Post-marketing surveillance study of the efficacy and safety of vardenafil among patients with erectile dysfunction in primary care

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of vardenafil in primary care, we undertook a post-marketing surveillance study in 384 men with erectile dysfunction (ED), enrolled by 22 family physicians in Korea, from July 2004 to August 2005. Of the 384 patients enrolled, 343 (89.3%) returned for efficacy assessment and safety evaluation. Among the latter, 279 patients (81.3%) reported that their erectile function improved, 292 (92.1%) showed enhanced IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function)-5 scores and 265 (77.9%) responded that they were 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with vardenafil treatment. The most frequent reason for patient satisfaction with vardenafil was erectile potency (62.4%), followed by safety (42.4%), rapid onset (35.3%), adequate duration of efficacy (28.5%) and easy administration (25.9%). A total of 23 adverse events were observed in 18 patients, with the most frequent being hot flushes (3.2%), followed by headache (1.2%), nasal congestion (0.6%), color vision disturbance (0.3%), dizziness (0.3%), dry mouth (0.3%), dyspepsia (0.3%), nausea (0.3%) and diarrhea (0.3%). Only one patient discontinued vardenafil as a direct result of an adverse event. These results suggest that vardenafil prescribed by primary care physicians improved erectile function and was well tolerated by patients with ED.

Correlation and prediction of trunk fat mass with four anthropometric indices in Chinese males

To increase our understanding of the relationships of trunk fat mass (FMtrunk) and four anthropometric indices in Chinese males, 1090 males aged 20-40 years were randomly recruited from the city of Changsha, China. Waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were measured using standardized equipment, and three other anthropometric indices of BMI, waist:hip ratio (WHR) and conicity index (CoI) were calculated using weight, height, HC and WC. FMtrunk (in kg) was measured using a Hologic QDR 4500 W dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner. There was an increasing trend of FMtrunk, %FMtrunk (percentage of FMtrunk) and BMI, WC, WHR, CoI in successively older age groups (e.g. the mean FMtrunk values were 4.63 (SD 2.58), 5.39 (SD 2.74), 5.93 (SD 2.82), 6.57 (SD 2.94) in four 5-year age groups, respectively). FMtrunk and %FMtrunk were significantly correlated with four anthropometric indices with the Pearson's correlation coefficients ranging from 0.25 to 0.86. Principal component analysis was performed to form three principal components that interpreted over 99.5% of the total variation of four related anthropometric indices in all age groups, with over 65% of the total variation accounted by principal component 1. Multiple regression analyses showed that three principal components explained a greater variance (R(2) 70.0-80.1%) in FMtrunk than did BMI or WC alone (R(2) 57.8-74.1%). The present results suggest that there is an increasing trend of FMtrunk and four anthropometric indices in successively older age groups; that age has important effects on the relationships of FMtrunk and studied anthropometric indices; and that the accuracy of predicting FMtrunk using four anthropometric indices is higher than using BMI or WC alone.

Establishment of peak bone mineral density in Southern Chinese males and its comparisons with other males from different regions of China

Peak bone mineral density (PBMD) is an important determinant of osteoporotic fracture and a precondition for correct diagnosis of osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to establish the reference data of PBMD at the lumber spine and hip in Southern Chinese males. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine and hip (femoral neck, trochanter, intertrochanter, and total) in 1155 Chinese men aged 15-39 years, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). We utilized a fit curve method to determine the best age range over which to calculate PBMD. Our results indicated that the PBMD was observed at the age range of 18-25 years at the various sites. The mean value and standard deviation of PBMD was 0.753 +/- 0.117, 1.156 +/- 0.148, 0.896 +/- 0.120, 0.989 +/- 0.122, and 0.980 +/- 0.116 g/cm2 at the trochanter, intertrochanter, femoral neck, total hip, and spine, respectively. When the present PBMD reference was compared with the documented PBMD reference of males from other regions of China, we found great difference in standardized PBMD between Changsha males and those from other regions of China. The PBMD for Chinese males in Changsha at the various sites were 3.19%-11.33% lower than that for American Caucasian males. In conclusion, the PBMD at the spine and hip may be used as normal reference data for Southern Chinese males in Changsha instead of documented PBMD from other regions of China and the manufacturer's reference data.

