Angiopoietin1/Tie2 and VEGF/Flk1 induced by MSC treatment amplifies angiogenesis and vascular stabilization after stroke.

Bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) increase vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and promote angiogenesis after stroke. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and its receptor Tie2 mediate vascular integrity and angiogenesis as does VEGF and its receptors. In this study, we tested whether MSC treatment of stroke increases Ang1/Tie2 expression, and whether Ang1/Tie2 with VEGF/ vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) (Flk1), in combination, induced by MSCs enhances angiogenesis and vascular integrity. Male Wistar rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and treated with or without MSCs. Marrow stromal cell treatment significantly decreased blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage and increased Ang1, Tie2, and occludin (a tight junction protein) expression in the ischemic border compared with MCAo control. To further test the mechanisms of MSC-induced angiogenesis and vascular stabilization, cocultures of MSCs with mouse brain endothelial cells (MBECs) or astrocytes were performed. Supernatant derived from MSCs cocultured with MBECs significantly increased MBEC expression of Ang1/Tie2 and Flk1 compared with MBEC alone. Marrow stromal cells cocultured with astrocytes also significantly increased astrocyte VEGF and Ang1/Tie2 expression compared with astrocyte culture alone. Conditioned media from MSCs alone, and media from cocultures of MSCs with astrocytes or MBECs, all significantly increased capillary tube-like formation of MBEC compared with control Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium media. Inhibition of Flk1 and/or Ang1 significantly decreased MSC-induced MBEC tube formation. Knockdown of Tie2 expression in MBECs significantly inhibited MSC-induced tube formation. Our data indicate MSC treatment of stroke promotes angiogenesis and vascular stabilization, which is at least partially mediated by VEGF/Flk1 and Ang1/Tie2.     

Establishment and characterization of an in vitro model of acquired resistance to cisplatin in a human testicular nonseminomatous germ cell line.

Clinically, human testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumors exhibit remarkable sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy. To define better the mechanistic basis for this unusual sensitivity, the biochemical determinants of platinum-induced cytotoxicity have been investigated in a human testicular tumor cell line (GCT27) established from a previously untreated patient and in an in vitro derived 5.6-fold cisplatin-resistant stable variant (GCT27cisR). Compared to 12 ovarian and 5 cervical human tumor cell lines, the parent GCT27 line was among the most sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of both cisplatin (dosage producing 50% inhibition, 0.2 microM) and carboplatin (dosage producing 50% inhibition, 2.9 microM), thus reflecting clinical data. A 4-day exposure sulforhodamine B-staining assay was used to determine that GCT27cisR was cross-resistant to carboplatin and iproplatin and the classical bifunctional alkylating agents melphalan and chlorambucil. Partial cross-resistance was observed to tetraplatin, methotrexate, and mitomycin C. No cross-resistance was observed to Adriamycin, etoposide, vinblastine, bleomycin, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, and 5-fluorouracil. Intracellular cisplatin accumulation across the dose range 2.5-100 microM (for 2 h) was 1.6 +/- 0.39-fold (mean +/- SD) greater for the parent line. There was no significant difference in glutathione levels between the two lines. The acquired resistance line was 1.9-fold more resistant than the parent line to the cytotoxic effects of cadmium chloride. There was no significant difference between the two lines, however, in the total amounts of platinum bound to DNA after cisplatin exposure (25, 50, or 100 microM for 2 h). The removal of total platinum adducts from DNA was significantly faster for GCT27cisR compared to the parent line (half-times of removal, 32 and 67 h, respectively). These data suggest that the abnormal sensitivity of the parent testicular tumor cell line to platinum-containing anticancer drugs may be due predominantly to an inherent defect in the ability of these cells to remove platinum from their DNA. This defect is apparently lost in the acquired resistance counterpart. Reduced intracellular accumulation and increased cytoplasmic concentrations of metallothionein may also contribute, in part, to the acquisition of cisplatin resistance in this model.     

High-resolution imaging of progressive articular cartilage degeneration.

The objective of this study was to develop and verify a new technique for monitoring the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) by combining a rat model with the imaging modality optical coherence tomography (OCT). Time-sequential, in vivo, OCT imaging was performed on the left femoral condyles of 12 Wistar rats following sodium-iodoacetic acid-induced OA progression. The right femoral condyles (untreated) were also imaged and served as controls. Imaging was performed on days 0, 10, 20, 30, and 60 with an OCT system capable of acquiring images at four frames per second and an axial resolution of 5 microm. Progressive changes were analyzed using an OA scoring system. OCT successfully identified progressive cartilage degeneration as well as alteration of the cartilage/bone interface. Significant changes to both of these structures were observed in the sodium-iodoacetic acid-injected condyles. Structural changes detected with OCT were confirmed histologically. OCT in combination with a well-known model used in arthritis research represents a powerful tool for following degenerative joint disease progression in a given animal by detecting changes to the cartilage/bone interface and articular cartilage.     

