Viability Assays for Cells in Culture

Manual cell counts on a microscope are a sensitive means of assessing cellular viability but are time-consuming and therefore expensive. Computerized ...

Duquesne University

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy accounting for approximately 0.02-0.2% of all cancer deaths. The molecular pathogenesis of ACC has been the hot topic of recent reviews but it is still poorly understood. It is imperative to have a better understanding on the pathophysiology of ACC so as to establish precise diagnosis and effective treatment. This study aims to identify the molecular markers between ACCs and adrenocortical adenomas (ACAs). With MLPA, we checked on 10 ACA and 9 ACC tissue samples. The MLPA results showed deletion on chromosomes 18q, 11q, 11p, and 13q and duplication on chromosomes 3q, 4q, 6p, and 19p. There was a significant difference in the number of aberration copies of the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) gene located on chromosome 11q22-q23 between ACCs and ACAs. Five out of 9 (56%) ACC specimens had deletion of ATM (P = 0.011). RT-PCR result then demonstrated that ATM mRNA level is lower in ACCs than in ACAs (P < 0.001). In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) study of the 19 ACA and 18 ACC samples confirmed lower expression of ATM protein in ACCs than in ACAs (P < 0.001). The study demonstrated that ATM expression was diminished in ACC than in ACA, suggesting an important role of ATM in the tumorigenesis of ACC.

Lower expression of ATM and gene deletion is more frequent in adrenocortical carcinomas than adrenocortical adenomas.

Phaeochromocytomas (PHEO) and functional paragangliomas (PGLs) are catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumours. Although most PHEO/PGLs are benign, 10-35% present as (or develop into) malignant tumours with a poor prognosis. Overexpression of ERBB2 (v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukaemia viral oncogene homologue 2) has been reported to be associated with malignant PHEO. We used gene expression profiling of PHEO/PGLs to gain a better understanding of the tumourigenic pathways associated with ERBB2.

Gene expression profiles of phaeochromocytomas with ERBB2 overexpression reveal a new molecular mechanism tumourigenicity.

CONTEXT: Subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Low serum potassium concentration or low dietary potassium intake can result in metabolic disorders. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the association between low serum potassium level and prevalence of NAFLD in a Chinese population. DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional study. PATIENTS: We conducted a community-based study in 8592 subjects to investigate the association of serum potassium with the risk of prevalent NAFLD. NAFLD was diagnosed by hepatic ultrasonography. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of NAFLD was 30·3% in this population and gradually decreased across serum potassium quartiles. With the reduction in serum potassium level, participants have larger waist circumference (WC) and more severe insulin resistance. The correlations hold also in multivariate linear regression analysis. In logistic regression analysis, compared with subjects in the highest quartile of serum potassium level, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) in the lowest quartile was 1·33 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1·11-1·60] for NAFLD, 1·81 (95% CI, 1·49-2·19) for insulin resistance and 1·58 (95% CI, 1·30-1·93) for central obesity. In subgroup analysis after multiple adjustments, significant relation between serum potassium level and prevalent NAFLD was detected in women, younger subjects, those with insulin resistance and those with central obesity, respectively. CONCLUSION: Low serum potassium level significantly associated with prevalence of NAFLD in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Low serum potassium level is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its related metabolic disorders.

It is estimated that there are more than 16 million adults with drug-resistant hypertension in China. Nevertheless, the prevalence of and risk factors for primary aldosteronism, a highly curable condition among adults with drug-resistant hypertension, has not been fully investigated.

Yiran Jiang

Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Mylan School of Pharmacy,
Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mylan School of Pharmacy

Duquesne University

Viability Assays for Cells in Culture

Yiran Jiang

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Duquesne University

Viability Assays for Cells in Culture

Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Mylan School of Pharmacy,
Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mylan School of Pharmacy