The binding of SRBC by human peripheral blood monocytes

In a population of E-rosette forming human peripheral blood cells, about 20% of the rosettes were formed by monocytes. About 60% of the peripheral blood monocytes bound SRBC in a standard E-rosette test.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor-a promotes peritumoral lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis

Metastases are commonly found in the lymphatic system. The molecular mechanism of lymphatic metastasis is, however, poorly understood. Here we report that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A stimulated lymphangiogenesis in vivo and that overexpression of VEGF-A in murine T241 fibrosarcomas induced the growth of peritumoral lymphatic vessels, which occasionally penetrated into the tumor tissue. As a result of peritumoral lymphangiogenesis, metastases in lymph nodes of mice were detected. VEGF-A-overexpressing tumors contained high numbers of infiltrating inflammatory cells such as macrophages, which are known to express VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-1. It seemed that in the mouse cornea, VEGF-A stimulated lymphangiogenesis through a VEGF-C/-D/VEGFR-3-independent pathway as a VEGFR-3 antagonist selectively inhibited VEGF-C-induced, but not VEGF-A-induced, lymphangiogenesis. Our data show that VEGF-A contributes to lymphatic mestastasis. Thus, blockage of VEGF-A-induced lymphangiogenesis may provide a novel approach for prevention and treatment of lymphatic metastasis.     

Prognostic relevance of basal cytokeratin expression in operable breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether basal cytokeratin (CK5/6 or CK17) expression had an impact on survival in patients with operable breast cancer. METHODS: Expression of CK5/6 or CK17 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 195 women with breast cancer. RESULTS: In total, 72 (37%) tumor samples were regarded as being positive for CK5/6 or CK17. The basal-like phenotype as defined by basal cytokeratin expression, lack of estrogen receptor (ER) and absence of HER2 overexpression was found in 48 (25%) cases. Positive staining for CK5/6 or CK17 was associated with worse prognosis when compared with patients negative for basal cytokeratins in all cases (5-year cancer-specific survival rate 59.4 vs. 77.5%, p = 0.0273) and in the node-negative group (70.5 vs. 90.8%, p = 0.0208) but not in the node-positive group (43.9 vs. 65.4%, p = 0.1182). To determine the real prognostic value of basal cytokeratins, survival in a group of ER-negative patients was analyzed depending on CK5/6 or CK 17 expression. No influence on survival was observed. The outcome of patients whose cancers were positive for cyclin E regardless of ER status was not changed by CK5/6 or CK17 expression. In multivariate analysis, independent prognostic factors affecting survival in the whole group included: nodal involvement, HER2 status and cyclin E expression. Neither ER status nor basal cytokeratin expression retained statistical significance. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the poor prognosis associated with the basal-like phenotype of breast cancer was determined by ER absence and cyclin E expression and not by CK5/6 or CK17 expression.     

The visual acuity impairment as the only sign of cerebral aneurysms--case report

Cerebral aneurysms are the most common reason of subarachnoid haemorrhage at the age of 50-60. Though the results of such haemorrhage are severe (high morbidity and mortality), it is quite often, the first noticeable sign of the problem. Previous symptoms i. e. headache, ophthalmic disturbances, temporary neurological symptoms are often passed over. The authors present the case of a young woman with cerebral aneurysms, in which the visual acuity impairment was the only symptom of the disease.     

Capsule contraction as a cause of in-the-bag intraocular lens subluxation and simplified technique of IOL reposition

Presentation of the case of the pseudophakic patient in whom 3 months after uncomplicated phacoemulsification severe capsule contraction syndrome, followed by equatorial capsule fibrosis, 240 degree zonular dialysis, and spontaneous in-the-bag intraocular lens subluxation, were observed. Consecutive surgical intervention consisting of simplified transscleral "free haptic" through the capsule fixation and additional plastic of phimotic capsulorrhexis allowed to restore the best corrected visual acuity to 20/25.     

The role of retinal oxygen metabolism in origin of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual loss in individuals over 60 years old, in developed countries. This article provides the latest information about the role of retinal oxygen metabolism in origin of that disease. It is considered that reactive oxygen species (ROS), including free radicals are responsible for apoptotic cell death and developing of pathological changes in AMD. Exposure to visible light induces dysfunction of retinal pigment epithelial cells, accumulation of lipoprotein aggregates in Bruch's membrane, formation of drusen, and final results are damage to photosensitive retina, which leads to AMD. There are many of antioxidant systems in retina, which protect tissue from ROS. In this review we focus on their actions in terms of mechanisms of preventing oxidative damage and their potential role in therapy of AMD. There is strong evidence suggesting the supporting role of the nutritional antioxidant supplementation and protection from exposure to the visible light in the prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration.     

Effects of halothane and isoflurane on stimulated airway transepithelial ion transport

Volatile anesthetics are suggested to elicit depression of airway clearance. The involvement of changes in transepithelial ion transport in this inhibition has already been observed. The Ussing method was used to study the changes in mechanical stimulation evoked electrogenic ion transport in isolated rabbit tracheal wall in the presence of halothane and isoflurane. The drugs dissolved in Ringer solution were directed as a flux from peristaltic pump to mucosal surface of trachea. In experimental settings without or with amiloride, the anestethics elicited reversible inhibition of stimulated ion transport and depolarization of transepithelial potential difference. Participation of chloride ion transport in observed changes is suggested. In the light of this study with application of anesthetics at higher concentrations than clinically relevant, the possibility of disturbances of airway transepithelial ion transport by clinically relevant concentration should be checked.     

A new structural motif for mu-opioid antagonists

On the basis of the structural features of the Dmt-Tic pharmacophore, a new motif leading to a fairly potent mu-opioid antagonist is described. This motif contains the 4-amino-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-2-benzazepine-3-one skeleton as a substitute for the Tic residue, which provides the conformational constraint compatible with the mu-opioid receptor. The stereoselective synthesis of four stereoisomers is performed starting from homochiral 2',6'-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt) and o-aminomethylphenylalanine.