Isotopic dependence of the giant monopole resonance in the even-A 112-124Sn isotopes and the asymmetry term in nuclear incompressibility

The strength distributions of the giant monopole resonance (GMR) have been measured in the even-A Sn isotopes (A=112-124) with inelastic scattering of 400-MeV alpha particles in the angular range 0 degrees -8.5 degrees . We find that the experimentally observed GMR energies of the Sn isotopes are lower than the values predicted by theoretical calculations that reproduce the GMR energies in 208Pb and 90Zr very well. From the GMR data, a value of Ktau = -550 +/- 100 MeV is obtained for the asymmetry term in the nuclear incompressibility.

Expression of IP-10 related to angiogenesis in uterine cervical cancers

Angiogenesis is essential for development, growth and advancement of solid tumours. Interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) regulates lymphocyte chemotaxis, mediates vascular pericyte proliferation and acts as an angiostatic agent, thus inhibiting tumour growth. This prompted us to study the clinical implications of IP-10 expression related to angiogenesis in uterine cervical cancers. The levels of IP-10 decreased with advancement, and the prognosis of the 30 patients with low IP-10 expression in uterine cervical cancers was poor (66%), whereas the 24-month survival rate of the other patients with high IP-10 expression was 90%. Furthermore, IP-10 levels significantly reverse-correlated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in uterine cervical cancers. Interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 might work on suppression of angiogenesis associated with VEGF in advancement, and can be recognised as a prognostic indicator. Furthermore, IP-10 activation might be effective on the suppression of regrowth or recurrence after intensive treatment for advanced cervical cancers.

Development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C who had a sustained virological response to interferon therapy: a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 1124 patients

BACKGROUND

Interferon (IFN) improves hepatic inflammation/fibrosis and reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C). However, HCC develops in some patients who have a sustained virological response (SVR) to IFN therapy. We designed this study to establish a follow-up protocol for patients with CH-C who have SVR to IFN therapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 1124 patients with CH-C who received IFN.

RESULTS

HCC developed in 3.5% of patients with SVR to IFN. As compared with SVR patients without HCC, SVR patients with HCC were predominantly male (P=0.003), older at the initiation of IFN therapy (P=0.002), and at a more advanced histologic stage of disease (P<0.001). However, three of the 13 SVR HCC patients had mild fibrosis. The mean interval from IFN therapy to the detection of HCC in SVR HCC patients was 5.8 years and did not differ significantly from that in non-SVR HCC patients (P=0.304). Although most patients with HCC received curative therapy, the prognosis of some SVR HCC patients was poor, probably because of insufficient follow-up, resulting in delayed detection of HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

SVR patients with CH-C who are elderly, male, or have an advanced histologic stage are at a high risk for the development of HCC after IFN therapy. We recommend that SVR patients should be observed carefully for more than 10 years after the completion of IFN therapy, even if they only have early fibrosis.

[Primary biventricular repair for interrupted aortic arch with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and tricuspid valve regurgitation; report of a case]

An interrupted aortic arch was diagnosed in a 10-day-old girl weighing 3.3 kg, as was perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) and severe tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR). The subaortic diameter was 3.6 mm and the aortic valve (3.7 mm in diameter) was bicuspid. We chose definitive repair, modified Yasui procedure, because of severe TR and no straddling of mitral valve. In primary biventricular repair, we undertook extended aortic arch anastomosis. Left ventricular outflow tract reconstruction consisted of intracardiac rerouting from the VSD to the pulmonary artery by using expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and Damus-Kaye-Stansel (DKS) anastomosis. Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction was performed by the Rastelli procedure with an ePTFE valved conduit. Moreover, we carried out semicircular annuloplasty for severe TR.

