Quantifying tumour hypoxia with fluorine-18 fluoroerythronitroimidazole ([<Superscript>18</Superscript>F]FETNIM) and PET using the tumour to plasma ratio

Fluorine-18 fluoroerythronitroimidazole ([(18)F]FETNIM) is a nitroimidazole compound that is potentially useful as a hypoxia marker in positron emission tomography (PET) studies of oncological patients. Our aim was to develop a simple protocol to quantitate uptake of [(18)F]FETNIM in hypoxic tumours. Dynamic imaging data from ten patients with head and neck cancer undergoing [(18)F]FETNIM PET was used in simulations and model fits to assess hypoxia marker uptake under different levels of blood flow. The distribution volume determined from dynamic PET study was compared with simple tumour to plasma and tumour to muscle ratios at 90-120 min. In skeletal muscle having a low but variable blood flow [2-6 ml/(100 gxmin)], differences in hypoxia-specific uptake of [(18)F]FETNIM remain small and may be hard to detect with PET. At higher blood flow [>20 ml/(100 gxmin)], the retention of [(18)F]FETNIM reflects the oxygenation status well and results in satisfactory contrast between hypoxic and well-oxygenated tissue. A good estimate of tissue hypoxia is accomplished by measuring the tissue to plasma [(18)F]FETNIM activity ratio using only a few late time points. The increased hypoxia-specific retention of [(18)F]FETNIM in tissues with high blood flow, such as malignant tumours, may facilitate application of [(18)F]FETNIM as a hypoxia marker in oncological patients. In the assessment of the tumour to non-target uptake ratio, plasma is the preferred reference tissue rather than muscle, which may show a more heterogeneous tracer uptake not easily controlled for.     

Evaluation of brain tumor metabolism with [11C]choline PET and 1H-MRS

Background: The signal of choline containing compounds (Cho) in proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) is elevated in brain tumors. [¹¹C]choline uptake as assessed using positron emission tomography (PET) has also been suggested to be higher in brain tumors than in the normal brain. We examined whether quantitative analysis of choline accumulation and content using these two novel techniques would be helpful in non-invasive, preoperative evaluation of suspected brain tumors and tumor malignancy grade. Methods: 12 patients with suspected brain tumor were studied using [¹¹C]choline PET, gadolinium enhanced 3-D magnetic resonance imaging and ¹H-MRS prior to diagnostic biopsy or resection. Eleven normal subjects served as control subjects for ¹H-MRS. Results: The concentrations of Cho and myoinositol (mI) were higher and the concentration of N-acetyl signal/group (NA) lower in brain tumors than in the corresponding regions of the normal brain. There were no significant differences in metabolite concentrations between low- and high-grade gliomas. In non-tumorous lesions Cho concentrations were lower and NA concentrations higher than in any of the gliomas. Enormously increased lipid peak differentiated lymphomas from all other lesions. The uptake of [¹¹C]choline at PET did not differ between low- and high-grade gliomas. The association between Cho concentration determined in ¹H-MRS and [¹¹C]choline uptake measured with PET was not significant. Conclusion: Both ¹H-MRS and [¹¹C]choline PET can be used to estimate proliferative activity of human brain tumors. These methods seem to be helpful in differential diagnosis between lymphomas, non-tumorous lesions and gliomas but are not superior to histopathological methods in estimation of tumor malignancy grade.     

Inhibition of rat brain microsomal cytochrome P450-dependent dealkylation activities by an oxidative stress

There is increasing evidence that an oxidative stress not only alters cellular lipids and nucleic acids, but also numerous proteins. This oxidation results in alterations of some cellular functions, either by reversible modifications allowing a post-traductional regulation of enzyme activities or receptor affinities, or by irreversible modifications of the protein, triggering its inactivation and destruction. In the present work, we examined the effects of an experimental oxidative stress on rat brain microsomal cytochrome P450-dependent dealkylation activities. For that purpose, superoxide anions were produced either by the NADPH-dependent redox cycling of a quinone, menadione, or by the addition of apomorphine, which produces by autoxidation both superoxide anions and apomorphine-derived quinones. The inhibition of brain cytochrome P450-dependent alkoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activities was dependent on both menadione or apomorphine concentrations. Simultaneously, an increase of microsomal carbonyl groups was recorded. Immunoblotting characterization of brain microsomal oxidized protein was carried out, using antibodies raised against 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine as a reagent of protein carbonyl groups, and a revelation by a chemiluminescence method. We observed an increase in cerebral CYP1A protein oxidation, related to menadione concentration, suggesting that oxidation of cytochrome P450 protein may result in its catalytic inactivation.     

