The effect of physeal traction applied to the triradiate cartilage on acetabular growth

Summary Physeal distraction was applied with an external fixator to the triradiate cartilage of dogs with the aim of increasing the capacity of the acetabulum. The force was continued for from 2 to 6 weeks and the consequent changes were evaluated with regard to function and structure by radiography and microscopy. The distraction, without producing epiphysiolysis and destruction of the cartilage, resulted in expansion of the pelvic bones. The depth and volume of the acetabulum were increased, but the acetabular angle was decreased. Distraction also caused proliferation of the lacunar cells and the number of mammillary processes in the cartilage columns increased. Distraction can therefore be applied to the triradiate cartilage to enlarge the capacity of the acetabulum without producing epiphysiolysis.

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Résumé Dans cette étude une distraction a été appliquée sur le cartilage en Y. Douze chiens bâtards, âgés de 2.5 à 4 mois, ont été utilisés pour cette expérimentation. Une force de distraction de 80 Newton a été appliquée d'emblée sur le cartilage en Y. L'application de cette force a été poursuivie sur les animaux pendant 2, 4 ou 6 semaines. A la fin de cette période, les changements de la cavité cotyloïde et du cartilage en Y ont été évalués sur le plan fonctionnel, morphologique, radiologique et histopathologique Aucune altération fonctionnelle n'a été mise en évidence dans les groupes opérés par rapport au groupe de contrôle. On a observé que la distraction a déterminé une expansion massive de l'ilion, du pubis et de l'ischion. Sur les hanches de contrôle la profondeur de la cavité cotyloïde a été évaluée à 13.5 mm, le volume à 1.96 cc et l'angle de la cavité cotyloïde à 29.9°. Après distraction ces valeurs ont été respectivement de 14.4 mm, de 2.10 cc et de 25.7°. La distraction entraîne donc un accroissement de profondeur et de volume de la cavité cotyloïde, mais inversement une diminution de l'angle de cette cavité. Ces résultats montrent que la distraction détermine une prolifération des cellules lacunaires et un accroissement des processus mammaires dans les colonnes du cartilage en Y. Ils montrent également qu'elle peut augmenter la taille de l'acetabulum.

     

Kallikrein 4 expression is up-regulated in epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells in effusions

We immunohistochemically analyzed kallikrein 4 protein (hK4) expression in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (181 malignant effusions and 103 solid carcinoma lesions). Expression of hK4 was also studied in 32 effusions using immunoblotting. Carcinoma cells expressed hK4 in 144 (79.6%) of 181 effusions and 85 (82.5%) of 103 solid tumors. Expression was seen in 51% or more of tumor cells in 70 effusions but often was limited to 5% or fewer cells in solid tumors (P = .009, primary tumors vs effusions; P = .002, metastases vs effusions). Immunoblotting showed hK4 expression in 31 of 32 specimens. Stromal cell hK4 expression, seen in 48 (46.6%) of 103 lesions, was significantly higher in primary tumors than metastases (26/43 vs 22/60, P = .019). hK4 expression in tumor cells was significantly lower in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IV than stage III tumors (P = .004, all lesions; P = .012, primary tumors). hK4 expression in carcinoma cells was associated with longer overall survival (not significant; P = .14, peritoneal effusions). hK4 is expressed widely in ovarian carcinoma; levels in carcinoma cells are highest in effusions, which might be related to loss of stromal contribution and/or altered microenvironment. hK4 expression in carcinoma cells of effusions or solid tumors does not predict survival.     

Determination of allelic deletion of multiple endocrine neoplasm type 1 (MEN1) gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by application of FISH-TSA technique

We have used the single and dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique combined with a new detection system, tyramide signal amplification (TSA), by using the multiple endocrine neoplasm type 1 (MEN1) gene and chromosome 11 specific alpha satellite DNA probes for the study of the allelic deletion of the MEN1 gene. The MEN1 gene is a new tumor suppressor gene and has been recently cloned on chromosome 11q13. FISH combined with the TSA detection system was performed on bone marrow interphase nuclei of 22 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The FISH-TSA analysis revealed the mono allelic deletion of the MEN1 gene in 4 out of 22 patients (18.18%), 2 of 9 AML-M2 patients (22.2%), 1 of 6 AML-M4 patients (16.6%), and 1 of 4 AML-M5 patients (25.0%). Our study indicates that allelic deletion of the MEN1 gene is not a major cause or a primary event in tumorigenesis of AML, although the long arm (q13 region) of chromosome 11 involves a chromosomal rearrangement in AML.     

Plasma epinephrine and control of plasma renin activity: possible extrarenal mechanisms.

