Various scoring systems evaluating histologic features of chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon

Various scoring systems for chronic hepatitis have been proposed; however, there is no standard scoring system for studies of interferon (IFN) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The aims of this study were to determine the most useful system reflecting histologic changes in biopsy specimens from complete responders and predicting the efficacy of IFN therapy. Patients with chronic hepatitis C were administered IFN-alpha for 6 months. Forty-six patients were included in this study and categorized as complete responders (n = 15), partial responders (n = 24), and nonresponders (n = 7) according to viral and biochemical responses to the therapy. Biopsy specimens obtained from each patient before and after treatment were evaluated under 3 different systems: Histological Activity Index (HAI), modified HAI, and Scheuer classification. Complete responders showed considerable improvement in both grade and stage on the modified HAI and Scheuer classifications. On the HAI, a considerable improvement was observed in grade but not in stage. No significant change was observed in partial responders or nonresponders on any system. Prediction of complete response was not possible under any system, but the pretreatment score reflecting piecemeal necrosis on any 1 of the 3 classifications and the fibrosis score on Scheuer classification were predictors of nonresponse. The modified HAI system and Scheuer classification were amply useful in evaluating histologic changes in complete responders. Scores higher than 4 of the categories reflecting piecemeal necrosis on any system and fibrosis scores of 3 or 4 on Scheuer classification predicted nonresponse to IFN therapy.

A new hydrate-based recovery process for removing chlorinated hydrocarbons from aqueous solutions

The main objective of this study was to check the feasibility of the newly proposed hydrate-based chlorinated hydrocarbon (CHC) recovery process for removing chlorinated hydrocarbons from aqueous solutions. Two key process variables of hydrate phase equilibria and formation kinetics were closely examined to develop the overall conceptual design of this technology. First, the ternary four-phase (H-LW-LCHC-V) hydrate equilibria of aqueous solutions containing methylene chloride (CH2Cl2), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), 1,2-dichloroethane (CH2ClCH2Cl), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (CH3CCl3), and 1,1-dichloroethylene (CH2= CCl2) were measured at various temperature and pressure conditions using three different types of help gases (CO2, N2, CH4). The help gas + water + chlorinated hydrocarbons systems greatly reduced the hydrate-forming pressure, which confirmed the mixed hydrates with chlorinated hydrocarbons more stabilized than the simple hydrates consisting of a help gas and water. The degree of stabilization was found to follow the order of 1,2-dichloroethane < 1,1-dichloroethylene < methylene chloride < 1,1,1-trichloroethane < carbon tetrachloride. For the N2 + water + carbon tetrachloride system, the formation pressure reduction as much as 96% was observed at 279.35 K. Second, the formation kinetic experiments of carbon dioxide hydrates containing chlorinated hydrocarbons were conducted under isothermal and isobaric conditions. The consumption rate of carbon dioxide gas became fast at the early time of the growth period, gradually decreased, and finally went to the complete hydration. The proposed hydrate-based recovery process appears to be very simple from the operational point of view because no special facilities requiring sensitive and complex function are needed. Another advantage is that this process only requires carbon dioxide as a hydrate former. Best of all, this process can be applied to separation and recovery of other organic pollutants dissolved in aqueous solutions without changing the basic concept.

New triterpenoid saponins from the sponge Erylus nobilis

Erylosides G--J (1--4), four new triterpenoid saponins, were isolated from the sponge Erylus nobilis collected from Jaeju Island, Korea. On the basis of the results of combined chemical and spectral analyses, the structures of the aglycones were determined to be lanostane-based, modified penasterols. The oligosaccharide portions were composed of one unit each of L-arabinose, D-galactose, and 2-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (1 and 3) or two units of L-arabinose and one unit of 2-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (2 and 4). These compounds exhibited moderate cytotoxicty against a human leukemia cell line.

Sleep patterns during 30-m nitrox simulated saturation dives

The sleep patterns were examined during the simulated 30-m nitrox saturation dives. The standard polysomnography of 15 divers was recorded for a total of 255 nights, as were patterns of change or consistency in sleep variables. A reduction of total sleep time in accordance with the lengthening of sleep latency and the wake after sleep onset was observed through the latter part of the bottom period to the post-dive period, but the other sleep variables did not show any changes. These findings suggest that decompression and the psychological stress due to being in the closed environment of a hyperbaric chamber for a long time have effects on divers' sleep.