Ongoing pregnancies after intracytoplasmic injection using cryopreserved testicular spermatozoa

We report two clinical pregnancies occurring after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using cryopreserved spermatozoa obtained from testicular biopsy, made in two different infertility situations in our clinic. The first patient showed a secretory azoospermia associated with elevated serum follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) level and spermiogenesis maturation arrest. The second patient was affected by azoospermia resulting from bilateral epididymal obstruction. Spermatozoa present in the wet preparation of testicular biopsy made on the day of scrotal exploration were cryopreserved within the testicular tissue for both men. Intracytoplasmic injections were performed at a later date, using spermatozoa prepared from frozen-thawed tissues. In each case, three embryos were obtained and transferred in utero. The transfers resulted in a twin pregnancy for the first case, and in a singleton pregnancy for the second. Living foetuses were seen in the ultrasound scan at the 7th week and both pregnancies are proceeding to date beyond 30 weeks without complications.      

Heroin self-administration in rats under a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement

Heroin self-administration behavior under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement was evaluated in rats. The schedule was designed to restrict drug intake, minimize opiate dependency, and quantify the number of responses emitted (final response ratio) in order to receive a limited number of heroin infusions. Final ratios were found to be stable and did not increase with chronic (31 days) PR reinforcement. The ability of the PR schedule to detect changes in heroin reinforcement was demonstrated by evaluating the effect of naltrexone pretreatment and unit dose alteration on final ratios. Naltrexone (0.4 mg/kg) reduced final ratios and an inverted U dose-response relationship was established for the unit heroin doses 12.5–100 µg/injection. Maximal final ratios occurred with 50 µg/injection heroin reinforcement. This PR schedule may provide a useful method for evaluating the effects of pharmacological manipulations or lesions on opiate reinforcement.     

Cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana are related to pyospermia in infertile men

The relationship of current use of cigarettes, marijuana and alcohol to the parameters of seminal fluid analysis, sperm penetration assay and sperm autoimmunity was studied in 164 men from infertile couples. Current cigarette smokers, marijuana users and heavy alcohol users showed greater numbers of leukocytes in the seminal fluid than did nonusers (p less than 0.02, less than 0.007 and less than 0.01, respectively). In addition, cigarette smokers had lower sperm penetration assay scores than nonsmokers (median 2.5 versus 8.0, p = 0.05). Users of cigarettes, marijuana or alcohol showed no decrease in sperm count, motility or percentage of oval sperm, and no difference in prevalence of antisperm antibodies compared to nonusers. After controlling for past sexually transmitted diseases and multiple substance exposures in a multivariate model, use of cigarettes (p = 0.006), marijuana (p = 0.12) or alcohol (p = 0.098) continued to be associated with a trend toward increased number of seminal fluid leukocytes. Cigarette smoking continued to show a significant decrease in sperm penetration assay score (p = 0.03).     

Children's ice hockey injuries.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the rate, type, and severity of injuries to child hockey players as well as assessing coaches', parents', and players' attitudes and knowledge of hockey. DESIGN--A prospective observation of a population's injuries using injury-reporting forms and surveys. SETTING--A community-organized hockey program in Minnesota. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty boys, aged 9 through 15 years, who played ice hockey during the 1990-1991 winter season. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Injuries were reported by multiple observers, including coaches, managers, and trained independent observers at the time an injury occurred; coaches, parents, and players were surveyed regarding hockey injuries, knowledge, and attitudes. One in three players experienced an injury during the season. The most common injuries were contusions. Six of 100 players experienced injuries severe enough to require cessation of physical activities for 8 to 25 days or longer. Weight differences of 53 kg and height differences of 55 cm were reported between Bantam-aged players (13 through 15 years), and body contact, including legal checks, accounted for 86% of injuries during games. Illegal checks and violations were associated with 66% of injuries during games, yet only four penalties (14%) were assessed. In addition, one in three games in which an injury resulted was described as hostile and 15% of the injuries were considered intentional. CONCLUSIONS--Eliminating violence and body checking for prepubertal boys while emphasizing rule enforcement and good sportsmanship are recommended.