Expression of membrane-anchored matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor reversion inducing cysteine rich protein with Kazal motifs in murine cell lines

AIM

It has been demonstrated that the endogenous matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) inhibitor reversion inducing cysteine rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) is a reliable prognostic marker for detecting several types of tumors. However, the RECK expressions in most of the normal and neoplastic tissues were extremely low, and to measure its expression is quite complicated. The purpose of the present study is to establish an easy method to quantify murine RECK mRNA expression for use in future experimental studies. Subsequently, in order to verify the reliability of the established quantification technique, we examined the change in RECK expression and gelatinase secretion in tumor cells when stimulated by the extracellular matrix.

METHODS

Several murine tumor cells were used in the present study. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and measurement conditions for murine RECK mRNA were studied using these tumor cells. Gelatinase activities were also examined by gelatin zymography.

RESULTS

Murine RECK mRNA expression was accurately quantified using real-time PCR. Among the tumor cells used in the study, osteosarcoma cells showed significantly higher RECK mRNA expression than the others. The RECK expression in the osteosarcoma cells was down-regulated by contact with matrigel-coated culture flasks due to increased secretion of gelatinases.

CONCLUSION

The real-time PCR method employed in our study is useful to quantify RECK expression.

Autologous transplantation of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells ameliorates pulmonary emphysema

Adipose tissue is a useful tool for management of most complex cardiothoracic problems, including the reinforcement of damaged lungs, and adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs) have been suggested to secrete hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a multipotent regenerative factor that contributes to the repair process after lung injury. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the therapeutic impact of autologous transplantation of ASCs through HGF supplementation for the enhancement of alveolar repair in a rat model of emphysema. ASCs were isolated from inguinal subcutaneous fat pads and characterized by flow cytometry. Cultured ASC were found to secrete significantly larger amounts of HGF (15 112 +/- 1628 pg per 10(6) cells) than other angiogenic factors. Transplantation of ASCs into elastase-treated emphysema models induced a significant increase in endogenous HGF expression in lung tissues with a small amount of increase in other organs, with the high levels lasting for up to 4 weeks after transplantation. Further, alveolar and vascular regeneration were significantly enhanced via inhibition of alveolar cell apoptosis, enhancement of epithelial cell proliferation and promotion of angiogenesis in pulmonary vasculature, leading to restoration of pulmonary function affected by emphysema. These data suggest that autologous ASC cell therapy may have a therapeutic potential for pulmonary emphysema, through inducing HGF expression selectively in injured lung tissues.

Decrease in tetrahydrobiopterin as a possible cause of nephropathy in type II diabetic rats

A decrease in renal synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in the progression of diabetic nephropathy has been documented. As (6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor of NO synthase, we investigated whether BH4 deficiency is involved in the pathogenesis of nephropathy. Ten-week-old Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats were used as a type II diabetic model, and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats as the healthy controls. OLETF rats were orally treated with BH4 (10 mg/kg daily) or with water from 10 to 61 weeks of age. In another experiment, OLETF rats were treated orally with a calcium channel blocker, benidipine (5 mg/kg daily), or with 0.3% carboxymethyl cellulose (nontreated) from 10 to 52 weeks of age. Proteinuria was observed periodically, and at the end of the study, BH4 level and GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH) activity in the kidney were measured. Proteinuria was observed at 13 weeks of age in the OLETF rats, and deteriorated until 61 weeks of age. Supplemental BH4 reduced the proteinuria. At 52 weeks of age, GTPCH activity and the BH4 level were decreased in the plasma and kidneys of OLETF rats, whereas they were significantly higher in the benidipine group than in the nontreated group. Proteinuria was milder in the benidipine group than in the nontreated group, without a concomitant decrease in blood pressure. Histologically observed glomerulosclerosis was mild in the BH4 and benidipine groups. In type II diabetic rats, renal BH4 is considered to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Benidipine was found to preserve BH4 levels, suggesting therapeutic renoprotective effects.

Inclusion of the transcervical approach in video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (VATET) for myasthenia gravis: a prospective trial

BACKGROUND

Because evidence-based data regarding the quality of video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy for the treatment of myasthenia gravis are lacking, a prospective trial comparing three different operative approaches was conducted to evaluate their efficacy.

METHODS

This prospective study enrolled 20 consecutive patients with nonthymomatous myasthenia gravis. A series of three approaches for bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (VATET) using the anterior chest wall-lifting method (original), the original method with a flexed-neck position (modified), and the original method with a transcervical approach (final) were prospectively performed in each patient for quantitative and pathologic evaluation of the residual thymus after each approach.

RESULTS

Complete VATET required 242 +/- 48 min, with the transcervical procedure requiring 23 +/- 12 min. After the modified method, the residual thymus in the cervical region was 1.5 cm in size and weighed 0.8 g (0.8% of the entire thymus), as compared with a size of 2.2 cm and a weight of 1.3 g (3.2%) after the original method. Each value is the result of comparison with the final method. Histopathologic studies showed residual tissue in the germinal center as well as Hassall's corpuscles in more than 70% of cases.

CONCLUSION

The findings show that VATET without the transcervical approach could be an immunologically incomplete treatment for myasthenia gravis. Therefore, the transcervical approach should be included in VATET procedures to ensure radicality.

