The expression of 3-fucosylated-N-acetyl lactosamine carbohydrate determinants in renal tumours

The distribution in renal tumours of 3-fucosyl-N-acetyl lactosamine has been studied by using the monoclonal antibodies AGF 4.36 and AGF 4.48 and immunoperoxidase methods on tissue sections. Seven of 19 nephroblastomas and 12 of 30 renal cell carcinomas contained the epitope. In nephroblastomas the epitope was found on the terminals of type B tubules in six cases and in one case on the type A or neoplastic tubules. In renal carcinoma the antigen was found on the surface of tumour cells. The results suggest that in kidneys bearing nephroblastomas ureteric bud elements may grow into the tumour from the adjacent kidney.     

Spindle-cell glioblastoma or gliosarcoma?

'Gliosarcomas' have long been considered to be mixed gliomas and sarcomas. The present study failed to define criteria which clearly delineate 'gliosarcomas' from glioblastoma multiforme and suggests that 'gliosarcomas' should be considered as spindle cell glioblastomas. A total of six cases originally diagnosed as 'gliosarcomas' were compared with four cases of glioblastoma multiforme. No clinical or prognostic features were defined which would clearly separate 'gliosarcomas' from glioblastoma multiforme. Macroscopically, biopsies from 'gliosarcomas' ranged from firm, apparently well-circumscribed tumours to poorly circumscribed lesions with a soft consistency resembling glioblastoma multiforme. Histology revealed a continuous spectrum in which 'gliosarcomas' with large reticulin-rich areas of spindle cells merged with typical glioblastomas containing only small islands of spindle cells and reticulin staining. Immunocytochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); S100 protein and alpha-smooth muscle actin (ASMA) showed that the majority of cells in reticulin-poor areas of 'gliosarcoma' and glioblastomas expressed S100 protein and GFAP; many expressed ASMA and some expressed both GFAP and ASMA. Spindle cells in reticulin-rich areas of 'gliosarcomas' and glioblastomas most frequently expressed ASMA but many cells also expressed S100 protein and GFAP; some cells expressed both GFAP and ASMA. The results of this study and a review of the literature suggests that there is a clinical, radiological and pathological continuum with glioblastoma and 'gliosarcoma' at different ends of the spectrum. It is suggested, therefore, that most, if not all, 'gliosarcomas' be redesignated as spindle cell glioblastomas and not be considered as a mixture of glioma and sarcoma.     

Ischemic rat brain extracts induce human marrow stromal cell growth factor production

Intravenous administration of human bone marrow stromal cells (hMSCs) after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in rats provides functional benefit. We tested the hypothesis that these functional benefits are derived in part from hMSC production of growth and trophic factors. Quantitative sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of hMSCs cultured with normal and MCAo brain extracts were performed. hMSCs cultured in supernatant derived from ischemic brain extracts increased production of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). These neurotrophins and angiogenic growth factors increased in a post‐ischemia time‐dependent manner. The hMSC capacity to increase expression of growth and trophic factors may be the key to the benefit provided by transplanted hMSCs in the ischemic brain.     

Immunoregulatory Factor Released From a Cell Line Derived From Human Decidual Tissue

ABSTRACT: The culture supernatant of the TTK-1 cell line, established from human decidual tissue, was found to contain a factor that strongly suppressed the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The mechanism of the MLR-suppressive activity as well as the biochemical characterization of this factor was analyzed. The TTK-1 supernatant suppressed the MLR much more strongly than the culture supernatants of the three other malignant cell lines examined. The molecular weight of this factor was estimated to be between 43 kilodaltons (kd) and 67 kd by gel filtration chromatography. The TTK-1 supernatant also suppressed the proliferation of the interleukin 2 (IL-2)-dependent T cell lines, but did not suppress that of the IL-2-independent T cell lines, suggesting that the TTK-1 supernatant inhibited the action of IL-2 and subsequently suppressed the MLR. The fact that the TTK-1 cell line originated from human decidual tissue might imply the important role of this factor in immunological fetomaternal balance.     

肝细胞癌的相关血清标志物

HCC的早期诊断是其治疗的关键，HCC血清标志物的检测又为其诊断提供了有利的途径，并且操作简单，敏感性高和特异性强。目前常用的血清标志物为AFP、AFP变异体、AFP mRNA、AFU、GGT、DCP、AIF、GPC3等。这些标志物的联合使用有助于HCC的诊断及预后。     

