These results suggest that P.g infection is an important risk factor for pathological progression in NAFLD. Increase in the monounsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio may be an important change that facilitates progression of NAFLD.

The interleukin-11 receptor A (IL-11RA) is a functional target in bone metastasis. However, its role in primary bone tumors has not been established. As such, here, we evaluated IL-11RA as a candidate target in primary and metastatic human osteosarcoma. First, in an orthotopic mouse model, we showed that IL-11RA protein is markedly expressed in primary osseus and pulmonary metastatic osteosarcoma but absent from control normal tibia and lung. Moreover, systemic administration of an IL-11RA-targeting phage displaying the cyclic nonapeptide CGRRAGGSC resulted in strong and selective accumulation of IL-11RA-homing phage particles in the osteosarcoma but not in several control organs. Finally, IL-11RA expression in a large panel of human primary and metastatic osteosarcoma samples was remarkably consistent with the observations in the orthotopic mouse model. These data establish IL-11RA as a candidate target in human osteosarcoma and provide leads for the development of novel imaging and therapeutic agents for the management of this malignant tumor.

Novel nitrogenous diterpenoids, spongolactams A-C (1-3), were isolated as trace components of an Okinawan marine sponge, Spongia sp., by an LC/MS-guided assay for farnesyl transferase (FTase) inhibitors. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. To evaluate their structures and biological activity, the metabolites were semisynthesized from the known furanoditerpene 5, obtained from the same sponge. Three related compounds 4, 13, and 16 were also semisynthesized. The IC50 values against FTase for 1-3 were 23, 130, and >260 microM, respectively, while the IC50 values against a human tumor cell line were 2.0, 3.5, and 20 microM, respectively. The structure-activity relationships within the six compounds suggest some positive correlation between FTase inhibitory and cytotoxic activities.

These data indicate that endostatin can block tumor revascularization after radiation therapy and thereby augment radioresponse.