Relationship of coregulator and oestrogen receptor isoform expression to de novo tamoxifen resistance in human breast cancer

This study addresses the hypothesis that altered expression of oestrogen receptor-beta and/or altered relative expression of coactivators and corepressors of oestrogen receptors are associated with and may be mechanisms of de novo tamoxifen resistance in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer. All cases were oestrogen receptor +, node negative, primary breast tumours from patients who later had no disease progression (tamoxifen sensitive) or whose disease progressed while on tamoxifen (tamoxifen resistant). Using an antibody to oestrogen receptor-beta that detects multiple forms of this protein (total) but not an antibody that detects only full-length oestrogen receptor-beta 1, it was found that high total oestrogen receptor beta protein expressors were more frequently observed in tamoxifen sensitive tumours than resistant tumours (Fisher's exact test, P=0.046). However, no significant differences in the relative expression of oestrogen receptor beta2, oestrogen receptor beta5 and full-length oestrogen receptor beta1 RNA in the tamoxifen sensitive and resistant groups were found. Also, when the relative expression of two known coactivators, steroid receptor RNA activator and amplified in breast cancer 1 RNA to the known corepressor, repressor of oestrogen receptor activity RNA, was examined, no significant differences between the tamoxifen sensitive and resistant groups were found. Altogether, there is little evidence for altered coregulators expression in breast tumours that are de novo tamoxifen resistant. However, our data provide preliminary evidence that the expression of oestrogen receptor beta protein isoforms may differ in primary tumours of breast cancer patients who prove to have differential sensitivity to tamoxifen therapy.

Polymorphism of metabolic genes and susceptibility to occupational chronic manganism

In this study we investigated genetic polymorphisms of five metabolizing genes and their association with occupational chronic manganism. We recruited 49 patients with chronic manganism and 50 unrelated healthy control subjects who were welders and ferromanganese smelters and occupationally exposed to manganese dust and fume in the same workshops from three metallurgical industries. The controls were matched to the cases by sex, age, cigarette and alcohol intake, as well as the manganese exposure duration. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to genotype the cytochrome P450 2D6L gene (CYP2D6L) and the NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase gene (NQO1). Allele-specific PCR was used to detect the cytochrome P450 1A1 gene (CYP1A1), and the glutathione-S-transferase mu and theta genes (GSTM and GSTT). The frequency of polymorphic alleles, a mutation of CYP2D6L, was significantly lower in patients with chronic manganism (16.3%) than in controls (29.0%). Individuals with the homozygote polymorphism (L/L) of CYP2D6 had a 90% decreased risk of chronic manganism compared with the wild-type (Wt/Wt) (odds ratio =0.10, 95% confidence interval = 0.01-0.82). A significant association between the CYP2D6 genotype subgroup and the latency of chronic manganese poisoning was also found. Patients who had homozygous (L/L) or heterozygous (Wt/L) mutant alleles developed manganism an average of 10 years later than those who were homozygous wildtype (Wt/Wt). However, the allele and genotype frequencies of CYP1A1 and NQO1 genes were distributed similarly in cases and controls. In addition, no difference in the frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were observed between cases and controls. The results suggest that CYP2D6L gene polymorphism might influence susceptibility to manganese-induced neurotoxicity. However, because of limited sample size, our results should be validated in large-scale studies.

[A study on expression of CD44V6 and PCNA in squamous cell carcinomas]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of cluster of differentiation 44 variant 6 (CD44V6) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in eyes.

METHOD

Streptavidinbiotin peroxidase complex (SABC) immunohistochemical method was used to study the expression of CD44V6 and PCNA in 35 cases with squamous cell carcinoma in eyes, 20 cases with papilloma, 11 cases with normal eyelid tissue.

RESULTS

The CD44V6 positive rate was 62.9% (22/35) in squamous cell carcinomas in eyes, 15.0% (3/20) in papillomas, none in 11 cases with normal eyelid tissue. The positive expression rate of CD44V6 in the malignant group was significantly higher than that in the benign and control group, and the positive expression rate of CD44V6 in cases with metastasis was significantly higher than that without metastasis. PCNA labeling index (PI) in the CD44V6 positive expression of tumors was significantly higher than that in the CD44V6 negative expression of tumors (t = 20.21, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The over-expression of CD44V6 is correlated with the progress and metastasis of SCC. CD44V6 protein expression is correlated positively with PCNA expression, and the evaluation of both CD44V6 and PCNA is useful for predicting the prognosis.