Reduced function of CD4+25+ regulatory T cell fraction in silicosis patients

The quality and quantity of CD4+25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in silicosis patients (SIL) were examined and compared with results from healthy donors (HD) because SIL often develop autoimmune diseases along with pulmonary disorders. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 57 SIL and 50 HD were analyzed for Treg. Treg frequency and clinical parameters were subjected to a factor analysis. Treg and CD4+25- T cells (Tneg) from five HD and five SIL, sorted by flow-cytometer, were used for functional assays of Treg, the expression pattern of Treg specific genes (FoxP3, GITR and CTLA-4) and activation-related genes (CD122 and CD123). Although the actual frequency of Treg did not differ between SIL and HD, the age-corrected level was reduced in SIL. The factor analysis showed that Treg frequency was positively associated with the serum level of IL-2. The inhibitory effect of Treg on Tneg activation was decreased when the Treg:Tneg ratio was 1:1/4 to 1/2. In addition, Treg dominancy of FoxP3 and CTLA-4 expression and Tneg dominancy of CD132 expression found in HD were lost in SIL. These results indicated that the Treg fraction in SIL may be substituted with chronically activated T cells due to recurrent exposure to silica, resulting in a reduction in the frequency and function of Treg. Since the reduction of Treg may precede the clinical manifestation, as silicosis may be a pre-clinical status for autoimmune diseases, control of Treg function using cell and/or gene therapy may be a good way to manage autoimmune disease.

Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularisation associated with pathological myopia

AIM

To assess the efficacy and safety of an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin(R)) for myopic choroidal neovascularisation (mCNV).

METHODS

Intravitreal bevacizumab (1 mg) was injected into eight eyes of eight patients with mCNV in this non-randomised, interventional case series. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured and the optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography findings were examined before and after treatment. The minimum follow-up time was 3 months.

RESULTS

The mean BCVA was 0.26 before treatment and 0.51 at the last visit (p = 0.009). The BCVA improved to two or more lines in six eyes (75%) and remained the same in two eyes (25%). Leakage from the mCNV on fluorescein angiography decreased in seven eyes (87.5%). The choroidal neovascularisation area on fluorescein angiography (p = 0.049) and the foveal thickness on OCT images decreased significantly (p = 0.027) after the treatment. No major complications developed.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab seems to be an effective and safe treatment for mCNV.

Development of an in vitro skin sensitization test using human cell lines: The human Cell Line Activation Test (h-CLAT)

The aim of this study is to optimize the experimental conditions for an in vitro skin sensitization test using the human cell lines THP-1 and U-937. As regards pre-culturing time, the expression of CD86 on DNCB-treated THP-1 cells tended to be higher after 48h and 72h pre-culture compared with other time points evaluated. Next, we investigated the effect of chemical treatment time, and found that induction of CD86 expression on THP-1 cells by DNCB reached a plateau after 24h. Augmentation of CD86 expression is often observed when cells are treated with a subtoxic dose of allergens. To determine the appropriate dose of test samples, the cytotoxicity of test samples to THP-1 and U-937 cells was assessed with MTT assay, and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of each test sample was calculated. Based on the cytotoxicity assay data, four concentrations in the range between toxic and non-toxic were selected (0.1x, 0.5x, 1x and 2x IC50). Several kinds of antibodies were tested for staining THP-1 and U-937 cells treated with allergens/non-allergens (e.g., DNCB, Ni/SLS), and suitable antibodies for staining CD86 and CD54 were selected. We confirmed that the working dilutions of the selected CD86 and CD54 antibodies were appropriate for use in our method. The effect of an FcR blocking procedure was also evaluated. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI value) was decreased by the FcR blocking procedure, which indicated that non-specific staining was blocked. Therefore, this procedure should be included in the method. Based on our findings, the protocol for this assay was optimized and the experimental conditions to be used in a future validation study were identified. We propose to call this kind of in vitro skin sensitization test h-CLAT, which is short for human Cell Line Activation Test.

Development of an in vitro skin sensitization test using human cell lines; human Cell Line Activation Test (h-CLAT) II. An inter-laboratory study of the h-CLAT