[Effects of resveratrol on pig primary preadipocytes proliferation, differentiation and transcription expression of Sirt1 gene]

1 approximately 3 days old Piglet's primary preadipocytes in vitro were cultured and treated with 0micromol/L (control group), 10microlmol/L (lower dose group), 20micromol/L(middle dose group) and 50micromol/L, 100micromol/L (higher dose group) RES. Cell proliferation and viability were analyzed by MTT assay. The degree of differentiation and adipogenesis were measured by Oil Red O staining extraction assay and the expression of Sirt1 (sirtuin) mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed the optical density (OD) of MTT and Oil Red O staining were all decreased, especially treated by 50micromol/L, 100micromol/L RES at 72h and 96h (P < 0.01); the ratio of OD of the expression of Sirt1 mRNA to that of beta-actin mRNA were increased after treated by 100micromol/L RES (P < 0.01). RES can inhibit proliferation and differentiation of pig preadipocytes in certain degree. Higher dose of RES can markedly decrease adipogenesis and prevent preadipocytes differentiation into adipocytes, which may be in part associated with its effect on increasing the expression of Sirt1 mRNA.

[Preparation of monoclonal antibodies against West Nile virus envelope protein domain.]

BACKGROUND

To prepare monoclonal antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV) envelope protein domain.

METHODS

BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant antigen of West Nile virus envelope protein domain, and the spleen cells of the mice were used to prepare the monoclonal antibodies (McAb) by hybridoma technique.

RESULTS

Three hybridoma cell strains secreting McAbs against WNV envelope protein domain, designated as 4F7, 6H3 and 8E4, respectively, were obtained and were identified by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), they belonged to IgG1, IgG1 and Ig2a, respectively. Two epitopes of envelope protein domain were determined, among them, 4F7 and 6H3 were against the same epitope and 8E4 to another one.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of indirect ELISA, Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence experiment indicated that these three McAbs were specific for West Nile virus envelope protein domain and did not cross-react with Japanese encephalitis virus and other viruses, so they can be used for specific detection of West Nile virus.

Receiver-operating characteristic analyses of body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio for obesity: Screening in young adults in central south of China

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Recent data suggest that current obesity diagnostic criterion based on body mass index (BMI) above 30 in Caucasians may not be appropriate for Asian populations. Our aim was to identify the usefulness of BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in screening for obesity in an Asian population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional sample of 1109 males and 879 females aged 20-45-yr were recruited. Height, weight, WC, hip circumference and percentage body fat (PBF) were measured in all subjects. Then receiver-operating characteristic analyses were used to evaluate the performances of the three anthropometric indices.

RESULTS

BMI, WC and WHR showed strong positive correlation with PBF (r=0.47-0.75) in both males and females within both age groups. True-positive rates ranged from 82.4% to 94.1% and 68.8% to 86.3% in males and females, respectively. True-negative rates ranged from 64.1% to 84.7% and from 56.9% to 79.0%, respectively. The areas under the curves (AUCs) for WC and BMI were high (0.76-0.92) in both sexes and divided age groups (20-30-yr and 31-45-yr), and those for WHR were a little lower (0.74-0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

BMI and WC are two important predictors for obesity in Chinese, and WHR is an alternative.

Exclusion mapping of chromosomes 1, 4, 6 and 14 with bone mineral density in 79 Caucasian pedigrees

Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a major determinant of osteoporosis and is under strong genetic control. A large number of linkage and association studies for BMD variation have been conducted, with the results being largely inconsistent. Linkage exclusion analysis is a useful tool for gene mapping but has never been used on BMD. In the present study, we conducted a linkage exclusion mapping for BMD variation on chromosomes 1, 4, 6 and 17 in 79 Caucasian pedigrees. For hip BMD variation, several genomic regions were excluded for effect sizes of 10% or greater, including regions of 61-77 cM at 1p35-p34, 167-196 cM at 1q21-q23 and 261-291 cM at 1q42-q44; 85-112 cM at 4q21-q25 and 146-150 cM at 4q31; and 77-85 cM at 6p12-q13. For spine BMD, we were able to exclude the regions of 168-189 cM at 1q21-q23, 92-94 cM at 4q21 and 106-107 cM at 4q24 and 56-103 cM at 17q12-q25, as having effect sizes of 10% or greater. These results suggest that a number of candidate genes located in the excluded regions, such as interleukin 6 receptor (IL6R) gene, type I collagen alpha 1 (COL1A1) gene and bone morphogenetic protein-3 (BMP3) gene are unlikely to have a substantial effect on BMD variation in this Caucasian population. Along with previous studies searching for genes underlying BMD variation, the current study has further delineated the genetic basis of BMD variation and provided valuable information for future genetic studies.

Tetraspanin CD9 regulates invasion during mouse embryo implantation

The expression of tetraspanin CD9 was found on blastocysts in mice and endometrium epithelial cells in human and bovine. However, it remains unknown how CD9 is involved in the precise dialogue between embryo and uterus during early pregnancy. This study was designed to investigate the functional roles of CD9 in the embryo implantation with monoclonal antibody against CD9 protein (anti-CD9 mAb) and antisense oligonucleotide against CD9 gene (AS-CD9). Our results showed that intrauterine injection of anti-CD9 mAb on day 4 of pregnancy significantly increased the number of embryos implanted (7.24+/-0.39 versus 4.04+/-0.38). In vitro, anti-CD9 mAb or AS-CD9 significantly enhanced embryo-outgrowth ability on the monolayer of uterus epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, the attachment of blastocysts to epithelial cells was unaffected. Furthermore, we found that anti-CD9 mAb or AS-CD9 stimulated matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) production of blastocysts on Fibronectin. LY294002, a specific inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, was able to counteract the effect of anti-CD9 mAb and AS-CD9 on outgrowth ability and production of MMP-2. Our results indicated that CD9 played a role of inhibiting embryo implantation. CD9 was able to impair embryo invasion and the production of MMP-2 through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathway.

Genetic determination and correlation of body weight and body mass index (BMI) and cross-sectional geometric parameters of the femoral neck

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to examine the genetic determination of body weight, body mass index (BMI) and cross-sectional geometric parameters of the femoral neck including cross-sectional area (CSA), cortical thickness (CT), sectional modulus (Z), and buckling ratio (BR), and to test the genetic correlation between body weight/BMI and the femoral neck geometric parameters.

METHODS

A total of 929 healthy subjects from 292 Chinese nuclear families was included. Femoral neck geometric parameters were estimated from bone mineral density (BMD) and bone area which were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

RESULTS

The heritability (h(2)) estimate values were 0.643, 0.626, 0.626, 0.674, 0.405, and 0.615 for body weight, BMI, CSA, CT, Z, and BR, respectively. Body weight was significantly correlated with bone geometric parameters (p</=0.001) with genetic correlation (rho(G)) values of 0.551, 0.457, 0.571, and -0.385, and bivariate heritability (rho2G) values of 0.304, 0.209, 0.326, and 0.148 for CSA, CT, Z, and BR, respectively. Similar correlations (p</=0.001) were observed between BMI and bone geometric parameters, with rho(G) values of 0.446, 0.432, 0.334, and -0.362, and (rho2G) values of 0.199, 0.187, 0.112, and 0.131 for CSA, CT, Z, and BR, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our study suggested that body weight, BMI, and femoral neck geometry were under strong genetic determination. The strong genetic correlations suggested that the genetic factors of bone geometry may be overlapped with those of body weight and BMI.