Towards development of an edible vaccine against bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis using transgenic white clover expressing a Mannheimia haemolytica A1 leukotoxin 50 fusion protein

Development of vaccines against bovine pneumonia pasteurellosis, or shipping fever, has focused mainly on Mannheimia haemolytica A1 leukotoxin (Lkt). In this study, the feasibility of expressing Lkt in a forage plant for use as an edible vaccine was investigated. Derivatives of the M. haemolytica Lkt in which the hydrophobic transmembrane domains were removed were made. Lkt66 retained its immunogenicity and was capable of eliciting an antibody response in rabbits that recognized and neutralized authentic Lkt. Genes encoding a shorter Lkt derivative, Lkt50, fused to a modified green fluorescent protein (mGFP5), were constructed for plant transformation. Constructs were screened by Western immunoblot analysis for their ability to express the fusion protein after agroinfiltration in tobacco. The fusion construct pBlkt50-mgfp5, which employs the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter for transcription, was selected and introduced into white clover by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Transgenic lines of white clover were recovered, and expression of Lkt50-GFP was monitored and confirmed by laser confocal microscopy and Western immunoblot analysis. Lkt50-GFP was found to be stable in clover tissue after drying of the plant material at room temperature for 4 days. An extract containing Lkt50-GFP from white clover was able to induce an immune response in rabbits (via injection), and rabbit antisera recognized and neutralized authentic Lkt. This is the first demonstration of the expression of an M. haemolytica antigen in plants and paves the way for the development of transgenic plants expressing M. haemolytica antigens as an edible vaccine against bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis.

[The manufacturing of penicillin in China in 1940s]

A small modernized factory was established in early 1947, and developed into industrialized production. The manufacture of penicillin in China in the 1940s lay down the foundation for the industrialized production of penicillin in China which occupies an important position in the medical history of China.

Structure and conformation of DAB dendrimers in solution via multidimensional NMR techniques

NOESY-HSQC 3D-NMR and NOESY 2D-NMR techniques have been used on a 750 MHz spectrometer to study the chain conformations of different generation DAB dendrimers (poly[propylene imine] dendrimers) in chloroform and benzene solutions. The high-field multidimensional NMR techniques provided the chemical shift dispersion needed to resolve all of the unique resonances in the dendrimers. By studying the NOE interactions among dendritic chain protons, information about through space interactions between protons on different parts of the dendrimer chain is obtained, which is directly related to the conformation of the dendrimer. These experiments also give further proof of the chemical shift assignments obtained from the HMQC-TOCSY 2D and 3D NMR experiments. The concentration effects on chemical shifts have also been observed, revealing information about the interactions between solvent and different parts of dendrimer molecules. These studies clearly show for DAB dendrimers, that folded chain conformations can occur in nonpolar solvents such as benzene and extended chain conformations are predominant in polar solvents such as chloroform.

[A pathological study of lens subcapsular epithelial proliferation]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the histopathological changes of lens subcapsular epithelial proliferation and analyze their etiology.

METHODS

Sixty-four enucleated eyes with lens subcapsular epithelial proliferation were observed with light microscopy and analyzed retrospectively. Among all the cases of lens subcapsular epithelial proliferation, there were 36 ones enucleated because of trauma, 10 absolute glaucoma, 6 corneoscleral staphyloma, 5 intraocular tumor, 2 after cataract extraction, 4 endophthalmitis, 1 cataract combined with ocular atrophy (diabetes type II).

RESULTS

Proliferated lens subcapsular epithelial cells were atypical, irregularly arranged, and extended to the posterior subcapsule. In cases with lens capsular rupture or partial absence, there were subcapsular fibro-connective tissue metaplasia, scar tissue formation, cortical collapse, local liquefaction and calcification.

CONCLUSION

Lens subcapsular epithelial proliferation is caused by some intraocular pathological conditions. In cases with endophthalmitis and ocular trauma, its severity is the most serious.

Ocular histopathological changes after eyeball enucleation induced by corneal trauma

OBJECTIVE

To observe the ocular histopathological changes after eyeball enucleation induced by corneal trauma.

