, good and fair bowel preparation) and unsatisfactory group (10.4%) (poor bowel preparation). Those patient that had BO > 8 times had unsatisfactory bowel preparation (p-value 0.29 (95%CI 0.175–0.934)). Selleckchem MLN8237 Conclusion: The frequency of BO < 8 times can be taken as one of the predictors of quality of bowel preparation. This helps the endoscopist to predict the possibility of unsatisfactory bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Key Word(s): 1. Bowel preparation; 2. Colonoscopy; Presenting Author: BIN-BIN SHIH Additional Authors: HUA-CHING LIN, CHENG-HSIANG HSIAO, AI SHENG HO Corresponding Author: BIN-BIN SHIH, AI SHENG HO Affiliations: Cheng HSIN General Hospital; Division of Colorectal Surgery; Department of Anatamical Pathology; Division of Gastroenterology Objective: Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare non-hereditary disorder Rutecarpine with generalized gastrointestinal

polyposis, associated with ectodermal aberration. The patient is presented with alopecia, nail changes, taste disturbance, radiologic and endoscopic features of gastrointestinal (GI) polyposis with a carcinoma of the sigmoid colon. This report thus adds to the growing evidence that CCS could be a pre-malignant condition for colorectal carcinoma. Methods: A 76-year-old Chinese woman was presented with an altered sense of taste and cramping abdominal pain without weight loss or diarrhea for 2 months. She was noticed with a significant amount of hair loss as well as hyperpigementation of palms and nails change before the abdominal symptoms. She has had history of diabetes for 35 years. Physically, the patient did not appear cachectic, the abdomen was soft, and nontender. There were significant diffuse alopecia, dystrophic changes of finger nails and hyperpigmentation of palms. Anti-nuclear antibody was 1:80, hemoglobin level was 10.8 g/dl, the albumin level was 2.6 g/dl, the diurnal cortisol level, thyroid function and adrenocorticotrophic hormone stimulation test were within normal limit.

[4] These data suggest that CLDN-1 and OCLN expression may be sig

[4] These data suggest that CLDN-1 and OCLN expression may be significantly influenced at post-transcriptional level in the presence of HCV. Dysregulated microRNA expression patterns have been reported in many human diseases, such as various types of cancers, as well as metabolic, infectious, chronic inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases.[24, 25] Regarding HCV infection, the liver-specific miR-122 has been reported to enhance HCV replication in human hepatoma cells by binding to the 5′ UTR of HCV, and sequestration of miR-122 by antisense oligonucleotide

decreased HCV replication and translation in vitro[16, 23, 26-28] and in vivo.[29, 30] However, no[31] or only weak positive correlation[13] could be found between hepatic miR-122 and serum HCV see more load, while no correlation could be observed between hepatic miR-122 and hepatic HCV load.[13, 31] Further, miR-122 was downregulated in acute HCV infection in human hepatoma cells at Bafilomycin A1 in vivo day 4 post-infection,[9] and IFN-β reduced

the expression of miR-122.[17] This indicates that miR-122 may be affected by the consequences of HCV infection and IFN treatment. In the present study, higher expression level of miR-122 was associated with higher viral load in patient sera; however, no significant difference was found in hepatic miR-122 expression at the time of HCV recurrence compared with normal liver tissue. Applying the same comparison, the expression levels of miR-21 and miR-194 were decreased, whereas those of miR-99a* and miR-224 were increased upon HCV reactivation when compared with the normal hepatic expression of these miRs. miR-21 and miR-194 were found to influence CLDN-1 mRNA expression, while miR-99a* might control SCARB-1 expression and miR-224 might modulate mRNA of OCLN. In silico sequence comparison also suggests the binding of miR-194 to mRNAs of OCLN and CD81. Therefore, the observed expressional increase of CLDN-1 and OCLN[4, 5] might be caused by the decrease of miR-194 and miR-21 expressions upon HCV infection. This would represent in vivo

function of these miRs in the post-transcriptional regulation RANTES of HCV receptors. The high expression of miR-194 in normal liver tissue has been known for a long time.[32] miR-194 plays a role in the regulation of hepatic stellate cell activation during fibrogenesis[33] and suppresses N-cadherin expression, leading to inhibition of cell migration, adhesion, and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.[32] miR-21 has been previously identified as an “onco-miR” because of its abberant expression in multiple malignancies including breast cancer, colon, and HCCs.[34] Interestingly, our dataset showed decreased HCV recurrence-associated expression of miR-21. Certain other changes, however, such as elevated miR-224 expression found in our study during HCV recurrence, were also detected in HCCs induced by HCV infection.