Previous work from our laboratory has shown that physiological increments of circulating epinephrine concentration increase plasma renin activity (PRA) by an extrarenal beta-receptor mechanism. In the present experiments, epinephrine was infused intravenously at 125 ng.kg-1.min-1 for 45 min in trained, conscious dogs. PRA rose 3 to 5-fold, as previously described, and was accompanied by a transient decline of mean arterial pressure, decreased plasma potassium concentration, and increased hematocrit. Prior splenectomy to maintain hematocrit constant did not attenuate the PRA response to epinephrine. The kidneys of 4 dogs were denervated and constrictor cuff was placed around the renal artery. Renal denervation did not alter the PRA response to intravenous epinephrine infusion. A transient decline in renal perfusion pressure produced by cuff constriction only transiently increase PRA. Neither maintenance of a constant plasma potassium concentration nor oral administration of indomethacin altered the PRA response to epinephrine. We conclude that intravenous epinephrine increases PRA by a mechanism independent of the renal nerves, changes in renal perfusion pressure, hematocrit, plasma potassium concentration, and plasma prostaglandins.     

Accumulation and Elimination of Cadmium by the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in differing Temperatures and Responses of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers

The aims of this study were to investigate the accumulation (15 days) and elimination (15 and 30 days) of cadmium (Cd) in the liver, gill, kidney and muscle of Oreochromis niloticus following exposures to different concentrations (1 and 2 mg/L) of Cd at different water temperatures (20, 25, 30 ^oC). Additionally, responses of oxidative stress biomarkers (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase CAT; glutathione peroxidase, GPx and malondialdehyde, MDA) of the liver were determined following Cd exposures. In accumulation period, Cd levels increased significantly in all the tissues at all temperatures and tissue accumulation order was kidney?>?liver?>?gill. All tissues, except the muscle, accumulated Cd in relation to exposure concentrations and water temperatures. There was no measurable level of Cd accumulation in the muscle, except in fish exposed to 2 mg Cd/L at 30 ^oC. Likewise, elimination of Cd from the tissues also increased in depends on periods and water temperatures. The order of Cd elimination from the tissues was gill?>?liver?>?kidney. The oxidative stress biomarkers also responded to both Cd exposure and temperature increases. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPx and MDA levels in the liver increased in relation to increases in Cd concentrations and water temperatures.

     

Resveratrol Triggers Apoptosis Through Regulating Ceramide Metabolizing Genes in Human K562 Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Cancer is a major worldwide health problem and one of the leading causes of death either in developed or developing countries. Plant extracts and derivatives have always been used for various disease treatments and many anticancer agents issued from plants and vegetables are clinically recognized and used all over the world. Lycium europaeum (Solanaceae) also called “wolfberry” was known since ancient times in the Mediterranean area as a medicinal plant and used in several traditional remedies. The Lycium species capacity of reducing the incidence of cancer and also of halting or reserving the growth of cancer was reported by traditional healers. In this study, the antiproliferative capacity, protective properties, and antioxidant activity of the hydro-alcoholic fruit extract of Lycium europaeum were investigated. Results showed that Lycium extract exhibits the ability to reduce cancer cell viability, inhibits proliferation, and induces apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer cells and PC12 rat adrenal medulla cancer cells, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Cytotoxic effect on normal rat cerebellum granule cells was assessed to be nonsignificant. Results also showed that Lycium fruit extract protected lipids, proteins, and DNA against oxidative stress damages induced by H₂O₂ via scavenging reactive oxygen species.     

Factor V Leiden mutation and its relation to left atrial thrombus in chronic nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation

The genetic defect of coagulation factor V, known as factor V Leiden, produces a resistance to degradation by activated protein C and increased venous thrombosis. However, the role of factor V Leiden in the formation of left atrial thrombus with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation has not been studied. We investigated whether factor V Leiden is a risk factor for left atrial thrombus in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. We analyzed clinical, echocardiographic, and biochemical data in 105 consecutive patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. These patients were divided into two groups: group A (n = 37) with left atrial thrombus and group B (n = 68) without left atrial thrombus. The study also included 42 control subjects. Left atrial thrombus was investigated by using both transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography. Blood samples from the patients and controls were analyzed for the factor V Leiden mutation by DNA analysis, using the polymerase chain reaction. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of factor V Leiden between the patients and control subjects. The prevalence of factor V Leiden mutation was 8.1% (3/37) in patients with left atrial thrombus, and 8.8% (6/68) in patients without left atrial thrombus. The prevalence of factor V Leiden was 7.1% (3/42) in control subjects. The prevalance of factor V Leiden was 10% (2/20) in patients with spontaneous echo contrast and 8% (7/85) in patients without spontaneous echo contrast. Multivariate analyses showed that left ventricular ejection fraction was an independent predictor of left atrial thrombus. Factor V Leiden mutation is not a risk factor for left atrial thrombus formation and spontaneous echo contrast in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation.