Bovine granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 is secreted by the endometrium in response to interferon-tau (IFN-τ)

Interferon-tau (IFN-τ) is secreted by the bovine conceptus and may regulate synthesis of uterine endometrial cytokines to provide an environment that is conducive to embryo development and implantation. Interferon-τ stimulates secretion of an 8-kDa uterine protein (P8) in the cow. P8 was purified, digested to yield internal peptides, and partially sequenced to determine identity. Two internal peptides had 100% (13-mer) and 92% (12-mer) amino acid sequence identity with bovine granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 (bGCP-2). Bovine GCP-2 is an α-chemokine that acts primarily as a potent chemoattractant for granulocyte cells of the immune system. A peptide was synthesized based on a region of bGCP-2 that overlapped with a P8 peptide amino acid sequence, coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and used to generate high titer polyclonal antiserum in sheep. Western blots revealed that bGCP-2 was not released by endometrium from day 14 nonpregnant cows, but was released in response to 25 nM IFN-τ (p<0.05). Uterine GCP-2 exhibited high affinity to heparin agarose, a characteristic shared by all α chemokines. This is the first report describing presence of GCP-2 in the uterine endometrium and regulation by IFN-τ. The regulation of bGCP-2 by IFN-τ may have important implications for cytokine networking in the uterus during pregnancy. Also, the regulation of inflammation and angiogenesis by bGCP-2 working together with other cytokines may be integral to establishing early pregnancy and implantation in the cow.

Bovine granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 is secreted by the endometrium in response to interferon-tau (IFN-tau)

Interferon-tau (IFN-tau) is secreted by the bovine conceptus and may regulate synthesis of uterine endometrial cytokines to provide an environment that is conductive to embryo development and implantation. Interferon-tau stimulates secretion of an 8-kDa uterine protein (P8) in the cow. P8 was purified, digested to yield internal peptides, and partially sequenced to determine identity. Two internal peptides had 100% (13-mer) and 92% (12-mer) amino acid sequence identity with bovine granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 (bGCP-2). Bovine GCP-2 is an alpha-chemokine that acts primarily as a potent chemoattractant for granulocyte cells of the immune system. A peptide was synthesized based on a region of bGCP-2 that overlapped with a P8 peptide amino acid sequence, coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and used to generate high titer polyclonal antiserum in sheep. Western blots revealed that bGCP-2 was not released by endometrium from day 14 nonpregnant cows, but was released in response to 25 nM IFN-tau (p<0.05). Uterine GCP-2 exhibited high affinity to heparin agarose, a characteristic shared by all alpha chemokines. This is the first report describing presence of GCP-2 in the uterine endometrium and regulation by IFN-tau. The regulation of bGCP-2 by IFN-tau may have important implications for cytokine networking in the uterus during pregnancy. Also, the regulation of inflammation and angiogenesis by bGCP-2 working together with other cytokines may be integral to establishing early pregnancy and implantation in the cow.

Tumor cell endocytosis imaging facilitates delineation of the glioma-brain interface

We describe a method for measuring tumor cell endocytosis in vivo and provide the anatomic correlate of this tumor cell function using a superparamagnetic and histologically detectable marker for cell uptake (MION). Rats (n = 22) were intrahemispherically implanted with a thymidine kinase (TK)-positive 9L gliosarcoma cell line, where TK served as the tumor marker. Twenty-four hours after intravenous injection of 10 mg Fe/kg of MION, rat brains were removed and underwent MR imaging ex vivo at near-microscopic resolution (isotropic voxel size of 86 microm, 9.4 T) prior to histologic processing. The imaging probe accumulated within tumor cells adjacent to the hyperpermeable tumor-brain interface including microscopic deposits and along finger-like invasions of the tumor into brain, facilitating the demarcation of the true histologic tumor border in three dimensions by MR microscopy. The method has potential research and clinical implications for delineating the tumor-brain interface prior to therapy and/or for providing a rational basis for imaging nanocolloid drug delivery to solid tumors.