Results:  The concordance rate of the CLO test between each sampl

Results:  The concordance rate of the CLO test between each sample with 1.8 mm and 2.2 mm forceps was 83% (κ-value, 0.64), and that between two samples with 1.8 mm and one with 2.2 mm was 92% (κ-value, 0.83). The concordance rate of the histological diagnosis with 1.8 and 2.2 mm was 97% (κ-value, 0.84). Conclusions:  At least two samples using 1.8 mm forceps might be needed to obtain similar results on the CLO test using 2.2 mm. But, the size difference between two forceps

did not influence the histological diagnosis. “
“Inflammation ICG-001 plays a critical role in cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC). We retrospectively evaluated 266 patients with advanced HCC treated with HAIC between March 2003 and December 2012. NLR was calculated from the

differential leukocyte count by dividing the absolute neutrophil count by the absolute lymphocyte count. The cut-off level of NLR was set as the median value of 2.87 among all patients in this study. The objective response rate in the selleck kinase inhibitor patients with low NLR was 37.6%, which was significantly better than that of the patients with high NLR (21.1%; P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that low NLR remained associated with the response to HAIC (P = 0.024). Median progression-free survival and median overall survival in patients with high NLR

were 3.2 and 8.0 months, respectively, which were significantly shorter than that of the patients with low NLR (5.6 and 20.7 months; P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). High NLR was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. The patient outcome was stratified more clearly by NLR calculated after HAIC added to calculations before HAIC. Serum platelet-derived growth factor-BB level was positively correlated with Fenbendazole NLR. Results suggest that NLR is a useful predictor in patients with advanced HCC treated with HAIC. These findings may be useful in determining treatment strategies or in designing clinical chemotherapy trials in future. “
“Aim:  Induction of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) apoptosis is a viable therapeutic strategy to reduce liver fibrogenesis. Although BH3-only proteins of the Bcl-2 family trigger pro-apoptotic pathways, the BH3-only proteins mediating HSC apoptosis have not been well defined. Our aim, using proteasome inhibition as a model to induce HSC apoptosis, was to examine the BH3-only proteins contributing to cell death of this key liver cell subtype. Methods:  Apoptosis was induced by treating LX-2 cells, an immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line, and primary rat stellate cells with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132.

5% of children treated for malignancy with most having leukemia 7

5% of children treated for malignancy with most having leukemia.78 Acute appendicitis is found in 27% of patients with acute leukemia at autopsy.79 Sepsis is significantly

more common in leukemics than in nonleukemics with appendicitis; patients often have an elevated white blood cell count.79,80 The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and localized ZVADFMK abdominal pain. It is difficult to distinguish appendicitis from necrotizing colitis clinically.80 The edematous appendix (without an inflammatory response due to the patient’s leukemic state and without leukemic infiltrates) is seen as a target-like lesion by ultrasound usually without cecal wall thickening.81,82 Other conditions in the differential diagnosis are intramural hemorrhage, graft-versus-host disease, C difficile colitis, and ischemic colitis. Candidiasis may present with fever and severe diarrhea and respond to anti-fungal therapy.83 Cytomegaloviral-induced PKA inhibitor colitis is rare in patients with acute leukemia without allogeneic transplantation.84 Occasionally, patients may have enterocolitis due to fungi such as Aspergillus or candida.48 The main causes of death in leukemia are hemorrhage, infection,

and acute GI processes. The mortality rate from NE has decreased recently because of more rapid diagnosis, advances in supportive care, and prompt medical and surgical therapy.37,38 Overall NC mortality is 38% in the literature from 1966 to 2004: 56% in patients treated surgically and 34% in those treated medically.36 Mortality was higher in patients treated during the last 5 years and in the 1970s. Mortality is higher in women than in men; it is not related to the level or duration of the neutropenia, but increases in the presence Atezolizumab of mucositis. Use of antimycotics is associated with increased survival and reduced duration of diarrhea, regardless of whether amphotericin

