Synergistic antiproliferative activity of quercetin and cisplatin on ovarian cancer cell growth

It has been demonstrated that the flavonoid quercetin (3,3',4',5-7-pentahydroxyflavone) (Q) inhibits the growth of several cancer cell lines and that the antiproliferative activity of this substance is mediated by a so-called type II estrogen binding site (type II EBS). We investigated the effects of quercetin and cisplatin (CDDP) alone and in combination on the proliferation of the ovarian cancer cell line OVCA 433. Both drugs exhibited a dose-related growth inhibition in a range of concentrations between 0.01 and 2.5 microM and 0.01 and 2.5 micrograms/ml for Q and CDDP respectively. The combination of the two drugs resulted in a synergistic antiproliferative activity. Two other flavonoids tested, i.e., rutin (3-rhamnosylglucoside of quercetin) and hesperidin [7-b rutinoside of hesperetin (3'-5-3-hydroxy-4-methoxyflavone)] were ineffective both alone and in combination with CDDP. Since both rutin and hesperidin do not bind to type II EBS it can be hypothesized that Q synergizes with CDDP by acting through an interaction with these binding sites.     

Retrorenal colon: implications for percutaneous diskectomy

It has been recommended that computed tomography (CT) with the patient prone be performed in every patient undergoing percutaneous diskectomy; this would enable detection of a retrorenal location of the colon, which could interfere with the percutaneous procedure. In this evaluation of 346 prone CT studies, only one patient (0.29%) was found to have retrorenal or retropsoas bowel that would have been perforated at diskectomy. Because of this extremely low prevalence, the performance of prone CT in every patient undergoing percutaneous lumbar diskectomy is not believed to be necessary.     

Cathepsin D in primary squamous laryngeal tumors: correlation with clinico-pathological parameters and receptor status.

Using an immunoradiometric assay, Cathepsin D (Cath D) levels were measured in the cytosol of 23 normal and 39 neoplastic human laryngeal tissues. Scattered Cath D levels (from 2.2 to 17.8 pM/mg protein; median = 7.6) were found in normal mucosa specimens. Cath D concentrations range from 2.0 to 29.3 pM/mg protein (median = 8.5) in laryngeal tumors. When a comparison between Cath D levels in normal and neoplastic tissue specimens from the same patient was done, Cath D levels were significantly higher in laryngeal cancers than in their normal counterparts (P = 0.03). No correlation with clinico-pathological parameters and steroid hormone and epidermal growth factor receptor status was found. Further studies should investigate whether the production of Cath D by laryngeal tumors could have a clinical relevance for this neoplasia.     

Ultrasound biomicroscopic features of spherophakia

Background: Spherophakia is an uncommon diagnosis. This is the first case report of spherophakia evaluated by ultrasound biomicroscopy.
Methods: Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a new diagnostic technique developed by one of the authors and provides images with microscopic resolution of the anterior segment. A patient with spherophakia was evaluated by ultrasound biomicroscopy (Zeiss-Humphrey, 50MHz) before and after YAG laser iridotomy.
Results: Ultrasound biomicroscopic assessment revealed a shallow anterior chamber, a very steep anterior lens curvature, iridolenticular contact, elongated zonules, and an increased distance between the lens equator and the ciliary processes. Angle closure glaucoma was due to a pupil block mechanism. The pupil block was relieved by YAG laser iridotomy.
Conclusions: Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a useful technique to confirm the diagnosis of spherophakia. The pupil block in spherophakia is relieved by YAG laser iridotomy.     

1,6—二磷酸果糖对手术后应激病人应用全肠外营养支持效果的影响

本文在胃癌行全胃或胃大部切除术引起的中等程度应激病人，随机分组对比观察了全肠外营养或ＴＰＮ加用１，６－二磷酸果糖的效果。结果显示，与单纯ＴＰＮ相比，ＴＰＮ加用ＦＤＰ后血清皮质醇和胰高血糖素等应激激素水平有所下降，尿中３－甲基组氨酸排出减少，累积氮平衡增加。     

纤维素固相放射免疫测定甲胎蛋白

本文在国内首次报道了纤维素固相RIA法测定甲胎蛋白。本法简便灵敏,快迅稳定,平均回收率95.7±8.08％,批间变异系数r=7.8±1.7％,批内变异系数r=5.8±2.6％,线性关系较好(r=0.999),灵敏度比液相RIA提高6倍,32份血样品用双位点夹心法和试剂盒的液相RIA进行比较,结果经统计学处理,相关系数分别为r=0.82,r=0.80,均具有显著相关性。     

Dynamic CT features of hepatic abscesses

Forty hepatic abscesses were examined with dynamic computed tomography (CT). A "double target sign," consisting of a hypodense central area surrounded by first a hyperdense ring and then a hypodense zone, seems to be highly suggestive of abscess formation. In 12 cases, the hepatic parenchyma surrounding the lesion demonstrated transient hyperdensity after contrast injection, possibly due to localized hepatic venous obstruction secondary to acute hepatic inflammation. This is similar to the appearance of an arterioportal fistula.     

Glutathione S-transferase activity in epithelial ovarian cancer: Association with response to chemotherapy and disease outcome

Background: Conflicting data have been reported about the associationbetween glutathione S-transferase (GST), a family of proteins implicated indetoxification of cytotoxic drugs in human ovarian in vitro models, andresponse to chemotherapy and prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. The aim ofthis study was to analyze the possible clinical role of GST activity in alarge series of primary ovarian cancer patients.Patients and methods: The study included a large series of primaryuntreated ovarian cancer patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery andchemotherapy and who were followed up in a single institution. GST activitylevels were assessed in tumor extracts by using a biochemical assay. A cut-offof 250 units of enzymatic activity was chosen according to the receiveroperating characteristics (ROC) curve.Results: GST activity levels were distributed in an asymmetrical manner(median: 266 units; range: 4–918 units) and did not seem to beassociated with stage, histopathological grading, ascites, or residual tumorafter surgery. Higher GST activity levels were found in patients who respondedto chemotherapy (median: 298 units, range: 50–691) than in those whoresponded only partially (median: 227 units, range: 19–747) or not atall to chemotherapy (median: 246 units, range: 4–811) (H = 7.02, P =0.029). Moreover, the percentage of cases with >250 units was significantlyhigher among complete responders (66%) than partial responders(37%) or non-responders (48%) (² = 7.32;P = 0.025). When multivariate analysis, including clinico-pathologicalparameters and GST activity status as predictors of response to chemotherapy,was carried out, residual tumor, stage and GST status retained independentpredictive value. Patients with high GST activity had more favourableprognosis than those with low GST activity. The median PFS was 42 months forpatients with high GST activity compared to 17 months for those with low GSTactivity (P = 0.037). The median overall survival was 72 months forhigh-GST-activity and42 months for low-GST-activity patients (P = 0.043). Substantially similarresults were obtained in the subgroup of stage II–III–IV ovariancancer patients. Multivariate analysis including the clinico-pathologicalparameters and GST activity status was performed in stage III–IV ovariancancer patients: Stage IV disease, residual tumor >2 cm, the presence ofascites and low GST activity status retained independent negative prognosticroles.Conclusion: A direct association between high GST activity and a betterclinical outcome in terms of response to chemotherapy and survival has beenobserved in a large series of primary untreated ovarian cancer patients. Theseresults, which are contrary to the expectations raised by in vitro studies,emphasize the need for caution when translating in vitro-generated hypothesesto the clinical setting.