Quality control phantom for digital chest radiography

PURPOSE

To develop and test a chest phantom for routine quality control testing of digital radiography systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The phantom was constructed from sheets of copper, aluminum, and acrylic, which were cut and arranged to yield a radiographic projection resembling that of a human thorax. Regional test objects allowed quantitative assessment of optical density, contrast detail, and spatial resolution. Validation tests were performed to assess image stability in a stable imaging environment and sensitivity to changes in image quality when they occur.

RESULTS

The phantom yielded consistent pseudoclinical images when used in a routine quality control program and facilitated detection of simulated problems that were induced in imaging system performance.

CONCLUSION

The chest phantom enables quantitative, full-system testing of digital radiography system as they are used clinically for chest radiography.

Magnetic resonance microscopy of embryos

We demonstrate that magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy provides a mechanism to investigate normal and abnormal developmental anatomy in a non-destructive and distortion-free manner. Techniques for the fixation, embedding, perfusion and image acquisition of embryos between 3 and 30 mm crown rump length are described. We describe the perfusion of a contrast agent to enhance images of the developing embryonic vasculature. Data are acquired as three-dimensional isotropic arrays which permit images to be reformatted retrospectively in any plane. The data are available for archiving, distributing and for post-acquisition manipulations. MR microscopy is a fast technique for producing three-dimensional reconstructions and is free from registration and sectioning artifacts.

Human lung air spaces: potential for MR imaging with hyperpolarized He-3

Two healthy volunteers who had inhaled approximately 0.75 L of laser-polarized helium-3 gas underwent magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T with fast gradient-echo pulse sequences and small flip angles ( < 10 degrees). Thick-section (20 mm) coronal images, time-course data (30 images collected every 1.8 seconds), and thin-section (6 mm) images were acquired. Subjects were able to breathe the gas (12% polarization) without difficulty. Thick-section images were of good quality and had a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 32:1 near the surface coil and 16:1 farther away. The time images showed regional differences, which indicated potential value for quantitation. High-resolution images showed greater detail and a S/N of approximately 6:1.

In vivo He-3 MR images of guinea pig lungs

The authors imaged the lungs of live guinea pigs with hyperpolarized (HP) helium-3 as a magnetic resonance (MR) signal source. HP He-3 gas produced through spin exchange with rubidium metal vapor was delivered through an MR-compatible, small-animal ventilator. Two- and three-dimensional lung images acquired with ventilation-gated, radial k-space sampling showed complete ventilation of both lungs. All images were of high quality, demonstrating that HP He-3 allows high-signal-intensity MR imaging in living systems.

A new in vivo method for quantitative analysis of stroke lesions using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance microscopy

Using three-dimensional diffusion-weighted MR microscopy and a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia, we evaluated the statistical characteristics of two parameters: absolute stroke volumes and change in stroke volumes over 6 h of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. In all rats, the absolute stroke volumes increased linearly over the 6-h MCA occlusion time period. On average, stroke volume growth rate was 2.1 +/- 0.5%/h. Sample size power analysis of our data demonstrated that to demonstrate a 10% reduction of the 6-h volumes, sample size per group would require 29 animals (these calculations are based on alpha = 0.05, beta = 0.20 using normal approximation). A similar 30% reduction of stroke volume at 6 h poststroke (from approximately equal to 200 to 140 mm3) would, in our "slope model," translate into a reduction of stroke growth rate from the normal + 11.25 mm3/h (150 to 200 mm3 over 4 h) to 7 mm3/h (150 to 178 mm3 over 4 h); power analysis in this case demonstrated that sample size is reduced to 15 animals per group (these calculations are based on alpha = 0.05, beta = 0.20 using normal approximation). We conclude that from a statistical standpoint our study demonstrates that stroke growth rate might be a more suitable parameter for evaluating the effect of treatment in both clinical and experimental stroke trials.

