Involvement of DNA-dependent protein kinase in regulation of the mitochondrial heat shock proteins

Since DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) has been known to play a protective role against drug-induced apoptosis, the role of DNA-PK in the regulation of mitochondrial heat shock proteins by anticancer drugs was examined. The levels of basal and drug-induced mitochondrial heat shock proteins of drug-sensitive parental cells were higher than those of multidrug-resistant (MDR) cells. We also demonstrated that the development of MDR might be correlated with the increased expression of Ku-subunit of DNA-PK and concurrent down-regulation of mitochondrial heat shock proteins. The basal mtHsp70 and Hsp60 levels of Ku70(-/-) cells, which were known to be sensitive to anticancer drugs, were higher than those of parental MEF cells, but conversely these mitochondrial heat shock proteins of R7080-6 cells over-expressing both Ku70 and Ku80 were lower than those of parental Rat-1 cells. Also, the mtHsp70 and Hsp60 levels of DNA-PKcs-deficient SCID cells were higher than those of parental CB-17 cells. Our results suggest the possibility that mitochondrial heat shock protein may be one of determinants of drug sensitivity and could be regulated by DNA-PK activity.     

Evaluation of an automated immunochemical fecal occult blood test for colorectal neoplasia detection in a Chinese population

BACKGROUND: Most commercial fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) used for colorectal carcinoma screening of Western populations are guaiac-based, manually developed, subjective, and sensitive to dietary components. Preliminary studies demonstrated the unsuitability of these tests for screening a Chinese population. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of a human hemoglobin-specific automated immunochemical FOBT, the Magstream 1000/Hem SP (Fujirebio, Inc., Tokyo, Japan), in a Chinese population referred for colonoscopy. METHODS: Two hundred fifty consecutive patients who were referred for colonoscopy and met the study inclusion criteria provided samples for the immunochemical FOBT (without dietary restrictions) from two successive stool specimens. Tests were developed with an automated instrument that had an adjustable sensitivity threshold. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for detecting colorectal adenomas and carcinomas were calculated according to the manufacturer's instructions over a range of sensitivity levels. RESULTS: At the optimal threshold level, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for detection of significant colorectal neoplasia (adenomas >or= 1.0 cm and carcinomas) were 62%, 93%, and 44%, respectively. The test was easy to use, and results did not depend on operator experience. CONCLUSIONS: The automated immunochemical FOBT used in the current study was a robust, convenient, and useful tool for colorectal carcinoma screening in the study population.     

Cryptococosis and HIV/AIDS: a review of 21 cases reported in the Tropical Diseases Centre, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

Cryptococcus neoformans affections during HIV-infection are frequent and serious. The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiological, clinical, biological and therapeutic characteristics of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-positive patients, admitted into the Center for Tropical Diseases Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), during a 5-month period (May-September 2001). Twenty-one patients (20 men and one woman) were included (identification of C. neoformans from the cerebrospinal fluid). The mean age was 28 years. The majority of patients had been living in Ho Chi Minh City (48%). The use of drugs and unprotected sexual relations were the principal risk factors of HIV-infection. The paucity and the confusion of clinical signs and symptoms, along with a high frequency of meningitis have been analysed. Clinical presentation features included: headache (95%), emaciation (90%), oro-pharyngeal candidiasis (90%), stiff neck (80%), nausea/vomiting (70%), fever (67%), coughing (38%), diarrhoea (33%), skin lesions (5%), convulsion (5%), photophobia (5%), and hemiparesis (5%). The severity of the prognosis was mainly linked to the delay before hospitalization, to the possible association with other opportunistic infections, and to the availability of appropriate treatment.     

Selective inhibition of tumor microvascular permeability by cavtratin blocks tumor progression in mice

Tumor vasculature is hyperpermeable to macromolecules compared to normal vasculature; however, the relationship between tumor hyperpermeability and tumor progression is poorly understood. Here we show that a cell-permeable peptide derived from caveolin-1, termed cavtratin, reduces microvascular hyperpermeability and delays tumor progression in mice. These antipermeability and antitumor actions of cavtratin occur in the absence of direct cytostatic or antiangiogenic effects. Cavtratin blocks microvascular permeability by inhibiting endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), as the antipermeability and antitumor actions of cavtratin are markedly diminished in eNOS knockout mice. Our results support the concepts that hyperpermeability of tumor blood vessels contributes to tumor progression and that blockade of eNOS may be exploited as a novel target for antitumor therapy.     

Umbilical arteritis and phlebitis mark different stages of the fetal inflammatory response

OBJECTIVE: Funisitis, the inflammation of the umbilical cord determined by histologic examination of the placenta, is evidence of a fetal inflammatory response. The inflammatory process may involve the umbilical vein (phlebitis) and one or both umbilical arteries (arteritis) and extend into the Wharton's jelly. This study was conducted to examine whether the pattern of inflammation of the umbilical cord correlates with a biochemical marker of systemic fetal inflammation (umbilical cord plasma interleukin-6) and an adverse neonatal outcome. STUDY DESIGN: This cohort study included 636 cases of preterm delivery (<36 weeks) with or without inflammation of the umbilical cord. Umbilical cord blood was collected at the time of delivery. The aim of pathologic examination was to characterize the extent of umbilical cord inflammation and the involvement of the vein (phlebitis), the involvement of one or both arteries (arteritis), and the presence of inflammation of the Wharton's jelly. Umbilical cord plasma interleukin-6 concentrations were assayed by a sensitive and specific immunoassay. RESULTS: Neonates with umbilical arteritis had a significantly higher median concentration of cord plasma interleukin-6 (median, 111 pg/mL; range, 0.1-19,230 pg/mL) than those without umbilical arteritis (median, 22.5 pg/mL; range, 0.9-511.6 pg/mL; P <.05). Also, severe neonatal morbidity occurred more frequently in infants with arteritis than in those without arteritis (74% vs 50%; P <.05). And finally, the most severe form of inflammation, which involves both arteries, vein, and Wharton's jelly, was associated with the highest median concentration of plasma interleukin-6 observed in this study (median, 182.6 pg/mL; range, 0.1-7,400 pg/mL), whereas inflammation limited to the vein (phlebitis) was associated with a lower concentration of cord plasma interleukin-6 (median, 29.1 pg/mL; range, 0.9-511.6 pg/mL; P <.05). CONCLUSION: Neonates whose placenta demonstrates umbilical arteritis have higher concentrations of umbilical cord plasma interleukin-6 and higher rates of adverse outcome than those without umbilical arteritis.     

