Expression of matrix metalloproteinase matrilysin (mmp-7) was induced by activated ki-ras via ap-1 activation in sw1417 colon cancer cells

The matrix metalloproteinase matrilysin (MMP-7) is a member of the matrix metallo-proteinase gene family, which is believed to play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. We have previously found that matrilysin mRNA is specifically expressed in colorectal cancers and adenomas and that its message is localized in the tumor cells themselves. We examined the effects of activated Ki-ras oncogene on the expression of matrilysin in colon cancer cells. We showed that both mRNA and the enzymatic activity of matrilysin were induced by the introduction of activated Ki-ras into SW1417 colon cancer cells. To understand the mechanisms regulating this induction, we analyzed alterations of AP-1 activity induced by activated Ki-ras, using the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay. AP-1 activity in SW1417 cells expressing activated Ki-ras was higher than that in control cells. The gel-shift assay also showed higher levels of AP-1 binding protein in SW1417 cells expressing activated Ki-ras than those in control cells. Our results suggest that activated Ki-ras may play a role in inducing expression of matrilysin through an AP-1-dependent pathway in colon cancer cells.     

Closure of a large bronchial fistula with a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap

We describe a case of a large bronchial fistula and empyema after right upper lobectomy that was treated successfully with open window thoracostomy followed by a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and limited thoracoplasty. A latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can provide immediate airtight closure of a large bronchial fistula, allowing lavage and curettage of the empyema cavity to reduce the chance of postoperative infection. An important aspect of this technique is that the deepithelialized skin side rather than muscle is sutured to an opening of the bronchus. As compared with other techniques, a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is superior in that it requires a single incision and does not require an intraop-erative change of position. In addition, the technique causes little dysfunction of the chest and shoulder and preserves the vascular supply to ensure the viability of the flap even if it was divided in a previous operation.     

Improvement of Cardiac Function by Dry Weight Optimization Based on Interdialysis Inferior Vena Caval Diameter(3)

The nonimprovement group was characterized by the following: ① a high incidence of diabetes (4 of 6 patients) ,② a high incidence of preexisting cardiac dysfunction documented prior to or at the time of induction of     

Reduction of coronary flow reserve in areas with and without ischemia on stress perfusion imaging in patients with coronary artery disease: A study using oxygen 15-labeled water PET

BACKGROUND: Myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) occasionally fails to detect coronary stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We evaluated coronary flow reserve (CFR) using oxygen 15-labeled water in areas with and without ischemia on technetium 99m tetrofosmin stress perfusion SPECT in patients with angiographically documented CAD. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with CAD and eleven age-matched normal subjects were studied. Baseline myocardial blood flow (MBF) and MBF during hyperemia induced by intravenous adenosine triphosphate infusion (0.16 mg. kg(-1). min(-1)) were determined with the use of O-15-labeled water positron emission tomography, and the CFR was calculated. Tc-99m tetrofosmin stress/rest SPECT was performed for comparison. On the basis of the results of coronary angiography and SPECT, coronary segments were divided into 3 types: segments with coronary stenosis and a perfusion abnormality on stress SPECT imaging (group A, n = 16), segments with coronary stenosis without a perfusion abnormality (group B, n = 42), and remote segments with no coronary stenosis or perfusion abnormality (group C, n = 18). Baseline MBF values were similar among the 3 groups. CFR in group A was lower (1.82 +/- 0.54) than in group B (2.22 +/- 0.87, P <.05), in group C (2.92 +/- 1.21, P <.01), and in normal segments (3.86 +/- 1.24, P <.001). CFR in group B was lower than in group C (P <.02) and in normal segments (P <.001). CFR in group C was lower than in normal segments (P <.02). CONCLUSIONS: Areas with a perfusion abnormality on stress SPECT had reduced CFR. In the areas without a perfusion abnormality and with coronary stenosis, lowering of CFR was intermediate between the areas with a perfusion abnormality and remote segments. Moreover, CFR was slightly, but significantly, lower in remote segments in patients with CAD compared with normal segments.     

Nevus Lipomatosus Cutaneous Superficialis of the Clitoris

BACKGROUND: Nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis (NLCS) is a relatively rare condition. Although NLCS can affect any region of the entire body, no case of NLCS in the clitoris has ever been reported. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of NLCS of the clitoris that presented manifestations that were similar to female pseudohermaphrodism. METHODS: This is a case report and review of the literature. RESULTS: A congenital, soft, skin-colored lesion of the clitoris in a 1-year-old girl resembled female pseudohermaphrodism. It was resected, and the histologic diagnosis was NLCS. Postoperatively, there was no subsequent change in the lesion during the 3-year follow-up period. CONCLUSION: We reported a case of congenital solitary NLCS of the clitoris. Although NLCS might be a relatively rare condition, we should consider it in the differential diagnosis of female pseudohermaphrodism.     

Surgical treatment of aortic coarctation associated with multi-vessel brachiocephalic involvement in takayasu's arteritis.

In Takayasu's arteritis (TA), both atypical coarctation (CO) and brachiocephalic involvement are common features that occasionally require operative correction. A combination of these abnormalities could duplicate underlying illness in patients, posing an increased risk of operative morbidity. We present, herein, two TA patients in which hypertensive heart disease secondary to CO was surgically corrected. Both patients had multi-vessel brachiocephalic disease. One patient who showed occlusion of all brachiocephalic arteries underwent aorto-aortic bypass, while another with two-vessel lesion underwent axillo-bifemoral bypass grafting. Subclavian reconstruction was supplemental to each procedure, resulting in relief of neurologic stigmata. Strategies to avoid intraoperative cerebral ischemia played an important role in the surgical repair of such TA-related extensive vascular lesions.     

The Protective Role of Glutathione, Cysteine and Vitamin C against Oxidative DNA Damage Induced in Rat Kidney by Potassium Bromate

The roles of glutathione (GSH), cysteine, vitamin C., liposome-encapsulated superoxide dismutase (L-SOD) and vitamin E in preventing oxidative DNA damage and cytotoxicity in the rat kidney after administration of potassium bromate (KBrO₃) to male F344 rats were investigated by measuring 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), an oxidative DNA product, lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and relative kidney weight (RKW). Combined pre- and posttreatment of animals with 2 × 800 mg/kg GSH i.p. inhibited the increase of 8-OH-dG, LPO levels and RKW caused by 80 mg/kg KBrO₃ i.p. administration. In contrast, pretreatment with 0.3 ml/kg diethylmaleate (DEM) i.p., a depletor of tissue GSH, was associated with elevation of 8-OH-dG, LPO levels and RKW after a 20 mg/kg KBrO₃ i.p. treatment, which itself caused no change. Administration of KBrO₃ itself reduced renal non-protein thiol levels, but this was inhibited by the two doses of exogenous GSH. Combined treatment with DEM and KBrO₃ lowered the non-protein thiol level in the kidney more than did DEM treatment alone. Protective effects against the oxidative damage caused by KBrO₃ were also observed for pre- and posttreatment with 400 mg/kg cysteine i.p., another sulfhydryl compound, and daily i.g. application of 200 mg/kg vitamin C for 5 days. However, no influence was evident after pre- and posttreatment with 18,000 U/kg L-SOD i.p. or daily i.g. 100 mg/kg of vitamin E for 5 days. The results suggest that intracellular GSH plays an essential protective role against renal oxidative DNA damage and nephrotoxicity caused by KBrO₃.