Association of Vimentin overexpression and hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis

The poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been associated with recurrence and metastasis. Recently, we established a pair of HCC cell lines from a primary (H2-P) and its matched metastatic (H2-M) HCC tumors. A high density of cDNA microarray with 9184 human cDNA was used to identify the differentially expressed genes between H2-P and H2-M. Comparing with H2-P, eight upregulated and six downregulated genes were detected in H2-M. One interesting finding is the overexpression of Vimentin (VIM), a well-defined intermediate filament, which has been linked to a more aggressive status in various tumors. The correlation of overexpression of VIM and HCC metastasis was studied by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray with 200 primary HCCs and 60 pairs of primary and matched metastatic HCC samples. Tissue microarray demonstrated that the overexpression of VIM was significantly associated with HCC metastasis (P<0.01). This finding strongly suggests that the overexpression of VIM may play an important role in the metastasis of HCC.     

Synovial excrescences and cysts of the spine: clinicopathological features and contributions to spinal stenosis

Synovial cysts occur throughout the body and are generally benign lesions with limited clinical consequences. Juxtafacet cysts of the spine, in contrast, often press on a nerve root as it exits in the foramen, causing radiculopathy. Synovial tissue that emanates from the facet joint but extends medially, is an additional important cause of spinal stenosis. Over the past 5 years, neurosurgeons at our institution have operated on a large number of patients with back pain, with removal of abnormal synovial tissues. Histological examination of these tissues distinguishes the different types of pathologic processes responsible for producing symptoms. Juxtafacet cysts may be either mucin-filled ganglion cysts devoid of cyst lining or true synovial cysts with watery content and lined by synovial cells. Ganglion cysts arise in degenerated ligament at the facet joint, and occasionally within synovial stroma. Synovial cysts arise within synovium and, unlike synovial cysts in the extremities, have a thick wall containing granulation tissue, numerous histiocytes and giant cells. This hyperplastic, irritated synovium of the spine, which we term "synovial excrescences", is voluminous and this reactive part overshadows the cystic portion of the lesion in most instances. Iron pigment deposition and inflammation are mild to absent, making synovial excrescences different from pigmented villonodular synovitis. Synovial excrescences of the spine are an important cause of spinal stenosis, predominantly in elderly patients. Surgical removal of excrescences protruding into the spinal canal provides prompt and durable relief of symptoms, usually without the need for extensive bony laminectomy or spinal fusion. Several patients in our study had both spinal ganglion cysts and synovial excrescences, suggesting common risk factors for both lesions.     

Effects of Bak Foong Pill on blood coagulation and platelet aggregation

The effects of Bak Foong Pill (BFP, also known as Bai Feng Wan), a preparation of crude drugs in wide clinical use for treatment of gynecological disorders, on blood coagulation and platelet aggregation were investigated. The anticoagulant effect of BFP was evaluated by using thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assays. Results showed that BFP 70% ethanol extract (BFP-E-ext) significantly prolonged the TT in a dose-dependent manner with values of 17.6, 38.3, and 50.4 s at concentrations of 4.0, 6.0, and 12.0 mg/ml, respectively. Whereas, the BFP-E-ext did not show significant prolonging effect in PT and APTT assays. The results suggest that the anticoagulant effect of BFP is mediated by directly blocking thrombin, the key enzyme in the blood coagulation cascade. BFP-E-ext significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) with inhibition percentages of 74 and 52% at a concentration of 6.0 mg/ml, respectively, whereas, it exhibited a weak inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation induced by archidonic acid (AA). Comparing to BFP-E-ext, the effects of BFP aqueous extract (BFP-W-ext) on both anticoagulant and antiplatelet activities were significantly less potent. Moreover, the effects of the 26 ingredients of BFP on blood coagulation and platelet aggregation were separately evaluated with 19 ingredient herbs exhibiting anticoagulant effect and 10 exhibiting antiplatelet effect. The anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects of BFP were collectively demonstrated by in vivo assays showing prolonged bleeding times after BFP treatment for two weeks. The results of the present studies may provide explanations for beneficial effects of BFP on the circulation and indicate its potential use for cardiovascular diseases.     

The uptake of Cd,Cr, and Zn by the macroalga Enteromorpha crinita and subsequent transfer to the marine herbivorous rabbitfish,Siganus canaliculatus

Marine macroalgae can appreciably accumulate metals out of seawater and are the principle food source for marine herbivorous fish, thus playing an important role in introducing metals into marine food webs. There have been few experimental studies on metal transfer from macroalgae up the trophic chain. In this study, we examined the assimilation efficiencies (AEs) of Cd, Cr, and Zn in the rabbitfish, Siganus canaliculatus, which feeds on the macroalga Enteromorpha crinita. The influences of metal concentration and nutrient conditions in the macroalga, and starvation on the assimilation of metals in fish were investigated. The macroalgae were radiolabeled by direct exposure to radiotracers in the dissolved phase. The uptake of metals in the macroalgae proceeded linearly and was directly proportional to the metal concentration in the ambient seawater. Ammonium and nitrate enrichment significantly increased the accumulation of Cd by the macroalgae, whereas Cr accumulation was not influenced by nutrient enrichment. The metal concentrations in the macroalgae did not have any effect on metal assimilation in the rabbitfish. The measured AEs of the metals were generally higher in starved rabbitfish than in fed fish, probably as a result of the prolonged retention of metals in the gut of fish. Rabbitfish fed macroalgae that had been previously exposed to ammonium or nitrate addition decreased their assimilation of Cd and Zn, but not Cr. Phosphate enrichment did not have any significant effect on metal AE in the rabbitfish. Our study demonstrated that marine herbivorous fish can appreciably assimilate trace metals from marine macroalgae and that trophic transfer should be considered as a source for metal accumulation in fish. Nutrient condition and starvation do have considerable effects on the AEs of Cd and Zn in rabbitfish that are fed macroalgae.     

Evaluation of an automated immunochemical fecal occult blood test for colorectal neoplasia detection in a Chinese population

BACKGROUND: Most commercial fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) used for colorectal carcinoma screening of Western populations are guaiac-based, manually developed, subjective, and sensitive to dietary components. Preliminary studies demonstrated the unsuitability of these tests for screening a Chinese population. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of a human hemoglobin-specific automated immunochemical FOBT, the Magstream 1000/Hem SP (Fujirebio, Inc., Tokyo, Japan), in a Chinese population referred for colonoscopy. METHODS: Two hundred fifty consecutive patients who were referred for colonoscopy and met the study inclusion criteria provided samples for the immunochemical FOBT (without dietary restrictions) from two successive stool specimens. Tests were developed with an automated instrument that had an adjustable sensitivity threshold. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for detecting colorectal adenomas and carcinomas were calculated according to the manufacturer's instructions over a range of sensitivity levels. RESULTS: At the optimal threshold level, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for detection of significant colorectal neoplasia (adenomas >or= 1.0 cm and carcinomas) were 62%, 93%, and 44%, respectively. The test was easy to use, and results did not depend on operator experience. CONCLUSIONS: The automated immunochemical FOBT used in the current study was a robust, convenient, and useful tool for colorectal carcinoma screening in the study population.