Recent regulatory changes have placed a major emphasis on in vitro safety testing and alternative models. In regard to skin sensitization tests, dendritic cells (DCs) derived from human peripheral blood have been considered in the development of new in vitro alternatives. Human cell lines have been also reported recently. In our previous study, we suggested that measuring CD86 and/or CD54 expression on THP-1 cells (human monocytic leukemia cell line) could be used as an in vitro skin sensitization method. An inter-laboratory study among two laboratories was undertaken in Japan in order to further develop an in vitro skin sensitization model. In the present study, we used two human cell lines: THP-1 and U-937 (human histiocytic lymphoma cell line). First we optimized our test protocol (refer to the related paper entitled "optimization of the h-CLAT protocol" within this journal) and then we did an inter-laboratory validation with nine chemicals using the optimized protocol. We measured the expression of CD86 and CD54 on the above cells using flow cytometry after a 24h and 48h exposure to six known allergens (e.g., DNCB, pPD, NiSO(4)) and three non-allergens (e.g., SLS, tween 80). For the sample test concentration, four doses (0.1x, 0.5x, 1x, and 2x of the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50))) were evaluated. IC(50) was calculated using MTT assay. We found that allergens/non-allergens were better predicted using THP-1 cells compared to U-937 cells following a 24 h and a 48 h exposure. We also found that the 24h treatment time tended to have a better accuracy than the 48 h treatment time for THP-1 cells. Expression of CD86 and CD54 were good predictive markers for THP-1 cells, but for U-937 cells, expression of CD86 was a better predictor than CD54, at the 24h and the 48 h treatment time. The accuracy also improved when both markers (CD86 and CD54) were used as compared with a single marker for THP-1 cells. Both laboratories gave a good prediction of allergen/non-allergen, especially using THP-1 cells. These results suggest that our method, human Cell Line Activation Test (h-CLAT), using human cell lines THP-1 and U-937, but especially THP-1 cells at 24h treatment, may be a useful in vitro skin sensitization model to predict various contact allergens.

Endoscopic thermal ablation therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma; multi-center study

4147

Background: Differences of efficacy between radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave coagulation (MWC) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unknown. So we performed multi-center study to assess factors contributing to survival among patients treated by endoscopic thermal ablation for single HCC. Methods: 396 patients in six institutions with single HCC who were firstly treated by endoscopic thermal ablation were enrolled in this study and assessed retrospectively. Among 396 patients, 347 were treated under general anesthesia and 49 were treated local anesthesia. 144 were treated by MWC and 252 were treated by RFA. 383 were ablated laparoscopically and 13 were done thoracoscopically. 230 HCCs were located superficial position of liver and 166 were deep position. Classification with Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, the Japan Integrated Staging score, and the Cancer of the Italian Program scoring system were performed. All patients were analyzed survival rates by Kaplan-Meier method and differences among groups were compared by the log-rank test. Results: Five year survival rates of all 396 patients were 63% and ten year survival rates were 42%. Differences between general and local anesthesia were not significant (p = 0.28). Differences between MWC and RFA were not significant (p = 0.77). Location of HCCs were not significant (p = 0.89). Differences among groups classified by Child-Turcotte-Pugh score were significant (p = 0.017). Classification by the Japan Integrated Staging score was not significant (p = 0.24). However, classification by the Cancer of the Italian Program scoring system were significant (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Endoscopic thermal ablation therapies for HCC was effective. Differences of efficacy between RFA and MWC were not found.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The docetaxel (DOC) and gemcitabine (GEM) combination as adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A multi-institutional phase II trial

17157

Background: As clinical phase II studies with non-platinum doublet for adjuvant chemotherapy after complete resection of NSCLC has been scarcely reported, this clinical study was designed to evaluate the toxicity profile and the efficacy of the adjuvant chemotherapy with non-platinum doublet of DOC+GEM. Methods: Eligibility criteria included: completely resected NSCLC, pathological stage II and IIIA, younger than 76 years old, and performance status 0–1. Patients treated preoperatively were excluded. Treatment consisted of DOC, 60 mg/m2, on day 8, and GEM, 1000 mg/m2, on day 1, 8, and 15 every 4 week (4 cycles). Dose of GEM was decreased to 800 mg/m2 after the initial 21patients because interstitial pneumonitis (IP) occurred in 3 among them. Results: Between August 2000 and August 2002, 35 patients (M/F: 21/14) were enrolled. The median age was 62 years (range 47–74) were enrolled with 5 patients (14.3%) over the age of 70. 34 patients had ECOG PS of 0. 28 patients had adenocarcinomas, 6 had squamous cell carcinomas, and one had adenosquamous carcinoma. Pathological stages were stage IIA in 5 patients, stage IIB in 1 and stage IIIA in 29 (82.9%). All patients received at least one cycle of chemotherapy. 29 patients received 3 cycles of chemotherapy and 23 (66%) completed 4 cycles. The main grade 3/4 toxicity (according to WHO scale) consisted of leukocytopenie (n = 19, 54.3%), thrombocytopenia (n = 3, 8.6%), appetiteloss (n = 4, 11.4%), dyspnea (n = 3, 8.6%), and vomiting (n = 1, 2.9%). IP, which caused dyspnea in these 3 patients, were well treated with steroid and suspension of chemotherapy. There was no treatment related death. Median follow-up period was 52 months. The 4 year recurrent free survival rate was 42.9% and the 4 year survival rate was 65.8%. Conclusions: Non-platinum doublet regimen with DOC+GEM as adjuvant chemotherapy for the NSCLC patients with complete resection was feasible and showed good compliance besides IP.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Five-year survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with laparoscopic microwave coagulation therapy

