Influence of the electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus on adrenocortical steroidogenesis in hypophysectomized rats

The electrical stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), periventricular arcuate nucleus (ARC), and posterior hypothalamus (PHY), on 14C transfer rates from 14C-1-acetate into adrenocortical steroids in adrenal slices of hypophysectomized rats were investigated. The 14C transfer rates into corticosterone and cortisol were increased by the stimulation of the VMH, ARC, and PHY, but decreased by the stimulation of the LHA. From these results, it might be suggested that these hypothalamic structures were involved in the regulation of adrenocortical steroidogenesis without participation of the pituitary.

[Three cases of spontaneous mediastinal emphysema]

We report 3 cases of spontaneous mediastinal emphysema. All patients were young males, and had predisposing episodes for development of spontaneous mediastinal emphysema; sports in 2, loud voice in 1. The each chief complaint was dyspnea, throat pain, and epigastric pain. Two patients were admitted, but 1 rejected admission despite sufficient informed consent. All patients became asymptomatic with mediastinal air reabsorption within a week. We should recognize spontaneous mediastinal emphysema as one cause of chest, back, neck and epigastric pain.

Activational and organisational effects of gonadal steroids on sex-specific acetylcholine release in the dorsal hippocampus

Acetylcholine (ACh) release in the dorsal hippocampus increases during stress, exploration or learning, exhibiting sex-specific 24-h release profile. We review the role of gonadal steroids on the ACh release in the dorsal hippocampus. In our studies, we found that male rats showed higher extracellular ACh levels than females, but gonadectomy decreased ACh levels in both sexes of rats and subsequently eliminated the sex difference. To examine the sex difference under comparable gonadal steroid levels, we implanted steroid capsules after gonadectomy. Oestradiol supplementation maintained circulating oestradiol to the levels in proestrous female rats, whereas testosterone capsules maintained circulating testosterone to the levels similar to intact male rats. Under comparable gonadal steroids levels, ACh levels were sex-specific. Testosterone replacement in orchidectomised rats clearly restored ACh levels, which were greater than ovariectomised testosterone-primed rats. Similarly, oestradiol replacement in ovariectomised rats successfully restored ACh levels, which were higher than orchidectomised oestradiol-primed rats. These results suggest sex-specific activational effects of gonadal steroids on ACh release. To further examine the organisational effect, female pups were neonatally treated with oil, testosterone, oestradiol, or dihydrotestosterone. These rats were bilaterally ovariectomised and a testosterone capsule was implanted at postnatal week 8. Neonatal treatment of either testosterone or oestradiol clearly increased ACh levels, whereas neonatal dihydrotestosterone treatment failed to change levels. These results suggest that: (i) gonadal steroids maintain the sex-specific ACh release in the dorsal hippocampus and (ii) neonatal activation of oestrogen receptors is sufficient to mediate masculinisation of the septo-hippocampal cholinergic system.

Quantitative assessment of water diffusion changes in brains of children with neurofibromatosis type I using apparent diffusion coefficient

We measured diffusion changes in the brains of children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Using diffusion-weighted and conventional magnetic resonance (MR) images of 42 children with NF1 (19 girls, 23 boys; 7 months-16 years, mean 6.8 years) and 42 age-matched controls (20 boys, 22 girls; 6 months-17 years, mean, 6.9 years), we calculated the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from the automatically generated ADC maps and placed regions of interest in the pons, middle cerebellar and cerebral peduncles, thalami, globus pallidi and frontal white matter. Evaluating only normal-appearing regions on conventional images, we compared mean ADCs using the unpaired Student t test. Means were not significantly different in frontal white matter but were larger in the other regions in the NF1 (P < 0.01). Although conventional MR showed normal intensity, ADCs of the pons, middle cerebellar and cerebral peduncles, thalami and globus pallidi were significantly larger in the NF1.

