Prognostic relevance of topoisomerase II α and minichromosome maintenance protein 6 expression in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Despite rising incidence rates of colorectal malignancies, only a few prognostic tools have been implemented in proven clinical routine. Cell division and proliferation play a significant role in malignancies. In terms of colorectal cancer, the impact of proliferation associated proteins is controversially debated. The aim of our study was to examine the expression of topoisomerase II α and minichromosome maintenance protein 6 and to correlate these findings with the clinical data.

METHODS

Tissue samples of 619 patients in total were stained using the antibodies Ki-S4 and Ki-MCM6 targeting topoisomerase II α as well as minichromosome maintenance protein 6. The median rate of proliferation was correlated with clinical and follow up data.

RESULTS

The expression rate of minichromosome maintenance protein 6 is significantly higher than the proportion of topoisomerase II α in tumour cells (p < 0.001). A high expression of both proteins coincides with a beneficial outcome for the patient, indicating a favourable prognostic marker (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated that high expression rates of proliferative markers is linked to a beneficial patient outcome. According to the general opinion, a high expression rate correlates with a poor patient outcome. In this study, we were able to refute this assertion.

Melatonin increases anagen hair rate in women with androgenetic alopecia or diffuse alopecia: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

In addition to the well-known hormonal influences of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on the hair cycle, melatonin has been reported to have a beneficial effect on hair growth in animals. The effect of melatonin on hair growth in humans has not been investigated so far.

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether topically applied melatonin influences anagen and telogen hair rate in women with androgenetic or diffuse hair loss.

METHODS

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 40 women suffering from diffuse alopecia or androgenetic alopecia. A 0.1% melatonin or a placebo solution was applied on the scalp once daily for 6 months and trichograms were performed to assess anagen and telogen hair rate. To monitor effects of treatment on physiological melatonin levels, blood samples were taken over the whole study period.

RESULTS

Melatonin led to a significantly increased anagen hair rate in occipital hair in women with androgenetic hair loss compared with placebo (n=12; P=0.012). For frontal hair, melatonin gave a significant increase in the group with diffuse alopecia (n=28; P=0.046). The occipital hair samples of patients with diffuse alopecia and the frontal hair counts of those with androgenetic alopecia also showed an increase of anagen hair, but differences were not significant. Plasma melatonin levels increased under treatment with melatonin, but did not exceed the physiological night peak.

CONCLUSIONS

To the authors' knowledge, this pilot study is the first to show that topically applied melatonin might influence hair growth in humans in vivo. The mode of action is not known, but the effect might result from an induction of anagen phase.

Degradation mechanism and stability of 5-aminolevulinic acid

The physiological substance and precursor of the heme synthesis 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a promising prodrug for photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy of epithelial tumors, particularly in urological and gynecological tissues. For the clinical use of this substance, a chemically stable and sterile drug formulation is required. In the present study, degradation mechanism of ALA in aqueous solution and possibilities to improve its stability were examined. A capillary electrophoretic method was developed that was suitable for the quantification of ALA and of two degradation products. The intermediate degradation product was 2, 5-dicarboxyethyl-3,6-dihydropyrazine, which was further oxidized to 2,5-dicarboxyethylpyrazine. The structures of the degradation products were proven by (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. ALA degradation was very efficiently inhibited by adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution to a value <5 and by purging with nitrogen. Additives such as antioxidants did not improve the ALA stability. These results demonstrated that low pH ALA aqueous solution may be one possible dosage form to be considered for market introduction.

Validation of a capillary electrophoresis method for determination of 5-aminolevulinic acid and degradation products

A capillary electrophoresis method was developed for simultaneous quantification of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and its degradation products 2,5-dicarboxyethyl-3,6-dihydropyrazine and 2,5-dicarboxyethylpyrazine in aqueous solution within a total analysis time of 9 min. The optimized method was validated with respect to specificity, precision, linearity, limits of detection and quantitation, and robustness. The degradation products were quantified with respect to the ALA peak. A related micellar electrokinetic chromatography method, involving the addition of sodium dodecylsulfate to the running buffer solution, was applied for direct injection of an oil-in-water emulsion containing ALA, i.e. without sample pretreatment.

MRP 8/14 as marker for Plasmodium falciparum-induced malaria episodes in individuals in a holoendemic area

Presence of Plasmodium falciparum parasites in the peripheral blood of patients in a holoendemic area does not necessarily show that their illness is due to malaria. The aim of the present project was therefore to look for biological markers related to symptomatology or clinical events during a malaria episode. We focused our work on a complex of heterodimeric calcium-binding proteins secreted by stimulated neutrophils and monocytes, named MIF or myeloid-related proteins (MRP 8/14). In a longitudinal study including 51 adults from Ifakara, Tanzania (84.7% prevalence for P. falciparum in adults during the study), the level of MRP 8/14 in the serum was significantly related to the parasite load (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.52; P < 0.0001). In the serum from children up to 6 years admitted at a health post the MRP 8/14 levels were closely related to parasitemia but also to fever episodes (Spearman correlation coefficients, 0.96 and 0.736; P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Although not specific to malaria, the measurement of MRP 8/14 could be an additional tool in assessing malaria-related morbidity.