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM

Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) that are located near the liver surface are difficult to treat with percutaneous locoregional therapies, so we have performed laparoscopic microwave coagulation therapy (LMCT) for these HCCs. We assessed the long-term survival of patients with HCCs treated with LMCT, the factors related to their survival, and the rates and causes of local and distant recurrences.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Participants were 68 patients with HCC treated in the past 8 years with LMCT under local or general anesthesia. LMCT was done using microwave electrodes with tips ranging from 15 to 45 mm in length; the effectiveness of LMCT was confirmed using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) within 2 weeks of the LMCT procedure while patients were still in hospital, and within 1-3 months after the procedure in an outpatient setting; and the follow-up study was performed periodically by CT, ultrasonography, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to estimation of alpha fetoprotein. Factors contributing to survival were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

The mean lengths of the major and minor axes of the 71 HCC nodules in 68 patients were 20 mm and 18 mm, respectively, and the mean lengths of the major and minor axes of the coagulated areas were 43 mm and 29 mm, respectively. At dynamic CT after the LMCT procedure, treatment in 62 of the 68 patients (91%) was judged to have been completely effective; the remaining six patients underwent additional therapy while still in hospital. Eight of the 68 patients (12%) had local recurrences, 39 of them (57%) had distant recurrences, and 21 of them (31%) had no recurrence up to December 31, 2003. A total of 14 patients (21%) died during the 16-56 months after LMCT. When the survival rate was assessed for all patients treated with LMCT, 1-year survival was 97 %, 3-year survival was 81%, and 5-year survival was 43%. Whether the therapy was for primary or secondary HCC strongly influenced survival.

CONCLUSIONS

LMCT is a useful modality in clinical practice for treatment of HCC nodules located near the liver surface, and it can be safely performed, in its entirety, under direct visual guidance.

[Early and late results and problems of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients over 80-year-old]

This study evaluated the validity of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients over 80-year-old investigating the early and late result, patient's opinion to the surgery, and change of activities of daily living scale. From July 1993 to September 2002, consecutive 94 patients over 80-year-old were performed CABG in our institution. The group consisted of 43 female patients, and mean age of 82.6 years. Of these patients, 36 were operated conventional CABG (CABG group) and 58 patients were operated with off-pump CABG (OPCAB) group. There were no significant differences between 2 groups in preoperative characteristics except for anemia and hypertension. Operative results, including mortality, number of distal anastomoses, operative time had no significant differences between 2 groups. But maximum CK-MB fraction was higher in CABG group. There were 4 operative deaths, indicating operative mortality was 4.3%. Late results showed overall survival rate at 3 years was 81.1% and cardiac event free survival rate at 3 years was 88.8%. Questionnaire revealed over 80% patients were satisfied with the surgery but less than 40% patients felt activities of daily living (ADL) scale was improved. Operative results of CABG in octogenarians were satisfied, but more efforts to remain patient's high ADL were mandatory.

Inhibitory Effects of Anti-Oxidants on Apoptosis of a Human Polyclonal T-Cell Line, MT-2, Induced by an Asbestos, Chrysotile-A

To clarify the effects of silica and silicates on cellular features of lymphocytes, a human T-lymphotropic virus type-1-immortalized polyclonal T-cell line, MT-2, was exposed to various concentrations of chrysotile-A, an asbestos classified as silicate. MT-2 cells underwent apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The mitochondrial apoptotic pathway was activated during chrysotile-A-induced apoptosis of MT-2 cells, because of the phosphorylation of JNK and p38, increase of BAX and release of cytochrome-c from mitochondria to cytoplasma. In addition, anti-oxidants such as hydroxyl-radical excluders and capturers of superoxide and inhibitors of superoxide production effectively reduced the size of the apoptotic fraction in MT-2 cells cultured with chrysotile-A. These results indicate that the activation of reactive oxygen species may play a central role in asbestos-induced T-cell apoptosis, and anti-oxidants may help to prevent complications of pneumoconiosis.

