核因子κB血管增殖性疾病的中枢性信号分子

目的:综合分析核因子κB在血管增殖性疾病中的作用。资料来源:应用计算机检索highwire 1995-01/2004-12有关核因子κB对血管增殖性疾病影响的文献,检索词“nuclearfactor-Kappa B,vascular smooth muscle cell,proliferation,signal pathway”,并限定文章语言种类为English。资料选择:对检索到的有关核因子κB对血管增殖性疾病影响方面的信息进行整理,选取针对性强的文章。同一领域的文献则选择近期发表或权威杂志的文章。资料提炼:从检索到的203篇文献中初选符合要求的相关文献43篇。经过仔细研读,选择其中15篇文章作为参考。资料综合:核因子κB或单独或与其他细胞因子协同作用,经过特定的信号转导途径,既可直接促进血管平滑肌细胞增殖也可通过抑制细胞凋亡而间接促进血管平滑肌细胞的增殖。选用能作用于核因子κB信号转导通路各个环节的抑制剂设法阻断导致核因子κB激活相关因子的表达,已经成为防治血管增殖性疾病的重要手段之一。结论:核因子κB的激活确可通过不同途径促进血管增殖性疾病的发生,所以,如何适度有效地抑制核因子κB的激活将成为防治血管增殖性疾病面临的关键问题。     

Concomitant leukoplakia in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: There is an ongoing debate on the prevalence of premalignant lesions, in particular leukoplakia, at the time of diagnosis of an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of concomitant leukoplakia in 100 patients with OSCC, and to evaluate possible differences in clinical and histopathological parameters of the OSCC between those with or without concomitant leukoplakia.PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients, 61 men and 39 women, with a histologically proven OSCC were screened on the presence of leukoplakia. Four groups were distinguished: (I) leukoplakia adjacent to the OSCC, (II) combination of leukoplakia adjacent to the OSCC, and leukoplakia at another oral site, (III) leukoplakia present at another oral site, but not adjacent to the OSCC, and (IV) no leukoplakia present.RESULTS: In 47 (47%) patients with OSCC the presence of concomitant leukoplakia was observed. Thirty-six (36%) patients had a leukoplakia adjacent to the OSCC (groups I and II), of which eight (8%) patients (group II) also had a leukoplakia present at another oral site. Eleven (11%) patients (group III) had no leukoplakia adjacent to the OSCC, but a leukoplakia present at another oral site. Fifty-three (53%) patients (group IV) with OSCC had no concomitant leukoplakia present. No differences were noted between men and women, nor was there any preference for an oral subsite with regard to the carcinoma. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical and histopathological presentation of OSCC's between those with or without concomitant leukoplakia.CONCLUSION: Almost 50% of oral squamous cell carcinomas are presumably associated with or preceded by leukoplakia. Early detection and active management of patients with oral leukoplakia may prevent the true development of a number of oral squamous cell carcinomas.     

In vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of breast cancer: a review of the literature

An emerging clinical modality called proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) enables the non-invasive in vivo assessment of tissue metabolism and is demonstrating applications in improving the specificity of MR breast lesion diagnosis and monitoring tumour responsiveness to neoadjuvant chemotherapies. Variations in the concentration of choline-based cellular metabolites, detectable with 1H-MRS, have shown an association with malignant transformation of tissue in in vivo and in vitro studies. 1H-MRS exists as an adjunct to the current routine clinical breast MR examination. This review serves as an introduction to the field of breast 1H-MRS, discusses modern high-field strength and quantitative approaches and technical considerations, and reviews the literature with respect to the application of 1H-MRS for breast cancer.     

Expression of nuclear receptors of gingiva in polycystic ovarian syndrome: a preliminary case study

Oestrogen is mainly responsible for alterations in blood vessels and progesterone stimulates the production of inflammatory mediators. In females, during puberty, ovulation and pregnancy, there is an increase in the production of sex steroid hormones, which results in increased gingival inflammation, characterized by gingival enlargement, increased bleeding and crevicular fluid flow. This article presents a case of a patient who presented with a complaint of gingival swelling and spontaneous bleeding that persisted for more than two months. Her health history documented the recently diagnosed presence of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Clinical examination revealed enlarged painful gingival tissues, which bled when touched. After completion of Phase I therapy, the enlargement did not subside and a biopsy sample was taken. This was compared with another patient who had the same health condition but did not show any gingival enlargement. Testing of tissue samples for oestrogen and progesterone receptors showed the first patient to be positive for oestrogen receptors but negative for progesterone, whereas the control was negative for both. Positive oestrogen receptors suggest that polycystic ovarian syndrome has some effect on the periodontium. The dental consequences of this condition, highly prevalent among young females, are typically ignored. Further studies warrant establishment of a clinical association and future diagnosis.     

Inverse agonism of cannabinoid CB1 receptors potentiates LiCl-induced nausea in the conditioned gaping model in rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cannabinoid CB₁ receptor antagonists/inverse agonists, potentiate toxin-induced nausea and vomiting in animal models. Here, we sought to determine if this potentiated nausea was mediated by inverse agonism or neutral antagonism of the CB₁ receptor, and if the potentiated nausea would be produced by intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of an inverse agonist.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The conditioned gaping model of nausea in rats was used to compare the CB₁ receptor antagonist/inverse agonist, AM251, and the CB₁ receptor neutral antagonists, AM6527 (centrally and peripherally active) and AM6545 (peripherally active), in potentiating conditioned gaping produced by lithium chloride (LiCl) solution. The effect of icv (lateral ventricle and 4th ventricle) administration of AM251 on LiCl-induced gaping in this model was also evaluated.

KEY RESULTS

At a dose that did not produce conditioned gaping on its own, systemically administered AM251 (1.25 mg·kg⁻¹) potentiated LiCl-induced conditioned gaping and reduced sucrose palatability; however, even doses as high as 8 mg·kg⁻¹ of AM6545 and AM6527 neither potentiated LiCl-induced conditioned gaping nor reduced sucrose palatability. Infusions of AM251 into the lateral ventricles (1.25, 12.5 and 125 µg) or the 4th ventricle (2.5, 12.5 and 125 µg) did not potentiate LiCl-induced conditioned gaping reactions, but all doses attenuated saccharin palatability during the subsequent test.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Inverse agonism, but not neutral antagonism, of CB₁ receptors potentiated toxin-induced nausea. This effect may be peripherally mediated or may be mediated centrally by action on CB₁ receptors, located distal to the cerebral ventricles.