Enhanced expression of adenovirus-mediated sodium iodide symporter gene in MCF-7 breast cancer cells with retinoic acid treatment.

Increased expression of the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is required for effective radioiodine treatment and reporter gene imaging of breast cancer. We investigated the effect of retinoic acid on adenovirus-mediated expression of the human NIS gene in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. METHODS: The MCF-7 cell line was infected with recombinant adenovirus carrying the human NIS gene (Rad-NIS). Levels of NIS messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression and radioiodine ((125)I) uptake were measured to evaluate adenovirus-mediated NIS gene expression in wild-type and Rad-NIS-infected MCF-7 cells after treatment with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA; 10(-8)-10(-6) mol/L). RESULTS: The transduction efficiency of adenovirus in MCF-7 cells at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 50 was >60%. After incubation with 10(-6) mol/L ATRA, the mRNA level in Rad-NIS-infected MCF-7 cells increased to 118.5 times that of wild-type MCF-7 cells, whereas the mRNA level in wild-type MCF-7 cells showed only a 2.1-fold increase. Western blot, immunocytochemical staining, and flow cytometry analyses showed that NIS protein expression in MCF-7 cells infected with Rad-NIS increased after ATRA treatment. With ATRA treatment, the amount of (125)I uptake increased in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). The (125)I uptake in wild-type MCF-7 cells increased 3.1-, 5.5-, and 7.6-fold with treatment with 10(-8), 10(-7), and 10(-6) mol/L ATRA, respectively. Rad-NIS-infected cells showed a 4.0-fold increase in (125)I uptake. Treatment of Rad-NIS-infected cells with 10(-8), 10(-7), and 10(-6) mol/L ATRA increased (125)I uptake by 4.9-, 8.2-, and 27.6-fold, respectively, compared with wild-type MCF-7 cells. The level of NIS expression in Rad-NIS-infected MCF-7 cells treated with 10(-6) mol/L ATRA (245.0 +/- 13.7 pmol/10(6) cells) was much greater than the sum of the expression levels seen in ATRA-treated wild-type cells and Rad-NIS-infected wild-type cells. CONCLUSION: Retinoic acid increases adenovirus-mediated NIS expression in MCF-7 cells. Our results indicate that improved efficiency of NIS gene therapy or reporter imaging in breast cancer may be possible with retinoic acid treatment.     

Anterior translocaton of pulmonary artery without aortic transection in repair of tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve.

We developed a technique of translocation of the pulmonary artery anterior to the ascending aorta without transection of the aorta in the repair of tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve. Our technique includes detachment of the main pulmonary artery (MPA) from the pulmonary annulus, vertical division of the MPA, anterior translocation of the pulmonary artery with patch augmentation between the vertically divided MPA.     

精索脂肪肉瘤（附6例报告）

目的探讨精索脂肪肉瘤的临床特点和诊治方法。方法回顾6例精索脂肪肉瘤临床资料，并复习有关文献。结果6例患者均行手术治疗，2例行肿瘤切除术，其余4例行根治术，术后随访19个月-11年，1例保留精索的年轻患者于术后3年出现局部复发，其余5例无复发及远处转移。结论精索脂肪肉瘤是一种低度恶性肿瘤，治疗方法主要以根治性手术为主，对于肿瘤高分化且年轻未育者，可行保留精索手术。     

Performance measurement of the microPET focus 120 scanner.

The microPET Focus 120 scanner is a third-generation animal PET scanner dedicated to rodent imaging. Here, we report the results of scanner performance testing. METHODS: A (68)Ge point source was used to measure energy resolution, which was determined for each crystal and averaged. Spatial resolution was measured using a (22)Na point source with a nominal size of 0.25 mm at the system center and various off-center positions. Absolute sensitivity without attenuation was determined by extrapolating the data measured using an (18)F line source and multiple layers of absorbers. Scatter fraction and counting rate performance were measured using 2 different cylindric phantoms simulating rat and mouse bodies. Sensitivity, scatter fraction, and noise equivalent counting rate (NECR) experiments were repeated under 4 different conditions (energy window, 250 approximately 750 keV or 350 approximately 650 keV; coincidence window, 6 or 10 ns). A performance phantom with hot-rod inserts of various sizes was scanned, and several animal studies were also performed. RESULTS: Energy resolution at a 511-keV photopeak was 18.3% on average. Radial, tangential, and axial resolution of images reconstructed with the Fourier rebinning (FORE) and filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithms were 1.18 (radial), 1.13 (tangential), and 1.45 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) (axial) at center and 2.35 (radial), 1.66 (tangential), and 2.00 mm FWHM (axial) at a radial offset of 2 cm. Absolute sensitivities at transaxial and axial centers were 7.0% (250 approximately 750 keV, 10 ns), 6.7% (250 approximately 750 keV, 6 ns), 4.0% (350 approximately 650 keV, 10 ns), and 3.8% (350 approximately 650 keV, 6 ns). Scatter fractions were 15.9% (mouse phantom) and 35.0% (rat phantom) for 250 approximately 750 keV and 6 ns. Peak NECR was 869 kcps at 3,242 kBq/mL (mouse phantom) and 228 kcps at 290 kBq/mL (rat phantom) at 250 approximately 750 keV and 6 ns. Hot-rod inserts of 1.6-mm diameter were clearly identified, and animal studies illustrated the feasibility of this system for studies of whole rodents and mid-sized animal brains. CONCLUSION: The results of this independent field test showed the improved physical characteristics of the F120 scanner over the previous microPET series systems. This system will be useful for imaging studies on small rodents and brains of larger animals.     

