Biochemical diagnostics of bone metastases

The skeleton is a frequent localization of cancer metastases. The method of choice in their diagnostics is scintigraphy, but at high sensitivity, it is characterized by limited diagnostic specificity. Discussed are the possibilities of using the examination of some tumor markers as well as biochemical factors of the resorption and bone formation process in bone metastases diagnostics. At the present stage, it can be found that the studies of such factors introduce a number of additional significant information, but they cannot fully replace bone scan.     

Metabolic Coupling Between Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue and Hematopoiesis

Purpose of Review

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) located in the bone marrow have the capacity to differentiate into multiple cell lineages, including osteoblast and adipocyte. Adipocyte density within marrow is inversely associated with bone mass during aging and in some pathological conditions, contributing to the prevailing view that marrow adipocytes play a largely negative role in bone metabolism. However, a negative association between marrow adipocytes and bone balance is not universal. Although MAT levels appear tightly regulated, establishing the precise physiological significance of MAT has proven elusive. Here, we review recent literature aimed at delineating the function of MAT.

Recent Findings

An important physiological function of MAT may be to provide an expandable/contractible fat depot, which is critical for minimization of energy requirements for sustaining optimal hematopoiesis. Because the energy requirements for storing fat are negligible compared to those required to maintain hematopoiesis, even small reductions in hematopoietic tissue volume to match a reduced requirement for hematopoiesis could represent an important reduction in energy cost. Such a physiological function would require tight coupling between hematopoietic stem cells and MSCs to regulate the balance between MAT and hematopoiesis. Kit-ligand, an important regulator of proliferation, differentiation, and survival of hematopoietic cells, may function as a prototypic factor coupling MAT and hematopoiesis.

Summary

Crosstalk between hematopoietic and mesenchymal cells in the bone marrow may contribute to establishing the balance between MAT levels and hematopoiesis.

     

Elevated Numbers of Circulating Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSELs) and Intermediate CD14++CD16+ Monocytes in IgA Nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is recognized as most frequent form of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. IgAN is associated with renal degradation occurring due to irreversible pathological changes leading to glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. It remains poorly understood whether and to what extent these changes are followed by the activation of regenerative mechanisms. Therefore, in this study we aimed to evaluate regenerative potential of IgAN patients by quantitating the frequencies of several stem cell types, namely circulating very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) as well as different monocyte subsets with varying maturation and angiopoietic potential. Moreover, we analyzed whether changes in stem cell and monocyte frequencies were related to alterations of several chemotactic factors (stromal derived-factor (SDF-1), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2)) and a marker of monocyte/macrophage activation, namely soluble form of CD163 receptor (sCD163). We showed that IgAN patients presented with enhanced levels of VSELs, but not other stem cell types. We also demonstrated significantly elevated numbers of intermediate monocytes known for their M2-like properties as well as high angiopoietic potential and CD163 expression. This finding was accompanied by detection of elevated sCD163 plasma levels in IgAN patients. Taking together, we demonstrated here that IgAN is associated with selective mobilization of VSELs and increased maturation of monocytes towards M2-like and angiopoietic phenotype. These findings contribute to better understanding of the role of regenerative mechanisms in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation in the course of IgAN.     

Effect of ivabradine on cardiac arrhythmias: Antiarrhythmic or proarrhythmic?

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Solubility and pKa determination of six structurally related phenothiazines