Gangliocytoma of the spinal cord: a case report

We present a case of intramedullary spinal gangliocytoma in a 7-year-old girl who presented with scoliosis and progressive weakness of both legs. The tumour involved the whole spinal cord and medulla oblongata and was composed of inner cystic and outer solid components. On MRI, the solid portion of the lesion showed strong enhancement at the thoracolumbar level and mild enhancement at the cervical and medullary levels. Histological examination of the surgical specimen showed neoplastic ganglion cells arranged irregularly in benign normocellular glial background, which made a diagnosis of gangliocytoma. Received: 15 November 1999 Accepted: 21 November 2000     

Improved health-related quality of life and left ventricular hypertrophy among dialysis patients treated with parathyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: We prospectively studied changes in the perception of health-related quality of life, pruritus, and degree of left ventricular hypertrophy in end-stage renal disease patients with tertiary hyperparathyroid disorder, before and 6 months after total parathyroidectomy treatment. METHODS: A series of 12 consecutive patients were enrolled. Throughout the follow-up period, all subjects completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form-36 (KDQOL SF-36) questionnaire at inclusion and after 6 months. Serial clinical and physiological parameters including uremic pruritus, blood pressure control and left ventricular hypertrophy measured by echocardiography were recorded. RESULTS: Mean scores of the KDQOL SF-36 questionnaires were substantially higher 6 months after parathyroidectomy, with reference to physical functioning, bodily pain, role-physical, role-emotional, symptom list and burden of kidney disease. Parathyroidectomy resulted in a 22% reduction in left ventricular mass index, with significant improvement from the baseline value of 246 +/- 131 to 192 +/- 131 g/m2 (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the potential importance of parathyroidectomy in improving health-related quality of life and left ventricular hypertrophy among dialysis patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism.     

人体倾角姿态图仪和球底平衡台的临床应用

目的　采用自行研制的人体倾角姿势图仪 ,评价平衡功能。方法　采用了倾角测量技术 ,通过球底平台使人体与地面形成点接触 ,由位于腰部的倾角传感器提取人体摇动角度信息 ,以 4种姿态进行测量 :(1)地面站立睁眼 ;(2 )地面站立闭眼 ;(3)球台站立睁眼 ;(4 )球台站立闭眼。结果　 (1)对 10 0名正常人作正常值测定 ,不同状态下摇摆角速度为 :地面站立睁眼 (测试 1) (0 .5 7±0 .14 )d s ,地面站立闭眼 (测试 2 ) (0 .70± 0 .18)d s,球台站立睁眼 (1.16± 0 .32 )d s(测试 3) ,球台站立闭眼 (2 .6 7± 0 .70 )d s(测试 4 )。 (2 )对半规管麻痹的外周性眩晕患者 87例进行检测 ,摇摆角速度大于正常值 x +2s者 6 2人 (71.2 6 % )。眩晕发作 2周病人有 90 .90 %异常。摇摆角速度异常分别为地面站立睁眼异常 7人 ,地面闭眼异常 14人 ,球台睁眼异常 16人 ,球台闭眼异常为 5 6人。 (3)冷热水实验正常 33例眩晕病人中 ,异常 14例 ,地面睁眼异常 3人 ,地面闭眼 3人 ,球台睁眼 5人 ,球台闭眼异常为 14人。结论　倾角姿态图可以评价平衡功能。特别是闭眼球台检查 ,能有效反映前庭脊髓反射。倾角传感器和球台技术对平衡功能和前庭代偿有临床应用价值。     

Malignant tumors of the mandible and maxilla

Malignant tumors of the mandible and maxilla are grouped into primary tumors that originate within the mandible and secondary lesions, predominantly oral cancers and metastatic lesions, that involve the mandible secondarily. The most common malignant tumors of the mandible represent SCCs of the oral cavity, notably carcinoma of the floor of the mouth and gingiva that invade the mandible secondarily. Metastatic disease, most commonly from the breast and lung, are not an uncommon malignant lesion in the mandible and may be the first manifestation of a malignant lesion outside the head and neck. The osteogenic sarcoma is the most common sarcomatous lesion in the mandible and is suggested when a bone-forming matrix with sclerosis is found within the tumor on CT images. Some benign lesions may mimic a malignant tumor on imaging studies. In such cases, a biopsy is indicated to establish the diagnosis by histopathologic means. CT is indicated for assessment of bone destruction in the mandible before surgery or radiation therapy. MR imaging is the optimal modality for the assessment of marrow involvement and evaluation of the extraosseous soft tissue component. Finally, conventional films, frequently a Panorex view, are the initial radiographic examinations in suspected lesions.