Clinical Significance of an Early Protocol Biopsy in Living-Donor Renal Transplantation: Ten-Year Experience at a Single Center

We report here our 10-year experience of a biopsy performed at day 14 after transplantation in 304 patients with stable graft function. The factors that may have influenced subclinical rejection were analyzed according to histology. The incidence of subclinical rejection was 13.2%. Addition of mycophenolate mofetile (MMF) as a primary immunosuppressant significantly decreased the incidence of subclinical rejection compared with patients without such treatment (odds ratio, 0.23; p < 0.05). On the other hand, HLA-DR antigen mismatch (odds ratio, 2.39) and unrelated donor (odds ratio, 2.10) were also significantly associated with decreased subclinical rejection (p < 0.05). The incidence of acute rejection in patients with normal findings was lower than in those with borderline changes or subclinical rejection (0.23 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.48 +/- 0.07 and 0.60 +/- 0.11, respectively; p < 0.05). The graft survival rates in patients with subclinical rejection were lower than in patients with normal or borderline changes at 1 (88.4% vs. 97.9% and 99.1%; p < 0.05), 5 (77.8% vs. 96.2% and 95.9%; p < 0.05) and 10 (62.3% vs. 96.2% and 93.7%; p < 0.05) years. Thus, a protocol biopsy performed on day 14 after transplantation is useful for predicting graft survival. Triple therapy including MMF, related donor and HLA-DR antigen match are important factors for reducing subclinical rejection in living-donor renal transplantation.     

肾盂输尿管癌细胞增殖与凋亡的相关性

目的探讨Ki-67和凋亡（Apoptosis）在肾盂输尿管癌中的表达及其与肿瘤细胞分级、病理分期及预后的关系。方法采用SABC法和TUNEL法对34例肾盂输尿管癌行Ki-67和凋亡检测。结果Ki-67和凋亡在肿瘤细胞分级间存在显著差异,Ki-67index：G2与G1比较P〈0.05,G3与G2比较P〈0.05,G3与G1比较P〈0.01;Apoptosis index：G2与G1比较P〈0.05,G3与G2比较P〈0.05,G3与G1比较P〈0.01。Ki-67和凋亡在肿瘤病理分期的T3与T1及T2与T1之间有显著差异,T2与T1比较P〈0.05,T3与T1比较P〈0.01,但T3与T2比较P〉0.05;Ki-67index以20%为界分为二组,Apoptosis index以3%为界分为二组,组间生存率有显著差异（P〈0.05）。Ki-67在肾盂输尿管癌中的表达与凋亡一致。结论肾盂输尿管癌细胞增殖与凋亡密切相关;凋亡可作为临床判断肾盂输尿管癌恶性程度、病理分期、细胞分级以及预后的一种客观量化指标。     

苯妥英钠血清浓度监测（31例报告）

报告31例口服DPH治疗的门诊癫痫病人RIA法血清DPH浓度监测结果。在随访中记录的临床治疗反应。病人平均药物剂量为4．39±1．19mg/kg／d，不同病人服用同一剂量DPH，其血清药物旅度可相差9倍。22例获良好(较好)的治疗反应，其平均有效血清药物浓度为24．1±10．1μg／ml。9例出现中毒反应；血清药物浓度在25μg／ml以上时可出现眼球震颤、视物模糊，共济失调。DPH血清浓度监测有功于实现个体化给药方案，提高疗效并避免中毒。     

EMG myokymia as a cause of ptosis in hypothyroidism

Ptosis is known to be associated with thyroid disorders. We describe two biochemically corrected hypothyroid patients presenting with isolated bilateral ptosis. EMG of the orbicularis oculi showed continuous grouped motor unit potentials. In the absence of obvious aetiology, it is hypothesised that focal demyelination of terminal branches to the orbicularis oculi may play a role in the generation of the discharges.