Loss of membranous E-cadherin expression in pancreatic cancer: Correlation with lymph node metastasis,high grade,and advanced stage

Epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) is a Ca²⁺-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule that connects cells via homotypic interactions. Its function is critical in the induction and maintenance of cell polarity and differentiation, and its loss of downregulation is associated with an invasive and poorly differentiated phenotype in colon and other tumours. We have used an avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique to localize E-cadherin in microwave-treated, paraffin-embedded sections from 36 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinomas. E-cadherin was expressed by normal ductal and acinar cells with typical membranous staining at the intercellular junctions. Loss of normal surface E-cadherin expression was found in 19/36 (53 per cent) tumours compared to the adjacent normal ductal cells. Abnormal E-cadherin expression was found more frequently in poorly differentiated (grade III) (6/7, 86 per cent) than in well-differentiated tumours (grade I) (4/14, 28 per cent) (P=0·012). Membranous E-cadherin expression was also lost more frequently in primary tumours with lymph node (stage III) (14/23, 61 per cent) and distant metastasis (stage IV) (2/2, 100 per cent) compared with 3/11 (27 per cent) lymph node-negative tumours (stage I) (P=0·043). In conclusions, our data indicate that loss of membranous E-cadherin expression is associated with high grade and advanced stage in pancreatic cancer.     

Rotavirus survival on human hands and transfer of infectious virus to animate and nonporous inanimate surfaces.

We tested the survival of the Wa strain of human rotavirus on the hands of volunteers and also studied infectious virus transfer between animate and inanimate (stainless steel disks) surfaces. The virus was diluted in a 10% suspension of feces, and 10 microliters (1 X 10(3) to 4 X 10(4) PFU) was placed on each of the four fingerpads of the left hand. One milliliter of 20% tryptose phosphate broth in Earle balanced salt solution was used for virus elution from each fingerpad, and the hands were disinfected with 70% ethanol before they were washed with an antiseptic soap and water. At 20, 60, and 260 min after inoculation, approximately 57, 43, and 7%, respectively, of the input infectious virus could be recovered. For virus transfer, the inoculum (2 X 10(4) to 8 X 10(4) PFU) was allowed to dry, and the donor surface was kept in contact with the recipient surface for 10 s at a pressure of approximately 1 kg/cm2. At 20 and 60 min after virus inoculation, 16.1 and 1.8%, respectively, of the input infectious virus could be transferred from the contaminated hand to a clean disk; when a clean hand was pressed against a contaminated disk, virus transfer was 16.8 and 1.6%, respectively. Contact between a contaminated and a clean hand 20 and 60 min after virus inoculation resulted in the transfer of 6.6 and 2.8%, respectively, of the input infectious virus. These findings indicate the potential vehicular role for human hands in the spread of rotaviral infections.     

Concentrations of serum total protein and protein fractions during diestrus and pregnancy in Makuii ewes

The aim of this study was to determine the blood protein changes during different stages of pregnancy and to compare with prepregnancy diestrus in ewes. A total of 90 blood samples were taken from ten Makuii ewes (the native sheep breed in Iran) at diestrus and on days 8, 14, 28, 45, 60, 90, 125, and 145 of pregnancy. Serum protein electrophoresis of samples exhibited four fractions: albumin, α, β, and γ fractions in Makuii ewes, which in α- and γ-globulin bands were divided to α1 and α2; and γ1 and γ2, respectively. The mean concentrations (in gram per deciliter) of total serum proteins, albumin, α1-, α2-, β-, γ1-, and γ2-globulin at diestrus period were 7.03, 3.77, 0.18, 0.74, 0.41, 1.56, and 0.41, respectively. Those values fluctuated nonsignificantly throughout gestation until the 125th day of pregnancy. Thereafter, a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in serum protein levels occurred at the 145th day of pregnancy compared to prepregnancy and other gestational time points. It was concluded that blood protein levels declined sharply during late gestation when the nutrient demands of the fetus were maximal.     

The development of mouse APECED models provides new insight into the role of AIRE in immune regulation

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy is a rare recessive autoimmune disorder caused by a defect in a single gene called AIRE (autoimmune regulator). Characteristics of this disease include a variable combination of autoimmune endocrine tissue destruction, mucocutaneous candidiasis and ectodermal dystrophies. The development of Aire-knockout mice has provided an invaluable model for the study of this disease. The aim of this review is to briefly highlight the strides made in APECED research using these transgenic murine models, with a focus on known roles of Aire in autoimmunity. The findings thus far are compelling and prompt additional areas of study which are discussed.     

