Estrogenic regulation of heat shock protein 90 kDa in the rat ventromedial hypothalamus and uterus.

The regulation of heat shock protein 90 kDa (hsp90) by estradiol was analyzed in the rat ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and uterus by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis/Western blots. Protein from VMH and uterus (35 micrograms/sample) was resolved on 8% acrylamide gels, transferred to polyvinyldifluoride filters, and processed for immunoblotting using an anti-hsp90 antibody. Hsp90-specific bands were visualized on film using enhanced chemiluminescence and quantitated using a laser scanning densitometer. Hsp90 protein levels were significantly elevated in VMH at 12 h (p less than 0.01), and in uterus at 18 h (p less than 0.05) following estradiol injection (10 micrograms, s.c.). Immunocytochemical analysis for hsp90 localization by cell types showed that, in brain, hsp90 immunoreactivity was primarily neuronal. In the uterus, hsp90 immunoreactivity was most evident following treatment with estradiol, and was found primarily in the glandular epithelia; staining was less prominent in myometrium, stroma, and in the luminal epithelium. Thus, increased hsp90 levels may mediate some cellular responses to estrogen in specific cell types in both uterus and brain.     

Case study of a patient with severe nephrotic syndrome

M.T. battled SLE for 9 years before renal failure occurred. She is now free of extrarenal symptoms of lupus, as has been described elsewhere (Ziff & Hilderman, 1983). The patient has regained here appetite, lost 13 pounds, recovered some strength and reestablished her social network. Without the severe proteinuria, M.T. has a chance to improve her nutritional status and increase her albumin. Her pulmonary status may also improve if she can refrain from smoking. Although fatigue is a debilitating feature of lupus, M.T. has increased stamina and is learning energy conservation techniques. Immediately after surgery, she did experience problems with bleeding, pneumonia, and pleural effusions, but the medical and nursing management prevented serious adverse outcomes. Fluid balance is no longer problematic, and M.T. is approaching her ideal body weight as her nutritional status improves. Her serum albumin has increased to about 2.6 gm/dl with some decrease in her proteinuria.     

Noninvasive in vivo 13C-NMR spectroscopy in the rat to study the pharmacokinetics of 13C-labeled xenobiotics.

Noninvasive NMR methodology has been developed to enable monitoring of 13C-labeled xenobiotics in the rat in vivo. 2,2-Dichloro-1-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-[3-13C]-propane can be detected in the liver of intact rats by in vivo 13C surface coil NMR spectroscopy after ip administration of the compound. The experiments were performed at 1.9 and 9.4 Tesla. The intrahepatic changes of the signal intensity of the labeled compound were followed as a function of time. In the days following administration, the concentration decreased and dropped to values below the detection limit after 12 days. The study demonstrates the feasibility of studies on pharmacokinetics of 13C-labeled compounds in the rat using noninvasive, in vivo surface coil NMR spectroscopy in animals. The sensitivity allows the detection of a single dose of the drug of 200 mg/kg, but can be improved.     

A primary gastric Burkitt's lymphoma in a child]

We report a case of a primary gastric Burkitt's lymphoma in a 8-year-old child, which first symptoms were abdominal pain, dysphagia, melena and a constitutional syndrome. The differential characteristics of this case are its peculiar gastric infiltration and the existence of oesophageal extension, which is very infrequent among this kind of tumors.     

Intraoperative radiotherapy of upper abdominal tumours

Thirty patients with malignant tumours in the upper abdomen underwent surgery and intraoperalive radiation (IORT), using electron beam, to: the surgical bed, residual or unresected tumour. The technical aspects and results of this treatment are described. Renal, adrenal, bile duct and gastrointestinal tumours were treated. along with several other lesions. The surgical procedure consisted in 10 cases simply of exposure of the tumour for IORT and in 20 the tumour was resected. The TORT dose ranged from 10 to: 20 Gv. In 13 patients, external beam radiation was also given to: residual tumour or to: areas of high risk for recurrence. Chemotherapy was given to: 10 patients. Tolerance to: the combined treatment was acceptable; with few complications related to: IORT.The median follow-up and survival time 23 months (range 4-more than 70 months). Local tumour control rate (or tumour stabilisation) is 90%. Distant metastases developed in 19 patients (63%). The actuarial survival rate for the group projected at 70 months (maximum follow-up) is 37%. IORT in useful in the management of tumours arising in the upper abdominal organs, for palliation surgery or when resectability of the tumour is in doubt. Indications for IORT include patients with uncommon tumours of the upper abdomen who are not be candidates for standardised cancer treatment.Presented at the European Congress of Radiology, Vienna, September 15–20,1991     

The Organization of the Venous Spaces of the Cavernous Sinus

The study of the venous channels in the cavernous sinus in 48 sphenoid bones was performed. Thirty-eight bones were electrolyticly decalcified, subsequently embedded in gelatin, and cut in 1 mm thick slices. Microdissection of the other ten specimens complemented the analysis. Every specimen had the venous structure arranged as a plexus, however, although the channels were variable in number, form, and diameter, the two sides were quite symmetrical. Channels of smaller diameter predominated anteriorly. There was no demonstrable muscular layer in these vessels; the endothelial lining was easily visualized. Fatty tissue separated the venous channels from each other and from arteries and nerves. The distance from the carotid artery and the lateral wall increased anteriorly, but there were significant veins between these two structures in only 35% of the cases. In about one third of specimens the oculomotor nerve was placed over the carotid artery. The abducens nerve was found to be intimately related to the lateral wall without any venous channels between them in 92% of the specimens.