Treatment of Moyamoya disease by multipoint skull drilling for indirect revascularization combined with mobilization of autologous bone marrow stem cells

This study discusses the clinical efficacy of multipoint skull drilling for indirect revascularization combined with mobilization of autologous bone marrow stem cells and use of simvastatin in the treatment of moyamoya disease. Seventy-eight patients [control group (group A), 39 patients; experimental group (group B), 39 patients] with moyamoya disease were selected. Group A underwent indirect revascularization, and group B, in addition to indirect revascularization, received alternate subcutaneous injections from day 7 post-surgery. The number and differentiation of the mobilized bone marrow stem cells were detected by the proportion of hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPCs) in mononuclear cells (MNCs) in the peripheral blood. There was no statistical difference in the BI (80.2 ± 13.7) and NIHSS (6.7 ± 2.3) scores between the groups before treatment (P > 0.05). The CSS score of group B was 13.5 ± 0.6 and there was a statistical significance compared to group A (18.2 ± 0.8) (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the proportion of CD34+ CDl33+ cells in MNCs in peripheral blood before surgery between the two groups (P > 0.05) and the proportions of CD34+ CDl33+ cells in MNCs in peripheral blood in groups A and B at 30 days after surgery were significantly higher than those before surgery (P < 0.05). Treating moyamoya disease by multipoint skull drilling for indirect revascularization combined with mobilization of autologous bone marrow stem cells and simvastatin is a safe and effective method as it can promote recovery of neurological functions and improve patients' daily living abilities and quality of life.

Influence of single-walled carbon nanotubes on microbial availability of phenanthrene in sediment

Increasing production and use of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) will inevitably lead to release of these nanoparticles to aquatic ecosystems. Similar to black carbon (BC) particles, SWCNT have a high affinity for hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) and therefore the presence of SWCNT in sediment may lead to altered bioavailability of HOCs. We compared SWCNT with biochar and charcoal on their effect on the microbial degradability of 0.05 mg kg(-1) (14)C-phenanthrene (PHE) by Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1 in two sediments with different organic carbon (OC) contents. When the amendment rate of SWCNT or BC was 1 mg g(-1), PHE mineralization was inhibited much more significantly by SWCNT than by either biochar or charcoal. After 360 h of incubation, the mineralized fraction of PHE in the presence of SWCNT was 59.5% of the non-amended control in the sediment with low OC content, and only 42.4% in the other sediment with a higher OC content. Analysis of the freely dissolved concentration (C (free)) using disposable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fibers showed that SWCNT decreased C (free) by 85-95%, apparently due to preferential sorption of PHE to SWCNT particles that had a much larger specific surface area and pore volume than biochar or charcoal. However, pre-interaction of SWCNT with dissolved organic matter (peptone, tannic acid, and humic acid) led to attachment of polar functional groups and reduced surface area on SWCNT, resulting in decreased PHE sorption and an alleviated effect on PHE biodegradation in the order of peptone > tannic acid > humic acid.

Enzymatic single-chain antibody tagging: a universal approach to targeted molecular imaging and cell homing in cardiovascular disease

RATIONALE

Antibody-targeted delivery of imaging agents can enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of current imaging techniques. Similarly, homing of effector cells to disease sites increases the efficacy of regenerative cell therapy while reducing the number of cells required. Currently, targeting can be achieved via chemical conjugation to specific antibodies, which typically results in the loss of antibody functionality and in severe cell damage. An ideal conjugation technique should ensure retention of antigen-binding activity and functionality of the targeted biological component.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a biochemically robust, highly reproducible, and site-specific coupling method using the Staphylococcus aureus sortase A enzyme for the conjugation of a single-chain antibody (scFv) to nanoparticles and cells for molecular imaging and cell homing in cardiovascular diseases. This scFv specifically binds to activated platelets, which play a pivotal role in thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and inflammation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The conjugation procedure involves chemical and enzyme-mediated coupling steps. The scFv was successfully conjugated to iron oxide particles (contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging) and to model cells. Conjugation efficiency ranged between 50% and 70%, and bioactivity of the scFv after coupling was preserved. The targeting of scFv-coupled cells and nanoparticles to activated platelets was strong and specific as demonstrated in in vitro static adhesion assays, in a flow chamber system, in mouse intravital microscopy, and in in vivo magnetic resonance imaging of mouse carotid arteries.