Intradiscal solid phase displacement as a determinant of the centripetal fluid shift in the loaded intervertebral disc

STUDY DESIGN

The movement of cross sections of the monofilament nylon threads inserted into the axially loaded intervertebral disc was traced with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This technique allowed the observation of the sequential solid phase displacement of the loaded intervertebral disc.

OBJECTIVES

To clarify sequential solid phase displacement of the axially loaded intervertebral disc to elucidate the cause of centripetal fluid shift within a disc.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

We already have reported that there is a centripetal fluid shift within the axially loaded intervertebral disc during the early phase of loading. We assumed that there should be an elaborate intradiscal matrix displacement that generates a pressure gradient within the disc to cause a centripetal fluid shift.

METHODS

Thirteen freshly obtained bovine caudal intervertebral discs were prepared. Three to five monofilament nylon threads were inserted into each disc in the anterior-posterior direction to trace the intradiscal solid phase displacement on the midcoronal MR images. Sequential displacement of the disc matrix was recorded during a 294 N axial loading.

RESULTS

Relatively large centrifugal expansion at the inner layer of the anulus fibrosus compared with less centrifugal expansion of the outer anulus fibrosus was observed in accord with gradual creep of the disc thickness.

CONCLUSIONS

The uneven displacement of the intradiscal solid phase observed in the present study expels the fluid phase from the inner anulus fibrosus, thus resulting in accumulation of fluid phase in the nucleus pulposus. The present study suggests the presence of a mechanism that retains water within the normal intervertebral disc, in spite of an external load, because it forms a water-abundant nucleus pulposus, which is surrounded by an anulus fibrosus with decreased water permeability caused by fluid loss. A more detailed analysis is required to clarify topographic volumetric changes within the disc.

Multiquantum filters and order in tissues

In ordered systems, where the molecular motion is anisotropic, quadrupolar and dipolar interactions are not averaged to zero. In such cases, double quantum (DQ) coherences can be formed. This review deals mainly with the effect of anisotropic motion of water molecules and sodium ions in intact biological tissues on (2)H, (1)H and (23)Na NMR spectroscopy and its application to NMR imaging (MRI). Double quantum filtered (DQF) spectra of water molecules and sodium ions were detected in a variety of ordered biological tissues. In collagen-containing tissues such as ligaments, tendons, cartilage, skin, blood vessels and nerves, the DQ coherences are formed as a result of the interaction with the collagen fibers. In red blood cells and presumably also in nerve axons it stems from the interaction with the cytoskeleton. For (23)Na, an I = 3/2 nucleus, the DQ coherences can also be formed in isotropic media. By a judicial choice of the pulse angle in the DQ pulse sequence only the DQ coherences arising from anisotropic motion are detected. For I = 1 nuclei such as 2H, DQF spectra can be observed only in ordered structures. Thus, the observation of 2H DQF spectra is an indication of order. The same is true for pairs of equivalent 1H nuclei. The dependence of the DQF signal on the creation time of the double quantum coherences is characteristic to each tissue and allows signals to be resolved from different tissues by performing the measurements at different creation times. In this way, the 2H DQF signals of the different compartments of sciatic nerve were resolved and water diffusion in each compartment was studied independently. In the axon, the diffusion was heavily restricted perpendicular to the axon's long axis, a result from which the axon diameter could be deduced. In blood vessel walls, this characteristic enabled the different layers of the vessel to be viewed and studied under strain. For 2H, a DQF spectroscopic imaging sequence was used to study the orientation of the collagen fibers in the different zones of articular cartilage and bone plug. The effect of pressure on the fibers and their return to equilibrium was studied as well. In blood vessels, a DQF image was obtained and strain maps of the different layers were calculated. The efficiency of the 1H DQF imaging technique was demonstrated on a phantom of rat tail where only the four tendons were detected at short creation times. 1H DQF imaging and spectroscopy followed the healing of a rabbit's ruptured Achilles tendon and the results were far more sensitive to the process than conventional imaging. Finally, the method was implemented on a commercial whole body MRI spectrometer. Images of human wrist and ankle showed a positive contrast for the tendons and ligaments, indicating the potential of the method for clinical imaging. (c) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Application of the transition state theory to water transport across cell membranes

