Radiation Therapy Sensitizes Head-and-Neck Cancer Cells to Killing by Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-NK Cells Targeting CD70

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

CAR-T cell therapy is limited by toxicity, high cost, logistical manufacturing issues in the autologous setting and risk of GVHD in the allogeneic setting. Substitution of T cells with NK cells opens the possibility for an allogeneic off-the-shelf product with a better safety profile. However, the inadequate efficacy of CAR-NK cells against solid tumors can be extrapolated from experience with CAR-T cells. There is limited but promising preclinical evidence that radiation therapy (RT) enhances CAR-T cell tumoricidal activity against solid tumors. However, there is no data examining the potential synergy between RT and CAR-NK cell therapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We engineered CAR-NK cells with CD27 receptor as extracellular domain to target its natural ligand CD70, which is overexpressed in head-and-neck cancers (HNSCC). CAR-NK cell killing was assessed real-time through xCELLigence cytotoxicity assays. CD70+ OQ01 human HNSCCs were used for most experiments. FaDu is a CD70- HNSCC (negative ctrl). UMRC3 is a CD70+ kidney cancer cell line (positive ctrl). CD70 expression pre- and post-RT was assessed by flow cytometry and Western blot. Ionizing RT was compared at 5 doses: 0, 1.75, 3.5, 7, and 14 Gy. A single dose of 3.5 Gy was used for most experiments. Post-radiation effects were generally assessed at 3 days or 9 days post-RT. Intracellular staining was used to assess NK cell expression of IFN-γ, CD107a, and TNF-α by flow cytometry. CD27/CD70 interaction blockade was through α-CD27 pre-treatment of CAR-NK cells.

RESULTS

OQ01 HNSCCs heterogeneously express CD70 and are killed by CD70 CAR-NK cells in vitro. Pre-conditioning low-dose RT of 3.5 Gy applied to OQ01 HNSCCs 3 days prior to coculture with NK cells enhances CD70 CAR-NK cell killing, with ∼30% increased cytotoxicity against the tumor cells. Low-dose RT by itself did not induce acute cytolysis. As a possible mechanism for the increased sensitivity of irradiated OQ01 cells to CD70 CAR-NK cells, we found that RT enhances CD70 expression among HNSCCs in a dose-dependent manner. There was no increase in NK cell expression of IFN-γ, CD107a, and TNF-α with exposure to irradiated target cells. CD27/CD70 blockade does not solely abrogate RT-induced sensitization toward CAR-NK cell killing. Despite RT induction of transient increased expression of CD70, which normalizes by 9 days post-RT, there is persistent increase in RT-synergized target cell killing even at this later timepoint. Thus, altogether, RT sensitizes CD70-expressing HNSCC cells to CAR-NK cell killing in vitro.

CONCLUSION

This work represents the first preclinical study to identify the synergy of RT and CAR-NK cell therapy in solid tumors and is the first demonstration of CAR-NK cell activity against human HNSCCs. We show significantly enhanced potency of CAR-NK cells against irradiated tumor cells in vitro. Collectively, this research will be vital to guide efforts expanding into other target antigens and tumor types.

Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy in the Management of Dural Recurrence of Olfactory Neuroblastoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Treatment protocols for dural recurrence among esthesioneuroblastoma patients have not been standardized. We assess the outcomes of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSR) for patients with olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) dura-based recurrences.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We identified ONB patients with dura-based recurrences treated with FSR after prior radiotherapy who were enrolled between 2013 and 2022 in our prospective head and neck reirradiation and skull base registries. In-field tumor control (within 2 cm of prescribed radiotherapy volume) and out-of-field tumor control (non-contiguous or contralateral dura, nodal, or distant metastases) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients with 28 dural lesions were included in this analysis. All patients were initially treated with surgery to their primary paranasal sinus disease; 69% with a craniofacial approach followed by adjuvant radiotherapy to a median dose of 63 Gy (range 60-72.4 Gy) prescribed to the resected tumor bed. Patients re-presented with dural recurrence at median 58.3 months (range 35.0 - 163.0 months) from completion of their initial treatment. Two patients underwent dural resections. On presentation of recurrence, 4 patients had 1 lesion treated, with a median of 2 lesions treated (range 1-4 lesions). All dural based tumors were treated with FSR to a median dose of 27 Gy in 3 fractions delivered QOD. 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT was utilized for FSR treatment planning in 31% of cases. The median follow up from FSR was 23.3 months (range: 13.1 - 51.6 months). The 1-year overall survival and progression free survival was 75% and 38%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year in-field control rate was 85% and 75%, respectively. Among treated lesions, 25 of 28 (89%) responded or remained stable following FSR. Two patients (3 lesions) had evidence of in-field radiographic progression at 17 and 9 months, respectively. Five patients (38%) experienced progression in the contralateral or non-contiguous dura, and 5 patients (38%) developed distant metastases. The overall out-of-field progression rate was 58% at 1 year. There was no grade 3 or higher toxicity observed. Three patients (23%) developed asymptomatic changes on MRI consistent with brain necrosis, all of which occurred in a previously irradiated region.

CONCLUSION

In the largest single institution study of FSR reirradiation for ONB dural recurrence to date, high local control rates with minimal toxicity are attainable. However, subsequent out-of-field dural recurrences and/or distant metastases remain problematic.

Evaluating the Utility of Traditional Bowel Dose Constraints when Treating Abdominal and Pelvic Sarcomas with Preoperative Radiation Therapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Abdominopelvic soft tissue sarcomas (AP-STS) are selectively treated with preoperative radiation therapy (RT) followed by surgery. Due to their rarity, most bowel dose constraints are extrapolated from dosimetric studies for other abdominal or pelvic malignancies where concurrent chemotherapy is often given in addition to RT. We sought to investigate associations between dosimetric bowel constraints and the risk for developing acute and long-term toxicities in patients who received preoperative RT for AP-STS.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of patients treated at a tertiary cancer center for non-metastatic AP-STS between 2005 and 2020. Dosimetric parameters for the "bowel bag" organ at risk structure were extracted for each patient. Chi-Square or Fisher's Exact Test, where appropriate, was utilized to compare the proportion of patients who exceeded constraints to the bowel bag contour as per the consensus RT retroperitoneal sarcoma guidelines, and the development of acute and long-term toxicities.