METHODS

Light microscopic examination was done on 117 eyeball specimens enucleated after corneal trauma (18 with corneal fissure and 99 with corneal perforating trauma).

RESULTS

Acute, subacute or chronic inflammatory changes, and fibrous membrane formation were observed in well-closed corneal wounds, whereas inflammation, atrophy and scar were observed in the focal tissues. But at the late period, secondary glaucoma, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis and eyeball atrophy resulted in blindness. Corneal fistula was observed in those with inadequate cure of wounds caused by ingrowth of corneal epithelium, embedment of iris and vitreous body, and large area of centrally located tissue deficiency of the corneal. A high incidence of endophthalmitis was noted due to the presence of corneal fistula. Severe inflammation was observed in the anterior segmental tissues with fibrous infiltration in the anterior chamber, which might result in rapid destruction of the eyeballs.

CONCLUSIONS

Ocular pathology varies with the difference of the position, form, size and closing conditions of the corneal laceration after trauma.

Regulation of growth and tumorigenicity of breast cancer cells by the low molecular weight GTPase Rad and nm23

Rad is the prototypic member of a family of novel Ras-related GTPases that is normally expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, and lung and that has been shown to exhibit a novel form of bi-directional interaction with the nm23 metastasis suppressor. In the present study, we have investigated the expression of Rad in normal and neoplastic breast tissues by Western blot and immunohistochemistry and the functional effect of altered Rad expression in breast cancer cell lines. We found that, although Rad is frequently expressed in normal breast tissue (23/30 Rad+ve), expression is usually lost in adjacent invasive carcinoma (8/30 Rad+ve; P < 0.0001). However, where Rad expression persists in a small proportion of tumors, it is associated with higher grade, larger size, and extensive axillary nodal involvement (n = 48; P = 0.035, P = 0.016, P = 0.022, respectively). Furthermore, Rad is also highly expressed in a breast cancer cell line with high tumorigenic and metastatic potential (MDA-MB231). To further examine the role of Rad in breast cancer, we stably transfected a Rad-ve breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB435). We observed an increase in growth and marked increased colony formation in soft agar in vitro (P < 0.05) and an increase in tumor growth rate in nude mice (P < 0.05). Moreover, coexpression of nm23 with wild-type Rad inhibited the effect of Rad on growth of these cells in culture and markedly inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Additional transfection studies with mutated Rad cDNAs revealed that the growth-promoting effects of Rad appeared to be mediated through its NH2- and COOH-terminal regions, rather than its GTPase domain, and might involve acceleration of cell cycle transition. These findings suggest that Rad may act as an oncogenic protein in breast tissues and demonstrate a potential mechanism by which interaction between Rad and nm23 may regulate growth and tumorigenicity of breast cancer.

Proliferation and differentiation of prostatic stromal cells

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of androgen, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the proliferation and differentiation of prostatic stromal cells of the dog in vivo and human stromal cells in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-two dogs had their serum concentration of testosterone and oestradiol determined by radioimmunoassay before and after castration. Light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and an in situ cell-death assay were carried out successively before and after castration to evaluate prostatic histomorphology. A semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the expression of TGF-beta, bFGF and myosin in the canine prostate tissue after castration. In vitro serum-free cell cultures from human prostatic stroma were established and exposed to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), TGF-beta and bFGF in various concentrations. The proliferation of the cell cultures was detected by the tetrazolium assay. The differentiation from fibroblasts to smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was deduced by measuring the expression of SMC-specific proteins (myosin and smoothelin) using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Castration resulted in a significant decrease in circulating testosterone levels (P < 0.01), but did not affect the circulating oestradiol levels (P > 0.05). The prostatic stromal cells, including SMCs and fibroblasts, diminished and underwent a serial pathological change of atrophy and apoptosis after castration. The atrophic cells were filled with intracellular lipofuscin. The expression of SMC myosin declined after castration, coincident with the increase in TGF-beta mRNA level and decline in bFGF mRNA. In vitro, TGF-beta inhibited the growth of human prostatic stromal cells during exponential growth, while enhancing myosin staining and stimulating the expression of smoothelin in confluent cultured stromal cells. bFGF stimulated the growth of the culture and inhibited the expression of smoothelin. DHT caused a weak increase in the proliferation and expression of SMC-specific proteins (P < 0.05). However, DHT and bFGF together stimulated the proliferation of stromal cells significantly more than either agent alone (P < 0.01). The combination of DHT and TGF-beta greatly enhanced the expression of SMC-specific proteins (P < 0.01), more strongly than either alone (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The whole prostate gland is an androgen-sensitive organ, with both the epithelium and stroma under the control of androgen. Androgen may direct the proliferation and differentiation of prostatic stromal cells by regulating the expression of TGF-beta and bFGF. Thus DHT, TGF-beta and bFGF may have important roles in regulating stromal cell homeostasis.

