Neuroimaging in Pineal Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The authors report radiological findings in 11 tumors in the pineal region, which were histologically diagnosed as germinomas, pineocytomas pineoblastomas, ependymomas, teratomas, and astrocytomas. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) was performed in seven patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all patients. RESULTS: CT showed a solid or solid/cystic mass with variable contrast enhancement. MRI showed a heterogeneous mass, with hypointense signal on T1 and iso/hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images (WI) and gadolinium enhancement. Extension to adjacent structures occurred in five patients and spread through the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in two. CONCLUSIONS: Pineal region tumors have no pathognomonic imaging pattern. MRI and CT are complementary in diagnosis and are important to determine localization, extension, and meningeal spread.     

Coexpression of galanin and adrenocorticotropic hormone in human pituitary and pituitary adenomas.

Galanin is a neuropeptide that regulates the secretion of several pituitary hormones, including prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH). Galaninlike immunoreactivity (Gal-IR) and galanin mRNA in the rat anterior pituitary is cell lineage specific, with predominant expression in lactotrophs and somatotrophs. The authors examined the cellular distribution of human Gal-IR in seven normal postmortem pituitaries and 62 pituitary tumors by immunoperoxidase staining. In contrast to the rat, Gal-IR in human anterior pituitaries was present in corticotrophs scattered throughout the gland, but not in lactotrophs, somatotrophs, thyrotrophs, or gonadotrophs. Distinct Gal-IR also was present in hyperplastic and neoplastic corticotrophs in 19 of 22 patients with Cushing's disease. In noncorticotroph cell tumors, unequivocal Gal-IR was present in 5 of 11 GH-secreting tumors associated with clinical acromegaly, 9 of 18 nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas, and 2 of 14 prolactinomas. Of these galanin-positive tumors, four of the five GH-secreting adenomas, six of the nine nonfunctioning adenomas, and both of the prolactinomas also contained adrenocorticotropic hormone immunoreactivity (ACTH-IR). Immunostaining and in situ hybridization on adjacent sections using an 35S-labeled probe complementary to human galanin mRNA demonstrated predominant galanin expression in normal corticotrophs. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the presence of Gal-IR in pituitary cells characteristic of corticotrophs in both normal and neoplastic pituitaries. Thus, as in the rat, galanin gene expression in the human pituitary is cell-type specific. Unlike the rat, however, human galanin gene expression is restricted to the corticotroph lineage. Studies of tumors confirmed the observed coexpression of galanin and adrenocorticotropic hormone. The divergent cell type specificity of galanin production in human and rat pituitaries reflects different patterns of gene activation in these two species. In addition, these results suggest that galanin in the human pituitary may participate locally in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.     

G protein modulation of voltage-sensitive muscarinic receptor signalling in mouse pancreatic acinar cells

Submaximal stimulation of mouse pancreatic acinar cells by acetylcholine (ACh) generates periodic Ca2+ responses sensitive to the membrane potential. Monitoring the muscarinic Ca2+ responses using patch-clamp whole-cell current recordings, we examined the mechanism of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-receptor interaction in terms of the membrane potential. The lowest ACh concentration able to elicit consistent repetitive spikes was 50 nM, in the presence of which hyperpolarization increased and depolarization decreased the spike frequency. The saturating concentration was 10 microM, this induced a sustained response insensitive to voltage. Internal guanosine 5'-tri- and diphosphates (GTP, GDP) depressed and potentiated the voltage sensitivity, respectively, but not for the response to a saturating ACh concentration (10 microM). Internal guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS) abolished the voltage sensitivity. The results indicate that the ACh-induced Ca2+ response is sensitive to the membrane potential and that a close linkage exists between voltage sensitivity and the G protein association/dissociation cycle in the muscarinic receptor.     

Retrospective review of serologic rubella activity in University Hospital Kuala Lumpur

A retrospective review of rubella serological results carried out in the Virus Diagnostic Unit, University Hospital Kuala Lumpur (UHKL) from January 1993 to September 1999 showed the presence of rubella infection annually which appeared to increase periodically every two to three years. There was no statistical significant difference in the rubella positive rate between male and female population aged 14 to 48 years. Congenital rubella infections (CRI) occurred in babies delivered in UHKL yearly from 1993 to 1998 with an average incidence rate of 48 per 100,000 deliveries. Peaks of rubella cases appeared to be followed by an increase in incidence of CRI cases 6 to 9 months later. The study showed that only 50.8% clinically diagnosed rubella was confirmed by laboratory finding. This study also showed an increase of rubella activity for the months of July, August and September 1999 and this may herald an increase of CRI cases in the coming millennium.     