RESULTS

We identified 39 patients with available dosimetric data. The median follow-up was 34 months (IQR 20-47). Approximately half of the tumors were located in the pelvis (n = 20, 51%), and the majority were treated with IMRT/VMAT (n = 35, 90%). 31 patients (80%) presented with de novo disease, and 20% (n = 8) were recurrent presentations but had not received prior RT. The most common histology was leiomyosarcoma (n = 15, 38%), followed by de-differentiated liposarcoma (n = 8, 21%). The median bowel max dose (defined as D0.1cc) was 5309cGy [IQR 5262-5830]. Thirteen patients (33%) exceeded the volumetric V15 Gy <830cm3 bowel bag constraint, and 18 (46%) exceeded the V45 Gy ≤ 195cm3 bowel bag constraint. Overall, 17 patients (44%) had acute grade 1 diarrhea, and 11 (28%) had grade 1-2 nausea. Five patients (13%) had long-term radiation-related toxicities, including 1 patient who developed an enterocutaneous fistula. There was no association between exceeding V15 Gy>830 cm3 (p = 0.31) or V45 Gy≥195cm3 (p = 0.65) bowel bag constraints and developing a long-term RT toxicity. Similarly, exceeding V15 Gy>830 cm3 or V45 Gy≥195cm3 did not lead to increased risks of developing acute diarrhea, nausea, or any other acute RT toxicity (all p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Traditional volumetric bowel bag dose constraints are frequently exceeded given the large size of AP-STS at presentation and thus the large RT target volumes. Despite a significant proportion of patients exceeding these constraints, these data suggest that RT is overall well-tolerated, and the risk of developing toxicities does not correlate with traditional bowel bag volumetric constraints. There are ongoing efforts to substantially expand this cohort for further investigation into the relationship between dosimetric data and bowel toxicities in order to identify more predictive bowel constraints that can be used during treatment planning of AP-STS.

[The clinical value of radical resection of retroperitoneal lipo-lymphatic layer for pancreatic head cancer]

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of the novel approach,radical resection of the retroperitoneal lipo-lymphatic layer (RRRLLL),in the surgical treatment of resectable pancreatic head cancer. Methods: Between June 2020 and June 2022,a total of 221 patients with pancreatic head cancer underwent surgical treatment using the RRRLLL approach(RRRLLL group),while 107 patients received traditional surgical treatment(traditional group) in five high-volume pancreatic centers in China. Data from surgical technique and clinical perioperative outcomes,including lymph node harvested,surgical time,and complications,were analyzed. The RRRLLL group consisted of 144 males and 77 females with an age of (67.5±9.0) years(range:41.3 to 81.1 years). The traditional group included 71 males and 36 females,with an age of (66.3±8.1) years(range:45.1 to 79.2 years). Statistical analysis was performed using the K-S test,Z test,or χ2 test. Results: Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed successfully in all patients,achieving R0 resection. RRRLLL group surgery required mobilization of retroperitoneal adipose and lymphatic tissues starting from the right edge of the inferior vena cava and extending to the left side,up to the superior mesenteric artery,down to the inferior mesenteric artery,and left to the left side of the aorta,including the perineural and lymphatic tissues around the superior mesenteric artery and the sheath of the mesenteric artery. However,the traditional group did not include the areas mentioned above in the scope of clearance. There were no statistically significant differences between the RRRLLL group and the traditional group in terms of age,sex,tumor size,T stage,and vascular invasion (all P>0.05). However,the number of lymph nodes harvested in the RRRLLL group was significantly higher at 28.7±9.0 (range: 18 to 39) compared to 18.2±8.0 (range: 12 to 21) in the traditional group (Z=-10.691,P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the number of positive lymph nodes,N staging,and postoperative complications between the two groups. Conclusion: The RRRLLL approach improved lymph node dissection compared to the traditional approach,potentially leading to reduced recurrence rates.

[Application of membrane anatomy in hepatopancreatobiliary and splenic surgery]

Understanding of a variety of membranous structures throughout the body,such as the fascia,the serous membrane,is of great importance to surgeons. This is especially valuable in abdominal surgery. With the rise of membrane theory in recent years,membrane anatomy has been widely recognized in the treatment of abdominal tumors,especially of gastrointestinal tumors. In clinical practice. The appropriate choice of intramembranous or extramembranous anatomy is appropriate to achieve precision surgery. Based on the current research results,this article described the application of membrane anatomy in the field of hepatobiliary surgery,pancreatic surgery,and splenic surgery,with the aim of blazed the path from modest beginnings.

[The treatment strategies for complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy]

The most common complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy include pancreatic fistula, biliary fistula, delayed gastric emptying, bleeding, and abdominal infection. Although advances in surgery have led to a significant decrease in perioperative mortality in recent years, the risk of complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy remains. Thus, prevention and treatment of various complications are important to improve the prognosis of patients.

The critical role and molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis in antioxidant systems: a narrative review

Background and Objective

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered form of cell death which differs from other forms of cell death in terms of morphology, biochemistry, and regulatory mechanisms. Ferroptosis is regulated by a complex system and the precise molecular mechanisms are still being elucidated. Over the past few years, extensive research has revealed that the essence of ferroptosis is iron-dependent accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides induced by oxidative stress, and the System Xc-glutathione (GSH)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway is the main ferroptosis prevention system. Meanwhile, other antioxidant systems have also been implicated in regulating ferroptosis, including the transsulfuration pathway, mevalonate pathway, ferroptosis inhibitory protein 1 (FSP1)-Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) pathway, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH)-dihydroubiquione (CoQH2) pathway, and GTP cyclohydrolase-1 (GCH1)-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) pathway. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and its critical role in antioxidant systems, aiming to reveal that antioxidation is an important method of inhibiting ferroptosis and to provide a new direction for the treatment of ferroptosis-related diseases.

Methods

We searched all original papers and reviews about the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis in antioxidant systems using PubMed to November 2021. The search terms used included: ‘ferroptosis’, ‘ferroptosis inducers’, ‘ferroptosis inhibitors’, ‘ferroptosis and GSH’, ‘ferroptosis and GPX4’, ‘ferroptosis and System Xc-’, ‘SLC7A11’, ‘P53’, ‘NRF2 and ferroptosis’, ‘iron metabolism’, ‘lipid peroxidation’, ‘antioxidant systems’, ‘transsulfuration pathway’, ‘mevalonate pathway’, ‘FSP1-CoQ10’, ‘DHODH-CoQH2’, and ‘GCH1-BH4’.