We have applied the transition state theory of Eyring et al. (The Theory of Rate Processes, McGraw-Hill, 1941) to water transport across cell membranes. We have then evaluated free energy (Delta F(not equal)), enthalpy (Delta H(not equal)) and entropy (Delta S(not equal)) of activation for water permeation across membranes, such as Arbacia eggs, Xenopus oocytes with or without aquaporin water channels, mammalian erythrocytes, aquaporin proteoliposomes, liposomes and collodion membrane. Delta H(not equal) was found to be correlated with Delta S(not equal). This is so-called Delta H(not equal) and Delta S(not equal) compensation over the ranges of Delta H(not equal) and Delta S(not equal) from 2 to 22 kcal/mol and from -26 to 45 e.u., respectively, indicating that low Delta H(not equal) values correspond to negative Delta S(not equal). Large positive Delta S(not equal) and high Delta H(not equal) values might be accompanied by reversible breakage of secondary bonds in the membrane, presumably in membrane lipid bilayer. Largely negative Delta S(not equal) and low Delta H(not equal) values for aquaporin water channels, aquaporin proteoliposomes and porous collodion membrane could be explained by the immobilization of permeating water molecules in the membrane, i.e., the partial loss of rotational and/or translational freedoms of water molecules in water channels.

Estimating pulmonary capillary wedge pressures using Doppler variables of early diastolic left ventricular inflow

The present study was performed to determine whether a multilineal regression model based on the early diastolic transmitral flow peak velocity (E) and the propagation velocity of early diastolic inflow (PV) could estimate the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). PCWP and Doppler variables were simultaneously recorded in 30 patients. PCWP was estimated by multilinear regression analysis using E and PV. The predictive accuracy of the equation obtained from the analysis was tested prospectively in a separate group of 65 patients divided into 3 groups: left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (Group A), LV hypertrophy (Group B), and preserved systolic function without hypertrophy (Group C). The initial results obtained in groups B and C, respectively, were: r=0.77; r=0.81. These results indicate that a multilinear regression model based on E and PV is a noninvasive method of accurately estimating PCWP in a variety of cardiac disease states.

Characteristics of proton NMR T(2) relaxation of water in the normal and regenerating tendon

The molecular behavior of water in normal and regenerating tendons was analyzed using the transverse relaxation time (T(2)) measured by spin-echo proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR) spectroscopy at 2.34 T (25 degrees C). A section of the Achilles tendon was dissected from an anesthetized Japanese white rabbit, and its longitudinal axis was oriented at 0, 35, 54.7, 75, and 90 degrees to the static magnetic field. In the normal tendon, the T(2) relaxation of water presented biexponential relaxation and anisotropy in both the long T(2) (5.41 to 6.21 ms) and short T(2) (0.41 to 1.43 ms) components, in which the greatest values were obtained at 54.7 degrees. However, the range of the anisotropy was much narrower than we expected from the (1)H dipolar interaction of water bound to the collagen fibers in the tendon. The apparent fractions of water proton density also varied with orientation: the fraction of the longer T(2) components was at its maximum at 54.7 degrees. These results suggest that a simple two-compartment model could not be applicable to orientational dependency of the T(2) value of the tendon, and the well ordered water in the short T(2) relaxation component may show an elongated T(2) relaxation time that falls in the range of the long T(2) relaxation component at 54.7 degrees. This hypothesis can explain both the narrower range of the T(2) relaxation time and the orientational dependency on the apparent fraction of (1)H density. Regenerating processes of the Achilles tendon were followed for 18 weeks by analyzing the T(2) relaxation time. There is only a long T(2) relaxation time component (21.8 to 28.0 ms) up to 3 weeks after transection. Biexponential relaxation is revealed at 6 weeks and thereafter, whereby (i) the T(2) relaxation times become shorter, (ii) there is anisotropy in the short and long T(2) values, and (iii) the orientational dependency of the apparent fraction of water proton density becomes evident with maturation of the regenerating tendon. From these results, the (1)H T(2) relaxation time of water might be used to monitor the healing process of collagen structures of the tendon non-invasively.