Linkage exclusion analysis of two important chromosomal regions for height

Adult height (stature), as an important parameter of human physical development, has been studied in many populations. Recently, we reported a whole genome scan of height on a sample of 630 Caucasian subjects from 53 human pedigrees. Two chromosome regions, 6q24-25 and 7q31.3-36, achieved low linkage signals (multipoint LOD score 0.5), but gained significant results in the linkage studies of height by other groups. In addition, the region 6q24-25 harbors the ER-alpha gene, an important candidate gene for linear growth. To resolve the controversies over these two regions for height, linkage exclusion analyses were performed in an extended sample of 79 pedigrees with 1816 subjects, which include the 53 pedigrees containing 630 subjects for our previous whole genome study and additional 128 new subjects, and 26 new pedigrees containing 1058 subjects. The two regions, 6q24-25 and 7q31.3-36, were excluded at a relative effect size of 10% or greater (p value < 0.0005) and 5% or greater (p value < 0.0018), respectively. Our results suggest that the two regions may not contribute substantially to height variation in our Caucasian population.

Estrogen receptor alpha gene relationship with peak bone mass and body mass index in Chinese nuclear families

Estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) plays an important role in mediating estrogen signaling. Studies in Caucasian populations have shown that it is involved in endocrine-related diseases such as osteoporosis and obesity. In the present study, we first used a quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT) to examine the relationship between this gene and both the osteoporosis-related phenotype bone mineral density (BMD), and the obesity-related phenotype body mass index (BMI), in 384 Chinese nuclear families. We genotyped a dinucleotide repeat marker (TA)n, and a long-range haplotype was reconstructed using this marker and two other restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers at PvuII and XbaI loci. Although we found significant total association [allele (TA)21 with hip BMD (P=0.001), and haplotype Px(TA)21 with spine (P=0.0007) and hip (P=0.0006) BMD], the more reliable within-family associations were not significant between these phenotype pairs. No linkage signal was obtained for either spine BMD or hip BMD. We found no association or linkage between any of the three studied polymorphisms and the long-range haplotypes of the ER-alpha gene and BMI. Our study does not support an association of the ER-alpha gene with BMD and BMI in the Chinese population.

Genetic and environmental correlations between bone phenotypes and anthropometric indices in Chinese

Height, weight, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone size are all influenced by genetic and environmental factors as well as interactions between them. Height and weight are often used in population studies to adjust the bone phenotypes. However, it is still unknown what proportion of genetic and environmental variability is shared between these anthropometric characteristics and the bone phenotypes. The genetic and environmental correlations between the bone phenotypes and anthropometric indices in Chinese subjects were studied by bivariate quantitative genetic analysis on a sample of 931 healthy subjects from 292 Chinese nuclear families aged from 19 to 79 years. BMD and bone size at the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and the hip of all subjects were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We found significant genetic correlations between weight and spine BMD, hip BMD, spine bone size and hip bone size, which were 0.50 (P<0.01), 0.45 (P<0.01), 0.36 (P=0.02), and 0.38 (P<0.01), respectively. Likewise, significant genetic correlations between height and spine BMD, spine bone size, and hip bone size were 0.30 (P=0.02), 0.54 (P<0.01), and 0.58 (P<0.01), respectively. The environmental correlations were found to be significant only between height and spine bone size (P<0.001) and weight and hip BMD (P=0.02). These results suggest the probability that the same genetic and environmental factors contribute to these different phenotypes. Moreover, when a candidate gene or genomic region is responsible for the variation of both bone phenotypes and anthropometric indices, its true genetic effect on the bone phenotypes may be lost after one has adjusted the phenotypic values with weight and height as random environmental factors. It may have implications for population studies of candidate genes that underlie the complex bone phenotypes and for the development of strategies for therapeutic application.

Linkage exclusion analysis of two candidate regions on chromosomes 7 and 11: Leptin and UCP2/UCP3 are not QTLs for obesity in US Caucasians

Leptin (LEP) and the uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 (UCP2/UCP3) are key molecules involved in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. However, their contribution to variation of obesity phenotypes in the general population remains controversial. The present study is to investigate whether chromosomal regions 7q and 11q, which contain LEP and UCP2/UCP3, respectively, can be excluded for linkage with obesity phenotypes. The obesity phenotypes include body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and percentage fat mass (PFM), with the latter two measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We conducted exclusion linkage analyses using a variance component approach in a sample of 1816 individuals coming from 79 extended Caucasian pedigrees. In this study, we were able to exclude chromosomal region 7q containing LEP as having an effect on fat mass and PFM at effect sizes of 5% or greater, and on BMI at effect sizes of 10% or greater. We were able to exclude chromosomal region 11q containing UCP2/UCP3 as having an effect on fat mass and PFM at effect sizes of 10% or greater, and on BMI at effect sizes of 5% or greater. Our results suggest that the LEP and UCP2/UCP3 genes are unlikely to have a substantial effect on variation in obesity phenotypes in this particular US Caucasian population.

