Ejection fraction by combined inverse Fourier analysis and second-derivative technique: Correlation with isocontour method

Summary In order to measure ejection fractions (EFs) from nuclear ventriculograms, we devised a semi-automated edge-detection technique based on a combination of inverse Fourier analysis and second-derivative techniques. Initial clinical studies showed that, for the left ventricle, our method gives EF values statistically identical with those obtained using a conventional isocontour technique. For the right ventricle, however, the values obtained using the two methods were somewhat more at variance. Despite requiring a longer processing time, the results obtained with our method are reproducible because less operator intervention is necessary.     

DBA/2J (Mls-1a) B-cell differentiation in BALB.xid recipients

Studies of superantigens (SAg) have focused primarily on their impact on CD4+ T cells, largely bypassing the impact of the sequelae of this interaction upon the antigen-presenting cell (APC). Sequelae of SAg-induced CD4+ T-cell activation include the 'bathing' of the SAg-presenting cell with cytokines that promote the differentiation of the APC. In this report, the SAg-induced differentiation of Mls+ DBA/2J B cells was studied in vivo by their transplantation into B-cell-defective BALB.xid recipients. Rapid, high-level serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) production was noted shortly after transfer, disappearing by 3 weeks. Donor B cells, as evidenced after their chemical and genetic impairment and by the use of an IgM allotype-disparate donor-recipient combination, contributed to this transient IgM production. These results clarify a discrepancy in the literature regarding donor B-cell contribution to IgM production and illustrate a model system to utilize SAg to study B-lymphocyte diversity.     

Modulation of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes by ethanolic neem leaf extract during hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

Chemoprevention by medicinal plants is a promising approach for controlling cancer. There is substantial evidence to indicate that chemopreventive agents exert their anticarcinogenic effects by modulation of phase I and phase II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. Therefore, we examined the chemopreventive potential of ethanolic neem leaf extract (ENLE) on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinogenesis. Hamsters were divided into four groups of six animals each. The right buccal pouches of animals in Group I were painted with 0.5 per cent DMBA in liquid paraffin three times per week. Animals in Group 2 painted with DMBA as in group 1, received in addition, intragastric administration of ENLE at a concentration of 200 mg/kg bw three times per week on days alternate to DMBA application. Group 3 was given ENLE alone. Animals in Group 4 served as controls. All animals were killed after an experimental period of 14 weeks. Five out of six hamsters painted with DMBA alone developed squamous cell carcinomas in the buccal pouch. The HBP tumours showed an increase in phase I carcinogen activation (cytochrome P450 and b5) and phase II detoxification enzyme (glutathione-S-transferase, DT-diaphorase and NADPH-diaphorase) activities. In the liver of tumour-bearing animals, enhanced cytochrome P450 and b5 levels were accompanied by a decrease in phase II detoxification enzyme activities. Administration of ENLE effectively suppressed DMBA-induced HBP tumours, decreased cytochrome P450 and b5 levels, and enhanced phase II enzyme activities in the pouch and liver. Our results suggest that the modulation of DMBA metabolism is a possible mechanism for the chemopreventive effects of ethanolic neem leaf extract.     

Antioxidant profile in the circulation of patients with fibroadenoma and adenocarcinoma of the breast

OBJECTIVES: To correlate the extent of lipid peroxidation with the antioxidant status in the circulation of patients with fibroadenoma and adenocarcinoma of the breast. DESIGN AND METHODS: Ten fibroadenoma and thirty breast cancer patients and an equal number of age- and sex- matched normal subjects were chosen for the study. Lipid peroxidation as evidenced by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the status of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) ascorbic acid and vitamin E were estimated. RESULTS: Enhanced lipid peroxidation with concomitant depletion of antioxidants was observed in breast cancer patients as compared to normal subjects and fibroadenoma patients (p < 0.05). A similar pattern of changes was seen in fibroadenoma patients as compared to corresponding normal subjects (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study has revealed an imbalance in the redox status in patients with fibroadenoma and adenocarcinoma of the breast.     