The high prognostic value of the histologic grade at the deep invasive front of tongue squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Although many histopathologic factors in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue predict the prognosis, the major predictive factors have not been identified clearly. This study analyzed the prognostic value of the histologic grade at the deep invasive front of tongue squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: The clinicopathologic features of 124 consecutive patients seen between January 1985 and December 1999 with previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were reviewed. Their mean age was 58.5 years (range: 23-90) and the male-female ratio was 1.8: 1 (79 men and 45 women). There were 41, 40, 30, and 13 cases at stage I to stage IV, respectively. The clinicopathologic factors, especially the histologic grade at the deep invasive front (invasive front grade, IFG), were analyzed to determine factors predicting prognosis. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free survival rate of the patients treated with curative aim only was 66.7%. Clinicopathologic factors significantly associated with the prognosis were T classification, tumor size, stage classification, tumor depth, macroscopic appearance, cervical lymph node metastasis (nodal metastasis), microvascular invasion, and IFG. In a multivariate analysis, patients with tumor depth >/=4 mm, IFG >/=8 points, and nodal metastasis had a reduced disease-free survival and IFG >/=11 points had a predictive value for nodal metastasis (odds ratio: 7.34; P = 0.0019). CONCLUSION: This study found that a high IFG malignancy score had a high prognostic value for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.     

Transplantation of microencapsulated bovine chromaffin cells reduces lesion-induced rotational asymmetry in rats

Surrounding bovine chromaffin cells by a semipermeable membrane may protect the transplanted cells from a host immune response and shield them from the inflammatory process resulting from the surgical trauma. Encapsulation of the chromaffin cells was achieved by inter-facial adsorption of a polycation on a polyanionic colloid matrix in which the chromaffin cells were entrapped. Basal and potassium-evoked release of catecholamines from encapsulated bovine chromaffin cells was analyzed over a 4-week period in vitro. Norepinephrine and dopamine release remained constant over time whereas epinephrine release significantly decreased. The chromaffin cells also retained the capacity for depolarization-elicited catecholamine release 4 weeks following the encapsulation procedure. Morphological analysis revealed the presence of intact chromaffin cells with well-preserved secretory granules. Striatial implantation of chromaffin cell-loaded capsules significantly reduced apomorphine-induced rotation compared to empty polymer capsules in animals lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamne frr at least 4 weeks. Intact chromaffin cells expressing tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-β-hydroxylase were observed in all capsules implanted in the striatum for 4 weeks. The assessment of the clinical potential of transplanting encapsulated adrenal chromaffin cells of either allo- or xenogeneic origin for Parkinson's disease will require long-term behavioral studies. The present study suggests, however, that the polymer encapsulation procedure may offer an alternative to adrenal autografts as a source of dopaminergic tissue.     

Rational design of hypoallergens applied to the major cat allergen Fel d 1

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only treatment for allergic disease providing long-lasting symptom relief. Currently, it is mainly based on the use of crude allergen extracts. The treatment may be improved by the use of genetically engineered allergens, hypoallergens, aiming at a more effective and safer therapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide a rational design of hypoallergen candidates for immunotherapy by using structural information and knowledge of B and T cell epitopes of an allergen. METHODS: The three-dimensional structure of the major cat allergen Fel d 1 was systematically altered by duplication of selected T cell epitopes and disruption of disulphide bonds. Seven Fel d 1 derivatives were generated and screened for allergenic reactivity in comparison with recombinant Fel d 1 in competition-ELISA. The allergenicity was further evaluated in basophil activation experiments and T cell reactivity was assessed in a lymphoproliferation assay. RESULTS: Three out of seven Fel d 1 derivatives, with two duplicated T cell epitopes and one or two disulphide bonds disrupted, were carefully evaluated. The three derivatives displayed a strong reduction in allergenicity with 400-900 times lower IgE-binding capacity than recombinant Fel d 1. In addition, they induced a lower degree of basophil activation and similar or stronger T cell proliferation than recombinant Fel d 1. CONCLUSION: By a rational approach, we have constructed three Fel d 1 hypoallergens with reduced IgE-binding capacities and retained T cell reactivities. This strategy may be applied to any well-characterized allergen to improve immunotherapy for allergic patients.     

Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the oral cavity

Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma (SMEC) with eosinophilia is a rare but distinctive tumor usually affecting the thyroid. SMEC involvement of salivary gland is exceptional, with only six cases in the literature. We present here the first case of an intermediate-grade SMEC, arising from the intraoral minor salivary glands. A particularly interesting finding is the cytoplasmic accumulation of eosinophilic hyaline granules in carcinoma cells, similar to aberrant zymogen-like granules previously described in salivary sclerosing polycystic adenosis.     

Angiolipoma of the buccal mucosa: a possible role of mast cell-derived VEGF in its enhanced vascularity

A case of angiolipoma occurring in the buccal mucosa of a 69-year-old male is described. The patient had noticed a painless mass in his buccal mucosa for 2 years. The surgically removed tumor, measuring 9 mm in diameter, was mainly located in the submucosal layer with focal expansion into the muscle layer. Histologically, the tumor was well-demarcated and composed of proliferations of mature fat cells and fibrous connective tissue containing many small blood vessels, which were evenly distributed. There was diffuse infiltration of a large number of mast cells, which were immunopositive for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) especially around blood vessels, suggesting that VEGF produced by mast cells in angiolipomas plays an important role in the vascular proliferation in this particular tumor.