ASO Visual Abstract: Preoperative FDG Positive Lymph Nodes Predict the Postoperative Prognosis in Resectable Biliary Tract Cancers

Annals of Surgical Oncology -     

Cilostazol improves hippocampus-dependent long-term memory in mice

Rationale

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) play an important role in the regulation of intracellular signaling mediated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Recently, several PDE inhibitors were assessed for their possible cognitive enhancing properties. However, little is known about the effect of PDE3 inhibitors on memory function.

Objectives

We examined how the PDE3 inhibitor cilostazol affects C57BL/6 J mice as they perform various behavioral tasks. After behavioral assessment, brains of the mice were analyzed immunohistochemically to quantify the phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), a downstream component of the cAMP pathway.

Results

Oral administration of cilostazol significantly enhanced recollection of the exact platform location in the Morris water maze probe test. Cilostazol also improved context-dependent long-term fear memory, without affecting short-term memory. No apparent effect was observed in cue-dependent fear memory. The results suggest that cilostazol selectively improves hippocampus-dependent long-term memory in these tasks. Cilostazol also significantly increased the number of phosphorylated-CREB-positive cells in hippocampal dentate gyrus.

Conclusions

These results suggest that cilostazol may exert its beneficial effects on learning and memory by enhancing the cAMP system in hippocampus, where it increases intracellular cAMP activity.     

Anemia in older adults as a geriatric syndrome: A review

Anemia, a frequently occurring condition in older patients, has no standard definition; however, in most studies, it is defined as hemoglobin level <12 and <13 g/dL in women and men, respectively. Approximately 10% of older adults living in the community have anemia. The prevalence of anemia is significantly correlated with advanced age and male sex. Anemia is associated with falls, frailty and other negative outcomes, including early mortality. However, there remains little consensus regarding whether anemia treatment favorably affects these adverse outcomes. Therefore, this article reviews the prevalence of anemia, and provides updates on its common causes and treatments in older adults. While excluding well-established hematopoietic diseases, the etiology of anemia in older adults has been grouped into four categories: (i) nutritional deficiency; (ii) inflammation; (iii) clonal hematopoiesis; and (iv) “unexplained anemia,” when there is no clear mechanism to account for the anemia. Recently, clonal leukocytes were detected in a considerable number of older individuals. The number of somatic mutations in blood leukocytes increases with age; however, single mutations of DNMT3A, TET2 and ASXL1 are not correlated with the presence of unexplained anemia in older adults. With an increased understanding of anemia etiology and the availability of innovative anti-anemic drugs, future studies that evaluate the causes and benefits of treatment are required. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 549–554 .     

Ultrastructural localization of protective antigens of Plasmodium yoelii merozoites by the use of monoclonal antibodies and ultrathin cryomicrotomy

The production of two hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAb), both of which react specifically with erythrocytic merozoites of Plasmodium yoelii in the indirect immunofluorescence assay, has been reported earlier. MAb 25.77 was reactive with a localized region within each merozoite, while MAb 25.1 appeared to be specific for the plasma membrane of schizonts and merozoites. The parasite antigens recognized by antibodies 25.77 and 25.1 are proteins of 235,000 and 230,000 molecular weight, respectively, both of which induce protective immunity against P. yoelii in mice. In order to establish the precise localization of these protective antigens within erythrocyte merozoites, ultrathin cryomicrotomy was used in conjunction with the MAb and protein A-gold. This technique showed that gold particles were exclusively concentrated over the rhoptries when erythrocytic merozoites were incubated with MAb 25.77. On the other hand, gold particles were distributed uniformly over the merozoite surface when parasites were incubated with MAb 25.1. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that a protective antigen of the erythrocytic stage of P. yoelii is localized within the rhoptries as well as on the merozoite surface.     

An elderly non-Hodgkin lymphoma patient with a massive tumor of the heart

We report on an elderly patient with a malignant lymphoma forming a huge mass in the heart. An 82-year-old woman became aware of general fatigue and a cough in August 1999. Her right supraclavicular, bilateral axillary, and right inguinal lymph nodes were swollen. A hypodermical mass in the right frontal chest was detected. Her left axillary lymph node was biopsied. She was diagnosed as having non-Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large cell type, B-cell type. Computed tomography scans showed a markedly thickened right ventricular wall of the heart, swollen lymph nodes of the mediastinum, bilateral pleural effusions, and a tumor in the spleen. Lymphoma cells were found in the pleural effusion, and the lymphoma was diagnosed as clinical stage IV. Hypofunction of the heart, ejection fraction (EF) 49%, was demonstrated with transthoracic echocardiography. EF increased to 70% after 3 courses of chemotherapy with CHOP regimen. All lesions disappeared after 6 courses of chemotherapy were completed. After consolidative radiotherapy with a total dose of 37 Gy to the mediastinum and heart, bilateral pleural effusions, elevation of the patient's lactate dehydrogenase level and soluble IL-2 receptor value were recognized, which suggested relapse of the lymphoma, although histopathological confirmation could not be realized.