Transformation of immortal, non-tumorigenic osteoblast-like human osteosarcoma cells to the tumorigenic phenotype by nickel sulfate

Epidemiological studies have indirectly linked compounds ofchromium, nickel and arsenic to human carcinogenesis. However,there is no evidence that metal compounds can transform humancells to the tumorigenic phenotype in culture. We show herethat exposure to 36 µM NiS0₄ for 48–96 h resultsin transformation of an immortal, non-tumorigenic, osteoblast-likecell line, HOS TE85, to the tumorigenic phenotype. Continuouspassaging following treatment leads to the formation of a fewdense foci. The cells isolated and expanded from the foci aremorphologically transformed, and form anchorage-independentcolonies of the size and abundance comparable to that formedby Kirsten murine sarcoma virus transformed HOS TE85 cells.The transformed cells from tumors in nude mice, have enhancedlevels of plasminogen activators and have lost the ability toform model bone matrix on extended culture in the presence ofascorbic acid and ß-glycerophosphate. A number ofcell lines have been established from nude mouse tumors. Cytogeneticanalysis reveals 16 marker chromosomes and an aberrant chromosome16. This is the first report of the transformation of a humancell line to tumorigenic phenotype by a metal carcinogen.     

A critical appraisal of the anaesthesia literature

Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie - Today’s anaesthesia journals are faced with problems in the quality of materials being published. The stature of...     

Primary carcinoid tumor of the urinary bladder.

A 62-year-old woman who presented with urinary frequency and microscopic hematuria was found to have a 1.2 x 1.0 x 0.6-cm polypoid carcinoid tumor of the urinary bladder. The tissue resected from the base after removal of the polypoid lesion disclosed a small focus of residual carcinoid tumor, associated with Brunn's epithelial nests, cystitis cystica, and cystitis glandularis. Tumor cells exhibited strong argyrophilia and weak argentaffinity. Immunohistochemical staining reactions were strongly positive for chromogranin and serotonin, and electron microscopy revealed characteristic dense-core granules. Flow cytometric evaluation revealed an aneuploid cell population with a DNA index of 1.20.     

Magnetic Resonance Enteroclysis

MR enteroclysis (MRE) is an emerging technique for the evaluation of small intestinal diseases. Administration of an iso-osmotic water solution through a nasojejunal catheter can guarantee adequate luminal distention, and in combination with ultrafast sequences, such as single shot TSE, true FISP, HASTE and 3D FLASH, results in excellent anatomic demonstration of the small intestine. MR fluoroscopy can be performed during MRE examination to monitor the filling process and might be useful in studying low-grade stenosis or motility related disorders. MRE is a very promising technique for the detection and characterization of involved small bowel segments in patients with Crohn's disease while its diagnostic performance in disclosing lumen narrowing and extramural manifestations and complications of the disease is outstanding. Initial experience shows that MRE is very efficient in the diagnosis of small bowel tumors and can be used in the evaluation of small bowel obstruction.     

Removal of potassium from tuberous root vegetables by leaching.

OBJECTIVES: To determine analytically the amount of potassium in raw tuberous root vegetables (TRV); to estimate the amount of potassium that can be leached from raw TRV by soaking in water; and to determine whether the duration of soaking and the cooking method selected affect potassium extraction. DESIGN: Fresh TRV (ie, fresh and sweet batata, cocomalanga, dasheen, eddo, black yam, white yam, yellow yam, yampi, malanga, red yautia, white yautia, and yuca) were obtained from an ethnic market. Five experimental conditions with variations in soak time and cooking method were applied. Potassium was extracted from the ash of dried samples. The potassium content of aqueous extractions was determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Mean potassium content was highest in raw cocomalanga and lowest in raw dasheen. All of the raw TRV, except for dasheen, had a potassium content >200 mg (5.1 mEq)/100 g sample. Soaking was not effective in the leaching of significant amounts of potassium from most TRV. The double cooking (DC) method (ie, boil, rinse, boil again) leached more potassium from most TRV than did the normal cooking (NC) method (ie, boil), except with dasheen and yellow yam. More vegetables retained a potassium content >200 mg (5.1 mEq)/100 g following NC versus DC (92% versus 54%). CONCLUSIONS: The potassium content of raw TRV varied considerably, with most tubers retaining a moderate or high potassium content following the leaching procedures. However, this study showed that DC appears to be more effective than NC for leaching potassium from TRV.