Disturbances in craniofacial morphology in children treated for solid tumors

Because of increased survival rates in childhood cancer, special interest has been focused on the side-effects of the therapy and the quality of life in long-term survivors. Our aim was to investigate craniofacial growth in children who had received different kinds of antineoplastic therapies for solid tumors. A total of 40 children treated in the Turku University Central Hospital were examined and divided into three different groups. Group 1 comprised 18 children treated for intracranial tumors with cranial irradiation (CRI) and chemotherapy (CT) including alkylating agents. Seven children out of 18 in this group received growth hormone (GH) therapy. In Group 2, 11 children with extracranial solid tumors also received multiagent CT including alkylating agents, but no CRI. Group 3 consisted of 11 children treated for Wilm's tumor with CT, which did not include alkylating agents or CRI. A total of 19 linear and four angular variables from the lateral cephalograms of the subjects were measured. Most deviations in craniofacial structures were found in children treated with combined CRI and multiagent CT. All disturbances were seen in the vertical measurements which were reduced when compared to the matched controls. It seems reasonable to assume that impaired growth following combined radio- and chemotherapy, as well as GH treatment, particularly affects cartilage-mediated growth. However, the deviations seen in the present study were fairly minor and did not usually require clinical consideration.     

Well-breeding Anopheles dirus and their role in malaria transmission in Myanmar

Mosquitos were collected with human and animal baits from March 1996 to January 1998 in four villages located along the Yadana gas pipe line in Yepyu township, Dawae district, Tanintharyi Division, southern Myanmar. A total of 23 anopheline species were collected. Anopheles dirus were abundant in pre-monsoon (May/June) an post-monsoon (October) months. All An. dirus caught both humans and cattle were assayed with specific, sporozoite enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). A total of 5/250 (2%) caught with human bait was found positive with Plasmodium vivax from Eindayaza, Ohnbinkwin and Thaechaung during rainy and cool-dry months. Larval surveys also showed An. dirus larvae/pupae were caught from domestic wells (6 to 46% found positive). Clinical surveys indicated that transmission is hyperendemic and occur all year round in all four villages.     

Are vitamin B12 and folate deficiency clinically important after roux-en-Y gastric bypass?

Although iron, vltamm B₁₂, and folate deficiency have been well documented after gastric bypass operations performed for morbid obesity, there is surprisingly little information on either the natural course or the treatment of these deficiencies in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients Durmg a l0-year period, a complete blood count and serum levels of iron, total iron-binding capacity, vltamin B₁₂, and folate were obtained in 348 patients preoperatively and postoperatively at 6-month intervals for the first 2 years, then annually thereafter The principal objectives of this study were to determine how readily patients who developed metabolic deficiencies after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass responded to postoperative supplements of the deficient micronutrient and to learn whether the risk of developmg these deficiencies decreases over time Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were slgnificantly decreased at all postoperative intervals in comparison to preoperative values Moreover, at each successive interval through 5 years, hemoglobin and hematocrit were decreased signifiantly compared to the preceding interval Folate levels were significantly increased compared to preoperative levels at all time intervals Iron and vltamin B₁₂ levels were lower than preoperative measurements and remained relatively stable postoperatively Half of the low hemoglobin levels were not associated with iron deficiency Taking multivltamin supplements resulted in a lower incidence of folate deficiency but did not prevent iron or vitamin B₁₂ deficiency Oral supplementation of iron and vitamin B₁₂ corrected defiaencies in 43% and 81% of cases, respectively Folate deficiency was almost always corrected with multivitamins alone No patient had symptoms that could be attributed to either vitamin B₁₂ or folate deficiency Conversely, many patients had symptoms of iron deficiency and anenua Lack of symptoms of vitamin B₁₂ and folate deficiency suggests that these deficiencies are not clinically important after RYGB Conversely, iron deficiency and anemia are potentially serious problems after RYGB, particularly in younger women Hence we recommend prophylactic oral iron supplements to premenopausal women who undergo RYGB     

基于网络药理学及分子对接技术的复方丹参滴丸治疗心绞痛潜在分子机制探讨

目的 基于网络药理学和分子对接技术探讨复方丹参滴丸治疗心绞痛的潜在分子机制。方法 通过中药系统网络药理学数据库与分析平台（TCMSP）检索复方丹参滴丸的活性成分,利用GeneCards、Disgnet和TTD数据库检索心绞痛疾病相关靶点,通过String数据库和Metascape开放平台对复方丹参滴丸与心绞痛的交集靶点进行京都基因与基因组百科全书（Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes,KEGG）通路富集分析及基因本体论（gene ontology,GO）注释。采用SYBYL2.1软件的Surflex-Dock模块对筛选的核心成分和核心靶点进行分子对接。结果 从复方丹参滴丸中筛选出76种活性化合物,涉及500个潜在靶点。复方丹参滴丸成分靶点与心绞痛疾病靶点取交集,共获得457个交集靶点;复方丹参滴丸治疗心绞痛作用靶标的蛋白相互作用（PPI）网络中共包含158个节点,其中重要的靶点有STAT3、TP53、AKT1、JUN、MAPK1、HSP90AA1等。复方丹参滴丸通过调控炎症反应、凋亡信号通路、积极调节细胞迁移等GO生物过程,参与流体剪切应力与动脉粥样硬化、PI3K-Akt信号通路、MAPK信号通路、HIF-1信号通路、TNF信号通路、IL17信号通路等信号通路,发挥治疗心绞痛的作用。分子对接结果表明筛选得到的活性成分与靶点有较强的结合。结论 运用网络药理学研究方法推测出复方丹参滴丸治疗心绞痛的潜在分子机制及作用靶点,分子对接验证了筛选的关键活性成分与重要靶点具有较强的结合活性。     