Impact of an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome on a hospital in Taiwan, ROC

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To estimate the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in early 2003 on a tertiary care hospital in Taiwan, ROC.

METHODS

The study estimated the utilisation of resources related to infection control, SARS related medical services, and routine medical services, and SARS related medical outcomes at National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKUH) from 25 March to 16 June 2003 through a cross sectional survey of hospital records.

RESULTS

A mean of 5100 persons per day (95%CI 4580 to 5610) underwent fever screening at the outpatient and emergency department (ED) entrances to the hospital, of which 35 per day (95% CI 30 to 40) were referred for further evaluation for suspected or probable SARS. ED isolation surge capacity was created via 12 new beds outside the ED: eight for SARS assessment, three for patients awaiting in hospital bed assignment, and one for resuscitation. A total of 382 patients were fully evaluated for suspected or probable SARS outside the ED, of which 27 were admitted. The mean numbers of outpatient clinic patient visits, ED visits, ED trauma patient visits, ED admissions, hospital admissions, and operative procedures decreased during the outbreak. Thirty eight patients were hospitalised with suspected SARS, of which three received the final diagnosis of probable SARS. Two patients with probable SARS died. No cases of nosocomial SARS transmission occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

This SARS outbreak was associated with substantial use of hospital and ED resources aimed at infection control, comparatively less use of resources related to the medical care of patients with suspected or probable SARS, and decreased use of routine medical services.

Serum lysophosphatidic acid concentrations measured by dot immunogold filtration assay in patients with acute myocardial infarction

In this study the relation between lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and myocardial infarction was investigated, the typical and simplified methods for measuring serum LPA concentration by dot immunogold filtration assay (DIFA) based on a polyclonal antibody to LPA were developed, and serum LPA concentrations were measured in 31 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 12 controls (blood donors) by DIFA. Serum LPA levels were raised more than twofold 8 h after the onset of AMI. Maximal elevation (10.43 mg/L) was found at 48-72 h following onset and remained higher than the control concentration (1.66 mg/L) 7 days after AMI. The rise in serum LPA concentration in AMI patients suggests that LPA might be involved in AMI-related pathophysiology in the cardiovascular system. The simplified DIFA developed in the present study for measuring serum LPA concentration is convenient and highly sensitive.

Confirmation and refinement of a genetic locus for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP1) at 12q23.2-24.1

BACKGROUND

Our previous study has identified two loci for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP), but the genes responsible are still unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To narrow down the candidate regions and to assess candidate genes.

METHODS

A genome-wide scan and linkage analysis were carried out in a newly collected five-generation Chinese family with DSAP. In addition, six candidate genes were screened for possible DSAP-associated mutations.

RESULTS

DSAP in this family was associated with chromosome 12q. Fine mapping and haplotype construction refined the DSAP1 locus to a 4.4-cM interval. No disease-associated mutation was detected in CRY1, C4ST1, TXNRD1, HCF2, CMKLR1 or KIAA0789 genes.

CONCLUSIONS

The DSAP1 locus was localized to a 4.4-cM interval at chromosome 12q23.2-24.1. CRY1, C4ST1, TXNRD1, HCF2, CMKLR1 and KIAA0789 genes were not associated with DSAP1.