CONCLUSIONS

This unique biotechnological approach provides a versatile and broadly applicable tool for procuring targeted regenerative cell therapy and targeted molecular imaging in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases and beyond.

Inhaled anesthetic responses of recombinant receptors and knockin mice harboring α2(S270H/L277A) GABA(A) receptor subunits that are resistant to isoflurane

The mechanism by which the inhaled anesthetic isoflurane produces amnesia and immobility is not understood. Isoflurane modulates GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)-Rs) in a manner that makes them plausible targets. We asked whether GABA(A)-R α2 subunits contribute to a site of anesthetic action in vivo. Previous studies demonstrated that Ser270 in the second transmembrane domain is involved in the modulation of GABA(A)-Rs by volatile anesthetics and alcohol, either as a binding site or a critical allosteric residue. We engineered GABA(A)-Rs with two mutations in the α2 subunit, changing Ser270 to His and Leu277 to Ala. Recombinant receptors with these mutations demonstrated normal affinity for GABA, but substantially reduced responses to isoflurane. We then produced mutant (knockin) mice in which this mutated subunit replaced the wild-type α2 subunit. The adult mutant mice were overtly normal, although there was evidence of enhanced neonatal mortality and fear conditioning. Electrophysiological recordings from dentate granule neurons in brain slices confirmed the decreased actions of isoflurane on mutant receptors contributing to inhibitory synaptic currents. The loss of righting reflex EC(50) for isoflurane did not differ between genotypes, but time to regain the righting reflex was increased in N(2) generation knockins. This effect was not observed at the N(4) generation. Isoflurane produced immobility (as measured by tail clamp) and amnesia (as measured by fear conditioning) in both wild-type and mutant mice, and potencies (EC(50)) did not differ between the strains for these actions of isoflurane. Thus, immobility or amnesia does not require isoflurane potentiation of the α2 subunit.

Development of a two-antibody model for the evaluation of copper-64 radioimmunotherapy

Copper-64 emits beta(+) and beta(-) particles suitable for positron emission tomography and radioimmunotherapy (RIT) of cancer. Copper-64-labelled antibodies have caused complete responses in laboratory animal RIT studies at far lower radiation doses than traditionally prescribed. The intracellular localization of copper radioisotopes may lead to cytotoxic effects by mechanisms beyond ionizing radiation damage. The purpose of this research was to develop a model using both internalizing and non-internalizing antibodies for direct comparison in future RIT studies using the same animal model of cancer. The monoclonal antibodies, cBR96 and cT84.66, were conjugated with N-hydroxysulfosuccinimidyl DOTA. All conjugates retained high immunoreactivity and labelled efficiently with (64)Cu with high specific activity and radiochemical purity. Twenty-four hour biodistributions determined in LS174T tumour-bearing nude mice demonstrated low organ and high tumour uptakes for both monoclonal antibodies. This model constitutes a promising system for elucidating whether internalization of (64)Cu is responsible for an enhanced tumour cytotoxicity in vivo.

Polymorphism in porcine somatotropin cDNA sequences

Three new full-length cDNAs coding for porcine somatotropin (PST) have been cloned. The sequence data indicate a high degree of polymorphism in the PST sequence. All six known PST sequences are different.

Analysis of the clinicopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly patients

The peak age of onset of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is continually increasing worldwide. This study aims to evaluate whether there exists any significant difference in the clinicopathological features between younger- and elderly-HCC.1082 Consecutive patients with HCC who underwent liver resection at Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from 1995 to 1998 were studied. The patients were divided into elderly-HCC (>or=65 years of age) and younger-HCC (< 65 years of age). Important clinicopathological features of the patients and postoperative survival rates were compared between these two groups. Among 1082 patients studied, 108 were elderly-HCC and 974 were younger-HCC. The resection rate of the elderly-HCC was significantly higher than that of the younger-HCC. The 1, 3 and 5-year survival rates of the elderly-HCC were not significantly different from those of the younger-HCC. Compared with the younger-HCC, the elderly-HCC had (1) less HBsAg-positive rate; (2) more frequent anti-HCV positivity ; (3) lower proportion with AFP value >or=400 microg/dl; (4) a relatively small tumor diameter; (5) higher proportion of stage I-II patients; (6) a relatively low metastasis rate. However, there were no statistically significant differences in other clinicopathological features (including gender, symptoms, tumor number, tumor venous invasion, tumor differentiation, capsular formation, type of cirrhosis) between the two groups. There is a certain extent difference in clinicopathological features between elderly and younger-HCC patients, but the postoperative survival rate is comparable between the two groups.