Cavernous sinus hemangioma treated with gamma knife radiosurgery: usefulness of SPECT for diagnosis--case report

A 79-year-old female presented with cavernous sinus hemangioma manifesting as double vision due to right oculomotor and trochlear nerve pareses. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed bony erosion and a right cavernous sinus tumor with "tail sign" after contrast medium administration. Thallium-201 (201Tl) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) showed low uptake within the tumor, and technetium-99m-human serum albumin-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid SPECT disclosed high uptake within the tumor. 201Tl SPECT usually shows very high uptake in meningiomas and malignant tumors, so the tumor was considered to be an unrelated benign tumor. The patient underwent partial resection of the tumor. Histological examination of the specimen confirmed cavernous hemangioma. The oculomotor nerve paresis partially improved. Gamma knife radiosurgery was carried out 4 months after the operation. The tumor markedly shrank with full recovery of extraocular movement 6 months after radiosurgery. SPECT is useful for distinguishing cavernous sinus hemangiomas from other cavernous tumors. Radiosurgery should be performed after partial resection or biopsy for cavernous sinus hemangiomas and may be the initial treatment for patients with small cavernous sinus hemangioma if the diagnosis can be established based on neuroimaging.

Time-course magnetic resonance imaging of rat pancreatic cyst after experimental pancreatitis

Fast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the rat pancreas was carried out using a snapshot method to observe three-dimensional (3D) and temporal development of the pancreatic cyst after experimental pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis was induced by a retrograde infusion of the trypsin-taurocholate solution into the pancreatic duct in 23 rats, of which seven survived for one month. Under 2% enflurane anesthesia, (1)H images of the rat abdomen were taken by a 4.7 T magnetic resonance spectrometer under spontaneous breathing. 3D images of the pancreas and cyst were reconstructed from the axial, sagittal and coronal images taken before, 24 h, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days and 28 days after the induction of pancreatitis. The 3D images reconstructed from different slice orientations at each time point showed good agreement with each other. The calculated volumes of the cyst on 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day were 0.3 +/- 0.1, 0.8 +/- 0.3, 2.1 +/- 0.6, 6.5 +/- 1.3 mL, respectively. The cystic fluid volume on 28th day was 6.4 +/- 1.4 mL, which confirmed reliability of volume measurement by MR imaging. Fast MR imaging (snapshot) together with 3D reconstruction allows us to understand the detailed chronological and spatial development of pancreatic cyst after acute pancreatitis in rats.

Determination of pancreas injury from bloodstains using human pancreatic elastase III as a marker

A sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for human pancreatic elastase III as a method to identify pancreas injuries from blood or bloodstains was evaluated. The serum levels of human elastase III from healthy adults (n=24) were estimated to be 1.15 +/- 0.6 (+/- SD) ng/ml. The recovery rates of elastase III added to normal human serum were estimated to be 96.3%. Elastase III levels in contents of various digestive organs were assayed and found to be high in the contents of the large intestine. For detection of human elastase III on weapons, samples were prepared from disposable scalpels that had been used to cut skin and skeletal muscle, and then to cut various organs. The mean ratio of elastase III to total protein (ng elastase III/mg protein) on scalpels that had been cut the pancreas (n=11) was 4956+/-3067 (+/- SD), whereas the ratios from other organs were much lower except, in case of several digestive organs. The higher elastase III levels detected in these digestive organs seemed to stem from the amount of intestinal contents adhering to the scalpels. These results suggest that determination of pancreatic elastase III in blood or bloodstains using a sandwich enzyme immunoassay is a very useful and effective tool for identification of pancreas injury in forensic practice.

A sandwich enzyme immunoassay for human pancreatic elastase III

To develop a method for the determination of pancreas injuries using a pancreas-specific antigen as a marker, human elastase III was purified from the pancreas by chromatographic methods. A rabbit anti-human elastase III antibody was prepared, and this antibody was confirmed using immunoblotting to react only with elastase III among proteins from the pancreas. A sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for human elastase III was developed. The detection limit for human elastase III was 0.3 pg (10 amol) per assay. Proteins extracted from the pancreas showed the strongest response, whereas reactions of the other organs were less than the detection limit. These results suggest that a sandwich enzyme immunoassay for human elastase III is useful for the determination of pancreas injury.

