Blood-group antigen expression during pancreatic cancer induction in hamsters

Summary The expression of blood group-related and tumor-associated antigens was examined in pancreatic adenocarcinomas and in the normal pancreas of hamsters to determine if this expression correlated with the host blood group and/or stage of carcinogenicity, respectively. Pancreatic tumors were induced by 4 weekly treatments of hamsters withN-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) and analyzed immunohistochemically during different stages of tumor progression with polyclonal antibodies (PoAbs) and monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against A, B, O and Lewis (Le) isoantigens, including X, Y and CA 19-9 monosialoganglioside (gastrointestinal cancer antigen, GICA), as well as with PoAbs detecting human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), α-fetoprotein (AFP) and the Β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (Β-HCG). The red blood cells of both control and tumor-bearing hamsters expressed AB and Le(^a+b+)-like blood group types, as detected by polyvalent antisera. However, none of the MoAbs reacted with the hamster red blood cells. In the pancreas, all PoAbs against blood group antigens reacted with hyperplastic ducts and ductules at very early stages of carcinogenesis, as well as with neoplastic lesions, but not with normal pancreatic cells, except for the acinar cells, which were stained with PoAb-B, PoAb-Le^a and PoAb-Le^b. None of the MoAbs showed any affinity for the normal pancreatic cells; however, they reacted to various degrees with induced hyperplastic and neoplastic tissue. Reactivities of several MoAbs with malignant cells were greater than those with hyperplastic lesions: MoAb-B was highly reactive with all induced lesions, MoAb-A less reactive, and MoAb-H and MoAb-Le^y (which has 6 sugar chains) detected only some cancer cells. Neither of the two MoAb-Le^x (with 5 carbohydrate chains) reacted with carcinoma cells, although they did bind to a few hyperplastic cells. Neither MoAb-Le^a and MoAb CA 19-9, nor PoAbs against CEA, AFP and Β-HCG, reacted with any normal, hyperplastic or malignant cells. These results demonstrate the differential reactivity of these PoAbs and MoAbs in normal and malignant pancreatic tissue and show that blood group antigens, especially the B isoantigens, are specific markers for induced pancreatic duct tumors in hamsters.     

Gastrogastric intussuscepting leiomyomas

Two cases of gastrogastric intussusception sof leiomyomas are presented. Intussusception of a fundal mass into the gastric antrum can cause a confusing appearance on the double-contrast barium study. Intermittent intussusception was seen on fluoroscopy in 1 case.     

Ex vivo perfusion of a tumor-containing colon with monoclonal antibody

We describe a model for the evaluation of anti-tumor antibody specificity using a colonic adenocarcinoma-containing specimen, freshly resected from a patient. The colonic segment was perfused for 1 hr through the mesenteric vessels with a perfusate solution containing an ACRC antibody known to bind specifically to cells of human colorectal carcinoma. Differential binding of a monoclonal ACRC antibody to cells of the adenocarcinoma and not to those of normal colonic mucosa was observed in three patients, whereas in two patients such differences in preferential binding were not observed. No antibody binding to any tissues was observed in the sixth patient. These results warrant further trial of in vivo evaluation of the specificity of ACRC antibody for diagnosis and therapy of human malignancy.     

Influence of Al/Ti Ratio and Ta Concentration on the As-Cast Microstructure,Phase Composition,and Phase Transformation Temperatures of Lost-Wax Ni-Based Superalloy Castings

The as-cast microstructure, alloying element segregation, solidification behavior, and thermal stability of model superalloys based on Inconel 740 with various Al/Ti ratios (0.7, 1.5, 3.4) and Ta (2.0, 3.0, 4.0 wt%) concentrations were investigated via ThermoCalc simulations, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, dilatometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. The solidification of the superalloys began with the formation of primary γ dendrites, followed by MC carbides. The type of subsequently formed phases depended on the superalloys’ initial Al/Ti ratio and Ta concentration. The results obtained from solidification simulations were compared to the obtained microstructures. For all castings, the dendritic regions consisted of fine γ′ precipitates, with their size mainly depending on the initial Al/Ti ratio, whereas in the interdendritic spaces, (Nb, Ta, Ti)C carbides and Nb-rich Laves phase precipitates were present. In high Al/Ti ratio superalloys, β-NiAl precipitates, strengthened by η and α-Cr phases, were observed. Based on dilatometric results, the dissolution of γ′ precipitates was accompanied by a substantial increase in the coefficient of thermal expansion. The end of the dilatation effect took place around the γ′ solvus temperature, as determined via calorimetry. Moreover, the bulk solidus temperature was preceded by the dissolution of the Laves phase, which may be accompanied by local melting.     

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics techniques and their application in ovarian cancer research

Ovarian cancer has emerged as one of the leading cause of gynecological malignancies. So far, the measurement of CA125 and HE4 concentrations in blood and transvaginal ultrasound examination are essential ovarian cancer diagnostic methods. However, their sensitivity and specificity are still not sufficient to detect disease at the early stage. Moreover, applied treatment may appear to be ineffective due to drug-resistance. Because of a high mortality rate of ovarian cancer, there is a pressing need to develop innovative strategies leading to a full understanding of complicated molecular pathways related to cancerogenesis. Recent studies have shown the great potential of clinical proteomics in the characterization of many diseases, including ovarian cancer. Therefore, in this review, we summarized achievements of proteomics in ovarian cancer management. Since the development of mass spectrometry has caused a breakthrough in systems biology, we decided to focus on studies based on this technique. According to PubMed engine, in the years 2008–2010 the number of studies concerning OC proteomics was increasing, and since 2010 it has reached a plateau. Proteomics as a rapidly evolving branch of science may be essential in novel biomarkers discovery, therapy decisions, progression predication, monitoring of drug response or resistance. Despite the fact that proteomics has many to offer, we also discussed some limitations occur in ovarian cancer studies. Main difficulties concern both complexity and heterogeneity of ovarian cancer and drawbacks of the mass spectrometry strategies. This review summarizes challenges, capabilities, and promises of the mass spectrometry-based proteomics techniques in ovarian cancer management.     

The temperature within the circle of Willis versus tympanic temperature in resting normothermic humans

Summary We measured the temperature of arterial blood within the circle of Willis (T _willis) in seven normothermic patients undergoing carotid arteriography. We found this temperature to be lower by 0.13 to 0.30°C than tympanic temperature and by 0.30 to 0.55°C lower than rectal temperature. By imposing this data on calculated cerebral heat balance it can be suggested that the average cerebral temperature of a resting subject is somewhat higher than tympanic temperature. These findings would also support indirectly the thesis that temperature gradients may exist within the brain.