GM3通过MMP-9调节B16细胞的运动性

目的通过不同的方法来研究GM3对MMP-9的调节作用。并进一步验证了GM3对细胞运动性的调节。方法分别用RT-PCR,Zymography,HPTLC,western blotting和transwell的方法来检测MMP-9的mRNA表达水平,MMP-9的活性,GM3,Akt的磷酸化以及细胞的运动性。结果通过几种不同的方法来研究是否GM3参与MMP-9的调空:a.通过转染半乳糖转移酶的顺反序列来调节GM3的表达,从而初步证明GM3可以调节MMP-9的表达;b.通过外加GM3可以清楚的观察到MMP-9的表达量升高;c.神经节苷脂抑制剂D-PDMP的加入更进一步的证明了MMP-9的表达始终与GM3的表达相关;另外,通过PI3K抑制剂的试验进一步证明了GM3通过PI3K来调节MMP-9的表达。在此基础上,更进一步的证明了神经节苷脂可以调节细胞的运动性。结论GM3可以通过PI3K/Akt信号传导途径来正调控MMP-9的表达,并且调节细胞的运动性。     

Bilateral superficial median arteries

A superficial artery may be present in the forearm, arising from the axillary, brachial or superficial brachial arteries and crossing over the origin of the flexor muscles of the forearm to reach the palm (Adachi, 1928; Bergman et al. 1988). When this superficial artery continues as the normal ulnar artery accompanying the ulnar nerve at the wrist, it is referred to as the superficial ulnar artery, with an incidence of ∼4%. When the artery passes below or superficial to the flexor retinaculum in the middle of the forearm, sometimes continuing to join the superficial palmar arch, it is called the superficial median artery, with an incidence of ∼1%. We have observed a relatively rare variation involving the presence of a superficial median artery in both upper limbs. We discuss the clinical importance and the developmental aspects of this arterial variation.     

Association of mutations in the core promoter and precore region of hepatitis virus with fulminant and severe acute hepatitis in Japan

It was recently reported that mutations in the precore and core promoter region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) are associated with fulminant hepatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of mutations in the precore and core promoter region of HBV with fulminant and severe acute hepatitis. We studied Japanese patients with acute HBV infection, including seven patients with fulminant hepatitis, 12 with severe acute hepatitis and 41 with acute self-limited hepatitis. The presence of HBV mutants was examined by using a point mutation assay to detect a G to A transition at position 1896 in the precore region and an A to T transition at position 1762 and a G to A transition at position 1764 in the core promoter region. Significant differences in the proportion of mutations in the precore or core promoter region were present between patients with fulminant hepatitis and self-limited acute hepatitis (7/7 (100%) vs 4/41 (9.8%), P < 0.01) and between severe acute hepatitis and self-limited acute hepatitis (6/12 (50.0%) vs 4/41 (9.8%), P < 0.01). The frequency of mutation increased proportionately with the severity of disease in patients with acute HBV infection. Fulminant hepatitis B in Japan is closely associated with mutations in the core promoter and precore gene of HBV. Point mutation assays for HBV precore and core promoter analysis may be useful to predict the outcome of liver disease in patients with acute HBV infection.     

Slit‐Like Deformation of the Coronary Sinus Orifice due to Compression of the Inferior Pyramidal Space by the Severely Dilated Left Ventricle

The coronary sinus is located within the inferior pyramidal space, which is the part of the epicardial visceral fibroadipose tissue wedging between the four cardiac chambers from the bottom of the heart. Therefore, this region is susceptible to the morphological changes of the cardiac chambers. We present a case of slit‐like deformation of the coronary sinus orifice due to compression of the inferior pyramidal space by the severely dilated left ventricle, which has not been previously described.     

Reversal of acquired cisplatin resistance by modulation of metallothionein in transplanted murine tumors