Renormalization-group and numerical analysis of a noisy Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation in 1 + 1 dimensions

The long-wavelength properties of a noisy Kuramoto-Sivashinsky (KS) equation in 1 + 1 dimensions are investigated by use of the dynamic renormalization group (RG) and direct numerical simulations. It is shown that the noisy KS equation is in the same universality class as the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) equation in the sense that they have scale invariant solutions with the same scaling exponents in the long-wavelength limit. The RG analysis reveals that the RG flow for the parameters of the noisy KS equation rapidly approach the KPZ fixed point with increasing strength of the noise. This is supplemented by numerical simulations of the KS equation with a stochastic noise, in which scaling behavior close to the KPZ scaling can be observed even in a moderate system size and time.

[Autologous fibrin sealant preparing system in coronary artery bypass grafting]

Autologous fibrin sealant (AFS) which is not based on the conventional method of co-administering fibrinogen, thrombin and aprotinin was prepared by Vivostat system, and was used in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the AFS prepared by the Vivostat system. In 6 of 68 cases of CABG, normal AFS was not prepared due to device failures. AFS was prepared and sprayed in 62 cases. There were the total of 230 anastomosis sprayed AFS and the bleeding could not seen in 225 anastomosis. Surgical hemostatic procedures (4 cases) were or other sealant usage (1 case) was performed 5 bleeding anastomosis sites. The rate of hemostasis at the anastomosis using AFS was 97.8%. This study was conducted in patients undergoing CABG. In this group of patients, a number of commercial available fibrin sealant products are routinely used. The usefulness of Vivostat as medical device to prepare and administer AFS was confirmed in this study.

Characterization of T-cell clones specific to ovomucoid from patients with egg-white allergy

BACKGROUND

Allergic reactions to foods are specific problems for infants and young children. Ovomucoid (OM) is one of the major allergens found in egg-white. We previously established several T-cell clones (TCCs) specific to OM in non-polarizing conditions from 4 patients (TM and YN are immediate-type, IH and YT are non-immediate-type) with egg-white allergy. We characterized their reactive epitopes, antigen-presenting molecules (HLA class II), and usage of TCR alpha and beta genes and the CDR3 loop sequence.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to characterize these seven clones (TM 1.3, TM1.4,YN 1.1, YN1.5, IH3.1, IH3.3 and YT6.1) for cytokine production patterns and cell-surface-marker phenotypes.

METHODS

We measured the production of cytokines, namely interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) by stimulation with ovomucoid peptides and stained intracellular IL-4 and IFN-gamma, and determined cell-surface markers using anti-interleukin-12 receptor (IL-12R) beta1, anti-IL-12Rbeta2 and anti-interleukin-18 receptor alpha (IL-18Ralpha).

RESULTS

Most TCCs secreted both IL-4 and IFN-gamma in response to the OM peptide mixture, but the secretion patterns were variable; an IFN-gamma dominant pattern was seen in IH3.1 andYT6.1, an IFN-gamma>IL-4 pattern in TM1.3 and TM1.4, an IL-4> IFN-gamma pattern in YN1.5. In intracellular IFN-gamma and IL-4 staining, IFN-gamma single-positive cells were predominant in TM1.3, TM1.4, IH3.1 and YT6.1 and IFN-gamma and IL-4 double-positive cells were predominant in YN1.1, YN1.5 and IH3.3. All TCCs were IL-12Rbeta1-positive, and TM1.3, IH3.1, IH3.3 and YT6.1 were both IL-12Rbeta2- and IL-18Ralpha-positive. TM1.4 and YN1.1 were both IL-12Rbeta2- and IL-18Ralpha-negative. Based on these results, TM1.3 and TM1.4, IH3.1 and YT6.1 had a predominantly Th1 character and YN1.1, YN1.5, and IH3.3 possessed a predominantly Th0 character.

