Prevention of nutritionally induced diabetes by rosiglitazone in the gerbil Psammomys obesus

BACKGROUND: Psammomys obesus is a desert gerbil developing hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance when placed for 2 weeks on a high-energy (HE) diet. The mechanism underlying the antidiabetic effect of rosiglitazone (RG) treatment (20 mg/kg per day for 2 weeks) was studied. METHODS: The antidiabetogenic effect of RG treatment on serum insulin and metabolic parameters in serum and target tissues of insulin action was investigated in vivo and compared with the pancreatic beta cell protective effects of RG. RESULTS: Almost all RG-treated animals remained normoglycaemic compared to controls, but, at the same time, they were hyperinsulinaemic. RG had no effect on serum free fatty acid and serum and muscle triglyceride concentrations and did not appreciably affect body weight and fat depots. RG prevented a HE diet-induced reduction of GLUT 4 glucose transporter content in epididymal adipose tissue, but not in gastrocnemius muscle. The normoglycaemic effect was not associated with a suppression of liver PEPCK activity. Muscle PKCepsilon expression, known to be elevated in diabetic Psammomys and to inhibit insulin signalling, was only marginally decreased. However, RG treatment prevented the marked decrease in insulin immunostaining as well as the vacuolization of the beta cells and accelerated beta cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the skeletal muscle is not the primary target of RG action, whereas the preservation of the insulin secretory capacity and the prevention of degenerative beta cell vacuolization in spite of persisting insulin resistance appear to be the basis for the anti-hyperglycaemic effect of RG in Psammomys.     

Her-2 overexpression increases the metastatic outgrowth of breast cancer cells in the brain

Retrospective studies of breast cancer patients suggest that primary tumor Her-2 overexpression or trastuzumab therapy is associated with a devastating complication: the development of central nervous system (brain) metastases. Herein, we present Her-2 expression trends from resected human brain metastases and data from an experimental brain metastasis assay, both indicative of a functional contribution of Her-2 to brain metastatic colonization. Of 124 archival resected brain metastases from breast cancer patients, 36.2% overexpressed Her-2, indicating an enrichment in the frequency of tumor Her-2 overexpression at this metastatic site. Using quantitative real-time PCR of laser capture microdissected epithelial cells, Her-2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA levels in a cohort of 12 frozen brain metastases were increased up to 5- and 9-fold, respectively, over those of Her-2-amplified primary tumors. Co-overexpression of Her-2 and EGFR was also observed in a subset of brain metastases. We then tested the hypothesis that overexpression of Her-2 increases the colonization of breast cancer cells in the brain in vivo. A subclone of MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells that selectively metastasizes to brain (231-BR) overexpressed EGFR; 231-BR cells were transfected with low (4- to 8-fold) or high (22- to 28-fold) levels of Her-2. In vivo, in a model of brain metastasis, low or high Her-2-overexpressing 231-BR clones produced comparable numbers of micrometastases in the brain as control transfectants; however, the Her-2 transfectants yielded 3-fold greater large metastases (>50 microm(2); P < 0.001). Our data indicate that Her-2 overexpression increases the outgrowth of metastatic tumor cells in the brain in this model system.     

Green Synthesis of Magnetic Nanoparticles of Iron Oxide Using Aqueous Extracts of Lemon Peel Waste and Its Application in Anti-Corrosive Coatings

Lately, the development of green chemistry methods with high efficiency for metal nanoparticle synthesis has become a primary focus among researchers. The main goal is to find an eco-friendly technique for the production of nanoparticles. Ferro- and ferrimagnetic materials such as magnetite (Fe₃O₄) exhibit superparamagnetic behavior at a nanometric scale. Magnetic nanoparticles have been gaining increasing interest in nanoscience and nanotechnology. This interest is attributed to their physicochemical properties, particle size, and low toxicity. The present work aims to synthesize magnetite nanoparticles in a single step using extracts of green lemon Citrus Aurantifolia residues. The results produced nanoparticles of smaller size using a method that is friendlier to health and the environment, is more profitable, and can be applied in anticorrosive coatings. The green synthesis was carried out by a co-precipitation method under variable temperature conditions. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) characterization showed that magnetite nanoparticles were successfully obtained with a very narrow particle size distribution between 3 and 10 nm. A composite was produced with the nanoparticles and graphene to be used as a surface coating on steel. In addition, the coating’s anticorrosive behavior was evaluated through electrochemical techniques. The surface coating obtained showed good anticorrosive properties and resistance to abrasion.     