Combined enzymatic hydrolysis and herbal extracts fortification to boost in vitro antioxidant activity of edible bird’s nest solution

Objective Edible bird’s nest (EBN) is a popular traditional tonic food in Chinese population for centuries. Malaysia is one of the main EBN suppliers in the world. This study aims to explore the best strategy to boost the antioxidant potential of EBN solution. Methods In this study, the raw EBN (4%, mass to volume ratio) was initially enzymatic hydrolyzed using papain enzyme to produce EBN hydrolysate (EBNH), then spray-dried into powdered form. Next, 4% (mass to volume ratio) of EBNH powder was dissolved in ginger extract (GE), mulberry leaf extract (MLE) and cinnamon twig extract (CTE) to detect the changes of antioxidant activities, respectively. Results Results obtained suggest that enzymatic hydrolysis significantly reduced the viscosity of 4% EBN solution from (68.12 ± 0.69) mPa.s to (7.84 ± 0.31) mPa.s. Besides, the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total soluble protein, DPPH scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were substantially increased following EBN hydrolysis using papain enzyme. In addition, fortification with GE, MLE and CTE had further improved the TPC, TFC, DPPH scavenging activity and FRAP of the EBNH solution. Among the samples, MLE-EBNH solution showed the most superior antioxidant potential at (86.39 ± 1.66)% of DPPH scavenging activity and (19.79 ± 2.96) mmol/L FeSO4 of FRAP. Conclusion This study proved that combined enzymatic hydrolysis and MLE fortification is the best strategy to produce EBN product with prominent in vitro antioxidant potential. This preliminary study provides new insight into the compatibility of EBN with different herbal extracts for future health food production.     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植后脑梗死大鼠脑电图的变化

目的:对比观察骨髓间充质干细胞移植前后脑梗死大鼠脑电图的变化。方法:实验于2002-09/12在解放军第三军医大学中心实验室及西南医院神经内科肌电图室完成。①实验分组:选取清洁级健康成年Wistar大鼠15只,随机数字表法分为干细胞移植组、模型对照组、假手术组,5只/组。②实验方法:另取2只健康幼年Wistar大鼠用于骨髓间充质干细胞的提取,联合采用密度梯度离心及贴壁法分离培养大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,选取生长良好的1～3代细胞用于移植实验。干细胞移植组、模型对照组大鼠建立大脑中动脉栓塞模型。假手术组仅分离颈总动脉、颈外动脉和颈内动脉,不予结扎和放置线栓。造模后1周,干细胞移植组、假手术组大鼠行细胞移植,在立体定向仪定位下于脑梗死区(壳核)直接注射骨髓间充质干细胞悬液5μL,细胞浓度1×104μL-1,移植坐标为前囟前1.0mm,右旁开3.0mm,硬膜下5.0mm。模型对照组大鼠于相同部位注射等量不含细胞的磷酸盐缓冲液。③实验评估:采用脑电图机分别于造模前、造模后1周(移植前)、细胞移植后4周对各组大鼠进行脑电图检测。结果:15只大鼠均进入结果分析。①造模前基本节律为8～11Hz、15～30μV的α波,间或少量θ波,双侧对称。②造模后1周,假手术组异常率为0;模型对照组20%(1/5)轻度异常,80%(4/5)中度异常;干细胞移植组20%(1/5)轻度异常,60%(3/5)中度异常,20%(1/5)重度异常。③细胞移植后4周,假手术组脑电图恢复正常;模型对照组随术后时间的延长慢波有所减少,但仍可见到δ波、棘波、棘慢波的发放,至细胞移植后4周60%(3/5)轻度异常,40%(2/5)中度异常;干细胞移植组术后局限性慢波逐渐减少,基本节律全部恢复为α波,不对称的情况明显好转,至细胞移植后4周60%(3/5)轻度异常,以病灶侧局限性θ波较多为主,另外40%(2/5)基本正常。结论:动物实验显示骨髓间充质干细胞移植对脑梗死大鼠的脑电图背景节律有改善作用,一定程度上促进了神经系统功能的恢复。     

Non‐invasive prenatal determination of fetal sex: translating research into clinical practice

Hill M, Finning K, Martin P, Hogg J, Meaney C, Norbury G, Daniels G, Chitty LS. Non‐invasive prenatal determination of fetal sex: translating research into clinical practice. The effectiveness and clinical utility of non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for fetal sex determination using cell‐free fetal DNA (cffDNA) was assessed by undertaking a prospective national audit of UK testing. NIPD was performed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis of the DYS14 or SRY gene in cffDNA extracted from maternal plasma. All cases referred for fetal sex determination from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2009 were ascertained from two laboratories offering the test. Fetal gender determined by NIPD was compared with that based on ultrasound, invasive test or phenotype at birth. Indication and rate of invasive testing was ascertained. In the first year, results were issued in 150/161 pregnancies tested. Of the 135 with outcome data, results were concordant in 130/135 [96.3% (95% CI 91.6–98.8%)]. Reporting criteria were changed and in the subsequent 511 pregnancies the concordancy rate increased to 401/403 [99.5% (95% CI 98.2–99.9%)]. Over the 3 years only 32.9% (174/528) underwent invasive testing. NIPD for fetal sex determination using cffDNA is highly accurate when performed in National Health Service laboratories if stringent reporting criteria are applied. Parents should be advised of the small risk of discordant results and possible need for repeat testing to resolve inconclusive results.     

Negative charge distribution and density on the surface of oxygenated normal and sickle red cells

Negative charges on the external surface of red cells were visualized by colloidal iron hydroxide labelling of 50% of the membrane area after osmotic hemolysis and glutaraldehyde fixation. Counts were made over randomly selected areas on electron micrographs at 350,000 x magnification. Statistical analyses showed that at the 95% level of confidence there was no significant difference between oxygenated normal (AA) and sickle (SS) cells in either the distribution or the density of negative charges.