Key Content and Findings

We first introduced the origin of ferroptosis and its common inhibitors and inducers. Next, we discussed the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and its role in antioxidant systems in existing studies. Finally, we briefly summarized the relationship between ferroptosis and diseases. It reveals that antioxidation is an important method of inhibiting ferroptosis.

Conclusions

This review discusses the recent rapid progress in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and its role in several antioxidant systems.

Molecular characterization of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme gene ube2h and siRNA-mediated regulation on targeting p53 in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes are key factors in the ubiquitin proteasome pathway (UPP), which play key roles in ubiquitination. These enzymes affect the efficiency of UPP during stress conditions. P53 has important control of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to cellular stress; these modifications are critical for the stability and transcriptional activity of p53 as the protein activates downstream target genes that dictate the cellular response. However, few studies have investigated the effects of thermal stress in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), specifically the UPP signaling pathway, and the crosstalk between the ube2h and p53. In this study, the rapid amplification of cDNA ends was used to obtain a full-length cDNA of the turbot UBE2H gene (Sm-ube2h) and perform bioinformatics analysis. Our results showed that the cDNA of the Sm-ube2h was 718 bp in length, encoding a 189 amino acid protein, with a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.77. It also contained a catalytic (UBCc) domain. Expression of Sm-ube2h in different tissues was detected and quantified by qPCR, which was highest in the spleen and lowest in the liver. We also investigated the Sm-ube2h expression profiles in the liver and heart after thermal stress, and changes in Sm-ube2h and p53 under thermal stress, upon RNA interference. Our data speculated that Sm-ube2h and p53 exhibited antagonistic effects under normal temperature conditions after ube2h interference, but displayed synergistic effects under thermal stress, suggesting the crosstalk between UPP and p53 signaling pathway. Our results improved our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism of thermal tolerance in turbot.

Genetic parameters of seven immune factors in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) infected with Vibrio anguillarum

In this study, 1,800 turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) individuals from 30 full-sib families were experimentally infected with Vibrio anguillarum, and the expression levels of the immune factors lysozyme, hepcidin, heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70), HSP90, immunoglobulin M (IgM), C-type lectin and Lily-type lectin in the liver were measured by real-time PCR. Heritability values of the seven immune factors were 0.289 ± 0.087, 0.092 ± 0.024, 0.282 ± 0.043, 0.244 ± 0.027, 0.343 ± 0.081, 0.092 ± 0.011 and 0.084 ± 0.009, respectively. The ranges of phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlations were -0.889 to 0.759, -0.841 to 0.888 and -0.919 to 0.883, respectively. The heritability values of HSP70, HSP90 and IgM were moderate, and the genetic correlations between HSP70, HSP90 and IgM were moderate to highly positive, which suggests that the immunocompetence of turbot against V. anguillarum can be improved by genetically improving these three immune characters via multi-trait integrated breeding technology or indirect selection.

[Advance in immunotherapy on biliary tract cancers]

Biliary tract cancers(BTC),including gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma,has the characteristics of low early diagnosis rate,complex anatomy,insensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and poor prognosis.In recent years,immunotherapy as a new method,has made great progress in the treatment of advanced malignant tumors.Immunotherapy is gradually applied in the treatment of BTC,such as inhibitory agents targeting the immune checkpoint receptor pathway,adoptive immunotherapy and tumor vaccines.

[Analysis of treatment modalities and prognosis of patients with gallbladder cancer in China from 2010 to 2017]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of gallbladder cancer (GBC) patients in China. Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study enrolled 3 528 consecutive GBC patients diagnosed between January 2010 to December 2017 in 15 hospitals from 10 provinces. There were 1 345 (38.12%) males and 2 183 (61.88%) females.The age of diagnosis was (63.7±10.8) years old (range: 26 to 99 years old) .There were 213 patients (6.04%) in stage 0 to Ⅰ, whereas 1 059 (30.02%) in stage Ⅱ to Ⅲ, 1 874 (53.12%) in stage Ⅳ, and 382 (10.83%) unavailable. Surgery was performed on 2 255 patients (63.92%) . Three hundred and thirty-six patients received chemotherapy or radiotherapy (9.52%; of which 172 were palliative); 1 101 (31.21%) received only supportive treatment.The patient source, treatment and surgery, pathology, concomitant gallstone, and prognosis were analyzed. Results: Among the 3 528 GBC patients, 959 (27.18%) were from East China, 603 (17.09%) from East-North China, 1 533 (43.45%) from Central China, and 433(12.27%) from West China. Among the 1 578 resectable tumor, 665 (42.14%) underwent radical surgery, 913 (57.86%) underwent surgery that failed to follow the guidelines.Eight hundred and ninety-one (56.46%) patients were diagnosed before surgery, 254 (16.10%) during surgery, and 381 (24.14%) after surgery (time point of diagnosis couldn't be determined in 52 patients) .Among the 1 578 patients with resectable tumor, 759 (48.10%) had concomitant gallstone.Among the 665 patients underwent radical surgery, 69 (10.4%) showed positive resection margin, 510 (76.7%) showed negative resection margin, and 86 (12.9%) unreported margin status.The 5-year overall survival rate (5yOS) for the 3 528-patient cohort was 23.0%.The 5yOS for patients with resectable tumor was 39.6%, for patients with stage ⅣB tumor without surgery was 5.4%, and for patients with stage ⅣB tumor underwent palliative surgery was 4.7%. Conclusions: More than half GBC patients in China are diagnosed in stage Ⅳ.Curative intent surgery is valuable in improving prognosis of resectable GBC.The treatment of GBC needs further standardization.Effective comprehensive treatment for GBC is in urgent need.

Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of p53 from turbot Scophthalmus maximus and its response to thermal stress

The tumor suppressor protein, p53 plays a crucial role in protecting genetic integrity. Once activated by diverse cell stresses, p53 reversibly activates downstream target genes to regulate cell cycle and apoptosis. However, few studies have investigated the effects of thermal stress in turbot, specifically the p53 signaling pathway. In this study, the rapid amplification of cDNA ends was used to obtain a full-length cDNA of the turbot p53 gene (Sm-p53) and perform bioinformatics analysis. The results showed that the cDNA of the Sm-p53 gene was 2928 bp in length, encoded a 381 amino acid protein, with a theoretical isoelectric point of 6.73. It was composed of a DNA binding and a tetramerization domain. Expression of Sm-p53 in different tissues was detected and quantified by qRT-PCR, and was highest in the liver. We also investigated the expression profiles of Sm-p53 in different tissue and TK cells after thermal stress. These result suggested that Sm-p53 plays a key role, and provides a theoretical basis for Sm-p53 changes in environmental stress responses in the turbot.