Potential of adenoviral p53 gene therapy and irradiation for the treatment of malignant gliomas

We investigated the combined effects of p53 gene transfer and irradiation and its still unclear interaction mechanism in human gliomas. Four human glioma cell lines expressing mutant type p53 (U373 and A172) and wild-type p53 (D54MG and EFC-2) were transfected by adenoviral vectors bearing p53 gene at 50 multiplicity of infection. Two days after transfection, cells were irradiated (3, 6, and 9 Gy). The cytotoxicity was evaluated by clonogenic assay. The quantitative analysis of apoptosis and cell cycle analysis were performed using flow cytometry. Irradiation combined with adenoviral p53 transfection significantly increased cytotoxicity, which was additive in cell lines with wild-type p53 and more than additive in cell lines with mutant p53. The combination of two modalities increased the apoptotic population by 14% in A172 cells and 20% in D54 MG cells, which were the sum of apoptosis from each modality. Adenoviral p53 transfection increased the G1 phase fraction and concomitant decrease of radioresistant S phase fraction in A172 and D54MG cells. Our study demonstrated that p53 gene transfer combined with irradiation increased absolute cytotoxicity in human glioma cells used in this experiment. The interaction mechanism for increased cytotoxicity involved, in part, increased apoptosis and change of cell cycle profile.

Diagnosis of high-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma by fine-needle aspiration biopsy: nonsmall-cell or small-cell type?

A consensus optimal therapy for large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung has not been achieved since this entity was proposed in 1991. Accumulation of clinical data and investigation, however, can be greatly impeded by erroneous cytological diagnosis, based on which treatment may be initiated. To avoid erroneous diagnoses, cytological criteria need to be defined. Twenty cases of fine-needle aspiration specimens with a diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumor by either cytology or follow-up histology were retrospectively reviewed for cytomorphologic features. Patients' clinical data were also reviewed. Three cytomorphologic patterns were identified for large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, i.e., nonsmall-cell-like, small-cell-like and, mixed nonsmall-cell-small-cell-like. Small-cell-like large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma can be mistaken for small-cell carcinoma. The most important differential features between these two entities are nuclear size and perceptibility of nucleoli of tumor cells.

Distinction of well-differentiated liposarcoma from lipoma in two patients with multiple well-differentiated fatty masses

This case report describes the features of gadolinium-enhanced MRI in well-differentiated liposarcoma with histologic correlation and addresses the usefulness of this imaging technique in distinguishing well-differentiated liposarcoma from lipoma. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI revealed significantly enhanced signal in well-differentiated liposarcoma in a background of multiple well-differentiated benign fatty masses by showing the increased vascularity in the septa of well-differentiated liposarcoma. Although such signal enhancement can be seen in some types of benign lipomatous tumors with increased blood vessels, this technique is helpful in selection of biopsy site, especially in a clinical setting of multiple fatty masses.

[Comparative effects of carvedilol and metoprolol in preventing from left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of carvedilol and metoprolol in preventing from left ventricular remodeling (LVRM) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rats.

METHODS

Twenty-four hours after ligating left coronary artery, 105 surviving female SD rats were randomly assigned to AMI control, carvedilol 1 mg/(kg.d) and metoprolol 2 mg/(kg.d) groups. Sham-operated rats (n = 16) were selected randomly as non-infarction control. After four weeks of drugs therapy, hemodynamic studies and pathologic analysis were performed. Exclusive of MI size < 35% or > 55%, complete experimental variables were obtained in 46 rats, which were comprised of AMI (n = 11), carvedilol (n = 12), metoprolol (n = 11), and Sham-operated (n = 12) groups.

RESULTS

Compared with sham-operated group, left ventricular (LV) end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), volume (LVV) and weight (LVW), were all significantly increased (P < 0.05-0.001), while maximal rate of rise and fall (+/- dp/dt) of LV pressure as well as their corrected values (+/- dp/dt/LVSP) were all significantly decreased (P < 0.01-0.001) in AMI group. In comparison with AMI group, the LVEDP and LVV were all significantly decreased (all P < 0.001), while +/- dp/dt and +/- dp/dt/LVSP were significantly increased (P < 0.05-0.001) in both carvedilol and metoprolol group, with LVW and RVW only decreased in carvedilol group (P < 0.05-0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

1. Carvedilol can effectively attenuate LVRM, and improve hemodynamics and LV function after AMI in rats, 2. Metoprolol has equivalent beneficial effects as carvedilol on hemodynamics, LV dilatation and function, but not LV hypertrophy.

