Intracranial metastasis from clear cell sarcoma of the kidney--a case report.

Childhood kidney tumors seldom metastasize into the cranial cavity unless it is a special histological variant. We report a 4-year-old boy with multiple intracranial metastases in the left parietotemporal and right cerebellar area from primary clear cell sarcoma of the kidney without evidence of bony metastases. Metastatic tumor revealed nests of uniformly polygonal cells with clear cytoplasm demarcated by delicate fibrovascular arcades. Tumor cells were positive for vimentin and negative for cytokeratin, S-100 protein, desmin, and myoglobin. Cellular proliferation rate measured by PCNA, and Ki-67 was not significantly different between primary tumor mass and metastatic brain lesion. Expression of p53 oncoprotein was not evident in both lesions. These findings suggested that the relapse and metastasis of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney was probably due to regrowth of micro-metastases which were present at an early stage of disease.     

高脂血症患者C—反应蛋白含量的变化及氟伐他汀对它的影响

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of C-reactive protein (CRP) level and its relationship with blood lipids, and the effects of fluvastatin on CRP and the lipids in patients with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Serum levels of cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)] were measured by enzyme assay, and plasma CRP level by immunonephelometry before and after fluvastatin treatment (20 mg/d for 4 weeks) in patients with hyperlipidemia. RESULTS: CRP levels were above normal in 90.3% hyperlipidemia cases in spite of the various accompanying diseases. Fluvastatin treatment significantly reduced TC (-7.49%), TG (-14.32%), LDL (-13.88%), VLDL (-18.48%) and TC/HDL(-13.50%) levels (P<0.01), and also brought down Lp(a) concentration (-13.81%). CRP levels was very effectively reduced after the treatment (-15.92%, P<0.001). No association between basal CRP levels and basal lipids and Lp(a) concentrations was observed. Positive correlation of CRP, however, was observed after fluvastatin treatment with TC/HDL (r=0.62, P=0.041) and Lp(a) (r=0.320, P=0.011), while inverse relations were noted between CRP and HDL (r=-0.288, P=0.023). CONCLUSION: CRP levels increases markedly in patients with hyperlipidemia, a fact that is independent of the accompanying diseases. In addition to modulating blood lipid levels, fluvastatin also reduces CRP level, the latter possibly serving as an independent predictive factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and also as an indicator for estimating the effectiveness of the treatment.     

环孢菌素A阻断人HL－60抗药性细胞于G_1期而诱导敏感细胞凋亡

进一步研究了抗三尖杉酯碱的ＨＬ－６０细胞（ＨＲ２０）抗细胞凋亡的机制及该抗性和抗药性的关系。结果表明，环孢菌素Ａ（ＣｓＡ）２０，１０μｇ·ｍｌ￣（－１）诱导ＨＬ－６０细胞发生凋亡，而阻断ＨＲ２０细胞于Ｇ＿１期，就不能诱导细胞发生凋亡。低浓度的ＣｓＡ明显增加柔红霉素在ＨＲ２０细胞内的积聚，其逆转抗药性作用与阻断细胞周期运行无关。ＣｓＡ１０μｇ·ｍｌ￣（－１）处理ＨＲ２０细胞，可引起５０ｋＤａ的蛋白质高度磷酸化。结果提示：环孢菌素Ａ阻断抗三尖杉酯碱的ＨＬ－６０细胞于Ｇ＿１期，而诱导敏感的ＨＬ－６０细胞发生凋亡，其阻断作用与抗药性无关     

