Expression of angiotensin I-converting enzymes and bradykinin B2 receptors in mouse inner medullary-collecting duct cells

We described in mouse inner medullary-collecting duct cells (mIMCD-3) the somatic and the N-domain ACE synthesis and its interaction with the kallikrein-kinin system co-localized in the same cells. We purified two ACE forms from culture medium, M1 (130 kDa) and M2 (N-domain, 60 kDa), and cellular lysate, C1 (130 kDa) and C2 (N-domain, 60 kDa). Captopril and enalaprilat inhibited the purified enzymes. The immunofluorescence studies indicated that ACE is present in the membrane, cytoplasm and in the cell nucleus. Kinin B1 and B2 receptors were detected by immunofluorescence and showed to be activated by BK and DesR9 BK, increasing the acidification rate which was enhanced in the presence of enalaprilat. The presence of secreted and intracellular ACE in mIMCD-3 confirmed the hypothesis previously proposed by our group for a new site of ACE secretion in the collecting duct.     

Combined Endoscopic-Radiological Rendezvous for Distal Tail Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula (POPF)

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) with leakage of pancreatic juice is a rare, severe complication following pancreatic resection or, less commonly, splenectomy. Definitive treatment can require multidisciplinary approaches. We report a case of stenosis of the main pancreatic duct with distal tail GRADE C POPF, occurred after splenectomy for Hodgkin lymphoma, successfully treated with combined radiological-endoscopic approach.     

Prognostic value of pre-operative glucose-corrected maximum standardized uptake value in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after complete surgical resection and 5-year follow-up

Introduction

In this study we evaluated the value of pre-operative glucose corrected maximum standard uptake value (GC-SUVmax) as prognostic factor in patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after complete surgical resection.

Methods

This study was designed as a retrospectively evaluated single center study with prospective data registry. Inclusion criteria were: histologically proven stage I NSCLC, 18F-FDG-PET/CT scan prior to surgery, complete resection (R0) and follow up in our outpatient department. Exclusion criteria were: history of malignancy other than NSCLC, diabetes and (neo) adjuvant therapy. Follow up period was 5 years.

Results

Between 2006 and 2008 a total of 33 patients (16 males, 17 females) met the inclusion criteria. SUVmax and GC-SUVmax were strongly correlated (Spearman’s ρ = 0.97). Five-year overall survival (OS) rate was 70 % (95 % CI = 56–87 %). Patients who died within 5 years of follow up had significantly higher pre-operative GC-SUVmax (median = 10.6, IQR = 8.3–14.4) than patients who were alive at 5-year follow up (median = 6.4, IQR = 3.0–9.8), p = 0.04. SUVmax showed similar differences: 10.4 (8–12.9) vs. 6.6 (3.0–8.8), p = 0.047. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve at 5 years was 0.70 (95 % CI = 0.50–0.90) for GC-SUVmax and 0.71 (95 % CI = 0.51–0.91) for SUVmax (p = 0.75).

Conclusion

Pre-operative FDG tumor uptake in patients with NSCLC is predictive for survival after complete surgical resection. GC-SUVmax, as an additional value to SUVmax, may better approach competitive inhibition of FDG and glucose in tumors, however, in this study this potential advantage, if any, was very small.

     

Iloprost use and medical management of systemic sclerosis-related vasculopathy in Italian tertiary referral centers: results from the PROSIT study

Clinical and Experimental Medicine - Vasculopathy is a crucial feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc), and Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) and digital ulcers (DU) have a deep impact on the quality of...