[Inhibition of PKC and ERK1/2 in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells by angiotensin-(1-7)]

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of angiotensin-(1-7)[Ang-(1-7)] on the proliferation and expression of protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2) of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by techniques of Western blot, 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) and 3H-leucine (3H-Leu) incorporation. Ang II increased VSMC DNA and protein synthesis, and promoted protein expression of PKC-zeta and ERK1/2. In contrast, Ang-(1-7) not only inhibited PKC-zeta and ERK1/2 protein content, but also decreased Ang II mediated VSMC hyperplasia, as compared with the controls (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). These results suggest that Ang-(1-7) may inhibit VSMC proliferation by influencing protein expression of PKC-zeta and ERK1/2.

Diagnosis of chondroid lipoma by fine-needle aspiration biopsy

Chondroid lipoma is a rare, recently described soft tissue tumor that mimics extraskeletal chondrosarcoma and myxoid liposarcoma. Reports regarding its cytologic and radiological features are sparse. In this report, we describe the cytologic features of this unusual tumor, which include mixed mature lipocytes and lipoblast-like cells embedded in chondromyxoid matrix. We also describe the "target sign appearance" of this tumor in magnetic resonance imaging studies, resembling a neurogenic tumor. More importantly, we demonstrate that a definitive diagnosis of this unusual tumor can be made by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The usefulness of cell block in fine-needle aspiration biopsy diagnosis of soft tissue tumors is emphasized.

[Calcineurin signaling pathway is involved in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy mediated by calcium activators]

AIM

To investigate the effects of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) from different resources on calcineurin (CaN) dependent signaling pathway and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

METHODS

Angiotensin II (Ang II,10(-7) mol/L), ryanodine (RY, 10(-7) mol/L), inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate (IP3, 10(-7) mol/L) were applied to stimulate the [Ca2+]i, CaN activity and protein expression were measured in primary cultured cardiomyocytes from Wistar rat. [Ca2+]i was measured using Fura-2/AM fluorescent technique. The incorporation of 3H-Leucine (3H-Leu) determined the synthesis rates of protein.

RESULTS

Ang II, RY and IP3 increased [Ca2+]i, promoted CaN activity and protein expression, and 3H-Leu incorporation in cultured cardiomyocytes compared with control (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is associated with the changes of cellular [Ca2+]i, but not with its resources. Indicating that CaN signaling pathway play an important role in the hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes.

Diagnostic utility of intracytoplasmic lumen and transgressing vessels in evaluation of Hürthle cell lesions by fine-needle aspiration

INTRODUCTION

Recent abstracts have emphasized the importance of recognizing intracytoplasmic lumen and transgressing vessels as useful criteria enabling distinction between Hürthle cells encountered in neoplastic and nonneoplastic thyroid aspirates. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate if application of these criteria improves specificity and sensitivity of cytologic diagnosis of true Hürthle cell neoplasms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 30 fine-needle aspirates of thyroid with cytologic diagnosis of Hürthle cell neoplasms (13 cases) and nonneoplastic thyroid with prominent Hürthle cells (17 cases). All cases were evaluated for the presence of intracytoplasmic lumen and transgressing vessels and were reclassified as neoplastic or nonneoplastic based on the presence or absence of 1 or both of these criteria. Surgical follow-up was available in all cases.

RESULTS

Surgical follow-up in 13 cases of Hürthle cell neoplasms revealed Hürthle cell carcinoma (3 cases), Hürthle cell adenoma (6 cases), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (4 cases). Seventeen cases with nonneoplastic diagnosis revealed Hürthle cell carcinoma (1 case), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (12 cases), and nodular goiter (4 cases). After application of the previously mentioned cytologic criteria, the cytologic diagnoses were reclassified as Hürthle cell neoplasms (13 cases) and nonneoplastic thyroid (17 cases). The true sensitivity of the test before and after the application of the criteria was 90% and 100%, respectively. The true specificity before and after the application of the cytologic criteria was 65% and 85%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Intracytoplasmic lumen and transgressing vessels are helpful features in distinguishing neoplastic and nonneoplastic Hürthle cell thyroid lesions. Use of these criteria may improve the specificity and sensitivity of the cytologic diagnosis.