The assessment of in vitro modulation of milk fat globule membrane expression by human breast carcinomas

Although knowledge of functional differentiation and tumour-associated changes of breast carcinomas can be gained by the application of antibodies directed against the milk fat globule membrane, more significant information may be obtained by assessment of the potential of breast carcinomas to modulate their antigenic phenotype. In this study, the extend to which primary tumours can undergo modulation in vitro has been investigated, with consideration of the suitability of organ culture in combination with the immunohistochemical detection of two milk fat globule membrane epitopes, HMFG1 and HMFG2, as methods for detecting this. The preservation of three of the 30 carcinomas assessed, all poorly differentiated, was poor after 3 days of culture. The viability of the other 27 was variable, and was greater in the better differentiated tumours and with the addition of insulin. Expression of the milk fat globule membrane epitopes was generally well maintained. Six of the carcinomas showed a significant change in antigen expression, with this being more frequent in tissues incubated with insulin. Hence, a small group of carcinomas have been identified which appear to have a greater capacity to undergo functional differentiation. Organ culture is considered to be a suitable method for maintaining the tissues in vitro for such evaluation, but the problems encountered in quantifying the immunohistochemical staining, because of antigenic heterogeneity, were such that it is suggested that other approaches be employed.     

Synthesis and post-translational modification of the androgen receptor in LNCaP cells

Androgen receptor synthesis and modification were studied in the human LNCaP cell line. Immunoblotting with a specific polyclonal antibody showed that the androgen receptor migrated as a closely spaced 110–112 kDa doublet on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gels. Most of the receptor protein is present in the higher molecular mass form. Pulse labelling experiments with [³⁵S]methionine showed that the androgen receptor is synthesized as a single 110 kDa protein which is rapidly converted to a 112 kDa protein. Alkaline phosphatase treatment of cytosols from [³⁵S]methionine pulse labelled cells caused a gradual elimination of the 112 kDa isoform with a concomitant increase of the 110 kDa isoform. This indicates that the observed 110 to 112 kDa upshift of the newly synthesized androgen receptor reflects receptor phosphorylation. Both isoforms can bind hormone and can undergo a hormone dependent transformation to a tight nuclear binding form, indicating that the 110 to 112 kDa conversion is not an obligatory step for hormone binding or receptor transformation.     

In Vitro Growth of Thymic Tumor Cell Lines from Xenopus

A spontaneous lymphoid thymus tumor was discovered in a male Xenopus of the MHC ff genotype. The tumor cell can be transplanted in histocompatible larval ff hosts, but not in ff adults unless irradiated (3000 rad). The tumor is rejected by allogeneic hosts. The tumor cells express neither markers of the B-cell lineage nor MHC encoded molecules; they express only markers of the T-cell lineage. Its lymphoid population is clonal as revealed by the existence of a stable rearrangement pattern of the immunoglobulin genes. Cell lines growing continuously in vitro have been derived from the tumor.     

Experimental study of spinal cord compression by epidural tumors using electron probe X-ray microanalysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy

Changes in the nerve fibers of the spinal cord were studied in rat experimental epidural tumor models. Light microscopy showed demyelinization in all with rats paraparesis and paraplegia. Cross-sectional views of nerve fibers stained with 3,3dipentyloxacarbo-cyanine iodide, obtained by confocal laser scanning microscopy, showed distorted, shrunken fibers with a low fluorescence intensity. Changes in the electrolyte contents of nerve fibers were studied by electron probe X-ray microanalysis. The K concentration in axons and the myelin sheath was increased in the paraparesis group, but was decreased in the paraplegia group. These findings suggest that, in the paraparesis group, compression of the spinal cord damaged cell membrane channels, which subsequently caused an increase in intracellular K, a decline in the action potential, and low-intensity fluorescence of nerve fibers. On the other hand, in the paraplegia group, destruction of cell membranes caused a decrease in intracellular K until it approached the extracellular level. This reduced both the action potential and the fluorescence intensity. As Ca and Mg concentrations in both axons and the myelin sheath increased in relation to the severity of neurologic damage, it appears that these electrolytes may also play an important role in damage to nerve fibers.     

Second nonocular tumors in cured unilateral retinoblastoma patients

Summary According to recent data the incidence of second tumors in cured hereditary unilateral retinoblastoma patients is 20% within 10 years, 50% after 20 years and rises to 90% after 30 years. Nonhereditary unilateral retinoblastoma patients have not been regarded as susceptible for second nonocular tumors so far. A case is reported of such a patient having developed a second presacral retroperitoneal tumor after successful treatment of a nonhereditary unilateral retinoblastoma group V without intracranial extension or pulmonary metastases. Consequently all (hereditary and non-hereditary) retinoblastoma patients should receive at least quarterly intensive follow-up examinations after primary ophthalmologic treatment.     