EGF-dependent enhancement of invasive ability in squamous cell carcinoma of the breast

Abstract #2061

The factors promoting the clinical aggressiveness of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is still not well understood. In order to examine whether the mechanism of cell motility is involved in the aggressive behavior of squamous cell carcinoma, we established a squamous cell carcinoma cell line from breast primary (HBC 9) and assayed its invasiveness. The number of HBC9 cells migrating through matrigel was significantly increased by stimulation with epidermal growth factor (EGF). This enhancement of cell motility was distinctly detected in comparison with four ductal carcinoma cell lines (MCF7, BT474, HBC5, and MDA-MB-231). EGF stimulation also induced surface protrusions of HBC9 cells. To examine the interaction between Arp2/3 complex and N-WASP which is the final intracellular signal of invadopodia formation that is downstream from EGF stimulation, we observed surface protrusion of HBC 9 by laser microscopy. Co-localization of Arp2 and N-WASP was detected with actin polymerization visualized by phalloidin. Furthermore, the localization of cortactin was found to agree with that of N-WASP and Arp2/3 complex in the invadopodia. The cortactin gene copy number was evaluated using real time PCR by comparison between 12 DNA samples extracted from primary mammary squamous cell cancer tissue and those from corresponding normal breast tissue. A higher level of cortactin was detected in cancer tissue than in normal tissue in 10 cases (83%). At a protein level, intense immunostaining of cortactin was detected in all 12 cases, among which expression was confirmed in 2 cases by Western blot analysis. These results suggest that one of the causes of clinical aggressiveness of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is the enhancement of cell motility by invadopodial formation. Overexpression of cortactin may result in the formation of invadopodium.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2061.

Significance of repeated resection for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Management of patients with recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) following surgical resection is difficult, and surgical resection is rarely indicated. We retrospectively reviewed patients with recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODOLOGY

Between April 1998 and March 2007, 57 consecutive patients with ICC underwent surgical resection. Mode of recurrence and treatment of recurrent tumors, especially surgical resection for these tumors, in patients with cancer recurrence were evaluated.

RESULTS

37 (65%) patients experienced tumor recurrence. Out of these patients, 24 underwent some type of cancer-directed therapy, including 9 patients (24%) for whom surgical resection was attempted: the latter included 4 hepatic resections, 2 pulmonary resections, 2 tumor resections, and 1 gastric resection. For 6 patients with recurrent tumor in the liver or the lung, microscopic complete resection was achieved, while incomplete resection was resulted in the remaining 3 patients. No postoperative mortality was encountered. Among patients with complete resection, 3 are alive without disease 32, 39 and 77 months after the second operation, one has lived with disease for 13 months, and 2 died of disease after 22 and 26 months. No significant difference in overall survival was observed between patients undergoing primary and second surgical resections, calculated from the primary and the second operations, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated surgical resection for recurrent ICC can be performed with acceptable morbidity, and affords selected patients a chance for long-term survival.

A rat model of saliva secretory immunoglobulin: a suppression caused by intense exercise

We aimed to develop a valid model of immunosuppression induced by intense exercise in rats. Rats were divided into three groups. In the rest (Rest) group, saliva was collected from resting rats on 4 consecutive days. In the exercise (Ex) group, rats ran on a treadmill until exhaustion (exercise time: 60.0 +/- 3.7 min), and their saliva was collected before and after exercise; the salivary glands were removed after exercise. In the control (Con) group, saliva collection and gland removal were also performed, but the rats did not exercise. Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) concentrations in saliva and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) mRNA expression in the glands were measured. There was no significant change in SIgA concentration in the Rest group over 4 days. In the Ex group, SIgA concentration decreased significantly after exercise compared with before, whereas there was no significant change in the Con group. The expression of pIgR mRNA was significantly lower in the Ex group post-exercise than in the Con group. Our procedure for saliva collection appeared suitable, and the exercise-induced SIgA suppression was probably caused by a decline in pIgR mRNA expression. We propose to use this reproducible and reliable rat model of exercise-induced SIgA suppression in future studies.