[A study on the expression of p16 protein and bcl-2 protein in cutaneous eyelid tumors]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between p16 (tumor suppressor) and bcl-2 (apoptosis inhibitor) gene expression and the incidence and development of eyelid malignant tumors.

METHODS

Streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunohistochemical method was used to study the expression of p16 gene and bcl-2 gene in 96 cases with eyelid malignant tumors.

RESULTS

In the 96 cases, including 40 cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 33 squamous and 23 sebaceous carcinomas, their p16 protein positive (nuclear staining) rates were 70.0%, 54.6% and 56.5% respectively. The p16 positive rate was negatively correlated to the degree of tumor histological differentiation, and the rate difference between the high differentiated carcinoma and the low differentiated one was significant (P < 0.05). bcl-2 protein positive expression was detected in the cytoplasm. All of the 40 BCCs were bcl-2 positive and nearly all the tumor cells showed positive cytoplasmic expression, while in the 33 specimens of squamous cell carcinoma, only did one show positive focal reaction and the staining in other 32 cases was relatively faint. None of the 23 sebaceous carcinoma expressed bcl-2.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of p16 protein is related to the occurrence and degree of differentiation of eyelid malignant tumors. The over-expression of bcl-2 protein suggests that suppression of apoptosis might play a role in the tumorigenesis of BCC.

[Effects of vitamin E and vitamin C on nonenzymatic glycation and peroxidation in experimental diabetic rats]

SD rats were peritoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to establish diabetic animal model. The changes of nonenzymatic glycation and peroxidation in rats supplemented with vitamin C and/or vitamin E during five weeks were investigated. It was found that the glycated hemoglobin, glycated LDL, renal cortical AGEs and MDA in sera and renal cortex significantly decreased after supplementation of vitamins E and C jointly. It was also observed that the MDA in serum and the cortex of kidney but not glycated hemoglobin, glycated LDL and AGEs significantly decreased in the groups supplemented with vitamin C or vitamin E separately. The results suggested that joint supplementation of vitamin C and vitamin E could inhibit nonenzymatic glycation obviously and peroxidation in diabetic rats and protect the kidney from damage under hyperglycemia.

[Laryngostroboscopy in the monitoring of precancerous lesion of vocal cord and in canceration tracing]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of laryngostroboscopy in the monitoring of precancerous lesion of vocal cord and in the canceration tracing.

METHODS

Fifty-two cases of precancerous lesion of vocal cord were examined under Laryngostroboscope. The modifications of mucosal wave and amplitude of vocal cord vibration were observed. All cases were monitored for 1-6 years.

RESULTS

The mucosal wave was weak in 45 of 52 cases (86.3%) and the amplitude of vocal cord vibration was weak in 4 of 52 cases (9.6%) with precancerous lesions. However, the mucosal wave disappeared and the amplitude of vocal cord vibration weakened in all 14 cases with early glottic cancer.

CONCLUSION

Laryngostroboscopy can be used in diagnosis of glottic precancerous lesion and distinguishing it from the early glottic cancer. It is also an effective means of canceration tracing.