Detection of primary breast cancer in women with known adenocarcinoma metastatic to the axilla: Use of MRI after negative clinical and mammographic examination

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of MRI to identify a primary site of malignancy in the breast of patients who present clinically with ipsilateral lymph nodes containing metastatic carcinoma but whose physical and mammographic examination are negative. MRI of the breast was performed on four patients using a variety of imaging parameters, all with and without gadolinium contrast. All patients had biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the ipsilateral axilla, with negative physical and mammographic examinations. Foci of enhancement assessed visually on precontrast and postcontrast scans (n = 1) and on substraction studies (n = 3) were considered suspicious under the clinical circumstances defined for this study. Lesions identified on MRI were re-identified on ultrasound examination and either preoperative localization for excisional biopsy or tissue sampling was performed. Surgery was performed and histopathologic correlation was obtained in all cases. Primary sites of breast carcinoma were identified in all four patients, with multiple sites of malignancy identified in three of four patients. Breast conservation therapy was made possible for three of four patients based on the results of the MRI study showing sites of malignancy and no features of cancer elsewhere in the breast. Follow-up data of 1, 2, and 5 years of these patients show no evidence of recurrent disease. MRI of the breast is a useful technique for identifying primary sites of malignancy in patients presenting with ipsilateral lymph nodes positive for metastatic adenocarcinoma when the physical and mammographic examinations are negative.     

Splanchnic ischaemia and its role in multiple organ failure

Multiple organ failure remains the leading cause of death in the intensive care unit. Increasing numbers of investigators have focused their attention on the role of gastrointestinal tract in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. Their data indicate that inadequate gut perfusion leads to a measurable imbalance between oxygen delivery and the needs of the tissues, i.e., ischaemia. Gut ischaemia of sufficient duration impairs gastrointestinal tract barrier function, facilitating the passage of enteric bacterial endotoxin into the circulation. It has been hypothesized that production of tumor necrosis factor α, and other biologic mediators by endotoxin–stimulated macrophages, triggers a generalized and uncontrolled inflammatory response that ultimately leads to multiple organ failure.
Preliminary evidence suggests that survival can be improved significantly if gut ischaemia is promptly identifed and aggressively treated by administration of fluids and inotropic drugs, using gastric intramucosal pH as the therapeutic endpoint. Future studies are needed to determine whether additional treatment modalities can improve outcome once the inflammatory response has fully developed.     

乳腺癌骨转移影响因素探讨

１５０例经手术及病理证实的乳腺癌病人的骨显像及临床资料，经统计学处理后，发现临床分期、淋巴经转移、年龄、随访时间为影响乳腺癌骨转移的主要因素。     

In vitro radiation sensitivity of the lncap prostatic tumor cell line

Because there is extremely limited information on the intrinsic radiosensitivity of human prostatic cancer cells, we have investigated the in vitro radiation response of exponentially growing LNCaP cells. Due to the very poor colony-forming potential of the LNCaP cells, radiation survival was investigated using the dose-dependent (0-6 Gy) changes seen after X-irradiation in the shapes of regrowth curves. Survival was described using both the single-hit, multitarget (SHMT) equation and the linear-quadratic (LQ) equation. The values and 95% confidence limits of the extrapolation number (n), quasi-threshold dose (D_q), and mean lethal dose (D_o) in SHMT terminology were respectively: 0.9 (0.7-1.0), 0.0 Gy, and 1.39 (0.11) Gy. The LQ alpha and beta parameters were respectively 6.80 (1.13) and -0.53 (2.89). The X-ray dose response of the LNCaP line is, therefore, purely exponential. The mean survival at the clinically relevant dose of 2 Gy (S₂) was 51.2% for the LNCaP line. Comparison of the S₂ value for the LNCaP line with previous investigations with other human prostatic cancer cell lines (DU145 and PC-3) indicates a mean S₂ value of 47.6%, which suggests that human prostate cancer cells might lie toward the resistant side of the spectrum for various classes of human neoplasms. © 1994 Wiey-Liss, Inc.     

数字化曲面全景X线系统造影在腮腺非肿瘤类疾病诊断中的应用

目的　本文报告普通X线机腮腺造影与数字化曲面X线机腮腺造影结果及其对比应用。方法　用3种不同的X线机对 3组腮腺非肿瘤类疾病患者进行腮腺造影 ,第 1组患者 10人应用普通 30 0mAX线机 ,第 2组患者 10人应用普通曲面全景X线机 ,第 3组患者 36人应用数字化曲面全景X线系统一套 ,分别行造影检查。结果腮腺造影侧位投照第 2组与第 1组末梢导管及腺泡有显著差异 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,第 3组与第 1组末梢导管及腺泡无显著差异 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,腮腺造影后前位投照第 2组与第 1、3组之间有显著差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　本研究对比了 3种X线投照技术在腮腺非肿瘤性疾病造影诊断中的效果 ,用数字化曲面全景X线系统造影在诊断此类疾病中显示出较好的效果。