Poor postoperative blood glucose control increases surgical site infections after surgery for hepato-biliary-pancreatic cancer: a prospective study in a high-volume institute in Japan

Two hundred and sixty-five consecutive patients awaiting hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery were prospectively observed for surgical site infections (SSIs). SSI rates differed according to type of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery. Multivariate analysis identified enteric anastomoses, poor postoperative blood glucose control and type of cancer as independent risk factors. SSI rates were directly correlated with the degree of hyperglycaemia encountered during the postoperative period. In particular, SSI rates were 5/25 (20%) among patients in whom a blood glucose level of <200mg/dL was maintained by insulin infusion therapy, which was significantly better than the rates of 49/94 (52%) among patients in whom a blood glucose level of <200mg/dL was not maintained despite insulin infusion therapy (P<0.01). It is necessary to maintain postoperative blood glucose levels of <200mg/dL in order to reduce SSI rates.

Intracerebral hemorrhage associated with livedo racemosa

We report on a case of intracerebral hemorrhage associated with livedo racemosa in a 13-year-old girl. A skin biopsy specimen showed endothelitis and mixed inflammatory cellular infiltrate around the small arteries. We believe that the cerebral hemorrhage might have been caused by fragility of the intracranial small arteries and that this case could be an example of an early stage of Sneddon's syndrome.

A randomized phase II trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with uracil / tegafur (UFT) and gemcitabine (GEM) vs. gemcitabine alone in patients with resected pancreatic cancer

4542

Background: GEM is now the standard therapy for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (PC). However, there have been few randomized studies of adjuvant chemotherapy with GEM in patients with resected PC. Methods: Patients with invasive ductal pancreatic cancer who underwent radical surgery were enrolled. Within 8weeks after operation, pts were randomized to receive UFT and GEM (GU) or GEM alone (G). GEM was administrated at a dosage of 1g/m2 IV weekly X3 out of 4weeks and UFT at a dosage of 200mg/body/day orally continuously. Eligibility included histological residual tumor (R) 0 or 1, and no previous chemo- or/and radiation therapy. Primary endpoint was 1y disease free survival (DFS) rate and secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and side effects in both groups. Results: Between 05/02 and 12/05, 100 patients were randomized into the two arms of the trial (50 pts to GU and 50 to G). No pts were found to be ineligible. Pts characteristics were well balanced (GU/G) with regard to median age (62/63y), tumor status (T3+4 88/94%), nodal status (N positive 77/72%), histological residual tumor status (R0 76/68%). Until 03/06, 1y DFS rate was 50.3% in GU and 45.5% in G and there was no significant difference between two groups. The median OS was 20m in GU and 28m in G (Log rank test: N.S.). Grade 2 or more toxicities were observed in 67.3% of GU pts and 56.3% of G pts (N.S.). No grade 4 or more toxicity was observed in either groups. Leucocytopenia was the most frequently observed side effect in both groups (Grade 2 or more GU/G 49/46%). Conclusion: Preliminary results confirm the efficacy and safety of GEM based adjuvant chemotherapy for pts with resected PC, but addition of UFT with GEM dose not improve DFS as compared with GEM alone, so far. Final results will be presented at the meeting.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Effects of bilateral jugular vein ligation on local cerebral blood flow

The authors examined the effect of bilateral jugular vein ligation (JVL) on local cerebral blood flow (CBF). Local CBF was measured in the neocortex of the frontal lobe over a 1-week period in 10 freely moving male rats. Measurements were taken with the hydrogen clearance method before and after the rat underwent either an operation of bilateral JVL or a sham operation. After the sham operation, blood flow values did not change significantly compared with preoperative values. Blood flow values decreased rapidly in rats with JVL. For 3 hours after surgery, JVL values were significantly lower (p <0.05) than preoperative values were, then gradually they recovered and reached preoperative values within 48 hours. Histopathologic study showed no remarkable parenchymal damages in the brain of rats with JVL. These results show that bilateral JVL produces a reversible decrease in the CBF and does not cause histopathologic brain damages.