CONCLUSIONS

The phenotypes of TCCs were not in accordance with their clinical manifestations. TCCs established from patients with immediate-type hypersensitivity had either the Th1 or Th0 phenotype as well as those with non-immediate-type hypersensitivity.

Clinical implications of expression of cyclooxygenase-2 related to angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers

BACKGROUND

Angiogenesis is essential for development, growth and advancement of solid tumors. Cyclooxygenase (cox)-2 is recognized as an angiogenic factor in various tumors. This prompted us to study the clinical implications of cox-2 expression and angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty patients underwent curative resection for uterine endometrial cancers. In uterine endometrial cancers, cox-2 levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay, and the localization and counts of microvessels were determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

There was a significant correlation between microvessel counts and cox-2 levels in uterine endometrial cancers. Cox-2 localized in the cancer cells, but not in the stromal cells of uterine endometrial cancer tissues. Cox-2 levels decreased with the advancement. Furthermore, cox-2 levels significantly correlated with VEGF levels in uterine endometrial cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

VEGF associated with cox-2 might work on angiogenesis at an early status in growth. Therefore, long-term administration of cox-2 inhibitors might be effective in the suppression of recurrent initiation of uterine endometrial cancers after curative resection.

Expression of protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5)/ubiquitin-C-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL-1) in human myeloma cells

The neuron cytoplasmic protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5)/ubiquitin-C-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL-1) protein is a thiol protease that recognizes and hydrolyzes a peptide bond at the C-terminal of ubiquitin, and is involved in the processing of ubiquitin precursors and ubiquinated proteins. Although this molecule is known as a specific tissue marker for the neuroendocrine system, many reports have indicated that PGP9.5 is a marker for certain tumour types, such as cancer of the lung, colon, and pancreas. The expression of PGP9.5 in myeloma cells was examined. PGP9.5 seemed to be expressed specifically in myeloma cells as compared with other haematological malignant cells. In addition, in myeloma cells subjected to growth-factor starvation, the upregulation of PGP9.5 was observed in association with that of p27(Kip1), a cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitor, although the upregulation caused by irradiation was milder. In contrast, the hypoxic culture of myeloma cells induced down-regulation of PGP9.5. These results suggested that PGP9.5 may be a good marker for myeloma among haematological malignancies. In addition, it may indicate certain cellular features of myeloma cells, such as sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors.

Relationship between immunological rejection and matrix GLA protein in cryopreserved vascular allografts

INTRODUCTION

Cryopreserved tissue allografts used for cardiovascular diseases become calcified as a late complication after transplantation, probably caused by immunological rejection. Recent attention has been focused on the inhibitory effect of matrix Gla protein (MGP) on ectopic vascular calcification, but the behavior of MGP in cryopreserved allografts is uncertain. In this study we examined the relationship between immunological rejection and MGP in cryopreserved rat aortic grafts after transplantation.

METHODS

Cryopreserved rat aortae were isografted or allografted intraperitoneally. Fresh isografts were also tested. The grafts were retrieved 9 days after transplantation and the intragraft MGP mRNA was measured by a real-time quantitative PCR method. The effect of daily administration of FK506 on MGP mRNA levels in cryopreserved isografts and allografts after transplantation was also evaluated.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in intragraft MGP mRNA levels between fresh and cryopreserved isografts 9 days after transplantation. MGP expression levels in cryopreserved allografts were significantly lower as compared to those in cryopreserved isografts (P < .01). Daily administration of FK506 enhanced intragraft MGP mRNA (ninefold) in cryopreserved allografts (P < .01), but not in cryopreserved isografts.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunological rejection is likely to inhibit MGP expression in cryopreserved vascular allografts, resulting in late-onset calcification.

Clinical implication of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C in metastatic lymph nodes of uterine cervical cancers

Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF)-C levels were significantly (P<0.05) increased in 24 out of 40 metastatic lymph node lesions of uterine cervical cancers. The prognosis of the 24 patients with increased VEGF-C level in metastatic lymph node lesions was poor and the 24-month survival rate was 38%, while the rate of the 16 patients with no change in VEGF-C level in metastatic lymph node lesions was 81%. There was a significant (P<0.01) difference in the 24-month survival rates between the two groups. This is novel, direct evidence that VEGF-C might contribute to the aggressive lymphangitic metastasis in uterine cervical cancers, and that the increase in VEGF-C level from primary tumour to metastatic lymph node might be a prognostic indicator.