喉癌中EGFR基因扩增、表达及临床意义

目的研究喉癌中表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)基因的扩增、表达,探讨其在喉癌发生、发展中的作用及临床意义。方法采用差异PCR(differential PCR)方法检测40例喉鳞状细胞癌及配对癌旁正常组织中EGFR基因的扩增(即基因拷贝数增加);应用RT-PCR方法检测EGFR mRNA水平;应用SPSS13.0软件对数据进行统计学分析。结果喉癌组织中有13例(占32.5%)EGFR基因拷贝数增加,癌旁对照组中则未检测到(χ2=15.537,P<0.005);喉癌组织中EGFR mRNA平均积分光密度为872.356±62.340,癌旁对照组为346.425±57.380(t=5.959,P<0.001);喉癌组织分化程度越低,病理分期越晚,EGFR基因扩增和mRNA表达水平越高(P<0.05)。结论喉癌中EGFR基因在DNA水平上的扩增是EGFR mRNA过表达的原因之一,EGFR的扩增和过表达在喉癌的发生、进展中发挥一定作用。     

An unusual cause of depressed skull fracture: case report

BACKGROUND: Camel collision accidents are a common occurrence in Saudi Arabia, with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Isolated injuries are rare because of the nature of impact sustained by the person. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old child with an isolated depressed skull fracture resulting from a camel collision is described. The other occupants of the car were crushed to death. The child sustained only an impact to his head, causing a compound depressed skull fracture with localized cortical damage. CONCLUSIONS: Camel collision accidents are a common cause of mortality and morbidity in Saudi Arabia. Isolated skull injuries are rare and result from a localized impact. This is the first report of a compound depressed skull fracture from such an incident. The extent of the problem and efforts toward prevention are described.     

Fatty acid ethyl and methyl ester synthases, and fatty acid anilide synthase in HepG2 and AR42J cells: interrelationships and inhibition by tri-o-tolyl phosphate.

Synthesis of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), and fatty acid anilides (FAAs) in humans and/or experimental animals and in vitro have been reported by us and other investigators. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that fatty acid ethyl ester synthase (FAEES), purified from rat liver microsomes, is structurally and functionally identical to the rat liver microsomal carboxylesterase (pI 6.1) and suggested a role in the conjugation of a variety of xenobiotic alcohols with endogenous fatty acids (B. S. Kaphalia, R. R. Fritz, and G. A. S. Ansari, Chem. Res. Toxicol. 11, 211-218, 1997). However, hepatic FAEES was found to be structurally and functionally different from that of pancreas. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine structural and functional interrelationships among the enzyme(s) involved in the synthesis of FAEEs, FAMEs, and FAAs, in HepG2 and AR42J cells using tri-o-tolyl phosphate (TOTP), a specific inhibitor for beta-esterases. Synthesis of FAEEs, FAMEs, and FAAs, studied in the HepG2 cells, was found to be dose- and time-dependent following incubation with methanol, ethanol, or aniline, respectively. Approximately 86-90% inhibition of FAEE, FAME, and FAA synthesizing activities was found in HepG2 cells following exposure to 2.5 microM TOTP. Identical profiles of dose- and time-dependent inhibition of FAEE, FAME, and FAA synthesizing activities by TOTP in HepG2 cells suggest that synthesis of FAEEs, FAMEs, and FAAs is catalyzed by the same enzyme(s). However, FAEE, FAME, and FAA synthesizing activities in AR42J cells could not be inhibited by TOTP under similar experimental conditions. A differential pattern of p-nitrophenyl acetate hydrolyzing activity (a measure of esterase activity) similar to that of fatty acid ester/anilide synthesizing activities was observed in the two cell lines. These results are further substantiated by the presence of approximately 60 kDa (subunit molecular weight) protein in the postnuclear fraction of HepG2 but not in AR42J cells by Western blot analysis using antibodies raised against FAEES, purified from rat liver microsomes or adipose tissue. Therefore, the enzyme responsible for the FAEE, FAME, or FAA synthesizing activities is most probably carboxylesterase in HepG2 cells and is structurally and functionally different than that present in AR42J cells. These studies also indicate the utility of HepG2 and AR42J cell cultures as an alternative to the animal model regarding studies on nonoxidative metabolism of alcohols and amines, in general.     

Modification of vascular response to synthetic oxytocin by oestrogen in rabbit

Intravenously administered oxytocin caused a dose-related fall in blood pressure of the rabbit. When oxytocin was administered in oestrogen-primed animals, the depressor response was converted to a pressor one "Oxytocin reversal". The "oxytocin reversal." was abolished after treatment with dihydroergotamine, hexamethonium or adrenalectomy. The "oxytocin reversal" did not appear in reserpinized animals.     

膀胱移行细胞癌微卫星不稳定性及其机制的研究

目的　探讨膀胱移行细胞癌 (BTCC)染色体微卫星不稳定性的表现及与基因突变的关系。方法　采用聚合酶链反应 (PCR)方法检测 4 0例 BTCC患者 5个微卫星位点的改变 ,同时用同样的方法检测癌组织中BAX基因和转化生长因子 (TGF) - β 型受体基因移码突变的情况。结果　至少发生一个微卫星位点改变的阳性率为 82 % (33/ 4 0 ) ,D9S16 2、D16 S4 76、D9S5 4、FGA和干扰素 (IFN) - A1位点改变各自的阳性率分别为 5 8%(2 3/ 4 0 )、 4 2 % (17/ 4 0 )、 38% (15 / 4 0 )、 4 8% (19/ 4 0 )和 5 5 % (2 2 / 4 0 ) ,阳性检出率与良性病变差异有显著性 ,与肿瘤的分期分级无显著相关性。发生微卫星改变的 33例中 ,33% (11/ 33)和 4 2 % (14 / 33)分别可见 TGF- β 型受体基因和 BAX基因的移码突变。结论　检测染色体微卫星的改变是 BTCC早期诊断、监测复发的有效手段 ,染色体微卫星改变可能是 BTCC发生过程中多基因突变的一种表现形式