Changes in mRNA expression levels of synaptic- and target tissue-specific proteins after organophosphate exposure

We examined the effects of organophosphate exposure on mRNA expression levels of synaptic- and target tissue-specific proteins in rats. We treated rats with a single dose of Disulfoton (O,O-diethyl S-2-ethylthioethyl phosphorodithioate) and used quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to measure the time course of changes in the levels of mRNAs encoding acetylcholinesterase (AChE), nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), beta-enolase (MSE), and gamma-enolase (NSE) in soleus muscles and sciatic nerves. The expression levels of synaptic genes encoding AChE in both tissues were significantly decreased, with a nadir at 12h after the administration, and this down-regulation lasted for up to 30 days after administration. Similarly, the level of nAChR mRNA in soleus muscle also decreased, with a nadir at 48 h after administration and a return to 95% of that of the control levels by 30 days after administration. These results indicate that administration of organophosphate can decrease AChE and nAChR expression in the neuromuscular junction, and are suggestive of multiple mechanisms of down-regulation of both AChE and nAChR, some of which might involve alterations at the transcriptional level. The transcript level of the target tissue-specific gene encoding MSE in soleus muscle was slightly decreased, with a nadir at 48 h after administration, and was still lower than that of the control level after 30 days. In contrast, the level of the NSE transcript in sciatic nerve significantly increased within 2 h, and this up-regulation was sustained until 30 days after administration. Although the functions of either of these enolases are not completely established, up-regulation of NSE mRNA may be a marker for the nervous system abnormality following organophosphate exposure. All of these phenomena may contribute to the long-lasting neurotoxic effects observed after developmental exposure to organophosphates.

In vivo NMR micro-imaging of kidney and liver of mouse at 9.4 T

NMR micro-images of the kidney and liver were measured at 9.4 T in intact mouse, schistosoma Mansoni-infected mouse, and lupus nephritis in an MRL/lpr mouse. High-field NMR imaging has the advantages of sensitivity, spatial resolution, and tissue contrasts based on longitudinal and transverse relaxations, magnetic susceptibility differences and blood flow.

New triterpenoid saponins from the sponge Melophlus isis

Four new triterpenoid saponins were isolated, along with two known 30-norlanostane-type saponins- sarasinosides A(1) (1) and A(3) (2)-from the sponge Melophlus isis collected from Guam. The structures of these new compounds (3-6) proved to be 30-norlanosta-8(14),24-dien-23-ones bearing two hydroxyl groups or the corresponding methoxy groups at the 9alpha,15alpha- and 9alpha, 15beta-positions and the pentasaccharide portion identical with those of 1 and 2 at the 3beta position, by spectral, chemical, and GC analyses.

High expression of vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with liver metastasis and a poor prognosis for patients with ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a recently identified growth factor with significant angiogenic properties, is a multifunctional angiogenic cytokine that is expressed in many tumors. High VEGF expression has been shown to correlate with the incidence of metastasis and poor prognosis in various cancers. In this study, the authors investigated VEGF expression and microvessel density (MVD) in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma and examined the correlations among VEGF expression, clinicopathologic factors, and clinical outcome. The authors especially focused on the correlation between VEGF expression and liver metastasis.

METHODS

Paraffin embedded tumor specimens of 142 surgically resected pancreas carcinoma were immunohistochemically stained for VEGF and MVD. The correlations among VEGF expression and MVD, clinicopathologic factors, and clinical outcome were then statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-two (93%) of 142 ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas were positive for VEGF protein by immunohistochemistry. A significant correlation was observed between VEGF positivity and MVD (P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between high VEGF expression and liver metastasis (P = 0.010) but no other factors, such as age, tumor size, histologic type, lymph node metastasis, venous invasion, neural invasion, peritoneal metastasis, or local recurrence. Patients with tumors that showed moderate or high VEGF expression had significantly shorter survival than patients with low VEGF expression or none at all in their tumors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that VEGF expression is closely correlated with MVD and seems to be an important predictor for both liver metastasis and poor prognosis in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

High expression of vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with liver metastasis and a poor prognosis for patients with ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a recently identified growth factor with significant angiogenic properties, is a multifunctional angiogenic cytokine that is expressed in many tumors. High VEGF expression has been shown to correlate with the incidence of metastasis and poor prognosis in various cancers. In this study, the authors investigated VEGF expression and microvessel density (MVD) in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma and examined the correlations among VEGF expression, clinicopathologic factors, and clinical outcome. The authors especially focused on the correlation between VEGF expression and liver metastasis.