B or fluconazole is used. Growth stimulating factors, in contrast, are not associated with a change in mortality or duration of diarrhea. “
“Aims:  To evaluate the dynamics of Kupffer cell (KC) phagocytosis by performing both in vivo and in vitro studies using Sonazoid (GE Healthcare, Oslo) in a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model. Methods:  Contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) was performed on a rat NASH model induced by a methionine choline deficient diet (MCDD) and control rats, and Sonazoid was used to measure the signal intensity in the liver parenchyma. The uptake of Sonazoid by the KCs was observed by intravital microscopy. Their phagocytic capability was evaluated in vitro using isolated and cultured KCs. The uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled latex beads was observed and quantitatively analyzed by flow cytometry. Results:  In the MCDD group, liver parenchymal enhancement was reduced 20 min after the Sonazoid injection.

Differences between groups were rated significant at a probabilit

Differences between groups were rated significant at a probability error (P) of less than 0.05. We evaluated cell proliferation in nontransduced (C), rAd.A20, rAd.Nter, rAd.7n, and rAd.βgal-transduced NMuLi cells. This cell line responds in a physiologic manner to growth factor-induced cell cycle progression.15 Overexpression of A20 increased by 1.6-fold cell counts/well when compared to C and rAd.βgal transduced cells, 24 hours after addition of 10% FBS, (Fig. 1A, n = 4-6; P < 0.05). Similarly, rAd.Nter and rAd.7Zn-transduced cells showed a 1.8- and 1.9-fold increase, respectively, in cell counts/well (Fig. 1A; n = 3-4; P < 0.05 versus C and P < 0.01 versus

rAd.βgal). This indicated that independent overexpression of Nter or 7Zn increases proliferation in NMuLi cells. We reproduced these results in HepG2 PI3K inhibitor cells, validating their use in subsequent experiments (Fig. S2A; n = 4; P < 0.001). We previously reported that A20′s pro-proliferative effect in hepatocytes related, at least in part, to decreased p21 expression.15 We confirmed in HepG2 that overexpression of full-length A20, but not Nter or 7Zn, significantly decreased p21 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels as compared to

β-gal-expressing cells (Fig Caspase pathway 1B; n = 3-5; P < 0.05). As for NF-κB inhibition17 (Fig. 1C; n = 3), cooperation between Nter and 7Zn domains was required to decrease p21, signifying that other mechanism(s) must account for their independent pro-proliferative effect in hepatocytes. Given potential discrepancies between cell lines and primary cells, we validated these results in MPH: full-length A20 but neither 7Zn nor Nter decreased p21 mRNA levels (Fig.

S2B; n = 2; P < 0.05), or inhibited TNF-induced IκBα degradation (Fig. S2C; n = 3). Since IL-6 is central to hepatocyte proliferation, we measured IL-6 levels in supernatants of C, rAd.A20, for rAd.Nter, rAd.7Zn, and rAd.βgal transduced HepG2 stimulated with TNF (200 U/mL) and LPS (10 μg/mL) for 6 hours to mimic the physiologic triggers of IL-6 secretion after hepatectomy.1 IL-6 levels significantly increased in all groups following TNF/LPS, as compared to corresponding nonstimulated cells (6.5- to 9.9-fold, Fig. 2A). However, IL-6 levels were significantly lower in supernatants of A20 overexpressing HepG2 compared to all other groups (Fig. 2A; n = 4-7; P < 0.01 versus C; and P < 0.001 versus rAd.Nter, rAd.7Zn, and rAd.βgal). This result indicates that IL-6 transcription partially relies on NF-κB.22 Notably, neither Nter nor 7Zn decreased TNF/LPS-induced IL-6 secretion, with 7Zn overexpression moderately, yet significantly increasing it (Fig. 2A; P < 0.01 versus C). Despite lower IL-6 levels in supernatants of A20-overexpressing cells, STAT3 phosphorylation, downstream of IL-6, was enhanced at baseline (∼150-fold; P < 0.001), 6 hours (P < 0.001) and 24 hours (P < 0.