Factor V deficiency in Philadelphia-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia

Factor V deficiency has been identified in 8 of 8 patients 7--20 yr of age, with Philadelphia-positive (Ph1+) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). In these 8 patients, factor V deficiency was not due to hepatic dysfunction, factor V inhibitors, or disseminated intravascular coagulation. In 3 patients, factor V activity rose 10%--12% (0.10--0.12 U/ml) after the infusion of 28--31 ml/kg body weight of fresh frozen plasma (FFP). The rise persisted less than 14 hr. The mean measured postinfusion rise in factor V was 18% of the expected rise calculated from the volume of FFP infused in the patients' plasma volume. In 4 patients, a small transient rise in factor V activity occurred after splenectomy or plateletpheresis. Factor V deficiency was completely corrected after a marked reduction in bone marrow cellularity in 2 patients with Ph1+ CML treated with extensive chemotherapy, total body irradiation, and bone marrow transplantation. Factor V deficiency was retrospectively observed in 6 of 20 patients, ages 20--80 yr, with Ph1+ CML and 3 of 6 patients with other myeloproliferative disorders. The factor V deficiency appears to be associated with the large myeloid- megakaryocytic cell mass characteristic of CML and other myeloproliferative disorders.     

Inactivation of purified human alpha 2-antiplasmin and purified human C1 inhibitor by synthetic fibrinolytic agents

3-Hydroxypropyl flufenamide (Flu-HPA) is one of a series of flufenamic acid derivatives that enhances blood clot lysis in vitro. Studies of possible mechanisms of action of Flu-HPA were undertaken. The profibrinolytic activity of Flu-HPA in clot lysis assays was found to be dependent on plasminogen. The influence of Flu-HPA on the ability of purified alpha 2-antiplasmin to inhibit purified plasmin was studied. Plasmin activity was determined using 125I-fibrin plates or the spectrophotometric tripeptide substrate, Val-Leu-Lys-paranitroanilide. At Flu-HPA concentrations greater than 1 mM, the inhibitory activity of alpha 2-antiplasmin was abolished in a time-dependent and concentration- dependent manner. The influence of Flu-HPA on the ability of purified Cl inhibitor to inhibit purified plasma kallikrein and beta-Factor XIIa was also studied. Cl inhibitor activity was abolished by Flu-HPA at concentrations greater than 2 mM. Notably, Flu-HPA up to 60 mM did not affect the amidolytic activities of plasmin, kallikrein, or beta-Factor XIIa. Flu-HPA did not release enzyme activity from preformed complexes of either alpha 2-antiplasmin and plasmin of Cl inhibitor and kallikrein. A water-soluble derivative of flufenamic acid, N-flufenamyl- glutamic acid, also inactivated alpha 2-antiplasm and Cl inhibitor. This inactivation was shown to be reversible. These results indicate that synthetic fibrinolytic compounds such as flufenamic acid derivatives may promote fibrinolysis by directly inactivating alpha 2- antiplasmin and Cl inhibitor.     

Perforated colorectal neoplasms: correlation of clinical, contrast enema, and CT examinations

Results of clinical, contrast enema (CE), and computed tomographic (CT) examinations in 39 patients with perforated colorectal neoplasms were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty patients were toxemic at initial presentation, but in only four patients was the diagnosis of perforated colorectal neoplasm initially suspected clinically. CE study was performed in 22 patients and enabled the diagnosis of perforated neoplasm in 11 cases, neoplasm alone in eight, and neither neoplasm nor perforation in three. CT was performed in 38 patients and enabled the diagnosis of perforated neoplasm in 36; pericolic phlegmon but no mass lesion was evident in two. In 16 patients, CT also demonstrated metastatic disease. Because of its reliability in establishing the diagnosis and staging the extent of the inflammatory and neoplastic disease, CT is indicated in cases of suspected or proved perforated colorectal neoplasm and in cases in which CE study findings are indeterminate or suggestive of perforated neoplasm.