Urinary metabolic fingerprinting for thioacetamide-induced rat acute hepatic injury using fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), with reference to detection of potential biomarkers for hepatotoxicity

In this study, we performed urinary metabolic fingerprinting using Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) in the thioacetamide (TAA)-induced rat model of acute hepatic injury to search for useful biomarkers involved in the acute hepatic toxicity. TAA was intraperitonealy administered a single dose of 300 mg/kg, and urine sample and livers were collected on predose, and days 1, 3, 5, and 7 postdose (Days 1, 3, 5, and 7). Histopathologically, infiltration of macrophages occurred in the TAA-induced centrilobular injured area on Days 1 and 3, and the injured liver recovered on Days 5 and 7. On the scores plot of principal component analysis (PCA), the ion profiles of Days 1 and 3 were different from those of the predose, Days 5 and 7. The loading plot revealed that the metabolites causing PCA results were m/z 266.05390, 401.20737, and 429.23882. The ion at m/z 266.05390 was identified as a potassium ion adduct of deoxycytidine (dCyt). Because the appearance of urinary dCyt was corresponding to macrophage infiltration in the rat-injured liver, it was considered that the urinary dCyt might be released from infiltrated macrophages. dCty might be a biomarker for the acute hepatotoxicity in rats.     

Cancer screening with PET: advantages and limitations

Warburg first reported that tumours are characterized by abnormally increased glucose metabolism accompanied by increase production of lactate. This is a basic principle underlying cancer detection by the glucose analogue 18-F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG). FDG positron emission tomography (PET) is currently used widely to examine virtually any part of the body in order to detect tumours, e.g., lung, breast, colorectal, pancreatic and head and neck cancers, malignant lymphoma and malignant melanoma. The advantage of whole-body FDG-PET in comparison with the other imaging modalities is that it allows the entire body to be surveyed seamlessly within a reasonably short period. Furthermore, the staging of most cancers can be determined. The characteristics of whole-body FDG-PET seem to satisfy the requirements for cancer screening. PET used simultaneously with conventional tests can prevent the overlooking of cancer, reduce false-positive results and assist in the interpretation of CT and MRI images. Thus, PET can play a supportive role when used with conventional screening tests. In 1994, PET was applied to cancer screening for the first time at our Imaging Center at Lake Yamanaka in Japan. Within 12 years after starting, a total of 10,292 asymptomatic individuals (6,227 men and 4,065 women; mean age, 52.2 and 52.9 years) participated in 29,090 screening sessions. As a result, malignant tumours were demonstrated in 355 of the 10,292 participants (2.61%). PET findings were true-positive in 175 of the 355 cancers (49.3%).     

New combined anteversion technique in hybrid THA: cup-first procedure with CT-based navigation

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology - Combined anteversion (CA) technique (stem-first procedure) is generally accepted as the optimal technique to attain an appropriate CA...     

Simultaneous Discovery of Cranial and Spinal Intradural Chordomas: Case Report

The present case illustrates the unexpected occurrence of intradural chordomas that were simultaneously discovered in cranial and spinal locations. A 63-year-old female presented with weakness in the left upper extremity. The patient visited a local doctor and underwent brain computerized tomography (CT). CT revealed a brain tumor, and she was referred to our hospital. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a midline intradural retroclival tumor in addition to an intradural extramedullary mass lesion at the level of C1–C2. The patient developed a spastic gait disturbance that forced her to use a cane. She underwent laminectomy at C1–C2 along with total removal of the tumor and showed no remarkable symptoms after surgery. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of chordoma. One month after the cervical surgery, the intracranial tumor was subtotally removed in intracranial surgery via the right subtemporal approach. Histopathological data were identical to that of the cervical tumor. The patient consulted another hospital and underwent gamma-knife surgery. Her neurological examination is relatively unchanged 20 months after the cervical surgery. This case suggests that neuroradiological evaluation should also be performed for an intradural spinal chordoma when an intracranial chordoma is detected. Careful determination of the tumor responsible for the symptoms is necessary if an intradural spinal chordoma is simultaneously detected with an intracranial chordoma.