Abnormal circadian rhythms are associated with plaque instability in acute coronary syndrome patients

AIM

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, is among the most serious cardiovascular diseases. Circadian rhythms are present in almost all organisms. In clinical practice, we have found that ACS is closely related to these circadian rhythms. However, the relationship between circadian rhythms and plaque instability in ACS patients is incompletely understood. The aim of this study is to provide new insights into the relationship between circadian rhythms and plaque instability in ACS patients.

METHODS

We enrolled patients with ACS and individuals with normal coronary artery function in this study. The Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Healthy Diet Score (HDS) were used to evaluate circadian rhythms. Furthermore, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assess the mRNA expression levels of muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1 (Bmal1), circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (Clock), Cryptochrome1 (Cry1), Period2 (Per2), nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group D, member 1 (Rev-erbα), and matrix metalloproteinases MMP2 and MMP9.

RESULTS

AIS scores and PSQI scores were significantly higher in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and unstable angina pectoris (UA) than in the normal controls (NCs) (P < 0.05). The IPAQ scores of the NCs and patients with UA were significantly higher than in patients with STEMI and NSTEMI (P < 0.05). Notably higher HDS scores were recorded for the NCs compared to those of patients with UA, NSTEMI, and STEMI (P < 0.05). Consistent with these findings, compared with the NCs, the lowest levels of Bmal1, Clock, Cry1, Per2 and Rev-erbα mRNAs were detected in patients with STEMI, followed by patients with NSTEMI and then patients with UA (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the levels of MMP2 and MMP9 mRNA were significantly higher in the patients with STEMI, NSTEMI, and UA than those in the NCs (P < 0.05). In addition, we found that the levels of MMP mRNA negatively correlated with the levels of clock genes mRNAs (P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our data, the circadian rhythms and clock genes are correlatively with the occurrence of ACS, and the expression levels of clock genes are negatively correlated with plaque stability in ACS patients.

[The new classifications of biliary tract diseases based on actual anatomy]

In order to facilitate the treatment strategies for biliary tract injury, hilar cholangiocarcinoma, bile duct tumor thrombus, cholangiocellular carcinoma and bile duct cystic dilatation, many classifications have been made, even more than 10 types for one disease. Each type is represented by numbers or English alphabet, which are not only confusing but also difficult to remember. The Academician Mengchao Wu divided the liver into five sections and four segments base on its anatomy, this classification is very direct and visual, thus had been using till now. In order to overcome those complicated problems, it is considered to develop a new classification based on actual anatomic location similar to that for liver cancer, which is easy to remember and to directly determine the treatment strategy. All kinds of classifications have their own characteristics and advantages and disadvantages. This practical classifications avoid the complexity and may be useful for clinicians.

UCP2 protect the heart from myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via induction of mitochondrial autophagy

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), located in the mitochondrial inner membrane, is a predominant isoform of UCP that expressed in the heart and other tissues of human and rodent tissues. Nevertheless, its functional role during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is not entirely understood. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) remarkably improved postischemic functional recovery followed by reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release with simultaneous upregulation of UCP2 in perfused myocardium. We then investigated the role of UCP2 in IPC-afforded cardioprotective effects on myocardial I/R injury with adenovirus-mediated in vivo UCP2 overexpression (AdUCP2) and knockdown (AdshUCP2). IPC-induced protective effects were mimicked by UCP2 overexpression, while which were abolished with silencing UCP2. Mechanistically, UCP2 overexpression significantly reinforced I/R-induced mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy), as measured by biochemical hallmarks of mitochondrial autophagy. Moreover, primary cardiomyocytes infected with AdUCP2 increased simulated ischemia/reperfusion (sI/R)-induced mitophagy and therefore reversed impaired mitochondrial function. Finally, suppression of mitophagy with mdivi-1 in cultured cardiomyocytes abolished UCP2-afforded protective effect on sI/R-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Our data identify a critical role for UCP2 against myocardial I/R injury through preventing the mitochondrial dysfunction through reinforcing mitophagy. Our findings reveal novel mechanisms of UCP2 in the cardioprotective effects during myocardial I/R.

Genetic parameters for resistance against Vibrio anguillarum in turbot Scophthalmus maximus

Genetic parameters for resistance to Vibrio anguillarum in Scophthalmus maximus were estimated using three different statistical models. Data were recorded from an experimental infection performed on 2,400 individuals from 30 full-sib groups. Cross-sectional linear model and cross-sectional threshold probit model were used to analyse the test-period survival; the cross-sectional threshold logit models were used to analyse the test-day survival. The heritability values estimated by cross-sectional linear model (CSL), cross-sectional threshold (probit) model (THRp) and cross-sectional threshold (logit) model (THRl) were 0.202 ± 0.101, 0.296 ± 0.168 and 0.110 ± 0.023, respectively. The correlation coefficients between the full-sib families' estimated breeding values (EBVs) based on these three models were over 0.993. An almost identical ranking of families was generated using any of these models. Accuracy of selection using CSL, THRp and THRl models was 0.783, 0.789 and 0.801, respectively. Accuracy of selection based on the THRl model was higher than that based on CSL and THRp models.

The Effects of High Mobility Group Box-1 Protein on Peripheral Treg/Th17 Balance in Patients with Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis (AS) is defined as chronic inflammation of the vessel wall. The major objective of the this study was to explore the mechanism of Treg/Th17 imbalance and the role of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) on the balance in AS.

METHODS

We detected the apoptotic ratios of Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from subjects with AS and normal coronary arteries (NCA) by flow cytometry. The effects of recombinant HMGB1 (rHMGB1) on the proportion, apoptosis and differentiation of Treg and Th17 cells were analyzed using flow cytometry, qRT-PCR and ELISA.

RESULTS

The frequencies of apoptotic Treg cells in the PBMCs from the subjects with AS were significantly higher than in those with NCA (p < 0.01). Stimulation of rHMGB1 obviously increased the level of Th17 cells and acid- related orphan receptor C (RORC) mRNA, and markedly decreased Treg cell frequency and the mRNA expression of factor forkhead family protein 3 (Foxp3) in the PBMCs. rHMGB1 played an obvious role in elevating Treg cell apoptosis ratio (p < 0.01). rHMGB1 treatment significantly decreased Treg cell ratio and IL-10 level, and increased Th17 cell ratio and IL-17A level induced from naïve CD4+ T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

HMGB1 may modulate Treg/Th17 balance in patients with AS through inducing Treg cell apoptosis and promoting cell differentiation of Th17.

