Inhibition of tumor formation and redirected differentiation of glioblastoma cells in a xenotypic embryonic environment

Background : Tissue microenvironment plays key roles in regulating the progression of aggressive tumors. Tumors are uncommon in the early embryo, suggesting that embryonic tissue microenvironments are nonpermissive for tumors. Yet, the effects of embryonic tissue microenvironments on tumor cells have not been extensively studied. We have, therefore, tested the behavior of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells transplanted into a central neural tissue microenvironment in the chicken embryo. Results: GBM cells were cultured as spheres to enrich for GBM stem cells (GSCs) and transduced with GFP for identification. Within the proliferative embryonic neural tissue, GSC‐enriched GBM cells exhibited reduced proliferation and survival, altered gene expression, and formed no tumors, in marked contrast to their aggressive behavior in vitro and tumor formation in other tissue microenvironments including the chorioallantoic membrane of the chicken embryo and the brain of adult severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Surviving cells in the spinal neural tube exhibited tumor‐atypical expression profiles of neuron‐, glia‐, stem cell‐, and tumor‐related genes. Conclusions: Embryonic neural tissue provides a poor environment for GBM cell survival and tumor formation, and redirects differentiation toward a more benign phenotype. Understanding the anti‐tumorigenic effects of this embryonic tissue microenvironment could provide opportunities to develop novel therapies for GBM treatment. Developmental Dynamics 242:1078‐1093, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Analysis of Gleason grade and scores in 90 Nigerian Africans with prostate cancer during the period 1994 to 2004

Objectives

To determine the relative frequency of prostate cancer among surgical specimens, and among prostate specimens received at the pathology department ,University Hospital Calabar.

Methods

Histology records were reviewed for the following: total number of histology specimens received; total number of prostate specimens; total number of prostate cancer; and the total number of cancers in males during the study period. Histology sections 4–5microns thick were cut from paraffin blocks and stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). Histopathologic specimens were classified using the grading system of tumour differentiation described by Gleason and associates.

Results

One hundred and twenty three cancers of the prostate were received, constituting 2% of the total surgical specimens and 31% of prostate specimens. Thirty three cases (27%) could not be analyzed; therefore the study is based on 90 prostate cancer specimens. Eighty nine (99%) cases were epithelial tumours (adenocarcinoma.) There was a single mesenchymal tumour (rhabdomyosarcoma) (1%). The commonest grade in this study was the high grade (Gleason grade IV).

Conclusions

We observed that prostate cancer is a common among males (all sites) diagnosed at the University Hospital Calabar, with a peak incidence between the ages of 61 – 70 years (seventh decade).     

Mimecan基因、核因子-κB和白介素-24与子痫前期相关性研究

目的探讨Mimecan基因、核因子-κB（NF-κB）和白介素-24（IL-24）在子痫前期（preeclampsia,PE）中的表达及其相关性。方法根据子痫前期临床表现将98例子痫前期分为轻度子痫前期组（轻度PE组,53例）、重度子痫前期组（重度PE组,45例）;选择正常健康孕妇48例作为对照组。采用酶联免疫法（ELISA）检测孕妇血清中Mimecan基因、NF-κB和IL-24的表达。结果子痫前期组患者Mimecan基因、NF-κB和IL-24的表达水平分别为（10.98±0.82）mg/L、（21.97±3.87）mg/L和（0.79±0.26）mg/L,对照组分别为（4.78±0.63）mg/L、（16.73±4.31）mg/L和（0.38±0.13）mg/L,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（P均〈0.05）;Mimecan基因、NF-κB和IL-24与子痫前期严重程度呈正相关（r分别为0.687、0.733和0.821,P均〈0.05）。结论子痫前期的发生发展可能与Mimecan基因、NF-κB和IL-24有关。