METHODS

Paraffin embedded tumor specimens of 142 surgically resected pancreas carcinoma were immunohistochemically stained for VEGF and MVD. The correlations among VEGF expression and MVD, clinicopathologic factors, and clinical outcome were then statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-two (93%) of 142 ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas were positive for VEGF protein by immunohistochemistry. A significant correlation was observed between VEGF positivity and MVD (P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between high VEGF expression and liver metastasis (P = 0.010) but no other factors, such as age, tumor size, histologic type, lymph node metastasis, venous invasion, neural invasion, peritoneal metastasis, or local recurrence. Patients with tumors that showed moderate or high VEGF expression had significantly shorter survival than patients with low VEGF expression or none at all in their tumors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that VEGF expression is closely correlated with MVD and seems to be an important predictor for both liver metastasis and poor prognosis in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

High expression of vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with liver metastasis and a poor prognosis for patients with ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a recently identified growth factor with significant angiogenic properties, is a multifunctional angiogenic cytokine that is expressed in many tumors. High VEGF expression has been shown to correlate with the incidence of metastasis and poor prognosis in various cancers. In this study, the authors investigated VEGF expression and microvessel density (MVD) in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma and examined the correlations among VEGF expression, clinicopathologic factors, and clinical outcome. The authors especially focused on the correlation between VEGF expression and liver metastasis.

METHODS

Paraffin embedded tumor specimens of 142 surgically resected pancreas carcinoma were immunohistochemically stained for VEGF and MVD. The correlations among VEGF expression and MVD, clinicopathologic factors, and clinical outcome were then statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-two (93%) of 142 ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas were positive for VEGF protein by immunohistochemistry. A significant correlation was observed between VEGF positivity and MVD (P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between high VEGF expression and liver metastasis (P = 0.010) but no other factors, such as age, tumor size, histologic type, lymph node metastasis, venous invasion, neural invasion, peritoneal metastasis, or local recurrence. Patients with tumors that showed moderate or high VEGF expression had significantly shorter survival than patients with low VEGF expression or none at all in their tumors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that VEGF expression is closely correlated with MVD and seems to be an important predictor for both liver metastasis and poor prognosis in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

High expression of vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with liver metastasis and a poor prognosis for patients with ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a recently identified growth factor with significant angiogenic properties, is a multifunctional angiogenic cytokine that is expressed in many tumors. High VEGF expression has been shown to correlate with the incidence of metastasis and poor prognosis in various cancers. In this study, the authors investigated VEGF expression and microvessel density (MVD) in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma and examined the correlations among VEGF expression, clinicopathologic factors, and clinical outcome. The authors especially focused on the correlation between VEGF expression and liver metastasis.

METHODS

Paraffin embedded tumor specimens of 142 surgically resected pancreas carcinoma were immunohistochemically stained for VEGF and MVD. The correlations among VEGF expression and MVD, clinicopathologic factors, and clinical outcome were then statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-two (93%) of 142 ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas were positive for VEGF protein by immunohistochemistry. A significant correlation was observed between VEGF positivity and MVD (P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between high VEGF expression and liver metastasis (P = 0.010) but no other factors, such as age, tumor size, histologic type, lymph node metastasis, venous invasion, neural invasion, peritoneal metastasis, or local recurrence. Patients with tumors that showed moderate or high VEGF expression had significantly shorter survival than patients with low VEGF expression or none at all in their tumors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that VEGF expression is closely correlated with MVD and seems to be an important predictor for both liver metastasis and poor prognosis in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Identification of remains by sequencing of mitochondrial DNA control region

The maternity of two newborns who were murdered and abandoned >5 and 10 years were analyzed by amplification and direct sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control regions. Sequences of two hypervariable segments from each femur bone sample and the blood of the putative mother showed four mutations in hypervariable region I and two mutations in addition to two nucleotide insertions in hypervariable region II compared with the reference sequence, and all sequences were identical. The genotype of these individuals is found to be relatively rare in the Japanese population, and it was strongly suggested that both sets of newborn remains really were children of the putative mother. Sexes of the remains were determined to be female and male by amplifying a segment of the X-Y homologous gene, amelogenin. These results demonstrate that sequencing of mtDNA is a useful tool for genetic identification of aged and decomposed materials.

High expression of vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with liver metastasis and a poor prognosis for patients with ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a recently identified growth factor with significant angiogenic properties, is a multifunctional angiogenic cytokine that is expressed in many tumors. High VEGF expression has been shown to correlate with the incidence of metastasis and poor prognosis in various cancers. In this study, the authors investigated VEGF expression and microvessel density (MVD) in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma and examined the correlations among VEGF expression, clinicopathologic factors, and clinical outcome. The authors especially focused on the correlation between VEGF expression and liver metastasis.