[Current status of lung transplantation in China: problems and perspectives]

Despite rapid progress, clinical lung transplantation in China still lags far behind. A great challenge remains in donor lung utilization and perioperative medicine. It's really abnormal that we are so backward in lung transplantation when we have come up with the advanced world levels in thoracic surgery, pulmonology and critical care medicine. Our shortcomings were analyzed by comparing lung transplantation in China and in the advanced countries. The first problem is multidisciplinary teamwork. In the United States, a lung transplant team includes physician specialized in lung transplantation, thoracic surgeons, nurses, respiratory therapists and other specialists possibly needed. In contrast, our lung transplant teams are derived from thoracic surgery teams. Other specialists are invited for consultation just when thoracic surgeons are unable to deal with the tough issues in perioperative medicine. The low utilization and quality of donor lung also result from poor teamwork. The second problem is that we failed to integrate such advances as extra corporeal lung support and ex vivo lung perfusion into our lung transplant programs. In conclusion, the development of lung transplantation in China is dependent upon an initiative, multidisciplinary team approach.

[Method and significance of specimens standardized pathological treatment in pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer]

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly aggressive disease with a grim prognosis. Surgical resection offers the best chance for long-term survival. Negative-margin resection still remains the goal, the influence of margin status on outcomes in pancreatic head carcinoma remains controversial, as conflicting data have been plagued by a lack of standardization in R0 resection and margin definitions, pathologic analysis, and reporting. In contrast to common belief, a high rate of R1 resections in pancreatic cancer is not a marker of low-quality surgery but rather of high-quality pathology. The international pathological consensus of pancreatic head carcinoma is still needed to fully understand the prognostic value of margin status in order to optimize treatment strategy for this disease.

Histone deacetylases and atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the most common pathological process that leads to cardiovascular diseases, a disease of large- and medium-sized arteries that is characterized by a formation of atherosclerotic plaques consisting of necrotic cores, calcified regions, accumulated modified lipids, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), endothelial cells, leukocytes, and foam cells. Recently, the question about how to suppress the occurrence of atherosclerosis and alleviate the progress of cardiovascular disease becomes the hot topic. Accumulating evidence suggests that histone deacetylases(HDACs) play crucial roles in arteriosclerosis. This review summarizes the effect of HDACs and HDAC inhibitors(HDACi) on the progress of atherosclerosis.

Primary choriocarcinoma in mediastinum with multiple lung metastases in a male patient: A case report and a review of the literature

Primary choriocarcinoma is a rare malignant tumor, particularly in men. The tumor, mostly found in the gastrointestinal system and mediastinum, often metastasizes early with poor therapeutic effects and prognosis. Herein, we present a male patient with primary mediastinum choriocarcinoma and widespread lung metastases. The disease progressed rapidly with little therapeutic effect from chemotherapy. The patient died of this disease 75 days after initial symptom presentations. Literature review found only 41 cases of primary choriocarcinoma reported in the mediastinum. This case highlights the importance of keeping primary choriocarcinoma in the differentials for mediastinum tumors in young men. Sex hormone testing is helpful to confirm diagnosis. Early biopsy should be performed to confirm pathologic diagnose, and early surgery and chemotherapy should be considered to improve the cure rate of this disease.

Interferon regulatory factor 3 constrains IKKβ/NF-κB signaling to alleviate hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance

Obesity and related metabolic diseases associated with chronic low-grade inflammation greatly compromise human health. Previous observations on the roles of interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) in the regulation of metabolism prompted investigation of the involvement of a key family member, IRF3, in metabolic disorders. IRF3 expression in the liver is decreased in animals with diet-induced and genetic obesity. The global knockout (KO) of IRF3 significantly promotes chronic high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic insulin resistance and steatosis; in contrast, adenoviral-mediated hepatic IRF3 overexpression preserves glucose and lipid homeostasis. Furthermore, systemic and hepatic inflammation, which is increased in IRF3 KO mice, is attenuated by the overexpression of hepatic IRF3. Importantly, inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase beta subunit / nuclear factor kappa B (IKKβ/NF-κB) signaling is repressed by IRF3, and hepatic overexpression of the inhibitor of κB-α (IκBα) reverses HFD-induced insulin resistance and steatosis in IRF3 KO mice. Mechanistically, IRF3 interacts with the kinase domain of IKKβ in the cytoplasm and inhibits its downstream signaling. Moreover, deletion of the region of IRF3 responsible for the IRF3/IKKβ interaction inhibits the capacity of IRF3 to preserve glucose and lipid homeostasis.

CONCLUSION

IRF3 interacts with IKKβ in the cytoplasm to inhibit IKKβ/NF-κB signaling, thus alleviating hepatic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis.

Interferon regulatory factor 7 deficiency prevents diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance

Obesity-related inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we addressed the potential role of interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), a master regulator of type I interferon-dependent immune responses, in the regulation of energy metabolism. The expression levels of IRF7 were increased in white adipose tissue, liver tissue, and gastrocnemius muscle of both diet-induced obese mice and ob/ob mice compared with their lean counterparts. After feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for 24 wk, IRF7 knockout (KO) mice showed less weight gain and adiposity than wild-type controls. KO of IRF7 improved glucose and lipid homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Additionally, KO of IRF7 ameliorated diet-induced hepatic steatosis. Next, we assessed the inflammatory state of the IRF7 KO mice on the HFD. These mice showed less macrophage infiltration into multiple organs and were protected from local and systemic inflammation. This study demonstrates a role for IRF7 in diet-induced alterations in energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Our results also suggest that IRF7 is involved in the etiology of metabolic abnormalities, which suggests a new strategy for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Interferon regulatory factor 9 protects against hepatic insulin resistance and steatosis in male mice

Obesity is a calorie-excessive state associated with high risk of diabetes, atherosclerosis, and certain types of tumors. Obesity may induce inflammation and insulin resistance (IR). We found that the expression of interferon (IFN) regulatory factor 9 (IRF9), a major transcription factor mediating IFN responses, was lower in livers of obese mice than in those of their lean counterparts. Furthermore, whole-body IRF9 knockout (KO) mice were more obese and had aggravated IR, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation after chronic high-fat diet feeding. In contrast, adenoviral-mediated hepatic IRF9 overexpression in both diet-induced and genetically (ob/ob) obese mice showed markedly improved hepatic insulin sensitivity and attenuated hepatic steatosis and inflammation. We further employed a yeast two-hybrid screening system to investigate the interactions between IRF9 and its cofactors. Importantly, we identified that IRF9 interacts with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), an important metabolism-associated nuclear receptor, to activate PPAR-α target genes. In addition, liver-specific PPAR-α overexpression rescued insulin sensitivity and ameliorated hepatic steatosis and inflammation in IRF9 KO mice.