A single integral finite strain viscoelastic model of ligaments and tendons

A general continuum model for the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of soft biological tissues was formulated. This single integral finite strain (SIFS) model describes finite deformation of a nonlinearly viscoelastic material within the context of a three-dimensional model. The specific form describing uniaxial extension was obtained, and the idea of conversion from one material to another (at a microscopic level) was then introduced to model the nonlinear behavior of ligaments and tendons. Conversion allowed different constitutive equations to be used for describing a single ligament or tendon at different strain levels. The model was applied to data from uniaxial extension of younger and older human patellar tendons and canine medial collateral ligaments. Model parameters were determined from curve-fitting stress-strain and stress-relaxation data and used to predict the time-dependent stress generated by cyclic extensions.

Hepatic venoocclusive disease as a complication of whole abdominopelvic irradiation and treatment with the transjuglar intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: case report and literature review

We report the novel use of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure for the treatment of intractable ascites due to hepatic venooclusive disease as a result of whole abdominopelvic radiotherapy. A patient with Stage III endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium treated with postoperative whole abdominopelvic irradiation developed intractable ascites. Multiple paracenteses and computerized tomography were negative for recurrent carcinoma. Liver biopsy demonstrated hepatic venoocclusive disease, a rare complication of therapeutic radiation involving the liver. Successful relief of ascites and its adverse symptomology were achieved with the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Relevant literature regarding the pathogenesis, prognosis, and treatment of radiotherapy-related hepatic venoocclusive disease are reviewed.

T1 rho relaxation and its application to MR histology

The application of T1 rho an an alternative contrast parameter in high-field magnetic resonance histology (MRH) has been investigated. Spectroscopic measurements of T1 rho were performed on 5.75% agar and 1.0 mM MnCI2 phantoms at 9.4 T to validate the accuracy of the imaging measurements. Image studies were performed at 2.0 and 9.4 T on perfusion-fixed 17.5-day-old mouse embryos. T1, T2, and T1 rho relaxation times were calculated for the phantoms and muscle, diencephalon, and liver tissues. The 5.75% agar phantom and all tissues showed T1 rho dispersion with B1L, whereas the 1.0 mM MnCI2 phantom showed no significant B1L dependence. T1 rho dispersion with B(O) was observed arising from the effects of diffusion through susceptibility-induced gradients. T1 rho shows promise as a contrast parameter in high-field MRH because it is capable of producing T2-like contrast without the susceptibility artifacts associated with T2-weighted images.

Magnetic resonance microscopy--a new tool for the toxicologic pathologist

Parallel to its many applications in medical imaging, magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy is a potentially powerful tool in toxicologic pathology. Because of the intrinsic qualities of MR microscopy (noninvasiveness, 3-dimensionality, and slicing in any chosen plane), the scientist has a new means by which to investigate different types of lesions based on differential contrast. By choosing appropriate proton stains to probe the state of the water in tissues, organ structure and vasculature can be seen and progressive lesion development can be followed in a given animal. This paper discusses toxicologic pathology applications for MR microscopy and compares MR microscopy with conventional histopathology using a time-course study of bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained histological sections are compared with MR microscopy images from fixed tissue blocks to demonstrate one of the applications of MR microscopy to toxicologic pathology. The results indicate that MR microscopy is as sensitive as conventional H&E staining in detecting bromobenzene-induced hepatic lesions.

Detection of bromobenzene-induced hepatocellular necrosis using magnetic resonance microscopy

The authors used magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy to assess hepatic tissue damage induced by bromobenzene both in living rats and in fixed rat liver tissues. Experiments were conducted at 7 Tesla on three groups of Fisher rats treated with bromobenzene at a single dose of 68, 135, and 269 mg/kg, respectively. Optical microscopy of hematoxylin and eosin stained sections showed liver damage only at the highest dose, whereas with MR microscopy, tissue alterations were detected at all three doses both in vivo and ex vivo. The contrast mechanism of the superior sensitivity of MR microscopy is believed to be related to the changes in local diffusion coefficients that accompany cellular degeneration and death, although other contrast mechanisms may also be involved. The superior sensitivity of MR microscopy, as demonstrated in this study, has many implications for potential use of MR techniques to perform in vivo histology.