METHODS

Paraffin embedded tumor specimens of 142 surgically resected pancreas carcinoma were immunohistochemically stained for VEGF and MVD. The correlations among VEGF expression and MVD, clinicopathologic factors, and clinical outcome were then statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-two (93%) of 142 ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas were positive for VEGF protein by immunohistochemistry. A significant correlation was observed between VEGF positivity and MVD (P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between high VEGF expression and liver metastasis (P = 0.010) but no other factors, such as age, tumor size, histologic type, lymph node metastasis, venous invasion, neural invasion, peritoneal metastasis, or local recurrence. Patients with tumors that showed moderate or high VEGF expression had significantly shorter survival than patients with low VEGF expression or none at all in their tumors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that VEGF expression is closely correlated with MVD and seems to be an important predictor for both liver metastasis and poor prognosis in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

A sandwich enzyme immunoassay for pulmonary surfactant protein D and measurement of its blood levels in drowning victims

A sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for human pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) was developed and used to examine the blood SP-D levels of drowning victims. Human SP-D was purified from amniotic fluid by chromatographic methods, and an antibody against human SP-D was prepared. A polystyrene ball coated with anti-SP-D IgG was incubated with purified human SP-D, and then with anti-SP-D Fab'-peroxidase conjugate. Peroxidase activity bound to the polystyrene ball was assayed by fluorometry using 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid as the hydrogen donor. The detection limit of human SP-D was 5.2 pg per assay tube. Examination of cross-reactions of this sandwich enzyme immunoassay with proteins from other human organs showed it to be highly specific for lung, and Northern blot analysis detected specific SP-D mRNA expression only in lung. The SP-D concentration of normal human serum was 6.4+/-2.7 (mean+/-S.D.) ng ml(-1) (n=20). The recovery rates of 0.52 ng and 5.2 ng SP-D added to 5 microl normal human serum were 93.6+/-2.7% and 93.6+/-6.1%, respectively. Blood SP-D levels of victims from the saltwater drowning group (n=14) revealed higher concentrations (105.8+/-53.7 ng ml(-1)), while freshwater drowning victims (n=12) were estimated to be 74.1+/-43.9 ng ml(-1). The SP-D levels of 15 subjects who died of hemorrhage (n=5), heart failure (n=8), traumatic shock (n=1), and electrocution (n=1) were lower (22.0+/-8.5 ng ml(-1)), and those of asphyxia victims (n=10) were slightly higher (36.2+/-17.1 ng ml(-1)) than those of other causes of death, except for drowning. These results suggest that in drowning victims, SP-D flowed into the systemic circulation by physiological and physical mechanisms, and the differences of blood SP-D levels between saltwater drowning and freshwater drowning victims are presumed to be influenced by the type of agony and/or the length of survival time in water.

Slice-selective proton double quantum filtered MRI of joint connective tissues

1H double quantum filtered (DQF) imaging has been shown to highlight tendons. In this work the DQF magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence is extended to include slice selection. The short transverse relaxation time of the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance in connective tissues, presents a stringent demand on the application of gradients and soft radiofrequency pulse lengths needed for slice selection. In the present work a slice selection pulse sequence is implemented by postponing the application of the slice refocusing gradient to the period after the last pulse just before the acquisition. Slice-selective DQF images of rat lower leg and knee are given to demonstrate the efficacy of the technique.

A novel method of species identification using human muscle-specific beta-enolase

A novel method of species identification using a sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for human muscle-specific beta-enolase was used to analyze bloodstains and skeletal muscle. Human beta-enolase is detectable in human blood at dilutions up to 3 x 10(3) and human muscle extract (0.1 g/ml) at dilutions up to 5 x 10(6) using a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The cross-reactivities of both blood and skeletal muscle extracts from other species were 0.01 or less. When human skeletal muscle extract was added in a final concentration of 10 mg/ml, the ratio of beta-enolase to total protein in bloodstains was approximately 1000, whereas the addition of skeletal muscle extract of other species resulted in a ratio of less than 10. Application of this method in a practical case proved that human muscle-specific beta-enolase as a marker for species identification is very effective in forensic practice.