CONCLUSION

IRF9 attenuates hepatic IR, steatosis, and inflammation through interaction with PPAR-α.

CARD3 deficiency exacerbates diet-induced obesity, hepatosteatosis, and insulin resistance in male mice

Caspase activation and recruitment domain 3 (CARD3) is a 61-kDa protein kinase with an N-terminal serine/threonine kinase domain and a C-terminal CARD. Previous research on the function of CARD3 has focused on its role in the immune response and inflammatory diseases. Obesity is now a worldwide health problem and is generally recognized as an inflammatory disease. Unexpectedly, we found that CARD3 expression was lower during obesity. In this study, we explored the biological and genetic bases of obesity using CARD3-knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 24 weeks. We demonstrate that KO mice were more obese than their WT littermates, and KO mice exhibited obvious visceral fat accumulation and liver weight gains after 24 weeks of HFD feeding. We also observed more severe hepatosteatosis in KO mice compared with the WT controls. Hepatic steatosis in the HFD-fed KO mice was linked to a significant increase in the expression of key lipogenic and cholesterol synthesis enzymes, whereas the expression of the enzymes involves in β-oxidation was dramatically reduced. Furthermore, we confirmed the repression of AMP-activated protein kinase signaling and activation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response. Fatty liver impaired the global glucose and lipid metabolism, which further exacerbated the insulin resistance associated with the repression of Akt signaling and up-regulated systemic inflammation through the M1/M2 (pro- and anti-inflammation) type switch and the activation of the nuclear factor-κB pathway. Our studies demonstrate the crucial role of CARD3 in metabolism and indicate that CARD3 deficiency promotes the diet-induced phenotype of type 2 diabetes.

Baicalein, a natural product, selectively activating AMPKα(2) and ameliorates metabolic disorder in diet-induced mice

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of baicalein on metabolic syndrome induced by a high-fat diet in mice. The mice developed obesity, dyslipidemia, fatty liver, diabetes and insulin resistance. These disorders were effectively normalized in baicalein-treated mice. Further investigation revealed that the inhibitory effect on inflammation and insulin resistance was mediated by inhibition of the MAPKs pathway and activation of the IRS1/PI3K/Akt pathway. The lipid-lowering effect was attributed to the blocking of synthesis way mediated by SERBP-1c, PPARγ and the increased fatty acid oxidation. All of these effects depended on AMPKα activation. These results were confirmed in the primary hepatocytes from wild type and AMPKα(2)(-/-) mice. However, the IRS-1/PI3K/AKT pathway showed no change, which may be due to the time of stimulation and concentration. Thus, these data suggested that baicalein protects mice from metabolic syndrome through an AMPKα(2)-dependent mechanism involving multiple intracellular signaling pathways.

Puerarin attenuates high-glucose-and diabetes-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by blocking PKCbeta2/Rac1-dependent signaling

Oxidative stress has been implicated in several steps leading to the development of diabetic vascular complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and the possible mechanism of puerarin on high-glucose (HG; 25 mM)-induced proliferation of cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and neointimal formation in a carotid arterial balloon injury model of obese Zucker rats. Our data demonstrated that puerarin significantly inhibited rat VSMC proliferation as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and NADPH oxidase activity induced by HG treatment. Further studies revealed that HG treatment resulted in phosphorylation and membrane translocation of PKCbeta2 as well as Rac1, p47phox, and p67phox subunits, leading to NADPH oxidase activation. Puerarin treatment remarkably disrupted the phosphorylation and membrane translocation of PKCbeta2 as well as Rac1, p47phox, and p67phox subunits. Blocking PKCbeta2 by infection with AdDNPKCbeta2 also abolished HG-induced phosphorylation and membrane translocation of Rac1, p47phox, and p67phox subunits as well as ROS production and NADPH oxidase activation in VSMCs. In vivo neointimal formation of obese Zucker rats evoked by balloon injury was evidently attenuated by the administration of puerarin. These results demonstrate that puerarin may exert inhibitory effects on HG-induced VSMC proliferation via interfering with PKCbeta2/Rac1-dependent ROS pathways, thus resulting in the attenuation of neointimal formation in the context of hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus.

Homogeneous modification of sugarcane bagasse cellulose with succinic anhydride using a ionic liquid as reaction medium

The homogeneous chemical modification of sugarcane bagasse cellulose with succinic anhydride using 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AmimCl) ionic liquid as a reaction medium was studied. Parameters investigated included the molar ratio of succinic anhydride/anhydroglucose units in cellulose in a range from 2:1 to 14:1, reaction time (from 30 to 160min), and reaction temperature (between 60 and 110 degrees C). The succinylated cellulosic derivatives were prepared with a low degree of substitution (DS) ranging from 0.071 to 0.22. The results showed that the increase of reaction temperature, molar ratio of SA/AGU in cellulose, and reaction time led to an increase in DS of cellulose samples. The products were characterized by FT-IR and solid-state CP/MAS (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. It was found that the crystallinity of the cellulose was completely disrupted in the ionic liquid system under the conditions given. The data also demonstrated that homogeneous modification of cellulose with succinic anhydride in AmimCl resulted in the production of cellulosic monoester. The thermal stability of the succinylated cellulose decreased upon chemical modification.

[Resection of spinal tumor and reconstruction of spinal stability]

OBJECTIVE

Both primary and metastatic tumor of spine can influence spinal stability, spinal cord and nerves. The principles of dealing spinal tumor are resection of tumor decompression on spinal cord and reconstruction of spinal stability.