Psoriasin (S100A7) expression and invasive breast cancer

Alteration of psoriasin (S100A7) expression has previously been identified in association with the transition from preinvasive to invasive breast cancer. In this study we have examined persistence of psoriasin mRNA and protein expression in relation to prognostic factors in a cohort of 57 invasive breast tumors, comprising 34 invasive ductal carcinomas and 23 other invasive tumor types (lobular, mucinous, medullary, tubular). We first developed an IgY polyclonal chicken antibody and confirmed specificity for psoriasin by Western blot in transfected cells and tumors. The protein was localized by immunohistochemistry predominantly to epithelial cells, with both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining, as well as occasional stromal cells in psoriatic skin and breast tumors; however, in situ hybridization showed that psoriasin mRNA expression was restricted to epithelial cells. In breast tumors, higher levels of psoriasin measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot (93% concordance) were significantly associated with estrogen and progesterone receptor-negative status (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0003), and with nodal metastasis in invasive ductal tumors (P = 0. 035), but not with tumor type or grade. Psoriasin expression also correlated with inflammatory infiltrates (all tumors excluding medullary, P = 0.0022). These results suggest that psoriasin may be a marker of aggressive behavior in invasive tumors and are consistent with a function as a chemotactic factor.

[A study of p53 gene mutations in squamous cell carcinoma in eyes]

OBJECTIVE

To inquire into the molecular biological mechanisms of the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma in eyes.

METHODS

Using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, we detected 63 samples taken from 63 cases (including 36 invasive squamous carcinoma, 7 carcinoma in situ, 20 papillomas) for 248 point mutations in p53 gene.

RESULTS

22.2% (8/36) squamous cell carcinomas, 14.3% (1/7) carcinomas in situ were shown to contain the point mutation in codon 248 of p53 gene exon 7 and no point mutation was found in papillomas, the difference being significant (P = 0.021). No point mutation was in patients over 70, while in patients younger than 70, the mutation rate was 33.3%, the difference being significant (P = 0.24). No significant correlation was found between p53 gene mutations and clinical pathological manifestations (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

p53 gene mutations play roles in the early stage of the development of squamous cell carcinomas, and there is no correlation between p53 gene mutations and clinical manifestations. The mutation in p53 gene is not the main cause of neoplasms in the elder persons after the seventh decade of life.

Neuron-specific and developmental regulation of the synapsin II gene expression in transgenic mice

Synapsin II, a major phosphoprotein of synaptic vesicles, is believed to function in neurotransmitter release as well as in synapse formation. The expression of the synapsin II gene is neuron-specific, and correlates temporally with synaptogenesis. To understand the mechanisms by which the expression of the synapsin II gene is regulated in vivo, we generated transgenic mice carrying a 5.1-kb 5'-flanking sequence of the murine synapsin II gene fused to the firefly luciferase reporter gene. The synapsin II-luciferase transgene is specifically expressed in neural tissues, such as brain and spinal cord, but not in non-neural tissues. Throughout the brain, the expression of the transgene is widely distributed, and restricted only to neuronal cells. Moreover, the expression of the transgene is developmentally regulated, with a temporal profile similar to that of endogenous synapsin II expression. These results indicate that the 5.1-kb flanking sequence of the murine synapsin II gene contains cis-regulatory elements that are required for directing neuron-specific and synaptogenesis-regulated expression in vivo.

[Effect of dimethoate on the expression of c-fos gene in skeletal muscle]

To elucidate the effect of organophosphate pesticides on the expression of immediate early gene in skeletal muscle, the concentrations of c-fos mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and western dot blot techniques. The result showed that c-fos mRNA and protein were significantly increased in skeletal muscle of rat after dosing with dimethoate. These results indicated that c-fos might act as transcription factor and regulate other gene expression during the early period of organophosphate intoxication.

[Potentiated effects of total saponins of Panax Ginseng on inhibition of leukemic cells by cytotoxic drugs]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potentiated effects of total saponins of Panax Ginseng (TSPG) on inhibition of leukemic progenitor cells by cytotoxic drugs in acute myelocytic leukemia.

METHODS

Using bone marrow culture of colony forming unite-acute myeloid leukemia (CFU-AML) method, the sensitivity of leukemic cells obtained from 18 patients to homoharringtonin (HHr), cytarabine (Ara), adriamycin (Adr) and etoposide (VP-16) were detected separately.

