Immunohistochemical localization of cathepsin D, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and epidermal growth factor receptor in human breast carcinoma analysed by computer image analyser: correlation with histological grade and metastatic behaviour

 

Aims:

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between immunohistochemical localization of cathepsin D (CD), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in 65 cases of breast carcinoma in Japanese women and traditional prognostic factors such as histological grade, lymph node status, mitotic rate and clinical stage, in order to possibly identify some indicator(s) that may be specifically associated with prognosis.  

Methods and results:

Serial sections of 5-μm thick were cut from the archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks, and processed for CD, PCNA and EGF-R immunostaining. The results were analysed by computer-based image analysis system. All samples showed a positive immunoreaction for cathepsin D in both the parenchyma and stroma. However, the staining area and intensity varied from cell to cell in the parenchyma and stroma as well as among samples. Subsequently, the evaluation of immunostaining for CD was separately performed in both the parenchyma and stroma (CDpar and CDstr, respectively) and the combination of both components (CDtotal). PCNA and EGF-R showed positive immunostaining almost exclusively in the parenchymal component of the carcinoma tissue specimens. CDtotal significantly correlated with the histological grade, PCNA index (PI), mitotic rate (MR), EGF-R and lymph node metastasis. Significant correlation was also demonstrated between CDpar and the histological grade, EGF-R and lymph node metastasis, or between CDstr and MR, EGF-R and lymph node metastasis. EGF-R correlated highly with the histological grade, MR score, lymph node metastases and recurrence-free survival.  

Conclusions:

Both the CD parameters and EGF-R are valuable indicators for predicting the biological behaviour of human breast carcinoma.     

烟叶硒蛋白对人红细胞的辐射溶血及自由基的作用

本文观察了烟叶硒蛋白对人红细胞６０Ｃｏγ照射溶血的影响，发现硒蛋白对红细胞γ照射溶血有极好的预防效果，同时采用电子自旋共振法（ＥＳＲ）发现硒蛋白对羟自由基有明显的清除作用，并具有明显的剂量－效应关系，在相同浓度下具有优于亚硒酸钠及不含硒的同类蛋白的作用，提示硒蛋白有更好的生物效应。     

Secretion of cathepsin B by human gliomas in vitro

There is evidence from investigations of non-CNS neoplasms that secreted proteolytic enzymes may facilitate tumour invasion by partially degrading extracellular matrix (ECM). Among the enzymes which may be involved are members of the cysteine proteinase superfamily and especially cathepsin B (CB). In the present investigation we have studied CB in human gliomas in vitro , concentrating particularly on CB secretion, as extracellular enzyme is of prime importance in this context. We have found that CB is secreted by gliomas in vitro as a latent zymogen, requiring activation. This has been confirmed by gel chromatography which indicated that CB is secreted as a 42 kDa proenzyme which may be proteolytically processed to an enzymatically active 29 kDa molecule. The inactive, high molecular weight, latent CB is stable at extracellular pH in contrast to the activated low molecular weight form which rapidly loses activity at this pH. We have also measured secretion of cysteine proteinase inhibitors (CPI), as their presence would have a direct influence on the effective activity of CB, and found that all of the gliomas secreted significant amounts of a CPI as assessed by papain inhibition. Our experiments suggest that a number of factors are involved in the regulation of extracellular glioma-derived CB activity. These include: rate of secretion of pro-CB, rate of CB activation, destabilization of CB at neutral pH and the presence of cysteine proteinase inhibitors.     

Characterization of the human cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of dihydrocodeine

Aims Using human liver microsomes from donors of the CYP2D6 poor and extensive metabolizer genotypes, the role of individual cytochromes P-450 in the oxidative metabolism of dihydrocodeine was investigated.
Methods The kinetics of formation of N- and O -demethylated metabolites, nordihydrocodeine and dihydromorphine, were determined using microsomes from six extensive and one poor metabolizer and the effects of chemical inhibitors selective for individual P-450 enzymes of the 1A, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E and 3A families and of LKM1 (anti-CYP2D6) antibodies were studied.
Results Nordihydrocodeine was the major metabolite in both poor and extensive metabolizers. Kinetic constants for N -demethylation derived from the single enzyme Michaelis-Menten model did not differ between the two groups. Troleandomycin and erythromycin selectively inhibited N -demethylation in both extensive and poor metabolizers. The CYP3A inducer, α-naphthoflavone, increased N -demethylation rates. The kinetics of formation of dihydromorphine in both groups were best described by a single enzyme Michaelis-Menten model although inhibition studies in extensive metabolizers suggested involvement of two enzymes with similar K _m values. The kinetic constants for O -demethylation were significantly different in extensive and poor metabolizers. The extensive metabolizers had a mean intrinsic clearance to dihydromorphine more than ten times greater than the poor metabolizer. The CYP2D6 chemical inhibitors, quinidine and quinine, and LKM1 antibodies inhibited O -demethylation in extensive metabolizers; no effect was observed in microsomes from a poor metabolizer.
Conclusions CYP2D6 is the major enzyme mediating O -demethylation of dihydrocodeine to dihydromorphine. In contrast, nordihydrocodeine formation is predominantly catalysed by CYP3A.     