The myeloic related protein MRP8/14 (27E10 antigen)--usefulness as a potential marker for disease activity in ulcerative colitis and putative biological function

MRP8, MRP14 and their heterodimer MRP8/14 (27E10 antigen) are myeloic related proteins which have been shown to have a major role in inflammatory and immunological responses. In the present study monospecific antibodies against MRPs were used to investigate immunohistochemically the distribution of these proteins in routinely processed bowel tissues from 23 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). MRP8, MRP14 and their heterocomplex MRP8/14 were demonstrated in the majority of granulocytes and macrophages in tissues of patients with active UC. Furthermore by employing the ELISA technique we measured MRP8/14 serum levels in 62 patients with UC and the results were compared with those for healthy controls. Disease activities were determined by established clinical activity indices. Serum MRP8/14 concentrations were significantly (P < 0.0001) increased in patients with active ulcerative colitis. No enhancement of serum levels were found for MRP14 and MRP8 alone, respectively. The follow-up of individual patients with initially active disease showed a decrease of MRP8/14 serum levels in parallel with clinical improvement following the start of therapy. It is thus concluded that MRP8/14 accurately reflects the degree of disease activity in UC. Further, possible biological function of MRPs seems to be associated with the heterodimeric form (27E10 antigen) rather than with individual proteins. Our morphological results confirm the finding of enhanced MRP8/14 serum levels in patients with active UC.

Serum 27E10 antigen: a new potential marker for staging HIV disease

MRP8 and MRP14 are myeloic related proteins expressed by most circulating and emigrated neutrophils and monocytes. Their composite molecule MRP8/14 (27E10 antigen) was shown to exhibit striking antimicrobial properties. The aim of the present study was to assess the value of MRPs as markers for detection of the different stages of HIV infection (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 1993). By employing the ELISA technique we measured serum concentrations of these proteins in samples from 122 HIV patients at the various stages of disease, and the results were compared with those for healthy controls. Serum levels of the heterodimeric molecule 27E10 were significantly increased (P < 0.001) in patients with CDC stages II and III, with the highest levels being in patients with stage III and acute ongoing opportunistic infections. For the single component MRP14, significantly raised levels (P < 0.05) were only found in HIV stage III individuals with acute clinical events. Similar associations were not found for MRP8 alone. Increase was not related to CD4+ cell count. There was a significant correlation between 27E10 antigen serum concentrations and levels of neopterin in patients with HIV stages II and III without acute concurrent illness. Patients being treated with Zidovudine showed no statistically significant variation in levels of 27E10 and its single components MRP8 and MRP14 compared with untreated patients. These findings suggest that elevation of MRP14 levels occurs in HIV+ individuals at later stages post-HIV infection, after the onset of opportunistic infections. 27E10 antigen is concluded to be a potential marker for the different stages of HIV disease.

Immunohistochemical distribution and serum levels of the Ca(2+)-binding proteins MRP8, MRP14 and their heterodimeric form MRP8/14 in Crohn's disease

In previous histochemical studies the distribution of the two Ca(2+)-binding proteins MRP8 and MRP14 as well as their heterocomplex MRP8/14 has been demonstrated in different inflammatory diseases. Monoclonal antibodies against MRP8 and MRP14 and their heterodimer MRP8/14 (27E10 epitope) were used to investigate immunohistochemically the distribution of these proteins in routinely processed small and large bowel tissues from patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Furthermore, we used a sandwich immunoassay to measure serum concentrations of MRPs in 62 patients were simultaneously assessed by the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) and the severity activity index of Goebell (SAI). In our immunohistochemical study, MRP8, MRP14 and heterocomplex MRP8/14 were demonstrated in the majority of granulocytes and macrophages in active CD. Additionally, a strong complex MRP8/14 immunoreactivity was present in epithelial cells adjacent to ulcerative and fissuring lesions in the bowel. Serum MRP8/14 concentrations were significantly (p < 0.0001) increased in patients with active CD (CDAI > 150, SAI > 120). No correlations were found for level of MRP14 and MRP8 alone, respectively. The follow-up of individual patients with initially active CD showed a further increase in MRP8/14 levels during acute attacks of the inflammatory process. We suggest that our assay for MRP8/14 discriminates well between active and inactive CD and may have considerable potential in the analysis of clinical disease activity in CD patients. Our morphological results confirm the finding of increased MRP8/14 serum levels in patients with active CD.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in experimental allergic contact dermatitis