METHODS

Since Aug. 1993 to Oct. 1996, 15 cases with spinal tumor were treated, including 4 primary spinal tumor and 11 metastatic tumor. Tumor foci were mainly in thoracic and lumbar spine. Graded by Frankel classification of spinal injuries, there were 1 case of grade A, 1 of grade B, 3 of grade C, 5 of grade D and 5 of grade E. Tumors of upper lumbar spine and thoracic spine were resected through anterior approach. Posterior approach also was adopted once posterior column was affected. Tumors of lower lumbar spine were resected by two-staged operation: firstly, operation through posterior approach to reconstruct spinal stability: secondly, operation through anterior approach. After resection of tumor, the spines were fixed by Kaneda instrument, Steffee plate or Kirschner pins. To fuse the spine, bone grafting was used in benign tumor and bone cement used in malignant tumor.

RESULTS

Except one patient died from arrest of bone marrow, the others were followed up for 3 to 20 months. Postoperatively, 11 patients could sit up on one foot with the help of body supporter, and 9 patients could walk in two weeks under careful monitoring. There was no exacerbation of symptom and failure of fixation. The function of spinal cord was improved: 1 case from grade B to grade E, 1 from A to C, 2 from C to E and 4 from D to E.

CONCLUSION

The spine can be reconstructed for weight bearing early by internal fixation. The symptom can be relieved and the nervous function can be improved by resection of tumor and decompression.

[Primary clinical experience of neuroendoscopy: report of 19 cases]

10 cases of basal ganglion and 6 of subcortical hematoma were evacuated. One case of temporal and 2 cases of para- and intra-ventricle arachnoid cyst were fenestrated towards the cistern or lateral ventricle. Burred holes were near the lesion, through which endoscope should run. We guided the endoscope to the target by stereotatic equipment in 10 cases of basal ganglion hematoma and 1 case of ventricle arachnoid cyst, and introduced endoscope by free-hand in other cases. Hematoma group: CT reexamination within 48 hours showed that the residual hematoma was less than 20%-30% in 9 of 11 cases. Cyst group: symptoms of all cases of arachnoid cysts were alleviated after intervention. CT after a month showed that fenestration entrance could be seen clearly in 2 cases. The cyst reduced 20%-30% in 1 case. There were no direct complications in the group. It was shown that operation by endoscope is minimal invasive and little complicated.

Nitric oxide synthase expression in vagal complex following vagotomy in the rat

Peripheral axotomy of the spinal nerve and avulsion of the ventral roots have been found to induce increase in expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the spinal motor neurones and the dorsal root ganglion. The present study investigated changes of NOS, using NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) reactivity as the marker, in vagal complex after axotomy in the rat. Eight days after left cervical vagotomy the NADPH-d reactivity was found to be markedly enhanced in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve, the ambiguus nucleus, the solitary tract and the nucleus of the tractus solitarius, and the nodose ganglion. This study offers the first evidence of changes in NOS expression in cranial visceral components following axotomy.

[Antiinflammatory drugs inhibit the elevation of plasma CGRP concentration in endotoxin shock in rats]

In the present study, we observed the effects of indomethacin, ibuprofen, naloxone and morphine on plasma CGRP concentration 3 h after endotoxin shock in conscious rats. The results showed that indomethacin, ibuprofen and naloxone significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma CGRP concentration as well as reduced the lesion in the intestine during endotoxin shock. However, morphine had no significant effect. The data are consistent with our hypothesis that prostaglandin, as one of the inflammatory mediators which increase in shock may be an important endogenous factor for triggering the CGRP release during endotoxin shock.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide increases coronary flow and decreases coronary resistance

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a potent vasodilator, but its effects on in situ ventricular function are unknown. We studied effects of intracoronary CGRP (100, 200, and 600 pmole/min, for 10 min) in 21 open-chest chloralose-anesthetized dogs. Systemic, pulmonary, left ventricular (LVP), central venous, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures were continuously monitored. Left ventricular wall thickness (WT) and circumflex coronary blood flow were also measured. CGRP was infused into the proximal circumflex artery. During CGRP infusion there were no changes in heart rate, cardiac index, pulmonary artery pressure, or systemic vascular resistance, no percentage change in ventricular WT, and no changes in dWT/dt, peak dP/dt, or the slope of end-systolic points on WT/LVP loops. But there were significant changes in coronary flow (CQ), coronary resistance (CRES) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) from control (C)* (P less than 0.05). (table; see text) CGRP is a potent coronary artery vasodilator causing notable dose-dependent decreases in coronary resistance and a rise in myocardial flow, despite a decreased MAP (all P less than 0.05). CGRP does not affect ventricular contractility in vivo.

[ERG study of high degree myopia with retinal detachment]

The authors studied the ERG of 51 cases of bilateral high degree myopia with unilateral retinal detachment and 50 cases of normal eyes. It was found that ERG in the former were characterized by a marked drop in the amplitude of the a-wave, particularly in the eye of retinal detachment, for which the ERG further diminished or failed to appear depending on the duration and extent of the lesion. Since a-waves originate from the sensory visual cells, the result was consistent with the pathology of high degree myopia and retinal detachment. The authors hold that periodic ERG examinations for dynamic surveillance is useful in monitoring the development of retinal detachment in high degree myopia.

Visual tracking of moving targets by freely flying honeybees

The ability of freely-flying honeybees to track moving targets was examined by training them to collect a reward on a target, and then videotaping their approach to the target while it was in motion. Training experiments were carried out with several groups of bees, using various colors for the target and the background. Computer-aided frame-by-frame analysis of video recordings was used to plot the instantaneous positions of the target, as well as the position and orientation of the approaching bee in three dimensions. The results show that bees are perfectly capable of tracking moving targets and landing on them. When the distance of the target is greater than 15 cm, approaching bees correct for angular deviations of the target from the midline, both in the horizontal and in the vertical plane. In either plane, the input variables that are important to the tracking system seem to be (1) the angular bearing of the target with respect to the midline, and (2) the angular velocity of the target with respect to the eye. The tracking control system tends to orient the bee such that the target is located frontally, at an angle of ca. 35 deg below the bee's long axis. The chromatic properties of tracking behavior were investigated by employing combinations of colors for the target and background such that the boundary between the target and the background presented a contrast that was visible either only to the green-sensitive receptors of the bee's eye, or only to the blue-sensitive receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in cardiac neuropeptide Y after experimental myocardial infarction in rat

We have investigated the hypothesis that neuropeptide Y (NPY) is released from noradrenergic sympathetic nerves during experimentally induced myocardial infarction. A left thoracotomy was performed, the left main coronary artery ligated, and the animals sacrificed 4 or 48 h later. NPY levels in heart tissue from these rats and sham-operated controls were measured with radioimmunoassay. Levels of NPY in the right atrium were greater than other regions of the rat heart. After ligation of the left coronary artery, the concentration of NPY in the infarcted area of the left ventricle was reduced at 4 and 48 h when compared to a similar area in sham-operated rats. NPY levels in the septum were unchanged. The results suggest that during myocardial infarction, NPY is released from nerves in the infarcted region and may deleteriously affect increased collateral blood flow surrounding the infarcted tissue.