从自由基生物学角度评价鸡肉质量的实验研究

本文把外观健康和非健康的活鸡各20只分成两组,宰后测其肝、腿肌中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)含量和脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)水平,发现两组中上述指标值差异显著(P<0.050 ;同时对两组实验鸡胴体在宰后4小时做了感官鉴别,也判断出其品质存在差异。提示体内SOD活性和MDA水平可以反映鸡肉质量,比感官鉴别更具敏感性,同时也可以反映宰前鸡的健康状况。     

Diminished effect of etidronate in vitamin D deficient osteopenic postmenopausal women

Objective: The effects of vitamin D deficiency in osteopenic postmenopausal women treated with intermittent cyclical etidronate have been studied. Bone mass and biochemical parameters as bone markers were measured before and after one year of therapy with intermittent cyclical etidronate. Results: In 30 patients without vitamin D deficiency, bone mass in the lumbal spine and femoral neck was significantly increased compared to 28 vitamin D deficient patients. After cyclical intermittent etidronate therapy, serum osteocalcin and PTH were significantly increased in the vitamin D deficient patients, whereas in non-vitamin D deficient patients they did not change. Conclusion: It is worthwhile measuring serum vitamin D before starting etidronate therapy and, in case of deficiency, to give vitamin D. Received: 6 April 1995/Accepted in revised form: 23 April 1996     

SOD-like Activity of Copper Salicylate Complex in Tween Micel-lar Systems

合成了水杨酸铜络合物并分析了其组成，提纯了Ｔｗｅｅｎ－２０，－４０，－６０，－８０，并测定了它们在ｐＨ７．４的磷酸缓冲液中的ＣＭＣ。用Ｃｙｔ．ｃ还原法分别测定了水杨酸铜络合物在不同介质中的ＳＯＤ样活性。详细研究了表面活性剂与水杨酸铜络合物协同清除Ｏ－２的作用。观察到在胶束体系中水杨酸铜络合物的ＳＯＤ样活性明显高于缓冲液体系无表面活性剂时的ＳＯＤ样活性，表面活性剂本身也具有清除Ｏ－２的功能。抗红细胞膜脂质过氧化实验也得到类似结果。这可用胶束催化解释。水杨酸铜－Ｔｗｅｅｎ体系可能是一种潜在的抗炎药物。     

High resolution electron paramagnetic resonance imaging of biological samples with a single line paramagnetic label

The application of electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) to obtain information from biological samples has been limited by the lack of ideal single line radical labels. The commonly used nitroxides exhibit multiple lines causing either hyperfine-based limitations in the maximum obtainable image resolution or hyperfine-based artifacts in the reconstructed image. The use of a novel single-line triarylmethyl paramagnetic label that enables marked enhancement in image quality and resolution is reported. This label exhibits a single line EPR spectrum that is sharp (linewidth ～60 mG in the absence of oxygen) and relatively stable in tissues. The potential of this label in enabling high resolution EPR imaging of biological samples was demonstrated in a series of phantoms and isolated biological organs such as the rat kidney. The images demonstrate that resolutions better than 100 μm could be obtained at L-band on samples of up to 20 mm in size.     

深低温停循环逆行脑灌注脑组织自由基变化的实验研究

研究深低温停循环（ＤＨＣＡ）与逆行脑灌注（ＲＣＰ）时脑组织自由基的变化。健康杂种犬１４只，随机等分为ＤＨＣＡ组和ＲＣＰ组，在停循环前（Ａ点）、ＤＨＣＡ／ＲＣＰ３０分（Ｂ点）、ＤＨＣＡ／ＲＣＰ６０分（Ｃ点）ＤＨＣＡ／ＲＣＰ９０分（Ｄ眯）和复温再灌注３０分（Ｅ点）取脑皮层ｌｇ，检测丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）和超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）水平。结果见两组在Ａ点ＭＤＡ和ＳＯＤ无差别。在Ｂ、Ｃ、Ｄ、Ｅ点，ＤＨＣＡ组ＭＤＡ     

Nicotine interactions with dopamine agonists: Effects on working memory function

Nicotine has been found to improve memory performance in a variety of tests including the radial-arm maze. Nicotine may have effects mediated by promoting the release of dopamine. The present study was conducted to determine the interactions of nicotine with D₁ and D₂ agonists. Rats were acutely administered nicotine, the D₁ agonist SKF 38393, and D₂/D₃ agonist quinpirole, and nicotine together with each of these agonists. Nicotine significantly improved choice accuracy in the radial-arm maze. The D₁ agonist SKF 38393 significantly impaired choice accuracy. Nicotine was effective in reversing this effect. The D₂/D₃ agonist quinpirole showed a trend toward potentiating the improvement in choice accuracy caused by 0.2 mg/kg (0.43 μmol/kg) of nicotine. These data show that, as with the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine, there are significant interactions of dopamine systems with nicotine effects. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.