The kinetics of appearance of MIF+ cells was investigated in experimental contact dermatitis using a monoclonal antibody (7D10) against murine MIF which was reacted with cryostat sections of tissues and detected by the indirect immunoperoxidase test. Four groups of BALB/c mice were investigated: (1) sensitized with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB); (2) unsensitized controls; (3) tolerized; (4) unsensitized. A challenge dose of DNFB was applied to the ear of animals of groups 1-3 and of croton oil to those of group 4. Three phases could be distinguished in group 1: (a) an initial vascular and exudative reaction; (b) an early cellular phase; and (c) a late cellular phase. At zero time rarely any T lymphocytes (Lyt 1+; Lyt 2+) were seen in all four groups. Within less than 30 min venous endothelial cells became strongly MIF+. This was followed by an influx of monocytes/macrophages reaching a maximum of 72 h in group 1 and a slight peak at 12 h in groups 2 and 3. At 16-24 h in all groups the endothelial reaction weakened while many 7D10+ macrophages appeared in group 1. By double-labelling it was shown that lymphocytes were 7D10-. The influx of lymphocytes, part of which carried the T cell receptor, began at 12 h, reaching a maximum at 72 h in group 1. In groups 2 and 3 only a weak lymphocytic infiltrate developed which declined at 24 h. Group 4 developed an inflammatory reaction after the initial phase with similar kinetics as in group 1. The data suggest that an immune inflammatory reaction is preceded by a nonspecific reaction of the vascular endothelium and the mononuclear phagocytic system and that MIF is playing a central role in these events.

Generation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody (1C5) to human migration inhibitory factor (MIF)

A monoclonal antibody was raised in mice against human MIF of the Mr 14,000 kd, produced by Concanavalin A-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A hybridoma (1C5) secreting an IgG 1 antibody was selected which binds, yet does not neutralize MIF in the macrophage migration assay. MIF activity may be released from immobilized antibodies by acidic buffer elution. The eluate consists of three major bands at Mr 8,000, 14,000 and 28,000 as revealed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and molecular sieve chromatography (HPLC). By radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunoassay, it could be shown that the antibody binds material with isoelectric points of 4.5 to 5.0 and of 3.0, which coincides precisely with the biological activities. Similar congruencies between the distribution of biologically reactive and binding material were found in molecular sieve and ion exchange chromatography. It is concluded that the antibody 1C5 reacts with most molecular weight entities of MIF which seem to be structurally related and which display similar characteristics as described for guinea pig and mouse MIF.

Immunohistochemical localization of β-glucosidases in lignin and isoflavone metabolism in Cicer arietinum L. seedlings

Coniferin specific- and isoflavone 7-glucoside specific β-glucosidases have been localized in stem and root sections of chick pea (Cicer arietinum L.) seedlings by the indirect immunofluorometrical method. The coniferin specific β-glucosidase has been found in the cell walls of the tracheary elements and of the endo-, epi-, and exodermis. All these tissues are known to contain either lignin or polymers, like suberin and cutin, which consist partially of phenylpropanoid elements. The localization of this β-glucosidase is therefore in agreement with its postulated relationship to the phenylpropanoid metabolism. The isoflavone 7-glucoside specific β-glucosidase, on the other hand, is predominantly located in the parenchymatic cortex cells, and obviously in the cytoplasm. These cells are known to contain the isoflavone formononetin, which has been shown to undergo turnover in chick pea seedlings. We therefore have good reason to assume that this β-glucosidase is involved in the metabolism of the 7-glucoside of this isoflavone.

[Inhalation therapy of sinusitis with the Breathing Mask 500]

The subject of this analysis are the results of treatment of sinusitis in its varying forms and degrees with the "Climate Mask 500" in conjunction with antrum puncture. Either dry or humit warm-air inhalations with coniferous oil additives were prescribed depending on the type of sillness. In 100% of the cases so treated normalisation or improvement of the subjective complaint could be observed. The objective findings normalised or improved in 80% of the cases. Because of its therapeutic value, its simplicity, the reduction in medication and the lack of side effects, inhalation treatment with the "Climate Mask 500" can be said to be a useful aid in a causal therapy of sinusitis.

The effect of iodine deficiency and suppression of TSH secretion on radioiodine labelled thyroxine and triiodothyronine in the thyroid of rats

It has been suggested that TSH stimulation of the thyroid gland is accompanied by an alteration in the ratio of newly synthesized thyroxine (*T4)1)/triiodothyronine (*T3) in favour of *T3. Evidence in support of this hypothesis is provided here by the finding that suppression of TSH secretion in rats alters this ratio in the other direction, i. e. in favour of *T4.

Thus, endogenous TSH stimulation was increased for 4 weeks by iodine deficiency. Its suppression was performed by the administration of T3, using a dose of 0.05-0.25 μg/100 g body weight which was injected subcutaneously every 12 hours for three days. The effect of TSH stimulation and suppression could be assessed from the following parameters: thyroid weight and histology, thyroid 131I uptake, 131I conversion ratio, hormonal iodine concentration, and TSH level in the plasma. After iodine deficiency the ratio of *T4/*T3 in the thyroid gland changed in favour of *T3. This may compensate for the iodine deficiency, since the oxygen consumption and the heart rate of the animals remained in the normal range. After suppression the ratio of *T4/*T3 changed in the opposite direction, i. e. in favour of *T4. The extent of the suppression of *T4 and *T3 was dependent on the suppression dose used.