ACE2基因通过调控Nrf2/HO-1通路改善肾缺血再灌注损伤

目的 探讨血管紧张素转化酶2(ACE2)对缺氧复氧诱导的肾小管上皮细胞HK-2氧化应激、炎症、凋亡及核因子E2相关因子2(Nrf2)/血红素加氧酶1(HO-1)信号通路的影响。 方法 将ACE2慢病毒转染HK-2细胞,按照实验需要分为常氧组(Control组)、缺氧复氧模型组(H/R组)、缺氧复氧转染阴性对照慢病毒组(H/R-NC组)和缺氧复氧转染ACE2慢病毒组(H/R-ACE2组)。细胞经H/R处理后,通过CCK-8法检测细胞活力;RT-PCR及ELISA法检测炎症因子白介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白介素-1β(IL-1β)水平;比色法检测超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)表达水平;Western blotting法检测胱天蛋白酶3(Caspase-3)、B淋巴细胞瘤-2基因(Bcl-2)、Bcl-2关联X蛋白(Bax)、Nrf2、HO-1的蛋白水平。采用Nrf2抑制剂ML385以及HO-1抑制剂SnPPIX抑制Nrf2/HO-1通路,Western blotting法检测Caspase-3、Bcl-2、Bax、Nrf2、HO-1的蛋白表达水平变化,比色法检测SOD和MDA表达变化。 结果 与Control组相比,H/R组细胞活力降低(t=7.58,P<0.001),MDA含量和炎症因子IL-6、TNF-α和IL-1β表达水平以及细胞凋亡相关蛋白Caspase-3、Bax蛋白水平均增加(t_MDA=11.08,P_MDA<0.001;t_PCR-IL-6=5.82,P_PCR-IL6<0.001;t_PCR-TNF-α=7.69,P_PCR-TNF-α<0.001;t_PCR-IL-1β=4.80,P_PCR-IL-1β=0.001;t_ELISA-IL-6=34.11,P_ELISA-IL-6<0.001;t_ELISA-TNF-α=14.12,P_ELISA-TNF-α<0.001;t_ELISA-IL-1β=9.63,P_ELISA-IL-1β<0.001;t_Caspase-3=2.73,P_Caspase-3=0.026;t_Bax=27.75,P_Bax<0.001),SOD活性、Bcl-2和ACE2蛋白水平下降(t_SOD=7.74,P_SOD<0.001;t_Bcl-2=75.49,P_Bcl-2<0.001;t_ACE2=11.41,P_ACE2<0.001)。与H/R组相比,H/R-ACE2组细胞活力增加(t=3.61,P=0.002),MDA含量和炎症因子IL-6、TNF-α和IL-1β表达水平以及细胞凋亡相关蛋白Caspase-3、Bax蛋白水平均下降(t_MDA=6.15,P_MDA<0.001;t_PCR-IL-6=3.34,P_PCR-IL-6=0.006;t_PCR-TNF-α=3.65,P_PCR-TNF-α=0.007;t_PCR-IL-1β=4.06,P_PCR-IL-1β=0.004;t_ELISA-IL-6=14.62,P_ELISA-IL-6<0.001;t_ELISA-TNF-α=10.42,P_ELISA-TNF-α<0.001;t_ELISA-IL-1β=8.65,P_ELISA-IL-1β<0.001;t_Caspase-3=3.74,P_Caspase-3=0.006;t_Bax=30.52,P_Bax<0.001),SOD活性、Bcl-2和ACE2蛋白水平增加(t_SOD=3.58,P_SOD=0.007;t_Bcl-2=63.86,P_Bcl-2<0.001;t_ACE2=58.72,P_ACE2<0.001),Nrf2/HO-1信号通路被激活蛋白水平增加(t_Nrf2=44.55,P_Nrf2<0.001;t_HO-1=14.19,P_HO-1<0.001)。然而ML385和SnPPIX处理会抑制ACE2基因过表达在H/R中HK-2细胞的保护作用(F_Bax=11.02,P_Bax=0.003;F_Bcl-2=21.48,P_Bcl-2<0.001;F_Caspase-3=20.80,P_Caspase-3<0.001;F_SOD=133.49,P_SOD<0.001;F_MDA=14.06,P_MDA=0.001)。 结论 ACE2在HK-2细胞缺氧复氧损伤中具有抑制氧化应激、调节炎症、改善凋亡的作用,Nrf2/HO-1信号通路发挥重要作用。     

The vascular response to tumor infiltration in malignant gliomas

Summary Neo-vascularization and endothelial hyperplasia have been shown to be very active in malignant gliomas. In this contribution the vascularization of the cortex infiltrated by malignant gliomas is morphometrically studied and the endothelial proliferations are immunohistochemically investigated and reconstructed by a three-dimensional computer-assisted procedure. Vessel density increases after tumor infiltration in some cases only. The diameter of vessels increases and so does the number of nuclei/vessel after the complete invasion of the cortex when vascular glomeruli develop. In completely infiltrated cortex with development of glomeruli and circumscribed necroses, vessel density is very low. No neoformation of vessels takes place before the complete infiltration of the cortex by the tumor. The hyperplastic formations, usually arranged parallel to the deep or outer cortical layers, take origin from the radially penetrating vessels from the meninges and their lateral branching. The hyperplasia deforms the vascular network, making it often inadequate to supply tumor cells. Immunohistochemically, the cells composing the hyperplastic structures are variably positive for factor VIII/RAg and, at a lesser extent, for -smooth muscle actin. The poorness of the vascular network in many instances of completely infiltrated cortex is responsible for the development of circumscribed necroses.Supported by Grant 87.01446.44 CNR, Rome and by A. I. R. C., Milan. Presented in part at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Neuropathologists, Seattle, Washington, June 11–14, 1987     

Insertional pain and other IUD insertion-related rare events for breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women — a decade's experience in developing countries

The possible effect of breastfeeding on intrauterine device (IUD) insertion events was investigated. Analysis included a total of 6493 women who enrolled in multicenter IUD clinical trials over a ten-year period. Findings indicate that breastfeeding exerts a protective effect on the incidence of moderate to severe insertional pain and reduces the need for cervical dilatation to facilitate insertion. The pain protection effect was most evident in breastfeeding women who were still in lactational amenorrhea. Subjects with amenorrhea, both breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding, had a significantly lower incidence of pain at IUD insertion than the corresponding menstruating subjects. This effect may be related to a higher secretion of beta-endorphin in the breastfeeding and lactational amenorrheic subjects.