Solubilities of six structurally related phenothiazines, namely chlorpromazine hydrochloride, fluphenazine dihydrochloride, promazine hydrochloride, thioridazine hydrochloride, trifluoperazine dihydrochloride, and triflupromazine hydrochloride at constant pH were measured in the temperature range from 290 K to 350 K in three important drugs solvents: water, ethanol and 1-octanol using the dynamic method and UV-vis method. Dissociation constants and corresponding pK(a) values of drugs were obtained with Bates-Schwarzenbach method at temperature 298.15K in the buffer solutions. Our experimental pK(a) values for chlorpromazine hydrochloride, fluphenazine dihydrochloride, promazine hydrochloride, thioridazine hydrochloride, trifluoperazine dihydrochloride, and triflupromazine hydrochloride are 9.15, 10.01, 9.37, 8.89, 8.97, and 9.03, respectively. The basic thermal properties of pure drugs i.e. melting and solid-solid phase transition as well as glass-transition temperatures, the enthalpy of melting and phase transitions and the molar heat capacity at glass transition (at constant pressure) were measured with differential scanning microcalorimetry (DSC) technique. Molar volumes were calculated with Barton group contribution method. The experimental solubility data were correlated by means of three commonly known G(E) equations: the Wilson, NRTL and UNIQUAC with the assumption that the systems studied here have revealed simple eutectic mixtures. The root-mean-square deviations of temperature were used for the precision of the correlation. The activity coefficients of drugs at saturated solutions in each correlated binary mixture were calculated from the experimental data. These new data will help in all prediction-methods and their precision.     

Characterization of genes associated with internalization of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli

On animal models enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) can cause mild, but significant mucosal damage, suggesting the invasive capability of these strains. In the study we investigated the ability of typical, aggR-positive and atypical, aggR-negative EAEC isolates to enter intestinal epithelial Int407 cells in relation to the distribution of genes encoding the putative invasins described among pathogenic E. coli categories. The results demonstrated that regardless of origin and affiliation to typical and atypical EAEC, most isolates examined were internalized by the epithelial cells to different extent. Although as many as 50 (84.3%) EAEC demonstrated a variety of combinations of the aggB, afaD, ipaH and tia genes determined, there was no correlation between the invasion efficiency of these strains and the presence of any particular gene involved in invasion. Most of EAEC examined belonged to phylogenetic group B2 and D.     

Pretreatment serum levels of hematopoietic cytokines in patients with colorectal adenomas and cancer

Background and aim Hematopoietic cytokines (HCs) regulate the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells, and it was proved that HCs can promote cancer growth. The aim of this study is to determine whether HCs might be useful in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.Materials and methods We compared the serum levels of stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin 3 (IL-3), granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in 97 colorectal cancer patients with those in 35 patients with colorectal adenomas and 65 healthy subjects (control group). Additionally, we investigated commonly accepted tumor markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9). HCs were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CEA and CA 19-9 were measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay.Results Serum levels of GM-CSF, M-CSF, and tumor markers were significantly higher in cancer patients as compared to the control group and adenomas patients. Of these, hematopoietic cytokines were found elevated in the higher proportion of patients than CEA and CA 19-9. The sensitivity of SCF was higher than the sensitivity of other cytokines, but diagnostic specificity and predictive value were highest for M-CSF. Moreover, the M-CSF area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was larger than the areas of other cytokines. The highest values of diagnostic parameters were observed for the combined use of M-CSF with CEA.Conclusion The obtained data support the M-CSF usefulness as a tumor marker for colorectal cancer, especially in combination with CEA.     

Genetically attenuated Plasmodium berghei liver stages induce sterile protracted protection that is mediated by major histocompatibility complex Class I-dependent interferon-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells

At present, radiation-attenuated plasmodia sporozoites ( gamma -spz) is the only vaccine that induces sterile and lasting protection in malaria-naive humans and laboratory rodents. However, gamma -spz are not without risks. For example, the heterogeneity of the gamma -spz could explain occasional breakthrough infections. To avoid this possibility, we constructed a double-knockout P. berghei parasite by removing 2 genes, UIS3 and UIS4, that are up-regulated in infective spz. We evaluated the double-knockout Pbuis3(-)/4(-) parasites for protective efficacy and the contribution of CD8(+) T cells to protection. Pbuis3(-)/4(-) spz induced sterile and protracted protection in C57BL/6 mice. Protection was linked to CD8(+) T cells, given that mice deficient in beta (2)m were not protected. Pbuis3(-)/4(-) spz-immune CD8(+) T cells consisted of effector/memory phenotypes and produced interferon- gamma . On the basis of these observations, we propose that the development of genetically attenuated P. falciparum parasites is warranted for tests in clinical trials as a pre-erythrocytic stage vaccine candidate.