Incidence and location of para-aortic lymph node metastases in gynecologic malignancies

BACKGROUND

We sought to determine the location of metastases to para-aortic lymph nodes in patients with gynecologic malignancies.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective chart review was performed for all cases of endometrial, ovarian, and cervical carcinoma in which right and left para-aortic lymph node dissection was done at our institution from 1985 to 1993. Records were assessed for tumor type as well as for presence and location of metastases to para-aortic lymph nodes.

RESULTS

A total of 315 patients had bilateral para-aortic lymphadenectomy performed at the time of laparotomy as part of staging or therapy for their gynecologic malignancies. A total of 47 patients (15 percent) had metastasis to the para-aortic lymph nodes. Para-aortic metastasis were identified in 22 (30 percent) of 73 patients with ovarian carcinoma, 11 (8 percent) of 141 patients with cervical carcinoma, and 14 (14 percent) of 101 patients sampled. Unilateral left-sided para-aortic node involvement was observed in 13 patients, unilateral right-sided involvement was present in 14 patients, and bilateral involvement occurred in 20 patients. Regarding tumor type or origin, no significant difference was noted in right-sided compared with left-sided para-aortic metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest no difference in the incidence of metastases to right-sided compared with left para-aortic lymph nodes in patients with gynecologic malignancies, emphasizing the need for bilateral evaluation of the para-aortic lymph nodes. This information is important in the clinical staging of gynecologic malignancies and in establishing protocols requiring para-aortic lymph node dissection.

MR microscopy of the rat carotid artery after balloon injury by using an implanted imaging coil

Neointimal hyperplasia after angioplasty was followed in vivo in rats by using MR microscopy and surgically implanted RF imaging coils. By using an inductively coupled pick-up coil, the arteries were imaged 4 days before and 3, 7, and 14 days after angioplasty with a 3DFT spin echo sequence. Eight of 10 angioplastied rats showed moderate to severe stensois based MR measures of lumen diameter reduction from baseline images. There was a good correlation between total wall thickness between MR and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections obtained on the last day. Arteries in the intact and sham groups remained unchanged from baseline measurements. Because this imaging technique examines the artery under in vivo conditions of arterial pressure and flow, it promises to be a useful tool for evaluating pharmacological and mechanical methods of reducing the incidence of vascular stenosis.

Human skin and platelet minoxidil sulfotransferase activities: biochemical properties, correlations and contribution of thermolabile phenol sulfotransferase

Human scalp skin high speed supernatants were used to test whether minoxidil sulfotransferase (MNX-ST) and phenol sulfotransferase (PST) activities were present. Platelet homogenates from the same skin donors were used to test whether levels of sulfotransferase activities in the blood platelet would reflect levels of the enzyme activities in skin. Dopamine, p-nitrophenol and minoxidil were used as substrates for skin and platelet thermolabile (TL PST), thermostable (TS PST) and MNX-ST activities, respectively. Biochemical properties of each skin enzyme were the same as the platelet enzymes with respect to apparent Km values for substrates, pH optima, thermal stabilities and responses to inhibition by 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (DCNP). An unexpected finding was that skin and platelet MNX-ST thermal stabilities and responses to DCNP were more similar to TL PST than to TS PST, the enzyme reported to be responsible for MNX-ST activity. There were significant positive correlations of platelet sulfotransferases with the relative levels of activities of the same skin sulfotransferases. Unexpected findings were significant positive correlations of MNX-ST and TL PST activities. Partially purified platelet TS PST assayed with minoxidil as the substrate showed a response to DCNP and thermal stability that were the same as TS PST. Platelet TL PST assayed with minoxidil showed thermal stability and a response to DCNP that were essentially the same as TL PST. The results indicated that not only TS PST, but also TL PST activities in human skin and platelet contributed to MNX-ST activity. It will be feasible to test whether measures of platelet PST activities will predict physiologic responses to minoxidil.