The expression of oestrogen receptor (ER)-beta and its variants, but not ERalpha, in adult human mammary fibroblasts

Whilst oestrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and ERbeta have been shown to be important in the development of the mammary gland, the cell-specific expression pattern of these two receptors within the human breast is not clear. Although it is well established that in the developing rodent mammary gland stromal ERalpha mediates the secretion of growth factors which stimulate the proliferation of the ductal epithelium, the expression of ERalpha in human adult breast stromal fibroblasts is controversial, and the expression of ERbeta has not been properly defined. In the present study, we have evaluated the expression of ERalpha and ERbeta by immunohistochemistry in normal tissue samples, and in purified human breast fibroblasts by Western blotting, RT-PCR analysis and ligand-binding sucrose gradient assay. Our data clearly demonstrated that ERbeta variants, including ERbeta1, ERbeta2, ERbeta5, ERbetadelta and ERbetains, but not ERalpha, are expressed in human adult mammary fibroblasts. These results are supported by the findings that an ERbeta-selective ligand, BAG, but not the ERalpha high-affinity ligand oestradiol, can induce fibroblast growth factor-7 release and activate transcription from an oestrogen-responsive element promoter in these adult human mammary fibroblasts. Together, these observations revealed that, in the adult breast and in breast cancer, the proliferative signals derived from the stroma of adult mammary glands in response to oestrogen are not mediated by ERalpha and provide new insights into the nature of stromal-epithelial interactions in the adult mammary gland. In addition, the expression of these ERbeta variants in cells where there is no ERalpha suggested that these ERbeta splice forms may have functions other than that of modulating ERalpha activity.

Clinicopathological significance of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha expression in human pancreatic carcinoma

AIMS

The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) plays a key role in the cellular adaptation to hypoxia and the activation of several genes that have been implicated in tumour growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological significance of HIF-1alpha expression in pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We investigated HIF-1alpha expression immunohistochemically in pancreatic carcinoma tissues and regional lymph node metastasis. In cases of pancreatic ductal carcinoma, the relationship between HIF-1alpha expression and various clinicopathological parameters including cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and microvessel density, was also examined. Over-expression of HIF-1alpha was frequently (29 of 49 cases, 59.2%) detected in pancreatic carcinoma and regional lymph node metastasis (19 of 25 cases, 76.0%), whereas HIF-1alpha expression was almost absent in non-cancerous pancreatic tissues. HIF-1alpha expression was significantly associated with tumour size (P = 0.023) and advanced TNM stage (stage I/II versus stage III, P = 0.039; stage I/II versus stage IV, P = 0.027). Moreover, HIF-1alpha expression positively correlated with cellular proliferation (P = 0.024) and microvessel density/neo-angiogenesis (P = 0.038), but not with apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

HIF-1alpha may play a critical role in the progression of pancreatic carcinoma.

Application of femtosecond ultrashort pulse laser to photodynamic therapy mediated by indocyanine green

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To evaluate treatment with high peak power pulse energy by femtosecond ultrashort pulse laser (titanium sapphire laser) delivered at an 800 nm wavelength for corneal neovascularisation using photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by indocyanine green (ICG).

METHODS

Using a gelatin solid as an in vitro corneal model, the safety of laser power was studied to determine if it degenerated gelatin with or without ICG. The authors then induced corneal neovascularisation in rabbit eyes by an intracorneal suturing technique. Fluorescein angiography was used to evaluate occlusion before PDT and 0, 1, 3, and 10 days after PDT. The authors performed light microscopy with haematoxylin eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy to determine thrombosis formation in the neovascular regions.

RESULTS

The threshold of peak laser power density ranged from 39 to 53 W/cm(2). Laser irradiation was started 30 seconds after a 10 mg/kg ICG injection, and all irradiated segments were occluded at 0, 1, 3, and 10 days at 3.8 J/cm(2). Light and electron microscopy documented thrombosis formation in the neovascular region.

CONCLUSION

Femtosecond pulse laser enhanced by ICG can be used for PDT. Because of effective closure of corneal neovascularisation at a low energy level, the high peak power pulse energy of the femtosecond pulse laser might be more efficacious than continuous wave laser for use with PDT.