A key role for the subunit SUR2B in the preferential activation of vascular KATP channels by isoflurane

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been postulated that isoflurane, a volatile anaesthetic, produces vasodilatation through activation of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels. However, there is no direct evidence for the activation of vascular KATP channels by isoflurane. This study was conducted to examine the effect of isoflurane on vascular KATP channels and compare it with that on cardiac KATP channels.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Effects of isoflurane on KATP channels were examined in aortic smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes of the mouse using patch clamp techniques. Effects of the anaesthetic on the KATP channels with different combinations of the inward rectifier pore subunits (Kir6.1 and Kir6.2) and sulphonylurea receptor subunits (SUR2A and SUR2B) reconstituted in a heterologous expression system were also examined.

KEY RESULTS

Isoflurane increased the coronary flow in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts in a concentration-dependent manner, which was abolished by 10 microM glibenclamide. In enzymically-dissociated aortic smooth muscle cells, isoflurane evoked a glibenclamide-sensitive current (i.e. KATP current). In isolated mouse ventricular cells, however, isoflurane failed to evoke the KATP current unless the KATP current was preactivated by the K+ channel opener pinacidil. Although isoflurane readily activated the Kir6.1/SUR2B channels (vascular type), the volatile anesthetic could not activate the Kir6.2/SUR2A channels (cardiac type) expressed in HEK293 cells. Isoflurane activated a glibenclamide-sensitive current in HEK293 cells expressing Kir6.2/SUR2B channels.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Isoflurane activates KATP channels in vascular smooth muscle cells and produces coronary vasodilation in mouse hearts. SUR2B may be important for the activation of vascular-type KATP channels by isoflurane.

Changes of pituitary, adrenal and gonadal hormones during competition among female soccer players

AIM

This study was intended to investigate various hormones during competition among female athletes.

METHODS

Subjects were elite female soccer players (n=9). Blood samples and profiles of mood states (POMS) were obtained before (Pre), during 3 days of competition (Competition), and after competition (Post-3 days). Serum concentrations were determined for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), cortisol (C), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), luteinising hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

RESULTS

Levels of C and PRL increased significantly during competition (2nd: P<0.05; 3rd: P<0.01) compared with Pre. Levels of LH increased significantly during competition (3rd day) compared with Pre (P<0.05). Levels of DHEAS changed significantly during competition, whereas levels of T, ACTH, and FSH were unchanged during competition. The fatigue score of POMS increased significantly during competition (2nd day) compared with Pre (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that competitive stress affected hormonal status in female athletes. These findings suggest that hormonal changes reflect physical and mental stress during competition.

L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-induced c-Fos expression in the CNS under inhibition of central aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase

L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) is a neurotransmitter candidate. To map the DOPAergic system functionally, DOPA-induced c-Fos expression was detected under inhibition of central aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). In rats treated with a central AADC inhibitor, DOPA significantly increased the number of c-Fos-positive nuclei in the paraventricular nuclei (PVN) and the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), and showed a tendency to increase in the supraoptic nuclei (SON), but not in the striatum. On the other hand, DOPA with a peripheral AADC inhibitor elevated the level of c-Fos-positive nuclei in the four regions, suggesting that DOPA itself induces c-Fos expression in the SON, PVN and NTS. In rats treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) to lesion the nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) pathway, DOPA significantly induced c-Fos expression in the four regions under the inhibition of peripheral AADC. However, under the inhibition of central AADC, DOPA did not significantly increase the number of c-Fos-positive nuclei in the four regions, suggesting that DOPA at least in part induces c-Fos expression through its conversion to DA. It was likely that the 6-OHDA lesion enhanced the response to DA, but attenuated that to DOPA itself. In conclusion, we proposed that the SON, PVN and NTS include target sites for DOPA itself.

Progression rate of ALSFRS-R at time of diagnosis predicts survival time in ALS

The authors calculated the progression rate (DeltaFS) using the total revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and symptom duration at diagnosis in 82 Japanese patients with ALS. Survival (death or tracheostomy) differed significantly with the DeltaFS and postdiagnostic period according to log-rank testing, but Cox proportional hazards modeling revealed no strong association between total ALSFRS-R and mortality, suggesting that the DeltaFS provides an additional predictive index beyond ALSFRS-R alone.

Pre-operative embolization for spontaneous rupture of renal cell carcinoma

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