Diagnostic strategy based on preoperative serum CEA levels in clinical stage IA NSCLC

17011

Background: Following surgery, clinical stage IA NSCLC diagnosed using non-interventional examinations is occasionally pathological stage III or IV. The level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in serum has been reported to be a predictor of up-staging to advanced stages, however, there are few multi-center studies of serum CEA that utilized a short accrual period. Methods: A multi-center retrospective study was performed to assess serum CEA level as a predictor of advanced stage in 862 consecutive patients with clinical stage IA NSCLC from 2002 to 2004. The subjects were 493 males with a mean age of 65.2 years old, 460 of whom were smokers, who had a total of 689 adenocarcinomas with a mean tumor size of 19.5 cm. They were divided into 4 groups by smoking status and adenocarcinoma histology, after which AUC was calculated using an ROC curve, which provided an estimate of the probability efficiency of pathological diagnosis of stage III or stage IV. When AUC was greater than 0.7, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were calculated, and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to confirm independence. Results: There were 72 cases (8.1%) in an advanced stage. AUC was greater than 0.7 in the group of non-smokers with an adenocarcinoma (n = 413), in which the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were 0.14, 0.97, and 0.64, respectively, with a CEA cut-off level of 20 ng/ml. Thus, serum CEA level was shown to be an independent predictive factor. Conclusions: In smokers with an adenocarcinoma, a high level of CEA in serum was frequently found in those with pathologically advanced disease, thus intervention should be mandated in such cases.

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No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of anti-angiogenic photodynamic therapy with benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring-A in dogs having naturally occurring neoplasms

The aim of this study was to examine the pharmacokinetics of clinically applied benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring-A (BPD-MA; Verteporfin), a second-generation photosensitizer, during a trial of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in nine dogs having naturally occurring neoplasms. After injecting BPD-MA at 0.5 mg/kg intravenously, its mean half-life (t1/2) was found to be 8.14 +/- 5.34 h, mean clearance (Cl) 35.13 +/- 9.62 ml/(h kg), the mean value of the volume of distribution (Vc) 0.08 +/- 0.01 l/kg and the mean steady state volume of distribution (Vss) 0.38 +/- 0.31 l/kg respectively. With the exception of a transitional increase in serum alkaline phosphatase activity, no other clinical abnormalities were observed. The t1/2 in dogs with naturally occurring tumours was longer than that in humans, but similar to that in rats. The values of Cl and Vss in dogs having naturally occurring neoplasms were lower than those in humans. It is suggested that the pharmacokinetics of BPD-MA in tumour-bearing dogs would be helpful in determining the protocol of a short drug-light interval PDT with BPD-MA that mainly targets the tumour vasculature.

Safer video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy after location of thymic veins with multidetector computed tomography

BACKGROUND

Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) thymectomy has been applied as a surgical option for autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Prior identification and fine division of the thymic veins are critical to the prevention of unexpected severe bleeding that may require conversion to open surgery. Until recently, such bleeding could be avoided only by meticulous dissection of thymic fat tissue away from the left brachiocephalic vein (LBV). With recent advances in computed tomography (CT), multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) can readily be obtained and provides three-dimensional (3D) images. This study explored its value for preoperative identification of the thymic veins draining into the LBV, and thus for prevention of injury to these veins during endoscopic thymectomy.

METHODS

Five patients with myasthenia gravis, thymoma, or both underwent enhanced MDCT preoperatively. The thymic veins draining into the LBV were visualized using both horizontal and sagittal/coronal CT images. Then 3D images were reconstructed to enable operators to simulate endoscopic views. During each VATS extended thymectomy, the numbers and branching patterns of the thymic veins were compared with the preoperative MDCT images.

RESULTS

The thymic veins draining into the LBV were clearly identified with MDCT in all five patients examined. Reconstructed 3D images clearly located their courses in the thymic/fat tissue and their entry routes into the LBV, thus simulating the actual intraoperative endoscopic views. All tributaries divided during surgery were identified preoperatively with MDCT.

CONCLUSIONS

Location of thymic veins with MDCT can provide precise preoperative information about thymic venous anatomy. This easy and less invasive examination has the potential to make VATS thymectomy easier and safer.

Urethral transitional cell carcinoma in a cat

A 15-year-old, male neutered cat was referred for investigation of dysuria. A retrograde urethrography was performed which showed two space-occupying masses within the lumen of the mid-to-proximal urethra. Exploratory coeliotomy revealed two urethral masses. Segmental urethrectomy was performed to resect the mass, and the lower urinary tract was reconstructed by vesico-urethral anastomosis. Histopathology showed the mass to be a transitional cell carcinoma with incomplete surgical margins. Tumour regrowth was suspected when dysuria was found approximately 318 days after surgery. Clinical signs were palliated by radiation using weekly fractions of 6 Gy for three weeks. The cat died of unknown causes 386 days postoperatively.

Three-Dimensional Mesoporous Titanosilicates Prepared by Modified Sol−Gel Method: Ideal Gold Catalyst Supports for Enhanced Propene Epoxidation

Mesoporous titanosilicates with 1-12 mol % Ti content and with three-dimensional wormhole-like mesoporosity are prepared by a modified sol-gel technique. Sorption analysis shows that there is little change in the surface properties with increasing Ti concentration in the samples, implying that Ti atoms either are well-dispersed on the walls of the silica matrix or are present inside the framework with no pore blocking effect. Spectroscopic analysis shows that the Ti atoms are atomically dispersed in the silica matrix even at very high Ti concentration and there is no observable Ti aggregate (anatase) present in the samples. These titanosilicate samples after Au deposition followed by trimethylsilylation (for enhanced hydrophobicity) are highly efficient catalysts for vapor-phase propene epoxidation using O2 and H2. It was possible to achieve commercially desirable performance with about 7% propene conversion, >90% propene oxide selectivity, and about 40% hydrogen efficiency.