Analysis of the Clinicopathological Features of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Elderly Patients

The peak age of onset of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is continually increasing worlwide. This study aims to evaluate whether there exists any significant difference in the clinicopathological features between younger- and elderly-HCC.1082 Consecutive patients with HCC who underwent liver resection at Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from 1995 to 1998 were studied. The patients were divided into elderly-HCC (>/=65 years of age) and younger-HCC (< 65 years of age). Important clinicopathological features of the patients and postoperative survival rates were compared between these two groups. Among 1082 patients studied, 108 were elderly-HCC and 974 were younger-HCC. The resection rate of the elderly-HCC was significantly higher than that of the younger-HCC. The 1, 3 and 5-year survival rates of the elderly-HCC were not significantly different from those of the younger-HCC. Compared with the younger-HCC, the elderly-HCC had (1) less HBsAg-positive rate; (2) more frequent anti-HCV positivity ; (3) lower proportion with AFP value >/=400mug/dl; (4) a relatively small tumor diameter; (5) higher proportion of stage I-II patients; (6) a relatively low metastasis rate. However, there were no statistically significant differences in other clinicopathological features (including gender, symptoms, tumor number, tumor venous invasion, tumor differentiation, capsular formation, type of cirrhosis) between the two groups. There is a certain extent difference in clinicopathological features between elderly and younger-HCC patients, but the postoperative survival rate is comparable between the two groups.JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2008 Jul-Sep;47(171):132-135.

Neuropathogenesis of chimeric simian/human immunodeficiency virus infection in pig-tailed and rhesus macaques

We recently reported that a chimeric simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIVKU-1) developed in our laboratory caused progressive depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes and AIDS within 6 months of inoculation into pig-tailed macaques (M. nemestrina). None of the pig-tailed macaques showed productive SHIV infection in the central nervous system (CNS). In this report, we show that by further passage of the pathogenic virus in rhesus macaques [M. mulatta], we have derived a new strain of SHIV (SHIVKU-2) that has caused AIDS and productive CNS infection in 3 of 5 rhesus macaques infected with the virus. Productive replication of SHIV in the CNS was clearly shown by high infectivity titers and p27 protein levels in brain homogenates, and in 2 of the 3 rhesus macaques this was associated with disseminated, nodular, demyelinating lesions, including focal multinucleated giant cell reaction, largely confined to the white matter. These findings were reminiscent of HIV-1 associated neurological disease, and our immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization data indicated that the neuropathological lesions were associated with the presence of SHIV-specific viral antigens and nucleic acid respectively. However, the concomitant reactivation of opportunistic infections in these macaques suggested that such pathogens may have influenced the replication of SHIV in the CNS, or modified the neuropathological sequelae of SHIV infection in the rhesus species, but not in pig-tailed macaques. Our findings in the two species of macaques highlight the complexities of lentiviral neuropathogenesis, the precise mechanisms of which are still elusive.

Partonic Flow and phi-Meson production in Au+Au collisions at sqrt radical sNN = 200 GeV

We present first measurements of the phi-meson elliptic flow (v2(pT)) and high-statistics pT distributions for different centralities from radical sNN=200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. In minimum bias collisions the v2 of the phi meson is consistent with the trend observed for mesons. The ratio of the yields of the Omega to those of the phi as a function of transverse momentum is consistent with a model based on the recombination of thermal s quarks up to pT approximately 4 GeV/c, but disagrees at higher momenta. The nuclear modification factor (R CP) of phi follows the trend observed in the K S 0 mesons rather than in Lambda baryons, supporting baryon-meson scaling. These data are consistent with phi mesons in central Au+Au collisions being created via coalescence of thermalized s quarks and the formation of a hot and dense matter with partonic collectivity at RHIC.

Transverse momentum and centrality dependence of high-pT nonphotonic electron suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s NN]=200 GeV

The STAR collaboration at the BNL Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) reports measurements of the inclusive yield of nonphotonic electrons, which arise dominantly from semileptonic decays of heavy flavor mesons, over a broad range of transverse momenta (1.2<p(T)<10 GeV/c) in p+p, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV. The nonphotonic electron yield exhibits an unexpectedly large suppression in central Au+Au collisions at high p(T), suggesting substantial heavy-quark energy loss at RHIC. The centrality and p(T) dependences of the suppression provide constraints on theoretical models of suppression.