1C) The treatment of the core Tg mice with DEN and Pb induced mo

1C). The treatment of the core Tg mice with DEN and Pb induced more severe steatosis and dysplasia (Fig. 1D, panels a and f). Administration CHIR-99021 of DEN resulted in comparable increases in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase, the markers for liver damage, in both WT and core Tg mice (data not shown) suggesting that the hepatotoxin induced comparable liver necrosis in both groups of mice. The extent of hepatocellular proliferation, as assessed by proliferating

cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining and liver weight, was nearly two-fold higher in the HCV core Tg mice than in WT mice under DEN/Pb treatment (Fig. 1E), indicating that dysregulated hepatocyte proliferation may be the cause of increased hepatocellular transformation in Tg mice. This difference was not apparent in carcinogen-untreated mice (Fig. 1E). To test if the livers in core RO4929097 clinical trial Tg mice had JNK and STAT3 activation, we stained tissue sections for phospho-STAT3 and phospho-JNK. The staining and phospho-STAT3 protein levels as determined by immunoblotting were clearly

increased in DEN/Pb-treated Tg mice as compared to WT mice (Fig. 1F). These results indicate that increased liver tumor development in HCV core Tg mice is associated with enhanced hepatocyte proliferation and activation of JNK and STAT3. To determine the possible role of c-jun in core-induced or core-enhanced liver oncogenesis, we bred core Tg mice with c-jun conditional knockout (c-junflox/flox) mice. The c-jun gene in this mouse line is flanked by the lox site, which will recombine to delete the c-jun gene in the presence of the Cre recombinase. We injected mice with a recombinant adenovirus that expresses Cre (A5CMVCre) to induce the deletion of the c-jun gene primarily in the liver. As a control, adenovirus expressing lacZ (Ad.LAcZ) was injected (see the experimental design in Fig. 2A). Immunoblot

and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) of c-Jun demonstrated effective c-Jun deficiency in animals which received Ad5CMVCre (Fig. 2A, lower blots and graph). The mortality 4-Aminobutyrate aminotransferase associated with DEN/Pb treatment in core Tg mice was significantly attenuated by c-Jun deficiency (Fig. 2B). Spontaneous HCC development (without DEN/Pb treatment) in core Tg mice was largely abrogated by c-Jun deficiency (Fig. 2C). The enhanced tumor incidence in the core-Tg mice treated with DEN/Pb was also reduced by 60% (P < 0.001) due to c-Jun deficiency (Fig. 2C,E), whereas a smaller 30% reduction was observed in c-Jun–deficient WT mice given DEN/Pb (Fig. 2C). The number of cells double-positive for CD133 and CD49f, which are markers for cancer stem cells, clearly increased in core Tg mice treated with DEN/Pb but not in c-Jun–deficient core Tg mice or WT mice treated with the carcinogens (Fig. 2F). Thus, our results demonstrate that HCV core protein not only serves as an independent tumor inducer, but also accentuates carcinogen-induced HCC development in a manner largely dependent on c-Jun.

In crossing tests, obligate apomixis was generated through the ou

In crossing tests, obligate apomixis was generated through the outcrossing between the male from Madagascar and the female from the northwestern Atlantic. These results suggest that outcrossing between genetically divergent sexual entities is one factor that induces apomixis in C. leprieurii. “
“The classical athecate dinoflagellate genera (Amphidinium, Gymnodinium, Gyrodinium) have long been recognized to be polyphyletic. Amphidinium sensu lato is the most diverse of all marine benthic dinoflagellate genera; Adriamycin mw however, following the redefinition of this genus ∼100 species remain now of uncertain or unknown generic affiliation. In an effort to improve our

taxonomic and phylogenetic understanding of one of these species, namely Amphidinium semilunatum, we re-investigated

organisms from several distant sites around the world using light and scanning electron microscopy and molecular phylogenetic methods. Our results enabled us to describe this species within a new heterotrophic genus, Ankistrodinium. Cells of A. semilunatum were strongly laterally flattened, rounded-quadrangular to oval in lateral view, and possessed a small asymmetrical epicone. The sulcus was wide and characteristically deeply incised check details on the hypocone running around the antapex and reaching the dorsal side. The straight acrobase with hook-shaped end started at the sulcal extension and continued onto the epicone. The molecular phylogenetic results clearly showed that A. semilunatum is a distinct taxon and is only distantly related to species within the genus Amphidinium sensu

