Perfusion CT measurements predict tumor response in rectal carcinoma

Abdominal Radiology - To evaluate the capacity of perfusion CT imaging to distinguish between complete and incomplete responders after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for rectal carcinoma, with...     

Relationship between forced expiratory flow and tracheal sounds. Possible effect of vortices on flow

We measured both tracheal sounds and forced expiratory flows simultaneously in 20 normal subjects and 4 patients with stenosis of the main bronchus. Spectral analysis of the tracheal sounds revealed development of discrete line spectra, the frequencies of which ranged between 488 and 942 Hz. There was a positive correlation between these frequencies and the peak flows (r = 0.601). We speculate that the origin of these line spectra are vortices rather than the vibrations of the wall. It is postulated that the pressure drops caused by vortices make the airways more susceptible to collapse and may lead to flow limitation.     

Cytophotometric and flow cytometric DNA content of isolated glands in gastric neoplasia.

The gland isolation method was applied to various gastric lesions to measure DNA content by cytophotometry and flow cytometry for the first time. By incubating and agitating fresh specimens from surgically resected stomachs in calcium-magnesium free Hanks's balanced salt solution (CMFH) containing EDTA, many neoplastic glandular epithelial cells were successfully isolated from the stroma, and their characteristic three dimensional features were seen morphologically. The DNA content of pure nuclear suspensions of isolated glands was obtained by cytophotometry and flow cytometry staining with 4',6-diamino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) and propidium iodide, respectively. Compared with histological grading, the frequency of the DNA aneuploidy of cancer with moderate or poor differentiation by cytophotometry (75%) was significantly higher than that of well differentiated cancer (25%), but the histological typing of gastric cancer DNA frequency were not correlated. This method allowed us to detect small aneuploid peaks by flow cytometry, which were previously masked by contaminating interstitial cells. The frequency of DNA aneuploidy detected by flow cytometry (87.5%) was higher than detected by cytophotometry (58.3%). The results of these studies shows the feasibility of this technique for analysing the DNA content of various lesions of the stomach.     

Immunohistochemical characterization of CD33 expression on microglia in Nasu‐Hakola disease brains

Nasu‐Hakola disease (NHD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by formation of multifocal bone cysts and development of leukoencephalopathy, caused by genetic mutations of either DNAX‐activation protein 12 (DAP12) or triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2). Although increasing evidence suggests a defect in microglial TREM2/DAP12 function in NHD, the molecular mechanism underlying leukoencephalopathy with relevance to microglial dysfunction remains unknown. TREM2, by transmitting signals via the immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based activation motif (ITAM) of DAP12, stimulates phagocytic activity of microglia, and ITAM signaling is counterbalanced by sialic acid‐binding immunoglobulin (Ig)‐like lectins (Siglecs)‐mediated immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif (ITIM) signaling. To investigate a role of CD33, a member of the Siglecs family acting as a negative regulator of microglia activation, in the pathology of NHD, we studied CD33 expression patterns in five NHD brains and 11 controls by immunohistochemistry. In NHD brains, CD33 was identified exclusively on ramified and amoeboid microglia accumulated in demyelinated white matter lesions but not expressed in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, or neurons. However, the number of CD33‐immunoreactive microglia showed great variability from case to case and from lesion to lesion without significant differences between NHD and control brains. These results do not support the view that CD33‐expressing microglia play a central role in the development of leukoencephalopathy in NHD brains.     

Effects of carbamylcholine chloride on human antral gastrin mRNA levels

The effects of the muscarinic receptor agonist, carbamylcholine chloride (carbachol), on gastrin release and gastrin mRNA levels in human antral mucosa (n=15) were determined. During a-2-h incubation period, carbachol (10⁻⁶−10⁻⁴M) decreased gastrin mRNA levels to 71±8% (10⁻⁶M), 40±8% (10⁻⁵M), and 33±5% (10⁻⁴M) of control levels. Carbachol (10⁻⁵M) decreased intracellular gastrin (from 1634±103 to 1272±126 pg/mg tissue protein), while it increased gastrin release into the medium (from 609±48 to 918±68 pg/ml per mg tissue protein). After 6-and 9-h culture, carbachol gradually increased gastrin mRNA levels, by 96±12% and 126±23%, respectively. Atropine sulfate (10⁻⁵ M) completely inhibited the carbachol-induced changes. Cycloheximide markedly decreased tissue gastrin concentration, but increased gastrin mRNA levels, whereas it had no effects on gastrin release. These findings suggested that carbachol may have a time-related biphasic action on human antral gastrin biosynthesis.     

Elderly case of duodenal ascariasis removed by endoscopy: A caution for ascariasis as a revived infection in Japan

A case of duodenal ascariasis in an 89-year-old woman is presented. Gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed for chest pain. During this procedure a cord-like structure was found incidentally in the second part of the duodenum; it was removed and identified as a female specimen of Ascaris lumbricoides. Recently ascariasis in Japan has revived because fresh vegetables without agricultural chemicals are now common. Careful observation of the entire duodenum at gastrointestinal endoscopy is required in elderly patients, especially those in poor general condition as in the present case, because complications of ascariasis such as acute pancreatitis, acute cholangitis, and liver abscess may be more critical for them.     

Cadmium effect on the Na,K-ATPase system in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

The present study focuses on the interaction between cadmium (Cd) and the Na, K-ATPase system in in vitro grown vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) derived from the rat carotid artery. In disrupted VSMCs rendered permeable by osmotic shock, Cd inhibited Na, K-ATPase; I50 was reached at 10(-5) M Cd. Mg-ATPase was also inhibited by Cd; I50 was attained at concentrations of 10(-4) M Cd. Cd inhibition of Na,K-ATPase in the VSMCs was noncompetitive with respect to Na, K, and ATP. Rubidium transport experiments performed with intact VSMCs demonstrated that within an incubation period of 150 minutes, a concentration of 10(-4) M Cd in the extracellular fluid exerted no acute effect on the Na-K pump. Within this time interval, intracellular Cd attained a concentration eightfold higher than the extracellular Cd concentration. Thus, it appears that under acute conditions Cd exerts its inhibitory effect on Na, K-ATPase only in disrupted VSMCs. The data further suggest that, in the VSMC, conditions under which Cd inhibits Na, K-ATPase are consistent with inhibition from the cytoplasmic side of the cell membrane.     

An immunomodulating protein,Ling Zhi-8 (LZ-8) prevents insulitis in non-obese diabetic mice

Summary Ling Zhi-8 (LZ-8), a novel and recently discovered immunomodulatory protein having in vivo immunosuppressive activity, was tested for in vivo effect against Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in the non-obese diabetic mouse, the disease having immunologically mediated aetiology in this animal. LZ-8 had mitogenic activity in vitro towards spleen cells of the non-obese diabetic mice as previously shown towards those of DBA/2 mice. Intraperitoneal administration of LZ-8 twice weekly into the mice (10.3–12.6 mg/kg body weight) from 4 weeks of age prevented insulitis and an almost normal number of insulin producing cells were observed. Extreme insulitis and reduction of the number of insulin producing cells were observed in the pancreata of the untreated non-obese diabetic mouse. No cumulative incidence of diabetes mellitus was observed in the LZ-8 treated group, while cumulative incidences of 70% and 60% were observed in an untreated group followed up to 42 weeks of age when the incidence of diabetes was defined as a plasma glucose level of greater than 11 mmol/l and as a urine glucose level of greater than 2 +, respectively. T cell subset population analysis was performed to further investigate the action of LZ-8 on the non-obese diabetic mouse which revealed that LZ-8 treatment increased in L3T4⁺/Lyt-2⁺ ratio.