Oxidant-antioxidant status in patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas at different intraoral sites

OBJECTIVES: To compare the extent of lipid peroxidation and the status of antioxidants in tumor and venous blood of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) at different intraoral sites. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty four patients with OSCC at different intraoral sites and an equal number of age- and sex-matched reference subjects were chosen for the study. The concentrations of lipid peroxides and reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were estimated in tissues and blood. RESULTS: Diminished lipid peroxidation in tumor tissue was accompanied by decreased activities of SOD and CAT with increase in GSH and GSH-dependent enzymes. In contrast, enhanced lipid peroxidation with decrease in antioxidants was observed in the venous blood of OSCC patients. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels were observed between patients with OSCC at different intraoral sites. However, our results revealed differences between the tumor and blood with respect to their susceptibility to lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status.     

Chemopreventive efficacy of inositol hexaphosphate against prostate tumor growth and progression in TRAMP mice.

PURPOSE: Herein, for the first time, we evaluated the in vivo chemopreventive efficacy of inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), a major constituent of high-fiber diets, against prostate tumor growth and progression in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Beginning at 4 weeks of age, male TRAMP mice were fed 2% (w/v) IP6 in drinking water or only drinking water till 24 weeks of age, and then sacrificed. Prostate tissue was subjected to histopathologic analysis and to immunohistochemical analyses for proliferation and apoptosis. RESULTS: IP6 feeding did not show any adverse effect on fluid and diet consumption and body weight. There was a significant reduction (40%; P < 0.01) in lower urogenital tract weight in IP6-fed mice. IP6 inhibited prostate cancer progression at prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia stage and strongly reduced the incidence of adenocarcinoma (prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia/adenocarcinoma, 75:25% in the IP6 group versus 39:61% in the control group; P < 0.05). The incidences of well-differentiated and poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas in the IP6-fed group were reduced by 44% and 62%, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis of prostate tissue showed a 26% decrease (P < 0.05) in proliferation cell nuclear antigen-positive cells and a 3.5-fold increase in apoptotic cells with no effect on Tag expression by IP6. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are both novel and highly significant in establishing for the first time that oral IP6, without any toxicity, suppresses prostate tumor growth and progression at the neoplastic stage, thereby reducing the incidence of adenocarcinoma through its antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects, and thus indicating that IP6 could have potential chemopreventive effects against human prostate cancer.     

Anti-p53 autoantibody in colorectal cancer: prognostic significance in long-term follow-up

Background The prognostic significance of anti-53 autoantibody in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is unclear due to measurement of overall rather than disease-specific survival and generally short follow-up periods in many studies. We aim to investigate prognostic significance of anti-p53 auto-antibodies in a study with long-term follow-up (minimum 5 years). Methods ELISA for anti-p53 autoantibody was assayed in serum from 92 patients with CRC and 28 controls. Results Anti-p53 autoantibody was found in 20 patients (21.7%) and none of the controls. No difference in Dukes’ (A/B vs. C/D), Stage (I/II vs. III/IV), T1/2 vs. T3/4, N0 vs. N1/2, M0 vs. M1, poor vs. well/moderate differentiation and proximal vs. distal CRC was observed. Median overall survival was 62 months and median disease-specific survival was 73 months. Dukes’ C/D, Stage III/IV, N1/2 and M1 were associated with poor disease-specific survival in univariate analysis. Stage III/IV was an independent prognostic factor in overall and disease-free survival in multivariate analysis. Anti-p53 autoantibody sero-positivity did not influence overall (p = 0.980) or disease-specific survival (p = 0.874). Median overall survival in anti-p53 autoantibody positive patients was 62 months vs. 60 months in anti-53 autoantibody negative patients. Median disease-specific survival in anti-p53 autoantibody positive patients was 73 months vs. 82 months. Conclusion Anti-p53 autoantibody is not related to clinical parameters of CRC and has no prognostic significance in long-term follow-up.