The chemokine GRO-alpha (CXCL1) confers increased tumorigenicity to glioma cells

The chemokine GRO-alpha (CXCL1) has been found to mediate the proliferation of glia progenitor cells during neural development. As malignant gliomas are thought to arise from glia progenitors or their differentiated counterparts, astrocytes or oligodendrocytes, we have investigated whether GRO-alpha regulates the tumor characteristics of glioma cells. We found first that resected glioma specimens were strongly immunoreactive for GRO-alpha expression in cells with the morphology of tumor cells. In culture, the U251 glioma line transfected to overexpress GRO-alpha had elevated levels of motility and invasiveness. GRO-alpha transfectants increased their expression of several proteins associated with migratory behavior, including matrix metalloproteinase-2, beta1-integrin and SPARC. The implantation of GRO-alpha glioma clones into the brain of nude mice caused the early demise of mice and this was associated with the formation of larger intracerebral tumors when compared with mice implanted with vector control lines. These results implicate GRO-alpha in gliomas and suggest that the dysregulation of a glia proliferative factor contributes to tumorigenesis. Targeting GRO-alpha may be a useful therapeutic tool to control brain tumor biology.     

Baseline serum glucose concentration and symptomatic haemorrhagic transformation in non-diabetic stroke patients treated by intravenous thrombolysis

Intravenous (i.v.) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) improves outcome in ischaemic stroke, despite an increased risk of symptomatic haemorrhagic transformation (sHT). A higher baseline serum glucose concentration is associated with an increased risk of sHT. However, as most studies did not exclude diabetic patients, this effect may be partially due to diabetic micro-angiopathy. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that baseline serum glucose concentration is associated with sHT in non-diabetic patients treated by i.v. rt-PA. We analysed the influence of baseline serum glucose concentrations on sHT (ECASS2 definition) in consecutive non-diabetic patients treated by i.v. rt-PA for ischaemic stroke. Secondary end-points were death (<7 days, 8 days to 3 months, all deaths <3 months), and unfavourable outcome at 3 months (modified Rankin scale 2–6 if different from the pre-stroke value). Five hundred and five consecutive patients met inclusion criteria [242 men (47.9 %); median age 71 years (interquartile range, IQR) 57–81; median baseline national institutes of health stroke scale score 12 (IQR 6–17)]. Thirty-seven had sHT (7.3 %). After adjustment, baseline serum glucose concentrations were independently associated with sHT (_adjOR: 1.176 for 1 mmol/l increase; 95 % CI: 1.020–1.357: p = 0.025). Increased admission serum glucose concentrations in non-diabetic patients treated by i.v. rt-PA for cerebral ischaemia are associated with sHT. Whether lowering serum glucose lowers the risk of sHT needs to be evaluated.     

Hypertriglyceridemia is linked to reduced nitric oxide synthesis in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), which affect 8% to 15% of pregnancies, are associated with nitric oxide dysfunction and hyperlipidemia, but their precise role in HDP remains controversial. In order to gain more insight into the mechanisms underlying HDP, we evaluated some indicators common to the diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from 47 normotensive women (control group) and from 27 women with HDP (experimental group). All women were 7 months pregnant. Body mass index as well as triglycerides, nitrite concentrations, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin were determined. RESULTS: Our results showed significant differences in body mass index (30.4 +/- 1.3 vs 28.3 +/- 0.6 kg/m(2), p < 0.05), triglycerides (363 +/- 137 vs. 263 +/- 80 mg/dL, p < 0.01), nitrites (19.6 +/- 5.2 vs. 15.2 +/- 5.0 micromol/L, p < 0.01), and glucose (92 +/- 25 vs. 81 +/- 10.8 mg/dL, p < 0.05) in women from the experimental group compared with the control group. Interestingly, nitric oxide synthesis was significantly reduced when triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations were increased (p < 0.018 and p < 0.002, respectively). Moreover, there was a strong association (odds ratio, 3.5) between a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the development of HDP, especially preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: It may be useful to screen pregnant women for plasma nitrites and serum triglycerides to identify those at risk of developing HDP, especially in women with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Hypertriglyceridemia Is Linked to Reduced Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Women with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), which affect 8% to 15% of pregnancies, are associated with nitric oxide dysfunction and hyperlipidemia, but their precise role in HDP remains controversial. In order to gain more insight into the mechanisms underlying HDP, we evaluated some indicators common to the diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction. Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from 47 normotensive women (control group) and from 27 women with HDP (experimental group). All women were 7 months pregnant. Body mass index as well as triglycerides, nitrite concentrations, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin were determined. Results: Our results showed significant differences in body mass index (30.4 ± 1.3 vs 28.3 ± 0.6 kg/m², p < 0.05), triglycerides (363 ± 137 vs. 263 ± 80 mg/dL, p < 0.01), nitrites (19.6 ± 5.2 vs. 15.2 ± 5.0 μmol/L, p < 0.01), and glucose (92 ± 25 vs. 81 ± 10.8 mg/dL, p < 0.05) in women from the experimental group compared with the control group. Interestingly, nitric oxide synthesis was significantly reduced when triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations were increased (p < 0.018 and p < 0.002, respectively). Moreover, there was a strong association (odds ratio, 3.5) between a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the development of HDP, especially preeclampsia. Conclusions: It may be useful to screen pregnant women for plasma nitrites and serum triglycerides to identify those at risk of developing HDP, especially in women with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Étude sérologique de la toxoplasmose chez les femmes enceintes de Franceville, Gabon

The serological prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was studied among 839 pregnant women in two hospitals from Franceville (Gabon), between May 2007 and December 2007. Specific T. gondii IgG and IgM were measured by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA). Datation of the infection was carried out by avidity test. Fifty-six percent of women in this study were immunised compare to the 71% who were found as immunised in a previous study carried out fifteen years ago. 2.6% were found to be IgM positive. However, from the avidity test it was found that these infections occurred before pregnancy contact with cats and age increase this prevalence. The lack of information for pregnant women, the lack of continuous training for health personnel and lack of awareness about interpretation of laboratory diagnostic tests like avidity test in these hospitals reduce the level of counselling for women about T. gondii.     

Clinical and electrophysiological study of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)is a set of chronic,immune－ mediated polyneuropathy.The incidence of this disorder is increasing in recent years, but so far its mechanism is not known well. In order to delineate its clinical and electrophysiological features,mechanism and treatment,11patients with CIDP were assessed clinically and electrophsiologically in present study. 2 Clinical data 2.1 General data We collected 52 patients with Guillain－ Barre Syndrome(GBS)f…