Objective evaluation of sylvian fissure development by multiplanar 3-dimensional ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of fetal cerebral cortex sulcation is important for the pre-natal diagnosis of neuronal migration disorders. Although abnormal sylvian fissure morphologic features are frequently observed in these conditions, the diagnosis of an abnormal sylvian fissure relies on subjective interpretation of ultrasonographic images. This study was performed to develop an objective ultrasonographic parameter for sylvian fissure evaluation. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 202 normal singleton pregnancies without fetal anomalies. Using multiplanar, 3-dimensional ultrasonography, the sylvian fissure midpoint was identified. The sylvian fissure-to-parietal bone distance (SPB) was measured from the midpoint to the inner surface of the parietal bone, perpendicular to the falx cerebri. Bland-Altman plots were used to determine intraobserver and interobserver agreement. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between SPB measurements and gestational age. RESULTS: Two hundred (99%) of 202 pregnancies had a visible sylvian fissure, identifiable as early as 12 weeks of gestation. The mean SPB values at 12 and 41 weeks were 2.1 and 14.3 mm, respectively. Intraobserver and interobserver mean differences between paired measurements were 0.01 mm (95% limits of agreement, -0.41 to 0.43 mm) and 0.05 mm (95% limits of agreement, -1.79 to 1.90 mm), respectively. A linear correlation was observed between the SPB and gestational age (multiple R=0.91; R2=0.82 [SPB = -2.85 + 0.42 x gestational age]). CONCLUSIONS: (1) The SPB can be reproducibly measured from 12 weeks of gestation to term; and (2) a strong positive correlation was observed between the SPB and gestational age.     

Long progression-free survival with first-line paclitaxel plus platinum is associated with improved response and progression-free survival with second-line docetaxel in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Purpose

Paclitaxel and docetaxel are two taxanes approved for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there is limited evidence regarding the efficacy of docetaxel in NSCLC previously treated with a paclitaxel–platinum doublet (PP). The aim of our study was to evaluate the response to docetaxel in NSCLC patients with prior PP treatment.

Methods

Patients with stage IV NSCLC treated with PP that presented disease progression and received docetaxel as second-line treatment were included. Demographics, clinical characteristics, EGFR mutation status, objective response (OR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and PFS without chemotherapy after first line with PP were analyzed.

Results

Sixty-three patients were evaluated. Median age was 58 years, 54 % of patients were women, 53 % were never-smokers, and 39 % had EGFR mutations. OR and median PFS for PP were 36.5 % and 6.7 months, respectively. OR and median PFS for docetaxel were 19 % and 3.8 months, respectively. Patients with EGFR mutations had better response to docetaxel compared with wild-type patients (26 vs. 17 %, p = 0.028). However, only long PFS (>6 months) to first-line PP was independently associated with a higher OR [RR 6.3, 95 % CI (1.03–38.4), p = 0.046], and longer PFS [0.49 (0.25–0.9)] and OS [0.2 (0.06–0.7), p = 0.008] to second-line docetaxel compared with patients with short PFS (≤6 months) to PP.

Conclusions

Previous use of PP does not preclude a favorable response to docetaxel in NSCLC. Long PFS with PP may help select NSCLC patients who benefit from second-line docetaxel.     

Salvage of SIEA flaps using the retrograde internal mammary system

Superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flaps are ideal for breast reconstruction when the anatomy permits it. Due to the peripheral and superficial location of the pedicle, these flaps can be complicated by vessel kinking against the remaining ribs after insetting. Here, we describe a novel method for SIEA flap salvage after kinking or avulsion of the traditional anastomosis to the internal mammary vessels. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 30:545–548, 2010.