The YSNSG cyclopeptide derived from tumstatin inhibits tumor angiogenesis by down‐regulating endothelial cell migration

We previously demonstrated that the CNYYSNS peptide derived from tumstatin inhibited in vivo tumor progression. The YSNS motif formed a β‐turn crucial for biological activity. More recently, a YSNSG cyclopeptide with a constrained β‐turn on the YSNS residues was designed. Intraperitoneal administration of the YSNSG cyclopeptide inhibited in vivo melanoma progression more efficiently than the native linear peptide. In the present article, we showed that the YSNSG cyclopeptide also triggered an inhibition of in vivo tumor neovascularization and we further analyzed its in vitroantiangiogenic effect. The YSNSG cyclopeptide did not alter endothelial cell proliferation but inhibited cell migration by 83% in an in vitro wound healing model. The inhibition was mediated by a decrease in active MT1‐MMP at the migration front as well as a decrease in u‐PA and u‐PAR expression. The cyclopeptide also altered β1‐integrin distribution in endothelial cell lamellipodia, induced a strong decrease in the phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p125^FAK), disorganized F‐actin stress fibers and decreased the number of lamellipodia, resulting in a non migratory phenotype. Our results confirm the YSNSG cyclopeptide as a potent antitumor agent, through both the inhibition of invasive properties of tumor cells and the antiangiogenic activity.     

bcl2, p53 and bax in thyroid tumors and their relation to apoptosis.

Twenty five thyroid tumors were investigated by immunohistochemistry for the presence of apoptosis, expression of p53, bax and bcl2. In nine adenomas (average age 40) the rate of p53 positive cells was 5.7%, while it was 13.3% for bax and 41.7% for bcl2 in the tumor cells. In six follicular carcinomas (average age 56) p53 positivity was obtained for 71.1%, while bax and bcl2 positivity constituted 3.4% and 2.5%, respectively. In ten papillary adenocarcinomas (average age 42) p53 was positive in 39.6%, but bax and bcl2 were positive in 3.4% and 3% of the tumor cells, respectively. Almost no signs of spontaneous apoptosis were found in any of the cases. Determination of p53, bax and bcl2 ratio in thyroid tumors may contribute to the differentiation between follicular adenomas and carcinomas.     

Streptococcus B septic polyarthritis revealing Good's syndrome

We report on a 46-year-old woman, who developed streptococcus B septic polyarthritis in the context of septicemia of urinary origin. This case revealed a Good's syndrome whose diagnosis was made on the basis of a profound hypogammaglobulinaemia, a large decrease of peripheral B cells and a thymoma disclosed on chest computed tomography (CT) and confirmed by surgical removal (AB type). There was also an inversion of the peripheral CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio and an increase of CD8+ T cells. The course of infection was favorable under treatment with antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulin. Good's syndrome is a rare entity, which belongs to primary immunodeficiency syndromes. Its first manifestations appear late in life, usually after the age of 40. In front of hypogammaglobulinemia, it is necessary to search for Good's syndrome by practicing chest CT scan, looking for thymoma, which is constant, and peripheral lymphocytes phenotyping looking for B cell lymphopenia and the frequent T cell associated abnormalities.     

Principle design and actuation of a dual chamber electromagnetic micropump with coaxial cantilever valves

This paper deals with the design and characterization of an electromagnetic actuation micropump with superimposed dual chambers. An integral part of microfluidic system includes micropumps which have become a critical design focus and have the potential to alter treatment and drug delivery requirements to patients. In this paper, conceptual design of variable geometrical nozzle/diffuser elements, coaxial cantilever valve, is proposed. It takes advantages of cantilever fluctuating valves with preset geometry to optimize and control fluid flow. The integration of this conceptual valve into a dual chamber micropump has increased the flow rate when compared to a single chamber micropump. This technique also allows for the fluid flow to be actively controlled by adjusting the movement of the intermediate membrane and the cantilever valves due to their fast response and large deflection properties when subjected to an electromagnetic field. To ensure reliability and performance of both the membrane and electromagnets, finite element method was used to perform the stress-strain analysis and optimize the membrane structure and electromagnet configuration. The frequency-dependent flow rates and backpressure are investigated for different frequencies by varying the applied currents from 1A to 1.75A. The current micropump design exhibits a backpressure of 58 mmH₂O and has a water flow rate that reaches maximum at 1.985 ml/s under a 1.75A current with a resonance frequency of 45 Hz. This proposed micropump while at its initial prototype stage can satisfy the requirements of wide flow rate drug delivery applications. Its controllability and process design are attractive for high volume fabrication and low cost.     

Emotional intelligence of dental students and patient satisfaction

The objective of this study was to determine the degree of correlation between emotional intelligence of dental students, patient satisfaction and related factors. A total of 123 senior students and their patients participated in the study. Students completed the 133 item Bar‐On Standardised Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQI) and patients completed a seven item satisfaction questionnaire. The mean score for EI of female students was 442 and 462 for male students, for an overall average score of 452 for all dental students. Male students significantly scored higher in stress control (P = 0.0), general mood (P = 0.011) and intrapersonal scales (P = 0.024). There was a statistically significant relationship between student gender and average EI score (P = 0.007). Married students scored higher in adaptability (P = 0.019) and general mood scales (P = 0.039). Significant relationships existed between students’ gender (P = 0.009), level of patient education (P = 0.0) and patient satisfaction levels. Not recording a significant relationship for the interpersonal scale (r = 0.134), there was a significant relationship amongst intrapersonal, stress control, adaptability, and general mood dimensions of the students and patient satisfaction reports. There was a statistically significant relationship between general emotional intelligence score of the students and patient satisfaction. Patients of the students with high general emotional intelligence scores were significantly more satisfied with treatment than patients of students with low EI.