RESULTS

TSPG alone (20 micrograms/ml) could stimulate proliferation of CFU-AML obviously, and increase the colony numbers by 37.98% over the non-TSPG control (P < 0.01). In the presence of TSPG, the inhibition rates of CFU-AML of HHr, Ara, Adr and VP-16 were 51.2%-62.0% respectively, which were significantly higher than 30.4%-47.4% of non-TSPG control (all P < 0.01). In the combination of TSPG with cytotoxic drugs, the leukemic progenitor cells became more sensitive to cytotoxic drugs, CFU-AML colony numbers at 1.84-2.23 fold as more as those of non-TSPG control were inhibited by HHr, Ara, Adr and VP-16. Sensitivity test of 17 among 72 drugs reversed from resistant (suppression rate less than 30%) to sensitive (suppression rate more than 30%) by TSPG.

CONCLUSIONS

TSPG could drive non-cycling leukemic progenitors to enter cell cycle, and thereby enhance their susceptibility to cytotoxic drugs.

[A study on expressions of P53 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in malignant eyelid tumors]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the relationship between P53 gene mutation and malignant eyelid tumor.

METHODS

The expressions of P53 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in 102 cases with malignant eyelid tumors were examined by labelled streptravidin biotin (LSAB) immunohistochemical technique.

RESULTS

Although overexpression of P53 protein was not detected in normal eyelid cutaneous epithelium, meibomian gland and mild epithelial dysplasia, the positive rate of P53 increased in degree in moderate and severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and invasive tumors, and PCNA labeling index (PI) progressively increased too. Overexpression of P53 protein was detected in 30/53 cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 16/32 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 10/17 cases of meibomian gland carcinoma, and the intensity of P53 protein immunostaining increased with the lowering in the degree of histological differentiation. The mean PCNA labeling index was 38.1 +/- 31.1, 38.3 +/- 30.1, 42.6 +/- 32.0 respectively in BCC, SCC and meibomian gland carcinoma. The PI value in tumor tissue with positive P53 protein expression was higher than that in tissues with its negative expression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The gene mutation of P53 protein might play an important role in the pathogenesis of malignant eyelid tumors, it may be one of the factors that can lead to abnormal hyperactivity of cell proliferation and it possibly can be a malignant sign in the progression of a tumor.

Spreading of Hua Shou's medical books in Japan

The paper inquired into the situation of spread and influence of a distinguished physician of the Yuan dynasty, Hua Shou's medical books in Japan. Nippon editions of Hua Shou's medical books had been investigated. The conditions that Hua Shou's medical books were translated, annotated, studied by Japanese medical workers before Meiji, and the role of Hua Shou's medical books played on the medical education in Japan was also discussed.

[Relationship between changes of phospholipid and lipid peroxide of erythrocyte membrane and diabetic retinopathy]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relation between the changes of phospholipid and lipid peroxide (LPD) in erythrocyte membrane in diabetes mellitus with the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODS

The levels of triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (TC), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1)c), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinostiol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SM), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), lipid peroxide (LPO) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were investigated in 44 diabetic patients with DR, 20 diabetic patients with no DR (NDR) and 30 sex and age matched normal control subjects.

RESULTS

A significant decrease in PE, PI, PS, PC, SM, SOD and GSH-PX and a significant increase in LPC, LPO, TG, TC and HbA(1)c were detected in DR and NDR group when compared with the normal controls. These changes were more obvious in DR group.

CONCLUSION

The lipid peroxidation and the alteration of the erythrocyte membrane phospholipid compositions may contribute to the occurrence and development of DR.

[The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in breast phylloides cystosarcoma and its significance]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in breast phylloides cystosarcoma and its clinicopathological signification.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry (SP method) with monoclonal antibodies PC10 against PCNA was performed in 100 cases of phylloides cystosarcoma and 39 cases of adenofibroma.

RESULTS

The positive rate of PCNA in phylloides cystosarcoma was 86%. The average PCNA index (PI) of phylloides cystosarcoma was significantly different among every histologic grading (F = 85.33, P < 0.01). The degree of differentiation was lower, the PI was higher. The PI was closely correlated with histologic grading (r's = 0.77). The PI in grade I phylloides cystosarcoma was higher than that in the group of adenofibroma with abundant mesenchymal cells (t = 3.42, P < 0.01). There was only a low correlation between PI and mitotic figures in phylloides cystosarcoma (r = 0.39).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the detection of PCNA has considerable practical value in reflecting the proliferation of activity of phylloides cystosarcoma, assisting the pathologists to make histologic grading; distinguishing the malignancy from benign ones (differential diagnosis) and evaluating the prognosis.