Prevalence of depression after stroke: the Perth Community Stroke Study

BACKGROUND

The Perth Community Stroke Study (PCSS) was a population-based study of the incidence, cause, and outcome of acute stroke.

METHOD

Subjects from the study were assessed initially, by examination and interview, and at four- and 12-month follow-ups to determine differences in prevalence of depression between the sexes and between patients with first-ever and recurrent strokes.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depressive illness four months after stroke in 294 patients from the PCSS was 23% (18-28%), 15% (11-19%) major depression and 8% (5-11%) minor depression. There were no significant differences between the sexes or between patients with first-ever and recurrent strokes. With a non-hierarchic approach to diagnosis of those with depression, 26% of men and 39% of women had an associated anxiety disorder, mainly agoraphobia. Nine per cent of male and 13% of female patients interviewed had evidence of depression at the time of the stroke. Twelve months after stroke 56% of the men were still depressed (40% major and 16% minor), as were 30% of the women (12% major and 18% minor).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of depression after stroke was comparable with that reported from other studies, and considerably less than that reported from in-patient and rehabilitation units.

Anxiety disorders after stroke: results from the Perth Community Stroke Study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of anxiety disorders in 294 patients who survived to four months in the Perth Community Stroke Study (Perth, Australia), and a follow-up of these patients at 12 months, are presented.

METHOD

Diagnoses are described both in the usual DSM hierarchic format and by a non-hierarchic approach. Adoption of the hierarchic approach alone greatly underestimates the prevalence of anxiety disorders.

RESULTS

Most cases were of agoraphobia, and the remainder were generalised anxiety disorder. The prevalence of anxiety disorders alone was 5% in men and 19% in women; in community controls, it was 5% in men and 8% in women. Adopting a non-hierarchic approach to diagnosis gave a prevalence of 12% in men and 28% in women. When those who showed evidence of anxiety disorder before stroke were subtracted, the latter prevalence was 9% in men and 20% in women.

CONCLUSION

One-third of the men and half of the women with post-stroke anxiety disorders showed evidence of either depression or an anxiety disorder at the time of the stroke. At 12 month follow-up of 49 patients with agoraphobia by a non-hierarchic approach, 51% had recovered, and equal proportions of the remainder had died or still had agoraphobia. The only major difference in outcome between those with anxiety disorder alone and those with comorbid depression was the greater mortality in the latter.

MR imaging with hyperpolarized 3He gas

Magnetic resonance images of the lungs of a guinea pig have been produced using hyperpolarized helium as the source of the MR signal. The resulting images are not yet sufficiently optimized to reveal fine structural detail within the lung, but the spectacular signal from this normally signal-deficient organ system offers great promise for eventual in vivo imaging experiments. Fast 2D and 3D GRASS sequences with very small flip angles were employed to conserve the norenewable longitudinal magnetization. We discuss various unique features associated with performing MRI with hyperpolarized gases, such as the selection of the noble gas species, polarization technique, and constraints on the MR pulse sequence.

Baculovirus-insect cell production of bioactive choriogonadotropin-immunoglobulin G heavy-chain fusion proteins in sheep

A hybrid cDNA encoding a fusion protein between the beta subunit of hCG (beta hCG) and constant domains of a mouse IgG heavy chain (CH1-3) was inserted into a baculovirus expression vector. Insect cells transfected with foreign DNA synthesized multimeric forms of fusion protein that inhibited hCG-induced steroid hormone secretion by mouse Leydig tumor cells. Leydig cells were lysed by beta hCG-CH1-3 in the presence of complement. Intravenous injection of beta hCG-CH1-3 in rams was associated with testicular mononuclear leukocyte infiltration, interstitial tissue damage, and a transient depression in circulatory testosterone (levels returned to normal within 2 wk). It appears that targeted cell-killing can be mediated by recombinant proteins composed of the receptor-binding moiety of hormones and truncated effector (Fc) regions of lethal antibodies.