An impedance cardiography system: a new design

An IBM compatible impedance cardiac output monitoring prototype system has been developed for use at the bedside on patients in the ICU, CCU, ER, Cath. Lab, and OR, etc. This impedance cardiographic (ICG) system, whose operation is completely technician-free, provides a continuous display with digital results and four channel color waveforms on an Enhanced Graphics Display screen. The software is written in C language with several special segments in assembly code where speed is essential. In this prototype system, a real-time algorithm was introduced to modify the ensemble averaging technique so that it averages nonperiodic signals such as: ECG, dZ/dT, delta Z, etc. Also, a real-time algorithm was developed to adaptively detect R spikes from conventional ECG signals. A signal preprocessor was developed to process signals digitally before any further work is done. This procedure reduces muscle noise, 60 Hz interference, and ventilatory movement. A special digital filter was designed to cope with the cases in which pacemakers are used. A special algorithm was also developed to further reduce the ventilation artifacts so that a period of apnea is unnecessary during the performance of the measurements. An anatomically specified electrode configuration has been defined enabling precise and reproducible positioning of the electrodes--hopefully leading to electrode standardization. At the present time, this prototype system has been compared with standard hand calculation and correlated with the clinical "gold standard," the Swan-Ganz thermodilution cardiac output. Using 144 sets of data from 10 healthy volunteers, 4 critically ill patients, and 8 healthy exercising volunteers, calculations of cardiac output were made using our system and the standard hand calculation of stroke volume, based upon Kubicek's equation; there was a relatively high and stable correlation: r = 0.93, p less than 0.005 (healthy); r = 0.94, p less than 0.002 (ill), r = 0.95, p less than 0.002 (exercise). From 20 patients at two different hospitals all with Swan-Ganz catheters in their hearts, 65 correlation studies between our system and the standard thermodilution technique were performed; the results were encouraging in terms of accuracy and consistency (r1 = 0.84, p less than 0.01, n = 10 CCU patients), and (r2 = 0.93, p less than 0.01, n = ICU patients). These results along with a growing body of data from other investigators indicate that this noninvasive and technician-free system for measuring cardiac output could have a significant role in patient care.

[Calcitonin gene-related peptide in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats]

Using specific radioimmunoassay, radioimmunoreceptor analysis and gel filtration, we found that calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP) were distributed in various tissues of normotensive rat (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), the highest content was in the lumbar spinal cord (1197 +/- 94.8 pg/mg tissue), the lowest in the auricle (15.0 +/- 2.1 pg/mg tissue). Compared with WKY, the plasma CGRP concentration decreased and the CGRP content in abdominal aorta and hypothalamus increased in SHR. By gel filtration, it showed that only one major molecular form of CGRP was present in the tissues. The CGRP specific binding sites were present both in SHR and WKY hearts, but the number of CGRP binding sites in SHR heart was higher and the binding affinity lower than those in WKY heart. Besides, CGRP can reduce the mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the SHR in a dose-dependent way. The above data indicated that CGRP may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and exert possibly a therapeutic effect on hypertension.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

With the techniques of specific radioimmunoassay and gel filtration it was found that CGRP was distributed in various tissues of normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with the highest concentration in the lumbar spinal cord (1197 +/- 94.8 pg/mg tissue) and the lowest in the auricle (15.0 +/- 2.1 pg/mg tissue). In comparison with WKY, CGRP concentration in the plasma was decreased and in the abdominal aorta and hypothalamus was increased in SHR. Gel filtration revealed only one major CGRP molecular form in the tissues. In addition, CGRP reduced the mean arterial pressure (MAP) in SHR in a dose-dependent manner. These data suggest that CGRP may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and its possible therapy.

Acetate causes endothelium-independent increases in cyclic AMP in rat caudal artery

The mechanism of the vasorelaxant action of acetate is unknown. Because cyclic nucleotides have been linked to vasorelaxation in vascular smooth muscle, we studied the effects of acetate on tissue adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels in rat caudal artery. Acetate (4 mM) induced an increase in tissue cAMP levels (control: 5.1 +/- 0.67, acetate: 7.1 +/- 0.97 pmol/mg protein, P less than 0.05), with the increase noted as early as 15-30 s after acetate exposure, and peaking at 60 s. The time course of the cAMP response was compatible with the vasorelaxant effect of acetate against an arginine vasopressin (AVP, 2 X 10(-9) M) contraction. Both the increase in cAMP and the vasorelaxant effect were completely blocked by 10(-3) M 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). Acetate increased cAMP levels in 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-treated tissue with an effective concentration producing 50% of the maximum response (EC50) of 1.5 mM, similar to the relaxant EC50 (without IBMX) of 2.2 mM against an AVP contraction. In other experiments, the effect of acetate on cAMP was shown to be independent of endothelium. In contrast, acetate had no effect on tissue cGMP levels, whether the endothelium was present or absent. The results suggest that acetate causes an increase in tissue cAMP levels that is not dependent on presence of a functioning endothelium. The changes in cAMP may be contributory to the vasorelaxant effect of acetate in the caudal artery.

Copper disk pyrheliometer of high accuracy

A copper disk pyrheliometer has been designed and constructed that utilizes a new methodology to measure solar radiation. By operating the shutter of the instrument and measuring the heating and cooling rates of the sensor at the very moment when the sensor is at the same temperature, the solar radiation can be accurately determined with these rates. The method is highly accurate and is shown to be totally independent of the loss coefficient in the measurement. The pyrheliometer has been tested using a standard irradiance lamp in the laboratory. The uncertainty of the instrument is identified to be +/-0.61%. Field testing was also conducted by comparing data with that of a calibrated (Eppley) Normal Incidence Pyrheliometer. This paper spells out details of the construction and testing of the instrument; the analysis underlying the methodology was also covered in detail. Because of the high accuracy, the instrument is considered to be well suited for a bench standard for measurement of solar radiation.