BACKGROUND: The platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin is involved in a broad spectrum of activities against human systemic malignancies. However, acquired resistance to cisplatin reduces its clinical efficacy. Elucidation of the molecular basis of cisplatin resistance is required to improve the effectiveness of cisplatin. In the present study, the mechanism of acquired resistance to cisplatin was studied in C3H mice inoculated with MBT-2 murine bladder tumor cells. METHODS: C3H mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 1.0 x 10(6) MBT-2 cells/mouse on day 0. The mice were given intraperitoneal injections of 10 micro mol/kg cisplatin and subcutaneous injections of 1000 micro mol/kg propargylglycine, an inhibitor of gamma-cystathionase, once a day for 10 consecutive days from day 11 to day 20. RESULTS: The metallothionein content of the tumors was increased to twice the control level by repeated administration of cisplatin. Co-administration of propargylglycine reduced metallothionein induction in the tumors and markedly enhanced the antitumor activity of cisplatin. In contrast, the glutathione content in the tumors did not change from the control level after cisplatin administration. The platinum accumulation in tumors treated with cisplatin alone was 1.7-fold greater than when propargylglycine was administered concomitantly. The platinum concentrations changed in accordance with the metallothionein contents. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that metallothionein, but not glutathione or reduced platinum accumulation, might play a role in the acquired resistance to cisplatin of C3H mice inoculated with MBT-2. Moreover, reversal of this resistance might be possible by biochemical modulation of metallothionein.     

Retrograde endoscopic laser therapy and ureteroscopic surveillance for transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic laser therapy and ureteroscopic surveillance for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper urinary tract. Methods: Tumors of the upper urinary tract were detected at ureteroscopy. After TCC was diagnosed by biopsy, retrograde endoscopic laser therapy was performed. Recurrent tumors were treated endoscopically and the patients were followed by ureteroscopic surveillance at 3- to 6-month intervals. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent ureteroscopic treatment. The tumor was grade 1 in five patients and grade 2 in two patients. The average tumor size was 1.3 cm. One patient with large, multifocal tumors died of metastatic disease, and one died of an unrelated cause. One patient requested nephroureterectomy after endoscopic treatment. The remaining four patients were followed up for a mean of 32 months after initial treatment. Each patient received an average of 5.3 ureteroscopic surveillance procedures while 3.3 recurrences on average were detected. Recurrence occurred in all the patients who showed normal radiographic findings. Urine cytology was also of little value in predicting tumor recurrence, except in one patient with carcinoma in situ. The recurrent tumors detected by ureteroscopy were successfully treated by repeated endoscopic procedures. After the follow up, three patients remained alive with no signs indicative of disease, but one patient with an initial grade 2 tumor died of recurrence after 30 months. CONCLUSIONS: Given that ureteroscopic evaluation is essential for surveillance after endoscopic treatment of upper urinary tract TCC because of residual concern about recurrence, patients treated endoscopically should be recommended to undergo long-term endoscopic follow up.     

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Esophageal Cancer: EMR‐C Procedure

As a therapeutic modality for superficial esophageal cancer, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is now thoroughly established. We routinely perform EMR using a cap (EMR‐C) procedure as a developer. In EMR‐C procedure, injection of a large volume of saline and a certain prelooping along the inner rim of the cap are vital issues for safe and reliable resection. In multi‐sessions of EMR, submucosal injection of saline prior to every session is essential, in order to avoid perforation. In such a manner, total circumferential EMR can be performed safely and easily by the EMR‐C procedure.     

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic Lich–Gregoir antireflux plasty for primary vesicoureteral reflux

Abstract We performed laparoscopic Lich–Gregoir antireflux plasty on 4 patients with primary vesicoureteral reflux. All procedures were conducted using the extraperitoneal approach. The average surgical time was 230 min. There were no complications. After surgery, voiding cysturethrograms showed no reflux in all patients.     

Eicosapentaenoic acid-induced changes in membrane fluidity and cell adhesion molecules in cultured human keratinocytes

The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) on the lipid dynamics of cultured epidermal keratinocytes and their expression of cell adhesion molecules were investigated, and were compared with those of arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6). When keratinocytes were treated with 3 μg/ml of EPA or AA for 72 h, these compounds were found to be incorporated into the cells. EPA-induced lipid changes were distinguished by a significant increase in the cellular content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas AA treatment resulted in an increase in the cellular content of n-6 arachidonic acid. These changes in fatty acid composition were accompanied by an increase in cellular membrane fluidity, which was evaluated by the diffusion coefficient, using the method of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) [from 1–77±0–34 × 10^?8cm^2/s untreated to 2–23±0–35 × l0^?8cm^2/s EPA-treated (P < 0.001), and 2–16±0–35 × 10^?8cm^2/s AA-treated (P < 0·001)]. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was induced on the keratinocyte membrane in the presence of tumour necrosis factor-a and interferon-γ, and pretreatment with EPA or AA further enhanced the expression, almost to an equal degree, as estimated by flow cytometry (P < 0.05). These results indicate that the modulation of ICAM-1 expression does not seem to be EPA-specific, but is presumably a consequence of increased membrane fluidity due to the increased levels of unsaturated fatty acids of both the n-3 and n-6 series in the membrane.