Immunohistochemical analysis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in ameloblastomas

BACKGROUND: To clarify the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) and stress proteins in oncogenesis and cytodifferentiation of odontogenic epithelium. Inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) were analyzed in ameloblastomas as well as in tooth germs. METHODS: Specimens of seven tooth germs, 36 benign ameloblastomas and five malignant ameloblastomas were examined by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against iNOS and 27-, 60- and 70-kDa HSPs (HSP27, HSP60 and HSP70). RESULTS: Immunoreactivity for iNOS was detected in normal and neoplastic odontogenic epithelial cells and was higher in malignant ameloblastomas than in tooth germs and benign ameloblastomas. HSP27 was expressed constitutively in all odontogenic epithelial cells in tooth germs and benign and malignant ameloblastomas. Expression of HSP60 and HSP70 was detected in normal and neoplastic odontogenic epithelial cells and was prominent in cells neighboring the basement membrane. HSP60 reactivity showed no apparent difference between normal and neoplastic odontogenic epithelium, whereas HSP70 expression was slightly higher in benign and malignant ameloblastomas than in tooth germs. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of iNOS might be associated with malignant potential of epithelial odontogenic tumors. Elevated expression of HSP70 is considered to be involved in neoplastic transformation of odontogenic epithelial cells.     

High serum levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐8 in severe asthma: markers of systemic inflammation?

BACKGROUND: Severe asthma is characterized by elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophilic inflammation in the airways. Blood cytokines, markers of 'systemic' inflammation, may be a feature of amplified inflammation in severe asthma. OBJECTIVE: To detect differences in IL-8, TNF-alpha, IL-16 and IL-13 levels in the serum(s) of stable severe and mild-moderate asthmatics related to blood leucocytes proportion, airway calibre and exhaled nitric oxide (NO) levels. METHODS: We assessed cytokine serum levels by ELISA and blood leucocyte counts by an alkaline peroxidase method in 20 healthy controls, 22 mild-moderate [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)(%pred): 89+/-3] and 14 severe asthmatics [FEV1(%pred): 49+/-2]. RESULTS: IL-8 and TNF-alpha levels were higher in severe asthmatics than in mild-moderate asthmatics or in controls (P<0.05). No differences in IL-16 and IL-13 levels were detected. Severe asthmatics showed higher circulating neutrophil and eosinophil number than controls (P<0.05). In severe asthmatics, exhaled NO levels were superior than in controls (P<0.05), but inferior than in mild-moderate asthmatics (P<0.05). We found positive correlation between TNF-alpha levels and exhaled NO (r=0.67; P=0.01) or circulating neutrophil counts (r=0.57; P=0.03) in severe asthmatics. CONCLUSION: sTNF-alpha and sIL-8 are markers of 'systemic' inflammation in severe asthmatics, in conjunction with augmented circulating neutrophils, suggesting the involvement of neutrophil-derived cytokine pattern in severe asthma.     

一氧化氮在糖皮质激素性骨质疏松发病中的作用和辛伐他汀对骨代谢的影响

目的探讨一氧化氮(NO)在糖皮质激素性骨质疏松症(GC-OP)发病机制中的作用和辛伐他汀对NO的调控。方法6个月龄SD雄性大鼠随机分为3组,实验组(A)给予辛伐他汀和地塞米松,模型组(B)给予生理盐水和地塞米松,对照组(C)给予生理盐水。8周后观察第3腰椎显微结构、股骨组织形态计量学、腰椎诱生型一氧化氮合酶(i NOS)和内皮细胞型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)免疫组织化学。结果3组血清NO含量差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。A组显微结构与C组相似,B组呈骨质疏松表现。3组eNOS表达的平均灰度值与平均积分吸光度分别为(179.08±4.38)与(0.455±0.019)、(169.42±3.00)与(0.401±0.010)、(181.08±2.31)与(0.463±0.150)。A组明显高于B组(P<0.01),与C组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。A组的骨体积、类骨质表面、类骨质宽度和成骨表面分别为(53.46±2.49)%、(9.52±1.11)%、(3.25±0.19)μm、(9.20±1.37)%,均比B组(42.48±1.95)%、(7.34±0.66)%、(2.72±0.32)μm、(7.43±0.58)%显著增高(P<0.01),与C组(54.69±1.87)%、(9.44±1.13)%、(3.44±0.28)μm、(9.83±1.06)%差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。3组骨吸收表面的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论eNOS依赖性NO的低表达是GC-OP的重要发病机制,辛伐他汀增强eNOS的表达而有效预防该症的发生。     

Gaseous homeostasis during low-flow anaesthesia

The object of this clinical study was to investigate the circle system gas homeostasis during low-flow anaesthesia using a technique designed to keep a constant inspired oxygen fraction of 0.30. Denitrogenation was adequately accomplished with mask preoxygenation, 10 l/min, for 1 min and an initial fresh gas flow of 5 l/min for 6 min after intubation. There was no need to wash out accumulated nitrogen at intervals, since the already low nitrogen concentration in the system tended to decrease after 1 h. The fresh gas flow of nitrous oxide to oxygen ratio and the inspiratory to end-expiratory oxygen concentration difference both reflected the uptake of nitrous oxide. The calculated rates of uptake of nitrous oxide, a subject of controversy, were in accordance with those found by Severinghaus and Barton & Nunn.     