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Resumen Se investigaron en este estudio los posibles efectos del amamantamiento sobre la inserción de dispositivos intrauterinos (DIU). El estudio comprendió 6493 mujeres que participaron en ensayos clínicos en diversos centros durante un período de diez años. Los resultados indican que el amamantamiento ejerce un efecto protector contra la aparición de dolores moderados a fuertes en el momento de la inserción y reduce la necesidad de dilatar el cuello del útero para facilitar la inserción. Este efecto de protección contra el dolor predominó entre las mujeres que amamantaban y se hallaban aún en amenorrea de lactación. Las mujeres con amenorrea, tanto las que amamantaban como las que no lo hacían, señalaron un nivel de dolor significativamente menor en el momento de inserción del DIU que aquéllas cuyo ciclo menstrual se había reanudado. Este efecto puede estar relacionado con una mayor secreción de -endorfina en las mujeres en período de amamantamiento o de amenorrea de lactación.

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Resumé Cette étude présente les effets possibles de l'allaitement au sein sur des phénomènes liés à l'insertion de dispositifs intra-utérins (DIU). La recherche portait 6493 femmes inscrites dans plusieurs centres pour participer à des essais cliniques pendant une période de dix ans. On a constaté que l'allaitement au sein a un effet protecteur contre l'apparition de douleurs modérées à fortes au moment de l'insertion et qu'il réduit la nécessité de dilater le col utérin en vue de faciliter l'insertion. Cet effet de protection contre les douleurs prédominait chez les femmes qui allaitaient et se trouvaient encore en aménorrhéc de lactation. Les douleurs au moment de l'insertion étaient significativement moins fréquentes au moment de la pose du DIU chez celles qui, allaitant ou non, étaient encore en période d'aménorrhée, que chez celles dont le cycle menstruel avait repris. Cet effet peut être lié à une sécrétion plus abondante de -endorphine chez les femmes en période d'allaitement ou d'aménorrhée de lactation.

     

Increased expression of osteopontin gene in atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor of the central nervous system.

The atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor, primary to the central nervous system, is a highly malignant and aggressive neoplasm of infancy and childhood. Although having distinct biological features and clinical outcomes, it is frequently misdiagnosed as primitive neuroectodermal tumor/medulloblastoma. To further distinguish the underlying pathogenesis and to identify biological markers for clinical use, an atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor-derived cell line was established and its gene expression pattern analyzed in comparison to the human astrocyte SVG12 cell line and the human DAOY medulloblastoma cell line using a complementary DNA microarray method. The osteopontin gene was found specifically upregulated in atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor cells. This specificity was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in pathological sections of tissues from atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor patients. Even though the role of osteopontin in the cytopathogenesis of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor still needs to be determined, our data support that overexpressed osteopontin is a potential diagnostic marker for atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor.     

Immunoglobulin E and eosinophil-dependent protective immunity to larval Onchocerca volvulus in mice immunized with irradiated larvae

Mice immunized with irradiated Onchocerca volvulus third-stage larvae developed protective immunity. Eosinophil levels were elevated in the parasite microenvironment at the time of larval killing, and measurements of total serum antibody levels revealed an increase in the immunoglobulin E (IgE) level in immunized mice. The goal of the present study was to identify the role of granulocytes and antibodies in the protective immune response to the larval stages of O. volvulus in mice immunized with irradiated larvae. Immunity did not develop in mice if granulocytes, including both neutrophils and eosinophils, were eliminated, nor did it develop if only eosinophils were eliminated. Moreover, larvae were killed in na?ve interleukin-5 transgenic mice, and the killing coincided with an increase in the number of eosinophils and the eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) level in the animals. To determine if EPO was required for protective immunity, mice that were genetically deficient in EPO were immunized, and there were no differences in the rates of parasite recovery in EPO-deficient mice and wild-type mice. Two mouse strains were used to study B-cell function; micro MT mice lacked all mature B cells, and Xid mice had deficiencies in the B-1 cell population. Immunity did not develop in the micro MT mice but did develop in the Xid mice. Finally, protective immunity was abolished in mice treated to eliminate IgE from the blood. We therefore concluded that IgE and eosinophils are required for adaptive protective immunity to larval O. volvulus in mice.     

采用高脂饲料加空气干燥术建立颈动脉粥样硬化动物模型

目的:利用高脂饮食加空气干燥术建立一种稳定、重复性好、有较典型动脉粥样硬化病理改变的动物模型。方法:32只日本大耳白兔随机分为模型组(n=24)、对照组(n=8)。模型组给予高脂饲料喂养加空气干燥术,术中结扎左侧颈动脉分支血管,对照组正常饲料喂养,分别于术后第2、4、8、12周处死动物。取颈动脉组织切片HE染色,光镜下观察。结果:(1)75%兔颈总动脉存在细小血管分支,暂时结扎侧支血管后干燥效果更好。(2)对双侧颈动脉实施手术,结扎左侧分支,成模率更高。部分斑块显示出不稳定性。结论:采用改进后高脂饮食加空气干燥术可成功建立兔颈动脉粥样硬化模型,其病理特点适合于目前临床研究。