stricto. The nearest sister group to Ankistrodinium could not be reliably determined. “
“Selection of genes that have not been horizontally transferred for prokaryote phylogenetic inferences cAMP is regarded as a challenging task. The markers internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal genes (16S–23S ITS) and phycocyanin intergenic spacer (PC-IGS), based on the operons of ribosomal and phycocyanin genes respectively, are among the most used markers in cyanobacteria. The region of the ribosomal genes has been considered stable, whereas the phycocyanin operon may have undergone horizontal transfer. To investigate the occurrence of horizontal transfer of PC-IGS, phylogenetic trees of Geitlerinema and Microcystis strains were generated using PC-IGS and 16S–23S ITS and compared. Phylogenetic trees based on the two markers were mostly congruent for Geitlerinema and Microcystis, indicating a common evolutionary history among ribosomal and phycocyanin genes with no evidence for horizontal transfer of PC-IGS. Thus, PC-IGS is a suitable marker, along with 16S–23S ITS for phylogenetic studies of cyanobacteria. “
“A new filamentous cyanobacterial species of the genus Brasilonema was isolated from the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Transmission electron microscope was used to observe ultrastructu

Transmission electron microscope was used to observe ultrastructures of Caco-2. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was taken to examine the mRNA expression of UGT1A1, UGT1A8, UGT1A10, hPXR (human pregnane X receptor) and CYP3A4 (Cytochrome P450 3A4). Western blot was employed to detect the expression of UGT1A1. Immunocytochemistry was performed to observe the nuclear localization of Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2). Results: A dose- and time-dependent manner increase in LC3-II levels was observed in Caco-2 cells treated with SFN, and 3-MA reduced LC3-II protein levels while rapamycin enhanced its expression. UGT1A1, UGT1A8, UGT1A10 mRNA levels were increased significantly after treatment of SFN and SFN/Rapa combination

while SFN/3-MA treatment decreased UGT1A isoforms mRNA expression. LDE225 Treatment with SFN alone and SFN/rapamycin combination caused Nrf2 nuclear staining and reduced

the levels of CYP3A4 rnRNA. The rapamycin alone and SFN/rapamycin combination treatment groups had higher levels of hPXR mRNA compared with the control group (P-values less than 0.05). Conclusion: Rapamycin can Proteasome cleavage enhance the chemopreventive effects of SFN on human colon cancer Caco-2 cells, and this may be partly attributed to Nrf2- and hPXR-mediated UGT1A1, UGT1A8 and UGT1A10 induction. Targeting the autophagy modulation may be a promising strategy for boosting the chemopreventive effects of SFN in the context of colon cancer. Key Word(s): 1. UGT1A; 2. sulforaphane; 3. cytochrome P450 3A4; 4. autophagy; Presenting Author: BO GONG Additional Authors: DONGFENG LI, YIFAN DUAN, ZIJUN XIE, ZIJUN LI Corresponding Author:

ZIJUN LI Affiliations: Guangdong General Hospital Objective: miR-21 is one of the most common abnormal microRNA. RAS-GAPs (GTPase activating proteins) hydrolyzes RAS-GTP to RAS-GDP to terminate Ras signaling. This study was to investigate the relationship between miR-21 and Ras p21 protein activator1 (RASA1, one of the members of RAS-GAPs family) and its role in the pathogenesis of colon cancer. Methods: The profiles Clomifene of RAS-GAPs and the expression of miR-21 and RASA1 mRNA in colon cancer tissues (n = 40, including 13 cases with mutant KRAS), normal colon tissues and/or colon cancer cell lines (n = 7) were detected by Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). Dual Luciferase reporter assay was applied to detect whether the target gene of miR-21 was RASA1. The changes of RASA1 expression and cell viability in colon cancer cell lines HCT116 or RKO after upregulating/downregulating miR-21 were detected by Western-blot and MTT. Results: RASA1 expression in normal colon tissues was significantly higher than that in cancer tissues. RASA1 expression in colon cancer cell lines with mutation-type KRAS was significantly lower than that in those with wild-type KRAS (p < 0.05). The expression of miR-21 in colon cancer tissues and cell lines was significantly higher than that in normal tissues.