Nitric oxide and gamma-aminobutyric acid as regulators of neurogenesis in the brain of adult mammals: Models of seizure activity

New neurons are known to be generated in the brain of adult mammals throughout their entire life in the area of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus. The regulatory mechanisms of neurogenesis are complex and poorly understood. Numerous studies performed during the last decade have shown that the intensity of generation of new cells in the germinative regions of the brain is significantly influenced by various environmental factors. Pronounced changes in neurogenesis were also found in the models of various pathologies of the central nervous system (such as neurodegeneration, brain ischemia, and epilepsy). This review is focused on the regulation of neurogenesis in the brain of adult mammals in the course of experimental epilepsy. The involvement of nitric oxide and gamma-aminobutyric acid in the regulation of the proliferation and differentiation of brain cells during seizure activity is discussed.     

Expression of differential nitric oxide synthase isoforms in human gastric mucosa infected with Helicobacter pylori

Objective: To study the relationship between nitric oxide synthase ( NOS) expression in human gastric mu-cosa and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Methods: Gastric mucosa samples were obtained from antrum of 33 patients received gastroendoscopy. H. pylori infection was confirmed by Giems staining and bacteria culture under mi-croaerophilic conditions. Expression of iNOS, eNOS and nitrotyrosine were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: (1) The positive rate of H. pylori infection was 66. 7% (22/33) . (2) iNOS positive staining in inflammatory cells was detected in 77. 3% (17/22) of samples with H. pylori and 27. 3% (3/11) without H. pylori infection (P < 0.01). (3) eNOS expression in inflammatory cells was found in 77. 3% (17/22) of samples with H. pylori and 18.2% (2/11) without H. pylori infection ( P < 0. 01) . (4) Nitrotyrosine expression in inflammatory cells was observed in 59. 1% ( 13/22) of samples with H. pylori and 54.5%(6/11) without H. pylori infection (P>0.05). (5) Moderate a     

Reversible and irreversible airway inflammation and fibrosis in mice exposed to inhaled ovalbumin

Objective and design: We examined the reversibility of several changes in the lungs and airways of mice immediately after exposure to ovalbumin aerosol and after a period of recovery breathing clean air.Methods: Mice were exposed for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks, with recovery in clean air for 1–3 weeks.Results: Airway collagen content, exhaled NO, airway mucous cell hyperplasia, and lung lavage inflammatory cell content increased upon exposure to ovalbumin aerosol. All parameters except airway fibrosis decreased partially or completely to control values with recovery in clean air.Conclusions: Airway mucous cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia appear to be completely reversible after recovery in clean air, while exhaled NO and airway inflammation appear to be mostly reversible, except for persistence of lymphocytes in the lung lavage fluid. Airway fibrosis appears to be reversible when mice are exposed to ovalbumin aerosol for periods of up to 4 weeks of exposure, but becomes irreversible after 6 or more weeks of exposure.Received 30 June 2004; returned for revision 24 September 2004; accepted by J. S. Skotnicki 13 October 2004     

L-精氨酸对高原肺水肿患者血液流变学的作用

目的：探讨雾化吸入左旋精氨酸（L-Arg）对高原肺水肿患者血液流变学的影响。方法：在海拔3700m高原，采用氧气驱动雾化吸入L-Arg，治疗高原肺水肿（HAPE）患者9例（L-Arg组），将吸入低浓度一氧化氮（NO）混合气治疗的另外8例高原肺水肿患者（NO组）作对照，分别测定患者的红细胞压积（HCT）、血液粘度（ηb）、血浆粘度（ηp）、还原粘度（ηr）、红细胞刚性指数（IR）、红细胞变形系数（TK）、红细胞聚集系数（VAI）和血栓形成系数（TFL）等血液流变学指标。结果：NO组和L-Arg组治疗后较治愈前ηb、ηp、ηr、VAI、TFL均降低显著（P〈0．05～0．01），而HCT、TK、IR无统计学差异（P〉0．05）；NO组与L-Arg组比较，各指标均无统计学差异（P〉0．01）。结论：L-Arg治疗HAPE有效，通过提高NO水平而改善血液循环，且经济简便，易于推广应用。     

躁狂症患者血清一氧化氮水平研究

目的：了解躁狂症患者的血清一氧化氮(NO)水平。方法：对20例躁狂症患者的血清NO水平进行检测，采用Bech-Rafaelsen躁狂量表(BRMS)进行评定。以18例正常体检者为对照。结果：躁狂症组的血清NO水平明显高于正常对照组，血清NO水平与BRMS分之间未发现有相关性。结论：躁狂症患者存在相对较高的血清NO水平，可能是躁狂发作的病理生理基础。     

Magnetic nanoparticle labeling of mesenchymal stem cells without transfection agent: cellular behavior and capability of detection with clinical 1.5 T magnetic resonance at the single cell level.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of labeling human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) by ionic superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) without a transfection agent and verifying its capability to be detected with clinical 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) at the single-cell level. Human hMSCs were incubated for 24 h with an ionic SPIO, Ferucarbotran. The labeling efficiency of hMSCs was determined by iron content measurement spectrophotometrically, and the influence of labeling on cell behavior was ascertained by examination of cell viability using the trypan blue exclusion method, cell proliferation analysis using MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) change, differentiation capacity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production measured by dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescent probe. Labeled hMSCs were scanned under 1.5 T MRI with three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) T(2)-weighted gradient echo (GRE) pulse sequences. Human hMSC labeling without transfection agent was efficient. The iron content in hMSCs was 23.4 pg Fe/cell. No significant change was found in viability, proliferation, MMP change, ROS production, or differentiation capacity. About 45.2% of the hMSCs could be detected using 1.5 T MRI at the single cell level with 3D GRE and four repetitions.